mercurynews--2020-07-07--‘I don’t want to get sick:’ At-risk A’s pitcher Jake Diekman speaks out on test lags

Not for one moment did A ’ s reliever Jake Diekman consider opting out of the truncated 2020 Major League Baseball season .
He had every reason to .
Diekman ’ s ulcerative colitis makes him at high-risk of complications if he were to contract coronavirus .
Because of this , Diekman was guaranteed the negotiated full pro-rated salary promised if he ’ d chosen to sit the season out .
Fully masked , Diekman threw a 20-pitch live bullpen session against four hitters , including Ramón Laureano on Tuesday — his pitches fueled by relief that his teammates had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidelined most of the A ’ s for the entire weekend .
Still , Diekman ’ s concern over the league ’ s slow testing process nagged him .
“ There ’ s a little part in everyone ’ s mind that thinks this is going to be shut down , ” Diekman said on a call with reporters .
“ They might not say it , but there ’ s a little bit of fear in everyone ’ s head that might happen.
” Once the seed of doubt is planted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern .
First , any lapses in every-other-day testing can domino into viral disaster .
Testing lags have already forced the A ’ s , Houston Astros , Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants to shut down their workouts — those are imperative days lost in a shortened camp , Diekman says .
What if players go full-throttle in camp only to have the season banged ?
“ I ’ m high risk so I ’ m going to have to speak out , ” Diekman said .
“ I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his might spark the league to open up a public record detailing the number of tests and positive test rate MLB records on a consistent basis .
The league reported an initial analysis from 3,740 tests ( with a 2 % positive rate ) without indication of how often numbers would be rolled out .
Diekman ’ s hope is a public record would cause public cries for an additional lab to be used for MLB intake testing .
Right now , all tests are going through the PED-converted lab in Salt Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do ( approx . )
2,000 tests a day , ” Diekman said .
“ That makes zero sense to me .
Are they there twenty-four-seven ?
How is that possible to do ?
” Diekman isn ’ t pointing to the testing process ’ holes because he feels pressured to play under risky circumstances , he just hopes that the system ’ s wrinkles can be ironed out .
Some might ask why someone with a high-risk sickness wouldn ’ t consider opting out once bumps in the road turned up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , ” Amanda Diekman , Jake ’ s wife said .
“ He loves this game , he loves being a part of a team , he loves to compete .
He never wanted to leave his teammates hanging in any way .
“ We had some good conversations about the severity of things and made sure that we realistically could do this .
We decided to take it day-by-day , and if at any point it feels unsafe , we are able to opt out , which ultimately is very comforting.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the offseason .
Amanada and their 20-month-old daughter , Palmer , all joined him in the bubble in the Bay Area for the season .
They huddled in the same bubble to have someone each other by in a time when social distancing is pulling all of us apart .
To provide each other support , even though a season would go on without a hitch seemed unlikely .
Still , optimism was never at its peak .
• Kurtenbach : There are a billion reasons why sports won ’ t shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s tests haven ’ t been shipped to the lab in Utah • Kurtenbach : Is baseball ’ s new preseason long enough ?
“ Right now we honestly aren ’ t too sure , ” Amanda said , asked if they felt good about the season progressing .
“ There ’ s just a lot of moving parts , so many people involved , and with numbers rising across the country it just seems far-fetched.
” Before the Diekmans returned to California , manager Bob Melvin called the family up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a priority .
“ ( Melvin ) just expressed that he would do anything he could to make things work for Jake , to make us comfortable , ” Amanda said .
The A ’ s set up multiple Zoom calls with Jake to discuss methods for keeping him safe and to learn more about his health , offering up extra PPE and additional testing if he ’ d feel it necessary .
“ I think I ’ m more nervous than Jake , ” Amanda said .
She reached out to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ significant others — did any of them consider opting out ?
And , more importantly , was everyone within the players ’ bubbles ready to take on the diligent task of staying inside of it ?
Amanda felt the anxiety bug bite on Saturday when Jake left for the ballpark .
That the coronavirus threat wasn ’ t “ fresh ” anymore agitated fears that people around the A ’ s would become a little too relaxed about basic protocols .
But , another harsh reality about this process hit close when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests sat stalled at SFO well after camp report date .
The Diekman family wants the season to work out — Jake just wants to pitch .
He and his wife feel that a voice from someone with everything at stake might help push the league to find some new ways to close the gaps and put players at ease .
Because , right now , there is unease .
“ It just even more solidifies that we have reason to feel uneasy and unsure that this is going to work , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be resolved immediately .
”

Not for one moment did A’s reliever Jake Diekman consider opting out of the truncated 2020 Major League Baseball season.
He had every reason to.
Diekman’s ulcerative colitis makes him at high-risk of complications if he were to contract coronavirus. Because of this, Diekman was guaranteed the negotiated full pro-rated salary promised if he’d chosen to sit the season out.
He opted in.
Fully masked, Diekman threw a 20-pitch live bullpen session against four hitters, including Ramón Laureano on Tuesday — his pitches fueled by relief that his teammates had finally cleared the intake testing backlog that sidelined most of the A’s for the entire weekend.
Still, Diekman’s concern over the league’s slow testing process nagged him.
“There’s a little part in everyone’s mind that thinks this is going to be shut down,” Diekman said on a call with reporters. “They might not say it, but there’s a little bit of fear in everyone’s head that might happen.”
Once the seed of doubt is planted, it sprouts into a couple branches of concern. First, any lapses in every-other-day testing can domino into viral disaster. Testing lags have already forced the A’s, Houston Astros, Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants to shut down their workouts — those are imperative days lost in a shortened camp, Diekman says. What if players go full-throttle in camp only to have the season banged?
“I’m high risk so I’m going to have to speak out,” Diekman said. “I don’t want to get sick.”
He hopes his might spark the league to open up a public record detailing the number of tests and positive test rate MLB records on a consistent basis. The league reported an initial analysis from 3,740 tests (with a 2% positive rate) without indication of how often numbers would be rolled out.
Diekman’s hope is a public record would cause public cries for an additional lab to be used for MLB intake testing. Right now, all tests are going through the PED-converted lab in Salt Lake City.
“One lab has to do (approx.) 2,000 tests a day,” Diekman said. “That makes zero sense to me. Are they there twenty-four-seven? How is that possible to do?”
Diekman isn’t pointing to the testing process’ holes because he feels pressured to play under risky circumstances, he just hopes that the system’s wrinkles can be ironed out. Some might ask why someone with a high-risk sickness wouldn’t consider opting out once bumps in the road turned up.
“He never really thought to opt out,” Amanda Diekman, Jake’s wife said. “He loves this game, he loves being a part of a team, he loves to compete. He never wanted to leave his teammates hanging in any way.
“We had some good conversations about the severity of things and made sure that we realistically could do this. We decided to take it day-by-day, and if at any point it feels unsafe, we are able to opt out, which ultimately is very comforting.”
The Diekman family live in Nebraska during the offseason. Amanada and their 20-month-old daughter, Palmer, all joined him in the bubble in the Bay Area for the season. They huddled in the same bubble to have someone each other by in a time when social distancing is pulling all of us apart. To provide each other support, even though a season would go on without a hitch seemed unlikely.
Still, optimism was never at its peak.
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Before the Diekmans returned to California, manager Bob Melvin called the family up to reiterate that keeping Jake safe would be a priority.
“(Melvin) just expressed that he would do anything he could to make things work for Jake, to make us comfortable,” Amanda said. The A’s set up multiple Zoom calls with Jake to discuss methods for keeping him safe and to learn more about his health, offering up extra PPE and additional testing if he’d feel it necessary.
“I think I’m more nervous than Jake,” Amanda said. She reached out to the rest of the A’s players’ significant others — did any of them consider opting out? And, more importantly, was everyone within the players’ bubbles ready to take on the diligent task of staying inside of it?
Amanda felt the anxiety bug bite on Saturday when Jake left for the ballpark. That the coronavirus threat wasn’t “fresh” anymore agitated fears that people around the A’s would become a little too relaxed about basic protocols.
But, another harsh reality about this process hit close when most of Diekman’s teammates’ tests sat stalled at SFO well after camp report date.
The Diekman family wants the season to work out — Jake just wants to pitch. He and his wife feel that a voice from someone with everything at stake might help push the league to find some new ways to close the gaps and put players at ease.
Because, right now, there is unease.
“It just even more solidifies that we have reason to feel uneasy and unsure that this is going to work,” Amanda said. “It needs to be resolved immediately.”


mercurynews--2020-07-07--Kurtenbach: There are a billion reasons why sports won’t shut down again

The Giants couldn ’ t practice at their scheduled time Tuesday because their COVID-19 tests from Saturday had not been processed .
A few days ago , it was the A ’ s who had a similar problem .
In Major League Soccer , two teams have had to pull out of their “ MLS Is Back ” tournament in Orlando because they had too many positive COVID-19 tests and threatened the safety of the league ’ s “ bubble ” .
The NBA has seen practice facilities across the league shut down because of positive tests ahead of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orlando bubble .
The NHL decided that they can not have their bubbles in the United States .
They opted for two Canadian cities .
The NFL Players Association president said in an open letter Tuesday that “ the NFL is unwilling to prioritize player safety and believes that the virus will bend to football.
” Sports are trying to start , but every bit of news seems to make us question if they can .
I ’ m here to say that they will .
Call me naive , cynical or self-interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA ’ s bubble in Orlando will not be deterred , the Major League Baseball season — all 60 games of it — will start and finish on time , and the NFL will continue to pretend that the virus doesn ’ t exist .
Is any of this the safe and prudent thing to do ?
Of course not .
The safe and prudent thing to do is to wait for near-instant tests , a viable prophylactic , easy treatment , or , best yet , a vaccine to hit the market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prudent thing ” has never been the driving motivator for those leagues .
No , this is show business , baby , and the real motivating factor for returning to play is — you already guessed it — money .
Each league can give you a billion reasons and a couple of fancy French words for why they ’ ll push forward with play this summer and fall .
• Giants prospect Marco Luciano ‘ making this ballpark look small ’ during early workouts • For sale : Rare seats to watch Giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Penthouse included .
• The San Francisco Giants have their new 2020 schedule .
Will they end up playing ?
• New Giants coaching staff asking pitchers to adjust ( except for Johnny Cueto ) While It ’ s not great for any league to not have fans in the stands , every major professional sport in North America feels more beholden to their television rights partners than the folks that pay for tickets and cable .
And while we ’ ve all been reading about Vitamin D , ICU capacities , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reading each and every subclause of those TV contracts .
And , after looking at them , these leagues — and in the NBA ’ s case , the players , too — decided that skipping this season posed a larger risk than playing .
The year 2020 will be remembered for the term “ physical distancing ” , amid many other ( mostly terrible ) things , but in the sports world , the defining term will be “ force majeure ” — a clause in the vast majority , if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the broadcaster to recoup money or even tear up the deal should an “ act of God ” happen .
You know , like a pandemic .
It should be noted that NBA players , who are 50-50 partners with the league , found out about that clause in the league ’ s TV deals , looked at how much those TV deals were worth and spearheaded the league ’ s return to play .
Major League Baseball doesn ’ t care about the regular season all that much — they proved that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the postseason TV money ?
They care about that very much .
And the NFL ?
Well , when has science ever stopped the NFL from putting games on our televisions ?
These leagues have fought for decades to become the financial juggernauts they are today .
And as we learned in MLB ’ s fight with its players , they ’ ll scrap over relative pennies .
So while these leagues might prove to be impervious to the economic downturn — maybe they ’ ll continue to land larger and larger television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their current deals are torn up — not one is interested in finding out the hard way .
They ’ d rather risk the health and safety of their players .
Did you ever think things were going to go smoothly as these leagues try to play sports amid a 100-year pandemic ?
Who ’ s naive now ?
Of course there were problems .
This past weekend , it seems , that the lab in Utah that handles Major League Baseball ’ s saliva COVID-19 tests didn ’ t tell anyone that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — that or someone at the MLB office in Manhattan didn ’ t pay for weekend shipping .
Not good .
Subsequently , Summer Camps ( presented by Camping World — these guys will do anything for a few bucks ) were forced to stop from coast to coast .
This hiccup ( if we ’ re being nice ) has brought about Jon Taffer-like calls from fans and media — shut it down .
But do you know who didn ’ t suggest anything like that ?
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed a baseball season this year .
The MLB testing snafu isn ’ t a good look , but the league can chalk it up as growing pains amid this “ new normal ” .
The early testing failures in baseball — and perhaps the environments in the NBA bubble and at NFL training camps — will likely lead more players to opt-out of playing in the days and weeks to come .
But unless that ’ s a stance taken up en masse by players unions , a handful of guys skipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from pushing ahead .
Hell , the MLB owners might welcome opt-outs .
They complained about salaries so much during the hiatus , I can ’ t imagine that they ’ re angry about players — especially highly paid players like David Price — forgoing their salaries this year .
Truth be told , given the epidemic of arm injuries to pitchers and the general anonymity of power hitters in this day and age ( Mike Trout is as recognizable to the average American as an NBA bench player ) , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice if Major League Baseball ’ s best players took their gloves and went home .
To be clear , none of this should sit well with anyone .
They probably should shut it all down .
But so long as these leagues have billions of dollars on the line and commissioners hellbent on keeping those negotiated contracts in place , the show will go on .
• Giants prospect Marco Luciano ‘ making this ballpark look small ’ during early workouts • For sale : Rare seats to watch Giants play in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• The San Francisco Giants have their new 2020 schedule .
Will they end up playing ?
• New Giants coaching staff asking pitchers to adjust ( except for Johnny Cueto )

The Giants couldn’t practice at their scheduled time Tuesday because their COVID-19 tests from Saturday had not been processed.
A few days ago, it was the A’s who had a similar problem.
In Major League Soccer, two teams have had to pull out of their “MLS Is Back” tournament in Orlando because they had too many positive COVID-19 tests and threatened the safety of the league’s “bubble”.
The NBA has seen practice facilities across the league shut down because of positive tests ahead of that league’s move to their own Orlando bubble.
The NHL decided that they cannot have their bubbles in the United States. They opted for two Canadian cities.
The NFL Players Association president said in an open letter Tuesday that “the NFL is unwilling to prioritize player safety and believes that the virus will bend to football.”
Sports are trying to start, but every bit of news seems to make us question if they can.
I’m here to say that they will.
Call me naive, cynical or self-interested, but I firmly believe that the NBA’s bubble in Orlando will not be deterred, the Major League Baseball season — all 60 games of it — will start and finish on time, and the NFL will continue to pretend that the virus doesn’t exist.
Is any of this the safe and prudent thing to do?
Of course not. The safe and prudent thing to do is to wait for near-instant tests, a viable prophylactic, easy treatment, or, best yet, a vaccine to hit the market.
But doing the “safe and prudent thing” has never been the driving motivator for those leagues.
No, this is show business, baby, and the real motivating factor for returning to play is — you already guessed it — money.
Each league can give you a billion reasons and a couple of fancy French words for why they’ll push forward with play this summer and fall.
While It’s not great for any league to not have fans in the stands, every major professional sport in North America feels more beholden to their television rights partners than the folks that pay for tickets and cable. And while we’ve all been reading about Vitamin D, ICU capacities, and ACE-2 receptors, they’ve been reading each and every subclause of those TV contracts.
And, after looking at them, these leagues — and in the NBA’s case, the players, too — decided that skipping this season posed a larger risk than playing.
The year 2020 will be remembered for the term “physical distancing”, amid many other (mostly terrible) things, but in the sports world, the defining term will be “force majeure” — a clause in the vast majority, if not all, high-level broadcast contracts that allow the broadcaster to recoup money or even tear up the deal should an “act of God” happen.
You know, like a pandemic.
It should be noted that NBA players, who are 50-50 partners with the league, found out about that clause in the league’s TV deals, looked at how much those TV deals were worth and spearheaded the league’s return to play.
Major League Baseball doesn’t care about the regular season all that much — they proved that over the past few months. But the postseason TV money? They care about that very much.
And the NFL? Well, when has science ever stopped the NFL from putting games on our televisions?
These leagues have fought for decades to become the financial juggernauts they are today. And as we learned in MLB’s fight with its players, they’ll scrap over relative pennies. So while these leagues might prove to be impervious to the economic downturn — maybe they’ll continue to land larger and larger television deals in the future, even if their current deals are torn up — not one is interested in finding out the hard way.
They’d rather risk the health and safety of their players.
Did you ever think things were going to go smoothly as these leagues try to play sports amid a 100-year pandemic? Who’s naive now? Of course there were problems. This past weekend, it seems, that the lab in Utah that handles Major League Baseball’s saliva COVID-19 tests didn’t tell anyone that they were going home for the weekend — that or someone at the MLB office in Manhattan didn’t pay for weekend shipping. Not good. Subsequently, Summer Camps (presented by Camping World — these guys will do anything for a few bucks) were forced to stop from coast to coast.
This hiccup (if we’re being nice) has brought about Jon Taffer-like calls from fans and media — shut it down.
But do you know who didn’t suggest anything like that? MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, who let’s not forget unilaterally imposed a baseball season this year.
The MLB testing snafu isn’t a good look, but the league can chalk it up as growing pains amid this “new normal”.
The early testing failures in baseball — and perhaps the environments in the NBA bubble and at NFL training camps — will likely lead more players to opt-out of playing in the days and weeks to come. But unless that’s a stance taken up en masse by players unions, a handful of guys skipping work won’t deter these leagues from pushing ahead.
Hell, the MLB owners might welcome opt-outs. They complained about salaries so much during the hiatus, I can’t imagine that they’re angry about players — especially highly paid players like David Price — forgoing their salaries this year.
Truth be told, given the epidemic of arm injuries to pitchers and the general anonymity of power hitters in this day and age (Mike Trout is as recognizable to the average American as an NBA bench player), I’m not sure many casual fans would notice if Major League Baseball’s best players took their gloves and went home.
To be clear, none of this should sit well with anyone. They probably should shut it all down.
But so long as these leagues have billions of dollars on the line and commissioners hellbent on keeping those negotiated contracts in place, the show will go on.


mercurynews--2020-07-08--Kanye West says he no longer supports Donald Trump and that he had coronavirus

Kanye West is taking off his MAGA hat .
That ’ s just one of the revelations from a four-hour Forbes interview conducted Tuesday with the rapper/mogul/aspiring politician that was released on Wednesday .
West , who has been widely criticized because of his support of President Donald Trump , reportedly told the publication he has lost confidence in the commander in chief .
“ It looks like one big mess to me , ” West said .
“ I don ’ t like that I caught wind that he hid in the bunker.
” The “ Closed on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June that Trump was briefly moved to an underground bunker during protests at the White House over racial injustice and police brutality .
West ’ s comments come after he announced he is running for president himself , despite having missed deadlines in several states to actually get on the ballot .
He insisted to Forbes that his run is not a publicity stunt and said he had no issue with the idea that his planned run could potentially take votes away from presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden and aid in the reelection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not denying it , I just told you , ” West said .
“ To say that the Black vote is Democratic is a form of racism and white supremacy.
” “ I ’ m not saying Trump ’ s in my way , he may be a part of my way .
And Joe Biden ?
Like come on man , please , ” the publication also quoted West as saying .
“ You know ?
Obama ’ s special .
Trump ’ s special .
We say Kanye West is special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bill Clinton ?
Special .
Joe Biden ’ s not special.
” One of the reasons the star believes he will be able to get on the ballot despite missing deadlines to file is because of the coronavirus — a disease he says he contracted in February .
“ Chills , shaking in the bed , taking hot showers , looking at videos telling me what I ’ m supposed to do to get over it , ” West said of that time .
• Kanye West to bring Yeezy brand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unclear whether West was ever tested for the virus or antibodies and he said he ’ s praying for a cure , though he is suspicious of a possible vaccine .
“ We pray .
We pray for the freedom , ” said West who last year dropped his “ Jesus Is King ” album and talked about his spiritual awakening .
“ It ’ s all about God .
We need to stop doing things that make God mad.
” CNN has reached out to reps for West for additional @ @

Kanye West is taking off his MAGA hat.
That’s just one of the revelations from a four-hour Forbes interview conducted Tuesday with the rapper/mogul/aspiring politician that was released on Wednesday.
West, who has been widely criticized because of his support of President Donald Trump, reportedly told the publication he has lost confidence in the commander in chief.
“It looks like one big mess to me,” West said. “I don’t like that I caught wind that he hid in the bunker.”
The “Closed on Sunday” wordsmith was referring to reports in June that Trump was briefly moved to an underground bunker during protests at the White House over racial injustice and police brutality.
West’s comments come after he announced he is running for president himself, despite having missed deadlines in several states to actually get on the ballot.
He insisted to Forbes that his run is not a publicity stunt and said he had no issue with the idea that his planned run could potentially take votes away from presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden and aid in the reelection of Trump.
“I’m not denying it, I just told you,” West said. “To say that the Black vote is Democratic is a form of racism and white supremacy.”
“I’m not saying Trump’s in my way, he may be a part of my way. And Joe Biden? Like come on man, please,” the publication also quoted West as saying. “You know? Obama’s special. Trump’s special. We say Kanye West is special. America needs special people that lead. Bill Clinton? Special. Joe Biden’s not special.”
One of the reasons the star believes he will be able to get on the ballot despite missing deadlines to file is because of the coronavirus — a disease he says he contracted in February.
“Chills, shaking in the bed, taking hot showers, looking at videos telling me what I’m supposed to do to get over it,” West said of that time.
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“We pray. We pray for the freedom,” said West who last year dropped his “Jesus Is King” album and talked about his spiritual awakening. “It’s all about God. We need to stop doing things that make God mad.”
CNN has reached out to reps for West for additional comment.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-07-08--Walters: 2020 California ballot measures are mostly do-overs

Four months out from November ’ s election — and just three months until mail voting begins — outcomes of virtually all major California races are preordained , including a win by the Democratic presidential nominee , assumedly Joe Biden .
The big action will be 12 statewide ballot measures that may differ widely in subject matter , but have a common theme : do-over .
All but two of the measures would re-fight old battles , including the proposals most likely to grab the spotlight , Propositions 15 and 16 .
The former is a clash that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed Proposition 13 , California ’ s iconic property tax limit .
Public employee unions want to undo Proposition 13 and their initial effort is Proposition 15 , removing some taxation limits from commercial properties such as office buildings and shopping centers .
It would raise as much as $ 12.5 billion a year and with those high stakes , $ 100-plus million likely will be spent by proponents and opponents in the commercial real estate industry .
Proposition 16 , placed on the ballot by Democratic legislators , would repeal Proposition 209 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of race , ethnicity or gender in governmental actions , including college admissions .
The debate over “ affirmative action ” has gathered new energy with the Black Lives Matter and other protests about racial disparities .
Proposition 19 , a legislative version of a previously unsuccessful measure backed by the California Association of Realtors , also revisits Proposition 13 by allowing homeowners over 55 to buy new homes and transfer taxable values of their old homes to the new ones .
Another big do-over , sponsored by law enforcement groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures ( Propositions 47 and 57 ) that eased up on criminal penalties .
Proposition 20 ’ s backers say 47 and 57 freed too many criminals who commit new crimes .
Proposition 25 is another criminal justice measure in the midst of a fierce debate over cops ’ treatment of non-white Americans and another do-over .
Backed by bail bond agents , the referendum would repeal the Legislature ’ s landmark elimination of cash bail , which reformers said discriminates against poor defendants .
Proposition 22 is also an effort to undo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Assembly Bill 5 , which cracked down on employers who used non-payroll workers , such as ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft .
They and their allies want to exempt themselves from AB 5 ’ s provisions , but face stiff opposition from labor unions .
Two years ago , Los Angeles housing activist Michael Weinstein couldn ’ t persuade voters to eliminate curbs on local rent control ordinances and he ’ s back this year with Proposition 21 , a somewhat softer version , but still opposed by landlords .
Proposition 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by voters .
Backed by a healt hcare union , it would impose staffing levels and other operational rules on clinics that provide dialysis care to those with defective kidneys .
Two years ago , privacy advocates dropped a ballot measure aimed at protecting Californians ’ personal data in favor of legislation , but they dislike the results and have a new proposal , Proposition 24 , that would go further .
Sixteen years ago , California voters approved a $ 3 billion state bond issue for stem cell research .
The money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Proposition 14 , a $ 5.5 billion bond for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine .
Those are the 10 do-overs .
The remaining two measures , Propositions 17 and 18 would change state voting rules , allowing felons to cast ballots and allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they would turn 18 by the November election .
Let the battles of information and misinformation begin .

Four months out from November’s election — and just three months until mail voting begins — outcomes of virtually all major California races are preordained, including a win by the Democratic presidential nominee, assumedly Joe Biden.
The big action will be 12 statewide ballot measures that may differ widely in subject matter, but have a common theme: do-over.
All but two of the measures would re-fight old battles, including the proposals most likely to grab the spotlight, Propositions 15 and 16.
The former is a clash that’s been brewing since 1978, when voters passed Proposition 13, California’s iconic property tax limit.
Public employee unions want to undo Proposition 13 and their initial effort is Proposition 15, removing some taxation limits from commercial properties such as office buildings and shopping centers. It would raise as much as $12.5 billion a year and with those high stakes, $100-plus million likely will be spent by proponents and opponents in the commercial real estate industry.
Proposition 16, placed on the ballot by Democratic legislators, would repeal Proposition 209, a 1996 measure that banned the use of race, ethnicity or gender in governmental actions, including college admissions. The debate over “affirmative action” has gathered new energy with the Black Lives Matter and other protests about racial disparities.
Proposition 19, a legislative version of a previously unsuccessful measure backed by the California Association of Realtors, also revisits Proposition 13 by allowing homeowners over 55 to buy new homes and transfer taxable values of their old homes to the new ones.
Another big do-over, sponsored by law enforcement groups, would change parts of two previous ballot measures (Propositions 47 and 57) that eased up on criminal penalties. Proposition 20’s backers say 47 and 57 freed too many criminals who commit new crimes.
Proposition 25 is another criminal justice measure in the midst of a fierce debate over cops’ treatment of non-white Americans and another do-over. Backed by bail bond agents, the referendum would repeal the Legislature’s landmark elimination of cash bail, which reformers said discriminates against poor defendants.
Proposition 22 is also an effort to undo a legislative decision, in this case, Assembly Bill 5, which cracked down on employers who used non-payroll workers, such as ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft. They and their allies want to exempt themselves from AB 5’s provisions, but face stiff opposition from labor unions.
Two years ago, Los Angeles housing activist Michael Weinstein couldn’t persuade voters to eliminate curbs on local rent control ordinances and he’s back this year with Proposition 21, a somewhat softer version, but still opposed by landlords.
Proposition 23 is another revival of a measure rejected by voters. Backed by a healt hcare union, it would impose staffing levels and other operational rules on clinics that provide dialysis care to those with defective kidneys.
Two years ago, privacy advocates dropped a ballot measure aimed at protecting Californians’ personal data in favor of legislation, but they dislike the results and have a new proposal, Proposition 24, that would go further.
Sixteen years ago, California voters approved a $3 billion state bond issue for stem cell research. The money has all been spent and researchers drafted Proposition 14, a $5.5 billion bond for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Those are the 10 do-overs. The remaining two measures, Propositions 17 and 18 would change state voting rules, allowing felons to cast ballots and allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they would turn 18 by the November election.
Let the battles of information and misinformation begin.
Dan Walters is a CalMatters columnist.


mercurynews--2020-07-08--Kidnap suspect armed with 2 guns surrenders after California deputies surround his vehicle

An armed man surrendered to Riverside County sheriff ’ s deputies after they surrounded his vehicle in Perris early Tuesday , July 7 .
A woman reported she had been kidnapped by the man , the department said .
Deputies went to the area of North Perris Boulevard and Orange Avenue after being called at 12:30 a.m .
They found Nathan Tatum , 40 , of Moreno Valley inside the vehicle and armed with two guns , Sgt .
Steve Staton said in a news release .
Tatum was arrested about 1 hour and 45 minutes later .
Arriving deputies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the vehicle and surrender , Staton said .
When he didn ’ t , the sheriff ’ s Special Enforcement Bureau went to the scene with what were described as “ protective vehicles ” that surrounded the vehicle Tatum was in .
The department declined to further describe the kind of vehicles that were used .
Tatum gave up at 2:15 a.m. , and was arrested on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm , possession of a stolen firearm , felon in possession of ammunition , possession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon , and kidnapping , along with other allegations Two firearms , cash , and a “ large amount of narcotics ” were recovered from the vehicle , Staton said .
Tatum remained in custody Tuesday afternoon in lieu of posting bond on $ 500,000 bail .
There was no additional information available from the department about the woman who claimed she had been kidnapped , or where she was during the standoff with Tatum .

An armed man surrendered to Riverside County sheriff’s deputies after they surrounded his vehicle in Perris early Tuesday, July 7. A woman reported she had been kidnapped by the man, the department said.
Deputies went to the area of North Perris Boulevard and Orange Avenue after being called at 12:30 a.m. They found Nathan Tatum, 40, of Moreno Valley inside the vehicle and armed with two guns, Sgt. Steve Staton said in a news release.
Tatum was arrested about 1 hour and 45 minutes later.
Arriving deputies first made several announcements asking Tatum to leave the vehicle and surrender, Staton said.
When he didn’t, the sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau went to the scene with what were described as “protective vehicles” that surrounded the vehicle Tatum was in. The department declined to further describe the kind of vehicles that were used.
Tatum gave up at 2:15 a.m., and was arrested on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of methamphetamine, assault with a deadly weapon, and kidnapping, along with other allegations
Two firearms, cash, and a “large amount of narcotics” were recovered from the vehicle, Staton said.
Tatum remained in custody Tuesday afternoon in lieu of posting bond on $500,000 bail.
There was no additional information available from the department about the woman who claimed she had been kidnapped, or where she was during the standoff with Tatum.


mercurynews--2020-07-08--With 1,381 inmates with COVID-19, San Quentin early release plan aims to curb virus exposure

San Quentin inmates released early to help contain the coronavirus outbreak will no longer be dropped off to catch public transportation , Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis said Monday .
The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation also will make sure that inmates released as part of the expedited parole have a place to quarantine away from their families , Willis said .
“ In this new process with the early release , ” Willis said , “ their plan is to have transportation for every inmate that is released to be brought to their home or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit the spread of the virus after reports that some inmates were being released with active cases of the disease and no quarantine plan .
As of Monday there were 2,419 inmates with COVID-19 in California prisons and 1,381 of them were at San Quentin .
The virus is suspected in at least six inmate deaths at San Quentin .
There had been 165 confirmed cases among San Quentin staff ; 13 have returned to work .
On Monday , there were 67 San Quentin inmates hospitalized with COVID-19 , 12 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is averaging about 10 new hospitalizations a day .
The state is granting early release to some 3,500 inmates to reduce crowding in prisons throughout California and provide more room for physical distancing and isolation efforts .
Eligible inmates have 180 days or less to serve on their sentences and are not serving time for domestic violence , a serious crime as defined by law , or a sex offense .
Willis said about 100 inmates will be released from San Quentin as part of the expedited parole process .
Asked last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , Terry Thornton , a state prisons spokeswoman , wrote in an email that released inmates may be picked up at the prison by family or friends , by a community residential treatment facility where they are planning on living , or by their parole agent .
If an offender has a hold , detainer or warrant from any law enforcement agency — including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — that agency might also arrange for pickup .
“ If none of those factors exist , ” Thornton wrote , “ that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station.
” Willis said inmates will be tested seven days prior to their release date .
He said inmates who test positive will be provided with a hotel room in which to quarantine through a Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded program called Project Hope .
Willis said inmates who test negative and have no place to go after release will be housed through Project Roomkey , a statewide initiative to secure hotel and motel rooms for the homelessness to stem transmission of the virus .
“ Our recommendation , ” Willis said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be treated as if they ’ ve been exposed and should be quarantined prior to returning to their homes.
” When inmates are released , they are required by law to return to the county in which they resided when they were incarcerated .
Mike Daly , the chief probation officer in Marin County , said he knew of one San Quentin inmate who recently returned to Marin after testing positive who is living with relatives .
Daly said he is expecting seven other inmates to return to Marin from prisons around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release program .
Last week , J. Clark Kelso , the court-appointed federal receiver for the state ’ s prison medical care system , responded to calls from Marin supervisors and others to establish an incident command to manage San Quentin ’ s response to the massive outbreak and boost the prison ’ s capacity to treat inmates on-site .
Willis , who is advising the incident command , said that by Wednesday , an alternate care facility , something short of a field hospital that will include more doctors and nurses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During an oversight hearing on the spread of COVID-19 in state prisons held by the state Senate ’ s public safety committee on Thursday , Sen. Scott Wiener , D-San Francisco , objected to the Department of Corrections allowing ICE to pick up inmates at the prison after they have completed their sentences .
According to Wiener ’ s office , ICE picked up some 575 inmates at San Quentin between January and May .
“ When we transfer to ICE we ’ re sending people who may be vulnerable themselves to private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe one in three of the detainees are COVID positive , ” Wiener said .
“ That needs to end immediately.
” Ralph Diaz , secretary for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation , responded , “ They ’ re picked up by ICE just like any other law enforcement agency that might have a hold on an individual .
“ If there is a hold in place , Senator , ” he said , “ we will continue to enforce that .
”

San Quentin inmates released early to help contain the coronavirus outbreak will no longer be dropped off to catch public transportation, Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis said Monday.
The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation also will make sure that inmates released as part of the expedited parole have a place to quarantine away from their families, Willis said.
“In this new process with the early release,” Willis said, “their plan is to have transportation for every inmate that is released to be brought to their home or hotel room.”
The new approach aims to limit the spread of the virus after reports that some inmates were being released with active cases of the disease and no quarantine plan.
As of Monday there were 2,419 inmates with COVID-19 in California prisons and 1,381 of them were at San Quentin. The virus is suspected in at least six inmate deaths at San Quentin. There had been 165 confirmed cases among San Quentin staff; 13 have returned to work.
On Monday, there were 67 San Quentin inmates hospitalized with COVID-19, 12 in Marin hospitals. Willis said the prison is averaging about 10 new hospitalizations a day.
The state is granting early release to some 3,500 inmates to reduce crowding in prisons throughout California and provide more room for physical distancing and isolation efforts.
Eligible inmates have 180 days or less to serve on their sentences and are not serving time for domestic violence, a serious crime as defined by law, or a sex offense. Willis said about 100 inmates will be released from San Quentin as part of the expedited parole process.
Asked last week to describe how releases at San Quentin work, Terry Thornton, a state prisons spokeswoman, wrote in an email that released inmates may be picked up at the prison by family or friends, by a community residential treatment facility where they are planning on living, or by their parole agent.
If an offender has a hold, detainer or warrant from any law enforcement agency — including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — that agency might also arrange for pickup.
“If none of those factors exist,” Thornton wrote, “that person may be taken to a bus station.”
Willis said inmates will be tested seven days prior to their release date. He said inmates who test positive will be provided with a hotel room in which to quarantine through a Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded program called Project Hope.
Willis said inmates who test negative and have no place to go after release will be housed through Project Roomkey, a statewide initiative to secure hotel and motel rooms for the homelessness to stem transmission of the virus.
“Our recommendation,” Willis said, “is that all inmates from San Quentin should be treated as if they’ve been exposed and should be quarantined prior to returning to their homes.”
When inmates are released, they are required by law to return to the county in which they resided when they were incarcerated.
Mike Daly, the chief probation officer in Marin County, said he knew of one San Quentin inmate who recently returned to Marin after testing positive who is living with relatives. Daly said he is expecting seven other inmates to return to Marin from prisons around the state as part of the early release program.
Last week, J. Clark Kelso, the court-appointed federal receiver for the state’s prison medical care system, responded to calls from Marin supervisors and others to establish an incident command to manage San Quentin’s response to the massive outbreak and boost the prison’s capacity to treat inmates on-site.
Willis, who is advising the incident command, said that by Wednesday, an alternate care facility, something short of a field hospital that will include more doctors and nurses, should be operational at the prison.
During an oversight hearing on the spread of COVID-19 in state prisons held by the state Senate’s public safety committee on Thursday, Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, objected to the Department of Corrections allowing ICE to pick up inmates at the prison after they have completed their sentences. According to Wiener’s office, ICE picked up some 575 inmates at San Quentin between January and May.
“When we transfer to ICE we’re sending people who may be vulnerable themselves to private prison ICE detention facilities, where we believe one in three of the detainees are COVID positive,” Wiener said. “That needs to end immediately.”
Ralph Diaz, secretary for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, responded, “They’re picked up by ICE just like any other law enforcement agency that might have a hold on an individual.
“If there is a hold in place, Senator,” he said, “we will continue to enforce that.”


mercurynews--2020-07-08--Sir Francis Drake High School protesters demand name change

More than 50 protesters demanded Tuesday that Sir Francis Drake High School change its name because of the explorer ’ s links to slave trading , racism and colonial violence .
“ For me , when I hear or see the name , I can ’ t help but associate Drake ’ s actions with visuals of my ancestors taken from their land , shackled and enslaved , ” said Brandon Johnson of Forest Knolls , a 2005 graduate and an organizer of the group .
Johnson , who is Black , said he remembers hearing the “ N-word ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fan while playing basketball for the Drake team .
At the time , he said , he thought “ the joke ’ s on them , because I know at Drake we stand for something better .
“ What I know now is that the larger joke was on me , ” he said .
“ I was getting called the N-word while proudly wearing the name of a slave trader across my chest .
That ’ s why the name matters.
” Johnson was one of about a half-dozen speakers at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s parking lot .
Students , employees , parents and graduates participated in the rally .
After the speeches , protesters marched , while chanting “ change the name , ” to the high school ’ s office .
There , they taped a copy of a letter being sent this week to Tamalpais Union High School District officials on the office door .
“ Drake High School ’ s stated commitment to diversity and equity will remain empty words until it takes concrete steps to remove the name of a well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and colonizer from its school and replaces it with a carefully chosen name that shares our collective values , ” the letter said .
The Tam Union district , which includes Drake High School , is scheduled to discuss the name change at its board meeting at 6 p.m. July 14 .
The link to the online meeting agenda will be posted by Friday at the district website , tamdistrict.org .
“ I am grateful that our community is engaging in this and other conversations to address racism , ” said Tara Taupier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the board president , said the focus on race and anti-racism was “ important work and it deserves thoughtful examination of all our institutions , including our schools.
” The high school , the second in the district , was named after Drake in 1951 .
The name change movement is one of several efforts underway to rid the county of symbols honoring Drake , who reputedly landed on the Marin coast in 1579 .
A new group , Tam Equity Campaign , is running a petition to change the name of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , activists want to remove the 30-foot-high explorer statue near the Larkspur Ferry Terminal .
“ Drake ’ s name on our school , like our street , and the statue in Larkspur , are symbols of the continuing legacy of white supremacist ideology in Marin , ” the activists ’ letter to the Tam district states .
“ This legacy must be changed not merely by removing his name from our school .
The district must finally live up to its long stated commitment to anti-racism by implementing the long discussed plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of discussion , forums , meetings and workshops.
” Liz Seabury , principal of Drake High School , said Monday that a staff committee had already begun discussions in early June about changing the name .
The panelists will be coordinating with the district ’ s board and the community , she said .
“ We appreciate the voice and strength of our staff for taking the lead on this at the end of a challenging year and starting the process with a commitment to anti-racism in our school , ” Seabury said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change to the name of a school , especially a school with such deep roots in the community , is an emotional topic for many people.
” Chad Stuart , assistant principal and one of the speakers at Tuesday ’ s rally , said he supported the name change both as a school staff member and as a 1996 Drake graduate .
Stuart said the school has listed the steps it plans to take on its Instagram page .
“ There ’ s a lot of emotions and passions on this , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As I educated myself on this , and realized that the name itself is hurtful — especially to people of color — I support the name change as an alumni member as well.
” After pinning the letter at Tuesday ’ s rally , demonstrators rode in a car caravan along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard through the Hub in San Anselmo .
The procession traveled back through downtown San Anselmo and west through downtown Fairfax before circling back to the school .
• Frederick Douglass statue toppled in New York park on anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was struck by a car has died • Baltimore protesters toppled a Christopher Columbus statue and threw it in a harbor Anya Bodine-McCoy , the incoming student trustee representing Drake High School on the Tamalpais Union High School District board , said she supports the name change .
“ I think we should be honoring significant people who benefit the community in order to show a perspective in history that hasn ’ t been whitewashed , ” Bodine-McCoy , 17 , of San Anselmo said at the rally .
Zianah Griffin , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the name was only the first step .
Griffin , 17 , of Fairfax identifies as a biracial Asian woman .
Both she and Bodine-McCoy were members of the Drake chapter of Students Organized for Anti-Racism , or SOAR .
“ The renaming of Sir Francis Drake High School is only a gateway into a much larger web of necessary institutional change , ” she said Tuesday .
“ To the opposers I say , the renaming will end when the real work begins .
”

More than 50 protesters demanded Tuesday that Sir Francis Drake High School change its name because of the explorer’s links to slave trading, racism and colonial violence.
“For me, when I hear or see the name, I can’t help but associate Drake’s actions with visuals of my ancestors taken from their land, shackled and enslaved,” said Brandon Johnson of Forest Knolls, a 2005 graduate and an organizer of the group.
Johnson, who is Black, said he remembers hearing the “N-word” called out by an opposing team’s fan while playing basketball for the Drake team. At the time, he said, he thought “the joke’s on them, because I know at Drake we stand for something better.
“What I know now is that the larger joke was on me,” he said. “I was getting called the N-word while proudly wearing the name of a slave trader across my chest. That’s why the name matters.”
Johnson was one of about a half-dozen speakers at the event in the San Anselmo school’s parking lot. Students, employees, parents and graduates participated in the rally.
After the speeches, protesters marched, while chanting “change the name,” to the high school’s office. There, they taped a copy of a letter being sent this week to Tamalpais Union High School District officials on the office door.
“Drake High School’s stated commitment to diversity and equity will remain empty words until it takes concrete steps to remove the name of a well known slave trader, murderer, rapist and colonizer from its school and replaces it with a carefully chosen name that shares our collective values,” the letter said.
The Tam Union district, which includes Drake High School, is scheduled to discuss the name change at its board meeting at 6 p.m. July 14. The link to the online meeting agenda will be posted by Friday at the district website, tamdistrict.org.
“I am grateful that our community is engaging in this and other conversations to address racism,” said Tara Taupier, the district superintendent.
Leslie Harlander, the board president, said the focus on race and anti-racism was “important work and it deserves thoughtful examination of all our institutions, including our schools.”
The high school, the second in the district, was named after Drake in 1951. The name change movement is one of several efforts underway to rid the county of symbols honoring Drake, who reputedly landed on the Marin coast in 1579.
A new group, Tam Equity Campaign, is running a petition to change the name of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. In addition, activists want to remove the 30-foot-high explorer statue near the Larkspur Ferry Terminal.
“Drake’s name on our school, like our street, and the statue in Larkspur, are symbols of the continuing legacy of white supremacist ideology in Marin,” the activists’ letter to the Tam district states. “This legacy must be changed not merely by removing his name from our school. The district must finally live up to its long stated commitment to anti-racism by implementing the long discussed plans, which have achieved little despite years of discussion, forums, meetings and workshops.”
Liz Seabury, principal of Drake High School, said Monday that a staff committee had already begun discussions in early June about changing the name. The panelists will be coordinating with the district’s board and the community, she said.
“We appreciate the voice and strength of our staff for taking the lead on this at the end of a challenging year and starting the process with a commitment to anti-racism in our school,” Seabury said. “We understand that any proposed change to the name of a school, especially a school with such deep roots in the community, is an emotional topic for many people.”
Chad Stuart, assistant principal and one of the speakers at Tuesday’s rally, said he supported the name change both as a school staff member and as a 1996 Drake graduate. Stuart said the school has listed the steps it plans to take on its Instagram page.
“There’s a lot of emotions and passions on this,” Stuart said before the rally. “As I educated myself on this, and realized that the name itself is hurtful — especially to people of color — I support the name change as an alumni member as well.”
After pinning the letter at Tuesday’s rally, demonstrators rode in a car caravan along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard through the Hub in San Anselmo. The procession traveled back through downtown San Anselmo and west through downtown Fairfax before circling back to the school.
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Israel’s Netanyahu released from hospital ahead of key vote on legal overhaul Education | Protesters try to storm Baghdad’s Green Zone over the burning of Quran and Iraqi flag in Denmark Anya Bodine-McCoy, the incoming student trustee representing Drake High School on the Tamalpais Union High School District board, said she supports the name change.
“I think we should be honoring significant people who benefit the community in order to show a perspective in history that hasn’t been whitewashed,” Bodine-McCoy, 17, of San Anselmo said at the rally.
Zianah Griffin, who graduated this year, said that changing the name was only the first step. Griffin, 17, of Fairfax identifies as a biracial Asian woman. Both she and Bodine-McCoy were members of the Drake chapter of Students Organized for Anti-Racism, or SOAR.
“The renaming of Sir Francis Drake High School is only a gateway into a much larger web of necessary institutional change,” she said Tuesday. “To the opposers I say, the renaming will end when the real work begins.”


mercurynews--2020-07-08--Coronavirus continues to surge to record levels in Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ — As COVID-19 cases continue to reach record levels , Santa Cruz County ’ s health officer is warning that area hospitals may near capacity by the end of July .
The county could also soon find itself on Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s “ watchlist , ” facing mandated reopening rollbacks such as the closure of bars and indoor dining .
Active known COVID-19 cases in Santa Cruz County reached an all-time high of 216 as of Tuesday , about four times the level seen in early June .
The total case count reached 501 including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day earlier , 37 new confirmed cases broke the county ’ s single-day record set the prior week — though Mondays typically see higher than average case totals due to reporting delays from the weekend .
“ It looks like it ’ s headed into the classic virus logarithmic curve , where things change very quickly , ” said Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel in an interview Tuesday .
She said the data shows the county could find itself on the governor ’ s watchlist , subject to increased scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
Local hospitals , meanwhile , hit a peak of 14 COVID-19 patients in treatment as of Monday , according to Newel .
Two of those patients were transported from harder hit counties .
The surge in hospitalized patients exceeded the highest number in the range of earlier projections , “ going up even more steeply than we had imagined , ” Newel said .
If the trend continues , Newel said the county ’ s hospitals will be nearing capacity by the end of July .
Hospitalizations and newly confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 7,000 new cases reported daily over the past week for the first time .
California had confirmed more than 277,000 cases and 6,448 deaths as of Monday .
Also Monday , Newsom added Monterey and five other counties to the state ’ s watch list , bringing the total under stricter state oversight to 23 out of 58 counties .
In response to Santa Cruz County ’ s surge , Newel said local health officials in the past 10 days have ramped up dormant alternate care sites , are working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and reactivated an incident command system to coordinate efforts .
Increased case numbers were expected as the economy began to reopen , and Newel said the current surge in known infections would have likely arrived earlier without the county ’ s March 16 shelter-in-place order .
• Data : Lots of virus aid money went to people in Washington • ‘ I don ’ t want to get sick : ’ At-risk A ’ s pitcher Jake Diekman speaks out on test lags • Coronavirus FAQ : What can I do and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ At the same time , we ’ re dismayed to see that they ’ re rising so quickly , and that the case rate is increasing so quickly , ” she said .
Compared to March and April , however , Newel said the county is now in a much better position to deal with a surge in cases with more know-how in terms of treating patients , and more widespread availability of testing , contact tracing and personal-protective equipment .
“ So many things have improved since then , ” Newel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the shelter-in-place orders bought us — these months to prepare for this .
”

SANTA CRUZ — As COVID-19 cases continue to reach record levels, Santa Cruz County’s health officer is warning that area hospitals may near capacity by the end of July.
The county could also soon find itself on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “watchlist,” facing mandated reopening rollbacks such as the closure of bars and indoor dining.
Active known COVID-19 cases in Santa Cruz County reached an all-time high of 216 as of Tuesday, about four times the level seen in early June. The total case count reached 501 including 282 recoveries and three deaths.
A day earlier, 37 new confirmed cases broke the county’s single-day record set the prior week — though Mondays typically see higher than average case totals due to reporting delays from the weekend.
“It looks like it’s headed into the classic virus logarithmic curve, where things change very quickly,” said Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel in an interview Tuesday. She said the data shows the county could find itself on the governor’s watchlist, subject to increased scrutiny and possible reopening rollbacks, in two weeks.
Local hospitals, meanwhile, hit a peak of 14 COVID-19 patients in treatment as of Monday, according to Newel. Two of those patients were transported from harder hit counties.
The surge in hospitalized patients exceeded the highest number in the range of earlier projections, “going up even more steeply than we had imagined,” Newel said.
If the trend continues, Newel said the county’s hospitals will be nearing capacity by the end of July.
Hospitalizations and newly confirmed cases are on the rise across California, with more than 7,000 new cases reported daily over the past week for the first time. California had confirmed more than 277,000 cases and 6,448 deaths as of Monday.
Also Monday, Newsom added Monterey and five other counties to the state’s watch list, bringing the total under stricter state oversight to 23 out of 58 counties.
In response to Santa Cruz County’s surge, Newel said local health officials in the past 10 days have ramped up dormant alternate care sites, are working to hire and train more contact tracers, and reactivated an incident command system to coordinate efforts.
Increased case numbers were expected as the economy began to reopen, and Newel said the current surge in known infections would have likely arrived earlier without the county’s March 16 shelter-in-place order.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “At the same time, we’re dismayed to see that they’re rising so quickly, and that the case rate is increasing so quickly,” she said.
Compared to March and April, however, Newel said the county is now in a much better position to deal with a surge in cases with more know-how in terms of treating patients, and more widespread availability of testing, contact tracing and personal-protective equipment.
“So many things have improved since then,” Newel said. “And that’s what the shelter-in-place orders bought us — these months to prepare for this.”


mercurynews--2020-07-08--NFL star Mark Barron to auction off California mansion

A Chatsworth mansion owned by former Los Angeles Rams linebacker Mark Barron heads to the auction block in a live webcast .
“ The auction will be held without reserve , so buyers can name their price , ” said Nate Schar , director of luxury real estate for Heritage Auctions , the long-running company set to preside over the sale .
Live online bidding opens at 2 p.m. Tuesday , July 14 .
To participate in the event , bidders must register and present lender pre-approval by Monday , July 13 , Schar recommends .
With its stone exterior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residence known as “ Château Loire ” sits on nearly 2 acres in guard-gated Indian Springs Estates .
The light-filled house boasts a spacious master suite , a large game room and lounge , and a new backyard designed for entertaining .
Features of the yard include a swimming pool and spa , fire pit , basketball court , and outdoor kitchen .
There ’ s also an expansive lawn .
Inside the home are formal living and dining rooms .
An eat-in kitchen , its backsplash and counters in Carrera marble , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , generous cabinet space and a breakfast nook .
A wet bar fills a corner of the family room .
Halfway up the stairs is an office .
The top floor holds the master suite , which has an expansive walk-in closet , sitting room and private balcony .
It ’ s attached to a Carrera marble-covered bathroom with a jetted tub , one of six bathrooms throughout the house .
A bonus room attached to the suite can double as a gym or baby ’ s nursery .
The house boasts lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a pull-through porte-cochere .
Barron , 30 , bought the home in 2016 for $ 2.8 million , property records show , shortly after he signed a five-year , $ 45 million contract with the Rams .
The team cut him loose with two seasons left on his contract .
In 2019 , the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Barron to a two-year , $ 12 million contract .
That team released him in March .
• For sale : Rare seats to watch Giants play in person in Oracle Park .
Penthouse included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market in June 2020 for $ 3.999 million .
But Schar said the NFL player has long sought a buyer for the property .
“ I ’ m not sure what type of listing it was , but I know they were exhausted with the traditional process , ” he said .
“ The market hasn ’ t responded in an efficient enough manner , and this seller is motivated to sell.
” The auction guarantees a sale on Tuesday .
• For sale : Rare seats to watch Giants play in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A Chatsworth mansion owned by former Los Angeles Rams linebacker Mark Barron heads to the auction block in a live webcast.
“The auction will be held without reserve, so buyers can name their price,” said Nate Schar, director of luxury real estate for Heritage Auctions, the long-running company set to preside over the sale.
Live online bidding opens at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 14. To participate in the event, bidders must register and present lender pre-approval by Monday, July 13, Schar recommends.
With its stone exterior and turrets, the five-bedroom, 7,467-square-foot residence known as “Château Loire” sits on nearly 2 acres in guard-gated Indian Springs Estates. The light-filled house boasts a spacious master suite, a large game room and lounge, and a new backyard designed for entertaining.
Features of the yard include a swimming pool and spa, fire pit, basketball court, and outdoor kitchen. There’s also an expansive lawn.
Inside the home are formal living and dining rooms. An eat-in kitchen, its backsplash and counters in Carrera marble, holds a large center island with seating, generous cabinet space and a breakfast nook. A wet bar fills a corner of the family room.
Halfway up the stairs is an office.
The top floor holds the master suite, which has an expansive walk-in closet, sitting room and private balcony. It’s attached to a Carrera marble-covered bathroom with a jetted tub, one of six bathrooms throughout the house.
A bonus room attached to the suite can double as a gym or baby’s nursery.
The house boasts lots of parking, including a four-car garage with a pull-through porte-cochere.
Barron, 30, bought the home in 2016 for $2.8 million, property records show, shortly after he signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Rams. The team cut him loose with two seasons left on his contract. In 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Barron to a two-year, $12 million contract. That team released him in March.
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Photos: Palm Springs home that celebrates its connection to Elizabeth Taylor hits the market for $5 million Real Estate | George Lucas sues to secure Marin County parcel ownership Records show the house hit the market in June 2020 for $3.999 million. But Schar said the NFL player has long sought a buyer for the property.
“I’m not sure what type of listing it was, but I know they were exhausted with the traditional process,” he said. “The market hasn’t responded in an efficient enough manner, and this seller is motivated to sell.”


mercurynews--2020-07-08--4,015 new cases of coronavirus shatter LA County’s single-day record; 48 deaths reported

Los Angeles County reported its highest number of new coronavirus cases in a day Tuesday , July 6 , by Los Angeles County health officials , but the high number , in part , was due to a backlog of test results belatedly turned in .
Some 2,000 of those new cases , however , were from test results received from one lab that just submitted results from July 2-5 .
There were 48 new deaths and 4,015 new cases of positive COVID-19 cases in the county .
The latest in an array of alarming numbers arrived as President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools this fall , arguing that some are keeping schools closed not because of the coronavirus pandemic , but for political reasons against the will of families .
“ We want to reopen the schools .
Everybody wants it .
The moms want it , the dads want it , the kids want it .
It ’ s time to do it , ” Trump said at a White House event .
“ We ’ re very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools.
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure governors , but he repeated an earlier claim that Democrats want to keep schools closed for political reasons and not health reasons .
He made the same claim Monday on Twitter , saying , “ They think it will help them in November .
Wrong , the people get it !
” Southern California schools were still very much in flux over the prospect of in-person classes in the fall .
Echoing the position of many other districts , Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said Monday there ’ s still no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the COVID-19 pandemic , and the district may need to create a balance of online and in-person classes for the next academic year that starts Aug. 18 .
Meanwhile , the personal protective gear that was in dangerously short supply during the early weeks of the coronavirus crisis in the U.S. is running low again as the virus resumes its rapid spread and the number of hospitalized patients climbs .
A national nursing union is concerned that gear has to be reused .
A doctors association warns that physicians ’ offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and other supplies .
And Democratic members of Congress are pushing the Trump administration to devise a national strategy to acquire and distribute gear in anticipation of the crisis worsening into the fall .
Among rising concerns amid the surge that has hit California and a collection of other states are the impacts on hospitals — which are bracing for an onslaught that could tax available beds .
In Los Angeles County , hospitalization numbers remain “ substantially higher ” than three weeks ago , officials said Tuesday , with 1,969 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago ran from 1,350-1,450 .
The number of daily of hospitalizations has steadily increased to over 1,900 since July 1 .
Of those patients currently hospitalized , 27 % were in the ICU and 18 % on ventilators .
Testing results are now available for more than 1.2 million with 9 % testing positive .
Among the newly reported deaths , 28 were over the age of 65 and 10 were between the ages of 41 and 65 .
Five who died were between the ages of 18 and 40 and 34 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The mid-day report did not include updated reports from the cities of Long Beach and Pasadena , which operate their own health departments .
Pasadena had not posted new numbers as of 3:30 p.m. Long Beach reported an additional 218 coronavirus cases over the July Fourth holiday weekend , bringing the total since the pandemic began to 4,690 .
The city also reported three more deaths from coronavirus-related causes .
Long Beach ’ s death toll , the city announced Tuesday , July 7 , was 139 .
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To date , the county ’ s health department has identified 120,539 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of Los Angeles County , along with a total of 3,579 deaths .
Officials continue to remind people to avoid crowds , confined spaces and close contact with others not in their immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they affect real people in our community , ” said Barbara Ferrer , director of public health .
“ Choosing to not practice physical distancing or objecting to wearing cloth face coverings when around others can be a life-threatening decision .
Everyone shares the collective responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 to prevent an overwhelming surge of COVID-19 to save lives .
”

Los Angeles County reported its highest number of new coronavirus cases in a day Tuesday, July 6, by Los Angeles County health officials, but the high number, in part, was due to a backlog of test results belatedly turned in.
Some 2,000 of those new cases, however, were from test results received from one lab that just submitted results from July 2-5.
There were 48 new deaths and 4,015 new cases of positive COVID-19 cases in the county.
The latest in an array of alarming numbers arrived as President Donald Trump launched an all-out effort to reopen schools this fall, arguing that some are keeping schools closed not because of the coronavirus pandemic, but for political reasons against the will of families.
“We want to reopen the schools. Everybody wants it. The moms want it, the dads want it, the kids want it. It’s time to do it,” Trump said at a White House event. “We’re very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools.”
Trump did not immediately explain how he would pressure governors, but he repeated an earlier claim that Democrats want to keep schools closed for political reasons and not health reasons. He made the same claim Monday on Twitter, saying, “They think it will help them in November. Wrong, the people get it!”
Southern California schools were still very much in flux over the prospect of in-person classes in the fall. Echoing the position of many other districts, Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said Monday there’s still no timetable on when school facilities may reopen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the district may need to create a balance of online and in-person classes for the next academic year that starts Aug. 18.
Meanwhile, the personal protective gear that was in dangerously short supply during the early weeks of the coronavirus crisis in the U.S. is running low again as the virus resumes its rapid spread and the number of hospitalized patients climbs.
A national nursing union is concerned that gear has to be reused. A doctors association warns that physicians’ offices are closed because they cannot get masks and other supplies. And Democratic members of Congress are pushing the Trump administration to devise a national strategy to acquire and distribute gear in anticipation of the crisis worsening into the fall.
Among rising concerns amid the surge that has hit California and a collection of other states are the impacts on hospitals — which are bracing for an onslaught that could tax available beds.
In Los Angeles County, hospitalization numbers remain “substantially higher” than three weeks ago, officials said Tuesday, with 1,969 people currently hospitalized. Daily hospitalizations three weeks ago ran from 1,350-1,450. The number of daily of hospitalizations has steadily increased to over 1,900 since July 1.
Of those patients currently hospitalized, 27% were in the ICU and 18% on ventilators.
Testing results are now available for more than 1.2 million with 9% testing positive.
Among the newly reported deaths, 28 were over the age of 65 and 10 were between the ages of 41 and 65. Five who died were between the ages of 18 and 40 and 34 of those who died had underlying health conditions.
The mid-day report did not include updated reports from the cities of Long Beach and Pasadena, which operate their own health departments. Pasadena had not posted new numbers as of 3:30 p.m.
Long Beach reported an additional 218 coronavirus cases over the July Fourth holiday weekend, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 4,690. The city also reported three more deaths from coronavirus-related causes. Long Beach’s death toll, the city announced Tuesday, July 7, was 139.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge To date, the county’s health department has identified 120,539 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of Los Angeles County, along with a total of 3,579 deaths.
Officials continue to remind people to avoid crowds, confined spaces and close contact with others not in their immediate household.
“Our actions have consequences and they affect real people in our community,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of public health. “Choosing to not practice physical distancing or objecting to wearing cloth face coverings when around others can be a life-threatening decision. Everyone shares the collective responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 to prevent an overwhelming surge of COVID-19 to save lives.”


mercurynews--2020-07-08--Mary Kay Letourneau, teacher who served prison time for sexual relationship with sixth-grade student

Mary Kay Letourneau, teacher who served prison time for sexual relationship with sixth-grade student, dies at 58

SEATTLE — Mary Kay Letourneau , a teacher who married her former sixth-grade student after she was convicted of raping him in a case that drew international headlines , has died .
She was 58 .
Her lawyer David Gehrke told multiple news outlets Letourneau died Tuesday of cancer .
He did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press .
Letourneau was a married mother of four having difficulties with her marriage in 1996 when Vili Fualaau was a precocious 12-year-old in Letourneau ’ s class at Shorewood Elementary in Burien , a south Seattle suburb .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1996 , police discovered them in a minivan parked at the Des Moines Marina .
Letourneau , then 34 , initially told officers the boy was 18 , raising suspicions that something sexual was going on .
But back at the police station , Fualaau and Letourneau denied there had been any “ touching.
” Instead , they said , Letourneau had been babysitting the boy and took him from her home after she and her husband had a fight .
About two months after the marina incident , Letourneau became pregnant with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their second child was conceived in 1998 , after Letourneau had pleaded guilty to child rape and received a 7 1/2-year prison term .
Letourneau and Fualaau married on May 20 , 2005 , in Woodinville , Washington , after she finished serving time in prison .
Fualaau and Letourneau had previously characterized their relationship as one of love , and even wrote a book together — “ Un Seul Crime , L ’ Amour , ” or “ Only One Crime , Love.
” Their story was also the subject of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Girl.
” King County court records show Fualaau asked the court for a legal separation from Letourneau on May 9 , 2017 .
Seattle attorney Anne Bremner befriended Letourneau in 2002 , when she represented the Des Moines police department in a lawsuit brought by Fualaau ’ s mother , claiming the city and school district failed to protect him from the teacher .
A jury found against the family in the civil action .
Bremner visited Letourneau in prison and would meet her for lunch after her release .
“ She accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had to serve her time , but when she got out she didn ’ t dwell , ” Bremner said .
“ She moved forward in a very positive way and raised those girls .
She was somebody I rooted for .
I really wanted her to do well , and she did.
” In the civil trial following the multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed by Fualaau ’ s mother , the police department and school district insisted the romance was so bizarre that no one could have predicted it .
The district ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grounds after the academic year had ended .
Police argued that they simply had no evidence of sexual abuse until it was too late .
Bremner said of Letourneau and Fualauu ’ s relationship : “ Everyone said it wouldn ’ t last , but it did , at least for 20 years.
” Letourneau was from Tustin .
Her father was John G. Schmitz , a congressman from Orange County from 1970-73 .

SEATTLE — Mary Kay Letourneau, a teacher who married her former sixth-grade student after she was convicted of raping him in a case that drew international headlines, has died. She was 58.
Her lawyer David Gehrke told multiple news outlets Letourneau died Tuesday of cancer. He did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press.
Letourneau was a married mother of four having difficulties with her marriage in 1996 when Vili Fualaau was a precocious 12-year-old in Letourneau’s class at Shorewood Elementary in Burien, a south Seattle suburb.
At about 1:20 a.m. on June 19, 1996, police discovered them in a minivan parked at the Des Moines Marina.
Letourneau, then 34, initially told officers the boy was 18, raising suspicions that something sexual was going on. But back at the police station, Fualaau and Letourneau denied there had been any “touching.” Instead, they said, Letourneau had been babysitting the boy and took him from her home after she and her husband had a fight.
About two months after the marina incident, Letourneau became pregnant with the couple’s first daughter. Their second child was conceived in 1998, after Letourneau had pleaded guilty to child rape and received a 7 1/2-year prison term.
Letourneau and Fualaau married on May 20, 2005, in Woodinville, Washington, after she finished serving time in prison.
Fualaau and Letourneau had previously characterized their relationship as one of love, and even wrote a book together — “Un Seul Crime, L’Amour,” or “Only One Crime, Love.” Their story was also the subject of a USA Network movie, “All American Girl.”
King County court records show Fualaau asked the court for a legal separation from Letourneau on May 9, 2017.
Seattle attorney Anne Bremner befriended Letourneau in 2002, when she represented the Des Moines police department in a lawsuit brought by Fualaau’s mother, claiming the city and school district failed to protect him from the teacher. A jury found against the family in the civil action. Bremner visited Letourneau in prison and would meet her for lunch after her release.
“She accepted that it was a crime and that she had to serve her time, but when she got out she didn’t dwell,” Bremner said. “She moved forward in a very positive way and raised those girls. She was somebody I rooted for. I really wanted her to do well, and she did.”
In the civil trial following the multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed by Fualaau’s mother, the police department and school district insisted the romance was so bizarre that no one could have predicted it. The district’s lawyer said it began off school grounds after the academic year had ended. Police argued that they simply had no evidence of sexual abuse until it was too late.
Bremner said of Letourneau and Fualauu’s relationship: “Everyone said it wouldn’t last, but it did, at least for 20 years.”
Letourneau was from Tustin. Her father was John G. Schmitz, a congressman from Orange County from 1970-73.


mercurynews--2020-07-08--Horoscopes July 8, 2020: Sophia Bush, use your imagination.

Happy Birthday : Look for opportunities , and you will find a way to get ahead .
Turn any negative you encounter this year into something spectacular .
Use your imagination , and you will develop a plan that allows you to use your skills , education and experience in ways you find exciting and entertaining .
Keep up with the times , and adapt to lifestyle changes .
Your numbers are 8 , 11 , 21 , 27 , 33 , 39 , 41 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : You ’ ll have the courage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but before you get into a debate , make sure you have the facts and figures required to win your case .
Go after what you feel passionate about , and you will succeed .
4 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Don ’ t waste time on the impossible or get involved in an emotional stalemate .
Implement a change that will help you sidestep controversy and negativity and encourage you to do what ’ s best for you .
2 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and don ’ t stop until you reach your goal .
Brute force , along with preparation and discipline , will help you outmaneuver anyone who gets in your way .
Personal gain is heading for you .
5 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Turn a negative into a positive .
When something doesn ’ t go your way , change course and find a way to make things work .
Be willing to put in the work , and you will reap the rewards .
A good deed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Reclaim something that belongs to you .
Whether it ’ s a possession , idea or your self-esteem you want , it ’ s time to take control of your life and to refuse to settle for something that makes you feel like you ’ ve been taken advantage of or used .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : An emotional incident will lead to an overdue adjustment .
Embrace a change and turn it into something you ’ ve wanted for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t need , and take care of what you want .
Choose peace over discord .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Take a back seat and observe .
The information you gather will help you make an important decision regarding your relationships and lifestyle .
Evaluate , and prepare to take physical action to encourage you to get what you want .
Romance is featured .
5 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Put more into your home environment .
The added comfort will lead to peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in yourself , as well as your surroundings and pursuits , will put you in a better position when dealing with outside influences .
2 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Keep your emotions under control and your energy focused on improvements , not discord .
You won ’ t be disappointed if you keep your secrets to yourself .
Call the shots instead of becoming someone ’ s puppet .
Strive for equality , love and personal happiness .
4 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Put money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alter the way you spend or handle personal issues .
Don ’ t wait until it ’ s too late to make a move .
Initiate change , and don ’ t look back .
Do what ’ s best for you .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Take the time to make an effort and improve your life personally , professionally and financially .
The changes you make at home or to the way you handle loved ones will bring promising results .
Physical activity will encourage a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Refuse to let a sentimental situation put you in a vulnerable position .
Use your knowledge , experience and ability to see clearly to avoid getting stuck doing something you don ’ t want to do .
Know your limitations , and protect your assets .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are helpful , opportunistic and demanding .
You are aggressive and systematic .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Sophia Bush, 38; Milo Ventimiglia, 43; Kevin Bacon, 62; Anjelica Huston, 69.
Happy Birthday: Look for opportunities, and you will find a way to get ahead. Turn any negative you encounter this year into something spectacular. Use your imagination, and you will develop a plan that allows you to use your skills, education and experience in ways you find exciting and entertaining. Keep up with the times, and adapt to lifestyle changes. Your numbers are 8, 11, 21, 27, 33, 39, 41.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): You’ll have the courage to face situations you don’t like, but before you get into a debate, make sure you have the facts and figures required to win your case. Go after what you feel passionate about, and you will succeed. 4 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t waste time on the impossible or get involved in an emotional stalemate. Implement a change that will help you sidestep controversy and negativity and encourage you to do what’s best for you. 2 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Set your sights on what you want, and don’t stop until you reach your goal. Brute force, along with preparation and discipline, will help you outmaneuver anyone who gets in your way. Personal gain is heading for you. 5 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Turn a negative into a positive. When something doesn’t go your way, change course and find a way to make things work. Be willing to put in the work, and you will reap the rewards. A good deed trumps an angry message. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Reclaim something that belongs to you. Whether it’s a possession, idea or your self-esteem you want, it’s time to take control of your life and to refuse to settle for something that makes you feel like you’ve been taken advantage of or used. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): An emotional incident will lead to an overdue adjustment. Embrace a change and turn it into something you’ve wanted for some time. Discard what you don’t need, and take care of what you want. Choose peace over discord. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take a back seat and observe. The information you gather will help you make an important decision regarding your relationships and lifestyle. Evaluate, and prepare to take physical action to encourage you to get what you want. Romance is featured. 5 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put more into your home environment. The added comfort will lead to peace and tranquility. Investing time and money in yourself, as well as your surroundings and pursuits, will put you in a better position when dealing with outside influences. 2 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep your emotions under control and your energy focused on improvements, not discord. You won’t be disappointed if you keep your secrets to yourself. Call the shots instead of becoming someone’s puppet. Strive for equality, love and personal happiness. 4 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put money matters first. You may need to alter the way you spend or handle personal issues. Don’t wait until it’s too late to make a move. Initiate change, and don’t look back. Do what’s best for you. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take the time to make an effort and improve your life personally, professionally and financially. The changes you make at home or to the way you handle loved ones will bring promising results. Physical activity will encourage a healthier lifestyle. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Refuse to let a sentimental situation put you in a vulnerable position. Use your knowledge, experience and ability to see clearly to avoid getting stuck doing something you don’t want to do. Know your limitations, and protect your assets. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are helpful, opportunistic and demanding. You are aggressive and systematic.
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