mercurynews--2020-07-12--Coronavirus: Alameda County added to state’s watch list for monitoring

Alameda County became California ’ s 30th county placed on the state ’ s watch list because of growing concerns over the novel coronavirus pandemic , health officials announced Sunday .
“ While Alameda County has the highest number of cases among Bay Area counties , the County ’ s case rate is third highest in the Bay Area and less than half of California ’ s overall case rate , ” said a statement released by county health spokeswoman Neetu Balram .
The state puts counties on its watch list if they exceed thresholds for certain criteria , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases in hospitalizations , and availability of ICU beds and ventilators .
In the past two weeks , Alameda County averaged a COVID-19 case rate of 104 positive results per 100,000 people .
The threshold to be placed on the list is 100 cases per 100,000 , according to the state department of public health .
Alameda County officials reported 240 cases Saturday for a total of 7,725 cases overall , according to data compiled by this news organization .
The county also reported one death Saturday for a total of 148 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The magnitude of the change is above what would be expected as a result of the County ’ s substantial expansion of testing , ” the statement read .
It added that after three consecutive days on the list , the county is subject to state-imposed restrictions and enforcement .
The surge in cases can be attributed to a lack of face coverings and distancing and ongoing transmission among those at risk in skilled nursing homes , frontline workplaces and more .
California had a total of 318,706 cases after 1,539 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this news organization ’ s coronavirus tracker .
Alameda County officials said the situation has been affected “ by accelerated reopening across the region and state , as our residents often live , work and recreate across county boundaries.
” On July 1 , state health officials said counties on the watch list were required to close indoor activities for restaurants , wine tasting , movie theaters , zoos and museums and family entertainment centers for a minimum of three weeks .
Alameda officials said they plan to apply for state approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which activities could continue because they do not pose a big risk to the community .
According to the release , Alameda officials hope to continue with outdoor dining and outdoor zoo operations while on the watch list .
• Three Arizona teachers who shared a classroom got coronavirus .
One of them died • Coronavirus : Hospitalization still on the rise in state because of pandemic • As US grapples with virus , Florida hits record case increase Santa Clara County — which has long had the state ’ s most restrictive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week from the state ’ s list because its number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 did not increase by 10 percent over three days .
The decision to remove Santa Clara from the list came after a confusing holiday weekend for the South Bay , where the state rejected Santa Clara County ’ s request to expand its reopening plan and sent armed agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to restaurants in Morgan Hill and Gilroy to inform owners they were violating state orders and should shut down outdoor service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Marin and Napa are the other regional counties on the list , according to state officials .

Alameda County became California’s 30th county placed on the state’s watch list because of growing concerns over the novel coronavirus pandemic, health officials announced Sunday.
“While Alameda County has the highest number of cases among Bay Area counties, the County’s case rate is third highest in the Bay Area and less than half of California’s overall case rate,” said a statement released by county health spokeswoman Neetu Balram.
The state puts counties on its watch list if they exceed thresholds for certain criteria, including significant changes in COVID-19 infection rates, increases in hospitalizations, and availability of ICU beds and ventilators.
In the past two weeks, Alameda County averaged a COVID-19 case rate of 104 positive results per 100,000 people. The threshold to be placed on the list is 100 cases per 100,000, according to the state department of public health.
Alameda County officials reported 240 cases Saturday for a total of 7,725 cases overall, according to data compiled by this news organization. The county also reported one death Saturday for a total of 148 fatalities since the pandemic began earlier this year.
“The magnitude of the change is above what would be expected as a result of the County’s substantial expansion of testing,” the statement read.
It added that after three consecutive days on the list, the county is subject to state-imposed restrictions and enforcement. The surge in cases can be attributed to a lack of face coverings and distancing and ongoing transmission among those at risk in skilled nursing homes, frontline workplaces and more.
California had a total of 318,706 cases after 1,539 positive results were reported Sunday, according to this news organization’s coronavirus tracker.
Alameda County officials said the situation has been affected “by accelerated reopening across the region and state, as our residents often live, work and recreate across county boundaries.”
On July 1, state health officials said counties on the watch list were required to close indoor activities for restaurants, wine tasting, movie theaters, zoos and museums and family entertainment centers for a minimum of three weeks.
Alameda officials said they plan to apply for state approval to allow county health officers to determine which activities could continue because they do not pose a big risk to the community.
According to the release, Alameda officials hope to continue with outdoor dining and outdoor zoo operations while on the watch list.
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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 Santa Clara County — which has long had the state’s most restrictive public health order — was removed last week from the state’s list because its number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 did not increase by 10 percent over three days.
The decision to remove Santa Clara from the list came after a confusing holiday weekend for the South Bay, where the state rejected Santa Clara County’s request to expand its reopening plan and sent armed agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to restaurants in Morgan Hill and Gilroy to inform owners they were violating state orders and should shut down outdoor service or risk a citation.
Contra Costa, Marin and Napa are the other regional counties on the list, according to state officials.


mercurynews--2020-07-12--San Francisco Giants: Here’s what’s happening in Oracle Park intrasquad scrimmages

SAN FRANCISCO — With fewer than two weeks until the Giants travel to Los Angeles for Opening Day at Dodger Stadium , the team has transitioned from holding live batting practice sessions to intrasquad scrimmages at Oracle Park .
The Giants are planning on playing a pair of exhibition games against the Oakland A ’ s ( July 20 , 21 ) but the coronavirus pandemic will force clubs across baseball to prepare for a season in an unusual manner .
In lieu of spending five weeks playing against opposing clubs in spring training , teams are left to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to jump headfirst into a condensed 60-game season .
If you ’ re wondering what ’ s happening out at Oracle Park , here ’ s a look at how the Giants are readying themselves for the regular season .
Giants send three starters to the mound In the days leading up to the start of a season , it ’ s unusual for teams to have members of their starting rotation pitch on the same day .
That ’ s exactly what the Giants did Sunday as right-handers Jeff Samardzija and Kevin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple innings in an intrasquad game .
As Kapler has mentioned in recent days , it ’ s unlikely the Giants will open the season with a traditional five-man rotation and it ’ s possible pitchers initially projected to start games could appear out of the bullpen early in the year .
Smyly and Gausman looked excellent Sunday as the pair combined to throw 4 2/3 innings of one-hit ball , with Alex Dickerson record a hard-hit single up the middle against Gausman .
“ Drew Smyly came out firing , filling up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a curveball , a fastball with a lot of life and a cutter that has come a long way , ” Kapler said .
Samardzija had a much tougher day as it appeared the veteran starter only had command of his splitter .
Samardzija was unable to finish a second inning of work after allowing a home run to catcher Chadwick Tromp , a single to Marco Luciano , a walk to Alexander Canario and a RBI double to Will Wilson , a quartet of players who have never appeared in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first home run of the afternoon barely cleared the left field wall , the catcher left no doubt with his at-bat in the bottom of the sixth in Sunday ’ s intrasquad game .
The former Reds prospect demolished a pitch from left-handed reliever Sam Selman halfway up the left field bleachers at Oracle Park and in the process , may have significantly increased his chances of securing an Opening Day roster spot .
Following Buster Posey ’ s announcement Friday that he ’ ll sit out the 2020 season , Kapler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicated minor league free-agents Tyler Heineman and Rob Brantly are the front-runners to open the season as the team ’ s catchers .
Top prospect Joey Bart ’ s name has inevitably come up in conversations about the Opening Day roster , but the Giants have been reluctant to consider Bart because he ’ s only played 22 games above High-A in his minor league career .
Tromp was somewhat of an afterthought , but after doubling and tripling earlier in the week and bashing two home runs on Sunday , he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least become a more prominent figure in the Giants ’ catching competition .
“ I think it ’ s clear right now we have three catchers who are putting their best foot forward and giving themselves the best opportunity to be evaluated .
I think all three of those guys , Tromp , Heineman and Brantly have different skillsets that they bring to the table , ” Kapler said .
Johnny Cueto pitched in a live batting practice Friday and was initially scheduled to throw two innings and face eight or nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see so many San Francisco Giants players at multiple positions in 2020 • Will MLB teams play ball ?
Why things may be OK , and how they might fall apart • What Buster Posey ’ s absence will mean for the Giants ( and is Joey Bart ready ? )
The right-hander and likely Opening Day starter was so efficient the Giants scrambled to send extra hitters to the plate each “ inning ” because Cueto recorded several one and two-pitch outs .
Cueto allowed two hits including a hard-hit double down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but also recorded eight groundball including an easy 6-4-3 double play after giving up a single to Donovan Solano .
The Giants don ’ t have the radar gun turned on in the ballpark , but Cueto ’ s velocity appeared normal and he ’ s not the type of pitcher who ’ s ever too concerned about how hard he ’ s throwing .
Through the first week of workouts , no Giants player is hitting the ball harder than third baseman Evan Longoria , who launched a two-run home run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ batting practice session Friday .
Longoria is driving the ball all over the field and has drawn consistent praise from Kapler for continuing to find the barrel .
Shortstop Brandon Crawford isn ’ t far behind and has shown off impressive plate discipline so far .
The Giants aren ’ t keeping stats right now , but it ’ s unlikely any player has worked deeper counts or drawn more walks than Crawford , who is attempting to rebound from a disappointing 2019 season in which he hit .228 .
A third infielder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week and that ’ s utility man Donovan Solano , who could wind up starting at second base on Opening Day if the Giants send a right-handed heavy lineup out to face Clayton Kershaw .
When asked about Solano ’ s play thus far , Kapler joked about his nickname “ Donnie Barrels ” and noted the Giants believe he can build off an impressive 2019 season because he has some of the best hand-eye coordination of any player on the Giants .
Solano ’ s bat-to-ball skills are reminiscent of Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career and make him a difficult player to strike out .
Outside of left-hander Tony Watson and righties Trevor Gott and Tyler Rogers , it seems as if no pitchers have locked up Opening Day roster spots as members of the Giants ’ bullpen .
So much uncertainty isn ’ t necessarily a bad thing because the Giants like the group of pitchers they have in camp and believe the competition for jobs will heighten the intensity of intrasquad scrimmages .
A handful of right-handers looked impressive in Saturday ’ s intrasquad scrimmage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rico Garcia all made compelling cases they should be traveling with the team to Dodger Stadium to open the season .
Coonrod is attempting to establish his slider more and needs to throw more strikes , but he has one of the best fastballs of any reliever vying for a bullpen spot and his four-seamer had plenty of life Saturday .
Triggs is a former Oakland A ’ s starter who can go multiple innings at a time and appears to be particularly tough on right-handed hitters .
The 31-year-old has a crossfire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a way that Kapler said is similar to longtime Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo .
It ’ s hard to know right now if Triggs can be as effective against lefties ( he gave up a two-run home run to Pablo Sandoval Saturday ) , so expect the Giants to test him against more left-handed hitters in intrasquad games this week .
Garcia ’ s name was in the news this week for tough reason as he was the pitcher who allowed a home run to 18-year-old prospect Marco Luciano , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a 1-2-3 inning in Saturday ’ s 6.5-inning intrasquad game .
A former minor league starter in the Rockies organization , Garcia is consistently in the mid-90s with his fastball and ran his four-seamer up to 97 miles per hour in spring training .
In a Zoom call with reporters Sunday , Mauricio Dubón spent time praising the group of young international prospects in camp including Luciano , Canario and Luis Toribio .
He called Luciano ’ s home run off Garcia the “ Loudest sound of the bat I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite a compliment considering outfielder Hunter Pence hit a booming home run in Saturday ’ s intrasquad game .
The group of prospects the Giants have in camp has drawn rave reviews from Kapler and veteran players and it ’ s easy to see why members of the organization are so excited about the team ’ s future .
Luciano clearly has star potential , Toribio has a swing that ’ s reminiscent of Pablo Sandoval ’ s and Canario arrived in camp having put on some good muscle after showcasing impressive power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a relatively quiet week for Wilson , the infield prospect acquired in a December trade with the Angels , but the 2019 first round draft choice hit a laser over Dickerson ’ s head for a RBI double off Samardzija in Sunday ’ s scrimmage .
Plenty of other top Giants prospects including Bart and Heliot Ramos are making the most of opportunities to work with big league coaches and it ’ s increasingly clear how much of a competitive advantage the prospects who are in camp will have compared to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own this summer .
Kapler has given every indication the Giants plan to vary their lineups regularly and have platoons at most positions , so expect a lineup that features at least six or seven righties on Opening Day when the club faces Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw .
A way-too-early prediction based on what we ’ ve seen in camp and what we know about the Giants ’ preferences :

SAN FRANCISCO — With fewer than two weeks until the Giants travel to Los Angeles for Opening Day at Dodger Stadium, the team has transitioned from holding live batting practice sessions to intrasquad scrimmages at Oracle Park.
The Giants are planning on playing a pair of exhibition games against the Oakland A’s (July 20, 21) but the coronavirus pandemic will force clubs across baseball to prepare for a season in an unusual manner.
In lieu of spending five weeks playing against opposing clubs in spring training, teams are left to hold intrasquad games and hope players are ready to jump headfirst into a condensed 60-game season.
If you’re wondering what’s happening out at Oracle Park, here’s a look at how the Giants are readying themselves for the regular season.
Giants send three starters to the mound
In the days leading up to the start of a season, it’s unusual for teams to have members of their starting rotation pitch on the same day.
That’s exactly what the Giants did Sunday as right-handers Jeff Samardzija and Kevin Gausman and lefty Drew Smyly all threw multiple innings in an intrasquad game. As Kapler has mentioned in recent days, it’s unlikely the Giants will open the season with a traditional five-man rotation and it’s possible pitchers initially projected to start games could appear out of the bullpen early in the year.
Smyly and Gausman looked excellent Sunday as the pair combined to throw 4 2/3 innings of one-hit ball, with Alex Dickerson record a hard-hit single up the middle against Gausman.
“Drew Smyly came out firing, filling up the zone with all of his pitches, a curveball, a fastball with a lot of life and a cutter that has come a long way,” Kapler said.
Samardzija had a much tougher day as it appeared the veteran starter only had command of his splitter. Samardzija was unable to finish a second inning of work after allowing a home run to catcher Chadwick Tromp, a single to Marco Luciano, a walk to Alexander Canario and a RBI double to Will Wilson, a quartet of players who have never appeared in a major league game.
Tromp homers twice
After Tromp’s first home run of the afternoon barely cleared the left field wall, the catcher left no doubt with his at-bat in the bottom of the sixth in Sunday’s intrasquad game.
The former Reds prospect demolished a pitch from left-handed reliever Sam Selman halfway up the left field bleachers at Oracle Park and in the process, may have significantly increased his chances of securing an Opening Day roster spot.
Following Buster Posey’s announcement Friday that he’ll sit out the 2020 season, Kapler and president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi indicated minor league free-agents Tyler Heineman and Rob Brantly are the front-runners to open the season as the team’s catchers. Top prospect Joey Bart’s name has inevitably come up in conversations about the Opening Day roster, but the Giants have been reluctant to consider Bart because he’s only played 22 games above High-A in his minor league career.
Tromp was somewhat of an afterthought, but after doubling and tripling earlier in the week and bashing two home runs on Sunday, he’s clearly helping his cause and has at least become a more prominent figure in the Giants’ catching competition.
“I think it’s clear right now we have three catchers who are putting their best foot forward and giving themselves the best opportunity to be evaluated. I think all three of those guys, Tromp, Heineman and Brantly have different skillsets that they bring to the table,” Kapler said.
Here’s Johnny
Johnny Cueto pitched in a live batting practice Friday and was initially scheduled to throw two innings and face eight or nine hitters.
The right-hander and likely Opening Day starter was so efficient the Giants scrambled to send extra hitters to the plate each “inning” because Cueto recorded several one and two-pitch outs. Cueto allowed two hits including a hard-hit double down the right field line to Joey Bart, but also recorded eight groundball including an easy 6-4-3 double play after giving up a single to Donovan Solano.
The Giants don’t have the radar gun turned on in the ballpark, but Cueto’s velocity appeared normal and he’s not the type of pitcher who’s ever too concerned about how hard he’s throwing.
Longoria, Crawford, Solano ahead of the rest
Through the first week of workouts, no Giants player is hitting the ball harder than third baseman Evan Longoria, who launched a two-run home run off left-hander Conner Menez in a live batting practice session Friday.
Longoria is driving the ball all over the field and has drawn consistent praise from Kapler for continuing to find the barrel.
Shortstop Brandon Crawford isn’t far behind and has shown off impressive plate discipline so far. The Giants aren’t keeping stats right now, but it’s unlikely any player has worked deeper counts or drawn more walks than Crawford, who is attempting to rebound from a disappointing 2019 season in which he hit .228.
A third infielder has been among the Giants top hitters this week and that’s utility man Donovan Solano, who could wind up starting at second base on Opening Day if the Giants send a right-handed heavy lineup out to face Clayton Kershaw.
When asked about Solano’s play thus far, Kapler joked about his nickname “Donnie Barrels” and noted the Giants believe he can build off an impressive 2019 season because he has some of the best hand-eye coordination of any player on the Giants. Solano’s bat-to-ball skills are reminiscent of Joe Panik during the best years of his career and make him a difficult player to strike out.
Relievers to watch
Outside of left-hander Tony Watson and righties Trevor Gott and Tyler Rogers, it seems as if no pitchers have locked up Opening Day roster spots as members of the Giants’ bullpen.
So much uncertainty isn’t necessarily a bad thing because the Giants like the group of pitchers they have in camp and believe the competition for jobs will heighten the intensity of intrasquad scrimmages.
A handful of right-handers looked impressive in Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage as Sam Coonrod, Andrew Triggs and Rico Garcia all made compelling cases they should be traveling with the team to Dodger Stadium to open the season.
Coonrod is attempting to establish his slider more and needs to throw more strikes, but he has one of the best fastballs of any reliever vying for a bullpen spot and his four-seamer had plenty of life Saturday.
Triggs is a former Oakland A’s starter who can go multiple innings at a time and appears to be particularly tough on right-handed hitters. The 31-year-old has a crossfire delivery and deceives hitters with his motion in a way that Kapler said is similar to longtime Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo.
It’s hard to know right now if Triggs can be as effective against lefties (he gave up a two-run home run to Pablo Sandoval Saturday), so expect the Giants to test him against more left-handed hitters in intrasquad games this week.
Garcia’s name was in the news this week for tough reason as he was the pitcher who allowed a home run to 18-year-old prospect Marco Luciano, but he was also the only pitcher who had a 1-2-3 inning in Saturday’s 6.5-inning intrasquad game. A former minor league starter in the Rockies organization, Garcia is consistently in the mid-90s with his fastball and ran his four-seamer up to 97 miles per hour in spring training.
The kids draw rave reviews
In a Zoom call with reporters Sunday, Mauricio Dubón spent time praising the group of young international prospects in camp including Luciano, Canario and Luis Toribio.
He called Luciano’s home run off Garcia the “Loudest sound of the bat I’ve heard so far,” which is quite a compliment considering outfielder Hunter Pence hit a booming home run in Saturday’s intrasquad game.
The group of prospects the Giants have in camp has drawn rave reviews from Kapler and veteran players and it’s easy to see why members of the organization are so excited about the team’s future. Luciano clearly has star potential, Toribio has a swing that’s reminiscent of Pablo Sandoval’s and Canario arrived in camp having put on some good muscle after showcasing impressive power with short-season Salem-Keizer last year.
It was a relatively quiet week for Wilson, the infield prospect acquired in a December trade with the Angels, but the 2019 first round draft choice hit a laser over Dickerson’s head for a RBI double off Samardzija in Sunday’s scrimmage.
Plenty of other top Giants prospects including Bart and Heliot Ramos are making the most of opportunities to work with big league coaches and it’s increasingly clear how much of a competitive advantage the prospects who are in camp will have compared to the minor leaguers forced to work out on their own this summer.
A possible starting 10
Kapler has given every indication the Giants plan to vary their lineups regularly and have platoons at most positions, so expect a lineup that features at least six or seven righties on Opening Day when the club faces Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
A way-too-early prediction based on what we’ve seen in camp and what we know about the Giants’ preferences:
Mauricio Dubón, CF Mike Yastrzemski, RF Wilmer Flores, 1B Evan Longoria, 3B Hunter Pence, LF Darin Ruf, DH Donovan Solano, 2B Brandon Crawford, SS Tyler Heineman, C
Pitcher: Johnny Cueto


mercurynews--2020-07-12--Mass celebrated after fire damages centuries-old church

By Marcio Sanchez and Christopher Weber | Associated Press SAN GABRIEL , Calif. — Mass was celebrated Sunday on the grounds of a historic Catholic church in Southern California that had been heavily damaged by fire a day earlier .
The blaze early Saturday destroyed the rooftop and most of the interior of San Gabriel Mission , which was undergoing renovation to mark its upcoming 250th-anniversary celebration .
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez presided over Sunday ’ s service at a chapel near the burned sanctuary .
Liccia Beck said she was saddened by news of the fire at her home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of worshipers who arrived early to pray the rosary before the Mass .
“ I ’ m hoping that more people will show up throughout the day , ” Beck said .
“ We need to pray for our churches and our people that they ’ re safe.
” Parishioners wore masks and kept a distance from each other because of the coronavirus epidemic .
Nobody was hurt in the fire .
Gomez said in a statement that historic paintings and other artifacts had been removed as part of the renovations .
Firefighters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tried to beat back the flames , but they had to retreat when roofing and other structural materials began to fall , San Gabriel Fire Capt .
Paul Negrete said .
• California ’ s iconic missions have become focal points for debate • Catholic Church received at least $ 1.4 billion in coronavirus outbreak aid • Muslim woman outraged after barista writes ‘ ISIS ’ on her coffee cup .
Target calls it a mistake .
The cause of the fire was under investigation , Negrete said .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the founder of the California mission system who has long been a symbol of oppression among Indigenous activists , will be a factor in the investigation .

By Marcio Sanchez and Christopher Weber | Associated Press
SAN GABRIEL — Mass was celebrated Sunday on the grounds of a historic Catholic church in Southern California that had been heavily damaged by fire a day earlier.
The blaze early Saturday destroyed the rooftop and most of the interior of San Gabriel Mission, which was undergoing renovation to mark its upcoming 250th-anniversary celebration.
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez presided over Sunday’s service at a chapel near the burned sanctuary.
Liccia Beck said she was saddened by news of the fire at her home parish. She was among a crowd of worshipers who arrived early to pray the rosary before the Mass.
“I’m hoping that more people will show up throughout the day,” Beck said. “We need to pray for our churches and our people that they’re safe.”
Parishioners wore masks and kept a distance from each other because of the coronavirus epidemic.
Nobody was hurt in the fire.
Gomez said in a statement that historic paintings and other artifacts had been removed as part of the renovations.
Firefighters entered the church around 4 a.m. Saturday and tried to beat back the flames, but they had to retreat when roofing and other structural materials began to fall, San Gabriel Fire Capt. Paul Negrete said.
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Facing more than 500 abuse lawsuits, San Francisco Archdiocese says bankruptcy ‘very likely’ Crashes and Disasters | Jennifer Aniston roasted after accusing Jamie Foxx of antisemitism; turns off Instagram comments The cause of the fire was under investigation, Negrete said. He said the recent toppling of monuments to Junipero Serra, the founder of the California mission system who has long been a symbol of oppression among Indigenous activists, will be a factor in the investigation.
Weber reported from Los Angeles.


mercurynews--2020-07-12--Worker aiding federal execution prep has positive virus test

WASHINGTON — The federal Bureau of Prisons said Sunday that a staff member involved in preparing for the first federal executions in nearly two decades has tested positive for coronavirus .
The Justice Department said the development will not mean an additional delay in the government ’ s timetable , already stalled by a federal court , because the worker had not been in the execution chamber and had not come into contact with anyone on the specialized team sent to the prison to handle the execution .
The agency made the disclosure in court filings in response to lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resume Monday .
An attorney for the Bureau of Prisons said the staff member learned on Wednesday that the staffer had been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 .
The staff member immediately left work and notified the bureau Saturday about the positive test , according to the court filing .
The staff member did not wear a mask at all times during meetings with other Bureau of Prisons employees and other law enforcement officials in the days before learning of the exposure , the agency said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not enter the execution facility or the prison ’ s command center and left the facility before the dozens of Bureau of Prisons employees who are part of the team handling the executions arrived at Terre Haute .
The Bureau of Prisons also started contact tracing to identify other staff members who may have had contact with the employee who tested positive , officials said .
The disclosure comes as the Justice Department is fighting to proceed with the first federal execution since 2003 .
A federal judge in Indiana has halted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been scheduled for Monday , after concerns were raised by the victims ’ family that they would be at high risk for the virus if they had to travel to attend the execution .
The department is asking a federal appeals court to overturn that ruling and immediately allow the execution to move forward .
Two other executions had also been scheduled for later in the week , though one has been stayed temporarily by an appeals court .
“ For the duration of the execution or until a negative test is obtained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members identified as having had contact with the infected staff member do not have contact with the inmates scheduled for execution , ministers of record , witnesses of the execution , attorneys , or press , ” the filing said .
In response to the filing , an attorney for the victims ’ family said that while the employee may not have been in the execution chamber or in direct contact with the execution team , “ it does not account for the many people that the staff person encountered before learning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers who shared a classroom got coronavirus .
One of them died • Coronavirus : Hospitalization still on the rise in state because of pandemic • As US grapples with virus , Florida hits record case increase The Justice Department filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on Sunday afternoon seeking to vacate the injunction and allow the execution to move forward , even though the appeals court didn ’ t issue its ruling .

By Michael Balsamo | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The federal Bureau of Prisons said Sunday that a staff member involved in preparing for the first federal executions in nearly two decades has tested positive for coronavirus.
The Justice Department said the development will not mean an additional delay in the government’s timetable, already stalled by a federal court, because the worker had not been in the execution chamber and had not come into contact with anyone on the specialized team sent to the prison to handle the execution.
The agency made the disclosure in court filings in response to lawsuits that have sought to halt executions scheduled to resume Monday.
An attorney for the Bureau of Prisons said the staff member learned on Wednesday that the staffer had been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member immediately left work and notified the bureau Saturday about the positive test, according to the court filing.
The staff member did not wear a mask at all times during meetings with other Bureau of Prisons employees and other law enforcement officials in the days before learning of the exposure, the agency said. The bureau says the staff member did not enter the execution facility or the prison’s command center and left the facility before the dozens of Bureau of Prisons employees who are part of the team handling the executions arrived at Terre Haute.
The Bureau of Prisons also started contact tracing to identify other staff members who may have had contact with the employee who tested positive, officials said.
The disclosure comes as the Justice Department is fighting to proceed with the first federal execution since 2003. A federal judge in Indiana has halted the execution of Daniel Lee, which had been scheduled for Monday, after concerns were raised by the victims’ family that they would be at high risk for the virus if they had to travel to attend the execution.
The department is asking a federal appeals court to overturn that ruling and immediately allow the execution to move forward. Two other executions had also been scheduled for later in the week, though one has been stayed temporarily by an appeals court.
“For the duration of the execution or until a negative test is obtained, BOP will ensure that those staff members identified as having had contact with the infected staff member do not have contact with the inmates scheduled for execution, ministers of record, witnesses of the execution, attorneys, or press,” the filing said.
In response to the filing, an attorney for the victims’ family said that while the employee may not have been in the execution chamber or in direct contact with the execution team, “it does not account for the many people that the staff person encountered before learning of his positive test.”
The Justice Department filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on Sunday afternoon seeking to vacate the injunction and allow the execution to move forward, even though the appeals court didn’t issue its ruling.


mercurynews--2020-07-13--51 arrested, $4 million seized in Southern California undercover drug deal operations

An Inland Southern California-based task force made 51 arrests and seized $ 4 million in the past two months , partly because drug-dealers nationwide traveled here when the coronavirus pandemic shuttered their usual money-laundering sources , authorities said .
With no access to the businesses they normally used to conceal their illegal transactions , drug trafficking organizations from Washington , Texas , Ohio , Minnesota , New York , New Jersey , Florida , Massachusetts , Georgia , and Maine came with cash in hand to California to purchase their contraband , the California Department of Justice said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force “ has seen a significant increase in out-of-state major narcotics traffickers traveling to California to obtain narcotics to be distributed throughout the United States , ” since the COVID-19 pandemic began , the office said in a Friday , July 10 news release .
During the past two months the INCA task force conducted 17 undercover operations , resulting in the arrests and cash seizures .
The arrests were on suspicion of money laundering associated with drug trafficking , the office said .
INCA was formed in 1991 .
Participating local law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments and the Riverside County Sheriff ’ s Department .
“ Not surprisingly , not even a COVID-19 pandemic triggers the ‘ pause ’ button for those willing to traffic in drugs , ” said Attorney General Xavier Becerra said of the arrests and money seizures .

An Inland Southern California-based task force made 51 arrests and seized $4 million in the past two months, partly because drug-dealers nationwide traveled here when the coronavirus pandemic shuttered their usual money-laundering sources, authorities said.
With no access to the businesses they normally used to conceal their illegal transactions, drug trafficking organizations from Washington, Texas, Ohio, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Maine came with cash in hand to California to purchase their contraband, the California Department of Justice said.
The Inland Crackdown Allied (INCA) Task Force “has seen a significant increase in out-of-state major narcotics traffickers traveling to California to obtain narcotics to be distributed throughout the United States,” since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the office said in a Friday, July 10 news release.
During the past two months the INCA task force conducted 17 undercover operations, resulting in the arrests and cash seizures. The arrests were on suspicion of money laundering associated with drug trafficking, the office said.
INCA was formed in 1991. Participating local law enforcement includes the Rialto and Riverside police departments and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
“Not surprisingly, not even a COVID-19 pandemic triggers the ‘pause’ button for those willing to traffic in drugs,” said Attorney General Xavier Becerra said of the arrests and money seizures.


mercurynews--2020-07-13--California police locate missing infant after mother and grandmother fatally shot

SAN DIEGO — A 6-month-old boy was found more than six hours after the child was taken from a home where his mother and grandmother were shot to death , police said .
The baby was found unharmed around 3 p.m. Sunday after being taken from a San Diego home , The San Diego Union-Tribune reports .
San Diego Police Department Capt .
Manny Del Toro said the boy was found with a woman at an apartment complex .
Police Lt. Matt Dobbs said the shooting victims were the boy ’ s 37-year-old mother and his 65-year-old grandmother .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were searching for 31-year-old Justice Love Peace , the child ’ s father , who authorities called a person of interest in the case .
Police said they believe Peace left the scene with the boy in a white SUV after the shooting in the city ’ s Otay Mesa area .
A caller reported hearing gunshots around 8:20 a.m. and officers found the mother in the driveway .
She was transported to a hospital , where she died .
Police located the grandmother near the front door , but the woman died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital .

SAN DIEGO — A 6-month-old boy was found more than six hours after the child was taken from a home where his mother and grandmother were shot to death, police said.
The baby was found unharmed around 3 p.m. Sunday after being taken from a San Diego home, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
San Diego Police Department Capt. Manny Del Toro said the boy was found with a woman at an apartment complex.
Police Lt. Matt Dobbs said the shooting victims were the boy’s 37-year-old mother and his 65-year-old grandmother. Their names were not immediately released.
Police were searching for 31-year-old Justice Love Peace, the child’s father, who authorities called a person of interest in the case.
Police said they believe Peace left the scene with the boy in a white SUV after the shooting in the city’s Otay Mesa area.
A caller reported hearing gunshots around 8:20 a.m. and officers found the mother in the driveway. She was transported to a hospital, where she died.
Police located the grandmother near the front door, but the woman died before she could be taken to a hospital.


mercurynews--2020-07-13--Apple taps first $400 million of $2.5 billion California housing pledge

Making a downpayment on its housing pledge , Apple announced Monday it has committed $ 400 million to affordable housing projects this year across California , including immediate assistance for struggling Bay Area tenants and four , new low-income projects across the region .
The short-term aid and construction projects mark the first installment of the tech giant ’ s $ 2.5 billion commitment to address the state ’ s housing crisis .
“ At a time when so many members of our community are facing unprecedented challenges , we believe it ’ s critical to make sure that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tangible programs and results , ” Apple vice president of global real estate Kristina Raspe said in a statement .
The Cupertino company has kept the program on-track despite widespread disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic .
The corporate funds come amid growing concerns for short-term housing security during the health crisis , on top of the decades-long , growing deficit of affordable housing for low and very-low income residents .
Apple ’ s planned overall contribution is the largest corporate pledge among several Silicon Valley companies — including $ 1 billion commitments from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 months .
Tech companies have drawn criticism for not doing enough to alleviate the Bay Area housing crisis that accompanied the quick-growth of sprawling corporate campuses and a rapidly expanding workforce .
Apple announced in November a $ 2.5 billion , multiyear commitment to address the affordable housing shortage in the state .
The company , estimated to have about $ 190 billion cash on hand , has prioritized communities around its major facilities , and also focused on reaching vulnerable , minority populations .
The company did not reveal additional financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combines short- and long-term relief for struggling renters , homeless residents and first-time homebuyers .
As part of its initial pledge , the company made long-term commitments of $ 50 million to Destination : Home , a San Jose nonprofit dedicated to sheltering the homeless , and $ 150 million to Housing Trust Silicon Valley to establish the Apple Affordable Housing Fund .
Destination : Home has used its initial funds to expand its homelessness prevention program during the CVOID-19 crisis .
The program has served 1,500 Bay Area families through various aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families from the previous year .
The money has also supported major construction projects , including the nonprofit ’ s new , 80-unit project in Santa Clara for poor or homeless seniors .
Destination : Home CEO Jennifer Loving said Apple ’ s funding has boosted development projects and provided needed resources as more families , especially in communities of color , lose income and slip toward homelessness .
“ There has never been a more important time to keep people from losing their homes , ” Loving said .
Apple has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ select four subsidized housing projects , including two in San Jose , and one in Santa Rosa and Pittsburg .
The projects are expected to create 250 subsidized apartments , including units reserved for veterans , homeless residents and those with developmental disabilities .
The partnership did not release the cost details of the project .
Julie Mahowald , the interim CEO of the housing trust , said the funding has accelerated construction of the projects by at least a year .
The long-term loans have allowed developers to fill budget gaps that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust received about 50 proposals this year to tap into the Apple fund , and chose four shovel-ready projects for its initial round , Mahowald said .
The nonprofit expects to release more details about the projects in the coming months , and more projects are expected to get support in the coming years .
Tech companies are stepping up in recent years to support affordable housing and ease the Bay Area crisis , she said .
“ We ’ re going to get these homes built , ” she said .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not just the pandemic • Coronavirus : San Francisco to move 200 homeless residents from hotels into housing • Housing fight rages on in Los Altos , as city appeals YIMBY legal victory Apple has also begun to partner with the state through the California Housing Finance Agency for mortgage and downpayment assistance to first-time homebuyers .
The program for new California homeowners helps low- and moderate-income families — including teachers and public safety workers — purchase homes in the nation ’ s most expensive state to buy property .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of first-time buyers into homes .
California planners estimated the state had a shortfall of at least 1.7 million affordable housing units , coupled with the highest development costs in the nation , according to a recent report from UC Berkley ’ s Terner Center for Housing Innovation .
Researchers found the typical unit cost $ 480,000 , an increase of 13 percent in just four years .
The rising cost of construction and fierce competition with private developers for scarce land have exacerbated a decades-long shortage of affordable housing projects serving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
California Housing Partnership CEO Matt Schwartz said efforts from Apple and other tech firms are a start to addressing the vast demand for affordable housing .
He pointed to the urgent need to help keep families sheltered through job losses and dwindling incomes .
But Apple ’ s long-term loans and financing may not provide as much of a boost as grants and other programs , he said .
“ It ’ s a big step , ” he said , but “ we ’ re halfway to where we need to @ @ @

Making a downpayment on its housing pledge, Apple announced Monday it has committed $400 million to affordable housing projects this year across California, including immediate assistance for struggling Bay Area tenants and four, new low-income projects across the region.
The short-term aid and construction projects mark the first installment of the tech giant’s $2.5 billion commitment to address the state’s housing crisis.
“At a time when so many members of our community are facing unprecedented challenges, we believe it’s critical to make sure that their hopes for the future are supported through tangible programs and results,” Apple vice president of global real estate Kristina Raspe said in a statement. The Cupertino company has kept the program on-track despite widespread disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The corporate funds come amid growing concerns for short-term housing security during the health crisis, on top of the decades-long, growing deficit of affordable housing for low and very-low income residents. Apple’s planned overall contribution is the largest corporate pledge among several Silicon Valley companies — including $1 billion commitments from Facebook and Google — in the last 13 months.
Tech companies have drawn criticism for not doing enough to alleviate the Bay Area housing crisis that accompanied the quick-growth of sprawling corporate campuses and a rapidly expanding workforce.
Apple announced in November a $2.5 billion, multiyear commitment to address the affordable housing shortage in the state. The company, estimated to have about $190 billion cash on hand, has prioritized communities around its major facilities, and also focused on reaching vulnerable, minority populations.
The company did not reveal additional financial details.
Apple’s first step combines short- and long-term relief for struggling renters, homeless residents and first-time homebuyers. As part of its initial pledge, the company made long-term commitments of $50 million to Destination: Home, a San Jose nonprofit dedicated to sheltering the homeless, and $150 million to Housing Trust Silicon Valley to establish the Apple Affordable Housing Fund.
Destination: Home has used its initial funds to expand its homelessness prevention program during the CVOID-19 crisis. The program has served 1,500 Bay Area families through various aid organizations, an expansion of several hundred families from the previous year. The money has also supported major construction projects, including the nonprofit’s new, 80-unit project in Santa Clara for poor or homeless seniors.
Destination: Home CEO Jennifer Loving said Apple’s funding has boosted development projects and provided needed resources as more families, especially in communities of color, lose income and slip toward homelessness.
“There has never been a more important time to keep people from losing their homes,” Loving said.
Apple has also partnered with Housing Trust Silicon Valley to select four subsidized housing projects, including two in San Jose, and one in Santa Rosa and Pittsburg. The projects are expected to create 250 subsidized apartments, including units reserved for veterans, homeless residents and those with developmental disabilities. The partnership did not release the cost details of the project.
Julie Mahowald, the interim CEO of the housing trust, said the funding has accelerated construction of the projects by at least a year. The long-term loans have allowed developers to fill budget gaps that have often sidetracked development.
The housing trust received about 50 proposals this year to tap into the Apple fund, and chose four shovel-ready projects for its initial round, Mahowald said. The nonprofit expects to release more details about the projects in the coming months, and more projects are expected to get support in the coming years.
Tech companies are stepping up in recent years to support affordable housing and ease the Bay Area crisis, she said. “We’re going to get these homes built,” she said.
Apple has also begun to partner with the state through the California Housing Finance Agency for mortgage and downpayment assistance to first-time homebuyers. The program for new California homeowners helps low- and moderate-income families — including teachers and public safety workers — purchase homes in the nation’s most expensive state to buy property. The company said the partnership has put hundreds of first-time buyers into homes.
California planners estimated the state had a shortfall of at least 1.7 million affordable housing units, coupled with the highest development costs in the nation, according to a recent report from UC Berkley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation. Researchers found the typical unit cost $480,000, an increase of 13 percent in just four years.
The rising cost of construction and fierce competition with private developers for scarce land have exacerbated a decades-long shortage of affordable housing projects serving the working poor and residents on fixed incomes.
California Housing Partnership CEO Matt Schwartz said efforts from Apple and other tech firms are a start to addressing the vast demand for affordable housing. He pointed to the urgent need to help keep families sheltered through job losses and dwindling incomes.
But Apple’s long-term loans and financing may not provide as much of a boost as grants and other programs, he said. “It’s a big step,” he said, but “we’re halfway to where we need to be.”


mercurynews--2020-07-13--On this date, 2013: Giants’ Tim Lincecum pitches no-hitter

SAN DIEGO — Tim Lincecum has two Cy Young Awards and two World Series rings , but he has never been better than he was Saturday night .
Lincecum threw a 148-pitch no-hitter against the San Diego Padres , striking out 13 in a 9-0 Giants win at Petco Park .
The pitcher long ago nicknamed The Freak had the highest pitch count by a Giant in 34 years while throwing the first no-hitter of his illustrious career .
As he fights through his second straight rough season , Lincecum has faced increased questions about his ability to remain a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by working religiously to find his past glory , and before the first two games of this series , Lincecum walked through the clubhouse drenched in sweat from intense workouts .
After the third game , he was drenched in Gatorade and champagne .
“ It ’ s pretty surreal for me , ” he said , a dazed look on his face .
“ I ’ m still kind of pinching myself .
It feels good , but I don ’ t think I ’ ve really taken in the whole idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the historic night , as Yonder Alonso ’ s fly ball sailed toward Gregor Blanco ’ s glove in left field for the final out , Lincecum stood on the mound , pounding his glove with his fist .
He was so locked in at the time that he was still thinking about the next set of pitches .
Catcher Buster Posey jolted him out that mode , hitting him from behind with a massive bear hug .
A huge smile broke out on Lincecum ’ s face .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I had been running on adrenaline the last couple of innings.
” Those last couple of innings put manager Bruce Bochy in an awkward position as Lincecum ’ s pitch count hit alarming numbers .
Lincecum had walked a batter in the first inning and hit one in the second while throwing 38 pitches .
He settled into a groove , striking out six straight on just 21 pitches , but still was moving forward with a pitch count that looked as though it would force Bochy and pitching coach Dave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He wouldn ’ t have talked to me the rest of the year if I took him out , ” Bochy said , smiling .
“ There was no chance.
” It helped that Lincecum got better as the night went on .
He retired 12 straight before Everth Cabrera drew a one-out walk in the sixth that got the bullpen stirring .
Bochy had relievers ready from that moment on , but Lincecum kept cruising .
He got a lineout to get out of the sixth , then retired the side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Pablo Sandoval at third base .
At the time , he had thrown 114 pitches , tying his season-high .
“ He was getting better and better as the game went on , ” Posey said .
“ That ’ s a rarity in baseball .
Once you get to the 100-pitch mark , it ’ s usually time to shut it down.
” Posey said Lincecum dominated by moving the ball to both sides of the plate .
Lincecum was pleased with his fastball command , something that has been missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it set up his changeup , slider and curveball .
The repertoire led to 29 swings-and-misses , the most in his career .
That career started with four All-Star appearances in his first four full seasons .
But Lincecum fell apart last season , going 10-15 with a 5.18 ERA .
In the postseason , he was moved to the bullpen , a move that was discussed as Lincecum struggled early this season .
As they did with Matt Cain ’ s perfect game a year ago , the Giants gave Lincecum plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sandoval had three hits apiece , and Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence both homered .
Pence ’ s homer came in the top of the eighth .
In the bottom of the inning , he joined Gregor Blanco with a highlight that will live on in Giants no-hit lore .
With one on and two outs , Alexi Amarista smoked Lincecum ’ s 131st pitch to right field .
Pence made a diving catch to keep the no-hitter intact .
“ You ’ ve got to push all your chips in at that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Any ball I can remotely get close to , I ’ ve got to lay out.
” Lincecum stared intensely at Pence as he walked off the mound , one fist raised .
“ I thought it was a hit , ” Lincecum said .
“ But Hunter comes flying out of nowhere and makes a Superman catch.
” Righetti visited with Lincecum , whose previous career high was 138 pitches , before the final two innings .
But the right-hander insisted he was fine .
He struck out Chase Headley in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to left to end it .
The no-hitter was the 15th in franchise history and third in the last five seasons for the Giants .
Lincecum ’ s 148 pitches were the second-most thrown in a no-hitter in the last 25 seasons and most pitches thrown by a Giant since Vida Blue threw 153 pitches in 1979 .
“ He ’ s had to deal with a lot .
I couldn ’ t be happier for him , ” Bochy said .
“ The pitch count put me in a tough spot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities often .
I let him go .
”

(This story was originally published on July 13, 2013)
SAN DIEGO — Tim Lincecum has two Cy Young Awards and two World Series rings, but he has never been better than he was Saturday night.
Lincecum threw a 148-pitch no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, striking out 13 in a 9-0 Giants win at Petco Park. The pitcher long ago nicknamed The Freak had the highest pitch count by a Giant in 34 years while throwing the first no-hitter of his illustrious career.
As he fights through his second straight rough season, Lincecum has faced increased questions about his ability to remain a starter. He has answered those questions by working religiously to find his past glory, and before the first two games of this series, Lincecum walked through the clubhouse drenched in sweat from intense workouts.
After the third game, he was drenched in Gatorade and champagne.
“It’s pretty surreal for me,” he said, a dazed look on his face. “I’m still kind of pinching myself. It feels good, but I don’t think I’ve really taken in the whole idea of what just happened.”
At the end of the historic night, as Yonder Alonso’s fly ball sailed toward Gregor Blanco’s glove in left field for the final out, Lincecum stood on the mound, pounding his glove with his fist. He was so locked in at the time that he was still thinking about the next set of pitches. Catcher Buster Posey jolted him out that mode, hitting him from behind with a massive bear hug. A huge smile broke out on Lincecum’s face.
“I felt it then,” he said. “I had been running on adrenaline the last couple of innings.”
Those last couple of innings put manager Bruce Bochy in an awkward position as Lincecum’s pitch count hit alarming numbers.
Lincecum had walked a batter in the first inning and hit one in the second while throwing 38 pitches. He settled into a groove, striking out six straight on just 21 pitches, but still was moving forward with a pitch count that looked as though it would force Bochy and pitching coach Dave Righetti to throw in the towel.
Lincecum had other ideas.
“He wouldn’t have talked to me the rest of the year if I took him out,” Bochy said, smiling. “There was no chance.”
It helped that Lincecum got better as the night went on. He retired 12 straight before Everth Cabrera drew a one-out walk in the sixth that got the bullpen stirring. Bochy had relievers ready from that moment on, but Lincecum kept cruising. He got a lineout to get out of the sixth, then retired the side in order in the seventh with help from Pablo Sandoval at third base. At the time, he had thrown 114 pitches, tying his season-high.
“He was getting better and better as the game went on,” Posey said. “That’s a rarity in baseball. Once you get to the 100-pitch mark, it’s usually time to shut it down.”
Posey said Lincecum dominated by moving the ball to both sides of the plate. Lincecum was pleased with his fastball command, something that has been missing often the last two seasons, saying it set up his changeup, slider and curveball. The repertoire led to 29 swings-and-misses, the most in his career.
That career started with four All-Star appearances in his first four full seasons. But Lincecum fell apart last season, going 10-15 with a 5.18 ERA. In the postseason, he was moved to the bullpen, a move that was discussed as Lincecum struggled early this season.
As they did with Matt Cain’s perfect game a year ago, the Giants gave Lincecum plenty of run support. Posey and Pablo Sandoval had three hits apiece, and Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence both homered. Pence’s homer came in the top of the eighth. In the bottom of the inning, he joined Gregor Blanco with a highlight that will live on in Giants no-hit lore. With one on and two outs, Alexi Amarista smoked Lincecum’s 131st pitch to right field. Pence made a diving catch to keep the no-hitter intact.
“You’ve got to push all your chips in at that point,” Pence said. “Any ball I can remotely get close to, I’ve got to lay out.”
Lincecum stared intensely at Pence as he walked off the mound, one fist raised.
“I thought it was a hit,” Lincecum said. “But Hunter comes flying out of nowhere and makes a Superman catch.”
Righetti visited with Lincecum, whose previous career high was 138 pitches, before the final two innings. But the right-hander insisted he was fine. He struck out Chase Headley in the ninth and then got two fly outs to left to end it.
The no-hitter was the 15th in franchise history and third in the last five seasons for the Giants. Lincecum’s 148 pitches were the second-most thrown in a no-hitter in the last 25 seasons and most pitches thrown by a Giant since Vida Blue threw 153 pitches in 1979.
“He’s had to deal with a lot. I couldn’t be happier for him,” Bochy said. “The pitch count put me in a tough spot, but you don’t get these opportunities often. I let him go.”
The rest was history.


mercurynews--2020-07-13--San Jose man arrested in Santa Cruz Mountain fatal shooting

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS — A San Jose man has been arrested in connection with a June 14 homicide on Laurel Road .
Santa Cruz County Sheriff ’ s deputies took Albaro Montalvo Amaral , 30 , into custody Thursday near his home , assisted by the San Jose Police Department .
Amaral is facing felony charges of murder , two counts of attempted murder , carjacking , being a felon in possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition .
He was being held Friday in lieu of a $ 1 million bail at the Santa Cruz County Jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Milipitas Police Department investigation , according to jail logs .
If convicted in the case , Amaral could face additional prison time due to a previous felony conviction or “ strike.
” Amaral is scheduled to answer to his charges Monday in Santa Cruz County Superior Court .
Asked Friday for any information related to a motive in the case , Sheriff ’ s Office spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said the agency was continuing its investigation into the crime .
• Black Lives Matter rally gathers in Martinez after series of racist incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school sex investigation kept working as Bay Area educators for years On the night of the shooting , deputies were called to the scene based on reports of gunshots in the area .
They found Kevin Medina-Lopez , 27 , of San Jose , dead of a fatal gunshot wound after 8 p.m. on the 17000 block of Laurel Road , near Highway 17 .
During the investigation , deputies found that there were allegedly two additional victims they said Amaral had attempted to shoot .
Those with information related to the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Robbins at 831-454-7635 or at daniel.robbins @ santacruzcounty.us .

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS — A San Jose man has been arrested in connection with a June 14 homicide on Laurel Road.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies took Albaro Montalvo Amaral, 30, into custody Thursday near his home, assisted by the San Jose Police Department. Amaral is facing felony charges of murder, two counts of attempted murder, carjacking, being a felon in possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. He was being held Friday in lieu of a $1 million bail at the Santa Cruz County Jail. The carjacking charge is related to a Milipitas Police Department investigation, according to jail logs. If convicted in the case, Amaral could face additional prison time due to a previous felony conviction or “strike.”
Amaral is scheduled to answer to his charges Monday in Santa Cruz County Superior Court.
Asked Friday for any information related to a motive in the case, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said the agency was continuing its investigation into the crime. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Man shot, killed by Colorado cop was holding a marker, not a weapon
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On the night of the shooting, deputies were called to the scene based on reports of gunshots in the area. They found Kevin Medina-Lopez, 27, of San Jose, dead of a fatal gunshot wound after 8 p.m. on the 17000 block of Laurel Road, near Highway 17. During the investigation, deputies found that there were allegedly two additional victims they said Amaral had attempted to shoot.
Those with information related to the case are asked to contact detective Sgt. Daniel Robbins at 831-454-7635 or at daniel.robbins@santacruzcounty.us.


mercurynews--2020-07-13--Men’s rights activist fatally shot in front of California home

A leader in an advocacy group for men ’ s rights was fatally shot at his front door in the Crestline community of Cedar Pines Park on Saturday , July 11 .
A relative of the victim called authorities at about 4 p.m. to report a shooting on the 22400 block of Glenwood Drive , San Bernardino County Sheriff ’ s Department spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said .
Deputies arrived in the community in the San Bernardino Mountains , and encountered a man suffering from gunshot wounds .
Medical personnel responded , and later pronounced the victim dead in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 52-year-old Marc Angelucci .
A motive for the shooting was not known .
“ Marc was extremely well-spoken and a skilled publicist for men ’ s issues , ” representatives for the National Coalition For Men ( NCFM ) wrote in a post on their website .
Angelucci was credited in the post as a founder and former president of the NCMF ’ s Los Angeles chapter .
At the time of his death , he served as a board member for the coalition , which describes itself as a “ gender inclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is “ committed to ending harmful discrimination and stereotypes against boys , men , their families and the women who love them.
” NCFM led a legal battle that led to a 2019 decision that found conscripting only male soldiers into compulsory military service via the draft unfair to men and unconstitutional .
Attorneys affiliated with the group have sued companies that host “ ladies nights ” and other events open only to women for allegedly discriminating against men .
Authorities asked anyone with information relevant to their investigation to contact Detective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at 909-387-3589 .

A leader in an advocacy group for men’s rights was fatally shot at his front door in the Crestline community of Cedar Pines Park on Saturday, July 11.
A relative of the victim called authorities at about 4 p.m. to report a shooting on the 22400 block of Glenwood Drive, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said. Deputies arrived in the community in the San Bernardino Mountains, and encountered a man suffering from gunshot wounds.
Medical personnel responded, and later pronounced the victim dead in front of his home. He was identified as 52-year-old Marc Angelucci.
A motive for the shooting was not known.
Friends, I am heartbroken to say that my good friend, Marc Angelucci, was killed last night at his CA home. Marc was a high-profile lawyer, incredible Mens & Fathers Rights Advocate & a fierce warrior for truth & justice. Many know him from The Red Pill movie.
Pls pray for him. pic.twitter.com/xTwXQZkK5C — DeAnna Lorraine 🇺🇸 (@DeAnna4Congress) July 12, 2020
“Marc was extremely well-spoken and a skilled publicist for men’s issues,” representatives for the National Coalition For Men (NCFM) wrote in a post on their website.
Angelucci was credited in the post as a founder and former president of the NCMF’s Los Angeles chapter. At the time of his death, he served as a board member for the coalition, which describes itself as a “gender inclusive, nonpartisan, ethnically diverse organization” that is “committed to ending harmful discrimination and stereotypes against boys, men, their families and the women who love them.”
NCFM led a legal battle that led to a 2019 decision that found conscripting only male soldiers into compulsory military service via the draft unfair to men and unconstitutional. Attorneys affiliated with the group have sued companies that host “ladies nights” and other events open only to women for allegedly discriminating against men.
Authorities asked anyone with information relevant to their investigation to contact Detective Simon Demuri with the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at 909-387-3589.


mercurynews--2020-07-13--Benjamin Keough, grandson of Elvis Presley, has died at age 27

LOS ANGELES — The son of Lisa Marie Presley has died .
He was 27 .
Presley ’ s representative Roger Widynowski said in a statement Sunday to The Associated Press that she was “ heartbroken ” after learning about the death of her son Benjamin Keough .
He is the grandson of the late Elvis Presley .
TMZ reports that Keough died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday in Calabasas , California .
“ She is completely heartbroken , inconsolable and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong for her 11-year-old twins and her oldest daughter Riley , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She adored that boy .
He was the love of her life.
” • Kelly Preston , actor and wife of John Travolta , dies at 57 • TV this week : ‘ Showbiz Kids ’ examines the ups and downs of being a child star • Demi Lovato tells fans how Naya Rivera can be found ‘ healthy and alive ’ Presley had Keough and actress Riley Keough , 31 , with her former husband Danny Keough .
She also had twins from another marriage .
Nancy Sinatra tweeted her condolences to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known you since before your mama gave birth to you , never dreaming you would have pain like this in your life .
I ’ m so very sorry .
”

LOS ANGELES — The son of Lisa Marie Presley has died. He was 27.
Presley’s representative Roger Widynowski said in a statement Sunday to The Associated Press that she was “heartbroken” after learning about the death of her son, Benjamin Keough. He is the grandson of the late Elvis Presley.
TMZ reports that Keough died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday in Calabasas, California.
“She is completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong for her 11-year-old twins and her oldest daughter, Riley,” Widynowski said in the statement. “She adored that boy. He was the love of her life.”
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Nancy Sinatra tweeted her condolences to Presley, writing, “I have known you since before your mama gave birth to you, never dreaming you would have pain like this in your life. I’m so very sorry.”


mercurynews--2020-07-13--Coronavirus: These maps show risk levels for every county and every state in real time

As the world searches for a path to near-zero cases , several new tools for calculating risk have been unveiled .
Cases per seven-day rolling average of cases per 100,000 .
Click on the map to go to the latest update .
Green : fewer than 1 daily new cases per 100,000 people ( on track for containment ) Yellow : 1-10 daily new cases per 100,000 people ( community spread ) Orange : 10-25 daily new cases per 100,000 people ( accelerated spread ) Red : more than 25 daily new cases per 100,000 people ( tipping point ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Harvard Global Health Institute and Harvard ’ s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics unveiled these maps in early July to help officials survey where and how fast the global pandemic is hitting the U.S.You can see county by county data at Globalpandemics.org.
“ The public needs clear and consistent information about COVID risk levels in different jurisdictions for personal decision making , and policymakers need clear and consistent visibility that permits differentiating policy across jurisdictions , ” explains Danielle Allen , director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a network of research and policy organizations attempting to achieve convergence around recommendations for core metrics to be used to evaluate the status of COVID-19 response.Convergence metrics and indicators have been sought for the following areas:1 .
Epidemiology2 .
Response capacitya .
Testing , tracing and supported isolationb .
Use of other nonpharmaceutical interventions ( e.g .
social distancing , masking ) c. Therapeutic capacityd .
Protection capacity ( capacity to identify and meet the needs of vulnerable populations ) e. Infection controlf .
Disease surveillance capacity Calculations are based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute , Harvard Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics , the Rockefeller Foundation , CovidActNow , Covid-Local , Georgetown University Center for Global Health and Security on July 1 .
Data is updated daily .
The Texas Medical Association released its scale for how risky certain activities might be during COVID-19 .
The rankings were compiled by TMA .
COVID-19 Task Force and the TMA Committee on Infectious Diseases .
The rankings are based on participants in these activities following currently recommended safety protocols when possible.The chart is intended as a guide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make smart and educated choices of activities to pursue amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Research from Florida Atlantic University ’ s College of Engineering and Computer Science , published in the journal Physics of Fluids , demonstrated a method to assess the effectiveness of face masks in obstructing droplets .
Without a mask , droplets traveled more than 8 feet ; with a bandana , they traveled 3 feet , 7 inches ; with a folded cotton handkerchief , they traveled 1 foot , 3 inches ; with the stitched quilting cotton mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the cone-style mask , droplets traveled about 8 inches .
• Superintendent for one of US ’ s largest public school systems has a message for DeVos : ‘ You can ’ t put every kid back in a school ’ The most efficient masks are N95 .
But N95 masks are in seriously short supply for medical professionals , who are exposed to the highest levels of SARS-CoV-2 and are most in need of the strongest protection against the virus .
The CDC does not recommend them for general use.Wearing gloves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at The Hong Kong University told Live Science , “ There ’ s been enough research done to be able to confidently say that masks wouldn ’ t be able to stop the spread of infection , that they would only have a small effect on transmission .
We shouldn ’ t be relying on masks to help us go back to normal .
”

LEVELS OF RISK
As the world searches for a path to near-zero cases, several new tools for calculating risk have been unveiled.
COVID-19 RISK LEVELS BY COUNTY AND STATE
Cases per seven-day rolling average of cases per 100,000. Click on the map to go to the latest update.
Green: fewer than 1 daily new cases per 100,000 people (on track for containment)Yellow: 1-10 daily new cases per 100,000 people (community spread)Orange: 10-25 daily new cases per 100,000 people (accelerated spread)Red: more than 25 daily new cases per 100,000 people (tipping point)Risk levels indicate severity of the outbreak
The Harvard Global Health Institute and Harvard’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics unveiled these maps in early July to help officials survey where and how fast the global pandemic is hitting the U.S.You can see county by county data at Globalpandemics.org.“The public needs clear and consistent information about COVID risk levels in different jurisdictions for personal decision making, and policymakers need clear and consistent visibility that permits differentiating policy across jurisdictions,” explains Danielle Allen, director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University.Uncertainty is the currency of pandemics.Globalpandemics.org is a network of research and policy organizations attempting to achieve convergence around recommendations for core metrics to be used to evaluate the status of COVID-19 response.Convergence metrics and indicators have been sought for the following areas:1. Epidemiology2. Response capacitya. Testing, tracing and supported isolationb. Use of other nonpharmaceutical interventions (e.g. social distancing, masking)c. Therapeutic capacityd. Protection capacity (capacity to identify and meet the needs of vulnerable populations)e. Infection controlf. Disease surveillance capacity
Calculations are based on the metrics published by the Harvard Global Health Institute, Harvard Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, the Rockefeller Foundation, CovidActNow, Covid-Local, Georgetown University Center for Global Health and Security on July 1. Data is updated daily.
SCALE OF RISK
The Texas Medical Association released its scale for how risky certain activities might be during COVID-19. The rankings were compiled by TMA. COVID-19 Task Force and the TMA Committee on Infectious Diseases. The rankings are based on participants in these activities following currently recommended safety protocols when possible.The chart is intended as a guide, prepared by physician experts, to help make smart and educated choices of activities to pursue amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
MASK EFFECTIVENESS
Research from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, demonstrated a method to assess the effectiveness of face masks in obstructing droplets. Without a mask, droplets traveled more than 8 feet; with a bandana, they traveled 3 feet, 7 inches; with a folded cotton handkerchief, they traveled 1 foot, 3 inches; with the stitched quilting cotton mask, they traveled 2.5 inches; and with the cone-style mask, droplets traveled about 8 inches.
FAU has a video demonstrating mask effectiveness.
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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 The most efficient masks are N95. But N95 masks are in seriously short supply for medical professionals, who are exposed to the highest levels of SARS-CoV-2 and are most in need of the strongest protection against the virus. The CDC does not recommend them for general use.Wearing gloves and washing hands are especially important.Ben Cowling, head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at The Hong Kong University told Live Science, “There’s been enough research done to be able to confidently say that masks wouldn’t be able to stop the spread of infection, that they would only have a small effect on transmission. We shouldn’t be relying on masks to help us go back to normal.”
Sources: Globalpandemics.org, Texas Medical Association, Live Science, Florida Atlantic University


mercurynews--2020-07-13--California sex offender, kept on mental health hold for more than 20 years, may be released

A court order that has kept a former Costa Mesa man and registered sex offender inside a mental health hospital expired Saturday , signaling alarm from Orange County officials who have fought for decades to keep him detained .
It was not clear whether the man , identified by officials as Cary Smith , was released from Coalinga State Hospital on Saturday .
Department of State Hospitals officials were not immediately available for comment .
Orange County officials said they were unaware of Smith ’ s whereabouts on Saturday .
Smith had initially been placed in the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a letter to authorities that he wrote expressing his urge to kidnap and molest a 7-year-old boy in his Costa Mesa neighborhood .
Every six months , Smith is allowed to argue for his freedom in court during a civil trial .
And during each trial , hospital and medical officials , along with Orange County counsel , have continued to seek the renewal of the hold , a pattern that has kept Smith locked up in mental institutions since the 1999 incident .
But Deputy County Counsel Robert Ervais said this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send a petition to renew the “ 5300 hold ” against Smith , allowing the hold to expire Saturday .
Ervais said Saturday said that over the past 20 years , Smith continued to meet the criteria of the 5300 statute , which states a person must be held if they have “ demonstrated danger of inflicting substantial physical harm upon others , ” due to a mental disorder .
“ Mr .
Smith , in the past , had stated , that if released from the hospital , he would re-offend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been contesting Smith ’ s freedom for years , pointed to previous court hearings where psychologists have testified that Smith poses an imminent danger to society because he fantasizes about raping , killing and torturing children .
He declined to comment on the circumstances of Smith ’ s possible release , which Ervais said would be a violation of HIPPA , the health privacy law .
Lynn Rinner , the mother of the 7-year-old boy who had been the subject of Smith ’ s 1999 letter , said she was surprised by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Though her son is now 28 , Rinner said she is worried for other children who may come in contact with Smith .
In Smith ’ s defense , during a 2013 hearing , a court-appointed attorney argued that the former Costa Mesa man has reasons to keep from molesting young boys and should be released .
The reasons included fear of being ostracized , regaining his family and being able to have some semblance of a normal life .
In another 2013 hearing , Smith said he believes that he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has learned to suppress his fantasies and plans to avoid children at all costs when free .
Court records show Smith registered as sex offender after he was convicted in 1983 of a child annoyance misdemeanor for trying to pay a young boy to run through a sprinkler naked .
The records show prosecutors leveled 20 counts of felony child sex crimes against Smith in October 2002 , but they were dismissed by the court in July 2003 .
An additional 12 counts of child sex crimes were brought against Smith in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same month .

A court order that has kept a former Costa Mesa man and registered sex offender inside a mental health hospital expired Saturday, signaling alarm from Orange County officials who have fought for decades to keep him detained.
It was not clear whether the man, identified by officials as Cary Smith, was released from Coalinga State Hospital on Saturday.
Department of State Hospitals officials were not immediately available for comment.
Orange County officials said they were unaware of Smith’s whereabouts on Saturday.
Smith had initially been placed in the state’s custody in 1999 after his then-wife turned over a letter to authorities that he wrote expressing his urge to kidnap and molest a 7-year-old boy in his Costa Mesa neighborhood.
Every six months, Smith is allowed to argue for his freedom in court during a civil trial.
And during each trial, hospital and medical officials, along with Orange County counsel, have continued to seek the renewal of the hold, a pattern that has kept Smith locked up in mental institutions since the 1999 incident. But Deputy County Counsel Robert Ervais said this time, the state hospital did not send a petition to renew the “5300 hold” against Smith, allowing the hold to expire Saturday.
Ervais said Saturday said that over the past 20 years, Smith continued to meet the criteria of the 5300 statute, which states a person must be held if they have “demonstrated danger of inflicting substantial physical harm upon others,” due to a mental disorder.
“Mr. Smith, in the past, had stated, that if released from the hospital, he would re-offend,” Ervais said.
Ervais, who has been contesting Smith’s freedom for years, pointed to previous court hearings where psychologists have testified that Smith poses an imminent danger to society because he fantasizes about raping, killing and torturing children.
He declined to comment on the circumstances of Smith’s possible release, which Ervais said would be a violation of HIPPA, the health privacy law.
Lynn Rinner, the mother of the 7-year-old boy who had been the subject of Smith’s 1999 letter, said she was surprised by news of Smith’s possible release. Though her son is now 28, Rinner said she is worried for other children who may come in contact with Smith.
In Smith’s defense, during a 2013 hearing, a court-appointed attorney argued that the former Costa Mesa man has reasons to keep from molesting young boys and should be released. The reasons included fear of being ostracized, regaining his family and being able to have some semblance of a normal life.
In another 2013 hearing, Smith said he believes that he is ready to be let out because he has learned to suppress his fantasies and plans to avoid children at all costs when free.
Court records show Smith registered as sex offender after he was convicted in 1983 of a child annoyance misdemeanor for trying to pay a young boy to run through a sprinkler naked.
The records show prosecutors leveled 20 counts of felony child sex crimes against Smith in October 2002, but they were dismissed by the court in July 2003. An additional 12 counts of child sex crimes were brought against Smith in September 2003, but were also dismissed that same month.


mercurynews--2020-07-13--Kelly Preston, actor and wife of John Travolta, dies at 57

LOS ANGELES — Kelly Preston , who played dramatic and comic foil to actors ranging from Tom Cruise in “ Jerry Maguire ” to Arnold Schwarzenegger in “ Twins , ” died Sunday , husband John Travolta said .
She was 57 .
Travolta said in an Instagram post that his wife of 28 years died after a two-year battle with breast cancer .
“ It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer , ” Travolta said .
“ She fought a courageous fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many.
” The couple had three children together .
“ Shocked by this sad news , ” Maria Shriver said on Twitter .
“ Kelly was such a bright loving soul , a talented actress , and a loving mom and wife .
My heart breaks for her family who have already known such sadness and grief.
” Preston had a lengthy acting career in movies and television , starring opposite Kevin Costner in the 1999 film “ For the Love of the Game.
” In 2003 , she starred in “ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom in the live-action adaptation of “ The Cat in the Hat.
” The following year she appeared in the music video for Maroon 5′s “ She Will Be Loved.
” Russell Crowe tweeted that he met Preston “ first in late ‘ 92 I think , ” adding , “ In 1995 we auditioned together for Breaking Up , Salma Hayek got that gig.
” Crowe said he hadn ’ t seen Preston much , “ but when I did , she was always the same sparkly eyed gem.
” She occasionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they did in the box-office bomb “ Battlefield Earth ” in 2000 .
Preston and Travolta were married at a midnight ceremony in Paris in 1991 while the couple were expecting their first son , Jett .
In January 2009 , Jett Travolta , 16 , died after a seizure at the family ’ s vacation home in the Bahamas .
The death touched off a court case after an ambulance driver and his attorney were accused of trying to extort $ 25 million from the actors in exchange for not releasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
Travolta testified during a criminal trial that ended in a mistrial and was prepared to testify a second time , but decided to stop pursuing the case and it was dismissed .
He cited the severe strain the proceedings and his son ’ s death had caused the family .
Both Preston and Travolta returned to acting , with Preston ’ s first role back in the Nicholas Sparks adaptation , “ The Last Song , ” which starred Miley Cyrus and her future husband , Liam Hemsworth .
They had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2000 and son Benjamin in 2010 .
Ella wrote on Instagram Sunday : “ I have never met anyone as courageous , strong , beautiful and loving as you .
Anyone who is lucky enough to have known you or to have ever been in your presence will agree that you have a glow and a light that never ceases to shine and that makes anyone around you feel instantly happy.
” • Benjamin Keough , grandson of Elvis Presley , has died at age 27 • TV this week : ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downs of being a child star • Demi Lovato tells fans how Naya Rivera can be found ‘ healthy and alive ’ Travolta and Preston met while filming 1988′s “ The Experts.
” They last starred together in the 2018 film “ Gotti , ” with Travolta playing John Gotti and Preston playing the crime boss ’ s wife , Victoria .
“ Kelly ’ s love and life will always be remembered , ” Travolta said on Instagram .
“ I will be taking some time to be there for my children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgive me in advance if you don ’ t hear from us for a while .
But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal.
” Preston ’ s death was first reported by People magazine .

LOS ANGELES — Kelly Preston, who played dramatic and comic foil to actors ranging from Tom Cruise in “Jerry Maguire” to Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Twins,” died Sunday, husband John Travolta said. She was 57.
Travolta said in an Instagram post that his wife of 28 years died after a two-year battle with breast cancer.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer,” Travolta said. “She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.”
The couple had three children together.
“Shocked by this sad news,” Maria Shriver said on Twitter. “Kelly was such a bright loving soul, a talented actress, and a loving mom and wife. My heart breaks for her family who have already known such sadness and grief.”
Preston had a lengthy acting career in movies and television, starring opposite Kevin Costner in the 1999 film “For the Love of the Game.” In 2003, she starred in “What a Girl Wants” and as the mom in the live-action adaptation of “The Cat in the Hat.” The following year she appeared in the music video for Maroon 5′s “She Will Be Loved.”
Russell Crowe tweeted that he met Preston “first in late ‘92 I think,” adding, “In 1995 we auditioned together for Breaking Up, Salma Hayek got that gig.” Crowe said he hadn’t seen Preston much, “but when I did, she was always the same sparkly eyed gem.”
She occasionally appeared in films with her husband, as they did in the box-office bomb “Battlefield Earth” in 2000.
Preston and Travolta were married at a midnight ceremony in Paris in 1991 while the couple were expecting their first son, Jett.
In January 2009, Jett Travolta, 16, died after a seizure at the family’s vacation home in the Bahamas. The death touched off a court case after an ambulance driver and his attorney were accused of trying to extort $25 million from the actors in exchange for not releasing sensitive information about their son’s death.
Travolta testified during a criminal trial that ended in a mistrial and was prepared to testify a second time, but decided to stop pursuing the case and it was dismissed. He cited the severe strain the proceedings and his son’s death had caused the family.
Both Preston and Travolta returned to acting, with Preston’s first role back in the Nicholas Sparks adaptation, “The Last Song,” which starred Miley Cyrus and her future husband, Liam Hemsworth.
They had two other children, daughter Ella Bleu in 2000 and son Benjamin in 2010. Ella wrote on Instagram Sunday: “I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you. Anyone who is lucky enough to have known you or to have ever been in your presence will agree that you have a glow and a light that never ceases to shine and that makes anyone around you feel instantly happy.”
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They last starred together in the 2018 film “Gotti,” with Travolta playing John Gotti and Preston playing the crime boss’s wife, Victoria.
“Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered,” Travolta said on Instagram. “I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive me in advance if you don’t hear from us for a while. But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal.”
Preston’s death was first reported by People magazine.