mercurynews--2020-10-30--Trump campaign huffs after Minnesota limits rally to 250

President Donald Trump ’ s campaign says it will cap his planned rally Friday in Rochester , Minnesota , to 250 people at the insistence of state and local officials .
The campaign said : “ Thanks to the free-speech-stifling dictates of Gov .
Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison , only the first 250 people will be admitted.
” The announcement comes as Trump ’ s campaign sought to shift the venue to a nearby business but ultimately reversed course and moved ahead with the rally at the airport .
Trump has packed thousands of supporters , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , despite the raging coronavirus pandemic .
In recent months Trump and his campaign have taken to calling their rallies “ peaceful protests ” as they flout local restrictions on gathering sizes due to the virus .
The Minnesota Department of Health has linked 28 coronavirus cases to other recent Trump campaign events in the state , including 16 at a rally in Bemidji The department said four more cases were reported among anti-Trump protesters who attended the Bemidji rally .
Walz said he was “ deeply disappointed ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s masking and social distancing guidance was poor at Vice President Mike Pence ’ s rally Monday in the city of Hibbing .
The Trump campaign paid $ 1,000 to get the rally site , according to a contract with the airport that included a provision that the rally conform to Minnesota restrictions .
Hibbing police estimated the crowd at 650 — well beyond the state ’ s 250-person limit .
Some states have fined venues that host Trump rallies for violating caps on crowd size .
But the rallies continue — even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially in the Midwest and the Plains .
The nation posted a record high number of new infections last week — nearly 500,000 .
Democrat Joe Biden , in contrast , has shunned rallies and instead holds online and drive-in events where people honk their horns to show support .
He calls the Trump rallies “ super-spreader events ” and says he ’ s listening to the warnings of public health experts .
Since Feb. 7 , when Trump told author Bob Woodward that he knew the coronavirus was airborne and deadlier than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 50 rallies in more than two dozen states .
They were halted during most of March , April and May because of the pandemic .
After they resumed in late June , they were held primarily outdoors at airports .
Mask use is spotty .
Some people cover their mouths but not their noses .
And by the end of Trump ’ s hour-plus speeches , some masks are slung low around people ’ s chins .
The campaign makes a point to ask people sitting behind Trump — and likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear masks , but they don ’ t always comply .
Pete Kingsley , 80 , of Strasburg , Pennsylvania , was not wearing a mask as he approached the security line at Trump ’ s rally Monday in Lititz .
He said he believes the virus is being hyped to hurt Trump ’ s chance of reelection and to “ bash the economy — destroy it.
” “ If I need to put a mask on , I ’ ll put it on , ” he said .
“ If I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put it on.
” Concerned about the spread of the coronavirus , Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant , Maine , voiced regrets this week about Trump ’ s visit to their business on Sunday .
The orchard said it expected the president to make an unannounced visit , surprise a few people and take photos with pumpkins .
Instead , word got out and hundreds of people — many without masks — showed up and lined the motorcade route to the orchard , which has a mask and social distance policy .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be open to the public without our ability to enforce our policies , ” the orchard said .
“ All enforcement of the farm was handled by the Secret Service , and by the time crowds began to gather , our staff was not able to move freely .
”

President Donald Trump’s campaign says it will cap his planned rally Friday in Rochester, Minnesota, to 250 people at the insistence of state and local officials.
The campaign said: “Thanks to the free-speech-stifling dictates of Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, only the first 250 people will be admitted.”
The announcement comes as Trump’s campaign sought to shift the venue to a nearby business but ultimately reversed course and moved ahead with the rally at the airport.
Trump has packed thousands of supporters, most not wearing masks, into similar rallies across the country, despite the raging coronavirus pandemic.
In recent months Trump and his campaign have taken to calling their rallies “peaceful protests” as they flout local restrictions on gathering sizes due to the virus.
The Minnesota Department of Health has linked 28 coronavirus cases to other recent Trump campaign events in the state, including 16 at a rally in Bemidji The department said four more cases were reported among anti-Trump protesters who attended the Bemidji rally.
Walz said he was “deeply disappointed” to learn that compliance with the state’s masking and social distancing guidance was poor at Vice President Mike Pence’s rally Monday in the city of Hibbing.
The Trump campaign paid $1,000 to get the rally site, according to a contract with the airport that included a provision that the rally conform to Minnesota restrictions. Hibbing police estimated the crowd at 650 — well beyond the state’s 250-person limit.
Some states have fined venues that host Trump rallies for violating caps on crowd size. But the rallies continue — even as the U.S. sees cases spike, especially in the Midwest and the Plains. The nation posted a record high number of new infections last week — nearly 500,000.
Democrat Joe Biden, in contrast, has shunned rallies and instead holds online and drive-in events where people honk their horns to show support. He calls the Trump rallies “super-spreader events” and says he’s listening to the warnings of public health experts.
Since Feb. 7, when Trump told author Bob Woodward that he knew the coronavirus was airborne and deadlier than the flu, the president has hosted more than 50 rallies in more than two dozen states. They were halted during most of March, April and May because of the pandemic. After they resumed in late June, they were held primarily outdoors at airports.
Mask use is spotty. Some people cover their mouths but not their noses. And by the end of Trump’s hour-plus speeches, some masks are slung low around people’s chins. The campaign makes a point to ask people sitting behind Trump — and likely to be captured on camera — to wear masks, but they don’t always comply.
Pete Kingsley, 80, of Strasburg, Pennsylvania, was not wearing a mask as he approached the security line at Trump’s rally Monday in Lititz. He said he believes the virus is being hyped to hurt Trump’s chance of reelection and to “bash the economy — destroy it.”
“If I need to put a mask on, I’ll put it on,” he said. “If I don’t, I won’t put it on.”
Concerned about the spread of the coronavirus, Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant, Maine, voiced regrets this week about Trump’s visit to their business on Sunday.
The orchard said it expected the president to make an unannounced visit, surprise a few people and take photos with pumpkins. Instead, word got out and hundreds of people — many without masks — showed up and lined the motorcade route to the orchard, which has a mask and social distance policy.
“We were not aware that this visit would be open to the public without our ability to enforce our policies,” the orchard said. “All enforcement of the farm was handled by the Secret Service, and by the time crowds began to gather, our staff was not able to move freely.”


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Editorial: Our ballot endorsements are done, now please go vote

Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations .
This is an election like none before .
Not just the presidential race , but also the way we are voting in California and the makeup of the ballot .
Chalk it up to the pandemic and to an accelerated state push for local government elections by district to increase minority representation .
For three months now , we ’ ve been interviewing candidates and reviewing ballot proposals to bring you what is now a list of recommendations for 166 races and measures .
We ’ re done .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as we would have liked .
We never do .
But this year was harder than ever .
There were more contested races than in the past ; fewer incumbents coasted to reelection without opposition .
The surge in district elections meant that for many local agencies what was previously one at-large race was often broken into two or three contests by district .
The heightened climate of political activism also seemed to increase the number and diversity of candidates .
Our endorsement list is now complete — or as complete as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve run out of time to go deeper .
To deal with the crush , in many partisan races for the state Legislature and Congress , we simply jettisoned those that aren ’ t competitive so we could focus on races that are .
Now it ’ s up to you .
Please read our recommendations and full editorials that are available online at www.mercurynews.com/endorsements or www.eastbaytimes.com/endorsements .
We don ’ t expect you to necessarily agree , but we hope we provide some insight and stimulate thought and discussion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , please go vote — the earlier the better .
The good news is , thanks to the wise pandemic-induced distribution of mail-in ballots to all California voters , the elections offices of Alameda , Santa Clara , San Mateo and Santa Clara counties had already received by Thursday morning ballots from roughly half the registered voters .
For the rest of you , there are lots of options for returning your ballots or voting in-person by Tuesday .
We encourage you not to wait until then , to avoid the lines of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your ballots today or over the weekend .
In these troubling times , it ’ s more important than ever to participate in our democracy .
Please vote .

Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards

Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations.
This is an election like none before.
Not just the presidential race, but also the way we are voting in California and the makeup of the ballot. Chalk it up to the pandemic and to an accelerated state push for local government elections by district to increase minority representation.
For three months now, we’ve been interviewing candidates and reviewing ballot proposals to bring you what is now a list of recommendations for 166 races and measures. We’re done.
We didn’t get to as many as we would have liked. We never do. But this year was harder than ever. There were more contested races than in the past; fewer incumbents coasted to reelection without opposition.
The surge in district elections meant that for many local agencies what was previously one at-large race was often broken into two or three contests by district. The heightened climate of political activism also seemed to increase the number and diversity of candidates.
Our endorsement list is now complete — or as complete as it’s going to get. We’ve run out of time to go deeper. To deal with the crush, in many partisan races for the state Legislature and Congress, we simply jettisoned those that aren’t competitive so we could focus on races that are.
Now it’s up to you.
Please read our recommendations and full editorials that are available online at www.mercurynews.com/endorsements or www.eastbaytimes.com/endorsements. We don’t expect you to necessarily agree, but we hope we provide some insight and stimulate thought and discussion.
Then, whether you agree or not, please go vote — the earlier the better.
The good news is, thanks to the wise pandemic-induced distribution of mail-in ballots to all California voters, the elections offices of Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties had already received by Thursday morning ballots from roughly half the registered voters.
For the rest of you, there are lots of options for returning your ballots or voting in-person by Tuesday. We encourage you not to wait until then, to avoid the lines of people on Election Day, to turn in your ballots today or over the weekend.
In these troubling times, it’s more important than ever to participate in our democracy. Please vote.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Here’s where you can drop off your ballot or vote in-person

Vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 17 days after Election Day .
There are a lot of other options to drop off your ballots without depending on the Postal Service or to vote in-person : Starting Saturday : 100 locations open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday through Monday and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday .
To find a location : www.acvote.org/avl • Drop boxes : 37 locations open 24 hours a day , plus six indoor locations open during business hours .
To find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting : 17 sites open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Monday , and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday .
Closed Sunday .
To find a location : www.cocovote.us , click on “ vote early in person , ” then click on “ regional early voting sites.
” • Election Day in-person voting : 153 neighborhood polling places open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday .
To find a location : Go to www.cocovote.us , click on “ find my polling place.
” • Early and Election Day in-person voting : Sites open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To find a location : www.sccgov.org/sites/rov , click on “ Find Vote Center.
” • Early and Election Day in-person voting : 45 locations open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday through Monday and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday .
To find a location : www.smcacre.org/VoteCenters

Vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 17 days after Election Day. There are a lot of other options to drop off your ballots without depending on the Postal Service or to vote in-person:
Alameda County
• Drop boxes: 66 locations open 24 hours a day. To find a location: www.acvote.org/dropbox
• Election Day in-person voting:
Starting Saturday: 100 locations open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday. To find a location: www.acvote.org/avl
• Telephone assistance: 510-272-6973
Contra Costa County
• Drop boxes: 37 locations open 24 hours a day, plus six indoor locations open during business hours. To find a location: www.cocovote.us/official-ballot-drop-boxes/
• Election Day in-person voting: 153 neighborhood polling places open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday. To find a location: Go to www.cocovote.us, click on “find my polling place.”
• Telephone assistance: 925-335-7800
Santa Clara County
• Drop boxes: 97 locations open 24 hours a day. To find a location: www.sccgov.org/sites/rov, click on “Find Ballot Drop Off.”
• Election Day in-person voting: Sites open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday. To find a location: www.sccgov.org/sites/rov, click on “Find Vote Center.”
• Telephone assistance: 408-299-VOTE
San Mateo County
• Drop boxes: 39 locations. To find a location: www.smcacre.org/post/ballot-drop-box-locations
• Election Day in-person voting: 45 locations open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday. To find a location: www.smcacre.org/VoteCenters
• Telephone assistance: 650-312-5222


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Review: Rom-com? More like a pale imitation of one

If it didn ’ t actually exist , “ Holidate ” would sound like one of those fake movies within a movie .
A couple of attractive singles decide on a low-stakes , no-commitment arrangement to be each other ’ s dates on holidays ?
It ’ s a perfect rom-com concept in that it ’ s equal parts ridiculous and shamefully appealing .
Slot in some very pretty people ( Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey ) , a drunken aunt ( Kristen Chenoweth ) some bawdy dialogue and a picturesque and unbelievably warm Chicago where it ’ s possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it practically makes itself .
Unfortunately , like so many that have come before , it ’ s pretty terrible too ( and that ’ s taking into account the rom-com curve ) .
“ Holidate , ” available now on Netflix , is one of those extremely self-aware and cynical romantic comedies where the lead characters are neither romantics nor even particularly likeable .
This garbage person love story can work under the right circumstances ( see : “ You ’ re The Worst ” ) , but that usually takes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Tiffany Paulson , with insights like “ chicks go mental at the holidays ” and comedic asides along the lines of “ excuse me , Crocodile Dundee , ” is not that .
And simply being aware of rom-com cliches and having your characters discuss them is getting a little tired .
Roberts ’ Sloane is a chain-smoking , candy-scarfing waif who is meant to look slouchy and unkempt but always just looks like a gorgeous woman with perfect makeup who is simply wearing a hoodie .
She had a bad breakup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother is engaged to a repressed stereotype and her mother ( Frances Fisher ) won ’ t stop pestering her about men and marriage .
Bracey ’ s Jackson , meanwhile , is a handsome Australian golf pro who just wants to sleep his way through the Windy City but also not be alone on holidays .
The “ holidate ” concept comes from Sloane ’ s Aunt Susan ( Chenoweth , giving a terrible role her all and not earning any laughs in the process ) who brought a mall Santa home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Sloane meets Jackson in the returns line where they compare their terrible Christmases , they decide to give it a shot for New Year ’ s .
Sloane and Jackson keep up the arrangement for the year , accompanying one another to Easter , St. Patrick ’ s Day ( it is Chicago ) , the Fourth of July and so on , denying their burgeoning feelings for one another as they go .
It wasn ’ t a promising sign that I started checking my watch around Mother ’ s Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absurd and exhausting .
That director John Whitesell was able to stretch this out for more than 90 minutes is pretty incredible and he uses everything in his arsenal from a hospital visit to a cheating subplot with a minor character to fill the time .
The best thing that “ Holidate ” has going for it is that Roberts and Bracey do have great chemistry , but they just don ’ t have a story or a script that can do it justice .
Roberts remains somewhat of a mystery as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talent that under the right circumstances can shine ( see : “ Nerve ” and “ Palo Alto ” ) but she also seems to end up with an unfair share of duds like this and “ Little Italy.
” If you want a raunchy will-they-won ’ t-they rom-com in which two attractive people try to keep their relationship platonic , I ’ d suggest avoiding “ Holidate ” and watching Lesley Headland ’ s “ Sleeping With Other People ” instead .

By Lindsey Bahr | Associated Press
If it didn’t actually exist, “Holidate” would sound like one of those fake movies within a movie. A couple of attractive singles decide on a low-stakes, no-commitment arrangement to be each other’s dates on holidays? It’s a perfect rom-com concept in that it’s equal parts ridiculous and shamefully appealing. Slot in some very pretty people (Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey), a drunken aunt (Kristen Chenoweth) some bawdy dialogue and a picturesque and unbelievably warm Chicago where it’s possible to wear spaghetti straps at Easter and it practically makes itself. Unfortunately, like so many that have come before, it’s pretty terrible too (and that’s taking into account the rom-com curve).
“Holidate,” available now on Netflix, is one of those extremely self-aware and cynical romantic comedies where the lead characters are neither romantics nor even particularly likeable. This garbage person love story can work under the right circumstances (see: “You’re The Worst”), but that usually takes a sharp script to execute. This script by Tiffany Paulson, with insights like “chicks go mental at the holidays” and comedic asides along the lines of “excuse me, Crocodile Dundee,” is not that. And simply being aware of rom-com cliches and having your characters discuss them is getting a little tired.
Roberts’ Sloane is a chain-smoking, candy-scarfing waif who is meant to look slouchy and unkempt but always just looks like a gorgeous woman with perfect makeup who is simply wearing a hoodie. She had a bad breakup six months ago and now her little brother is engaged to a repressed stereotype and her mother (Frances Fisher) won’t stop pestering her about men and marriage. Bracey’s Jackson, meanwhile, is a handsome Australian golf pro who just wants to sleep his way through the Windy City but also not be alone on holidays.
The “holidate” concept comes from Sloane’s Aunt Susan (Chenoweth, giving a terrible role her all and not earning any laughs in the process) who brought a mall Santa home and seems happy with her life. When Sloane meets Jackson in the returns line where they compare their terrible Christmases, they decide to give it a shot for New Year’s.
Sloane and Jackson keep up the arrangement for the year, accompanying one another to Easter, St. Patrick’s Day (it is Chicago), the Fourth of July and so on, denying their burgeoning feelings for one another as they go. It wasn’t a promising sign that I started checking my watch around Mother’s Day, and the antics only get more absurd and exhausting. That director John Whitesell was able to stretch this out for more than 90 minutes is pretty incredible and he uses everything in his arsenal from a hospital visit to a cheating subplot with a minor character to fill the time.
The best thing that “Holidate” has going for it is that Roberts and Bracey do have great chemistry, but they just don’t have a story or a script that can do it justice.
Roberts remains somewhat of a mystery as an actress. She has obvious charisma and talent that under the right circumstances can shine (see: “Nerve” and “Palo Alto”) but she also seems to end up with an unfair share of duds like this and “Little Italy.”
If you want a raunchy will-they-won’t-they rom-com in which two attractive people try to keep their relationship platonic, I’d suggest avoiding “Holidate” and watching Lesley Headland’s “Sleeping With Other People” instead.
“Holidate”
1 1/2 stars out of 4
Rating: TV-MA
Running time: 103 minutes


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Travis Roy dies at 45; paralyzed 11 seconds into his college hockey debut

BOSTON ( AP ) — Travis Roy , the Boston University hockey player who was paralyzed 11 seconds into his first college shift and went on to become an advocate for spinal cord injury survivors both in and outside the sports world , has died .
He was 45 .
His death was confirmed by the BU athletic department and the Travis Roy Foundation .
“ It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Travis Roy , ” the school said in a statement .
“ His story is the epitome of inspiration and courage , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hero to so many people .
“ Travis ’ work and dedication toward helping fellow spinal cord-injury survivors is nothing short of amazing .
His legacy will last forever , not just within the Boston University community , but with the countless lives he has impacted across the country.
” Roy was a 20-year-old freshman making his debut for the reigning NCAA champions in the 1995-96 season opener when he crashed headfirst into the boards after checking a North Dakota opponent .
From his wheelchair , he gave as many as 40 motivational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared : Do the best with what you have and don ’ t dwell on your misfortune .
“ I like to say the first 20 years I had a life that was full of passion and the last 20 I ’ ve had a life full of purpose , ” he said in an interview with The Associated Press shortly after turning 40 .
“ The dream is to have both at the same time , but I ’ m fortunate .
I ’ ll take either one.
” Since he created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has raised more than $ 9 million — half for research , and half to provide equipment for those with spinal cord injuries .
Roy , who was able to control the joystick that maneuvered his chair , regained little movement after the injury and had no feeling below the middle of his chest .
“ I just thought the research would move along and by the time I was 40 I might have a chance of some normalcy again , ” Roy told the AP in 2015 , “ some kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24-hour home care anymore.
” The hockey world mourned his passing on Thursday , with the NHL calling Roy “ a special man who responded to his devastating injury by dedicating himself to serving others.
” Former Bruins star and current team president Cam Neely also shared his condolences .
“ Travis Roy was the ultimate symbol of determination and courage , ” Neely said .
“ The impact that Travis had on the New England hockey community is immeasurable , and his relentless advocacy for spinal cord research was inspiring.
” Ray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Famer , said he and his wife were “ honored to have known such a great man who helped so many others.
” “ The warmth , strength , and resiliency he exhibited in the face of tragedy set him apart , ” Boston Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy said .
“ His mantra was never to take anything for granted , and his message resonates stronger than ever with all of us at the Red Sox.
” Roy ’ s work as a fund-raiser and motivational speaker combined with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hero to other victims of spinal cord injuries .
“ Travis Roy , you were my friend , mentor , role model and the most positive person I knew , ” Jack Jablonski , a Minnesota high school hockey star who was also left paralyzed after a hockey collision , said on Twitter .
“ You have forever changed the SCI and hockey community .
Thank you for taking the time to get to know each other.
” Denna Laing , who was paralyzed during an exhibition before the 2016 NHL Winter Classic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Travis did so many little things and big things for so many people , ” she wrote .
“ This is gutting , really truly sad.
” The son of a Maine hockey rink manager who began skating when he was 20 months old , Roy went to North Yarmouth Academy and Tabor Academy before enrolling at BU .
Both high schools have named their rinks after him .
BU retired Roy ’ s No .
24 in 1999 ; he graduated from the school with a degree in communications the next spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how grateful I am , ” Roy told the AP on the 20th anniversary of the injury .
“ The thing that goes through my mind every once in a while is , ‘ Thank God it wasn ’ t a brain injury.
’ I don ’ t want any pity.
” He said he occasionally thought about what might have happened if he hadn ’ t been injured .
“ There ’ s times when it ’ s kind of fun to think about it , ” he said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not know the answer.
” Among the players on the 1995-96 BU Terriers team were future NHLers Chris Drury , Jay Pandolfo , Shawn Bates and Mike Grier .
John Hynes is now the coach of the Nashville Predators .
Coach Jack Parker is an inductee in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame ; Olympic hero Mike Eruzione was an assistant coach .
“ It ’ s so sad for so many reasons — not just the athletic end of it , but what his life could have been , ” Eruzione told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To see a life changed in such a direction because of 11 seconds .
• Cecilia Chiang , SF chef who brought authentic Chinese food to US , dies at 100 “ But what he did with it afterward was incredible , ” Eruzione added .
“ Such an inspiration .
He could have folded the tent .
He could have said , ‘ This is it.
’ But he chose another path in his life , and he raised millions of dollars .
“ It just sucks , that at 45 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former AP Sports Writer Howard Ulman contributed to this report .

BOSTON (AP) — Travis Roy, the Boston University hockey player who was paralyzed 11 seconds into his first college shift and went on to become an advocate for spinal cord injury survivors both in and outside the sports world, has died. He was 45.
His death was confirmed by the BU athletic department and the Travis Roy Foundation.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Travis Roy,” the school said in a statement. “His story is the epitome of inspiration and courage, and he was a role model and a hero to so many people.
“Travis’ work and dedication toward helping fellow spinal cord-injury survivors is nothing short of amazing. His legacy will last forever, not just within the Boston University community, but with the countless lives he has impacted across the country.”
Roy was a 20-year-old freshman making his debut for the reigning NCAA champions in the 1995-96 season opener when he crashed headfirst into the boards after checking a North Dakota opponent.
The accident left him a quadriplegic.
From his wheelchair, he gave as many as 40 motivational speeches a year. The message he shared: Do the best with what you have and don’t dwell on your misfortune.
“I like to say the first 20 years I had a life that was full of passion and the last 20 I’ve had a life full of purpose,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press shortly after turning 40. “The dream is to have both at the same time, but I’m fortunate. I’ll take either one.”
Since he created the Travis Roy Foundation in 1997, it has raised more than $9 million — half for research, and half to provide equipment for those with spinal cord injuries. Roy, who was able to control the joystick that maneuvered his chair, regained little movement after the injury and had no feeling below the middle of his chest.
“I just thought the research would move along and by the time I was 40 I might have a chance of some normalcy again,” Roy told the AP in 2015, “some kids and a wife and not living with 24-hour home care anymore.”
The hockey world mourned his passing on Thursday, with the NHL calling Roy “a special man who responded to his devastating injury by dedicating himself to serving others.”
Former Bruins star and current team president Cam Neely also shared his condolences.
“Travis Roy was the ultimate symbol of determination and courage,” Neely said. “The impact that Travis had on the New England hockey community is immeasurable, and his relentless advocacy for spinal cord research was inspiring.”
Ray Bourque, another ex-Bruin and Hockey Hall of Famer, said he and his wife were “honored to have known such a great man who helped so many others.”
“The warmth, strength, and resiliency he exhibited in the face of tragedy set him apart,” Boston Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy said. “His mantra was never to take anything for granted, and his message resonates stronger than ever with all of us at the Red Sox.”
Roy’s work as a fund-raiser and motivational speaker combined with his persistent optimism to make him a hero to other victims of spinal cord injuries.
“Travis Roy, you were my friend, mentor, role model and the most positive person I knew,” Jack Jablonski, a Minnesota high school hockey star who was also left paralyzed after a hockey collision, said on Twitter. “You have forever changed the SCI and hockey community. Thank you for taking the time to get to know each other.”
Denna Laing, who was paralyzed during an exhibition before the 2016 NHL Winter Classic, also tweeted her thanks.
“Travis did so many little things and big things for so many people,” she wrote. “This is gutting, really truly sad.”
The son of a Maine hockey rink manager who began skating when he was 20 months old, Roy went to North Yarmouth Academy and Tabor Academy before enrolling at BU. Both high schools have named their rinks after him.
BU retired Roy’s No. 24 in 1999; he graduated from the school with a degree in communications the next spring.
“I think all the time how grateful I am,” Roy told the AP on the 20th anniversary of the injury. “The thing that goes through my mind every once in a while is, ‘Thank God it wasn’t a brain injury.’ I don’t want any pity.”
He said he occasionally thought about what might have happened if he hadn’t been injured.
“There’s times when it’s kind of fun to think about it,” he said. “It’s also kind of sad to not know the answer.”
Among the players on the 1995-96 BU Terriers team were future NHLers Chris Drury, Jay Pandolfo, Shawn Bates and Mike Grier. John Hynes is now the coach of the Nashville Predators. Coach Jack Parker is an inductee in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame; Olympic hero Mike Eruzione was an assistant coach.
“It’s so sad for so many reasons — not just the athletic end of it, but what his life could have been,” Eruzione told the AP on Thursday night. “To see a life changed in such a direction because of 11 seconds.
Related Articles Obituaries | Southern California football legend drowns in Oregon river
Southern California football legend drowns in Oregon river Obituaries | British actor Darren Kent dies at 39; played goatherd on ‘Game of Thrones’
British actor Darren Kent dies at 39; played goatherd on ‘Game of Thrones’ Obituaries | ‘Black Godfather’ of music dies at 92
‘Black Godfather’ of music dies at 92 Obituaries | A lonely life ends. A brother writes a ‘brutally honest’ obituary.
A lonely life ends. A brother writes a ‘brutally honest’ obituary. Obituaries | Jamie Reid dies at 76; anarchist artist designed iconic Sex Pistols covers “But what he did with it afterward was incredible,” Eruzione added. “Such an inspiration. He could have folded the tent. He could have said, ‘This is it.’ But he chose another path in his life, and he raised millions of dollars.
“It just sucks, that at 45, that it’s over.”
___
Former AP Sports Writer Howard Ulman contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--49ers at Seahawks: Five keys to winning in cadence-friendly, crowd-free Seattle

Playoff fates are often determined there amid Richter-scale vibrations from the Seahawks fans ’ “ 12th Man ” screams .
The 49ers secured a No .
1 playoff seed there in last December ’ s regular-season finale , utilizing a goal-line tackle to stun and silence Seattle ’ s crowd .
Sunday , the 49ers return , but the fans will not .
That guarantees a visit unlike any other since the stadium opened in 2002 , when the Seahawks converged within the 49ers ’ division .
Seattle ( 5-1 ) is in first place .
The defending NFC champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but they ’ re coming on strong with a two-game win streak .
Coach Kyle Shanahan said it ’ s “ way too early ” to look at playoff posturing .
“ That ’ s stuff that I leave for my wife and for friends and for people to do , ” Shanahan said .
“ There ’ s so many things that change .
I ’ ll start to watch it the last few weeks.
” The next five weeks wont ’ be easy street for these NFC West rivals : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5-1 ) , vs. Green Bay ( 5-1 ) , at New Orleans ( 4-2 ) , bye , at Los Angeles Rams ( 5-2 ) .
For the Seahawks : vs. 49ers ( 4-3 ) , at Bills ( 5-2 ) , at Rams ( 5-2 ) , vs. Cardinals ( 5-2 ) , at Eagles ( 2-4-1 ) “ It ’ s not just smooth sailing , like it was last year , win after win , ” said Garoppolo , who led the 49ers to an 8-0 start last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ups and downs , and that ’ s made us battle tested , just as a team.
” Here are five ways the underdog 49ers can win back-to-back in Seattle for the first time ever as division rivals : Robert Saleh , the 49ers ’ defensive coordinator , was an entry-level Seahawks assistant in 2012 when Russell Wilson debuted in rookie minicamp .
“ I swear to you , the first time he threw the football … everyone was looking at the quarterback , ” Saleh recalled .
“ At that point , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to be pretty damn good.
” Saleh now trumpets Wilson as a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback , skipping right over this early season chatter about Wilson finally meriting the first NFL MVP votes of his career .
Wilson has 22 touchdown passes against six interceptions , including three interceptions in Sunday night ’ s overtime loss at Arizona .
He is 12-4 against the 49ers , and he threw for five touchdowns in those four losses combined .
The Seahawks can ’ t envision him having a second straight “ off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make that happen , however , and perhaps they do it with timely blitzes by Fred Warner or their slot cornerbacks .
Arik Armstead ( 2 1/2 sacks in eight games vs. Wilson ) needs to supercharge the defensive front ’ s efforts .
While D.J .
Jones and Javon Kinlaw should fare well inside , former Seahawk Dion Jordan , 2020 gem Kerry Hyder Jr. and newcomer Jordan Willis must contain the edge .
The term “ plaster ” is part of 49ers defense ’ s lexicon any time they face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force defensive backs to shadow receivers typically longer than possible .
But the Seahawks ’ potent tandem of Tyler Lockett and D.K .
Metcalf are proving tough covers no matter the circumstance .
Look for the 49ers to deploy five and six defensive backs to clog the passing windows .
Cornerback Jason Verrett was at TCU when he last battled the “ shifty ” Lockett ( Kansas State ) , and they spoke highly of each other , having both gone to their first and only Pro Bowls in 2015 .
Both are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming off a 200-yard game .
Lockett appreciates Verrett ’ s comeback from multiple leg injuries in recent years .
“ It shows his resilience , ” Lockett said .
“ I definitely know he ’ s a great player and I ’ m looking forward to going against him again .
I ’ m definitely happy for him.
” Looming as a second-year , athletic freak is Metcalf , who gained special acclaim last game for chasing down the Cardinals ’ Budda Baker to prevent a pick-six .
The 49ers expect Metcalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use his physicality and size more than his speed .
“ Myself and ( fellow cornerback Emmanuel ) Moseley , the advantage we have is our foot quickness , ” Verrett ( 5-foot-9 ) said .
“ Being able to get closer to the hip — reading hips and hands when dealing with ( taller ) receivers — that ’ s the best way to position yourself.
” Deebo Samuel proved the 49ers ’ offensive catalyst these past two wins , mostly by taking short passes behind the line of scrimmage and bullying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury late against New England will keep him out this game .
Who can fill his void ?
“ It ’ s a challenge but we ’ ve been down a lot of guys all year , and we always have someone step up , ” tight end George Kittle said .
“ I know we don ’ t have another Deebo on the roster but I ’ m fully confident in our coaches to account and give other guys opportunities .
“ It might not be Trent Taylor on a jet sweep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting the ball in space , or anyone , really.
” Taylor had just three snaps last game , but he will become the No .
3 receiver behind Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne this game .
Aiyuk keeps ascending as a rookie .
Bourne , a Northwest native , expects more action and planned on studying extra hard so he can “ play fast.
” Kittle remains the offense ’ s top asset , and he caught all seven of his targets for 86 yards and a touchdown in last December ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49ers depth chart : How they look nearing NFL trade deadline , halfway mark of season • Special report : Two Giants owners lead Bay Area sports in campaign contributions — and they ’ re big Trump supporters • Kurtenbach : The 49ers ’ best is yet to come , and that should worry the rest of the NFC Jeff Wilson Jr. was a surprise starter last game , and an even bigger surprise came via his three rushing touchdowns .
But a high-ankle sprain followed and he ’ s shelved for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack still offers an element of surprise this game .
Tevin Coleman might come off a five-game hiatus for a sprained knee , and if he dresses , look for him to see a solid workload .
Or the 49ers could fully commit to rookie JaMycal Hasty and unleash him after back-to-back breakout games .
Shanahan recently revealed that Hasty stuck with the 49ers when other teams ’ tried poaching him off their practice squad earlier this season .
“ When you have a certain skill set and you fit , we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they might be better for us than other teams , ” Shanahan said , “ and they really listen and they ’ re trying to make the right decision , not just off of the check that week.
” If not Hasty or Coleman , Jerick McKinnon certainly is rested for an increased role .
Whoever gets the rock , the linemen and the 49ers ’ overall blocking is performing at a season-best level .
Seattle ’ s outdoor amphitheater might be the NFL ’ s best venue in terms of game-day vibe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
None are allowed so far this season .
“ It ’ s good for the Niners and the guys coming in here , that they don ’ t have that factor , because it ’ s a remarkable factor we ’ ve played to , ” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said .
“ It ’ s much different.
” League-wide , the pandemic has hindered home-field advantages .
Carroll termed it a “ marginal difference ” between playing at home or away .
The stats agree .
Entering Week 8 , home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percentage that is the worst mark since 1972 ( .508 ) .
“ I ’ ll miss the atmosphere up there .
It ’ s one of the cooler places to play with the fans and everything , ” Jimmy Garoppolo said .
“ With the cadence and procedure , it ’ ll make it easier for us , and I ’ m looking forward to that .
Added Kittle : “ It ’ s definitely weird but the fact we ’ re going to hear every cadence , not to go in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be refreshing .
I look forward to it because it gives the offense an advantage .
”

Seattle’s CenturyLink Field is the NFC West’s ultimate battleground.
Playoff fates are often determined there amid Richter-scale vibrations from the Seahawks fans’ “12th Man” screams.
The 49ers secured a No. 1 playoff seed there in last December’s regular-season finale, utilizing a goal-line tackle to stun and silence Seattle’s crowd.
Sunday, the 49ers return, but the fans will not. That guarantees a visit unlike any other since the stadium opened in 2002, when the Seahawks converged within the 49ers’ division.
Seattle (5-1) is in first place. The defending NFC champion 49ers (4-3) are in last, but they’re coming on strong with a two-game win streak.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said it’s “way too early” to look at playoff posturing.
“That’s stuff that I leave for my wife and for friends and for people to do,” Shanahan said. “There’s so many things that change. I’ll start to watch it the last few weeks.”
The next five weeks won’t be easy street for these NFC West rivals:
For the 49ers: at Seattle (5-1), vs. Green Bay (5-1), at New Orleans (4-2), bye, at Los Angeles Rams (5-2).
For the Seahawks: vs. 49ers (4-3), at Bills (5-2), at Rams (5-2), vs. Cardinals (5-2), at Eagles (2-4-1)
“It’s not just smooth sailing, like it was last year, win after win,” said Garoppolo, who led the 49ers to an 8-0 start last year. “We’ve had the ups and downs, and that’s made us battle-tested, just as a team.”
Here are five ways the underdog 49ers can win back-to-back in Seattle for the first time ever as division rivals:
1. Limit Wilson’s damage
Robert Saleh, the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, was an entry-level Seahawks assistant in 2012 when Russell Wilson debuted in rookie minicamp.
“I swear to you, the first time he threw the football … everyone was looking at the quarterback,” Saleh recalled. “At that point, I said, ‘Man, this guy is going to be pretty damn good.'”
Saleh now trumpets Wilson as a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback, skipping right over this early season chatter about Wilson finally meriting the first NFL MVP votes of his career.
Wilson has 22 touchdown passes against six interceptions, including three interceptions in Sunday night’s overtime loss at Arizona. He is 12-4 against the 49ers, and he threw for five touchdowns in those four losses combined.
The Seahawks can’t envision him having a second straight “off” game. The 49ers must try to make that happen, however, and perhaps they do it with timely blitzes by Fred Warner or their slot cornerbacks.
Arik Armstead (2 1/2 sacks in eight games vs. Wilson) needs to supercharge the defensive front’s efforts. While D.J. Jones and Javon Kinlaw should fare well inside, former Seahawk Dion Jordan, 2020 gem Kerry Hyder Jr. and newcomer Jordan Willis must contain the edge.
2. Plaster receivers
The term “plaster” is part of 49ers defense’s lexicon any time they face Wilson, whose magical escapes from pressure force defensive backs to shadow receivers typically longer than possible.
But the Seahawks’ potent tandem of Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf is proving tough covers no matter the circumstance. Look for the 49ers to deploy five and six defensive backs to clog the passing windows.
Cornerback Jason Verrett was at TCU when he last battled the “shifty” Lockett (Kansas State), and they spoke highly of each other, having both gone to their first and only Pro Bowls in 2015. Both are having banner seasons, and Lockett is coming off a 200-yard game.
Lockett appreciates Verrett’s comeback from multiple leg injuries in recent years. “It shows his resilience,” Lockett said. “I definitely know he’s a great player and I’m looking forward to going against him again. I’m definitely happy for him.”
Looming as a second-year, athletic freak is Metcalf, who gained special acclaim last game for chasing down the Cardinals’ Budda Baker to prevent a pick-six. The 49ers expect Metcalf (6-foot-4, 229 pounds) to use his physicality and size more than his speed.
“Myself and (fellow cornerback Emmanuel) Moseley, the advantage we have is our foot quickness,” said Verrett, who is 5-foot-9. “Being able to get closer to the hip — reading hips and hands when dealing with (taller) receivers — that’s the best way to position yourself.”
3. Filling Samuel’s void
Deebo Samuel proved the 49ers’ offensive catalyst these past two wins, mostly by taking short passes behind the line of scrimmage and bullying his way down field. A hamstring injury late against New England will keep him out of this game. Who can fill his void?
“It’s a challenge but we’ve been down a lot of guys all year, and we always have someone step up,” tight end George Kittle said. “I know we don’t have another Deebo on the roster but I’m fully confident in our coaches to account and give other guys opportunities.
“It might not be Trent Taylor on a jet sweep but it’ll be Trent Taylor getting the ball in space, or anyone, really.”
Taylor had just three snaps last game, but he will become the No. 3 receiver behind Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne this game. Aiyuk keeps ascending as a rookie. Bourne, a Northwest native, expects more action and planned on studying extra hard so he can “play fast.”
Kittle remains the offense’s top asset, and he caught all seven of his targets for 86 yards and a touchdown in last December’s 26-21 win at Seattle.
4. More rushing surprises
Jeff Wilson Jr. was a surprise starter last game, and an even bigger surprise came via his three rushing touchdowns. But a high-ankle sprain followed and he’s shelved for a few weeks.
The 49ers’ rushing attack still offers an element of surprise this game. Tevin Coleman might come off a five-game hiatus for a sprained knee, and if he dresses, look for him to see a solid workload.
Or the 49ers could fully commit to rookie JaMycal Hasty and unleash him after back-to-back breakout games. Shanahan recently revealed that Hasty stuck with the 49ers when other teams’ tried poaching him off their practice squad earlier this season.
“When you have a certain skill set and you fit, we can sell to a person how we think they might be better for us than other teams,” Shanahan said, “and they really listen and they’re trying to make the right decision, not just off of the check that week.”
If not Hasty or Coleman, Jerick McKinnon certainly is rested for an increased role. Whoever gets the rock, the linemen and the 49ers’ overall blocking is performing at a season-best level.
5. Sound of silence
Seattle’s outdoor amphitheater might be the NFL’s best venue in terms of game-day vibe – when fans are at full throat. None are allowed so far this season.
“It’s good for the Niners and the guys coming in here, that they don’t have that factor, because it’s a remarkable factor we’ve played to,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “It’s much different.”
League-wide, the pandemic has hindered home-field advantages. Carroll termed it a “marginal difference” between playing at home or away. The stats agree. Entering Week 8, home teams are 53-51-1 for a .510 winning percentage that is the worst mark since 1972 (.508).
“I’ll miss the atmosphere up there. It’s one of the cooler places to play with the fans and everything,” Jimmy Garoppolo said. “With the cadence and procedure, it’ll make it easier for us, and I’m looking forward to that.
Added Kittle: “It’s definitely weird but the fact we’re going to hear every cadence, not to go in silent count, it’s going to be refreshing. I look forward to it because it gives the offense an advantage.”


Bridge: Oct. 30, 2020

“ Your honor , ” the District Attorney intoned , “ we will prove that South committed a felony .
He lost a cold contract.
” “ South might have passed three diamonds , ” the DA began .
“ East would have gone down two .
Against three hearts , West led a diamond , and East took the K-A and led a third diamond : queen , ruff by West , overruff .
Declarer next led a club to his queen .
He drew trumps and led another club : seven , nine , ten.
” “ East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South took the ace and ruffed a club , but when the ace didn ’ t fall , he lost two spades.
” “ Guilty , ” the judge ruled .
“ South must let the king of spades win .
East has shown six diamonds and two trumps .
If he has a second spade to lead , he started with only three clubs , and South can ruff a club to drop the ace and set up the king for a discard .
As it is , East must lead a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead the ace of clubs.
” You hold : S K H 10 5 D A K 10 9 7 6 C A 10 8 6 .
Your partner opens one heart , you respond two diamonds , he bids two spades and you try three clubs .
Partner then bids three diamonds .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Your partner has a good hand .
In most partnerships , his “ reverse ” bid of two spades shows above-minimum strength .
He also suggests shortness in clubs , so your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your diamonds are magnificent .
Bid 4NT .
A grand slam is likely .

“Your honor,” the District Attorney intoned, “we will prove that South committed a felony. He lost a cold contract.”
“Proceed,” the judge instructed.
“South might have passed three diamonds,” the DA began. “East would have gone down two. Against three hearts, West led a diamond, and East took the K-A and led a third diamond: queen, ruff by West, overruff. Declarer next led a club to his queen. He drew trumps and led another club: seven, nine, ten.”
SPADE LOSERS
“East then led the king of spades. South took the ace and ruffed a club, but when the ace didn’t fall, he lost two spades.”
“My client is blameless,” South’s counsel roared.
“Guilty,” the judge ruled. “South must let the king of spades win. East has shown six diamonds and two trumps. If he has a second spade to lead, he started with only three clubs, and South can ruff a club to drop the ace and set up the king for a discard. As it is, East must lead a diamond, conceding a ruff-sluff, or lead the ace of clubs.”
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S K H 10 5 D A K 10 9 7 6 C A 10 8 6. Your partner opens one heart, you respond two diamonds, he bids two spades and you try three clubs. Partner then bids three diamonds. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner has a good hand. In most partnerships, his “reverse” bid of two spades shows above-minimum strength. He also suggests shortness in clubs, so your ace is a perfect card, and your diamonds are magnificent. Bid 4NT. A grand slam is likely.
North dealer
Neither side vulnerable
NORTH
S A 9 3
H K Q 4 3
D J 5
C K 9 4 2
WEST
S Q J 7 6 5 2
H 6 2
D 8 4
C J 7 3
EAST
S K
H 10 5
D A K 10 9 7 6
C A 10 8 6
SOUTH
S 10 8 4
H A J 9 8 7
D Q 3 2
C Q 5
North East South West
1 C 1 D 1 H Pass
2 H 3 D 3 H All Pass
Opening lead — D 8
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Horoscopes Oct. 30, 2020: Henry Winkler, consider every detail before you make a move

Happy Birthday : Consider every detail before you make a move .
You may be eager to get on with your life , but obstacles will continue to stop you in your tracks until you take care of unfinished business .
It may be a slow process , but once you let go of the past , it will be much easier to pursue your goals .
Your numbers are 8 , 19 , 24 , 27 , 31 , 38 , 40 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : When in doubt , pause .
An offer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Refuse to get involved in something that will benefit someone else more than it will help you .
Speak up , but don ’ t let anger take over .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Expand your knowledge , interests and goals .
A partnership will be questionable .
Make sure you are on the same page before you agree to something long-term .
Someone will offer an inflated point of view .
Research the possibilities before getting involved .
3 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mood and enhance your attitude .
Physical fitness , a new look or additional skills will boost your confidence and encourage you to head in a new and exciting direction .
A romantic encounter is favored .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Do what ’ s best for everyone .
Refuse to get into a scuffle with someone negative or controlling .
Keep the peace , but don ’ t give in to pressure .
Do your own thing if you don ’ t like what someone asks you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Control your emotions .
Back away from unstable situations .
Spend time working toward personal goals that will make you feel good about how you look and what you do .
Create happiness , and peace of mind will follow .
2 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : A change of plans will work in your favor .
Go with the flow and learn as you go .
The information that comes your way will help you slide into situations with ease and put you in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Don ’ t take on responsibilities that don ’ t belong to you .
Put your time and energy into a relationship that matters to you and bringing about the changes that will lead to your happiness .
Ease stress , and it will improve your health .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Scrutinize secondhand information .
A premature move will lead to unexpected difficulties if you rely on others to do things for you .
Take control of what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t let your emotions step in where efficiency is required .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : An energetic approach to whatever you do will bring excellent results .
Doing home improvements , having meaningful discussions , making plans with someone you love or interviewing for a position that speaks to your creative skills and imagination is favored .
Romance is on the rise .
5 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Don ’ t give up ; push back .
An emotional setback may be daunting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the surface that need to be resolved before you move forward with your plans .
A truthful conversation will reveal what ’ s possible .
2 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Consider what you do for a living and how you would like to spend your time .
The gap may not be as big as you think .
Check out courses that will help you transpose something you enjoy doing into a lucrative sideline .
4 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Look for new ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An opportunity you least expect will come your way .
You are overdue for a change that will help you let go of the past and fast-forward into something exciting .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are dynamic , emotional and zealous .
You are inventive and secretive .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Nia Long, 50; Gavin Rossdale, 55; Harry Hamlin, 69; Henry Winkler, 75.
Happy Birthday: Consider every detail before you make a move. You may be eager to get on with your life, but obstacles will continue to stop you in your tracks until you take care of unfinished business. It may be a slow process, but once you let go of the past, it will be much easier to pursue your goals. Your numbers are 8, 19, 24, 27, 31, 38, 40.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): When in doubt, pause. An offer is only useful if it suits your needs. Refuse to get involved in something that will benefit someone else more than it will help you. Speak up, but don’t let anger take over. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Expand your knowledge, interests and goals. A partnership will be questionable. Make sure you are on the same page before you agree to something long-term. Someone will offer an inflated point of view. Research the possibilities before getting involved. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A personal pick-me-up will change your mood and enhance your attitude. Physical fitness, a new look or additional skills will boost your confidence and encourage you to head in a new and exciting direction. A romantic encounter is favored. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Do what’s best for everyone. Refuse to get into a scuffle with someone negative or controlling. Keep the peace, but don’t give in to pressure. Do your own thing if you don’t like what someone asks you to do. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Control your emotions. Back away from unstable situations. Spend time working toward personal goals that will make you feel good about how you look and what you do. Create happiness, and peace of mind will follow. 2 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A change of plans will work in your favor. Go with the flow and learn as you go. The information that comes your way will help you slide into situations with ease and put you in an excellent position to negotiate. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t take on responsibilities that don’t belong to you. Put your time and energy into a relationship that matters to you and bringing about the changes that will lead to your happiness. Ease stress, and it will improve your health. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scrutinize secondhand information. A premature move will lead to unexpected difficulties if you rely on others to do things for you. Take control of what’s happening around you, and don’t let your emotions step in where efficiency is required. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): An energetic approach to whatever you do will bring excellent results. Doing home improvements, having meaningful discussions, making plans with someone you love or interviewing for a position that speaks to your creative skills and imagination is favored. Romance is on the rise. 5 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t give up; push back. An emotional setback may be daunting, but it will help bring problems to the surface that need to be resolved before you move forward with your plans. A truthful conversation will reveal what’s possible. 2 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Consider what you do for a living and how you would like to spend your time. The gap may not be as big as you think. Check out courses that will help you transpose something you enjoy doing into a lucrative sideline. 4 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Look for new ways to use your skills and expertise. An opportunity you least expect will come your way. You are overdue for a change that will help you let go of the past and fast-forward into something exciting. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are dynamic, emotional and zealous. You are inventive and secretive.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Word Game: Oct. 30, 2020

Can you find 42 or more words in INDEMNITY ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — INDEMNITY (INDEMNITY: in-DEM-nih-tee: Security against damage, loss or injury.)
Average mark 29 words
Time limit 45 minutes
Can you find 42 or more words in INDEMNITY? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — POVERTY pert poet poetry pore port prey prove pyre over
overt very veto vote voter rope ropy rote rove tope toper tore trey trope trove troy type
typo tyro yore
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-10-31--Before and after: Saying goodbye to the iconic Coca-Cola sign in San Francisco

Built when one-way tickets on the Bay Bridge cost a quarter and a bottle of coke was a nickel , @ @ @ @ @ caught the attention of motorists crossing the span for the past 83 years is gone @ @ @ @ @ Sign company made quick work of the double-sided 30 foot by 70 foot advertisement , @ @ @ @ @ and white electric sign by Thursday .
Perched atop a three-story building at Fifth and @ @ @ @ @ the sign will not be replaced .
Just as Coca Cola has faced new competition @ @ @ @ @ bridge tolls now cost up to $ 7 , advertising has evolved , too .
@ @ @ @ @ Wong told SF Gate , “ we made the difficult decision to not renew the @ @ @ @ @ efforts to focus on other digital media platforms that support the growth of our overall @ @ @ @ @ on buildings is not as effective as doing it online .

Slide the handle left and right to see the before and after photos.
Built when one-way tickets on the Bay Bridge cost a quarter and a bottle of coke was a nickel, the iconic Coca-Cola sign that caught the attention of motorists crossing the span for the past 83 years is gone.
Crews from the YESCO Sign company made quick work of the double-sided 30 foot by 70 foot advertisement, removing most of the red and white electric sign by Thursday.
Perched atop a three-story building at Fifth and Bryant streets since 1937, the sign will not be replaced.
Just as Coca Cola has faced new competition in the beverage industry and bridge tolls now cost up to $7, advertising has evolved, too.
Coca-Cola North America spokeswoman Dora Wong told SF Gate, “we made the difficult decision to not renew the lease as part of our efforts to focus on other digital media platforms that support the growth of our overall beverage portfolio.”
Doing it on buildings is not as effective as doing it online.


mercurynews--2020-10-31--Tensions rise in Washington state after police kill Black man

VANCOUVER , Wash. — The shooting of a Black man by law enforcement in Washington state sent shockwaves through the Pacific Northwest on Friday and threatened to increase tensions in the region around Portland , Oregon , where protesters against racial injustice have clashed repeatedly with right-wing groups .
Friends and family identified the dead man as Kevin E. Peterson Jr. , 21 , and said he was a former high school football player and the proud father of an infant daughter .
The shooting happened in Hazel Dell , an unincorporated area of Vancouver , Washington , about 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins said a joint city-county narcotics task force was conducting an investigation just before 6 p.m. Thursday and chased a man into the parking lot of a bank , where he fired a gun at them .
A firearm was recovered at the scene , Atkins said .
Authorities have not named the person who was shot , but Kevin E. Peterson Sr. told The Oregonian/OregonLive the person was his son , Kevin E. Peterson Jr. Atkins referenced the Peterson family in his remarks but did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed .
“ I can say that our agency is grieving as is the Peterson family and the community , ” Atkins said .
“ As the community grieves , I call for there to be a respectful and dignified observance of the loss of life in this matter .
There is always the potential for misinformation , doubt and confusion – and there may be those who wish to sow seeds of doubt.
” The investigation has been referred to the Southwest Washington Independent Investigation Team , and the Camas Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The community is a short drive north across the Columbia River from Portland , where racial justice protests have played out nearly every night since George Floyd ’ s killing in May .
Southwest Washington is also home to the right-wing group Patriot Prayer , which has held rallies for President Donald Trump in Portland in recent months that ended in violence .
Peterson ’ s family members , including the mother of his infant daughter , grieved on social media and questioned why it took authorities so long to make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the body .
“ Kevin did everything for me … doesn ’ t matter what it was or what time he always came when i asked .
I regret every argument please come back , ” his girlfriend , Olivia Selto , wrote on Twitter .
“ I miss him so much already.
” More than a dozen Black Lives Matter protesters lined a busy street in Hazel Dell on Friday in front of the US Bank parking lot where Peterson died .
They held signs reading , “ Honk for Black lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Scream his name.
” Two small bouquets of flowers were tied to a fence where the shooting happened along the street lined with strip malls and fast food restaurants .
Most drivers honked in support of protesters , but one man screamed expletives and threats at the protesters and revved his engine as he drove past .
A vigil was planned for Friday evening at the location .
Brooklyn Tidwell , 16 , said she and other students attended the rally instead of going to school .
“ Black lives aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Tidwell , who is white .
“ We should be voicing this and we should be protesting this because it needs to change.
” Daniel Thompson , 26 , stopped by with a bouquet of pink roses to leave at the scene .
Thompson , who is Black , said he did not know Peterson but could identify with the shooting death .
“ I walk this street every day .
It ’ s sickening .
It could have been anyone of us , ” he said .
Bystanders said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his body remained at the scene for hours .
Mac Smiff , an organizer of Black Lives Matter protests in Portland , said he knows Peterson ’ s sister and spent more than five hours at the scene .
“ There was a ton of grief , a ton of grief .
He ’ s 21 and has a baby , an infant , ” Smiff said .
“ They ’ re not sure what happened , why the encounter took place .
Everyone was extremely disheveled and confused.
” The elder Peterson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene about 6 p.m. Thursday but “ did not get a chance to identify my son ” until 5:30 a.m. Friday .
Jake Thompson , a high school acquaintance of Peterson , said he took photos at the wedding of Peterson ’ s parents in Portland in 2018 .
On Friday , he posted a black-and-white photo of Peterson in a suit and bow tie as he flashed a big grin .
“ I didn ’ t sleep much last night , ” he said Friday .
Peterson played football at Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved sports of any kind and was a big personality who was known and liked by everyone at school , Thompson said .

By Gillian Flaccus | Associated Press
VANCOUVER, Wash. — The shooting of a Black man by law enforcement in Washington state sent shockwaves through the Pacific Northwest on Friday and threatened to increase tensions in the region around Portland, Oregon, where protesters against racial injustice have clashed repeatedly with right-wing groups.
Friends and family identified the dead man as Kevin E. Peterson Jr., 21, and said he was a former high school football player and the proud father of an infant daughter. The shooting happened in Hazel Dell, an unincorporated area of Vancouver, Washington, about 12 miles north of Portland.
In a statement, Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins said a joint city-county narcotics task force was conducting an investigation just before 6 p.m. Thursday and chased a man into the parking lot of a bank, where he fired a gun at them. A firearm was recovered at the scene, Atkins said.
Authorities have not named the person who was shot, but Kevin E. Peterson Sr. told The Oregonian/OregonLive the person was his son, Kevin E. Peterson Jr. Atkins referenced the Peterson family in his remarks but did not confirm Peterson was the person who was killed.
“I can say that our agency is grieving as is the Peterson family and the community,” Atkins said. “As the community grieves, I call for there to be a respectful and dignified observance of the loss of life in this matter. There is always the potential for misinformation, doubt and confusion – and there may be those who wish to sow seeds of doubt.”
The investigation has been referred to the Southwest Washington Independent Investigation Team, and the Camas Police Department is taking the lead, Atkins said.
The community is a short drive north across the Columbia River from Portland, where racial justice protests have played out nearly every night since George Floyd’s killing in May. Southwest Washington is also home to the right-wing group Patriot Prayer, which has held rallies for President Donald Trump in Portland in recent months that ended in violence.
Peterson’s family members, including the mother of his infant daughter, grieved on social media and questioned why it took authorities so long to make the shooting public and allow family to identify the body.
“Kevin did everything for me … doesn’t matter what it was or what time he always came when i asked. I regret every argument please come back,” his girlfriend, Olivia Selto, wrote on Twitter. “I miss him so much already.”
More than a dozen Black Lives Matter protesters lined a busy street in Hazel Dell on Friday in front of the US Bank parking lot where Peterson died. They held signs reading, “Honk for Black lives. White silence is violence” and “Scream his name.”
Two small bouquets of flowers were tied to a fence where the shooting happened along the street lined with strip malls and fast food restaurants. Most drivers honked in support of protesters, but one man screamed expletives and threats at the protesters and revved his engine as he drove past.
A vigil was planned for Friday evening at the location.
Brooklyn Tidwell, 16, said she and other students attended the rally instead of going to school.
“Black lives aren’t treated the same as my life,” said Tidwell, who is white. “We should be voicing this and we should be protesting this because it needs to change.”
Daniel Thompson, 26, stopped by with a bouquet of pink roses to leave at the scene. Thompson, who is Black, said he did not know Peterson but could identify with the shooting death.
“I walk this street every day. It’s sickening. It could have been anyone of us,” he said.
Bystanders said Peterson’s car was towed but his body remained at the scene for hours.
Mac Smiff, an organizer of Black Lives Matter protests in Portland, said he knows Peterson’s sister and spent more than five hours at the scene.
“There was a ton of grief, a ton of grief. He’s 21 and has a baby, an infant,” Smiff said. “They’re not sure what happened, why the encounter took place. Everyone was extremely disheveled and confused.”
The elder Peterson told the newspaper that he arrived at the scene about 6 p.m. Thursday but “did not get a chance to identify my son” until 5:30 a.m. Friday.
Related Articles National News | Man shot, killed by Colorado cop was holding a marker, not a weapon
Man shot, killed by Colorado cop was holding a marker, not a weapon National News | California cop ordered to stand trial on assault charge for 2018 on-duty shooting
California cop ordered to stand trial on assault charge for 2018 on-duty shooting National News | Lawsuit alleges wrongdoing in police shooting of San Jose man– will Alameda County DA charge the officers?
Lawsuit alleges wrongdoing in police shooting of San Jose man– will Alameda County DA charge the officers? National News | Utah man, suspected of threatening Biden, shot dead by FBI
Utah man, suspected of threatening Biden, shot dead by FBI National News | Road rage leads to deaths of Tesla driver and police dog at San Diego campus Jake Thompson, a high school acquaintance of Peterson, said he took photos at the wedding of Peterson’s parents in Portland in 2018. On Friday, he posted a black-and-white photo of Peterson in a suit and bow tie as he flashed a big grin.
“I didn’t sleep much last night,” he said Friday.
Peterson played football at Union High School in Vancouver, Washington, loved sports of any kind and was a big personality who was known and liked by everyone at school, Thompson said.


mercurynews--2020-10-31--COVID-19: Bay Area continues aggressive moves, state poised to double testing

With U.S. infection rates spiking and a far more modest uptick in California , the Bay Area on Friday enacted additional , hard-charging measures to corral COVID-19 : San Francisco hit the brakes on reopening , and Santa Clara County sought a legal order against a church that has been flouting restrictions on indoor gatherings .
Meanwhile , in Southern California , state officials unveiled a swiftly built lab that officials say will double the state ’ s already substantial coronavirus-testing capacity by spring .
Taken together , the day ’ s actions underscored California ’ s resolve to manage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states loosen restrictions and struggle with viral transmission .
San Francisco , which has the lowest positivity rate of any major metropolitan area in the country , announced its rollback of some recent reopening moves amid worrisome indicators , including increases in hospitalizations and infections .
Just two weeks ago , the city had moved into the yellow tier on the state ’ s reopening matrix , the least restrictive level .
Friday ’ s pivot means that restaurants previously approved to expand to 50 % indoor capacity will have to stick to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will indoor places of worship , museums , zoos , aquariums and movie theaters .
Plans to allow indoor pools and bowling alleys have been removed from the city ’ s reopening trajectory for now .
“ The last thing we want to do is go backward , ” Mayor London Breed said in a news conference Friday .
“ The last thing we want to do is tell a business or a school that they can open , then tell them they have to close .
So we ’ re proceeding with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santa Clara County officials announced that they had filed suit in Superior Court to stop Calvary Chapel San Jose from holding indoor services .
The church had signaled early on during the pandemic that it was not going to abide county restrictions , instead taking guidance from President Donald Trump ’ s declarations that in-church worship was an essential function .
In a similar clash with North Valley Baptist in Santa Clara , piles of fines and the threat of a court injunction prompted the church to back down and switch to outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reached $ 350,000 did not deter the services , prompting county officials to ask a judge to make them change their ways .
The church has deemed the move “ a request to crush the Church ’ s constitutional rights ” while acknowledging many of the allegations regarding its flouting of the rules .
In a legal filing , the defendants argued that their activities are not a genuine threat because they have not been linked to an outbreak .
They also noted that crowded police-brutality protests over the summer got no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reingold , division head of epidemiology and biostatistics at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health , wrote in a declaration supporting the county ’ s court filing that a church outbreak could just be a matter of time without compliance to health protocols .
Reingold wrote that the risks of COVID-19 transmission from large indoor gatherings are already high and that “ adding activities like singing , talking , and noncompliance with social distancing and face covering protocols to what is already a potentially high-risk event , creates the conditions that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most positive development in the state ’ s COVID-19 fight Friday came elsewhere , as Gov .
Gavin Newsom helped open a brand-new testing lab in the Los Angeles-area city of Valencia .
The $ 100 million project was born from a state partnership with PerkinElmer and was erected in about two months .
Newsom said the lab will be able to add 40,000 daily tests immediately to the state ’ s capacity .
For reference , the state ran about 121,000 tests Thursday .
By the time the lab reaches its target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the facility will be able to process 150,000 tests a day at about $ 31 apiece , one-fifth of the current average test cost .
“ We ’ ve got to box this disease in , and more testing is foundational , ” Newsom said .
“ But what you do after the tests is the real test of the leadership we need to see at the local , regional state and federal level … tracing and making sure we ’ re quarantining and isolating individuals.
” Dr. Gil Chavez , co-chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the lab will boost efforts to get rapid testing to hard-hit populations , namely Latinx and Black people and health care workers .
While California ’ s case rate has jumped 33 % in the last two weeks , Newsom said that the test positivity rate has hovered at 3.2 % , an indication that at least some of the uptick is due to increased testing .
He noted that that state ’ s positivity rate is a fraction of what other states have seen in the same time frame .
Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Iowa and Wyoming were reporting positivity rates above 30 % , with South Dakota registering a whopping 46.3 % rate .
No one can boast anything comparable to San Francisco , yet it continues to reopen with caution : The rolling seven-day positivity rate in the city hit a low of 0.8 % on Oct. 11 and has since increased only modestly to 0.89 % .
The city is now averaging about 4.9 daily cases per 100,000 residents , compared to a rate of about 3.7 two weeks ago , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Echoing Bay Area officials , Newsom emphasized that even with significant gains , California is entering uncharted territory with the coming flu season , which he said “ will put compounding and competing challenges in our health care delivery system.
” “ We have a lot of work ahead of us .
”

Robert Salonga, Fiona Kelliher, Evan Webeck

With U.S. infection rates spiking and a far more modest uptick in California, the Bay Area on Friday enacted additional, hard-charging measures to corral COVID-19: San Francisco hit the brakes on reopening, and Santa Clara County sought a legal order against a church that has been flouting restrictions on indoor gatherings.
Meanwhile, in Southern California, state officials unveiled a swiftly built lab that officials say will double the state’s already substantial coronavirus-testing capacity by spring.
Taken together, the day’s actions underscored California’s resolve to manage the pandemic aggressively, even as other states loosen restrictions and struggle with viral transmission.
San Francisco, which has the lowest positivity rate of any major metropolitan area in the country, announced its rollback of some recent reopening moves amid worrisome indicators, including increases in hospitalizations and infections. Just two weeks ago, the city had moved into the yellow tier on the state’s reopening matrix, the least restrictive level.
Friday’s pivot means that restaurants previously approved to expand to 50% indoor capacity will have to stick to the current 25% occupancy, as will indoor places of worship, museums, zoos, aquariums and movie theaters. Plans to allow indoor pools and bowling alleys have been removed from the city’s reopening trajectory for now.
“The last thing we want to do is go backward,” Mayor London Breed said in a news conference Friday. “The last thing we want to do is tell a business or a school that they can open, then tell them they have to close. So we’re proceeding with caution.”
In the South Bay, Santa Clara County officials announced that they had filed suit in Superior Court to stop Calvary Chapel San Jose from holding indoor services. The church had signaled early on during the pandemic that it was not going to abide county restrictions, instead taking guidance from President Donald Trump’s declarations that in-church worship was an essential function.
In a similar clash with North Valley Baptist in Santa Clara, piles of fines and the threat of a court injunction prompted the church to back down and switch to outdoor services. For Calvary Chapel, fines that reached $350,000 did not deter the services, prompting county officials to ask a judge to make them change their ways.
The church has deemed the move “a request to crush the Church’s constitutional rights” while acknowledging many of the allegations regarding its flouting of the rules. In a legal filing, the defendants argued that their activities are not a genuine threat because they have not been linked to an outbreak. They also noted that crowded police-brutality protests over the summer got no such enforcement scrutiny.
But Dr. Arthur Reingold, division head of epidemiology and biostatistics at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, wrote in a declaration supporting the county’s court filing that a church outbreak could just be a matter of time without compliance to health protocols.
Reingold wrote that the risks of COVID-19 transmission from large indoor gatherings are already high and that “adding activities like singing, talking, and noncompliance with social distancing and face covering protocols to what is already a potentially high-risk event, creates the conditions that have led to superspreader events elsewhere.”
The most positive development in the state’s COVID-19 fight Friday came elsewhere, as Gov. Gavin Newsom helped open a brand-new testing lab in the Los Angeles-area city of Valencia. The $100 million project was born from a state partnership with PerkinElmer and was erected in about two months.
Newsom said the lab will be able to add 40,000 daily tests immediately to the state’s capacity. For reference, the state ran about 121,000 tests Thursday. By the time the lab reaches its target goal of 700 employees, Newsom said the facility will be able to process 150,000 tests a day at about $31 apiece, one-fifth of the current average test cost.
“We’ve got to box this disease in, and more testing is foundational,” Newsom said. “But what you do after the tests is the real test of the leadership we need to see at the local, regional state and federal level … tracing and making sure we’re quarantining and isolating individuals.”
Dr. Gil Chavez, co-chair of the state COVID-19 Testing Task Force, said the lab will boost efforts to get rapid testing to hard-hit populations, namely Latinx and Black people and health care workers.
While California’s case rate has jumped 33% in the last two weeks, Newsom said that the test positivity rate has hovered at 3.2%, an indication that at least some of the uptick is due to increased testing.
He noted that that state’s positivity rate is a fraction of what other states have seen in the same time frame. Daily tracking data from Johns Hopkins University shows that Iowa and Wyoming were reporting positivity rates above 30%, with South Dakota registering a whopping 46.3% rate.
No one can boast anything comparable to San Francisco, yet it continues to reopen with caution: The rolling seven-day positivity rate in the city hit a low of 0.8% on Oct. 11 and has since increased only modestly to 0.89%. The city is now averaging about 4.9 daily cases per 100,000 residents, compared to a rate of about 3.7 two weeks ago, according to data compiled by this news organization.
Echoing Bay Area officials, Newsom emphasized that even with significant gains, California is entering uncharted territory with the coming flu season, which he said “will put compounding and competing challenges in our health care delivery system.”
“We have a lot of work ahead of us.”


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Britain eyes new national lockdown as outbreak grows

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering imposing new national lockdown measures next week , amid concerns that hospitals across the country are overwhelmed by a resurgence in COVID-19 cases , The Times newspaper reported on Friday .
The new restrictions could be introduced on Wednesday and remain in place until Dec. 1 , the Times said .
Johnson is expected to hold a news conference on Monday to announce the new measures , under which everything could be closed except essential shops and “ educational settings , ” the newspaper said .
However , the new measures were still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been made , the Times added , citing a senior government source .
Cabinet Office officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters .
The United Kingdom on Friday reported 24,405 new cases of COVID-19 and a further 274 deaths within 28 days of a positive test , according to government data .
It has now recorded more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases a day on average over the last week .
COVID-19 infections are rising so persistently in the United Kingdom that unless something can be done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst case ” scenario of 80,000 dead could be exceeded , scientists warned on Friday .
Currently , the government has a three-tier system of restrictions for local areas in England , with Level 3 the highest .
Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland run their own policies on fighting the pandemic .
In the third tier of restrictions , household mixing is banned , pubs and bars are ordered to remain closed , wedding receptions are not permitted , and travel to or from the area should be avoided .
The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considering tougher regional measures , known as Tier 4 , but ministers are said to be in favor of a nationwide policy .

By Juby Babu and Shubham Kalia | Reuters
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering imposing new national lockdown measures next week, amid concerns that hospitals across the country are overwhelmed by a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, The Times newspaper reported on Friday.
The new restrictions could be introduced on Wednesday and remain in place until Dec. 1, the Times said.
Johnson is expected to hold a news conference on Monday to announce the new measures, under which everything could be closed except essential shops and “educational settings,” the newspaper said.
However, the new measures were still under discussion, and no final decision had been made, the Times added, citing a senior government source.
Cabinet Office officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
The United Kingdom on Friday reported 24,405 new cases of COVID-19 and a further 274 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to government data. It has now recorded more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases a day on average over the last week.
COVID-19 infections are rising so persistently in the United Kingdom that unless something can be done to reduce infections, the “reasonable worst case” scenario of 80,000 dead could be exceeded, scientists warned on Friday.
Related Articles World News | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms World News | California COVID cases are rising. Here’s why and where health experts are masking Currently, the government has a three-tier system of restrictions for local areas in England, with Level 3 the highest. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own policies on fighting the pandemic.
In the third tier of restrictions, household mixing is banned, pubs and bars are ordered to remain closed, wedding receptions are not permitted, and travel to or from the area should be avoided.
The Times report added that the government is also considering tougher regional measures, known as Tier 4, but ministers are said to be in favor of a nationwide policy.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Trump claims doctors ‘get more money’ for COVID deaths

ST. PAUL , Minn. – President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden on Friday sought support in Midwestern states where the coronavirus has roared back , with Trump falsely accusing doctors of profiting from COVID-19 deaths while Biden said Trump had surrendered to the pandemic .
In Wisconsin , where new cases doubled last week , Trump urged the state ’ s Democratic governor to lift restrictions that aim to slow the virus ’ s spread .
Most in the crowd of several thousand did not wear masks .
“ You ’ ve got to open up your state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it fast !
” Trump said at the rally , with just four days to go before the election .
Earlier in the day in Michigan , Trump attacked the U.S. medical system , falsely saying : “ Our doctors get more money if someone dies from COVID.
” In Minnesota , Biden accused Trump of “ giving up ” in the fight against the virus and said he should not attack medical personnel who are treating its victims .
“ Unlike Donald Trump , we will not surrender to this virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distanced in their cars at the state fairground , and honked their horns in agreement. The coronavirus pandemic , which has killed more than 229,000 people in the United States and cost millions more their jobs , has dominated the final days of the campaign .
A record surge of cases is pushing hospitals to the brink of capacity .
The news pushed Wall Street to its worst week since March , undercutting one of Trump ’ s main arguments for re-election .
Trump , who recovered from COVID-19 weeks ago , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , telling supporters in recent weeks that the country is “ turning the corner ” even as cases surge .
Biden has warned of a “ dark winter ” ahead and promised a renewed effort to contain the virus .
Biden leads Trump 52 % to 42 % in Reuters/IPSOS national opinion polling , partly because of widespread disapproval of his handling of the pandemic .
Opinion polls show a closer contest in the most competitive states that will decide the election .
The focus on the upper Midwest underlined the region ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wisconsin were two of the three historically Democratic industrial states , along with Pennsylvania , that narrowly voted for the Republican Trump in 2016 , delivering him an upset victory .
Biden leads Trump by 9 percentage points in Michigan and Wisconsin and 5 points in Pennsylvania , according to Reuters/IPSOS polling .
( https : //polling.reuters.com/ ) Minnesota , which has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1972 , is one of the few Democratic states that Trump is trying to flip this year .
Biden said his visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the state , where he has held a steady lead .
Trump was due to visit later in the day .
The pandemic and an extraordinary level of enthusiasm have prompted Americans to vote early in unprecedented numbers .
More than 85 million votes have been cast either by mail or in person , roughly 62 % of the total number of votes in the entire 2016 election , according to the U.S .
Elections Project at the University of Florida .
In Texas , a traditionally Republican state where polls show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 million people have cast ballots , eclipsing total turnout from 2016 , the Texas secretary of state ’ s office said .
Texas is the second state , along with Hawaii , to already surpass its 2016 total .
Trump has repeatedly claimed without evidence that mail-in ballots are susceptible to fraud , and has more recently argued that only the results available on election night should count .
Early voting data show that far more Democrats have voted by mail , while Republicans are expected to turn out in greater numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Minnesota limits rally to 250 • More misinformation directed at Harris than Pence • Trump , Biden on the campaign trail fighting for Florida • Special report : Two Giants owners lead Bay Area sports in campaign contributions — and they ’ re big Trump supporters This means preliminary results from states like Pennsylvania that do not begin counting mail-in ballots until Election Day could show Trump in the lead before flipping as more Democratic-heavy ballots are added .
Last-minute legal battles have added to the uncertainty .
On Thursday , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to count ballots that arrive after Election Day was illegal .
That ruling came after the Supreme Court allowed North Carolina and Pennsylvania to keep similar deadlines in place .
Separately , a federal judge in Washington ordered the U.S .
Postal Service to take extra steps to ensure speedy delivery of mail ballots in areas where service has been slow .

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Alexandra Alper | Reuters
ST. PAUL, Minn. – President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden on Friday sought support in Midwestern states where the coronavirus has roared back, with Trump falsely accusing doctors of profiting from COVID-19 deaths while Biden said Trump had surrendered to the pandemic.
In Wisconsin, where new cases doubled last week, Trump urged the state’s Democratic governor to lift restrictions that aim to slow the virus’s spread. Most in the crowd of several thousand did not wear masks.
“You’ve got to open up your state and you’ve got to do it fast!” Trump said at the rally, with just four days to go before the election.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/10/30/trump-biden-midwest-ilhan-omar-laura-ingraham-covid-19-acosta-tsr-pkg-vpx.cnn”]
Video: Trump pushes baseless theory about doctors and virus deaths
Earlier in the day in Michigan, Trump attacked the U.S. medical system, falsely saying: “Our doctors get more money if someone dies from COVID.”
In Minnesota, Biden accused Trump of “giving up” in the fight against the virus and said he should not attack medical personnel who are treating its victims.
“Unlike Donald Trump, we will not surrender to this virus,” he said. Supporters, socially distanced in their cars at the state fairground, and honked their horns in agreement. The coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 229,000 people in the United States and cost millions more their jobs, has dominated the final days of the campaign.
A record surge of cases is pushing hospitals to the brink of capacity. The news pushed Wall Street to its worst week since March, undercutting one of Trump’s main arguments for re-election.
Trump, who recovered from COVID-19 weeks ago, has played down the health crisis for months, telling supporters in recent weeks that the country is “turning the corner” even as cases surge. Biden has warned of a “dark winter” ahead and promised a renewed effort to contain the virus.
Biden leads Trump 52% to 42% in Reuters/IPSOS national opinion polling, partly because of widespread disapproval of his handling of the pandemic. Opinion polls show a closer contest in the most competitive states that will decide the election.
The focus on the upper Midwest underlined the region’s importance in the race. Michigan and Wisconsin were two of the three historically Democratic industrial states, along with Pennsylvania, that narrowly voted for the Republican Trump in 2016, delivering him an upset victory.
Biden leads Trump by 9 percentage points in Michigan and Wisconsin and 5 points in Pennsylvania, according to Reuters/IPSOS polling.(https://polling.reuters.com/)
Minnesota, which has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1972, is one of the few Democratic states that Trump is trying to flip this year. Biden said his visit was not a sign he was worried about the state, where he has held a steady lead. Trump was due to visit later in the day.
The pandemic and an extraordinary level of enthusiasm have prompted Americans to vote early in unprecedented numbers.
More than 85 million votes have been cast either by mail or in person, roughly 62% of the total number of votes in the entire 2016 election, according to the U.S. Elections Project at the University of Florida.
In Texas, a traditionally Republican state where polls show Biden and Trump close, more than 9 million people have cast ballots, eclipsing total turnout from 2016, the Texas secretary of state’s office said. Texas is the second state, along with Hawaii, to already surpass its 2016 total.
Trump has repeatedly claimed without evidence that mail-in ballots are susceptible to fraud, and has more recently argued that only the results available on election night should count.
Early voting data show that far more Democrats have voted by mail, while Republicans are expected to turn out in greater numbers on Tuesday.
Related Articles National Politics | Opinion: If Trump loses the GOP primary, will backers shun the nominee?
Opinion: If Trump loses the GOP primary, will backers shun the nominee? National Politics | VP Harris: Florida rules on Black history pushed by Gov. DeSantis are ‘propaganda’
VP Harris: Florida rules on Black history pushed by Gov. DeSantis are ‘propaganda’ National Politics | Collins: West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has a lot of explaining to do
Collins: West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has a lot of explaining to do National Politics | Opinion: Three factors could pose a threat to Biden’s reelection prospects
Opinion: Three factors could pose a threat to Biden’s reelection prospects National Politics | Opinion: Mike Pence, a Republican of character and integrity This means preliminary results from states like Pennsylvania that do not begin counting mail-in ballots until Election Day could show Trump in the lead before flipping as more Democratic-heavy ballots are added.
Last-minute legal battles have added to the uncertainty.
On Thursday, a federal appeals court said Minnesota’s plan to count ballots that arrive after Election Day was illegal. That ruling came after the Supreme Court allowed North Carolina and Pennsylvania to keep similar deadlines in place.
Separately, a federal judge in Washington ordered the U.S. Postal Service to take extra steps to ensure speedy delivery of mail ballots in areas where service has been slow.