mercurynews--2020-10-23--Editorial: Three San Ramon candidates to best lead the changing city

Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations .
How far San Ramon has come in the past 10 years .
No longer is it best known for the state ’ s highest-paid city manager who had negotiated sweetheart contract provisions to boost his pension .
Instead , this is now a city of conservative fiscal practices , where the pensions for workers are funded far better than in most California municipalities .
Where city employees pay their fair share of their pension costs .
Where their retiree health care program is nearly fully funded , unlike almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The challenge for voters in the Nov. 3 election is figuring out who will best continue San Ramon ’ s prudent fiscal management and address the city ’ s shortage of affordable housing .
The strongest candidates are Sabina Zafar for mayor , Scott Perkins for the District 1 City Council seat and Sridhar Verose in District 3 .
The city ’ s solid budget reserves allowed it to move quickly when the pandemic struck to cover about a combined $ 2.1 million shortfall in the last and current fiscal years without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But city officials understand there could be tough challenges as the economic downturn continues to fester .
Meanwhile , what was once a predominantly White suburban city has become a major job center with 46 % plurality Asian population .
More than a third of the city ’ s population is foreign born .
In a flip from decades past , the job growth leaves the city now needing more housing .
And the demographic changes have reshaped the pool of candidates for local office .
This year , given the candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foray into district elections , Asian representation on the City Council will increase from one to two or three of the five seats .
Zafar is a software technology designer and manager .
Elected to the City Council on her second try in 2018 , Zafar has earned the respect of her colleagues , is prudently cautious about city finances and is stridently clear that the city must provide more housing for workers , especially younger members of the workforce .
Her biggest competitor is long-time Councilman Dave Hudson , whose ramblings continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why he was running for mayor , rather than emphasize city issues , he focused on his appointments to regional boards and international travel .
“ I ’ m in Singapore and introduced as the mayor of San Ramon , ” he mused out loud .
Ah , Dave , that ’ s probably not what voters are first looking for .
Of the other four candidates , we were intrigued by Dinesh Govindarao , who is the chief medical officer for the State Compensation Insurance Fund .
Given his managerial experience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected official , but we ’ d like to see him serve on a commission or as a councilman before trying to challenge a proven leader for the mayoral post .
Perkins was first elected to the City Council in 2003 .
A mechanical engineer with an MBA degree , he worked as a test engineer and manager at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory from 1980-2017 and continues to consult for the lab .
He has a keen understanding of city budget details and appreciates the need for more affordable housing .
His opponent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Contra Costa County ’ s Community Wellness and Prevention Program .
She has broad government experience , but she seemed to be searching for problems in the city ’ s generally solid finances .
She didn ’ t seem to appreciate how strong San Ramon is relative to most other cities — and offered no current solutions for the fiscal issues she identified .
Verose , a senior manager of global cloud operations for Opentext , is the clear standout in this four-person race .
He understands the details of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state housing law .
He currently serves on San Ramon ’ s Parks and Community Services Commission and founded the San Ramon Cricket Association .
None of the other three candidates have city service experience .
That said , we admire the energy of 21-year-old Sameera Rajwade , a self-described political organizer who has a lot to learn about city government but could be a future leader .

Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations.
How far San Ramon has come in the past 10 years. No longer is it best known for the state’s highest-paid city manager who had negotiated sweetheart contract provisions to boost his pension.
Instead, this is now a city of conservative fiscal practices, where the pensions for workers are funded far better than in most California municipalities. Where city employees pay their fair share of their pension costs. Where their retiree health care program is nearly fully funded, unlike almost all other cities that offer the benefit.
The challenge for voters in the Nov. 3 election is figuring out who will best continue San Ramon’s prudent fiscal management and address the city’s shortage of affordable housing. The strongest candidates are Sabina Zafar for mayor, Scott Perkins for the District 1 City Council seat and Sridhar Verose in District 3.
The city’s solid budget reserves allowed it to move quickly when the pandemic struck to cover about a combined $2.1 million shortfall in the last and current fiscal years without laying off or furloughing any full-time staff. But city officials understand there could be tough challenges as the economic downturn continues to fester.
Meanwhile, what was once a predominantly White suburban city has become a major job center with 46% plurality Asian population. More than a third of the city’s population is foreign born.
In a flip from decades past, the job growth leaves the city now needing more housing. And the demographic changes have reshaped the pool of candidates for local office. This year, given the candidate field in the city’s first foray into district elections, Asian representation on the City Council will increase from one to two or three of the five seats.
Mayor — Sabina Zafar
Zafar is a software technology designer and manager. Elected to the City Council on her second try in 2018, Zafar has earned the respect of her colleagues, is prudently cautious about city finances and is stridently clear that the city must provide more housing for workers, especially younger members of the workforce.
Her biggest competitor is long-time Councilman Dave Hudson, whose ramblings continue to perplex us and others. Asked why he was running for mayor, rather than emphasize city issues, he focused on his appointments to regional boards and international travel. “I’m in Singapore and introduced as the mayor of San Ramon,” he mused out loud. Ah, Dave, that’s probably not what voters are first looking for.
Of the other four candidates, we were intrigued by Dinesh Govindarao, who is the chief medical officer for the State Compensation Insurance Fund. Given his managerial experience, he would probably be a very capable elected official, but we’d like to see him serve on a commission or as a councilman before trying to challenge a proven leader for the mayoral post.
District 1 — Scott Perkins
Perkins was first elected to the City Council in 2003. A mechanical engineer with an MBA degree, he worked as a test engineer and manager at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory from 1980-2017 and continues to consult for the lab. He has a keen understanding of city budget details and appreciates the need for more affordable housing.
His opponent, Luz Gomez, is a manager for Contra Costa County’s Community Wellness and Prevention Program. She has broad government experience, but she seemed to be searching for problems in the city’s generally solid finances. She didn’t seem to appreciate how strong San Ramon is relative to most other cities — and offered no current solutions for the fiscal issues she identified.
District 3 – Sridhar Verose
Verose, a senior manager of global cloud operations for Opentext, is the clear standout in this four-person race. He understands the details of the city’s budgets and the nuances of state housing law. He currently serves on San Ramon’s Parks and Community Services Commission and founded the San Ramon Cricket Association.
None of the other three candidates have city service experience. That said, we admire the energy of 21-year-old Sameera Rajwade, a self-described political organizer who has a lot to learn about city government but could be a future leader.


mercurynews--2020-10-23--Human remains found on Bay Area shoreline are those of mother who vanished in 1979

Human remains found in the ocean off of Northern California have been identified as a mother of four who vanished in 1979 , authorities announced Thursday .
DNA evidence from one of her children was used to match a femur from 45-year-old Dolores Wulff , who disappeared in the middle of the night from her home in Woodland , northwest of Sacramento , on July 31 , 1979 , authorities said .
Less than two months later , boaters later found a partial body , including a torso , off the coast of Benicia , authorities said .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades .
Wulff ’ s husband , Carl Wulff , eventually was charged with her murder but the case was dismissed for lack of evidence .
He died in 2005 .
• DNA leads to arrest in 1996 killing of 17-year-old California girl found in ravine • A former Idaho gubernatorial candidate was indicted in the killing of a girl who disappeared in 1984 • Man in California prison for rape and kidnapping charged in 1981 death of West Virginia woman The case was reopened in July and DNA was taken from one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Benicia Police Department .
California ’ s Department of Justice notified the department on Tuesday that the DNA sample had confirmed Wulff ’ s identity .
“ This case has haunted my office and , in fact , all of Yolo County since 1979 , ” Yolo County Sheriff Tom Lopez said in a statement .
“ Countless hours were spent investigating Dolores Wullf ’ s disappearance .
It is my hope that this provides some closure to the family who has suffered so much .
”

Human remains found in the ocean off of Northern California have been identified as a mother of four who vanished in 1979, authorities announced Thursday.
DNA evidence from one of her children was used to match a femur from 45-year-old Dolores Wulff, who disappeared in the middle of the night from her home in Woodland, northwest of Sacramento, on July 31, 1979, authorities said.
Less than two months later, boaters later found a partial body, including a torso, off the coast of Benicia, authorities said. However, the remains weren’t identified for decades.
Wulff’s husband, Carl Wulff, eventually was charged with her murder but the case was dismissed for lack of evidence. He died in 2005.
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Northern California man to face trial in 1995 Santa Cruz County slaying Crime and Public Safety | Suspect arrested in 2009 Monterey County rape case The case was reopened in July and DNA was taken from one of Wulff’s children, according to the Benicia Police Department.
California’s Department of Justice notified the department on Tuesday that the DNA sample had confirmed Wulff’s identity.
“This case has haunted my office and, in fact, all of Yolo County since 1979,” Yolo County Sheriff Tom Lopez said in a statement. “Countless hours were spent investigating Dolores Wullf’s disappearance. It is my hope that this provides some closure to the family who has suffered so much.”


mercurynews--2020-10-23--Six Monterey County ‘murder squad’ Norteño gang members named in unsealed indictment

SALINAS — Law enforcement officials named members of a Salinas gang “ murder squad ” in an unsealed federal indictment on Thursday describing how six Norteño gang members allegedly conducted seven shootings , killing eight people and injuring several others .
At a news conference held in Salinas , U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California David L. Anderson led the announcement along with special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tatum King , Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni and Salinas Police Chief Adele Frese .
According to the second superseding indictment filed Oct. 15 and unsealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tavale , 24 ; Andrew Alvarado , 29 ; John Magat , 33 ; Anthony Valdez , 23 ; Mark Anthony Garcia , 29 ; and Anelu Tavale , 24 ; were members of a violent hit crew referred to as a “ murder squad.
” “ The indictment alleges a pattern of horrific violence , ” said Anderson .
“ This violence destroys lives .
This violence holds our community hostage .
In announcing today ’ s charges , we reaffirm the importance of professional law enforcement .
We need professional law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live and work and raise our families.
” Anderson described how a group of Norteño gang members and others coordinated and executed missions to hunt and kill rival Sureño gang members , or those perceived to be Sureños , in neighborhoods in Salinas .
With the use of multi-vehicle caravans that often included one vehicle with designated shooters and at least one spotter or security vehicle to help spot victims and avoid law enforcement detection , the members allegedly carried out their murderous assaults .
The squad allegedly identified victims based on characteristics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanic males , persons with shaved heads , and people wearing blue .
Once identified , and sometimes confirming a victim ’ s gang status , the shooters are said to have fired until their firearm ’ s magazines were emptied .
Not waiting for confirmation from victims led to seven of the eight homicides having no known gang affiliation .
The more “ bodies ” accumulated by a murder squad member , the higher status conferred on that member , the indictment alleges .
The document provides descriptions of seven “ hunts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and death between January 2017 and November 2018 .
A federal grand jury indicted all six of the Salinas-based street gang members , charging them with racketeering conspiracy , use of a firearm causing murder and related crimes .
All six of the defendants are in custody , according to Anderson .
“ Over the past three years , the FBI San Francisco Division has worked to link this murder squad with the Nuestra Familia and Norteño street gangs , ” said FBI special agent in charge John Bennett , in a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gang members continue to plague our community , ” said Pacioni .
“ Awareness that innocent members of our community may be targeted affects the quality of all of our lives .
That is why our office works hand-in-hand with the esteemed members of our law enforcement community to investigate such cases aggressively and bring justice to victims of such crimes .
”

SALINAS — Law enforcement officials named members of a Salinas gang “murder squad” in an unsealed federal indictment on Thursday describing how six Norteño gang members allegedly conducted seven shootings, killing eight people and injuring several others.
At a news conference held in Salinas, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California David L. Anderson led the announcement along with special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tatum King, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni and Salinas Police Chief Adele Frese.
According to the second superseding indictment filed Oct. 15 and unsealed on Thursday, the defendants, Siaki Tavale, 24; Andrew Alvarado, 29; John Magat, 33; Anthony Valdez, 23; Mark Anthony Garcia, 29; and Anelu Tavale, 24; were members of a violent hit crew referred to as a “murder squad.”
“The indictment alleges a pattern of horrific violence,” said Anderson. “This violence destroys lives. This violence holds our community hostage. In announcing today’s charges, we reaffirm the importance of professional law enforcement. We need professional law enforcement to protect the community where we live and work and raise our families.”
Anderson described how a group of Norteño gang members and others coordinated and executed missions to hunt and kill rival Sureño gang members, or those perceived to be Sureños, in neighborhoods in Salinas.
With the use of multi-vehicle caravans that often included one vehicle with designated shooters and at least one spotter or security vehicle to help spot victims and avoid law enforcement detection, the members allegedly carried out their murderous assaults.
The squad allegedly identified victims based on characteristics they associated with rival Sureños such as Hispanic males, persons with shaved heads, and people wearing blue. Once identified, and sometimes confirming a victim’s gang status, the shooters are said to have fired until their firearm’s magazines were emptied. Not waiting for confirmation from victims led to seven of the eight homicides having no known gang affiliation. The more “bodies” accumulated by a murder squad member, the higher status conferred on that member, the indictment alleges.
The document provides descriptions of seven “hunts” in Salinas that ended in injury and death between January 2017 and November 2018.
A federal grand jury indicted all six of the Salinas-based street gang members, charging them with racketeering conspiracy, use of a firearm causing murder and related crimes.
All six of the defendants are in custody, according to Anderson.
“Over the past three years, the FBI San Francisco Division has worked to link this murder squad with the Nuestra Familia and Norteño street gangs,” said FBI special agent in charge John Bennett, in a press release.
“Violent crimes committed by gang members continue to plague our community,” said Pacioni. “Awareness that innocent members of our community may be targeted affects the quality of all of our lives. That is why our office works hand-in-hand with the esteemed members of our law enforcement community to investigate such cases aggressively and bring justice to victims of such crimes.”


mercurynews--2020-10-23--Marin Catholic suspends in-person learning for 2 weeks after large student house party

KENTFIELD – Marin Catholic High School suspended its return to on-campus learning this week after reports that up to an estimated 50 students attended a house party over the weekend .
Principal Chris Valdez said he and other officials decided Monday morning to suspend in-person instruction for two weeks and send its 800 students back to all-distance learning until Nov. 2 .
“ We needed to take a pause , ” Valdez said Thursday .
“ The last couple weeks , we ’ ve been the only high school in the county that ’ s been operating in person — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Area .
It has come with significant sacrifices for families and most especially for teachers , some of who are not seeing their elderly parents while they ’ ve been working.
” Valdez said the party , which included many Marin Catholic students , took place Saturday night at a private home in Marin .
He estimated , based on various reports , that somewhere around 50 students were in attendance .
“ There was definitely a lot of kids there , ” he said .
“ My reaction was , ‘ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything we ’ re doing here ( to reopen the school campus ) at risk.
’ ” In addition , Valdez said , there has been an increasing number of reports of student “ sleepovers ” since the Kentfield school reopened for in-person classes Oct. 5 in a hybrid mix of on-campus instruction and distance learning .
Valdez said there were no reports of positive tests or infections of students who were at the party .
The school offered voluntary COVID testing Wednesday , with about 350 students taking the test .
Results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Willis , Marin County public health officer , said Marin Catholic “ absolutely ” made the right decision .
“ We applaud the leadership in taking that step to make sure their school is reopening safely , ” Willis said Thursday .
“ This is not just a Marin Catholic issue ; it ’ s a community issue .
The message that they ’ re sending is for all of us.
” Willis said that although Marin ’ s virus numbers are improving , keeping schools open will require the community to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoiding large gatherings , doing social distancing , wearing masks and staying in the family “ bubble ” or school class “ cohort ” as much as possible .
“ Although our case counts are dropping , that does not mean that the coast is clear , ” Willis said .
“ It means that we need to do even more in our personal lives to make sure that we hang onto the gains that we ’ ve achieved.
” On Tuesday , Willis and Dr. Lisa Santora , deputy public health officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ tier 2 – red , ” or “ substantial , ” virus status level , was on target to move into the “ tier 3 – orange , ” or “ moderate ” zone , by next week .
The orange zone status would signal improved virus numbers and less restrictions for businesses and other activities .
Willis said Marin Catholic ’ s “ pause of a few days ” will allow the community to “ step back and make sure everyone understands the terms of a social contract for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it leads to a temporary disruption.
” • Gatherings are biggest contributing factor in new coronavirus cases in Santa Cruz County • Santa will skip Macy ’ s for first time in 159 years Willis , Santora and Valdez were among the panelists scheduled Thursday in a Marin County town hall on schools reopening .
Other panelists were Itoco Garcia , superintendent of the Sausalito Marin City School District , and Mary Jane Burke , Marin superintendent of schools .
According to Valdez , Marin Catholic has had no coronavirus cases at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Some students have reported virus exposures , but all of them have been tested and they were all negative , he said .
The school ’ s athletics programs started back in June and continued all summer , followed by a special on-campus anti-racism program called Kairos Days in August .
Those were followed by the hybrid on-campus instructional program starting at the beginning of this month .

KENTFIELD – Marin Catholic High School suspended its return to on-campus learning this week after reports that up to an estimated 50 students attended a house party over the weekend.
Principal Chris Valdez said he and other officials decided Monday morning to suspend in-person instruction for two weeks and send its 800 students back to all-distance learning until Nov. 2.
“We needed to take a pause,” Valdez said Thursday. “The last couple weeks, we’ve been the only high school in the county that’s been operating in person — one of the few in the Bay Area. It has come with significant sacrifices for families and most especially for teachers, some of who are not seeing their elderly parents while they’ve been working.”
Valdez said the party, which included many Marin Catholic students, took place Saturday night at a private home in Marin. He estimated, based on various reports, that somewhere around 50 students were in attendance.
“There was definitely a lot of kids there,” he said. “My reaction was, ‘This is not OK. It’s putting everything we’re doing here (to reopen the school campus) at risk.’”
In addition, Valdez said, there has been an increasing number of reports of student “sleepovers” since the Kentfield school reopened for in-person classes Oct. 5 in a hybrid mix of on-campus instruction and distance learning.
Valdez said there were no reports of positive tests or infections of students who were at the party. The school offered voluntary COVID testing Wednesday, with about 350 students taking the test. Results are not yet available.
Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County public health officer, said Marin Catholic “absolutely” made the right decision.
“We applaud the leadership in taking that step to make sure their school is reopening safely,” Willis said Thursday. “This is not just a Marin Catholic issue; it’s a community issue. The message that they’re sending is for all of us.”
Willis said that although Marin’s virus numbers are improving, keeping schools open will require the community to stay vigilant with safety protocols, such as avoiding large gatherings, doing social distancing, wearing masks and staying in the family “bubble” or school class “cohort” as much as possible.
“Although our case counts are dropping, that does not mean that the coast is clear,” Willis said. “It means that we need to do even more in our personal lives to make sure that we hang onto the gains that we’ve achieved.”
On Tuesday, Willis and Dr. Lisa Santora, deputy public health officer, announced that Marin, currently in the “tier 2 – red,” or “substantial,” virus status level, was on target to move into the “tier 3 – orange,” or “moderate” zone, by next week. The orange zone status would signal improved virus numbers and less restrictions for businesses and other activities.
Willis said Marin Catholic’s “pause of a few days” will allow the community to “step back and make sure everyone understands the terms of a social contract for a safer reopening of schools — even if it leads to a temporary disruption.”
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Education | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Willis, Santora and Valdez were among the panelists scheduled Thursday in a Marin County town hall on schools reopening. Other panelists were Itoco Garcia, superintendent of the Sausalito Marin City School District, and Mary Jane Burke, Marin superintendent of schools.
According to Valdez, Marin Catholic has had no coronavirus cases at the school so far in the 2020-21 school year. Some students have reported virus exposures, but all of them have been tested and they were all negative, he said.
The school’s athletics programs started back in June and continued all summer, followed by a special on-campus anti-racism program called Kairos Days in August. Those were followed by the hybrid on-campus instructional program starting at the beginning of this month.


mercurynews--2020-10-23--15th death reported in Santa Cruz County skilled nursing facility coronavirus outbreak

WATSONVILLE — Another resident of Watsonville Post-Acute Center has died in connection to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak first reported in September .
According to Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin , the individual died Oct. 15 but due to the necessity to wait for verification of death certificates , the fatality was not reflected on the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency coronavirus dashboard until Thursday .
Of the county ’ s 25 total coronavirus-related deaths , the last 15 have come from Watsonville Post-Acute Center residents .
This means that the facility ’ s outbreak accounts for 60 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The relatively good news is that ( the outbreak ) does appear to be stabilized , ” Hoppin said .
“ There have been a total of 50 positive cases among residents and 20 among staff but there is only one existing case.
” Hoppin said that of the 15 related deaths , all 15 were residents of the facility ; no staff members have succumbed to the virus and10 of the 15 deceased were 90 years of age or older , three were 80 to 89 years and two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nine women and 16 men died ; 10 of the deceased had underlying conditions .
Hoppin said that the California Department of Public Health is assisting the county in advising administrators at the skilled nursing facility .
HSA health professionals had given guidance on measures the facility could take to minimize transmissions , such as isolation and quarantine procedures , how to separate the positively testing residents from the negatively testing ones , proper personal protective equipment and how to use it and more strategies , as recently as late last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most recently issued guidelines on recommendations related to skilled nursing facilities Oct.12 .
The guidelines pertain to the prevention and control of the flu during the coronavirus pandemic .
They recommend that facilities review a provided document for those facilities hosting residents at increased risk for severe disease , hospitalization and death from infections caused by influenza viruses and COVID-19 updated this month and tailor it to their communities .
The document compares and contrasts the characteristics of the flu and COVID-19 , offers planning for outbreaks relevant to residents , health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to identify a flu outbreak and implement the structured plan .
• Gatherings are biggest contributing factor in new coronavirus cases in Santa Cruz County • Santa will skip Macy ’ s for first time in 159 years On a COVID-19 updates page published on Watsonville Post-Acute Center ’ s website , a Monday update signed by former administrator and response leader Gerald E. Hunter stated that he was “ passing the torch ” to colleague Rae Ann Radford effective that day .
No reasoning behind the change or whether Hunter would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was provided .
A call to Radford was not returned by the Sentinel ’ s deadline .
Upon his exit , Hunter said he expected the public health department to release “ new guidelines affecting visitation very soon.
” “ The facility has turned the corner… The staff is trying to re-establish normal routines , ” Hunter said .

WATSONVILLE — Another resident of Watsonville Post-Acute Center has died in connection to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak first reported in September.
According to Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin, the individual died Oct. 15 but due to the necessity to wait for verification of death certificates, the fatality was not reflected on the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency coronavirus dashboard until Thursday. Of the county’s 25 total coronavirus-related deaths, the last 15 have come from Watsonville Post-Acute Center residents. This means that the facility’s outbreak accounts for 60% of the county’s reported deaths.
“The relatively good news is that (the outbreak) does appear to be stabilized,” Hoppin said. “There have been a total of 50 positive cases among residents and 20 among staff but there is only one existing case.”
Hoppin said that of the 15 related deaths, all 15 were residents of the facility; no staff members have succumbed to the virus and10 of the 15 deceased were 90 years of age or older, three were 80 to 89 years and two of the deceased were 70 to 79 years. Nine women and 16 men died; 10 of the deceased had underlying conditions.
Hoppin said that the California Department of Public Health is assisting the county in advising administrators at the skilled nursing facility. HSA health professionals had given guidance on measures the facility could take to minimize transmissions, such as isolation and quarantine procedures, how to separate the positively testing residents from the negatively testing ones, proper personal protective equipment and how to use it and more strategies, as recently as late last week.
The California Department of Public Health most recently issued guidelines on recommendations related to skilled nursing facilities Oct.12. The guidelines pertain to the prevention and control of the flu during the coronavirus pandemic. They recommend that facilities review a provided document for those facilities hosting residents at increased risk for severe disease, hospitalization and death from infections caused by influenza viruses and COVID-19 updated this month and tailor it to their communities. The document compares and contrasts the characteristics of the flu and COVID-19, offers planning for outbreaks relevant to residents, health care personnel and family members or visitors and how to identify a flu outbreak and implement the structured plan.
A change of leadership
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge On a COVID-19 updates page published on Watsonville Post-Acute Center’s website, a Monday update signed by former administrator and response leader Gerald E. Hunter stated that he was “passing the torch” to colleague Rae Ann Radford effective that day. No reasoning behind the change or whether Hunter would step into another position for the facility was provided. A call to Radford was not returned by the Sentinel’s deadline.
Upon his exit, Hunter said he expected the public health department to release “new guidelines affecting visitation very soon.”
“The facility has turned the corner… The staff is trying to re-establish normal routines,” Hunter said.


mercurynews--2020-10-23--Gap Inc. exiting malls, to shutter 350 stores by 2024

By ANNE D ’ INNOCENZIO | The Associated Press NEW YORK — Gap Inc. is moving away from the nation ’ s malls .
The San Francisco-based retailer , which was for decades a fixture at shopping malls around the country , said Thursday that it will be closing 220 of its namesake Gap stores — or one-third of its store base — by early 2024 .
That will result in 80 % of its remaining Gap stores being in off-mall locations .
As part of its restructuring , Gap Inc. said it also plans to close 130 of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years .
The announcement made at a Gap Inc. investor meeting detailed a three-year plan that calls for closing what amounts to 30 % of the company ’ s Gap and Banana Republic stores in North America and focusing on outlets and e-commerce business .
The moves come as Gap and other clothing retailers are trying to reinvent themselves during the pandemic , which forced many non-essential stores to temporarily close in the spring and early summer .
The lockdown of the economy led many shoppers to shift more of their spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be permanent .
“ We ’ ve been overly reliant on low-productivity , high-rent stores , ” said Mark Breitbard , CEO of the Gap brand , which was founded in 1969 .
“ We ’ ve used the past six months to address the real estate issues and accelerate our shift to a true omni-model.
” • Santa will skip Macy ’ s for first time in 159 years • Don ’ t expect movie theaters to open in Santa Clara County any time soon • Instacart provided contract workers with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decides their fate But the company plans to add more of its thriving low-priced Old Navy and Athleta stores .
Executives said that Old Navy , Gap Inc. ’ s biggest business with annual sales of $ 8 billion in its most-recent year , is forecast to grow to $ 10 billion by early 2024 .
The plan is to open 30 to 40 new stores in the next three years .
Old Navy now has about 1,200 stores .
Athleta , which sells activewear , is forecast to double in revenue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has about 200 stores in the U.S. Its goal to have roughly 300 .

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO | The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Gap Inc. is moving away from the nation’s malls.
The San Francisco-based retailer, which was for decades a fixture at shopping malls around the country, said Thursday that it will be closing 220 of its namesake Gap stores — or one-third of its store base — by early 2024. That will result in 80% of its remaining Gap stores being in off-mall locations.
As part of its restructuring, Gap Inc. said it also plans to close 130 of its Banana Republic stores in North America in three years.
The announcement made at a Gap Inc. investor meeting detailed a three-year plan that calls for closing what amounts to 30% of the company’s Gap and Banana Republic stores in North America and focusing on outlets and e-commerce business.
The moves come as Gap and other clothing retailers are trying to reinvent themselves during the pandemic, which forced many non-essential stores to temporarily close in the spring and early summer. The lockdown of the economy led many shoppers to shift more of their spending to online, which many experts believe will be permanent.
“We’ve been overly reliant on low-productivity, high-rent stores,” said Mark Breitbard, CEO of the Gap brand, which was founded in 1969. “We’ve used the past six months to address the real estate issues and accelerate our shift to a true omni-model.”
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Athleta, which sells activewear, is forecast to double in revenue to $2 billion in that time frame. It has about 200 stores in the U.S. Its goal to have roughly 300.


mercurynews--2020-10-23--Judge permits California sex assault case against Joint Chiefs member

LOS ANGELES — A federal judge on Thursday refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the vice chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff sexually assaulted a former top aide during a Southern California trip .
Air Force Gen. John Hyten has denied the allegations brought by former Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser that he attacked her during a December 2017 trip to attend the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley , northwest of Los Angeles .
At the time , Hyten commanded the United States Strategic Command , known at STRATCOM .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of alleged sexual assault .
But Spletstoser has allowed her name to be used .
Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald in Los Angeles rejected defense motions to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction or to move the case to Nebraska , where STRATCOM is based .
A phone call and email seeking comment from Hyten or his lawyers were not immediately returned .
However Hyten , who was confirmed last September as the nation ’ s second highest-ranking military officer , flatly denied Spletstoser ’ s claims during his confirmation hearing .
Spletstoser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and carried out four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan .
Her assault and sexual battery lawsuit alleged that while staying at a hotel during the Simi Valley trip , Hyten grabbed her , kissed her , fondled her buttocks and rubbed himself against her .
• Former 49ers star Dana Stubblefield sentenced to 15 years to life for rape conviction • California judge allows Danny Masterson rape case to go forward • Caretaker arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting California woman with disabilities • Two arrested in kidnapping , sexual assault and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station The lawsuit was amended from an original complaint that alleged Hyten sexually assaulted her at least nine times in 2017 , including during trips to California , London , South Korea and elsewhere and that he retaliated against for refusing his advances by harming her career and eventually forcing her retirement .
Spletstoser reported the allegations after Hyten ’ s nomination .
She told the AP last year that she decided she couldn ’ t live with the idea that Hyten might assault someone else if he was confirmed for the job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s allegations and found there was insufficient evidence to charge the general or recommend any administrative punishment .

LOS ANGELES — A federal judge on Thursday refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the vice chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff sexually assaulted a former top aide during a Southern California trip.
Air Force Gen. John Hyten has denied the allegations brought by former Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser that he attacked her during a December 2017 trip to attend the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles.
At the time, Hyten commanded the United States Strategic Command, known at STRATCOM.
The Associated Press generally does not identify victims of alleged sexual assault. But Spletstoser has allowed her name to be used.
Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald in Los Angeles rejected defense motions to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction or to move the case to Nebraska, where STRATCOM is based.
A phone call and email seeking comment from Hyten or his lawyers were not immediately returned.
However Hyten, who was confirmed last September as the nation’s second highest-ranking military officer, flatly denied Spletstoser’s claims during his confirmation hearing.
Spletstoser served in the Army for 28 years and carried out four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her assault and sexual battery lawsuit alleged that while staying at a hotel during the Simi Valley trip, Hyten grabbed her, kissed her, fondled her buttocks and rubbed himself against her.
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Spletstoser reported the allegations after Hyten’s nomination. She told the AP last year that she decided she couldn’t live with the idea that Hyten might assault someone else if he was confirmed for the job.
The Air Force investigated the woman’s allegations and found there was insufficient evidence to charge the general or recommend any administrative punishment.


mercurynews--2020-10-23--2 California wildfires last year blamed on damaged electrical equipment

By JOHN ANTCZAK | The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Investigations found that damaged electrical equipment ignited two Southern California wildfires last year , including one that threatened the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum , a fire agency said Thursday .
The investigative results for two fires that broke out northwest of Los Angeles a year ago were released as power cuts were underway in parts of Northern California to prevent electrical equipment from igniting fires amid gusty , dry weather .
The 1,800-acre ( 728-hectare ) Easy Fire , which threatened the library and nearby Simi Valley homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when an insulator attached to a Southern California Edison power line swung into a steel power pole during windy , dry conditions , the Ventura County Fire Department said in a statement .
At the time , the utility reported to state regulators that its equipment may have been involved in the fire , which damaged two buildings .
The Ventura County department also said the Maria Fire near Santa Paula was ignited the next day by failure of a conductor on an electrical distribution line owned by California Resources Corp. “ Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contacted a metal pipe on the ground , igniting the fire , ” the department said .
Nearly 15.6 square miles ( 40 square kilometers ) were scorched , and four buildings were damaged .
California Resources Corp. , a publicly traded oil and gas exploration and production company , claimed in a statement that Southern California Edison was at fault .
The fire started when Southern California Edison “ reenergized its power distribution to our field after a power safety shutdown without giving us prior notice and opportunity to inspect our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company said it has filed a lawsuit against the utility in Ventura County Superior Court regarding the fire .
Southern California Edison fully cooperated in the investigation of the Easy Fire , but it has not received the Fire Department ’ s report , company spokesman David Song said .
The company ’ s ongoing internal review indicates that a circuit interrupted shortly before the fire was reported , but the cause can not be determined until the utility can analyze equipment currently in the department ’ s possession , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s allegation regarding the Maria Fire but it can not comment because of the pending litigation , Song said .
In Northern California , a public safety power shutoff begun by Pacific Gas & Electric on Wednesday night was underway in parts of seven counties , affecting around 31,000 customers .
Changing weather allowed the utility to exclude six other counties .
By Thursday night , power had been restored to all but about 8,000 customers , PG & E said .
The shutoffs included parts of Butte County , where a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Electric equipment destroyed much of the town of Paradise and killed 85 people .
Southern California , meanwhile , was benefiting from a cooling trend with night through morning low clouds and fog , and occasional drizzle .
Light rain was possible during the weekend , followed by clear skies with gusty Santa Ana winds and a warming trend early next week , forecasters said .
California was free of drought indicators at the start of the year , but most of the north is now deep into extreme or severe drought , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderate drought extends down the state ’ s eastern flank into the deserts .
ut counties along the southern and central coast remain drought-free .
Numerous studies have linked bigger wildfires in America to climate change from the burning of coal , oil and gas .
Scientists say climate change has made California much drier , meaning trees and other plants are more flammable .
• PG & E : As one PSPS comes to a close , another looms • Few Bay Area customers lose power , but weekend will bring new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well over 6,400 square miles ( 16,576 square kilometers ) and destroyed about 9,200 buildings in California this year .
There have been 31 deaths .
All of the huge fires have been fully or significantly contained , but more than 6,000 firefighters remain committed to 19 blazes , including a dozen major incidents , the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said .
Many of this year ’ s devastating fires were started by thousands of dry lightning strikes .
But some of the fires remain under investigation for potential electrical @ @

By JOHN ANTCZAK | The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Investigations found that damaged electrical equipment ignited two Southern California wildfires last year, including one that threatened the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, a fire agency said Thursday.
The investigative results for two fires that broke out northwest of Los Angeles a year ago were released as power cuts were underway in parts of Northern California to prevent electrical equipment from igniting fires amid gusty, dry weather.
The 1,800-acre (728-hectare) Easy Fire, which threatened the library and nearby Simi Valley homes, ignited Oct. 30, 2019, when an insulator attached to a Southern California Edison power line swung into a steel power pole during windy, dry conditions, the Ventura County Fire Department said in a statement.
At the time, the utility reported to state regulators that its equipment may have been involved in the fire, which damaged two buildings.
The Ventura County department also said the Maria Fire near Santa Paula was ignited the next day by failure of a conductor on an electrical distribution line owned by California Resources Corp.
“Fire investigators found that an electrical conductor separated and contacted a metal pipe on the ground, igniting the fire,” the department said.
Nearly 15.6 square miles (40 square kilometers) were scorched, and four buildings were damaged.
California Resources Corp., a publicly traded oil and gas exploration and production company, claimed in a statement that Southern California Edison was at fault.
The fire started when Southern California Edison “reenergized its power distribution to our field after a power safety shutdown without giving us prior notice and opportunity to inspect our equipment,” it said.
The company said it has filed a lawsuit against the utility in Ventura County Superior Court regarding the fire.
Southern California Edison fully cooperated in the investigation of the Easy Fire, but it has not received the Fire Department’s report, company spokesman David Song said.
The company’s ongoing internal review indicates that a circuit interrupted shortly before the fire was reported, but the cause cannot be determined until the utility can analyze equipment currently in the department’s possession, he said.
Southern California Edison disputes California Resource Corp.’s allegation regarding the Maria Fire but it cannot comment because of the pending litigation, Song said.
In Northern California, a public safety power shutoff begun by Pacific Gas & Electric on Wednesday night was underway in parts of seven counties, affecting around 31,000 customers. Changing weather allowed the utility to exclude six other counties.
By Thursday night, power had been restored to all but about 8,000 customers, PG&E said.
The shutoffs included parts of Butte County, where a 2018 blaze ignited by Pacific Gas & Electric equipment destroyed much of the town of Paradise and killed 85 people.
Southern California, meanwhile, was benefiting from a cooling trend with night through morning low clouds and fog, and occasional drizzle. Light rain was possible during the weekend, followed by clear skies with gusty Santa Ana winds and a warming trend early next week, forecasters said.
California was free of drought indicators at the start of the year, but most of the north is now deep into extreme or severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Moderate drought extends down the state’s eastern flank into the deserts. ut counties along the southern and central coast remain drought-free.
Numerous studies have linked bigger wildfires in America to climate change from the burning of coal, oil and gas. Scientists say climate change has made California much drier, meaning trees and other plants are more flammable.
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All of the huge fires have been fully or significantly contained, but more than 6,000 firefighters remain committed to 19 blazes, including a dozen major incidents, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.
Many of this year’s devastating fires were started by thousands of dry lightning strikes. But some of the fires remain under investigation for potential electrical causes.


mercurynews--2020-10-23--Excitement builds as Bay Area anglers prep for sport, commercial crab seasons

For Northern California and Monterey Bay , no species historically defines fishing more than the Dungeness crab .
It is right up there with king salmon as a premier catch for both sport and commercial anglers .
Just like the anticipation and excitement every spring as anglers ready their boats for salmon season , fall brings our “ other ” special season opener , and boats are being prepped right now .
Closed since July 1 , sport crab season is scheduled to reopen on Nov. 7 .
Commercial crab season opens in our area on Nov. 14 .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as possible to harvest the big meaty crustaceans before the big commercial boats put the pressure on and the crabs scatter .
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says “ The commercial fishery is closed from July 16 to Nov. 30 in the Northern Management Area and from July 1 to Nov.14 in the Central Management Area.
” This means our Central Area is open to commercial Dungeness fishing for two weeks before the adjacent Northern Management Area .
Of course , many commercial crab boats from up north come down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their season .
This puts added pressure on the crab stock , and makes things a bit more difficult for local anglers , both sport and commercial .
Dungeness crab can be a major factor in yearly income for commercial fishers .
Scheduled season closures can be amended with “ in-season changes ” for a variety of reasons including whale entanglements and domoic acid levels in tested crabs .
Sport regulations remain essentially the same this year .
CA DFW cites , “ Minimum size : Five and three-quarter inches measured by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge of shell to edge of shell directly in front of and excluding the points ( lateral spines ) .
” The daily bag limit for sport crabbers is 10 crab per person per day .
Crabs can be taken by hand by divers and hoop nets are legal to use from boats and piers .
Crab “ loop traps ” are often utilized by anglers from jetties and beaches .
In our area , the crab are usually found in deeper waters and most crabbers use large crab pots .
Rules regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have changed over the past few years .
Here is the latest info from CA DFW : *Crab traps shall have at least two rigid circular openings of not less than four and one-quarter inches inside diameter so constructed that the lowest portion of each opening is no lower than five inches from the top of the trap .
*Crab traps shall contain at least one destruct device of a single strand of untreated cotton twine size No .
120 or less that creates an unobstructed escape opening in the top or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least five inches in diameter when the destruct attachment material corrodes or fails .
*Every crab trap except those used under authority of subsection 29.85 ( a ) ( 5 ) of these regulations shall be marked with a buoy .
Each buoy shall be legibly marked to identify the operator ’ s GO ID number as stated on his/her sport fishing license .
*Crab traps shall not be deployed and used in ocean waters seven days prior to the opening of the Dungeness crab season.
” Old hands have their favorite spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The traps are set out in a line and that line is moved when necessary to follow the crab movement as weeks progress .
Most Dungeness are trapped in 180-220 feet of water in the Monterey Bay .
The Dungeness prefer a soft bottom of sand or mud .
Crab pots are typically left to “ soak ” from overnight to a few days .
Theft from crab posts is a perennial problem along our coast .
DFW law is clear on this point saying , “ It is illegal to disturb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or remove any saltwater crustacean from a trap , that belongs to another person without having written permission in possession from the owner of the trap ( California Code of Regulations Title 14 , section 29.80 ( a ) ( 3 ) and Fish and Game Code , section 9002 ( a ) ) .
” The DFW also suggests , “ If you suspect someone is illegally disturbing your traps , be sure to report this to your local warden or through CalTIP at 1-800-334-2258.
” Allen Bushnell also operates Santa Cruz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please send your reports , pictures or questions to scruzfishing @ yahoo.com .

For Northern California and Monterey Bay, no species historically defines fishing more than the Dungeness crab. It is right up there with king salmon as a premier catch for both sport and commercial anglers. Just like the anticipation and excitement every spring as anglers ready their boats for salmon season, fall brings our “other” special season opener, and boats are being prepped right now. Closed since July 1, sport crab season is scheduled to reopen on Nov. 7.
Commercial crab season opens in our area on Nov. 14. This impels sport crabbers to get out as soon as possible to harvest the big meaty crustaceans before the big commercial boats put the pressure on and the crabs scatter.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says “The commercial fishery is closed from July 16 to Nov. 30 in the Northern Management Area and from July 1 to Nov.14 in the Central Management Area.” This means our Central Area is open to commercial Dungeness fishing for two weeks before the adjacent Northern Management Area. Of course, many commercial crab boats from up north come down past Pigeon Point to get a start on their season. This puts added pressure on the crab stock, and makes things a bit more difficult for local anglers, both sport and commercial. Dungeness crab can be a major factor in yearly income for commercial fishers. Scheduled season closures can be amended with “in-season changes” for a variety of reasons including whale entanglements and domoic acid levels in tested crabs.
Sport regulations remain essentially the same this year. CA DFW cites, “Minimum size: Five and three-quarter inches measured by the shortest distance through the body from edge of shell to edge of shell directly in front of and excluding the points (lateral spines).”
The daily bag limit for sport crabbers is 10 crab per person per day. Crabs can be taken by hand by divers and hoop nets are legal to use from boats and piers. Crab “loop traps” are often utilized by anglers from jetties and beaches. In our area, the crab are usually found in deeper waters and most crabbers use large crab pots.
Rules regarding crab pots and traps are very specific and have changed over the past few years. Here is the latest info from CA DFW:
*Crab traps shall have at least two rigid circular openings of not less than four and one-quarter inches inside diameter so constructed that the lowest portion of each opening is no lower than five inches from the top of the trap.
*Crab traps shall contain at least one destruct device of a single strand of untreated cotton twine size No. 120 or less that creates an unobstructed escape opening in the top or upper half of the trap of at least five inches in diameter when the destruct attachment material corrodes or fails.
*Every crab trap except those used under authority of subsection 29.85(a)(5) of these regulations shall be marked with a buoy. Each buoy shall be legibly marked to identify the operator’s GO ID number as stated on his/her sport fishing license.
*Crab traps shall not be deployed and used in ocean waters seven days prior to the opening of the Dungeness crab season.”
Old hands have their favorite spots to drop crab pots in Monterey Bay. The traps are set out in a line and that line is moved when necessary to follow the crab movement as weeks progress. Most Dungeness are trapped in 180-220 feet of water in the Monterey Bay. The Dungeness prefer a soft bottom of sand or mud. Crab pots are typically left to “soak” from overnight to a few days.
Theft from crab posts is a perennial problem along our coast. DFW law is clear on this point saying, “It is illegal to disturb, move or damage any trap, or remove any saltwater crustacean from a trap, that belongs to another person without having written permission in possession from the owner of the trap (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.80 (a)(3) and Fish and Game Code, section 9002(a)).”
The DFW also suggests, “If you suspect someone is illegally disturbing your traps, be sure to report this to your local warden or through CalTIP at 1-800-334-2258.”
Allen Bushnell also operates Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Fishing Guide Service. Please send your reports, pictures or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com.


mercurynews--2020-10-24--Map: Where the PG&E outages will be

Map: Where the PG&E outages will be

Due to extreme fire weather conditions and a red flag warning running from Sunday to Tuesday across most of Northern @ @ @ @ @ announced late Friday that it will be shutting off power to more than 466,000 customers @ @ @ @ @ largest ‘ public safety power shutoff ’ of 2020 so far .
Forecasters say winds @ @ @ @ @ at higher elevations and 50 mph at lower elevations acre expected across the Bay Area @ @ @ @ @ Monday morning .
Shutoffs reduce the chances that high winds will topple power lines causing @ @ @ @ @ humidity and extremely dry conditions .
To see specifics for your community , go to @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a map of where the outages will be .

Due to extreme fire weather conditions and a red flag warning running from Sunday to Tuesday across most of Northern California, PG&E announced late Friday that it will be shutting off power to roughly 386,000 customers.
The outage will the largest ‘public safety power shutoff’ of 2020 so far. It will affect 38 counties and 22 tribes, officials said.
Click here for more details on when, where and how long the outage will last
Forecasters say winds of up to 70 mph at higher elevations and 50 mph at lower elevations are expected across the Bay Area on Sunday night and early Monday morning.
Shutoffs reduce the chances that high winds will topple power lines causing major fires amid very low humidity and extremely dry conditions.
To see specifics for your community, use the map below or go to PG&E’s site.


mercurynews--2020-10-24--Palo Alto: Police probe ‘rare’ overnight home burglary

PALO ALTO – An investigation is underway into a rare overnight burglary of an occupied residence in Palo Alto , police said .
The burglary occurred at a home on the 1100 block of Hamilton Avenue between 4:10 a.m. and 6:15 a.m. Thursday , the Palo Alto Police Department said in a news release Friday .
Police said the suspect stole electronic items and keys to a vehicle .
No force was used to enter the residence , and police said they believe the suspect found a key hidden outside the home and used it to gain entry while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vehicle have since been rekeyed .
Overnight burglaries in Palo Alto are “ extremely rare , ” police said .
“ Most residential burglars commit their crimes during the day , when homes are unoccupied and the chance of a confrontation with a resident are correspondingly reduced , ” police said .
Police said there is no evidence linking the burglary to a pair of similar crimes on Oct. 12 .
Anyone with information related to the case can contact police at 650-329-2413 .
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

PALO ALTO – An investigation is underway into a rare overnight burglary of an occupied residence in Palo Alto, police said.
The burglary occurred at a home on the 1100 block of Hamilton Avenue between 4:10 a.m. and 6:15 a.m. Thursday, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a news release Friday.
Police said the suspect stole electronic items and keys to a vehicle.
No force was used to enter the residence, and police said they believe the suspect found a key hidden outside the home and used it to gain entry while the residents slept. Both the residence and the vehicle have since been rekeyed.
Overnight burglaries in Palo Alto are “extremely rare,” police said.
“Most residential burglars commit their crimes during the day, when homes are unoccupied and the chance of a confrontation with a resident are correspondingly reduced,” police said.
Police said there is no evidence linking the burglary to a pair of similar crimes on Oct. 12.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact police at 650-329-2413. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call or text 650-383-8984 or email paloalto@tipnow.org.


mercurynews--2020-10-24--Former Marin caretaker accused of $500K theft

A former in-home caretaker at a residence in Mill Valley has been arrested on allegations she stole more than $ @ @ @ @ @ jewelry and cash from her clients .
Brandy Bernice Bullard , 41 , of Stockton @ @ @ @ @ Jail on Thursday on suspicion of grand theft , burglary and other crimes .
The @ @ @ @ @ earlier this month , Marin County sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Brenton Schneider said .
@ @ @ @ @ attempted break-in to a safe inside their home , Schneider said .
Investigators executed search @ @ @ @ @ residence on Thursday .
They found two unregistered loaded firearms hidden in children ’ s @ @ @ @ @ of identity theft documents , fraudulent Employment Development Department debit cards and forged checks , @ @ @ @ @ and Stockton police are also investigating the case .
Bullard worked for the Marin family @ @ @ @ @ middle of this year .
The alleged thefts are believed to have started in early @ @ @ @ @ Bullard is being held in lieu of $ 500,000 bail .

A former in-home caretaker at a residence in Mill Valley has been arrested on allegations she stole more than $500,000 worth of gold, jewelry and cash from her clients.
Brandy Bernice Bullard, 41, of Stockton was booked into Marin County Jail on Thursday on suspicion of grand theft, burglary and other crimes.
The victims reported the alleged theft earlier this month, Marin County sheriff’s Sgt. Brenton Schneider said. They provided evidence of an attempted break-in to a safe inside their home, Schneider said.
Investigators executed search warrants at Bullard’s residence on Thursday. They found two unregistered loaded firearms hidden in children’s bedrooms, a large number of identity theft documents, fraudulent Employment Development Department debit cards and forged checks, Schneider said.
The EDD and Stockton police are also investigating the case.
Bullard worked for the Marin family from late 2018 to the middle of this year. The alleged thefts are believed to have started in early 2019, Schneider said.
Bullard is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.


mercurynews--2020-10-24--Blogger links SJPD officers to more bigoted social media a day after DA moves to dismiss tainted cas

Blogger links SJPD officers to more bigoted social media a day after DA moves to dismiss tainted cases

SAN JOSE — A day after the Santa Clara County District Attorney ’ s Office moved to dismiss 14 criminal convictions they deemed were tainted by San Jose police officers associated with bigoted social-media posts , the blogger who exposed them has published a new dispatch linking more retired and active officers to extremist , transphobic , and Islamophobic posts .
In one passage of the new Medium article posted Friday , the blogger shows that three active , retired , or reserve officers “ liked ” a post from May that put Adolf Hitler ’ s mustache on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a Nazi flag in the background , in apparent protest of his shutdown of state beaches to stem the spread of COVID-19 .
Another segment indicates that three retired SJPD officers made disparaging remarks about Chelsea Manning , the former Army intelligence analyst who was imprisoned , and then had her sentence commuted by former President Barack Obama , for releasing a trove of classified documents to WikiLeaks .
Manning since has identified as a trans woman .
One retired officer reportedly responded to a post commenting that Manning “ dresses up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group .
BS.
” A related remark from a retired officer stated , “ Obama thought he was cute…I mean look who Obama married right ?
” In another post outlined in the Medium article , a reserve officer , who sources confirmed was investigated after the blogger ’ s last exposé , appears to mock trans athletes and rules deciding whether trans people can participate in sports outside of their birth gender .
The blogger , who writes under the pseudonym “ Charlie Paulsen ” and identifies as the partner of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of posts by retired officers that espouse anti-Muslim sentiments .
Among them , lambasting a series of New York City settlements paid out to three Muslim women who were forced to remove their hijabs when they took police booking photos .
That directly evokes the blogger ’ s previous article where , in response to a story about a Muslim woman whose hijab was pulled off by a Ventura County Sheriff ’ s Office deputy , an active officer wrote , “ Hell , I would have pulled it over her face , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hijabs as nooses .
In the new article , Paulsen lays out an array of posts by retired officers seeming to revel in anti-Muslim stances , mocking racial-justice movements , and lampooning Mexican people .
Paulsen wrote about deciding to come forward again after the Santa Clara District Attorney ’ s Office announced Thursday that prosecutors were moving to dismiss 14 mostly misdemeanor convictions dating to 2005 after an examination found they hinged entirely on one of about a half-dozen officers who were determined to have engaged in bigoted social-media activity highlighted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is because innocent citizens who may be victims of racist cops are being exonerated , I decided to release this next article , ” Paulsen wrote Friday .
Paulsen later told this news organization that potential retaliation was worth facing because “ the truth needs to be told.
” Paulsen said that the DA ’ s prospective dismissals offered a sense of direct impact beyond prompting misbehaving officers to start scrubbing their social media posts .
“ All of the posts that I included in my article today are available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bold in their beliefs that they ’ ve made it public , ” Paulse said .
“ All I did was compile them , present the information , ask questions , and allow the public to decide for themselves.
” San Jose police Chief Eddie Garcia said in a statement Friday that upon learning about Paulsen ’ s article that his department “ immediately began an investigation .
As the author points out , most of these postings appear to have been made by former employees , but that does not make them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that , “ any current employee involved will be swiftly identified and investigated .
While I can ’ t comment specifically on discipline matters , I have no problem saying that we have held officers accountable for these types of actions .
We also have found in the past that not every blog post includes a complete account of information .
“ I can also comfortably say that if some of these former employees were still working here , I would be seeking their termination.
” After the June 26 article from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed on administrative leave and an internal investigation was launched .
Thursday , the department stated that the investigation of those officers was ongoing and could not comment on the status of those officers .
But the San Jose Police Officers ’ Association , in criticizing the DA dismissal announcement , asserted that two of the four officers were “ completely exonerated and are back at work.
” The combination of the DA ’ s move to dismiss cases as a result of Paulsen ’ s June article , Paulsen ’ s new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s promise that her office ’ s own review of biased officers will yield more case dismissals figure to keep alive a critical bias question about the department as the city begins to hold public-input sessions to inform its search for a new chief to replace Garcia , who announced his intention to retire around year ’ s end .
“ We want a chief who will encourage an environment of accountability , allowing officers to report racist and illegal behavior without facing retaliation , ” Paulsen wrote .
“ We need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at SJPD and will be committed for the long haul.
” Check back later for updates to this story .

SAN JOSE — A day after the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office moved to dismiss 14 criminal convictions they deemed were tainted by San Jose police officers associated with bigoted social-media posts, the blogger who exposed them has published a new dispatch linking more retired and active officers to extremist, transphobic, and Islamophobic posts.
In one passage of the new Medium article posted Friday, the blogger shows that three active, retired, or reserve officers “liked” a post from May that put Adolf Hitler’s mustache on a photo of Gov. Gavin Newsom, with a Nazi flag in the background, in apparent protest of his shutdown of state beaches to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Another segment indicates that three retired SJPD officers made disparaging remarks about Chelsea Manning, the former Army intelligence analyst who was imprisoned, and then had her sentence commuted by former President Barack Obama, for releasing a trove of classified documents to WikiLeaks. Manning since has identified as a trans woman.
One retired officer reportedly responded to a post commenting that Manning “dresses up so he can be in a protected group. BS.” A related remark from a retired officer stated, “Obama thought he was cute…I mean look who Obama married right?” In another post outlined in the Medium article, a reserve officer, who sources confirmed was investigated after the blogger’s last exposé, appears to mock trans athletes and rules deciding whether trans people can participate in sports outside of their birth gender.
The blogger, who writes under the pseudonym “Charlie Paulsen” and identifies as the partner of a police officer, also outlines an array of posts by retired officers that espouse anti-Muslim sentiments. Among them, lambasting a series of New York City settlements paid out to three Muslim women who were forced to remove their hijabs when they took police booking photos.
That directly evokes the blogger’s previous article where, in response to a story about a Muslim woman whose hijab was pulled off by a Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputy, an active officer wrote, “Hell, I would have pulled it over her face,” and a retired officer suggested using hijabs as nooses. In the new article, Paulsen lays out an array of posts by retired officers seeming to revel in anti-Muslim stances, mocking racial-justice movements, and lampooning Mexican people.
Paulsen wrote about deciding to come forward again after the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that prosecutors were moving to dismiss 14 mostly misdemeanor convictions dating to 2005 after an examination found they hinged entirely on one of about a half-dozen officers who were determined to have engaged in bigoted social-media activity highlighted by Paulsen’s initial June 26 post.
“It is because innocent citizens who may be victims of racist cops are being exonerated, I decided to release this next article,” Paulsen wrote Friday.
Paulsen later told this news organization that potential retaliation was worth facing because “the truth needs to be told.” Paulsen said that the DA’s prospective dismissals offered a sense of direct impact beyond prompting misbehaving officers to start scrubbing their social media posts.
“All of the posts that I included in my article today are available to anyone. These cops are so bold in their beliefs that they’ve made it public,” Paulsen said. “All I did was compile them, present the information, ask questions, and allow the public to decide for themselves.”
San Jose police Chief Eddie Garcia said in a statement Friday that upon learning about Paulsen’s article that his department “immediately began an investigation. As the author points out, most of these postings appear to have been made by former employees, but that does not make them any less harmful or offensive.”
He added that, “any current employee involved will be swiftly identified and investigated. While I can’t comment specifically on discipline matters, I have no problem saying that we have held officers accountable for these types of actions. We also have found in the past that not every blog post includes a complete account of information.
“I can also comfortably say that if some of these former employees were still working here, I would be seeking their termination.”
After the June 26 article from Paulsen, four active SJPD officers were placed on administrative leave and an internal investigation was launched. Thursday, the department stated that the investigation of those officers was ongoing and could not comment on the status of those officers. But the San Jose Police Officers’ Association, in criticizing the DA dismissal announcement, asserted that two of the four officers were “completely exonerated and are back at work.”
The combination of the DA’s move to dismiss cases as a result of Paulsen’s June article, Paulsen’s new article, and the public defender’s promise that her office’s own review of biased officers will yield more case dismissals figure to keep alive a critical bias question about the department as the city begins to hold public-input sessions to inform its search for a new chief to replace Garcia, who announced his intention to retire around year’s end.
“We want a chief who will encourage an environment of accountability, allowing officers to report racist and illegal behavior without facing retaliation,” Paulsen wrote. “We need a chief who will address the systemic racism at SJPD and will be committed for the long haul.”
Check back later for updates to this story.


mercurynews--2020-10-24--Photos: Newsom pledges extra $200M for homeless housing, funds more Bay Area projects

Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced a $ 200 million boost to his Project Homekey homeless housing fund in San Jose @ @ @ @ @ cash infusion that will back several Bay Area projects .
But he also acknowledged the @ @ @ @ @ its anti-homelessness efforts , even admitting there ’ s not enough housing for everyone temporarily @ @ @ @ @ Click here to read the full article .
Click here if you ’ re having @ @ @ @ @ your mobile device .

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a $200 million boost to his Project Homekey homeless housing fund in San Jose on Friday — a major cash infusion that will back several Bay Area projects.
But he also acknowledged the challenges his administration faces with its anti-homelessness efforts, even admitting there’s not enough housing for everyone temporarily sheltered in pandemic hotels.
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and the City of San Jose’s housing policy and planning administrator, James Stagi, tour during the grand opening of an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, the governor announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: A view of an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, is photographed during the grand opening of the site on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, center, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, right, and the City of San Jose’s housing policy and planning administrator, James Stagi, left, tour during the grand opening of an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, the governor announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
An interior view of the computer lab at an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, is photographed during the grand opening of the site on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: An interior view of the community room at an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, is photographed during the grand opening of the site on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: Helen Johnson, a resident at an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, listens to a speaker during the grand opening of the site on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, center right, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, left, and Assemblymember Ash Kalra left, listen to a resident, Sandy Escobar, 67, during the grand opening of an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, the governor announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: Sandy Escobar, 67, a resident at an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, talks to California Gov. Gavin Newsom during the grand opening of the site on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, the governor announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, right, tour during the grand opening of an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, the governor announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: A view of an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, is photographed during the grand opening of the site on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during the grand opening of an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, on Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo speaks during the grand opening of an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, the governor announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 23: An interior view of the community room at an emergency interim housing community site on Monterey Road, is photographed during the grand opening of the site on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an additional $200 million for Project Homekey, the state’s program for turning hotels and other buildings into long term homeless housing. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
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