mercurynews--2020-08-27--Coronavirus: This Sunnyvale school became first in the Bay Area to return to the classroom Thursday

CLICK HERE , if you are unable to view this photo gallery on your mobile device .
SUNNYVALE — Fifty-seven grade-schoolers bounded through the campus gates Thursday morning in adorable pastel-colored face masks and lined up to scrub their hands , ushering in a new era of education in the Bay Area as the first school to officially return to the classroom in the age of the coronavirus .
Sunnyvale Christian School , a TK-5 private school in the heart of Silicon Valley , became the region ’ s first to welcome back students with a new set of rituals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewed sense of normalcy painfully absent since the mass quarantines closed classrooms in March .
The best part ?
“ Just seeing everyone in real life instead of on the silly computer , ” gushed Jacob Bolhorst , a first grader who arrived with his transitional-kindergartener brother Logan .
His mother , Tanya Ortiz-Bolhorst , called it “ a blessing.
” State officials in July required all schools in counties on the state ’ s monitoring list for growing coronavirus outbreaks — including all but Napa in the Bay Area — to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance learning.
” Sunnyvale Christian started the school year online but received one of the first waivers in the Bay Area to return to the classroom .
The state allowed elementary schools — whose younger students are less likely to suffer severe illness from the virus and more likely to have difficulty learning online — to seek waivers to reopen through county health officials , in consultation with parents , teachers and the California Department of Public Health .
More than 100 schools or districts statewide have received waivers so far — more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties , both of which came off the monitoring list Sunday .
Santa Clara County late Wednesday revealed it has received waiver requests from 62 schools and districts , 55 of them private and seven of them public , including three charter schools .
Sunnyvale Christian and Moreland School District in San Jose , which plans to start in-class instruction Sept. 2 , are the only two approved so far in the Bay Area .
Contra Costa County is evaluating 22 waiver requests , San Mateo County about 15 .
Other counties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t considering waivers for now until they get better control of the virus .
Schools have been at the center of a pitched debate over reopening , pitting many parents who say online learning is robbing their kids of a good education and their own ability to work against other parents and many teachers who fear the virus risk is just too great to go back to class now .
Margo Dickson , Sunnyvale Christian ’ s preschool director and vice principal , said that while her staff hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some parents have expressed “ hesitancy , ” and the school is “ talking through things with them and praying with them to try to settle their hearts down.
” Many parents had already made the decision to withdraw their children from Sunnyvale Christian , even before the start of the year — enrollment has been a concern for many private schools now forced to teach online .
The school ’ s current enrollment is about half what it was last year .
Dickson said some families feared exposing grandparents at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quit their jobs to home-school their children .
But Edme Hernandez , who is both a parent and a teacher at Sunnyvale Christian , said the summer program , which her daughter attended , made her more comfortable about safety .
“ I saw it as a parent , so it gave me confidence to come back as a teacher , ” Hernandez said .
“ There ’ s a thankfulness in the air.
” The classrooms doors were open Thursday to a courtyard with a playground for ventilation .
Colored dots on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly distanced in line , red tape covered the water fountains , and classroom desks were spaced apart .
Dickson said it ’ s too soon to know how quickly the school will have to replenish its hygiene supplies , but she said it spent $ 2,000 on new contact-less soap and paper towel dispensers .
The county is watching what happens now at Sunnyvale Christian , and other schools that have applied for waivers are hoping to hear back soon .
“ We know that in-person interaction is especially important for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , head of school for the private Harker School in San Jose , which is awaiting a response to its waiver request .
Shelly Viramontez , superintendent at Campbell Union School District , agreed .
Her district began the year online Monday and is also awaiting word on its waiver request .
Feedback from students in the spring showed they missed the ability to get quick answers from teachers or classmates when they didn ’ t understand something the teacher was saying , Viramontez said .
And teachers miss that direct connection to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ When a teacher is in a classroom , they ’ re taking in data the whole time , ” Viramontez said .
“ They can see the confused look .
You don ’ t have that ability in the online setting in the same way.
” Sunnyvale Christian ’ s experience with on-campus summer programs for their preschool and elementary students made it easier to apply for a waiver to reopen , Dickson said .
During the application process , they went back and forth several times with a liaison from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dickson said , and the reward was clear when the students came bouncing back onto campus .
“ Even though there ’ s all these procedures , ” she said , “ there ’ s great joy on the children ’ s faces .
”

CLICK HERE, if you are unable to view this photo gallery on your mobile device.
Fifty-seven grade-schoolers bounded through the campus gates Aug. 27 in adorable pastel-colored face masks and lined up to scrub their hands, ushering in a new era of education in the Bay Area as the first school to officially return to the classroom in the age of the coronavirus.
Sunnyvale Christian School, a TK-5 private school in the heart of Silicon Valley, became the region’s first to welcome back students with a new set of rituals and safety protocols — along with a renewed sense of normalcy painfully absent since the mass quarantines closed classrooms in March.
The best part? “Just seeing everyone in real life instead of on the silly computer,” gushed Jacob Bolhorst, a first-grader who arrived with his transitional-kindergartener brother Logan. His mother, Tanya Ortiz-Bolhorst, called it “a blessing.”
State officials in July required all schools in counties on the state’s monitoring list for growing coronavirus outbreaks — including all but Napa in the Bay Area — to start the new school year with online-only “distance learning.” Sunnyvale Christian started the school year online but received one of the first waivers in the Bay Area to return to the classroom.
The state allowed elementary schools — whose younger students are less likely to suffer severe illness from the virus and more likely to have difficulty learning online — to seek waivers to reopen through county health officials, in consultation with parents, teachers and the California Department of Public Health.
More than 100 schools or districts statewide have received waivers so far — more than 80 in Orange and San Diego counties, both of which came off the monitoring list Sunday.
Santa Clara County late Wednesday revealed it has received waiver requests from 62 schools and districts, 55 of them private and seven of them public, including three charter schools. Sunnyvale Christian and Moreland School District in San Jose, which plans to start in-class instruction Sept. 2, are the only two approved so far in the Bay Area.
Contra Costa County is evaluating 22 waiver requests, San Mateo County about 15. Other counties, such as Alameda, have said they aren’t considering waivers for now until they get better control of the virus.
Schools have been at the center of a pitched debate over reopening, pitting many parents who say online learning is robbing their kids of a good education and their own ability to work against other parents and many teachers who fear the virus risk is just too great to go back to class now.
Margo Dickson, Sunnyvale Christian’s preschool director and vice principal, said that while her staff hasn’t voiced concerns about returning to the classroom, some parents have expressed “hesitancy,” and the school is “talking through things with them and praying with them to try to settle their hearts down.”
Many parents had already made the decision to withdraw their children from Sunnyvale Christian, even before the start of the year — enrollment has been a concern for many private schools now forced to teach online. The school’s current enrollment is about half what it was last year. Dickson said some families feared exposing grandparents at home to the virus, and others had quit their jobs to home-school their children.
But Edme Hernandez, who is both a parent and a teacher at Sunnyvale Christian, said the summer program, which her daughter attended, made her more comfortable about safety.
“I saw it as a parent, so it gave me confidence to come back as a teacher,” Hernandez said. “There’s a thankfulness in the air.”
The classrooms doors were open Thursday to a courtyard with a playground for ventilation. Colored dots on the ground marked where students could stand properly distanced in line, red tape covered the water fountains, and classroom desks were spaced apart.
Dickson said it’s too soon to know how quickly the school will have to replenish its hygiene supplies, but she said it spent $2,000 on new contact-less soap and paper towel dispensers.
The county is watching what happens now at Sunnyvale Christian, and other schools that have applied for waivers are hoping to hear back soon.
“We know that in-person interaction is especially important for the younger students,” said Brian Yager, head of school for the private Harker School in San Jose, which is awaiting a response to its waiver request.
Shelly Viramontez, superintendent at Campbell Union School District, agreed. Her district began the year online Monday and is also awaiting word on its waiver request.
Feedback from students in the spring showed they missed the ability to get quick answers from teachers or classmates when they didn’t understand something the teacher was saying, Viramontez said. And teachers miss that direct connection to their students as well, she said.
“When a teacher is in a classroom, they’re taking in data the whole time,” Viramontez said. “They can see the confused look. You don’t have that ability in the online setting in the same way.”
Sunnyvale Christian’s experience with on-campus summer programs for their preschool and elementary students made it easier to apply for a waiver to reopen, Dickson said. During the application process, they went back and forth several times with a liaison from the county.
Persistence paid off, Dickson said, and the reward was clear when the students came bouncing back onto campus.
“Even though there’s all these procedures,” she said, “there’s great joy on the children’s faces.”


mercurynews--2020-08-27--‘Wrote a letter of apology:’ Police arrest Santa Cruz County resident accused of stealing firefighte

‘Wrote a letter of apology:’ Police arrest Santa Cruz County resident accused of stealing firefighter’s wallet; second arrest possible

A Santa Cruz County resident has been arrested for stealing the wallet of a firefighter battling the CZU Complex Lighting Fire , a theft that drew local condemnation and national attention .
Brian Johnson , a resident of Live Oak just south of the city of Santa Cruz , was detained on Wednesday night after a citizen tipped off investigators , Santa Cruz Sheriff Jim Hart said on Thursday .
The suspect stole the wallet of an out-of-town Cal Fire firefighter ’ s truck , using a credit card to make multiple purchases , including one $ 1,400 transaction .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gift cards he could then use to buy other products .
Investigators spoke to Johnson after receiving a call from someone whom Hart said may have known Johnson personally and may have recognized the clothing he was shown wearing in security camera footage the sheriff ’ s office shared publicly .
“ He admitted that he had used the credit card and made the charges , ” Hart said .
“ He also sat down and wrote a letter of apology to the fireman.
” At Johnson ’ s residence , investigators found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as multiple items that may have been purchased using the stolen funds .
Johnson , who is on parole with a different county , was accused of multiple felonies , including grand theft , credit card theft and possession of stolen property , as well as a parole violation .
The sheriff said he has spoken to Santa Cruz District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell , who “ is committed to filing the appropriate felony charges in this case.
” Hart added that Johnson won ’ t be released after processing because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also planning to speak to a second male suspect later today , which could result in an arrest pending that interview and additional security footage from some stores , according to Hart .
That second suspect is also a local resident .
Hart reiterated that the firefighter ’ s bank and credit card company had reversed all the charges .
His office had received calls from as far as New York State seeking to help the victim , he said .
“ ( The firefighter ) said he ’ s good now and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get up on that fireline and do his job , ” Hart said .
The crime drew national attention as crews battled multiple destructive fires in the Bay Area — the CZU Complex Fire has burned more than 81,000 acres , claiming one civilian life and destroying 445 homes .
“ That ’ s not who we are here in Santa Cruz County , ” Hart said .
“ That ’ s not a good representation of our community to take advantage of somebody who came here to help us .
”

A Santa Cruz County resident has been arrested for stealing the wallet of a firefighter battling the CZU Complex Lighting Fire, a theft that drew local condemnation and national attention.
Brian Johnson, a resident of Live Oak just south of the city of Santa Cruz, was detained on Wednesday night after a citizen tipped off investigators, Santa Cruz Sheriff Jim Hart said on Thursday. The suspect stole the wallet of an out-of-town Cal Fire firefighter’s truck, using a credit card to make multiple purchases, including one $1,400 transaction. Johnson allegedly used the card to buy gift cards he could then use to buy other products.
Investigators spoke to Johnson after receiving a call from someone whom Hart said may have known Johnson personally and may have recognized the clothing he was shown wearing in security camera footage the sheriff’s office shared publicly.
“He admitted that he had used the credit card and made the charges,” Hart said. “He also sat down and wrote a letter of apology to the fireman.”
At Johnson’s residence, investigators found the clothing seen in the security footage, as well as multiple items that may have been purchased using the stolen funds. Johnson, who is on parole with a different county, was accused of multiple felonies, including grand theft, credit card theft and possession of stolen property, as well as a parole violation.
The sheriff said he has spoken to Santa Cruz District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell, who “is committed to filing the appropriate felony charges in this case.” Hart added that Johnson won’t be released after processing because of the parole violation.
Investigators are also planning to speak to a second male suspect later today, which could result in an arrest pending that interview and additional security footage from some stores, according to Hart. That second suspect is also a local resident.
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Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds Crime and Public Safety | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult Hart reiterated that the firefighter’s bank and credit card company had reversed all the charges. His office had received calls from as far as New York State seeking to help the victim, he said.
“(The firefighter) said he’s good now and all he wants to do now is get up on that fireline and do his job,” Hart said.
The crime drew national attention as crews battled multiple destructive fires in the Bay Area — the CZU Complex Fire has burned more than 81,000 acres, claiming one civilian life and destroying 445 homes.
“That’s not who we are here in Santa Cruz County,” Hart said. “That’s not a good representation of our community to take advantage of somebody who came here to help us.”


mercurynews--2020-08-28--Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns for health reasons

Shinzo Abe , the longest-serving Japanese prime minister in history , has resigned , citing health reasons .
“ Even though there is one year to go in my tenure and there are challenges to be met , I have decided to stand down as prime minister , ” said Abe at a press conference in Tokyo on Friday , adding that he would like to apologize to the people of Japan for being unable to fulfill his duties during the coronavirus pandemic .
Abe suffers from colitis , a non-curable inflammatory bowel disease , which was also a factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2007 , ending his first term after just over a year in office .
On Monday morning , Abe visited Keio University Hospital in Tokyo for what was his second hospital visit in a week .
“ For almost eight years I controlled my chronic disease , however , this year in June I had a regular check-up and there was a sign of the disease , ” he added .
“ I made a judgment that I should not continue my job as prime minister ” said Abe .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be treated.
” Markets reacted negatively to the announcement .
Japan ’ s benchmark Nikkei index closed down 1.4 % Friday after the news broke .
It initially tumbled more than 2 % before paring losses .
The Japanese yen , a traditional safe currency haven , rose 0.3 % against the US dollar .
Following his previous resignation in 2007 , Abe was reelected in 2012 .
Since then he has been the dominant force in Japanese politics , winning a landslide third term in 2017 and a fourth in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under Abe , his right-leaning Liberal Democratic Party ( LDP ) has also seen major success , benefiting from the fracturing of its long-term rival Democratic Party , which split in two in 2017 .
Abe leaves the LDP in control of both houses of parliament , with a large majority in the lower House of Representatives .
That success should guarantee an LDP successor to Abe .
Japan is not a presidential system , instead the country ’ s leader is chosen by parliamentarians , so the next LDP leader , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy path to becoming prime minister .
Abe said he will remain in office until a successor is chosen .
When Abe was elected to a second term in 2012 , Japan was in the economic doldrums following decades of stagnation .
He soon launched a grand experiment popularly known as “ Abenomics , ” which included three so-called arrows — massive monetary stimulus , increased government spending , and structural reforms — that his allies credited for reviving the country ’ s economy and boosting consumer and investor confidence .
“ Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past , ” Abe said in January 2020 .
“ We have succeeded in completely breaking through the ‘ wall of resignation ’ .
” But any success of Abenomics was largely in avoiding continued decline than prompting a major boom , and the world ’ s third-largest economy remained vulnerable throughout his time in office .
Japan tipped deeper into recession as the coronavirus hit this year .
A major factor that has dogged Abe during his time in office was the country ’ s rapidly aging population .
More than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65 , and the country marked a new record low birth rate in 2019 .
The country ’ s demographic decline means a shrinking cohort of workers is left supporting an increasingly elderly population in need of healthcare and pensions .
Despite this , Abe ’ s Japan largely avoided relaxing the country ’ s tight controls on immigration , which could have boosted the workforce .
Plans to restore the country ’ s fiscal health have not addressed the fact Japan ’ s debt-to-GDP ratio remains the highest among industrialized nations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling women the country ’ s “ most underutilized resource ” and vowing to improve gender representation and closing gaps in the workforce with “ womenomics.
” Critics say Abe did not manage to address the country ’ s gender gap or resolve issues that prevent women from greater participation in the economy .
On the diplomatic front , too , Abe ’ s achievements were mixed .
He cultivated strong ties with Washington — Tokyo ’ s traditional ally — and attempted to build a personal relationship with United States President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet him while Barack Obama was still in office .
During that “ unofficial ” meeting , Trump ’ s first with any world leader , Abe hailed the US-Japan alliance and said he wanted to “ build trust ” with the new President .
He strongly supported Trump ’ s initial hard line on North Korea , which matched Abe ’ s own hawkish tendencies .
His ability to cultivate personal ties with Trump are often credited as one of the biggest reasons why Japan has be able to avoid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Washington ’ s relationship with Pyongyang tipped towards diplomacy , with both Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in holding historic summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un , Abe appeared to be left out in the cold , scrambling for his own meeting with Kim .
The legacy of World War II , during which the Imperial Japanese army invaded multiple neighbors and committed war crimes and atrocities , has long poisoned relations in East Asia , with suspicion of Japan remaining strong in China and the Koreas .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some in Japan — were hostile to Abe ’ s desire to rewrite the country ’ s post-war pacifist constitution to allow Tokyo greater leeway to build up the Japanese military and engage in overseas operations .
Early in his second term , Abe visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine , igniting a firestorm of criticism and condemnation among neighboring countries .
The Yasukuni Shrine is regarded by China and the Koreas as a symbol of Japan ’ s imperial military past .
Throughout his time in office , a slow-burning dispute over sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — called the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China — threatened to boil over , though Abe also held a historic phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in 2018 , a major step forward in relations between the two nations .
However , ties with a traditional ally have been less healthy , with a major diplomatic spat between Japan and South Korea last year .
That dispute , in which trade and military intelligence deals were scrapped , was partly inspired by the legacy of World War II .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ achievements was securing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics , a success that was ultimately undone by the coronavirus , which forced the competition to be postponed to 2021 .
An initial unwillingness to put the Games off was partly credited for Japan ’ s lackluster response to the coronavirus pandemic , which hit the country early in 2020 and continues to cause major issues , with much of the aged population particularly at risk .
On Friday , Abe said that as the host country , Japan would need to fulfill its responsibility .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that responsibility by closely cooperating with organizers .
There are various matters that we need to address , ” said Abe .
More successful was Abe ’ s handling of the abdication of Emperor Akihito , the first Japanese monarch to step down in two centuries .
He was succeeded by his son , Emperor Naruhito , in October 2019 , starting the Reiwa era .
“ Like the flowers of the plum tree blooming proudly in spring after the cold winter , we wish the Japanese people to bloom like individual flowers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .
With such a wish for Japan , we decided upon ‘ Reiwa ’ , ” Abe said on announcing the new era .
Abe was born on September 21 , 1954 , in Tokyo to a prominent political family .
Both his grandfather and great uncle served as prime minister , and his father was a former secretary general of the LDP .
He studied politics at Tokyo ’ s Seiki University and the University of Southern California , but initially entered business , taking a position with Kobe Steel in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he became an assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs , and in 1993 Abe was first elected to the House of Representatives , aged 38 .
He was reelected seven times , and held a number of cabinet positions throughout the 2000s .
In 2003 , Abe became secretary general of the LDP , and four years later the party ’ s president and prime minister of Japan .
His first term was marred by controversies and worsening health , and he stepped down as party leader and prime minister in 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 .
Abe married Akie Abe , née Matsuzaki , in 1987 .
The couple have no children .
As first lady , Akie Abe was highly involved in politics , occasionally attracting scandal and prominently disagreeing with her husband , particularly on social issues .
A number of world leaders praised Abe after he announced his resignation on Friday .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter that he “ has achieved great things as PM of Japan , ” adding : “ Thank you for all your years of service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison added that Abe is “ Australia ’ s true friend , ” calling him “ a man of integrity and wisdom .
”

Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving Japanese prime minister in history, has resigned, citing health reasons.
“Even though there is one year to go in my tenure and there are challenges to be met, I have decided to stand down as prime minister,” said Abe at a press conference in Tokyo on Friday, adding that he would like to apologize to the people of Japan for being unable to fulfill his duties during the coronavirus pandemic.
Abe suffers from colitis, a non-curable inflammatory bowel disease, which was also a factor in his sudden resignation as prime minister in 2007, ending his first term after just over a year in office. On Monday morning, Abe visited Keio University Hospital in Tokyo for what was his second hospital visit in a week.
“For almost eight years I controlled my chronic disease, however, this year in June I had a regular check-up and there was a sign of the disease,” he added. “I made a judgment that I should not continue my job as prime minister” said Abe. “I need to fight the disease and need to be treated.”
Markets reacted negatively to the announcement. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei index closed down 1.4% Friday after the news broke. It initially tumbled more than 2% before paring losses. The Japanese yen, a traditional safe currency haven, rose 0.3% against the US dollar.
Following his previous resignation in 2007, Abe was reelected in 2012. Since then he has been the dominant force in Japanese politics, winning a landslide third term in 2017 and a fourth in 2019, despite multiple scandals and plummeting popularity.
Under Abe, his right-leaning Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has also seen major success, benefiting from the fracturing of its long-term rival Democratic Party, which split in two in 2017. Abe leaves the LDP in control of both houses of parliament, with a large majority in the lower House of Representatives.
That success should guarantee an LDP successor to Abe. Japan is not a presidential system, instead the country’s leader is chosen by parliamentarians, so the next LDP leader, whoever that is, should have an easy path to becoming prime minister. Abe said he will remain in office until a successor is chosen.
Abenomics
When Abe was elected to a second term in 2012, Japan was in the economic doldrums following decades of stagnation. He soon launched a grand experiment popularly known as “Abenomics,” which included three so-called arrows — massive monetary stimulus, increased government spending, and structural reforms — that his allies credited for reviving the country’s economy and boosting consumer and investor confidence.
“Japan is no longer the Japan of the past,” Abe said in January 2020. “We have succeeded in completely breaking through the ‘wall of resignation’.”
But any success of Abenomics was largely in avoiding continued decline than prompting a major boom, and the world’s third-largest economy remained vulnerable throughout his time in office. Japan tipped deeper into recession as the coronavirus hit this year.
A major factor that has dogged Abe during his time in office was the country’s rapidly aging population.
More than a third of the Japanese population is over 65, and the country marked a new record low birth rate in 2019. The country’s demographic decline means a shrinking cohort of workers is left supporting an increasingly elderly population in need of healthcare and pensions.
Despite this, Abe’s Japan largely avoided relaxing the country’s tight controls on immigration, which could have boosted the workforce. Plans to restore the country’s fiscal health have not addressed the fact Japan’s debt-to-GDP ratio remains the highest among industrialized nations.
Abe touted the need for workstyle reforms, calling women the country’s “most underutilized resource” and vowing to improve gender representation and closing gaps in the workforce with “womenomics.” Critics say Abe did not manage to address the country’s gender gap or resolve issues that prevent women from greater participation in the economy.
Mixed results on diplomacy
On the diplomatic front, too, Abe’s achievements were mixed. He cultivated strong ties with Washington — Tokyo’s traditional ally — and attempted to build a personal relationship with United States President Donald Trump, traveling to New York to meet him while Barack Obama was still in office.
During that “unofficial” meeting, Trump’s first with any world leader, Abe hailed the US-Japan alliance and said he wanted to “build trust” with the new President. He strongly supported Trump’s initial hard line on North Korea, which matched Abe’s own hawkish tendencies. His ability to cultivate personal ties with Trump are often credited as one of the biggest reasons why Japan has be able to avoid a trade war with the US.
But as Washington’s relationship with Pyongyang tipped towards diplomacy, with both Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in holding historic summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Abe appeared to be left out in the cold, scrambling for his own meeting with Kim.
The legacy of World War II, during which the Imperial Japanese army invaded multiple neighbors and committed war crimes and atrocities, has long poisoned relations in East Asia, with suspicion of Japan remaining strong in China and the Koreas.
Many in the region — as well as some in Japan — were hostile to Abe’s desire to rewrite the country’s post-war pacifist constitution to allow Tokyo greater leeway to build up the Japanese military and engage in overseas operations.
Early in his second term, Abe visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, igniting a firestorm of criticism and condemnation among neighboring countries. The Yasukuni Shrine is regarded by China and the Koreas as a symbol of Japan’s imperial military past.
Throughout his time in office, a slow-burning dispute over sovereignty of islands in the East China Sea — called the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China — threatened to boil over, though Abe also held a historic phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in 2018, a major step forward in relations between the two nations.
However, ties with a traditional ally have been less healthy, with a major diplomatic spat between Japan and South Korea last year. That dispute, in which trade and military intelligence deals were scrapped, was partly inspired by the legacy of World War II.
Olympic success and setback
One of Abe’s major domestic achievements was securing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a success that was ultimately undone by the coronavirus, which forced the competition to be postponed to 2021.
An initial unwillingness to put the Games off was partly credited for Japan’s lackluster response to the coronavirus pandemic, which hit the country early in 2020 and continues to cause major issues, with much of the aged population particularly at risk.
On Friday, Abe said that as the host country, Japan would need to fulfill its responsibility. “My successor will continue to fulfill that responsibility by closely cooperating with organizers. There are various matters that we need to address,” said Abe.
More successful was Abe’s handling of the abdication of Emperor Akihito, the first Japanese monarch to step down in two centuries. He was succeeded by his son, Emperor Naruhito, in October 2019, starting the Reiwa era.
“Like the flowers of the plum tree blooming proudly in spring after the cold winter, we wish the Japanese people to bloom like individual flowers with the (promise of the) future. With such a wish for Japan, we decided upon ‘Reiwa’,” Abe said on announcing the new era.
Personal life
Abe was born on September 21, 1954, in Tokyo to a prominent political family. Both his grandfather and great uncle served as prime minister, and his father was a former secretary general of the LDP.
He studied politics at Tokyo’s Seiki University and the University of Southern California, but initially entered business, taking a position with Kobe Steel in 1979.
Three years later however, he became an assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and in 1993 Abe was first elected to the House of Representatives, aged 38. He was reelected seven times, and held a number of cabinet positions throughout the 2000s.
In 2003, Abe became secretary general of the LDP, and four years later the party’s president and prime minister of Japan.
His first term was marred by controversies and worsening health, and he stepped down as party leader and prime minister in 2007, eventually returning to both positions in 2012.
Abe married Akie Abe, née Matsuzaki, in 1987. The couple have no children. As first lady, Akie Abe was highly involved in politics, occasionally attracting scandal and prominently disagreeing with her husband, particularly on social issues.
A number of world leaders praised Abe after he announced his resignation on Friday. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter that he “has achieved great things as PM of Japan,” adding: “Thank you for all your years of service and I wish you good health.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison added that Abe is “Australia’s true friend,” calling him “a man of integrity and wisdom.”
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mercurynews--2020-08-28--Review: Chaos, hilarity and hijinks in the Scottish Highlands

“ The Most Dangerous Game ” meets modern U.K. delinquent culture in the raucous indie black comedy “ Get Duked !
.
” Packed with energy , wit and hallucinogenic rabbit droppings , writer-director Ninian Doff ’ s scrappy feature debut is better and sweeter than the gimmick and aggressive title suggests .
It ’ s a sort of spiritual companion to Edgar Wright ’ s Cornetto trilogy , blending horror and thriller elements with absurdist comedy .
In the film , four boys are dropped in the Scottish Highlands to compete for the Duke of Edinburgh Award ( a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told ) with only a map and their dim wits to guide them .
Three of them , Dean ( Rian Gordon ) , Duncan ( Lewis Gribben ) and amateur rapper DJ Beatroot ( Viraj Juneja ) are already friends and city boys to the core — they are particularly dismayed to find out their smart phones have no service in the countryside .
To them , the competition is a kind of detention and they seem perfectly content to stumble their way through the rolling hills aided by marijuana .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with another — the straight-laced , home-schooled Ian ( Samuel Bottomley ) who actually wants to be there and win by succeeding at teamwork , foraging and orienteering .
Distracted from the start , they miss the “ missing kids ” signs all over the place and accidentally wreck their map , but pretty soon they discover they have some bigger problems to deal with : They ’ re being hunted by The Duke himself ( played by a masked but unmistakable Eddie Izzard ) , who wishes to rid his society of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local farmer ( James Cosmo , who seems to be having a great time ) and a harried phone call to the police throws the sleepy community into chaos .
The biggest threat to the people of the highlands up until now has been a bread thief ( a gag which somehow keeps delivering ) and the daffy cops ( Kate Dickie and Kevin Guthrie ) are delighted to tackle the ever-escalating situation .
You might be surprised by how much you end up liking the leads and the supporting characters by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good response at a midnight festival screening ( as this did at South by Southwest last year ) can sometimes be dicey gambles out in the real world when you remove the drinks and the barbecue and the energy of the crowd seeing something crazy for the first time .
But “ Get Duked !
” plays just as well on a small screen with a small audience at home .
Doff , a music video director by trade , has an in-your-face style and sensibility that keeps the engine of the film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is not more Izzard .
American viewers might do well to turn on the subtitles , though — the fast-paced script can be a little overwhelming at times .
This is a raucous , non-stop ride that is a little rough around the edges but also unexpectedly endearing , not unlike the four teens at the center .
Rating : R ( for drug content , language throughout including sexual references , and some violence/bloody images )

By Lindsey Bahr | Associated Press
“The Most Dangerous Game” meets modern U.K. delinquent culture in the raucous indie black comedy “Get Duked!.” Packed with energy, wit and hallucinogenic rabbit droppings, writer-director Ninian Doff’s scrappy feature debut is better and sweeter than the gimmick and aggressive title suggests. It’s a sort of spiritual companion to Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy, blending horror and thriller elements with absurdist comedy.
In the film, four boys are dropped in the Scottish Highlands to compete for the Duke of Edinburgh Award (a lovely laminated certificate, they’re told) with only a map and their dim wits to guide them. Three of them, Dean (Rian Gordon), Duncan (Lewis Gribben) and amateur rapper DJ Beatroot (Viraj Juneja) are already friends and city boys to the core — they are particularly dismayed to find out their smart phones have no service in the countryside. To them, the competition is a kind of detention and they seem perfectly content to stumble their way through the rolling hills aided by marijuana. But they have the misfortune of being grouped with another — the straight-laced, home-schooled Ian (Samuel Bottomley) who actually wants to be there and win by succeeding at teamwork, foraging and orienteering.
Distracted from the start, they miss the “missing kids” signs all over the place and accidentally wreck their map, but pretty soon they discover they have some bigger problems to deal with: They’re being hunted by The Duke himself (played by a masked but unmistakable Eddie Izzard), who wishes to rid his society of undesirables and delinquents.
A run-in with a local farmer (James Cosmo, who seems to be having a great time) and a harried phone call to the police throws the sleepy community into chaos. The biggest threat to the people of the highlands up until now has been a bread thief (a gag which somehow keeps delivering) and the daffy cops (Kate Dickie and Kevin Guthrie) are delighted to tackle the ever-escalating situation. You might be surprised by how much you end up liking the leads and the supporting characters by the end.
Movies that got a good response at a midnight festival screening (as this did at South by Southwest last year) can sometimes be dicey gambles out in the real world when you remove the drinks and the barbecue and the energy of the crowd seeing something crazy for the first time. But “Get Duked!” plays just as well on a small screen with a small audience at home. Doff, a music video director by trade, has an in-your-face style and sensibility that keeps the engine of the film running well. The biggest disappointment is that there is not more Izzard.
American viewers might do well to turn on the subtitles, though — the fast-paced script can be a little overwhelming at times. This is a raucous, non-stop ride that is a little rough around the edges but also unexpectedly endearing, not unlike the four teens at the center.
“Get Duked!”
2 1/2 stars out of 4
Rating: R (for drug content, language throughout including sexual references, and some violence/bloody images)
Running time: 87 minutes


mercurynews--2020-08-28--Kenosha shooting suspect Kyle Rittenhouse called a friend to say he ‘killed somebody,’ police say, a

Kenosha shooting suspect Kyle Rittenhouse called a friend to say he ‘killed somebody,’ police say, and then shot two others

Just before midnight Tuesday , a young male clutching a long rifle wandered around the dark streets of Kenosha in a backward baseball cap and a green T-shirt .
Protesters in the Wisconsin city were demanding justice after an officer shot local resident Jacob Blake seven times in the back while his children watched from his car .
As the 29-year-old Black man fought for his life at the hospital following the Sunday shooting , people marched , chanted and asked why for three days .
At times , demonstrators and armed civilians faced off .
The teenager with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car dealership and opened fire , allegedly killing two people and wounding a third , a criminal complaint says .
Even as police and emergency vehicles raced to the scene and chaotic videos of the fatal encounter appeared on social media , the armed suspect slipped past a group of officers unnoticed .
He was arrested 30 miles away in Antioch , Illinois .
Kyle Rittenhouse , 17 , is facing charges that he allegedly killed Anthony M. Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum .
Before the shooting , he told a journalist who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medic , a criminal complaint says .
About 11:45 p.m. Tuesday — hours after the 8 p.m. curfew — Rittenhouse was walking down the streets near the car dealership holding what investigators later determined to be “ a Smith & Wesson AR-15 style .223 rifle , ” the criminal complaint says .
Social media accounts believed to belong to him portray a young White man with an affinity for guns who supports “ Blue Lives Matter ” and President Donald Trump .
A video posted on a Snapchat account believed to belong to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests Tuesday night .
The clips show a few seconds of the point of view of someone carrying a long rifle and police announcements can be heard over loudspeakers .
• Kyle Rittenhouse was trying to ‘ maintain order , ’ Tucker Carlson says At those demonstrations , the complaint states Rittenhouse clashed with people gathered near the car dealership for reasons not specified .
Rosenbaum was unarmed and threw an object that appeared to be a plastic bag at him and missed , according to the complaint .
Rosenbaum and the suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be in close proximity when loud bangs suddenly rang out and Rosenbaum fell to the ground , according to the complaint .
As Rosenbaum lay on the ground , the suspect made a call on his cellphone and said , “ I just killed somebody ” as he ran away , the complaint alleges .
His friend received a call from him at 11:46 p.m. saying that he shot someone , an investigator says in the complaint .
Rosenbaum was declared dead at 12:47 a.m. Wednesday .
Two more people are shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the victim at the time provided investigators with more details on what happened .
He told investigators the victim was trying to get the suspect ’ s gun , according to the complaint .
Another video shows the suspect running from the scene followed by people in hot pursuit .
“ A person can be heard yelling what sounds like , “ Beat him up !
” Another person can be heard yelling what sounds like , “ Hey , he shot him !
” the criminal complaint alleges .
In another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Get him !
Get that dude !
” The suspect tripped and fell as people chased him down , and as he lay on the ground , a second person identified as Huber approaches him with a skateboard in his right hand , the complaint says .
• Day after RNC mention , Boogaloo-linked ex-Air Force Sgt accused of killing cops stands in court with mask referencing police shootings • Kyle Rittenhouse was trying to ‘ maintain order , ’ Tucker Carlson says “ When Huber reaches the defendant it appears that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun with his left hand as the skateboard makes contact with the defendant ’ s left shoulder .
… The defendant rolls towards his left side and as Huber appears to be trying to grab the gun .
the gun is pointed at Huber ’ s body .
The defendant then fires one round … Huber staggers away , taking several steps , then collapses to the ground , ” the complaint says .
After shooting Huber , the suspect points his gun at a third male approaching the suspect , later identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was shot in the right arm and takes off in the opposite direction screaming for a medic while the defendant walks away , the complaint alleges .
Rittenhouse is facing two felony charges of homicide in the death of Rosenbaum and Huber , and a felony attempted homicide charge in Grosskreutz ’ s incident .
Court records show he ’ s also being charged with possession of a dangerous weapon while under the age of 18 , which is a misdemeanor .
Wisconsin is an open-carry state , but children under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons openly in public .

Just before midnight Tuesday, a young male clutching a long rifle wandered around the dark streets of Kenosha in a backward baseball cap and a green T-shirt.
Protesters in the Wisconsin city were demanding justice after an officer shot local resident Jacob Blake seven times in the back while his children watched from his car. As the 29-year-old Black man fought for his life at the hospital following the Sunday shooting, people marched, chanted and asked why for three days. At times, demonstrators and armed civilians faced off.
Then things took a deadly turn.
[vemba-video id=”us/2020/08/28/kenosha-kyle-rittenhouse-social-media-griffin-pkg-vpx.cnn”]
The teenager with the long gun scuffled with people near a car dealership and opened fire, allegedly killing two people and wounding a third, a criminal complaint says. Even as police and emergency vehicles raced to the scene and chaotic videos of the fatal encounter appeared on social media, the armed suspect slipped past a group of officers unnoticed. He was arrested 30 miles away in Antioch, Illinois.
Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, is facing charges that he allegedly killed Anthony M. Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum. Before the shooting, he told a journalist who has trailing him that he was a trained medic, a criminal complaint says.
How the deadly confrontation started
About 11:45 p.m. Tuesday — hours after the 8 p.m. curfew — Rittenhouse was walking down the streets near the car dealership holding what investigators later determined to be “a Smith & Wesson AR-15 style .223 rifle,” the criminal complaint says.
Social media accounts believed to belong to him portray a young White man with an affinity for guns who supports “Blue Lives Matter” and President Donald Trump. A video posted on a Snapchat account believed to belong to him placed him at the scene of protests Tuesday night. The clips show a few seconds of the point of view of someone carrying a long rifle and police announcements can be heard over loudspeakers.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Kyle Rittenhouse was trying to ‘maintain order,’ Tucker Carlson says
Kyle Rittenhouse was trying to ‘maintain order,’ Tucker Carlson says Crime and Public Safety | Aubrey Huff calls Kenosha shooter “a national treasure”
Aubrey Huff calls Kenosha shooter “a national treasure” Crime and Public Safety | Calls for armed vigilantes posted before Kenosha chaos At those demonstrations, the complaint states Rittenhouse clashed with people gathered near the car dealership for reasons not specified. Rosenbaum was unarmed and threw an object that appeared to be a plastic bag at him and missed, according to the complaint.
Rosenbaum and the suspect moved across the parking lot and appeared to be in close proximity when loud bangs suddenly rang out and Rosenbaum fell to the ground, according to the complaint.
As Rosenbaum lay on the ground, the suspect made a call on his cellphone and said, “I just killed somebody” as he ran away, the complaint alleges. His friend received a call from him at 11:46 p.m. saying that he shot someone, an investigator says in the complaint.
Rosenbaum was declared dead at 12:47 a.m. Wednesday.
Two more people are shot
A journalist who was following the suspect and the victim at the time provided investigators with more details on what happened. He told investigators the victim was trying to get the suspect’s gun, according to the complaint.
Another video shows the suspect running from the scene followed by people in hot pursuit.
“A person can be heard yelling what sounds like, “Beat him up!” Another person can be heard yelling what sounds like, “Hey, he shot him!” the criminal complaint alleges. In another video, a person yells, “Get him! Get that dude!”
The suspect tripped and fell as people chased him down, and as he lay on the ground, a second person identified as Huber approaches him with a skateboard in his right hand, the complaint says.
“When Huber reaches the defendant it appears that he is reaching for the defendant’s gun with his left hand as the skateboard makes contact with the defendant’s left shoulder. … The defendant rolls towards his left side and as Huber appears to be trying to grab the gun. the gun is pointed at Huber’s body. The defendant then fires one round … Huber staggers away, taking several steps, then collapses to the ground,” the complaint says.
After shooting Huber, the suspect points his gun at a third male approaching the suspect, later identified as Gaige Grosskreutz, the complaint says. He was shot in the right arm and takes off in the opposite direction screaming for a medic while the defendant walks away, the complaint alleges.
Rittenhouse is facing two felony charges of homicide in the death of Rosenbaum and Huber, and a felony attempted homicide charge in Grosskreutz’s incident. Court records show he’s also being charged with possession of a dangerous weapon while under the age of 18, which is a misdemeanor.
Wisconsin is an open-carry state, but children under age 18 are not allowed to carry weapons openly in public.
Rittenhouse’s extradition hearing is Friday morning.
The-CNN-Wire
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mercurynews--2020-08-28--Editorial: Prop. 15 won’t fix biggest California property tax problem

California ’ s property tax system is a mess .
Proposition 15 on the Nov. 3 ballot attempts to fix it .
Unfortunately , it only makes matters worse .
The solution is not to apply more Band-Aids and layer more complexity onto an already-broken system .
And it certainly doesn ’ t make sense to increase taxes on businesses when many of them can least afford it .
Rather , we should create a new system that taxes all properties in direct proportion to their values .
Proposition 15 fails to do that .
Voters should reject it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when voters , facing rapidly rising property taxes , approved landmark Proposition 13 .
Under those rules , the assessed value used for taxing properties can be increased no more than 2 % annually .
But when a property is sold , the assessment is reset to the market value .
This has created tremendous inequity because long-term owners of all types of properties pay disproportionately less than those who have recently purchased .
So , for example , neighbors with identical houses will often pay vastly different property taxes .
Proposition 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residential properties .
Critics of our current system argue that there ’ s a second inequity — that Proposition 13 has placed increasing burden on residential properties while owners of commercial and industrial properties have reaped a windfall .
That , they claim , is because taxes on residential properties are reset more frequently because they are sold more often than commercial and industrial properties .
It ’ s that claimed disparity that Prop .
15 seeks to address .
Under the measure , most owners of commercial and industrial properties would pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ values of their properties .
Owners of commercial and industrial properties with a combined value of $ 3 million or less would continue paying under the current system , as would owners of residential properties .
The higher taxes in many cases would be passed on to the tenants of those commercial and industrial property owners .
In short , it ’ s a tax on businesses , often small businesses , at a time when they can least afford it .
To help offset some of the impact , Prop .
15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by reducing the taxable value of each firm ’ s equipment by $ 500,000 starting in 2024 .
Nevertheless , the measure would increase the total property taxes collected statewide by an estimated $ 8 billion to $ 12.5 billion annually by 2025 .
Indeed , backers of Prop .
15 are pitching the measure as a way to raise more money for schools , even though schools would receive only about 40 % of the new money available after administrative costs .
The rest would go to cities , counties and special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure is questionable .
A 2016 study by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst ’ s Office found that the assumption that residential properties statewide are sold more often and reassessed more frequently than commercial and industrial properties is wrong .
Indeed , examining San Diego County , the analyst found that the opposite is true — that residential properties are reassessed less often .
Residential properties statewide do bear a larger proportion of the total tax burden than they did before 1978 , but there ’ s another explanation for it than Prop .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The legislative analyst found that in 1979-80 homeowners statewide paid about 34 % of property taxes .
That share declined to a low of 32 % in the mid-1980s , then increased to about 37 % by 2015-16 .
The increase , the legislative analyst concluded , may be due in part to faster growth in the number of residential properties than the number of commercial and industrial properties .
For Santa Clara County , the assessor , using a different methodology , arrived at a similar conclusion .
He also found a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proportional residential tax burden followed by an increase starting in the mid-1980s .
In 1985 , 52 % of the county ’ s assessed value was borne by homeowners ; today it is 64 % .
But , says Assessor Larry Stone , “ the reason for this shift had little to do with Proposition 13 and a lot to do with the growth of residential properties .
Between 1978 and 2020 the number of residential parcels grew 49 % while the number of nonresidential parcels actually shrunk by 8 % .
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the disparity between residential and other types of property .
It ’ s the disparity between the taxes paid by long-time property owners and those who purchased recently — an inequity that ’ s found for both residential and commercial properties .
That ’ s the problem tax reformers should address .
And they should be doing it in a way that ’ s revenue neutral instead of trying to use reform as a vehicle to raise more taxes .
• Editorial : Who should be allowed to cast a ballot in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s property tax system that should be addressed .
But Prop .
15 misses the mark .
Vote no .

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California’s property tax system is a mess. Proposition 15, the “split roll” measure on the Nov. 3 ballot, attempts to fix it. Unfortunately, it only makes matters worse.
The solution is not to apply more Band-Aids and layer more complexity onto an already-broken system. And it certainly doesn’t make sense to increase taxes on businesses when many of them can least afford it.
Rather, we should create a new system that taxes all properties in direct proportion to their values. Proposition 15 fails to do that. Voters should reject it.
Our current system dates to 1978, when voters, facing rapidly rising property taxes, approved landmark Proposition 13. Under those rules, the assessed value used for taxing properties can be increased no more than 2% annually. But when a property is sold, the assessment is reset to the market value.
This has created tremendous inequity because long-term owners of all types of properties pay disproportionately less than those who have recently purchased. So, for example, neighbors with identical houses will often pay vastly different property taxes. Proposition 15 does nothing to address that disparity for residential properties.
What Prop. 15 does
Critics of our current system argue that there’s a second inequity — that Proposition 13 has placed increasing burden on residential properties while owners of commercial and industrial properties have reaped a windfall. That, they claim, is because taxes on residential properties are reset more frequently because they are sold more often than commercial and industrial properties.
It’s that claimed disparity that Prop. 15 seeks to address by splitting the property tax rolls. Under the measure, most owners of commercial and industrial properties would pay higher taxes based on the current market values of their parcels. Owners of commercial and industrial properties with a combined value of $3 million or less would continue paying under the current system, as would owners of residential properties.
The higher taxes in many cases would be passed on to the tenants of those commercial and industrial property owners. In short, it’s a tax on businesses, often small businesses, at a time when they can least afford it. To help offset some of the impact, Prop. 15 would reduce a separate tax on businesses by reducing the taxable value of each firm’s equipment by $500,000 starting in 2024.
Nevertheless, the measure would increase the total property taxes collected statewide by an estimated $8 billion to $12.5 billion annually by 2025. Indeed, backers of Prop. 15 are pitching the measure as a way to raise more money for schools, even though schools would receive only about 40% of the new money available after administrative costs. The rest would go to cities, counties and special districts.
Questionable rationale
But the rationale for the measure is questionable.
A 2016 study by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office found that the assumption that residential properties statewide are sold more often and reassessed more frequently than commercial and industrial properties is wrong. Indeed, examining San Diego County, the analyst found that the opposite is true — that residential properties are reassessed less often.
Residential properties statewide do bear a larger proportion of the total tax burden than they did before 1978, but there’s another explanation for it than Prop. 13: more rapid residential development.
The legislative analyst found that in 1979-80 homeowners statewide paid about 34% of property taxes. That share declined to a low of 32% in the mid-1980s, then increased to about 37% by 2015-16. The increase, the legislative analyst concluded, may be due in part to faster growth in the number of residential properties than the number of commercial and industrial properties.
For Santa Clara County, the assessor, using a different methodology, arrived at a similar conclusion. He also found a decrease after Proposition 13 passed in the proportional residential tax burden followed by an increase starting in the mid-1980s.
In 1985, 52% of the county’s assessed value was borne by homeowners; today it is 64%. But, says Assessor Larry Stone, “the reason for this shift had little to do with Proposition 13 and a lot to do with the growth of residential properties. Between 1978 and 2020 the number of residential parcels grew 49% while the number of nonresidential parcels actually shrunk by 8%.”
In short, the big problem is not the disparity between residential and other types of property. It’s the disparity between the taxes paid by long-time property owners and those who purchased recently — an inequity that’s found for both residential and commercial properties.
That’s the problem tax reformers should address. And they should be doing it in a way that’s revenue neutral instead of trying to use reform as a vehicle to raise more taxes.
There are serious inequities in California’s property tax system that should be addressed. But Prop. 15 misses the mark. Vote no.


mercurynews--2020-08-28--Vallejo reaches for answers to 19 homicides so far this year

Bob Sampayan doesn ’ t play the bugle .
But if he did , “ charge ” would likely be his tune of choice — if it signaled the arrival of the cavalry .
Or , as Vallejo ’ s mayor lobbies for , the California Highway Patrol .
With uniformed police officer staffing down — 112 , though funding ’ s approved for 130 — Sampayan said CHP assistance would help considerably in corralling a skyrocketing stolen vehicle increase and , with fingers crossed , homicides that reached 19 with the double-murder Aug. 20 .
“ People are saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community safer.
’ Our community is feeling unsafe .
People are emailing , ‘ You better do something about this , ’ ” Sampayan said .
“ People are saying they ’ re moving … or that they won ’ t shop here.
” Sampayan said city officials should take some of the blame .
“ We have really , really missed the boat , ” he said .
Sampayan said police presence would help , with 12 hired officers now in the academy .
However , it ’ ll be almost a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayor said .
“ What do we do in the interim ?
What we need to do .. and I ’ ve made this clear to the city manager and police chief .. we need to step up our game , ” Sampayan said .
“ We need to do what we did in the mid- ’ 90s and ask the CHP for assistance and get eight , nine officers to augment patrol and work the areas shown to be high-crime areas.
” Right now , “ we don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce the crime , ” said Sampayan , a retired Vallejo cop .
Sampayan also believes help will arrive from the FBI Violent Crime Force and ATF for data collection .
“ We need to stem this violence and we need to reassure the community that we will be pro-active , ” Sampayan said , adding that there also needs to be more community outreach .
“ I truly believe that by bringing in the CHP , the FBI , ATF , we ’ ll be able to stem this tide , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s hearing ” is that a lot of the violence is “ between two factions , maybe three factions in the community .
A lot of it is retaliatory.
” The mayor said the coronavirus isn ’ t responsible for the crime uptick that includes 19 homicides after the Aug. 20 double-murder .
“ I ’ m not going to put anything on COVID-19 , that it ’ s a lot of pent-up aggression , ” he said said .
“ Frankly , I can ’ t believe that.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-year grant for $ 5.1 million from the U.S. Dept .
of Justice COPS Hiring Program to fund the salary and benefits for eight officers with the goal of bringing the force to 130 officers .
It has become more difficult hiring cops , said Sampayan , because of negative image of law enforcement .
“ Back in my era , policing was a positive and respected career , ” Sampayan said .
“ That has changed .
What people have seen in the world of law enforcement , sadly , has soured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have good people .
Folks don ’ t believe that.
” Increased patrol can only help , agreed Councilmember Pippin Dew .
“ We have significant increase in violent crimes this year in the midst of a budget crunch due to the pandemic , ” Dew said .
“ We must seize every opportunity to obtain additional resources to support the safety and well-being of our community.
” With additional officers in place , VPD plans to increase its number of detectives , expand the Crime Reduction Team , better address quality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the department ’ s new Operation P.E.A.C.E .
Project .
• Man charged in Oakland killing after police track his dog • Man charged for death of 19-year-old UC Berkeley student killed in June Addition officers helps the VPD toward implementing recommendations from the OIR Group ’ s assessment report , which the city published in June 2020 .
“ Adding eight new officers will not only help us provide better day-to-day service for our community , it is going to help us implement my vision for exceptional service and community-based policing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams said in a news release .
“ I am focused on expanding our crime prevention , intervention and community engagement efforts to ensure that we are policing with purpose and transforming lives in this process .
These new officer positions are a reflection of that effort .
”

Bob Sampayan doesn’t play the bugle. But if he did, “charge” would likely be his tune of choice — if it signaled the arrival of the cavalry. Or, as Vallejo’s mayor lobbies for, the California Highway Patrol.
With uniformed police officer staffing down — 112, though funding’s approved for 130 — Sampayan said CHP assistance would help considerably in corralling a skyrocketing stolen vehicle increase and, with fingers crossed, homicides that reached 19 with the double-murder Aug. 20.
“People are saying, ‘Do something to make our community safer.’ Our community is feeling unsafe. People are emailing, ‘You better do something about this,’” Sampayan said. “People are saying they’re moving … or that they won’t shop here.”
Sampayan said city officials should take some of the blame.
“We have really, really missed the boat,” he said.
Sampayan said police presence would help, with 12 hired officers now in the academy. However, it’ll be almost a year before they’re street-ready, the mayor said.
“What do we do in the interim? What we need to do .. and I’ve made this clear to the city manager and police chief .. we need to step up our game,” Sampayan said. “We need to do what we did in the mid-’90s and ask the CHP for assistance and get eight, nine officers to augment patrol and work the areas shown to be high-crime areas.”
Right now, “we don’t have the personnel to work the streets or reduce the crime,” said Sampayan, a retired Vallejo cop.
Sampayan also believes help will arrive from the FBI Violent Crime Force and ATF for data collection.
“We need to stem this violence and we need to reassure the community that we will be pro-active,” Sampayan said, adding that there also needs to be more community outreach.
“I truly believe that by bringing in the CHP, the FBI, ATF, we’ll be able to stem this tide,” Sampayan said.
Sampayan said “what he’s hearing” is that a lot of the violence is “between two factions, maybe three factions in the community. A lot of it is retaliatory.”
The mayor said the coronavirus isn’t responsible for the crime uptick that includes 19 homicides after the Aug. 20 double-murder.
“I’m not going to put anything on COVID-19, that it’s a lot of pent-up aggression,” he said said. “Frankly, I can’t believe that.”
In June, the city was awarded a three-year grant for $5.1 million from the U.S. Dept. of Justice COPS Hiring Program to fund the salary and benefits for eight officers with the goal of bringing the force to 130 officers.
It has become more difficult hiring cops, said Sampayan, because of negative image of law enforcement.
“Back in my era, policing was a positive and respected career,” Sampayan said. “That has changed. What people have seen in the world of law enforcement, sadly, has soured a lot of people. We still have good people. Folks don’t believe that.”
Increased patrol can only help, agreed Councilmember Pippin Dew.
“We have significant increase in violent crimes this year in the midst of a budget crunch due to the pandemic,” Dew said. “We must seize every opportunity to obtain additional resources to support the safety and well-being of our community.”
With additional officers in place, VPD plans to increase its number of detectives, expand the Crime Reduction Team, better address quality of life concerns, and reduce gun violence through the department’s new Operation P.E.A.C.E. Project.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Man shot, killed by Colorado cop was holding a marker, not a weapon
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“Adding eight new officers will not only help us provide better day-to-day service for our community, it is going to help us implement my vision for exceptional service and community-based policing,” said Chief of Police Shawny Williams said in a news release. “I am focused on expanding our crime prevention, intervention and community engagement efforts to ensure that we are policing with purpose and transforming lives in this process. These new officer positions are a reflection of that effort.”


mercurynews--2020-08-28--Descendant of John Muir loses home in LNU Complex Fires

Michael Muir , a local humanitarian and great-grandson of John Muir , lost his Pleasants Valley home in the LNU Lightning Complex Fires and is trying to rebuild .
Muir , 68 , said he bought the house in Jan. 2018 after previously living in Napa and growing up in Dixon .
“ From the time I was a kid , I always loved the foothills west of Dixon , ” he said .
“ Finally , at this stage of my life , I got to move up there.
” Muir said he knew the Pleasants family growing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of his father Ross Hanna ’ s longtime Dixon jazz ensemble Phirehouse Philharmonic .
He was thrilled to live in the area that bore their name .
Having lived with multiple sclerosis since he was 15 and ridden horses since he was 12 , Muir founded Access Adventures in 2005 which gives free outdoor recreation , education and therapy opportunities for people with disabilities , through a working partnership with horses .
“ My horses have been a very powerful influence in the quality of my life , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributing to the quality of my life and compensating for my lost function .
As I became older , I realized that it was the most important thing that I could do , and the most important thing my horses could do was to share that with other people that live with challenges.
” On Aug. 18 just before midnight , Muir ’ s world was changed when he got a call telling him to leave his house immediately .
He left with his wheelchair , dog , wallet and prescriptions .
Everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out before the fire had reached his house , and his caregiver partner Vince stayed behind to fight the fire until 3 a.m. “ We had a friend there staying over that was helping to work on the place , build a fence , ” he said .
“ He left before Vince .
He was up in the cottage at the upper end of the property , and that caught fire first.
” Muir said the friend attempted to get Vince to leave , but he stayed through the last minute .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vince promise that he would leave when there was no chance of stopping the fire .
He did .
“ We all got out safely , but everything ’ s gone , ” Muir said .
Muir waited in a parking lot to hear about the status of the fire .
By that point , he said he felt numb .
“ I was hoping that they made it through , but I knew that the fire was fast moving , ” he said .
“ I didn ’ t expect the level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living with fires around California for so long , and it seems like more and more.
” Muir held out hope that his house would be spared , but once the scale of the fire became clear , that optimism disappeared .
“ I began to resign myself to the fact that we would lose it , ” he said .
Since then , Muir has been living in the house in Dixon that had belonged to his mother until she died in June .
Despite the major loss of his home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attitude .
“ It ’ s a shocking thing to have happen , but I ’ m already looking forward , not back , ” he said .
“ Disabled people are especially resilient .
We deal with challenges on a daily basis .
It ’ s just another hill to climb.
” Helping others who have undergone challenges has been Muir ’ s objective for a long time .
Through Solano Land Trust , he was able to found Access Adventures and he said he has lost count of the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 15 years .
“ It ’ s been my work for many , many years , ” he said .
In 2001 , Muir drove his horses on wheelchair accessible carriages from the Mission Basilica in San Diego to the White House for a 10-month journey .
Along the way , he stopped at rehabilitation hospitals and care homes to show the possibilities people with disabilities could have with horses .
“ People that are living with the challenges of disability can look at the world a different way with a horse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horses are the bridge to our lost function .
They help us enjoy nature.
” As the descendant of the famed naturalist considered the father of America ’ s national parks , it should come as no surprise that Muir shares his great-grandfather ’ s love of nature .
Muir had even taken the same trek from Louisville , Kentucky to the Gulf of Mexico that John Muir took in 1868 , which was chronicled in the book “ A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf.
” “ That was the beginning of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger Muir said .
“ We ( Michael and his friend Cindy and their two dogs ) followed the path of my great-grandfather.
” In the wake of losing his home , Muir said he has heard from several former students , including Stefanie Putnam who became a successful competitive carriage driver following a nonhorse-related accident that left her quadriplegic .
“ She sent me money to help rebuild my house , ” he said .
“ I haven ’ t talked to her in several years , but I ’ ve followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She ’ s an extraordinary woman.
” • Containment increases to 25 % in fight against CZU August Lightning Complex fire • ‘ Wrote a letter of apology : ’ Police arrest man accused of stealing Cal Fire Commander ’ s wallet ; second arrest possible • Leukemia took her daughter .
Then California ’ s second largest wildfire came for her home .
• California wildfire victims start to return home , but face long road to recovery Muir ’ s goal is to rebuild his home .
Friends have set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the efforts .
Muir is grateful for the support he has gotten and is reminded of lessons he had imparted on Putnam .
“ It ’ s about not focusing on what we have lost but to focus on what is possible , ” he said .
“ What was possible for her was to transform a life that was so damaged and turned upside down , and she was able to make something out of it.
” The campaigns can be accessed at Gofundme.com/f/michael-muir-lnu-complex-fire and PayPal.com/pools/c/8rXausm3da .

Michael Muir, a local humanitarian and great-grandson of John Muir, lost his Pleasants Valley home in the LNU Lightning Complex Fires and is trying to rebuild.
Muir, 68, said he bought the house in Jan. 2018 after previously living in Napa and growing up in Dixon.
“From the time I was a kid, I always loved the foothills west of Dixon,” he said. “Finally, at this stage of my life, I got to move up there.”
Muir said he knew the Pleasants family growing up, as Tom and Evelyn Pleasants were members of his father Ross Hanna’s longtime Dixon jazz ensemble Phirehouse Philharmonic. He was thrilled to live in the area that bore their name.
Having lived with multiple sclerosis since he was 15 and ridden horses since he was 12, Muir founded Access Adventures in 2005 which gives free outdoor recreation, education and therapy opportunities for people with disabilities, through a working partnership with horses.
“My horses have been a very powerful influence in the quality of my life,” he said. “They have been really instrumental in contributing to the quality of my life and compensating for my lost function. As I became older, I realized that it was the most important thing that I could do, and the most important thing my horses could do was to share that with other people that live with challenges.”
On Aug. 18 just before midnight, Muir’s world was changed when he got a call telling him to leave his house immediately. He left with his wheelchair, dog, wallet and prescriptions. Everything else was burned.
Muir made it out before the fire had reached his house, and his caregiver partner Vince stayed behind to fight the fire until 3 a.m.
“We had a friend there staying over that was helping to work on the place, build a fence,” he said. “He left before Vince. He was up in the cottage at the upper end of the property, and that caught fire first.”
Muir said the friend attempted to get Vince to leave, but he stayed through the last minute. As Muir was leaving, he made Vince promise that he would leave when there was no chance of stopping the fire. He did.
“We all got out safely, but everything’s gone,” Muir said.
Muir waited in a parking lot to hear about the status of the fire. By that point, he said he felt numb.
“I was hoping that they made it through, but I knew that the fire was fast moving,” he said. “I didn’t expect the level of devastation. We’ve been living with fires around California for so long, and it seems like more and more.”
Muir held out hope that his house would be spared, but once the scale of the fire became clear, that optimism disappeared.
“I began to resign myself to the fact that we would lose it,” he said.
Since then, Muir has been living in the house in Dixon that had belonged to his mother until she died in June. Despite the major loss of his home, he said he has had a resilient attitude.
“It’s a shocking thing to have happen, but I’m already looking forward, not back,” he said. “Disabled people are especially resilient. We deal with challenges on a daily basis. It’s just another hill to climb.”
Helping others who have undergone challenges has been Muir’s objective for a long time. Through Solano Land Trust, he was able to found Access Adventures and he said he has lost count of the number of people he has worked with in the last 15 years.
“It’s been my work for many, many years,” he said.
In 2001, Muir drove his horses on wheelchair accessible carriages from the Mission Basilica in San Diego to the White House for a 10-month journey. Along the way, he stopped at rehabilitation hospitals and care homes to show the possibilities people with disabilities could have with horses.
“People that are living with the challenges of disability can look at the world a different way with a horse,” he said. “The horses are the bridge to our lost function. They help us enjoy nature.”
As the descendant of the famed naturalist considered the father of America’s national parks, it should come as no surprise that Muir shares his great-grandfather’s love of nature. Muir had even taken the same trek from Louisville, Kentucky to the Gulf of Mexico that John Muir took in 1868, which was chronicled in the book “A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf.”
“That was the beginning of his career as a naturalist,” the younger Muir said. “We (Michael and his friend Cindy and their two dogs) followed the path of my great-grandfather.”
In the wake of losing his home, Muir said he has heard from several former students, including Stefanie Putnam who became a successful competitive carriage driver following a nonhorse-related accident that left her quadriplegic.
“She sent me money to help rebuild my house,” he said. “I haven’t talked to her in several years, but I’ve followed her career with a lot of pride. She’s an extraordinary woman.”
Related Articles Crashes and Disasters | Map: Lightning fires prompt evacuation order west of Yreka
Map: Lightning fires prompt evacuation order west of Yreka Crashes and Disasters | Evacuations ordered as Northern California fire roars through forest near site of 2022 deadly blaze
Evacuations ordered as Northern California fire roars through forest near site of 2022 deadly blaze Crashes and Disasters | Did powerlines cause Maui fire?
Did powerlines cause Maui fire? Crashes and Disasters | Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds
Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds Crashes and Disasters | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult Muir’s goal is to rebuild his home. Friends have set up GoFundMe and PayPal pages to assist with the efforts.
Muir is grateful for the support he has gotten and is reminded of lessons he had imparted on Putnam.
“It’s about not focusing on what we have lost but to focus on what is possible,” he said. “What was possible for her was to transform a life that was so damaged and turned upside down, and she was able to make something out of it.”
The campaigns can be accessed at Gofundme.com/f/michael-muir-lnu-complex-fire and PayPal.com/pools/c/8rXausm3da.


mercurynews--2020-08-28--All River Fire, Carmel Fire evacuation orders, road closures lifted

SALINAS — As firefighters continue to gain ground on the River and Carmel fires Thursday with containment at about 60 % for both , and all evacuation orders and warnings for the blazes lifted , the effects of the wildfires are becoming clearer as the damage is assessed , a county park is closed and air quality is fouled .
“ We ’ re doing mop up and tactical patrols … down to Gonzales , ” said Mike Wink , Cal Fire operations section chief , at a River Fire briefing on Thursday morning .
“ We will have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) fire today.
” Wink also reported that the Carmel Fire has had no activity in several days and firefighting efforts on the incident are going well .
He stated confidence in the mopping up and hot spot patrols on the west side of the fire area that allowed homeowners in the interior portion to return .
But with all of the River Fire and Carmel Fire evacuations , along with road closures , being lifted allowing people to return home , the Dolan Fire in southern Big Sur remains below 20 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its north and south ends .
As damage from the River Fire becomes apparent , Monterey County announced early Thursday that Toro Park will be closed indefinitely to all public access and use even after Cal Fire leaves .
The 49-year-old , nearly 5,000-acre bucolic county park located just off the Monterey-Salinas Highway , is currently base camp for Cal Fire operations , but the park has also suffered extensive damage from the River Fire and will have to be assessed and repaired before access to the public returns .
Fortunately , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday the reopening of both Palo Corona and Garland Ranch regional parks giving hikers and others affected by the Toro Park closure an alternative for outdoor activities .
As residents are allowed back into fire zones , they may need supplies so Monterey County has set up commodity distribution points to access comfort kits , personal protective equipment and bottled water .
The distribution points are located at Greenfield Memorial Hall , 615 El Camino Real in Greenfield , Carmel Valley Village near the Chevron Station at 38 West Carmel Valley Road , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tassajara roads .
Though weather conditions have become more favorable to aid in the suppression of the fires overnight and in the early part of the day with the marine layer at about 1,200 feet , by midday temperatures warm and moisture in the air decreases , increasing fire activity .
The smoke outlook the past couple of days has seen degraded air quality due to the coastal morning fog that traps ground-level smoke causing moderate to unhealthy air and west/northwesterly winds bring foul air from the CZU Lightning Fire in Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air quality conditions , people are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows and doors closed .
The same weather pattern is forecast to carry into the weekend with morning fog giving way to partly sunny skies .
Highs will be in the upper 60s and overnight lows in the upper 50s .
• Containment increases to 25 % in fight against CZU August Lightning Complex fire • ‘ Wrote a letter of apology : ’ Police arrest man accused of stealing Cal Fire Commander ’ s wallet ; second arrest possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s second largest wildfire came for her home .
• California wildfire victims start to return home , but face long road to recovery The River Fire was started by a lightning strike south of Salinas on Aug. 16 and has so far burned 48,732 acres , is 58 % contained , has destroyed 30 structures , damaged 13 and caused four minor injuries .
The Carmel Fire was started on Aug. 18 from an unknown origin in the vicinity of Carmel Valley and Cachagua roads .
It has scorched 6,767 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed 73 structures , damaged seven and caused no injuries .
The Dolan Fire south of Big Sur Village and north of Limekiln State Park started on Aug. 18 .
It has charred 21,861 acres , is 15 % contained , and caused no injuries .
The fire threatens the communities of the Hermitage and Lucia on the south end , and Partington Ridge to the north , as well as multiple businesses , parks and recreational sites .
It threatens the Ventana Wilderness , coastal watershed and habitat for threatened and endangered @ @ @ @ @ @ @

SALINAS — As firefighters continue to gain ground on the River and Carmel fires Thursday with containment at about 60% for both, and all evacuation orders and warnings for the blazes lifted, the effects of the wildfires are becoming clearer as the damage is assessed, a county park is closed and air quality is fouled.
“We’re doing mop up and tactical patrols … down to Gonzales,” said Mike Wink, Cal Fire operations section chief, at a River Fire briefing on Thursday morning. “We will have a line complete around the entire (River) fire today.”
Wink also reported that the Carmel Fire has had no activity in several days and firefighting efforts on the incident are going well. He stated confidence in the mopping up and hot spot patrols on the west side of the fire area that allowed homeowners in the interior portion to return.
But with all of the River Fire and Carmel Fire evacuations, along with road closures, being lifted allowing people to return home, the Dolan Fire in southern Big Sur remains below 20% containment and continues to threaten communities on its north and south ends.
As damage from the River Fire becomes apparent, Monterey County announced early Thursday that Toro Park will be closed indefinitely to all public access and use even after Cal Fire leaves. The 49-year-old, nearly 5,000-acre bucolic county park located just off the Monterey-Salinas Highway, is currently base camp for Cal Fire operations, but the park has also suffered extensive damage from the River Fire and will have to be assessed and repaired before access to the public returns.
Fortunately, the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District announced on Thursday the reopening of both Palo Corona and Garland Ranch regional parks giving hikers and others affected by the Toro Park closure an alternative for outdoor activities.
As residents are allowed back into fire zones, they may need supplies so Monterey County has set up commodity distribution points to access comfort kits, personal protective equipment and bottled water. The distribution points are located at Greenfield Memorial Hall, 615 El Camino Real in Greenfield, Carmel Valley Village near the Chevron Station at 38 West Carmel Valley Road, and at the intersection of Carmel Valley and Tassajara roads.
Though weather conditions have become more favorable to aid in the suppression of the fires overnight and in the early part of the day with the marine layer at about 1,200 feet, by midday temperatures warm and moisture in the air decreases, increasing fire activity.
The smoke outlook the past couple of days has seen degraded air quality due to the coastal morning fog that traps ground-level smoke causing moderate to unhealthy air and west/northwesterly winds bring foul air from the CZU Lightning Fire in Santa Cruz County. During periods of unhealthy air quality conditions, people are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows and doors closed.
The same weather pattern is forecast to carry into the weekend with morning fog giving way to partly sunny skies. Highs will be in the upper 60s and overnight lows in the upper 50s.
Related Articles Crashes and Disasters | Map: Lightning fires prompt evacuation order west of Yreka
Map: Lightning fires prompt evacuation order west of Yreka Crashes and Disasters | Evacuations ordered as Northern California fire roars through forest near site of 2022 deadly blaze
Evacuations ordered as Northern California fire roars through forest near site of 2022 deadly blaze Crashes and Disasters | Did powerlines cause Maui fire?
Did powerlines cause Maui fire? Crashes and Disasters | Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds
Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds Crashes and Disasters | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult The River Fire was started by a lightning strike south of Salinas on Aug. 16 and has so far burned 48,732 acres, is 58% contained, has destroyed 30 structures, damaged 13 and caused four minor injuries.
The Carmel Fire was started on Aug. 18 from an unknown origin in the vicinity of Carmel Valley and Cachagua roads. It has scorched 6,767 acres, is 60% contained, destroyed 73 structures, damaged seven and caused no injuries.
The Dolan Fire south of Big Sur Village and north of Limekiln State Park started on Aug. 18. It has charred 21,861 acres, is 15% contained, and caused no injuries. The fire threatens the communities of the Hermitage and Lucia on the south end, and Partington Ridge to the north, as well as multiple businesses, parks and recreational sites. It threatens the Ventana Wilderness, coastal watershed and habitat for threatened and endangered species, including the California condor.


mercurynews--2020-08-28--Golden Gate ferry crash to cost bridge district $3 million

The Golden Gate Bridge district estimates the 2018 ferry crash into the San Francisco Ferry Building will come with a price tag of more than $ 3 million .
The M.S .
San Francisco struck the Port of San Francisco promenade and ferry terminal on Nov. 23 , 2018 , damaging both the ferry and the structure .
There were 53 passengers on board at the time , with one passenger reporting back pain and a concessionaire reporting a bruised hip .
The Golden Gate Bridge , Highway and Transportation District is responsible for paying the repair costs , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The district ’ s insurance has covered some of the cost and will cover more , but the exact amount is unknown , said bridge district spokesman Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz .
“ Work on the terminal will start in September subject to the issuance of permits , ” said Cosulich-Schwartz said .
“ We don ’ t know when we ’ ll start work on the Port of San Francisco promenade , as we ’ re in the process of obtaining those permits.
” Denis Mulligan , general manager of the bridge district , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the repairs to the district board of directors at 10 a.m. on Friday .
Both the bridge district and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted separate crash investigations , but disclosed no findings .
“ All I can say is that the ferry captain no longer works for us , ” Cosulich-Schwartz said , adding that he could not elaborate because of personnel matters .
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco said in an email on Thursday that its investigation has been closed but that any information on it would have to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Independent Journal has filed records requests with the Coast Guard and the bridge district .
The M.S .
San Francisco was repaired soon after the crash , Cosulich-Schwartz said .
The repairs and investigation cost nearly $ 850,000 .
• You think your highway is scary ?
Have you driven 17 lately ?
Roadshow Repairs to the San Francisco Ferry Terminal and Port of San Francisco promenade are expected to cost about $ 2.2 million , including investigation costs and district staff costs , according to Mulligan ’ s report .
Randy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of San Francisco , said it was fortunate that the damage to the promenade was fairly limited , impacting about 30 or so feet of railing .
It has been replaced by a chain-link fence .
“ We ’ re definitely looking forward to having the original railing installed , ” Quezada said .
Repair work on the promenade might begin starting in the winter , pending permit and design approvals , Quezada said .

The Golden Gate Bridge district estimates the 2018 ferry crash into the San Francisco Ferry Building will come with a price tag of more than $3 million.
The M.S. San Francisco struck the Port of San Francisco promenade and ferry terminal on Nov. 23, 2018, damaging both the ferry and the structure. There were 53 passengers on board at the time, with one passenger reporting back pain and a concessionaire reporting a bruised hip.
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District is responsible for paying the repair costs, which are estimated at $3.03 million. The district’s insurance has covered some of the cost and will cover more, but the exact amount is unknown, said bridge district spokesman Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz.
“Work on the terminal will start in September subject to the issuance of permits,” said Cosulich-Schwartz said. “We don’t know when we’ll start work on the Port of San Francisco promenade, as we’re in the process of obtaining those permits.”
Denis Mulligan, general manager of the bridge district, is set to provide a report about the repairs to the district board of directors at 10 a.m. on Friday.
Both the bridge district and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted separate crash investigations, but disclosed no findings.
“All I can say is that the ferry captain no longer works for us,” Cosulich-Schwartz said, adding that he could not elaborate because of personnel matters.
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco said in an email on Thursday that its investigation has been closed but that any information on it would have to be obtained through a public records request. The Independent Journal has filed records requests with the Coast Guard and the bridge district.
The M.S. San Francisco was repaired soon after the crash, Cosulich-Schwartz said. The repairs and investigation cost nearly $850,000.
Repairs to the San Francisco Ferry Terminal and Port of San Francisco promenade are expected to cost about $2.2 million, including investigation costs and district staff costs, according to Mulligan’s report.
Randy Quezada, a spokesman for the Port of San Francisco, said it was fortunate that the damage to the promenade was fairly limited, impacting about 30 or so feet of railing. It has been replaced by a chain-link fence.
“We’re definitely looking forward to having the original railing installed,” Quezada said.
Repair work on the promenade might begin starting in the winter, pending permit and design approvals, Quezada said.


mercurynews--2020-08-28--Tiburon releases body camera video of police confrontation with Black store owner

Tiburon has released footage from a police officer ’ s body-worn camera of a controversial Friday night confrontation between police @ @ @ @ @ who was working late inside his downtown clothing store .
Town officials released the video @ @ @ @ @ virtual town hall meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m on Thursday .
During the meeting , @ @ @ @ @ and Belvedere councils , officials will invite the community to comment on the incident , @ @ @ @ @ a.m. on Friday at the clothing store Yema on Main Street .
Store owners Yema @ @ @ @ @ inside the shop with a friend when police approached them .
Khalif and the officers @ @ @ @ @ people inside the store needed to prove their right to be there .

Tiburon has released footage from a police officer’s body-worn camera of a controversial Friday night confrontation between police and a Black business owner who was working late inside his downtown clothing store.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Marin police face-off with Black merchant fuels outrage, probe Town officials released the video on Wednesday ahead of a virtual town hall meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m on Thursday. During the meeting, hosted by both the Tiburon and Belvedere councils, officials will invite the community to comment on the incident, which occurred just before 1 a.m. on Friday at the clothing store Yema on Main Street.
Store owners Yema Khalif and Hawi Awash were inside the shop with a friend when police approached them. Khalif and the officers then argued over whether the people inside the store needed to prove their right to be there.