mercurynews--2020-12-18--Contra Costa DA: East Bay nurse, charged with child porn distribution, fantasized about molesting ki

Contra Costa DA: East Bay nurse, charged with child porn distribution, fantasized about molesting kids online

ANTIOCH — A city resident who was charged with distributing and possessing child porn last week allegedly shared videos depicting child sexual abuse on social media , and discussed wanting to molest prepubescent children , according to recently-filed court records .
Shawn Jamison Prichard , 41 , was charged with three counts of child pornography distribution and one count of aggravated possession of child pornography .
At the time of his arrest , Prichard worked as a nurse at a Kaiser facility in Oakland .
A Kaiser spokesman has publicly stated the company is shocked by the allegations and cooperating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records , the investigation started in October when a social media company tipped off authorities to suspicious activity on an account that was later linked to Prichard .
When a Contra Costa District Attorney inspector looked into it , he allegedly uncovered evidence Prichard had shared videos of a young boy being molested , as well as conversations where Prichard allegedly talked about wanting to molest children with another social media user .
“ When I get hit up for money by crackheads in a parking lot I consider asking if they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Prichard allegedly said in one social media conversation .
In another , he allegedly said , I ’ d go 6-10 , ” referring to the age of a boy he ’ d be willing to molest , authorities said .
In another conversation , Prichard allegedly recounted having molested a 14-year-old boy “ a few year ago , ” and said he met the boy online and that the encounter occurred in his truck .

ANTIOCH — A city resident who was charged with distributing and possessing child porn last week on suspicion of sharing videos depicting child sexual abuse on social media, and discussing wanting to molest prepubescent children, according to recently-filed court records.
Shawn Jamison Prichard, 41, was charged with three counts of child pornography distribution and one count of aggravated possession of child pornography. At the time of his arrest, Prichard worked as a nurse at a Kaiser facility in Oakland. A Kaiser spokesman has publicly stated the company is shocked by the allegations and cooperating with the investigation.
According to court records, the investigation started in October when a social media company tipped off authorities to suspicious activity on an account that was later linked to Prichard. When a Contra Costa District Attorney inspector looked into it, he reportedly uncovered evidence that Prichard had shared videos of a young boy being molested, as well as conversations where Prichard allegedly talked about wanting to molest children with another social media user.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Sextortion plot led teen to suicide. 2 Nigerians arrive in U.S. to face charges
Sextortion plot led teen to suicide. 2 Nigerians arrive in U.S. to face charges Crime and Public Safety | California mom arrested after authorities say she put alcohol in baby’s bottle
California mom arrested after authorities say she put alcohol in baby’s bottle Crime and Public Safety | Facing more than 500 abuse lawsuits, San Francisco Archdiocese says bankruptcy ‘very likely’
Facing more than 500 abuse lawsuits, San Francisco Archdiocese says bankruptcy ‘very likely’ Crime and Public Safety | ‘That’s me!’: Turpin adult son makes rare appearance in open court
‘That’s me!’: Turpin adult son makes rare appearance in open court Crime and Public Safety | Father charged after being found in hot car in desert with 2 children “When I get hit up for money by crackheads in a parking lot I consider asking if they have a boy I could play with,” Prichard allegedly said in one social media conversation. In another, he allegedly said, “I’d go 6-10,” referring to the age of a boy he’d be willing to molest, authorities said.
In another conversation, Prichard is accused of recounting having molested a 14-year-old boy “a few year ago,” and said he met the boy online and that the encounter occurred in his truck.
Prichard remains in county jail on $1 million bail, public records show.


mercurynews--2020-12-18--Snags on COVID-19 relief may force weekend sessions

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — It ’ s a hurry up and wait moment on Capitol Hill as congressional negotiators on a must-pass , almost $ 1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package struggled through a handful of remaining snags Thursday .
The holdups mean a weekend session now appears virtually certain , and a top lawmaker warned that a government shutdown this weekend can ’ t be ruled out .
All sides appeared hopeful that the wrangling wouldn ’ t derail the legislation , even as the chances for announcing a deal Thursday slipped away .
After being bogged down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported behind-the-scenes progress Thursday night .
The central elements of a hard-fought compromise appeared in place : more than $ 300 billion in aid to businesses ; a $ 300-per-week bonus federal jobless benefit and renewal of soon-to-expire state benefits ; $ 600 direct payments to individuals ; vaccine distribution funds and money for renters , schools , the Postal Service and people needing food aid .
But a temporary funding bill runs out Friday at midnight and the Senate ’ s No .
2 Republican , Sen. John Thune , said if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , some Republicans might block a temporary funding bill — causing a low-impact partial weekend shutdown — as a means to keep the pressure on .
Lawmakers were told to expect to be in session and voting this weekend .
“ We must not slide into treating these talks like routine negotiations to be conducted at Congress ’ routine pace , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said .
“ The Senate is not going anywhere until we have COVID relief out the door.
” The hangups involved an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lending programs by the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve , a Democratic demand to eliminate local government matching requirements for COVID-related disaster grants , and myriad smaller disagreements over non-pandemic add-ons , lawmakers and aides said .
The delays weren ’ t unusual for legislation of this size and importance , but lawmakers are eager to leave Washington for the holidays and are getting antsy .
The pending bill is the first significant legislative response to the pandemic since the landmark CARES Act passed virtually unanimously in March , delivering $ 1.8 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per week bonus jobless benefits and $ 1,200 direct payments to individuals .
The CARES legislation passed at a moment of great uncertainty and unprecedented shutdowns in a failed attempt to stymie the coronavirus , but after that many Republicans focused more on loosening social and economic restrictions as the key to recovery instead of more taxpayer-funded aid .
Now , Republicans are motivated chiefly to extend business subsidies and some jobless benefits , and provide money for schools and vaccines .
Democrats have focused on bigger economic stimulus measures and more help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The urgency was underscored Thursday by the weekly unemployment numbers , which revealed that 885,000 people applied for jobless benefits last week , the highest weekly total since September .
The emerging package falls well short of the $ 2 trillion-plus Democrats were demanding this fall before the election , but President-elect Joe Biden is eager for an aid package to prop up the economy and help the jobless and hungry .
While Biden says more economic stimulus will be needed early next year , some Republicans say the current package may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address the critical needs right now , and things improve next year as the vaccine gets out there and the economy starts to pick up again , you know , there may be less of a need , ” Thune said .
The details were still being worked out , but the measure includes a second round of “ paycheck protection ” payments to especially hard-hit businesses , $ 25 billion to help struggling renters with their payments , $ 45 billion for airlines and transit systems , a temporary 15 % or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional farm subsidies , and a $ 10 billion bailout for the Postal Service .
Some Democrats also mourned the exclusion of a $ 500 million aid package to help states run their elections .
The money was seen as urgent this summer to help states more safely administer their elections in the middle of the pandemic .
But with the election over , momentum for the money has gone away .
The emerging package was serving as a magnet for adding on other items , and the two sides continued to swap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary spending bill would be needed to prevent a government shutdown .
That was likely to pass easily , though possibly not until the last minute .
The emerging package would combine the $ 900 billion in COVID-19 relief with a $ 1.4 trillion government-wide funding bill .
Then there are numerous unrelated add-ons that are catching a ride , known as “ ash and trash ” in appropriations panel shorthand .
One leading candidate is an almost 400-page water resources bill that targets $ 10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects .
Another potential addition would extend a batch of soon-to-expire tax breaks , including one for craft brewers , wineries and distillers .
The end-of-session rush also promises relief for victims of shockingly steep surprise medical bills , a phenomenon that often occurs when providers drop out of insurance company networks .
“ It ’ s been very thoroughly vetted , ” said retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , of the surprise medical billing measure .
That measure , combined with an assortment of other health policy provisions , generates savings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A key breakthrough occurred earlier this week when Democrats agreed to drop their much-sought $ 160 billion state and local government aid package in exchange for McConnell abandoning a key priority of his own — a liability shield for businesses and other institutions like universities fearing COVID-19 lawsuits .
The addition of the $ 600 direct payments came after recent endorsements from both President Donald Trump and progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , and Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , along with ambitious GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in other corners since it ’ s extremely costly and would give money to millions of people who may not need it , but it has enormous political appeal and proved difficult to stop .

By ANDREW TAYLOR
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s a hurry up and wait moment on Capitol Hill as congressional negotiators on a must-pass, almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package struggled through a handful of remaining snags Thursday. The holdups mean a weekend session now appears virtually certain, and a top lawmaker warned that a government shutdown this weekend can’t be ruled out.
All sides appeared hopeful that the wrangling wouldn’t derail the legislation, even as the chances for announcing a deal Thursday slipped away. After being bogged down for much of the day, negotiators reported behind-the-scenes progress Thursday night.
The central elements of a hard-fought compromise appeared in place: more than $300 billion in aid to businesses; a $300-per-week bonus federal jobless benefit and renewal of soon-to-expire state benefits; $600 direct payments to individuals; vaccine distribution funds and money for renters, schools, the Postal Service and people needing food aid.
But a temporary funding bill runs out Friday at midnight and the Senate’s No. 2 Republican, Sen. John Thune, said if there isn’t a deal by then, some Republicans might block a temporary funding bill — causing a low-impact partial weekend shutdown — as a means to keep the pressure on.
Lawmakers were told to expect to be in session and voting this weekend.
“We must not slide into treating these talks like routine negotiations to be conducted at Congress’ routine pace,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said. “The Senate is not going anywhere until we have COVID relief out the door.”
The hangups involved an effort by GOP conservatives to curb emergency lending programs by the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve, a Democratic demand to eliminate local government matching requirements for COVID-related disaster grants, and myriad smaller disagreements over non-pandemic add-ons, lawmakers and aides said.
The delays weren’t unusual for legislation of this size and importance, but lawmakers are eager to leave Washington for the holidays and are getting antsy.
The pending bill is the first significant legislative response to the pandemic since the landmark CARES Act passed virtually unanimously in March, delivering $1.8 trillion in aid and more generous $600 per week bonus jobless benefits and $1,200 direct payments to individuals.
The CARES legislation passed at a moment of great uncertainty and unprecedented shutdowns in a failed attempt to stymie the coronavirus, but after that many Republicans focused more on loosening social and economic restrictions as the key to recovery instead of more taxpayer-funded aid.
Now, Republicans are motivated chiefly to extend business subsidies and some jobless benefits, and provide money for schools and vaccines. Democrats have focused on bigger economic stimulus measures and more help for those struggling economically during the pandemic. The urgency was underscored Thursday by the weekly unemployment numbers, which revealed that 885,000 people applied for jobless benefits last week, the highest weekly total since September.
The emerging package falls well short of the $2 trillion-plus Democrats were demanding this fall before the election, but President-elect Joe Biden is eager for an aid package to prop up the economy and help the jobless and hungry. While Biden says more economic stimulus will be needed early next year, some Republicans say the current package may be the last.
“If we address the critical needs right now, and things improve next year as the vaccine gets out there and the economy starts to pick up again, you know, there may be less of a need,” Thune said.
The details were still being worked out, but the measure includes a second round of “paycheck protection” payments to especially hard-hit businesses, $25 billion to help struggling renters with their payments, $45 billion for airlines and transit systems, a temporary 15% or so increase in food stamp benefits, additional farm subsidies, and a $10 billion bailout for the Postal Service.
Some Democrats also mourned the exclusion of a $500 million aid package to help states run their elections. The money was seen as urgent this summer to help states more safely administer their elections in the middle of the pandemic. But with the election over, momentum for the money has gone away.
The emerging package was serving as a magnet for adding on other items, and the two sides continued to swap offers. It was apparent that another temporary spending bill would be needed to prevent a government shutdown. That was likely to pass easily, though possibly not until the last minute.
The emerging package would combine the $900 billion in COVID-19 relief with a $1.4 trillion government-wide funding bill. Then there are numerous unrelated add-ons that are catching a ride, known as “ash and trash” in appropriations panel shorthand.
One leading candidate is an almost 400-page water resources bill that targets $10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control, environmental and coastal protection projects. Another potential addition would extend a batch of soon-to-expire tax breaks, including one for craft brewers, wineries and distillers.
The end-of-session rush also promises relief for victims of shockingly steep surprise medical bills, a phenomenon that often occurs when providers drop out of insurance company networks.
“It’s been very thoroughly vetted,” said retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., of the surprise medical billing measure. That measure, combined with an assortment of other health policy provisions, generates savings for federal funding for community health centers.
A key breakthrough occurred earlier this week when Democrats agreed to drop their much-sought $160 billion state and local government aid package in exchange for McConnell abandoning a key priority of his own — a liability shield for businesses and other institutions like universities fearing COVID-19 lawsuits.
The addition of the $600 direct payments came after recent endorsements from both President Donald Trump and progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., along with ambitious GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. The idea isn’t very popular in other corners since it’s extremely costly and would give money to millions of people who may not need it, but it has enormous political appeal and proved difficult to stop.


mercurynews--2020-12-18--Raiders’ Derek Carr injured in first quarter vs. Los Angeles Chargers

CLICK HERE if you ’ re viewing on a mobile device .
Quarterback Derek Carr suffered a groin injury in @ @ @ @ @ Raiders ’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on Thursday .
Carr @ @ @ @ @ a 3rd-and-goal play at the Chargers ’ 2-yard line and was looking toward the end @ @ @ @ @ a pass when he pulled up and stepped out of bounds with 1:35 left in @ @ @ @ @ Carlson stepped on and made a 23-yard field goal , as the Raiders trailed the @ @ @ @ @ left in the first quarter .
The Raiders listed Carr as questionable to return .
@ @ @ @ @ begin the Raiders ’ next drive with 13:29 left in the second quarter .
Mariota @ @ @ @ @ season debut after he was active for the last three games .
Carr has taken @ @ @ @ @ the game and gets all the reps in practice .
This story will be updated @ @ @ @ @ .

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders holds his leg after coming off the field during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders talks with trainers after coming off the field during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
A.P. Photo LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders talks with trainers after coming off the field during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders holds his leg while trying to get rid of the ball during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks to pass during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs the ball as defensive tackle Jerry Tillery #99 of the Los Angeles Chargers gives chase during the first half at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders takes the field with his teammates before the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: A general view of gameplay during the first half between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE if you’re viewing on a mobile device.
Marcus Mariota saw his first regular season action as the Raiders quarterback Thursday against the Los Angeles Chargers after Derek Carr was forced to leave with a groin injury.
Carr had escaped the pocket on a 3rd-and-goal play at the Chargers’ 2-yard line late in the first quarter and was looking toward the end zone to try and attempt a pass when he pulled up and stepped out of bounds. Daniel Carlson stepped on and made a 23-yard field goal, as the Raiders trailed the Chargers 7-3 with 55 seconds left in the first quarter.
Carr was then helped to the Raiders’ locker room at Allegiant Stadium and was initially listed as questionable to return. But Raiders coach Jon Gruden told FOX Sports sideline reporter Erin Andrews at halftime that Carr was done for the night with a strained groin.
Gruden said after the game, a Raiders 30-27 overtime loss, that he did not believe Carr tore a muscle in his groin, but added, “obviously if he can’t finish the game, it’s got to be pretty significant.”
Gruden added that Hunter Renfrow suffered a concussion during the game. Renfrow absorbed a helmet-to-helmet hit from B.J. Bello as he returned a punt in the third quarter.
Mariota replaced Carr to begin the Raiders’ next drive with 13:29 left in the second quarter. He helped engineer a seven-play, 86-yard drive capped by a 35-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darren Waller with 9:19 left in the first half. Mariota finished the first half 5-for-5 for 80 yards, as the Raiders trailed 17-10 at the break.
Like our Raiders Facebook page for more Raiders news, commentary and conversation.
On the Raiders’ first possession of the second half, Mariota led a 10-play, 76-yard drive to tie the game 17-17. Josh Jacobs scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by with 7:18 left in the third quarter. By that point, Mariota was 6 for 8 for 105 yards and a TD. He had also rushed for 39 yards.
Mariota was far from done.
With Carr looking on from the sidelines in a Raiders’ hoodie, Mariota led the Las Vegas offense on a 19-play, 75-yard drive that ate an astonishing 10 minutes and 52 seconds off the clock. Mariota capped the epic possession with a 2-yard touchdown run with 6:16 left in the fourth quarter, tying the game 24-24 after Carlson’s extra point kick.
At that point, Mariota had completed 12 of 17 passes for 162 yards. He also had six carries for 55 yards. For the game, he completes 17 of 28 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 88 yards on nine carries. Complicating matters for the Raiders was the absence of offensive coordinator Greg Olson, who was sent home for COVID-19 reasons, the Raiders said before the game.
For complete Raiders coverage follow us on Flipboard.
When Carr exited Thursday’s game, he was 3 for 5 for 53 yards.
Coming into Thursday, Carr had completed 300 of 440 passes for 3,343 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also had seven interceptions and fumbled 11 times. The Raiders came into Thursday ranked 12th in rushing and 14th in passing. Carr has taken 862 snaps this year coming into Thursday’s game and gets all the reps in practice.
Mariota had been active for the last three games. Before Thursday, his last game action came on Dec. 29 of last year when he completed one pass for 24 yards for the Tennessee Titans in their 35-14 win over the Houston Texans.
Mariota started six games for the Titans last year, going 2-4, before he was benched in favor of Ryan Tannehill. Mariota signed a two-year deal with the Raiders in March.
“It just shows the kind of player and the kind of football character he has,” Gruden said of Mariota. “Our offensive coordinator isn’t here either. You lose Derek and then we change gears offensively and Marcus came in and did a great job. Really proud of him. I think that this kind of puts an exclamation point on why we signed him and just wish we could have won the game for him.”


mercurynews--2020-12-18--Jeremy Bulloch, Fett in early ‘Star Wars’ movies, dies at 75

LOS ANGELES — Jeremy Bulloch , the English actor who first donned a helmet , cape and jetpack to play Boba Fett in the original “ Star Wars ” trilogy , died Thursday .
Bulloch died at a London hospital from health complications after years of living with Parkinson ’ s disease , his agents at Brown , Simcocks & Andrews said in a statement .
He was 75 .
As the Mandalorian bounty hunter Boba Fett , Bulloch made off with a froze-in-carbonite Han Solo in 1980 ’ s “ The Empire Strikes Back , ” then zoomed around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pack in 1983 ’ s “ Return of the Jedi.
” “ Today we lost the best bounty hunter in the galaxy , ” Billy Dee Williams , whose Lando Calrissian appeared in key scenes with Bulloch in the films , said on Twitter .
“ A fine actor , delightful company & so kind to everyone lucky enough to meet or work with him , ” the Luke Skywalker actor said .
“ I will deeply miss him & am so grateful to have known him .
# RIP_DearJeremy.
” Boba Fett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , though important ones , between the two movies , and speaks just four lines of dialogue that were performed by another actor .
But Boba Fett quickly became a cult favorite and eventually would emerge as one of the most beloved figures in the “ Star Wars ” galaxy , inspiring characters and plotlines in other “ Star Wars ” properties , most notably “ The Mandalorian ” on Disney+ , where Boba Fett has recently reemerged .
The phenomenon made Bulloch a big draw on the convention circuit , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Born in Leicester , England , Bulloch began acting in commercials as a teenager and would have more than 100 credits in a career spent mostly in British television , with small roles on shows including “ Dr .
Who , ” “ Crown Court ” and “ Sloggers .
He also appeared in a pair of James Bond films , 1981 ’ s “ For Your Eyes Only ” and 1983 ’ s “ Octopussy.
” Bulloch also played a pair of tiny “ Star Wars ” roles without the mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strikes Back ” and Captain Jeremoch Colton in “ Revenge of the Sith.
” Bulloch was the first of four actors to have taken on the role in some form .
Jason Wingreen performed the voice in the original trilogy .
Temuera Morrison , who played Boba Fett ’ s father Jango Fett in 2002 ’ s “ Attack of the Clones , ” plays an aging , ravaged Boba Fett in season two of “ The Mandalorian.
” And Daniel Logan played Boba Fett as a boy in “ Attack of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SAME WITHOUT YOU MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU ALWAYS , ” Logan said on Instagram along with a photo of himself and Bulloch .
When the prequels were still in development in 1999 , Bulloch told The Associated Press he would like to return for the role .
“ But if he has to show his face , he would be much younger , and I would probably need a good plastic surgeon !
” Bulloch said .
• Charley Pride , country music ’ s first Black star , dies at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , first to break sound barrier , dead at 97 He would settle instead for the tiny role of Captain Colton , pilot of Alderaan , and one more flight through the “ Star Wars ” galaxy , instead .
Bulloch is survived by his wife Maureen and their three sons .

By Andrew Dalton | Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Jeremy Bulloch, the English actor who first donned a helmet, cape and jetpack to play Boba Fett in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, died Thursday.
Bulloch died at a London hospital from health complications after years of living with Parkinson’s disease, his agents at Brown, Simcocks & Andrews said in a statement. He was 75.
As the Mandalorian bounty hunter Boba Fett, Bulloch made off with a froze-in-carbonite Han Solo in 1980’s “The Empire Strikes Back,” then zoomed around the desert of Tatooine in a jet pack in 1983’s “Return of the Jedi.”
“Today we lost the best bounty hunter in the galaxy,” Billy Dee Williams, whose Lando Calrissian appeared in key scenes with Bulloch in the films, said on Twitter.
Mark Hamill tweeted that Bulloch was “the quintessential English gentleman.”
“A fine actor, delightful company & so kind to everyone lucky enough to meet or work with him,” the Luke Skywalker actor said. “I will deeply miss him & am so grateful to have known him. #RIP_DearJeremy.”
Boba Fett had just a few minutes of screen time, though important ones, between the two movies, and speaks just four lines of dialogue that were performed by another actor. But Boba Fett quickly became a cult favorite and eventually would emerge as one of the most beloved figures in the “Star Wars” galaxy, inspiring characters and plotlines in other “Star Wars” properties, most notably “The Mandalorian” on Disney+, where Boba Fett has recently reemerged.
The phenomenon made Bulloch a big draw on the convention circuit, where he was a regular in later years.
Born in Leicester, England, Bulloch began acting in commercials as a teenager and would have more than 100 credits in a career spent mostly in British television, with small roles on shows including “Dr. Who,” “Crown Court” and “Sloggers.
He also appeared in a pair of James Bond films, 1981’s “For Your Eyes Only” and 1983’s “Octopussy.”
Bulloch also played a pair of tiny “Star Wars” roles without the mask, Lieutenant Sheckil in “The Empire Strikes Back” and Captain Jeremoch Colton in “Revenge of the Sith.”
Bulloch was the first of four actors to have taken on the role in some form. Jason Wingreen performed the voice in the original trilogy. Temuera Morrison, who played Boba Fett’s father Jango Fett in 2002’s “Attack of the Clones,” plays an aging, ravaged Boba Fett in season two of “The Mandalorian.” And Daniel Logan played Boba Fett as a boy in “Attack of the Clones.”
“CONVENTIONS WONT BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU ALWAYS,” Logan said on Instagram along with a photo of himself and Bulloch.
When the prequels were still in development in 1999, Bulloch told The Associated Press he would like to return for the role.
“But if he has to show his face, he would be much younger, and I would probably need a good plastic surgeon!” Bulloch said.
Related Articles Entertainment | Southern California football legend drowns in Oregon river
Southern California football legend drowns in Oregon river Entertainment | British actor Darren Kent dies at 39; played goatherd on ‘Game of Thrones’
British actor Darren Kent dies at 39; played goatherd on ‘Game of Thrones’ Entertainment | ‘Black Godfather’ of music dies at 92
‘Black Godfather’ of music dies at 92 Entertainment | A lonely life ends. A brother writes a ‘brutally honest’ obituary.
A lonely life ends. A brother writes a ‘brutally honest’ obituary. Entertainment | Jamie Reid dies at 76; anarchist artist designed iconic Sex Pistols covers He would settle instead for the tiny role of Captain Colton, pilot of Alderaan, and one more flight through the “Star Wars” galaxy, instead.
Bulloch is survived by his wife Maureen and their three sons.


mercurynews--2020-12-18--Bay Area hospitals fill as record-breaking COVID-19 surge continues

As California ’ s coronavirus cases and deaths surge to new highs , the Bay Area ’ s supply of ICU beds continued to plummet Thursday , and Southern California joined the San Joaquin region in reaching capacity .
With less than 15 % of intensive care unit beds now available in multiple Bay Area counties and just 3 % statewide , hospitals are being forced to take emergency measures to meet the needs of patients .
As Christmas and New Year ’ s Eve are right around the corner , raising the potential for super-spreader parties and gatherings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taper off any time soon .
“ The hospital is very full .
The services are very full .
People are doing extra shifts , ” said Dr. Julie Parsonnet , a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Stanford University , who also practices at Stanford Hospital .
“ It ’ s scary for us , and it should be scary for the population.
” Marin County ran out of ICU beds this week .
San Mateo County was close behind , with just four staffed ICU beds available Thursday afternoon .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past week , according to Travis Kusman , the county ’ s director of emergency medical services .
Santa Clara County had 41 ICU beds available as of Thursday morning , or 12 % of its total capacity .
Contra Costa County had 10 % of its ICU beds available Thursday morning .
In San Francisco , which still has nearly a third of its ICU beds available , officials on Thursday ordered newcomers and visitors to quarantine for 10 days upon arriving in the city .
“ An increase over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the edge into a truly catastrophic situation , ” said Dr. Grant Colfax , the city ’ s health director .
“ We can not afford a further increase in cases , especially an increase like we saw during Thanksgiving.
” The situation is even worse in Southern California , where the region ’ s ICU bed capacity fell to 0 % Thursday after sinking lower and lower for 10 consecutive days .
The mounting pressure on hospitals came as California reported its deadliest day of the pandemic yet Wednesday , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 51,173 new cases .
Throughout the state , about 650 new COVID patients were admitted to hospitals both Tuesday and Wednesday — the most since the start of the pandemic .
The state reported it had 1,260 ICU beds available , a decrease of 71 as the number of people hospitalized with COVID in California on Wednesday rose to 15,431 .
But it ’ s not just ICU beds that are affected : Emergency room visits are spiking , too .
Bay Area emergency rooms are seeing nearly twice as many COVID-related visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to new data released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
The result , doctors and health officials say , is a disruption in care for everyone from COVID-19 patients , to people suffering heart attacks , to car crash victims .
Three weeks after Thanksgiving , we now are likely in the tail end of that holiday ’ s surge in hospitalizations , said Dr. John Swartzberg , a clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases and vaccinology at the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks between infection and hospitalization — a standard that can vary widely .
But hospital demand may remain strong because we ’ re still in the midst of the holiday party season , just a week away from Christmas , and not far from New Year ’ s Eve , Swartzberg said .
“ We may not see much of a drop , if any , because we ’ ve got more holidays coming up , ” he said .
“ And that ’ s what ’ s so catastrophic.
” About 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two to three weeks , and about 12 % of those eventually end up in an intensive care unit , according to state health officials .
At the UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco , capacity is “ OK ” for now — both the hospital ’ s ICU and acute care beds are about three-quarters full , said Dr. Jeanne Noble , UCSF ’ s COVID response director .
But coronavirus cases are mounting , and staff members are dusting off emergency surge protocols written early in the pandemic .
Back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its hospital to quarantine patients with respiratory symptoms that might be coronavirus-related .
As the number of COVID patients at the hospital dropped , the tents were converted for other patient uses .
On Wednesday , they became COVID wings once again .
The hospital has several more steps it can take if room becomes scarce .
As a last resort , staff would turn a gymnasium across the street into an overflow hospital — but no one wants to do that , Noble said .
The biggest problem at the hospital right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff its beds .
Exposure to COVID-19 has sidelined some , forcing them to stay home and quarantine , Noble said .
Others are home with wintertime flus and colds .
• Coronavirus : Infections surging , but not at Bay Area ’ s open schools .
Here ’ s why .
• Some states told they will receive fewer Pfizer vaccine doses • California ’ s next COVID-19 vaccine shipment will be smaller than officials thought • EDD fraud charges are filed against three women including former EDD worker Noble expects COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to grow , but she ’ s hopeful UCSF won ’ t hit capacity .
“ We ’ re concerned that if that is going to happen , that will happen in the next couple of weeks , ” she said .
“ Probably the next 14 days or so will be the most critical.
” Hospitalizations won ’ t hit their peak until at least seven to 10 days after cases begin to decline , Colfax said .
There are 150 patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in the city — the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that number is expected to exceed 200 “ in the next couple weeks.
” It could go even higher if the new restrictions don ’ t curb transmission .
“ Given the continued rise in cases , ” Colfax said , “ we expect our ICU and acute care beds will continue to fill rapidly with sick patients.
” Harriet Blair Rowan and The Southern California News Group contributed to this story .

As California’s coronavirus cases and deaths surge to new highs, the Bay Area’s supply of ICU beds continued to plummet Thursday, and Southern California joined the San Joaquin region in reaching capacity.
With less than 15% of intensive care unit beds now available in multiple Bay Area counties and just 3% statewide, hospitals are being forced to take emergency measures to meet the needs of patients. As Christmas and New Year’s Eve are right around the corner, raising the potential for super-spreader parties and gatherings, medical professionals worry demand won’t taper off any time soon.
“The hospital is very full. The services are very full. People are doing extra shifts,” said Dr. Julie Parsonnet, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Stanford University, who also practices at Stanford Hospital. “It’s scary for us, and it should be scary for the population.”
Marin County ran out of ICU beds this week. San Mateo County was close behind, with just four staffed ICU beds available Thursday afternoon. That number has ranged from three to 12 over the past week, according to Travis Kusman, the county’s director of emergency medical services. Santa Clara County had 41 ICU beds available as of Thursday morning, or 12% of its total capacity. Contra Costa County had 10% of its ICU beds available Thursday morning. In San Francisco, which still has nearly a third of its ICU beds available, officials on Thursday ordered newcomers and visitors to quarantine for 10 days upon arriving in the city.
“An increase over this next holiday period could put us over the edge into a truly catastrophic situation,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, the city’s health director. “We cannot afford a further increase in cases, especially an increase like we saw during Thanksgiving.”
The situation is even worse in Southern California, where the region’s ICU bed capacity fell to 0% Thursday after sinking lower and lower for 10 consecutive days.
The mounting pressure on hospitals came as California reported its deadliest day of the pandemic yet Wednesday, with 428 deaths and a record spike of 51,773 new cases. By Thursday evening, counties had reported another day in which California’s cases exceeded 51,000, according to data compiled by this news organization. Throughout the state, about 650 new COVID patients were admitted to hospitals both Tuesday and Wednesday — the most since the start of the pandemic. The state reported it had 1,260 ICU beds available, a decrease of 71 as the number of people hospitalized with COVID in California on Wednesday rose to 15,431.
But it’s not just ICU beds that are affected: Emergency room visits are spiking, too. Bay Area emergency rooms are seeing nearly twice as many COVID-related visits each week as they were in mid-October, according to new data released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The result, doctors and health officials say, is a disruption in care for everyone from COVID-19 patients, to people suffering heart attacks, to car crash victims.
Three weeks after Thanksgiving, we now are likely in the tail end of that holiday’s surge in hospitalizations, said Dr. John Swartzberg, a clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases and vaccinology at the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program. There’s an average lag of about two weeks between infection and hospitalization — a standard that can vary widely. But hospital demand may remain strong because we’re still in the midst of the holiday party season, just a week away from Christmas, and not far from New Year’s Eve, Swartzberg said.
“We may not see much of a drop, if any, because we’ve got more holidays coming up,” he said. “And that’s what’s so catastrophic.”
About 12% of infections result in hospitalization within two to three weeks, and about 12% of those eventually end up in an intensive care unit, according to state health officials.
At the UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, capacity is “OK” for now — both the hospital’s ICU and acute care beds are about three-quarters full, said Dr. Jeanne Noble, UCSF’s COVID response director. But coronavirus cases are mounting, and staff members are dusting off emergency surge protocols written early in the pandemic.
Back in March, UCSF set up tents outside its hospital to quarantine patients with respiratory symptoms that might be coronavirus-related. As the number of COVID patients at the hospital dropped, the tents were converted for other patient uses. On Wednesday, they became COVID wings once again.
The hospital has several more steps it can take if room becomes scarce. As a last resort, staff would turn a gymnasium across the street into an overflow hospital — but no one wants to do that, Noble said.
The biggest problem at the hospital right now is a shortage of nurses to staff its beds. Exposure to COVID-19 has sidelined some, forcing them to stay home and quarantine, Noble said. Others are home with wintertime flus and colds.
Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Health | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Health | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Health | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Noble expects COVID case numbers and hospital demand to continue to grow, but she’s hopeful UCSF won’t hit capacity.
“We’re concerned that if that is going to happen, that will happen in the next couple of weeks,” she said. “Probably the next 14 days or so will be the most critical.”
Hospitalizations won’t hit their peak until at least seven to 10 days after cases begin to decline, Colfax said. There are 150 patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in the city — the most since the start of the pandemic — and that number is expected to exceed 200 “in the next couple weeks.” It could go even higher if the new restrictions don’t curb transmission.
“Given the continued rise in cases,” Colfax said, “we expect our ICU and acute care beds will continue to fill rapidly with sick patients.”
Harriet Blair Rowan and The Southern California News Group contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-12-18--Embattled manager of Oakland Humanist Hall dies

OAKLAND — The manager of Oakland ’ s Humanist Hall , who recently defied public-health officials in keeping the longtime event space open despite orders against public gatherings , died Dec. 5 .
The caretakers of the space have said they plan to honor the legacy of David Oertel , 67 , who had insisted on the Fellowship for Humanity nonprofit ’ s rights to continue holding meetings , repasts and gatherings at the hall on 27th Street .
Oertel ignored fines and notices not only out of his lack of belief in the COVID-19 novel coronavirus and pandemic-related restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the venue alive , he said .
The Alameda County Coroner ’ s Office said it had not yet determined a cause of Oertel ’ s death .
Speaking to this news organization in November , he was dismissive of city efforts to support businesses affected by the pandemic : “ They mostly want to give you cash .
We don ’ t care about money here .
There ’ s a huge need for a hall , especially with a lockdown .
I know it ’ s anathema to ( the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are desperate to get together and be humans again .
These are not crimes to us , community events.
” In a Thanksgiving morning social-media post , leaders at the hall told followers of plans to comply with a restraining order against holding events , announcing the hall ’ s closure — with a request to the Oakland police officers asked to enforce it .
“ I know that you guys are just ‘ doing your job , ’ ” the post said in part .
“ But consider standing down for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our basic human rights !
I know that many OPD have come here for events and enjoyed this beautiful and historic property .
So please let ’ s keep it here for everybody , including your families , and the people who will come here after we are dead !
” The hall had been closed since the Oakland city attorney ’ s office obtained a temporary restraining order in mid-November , forcing it to comply with COVID-19-related public health orders around social gatherings and requirements for mask-wearing , social distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city attorney said Thursday evening that her office did not have a statement .
At the hall Thursday , Antonio Lomeli said he would be stepping into caretaker duties for the hall , which he considered part of Oertel ’ s legacy .
“ He believed in taking care of people .
He really loved to be here .
It ’ s something he always wanted to do , ” Lomeli said .
“ This is a place to congregate for social gatherings , and he loved to see people happy .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They want to shut us down , but we ’ re not about shutting down .
We want to continue what David left .
We ’ re going to do whatever it takes.
” Lomeli said he remembered checking up on Oertel , who seemed to be feeling ill , on the day of his death , but didn ’ t immediately realize how serious his illness was .
“ I wasn ’ t sure what was going on .
I asked him about going to the hospital at the time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , ” Lomeli said .
“ He said he was under stress due to people wanting to shut him down , but he refused to go to the hospital .
He said he wanted to rest.
” Later that day , Lomeli learned the sad news of Oertel ’ s death : “ It broke my heart , I broke down .
I couldn ’ t believe it.
” Lomeli said he attended a scheduled Dec. 15 court hearing , informing participants of Oertel ’ s death and learning that the hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lomeli said the nonprofit ’ s members were still working through how to help Oertel ’ s wife resolve his estate and secure the hall ’ s future .
Although Lomeli said the hall plans to abide by current public health orders in place through early next month , he added that he agreed with Oertel and knew of no cases of sickness attributable to the hall ’ s events .
“ He wasn ’ t a conspiracy theorist , he was a conspiracy realist , ” Lomeli said of Oertel .
Oertel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Windfall , and his sister , Irene Simpson .
Services were not immediately announced .

OAKLAND — The manager of Oakland’s Humanist Hall, who recently defied public-health officials in keeping the longtime event space open despite orders against public gatherings, died Dec. 5.
The caretakers of the space have said they plan to honor the legacy of David Oertel, 67, who had insisted on the Fellowship for Humanity nonprofit’s rights to continue holding meetings, repasts and gatherings at the hall on 27th Street. Oertel ignored fines and notices not only out of his lack of belief in the COVID-19 novel coronavirus and pandemic-related restrictions, but based on his desire to keep the venue alive, he said.
The Alameda County Coroner’s Office said it had not yet determined a cause of Oertel’s death.
Speaking to this news organization in November, he was dismissive of city efforts to support businesses affected by the pandemic: “They mostly want to give you cash. We don’t care about money here. There’s a huge need for a hall, especially with a lockdown. I know it’s anathema to (the idea of) a lockdown, but people are desperate to get together and be humans again. These are not crimes to us, community events.”
In a Thanksgiving morning social-media post, leaders at the hall told followers of plans to comply with a restraining order against holding events, announcing the hall’s closure — with a request to the Oakland police officers asked to enforce it.
“I know that you guys are just ‘doing your job,’” the post said in part. “But consider standing down for these orders that are a gross violation of our basic human rights! I know that many OPD have come here for events and enjoyed this beautiful and historic property. So please let’s keep it here for everybody, including your families, and the people who will come here after we are dead!”
The hall had been closed since the Oakland city attorney’s office obtained a temporary restraining order in mid-November, forcing it to comply with COVID-19-related public health orders around social gatherings and requirements for mask-wearing, social distancing and hygienic guidelines.
A spokeswoman for the city attorney said Thursday evening that her office did not have a statement.
At the hall Thursday, Antonio Lomeli said he would be stepping into caretaker duties for the hall, which he considered part of Oertel’s legacy.
“He believed in taking care of people. He really loved to be here. It’s something he always wanted to do,” Lomeli said. “This is a place to congregate for social gatherings, and he loved to see people happy. We’re obviously dealing with legal issues. They want to shut us down, but we’re not about shutting down. We want to continue what David left. We’re going to do whatever it takes.”
Lomeli said he remembered checking up on Oertel, who seemed to be feeling ill, on the day of his death, but didn’t immediately realize how serious his illness was.
“I wasn’t sure what was going on. I asked him about going to the hospital at the time, because he didn’t look too well,” Lomeli said. “He said he was under stress due to people wanting to shut him down, but he refused to go to the hospital. He said he wanted to rest.”
Later that day, Lomeli learned the sad news of Oertel’s death: “It broke my heart, I broke down. I couldn’t believe it.”
Lomeli said he attended a scheduled Dec. 15 court hearing, informing participants of Oertel’s death and learning that the hearing would be continued until Jan. 7.
Lomeli said the nonprofit’s members were still working through how to help Oertel’s wife resolve his estate and secure the hall’s future. Although Lomeli said the hall plans to abide by current public health orders in place through early next month, he added that he agreed with Oertel and knew of no cases of sickness attributable to the hall’s events.
“He wasn’t a conspiracy theorist, he was a conspiracy realist,” Lomeli said of Oertel.
Oertel is survived by his wife, Florence Windfall, and his sister, Irene Simpson. Services were not immediately announced.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-12-18--Arrest made in 2015 Oakland shooting death; prosecutors filed murder charge in 2019 but suspect wasn

Arrest made in 2015 Oakland shooting death; prosecutors filed murder charge in 2019 but suspect wasn’t arrested for a full year

OAKLAND — A Berkeley man has been arrested and charged in connection with the 2015 fatal shooting of an Antioch man in Oakland , court records show .
In a bizarre twist , the defendant , Hugles Nigel Blackwell , 38 , wasn ’ t arrested until nearly a year after murder charges were filed against him , even though he was living and working in the East Bay during that time span .
Blackwell is accused of murdering Jamel Tousant Jr. , 21 , of Antioch , who was killed in a drive-by shooting in April 2015 .
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the 1400 block of 90th Avenue when a car pulled up alongside him and someone inside opened fire .
An Oakland police probable-cause statement says without elaboration that “ witnesses ” told police that Blackwell was the shooter and that there was a “ gang motive ” behind Tousant ’ s killing .
Blackwell ’ s attorney , Jeff Wozniak , said in court that until recently county prosecutors hadn ’ t turned over discovery that explains how his client was charged .
Prosecutors recently began turning over evidence after Wozniak raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Blackwell pleaded not guilty to the charges at a Dec. 10 court hearing .
In an email to this newspaper , Wozniak said he expects his client to be vindicated .
“ Mr .
Blackwell was arrested this past August for a 2015 shooting – more than five years after the incident , ” Wozniak said .
“ At the time of his arrest Mr. Blackwell was living with his family and working a union job .
We will fight these charges and Mr. Blackwell looks forward to being found innocent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s point about Blackwell living and working in the Bay Area raises another issue : Blackwell was charged in September 2019 , according to court records .
But records at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin — where he ’ s incarcerated on pretrial detention — say he wasn ’ t arrested until last August , 11 months after the criminal complaint was filed .
An Oakland police spokeswoman said she was looking into why the delay occurred but didn ’ t have an answer immediately available .
In another twist to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed , his father , Jamel Tousant Sr. , 43 , apparently took it upon himself to find his son ’ s killers , leading to his own conviction on violent offenses .
• Three men , including activist , indicted on charges of three Bay Area murders in Norteño racketeering case • Defendant whose jury hung on murder charges takes plea deal in East Bay rapper ’ s killing • Antioch murder defendant accepts plea deal , saying he wants family to have closure , but he insists killing was in self-defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East Bay boys aged 11 and 14 • East Bay man ordered to stand trial in beating death of 75-year-old roommate at retirement home According to an Alameda County news release from 2018 , Tousant Sr. was convicted of four counts of assault with a firearm , two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling , four counts of illegal possession of firearms , and one count of shooting at an unoccupied motor vehicle .
The news release says Tousant Sr. blamed a South Berkeley gang and went on a shooting spree to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible .
Tousant Sr. is currently incarcerated at Folsom State Prison with a release date scheduled for 2029 , according to court records .

OAKLAND — A Berkeley man has been arrested and charged in connection with the 2015 fatal shooting of an Antioch man in Oakland, court records show.
In a bizarre twist, the defendant, Hugles Nigel Blackwell, 38, wasn’t arrested until nearly a year after murder charges were filed against him, even though he was living and working in the East Bay during that time span.
Blackwell is accused of murdering Jamel Tousant Jr., 21, of Antioch, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in April 2015. Police said at the time Tousant was driving down the 1400 block of 90th Avenue when a car pulled up alongside him and someone inside opened fire.
An Oakland police probable-cause statement says without elaboration that “witnesses” told police that Blackwell was the shooter and that there was a “gang motive” behind Tousant’s killing.
Blackwell’s attorney, Jeff Wozniak, said in court that until recently county prosecutors hadn’t turned over discovery that explains how his client was charged. Prosecutors recently began turning over evidence after Wozniak raised the issue before an Alameda County judge.
Blackwell pleaded not guilty to the charges at a Dec. 10 court hearing. In an email to this newspaper, Wozniak said he expects his client to be vindicated.
“Mr. Blackwell was arrested this past August for a 2015 shooting – more than five years after the incident,” Wozniak said. “At the time of his arrest Mr. Blackwell was living with his family and working a union job. We will fight these charges and Mr. Blackwell looks forward to being found innocent and returning home to his family.”
Wozniak’s point about Blackwell living and working in the Bay Area raises another issue: Blackwell was charged in September 2019, according to court records. But records at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin — where he’s incarcerated on pretrial detention — say he wasn’t arrested until last August, 11 months after the criminal complaint was filed.
An Oakland police spokeswoman said she was looking into why the delay occurred but didn’t have an answer immediately available.
In another twist to the case, after Jamel Tousant Jr. was killed, his father, Jamel Tousant Sr., 43, apparently took it upon himself to find his son’s killers, leading to his own conviction on violent offenses.
According to an Alameda County news release from 2018, Tousant Sr. was convicted of four counts of assault with a firearm, two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, four counts of illegal possession of firearms, and one count of shooting at an unoccupied motor vehicle. The news release says Tousant Sr. blamed a South Berkeley gang and went on a shooting spree to get revenge on those he believed were responsible.
Tousant Sr. is currently incarcerated at Folsom State Prison with a release date scheduled for 2029, according to court records.


mercurynews--2020-12-18--Bob Melvin on possible Billy Beane departure: ‘At some point, he’s going to do something bigger and

Bob Melvin on possible Billy Beane departure: ‘At some point, he’s going to do something bigger and better’

The revolving door doesn ’ t stop spinning .
The Oakland A ’ s organization is known to keep a consistent churn of players — from fan favorites to disappointments — in and out of the organization .
The 2020-21 offseason will be no exception , as 10 free agents look headed for the door with no indication the A ’ s will retain any of them .
Over the last 20-some years , though , the people spinning the revolving door have remained .
Billy Beane , general manager David Forst , and assistant GM Billy Owens , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model for success utilizing the shoestring budget that necessitates the revolving door .
But then rumor spread that Beane was planning an A ’ s exit to focus on European soccer and other sports contingent on a MLB-approved merger between his RedBall investment group and Red Sox owner John Henry ’ s Fenway Sports Group .
Then Owens and Forst landed on the shortlist of general managers new New York Mets president Sandy Alderson would pursue in the organization ’ s front office re-vamp .
Nothing came to be .
The Mets hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s been little known movement with RedBall and Fenway merger since news broke of the possibility over the summer .
Melvin said he ’ s expecting the A ’ s front office to stay put for another year .
“ I think one of the reasons our organization has been successful , with as much turnover as we have player-wise , is the continuity with the guys who are in charge , that ’ s really ruled the day here , ” Melvin said Thursday on a Zoom call with reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of the offseason that there might be several in that group not here .
At this point , it looks like everyone will be back.
” Though he ’ s pleased to see the executive core stay together , he still roots for them to move up in the industry .
Many within the organization say it ’ s past time for Owens to get his shot as a general manager .
Beane has overseen countless rebuilds and tear-downs throughout his storied tenure in Oakland ’ s front office .
with expertise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s no surprise Beane may be looking for a new challenge .
“ In Billy Beane ’ s case , in some point in time he ’ s going to do something bigger and better , ” Melvin said .
As for the player churn , Melvin said he ’ s already thinking about how his roster will recover from some key losses .
Too rich for the A ’ s blood now , All-Star closer Liam Hendriks is almost certainly gone .
With solid interest outside of Oakland , shortstop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And second baseman Tommy La Stella may not return despite the A ’ s interest in re signing him at the 2020 trade deadline .
The bullpen could be further decimated with possible losses of Yusmeiro Petit , Joakim Soria and T.J. McFarland .
With the budget even tighter than in year ’ s past due to revenue loss , the A ’ s are likely to lean on talent already in-house to fill the gaps .
Forst said and Melvin reiterated that Jake Diekman , who allowed one run in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontrunner to take over the closer role .
Lou Trivino and J.B. Wendelken are also late-inning options .
A.J .
Puk , who didn ’ t throw a single pitch in the 2020 season after sustaining another shoulder injury that required surgery , could be best suited for a bullpen role .
Not only will it help manage his workload to prevent another injury , but Puk ’ s high-velocity fastball and wipeout slider could take the bullpen to another level .
“ When ( Puk ) first game to the big leagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Melvin said .
“ We need to keep him healthy , don ’ t want to throw too much at him .
He ’ s the one guy that we ’ ll probably have to pay more attention to from a workload point of view.
” • Matt Chapman “ will be ready to go ” for spring training , Bob Melvin says • How Rule 5 picks Ka ’ ai Tom and Dany Jiménez fit the A ’ s needs • How will the pandemic impact the A ’ s offseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jam-packed rotation featuring Jesús Luzardo , Frankie Montas , Chris Bassitt and Sean Manaea , some of the MLB-ready prospects could be use out of the bullpen , too .
That means Grant Holmes , James Kaprielian and Daulton Jefferies could be used as relievers — and Forst said recently he expects them to play a role on the team in 2021 .
As for the middle infield , the A ’ s can move some depth players around .
Chad Pinder , for example , could play some shortstop or second base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets in this pandemic-impacted economy may push any trades or signings to later in the free agency period .
Melvin is expecting some movement there to help bolster the club .
“ Billy and David have always been great about finding relievers , ” he said .
Melvin spoke about the diligence required to manage a team outside of an official “ bubble ” in the 2020 season .
If provided the opportunity to get the Covid vaccine , Melvin said he would be comfortable getting it .
“ I ’ d be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone around me , ” Melvin said .
“ In a team scenario , it would be important .
Sitting here right now , personally , we have some time to see how it goes .
What side effects are and so forth .
I would have to say I ’ d be on board with it .
”

The revolving door doesn’t stop spinning. The Oakland A’s organization is known to keep a consistent churn of players — from fan favorites to disappointments — in and out of the organization. The 2020-21 offseason will be no exception, as 10 free agents look headed for the door with no indication the A’s will retain any of them.
Over the last 20-some years, though, the people spinning the revolving door have remained. Billy Beane, general manager David Forst, and assistant GM Billy Owens, to name a few, have created a model for success utilizing the shoestring budget that necessitates the revolving door.
But then rumor spread that Beane was planning an A’s exit to focus on European soccer and other sports contingent on a MLB-approved merger between his RedBall investment group and Red Sox owner John Henry’s Fenway Sports Group.
Then Owens and Forst landed on the shortlist of general managers new New York Mets president Sandy Alderson would pursue in the organization’s front office re-vamp.
Nothing came to be. The Mets hired Jared Porter as their new GM and there’s been little known movement with RedBall and Fenway merger since news broke of the possibility over the summer. Melvin said he’s expecting the A’s front office to stay put for another year.
“I think one of the reasons our organization has been successful, with as much turnover as we have player-wise, is the continuity with the guys who are in charge, that’s really ruled the day here,” Melvin said Thursday on a Zoom call with reporters. “It looked like at the beginning of the offseason that there might be several in that group not here. At this point, it looks like everyone will be back.”
Though he’s pleased to see the executive core stay together, he still roots for them to move up in the industry. Many within the organization say it’s past time for Owens to get his shot as a general manager.
Beane has overseen countless rebuilds and tear-downs throughout his storied tenure in Oakland’s front office. with expertise in other sports and business savvy, it’s no surprise Beane may be looking for a new challenge.
“In Billy Beane’s case, in some point in time he’s going to do something bigger and better,” Melvin said.
As for the player churn, Melvin said he’s already thinking about how his roster will recover from some key losses. Too rich for the A’s blood now, All-Star closer Liam Hendriks is almost certainly gone. With solid interest outside of Oakland, shortstop Marcus Semien could be gone, too. And second baseman Tommy La Stella may not return despite the A’s interest in re signing him at the 2020 trade deadline.
The bullpen could be further decimated with possible losses of Yusmeiro Petit, Joakim Soria and T.J. McFarland.
With the budget even tighter than in year’s past due to revenue loss, the A’s are likely to lean on talent already in-house to fill the gaps. Forst said and Melvin reiterated that Jake Diekman, who allowed one run in all of his 2020 campaign, is the frontrunner to take over the closer role. Lou Trivino and J.B. Wendelken are also late-inning options.
A.J. Puk, who didn’t throw a single pitch in the 2020 season after sustaining another shoulder injury that required surgery, could be best suited for a bullpen role. Not only will it help manage his workload to prevent another injury, but Puk’s high-velocity fastball and wipeout slider could take the bullpen to another level.
“When (Puk) first game to the big leagues he came out of the bullpen,” Melvin said. “We need to keep him healthy, don’t want to throw too much at him. He’s the one guy that we’ll probably have to pay more attention to from a workload point of view.”
With a jam-packed rotation featuring Jesús Luzardo, Frankie Montas, Chris Bassitt and Sean Manaea, some of the MLB-ready prospects could be use out of the bullpen, too. That means Grant Holmes, James Kaprielian and Daulton Jefferies could be used as relievers — and Forst said recently he expects them to play a role on the team in 2021.
As for the middle infield, the A’s can move some depth players around. Chad Pinder, for example, could play some shortstop or second base.
The unpredictable free agent and trade markets in this pandemic-impacted economy may push any trades or signings to later in the free agency period. Melvin is expecting some movement there to help bolster the club.
“Billy and David have always been great about finding relievers,” he said.
Would Bob Melvin get a Covid vaccine?
Melvin spoke about the diligence required to manage a team outside of an official “bubble” in the 2020 season. If provided the opportunity to get the Covid vaccine, Melvin said he would be comfortable getting it.
“I’d be comfortable, not just for me but everyone around me,” Melvin said. “In a team scenario, it would be important. Sitting here right now, personally, we have some time to see how it goes. What side effects are and so forth. I would have to say I’d be on board with it.”


mercurynews--2020-12-18--Coronavirus: Infections surging, but not at Bay Area’s open schools. Here’s why.

Whitney Gaynor showed no sign of worry about the rapidly spreading coronavirus Thursday as she dropped off her son Beckett at Encinal Elementary School .
The Atherton campus is among just a few California public schools where kids have been learning on campus instead of just on computers at home .
“ We feel the safety measures are effective , ” Gaynor , 38 , of Menlo Park , said as Beckett scampered out of her car in his face mask , grabbed an orange ticket after a temperature check to show he was fever-free and trotted off to kindergarten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s so happy to be with other kids and his teacher.
” As pupils at schools like Encinal take their socially distanced seats for the last time this week before their winter break , there ’ s more than the upcoming holidays to lift spirits .
Those that reopened classrooms have remained largely virus-free even as COVID-19 surged all around this fall , with record infections , hospitalizations and deaths and a new round of restrictions imposed across the Bay Area this week .
But the debate over reopening more campuses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For most school districts , the current case surge puts tentative plans to reopen after the break in January on ice .
State restrictions allow only those now open or about to open to continue until outbreaks subside , which may take weeks .
And the handful of school-based outbreaks so far , along with rapidly rising case rates , have given districts that could reopen pause .
The 32,000-student San Ramon Valley Unified School District this week shelved a broader January classroom reopening after an outbreak involving five staff members and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developmentally disabled adults .
Ann Katzburg , president of the district ’ s teacher union , said that was the right move .
“ Our teachers are really frightened , ” Katzburg said .
“ We want to come back and be with our students .
But we also have to make sure we ’ re safe and our students are safe.
” But pressure continues to mount from parents and lawmakers concerned that kids are falling behind with the online “ distance learning ” from home .
Assemblyman Phil Ting , D-San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would compel districts to reopen as soon as state and local health authorities allow .
At the Saratoga Union School District ’ s meeting last week , parents told trustees they were losing hope .
“ It ’ s more than the district not having a solid reopening plan nine months into this , ” said Kristen Terlizzi , whose boys are in second and first grade and whose younger son struggles with online class .
“ It ’ s the lack of urgency or attention to helping struggling children and families.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures on coronavirus in schools .
But local health and school officials have reported few cases and fewer outbreaks linked to the relatively small number of schools — which in California are mostly private campuses — that reopened classrooms .
“ We aren ’ t aware of any confirmed clusters associated with any school site at this time , ” said Neetu Balram , spokeswoman for the Alameda County Public Health Department .
In Santa Clara County , health officials said they continue to see low numbers of COVID-19 cases in open K-12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there have been 54 student and 31 staff cases of COVID-19 involving in-person class settings and just two incidents of suspected school-based transmission .
Of the Menlo Park City School District ’ s 3,000 students and 344 staff in four K-8 schools including Encinal , 23 became infected since classrooms reopened Sept. 7 , with a steady trickle of one to four cases a week since late October , and none in the past week .
While all four district schools have had cases , the infections weren ’ t acquired or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treadway .
At Palo Alto Unified School District , which reopened for a hybrid in-class and online program in October , Superintendent Don Austin said that out of 2,200 mostly elementary students doing in-person learning , there have been 20 confirmed infections , none of which was acquired at school .
And more parents chose hybrid over online instruction for the next term .
“ People get COVID , but our schools have not contributed to the spread , ” Austin said .
“ Many of our teachers and staff members say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their lives.
” At Sunnyvale Christian School , the first to reopen classrooms in the Bay Area , enrollment at the private school has grown to 114 , and there ’ s now a waiting list to get in .
Margo Dickson , the vice principal and preschool director , said they have had “ close calls ” with staff exposures , but none tested positive .
“ Our parents realize that if they want schools to stay open , ” said Menlo Park City School District Superintendent Erik Burmeister , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they aren ’ t in school.
” At Encinal , parents and teachers say the layers of safety protocols are reassuring .
Students interact in stable cohorts or groups to reduce mixing of households and make it easier to isolate kids if there is an exposure .
Those in grades 2-8 spend alternate weeks on campus and remote learning .
Temperatures are checked on arrival .
Teachers are tested weekly .
Each class has its own playground equipment , and they rotate recess play areas .
During recess , adult supervisors occasionally remind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nose and mouth and break up clusters when too many gather too closely .
So does Melinda Au , who said her daughters Dee and Nina , who are in kindergarten and second grade at Encinal , are enjoying school more since they returned to campus .
“ They seemed more happy , more content , ” Au said .
“ I feel pretty confident .
”

Whitney Gaynor showed no sign of worry about the rapidly spreading coronavirus Thursday as she dropped off her son Beckett at Encinal Elementary School. The Atherton campus is among just a few California public schools where kids have been learning on campus instead of just on computers at home.
“We feel the safety measures are effective,” Gaynor, 38, of Menlo Park, said as Beckett scampered out of her car in his face mask, grabbed an orange ticket after a temperature check to show he was fever-free and trotted off to kindergarten. “He loves it. He’s so happy to be with other kids and his teacher.”
As pupils at schools like Encinal take their socially distanced seats for the last time this week before their winter break, there’s more than the upcoming holidays to lift spirits. Those that reopened classrooms have remained largely virus-free even as COVID-19 surged all around this fall, with record infections, hospitalizations and deaths and a new round of restrictions imposed across the Bay Area this week.
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: Yard duty monitors check the temperatures of students arriving at Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: Larra Olson welcomes her 3rd graders at Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., where students who've had their temperature checked hold up a piece of paper before entering the classroom, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: Kindergarten teacher Sydney Cooper leads her class at Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: 3rd grade students at Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., learn about time, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: Susan Preston teaches her class of 4th graders at Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: Susan Preston teaches her class of 4th graders at Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: Susan Preston uses a virtual fireplace in her classroom to help keep her 4th graders feeling warm at Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: First grade teacher Jeanne McCann starts the day's lessons at Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: First grade teacher Jeanne McCann starts the day's lessons at Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: Sharon Burns, principal at Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., walks the campus, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, the day before the end of the fall session. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
ATHERTON, CA - DEC. 17: Cars drive past a sign of hope outside Encinal Elementary School in Atherton, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, as students are dropped off fora day school. The Menlo Park City School District is among the few districts that kept schools open this fall during the coronavirus pandemic. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
But the debate over reopening more campuses to students around the state has only intensified. For most school districts, the current case surge puts tentative plans to reopen after the break in January on ice. State restrictions allow only those now open or about to open to continue until outbreaks subside, which may take weeks.
And the handful of school-based outbreaks so far, along with rapidly rising case rates, have given districts that could reopen pause. The 32,000-student San Ramon Valley Unified School District this week shelved a broader January classroom reopening after an outbreak involving five staff members and three students at a high school for developmentally disabled adults.
Ann Katzburg, president of the district’s teacher union, said that was the right move.
“Our teachers are really frightened,” Katzburg said. “We want to come back and be with our students. But we also have to make sure we’re safe and our students are safe.”
But pressure continues to mount from parents and lawmakers concerned that kids are falling behind with the online “distance learning” from home. Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, has introduced a bill that would compel districts to reopen as soon as state and local health authorities allow.
At the Saratoga Union School District’s meeting last week, parents told trustees they were losing hope.
“It’s more than the district not having a solid reopening plan nine months into this,” said Kristen Terlizzi, whose boys are in second and first grade and whose younger son struggles with online class. “It’s the lack of urgency or attention to helping struggling children and families.”
There are no comprehensive national or state figures on coronavirus in schools. But local health and school officials have reported few cases and fewer outbreaks linked to the relatively small number of schools — which in California are mostly private campuses — that reopened classrooms.
“We aren’t aware of any confirmed clusters associated with any school site at this time,” said Neetu Balram, spokeswoman for the Alameda County Public Health Department.
In Santa Clara County, health officials said they continue to see low numbers of COVID-19 cases in open K-12 campuses. Since October 1, 2020, there have been 54 student and 31 staff cases of COVID-19 involving in-person class settings and just two incidents of suspected school-based transmission.
Of the Menlo Park City School District’s 3,000 students and 344 staff in four K-8 schools including Encinal, 23 became infected since classrooms reopened Sept. 7, with a steady trickle of one to four cases a week since late October, and none in the past week. While all four district schools have had cases, the infections weren’t acquired or spread on campus, said spokeswoman Parke Treadway.
At Palo Alto Unified School District, which reopened for a hybrid in-class and online program in October, Superintendent Don Austin said that out of 2,200 mostly elementary students doing in-person learning, there have been 20 confirmed infections, none of which was acquired at school. And more parents chose hybrid over online instruction for the next term.
“People get COVID, but our schools have not contributed to the spread,” Austin said. “Many of our teachers and staff members say they feel safer here than in other parts of their lives.”
At Sunnyvale Christian School, the first to reopen classrooms in the Bay Area, enrollment at the private school has grown to 114, and there’s now a waiting list to get in. Margo Dickson, the vice principal and preschool director, said they have had “close calls” with staff exposures, but none tested positive.
Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Health | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Health | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Health | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “Our parents realize that if they want schools to stay open,” said Menlo Park City School District Superintendent Erik Burmeister, “they have to make good decisions when they aren’t in school.”
At Encinal, parents and teachers say the layers of safety protocols are reassuring. Students interact in stable cohorts or groups to reduce mixing of households and make it easier to isolate kids if there is an exposure. Those in grades 2-8 spend alternate weeks on campus and remote learning. Temperatures are checked on arrival. Teachers are tested weekly. Each class has its own playground equipment, and they rotate recess play areas.
During recess, adult supervisors occasionally remind kids to keep their mask over their nose and mouth and break up clusters when too many gather too closely.
“I just feel safe,” said fourth-grade teacher Susan Preston, 58.
So does Melinda Au, who said her daughters Dee and Nina, who are in kindergarten and second grade at Encinal, are enjoying school more since they returned to campus.
“They seemed more happy, more content,” Au said. “I feel pretty confident.”


mercurynews--2020-12-18--Raiders report card: Mariota’s heroics can’t prevent painful loss to Chargers

Grading the Raiders ’ 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers Thursday night at Allegiant Stadium : Admit it .
You ’ re stunned at how well Marcus Mariota played in relief of Derek Carr , who left with a groin strain on the last possession of the first quarter .
He completed 17 of 28 passes for 226 yards and his 35-yard touchdown pass to Darren Waller was a dime .
A perfect throw .
He had one interception , which cost the Raiders a scoring opportunity but didn ’ t give one to the Chargers even after Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught nine passes for 150 yards and the touchdown and awaits the Pro Bowl call .
Josh Jacobs had three catches for 38 yards , Nelson Agholor four for 49 .
They continue to get little to nothing out of Bryan Edwards .
Mariota wasn ’ t sacked and the pass protection was solid .
Mariota started to get a little off target late , but for a guy who hadn ’ t played in more than a year , it was above and beyond the call .
Carr was 3 of 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mariota again .
He had 88 yards on nine carries .
Eight of his nine runs went for first downs .
The Raiders had 13 rushing first downs in all .
It was a struggle for Josh Jacobs , who had 26 carries for 76 yards even though he had a 20-yard run early and a 12-yard run in overtime .
The Raiders ’ inability to run near the goal line , their bread and butter , helped cost them the game .
Devontae Booker ’ s role has been reduced of late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards .
In all , the Raiders rushed for 173 yards on 41 attempts .
it was the most yards rushing for the Raiders since gaining 203 on Nov. 15 against Denver , and accomplished in an entirely new way .
Blown coverages at the end of the first half and overtime cost the Raiders dearly .
When the Raiders went three-and-out on a possession with less than two minutes to go in the first half with the score 10-10 , Justin Herbert had consecutive passes of 25 yrds to K.J .
Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyron Johnson for a touchdown to make it 17-10 .
In overtime , after Trayvon Mullen got called for his fourth penalty of the game , Herbert hit Jalen Guyton for 53 yards over Keisean Nixon to the 2 to set up the game-winning touchdown .
Receivers were open all night even with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams hobbling .
Herbert avoided trouble , with one big sack by Kendal Vickers helping take the Chargers out of field goal position .
Mullen wound up with 58 yards on four penalties .
The Chargers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaining 96 yards , after the Raiders had been gashed for 200-plus in their previous two games .
Austin Ekeler had 60 yards on 13 carries and one of those went for 27 yards .
The Colts had two rushing touchdowns , both from a yard out .
Raekwon McMillan made some good plays against the run .
Nick Kwiatkoski finished with 10 tackles .
Carl Nassib had a pair of tackles for losses after being a healthy scratch in the previous two games .
One huge mistake , and a rare one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line , A.J .
Cole shanked a 19-yard punt , setting up the Chargers on the 49-yard line .
The Raiders defense is bad enough without setting up the opponent in plus territory .
The Chargers , of course , scored quickly on the Herbert passes to Hill and Johnson for a touchdown and a 17-10 lead at the half .
Cole ’ s only other punt went for 56 yards , but he had another rough moment .
When Daniel Carlson lined up for a 65-yard pipe dream field goal at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snap .
Carlson probably wouldn ’ t have made it ( it would have set an NFL record ) , but we ’ ll never know .
Carlson connected on two-point blank 23-yard field goals .
Hunter Renfrow got one punt return , gained 16 yards and paid for it with a concussion on a helmet hit that wasn ’ t penalized .
• What the Raiders are saying after OT loss to Los Angeles Chargers • Chargers come back to beat Raiders , Mariota in overtime • Cap-gate ?
Raiders ’ Jon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone ’ s tomfoolery • Raiders ’ Derek Carr injured in first quarter vs. Los Angeles Chargers • Raiders inactives : Carl Nassib , Cory Littleton look to rebound against Chargers On one hand , the way coach Jon Gruden adjusted the offense on the fly from Carr to Mariota was something to behold .
They completely — and successfully — changed their attack and still put up big yardage numbers and 27 points .
But the fourth-and-5 call in overtime to take the points and put the defense on the field had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expecting .
Gruden said they would have gone for it had they been closer .
With a quarterback as mobile as Mariota , there was at least a 50-50 chance at a run-pass play working out .
Certainly better percentages than putting the NFL ’ s most porous defense on the field , it would seem .
Defensively , hard to fault interim coordinator Rod Marinelli on a short week .
He got the run defense looking better , but not all the effort and hustle in the world can make up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hang with receivers .
The Raiders were playing with backups in many cases — backups to players who haven ’ t been all that good on defense to begin with .

Grading the Raiders’ 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers Thursday night at Allegiant Stadium:
PASS OFFENSE: B
Admit it. You’re stunned at how well Marcus Mariota played in relief of Derek Carr, who left with a groin strain on the last possession of the first quarter. He completed 17 of 28 passes for 226 yards and his 35-yard touchdown pass to Darren Waller was a dime. A perfect throw. He had one interception, which cost the Raiders a scoring opportunity but didn’t give one to the Chargers even after Chris Harris returned it 51 yards. Waller caught nine passes for 150 yards and the touchdown and awaits the Pro Bowl call. Josh Jacobs had three catches for 38 yards, Nelson Agholor four for 49. They continue to get little to nothing out of Bryan Edwards. Mariota wasn’t sacked and the pass protection was solid. Mariota started to get a little off-target late, but for a guy who hadn’t played in more than a year, it was above and beyond the call. Carr was 3 of 5 for 53 yards before being injured.
RUN OFFENSE: B-minus
Mariota again. He had 88 yards on nine carries. Eight of his nine runs went for first downs. The Raiders had 13 rushing first downs in all. It was a struggle for Josh Jacobs, who had 26 carries for 76 yards even though he had a 20-yard run early and a 12-yard run in overtime. The Raiders’ inability to run near the goal line, their bread and butter, helped cost them the game. Devontae Booker’s role has been reduced of late and he had three carries for 12 yards. In all, the Raiders rushed for 173 yards on 41 attempts. It was the most yards rushing for the Raiders since gaining 203 on Nov. 15 against Denver, and accomplished in an entirely new way.
PASS DEFENSE: D-minus
Blown coverages at the end of the first half and overtime cost the Raiders dearly. When the Raiders went three-and-out on a possession with less than two minutes to go in the first half with the score 10-10, Justin Herbert had consecutive passes of 25 yards to K.J. Hill against Daryl Worley and 26 yards to Tyron Johnson for a touchdown to make it 17-10. In overtime, after Trayvon Mullen got called for his fourth penalty of the game, Herbert hit Jalen Guyton for 53 yards over Keisean Nixon to the 2 to set up the game-winning touchdown. Chargers receivers were open all night even with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams hobbling. Herbert avoided trouble, with one big sack by Kendal Vickers helping take the Chargers out of field goal position. Mullen wound up with 58 yards on four penalties.
RUN DEFENSE: B-plus
The Chargers averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, gaining 96 yards, after the Raiders had been gashed for 200-plus in their previous two games. Austin Ekeler had 60 yards on 13 carries and one of those went for 27 yards. The Colts had two rushing touchdowns, both from a yard out. Raekwon McMillan made some good plays against the run. Nick Kwiatkoski finished with 10 tackles. Carl Nassib had a pair of tackles for losses after being a healthy scratch in the previous two games.
SPECIAL TEAMS: D
One huge mistake, and a rare one. On fourth-and-5 from the Raiders 40-yard line, A.J. Cole shanked a 19-yard punt, setting up the Chargers on the 49-yard line. The Raiders defense is bad enough without setting up the opponent in plus territory. The Chargers, of course, scored quickly on the Herbert passes to Hill and Johnson for a touchdown and a 17-10 lead at the half. Cole’s only other punt went for 56 yards, but he had another rough moment. When Daniel Carlson lined up for a 65-yard pipe dream field goal at the end of regulation, Cole mishandled the snap. Carlson probably wouldn’t have made it (it would have set an NFL record), but we’ll never know. Carlson connected on two-point blank 23-yard field goals. Hunter Renfrow got one punt return, gained 16 yards and paid for it with a concussion on a helmet hit that wasn’t penalized.
COACHING: C
On one hand, the way coach Jon Gruden adjusted the offense on the fly from Carr to Mariota was something to behold. They completely — and successfully — changed their attack and still put up big yardage numbers and 27 points. But the fourth-and-5 call in overtime to take the points and put the defense on the field had the ending probably every Raiders fan was expecting. Gruden said they would have gone for it had they been closer. With a quarterback as mobile as Mariota, there was at least a 50-50 chance at a run-pass play working out. Certainly better percentages than putting the NFL’s most porous defense on the field, it would seem. Defensively, hard to fault interim coordinator Rod Marinelli on a short week. He got the run defense looking better, but not all the effort and hustle in the world can make up for being unable to rush the passer or hang with receivers. The Raiders were playing with backups in many cases — backups to players who haven’t been all that good on defense to begin with.