mercurynews--2020-08-08--Bodies of Marines and sailor recovered from the seafloor off San Clemente Island

The bodies of seven Marines and a sailor found inside a 26-ton Marine Corps seafaring vehicle were raised from the ocean floor on Friday , Aug. 7 , a week after they sank during a training accident off San Clemente Island .
Families were notified Friday by visits from Marine Corps officers and chaplains .
They will get a chance to see their loved ones during an “ honorable carry ” at Naval Base San Diego as Navy and Marine pallbearers place their flag-draped coffins aboard an aircraft headed to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware .
At the Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an honorable transfer , and the servicemen will later be released to their families according to their wishes , Marine Corps officials said .
“ The agony of waiting is an unimaginable pain , ” said Evelyn Baltierra , who was relieved to get the news that her son , Pfc .
Bryan Baltierra , was found .
“ We now know that my son will be coming home soon to rest in peace .
We are so grateful for the efficiency of the military ’ s rescue efforts.
” It was exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials notified her and her family that he was missing .
“ Our hearts and thoughts of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are with the families of our recovered Marines and sailor , ” said Col. Christopher Bronzi , commanding officer of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit .
“ We hope the successful recovery of our fallen warriors brings some measure of comfort.
” The recovery , a joint undertaking between several Navy and Marine Corps commands , is the final chapter in a week-long operation that began July 30 , when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beach on the island ’ s northwest side for a shore-to-ship training maneuver with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Pendleton .
The island , the southernmost and fourth-largest in California ’ s Channel Islands chain , is owned by the Navy and is used for Marine and Navy training .
The AAV was on its way back to the USS Somerset , a Navy transport dock , when it started taking on water .
There were 16 service members onboard ; seven Marines were rescued after climbing from the AAV and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S. Perez , 20 , of New Braunfels , Texas , was declared dead at the scene .
Two of the seven Marines rescued were airlifted to a San Diego hospital in critical condition .
One Marine has been released , a second Marine remains hospitalized .
The missing seven Marines and one Navy sailor were Pfc .
Bryan J. Baltierra , 18 , of Corona ; Lance Cpl .
Marco A. Barranco , 21 , of Montebello ; Pfc .
Evan A. Bath , 19 , of Oak Creek , Wis. ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of Stockton ; Pfc .
Jack Ryan Ostrovsky , 21 , of Bend , Ore. ; Cpl .
Wesley A. Rodd , 23 , of Harris , Texas ; Lance Cpl .
Chase D. Sweetwood , 18 , of Portland , Ore. and Cpl .
Cesar A. Villanueva , 21 , of Riverside .
The Camp Pendleton Marines were all riflemen , Gnem was a Navy corpsman attached to their unit .
Following the AAV ’ s quick disappearance , a 40-hour search-and-rescue operation that included ships and aircraft from the Navy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 square nautical miles near the island .
The armored-tracked vehicle sunk to a depth of about 395 feet .
Early Sunday , Aug. 2 , military officials announced the search-and-rescue effort was suspended and a recovery mission began .
With help from the HOS Dominator , a Navy ship that specializes in underwear rescue , its remote operated vehicle and an additional Navy underwater vehicle , the ocean floor was scanned .
On Tuesday , Aug. 4 , Marine Corps officials announced the AAV and the missing men were found on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corner of the island .
Since the discovery , military officials have raced to get additional assets to the location to raise the sunken vehicle .
Meanwhile , the Dominator stayed in place over the wreckage site and did a further investigation with its remote vehicle to determine the condition of the AAV , the exact water depth , and the equipment needed for the recovery .
That equipment , which came from the East Coast , was loaded onto a commercial crane barge .
On Aug. 6 , the barge and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navy headed out to meet up with the Dominator .
The crane barge is equipped with another remotely operated vehicle , a deep drone , a deep ocean salvage system and a lift line .
In all , officials expected the final recovery would take two days .
No divers were involved because of the depth .
The recovered AAV will be taken to Camp Pendleton for an investigation .
Military experts say the investigation likely could include a float test to determine if there was a structural leak and an examination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the vehicle ’ s bilge pump was functioning properly .
The seafaring armored vehicles on tracks carry troops in enclosed compartments and can transport 21 Marines , including about 200 pounds of gear for each .
Quarters are incredibly tight and the only visibility is through a two-inch by three-and-a half-inch viewpoint in the back .
The vehicle ’ s main hatch is on the top along with a smaller one ; then there ’ s a commander ’ s hatch , a drivers ’ hatch , a gunner ’ s hatch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 800 of these vehicles Corps-wide .
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger immediately suspended the use of the vehicles in any water training until an investigation into what occurred is concluded .
“ We need to give time until we have a better picture of what happened , ” he said .
Friday ’ s recovery provided some relief for the grieving families who are drawing support from their communities .
“ The past few days have been extremely difficult , ” Baltierra said .
“ But the outpouring of love and support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , friends , teachers and the community we have built in Corona since 2007 , has helped tremendously .
There ’ s always something to learn in any event in life , and my family and I have learned that people do care for one another even if the connection was lost at some point.
” To honor Pfc .
Jack Ryan Ostrovsky , one of two Marines from Oregon who died , Zach Saltos , a 19-year-old Washington D.C. student , has recruited more than 1,500 signatures on a Change.org petition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the Pilot Butte hiking trail near Ostrovsky ’ s hometown of Bend .
Though he only knew Ostrovsky from chatting in a Skype group , it was the 20-year-old ’ s dedication to the military and his country that left a lasting impression , Saltos said .
“ Whenever we talked about it , he always held pride in America , and he held so much pride in the military especially , ” Saltos said , adding that he and Ostrovsky and other online friends chatted about current and news events for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved , he said , by a Memorial Day hike the Oregon Marine undertook in 2019 .
“ Jack hiked up Pilot Butte with combat gear and ammo containers in the memory of fallen veterans , ” Saltos said .
“ He did this on his own because he wanted to ; that was his way of giving thanks .
“ He loved the United States of America with all his heart , ” Saltos said , “ and he enlisted in the Marine Corps a week later .
”

The bodies of seven Marines and a sailor found inside a 26-ton Marine Corps seafaring vehicle were raised from the ocean floor on Friday, Aug. 7, a week after they sank during a training accident off San Clemente Island.
Families were notified Friday by visits from Marine Corps officers and chaplains. They will get a chance to see their loved ones during an “honorable carry” at Naval Base San Diego as Navy and Marine pallbearers place their flag-draped coffins aboard an aircraft headed to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. At the Air Force base, military personnel will conduct an honorable transfer, and the servicemen will later be released to their families according to their wishes, Marine Corps officials said.
“The agony of waiting is an unimaginable pain,” said Evelyn Baltierra, who was relieved to get the news that her son, Pfc. Bryan Baltierra, was found. “We now know that my son will be coming home soon to rest in peace. We are so grateful for the efficiency of the military’s rescue efforts.”
It was exactly one week ago, that Marine Corps officials notified her and her family that he was missing.
“Our hearts and thoughts of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are with the families of our recovered Marines and sailor,” said Col. Christopher Bronzi, commanding officer of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “We hope the successful recovery of our fallen warriors brings some measure of comfort.”
The recovery, a joint undertaking between several Navy and Marine Corps commands, is the final chapter in a week-long operation that began July 30, when the amphibious assault vehicle sank after leaving a beach on the island’s northwest side for a shore-to-ship training maneuver with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Pendleton. The island, the southernmost and fourth-largest in California’s Channel Islands chain, is owned by the Navy and is used for Marine and Navy training.
The AAV was on its way back to the USS Somerset, a Navy transport dock, when it started taking on water. There were 16 service members onboard; seven Marines were rescued after climbing from the AAV and one Marine, Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 20, of New Braunfels, Texas, was declared dead at the scene.
Two of the seven Marines rescued were airlifted to a San Diego hospital in critical condition. One Marine has been released, a second Marine remains hospitalized.
The missing seven Marines and one Navy sailor were Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 18, of Corona; Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello; Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wis.; U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton; Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Bend, Ore.; Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23, of Harris, Texas; Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 18, of Portland, Ore. and Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside.
The Camp Pendleton Marines were all riflemen, Gnem was a Navy corpsman attached to their unit.
Following the AAV’s quick disappearance, a 40-hour search-and-rescue operation that included ships and aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard scoured 1,000 square nautical miles near the island. The armored-tracked vehicle sunk to a depth of about 395 feet.
Early Sunday, Aug. 2, military officials announced the search-and-rescue effort was suspended and a recovery mission began. With help from the HOS Dominator, a Navy ship that specializes in underwear rescue, its remote operated vehicle and an additional Navy underwater vehicle, the ocean floor was scanned.
On Tuesday, Aug. 4, Marine Corps officials announced the AAV and the missing men were found on a smooth, sandy seafloor off the northwest corner of the island.
Since the discovery, military officials have raced to get additional assets to the location to raise the sunken vehicle. Meanwhile, the Dominator stayed in place over the wreckage site and did a further investigation with its remote vehicle to determine the condition of the AAV, the exact water depth, and the equipment needed for the recovery.
That equipment, which came from the East Coast, was loaded onto a commercial crane barge. On Aug. 6, the barge and an offshore supply vessel contracted by the U.S. Navy headed out to meet up with the Dominator.
The crane barge is equipped with another remotely operated vehicle, a deep drone, a deep ocean salvage system and a lift line. In all, officials expected the final recovery would take two days. No divers were involved because of the depth.
The recovered AAV will be taken to Camp Pendleton for an investigation. Military experts say the investigation likely could include a float test to determine if there was a structural leak and an examination of the multiple hatches and their seals and whether the vehicle’s bilge pump was functioning properly.
The seafaring armored vehicles on tracks carry troops in enclosed compartments and can transport 21 Marines, including about 200 pounds of gear for each. Quarters are incredibly tight and the only visibility is through a two-inch by three-and-a half-inch viewpoint in the back. The vehicle’s main hatch is on the top along with a smaller one; then there’s a commander’s hatch, a drivers’ hatch, a gunner’s hatch and a rear hatch. Marines have 800 of these vehicles Corps-wide.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger immediately suspended the use of the vehicles in any water training until an investigation into what occurred is concluded.
“We need to give time until we have a better picture of what happened,” he said.
Friday’s recovery provided some relief for the grieving families who are drawing support from their communities.
“The past few days have been extremely difficult,” Baltierra said. “But the outpouring of love and support from the city of Corona, family, friends, teachers and the community we have built in Corona since 2007, has helped tremendously. There’s always something to learn in any event in life, and my family and I have learned that people do care for one another even if the connection was lost at some point.”
To honor Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, one of two Marines from Oregon who died, Zach Saltos, a 19-year-old Washington D.C. student, has recruited more than 1,500 signatures on a Change.org petition to have a monument in his name placed along the Pilot Butte hiking trail near Ostrovsky’s hometown of Bend.
Though he only knew Ostrovsky from chatting in a Skype group, it was the 20-year-old’s dedication to the military and his country that left a lasting impression, Saltos said.
“Whenever we talked about it, he always held pride in America, and he held so much pride in the military especially,” Saltos said, adding that he and Ostrovsky and other online friends chatted about current and news events for more than a year.
Saltos was moved, he said, by a Memorial Day hike the Oregon Marine undertook in 2019.
“Jack hiked up Pilot Butte with combat gear and ammo containers in the memory of fallen veterans,” Saltos said. “He did this on his own because he wanted to; that was his way of giving thanks.
“He loved the United States of America with all his heart,” Saltos said, “and he enlisted in the Marine Corps a week later.”


mercurynews--2020-08-08--Southern California church to defy restraining order, hold indoor service

VENTURA — A Newbury Park pastor said Friday night he will continue to hold indoor services at Godspeak Calvary Chapel hours after a Ventura County judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the church from doing so .
Pastor Rob McCoy shared the decision at 6:45 p.m. in a livestream broadcast on the church ’ s YouTube page .
“ I wish it didn ’ t have to come to this , I really do , but we will be violating the judge ’ s order , ” McCoy said .
“ We will be open this Sunday.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P. Guasco prohibits Godspeak and McCoy from offering indoor services at the church in Newbury Park or any other indoor venue in the county until Aug. 31 .
The order was issued after county government officials sued the church and McCoy for violating public health orders in place amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
The Aug. 31 hearing is scheduled to determine whether to replace the temporary order with a preliminary injunction , which could last up to months , or simply let the order end .
McCoy said the order also applies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explicitly named in the order .
Dr. Robert Levin , the public health officer for the county , gave a court declaration for the hearing Friday to justify the public health order , saying the risk of spreading the virus increases significantly when people from different households gather indoors for extended periods of time .
After the order was made , McCoy said the church ’ s board of elders voted unanimously , with one person absent , against complying with the order .
The pastor said that having services outdoors as allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acceptable .
In an interview Friday evening , he said he didn ’ t know where he could find a place for 1,500 people to meet outdoors in Thousand Oaks , plus it was a matter of principle .
“ We want to worship God , ” he said .
During the livestream , McCoy gave several reasons why churchgoers could not host services outdoors , including not having a public park large enough to accommodate all the congregants , safety concerns due to threats made to churchgoers and a church ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McCoy singled out county Supervisor Linda Parks during the livestream , citing her as instigating the legal action against the church .
“ She ’ s a remarkably resilient woman , but I don ’ t understand why she would do this and target us , ” McCoy said .
Parks could not be immediately reached for comment .
In spite of the possible legal consequences facing those violating the restraining order , McCoy encouraged viewers to attend services in the church .
• Man punches 72-year-old vet in the face over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hospitalizations down in California amid case data disaster “ Come to church , and if you ’ re one of the first thousand , you win a prize .
You will get a citation .
It will be a misdemeanor , ” McCoy said .
“ It ’ ll go on your record ; be mindful of that .
”

By Jeremy Childs and Kathleen Wilson | Ventura County Star
VENTURA — A Newbury Park pastor said Friday night he will continue to hold indoor services at Godspeak Calvary Chapel hours after a Ventura County judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the church from doing so.
Pastor Rob McCoy shared the decision at 6:45 p.m. in a livestream broadcast on the church’s YouTube page.
“I wish it didn’t have to come to this, I really do, but we will be violating the judge’s order,” McCoy said. “We will be open this Sunday.”
The temporary restraining order issued by Judge Matthew P. Guasco prohibits Godspeak and McCoy from offering indoor services at the church in Newbury Park or any other indoor venue in the county until Aug. 31.
The order was issued after county government officials sued the church and McCoy for violating public health orders in place amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Aug. 31 hearing is scheduled to determine whether to replace the temporary order with a preliminary injunction, which could last up to months, or simply let the order end.
McCoy said the order also applies up to 1,000 people who are not explicitly named in the order.
Dr. Robert Levin, the public health officer for the county, gave a court declaration for the hearing Friday to justify the public health order, saying the risk of spreading the virus increases significantly when people from different households gather indoors for extended periods of time.
After the order was made, McCoy said the church’s board of elders voted unanimously, with one person absent, against complying with the order.
The pastor said that having services outdoors as allowed by Guasco’s order was not acceptable. In an interview Friday evening, he said he didn’t know where he could find a place for 1,500 people to meet outdoors in Thousand Oaks, plus it was a matter of principle.
“We want to worship God,” he said.
During the livestream, McCoy gave several reasons why churchgoers could not host services outdoors, including not having a public park large enough to accommodate all the congregants, safety concerns due to threats made to churchgoers and a church’s staff member’s allergy to sunlight.
McCoy singled out county Supervisor Linda Parks during the livestream, citing her as instigating the legal action against the church.
“She’s a remarkably resilient woman, but I don’t understand why she would do this and target us,” McCoy said.
Parks could not be immediately reached for comment.
In spite of the possible legal consequences facing those violating the restraining order, McCoy encouraged viewers to attend services in the church.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “Come to church, and if you’re one of the first thousand, you win a prize. You will get a citation. It will be a misdemeanor,” McCoy said. “It’ll go on your record; be mindful of that.”
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mercurynews--2020-08-08--Anatomy behind the Oakland A’s eight-game win streak

OAKLAND — A win is a win .
But in 2020 , because of the short season , a win counts for a little more — 2.7 wins , to be exact .
The Oakland A ’ s ran their winning streak to eight games Saturday , beating the Houston Astros 3-1 to extend their lead in the American League West to 4.5 games .
Frankie Montas delivered another seven-inning shutout gem , striking out five Astros .
Marcus Semien made history as the first Athletic to start a game with a home run after ending the previous game with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count to lead off the first , Semien launched left-hander Framber Valdez ’ s curveball over the left field wall .
The quick math using the weighted win value tells us that the eight-game win streak can be tabulated as a 21.6-game win streak .
In real life , the A ’ s are 11-4 .
“ We ’ re playing great , ” manager Bob Melvin said .
“ Maybe offensively we have more to accomplish .
But , we ’ re timing everything really well .
The guys are in sync @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s have statistically broken their MLB-record 20-game win streak sealed by Scott Hatteberg ’ s famous swing back in 2002 .
Jokes aside , an eight-game winning streak this early in a 60-game season gives the A ’ s a significant boost toward the postseason .
The win came on the heels of a lukewarm start in which the bats were icy cold , and pitchers ’ mistakes , though few and far between , were especially magnified .
What ’ s gone right ?
Here ’ s the anatomy of an eight-game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 percent of the season now passed .
The pitching has been stellar Perhaps the biggest contributor , the A ’ s pitching staff has improved and filled all the necessary gaps throughout these first 15 games .
Much concern surrounded the rotation ’ s inability to pitch beyond the fifth inning its first time through the cycle — due to a truncated camp , starters weren ’ t fully ramped up yet .
But , through the first week , the A ’ s bullpen picked up the slack with a 3-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued its excellence , leading the league with a 1.8 WAR .
The ERA went down to 1.68 , which ranks among the three best in the league .
You know the regular contributors , and they ’ ve been nails .
Yusmeiro Petit ’ s two earned runs leads the relief regulars ; and he ’ s been used in more games ( 8 ) than any of his bullpen mates .
Joakim Soria , in his 14th season , whipped out his changeup in tough spots and hasn ’ t allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former major leaguer on A ’ s coach Ryan Christenson : ‘ That ’ s just so far from who he is ’ • Kurtenbach : Someone had to boo the cheating Astros in the Oakland Coliseum .
So I did it .
• Despite slow start , Marcus Semien delivers walk-off against Astros : “ He still has an attitude about him ” • Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin says bench coach did not intend apparent Nazi salute With a run allowed in the 13th inning in Friday night ’ s game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to May 9 of last season .
More importantly , the new guys have kept the pace .
Left-hander T.J. McFarland has dealt 5.2 scoreless innings .
Burch Smith retired 10 straight batters on 33 pitches in his last outing against the Texas Rangers .
Jake Diekman picked up a new slider grip that ’ s helped him shore up his control ; he ’ s walked four batters with 10 strikeouts and allowed no earned runs in 7.2 innings .
And the rotation is getting stronger : Montas ’ two-straight eye-popping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ERA and the long-awaited emergence of Jesús Luzardo have the rotation primed to improve even more .
The A ’ s have only one Defensive Runs Saved to their name , but the eyes say they ’ ve been saving runs from scoring on a regular basis .
Chapman saved one in Friday ’ s game , throwing out Jose Altuve on a potential RBI sharp drive .
The A ’ s have a 2.0 defensive WAR and a 3.0 UZR ( ultimate zone rating ) , both rank among the league ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell us , even in a small sample size , that the defense is top notch , play throughout the first 16 games tells us this young core has the mature defensive IQ they can rely on .
Offense doing just enough A quick glance at the league stat sheet , and the A ’ s blend into the background .
The offense is slashing a middling .208/.320/.354 with a .302 weighted on base average and a 100 wRC+ .
The good news : Improved individual performances could bump those numbers up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ adjustments to him .
Mark Canha is getting on base — he leads the team with a .417 OBP .
Tony Kemp and Chad Pinder are proving to be a solid second base platoon .
Kemp is slashing .316/.500/.316 — in other words , he ’ s getting on base .
Most importantly , during this win streak , the A ’ s found timely hits at the best moments .
Austin Allen ’ s two-out , two-strike game-tying hit in extras .
Matt Olson and Stephen Piscotty have walk-off grand slams.Semien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt Chapman is finding his power despite some inconsistent at bats .
He hit his third home run Saturday to give the A ’ s a 3-0 cushion .
“ We did just enough over the course of the game to keep getting momentum swings , ” Melvin said .

OAKLAND — A win is a win. But in 2020, because of the short season, a win counts for a little more — 2.7 wins, to be exact.
The Oakland A’s ran their winning streak to eight games Saturday, beating the Houston Astros 3-1 to extend their lead in the American League West to 4.5 games.
Frankie Montas delivered another seven-inning shutout gem, striking out five Astros. Marcus Semien made history as the first Athletic to start a game with a home run after ending the previous game with a walk-off. Drawing a 3-2 count to lead off the first, Semien launched left-hander Framber Valdez’s curveball over the left field wall.
The quick math using the weighted win value tells us that the eight-game win streak can be tabulated as a 21.6-game win streak. In real life, the A’s are 11-4.
“We’re playing great,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Maybe offensively we have more to accomplish. But, we’re timing everything really well. The guys are in sync together.”
Yes, the A’s have statistically broken their MLB-record 20-game win streak sealed by Scott Hatteberg’s famous swing back in 2002. Jokes aside, an eight-game winning streak this early in a 60-game season gives the A’s a significant boost toward the postseason.
The win came on the heels of a lukewarm start in which the bats were icy cold, and pitchers’ mistakes, though few and far between, were especially magnified.
What’s gone right? Here’s the anatomy of an eight-game (or 21.6-game) win streak with 25 percent of the season now passed.
The pitching has been stellar
Perhaps the biggest contributor, the A’s pitching staff has improved and filled all the necessary gaps throughout these first 15 games. Much concern surrounded the rotation’s inability to pitch beyond the fifth inning its first time through the cycle — due to a truncated camp, starters weren’t fully ramped up yet.
But, through the first week, the A’s bullpen picked up the slack with a 3-0 record and 2.45 ERA. It has continued its excellence, leading the league with a 1.8 WAR. The ERA went down to 1.68, which ranks among the three best in the league.
You know the regular contributors, and they’ve been nails. Yusmeiro Petit’s two earned runs leads the relief regulars; and he’s been used in more games (8) than any of his bullpen mates. Joakim Soria, in his 14th season, whipped out his changeup in tough spots and hasn’t allowed a run in 7.2 innings.
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More importantly, the new guys have kept the pace. Left-hander T.J. McFarland has dealt 5.2 scoreless innings. Burch Smith retired 10 straight batters on 33 pitches in his last outing against the Texas Rangers. Jake Diekman picked up a new slider grip that’s helped him shore up his control; he’s walked four batters with 10 strikeouts and allowed no earned runs in 7.2 innings.
And the rotation is getting stronger: Montas’ two-straight eye-popping starts, Chris Bassitt’s 1.08 ERA and the long-awaited emergence of Jesús Luzardo have the rotation primed to improve even more.
Defense built for situational moments
The A’s have only one Defensive Runs Saved to their name, but the eyes say they’ve been saving runs from scoring on a regular basis. Chapman saved one in Friday’s game, throwing out Jose Altuve on a potential RBI sharp drive.
The A’s have a 2.0 defensive WAR and a 3.0 UZR (ultimate zone rating), both rank among the league’s Top 10.
Though the numbers tell us, even in a small sample size, that the defense is top notch, play throughout the first 16 games tells us this young core has the mature defensive IQ they can rely on.
Offense doing just enough
A quick glance at the league stat sheet, and the A’s blend into the background. The offense is slashing a middling .208/.320/.354 with a .302 weighted on base average and a 100 wRC+.
The good news: Improved individual performances could bump those numbers up. Semien looks to be adjusting to pitchers’ adjustments to him.
Mark Canha is getting on base — he leads the team with a .417 OBP.
Tony Kemp and Chad Pinder are proving to be a solid second base platoon. Kemp is slashing .316/.500/.316 — in other words, he’s getting on base.
Most importantly, during this win streak, the A’s found timely hits at the best moments. Austin Allen’s two-out, two-strike game-tying hit in extras. Matt Olson and Stephen Piscotty have walk-off grand slams.Semien’s walk off Friday night.
Matt Chapman is finding his power despite some inconsistent at bats. He hit his third home run Saturday to give the A’s a 3-0 cushion.
“We did just enough over the course of the game to keep getting momentum swings,” Melvin said.


mercurynews--2020-08-08--The Latest: Brazil surpasses 100,000 deaths from COVID-19

By The Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil has surpassed a grim milestone — 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 .
And five months after the first reported case , the country is showing no signs of crushing the disease .
The nation of 210 million people has been reporting an average of more than 1,000 daily deaths from the pandemic since late May , and 905 were recorded in the latest 24-hour period to put Brazil above 100,000 .
The Health Ministry also said there have been been a total of 3,012,412 confirmed infections .
The totals are second only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe both numbers are severe undercounts due to insufficient testing .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — The coronavirus is causing financial pain even for people still working .
Some have endured pay cuts or have had their hours slashed .
Others have been furloughed temporarily — without pay .
— Spanish police hit the discos to enforce virus health rules .
Nightclubs have been cited by regional health authorities as sites of contagion ; northeast Catalonia has ordered them shut down .
— The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competing at college football ’ s highest level to cancel its fall season because of COVID-19 concerns .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : FRANKFORT , Ky. — Kentucky is reporting an increase of 801 cases of COVID-19 , including 29 cases in children age 5 or younger .
In a news release , Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear said the state had a total of 34,578 cases of the illness caused by the new coronavirus and 772 deaths , including an incease of eight fatalities reported Saturday .
Beshear says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fight against COVID-19 .
BEDMINSTER , N.J. — President Donald Trump has signed executive orders bypassing Congress to defer payroll taxes for some Americans and extend unemployment benefits after negotiations on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed .
Trump accused Democrats of loading up their rescue bill with priorities unrelated to the coronavirus .
“ We ’ ve had it , ” he said Saturday at a news conference at his country club in Bedminster , New Jersey .
Trump said the payroll tax cut would apply to those earning less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that if he is reelected in November , he would look at the possibility of making the payroll tax permanent .
Extra aid for the unemployed will total $ 400 a week , a cut from the $ 600 that just expired .
Trump also signed executive orders holding off student loan payments and extending the freeze on evictions .
The health ministry says the country with the world ’ s fifth-largest caseload now has 553,188 cases and 10,210 deaths .
South Africa makes up more than half the infections on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases this past week surpassed 1 million .
Experts say the actual number of cases is several times that amount , given the shortage of testing materials and people can have the virus without symptoms .
PHOENIX — Arizona health officials on Saturday reported 1,054 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 56 more deaths .
The figures from the Department of Health Services increased the state ’ s total confirmed COVID-19 cases to nearly 186,000 and the reported death toll to 4,137 .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick .
The hospitalizations for coronavirus and use of intensive care beds and ventilators have been declining since mid-July .
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil is approaching the grim milestone of 100,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 .
That comes five months after the first reported case in a nation of 210 million , which has not shown signs of slowing the disease .
Brazil has reported an average of more than 1,000 daily deaths from the pandemic since late May .
The Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,962,442 confirmed cases and 99,572 deaths — tolls second only to the United States .
As in many countries , experts believe both numbers are severe undercounts due to insufficient testing .
The non-governmental group Rio de Paz placed crosses and a thousand red balloons on the sand on the famed Copacabana beach on Saturday .
“ It ’ s very sad .
Those 100,000 represent various families , friends , parents , children , ” said Marcio Silva , 55 , who lost his children in the pandemic and joined the tribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s second most populous city plans to use $ 4.5 million of federal pandemic aid to expand free public Wi-Fi into areas of Tucson most impacted by the digital divide .
City Council members who approved the plan last month say it will support the needs of citizens and help them deal with issues that have risen as a direct result of the pandemic .
Officials used Census data to identify neighborhoods most impacted by the digital divide by looking at income levels , population and whether there was coverage available from other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts and officials in Arizona say a decline in coronavirus testing last month has made it challenging to understand the virus and implement measures to limit its spread .
The Arizona Republic reported diagnostic tests for coronavirus dropped from an average of more than 107,000 tests a week from late June to early July to about 51,400 tests the week of July 26 .
Arizona is now testing at the level it was two months ago , approximately 50,000 .
The state has been improving with a decline in hospitalizations , fewer new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
But experts say continued testing is an important way to monitor the virus .
SAINT-TROPEZ , France — The glamorous French Riviera resort of Saint-Tropez is requiring face masks outdoors .
The area is renowned for high-end , free-wheeling summer beach parties .
France already has made mask-wearing mandatory in all public indoor spaces .
More French cities and towns , especially in tourist areas , are imposing mask requirements as France ’ s virus infections creep back up .
More than 2,000 new cases were reported on Friday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranks seventh in the world with more than 30,000 coronavirus deaths .
Wearing a mask outdoors is also mandatory in some crowded parts of Marseille , France ’ s second-largest city .
Paris will enforce a similar measure on Monday .
ROME — Italy added another 347 coronavirus infections to its official tally , a day after it surpassed the 500-case barrier for the first time since late May .
Italy had 552 confirmed cases on Friday .
With Saturday ’ s update from the health ministry , Italy ’ s daily caseload @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections it has maintained for the past several weeks .
Government officials have urged Italians to keep their guard up , given Spain , France and Germany have seen daily infections top the 1,000-mark recently after the easing of virus lockdown measures .
Italian officials have blamed the new clusters largely on newly arrived migrants and Italians returning home from vacation outside their home regions .
Another 13 people died in the last day , making Italy ’ s confirmed COVID-19 death toll 35,203 — sixth highest in the world .
BANGOR , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be required when Maine holds its first murder trial since the coronavirus pandemic crippled much of the U.S. legal system this spring .
The Bangor Daily News reports that jurors , lawyers and the judge will all wear masks .
Jurors will sit in the gallery instead of the jury box so they can sit 6 feet ( 2 meters ) apart .
Members of the public , including reporters and family members of the victim , will sit in a separate room to watch a live video stream of the trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 people to ensure that they can find enough fair and impartial jurors who are willing to serve under the coronavirus rules , says Peter Schleck , manager of operations at the Bangor courthouse .
BERLIN — Germany ’ s Foreign Ministry has issued a travel warning for parts of Bulgaria and Romania because of regional spikes in coronavirus cases .
The ministry says on its website that tourists should avoid unnecessary travel to Blagoevgrad , Dobrich and Varna in Bulgaria .
Varna on the Black Sea coast is a popular tourist destination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven counties in Romania , most of them in the west of the country .
Travelers returning to Germany from those areas must undergo a compulsory coronavirus test .
GAZA CITY , Gaza Strip — Hundreds of thousands of students in the isolated Gaza Strip are returning to schools that have reopened after five months of closure .
The Palestinian enclave came been spared a serious outbreak of the coronavirus for now .
There have been no known cases of community transmission among the 2 million residents of Gaza , which has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamas group took power in 2007 .
Seventy-eight people have tested positive for Covid-19 and a woman with underlying health issues died , all at the territory ’ s isolation centers .
With the virus at bay , 285,000 students at U.N.-run schools and some 277,000 pupils at public schools were headed back to school this week .
They were not required to wear masks or keep distancing , but teachers at U.N .
Relief and Works Agency schools poured sanitizers on students ’ hands .
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has announced that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ types of international flights to and from the country ’ s airports from Sunday amid a steady decline in COVID-19 deaths and infections .
The announcement comes weeks after Pakistan partially reopened its airports for domestic and international commercial flights .
Earlier this week authorities allowed to resumption of domestic flights from all of the country ’ s airports .
A complete ban on domestic and international commercial flights was imposed in March when Pakistan enforced a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus .
Later , the restrictions were gradually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus deaths and infections in June .
Pakistan on Saturday reported only 14 fatalities from coronavirus in the past 24 hours , raising its total COVID-19-related fatalities to 6,068 .
BERLIN — Germany and France have challenged Washington ’ s role in leading talks over reforming the World Health Organization , citing the U.S. decision to quit the global body .
Germany ’ s Health Ministry said the issue was discussed during a call of health ministers from the Group of Seven leading economies Thursday .
In a statement Saturday , the ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States ’ withdrawal from WHO , “ Germany and France currently see no mandate for the U.S. to lead the WHO reform process for the G-7.
” “ How can you be leading while you are leaving ?
” the ministry added .
The Trump administration , which holds the rotating presidency of the G-7 this year , has accused WHO of bowing to pressure from China in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
LONDON — People in Britain must wear masks in most indoor settings starting Saturday as the country tries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has followed the easing of lockdown measures .
England and Scotland now require face-coverings in most indoor spaces , including places of worship , museums , cinemas , banks and libraries .
They were already mandatory in shops and on public transit .
A swath of northern England has been put under tougher restrictions that bar households from mixing , after a surge in infections that authorities blame partly on people meeting up in homes and pubs .
Britain ’ s official coronavirus death toll stands at more than 46,500 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Statistics says the number of people testing positive for the virus has risen since the end of June — just after the country began to ease its lockdown — but may have leveled off .
It estimated there were 3,700 new infections a day in the community in England in the week to Aug. 2 , down from 4,200 a day the week before .
BERLIN — Travelers arriving in Germany from most non-European Union countries and some regions within the bloc that have high numbers of coronavirus cases will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests for people entering from so-called high risk regions are free for the first three days after arrival .
Travelers from those countries already have to self-quarantine for 14 days or until they can present a negative test .
German authorities are concerned about the rising number of cases in the country .
Germany ’ s Robert Koch Institute , the nation ’ s disease control center , recorded more than 1,000 new infections nationwide for the third day running Saturday .

By The Associated Press
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil has surpassed a grim milestone — 100,000 deaths from COVID-19. And five months after the first reported case, the country is showing no signs of crushing the disease.
The nation of 210 million people has been reporting an average of more than 1,000 daily deaths from the pandemic since late May, and 905 were recorded in the latest 24-hour period to put Brazil above 100,000. The Health Ministry also said there have been been a total of 3,012,412 confirmed infections.
The totals are second only to the United States. And experts believe both numbers are severe undercounts due to insufficient testing.
___
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— Brazil nears 100,000 deaths from Covid-19
— South Africa reaches 10,000 virus deaths; half of total in Africa
— Arizona reports 1,054 new virus cases, 56 deaths
— The coronavirus is causing financial pain even for people still working. Some have endured pay cuts or have had their hours slashed. Others have been furloughed temporarily — without pay.
— Spanish police hit the discos to enforce virus health rules. Nightclubs have been cited by regional health authorities as sites of contagion; northeast Catalonia has ordered them shut down.
— The Mid-American Conference has become the first league competing at college football’s highest level to cancel its fall season because of COVID-19 concerns.
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Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky is reporting an increase of 801 cases of COVID-19, including 29 cases in children age 5 or younger.
In a news release, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the state had a total of 34,578 cases of the illness caused by the new coronavirus and 772 deaths, including an incease of eight fatalities reported Saturday. Beshear says Saturday was a tough day the state’s fight against COVID-19.
Deaths reported Saturday include residents of Fulton, Kenton, Bell, Christian County, Pulaski County, Clinton and Muhlenberg counties.
___
BEDMINSTER, N.J. — President Donald Trump has signed executive orders bypassing Congress to defer payroll taxes for some Americans and extend unemployment benefits after negotiations on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed.
Trump accused Democrats of loading up their rescue bill with priorities unrelated to the coronavirus. “We’ve had it,” he said Saturday at a news conference at his country club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Trump said the payroll tax cut would apply to those earning less than $100,000 a year. He said that if he is reelected in November, he would look at the possibility of making the payroll tax permanent.
Extra aid for the unemployed will total $400 a week, a cut from the $600 that just expired.
Trump also signed executive orders holding off student loan payments and extending the freeze on evictions.
___
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s number of confirmed coronavirus deaths has surpassed 10,000.
The health ministry says the country with the world’s fifth-largest caseload now has 553,188 cases and 10,210 deaths.
South Africa makes up more than half the infections on the African continent, where the total number of cases this past week surpassed 1 million. Experts say the actual number of cases is several times that amount, given the shortage of testing materials and people can have the virus without symptoms.
___
PHOENIX — Arizona health officials on Saturday reported 1,054 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 56 more deaths.
The figures from the Department of Health Services increased the state’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases to nearly 186,000 and the reported death toll to 4,137. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick.
The hospitalizations for coronavirus and use of intensive care beds and ventilators have been declining since mid-July.
___
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil is approaching the grim milestone of 100,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19.
That comes five months after the first reported case in a nation of 210 million, which has not shown signs of slowing the disease. Brazil has reported an average of more than 1,000 daily deaths from the pandemic since late May.
The Health Ministry on Friday reported a total of 2,962,442 confirmed cases and 99,572 deaths — tolls second only to the United States. As in many countries, experts believe both numbers are severe undercounts due to insufficient testing.
The non-governmental group Rio de Paz placed crosses and a thousand red balloons on the sand on the famed Copacabana beach on Saturday.
“It’s very sad. Those 100,000 represent various families, friends, parents, children,” said Marcio Silva, 55, who lost his children in the pandemic and joined the tribute.
___
TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona’s second most populous city plans to use $4.5 million of federal pandemic aid to expand free public Wi-Fi into areas of Tucson most impacted by the digital divide.
City Council members who approved the plan last month say it will support the needs of citizens and help them deal with issues that have risen as a direct result of the pandemic.
Officials used Census data to identify neighborhoods most impacted by the digital divide by looking at income levels, population and whether there was coverage available from other broadband services.
___
PHOENIX — Public health experts and officials in Arizona say a decline in coronavirus testing last month has made it challenging to understand the virus and implement measures to limit its spread.
The Arizona Republic reported diagnostic tests for coronavirus dropped from an average of more than 107,000 tests a week from late June to early July to about 51,400 tests the week of July 26. Arizona is now testing at the level it was two months ago, approximately 50,000.
The state has been improving with a decline in hospitalizations, fewer new cases and a lower percentage of positive results. But experts say continued testing is an important way to monitor the virus.
___
SAINT-TROPEZ, France — The glamorous French Riviera resort of Saint-Tropez is requiring face masks outdoors.
The area is renowned for high-end, free-wheeling summer beach parties. France already has made mask-wearing mandatory in all public indoor spaces.
More French cities and towns, especially in tourist areas, are imposing mask requirements as France’s virus infections creep back up. More than 2,000 new cases were reported on Friday, the biggest single-day increase since May. France ranks seventh in the world with more than 30,000 coronavirus deaths.
Wearing a mask outdoors is also mandatory in some crowded parts of Marseille, France’s second-largest city. Paris will enforce a similar measure on Monday.
___
ROME — Italy added another 347 coronavirus infections to its official tally, a day after it surpassed the 500-case barrier for the first time since late May.
Italy had 552 confirmed cases on Friday. With Saturday’s update from the health ministry, Italy’s daily caseload returns to the 200-300 range of new infections it has maintained for the past several weeks.
Government officials have urged Italians to keep their guard up, given Spain, France and Germany have seen daily infections top the 1,000-mark recently after the easing of virus lockdown measures.
Italian officials have blamed the new clusters largely on newly arrived migrants and Italians returning home from vacation outside their home regions. Another 13 people died in the last day, making Italy’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll 35,203 — sixth highest in the world.
___
BANGOR, Maine — Masks and social distancing will be required when Maine holds its first murder trial since the coronavirus pandemic crippled much of the U.S. legal system this spring.
The Bangor Daily News reports that jurors, lawyers and the judge will all wear masks. Jurors will sit in the gallery instead of the jury box so they can sit 6 feet (2 meters) apart. Members of the public, including reporters and family members of the victim, will sit in a separate room to watch a live video stream of the trial.
Court officials are sending jury summonses to 500 people to ensure that they can find enough fair and impartial jurors who are willing to serve under the coronavirus rules, says Peter Schleck, manager of operations at the Bangor courthouse.
___
BERLIN — Germany’s Foreign Ministry has issued a travel warning for parts of Bulgaria and Romania because of regional spikes in coronavirus cases.
The ministry says on its website that tourists should avoid unnecessary travel to Blagoevgrad, Dobrich and Varna in Bulgaria. Varna on the Black Sea coast is a popular tourist destination.
It also urged travelers to avoid seven counties in Romania, most of them in the west of the country.
Travelers returning to Germany from those areas must undergo a compulsory coronavirus test.
___
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hundreds of thousands of students in the isolated Gaza Strip are returning to schools that have reopened after five months of closure.
The Palestinian enclave came been spared a serious outbreak of the coronavirus for now. There have been no known cases of community transmission among the 2 million residents of Gaza, which has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since the militant Hamas group took power in 2007.
Seventy-eight people have tested positive for Covid-19 and a woman with underlying health issues died, all at the territory’s isolation centers.
With the virus at bay, 285,000 students at U.N.-run schools and some 277,000 pupils at public schools were headed back to school this week. They were not required to wear masks or keep distancing, but teachers at U.N. Relief and Works Agency schools poured sanitizers on students’ hands.
Authorities are studying a full-fledged back-to-school start in September.
___
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has announced that it will allow the full resumption of all types of international flights to and from the country’s airports from Sunday amid a steady decline in COVID-19 deaths and infections.
The announcement comes weeks after Pakistan partially reopened its airports for domestic and international commercial flights.
Earlier this week authorities allowed to resumption of domestic flights from all of the country’s airports.
A complete ban on domestic and international commercial flights was imposed in March when Pakistan enforced a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Later, the restrictions were gradually eased and Pakistan witnessed a peak in virus deaths and infections in June.
Pakistan on Saturday reported only 14 fatalities from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, raising its total COVID-19-related fatalities to 6,068.
___
BERLIN — Germany and France have challenged Washington’s role in leading talks over reforming the World Health Organization, citing the U.S. decision to quit the global body.
Germany’s Health Ministry said the issue was discussed during a call of health ministers from the Group of Seven leading economies Thursday.
In a statement Saturday, the ministry said that in view of the United States’ withdrawal from WHO, “Germany and France currently see no mandate for the U.S. to lead the WHO reform process for the G-7.”
“How can you be leading while you are leaving?” the ministry added.
The Trump administration, which holds the rotating presidency of the G-7 this year, has accused WHO of bowing to pressure from China in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
___
LONDON — People in Britain must wear masks in most indoor settings starting Saturday as the country tries to squash a rise in coronavirus infections that has followed the easing of lockdown measures.
England and Scotland now require face-coverings in most indoor spaces, including places of worship, museums, cinemas, banks and libraries. They were already mandatory in shops and on public transit.
A swath of northern England has been put under tougher restrictions that bar households from mixing, after a surge in infections that authorities blame partly on people meeting up in homes and pubs.
Britain’s official coronavirus death toll stands at more than 46,500, the highest in Europe.
The Office for National Statistics says the number of people testing positive for the virus has risen since the end of June — just after the country began to ease its lockdown — but may have leveled off. It estimated there were 3,700 new infections a day in the community in England in the week to Aug. 2, down from 4,200 a day the week before.
___
BERLIN — Travelers arriving in Germany from most non-European Union countries and some regions within the bloc that have high numbers of coronavirus cases will have to undergo compulsory testing from Saturday.
The tests for people entering from so-called high risk regions are free for the first three days after arrival. Travelers from those countries already have to self-quarantine for 14 days or until they can present a negative test.
German authorities are concerned about the rising number of cases in the country.
Germany’s Robert Koch Institute, the nation’s disease control center, recorded more than 1,000 new infections nationwide for the third day running Saturday.
___


mercurynews--2020-08-08--Trump orders more unemployment pay, a payroll tax deferral

By Jonathan Lemire and Zeke Miller | Associated Press BEDMINSTER , N.J. — Seizing the power of his podium and his pen , President Donald Trump on Saturday moved to bypass the nation ’ s elected lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed .
At his private country club in Bedminster , New Jersey , Trump signed four executive orders to act where Congress hasn ’ t , contending Washington ’ s gridlock had compelled him to act as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and imperiled his November reelection hopes .
Perhaps most crucially , Trump moved to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak .
However , his order called for up to $ 400 payments , one-third less than the $ 600 people had been receiving .
Congress allowed those higher payments to lapse on Aug. 1 , and negotiations to extend them have been mired in partisan gridlock , with the White House and Democrats miles apart .
Trump largely stayed on the sidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional leaders , leaving the talks on his side to chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin .
Trump ’ s embrace of executive actions to sidestep Congress runs in sharp contrast to his criticism of former President Barack Obama ’ s use of executive orders on a more limited basis .
And the president ’ s step-back from talks with Congress breaks with his self-assured negotiating skills .
Now , Trump , who has not spoken with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi since last year , sought to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 400 weekly assistance , as well as a deferral of payroll tax and federal student loan payments and the continuation of a freeze on some evictions during the crisis .
“ It ’ s $ 400 a week , and we ’ re doing it without the Democrats , ” Trump said , asking states to cover 25 % of the cost .
Trump is seeking to set aside $ 44 billion in previously approved disaster aid to help states maintain supplemental pandemic jobless benefits , but Trump said it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much , if any of it , to fund , so the benefits could be smaller still .
Many states have been facing budget shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic and would have difficulty assuming the new obligation .
The previous unemployment benefit was fully funded by Washington .
The president said at his club on Friday night that “ if Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.
” Democrats had said they would lower their spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 trillion but said the White House needed to increase their offer .
Republicans have proposed a $ 1 trillion plan .
White House aides have watched the talks break down with apprehension , fearful that failure to close a deal could further damage an economic recovery already showing signs of slowing down .
Friday ’ s jobs report , though it beat expectations , was smaller than the past two months , in part because a resurgence of the virus has led to states rolling back their reopenings .
The president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stabilize and show signs of growth for him to have any chance at winning reelection .
Aides were hoping to frame the expected executive orders signings as a sign that Trump was taking action in a time of crisis .
But it also would reinforce the view that the president , who took office declaring he was a dealmaker , was unable to steer the process to an agreement .
Trump said Saturday the orders “ will take care of pretty much this entire situation , as we know it.
” But they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation , and even aides acknowledged they didn ’ t meet the needs of all that was required .
“ This is not a perfect answer — we ’ ll be the first ones to say that , ” Meadows said Friday as talks broke down .
“ But it is all that we can do and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power , and we ’ re going to encourage him to do it.
” Trump said the employee portion of the payroll tax would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the year .
The move would not directly aid unemployed workers , who do not pay the tax when they are jobless , and employees will need to repay the federal government eventually without an act of Congress , where there is bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill .
In essence , the deferral is an interest-free loan that would have to be repaid .
Trump said he ’ ll try to get lawmakers to extend it , and the timing would line up with a post-election lame-duck session in which Congress will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If I win , I may extend and terminate , ” Trump said , repeating a longtime goal but remaining silent on how he ’ d fund the Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7 % tax on employee income covers .
Employers also pay 7.65 % of their payrolls into the funds .
“ This fake tax cut would also be a big shock to workers who thought they were getting a tax cut when it was only a delay , ” said Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ much bigger payments down the road.
” Both the House and Senate have left Washington , with members sent home on instructions to be ready to return for a vote on an agreement .
With no deal in sight , their absence raised the possibility of a prolonged stalemate that stretches well into August and even September .
Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence for the public — but not so this time .
It would mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the still-raging coronavirus .
Friday ’ s negotiations at the Capitol added up to only “ a disappointing meeting , ” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York .
He said the White House had rejected an offer by Pelosi , D-Calif. , to curb Democratic demands by about $ 1 trillion .
Schumer urged the White House to “ negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle .
Don ’ t say it ’ s your way or no way.
” That Capitol Hill session followed a combative meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill .
Pelosi declared the talks all but dead until Meadows and Mnuchin give ground .
The breakdown in the negotiations is particularly distressing for schools , which have been counting on billions of dollars from Washington to help with the costs of reopening .
But other priorities are also languishing , including a fresh round of $ 1,200 direct payments to most people , a cash infusion for the struggling Postal Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November .
Mnuchin said renewal of a $ 600-per-week pandemic jobless boost and huge demands by Democrats for aid to state and local governments are the key areas where they are stuck .
Democrats have offered to reduce her almost $ 1 trillion demand for state and local governments considerably , but some of Pelosi ’ s proposed cost savings would accrue chiefly because she would shorten the timeframe for benefits like food stamps .
Pelosi and Schumer continue to insist on a huge aid package to address a surge in cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat of poverty for millions of the newly unemployed .
Senate Republicans have been split , with roughly half of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s rank and file opposed to another rescue bill at all .
Four prior coronavirus response bills totaling almost $ 3 trillion have won approval on bipartisan votes despite intense wrangling , but conservatives have recoiled at the prospect of another Pelosi-brokered agreement with a whopping deficit-financed cost .
• Officials issued at least 10 warnings about Beirut port danger • Hundreds of affordable apartments planned for where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept his distance from the negotiations while coordinating with Mnuchin and Meadows .
Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report .

By Jonathan Lemire and Zeke Miller | Associated Press
BEDMINSTER, N.J. — Seizing the power of his podium and his pen, President Donald Trump on Saturday moved to bypass the nation’s elected lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed.
At his private country club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump signed four executive orders to act where Congress hasn’t, contending Washington’s gridlock had compelled him to act as the pandemic undermined the country’s economy and imperiled his November reelection hopes.
Perhaps most crucially, Trump moved to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak. However, his order called for up to $400 payments, one-third less than the $600 people had been receiving. Congress allowed those higher payments to lapse on Aug. 1, and negotiations to extend them have been mired in partisan gridlock, with the White House and Democrats miles apart.
Trump largely stayed on the sidelines during the administration’s negotiations with congressional leaders, leaving the talks on his side to chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
Trump’s embrace of executive actions to sidestep Congress runs in sharp contrast to his criticism of former President Barack Obama’s use of executive orders on a more limited basis. And the president’s step-back from talks with Congress breaks with his self-assured negotiating skills.
Now, Trump, who has not spoken with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi since last year, sought to play the role of election-year savior, with the $400 weekly assistance, as well as a deferral of payroll tax and federal student loan payments and the continuation of a freeze on some evictions during the crisis.
“It’s $400 a week, and we’re doing it without the Democrats,” Trump said, asking states to cover 25% of the cost. Trump is seeking to set aside $44 billion in previously approved disaster aid to help states maintain supplemental pandemic jobless benefits, but Trump said it would be up to states to determine how much, if any of it, to fund, so the benefits could be smaller still.
Many states have been facing budget shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic and would have difficulty assuming the new obligation. The previous unemployment benefit was fully funded by Washington.
The president said at his club on Friday night that “if Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.”
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/08/08/trump-veterans-choice-dale-fact-check-bts-vpx.cnn”]
Democrats had said they would lower their spending demands from $3.4 trillion to $2 trillion but said the White House needed to increase their offer. Republicans have proposed a $1 trillion plan.
White House aides have watched the talks break down with apprehension, fearful that failure to close a deal could further damage an economic recovery already showing signs of slowing down. Friday’s jobs report, though it beat expectations, was smaller than the past two months, in part because a resurgence of the virus has led to states rolling back their reopenings.
The president’s team believes the economy needs to stabilize and show signs of growth for him to have any chance at winning reelection. Aides were hoping to frame the expected executive orders signings as a sign that Trump was taking action in a time of crisis. But it also would reinforce the view that the president, who took office declaring he was a dealmaker, was unable to steer the process to an agreement.
Trump said Saturday the orders “will take care of pretty much this entire situation, as we know it.” But they are far smaller in scope than congressional legislation, and even aides acknowledged they didn’t meet the needs of all that was required.
“This is not a perfect answer — we’ll be the first ones to say that,” Meadows said Friday as talks broke down. “But it is all that we can do and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power, and we’re going to encourage him to do it.”
Trump said the employee portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year. The move would not directly aid unemployed workers, who do not pay the tax when they are jobless, and employees will need to repay the federal government eventually without an act of Congress, where there is bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill.
In essence, the deferral is an interest-free loan that would have to be repaid. Trump said he’ll try to get lawmakers to extend it, and the timing would line up with a post-election lame-duck session in which Congress will try to pass government funding bills.
“If I win, I may extend and terminate,” Trump said, repeating a longtime goal but remaining silent on how he’d fund the Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7% tax on employee income covers. Employers also pay 7.65% of their payrolls into the funds.
“This fake tax cut would also be a big shock to workers who thought they were getting a tax cut when it was only a delay,” said Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon. “These workers would be hit with much bigger payments down the road.”
Both the House and Senate have left Washington, with members sent home on instructions to be ready to return for a vote on an agreement. With no deal in sight, their absence raised the possibility of a prolonged stalemate that stretches well into August and even September.
Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence for the public — but not so this time. It would mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus.
Friday’s negotiations at the Capitol added up to only “a disappointing meeting,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. He said the White House had rejected an offer by Pelosi, D-Calif., to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. Schumer urged the White House to “negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle. Don’t say it’s your way or no way.”
That Capitol Hill session followed a combative meeting Thursday evening that for the first time cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill.
Pelosi declared the talks all but dead until Meadows and Mnuchin give ground.
The breakdown in the negotiations is particularly distressing for schools, which have been counting on billions of dollars from Washington to help with the costs of reopening. But other priorities are also languishing, including a fresh round of $1,200 direct payments to most people, a cash infusion for the struggling Postal Service and money to help states hold elections in November.
Mnuchin said renewal of a $600-per-week pandemic jobless boost and huge demands by Democrats for aid to state and local governments are the key areas where they are stuck.
Democrats have offered to reduce her almost $1 trillion demand for state and local governments considerably, but some of Pelosi’s proposed cost savings would accrue chiefly because she would shorten the timeframe for benefits like food stamps.
Pelosi and Schumer continue to insist on a huge aid package to address a surge in cases and deaths, double-digit joblessness and the threat of poverty for millions of the newly unemployed.
Senate Republicans have been split, with roughly half of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s rank and file opposed to another rescue bill at all. Four prior coronavirus response bills totaling almost $3 trillion have won approval on bipartisan votes despite intense wrangling, but conservatives have recoiled at the prospect of another Pelosi-brokered agreement with a whopping deficit-financed cost.
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Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-08-08--How Jeff Samardzija’s shoulder injury affects his future with Giants and the team’s rotation

After allowing six home runs while striking out just five hitters in his three starts this season , Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija is headed to injured list and could potentially stay there much longer than the minimum 10-day requirement .
Manager Gabe Kapler revealed Saturday that Samardzija has a right shoulder impingement and is set to undergo a MRI in Los Angeles .
If the diagnosis reveals a significant issue , it ’ s possible Samardzija ’ s career with the Giants is over .
Following an outing in which he gave up homers to three different Dodgers sluggers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggled to get his right shoulder loose while warming up .
“ Shark shared that he just had trouble getting loose and he wasn ’ t able to rip his pitches the way he wanted to , ” Kapler said .
“ That certainly makes an impact on a pitcher ’ s ability to perform.
” A blister on Samardzija ’ s right hand has prevented him from throwing his splitter this year and limited his effectiveness against the Padres , Rangers and Dodgers , but the 12th-year veteran ’ s shoulder ailment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given his previous history of shoulder trouble , the injury is frustrating news for a starter in the final weeks of a five-year , $ 90 million contract he signed with the Giants in December , 2015 .
Samardzija was limited to 10 outings during a rough 2018 season due to a shoulder injury that proved difficult for the right-hander to overcome .
Samardzija didn ’ t need surgery and only complained of inflammation at the time , but he repeatedly said he struggled to “ get loose ” in the bullpen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary arm speed to maintain his effectiveness .
Kapler said it was too soon to connect the shoulder issues Samardzija is dealing with right now with what he faced in 2018 , but the similarities are obvious .
Much like in 2018 , Samardzija isn ’ t generating swings and misses , his command with several different pitches is off and his fastball isn ’ t missing bats .
When he returned to the mound in 2019 , Samardzija emerged as the Giants ’ most reliable starter and posted a 3.52 ERA over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted his preparation process –particularly during the offseason– would need to change for the remainder of his career if he hoped to avoid more shoulder issues .
With Samardzija and left-hander Drew Smyly ( left index finger strain ) on the 10-day injured list , the Giants are now without two of their projected starters and unsure of how they ’ ll fill the void in their starting rotation .
Left-hander Tyler Anderson took Smyly ’ s turn in the rotation Thursday in Colorado and threw five scoreless innings against his former club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitches and it ’ s unclear if the Giants would feel comfortable pushing him past 80 in his next outing .
Another left-hander , Andrew Suárez , was called up from the Giants ’ taxi squad to take Samardzija ’ s roster spot Saturday , but Kapler indicated he wanted to have Suárez as an option in the bullpen immediately , particularly if the club needs a pitcher to work multiple innings at a time in relief .
Suárez has starting experience in the past , but given the state of an overworked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be used within the next few days .
The most likely candidate to replace Samardzija in the rotation on Wednesday in Houston might be minor league free agent Trevor Cahill , who has spent the last two weeks working out at the Giants ’ alternate site in Sacramento after a fingernail injury prevented him from making the Opening Day roster .
Cahill was initially viewed as a “ bulk innings ” pitcher who could swing back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen as needed , so the Giants could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming days .
Kapler mentioned that Cahill pitched well in an intrasquad outing on Friday in Sacramento and also noted he had been built up beyond three innings earlier in the week .
Through 15 games , the Giants haven ’ t received a quality start — 6 innings , fewer than four earned runs — from any of its pitchers .
They would love to have Cahill in a position to work deep into a game and save the bullpen if he does make his first appearance next week .
With two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kevin Gausman– sporting earned run averages hovering around 5.00 , the Giants will have to take what they can get from their remaining healthy options .
We Need Your Support !
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I ’ ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you ’ ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com .
Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer .
@ @ @ @ @ @

After allowing six home runs while striking out just five hitters in his three starts this season, Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija is headed to injured list and could potentially stay there much longer than the minimum 10-day requirement.
Manager Gabe Kapler revealed Saturday that Samardzija has a right shoulder impingement and is set to undergo a MRI in Los Angeles. If the diagnosis reveals a significant issue, it’s possible Samardzija’s career with the Giants is over.
Following an outing in which he gave up homers to three different Dodgers sluggers, Samardzija told the Giants medical staff he struggled to get his right shoulder loose while warming up.
“Shark shared that he just had trouble getting loose and he wasn’t able to rip his pitches the way he wanted to,” Kapler said. “That certainly makes an impact on a pitcher’s ability to perform.”
A blister on Samardzija’s right hand has prevented him from throwing his splitter this year and limited his effectiveness against the Padres, Rangers and Dodgers, but the 12th-year veteran’s shoulder ailment is clearly a more concerning injury.
Given his previous history of shoulder trouble, the injury is frustrating news for a starter in the final weeks of a five-year, $90 million contract he signed with the Giants in December, 2015.
Samardzija was limited to 10 outings during a rough 2018 season due to a shoulder injury that proved difficult for the right-hander to overcome. Samardzija didn’t need surgery and only complained of inflammation at the time, but he repeatedly said he struggled to “get loose” in the bullpen and wasn’t able to generate the necessary arm speed to maintain his effectiveness.
Kapler said it was too soon to connect the shoulder issues Samardzija is dealing with right now with what he faced in 2018, but the similarities are obvious.
Much like in 2018, Samardzija isn’t generating swings and misses, his command with several different pitches is off and his fastball isn’t missing bats. When he returned to the mound in 2019, Samardzija emerged as the Giants’ most reliable starter and posted a 3.52 ERA over 181 1/3 innings, but he also admitted his preparation process –particularly during the offseason– would need to change for the remainder of his career if he hoped to avoid more shoulder issues.
With Samardzija and left-hander Drew Smyly (left index finger strain) on the 10-day injured list, the Giants are now without two of their projected starters and unsure of how they’ll fill the void in their starting rotation.
Left-hander Tyler Anderson took Smyly’s turn in the rotation Thursday in Colorado and threw five scoreless innings against his former club. But Anderson was limited to 66 pitches and it’s unclear if the Giants would feel comfortable pushing him past 80 in his next outing.
Another left-hander, Andrew Suárez, was called up from the Giants’ taxi squad to take Samardzija’s roster spot Saturday, but Kapler indicated he wanted to have Suárez as an option in the bullpen immediately, particularly if the club needs a pitcher to work multiple innings at a time in relief.
Suárez has starting experience in the past, but given the state of an overworked bullpen, it’s likely he’ll be used within the next few days.
The most likely candidate to replace Samardzija in the rotation on Wednesday in Houston might be minor league free agent Trevor Cahill, who has spent the last two weeks working out at the Giants’ alternate site in Sacramento after a fingernail injury prevented him from making the Opening Day roster.
Cahill was initially viewed as a “bulk innings” pitcher who could swing back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen as needed, so the Giants could add him to the roster in the coming days.
Kapler mentioned that Cahill pitched well in an intrasquad outing on Friday in Sacramento and also noted he had been built up beyond three innings earlier in the week.
Through 15 games, the Giants haven’t received a quality start — 6 innings, fewer than four earned runs — from any of its pitchers. They would love to have Cahill in a position to work deep into a game and save the bullpen if he does make his first appearance next week.
With two starters sidelined and two others –Johnny Cueto and Kevin Gausman– sporting earned run averages hovering around 5.00, the Giants will have to take what they can get from their remaining healthy options.
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley


mercurynews--2020-08-08--Concord neighborhood shows support after family’s BLM chalk art repeatedly erased

Every day for nearly a week , Manette Sharick and her 3-year-old daughter , Zhuri , drew “ Black Lives Matter ” in chalk across the sidewalk outside their home in Concord .
But every time they wrote the message , they woke up the next morning to find that the word Black , and only that word , had been erased .
“ I just wanted to teach my daughter that Black lives matter , Black culture matters , Black communities matter , and that we are the movement for Black lives , ” Sharick , who is Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shocked that someone could be purposefully doing this .
It hurt a lot , it made me extremely upset.
” Following three days of what she called “ overwhelming frustration , ” Sharick wrote the message in direct view of her security camera .
That ’ s when she saw a man she says she never met and only knows as Jim , pouring water over the message .
In a video Sharick recorded on her phone after running out to confront him , the man tells her that he will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she keeps on doing this.
” “ I was only pouring across the word Black because I believe that all lives matter , ” Jim told CNN affiliate KGO .
“ I don ’ t care what nationality , sexual orientation or any of that , we are all human beings.
” He added that he erased the “ Black ” from Black Lives Matter because he felt in the beginning of the movement “ it had good intentions ” but now the phrase has been “ hijacked.
” CNN could not reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released his last name .
Sharick moved into the neighborhood 27 years ago .
She said this was the first time she ever was faced with “ such a blatant display of racism.
” “ He had that much time and energy to take time out of his day , every day , to bring water and come to my home and erase ‘ Black ’ from ‘ Black Lives Matter , ' ” she added .
“ It hurt .
It hurt a lot .
As a Black community , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
We just want change.
” After sharing the video on Instagram and Facebook on July 30 , word began to spread .
The next day , Sharick said dozens of people from in and out of the neighborhood showed up in front of Sharick ’ s home with chalk to draw supporting messages all over the sidewalk on her side of the street and even in front of their own homes .
One of these neighbors is Ilana Israel Samuels , who told CNN she refused to stay silent after finding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discrimination .
“ People need to stand with their Black neighbors in support .
All lives can ’ t matter until Black lives matter .
Right now , Black lives are being harmed , murdered by police , and they are constantly living in fear , ” Samuels said .
After neighbors left the sidewalk covered in positive messages encouraging love , hope , and kindness , as well as support for the Black Lives Matter movement , Sharick and her daughter continued to rewrite the message every day .
Since the outpour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to erase the message again .
• Letters : Who will decide election | Yes on Prop .
15 | Homeland chief disgraceful | Save newspapers | Rioting isn ’ t protesting • 49ers ’ Fred Warner now compelled to speak up for racial equality • Hate-crime charges ‘ outrageous , ’ says attorney for couple accused of defacing Black Lives Matter mural in Martinez “ I am deeply thankful and blessed for the special , unique , amazing people in my life who supported me , uplifted me and comforted me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family and I are grateful for the help and support we have received from the community.
” While words can be washed away and chalk may fade , this community ’ s message will stand forever .

Every day for nearly a week, Manette Sharick and her 3-year-old daughter, Zhuri, drew “Black Lives Matter” in chalk across the sidewalk outside their home in Concord.
But every time they wrote the message, they woke up the next morning to find that the word Black, and only that word, had been erased.
“I just wanted to teach my daughter that Black lives matter, Black culture matters, Black communities matter, and that we are the movement for Black lives,” Sharick, who is Black, told CNN. “I was shocked that someone could be purposefully doing this. It hurt a lot, it made me extremely upset.”
Following three days of what she called “overwhelming frustration,” Sharick wrote the message in direct view of her security camera.
That’s when she saw a man she says she never met and only knows as Jim, pouring water over the message. In a video Sharick recorded on her phone after running out to confront him, the man tells her that he will continue to remove the word “as long as she keeps on doing this.”
“I was only pouring across the word Black because I believe that all lives matter,” Jim told CNN affiliate KGO. “I don’t care what nationality, sexual orientation or any of that, we are all human beings.”
He added that he erased the “Black” from Black Lives Matter because he felt in the beginning of the movement “it had good intentions” but now the phrase has been “hijacked.”
CNN could not reach Jim for comment because he has not released his last name.
A ‘blatant display of racism’
Sharick moved into the neighborhood 27 years ago. She said this was the first time she ever was faced with “such a blatant display of racism.”
“He had that much time and energy to take time out of his day, every day, to bring water and come to my home and erase ‘Black’ from ‘Black Lives Matter,'” she added. “It hurt. It hurt a lot. As a Black community, we are heartbroken by everything done against us every day. We just want change.”
After sharing the video on Instagram and Facebook on July 30, word began to spread. The next day, Sharick said dozens of people from in and out of the neighborhood showed up in front of Sharick’s home with chalk to draw supporting messages all over the sidewalk on her side of the street and even in front of their own homes.
One of these neighbors is Ilana Israel Samuels, who told CNN she refused to stay silent after finding out someone in her neighborhood was facing discrimination.
“People need to stand with their Black neighbors in support. All lives can’t matter until Black lives matter. Right now, Black lives are being harmed, murdered by police, and they are constantly living in fear,” Samuels said.
After neighbors left the sidewalk covered in positive messages encouraging love, hope, and kindness, as well as support for the Black Lives Matter movement, Sharick and her daughter continued to rewrite the message every day.
Since the outpour of support, the man has not tried to erase the message again.
“I am deeply thankful and blessed for the special, unique, amazing people in my life who supported me, uplifted me and comforted me,” Sharick said. “My family and I are grateful for the help and support we have received from the community.”
While words can be washed away and chalk may fade, this community’s message will stand forever.
The-CNN-Wire
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mercurynews--2020-08-08--San Jose: Man injured in overnight shooting near hotel

SAN JOSE — A man was injured in an overnight shooting at a hotel north of Japantown , police said @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , San Jose police officers were called to the Hedding Inn , located at @ @ @ @ @ and North 13th streets , for a report of a person shot , according to @ @ @ @ @ , officers could not find a victim .
A short while later , a man @ @ @ @ @ suffering from at least one gunshot wound who officers determined was the victim .
He @ @ @ @ @ an update on his condition was not immediately available Saturday .
No suspects have been @ @ @ @ @ , Tepoorten said .

SAN JOSE — A man was injured in an overnight shooting at a hotel north of Japantown, police said.
At around 2:40 a.m. Saturday, San Jose police officers were called to the Hedding Inn, located at the corner of East Hedding and North 13th streets, for a report of a person shot, according to Officer Gina Tepoorten.
However, officers could not find a victim. A short while later, a man arrived at a nearby hospital suffering from at least one gunshot wound who officers determined was the victim.
He is expected to survive; an update on his condition was not immediately available Saturday.
No suspects have been identified or taken into custody, Tepoorten said.