mercurynews--2020-04-22--Contra Costa County suspends evictions, rent increases amid coronavirus shutdown

Contra Costa County renters have more protection from losing their homes and business space after the Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved an urgency ordinance to suspend evictions of residential and commercial tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and placed a moratorium on rent increases .
The ordinance — which follows eviction moratoriums already passed by San Francisco , San Mateo , Alameda and Santa Clara counties , as well as cities including Oakland , Concord , Richmond Pittsburg and Antioch — bars landlords and sublessors from terminating a renter ’ s tenancy for failing to pay rent if the tenant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to pay “ substantial ” medical expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic .
Tenants must provide documentation to prove their loss of income or out-of-pocket medical expenses , according to the ordinance .
Supervisors said a form — like one Santa Clara County has created — could quickly be made available on the county website for renters to use , but other documentation could include paystubs , bank statements , or a notice from an employer .
The ordinance also prevents property owners for terminating tenancies for any reason that is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tenant , ” except if an owner or a member of the owner ’ s family wants to move into the unit , or if the eviction is necessary for protecting the health and safety of the owner or another tenant .
For those impacted by COVID-19 , landlords can not collect late fees for 120 days after the ordinance expires .
Those tenants also have those 120 days to pay back the rent they owe without facing eviction .
There are some other protections for renters throughout the state .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California adopted an emergency court rule that effectively halted residential and commercial evictions statewide until 90 days after the governor lifts the COVID-19 state of emergency .
The order prohibits a court from proceeding with eviction cases unless they ’ re deemed necessary to protect public health and safety .
Also , Gov .
Gavin Newsom issued an executive order prohibiting landlords from evicting tenants who can ’ t pay because of COVID-19 through May 31 , 2020 .
But renters and tenant advocates have asked Contra Costa for weeks to go further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke at Tuesday ’ s meeting praising the ordinance but urging supervisors to give them a longer grace period for paying their rent debt to landlords .
“ It is important for you to increase grace period to at least a year or 120 days per month ( of lost income ) , ” wrote Dolores Ramos , a county resident and single mother , in a letter to the board read aloud Tuesday .
With her work hours reduced to part-time , she told the board , it is difficult to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including rent , and the requirements to provide notice and documentation to landlords is burdensome .
Many tenants fear that come the end of the sheltering order , the requirement to pay back the rent in just 120 days will be too much for them to bear .
While Supervisor John Gioia urged for the grace period to last six months , the full board eventually agreed to stick with 120 days and return to the issue if the sheltering order is extended .
The impact of the shutdown on renters has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the board last week , Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department director Kathy Gallagher detailed the impact of the shutdown on people in the county .
The Contra Costa Crisis Center fielded a 171 % increase in calls related to rental assistance and evictions last month compared to March 2019 , and about 60 percent of those calls involved landlords demanding payment nownters .
And some property owners wrote to the board Tuesday to address the financial hardship they say they face by losing income from their rental properties .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help landlords with mortgage relief or provide information about small business loans but did not discuss specific solutions .
“ I do know people who have put their retirement into ( property ) ownership .
So they ’ re reliant on rental and lease money for that income , ” said District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover .
Gioia urged his supervisors to advocate for help from the federal government for small businesses and individuals .
The California Apartment Associaiton — which opposed the Judicil Council ’ s move to halt eviction proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill that would have the state of California pay up to 80 percent of unpaid rent attributable to COVID-19 impacts .

Contra Costa County on Tuesday approved an urgency ordinance that temporarily prohibits evictions of residential and commercial tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and stops rent increases.
The ordinance is similar to those already passed by San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda and Santa Clara counties, as well as some cities including Oakland, Concord, Richmond Pittsburg and Antioch.
The ordinance bars landlords and sublessors from kicking out tenants who fail to pay rent if they can show they lost income or have to field “substantial” medical expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tenants must provide documentation to prove their loss of income or out-of-pocket medical expenses, according to the ordinance. Supervisors said a form, like one Santa Clara County has created, could quickly be made available on the county website for renters to use. Other documentation could include pay stubs, bank statements or a notice from an employer.
The ordinance also prevents property owners from terminating tenancies for any reason not based on “an alleged fault of the tenant,” except in cases where an owner or a member of the owner’s family wants to move into the unit or where an eviction is necessary to protect the health and safety of the owner or another tenant.
In addition, landlords cannot collect late-rent fees from tenants affected by COVID-19 for 120 days after the ordinance expires on May 31. The ordinance also gives those tenants 120 days to pay the owed rent without facing eviction.
The ordinance also freezes rent increases through May 31 at apartments built more than 15 years ago. State law prevents the freeze from applying to residences built within the last 15 years, single family homes, owner-occupied duplexes, hotels, senior or adult residential care facilities, school dorms, group housing, townhouses or condos that are not owned by a corporation, investment trust or LLC.
On April 5, the Judicial Council of California issued an emergency order that effectively halted residential and commercial evictions statewide until 90 days after the governor lifts the COVID-19 state of emergency. The order prohibits a court from proceeding with eviction cases unless they’re deemed necessary to protect public health and safety. In addition, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order prohibiting landlords from evicting tenants who can’t pay because of COVID-19 through May 31.
But renters and tenant advocates have asked Contra Costa for weeks to offer further protections, and dozens spoke at Tuesday’s meeting praising the ordinance while urging supervisors to extend the grace period for paying owed rent.
“It is important for you to increase grace period to at least a year or 120 days per month (of lost income),” Dolores Ramos, a county resident and single mother, wrote in a letter to the board that was read aloud Tuesday.
With her work hours reduced to part-time, she said it’s difficult to come up with the money to pay bills, including rent, and the requirements to provide notice and documentation to landlords is burdensome.
Some tenants said they fear that when the shelter-in-place order eventually expires, it’ll be too difficult to pay back rent in just 120 days.
Supervisor John Gioia supported lengthening the grace period to six months, but the full board decided to stick with 120 days and reconsider the issue if the shelter order is extended.
In a letter to the board last week, Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department director Kathy Gallagher noted the Contra Costa Crisis Center fielded a 171% increase in calls related to rental assistance and evictions last month compared to March 2019; about 60 percent of them involved landlords demanding payments.
Some property owners also wrote to the board Tuesday, saying the loss of rental income would be a hardship for them too.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Economy | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The supervisors said they want to explore ways to help landlords with mortgage relief or provide information about small business loans but did not discuss specific solutions.
“I do know people who have put their retirement into (property) ownership. So they’re reliant on rental and lease money for that income,” District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover said.
The California Apartment Association, which opposed the Judicial Council’s move to halt eviction proceedings during the crisis, has sponsored a bill that would make the state pay up to 80 percent of rent that can’t be paid because of COVID-19 impacts.


mercurynews--2020-04-22--Trump says he wishes North Korean leader Kim well

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he doesn ’ t know whether North Korean despot Kim Jong Un is ill but nevertheless wished him luck in his potential ailments .
“ I can only say this , I wish him well , ” Trump said when questioned about Kim ’ s condition .
“ Good luck.
” CNN ’ s Jim Sciutto reported Monday the US is monitoring intelligence that suggests North Korea ’ s leader is in grave danger after undergoing a previous surgery , according to a US official with direct knowledge .
A second source familiar with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been closely monitoring reports on Kim ’ s health .
Kim recently missed the celebration of his grandfather ’ s birthday on April 15 , which raised speculation about his well-being .
He had been seen four days before that at a government meeting .
Trump , who has met Kim in person three times and crossed the Korean Demilitarized Zone alongside the young dictator last summer , said they had developed strong ties .
“ I ’ ve had a very good relationship with him , ” Trump said .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Kim and exchanging glowing letters that underscored their unusual relationship .
He said last week he received a “ nice note ” from Kim recently .
“ I think we ’ re doing fine , ” Trump said at the time .
Later , Pyongyang denied that Kim had recently sent Trump a letter and accused him of evoking the personal relationship for “ selfish purposes.
” The effects of their friendship diplomacy are mixed .
North Korea has not taken concrete steps to abandon its nuclear program and has continued testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to contact Kim during his reported period of convalescence , Trump said he might .
“ I may , ” Trump said .
“ I just hope he ’ s doing fine .
”

By Kevin Liptak | CNN
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he doesn’t know whether North Korean despot Kim Jong Un is ill but nevertheless wished him luck in his potential ailments.
“I can only say this, I wish him well,” Trump said when questioned about Kim’s condition. “Good luck.”
CNN’s Jim Sciutto reported Monday the US is monitoring intelligence that suggests North Korea’s leader is in grave danger after undergoing a previous surgery, according to a US official with direct knowledge.
A second source familiar with the intelligence told CNN that the US has been closely monitoring reports on Kim’s health.
Kim recently missed the celebration of his grandfather’s birthday on April 15, which raised speculation about his well-being. He had been seen four days before that at a government meeting.
Trump, who has met Kim in person three times and crossed the Korean Demilitarized Zone alongside the young dictator last summer, said they had developed strong ties.
“I’ve had a very good relationship with him,” Trump said.
Trump has previously described “falling in love” with Kim and exchanging glowing letters that underscored their unusual relationship.
He said last week he received a “nice note” from Kim recently.
“I think we’re doing fine,” Trump said at the time.
Later, Pyongyang denied that Kim had recently sent Trump a letter and accused him of evoking the personal relationship for “selfish purposes.”
The effects of their friendship diplomacy are mixed. North Korea has not taken concrete steps to abandon its nuclear program and has continued testing missiles.
Asked Tuesday whether he would attempt to contact Kim during his reported period of convalescence, Trump said he might.
“I may,” Trump said. “I just hope he’s doing fine.”


mercurynews--2020-04-21--Photos: Celebrate Earth Day with gorgeous Bay Area nature images — perfect for a Zoom background

The 50th anniversary of Earth Day is Wednesday , April 22 , and just because we can ’ t go @ @ @ @ @ together doesn ’ t mean we can ’ t show our appreciation .
We sent @ @ @ @ @ — journalists are essential workers , after all — to capture the beautiful moments in @ @ @ @ @ see in person right now .
To celebrate , download these spectacular images to use @ @ @ @ @ Zoom .
Just right click the image and select “ save image as ” to @ @ @ @ @ .

The 50th anniversary of Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, and just because we can’t go out and hug a tree together doesn’t mean we can’t show our appreciation.
We sent our photographers out during quarantine — journalists are essential workers, after all — to capture the beautiful moments in nature we can’t see in person right now. To celebrate, download these spectacular images to use as your virtual background on Zoom. Just right-click one of the images below and select “save image as” to download it to your desktop.
Once you are in a Zoom meeting on your desktop computer, click the pull-down menu on the video icon on the bottom left of your screen. Select “choose virtual background.” From there you can click the plus button, then “add image” and then select our downloaded image from your computer. Click off the “mirror setting” to make sure our logo isn’t in reverse. You can watch this video tutorial from Zoom.


mercurynews--2020-04-21--Former Stanford president Donald Kennedy dies of COVID-19

REDWOOD CITY – Former Stanford University president Donald Kennedy died of COVID-19 at a residential care facility in Redwood City on Tuesday , the university announced .
He was 88 .
Kennedy , a neurobiologist , became the university ’ s eighth president in 1980 .
He is credited with setting the stage for Stanford ’ s transformation into one of the nation ’ s top research universities during his 12 years in office .
“ As we mourn the loss of Don Kennedy , we also salute his enormous contributions to Stanford and to our country , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
“ As a biologist , as a national voice for science , as a vigorous leader of Stanford University and as an engaging teacher beloved by so many students , Don brought to his endeavors an enduring commitment to academic excellence , a deep wellspring of warmth and good humor and a vision for the possibilities always ahead of Stanford , ” Tessier-Lavigne said .
Kennedy suffered a serious stroke in 2015 and had lived at Gordon Manor , the residential care facility where he died , for the past two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy was born on Aug. 18 , 1931 , in New York City and attended Harvard University , where he earned a bachelor ’ s degree in 1952 , a master ’ s degree in 1954 and a doctorate in 1956 , according to Stanford .
In 1960 , Kennedy joined the Stanford faculty .
He carved out a reputation as an inspiring and dedicated teacher in both biological sciences and in the Program in Human Biology , an interdisciplinary program that he helped establish and directed from 1973 to 1977 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Kennedy demonstrating echolocation in bats by climbing up on the desk in the front of the room , making ‘ bat noises , ’ and flapping his arms , ” said alumna Catherine Garzio in “ The Program in Human Biology at Stanford : The First 30 years , 1971-2002.
” “ I ’ ve thought of it often over the years when other ‘ important people ’ take themselves too seriously , ” Garzio continued .
“ Human Biology in the ’ 70s was really cool !
” Kennedy took a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
When he returned to the university as provost in 1979 , the New York Times lauded him for his leadership of the FDA , writing , “ When he came to Washington two years ago , the agency was torn by internal dissension and the charge in Congress that it had become chummy with the industries it regulates .
Morale has been raised and the FDA ’ s reputation is decidedly one of independence.
” Kennedy is survived by his wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children Page Kennedy Rochon , of Washington , D.C. ; Julia Kennedy Tussing , of Menlo Park ; Cameron Kennedy , of Washington , D.C. ; Jamie Hamill , of Las Vegas ; their spouses Mark Rochon , Ted Tussing , Rick Desimone and Rosario Hamill ; and nine grandchildren .
A celebration of life will be announced when family , friends and members of the Stanford community can safely congregate , according to the university .

REDWOOD CITY – Former Stanford University president Donald Kennedy died of COVID-19 at a residential care facility in Redwood City on Tuesday, the university announced. He was 88.
Kennedy, a neurobiologist and former U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner, became the university’s eighth president in 1980. He is credited with setting the stage for Stanford’s evolution into one of the nation’s top research universities during his 12 years in office.
“As we mourn the loss of Don Kennedy, we also salute his enormous contributions to Stanford and to our country,” said Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne in a news release.
“As a biologist, as a national voice for science, as a vigorous leader of Stanford University and as an engaging teacher beloved by so many students,” Tessier-Lavigne continued, “Don brought to his endeavors an enduring commitment to academic excellence, a deep wellspring of warmth and good humor and a vision for the possibilities always ahead of Stanford.”
Kennedy, who suffered a serious stroke in 2015, had lived at Gordon Manor, the Redwood City residential care facility, for the past two years, according to the university. He is among the 220 people who have died of the novel coronavirus in the Bay Area.
Kennedy was born on Aug. 18, 1931, in New York City and attended Harvard University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1952, a master’s degree in 1954 and a doctorate in 1956.
In 1960, Kennedy joined the Stanford faculty. The university said he became known as an inspiring and dedicated teacher in both biological sciences and in the Program in Human Biology, an interdisciplinary program that he helped establish and directed from 1973 to 1977.
“My favorite Hum Bio memory is of Donald Kennedy demonstrating echolocation in bats by climbing up on the desk in the front of the room, making ‘bat noises,’ and flapping his arms,” said alumna Catherine Garzio in “The Program in Human Biology at Stanford: The First 30 years, 1971-2002.”
“I’ve thought of it often over the years when other ‘important people’ take themselves too seriously,” Garzio continued. “Human Biology in the ’70s was really cool!”
In 1977, Kennedy followed his own advice to students to get involved in matters of public policy and took a leave of absence from Stanford to serve as commissioner of the FDA under President Jimmy Carter, the university said. Two years later, when Kennedy returned to the university as provost, the New York Times lauded him for his leadership of the agency, writing:
“When he came to Washington two years ago, the agency was torn by internal dissension and the charge in Congress that it had become chummy with the industries it regulates. Morale has been raised and the FDA’s reputation is decidedly one of independence.”
Stanford named Kennedy as its next president in 1980. During his tenure, the university opened the Stanford Humanities Center, expanded interdisciplinary studies and added campuses overseas, according to the university. The university also established Bing Stanford in Washington, D.C., which gives undergraduates the chance to live, study and work as interns with government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
In addition, Kennedy helmed a campaign that raised nearly $1.3 billion and provided funding for new equipment, new buildings and expanded financial aid, the university said.
Kennedy’s term in office, however, was marred by a research-billing scandal that ultimately caused him to resign in 1992. It was discovered Stanford had charged a 19th century fruitwood commode, administration of Stanford Shopping Center and depreciation of a yacht, among other items, to the federal government as overhead on hundreds of millions of dollars of research grants the university received during the 1980s. Congressional hearings were held and changes in federal regulations were made.
Jim Gaither, former chairman of the university’s board of trustees, once described Kennedy as the “students’ president.”
“You welcomed students to join you on your morning runs,” Gaither said at a 2014 ceremony to name a new five-building complex on the east side of campus in Kennedy’s honor.
“You walked and talked and laughed with them. You attended their rallies and performances. You even posed with the swim team – you in swimming apparel (what little there was of it) and the team in business suits – after they met your challenge of winning a second NCAA title,” Gaither continued. “You brought scholars and singers, athletes and student leaders, graduate student and postdocs into your home and your daily life.”
In his 2018 memoir “A Place in the Sun,” Kennedy said many of his best experiences at Stanford involved students.
“Creative, compassionate, and, of course, intelligent are adjectives that describe the many amazing students who have walked those shady arcades of sandstone and tile,” Kennedy wrote.
“During my 12 years as University president, I made a conscientious effort to carve out time to interact with these talented young people,” Kennedy continued. “Through teaching, advising and cheering them on – whether on the field, in the classroom, on the stage or in the biology labs – some of my very best Stanford experiences involved my interactions with undergraduates.”
Kennedy returned to teaching after his stint as president, and in 2000, he became editor-in-chief of Science magazine. He also served on a wide variety of boards, nonprofit organizations and scientific advisory bodies, including the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences and the Committee on Science, Technology and Law of the National Academies of Sciences.
Kennedy is survived by his wife, Robin Kennedy, of Menlo Park; children Page Kennedy Rochon, of Washington, D.C.; Julia Kennedy Tussing, of Menlo Park; Cameron Kennedy, of Washington, D.C.; Jamie Hamill, of Las Vegas; their spouses Mark Rochon, Ted Tussing, Rick Desimone and Rosario Hamill; and nine grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be announced when family, friends and members of the Stanford community can safely congregate, according to the university.


mercurynews--2020-04-21--Coronavirus cartoons: $500M stimulus bill, with aid for small businesses, gets Senate’s OK

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having trouble viewing media on a mobile device .
Following two weeks of negotiations and deadlock , Congress and the White House finalized a deal on a nearly $ 500 billion relief package for small businesses struggling to meet payroll and funding increases for hospitals and coronavirus testing , the Associated Press reported .
The $ 483 billion in coronavirus aid passed the Senate on Tuesday afternoon .
The House is expected to vote Thursday on the package , which includes : “ The Senate is continuing to stand by the American people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , R-Ky. , in spite of opposition voiced by fellow conservative Senators Mike Lee , R-Utah , and Rand Paul , R-Ky. , who ultimately voted to pass the measure .
Lee objected to the Senate meeting to vote on the bill in a “ pro forma ” session , when the legislative chambers are technically in session , though no business is supposed to be voted on , according to Lee ’ s strict interpretation of the Constitution .
Of course , Republicans have themselves used such sessions to play politics in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in its own demystification of the pro forma process .
Meanwhile in the House , Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, said the chamber will consider the Senate ’ s measure as well as a rule change to allow proxy voting on future business during the pandemic .
The landmark reform to mandatory in-person voting , which would be a first for Congress , faces Republican opposition from in the House .
• Coronavirus cartoons : Deaths in New York appear to level off as U.S. nearing peak in fatalities “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , ” said Rep. Clay Higgins , R-La.
, one of a handful of Republicans who showed up in-person Tuesday to protest proxy votes .
“ Congress should be in session.
” If the House approves the measure this week , the small business-focused package is shaping up to be the second-largest economic relief bill offered by lawmakers during the pandemic , behind the nearly $ 6 trillion stimulus approved in March .
For more political cartoons , CLICK HERE .

CLICK HERE if you’re having trouble viewing media on a mobile device.
Following two weeks of negotiations and deadlock, Congress and the White House finalized a deal on a nearly $500 billion relief package for small businesses struggling to meet payroll and funding increases for hospitals and coronavirus testing, the Associated Press reported.
The $483 billion in coronavirus aid passed the Senate on Tuesday afternoon. The House is expected to vote Thursday on the package, which includes:
$331 billion to boost a small-business payroll loan program
$75 billion for hospitals
$25 billion for coronavirus testing
“The Senate is continuing to stand by the American people,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in spite of opposition voiced by fellow conservative Senators Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rand Paul, R-Ky., who ultimately voted to pass the measure.
Lee objected to the Senate meeting to vote on the bill in a “pro forma” session, when the legislative chambers are technically in session, though no business is supposed to be voted on, according to Lee’s strict interpretation of the Constitution. Of course, Republicans have themselves used such sessions to play politics in the past, the District Policy Group reported in its own demystification of the pro forma process.
Meanwhile in the House, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said the chamber will consider the Senate’s measure as well as a rule change to allow proxy voting on future business during the pandemic.
The landmark reform to mandatory in-person voting, which would be a first for Congress, faces Republican opposition from in the House.
“I don’t support it at all,” said Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., one of a handful of Republicans who showed up in-person Tuesday to protest proxy votes. “Congress should be in session.”
If the House approves the measure this week, the small business-focused package is shaping up to be the second-largest economic relief bill offered by lawmakers during the pandemic, behind the nearly $6 trillion stimulus approved in March.
For more political cartoons, CLICK HERE.


mercurynews--2020-04-21--Volunteers clear vegetation along Three Creeks Trail in Willow Glen

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For a community service @ @ @ @ @ Genesis Project headed outside this week to tackle the overgrowth along the Three Creeks Trail @ @ @ @ @ Willow Glen neighborhood .
The men , all residents of the group ’ s sober-living @ @ @ @ @ precautions , working only in proximity to their housemates .
According to director Trevar Shyshka @ @ @ @ @ as a construction/labor agency , with that vocational training providing funding for the program .

Click here if you’re having trouble viewing the slideshow on your mobile device.
For a community service project, clients from the Genesis Project headed outside this week to tackle the overgrowth along the Three Creeks Trail in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood. The men, all residents of the group’s sober-living homes, took special social-distancing precautions, working only in proximity to their housemates. According to director Trevar Shyshka, the nonprofit operates primarily as a construction/labor agency, with that vocational training providing funding for the program.


mercurynews--2020-04-21--Amoeba Music unsure if it can ‘weather the COVID-19 storm’

Amoeba Music , arguably California ’ s most beloved record store chain , is in financial trouble due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reaching out to music fans for help .
“ We have weathered many storms — 911 , recessions , the Internet , downloading and streaming , ” reads a statement from Amoeba Music .
“ But we don ’ t know that we can weather the COVID-19 storm .
“ All three of our stores have been closed since mid-March and must remain closed indefinitely .
With no way to generate income , our savings are running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due , and with a primary commitment to our staff , who we are trying to keep as healthy and financially sound as possible.
” To help ease the financial woes , Amoeba Music — which has locations in Berkeley , San Francisco and Los Angeles — is asking for donation via a GoFundMe page .
The goal is to raise $ 400,000 .
And , at last check , the GoFundMe page had brought in about $ 85,000 .
Amoeba is also looking at other sources of funding to keep the stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to reassure you that we ’ re doing everything we can to keep Amoeba going , and to position ourselves to play a vital role in what is for now a very uncertain future , ” the statement , which is posted on the GoFundMe page , reads .
“ We know how much we ’ re all going to need Amoeba again , this oasis of music , where we can find each other once more .
“ We ’ re exploring every possible means of support , including federal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds are not guaranteed to come in , and they won ’ t meet the needs of our short-term future.
” And , thus , they are looking to the thousands of music lovers who have shopped at the store — perhaps to pick up a nice vinyl copies of the first Roxy Music album and R.E.M.
’ s “ Green , ” or find a cool used REO Speedwagon CD in the bargain bin — to help out .
“ So , we most humbly ask for your help .
We know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertain time for everyone , and we understand that there are many individuals and organizations in need , ” the statement reads .
“ If you are in a position to help us , we would be incredibly grateful to receive that support .
“ Any donation to this campaign will contribute to the cash resources we need to deal with the immediate future , to take care of our staff of over 400 Amoebites , and to allow Amoeba to continue operations .
”

Amoeba Music, arguably California’s most beloved record store chain, is in financial trouble due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reaching out to music fans for help.
“We have weathered many storms — 911, recessions, the Internet, downloading and streaming,” reads a statement from Amoeba Music. “But we don’t know that we can weather the COVID-19 storm.
“All three of our stores have been closed since mid-March and must remain closed indefinitely. With no way to generate income, our savings are running out, with bills and rent coming due, and with a primary commitment to our staff, who we are trying to keep as healthy and financially sound as possible.”
To help ease the financial woes, Amoeba Music — which has locations in Berkeley, San Francisco and Los Angeles — is asking for donation via a GoFundMe page.
The goal is to raise $400,000. And, at last check, the GoFundMe page had brought in about $85,000.
Amoeba is also looking at other sources of funding to keep the stores in business.
“We’d like to reassure you that we’re doing everything we can to keep Amoeba going, and to position ourselves to play a vital role in what is for now a very uncertain future,” the statement, which is posted on the GoFundMe page, reads. “We know how much we’re all going to need Amoeba again, this oasis of music, where we can find each other once more.
“We’re exploring every possible means of support, including federal and local grants and loans. But these funds are not guaranteed to come in, and they won’t meet the needs of our short-term future.”
And, thus, they are looking to the thousands of music lovers who have shopped at the store — perhaps to pick up a nice vinyl copies of the first Roxy Music album and R.E.M.’s “Green,” or find a cool used REO Speedwagon CD in the bargain bin — to help out.
“So, we most humbly ask for your help. We know that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for everyone, and we understand that there are many individuals and organizations in need,” the statement reads. “If you are in a position to help us, we would be incredibly grateful to receive that support.
“Any donation to this campaign will contribute to the cash resources we need to deal with the immediate future, to take care of our staff of over 400 Amoebites, and to allow Amoeba to continue operations.”


mercurynews--2020-04-21--Santa Clara County health officer: ‘COVID-19 is something we’re going to be managing for a very long

Santa Clara County health officer: ‘COVID-19 is something we’re going to be managing for a very long time’

The number of new coronavirus cases recorded on a daily basis has begun to decline in Santa Clara County , but efforts to manage the public health crisis will continue for a long time .
After roughly 50 to 70 new cases were reported in Santa Clara County each day during the first half of April , numbers have decreased over the last week as the Public Health Department added just 27 on Tuesday , bringing the countywide total to 1,946 since the pandemic began .
Dr. Sara Cody , the county ’ s public health officer , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that analyzing case data , increasing testing and preparing for additional surges will consume her efforts in the coming months .
“ This is going to be slow and steady , ” Cody said during a videoconference .
“ COVID-19 is something we ’ re going to be managing for a very long time , months and likely years .
We anticipate this won ’ t be the only surge , we ’ ll have other surges that will likely come if we let up too much so we have to be extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enable us to monitor what we ’ re doing.
” Eighty-eight people have died after testing positive for the novel coronavirus in the Bay Area ’ s most populous county after five new deaths were recorded Tuesday .
Cody said the goals of the joint shelter-in-place order issued by six Bay Area counties March 16 were to prevent infections , hospitalizations and deaths and create additional time for the healthcare delivery system to prepare for a surge in COVID-19-positive patients .
She said Tuesday the county is “ in reasonably good shape , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus cases being tracked daily has only decreased to a point that matches the number of cases tracked when the shelter-at-home order was originally implemented .
“ I just want to caution everyone that the level of community transmission or the amount the virus is circulating in our community , it ’ s not less than it was when we put the order into place , ” Cody said .
Cody noted that because testing capacity has only begun to expand , Santa Clara County has likely tracked just “ a fraction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region .
With new cases beginning to slow , Cody said the Public Health Department can start to focus its efforts on communities within the county that have been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus .
County executive Jeff Smith said Tuesday data compiled by the county shows there ’ s a higher death rate among males , a higher death rate among people 50 years of age or older and an especially high death rate among those who are between 70 and 80 years old .
Smith added that certain ethnic groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
“ We ’ ve noticed a large amount of deaths in the Latinx population , 33 % of our deaths are there , ” Smith said .
“ We ’ ve also noticed a large population of deaths in the Asian population , 31 % there.
” According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates , Latinx/Hispanics account for 25 % of the population in Santa Clara County while Asians account for 38 % of the population .
Cody and Dr. Jennifer Tong , who is leading the healthcare surge branch within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also spoke at length about how COVID-19 has affected long-term care facilities including skilled nursing facilities .
“ During the first week of April , we saw a significant increase in the number of COVID-positive cases in our skilled nursing facilities , predominantly among three skilled nursing facilities , ” Tong said .
According to data published by the California Department of Public Health , the facilities within Santa Clara County with the largest outbreaks are Valley House Rehabilitation Center , Cedar Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Canyon Springs Post-Acute .
Thirty-one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clara County were residents or staff members at long-term care facilities , including 29 who lived or worked at skilled nursing facilities .
On Tuesday , 45 of the 175 people hospitalized in Santa Clara County with the novel coronavirus were residents or staff members at skilled nursing facilities .
Outside of expediting mass testing for residents and staff members at facilities where there have been coronavirus outbreaks , Tong said the county has begun augmenting staffing at these facilities with county employees working as disaster service workers as well as “ agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county via a request to the state of California .
Long-term care facilities represent just one of the congregate settings the Public Health Department where physical distancing is more difficult and the county ’ s resources will be “ mobilized.
” “ Jails , homeless shelters and communities where there ’ s a higher degree of crowding in housing are being monitored , ” Cody added .
Cody said providing more testing in these communities is critical , but specified that it ’ s important people with symptoms of the coronavirus are given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests that look for antibodies or the body signal that a person has had the coronavirus are “ very exciting , but it ’ s a little bit too early to know how we ’ ll be using them.
” “ We ’ re not quite ready to use ( serology tests ) for I , Sara Cody , got tested , I had the antibodies , therefore I ’ m fine and I ’ m not at risk for infection for a long , long time and I ’ m good to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re not at that place yet.
” Smith told the Board of Supervisors that Santa Clara County is “ running the best response to the COVID crisis in the Bay Area , if not the nation , ” before Cody added there is plenty of work left to accomplish .
“ Because we flattened the curve , it doesn ’ t mean that we are done , ” Cody said .
“ Because we are far , far , far from done .
”

The number of new coronavirus cases recorded on a daily basis has begun to decline in Santa Clara County, but efforts to manage the public health crisis will continue for a long time.
After roughly 50 to 70 new cases were reported in Santa Clara County each day during the first half of April, numbers have decreased over the last week as the Public Health Department added just 27 on Tuesday, bringing the countywide total to 1,946 since the pandemic began.
Dr. Sara Cody, the county’s public health officer, told the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that analyzing case data, increasing testing and preparing for additional surges will consume her efforts in the coming months.
“This is going to be slow and steady,” Cody said during a videoconference. “COVID-19 is something we’re going to be managing for a very long time, months and likely years. We anticipate this won’t be the only surge, we’ll have other surges that will likely come if we let up too much so we have to be extra careful to develop the information systems to enable us to monitor what we’re doing.”
Eighty-eight people have died after testing positive for the novel coronavirus in the Bay Area’s most populous county after five new deaths were recorded Tuesday.
Cody said the goals of the joint shelter-in-place order issued by six Bay Area counties March 16 were to prevent infections, hospitalizations and deaths and create additional time for the healthcare delivery system to prepare for a surge in COVID-19-positive patients.
She said Tuesday the county is “in reasonably good shape,” but warned that the number of new coronavirus cases being tracked daily has only decreased to a point that matches the number of cases tracked when the shelter-at-home order was originally implemented.
“I just want to caution everyone that the level of community transmission or the amount the virus is circulating in our community, it’s not less than it was when we put the order into place,” Cody said.
Cody noted that because testing capacity has only begun to expand, Santa Clara County has likely tracked just “a fraction” of the total cases in the region. With new cases beginning to slow, Cody said the Public Health Department can start to focus its efforts on communities within the county that have been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus.
County executive Jeff Smith said Tuesday data compiled by the county shows there’s a higher death rate among males, a higher death rate among people 50 years of age or older and an especially high death rate among those who are between 70 and 80 years old.
Smith added that certain ethnic groups are also bearing the brunt of the pandemic.
“We’ve noticed a large amount of deaths in the Latinx population, 33% of our deaths are there,” Smith said. “We’ve also noticed a large population of deaths in the Asian population, 31% there.”
According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Latinx/Hispanics account for 25% of the population in Santa Clara County while Asians account for 38% of the population.
Cody and Dr. Jennifer Tong, who is leading the healthcare surge branch within the county’s Emergency Operations Center, also spoke at length about how COVID-19 has affected long-term care facilities including skilled nursing facilities.
“During the first week of April, we saw a significant increase in the number of COVID-positive cases in our skilled nursing facilities, predominantly among three skilled nursing facilities,” Tong said.
According to data published by the California Department of Public Health, the facilities within Santa Clara County with the largest outbreaks are Valley House Rehabilitation Center, Cedar Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Canyon Springs Post-Acute.
Thirty-one of the 88 COVID-19 deaths in Santa Clara County were residents or staff members at long-term care facilities, including 29 who lived or worked at skilled nursing facilities. On Tuesday, 45 of the 175 people hospitalized in Santa Clara County with the novel coronavirus were residents or staff members at skilled nursing facilities.
Outside of expediting mass testing for residents and staff members at facilities where there have been coronavirus outbreaks, Tong said the county has begun augmenting staffing at these facilities with county employees working as disaster service workers as well as “agency traveling staff” who came to the county via a request to the state of California.
Long-term care facilities represent just one of the congregate settings the Public Health Department where physical distancing is more difficult and the county’s resources will be “mobilized.”
“Jails, homeless shelters and communities where there’s a higher degree of crowding in housing are being monitored,” Cody added.
Cody said providing more testing in these communities is critical, but specified that it’s important people with symptoms of the coronavirus are given PCR tests that identify COVID-19.
Serology tests that look for antibodies or the body signal that a person has had the coronavirus are “very exciting, but it’s a little bit too early to know how we’ll be using them.”
“We’re not quite ready to use (serology tests) for I, Sara Cody, got tested, I had the antibodies, therefore I’m fine and I’m not at risk for infection for a long, long time and I’m good to go,” Cody said. “We’re not at that place yet.”
Smith told the Board of Supervisors that Santa Clara County is “running the best response to the COVID crisis in the Bay Area, if not the nation,” before Cody added there is plenty of work left to accomplish.
“Because we flattened the curve, it doesn’t mean that we are done,” Cody said. “Because we are far, far, far from done.”


mercurynews--2020-04-21--President Trump says he’ll enact a 60-day green card ban

President Donald Trump said Tuesday his forthcoming executive order barring new immigration will apply only to people seeking green cards , will last 60 days and won ’ t affect workers entering the country on a temporary basis .
Spelling out details of the measure for the first time since tweeting late Monday he would “ temporarily suspend immigration into the United States , ” Trump announced something short of a full halt on immigration amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Instead , he said the provision would amount to a 60-day pause only on people seeking permanent resident status in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would review the executive order at the end of that period and decide if it should be renewed .
Trump emphasized the economic effects of the order , indicating it would “ protect American workers.
” Trump said the executive order is being written now and he is likely to sign it on Wednesday .
“ The executive order is being written now as we speak , probably tomorrow , ” he said , noting that it will have certain exemptions .
Ahead of Trump ’ s briefing late Tuesday , details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House aides said there wasn ’ t a great deal of clarity on how the order would come together .
A person familiar with the matter said administration officials began working around the middle of last week on an executive order that would restrict immigration after Trump raised the matter privately with aides .
Trump ’ s principal adviser on immigration , Stephen Miller , was involved in the discussions over the past several days , according to people familiar with the matter .
Miller has long acted as a main internal advocate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even so , the late-night announcement on Monday caught some administration officials off guard since the order wasn ’ t finalized and some of its provisions hadn ’ t been fully fleshed out .
Facing criticism over his administration ’ s response to the coronavirus , Trump had been impatient to announce the order , a person familiar with the matter said .
An administration official with knowledge of the process told CNN the order only addresses green cards because the temporary work visa portion is more complicated and needs more time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that many of those currently in the US on work visas are working on things related to the pandemic , from workers at food processing plants to health care workers .
• Coronavirus cartoons : $ 500M stimulus bill , with aid for small businesses , gets Senate ’ s OK • Amoeba Music unsure if it can ‘ weather the COVID-19 storm ’ • Santa Clara County health officer : ‘ COVID-19 is something we ’ re going to be managing for a very long time ’ Even before Trump provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his reelection campaign and allies were already touting and defending the executive order , reflecting the political underpinnings of Trump ’ s late-night announcement .
The move — which could prove largely symbolic , given the restrictions on immigration already in place due to the coronavirus pandemic — allows Trump and his campaign to play directly to his base on the issue of immigration , which the President believes won him the 2016 election and he hopes to use again in 2020 .
The pre-buttals also reflected another reality : The final executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from entering the country .
Already , administration officials have advised agricultural groups that seasonal farm workers won ’ t be affected .

By Kevin Liptak | CNN
President Donald Trump said Tuesday his forthcoming executive order barring new immigration will apply only to people seeking green cards, will last 60 days and won’t affect workers entering the country on a temporary basis.
Spelling out details of the measure for the first time since tweeting late Monday he would “temporarily suspend immigration into the United States,” Trump announced something short of a full halt on immigration amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, he said the provision would amount to a 60-day pause only on people seeking permanent resident status in the United States.
He said he would review the executive order at the end of that period and decide if it should be renewed.
Trump emphasized the economic effects of the order, indicating it would “protect American workers.”
Trump said the executive order is being written now and he is likely to sign it on Wednesday.
“The executive order is being written now as we speak, probably tomorrow,” he said, noting that it will have certain exemptions.
Ahead of Trump’s briefing late Tuesday, details of the plan were murky and some White House aides said there wasn’t a great deal of clarity on how the order would come together. A person familiar with the matter said administration officials began working around the middle of last week on an executive order that would restrict immigration after Trump raised the matter privately with aides.
Trump’s principal adviser on immigration, Stephen Miller, was involved in the discussions over the past several days, according to people familiar with the matter. Miller has long acted as a main internal advocate for limits on immigration through executive action.
Even so, the late-night announcement on Monday caught some administration officials off guard since the order wasn’t finalized and some of its provisions hadn’t been fully fleshed out. Facing criticism over his administration’s response to the coronavirus, Trump had been impatient to announce the order, a person familiar with the matter said.
An administration official with knowledge of the process told CNN the order only addresses green cards because the temporary work visa portion is more complicated and needs more time to sort out, particularly given the fact that many of those currently in the US on work visas are working on things related to the pandemic, from workers at food processing plants to health care workers.
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 Even before Trump provided more specific details about his move, his reelection campaign and allies were already touting and defending the executive order, reflecting the political underpinnings of Trump’s late-night announcement.
The move — which could prove largely symbolic, given the restrictions on immigration already in place due to the coronavirus pandemic — allows Trump and his campaign to play directly to his base on the issue of immigration, which the President believes won him the 2016 election and he hopes to use again in 2020.
The pre-buttals also reflected another reality: The final executive order may not stop all immigrant workers from entering the country. Already, administration officials have advised agricultural groups that seasonal farm workers won’t be affected.


mercurynews--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Alameda County beefs up eviction protections

OAKLAND — Renters fearing displacement amid the coronavirus pandemic got some relief Tuesday when Alameda County supervisors beefed up a temporary moratorium on evictions to include preventing those happening without cause .
“ There are things we are doing now that we would not typically do , ” Supervisor Nate Miley said , referring to the health crisis .
“ And I think the same thing relates to this ordinance.
” While the aim is to keep a roof over people ’ s heads , landlords still can evict people in some circumstances , such as for health and safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as if a landlord plans to go out of the rental business and plans to take the unit off the market .
The board ’ s action Tuesday amended an urgency ordinance that it enacted March 24 in response to the coronavirus and which put a temporary moratorium on evictions because of the health crisis .
The updated ordinance will take effect immediately and will end within 90 days , or when the county lifts its emergency declaration declared March 4 .
“ It ’ s absolutely important that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible are not made homeless , ” Leah Simon-Weisberg of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment told supervisors .
“ And it absolutely makes sense that when we are facing this kind of emergency , everyone enjoys the same kind of protection.
” This is a developing story .
Check back for updates .

OAKLAND — Alameda County broadened its moratorium on evictions Tuesday, extending protection to most renters during the coronavirus pandemic.
“There are things we are doing now that we would not typically do,” Supervisor Nate Miley said, referring to the health crisis. “And I think the same thing relates to this ordinance.”
In order to keep people in their homes, the temporary moratorium now bans not only no-cause evictions, but also most just cause evictions, where landlords could evict a renter for things such as non-payment or violating terms of the lease.
However, landlords still can evict people in some circumstances, such as for health and safety reasons, which can include criminal behavior, as well as if a landlord is going out of the rental business and plans to take the unit off the market.
Evictions because of COVID-19 infection are not allowed under the new ordinance.
The ordinance applies to all cities and unincorporated areas in the county. Supervisors decided that local cities with eviction moratoriums could not opt out of provisions of the county’s updated moratorium unless their ordinances offered even more tenant protections.
“I think (those cities) should have to clearly prove their ordinances are more strict not to be obligated under ours,” said Supervisor Scott Haggerty, whose district takes in Dublin and Livermore, as well as most of Fremont and portions of Sunol and the Livermore-Amador Valley area, before Tuesday’s unanimous vote to update the moratorium.
The board’s action Tuesday amended an urgency ordinance that it enacted March 24 that put a temporary moratorium on evictions because of the health crisis.
The updated ordinance will take effect immediately and will end within 90 days, or when the state lifts the emergency it declared March 4.
“It’s absolutely important that the county makes sure as many people as possible are not made homeless,” Leah Simon-Weisberg of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment told supervisors. “And it absolutely makes sense that when we are facing this kind of emergency, everyone enjoys the same kind of protection.”
The adoption of last month’s urgency ordinance, which put a moratorium on evictions to tenants, homeowners and mobile homeowners who are facing displacement because of medical issues or a substantial loss of income as a result of the coronavirus, was in response to the state declaring a public health emergency, as well as the county’s declaration of an emergency on March 10.
“No tenant should be evicted during this time of crisis,” Paola Laverde, chair of the city of Berkeley’s Rent Stabilization Board, told supervisors Tuesday.
While tenants who might be facing eviction will receive a temporary reprieve, they are still obligated to pay their rent.
Tenants will have 12 months to repay overdue rent, unless the tenant and landlord can come to a mutual repayment agreement.
Landlords also have the option of pursuing overdue rent as a debt via small claims court, a payment plan or garnishing of wages, according to Chris Bazar, director of the county’s Community Development Agency.
Both Miley and Haggerty said they were hesitant about including all evictions under the moratorium, but noted the regulations would be in place for just a limited time.
“We don’t want to enact something that could be overboard and have consequences in the future,” said Miley, whose district includes Pleasanton, Castro Valley and parts of Oakland.


mercurynews--2020-04-22--14-year-old girl and 2 others shot and killed in Vallejo murder-suicide

VALLEJO — A woman and her 14-year-old daughter were found shot and killed early Tuesday morning in an East Vallejo home .
Police said Raymond Thomas Jackson , 50 , of Vallejo , used a shotgun to kill his girlfriend , 53 , and her daughter before turning the weapon on himself .
The woman ’ s other child , a 12-year old girl , found her mother and sister in the living room suffering from gunshot wounds .
She fled the home after making contact with Jackson .
“ Upon arrival by the police , the 12-year girl told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sister .
A short time later , officers confirmed three unresponsive subjects were inside the home , ” police said in a statement Tuesday night .
“ After police officers rendered the interior safe , paramedics pronounced the victims and suspect deceased at the scene.
” Police said Jackson has multiple convictions , including assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer , driving under the influence , and selling drugs .
He was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence in March .
He was prohibited from possessing a firearm .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solano County Coroner ’ s office will release the identities of the victims after next of kin have been notified .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Scott Yates ( 707 ) 648-4533 or Detective Josh Caitham ( 707 ) 648-4342 .
The homicides are the six and seventh in the city and the second double homicide-suicide involving a child in the city of Vallejo for 2020 .
In February , Jacoby Brandon Brooks killed his former girlfriend and her 4-year-old son before then killing himself .

VALLEJO — A woman and her 14-year-old daughter were found shot and killed early Tuesday morning in an East Vallejo home.
Police said Raymond Thomas Jackson, 50, of Vallejo, used a shotgun to kill his girlfriend, 53, and her daughter before turning the weapon on himself.
The woman’s other child, a 12-year old girl, found her mother and sister in the living room suffering from gunshot wounds.
She fled the home after making contact with Jackson.
“Upon arrival by the police, the 12-year girl told officers that suspect Jackson shot her mother and sister. A short time later, officers confirmed three unresponsive subjects were inside the home,” police said in a statement Tuesday night. “After police officers rendered the interior safe, paramedics pronounced the victims and suspect deceased at the scene.”
Police said Jackson has multiple convictions, including assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, driving under the influence, and selling drugs. He was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence in March. He was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
This incident is an ongoing investigation. The Solano County Coroner’s office will release the identities of the victims after next of kin have been notified.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Scott Yates (707) 648-4533 or Detective Josh Caitham (707) 648-4342.
The homicides are the six and seventh in the city and the second double homicide-suicide involving a child in the city of Vallejo for 2020.
In February, Jacoby Brandon Brooks killed his former girlfriend and her 4-year-old son before then killing himself.


mercurynews--2020-04-22--Highway 101 arrest yields loaded gun, fake cash

An 18-year-old man with a loaded gun and counterfeit money was arrested along Highway 101 in Mill Valley , according @ @ @ @ @ department .
A deputy observed a car speeding at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday onto northbound Highway @ @ @ @ @ , sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Brenton Schneider said .
The deputy followed the driver @ @ @ @ @ illegal turn and stopped near the ramp to Tiburon Boulevard , Schneider said .
Tariq @ @ @ @ @ a passenger in the car , jumped out and walked away as the driver fled @ @ @ @ @ as other deputies followed the driver .
A search of Wade revealed the gun , @ @ @ @ @ ecstasy pill , Schneider said .
Wade , a Marin City resident , was booked @ @ @ @ @ bail set at $ 15,000 .
The driver was pulled over , cited and released @

An 18-year-old man with a loaded gun and counterfeit money was arrested along Highway 101 in Mill Valley, according to the sheriff’s department.
A deputy observed a car speeding at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday onto northbound Highway 101 in the Strawberry area, sheriff’s Sgt. Brenton Schneider said.
The deputy followed the driver, who then made an illegal turn and stopped near the ramp to Tiburon Boulevard, Schneider said.
Tariq Jabari Wade, 18, a passenger in the car, jumped out and walked away as the driver fled. The deputy stopped Wade as other deputies followed the driver.
A search of Wade revealed the gun, the fake cash and an ecstasy pill, Schneider said. Wade, a Marin City resident, was booked into the county jail with bail set at $15,000.
The driver was pulled over, cited and released.


mercurynews--2020-04-22--Former UCLA soccer coach Jorge Salcedo agrees to guilty plea in college admissions case

Former UCLA men ’ s soccer coach Jorge Salcedo has agreed to plead guilty of conspiracy to commit racketeering in his involvement in the college admissions scandal , according to a plea agreement released Tuesday through the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Boston .
Salcedo admitted to have received $ 200,000 in bribes to facilitate admission of two UCLA students .
With a plea hearing not yet scheduled , the plea agreement states prosecutors will recommend a sentence at the low end of sentencing guidelines , one year of supervised release , a fine , forfeiture of $ 200,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coached UCLA for 15 years starting in 2004 .
Before resigning in March 2019 , he was the second-longest tenured men ’ s soccer coach in UCLA history .
As coach , Salcedo led the Bruins to four Pac-12 titles , 13 NCAA Tournament appearances and signed the No .
1 recruiting class in the nation six times .
In 2016 , Salcedo , along with William Singer and former USC women ’ s soccer coach Ali Khosroshahin , agreed to facilitate the admission of the daughter of Davina and Bruce Isackson to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soccer recruit .
The Isacksons paid Singer $ 250,000 for the fraudulent admission , while Salcedo received $ 100,000 from the payment for his involvement .
Again , in 2018 , Salcedo orchestrated another deal with Singer and Khosroshahin .
Salcedo agreed to pretend to recruit the son of Xiaoning Sui to the UCLA men ’ s soccer team – despite Sui ’ s son not playing soccer competitively .
The Bruins coach accepted a $ 100,000 bribe from Singer , while Sui paid Singer $ 400,000 for the arrangement .
• College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atherton mom who ‘ gloated ’ • Just before arrest , Lori Loughlin feared USC would boot daughters over fake crew profiles • Atherton mom who gloated in college cheating wants home detention fearing COVID-19 Singer , Khosroshahin , Davina and Bruce Isackson , and Sui have pleaded guilty for their involvement in the scandal .
In total , 37 of the 53 defendants charged with involvement in the case have pleaded guilty .
Most notable of those who have not pleaded guilty is longtime actress Lori Loughlin .
Loughlin , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stand trial on Oct 5 .
Singer , the defendant at the center of the admission scandal , pleaded guilty in March 2019 for racketeering conspiracy , money laundering conspiracy , conspiracy to defraud the US and obstruction of justice .
The government recommended a sentence of incarceration at the low end of the sentencing guideline ranges , three years of supervised release and fine and forfeiture .
The plea agreement states a charge of racketeering conspiracy can result in a sentence up to 20 years in prison , three years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss .

Former UCLA men’s soccer coach Jorge Salcedo has agreed to plead guilty of conspiracy to commit racketeering in his involvement in the college admissions scandal, according to a plea agreement released Tuesday through the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston.
Salcedo admitted to have received $200,000 in bribes to facilitate admission of two UCLA students.
With a plea hearing not yet scheduled, the plea agreement states prosecutors will recommend a sentence at the low end of sentencing guidelines, one year of supervised release, a fine, forfeiture of $200,000 and restitution.
Salcedo, 47, coached UCLA for 15 years starting in 2004. Before resigning in March 2019, he was the second-longest tenured men’s soccer coach in UCLA history. As coach, Salcedo led the Bruins to four Pac-12 titles, 13 NCAA Tournament appearances and signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation six times.
In 2016, Salcedo, along with William Singer and former USC women’s soccer coach Ali Khosroshahin, agreed to facilitate the admission of the daughter of Davina and Bruce Isackson to UCLA as a purported women’s soccer recruit. The Isacksons paid Singer $250,000 for the fraudulent admission, while Salcedo received $100,000 from the payment for his involvement.
Again, in 2018, Salcedo orchestrated another deal with Singer and Khosroshahin. Salcedo agreed to pretend to recruit the son of Xiaoning Sui to the UCLA men’s soccer team – despite Sui’s son not playing soccer competitively. The Bruins coach accepted a $100,000 bribe from Singer, while Sui paid Singer $400,000 for the arrangement.
Singer, Khosroshahin, Davina and Bruce Isackson, and Sui have pleaded guilty for their involvement in the scandal. In total, 37 of the 53 defendants charged with involvement in the case have pleaded guilty. Most notable of those who have not pleaded guilty is longtime actress Lori Loughlin. Loughlin, along with her husband Mossimo Giannulli, are set to stand trial on Oct 5.
Singer, the defendant at the center of the admission scandal, pleaded guilty in March 2019 for racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the US and obstruction of justice. The government recommended a sentence of incarceration at the low end of the sentencing guideline ranges, three years of supervised release and fine and forfeiture.
The plea agreement states a charge of racketeering conspiracy can result in a sentence up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss.


mercurynews--2020-04-22--First at-home coronavirus test gets FDA approval

By Matthew Perrone , The Associated Press U.S. health regulators on Tuesday OK ’ d the first coronavirus test that allows people to collect their own sample at home , a new approach that could help expand testing options in most states .
The test from LabCorp will initially only be available to health care workers and first responders under a doctor ’ s orders .
The sample will still have to be shipped for processing back to LabCorp , which operates diagnostic labs throughout the U.S .
Allowing people to self-swab at home would help reduce infection risks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective gear .
For the home test , people are initially screened with an online questionnaire .
If authorized by a physician , LabCorp will ship a testing kit to their home .
The kit includes cotton swabs , a collection tube , an insulated pouch and box to ship the specimen back to LabCorp .
To take a sample , a cotton swab is swirled in each nostril .
The test results are posted online to a secure company website .
The company said it will make the test available in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 119 .
The kits will not be available in Maryland , New Jersey , New York and Rhode Island .
Those states have laws prohibiting testing with at-home sample collection kits , according to LabCorp .
Initially , the Food and Drug Administration required health care workers wearing masks , gloves and other protective gear to collect all samples from potential coronavirus patients , usually by sticking a long swab down their nose or throat .
• California nursing home reports 50 cases of coronavirus among residents , two people have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in cuts by next fiscal year , city official says • First COVID-19 deaths in Bay Area occurred in February , not March More recently , the FDA has endorsed the self-swab method .
LabCorp ’ s test is the first that allows it to be done at home without professional supervision .
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement the agency authorized the self-swab test based on data showing it is “ as safe and accurate as sample collection at a doctor ’ s office , hospital or other testing @ @ @

By Matthew Perrone, The Associated Press
U.S. health regulators on Tuesday OK’d the first coronavirus test that allows people to collect their own sample at home, a new approach that could help expand testing options in most states.
The test from LabCorp will initially only be available to health care workers and first responders under a doctor’s orders. The sample will still have to be shipped for processing back to LabCorp, which operates diagnostic labs throughout the U.S.
Allowing people to self-swab at home would help reduce infection risks for front-line health care workers and help conserve protective gear.
For the home test, people are initially screened with an online questionnaire. If authorized by a physician, LabCorp will ship a testing kit to their home. The kit includes cotton swabs, a collection tube, an insulated pouch and box to ship the specimen back to LabCorp. To take a sample, a cotton swab is swirled in each nostril. The test results are posted online to a secure company website.
The company said it will make the test available in the coming weeks. Each kit will cost $119. The kits will not be available in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Those states have laws prohibiting testing with at-home sample collection kits, according to LabCorp.
Initially, the Food and Drug Administration required health care workers wearing masks, gloves and other protective gear to collect all samples from potential coronavirus patients, usually by sticking a long swab down their nose or throat.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Business | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge More recently, the FDA has endorsed the self-swab method. LabCorp’s test is the first that allows it to be done at home without professional supervision.
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement the agency authorized the self-swab test based on data showing it is “as safe and accurate as sample collection at a doctor’s office, hospital or other testing site.”


mercurynews--2020-04-22--Amazon workers call off work to protest alleged lack of safety protocols

An estimated 350 Amazon warehouse employees called off work Tuesday in a nationwide protest alleging a lack of safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The move follows several strikes at Amazon facilities in New York City , Chicago and Detroit where some of the non-union employees have tested positive for coronavirus .
There been reported cases at more than 130 company warehouses .
In California , that includes facilities in Los Angeles , Huntington Beach , Hawthorne , Moreno Valley and Eastvale .
Another warehouse in San Francisco also has been impacted .
Stuart Appelbaum , president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( RWDSU ) , which doesn ’ t represent the workers , deemed the work environment “ dangerous.
” “ Workers have been desperately asking that Amazon do more to protect their health and safety at work , ” Applebaum said in a statement .
“ But instead of addressing their concerns , Amazon has instead lashed out at worker leaders.
” In a statement issued Tuesday , Amazon spokeswoman Lisa Levandowski said reports of employee participation in the callout were “ grossly exaggerated.
” “ Already today , more than 250,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than last week to serve their communities , ” she said .
Levandowski said masks , temperature checks , hand sanitizer , increased time off , increased pay and more are standard across Amazon ’ s network “ because we care deeply about the health and safety of our employees.
” Tuesday ’ s protest was supported by a variety of workers ’ rights organizations , including Athena , United for Respect , New York Communities for Change , and Make the Road New York .
Here are some highlights of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Immediately notify all employees at facilities with a confirmed case of COVID-19 so they can make decisions for themselves and their loved ones • Sanitation : Regular and deep cleaning of all facilities and immediate closure of locations with employees who test positive for coronavirus .
Testing and full pay for two weeks so workers at those facilities can self-isolate • Real paid sick leave : Provide 14 days of paid sick leave separate from vacation and paid time off for all warehouse workers and drivers showing symptoms of COVID-19 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they can care for their loved ones if they get sick • Hazard pay : Pay time-and-a-half during the crisis , as associates are taking on increased risk by coming to work .
Pay Amazon flex drivers an additional $ 5 per delivery and provide childcare pay and subsidies because of school closures • California nursing home reports 50 cases of coronavirus among residents , two people have died • East Bay town faces $ 4 million in cuts by next fiscal year , city official says • First COVID-19 deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March Jaylen Camp , an Amazon worker at a fulfillment center in Romulus , Michigan , said he fears for his safety .
“ We have to make an impossible choice every day — go to a workplace that ’ s not safe , or risk losing a paycheck in the middle of a global recession , ” Camp said .

An estimated 350 Amazon warehouse employees called off work Tuesday in a nationwide protest alleging a lack of safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The move follows several strikes at Amazon facilities in New York City, Chicago and Detroit where some of the non-union employees have tested positive for coronavirus. There been reported cases at more than 130 company warehouses.
In California, that includes facilities in Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, Hawthorne, Moreno Valley and Eastvale. Another warehouse in San Francisco also has been impacted.
‘Dangerous’ work environment
Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which doesn’t represent the workers, deemed the work environment “dangerous.”
“Workers have been desperately asking that Amazon do more to protect their health and safety at work,” Applebaum said in a statement. “But instead of addressing their concerns, Amazon has instead lashed out at worker leaders.”
Amazon’s response
In a statement issued Tuesday, Amazon spokeswoman Lisa Levandowski said reports of employee participation in the callout were “grossly exaggerated.”
“Already today, more than 250,000 people have come to work today, even more than last week to serve their communities,” she said.
Levandowski said masks, temperature checks, hand sanitizer, increased time off, increased pay and more are standard across Amazon’s network “because we care deeply about the health and safety of our employees.”
Workers rights groups in support
Tuesday’s protest was supported by a variety of workers’ rights organizations, including Athena, United for Respect, New York Communities for Change, and Make the Road New York.
Here are some highlights of what Amazon workers are seeking:
Transparency : Immediately notify all employees at facilities with a confirmed case of COVID-19 so they can make decisions for themselves and their loved ones
: Immediately notify all employees at facilities with a confirmed case of COVID-19 so they can make decisions for themselves and their loved ones Sanitation : Regular and deep cleaning of all facilities and immediate closure of locations with employees who test positive for coronavirus. Testing and full pay for two weeks so workers at those facilities can self-isolate
: Regular and deep cleaning of all facilities and immediate closure of locations with employees who test positive for coronavirus. Testing and full pay for two weeks so workers at those facilities can self-isolate Real paid sick leave : Provide 14 days of paid sick leave separate from vacation and paid time off for all warehouse workers and drivers showing symptoms of COVID-19, and 12 weeks of emergency paid family leave so they can care for their loved ones if they get sick
: Provide 14 days of paid sick leave separate from vacation and paid time off for all warehouse workers and drivers showing symptoms of COVID-19, and 12 weeks of emergency paid family leave so they can care for their loved ones if they get sick Hazard pay: Pay time-and-a-half during the crisis, as associates are taking on increased risk by coming to work. Pay Amazon flex drivers an additional $5 per delivery and provide childcare pay and subsidies because of school closures
Fearing for their safety
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“We have to make an impossible choice every day — go to a workplace that’s not safe, or risk losing a paycheck in the middle of a global recession,” Camp said.


mercurynews--2020-04-22--Chipotle will pay $25 million after allegations it made hundreds sick

Chipotle Mexican Grill will pay a $ 25 million fine to satisfy federal criminal charges accusing the fast-food chain of sickening more than 1,100 customers with norovirus over three years , U.S. attorneys said on Tuesday .
The federal prosecutors also said that Newport Beach-based Chipotle pressured ill employees to come in to work .
The fine is the largest ever imposed on a company accused of starting an outbreak of a food-borne illness , said Nick Hanna , the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles .
In addition to the fine , Chipotle agreed to spend millions of dollars to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a statement released Tuesday , Chipotle executives said among the changes the company has implemented is guaranteeing employees paid sick leave .
The executives also said they improved their ability to track shipments of perishable food and instituted better food-safety training for employees , as well as mandating hand washing and health checks before shifts .
Prosecutors said numerous Chipotle employees – including teenagers – reported they didn ’ t receive proper training on how to store food at safe temperatures .
The employees also said restaurants lacked adequate staff , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they showed symptoms of an illness .
At least five outbreaks from 2015 to 2018 at Chipotle restaurants across the country began when employees failed to follow food-safety rules , the U.S. attorneys say .
Each of the locations exposed hundreds of customers and employees to pathogens like the norovirus , which can transfer through infected surfaces , as wells as bacteria growing in food stored at improper temperatures , according to the allegations .
At least 234 customers and employees who visited a Chipotle restaurant in Simi Valley became ill after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job , the federal lawyers say .
The worker was sent home , they added , but the restaurant didn ’ t report the incident to officials until two days later , after multiple customers reported feeling ill .
In another incident at a restaurant in Boston , 141 people were sickened when a Chipotle manager ordered an employee “ to continue working after vomiting inside the restaurant , ” the U.S. Department of Justice says in a statement .
Two days later , the same employee helped package a catering order for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team – and several team members later became ill , prosecutors said .
The U.S. Attorney ’ s Office said Chipotle should have known of the risks of food-borne illness .
Chipotle executives in annual reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have acknowledged their restaurants “ may be at a higher risk for food-borne illness outbreaks , ” because of using fresh produce and meats susceptible to spoiling .
Chipotle worked on its own to prevent outbreaks of food-borne illness as far back as 2008 , when 400 people were sickened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chain ’ s restaurants in Ohio .
But protocols introduced after that outbreak were frequently ignored , employees with the company said .
According to the agreement , an analyst working in Chipotle ’ s department for tracking reports of customer illnesses said the company “ never honored a foodborne illness claim when there was only one customer complaint of foodborne illness .
”

Chipotle Mexican Grill will pay a $25 million fine to satisfy federal criminal charges accusing the fast-food chain of sickening more than 1,100 customers with norovirus over three years, U.S. attorneys said on Tuesday.
The federal prosecutors also said that Newport Beach-based Chipotle pressured ill employees to come in to work.
The fine is the largest ever imposed on a company accused of starting an outbreak of a food-borne illness, said Nick Hanna, the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles.
In addition to the fine, Chipotle agreed to spend millions of dollars to update food-safety protocols for its stores.
In a statement released Tuesday, Chipotle executives said among the changes the company has implemented is guaranteeing employees paid sick leave.
The executives also said they improved their ability to track shipments of perishable food and instituted better food-safety training for employees, as well as mandating hand washing and health checks before shifts.
Prosecutors said numerous Chipotle employees – including teenagers – reported they didn’t receive proper training on how to store food at safe temperatures.
The employees also said restaurants lacked adequate staff, with some managers forcing them to work even if they showed symptoms of an illness.
At least five outbreaks from 2015 to 2018 at Chipotle restaurants across the country began when employees failed to follow food-safety rules, the U.S. attorneys say.
Each of the locations exposed hundreds of customers and employees to pathogens like the norovirus, which can transfer through infected surfaces, as wells as bacteria growing in food stored at improper temperatures, according to the allegations.
At least 234 customers and employees who visited a Chipotle restaurant in Simi Valley became ill after a worker there vomited while on the job, the federal lawyers say.
The worker was sent home, they added, but the restaurant didn’t report the incident to officials until two days later, after multiple customers reported feeling ill.
In another incident at a restaurant in Boston, 141 people were sickened when a Chipotle manager ordered an employee “to continue working after vomiting inside the restaurant,” the U.S. Department of Justice says in a statement.
Two days later, the same employee helped package a catering order for the Boston College men’s basketball team – and several team members later became ill, prosecutors said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Chipotle should have known of the risks of food-borne illness.
Chipotle executives in annual reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have acknowledged their restaurants “may be at a higher risk for food-borne illness outbreaks,” because of using fresh produce and meats susceptible to spoiling.
Chipotle worked on its own to prevent outbreaks of food-borne illness as far back as 2008, when 400 people were sickened after eating food at one of the chain’s restaurants in Ohio. But protocols introduced after that outbreak were frequently ignored, employees with the company said.
According to the agreement, an analyst working in Chipotle’s department for tracking reports of customer illnesses said the company “never honored a foodborne illness claim when there was only one customer complaint of foodborne illness.”


mercurynews--2020-04-22--Letter: COVID-19 cases at Oakland schools food distribution sites worrying

This letter is in response to the article titled “ Coronavirus : Two who distribute food , devices in Oakland school district test positive ” ( Eastbaytimes.com , April 17 ) about the two confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oakland ’ s School District Food distribution locations .
While I am glad to hear that Oakland is providing food for children during this difficult time , I do believe that more precautions need to be taken .
Many children and parents depend on distribution centers , as there is already a lack of access to food and food-shortage in stores .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ food that they may otherwise not be able to access while they are not attending school in person .
These confirmed cases can have a detrimental effect on children accessing nutritional foods due to fear of exposure .
• Letter : Big chains applied for PPP loans for each hotel , restaurant • Letter : Others risking their lives — do your part : Stay home While the district is taking precautions , more needs to be done to ensure that all children have access to food .
Submit your letter to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Editor

This letter is in response to the article titled “Coronavirus: Two who distribute food, devices in Oakland school district test positive” (Eastbaytimes.com, April 17) about the two confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oakland’s School District Food distribution locations.
While I am glad to hear that Oakland is providing food for children during this difficult time, I do believe that more precautions need to be taken.
Many children and parents depend on distribution centers, as there is already a lack of access to food and food-shortage in stores. These distribution locations allow children to access food that they may otherwise not be able to access while they are not attending school in person.
These confirmed cases can have a detrimental effect on children accessing nutritional foods due to fear of exposure.
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Karla Padilla
Fremont
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mercurynews--2020-04-22--Dog stolen in San Francisco is turned into Southern California animal shelter, is reunited with owne

Dog stolen in San Francisco is turned into Southern California animal shelter, is reunited with owner

SAN FRANCISCO — Four months after a distraught San Francisco woman hired a plane to fly a search banner for her stolen dog , the blue-eyed mini Australian shepherd has been found and the two were reunited Tuesday .
Emilie Talermo , 31 , said she received a call Monday from an animal shelter in Palmdale , which is about 370 miles away in Southern California , telling her someone had just dropped off a dog with a microchip connected to her phone number .
To be sure it was her 6-year-old dog , Jackson , Talermo asked the shelter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as I saw them , I burst into tears .
It was him !
” Talermo said .
Talermo launched a search on Dec. 14 , when the dog with white , black , and gray fur and bright blue eyes was stolen from outside a grocery store in San Francisco ’ s Bernal Heights neighborhood .
She set up a website , www.bringjacksonhome.com , where she offered a $ 7,000 reward , “ no questions asked , ” and even opened an account for the sweet-faced dog on Tinder .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banner with the search website over San Francisco and Oakland .
Friends and strangers helped by sharing on social media her pleas to find her dog , distributing thousands of flyers with the dog ’ s photo and sending emails to veterinarians across the country asking them to be in the lookout .
On Monday , friends in Santa Monica drove to Palmdale to pick up Jackson .
Talermo was unable to drive herself to Southern California , but the San Francisco Police Department detective assigned to her case offered to drive to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The officer arrived in San Francisco with Jackson early Tuesday and let the dog out of a crate for a reunion with Talermo full of laughter , squeals and wiggles , a video of their encounter after four months apart showed .
The shelter didn ’ t say who dropped Jackson off but whoever had him fed him well because he returned home a little chunkier and doesn ’ t seem “ too traumatized , ” Talermo said .
The person who turned him in had found the dog and thought he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , public information officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control and Care .
Their reunion came at the perfect time : Talermo is moving out of San Francisco this weekend and will go home to Jackson Hole , Wyoming .
Once it ’ s safe to travel again , she plans to live in Portugal , she said .
For now , she is enjoying having Jackson home .
“ He slept great , he was snoring .
He has been basking in the sun in our backyard , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t sleep at all , I was with my eyes closed , smiling .
I ’ m just so happy to have him back in my life , ” she said .
Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control and Care Director Marcia Mayeda said it ’ s hoped Jackson ’ s story will encourage everyone to microchip their pets and keep the registry information up to date .

SAN FRANCISCO — Four months after a distraught San Francisco woman hired a plane to fly a search banner for her stolen dog, the blue-eyed mini Australian shepherd has been found and the two were reunited Tuesday.
Emilie Talermo, 31, said she received a call Monday from an animal shelter in Palmdale, which is about 370 miles away in Southern California, telling her someone had just dropped off a dog with a microchip connected to her phone number.
To be sure it was her 6-year-old dog, Jackson, Talermo asked the shelter to send her photos.
“As soon as I saw them, I burst into tears. It was him!” Talermo said.
Talermo launched a search on Dec. 14, when the dog with white, black, and gray fur and bright blue eyes was stolen from outside a grocery store in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood.
She set up a website, www.bringjacksonhome.com, where she offered a $7,000 reward, “no questions asked,” and even opened an account for the sweet-faced dog on Tinder. She also hired a plane to fly a banner with the search website over San Francisco and Oakland.
Friends and strangers helped by sharing on social media her pleas to find her dog, distributing thousands of flyers with the dog’s photo and sending emails to veterinarians across the country asking them to be in the lookout.
On Monday, friends in Santa Monica drove to Palmdale to pick up Jackson. Talermo was unable to drive herself to Southern California, but the San Francisco Police Department detective assigned to her case offered to drive to Santa Monica and bring Jackson back home.
The officer arrived in San Francisco with Jackson early Tuesday and let the dog out of a crate for a reunion with Talermo full of laughter, squeals and wiggles, a video of their encounter after four months apart showed.
The shelter didn’t say who dropped Jackson off but whoever had him fed him well because he returned home a little chunkier and doesn’t seem “too traumatized,” Talermo said.
The person who turned him in had found the dog and thought he was a stray, said Don Belton, public information officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control and Care.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | San Francisco woman offers $7,000 reward, hires plane in search of stolen miniature Australian Shepherd Their reunion came at the perfect time: Talermo is moving out of San Francisco this weekend and will go home to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Once it’s safe to travel again, she plans to live in Portugal, she said.
For now, she is enjoying having Jackson home.
“He slept great, he was snoring. He has been basking in the sun in our backyard,” Talermo said.
“I didn’t sleep at all, I was with my eyes closed, smiling. I’m just so happy to have him back in my life,” she said.
Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control and Care Director Marcia Mayeda said it’s hoped Jackson’s story will encourage everyone to microchip their pets and keep the registry information up to date.
City News Service contributed to this story.