mercurynews--2020-01-21--Ex-Alameda County deputies avoid jail time for inmate feces-throwing

OAKLAND — Two former Alameda County sheriff ’ s deputies accused of orchestrating a feces- and urine-throwing attack against an inmate , avoided jail time by taking a plea deal Tuesday .
Sarah Krause and Stephen Sarcos each pleaded no contest to one charge of assault under the color of authority .
Although both were charged with felonies , only Krause plead to a felony and Sarcos plead to a misdemeanor on Tuesday before Alameda County Superior Court Judge Kevin Murphy .
Krause is expected to be placed on five years of probation and Sarcos faces three years of informal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit for time served in jail .
Krause , who will be sentenced formally in February , will have to serve 240 hours of community service and pay $ 1,800 in fines .
She answered , “ Yes , your honor ” to questions Judge Murphy asked such as if she understood the conditions of her probation , before pleading no contest to the one charge .
Murphy said if she successfully completes her probation , she can petition the court to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor .
Sarcos will pay $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of community service hours , which can done in his home county of Placer County .
At an October 2018 preliminary hearing , it was revealed that both deputies admitted to detectives during the 2017 investigation that they helped make possible the attack against an inmate who was disrespectful to Krause in September 2016 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin .
Krause was having problems with a particular inmate who had called her names and mentally “ wore her down , ” said her attorney Paul Goyette at the October 2018 hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to further his own feud with this inmate , the attorney said .
Krause pushed the button from a control room to open the cell door of an inmate in Housing Unit 1 , F-Pod at Santa Rita .
Sarcos then escorted the inmate , who was carrying two cups filled with his own feces and urine , upstairs to the cell of the inmate who had been giving Krause problems , an investigating detective testified .
The second door was opened , and the inmate threw his cups of fecal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut the door .
Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Tim Wagstaffe called the incident “ foul ” and the deputies ’ actions “ egregious behavior.
” After the allegations came to light , Sarcos quit his job ; Krause was fired .
In addition to Sarcos and Krause , two other deputies also were arrested on similar charges .
Former deputies Justin Linn and Erik McDermott were originally charged with felony assault under the color of authority , as well as witness intimidation and conspiracy to obstruct justice .
McDermott also is alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Similarly , they are also accused of facilitating “ gassing , ” the term for waste-throwing in the county jail , but in separate alleged attacks than their colleagues Sarcos and Krause .
In April 2019 , Judge Morris Jacobson found there was sufficient evidence to keep the charges of assault under the color of authority and witnesses intimation that stem from 2016 allegations at the jail .
Although Jacobson dropped the charge of conspiracy to obstruct justice , he added additional counts of felony assault under the color of authority .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear in court on May 22 .

OAKLAND — Two former Alameda County sheriff’s deputies accused of orchestrating a feces- and urine-throwing attack against an inmate, avoided jail time by taking a plea deal Tuesday.
Sarah Krause and Stephen Sarcos each pleaded no contest to one charge of assault under the color of authority. Although both were charged with felonies, only Krause plead to a felony and Sarcos plead to a misdemeanor on Tuesday before Alameda County Superior Court Judge Kevin Murphy.
Krause is expected to be placed on five years of probation and Sarcos faces three years of informal probation; each have just one day credit for time served in jail.
Krause, who will be sentenced formally in February, will have to serve 240 hours of community service and pay $1,800 in fines. She answered, “Yes, your honor” to questions Judge Murphy asked such as if she understood the conditions of her probation, before pleading no contest to the one charge. Murphy said if she successfully completes her probation, she can petition the court to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor.
Sarcos will pay $1,240 in fines and perform 180 hours of community service hours, which can done in his home county of Placer County.
At an October 2018 preliminary hearing, it was revealed that both deputies admitted to detectives during the 2017 investigation that they helped make possible the attack against an inmate who was disrespectful to Krause in September 2016 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.
Krause was having problems with a particular inmate who had called her names and mentally “wore her down,” said her attorney Paul Goyette at the October 2018 hearing. Another “sophisticated” inmate manipulated her to further his own feud with this inmate, the attorney said.
Krause pushed the button from a control room to open the cell door of an inmate in Housing Unit 1, F-Pod at Santa Rita. Sarcos then escorted the inmate, who was carrying two cups filled with his own feces and urine, upstairs to the cell of the inmate who had been giving Krause problems, an investigating detective testified.
The second door was opened, and the inmate threw his cups of fecal and urine matter into the cell, then shut the door.
Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Tim Wagstaffe called the incident “foul” and the deputies’ actions “egregious behavior.”
After the allegations came to light, Sarcos quit his job; Krause was fired.
In addition to Sarcos and Krause, two other deputies also were arrested on similar charges. Former deputies Justin Linn and Erik McDermott were originally charged with felony assault under the color of authority, as well as witness intimidation and conspiracy to obstruct justice. McDermott also is alleged to have choked an inmate into unconsciousness. Similarly, they are also accused of facilitating “gassing,” the term for waste-throwing in the county jail, but in separate alleged attacks than their colleagues Sarcos and Krause.
In April 2019, Judge Morris Jacobson found there was sufficient evidence to keep the charges of assault under the color of authority and witnesses intimation that stem from 2016 allegations at the jail. Although Jacobson dropped the charge of conspiracy to obstruct justice, he added additional counts of felony assault under the color of authority.
Linn and McDermott are scheduled to next appear in court on May 22.


mercurynews--2020-01-21--Judge rescinds Santa Clara’s new fuel cell rules

SANTA CLARA — A judge has ruled in favor of Silicon Valley company Bloom Energy in its dispute with Santa Clara , striking down the city ’ s requirement that fuel cell users handle only renewable fuels .
In his ruling , Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Kuhnle said the city should have done a full environmental analysis before approving the new regulation .
In May , the city passed a resolution requiring new fuel cell users that rely on the city ’ s utility for back-up power to tap solar , wind , biogas or other renewable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utility , Silicon Valley Power , has pledged to make all new energy sources renewable and free of greenhouse gases by 2045 .
Bloom Energy , a San Jose company that manufactures fuel cells , responded by suing the city .
It alleged the City Council violated the California Environmental Quality Act by not fully analyzing the new regulation ’ s environmental impacts before voting and asked it to rescind the resolution .
Kuhnle granted that request earlier this month , ruling that the city failed to meet the legal standard for skipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city needs to conduct a full analysis because it hasn ’ t proven there is “ no possibility ” the new regulation could significantly affect the environment .
Bloom ’ s fuel cells combine fuel and hot air to produce a chemical reaction that creates electricity without any burning .
The company argues the city has effectively banned its technology in Santa Clara because renewable fuels such as biogas are expensive and in limited supply in California , and most of its customers use natural gas .
One of its customers in Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to the city it would likely rely more on diesel generators if the use of natural gas for fuel cells is prohibited .
The city counters that its electric grid , which runs on renewable energy , is inherently cleaner than a technology that runs on natural gas 24/7 .
The judge disagreed with one of Bloom ’ s arguments that the new regulation would increase carbon dioxide emissions , but agreed the regulation could influence emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides by increasing reliance on diesel generators .
In a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who also heads Silicon Valley Power , said the city “ intends to act swiftly ” and likely will do additional studies before taking the resolution back to the council for another vote .
“ Ultimately , the City intends to act swiftly to address the issues identified by the Court with the goal to ensure that energy used in the City today , as well as in the future , helps to achieve California ’ s [ greenhouse gas ] reduction goals , ” Pineda said in the statement .
Pineda said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the regulations in place while the City undertakes further analysis ” and the city may ask it to do so to prevent more greenhouse gas emissions in the meantime .
Josh Richman , Bloom ’ s vice president of business development and policy , applauded the ruling , and in a statement said that environmental policies should be “ carefully crafted in consultation with experts.
” “ In this case , facts were at best misunderstood by policymakers — and at worst , intentionally ignored to hide the true goal of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environment and to the citizens and businesses in the City of Santa Clara , ” Richman said in the statement .

SANTA CLARA — A judge has ruled in favor of Silicon Valley company Bloom Energy in its dispute with Santa Clara, striking down the city’s requirement that fuel cell users handle only renewable fuels.
In his ruling, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Kuhnle said the city should have done a full environmental analysis before approving the new regulation.
In May, the city passed a resolution requiring new fuel cell users that rely on the city’s utility for back-up power to tap solar, wind, biogas or other renewable energy sources within the state. The utility, Silicon Valley Power, has pledged to make all new energy sources renewable and free of greenhouse gases by 2045.
Bloom Energy, a San Jose company that manufactures fuel cells, responded by suing the city. It alleged the City Council violated the California Environmental Quality Act by not fully analyzing the new regulation’s environmental impacts before voting and asked it to rescind the resolution.
Kuhnle granted that request earlier this month, ruling that the city failed to meet the legal standard for skipping a full analysis.
He said the city needs to conduct a full analysis because it hasn’t proven there is “no possibility” the new regulation could significantly affect the environment.
Bloom’s fuel cells combine fuel and hot air to produce a chemical reaction that creates electricity without any burning. The company argues the city has effectively banned its technology in Santa Clara because renewable fuels such as biogas are expensive and in limited supply in California, and most of its customers use natural gas.
One of its customers in Santa Clara, Equinix, said in a letter to the city it would likely rely more on diesel generators if the use of natural gas for fuel cells is prohibited.
The city counters that its electric grid, which runs on renewable energy, is inherently cleaner than a technology that runs on natural gas 24/7.
The judge disagreed with one of Bloom’s arguments that the new regulation would increase carbon dioxide emissions, but agreed the regulation could influence emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides by increasing reliance on diesel generators.
In a statement, Assistant City Manager Manuel Pineda, who also heads Silicon Valley Power, said the city “intends to act swiftly” and likely will do additional studies before taking the resolution back to the council for another vote.
“Ultimately, the City intends to act swiftly to address the issues identified by the Court with the goal to ensure that energy used in the City today, as well as in the future, helps to achieve California’s [greenhouse gas] reduction goals,” Pineda said in the statement.
Pineda said “the court has the discretion to leave the regulations in place while the City undertakes further analysis” and the city may ask it to do so to prevent more greenhouse gas emissions in the meantime.
Josh Richman, Bloom’s vice president of business development and policy, applauded the ruling, and in a statement said that environmental policies should be “carefully crafted in consultation with experts.”
“In this case, facts were at best misunderstood by policymakers — and at worst, intentionally ignored to hide the true goal of the policy — all to the detriment of the environment and to the citizens and businesses in the City of Santa Clara,” Richman said in the statement.


mercurynews--2020-01-21--Mexico begins flying migrants back to Honduras

By Maria Verza and Sonia Perez D | Associated Press CIUDAD HIDALGO , Mexico — Hundreds of Central American migrants who waded across a river into Mexico in hopes of eventually reaching the U.S. were sent back to their homeland or retreated across the border Tuesday after Mexican troops blocked their way .
Fewer than 100 remained in the no-man ’ s land along the river between Guatemala and Mexico .
The caravan of thousands had set out from Honduras last week in hopes Mexico would grant them passage , posing a fresh test of President Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arriving at the U.S. border by pressuring other governments to stop them .
Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said 2,400 of the migrants entered Mexico legally over the weekend .
About 1,000 of them requested Mexico ’ s help in returning to their countries .
The rest were being held in immigration centers while they start legal processes that would allow them to seek refuge in Mexico or obtain temporary work permits that would confine them to southern Mexico .
An additional 1,000 had tried to enter illegally Monday , he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Mexican National Guardsmen and immigration agents .
Immigration officials estimated Monday night that 500 had evaded capture by the security forces .
Ebrard said Mexico has begun deporting some back to Honduras , putting 110 on a flight to San Pedro Sula and sending 144 back by bus .
Honduran officials said an additional flight and several scheduled busloads would bring Tuesday ’ s total to 691 .
Most of the hundreds stranded in the no-man ’ s land on the Mexican side of the river returned to Guatemala overnight in search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sleep .
Mexican authorities distributed no water or food to those who entered illegally , in what appeared to be an attempt by the government to wear out the migrants .
Alejandro Rendón , head of Mexico ’ s social welfare department , said his colleagues were giving water to those who turned themselves in or were caught by immigration agents , but were not doing the same along the river because it was not safe for workers to do so .
“ It isn ’ t prudent to come here because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the colleagues at risk , ” he said .
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Tuesday that the government is trying to protect the migrants from harm by preventing them from traveling illegally through the country .
He said they need to respect Mexican laws .
“ If we don ’ t take care of them , if we don ’ t know who they are , if we don ’ t have a register , they pass and get to the north , and the criminal gangs grab them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it was before , ” he said .
“ They disappeared them.
” Mexican Interior Minister Olga Sánchez Cordero commended the National Guard for its restraint , saying : “ In no way has there been an act that we could call repression and not even annoyance.
” But Honduras ’ ambassador to Mexico said there had been instances of excessive force on the part of the National Guard .
“ We made a complaint before the Mexican government , ” Alden Rivera said in an interview with HCH Noticias without offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown rocks at Mexican authorities .
An Associated Press photograph of a Mexican National Guardsman holding a migrant in a headlock was sent via Twitter by U.S. acting Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli with the message : “ We appreciate Mexico doing more than they did last year to interdict caravans attempting to move illegally north to our southern border.
” On the Guatemala side Tuesday , migrants lined up at a shelter for a breakfast of plantains , beans and coffee .
Some asked for dry clothing to replace what was soaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Others passed the time playing soccer and cards beside the river as they tried to figure out what to do next .
Darlin René Romero , 25 , and his wife were among the few who spent the night pinned between the river and Mexican authorities .
Rumors had circulated through the night that “ anything could happen , that being there was very dangerous , ” Romero said .
But the couple from Copan , Honduras , spread a blanket on the ground and passed the night 20 yards from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wall with their riot shields .
• Illegal crossings plunge as US extends policy across border • ICE ups ante in standoff with NYC : ‘ This is not a request ’ • Help wanted : U.S. Census needs more Bay Area workers They remained confident that Mexico would allow them to pass through and were trying to make it to the northern Mexican city of Monterrey , where his sister lives .
They said a return home to impoverished and gang-plagued Honduras , where most of the migrants are from , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s land , ” said Alan Mejía , whose 2-year-old son was cradled in his arms clad only in a diaper as his wife , Ingrid Vanesa Portillo , and their other son , 12 , gazed at the riverbank Monday night .
Mejía joined in five previous migrant caravans but never made it farther than the Mexican border city of Tijuana .
“ They are planning how to clear us out , and here we are without water or food , ” said a desperate Portillo .
“ There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pérez D. reported from Tecun Uman , Guatemala .
AP writer Marlon González in Tegucigalpa , Honduras , contributed to this report .

By Maria Verza and Sonia Perez D | Associated Press
CIUDAD HIDALGO, Mexico — Hundreds of Central American migrants who waded across a river into Mexico in hopes of eventually reaching the U.S. were sent back to their homeland or retreated across the border Tuesday after Mexican troops blocked their way.
Fewer than 100 remained in the no-man’s land along the river between Guatemala and Mexico.
The caravan of thousands had set out from Honduras last week in hopes Mexico would grant them passage, posing a fresh test of President Donald Trump’s effort to reduce the flow of migrants arriving at the U.S. border by pressuring other governments to stop them.
Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said 2,400 of the migrants entered Mexico legally over the weekend. About 1,000 of them requested Mexico’s help in returning to their countries. The rest were being held in immigration centers while they start legal processes that would allow them to seek refuge in Mexico or obtain temporary work permits that would confine them to southern Mexico.
An additional 1,000 had tried to enter illegally Monday, he said, and hundreds of them were apparently detained by Mexican National Guardsmen and immigration agents. Immigration officials estimated Monday night that 500 had evaded capture by the security forces.
Ebrard said Mexico has begun deporting some back to Honduras, putting 110 on a flight to San Pedro Sula and sending 144 back by bus. Honduran officials said an additional flight and several scheduled busloads would bring Tuesday’s total to 691.
Most of the hundreds stranded in the no-man’s land on the Mexican side of the river returned to Guatemala overnight in search of water, food and a place to sleep. Mexican authorities distributed no water or food to those who entered illegally, in what appeared to be an attempt by the government to wear out the migrants.
Alejandro Rendón, head of Mexico’s social welfare department, said his colleagues were giving water to those who turned themselves in or were caught by immigration agents, but were not doing the same along the river because it was not safe for workers to do so.
“It isn’t prudent to come here because we can’t put the safety of the colleagues at risk,” he said.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Tuesday that the government is trying to protect the migrants from harm by preventing them from traveling illegally through the country. He said they need to respect Mexican laws.
“If we don’t take care of them, if we don’t know who they are, if we don’t have a register, they pass and get to the north, and the criminal gangs grab them and assault them, because that’s how it was before,” he said. “They disappeared them.”
Mexican Interior Minister Olga Sánchez Cordero commended the National Guard for its restraint, saying: “In no way has there been an act that we could call repression and not even annoyance.”
But Honduras’ ambassador to Mexico said there had been instances of excessive force on the part of the National Guard. “We made a complaint before the Mexican government,” Alden Rivera said in an interview with HCH Noticias without offering details. He also conceded migrants had thrown rocks at Mexican authorities.
An Associated Press photograph of a Mexican National Guardsman holding a migrant in a headlock was sent via Twitter by U.S. acting Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli with the message: “We appreciate Mexico doing more than they did last year to interdict caravans attempting to move illegally north to our southern border.”
On the Guatemala side Tuesday, migrants lined up at a shelter for a breakfast of plantains, beans and coffee. Some asked for dry clothing to replace what was soaked or lost in their dash into Mexico. Others passed the time playing soccer and cards beside the river as they tried to figure out what to do next.
Darlin René Romero, 25, and his wife were among the few who spent the night pinned between the river and Mexican authorities.
Rumors had circulated through the night that “anything could happen, that being there was very dangerous,” Romero said. But the couple from Copan, Honduras, spread a blanket on the ground and passed the night 20 yards from a line of National Guard troops forming a wall with their riot shields.
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Record number of people braving Darien Gap this year National News | 60 smuggled people found working in ‘horrible’ conditions at illegal Central Valley marijuana plant They remained confident that Mexico would allow them to pass through and were trying to make it to the northern Mexican city of Monterrey, where his sister lives.
They said a return home to impoverished and gang-plagued Honduras, where most of the migrants are from, was unthinkable.
“We are in no-man’s land,” said Alan Mejía, whose 2-year-old son was cradled in his arms clad only in a diaper as his wife, Ingrid Vanesa Portillo, and their other son, 12, gazed at the riverbank Monday night. Mejía joined in five previous migrant caravans but never made it farther than the Mexican border city of Tijuana.
“They are planning how to clear us out, and here we are without water or food,” said a desperate Portillo. “There is no more hope for going forward.”
Sonia Pérez D. reported from Tecun Uman, Guatemala. AP writer Marlon González in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-01-22--Letter: Condemn acts against people of any faith

All Americans and particularly the members of the faith communities have been outraged at the recent attacks against the members @ @ @ @ @ Such abhorrent acts against people of faith should be condemned .
Government , the media @ @ @ @ @ religious organizations should take measures to protect all people of faith as well as every @ @ @ @ @ of faith , gender or ethnic origin .
• Letter : San Jose idea for @ @ @ @ @ is fantastic • Letter : Imagine bicycling to an A ’ s game over a @ @ @ @ @ tax dollars should fund what we ’ re told they will One of the cardinal @ @ @ @ @ the freedom of religion , which contributed to strengthening our democratic system of government and @ @ @ @ @ hope for many people to freely practice their religion .
Any infringement on this right @ @ @ @ @ all Americans .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters @ @ @

Condemn acts against
people of any faith
All Americans and particularly the members of the faith communities have been outraged at the recent attacks against the members of the Jewish community.
Such abhorrent acts against people of faith should be condemned. Government, the media, academic institutions and all religious organizations should take measures to protect all people of faith as well as every individual American and resident regardless of faith, gender or ethnic origin.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps One of the cardinal principles of our Constitution is the freedom of religion, which contributed to strengthening our democratic system of government and made the United States the hope for many people to freely practice their religion. Any infringement on this right will have dire consequences to all Americans.
Amer Araim
Walnut Creek
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mercurynews--2020-01-22--Letter: San Jose idea for a new mobile-home park rule is fantastic

San Jose mobile home park residents being forced from their homes are supporting the efforts of Mayor Sam Liccardo and other members of the San Jose city government to create a new ordinance with a mobile home park designation that would make it harder to evict residents by requiring much higher review standards for redevelopment of the communities .
Any new projects would also require city council approval.. My purpose of writing this letter is to support this law .
This ordinance that creates a mobile home park designation is a fantastic idea , and should be passed .
Homeowners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whims of the corporations that own the parks .
• Letter : Imagine bicycling to an A ’ s game over a bridge • Letter : Our tax dollars should fund what we ’ re told they will • Letter : Trump ’ s decision-making and timing at issue in killing Currently , when people are evicted , the city has to pay them compensation , so establishing dedicated mobile home areas will save the city money overall .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to @ @

SJ creating a mobile-home
park rule is a fantastic idea
Re: “San Jose officials seek to calm mobile home park residents” (Mercurynews.com, Jan. 9):
San Jose mobile home park residents being forced from their homes are supporting the efforts of Mayor Sam Liccardo and other members of the San Jose city government to create a new ordinance with a mobile home park designation that would make it harder to evict residents by requiring much higher review standards for redevelopment of the communities. Any new projects would also require city council approval..
My purpose of writing this letter is to support this law. This ordinance that creates a mobile home park designation is a fantastic idea, and should be passed. Homeowners in mobile home parks are vulnerable to the whims of the corporations that own the parks.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Currently, when people are evicted, the city has to pay them compensation, so establishing dedicated mobile home areas will save the city money overall.
Owen Lawson
Los Gatos
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Word Game: Jan. 22, 2020

Can you find 33 or more words in NUMEROUS ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — NUMEROUS (NUMEROUS: NOO-mer-us: Many.)
Average mark 24 words
Time limit 40 minutes
Can you find 33 or more words in NUMEROUS? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — HEADLAND hale hand handle head heal held
elan eland addle ahead dada dale dandle dead deal dean lade laden
land lane lead lean lend
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


Bridge: Jan. 22, 2020

When I watched today ’ s deal at the club , North was the dreaded Grapefruit , he of the perpetual sour mood .
He badgers his partners mercilessly .
At 3NT , South took the ace of hearts , led a club to dummy and let the jack of diamonds ride .
West won and shifted to the jack of spades : deuce , nine , ace .
South could take only eight tricks before West got in with his queen of hearts , and then a second spade sank the game .
South found out that finesses are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and also heard from Grapefruit .
“ Partner , you ’ re so dumb you must think the pick-up window at McDonald ’ s is for trucks only.
” South mismanaged the diamonds .
At Trick Two he must lead the deuce toward dummy ’ s jack .
If West wins , South has nine tricks .
If West plays low , the jack wins , and then South can lead to dummy ’ s jack of hearts for a ninth trick .
If East had the king of diamonds , he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
South could again get a second heart trick with the jack .
You hold : S Q 5 2 H J 5 4 3 D J 5 C A Q J 6 .
Your partner opens one diamond , you respond one heart and he bids one spade .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : You have a straightforward action : Bid 2NT to show about 11 points , probably balanced distribution , and strength in the unbid suit .
A bid of two clubs would not be as well defined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of continuations over 2NT : If opener rebids three diamonds , is that forcing or not ?

When I watched today’s deal at the club, North was the dreaded Grapefruit, he of the perpetual sour mood. He badgers his partners mercilessly.
At 3NT, South took the ace of hearts, led a club to dummy and let the jack of diamonds ride. West won and shifted to the jack of spades: deuce, nine, ace. South could take only eight tricks before West got in with his queen of hearts, and then a second spade sank the game.
South found out that finesses are fickle (my topic this week) and also heard from Grapefruit.
“Partner, you’re so dumb you must think the pick-up window at McDonald’s is for trucks only.”
NINE TRICKS
South mismanaged the diamonds. At Trick Two he must lead the deuce toward dummy’s jack. If West wins, South has nine tricks. If West plays low, the jack wins, and then South can lead to dummy’s jack of hearts for a ninth trick.
If East had the king of diamonds, he could do no damage with a spade shift. South could again get a second heart trick with the jack.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 5 2 H J 5 4 3 D J 5 C A Q J 6. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. What do you say?
ANSWER: You have a straightforward action: Bid 2NT to show about 11 points, probably balanced distribution, and strength in the unbid suit. A bid of two clubs would not be as well defined. Partnerships must agree on the meaning of continuations over 2NT: If opener rebids three diamonds, is that forcing or not?
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S Q 5 2
H J 5 4 3
D J 5
C A Q J 6
WEST
S J 10 3
H K Q 10 9 8
D K 10 8 4
C 4
EAST
S K 9 8 7 6
H 7
D 7 6 3
C 9 7 5 3
SOUTH
S A 4
H A 6 2
D A Q 9 2
C K 10 8 2
South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H K
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-01-22--Horoscopes Jan. 22, 2020: Guy Fieri, work diligently toward a goal.

Happy Birthday : Work diligently toward a goal .
Worry less about what others are doing or the changes going on around you , and concentrate more on what you are trying to achieve .
Meddling and interference will eat up valuable time that should be spent making progress .
Help only those who are willing to give you as much back in return .
Your numbers are 4 , 11 , 24 , 28 , 34 , 41 , 48 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Be more observant , and you ’ ll recognize that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do things on your own .
You ’ ve gained more respect and admiration than you realize .
Take a deep breath , don ’ t overreact and be willing to accept help .
2 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : The less you talk , the better .
Discussions will lead to confusion and uncertainty .
Stay focused on what you want to achieve , and keep the momentum going until you reach your destination .
Praise will be yours for what you complete , not what you say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : Take one thing at a time .
If you overload your to-do list , you ’ ll end up falling short .
A good idea is apparent , but if you don ’ t follow through , it will become worthless .
Make what you say and do count .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Follow the path that feels most comfortable .
Don ’ t feel you have to follow what someone else does when you genuinely have your own ideas and ways to do things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passion ; latch on to something that moves you .
3 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Speak up if you think someone is neglecting to tell you the truth or is leaving out an important fact .
Your effort will not go unnoticed , and the outcome will bring about an unexpected but rewarding change .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Don ’ t let anger and frustration take over when patience and understanding are what ’ s required .
Add your personal touch to whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t allow the changes others make interfere with your plans .
Personal improvement and romance are encouraged .
5 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Get in touch with someone you haven ’ t seen in some time , and you will open an unexpected window of opportunity .
Decisions can be made that will change your life if you put in the effort to pursue your dreams .
2 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : What you think and what ’ s happening will differ .
Don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legwork required to get to the bottom of any situation you face .
Making personal improvements , honing skills and following your heart are favored .
4 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Be persistent when dealing with someone using the power of persuasion and little white lies to lure you into something that ’ s not beneficial to you .
Make what you want very clear , and don ’ t settle for less .
Anger solves nothing .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going on around you .
Don ’ t set yourself up for disappointment .
Set your goals , stick to your plans and refuse to let outside influences stand between you and your destination .
Maintain a position of strength .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Challenge yourself mentally , and you ’ ll come up with a plan that will help you get ahead .
An offer someone makes will be tempting , but investing in yourself is a better option .
Why make someone else ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own thing .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Stop worrying about what someone is doing , and put your energy into what you are trying to accomplish .
Let the past be a lesson that will help you overrule a distraction .
Focus on self-improvement , not trying to change others .
4 stars Birthday Baby : You are charismatic , energetic and changeable .
You are intelligent and humorous .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Beverley Mitchell, 39; Balthazar Getty, 45; Guy Fieri, 52; Diane Lane, 55.
Happy Birthday: Work diligently toward a goal. Worry less about what others are doing or the changes going on around you, and concentrate more on what you are trying to achieve. Meddling and interference will eat up valuable time that should be spent making progress. Help only those who are willing to give you as much back in return. Your numbers are 4, 11, 24, 28, 34, 41, 48.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be more observant, and you’ll recognize that you don’t have to face or do things on your own. You’ve gained more respect and admiration than you realize. Take a deep breath, don’t overreact and be willing to accept help. 2 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The less you talk, the better. Discussions will lead to confusion and uncertainty. Stay focused on what you want to achieve, and keep the momentum going until you reach your destination. Praise will be yours for what you complete, not what you say. 5 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take one thing at a time. If you overload your to-do list, you’ll end up falling short. A good idea is apparent, but if you don’t follow through, it will become worthless. Make what you say and do count. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Follow the path that feels most comfortable. Don’t feel you have to follow what someone else does when you genuinely have your own ideas and ways to do things. Don’t forgo feeling the passion; latch on to something that moves you. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Speak up if you think someone is neglecting to tell you the truth or is leaving out an important fact. Your effort will not go unnoticed, and the outcome will bring about an unexpected but rewarding change. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t let anger and frustration take over when patience and understanding are what’s required. Add your personal touch to whatever you are doing, and don’t allow the changes others make interfere with your plans. Personal improvement and romance are encouraged. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Get in touch with someone you haven’t seen in some time, and you will open an unexpected window of opportunity. Decisions can be made that will change your life if you put in the effort to pursue your dreams. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): What you think and what’s happening will differ. Don’t act on an assumption. Do the legwork required to get to the bottom of any situation you face. Making personal improvements, honing skills and following your heart are favored. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be persistent when dealing with someone using the power of persuasion and little white lies to lure you into something that’s not beneficial to you. Make what you want very clear, and don’t settle for less. Anger solves nothing. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll be sensitive to what’s going on around you. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Set your goals, stick to your plans and refuse to let outside influences stand between you and your destination. Maintain a position of strength. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Challenge yourself mentally, and you’ll come up with a plan that will help you get ahead. An offer someone makes will be tempting, but investing in yourself is a better option. Why make someone else’s dream come true? Do your own thing. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Stop worrying about what someone is doing, and put your energy into what you are trying to accomplish. Let the past be a lesson that will help you overrule a distraction. Focus on self-improvement, not trying to change others. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are charismatic, energetic and changeable. You are intelligent and humorous.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-01-22--Senate approves impeachment trial rules, rejecting witnesses

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The U.S. Senate plunged into President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial with Republicans abruptly abandoning plans to cram opening arguments into two days but solidly rejecting Democratic demands for more witnesses to expose what they deem Trump ’ s “ trifecta ” of offenses .
The daylong session started Tuesday with the setback for Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell and the president ’ s legal team , but it ended near 2 a.m. Wednesday with Republicans easily approving the rest of the trial rules largely on their terms .
The result is Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watchful public in an election year .
“ We have a great case , ” Trump said as he began his second day at a global economic forum in Davos , Switzerland .
He said he thought his legal team was doing a “ very good job.
” The trial is now on a fast-track with almost no signs of Republican resistance to the actions that led to his impeachment .
“ It ’ s about time we bring this power trip in for a landing , ” said White House counsel Pat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer , lashing out at the House Democrats prosecuting the case .
“ It ’ s a farce , ” he said about the impeachment proceeding , “ and it should end.
” Chief Justice John Roberts gaveled open the session , with House prosecutors on one side , Trump ’ s team on the other , in the well of the Senate , as senators sat silently at their desks , under oath to do “ impartial justice.
” No cellphones or other electronics were allowed .
As the day stretched deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to more pointedly political ones .
Tempers flared and senators paced the chamber .
Democrats pursued what may be their only chance to force senators to vote on hearing new testimony .
After one particularly bitter post-midnight exchange , Roberts intervened , taking the rare step of admonishing both the Democratic House managers prosecuting the case and the White House counsel to “ remember where they are.
” “ I think it is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House managers and the president ’ s counsel in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressing the world ’ s greatest deliberative body , ” the usually reserved Roberts said .
He told them that description of the Senate stemmed from a 1905 trial when a senator objected to the word “ pettifogging , ” because members should “ avoid speaking in a manner and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse.
” Over and over , Republicans turned back Democratic amendments to subpoena documents from the White House , State Department , Defense Department and budget office .
By the same 53-47 party-line , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s actions including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and John Bolton , the former national security adviser critical of the Ukraine policy .
Only on one amendment , to allow more time to file motions , did a single Republican , Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , join Democrats .
But it , too , was rejected , 52-48 .
“ It ’ s not our job to make it easy for you , ” Rep. Adam Schiff , the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee leading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our job is to make it hard to deprive the American people of a fair trial.
” As the visitors ’ gallery filled earlier with guests , actress-and-activist Alyssa Milano among them , and Trump ’ s most ardent House allies lining the back rows , the day that began as a debate over rules quickly took on the cadence of a trial proceeding over whether the president ’ s actions toward Ukraine warranted removal from office .
Cipollone led the prosecution , scoffing that the House charges against Trump were “ ridiculous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done absolutely nothing wrong.
” The White House legal team did not dispute Trump ’ s actions , when he called Ukraine and asked for a “ favor , ” which was to investigate Democrat Joe Biden as the U.S. was withholding military aid the ally desperately needed as it faced off with hostile Russia on its border .
But the lawyers insisted the president did nothing wrong .
“ Absolutely no case , ” Cipollone said .
Schiff , the California Democrat , said America ’ s Founders added the remedy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this type of conduct in mind — conduct that abuses the power of office for a personal benefit , that undermines our national security , and that invites foreign interference in the democratic process of an election.
” Said Schiff : “ It is the trifecta of constitutional misconduct justifying impeachment.
” The other lead lawyer on Trump ’ s team , Jay Sekulow , retorted , “ I ’ ll give you a trifecta , ” outlining complaints over the House Democrats ’ impeachment inquiry process .
The impeachment trial is testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant removal as voters are forming their own verdict on his White House .
All four senators who are presidential candidates were off the campaign trail , seated as jurors .
“ My focus is going to be on impeachment , ” Sen. Bernie Sanders , the Vermont independent , told reporters .
McConnell stunned senators and delayed the start of proceedings with his decision to back off some of his proposed rules .
He made the adjustment after encountering resistance from Republicans during a closed-door lunch meeting .
Senators worried about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” sessions that could come from cramming the 24 hours of opening arguments from each side into just two days .
Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowksi of Alaska , who often buck party leadership , along with a substantial number of other Republicans , wanted to make the changes , according to people familiar with the situation .
It was only when the clerk started reading the dry language of the resolution that the hand-written changes to extend debate to three days became apparent .
It also allowed the House impeachment record to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnaround was a swift lesson as White House wishes run into the reality of the Senate .
The White House wanted a session kept to a shorter period to both expedite the trial and shift more of the proceedings into late night , according to a person familiar with the matter but unauthorized to discuss it in public .
“ READ THE TRANSCRIPTS !
” the president tweeted from overseas , at a global leaders conference in Davos , Switzerland .
That ’ s the transcript of his phone call in which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a favor.
” The Democrats cite that transcript as solid evidence against Trump , though he repeatedly describes it as “ perfect.
” The House impeached Trump last month on a charge of abuse of power for pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Biden and his son Hunter Biden as the White House was withholding military aid from Ukraine .
Trump also was impeached on a second charge , of obstruction of Congress , in the House probe .
Trump ’ s legal team , absent its TV-showcase attorneys , Alan Dershowitz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chamber , argued that in seeking new evidence the House was bringing a half-baked case .
But Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California , one of the House managers and the first woman to argue for the prosecution in a presidential impeachment trial , said the House wasn ’ t asking the Senate to do the job for them .
“ The House is asking the Senate to do its job , to have a trial , ” she said .
“ Have you ever heard of a trial without evidence ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to testify in the House inquiry , and refused to turn over witnesses or documents , citing what is says is precedence in defiance of congressional subpoenas .
The ambassadors and national security officials who did appear before the House delivered often striking testimony , highlights that were displayed on television screens during the Senate proceeding .
Democrat Schiff displayed video of Trump himself suggesting there should be more witnesses testifying .
One by one , the House managers made the case , drawing on their own life experiences .
• In 1999 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment witnesses • Letter : Trump ’ s decision-making and timing at issue in killing Rep. Val Demings , D-Fla. , a former police chief , said she never saw anyone take “ such extreme steps to hide evidence.
” Rep. Jason Crow , a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan , seemed to capture senators ’ attention when he told them near he knew the hour was late , but it was morning in Ukraine where soldiers were waking up to fight Russia , depending on U.S. aid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Judiciary Committee chairman also leading the prosecution , said the White House lawyers “ lie ” that Cipollone and Sekulow retorted that Nadler should be embarrassed and apologize , leading to Roberts ’ admonition .
No president has ever been removed from office .
With its 53-47 Republican majority , the Senate is not expected to mount the two-thirds vote needed for conviction .
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick , Eric Tucker , Alan Fram , Laurie Kellman , Andrew Taylor , Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama in Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Pitt in Des Moines , Iowa , contributed to this report .

By LISA MASCARO and ZEKE MILLER
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate plunged into President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial with Republicans abruptly abandoning plans to cram opening arguments into two days but solidly rejecting for now Democratic demands for more witnesses to expose what they deem Trump’s “trifecta” of offenses.
Trump himself said Wednesday he wants top aides to testify, but qualified that by suggesting there were “national security” concerns to allowing their testimony.
“We have a great case,” Trump said at a global economic forum in Davos, Switzerland. In a press conference before returning to Washington, Trump said his legal team was doing a “very good job.”
He appeared to break with Republicans efforts to block Democratic motions to immediately call witnesses and subpoena documents. Instead, Trump said he’d like to see aides, including former national security adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, testify as witnesses
Trump said he’d leave the “national security” concerns about allowing their testimony to the Senate.
Tuesday’s daylong session started with the setback for Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell and the president’s legal team, but it ended near 2 a.m. Wednesday with Republicans easily approving the rest of the trial rules largely on their terms.
With the rules settled, the trial is now on a fast-track. At issue is whether Trump should be removed from office for abuse of power stemming from his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and Biden’s son Hunter as Trump was withhold aid to the country, and for obstructing Congress’ ensuing probe.
Chief Justice John Roberts gaveled open the session, with House prosecutors on one side, Trump’s team on the other, in the well of the Senate, as senators sat silently at their desks, under oath to do “impartial justice.” No cellphones or other electronics were allowed.
As the day stretched deep into the night, lawyerly arguments gave way to more pointedly political ones. Tempers flared and senators paced the chamber. Democrats pursued what may be their only chance to force senators to vote on hearing new testimony.
After one particularly bitter post-midnight exchange, Roberts intervened, taking the rare step of admonishing both the Democratic House managers prosecuting the case and the White House counsel to “remember where they are.”
“I think it is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House managers and the president’s counsel in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world’s greatest deliberative body,” the usually reserved Roberts said. He told them that description of the Senate stemmed from a 1905 trial when a senator objected to the word “pettifogging,” because members should “avoid speaking in a manner and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse.”
Over and over, Republicans turned back Democratic amendments to subpoena documents from the White House, State Department, Defense Department and budget office. By the same 53-47 party-line, they turned away witnesses with front-row seats to Trump’s actions including acting White House chief of staff Mulvaney and Bolton, the former national security adviser critical of the Ukraine policy.
Only on one amendment, to allow more time to file motions, did a single Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, join Democrats. But it, too, was rejected, 52-48.
Motions from the Trump legal team were due Wednesday morning, but the attorneys weren’t filing any, said Jay Sekulow, one of the president’s lawyers. That means there will be no motion to dismiss the case as some Republicans had discussed.
As the visitors’ gallery filled earlier with guests, actress-and-activist Alyssa Milano among them, and Trump’s most ardent House allies lining the back rows, the day that began as a debate over rules quickly took on the cadence of a trial proceeding over whether the president’s actions toward Ukraine warranted removal from office.
“It’s not our job to make it easy for you,” Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee leading the prosecution, told the Senate. “Our job is to make it hard to deprive the American people of a fair trial.”
White House counsel Pat Cipollone, the president’s lead lawyer, called the trial “a farce.” He scoffed that the House charges against Trump were “ridiculous.”
The White House legal team did not dispute Trump’s actions, when he called Ukraine and asked for a “favor,” which was to investigate Biden as he withheld military aid the ally desperately needed as it faced off with hostile Russia on its border. But the lawyers insisted the president did nothing wrong.
“Absolutely no case,” Cipollone said.
Schiff, the California Democrat, said America’s Founders added the remedy of impeachment in the Constitution with “precisely this type of conduct in mind — conduct that abuses the power of office for a personal benefit, that undermines our national security, and that invites foreign interference in the democratic process of an election.”
Said Schiff: “It is the trifecta of constitutional misconduct justifying impeachment.”
Sekulow, the other lead lawyer on Trump’s team, retorted, “I’ll give you a trifecta,” outlining complaints over the House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry process.
In Davos, Trump repeated his attacks on Democratic House managers serving as prosecutors in the trial, saying that he’d like to “sit right in the front row and stare at their corrupt faces” on the Senate floor during the trial but that his attorneys might have a problem with it.
And he said he wants to deliver the State of the Union as scheduled on Feb. 4 even if the trial is ongoing, calling the address “very important to what I am doing” in setting his administration’s agenda.
The impeachment trial is set against the backdrop of the 2020 election. All four senators who are Democratic presidential candidates were off the campaign trail, seated as jurors.
“My focus is going to be on impeachment,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent, told reporters.
McConnell stunned senators and delayed the start of proceedings with his decision to back off some of his proposed rules. He made the adjustment after encountering resistance from Republicans during a closed-door lunch meeting. Senators worried about the political optics of “dark of night” sessions that could come from cramming the 24 hours of opening arguments from each side into just two days.
Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowksi of Alaska, who often buck party leadership, along with a substantial number of other Republicans, wanted to make the changes, according to people familiar with the situation.
It was only when the clerk started reading the dry language of the resolution that the hand-written changes to extend debate to three days became apparent. It also allowed the House impeachment record to be included in the Senate.
The turnaround was a swift lesson as White House wishes run into the reality of the Senate. The White House wanted a session kept to a shorter period to both expedite the trial and shift more of the proceedings into late night, according to a person familiar with the matter but unauthorized to discuss it in public.
Trump’s legal team, absent its TV-showcase attorneys, Alan Dershowitz and Kenneth Starr who were not in the chamber, argued that in seeking new evidence the House was bringing a half-baked case.
But Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, one of the House managers and the first woman to argue for the prosecution in a presidential impeachment trial, said the House wasn’t asking the Senate to do the job for them. “The House is asking the Senate to do its job, to have a trial,” she said. “Have you ever heard of a trial without evidence?”
The White House had instructed officials not to testify in the House inquiry, and refused to turn over witnesses or documents, citing what is says is precedence in defiance of congressional subpoenas.
Democrat Schiff displayed video of Trump himself suggesting there should be more witnesses testifying.
One by one, the House managers made the case, drawing on their own life experiences.
Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., a former police chief, said she never saw anyone take “such extreme steps to hide evidence.” Rep. Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, seemed to capture senators’ attention when he told them near he knew the hour was late, but it was morning in Ukraine where soldiers were waking up to fight Russia, depending on U.S. aid.
It was when Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the House Judiciary Committee chairman also leading the prosecution, said the White House lawyers “lie” that Cipollone and Sekulow retorted that Nadler should be embarrassed and apologize, leading to Roberts’ admonition.
No president has ever been removed from office. With its 53-47 Republican majority, the Senate is not expected to mount the two-thirds vote needed for conviction.
___
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Eric Tucker, Alan Fram, Laurie Kellman, Andrew Taylor, Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama in Washington, Jamey Keaten and Darlene Superville in Davos, Switzerland and David Pitt in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-01-22--Ask Amy: This personal news could harm my ‘brand’ at the office

DEAR AMY : After 12 years together , most of which were wonderful , my husband and I divorced .
Thankfully , we are still friends .
Fast-forward two years : I found someone that I truly believe could be “ The One.
” I never thought this could happen , and I ’ m happier than I ’ ve ever been !
“ What could be wrong ?
” you ask .
Well , Prince Charming and I work at the same company .
I am in a leadership position and he is an indirect subordinate .
While technically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , they do have a notification policy which asks us to notify HR and our direct supervisors of the relationship .
I ’ m worried that by making our relationship public , our supervisors , peers , and the company may treat or view us in a negative light .
I want to follow the rules , but I don ’ t want to jeopardize my/his career or brand with the company .
• Ask Amy : 102 guys in one year — and then I found Mr .
Right • Ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family • Ask Amy : She ’ s traveling hundreds of miles to have dinner with my boyfriend • Ask Amy : Our neighbor is luring these uncute animals to our yard • Ask Amy : My houseguests left in a huff .
Was I wrong ?
Prince Charming has gone so far as to seek other employment , but with no luck ( even though he doesn ’ t really want to leave ) .
How do you recommend we navigate these waters and protect our relationship and our careers at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are Michael Scott and you work at Dunder Mifflin , reporting your relationship to HR does not mean that you are grabbing a megaphone and announcing your relationship to all of your colleagues .
It means that you are following company policy .
If you are in a supervisory position and your company has a reporting policy for romantic relationships between co-workers , then you must report it .
The policy is in place in order to relieve you of the burden of trying to decide whether to disclose your relationship .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ should .
Before reporting , you and Prince Charming should make sure you are both aware of the company policy and have read the handbook regarding relationships .
You should understand that reporting your relationship might ( but might not ) necessitate a job shift within the company for him .
You should agree not to engage in professional favoritism or public displays of affection at work .
You should agree to be extremely discreet , and to not discuss your relationship with co-workers , even after signing your “ love contract.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same challenge regarding your relationship that you two do — to remain discreet , appropriate , and professional .
DEAR AMY : I am a 61-year-old divorced man .
I am highly educated and have raised two successful kids on my own .
I live alone .
My kids live far away , and my only relative is an older brother .
My parents died when I was young and I lived with different extended family until the age of 15 , when I became a ward of the court .
During my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my brother .
I ’ ll spare you the details , except it involved getting beaten into unconsciousness .
I suffer from GAD and PTSD .
The older I get , the more I resent my brother ’ s cruelty , which nobody knows about except for me .
It must appear odd when I skipped the holidays to be alone , but I can ’ t stand being around him .
Should I just cut him out of my life , or just suck it up and act like nothing happened and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve confronted him about it , and he says it wasn ’ t a big deal and that it made me tougher .
DEAR NO FAMILY : Because you have been diagnosed with GAD ( Generalized Anxiety Disorder ) and PTSD due to the childhood abuse you have survived , I don ’ t think “ sucking it up ” is an option for you .
You should not force yourself to spend time with your unrepentant abuser .
You survived a heartbreaking and traumatic childhood .
You have lived a successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing professional help for your continued challenges .
You have the right — and responsibility — to protect your health and keep your distance from your tormentor .
Break the chain .
Make your own family .
Celebrate your success and survival .
Neither you nor the grandmother says anything about the father of the child .
He has as much responsibility to care for the child as the mother does .
Even if grandma didn ’ t mention him , shouldn ’ t you have said something about him ?
Mom didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DEAR BB : You ’ re right .
It seems that everyone in this equation ignored the responsibilities and rights of the father , including me .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

DEAR AMY: After 12 years together, most of which were wonderful, my husband and I divorced. Thankfully, we are still friends.
Fast-forward two years: I found someone that I truly believe could be “The One.” I never thought this could happen, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been!
“What could be wrong?” you ask. Well, Prince Charming and I work at the same company. I am in a leadership position and he is an indirect subordinate.
While technically this romantic relationship is not against company policy, they do have a notification policy which asks us to notify HR and our direct supervisors of the relationship.
I’m worried that by making our relationship public, our supervisors, peers, and the company may treat or view us in a negative light. I want to follow the rules, but I don’t want to jeopardize my/his career or brand with the company.
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Ask Amy: My fiance wants me to stay home. Should I bolt? Advice | Ask Amy: Why did she react that way? It was a compliment!
Ask Amy: Why did she react that way? It was a compliment! Advice | Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now?
Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy Prince Charming has gone so far as to seek other employment, but with no luck (even though he doesn’t really want to leave).
How do you recommend we navigate these waters and protect our relationship and our careers at the same time?
Inconveniently in Love
DEAR INCONVENIENT: Unless you are Michael Scott and you work at Dunder Mifflin, reporting your relationship to HR does not mean that you are grabbing a megaphone and announcing your relationship to all of your colleagues. It means that you are following company policy.
If you are in a supervisory position and your company has a reporting policy for romantic relationships between co-workers, then you must report it.
The policy is in place in order to relieve you of the burden of trying to decide whether to disclose your relationship. You have to, and so you should.
Before reporting, you and Prince Charming should make sure you are both aware of the company policy and have read the handbook regarding relationships. You should understand that reporting your relationship might (but might not) necessitate a job shift within the company for him.
You should agree not to engage in professional favoritism or public displays of affection at work.
You should agree to be extremely discreet, and to not discuss your relationship with co-workers, even after signing your “love contract.”
Your supervisors and HR professionals face the same challenge regarding your relationship that you two do — to remain discreet, appropriate, and professional.
DEAR AMY: I am a 61-year-old divorced man. I am highly educated and have raised two successful kids on my own. I live alone. My kids live far away, and my only relative is an older brother.
My parents died when I was young and I lived with different extended family until the age of 15, when I became a ward of the court.
During my youth, I suffered severe abuse from my brother. I’ll spare you the details, except it involved getting beaten into unconsciousness. I suffer from GAD and PTSD.
The older I get, the more I resent my brother’s cruelty, which nobody knows about except for me. It must appear odd when I skipped the holidays to be alone, but I can’t stand being around him.
Should I just cut him out of my life, or just suck it up and act like nothing happened and keep him in my life?
I’ve confronted him about it, and he says it wasn’t a big deal and that it made me tougher.
No Extended Family
DEAR NO FAMILY: Because you have been diagnosed with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and PTSD due to the childhood abuse you have survived, I don’t think “sucking it up” is an option for you.
You should not force yourself to spend time with your unrepentant abuser.
You survived a heartbreaking and traumatic childhood. You have lived a successful life. I hope you are pursuing ongoing professional help for your continued challenges.
You have the right — and responsibility — to protect your health and keep your distance from your tormentor. Break the chain. Make your own family. Celebrate your success and survival.
DEAR AMY: “Unsure Grandmother” described raising her 21-year-old daughter’s grandchild.
The child’s mother is completely irresponsible.
Neither you nor the grandmother says anything about the father of the child. He has as much responsibility to care for the child as the mother does. Even if grandma didn’t mention him, shouldn’t you have said something about him?
Mom didn’t make this child by herself.
BB
DEAR BB: You’re right. It seems that everyone in this equation ignored the responsibilities and rights of the father, including me.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-01-22--Letter: Imagine bicycling to an A’s game over a bridge

Are you an A ’ s fan ?
Then you know about the ballpark the A ’ s want to build at Howard Terminal near Jack London Square .
Getting to the game through the Webster Street Tube will be a tough .
But city planners are considering a bike-pedestrian bridge to Jack London Square , and the A ’ s could be pivotal in making it happen .
Imagine getting to the game riding over a beautiful bridge .
No worries about traffic , parking , or transit fares — just fresh air and fabulous scenery .
• Letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobile-home park rule is fantastic • Letter : Our tax dollars should fund what we ’ re told they will • Letter : Trump ’ s decision-making and timing at issue in killing We can make this happen .
Email Dave Kaval at president @ athletics.com and let him know you want to get to the game on the bike-pedestrian bridge .
Or come to the Fan Fest on Jan. 25 , from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jack London Square and talk to the A ’ s about the bridge ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Imagine bicycling to an
A’s game over a bridge
Are you an A’s fan? Then you know about the ballpark the A’s want to build at Howard Terminal near Jack London Square.
Getting to the game through the Webster Street Tube will be a tough. But city planners are considering a bike-pedestrian bridge to Jack London Square, and the A’s could be pivotal in making it happen.
Imagine getting to the game riding over a beautiful bridge. No worries about traffic, parking, or transit fares — just fresh air and fabulous scenery.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps We can make this happen. Email Dave Kaval at president@athletics.com and let him know you want to get to the game on the bike-pedestrian bridge. Or come to the Fan Fest on Jan. 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jack London Square and talk to the A’s about the bridge (more information at mlb.com/athletics/tickets/events/fanfest).
Pat Potter
President
Bike Walk Alameda
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-01-22--Harriette Cole: The look she gave me makes me want to change

DEAR HARRIETTE : I saw a woman over the holidays who I had not seen for about 15 years .
It was so nice to see her and to reconnect .
One thing that bothered me , though , was that I could see that when she looked at me she noticed that I have gained a lot of weight .
She didn ’ t say anything , but I saw her see me .
I feel bad enough that I no longer have the figure I had when I was younger .
I now have a child and never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve basically sat on my butt for many of the years since I have seen my friend .
Well , not exactly — I have been taking care of my active son .
Anyway , her glance was a wake-up call .
I would like to get healthier .
I hope it is not too late .
It is hard to commit to it , though .
Any ideas for how I can change my attitude and get fit ?
DEAR WAKE-UP CALL : Consider the fact that you ran into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what she was thinking ?
What you think is what matters .
One thing that could motivate you to move your body more and get healthier is your son .
If you want to be able to be strong and vital as he matures , you must take good care of yourself .
That includes moving your body every day , eating well and paying attention to your health .
Go to your doctor and get a physical to find out if there are any medical concerns that you should address .
Ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routine and nutritional program .
You may be referred to a dietician .
Follow your doctor ’ s directions .
Whenever you feel yourself slipping , think of your son .
Let him be your constant motivation .
DEAR HARRIETTE : I recently moved to New York City , and I have a car .
I like being able to drive whenever I want to get out of the city or go to another borough , but I get way too many parking tickets .
Either I forget to move my car for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wrong space .
It is so confusing .
I ’ m thinking of selling my car .
My friends are up in arms about this .
They love that I have a car and can drive to places that we otherwise might not visit .
They aren ’ t willing to help move my car or pay for tickets — not that I would feel comfortable even asking them — but they are pressuring me to keep my car .
They have offered to chip in to pay for a garage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
What should I do ?
DEAR CAR IN THE CITY : Evaluate your budget so that you are clear about what you can afford .
Search for affordable garages .
If you look in remote neighborhoods , the price for a parking lot goes down .
Or you can recommit to paying closer attention to street parking so that you stop getting tickets .
In terms of your friends helping to foot a parking lot bill , you can consider that .
But make sure that you understand their expectations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your car at their leisure ?
Will they want to drive it ?
Outline what the parameters and boundaries are .
You can try this shared payment for parking for a few months .
Evaluate it carefully to see if it works for all .
If nothing works , you can give up your car and choose to rent when you need wheels .
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS , an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams .
You can send questions to askharriette @ harriettecole.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

DEAR HARRIETTE: I saw a woman over the holidays who I had not seen for about 15 years. It was so nice to see her and to reconnect.
One thing that bothered me, though, was that I could see that when she looked at me she noticed that I have gained a lot of weight. She didn’t say anything, but I saw her see me.
I feel bad enough that I no longer have the figure I had when I was younger.
I now have a child and never had a good exercise routine, so I’ve basically sat on my butt for many of the years since I have seen my friend. Well, not exactly — I have been taking care of my active son.
Anyway, her glance was a wake-up call. I would like to get healthier. I hope it is not too late. It is hard to commit to it, though. Any ideas for how I can change my attitude and get fit?
Wake-Up Call
DEAR WAKE-UP CALL: Consider the fact that you ran into this woman a blessing. Who knows what she was thinking? What you think is what matters. One thing that could motivate you to move your body more and get healthier is your son. If you want to be able to be strong and vital as he matures, you must take good care of yourself. That includes moving your body every day, eating well and paying attention to your health.
Go to your doctor and get a physical to find out if there are any medical concerns that you should address. Ask your doctor for recommendations for a fitness routine and nutritional program. You may be referred to a dietician. Follow your doctor’s directions. Whenever you feel yourself slipping, think of your son. Let him be your constant motivation.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently moved to New York City, and I have a car. I like being able to drive whenever I want to get out of the city or go to another borough, but I get way too many parking tickets. Either I forget to move my car for alternate-side-of-the-street parking, or I inadvertently park in the wrong space. It is so confusing.
I’m thinking of selling my car. My friends are up in arms about this. They love that I have a car and can drive to places that we otherwise might not visit. They aren’t willing to help move my car or pay for tickets — not that I would feel comfortable even asking them — but they are pressuring me to keep my car. They have offered to chip in to pay for a garage, but that’s expensive, too. What should I do?
Car in the City
DEAR CAR IN THE CITY: Evaluate your budget so that you are clear about what you can afford. Search for affordable garages. If you look in remote neighborhoods, the price for a parking lot goes down. Or you can recommit to paying closer attention to street parking so that you stop getting tickets.
In terms of your friends helping to foot a parking lot bill, you can consider that. But make sure that you understand their expectations. Will they expect to have access to your car at their leisure? Will they want to drive it? Outline what the parameters and boundaries are. You can try this shared payment for parking for a few months. Evaluate it carefully to see if it works for all. If nothing works, you can give up your car and choose to rent when you need wheels.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-01-22--Miss Manners: My personal time is precious, and these friends don’t make the cut

DEAR MISS MANNERS : How does one go about politely refusing the entreaties of old friends to reconnect ?
I have so many demands on my time as it is .
My hands are already full maintaining existing friendships , and I don ’ t wish to put in the effort to reconnect with someone I haven ’ t seen in years .
There may be a time in my life when the demands are fewer , but right now is not that time .
“ Sorry , I ’ m 31 now and I ’ ve become very discriminating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ” lacks tact .
GENTLE READER : So , Miss Manners would have thought , does ignoring requests , but , at least with electronic communication , this is the widely accepted solution .
Etiquette accepts this by inventing the fiction that perhaps the communication was misdirected to spam or the receiver is not an expert at modern technology .
The nontechnical equivalent for direct entreaties is the vague response ( “ Oh , we ’ d love to , but right now things are very busy ” ) , repeated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a little conundrum .
I currently live in my late parents ’ home as the trustee to their estate .
My siblings and I are in the process of selling the house , and I will be moving soon .
My parents lived in this home for many decades .
My mother received both of her parents ’ ashes when they passed , and she buried them in her front yard under a little handmade headstone .
I ’ m conflicted about moving away and leaving my grandparents there .
But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an etiquette issue or some ancient taboo thing that I would be violating if I chose to dig up their ashes and headstone and take them with me .
None of my siblings seemed to care about doing anything with them when I mentioned it .
Is there any protocol I should know about this ?
GENTLE READER : Disinterments are not to be done lightly , but you have another problem , which Miss Manners informs you of with the utmost respect : You presumably would prefer to avoid a discussion with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the property .
The good news is that the ashes are likely self-contained , which will make recovering them easier .
Although your siblings have not expressed any concern , they , and you , might appreciate a respectful reburial of the ashes somewhere that is less likely to be disturbed .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : At a potluck dinner attended by households of varying sizes ( i.e .
some singles , some couples , some families with children ) , should attendees bring one dish per person , or one dish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she believes that it is the host ’ s responsibility to feed the guests , Miss Manners looks on default potlucks with suspicion .
But recognizing that they have their place , and in the interest of feeding the hungry , she recommends a target for each household unit attending of one serving per guest .
Not wanting to burden guests further , she decrees that if you provide both eclairs and cheesecake , guests may have to choose one or the other .
Should more specifics be needed , surely the hostess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bulk of her own duties , will have time to address them .
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website , www.missmanners.com ; to her email , dearmissmanners @ gmail.com ; or through postal mail to Miss Manners , Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How does one go about politely refusing the entreaties of old friends to reconnect?
I have so many demands on my time as it is. My hands are already full maintaining existing friendships, and I don’t wish to put in the effort to reconnect with someone I haven’t seen in years.
There may be a time in my life when the demands are fewer, but right now is not that time. “Sorry, I’m 31 now and I’ve become very discriminating about who I spend my free time with” lacks tact.
GENTLE READER: So, Miss Manners would have thought, does ignoring requests, but, at least with electronic communication, this is the widely accepted solution.
Etiquette accepts this by inventing the fiction that perhaps the communication was misdirected to spam or the receiver is not an expert at modern technology. The nontechnical equivalent for direct entreaties is the vague response (“Oh, we’d love to, but right now things are very busy”), repeated to exhaustion.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a little conundrum. I currently live in my late parents’ home as the trustee to their estate. My siblings and I are in the process of selling the house, and I will be moving soon. My parents lived in this home for many decades.
My mother received both of her parents’ ashes when they passed, and she buried them in her front yard under a little handmade headstone.
I’m conflicted about moving away and leaving my grandparents there. But I don’t know if this is an etiquette issue or some ancient taboo thing that I would be violating if I chose to dig up their ashes and headstone and take them with me.
None of my siblings seemed to care about doing anything with them when I mentioned it. Is there any protocol I should know about this?
GENTLE READER: Disinterments are not to be done lightly, but you have another problem, which Miss Manners informs you of with the utmost respect: You presumably would prefer to avoid a discussion with the new owners about who is interred on the property.
The good news is that the ashes are likely self-contained, which will make recovering them easier. Although your siblings have not expressed any concern, they, and you, might appreciate a respectful reburial of the ashes somewhere that is less likely to be disturbed.
Want Miss Manners delivered to your inbox for free on weekdays?
DEAR MISS MANNERS: At a potluck dinner attended by households of varying sizes (i.e. some singles, some couples, some families with children), should attendees bring one dish per person, or one dish per household?
GENTLE READER: Because she believes that it is the host’s responsibility to feed the guests, Miss Manners looks on default potlucks with suspicion.
But recognizing that they have their place, and in the interest of feeding the hungry, she recommends a target for each household unit attending of one serving per guest. Not wanting to burden guests further, she decrees that if you provide both eclairs and cheesecake, guests may have to choose one or the other. Should more specifics be needed, surely the hostess, who has been relieved of the bulk of her own duties, will have time to address them.
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-01-23--Tourists seeking ‘real winter’ are ditched in wilderness by locals

GRAND MARAIS , Minn. — Four tourists who went to far north Minnesota “ to experience real winter ” had to be rescued after they were ditched in the wilderness by some locals as night fell .
The family group from North Carolina was two sisters in their 70s , the daughter of one of them and the daughter ’ s boyfriend .
Their adventure began with skiing on Saturday in the Superior National Forest , at Minnesota ’ s northeast tip about 15 miles from the Canadian border .
The following day , they rented snowmobiles and headed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Minnesota DNR conservation officer supervisor for the Arrowhead region .
The four , on two-person snowmobiles , made it into the Ball Club Lake area , about 15 miles north of Grand Marais , when they somehow left the main Expressway snowmobile trail .
“ They ended up going down an old , abandoned snowmobile trail that was very narrow and not maintained , ” Thomasen said .
The foursome realized they were lost .
In what first appeared to be a stroke of luck , they encountered two other snowmobilers familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them back to a main trail .
“ That ’ s when it got really interesting , ” Thomasen said .
“ The other two guys were ahead of them and got stuck in the swamp , got wet and decided they needed to get somewhere to warm up fast … so they got their own machines unstuck and basically said they were out of there , going out the other side .
They left the North Carolina family high and dry.
” Except the Carolinians weren ’ t dry .
They got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their boots .
Many swamps across northern Minnesota remain unfrozen this winter due to a thick blanket of insulating snow .
“ So they have these big , heavy , two-up snowmobiles .
The trail is too narrow for them to turn around .
And one of the two machines is stuck in the swamp , ” Thomasen said .
“ They were absolutely not ready to spend a night in the woods … but they got lucky .
Somehow they got cellphone coverage.
” The 911 call came in just before 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
It was after 6 p.m. and dark by the time the officers found the stranded Carolinians in the Pine Lake area .
The area had received more than a foot of new snow in recent days , and the accumulation off any packed trail was soft and waist-deep , Thomasen noted , making it very hard to move the heavy sleds around .
Eventually , the officers got the snowmobiles unstuck and ferried the group back to a waiting ambulance on the Ball Club Lake Road at about 7:30 p.m. “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypothermia .
But after they warmed up in the ambulance they were OK , ” he said .
The conservation officers and Cook County sheriff ’ s deputies drove the group back to their Grand Marais motel .
The wind chill Sunday night dropped to 18 below zero at the nearby Devil Track Airport outside Grand Marais .
Officers said the group likely would not have been able to walk far to find help and may not have survived the night in the swamp .
“ This could have ended very badly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ got there .
They were wet , ” Thomasen said .
“ They had winter clothes on .
But , by Minnesota standards , especially their boots , they weren ’ t up for what they were doing.
” Thomasen said the Carolinians went home with a renewed respect for winter and a realization of how remote parts of northern Minnesota are .
“ By the time we were driving them back ( into Grand Marais ) , it kind of set in for them how much trouble they were in out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be prepared when you ’ re in that kind of remote country .
They were lucky this worked out OK .
”

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. — Four tourists who went to far north Minnesota “to experience real winter” had to be rescued after they were ditched in the wilderness by some locals as night fell.
The family group from North Carolina was two sisters in their 70s, the daughter of one of them and the daughter’s boyfriend.
Their adventure began with skiing on Saturday in the Superior National Forest, at Minnesota’s northeast tip about 15 miles from the Canadian border. The following day, they rented snowmobiles and headed into the woods, said Lt. Dan Thomasen, Minnesota DNR conservation officer supervisor for the Arrowhead region.
The four, on two-person snowmobiles, made it into the Ball Club Lake area, about 15 miles north of Grand Marais, when they somehow left the main Expressway snowmobile trail.
“They ended up going down an old, abandoned snowmobile trail that was very narrow and not maintained,” Thomasen said.
The foursome realized they were lost. In what first appeared to be a stroke of luck, they encountered two other snowmobilers familiar with the area who offered to lead them back to a main trail.
“That’s when it got really interesting,” Thomasen said. “The other two guys were ahead of them and got stuck in the swamp, got wet and decided they needed to get somewhere to warm up fast … so they got their own machines unstuck and basically said they were out of there, going out the other side. They left the North Carolina family high and dry.”
Except the Carolinians weren’t dry. They got wet feet when swamp water poured into their boots. Many swamps across northern Minnesota remain unfrozen this winter due to a thick blanket of insulating snow.
“So they have these big, heavy, two-up snowmobiles. The trail is too narrow for them to turn around. And one of the two machines is stuck in the swamp,” Thomasen said. “They were absolutely not ready to spend a night in the woods … but they got lucky. Somehow they got cellphone coverage.”
The 911 call came in just before 5 p.m. Thomasen and three conservation officers headed out. It was after 6 p.m. and dark by the time the officers found the stranded Carolinians in the Pine Lake area.
The area had received more than a foot of new snow in recent days, and the accumulation off any packed trail was soft and waist-deep, Thomasen noted, making it very hard to move the heavy sleds around.
Eventually, the officers got the snowmobiles unstuck and ferried the group back to a waiting ambulance on the Ball Club Lake Road at about 7:30 p.m.
“The older women were showing signs of hypothermia. But after they warmed up in the ambulance they were OK,” he said. The conservation officers and Cook County sheriff’s deputies drove the group back to their Grand Marais motel.
The wind chill Sunday night dropped to 18 below zero at the nearby Devil Track Airport outside Grand Marais. Officers said the group likely would not have been able to walk far to find help and might not have survived the night in the swamp.
“This could have ended very badly. The temperature was about 10 when we got there. They were wet,” Thomasen said. “They had winter clothes on. But, by Minnesota standards, especially their boots, they weren’t up for what they were doing.”
Thomasen said the Carolinians went home with a renewed respect for winter and a realization of how remote parts of northern Minnesota are.
“By the time we were driving them back (into Grand Marais), it kind of set in for them how much trouble they were in out there,” Thomasen said. “Everyone needs to be prepared when you’re in that kind of remote country. They were lucky this worked out OK.”