mercurynews--2020-10-01--How did the Glass Fire break out? PG&E line runs through area where fire began, but cause still unde

How did the Glass Fire break out? PG&E line runs through area where fire began, but cause still undetermined

A Pacific Gas & Electric Co. transmission line runs through the area where the Glass Fire broke out in the pre-dawn hours Sunday morning , although the utility says it has no reason to believe its equipment sparked the destructive blaze .
Cal Fire authorities said they are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire , which had by Wednesday morning burned more than 48,000 acres and destroyed at least 80 homes across Napa and Sonoma counties .
And officials said determining the source of the fire could take months .
The fire began a little before 4 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helena , just above the Silverado Trail on the Napa Valley ’ s eastern slope .
The narrow lane , called North Fork Crystal Springs Road , winds through woodland and vineyards , and the blaze quickly spread .
Dispatchers named the fire after nearby Glass Mountain Road , where a firefighter on the scene early Sunday radioed to dispatchers that he was seeing “ very , very large flames ” that were “ spreading rapidly.
” Another person on the scene said it was near the Bell Canyon Reservoir .
A map @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a transmission line running through northern Napa County that crosses over North Fork Crystal Springs Road , and runs between the reservoir and Silverado Trail .
The line was energized at the time that Cal Fire says the flames began ; though PG & E had preemptively shut down power to about 65,000 customers in 15 Northern California counties Sunday — including 290 in Napa and Sonoma a spokesman for the utility said it had not done so early Sunday in the area where the Glass Fire started .
The PG & E @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information indicating that the Glass fire ignition is attributable to its facilities.
” Asked specifically about the transmission line near North Fork Crystal Springs Road , the spokesman reiterated that PG & E had not reported any equipment malfunctions in the area to the CPUC .
On Tuesday , smaller utility lines were down in two areas along North Fork Crystal Springs Road , though workers inspecting the lines declined to comment .
The larger transmission line appeared to be intact , however .
During the Camp Fire , as well as last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County , PG & E notified state regulators in a filing that transmission lines had malfunctioned within a day of the blazes breaking out .
There has been no such filing in the Glass Fire , officials from the California Public Utilities Commission and PG & E confirmed .
Still , the utility that has been found responsible for many of California ’ s most devastating wildfires — including the 2018 Camp Fire , which killed 86 people .
On the heels of its July 1 emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about whether its equipment may have sparked this latest blaze .
In her hilltop home at the end of North Fork Crystal Springs Road , Janice Zakin said she ’ d expected to lose power last weekend , but it stayed on instead .
When her husband got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom , he saw the fearsome fire that had just broken out .
“ We woke up and there was a wall of flames next to our house , ” Zakin said .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now . '
” They fled their home so quickly Zakin left her cellphone behind , racing down the road in the darkness , she said , lucky not to have careened over the edge .
They didn ’ t see any sign of what might ’ ve sparked the fire , but noticed the power was still on — an electric gate on their driveway was working , Zakin said .
But while the fire seemed to be farther from them at the top of the road , it closed in as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself , “ How is it everywhere ?
” And soon there was another problem : A burning car , which she ’ d later learned a neighbor had crashed during their own frantic escape , was blocking their path .
They let their two dogs out of the car and tried to make a run for it , despite the fact that Zakin ’ s husband had recently broken his hip , before finding a group of firefighters who cut a hole in a fence to help them escape to safety through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are so heroic , ” Zakin said .
“ I have this whole new appreciation.
” One of their dogs was later found unhurt , but the other , an 11-year-old vizsla named Zsa Zsa , had been badly burned and needed to be put down .
Zakin learned earlier this week that her house is still standing — though by that point , she said , “ I didn ’ t even care.
” “ It was just stuff , it didn ’ t matter , ” Zakin said .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dog — trust me I would let the house burn down .
”

A Pacific Gas & Electric Co. transmission line runs through the area where the Glass Fire broke out in the pre-dawn hours Sunday morning, although the utility says it has no reason to believe its equipment sparked the destructive blaze.
Cal Fire authorities said they are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, which had by Wednesday morning burned more than 48,000 acres and destroyed at least 80 homes across Napa and Sonoma counties. And officials said determining the source of the fire could take months.
The fire began a little before 4 a.m. Sunday in an area north of St. Helena, just above the Silverado Trail on the Napa Valley’s eastern slope. It started near a narrow lane called North Fork Crystal Springs Road, which winds through woodland and vineyards, and the blaze quickly spread.
Dispatchers named the fire after nearby Glass Mountain Road, where a firefighter on the scene early Sunday radioed to dispatchers that he was seeing “very, very large flames” that were “spreading rapidly.” Another person on the scene said it was near the Bell Canyon Reservoir.
A map on the PG&E website shows a transmission line running through northern Napa County that crosses over North Fork Crystal Springs Road, and runs between the reservoir and Silverado Trail.
It’s the only transmission line the utility has in the upper Napa Valley, and it was energized at the time that Cal Fire says the flames began. Though PG&E had preemptively shut down power to about 65,000 customers in 15 Northern California counties Sunday — including 290 in Napa and Sonoma — a spokesman for the utility said it had not done so early Sunday in the area where the Glass Fire started.
The PG&E spokesman said the utility “has no information indicating that the Glass fire ignition is attributable to its facilities.” Asked specifically about the transmission line near North Fork Crystal Springs Road, the spokesman reiterated that PG&E had not reported any equipment malfunctions in the area to the CPUC.
On Tuesday, smaller utility lines were down in two areas along North Fork Crystal Springs Road, though workers inspecting the lines declined to comment. The larger transmission line appeared to be intact, however.
During the Camp Fire, as well as last year’s Kincade Fire in Sonoma County, PG&E notified state regulators in a filing that transmission lines had malfunctioned within a day of the blazes breaking out. There has been no such filing in the Glass Fire, officials from the California Public Utilities Commission and PG&E confirmed.
Still, the utility that has been found responsible for many of California’s most devastating wildfires — including the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 86 people. On the heels of its July 1 emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company is likely to face more questions about whether its equipment may have sparked this latest blaze.
In her hilltop home at the end of North Fork Crystal Springs Road, Janice Zakin said she’d expected to lose power last weekend, but it stayed on instead. When her husband got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, he saw the fearsome fire that had just broken out.
“We woke up and there was a wall of flames next to our house,” Zakin said. “He said, ‘We have to go now.'”
They fled their home so quickly Zakin left her cellphone behind, racing down the road in the darkness, she said, lucky not to have careened over the edge. They didn’t see any sign of what might’ve sparked the fire, but noticed the power was still on — an electric gate on their driveway was working, Zakin said.
But while the fire seemed to be farther from them at the top of the road, it closed in as they went on. Zakin remembered asking herself, “How is it everywhere?”
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“Those firefighters are so heroic,” Zakin said. “I have this whole new appreciation.”
One of their dogs was later found unhurt, but the other, an 11-year-old vizsla named Zsa Zsa, had been badly burned and needed to be put down. Zakin learned earlier this week that her house is still standing — though by that point, she said, “I didn’t even care.”
“It was just stuff, it didn’t matter,” Zakin said. “If I had to trade the house for the dog — trust me I would let the house burn down.”
Staff writer David Debolt contributed reporting.


mercurynews--2020-10-01--Here are 2 ways to see concerts from your car this weekend in SF Bay Area

You have two choices for drive-in concerts this weekend .
In Carmel , the Sunset Cultural Center is kicking off a new outdoor drive-in concert series , dubbed Live From the Lot , on Oct. 2 and 3 , with performances by Northern California Zydeco star and accordionist extraordinaire Andre Thierry .
The concerts are held at the Sunset Center ’ s main parking lot , located on the north side of the building on 8th Avenue between San Carlos and Mission streets , and will run 75 minutes each .
These will be intimate affairs , as admission is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additional concerts at the site are planned but no acts have been announced yet .
Music lovers will watch the shows “ in and adjacent to their vehicle , ” organizers say , while following safety precautions .
Food and beverages will be sold at the shows .
Details : 3 and 7 p.m. Oct. 3 and 4 ; $ 65 per vehicle , with up to four 4 adult passengers allowed per vehicle ; www.sunsetcenter.org .
Meanwhile , the SoCal ska punk band Sublime with Rome is on a drive-in concert tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton .
The shows were originally scheduled for August but postponed due to smoky air from nearby wildfires .
Tickets purchased for the original shows will be honored at the makeups .
A drive-through bar and restaurant will be available .
Music lovers are advised to review pandemic-related safety procedures offered the the concert websites .

You have two choices for drive-in concerts this weekend.
In Carmel, the Sunset Cultural Center is kicking off a new outdoor drive-in concert series, dubbed Live From the Lot, on Oct. 2 and 3, with performances by Northern California Zydeco star and accordionist extraordinaire Andre Thierry.
The concerts are held at the Sunset Center’s main parking lot, located on the north side of the building on 8th Avenue between San Carlos and Mission streets, and will run 75 minutes each. These will be intimate affairs, as admission is limited to 40 vehicles per show.
Additional concerts at the site are planned but no acts have been announced yet. Music lovers will watch the shows “in and adjacent to their vehicle,” organizers say, while following safety precautions. Food and beverages will be sold at the shows.
Details: 3 and 7 p.m. Oct. 3 and 4; $65 per vehicle, with up to four 4 adult passengers allowed per vehicle; www.sunsetcenter.org.
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Outside Lands: 10 things we will remember from the 2023 festival Music | Photos: The 15th Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park Meanwhile, the SoCal ska punk band Sublime with Rome is on a drive-in concert tour and performs two makeup shows this weekend at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. The shows were originally scheduled for August but postponed due to smoky air from nearby wildfires. Tickets purchased for the original shows will be honored at the makeups. A drive-through bar and restaurant will be available.
Details: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; $199-$400 per car; alamedacountyfair.com.
Music lovers are advised to review pandemic-related safety procedures offered the the concert websites.


mercurynews--2020-09-30--Flex Alert issued Thursday amid soaring Bay Area temperatures

FOLSOM – California ’ s power-grid managers are calling for a Flex Alert on Thursday as another heat wave descends on the Bay Area .
The alert is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. and run through 10 p.m. , according to a notice issued by the California Independent System Operator , or ISO , through its mobile app .
Residents are being urged to conserve electricity during that period to avoid rolling blackouts .
In a briefing Wednesday afternoon , the National Weather Service forecast office in Monterey said triple-digit temperatures are likely across the interior of the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the coast will be under a heat advisory from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. A red flag warning has also been issued for the North Bay mountains above 1,000 feet , and specifically the Glass Fire , which has burned at least 48,440 acres in Napa and Sonoma counties .
The warning will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday and run through 6 p.m. Friday .
The ISO , which regulates the state ’ s energy , previously issued statewide Flex Alerts in mid-August and early September .
Rolling blackouts were avoided then @ @ @ @ @

FOLSOM – California’s power-grid managers are calling for a Flex Alert on Thursday as another heat wave descends on the Bay Area.
The alert is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. and run through 10 p.m., according to a notice issued by the California Independent System Operator, or ISO, through its mobile app. Consumers are being urged to conserve electricity during that period to avoid rolling blackouts.
In a briefing Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service forecast office in Monterey said triple-digit temperatures are likely across the interior of the region on Thursday. Most urban locations away from the coast will be under a heat advisory from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A red flag warning has also been issued for the North Bay mountains above 1,000 feet, and specifically the Glass Fire, which has burned at least 48,440 acres in Napa and Sonoma counties. The warning will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday and run through 6 p.m. Friday.
The ISO, which regulates the state’s energy, issued statewide Flex Alerts over the summer. Rolling blackouts were ordered on Aug. 14, the first time in 19 years, and on Aug. 15. Additional outages have been avoided thanks in part to conservation efforts.
Consumers can conserve electricity by setting air-conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees, deferring use of major appliances, turning off unnecessary lights, unplugging unused electrical devices, closing blinds and drapes, and using fans when possible.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-09-30--Kurtenbach: The A’s slayed one playoff demon — can they take down another in Game 3?

Is it better to be lucky or good ?
How about being both ?
That was the formula for the A ’ s Wednesday , as they beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3 in Game 2 of their wild-card series to save their season .
It was stressful in the end — demons like the kind the A ’ s have don ’ t go away easily — but Oakland avoided a seventh-straight postseason loss , setting up a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday , where they ’ ll face a few more demons .
Oakland has lost nine straight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to the 1973 World Series to find their last win under the circumstances .
But the A ’ s fortune might have changed heading into Game 3 .
One trend-defying win might just beget another on Thursday .
The A ’ s found luck early in Game 2 when , with the bases loaded and two outs in the first , a should-be-inning-ending ground ball to White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal took a late hop over his glove , allowing two runs to score .
The sun might have been obscured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were smiling upon the A ’ s — a novel change from what had to feel like constant damnation for Oakland over the last few seasons , and perhaps even the last few decades .
And all that pressure and tension that the A ’ s were carrying onto the field — well , it seemed to lift with that break .
Their talent took them the rest of the way .
• Kurtenbach : It ’ s now or never for the surprisingly silent A ’ s bats • Kurtenbach : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their heart if they want to avoid another first-round exit Marcus Semien , mired in a slump that seemingly lasted the full season , hit a two-run home run in the second .
Mark Canha made a spectacular catch — reminiscent of Joe Rudi ’ s in the 1972 World Series — to prevent two runs from scoring in the bottom half of the frame .
Chris Bassitt threw seven strong innings , scattering six hits and capping the greatest September for a pitcher in A ’ s history , and handed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the eighth .
At that point the A ’ s were lying in a hammock , drinking a piña colada .
Perhaps they released a bit too much tension .
Things can never be that easy for the A ’ s in the playoffs .
Hendricks subsequently went about squandering Oakland ’ s once-significant lead .
Closers — even the best closers — never seem to fare all that well in non-save situations .
Chicago scored two in the eighth on Yasmani Grandal ’ s home run and another in the ninth with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jake Diekman entering the game with the bags still packed with Sox .
The lefty was able to get presumptive American League MVP Jose Abreu to ground out to second to end the game .
But don ’ t let the late-inning struggle distract you .
The A ’ s performance Wednesday was the kind we ’ ve come to expect from the Athletics in every game other than one in the postseason .
They just needed that early lucky bounce to right the ship and remind them that , yeah , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : It ’ s now or never for the surprisingly silent A ’ s bats • Kurtenbach : The A ’ s will have to find their heart if they want to avoid another first-round exit In addition to Semien getting off the schneid , Khris Davis hit a homer Wednesday , too .
I ’ d imagine it ’ ll be Olson ’ s turn in Thursday ’ s Game 3 when Dane Dunning , a rookie right-hander , is expected to start for Chicago .
Don ’ t get me wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be excruciating .
Both teams are likely to give their starting pitchers short leashes — the A ’ s are likely to go with Mike Fiers opposite Dunning — and we should see a few starting pitchers coming out of the bullpen in this game in addition to the ace relievers , which will include Hendricks , per A ’ s manager Bob Melvin .
The White Sox showed too much power in Game 1 and too much scrap in Game 2 to say that momentum in this series has shifted towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s should feel liberated after staving off elimination .
It ’ s a toss-up game if there ever was one — but at least the A ’ s won ’ t feel as if the baseball gods have it out for them anymore .
As I wrote before this series , if the A ’ s can take down the White Sox , they can go the distance in the American League .
And if any extra motivation was needed , the Astros — those dastardly , cheating Astros — loom in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But first , Thursday .
Two outstanding teams .
One game .
Nothing held back because the winner takes it all .
Yes , the A ’ s will look to fend off their final demon of playoff hell .
But if you love the sport , this is baseball heaven .

Is it better to be lucky or good?
How about being both?
That was the formula for the A’s Wednesday, as they beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3 in Game 2 of their wild-card series to save their season.
It was stressful in the end — demons like the kind the A’s have don’t go away easily — but Oakland avoided a seventh-straight postseason loss, setting up a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday, where they’ll face a few more demons.
Oakland has lost nine straight winner-take-all contests — you have to go back to the 1973 World Series to find their last win under the circumstances.
But the A’s fortune might have changed heading into Game 3.
One trend-defying win might just beget another on Thursday.
The A’s found luck early in Game 2 when, with the bases loaded and two outs in the first, a should-be-inning-ending ground ball to White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal took a late hop over his glove, allowing two runs to score.
The sun might have been obscured by haze, but the baseball gods were smiling upon the A’s — a novel change from what had to feel like constant damnation for Oakland over the last few seasons, and perhaps even the last few decades.
And all that pressure and tension that the A’s were carrying onto the field — well, it seemed to lift with that break.
Their talent took them the rest of the way.
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More tension released.
Mark Canha made a spectacular catch — reminiscent of Joe Rudi’s in the 1972 World Series — to prevent two runs from scoring in the bottom half of the frame.
A bit more tension drifted away.
Chris Bassitt threw seven strong innings, scattering six hits and capping the greatest September for a pitcher in A’s history, and handed a 5-0 lead to closer Liam Hendricks in the eighth.
At that point the A’s were lying in a hammock, drinking a piña colada.
Perhaps they released a bit too much tension. Things can never be that easy for the A’s in the playoffs.
Hendricks subsequently went about squandering Oakland’s once-significant lead. Closers — even the best closers — never seem to fare all that well in non-save situations.
Chicago scored two in the eighth on Yasmani Grandal’s home run and another in the ninth with a Grandal bases-loaded walk, leading to Jake Diekman entering the game with the bags still packed with Sox.
The lefty was able to get presumptive American League MVP Jose Abreu to ground out to second to end the game.
But don’t let the late-inning struggle distract you. The A’s performance Wednesday was the kind we’ve come to expect from the Athletics in every game other than one in the postseason.
They just needed that early lucky bounce to right the ship and remind them that, yeah, they’re pretty good.
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Legends watch Oakland A’s beat SF Giants behind Allen’s two home runs Oakland Athletics | A’s use power hitting to overcome errors against Boston In addition to Semien getting off the schneid, Khris Davis hit a homer Wednesday, too. I’d imagine it’ll be Olson’s turn in Thursday’s Game 3 when Dane Dunning, a rookie right-hander, is expected to start for Chicago.
Don’t get me wrong: Thursday’s game is going to be excruciating. Both teams are likely to give their starting pitchers short leashes — the A’s are likely to go with Mike Fiers opposite Dunning — and we should see a few starting pitchers coming out of the bullpen in this game in addition to the ace relievers, which will include Hendricks, per A’s manager Bob Melvin.
The White Sox showed too much power in Game 1 and too much scrap in Game 2 to say that momentum in this series has shifted towards Oakland after Wednesday, but the A’s should feel liberated after staving off elimination.
It’s a toss-up game if there ever was one — but at least the A’s won’t feel as if the baseball gods have it out for them anymore.
As I wrote before this series, if the A’s can take down the White Sox, they can go the distance in the American League.
And if any extra motivation was needed, the Astros — those dastardly, cheating Astros — loom in the next round for the winner.
But first, Thursday. Two outstanding teams. One game. Nothing held back because the winner takes it all.
Yes, the A’s will look to fend off their final demon of playoff hell.
But if you love the sport, this is baseball heaven.


mercurynews--2020-09-30--Campbell community briefs for the week of Oct. 2

Campbell ’ s Heritage Theatre will get an early Christmas present Dec. 10 when Grammy-nominated songwriter and pianist Jim Brickman stages a performance of his “ Comfort & Joy at Home 2020 ” virtual tour to benefit the historic theater .
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for this livestreamed event will go to the Heritage Theatre .
The concert starts at 7 p.m. and will feature classic Christmas carols and Brickman ’ s own holiday songs , such as “ The Gift , ” “ Sending You A Little Christmas , ” “ Angel Eyes ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 No .
1 albums and 33 Top 20 Billboard radio singles .
He ’ s garnered two Grammy nominations , gospel music ’ s Dove Award , two Songwriter of the Year Awards from the performance rights organization SESAC , and the Canadian Country Music Award .
He also has a music scholarship named for him by his alma mater , the Cleveland Institute of Music .
His first album release was 1995 ’ s “ No Words , ” and he ’ s gone on to sell eight million albums worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per household at JimBrickman.com and include an interactive Zoom room and a meet and greet .
To support the Heritage Theatre , select the CAMPBELL , CA option when placing an order .
Fresh off its success at Campbell ’ s Pruneyard shopping center , Out of the Barrel is set to open a second location in downtown Los Gatos .
The taproom sources beer from local independent craft breweries .

Heritage Theatre gets gift of song
Campbell’s Heritage Theatre will get an early Christmas present Dec. 10 when Grammy-nominated songwriter and pianist Jim Brickman stages a performance of his “Comfort & Joy at Home 2020” virtual tour to benefit the historic theater.
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for this livestreamed event will go to the Heritage Theatre.
The concert starts at 7 p.m. and will feature classic Christmas carols and Brickman’s own holiday songs, such as “The Gift,” “Sending You A Little Christmas,” “Angel Eyes” and “If You Believe.”
Brickman has 22 No. 1 albums and 33 Top 20 Billboard radio singles. He’s garnered two Grammy nominations, gospel music’s Dove Award, two Songwriter of the Year Awards from the performance rights organization SESAC, and the Canadian Country Music Award. He also has a music scholarship named for him by his alma mater, the Cleveland Institute of Music. His first album release was 1995’s “No Words,” and he’s gone on to sell eight million albums worldwide.
Tickets are $40-$125 per household at JimBrickman.com and include an interactive Zoom room and a meet and greet. To support the Heritage Theatre, select the CAMPBELL, CA option when placing an order.
Campbell taproom expands
Fresh off its success at Campbell’s Pruneyard shopping center, Out of the Barrel is set to open a second location in downtown Los Gatos. The taproom sources beer from local independent craft breweries.
For more information, visit www.outofthebarrelbeer.com.


mercurynews--2020-09-30--Outbreak spikes in Midwest, putting the squeeze on hospitals

By Todd Richmond and Lisa Marie Pane | Associated Press MILWAUKEE — The coronavirus tightened its grip on the American heartland , with infections surging in the Midwest , some hospitals in Wisconsin and North Dakota running low on space and the NFL postponing a game over an outbreak that ’ s hit the Tennessee Titans football team .
Midwestern states are seeing some of the nation ’ s highest per capita rates of infection , and while federal health officials again urged some governors in the region to require masks statewide , many Republicans have resisted .
Like other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned since the pandemic began that COVID-19 patients could overwhelm hospitals .
That ’ s now happening for some facilities as experts fear a second wave of infections in the U.S. A record number of people with COVID-19 were hospitalized in Wisconsin .
Of those 737 patients Wednesday , 205 were in intensive care , with spikes in cases in northern parts of the state driving up the numbers .
The state also reported its highest single-day number of deaths — 27 — raising the toll to 1,327 .
Officials at ThedaCare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said they have exceeded capacity in the COVID-19 unit at their medical center in Appleton , about 100 miles ( 160 kilometers ) north of Milwaukee .
It ’ s started sending patients to other hospitals some 40 miles ( 64 kilometers ) away .
Wisconsin health officials reported 2,319 new infections , bringing the total number to 122,274 .
In North Dakota , hospitals are adding extra space amid concerns from employees about capacity .
Nearly 678 COVID-19 infections per 100,000 people have been diagnosed over the past two weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capita , according to the COVID Tracking Project .
A new Sanford Health hospital unit opened in the capital of Bismarck to add 14 more beds , with nearly half of those for intensive care patients .
The space isn ’ t exclusively for coronavirus patients but could be used to treat them if needed .
Overall , North Dakota has reported 21,846 infections and 247 deaths .
There are 89 people now hospitalized .
The upswing has been seen throughout the Midwest .
Iowa also reported a spike in people hospitalized with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , the state had the nation ’ s sixth-highest rate of coronavirus infections per 100,000 people , according to a White House coronavirus task force report dated Sunday .
It again recommended Iowa require masks statewide , which Republican Gov .
Kim Reynolds has said is unnecessary .
Similarly , Oklahoma Gov .
Kevin Stitt , a Republican , has said he won ’ t impose such a requirement .
The task force report found his state is among the worst in the United States for positive coronavirus tests per 100,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
The number of reported coronavirus cases in Oklahoma increased by 980 on Wednesday , with 13 additional deaths , state health officials said .
A total of 1,031 people have died of the virus there .
The strain of the virus in the Midwest comes as President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , sparred over the pandemic during the first presidential debate .
Trump defended his handling of the virus , saying he has struck the right balance between preserving the economy and pushing for a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little , too late and putting Americans ’ lives at risk by being slow to encourage the use of masks and social distancing .
Meanwhile , the NFL decided to postpone a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans after three Titans and five other team personnel tested positive for COVID-19 .
The Titans have closed their facility through at least Friday and will not be able to practice together until Saturday at the earliest .
On Sunday , Tennessee beat the Minnesota Vikings , which have closed their facility through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JC Tretter , president of the players union , said the outbreak was a reminder that everyone must be more vigilant despite low testing numbers across the league .
“ It ’ s easy to fall into a sense of ease or relax on some of the protocols , ” he said .
“ But the protocols are what ’ s keeping us going , making sure that we ’ re making the right decisions .
… We have been going really smoothly for a long time and now there was some expectation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s tough to keep the virus completely out.
” There have been nearly 34 million confirmed cases worldwide — over 7 million in the United States alone — and more than 1 million deaths , according to a count kept by Johns Hopkins University .
But the real number of infections is believed to be much higher .
The U.S. is averaging more than 40,000 new cases a day .
While that ’ s dramatically lower than the peak of nearly 70,000 over the summer , the numbers remain worrisome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eclipsed 200,000 this week , the highest in the world .
• Here are 2 ways to see concerts from your car this weekend in SF Bay Area • Stanford coach David Shaw keeps his outlook simple ahead of Pac-12 ’ s short season Across the U.S. , the numbers are determining whether parts of the economy can get going again .
In Hawaii , where infection numbers are low , movie and television productions have started or are scheduled to resume soon .
Work on new seasons of the television shows “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on Oahu are beginning and other productions are expected to shoot on Maui and the Big Island .
Richmond reported from Milwaukee .
Pane reported from Boise , Idaho .
AP staffers around the United States contributed to this report .

By Todd Richmond and Lisa Marie Pane | Associated Press
MILWAUKEE — The coronavirus tightened its grip on the American heartland, with infections surging in the Midwest, some hospitals in Wisconsin and North Dakota running low on space and the NFL postponing a game over an outbreak that’s hit the Tennessee Titans football team.
Midwestern states are seeing some of the nation’s highest per capita rates of infection, and while federal health officials again urged some governors in the region to require masks statewide, many Republicans have resisted.
Like other states, health officials in Wisconsin had warned since the pandemic began that COVID-19 patients could overwhelm hospitals. That’s now happening for some facilities as experts fear a second wave of infections in the U.S.
[vemba-video id=”836b9c34332e9d6383d6008e5a91cca”]
COVID-19 in Wisconsin: State struggles to flatten curve
A record number of people with COVID-19 were hospitalized in Wisconsin. Of those 737 patients Wednesday, 205 were in intensive care, with spikes in cases in northern parts of the state driving up the numbers. The state also reported its highest single-day number of deaths — 27 — raising the toll to 1,327.
Officials at ThedaCare, a community health system of seven hospitals, said they have exceeded capacity in the COVID-19 unit at their medical center in Appleton, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Milwaukee. It’s started sending patients to other hospitals some 40 miles (64 kilometers) away.
Wisconsin health officials reported 2,319 new infections, bringing the total number to 122,274.
In North Dakota, hospitals are adding extra space amid concerns from employees about capacity. Nearly 678 COVID-19 infections per 100,000 people have been diagnosed over the past two weeks, leading the country for new cases per capita, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
A new Sanford Health hospital unit opened in the capital of Bismarck to add 14 more beds, with nearly half of those for intensive care patients. The space isn’t exclusively for coronavirus patients but could be used to treat them if needed.
Overall, North Dakota has reported 21,846 infections and 247 deaths. There are 89 people now hospitalized.
The upswing has been seen throughout the Midwest. Iowa also reported a spike in people hospitalized with the virus, to 390. Last week, the state had the nation’s sixth-highest rate of coronavirus infections per 100,000 people, according to a White House coronavirus task force report dated Sunday. It again recommended Iowa require masks statewide, which Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has said is unnecessary.
Similarly, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, has said he won’t impose such a requirement. The task force report found his state is among the worst in the United States for positive coronavirus tests per 100,000 people, up 15% from a week ago.
The number of reported coronavirus cases in Oklahoma increased by 980 on Wednesday, with 13 additional deaths, state health officials said. A total of 1,031 people have died of the virus there.
The strain of the virus in the Midwest comes as President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, sparred over the pandemic during the first presidential debate. Trump defended his handling of the virus, saying he has struck the right balance between preserving the economy and pushing for a vaccine. Biden criticized Trump for doing too little, too late and putting Americans’ lives at risk by being slow to encourage the use of masks and social distancing.
Meanwhile, the NFL decided to postpone a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans after three Titans and five other team personnel tested positive for COVID-19. The Titans have closed their facility through at least Friday and will not be able to practice together until Saturday at the earliest.
On Sunday, Tennessee beat the Minnesota Vikings, which have closed their facility through at least Wednesday.
Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter, president of the players union, said the outbreak was a reminder that everyone must be more vigilant despite low testing numbers across the league.
“It’s easy to fall into a sense of ease or relax on some of the protocols,” he said. “But the protocols are what’s keeping us going, making sure that we’re making the right decisions. … We have been going really smoothly for a long time and now there was some expectation that this was eventually going to happen. It’s tough to keep the virus completely out.”
There have been nearly 34 million confirmed cases worldwide — over 7 million in the United States alone — and more than 1 million deaths, according to a count kept by Johns Hopkins University. But the real number of infections is believed to be much higher.
The U.S. is averaging more than 40,000 new cases a day. While that’s dramatically lower than the peak of nearly 70,000 over the summer, the numbers remain worrisome. The nation’s death toll eclipsed 200,000 this week, the highest in the world.
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In Hawaii, where infection numbers are low, movie and television productions have started or are scheduled to resume soon. Work on new seasons of the television shows “Magnum PI” and “Temptation Island” on Oahu are beginning and other productions are expected to shoot on Maui and the Big Island.
Richmond reported from Milwaukee. Pane reported from Boise, Idaho. AP staffers around the United States contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-09-30--Ivanka Trump and Don Jr. don’t think mask rules at debate applied to them

During Tuesday night ’ s presidential debate at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , Ohio a doctor from the Cleveland Clinic approached audience members on Donald Trump ’ s side of the hall , including the president ’ s four adult children , asked them to wear masks and offered protective face coverings .
Members of Trump ’ s entourage , including his children , refused , even though mask-wearing in the Samson Pavilion on the university ’ s main campus was mandated to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , the Business Insider , Bloomberg and NBC News all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House senior advisor , and her siblings , Donald Jr. , Eric and Tiffany Trump arrived at the event wearing masks , but took them off once they were seated in the hall , reports said .
Melania Trump kept her mask on for a short time after taking a seat but ended up removing it , Business Insider reported .
NBC News said that a Cleveland Clinic doctor in a white lab coat started to approach the Trump children to ask them to put on masks , but she wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the crowd shook their head at the doctor as if to say move along .
Bloomberg News reporter Tyler Pager also said that people on Trump ’ s side of the room refused to take the masks offered by the doctor .
He noted that people on Biden ’ s side of the room , including the Democratic nominee ’ s wife , Jill Biden , kept their masks on .
Jill Biden also wore a mask while joining her husband on stage after the debate , but Melania Trump was maskless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during COVID-19 prompted the University of Notre Dame to back out ; Case Western and the Cleveland Clinic stepped up to host the debate and to offer a safe setting , according to Peter Eyre , a senior adviser for the Commission on Presidential Debates .
Eyre told Cleveland ’ s WJW news station that everyone entering pavilion would undergo screening for COVID-19 .
He also said mask-wearing would be mandatory .
“ There are things we ’ re doing differently this year that we haven ’ t done before because of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes a variety of testing , social distancing , mask wearing and obviously reducing the total number of people who will be involved.
” Trump Jr. later laughed off not wearing a mask when he appeared on Sean Hannity ’ s Fox News show , joking that he didn ’ t want to be thrown in “ the gulag ” for not following the debate safety guidelines .
He said he had been tested for the virus .
The Trump family ’ s refusal to wear masks came as Biden used the debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
“ He ’ s been totally irresponsible the way he ’ s handled social distancing and discouraging people to wear masks , ” Biden said .
More than 206,000 people have died from coronavirus in the United States , but not wearing a face mask has seemed a badge of honor for Trump , and a political talking point for Republicans .
During the debate , Trump criticized Biden for wearing masks too often .
Notably , Trump supporters were critical of Melania Trump , Ivanka Trump and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for posing for photos wearing masks before the debate .
An Instagram photo shared by Lara Trump , Eric Trump ’ s wife and a Trump campaign adviser , drew some harsh comments .
She posed with Ivanka Trump , Melania Trump , Tiffany Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle , Trump Jr. ’ s girlfriend , and another Trump campaign adviser .
“ Mask off , ” wrote Tito Ortiz , a California resident and vocal Trump supporter currently campaigning for a seat on Huntington Beach ’ s city council , Newsweek reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” another Instagram user commented .
“ You have an immune system !
”

During Tuesday night’s presidential debate at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio a doctor from the Cleveland Clinic approached audience members on Donald Trump’s side of the hall, including the president’s four adult children, asked them to wear masks and offered protective face coverings.
Members of Trump’s entourage, including his children, refused, even though mask-wearing in the Samson Pavilion on the university’s main campus was mandated to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Business Insider, Bloomberg and NBC News all reported.
Ivanka Trump, a White House senior advisor, and her siblings, Donald Jr., Eric and Tiffany Trump arrived at the event wearing masks, but took them off once they were seated in the hall, reports said. Melania Trump kept her mask on for a short time after taking a seat but ended up removing it, Business Insider reported.
Trump family members refused to wear masks during debate with Joe Biden—violating the guidelines for the event, put in place by the Cleveland Clinic. A doctor monitoring the event for safety violations, said they refused to take masks that he offered.https://t.co/s6P4SahxbH — Arctic Friend (@FriendEden100) September 30, 2020
NBC News said that a Cleveland Clinic doctor in a white lab coat started to approach the Trump children to ask them to put on masks, but she wasn’t able to get close enough. Someone in the crowd shook their head at the doctor as if to say move along. Bloomberg News reporter Tyler Pager also said that people on Trump’s side of the room refused to take the masks offered by the doctor.
He noted that people on Biden’s side of the room, including the Democratic nominee’s wife, Jill Biden, kept their masks on.
A Cleveland Clinic doctor with masks just walked up to a number of unmasked members of the audience on Trump’s side of the room and asked them to put on masks. She told me they refused to take one and wear them. https://t.co/rNUFjLfUEf — Tyler Pager (@tylerpager) September 30, 2020
Jill Biden also wore a mask while joining her husband on stage after the debate, but Melania Trump was maskless.
First Lady Melania Trump and Dr. Jill Biden join their husbands at the conclusion of the first presidential debate. #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/GbdtBQjjNm — The Hill (@thehill) September 30, 2020
The challenges of hosting the debate during COVID-19 prompted the University of Notre Dame to back out; Case Western and the Cleveland Clinic stepped up to host the debate and to offer a safe setting, according to Peter Eyre, a senior adviser for the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Eyre told Cleveland’s WJW news station that everyone entering pavilion would undergo screening for COVID-19. He also said mask-wearing would be mandatory.
“There are things we’re doing differently this year that we haven’t done before because of COVID-19,” Eyre said. “That includes a variety of testing, social distancing, mask wearing and obviously reducing the total number of people who will be involved.”
Trump Jr. later laughed off not wearing a mask when he appeared on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show, joking that he didn’t want to be thrown in “the gulag” for not following the debate safety guidelines. He said he had been tested for the virus.
The Trump family’s refusal to wear masks came as Biden used the debate to attack Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. “He’s been totally irresponsible the way he’s handled social distancing and discouraging people to wear masks,” Biden said.
More than 206,000 people have died from coronavirus in the United States, but not wearing a face mask has seemed a badge of honor for Trump, and a political talking point for Republicans. During the debate, Trump criticized Biden for wearing masks too often.
Notably, Trump supporters were critical of Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump and other female members of Trump’s family for posing for photos wearing masks before the debate.
An Instagram photo shared by Lara Trump, Eric Trump’s wife and a Trump campaign adviser, drew some harsh comments. She posed with Ivanka Trump, Melania Trump, Tiffany Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump Jr.’s girlfriend, and another Trump campaign adviser.
“Mask off,” wrote Tito Ortiz, a California resident and vocal Trump supporter currently campaigning for a seat on Huntington Beach’s city council, Newsweek reported.
“Please take the masks off!” another Instagram user commented. “You have an immune system!”


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Three arrested in Moraga home in human-trafficking investigation

MORAGA — Three Contra Costa residents were in county jail after a warrant service at a home this week led @ @ @ @ @ several charges related to human trafficking and other offenses , authorities said Thursday .
In @ @ @ @ @ several months ’ worth of complaints about a Miramonte Drive home led investigators to develop @ @ @ @ @ connections to crimes in Contra Costa and San Mateo counties .
Based on that information @ @ @ @ @ warrant for the home and accompanied Contra Costa Sheriff ’ s Office SWAT team members @ @ @ @ @ , identified as 30- and 35-year-old Moraga residents , were arrested on suspicion of human @ @ @ @ @ , while a 31-year-old Oakley man was arrested on suspicion of identity theft and possession @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Citing an ongoing investigation , police released few additional details but said @ @ @ @ @ Moraga police Det .
Kevin Mooney at 925-888-7056 .

MORAGA — Three Contra Costa residents were in county jail after a warrant service at a home this week led to arrests on suspicion of several charges related to human trafficking and other offenses, authorities said Thursday.
In a statement, police said several months’ worth of complaints about a Miramonte Drive home led investigators to develop information about suspects with possible connections to crimes in Contra Costa and San Mateo counties.
Based on that information, officers obtained a search warrant for the home and accompanied Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office SWAT team members there Wednesday.
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Citing an ongoing investigation, police released few additional details but said anyone with information may call Moraga police Det. Kevin Mooney at 925-888-7056.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Oakland A’s celebration goes without champagne, remains R-rated

Champagne was not being sprayed , ski goggles were kept away and no one was chugging beer in Madison Bumgarner-type fashion .
“ They ’ re not spraying anything around or doing anything like that , ” A ’ s manager Bob Melvin said after his team beat the Chicago White Sox 6-4 in the deciding Game 3 of their fort round playoff series .
“ We ’ re doing what we ’ ve done all year and that ’ s following protocol.
” No question , the celebration inside the A ’ s clubhouse in the aftermath of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was a small celebration , there was some putting involved , no one made the putt , ” A ’ s utility player Chad Pinder said of the scene .
“ I ’ m not going into any further detail on that.
” For complete Oakland A ’ s coverage follow us on Flipboard .
Hendriks said the A ’ s used to hold basketball shooting competitions in their former clubhouse .
Now in the Raiders ’ former locker room , which is much more open and spacious , the A ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movable artificial green .
“ Second time I ’ ve done the putt completely in the nude , ” Hendriks said .
“ Missed today , which is unfortunate .
I made the first one , but missed today unfortunately .
So , 1-for-2 , but we ’ ve got time to redeem ourselves.
” Hendriks said he hopes the A ’ s can bring the golfing set-up on the road , and added that he ’ s already told former Oakland closer Blake Treinen , now with the Los Angeles Dodgers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maybe that ’ s the most fun thing the A ’ s can do since Major League Baseball wants celebrations to be more restrained , less boozy , and with more distancing than in years past because of the COVID-19 pandemic that shortened the season and expanded the playoffs .
“ You ’ ve got to mix it up .
You ’ ve got to keep it light , you ’ ve got to keep it lively in there , ” Hendriks said .
“ You ’ ve got to celebrate the guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , and that ’ s one of the motivating things for us .
”

Champagne was not being sprayed, ski goggles were kept away and no one was chugging beer in Madison Bumgarner-type fashion.
“They’re not spraying anything around or doing anything like that,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said after his team beat the Chicago White Sox 6-4 in the deciding Game 3 of their first round playoff series. “We’re doing what we’ve done all year and that’s following protocol.”
No question, the celebration inside the A’s clubhouse in the aftermath of their tense win Thursday was unorthodox.
The details remain a bit hazy.
“There was a small celebration, there was some putting involved, no one made the putt,” A’s utility player Chad Pinder said of the scene. “I’m not going into any further detail on that.”
For complete Oakland A’s coverage follow us on Flipboard.
Closer Liam Hendriks said the A’s used to hold basketball shooting competitions in their former clubhouse. Now in the Raiders’ former locker room, which is much more open and spacious, the A’s are holding putting competitions on a movable artificial green.
“Second time I’ve done the putt completely in the nude,” Hendriks said. “Missed today, which is unfortunate. I made the first one, but missed today unfortunately. So, 1-for-2, but we’ve got time to redeem ourselves.”
Hendriks said he hopes the A’s can bring the golfing set-up on the road, and added that he’s already told former Oakland closer Blake Treinen, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, that he was taking his locker.
Maybe that’s the most fun thing the A’s can do since Major League Baseball wants celebrations to be more restrained, less boozy, and with more distancing than in years past because of the COVID-19 pandemic that shortened the season and expanded the playoffs.
“You’ve got to mix it up. You’ve got to keep it light, you’ve got to keep it lively in there,” Hendriks said. “You’ve got to celebrate the guys that had a good game easy for us, and that’s one of the motivating things for us.”
The No. 2 seed A’s face the No. 6 Houston Astros in the American League Divisional Series, which starts Monday at Dodger Stadium.
Melvin said the tight-knit atmosphere around the A’s makes it a special group.
“I really do like teams that have been together a little bit, and pull for each other so much,” Melvin said. “You can’t put an analytics number on that. I mean, that’s stuff that (outweighs) that. The thing that’s most impressive about this team is how much they pull for each other.”


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Report: Trump adviser Hicks tests positive for virus

By Zeke Miller and Jill Colvin | Associated Press WASHINGTON — Hope Hicks , one of President Donald Trump ’ s closest aides , has tested positive for the coronavirus .
Hicks , who serves as counselor to the president and traveled with him to a rally Wednesday , tested positive Thursday , according to an administration official , who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private health information .
She is the closest aide to Trump to test positive so far .
The White House did not immediately respond to multiple questions about the last time Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who spent time with Hicks in recent days will be asked to quarantine .
In a statement , White House spokesman Judd Deere said , “ The President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously.
” “ White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deere said .
Hicks traveled with the president multiple times this week , including aboard Marine One , the presidential helicopter , for a Minnesota rally Wednesday , and aboard Air Force One to Tuesday night ’ s first presidential debate .
Hicks , one of the president ’ s most trusted aides , previously served as White House communications director and rejoined the administration this year ahead of the election .
Her positive test was first reported by Bloomberg News .
Multiple White House staffers have tested positive for the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence ’ s press secretary , national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien , and one of the president ’ s personal valets .
• Amazon says 19,000 workers got COVID-19 this year • ‘ Our restaurants are struggling ’ : Dine Downtown deals return to San Jose — for six weeks this time • Coronavirus : California exits September better than where it started After earlier positive cases close to the president , the White House instituted a daily testing regimen for the president ’ s senior aides .
Others who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vice president , including reporters , are also tested every day .

By Zeke Miller and Jill Colvin | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Hope Hicks, one of President Donald Trump’s closest aides, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Hicks, who serves as counselor to the president and traveled with him to a rally Wednesday, tested positive Thursday, according to an administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private health information. She is the closest aide to Trump to test positive so far.
The White House did not immediately respond to multiple questions about the last time Trump was tested and whether he and other staffers who spent time with Hicks in recent days will be asked to quarantine.
In a statement, White House spokesman Judd Deere said, “The President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously.”
“White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the President is traveling,” Deere said.
Hicks traveled with the president multiple times this week, including aboard Marine One, the presidential helicopter, for a Minnesota rally Wednesday, and aboard Air Force One to Tuesday night’s first presidential debate.
Hicks, one of the president’s most trusted aides, previously served as White House communications director and rejoined the administration this year ahead of the election. Her positive test was first reported by Bloomberg News.
Multiple White House staffers have tested positive for the virus, including Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, and one of the president’s personal valets.


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Burned mountain lion cub being cared for at Oakland Zoo

A severely burned mountain lion cub , assumed to be orphaned , was rescued by a Cal Fire firefighter at the scene of the Zogg Fire near Redding and is being treated at Oakland Zoo .
The cub , believed to be only 4 to 6 weeks old , initially was treated by California Department of Fish and Wildlife veterinarians .
Oakland Zoo received an urgent call for assistance around 5 p.m. Wednesday , and the Fish and Wildlife officials transferred care of the cub to the zoo ’ s veterinary team .
The male cub , weighing less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paws , and his whiskers were completely singed off .
He also has severe irritation to his eyes .
Oakland Zoo ’ s Dr. Lynette Waugh , with staff veterinary technicians , cleaned the cub and administered antibiotics , supportive fluids and pain medication .
They also fed the cub kitten formula through a syringe .
In the hours that the zoo has been treating the cub , he has improved .
Dr. Alex Herman said the cub is eating on his own and acting feisty , both promising signs for his recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday found no damage to his lungs from smoke inhalation or bone damage to his paws .
Oakland Zoo ’ s veterinary team is also working with UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital for their expertise in providing the most advanced care in treating the cub ’ s burn wounds .
“ We are so grateful for the Oakland Zoo ’ s expertise , world-class facilities and willingness to step up — on extremely short notice — to help wildlife in need , ” CDFW ’ s senior wildlife veterinarian Dr. Deana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are absolutely critical to our state ’ s efforts to provide emergency care .
California ’ s wildfires are erupting on a scale that we ’ ve never seen before , and we expect that we ’ ll have more burn patients than we have the capacity to treat in our own veterinary facility.
” Because of the cub ’ s young age and size , it won ’ t be possible to release him back into the wild , zoo officials said .
Mountain lion cubs stay with their mothers for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once the cub has healed , the Zoo will search for a suitable new home for him .
Dr. Alex Herman , director of Oakland Zoo ’ s Veterinary Hospital , praised the partnership and the quick actions by firefighters , law enforcement and Fish and Wildlife .
“ It ’ s an amazing effort between Cal Fire , the Shasta County Sheriff ’ s Department , and of course , our partners at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife , ” Herman said .
“ In the past two years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue for Oakland Zoo in partnership with CDFW .
We ’ re cautiously optimistic that this cub will now survive and thrive .
Our dedicated team at Oakland Zoo is fully committed to do everything we can for him and for his beautiful species.
” • Why are squirrels digging up my lawn ?
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• Tips for dealing with the Bay Area ’ s rat problem Mountain lions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they often are struck by cars or illegally poached .
They also find themselves at odds with humans , who encroach on their territories .
Oakland Zoo partners with conservation organizations including the Mountain Lion Foundation and the Bay Area Puma Project to educate the public on the issue and help conserve the species in the wild .
Oakland Zoo also founded BACAT ( Bay Area Cougar Action Team ) in 2013 , an alliance with the Bay Area Puma Project and the Mountain Lion Foundation , to help support the CDFW to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict .

A severely burned mountain lion cub, assumed to be orphaned, was rescued by a Cal Fire firefighter at the scene of the Zogg Fire near Redding and is being treated at Oakland Zoo.
The cub, believed to be only 4 to 6 weeks old, initially was treated by California Department of Fish and Wildlife veterinarians.
Oakland Zoo received an urgent call for assistance around 5 p.m. Wednesday, and the Fish and Wildlife officials transferred care of the cub to the zoo’s veterinary team.
The male cub, weighing less than 4 pounds, suffered burns to his paws, and his whiskers were completely singed off. He also has severe irritation to his eyes.
Oakland Zoo’s Dr. Lynette Waugh, with staff veterinary technicians, cleaned the cub and administered antibiotics, supportive fluids and pain medication. They also fed the cub kitten formula through a syringe.
In the hours that the zoo has been treating the cub, he has improved. Dr. Alex Herman said the cub is eating on his own and acting feisty, both promising signs for his recovery. More good news, x-rays taken on Thursday found no damage to his lungs from smoke inhalation or bone damage to his paws.
Oakland Zoo’s veterinary team is also working with UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital for their expertise in providing the most advanced care in treating the cub’s burn wounds.
“We are so grateful for the Oakland Zoo’s expertise, world-class facilities and willingness to step up — on extremely short notice — to help wildlife in need,” CDFW’s senior wildlife veterinarian Dr. Deana Clifford said. “Partnerships like this are absolutely critical to our state’s efforts to provide emergency care. California’s wildfires are erupting on a scale that we’ve never seen before, and we expect that we’ll have more burn patients than we have the capacity to treat in our own veterinary facility.”
Because of the cub’s young age and size, it won’t be possible to release him back into the wild, zoo officials said. Mountain lion cubs stay with their mothers for the first two years of their lives. Once the cub has healed, the Zoo will search for a suitable new home for him.
Dr. Alex Herman, director of Oakland Zoo’s Veterinary Hospital, praised the partnership and the quick actions by firefighters, law enforcement and Fish and Wildlife.
“It’s an amazing effort between Cal Fire, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Department, and of course, our partners at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife,” Herman said. “In the past two years, this marks our 13th mountain lion cub rescue for Oakland Zoo in partnership with CDFW. We’re cautiously optimistic that this cub will now survive and thrive. Our dedicated team at Oakland Zoo is fully committed to do everything we can for him and for his beautiful species.”
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Oakland Zoo also founded BACAT (Bay Area Cougar Action Team) in 2013, an alliance with the Bay Area Puma Project and the Mountain Lion Foundation, to help support the CDFW to save mountain lions caught in the human-wildlife conflict.


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Texas governor restrict ballot drop boxes to 1 per county

AUSTIN , Texas — Texas Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott on Thursday ordered counties to have only one mail-in ballot drop-off site , shuttering dozens of locations in some of the state ’ s largest cities and key Democratic strongholds just as voters started to return ballots .
Abbott called his order a move to enhance poll security , while Democrats blasted it as a naked effort to suppress voters .
Beginning on October 2 , eligible voters can deliver their mail ballots in person to locations designated by the county ’ s early voting clerk .
There will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county .
Poll watchers may observe ballot deliveries at each location .
“ These enhanced security protocols will ensure greater transparency and will help stop attempts at illegal voting , ” Abbott said .
Harris County , which includes Houston , had 12 drop-off locations for its more than 2 million registered voters as of September .
Travis County , which includes the state capital of Austin , had four .
Harris County covers an area of more than 1,700 square miles , while Travis County stretches over more than 1,000 sq .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ large as 6,000 square miles — larger than the entire state of Connecticut .
Texas has 254 counties .
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo told the Associated Press that the county will “ fight this to the extent that we can ” and that county lawyers were considering legal action .
She said Abbott ’ s action was another effort to suppress voters and an additional obstacle to democracy .
Earlier on Twitter , Hidalgo pointed out that Harris County is larger than the state of Rhode Island .
“ Mail ballot voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles to drop off their ballot , or rely on a mail system that ’ s facing cutbacks , ” she said .
The U.S .
Postal Service informed Texas in July that given the state ’ s current mail ballot request deadline , some ballots may not be delivered to voters by Election Day , and that even if all ballots reached voters on time , there was a “ significant risk ” that completed ballots postmarked on or near Election Day would not be received by the state ’ s Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State ’ s office has not responded to Associated Press requests for comment on its plans to ensure the timely delivery of ballots .
Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins said in a statement that he had applauded Abbott ’ s July proclamation allowing voters to drop off their mail ballots before Election Day because it “ gave voters more options to vote safely during the global pandemic and alleviated concerns over mail delivery.
” He said Abbott ’ s reversal will harms voters , and lead to widespread confusion and voter suppression .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accommodate poll watchers at mail ballot drop-off locations , ” Hollins said .
“ But to force hundreds of thousands of seniors and voters with disabilities to use a single drop-off location in a county that stretches over nearly 2,000 square miles is prejudicial and dangerous.
” Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement following the proclamation that Republicans were “ on the verge of losing , so Gov .
Abbott is trying to adjust the rules last minute.
” He said courts nationwide have held that it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules .
“ Make no mistake : Democracy itself is on the ballot , ” Hinojosa said in a statement .
Polls show unusually tight races this year in America ’ s biggest red state , intensifying battles over voting access .
Texas is one of just five states not allowing widespread mail-in voting this year .
Abbott has resisted calls to expand eligibility and courts have sided with GOP leaders who say fear of catching COVID-19 doesn ’ t qualify voters for mail-in ballots .
• Trump says he will participate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a fire in the house of democracy To qualify for a mail-in ballot in Texas , voters must be : away from their county of residence on Election Day and during the early voting period ; sick or disabled ; confined in jail but otherwise eligible to vote ; or 65 years old or more .
Acacia Coronado is a corps member for the Associated Press/ Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered @ @

By Acacia Coronado | Report for America/Associated press
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday ordered counties to have only one mail-in ballot drop-off site, shuttering dozens of locations in some of the state’s largest cities and key Democratic strongholds just as voters started to return ballots.
Abbott called his order a move to enhance poll security, while Democrats blasted it as a naked effort to suppress voters.
Beginning on October 2, eligible voters can deliver their mail ballots in person to locations designated by the county’s early voting clerk. There will be no more than one drop-off location per county. Poll watchers may observe ballot deliveries at each location.
“These enhanced security protocols will ensure greater transparency and will help stop attempts at illegal voting,” Abbott said.
Harris County, which includes Houston, had 12 drop-off locations for its more than 2 million registered voters as of September. Travis County, which includes the state capital of Austin, had four. Harris County covers an area of more than 1,700 square miles, while Travis County stretches over more than 1,000 sq. miles. Other counties are individually as large as 6,000 square miles — larger than the entire state of Connecticut. Texas has 254 counties.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo told the Associated Press that the county will “fight this to the extent that we can” and that county lawyers were considering legal action. She said Abbott’s action was another effort to suppress voters and an additional obstacle to democracy.
Earlier on Twitter, Hidalgo pointed out that Harris County is larger than the state of Rhode Island.
“Mail ballot voters shouldn’t have to drive 30 miles to drop off their ballot, or rely on a mail system that’s facing cutbacks,” she said.
[vemba-video id=”health/2020/09/22/voting-in-person-risks-2020-election-abby-phillip-wellness.cnn”]
Video: Why voting in person may be the best option for you
The U.S. Postal Service informed Texas in July that given the state’s current mail ballot request deadline, some ballots may not be delivered to voters by Election Day, and that even if all ballots reached voters on time, there was a “significant risk” that completed ballots postmarked on or near Election Day would not be received by the state’s Nov. 4 deadline.
The Texas Secretary of State’s office has not responded to Associated Press requests for comment on its plans to ensure the timely delivery of ballots.
Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins said in a statement that he had applauded Abbott’s July proclamation allowing voters to drop off their mail ballots before Election Day because it “gave voters more options to vote safely during the global pandemic and alleviated concerns over mail delivery.” He said Abbott’s reversal will harms voters, and lead to widespread confusion and voter suppression.
“Our office is more than willing to accommodate poll watchers at mail ballot drop-off locations,” Hollins said. “But to force hundreds of thousands of seniors and voters with disabilities to use a single drop-off location in a county that stretches over nearly 2,000 square miles is prejudicial and dangerous.”
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement following the proclamation that Republicans were “on the verge of losing, so Gov. Abbott is trying to adjust the rules last minute.” He said courts nationwide have held that it is too late to make changes to election rules.
“Make no mistake: Democracy itself is on the ballot,” Hinojosa said in a statement.
Polls show unusually tight races this year in America’s biggest red state, intensifying battles over voting access. Texas is one of just five states not allowing widespread mail-in voting this year. Abbott has resisted calls to expand eligibility and courts have sided with GOP leaders who say fear of catching COVID-19 doesn’t qualify voters for mail-in ballots.
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ National News | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 To qualify for a mail-in ballot in Texas, voters must be: away from their county of residence on Election Day and during the early voting period; sick or disabled; confined in jail but otherwise eligible to vote; or 65 years old or more.
Acacia Coronado is a corps member for the Associated Press/ Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Jonathon Simmons has a chance to make the Warriors roster

Jonathon Simmons had to claw his way into the NBA once before , and he may do it again .
One of five G League players invited to Warriors minicamp , Simmons has impressed Golden State over the last week , and could have a chance to make the roster next season , according to head coach Steve Kerr .
“ I think Jonathon Simmons had a really strong week at camp and still has years to offer in the NBA , ” Kerr said after Thursday ’ s minicamp scrimmage .
On whether he could make the Warriors ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Possibly.
” Seven years after his first developmental-league tryout , Simmons is back in the G League , again attempting to earn a spot on a 15-man roster .
Simmons , 31 , didn ’ t take the traditional path to the NBA .
Having barely graduated high school , he spent three years in junior college and played in the minor leagues for more than two seasons before breaking through with the Spurs five years ago .
Then in 2017 , four years after his first developmental-league tryout , Simmons helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Rockets in his first career playoff start .
Filling in for an injured Kawhi Leonard , Simmons scored 18 points and helped limit James Harden to 10 points on 2 of 11 shooting .
That performance helped Simmons land a three-year , $ 20 million contract with the Magic that summer .
He started 50 games and averaged 13.9 points per game for head coach Frank Vogel , before losing playing time under Vogel ’ s replacement , Steve Clifford a year later .
In 2019 , he was traded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rotation in part due to his poor perimeter shooting ( 31.7 % from 3-point range for his career ) .
A few months later , the 76ers traded him to the Wizards in a cost-saving move .
Washington waived him shortly thereafter .
Simmons hasn ’ t played in an NBA game since May , 2019 , but landed with the Warriors ’ G League affiliate in Santa Cruz in February .
The Warriors value the 6-foot-6 forward ’ s length and ability to guard multiple positions and attack the basket .
Back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has worked on his 3-point shooting .
In five games with the Santa Cruz Warriors , he shot 38.5 % on 2.6 3-point attempts per game .
“ We ’ ve talked to him about ( the 3-point shooting ) , ” Kerr said .
“ If he can do that consistently , I think he ’ s got a much better chance of sticking in the league.
” Depending on what happens this offseason , the Warriors expect to have a few roster spots available .
Simmons leaves Warriors minicamp this weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but seems to have an inside-track to a training camp invite prior to the start of next season .
There , he will compete with Ky Bowman , Juan Toscano-Anderson and Mychal Mulder for a place on the 15-man roster .
His combination of versatility and playoff experience could give him an advantage .
“ I ’ m a fan , ” Kerr said .
“ Obviously there ’ s still a lot of work to be done with the roster , so we ’ ll see how it all shakes out.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can learn from Game 1 of the NBA Finals • Steve Kerr bemoans Doc Rivers ’ parting with Clippers , calls him a “ pillar ” of the NBA • Steve Kerr says the presidential debate between Trump and Biden was ’ embarrassing ’ • Warriors draft : Why Devin Vassell could be an immediate contributor for Golden State

Jonathon Simmons had to claw his way into the NBA once before, and he may do it again.
One of five G League players invited to Warriors minicamp, Simmons has impressed Golden State over the last week, and could have a chance to make the roster next season, according to head coach Steve Kerr.
“I think Jonathon Simmons had a really strong week at camp and still has years to offer in the NBA,” Kerr said after Thursday’s minicamp scrimmage. On whether he could make the Warriors’ roster next season, Kerr said, “Possibly.”
Seven years after his first developmental-league tryout, Simmons is back in the G League, again attempting to earn a spot on a 15-man roster.
Simmons, 31, didn’t take the traditional path to the NBA. Having barely graduated high school, he spent three years in junior college and played in the minor leagues for more than two seasons before breaking through with the Spurs five years ago.
Then in 2017, four years after his first developmental-league tryout, Simmons helped lift San Antonio to a series-clinching win over the Rockets in his first career playoff start. Filling in for an injured Kawhi Leonard, Simmons scored 18 points and helped limit James Harden to 10 points on 2 of 11 shooting.
That performance helped Simmons land a three-year, $20 million contract with the Magic that summer. He started 50 games and averaged 13.9 points per game for head coach Frank Vogel, before losing playing time under Vogel’s replacement, Steve Clifford a year later.
In 2019, he was traded to the 76ers but failed to crack the rotation in part due to his poor perimeter shooting (31.7% from 3-point range for his career). A few months later, the 76ers traded him to the Wizards in a cost-saving move. Washington waived him shortly thereafter.
Simmons hasn’t played in an NBA game since May, 2019, but landed with the Warriors’ G League affiliate in Santa Cruz in February. The Warriors value the 6-foot-6 forward’s length and ability to guard multiple positions and attack the basket.
Back again in the G League, Simmons has worked on his 3-point shooting. In five games with the Santa Cruz Warriors, he shot 38.5% on 2.6 3-point attempts per game.
“We’ve talked to him about (the 3-point shooting),” Kerr said. “If he can do that consistently, I think he’s got a much better chance of sticking in the league.”
Depending on what happens this offseason, the Warriors expect to have a few roster spots available. Simmons leaves Warriors minicamp this weekend to attend to a family matter, but seems to have an inside-track to a training camp invite prior to the start of next season.
There, he will compete with Ky Bowman, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Mychal Mulder for a place on the 15-man roster. His combination of versatility and playoff experience could give him an advantage.
“I’m a fan,” Kerr said. “Obviously there’s still a lot of work to be done with the roster, so we’ll see how it all shakes out.”


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Bay Point man gets five years for two-pound meth deal, feds link him to saddle-drug-smuggling scheme

OAKLAND — A Bay Point man whose name came up in an investigation over methamphetamine being smuggled into the United States by saddle was sentenced last week to five years in federal prison , related to an undercover meth sales bust that occurred months later .
Carlos Limon-Lomeli , 23 , was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam , court records show .
The FBI linked Limon-Lomeli to the sale of about 13 pounds of meth in the Contra Costa area , according to a prosecution sentencing memo .
Limon-Lomeli was arrested in Antioch last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic stop and discovered two pounds of meth .
When authorities interviewed him , he led them to his storage unit in Martinez , which contained another 10 pounds of meth , prosecutors said .
In 2017 , Limon-Lomeli ’ s name came up in a drug trafficking investigation after he drove another man , Victor Galaviz , to pick up about 20 pounds of meth from a woman named Mariela Solis .
The meth had been hidden inside a saddle and mailed from Mexico to the United States , prosecutors said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Solis and Galaviz were in a separate federal case .
Prosecutors asked for Limon-Lomeli to be sentenced to an additional 20 months , referencing the 2017 incident , and the fact that federal agents searching Limon-Lomeli ’ s property found t-shirts referencing infamous drug traffickers Pablo Escobar and Joaquin “ El Chapo ” Guzman .
Limon-Lomeli ’ s attorney argued that prosecutors were trying to smear his client in an attempt to ask for a longer sentence .
“ Carlos is a caring and responsible young man towards his family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his child , ” his attorney , Kenneth Wine , wrote in a sentencing memo .
“ As proof that Carlos is not the man the government is trying to portray him as , the Court should carefully read the letters from his family which portray Carlos as a decent , hardworking , and honest family man .
”

OAKLAND — A Bay Point man whose name came up in an investigation over methamphetamine being smuggled into the United States by saddle was sentenced last week to five years in federal prison, related to an undercover meth sales bust that occurred months later.
Carlos Limon-Lomeli, 23, was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam, court records show. The FBI linked Limon-Lomeli to the sale of about 13 pounds of meth in the Contra Costa area, according to a prosecution sentencing memo.
Limon-Lomeli was arrested in Antioch last year, after police searched his car during a traffic stop and discovered two pounds of meth. When authorities interviewed him, he led them to his storage unit in Martinez, which contained another 10 pounds of meth, prosecutors said.
In 2017, Limon-Lomeli’s name came up in a drug trafficking investigation after he drove another man, Victor Galaviz, to pick up about 20 pounds of meth from a woman named Mariela Solis. The meth had been hidden inside a saddle and mailed from Mexico to the United States, prosecutors said. Limon-Lomeli was never charged for that incident, but Solis and Galaviz were in a separate federal case.
Prosecutors asked for Limon-Lomeli to be sentenced to an additional 20 months, referencing the 2017 incident, and the fact that federal agents searching Limon-Lomeli’s property found t-shirts referencing infamous drug traffickers Pablo Escobar and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
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“Carlos is a caring and responsible young man towards his family and friends, and a responsible father to his child,” his attorney, Kenneth Wine, wrote in a sentencing memo. “As proof that Carlos is not the man the government is trying to portray him as, the Court should carefully read the letters from his family which portray Carlos as a decent, hardworking, and honest family man.”