mercurynews--2020-01-21--Ask Amy: I met with 102 guys before I found Mr. Right

DEAR AMY : I am a 57-year-old woman .
I want to encourage those interested in meeting a potential partner online not to give up .
Four years ago , after a breakup , I posted profiles on a couple of free dating sites .
I met different gentlemen for coffee two or three times a week for a year .
This was not a date .
It was a meeting in a public place to discover whether we had any interest in scheduling a date .
I never felt unsafe or threatened .
During that year , I met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounters ended with us making plans .
( Ninety percent of the time I realized that I was not interested . )
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Was I wrong ?
• Ask Amy : He shows me his ex ’ s seductive texts Ten of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a range of experiences — from one dinner , to dating for several weeks or months .
Fortunately , regardless of what else I was doing , I continued my coffee meetings .
Number 103 turned out to be the love of my life , and we have been happily married for three years now .
My philosophy was , “ It ’ s a half-hour of my life , a cup of coffee … what do I have to lose ?
” By the way , I had 103 meetings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me !
I am so grateful that I didn ’ t give up .
DEAR HAPPY : This is impressive .
Thank you for the useful primer .
Here ’ s to # 103 !
DEAR AMY : About 15 years ago ( in high school ) , a close friend of mine was sexually assaulted at my house during a party I hosted while my parents were away .
It happened overnight in the guest room by a then-trusted boy ( a platonic friend ) from another school .
I remember her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if she could sleep in my room .
The next day the boy was gone , and she told me what had happened .
Our assessment at that time was : “ Ugh , what a creep !
” She told me she ’ d gone home after the party and had to take several showers .
A few weeks later he dropped by our school and she ran to the bathroom and vomited into the toilet .
Despite all of this , I never asked her about it , and I now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close over the years .
We were bridesmaids in each other ’ s weddings and had our children in the same year .
Although we visit each other several times a year , our communication between visits tends to be limited to brief texts to plan the next visit .
About a year ago , my family and I were at her home when I noticed that she had a book on overcoming trauma .
I immediately thought of that night in high school .
Now I think about it all the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it happened in my house , that I didn ’ t do more , and that I never asked her about it .
Should I ask her about it , and if so , how ?
I don ’ t want to bring up painful memories for her in order to alleviate my own guilt .
DEAR BAD FRIEND : Your plaintive question is yet another example of how the impact of sexual assault ripples outward .
Sexual assault has been much in the news lately , not because it is happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally talking about it !
Yes , you should talk to your friend .
When you don ’ t know how to say something , you can start with : “ I ’ m not really sure how to say this… ” You do not want to offload all of your feelings of guilt .
You DO want to create a safe space for her to say whatever she wants to say , including , possibly , “ I really don ’ t want to talk about this.
” Because you two do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a text : “ Hey , I have something I want to talk to you about .
Can you set aside some time so we can have a private call ?
” Tolerate some silence .
Tell your friend , “ I love you ; you are important to me .
I hate the fact that you were hurt.
” If she says , “ Oh , I never think about it , ” then you can respond , “ Well , I ’ ve felt bad about this for a long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OK. ” DEAR AMY : I appreciated your advice for “ Clueless , ” the hopelessly shy guy who wanted to meet potential friends and perhaps a romantic partner .
He might also have success if he volunteers for a cause he believes in .
DEAR BEEN THERE : Absolutely .
Conversation is easier when you are working alongside other people .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

DEAR AMY: I am a 57-year-old woman. I want to encourage those interested in meeting a potential partner online not to give up.
Four years ago, after a breakup, I posted profiles on a couple of free dating sites. I met different gentlemen for coffee two or three times a week for a year. This was not a date. It was a meeting in a public place to discover whether we had any interest in scheduling a date.
I never felt unsafe or threatened. During that year, I met 103 different men. Eleven of those encounters ended with us making plans. (Ninety percent of the time I realized that I was not interested.)
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Fortunately, regardless of what else I was doing, I continued my coffee meetings. Number 103 turned out to be the love of my life, and we have been happily married for three years now.
My philosophy was, “It’s a half-hour of my life, a cup of coffee … what do I have to lose?”
By the way, I had 103 meetings, but my husband only had one: me!
I am so grateful that I didn’t give up.
Happy With #103
DEAR HAPPY: This is impressive. Thank you for the useful primer. Here’s to #103!
DEAR AMY: About 15 years ago (in high school), a close friend of mine was sexually assaulted at my house during a party I hosted while my parents were away.
It happened overnight in the guest room by a then-trusted boy (a platonic friend) from another school.
I remember her calmly waking me up that night asking if she could sleep in my room. The next day the boy was gone, and she told me what had happened.
Our assessment at that time was: “Ugh, what a creep!” She told me she’d gone home after the party and had to take several showers. A few weeks later he dropped by our school and she ran to the bathroom and vomited into the toilet.
Despite all of this, I never asked her about it, and I now feel terrible.
We’ve remained close over the years. We were bridesmaids in each other’s weddings and had our children in the same year. Although we visit each other several times a year, our communication between visits tends to be limited to brief texts to plan the next visit.
About a year ago, my family and I were at her home when I noticed that she had a book on overcoming trauma.
I immediately thought of that night in high school. Now I think about it all the time. I’m wracked with guilt that it happened in my house, that I didn’t do more, and that I never asked her about it.
Should I ask her about it, and if so, how? I don’t want to bring up painful memories for her in order to alleviate my own guilt.
Bad Friend
DEAR BAD FRIEND: Your plaintive question is yet another example of how the impact of sexual assault ripples outward. Sexual assault has been much in the news lately, not because it is happening more often, but because we are finally talking about it!
Yes, you should talk to your friend. When you don’t know how to say something, you can start with: “I’m not really sure how to say this…” You do not want to offload all of your feelings of guilt. You DO want to create a safe space for her to say whatever she wants to say, including, possibly, “I really don’t want to talk about this.”
Because you two do not maintain regular verbal contact, send a text: “Hey, I have something I want to talk to you about. Can you set aside some time so we can have a private call?”
Tolerate some silence. Tell your friend, “I love you; you are important to me. I hate the fact that you were hurt.” If she says, “Oh, I never think about it,” then you can respond, “Well, I’ve felt bad about this for a long time, and I hope you’re OK.”
Want Ask Amy delivered to your inbox for free on weekdays?
DEAR AMY: I appreciated your advice for “Clueless,” the hopelessly shy guy who wanted to meet potential friends and perhaps a romantic partner.
He might also have success if he volunteers for a cause he believes in.
Been There
DEAR BEEN THERE: Absolutely. Conversation is easier when you are working alongside other people.
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--2020-01-21--Letter: What if Moms 4 Housing backers find squatters in their home?

If Moms 4 Housing backer find squatters in her home … Re : “ Put kids ’ needs over greed @ @ @ @ @ ( Letter to the editor , Eastbaytimes.com , Jan. 16 ) : I wonder how @ @ @ @ @ regarding Moms 4 Housing might differ were she and her family to come home from @ @ @ @ @ find squatters living in their home .
Homelessness is a sad state of being , @ @ @ @ @ my sympathy is strained when I see or read of people defecating in public , @ @ @ @ @ , yes , squatting .
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Squatting is @ @ @ @ @ owns the property .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more @ @ @ @

If Moms 4 Housing backer
find squatters in her home …
Re: “Put kids’ needs over greed in Oakland housing case” (Letter to the editor, Eastbaytimes.com, Jan. 16):
I wonder how the letter-writer’s opinion regarding Moms 4 Housing might differ were she and her family to come home from shopping or a vacation to find squatters living in their home.
Homelessness is a sad state of being, to be sure. But my sympathy is strained when I see or read of people defecating in public, stealing, intimidation panhandling and, yes, squatting.
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mercurynews--2020-01-21--Harriette Cole: Yes, I’m old school — you must wear lotion

DEAR HARRIETTE : My children get mad at me because I ’ m old-school : I don ’ t care how old they are — I don ’ t want them leaving home without putting on lotion .
I can ’ t stand looking at ashy skin .
It looks bad , but what ’ s worse is that your skin can crack if you don ’ t keep it moisturized .
They hate it when I remind them .
As long as they live under my roof , I want them to do the basic things needed to care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get this point across without fussing all the time ?
It ’ s winter .
It should be obvious to them .
DEAR DRY SKIN DILEMMA : Some messages take forever to sink in .
You should continue to remind them to moisturize their skin — and to drink enough water , especially during this cold-weather season .
You might want to get creative , too .
Put a bottle of lotion or body cream in their room in a location that makes it very noticeable .
Put a bottle near the sink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lotion up before getting dressed .
Remind them with a smile on your face .
Try not to be combative — even if this is the millionth time you have told them to do it .
Chances are , when they are grown and on their own , they will hear your voice in their head and tend to their skin , as they also remind their own children !
DEAR HARRIETTE : My daughter is dating a boy I do not like .
She and my wife say they love him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ disapprove .
I don ’ t like the way he talks to her .
And he is distracting her from her studies .
She has worked so hard to do well in school , but ever since she started seeing this guy , her grades have been slipping .
What can I say to get her to focus on her studies again ?
I ’ m worried she will ignore whatever I say .
DEAR DESPERATE DAD : Talk to your wife first , and point out that your daughter ’ s grades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are concerned about how your daughter is spending her time .
Acknowledge that you believe your wife likes this young man .
Point out that you don ’ t want to be the bad guy , but you do want to sound the alarm before your daughter ’ s life veers off track .
Ask your wife to support you in talking to your daughter about paying closer attention to her schoolwork .
I recommend that you focus on her studies rather than the young man .
Condemning him may make your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , encourage her to reserve enough time to do her work .
Suggest that she seems to be socializing a bit too much , and her schoolwork is suffering as a result .
Ideally , your daughter needs to come to the realization herself that this young man is a distraction to her .
Your best bet is to keep your comments targeted to her schoolwork .
When she thinks about what has been occupying her time , she may realize that she has to redirect some of her time and energy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

DEAR HARRIETTE: My children get mad at me because I’m old-school: I don’t care how old they are — I don’t want them leaving home without putting on lotion.
I can’t stand looking at ashy skin. It looks bad, but what’s worse is that your skin can crack if you don’t keep it moisturized. They hate it when I remind them. As long as they live under my roof, I want them to do the basic things needed to care for their skin.
How can I get this point across without fussing all the time? It’s winter. It should be obvious to them.
Dry Skin Dilemma
DEAR DRY SKIN DILEMMA: Some messages take forever to sink in.
You should continue to remind them to moisturize their skin — and to drink enough water, especially during this cold-weather season. You might want to get creative, too. Put a bottle of lotion or body cream in their room in a location that makes it very noticeable. Put a bottle near the sink in the bathroom as a reminder to lotion up before getting dressed.
Remind them with a smile on your face. Try not to be combative — even if this is the millionth time you have told them to do it. Chances are, when they are grown and on their own, they will hear your voice in their head and tend to their skin, as they also remind their own children!
DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter is dating a boy I do not like. She and my wife say they love him.
I have not told them that I disapprove. I don’t like the way he talks to her. And he is distracting her from her studies. She has worked so hard to do well in school, but ever since she started seeing this guy, her grades have been slipping.
What can I say to get her to focus on her studies again? I’m worried she will ignore whatever I say.
Desperate Dad
DEAR DESPERATE DAD: Talk to your wife first, and point out that your daughter’s grades are slipping. Let her know that you are concerned about how your daughter is spending her time.
Acknowledge that you believe your wife likes this young man. Point out that you don’t want to be the bad guy, but you do want to sound the alarm before your daughter’s life veers off track. Ask your wife to support you in talking to your daughter about paying closer attention to her schoolwork.
I recommend that you focus on her studies rather than the young man. Condemning him may make your daughter cling to him more. Instead, encourage her to reserve enough time to do her work. Suggest that she seems to be socializing a bit too much, and her schoolwork is suffering as a result.
Ideally, your daughter needs to come to the realization herself that this young man is a distraction to her. Your best bet is to keep your comments targeted to her schoolwork. When she thinks about what has been occupying her time, she may realize that she has to redirect some of her time and energy to bringing her grades up.
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--2020-01-21--Miss Manners: They bellow ‘Excuse you!’ and I find it so rude

DEAR MISS MANNERS : More and more , I am hearing people bellow , “ Well , excuse you !
” at anyone who might be in the speaker ’ s way , or not moving fast enough , or even politely expressing a differing opinion .
In no case have I ever seen a reason for anger and impatience .
I find this expression entirely disrespectful and rude , but have no idea how , or if , one should respond .
Sooner or later , I am sure I will be the one taking too long in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems to me that everybody has those moments when they are distracted and unknowingly test the patience of a bystander .
If someone politely said , “ Excuse me , ” or “ Can I get by ?
” I would apologize profusely as I hurried out of their way , but I am not sure how to politely respond to this new way of telling people to move .
• Miss Manners : I yell rude things at strangers .
Is that bad ?
• Miss Manners : He rubbed against me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s OK • Miss Manners : The kids weren ’ t invited , and I found his response rude • Miss Manners : She left unsanitary items on the restaurant table GENTLE READER : Try , “ That ’ s quite all right ; go ahead.
” Miss Manners assures you that nothing annoys rude people more than to have their unpleasant remarks mistaken for polite ones .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : I am currently penning thank-you notes to two different sets of friends I enjoyed hosting this fall : thank-yous for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I enjoy writing a simple note to dear friends .
However , as a high school English teacher , I receive thoughtful thank-you gifts from students — primarily , but not exclusively , thank-yous for writing letters of recommendation on their behalf .
A thank-you note from a student is cherished and a thank-you gift is not necessary , but appreciated .
I feel guilty that I do not write those students a thank-you note for the gifts , but there are many that all come at nearly the same time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or similar ) and I don ’ t have time .
Am I obliged to write a thank-you note for a thank-you gift ?
GENTLE READER : That this question is asked frequently astonishes Miss Manners .
Letters of thanks need not be answered , but presents , for whatever reason they are given , must always be acknowledged .
She is even more shocked that this comes from a teacher — and one who writes letters of thanks to friends and appreciates receiving them from students .
Why would you not want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off a few more short notes to give your generous students the same pleasure ?
Do you really want to set them an example of ignoring thoughtfulness ?
DEAR MISS MANNERS : I will have the pleasure of attending a wedding in England .
Following the ceremony , there will be a seated dinner and dancing , which will last into the night .
The dress code is “ formal.
” I plan to wear a long dress and a small , decorative hat .
Could you please explain when/if I should remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is when you may change into that long dress .
Hats are worn at English weddings because the ceremony takes place during the day , but they may not be worn at night .
Long dresses may be worn at night , but not during the day .
Miss Manners hopes she caught you before you packed .
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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MO 64106 .

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: More and more, I am hearing people bellow, “Well, excuse you!” at anyone who might be in the speaker’s way, or not moving fast enough, or even politely expressing a differing opinion.
In no case have I ever seen a reason for anger and impatience. I find this expression entirely disrespectful and rude, but have no idea how, or if, one should respond. Sooner or later, I am sure I will be the one taking too long in a grocery store’s aisle.
It seems to me that everybody has those moments when they are distracted and unknowingly test the patience of a bystander. If someone politely said, “Excuse me,” or “Can I get by?” I would apologize profusely as I hurried out of their way, but I am not sure how to politely respond to this new way of telling people to move.
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DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am currently penning thank-you notes to two different sets of friends I enjoyed hosting this fall: thank-yous for their time, company and hostess gifts. I enjoy writing a simple note to dear friends.
However, as a high school English teacher, I receive thoughtful thank-you gifts from students — primarily, but not exclusively, thank-yous for writing letters of recommendation on their behalf. A thank-you note from a student is cherished and a thank-you gift is not necessary, but appreciated.
I feel guilty that I do not write those students a thank-you note for the gifts, but there are many that all come at nearly the same time, some quite expensive (dinner for two or similar) and I don’t have time. Am I obliged to write a thank-you note for a thank-you gift?
GENTLE READER: That this question is asked frequently astonishes Miss Manners. Letters of thanks need not be answered, but presents, for whatever reason they are given, must always be acknowledged.
She is even more shocked that this comes from a teacher — and one who writes letters of thanks to friends and appreciates receiving them from students. Why would you not want to take a few minutes to dash off a few more short notes to give your generous students the same pleasure? Do you really want to set them an example of ignoring thoughtfulness?
Want Miss Manners delivered to your inbox for free on weekdays?
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I will have the pleasure of attending a wedding in England. Following the ceremony, there will be a seated dinner and dancing, which will last into the night. The dress code is “formal.”
I plan to wear a long dress and a small, decorative hat. Could you please explain when/if I should remove it?
GENTLE READER: Before dinner, which is when you may change into that long dress. Hats are worn at English weddings because the ceremony takes place during the day, but they may not be worn at night. Long dresses may be worn at night, but not during the day. Miss Manners hopes she caught you before you packed.
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--2020-01-21--Dear Abby: I am mortified by the newlyweds’ behavior

DEAR ABBY : My son got married eight months ago .
I recently found out he and his wife haven ’ t sent thank-you notes to anyone .
Some of our friends and family took time off work , traveled across the country , spent a lot of money on airfare , hotels , meals , as well as wedding gifts .
I am mortified .
Abby , there were only 60 guests , so there were fewer than 30 thank-you notes to send .
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I told him it was inexcusable , and they need to get those notes written now because this is definitely a case of better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t do it within the next week , I intend to contact my friends and family and thank them myself and apologize for their rudeness .
My son was not raised to be ungrateful and rude .
What do you think ?
DEAR FURIOUS : What you have in mind may be well-intentioned , but it won ’ t make up for your son and daughter-in-law ’ s lack of courtesy .
If they fail to contact the guests who made such an effort to attend their wedding , do not speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only make them look worse .
DEAR ABBY : I have been dating a great guy for a year and a half .
He ’ s funny , smart , and when he comes to my house , he washes my dishes and plays with my son .
He is attentive , and he cooks for me .
He is always buying me little things like a desk coffee heater because he knows I love hot coffee , or smart bulbs that create cool colors in the living room .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often leaves sweet little notes around the house for me .
The downside is , he has zero ambition , zero motivation and no life goals .
We are in our early 30s , and I ’ m a professional with my own home .
He lives in a small room in a house with two housemates .
His job pays very little , but although he has few responsibilities , he has been very slow to look for other jobs .
Abby , I have talked to him about our future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I told him I am not going to support him .
We want to move in together , but he needs to be more financially stable .
He needs to be my equal .
When we spoke , he agreed with me and the fact that he can do better .
He promised he would be looking , but I have been waiting months to see a change in him and — nothing .
Should I wait for him ?
Should I talk to him again ?
I want so much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can deliver .
I don ’ t want to stay just because my son loves him so much .
What should I do ?
DEAR HOPELESSLY : I understand your position .
You seem to want the whole package , and from what you have written , this person is not it .
You should not have to support him , and he shouldn ’ t expect it .
It appears that while the two of you care for each other , he simply can not summon up the motivation to make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you accept this in the long run ?
Is the status quo what you want forever ?
Bear in mind , if this man moves in , it will prevent you from finding a partner who is your equal in all ways .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: My son got married eight months ago. I recently found out he and his wife haven’t sent thank-you notes to anyone.
Some of our friends and family took time off work, traveled across the country, spent a lot of money on airfare, hotels, meals, as well as wedding gifts. I am mortified.
Abby, there were only 60 guests, so there were fewer than 30 thank-you notes to send.
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If they don’t do it within the next week, I intend to contact my friends and family and thank them myself and apologize for their rudeness. My son was not raised to be ungrateful and rude. What do you think?
FURIOUS IN ARIZONA
DEAR FURIOUS: What you have in mind may be well-intentioned, but it won’t make up for your son and daughter-in-law’s lack of courtesy.
If they fail to contact the guests who made such an effort to attend their wedding, do not speak up on their behalf because it will only make them look worse.
DEAR ABBY: I have been dating a great guy for a year and a half.
He’s funny, smart, and when he comes to my house, he washes my dishes and plays with my son. He is attentive, and he cooks for me. He is always buying me little things like a desk coffee heater because he knows I love hot coffee, or smart bulbs that create cool colors in the living room. He’s a super fun guy, and he often leaves sweet little notes around the house for me.
The downside is, he has zero ambition, zero motivation and no life goals.
We are in our early 30s, and I’m a professional with my own home. He lives in a small room in a house with two housemates. His job pays very little, but although he has few responsibilities, he has been very slow to look for other jobs.
Abby, I have talked to him about our future. We both want to be together, but I told him I am not going to support him. We want to move in together, but he needs to be more financially stable. He needs to be my equal.
When we spoke, he agreed with me and the fact that he can do better. He promised he would be looking, but I have been waiting months to see a change in him and — nothing.
Should I wait for him? Should I talk to him again? I want so much more, and I am not sure he can deliver. I don’t want to stay just because my son loves him so much. What should I do?
HOPELESSLY VEXED
DEAR HOPELESSLY: I understand your position. You seem to want the whole package, and from what you have written, this person is not it. You should not have to support him, and he shouldn’t expect it.
It appears that while the two of you care for each other, he simply cannot summon up the motivation to make the effort to better himself financially. Could you accept this in the long run? Is the status quo what you want forever? Bear in mind, if this man moves in, it will prevent you from finding a partner who is your equal in all ways.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-01-22--Four cases wrap up in federal effort to curb Tenderloin drug sales

SAN FRANCISCO — Four criminal cases filed by the U.S. Attorney ’ s office as part of an ongoing effort to reduce drug sales in the Tenderloin district have resulted in sentences ranging from four to 12 months , court records show .
The defendants were all described by prosecutors as low-level drug dealers , arrested after making cocaine or heroin sales to undercover officers for as little as $ 15 .
The sentences were handed down last week , and the defendants were among the first to be sentenced in the so-called Federal Initiative for the Tenderloin or FIT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Tenderloin Last August , Northern California District U.S. Attorney David Anderson the start of FIT , and said at a news conference a federal task force had found evidence of sophisticated drug trafficking rings were behind much of the drug sales in the neighborhood , many involving Honduran nationals , with narcotics being brought to the Bay Area to from Mexico .
Some of the drugs were held in Oakland by middlemen , before being brought to the Tenderloin to be sold .
These four defendants all came to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent to escape their poverty-stricken backgrounds .
Their attorneys described each of the defendant ’ s upbringings in similar terms , with descriptions of living in homes without running water , working menial jobs for as low as $ 2 per day , and being subjected to physical or sexual abuse .
The defendants included Jesus Flores , who was sentenced to time served — effectively , the five months he spent in county jail awaiting resolution in his case — for selling $ 15 worth of crack cocaine to an undercover officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and found , “ $ 932 and dozens of bindles of heroin and methamphetamine in his possession in a false-bottom can , ” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo .
Pedro Muncia — whose last name is also spelled “ Mancia ” in court records — was arrested the same day as Flores for selling $ 20 worth of heroin to an undercover officer .
He was found with , “ $ 996 , 18 bindles of heroin , 17 bindles of crack cocaine , and 4 bindles of methamphetamine in his possession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also sentenced to time already served .
Wilmer Lainez , 34 , was sentenced to 10 months in federal custody , after prosecutors noted his “ lengthy ” criminal history , which includes prior convictions for selling crack cocaine in San Francisco .
He was arrested in June , after an officer allegedly observed him make two fentanyl sales within a few minutes .
He was found with small amounts of various drugs , as well as $ 982 and two cell phones , prosecutors say .
Lastly , Carlos Licona was sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail , in a case where he sold a little more than two grams of crack cocaine to an undercover officer for $ 18 .
He was arrested in July , two weeks after a prior arrest for , “ trying to sell cocaine base to police officers and threatening the owner of a business in front of which Licona was allegedly selling drugs , ” prosecutors said .
Sentencing memos in the four cases also revealed the tragic backstories behind each defendant ’ s arrest .
Licona , for instance , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Mateo and living in Oakland , and started selling drugs after losing that job , being robbed and beaten in Oakland , and being unable to gain reemployment for five months .
Each defendant was living in abject poverty in Honduras before coming to the United States , and faced abuse , loved ones being killed , and other severe hardships , their attorneys wrote .
“ After attending school through only age 9 , Mr. Lainez began working in the fields to support his family , ” his attorney , assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sentencing memo .
“ The farming fields were the only consistent work available and the pay was meager at approximately $ 2 per day .
In light of these conditions , at just 16 years old , Mr. Lainez decided to make the dangerous journey north , hoping to be able to provide some financial support to his family .
”

SAN FRANCISCO — Four criminal cases filed by the U.S. Attorney’s office as part of an ongoing effort to reduce drug sales in the Tenderloin district have resulted in sentences ranging from four to 12 months, court records show.
The defendants were all described by prosecutors as low-level drug dealers, arrested after making cocaine or heroin sales to undercover officers for as little as $15. The sentences were handed down last week, and the defendants were among the first to be sentenced in the so-called Federal Initiative for the Tenderloin, or FIT, aimed at prosecuting drug traffickers specifically in the Tenderloin.
Last August, Northern California District U.S. Attorney David Anderson announced the start of FIT, and said at a news conference a federal task force had found evidence of sophisticated drug trafficking rings were behind much of the drug sales in the neighborhood, many involving Honduran nationals, with narcotics being brought to the Bay Area from Mexico. Some of the drugs were held in Oakland by middlemen, before being taken to the Tenderloin to be sold.
These four defendants all came to the United States from Honduras, all with the intent to escape their poverty-stricken backgrounds. Their attorneys described each of the defendant’s upbringings in similar terms, with descriptions of living in homes without running water, working menial jobs for as low as $2 per day and being subjected to physical or sexual abuse.
The defendants included Jesus Flores, who was sentenced to time served — effectively, the five months he spent in county jail awaiting resolution in his case — for selling $15 worth of crack cocaine to an undercover officer on Aug. 22. Authorities searched him and found “$932 and dozens of bindles of heroin and methamphetamine in his possession in a false-bottom can,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo.
Pedro Muncia, whose last name is also spelled “Mancia” in court records, was arrested the same day as Flores for selling $20 worth of heroin to an undercover officer. He was found with “$996, 18 bindles of heroin, 17 bindles of crack cocaine and four bindles of methamphetamine in his possession,” prosecutors say, and also was sentenced to time already served.
Wilmer Lainez, 34, was sentenced to 10 months in federal custody, after prosecutors noted his “lengthy” criminal history, which includes prior convictions for selling crack cocaine in San Francisco. He was arrested in June, after an officer allegedly observed him make two fentanyl sales within a few minutes. He was found with small amounts of various drugs, as well as $982 and two cellphones, prosecutors say.
Lastly, Carlos Licona was sentenced to one year and one day in jail, in a case where he sold a little more than two grams of crack cocaine to an undercover officer for $18. He was arrested in July, two weeks after an earlier arrest for “trying to sell cocaine base to police officers and threatening the owner of a business in front of which Licona was allegedly selling drugs,” prosecutors said.
Sentencing memos in the four cases also revealed the tragic backstories behind each defendant’s arrest. Licona, for instance, had been working at a laundry company in San Mateo and living in Oakland, and started selling drugs after losing that job, being robbed and beaten in Oakland, and being unable to gain re-employment for five months.
Each defendant was living in abject poverty in Honduras before coming to the United States, and faced abuse, loved ones being killed and other severe hardships, their attorneys wrote.
“After attending school through only age 9, Mr. Lainez began working in the fields to support his family,” his attorney, assistant public defender Sophia Whiting, wrote in a sentencing memo. “The farming fields were the only consistent work available and the pay was meager at approximately $2 per day. In light of these conditions, at just 16 years old, Mr. Lainez decided to make the dangerous journey north, hoping to be able to provide some financial support to his family.”


mercurynews--2020-01-22--McConnell backs off, abruptly eases impeachment trial limits

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The U.S. Senate plunged into President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial on Tuesday with Republicans abruptly abandoning plans to cram opening arguments into two late-night sessions and Democrats arguing for more witnesses to expose Trump ’ s “ trifecta ” of offenses .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stunned fellow senators and delayed the start of the proceedings with his decision to back off some of his proposed rules .
He acted after protests from senators , including fellow Republicans , who were concerned about the optics of middle of the night sessions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican leader and the president ’ s legal team , exposing a crack within the GOP ranks and the political unease over the historic impeachment proceedings unfolding amid a watchful public in an election year .
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 .
Senators sat silently at their desks , under oath to do “ impartial justice.
” No cellphones or other electronics were allowed Instead of McConnell ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of opening arguments for each side will be spread over three days , giving Democrats momentum as they push to break the standoff over calling new witnesses .
As the visitors ’ gallery filled with guests , actress-and-activist Alyssa Milano among them , and Trump ’ s most ardent House allies lining the back rows , the day swiftly took on the cadence of a trial proceeding over whether the president ’ s actions toward Ukraine warranted removal from office .
Without comment , the Republican leader submitted an amended proposal after meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial opened .
The handwritten changes would add an extra day for each side ’ s opening arguments and stipulate that evidence from the Democratic House ’ s impeachment hearings be included in the record .
There is still deep disagreement about calling additional witnesses .
“ It ’ s time to start with this trial , ” said White House Counsel Pat Cipollone , the president ’ s lead lawyer in brief remarks as the proceedings opened in public .
S enate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York offered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules — a proposal to issue a subpoena to the White House for “ all documents , communications and other records ” relating to the Ukraine matter .
It was rejected by Republicans , tabled on a party line vote 53-47 .
Schumer then offered a second amendment , seeking documents from the State Department .
It , too , was turned back on the same 53-47 vote .
A spokeswoman for Republican Sen. Susan Collins said that she and others had raised concerns about the restrictive rules McConnell had proposed..
The Maine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said spokeswoman Annie Clark .
Collins , Sen .
Rob Portman of Ohio and a substantial number of other Republicans from across the party ’ s ideological spectrum wanted to make the changes , according to two people familiar with the matter but unauthorized to discuss it in public .
Some argued that the two-day limitation would have helped Democrats cast Republicans as squeezing testimony through in the dead of night .
The turnaround was a swift lesson as White House wishes run into the reality of the Senate .
The White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 miles away , as he returned to his hotel at a global leaders conference in Davos , Switzerland .
That ’ s the transcript of his phone call in which he asked new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for “ a favor.
” A whistleblower ’ s complaint led the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of abuse of power for pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden as the White House was withholding military aid from the U.S. ally at war with bordering Russia .
The Democrats cite that transcript as solid evidence against Trump , though he repeatedly describes it as “ perfect.
” Democrats had warned that the rules package from Trump ’ s ally , the Senate GOP leader , could force midnight sessions that would keep most Americans in the dark and create a sham proceeding .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair trial , this is the process for a rigged trial ” Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Ca.
, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee leading the prosecution , told reporters .
He called it a “ cover-up.
” Schiff opened his arguments before the Senate playing a video of Trump calling for more witnesses to testify .
Schiff noted the sudden change in proposed rules , made moments before he rose to address the chamber .
“ The facts will come out in the end , ” Schiff told the senators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ come out in time ?
” McConnell said , “ The president ’ s lawyers will finally receive a level playing field , ” contrasting it with the House impeachment inquiry .
The rare impeachment trial , unfolding in an election year , is testing whether Trump ’ s actions toward Ukraine warrant removal at the same time that voters are forming their own verdict on his White House .
Four senators who are presidential candidates are off the campaign trail , seated as jurors .
“ My focus is going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Vermont independent , told reporters .
He said his supporters would keep working “ to defeat the most dangerous president in American history.
” The Democrats say the prospect of middle-of-the-night proceedings , without allowing new witnesses or even the voluminous House records into the trial , would leave the public without crucial information about Trump ’ s political pressure campaign on Ukraine and the White House ’ s obstruction of the House impeachment probe .
Trump ’ s legal team doesn ’ t dispute Trump ’ s actions — that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a “ favor ” during a July 25 phone call .
In fact , the lawyers included the rough transcript of Trump ’ s conversation as part of its 110-page trial brief submitted ahead of the proceedings .
Instead the lawyers for the president , led Cipollone and a TV-famous legal team including Alan Dershowitz , say the two charges against the president don ’ t amount to impeachable offenses and Trump committed no crime .
Democrats in prosecuting the case against the president point in particular to a General Accountability Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal law by stalling money to Ukraine that had been approved by Congress .
Roberts administered the oath to one remaining senator , James Inhofe , who was attending a family medical issue in Oklahoma last week when the other senators vowed the oath and signed the oath book .
Also Tuesday , the House Democratic managers overseeing the impeachment case asked Cipollone , the president ’ s lead lawyer at the trial , to disclose any “ first-hand knowledge ” he has of the charges against Trump .
They said evidence gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ material witness ” to the allegations at hand .
House Democrats impeached the Republican president last month on two charges : abuse of power by withholding U.S. military aid to Ukraine as he pressed the country to investigate Biden , and obstruction of Congress by refusing to cooperate with their investigation .
No president has ever been removed from office by the Senate .
With its 53-47 Republican majority , the Senate is not expected to mount the two-thirds voted needed for conviction .
Even if it did , the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ unconstitutional conviction ” because the articles of impeachment were too broad .
Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman , Mary Clare Jalonick , Alan Fram , Andrew Taylor , Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama in Washington and 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--2020-01-21--Planned Parenthood backs Gideon’s run to oust Sen. Collins

PORTLAND , Maine — Planned Parenthood on Tuesday endorsed a Democratic challenger to Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , saying Collins “ turned her back ” on women and citing her vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court as well as other judicial nominees who oppose abortion .
Sara Gideon , speaker of the Maine House of Representatives , welcomed the endorsement from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund .
“ There ’ s never been a more important time to stand up for reproductive rights , ” she said , in the face of “ systematic attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins , who was honored by Planned Parenthood as recently as 2017 as “ an outspoken champion for women ’ s health , ” is facing perhaps the toughest reelection fight of her career .
Critics have vowed they won ’ t forget her key vote for Kavanaugh , whose nomination survived an accusation that he sexually assaulted someone in high school .
“ From her decisive vote to confirm Kavanaugh to her refusal to stop Republican attacks on our health and rights , it ’ s clear that she has turned her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Alexis McGill Johnson , acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood .
She said Collins “ has abandoned not only the people of Maine , but women across the country.
” The Collins campaign said Planned Parenthood has changed and become more partisan , noting that no Republicans have won its endorsement .
“ Senator Collins has not changed , but leadership at Planned Parenthood certainly has , ” Collins campaign spokesman Kevin Kelley said .
“ It ’ s sad that the group is now run by far left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics than bipartisan policies that provide health care to women.
” The endorsement was one of several announced Tuesday , the day before the anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion legal .
The Planned Parenthood Action Fund also is backing Democrat Jaime Harrison , who ’ s seeking to unseat GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , and Democrat Barbara Bollier , who ’ s running for an open Senate seat in Kansas .
Collins has supported funding for Planned Parenthood , and she received its endorsement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
She was honored by the group in 2017 with its Barry Goldwater Award to a public official who has acted as a leader within the Republican Party to support Planned Parenthood .
“ Senator Collins has been an outspoken champion for women ’ s health .
Thanks to Senator Collins ’ steadfast commitment to her constituents , tens of thousands of women in Maine and millions of women across the country still have access to essential health care , ” Cecile Richards , then-president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year before the Kavanaugh vote .
Her relationship with the organization has gone downhill since then .
The 67-year-old Collins said Kavanaugh , who denied the sexual assault allegation , vowed to respect precedent including the Roe v. Wade ruling .
But Planned Parenthood contends 26 proposals to limit abortions have been adopted in 17 states since then .
Gideon , meanwhile , supports Medicaid expansion and expanded health care for women and has vowed to continue “ the fight to protect and expand reproductive rights.
” “ As a former Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to get the care you need from a trusted provider and how hurtful it is to see your provider attacked by extremist politicians , ” Nicole Clegg , of Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund , said in a statement .
Money is already pouring into the Senate race .
Collins is considered among the most vulnerable Republican senators in the nation , a new position for her in a state where rising polarization and partisanship is clashing with a culture of independence .
Gideon is backed by the Democratic Senatorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Betsy Sweet , attorney Bre Kidman , former Google executive Ross LaJeunesse and travel agent Michael Bunker in the Democratic primary .
Sweet said she supports Planned Parenthood “ wholeheartedly , ” but feels the organization has “ overlooked my work fighting for women ’ s reproductive rights for almost four decades to side with the Washington establishment.
” Kidman also expressed disappointment Tuesday , saying that when her team reached out , she was told that Planned Parenthood Action Fund “ intended to remain neutral in the primary.
” • Officials confirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the frosty wilds of Alaska , the 2020 census gets underway “ As one of the first greeters at the Planned Parenthood health center in Portland , I physically protected patients ’ rights to access reproductive healthcare in sun , rain , sleet , and snow — often bodily shielding people from encounters with protestors , ” she said in a statement .
A spokesperson for the Planned Parenthood Action Fund said the Kidman campaign has not been in touch with the organization regarding her candidacy .
Both Collins and Gideon already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
Tracking firm Advertising Analytics projects that the candidates and outside groups will spend $ 55 million on ads by Election Day .

By David Sharp | Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine — Planned Parenthood on Tuesday endorsed a Democratic challenger to Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, saying Collins “turned her back” on women and citing her vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court as well as other judicial nominees who oppose abortion.
Sara Gideon, speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, welcomed the endorsement from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “There’s never been a more important time to stand up for reproductive rights,” she said, in the face of “systematic attacks on reproductive rights across the country.
Collins, who was honored by Planned Parenthood as recently as 2017 as “an outspoken champion for women’s health,” is facing perhaps the toughest reelection fight of her career. Critics have vowed they won’t forget her key vote for Kavanaugh, whose nomination survived an accusation that he sexually assaulted someone in high school.
“From her decisive vote to confirm Kavanaugh to her refusal to stop Republican attacks on our health and rights, it’s clear that she has turned her back on those she should be championing,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood . She said Collins “has abandoned not only the people of Maine, but women across the country.”
The Collins campaign said Planned Parenthood has changed and become more partisan, noting that no Republicans have won its endorsement.
“Senator Collins has not changed, but leadership at Planned Parenthood certainly has,” Collins campaign spokesman Kevin Kelley said. “It’s sad that the group is now run by far left activists who would rather focus on partisan politics than bipartisan policies that provide health care to women.”
The endorsement was one of several announced Tuesday, the day before the anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion legal. The Planned Parenthood Action Fund also is backing Democrat Jaime Harrison, who’s seeking to unseat GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Democrat Barbara Bollier, who’s running for an open Senate seat in Kansas.
Collins has supported funding for Planned Parenthood, and she received its endorsement once before, in her 2002 reelection campaign. She was honored by the group in 2017 with its Barry Goldwater Award to a public official who has acted as a leader within the Republican Party to support Planned Parenthood.
“Senator Collins has been an outspoken champion for women’s health. Thanks to Senator Collins’ steadfast commitment to her constituents, tens of thousands of women in Maine and millions of women across the country still have access to essential health care,” Cecile Richards, then-president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said at the time, about a year before the Kavanaugh vote.
Her relationship with the organization has gone downhill since then.
The 67-year-old Collins said Kavanaugh, who denied the sexual assault allegation, vowed to respect precedent including the Roe v. Wade ruling. But Planned Parenthood contends 26 proposals to limit abortions have been adopted in 17 states since then.
Gideon, meanwhile, supports Medicaid expansion and expanded health care for women and has vowed to continue “the fight to protect and expand reproductive rights.”
“As a former Planned Parenthood patient, she knows what it means to be able to get the care you need from a trusted provider and how hurtful it is to see your provider attacked by extremist politicians,” Nicole Clegg, of Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, said in a statement.
Money is already pouring into the Senate race. Collins is considered among the most vulnerable Republican senators in the nation, a new position for her in a state where rising polarization and partisanship is clashing with a culture of independence.
Gideon is backed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. But she faces activist Betsy Sweet, attorney Bre Kidman, former Google executive Ross LaJeunesse and travel agent Michael Bunker in the Democratic primary.
Sweet said she supports Planned Parenthood “wholeheartedly,” but feels the organization has “overlooked my work fighting for women’s reproductive rights for almost four decades to side with the Washington establishment.”
Kidman also expressed disappointment Tuesday, saying that when her team reached out, she was told that Planned Parenthood Action Fund “intended to remain neutral in the primary.”
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Giuliani: Legal quagmires have left him broke National News | Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives “As one of the first greeters at the Planned Parenthood health center in Portland, I physically protected patients’ rights to access reproductive healthcare in sun, rain, sleet, and snow — often bodily shielding people from encounters with protestors,” she said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the Planned Parenthood Action Fund said the Kidman campaign has not been in touch with the organization regarding her candidacy.
Both Collins and Gideon already have raised millions of dollars for the race. Tracking firm Advertising Analytics projects that the candidates and outside groups will spend $55 million on ads by Election Day.


mercurynews--2020-01-21--Hall of Fame: Barry Bonds falls short, but Derek Jeter voted into Cooperstown

Barry Bonds , down to the final three outs of his candidacy on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot , struck out again on Tuesday .
Baseball ’ s greatest player of the past quarter century , Bonds ’ path to Cooperstown continues to be compromised by performance-enhancing drug accusations as he was named on 60.7 percent of the Baseball Writers Association of America ballots , still well shy of the necessary 75 percent for the hallowed hall .
The former Giants star , who left Major League Baseball in 2007 as its all-time home run leader with 762 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more times before dropping off .
However , the Hall ’ s doors did swing open for another iconic star Tuesday when former Yankees great Derek Jeter was voted in after earning 99.7 percent of the vote .
Jeter , a 14-time All-Star and five-time world champion , was just one vote shy of joining former Yankees teammate Mariano Rivera , who last year became the first player to be unanimously selected to the Hall of Fame .
Only one of the 397 voters didn ’ t cast a vote for Jeter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who won three National League batting titles , was also inducted as he received 77.6 percent of the votes while making it by just six votes .
Jeter and Walker will be joined at the induction ceremonies in New York on July 26 by former catcher Ted Simmons and the late Marvin Miller , former head of the players association , both of whom were elected by the Modern Baseball Era Committee last month .
Despite Bonds missing the cut for the eighth straight year , he is still trending toward induction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sixth straight year .
He was named on 59.1 percent of the ballots last year after appearing on 56.4 percent of them two years ago .
The good news for Bonds , a seven-time MVP winner who remains in the conversation of the game ’ s all-time greats , Hall of Fame history has shown that rarely has a player received at least 50 percent of the vote and not get in eventually .
Then again , there ’ s never been such a polarizing candidate like Bonds , the most feared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chunk of his 22-year career , and then the game ’ s most reviled after being accused of taking shortcuts ( PEDs ) to further stardom .
Still , Pete Rose , another baseball pariah who ’ s been banned from the game the past 30 years for illegal gambling , feels not having Bonds in Cooperstown is a great injustice .
“ If Barry Bonds isn ’ t a Hall of Famer , you shouldn ’ t have a Hall of Fame , ” Rose told 95.7 The Game after Bonds didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
Although Bonds never failed a drug test , he was implicated in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative ( BALCO ) scandal and later convicted of obstruction of justice in 2011 before having that charge dropped .
He testified he unwittingly used performance-enhancing drugs .
We can point to more than one of Bonds ’ records to argue for his inclusion into the Hall , but there ’ s no denying there ’ s one paragraph on writers ’ ballots that ’ s keeping him out : “ Voting shall be based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing ability , integrity , sportsmanship , character , and contributions to the team ( s ) on which the player played.
” So , instead of voting for the man who was a 14-time All-Star , 12-time Silver Slugger and eight-time Gold Glove winner , voters are still casting a vote for morality by not including Bonds on their ballots .
Roger Clemens , arguably the top pitcher in baseball over the past 25 years , has been joined at the hip with Bonds in suspicion and castigation , also failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight year .
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner , who was also widely suspected of PED usage , was named on 61.0 percent of the ballots Tuesday .
Ex-Diamondbacks and Red Sox pitching star Curt Schilling earned the third-most votes ( 70 percent ) but came up 20 votes shy of making it in on his eighth try .
Slick-fielding former Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel , an 11-time Gold Glove winner , earned 52.6 percent of the vote .
Jeff Kent , another former Giants infielder , saw his vote percentage total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27.5 percent on Tuesday .
Onetime A ’ s slugger Jason Giambi , who admitted to steroid usage during his career , was named on just six of the 368 ballots in his first year of eligibility .
He and former A ’ s teammate Eric Chavez , who received just one vote , will fall off the ballot since they came up short of the necessary 5 percent of the vote to remain eligible .
Should both Bonds and Clemens fail to receive at least 75 percent of the vote in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still another road to Cooperstown open for them — the Today ’ s Game veteran ’ s committee , which meets twice every five years .
Bonds and Clemens would be eligible for the 10-person ballot in December of 2023 for potential inclusion in the 2024 class .
The committee voting process has been more forgiving for many candidates who were overlooked for various reasons as just 12 votes from the 16-person committee is needed to join Cooperstown ’ s elite .
Former A ’ s designated hitter Harold Baines was voted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with closer Lee Smith .
• Hall of Fame : Larry Walker ’ s enshrinement , Astros cheating scandal and a path for Barry Bonds • Giants continue to take players from the Angels , add starting pitcher to the mix • Beltrán out with Mets in wake of sign-stealing scandal For Bonds , Clemens and others who came up short on Tuesday , next year ’ s potential ballot won ’ t include any new , sure-fire Hall of Famer .
That could make things easier for the holdovers to receive the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2021 ballot in terms of career WAR include former A ’ s and Giants starter Tim Hudson ( 58.1 WAR ) and ex-White Sox starter Mark Buehrle ( 59.2 WAR ) .
Other notable names who should appear on the next ballot for the first time include another ex-A ’ s and Giants starter — Barry Zito — as well as outfielder Torii Hunter .

Barry Bonds, down to the final three outs of his candidacy on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, struck out again on Tuesday.
Baseball’s greatest player of the past quarter century, Bonds’ path to Cooperstown continues to be compromised by performance-enhancing drug accusations as he was named on 60.7 percent of the Baseball Writers Association of America ballots, still well shy of the necessary 75 percent for the hallowed hall.
The former Giants star, who left Major League Baseball in 2007 as its all-time home run leader with 762, will appear on the ballot just two more times before dropping off.
However, the Hall’s doors did swing open for another iconic star Tuesday when former Yankees great Derek Jeter was voted in after earning 99.7 percent of the vote. Jeter, a 14-time All-Star and five-time world champion, was just one vote shy of joining former Yankees teammate Mariano Rivera, who last year became the first player to be unanimously selected to the Hall of Fame. Only one of the 397 voters didn’t cast a vote for Jeter.
Meanwhile, former Rockies slugger Larry Walker, who won three National League batting titles, was also inducted as he received 77.6 percent of the votes while making it by just six votes.
Jeter and Walker will be joined at the induction ceremonies in New York on July 26 by former catcher Ted Simmons and the late Marvin Miller, former head of the players association, both of whom were elected by the Modern Baseball Era Committee last month.
Despite Bonds missing the cut for the eighth straight year, he is still trending toward induction as his voting totals have increased for the sixth straight year. He was named on 59.1 percent of the ballots last year after appearing on 56.4 percent of them two years ago. The good news for Bonds, a seven-time MVP winner who remains in the conversation of the game’s all-time greats, Hall of Fame history has shown that rarely has a player received at least 50 percent of the vote and not get in eventually.
Then again, there’s never been such a polarizing candidate like Bonds, the most feared player in the game for a large chunk of his 22-year career, and then the game’s most reviled after being accused of taking shortcuts (PEDs) to further stardom.
Still, Pete Rose, another baseball pariah who’s been banned from the game the past 30 years for illegal gambling, feels not having Bonds in Cooperstown is a great injustice.
“If Barry Bonds isn’t a Hall of Famer, you shouldn’t have a Hall of Fame,” Rose told 95.7 The Game after Bonds didn’t make the cut a year ago.
Although Bonds never failed a drug test, he was implicated in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) scandal and later convicted of obstruction of justice in 2011 before having that charge dropped. He testified he unwittingly used performance-enhancing drugs.
We can point to more than one of Bonds’ records to argue for his inclusion into the Hall, but there’s no denying there’s one paragraph on writers’ ballots that’s keeping him out:
“Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.”
So, instead of voting for the man who was a 14-time All-Star, 12-time Silver Slugger and eight-time Gold Glove winner, voters are still casting a vote for morality by not including Bonds on their ballots.
Roger Clemens, arguably the top pitcher in baseball over the past 25 years, has been joined at the hip with Bonds in suspicion and castigation, also failed to gain entry into Cooperstown for the eighth straight year. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner, who was also widely suspected of PED usage, was named on 61.0 percent of the ballots Tuesday.
Ex-Diamondbacks and Red Sox pitching star Curt Schilling earned the third-most votes (70 percent) but came up 20 votes shy of making it in on his eighth try. Slick-fielding former Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove winner, earned 52.6 percent of the vote.
Jeff Kent, another former Giants infielder, saw his vote percentage total jump from 18 percent last season to 27.5 percent on Tuesday.
Onetime A’s slugger Jason Giambi, who admitted to steroid usage during his career, was named on just six of the 368 ballots in his first year of eligibility. He and former A’s teammate Eric Chavez, who received just one vote, will fall off the ballot since they came up short of the necessary 5 percent of the vote to remain eligible.
Should both Bonds and Clemens fail to receive at least 75 percent of the vote in their final two tries, there’s still another road to Cooperstown open for them — the Today’s Game veteran’s committee, which meets twice every five years. Bonds and Clemens would be eligible for the 10-person ballot in December of 2023 for potential inclusion in the 2024 class.
The committee voting process has been more forgiving for many candidates who were overlooked for various reasons as just 12 votes from the 16-person committee is needed to join Cooperstown’s elite. Former A’s designated hitter Harold Baines was voted in last year by the committee, along with closer Lee Smith.
For Bonds, Clemens and others who came up short on Tuesday, next year’s potential ballot won’t include any new, sure-fire Hall of Famer. That could make things easier for the holdovers to receive the necessary vote.
The top candidates for the 2021 ballot in terms of career WAR include former A’s and Giants starter Tim Hudson (58.1 WAR) and ex-White Sox starter Mark Buehrle (59.2 WAR). Other notable names who should appear on the next ballot for the first time include another ex-A’s and Giants starter — Barry Zito — as well as outfielder Torii Hunter.


mercurynews--2020-01-21--Walnut Creek police investigate shooting; victim expected to survive

WALNUT CREEK — Police said they are investigating a shooting Monday evening that left a victim in critical condition at @ @ @ @ @ attempted murder .
In a statement Tuesday afternoon , police said officers responded to Parkside @ @ @ @ @ 5:54 p.m. Monday for a report of a shooting .
When officers arrived within five @ @ @ @ @ bullet casings on Riviera near Parkside , and soon learned that a person suffering from @ @ @ @ @ had been dropped off at a hospital .
Police said the victim was listed in @ @ @ @ @ survive .
Despite an investigation just in its early stages , investigators believe there is @ @ @ @ @ Anyone with information should call Walnut Creek police Det .
Kim Gerstner at 925-943-5878 and @ @ @ @ @ .

WALNUT CREEK — Police said they are investigating a shooting Monday evening that left a victim in critical condition at an area hospital as an attempted murder.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, police said officers responded to Parkside Drive and Riveria Drive at 5:54 p.m. Monday for a report of a shooting.
When officers arrived within five minutes, they found several bullet casings on Riviera near Parkside, and soon learned that a person suffering from at least one gunshot wound had been dropped off at a hospital.
Police said the victim was listed in critical condition but expected to survive.
Despite an investigation just in its early stages, investigators believe there is no ongoing public threat.
Anyone with information should call Walnut Creek police Det. Kim Gerstner at 925-943-5878 and reference Case No. 20-2269.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-01-21--Hall of Fame: Larry Walker’s enshrinement, Astros cheating scandal and a path for Barry Bonds

The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 2020 class on Tuesday and for the eighth straight season , the all-time home run king failed to receive the votes needed for enshrinement .
Barry Bonds will not join Derek Jeter and Larry Walker at a ceremony in Cooperstown this summer , but the San Francisco Giants legend did inch slightly closer to the 75 percent threshold .
Bonds received votes from 60.7 percent of the electorate , up from 59.1 percent a year ago and 36.2 percent in 2013 , the first year he appeared on the Hall of Fame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive sign for Bonds , but it remains unlikely that he ’ ll gain enough ground in the final two years he ’ s slated to appear on the ballot .
A pair of Bonds ’ former Giants teammates , Jeff Kent and Omar Vizquel , also received a higher percentage of votes this year , and while Vizquel appears to be within striking distance of enshrinement , Kent has a long way to go to be elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America .
Kent received 27.5 percent of votes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vizquel jumped from 42.8 percent last year to 52.6 percent this year .
Voters ’ reluctance to overwhelmingly support Bonds doesn ’ t come as a surprise to anyone who has followed his candidacy closely , but the tide might be turning ever-so-slightly in Bonds ’ favor .
While a certain percentage of voters have vowed to never vote for Bonds or pitcher Roger Clemens due to their ties to baseball ’ s steroid scandal in the 2000s , younger voters who have recently joined the electorate have typically checked the box next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot .
The BBWAA electorate isn ’ t expected to substantially change over the next two years , but a handful of new voters plus a variety of other factors could create a path for Bonds to be enshrined in 2022 , which is when he will appear on the writers ’ ballot for the final time .
The strides Walker , a former Expos , Rockies and Cardinals outfielder , made in his final year on the ballot show what ’ s possible when voters consider a player ’ s candidacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Walker ’ s name was checked on just 34.1 percent of ballots , but that total climbed by 20.5 percent last year and 22.2 percent in 2020 , which earned him just enough support to clear the 75 percent barrier .
A strong social media push for Walker , a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner and three-time batting champion , aided his cause , and so did a ballot that didn ’ t include as many players who boasted superior talents .
Having more talent than his peers , however , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s unrealistic to expect Bonds ’ non-voters will convert into voters at a similar rate over the next two seasons .
What Bonds needs is a change of heart from a significant portion of the electorate , which might be more likely than it once was .
As a new cheating scandal rocks baseball , three managers –A.J .
Hinch , Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran– have already lost their jobs due to the fallout from sign-stealing schemes that provided unfair advantages .
Beltran was fired from his position with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chance to manage a game , and there ’ s little doubt that his upcoming Hall of Fame candidacy will be impacted by the fallout from his role in helping the Houston Astros steal signs .
Beltran , a nine-time All-Star with 436 career home runs and 20 seasons of playing experience , isn ’ t the only Astros player who will be perceived differently due to his role in baseball ’ s latest scandal .
It ’ s fair to wonder how voters will judge the careers of stars such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly benefitted from a scheme that has called the integrity of Houston ’ s 2017 World Series title into question .
As some major league pitchers have insisted on social media , they would rather face a batter who knowingly took steroids than a batter who knows what pitch is coming next .
Some voters will ultimately decide that no player ever tied to a serious scandal is worthy of Hall of Fame support , but others may say it ’ s impossible to tell the story of baseball at the Hall of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Clemens and Beltran .
It ’ s difficult to know exactly how many voters will be open to reconsidering Bonds ’ candidacy when his last turn on the ballot arrives in 2022 , but we do know that being elected by BBWAA voters is not the only path for the Hall of Fame .
A 16-person “ Today ’ s Game Committee ” comprised of members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame , executives , and veteran media members will meet in December , 2023 to weigh the candidacies of players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot .
If Bonds isn ’ t elected by the voting body in 2022 , he stands a chance to be enshrined anyway .

The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 2020 class on Tuesday and for the eighth straight season, the all-time home run king failed to receive the votes needed for enshrinement.
Barry Bonds will not join Derek Jeter and Larry Walker at a ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, this summer, but the San Francisco Giants legend did inch slightly closer to the 75 percent threshold.
Bonds received votes from 60.7 percent of the electorate, up from 59.1 percent a year ago and 36.2 percent in 2013, the first year he appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot. The slight uptick is a positive sign for Bonds, but it remains unlikely that he’ll gain enough ground in the final two years he’s slated to appear on the ballot.
A pair of Bonds’ former Giants teammates, Jeff Kent and Omar Vizquel, also received a higher percentage of votes this year, and while Vizquel appears to be within striking distance of enshrinement, Kent has a long way to go to be elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Kent received 27.5 percent of votes, up from 18.1 percent in 2019 while Vizquel jumped from 42.8 percent last year to 52.6 percent this year.
Voters’ reluctance to overwhelmingly support Bonds doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has followed his candidacy closely, but the tide might be turning ever-so-slightly in Bonds’ favor. While a certain percentage of voters have vowed to never vote for Bonds or pitcher Roger Clemens due to their ties to baseball’s steroid scandal in the 2000s, younger voters who have recently joined the electorate have typically checked the box next to each player’s name on the ballot.
The BBWAA electorate isn’t expected to substantially change over the next two years, but a handful of new voters plus a variety of other factors could create a path for Bonds to be enshrined in 2022, which is when he will appear on the writers’ ballot for the final time.
The strides Walker, a former Expos, Rockies and Cardinals outfielder, made in his final year on the ballot show what’s possible when voters consider a player’s candidacy for the final time. In 2018, Walker’s name was checked on just 34.1 percent of ballots, but that total climbed by 20.5 percent last year and 22.2 percent in 2020, which earned him just enough support to clear the 75 percent barrier.
A strong social media push for Walker, a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner and three-time batting champion, aided his cause, and so did a ballot that didn’t include as many players who boasted superior talents. Having more talent than his peers, however, has never been Bonds’ issue, so it’s unrealistic to expect Bonds’ non-voters will convert into voters at a similar rate over the next two seasons.
What Bonds needs is a change of heart from a significant portion of the electorate, which might be more likely than it once was.
As a new cheating scandal rocks baseball, three managers –A.J. Hinch, Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran– have already lost their jobs due to the fallout from sign-stealing schemes that provided unfair advantages. Beltran was fired from his position with the New York Mets before he ever had the chance to manage a game, and there’s little doubt that his upcoming Hall of Fame candidacy will be impacted by the fallout from his role in helping the Houston Astros steal signs.
Beltran, a nine-time All-Star with 436 career home runs and 20 seasons of playing experience, isn’t the only Astros player who will be perceived differently due to his role in baseball’s latest scandal. It’s fair to wonder how voters will judge the careers of stars such as Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve, who clearly benefitted from a scheme that has called the integrity of Houston’s 2017 World Series title into question.
As some major league pitchers have insisted on social media, they would rather face a batter who knowingly took steroids than a batter who knows what pitch is coming next.
I would rather face a player that was taking steroids than face a player that knew every pitch that was coming. — Alex Wood (@Awood45) January 16, 2020
Some voters will ultimately decide that no player ever tied to a serious scandal is worthy of Hall of Fame support, but others may say it’s impossible to tell the story of baseball at the Hall of Fame without including players such as Bonds, Clemens and Beltran.
It’s difficult to know exactly how many voters will be open to reconsidering Bonds’ candidacy when his last turn on the ballot arrives in 2022, but we do know that being elected by BBWAA voters is not the only path for the Hall of Fame.
A 16-person “Today’s Game Committee” comprised of members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, executives, and veteran media members will meet in December, 2023 to weigh the candidacies of players who were overlooked during their time on the ballot. If Bonds isn’t elected by the voting body in 2022, he stands a chance to be enshrined anyway.


mercurynews--2020-01-21--Redwood City: Car veers off road, bursts aflame killing one

REDWOOD CITY — A person died Tuesday in a solo crash after their white Dodge pick-up truck veered off Highway @ @ @ @ @ and burst into flames .
The California Highway Patrol said they could not readily identify @ @ @ @ @ the driver , who was traveling southbound on Highway 280 near the Trousdale Drive off-ramp @ @ @ @ @ The slow-lane on Highway 280 is currently closed as well as the Hillcrest Boulevard on-ramp @

MILLBRAE – A man died Tuesday afternoon when his pickup truck crashed and burst into flames along southbound Intestate 280 in Millbrae, the California Highway Patrol said.
The solo-vehicle collision was reported about 1:50 p.m. just north of Trousdale Drive.
CHP Officer Art Montiel said the pickup truck veered off the roadway, struck a tree and a light pole, and caught fire. The driver was burned by the fire and died at the scene.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Montiel noted the roadway was wet at the time.
In the wake of the collision, the CHP shut down the right lane of southbound I-280 as well as the onramp from Hillcrest Boulevard. The closures were lifted by about 5:25 p.m.
Anyone with information about the crash can contact the Redwood City CHP area office at 650-369-6261.