mercurynews--2020-06-21--California’s new coronavirus cases continue to rise; new deaths remain stable

California continued on a path of steadily increasing new COVID-19 cases , recording on Saturday the second-most new patients in a day .
Local health departments around the state reported 4,075 new positive tests , bringing the total to 174,802 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus across the state .
The 7-day average of daily cases reached another new high .
Across the state , 71 new deaths were reported , bringing the total deaths to 5,493 .
The 7-day average of daily deaths continued to hover between 60 and 70 , as it has been for the past three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average daily deaths of between 70 and 80 for most of April and May .
Alameda County continued a recent trend of reporting the most new cases in the greater Bay Area , adding 103 new yesterday , bringing their total to 4,805 .
Contra Costa County reported 92 new cases , the most new cases they have reported in a day .
Santa Clara County reported 60 new cases , and San Francisco County reported just 1 .
None of the counties in the greater Bay Area reported new deaths on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post any updated numbers .
Hospitalizations , one of the key metrics for tracking the virus , continued a week of day-to-day increases , and set a new record with 3,574 confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the state .
That is 77 more patients than the previous high of 3,497 confirmed COVID-19 patients reported on April 29 , and an increase of 80 patients from the day before .
• A ‘ second wave ’ of coronavirus cases ?
Not yet , Fauci and other experts say • The secret to happiness ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The numbers of patients in statewide ICUs also continued to increase over the past week , with 1,163 confirmed COVID-19 patients in intensive care units around the state on Saturday .
San Joaquin County had a big spike in new cases , reporting 593 on Saturday , bringing their county total to 2,519 .
The increasing cases and hospitalizations continue to be concentrated in certain counties , some tied to acute outbreaks of the novel coronavirus in crowded residential settings like long-term care facilities and prisons .
The number of Californians being tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with nearly 85,000 test results reported yesterday and more than 3.3 million tests conducted in the state so far .

California continued on a path of steadily increasing new COVID-19 cases, recording on Saturday the second-most new patients in a day.
Local health departments around the state reported 4,075 new positive tests, bringing the total to 174,802 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus across the state. The 7-day average of daily cases reached another new high.
Across the state, 71 new deaths were reported, bringing the total deaths to 5,493. The 7-day average of daily deaths continued to hover between 60 and 70, as it has been for the past three weeks, a slight improvement from the average daily deaths of between 70 and 80 for most of April and May.
Alameda County continued a recent trend of reporting the most new cases in the greater Bay Area, adding 103 new yesterday, bringing their total to 4,805. Contra Costa County reported 92 new cases, the most new cases they have reported in a day. Santa Clara County reported 60 new cases, and San Francisco County reported just 1.
None of the counties in the greater Bay Area reported new deaths on Saturday, although San Mateo County did not post any updated numbers.
Hospitalizations, one of the key metrics for tracking the virus, continued a week of day-to-day increases, and set a new record with 3,574 confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the state. That is 77 more patients than the previous high of 3,497 confirmed COVID-19 patients reported on April 29, and an increase of 80 patients from the day before.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The numbers of patients in statewide ICUs also continued to increase over the past week, with 1,163 confirmed COVID-19 patients in intensive care units around the state on Saturday.
San Joaquin County had a big spike in new cases, reporting 593 on Saturday, bringing their county total to 2,519. The increasing cases and hospitalizations continue to be concentrated in certain counties, some tied to acute outbreaks of the novel coronavirus in crowded residential settings like long-term care facilities and prisons.
The number of Californians being tested daily for coronavirus also continues to increase, with nearly 85,000 test results reported yesterday and more than 3.3 million tests conducted in the state so far.


mercurynews--2020-06-21--Top Canada university official quits after liking anti-Black Lives Matter tweets

OTTAWA , June 21 ( Reuters ) – A senior official at the University of British Columbia has resigned after he liked a series of Tweets that criticized the Black Lives Matter anti-racism campaign , the university and local media said .
Michael Korenberg , chair of the university ’ s board of governors , quit after a “ deeply hurtful ” incident , UBC vice chair Sandra Cawley said in a statement issued late on Saturday .
“ His decision comes after information that was publicized last week about his social media interactions that appeared to support regressive voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Korenberg resigned after The Ubyssey , UBC ’ s student newspaper , reported he had liked a series of tweets from U.S. conservative figures disparaging the Black Lives Matter campaign and Antifa , an umbrella term for primarily leftist anti-authoritarians .
Many Canadian cities have been the sites of anti-racism rallies in recent weeks , on the heels of similar protests in the United States .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians need to do more to address “ systemic racism.
” Last week he backed the leader of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House of Commons for branding a member of another party a racist .
Global News said Korenberg had issued a statement saying that “ while I do not support violence of any kind , I understand how my actions created questions about who I am and what I believed in.
” Korenberg , a veteran business executive and lawyer , was appointed to the UBC board in 2016 , elected chair in 2018 and was re-appointed in 2019 .
( Reporting by David Ljunggren Editing by Nick Zieminski )

OTTAWA – A senior official at the
University of British Columbia has resigned after he liked a
series of Tweets that criticized the Black Lives Matter
anti-racism campaign, the university and local media said.
Michael Korenberg, chair of the university’s board of
governors, quit after a “deeply hurtful” incident, UBC vice
chair Sandra Cawley said in a statement issued late on Saturday.
“His decision comes after information that was publicized
last week about his social media interactions that appeared to
support regressive voices online and undermine legitimate
protest,” she said.
Korenberg resigned after The Ubyssey, UBC’s student
newspaper, reported he had liked a series of tweets from U.S.
conservative figures disparaging the Black Lives Matter campaign
and Antifa, an umbrella term for primarily leftist
anti-authoritarians.
Many Canadian cities have been the sites of anti-racism
rallies in recent weeks, on the heels of similar protests in the
United States. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians need
to do more to address “systemic racism.”
Last week he backed the leader of an opposition party who
was ejected from the House of Commons for branding a member of
another party a racist.
Global News said Korenberg had issued a statement saying
that “while I do not support violence of any kind, I understand
how my actions created questions about who I am and what I
believed in.”
Korenberg, a veteran business executive and lawyer, was
appointed to the UBC board in 2016, elected chair in 2018 and
was re-appointed in 2019.
(Reporting by David Ljunggren
Editing by Nick Zieminski)


mercurynews--2020-06-21--Wilkinson: Justices who favor gun rights fear Roberts does not

Americans have been fighting over guns with growing intensity since the onset of the culture wars in the 1960s .
This week , the U.S. Supreme Court decided to sit back and let the battle rage .
The court opted not to hear 10 different gun rights cases , including some that would have enabled the justices to clarify key questions about the scope of the Second Amendment .
The court hasn ’ t decided a major gun rights case since 2010 , when it said the Second Amendment applies to states and cities .
Gun rights advocates , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in District of Columbia v. Heller , which established an individual right to gun possession , had hoped to rack up dozens of supplemental victories in the high court by now .
But something keeps stalling their progress .
It takes four justices to accept a case .
There seems little doubt that Justices Samuel Alito , Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas are strongly pro-gun rights .
Justice Brett Kavanaugh , when he was a member of a lower court , wrote an opinion so gung-ho , it reads like an audition for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( or perhaps a plea for NRA backing , which was subsequently rendered , for a seat on the high court ) .
So why did the court refuse to hear any cases ?
“ It wasn ’ t for want of a good case , ” Adam Winkler , a law professor at the University of California , Los Angeles , and author of a book on the long history of contention over gun rights in the U.S. , wrote on Twitter .
“ These 10 presented the justices with all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ( Second Amendment ) .
” Justice Antonin Scalia ’ s majority opinion in Heller left unanswered such basic questions as whether gun rights extend outside the home and whether high-powered , yet popular , semi-automatic rifles can be banned .
If the four pro-gun justices declined to accept cases to clarify those rights , Winkler suspects they fear that Chief Justice John Roberts would join the court ’ s four liberals to form a counter-majority .
“ The long and the short of it is that it is becoming increasingly clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an expansive reading of the Second Amendment , ” Winkler wrote .
Many gun rights in America are not national .
They depend primarily on where you live .
In Georgia , you can legally buy a gun from a sketchy dude in a parking lot , load it with ammunition you bought for cash with no questions asked and then walk into a bar across the street .
But if you live in California , you ’ ll find restrictions on what you can purchase — no large-capacity magazines or rifles that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you ’ d better be prepared for a background check on ammunition as well as firearm purchases .
Also , you ’ ll have to skip the bar .
“ Today ’ s decision leaves in place lower court rulings from multiple states across the country , upholding bans on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines , preserving strong standards for carrying guns in public , and upholding a range of state and federal gun laws , ” said Adam Skaggs , chief counsel and policy director at the Giffords Law Center to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appetite of several justices to take up new gun cases and expand the Second Amendment right , they will have to wait for another day .
That said , there is no shortage of other cases in the pipeline , so the court won ’ t have to wait too long before having another chance.
” The court ’ s reticence leaves politicians in charge .
In the wake of the Heller decision , states have moved in opposite directions on gun rights depending on whether they are dominated by Democrats or Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move across state lines , however , the red states ’ lax laws influence crime and violence everywhere .
A 2014 report found that 60 % of guns used to commit crimes in Chicago from 2009 to 2013 came from out of state .
The U.S. is home to a firearms industry that employs 150,000 people and generates $ 24 billion in direct economic impact , leaving plenty of money to invest in politics and law , as well as in marketing and public relations .
Besides , some Americans love guns the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because gun extremists are part of a reactionary coalition housed in one of the two main political parties , they are over-represented in U.S. politics .
The urge to restrain the pathologies of gun culture is similarly basic .
Roughly 100,000 Americans are shot each year , and both mass shootings and individual firearm deaths in the U.S. are so numerous , it ’ s become pointless even to compare them with those of any other developed nation .
Children die because parents leave loaded guns readily accessible .
In the face of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its political allies have one policy response : more guns , fewer restrictions .
The competing visions of gun rights are not easily reconciled .
Each rests on the shaky foundation of the Second Amendment , a clumsily composed non sequitur conjured in an age of crude technology .
The Supreme Court has opted , for now , to let the muddle prevail .
• Bay Area man convicted twice in 6 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm • Losing and finding my dad during the coronavirus pandemic • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our public officials honest

Americans have been fighting over guns with growing intensity since the onset of the culture wars in the 1960s. This week, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to sit back and let the battle rage. The court opted not to hear 10 different gun rights cases, including some that would have enabled the justices to clarify key questions about the scope of the Second Amendment.
The court hasn’t decided a major gun rights case since 2010, when it said the Second Amendment applies to states and cities. Gun rights advocates, their appetite whetted by the landmark 2008 ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller, which established an individual right to gun possession, had hoped to rack up dozens of supplemental victories in the high court by now. But something keeps stalling their progress.
It takes four justices to accept a case. There seems little doubt that Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas are strongly pro-gun rights. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, when he was a member of a lower court, wrote an opinion so gung-ho, it reads like an audition for a job with the National Rifle Association (or perhaps a plea for NRA backing, which was subsequently rendered, for a seat on the high court).
So why did the court refuse to hear any cases? “It wasn’t for want of a good case,” Adam Winkler, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and author of a book on the long history of contention over gun rights in the U.S., wrote on Twitter. “These 10 presented the justices with all the major open questions on the scope of the (Second Amendment).”
Justice Antonin Scalia’s majority opinion in Heller left unanswered such basic questions as whether gun rights extend outside the home and whether high-powered, yet popular, semi-automatic rifles can be banned. If the four pro-gun justices declined to accept cases to clarify those rights, Winkler suspects they fear that Chief Justice John Roberts would join the court’s four liberals to form a counter-majority.
“The long and the short of it is that it is becoming increasingly clear that Roberts is not in favor of an expansive reading of the Second Amendment,” Winkler wrote.
Many gun rights in America are not national. They depend primarily on where you live. In Georgia, you can legally buy a gun from a sketchy dude in a parking lot, load it with ammunition you bought for cash with no questions asked and then walk into a bar across the street. But if you live in California, you’ll find restrictions on what you can purchase — no large-capacity magazines or rifles that qualify as “assault weapons” — and you’d better be prepared for a background check on ammunition as well as firearm purchases. Also, you’ll have to skip the bar.
“Today’s decision leaves in place lower court rulings from multiple states across the country, upholding bans on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, preserving strong standards for carrying guns in public, and upholding a range of state and federal gun laws,” said Adam Skaggs, chief counsel and policy director at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. “Despite the appetite of several justices to take up new gun cases and expand the Second Amendment right, they will have to wait for another day. That said, there is no shortage of other cases in the pipeline, so the court won’t have to wait too long before having another chance.”
The court’s reticence leaves politicians in charge. In the wake of the Heller decision, states have moved in opposite directions on gun rights depending on whether they are dominated by Democrats or Republicans. Given the ease with which guns move across state lines, however, the red states’ lax laws influence crime and violence everywhere. A 2014 report found that 60% of guns used to commit crimes in Chicago from 2009 to 2013 came from out of state.
The U.S. is home to a firearms industry that employs 150,000 people and generates $24 billion in direct economic impact, leaving plenty of money to invest in politics and law, as well as in marketing and public relations. Besides, some Americans love guns the way others love their pets. And because gun extremists are part of a reactionary coalition housed in one of the two main political parties, they are over-represented in U.S. politics.
The urge to restrain the pathologies of gun culture is similarly basic. Roughly 100,000 Americans are shot each year, and both mass shootings and individual firearm deaths in the U.S. are so numerous, it’s become pointless even to compare them with those of any other developed nation. Children die because parents leave loaded guns readily accessible. In the face of mass death, the gun lobby and its political allies have one policy response: more guns, fewer restrictions.
The competing visions of gun rights are not easily reconciled. Each rests on the shaky foundation of the Second Amendment, a clumsily composed non sequitur conjured in an age of crude technology. The Supreme Court has opted, for now, to let the muddle prevail.


mercurynews--2020-06-21--A ‘second wave’ of coronavirus cases? Not yet, Fauci and other experts say

What ’ s all this talk about a “ second wave ” of U.S. coronavirus cases ?
In The Wall Street Journal last week , Vice President Mike Pence wrote in a piece headlined “ There Isn ’ t a Coronavirus ‘ Second Wave ’ ” that the nation is winning the fight against the virus .
Many public health experts , however , suggest it ’ s no time to celebrate .
About 120,000 Americans have died from the new virus and there are worrisome recent increases in reported cases in the South and West .
But there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Second wave ” is probably the wrong term to describe what ’ s happening .
“ When you have 20,000-plus infections per day , how can you talk about a second wave ?
” said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health .
“ We ’ re in the first wave .
Let ’ s get out of the first wave before you have a second wave.
” Clearly there was an initial infection peak in April as cases exploded in New York City .
After schools and businesses were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new cases dropped somewhat .
But “ it ’ s more of a plateau , or a mesa , ” not the trough after a wave , said Caitlin Rivers , a disease researcher at Johns Hopkins University ’ s Center for Health Security .
Scientists generally agree the nation is still in its first wave of coronavirus infections , albeit one that ’ s dipping in some parts of the country while rising in others .
“ This virus is spreading around the United States and hitting different places with different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Richard Besser , chief executive of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation who was acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when a pandemic flu hit the U.S. in 2009 .
“ What I would call this is continued transmission with flare-ups , ” he said .
Flu seasons sometimes feature a second wave of infections .
But in those cases , the second wave is a distinct new surge in cases from a strain of flu that is different than the strain that caused earlier illnesses .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic .
Monto doesn ’ t think “ second wave ” really describes what ’ s happening now , calling it “ totally semantics.
” “ Second waves are basically in the eye of the beholder , ” he said .
But Besser said semantics matter , because saying a first wave has passed may give people a false sense that the worst is over .
Some worry a large wave of coronavirus might occur this fall or winter — after schools reopen , the weather turns colder and less humid , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow seasonal patterns seen with flu and other respiratory viruses .
And such a fall wave could be very bad , given that there ’ s no vaccine or experts think most Americans haven ’ t had the virus .
But the new coronavirus so far has been spreading more episodically and sporadically than flu , and it may not follow the same playbook .
“ It ’ s very difficult to make a prediction , ” Rivers said .
“ We don ’ t know the degree to which this virus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

What’s all this talk about a “second wave” of U.S. coronavirus cases?
In The Wall Street Journal last week, Vice President Mike Pence wrote in a piece headlined “There Isn’t a Coronavirus ‘Second Wave’” that the nation is winning the fight against the virus.
Many public health experts, however, suggest it’s no time to celebrate. About 120,000 Americans have died from the new virus and there are worrisome recent increases in reported cases in the South and West.
But there is at least one point of agreement: “Second wave” is probably the wrong term to describe what’s happening.
“When you have 20,000-plus infections per day, how can you talk about a second wave?” said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health. “We’re in the first wave. Let’s get out of the first wave before you have a second wave.”
Clearly there was an initial infection peak in April as cases exploded in New York City. After schools and businesses were closed across the country, the rate of new cases dropped somewhat.
But “it’s more of a plateau, or a mesa,” not the trough after a wave, said Caitlin Rivers, a disease researcher at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Health Security.
Scientists generally agree the nation is still in its first wave of coronavirus infections, albeit one that’s dipping in some parts of the country while rising in others.
“This virus is spreading around the United States and hitting different places with different intensity at different times,” said Dr. Richard Besser, chief executive of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation who was acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when a pandemic flu hit the U.S. in 2009.
Dr. Arnold Monto, a University of Michigan flu expert, echoed that sentiment.
“What I would call this is continued transmission with flare-ups,” he said.
Flu seasons sometimes feature a second wave of infections. But in those cases, the second wave is a distinct new surge in cases from a strain of flu that is different than the strain that caused earlier illnesses.
That’s not the case in the coronavirus epidemic.
Monto doesn’t think “second wave” really describes what’s happening now, calling it “totally semantics.”
“Second waves are basically in the eye of the beholder,” he said.
But Besser said semantics matter, because saying a first wave has passed may give people a false sense that the worst is over.
Some worry a large wave of coronavirus might occur this fall or winter — after schools reopen, the weather turns colder and less humid, and people huddle inside more. That would follow seasonal patterns seen with flu and other respiratory viruses. And such a fall wave could be very bad, given that there’s no vaccine or experts think most Americans haven’t had the virus.
But the new coronavirus so far has been spreading more episodically and sporadically than flu, and it may not follow the same playbook.
“It’s very difficult to make a prediction,” Rivers said. “We don’t know the degree to which this virus is seasonal, if at all.”
___
AP medical writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


mercurynews--2020-06-22--A march for a California man shot and killed by police ended with protesters being shot by rubber bu

A march for a California man shot and killed by police ended with protesters being shot by rubber bullets

A march for a Los Angeles man killed by sheriff ’ s deputies last week ended with a clash between police and protesters in Compton Sunday .
Earlier in the day , family members of Andres Guardado gathered in Gardena to commemorate his life and call for justice in his killing .
After making the 3.8 mile trek to the sheriff ’ s station in Compton , tensions between protesters and deputies boiled over .
As deputies called for a large group to back up , many fled only to be tear gassed and struck with rubber bullets on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One demonstrator , who gave the name Five Kisses , said she marched today to show unity between brown and Black people , and ask for answers in Guardado ’ s death .
She said that as she tried to pull other attendees back from the police , she and others were struck by rubber bullets .
“ I tried to get them to come back .
They just wouldn ’ t stop shooting , ” she said , “ And now here we are : getting shot , getting tear gassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be here in memory of Andres.
” A CNN crew on scene witnessed several people being detained following the incident .
The incident comes as protests against police brutality and calls for reform and defunding ring out nationwide in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis last month .
As a result , increased scrutiny has been placed on the police and their handling of fatal shootings .
Guardado ’ s death is no different .
The 18-year-old Guardado was approached Thursday by deputies who saw him in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department Homicide Bureau Capt .
Kent Wegener said during a press conference Saturday .
Guardado “ reportedly looked toward the deputies ” and “ produced a handgun ” before running down the driveway of the business , Wegener said .
He was pursued by the deputies , one of whom fired six rounds .
Guardado was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot in the upper torso , according to Wegener .
The Los Angeles County Coroner told CNN that an autopsy is pending .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ serial number and an illegal extended magazine loaded with 13 rounds was recovered at the scene , Wegener said .
Guardado ’ s cousin Steve Abarca told CNN Sunday that he “ never even knew him to have any sort of gun.
” Wegener said he was aware of reports that Guardado may have been working as a security guard but he was not wearing a uniform and not legal age to work as an armed security guard in the state of California .
Investigators have obtained search warrants and collected cameras from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine whether there is any video footage of the shooting .
The deputies involved were not wearing body worn cameras , prompting Sheriff Alex Villanueva to highlight how important the use of those devices are in these situations .
• Los Angeles County deputy fatally shoots fleeing man , 18 , who authorities say was armed When reached by CNN Sunday , the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department had no further updates on the case .
“ He was a baby , he was a baby , ” Celina Abarca , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through tears on Sunday .
“ I don ’ t know — it ’ s still not real .
I close my eyes and I hope and I pray that it ’ s not really happening.
” “ We just want answers , ” Celina Abarca said .

A march for a Los Angeles man killed by sheriff’s deputies last week ended with a clash between police and protesters in Compton Sunday.
Earlier in the day, family members of Andres Guardado gathered in Gardena to commemorate his life and call for justice in his killing.
After making the 3.8 mile trek to the sheriff’s station in Compton, tensions between protesters and deputies boiled over.
As deputies called for a large group to back up, many fled only to be tear gassed and struck with rubber bullets on the steps of the sheriff’s office.
[vemba-video id=”us/2020/06/21/andres-guardado-los-angeles-sheriff-deputy-shooting-death-vercammen-sot-vpx.cnn”]
One demonstrator, who gave the name Five Kisses, said she marched today to show unity between brown and Black people, and ask for answers in Guardado’s death.
She said that as she tried to pull other attendees back from the police, she and others were struck by rubber bullets.
“I tried to get them to come back. They just wouldn’t stop shooting,” she said, “And now here we are: getting shot, getting tear gassed. And we’re supposed to be here in memory of Andres.”
A CNN crew on scene witnessed several people being detained following the incident.
The incident comes as protests against police brutality and calls for reform and defunding ring out nationwide in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis last month.
As a result, increased scrutiny has been placed on the police and their handling of fatal shootings. Guardado’s death is no different.
Questions surrounding the shooting remain
The 18-year-old Guardado was approached Thursday by deputies who saw him in front of a business on West Redondo Beach Boulevard, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau Capt. Kent Wegener said during a press conference Saturday.
Guardado “reportedly looked toward the deputies” and “produced a handgun” before running down the driveway of the business, Wegener said.
He was pursued by the deputies, one of whom fired six rounds.
Guardado was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot in the upper torso, according to Wegener.
The Los Angeles County Coroner told CNN that an autopsy is pending.
A .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with no serial number and an illegal extended magazine loaded with 13 rounds was recovered at the scene, Wegener said.
Guardado’s cousin Steve Abarca told CNN Sunday that he “never even knew him to have any sort of gun.”
Wegener said he was aware of reports that Guardado may have been working as a security guard but he was not wearing a uniform and not legal age to work as an armed security guard in the state of California.
Investigators have obtained search warrants and collected cameras from the scene but are still working to determine whether there is any video footage of the shooting.
The deputies involved were not wearing body worn cameras, prompting Sheriff Alex Villanueva to highlight how important the use of those devices are in these situations.
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“He was a baby, he was a baby,” Celina Abarca, another cousin of Guardado, told CNN through tears on Sunday. “I don’t know — it’s still not real. I close my eyes and I hope and I pray that it’s not really happening.”
“We just want answers,” Celina Abarca said.
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mercurynews--2020-06-22--‘Zoom University’ California students stuck with unwanted leases

Liana Chavez was halfway through her freshman year at Cal State Fullerton when she and three sorority sisters signed a lease for next year at the University House Fullerton student housing complex , one block south of campus .
Then the coronavirus pandemic hit , shutting down almost all in-person classes at the state ’ s fourth-largest four-year university .
Although all but one of her classes — a lab — will be online during the fall , the Northern California resident can ’ t get out of that lease unless she finds someone to sublet it .
Until then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for $ 13,308 for an apartment she no longer wants or needs .
“ There ’ s no point in me paying rent for one class , for like a lab , ” said Chavez , 19 , of the East Bay Area city of Brentwood , where she ’ s been since March .
“ I understand this virus is out of nowhere , and canceling all those leases will be hard , ” she said .
“ … For me , the worst is having to pay the lease while living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being inside of the apartment.
” Chavez is just one example of how the coronavirus pandemic threw plans of college students , parents and student housing providers into chaos as shuttered universities weighed their options for the fall .
At some colleges , students held off signing leases for off-campus housing , momentarily creating heartburn for apartment owners in a heretofore recession-resistant industry .
Elsewhere , students are scrambling to find off-campus housing as universities reduce their dormitory beds to increase social distancing .
And some students who signed leases early to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began searching for people to sublet because they no longer need or can afford the housing due to COVID-19 .
“ Pre-COVID , student housing was this steady , coupon-clipping business , ” said John Pawlowski , a senior analyst for real estate research firm Green Street Advisors in Newport Beach .
“ COVID-19 hit and campuses closed in the spring , and there was a lot of uncertainty which ones would reopen.
” Most campuses announced recently they ’ re planning to have in-person instruction next fall , and lease rates snapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pawlowski noted , if coronavirus cases spike in late summer or early fall .
A running tally of about 985 U.S. colleges and universities by the Chronicle of Higher Education showed as of Thursday , June 18 , that all but 8 % plan some form of in-person courses this fall , with nearly two-thirds planning to fully reopen .
In Los Angeles , Orange , Riverside and San Bernardino counties , however , 44 % of some 39 college campuses plan to be fully or mostly online in the fall , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the California State University system ’ s seven Southern California campuses , with an enrollment of more than 200,000 students ; and all three University of California campuses , with an enrollment of nearly 107,000 .
UCLA expects 15-20 % of courses — such as labs , performing arts and clinical health classes — to be offered on-site or both on-site and online combined .
UC Irvine said it ’ s evaluating whether to offer in-person instruction for courses like engineering design and labs .
UC Riverside said it will prioritize graduate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person instruction .
The University of Southern California , Loyola Marymount , Occidental College and Chapman University announced plans to resume on-campus instruction in the fall , including the reopening of residence halls and campus-run apartments .
Caltech and the Claremont Colleges have yet to decide .
Many schools are planning to alter schedules , starting early and ending classes by Thanksgiving before the flu season hits .
University administrators also are taking various social distancing measures , including reducing on-campus housing density and reserving some dorms to quarantine those exposed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates for the 2020-21 school year for large , private student housing providers are almost on par with last year ’ s rates , student housing experts and industry insiders say .
Eighty-nine percent of professionally-managed student housing beds in the U.S. were pre-leased as of May , down just one percentage point from last year , according to apartment data firm RealPage .
Lease rates were even up slightly for off-campus beds at Cal State Fullerton , the only Southern California school for which RealPage had May numbers .
“ Students want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment , which means with their peers , ” said Jason Wills , senior vice president of development for American Campus Communities , which reported its lease rates down just 2 percentage points from last year .
“ Apartments have solutions that make a whole lot of sense during the pandemic.
” Typically , student housing is a steady , reliable business , in good times and bad .
When the economy is strong , enrollment is high , experts said .
And when unemployment rises , many young professionals return to school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enrollment high .
This year , however , leasing slowed after the COVID shutdowns began — then shot back up as more campuses announced plans to reopen .
“ There was a lot of concern demand would start to crater , ” said RealPage Market Analytics Manager Carl Whitaker .
“ Surprisingly , pre-lease performance has been relatively healthy.
” Indeed , off-campus rentals may even benefit from the pandemic as universities reduce dorm occupancy .
Orange-based Chapman University , for example , plans to cut 700 to 800 beds from its campus-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of residents per room .
That , in turn , is boosting demand and rent for off-campus rentals .
“ It ’ s a frenzy out there right now , ” said Old Towne Orange real estate broker Al Ricci .
“ They ’ re renting way away from the campus because there ’ s so little available.
” Ricci noted that when Chapman opened two new housing complexes last fall , off-campus vacancies increased and rents declined about 20 % .
“ This year , landlords will have everything filled up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Drive down the street and see if you see a ‘ for rent ’ sign in Old Towne .
You don ’ t. ” At campuses where instruction will remain online , however , there ’ s a different kind of frenzy .
Students are desperate to get out of leases signed well before the shutdown began .
“ These issues have been exacerbated by students losing their jobs , ” said Nalya Rodriguez , 25 , a doctoral student at UC Irvine and an organizer for UCI4COLA , a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What ’ s it mean when you have to continue to pay rent for an apartment you can ’ t afford … and you just lost your job ?
” Some students living in on-campus housing got partial refunds when schools shut down in March .
But those living just blocks from campus usually have to find someone to take over their lease or continue paying rent .
At Cal State Northridge , senior Mirian Akintunde spent the past 2 ½ months trying in vain to help her roommate find someone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in with her parents in Lynwood .
Her roommate paid more than $ 2,000 for an apartment she hasn ’ t used since mid-March .
“ It ’ s definitely true that it ’ s a lot of money for Zoom University , ” said Wills , the American Campus Communities vice president .
Cal State Fullerton student Brithany Sigala also moved back home to Cudahy when the campus shut down .
Now she ’ s stuck with a 2020-21 lease she no longer can afford at the privately-owned University House complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And her parents saw their work hours cut drastically as well .
“ I told ( the apartment staff ) the situation I was in .
I told them I couldn ’ t afford it , ” said Sigala , 20 , a business and sociology major .
“ They said , your only option is having someone take over my lease .
If not , I ’ d have to pay for the whole year.
” Cal State Fullerton senior Lamisha Sultana , 22 , felt confident her job mentoring school children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after her parents moved from Lakewood to Phoenix in November .
Then the pandemic hit , and she lost her spring and summer jobs .
Unable to afford groceries , she followed her parents to Phoenix .
Now she ’ s trying to find someone to take over her 2020-21 University House lease to avoid paying $ 14,160 for an apartment she can ’ t use .
“ It ’ s actually ruining my sleep , ” the computer engineering major said .
Kayleigh Sevi , an English professor at Orange Coast College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article in the student newspaper about the plight of OCC students stuck with leases at the Harbour , a new apartment building operated by the Scion Group , which has 58,200 student housing beds in 28 states .
“ No other kind of living arrangement , aside from college dorms , requires you to sign a lease six to seven months in advance of moving in , ” Sevi said in an email .
“ It ’ s totally unfair and callous to the students , especially since the main reason … is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live on an empty campus … or they can not afford the fees.
” Help for some Some students are getting help .
Scion Group announced recently that Orange Coast College students will have until July 5 to cancel their leases or push the start date back until spring .
But Scion tenants in at University House in Fullerton aren ’ t getting a similar offer , said Jay Pearlman , a senior vice president for the company .
A Scion employee told Liana Chavez , the East Bay Area resident , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even one that ’ s cheaper than the $ 1,109-a-month bed she rented in a four-person unit .
The Gamma Phi Beta sorority member got 16 responses to her posts , but no takers .
Thirteen said they couldn ’ t even afford the cheapest floor plan , which costs $ 894 a month .
A family of four responded , but backed out when told the cost was $ 894 per bed , not for the whole unit .
She recently canceled a trip with friends to save up in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year .
“ Because the fall semester is online , … I ’ d rather stay with my family than be in my apartment , ” Chavez said .
“ It just didn ’ t seem convenient to have to pay this rent for just one class , for a lab , and having my family in Northern California .
”

Liana Chavez was halfway through her freshman year at Cal State Fullerton when she and three sorority sisters signed a lease for next year at the University House Fullerton student housing complex, one block south of campus.
Then the coronavirus pandemic hit, shutting down almost all in-person classes at the state’s fourth-largest four-year university.
Although all but one of her classes — a lab — will be online during the fall, the Northern California resident can’t get out of that lease unless she finds someone to sublet it. Until then, she’s on the hook for $13,308 for an apartment she no longer wants or needs.
“There’s no point in me paying rent for one class, for like a lab,” said Chavez, 19, of the East Bay Area city of Brentwood, where she’s been since March.
“I understand this virus is out of nowhere, and canceling all those leases will be hard,” she said. “ … For me, the worst is having to pay the lease while living like 300 miles away and not even being inside of the apartment.”
Chavez is just one example of how the coronavirus pandemic threw plans of college students, parents and student housing providers into chaos as shuttered universities weighed their options for the fall.
At some colleges, students held off signing leases for off-campus housing, momentarily creating heartburn for apartment owners in a heretofore recession-resistant industry.
Elsewhere, students are scrambling to find off-campus housing as universities reduce their dormitory beds to increase social distancing.
And some students who signed leases early to ensure housing for the 2020-21 school year suddenly began searching for people to sublet because they no longer need or can afford the housing due to COVID-19.
“Pre-COVID, student housing was this steady, coupon-clipping business,” said John Pawlowski, a senior analyst for real estate research firm Green Street Advisors in Newport Beach. “COVID-19 hit and campuses closed in the spring, and there was a lot of uncertainty which ones would reopen.”
Most campuses announced recently they’re planning to have in-person instruction next fall, and lease rates snapped back.
But that could change, Pawlowski noted, if coronavirus cases spike in late summer or early fall.
Online plans
A running tally of about 985 U.S. colleges and universities by the Chronicle of Higher Education showed as of Thursday, June 18, that all but 8% plan some form of in-person courses this fall, with nearly two-thirds planning to fully reopen.
In Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, however, 44% of some 39 college campuses plan to be fully or mostly online in the fall, according to the Chronicle tally.
Among them are the California State University system’s seven Southern California campuses, with an enrollment of more than 200,000 students; and all three University of California campuses, with an enrollment of nearly 107,000.
UCLA expects 15-20% of courses — such as labs, performing arts and clinical health classes — to be offered on-site or both on-site and online combined. UC Irvine said it’s evaluating whether to offer in-person instruction for courses like engineering design and labs. UC Riverside said it will prioritize graduate courses and lab and studio courses for in-person instruction.
The University of Southern California, Loyola Marymount, Occidental College and Chapman University announced plans to resume on-campus instruction in the fall, including the reopening of residence halls and campus-run apartments. Caltech and the Claremont Colleges have yet to decide.
Many schools are planning to alter schedules, starting early and ending classes by Thanksgiving before the flu season hits. University administrators also are taking various social distancing measures, including reducing on-campus housing density and reserving some dorms to quarantine those exposed to the virus.
Staying with peers
Despite the uncertainty, lease rates for the 2020-21 school year for large, private student housing providers are almost on par with last year’s rates, student housing experts and industry insiders say.
Eighty-nine percent of professionally-managed student housing beds in the U.S. were pre-leased as of May, down just one percentage point from last year, according to apartment data firm RealPage.
Lease rates were even up slightly for off-campus beds at Cal State Fullerton, the only Southern California school for which RealPage had May numbers.
“Students want to continue their education in the college environment, which means with their peers,” said Jason Wills, senior vice president of development for American Campus Communities, which reported its lease rates down just 2 percentage points from last year. “Apartments have solutions that make a whole lot of sense during the pandemic.”
Typically, student housing is a steady, reliable business, in good times and bad. When the economy is strong, enrollment is high, experts said. And when unemployment rises, many young professionals return to school to get a graduate degree, keeping enrollment high.
This year, however, leasing slowed after the COVID shutdowns began — then shot back up as more campuses announced plans to reopen.
“There was a lot of concern demand would start to crater,” said RealPage Market Analytics Manager Carl Whitaker. “Surprisingly, pre-lease performance has been relatively healthy.”
‘It’s a frenzy’
Indeed, off-campus rentals may even benefit from the pandemic as universities reduce dorm occupancy.
Orange-based Chapman University, for example, plans to cut 700 to 800 beds from its campus-run housing this fall to limit the number of residents per room. That, in turn, is boosting demand and rent for off-campus rentals.
“It’s a frenzy out there right now,” said Old Towne Orange real estate broker Al Ricci. “They’re renting way away from the campus because there’s so little available.”
Ricci noted that when Chapman opened two new housing complexes last fall, off-campus vacancies increased and rents declined about 20%.
“This year, landlords will have everything filled up, without a doubt,” he said. “Drive down the street and see if you see a ‘for rent’ sign in Old Towne. You don’t.”
At campuses where instruction will remain online, however, there’s a different kind of frenzy. Students are desperate to get out of leases signed well before the shutdown began.
“These issues have been exacerbated by students losing their jobs,” said Nalya Rodriguez, 25, a doctoral student at UC Irvine and an organizer for UCI4COLA, a group advocating for graduate student pay raises. “What’s it mean when you have to continue to pay rent for an apartment you can’t afford … and you just lost your job?”
Some students living in on-campus housing got partial refunds when schools shut down in March.
But those living just blocks from campus usually have to find someone to take over their lease or continue paying rent.
At Cal State Northridge, senior Mirian Akintunde spent the past 2 ½ months trying in vain to help her roommate find someone to take over her lease after she moved back in with her parents in Lynwood. Her roommate paid more than $2,000 for an apartment she hasn’t used since mid-March.
“It’s definitely true that it’s a lot of money for Zoom University,” said Wills, the American Campus Communities vice president.
Cal State Fullerton student Brithany Sigala also moved back home to Cudahy when the campus shut down. Now she’s stuck with a 2020-21 lease she no longer can afford at the privately-owned University House complex because she lost her on-campus job. And her parents saw their work hours cut drastically as well.
“I told (the apartment staff) the situation I was in. I told them I couldn’t afford it,” said Sigala, 20, a business and sociology major. “They said, your only option is having someone take over my lease. If not, I’d have to pay for the whole year.”
Cal State Fullerton senior Lamisha Sultana, 22, felt confident her job mentoring school children would cover her rent and living expenses after her parents moved from Lakewood to Phoenix in November.
Then the pandemic hit, and she lost her spring and summer jobs. Unable to afford groceries, she followed her parents to Phoenix. Now she’s trying to find someone to take over her 2020-21 University House lease to avoid paying $14,160 for an apartment she can’t use.
“It’s actually ruining my sleep,” the computer engineering major said.
Kayleigh Sevi, an English professor at Orange Coast College, was outraged when she read an article in the student newspaper about the plight of OCC students stuck with leases at the Harbour, a new apartment building operated by the Scion Group, which has 58,200 student housing beds in 28 states.
“No other kind of living arrangement, aside from college dorms, requires you to sign a lease six to seven months in advance of moving in,” Sevi said in an email. “It’s totally unfair and callous to the students, especially since the main reason … is that they either don’t want to live on an empty campus … or they cannot afford the fees.”
Help for some
Some students are getting help.
Scion Group announced recently that Orange Coast College students will have until July 5 to cancel their leases or push the start date back until spring.
But Scion tenants in at University House in Fullerton aren’t getting a similar offer, said Jay Pearlman, a senior vice president for the company.
A Scion employee told Liana Chavez, the East Bay Area resident, that she could sublease any floor plan, even one that’s cheaper than the $1,109-a-month bed she rented in a four-person unit.
The Gamma Phi Beta sorority member got 16 responses to her posts, but no takers. Thirteen said they couldn’t even afford the cheapest floor plan, which costs $894 a month. A family of four responded, but backed out when told the cost was $894 per bed, not for the whole unit.
She recently canceled a trip with friends to save up in case she ends up having to pay rent next year.


mercurynews--2020-06-22--‘Backyard breeders’ import commercially bred pups, skirting spirit of new California law

Commercial breeders have sold scores of wiggly young Goldendoodles , Welsh corgis , yellow labs and Shiba Inus to folks in Southern California this year , apparently beyond the reach of a law designed to halt the sale of commercially bred puppies in the Golden State .
Documents obtained by Bailing Out Benji — a nonprofit devoted to battling puppy mill abuses — show that breeders in Missouri and Iowa shipped at least 86 purebred and designer pups by truck and air to people , not pet stores , in Riverside , Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as the coronavirus pandemic bore down .
These transports traveled through several states , coming in contact with countless people , just to sell puppies in the state of California , said Mindi Callison , executive director of Bailing Out Benji .
And that ’ s likely just the tip of the iceberg .
About 150,000 unwanted animals are put down in California each year .
To reduce euthanasia , a law signed in 2017 requires every dog , cat and rabbit sold in California pet stores to come from an animal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But small-scale “ hobby ” and “ backyard ” breeders in California , who sell directly to the public , apparently aren ’ t included in that ban .
The documents suggest that some hobbyists might be importing pups from large , out-of-state commercial operations often derided as puppy mills , then passing them off as their own home-grown stock .
That ’ s not OK , officials say .
“ The whole concept is ‘ only rescue dogs , ’ no more ‘ how much is that doggy in the window ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services .
Anyone bringing an influx of animals into the community , when there are too many unwanted animals already , is flouting the spirit , if not the letter , of the law , he said .
The California addresses where puppies were allegedly delivered included a postal annex in Winchester , an apartment home in Jackson and a big box strip mall in Mira Loma , all in Riverside County .
Pups are apparently listed for sale on websites , then purchased by people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locally reared purebred .
The most prolific Southern California puppy importer — receiving 55 pups in three months — was “ AndyP ” of “ PupsRUS-CA , ” at a Mira Loma address that doesn ’ t seem to exist .
Documents listed a 949 phone number for AndyP , typical of south Orange County , but the woman who answered that phone said , “ I don ’ t think so ” and hung up on a reporter .
One of the commercial breeders who supplied puppies to AndyP , Carla Steffensmeier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Point , Iowa , said , “ I have no comment — I don ’ t know who you are , ” and hung up as well .
Callison , of Bailing Out Benji , was surprised that PupsRUs was not a brick-and-mortar operation .
“ I was honestly under the impression that PupsRUs was a pet store based on the sheer number of puppies they have imported over the years , ” she said .
“ This is a ton of puppies coming to one fake location .
It appears as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , address and phone number to hide who is receiving these puppies .
Obviously hundreds of puppies are being imported to this address and are disappearing without record of sale — or sales tax.
” Critics accuse commercial breeders of “ puppy mill evil ” — putting profits before the health and safety of animals .
Breeders reject that characterization and insist they treat the dogs humanely .
Steffensmeier , who sent pups to AndiP/PetsRUs , is a licensed breeder with the U.S. Department of Agriculture — the type of operation that California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off .
She had 319 dogs on her property in February , the last time she was inspected , according to USDA records .
That included 176 adult dogs and 143 puppies .
Four of 11 USDA inspections of the Steffensmeier operation since 2014 found “ non-critical ” issues , including a female Mini-Bulldog with two open wounds on her back above the left shoulder , an adult , female Shih-Tzu with abnormal hair loss between the shoulder blades and along the tail and reddened , scaly skin , and a female Beagle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark grayish to brownish material ” on its teeth , with pronounced gum recession , the USDA found .
Gealea Nichols , another prolific exporter in West Point , Iowa , supplied 38 pups to AndyP/PupsRUs .
Nichols had 545 dogs on the property at the last USDA inspection in April 2019 , including 91 adult dogs and 454 puppies .
The USDA found no issues in four inspections at the kennel since 2016 .
No one at Nichols returned calls for comment .
On the receiving end , records from Missouri show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shiba Inu puppies from Brittany Paglia in March .
Alvarez said he used to be a hobby breeder but has since retired .
The pups he received were sold to others , he said .
Alvarez ’ s erstwhile business , Southbay Shiba Inu , has garnered criticism — and praise — from customers online .
“ Overall had a great experience with this place , ” wrote a Pomona man on Yelp .
“ Did take him to the vet today and was told that he is a healthy puppy !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ STAY AWAY !
!
!
!
!
DO NOT BUY PUPPIES FROM HERE !
!
!
!
” wrote a man from Hollywood , whose puppy died .
“ PUPPIES ARE SENT FROM PUPPY MILLS IN THE MID WEST AND NOT BORN ON THE PROPERTY.
” A man from Huntington Beach said , “ It breaks my heart people like this are out there exploiting such lovely creatures , and breeding these dogs destined to die young.
” Welsh , of Riverside Animal Services , said people who pay $ 2,000 for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality , healthy animal .
But the inbreeding and illness found in some commercial breeding operations can mean just the opposite .
And if unsold dogs end up in government shelters , it becomes a burden on the taxpayer .
Buying puppies from Midwestern breeders is apparently not completely verboten for Californians .
“ Let ’ s say you ’ ve always wanted a show dog , say , a pointer or a Springer Spaniel , ” Welsh said .
“ You don ’ t see those kinds of dogs in shelters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you , yourself , are going to be the owner .
But bringing them into the state for the purpose of selling them ?
No.
” This is just another way that puppy mill dogs are slipping into the state .
Last year , the Southern California News Group reported that local pet stores were importing often-ill designer puppies via sham rescues in Iowa and Minnesota to sidestep California ’ s new puppy mill ban .
Two Orange County stores closed down , lawsuits have forced the closure of pet stores up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ code enforcement to shutter a store in Palm Desert , San Diego officials have cited pet stores for similar problems , and the Iowa attorney general shuttered several sham rescues that were “ laundering ” puppy mill puppies .
But still , the pups come .
Legislators are working to tighten weak links in the puppy mill ban , which targets pet stores .
AB 2152 , by Assemblyman Todd Gloria , D-San Diego , would prohibit pet stores from selling dogs , cats or rabbits altogether .
Dubbed “ Bella ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ illegally and inhumanely bred in a puppy mill , ” it would allow pet stores to provide space to public shelters and rescue groups to showcase adoptable animals .
It also would cap adoption fees at $ 500 , hoping to quash the puppy-profit motive once and for all .
A similar bill , AB 2117 by Assemblyman Patrick O ’ Donnell , D-Long Beach , got stuck in committee .
None of the bills , however , appear to address individual hobbyists who import puppy mill puppies to resell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forbidding the importation of commercially bred pups for resale by hobbyists , there ’ s nothing stopping it , said Judie Mancuso , president of Social Compassion in Legislation and sponsor of California ’ s original puppy mill ban .
Mancuso has tried to push new rules forbidding hobbyists from dealing in commercially bred animals , but hasn ’ t gotten far .
Maybe next year , she said .
Welsh , of Riverside Animal Services , said there will probably always be people who “ don ’ t give a rat ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just in it for the money — but we ’ ve taken remarkable strides in the last decade or so .
Back then , only half of the dogs who entered the animal shelter made it out alive .
Now , it ’ s closer to 90 percent .
“ Attitudes have really changed , ” he said .
“ Once , you got a dog from a public shelter and it was a ‘ pound puppy.
’ Now , it ’ s a ‘ rescue.
’ People brag about it .
”

Commercial breeders have sold scores of wiggly young Goldendoodles, Welsh corgis, yellow labs and Shiba Inus to folks in Southern California this year, apparently beyond the reach of a law designed to halt the sale of commercially bred puppies in the Golden State.
Documents obtained by Bailing Out Benji — a nonprofit devoted to battling puppy mill abuses — show that breeders in Missouri and Iowa shipped at least 86 purebred and designer pups by truck and air to people, not pet stores, in Riverside, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties in the first few months of this year, even as the coronavirus pandemic bore down.
These transports traveled through several states, coming in contact with countless people, just to sell puppies in the state of California, said Mindi Callison, executive director of Bailing Out Benji. And that’s likely just the tip of the iceberg.
About 150,000 unwanted animals are put down in California each year. To reduce euthanasia, a law signed in 2017 requires every dog, cat and rabbit sold in California pet stores to come from an animal shelter or bona fide rescue organization. But small-scale “hobby” and “backyard” breeders in California, who sell directly to the public, apparently aren’t included in that ban.
The documents suggest that some hobbyists might be importing pups from large, out-of-state commercial operations often derided as puppy mills, then passing them off as their own home-grown stock. That’s not OK, officials say.
“The whole concept is ‘only rescue dogs,’ no more ‘how much is that doggy in the window?’ ” said John Welsh, spokesman for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.
Anyone bringing an influx of animals into the community, when there are too many unwanted animals already, is flouting the spirit, if not the letter, of the law, he said.
Disappearing pups
The California addresses where puppies were allegedly delivered included a postal annex in Winchester, an apartment home in Jackson and a big box strip mall in Mira Loma, all in Riverside County.
Pups are apparently listed for sale on websites, then purchased by people who think they’re getting a locally reared purebred.
The most prolific Southern California puppy importer — receiving 55 pups in three months — was “AndyP” of “PupsRUS-CA,” at a Mira Loma address that doesn’t seem to exist. Documents listed a 949 phone number for AndyP, typical of south Orange County, but the woman who answered that phone said, “I don’t think so” and hung up on a reporter.
One of the commercial breeders who supplied puppies to AndyP, Carla Steffensmeier of T&C Steffensmeier Kennels in West Point, Iowa, said, “I have no comment — I don’t know who you are,” and hung up as well.
Callison, of Bailing Out Benji, was surprised that PupsRUs was not a brick-and-mortar operation.
“I was honestly under the impression that PupsRUs was a pet store based on the sheer number of puppies they have imported over the years,” she said. “This is a ton of puppies coming to one fake location. It appears as though someone is using a fake name, address and phone number to hide who is receiving these puppies. Obviously hundreds of puppies are being imported to this address and are disappearing without record of sale — or sales tax.”
Critics accuse commercial breeders of “puppy mill evil” — putting profits before the health and safety of animals. Breeders reject that characterization and insist they treat the dogs humanely.
Steffensmeier, who sent pups to AndiP/PetsRUs, is a licensed breeder with the U.S. Department of Agriculture — the type of operation that California’s new law aims to choke off. She had 319 dogs on her property in February, the last time she was inspected, according to USDA records. That included 176 adult dogs and 143 puppies.
The breeders
Four of 11 USDA inspections of the Steffensmeier operation since 2014 found “non-critical” issues, including a female Mini-Bulldog with two open wounds on her back above the left shoulder, an adult, female Shih-Tzu with abnormal hair loss between the shoulder blades and along the tail and reddened, scaly skin, and a female Beagle with “an excessively thick buildup of dark grayish to brownish material” on its teeth, with pronounced gum recession, the USDA found.
Gealea Nichols, another prolific exporter in West Point, Iowa, supplied 38 pups to AndyP/PupsRUs. Nichols had 545 dogs on the property at the last USDA inspection in April 2019, including 91 adult dogs and 454 puppies. The USDA found no issues in four inspections at the kennel since 2016. No one at Nichols returned calls for comment.
On the receiving end, records from Missouri show that Anthony Alvarez of Carson got five Shiba Inu puppies from Brittany Paglia in March. Alvarez said he used to be a hobby breeder but has since retired. The pups he received were sold to others, he said.
Alvarez’s erstwhile business, Southbay Shiba Inu, has garnered criticism — and praise — from customers online. “Overall had a great experience with this place,” wrote a Pomona man on Yelp. “Did take him to the vet today and was told that he is a healthy puppy!”
But there was much criticism. “STAY AWAY!!!!! DO NOT BUY PUPPIES FROM HERE!!!!” wrote a man from Hollywood, whose puppy died. “PUPPIES ARE SENT FROM PUPPY MILLS IN THE MID WEST AND NOT BORN ON THE PROPERTY.” A man from Huntington Beach said, “It breaks my heart people like this are out there exploiting such lovely creatures, and breeding these dogs destined to die young.”
Welsh, of Riverside Animal Services, said people who pay $2,000 for a dog believe they’re getting a quality, healthy animal. But the inbreeding and illness found in some commercial breeding operations can mean just the opposite. And if unsold dogs end up in government shelters, it becomes a burden on the taxpayer.
Imports possible
Buying puppies from Midwestern breeders is apparently not completely verboten for Californians.
“Let’s say you’ve always wanted a show dog, say, a pointer or a Springer Spaniel,” Welsh said. “You don’t see those kinds of dogs in shelters. You can buy one from a breeder if you, yourself, are going to be the owner. But bringing them into the state for the purpose of selling them? No.”
This is just another way that puppy mill dogs are slipping into the state.
Last year, the Southern California News Group reported that local pet stores were importing often-ill designer puppies via sham rescues in Iowa and Minnesota to sidestep California’s new puppy mill ban. Two Orange County stores closed down, lawsuits have forced the closure of pet stores up north, Riverside Animal Services worked with code enforcement to shutter a store in Palm Desert, San Diego officials have cited pet stores for similar problems, and the Iowa attorney general shuttered several sham rescues that were “laundering” puppy mill puppies.
But still, the pups come.
Legislation targets weak links
Legislators are working to tighten weak links in the puppy mill ban, which targets pet stores. AB 2152, by Assemblyman Todd Gloria, D-San Diego, would prohibit pet stores from selling dogs, cats or rabbits altogether. Dubbed “Bella’s Act,” after a Corgi that was “illegally and inhumanely bred in a puppy mill,” it would allow pet stores to provide space to public shelters and rescue groups to showcase adoptable animals. It also would cap adoption fees at $500, hoping to quash the puppy-profit motive once and for all.
A similar bill, AB 2117 by Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell, D-Long Beach, got stuck in committee.
None of the bills, however, appear to address individual hobbyists who import puppy mill puppies to resell. Unless there’s a local ordinance forbidding the importation of commercially bred pups for resale by hobbyists, there’s nothing stopping it, said Judie Mancuso, president of Social Compassion in Legislation and sponsor of California’s original puppy mill ban.
Mancuso has tried to push new rules forbidding hobbyists from dealing in commercially bred animals, but hasn’t gotten far. Maybe next year, she said.
Welsh, of Riverside Animal Services, said there will probably always be people who “don’t give a rat’s tail” about animals and are just in it for the money — but we’ve taken remarkable strides in the last decade or so. Back then, only half of the dogs who entered the animal shelter made it out alive. Now, it’s closer to 90 percent.
“Attitudes have really changed,” he said. “Once, you got a dog from a public shelter and it was a ‘pound puppy.’ Now, it’s a ‘rescue.’ People brag about it.”


mercurynews--2020-06-22--Max Tuerk, former USC and Chargers lineman, dies at 26 while hiking with his parents

Max Tuerk , a former center at USC who played for the Chargers for two seasons , has died , USC announced on Sunday .
“ # FightOnForever , Max Tuerk , ” the USC athletic department tweeted .
“ The Trojan Family is terribly saddened by the news of Tuerk ’ s passing , gone too soon at the age of 26 , and our thoughts , prayers and condolences are with his family.
” A cause of death was not disclosed , but Tuerk died on Saturday while hiking with his parents in Cleveland National Forest on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement released by USC .
“ Max loved his teammates , coaches and schools , ” the statement read .
“ Max was a loving son and older brother and his passing leaves a giant hole in our hearts .
His strength and work ethic is an inspiration to many.
” “ Heartbroken by the loss of Max Tuerk , ” USC head coach Clay Helton shared on Twitter .
“ Incredible person , teammate , and Trojan .
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuerk helped lead the Eagles to a CIF Division 1 state championship in 2011 as a senior .
He then enrolled at USC , earning Freshman All-American honors in 2012 as he became the first-ever true freshman to start at left tackle for the Trojans .
By playing college football , Tuerk followed in the footsteps of his father , Greg , who played tight end for Brown University .
• Letter : Third track star also took stand for human rights • On this date , 1989 : A ’ s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henderson • On this date , 1985 : Chris Mullin , Will Clark meet the Bay Area During his time at USC , Tuerk played several positions on USC ’ s offensive line .
The Trojans went to four bowl games during Tuerk ’ s tenure , going 2-2 in the postseason .
After four years with the Trojans , earning first-team All-Pac-12 as a junior , Tuerk was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft , going 66th overall .
But a knee injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire rookie season .
He was on the Chargers for two seasons , joining the practice squad in 2017 .
Prior to that season , Tuerk was suspended four games for violating the NFL ’ s performance-enhancing substances policy , a violation he blamed on over-the-counter products .
Later in 2017 , he signed with the Arizona Cardinals ’ practice squad but was cut in 2018 .
He had not been a part of an NFL roster since then .
• NFL : Coaches express doubts that season can start on time because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen at all this year , Dr. Fauci warns • Raiders ’ Henry Ruggs III is humble and hungry to make a difference Several of Tuerk ’ s former teammates and coaches took to Twitter to mourn his loss , including Jurrell Casey , Chuma Edoga , Viane Talamaivao , Kris Albarado and Dion Bailey .
“ Just got some terrible news , ” Bailey tweeted .
“ Damn , man , RIP Max Tuerk !
Gone too soon.
” “ I thought 2020 couldn ’ t get much worse .
# RIP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Albarado tweeted .
USC offensive line coach Tim Drevno , who coached Tuerk in 2014 , shared his thoughts , too .
“ My thoughts and prayers are with the Tuerk family through these trying times , ” Drevno tweeted .
“ Max was an unbelievable player , leader and teammate .
He embodied what it is to be a Trojan !
I was honored to coach and be around such an amazing spirit !
”

Max Tuerk, a former center at USC who played for the Chargers for two seasons, has died, USC announced on Sunday.
“#FightOnForever, Max Tuerk,” the USC athletic department tweeted. “The Trojan Family is terribly saddened by the news of Tuerk’s passing, gone too soon at the age of 26, and our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with his family.”
A cause of death was not disclosed, but Tuerk died on Saturday while hiking with his parents in Cleveland National Forest on “a favorite trail”, his parents said in a statement released by USC.
“Max loved his teammates, coaches and schools,” the statement read. “Max was a loving son and older brother and his passing leaves a giant hole in our hearts. His strength and work ethic is an inspiration to many.”
“Heartbroken by the loss of Max Tuerk,” USC head coach Clay Helton shared on Twitter. “Incredible person, teammate, and Trojan. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
A two-way lineman at Santa Margarita High, Tuerk helped lead the Eagles to a CIF Division 1 state championship in 2011 as a senior. He then enrolled at USC, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2012 as he became the first-ever true freshman to start at left tackle for the Trojans.
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During his time at USC, Tuerk played several positions on USC’s offensive line. The Trojans went to four bowl games during Tuerk’s tenure, going 2-2 in the postseason.
After four years with the Trojans, earning first-team All-Pac-12 as a junior, Tuerk was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, going 66th overall. But a knee injury kept him on the inactive list his entire rookie season.
He was on the Chargers for two seasons, joining the practice squad in 2017. Prior to that season, Tuerk was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy, a violation he blamed on over-the-counter products.
Later in 2017, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad but was cut in 2018. He had not been a part of an NFL roster since then.
Several of Tuerk’s former teammates and coaches took to Twitter to mourn his loss, including Jurrell Casey, Chuma Edoga, Viane Talamaivao, Kris Albarado and Dion Bailey.
“Just got some terrible news,” Bailey tweeted. “Damn, man, RIP Max Tuerk! Gone too soon.”
“I thought 2020 couldn’t get much worse. #RIP to one of the most passionate teammates,” Albarado tweeted.
USC offensive line coach Tim Drevno, who coached Tuerk in 2014, shared his thoughts, too.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Tuerk family through these trying times,” Drevno tweeted. “Max was an unbelievable player, leader and teammate. He embodied what it is to be a Trojan! I was honored to coach and be around such an amazing spirit!”


mercurynews--2020-06-22--LAPD ending use of CalGang database after 2 decades

The Los Angeles Police Department will no longer use a controversial database tracking thousands of people accused of being gang members .
“ Effective immediately , the Los Angeles Police Department ( in conjunction with the Board of Police Commissioners ) is placing a moratorium on all entries and use of the CalGang System , ” department officials said in a statement released late Friday night .
The database was created around two decades ago , with LAPD and other police agencies entering thousands of names into the system in an attempt to map out networks of gang members .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of residents in predominantly Latino and Black communities ended up entering family and friends of gang members , who might otherwise have no connection to local gangs .
A 2016 state audit found children as young as 1-year-old being put into the system .
After years of controversy , however , why LAPD ended its use of the database now is not clear .
In the statement , officials said LAPD was ending its use of the database after “ recent audits and ongoing complaint investigations ” called its accuracy into question .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 2016 audit was one of them .
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra in February said his office would review LAPD ’ s use of the system .
Becerra ’ s office did not return a request for comment Sunday .
An LAPD spokeswoman did not have any immediate information on the suspension of the department ’ s use of the database .

The Los Angeles Police Department will no longer use a controversial database tracking thousands of people accused of being gang members.
“Effective immediately, the Los Angeles Police Department (in conjunction with the Board of Police Commissioners) is placing a moratorium on all entries and use of the CalGang System,” department officials said in a statement released late Friday night.
The database was created around two decades ago, with LAPD and other police agencies entering thousands of names into the system in an attempt to map out networks of gang members.
In practice, police making frequent stops of residents in predominantly Latino and Black communities ended up entering family and friends of gang members, who might otherwise have no connection to local gangs.
A 2016 state audit found children as young as 1-year-old being put into the system.
After years of controversy, however, why LAPD ended its use of the database now is not clear.
In the statement, officials said LAPD was ending its use of the database after “recent audits and ongoing complaint investigations” called its accuracy into question.
LAPD did not say whether the findings of the 2016 audit was one of them. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra in February said his office would review LAPD’s use of the system.
Becerra’s office did not return a request for comment Sunday. An LAPD spokeswoman did not have any immediate information on the suspension of the department’s use of the database.


mercurynews--2020-06-22--Letter: Third track star also took stand for human rights

Re : ” ‘ We have steps to go ’ : Silent protest of Smith , Carlos still resonates 52 years later ” ( Page C1 , June 16 ) : Peter Norman , of Australia , was the silver medalist at the 1968 Olympics .
On the winners ’ stand he wore a small white badge that said “ Olympic Project for Human Rights , ” an organization that had been formed the previous year .
When Norman returned to Australia he was shunned and blackballed .
Although the Olympic Committee never threw him out , as it did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competed in an Olympic race .
In Australia he was persona non grata for the rest of his life .
• Letter : We need reporters to keep our public officials honest • Letter : Guatemalan or not , the US flies asylum-seekers there • Letter : Humans at PG & E made the choices that killed 84 Smith and Carlos remained his friends and gave eulogies at his funeral in 2006 .
He deserves to be acknowledged as a man who paid heavily for his stand on human rights .
Submit your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read more Letters to the Editor

Re: ” ‘We have steps to go’: Silent protest of Smith, Carlos still resonates 52 years later” (Page C1, June 16):
Peter Norman, of Australia, was the silver medalist at the 1968 Olympics. On the winners’ stand he wore a small white badge that said “Olympic Project for Human Rights,” an organization that had been formed the previous year.
When Norman returned to Australia he was shunned and blackballed. Although the Olympic Committee never threw him out, as it did Smith and Carlos, Norman never again competed in an Olympic race. In Australia he was persona non grata for the rest of his life.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Smith and Carlos remained his friends and gave eulogies at his funeral in 2006. He deserves to be acknowledged as a man who paid heavily for his stand on human rights.
Leelane Hines
Los Altos
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-06-22--Horoscopes June 22, 2020: Carson Daly, try something new.

Happy Birthday : Try something new .
Research the possibilities .
Consider signing up for an online course that will help put your talents and skills to good use .
Turn the time you spend at home into magical moments with loved ones .
How you treat and respond to others will reveal what you can expect in return .
Couple giving and taking with love and gratitude .
Your numbers are 5 , 19 , 22 , 28 , 30 , 37 , 44 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Work hard , play hard and live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional issues grow out of proportion or cause setbacks .
Address issues head-on , put the past behind you and prepare to make the most of your day .
2 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : You know the drill .
Hop to it , and stay on course .
Set high standards and goals .
Reach for the stars , and refuse to let anything come between you and what you are trying to achieve .
Think big , but remain practical .
Trust your intuition .
4 stars GEMINI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will fall into place if you take your time , pay attention to detail and proceed with tunnel vision .
Don ’ t let outsiders interfere when what ’ s essential is obtaining your goal and finishing on time .
Commit yourself .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Look at your options , and consider the best way to use your skills to excel .
Financial opportunities look promising and will encourage you to make personal changes .
When it comes to important decisions , don ’ t let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Stand up and be counted .
Don ’ t make changes for the wrong reason or because someone is pressuring you to do so .
Proceed with consistency , a steady pace and the intent to do your own thing .
Personal improvement will draw attention .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : A demonstrative approach will help you bring about positive change .
Contact people you have worked alongside and trust for advice that will help you reach your goal .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you as you move forward .
4 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Don ’ t labor over what you can not change .
Strive to improve your life .
Build a daily routine that includes taking better care of yourself .
Staying healthy should be a priority .
If you want to look amazing , healthy eating and fitness matter .
2 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : You ’ ll pick up information quickly , but before you apply what you hear , verify the facts offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you give an idea , you have a unique spin .
Do things differently , and it will set you on the road to success .
5 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Physical work will be satisfying as well as productive .
A chance to make extra cash will open up if you offer something that others want .
Building something unique can be fun and lucrative if you use your imagination .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : People who offer mental stimulation and sensitivity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
Working in conjunction with like-minded people will help you bring about change .
Implement a domestic shift that will add to your comfort and relieve stress .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Look in the mirror , scour your surroundings and start the task of decluttering and clearing a path to personal and domestic freedom .
The physical change brought about through hard work and dedication will improve your life .
Commit yourself .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Research before you start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up against and how best to put your ideas into play will make it easier to implement change .
A personal victory will be yours depending on the way you handle matters .
Speak up .
5 stars Birthday Baby : You are thoughtful , affectionate and opportunistic .
You are imaginative and perceptive .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Carson Daly, 47; Cyndi Lauper, 67; Meryl Streep, 71; Todd Rundgren, 72.
Happy Birthday: Try something new. Research the possibilities. Consider signing up for an online course that will help put your talents and skills to good use. Turn the time you spend at home into magical moments with loved ones. How you treat and respond to others will reveal what you can expect in return. Couple giving and taking with love and gratitude. Your numbers are 5, 19, 22, 28, 30, 37, 44.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Work hard, play hard and live life your way. Refuse to let emotional issues grow out of proportion or cause setbacks. Address issues head-on, put the past behind you and prepare to make the most of your day. 2 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You know the drill. Hop to it, and stay on course. Set high standards and goals. Reach for the stars, and refuse to let anything come between you and what you are trying to achieve. Think big, but remain practical. Trust your intuition. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Everything will fall into place if you take your time, pay attention to detail and proceed with tunnel vision. Don’t let outsiders interfere when what’s essential is obtaining your goal and finishing on time. Commit yourself. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Look at your options, and consider the best way to use your skills to excel. Financial opportunities look promising and will encourage you to make personal changes. When it comes to important decisions, don’t let your emotions drive you. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Stand up and be counted. Don’t make changes for the wrong reason or because someone is pressuring you to do so. Proceed with consistency, a steady pace and the intent to do your own thing. Personal improvement will draw attention. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A demonstrative approach will help you bring about positive change. Contact people you have worked alongside and trust for advice that will help you reach your goal. The information you gather will be valuable to you as you move forward. 4 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t labor over what you cannot change. Strive to improve your life. Build a daily routine that includes taking better care of yourself. Staying healthy should be a priority. If you want to look amazing, healthy eating and fitness matter. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll pick up information quickly, but before you apply what you hear, verify the facts offered. An opportunity is within reach; if you give an idea, you have a unique spin. Do things differently, and it will set you on the road to success. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Physical work will be satisfying as well as productive. A chance to make extra cash will open up if you offer something that others want. Building something unique can be fun and lucrative if you use your imagination. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): People who offer mental stimulation and sensitivity toward something you care about will attract you. Working in conjunction with like-minded people will help you bring about change. Implement a domestic shift that will add to your comfort and relieve stress. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look in the mirror, scour your surroundings and start the task of decluttering and clearing a path to personal and domestic freedom. The physical change brought about through hard work and dedication will improve your life. Commit yourself. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Research before you start something new. Knowing what you are up against and how best to put your ideas into play will make it easier to implement change. A personal victory will be yours depending on the way you handle matters. Speak up. 5 stars
Birthday Baby: You are thoughtful, affectionate and opportunistic. You are imaginative and perceptive.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Bridge: June 22, 2020

Cy the Cynic says that if at first you don ’ t succeed , try a few more times so your failure will be statistically significant .
But when Cy was today ’ s declarer , he had only one chance to fail .
At four spades , Cy won the trump opening lead with the ace and led a diamond to dummy ’ s king .
East took the ace and returned a trump , and when West won the next diamond , he led a third trump .
Cy pitched a heart on dummy ’ s ace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing diamonds .
Down one .
Cy ’ s play was statistically inferior .
He gets an extra chance by unblocking his king of clubs at Trick Two , then leading a diamond to the king .
When East wins and returns a trump , the Cynic wins in dummy , takes the ace of clubs , ruffs a club and concedes a diamond .
If defense leads another trump , Cy wins in dummy and ruffs a club .
He can lead a heart to dummy and pitch a loser on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badly , Cy would have an outside chance for a diamond ruff in dummy .
You hold : S Q 9 2 H A 4 2 D K 5 C A 10 8 6 3 .
You open one club , your partner responds one heart , you bid 1NT and he tries two spades .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Show your heart support .
( To raise to two hearts at your second turn would have been defensible . )
Since partner has suggested a shapely hand , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bid three hearts .
With stronger support — if you had Q 9 2 , A K 2 , A 2 , J 10 8 6 3 — you would jump to four hearts .

Cy the Cynic says that if at first you don’t succeed, try a few more times so your failure will be statistically significant. But when Cy was today’s declarer, he had only one chance to fail.
At four spades, Cy won the trump opening lead with the ace and led a diamond to dummy’s king. East took the ace and returned a trump, and when West won the next diamond, he led a third trump. Cy pitched a heart on dummy’s ace of clubs, but he had two more losing diamonds. Down one.
INFERIOR
Cy’s play was statistically inferior. He gets an extra chance by unblocking his king of clubs at Trick Two, then leading a diamond to the king. When East wins and returns a trump, the Cynic wins in dummy, takes the ace of clubs, ruffs a club and concedes a diamond.
If defense leads another trump, Cy wins in dummy and ruffs a club. He can lead a heart to dummy and pitch a loser on the good fifth club. If clubs broke badly, Cy would have an outside chance for a diamond ruff in dummy.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 9 2 H A 4 2 D K 5 C A 10 8 6 3. You open one club, your partner responds one heart, you bid 1NT and he tries two spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: Show your heart support. (To raise to two hearts at your second turn would have been defensible.) Since partner has suggested a shapely hand, that is what he wants to hear. Bid three hearts. With stronger support — if you had Q 9 2, A K 2, A 2, J 10 8 6 3 — you would jump to four hearts.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S Q 9 2
H A 4 2
D K 5
C A 10 8 6 3
WEST
S 7 6 5
H Q 10 7
D Q 10 9
C Q J 7 5
EAST
S 4 3
H J 9 8 6
D A J 8 3
C 9 4 2
SOUTH
S A K J 10 8
H K 5 3
D 7 6 4 2
C K
South West North East
1 S Pass 2 C Pass
2 D Pass 3 S Pass
4 S All Pass
Opening lead — S 7
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-06-22--Word Game: June 22, 2020

Word Game: June 22, 2020

Can you find 19 or more words in SOLUTE ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — SOLUTE (SOLUTE: SAHL-yoot: Being in suspension; dissolved.)
Average mark 14 words
Time limit 25 minutes
Can you find 19 or more words in SOLUTE? The list will be published tomorrow.
SATURDAY’S WORD — CREDIBLE cede cider cire creed creel crib cried rebel rebid
reed reel relic relied rice ride rile edible eider elder elide decibel decile deer deice deicer
dele deli dice dicer diel dire drib iced idle idler beer belie bide bier bile bird bled bleed
bred breed bride bridle leer lice lied lire
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.