washingtontimes--2020-08-13--Wyoming county sells Casper medical center to Banner Health

CASPER , Wyo .
( AP ) - A Wyoming county commission voted to sell its medical center to Banner Health , which will add the facility to its growing heath care system .
The Natrona County Commission approved the $ 200 million deal for Wyoming Medical Center in Casper Thursday , The Casper Star-Tribune reports .
The five-member commission unanimously approved the agreement with the national organization after the hospital ’ s separate nonprofit board gave its approval .
Banner will absorb $ 50 million in debt remaining from the medical center ’ s construction and the purchase of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Banner also committed to investing $ 100 million in the medical center over the next decade .
The county will receive $ 120 million , with about $ 40 million directed to the medical center ’ s foundation .
The remainder of the hospital ’ s assets of about $ 200 million will also be shifted to the foundation .
The foundation is expected to become one of the state ’ s largest philanthropic organizations , continuing to support the medical center while expanding to issue grants in the area .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foundation to disburse funding .

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - A Wyoming county commission voted to sell its medical center to Banner Health, which will add the facility to its growing heath care system.
The Natrona County Commission approved the $200 million deal for Wyoming Medical Center in Casper Thursday, The Casper Star-Tribune reports.
The five-member commission unanimously approved the agreement with the national organization after the hospital’s separate nonprofit board gave its approval.
Banner will absorb $50 million in debt remaining from the medical center’s construction and the purchase of Mountain View Regional Hospital two years ago.
Banner also committed to investing $100 million in the medical center over the next decade.
The county will receive $120 million, with about $40 million directed to the medical center’s foundation. The remainder of the hospital’s assets of about $200 million will also be shifted to the foundation.
The foundation is expected to become one of the state’s largest philanthropic organizations, continuing to support the medical center while expanding to issue grants in the area.
The county plans to continue working with the foundation to disburse funding.


washingtontimes--2020-08-13--9 men, including 3 soldiers, charged in child sex ring case

KILLEEN , Texas ( AP ) - Central Texas authorities say they ’ ve cracked a child prostitution ring involving nine men , including three soldiers .
Two Fort Hood soldiers and one from Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio are among the nine suspects netted in their investigation , Killeen police said .
The nine made agreements involving money , drugs and alcohol on various social media platforms for sex acts with girls aged 15 and 16 , police spokeswoman Ofelia Miramontez said .
The “ girls ” turned out to be undercover officers and no children were jeopardized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seven suspects , including the Fort Hood soldiers , were arrested on felony child prostitution charges .
The other two , including the Fort Sam Houston soldier , were charged with misdemeanor prostitution .
A team of independent investigators has been created to determine whether leadership failures at Fort Hood contributed to the murder of a soldier earlier this year , and several other deaths .
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy has acknowledged that there have been other incidents of violence that could point to broader problems .
Meantime , the planned transfer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assume command of a division has been postponed .

KILLEEN, Texas (AP) - Central Texas authorities say they’ve cracked a child prostitution ring involving nine men, including three soldiers.
Two Fort Hood soldiers and one from Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio are among the nine suspects netted in their investigation, Killeen police said.
The nine made agreements involving money, drugs and alcohol on various social media platforms for sex acts with girls aged 15 and 16, police spokeswoman Ofelia Miramontez said. The “girls” turned out to be undercover officers and no children were jeopardized by the operation, she said.
Seven suspects, including the Fort Hood soldiers, were arrested on felony child prostitution charges. The other two, including the Fort Sam Houston soldier, were charged with misdemeanor prostitution.
A team of independent investigators has been created to determine whether leadership failures at Fort Hood contributed to the murder of a soldier earlier this year, and several other deaths. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy has acknowledged that there have been other incidents of violence that could point to broader problems.
Meantime, the planned transfer of the Fort Hood commander to Fort Bliss to assume command of a division has been postponed.


washingtontimes--2020-08-13--9/11 'twin beams of light' tribute scrapped due to coronavirus

NEW YORK — Twin beams of light representing the World Trade Center towers won ’ t be beamed into the sky during this year ’ s memorial of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic , organizers of the annual ceremony said Thursday .
Michael Frazier , a spokesman for National September 11 Memorial & Museum , said organizers were concerned about the health risks to workers who would set up the display .
“ The world ’ s beloved twin beams of light regrettably will not shine over Lower Manhattan as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Frazier said in a statement .
The Memorial & Museum is planning an alternative display that will include spires and facades of buildings in Manhattan being illuminated in blue , he said .
Last month , organizers also cited the pandemic in canceling one of the most poignant parts of previous memorials - the personal messages spoken by families of victims .
They said recorded name readings from the museum ’ s “ In Memoriam ” exhibition will be used instead of having relatives read the names in person .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slammed into the World Trade Center , the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11 , 2001 .

NEW YORK — Twin beams of light representing the World Trade Center towers won’t be beamed into the sky during this year’s memorial of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, organizers of the annual ceremony said Thursday.
Michael Frazier, a spokesman for National September 11 Memorial & Museum, said organizers were concerned about the health risks to workers who would set up the display.
“The world’s beloved twin beams of light regrettably will not shine over Lower Manhattan as part of this year’s tributes,” Frazier said in a statement.
The Memorial & Museum is planning an alternative display that will include spires and facades of buildings in Manhattan being illuminated in blue, he said.
Last month, organizers also cited the pandemic in canceling one of the most poignant parts of previous memorials - the personal messages spoken by families of victims. They said recorded name readings from the museum’s “In Memoriam” exhibition will be used instead of having relatives read the names in person.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when terrorist-piloted planes slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001.


washingtontimes--2020-08-13--Twin beams of light won't shine during 9/11 tribute in NYC

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Twin beams of light representing the World Trade Center towers won ’ t be beamed into the sky during this year ’ s memorial of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic , organizers of the annual ceremony said Thursday .
Michael Frazier , a spokesman for National September 11 Memorial & Museum , said organizers were concerned about the health risks to workers who would set up the display .
“ The world ’ s beloved twin beams of light regrettably will not shine over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s tributes , ” Frazier said in a statement .
The Memorial & Museum is planning an alternative display that will include spires and facades of buildings in Manhattan being illuminated in blue , he said .
Last month , organizers also cited the pandemic in canceling one of the most poignant parts of previous memorials - the personal messages spoken by families of victims .
They said recorded name readings from the museum ’ s “ In Memoriam ” exhibition will be used instead of having relatives read the names in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when terrorist-piloted planes slammed into the World Trade Center , the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11 , 2001 .

NEW YORK (AP) - Twin beams of light representing the World Trade Center towers won’t be beamed into the sky during this year’s memorial of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, organizers of the annual ceremony said Thursday.
Michael Frazier, a spokesman for National September 11 Memorial & Museum, said organizers were concerned about the health risks to workers who would set up the display.
“The world’s beloved twin beams of light regrettably will not shine over Lower Manhattan as part of this year’s tributes,” Frazier said in a statement.
The Memorial & Museum is planning an alternative display that will include spires and facades of buildings in Manhattan being illuminated in blue, he said.
Last month, organizers also cited the pandemic in canceling one of the most poignant parts of previous memorials - the personal messages spoken by families of victims. They said recorded name readings from the museum’s “In Memoriam” exhibition will be used instead of having relatives read the names in person.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when terrorist-piloted planes slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001.


washingtontimes--2020-08-13--Fresno County school that opened classrooms ordered to close

FRESNO , Calif. ( AP ) - A private school in California was ordered to close Thursday after it reopened classrooms in violation of a state health order aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus .
Fresno County issued a health order against Immanuel Schools in Reedley , ordering it to close its classrooms until the county is removed from a state monitoring list for two weeks .
Violating the order could lead to fines of up to $ 1,000 per violation per day .
The order requests the county sheriff and local police chiefs to enforce the order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups at the school for the first day of the new school year without practicing social distancing or wearing masks .
The private Christian school , located in the Central Valley , has about 600 students in classes from kindergarten through high school .
All are taught on a single campus .
“ Immanuel Schools and all Fresno County Schools have an obligation to protect the health and safety of all students and faculty , ” David Pomaville , the county ’ s public health director , said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools to provide guidance and help ensure that any re-opening is done in accordance with best practices.
” The order also is designed to “ address the strain upon the health care system ” from COVID-19 , the statement said .
Messages seeking comment from the school after hours Thursday weren ’ t immediately returned .
However , the school ’ s Board of Trustees and Superintendent Ryan Wood issued a statement that said they believe “ our mission is best achieved through in-person education.
” “ Preventing schools from teaching students on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , physical , emotional , and spiritual development , while also imposing a burden to working families , ” the statement said , adding that the school intends to sue over health orders barring classroom instruction .
Fresno is one of nearly 40 counties that are on a state monitoring list because of rising COVID-19 infection rates .
The county was added to the list on June 8 .
On Thursday , it reported nearly 350 new cases , for a total of nearly 18,700 , with 191 deaths .
Schools within those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek waivers to reopen until certain statistics show infection rates are slowing .
Most school districts have started or will start their new academic years with online instruction .

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Students at a private school in California attended their second day of in-person classes Friday despite state and county orders to close the campus.
Fresno County will now seek a court restraining order to close Immanuel Schools in Reedley, county Director of Public Health David Pomaville said at an afternoon briefing.
Immanuel Schools offers kindergarten through 12th grade classes on a single campus. It was ordered to close Thursday after it reopened classrooms in violation of a state health order aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
Fresno County said the private Christian school with about 600 students cannot use its classrooms until the county is removed from a state monitoring list for two weeks.
“Immanuel Schools and all Fresno County schools have an obligation to protect the health and safety of all students and faculty,” Pomaville said in an earlier statement.
The order also is designed to “address the strain upon the health care system” from COVID-19, the statement said.
News reports said students gathered in groups at the school for the first two days of the new school year without practicing social distancing or wearing masks.
One parent told the Fresno Bee that it was the parents’ right to send their students to class.
The school’s Board of Trustees and Superintendent Ryan Wood issued a statement that said they believe “our mission is best achieved through in-person education.”
“For the majority of students, it is clear that an online education is not a substitute for an in-person, Christ-centered, relationally based classroom setting,” the statement said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday urged school officials to reconsider, saying he was disappointed to learn officials violated the health order.
“This school unfortunately is choosing not to model good behavior and do the right thing,” he said. “We’d all do well to abide by our local health officers.”
Fresno is one of nearly 40 counties on a state monitoring list because of rising COVID-19 infection rates. The county was added to the list on June 8. It has a higher rate of positive tests coming back than the state average and has reported 191 deaths.
Schools within those counties cannot reopen for classes or seek waivers for certain elementary schools to reopen until statistics show infection rates are slowing. Most school districts have started or will start their new academic years with online instruction.
“I’m not trying to flex any muscle here,” Newsom said of the restrictions. “All I’m trying to do is encourage people to stay safe, stay healthy.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-13--AP PHOTOS: AP Week in Pictures, Asia

AP PHOTOS: AP Week in Pictures, Asia

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo .

Aug. 7-13, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific.
The gallery was curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-08-13--Mexico City reopens movie theaters to sparse crowds

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - The few , the brave - those were the people returning this week to movie theaters in Mexico City that had been closed for four months due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Yes , there was popcorn .
But movie goers had to wear face masks , and could only lift them to eat or drink .
And their temperatures were checked at the entrance .
They also had to walk on a sanitizing mat .
Dates were okay , but forget about sitting with a group of friends : no more than two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as they were surrounded by empty seats .
Theaters in the capital have been allowed to open at only 30 % of capacity - entire rows were blocked off with yellow tape - but even so there was no competition for the best seats .
At an IMAX screen in Mexico City , only about 10 customers showed up Wednesday , but technical problems with a projector put off the scheduled screening of the 2014 space drama “ Interstellar.
” “ It felt great to be able to come back , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , seeing a film in a movie theater is the definitive way to see it.
” With new movie premieres delayed by worldwide lockdowns and theaters scrambling to find something to show , the pandemic has at least brought back the classics .
Antonio Alamillo , 47 , a bakery manager , and Nélida Cartujano , 42 , a teacher , came to see the 1955 James Dean classic “ Rebel Without a Cause.
” “ I was here on the last day the theaters were open and here I am on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Alamillo .
“ I can ’ t live without the cinema.
” Movie theaters in Mexico sold about 350 million tickets , making Mexico the fourth largest movie market in the world , after China , India and the United States .
In terms of revenues , Mexico was in ninth place , with ticket sales worth about $ 850 million in 2019 .
The country has relatively low ticket prices .
But the movie theater business chamber , Canacine , estimates Mexican movie houses lost about 152 million ticket sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 25 to August 10 .
At least a dozen movie theaters across the country have announced they will close permanently .
Mexico ’ s Culture Secretary , Alejandra Frausto , was at one of the first showings at Mexico City ’ s Cineteca Nacional complex .
“ A moment like this , returning to the movies , seemed impossible , ” Frausto said .
“ But that is precisely what art does , make the impossible possible.
” Mexico passed the half-million mark in coronavirus cases on Thursday .
The Health Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total so far to 505,751 .
The department reported 627 more confirmed COVID-19 deaths , bringing the country ’ s accumulated total to 55,293 deaths .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - The few, the brave - those were the people returning this week to movie theaters in Mexico City that had been closed for four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Yes, there was popcorn. But movie goers had to wear face masks, and could only lift them to eat or drink. And their temperatures were checked at the entrance. They also had to walk on a sanitizing mat.
Dates were okay, but forget about sitting with a group of friends: no more than two people were allowed to sit together, as long as they were surrounded by empty seats.
Theaters in the capital have been allowed to open at only 30% of capacity - entire rows were blocked off with yellow tape - but even so there was no competition for the best seats.
At an IMAX screen in Mexico City, only about 10 customers showed up Wednesday, but technical problems with a projector put off the scheduled screening of the 2014 space drama “Interstellar.”
“It felt great to be able to come back, “said Matías Mora. “For me, seeing a film in a movie theater is the definitive way to see it.”
With new movie premieres delayed by worldwide lockdowns and theaters scrambling to find something to show, the pandemic has at least brought back the classics.
Antonio Alamillo, 47, a bakery manager, and Nélida Cartujano, 42, a teacher, came to see the 1955 James Dean classic “Rebel Without a Cause.”
“I was here on the last day the theaters were open and here I am on the first day they opened again,” said Alamillo. “I can’t live without the cinema.”
Movie theaters in Mexico sold about 350 million tickets, making Mexico the fourth largest movie market in the world, after China, India and the United States. In terms of revenues, Mexico was in ninth place, with ticket sales worth about $850 million in 2019. The country has relatively low ticket prices.
But the movie theater business chamber, Canacine, estimates Mexican movie houses lost about 152 million ticket sales during the shutdown, which lasted from March 25 to August 10. At least a dozen movie theaters across the country have announced they will close permanently.
Mexico’s Culture Secretary, Alejandra Frausto, was at one of the first showings at Mexico City’s Cineteca Nacional complex.
“A moment like this, returning to the movies, seemed impossible,” Frausto said. “But that is precisely what art does, make the impossible possible.”
Mexico passed the half-million mark in coronavirus cases on Thursday. The Health Department reported 7,371 newly confirmed cases, bringing the total so far to 505,751. The department reported 627 more confirmed COVID-19 deaths, bringing the country’s accumulated total to 55,293 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-08-13--North Korea lifts lockdown in city, rejects flood, virus aid

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lifted a lockdown in a major city near the border with South Korea where thousands had been quarantined for weeks over coronavirus worries , state media said Friday .
But Kim during a ruling party meeting on Thursday also insisted the North will keep its borders shut and rejected any outside help as the country carries out an aggressive anti-virus campaign and rebuilds thousands of houses , roads and bridges damaged by heavy rain and floods in recent weeks .
Pyongyang ’ s official Korean Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jae Ryong as Cabinet premier following an evaluation of the Cabinet ’ s performance in economic affairs and appointed Kim Tok Hun as his successor .
Entering the last year of an ambitious five-year national development plan , Kim Jong Un in December declared a “ frontal breakthrough ” against international sanctions while urging his nation to stay resilient in a struggle for economic self-reliance .
But experts say the COVID-19 crisis likely thwarted some of Kim ’ s major economic goals by forcing the country into a lockdown that shut the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major ally and economic lifeline - and potentially hampered his ability to mobilize people for labor .
During Thursday ’ s meeting , Kim said it was clear after three weeks that the virus situation in Kaesong was stable and expressed gratitude to residents for cooperating with the lockdown , the KCNA said .
In late July , Kim ordered a total lockdown of Kaesong and had the nation shift into a “ maximum emergency system ” after the North claimed of finding a person with COVID-19 symptoms .
The North ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a North Korean who had earlier fled to the South before slipping back into Kaesong .
But South Korean health authorities say the 24-year-old hadn ’ t tested positive in South Korea and never had contact with any known virus carrier .
North Korea later said the person ’ s test results were inconclusive and still maintains it is virus-free , a status widely doubted by outsiders .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lifted a lockdown in a major city near the border with South Korea where thousands had been quarantined for weeks over coronavirus worries, state media said Friday.
But Kim, during a key ruling party meeting on Thursday, also insisted the North will keep its borders shut and rejected any outside help as the country carries out an aggressive anti-virus campaign and rebuilds thousands of houses, roads and bridges damaged by heavy rain and floods in recent weeks.
Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency also said Kim replaced Kim Jae Ryong as premier following an evaluation of the Cabinet’s economic performance and appointed Kim Tok Hun as his successor.
Entering the last year of an ambitious five-year national development plan, Kim Jong Un in December declared a “frontal breakthrough” against international sanctions while urging his nation to stay resilient in a struggle for economic self-reliance.
But experts say the COVID-19 crisis likely thwarted some of Kim’s major economic goals by forcing the country into a lockdown that shut the border with China - the North’s major ally and economic lifeline - and potentially hampered his ability to mobilize people for labor.
During Thursday’s meeting, Kim said it was clear after three weeks of isolation measures and “scientific verification” that the virus situation in Kaesong was stable and expressed gratitude to residents for cooperating with the lockdown, KCNA reported.
Kim said his country now faces a dual challenge of fending off COVID-19 amid a worsening global pandemic and repairing damage from torrential rain that lashed the country in past weeks.
KCNA said 39,296 hectares (97,100 acres) of crops were ruined nationwide and 16,680 homes and 630 public buildings destroyed or flooded. It said many roads, bridges and railway sections were damaged and a dam of an unspecified power station gave way. There was no mention of any information related to injuries or deaths.
Kim expressed sympathy with people who were at temporary facilities after losing their houses to floods and called for swift recovery efforts so that none is “homeless” by the time the country celebrates the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party’s founding on Oct. 10.
“The situation, in which the spread of the worldwide malignant virus has become worse, requires us not to allow any outside aid for the flood damage but shut the border tighter and carry out strict anti-epidemic work,” KCNA paraphrased Kim as saying.
Kim’s public rejection of international aid for flood recovery and his decision to release Kaesong from quarantine are negative indicators for inter-Korean cooperation as South Korea had hoped to restart diplomatic engagement by providing support in these areas, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.
Cho Hey-sil, spokesperson of Seoul’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said the South remains willing to provide humanitarian assistance to the North.
North Korea in past months has severed virtually all cooperation with the South amid a stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, which faltered over disagreements in exchanging sanctions relief and disarmament steps.
The North in June blew up an inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, following months of frustration over Seoul’s unwillingness to defy U.S.-led sanctions over its nuclear weapons program and restart joint economic projects that would help the North’s broken economy.
“The North Korean economy, while touting self-reliance, is increasingly dependent on China and will struggle to balance sanctions-busting efforts and COVID-19 prevention,” Easley said. “The job of North Korea’s new premier will be to show the country has recovered from recent flooding and has upgraded public health facilities” by the October party anniversary, he said.
In late July, Kim ordered a total lockdown of Kaesong and had the nation shift into a “maximum emergency system” after the North reported it found a person with COVID-19 symptoms.
The North’s state media said the suspected case was a North Korean who had earlier fled to the South before slipping back into Kaesong. But South Korean health authorities say the 24-year-old hadn’t tested positive in South Korea and never had contact with any known virus carrier.
North Korea later said the person’s test results were inconclusive and still maintains it is virus-free, a status widely doubted by outsiders. Some experts said the North was likely trying to shift the blame over a possible spread of the virus to South Korea.
In an email to The Associated Press last week, Dr. Edwin Salvador, the World Health Organization’s representative to North Korea, said the North has told the U.N. agency it quarantined 64 first contacts of the suspected Kaesong case and 3,571 secondary contacts in state-run facilities for 40 days.
Since the end of December, North Korea has quarantined and released 25,905 people, 382 of them foreigners, Salvador said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Schools get state guidance about handling COVID-19 outbreaks

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) - Pennsylvania state government agencies are providing school leaders with advice about how to respond when students or employees with confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been on school property , from cleaning and tracing their contacts to shutting down buildings for two weeks or longer .
The Education and Health departments late Thursday notified school administrators of the recommended procedures , which depend on how many people are infected and how widespread the disease has been growing in their county .
School leaders had sought the advice as they plan for restarting instruction this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Levis .
“ It ’ s additional guidance that we ’ re providing to the school districts because we recognize that they ’ re not medical professionals , ” Levis said Friday .
In areas with low spread and just one case inside a school building over a 14-day period , the advice is to clean areas where the infected person has been and get public health agency assistance tracking their contacts .
With a few more cases over the two-week period and moderate infection spread in the county , schools are advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for five to seven days .
Schools that get five or more cases should close down for two weeks and the entire building should be cleaned , the Education and Health departments suggested .
The guidance says shutting down facilities “ allows public health staff the necessary time to complete case investigations and contact tracing , and to provide schools with other appropriate public health advice like cleaning and disinfecting.
” In areas where COVID-19 is considered to be at the “ substantial ” level of community spread , the agencies say schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ full remote learning model.
” Schools should keep people out of areas where a sick person has been , including buses and vans , and wait 24 hours before directing custodial staff to clean and disinfect .
Students should not take part in disinfecting .
Public health officials do not need to be notified every time someone exhibits symptoms , but those people should be isolated and sent home with a referral to get medical attention , the state agencies said .

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania state government agencies are providing school leaders with advice about how to respond when students or employees with confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been on school property, from cleaning and tracing their contacts to shutting down buildings for two weeks or longer.
The Education and Health departments late Thursday notified school administrators of the recommended procedures, which depend on how many people are infected and how widespread the disease has been growing in their county.
School leaders had sought the advice as they plan for restarting instruction this fall, said Education Department spokesman Rick Levis.
“It’s additional guidance that we’re providing to the school districts because we recognize that they’re not medical professionals,” Levis said Friday.
In areas with low spread and just one case inside a school building over a 14-day period, the advice is to clean areas where the infected person has been and get public health agency assistance tracking their contacts.
With a few more cases over the two-week period and moderate infection spread in the county, schools are advised to clean, trace contacts and close for five to seven days.
Schools that get five or more cases should close down for two weeks and the entire building should be cleaned, the Education and Health departments suggested.
Mark DiRocco with the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators said he welcomed the indication that public health officials will play a major role in responding to cases.
“We really don’t want them to make recommendations to districts, we want them to step in and actually help,” DiRocco said.
He said it was also a good idea to have including a way for school officials to get questions answered, but stressed that it needs to produce timely answers.
“The clock’s running out on us now,” DiRocco said. “Districts have to open their schools here in the next two to three weeks - they can’t be waiting days to get answers to their questions.”
The guidance says shutting down facilities “allows public health staff the necessary time to complete case investigations and contact tracing, and to provide schools with other appropriate public health advice like cleaning and disinfecting.”
In areas where COVID-19 is considered to be at the “substantial” level of community spread, the agencies say schools should shut their doors and operate with a “full remote learning model.”
Schools should keep people out of areas where a sick person has been, including buses and vans, and wait 24 hours before directing custodial staff to clean and disinfect. Students should not take part in disinfecting.
Public health officials do not need to be notified every time someone exhibits symptoms, but those people should be isolated and sent home with a referral to get medical attention, the state agencies said.
The state’s largest teachers union, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, urged schools to follow the guidelines but said they need more teeth, and called for consistent standards for social distancing and metrics to determine when schools can be open.
“We still need enforceable state rules that make it absolutely clear what school districts are supposed to do to keep everyone safe in our schools,” said union spokesman Chris Lilienthal in an email.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Organization predicts Anchorage to lose 11,000 jobs in 2020

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - The Anchorage Economic Development Corp. has predicted the city is likely to lose more than 11,000 jobs this year , largely because of the financial impact of the coronavirus .
Corporation CEO Bill Popp said the losses would take the city back to employment levels last seen before 2000 , The Alaska Journal of Commerce reported Wednesday .
The severity of the sudden recession resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak in March could result in “ destruction of aspects of our economy , ” Popp said in an Aug. 5 presentation of the corporation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak , Anchorage was at the end of a four-year recession during which more than 6,000 jobs were lost .
Popp urged lawmakers to find ways to help keep businesses afloat and prevent large-scale home foreclosures or evictions .
The corporation ’ s analysis predicted the Anchorage leisure and hospitality industry will experience the biggest labor hit with the loss of more than 5,000 jobs , or 30 % of the sector .
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport passenger traffic is expected to drop by 60 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers , followed by steady growth in the following years to 5 million passengers by 2023 .
Air cargo volume at the airport , which is one of the world ’ s busiest cargo hubs , is expected to grow slightly this year and remain in the annual range of 3 million tons ( 2.7 million metric tons ) .
The city ’ s retail sector is expected to contract by about 1,000 jobs , or 7 % , the organization forecast .
The development corporation predicted the oil and gas industry will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restoring those positions in 2021 .
Anchorage had an average unemployment rate of 12 % in June , down slightly from May .
Statewide unemployment averaged 12.4 % in June .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The Anchorage Economic Development Corp. has predicted the city is likely to lose more than 11,000 jobs this year, largely because of the financial impact of the coronavirus.
Corporation CEO Bill Popp said the losses would take the city back to employment levels last seen before 2000, The Alaska Journal of Commerce reported Wednesday.
The severity of the sudden recession resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak in March could result in “destruction of aspects of our economy,” Popp said in an Aug. 5 presentation of the corporation’s three-year economic outlook for the city.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, Anchorage was at the end of a four-year recession during which more than 6,000 jobs were lost.
Popp urged lawmakers to find ways to help keep businesses afloat and prevent large-scale home foreclosures or evictions.
The corporation’s analysis predicted the Anchorage leisure and hospitality industry will experience the biggest labor hit with the loss of more than 5,000 jobs, or 30% of the sector.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport passenger traffic is expected to drop by 60% this year, to about 2.3 million passengers, followed by steady growth in the following years to 5 million passengers by 2023.
Air cargo volume at the airport, which is one of the world’s busiest cargo hubs, is expected to grow slightly this year and remain in the annual range of 3 million tons (2.7 million metric tons).
The city’s retail sector is expected to contract by about 1,000 jobs, or 7%, the organization forecast.
The development corporation predicted the oil and gas industry will lose about 300 jobs this year before restoring those positions in 2021.
Anchorage had an average unemployment rate of 12% in June, down slightly from May. Statewide unemployment averaged 12.4% in June.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Tech renames dorms honoring men with white supremacist ties

BLACKSBURG , Va. ( AP ) - Virginia Tech is renaming two of its dorms that honored men who espoused white supremacist views .
The buildings built in the 1960s will now instead be named for Black people who fought for the right to be on Tech ’ s campus , according to The Roanoke Times .
“ The previous names on these two residence halls - the temporary homes of many of our students of color in recent years - were inconsistent with the rich heritage and increasingly diverse community that is Virginia Tech , ” President Tim Sands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be renamed Hoge Hall in honor of William and Janie Hoge , who hosted Black students in their home in the 1950s , a time when the university denied campus housing to Black students .
Barringer Hall will be renamed to honor Leslie Whitehurst Jr. , a 1963 graduate who became the first Black student allowed to live on campus in 1961 and who in 1970 became the first Black member of Tech ’ s board of visitors .
Members of the executive committee of the school ’ s board voted Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full board is expected to approve the new names later this month , the newspaper reported .

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Virginia Tech is renaming two of its dorms that honored men who espoused white supremacist views.
The buildings built in the 1960s will now instead be named for Black people who fought for the right to be on Tech’s campus, according to The Roanoke Times.
“The previous names on these two residence halls - the temporary homes of many of our students of color in recent years - were inconsistent with the rich heritage and increasingly diverse community that is Virginia Tech,” President Tim Sands said in a statement.
Lee Hall will be renamed Hoge Hall in honor of William and Janie Hoge, who hosted Black students in their home in the 1950s, a time when the university denied campus housing to Black students.
Barringer Hall will be renamed to honor Leslie Whitehurst Jr., a 1963 graduate who became the first Black student allowed to live on campus in 1961 and who in 1970 became the first Black member of Tech’s board of visitors.
Members of the executive committee of the school’s board voted Thursday voted for the name changes. The full board is expected to approve the new names later this month, the newspaper reported.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Federal task force to prosecute carjackings in Louisville

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) - A spike in carjackings in Kentucky ’ s largest city has led to @ @ @ @ @ force to prosecute the crime in federal court , officials said .
U.S. Attorney Russell @ @ @ @ @ the task force on Thursday during a press conference in Louisville and said it would @ @ @ @ @ national law enforcement officials , news outlets reported .
The move comes as the number @ @ @ @ @ rose : there were four reported in July 2019 and more than 30 this July @ @ @ @ @ in Jefferson County , we are going to take you federal , ” Coleman said @ @ @ @ @ going to take you through the federal system and ultimately take you to federal prison.
@ @ @ @ @ the federal system call for up to 15 years in prison , according to the @ @ @ @ @ Officials say the carjackings come amid a rise in crime in the city .

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A spike in carjackings in Kentucky’s largest city has led to the formation of a task force to prosecute the crime in federal court, officials said.
U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman announced the formation of the task force on Thursday during a press conference in Louisville and said it would combine local, state and national law enforcement officials, news outlets reported.
The move comes as the number of carjacking in the city rose: there were four reported in July 2019 and more than 30 this July.
“If you carjack in Jefferson County, we are going to take you federal,” Coleman said. “We’re going to take you through the federal system and ultimately take you to federal prison.”
Penalties for carjacking in the federal system call for up to 15 years in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Officials say the carjackings come amid a rise in crime in the city.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--States can't afford Trump's jobless aid plan, governor says

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) - Pennsylvania does not have the money to provide $ 100 a week as President Donald Trump pushes states to help pay for a new round of federal unemployment assistance , Gov .
Tom Wolf told the state ’ s members of Congress .
In a Thursday letter , Wolf , a Democrat , urged Pennsylvania ’ s congressional delegation anew to extend the $ 600 per-week federal benefit , which ended last month , and warned them that Trump ’ s plan is a “ convoluted and short-lived proposal that will delay payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costly administrative burdens ” for states .
States are in the midst of deciding whether to sign onto Trump ’ s plan , a new $ 400 a week payment that requires a state to commit to providing $ 100 , or simply accept $ 300 in extra weekly federal unemployment assistance .
Wolf ’ s administration has said a new program must be created from scratch , separate from Pennsylvania ’ s existing unemployment benefits programs , because Trump ’ s executive order is written under disaster relief and emergency assistance law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , including Pennsylvania , do not have the funds to meet this mandatory $ 100 match ” without additional federal aid , Wolf wrote .
Wolf also said there is not enough federal disaster relief aid to sustain the new benefit for more than a few weeks , additional eligibility requirements mean roughly 30,000 fewer Pennsylvanians would receive it and people with backdated claims won ’ t get payments once the federal disaster relief aid runs out .

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania does not have the money to provide $100 a week as President Donald Trump pushes states to help pay for a new round of federal unemployment assistance, Gov. Tom Wolf told the state’s members of Congress.
In a Thursday letter, Wolf, a Democrat, urged Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation anew to extend the $600 per-week federal benefit, which ended last month, and warned them that Trump’s plan is a “convoluted and short-lived proposal that will delay payments to unemployed Pennsylvanians and create unnecessary and costly administrative burdens” for states.
States are in the midst of deciding whether to sign onto Trump’s plan, a new $400 a week payment that requires a state to commit to providing $100, or simply accept $300 in extra weekly federal unemployment assistance.
Wolf’s office said Friday that it is still waiting for additional guidance from the federal government before making a final decision.
Wolf’s administration has said a new program must be created from scratch, separate from Pennsylvania’s existing unemployment benefits programs, because Trump’s executive order is written under disaster relief and emergency assistance law.
But, “simply put, states, including Pennsylvania, do not have the funds to meet this mandatory $100 match” without additional federal aid, Wolf wrote.
Wolf also said there is not enough federal disaster relief aid to sustain the new benefit for more than a few weeks, and people with backdated claims won’t get payments once the federal disaster relief aid runs out.
Plus, additional eligibility requirements will prevent about 30,000 Pennsylvanians from receiving the assistance despite being eligible for the previous round of assistance, Wolf said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--US industrial production up 3%; factory output up 3.4%

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - American industry continued to regain ground lost in the coronavirus recession last month but production @ @ @ @ @ was before the pandemic struck .
The Federal Reserve reported Friday that industrial production - @ @ @ @ @ mines and utilities - climbed 3 % in July after surging 5.7 % in June @ @ @ @ @ 8.4 % below its level in February before the outbreak began to spread rapidly in @ @ @ @ @ output rose 3.4 % last month , pulled higher by a 28.3 % gain in @ @ @ @ @ and auto parts .
Mining production ticked up 0.8 % , snapping five straight months @ @ @ @ @ climbed 3.3 % as hot weather forced many Americans to turn on the air conditioner @ @ @ @ @ 70.6 % of capacity , up from its April low of 64.2 % but well @ @ @ @ @ ) average 79.8 % .

WASHINGTON (AP) - American industry continued to regain ground lost in the coronavirus recession last month, but production remains well below where it was before the pandemic struck.
The Federal Reserve reported Friday that industrial production - including output at factories, mines and utilities - climbed 3% in July after surging 5.7% in June. Still, production remains 8.4% below its level in February before the outbreak began to spread rapidly in the United States.
Factory output rose 3.4% last month, pulled higher by a 28.3% gain in production of cars, trucks and auto parts.
Mining production ticked up 0.8%, snapping five straight months of decreases. Utility output climbed 3.3% as hot weather forced many Americans to turn on the air conditioner.
Industry was running at 70.6% of capacity, up from its April low of 64.2% but well below its long-term (1972-2019) average 79.8%.
The coronavirus, the lockdowns meant to contain it, and the wariness of consumers and businesses in a health crisis hammered American industry this spring. Overall output retreated at a 43.2% annual rate from April through June, biggest drop since the demobilization that followed World War II.
Industrial production has now risen three straight months as the U.S. economy began to reopen after being locked down in the spring. But a resurgence of coronavirus infections has raised doubts about whether the economy’s comeback is sustainable.
“The level of activity is still subdued,” Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics, wrote in a research report. “Output was boosted by a fuller reopening in July but weak demand and virus outbreaks that can interrupt activity remain a threat going forward.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Maine spent more than $33M on personal protective equipment

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - Maine has spent more than $ 33 million on masks , gowns and other supplies meant to keep health care workers safe during the pandemic .
With funds provided through the federal coronavirus relief legislation , Maine has been working to acquire everything from disposable gloves .
to jugs of hand sanitizer , to the custom-fitting respirator masks , the Bangor Daily News reported .
The personal protective equipment has been distributed to health care providers , nursing homes , schools , state employees and other groups .
The pandemic has caused wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 cents to $ 6.29 for N-95 respirator masks .
All told , the state ordered more than a million of them between March and July , the newspaper reported .
The $ 33.8 million figure from Maine ’ s Department of Administrative and Financial Services doesn ’ t include personal protective equipment the state received from the federal stockpile or independent purchases by the state ’ s health care organizations .
The largest portion of Maine ’ s PPE funding - $ 20.7 million - has gone to protective clothing such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state procurement data .

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Maine has spent more than $33 million on masks, gowns and other supplies meant to keep health care workers safe during the pandemic.
With funds provided through federal coronavirus relief legislation, Maine has been working to acquire everything from disposable gloves. to jugs of hand sanitizer, to the custom-fitting respirator masks, the Bangor Daily News reported.
The personal protective equipment has been distributed to health care providers, nursing homes, schools, state employees and other groups.
The pandemic has caused wild price swings with per-unit prices ranging from 35 cents to $6.29 for N-95 respirator masks. All told, the state ordered more than a million of them between March and July, the newspaper reported.
The $33.8 million figure from Maine’s Department of Administrative and Financial Services doesn’t include personal protective equipment the state received from the federal stockpile or independent purchases by the state’s health care organizations.
The largest portion of Maine’s PPE funding - $20.7 million - has gone to protective clothing such as gowns and isolation suits, according to state procurement data.
In other coronavirus-related news:
___
GREEN LIGHT
The Maine Department of Education continues to give a green light to school reopenings this fall in all 16 counties, officials said Friday.
The state is using a three-tiered system for recommendations about how schools should function as they reopen. The state is rating each county as “green,” “yellow” or “red.” The “green” rating, unchanged from the first ranking two weeks ago, signifies low risk and means in-person instruction is appropriate.
The Mills administration said the health advisory system that categorizes the schools by color is based on data such as case rates and positivity rates.
Regardless of the rating, schools are still on the hook for meeting protocols for ensuring the safety of students, faculty and staff when schools begin reopening around Labor Day.
___
THE NUMBERS
More than two dozen Mainers tested positive for the coronavirus but there were no new deaths, the Maine Center for Disease Control reported Friday.
The number of deaths remained unchanged at 126 while the number of people who’ve tested positive has topped 4,100.
The true number of cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--District plans for reopening schools due to state

BOSTON ( AP ) - Massachusetts school districts must submit their plans for reopening schools amid the coronavirus pandemic to state education officials Friday .
Districts are required to prepare plans for three different scenarios : in-person classes , remote learning , or a hybrid of the two options .
A number of districts have already said they ’ d focus on online classes , or a mix of in-person and remote work , at least for the start of the academic year .
Boston , the state ’ s largest public school system , has ruled out in-person classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The district released its hybrid and fully remote learning plans last week , and said it will make a final decision on which plan will be implemented later .
Worcester , the state ’ s second largest city , announced it will start the year with online classes , at least through mid-November .
Springfield , the state ’ s third largest city , has confirmed it will take a similar approach and potentially switch to a hybrid model later in the year , as will Cambridge , Somerville and Lynn public schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secondary Education had previously set the deadline for filing the plans for Aug. 10 , but extended it to Friday .

BOSTON (AP) - A look at coronavirus developments in Massachusetts:
REOPENING SCHOOLS
Massachusetts school districts must submit their plans for reopening schools amid the coronavirus pandemic to state education officials Friday.
Districts are required to prepare plans for three different scenarios: in-person classes, remote learning, or a hybrid of the two options.
A number of districts have already said they’d focus on online classes, or a mix of in-person and remote work - at least for the start of the academic year.
Boston, the state’s largest public school system, has ruled out in-person classes, at least for the fall. The district released its hybrid and fully remote learning plans last week, and said it will make a final decision on which plan will be implemented later.
Worcester, the state’s second-largest city, announced it will start the year with online classes, at least through mid-November.
Springfield, the state’s third-largest city, has confirmed it will take a similar approach and potentially switch to a hybrid model later in the year, as will Cambridge, Somerville and Lynn public schools.
The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education had previously set the deadline for filing the plans for Aug. 10, but extended it to Friday.
___
VIRUS BY THE NUMBERS
Massachusetts reported 14 newly confirmed deaths linked to COVID-19 on Friday - bringing the total number of confirmed and probable deaths to more than 8,800 since the start of the pandemic.
The state also on Friday reported more than 200 newly confirmed cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus.
That brings the total number of confirmed and probable cases to more than 122,800 in Massachusetts since the start of the pandemic.
There were nearly 400 people reported hospitalized Friday because of COVID-19, while just under 60 were in intensive care units.
The number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 related deaths at long-term care homes rose to more than 5,630 or nearly 64% of all confirmed and probable deaths in Massachusetts attributed to the disease.
Also Friday, the Department of Public Health said a reporting issue by one commercial lab over a three-day period has resulted in a disproportionate number of false positives test results. So far, 130 false-positive results have been identified.
As a result, the risk factor for the disease in Taunton and Fall River has declined.
The lab has stopped testing and an investigation is being conducted.
___
HAWAII QUARANTINE
Massachusetts has added Hawaii to the list of states where travelers must quarantine upon arrival.
All states, except for six - Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont - are now required to quarantine for 14 days, or provide a recent coronavirus test showing a negative result.
Travelers are also required to provide their contact information. Failure to comply is subject to a fine of $500 per day.
___
BEACH RESTRICTIONS
State officials are reducing capacity limits at a beach in Hull over concerns of overcrowding as coronavirus cases surge in the coastal community south of Boston.
The state Department of Conservation and Recreation announced Friday that parking capacity at Nantasket Beach State Reservation will be reduced to 50% until further notice.
Earlier this week, state officials added Hull to the list of communities in the highest-risk category for the coronavirus.
Beach towns on Cape Cod have taken s imilar steps to reduce crowds at the beaches this summer.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Security officer fatally shoots woman outside Dallas motel

DALLAS ( AP ) - Police in Dallas say a woman was fatally shot by a security guard , who @ @ @ @ @ of gunfire Thursday outside a northwest Dallas motel .
The unidentified woman was found dead @ @ @ @ @ p.m. by officers responding to reports of the shooting and the security officer was found @ @ @ @ @ threatening injuries , according to Officer Tamika Dameron .
Little is known about what led @ @ @ @ @ Motel 6 near Dallas ’ Love Field Airport and detectives are seeking witnesses , Dameron @ @

DALLAS (AP) - Police in Dallas say a woman was fatally shot by a security guard, who was wounded in an exchange of gunfire Thursday outside a northwest Dallas motel.
The unidentified woman was found dead in her vehicle about 10:45 p.m. by officers responding to reports of the shooting and the security officer was found nearby and hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, according to Officer Tamika Dameron.
Little is known about what led to the shooting outside a Motel 6 near Dallas’ Love Field Airport and detectives are seeking witnesses, Dameron said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Eastern Shore county votes to keep Confederate memorial

EASTON , Md .
( AP ) - A county on Maryland ’ s Eastern Shore has voted to keep a memorial honoring Confederate soldiers .
The Washington Post reports that the Talbot County Council voted 3 to 2 to keep the 104-year-old memorial on the lawn of the Talbot County Courthouse .
It commemorates more than 80 soldiers who fought for the Confederacy .
A measure to remove the monument was introduced earlier this year following the death of George Floyd , a Black man who died in Minneapolis police custody , and the ensuing protests against racism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ F. Callahan , Frank Divilio and Laura E. Price voted to keep the memorial .
Among their concerns was making a decision about the memorial during a pandemic .
“ This is not your ordinary piece of legislation , ” Price said .
“ If the statue is simply removed , there will never be a statue that represents a very complex period in the county ’ s history.
” Talbot County Council President Corey W. Pack , a Republican , said the vote was “ disappointing.
” He co-sponsored a resolution to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing .
The vote sparked a protest outside the meeting and also drew criticism from the local chapter of the NAACP .

EASTON, Md. (AP) — A county on Maryland’s Eastern Shore has voted to keep a memorial honoring Confederate soldiers, sparking a protest outside the meeting as activists said officials had used the coronavirus pandemic as an “excuse” to shelve the issue.
The Talbot County Council voted 3 to 2 to keep the memorial on the lawn of the Talbot County Courthouse, The Washington Post reported. The “Talbot Boys”memorial commemorates more than 80 soldiers who fought for the Confederacy. It was dedicated in 1916, more than 50 years after the end of the Civil War, during the Jim Crow era, when states imposed new segregation laws.
A measure to remove the monument was introduced earlier this year following the death of George Floyd and the ensuing protests against racism and police brutality. Floyd died in May after a white Minneapolis pressed his knee against the Black man’s neck for nearly eight minutes as he pleaded for air. Since then, numerous Confederate statues and monuments to American slave owners have come down across the South.
Republican council members Chuck F. Callahan, Frank Divilio and Laura E. Price voted to keep the memorial. Officials said they were only considering emergency legislation during the coronavirus pandemic and said there had been limited public input on the measure.
“This is not your ordinary piece of legislation,” Price said. “If the statue is simply removed, there will never be a statue that represents a very complex period in the county’s history.”
Richard Potter, president of the Talbot County branch of the NAACP, slammed those explanations.
“It’s a bunch of surface-level excuses that continue to uphold systemic racism in Talbot County,” he said.
Talbot County Council President Corey W. Pack, a Republican, said the vote was “disappointing” and said using the pandemic as a reason was a “farce.” He said that members of the public have not been allowed to attend meetings in person, but 28 callers at a public hearing on the statue spoke against it last month, while just four spoke in favor of keeping it.
Pack adjourned the meeting early as protesters outside gathered and chanted, “No justice, no peace!”


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Mohegan Sun casino announces pandemic-related layoffs

UNCASVILLE , Conn. ( AP ) - The Mohegan Sun casino said it will lay off an unspecified number of @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
The southeastern Connecticut casino on sovereign tribal land opened June 1 @ @ @ @ @ Ned Lamont over the potential danger of spreading the virus in large group settings .
@ @ @ @ @ workers returned to work at that time .
The company said Thursday it is ending @ @ @ @ @ 30 .
Mohegan Sun President & General Manager Jeff Hamilton said the move will reduce @ @ @ @ @ have not been called back to work before the end of September .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ consideration and was driven by the unprecedented circumstances created by the pandemic , including reduced @ @ @ @ @ open all of the property amenities , ” Hamilton said in a prepared statement reported @ @ @ @ @ company said it was working with employees to find new positions .

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) - The Mohegan Sun casino said it will lay off an unspecified number of employees due to impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.
The southeastern Connecticut casino on sovereign tribal land opened June 1 despite opposition from Gov. Ned Lamont over the potential danger of spreading the virus in large group settings.
About 3,000 of roughly 5,000 workers returned to work at that time.
The company said Thursday it is ending its furlough program on Sept. 30.
Mohegan Sun President & General Manager Jeff Hamilton said the move will reduce their workforce among employees who have not been called back to work before the end of September.
“This difficult decision came after careful consideration and was driven by the unprecedented circumstances created by the pandemic, including reduced capacity and the inability to open all of the property amenities,” Hamilton said in a prepared statement reported by NBC Connecticut.
The company said it was working with employees to find new positions.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--University cites racist Twitter bio in firing police officer

TAMPA , Fla. ( AP ) - A university police officer in Florida whose Twitter bio described herself as a “ KKK member ” has been fired , officials said .
Former University of South Florida officer Presley Garcia , 26 , said her friend added the description in 2015 and she had not used the account for years .
She said she is not a racist and condemns racism and the KKK .
The investigation into Garcia began in July after a BayNews 9 reporter contacted the USF police department with screenshots of the Twitter account “ @ presleyyyg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The account has since been deleted .
Garcia , who was hired in 2018 , told the Tampa Bay Times she felt let down by the agency after her firing last week .
“ There ’ s all the talk of ‘ Back the Blue , ’ but not one person had my back , ” she said .
In his letter recommending her firing , USF Police Chief Chris Daniel said Garcia ’ s actions could bring harm to other officers .
“ This concern is of particular importance given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level .
Since the incident involving George Floyd , dissident members of the community have targeted law enforcement officers , their departments , their families and their home , ” Daniel wrote .
Floyd died in May after a white Minneapolis pressed his knee against the Black man ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes as he pleaded for air .
The chief said USF officers have experienced having their doors kicked , vehicles photographed in their driveways and been followed to work while being “ antagonized on the roadway ” in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hers , but told investigators a friend added the phrase to her bio in 2015 , the newspaper reported .
She said she was young and didn ’ t know what it meant .
She said she had deleted the app on her phone and thought the account was also deleted .
The investigation found she was active on Twitter between November 2015 and January 2016 , the newspaper reported .
“ The agency failed me , ” Garcia said .
“ It ’ s very hurtful that something from a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even do has completely destroyed my career .
… There ’ s no way I ’ d ever be a part of that group .
I wasn ’ t raised that way.
” During a pre-employment background interview Garcia told officials she didn ’ t have a Twitter account because she thought it had been deleted , the newspaper reported .
The investigation found no tie to the KKK .
In his letter , the chief said the agency tries to strike a balance between allowing officers freedom in their private lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that since the issue was raised , the story has been reported by other news organizations , “ exacerbating the impact of her actions.
” He added the perception could be harmful to the department .
Garcia has 30 days to file a grievance with the university or the union that represents officers .
She told the newspaper she declined .
“ I feel like I go back there , I won ’ t be treated well , ” she said .
“ I have a life to live and a career to @ @ @ @ @ @

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A university police officer in Florida whose Twitter bio described herself as a “KKK member” has been fired, officials said.
Former University of South Florida officer Presley Garcia, 26, said her friend added the description in 2015 and she had not used the account for years. She said she is not a racist and condemns racism and the KKK.
The investigation into Garcia began in July after a BayNews 9 reporter contacted the USF police department with screenshots of the Twitter account “@presleyyyg,” which read “KKK member.” The account has since been deleted.
Garcia, who was hired in 2018, told the Tampa Bay Times she felt let down by the agency after her firing last week.
“There’s all the talk of ‘Back the Blue,’ but not one person had my back,” she said.
In his letter recommending her firing, USF Police Chief Chris Daniel said Garcia’s actions could bring harm to other officers.
“This concern is of particular importance given the activities occurring on a local and national level. Since the incident involving George Floyd, dissident members of the community have targeted law enforcement officers, their departments, their families and their home,” Daniel wrote. Floyd died in May after a white Minneapolis pressed his knee against the Black man’s neck for nearly eight minutes as he pleaded for air.
The chief said USF officers have experienced having their doors kicked, vehicles photographed in their driveways and been followed to work while being “antagonized on the roadway” in recent months.
Garcia admitted the Twitter account was hers, but told investigators a friend added the phrase to her bio in 2015, the newspaper reported. She said she was young and didn’t know what it meant.
She said she had deleted the app on her phone and thought the account was also deleted.
The investigation found she was active on Twitter between November 2015 and January 2016, the newspaper reported.
“The agency failed me,” Garcia said. “It’s very hurtful that something from a long time ago that I didn’t even do has completely destroyed my career. … There’s no way I’d ever be a part of that group. I wasn’t raised that way.”
During a pre-employment background interview Garcia told officials she didn’t have a Twitter account because she thought it had been deleted, the newspaper reported.
The investigation found no tie to the KKK.
In his letter, the chief said the agency tries to strike a balance between allowing officers freedom in their private lives and ensuring appropriate off-duty conduct.
He said that since the issue was raised, the story has been reported by other news organizations, “exacerbating the impact of her actions.” He added the perception could be harmful to the department.
Garcia has 30 days to file a grievance with the university or the union that represents officers. She told the newspaper she declined.
“I feel like I go back there, I won’t be treated well,” she said. “I have a life to live and a career to move forward somehow too.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--"The Secret" author Rhonda Byrne has new release in November

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The author of the million-selling self-help book “ The Secret ” is aiming even higher with her next work .
Rhonda Byrne ’ s “ The Greatest Secret ” is coming out Nov. 24 , HarperOne announced Friday .
According to the publisher , “ The Greatest Secret ” takes readers on a journey that provides “ the most direct way out for those experiencing hardship and the path to end pain and suffering endured by so many.
” Byrne said in a statement that “ With every step you take through this book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life will become more effortless , fears and uncertainty of the future will no longer plague you , anxiety and stress about your daily struggles or world events will dissolve , and you can and will be free of every form of suffering.
” Byrne ’ s new book , like “ The Secret , ” will be released through publisher Judith Curr .
She was head of the Simon & Schuster imprint Atria Books in 2006 when “ The Secret ” came out , and she is now president and publisher of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold more than 35 million copies worldwide .
A film adaptation starring Katie Holmes came out last month .

NEW YORK (AP) - The author of the million-selling self-help book “The Secret” is aiming even higher with her next work.
Rhonda Byrne’s “The Greatest Secret” is coming out Nov. 24, HarperOne announced Friday. According to the publisher, “The Greatest Secret” takes readers on a journey that provides “the most direct way out for those experiencing hardship and the path to end pain and suffering endured by so many.”
Byrne said in a statement that “With every step you take through this book, you will become happier and your life will become more effortless, fears and uncertainty of the future will no longer plague you, anxiety and stress about your daily struggles or world events will dissolve, and you can and will be free of every form of suffering.”
Byrne’s new book, like “The Secret,” will be released through publisher Judith Curr. She was head of the Simon & Schuster imprint Atria Books in 2006 when “The Secret” came out, and she is now president and publisher of HarperOne.
“The Secret” has sold more than 35 million copies worldwide. A film adaptation starring Katie Holmes came out last month.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Weather Service confirms 14 tornadoes hit northern Illinois

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Survey teams with the National Weather Service have confirmed that 14 tornadoes touched down Monday in northern Illinois when a rare storm known as a derecho swept parts of the Midwest .
The weather service ’ s Chicago office said in a Thursday update that it confirmed a total of 15 tornado touchdowns in its forecast region , including one in the northwestern Indiana town of Kentland .
The 14 other tornadoes were in northern Illinois , and most of those were in the Chicago metropolitan area , including an EF-1 tornado with 110 mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the city ’ s north side before moving onto Lake Michigan as a waterspout .
That storm left damage along a 3-mile-long ( 4.8-kilometer-long ) path .
The weather service also documented wind damage in several areas that were raked by winds of 75 mph ( 120 kilometers per hour ) or greater and toppled trees and power lines , causing widespread power outages .
ComEd continues to work to restore power in the Chicago area .
As of 7 a.m. Friday , the utility reported that more than 55,000 of its @ @ @ @ @

CHICAGO (AP) - Survey teams with the National Weather Service have confirmed that 14 tornadoes touched down Monday in northern Illinois when a rare storm known as a derecho swept parts of the Midwest.
The weather service’s Chicago office said in a Thursday update that it confirmed a total of 15 tornado touchdowns in its forecast region, including one in the northwestern Indiana town of Kentland.
The 14 other tornadoes were in northern Illinois, and most of those were in the Chicago metropolitan area, including an EF-1 tornado with 110 mph winds that hit the Rogers Park neighborhood on the city’s north side before moving onto Lake Michigan as a waterspout.
That storm left damage along a 3-mile-long (4.8-kilometer-long) path. The weather service also documented wind damage in several areas that were raked by winds of 75 mph (120 kilometers per hour) or greater and toppled trees and power lines, causing widespread power outages.
ComEd continues to work to restore power in the Chicago area. As of 7 a.m. Friday, the utility reported that more than 55,000 of its customers remained without power.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Oregon gov. tightens virus restrictions for Malheur County

SALEM , Ore. ( AP ) - Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown said Thursday she will restore phase one restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Malheur County , along the Idaho border .
It ’ s the third eastern Oregon jurisdiction to have restrictions tightened because not enough progress has been made , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
That means swimming pools , movie theaters , bowling alleys and recreational sports leagues must shut down .
Outdoor gatherings will be capped at 50 people , down from 100 .
The new restrictions go into effect Monday and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Over the past month , COVID-19 cases in Malheur County have risen so much that restrictions must be put back in place or we risk further illnesses and death in the region , ” Brown said in a statement .
“ I know this change is difficult , but immediate action is necessary in order to reduce the spread of the disease and protect all those who call Malheur County home.
” Brown allowed many counties to reopen May 15 but warned she would restore restrictions if necessary .
Brown last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and moved Morrow County back into phase .
Since the pandemic began , Malheur has recorded 851 confirmed or presumed infections and 15 deaths .
Malheur has the third most confirmed or presumed infections per capita , behind only Morrow and Umatilla .
The county has been on Brown ’ s “ Watch List ” since July 3 , indicating that without progress restrictions could be restored .
Eight other counties are currently on the list : Baker , Hood River , Jefferson , Marion , Morrow , Multnomah , Umatilla and Wasco @

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said Thursday she will restore phase one restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Malheur County, along the Idaho border. It’s the third eastern Oregon jurisdiction to have restrictions tightened because not enough progress has been made, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
That means swimming pools, movie theaters, bowling alleys and recreational sports leagues must shut down. Outdoor gatherings will be capped at 50 people, down from 100.
The new restrictions go into effect Monday and will remain for at least three weeks.
“Over the past month, COVID-19 cases in Malheur County have risen so much that restrictions must be put back in place or we risk further illnesses and death in the region,” Brown said in a statement. “I know this change is difficult, but immediate action is necessary in order to reduce the spread of the disease and protect all those who call Malheur County home.”
Brown allowed many counties to reopen May 15 but warned she would restore restrictions if necessary. Brown last month ordered Umatilla County back into stay-home status and moved Morrow County back into phase.
Since the pandemic began, Malheur has recorded 851 confirmed or presumed infections and 15 deaths. Malheur has the third most confirmed or presumed infections per capita, behind only Morrow and Umatilla.
The county has been on Brown’s “Watch List” since July 3, indicating that without progress restrictions could be restored. Eight other counties are currently on the list: Baker, Hood River, Jefferson, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Umatilla and Wasco.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Jared Kushner: No reason to believe Kamala Harris isn't qualified to be VP

White House adviser and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner on Friday said he has no reason to believe Sen. Kamala Harris of California fails to meet the eligibility requirements to be vice president .
“ I personally have no reason to believe she ’ s not , ” Mr. Kushner said on “ CBS This Morning.
” Ms. Harris was born in Oakland , Calif. , and meets the “ natural born citizen ” requirement to be vice president even though her parents were immigrants .
President Trump on Thursday said he had heard Ms. Harris didn ’ t meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea ” whether that theory was correct .
“ I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president , ” the president told reporters at the White House .
Mr. Kushner pointed out that the president said he had no idea whether the theory was right or wrong .
“ I don ’ t see that as promoting it , but look , at the end of the day it ’ s something that ’ s out there , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Trump for years had advanced the incorrect theory that former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and was therefore ineligible to serve as president .
In September 2016 , Mr. Trump claimed credit for dispelling doubts about Mr. Obama ’ s citizenship , saying : “ I finished it .
President Obama was born in the United States .
”

White House adviser and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner on Friday said he has no reason to believe Sen. Kamala Harris of California fails to meet the eligibility requirements to be vice president.
“I personally have no reason to believe she’s not,” Mr. Kushner said on “CBS This Morning.”
Ms. Harris was born in Oakland, Calif., and meets the “natural born citizen” requirement to be vice president even though her parents were immigrants.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham vouched for his colleague on Friday while saying there are plenty of things Republicans can disagree with in Ms. Harris’s record.
“Under the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent, she is unequivocally an American citizen,” the South Carolina Republican said on Twitter.
Mr. Graham had said in May that while Ms. Harris didn’t run a particularly effective presidential campaign, she would be “tough” as a ticket mate for likely Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden.
President Trump on Thursday said he had heard Ms. Harris didn’t meet the requirements but that he had “no idea” whether that theory was correct.
“I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president,” the president told reporters at the White House.
Mr. Kushner pointed out that the president said he had no idea whether the theory was right or wrong.
“I don’t see that as promoting it, but look, at the end of the day it’s something that’s out there,” he said. “I have not studied it.”
Mr. Trump for years had advanced the incorrect theory that former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and was therefore ineligible to serve as president.
In September 2016, Mr. Trump claimed credit for dispelling doubts about Mr. Obama’s citizenship, saying: “I finished it. President Obama was born in the United States.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges writes children's book

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges has written a children ’ s book with a candid telling of the past and positive message for the future , inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests .
Delacorte Press , an imprint of Random House Children ’ s Books , announced Friday that Bridges ’ “ This Is Your Time ” will come out Nov. 10 .
It arrives 60 years after she made history at age 6 by becoming the first Black student at an all-white elementary school in New Orleans , walking past crowds screaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Norman Rockwell in the painting “ “ The Problem We All Live With.
” The book is an open letter from Bridges to young readers and includes images from the 1960s and from recent events .
“ During the first few days of watching events unfold in our country recently , I felt myself waiting for guidance and I know many were feeling the same .
Having spent years speaking to young people about racism , I felt compelled to say something , and after careful consideration , I decided a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Bridges said in a statement .
Bridges is also the author of “ Through My Eyes , ” a memoir published in 1999 .

NEW YORK (AP) - Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges has written a children’s book with a candid telling of the past and positive message for the future, inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests.
Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, announced Friday that Bridges’ “This Is Your Time” will come out Nov. 10. It arrives 60 years after she made history at age 6 by becoming the first Black student at an all-white elementary school in New Orleans, walking past crowds screaming racist slurs. She was later honored by Norman Rockwell in the painting ““The Problem We All Live With.”
The book is an open letter from Bridges to young readers and includes images from the 1960s and from recent events.
“During the first few days of watching events unfold in our country recently, I felt myself waiting for guidance and I know many were feeling the same. Having spent years speaking to young people about racism, I felt compelled to say something, and after careful consideration, I decided a letter to my young people was the way,” Bridges said in a statement.
Bridges is also the author of “Through My Eyes,” a memoir published in 1999.


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--California heat wave raises fire threat, virus spread fears

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - California faces a heat wave Friday that could bring dangerously high temperatures throughout the state , increased wildfire danger and a higher threat of the spreading of the coronavirus as people flock to beaches and recreation areas .
High pressure building over Western states could push temperatures into triple digits in many places through the weekend and sweltering weather could continue into next week in the Central Valley , Sierra Nevada foothills , deserts and parts of the San Francisco Bay Area .
Palm Springs and other desert regions could approach 120 degrees ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as coastal regions and portions of San Francisco , could reach 80 degrees ( 27C ) , the National Weather Service predicted .
“ Dangerously hot conditions will occur during the afternoon and early evening hours each day , ” a National Weather Service warning said .
Excessive heat watches and warnings were issued up and down the state , with forecasters warning that even nighttime temperatures would remain toasty .
Los Angeles planned to open cooling centers , but with limited capacity because of coronavirus social distancing requirements .
The California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s power grid , issued a statewide Flex Alert for Friday , calling for voluntary electricity conservation from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. when there ’ s expected to be higher demand , mainly from the use of air conditioners .
In addition , cloudy remnants of a tropical weather system will reduce solar generating power and lead to tighter energy supplies , operators said .
People were asked to turn off unnecessary lights and avoid using major appliances such as washing machines during those hours .
The scorching temperatures are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have destroyed several homes and have erupted near both rural and urban foothill neighborhoods , driving through tinder-dry brush .
Temperatures were expected to top 100 degrees ( 38C ) Friday at Lake Hughes , near a wildfire that has burned at least three buildings , including some homes , and remained out of control after tearing through chaparral and dense forest in the Angeles National Forest .
The blaze was fueled by the dry vegetation .
“ This will be a major fire for several days , ” said Chief Robert Garcia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to the possibility of heat stroke and other hot-weather illnesses , health officers were concerned that people will pack beaches , lakes and other recreation areas without following mask and social distancing orders - a major concern in a state that has seen more than 590,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 11,000 deaths .
Israel saw a COVID-19 resurgence after a May heat wave inspired school officials to let children remove their masks , Dr. George Rutherford , an epidemiologist at the University of California , San Francisco , told the San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take off their masks when it ’ s hot , ” Rutherford said .
“ Don ’ t do it .
On Thursday , some people gathering at Lake Merritt in Oakland weren ’ t worried , though .
Brenda Jackson , who was picnicking with her husband , said she wasn ’ t afraid of contracting COVID-19 .
“ Everybody ’ s been really smart , social distancing and wearing masks , ” she told the Chronicle .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - California on Friday ordered rolling power outages for the first time since 2001 as a statewide heat wave strained its electrical system.
The California Independent System Operator (California ISO), which manages the power grid, declared an emergency shortly after 6:30 p.m. and directed utilities around the state to shed their power loads.
Pacific Gas & Electric, the state’s largest utility, tweeted that it would turn off power to about 200,000 to 250,000 customers in rotating outages for about an hour at a time. Other utilities were told to do the same.
The emergency declaration ended just before 10 p.m. and California ISO said power had been restored statewide.
“Extreme heat is really the driver behind this,” said Anne Gonzales, spokeswoman for the power grid operator.
The move came as temperatures around the state hit triple digits in many areas, and air conditioning use soared.
Temperatures were 10 to 20 degrees above normal in some areas, Gonzales said.
In addition, cloudy weather from the remnants of a tropical weather system reduced power generation from solar plants, she said.
The state tried to prepare for the expected rise in electricity use by urging conservation and trying to buy more power but a high-pressure system building over Western states meant there was less available.
Temperatures and energy use were expected to drop during the evening, and California ISO expected the outages to end at midnight.
The heat wave is expected to last through next week and the power grid operator will decide whether to continue the rolling outages on a day-to-day basis, Gonzales said.
“We’re dealing with weather, clouds, wildfires … these are quickly evolving situations, quickly changing,” Gonzales said.
The last time the state ordered rolling outages was during an energy crisis in 2001. Blackouts occurred several times from January to May, including one that affected more than 1.5 million customers in March. The cause was a combination of energy shortages and market manipulation by energy wholesalers, infamously including Enron Corp., that drove up prices by withholding supplies.
Counties up and down the state reported scattered outages, although the city of Los Angeles, which has its own power generating system, wasn’t affected.
Police departments warned people to watch out on roads where stoplights were out.
In Sonoma County in the wine country, the Santa Rosa Police Department received a flood of calls and pleaded with residents: “Please do not call 911 unless you have an emergency.”
The heat wave brought dangerously high temperatures, increased wildfire danger and fears of coronavirus spread as people flock to beaches and parks for relief.
Heat records fell in several cities. Downtown San Francisco hit 90 degrees, topping a high for the date of 86 that was set in 1995. Salinas hit 102, 18 degrees above the record set just last year. Palm Springs hit 120, breaking a 2015 record by several degrees.
Sweltering weather was expected to continue into Wednesday across greater Los Angeles, the Central Valley, Sierra Nevada foothills and parts of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa counties opened cooling centers that will welcome people this weekend from the afternoon to the early evening. San Francisco officials said the city is recommending people stay home and that if the heat indoors gets intolerable to go outside to a shady place where they can stay cool and distant from other people.
“Congregate indoor sites are not safe necessarily during COVID-19. It is better to follow other instructions during this heat wave,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of the Department of Emergency Management.
Carroll encouraged residents to check on family, friends and neighbors, especially older adults and those in frail health, and reminded people to always wear a face mask when in the vicinity of people who don’t share their household.
“We know it’s going to be beautiful out this weekend but we just want everyone to remember that we are in a very serious response to this COVID-19 virus,” Carroll said.
Ernesto Guerrero bought a small air conditioner this week for La Tapatia, his restaurant in Martinez, northeast of San Francisco, where triple-digit temperatures are predicted. But he said the unit doesn’t do much to cool the cooking areas because the stove runs all day.
“It’s difficult. I tell you, the guys in the kitchen, they should be awarded special hazard pay, because it gets very warm in the kitchen,” Guerrero told KTVU-TV.
Los Angeles opened cooling centers, but with limited capacity because of virus social distancing requirements.
The scorching temperatures are a concern for firefighters battling blazes that have destroyed several homes and erupted near rural and urban foothill neighborhoods, driving through tinder-dry brush.
In addition to the possibility of heat stroke and other hot-weather illnesses, health officers were concerned that people will pack beaches, lakes and other recreation areas without following mask and social distancing orders - a major concern in the state that has seen more than 600,000 coronavirus cases.
Israel saw a COVID-19 resurgence after a May heat wave inspired school officials to let children remove their masks, Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, told the San Francisco Chronicle.
“People will want to take off their masks when it’s hot,” Rutherford said. “Don’t do it.”
___
This story was first published August 14, 2020. It was updated on August 15, 2020, to correct that the last time California had rolling power outages was in 2001, not 2011.
_


washingtontimes--2020-08-14--Daughter charged in mother's stabbing death in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - The daughter of a Kansas City woman found stabbed to death @ @ @ @ @ weekend has been arrested and charged in her mother ’ s death , officials said @ @ @ @ @ , was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death @ @ @ @ @ the Kansas City Star reported .
The older woman was one of six homicides reported @ @ @ @ @ .
Police were called to Stacy Bell ’ s home Ward Parkway Plaza on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ show up at the airport to pick up a family member as scheduled , investigators @ @ @ @ @ body face up on her the living room floor .
Police said she had been @ @

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The daughter of a Kansas City woman found stabbed to death in her home over the weekend has been arrested and charged in her mother’s death, officials said.
Alina Bell, 20, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 56-year-old Stacy Bell, the Kansas City Star reported. The older woman was one of six homicides reported in Kansas City last weekend.
Police were called to Stacy Bell’s home Ward Parkway Plaza on Sunday afternoon after she failed to show up at the airport to pick up a family member as scheduled, investigators said. Officers found her body face up on her the living room floor. Police said she had been stabbed.