washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Hundreds protest in Sacramento against stay-at-home order

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Hundreds of protesters rallied outside the state Capitol on Saturday to protest against California ’ s stay-at-home orders even as residents entered the Memorial Day weekend with newly expanded options for beachgoing , barbecuing and shopping .
The rally to demand that Gov .
Gavin Newsom lift his restrictions on business , religious gatherings and other activities took on the atmosphere of a political rally and festival on a closed-off street .
California Highway Patrol officers closed the Capitol lawn to demonstrators , so speakers addressed the crowd from the back of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towing a banner with a picture of Newsom and the words “ End his tyranny !
” Protesters waved dozens of flags and signs , many in support of President Donald Trump .
Few people wore masks and there was little room for social distancing on the sidewalk or closed-off street .
“ The mental and emotional impact can not even be fathomed , ” said Nita Brady , 68 , of Modesto , who added that she was angry that two of her granddaughters missed their middle school and high school graduations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely ludicrous to shut down the schools and especially for the length that they did , ” she said .
Stay-at-home restrictions eased across much of the state .
Some 45 of 58 counties have received permission to reopen most stores - at least for curbside pickups - and many public spaces by meeting state standards for controlling the coronavirus .
Some saw it as a safety test as the state prepared to celebrate its first major holiday weekend since a statewide order in mid-March clamped down on all but essential trips and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cited as the main reason rates of deaths and hospitalizations have slowed in many counties , and people were urged to keep their masks on and their guard up while enjoying recently reopened bike paths , hiking trails and beaches .
Many Southern California beaches were open only for swimming , running and other activities .
Sunbathing and group activities such as volleyball were prohibited .
Police , lifeguards and other officials were warning people to remember the seriousness of the virus as they enjoy their new freedom .
“ Don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Don ’ t get as close as you can to as many people , ” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said .
“ Don ’ t go out without a mask .
You see people without masks , avoid them.
” “ It ’ s also something that just saves more lives , including , perhaps , your own , ” he said .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Los Angeles County , the state ’ s largest with 10 million people , has been hardest-hit by COVID-19 , with more than 44,000 cases and nearly 2,100 deaths .
However , hospitalization and increased testing , which allows for quicker identification , treatment and isolation of people who tested positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts , helped slow the spread of infections , health officials said Saturday .
The county reopened beach bike paths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of counties also got the go-ahead to allow some restaurants , which have survived on deliveries and takeout orders , to reopen limited seating .
The state is still seeing troubling COVID-19 flare-ups , however .
Imperial County , across the border from Mexico , has seen a surge .
In Northern California , Santa Cruz County ’ s public health officials were investigating four separate clusters of COVID-19 cases involving family gatherings , including a multi-generational Mother ’ s Day party and a large gathering involving individuals who traveled from out-of-state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with temperatures heating up over the weekend , reaching into the 90s and even 100 degrees ( 38 Celsius ) in some inland valleys by Sunday .
Traffic started to back up as drivers searched for parking along Huntington Beach and there were plenty of beachgoers lingering on the sand .
In San Francisco , officials drew large chalk “ social distancing ” circles on the grass at parks to show people where to sit .
Dolores Park has seen large masses of people on sunny weekends , prompting Mayor London Breed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down if people weren ’ t more responsible .
Some popular getaway communities , which are suffering economically after more than two months of business shutdowns and stay-away crowds , welcomed visitors .
Big Bear Lake , a couple of hours northeast of Los Angeles , said officials won ’ t enforce the governor ’ s COVID-19 safety orders .
But South Lake Tahoe in the northern Sierra Nevada and Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra urged non-residents to stay away , concerned that swarms of tourists might spur more COVID-19 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would love nothing more than to welcome everyone to Tahoe right now , but that ’ s not the safest way to bring people back , ” City Manager Joe Irvin said in a statement .
“ We need to be responsible and make sure we are doing our part to keep our neighbors safe and Tahoe safe.
” The Santa Cruz County Sheriff ’ s Office warned that its beaches would be closed except for a few hours in the morning and strongly discouraged tourism from the San Francisco Bay Area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of San Francisco , Humboldt County , home to several parks with majestic redwood trees , was open for residents only .
The county was among the first in the state to get the governor ’ s green light to open up restaurants and stores , but took a more cautious approach to reopening when it saw a surge of new cases and the first two deaths .
“ Do not travel into our county , ” Sheriff William Honsal said in a video Thursday .
“ People want to come here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the valley , coming to the coast , coming to the beach .
We ask those people that are from another county to please stay in your county.
” Associated Press writers Julie Watson in San Diego , John Antczak , Robert Jablon and Frank Baker in Los Angeles , Juliet Williams in San Francisco and Martha Mendoza in Santa Cruz contributed to this report .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Hundreds of protesters rallied outside the state Capitol on Saturday to protest against California’s stay-at-home orders even as residents entered the Memorial Day weekend with newly expanded options for beachgoing, barbecuing and shopping.
The rally to demand that Gov. Gavin Newsom lift his restrictions on business, religious gatherings and other activities took on the atmosphere of a political rally and festival on a closed-off street.
California Highway Patrol officers closed the Capitol lawn to demonstrators, so speakers addressed the crowd from the back of a flatbed truck as an airplane flew above towing a banner with a picture of Newsom and the words “End his tyranny!” Protesters waved dozens of flags and signs, many in support of President Donald Trump.
Few people wore masks and there was little room for social distancing on the sidewalk or closed-off street.
“The mental and emotional impact cannot even be fathomed,” said Nita Brady, 68, of Modesto, who added that she was angry that two of her granddaughters missed their middle school and high school graduations.
“I think it’s absolutely ludicrous to shut down the schools and especially for the length that they did,” she said.
Stay-at-home restrictions eased across much of the state. Some 45 of 58 counties have received permission to reopen most stores - at least for curbside pickups - and many public spaces by meeting state standards for controlling the coronavirus.
Some saw it as a safety test as the state prepared to celebrate its first major holiday weekend since a statewide order in mid-March clamped down on all but essential trips and businesses.
Social distancing practices have been cited as the main reason rates of deaths and hospitalizations have slowed in many counties, and people were urged to keep their masks on and their guard up while enjoying recently reopened bike paths, hiking trails and beaches.
Many Southern California beaches were open only for swimming, running and other activities. Sunbathing and group activities such as volleyball were prohibited.
Police, lifeguards and other officials were warning people to remember the seriousness of the virus as they enjoy their new freedom.
“Don’t go crazy and stay out all weekend. Don’t get as close as you can to as many people,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “Don’t go out without a mask. You see people without masks, avoid them.”
“It’s also something that just saves more lives, including, perhaps, your own,” he said.
For most people, the new 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.
Los Angeles County, the state’s largest with 10 million people, has been hardest-hit by COVID-19, with more than 44,000 cases and nearly 2,100 deaths. However, hospitalization and increased testing, which allows for quicker identification, treatment and isolation of people who tested positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts, helped slow the spread of infections, health officials said Saturday.
The county reopened beach bike paths and some beach parking lots. Dozens of counties also got the go-ahead to allow some restaurants, which have survived on deliveries and takeout orders, to reopen limited seating.
The state is still seeing troubling COVID-19 flare-ups, however. Imperial County, across the border from Mexico, has seen a surge. In Northern California, Santa Cruz County’s public health officials were investigating four separate clusters of COVID-19 cases involving family gatherings, including a multi-generational Mother’s Day party and a large gathering involving individuals who traveled from out-of-state.
Avoiding temptation might be difficult, however, with temperatures heating up over the weekend, reaching into the 90s and even 100 degrees (38 Celsius) in some inland valleys by Sunday.
Traffic started to back up as drivers searched for parking along Huntington Beach and there were plenty of beachgoers lingering on the sand.
In San Francisco, officials drew large chalk “social distancing” circles on the grass at parks to show people where to sit. Dolores Park has seen large masses of people on sunny weekends, prompting Mayor London Breed to warn that she would shut it down if people weren’t more responsible.
Some popular getaway communities, which are suffering economically after more than two months of business shutdowns and stay-away crowds, welcomed visitors. Big Bear Lake, a couple of hours northeast of Los Angeles, said officials won’t enforce the governor’s COVID-19 safety orders.
But South Lake Tahoe in the northern Sierra Nevada and Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra urged non-residents to stay away, concerned that swarms of tourists might spur more COVID-19 cases and overwhelm their medical systems.
“We would love nothing more than to welcome everyone to Tahoe right now, but that’s not the safest way to bring people back,” City Manager Joe Irvin said in a statement. “We need to be responsible and make sure we are doing our part to keep our neighbors safe and Tahoe safe.”
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office warned that its beaches would be closed except for a few hours in the morning and strongly discouraged tourism from the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley and Sacramento areas.
North of San Francisco, Humboldt County, home to several parks with majestic redwood trees, was open for residents only. The county was among the first in the state to get the governor’s green light to open up restaurants and stores, but took a more cautious approach to reopening when it saw a surge of new cases and the first two deaths.
“Do not travel into our county,” Sheriff William Honsal said in a video Thursday. “People want to come here, find relief because the temperatures are rising in the valley, coming to the coast, coming to the beach. We ask those people that are from another county to please stay in your county.”
_____
Associated Press writers Julie Watson in San Diego, John Antczak, Robert Jablon and Frank Baker in Los Angeles, Juliet Williams in San Francisco and Martha Mendoza in Santa Cruz contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Yellowstone's North Entrance open for travel to Cooke City

BILLINGS , Mont .
( AP ) - Yellowstone National Park has opened its North Entrance at Gardiner , but only for motorists traveling to Silver Gate or Cooke City , which are at the park ’ s Northeast Entrance .
Park Superintendent Cam Sholly said Saturday that Cooke City has been isolated because of the park ’ s closure in late March due to the coronavirus and the fact that the scenic Beartooth Highway hasn ’ t been plowed on the Wyoming side .
The National Park Service is responsible for the Beartooth Highway in Wyoming and in Yellowstone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic that began Thursday offers a chance to help Cooke City get back on its feet as the expected June 1 opening of Montana ’ s three entrances to Yellowstone nears .
The third entrance is at West Yellowstone .
Until then , people traveling from Gardiner to Cooke City are not allowed to stop or recreate in the park and must follow posted speed limits , or they could be cited , The Billings Gazette reported .
Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock has said he hopes to move the state to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which would also include lifting a 14-day quarantine for visitors and expanding allowed capacity at bars and restaurants .
The two entrances to Yellowstone from Wyoming opened on May 18 for day use .

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Yellowstone National Park has opened its North Entrance at Gardiner, but only for motorists traveling to Silver Gate or Cooke City, which are at the park’s Northeast Entrance.
Park Superintendent Cam Sholly said Saturday that Cooke City has been isolated because of the park’s closure in late March due to the coronavirus and the fact that the scenic Beartooth Highway hasn’t been plowed on the Wyoming side. The National Park Service is responsible for the Beartooth Highway in Wyoming and in Yellowstone.
Sholly said the opening for through traffic that began Thursday offers a chance to help Cooke City get back on its feet as the expected June 1 opening of Montana’s three entrances to Yellowstone nears. The third entrance is at West Yellowstone.
Until then, people traveling from Gardiner to Cooke City are not allowed to stop or recreate in the park and must follow posted speed limits, or they could be cited, The Billings Gazette reported.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has said he hopes to move the state to the second phase of reopening on June 1, which would also include lifting a 14-day quarantine for visitors and expanding allowed capacity at bars and restaurants.
The two entrances to Yellowstone from Wyoming opened on May 18 for day use.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Body pulled from river in southern Kansas, authorities say

EL DORADO , Kan. ( AP ) - Authorities say a body has been pulled from a river in southern @ @ @ @ @ Butler County Sheriff Kelly Herzet confirmed that the body was recovered Saturday from the Walnut @ @ @ @ @ No other details were immediately released .

EL DORADO, Kan. (AP) - Authorities say a body has been pulled from a river in southern Kansas.
KWCH-TV reports that Butler County Sheriff Kelly Herzet confirmed that the body was recovered Saturday from the Walnut River in Cowley County.
No other details were immediately released.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Protesters rally for lifting all COVID restrictions on Texas

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - As more sectors of the Texas economy reopened from the freeze of the coronavirus pandemic , a few dozen anti-government demonstrators rallied Saturday at the state Capitol to demand that all limitations be lifted .
The “ Texas Freedom Rally , ” sponsored by the Texas Freedom Coalition , featured speakers who called for the state to remain “ open and free ” and for an end to what they call the “ unconstitutional ” policies related to COVID-19 , the illness caused by the new coronavirus .
That illness has struck at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing at least 1,500 since mid-March , according to state health officials .
There were 1,509 new COVID-19 cases and 26 new coronavirus-related deaths reported since Thursday afternoon alone , the Texas Department of State Health Services reported Saturday .
However , the true numbers are likely higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
Nevertheless , Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott has been reopening the state ’ s economic activity in phases , most recently the limited reopening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even some strips clubs going into the weekend .
The new standards don ’ t apply yet in El Paso and Amarillo , which have seen a recent increase in coronavirus cases .
But speakers at Saturday ’ s rally demanded unfettered reopening of all activities .
Among the speakers was Dallas hair stylist Shelley Luther , who gained national notoriety when she was jailed for defying Abbott ’ s initial executive order that barbers , hair stylists and other non-essential businesses close up shop .
She demanded that schools be reopened @

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - As more sectors of the Texas economy reopened from the freeze of the coronavirus pandemic, a few dozen anti-government demonstrators rallied Saturday at the state Capitol to demand that all limitations be lifted.
The “Texas Freedom Rally,” sponsored by the Texas Freedom Coalition, featured speakers who called for the state to remain “open and free” and for an end to what they call the “unconstitutional” policies related to COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. That illness has struck at least 54,000 Texans as of Saturday, killing at least 1,500 since mid-March, according to state health officials.
There were 1,509 new COVID-19 cases and 26 new coronavirus-related deaths reported since Thursday afternoon alone, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported Saturday. However, the true numbers are likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Nevertheless, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has been reopening the state’s economic activity in phases, most recently the limited reopening of bars, bowling alleys, skating rinks and even some strips clubs going into the weekend. The new standards don’t apply yet in El Paso and Amarillo, which have seen a recent increase in coronavirus cases.
But speakers at Saturday’s rally demanded unfettered reopening of all activities. Among the speakers was Dallas hair stylist Shelley Luther, who gained national notoriety when she was jailed for defying Abbott’s initial executive order that barbers, hair stylists and other non-essential businesses close up shop. She demanded that schools be reopened.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Arizona social-service agency's interim head to leave June 3

PHOENIX ( AP ) - The interim director of Arizona ’ s social-services agency will step down in a week after coming out of retirement to temporarily help guide the state ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Tom Betlach will depart the Department of Economic Security on June 3 and Gov .
Doug Ducey ’ s office said an announcement about future leadership of the agency will be forthcoming , KNXV-TV reported .
The state ’ s health services director , Dr. Cara Christ , had been serving as interim DES director since last fall before Betlach was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took hold in the state .
The unemployment benefits program overseen by the DES was challenged by huge numbers of benefits claims submitted by jobless workers and by the federal government ’ s expansion of benefits beyond what state normally provides.. Betlack was a longtime state government senior official before he retired in 2018 after serving as director of the state ’ s Medicaid program .
He previously served as as state budget director .
The state Department of Health Services reported 431 additional COVID-19 cases and 24 additional deaths in Arizona as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the coronavirus outbreak to 16,039 cases and 799 deaths .
For most people , the new 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 .

PHOENIX (AP) - The interim director of Arizona’s social-services agency will step down in a week after coming out of retirement to temporarily help guide the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tom Betlach will depart the Department of Economic Security on June 3 and Gov. Doug Ducey’s office said an announcement about future leadership of the agency will be forthcoming, KNXV-TV reported.
The state’s health services director, Dr. Cara Christ, had been serving as interim DES director since last fall before Betlach was brought on in March as the pandemic took hold in the state.
The unemployment benefits program overseen by the DES was challenged by huge numbers of benefits claims submitted by jobless workers and by the federal government’s expansion of benefits beyond what state normally provides..
Betlack was a longtime state government senior official before he retired in 2018 after serving as director of the state’s Medicaid program. He previously served as as state budget director.
The state Department of Health Services reported 431 additional COVID-19 cases and 24 additional deaths in Arizona as of Saturday, increasing the statewide totals in the coronavirus outbreak to 16,039 cases and 799 deaths.
For most people, the new 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--2020-05-23--Chadron State to pay $900K in settlement of Title IX lawsuit

LINCOLN , Neb .
( AP ) - The Nebraska State College System will pay $ 900,000 to settle two lawsuits alleging Chadron State College failed to prevent dating violence that led to a softball player ’ s 2015 suicide .
Chadron State also will conduct suicide training , review its policies , establish a scholarship in honor of Fatima Lissette Larios and maintain a memorial on campus commemorating her life , the Lincoln Journal Star reported .
According to the lawsuits , Larios was beaten and emotionally abused by her then-boyfriend for months , including during violent arguments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard by others .
The lawsuit said Larios ’ coaches also observed “ suspicious bruising ” and informed Chadron State ’ s athletic director , who notified the campus Title IX office responsible for investigating instances of sexual and dating violence .
While the Title IX coordinator emailed Larios a copy of the college ’ s policy on sexual violence and harassment and Larios discussed the situation with coaches , her parents ’ complaint alleged the college failed “ to respond to reports of sexual violence or sex harassment and attend to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney for the state college system , George Martin , said the school was confident that no wrongdoing would be proven in court but wanted to avoid costly attorneys ’ fees and court courts .
He said another goal was to “ bring closure to the family , employees of Chadron State College , and her classmates.
” Larios ’ parents said in a statement that the memorial was “ a fitting tribute to someone who lived life with passion , purpose and an unyielding faith in the power of every person to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
”

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska State College System will pay $900,000 to settle two lawsuits alleging Chadron State College failed to prevent dating violence that led to a softball player’s 2015 suicide.
Chadron State also will conduct suicide training, review its policies, establish a scholarship in honor of Fatima Lissette Larios and maintain a memorial on campus commemorating her life, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.
According to the lawsuits, Larios was beaten and emotionally abused by her then-boyfriend for months, including during violent arguments in an on-campus dorm room that could be heard by others. The lawsuit said Larios’ coaches also observed “suspicious bruising” and informed Chadron State’s athletic director, who notified the campus Title IX office responsible for investigating instances of sexual and dating violence.
While the Title IX coordinator emailed Larios a copy of the college’s policy on sexual violence and harassment and Larios discussed the situation with coaches, her parents’ complaint alleged the college failed “to respond to reports of sexual violence or sex harassment and attend to the needs of the student involved.”
An attorney for the state college system, George Martin, said the school was confident that no wrongdoing would be proven in court but wanted to avoid costly attorneys’ fees and court courts. He said another goal was to “bring closure to the family, employees of Chadron State College, and her classmates.”
Larios’ parents said in a statement that the memorial was “a fitting tribute to someone who lived life with passion, purpose and an unyielding faith in the power of every person to have a positive impact on those around them.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Pig-hunting derby in Guam to feed families amid pandemic

HAGATNA , Guam ( AP ) - The Department of Agriculture in Guam has invited hunters to participate in a pig-hunting derby to provide food for families in need during the coronavirus pandemic .
The department announced that the two-day derby is scheduled to begin May 30 , the Pacific Daily News reported .
The derby is intended to feed families , foster familial hunter development and reduce the feral pig population , the department said in a statement released Friday .
Event organizers are working with mayors to distribute pigs whole and unprocessed to residents within their villages and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are interested in accepting a pig are encouraged to contact their mayor .
Residents interested in participating in the derby must register and attend safety briefings prior to the event .
Registration forms are being distributed through social media and on the department website .
For those without digital access , registration and safety briefings are scheduled on May 29 and on the days of the derby , officials said .
Hunters without a current license will be issued a special no-cost license for the two-day event , department officials said .
Regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For those hunting with a firearm , proof of identification is required at the time of registration .
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian .
People will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing at registration , safety briefings and at the check station , department officials said .
The derby is funded under the Guam Hunter Education Program , through a grant from the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program , the newspaper reported .

HAGATNA, Guam (AP) - The Department of Agriculture in Guam has invited hunters to participate in a pig-hunting derby to provide food for families in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
The department announced that the two-day derby is scheduled to begin May 30, the Pacific Daily News reported.
The derby is intended to feed families, foster familial hunter development and reduce the feral pig population, the department said in a statement released Friday.
Event organizers are working with mayors to distribute pigs whole and unprocessed to residents within their villages and provide safe handling guidelines.
Residents who are interested in accepting a pig are encouraged to contact their mayor. Residents interested in participating in the derby must register and attend safety briefings prior to the event.
Registration forms are being distributed through social media and on the department website. For those without digital access, registration and safety briefings are scheduled on May 29 and on the days of the derby, officials said.
Hunters without a current license will be issued a special no-cost license for the two-day event, department officials said. Regular hunting licenses are also available for purchase.
For those hunting with a firearm, proof of identification is required at the time of registration. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
People will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing at registration, safety briefings and at the check station, department officials said.
The derby is funded under the Guam Hunter Education Program, through a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program, the newspaper reported.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Ballots postmarked on or before June 2 will be counted

With the state ’ s primary election just over a week away , a Montana judge has temporarily suspended a state law that says absentee ballots must be received in a county election office by 8 p.m. on election day in order to be counted .
“ All absentee ballots postmarked on or before election day shall be counted , if otherwise valid , ” District Judge Donald Harris wrote Friday .
The ballots must be received by the Monday after election day , which is the deadline for receipt of federal write-in ballots for military and overseas voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ being held by mail because of the coronavirus .
The disparity and inconsistency in how long it takes the U.S .
Postal Service to deliver a mailed ballot is a significant burden to absentee voters , Harris said .
Delivery times around the state can vary by as much as two weeks , and people who mail their ballot before this year ’ s June 2 primary have no guarantee it will be delivered in time to be counted , he said .
Harris ’ ruling came in a challenge filed by former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Montana Democratic Party and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , the law firm Perkins Coie LLP said .
Harris also granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement of a voter-approved referendum called the Ballot Interference Protection Act , which limits one person to turning in a maximum of six absentee ballots and asks that they fill out a form saying whose ballots they are returning .
District Judge Jessica Fehr on Wednesday had issued a temporary restraining order against enforcement of the same ballot collection law in a challenge filed on behalf of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She had set a hearing for May 29 to consider a preliminary injunction .
The Democratic groups challenged both the absentee ballot deadline and the Ballot Interference Protection Act .
Harris found the laws would significantly suppress voter turnout by disproportionately burdening voters who are Native American , elderly , disabled , poor , parents working low-wage jobs , college students , first-time voters and those who have historically relied on ballot collection services .
The judge also noted the ballot collection and receipt deadline “ will only exacerbate voter suppression because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collection law eliminates the use of secure ballot drop boxes and the receipt deadline could lead later voters to turn in ballots in person , possibly causing lines that would violate the social distancing recommendations meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
The state argued the laws are needed to prevent voter fraud and ensure quick and accurate results .
However , Harris said , the state presented no evidence of any absentee ballot collection fraud in Montana and noted that even an election clerk characterized it as the “ Voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clerks count federal write-in ballots for military and overseas votes until the Monday after election day and can count absentee ballots postmarked by June 2 , as long as they are received by June 8 , and still “ accurately and timely certify election results without disenfranchising the thousands of eligible voters whose ballots are now ignored under the receipt deadline , ” Harris wrote .

With the state’s primary election just over a week away, a Montana judge has temporarily suspended a state law that says absentee ballots must be received in a county election office by 8 p.m. on election day in order to be counted.
“All absentee ballots postmarked on or before election day shall be counted, if otherwise valid,” District Judge Donald Harris wrote Friday. The ballots must be received by the Monday after election day, which is the deadline for receipt of federal write-in ballots for military and overseas voters.
Montana’s June 2 primary is being held by mail because of the coronavirus.
The disparity and inconsistency in how long it takes the U.S. Postal Service to deliver a mailed ballot is a significant burden to absentee voters, Harris said. Delivery times around the state can vary by as much as two weeks, and people who mail their ballot before this year’s June 2 primary have no guarantee it will be delivered in time to be counted, he said.
Harris’ ruling came in a challenge filed by former state Sen. Robyn Driscoll of Billings, the Montana Democratic Party and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the law firm Perkins Coie LLP said.
Harris also granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement of a voter-approved referendum called the Ballot Interference Protection Act, which limits one person to turning in a maximum of six absentee ballots and asks that they fill out a form saying whose ballots they are returning.
District Judge Jessica Fehr on Wednesday had issued a temporary restraining order against enforcement of the same ballot collection law in a challenge filed on behalf of Native American tribes and two get-out-the-vote groups. She had set a hearing for May 29 to consider a preliminary injunction.
The Democratic groups challenged both the absentee ballot deadline and the Ballot Interference Protection Act. Harris found the laws would significantly suppress voter turnout by disproportionately burdening voters who are Native American, elderly, disabled, poor, parents working low-wage jobs, college students, first-time voters and those who have historically relied on ballot collection services.
The judge also noted the ballot collection and receipt deadline “will only exacerbate voter suppression because of the COVID-19 pandemic” because the collection law eliminates the use of secure ballot drop boxes and the receipt deadline could lead later voters to turn in ballots in person, possibly causing lines that would violate the social distancing recommendations meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The state argued the laws are needed to prevent voter fraud and ensure quick and accurate results.
However, Harris said, the state presented no evidence of any absentee ballot collection fraud in Montana and noted that even an election clerk characterized it as the “Voter Suppression Act of 2018.”
Montana election clerks count federal write-in ballots for military and overseas votes until the Monday after election day and can count absentee ballots postmarked by June 2, as long as they are received by June 8, and still “accurately and timely certify election results without disenfranchising the thousands of eligible voters whose ballots are now ignored under the receipt deadline,” Harris wrote.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Police in suburban Cleveland city probe 3 fatal accidents

EUCLID , Ohio ( AP ) - Police in a suburban Cleveland city say they are investigating three fatal accidents on Interstate 90 on the first day of the Memorial Day holiday weekend .
WOIO-TV reports that Euclid police say two out of the three crashes early Saturday were hit-and-skips .
Police said that a 43-year-old Cleveland Heights man was riding a motorcycle westbound on Route 2 at about 12:45 a.m. Saturday when he failed to properly negotiate a turn at the I-90 eastbound ramp .
The motorcycle struck the guardrail and the man was pronounced dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 26-year-old man standing in the eastbound lanes of I-90 near Babbit Road was struck by a passing vehicle and died at the scene .
Shortly after that , a 24-year-old Richmond Heights woman was standing in the road near the victim , possibly trying to render aid , when she was struck by a vehicle .
She was taken by ambulance to a hospital but died of her injuries .
Police said the drivers of both of those crashes left the scene .
The identities of the three victims haven ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of suspect vehicles in the last two cases .

EUCLID, Ohio (AP) - Police in a suburban Cleveland city say they are investigating three fatal accidents on Interstate 90 on the first day of the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
WOIO-TV reports that Euclid police say two out of the three crashes early Saturday were hit-and-skips.
Police said that a 43-year-old Cleveland Heights man was riding a motorcycle westbound on Route 2 at about 12:45 a.m. Saturday when he failed to properly negotiate a turn at the I-90 eastbound ramp. The motorcycle struck the guardrail and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Shorty after 4:30 a.m. Saturday, a 26-year-old man standing in the eastbound lanes of I-90 near Babbit Road was struck by a passing vehicle and died at the scene. Shortly after that, a 24-year-old Richmond Heights woman was standing in the road near the victim, possibly trying to render aid, when she was struck by a vehicle. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital but died of her injuries.
Police said the drivers of both of those crashes left the scene. The identities of the three victims haven’t been released and there was no description of suspect vehicles in the last two cases.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Frito-Lay worker at Topeka plant tests positive for COVID-19

TOPEKA , Kan. ( AP ) - A worker at a Frito-Lay plant in Topeka has tested positive for the coronavirus as more Kansas businesses reopened in advance of Memorial Day .
The company said in a statement Friday that it has taken steps to identify and notify employees who had direct contact with the infected worker and asked them to quarantine themselves .
Frito-Lay ’ s Topeka facility employs about 1,000 people , The Topeka Capital-Journal reported .
“ The employee did not come in contact with product and there is no food safety risk , ” the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have conducted a deep cleaning of the contacted areas and equipment based on CDC guidelines and using EPA-approved registered products for COVID-19.
” According to the company , it has also implemented symptom screenings and temperature checks and provided personal protective equipment for employees at the Topeka facility .
Museums , along with theaters , bowling alleys and other indoor leisure places , were included in the state ’ s latest reopening phase , which took effect Friday .
As operations resume at the Kansas Cosmosphere space and science center in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and visitors are encouraged to as well , KDFI reported .
Plexiglas shields have been installed at all points of sale .
There are markers on the floor at 6-foot intervals to allow visitors to maintain social distancing and hand sanitizing stations have been set up across the facility .
The number of cases in the state rose by 419 cases to 8,958 on Friday , the last day the data was released .
State health officials also reported 185 deaths .

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A worker at a Frito-Lay plant in Topeka has tested positive for the coronavirus as more Kansas businesses reopened in advance of Memorial Day.
The company said in a statement Friday that it has taken steps to identify and notify employees who had direct contact with the infected worker and asked them to quarantine themselves. Frito-Lay’s Topeka facility employs about 1,000 people, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.
“The employee did not come in contact with product and there is no food safety risk,” the company added. “As a precautionary measure, we have conducted a deep cleaning of the contacted areas and equipment based on CDC guidelines and using EPA-approved registered products for COVID-19.”
According to the company, it has also implemented symptom screenings and temperature checks and provided personal protective equipment for employees at the Topeka facility.
Museums, along with theaters, bowling alleys and other indoor leisure places, were included in the state’s latest reopening phase, which took effect Friday.
As operations resume at the Kansas Cosmosphere space and science center in Hutchinson, all staff will be wearing masks and visitors are encouraged to as well, KDFI reported. Plexiglas shields have been installed at all points of sale. There are markers on the floor at 6-foot intervals to allow visitors to maintain social distancing and hand sanitizing stations have been set up across the facility.
The number of cases in the state rose by 419 cases to 8,958 on Friday, the last day the data was released. State health officials also reported 185 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Joe Biden wins Hawaii’s Democratic primary, which was delayed by the coronavirus and turned into an

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Joe Biden wins Hawaii ’ s Democratic primary , which was delayed by the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ election .

HONOLULU (AP) - Joe Biden wins Hawaii’s Democratic primary, which was delayed by the coronavirus and turned into an all-mail election.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--South Carolina soldier dies in Afghanistan

SPARTANBURG , S.C. ( AP ) - A South Carolina soldier has been killed in Afghanistan .
The U.S. Department of Defense announced Thursday that 1st Lt. Trevarius Ravon Bowman , 25 , of Spartanburg , died May 19 at Bagram Air Force Base from a non-combat-related incident .
A department news release said the incident was under investigation .
No details were provided .
Bowman was in Afghanistan supporting Operation Freedom ’ s Sentinel , The Spartanburg Herald-Journal reported .
He was assigned to Company B , 198th Signal Battalion , 261st Signal Brigade , Newberry , South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 228th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade , South Carolina National Guard .
Bowman earned the National Defense Service Medal ; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal ; Army Service Ribbon ; Army Achievement Medal ; Army Commendation Medal ; and Afghanistan Campaign Medal .
“ This is never an outcome we as soldiers , leaders and family members wish to experience.
, ” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Van McCarty , the adjutant for South Carolina .
“ Please keep the service members in his unit in your thoughts and prayers , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult time.
” Bowman was a graduate of Dorman High School and a member of the school ’ s JROTC program .
“ He quickly rose to the rank of Major and later served as Battalion Executive Officer , the second-highest position in the JROTC program , ” Spartanburg School District 6 said in a statement .

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina soldier has been killed in Afghanistan.
The U.S. Department of Defense announced Thursday that 1st Lt. Trevarius Ravon Bowman, 25, of Spartanburg, died May 19 at Bagram Air Force Base from a non-combat-related incident. A department news release said the incident was under investigation. No details were provided.
Bowman was in Afghanistan supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, The Spartanburg Herald-Journal reported. He was assigned to Company B, 198th Signal Battalion, 261st Signal Brigade, Newberry, South Carolina. The unit is attached to the 228th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, South Carolina National Guard.
Bowman earned the National Defense Service Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Army Achievement Medal; Army Commendation Medal; and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
“This is never an outcome we as soldiers, leaders and family members wish to experience.,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, the adjutant for South Carolina. “Please keep the service members in his unit in your thoughts and prayers, as well as his family as they work through this difficult time.”
Bowman was a graduate of Dorman High School and a member of the school’s JROTC program.
“He quickly rose to the rank of Major and later served as Battalion Executive Officer, the second-highest position in the JROTC program,” Spartanburg School District 6 said in a statement.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Officer spots Kentucky double-killing suspect at supermarket

VERSAILLES , Ky. ( AP ) - Police say a Kentucky man wanted in the fatal shooting of two people @ @ @ @ @ officer spotted him at a supermarket .
The News-Enterprise newspaper in Elizabethtown reports that 27-year-old @ @ @ @ @ in Versailles .
Reed , of Lexington , had been charged with killing 32-year-old Shawn @ @ @ @ @ Thomas inside a vehicle on May 13 in Hardin County .
He also wounded a @ @ @ @ @ authorities say .
Police said a Versailles officer passed Reed in a Kroger store and @ @ @ @ @ away and led police on a short foot chase before he was caught .
Reed @ @ @ @ @ Hardin County Detention Center .
Online jail records did not show if he had a @ @ @

VERSAILLES, Ky. (AP) - Police say a Kentucky man wanted in the fatal shooting of two people has been arrested after an officer spotted him at a supermarket.
The News-Enterprise newspaper in Elizabethtown reports that 27-year-old Taynandree Reed was arrested Thursday in Versailles.
Reed, of Lexington, had been charged with killing 32-year-old Shawn Fox and 37-year-old Michael Buckner Thomas inside a vehicle on May 13 in Hardin County. He also wounded a woman in the shooting, authorities say.
Police said a Versailles officer passed Reed in a Kroger store and recognized him. Reed ran away and led police on a short foot chase before he was caught.
Reed is being held at the Hardin County Detention Center. Online jail records did not show if he had a lawyer Saturday.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Judge told vacate or explain order nixing virus restrictions

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - The Oregon Supreme Court is giving a rural judge until Tuesday to toss out his ruling that found the governor ’ s coronavirus restrictions are invalid .
If the judge declines to do so , justices said Saturday that Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff must explain why and give the state and churches who sued over the stay-at-home directives an opportunity to make further arguments .
Shirtcliff ruled Monday that Gov .
Kate Brown had exceeded her authority by shutting down in-person religious services to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches around Oregon and later was joined by several local elected officials and business owners .
Shirtcliff ’ s broad ruling also invalidated many of the other provisions of Brown ’ s stay-at-home order , including a ban on public gatherings and a ban on non-essential businesses and sit-down service in bars and restaurants .
On Saturday , the justices sent the case back to Shirtcliff with orders to expunge his ruling or explain why not .
In his opinion , Shirtcliff wrote that the damage to Oregonians and their livelihood was greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also noted that other businesses deemed essential , such as grocery stores , had been allowed to remain open even with large numbers of people present and have relied on masks , social distancing and other measures to protect the public .
“ The governor ’ s orders are not required for public safety when plaintiffs can continue to utilize social distancing and safety protocols at larger gatherings involving spiritual worship , ” he wrote .
Courts in other states have ruled against similar orders .
The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order last week , ruling that his administration overstepped its authority when it extended the order for another month without consulting legislators .
A federal judge in North Carolina on May 16 sided with conservative Christian leaders and blocked the enforcement of restrictions that Gov .
Roy Cooper ordered affecting indoor religious services during the pandemic .
The order from Judge James C. Dever III came days after two churches , a minister and a Christian revival group filed a federal lawsuit seeking to immediately block enforcement of rules covering religious services within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Louisiana , however , a federal judge refused a minister ’ s request to temporarily halt Gov .
John Bel Edwards ’ stay-at-home order , which expired that same day .
The ruling by the county judge in Oregon turned on the legal mechanism Brown used to issue her orders .
The plaintiffs allege - and the judge agreed - that they were issued under a statute pertaining to public health emergencies , not an older provision that addresses natural disasters such as storms , earthquakes or floods .
The public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while the other does not contain a time limit .
Brown maintained in court papers that the statue on public health emergencies was intended by the Legislature to supplement , and not supersede , the emergency powers granted her for natural disasters - including disease - and therefore the time limit doesn ’ t apply .
Brown declared a statewide state of emergency due to the virus on March 8 and has issued multiple executive orders since then , including the closure of all schools , nonessential businesses and a ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier this month , Brown extended the order another 60 days until July 6 .
All but one Oregon county , however , has since received the state ’ s approval to begin loosening the coronavirus restrictions .
In those counties , restaurants can provide dine-in service with 6 feet ( 2 meters ) of social distancing and salons , gyms and other nonessential businesses can also reopen with strict safety precautions .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Supreme Court is giving a rural judge until Tuesday to toss out his ruling that found the governor’s coronavirus restrictions are invalid.
If the judge declines to do so, justices said Saturday that Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff must explain why and give the state and churches who sued over the stay-at-home directives an opportunity to make further arguments.
Shirtcliff ruled Monday that Gov. Kate Brown had exceeded her authority by shutting down in-person religious services to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. The lawsuit was brought by 10 churches around Oregon and later was joined by several local elected officials and business owners.
Shirtcliff’s broad ruling also invalidated many of the other provisions of Brown’s stay-at-home order, including a ban on public gatherings and a ban on non-essential businesses and sit-down service in bars and restaurants.
The Supreme Court quickly stayed Shirtcliff’s order, keeping Brown’s directives in place.
On Saturday, the justices sent the case back to Shirtcliff with orders to expunge his ruling or explain why not.
In his opinion, Shirtcliff wrote that the damage to Oregonians and their livelihood was greater than the dangers presented by the coronavirus. He also noted that other businesses deemed essential, such as grocery stores, had been allowed to remain open even with large numbers of people present and have relied on masks, social distancing and other measures to protect the public.
“The governor’s orders are not required for public safety when plaintiffs can continue to utilize social distancing and safety protocols at larger gatherings involving spiritual worship,” he wrote.
Courts in other states have ruled against similar orders. The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home order last week, ruling that his administration overstepped its authority when it extended the order for another month without consulting legislators.
A federal judge in North Carolina on May 16 sided with conservative Christian leaders and blocked the enforcement of restrictions that Gov. Roy Cooper ordered affecting indoor religious services during the pandemic.
The order from Judge James C. Dever III came days after two churches, a minister and a Christian revival group filed a federal lawsuit seeking to immediately block enforcement of rules covering religious services within the Democratic governor’s executive orders.
In Louisiana, however, a federal judge refused a minister’s request to temporarily halt Gov. John Bel Edwards’ stay-at-home order, which expired that same day.
The ruling by the county judge in Oregon turned on the legal mechanism Brown used to issue her orders. The plaintiffs allege - and the judge agreed - that they were issued under a statute pertaining to public health emergencies, not an older provision that addresses natural disasters such as storms, earthquakes or floods.
The public health statute contains the 28-day time limit, while the other does not contain a time limit.
Brown maintained in court papers that the statue on public health emergencies was intended by the Legislature to supplement, and not supersede, the emergency powers granted her for natural disasters - including disease - and therefore the time limit doesn’t apply.
Brown declared a statewide state of emergency due to the virus on March 8 and has issued multiple executive orders since then, including the closure of all schools, nonessential businesses and a ban on dine-in service at restaurants and bars.
Earlier this month, Brown extended the order another 60 days until July 6. All but one Oregon county, however, has since received the state’s approval to begin loosening the coronavirus restrictions. In those counties, restaurants can provide dine-in service with 6 feet (2 meters) of social distancing and salons, gyms and other nonessential businesses can also reopen with strict safety precautions.


washingtontimes--2020-05-23--Police: Man barricades self in hospital ER room, sets fire

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - Police say a man in a north Philadelphia hospital for drug detoxification barricaded himself in @ @ @ @ @ department and set fire to bed sheets , but no one was injured .
Police @ @ @ @ @ man was searched by security at Temple University Hospital ’ s Episcopal Campus at about @ @ @ @ @ in a room .
Police said he barricaded himself inside and turned on oxygen tanks @ @ @ @ @ sheets on fire .
Police said a maintenance man broke a window and the man @ @ @ @ @ security , but police arrived and arrested him .
The emergency room was evacuated with @ @ @ @ @ was extinguished and the fire marshal declared it an arson .
Police said the emergency @ @ @ @ @ repairs are completed .

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police say a man in a north Philadelphia hospital for drug detoxification barricaded himself in a room in the emergency department and set fire to bed sheets, but no one was injured.
Police said the 30- to 40-year-old man was searched by security at Temple University Hospital’s Episcopal Campus at about 2:40 p.m. Saturday and placed in a room. Police said he barricaded himself inside and turned on oxygen tanks, then lit the bed sheets on fire.
Police said a maintenance man broke a window and the man climbed out and fought with security, but police arrived and arrested him. The emergency room was evacuated with no injuries. The blaze was extinguished and the fire marshal declared it an arson.
Police said the emergency room will remain closed until repairs are completed.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--SpaceX's 1st astronaut launch breaking new ground for style

CAPE CANAVERAL , Fla. ( AP ) - The first astronauts launched by SpaceX are breaking new ground for style with hip spacesuits , gull-wing Teslas and a sleek rocketship - all of it white with black trim .
The color coordinating is thanks to Elon Musk , the driving force behind both SpaceX and Tesla , and a big fan of flash and science fiction .
NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken like the fresh new look .
They ’ ll catch a ride to the launch pad in a Tesla Model X electric car .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest testament to that is my 10-year-old son telling me how cool I am now , ” Hurley told The Associated Press .
“ SpaceX has gone all out ” on the capsule ’ s appearance , he said .
“ And they ’ ve worked equally as hard to make the innards and the displays and everything else in the vehicle work to perfection.
” The true test comes Wednesday when Hurley and Behnken climb aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and , equipment and weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be the first astronaut launch from NASA ’ s Kennedy Space Center since the last shuttle flight in 2011 .
It will also mark the first attempt by a private company to send astronauts into orbit .
Only governments - Russia , the U.S. , and China - have done that .
The historic send-off deserves to look good , according to SpaceX .
It already has a nice ring .
Musk named his rocket after the “ Star Wars ” Millennium Falcon .
The capsule name stems from “ Puff the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jab at all the doubters when he started SpaceX in 2002 .
SpaceX designed and built its own suits , which are custom-fit .
Safety came first .
The cool - or wow - factor was a close second .
“ It ’ s important that the suits are comfortable and also are inspiring , ” explained SpaceX ’ s Benji Reed .
a mission director .
“ But above all , it ’ s designed to keep the crew safe.
” The bulky , orange ascent and entry suits worn by shuttle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Behnken , who like Hurley wore them for his two previous missions .
Movies like “ Armageddon ” and “ Space Cowboys ” stole the orange look whenever actors were “ trying to pretend to be astronauts.
” On launch day , Hurley and Behnken will get ready inside Kennedy ’ s remodeled crew quarters , which dates back to the two-man Gemini missions of the mid-1960s .
SpaceX techs will help the astronauts into their one-piece , two-layer pressure suits .
Hurley and Behnken will emerge through the same double doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Apollo 11′s Neil Armstrong , Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins - the Operations and Checkout Building now bears Armstrong ’ s name .
But instead of the traditional Astrovan , the two will climb into the back seat of a Tesla Model X for the nine-mile ride to Launch Complex 39A , the same pad used by the moonmen and most shuttle crews .
It ’ s while they board the Tesla that they ’ ll see their wives and young sons for the last time before flight .
Making a comeback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worm logo - wavy , futuristic-looking red letters spelling NASA , the “ A ” resembling rocket nose cones .
The worm adorns the Astro-Tesla , Falcon and even the astronauts ’ suits , along with NASA ’ s original blue meatball-shaped logo .
The white-suited Hurley and Behnken will transfer from the white Tesla to the white Dragon atop the equally white Falcon 9 .
“ It ’ s going to be quite a show , ” Reed promised .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first astronauts launched by SpaceX are breaking new ground for style with hip spacesuits, gull-wing Teslas and a sleek rocketship — all of it white with black trim.
The color coordinating is thanks to Elon Musk, the driving force behind both SpaceX and Tesla, and a big fan of flash and science fiction.
NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken like the fresh new look. They’ll catch a ride to the launch pad in a Tesla Model X electric car.
“It is really neat, and I think the biggest testament to that is my 10-year-old son telling me how cool I am now,” Hurley told The Associated Press.
“SpaceX has gone all out” on the capsule’s appearance, he said. “And they’ve worked equally as hard to make the innards and the displays and everything else in the vehicle work to perfection.”
The true test comes Wednesday when Hurley and Behnken climb aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and, equipment and weather permitting, shoot into space. It will be the first astronaut launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center since the last shuttle flight in 2011.
It will also mark the first attempt by a private company to send astronauts into orbit. Only governments — Russia, the U.S., and China — have done that.
The historic send-off deserves to look good, according to SpaceX. It already has a nice ring. Musk named his rocket after the “Star Wars” Millennium Falcon. The capsule name stems from “Puff the Magic Dragon,” Musk’s jab at all the doubters when he started SpaceX in 2002.
SpaceX designed and built its own suits, which are custom-fit. Safety came first. The cool — or wow — factor was a close second.
“It’s important that the suits are comfortable and also are inspiring,” explained SpaceX’s Benji Reed. a mission director. “But above all, it’s designed to keep the crew safe.”
The bulky, orange ascent and entry suits worn by shuttle astronauts had their own attraction, according to Behnken, who like Hurley wore them for his two previous missions. Movies like “Armageddon” and “Space Cowboys” stole the orange look whenever actors were “trying to pretend to be astronauts.”
On launch day, Hurley and Behnken will get ready inside Kennedy’s remodeled crew quarters, which dates back to the two-man Gemini missions of the mid-1960s. SpaceX techs will help the astronauts into their one-piece, two-layer pressure suits.
Hurley and Behnken will emerge through the same double doors used on July 16, 1969, by Apollo 11′s Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins - the Operations and Checkout Building now bears Armstrong’s name.
But instead of the traditional Astrovan, the two will climb into the back seat of a Tesla Model X for the nine-mile ride to Launch Complex 39A, the same pad used by the moonmen and most shuttle crews. It’s while they board the Tesla that they’ll see their wives and young sons for the last time before flight.
Making a comeback after three decades is NASA’s worm logo - wavy, futuristic-looking red letters spelling NASA, the “A” resembling rocket nose cones. The worm adorns the Astro-Tesla, Falcon and even the astronauts’ suits, along with NASA’s original blue meatball-shaped logo.
The white-suited Hurley and Behnken will transfer from the white Tesla to the white Dragon atop the equally white Falcon 9.
“It’s going to be quite a show,” Reed promised.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Rebekah Jones, Florida coronavirus data curator, fired for 'insubordination,' public remarks

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. — The woman who raised questions about Florida ’ s COVID-19 data after being ousted as the data ’ s curator had been reprimanded several times and ultimately fired for violating Health Department policy by making public remarks about the information , state records show .
Rebekah Jones ‘ comments over the past week and a half in emails to researchers , interviews with a handful of media outlets and blog posts have sought to sow doubt about the credibility of the data now that she is no longer in that role .
State health officials strenuously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s accuracy as Gov .
Ron DeSantis seeks to make a data-driven case for a step-by-step reopening of the state ’ s battered economy following safer-at-home orders .
The Republican governor lashed out at a news conference earlier this week saying Jones had a pattern of “ insubordination ” and should have been fired months ago .
Jones has not alleged any tampering with data on deaths , hospital symptom surveillance , hospitalizations for COVID-19 , numbers of new confirmed cases , or overall testing rates - core elements of any assessment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening .
And Jones acknowledges Florida has been relatively transparent - for which she herself claims some credit - and relatively successful in controlling the pandemic .
She has , however , suggested Health Department managers wanted her to manipulate information to paint a rosier picture and that she pushed back .
In an interview late Friday on CNN she finally cited some detail , after several days of vague statements .
She said the state made changes in April to support its initial reopening May 4 , for example by altering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing in a way she disagreed with .
Instead of showing the rate of all positive tests , it began showing the rate of new positive tests - filtering out people who previously tested positive .
This was not a behind-the-scenes change .
DeSantis announced it at an April 24 news conference , arguing it was the better figure for assessing trends in testing and control of the outbreak .
Jones also said she opposed how health officials decided to exempt rural counties below 75,000 population from more stringent criteria for reopening - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases or case positivity in the past 14 days .
However , federal guidelines allow states to compute criteria at the state level or to tailor a regional approach that takes into account the severity of outbreak in regions .
Florida ’ s small rural counties have had fewer cases and deaths - 21 of them have had no deaths .
In such counties , a favorable 14-day trend could easily be upended by a small - but containable - spike in cases .
In the CNN interview , Jones was asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attitude problem .
“ Somewhat , yes , if refusing to mislead the public during a health crisis is insubordination then I will wear that badge with honor , ” Jones answered .
Florida releases its data daily in three ways that Jones helped manage : Reports in text and graphics , a dashboard map and a raw data hub , including breakdowns at county and ZIP code levels .
Federal coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Brix has praised Florida ’ s presentation as especially granular and user-friendly .
Jones was told to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her last work day was Thursday , after a pattern of overstepping her duties as data manager .
The final straw came May 15 , when she vented in emails to researchers and other data recipients that she ’ d been reassigned , suggesting they should now doubt the data ’ s integrity .
Documents obtained by The Associated Press show a supervisor warned Jones on April 9 after she posted a message on a newspaper Facebook page about the dashboard .
She was told she needs approval before publicly discussing the work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was warned again when a mapping company ’ s online magazine published an extensive interview with Jones .
Her supervisor later found a public blog in which Jones discussed the dashboard , released unauthorized charts and added “ political commentary ” in posts that appear to have been taken down .
The supervisor , Craig Curry , detailed each incident in an email to the department ’ s human resources office on May 6 and was told he could begin the process of firing her .
But in that same email , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did “ fantastic work.
” With an expertise in geography and tropical storms , Jones , 30 , also has cited her dismay over Health Department officials taking down a category field in line data for individual COVID-19 cases - but says all data was restored later unaltered .
Deputy Secretary for Health Dr. Shamarial Roberson said that Jones ’ s pushback was over the “ EventDate ” category , which is when a patient reports first remembering having possible symptoms and is separate from when the illness is confirmed .
“ Event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Roberson said .
“ A case is deemed when you have that laboratory result as positive.
” Roberson said Florida ’ s data is updated as it becomes available daily .
“ Every day our data is accurate , it ’ s factual , it ’ s true , it ’ s transparent , ” she said .
Jones has not responded to requests from The Associated Press for comment .

Brendan Farrington and Bobby Caina Calvan

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The woman who raised questions about Florida’s COVID-19 data after being ousted as the data’s curator had been reprimanded several times and ultimately fired for violating Health Department policy by making public remarks about the information, state records show.
Rebekah Jones’ comments over the past week and a half in emails to researchers, interviews with a handful of media outlets and blog posts have sought to sow doubt about the credibility of the data now that she is no longer in that role.
State health officials strenuously deny any issue with the information’s accuracy as Gov. Ron DeSantis seeks to make a data-driven case for a step-by-step reopening of the state’s battered economy following safer-at-home orders. The Republican governor lashed out at a news conference earlier this week saying Jones had a pattern of “insubordination” and should have been fired months ago.
Jones has not alleged any tampering with data on deaths, hospital symptom surveillance, hospitalizations for COVID-19, numbers of new confirmed cases, or overall testing rates — core elements of any assessment of the outbreak and of federal criteria for reopening. And Jones acknowledges Florida has been relatively transparent — for which she herself claims some credit - and relatively successful in controlling the pandemic.
She has, however, suggested Health Department managers wanted her to manipulate information to paint a rosier picture and that she pushed back. In an interview late Friday on CNN she finally cited some detail, after several days of vague statements.
She said the state made changes in April to support its initial reopening May 4, for example by altering the way it reports the positivity rate of testing in a way she disagreed with. Instead of showing the rate of all positive tests, it began showing the rate of new positive tests - filtering out people who previously tested positive.
This was not a behind-the-scenes change. DeSantis announced it at an April 24 news conference, arguing it was the better figure for assessing trends in testing and control of the outbreak.
Jones also said she opposed how health officials decided to exempt rural counties below 75,000 population from more stringent criteria for reopening - such as showing a downward trajectory of new cases or case positivity in the past 14 days. However, federal guidelines allow states to compute criteria at the state level or to tailor a regional approach that takes into account the severity of outbreak in regions. Florida’s small rural counties have had fewer cases and deaths — 21 of them have had no deaths. In such counties, a favorable 14-day trend could easily be upended by a small — but containable — spike in cases.
In the CNN interview, Jones was asked whether she was removed because of an attitude problem.
“Somewhat, yes, if refusing to mislead the public during a health crisis is insubordination then I will wear that badge with honor,” Jones answered.
Florida releases its data daily in three ways that Jones helped manage: Reports in text and graphics, a dashboard map and a raw data hub, including breakdowns at county and ZIP code levels. Federal coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Brix has praised Florida’s presentation as especially granular and user-friendly.
Jones was told to resign or be fired last Monday and her last work day was Thursday, after a pattern of overstepping her duties as data manager. The final straw came May 15, when she vented in emails to researchers and other data recipients that she’d been reassigned, suggesting they should now doubt the data’s integrity.
Documents obtained by The Associated Press show a supervisor warned Jones on April 9 after she posted a message on a newspaper Facebook page about the dashboard. She was told she needs approval before publicly discussing the work. Less than two weeks later, she was warned again when a mapping company’s online magazine published an extensive interview with Jones. Her supervisor later found a public blog in which Jones discussed the dashboard, released unauthorized charts and added “political commentary” in posts that appear to have been taken down.
The supervisor, Craig Curry, detailed each incident in an email to the department’s human resources office on May 6 and was told he could begin the process of firing her. But in that same email, Curry also praised Jones, saying she did “fantastic work.”
With an expertise in geography and tropical storms, Jones, 30, also has cited her dismay over Health Department officials taking down a category field in line data for individual COVID-19 cases - but says all data was restored later unaltered.
Deputy Secretary for Health Dr. Shamarial Roberson said that Jones’s pushback was over the “EventDate” category, which is when a patient reports first remembering having possible symptoms and is separate from when the illness is confirmed.
“Event date is not the important field,” Roberson said. “A case is deemed when you have that laboratory result as positive.”
Roberson said Florida’s data is updated as it becomes available daily. “Every day our data is accurate, it’s factual, it’s true, it’s transparent,” she said.
Jones has not responded to requests from The Associated Press for comment.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Oregon judge ordered to explain or vacate ruling nullifying Kate Brown coronavirus restrictions

PORTLAND , Ore. — The Oregon Supreme Court is giving a rural judge until Tuesday to toss out his ruling that found the governor ’ s coronavirus restrictions are invalid .
If the judge declines to do so , justices said Saturday that Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff must explain why and give the state and churches who sued over the stay-at-home directives an opportunity to make further arguments .
Shirtcliff ruled Monday that Gov .
Kate Brown had exceeded her authority by shutting down in-person religious services to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus .
The lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and later was joined by several local elected officials and business owners .
Shirtcliff ’ s broad ruling also invalidated many of the other provisions of Brown ’ s stay-at-home order , including a ban on public gatherings and a ban on non-essential businesses and sit-down service in bars and restaurants .
On Saturday , the justices sent the case back to Shirtcliff with orders to expunge his ruling or explain why not .
In his opinion , Shirtcliff wrote that the damage to Oregonians and their livelihood was greater than the dangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that other businesses deemed essential , such as grocery stores , had been allowed to remain open even with large numbers of people present and have relied on masks , social distancing and other measures to protect the public .
“ The governor ’ s orders are not required for public safety when plaintiffs can continue to utilize social distancing and safety protocols at larger gatherings involving spiritual worship , ” he wrote .
Courts in other states have ruled against similar orders .
The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ruling that his administration overstepped its authority when it extended the order for another month without consulting legislators .
A federal judge in North Carolina on May 16 sided with conservative Christian leaders and blocked the enforcement of restrictions that Gov .
Roy Cooper ordered affecting indoor religious services during the pandemic .
The order from Judge James C. Dever III came days after two churches , a minister and a Christian revival group filed a federal lawsuit seeking to immediately block enforcement of rules covering religious services within the Democratic governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , a federal judge refused a minister ’ s request to temporarily halt Gov .
John Bel Edwards ’ stay-at-home order , which expired that same day .
The ruling by the county judge in Oregon turned on the legal mechanism Brown used to issue her orders .
The plaintiffs allege - and the judge agreed - that they were issued under a statute pertaining to public health emergencies , not an older provision that addresses natural disasters such as storms , earthquakes or floods .
The public health statute contains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other does not contain a time limit .
Brown maintained in court papers that the statue on public health emergencies was intended by the Legislature to supplement , and not supersede , the emergency powers granted her for natural disasters - including disease - and therefore the time limit doesn ’ t apply .
Brown declared a statewide state of emergency due to the virus on March 8 and has issued multiple executive orders since then , including the closure of all schools , nonessential businesses and a ban on dine-in service at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Brown extended the order another 60 days until July 6 .
All but one Oregon county , however , has since received the state ’ s approval to begin loosening the coronavirus restrictions .
In those counties , restaurants can provide dine-in service with 6 feet ( 2 meters ) of social distancing and salons , gyms and other nonessential businesses can also reopen with strict safety precautions .

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Supreme Court is giving a rural judge until Tuesday to toss out his ruling that found the governor’s coronavirus restrictions are invalid.
If the judge declines to do so, justices said Saturday that Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff must explain why and give the state and churches who sued over the stay-at-home directives an opportunity to make further arguments.
Shirtcliff ruled Monday that Gov. Kate Brown had exceeded her authority by shutting down in-person religious services to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. The lawsuit was brought by 10 churches around Oregon and later was joined by several local elected officials and business owners.
Shirtcliff’s broad ruling also invalidated many of the other provisions of Brown’s stay-at-home order, including a ban on public gatherings and a ban on non-essential businesses and sit-down service in bars and restaurants.
The Supreme Court quickly stayed Shirtcliff’s order, keeping Brown’s directives in place.
On Saturday, the justices sent the case back to Shirtcliff with orders to expunge his ruling or explain why not.
In his opinion, Shirtcliff wrote that the damage to Oregonians and their livelihood was greater than the dangers presented by the coronavirus. He also noted that other businesses deemed essential, such as grocery stores, had been allowed to remain open even with large numbers of people present and have relied on masks, social distancing and other measures to protect the public.
“The governor’s orders are not required for public safety when plaintiffs can continue to utilize social distancing and safety protocols at larger gatherings involving spiritual worship,” he wrote.
Courts in other states have ruled against similar orders. The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home order last week, ruling that his administration overstepped its authority when it extended the order for another month without consulting legislators.
A federal judge in North Carolina on May 16 sided with conservative Christian leaders and blocked the enforcement of restrictions that Gov. Roy Cooper ordered affecting indoor religious services during the pandemic.
The order from Judge James C. Dever III came days after two churches, a minister and a Christian revival group filed a federal lawsuit seeking to immediately block enforcement of rules covering religious services within the Democratic governor’s executive orders.
In Louisiana, however, a federal judge refused a minister’s request to temporarily halt Gov. John Bel Edwards’ stay-at-home order, which expired that same day.
The ruling by the county judge in Oregon turned on the legal mechanism Brown used to issue her orders. The plaintiffs allege - and the judge agreed - that they were issued under a statute pertaining to public health emergencies, not an older provision that addresses natural disasters such as storms, earthquakes or floods.
The public health statute contains the 28-day time limit, while the other does not contain a time limit.
Brown maintained in court papers that the statue on public health emergencies was intended by the Legislature to supplement, and not supersede, the emergency powers granted her for natural disasters - including disease - and therefore the time limit doesn’t apply.
Brown declared a statewide state of emergency due to the virus on March 8 and has issued multiple executive orders since then, including the closure of all schools, nonessential businesses and a ban on dine-in service at restaurants and bars.
Earlier this month, Brown extended the order another 60 days until July 6. All but one Oregon county, however, has since received the state’s approval to begin loosening the coronavirus restrictions. In those counties, restaurants can provide dine-in service with 6 feet (2 meters) of social distancing and salons, gyms and other nonessential businesses can also reopen with strict safety precautions.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Humboldt County, California 'pumping the brakes' on reopening as coronavirus cases rise

SAN FRANCISCO — Humboldt County on California ’ s North Coast was among the first in the state to get the governor ’ s green light to open up restaurants and stores after a two-month statewide coronavirus lockdown .
With only about 50 cases confirmed in the whole month of April in the county of 130,000 , many breathed a sigh of relief that they ’ d survived the worst of it .
Soon , though , county officials saw a worrisome trend : nearly 30 new cases in a two-week period and the first two deaths .
That has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more cautious approach to reopening , in what may be a harbinger of the “ toggle switch ” local officials are likely to negotiate as they emerge from the lockdown .
“ We have to recognize that due to some pretty serious increases that we ’ ve seen in cases and recently , two deaths , that it ’ s prudent to take a really careful approach and open up things a little more slowly than we ’ d really like to , ” said Supervisor Virginia Bass , whose district includes Eureka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 27,000 people .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom has approved 45 of California ’ s 58 counties to reopen some businesses since May 8 when he loosened his original mid-March stay-at-home order .
Los Angeles County , where more than 2,400 have died , is moving more cautiously , on Friday allowing curbside pickup to resume at indoor malls .
Rural Modoc County , where no cases have been reported , reopened businesses the first week of May .
In Humboldt County , known for its beautiful landscapes and booming marijuana fields , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus lurks there as well and on Saturday the county had 93 cases .
County officials said two employees at an assisted living facility were the latest confirmed cases .
Businesses are required to submit a health and safety plan and meet a list of requirements before they are certified to reopen .
In a video released this week , Humboldt County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich said the county will continue accepting applications but may need to slow down certifications to “ match what is happening on the ground.
” Since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hundreds of the 6,500 licensed businesses have applied to restart , Sheriff William Honsal said in a video this week in which he answered reporters ’ questions .
The county ’ s website shows 255 were certified to reopen as of Friday .
“ People want to get their business open and I agree … it ’ s time for certain businesses but understand , it is going be a slow process , ” Honsal said .
About 100 restaurants have applied , but none have been approved to resume dine-in service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honsal responded to interview requests from The Associated Press .
Frankovich said in the video that the new cases are due to several virus clusters , mostly the result of people gathering outside their households and making nonessential trips out of the county .
“ People are moving about more in our community in spite of our shelter-in-place order , and people are gathering to some extent , ” she said .
“ And some people are traveling , for nonessential travel.
” One of those outbreaks is at Alder Bay Assisted Living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 17 and another resident died Tuesday .
Administrator Mark Stephenson said the facility ’ s first positive case on May 6 was a worker who began feeling sick a day after a shift .
Seven residents and three other staff have since tested positive , he said .
That ’ s prompted the facility to ban all outsiders except for essential health care workers and step up the use of personal protective equipment , he said .
Authorities have not said how or where the employee was infected .
For most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Austin Allison , a Eureka councilman , said the recent rise in cases has brought some hesitation , which he compared to “ pumping the brakes.
” “ It ’ s been sort of delaying a faster rollout , ” he said .
“ For a while , in Humboldt , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period where we didn ’ t have more than one case every day or so .
So the public was sort of getting overconfident.
” Allison , who works as a cardiac monitoring technician in a hospital , said businesses are eager to reopen and the community is suffering economically , especially due to its reliance on tourism .
Ryan Rice , a forestry contractor who helped organize the Facebook group Open Humboldt , said people are growing restless .
He said the group would like to see small , locally owned shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to open soon .
“ We don ’ t want to go against the law , we don ’ t want to go against the orders , but we feel the timeline of business being able to open in Humboldt County is severely skewed , ” Rice said .
Meredith Maier , co-owner of Six Rivers Brewery in the town of McKinleyville , said she applied for a county certification but hasn ’ t yet been approved for dine-in service .
Maier said she understands why health officials want to proceed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively few intensive care beds .
“ At any time we have a surge , and all of a sudden we have hospitalizations , it could get really dicey for us really fast , ” she said .
The new numbers have led locals to close ranks .
The sheriff asked visitors to stay away over Memorial Day weekend and warned those arriving to work harvesting marijuana to leave , saying they could face citations .
“ We ’ d be in a different place if those people didn ’ t travel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it back here to Humboldt County , ” Honsal said .
“ So , we want them to know that out-of-towners right now are not welcome .
”

SAN FRANCISCO — Humboldt County on California’s North Coast was among the first in the state to get the governor’s green light to open up restaurants and stores after a two-month statewide coronavirus lockdown.
With only about 50 cases confirmed in the whole month of April in the county of 130,000, many breathed a sigh of relief that they’d survived the worst of it. Soon, though, county officials saw a worrisome trend: nearly 30 new cases in a two-week period and the first two deaths.
That has prompted Humboldt County officials to take a more cautious approach to reopening, in what may be a harbinger of the “toggle switch” local officials are likely to negotiate as they emerge from the lockdown.
“We have to recognize that due to some pretty serious increases that we’ve seen in cases and recently, two deaths, that it’s prudent to take a really careful approach and open up things a little more slowly than we’d really like to,” said Supervisor Virginia Bass, whose district includes Eureka, the county’s biggest city with 27,000 people.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved 45 of California’s 58 counties to reopen some businesses since May 8 when he loosened his original mid-March stay-at-home order. Los Angeles County, where more than 2,400 have died, is moving more cautiously, on Friday allowing curbside pickup to resume at indoor malls. Rural Modoc County, where no cases have been reported, reopened businesses the first week of May.
In Humboldt County, known for its beautiful landscapes and booming marijuana fields, the numbers have been low. But the coronavirus lurks there as well and on Saturday the county had 93 cases. County officials said two employees at an assisted living facility were the latest confirmed cases.
Businesses are required to submit a health and safety plan and meet a list of requirements before they are certified to reopen. In a video released this week, Humboldt County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich said the county will continue accepting applications but may need to slow down certifications to “match what is happening on the ground.”
Since the county received its May 13 go ahead, hundreds of the 6,500 licensed businesses have applied to restart, Sheriff William Honsal said in a video this week in which he answered reporters’ questions. The county’s website shows 255 were certified to reopen as of Friday.
“People want to get their business open and I agree … it’s time for certain businesses but understand, it is going be a slow process,” Honsal said.
About 100 restaurants have applied, but none have been approved to resume dine-in service, he said.
Neither Frankovich or Honsal responded to interview requests from The Associated Press.
Frankovich said in the video that the new cases are due to several virus clusters, mostly the result of people gathering outside their households and making nonessential trips out of the county.
“People are moving about more in our community in spite of our shelter-in-place order, and people are gathering to some extent,” she said. “And some people are traveling, for nonessential travel.”
One of those outbreaks is at Alder Bay Assisted Living, where a 97-year-old woman died on May 17 and another resident died Tuesday.
Administrator Mark Stephenson said the facility’s first positive case on May 6 was a worker who began feeling sick a day after a shift. Seven residents and three other staff have since tested positive, he said.
That’s prompted the facility to ban all outsiders except for essential health care workers and step up the use of personal protective equipment, he said. Authorities have not said how or where the employee was infected.
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.
Austin Allison, a Eureka councilman, said the recent rise in cases has brought some hesitation, which he compared to “pumping the brakes.”
“It’s been sort of delaying a faster rollout,” he said. “For a while, in Humboldt, I think there was a two- or three-week period where we didn’t have more than one case every day or so. So the public was sort of getting overconfident.”
Allison, who works as a cardiac monitoring technician in a hospital, said businesses are eager to reopen and the community is suffering economically, especially due to its reliance on tourism.
Ryan Rice, a forestry contractor who helped organize the Facebook group Open Humboldt, said people are growing restless. He said the group would like to see small, locally owned shops and locally owned restaurants with safety plans allowed to open soon.
“We don’t want to go against the law, we don’t want to go against the orders, but we feel the timeline of business being able to open in Humboldt County is severely skewed,” Rice said.
Meredith Maier, co-owner of Six Rivers Brewery in the town of McKinleyville, said she applied for a county certification but hasn’t yet been approved for dine-in service. Maier said she understands why health officials want to proceed with caution in a rural community that has relatively few intensive care beds.
“At any time we have a surge, and all of a sudden we have hospitalizations, it could get really dicey for us really fast,” she said.
The new numbers have led locals to close ranks.
The sheriff asked visitors to stay away over Memorial Day weekend and warned those arriving to work harvesting marijuana to leave, saying they could face citations.
“We’d be in a different place if those people didn’t travel and didn’t expose themselves and bring it back here to Humboldt County,” Honsal said. “So, we want them to know that out-of-towners right now are not welcome.”
___
Taxin reported from Orange County.