latimes--2020-03-09--L.A.-Long Beach ports approve truck fee too low to clean smog, groups charge

Los Angeles and Long Beach officials voted Monday to impose a modest fee on shipping containers moving through the nation ’ s largest port complex , in a first step toward helping truckers replace their diesel vehicles with lower-polluting models .
The decision by harbor commissioners , which followed hours of public testimony at a joint hearing in Long Beach , was a disappointment to environmentalists , community groups and air quality officials .
They criticized the fee as insufficient to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets and said it will do little to reduce health damage in communities across Southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation ’ s worst-polluted air .
Mayoral appointees overseeing the publicly owned ports set a fee of $ 20 per loaded 40-foot shipping container , on the low end of the range studied .
They cited a desire for caution as cargo traffic slumps because of President Trump ’ s trade war with China and a global slowdown in goods movement from the coronavirus .
They said they also sought to protect truckers from shouldering the cost of cleaning the air .
Los Angeles ’ harbor commission approved the fee unanimously , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The decision was a victory for business interests , truck drivers and labor unions who had pushed to keep the fee to a minimum to limit impacts on an economic engine that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in Southern California .
“ The general consensus was to proceed with caution , ” Chris Cannon , director of environmental management for the Port of Los Angeles , told harbor commissioners before the vote .
“ The thought was go slow .
See what ’ s happening .
Monitor , evaluate and adjust.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cargo owners , including retailers and manufacturers , and would go into a fund to pay help truckers switch to cleaner vehicles .
It marks the first significant step in a revamped clean-air plan the ports adopted in 2017 , but at the same time raises doubts about whether they are on a path to reaching L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia ’ s goals , including their target of switching to zero-emission trucks by 2035 .
Joseph Lyou , president of the Coalition for Clean Air , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prioritize public health over the profits of Amazon , Walmart , and other retailers who make money using dirty diesel trucks to move their products , ” and in so doing , “ undermined their promises to clean up their operations.
” Despite dramatic improvements in air quality , the ports remain the largest source of pollution Southern California , contributing to smog across the Los Angeles Basin and subjecting harbor-area communities such as Wilmington and West Long Beach to the region ’ s highest cancer risk from air pollution and higher rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
The ports ’ plan exempts zero-emission trucks from the fee .
But commissioners delayed action on how long to exempt lower-polluting natural gas trucks , saying they will return in four months to decide that before the fees take effect later this year .
While harbor commissioners backing the $ 20 fee argued it was necessary first step that balanced economic and environmental concerns , two commissioners said they could not support it because it lacked protections for truck drivers and was too weak to ease the health damage from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe we are acting in the interest of future generations , ” Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Tracy J. Egoscue said before voting in opposition .
“ Perhaps we should set the rate higher .
.
.
and lower it when the asthma rates come down.
” Port officials have argued that setting truck fee too high would lead importers to route more of their shipments through less costly ports in on the East Coast and the Gulf .
“ Clean air obviously is important , but not at the expense of jobs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 13 from San Pedro said at the hearing .
An , however , predicted minimal cargo diversion if the ports charged between $ 10 and $ 140 per container .
The $ 20 fee the ports opted for will generate an estimated $ 90 million a year , enough money to help replace about 900 trucks .
That ’ s far too little , according to air quality officials and environmentalists .
They say the fee is too low to meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals and will do little to meet a 2023 federal Clean Air Act deadline for Southern California to reduce ozone pollution or face potentially crippling sanctions .
“ The ports ’ proposal isn ’ t cautious , it ’ s negligent , ” Ashley Sykora , an environmental law student at UCLA told harbor commissioners , calling it “ nothing more than a feeble attempt to give the illusion of progress without necessitating real action.
” Environmental groups pushed for a fee of $ 100 per container , which they said would create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with lower-polluting models in the next few years .
They , along with state and local air quality officials , asked harbor commissioners to postpone their vote to allow time to negotiate a higher fee .
The ports ’ original Clean Air Action Plan , launched in 2006 and credited with successfully replacing the oldest , dirtiest trucks , relied on a higher fee of $ 70 per shipping container .
Today there are more than 18,000 trucks moving cargo through the complex , and they remain overwhelmingly fueled by diesel .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower-polluting natural gas and 20 are zero emission , according to port officials , who said the introduction of cleaner trucks is happening more slowly than anticipated in 2017 .
Gene Seroka , executive director of the Port of L.A. , said in an interview that a higher fee would increase pressure on truckers , who would ultimately shoulder the increased costs , while generating money for more natural gas trucks than manufacturers currently have the capacity to make .
“ If I stockpile money , then the cargo owners come and say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money ?
” Seroka said .
“ I am not going to create a bank account and just sit on the money.
” His comments aligned with the concerns of labor unions , truck drivers and business groups who urged the ports to keep the rate low to protect their financial interests and livelihoods .
“ We can ’ t keep paying the cost of cleaning the air , ” Jose Garcia , a port truck driver from Long Beach told harbor commissioners .
“ The multimillion-dollar corporations are the ones that should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers that are barely making ends meet .
Pollution from the L.A.-Long Beach ports has declined dramatically since they launched a sweeping Clean Air Action Plan in 2006 , targeting the dirtiest source of diesel pollution , including heavy-duty trucks and cargo ships .
But in recent years , that progress has waned , with some emissions creeping upward .
Concerns about backsliding prompted mayors Garcetti and Garcia to update their joint clean-air program with a new plan that seeks to switch to zero-emission cargo-handling equipment by 2030 , and zero-emission trucks by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the truck fee they selected would be insufficient to meet the goals of their clean-air plan .
But they emphasized it is only a starting point , and would be reviewed annually to ensure it supports their long-term pollution-reduction targets .
“ The confluence of factors have us come to a conclusion that the best approach is to start at a low number , and then we work from there , ” Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said in an interview .
“ I ’ m sure people will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have a resume of success and we are committed to succeed again .
”

Truckers line up at the entrance of a terminal in the Port of Long Beach. The Long Beach and Los Angeles ports agreed to set a fee of $20 per shipping container, with the money collected going to replace diesel trucks at the ports with lower-polluting trucks. Critics say the fee is too low to meet the targets for lowering diesel air pollution at the ports.
Los Angeles and Long Beach officials voted Monday to impose a modest fee on shipping containers moving through the nation’s largest port complex, in a first step toward helping truckers replace their diesel vehicles with lower-polluting models.
The decision by harbor commissioners, which followed hours of public testimony at a joint hearing in Long Beach, was a disappointment to environmentalists, community groups and air quality officials. They criticized the fee as insufficient to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets and said it will do little to reduce health damage in communities across Southern California that suffer from some of the nation’s worst-polluted air.
Mayoral appointees overseeing the publicly owned ports set a fee of $20 per loaded 40-foot shipping container, on the low end of the range studied. They cited a desire for caution as cargo traffic slumps because of President Trump’s trade war with China and a global slowdown in goods movement from the coronavirus. They said they also sought to protect truckers from shouldering the cost of cleaning the air.
Advertisement
Los Angeles’ harbor commission approved the fee unanimously, while Long Beach commissioners voted 3-2 in favor.
The decision was a victory for business interests, truck drivers and labor unions who had pushed to keep the fee to a minimum to limit impacts on an economic engine that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in Southern California.
“The general consensus was to proceed with caution,” Chris Cannon, director of environmental management for the Port of Los Angeles, told harbor commissioners before the vote. “The thought was go slow. See what’s happening. Monitor, evaluate and adjust.”
The fees will be paid by cargo owners, including retailers and manufacturers, and would go into a fund to pay help truckers switch to cleaner vehicles. It marks the first significant step in a revamped clean-air plan the ports adopted in 2017, but at the same time raises doubts about whether they are on a path to reaching L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia’s goals, including their target of switching to zero-emission trucks by 2035.
Joseph Lyou, president of the Coalition for Clean Air, said the ports “lost an opportunity to prioritize public health over the profits of Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers who make money using dirty diesel trucks to move their products,” and in so doing, “undermined their promises to clean up their operations.”
Advertisement
Despite dramatic improvements in air quality, the ports remain the largest source of pollution in Southern California, contributing to smog across the Los Angeles Basin and subjecting harbor-area communities such as Wilmington and West Long Beach to the region’s highest cancer risk from air pollution and higher rates of asthma compared with the rest of the state.
The ports’ plan exempts zero-emission trucks from the fee. But commissioners delayed action on how long to exempt lower-polluting natural gas trucks, saying they will return in four months to decide that before the fees take effect later this year.
While harbor commissioners backing the $20 fee argued it was necessary first step that balanced economic and environmental concerns, two commissioners said they could not support it because it lacked protections for truck drivers and was too weak to ease the health damage from port pollution.
“I do not believe we are acting in the interest of future generations,” Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Tracy J. Egoscue said before voting in opposition. “Perhaps we should set the rate higher . . . and lower it when the asthma rates come down.”
Port officials have argued that setting truck fee too high would lead importers to route more of their shipments through less costly ports in on the East Coast and the Gulf.
“Clean air obviously is important, but not at the expense of jobs and market share,” David Samperio, a member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 13 from San Pedro, said at the hearing.
An economic analysis , however, predicted minimal cargo diversion if the ports charged between $10 and $140 per container. The $20 fee the ports opted for will generate an estimated $90 million a year, enough money to help replace about 900 trucks.
That’s far too little, according to air quality officials and environmentalists. They say the fee is too low to meet the goals of the ports’ own clean-air goals and will do little to meet a 2023 federal Clean Air Act deadline for Southern California to reduce ozone pollution or face potentially crippling sanctions.
“The ports’ proposal isn’t cautious, it’s negligent,” Ashley Sykora, an environmental law student at UCLA told harbor commissioners, calling it “nothing more than a feeble attempt to give the illusion of progress without necessitating real action.”
Environmental groups pushed for a fee of $100 per container, which they said would create incentives to replace thousands of diesel trucks with lower-polluting models in the next few years. They, along with state and local air quality officials, asked harbor commissioners to postpone their vote to allow time to negotiate a higher fee.
The ports’ original Clean Air Action Plan, launched in 2006 and credited with successfully replacing the oldest, dirtiest trucks, relied on a higher fee of $70 per shipping container.
Today there are more than 18,000 trucks moving cargo through the complex, and they remain overwhelmingly fueled by diesel. Only about 130 of those are fueled by lower-polluting natural gas and 20 are zero emission, according to port officials, who said the introduction of cleaner trucks is happening more slowly than anticipated in 2017.
Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of L.A., said in an interview that a higher fee would increase pressure on truckers, who would ultimately shoulder the increased costs, while generating money for more natural gas trucks than manufacturers currently have the capacity to make.
“If I stockpile money, then the cargo owners come and say, what are you doing with our money?” Seroka said. “I am not going to create a bank account and just sit on the money.”
His comments aligned with the concerns of labor unions, truck drivers and business groups who urged the ports to keep the rate low to protect their financial interests and livelihoods.
“We can’t keep paying the cost of cleaning the air,” Jose Garcia, a port truck driver from Long Beach told harbor commissioners. “The multimillion-dollar corporations are the ones that should be paying — not us, the drivers that are barely making ends meet.
Pollution from the L.A.-Long Beach ports has declined dramatically since they launched a sweeping Clean Air Action Plan in 2006, targeting the dirtiest source of diesel pollution, including heavy-duty trucks and cargo ships.
But in recent years, that progress has waned, with some emissions creeping upward. Concerns about backsliding prompted mayors Garcetti and Garcia to update their joint clean-air program with a new plan that seeks to switch to zero-emission cargo-handling equipment by 2030, and zero-emission trucks by 2035.
Port leaders did not dispute that the truck fee they selected would be insufficient to meet the goals of their clean-air plan. But they emphasized it is only a starting point, and would be reviewed annually to ensure it supports their long-term pollution-reduction targets.
“The confluence of factors have us come to a conclusion that the best approach is to start at a low number, and then we work from there,” Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said in an interview. “I’m sure people will question our resolve. But to me, we have a resume of success and we are committed to succeed again.”


latimes--2020-03-09--When should schools close due to coronavirus? Here are California's guidelines

Across California , some schools have begun closing and universities are moving to online learning or making preparations to do so as educators ramp up preparations to deal with the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus .
Schools are advising parents and students that decisions will likely be made swiftly and to be prepared .
But how do schools make the decision to close ?
The California Dept .
of Public Health has released guidance for schools and colleges to help determine when , and if , to shut campus doors .
School leaders , in consultation with public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if even one student , teacher or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 and exposed others to the virus , the state guidance says .
How long these schools would remain closed depends on the community — “ In consultation with the local public health department , school officials may determine readmission criteria after the school closures , ” the guidance says .
If a school does close , officials should remind community members of the importance of keeping their distance from each other outside of school , too .
In L.A. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to schools states that campuses “ may need to close if a significant number of students , staff and/or volunteers have been in close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus ” or if there are high rates of staff and student absenteeism that make “ safe and effective operations ” difficult .
Another possible scenario to warrant closure : Students and/or staff at multiple schools in a district test positive for COVID-19 .
In that case , the state public health department says , school officials should contact local public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district schools .
“ In consultation with the local public health department , the school administrator may determine if additional school closures and what length of time is warranted based on the risk level within the specific community as determined by the local public health officer , ” the state guidance says .
“ A call for large scale closure of many schools would happen only if there was significant community transmission that could not be well-controlled through other strategies , ” the L.A. County guidelines say .
The L.A. County Office of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public school districts , is paying attention to both local and state guidelines , department spokeswoman Margo Minecki said in an email .
The county public health department “ has issued general guidelines that we were following .
The new CDPH guidelines are more detailed for various scenarios which are helpful .
These guidelines are to be used in conjunction with consultation and guidance from LACDPH , ” she said .
What precautions should schools take ?
If there are two or more “ community transmission cases , ” but no one at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrators should encourage teachers and staff to check themselves each morning before school for fever and symptoms like a cough , and stay home if they have symptoms .
Schools should also consider limiting the amount of time students spend together in large groups — that could mean staggering recess times , or conducting large gatherings like assemblies via webcast or intercom instead of in person .
Campuses in this scenario should also consider limiting visitors , especially those with a fever or respiratory symptoms , or “ who have a travel history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to an area identified by the CDC as Level 3 Travel Health Notice.
” In L.A. County , here are the guidelines for “ increased community transmission ” of the virus : “ If classrooms stay open , be prepared to divide classes into smaller groups of students and rearrange desks so students are spaced at least six feet from each other in a classroom , as much as possible.
” When should students stay home from school ?
Common sense prevails in this case as in all other sicknesses that youths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows symptoms , keep them home .
The guidance instructs schools to “ send students , faculty , and staff who present with fever and/or respiratory infection symptoms home immediately.
” Colleges who have students or faculty living on campus with those symptoms should place the sick individual in a private room with its own bathroom .
Students should stay home or in their dorms , if they ’ re in college , until the “ fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials recommend against them .
L.A. County ’ s coronavirus guidance to schools says : “ Do not require a healthcare provider ’ s note for employees or students who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work .
Healthcare provider offices and medical facilities will be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way .
”

Across California, some schools have begun closing and universities are moving to online learning or making preparations to do so as educators ramp up preparations to deal with the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Schools say that decisions will likely be made swiftly, and they advise parents and students to be prepared.
But how do schools make the decision to close?
The California Department of Public Health has released guidance for schools and colleges to help determine whether and when to shut campus doors.
When should a school close?
School leaders, in consultation with public health departments, can consider closing their doors if even one student, teacher or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 and exposed others to the virus, the state guidance says.
Advertisement
How long these schools would remain closed depends on the community — “In consultation with the local public health department, school officials may determine readmission criteria after the school closures,” the guidance says.
If a school does close, officials should remind community members of the importance of keeping their distance from each other outside of school, too.
In L.A. County, public health officials’ guidance to schools states that campuses “may need to close if a significant number of students, staff and/or volunteers have been in close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus” or if there are high rates of staff and student absenteeism that make “safe and effective operations” difficult.
Another possible scenario to warrant closure: Students and/or staff at multiple schools in a district test positive for COVID-19. In that case, the state public health department says, school officials should contact local public health officials to determine whether to close multiple district schools.
“In consultation with the local public health department, the school administrator may determine if additional school closures and what length of time is warranted based on the risk level within the specific community as determined by the local public health officer,” the state guidance says.
L.A. County’s public health guidance is similar:
“A call for large scale closure of many schools would happen only if there was significant community transmission that could not be well-controlled through other strategies,” the L.A. County guidelines say.
Advertisement
The L.A. County Office of Education, which oversees L.A.’s 80 public school districts, is paying attention to both local and state guidelines, department spokeswoman Margo Minecki said in an email. The county public health department “has issued general guidelines that we were following. The new CDPH guidelines are more detailed for various scenarios which are helpful. These guidelines are to be used in conjunction with consultation and guidance from LACDPH,” she said.
What precautions should schools take?
If there are two or more “community transmission cases,” but no one at the school has tested positive, school administrators should encourage teachers and staff to check themselves each morning before school for fever and symptoms like a cough, and stay home if they have symptoms.
Schools should also consider limiting the amount of time students spend together in large groups — that could mean staggering recess times, or conducting large gatherings like assemblies via webcast or intercom instead of in person. Campuses in this scenario should also consider limiting visitors, especially those with a fever or respiratory symptoms, or “who have a travel history over the course of the last 14 days to an area identified by the CDC as Level 3 Travel Health Notice.”
In L.A. County, here are the guidelines for “increased community transmission” of the virus:
“If classrooms stay open, be prepared to divide classes into smaller groups of students and rearrange desks so students are spaced at least six feet from each other in a classroom, as much as possible.”
When should students stay home from school?
Common sense prevails in this case as in all other sicknesses that youths pass to each other— if a child shows symptoms, keep them home.
The guidance instructs schools to “send students, faculty, and staff who present with fever and/or respiratory infection symptoms home immediately.”
Colleges who have students or faculty living on campus with those symptoms should place the sick individual in a private room with its own bathroom.
How long should kids stay home?
Students should stay home or in their dorms, if they’re in college, until the “fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines,” according to the state guidance.
Do I need a doctor’s note?
Public health officials recommend against them. L.A. County’s coronavirus guidance to schools says: “Do not require a healthcare provider’s note for employees or students who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work. Healthcare provider offices and medical facilities will be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.”


latimes--2020-03-09--Storm update: Lower rainfall amounts but higher risk of thunderstorms in Southern California

A cutoff low-pressure system that was about 800 miles southwest of LAX on Monday afternoon is expected to bring widespread showers and a chance of thunderstorms to Southern California Tuesday through Tuesday evening , the National Weather Service said .
A previously forecast atmospheric river component of the system carrying subtropical moisture is now expected to remain to the south , and rainfall will be associated with the cutoff low-pressure system , resulting in lower overall rainfall amounts , but a higher risk of thunderstorms .
Brief heavy downpours , probably with thunderstorms , could still cause urban flooding or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Small hail and waterspouts over coastal waters are also a possibility with the system , although gale-force winds are no longer predicted .
There ’ s also a risk of lightning at the beaches .
Because it is a warm storm , snow levels will be well above the 7,000-foot elevation in the local mountains .
Rain totals are expected to be about an inch to 1.5 inches for the coast and valleys of L.A. County , with anywhere from 1.5 inches to 3 inches in the foothills and mountains .
Rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are possible in fast-moving thunderstorm cells .
Rain will taper off to scattered showers on Wednesday .
Another colder storm is on tap for next Sunday and Monday .
Rainfall is likely to be about a quarter-inch to an inch , but with a better chance of snow for the mountains .

A cutoff low-pressure system that was about 800 miles southwest of LAX on Monday afternoon is expected to bring widespread showers and a chance of thunderstorms to Southern California Tuesday through Tuesday evening, the National Weather Service said.
A previously forecast atmospheric river component of the system carrying subtropical moisture is now expected to remain to the south, and rainfall will be associated with the cutoff low-pressure system, resulting in lower overall rainfall amounts, but a higher risk of thunderstorms.
A cutoff low will bring rain and a chance of thunderstorms Tuesday through Tuesday evening, as it moves toward Baja California by Friday. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
Brief heavy downpours, probably with thunderstorms, could still cause urban flooding or minor debris flows in recent burn scars. Small hail and waterspouts over coastal waters are also a possibility with the system, although gale-force winds are no longer predicted. There’s also a risk of lightning at the beaches.
Because it is a warm storm, snow levels will be well above the 7,000-foot elevation in the local mountains.
Rain totals are expected to be about an inch to 1.5 inches for the coast and valleys of L.A. County, with anywhere from 1.5 inches to 3 inches in the foothills and mountains. Rates of up to 1 inch per hour are possible in fast-moving thunderstorm cells. Rain will taper off to scattered showers on Wednesday.
Another colder storm is on tap for next Sunday and Monday. Rainfall is likely to be about a quarter-inch to an inch, but with a better chance of snow for the mountains.


latimes--2020-03-09--Vegas escorts, cash in envelopes: What we know about the charges against Mitchell Englander

Former Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander was charged Monday with obstructing a federal investigation into cash , lavish meals , escort services and other gifts that officials say he accepted from a businessman .
Englander repeatedly instructed the businessman to lie to federal investigators about the gifts , including a “ massage lady ” who went to his hotel room in Las Vegas , the indictment said .
Englander is the first person to be publicly charged in connection with a wide-reaching investigation into corruption and pay-to-play schemes at Los Angeles City Hall .
Englander , 49 , represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valley , including Chatsworth , Porter Ranch and Granada Hills , for more than seven years .
When he first ran for City Council , Englander campaigned as the “ official public safety candidate , ” touting his support from law enforcement groups , including the union that represents rank-and-file officers at the Los Angeles Police Department .
By the time Englander announced he was stepping down from the council in October 2018 , he had been under federal investigation for nearly 18 months , according to the indictment .
His announcement came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ descended on the home and offices of Councilman Jose Huizar and toted out boxes of materials .
What does the indictment say ?
What are federal officials investigating at Los Angeles City Hall ?
Agents have been seeking evidence of potential crimes including bribery , kickbacks , extortion and money laundering involving more than a dozen people , according to a search warrant filed more than a year ago .
Those people include Huizar and aides in his office ; Councilman Curren Price , who represents part of South Los Angeles ; Deron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide to Councilman Herb Wesson ; and former Department of Building and Safety chief Ray Chan , as well as other city officials and business figures .
What is Englander charged with ?
The 27-page indictment lists seven counts : three counts of witness tampering , three counts of making false statements and a single count of scheming to falsify facts .
Could he go to prison ?
Englander could face a maximum of 50 years in federal prison if convicted of the seven charges .
What are the details of the charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his top aides went to a Las Vegas resort and casino in June 2017 with the businessman , another city staffer , a lobbyist and a real estate developer , according to the indictment .
The indictment says Englander accepted gifts from the unidentified businessman , including : • An “ envelope containing $ 10,000 in cash , ” handed over in a bathroom at the casino • Dinner and drinks at a casino restaurant that totaled $ 2,481 for a group dinner • $ 24,000 in bottle service and alcohol at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group • A female escort sent to his hotel room Federal officials say Englander also met the businessman in Palm Springs during a golf tournament at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa and accepted $ 5,000 in cash in an envelope in a bathroom .
The gifts were not reported on Englander ’ s Form 700 , a state filing that lists financial disclosures and discloses potential conflicts of interest , the indictment said .
A week after the Palm Springs trip , Englander brought the businessman to lunch with a person identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the CEO of a construction company .
The purpose of the lunch , the indictment said , was to give the businessman a chance to introduce himself and his company to the developer .
Federal authorities wiretapped a phone call in 2017 in which the participants discussed the businessman ’ s perks and payments to public officials , the indictment said .
Investigators began digging into whether Englander , another City Council member ( described in the indictment as “ Councilmember A ” ) , and two of their staff members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s staff member was interviewed about the Las Vegas trip , according to the indictment .
So was the businessman , who later accepted an offer from prosecutors to formally cooperate in the investigation .
Such cooperation deals offer defendants the chance to secure a more lenient sentence in exchange for their help gathering evidence against other suspects and testifying against others at trials .
How did Englander allegedly lie to the FBI ?
According to the indictment , Englander lied repeatedly during multiple interviews with federal investigators .
Englander said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said he had told the businessman to “ share everything , be transparent and share everything.
” How did Englander allegedly respond to the federal investigation ?
In August 2017 , Englander sent an encrypted message to the businessman on an app called Confide , saying that he wanted to reimburse him for portions of the June trip to Las Vegas , the indictment said .
In September 2017 , the businessman received a FedEx package with checks from Englander and a City Hall staff member , the indictment said .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 4 , 2017 .
An enclosed note from Englander indicated that the checks were for “ Vegas expenses , ” the indictment said .
Englander arranged to meet the businessman during a political fundraiser in February 2018 to discuss the investigation , the indictment said .
Englander told the businessman : “ You and I have never had a conversation .
...
They are going to ask.
” The following week , Englander met with the businessman in his car in downtown , and told him to “ hold on ” while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play music at a very loud volume in an effort to obstruct possible listening devices , ” the indictment said .
During that conversation , Englander allegedly “ repeatedly instructed ” the businessman how to respond to questions about the escort service in Las Vegas .
According to the indictment , Englander said : “ Say , ‘ I was so drunk I don ’ t remember calling.
’ ... Or , ‘ I don ’ t remember , maybe I dialed the wrong number , I don ’ t know , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just say , ‘ I don ’ t remember .
’ ”

Laura J. Nelson, Joel Rubin, Emily Alpert Reyes

Former Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander was charged Monday with obstructing a federal investigation into cash, lavish meals, escort services and other gifts that officials say he accepted from a businessman.
Englander repeatedly instructed the businessman to lie to federal investigators about the gifts, including a “massage lady” who went to his hotel room in Las Vegas, the indictment said.
Englander is the first person to be publicly charged in connection with a wide-reaching investigation into corruption and pay-to-play schemes at Los Angeles City Hall.
Advertisement
Who is Mitchell Englander?
Englander, 49, represented a northwestern swath of the San Fernando Valley, including Chatsworth, Porter Ranch and Granada Hills, for more than seven years.
When he first ran for City Council, Englander campaigned as the “official public safety candidate,” touting his support from law enforcement groups, including the union that represents rank-and-file officers at the Los Angeles Police Department.
By the time Englander announced he was stepping down from the council in October 2018, he had been under federal investigation for nearly 18 months, according to the indictment. His announcement came less than a month before FBI agents descended on the home and offices of Councilman Jose Huizar and toted out boxes of materials.
What does the indictment say?
Read it here:
Mitch Englander Indictment Former Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander has been charged with obstructing an investigation into him accepting cash, female escort services, hotel rooms and expensive meals from a businessman during trips to Las Vegas and Palm Springs, federal officials announced Monday.
What are federal officials investigating at Los Angeles City Hall?
Agents have been seeking evidence of potential crimes including bribery, kickbacks, extortion and money laundering involving more than a dozen people, according to a search warrant filed more than a year ago.
Those people include Huizar and aides in his office; Councilman Curren Price, who represents part of South Los Angeles; Deron Williams, who works as a top aide to Councilman Herb Wesson; and former Department of Building and Safety chief Ray Chan, as well as other city officials and business figures.
Advertisement
What is Englander charged with?
The 27-page indictment lists seven counts: three counts of witness tampering, three counts of making false statements and a single count of scheming to falsify facts.
Could he go to prison?
Englander could face a maximum of 50 years in federal prison if convicted of the seven charges.
What are the details of the charges?
Federal officials say Englander and one of his top aides went to a Las Vegas resort and casino in June 2017 with the businessman, another city staffer, a lobbyist and a real estate developer, according to the indictment. The indictment says Englander accepted gifts from the unidentified businessman, including:
An “envelope containing $10,000 in cash,” handed over in a bathroom at the casino
Approximately $1,000 in gambling chips
Dinner and drinks at a casino restaurant that totaled $2,481 for a group dinner
$24,000 in bottle service and alcohol at a Las Vegas night club for the group
A female escort sent to his hotel room
Federal officials say Englander also met the businessman in Palm Springs during a golf tournament at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa and accepted $5,000 in cash in an envelope in a bathroom.
The gifts were not reported on Englander’s Form 700, a state filing that lists financial disclosures and discloses potential conflicts of interest, the indictment said.
A week after the Palm Springs trip, Englander brought the businessman to lunch with a person identified in the indictment as “Developer B,” the CEO of a construction company. The purpose of the lunch, the indictment said, was to give the businessman a chance to introduce himself and his company to the developer.
How did federal authorities investigate Englander?
Federal authorities wiretapped a phone call in 2017 in which the participants discussed the businessman’s perks and payments to public officials, the indictment said. Investigators began digging into whether Englander, another City
Council member (described in the indictment as “Councilmember A”), and two of their staff members had received “personal benefits.”
Englander’s staff member was interviewed about the Las Vegas trip, according to the indictment.
So was the businessman, who later accepted an offer from prosecutors to formally cooperate in the investigation. Such cooperation deals offer defendants the chance to secure a more lenient sentence in exchange for their help gathering evidence against other suspects and testifying against others at trials.
How did Englander allegedly lie to the FBI?
According to the indictment, Englander lied repeatedly during multiple interviews with federal investigators. Englander said he never received cash payments from the businessman and said he had told the businessman to “share everything, be transparent and share everything.”
How did Englander allegedly respond to the federal investigation?
In August 2017, Englander sent an encrypted message to the businessman on an app called Confide, saying that he wanted to reimburse him for portions of the June trip to Las Vegas, the indictment said.
In September 2017, the businessman received a FedEx package with checks from Englander and a City Hall staff member, the indictment said. Both checks were for $442 and dated Aug. 4, 2017. An enclosed note from Englander indicated that the checks were for “Vegas expenses,” the indictment said.
Englander arranged to meet the businessman during a political fundraiser in February 2018 to discuss the investigation, the indictment said. Englander told the businessman: “You and I have never had a conversation. ... They are going to ask.”
The following week, Englander met with the businessman in his car in downtown, and told him to “hold on” while he “turned on the stereo to play music at a very loud volume in an effort to obstruct possible listening devices,” the indictment said.
During that conversation, Englander allegedly “repeatedly instructed” the businessman how to respond to questions about the escort service in Las Vegas. According to the indictment, Englander said: “Say, ‘I was so drunk I don’t remember calling.’ ... Or, ‘I don’t remember, maybe I dialed the wrong number, I don’t know, I don’t remember.’ ... No, just say, ‘I don’t remember.’”


latimes--2020-03-09--3 new coronavirus cases reported in Coachella Valley

Riverside County health officials have announced three new cases of the novel coronavirus in the Coachella Valley , raising new questions about the fate of next month ’ s Coachella music festival .
The individuals are believed to have traveled to an area with a known outbreak , or had contact with a known case , said Riverside County ‘ s public health officer , Dr. Cameron Kaiser .
Two of the individuals have been isolated at home .
The third is at a Coachella Valley hospital .
Riverside County announced its first locally-acquired case of a patient who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The source of exposure is currently unknown and is considered a result of community transmission .
Kaiser recommends that those in the Coachella Valley who are elderly and have underlying health conditions limit nonessential travel and avoid large public gatherings .
Riverside County also has a second confirmed case from the Diamond Princess cruise ship .
The passenger is receiving treatment at a Northern California hospital and has not been to Riverside County since leaving the ship .
The total number of COVID-19 cases in the county is six .
Riverside County declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first case of the coronavirus .
As of Sunday , Kaiser said no decisions have been made yet about the fate of the Coachella music festival , which is scheduled for the second and third weekends of April .
Organizers of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday canceled this year ’ s tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden .

Lady Gaga performs during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on April 15, 2017.
Riverside County health officials have announced three new cases of the novel coronavirus in the Coachella Valley, raising new questions about the fate of next month’s Coachella music festival.
The individuals are believed to have traveled to an area with a known outbreak, or had contact with a known case, said Riverside County‘s public health officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser. Two of the individuals have been isolated at home.
The third is at a Coachella Valley hospital. Riverside County announced its first locally-acquired case of a patient who is at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage.
The source of exposure is currently unknown and is considered a result of community transmission. Kaiser recommends that those in the Coachella Valley who are elderly and have underlying health conditions limit nonessential travel and avoid large public gatherings.
Riverside County also has a second confirmed case from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
The passenger is receiving treatment at a Northern California hospital and has not been to Riverside County since leaving the ship.
Advertisement
The total number of COVID-19 cases in the county is six.
Riverside County declared a public health emergency after confirming its first case of the coronavirus.
As of Sunday, Kaiser said no decisions have been made yet about the fate of the Coachella music festival, which is scheduled for the second and third weekends of April.
Organizers of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday canceled this year’s tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.


latimes--2020-03-09--Grand Princess arrives in an anxious Oakland, now at the center of coronavirus fight

After days in coronavirus limbo , the Grand Princess cruise ship arrived at the Port of Oakland on Monday -- and suddenly the city found itself at the center of a public health emergency .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom has said aggressive steps have been taken to get the passengers off the boat without jeopardizing public health .
Most will eventually be sent to two California military bases .
Oakland resident Carol Stone , 68 , a retired foundation manager , was glad the city opened its port to the ship .
“ They need to get off the ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
But others expressed concerns and questioned why working-class Oakland was chosen .
Jen Izeck , 51 , a medical social worker who has lived in Oakland for more than 20 years , said docking the ship in Oakland was “ not great.
” “ I think part of the reason Oakland gets this and where this ship is docking is because West Oakland is historically low-income with lots of minorities who will not give a lot of pushback , ” she said .
“ I think it was a purposeful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is unfortunate they don ’ t have more of a voice in this , that Oakland doesn ’ t have more of voice.
” Clint Carter , a programmer who works in Jack London Square , also questioned why Oakland was chosen to host the ship .
“ They didn ’ t put them over in Mill Valley , ” he said , referring to the affluent city in Marin County .
Carter said the spread of the virus , particularly on cruise ships , was “ just terrifying.
” “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no confidence in them , ” he said .
Carter said his employer subsidizes employees for riding BART , but he has stopped taking it because of fear of contagion .
He is now driving to work , he said .
He gave his age as “ over 50.
” Andrew Igmatenko , 60 , an engineer who also works near Jack London Square , said he supported the decision to allow the ship to dock in Oakland .
“ They need help , ” he said .
“ They couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to land somewhere.
” He said he presumed the government would take precautions to prevent the virus from moving from the ship into the community , but he wasn ’ t sure the authorities could be trusted .
“ But what can I do ?
” he said .
“ I rely on them.
” Matthew Guion , 37 , a documentary maker , came to Jack London Square on Monday to take video of the cruise ship but it could not be seen from the tourist attraction .
“ I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than with the president ’ s agenda of keeping the numbers down , ” he said .
“ What if you were on that ship or you had family members on that ship ?
” Newsom and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf sought to reassure residents and port workers Sunday that officials were taking every precaution to protect them from infection using “ best isolation practices.
” “ I ’ ve been clear with our state and federal partners , ” she said .
“ This is a community that has suffered decades of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ We have to not let our fears dictate or impede our humanity.
” Newsom said authorities had assessed numerous ports , and initially planned to direct the ship to the former Naval Air Station Alameda .
But “ silting issues ” made it hazardous for the large ship to dock there , he said , and San Francisco ’ s port was too close to residential and tourist zones .
Jessica Barraza , 50 , who was visiting Jack London Square from Sacramento , said she kept smelling whiffs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the odor was coming from the port where the ship was to dock .
Andre Sanchez , 50 , a valet at a watefront hotel , said many people think it was not right to dock the ship in Oakland , but “ they have the right.
” The passengers on the cruise ship must be “ desperate , ” he said .

The Grand Princess cruise ship sails into San Francisco Bay to dock at the Port of Oakland.
After days in coronavirus limbo, the Grand Princess cruise ship arrived at the Port of Oakland on Monday -- and suddenly the city found itself at the center of a public health emergency.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has said aggressive steps have been taken to get the passengers off the boat without jeopardizing public health. Most will eventually be sent to two California military bases.
Oakland resident Carol Stone, 68, a retired foundation manager, was glad the city opened its port to the ship.
“They need to get off the ship and get some medical attention,” she said.
Advertisement
But others expressed concerns and questioned why working-class Oakland was chosen.
Jen Izeck, 51, a medical social worker who has lived in Oakland for more than 20 years, said docking the ship in Oakland was “not great.”
“I think part of the reason Oakland gets this and where this ship is docking is because West Oakland is historically low-income with lots of minorities who will not give a lot of pushback,” she said. “I think it was a purposeful decision to dock in West Oakland. It is unfortunate they don’t have more of a voice in this, that Oakland doesn’t have more of voice.”
Clint Carter, a programmer who works in Jack London Square, also questioned why Oakland was chosen to host the ship.
“They didn’t put them over in Mill Valley,” he said, referring to the affluent city in Marin County.
Carter said the spread of the virus, particularly on cruise ships, was “just terrifying.”
Advertisement
“The federal leadership we have now, I have no confidence in them,” he said. Carter said his employer subsidizes employees for riding BART, but he has stopped taking it because of fear of contagion. He is now driving to work, he said. He gave his age as “over 50.” Andrew Igmatenko, 60, an engineer who also works near Jack London Square, said he supported the decision to allow the ship to dock in Oakland.
“They need help,” he said. “They couldn’t live in the ocean. They have to land somewhere.”
He said he presumed the government would take precautions to prevent the virus from moving from the ship into the community, but he wasn’t sure the authorities could be trusted.
“But what can I do?” he said. “I rely on them.” Matthew Guion, 37, a documentary maker, came to Jack London Square on Monday to take video of the cruise ship but it could not be seen from the tourist attraction.
“I am more concerned with getting human beings help than with the president’s agenda of keeping the numbers down,” he said. “What if you were on that ship or you had family members on that ship?”
Newsom and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf sought to reassure residents and port workers Sunday that officials were taking every precaution to protect them from infection using “best isolation practices.”
“I’ve been clear with our state and federal partners,” she said. “This is a community that has suffered decades of environmental racism and injustice.”
But she added: “We have to not let our fears dictate or impede our humanity.”
Newsom said authorities had assessed numerous ports, and initially planned to direct the ship to the former Naval Air Station Alameda. But “silting issues” made it hazardous for the large ship to dock there, he said, and San Francisco’s port was too close to residential and tourist zones.
Jessica Barraza, 50, who was visiting Jack London Square from Sacramento, said she kept smelling whiffs of bleach in the wind. She wondered if the odor was coming from the port where the ship was to dock. Andre Sanchez, 50, a valet at a watefront hotel, said many people think it was not right to dock the ship in Oakland, but “they have the right.”
The passengers on the cruise ship must be “desperate,” he said.


latimes--2020-03-09--L.A. County has first coronavirus case from community spread. Here's the latest

Los Angeles County announced its first coronavirus case of community spread , with the total number of cases rising by two to a total of 16 .
L.A. County Public Health Department Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said that one of the two new cases is that of an individual who had a known travel history to Japan .
The source of exposure of the second individual is currently unknown .
“ This is our first case of community transmission in L.A. County and we will continue to see more cases of COVID-19 , ” Ferrer said .
“ We continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Stay home if you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick ; plan for the possibility of school and business closures.
” Both individuals are in isolation , and all close contacts are or will be quarantined for 14 days .
Ferrer said that anyone who has spent 10 minutes with an individual or came within 6 feet would be considered a close contact .
Ferrer said that there has been a total of 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in L.A. County .
One individual has fully recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ferrer did not identify the specific location of any individual , but said that if a known public exposure occurs , residents would learn more information .
Ferrer estimated that 80 to 100 individuals have been tested for the virus at the county ’ s public health lab , but noted that the lab ’ s testing capacity is limited .
“ We can not , in L.A. County , test 1,000 people in a day , ” she said .
Ferrer recommended social distancing , and that individuals who are sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who may be most vulnerable to the virus .
“ We recognize that the most important thing we can do right now is to stay home when we ’ re sick – no matter how mild our symptoms are.
” No school closure has been recommended in the county -– a decision she said that would be based on exposure .
Here is the latest breakdown of COVID-19 cases • 8 involve a group of travelers who visited northern Italy , where the coronavirus has been widespread .
• 2 are connected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • 1 is a person who traveled from Japan .
• 1 came from from a conference in Washington state .

Los Angeles County announced its first coronavirus case of community spread, with the total number of cases rising to 20.
L.A. County Public Health Department Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said one of the two new cases in her agency’s jurisdiction is that of a person who had a known travel history to Japan. The source of exposure of the second person is unknown. Separately, Long Beach, which has its own health department, reported its first cases of coronavirus-infected patients — two men and one woman.
“This is our first case of community transmission in L.A. County and we will continue to see more cases of COVID-19,” Ferrer said. “We continue to urge everyone to do their part: Stay home if you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick; plan for the possibility of school and business closures.”
Advertisement
The two new confirmed coronavirus patients in Los Angeles County jurisdiction are in isolation, and all close contacts are or will be quarantined for 14 days.
Of the three new coronavirus patients in Long Beach, one is hospitalized in stable condition; the other two are at home in isolation. Two recently returned from a cruise on the Nile River in Egypt, where other cases of coronavirus had been reported on the ship, and the other person had traveled to an area in Northern California where community transmission of the virus was occurring.
Ferrer said anyone who has spent 10 minutes with an infected individual or came within 6 feet of him or her would be considered a close contact.
Of the patients monitored by L.A. County, one individual has fully recovered, and the remaining are isolated. Ferrer did not identify the specific location of any individual, but said that if a known public exposure occurs, residents would learn more information.
Ferrer estimated that 80 to 100 individuals have been tested for the virus at the county’s public health lab, but noted that the lab’s testing capacity is limited.
“We cannot, in L.A. County, test 1,000 people in a day,” she said. Ferrer recommended social distancing, and that individuals who are sick stay home in order to protect others who may be most vulnerable to the virus.
“We recognize that the most important thing we can do right now is to stay home when we’re sick — no matter how mild our symptoms are.”
No school closure has been recommended in the county — a decision she said would be based on exposure.
Here is the latest breakdown of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County
Advertisement
• 8 involve a group of travelers who visited northern Italy, where the coronavirus has been widespread.
• 2 are connected to close contact to a coronavirus patient.
• 2 are Los Angeles International Airport workers.
• 1 is a person who traveled from Japan.
• 1 lived in Wuhan, China.
• 1 came from a conference in Washington state.
• 1 case is of unknown origin.
• 2 recently returned from a cruise on the Nile River where other cases of the virus were reported on the ship.
• 1 traveled to an area in Northern California where the virus is spreading in the community.
• 1 traveled from Iran to LAX


latimes--2020-03-09--First Bay Area coronavirus death: A woman in her 60s from Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County on Monday announced its first death related to the coronavirus as the outbreak continued to spread .
The patient who died was a woman in her 60s and had been hospitalized for several weeks .
“ She was the first person in the county confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 without any known history of international travel or contact with a traveler or infected person , suggesting she contracted COVID-19 in our community , ” the county said in a statement .
“ The patient died at El Camino Hospital on the morning of March 9 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its sincere condolences to her family and friends.
” Santa Clara County has the most reported cases in the state , now totaling 24 .
“ This is a tragic development .
The Public Health Department is taking necessary , carefully considered steps to slow down the spread of the disease and to protect those at greatest risk , ” said Dr. Sara Cody , health officer for Santa Clara County , in a statement .
“ We are facing a historic public health challenge and know this is a very difficult time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting the health of our community.
” Last week , county health officials issued more stringent recommendations meant to slow the spread of the virus , calling on residents to postpone large gatherings and events .
Employers should take steps to minimize large group meetings , consider allowing employees to telecommute and stagger work start and end times .
Health officials aren ’ t recommending that schools be shuttered but said they ’ ll consider such closures on a case-by-case basis if a school employee or student is confirmed to have the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officer Dr. Scott Morrow said in a statement Thursday that COVID-19 “ has likely been spreading for weeks , perhaps months.
” “ We now all need to take assertive actions to inhibit the spread of this new virus , ” Morrow said .
Among other steps , Morrow recommends that people stop shaking hands , use a barrier such as a paper towel or tissue to touch door handles , elevator buttons and other commonly touched surfaces , and “ under all circumstances , stop touching your face , eyes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Echoing Santa Clara County officials , he said residents should cancel or postpone nonessential gatherings .

Santa Clara County on Monday announced its first death related to the coronavirus as the outbreak continued to spread.
The patient who died was a woman in her 60s and had been hospitalized for several weeks.
“She was the first person in the county confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 without any known history of international travel or contact with a traveler or infected person, suggesting she contracted COVID-19 in our community,” the county said in a statement. “The patient died at El Camino Hospital on the morning of March 9, 2020. The Public Health Department expresses its sincere condolences to her family and friends.”
Advertisement
Santa Clara County has the most reported cases in the state, now totaling 24.
“This is a tragic development. The Public Health Department is taking necessary, carefully considered steps to slow down the spread of the disease and to protect those at greatest risk,” said Dr. Sara Cody, health officer for Santa Clara County, in a statement. “We are facing a historic public health challenge and know this is a very difficult time. Our top priority continues to be protecting the health of our community.”
Last week, county health officials issued more stringent recommendations meant to slow the spread of the virus, calling on residents to postpone large gatherings and events. Employers should take steps to minimize large group meetings, consider allowing employees to telecommute and stagger work start and end times.
Health officials aren’t recommending that schools be shuttered but said they’ll consider such closures on a case-by-case basis if a school employee or student is confirmed to have the coronavirus.
In neighboring San Mateo County, health officer Dr. Scott Morrow said in a statement Thursday that COVID-19 “has likely been spreading for weeks, perhaps months.”
“We now all need to take assertive actions to inhibit the spread of this new virus,” Morrow said.
Advertisement
Among other steps, Morrow recommends that people stop shaking hands, use a barrier such as a paper towel or tissue to touch door handles, elevator buttons and other commonly touched surfaces, and “under all circumstances, stop touching your face, eyes, nose or mouth with your unwashed hands.”
Echoing Santa Clara County officials, he said residents should cancel or postpone nonessential gatherings.


latimes--2020-03-09--California issues coronavirus guidelines for events

As conferences throughout California have been canceled and sports teams face the possibility of playing for empty arenas , the California Department of Public Health has issued guidelines for how event organizers should handle mass gatherings amid the growing number of coronavirus cases .
The guidelines were issued over the weekend , one day after the South by Southwest festival in Austin was canceled and a day before tens of thousands gathered for the Los Angeles Marathon .
Despite the spread of coronavirus exposure across the state , which has confirmed more than 100 cases , the protocols do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If a gathering takes place where coronavirus cases have been confirmed , the onus has been on individual participants to refrain from attending if they ’ re sick , have traveled to a country with an outbreak in the last 14 days or are vulnerable to illness .
Essentially , it ’ s up to the organizers to decide what steps to take during a situation that remains fluid , officials have said .
The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells , one of the top tennis tournaments in the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
The fate of the nearby Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Riverside County remains unclear .
When there is no evidence of community spread , officials have advised event organizers to create contingency plans .
They should coordinate with community partners , including local public health departments , hotels , airlines and event venues .
The state public health department also advises organizers to create a refund policy or institute a remote participation ability .
Individuals should have access to soap , hand sanitizer and tissues , officials advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with symptoms seemingly related to coronavirus should be isolated .
In areas where community spread is confirmed , the state ’ s public health department is not suggesting outright cancellations .
Instead , the most explicit suggestion is that organizers consider canceling nonessential events attended primarily by older individuals or those with a higher risk for illness .
“ People with underlying medical problems , including cardiovascular disease , diabetes , cancer , chronic lung disease and immunosuppression are also likely at higher risk for severe illness , ” officials said .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in California , and there has been one death connected to the outbreak .
Twenty-four of those cases include individuals who were evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship or were repatriated from flights from Wuhan , China , the epicenter of the virus .
A growing number of cases are tied to .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency last week as at least 20 counties have been affected .
Health officials have continued to stress that the public take precautions by hand-washing , and for individuals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is especially critical to help protect vulnerable individuals .
Younger and healthy people who contract the virus may have mild symptoms .
But taking steps to self-isolate when sick helps protects others — including the elderly or those with underlying health issues — who are most at risk for developing serious symptoms .

As conferences throughout California have been canceled and sports teams face the possibility of playing for empty arenas, the California Department of Public Health has issued guidelines for how event organizers should handle mass gatherings amid the growing number of coronavirus cases.
The guidelines were issued over the weekend, one day after the South by Southwest festival in Austin was canceled and a day before tens of thousands gathered for the Los Angeles Marathon.
Despite the spread of coronavirus exposure across the state, which has confirmed more than 100 cases, the protocols do not explicitly instruct organizers to cancel any events.
Advertisement
If a gathering takes place where coronavirus cases have been confirmed, the onus has been on individual participants to refrain from attending if they’re sick, have traveled to a country with an outbreak in the last 14 days or are vulnerable to illness.
Essentially, it’s up to the organizers to decide what steps to take during a situation that remains fluid, officials have said. The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, one of the top tennis tournaments in the world, was canceled Sunday amid growing concerns over the coronavirus. The fate of the nearby Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Riverside County remains unclear.
When there is no evidence of community spread, officials have advised event organizers to create contingency plans. They should coordinate with community partners, including local public health departments, hotels, airlines and event venues. The state public health department also advises organizers to create a refund policy or institute a remote participation ability.
Individuals should have access to soap, hand sanitizer and tissues, officials advised. Any person who may fall ill with symptoms seemingly related to coronavirus should be isolated.
In areas where community spread is confirmed, the state’s public health department is not suggesting outright cancellations. Instead, the most explicit suggestion is that organizers consider canceling nonessential events attended primarily by older individuals or those with a higher risk for illness.
“People with underlying medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease and immunosuppression are also likely at higher risk for severe illness,” officials said.
At least 114 cases of coronavirus have been reported in California, and there has been one death connected to the outbreak. Twenty-four of those cases include individuals who were evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship or were repatriated from flights from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the virus. A growing number of cases are tied to another Princess Cruises ship, the Grand Princess .
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency last week as at least 20 counties have been affected.
Advertisement
Health officials have continued to stress that the public take precautions by hand-washing, and for individuals to stay home if sick. That instruction is especially critical to help protect vulnerable individuals. Younger and healthy people who contract the virus may have mild symptoms. But taking steps to self-isolate when sick helps protects others — including the elderly or those with underlying health issues — who are most at risk for developing serious symptoms.


latimes--2020-03-09--Man is accused in fatal stabbing of teen and burying him in a shallow grave

Authorities have arrested a man they say stabbed a Sonoma County teenager to death and buried him in a shallow grave more than three years ago .
Daniel Carrillo , 20 , of Rohnert Park is accused of killing 18-year-old Kirk Kimberly , whose body was found on the campus of Sonoma State on Nov. 2 , 2016 , according to the Sonoma County Sheriff ’ s Office .
Kimberly , a resident of nearby Cotati , had been missing for more than two weeks before his body was unearthed by a university landscaper in an undeveloped , wooded area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot .
Authorities said he had been stabbed multiple times .
Carrillo was booked into Sonoma County Jail on Feb. 28 after being interviewed by detectives , according to sheriff ’ s officials .
At the time , he was being moved from the California Youth Authority in Stockton to the county for a separate case .
Sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Juan Valencia said he could not elaborate on Carrillo ’ s other case because it was a juvenile matter but said it is unrelated to Kimberly ’ s death .
Carrillo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Authorities did not specifically detail what led them to link Carrillo to Kimberly ’ s killing , but Valencia said the evidence collected included “ cellphone data placing him at the scene .
”

Daniel Carrillo, 20, of Rohnert Park is accused of killing 18-year-old Kirk Kimberly and burying him in a shallow grave in 2016, authorities said.
Authorities have arrested a man they say stabbed a Sonoma County teenager to death and buried him in a shallow grave more than three years ago.
Daniel Carrillo, 20, of Rohnert Park is accused of killing 18-year-old Kirk Kimberly, whose body was found on the campus of Sonoma State on Nov. 2, 2016, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
Kimberly, a resident of nearby Cotati, had been missing for more than two weeks before his body was unearthed by a university landscaper in an undeveloped, wooded area about 200 yards west of a parking lot.
Advertisement
Authorities said he had been stabbed multiple times.
California Body found in shallow grave at Sonoma State University is missing teen Investigators have identified a body found in a shallow grave on the Sonoma State University campus as a missing 18-year-old man who lived nearby and hasn’t been seen for two weeks.
Carrillo was booked into Sonoma County Jail on Feb. 28 after being interviewed by detectives, according to sheriff’s officials. At the time, he was being moved from the California Youth Authority in Stockton to the county for a separate case.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Juan Valencia said he could not elaborate on Carrillo’s other case because it was a juvenile matter but said it is unrelated to Kimberly’s death.
Carrillo is being held without bail, Valencia said.
Authorities did not specifically detail what led them to link Carrillo to Kimberly’s killing, but Valencia said the evidence collected included “cellphone data placing him at the scene.”


latimes--2020-03-09--LAX will try 2 new taxi pickup spots

LAX will try 2 new taxi pickup spots

LAX will test two new taxi pickup locations beginning in late March .
A pilot program will add two taxi pickup spots , one near the Tom Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 3 , the other near Terminals 7 and 8 , in addition to the LAX-it pickup lot near Terminal 1 , officials said .
Ride-hail and taxi pickups have been concentrated at LAX-it since being relocated from the Central Terminal Area in October to make room for construction and to compensate for an increasing number of ride-hailing vehicles at LAX .
The pilot program doesn ’ t change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users can continue to use LAX-it .
But they will have two new options : • The new taxi pickup site aimed at arriving passengers from the Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 3 will be in Parking Structure 3 .
LAX officials said the location would be the lane closest to the Bradley International Terminal on the ground floor of Parking Structure 3 .
“ Passenger queuing will occur on the curb nearest the taxi lanes , ” LAX officials said in a statement .
• The Terminal 7 and 8 taxi pickup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Central Terminal Area , just east of the easternmost entrance to Terminal 8 .
Passengers will queue on the curb by the taxi stand , east of the area where buses and shuttles exit the inner lanes .
“ The fundamentals behind LAX-it do not change , ” said Heath Montgomery , airport spokesman .
He said the airport had not yet targeted a specific date for the pilot program , just that it will start in late March .
Airport officials plan to try the pilot program fort 90 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue it , Montgomery said .
The October move from curbside terminal pickups to LAX-it brought a flurry of delays and complaints in early weeks , a situation that eased when airport officials gave the LAX-it operation more space and resources .
Airport officials say LAX-it shuttle bus rides from all terminals to the LAX-it area average less than 15 minutes .
Once in the LAX-it area , airport officials said , “ Guests typically wait less than 10 minutes — and frequently not at all — for their taxi or ride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ because space for both taxis and pedestrians at the two new pickup locations is limited , ” travelers using the Bradley Terminal or Terminals 3 , 7 or 8 should consider using LAX-it during high-traffic times .
Passengers using Terminals 1 , 2 ,4 , 5 and 6 should continue to walk or take free shuttles to the LAX-it area , LAX officials said .

In January, many taxi drivers demonstrated at LAX to call for a return to curbside pickups. A new pilot program will allow some taxi pickups near the Bradley International Terminal and Terminals 3, 7 and 8.
LAX will test two new taxi pickup locations beginning 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 10.
A pilot program will add two taxi pickup spots, one near the Tom Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 3, the other near Terminals 7 and 8, in addition to the LAX-it pickup lot near Terminal 1, officials said.
Ride-hail and taxi pickups have been concentrated at LAX-it since being relocated from the Central Terminal Area in October to make room for construction and to compensate for an increasing number of ride-hailing vehicles at LAX.
The pilot program doesn’t change anything for ride-hail users, and taxi users can continue to use LAX-it. But they will have two new options:
• The new taxi pickup site aimed at arriving passengers from the Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 3 will be in Parking Structure 3. LAX officials said the location would be the lane closest to the Bradley International Terminal on the ground floor of Parking Structure 3.
Advertisement
“Passenger queuing will occur on the curb nearest the taxi lanes,” LAX officials said in a statement.
• The Terminal 7 and 8 taxi pickup spot will be on the Lower/Arrivals level of the Central Terminal Area, just east of the easternmost entrance to Terminal 8. Passengers will queue on the curb by the taxi stand, east of the area where buses and shuttles exit the inner lanes.
“The fundamentals behind LAX-it do not change,” said Heath Montgomery, airport spokesman.
LAX officials first said the change would come in late March, then on Monday decided to begin on March 10, Montgomery said. Airport officials plan to try the pilot program fort 90 days before a decision is made on whether to continue it, Montgomery said.
The October move from curbside terminal pickups to LAX-it brought a flurry of delays and complaints in early weeks, a situation that eased when airport officials gave the LAX-it operation more space and resources.
Airport officials say LAX-it shuttle bus rides from all terminals to the LAX-it area average less than 15 minutes. Once in the LAX-it area, airport officials said, “Guests typically wait less than 10 minutes — and frequently not at all — for their taxi or ride app pickup.”
Advertisement
Airport officials also noted that “because space for both taxis and pedestrians at the two new pickup locations is limited,” travelers using the Bradley Terminal or Terminals 3, 7 or 8 should consider using LAX-it during high-traffic times.
Passengers using Terminals 1, 2 ,4, 5 and 6 should continue to walk or take free shuttles to the LAX-it area, LAX officials said.


latimes--2020-03-09--What we know as Grand Princess docks, with passengers facing coronavirus quarantine

When is the cruise ship expected to dock ?
The Grand Princess cruise ship arrived in Oakland around noon .
Passengers expected to start departing the vessel at around 3p.m .
Emergency personnel spent the early afternoon setting up tents just off the dock where passengers will be screened prior to boarding buses .
Earlier , at 10:30 a.m. , one passenger reported they were close enough to see the Bay Bridge .
It ’ s “ a good day to pack , ” the captain announced over the ship ’ s intercom at 10 a.m. , according to passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which could extend beyond cases of those suspected of having coronavirus , are disembarking first .
Will any passengers be able to interact with the public ?
No , according to authorities .
“ None of the passengers who disembark will be released into the general public , ” according to a statement Monday by the California Office of Emergency Services .
All passengers will face at least a 14-day quarantine , in various locations .
How many people are affected ?
There are more than 3,500 passengers and crew on the ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 have tested positive for COVID-19 , including two passengers and 19 of the 1,100 crew members .
Last week , a Placer County passenger on a previous Grand Princess trip became the first known California resident to die of the new coronavirus .
How many coronavirus cases are associated with the Grand Princess ?
Aside from those on the ship , 12 positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified in passengers on the previous cruise , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Sunday .
That cruise went from San Francisco to Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who later died of the disease .
How did the ship prepare for the docking ?
Emergency medical personnel , known as “ hasty teams , ” worked all night conducting medical screenings , waking passengers in the middle of the night as they went .
They were covered head to toe in protective gear .
It is not yet clear how the ship plans to separate passengers with potential symptoms from those free of symptoms , and those already confirmed to have the virus .
To dock the boat , a pilot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How is the port and Oakland preparing ?
On land , work crews installed fences at an 11-acre site at the Port of Oakland , which sits southeast of the Bay Bridge .
Authorities have readied flights and buses to whisk the passengers from the ship to military bases or their home countries for their 14-day quarantines .
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said she was satisfied with the safety measures being taken by state and federal officials for port workers , local emergency crews and the surrounding community .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is the right thing to do to welcome these passengers into safety and to release them from what had to have been a terrifying experience of being trapped on this ship , ” Schaaf said on Monday afternoon after an event on homelessness in Sacramento .
Some Oakland residents agreed Monday .
Carol Stone , 68 , a retired foundation manager , was glad the city opened its port to the ship .
“ They need to get off the ship and get some medical attention , ” she said .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada has dispatched a plan to pick up Canadian passengers of a cruise ship that has confirmed COVID-19 cases onboard .
Six Canadians who were on the Grand Princess from Feb. 11 to 21 were confirmed Monday to have the virus .
Overall 237 Canadian passengers are onboard the ship , according to Global Affairs Canada .
International passengers not needing medical attention are expected to disembark after California passengers leave the boat , which could take much of Monday .
What will happen to U.S. passengers after the ship docks ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate medical needs , Newsom said Sunday .
Once they have disembarked , federal staff will begin disembarking the 962 California residents aboard .
“ It is expected that these actions will take the great part of the day , ” the OES said in its statement .
Those California residents will be taken to Travis Air Force Base in nearby Solano County .
That is the same base where authorities recently held passengers from the Diamond Princess after that ship had an outbreak of the virus , and where there has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remainder of American passengers will be sent to military bases in Texas and Georgia , while foreign passengers will be sent to their home countries via charter flights from Oakland International Airport .
Newsom stressed those cruise passengers traveling by air would have no contact with regular travelers .
What will happen to crew on the ship ?
According to the OES statement on Monday , the crew will be quarantined aboard the ship .
If crew members are in need of more acute medical care , “ they will be transferred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the statement said , adding that the cruise ship will stay in the Port of Oakland for the duration of disembarking passengers .
How long will the boat be in Oakland ?
The vessel will depart Oakland “ as soon as possible , ” say state authorities , and will remain elsewhere for the duration of the crew ’ s quarantine .
It is not known what will happen to the ship or crew after that .
How are passengers onboard handling the coming days and weeks ?
“ This is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , going to a military base in Oakland , getting on what I assume is not going to be a commercial airline or ... going someplace I ’ ve never been , ” said Debbie Loftus , a passenger from Wisconsin , on the ship with elderly parents .
She said she wasn ’ t sure “ what the accommodations are going to be like and how long we ’ re going to be held there .
Yes , it ’ s a little bit anxiety producing but we ’ ll handle it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay for this cruise ?
No .
Earlier , Princess Cruises announced it would offer a full refund to everyone onboard , and a credit for a future cruise .
Staff writers Erin B. Logan , Rong-Gong Lin II , Maura Dolan and Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers contributed to this report .

Medical personnel tend to passengers as they disembark from the Grand Princess cruise ship at the Port of Oakland.
After days in coronavirus limbo, the Grand Princess cruise ship arrived at the Port of Oakland this week and the city suddenly found itself at the center of a public health emergency.
Here’s what we know as the ship continues to unload thousands of weary passengers:
When did the cruise ship dock in Oakland?
The Grand Princess arrived in Oakland around noon Monday. Passengers started departing the vessel later in the afternoon. Emergency personnel spent the early afternoon setting up tents just off the dock where passengers are being screened prior to boarding buses for quaratine sites.
It’s “a good day to pack,” the captain announced over the ship’s intercom at 10 a.m., according to passengers.
Advertisement
Those with immediate medical needs, which could extend beyond cases of those suspected of having the coronavirus, disembarked first. Twenty-one people on board have tested positive for the virus.
Canadian passengers disembark from the Grand Princess cruise ship at the Port of Oakland. (JOSH EDELSON / AFP / Getty Images)
How many passengers have gotten off the ship?
As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, 1,406 passengers had disembarked from the Grand Princess, according to the cruise line. That includes 320 Californians who were taken by bus over two days to Travis Air Force Base in Solano County to begin their 14-day quarantine.
Twenty-six people were taken to regional hospitals in six counties, but not all of them needed hospital care, according to the governor’s office. Those who didn’t require hospitalization were taken to hotels in Monterey County, Burlingame and San Carlos. The hotels have been closed to the public and are strictly dedicated to housing coronavirus patients, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a news conference Tuesday.
Are passengers allowed to interact with the public?
No, according to authorities. “None of the passengers who disembark will be released into the general public,” according to a statement Monday by the California Office of Emergency Services. All passengers will face at least a 14-day quarantine, in various locations. Some passengers are being flown to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
Medical personnel help load passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship onto airplanes at Oakland International Airport in Oakland. (JOSH EDELSON / AFP / Getty Images)
Advertisement
How many people are affected?
There are more than 3,500 passengers and crew on the ship, from 24 states and 54 countries. At least 21 have tested positive for COVID-19, including two passengers and 19 of the 1,100 crew members. Last week, a Placer County passenger on a previous Grand Princess trip became the first known California resident to die of the new coronavirus.
How many coronavirus cases are associated with the Grand Princess?
Aside from those on the ship, 12 positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified in passengers on the previous cruise, Newsom said Sunday. That cruise went from San Francisco to Mexico and included the Placer County man who later died of the disease.
How did the ship prepare for the docking?
Emergency medical personnel, known as “hasty teams,” conducted medical screenings, waking passengers in the middle of the night Sunday as they went. They were covered head to toe in protective gear. To dock the boat, a pilot familiar with the port was brought on board.
How are the port and Oakland dealing with the crisis?
On land, work crews installed fences at an 11-acre site at the Port of Oakland, which sits southeast of the Bay Bridge. Authorities readied flights and buses to whisk the passengers from the ship to military bases or their home countries for mandatory two-week quarantines.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said she was satisfied with the safety measures being taken by state and federal officials for port workers, local emergency crews and the surrounding community.
“We are very glad to play a role, which is the right thing to do to welcome these passengers into safety and to release them from what had to have been a terrifying experience of being trapped on this ship,” Schaaf said Monday afternoon after an event on homelessness in Sacramento.
Some Oakland residents agreed. Carol Stone, 68, a retired foundation manager, was glad the city opened its port. “They need to get off the ship and get some medical attention,” she said.
What are foreign countries doing in preparation?
Canada has dispatched a plan to pick up its passengers. Six Canadians who were on the Grand Princess from Feb. 11 to 21 were confirmed Monday to have the virus. Overall, 237 Canadian passengers are on board the Grand Princess, according to Global Affairs Canada. International passengers not needing medical attention are expected to disembark after California passengers leave the boat.
Passengers sit on the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise ship as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
What will happen to U.S. passengers after the ship docks?
The first focus will be on passengers with immediate medical needs, Newsom said Sunday.
Once they have disembarked, federal staff will begin off-loading the 962 California residents aboard. “It is expected that these actions will take the great part of the day,” the OES said in its statement.
Most California residents will be taken to Travis Air Force Base in nearby Solano County. That is the same base where authorities recently held passengers from the Diamond Princess after that ship had an outbreak of the virus, and where there has been suspected community spread of COVID-19.
The remainder of American passengers will be sent to military bases in Texas and Georgia, while foreign passengers will be sent to their home countries via charter flights from Oakland International Airport. Newsom stressed those cruise passengers traveling by air would have no contact with regular travelers.
On Tuesday, Newsom said that Texas officials originally told authorities they would only receive Texans at Lackland Air Force Base, but that they seemed to be “softening” in that position.
“Certainly our point of view [is] that as Americans, we all should do our fair share, and I’m grateful that Lackland is being opened up in Texas, but we hope they can broaden to help with logistical operations here in the state of California to ease our efforts in the state,” Newsom said.
What will happen to crew on the ship?
A statement from OES on Monday said the crew will be quarantined aboard the ship. If crew members are in need of more acute medical care, “they will be transferred to an appropriate medical facility in California,” the statement said, adding that the cruise ship will stay in the Port of Oakland for the duration of disembarking passengers.
However, on Tuesday, that plan seemed to be shifting. Newsom said crew members will potentially be repatriated to their home countries, but that’s a work in progress, with the U.S. State Department and foreign governments involved. A large number of the crew members are from the Philippines, he said.
How long will the ship be in Oakland?
The vessel will depart Oakland “as soon as possible,” state authorities said, and will remain elsewhere for the duration of the crew’s quarantine. It is not known what will happen to the ship or crew after that.
How are passengers handling the coming days and weeks?
“This is all going to be a very new experience, going to a military base in Oakland, getting on what I assume is not going to be a commercial airline or ... going someplace I’ve never been,” said Debbie Loftus, a passenger from Wisconsin, on the ship with elderly parents.
She said she wasn’t sure “what the accommodations are going to be like and how long we’re going to be held there. Yes, it’s a little bit anxiety-producing but we’ll handle it minute by minute.”
Karen Spoon, a Canadian passenger who was repatriated Monday night on a charter flight from Oakland, said she is doing well at a military base near Ontario.
“We have a window room. Yay,” she said. “It’s like a hotel room.”
Will passengers have to pay for this cruise?
No. Earlier, Princess Cruises announced it would offer a full refund to everyone on board and a credit for a future cruise.
Crime scene tape marks off the area where members of the media are staging near the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise ship as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
How is the government addressing future cruise issues?
Newsom said Tuesday that his office’s legal team was reviewing what restrictions, if any, the state can place on cruise ships during the coronavirus outbreak. He urged older people and residents with medical conditions to not go on cruise ships.
“The cruise ship industry owes it to their own self-interests to advance very aggressive protocols and new requirements at peril of that industry collapsing,” he said.
Staff writers Erin B. Logan, Rong-Gong Lin II , Maura Dolan and Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-09--Man gropes mother shopping with her baby in department store, police say

A 39-year-old man was arrested Sunday after police said he groped a woman who was shopping in a Seal Beach @ @ @ @ @ .
Officers responded to the HomeGoods at 12343 Seal Beach Blvd .
just before 11:30 @ @ @ @ @ that a man had grabbed a woman ’ s buttocks while she was shopping , @ @ @ @ @ Police Department .
Authorities said another shopper witnessed the incident and confronted the man , @ @ @ @ @ .
Responding officers found a man nearby who matched the suspect ’ s description .
@ @ @ @ @ was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery and child endangerment .
Diaz remained in custody @ @ @ @ @ Monday morning with bail set at $ 300,000 .

Ruben Erick Diaz, 39, of Rialto was arrested Sunday after police said he groped a woman inside a Seal Beach department store.
A 39-year-old man was arrested Sunday after police said he groped a woman who was shopping in a Seal Beach department store with her baby.
Officers responded to the HomeGoods at 12343 Seal Beach Blvd. just before 11:30 a.m. after receiving a call that a man had grabbed a woman’s buttocks while she was shopping, according to the Seal Beach Police Department.
Authorities said another shopper witnessed the incident and confronted the man, who then fled the store. Responding officers found a man nearby who matched the suspect’s description.
Advertisement
Ruben Erick Diaz of Rialto was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery and child endangerment.
Diaz remained in custody at Orange County Jail on Monday morning with bail set at $300,000.


latimes--2020-03-09--Led Zeppelin did not steal 'Stairway to Heaven' riff, court rules

A federal appeals court decided Monday that the British rock band Led Zeppelin did not steal portions of its iconic hit “ Stairway to Heaven ” from a guitarist from another band .
The ruling , by an 11-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals , stemmed from a lawsuit that accused Led Zeppelin of stealing portions of “ Stairway to Heaven ” from a song called “ Taurus , ” which was written by Randy Wolfe of the Los Angeles-based band Spirit .
A jury ruled for Zeppelin , deciding the two songs were not substantially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later threw out the verdict on the grounds that the trial judge gave faulty jury instructions .
Led Zeppelin asked a larger panel to reconsider , and Monday ’ s decision reinstated the verdict and abrogated a legal rule that the 9th Circuit adopted more than a decade ago .
Under the rule , the stronger the evidence that an artist had access to another ’ s work , the less compelling the similarities between the two works needed to be in order to prove a copyright violation .
“ As a practical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ is increasingly diluted in our digitally interconnected world , ” wrote Judge M. Margaret McKeown , appointed by President Clinton .
“ Given the ubiquity of ways to access media online , from YouTube to subscription services like Netflix and Spotify , access may be established by a trivial showing that the work is available on demand , ” she added .
The court noted that the majority of federal appeals courts that have considered the rule have declined to adopt it and that the trial judge did not err by failing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
The estate of Wolfe had argued that Led Zeppelin members heard performances or recordings of “ Taurus ” before creating “ Stairway to Heaven ” and therefore had the ability to copy it .

A federal appeals court decided Monday that the British rock band Led Zeppelin did not steal portions of its iconic hit “Stairway to Heaven” from a guitarist from another band.
The ruling, by an 11-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, stemmed from a lawsuit that accused Led Zeppelin of stealing portions of “Stairway to Heaven” from a song called “Taurus,” which was written by Randy Wolfe of the Los Angeles-based band Spirit.
A jury ruled for Zeppelin, deciding the two songs were not substantially similar. A three-judge 9th Circuit panel later threw out the verdict on the grounds that the trial judge gave faulty jury instructions.
Led Zeppelin asked a larger panel to reconsider, and Monday’s decision reinstated the verdict and abrogated a legal rule that the 9th Circuit adopted more than a decade ago.
Advertisement
Under the rule, the stronger the evidence that an artist had access to another’s work, the less compelling the similarities between the two works needed to be in order to prove a copyright violation.
“As a practical matter, the concept of ‘access’ is increasingly diluted in our digitally interconnected world,” wrote Judge M. Margaret McKeown, appointed by President Clinton.
“Given the ubiquity of ways to access media online, from YouTube to subscription services like Netflix and Spotify, access may be established by a trivial showing that the work is available on demand,” she added.
The court noted that the majority of federal appeals courts that have considered the rule have declined to adopt it and that the trial judge did not err by failing to instruct the Led Zeppelin jury on it.
The estate of Wolfe had argued that Led Zeppelin members heard performances or recordings of “Taurus” before creating “Stairway to Heaven” and therefore had the ability to copy it.