latimes--2020-03-28--Coronavirus cases keep surging as California officials move to protect workers and renters

As the number of deaths and confirmed cases of coronavirus surged across California , Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Friday announced a delay on evictions for tenants who can not pay their rent because of the outbreak .
Under Newsom ’ s order , renters can not be forced out of their homes over the next two months if they fall behind on rent because they have been laid off , seen their pay cut , or were forced to miss work to care for a loved one or recover from illness .
The order could grant temporary relief for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay April rent amid layoffs , pay cuts and other economic harm sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Renters could still be evicted later in the year for failing to repay April or May rent payments .
To qualify under the governor ’ s executive order , tenants must notify their landlords in writing about the missed payment within seven days of the rent deadline .
Renters who qualify for the eviction postponement would still be required to pay back the money owed , Newsom said .
The push to protect renters comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rise across California , with 102 deaths and 4,905 cases reported across the state .
In Los Angeles County , health officials reported five more fatalities due to COVID-19 , bringing the county ’ s death toll to 26 , the highest of any county in the state .
All five of the victims reported Friday were older than 60 , and four were men , officials said .
Almost 11,000 people had been tested in Los Angeles County as of Friday .
The number of confirmed cases rose to 1,482 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Officials continue to warn that Los Angeles could soon resemble New York , the center of the nation ’ s coronavirus epidemic .
On Friday , the number of cases there rose to nearly 45,000 , more than nine times as many as in California .
If each person who has tested positive for the virus infected two others , more than a million Los Angeles County residents would be infected within a few weeks , said Barbara Ferrer , director of the county Department of Public Health .
Officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 to self-isolate , along with those in close contact with them .
L.A. County ’ s mortality rate from the virus is about 1.8 % , higher than New York City and the United States overall , Ferrer said .
But the region has tested far fewer people than New York , meaning health officials do not have as firm a grasp on the total number of infections .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Friday that UPS will pay for , deliver and pick up COVID-19 kits to residents who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program , which could start as early as next week , could allow Los Angeles to test thousands more people every day , he said .
Newsom said this week that hospital beds for coronavirus patients , a significant increase from the 20,000 beds his administration had forecast last week .
The state ’ s 416 hospitals are doubling so-called surge plans to 40 % of their capacity , which includes providing 30,000 new beds across the system , Newsom said .
Garcetti said only 1,500 beds in Los Angeles and about 900 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The city is sorting through credentials for the more than 2,700 medical workers who have volunteered to help , he said .
The Navy hospital ship Mercy arrived at the Port of Los Angeles on Friday .
The 1,000-bed vessel will become Los Angeles ’ largest hospital and will house patients who do not have COVID-19 , in an effort to free up space in hospitals for an expected surge of coronavirus patients .
Some patients who are already hospitalized in Los Angeles County will be transferred to the ship for ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effort to guidelines to slow the spread of the virus , L.A. County officials Friday announced the temporary closure of beaches , piers , beach bike paths , beach access points , public trails and trailheads through April 19 .
The city of Los Angeles followed suit later in the day , announcing the closure of park amenities and trails .
The Los Angeles City Council agreed Friday to expand its temporary ban on evictions related to the coronavirus , including waiving late fees and expanding the repayment period for back-rent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected a proposal that would have banned all evictions in the city .
The council also mandated 10 more days of sick leave during the pandemic for full-time workers at businesses with at least 500 employees nationwide , on top of the six days required under city law .
Workers would qualify for additional leave if they had a medical condition such as asthma or diabetes that places them at heightened risk of the coronavirus or were forced to stay home to self-quarantine or care for an ill relative .
The original proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles to provide 10 additional days of paid leave .
Lawmakers scaled back the measure after business owners said they could not afford the measure amid the economic fallout of the pandemic .
Public health officials are also monitoring a homeless person who might have COVID-19 and is now in isolation .
Health officials are working to identify who the individual has been in contact with , Garcetti said .
The confirmed number of coronavirus cases in Orange County climbed by 25 % Friday , from 256 cases on Thursday to 321 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more deaths , bringing the total to three .
Friday also marked the first time the county shared regarding its cases — information some residents have been demanding for weeks .
Officials said the cities with the most cases were Irvine with 33 , Newport Beach with 32 and Anaheim with 28 .
The number of cases in Riverside County rose Friday to 185 , health officials said .
The county has reported eight deaths .
The death toll in San Diego County rose to six Friday , with three new fatalities reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man in his early 80s and a 25-year-old pharmacy technician with no underlying health conditions .
The nine-county Bay Area has seen 37 deaths , with 20 of them in Santa Clara County , according to health officials .
The region has 1,624 confirmed cases , a 14 % increase from Thursday .
Times staff writers Luke Money , Rong-Gong Lin II , Richard Winton , Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser contributed to this report .

Liam Dillon, Laura J. Nelson, Ruben Vives, Alex Wigglesworth

Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, stand in front of the hospital ship USNS Mercy that arrived into the Port of Los Angeles on Friday. Both Newsom and Garcetti have announced a delay on evictions for tenants who cannot pay their rent because of the pandemic outbreak.
As the number of deaths and confirmed cases of coronavirus surged across California, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced a delay on evictions for tenants who cannot pay their rent because of the outbreak.
Under Newsom’s order, renters cannot be forced out of their homes over the next two months if they fall behind on rent because they have been laid off, seen their pay cut, or were forced to miss work to care for a loved one or recover from illness.
The order could grant temporary relief for tens of thousands of workers struggling to pay April rent amid layoffs, pay cuts and other economic harm sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Renters could still be evicted later in the year for failing to repay April or May rent payments.
To qualify under the governor’s executive order, tenants must notify their landlords in writing about the missed payment within seven days of the rent deadline. Renters who qualify for the eviction postponement would still be required to pay back the money owed, Newsom said.
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The push to protect renters comes as the number of coronavirus deaths continued to rise across California, with 102 deaths and 4,905 cases reported across the state.
In Los Angeles County, health officials reported five more fatalities due to COVID-19, bringing the county’s death toll to 26, the highest of any county in the state. All five of the victims reported Friday were older than 60, and four were men, officials said.
Almost 11,000 people had been tested in Los Angeles County as of Friday. The number of confirmed cases rose to 1,482, a 20% increase from the previous day.
Officials continue to warn that Los Angeles could soon resemble New York, the center of the nation’s coronavirus epidemic. On Friday, the number of cases there rose to nearly 45,000, more than nine times as many as in California.
If each person who has tested positive for the virus infected two others, more than a million Los Angeles County residents would be infected within a few weeks, said Barbara Ferrer, director of the county Department of Public Health. Officials have ordered all those who have tested positive for COVID-19 to self-isolate, along with those in close contact with them.
L.A. County’s mortality rate from the virus is about 1.8%, higher than New York City and the United States overall, Ferrer said. But the region has tested far fewer people than New York, meaning health officials do not have as firm a grasp on the total number of infections.
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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Friday that UPS will pay for, deliver and pick up COVID-19 kits to residents who meet the criteria for testing. The program, which could start as early as next week, could allow Los Angeles to test thousands more people every day, he said.
Newsom said this week that California will need 50,000 hospital beds for coronavirus patients, a significant increase from the 20,000 beds his administration had forecast last week. The state’s 416 hospitals are doubling so-called surge plans to 40% of their capacity, which includes providing 30,000 new beds across the system, Newsom said.
Garcetti said only 1,500 beds in Los Angeles and about 900 ventilators in the county are available now. The city is sorting through credentials for the more than 2,700 medical workers who have volunteered to help, he said.
The Navy hospital ship Mercy arrived at the Port of Los Angeles on Friday. The 1,000-bed vessel will become Los Angeles’ largest hospital and will house patients who do not have COVID-19, in an effort to free up space in hospitals for an expected surge of coronavirus patients.
Some patients who are already hospitalized in Los Angeles County will be transferred to the ship for ongoing treatment, port officials said.
In an effort to enforce social-distancing guidelines to slow the spread of the virus, L.A. County officials Friday announced the temporary closure of beaches, piers, beach bike paths, beach access points, public trails and trailheads through April 19. The city of Los Angeles followed suit later in the day, announcing the closure of park amenities and trails.
The Los Angeles City Council agreed Friday to expand its temporary ban on evictions related to the coronavirus, including waiving late fees and expanding the repayment period for back-rent to one year. But the members narrowly rejected a proposal that would have banned all evictions in the city.
The council also mandated 10 more days of sick leave during the pandemic for full-time workers at businesses with at least 500 employees nationwide, on top of the six days required under city law.
Workers would qualify for additional leave if they had a medical condition such as asthma or diabetes that places them at heightened risk of the coronavirus or were forced to stay home to self-quarantine or care for an ill relative.
The original proposal would have required most employers in Los Angeles to provide 10 additional days of paid leave. Lawmakers scaled back the measure after business owners said they could not afford the measure amid the economic fallout of the pandemic.
Public health officials are also monitoring a homeless person who might have COVID-19 and is now in isolation. Health officials are working to identify who the individual has been in contact with, Garcetti said.
The confirmed number of coronavirus cases in Orange County climbed by 25% Friday, from 256 cases on Thursday to 321 on Friday. Health officials also reported two more deaths, bringing the total to three.
Friday also marked the first time the county shared city-level specifics regarding its cases — information some residents have been demanding for weeks. Officials said the cities with the most cases were Irvine with 33, Newport Beach with 32 and Anaheim with 28.
The number of cases in Riverside County rose Friday to 185, health officials said. The county has reported eight deaths.
The death toll in San Diego County rose to six Friday, with three new fatalities reported: a man in his mid-50s, a man in his early 80s and a 25-year-old pharmacy technician with no underlying health conditions.
The nine-county Bay Area has seen 37 deaths, with 20 of them in Santa Clara County, according to health officials. The region has 1,624 confirmed cases, a 14% increase from Thursday.
Times staff writers Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II, Richard Winton, Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser contributed to this report.


Coronavirus spotlight: Wrightwood

As we all adjust to our new lives under the umbrella of the coronavirus , Los Angeles Times photographer Irfan @ @ @ @ @ at the mountain community of Wrightwood .

Wrightwood, whose economy would normally be in high gear with all the snow it has received, has shut down like the rest of the state due to coronavirus the pandemic.
(Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)


latimes--2020-03-28--L.A. expands sick leave amid coronavirus — but only for employees at big companies

The Los Angeles City Council voted Friday to increase paid leave for workers who have fallen ill or need to care for family — but only for workers at businesses with 500 or more employees nationwide .
Council members scaled back a proposal that would have required most employers to provide 10 additional days of paid leave amid the coronavirus crisis , on top of the six currently required under city law .
The decision followed protests from business owners who said they couldn ’ t afford the measure and are already struggling with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the first line of the Hippocratic oath — ‘ First do no harm , ’ ” said Councilman Joe Buscaino , who argued that the original proposal would have decimated small businesses .
One L.A. resident who phoned in to the meeting angrily told council members that she had been laid off from a company whose office closed because someone had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 .
Before it shut down , she said , a co-worker begged others to wash their hands properly to help protect his husband battling cancer .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They will die tomorrow .
And you have the power now to save so many , ” the woman said , adding pointedly : “ The Hippocratic oath was written about human lives and not businesses and profit margins.
” The measure was taken up during a historic dial-in meeting , with every council member except Council President Nury Martinez attending remotely in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
Martinez led the meeting , which lasted from late morning beyond sundown , from a nearly empty council chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson opposed , to amend the measure to reduce the number of businesses that would be covered by the new requirements for paid leave .
City officials had been looking to protect workers who will not be covered by a federal law that will soon mandate 10 days of leave for workers who are under quarantine , have symptoms of COVID-19 , or are caring for others because of the pandemic .
In a report released Wednesday , city analysts said the federal law does not cover companies with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — those with fewer than 50 workers — can seek an exemption from the federal rules , the report said .
City law already requires sick leave for employees working in Los Angeles , ensuring they can accrue and use up to six days of paid leave annually .
Under the measure approved Friday , large employers would have to give an additional 10 days to those who work at least 40 hours a week .
Employees would receive the paid leave if public health officials have recommended that they self-quarantine , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they have certain medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes .
They also would receive the sick leave if they need to take care of a family member .
After the vote , business owners and their representatives expressed relief about the decision to carve smaller businesses out of the new ordinance , saying the original proposal would have proven so costly that many businesses would have simply shut down .
“ I feel like every single one of my 250 employees dodged a bullet , ” Genevieve Gergis , co-owner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eastern restaurant Bavel said after Friday ’ s vote .
Gergis said her two businesses have 250 employees — all but 16 of them furloughed .
The restaurants provide healthcare to their employees , including those who are off work , she said .
“ If that proposal had gone through , we would have had to immediately stop payment on healthcare and the future of the restaurant would have been uncertain , ” she said .
Labor and community groups that had been pushing for more sick leave were disappointed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manuel Villanueva , lead organizer with the Restaurant Opportunities Center of Los Angeles , called it “ a slap in the face to those immigrant workers who are putting their life at risk right now to feed us.
” Cayetano Juarez , a cook living in South Los Angeles , said his hours have been slashed , leaving him stressed about paying rent and bills .
He also worries about continuing to go to the cafe where he works , which is still preparing to-go orders .
“ We ’ re taking lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not enough , ” Juarez said in Spanish .
“ It scares me , the idea of taking this virus into my home.
” Under the new law , healthcare providers and first responders will be exempt from the requirement to provide the added leave .
The council also decided not to require businesses to provide added leave to employees who are off work because their employer has ceased operations temporarily under government guidelines stemming from the pandemic .
The new law was part of a package of measures aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects of the virus .
Business groups had voiced alarm about some of the proposals taken up Friday , saying they could cause businesses to close permanently and make it harder for L.A. 's economy to recover .
Companies had little chance to review proposals that had been unveiled over the last two days and could go into effect within days , said Tina Oh , spokeswoman for the Central City Assn.
, a downtown-based business group .
“ Business owners might not even know these ordinances are happening while they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
At Friday ’ s meeting , council members also mandated that workers at grocery stores , drugstores and food delivery platforms such as Grubhub and Postmates be allowed to rearrange their schedules to recover from illness or care for children or close family members who have fallen sick .
City officials expected that the new laws would go into effect within days .
The council held off voting on another measure that had drawn criticism from business groups , which would have regulated rehiring at workplaces where employees have @ @ @ @

Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez led Friday’s meeting from the chamber as other members including Joe Buscaino dialed in. The council’s tougher paid leave plan carved out smaller businesses with fewer than 500 workers.
The Los Angeles City Council voted Friday to increase paid leave for workers who have fallen ill or need to care for family — but only for workers at businesses with 500 or more employees nationwide.
Council members scaled back a proposal that would have required most employers to provide 10 additional days of paid leave amid the coronavirus crisis, on top of the six currently required under city law. The decision followed protests from business owners who said they couldn’t afford the measure and are already struggling with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m reminded of the first line of the Hippocratic oath — ‘First do no harm,’” said Councilman Joe Buscaino, who argued that the original proposal would have decimated small businesses.
One L.A. resident who phoned in to the meeting angrily told council members that she had been laid off from a company whose office closed because someone had symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Before it shut down, she said, a co-worker begged others to wash their hands properly to help protect his husband battling cancer.
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“People are dying. They died yesterday. They will die tomorrow. And you have the power now to save so many,” the woman said, adding pointedly: “The Hippocratic oath was written about human lives and not businesses and profit margins.”
The measure was taken up during a historic dial-in meeting, with every council member except Council President Nury Martinez attending remotely in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Martinez led the meeting, which lasted from late morning beyond sundown, from a nearly empty council chamber.
The council voted 14 to 1, with Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson opposed, to amend the measure to reduce the number of businesses that would be covered by the new requirements for paid leave.
City officials had been looking to protect workers who will not be covered by a federal law that will soon mandate 10 days of leave for workers who are under quarantine, have symptoms of COVID-19, or are caring for others because of the pandemic.
In a report released Wednesday, city analysts said the federal law does not cover companies with 500 or more employees. Small businesses — those with fewer than 50 workers — can seek an exemption from the federal rules, the report said.
City law already requires sick leave for employees working in Los Angeles, ensuring they can accrue and use up to six days of paid leave annually. Under the measure approved Friday, large employers would have to give an additional 10 days to those who work at least 40 hours a week.
Employees would receive the paid leave if public health officials have recommended that they self-quarantine, if they are 65 or older, or if they have certain medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes. They also would receive the sick leave if they need to take care of a family member.
After the vote, business owners and their representatives expressed relief about the decision to carve smaller businesses out of the new ordinance, saying the original proposal would have proven so costly that many businesses would have simply shut down.
Advertisement
“I feel like every single one of my 250 employees dodged a bullet,” Genevieve Gergis, co-owner of the Italian restaurant Bestia and the Middle Eastern restaurant Bavel said after Friday’s vote.
Gergis said her two businesses have 250 employees — all but 16 of them furloughed. The restaurants provide healthcare to their employees, including those who are off work, she said. “If that proposal had gone through, we would have had to immediately stop payment on healthcare and the future of the restaurant would have been uncertain,” she said.
Labor and community groups that had been pushing for more sick leave were disappointed by the decision to carve out smaller businesses. Manuel Villanueva, lead organizer with the Restaurant Opportunities Center of Los Angeles, called it “a slap in the face to those immigrant workers who are putting their life at risk right now to feed us.”
Cayetano Juarez, a cook living in South Los Angeles, said his hours have been slashed, leaving him stressed about paying rent and bills. He also worries about continuing to go to the cafe where he works, which is still preparing to-go orders.
“We’re taking lots of precautions, but I fear it’s not enough,” Juarez said in Spanish. “It scares me, the idea of taking this virus into my home.”
Under the new law, healthcare providers and first responders will be exempt from the requirement to provide the added leave. The council also decided not to require businesses to provide added leave to employees who are off work because their employer has ceased operations temporarily under government guidelines stemming from the pandemic.
The new law was part of a package of measures aimed at helping L.A. workers cope with the economic effects of the virus.
Business groups had voiced alarm about some of the proposals taken up Friday, saying they could cause businesses to close permanently and make it harder for L.A.’s economy to recover. Companies had little chance to review proposals that had been unveiled over the last two days and could go into effect within days, said Tina Oh, spokeswoman for the Central City Assn., a downtown-based business group.
“Business owners might not even know these ordinances are happening while they’re trying to keep their businesses alive,” she said.
At Friday’s meeting, council members also mandated that workers at grocery stores, drugstores and food delivery platforms such as Grubhub and Postmates be allowed to rearrange their schedules to recover from illness or care for children or close family members who have fallen sick. City officials expected that the new laws would go into effect within days.
The council held off voting on another measure that had drawn criticism from business groups, which would have regulated rehiring at workplaces where employees have been laid off.


latimes--2020-03-28--Newsom commutes prison sentences, including for murder

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Friday pardoned five people who had already served their time and commuted the sentences of 21 state prison inmates , including more than a dozen convicted of murder or related crimes .
The victims were children in two of the cases and a pregnant woman in a third .
The clemency requests were being considered before the coronavirus crisis , “ and , as resources permitted , the governor decided to move forward with them , ” spokeswoman Vicky Waters said in an email .
Attorneys representing inmates asked federal judges this week to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better confront the pandemic , which has sickened one inmate and 12 employees .
Newsom said mass inmate releases would further burden strained community healthcare systems and homelessness programs .
But he stopped transfers into the system for 30 days .
Aside from his usual consideration of public safety and justice factors , Waters said that because of the pandemic the governor “ also considered the public health impact of each grant , as well as each inmate ’ s individual health status and the suitability of their post-release plans , including housing.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pardons were younger than 26 at the time of their crimes , and they have since participated in rehabilitation programs , Waters said .
Most of the commutations allow inmates to seek parole , but release decisions will still be made by the Board of Parole Hearings .
Suzanne Johnson , 75 , of San Diego County has served 22 years for assault on a child causing death , while 64-year-old Joann Parks of Los Angeles County has served 27 years but denies setting a fire in her home that resulted in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rodney McNeal , 50 , of San Bernardino County has served 22 years for fatally stabbing his pregnant wife , a crime he also denies .
• Kristopher Blehm , 35 , of Santa Barbara County , who has served nearly 12 years for helping murder his crime partner ’ s romantic rival .
• Steven Bradley , 56 , of Kern County , who has served 32 years for killing a gas station attendant during a robbery .
• Jason Bryant , 40 , of Shasta County , who has served 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which a victim was fatally shot by an accomplice .
• Rosemary Dyer , 67 , of Los Angeles County , who has served more than 33 years for fatally shooting her husband .
• Samuel Eldredge , 61 , of Humboldt County , who has served 25 years for fatally shooting his crime partner ’ s housemate .
• Richard Flowers , 64 , of Tulare County , who has served more than 25 years for killing a woman during a robbery .
• Robert Glass , 48 , of Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 26 years for murder during a burglary .
• James Harris , 56 , of Los Angeles County , who has served more than 30 years for a drug-sales-related kidnapping and the killing of two victims .
• David Jassy , 45 , Los Angeles County , who has served 11 years for killing a man during an altercation .
• Shyrl Lamar , 68 , of Sacramento County , who participated in a robbery in which her crime partner fatally stabbed two victims .
• Ramon Rodriguez , 49 , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 years after he was paid to kill a victim .
Two of the pardons are intended to help lawful immigrants who face the possibility of being deported based on crimes they committed years ago .
Waters said that would be “ an unjust collateral consequence that would harm their families and communities.
” One is Tri Thai , whom the governor ’ s office said was 18 in 1994 when he was convicted of receiving stolen property and 21 when he was convicted of a gang-related assault with a firearm , second-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The other is Monsuru Tijani , who was convicted of perjury in 1986 , check fraud in 1991 , submitting false financial statements in 1995 and submitting false financial statements in 1999 .
The governor ’ s office said he “ has turned his life around , ” but he faces religious persecution and possible incarceration if he is deported to Nigeria because of his conversion to Christianity .
The remaining three pardons are all Los Angeles County cases .
Gabriel Garcia and Shannon Thomas-Bland were separately convicted of drug offenses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
Brenda Ibanez robbed two convenience stores in 1999 , and in 2005 she tried to buy motorcycles with a fake driver ’ s license .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday pardoned five people who had already served their time and commuted the sentences of 21 state prison inmates, including more than a dozen convicted of murder or related crimes. The victims were children in two of the cases and a pregnant woman in a third.
The clemency requests were being considered before the coronavirus crisis, “and, as resources permitted, the governor decided to move forward with them,” spokeswoman Vicky Waters said in an email.
Attorneys representing inmates asked federal judges this week to free thousands of inmates to help prisons better confront the pandemic, which has sickened one inmate and 12 employees. Newsom said mass inmate releases would further burden strained community healthcare systems and homelessness programs. But he stopped transfers into the system for 30 days.
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Aside from his usual consideration of public safety and justice factors, Waters said that because of the pandemic the governor “also considered the public health impact of each grant, as well as each inmate’s individual health status and the suitability of their post-release plans, including housing.”
Many of those given clemency or pardons were younger than 26 at the time of their crimes, and they have since participated in rehabilitation programs, Waters said. Most of the commutations allow inmates to seek parole, but release decisions will still be made by the Board of Parole Hearings.
Newsom’s commutations include 14 inmates convicted of murder or related crimes.
Suzanne Johnson, 75, of San Diego County has served 22 years for assault on a child causing death, while 64-year-old Joann Parks of Los Angeles County has served 27 years but denies setting a fire in her home that resulted in the deaths of her three young children.
Rodney McNeal, 50, of San Bernardino County has served 22 years for fatally stabbing his pregnant wife, a crime he also denies.
The others include:
Kristopher Blehm, 35, of Santa Barbara County, who has served nearly 12 years for helping murder his crime partner’s romantic rival.
Steven Bradley, 56, of Kern County, who has served 32 years for killing a gas station attendant during a robbery.
Jason Bryant, 40, of Shasta County, who has served 20 years for armed robberies, including one in which a victim was fatally shot by an accomplice.
Rosemary Dyer, 67, of Los Angeles County, who has served more than 33 years for fatally shooting her husband.
Samuel Eldredge, 61, of Humboldt County, who has served 25 years for fatally shooting his crime partner’s housemate.
Richard Flowers, 64, of Tulare County, who has served more than 25 years for killing a woman during a robbery.
Robert Glass, 48, of Los Angeles County, who has served more than 26 years for murder during a burglary.
James Harris, 56, of Los Angeles County, who has served more than 30 years for a drug-sales-related kidnapping and the killing of two victims.
David Jassy, 45, Los Angeles County, who has served 11 years for killing a man during an altercation.
Shyrl Lamar, 68, of Sacramento County, who participated in a robbery in which her crime partner fatally stabbed two victims.
Ramon Rodriguez, 49, of Los Angeles County, who has served 22 years after he was paid to kill a victim.
Two of the pardons are intended to help lawful immigrants who face the possibility of being deported based on crimes they committed years ago. Waters said that would be “an unjust collateral consequence that would harm their families and communities.”
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One is Tri Thai, whom the governor’s office said was 18 in 1994 when he was convicted of receiving stolen property and 21 when he was convicted of a gang-related assault with a firearm, second-degree burglary and attempting to dissuade a witness.
The other is Monsuru Tijani, who was convicted of perjury in 1986, check fraud in 1991, submitting false financial statements in 1995 and submitting false financial statements in 1999. The governor’s office said he “has turned his life around,” but he faces religious persecution and possible incarceration if he is deported to Nigeria because of his conversion to Christianity.
The remaining three pardons are all Los Angeles County cases.
Gabriel Garcia and Shannon Thomas-Bland were separately convicted of drug offenses in their early- to mid-20s about three decades ago. Brenda Ibanez robbed two convenience stores in 1999, and in 2005 she tried to buy motorcycles with a fake driver’s license.


latimes--2020-03-28--El Camino Real wins state Academic Decathlon, with altered format due to coronavirus

Two Los Angeles charter high schools took first and second place at the California Academic Decathlon , with El Camino Real narrowly edging out its perennial rival , Granada Hills — wins that were in part a credit to knowledge of medieval pandemics .
The theme this year was “ In Sickness and in Health : An Exploration of Illness and Wellness.
” Pandemics were a subtopic , and participating students delved into hundreds of facts on global pandemics , including the Black Death of the 1300s .
But as the competition drew near , they found themselves in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sacramento was canceled amid the state ’ s coronavirus outbreak .
Initially , the backup plan was an online competition proctored at each of the 66 competing schools , but that approach , too , was curtailed after the shutdown of campuses across California .
Instead , Academic Decathlon organizers determined a winner by tallying up scores from the previous regional competition and adding in new scores from an essay contest , scores that ended up important in determining the winner .
Without the essay , the highest point total belonged narrowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champion .
But the essays flipped the results — narrowly , according to Ken Scarberry , executive director of the California Academic Decathlon .
In the end , El Camino Real , located in Woodland Hills , had 47,985.40 points , and Granada Hills had 47,905.50 .
A similar turnabout had happened between the two schools in their regional competition , which El Camino Real also won , although both teams easily qualified for a state-level rematch against teams from across California , Scarberry said .
The nine-person Granada Hills team had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which cover art , economics , literature , mathematics , music , science and social science .
On these tests , the answers are either right or wrong .
But this year ’ s El Camino team had the edge in the subjectively judged contests .
At the regional level , those included essay , speech and interview .
El Camino and Granada Hills compete in a special division that includes local charter schools .
Both schools are privately managed but overseen by L.A. Unified School District .
The students on the winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly Tamura , Allison Yan , Amir Heshmatipour , Mariana Vasquez , Katherine Ylarde , Asher Levich , Dylan Sherrill and Riley Samuels .
The team is coached by Stephanie Franklin .
On Friday , decathlete students took part in an unproctored online competition that became , in essence , an exhibition event .
The results were not used to determine the state champion , although students will receive their scores .
Decathlon participants on top teams often study 30-plus hours per week for months in preparation , and losing the chance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top teams .
“ The Sacramento trip is the first thing that comes to mind when I think about the decathlon , ” said senior and co-captain Diego Mora of Bell High School , whose team finished first in the L.A. Unified division and had the seventh-highest score in the state .
“ All the memories and the experience I got to have with this team , ” he said , “ everybody on this team has worked really hard for it.
” His teammate Armando Aguilar said he , too , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be closed and events canceled .
“ The government does take on an important role when protecting the safety of , in this case , Americans , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve seen a lot of the time in history , when the government did take a stand and did actively try to protect the people ’ s health , we did see a diminishing in that plague outbreak and eventually an eradication of the disease .
”

Two Los Angeles charter high schools took first and second place at the California Academic Decathlon, with El Camino Real narrowly edging out its perennial rival, Granada Hills — wins that were in part a credit to knowledge of medieval pandemics.
The theme this year was “In Sickness and in Health: An Exploration of Illness and Wellness.” Pandemics were a subtopic, and participating students delved into hundreds of facts on global pandemics, including the Black Death of the 1300s. But as the competition drew near, they found themselves in a real-time lesson.
The traditional live competition in Sacramento was canceled amid the state’s coronavirus outbreak. Initially, the backup plan was an online competition proctored at each of the 66 competing schools, but that approach, too, was curtailed after the shutdown of campuses across California.
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Instead, Academic Decathlon organizers determined a winner by tallying up scores from the previous regional competition and adding in new scores from an essay contest, scores that ended up important in determining the winner.
Without the essay, the highest point total belonged narrowly to Granada Hills, the defending national champion. But the essays flipped the results — narrowly, according to Ken Scarberry, executive director of the California Academic Decathlon.
In the end, El Camino Real, located in Woodland Hills, had 47,985.40 points, and Granada Hills had 47,905.50.
A similar turnabout had happened between the two schools in their regional competition, which El Camino Real also won, although both teams easily qualified for a state-level rematch against teams from across California, Scarberry said.
The nine-person Granada Hills team had the most points on the objective tests, which cover art, economics, literature, mathematics, music, science and social science. On these tests, the answers are either right or wrong.
But this year’s El Camino team had the edge in the subjectively judged contests. At the regional level, those included essay, speech and interview.
El Camino and Granada Hills compete in a special division that includes local charter schools. Both schools are privately managed but overseen by L.A. Unified School District.
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The students on the winning El Camino team are Jason Inaba, Kelly Tamura, Allison Yan, Amir Heshmatipour, Mariana Vasquez, Katherine Ylarde, Asher Levich, Dylan Sherrill and Riley Samuels. The team is coached by Stephanie Franklin.
On Friday, decathlete students took part in an unproctored online competition that became, in essence, an exhibition event. The results were not used to determine the state champion, although students will receive their scores.
Decathlon participants on top teams often study 30-plus hours per week for months in preparation, and losing the chance to travel to compete is a blow to the top teams.
“The Sacramento trip is the first thing that comes to mind when I think about the decathlon,” said senior and co-captain Diego Mora of Bell High School, whose team finished first in the L.A. Unified division and had the seventh-highest score in the state.
“All the memories and the experience I got to have with this team,” he said, “everybody on this team has worked really hard for it.”
His teammate Armando Aguilar said he, too, was disappointed but understood why schools had to be closed and events canceled.
“The government does take on an important role when protecting the safety of, in this case, Americans,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of the time in history, when the government did take a stand and did actively try to protect the people’s health, we did see a diminishing in that plague outbreak and eventually an eradication of the disease.”


latimes--2020-03-27--Strip club pressured into coronavirus compliance shuts down

A Los Angeles County strip club at the center of a television news sting because it refused to comply with coronavirus guidelines was shut down Friday .
Bliss Showgirls strip club , in Avocado Heights off Valley Boulevard , hung a sign on its locked gates and doors that read , “ Sorry we ’ re closed .
The wheels fell off.
” It ’ s not certain if the establishment closed voluntarily .
Calls to a phone number listed on Bliss ’ Instagram page were not returned .
Bliss did post early Friday on the same social media account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It added : “ Want to stay away from corona , come to bliss .
We got 10-minute , 15-minute and 25-minute quarantine specials with your favorite showgirls.
” The advertisement came despite orders on March 16 and 19 from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department to close nonessential businesses .
Essential businesses were classified in the March 19 “ Safer at Home ” order as entities such as grocery stores , certified farmers markets , banks , gas stations and hardware stories .
The order is supposed to last until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an undercover camera crew out last week and recorded customers “ flocking to the business , ” which had “ a packed parking lot.
” FOX 11 ’ s team captured images of the strip club operating with a doorman checking patrons ’ temperatures .
While Fox said the business was operating last weekend , there was no information on whether it had been open this week .
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said he was aware of complaints that the strip club continued to operate despite it being a nonessential business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitoring the venue .
Villanueva said that since the stay-at-home order was issued , his department had received a number of complaints about establishments flouting the law .
His deputies , he said , have visited some of those businesses and made it clear they would be cited and could lose their business license if they violate the order .
Some strip clubs in the city of Los Angeles moved quickly to close their doors .
The Spearmint Rhino issued a notice on its Instagram page that it was closing down on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Eric Garcetti called on bars , gyms and entertainment facilities to close .
The strip club said in the post it planned to reopen after Garcetti ’ s order expired on March 31 .
A call to the establishment was not answered .
One club that did face a little quarantine-shaming was Sam ’ s Hofbrau , which closed two days after the order on Tuesday .
“ Keep your employees and customers safe because being open last night was completely out of line and unsafe … not to mention unlawful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s post announcing its immediate closure .

Bliss Showgirls strip club had its doors and gates locked and a sign hanging that read, “Sorry we’re closed. The wheels fell off.”
A Los Angeles County strip club at the center of a television news sting because it refused to comply with coronavirus guidelines was shut down Friday.
Bliss Showgirls strip club, in Avocado Heights off Valley Boulevard, hung a sign on its locked gates and doors that read, “Sorry we’re closed. The wheels fell off.” It’s not certain if the establishment closed voluntarily.
Calls to a phone number listed on Bliss’ Instagram page were not returned.
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Bliss did post early Friday on the same social media account that “Bliss Showgirls will be open.”
It added: “Want to stay away from corona, come to bliss. We got 10-minute, 15-minute and 25-minute quarantine specials with your favorite showgirls.”
The advertisement came despite orders on March 16 and 19 from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department to close nonessential businesses.
Essential businesses were classified in the March 19 “Safer at Home” order as entities such as grocery stores, certified farmers markets, banks, gas stations and hardware stories.
The order is supposed to last until April 19.
Fox 11 News sent an undercover camera crew out last week and recorded customers “flocking to the business,” which had “a packed parking lot.”
FOX 11’s team captured images of the strip club operating with a doorman checking patrons’ temperatures.
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While Fox said the business was operating last weekend, there was no information on whether it had been open this week.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said he was aware of complaints that the strip club continued to operate despite it being a nonessential business. He added that his deputies were monitoring the venue.
Villanueva said that since the stay-at-home order was issued, his department had received a number of complaints about establishments flouting the law.
His deputies, he said, have visited some of those businesses and made it clear they would be cited and could lose their business license if they violate the order.
Some strip clubs in the city of Los Angeles moved quickly to close their doors.
The Spearmint Rhino issued a notice on its Instagram page that it was closing down on March 16, a day after Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti called on bars, gyms and entertainment facilities to close.
The strip club said in the post it planned to reopen after Garcetti’s order expired on March 31. A call to the establishment was not answered.
One club that did face a little quarantine-shaming was Sam’s Hofbrau, which closed two days after the order on Tuesday.
“Keep your employees and customers safe because being open last night was completely out of line and unsafe … not to mention unlawful,” one Instragram follower noted on Sam’s post announcing its immediate closure.


latimes--2020-03-28--Citing virus, judge orders release of two men from California immigrant detention center

A federal judge Friday ordered the immediate release of two men held in the Adelanto detention center after their attorneys cited their severe risk of contracting coronavirus .
The two — Pedro Bravo Castillo and Luis Vasquez Rueda — are among a number of detainees who have been ordered released across the country since the pandemic broke out .
“ They ’ ve been spared a potential death sentence , ” said Mark Rosenbaum , an attorney with Public Counsel , which — along with Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP — represented the two men .
“ Hopefully now ICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
” The attorneys are asking that the men be given a coronavirus test and appropriate garb before they go into isolation at home .
In his order , Senior U.S. District Judge Terry Hatter Jr. noted that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. had exceeded those in every other country .
In San Bernardino County , where the detainees are being held , confirmed cases have “ tripled over the past five days.
” An outbreak at Adelanto , he wrote , would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unprecedented time in our nation ’ s history , filled with uncertainty , fear and anxiety , ” the judge wrote in his order .
“ But in the time of a crisis , our response to those at particularly high risk must be with compassion and not apathy .
The government can not act with a callous disregard for the safety of our fellow human beings.
” A spokesman for the U.S. attorney ’ s office in L.A. confirmed that the judge ’ s order had been received and transmitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not respond to a request for comment .
In a court filing , the government argued that concern about the men contracting COVID-19 at Adelanto if not released was “ based on mere speculation.
” “ Petitioners have provided no evidence that ICE has failed to take proper precautions against COVID-19 or that there have been any cases of COVID-19 in Adelanto , ” the government wrote .
In his order , Hatter cited a 2018 report that found health and safety risks at Adelanto .
Predating the pandemic , the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14,000 health and safety “ deficiencies ” at contracted detention facilities between October 2015 and June 2018 .
At least 10 migrants have died in ICE custody this fiscal year .
In a supplemental declaration , Dr. Ranit Mishori , a senior medical adviser with Physicians for Human Rights , stated that the conditions in which Bravo Castillo and Vasquez Rueda were being held at Adelanto violated issued guidance that called for people to “ avoid congregative environments and practice scrupulous social distancing.
” “ The conditions at Adelanto place both petitioners at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only of contracting COVID-19 , but also of suffering severe complications and serious outcomes if they do become infected , ” Mishori wrote .
Rosenbaum called the detention center “ a breeding ground for the virus.
” Bravo Castillo and Vasquez Rueda were arrested by ICE agents last week , days after the governor and L.A. mayor ordered people to ramp up their efforts of social distancing over the coronavirus .
Bravo Castillo was convicted in 2015 for DUI causing bodily injury and hit-and-run .
Vasquez Rueda was convicted in 2017 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country for continued enforcement actions , ICE said it would shift its focus to “ public safety risks.
” The agency said it would also focus on those subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds .
For those who don ’ t fall into those categories , ICE said it would “ exercise discretion to delay enforcement actions until after the crisis or utilize alternatives to detention , as appropriate.
” It is unclear when Bravo Castillo and Vasquez Rueda will be released .
Bravo Castillo ’ s family said they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re so glad that he ’ s able to come home now , ” said his stepdaughter , Martha Jaimez , 24 .
“ I have so much weight lifted off my shoulders .
”

Pedro Bravo Castillo, shown at the Enforcement and Removal Operations processing center in downtown L.A., was one of two detainees ordered released.
A federal judge Friday ordered the immediate release of two men held in the Adelanto detention center after their attorneys cited their severe risk of contracting coronavirus.
The two — Pedro Bravo Castillo and Luis Vasquez Rueda — are among a number of detainees who have been ordered released across the country since the pandemic broke out.
“They’ve been spared a potential death sentence,” said Mark Rosenbaum, an attorney with Public Counsel, which — along with Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP — represented the two men. “Hopefully now ICE is going to do its part to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.”
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The attorneys are asking that the men be given a coronavirus test and appropriate garb before they go into isolation at home.
In his order, Senior U.S. District Judge Terry Hatter Jr. noted that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. had exceeded those in every other country. In San Bernardino County, where the detainees are being held, confirmed cases have “tripled over the past five days.”
An outbreak at Adelanto, he wrote, would further endanger everyone.
“This is an unprecedented time in our nation’s history, filled with uncertainty, fear and anxiety,” the judge wrote in his order. “But in the time of a crisis, our response to those at particularly high risk must be with compassion and not apathy. The government cannot act with a callous disregard for the safety of our fellow human beings.”
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in L.A. confirmed that the judge’s order had been received and transmitted to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE did not respond to a request for comment.
In a court filing, the government argued that concern about the men contracting COVID-19 at Adelanto if not released was “based on mere speculation.”
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“Petitioners have provided no evidence that ICE has failed to take proper precautions against COVID-19 or that there have been any cases of COVID-19 in Adelanto,” the government wrote.
In his order, Hatter cited a 2018 report that found health and safety risks at Adelanto.
Predating the pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general found 14,000 health and safety “deficiencies” at contracted detention facilities between October 2015 and June 2018. At least 10 migrants have died in ICE custody this fiscal year.
In a supplemental declaration, Dr. Ranit Mishori, a senior medical adviser with Physicians for Human Rights, stated that the conditions in which Bravo Castillo and Vasquez Rueda were being held at Adelanto violated issued guidance that called for people to “avoid congregative environments and practice scrupulous social distancing.”
“The conditions at Adelanto place both petitioners at a significantly heightened and medically unacceptable risk not only of contracting COVID-19, but also of suffering severe complications and serious outcomes if they do become infected,” Mishori wrote.
Rosenbaum called the detention center “a breeding ground for the virus.”
Bravo Castillo and Vasquez Rueda were arrested by ICE agents last week, days after the governor and L.A. mayor ordered people to ramp up their efforts of social distancing over the coronavirus.
Bravo Castillo was convicted in 2015 for DUI causing bodily injury and hit-and-run. Vasquez Rueda was convicted in 2017 for DUI.
Facing criticism from across the country for continued enforcement actions amid the coronavirus pandemic , ICE said it would shift its focus to “public safety risks.”
The agency said it would also focus on those subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds. For those who don’t fall into those categories, ICE said it would “exercise discretion to delay enforcement actions until after the crisis or utilize alternatives to detention, as appropriate.”
It is unclear when Bravo Castillo and Vasquez Rueda will be released. Bravo Castillo’s family said they are happily awaiting his return.
“We’re so glad that he’s able to come home now,” said his stepdaughter, Martha Jaimez, 24. “I have so much weight lifted off my shoulders.”
Times staff writer Molly O’Toole contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-28--L.A. officials text an urgent message: Stay home this weekend to slow coronavirus

Los Angeles city and county officials on Friday night sent emergency text alerts urging residents to avoid nonessential public activities this weekend as part of an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
“ Stay home this weekend , and weekends until April 19 .
Only travel to seek medical care , do essential business and run necessary errands , ” L.A. County said in its alert .
Across Southern California , communities closed beaches , trails , recreation areas and other public spaces .
All L.A. County beaches , as well as public trails and trailheads , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials announced Friday .
“ The crowds we saw at our beaches last weekend were unacceptable , ” County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement .
“ In order to save lives , beaches in L.A. County will be temporarily closed.
” The county ’ s public health officer , Dr. Muntu Davis , signed a public health shutting down the beaches on Friday .
The order also applies to beach bike paths , bathrooms , piers and promenades .
Los Angeles on Friday announced more closures as well , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that social distancing is one of the few tools currently available to fight the spread of the virus .
Authorities said they will be out in force this weekend but have said they will be mainly enforcing the rules and not planning to cite people if they obey with officers ’ orders .
First responders are also struggling with coronavirus in their ranks .
Los Angeles Police Department has 22 employees who have tested positive for the coronavirus .
In addition , the Los Angeles Fire Department has five members who have tested @ @ @ @ @

Some in Playa Del Rey discover a near empty beach after Los Angeles County announced the closures of all beaches and trails.
Los Angeles city and county officials on Friday night sent emergency text alerts urging residents to avoid nonessential public activities this weekend as part of an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
“Stay home this weekend, and weekends until April 19. Only travel to seek medical care, do essential business and run necessary errands,” L.A. County said in its alert.
Across Southern California, communities closed beaches, trails, recreation areas and other public spaces.
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All L.A. County beaches, as well as public trails and trailheads, are closed to the public effective immediately, officials announced Friday.
“The crowds we saw at our beaches last weekend were unacceptable,” County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement. “In order to save lives, beaches in L.A. County will be temporarily closed.”
The county’s public health officer, Dr. Muntu Davis, signed a public health order shutting down the beaches on Friday. The order also applies to beach bike paths, bathrooms, piers and promenades.
Los Angeles on Friday announced more closures as well, including to trails and trailheads.
Officials say that social distancing is one of the few tools currently available to fight the spread of the virus.
Authorities said they will be out in force this weekend but have said they will be mainly enforcing the rules and not planning to cite people if they obey with officers’ orders.
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First responders are also struggling with coronavirus in their ranks.
Los Angeles Police Department has 22 employees who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
In addition, the Los Angeles Fire Department has five members who have tested positive for the coronavirus.


latimes--2020-03-27--Getting into USC this fall just got easier amid coronavirus uncertainty

Getting into USC got easier this fall amid widespread uncertainty over how the coronavirus outbreak will affect the college plans of students and their families .
USC announced Friday that it increased its acceptance rate to 16 % for fall 2020 , offering admission to 9,535 freshmen this year — about 2,000 more than last year .
That ’ s the university ’ s highest admission rate in three years — up from 11.4 % last year — and the largest number of students to receive the thick red welcome folder in at least a decade .
But competition is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average unweighted GPA of 3.88 , with 38 % of them achieving perfect grades .
Their average SAT and ACT scores were in the 97th percentile .
And , during high school , they took an average of seven to eight Advanced Placement courses , which follow a rigorous college-level curriculum .
Among admitted students , Asian Americans made up 30 % , followed by whites at 26 % Latinos at 15 % and African Americans at 6 % .
About 17 % would be the first in their families to attend college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine undergraduate campuses began sending out acceptances in the last week , typically releases its admissions data in the summer for the upcoming fall term .
Many campuses are offering admission to more students this year to hedge against widespread uncertainty over how the coronavirus outbreak will affect their college decisions .
Even Harvard bumped up its admission rate , to 4.92 % for fall 2020 , compared with 4.5 % last year — the first increase in six years , according to the Harvard Crimson student newspaper .
A recent survey of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Niche , an educational research group , found that 35 % of high school seniors planned to attend a college closer to home than previously intended and 86 % were more worried about their family ’ s ability to pay college costs .
It ’ s unclear how such concerns will play out and whether they will disproportionately affect institutions like USC that are pricier and more reliant on nonresident students .
About 60 % of USC ’ s admitted students are from other states and countries and the 2019-20 cost of attendance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was $ 77,459 .
However , USC President Carol Folt recently announced a “ high-octane ” drive to boost financial aid , including free tuition for families earning $ 80,000 or less annually , beginning with first-year students this fall .
In the meantime , students are sharing their excitement and joy over winning admission to USC with social media posts tagged # igotintousc and embellished with cardinal and gold hearts and the university ’ s “ Fight On ” salute .
They posted photos and videos of themselves opening their notifications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hannah Selken posted a childhood picture of herself with a USC football .
“ i ’ ve been a trojan since day one , ” she wrote .
Madeline Abiera widened her eyes , dropped her jaw and shrieked with joy — as did her family — when they read the good news .
And Folt posted what she called her “ first video selfie ” welcoming the Class of 2024 .
“ I know that for so many of you , things are just upside down , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you got some really great news .
I can not wait to greet you at convocation , when you say for the very first time , ‘ Fight On .
’ ”

Tommy Trojan stands guard over a quiet USC campus near downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday as classes are being held online because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Getting into USC this fall got easier amid widespread uncertainty over how the coronavirus outbreak will affect the college plans of students and their families.
USC announced Friday that it increased its acceptance rate to 16% for fall 2020, offering admission to 9,535 freshmen this year — about 2,000 more than last year. That’s the university’s highest admission rate in three years — up from 11.4% last year — and the largest number of students to receive the thick, red welcome folder in at least a decade.
But competition is still fierce. Accepted applicants had an average unweighted grade-point average of 3.88, with 38% of them achieving perfect grades. Their average SAT and ACT scores were in the 97th percentile. And, during high school, they took an average of seven to eight Advanced Placement courses, which follow a rigorous college-level curriculum.
Fares Maimani, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering, works on his laptop at USC, where classes are being held online. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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Among admitted students, 30% were Asian American, 26% were white, 15% were Latino and 6% were black. About 17% would be the first in their families to attend college.
The University of California, whose nine undergraduate campuses began sending out acceptances in the last week, typically releases its admissions data in the summer for the upcoming fall term.
Many campuses are offering admission to more students this year to hedge against widespread uncertainty over how the coronavirus outbreak will affect their college decisions. Even Harvard bumped up its admission rate, to 4.92% for fall 2020, compared with 4.5% last year — the first increase in six years, according to the Harvard Crimson student newspaper.
A recent survey of more than 25,000 students and parents by Niche, an educational research group, found that 35% of high school seniors planned to attend a college closer to home than previously intended and 86% were more worried about their family’s ability to pay college costs.
It’s unclear how such concerns will play out and whether they will disproportionately affect institutions such as USC that are pricier and more reliant on nonresident students. About 60% of USC’s admitted students are from other states and countries, and the 2019-20 cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, was $77,459.
However, USC President Carol Folt recently announced a “high-octane” drive to boost financial aid, including free tuition for families earning $80,000 or less annually, beginning with first-year students this fall.
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In the meantime, students are sharing their excitement and joy over winning admission with social media posts tagged #IGotIntoUSC and embellished with cardinal and gold hearts and the university’s “Fight On” salute. They posted photos and videos of themselves opening their notifications, which USC sent out Thursday.
Hannah Selken posted a childhood picture of herself with a USC football. “i’ve been a trojan since day one,” she wrote on Twitter.
i’ve been a trojan since day one. thank you to everyone who’s helped me along the way and can’t wait to fight on for the next four years 🥳 #igotintousc pic.twitter.com/eardJ1tOku — hannah selken (@hannahselken_) March 26, 2020
Madeline Abiera widened her eyes, dropped her jaw and shrieked with joy — as did her family — when she read the good news.
I got in to my dream school today!! USC School of Cinematic Arts for a BFA in Film & Television Production! Here’s a quick clip of my family and I finding out 😂 #igotintousc #USC pic.twitter.com/dcgPurWscH — Madeline Abiera (@MadelineAbiera) March 27, 2020
And Folt posted what she called her “first video selfie” welcoming the class of 2024.
Congratulations to our new Trojans! I hope the news of your acceptance brought joy to you and your loved ones during this time. I look forward to meeting you in the fall. #IGotIntoUSC pic.twitter.com/myiGx9efv8 — Carol Folt (@PresidentFolt) March 27, 2020
“I know that for so many of you, things are just upside down,” she said. “I hope that yesterday you felt like you got some really great news. I cannot wait to greet you at convocation, when you say for the very first time, ‘Fight On.’”


latimes--2020-03-27--Downtown L.A. court is placed on lockdown after confusion over coronavirus quarantine

Fears that an inmate who was supposed to be in quarantine was mistakenly brought to court led to a partial lockdown of the downtown Los Angeles Criminal Justice Center on Friday morning , as concerns about the coronavirus continue to sow discord in the nation ’ s largest court system , officials with knowledge of the situation said .
A section of the county ’ s largest courthouse was effectively shut down after concerns grew that an inmate who was supposed to be among 500 under quarantine in the county ’ s jails was placed in a holding area in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the matter candidly .
The Sheriff ’ s Department has placed about 500 inmates under quarantine because they had been housed in a unit where someone exhibited symptoms of the coronavirus .
Sheriff Alex Villanueva has said that 45 inmates who tested for the coronavirus had negative results .
A number of hearings were postponed Friday as a result , and court proceedings were “ disrupted , ” two sources said .
A law enforcement source told The Times that although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a belief he had come from quarantine housing .
The lockdown lasted until it was determined that was not the case , the law enforcement source said .
But by that time a number of cases had already been postponed , and movement of inmates into courtrooms was stopped according to one source , who said the lockdown began around 9 a.m .
The source said at least one bail review hearing had to be postponed as well , a significant problem as the courts , prosecutors and sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population in the hopes of preventing an outbreak .
“ Now who knows when [ the attorney ] will be able to get their client out , ” the source said .
A spokeswoman for the county ’ s courts referred questions to the Sheriff ’ s Department .
In a statement , sheriff ’ s officials said : “ This morning the Criminal Courts Building was placed on lockdown after information was received that a quarantined inmate was sent to court .
It was quickly determined that the information was inaccurate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts resumed normal operations in less than half an hour.
” The confusing episode comes amid sharp division between the judiciary and organizations representing prosecutors , defense attorneys and court staff over the decision to keep courthouses open during the pandemic .
Earlier this week , Eric Siddall , vice president for the union representing L.A. County deputy district attorneys , blasted Presiding Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile and other court leaders for disregarding “ all the science behind slowing down and defeating this pandemic.
” “ The Los Angeles Superior Courts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s response to the coronavirus , ” Siddall wrote , adding that open courthouses run the risk of lawyers “ inadvertently infecting inmates ” and compounding the public health crisis .
Brazile has significantly curtailed the types of proceedings allowed to take place in the county ’ s courts amid the pandemic , and has limited access to courthouses .
All progress reports and status reports for pending criminal matters have also been pushed back an additional 90 days , and misdemeanor cases in which a defendant is not in jail have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union ’ s letter , Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey said she would not be critical of her prosecutors nor of the court , adding that she was listening to the union and in contact with judicial leaders .
“ Everyone is scared , and everyone is trying to do their best so that they don ’ t contract the virus , ” Lacey said .
“ It ’ s up to all of us to remain calm , not overreact , but .
.. do what we can to preclude the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus among sheriff ’ s deputies or the ranks of the district attorney ’ s office , a public defender assigned to the Sylmar juvenile courthouse tested positive for the virus .
The courthouse is connected to the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall , but no juvenile inmates have tested positive , either , said Kerri Webb , a public information officer for the Los Angeles County probation department .
Nikhil Ramnaney , the president of the union representing county public defenders , said Friday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued failing to properly react to the threat of the virus .
“ The court continues to ignore the risk that it places employees , litigants as well as security personnel in by mandating the transfer of hundreds of inmates every day from L.A. County jail for proceedings that are mostly being continued , ” he said .

James Queally, Matt Hamilton, Alene Tchekmedyian

Some hearings were disrupted at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center after confusion over a coronavirus quarantine.
Fears that an inmate who was supposed to be in quarantine was mistakenly brought to court led to a partial lockdown of the downtown Los Angeles Criminal Justice Center on Friday morning, as concerns about the coronavirus continue to sow discord in the nation’s largest court system, officials with knowledge of the situation said.
A section of the county’s largest courthouse was effectively shut down after concerns grew that an inmate who was supposed to be among 500 under quarantine in the county’s jails was placed in a holding area in the court, according to three officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the matter candidly.
The Sheriff’s Department has placed about 500 inmates under quarantine because they had been housed in a unit where someone exhibited symptoms of the coronavirus. Sheriff Alex Villanueva has said that 45 inmates who tested for the coronavirus had negative results.
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A number of hearings were postponed Friday as a result, and court proceedings were “disrupted,” two sources said.
A law enforcement source told The Times that although the inmate was not displaying symptoms, there was a belief he had come from quarantine housing. The lockdown lasted until it was determined that was not the case, the law enforcement source said.
But by that time a number of cases had already been postponed, and movement of inmates into courtrooms was stopped according to one source, who said the lockdown began around 9 a.m.
The source said at least one bail review hearing had to be postponed as well, a significant problem as the courts, prosecutors and sheriff’s officials are racing to reduce the jail population in the hopes of preventing an outbreak.
“Now who knows when [the attorney] will be able to get their client out,” the source said.
A spokeswoman for the county’s courts referred questions to the Sheriff’s Department.
In a statement, sheriff’s officials said: “This morning the Criminal Courts Building was placed on lockdown after information was received that a quarantined inmate was sent to court. It was quickly determined that the information was inaccurate and the courts resumed normal operations. The courts resumed normal operations in less than half an hour.”
The confusing episode comes amid sharp division between the judiciary and organizations representing prosecutors, defense attorneys and court staff over the decision to keep courthouses open during the pandemic.
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Earlier this week, Eric Siddall, vice president for the union representing L.A. County deputy district attorneys, blasted Presiding Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile and other court leaders for disregarding “all the science behind slowing down and defeating this pandemic.”
“The Los Angeles Superior Courts are now the weakest link in government’s response to the coronavirus,” Siddall wrote, adding that open courthouses run the risk of lawyers “inadvertently infecting inmates” and compounding the public health crisis.
Brazile has significantly curtailed the types of proceedings allowed to take place in the county’s courts amid the pandemic, and has limited access to courthouses. All progress reports and status reports for pending criminal matters have also been pushed back an additional 90 days, and misdemeanor cases in which a defendant is not in jail have been delayed 90 days.
Asked about the union’s letter, Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey said she would not be critical of her prosecutors nor of the court, adding that she was listening to the union and in contact with judicial leaders.
“Everyone is scared, and everyone is trying to do their best so that they don’t contract the virus,” Lacey said. “It’s up to all of us to remain calm, not overreact, but. .. do what we can to preclude the spread of the virus.”
Although there have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus among sheriff’s deputies or the ranks of the district attorney’s office, a public defender assigned to the Sylmar juvenile courthouse tested positive for the virus. The courthouse is connected to the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, but no juvenile inmates have tested positive, either, said Kerri Webb, a public information officer for the Los Angeles County probation department.
Nikhil Ramnaney, the president of the union representing county public defenders, said Friday’s episode displayed the court’s continued failing to properly react to the threat of the virus.
“The court continues to ignore the risk that it places employees, litigants as well as security personnel in by mandating the transfer of hundreds of inmates every day from L.A. County jail for proceedings that are mostly being continued,” he said.


latimes--2020-03-27--25-year-old's coronavirus death in Riverside County a reminder that all are at risk

The death of a 25-year-old pharmacy technician this week from the coronavirus has prompted Riverside County officials to remind residents that the elderly are not the only ones as risk .
The deceased man was discovered Wednesday in a La Quinta residence in the Coachella Valley , said Brooke Federico , the county ’ s public information officer .
The identity of the San Diego resident has not been disclosed .
“ This is a deeply saddening reminder that COVID-19 kills the young and healthy too , ” Dr. Cameron Kaiser , Riverside County public health officer , said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ errands to essentials , and observe social distance no matter how young or well you are .
Our condolences and thoughts are with everyone this pandemic has touched.
” Health officials said that the technician was exposed to the COVID-19 virus outside Riverside County and was in self-quarantine in La Quinta .
The individual did not have any underlying health issues , according to county officials .
His death will be added to San Diego ’ s number of coronavirus-related fatalities , which as of Friday afternoon stood at three .
But Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s public health officer , said that data would be updated to include three more deaths , with the 25-year-old technician among them .
Wooten said the other two deaths included a male in his mid-50s and another male in his early 80s .
In Riverside County , there have been eight fatalities of individuals 70 or older , with most having had underlying health problems , county records show .
As of Friday afternoon , there were 151 positive cases in the county .
In response to the technician ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including short-term home rentals , hotels and motels limit their businesses to COVID-19 response only .
Limited activities that are allowed under that order include providing housing for the homeless population and essential workers , county officials said .
Other scenarios acceptable under the order involve people who leave home to safely isolate themselves from family members — or people who become displaced because family members are self-isolating at home .
Under this order , owners , tenants or marketing agents are not permitted to rent or lease any short-term rental , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
The order applies to all cities and unincorporated areas of Riverside County .
Kaiser also instructed that all Riverside County schools , colleges and universities will remain closed until April 30 .
These orders are in conjunction with the governor ’ s order to stay at home .
“ Now isn ’ t the time to visit Riverside County , ” Kaiser said .
“ Slowing the spread of COVID-19 means folks need to stay put in their own neighborhoods .
Unless you ’ ve got nowhere else safe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The death of a 25-year-old pharmacy technician this week from the coronavirus has prompted Riverside County officials to remind residents that the elderly are not the only ones as risk.
The deceased man was discovered Wednesday in a La Quinta residence in the Coachella Valley, said Brooke Federico, the county’s public information officer. The identity of the San Diego resident has not been disclosed.
For the record: An earlier version of this article said a 25-year-old pharmacy technician who died from the coronavirus in Riverside County was found in a La Quinta hotel. The man was found in a residence in the city of La Quinta.
“This is a deeply saddening reminder that COVID-19 kills the young and healthy too,” Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer, said. “Stay safe. Keep travel and errands to essentials, and observe social distance no matter how young or well you are. Our condolences and thoughts are with everyone this pandemic has touched.”
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Health officials said that the technician was exposed to the COVID-19 virus outside Riverside County and was in self-quarantine in La Quinta. The individual did not have any underlying health issues, according to county officials.
His death will be added to San Diego’s number of coronavirus-related fatalities, which as of Friday afternoon stood at three. But Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County’s public health officer, said that data would be updated to include three more deaths, with the 25-year-old technician among them.
Wooten said the other two deaths included a male in his mid-50s and another male in his early 80s.
In Riverside County, there have been eight fatalities of individuals 70 or older, with most having had underlying health problems, county records show. As of Friday afternoon, there were 151 positive cases in the county.
A New Order in Riverside County
In response to the technician’s death, Kaiser ordered that all short-term lodging, including short-term home rentals, hotels and motels limit their businesses to COVID-19 response only.
Limited activities that are allowed under that order include providing housing for the homeless population and essential workers, county officials said. Other scenarios acceptable under the order involve people who leave home to safely isolate themselves from family members — or people who become displaced because family members are self-isolating at home.
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Under this order, owners, tenants or marketing agents are not permitted to rent or lease any short-term rental, vacation rental or timeshare lodging, county officials said.
The order applies to all cities and unincorporated areas of Riverside County.
Kaiser also instructed that all Riverside County schools, colleges and universities will remain closed until April 30. These orders are in conjunction with the governor’s order to stay at home.
“Now isn’t the time to visit Riverside County,” Kaiser said. “Slowing the spread of COVID-19 means folks need to stay put in their own neighborhoods. Unless you’ve got nowhere else safe to be, please visit later.”