latimes--2020-10-29--Prop. 24 is an easy 'yes' to protect internet privacy in California. But I'm a 'no' on Prop. 14

Proposition 24 is the most obscure , complex measure on Tuesday ’ s state ballot .
But it affects practically every Californian and really is quite simple .
Bottom line : It would attempt to protect your privacy from the internet monster that profits off people ’ s personal data .
And there ’ s another low-profile measure on the ballot .
It ’ s Proposition 14 , which seeks to borrow billions — $ 5.5 billion in principal plus $ 2.3 billion in interest — to continue state funding for stem cell research .
Voters kicked in $ 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 billion — to create the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine in 2004 .
Now the well is about empty and it ’ s asking for a recharge .
That ’ s a ton of money for a little-noticed agency that provides a questionable state service .
But many of the research projects have been very worthwhile .
More on Proposition 14 later .
Proposition 24 tries to control the nosy internet elves who capture your personal information and peddle it to businesses so they can target you with online ads , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Proposition 24 and the measure succeeds in helping corral the internet , it will become a model for the nation , predicts its author and bankroller , Bay Area real estate developer Alastair Mactaggart .
“ If California does this now , then the United States will have privacy one way or the other , ” Mactaggart says .
“ States will act , or the federal government will .
Either way , we ’ ll eventually have good privacy for the country… .
“ The same way that California led the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alarmed about the internet ’ s threat to personal privacy three years ago at a cocktail party .
He was gabbing with a Google engineer .
“ I asked , ‘ What ’ s this deal with all the privacy stuff ?
Is it anything to be worried about ?
’ ” Mactaggart recalls .
“ I expected him to say , ‘ No , it ’ s not a big deal.
’ “ Instead he said , ‘ If people only knew how much we know about them , they ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal data gleaned by the internet are used to market TV sets , cars , shoes — practically everything .
Internet users are targeted with ads based on their hobbies , age , children , residence , location , gender and sexual orientation .
Mactaggart created a ballot initiative to regulate internet data collecting .
Then it was the internet companies ’ turn to freak out : They threatened to spend tens of millions fighting the measure .
The two sides agreed to take advantage of a new reform that allowed an initiative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop the ballot measure .
The result was passage of the nation ’ s toughest internet privacy bill , which took effect last year .
The new law gave Californians the right to know what personal information was being collected , the right to have it deleted and the right to tell companies not to sell it .
But the tech gurus found all kinds of loopholes .
Some sites claim they ’ re not selling personal information , just “ sharing ” it with partners .
The law apparently doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gen. Xavier Becerra says he ’ s too swamped with other chores — such as suing President Trump — to aggressively enforce the new state law .
Smelling blood , internet interests began trying to pick apart the law in the Legislature .
They tried to exempt vehicle ownership and insurance coverage data , for example .
Mactaggart lobbied against them and they were unsuccessful .
But he was alarmed again .
“ I told myself I can ’ t do this the rest of my life , ” he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work.
” So , he and state Sen. Bob Hertzberg ( D-Van Nuys ) , who helped craft the original compromise , wrote Proposition 24 .
The ballot measure would close many of the loopholes and erect a protective wall .
The Legislature could amend it only to “ further the purpose and intent of this Act.
” So it could be strengthened but not weakened .
A separate agency would be created with a $ 10-million annual budget to enforce the law .
It would allow consumers to order internet companies not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data .
Certain “ sensitive personal information ” couldn ’ t be collected , such as data on race , health , religion , sexual orientation and precise location .
“ Amazon doesn ’ t need to know you ’ re at church , ” Mactaggart says .
Let alone which church .
He ’ s the sole campaign bankroller , anteing $ 5 million .
The tech industry has backed off and isn ’ t spending a dime .
There are some opponents , such as the American Civil Liberties Union , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong enough .
But that ’ s political reality — and why it ’ s likely to pass .
In 2004 , a primary motivation behind lopsided voter approval of a $ 3-billion stem cell bond issue was that President George W. Bush banned federal funding for embryonic stem cell research on religious grounds .
But President Obama removed the ban and President Trump never restored it .
Federal funding is available now for embryonic stem cell research .
And private interests are kicking in lots more .
So , is state money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t continue the state funding , lots of facilities would have to close their doors , ” says Sarah Melbostad , the Proposition 14 spokeswoman .
These are top-of-the-line research facilities built with state bond money and partially supported with state funds .
“ We have more than 90 stem cell trials underway , ” she says .
The agency does have a record of some success : funding research that has led to treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration for blood and bone marrow cancers , for example .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its original hype .
It was aloof to Sacramento , and not subject to oversight by the Legislature and governor .
There ’ s been a lack of transparency .
There was also an odor of interest conflicts among agency board members who seemed to steer grants toward their own institutions , even though they recused themselves from voting .
The new bonds would cost an estimated $ 260 million annually for 30 years .
And the old bonds still won ’ t be paid off for many years .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 is a “ no ” for now .
Maybe check back at the next election cycle .

Proposition 24 is the most obscure, complex measure on Tuesday’s state ballot. But it affects practically every Californian and really is quite simple.
Bottom line: It would attempt to protect your privacy from the internet monster that profits off people’s personal data.
For the record: An earlier version of this story said the Proposition 14 spokeswoman was Sarah Melbostad. The Proposition 14 spokeswoman is
Kendall Klingler.
And there’s another low-profile measure on the ballot. It’s Proposition 14, which seeks to borrow billions — $5.5 billion in principal plus $2.3 billion in interest — to continue state funding for stem cell research.
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Voters kicked in $3 billion plus interest — estimated at around $1 billion — to create the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine in 2004. Now the well is about empty and it’s asking for a recharge.
That’s a ton of money for a little-noticed agency that provides a questionable state service. But many of the research projects have been very worthwhile. More on Proposition 14 later.
Proposition 24 tries to control the nosy internet elves who capture your personal information and peddle it to businesses so they can target you with online ads, among other things.
If voters approve Proposition 24 and the measure succeeds in helping corral the internet, it will become a model for the nation, predicts its author and bankroller, Bay Area real estate developer Alastair Mactaggart.
“If California does this now, then the United States will have privacy one way or the other,” Mactaggart says. “States will act, or the federal government will. Either way, we’ll eventually have good privacy for the country….
“The same way that California led the country in cleaning polluted air.”
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Mactaggart became alarmed about the internet’s threat to personal privacy three years ago at a cocktail party. He was gabbing with a Google engineer.
Politics California Prop. 24: Consumer privacy | Election 2020 If Proposition 24 passes, it would make changes to California’s new consumer privacy law, allowing consumers new rights to limit the sharing of their personal information.
“I asked, ‘What’s this deal with all the privacy stuff? Is it anything to be worried about?’” Mactaggart recalls. “I expected him to say, ‘No, it’s not a big deal.’
“Instead he said, ‘If people only knew how much we know about them, they’d really freak out.’
“I was taken aback.”
He learned that personal data gleaned by the internet are used to market TV sets, cars, shoes — practically everything. Internet users are targeted with ads based on their hobbies, age, children, residence, location, gender and sexual orientation.
Mactaggart created a ballot initiative to regulate internet data collecting. Then it was the internet companies’ turn to freak out: They threatened to spend tens of millions fighting the measure.
The two sides agreed to take advantage of a new reform that allowed an initiative sponsor to negotiate a legislative compromise and drop the ballot measure. The result was passage of the nation’s toughest internet privacy bill, which took effect last year.
The new law gave Californians the right to know what personal information was being collected, the right to have it deleted and the right to tell companies not to sell it.
But the tech gurus found all kinds of loopholes. Some sites claim they’re not selling personal information, just “sharing” it with partners. The law apparently doesn’t forbid that.
Anyway, California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra says he’s too swamped with other chores — such as suing President Trump — to aggressively enforce the new state law.
Smelling blood, internet interests began trying to pick apart the law in the Legislature. They tried to exempt vehicle ownership and insurance coverage data, for example. Mactaggart lobbied against them and they were unsuccessful. But he was alarmed again.
“I told myself I can’t do this the rest of my life,” he says. “This isn’t going to work.”
So, he and state Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys), who helped craft the original compromise, wrote Proposition 24.
Politics California Prop. 14: Stem cell research | Election 2020 If Proposition 14 passes, it would allow the state to borrow more money to continue stem cell research at the state government level.
The ballot measure would close many of the loopholes and erect a protective wall. The Legislature could amend it only to “further the purpose and intent of this Act.” So it could be strengthened but not weakened.
A separate agency would be created with a $10-million annual budget to enforce the law.
It would allow consumers to order internet companies not to sell or “share” their data.
Certain “sensitive personal information” couldn’t be collected, such as data on race, health, religion, sexual orientation and precise location.
“Amazon doesn’t need to know you’re at church,” Mactaggart says.
Let alone which church.
He’s the sole campaign bankroller, anteing $5 million. The tech industry has backed off and isn’t spending a dime.
There are some opponents, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, that think the measure isn’t strong enough. But that’s political reality — and why it’s likely to pass.
Proposition 24 is an easy “yes.”
A closer call is Proposition 14.
In 2004, a primary motivation behind lopsided voter approval of a $3-billion stem cell bond issue was that President George W. Bush banned federal funding for embryonic stem cell research on religious grounds. But President Obama removed the ban and President Trump never restored it.
Federal funding is available now for embryonic stem cell research. And private interests are kicking in lots more. So, is state money still needed?
“If we don’t continue the state funding, lots of facilities would have to close their doors,” says Kendall Klingler, the Proposition 14 spokeswoman.
These are top-of-the-line research facilities built with state bond money and partially supported with state funds.
“We have more than 90 stem cell trials underway,” she says.
The agency does have a record of some success: funding research that has led to treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration for blood and bone marrow cancers, for example.
But the agency failed to live up to its original hype.
It was aloof to Sacramento, and not subject to oversight by the Legislature and governor. There’s been a lack of transparency.
There was also an odor of interest conflicts among agency board members who seemed to steer grants toward their own institutions, even though they recused themselves from voting.
The new bonds would cost an estimated $260 million annually for 30 years. And the old bonds still won’t be paid off for many years.
The state currently has higher spending priorities.
Proposition 14 is a “no” for now. Maybe check back at the next election cycle.


latimes--2020-10-28--LAPD video shows officer applying tourniquet to man who blew off hand after Lakers win

An incident in which Los Angeles police officers helped save the life of a man who they said accidentally blew off part of his hands with a pyrotechnic device after the Lakers ’ NBA title victory earlier this month came into sharp focus Wednesday , when the LAPD published intense video from the scene .
The video — including body-camera footage — is largely from the viewpoint of an officer who applied a tourniquet to the man ’ s arm : Officer Christopher Gonzalez , a former Army Ranger , according to the LAPD .
“ What starts as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening of chaos , ” reads text at the start of the video , which the LAPD posted on Twitter .
The injuries suffered by the man , who was not identified , were first reported the day after the Lakers ’ win , which drew a huge crowd downtown .
The celebration devolved into clashes between members of the crowd , some of whom were throwing bottles at officers and damaging property , and police , who fired projectiles to clear the crowd — badly injuring several people .
Eight officers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — a couple for allegedly assaulting officers , the vast majority on suspicion of failing to disperse after the LAPD had declared the gathering unlawful .
LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the Police Commission last week that what had injured the man was a dangerous pyrotechnic — the likes of which had also been thrown at officers , he said .
Moore said the explosive “ blew off most of his hands.
” In the video the LAPD posted Wednesday , there is footage of a large crowd , of fireworks going off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the direction of officers on a skirmish line as an officer on a bullhorn says , “ Leave the area , ” and “ Go to your homes.
” More text comes on screen , saying Gonzalez began his shift “ prepared to face the violence and restore order , ” but then “ in the blink of an eye ” becomes “ the guardian we train our officers to be.
” The video comes one day after a second sports victory caused more unrest in the streets .
After the Dodgers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , crowds again gathered and police again used projectiles to clear the streets .
In an interview with KABC-TV Channel 7 , Moore described the night ’ s events as mayhem , and said that downtown store owners were calling on him to establish a curfew because they are tired of repeated damage to their businesses .
Moore asked community members to consider what has been happening in the streets — “ lawlessness , ” he said — and work against it .
The video shows Gonzalez and the other officers not as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as first responders , an image that police officials have complained has been lost in coverage of recent protests and other unrest .
In the video , Gonzalez takes off his gloves , hands a projectile launcher to another officer and appears to kneel at the side of the injured man .
The man ’ s hands are blurred in the footage , but it is clear that a large part of his left hand is missing .
Gonzalez lifts the man ’ s left arm and starts wrapping a tourniquet around it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he can ’ t feel his left arm , and complains of other pain .
There is then footage of Gonzalez discussing the man ’ s injuries with a paramedic .
“ Left hand is like ... gone , ” he says .
“ Bleeding from the right hand , I couldn ’ t find the source .
And then he has like a one-inch wound on his left groin that he ’ s holding a gauze on.
” The video then concludes with a quote : “ ‘ to protect and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s who we are .
”

An LAPD officer applies a tourniquet to a man who lost part of his hand when a firework exploded in it after the Lakers’ recent NBA title victory.
An incident in which Los Angeles police officers helped save the life of a man who they said accidentally blew off part of his hands with a pyrotechnic device after the Lakers’ NBA title victory earlier this month came into sharp focus Wednesday, when the LAPD published intense video from the scene.
The video — including body-camera footage — is largely from the viewpoint of an officer who applied a tourniquet to the man’s arm: Officer Christopher Gonzalez, a former Army Ranger, according to the LAPD.
“What starts as a night to celebrate champions ... becomes an evening of chaos,” reads text at the start of the video, which the LAPD posted on Twitter.
The injuries suffered by the man, who was not identified, were first reported the day after the Lakers’ win, which drew a huge crowd downtown. The celebration devolved into clashes between members of the crowd, some of whom were throwing bottles at officers and damaging property, and police, who fired projectiles to clear the crowd — badly injuring several people.
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Eight officers were injured, and 76 people were arrested — a couple for allegedly assaulting officers, the vast majority on suspicion of failing to disperse after the LAPD had declared the gathering unlawful.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the Police Commission last week that what had injured the man was a dangerous pyrotechnic — the likes of which had also been thrown at officers, he said. Moore said the explosive “blew off most of his hands.”
In the video the LAPD posted Wednesday, there is footage of a large crowd, of fireworks going off and of a man throwing an item in the direction of officers on a skirmish line as an officer on a bullhorn says, “Leave the area,” and “Go to your homes.”
More text comes on screen, saying Gonzalez began his shift “prepared to face the violence and restore order,” but then “in the blink of an eye” becomes “the guardian we train our officers to be.”
The video comes one day after a second sports victory caused more unrest in the streets. After the Dodgers won the World Series on Tuesday night, crowds again gathered and police again used projectiles to clear the streets.
In an interview with KABC-TV Channel 7, Moore described the night’s events as mayhem, and said that downtown store owners were calling on him to establish a curfew because they are tired of repeated damage to their businesses.
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Moore asked community members to consider what has been happening in the streets — “lawlessness,” he said — and work against it.
The video shows Gonzalez and the other officers not as the aggressors at the scene, but as first responders, an image that police officials have complained has been lost in coverage of recent protests and other unrest.
In the video, Gonzalez takes off his gloves, hands a projectile launcher to another officer and appears to kneel at the side of the injured man.
The man’s hands are blurred in the footage, but it is clear that a large part of his left hand is missing. Gonzalez lifts the man’s left arm and starts wrapping a tourniquet around it near the elbow. The man screams that he can’t feel his left arm, and complains of other pain.
There is then footage of Gonzalez discussing the man’s injuries with a paramedic.
“Left hand is like ... gone,” he says. “Bleeding from the right hand, I couldn’t find the source. And then he has like a one-inch wound on his left groin that he’s holding a gauze on.”
The video then concludes with a quote: “‘to protect and serve’ ... more than a motto. It’s who we are.”


latimes--2020-10-28--Garcetti says new information led him to cut ties with aide accused of sexual harassment

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday that he personally asked his longtime advisor Rick Jacobs , who has been accused of sexual misconduct , to take a leave last week after learning of new allegations .
“ It was a mutual decision , but I did ask him to right now have us be separated from that , ” Garcetti said .
“ I think that has to happen.
” The mayor also reiterated that he had not witnessed inappropriate behavior on the part of Jacobs , his former deputy chief of staff and a confidant .
Questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when LAPD Officer Matthew Garza , alleging that Jacobs made crude remarks and touched him inappropriately .
That lawsuit alleges that Garcetti and mayoral staff saw Jacobs ’ behavior but didn ’ t do anything to stop it .
Journalist Yashar Ali that Jacobs repeatedly and forcibly kissed him .
Two men told The Times that Jacobs forcibly touched or tried to touch and kiss them — one in 2012 , the other in 2019 .
A spokesman for the mayor said the newly surfaced accusations prompted him to cut ties with Jacobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be politically damaging to Garcetti , who is an advisor to the Joe Biden campaign and has been talked about as a potential Cabinet member if Biden is elected president .
The mayor was set to take part in a Biden campaign event last week , a conversation with Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright , but dropped out .
He has done several events for the Biden campaign since , however .
Jacobs said in an emailed statement last week that he had dedicated himself to advocacy and public service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a leave ” from his work amid increasing questions about the allegations .
Jacobs served as a board member and treasurer of the Mayor ’ s Fund for Los Angeles and headed a nonprofit he founded with Garcetti that ’ s focused on economic development .
Garcetti was forced twice this week to address the Jacobs situation when asked during public events .
On Monday , he told reporters : “ Given these new allegations , I reached out and he does not represent me , and we are not working together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from all of his both political and his nonprofit work , as well .
And he does not represent me.
” Garcetti was also asked Monday what message he has for his staff , who could be called to testify in the Garza case .
Garza ’ s lawsuit says that aides working for the mayor witnessed the alleged harassment and apologized to the police officer about Jacobs ’ behavior .
In June , a month before Garza filed the lawsuit , he outlined his sexual harassment allegations in more detail in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at preserving his right to sue .
That complaint , which was reviewed by The Times last week , says that Garcetti spoke with First Lady Amy Wakeland about Jacobs ’ behavior .
That detail isn ’ t included in the civil lawsuit in July .
The name of the individual Garza said harassed him is redacted in the complaint , but the details match those found in the lawsuit filed in L.A. County Superior Court .
The complaint says Garza was subject to inappropriate comments in the mayor ’ s presence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his wife that [ Jacobs ’ ] behavior would one day be held to account , ” the complaint says .
Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar said last week the mayor didn ’ t witness any harassment .
Jacobs has called Garza ’ s lawsuit “ pure fiction.
” He hasn ’ t responded to The Times ’ questions about the three other men ’ s allegations .

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti addresses delegates on the final night of the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday that he personally asked his longtime advisor Rick Jacobs, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, to take a leave last week after learning of new allegations.
“It was a mutual decision, but I did ask him to right now have us be separated from that,” Garcetti said. “I think that has to happen.”
The mayor also reiterated that he had not witnessed inappropriate behavior on the part of Jacobs, his former deputy chief of staff and a confidant.
“No, absolutely and categorically no,” Garcetti said.
Questions about Jacobs’ behavior began this summer when LAPD Officer Matthew Garza sued the city , alleging that Jacobs made crude remarks and touched him inappropriately. That lawsuit alleges that Garcetti and mayoral staff saw Jacobs’ behavior but didn’t do anything to stop it.
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Jacobs has denied any wrongdoing.
Journalist Yashar Ali alleged last week that Jacobs repeatedly and forcibly kissed him. Two men told The Times that Jacobs forcibly touched or tried to touch and kiss them — one in 2012, the other in 2019.
A spokesman for the mayor said the newly surfaced accusations prompted him to cut ties with Jacobs.
The allegations have the potential to be politically damaging to Garcetti, who is an advisor to the Joe Biden campaign and has been talked about as a potential Cabinet member if Biden is elected president.
The mayor was set to take part in a Biden campaign event last week, a conversation with Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright, but dropped out. He has done several events for the Biden campaign since, however.
Jacobs said in an emailed statement last week that he had dedicated himself to advocacy and public service for 17 years and would “take a leave” from his work amid increasing questions about the allegations.
Jacobs served as a board member and treasurer of the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles and headed a nonprofit he founded with Garcetti that’s focused on economic development.
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Garcetti was forced twice this week to address the Jacobs situation when asked during public events.
On Monday, he told reporters: “Given these new allegations, I reached out and he does not represent me, and we are not working together. He has stepped back, I understand, from all of his both political and his nonprofit work, as well. And he does not represent me.”
Garcetti was also asked Monday what message he has for his staff, who could be called to testify in the Garza case. Garza’s lawsuit says that aides working for the mayor witnessed the alleged harassment and apologized to the police officer about Jacobs’ behavior.
“Tell the truth, always,” Garcetti replied.
In June, a month before Garza filed the lawsuit, he outlined his sexual harassment allegations in more detail in a three-page complaint to state authorities aimed at preserving his right to sue. That complaint, which was reviewed by The Times last week, says that Garcetti spoke with First Lady Amy Wakeland about Jacobs’ behavior. That detail isn’t included in the civil lawsuit in July.
The name of the individual Garza said harassed him is redacted in the complaint, but the details match those found in the lawsuit filed in L.A. County Superior Court. The complaint says Garza was subject to inappropriate comments in the mayor’s presence.
“In fact, Garcetti has discussed with his wife that [Jacobs’] behavior would one day be held to account,” the complaint says.
Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar said last week the mayor didn’t witness any harassment.
Jacobs has called Garza’s lawsuit “pure fiction.” He hasn’t responded to The Times’ questions about the three other men’s allegations.


latimes--2020-10-28--Hollywood producer David Guillod arrested in new L.A. rape case

Hollywood producer David Guillod was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault at his Sherman Oaks home Wednesday , just four months after he was charged with multiple counts of rape and kidnapping in Santa Barbara , sources said .
On Oct. 21 , 2020 , a woman reported being sexually assaulted by Guillod during an evening meeting , the LAPD said in a news release Wednesday night .
After a search of his home , detectives took Guillod into custody without incident and booked him at the Los Angeles Police Metropolitan Detention Center , where he remains held on $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrendered to authorities in Santa Barbara in June and was charged with rape , kidnap to commit rape and rape of a drugged victim in connection with four alleged attacks that occurred between 2012 and 2015 .
Guillod ’ s defense attorney , Phillip Cohen , confirmed his client had been arrested but could not offer further details .
Guillod is now charged with 15 sex crimes in Santa Barbara County Superior Court with accusations from 2012 to 2018 .
Earlier this month he was charged with three counts of rape and sodomy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to court records .
He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges .
The producer of the movies “ Atomic Blonde ” and Netflix ’ s “ Extraction , ” Guillod ran the talent agency Primary Wave Entertainment until 2017 , when actress Jessica Barth accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting her five years earlier .
Barth first reported the alleged assault to the LAPD and is now one of the four victims whose cases are being pursued by Santa Barbara County prosecutors .
Guillod is also accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wine country retreat in December 2014 , and committing similar attacks in early 2015 , officials have said .
While the alleged attacks took place in Santa Barbara and L.A. County , prosecutors in Santa Barbara are trying the prior cases against Guillod because the charges were consolidated around the 2014 assault case in their jurisdiction .

Producer David Guillod was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault Wednesday, months after surrendering to Santa Barbara authorities in connection with a slate of rape allegations stretching back to 2012.
Hollywood producer David Guillod was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault at his Sherman Oaks home Wednesday, just four months after he was charged with multiple counts of rape and kidnapping in Santa Barbara, sources said.
On Oct. 21, 2020, a woman reported being sexually assaulted by Guillod during an evening meeting, the LAPD said in a news release Wednesday night. After a search of his home, detectives took Guillod into custody without incident and booked him at the Los Angeles Police Metropolitan Detention Center, where he remains held on $5-million bail.
Guillod, 53, surrendered to authorities in Santa Barbara in June and was charged with rape, kidnap to commit rape and rape of a drugged victim in connection with four alleged attacks that occurred between 2012 and 2015.
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Guillod’s defense attorney, Phillip Cohen, confirmed his client had been arrested but could not offer further details.
Guillod is now charged with 15 sex crimes in Santa Barbara County Superior Court with accusations from 2012 to 2018. Earlier this month he was charged with three counts of rape and sodomy related to an alleged October 2018 attack, according to court records.
He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The producer of the movies “Atomic Blonde” and Netflix’s “Extraction,” Guillod ran the talent agency Primary Wave Entertainment until 2017, when actress Jessica Barth accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting her five years earlier.
Barth first reported the alleged assault to the LAPD and is now one of the four victims whose cases are being pursued by Santa Barbara County prosecutors. Guillod is also accused of drugging and sexually assaulting an employee during a wine country retreat in December 2014, and committing similar attacks in early 2015, officials have said.
While the alleged attacks took place in Santa Barbara and L.A. County, prosecutors in Santa Barbara are trying the prior cases against Guillod because the charges were consolidated around the 2014 assault case in their jurisdiction.


latimes--2020-10-28--Most evacuations lifted as firefighters gain control over Orange County blazes

Two wind-driven fires that forced nearly 100,000 people to evacuate in Orange County continued to burn Wednesday , raining smoke and ash on many parts of Southern California .
The fierce Santa Ana winds that fueled the blazes eased significantly Tuesday , and firefighters were starting to gain the upper hand after two days of pitched battle defending subdivisions from Yorba Linda to Lake Forest .
Together , the Silverado and Blue Ridge fires have consumed more than 27,000 acres , but destruction to property has been relatively light .
Officials initially said 10 homes were damaged in the Yorba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eight .
All of the massive evacuations in Irvine have been lifted , and by late Wednesday afternoon all evacuations were lifted in Yorba Linda .
Evacuation orders for several canyon areas and parts of Lake Forest were still in place for the Silverado fire .
On Wednesday morning , crews were optimistic as containment expanded to 16 % on the Blue Ridge fire and 25 % on the Silverado fire , said Capt .
Jason Fairchild of the Orange County Fire Authority .
Fairchild attributed the gains to improvements in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winds .
“ We had very favorable weather overnight , and we were able to get a lot more crews out and around the fire , ” Fairchild said .
“ It ’ s going to be a good day for us , I think.
” Still of concern are two gravely injured firefighters , ages 26 and 31 , who were placed on ventilators after suffering second- and third-degree burns over half their bodies while battling the blazes .
They remain in critical condition , Fairchild said .
Orange County residents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,300 firefighters hustle to keep control of the flames .
“ It ’ s a risk whenever you move near these hills , ” said Mission Viejo resident Marc Church .
Church , 63 , moved to the area only a year and a half ago because his wife wanted to be closer to the hills .
As he joined other passersby surveying the canyon where patches of charred black peeked through brown haze Tuesday , he said they feared the wind could carry burning embers that would ignite their backyard .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of important documents — car titles , birth certificates , bank information — and spent the morning gathering other necessities , including clothes , computers and chargers .
They took shifts sleeping and keeping watch overnight , he said , awakening to voluntary evacuations and the sound of helicopters circling .
“ We didn ’ t get a lot of sleep , ” Church said .
“ If we have to go , we ’ ll have to go.
” Even people who live far from the flames felt the effects of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topping 90 mph Monday .
Winds coating the ground from the Bobcat fire earlier this month back into the skies , choking Southern California with air so bad it ranked worst in the nation .
The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended its advisory through Wednesday , citing “ substantial amounts of smoke.
” “ Smoke impacts in the South Coast Air Basin will likely continue until fire activity decreases for the Blue Ridge and Silverado Fires , ” the advisory said .
And the battle is far from over : Fairchild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mountain range , the smoke from each blaze can be seen from the other .
“ We ’ re supposed to get some light winds today , and in the wrong circumstances , light winds can still push fire pretty good , ” he said .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Tuesday said California had received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency allowing 75 % reimbursements for fighting the Silverado and Blue Ridge fires .
California is experiencing its worst fire season on record , with the Orange County fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We talk in historic terms , ” Newsom said , “ and I remind you that six of the top 20 wildfires in our state ’ s history have occurred in 2020.
” More than 4 million acres have burned this year , and wildfires across the state have resulted in at least 30 fatalities , he said .

Two wind-driven fires that forced nearly 100,000 people to evacuate in Orange County continued to burn Wednesday, raining smoke and ash on many parts of Southern California.
The fierce Santa Ana winds that fueled the blazes eased significantly Tuesday, and firefighters were starting to gain the upper hand after two days of pitched battle defending subdivisions from Yorba Linda to Lake Forest.
Together, the Silverado and Blue Ridge fires have consumed more than 27,000 acres, but destruction to property has been relatively light. Officials initially said 10 homes were damaged in the Yorba Linda area but later downgraded that number to eight.
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All of the massive evacuations in Irvine have been lifted, and by late Wednesday afternoon all evacuations were lifted in Yorba Linda. Evacuation orders for several canyon areas and parts of Lake Forest were still in place for the Silverado fire.
On Wednesday morning, crews were optimistic as containment expanded to 16% on the Blue Ridge fire and 25% on the Silverado fire, said Capt. Jason Fairchild of the Orange County Fire Authority.
Fairchild attributed the gains to improvements in the weather, including increased humidity and slowing winds.
“We had very favorable weather overnight, and we were able to get a lot more crews out and around the fire,” Fairchild said. “It’s going to be a good day for us, I think.”
Still of concern are two gravely injured firefighters, ages 26 and 31, who were placed on ventilators after suffering second- and third-degree burns over half their bodies while battling the blazes. They remain in critical condition, Fairchild said.
Orange County residents, too, are on edge as more than 1,300 firefighters hustle to keep control of the flames.
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“It’s a risk whenever you move near these hills,” said Mission Viejo resident Marc Church.
Church, 63, moved to the area only a year and a half ago because his wife wanted to be closer to the hills. As he joined other passersby surveying the canyon where patches of charred black peeked through brown haze Tuesday, he said they feared the wind could carry burning embers that would ignite their backyard.
The family had packed a few boxes of important documents — car titles, birth certificates, bank information — and spent the morning gathering other necessities, including clothes, computers and chargers. They took shifts sleeping and keeping watch overnight, he said, awakening to voluntary evacuations and the sound of helicopters circling.
“We didn’t get a lot of sleep,” Church said. “If we have to go, we’ll have to go.”
Even people who live far from the flames felt the effects of the Santa Ana windstorm, which saw gusts topping 90 mph Monday.
Winds stirred ash and soot coating the ground from the Bobcat fire earlier this month back into the skies, choking Southern California with air so bad it ranked worst in the nation.
Residents watch the Blue Ridge fire from Vellano Club Drive on Tuesday in Chino Hills. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended its advisory through Wednesday, citing “substantial amounts of smoke.”
“Smoke impacts in the South Coast Air Basin will likely continue until fire activity decreases for the Blue Ridge and Silverado Fires,” the advisory said.
And the battle is far from over: Fairchild said although the fires are separated by a mountain range, the smoke from each blaze can be seen from the other.
“We’re supposed to get some light winds today, and in the wrong circumstances, light winds can still push fire pretty good,” he said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday said California had received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency allowing 75% reimbursements for fighting the Silverado and Blue Ridge fires.
California is experiencing its worst fire season on record, with the Orange County fires much smaller than many other blazes.
“We talk in historic terms,” Newsom said, “and I remind you that six of the top 20 wildfires in our state’s history have occurred in 2020.”
More than 4 million acres have burned this year, and wildfires across the state have resulted in at least 30 fatalities, he said.
Herman Termeer watches the Blue Ridge fire burn Tuesday inside Chino Hills State Park from the roof of his home. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
Times staff writer Joseph Serna contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-10-29--New coronavirus spike in L.A. County brings new alarms

There were new alarming signs that COVID-19 was spreading again in Los Angeles County , with officials announcing the highest one-day increase in cases not connected to a reporting backlog since August .
The county reported 1,745 new cases Thursday as well as 19 new deaths .
It ’ s the latest evidence that after declining for several months , the novel coronavirus may be on the rise again in L.A. County and other parts of Southern California .
If the region does see another spike like the one it experienced during the summer , it would threaten efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern California has fallen behind the Bay Area when it comes to slowing the infection rate , allowing places such as San Francisco and Silicon Valley to reopen more quickly .
“ The high numbers of daily cases are very concerning because , as we have seen in the past , increases in cases lead to increases in hospitalizations and deaths , ” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement .
“ These increases impede our ability to move forward with reopening additional sectors and getting more children back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that COVID-19 is spreading from social gatherings tied to championship victories by the Lakers and Dodgers .
There are also concerns about more potential infections with Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti urged anyone who gathered to celebrate the teams ’ championships to get tested for COVID-19 .
“ For those who went to the streets to celebrate … and were around strangers in an unsafe environment , please get tested and stay isolated for 14 days per the county ’ s Department of Public Health advice , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the won the World Series — despite pleadings from health officials to stay home .
Officials had urged Dodgers fans to avoid crowds and practice social distancing while cheering on the hometown team and when celebrating their win .
have blamed gatherings related to the Lakers ’ and Dodgers ’ championship season for spreading the virus and preventing the county from reopening more quickly .
In four Southern California counties — Imperial , San Bernardino , Riverside and Los Angeles — the average number of new daily infections per 100,000 residents over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide , according to .
Compared to the previous week , new cases in Los Angeles County jumped from an average of 63.4 for every 100,000 residents to 111.3 .
The average case rate climbed from 77.5 to 140.3 in San Bernardino and from 94.4 to 111.5 in Riverside , while in Imperial new cases soared from an average of 141.5 per 100,000 residents to 225.8 .
“ We are seeing increased disease in the community , ” Riverside County Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari told the county Board of Supervisors this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other areas of the country are seeing , and we are fortunate that we ’ re not seeing it to the level that many others are .
”

LAPD officers on horseback move in to disperse the crowds in downtown Los Angeles after the Dodgers win the World Series.
There were new alarming signs that COVID-19 was spreading again in Los Angeles County, with officials announcing the highest one-day increase in cases not connected to a reporting backlog since August.
The county reported 1,745 new cases Thursday as well as 19 new deaths. It’s the latest evidence that after declining for several months, the novel coronavirus may be on the rise again in L.A. County and other parts of Southern California.
If the region does see another spike like the one it experienced during the summer, it would threaten efforts to reopen schools and businesses. Already, Southern California has fallen behind the Bay Area when it comes to slowing the infection rate, allowing places such as San Francisco and Silicon Valley to reopen more quickly.
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“The high numbers of daily cases are very concerning because, as we have seen in the past, increases in cases lead to increases in hospitalizations and deaths,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. “These increases impede our ability to move forward with reopening additional sectors and getting more children back to school.”
Officials have expressed concerns that COVID-19 is spreading from social gatherings tied to championship victories by the Lakers and Dodgers. There are also concerns about more potential infections with Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti urged anyone who gathered to celebrate the teams’ championships to get tested for COVID-19.
“For those who went to the streets to celebrate … and were around strangers in an unsafe environment, please get tested and stay isolated for 14 days per the county’s Department of Public Health advice,” he said Wednesday.
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Thousands took to the streets Tuesday after the Dodgers won the World Series — despite pleadings from health officials to stay home.
Officials had urged Dodgers fans to avoid crowds and practice social distancing while cheering on the hometown team and when celebrating their win. L.A. County health authorities have blamed gatherings related to the Lakers’ and Dodgers’ championship season for spreading the virus and preventing the county from reopening more quickly.
In four Southern California counties — Imperial, San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles — the average number of new daily infections per 100,000 residents over the past week ranked among the top five statewide, according to The Times’ coronavirus tracker .
Compared to the previous week, new cases in Los Angeles County jumped from an average of 63.4 for every 100,000 residents to 111.3. The average case rate climbed from 77.5 to 140.3 in San Bernardino and from 94.4 to 111.5 in Riverside, while in Imperial new cases soared from an average of 141.5 per 100,000 residents to 225.8.
“We are seeing increased disease in the community,” Riverside County Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari told the county Board of Supervisors this week. “This is consistent with what other areas of the country are seeing, and we are fortunate that we’re not seeing it to the level that many others are.”
The coronavirus has devastated the local economy, with businesses begging to reopen. A rapidly reopening of the California economy this summer led to major spikes in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The state instituted more restrictive rules and the cases fell this fall.
There is widespread hope that a vaccine could bring major changes. But experts said that will take time.
It may be 2022 before a coronavirus-weary world begins to feel a greater sense of normality, says the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
If the U.S. can get a substantial proportion of residents vaccinated by about mid-2021, “I think it will be easily by the end of 2021 — and perhaps even into the next year — before we start having some semblance of normality,” Fauci said in candid comments during an online discussion hosted by an Australian university this week.
As a result, it may not be possible to achieve some longed-for hallmarks of normalcy without risking a super-spreading event, one in which a large number of people are infected, Fauci told the University of Melbourne.
Restaurants may not be able to return to full capacity, and professional sports venues may not be able to allow spectators until late 2021 or early 2022, he said.
Fauci said he could envision people, in masks, returning to theaters at a reduced capacity in mid-2021. But returning to maximum capacity in theaters without requiring masks probably won’t occur until “well over a year” from now.
Our sense of what’s normal may also change, Fauci said. He said he believed wearing masks would continue to be common, as it has been in many parts of Asia for decades preceding this COVID-19 pandemic.
A number of experts, including Fauci, are increasingly talking about the need for some type of mask mandate that’s national in scope.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who served as the head of the Food and Drug Administration under the Trump administration until 2019, says it’s time for a “limited and temporary national mask mandate,” as he wrote in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal . Fauci has told CNN that “if people are not wearing masks, then maybe we should be mandating it.”
Apart from a vaccine, Fauci said in his talk with the University of Melbourne, what will be really important in dealing with the coronavirus in the long run will be developing antiviral drugs that can be used to treat those who test positive for the virus.
He said development of antiviral drugs that allow doctors to “only have to treat [patients] literally for a few days” could “take away the fear and dread of this particular disease.”
There are still some unknowns about the effects of COVID-19.
Scientists still don’t know, Fauci said, how durable immunity is among people who have survived an infection, and whether people can be reinfected by this coronavirus repeatedly, as can occur with common cold viruses.
If people lose immunity fairly quickly after recovering from a coronavirus infection, “we’re going to have a very difficult time over the next few years.”


latimes--2020-10-29--LAPD investigating double fatal shooting at Dodgers celebration in Sylmar

Two people were fatally shot during an outdoor celebration in Sylmar after the Dodgers ’ World Series win Tuesday night , spurring calls from Los Angeles police for the public ’ s help in identifying suspects .
One victim was a man .
An LAPD spokesman said the second victim was also male , but that he did not know his age as of Thursday .
Neither was publicly identified , pending notification of their families .
According to the LAPD , the shooting occurred shortly before midnight Tuesday , at a time when 30 to 40 people were gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glenoaks Boulevard to celebrate the Dodgers ’ victory over the Tamp Bay Rays .
A preliminary investigation by detectives determined that drivers were doing doughnuts in the street when two individuals approached and smashed out the windows of one of the vehicles with baseball bats before fleeing north along Glenoaks .
They were followed by “ several members of the crowd and the vandalized vehicle , ” police said .
“ Gunshots rang out and two victims were struck by the gunfire.
” Police said it was not clear if the individuals who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smashed the vehicle with the bats .
They were not occupants of the vehicle .
Both victims were taken to a hospital , where they were pronounced dead .
Their deaths add to a surge in homicides this year in L.A. , which is on pace to see more than 300 killings for the first time since 2009 .
Anyone with information about the incident , including any video or pictures , is asked to call the Valley Bureau ’ s homicide detectives at ( 818 ) 374-9550 during business hours or 1-877-LAPD-24-7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anonymous tips can be provided to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS .

LAPD are seeking information in the fatal shooting of two people at a Dodgers celebration Tuesday night in Sylmar.
Two people were fatally shot during an outdoor celebration in Sylmar after the Dodgers’ World Series win Tuesday night, spurring calls from Los Angeles police for the public’s help in identifying suspects.
One victim was a man. An LAPD spokesman said the second victim was also male, but that he did not know his age as of Thursday. Neither was publicly identified, pending notification of their families.
According to the LAPD, the shooting occurred shortly before midnight Tuesday, at a time when 30 to 40 people were gathered near the intersection of Polk Street and Glenoaks Boulevard to celebrate the Dodgers’ victory over the Tamp Bay Rays.
A preliminary investigation by detectives determined that drivers were doing doughnuts in the street when two individuals approached and smashed out the windows of one of the vehicles with baseball bats before fleeing north along Glenoaks.
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They were followed by “several members of the crowd and the vandalized vehicle,” police said. “Gunshots rang out and two victims were struck by the gunfire.”
Police said it was not clear if the individuals who were shot were the people who had smashed the vehicle with the bats. They were not occupants of the vehicle.
Both victims were taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Their deaths add to a surge in homicides this year in L.A., which is on pace to see more than 300 killings for the first time since 2009.
Anyone with information about the incident, including any video or pictures, is asked to call the Valley Bureau’s homicide detectives at (818) 374-9550 during business hours or 1-877-LAPD-24-7 after hours or on the weekend. Anonymous tips can be provided to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.


latimes--2020-10-29--Firefighter appears to have been 'burned over' by El Dorado fire, Forest Service says

More information has been revealed about the death of Charles Morton , the Big Bear hotshot firefighter who died battling the El Dorado fire in San Bernardino County .
Morton , 39 , died Sept. 17 while conducting fire suppression efforts , according to an incident report filed by the U.S. Forest Service .
“ It appears he was burned over by the fire and passed away , ” the report said .
The San Bernardino County coroner ’ s office confirmed that the burns were Morton ’ s official cause of death .
Morton was a squad boss on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ composed of highly skilled and specially trained firefighters who are assigned to work the most challenging and remote portions of fires .
More than 1,000 people watched Morton ’ s livestreamed funeral service in September , during which the 14-year Forest Service veteran was remembered as hardworking , funny and devoted .
“ He chose to protect his mountain .
He chose to protect his crew .
He chose to protect his community .
He chose to protect all of us here today , ” Morton ’ s fiancee , Monica Tapia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dorado fire was sparked Sept. 5 by a pyrotechnic device from a gender-reveal party at a park in Yucaipa .
It burned through more than 22,700 acres and is still not 100 % contained , according to the Forest Service .
The incident report about Morton ’ s death , first reported by the Orange County Register , is preliminary , said Zach Behrens , a spokesman for the Forest Service in San Bernardino .
It could take a year or more for the final report to be released .
This year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and civilians alike .
More than 30 people have been killed by blazes across the state in 2020 , including three firefighters .
Five firefighters were injured this week battling the Silverado fire in Orange County , said Michelle Steel , chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors .
Three were treated for minor injuries , and two remain in critical condition at the Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana .
A member of Morton ’ s hotshot crew team , Carlos Baltazar , 35 , was also reported missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has still not been found , Behrens said .
Baltazar was off duty at the time of his disappearance , and his backpack was found 75 yards from his abandoned vehicle .
His family said he was distressed over Morton ’ s death .
Officials are asking anyone with information about Baltazar to contact the San Bernardino Sheriff ’ s Department at ( 760 ) 956-5001 .

Charles Morton, a Big Bear Interagency Hotshot firefighter, died while engaged in fire suppression operations on the El Dorado fire.
More information has been revealed about the death of Charles Morton, the Big Bear hotshot firefighter who died battling the El Dorado fire in San Bernardino County.
Morton, 39, died Sept. 17 while conducting fire suppression efforts, according to an incident report filed by the U.S. Forest Service.
“It appears he was burned over by the fire and passed away,” the report said.
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The San Bernardino County coroner’s office confirmed that the burns were Morton’s official cause of death.
Morton was a squad boss on the interagency hotshot crew, which is composed of highly skilled and specially trained firefighters who are assigned to work the most challenging and remote portions of fires.
More than 1,000 people watched Morton’s livestreamed funeral service in September, during which the 14-year Forest Service veteran was remembered as hardworking, funny and devoted.
“He chose to protect his mountain. He chose to protect his crew. He chose to protect his community. He chose to protect all of us here today,” Morton’s fiancee, Monica Tapia, said during the service.
The El Dorado fire was sparked Sept. 5 by a pyrotechnic device from a gender-reveal party at a park in Yucaipa. It burned through more than 22,700 acres and is still not 100% contained, according to the Forest Service.
The incident report about Morton’s death, first reported by the Orange County Register, is preliminary, said Zach Behrens, a spokesman for the Forest Service in San Bernardino. It could take a year or more for the final report to be released.
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This year’s wildfires have proved deadly for firefighters and civilians alike. More than 30 people have been killed by blazes across the state in 2020, including three firefighters.
Five firefighters were injured this week battling the Silverado fire in Orange County, said Michelle Steel, chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Three were treated for minor injuries, and two remain in critical condition at the Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana.
A member of Morton’s hotshot crew team, Carlos Baltazar, 35, was also reported missing a week after Morton’s death. He has still not been found, Behrens said.
Baltazar was off duty at the time of his disappearance, and his backpack was found 75 yards from his abandoned vehicle. His family said he was distressed over Morton’s death.
Officials are asking anyone with information about Baltazar to contact the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department at (760) 956-5001.


latimes--2020-10-29--Mayor and LAPD chief assure voters that L.A. is election-ready and voting is safe

Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore say the city is prepared for next week ’ s election — come what may — and that Angelenos should feel confident that the polls are safe .
“ I don ’ t want to buy into a narrative that there ’ s going to be chaos during our election , ” Garcetti said Wednesday .
He said there is “ no intelligence ” suggesting any sort of plot to carry out violence or voter intimidation at L.A. polls , but the city is “ very prepared ” to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We prepare for the worst , but we are hoping and expect generally the best , ” he said .
He said there are restrictions on police staging at election sites — “ that ’ s not the sort of country we live in , ” he said — but that the LAPD will be “ available to protect our rights when we need them , should anybody through violence or other means try to take that away.
” His comments echoed those of Moore during two consecutive virtual meetings of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s meeting Tuesday , Moore told commissioners that polls in L.A. are safe and encouraged Angelenos to vote .
“ I ’ m happy to say that Los Angeles polls are safe and they ’ re operating smoothly , ” Moore said , noting that more people in the city have mailed in their ballots than has been the case in past years .
Garcetti and Moore ’ s emphasis on safety at the polls fall against a backdrop of national concerns about intimidation or unrest around an extremely contentious national election for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary levels of voter activism and engagement .
It also comes after a summer of unrest in the city amid protests against police brutality and two consecutive sports celebrations — after the Lakers ’ NBA title victory and the Dodgers ’ World Series win — that escalated into violence and clashes between revelers and police this month .
Some jurisdictions — including neighboring Beverly Hills — have expressed concerns about the election sparking more unrest .
Beverly Hills announced it was closing its famed Rodeo Drive shopping corridor , advising store owners to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some 80 independent armed security officials to supplement the city ’ s police force .
Garcetti and Moore have each struck a more optimistic tone , while also stressing that preparations are in place for widespread unrest if it comes to that in L.A. — either on election day , which is Tuesday , or in the days that follow if there isn ’ t a clear winner or if people decide to gather in large numbers to protest or celebrate the result .
Moore told the commission Tuesday that he is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and elected officials in the county about polling locations and their safety , including the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department , and that will continue through next week .
Moore said LAPD officers are all dressing in full uniform for the foreseeable future , to bolster the visible police presence around the city .
If disturbances at polling locations or violent or destructive gatherings elsewhere in the city should arise , the department “ will have resources ready and we ’ ll take immediate action to restore order , ” Moore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged by elected officials and those running for office who have “ expressed in a full-throated fashion that there is no place for violence as we go forward in this election process.
” The conversation built on another one between Moore and the commission the previous week , when Commissioner Steve Soboroff asked several blunt questions about the elections .
“ Is it safe in Los Angeles for people to go to their polls and vote ?
Are they going to be met with these self-imposed monitors who walk around with guns and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Soboroff also asked how Moore intended to keep the city safe if the results of the election are not immediately known , or if large numbers of people want to protest in the streets over the result .
“ Are we safe during this period ?
” Soboroff asked .
Moore said there are laws in California against armed militias showing up at polling places , as well as other forms of politicking , and those laws will be enforced .
LAPD personnel have been “ briefed up ” on such rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no temperament for any intimidation , ” he said .
Moore said staffing has been boosted and staggered such that the department will have significant numbers of officers on duty well into election night and beyond , both to facilitate peaceful protests and shut down intimidation , violence or destruction .
“ I ’ m hopeful for a relatively quick resolution , but if this were to stretch out , then of course as a department we ’ ll work with all of our local officials in communicating … and ensuring that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as is our primary responsibility , ” Moore said .

Clerk Cristina Madrid sanitizes polling booths after every use at an in-person early voting place at Azusa Women’s Club.
Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore say the city is prepared for next week’s election — come what may — and that Angelenos should feel confident that the polls are safe.
“I don’t want to buy into a narrative that there’s going to be chaos during our election,” Garcetti said Wednesday.
He said there is “no intelligence” suggesting any sort of plot to carry out violence or voter intimidation at L.A. polls, but the city is “very prepared” to protect voters who will be casting ballots.
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“We prepare for the worst, but we are hoping and expect generally the best,” he said.
He said there are restrictions on police staging at election sites — “that’s not the sort of country we live in,” he said — but that the LAPD will be “available to protect our rights when we need them, should anybody through violence or other means try to take that away.”
His comments echoed those of Moore during two consecutive virtual meetings of the Police Commission.
At this week’s meeting Tuesday, Moore told commissioners that polls in L.A. are safe and encouraged Angelenos to vote.
“I’m happy to say that Los Angeles polls are safe and they’re operating smoothly,” Moore said, noting that more people in the city have mailed in their ballots than has been the case in past years.
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Garcetti and Moore’s emphasis on safety at the polls fall against a backdrop of national concerns about intimidation or unrest around an extremely contentious national election for president. This election cycle has seen extraordinary levels of voter activism and engagement.
It also comes after a summer of unrest in the city amid protests against police brutality and two consecutive sports celebrations — after the Lakers’ NBA title victory and the Dodgers’ World Series win — that escalated into violence and clashes between revelers and police this month.
Some jurisdictions — including neighboring Beverly Hills — have expressed concerns about the election sparking more unrest. Beverly Hills announced it was closing its famed Rodeo Drive shopping corridor, advising store owners to board up their windows, and hiring some 80 independent armed security officials to supplement the city’s police force.
Garcetti and Moore have each struck a more optimistic tone, while also stressing that preparations are in place for widespread unrest if it comes to that in L.A. — either on election day, which is Tuesday, or in the days that follow if there isn’t a clear winner or if people decide to gather in large numbers to protest or celebrate the result.
Moore told the commission Tuesday that he is in regular communication with other law enforcement agencies and elected officials in the county about polling locations and their safety, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and that will continue through next week.
Moore said LAPD officers are all dressing in full uniform for the foreseeable future, to bolster the visible police presence around the city.
If disturbances at polling locations or violent or destructive gatherings elsewhere in the city should arise, the department “will have resources ready and we’ll take immediate action to restore order,” Moore said.
Moore said he has been encouraged by elected officials and those running for office who have “expressed in a full-throated fashion that there is no place for violence as we go forward in this election process.”
The conversation built on another one between Moore and the commission the previous week, when Commissioner Steve Soboroff asked several blunt questions about the elections.
“Is it safe in Los Angeles for people to go to their polls and vote? Are they going to be met with these self-imposed monitors who walk around with guns and things like that?” Soboroff asked.
Soboroff also asked how Moore intended to keep the city safe if the results of the election are not immediately known, or if large numbers of people want to protest in the streets over the result.
“Are we safe during this period?” Soboroff asked.
“We are safe,” said Moore.
Moore said there are laws in California against armed militias showing up at polling places, as well as other forms of politicking, and those laws will be enforced. LAPD personnel have been “briefed up” on such rules, he said.
“There’s no temperament for any intimidation,” he said.
Moore said staffing has been boosted and staggered such that the department will have significant numbers of officers on duty well into election night and beyond, both to facilitate peaceful protests and shut down intimidation, violence or destruction.
“I’m hopeful for a relatively quick resolution, but if this were to stretch out, then of course as a department we’ll work with all of our local officials in communicating … and ensuring that public safety continues in Los Angeles, as is our primary responsibility,” Moore said.


latimes--2020-10-29--CSUN names new president, Erika Beck, credited with raising graduation rates

Erika Beck , the president of Cal State Channel Islands , who is credited with dramatically increasing graduation rates and raising achievement among Latino students , has been named president of Cal State Northridge .
One of the system ’ s largest campuses , CSUN serves many low-income and first-generation college students as well as “ Dreamers , ” or undocumented students .
Beck , who will start her new job Jan. 11 , will immediately be confronted with the challenges of preserving student access and helping students maintain progress toward earning degrees amid the COVID-19 pandemic and remote instruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue through the end of the academic year .
The university must also contend with a significantly reduced budget in the face of state budget cuts .
These will not be unfamiliar to Beck .
“ There are very similar challenges that we see across the CSU , ” she said in an interview Thursday , citing the pandemic , virtual learning and racial injustice .
“ For me those challenges are really the heart of why we do what we do .
Public higher education is really the answer to so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these crises.
” Beck said she was proud of the work Channel Islands has done to help students remain connected to the university virtually during the pandemic , and she cited a 6-percentage-point increase this year in the share of first-time freshmen who continued on to a second year .
During her time at Cal State Channel Islands , the campus also saw its four-year graduation rate for first-time students reach an all-time high of 30.1 % , with students from historically underrepresented groups making significant progress to catch up to those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a short period of time , Dr. Beck has quickly steered CSUCI to unprecedented heights , ” Trustee Debra Farar , chair of the search committee , said in a statement .
“ Her extensive knowledge of the CSU and California ensures that she will build on the successful work of outgoing CSUN President Dianne Harrison.
” Harrison had announced her planned retirement in 2019 but agreed to stay on through the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Beck said her departure from Channel Islands — whose student population of 7,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 39,000 — was “ bittersweet , ” but she said she was thrilled to join Northridge .
“ CSUN is known far and wide … as one of the most significant facilitators of social mobility in the country , and [ it has ] a longstanding reputation for equitable and inclusive education , ” she said .
“ It ’ s an opportunity to help lead an institution whose values are completely aligned with mine.
” Prior to her appointment at CSU Channel Islands , Beck , who earned bachelor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of California San Diego , held various leadership positions at Nevada State College in Henderson , Nevada .
The CSU Board of Trustees also on Thursday appointed Cathy Sandeen as head of its East Bay campus .
Sandeen , who has a doctorate in communication , currently serves as chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage , and she will replace outgoing President Leroy Morishita , who also delayed his retirement this year .
Beck will earn an annual salary of $ 415,952 , and Sandeen will earn $ 389,238 .
Each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowance of $ 1,000 and a monthly housing allowance of $ 5,000 .
The two presidents ’ salaries represent 10 % increases over those of their predecessors — increases some trustees and members of the public said were not appropriate amid a global pandemic and economic recession .
“ We have not as a board adequately considered or reviewed what we are asking employees to accept on the campuses across the CSU system in terms of salary freezes and furloughs among our lowest-paid workers , ” Lt. Gov .
Eleni Kounalakis , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday at a meeting during which the trustees voted on the compensation .
Several others , including both student trustees , agreed .
“ I don ’ t think a 10 % increase in a global pandemic makes sense , ” student trustee Maryana Khames said .
“ Some of our valuable people who have been with us for a long time are being laid off .
Students are facing a basic-needs crisis.
” But other trustees spoke in favor of the salary increases , noting they are still below market rate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to analyze salary data .
Across the CSU about 300 employees , out of roughly 55,000 , have received layoff notices — including seven who work in parking at Northridge .
Trustee Jane Carney called the layoffs “ heartbreaking , ” though small in number .
But , she said , “ there is never a right time to raise the pay of a president .
I ’ ve very tired of feeling that I need to apologize to presidents , saying that it isn ’ t that we undervalue you even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Kounalakis proposed that the board return to closed session to consider alternate salaries .
Several board members agreed with her , but the motion ultimately failed , and the two compensation packages were approved .

Erika Beck, the president of Cal State Channel Islands, who is credited with dramatically increasing graduation rates and raising achievement among Latino students, has been named president of Cal State Northridge. One of the system’s largest campuses, CSUN serves many low-income and first-generation college students as well as “Dreamers,” or undocumented students.
Beck, who will start her new job Jan. 11, will immediately be confronted with the challenges of preserving student access and helping students maintain progress toward earning degrees amid the COVID-19 pandemic and remote instruction, which Cal State has said will continue through the end of the academic year. The university must also contend with a significantly reduced budget in the face of state budget cuts.
These will not be unfamiliar to Beck. “There are very similar challenges that we see across the CSU,” she said in an interview Thursday, citing the pandemic, virtual learning and racial injustice. “For me those challenges are really the heart of why we do what we do. Public higher education is really the answer to so much of what ails us with respect to these crises.”
Beck said she was proud of the work Channel Islands has done to help students remain connected to the university virtually during the pandemic, and she cited a 6-percentage-point increase this year in the share of first-time freshmen who continued on to a second year.
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During her time at Cal State Channel Islands, the campus also saw its four-year graduation rate for first-time students reach an all-time high of 30.1%, with students from historically underrepresented groups making significant progress to catch up to those who are not from such groups.
“In a short period of time, Dr. Beck has quickly steered CSUCI to unprecedented heights,” Trustee Debra Farar, chair of the search committee, said in a statement. “Her extensive knowledge of the CSU and California ensures that she will build on the successful work of outgoing CSUN President Dianne Harrison.”
Harrison had announced her planned retirement in 2019 but agreed to stay on through the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beck said her departure from Channel Islands — whose student population of 7,000 is just a fraction of CSUN’s 39,000 — was “bittersweet,” but she said she was thrilled to join Northridge.
“CSUN is known far and wide … as one of the most significant facilitators of social mobility in the country, and [it has] a longstanding reputation for equitable and inclusive education,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to help lead an institution whose values are completely aligned with mine.”
Prior to her appointment at CSU Channel Islands, Beck, who earned bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in psychology from the University of California San Diego, held various leadership positions at Nevada State College in Henderson, Nevada.
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The CSU Board of Trustees also on Thursday appointed Cathy Sandeen as head of its East Bay campus. Sandeen, who has a doctorate in communication, currently serves as chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage, and she will replace outgoing President Leroy Morishita, who also delayed his retirement this year.
Beck will earn an annual salary of $415,952, and Sandeen will earn $389,238. Each will also be granted a monthly auto allowance of $1,000 and a monthly housing allowance of $5,000.
The two presidents’ salaries represent 10% increases over those of their predecessors — increases some trustees and members of the public said were not appropriate amid a global pandemic and economic recession.
“We have not as a board adequately considered or reviewed what we are asking employees to accept on the campuses across the CSU system in terms of salary freezes and furloughs among our lowest-paid workers,” Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, an ex-oficio member of the board, said Thursday at a meeting during which the trustees voted on the compensation.
Several others, including both student trustees, agreed. “I don’t think a 10% increase in a global pandemic makes sense,” student trustee Maryana Khames said. “Some of our valuable people who have been with us for a long time are being laid off. Students are facing a basic-needs crisis.”
But other trustees spoke in favor of the salary increases, noting they are still below market rate, according to the models the CSU uses to analyze salary data.
Across the CSU about 300 employees, out of roughly 55,000, have received layoff notices — including seven who work in parking at Northridge. Trustee Jane Carney called the layoffs “heartbreaking,” though small in number. But, she said, “there is never a right time to raise the pay of a president. I’ve very tired of feeling that I need to apologize to presidents, saying that it isn’t that we undervalue you even though we don’t pay you enough.”
Kounalakis proposed that the board return to closed session to consider alternate salaries. Several board members agreed with her, but the motion ultimately failed, and the two compensation packages were approved.


latimes--2020-10-29--California auditors criticize $800,000 in state spending on contracts, millions for retirement bonus

California auditors criticize $800,000 in state spending on contracts, millions for retirement bonuses

California auditors investigating dozens of whistleblower complaints against state agencies have found more than $ 800,000 in inappropriate expenditures and millions of dollars more that the state will wastefully spend unless it takes corrective action , according to a report released Thursday .
The investigations during the first half of 2020 substantiated nine allegations involving several state agencies , including the California Department of Veterans Affairs , where a senior executive or his designee improperly approved 10 emergency contracts that totaled nearly $ 628,000 under circumstances that did not qualify as emergencies .
“ The most egregious example involved nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two employee housing units for administrators , ” the audit said .
The report did not identify those who approved and benefited from the renovations at the Yountville Veterans Home , but said the actions circumvented competitive bidding requirements aimed at saving taxpayer money .
In response to the auditor ’ s findings , the secretary of CalVet admonished two senior executives through written memoranda to abide by state contracting procedures .
California State Auditor Elaine Howle releases at least two reports each year on the findings of investigations into whistleblower complaints provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations for 34 cases and notified other agencies of concerning information regarding 89 cases so they could investigate the matters further .
“ Our investigations found wasteful and improper personnel decisions , improper contracting , a conflict of interest , misuse of state resources , and dishonesty , ” Howle wrote in a letter to Gov .
Gavin Newsom and the Legislature on Thursday .
The auditor ’ s report faulted the Department of State Hospitals for improperly providing 17 tele-psychiatrists with extra retirement benefits meant for workers who are exposed to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular and substantial contact with incarcerated patients .
The psychiatrists do not have regular , substantial , in‑person contact with patients , auditors said .
“ We estimate that this decision will result in millions of dollars in overpaid retirement benefits if left uncorrected , ” Howle ’ s report said .
The department agreed to take corrective action by asking the state personnel agency to determine whether tele-psychiatrists met the criteria for safety retirement benefits .
The department is awaiting a decision but says taking the benefits away may hamper recruitment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s report also said a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection had a conflict of interest because he participated in making a $ 100,000 contract with a construction company that employed his wife and was owned by his wife ’ s family .
Among other findings , auditors also found that six employees in a Caltrans maintenance office improperly used state vehicles to commute to and from work at a cost of $ 22,000 .
All of the state agencies have 60 days to report to Howle on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A man pushes a woman in a wheelchair past the Yountville Veterans Home in 2018. Spending on renovations for executive housing was criticized by the state auditor Thursday.
California auditors investigating dozens of whistleblower complaints against state agencies have found more than $800,000 in inappropriate expenditures and millions of dollars more that the state will wastefully spend unless it takes corrective action, according to a report released Thursday.
The investigations during the first half of 2020 substantiated nine allegations involving several state agencies, including the California Department of Veterans Affairs, where a senior executive or his designee improperly approved 10 emergency contracts that totaled nearly $628,000 under circumstances that did not qualify as emergencies.
“The most egregious example involved nearly $187,000 CalVet spent on renovations of two employee housing units for administrators,” the audit said.
The report did not identify those who approved and benefited from the renovations at the Yountville Veterans Home, but said the actions circumvented competitive bidding requirements aimed at saving taxpayer money. In response to the auditor’s findings, the secretary of CalVet admonished two senior executives through written memoranda to abide by state contracting procedures.
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California State Auditor Elaine Howle releases at least two reports each year on the findings of investigations into whistleblower complaints provided to her office.
Her office initiated investigations for 34 cases and notified other agencies of concerning information regarding 89 cases so they could investigate the matters further.
“Our investigations found wasteful and improper personnel decisions, improper contracting, a conflict of interest, misuse of state resources, and dishonesty,” Howle wrote in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature on Thursday.
The auditor’s report faulted the Department of State Hospitals for improperly providing 17 tele-psychiatrists with extra retirement benefits meant for workers who are exposed to a risk of physical injury because of their regular and substantial contact with incarcerated patients.
The psychiatrists do not have regular, substantial, in‑person contact with patients, auditors said.
“We estimate that this decision will result in millions of dollars in overpaid retirement benefits if left uncorrected,” Howle’s report said.
The department agreed to take corrective action by asking the state personnel agency to determine whether tele-psychiatrists met the criteria for safety retirement benefits. The department is awaiting a decision but says taking the benefits away may hamper recruitment, the report said.
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The auditor’s report also said a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection had a conflict of interest because he participated in making a $100,000 contract with a construction company that employed his wife and was owned by his wife’s family.
“The battalion chief’s superiors knowingly allowed the conflict to occur,” Howle wrote.
Among other findings, auditors also found that six employees in a Caltrans maintenance office improperly used state vehicles to commute to and from work at a cost of $22,000.
All of the state agencies have 60 days to report to Howle on any disciplinary and corrective actions they take.


latimes--2020-10-29--L.A. County sheriff's jailer charged with sexually assaulting female detainee in 2019

A Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s custody assistant has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a Lancaster jail cell last year , prosecutors revealed Thursday .
Daniel Everts , 25 , made a brief court appearance Thursday , pleading not guilty to three felonies — forcible oral copulation , oral copulation by the threat of arrest or to deport under color of authority and sexual activity with an adult confined in a detention facility .
Everts surrendered in court on a warrant related to the charges issued earlier this month .
He was initially arrested in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack .
Prosecutors allege Everts was working as a custody assistant at the sheriff ’ s Lancaster station when he allegedly forced the woman to perform a sex act on him on June 17 , 2019 .
A federal lawsuit filed by the woman against the county and the Sheriff ’ s Department alleges that after being pulled over for driving under the influence by the California Highway Patrol on June 16 , 2019 , she was booked into the Lancaster station jail early the next morning .
When she asked for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working near the cells , he allegedly told her , “ it is going to cost you , ” according to the lawsuit .
A few minutes later , Everts approached the woman and demanded she move to a specific location in the holding cell , the suit alleges .
He then made sexual demands of her and warned her that “ she could do more time in custody and remain in custody if she did not comply , ” according to the lawsuit filed in California ’ s Central District .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the woman “ was forced to comply with his demands , ” the suit stated .
At that point , Everts entered the cell , lowered his pants and forced her to perform oral sex , the suit stated .
The woman was released that day , according to the suit .
Everts was arrested on June 20 , 2019 .
The lawsuit seeks damages for severe psychological injuries .
The lawsuit alleges , without giving specifics , that “ Everts had sexually assaulted other female detainees at Lancaster Station since being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday that Everts remains under investigation by the Sheriff ’ s Department ’ s internal criminal investigations bureau .
He faces up to eight years in prison if convicted of both sex crimes and is scheduled to return to a downtown L.A. court on Nov. 12 .
He was released in lieu of $ 100,000 .
“ We initiated the investigation based on the victim coming forward to complain , ” said L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva .
“ Once completed , we got the D.A .
to file charges .
We hold @ @ @ @ @

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s custody assistant has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a Lancaster jail cell last year, prosecutors revealed Thursday.
Daniel Everts, 25, made a brief court appearance Thursday, pleading not guilty to three felonies — forcible oral copulation, oral copulation by the threat of arrest or to deport under color of authority and sexual activity with an adult confined in a detention facility.
Everts surrendered in court on a warrant related to the charges issued earlier this month. He was initially arrested in June 2019, just days after the alleged attack.
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Prosecutors allege Everts was working as a custody assistant at the sheriff’s Lancaster station when he allegedly forced the woman to perform a sex act on him on June 17, 2019.
A federal lawsuit filed by the woman against the county and the Sheriff’s Department alleges that after being
pulled over for driving under the influence by the California Highway Patrol on June 16, 2019, she was booked into the Lancaster station jail early the next morning. When she asked for a blanket from Everts, the only employee working near the cells, he allegedly told her, “it is going to cost you,” according to the lawsuit.
A few minutes later, Everts approached the woman and demanded she move to a specific location in the holding cell, the suit alleges. He then made sexual demands of her and warned her that “she could do more time in custody and remain in custody if she did not comply,” according to the lawsuit filed in California’s Central District.
“In fear and finding no choice,” the woman “was forced to comply with his demands,” the suit stated.
At that point, Everts entered the cell, lowered his pants and forced her to perform oral sex, the suit stated. The woman was released that day, according to the suit.
Everts was arrested on June 20, 2019. The lawsuit seeks damages for severe psychological injuries. The lawsuit alleges, without giving specifics, that “Everts had sexually assaulted other female detainees at Lancaster Station since being employed in 2015.”
Prosecutors said on Thursday that Everts remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department’s internal criminal investigations bureau. He faces up to eight years in prison if convicted of both sex crimes and is scheduled to return to a downtown L.A. court on Nov. 12. He was released in lieu of $100,000.
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“We initiated the investigation based on the victim coming forward to complain,” said L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva. “Once completed, we got the D.A. to file charges. We hold our own accountable.”


latimes--2020-10-29--North Complex fire claims its 16th victim, Berry Creek man who was burned 6 weeks ago

A 54-year-old Berry Creek man has become the latest victim of California ’ s deadly wildfire season .
Officials with the Butte County Sheriff ’ s Office announced the death of Win Naing in a news release Wednesday .
Naing died Oct. 21 after suffering burns in the North Complex West Zone fire .
He is the 16th victim of that blaze and at least the 31st person to die in a California wildfire this year .
Naing was injured Sept. 8 , when the fast-moving fire was consuming 2,000 acres an hour and forcing residents of Butte , Plumas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was able to drive himself from his home on Sandy Springs Lane to a nearby firefighter , who had him transported to Enloe Medical Center , officials said .
He was later transferred to UC Davis Medical Center , where he died last week after being placed into a medically induced coma .
The Sheriff ’ s Office expressed condolences to Naing ’ s family and friends , “ and to all the families who lost loved ones in this devastating fire.
” The North Complex is the wildfire in California history , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Fire Protection .
The 2018 Camp fire , also in Butte County , killed 85 people and is the state ’ s most deadly blaze .
Like Naing , most of the North Complex ’ s 15 other victims , who ranged in age from 16 to 79 , lived in Berry Creek , which was nearly .
Two victims hailed from nearby Feather Falls .
Nearly 9,000 fires have occurred this year , according to Cal Fire .
The historic wildfires have consumed more than 4.1 million acres in 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set in 2018 .
But the state isn ’ t only seeing more fires , it ’ s seeing fires that are more dangerous too .
“ Some of the fire behavior that we have observed this year has been more intense than people have seen , ever , ” Cal Fire spokeswoman Christine McMorrow said .
“ When you have 70-mph winds pushing flames down a slot canyon , that ’ s pretty unusual , and that fire is going to behave and move in ways that folks haven ’ t seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to predict.
” McMorrow said climate change factors , such as earlier springs and increasing global temperatures , have also contributed to a fire season that is about 75 days longer than it was 50 years ago .
“ When we ’ ve gone months without rain , we have longer periods of time in which vegetation can dry out and more time that it becomes critically flammable , ” she said .
The North Complex fire began as a series of smaller wildfires that were sparked by a rare lightning storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complex , which has burned through more than 318,000 acres and was 96 % contained as of Thursday .

The town of Berry Creek was devastated by the North Complex fire in early September.
A 54-year-old Berry Creek man has become the latest victim of California’s deadly wildfire season.
Officials with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office announced the death of Win Naing in a news release Wednesday. Naing died Oct. 21 after suffering burns in the North Complex West Zone fire. He is the 16th victim of that blaze and at least the 31st person to die in a California wildfire this year.
Naing was injured Sept. 8, when the fast-moving fire was consuming 2,000 acres an hour and forcing residents of Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties to flee.
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Naing was able to drive himself from his home on Sandy Springs Lane to a nearby firefighter, who had him transported to Enloe Medical Center, officials said. He was later transferred to UC Davis Medical Center, where he died last week after being placed into a medically induced coma.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences to Naing’s family and friends, “and to all the families who lost loved ones in this devastating fire.”
The North Complex is the fifth-deadliest wildfire in California history, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The 2018 Camp fire, also in Butte County, killed 85 people and is the state’s most deadly blaze.
Like Naing, most of the North Complex’s 15 other victims, who ranged in age from 16 to 79, lived in Berry Creek, which was nearly leveled by the flames . Two victims hailed from nearby Feather Falls.
Nearly 9,000 fires have occurred this year, according to Cal Fire. The historic wildfires have consumed more than 4.1 million acres in 2020, shattering the record of 1.8 million acres set in 2018.
But the state isn’t only seeing more fires, it’s seeing fires that are more dangerous too.
“Some of the fire behavior that we have observed this year has been more intense than people have seen, ever,” Cal Fire spokeswoman Christine McMorrow said. “When you have 70-mph winds pushing flames down a slot canyon, that’s pretty unusual, and that fire is going to behave and move in ways that folks haven’t seen before, or wouldn’t be able to predict.”
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McMorrow said climate change factors, such as earlier springs and increasing global temperatures, have also contributed to a fire season that is about 75 days longer than it was 50 years ago.
“When we’ve gone months without rain, we have longer periods of time in which vegetation can dry out and more time that it becomes critically flammable,” she said.
The North Complex fire began as a series of smaller wildfires that were sparked by a rare lightning storm. The fires merged Sept. 5 into a complex, which has burned through more than 318,000 acres and was 96% contained as of Thursday.