latimes--2020-01-20--Mountain lion attacks and injures child in Orange County wilderness park

A mountain lion attacked a 3-year-old boy Monday afternoon at a wilderness park in Lake Forest in Orange County .
Shortly after , a sheriff ’ s deputy killed a mountain lion in the vicinity .
The child suffered neck injuries and abrasions , but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening .
Authorities feel confident they killed the right cat because it was in a tree along with the backpack the boy ’ s father threw at it .
The child was attacked at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park , suffering injuries consistent with an attack from a mountain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the California Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division .
The child was taken to Mission Hospital and is reported in stable condition , said Capt .
Tony Bommarito of the Orange County Fire Authority .
A picture of what happened has emerged from various official accounts .
Two adults and four children were hiking about 4 p.m. when the lion attacked .
The lion was reported to have singled out the child , Foy said .
The lion apparently seized the boy by the neck , creating puncture wounds , and started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered abrasions from being dragged along the ground .
The boy ’ s father threw a backpack at the big cat and the cat released the child and grabbed the backpack .
Someone later took a picture of the cat with the backpack in a tree .
“ Due to the threat to public safety , ” deputies received authorization from the Fish and Wildlife Department to kill the lion , said Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff ’ s Department .
The animal was killed about 5:20 p.m. Officials immediately evacuated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by loudspeaker from a Sheriff ’ s Department helicopter .
The park will remain closed until further notice .
Attacks by mountain lions are infrequent , but can be deadly .
In January 2004 , also in Whiting Ranch , a mountain lion killed avid biker Mark Reynolds , 35 , of Foothill Ranch .
He apparently was crouched over , fixing his bike , when the animal attacked .
Experts at the time said a cat will sometimes interpret a crouching animal as a sign of weakness .
Reynolds was probably in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The cat partially buried Reynolds , another common behavior with prey .
The same cat then attacked another biker , possibly because she unknowingly came near Reynolds ’ body .
A friend and other bikers pried her away from the cat , which was later killed .
Reynolds was the first person killed by a mountain lion in California since 1994 .
Children can be another potential target in these rare attacks .
In May , 2019 , authorities killed a mountain lion that attacked a 4-year-old boy at the Los Penasquitos Canyon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been with a group of about a dozen people in an area known as Carson ’ s Crossing when the cat attacked in midafternoon .
Witnesses said the boy ’ s father kicked the large animal and threw a rock to scare it away .
In the 1980s , two children were injured in separate attacks by mountain lions in Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park in Orange County .
Pets and livestock are generally more frequent targets .
In 2017 , a San Mateo County homeowner woke up to find that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open French doors and snatched her dog from the bedroom where she and her child were sleeping .
A mountain lion in Modoc County in 2018 specialized in killing horses .
In December , a gaunt mountain lion attacked two dogs in Simi Valley , killing a miniature Schnauzer .
Later that month , a lion began killing goats in that area .
Authorities are reluctant to euthanize a mountain lion if it is behaving in a natural manner unless it poses a threat to humans .
Sometimes experts will relocate an animal @ @ @ @ @

A mountain lion attacked a 3-year-old boy Monday afternoon at a wilderness park in Lake Forest in Orange County. Shortly after, a sheriff’s deputy killed a mountain lion in the vicinity.
The child suffered neck injuries and abrasions, but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. Authorities feel confident they killed the right cat because it was in a tree along with the backpack the boy’s father threw at it.
The child was attacked at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, suffering injuries consistent with an attack from a mountain lion, said Capt. Patrick Foy of the California Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division.
Advertisement
The child was taken to Mission Hospital and is reported in stable condition, said Capt. Tony Bommarito of the Orange County Fire Authority.
A picture of what happened has emerged from various official accounts.
Two adults and four children were hiking about 4 p.m. when the lion attacked. The lion was reported to have singled out the child, Foy said.
The lion apparently seized the boy by the neck, creating puncture wounds, and started to drag him away. The child suffered abrasions from being dragged along the ground.
The boy’s father threw a backpack at the big cat and the cat released the child and grabbed the backpack. Someone later took a picture of the cat with the backpack in a tree.
“Due to the threat to public safety,” deputies received authorization from the Fish and Wildlife Department to kill the lion, said Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The animal was killed about 5:20 p.m.
Officials immediately evacuated the park, getting the word out by loudspeaker from a Sheriff’s Department helicopter. The park will remain closed until further notice.
Advertisement
Attacks by mountain lions are infrequent, but can be deadly.
In January 2004, also in Whiting Ranch, a mountain lion killed avid biker Mark Reynolds, 35, of Foothill Ranch. He apparently was crouched over, fixing his bike, when the animal attacked. Experts at the time said a cat will sometimes interpret a crouching animal as a sign of weakness. Reynolds was probably in greater danger because he was alone.
The cat partially buried Reynolds, another common behavior with prey.
The same cat then attacked another biker, possibly because she unknowingly came near Reynolds’ body. A friend and other bikers pried her away from the cat, which was later killed.
Reynolds was the first person killed by a mountain lion in California since 1994.
Children can be another potential target in these rare attacks.
In May, 2019, authorities killed a mountain lion that attacked a 4-year-old boy at the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve in San Diego.
The child had been with a group of about a dozen people in an area known as Carson’s Crossing when the cat attacked in midafternoon. Witnesses said the boy’s father kicked the large animal and threw a rock to scare it away.
In the 1980s, two children were injured in separate attacks by mountain lions in Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park in Orange County.
Pets and livestock are generally more frequent targets.
In 2017, a San Mateo County homeowner woke up to find that a mountain lion had apparently entered through partially open French doors and snatched her dog from the bedroom where she and her child were sleeping.
A mountain lion in Modoc County in 2018 specialized in killing horses.
In December, a gaunt mountain lion attacked two dogs in Simi Valley, killing a miniature Schnauzer. Later that month, a lion began killing goats in that area.
Authorities are reluctant to euthanize a mountain lion if it is behaving in a natural manner unless it poses a threat to humans. Sometimes experts will relocate an animal as an alternative measure.


latimes--2020-01-20--Tuberculosis warning issued for Southwestern and San Diego City colleges

Two tuberculosis cases , one each at Southwestern College in Chula Vista and San Diego City College , have prompted a public health warning .
Though the county health department said in a statement that the two cases are unrelated , it also indicated that the areas of concern are not limited to the two college campuses .
Metropolitan Transit System ’ s bus route No .
12 , which runs from City College downtown east to the Skyline Hills neighborhood , is also on the watch list .
*San Diego City College from July 26 to Aug. 5 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ *Bus Route 12 from July 26 to Aug. 5 and from Aug. 19 to Dec. 16 .
Exposures were most likely from Monday through Friday between 7:59 a.m. and 8:47 departing Skyline and from 7:04 p.m. to 8:04 p.m. departing City College .
Both campuses are offering free testing to anyone who thinks they may have been exposed .
Southwestern is offering the service at Student Health Services , 900 Otay Lakes Road Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. City College students can contact the campus ’ s student health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or call the county ’ s TB Control Program at ( 619 ) 692-8621 to arrange for testing .
Tuberculosis , a bacteria that can attack the lungs , can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes , but is typically contracted only by people who have spent a lot of time with those infected , experts say .
Tuberculosis has been falling in prevalence in the United States for many years .
Last year , there were 9,025 reported cases of the disease in the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
In California , however , the number of new TB cases increased slightly in 2018 to 2,092 cases , and the TB rate is now double the nation ’ s , according to state data .
More than 80 % of California ’ s cases are among people born outside of the United States , and more than half are among Asian Americans , the data show .
In San Diego County , there were 265 tuberculosis cases reported in 2019 , up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health department .
Most people who contract tuberculosis do not have symptoms , and the disease remains latent , unable to spread to others .
When people can ’ t fight the bacteria , the disease becomes active , and they begin showing symptoms such as a severe cough , chest pain and weight loss .
Health officials said that if people test positive for latent TB , they can undergo treatment that will prevent the disease from becoming infectious , protecting themselves and others .
Without proper treatment , tuberculosis can @ @ @

Two tuberculosis cases, one each at Southwestern College in Chula Vista and San Diego City College, have prompted a public health warning.
Though the county health department said in a statement that the two cases are unrelated, it also indicated that the areas of concern are not limited to the two college campuses. Metropolitan Transit System’s bus route No. 12, which runs from City College downtown east to the Skyline Hills neighborhood, is also on the watch list.
Possible exposure periods include:
*Southwestern College from Aug. 26 to Dec. 10;
*San Diego City College from July 26 to Aug. 5 and from Aug. 19 to Dec. 16;
Advertisement
*Bus Route 12 from July 26 to Aug. 5 and from Aug. 19 to Dec. 16. Exposures were most likely from Monday through Friday between 7:59 a.m. and 8:47 departing Skyline and from 7:04 p.m. to 8:04 p.m. departing City College.
Both campuses are offering free testing to anyone who thinks they may have been exposed. Southwestern is offering the service at Student Health Services, 900 Otay Lakes Road Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. City College students can contact the campus’s student health clinic when it reopens on Feb. 3 or call the county’s TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621 to arrange for testing.
Tuberculosis, a bacteria that can attack the lungs, can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, but is typically contracted only by people who have spent a lot of time with those infected, experts say.
Tuberculosis has been falling in prevalence in the United States for many years. Last year, there were 9,025 reported cases of the disease in the United States, the lowest rate ever, according to officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In California, however, the number of new TB cases increased slightly in 2018 to 2,092 cases, and the TB rate is now double the nation’s, according to state data. More than 80% of California’s cases are among people born outside of the United States, and more than half are among Asian Americans, the data show.
In San Diego County, there were 265 tuberculosis cases reported in 2019, up from 226 in 2018, according to the health department.
Most people who contract tuberculosis do not have symptoms, and the disease remains latent, unable to spread to others. When people can’t fight the bacteria, the disease becomes active, and they begin showing symptoms such as a severe cough, chest pain and weight loss.
Advertisement
Health officials said that if people test positive for latent TB, they can undergo treatment that will prevent the disease from becoming infectious, protecting themselves and others. Without proper treatment, tuberculosis can be fatal.
Sisson writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune


latimes--2020-01-20--MLK Day: Thousands turn out across L.A. for 'a special day to remember a special person'

Aminata Diagne sat cross-legged in a campus corridor staring up at the outlines of a new mural .
“ WE ARE WHAT WE DO REPEATEDLY , ” it said in block letters .
“ EXCELLENCE IS NOT AN ACT BUT A HABIT.
” The 27-year-old Pasadena resident — one of about 1,000 volunteers who packed a Westchester middle school on Monday for a day-of-service event honoring the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. — said it was important for her to spend the day doing something for others .
Something tangible , she said , something beyond a cursory recitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If Dr. King were alive today , ” Diagne said , “ he would be giving back , not playing his speech over and over.
” The campus beautification effort at Orville Wright STEAM Middle School was one of several events held Monday to honor King , including a clothing drive in Hollywood and an event at the California African American Museum .
Also in its 35th year , the Kingdom Day Parade attracted thousands of people to South L.A. to line the 3-mile route and for a music-and-food festival in Leimert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hosted by the volunteer network L.A. Works , a group of boys clustered around former Lakers forward A.C. Green holding their cellphones .
A 4-year-old boy stretched out his small hand .
“ Hello , sir , ” the boy said , looking back at his mother in disbelief .
She nodded and he smiled .
A few minutes later , Bob Johnson , the chairman of L.A. Works , walked onstage to thank the volunteers .
“ Dr .
King said we can all be great because we can all serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moderator to the stage for a panel discussion called “ A Seat at the Table , ” including Green and several other guests .
“ Happy MLK Day !
” actress Logan Browning , who starred in the Netflix series “ Dear White People , ” shouted into the crowd of people , many of whom were shivering and rubbing their hands together with the temperature hovering in the mid-50s .
“ It ’ s cold , but you made it !
” During the discussion , the moderator asked Green if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed the trajectory of his life .
As a freshman in high school , Green said he ’ d been a D student with low self-esteem , but during his sophomore year , a history teacher approached him outside the library and told him that he saw great potential in him .
If he focused , the teacher said , he could achieve big dreams .
“ A four-minute conversation that changed my life , ” he said .
Another panelist , Kimberlé Crenshaw , a law professor at UCLA and Columbia University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 years old when King was assassinated in 1968 .
The next day , Crenshaw recalled , she and several other students were corralled into a church , where volunteers asked them if they had anything they wanted to share about King .
“ It was killing me , ” Crenshaw said , and before she had thought of what she ’ d say , she vaulted from her seat and started rambling things that , in retrospect , she realizes may have sounded trite .
“ We must follow his footsteps , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the years since , much of her research has been guided by King ’ s legacy .
To understand life in America today , Crenshaw told the crowd , everyone should study history — the history of public education , of housing , of the parts of King ’ s legacy that often get overlooked .
“ I dream of a world , ” Crenshaw said , “ where the promises made to all of us are actually realized.
” A few minutes later , the school ’ s assistant principal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowd to a campus he ’ d first entered more than a decade ago as an English teacher .
About 80 % of the school ’ s 700 students are bused in from South L.A. to Westchester , he said .
After walking off the stage , Davis peered out over the campus , pointing at its beige , low-slung buildings .
He sighed .
“ It ’ s reminiscent of a juvenile detention center , ” he said .
In recent years , Davis and some teachers did their best to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the logos of several historically black colleges and universities on the walls to encourage students to dream of their futures .
But on Monday , Davis beamed as he considered that , once the event was over , his school would have dozens of new murals , new wood benches , a fresh coat of baby blue paint on the lockers and new lines painted onto the basketball courts .
“ It does something to you , ” Davis said of a campus with a face-lift .
“ It makes you say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaks to your spirit.
” Nearby , a group of young girls stood in a circle sharing their reasons for volunteering .
“ So no one gets hurt.
” As the group dispersed , Paige Griffith , 7 , rested her chin in her hand , still considering why the day was important to her .
She peeked down at her T-shirt that read “ Black is Beautiful.
” “ So people can have equal rights , ” she said .
“ A special day to remember a special person .
”

Bob Johnson, co-founder and board chairman of L.A. Works, speaks to volunteers at Orville Wright STEAM Magnet Middle School in Westchester. The school was the site for a day of service honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Aminata Diagne sat cross-legged in a campus corridor staring up at the outlines of a new mural.
“WE ARE WHAT WE DO REPEATEDLY,” it said in block letters. “EXCELLENCE IS NOT AN ACT BUT A HABIT.”
The 27-year-old Pasadena resident — one of about 1,000 volunteers who packed a Westchester middle school on Monday for a day-of-service event honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. — said it was important for her to spend the day doing something for others. Something tangible, she said, something beyond a cursory recitation of “I Have a Dream.”
Advertisement
“If Dr. King were alive today,” Diagne said, “he would be giving back, not playing his speech over and over.”
The campus beautification effort at Orville Wright STEAM Middle School was one of several events held Monday to honor King, including a clothing drive in Hollywood and an event at the California African American Museum. Also in its 35th year, the Kingdom Day Parade attracted thousands of people to South L.A. to line the 3-mile route and for a music-and-food festival in Leimert Park.
At the event in Westchester, hosted by the volunteer network L.A. Works, a group of boys clustered around former Lakers forward A.C. Green holding their cellphones. A 4-year-old boy stretched out his small hand.
A Dodgers mascot greets children at the day of service at Orville Wright STEAM Magnet Middle School. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
“Hello!” boomed Green, nicknamed Iron Man for playing 1,192 consecutive basketball games.
“Hello, sir,” the boy said, looking back at his mother in disbelief. She nodded and he smiled.
Advertisement
A few minutes later, Bob Johnson, the chairman of L.A. Works, walked onstage to thank the volunteers.
“Dr. King said we can all be great because we can all serve,” he said, before welcoming a moderator to the stage for a panel discussion called “A Seat at the Table,” including Green and several other guests.
“Happy MLK Day!” actress Logan Browning, who starred in the Netflix series “Dear White People,” shouted into the crowd of people, many of whom were shivering and rubbing their hands together with the temperature hovering in the mid-50s. “It’s cold, but you made it!”
During the discussion, the moderator asked Green if he could recall a specific person who changed the trajectory of his life.
He nodded.
As a freshman in high school, Green said he’d been a D student with low self-esteem, but during his sophomore year, a history teacher approached him outside the library and told him that he saw great potential in him. If he focused, the teacher said, he could achieve big dreams.
Former Lakers forward A.C. Green, talks during a panel discussion during the day of service at Orville Wright STEAM Magnet Middle School. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
“A four-minute conversation that changed my life,” he said.
Another panelist, Kimberlé Crenshaw, a law professor at UCLA and Columbia University, told the crowd that she was 10 years old when King was assassinated in 1968. The next day, Crenshaw recalled, she and several other students were corralled into a church, where volunteers asked them if they had anything they wanted to share about King.
The room fell silent.
“It was killing me,” Crenshaw said, and before she had thought of what she’d say, she vaulted from her seat and started rambling things that, in retrospect, she realizes may have sounded trite.
“We must follow his footsteps,” Crenshaw remembers saying, adding that, in the years since, much of her research has been guided by King’s legacy. To understand life in America today, Crenshaw told the crowd, everyone should study history — the history of public education, of housing, of the parts of King’s legacy that often get overlooked.
“I dream of a world,” Crenshaw said, “where the promises made to all of us are actually realized.”
Aminata Diagne, of Pasadena, leads a group of volunteers at Orville Wright STEAM Magnet Middle School on Monday. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
A few minutes later, the school’s assistant principal Darryl Davis Jr. ran onstage and welcomed the crowd to a campus he’d first entered more than a decade ago as an English teacher. About 80% of the school’s 700 students are bused in from South L.A. to Westchester, he said.
After walking off the stage, Davis peered out over the campus, pointing at its beige, low-slung buildings. He sighed.
“It’s reminiscent of a juvenile detention center,” he said.
In recent years, Davis and some teachers did their best to spruce up the campus — they painted the logos of several historically black colleges and universities on the walls to encourage students to dream of their futures. But on Monday, Davis beamed as he considered that, once the event was over, his school would have dozens of new murals, new wood benches, a fresh coat of baby blue paint on the lockers and new lines painted onto the basketball courts.
“It does something to you,” Davis said of a campus with a face-lift. “It makes you say, ‘I can do this.’ It speaks to your spirit.”
Former Dodgers outfielder Ken Landreaux bumps fists with the team mascot while ex-Dodgers pitcher Dennis Powell paints a mural on Monday in Westchester. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Nearby, a group of young girls stood in a circle sharing their reasons for volunteering.
“To help people.”
“To help clean up.”
“So no one gets hurt.”
“To help our environment grow.”
As the group dispersed, Paige Griffith, 7, rested her chin in her hand, still considering why the day was important to her. She peeked down at her T-shirt that read “Black is Beautiful.”
“So people can have equal rights,” she said. “A special day to remember a special person.”


latimes--2020-01-20--Feds investigate causes of a norovirus outbreak at Yosemite National Park

Eric Reynolds was sleeping after a day supervising middle schoolers in Yosemite Valley when he was startled awake by the sound of someone pounding on his cabin door .
“ Mr .
Reynolds !
” one student said .
“ My roommate just threw up all over the place !
” At first , he assumed it was food poisoning from chicken nuggets .
But by the next morning , the young man was running a fever .
Then nine additional students fell sick with stomach pain , nausea , diarrhea , fever — the characteristic signs of a norovirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the West ’ s most majestic national parks had received reports of about 170 visitors and employees with similar symptoms and most had spent time in Yosemite Valley earlier this month .
The National Park Service and other health agencies have launched an investigation into the outbreak , casting a pall over Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday , when visitors were allowed free of charge into the 1,162-square-mile Sierra Nevada landmark known for its giant sequoia trees , towering granite ridges and tumbling waterfalls .
Federal officials are working with Aramark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s restaurants , snack shops and hotels , to clean up and disinfect food service facilities in the park , including the famous Ahwahnee Hotel , officials said .
However , in a statement to Food Safety News , Aramark spokesman David Freireich said that until the exact cause of the gastrointestinal illness is determined , classifying it as foodborne is speculation .
Many of the reports involved vacationers in Curry Village , a quaint collection of tents and cabins in Yosemite Valley .
But over the past week , there has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases , officials said .
Looking back , Reynolds said it ’ s difficult to determine the precise moment when the Bay Area students he chaperoned caught the gastrointestinal bug during a five-day trip to the park that began Jan. 5 .
The first signs that something was awry began the third night , which included buffet-style meals at a dining hall in Curry Village .
Some of his students wonder if norovirus was lurking in packaged yogurt parfait ; in at least one instance , it was sold a week past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others pointed to scrambled eggs that just didn ’ t taste right , sliced fruit and red Jell-O scooped out of large plastic bowls with the same ladle and utensils that customers pulled out of containers full of forks and spoons .
The facility ’ s kitchen also was under construction , and lodgings were , as one 12-year-old said , “ filthy , disgusting.
” By the third night , Reynolds said he and another chaperone were the main caregivers .
“ We quickly developed a pretty good system of getting sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to transport some of them home , ” he said .
Reynolds ’ daughter , 12-year-old Sophie , said the trip home was awful .
“ Everyone was feeling sick , ” she said .
Veli Waller ’ s sons were among the students sent home early .
“ My 11-year-old ’ s temperature was 105 , my 13-year-old ’ s 103 , ” said Waller , 50 , of San Francisco .
“ And their stomach issues were extreme.
” Her concerns continued after her children returned to school Thursday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the outbreak on the Yosemite National Park web page , ” she said , “ such as how the norovirus cases were reported , or how many of the reported cases involved children.
” Norovirus , the most common cause of foodborne disease outbreaks , is particularly challenging to control because children may feel healthy even when they ’ re still contagious .
“ I think Aramark should compensate these kids , ” said Leslie Edmonds , 51 , whose 12-year-old daughter contracted the illness in Yosemite eight days ago , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruined by this illness and crappy food.
” Yosemite , which was established in 1864 , is no stranger to high-profile outbreaks of infectious disease .
In 2017 , a Santa Monica middle school temporarily canceled classes after nearly 200 students were potentially exposed to norovirus there .
In 2012 , a deadly hantavirus outbreak put Yosemite — the heart of the Sierra Nevada economy with 5 million visitors each year — in triage mode .
Three people died and six more became ill after staying at Curry Village .
The visitors who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dust containing urine , saliva and fecal matter from infected deer mice .
On Monday , as pine trees threw long shadows against banks of snow edging the roads , rangers struggled to keep up with visitors arriving with the question : “ What ’ s the latest on the norovirus ?
” But Leslie Rodriguez , 21 , a UC Davis engineering student , came prepared .
Her three-day Yosemite itinerary included “ bringing my own groceries — and lots of hand sanitizer — from home in order to avoid restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bite my nails , ” she added with a smile .
“ Not on this trip .
”

Dozens of Yosemite National Park visitors and employees have fallen sick in recent days with a gastrointestinal illness, including some confirmed cases of norovirus.
Eric Reynolds was sleeping after a day supervising middle schoolers in Yosemite Valley when he was startled awake by the sound of someone pounding on his cabin door.
“Mr. Reynolds!” one student said. “My roommate just threw up all over the place!”
At first, he assumed it was food poisoning from chicken nuggets. But by the next morning, the young man was running a fever. Then nine additional students fell sick with stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, fever — the characteristic signs of a norovirus infection.
As of Monday, one of the West’s most majestic national parks had received reports of about 170 visitors and employees with similar symptoms and most had spent time in Yosemite Valley earlier this month.
Advertisement
The National Park Service and other health agencies have launched an investigation into the outbreak, casting a pall over Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, when visitors were allowed free of charge into the 1,162-square-mile Sierra Nevada landmark known for its giant sequoia trees, towering granite ridges and tumbling waterfalls.
Federal officials are working with Aramark, the concessionaire that operates Yosemite’s restaurants, snack shops and hotels, to clean up and disinfect food service facilities in the park, including the famous Ahwahnee Hotel, officials said.
However, in a statement to Food Safety News, Aramark spokesman David Freireich said that until the exact cause of the gastrointestinal illness is determined, classifying it as foodborne is speculation.
Many of the reports involved vacationers in Curry Village, a quaint collection of tents and cabins in Yosemite Valley. But over the past week, there has been a significant decline in the number of new cases, officials said.
Looking back, Reynolds said it’s difficult to determine the precise moment when the Bay Area students he chaperoned caught the gastrointestinal bug during a five-day trip to the park that began Jan. 5. The first signs that something was awry began the third night, which included buffet-style meals at a dining hall in Curry Village.
Some of his students wonder if norovirus was lurking in packaged yogurt parfait; in at least one instance, it was sold a week past the sell-by date on its label. Others pointed to scrambled eggs that just didn’t taste right, sliced fruit and red Jell-O scooped out of large plastic bowls with the same ladle and utensils that customers pulled out of containers full of forks and spoons.
Advertisement
The facility’s kitchen also was under construction, and lodgings were, as one 12-year-old said, “filthy, disgusting.”
By the third night, Reynolds said he and another chaperone were the main caregivers.
“We quickly developed a pretty good system of getting sick kids to the restroom and making arrangements to transport some of them home,” he said.
Reynolds’ daughter, 12-year-old Sophie, said the trip home was awful. “Everyone was feeling sick,” she said.
Veli Waller’s sons were among the students sent home early.
“My 11-year-old’s temperature was 105, my 13-year-old’s 103,” said Waller, 50, of San Francisco. “And their stomach issues were extreme.”
Her concerns continued after her children returned to school Thursday. “I couldn’t find important details about the outbreak on the Yosemite National Park web page,” she said, “such as how the norovirus cases were reported, or how many of the reported cases involved children.”
Norovirus, the most common cause of foodborne disease outbreaks, is particularly challenging to control because children may feel healthy even when they’re still contagious.
“I think Aramark should compensate these kids,” said Leslie Edmonds, 51, whose 12-year-old daughter contracted the illness in Yosemite eight days ago, “because their trip of a lifetime was ruined by this illness and crappy food.”
Yosemite, which was established in 1864, is no stranger to high-profile outbreaks of infectious disease.
In 2017, a Santa Monica middle school temporarily canceled classes after nearly 200 students were potentially exposed to norovirus there.
In 2012, a deadly hantavirus outbreak put Yosemite — the heart of the Sierra Nevada economy with 5 million visitors each year — in triage mode. Three people died and six more became ill after staying at Curry Village. The visitors who contracted hantavirus had inhaled large quantities of dust containing urine, saliva and fecal matter from infected deer mice.
On Monday, as pine trees threw long shadows against banks of snow edging the roads, rangers struggled to keep up with visitors arriving with the question: “What’s the latest on the norovirus?”
But Leslie Rodriguez, 21, a UC Davis engineering student, came prepared. Her three-day Yosemite itinerary included “bringing my own groceries — and lots of hand sanitizer — from home in order to avoid restaurants,” she said.
“I usually bite my nails,” she added with a smile. “Not on this trip.”


latimes--2020-01-21--1 killed and 3 injured in stabbing near Bakersfield high school

One person was killed and three others were injured Tuesday in a stabbing near a Bakersfield high school .
According @ @ @ @ @ incident occurred about 2:40 p.m. near Foothill Road and Morning Drive .
Foothill High School @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is a very active scene , ” the Kern County ’ s @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
“ We ask the public to avoid the area.
” This @ @ @ @ @ and will be updated as information becomes available .

Approximate location of a stabbing that left one person dead and two others injured Tuesday.
One person was killed and two others were injured Tuesday in a stabbing near a Bakersfield high school.
According to preliminary information, the incident occurred about 2:40 p.m. near Foothill Road and Morning Drive. Foothill High School was reportedly placed on lockdown.
A person of interest has been detained, and authorities said they might have recovered the weapon used in the attack.
Advertisement
“This is a very active scene,” the Kern County’s Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We ask the public to avoid the area.”
The Sheriff’s Office initially reported there were four victims but later corrected the number.


latimes--2020-01-21--Cal State eyes postponing vote to raise math requirement

In the wake of intense controversy , Chancellor Timothy White has delayed a vote on his proposal to require a fourth year of high school math for admission to the Cal State universities , and will instead ask trustees this month to approve a year-long study of the initiative .
The Cal State Board of Trustees had been expected to decide the issue at their Jan. 29 meeting .
But the proposal to raise the requirement has faced opposition from school districts , including Los Angeles Unified , and many community advocates , who say it would hurt black and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of disparities in access to math and quantitative reasoning classes and the lack of qualified teachers .
White ’ s plan calls for a fourth year of math , science or other quantitative high school coursework for admission .
The requirement would have been in place for students entering the university in fall 2027 .
White ’ s new strategy involves a “ phased implementation ” that calls for a third-party evaluation before a final vote in spring 2022 .
In the meantime , White will update the board on the study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity through January 2022 .
A steering committee — to include the head of the board of trustees ’ education policy committee , the state superintendent of education , a Cal State student and a public school district superintendent , among others — would meet twice a year to monitor the “ impact and effectiveness of the requirement.
” White and others within the university system , including the CSU ’ s academic senate and Assistant Vice Chancellor James T. Minor , supported the initiative to raise standards and academic preparation for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and to help close the racial gap in STEM majors and careers .
Yet this objective has become mired in a debate about disparities in educational access and quality .
Some , including advocates for underserved students and large school district leaders , feared that these students ’ access to Cal State will diminish if the proposal was adopted .
White still wants the proposed admissions change to take effect in 2027 .
Students would be automatically exempt if their school did not offer enough courses to meet the new requirement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ system will continue partnering with high schools to increase course offerings , and amp up their own math and science teacher training to meet the needs , White said .
“ Even if this would never go into effect , we ’ re still going to ... reach out to our high schools to encourage students to do this , to prepare more STEM teachers , to do more outreach about why quantitative analytical thinking is important for students ’ success , ” White said .
Across all subjects , incoming students on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the minimum required to gain admission , White said .
“ We ’ re just asking them to make sure that in those six courses they take beyond the minimum number , that one of those courses qualifies under the quantitative reasoning rubric , whether it ’ s science or personal finance or math or computer science ” or one of the other options , White said .
An independent analysis is a positive step and should include high school students ’ eligibility , application rates and admission rates to the university @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region and income , said Elisha Smith Arrillaga , executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Education Trust-West .
The group has opposed adding the fourth-year requirement in part because of the lack of data backing it .
“ There ’ s still no evidence that the change is needed in the first place , just that they intend to be more thoughtful moving forward , ” Smith Arrillaga said .
The university should also make clearer what would trigger a reversal to the old policy , she added .
The Cal State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to vote on the new proposal at the Jan. 29 meeting , and if it passes the full board would consider the item later that day .

In the wake of intense controversy, Chancellor Timothy White has delayed a vote on his proposal to require a fourth year of high school math for admission to the Cal State universities, and will instead ask trustees this month to approve a year-long study of the initiative.
The Cal State Board of Trustees had been expected to decide the issue at their Jan. 29 meeting. But the proposal to raise the requirement has faced opposition from school districts, including Los Angeles Unified, and many community advocates, who say it would hurt black and Latino students and those from low-income families because of disparities in access to math and quantitative reasoning classes and the lack of qualified teachers.
White’s plan calls for a fourth year of math, science or other quantitative high school coursework for admission. The requirement would have been in place for students entering the university in fall 2027.
White’s new strategy involves a “phased implementation” that calls for a third-party evaluation before a final vote in spring 2022. In the meantime, White will update the board on the study and progress on building teacher and course capacity through January 2022.
Advertisement
A steering committee — to include the head of the board of trustees’ education policy committee, the state superintendent of education, a Cal State student and a public school district superintendent, among others — would meet twice a year to monitor the “impact and effectiveness of the requirement.”
White and others within the university system, including the CSU’s academic senate and Assistant Vice Chancellor James T. Minor, supported the initiative to raise standards and academic preparation for all high school students, especially in math, and to help close the racial gap in STEM majors and careers. Yet this objective has become mired in a debate about disparities in educational access and quality. Some, including advocates for underserved students and large school district leaders, feared that these students’ access to Cal State will diminish if the proposal was adopted.
White still wants the proposed admissions change to take effect in 2027. Students would be automatically exempt if their school did not offer enough courses to meet the new requirement. Between now and then, the CSU system will continue partnering with high schools to increase course offerings, and amp up their own math and science teacher training to meet the needs, White said.
“Even if this would never go into effect, we’re still going to ... reach out to our high schools to encourage students to do this, to prepare more STEM teachers, to do more outreach about why quantitative analytical thinking is important for students’ success,” White said.
Across all subjects, incoming students on average already take about six classes more than the minimum required to gain admission, White said.
“We’re just asking them to make sure that in those six courses they take beyond the minimum number, that one of those courses qualifies under the quantitative reasoning rubric, whether it’s science or personal finance or math or computer science” or one of the other options, White said.
Advertisement
An independent analysis is a positive step and should include high school students’ eligibility, application rates and admission rates to the university system, broken out by race, region and income, said Elisha Smith Arrillaga, executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Education Trust-West. The group has opposed adding the fourth-year requirement in part because of the lack of data backing it.
“There’s still no evidence that the change is needed in the first place, just that they intend to be more thoughtful moving forward,” Smith Arrillaga said. The university should also make clearer what would trigger a reversal to the old policy, she added.
The Cal State Board of Trustees’ educational policy committee is scheduled to vote on the new proposal at the Jan. 29 meeting, and if it passes the full board would consider the item later that day.
Times staff writer Nina Agrawal contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-01-21--Gov. Gavin Newsom opposes UC tuition increase as 'unwarranted' and 'bad for students'

Gov .
Gavin Newsom opposes any tuition increase for University of California students this fall , weighing in Tuesday on a controversial proposal that the Board of Regents is set to discuss this week .
“ Given the major increase in higher education funding provided in last year ’ s budget and the similar increase proposed by Governor Newsom for next year ’ s budget , he believes that the proposed tuition increase is unwarranted , bad for students and inconsistent with our college affordability goals , ” his spokesman Jesse Melgar said in a statement .
Newsom consistently opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UC Board of Regents under his previous role as California ’ s lieutenant governor , a record he campaigned on in the run-up to his 2018 election .
His statement came just hours after UC officials abruptly canceled a vote on the tuition proposal planned for Wednesday , deciding instead only to discuss it and take action at an unspecified later date .
The UC Student Assn .
opposes a tuition hike and said it was blindsided by proposed increases over five years rather than just one year .
The delayed vote is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
UC Board of Regents chairman John A. Pèrez said he pulled the vote because it did not meet a requirement between UC and the student association to publicly post details about any proposed tuition increase 10 days in advance .
He concluded the proposal “ would be inappropriate to take up , without giving all stakeholders a chance to be heard with appropriate notice , ” he said in a statement .
UC spokeswoman Claire Doan said officials missed the window for public posting because they were reviewing Newsom ’ s budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 .
They were unable to complete the work by Jan. 12 as required but posted it seven days in advance .
“ We understand and take seriously the concerns by students who have requested more time to consider the proposed plans and welcome ongoing productive conversations with them , ” Doan said .
UCSA President Varsha Sarveshwar said Tuesday that the action to delay a vote was a “ small but meaningful victory for UC students.
” “ We were not sufficiently notified or consulted regarding the five-year tuition increase proposal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regents recognized this and acted on it by delaying the vote , ” she said .
“ We ’ re also grateful to Governor Newsom for his continued support for students.
” She said students would continue to make the case that “ the state — and not students and their families — is responsible for investing in our education.
” The delay is likely to dismay UC chancellors , however , who are struggling with overcrowded campuses and other pressing needs and want action so they can craft their spending plans with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s upcoming budget proposal calls for a 5.8 % increase , or an additional $ 217 million , in permanent UC funding and $ 56 million in one-time money .
The money will help pay for additional student support , research initiatives , expanded medical education , agricultural initiatives and immigrant legal services .
UC officials expressed gratitude for the funding but said they need more to fully cover their ambitious plan to increase California undergraduate enrollment , expand academic support to raise graduation rates and reduce achievement gaps , repair long-neglected infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address faculty and staff salary gaps .
UC is projecting a budget shortfall of $ 250 million for the 2020-21 school year , growing to $ 734 million in five years , without more funding .
UC officials have proposed two plans to increase tuition over five years , which they say will help raise more funds for financial aid and campus needs while helping students and families better plan for college costs .
One plan would increase tuition and fees for all students annually by the rate of inflation — a projected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , to $ 12,918 for fall 2020 .
Another plan would raise tuition and fees once for each incoming class , called cohorts , but keep those costs flat for six years .
Under that plan , the costs for the entering class of 2020-21 would increase over last year by 4.8 % , or $ 606 , to $ 13,176 for California undergraduates .
The tuition of existing students would be frozen at their current levels .
In addition to those base costs , supplemental tuition for nonresident undergraduates would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this fall under the first plan and an additional $ 1,440 , to $ 31,194 , under the second plan .
UC President Janet Napolitano had recommended that regents approve either of the plans “ so that , as campuses begin extending offers of admission in February for the fall 2020 term , prospective UC students can make informed enrollment decisions , continuing students can know what level of tuition and fees to expect and campuses can prepare to provide the educational opportunities , academic support , financial aid , and student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unparalleled track record of access , affordability , and academic excellence , ” according to a UC memo .

Gov. Gavin Newsom opposes any tuition increase for University of California students this fall, weighing in Tuesday on a controversial proposal that the Board of Regents is set to discuss this week.
“Given the major increase in higher education funding provided in last year’s budget and the similar increase proposed by Governor Newsom for next year’s budget, he believes that the proposed tuition increase is unwarranted, bad for students and inconsistent with our college affordability goals,” his spokesman Jesse Melgar said in a statement.
Newsom consistently opposed tuition hikes when he served on the UC Board of Regents under his previous role as California’s lieutenant governor, a record he campaigned on in the run-up to his 2018 election.
His statement came just hours after UC officials abruptly canceled a vote on the tuition proposal planned for Wednesday, deciding instead only to discuss it and take action at an unspecified later date.
Advertisement
The UC Student Assn. opposes a tuition hike and said it was blindsided by proposed increases over five years rather than just one year.
The delayed vote is not tied to Newsom’s opposition. UC Board of Regents chairman John A. Pèrez said he pulled the vote because it did not meet a requirement between UC and the student association to publicly post details about any proposed tuition increase 10 days in advance.
He concluded the proposal “would be inappropriate to take up, without giving all stakeholders a chance to be heard with appropriate notice,” he said in a statement.
UC spokeswoman Claire Doan said officials missed the window for public posting because they were reviewing Newsom’s budget plan, which was released on Jan. 10. They were unable to complete the work by Jan. 12 as required but posted it seven days in advance.
“We understand and take seriously the concerns by students who have requested more time to consider the proposed plans and welcome ongoing productive conversations with them,” Doan said.
UCSA President Varsha Sarveshwar said Tuesday that the action to delay a vote was a “small but meaningful victory for UC students.”
Advertisement
“We were not sufficiently notified or consulted regarding the five-year tuition increase proposal, and, to their credit, the Regents recognized this and acted on it by delaying the vote,” she said. “We’re also grateful to Governor Newsom for his continued support for students.”
She said students would continue to make the case that “the state — and not students and their families — is responsible for investing in our education.”
The delay is likely to dismay UC chancellors, however, who are struggling with overcrowded campuses and other pressing needs and want action so they can craft their spending plans with some degree of certainty.
Newsom’s upcoming budget proposal calls for a 5.8% increase, or an additional $217 million, in permanent UC funding and $56 million in one-time money. The money will help pay for additional student support, research initiatives, expanded medical education, agricultural initiatives and immigrant legal services.
UC officials expressed gratitude for the funding but said they need more to fully cover their ambitious plan to increase California undergraduate enrollment, expand academic support to raise graduation rates and reduce achievement gaps, repair long-neglected infrastructure, strengthen student mental health services and address faculty and staff salary gaps. UC is projecting a budget shortfall of $250 million for the 2020-21 school year, growing to $734 million in five years, without more funding.
UC officials have proposed two plans to increase tuition over five years, which they say will help raise more funds for financial aid and campus needs while helping students and families better plan for college costs.
One plan would increase tuition and fees for all students annually by the rate of inflation — a projected 2.8% increase of $348 over last year, to $12,918 for fall 2020.
Another plan would raise tuition and fees once for each incoming class, called cohorts, but keep those costs flat for six years. Under that plan, the costs for the entering class of 2020-21 would increase over last year by 4.8%, or $606, to $13,176 for California undergraduates. The tuition of existing students would be frozen at their current levels.
In addition to those base costs, supplemental tuition for nonresident undergraduates would increase $840, to $30,594, this fall under the first plan and an additional $1,440, to $31,194, under the second plan.
UC President Janet Napolitano had recommended that regents approve either of the plans “so that, as campuses begin extending offers of admission in February for the fall 2020 term, prospective UC students can make informed enrollment decisions, continuing students can know what level of tuition and fees to expect and campuses can prepare to provide the educational opportunities, academic support, financial aid, and student services needed to sustain the University’s unparalleled track record of access, affordability, and academic excellence,” according to a UC memo.


latimes--2020-01-21--A hive heist: Nearly 100 beehives stolen from Northern California field

Nearly 100 beehives , each holding more than 50,000 bees , have gone missing in Northern California , officials said .
Mike Potts , a beekeeper and owner of Oregon-based Pottsy ’ s Pollination and Honey Farm , discovered Friday that 92 of his hives had disappeared from a holding area in Yuba City .
The hives are used to pollinate almond orchards .
Potts thinks the beehives were stolen by other beekeepers , possibly from elsewhere in Sutter County , whose own hives had likely experienced a colony collapse .
Over the last 10 years , Potts said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease has increasingly killed the insects .
Last year , he said , about 400 beehives were stolen from a neighboring field .
His theory is that the hives were swiped during the night , loaded into the back of a truck and hauled to another destination .
Potts ’ pallet boxes and any other evidence linking the bees to his supply were likely burned , he said .
Sutter County authorities are investigating the theft .
“ We work hard enough all year to keep them alive .
Then one guy comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The theft will incur a $ 44,000 revenue loss , but insurance will help pay for some of that , the beekeeper said , and he ’ s already covered his clients in Oregon , Washington and elsewhere in California .
The larger issue , though , is the repopulation of the bees .
It takes about a year for a hive to grow to full capacity , Potts said .
As bees face external threats from mite infestation , beekeepers must constantly adapt to changes and work diligently to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re a good beekeeper , you do that , ” he said .
“ If you ’ re not , you go steal them.
” Potts said he doesn ’ t expect the stolen hives to be recovered .
Even if they are , he believes they would be damaged .
For now , he ’ s focused on preventing other hives from being taken .
He plans to add GPS trackers to the hives , placing them inside frames that the bees will use .
The tracking devices will monitor any movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any unwanted activity .

A queen bee is seen in the center of a hive.
Nearly 100 beehives, each holding more than 50,000 bees, have gone missing in Northern California, officials said.
Mike Potts, a beekeeper and owner of Oregon-based Pottsy’s Pollination and Honey Farm, discovered Friday that 92 of his hives had disappeared from a holding area in Yuba City. The hives are used to pollinate almond orchards.
Potts thinks the beehives were stolen by other beekeepers, possibly from elsewhere in Sutter County, whose own hives had likely experienced a colony collapse.
Advertisement
Over the last 10 years, Potts said that beehive thefts have become more common as disease has increasingly killed the insects. Last year, he said, about 400 beehives were stolen from a neighboring field.
His theory is that the hives were swiped during the night, loaded into the back of a truck and hauled to another destination. Potts’ pallet boxes and any other evidence linking the bees to his supply were likely burned, he said. Sutter County authorities are investigating the theft.
“We work hard enough all year to keep them alive. Then one guy comes around and steals them,” Potts said.
The theft will incur a $44,000 revenue loss, but insurance will help pay for some of that, the beekeeper said, and he’s already covered his clients in Oregon, Washington and elsewhere in California.
The larger issue, though, is the repopulation of the bees.
It takes about a year for a hive to grow to full capacity, Potts said. As bees face external threats from mite infestation, beekeepers must constantly adapt to changes and work diligently to protect their hives.
“If you’re a good beekeeper, you do that,” he said. “If you’re not, you go steal them.”
Advertisement
Potts said he doesn’t expect the stolen hives to be recovered. Even if they are, he believes they would be damaged.
For now, he’s focused on preventing other hives from being taken. He plans to add GPS trackers to the hives, placing them inside frames that the bees will use. The tracking devices will monitor any movement of the hives and alert Potts to any unwanted activity.


latimes--2020-01-21--L.A. City Council votes to ask MLB to award 2017, 2018 World Series titles to Dodgers

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ask the commissioner of baseball to award the Dodgers the 2017 and 2018 World Series titles after Major League Baseball punished the Houston Astros for cheating and continues to investigate the Boston Red Sox for possible misconduct .
The resolution , co-sponsored by Councilmen Gil Cedillo and Paul Koretz , originated after Commissioner Rob Manfred released a nine-page report on Jan. 13 detailing how the Astros used technology in violation of baseball rules to steal opposing teams ’ pitching signs during the 2017 season .
Both councilmen said the resolution is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With President Trump impeached and wealthy families facing charges in the college admissions scandal , Koretz said he hopes the resolution sets an example that cheating shouldn ’ t be tolerated .
“ This isn ’ t being done for publicity , ” Koretz said .
“ This is being done in outrage for how our team was cheated.
” MLB fined the Astros $ 5 million and suspended manager A.J .
Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow .
The Astros ’ owner subsequently fired Hinch and Luhnow .
Later , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was an Astros coach in 2017 and was cited in the MLB report for his role in the Astros ’ sign-stealing scheme .
The Dodgers lost to the Astros in seven games in the 2017 World Series and to the Red Sox in five games during the 2018 series .
“ We know they were cheated at a real shot at a championship , ” Koretz said .
“ We have to send a message .
If we don ’ t stand up for baseball , then the tradition of the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baseball officials had no comment Tuesday on the City Council ’ s action .
Cedillo said that neither he nor Koretz have spoken to the Dodgers about the resolution .
If baseball does not award Los Angeles the championships , Cedillo said he feels the Astros and Red Sox should have their titles removed , at minimum .
“ This crisis goes beyond the sport and the game , ” Cedillo said .
“ It goes to the very core of being American .
This could send an important message to little boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard by the rules , or you can learn that cheating is the new normal .
“ We want it to be clear that this city spoke up for its team .
”

L.A. City Councilmen Gil Cedillo, left, and Paul Koretz speak to reporters before Tuesday’s vote calling on Major League Baseball to award the Dodgers the 2017 and 2018 World Series championships.
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ask the commissioner of baseball to award the Dodgers the 2017 and 2018 World Series titles after Major League Baseball punished the Houston Astros for cheating and continues to investigate the Boston Red Sox for possible misconduct.
The resolution, co-sponsored by Councilmen Gil Cedillo and Paul Koretz, originated after Commissioner Rob Manfred released a nine-page report on Jan. 13 detailing how the Astros used technology in violation of baseball rules to steal opposing teams’ pitching signs during the 2017 season.
Both councilmen said the resolution is symbolic and represents a larger ideological fight. With President Trump impeached and wealthy families facing charges in the college admissions scandal, Koretz said he hopes the resolution sets an example that cheating shouldn’t be tolerated.
“This isn’t being done for publicity,” Koretz said. “This is being done in outrage for how our team was cheated.”
Advertisement
MLB fined the Astros $5 million and suspended manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow. The Astros’ owner subsequently fired Hinch and Luhnow. Later, the Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora, who was an Astros coach in 2017 and was cited in the MLB report for his role in the Astros’ sign-stealing scheme.
The Dodgers lost to the Astros in seven games in the 2017 World Series and to the Red Sox in five games during the 2018 series.
“We know they were cheated at a real shot at a championship,” Koretz said. “We have to send a message. If we don’t stand up for baseball, then the tradition of the national pastime may become flawed.”
Major League Baseball officials had no comment Tuesday on the City Council’s action.
Cedillo said that neither he nor Koretz have spoken to the Dodgers about the resolution. If baseball does not award Los Angeles the championships, Cedillo said he feels the Astros and Red Sox should have their titles removed, at minimum.
“This crisis goes beyond the sport and the game,” Cedillo said. “It goes to the very core of being American. This could send an important message to little boys and girls that you need to play hard by the rules, or you can learn that cheating is the new normal.
Advertisement
“We want it to be clear that this city spoke up for its team.”


latimes--2020-01-21--Person with measles may have exposed others at LAX, pharmacy in Brentwood

Los Angeles County health officials are warning of a potential exposure to measles after a passenger at Los Angeles International Airport also visited a CVS Pharmacy in Brentwood this month .
Officials confirmed Sunday that one infected person arrived at LAX ’ s Tom Bradley International Terminal on Jan. 12 .
The person , who is not a Los Angeles County resident , also visited a pharmacy at 11941 San Vicente Blvd .
in Los Angeles the following day and again on Jan. 18 .
The traveler was at LAX ’ s international terminal and baggage claim between 1:45 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CVS from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 13 and again from 8:45 to 11 a.m. Jan. 18 .
Anyone who was in those areas at the airport or the pharmacy during those times is at risk of infection , according to health officials .
Those at risk should check their immunization records and contact a healthcare provider about a potential exposure if not protected .
Officials recommend watching for a rash or fever , and if symptoms develop , people are advised to stay home and call their healthcare provider .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that initially causes fever , cough , red , watery eyes , and , finally , a rash , ” Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said in a statement .
“ Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know have it .
The MMR immunization is a very effective measure to protect yourself and to prevent the unintentional spread of this potentially serious infection to others.
” This is the first measles exposure in 2020 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were 20 cases among L.A. County residents as well as 14 cases involving travelers to the county , according to public health officials .
One month ago , health officials warned of three LAX passengers who carried measles into the airport .
In most cases , people were not immunized or didn ’ t know whether they had been vaccinated .
A 2019 study placed L.A. County near the top of a list of counties in America most likely to have someone come down with measles , citing the thousands of travelers arriving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Measles is considered one of the most contagious viruses in the world .
It can spread from one person to another up to four days before the onset of a rash .
Other symptoms include fever , cough , runny nose and red eyes .

Los Angeles County health officials are warning of a potential exposure to measles after a passenger at Los Angeles International Airport also visited a CVS Pharmacy in Brentwood this month.
Officials confirmed Sunday that one infected person arrived at LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal on Jan. 12. The person, who is not a Los Angeles County resident, also visited a pharmacy at 11941 San Vicente Blvd. in Los Angeles the following day and again on Jan. 18.
The traveler was at LAX’s international terminal and baggage claim between 1:45 and 5 p.m. Jan. 12 and at the CVS from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 13 and again from 8:45 to 11 a.m. Jan. 18. Anyone who was in those areas at the airport or the pharmacy during those times is at risk of infection, according to health officials.
Advertisement
Those at risk should check their immunization records and contact a healthcare provider about a potential exposure if not protected. Officials recommend watching for a rash or fever, and if symptoms develop, people are advised to stay home and call their healthcare provider.
“For those who are not protected, measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that initially causes fever, cough, red, watery eyes, and, finally, a rash,” Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said in a statement. “Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know have it. The MMR immunization is a very effective measure to protect yourself and to prevent the unintentional spread of this potentially serious infection to others.”
This is the first measles exposure in 2020 after a previously bad year in which there were 20 cases among L.A. County residents as well as 14 cases involving travelers to the county, according to public health officials. One month ago, health officials warned of three LAX passengers who carried measles into the airport. In most cases, people were not immunized or didn’t know whether they had been vaccinated.
A 2019 study placed L.A. County near the top of a list of counties in America most likely to have someone come down with measles, citing the thousands of travelers arriving every day from countries with massive outbreaks.
Measles is considered one of the most contagious viruses in the world. It can spread from one person to another up to four days before the onset of a rash. Other symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes.


latimes--2020-01-21--L.A. is repealing requirements for would-be contractors to reveal NRA ties

Los Angeles is rolling back a law that required companies seeking city contracts to reveal any ties with the National Rifle Assn.
, weeks after a federal judge blocked the city from enforcing those rules .
The City Council voted 12-0 without discussion Tuesday to repeal the ordinance , which was passed less than a year ago at Los Angeles City Hall .
Under the law , companies that were vying for city contracts had to disclose contracts or sponsorships between them or their subsidiaries and the NRA , although the ordinance included some exemptions .
The L.A. ordinance was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who said last year that it “ provides transparency and allows the taxpayer to know how and where their monies are being spent.
” His spokesman Tony Arranaga later added that “ the disclosure has no bearing on who does or does not receive a contract with the city.
” The councilman , whose district includes parts of Hollywood , Silver Lake and Echo Park , said the NRA has “ been a roadblock to gun safety reform at every level of government now for several decades.
” The NRA responded with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unconstitutional and trampled on rights of free speech and association , as well as the right to equal protection under the law .
Its California counsel Chuck Michel called it “ modern day McCarthyism , ” arguing that the city “ blacklist ” would pressure NRA supporters to drop their NRA affiliations .
In December , U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson echoed those concerns , writing in his ruling that “ even though the ordinance only forces disclosure of activity ... the clear purpose of the disclosure is to undermine the NRA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing the law from being enforced .
Arranaga said in a statement Tuesday that the councilman was disappointed with the court ruling and “ feels it is critical to combat any organization that promotes domestic proliferation of weapons of war without any regulation.
” Rob Wilcox , a spokesman for City Atty .
Mike Feuer , said he could not provide further details on why the city was repealing the ordinance , stating that it “ pertains to litigation.
” NRA attorney Michel said that city officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their illegal misbehavior ” in the face of a scheduled trial and called the repeal “ another decisive victory for the NRA.
” “ The same city officials who vowed to defend this ordinance are on the run , ” NRA Institute for Legislative Action Executive Director Jason Ouimet said in a statement .
“ In addition to the NRA members they wronged , the city officials must answer to voters and taxpayers for their failed experiment , and why they recklessly subjected the city to legal and financial exposure.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Studio City Neighborhood Council , which said that although “ stakeholders are concerned about gun violence , to single out an organization smacks of politics , makes little sense and could result in unwanted legal costs.
” Others , however , argued that the ordinance gave important information to the public .
“ We still believe that taxpayers should know where their money goes -- and if it ’ s going to something that they support or oppose , ” said Margot Bennett , executive director of the advocacy group Women Against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the first time Los Angeles has imposed such mandates on prospective contractors : Los Angeles also has disclosure rules for companies involved in building the border wall touted by President Trump , as well as firms that had historic investments in or profits from slavery .
Wilcox said that L.A. has not been sued over either of those rules .

Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell had championed the ordinance that required firms seeking city contracts to disclose NRA ties. The council voted to repeal it Tuesday.
Los Angeles is rolling back a law that required companies seeking city contracts to reveal any ties with the National Rifle Assn., weeks after a federal judge blocked the city from enforcing those rules.
The City Council voted 12-0 without discussion Tuesday to repeal the ordinance, which was passed less than a year ago at Los Angeles City Hall. Under the law, companies that were vying for city contracts had to disclose contracts or sponsorships between them or their subsidiaries and the NRA, although the ordinance included some exemptions.
The L.A. ordinance was championed by Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, who said last year that it “provides transparency and allows the taxpayer to know how and where their monies are being spent.” His spokesman Tony Arranaga later added that “the disclosure has no bearing on who does or does not receive a contract with the city.”
Advertisement
The councilman, whose district includes parts of Hollywood, Silver Lake and Echo Park, said the NRA has “been a roadblock to gun safety reform at every level of government now for several decades.”
The NRA responded with a lawsuit, arguing that the ordinance was unconstitutional and trampled on rights of free speech and association, as well as the right to equal protection under the law. Its California counsel Chuck Michel called it “modern day McCarthyism,” arguing that the city “blacklist” would pressure NRA supporters to drop their NRA affiliations.
In December, U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson echoed those concerns, writing in his ruling that “even though the ordinance only forces disclosure of activity ... the clear purpose of the disclosure is to undermine the NRA’s explicitly political speech.”
The federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing the law from being enforced.
Arranaga said in a statement Tuesday that the councilman was disappointed with the court ruling and “feels it is critical to combat any organization that promotes domestic proliferation of weapons of war without any regulation.”
Rob Wilcox, a spokesman for City Atty. Mike Feuer, said he could not provide further details on why the city was repealing the ordinance, stating that it “pertains to litigation.”
NRA attorney Michel said that city officials were “trying to mitigate the consequences of their illegal misbehavior” in the face of a scheduled trial and called the repeal “another decisive victory for the NRA.”
Advertisement
“The same city officials who vowed to defend this ordinance are on the run,” NRA Institute for Legislative Action Executive Director Jason Ouimet said in a statement. “In addition to the NRA members they wronged, the city officials must answer to voters and taxpayers for their failed experiment, and why they recklessly subjected the city to legal and financial exposure.”
The L.A. ordinance had also drawn criticism from the Studio City Neighborhood Council, which said that although “stakeholders are concerned about gun violence, to single out an organization smacks of politics, makes little sense and could result in unwanted legal costs.” Others, however, argued that the ordinance gave important information to the public.
“We still believe that taxpayers should know where their money goes -- and if it’s going to something that they support or oppose,” said Margot Bennett, executive director of the advocacy group Women Against Gun Violence.
The NRA rules are not the first time Los Angeles has imposed such mandates on prospective contractors: Los Angeles also has disclosure rules for companies involved in building the border wall touted by President Trump, as well as firms that had historic investments in or profits from slavery.
Wilcox said that L.A. has not been sued over either of those rules.
Times staff writer Dakota Smith contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-01-21--In Harvey Weinstein trial — a #MeToo milestone — accusers' credibility will be key

The accusations have come from more than 80 women across the U.S. , Italy , France , England and Ireland , sparking criminal investigations in at least four cities .
Many of their stories share similar elements , spelling out something of a cadence to Harvey Weinstein ’ s alleged sexual abuse : A woman with a chance to network with Hollywood royalty .
An invitation to a hotel room or apartment .
An experience that would stay with them like a stain .
But while the litany of accusations against Weinstein since 2017 have all endured some level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mogul ’ s fate will likely come down to how well six accusers handle direct questioning in a Manhattan courtroom in the coming weeks , and whether a jury finds their version of events more credible than the defense offered by their alleged rapist .
Until now , Weinstein ’ s accusers have been able to make their cases in private to detectives , through media reports or during news conferences where they were flanked by their attorneys and supporters .
That dynamic will change dramatically when the alleged victims have to face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has promised to launch aggressive cross-examinations .
“ They ’ re not going to be sitting there with a sympathetic reporter .
It ’ s going to be people who feel that it ’ s their job to undermine anything and everything they say , ” said attorney Gloria Allred , who is representing two of the women expected to testify against Weinstein in New York .
“ They ’ re going to do everything they can to challenge their credibility … it ’ s not going to be a pleasant experience.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ five women is expected to hear opening arguments in the case Wednesday , .
The former mogul is charged with first-degree rape , two counts of predatory sexual assault , one count of first-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree rape .
The charges stem from the alleged 2006 rape of Mimi Haleyi , a former employee of Weinstein ’ s production company , and an alleged 2013 assault against an unidentified woman .
Actress Anabella Sciorra is expected to testify that Weinstein assaulted her in the early 1990s in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault charges .
Those require prosecutors to prove that the mogul committed a serious or violent sexual assault against more than one victim .
Three additional women will be allowed to testify to the pattern of Weinstein ’ s alleged predatory behavior , including an Italian model whose allegation that Weinstein attacked her in a Beverly Hills hotel in 2013 is at the center of criminal charges filed against him in Los Angeles County earlier this month .
The Times does not ordinarily publish the names of alleged victims of sexual assault , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycling through three different sets of attorneys since his arrest , Weinstein ’ s defense strategy has remained consistent since his arrest in May 2018 .
He has denied wrongdoing while claiming almost every alleged assault was a consensual encounter .
In the case of the allegation made by the former Italian model , the mogul ’ s lawyers have claimed he was never even at the hotel .
Defense attorneys have also pointed to emails showing that some of the accusers in New York stayed in contact with Weinstein after the dates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuser as either opportunistic or simply caught up in the groundswell of the broader # MeToo movement .
The accusers will face a tough test when they take the stand in New York and are questioned by Donna Rotunno , the Chicago lawyer who now leads Weinstein ’ s defense team and has earned a reputation for successfully defending men from sexual abuse and harassment claims .
Rotunno has noted she can often be more aggressive with accusers on the stand because of her gender .
“ He may be an excellent lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman with the same venom that I do , he looks like a bully , ” she told Chicago magazine in 2018 , describing how a man would be perceived using her approach .
“ If I do it , nobody even bats an eyelash .
And it ’ s been very effective.
” Rotunno has defended that aggressive style in interviews leading up to the trial while targeting the idea that the public should automatically believe women who speak out against powerful men accused of sexual abuse .
“ Cross-examination has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s happening with these movements is we are now saying that any questioning of any women in any way … that in doing that you are then victim shaming , ” she said .
“ That is a dangerous , dangerous , dangerous proposition.
” Others , however , believe Rotunno risks losing the jury if she is overly pugnacious in her attacks on Weinstein ’ s accusers .
Women ’ s rights groups and criminologists have noted in the past that a victim ’ s decision to maintain contact with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and some say that is especially the case with Weinstein , whose industry status gave him vast power and influence over the careers of those he is accused of assaulting .
“ I don ’ t believe it ’ s appropriate to go after a victim on the stand with venom , whether that ’ s a male lawyer or a female lawyer , ” Allred said .
“ If that ’ s her strategy , that she believes she can get away with it for a woman … a New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Issues of witness credibility have already aided Weinstein , however .
Prosecutors dropped one of the six charges against him last year after discovering emails that showed former model and actress Lucia Evans , who accused Weinstein of assaulting her in 2004 , wrote a draft email to her husband that offered an account of the attack that somewhat differed from what she told prosecutors .
A witness who claimed to have been with Evans the day she first met Weinstein also said Evans told her the encounter with Weinstein was consensual , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the defense in late 2018 .
Evans has maintained that her accusation was credible and chastised prosecutors for dropping the case .
Still , the sheer number of allegations against Weinstein across the U.S. and in Europe will leave the defense fighting an uphill battle against public perception , experts said .
As jury selection began in New York earlier this month , 40 prospective jurors said they could not be impartial , with one woman telling New York Supreme Court Justice James Burke she would find Weinstein guilty without even hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal defense attorney who now teaches at the John Jay School of Criminal Justice in Manhattan , said public perception against Weinstein was further poisoned when Los Angeles prosecutors filed four counts of sexual assault and battery against him earlier this month .
The torrent of allegations against Weinstein , coupled with the prosecution ’ s ability to call accusers describing a pattern of abusive behavior , could prove key in overcoming a lack of forensic evidence , Shakhnevich said .
He noted that a similar combination led to Bill Cosby ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gap in time between the alleged crimes and the trial .
“ I think the vitriol that ’ s going to permeate this jury pool is going to be tough to overcome , ” he said .
“ This isn ’ t a typical rape case ... you ’ re going to have to build the case primarily on volume.
” The Los Angeles charges might also boost the credibility of one of the “ prior bad acts ” witnesses in New York , the Italian model who accused Weinstein of raping her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jurors might be more likely to believe her accusation since prosecutors in Southern California thought it was strong enough to warrant a criminal charge , Shakhnevich said .
It is unlikely Weinstein will take the stand to counter the allegations , though Rotunno would not discuss whether or not she would actually put her client on the stand .
She also scoffed at the idea that her aggressive style toward his accusers would prove toxic to a jury .
“ I ’ m not concerned about that .
I feel like I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel like I can select jurors who will be fair , ” she said .
“ I think my style and skills in many ways have been represented as being tough and strong , and although that is true , I ’ m also very fair and tempered .
”

The accusations have come from more than 80 women across the U.S., Italy, France, England and Ireland, sparking criminal investigations in at least four cities.
Many of their stories share similar elements, spelling out something of a cadence to Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual abuse: A woman with a chance to network with Hollywood royalty. An invitation to a hotel room or apartment. An experience that would stay with them like a stain.
But while the litany of accusations against Weinstein since 2017 have all endured some level of scrutiny, legal experts say the former mogul’s fate will likely come down to how well six accusers handle direct questioning in a Manhattan courtroom in the coming weeks, and whether a jury finds their version of events more credible than the defense offered by their alleged rapist.
Until now, Weinstein’s accusers have been able to make their cases in private to detectives, through media reports or during news conferences where they were flanked by their attorneys and supporters.
Advertisement
That dynamic will change dramatically when the alleged victims have to face off with Weinstein and a defense team that has promised to launch aggressive cross-examinations.
“They’re not going to be sitting there with a sympathetic reporter. It’s going to be people who feel that it’s their job to undermine anything and everything they say,” said attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing two of the women expected to testify against Weinstein in New York. “They’re going to do everything they can to challenge their credibility … it’s not going to be a pleasant experience.”
A jury of seven men and five women is expected to hear opening arguments in the case Wednesday.
The former mogul is charged with first-degree rape, two counts of predatory sexual assault, one count of first-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree rape. The charges stem from the alleged 2006 rape of Mimi Haleyi, a former employee of Weinstein’s production company, and an alleged 2013 assault against an unidentified woman.
Actress Anabella Sciorra is expected to testify that Weinstein assaulted her in the early 1990s in New York, which would support the predatory sexual assault charges. Those require prosecutors to prove that the mogul committed a serious or violent sexual assault against more than one victim.
Three additional women will be allowed to testify to the pattern of Weinstein’s alleged predatory behavior, including one of the women whose allegations are at the center of criminal charges filed against him in Los Angeles County earlier this month.
The Times does not ordinarily publish the names of alleged victims of sexual assault, unless they identify themselves publicly.
Advertisement
Despite cycling through three different sets of attorneys since his May 2018 arrest, Weinstein’s defense strategy has remained consistent, denying wrongdoing in every instance.
Defense attorneys have also pointed to emails showing that some of the accusers in New York stayed in contact with Weinstein after the dates of the alleged rapes, painting each accuser as either opportunistic or simply caught up in the groundswell of the broader #MeToo movement.
The accusers will face a tough test when they take the stand in New York and are questioned by Donna Rotunno, the Chicago lawyer who now leads Weinstein’s defense team and has earned a reputation for successfully defending men from sexual abuse and harassment claims. Rotunno has noted she can often be more aggressive with accusers on the stand because of her gender.
“He may be an excellent lawyer, but if he goes at that woman with the same venom that I do, he looks like a bully,” she told Chicago magazine in 2018, describing how a man would be perceived using her approach. “If I do it, nobody even bats an eyelash. And it’s been very effective.”
Rotunno has defended that aggressive style in interviews leading up to the trial while targeting the idea that the public should automatically believe women who speak out against powerful men accused of sexual abuse.
“Cross-examination has been called a truth telling tool. What’s happening with these movements is we are now saying that any questioning of any women in any way … that in doing that you are then victim shaming,” she said. “That is a dangerous, dangerous, dangerous proposition.”
Others, however, believe Rotunno risks losing the jury if she is overly pugnacious in her attacks on Weinstein’s accusers.
Women’s rights groups and criminologists have noted in the past that a victim’s decision to maintain contact with their attacker does not invalidate a rape claim, and some say that is especially the case with Weinstein, whose industry status gave him vast power and influence over the careers of those he is accused of assaulting.
“I don’t believe it’s appropriate to go after a victim on the stand with venom, whether that’s a male lawyer or a female lawyer,” Allred said. “If that’s her strategy, that she believes she can get away with it for a woman … a New York jury may not agree with that.”
Issues of witness credibility have already aided Weinstein, however. Prosecutors dropped one of the six charges against him last year after discovering emails that showed former model and actress Lucia Evans, who accused Weinstein of assaulting her in 2004, wrote a draft email to her husband that offered an account of the attack that somewhat differed from what she told prosecutors.
A witness who claimed to have been with Evans the day she first met Weinstein also said Evans told her the encounter with Weinstein was consensual, according to a letter prosecutors turned over to the defense in late 2018. Evans has maintained that her accusation was credible and chastised prosecutors for dropping the case.
Still, the sheer number of allegations against Weinstein across the U.S. and in Europe will leave the defense fighting an uphill battle against public perception, experts said. As jury selection began in New York earlier this month, 40 prospective jurors said they could not be impartial, with one woman telling New York Supreme Court Justice James Burke she would find Weinstein guilty without even hearing any evidence.
Dmitry Shakhnevich, a criminal defense attorney who now teaches at the John Jay School of Criminal Justice in Manhattan, said public perception against Weinstein was further poisoned when Los Angeles prosecutors filed four counts of sexual assault and battery against him earlier this month.
The torrent of allegations against Weinstein, coupled with the prosecution’s ability to call accusers describing a pattern of abusive behavior, could prove key in overcoming a lack of forensic evidence, Shakhnevich said. He noted that a similar combination led to Bill Cosby’s conviction in 2018, despite a comparable gap in time between the alleged crimes and the trial.
“I think the vitriol that’s going to permeate this jury pool is going to be tough to overcome,” he said. “This isn’t a typical rape case ... you’re going to have to build the case primarily on volume.”
The Los Angeles charges might also boost the credibility of one of the “prior bad acts” witnesses in New York, the Italian model who accused Weinstein of raping her at a Beverly Hills hotel in 2013. Jurors might be more likely to believe her accusation since prosecutors in Southern California thought it was strong enough to warrant a criminal charge, Shakhnevich said.
It is unlikely Weinstein will take the stand to counter the allegations, though Rotunno would not discuss whether or not she would actually put her client on the stand. She also scoffed at the idea that her aggressive style toward his accusers would prove toxic to a jury.
“I’m not concerned about that. I feel like I know how to select juries and I feel like I can select jurors who will be fair,” she said. “I think my style and skills in many ways have been represented as being tough and strong, and although that is true, I’m also very fair and tempered.”


latimes--2020-01-21--3-year-old recovering after mountain lion attack while park remains closed

A 3-year-old boy is recovering at home after a mountain lion grabbed him by the neck in an attack Monday afternoon at a wilderness park in Orange County ’ s Lake Forest .
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park — a destination for hikers , bicyclists and equestrian enthusiasts and the site of a 2004 mountain lion attack that left one dead and one injured — remains closed indefinitely following the attack .
According to various official accounts , a mountain lion grabbed the boy by the neck about 4:10 p.m. Monday and began to drag him along the ground .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two adults and three other children , and was about 10 feet in front of the others when the big cat singled him out , according to Capt .
Patrick Foy of the California Fish and Wildlife law enforcement division .
The boy ’ s father started shouting and charged toward the lion .
The lion dropped the child and took a defensive stance .
The father then took off his backpack and threw it at the lion , who picked up the bag and ran off .
A park visitor later photographed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding a backpack in its powerful jaws .
Foy said that the family was about one mile from the parking lot .
By the time they arrived , paramedics were already on scene .
Within an hour of the attack , deputies received authorization from the Fish and Wildlife Department to kill the lion , said Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff ’ s Department .
About 5:20 p.m. , a deputy shot and killed a lion near where the child was attacked .
Authorities are confident it was the same cat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a tree guarding the backpack the boy ’ s father had thrown at it .
Following the attack , the park was immediately evacuated via loudspeaker from a Sheriff ’ s Department helicopter .
The boy suffered puncture wounds around his neck and scrapes from being dragged .
He was taken to Mission Hospital and was reported in stable condition before his release .
Landon Wright , 46 , has biked or hiked in the park nearly every day for the last three years .
On Monday , while he was riding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying a young boy .
“ There ’ s a mountain lion up there that just attacked my kid , ” she cried .
The boy ’ s father and three other children ran past him .
Wright continued on , curious what was ahead .
“ Fifteen feet in the air was a mountain lion with a backpack in its mouth , ” he said .
Wright snapped photos and watched the big cat , which he didn ’ t think posed an immediate threat , as it teetered on a tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the path , telling them what he ’ d learned .
The pair , Orange County park volunteers , contacted the authorities , and the group remained until officials arrived and sent the group away .
As they walked off , they heard a gunshot .
Wright has a 3-year-old boy who also spends frequent time in the park , looking at bugs and playing in nature .
The attack has given him pause .
“ I ’ ve known there ’ s mountain lions there , but I ’ ve never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by five other humans.
” The attack occurred about an hour before sunset .
Mountain lions are known to hunt from dusk to dawn .
Wright referred to the timing as “ predator hour ” and said his major takeaway from the attack is to be cautious during that time , especially when children are present .
Though mountain lion attacks are not common , they can be deadly .
In January 2004 , a mountain lion , 35 , in Whiting Ranch .
Reynolds , who was alone at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over his bike when the cat approached .
Experts at the time said a mountain lion will sometimes interpret a crouching animal as a sign of weakness .
The same cat attacked another biker who had stumbled on Reynolds ’ body .
The woman was pried away from the cat by a friend and other bikers , and the cat was later killed .
At the time , Reynolds was the first person in California killed by a mountain lion in a decade .
Foy said that following the attack , deputies gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claws and teeth , and animal DNA from the boy .
Officials drove the lion ’ s remains up to Sacramento , where it is being processed at a wildlife forensics laboratory .
City News Service and Times staff writer Howard Blume contributed to this report .

A 3-year-old boy is recovering at home after a mountain lion grabbed him by the neck in an attack Monday afternoon at a wilderness park in Orange County’s Lake Forest.
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park — a destination for hikers, bicyclists and equestrian enthusiasts and the site of a 2004 mountain lion attack that left one dead and one injured — remains closed indefinitely following the attack.
According to various official accounts, a mountain lion grabbed the boy by the neck about 4:10 p.m. Monday and began to drag him along the ground. The child had been in the park with two adults and three other children, and was about 10 feet in front of the others when the big cat singled him out, according to Capt. Patrick Foy of the California Fish and Wildlife law enforcement division.
Advertisement
The boy’s father started shouting and charged toward the lion. The lion dropped the child and took a defensive stance. The father then took off his backpack and threw it at the lion, who picked up the bag and ran off. A park visitor later photographed a mountain lion up a tree, holding a backpack in its powerful jaws.
Foy said that the family was about one mile from the parking lot. By the time they arrived, paramedics were already on scene.
Within an hour of the attack, deputies received authorization from the Fish and Wildlife Department to kill the lion, said Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. About 5:20 p.m., a deputy shot and killed a lion near where the child was attacked. Authorities are confident it was the same cat that attacked the child because it was in a tree guarding the backpack the boy’s father had thrown at it.
Following the attack, the park was immediately evacuated via loudspeaker from a Sheriff’s Department helicopter.
The boy suffered puncture wounds around his neck and scrapes from being dragged. He was taken to Mission Hospital and was reported in stable condition before his release.
California Mountain lion attacks are rare. But people should be on guard Experts say Monday’s attack on a 3-year-old boy is a reminder for people to use caution when in mountain lion country.
Advertisement
Landon Wright, 46, has biked or hiked in the park nearly every day for the last three years. On Monday, while he was riding uphill, a mother ran down while carrying a young boy.
“There’s a mountain lion up there that just attacked my kid,” she cried.
The boy’s father and three other children ran past him.
Wright continued on, curious what was ahead.
“Fifteen feet in the air was a mountain lion with a backpack in its mouth,” he said.
Wright snapped photos and watched the big cat, which he didn’t think posed an immediate threat, as it teetered on a tree limb. Wright flagged a couple walking along the path, telling them what he’d learned. The pair, Orange County park volunteers, contacted the authorities, and the group remained until officials arrived and sent the group away.
As they walked off, they heard a gunshot.
Wright has a 3-year-old boy who also spends frequent time in the park, looking at bugs and playing in nature. The attack has given him pause.
“I’ve known there’s mountain lions there, but I’ve never heard of one going after a child surrounded by five other humans.”
The attack occurred about an hour before sunset. Mountain lions are known to hunt from dusk to dawn. Wright referred to the timing as “predator hour” and said his major takeaway from the attack is to be cautious during that time, especially when children are present.
Though mountain lion attacks are not common, they can be deadly.
In January 2004, a mountain lion killed avid biker Mark Reynolds , 35, in Whiting Ranch. Reynolds, who was alone at the time of the attack, was apparently crouched over his bike when the cat approached. Experts at the time said a mountain lion will sometimes interpret a crouching animal as a sign of weakness.
The same cat attacked another biker who had stumbled on Reynolds’ body. The woman was pried away from the cat by a friend and other bikers, and the cat was later killed.
At the time, Reynolds was the first person in California killed by a mountain lion in a decade.
Foy said that following the attack, deputies gathered human DNA from the lion’s claws and teeth, and animal DNA from the boy. Officials drove the lion’s remains up to Sacramento, where it is being processed at a wildlife forensics laboratory.
City News Service and Times staff writer Howard Blume contributed to this report.