latimes--2020-09-15--Tens of thousands of L.A. area students still need computers or Wi-Fi 6 months into pandemic

Six months after schools closed amid the coronavirus crisis and with online learning in full swing , tens of thousand of students remain without adequate digital access and school districts in Los Angeles County report they still need nearly 50,000 computers and Wi-Fi hot spots .
The numbers are a stark reminder that technology access continues to pose a significant barrier to distance learning as schools in Los Angeles County will not be allowed to fully reopen until at least November .
“ I ’ m very concerned if there ’ s even a small fraction of students who aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re talking about students who are already more vulnerable and disadvantaged , ” said Debra Duardo , superintendent of the L.A. County Office of Education .
“ There is already a gap , whether you want to call it an academic gap or an opportunity gap .
There is already a gap , and we don ’ t want that gap to get any larger.
” The Office of Education , which provides services and financial oversight for the county ’ s 80 school districts , released the numbers Tuesday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Supervisors voted to approve $ 14.9 million in spending to help close the technology gap .
Duardo ’ s office had requested the funding based on a survey of needs in local school systems .
Some district officials told The Times they have not yet been able to distribute computers and hot spots to every student who needs them .
Others have distributed the devices and hot spots to all students but said that inadequate technology , outdated equipment and other problems have at times made it difficult or impossible for children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is even more acute now compared with the spring , when schools initially closed , because new state education policy has made online learning more rigorous for this academic year — with full schedules , mandatory attendance and heightened expectations for students .
At the same time , massive backlogs in supply have made it impossible for many districts to secure the computers and hot spots on their own .
In the Palmdale School District , about 2,000 kindergarten students still need iPads , said Jim Smith , manager of information services .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t get a school-issued device are being urged to use any computers they have in the home , and when all else fails , the district sends paper packets home , he said .
“ It ’ s a big concern , ” Smith said .
“ It ’ s probably one of our primary issues and concerns right now.
” The district also needs newer Chromebooks because many of the ones that have been issued to students are about 4 or 5 years old , Smith said .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have anything available to them , it ’ s that it ’ s not adequate , ” Smith said .
“ When we send them home for distance learning they don ’ t perform as well as the modern units .
So you see things like dropped calls or jittery audio.
” In some cases , district leaders say the computers they distributed were never meant to be used outside the classroom , creating challenges for home users .
In other cases , computers have been damaged or lost or the hot spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t work in certain places .
“ Our kids have access but it ’ s very fragile , ” said Lillian Maldonado French , superintendent of Mountain View School District in El Monte .
“ We really are hoping to have a better , more stable solution for our community.
” Compton Unified School District Supt .
Darin Brawley said that while it took time to distribute technology in the spring — partly due to delayed orders — Compton ultimately met their needs .
Still , the district now needs about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We had hot spots , but the ones we are using were not solving the issue of connectivity , ” Brawley said .
“ Our kids are struggling to find a spot on the property or the house where the device will actually work.
” And about 20 % of the computing devices handed out in the spring were never returned or were damaged , creating significant replacement costs that are likely to be ongoing as long as students work primarily from home , he said .
The school system also has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in part to giveninth-grade students — who currently have access to iPads — laptops that are more suitable for older students who frequently have to write essays .
Similarly , in Beverly Hills , school officials say they want to replace iPads with Chromebooks — in their case , for the youngest students , in a transition to kindergarten class through second grade .
The district has older iPads that do not “ allow for a split screen with the apps they are using to learn while participating in Zoom or Google Meets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The district hasn ’ t been able to secure the laptops on its own because they are in short supply , Starkins said .
L.A. Unified , the state ’ s largest school district , with about a third of the county ’ s 1.5 million K-12 students , said it has all the technology that its students need .
They just have to ask for it — or respond when contacted .
This wasn ’ t true when schools closed in March , but the district quickly spent down its school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local supply chain before special coronavirus funding reached many other school systems .
Even so , technology did not reach many younger students until near the end of the school year .
And it remains to be seen whether students have enough broadband now that every school-age student in a household is online much of the day .
Teachers are reporting connectivity issues for some students in their Zoom sessions , even when students are using hot spots from the district .
On Aug. 20 , three days into the school year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students were “ connected , ” which also meant that about 46,000 students were not .
By Sept. 11 , the figure was 98.3 % , leaving about 7,800 unaccounted for .
The district has defined “ connected ” as a student who has logged in at least once to a classroom-related activity since the start of the school year from any device , whether or not that device was provided by the district .
County Office of Education spokeswoman Margo Minecki said that $ 12.8 million of the funds allocated Tuesday by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the purchase of computers and hot spots for students — an amount that should be enough to buy the nearly 50,000 computers and hot spots that districts have said they need .
The rest will go to support the county library ’ s computer lending program and allow for better Wi-Fi access at libraries and in the living quarters of juvenile halls .
County officials have already secured 15,000 devices and will soon begin distributing them .
It ’ s unclear how long it will take to purchase and distribute the remaining devices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money be spent by the end of the year .

Six months after schools closed amid the coronavirus crisis and with online learning in full swing, tens of thousand of students remain without adequate digital access and school districts in Los Angeles County report they still need nearly 50,000 computers and Wi-Fi hot spots.
The numbers are a stark reminder that technology access continues to pose a significant barrier to distance learning as schools in Los Angeles County will not be allowed to fully reopen until at least November.
For the record: And earlier version of this story said Compton Unified had requested 1,500 hot spots from the Los Angeles County Office of Education. The district said it had asked for 1,500 iPads with built-in internet capability.
“I’m very concerned if there’s even a small fraction of students who aren’t accessing, especially when we’re talking about students who are already more vulnerable and disadvantaged,” said Debra Duardo, superintendent of the L.A. County Office of Education. “There is already a gap, whether you want to call it an academic gap or an opportunity gap. There is already a gap, and we don’t want that gap to get any larger.”
The Office of Education, which provides services and financial oversight for the county’s 80 school districts, released the numbers Tuesday, the same day that the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted to approve $14.9 million in spending to help close the technology gap. Duardo’s office had requested the funding based on a survey of needs in local school systems.
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Some district officials told The Times they have not yet been able to distribute computers and hot spots to every student who needs them. Others have distributed the devices and hot spots to all students but said that inadequate technology, outdated equipment and other problems have at times made it difficult or impossible for children to use the devices.
The need is even more acute now compared with the spring, when schools initially closed, because new state education policy has made online learning more rigorous for this academic year — with full schedules, mandatory attendance and heightened expectations for students. At the same time, massive backlogs in supply have made it impossible for many districts to secure the computers and hot spots on their own.
California Back to school in a pandemic: Resources and news for parents The new school year of remote learning will bring unique challenges. Here are guides to help parents of school-age children navigate remote learning, as well as recent updates about education in Southern California.
In the Palmdale School District, about 2,000 kindergarten students still need iPads, said Jim Smith, manager of information services.
For now, families that can’t get a school-issued device are being urged to use any computers they have in the home, and when all else fails, the district sends paper packets home, he said.
“It’s a big concern,” Smith said. “It’s probably one of our primary issues and concerns right now.”
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The district also needs newer Chromebooks because many of the ones that have been issued to students are about 4 or 5 years old, Smith said.
“It’s not that those students don’t have anything available to them, it’s that it’s not adequate,” Smith said. “When we send them home for distance learning they don’t perform as well as the modern units. So you see things like dropped calls or jittery audio.”
In some cases, district leaders say the computers they distributed were never meant to be used outside the classroom, creating challenges for home users. In other cases, computers have been damaged or lost.or the hot spots school officials have are inadequate or simply don’t work in certain places.
“Our kids have access but it’s very fragile,” said Lillian Maldonado French, superintendent of Mountain View School District in El Monte. “We really are hoping to have a better, more stable solution for our community.”
California School campuses in affluent areas plan to open quicker than those in poor Latino ones San Diego County has gotten the green light to reopen schools, and Orange County officials believe they’ll soon be allowed to follow. But the picture on a school district level is far more complicated.
Compton Unified School District Supt. Darin Brawley said that while it took time to distribute technology in the spring — partly due to delayed orders — Compton ultimately met their needs. Still, the district now needs about 3,500 laptops and 1,500 iPads with built-in internet. The iPads would replace hot spots that don’t provide an adequate connection for students.
“We had hot spots, but the ones we are using were not solving the issue of connectivity,” Brawley said. “Our kids are struggling to find a spot on the property or the house where the device will actually work.”
And about 20% of the computing devices handed out in the spring were never returned or were damaged, creating significant replacement costs that are likely to be ongoing as long as students work primarily from home, he said.
The school system also has asked for 3,500 Chromebook-style laptop computers, in part to give ninth-grade students — who currently have access to iPads — laptops that are more suitable for older students who frequently have to write essays.
Similarly, in Beverly Hills, school officials say they want to replace iPads with Chromebooks — in their case, for the youngest students, in a transition to kindergarten class through second grade. The district has older iPads that do not “allow for a split screen with the apps they are using to learn while participating in Zoom or Google Meets,” district spokeswoman Rebecca Starkins said.
The district hasn’t been able to secure the laptops on its own because they are in short supply, Starkins said.
L.A. Unified, the state’s largest school district, with about a third of the county’s 1.5 million K-12 students, said it has all the technology that its students need. They just have to ask for it — or respond when contacted.
This wasn’t true when schools closed in March, but the district quickly spent down its school construction bond funds and commandeered much of the local supply chain before special coronavirus funding reached many other school systems.
Even so, technology did not reach many younger students until near the end of the school year. And it remains to be seen whether students have enough broadband now that every school-age student in a household is online much of the day. Teachers are reporting connectivity issues for some students in their Zoom sessions, even when students are using hot spots from the district.
On Aug. 20, three days into the school year, LAUSD reported that 90% of students were “connected,” which also meant that about 46,000 students were not. By Sept. 11, the figure was 98.3%, leaving about 7,800 unaccounted for. The district has defined “connected” as a student who has logged in at least once to a classroom-related activity since the start of the school year from any device, whether or not that device was provided by the district.
County Office of Education spokeswoman Margo Minecki said that $12.8 million of the funds allocated Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors will go toward the purchase of computers and hot spots for students — an amount that should be enough to buy the nearly 50,000 computers and hot spots that districts have said they need. The rest will go to support the county library’s computer lending program and allow for better Wi-Fi access at libraries and in the living quarters of juvenile halls.
County officials have already secured 15,000 devices and will soon begin distributing them. It’s unclear how long it will take to purchase and distribute the remaining devices, though the funding approval requires that the money be spent by the end of the year.


latimes--2020-09-15--L.A. officials warn against lifting COVID-19 restrictions until a review of Labor Day weekend data

California ’ s COVID-19 case count and hospitalizations are declining , but L.A. County ’ s top public health official still isn ’ t ready to ease up on restrictions .
Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer on Tuesday warned that lifting restrictions before getting an accurate picture on infection rates following the Labor Day holiday weekend could prove detrimental .
“ It would be foolish to start reopenings now , only to have to close down because our numbers are moving in the wrong direction , ” said Ferrer at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public regarding the ongoing closures of indoor malls and other businesses that , under state guidelines , are allowed to reopen with restrictions .
The increasing pressure to reopen comes amid signs that the pandemic is in retreat .
But the county has yet to show enough progress to lift most restrictions .
The county , which has recorded more than 254,680 infections and 6,274 deaths , has a seven-day average for positive infections of 4.3 % .
While that number could move it from Tier 1 for widespread risk of transmission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily case count is 8.1 per 100,000 people — still too high to move from the state ’ s most restrictive tier .
Additionally , county Health Services Director Dr. Christina Ghaly said that thousands of testing appointments have gone unfilled in recent weeks , all while the county is pushing for residents to get tested following the holiday .
Ferrer noted that roughly 500,000 people visited L.A. County bars during the first week they were reopened on June 18 .
By July 1 , the case count had jumped to 2,000 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been connected to Memorial Day weekend and a blanket reopening strategy in the county that led to a major resurgence in activity .
While wineries and breweries can open outdoor operations in counties in the state ’ s most restrictive level , L.A. County has not yet made the allowance .
Ferrer said that places where drinking is a focal point often prompt co-mingling at a greater level than eateries , and pose a greater risk of increasing transmission .
Once a county progresses from one tier to another , it can still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear how quickly .
San Diego County , for example , is currently reporting a case count that doesn ’ t meet its tier requirements .
But state Health and Human Services Director Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday that the county , which has been on Tier 2 for two weeks , has not yet moved back to Tier 1 .
State officials are working with San Diego County to understand what led to the increase , which appears to be driven in part by a surge in cases at San Diego State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities into consideration before making any changes .
“ Certainly , as we see the ups and downs of transmission we should expect a county to move to a more restrictive tier , ” Mark Ghaly said .
When the state launched its new reopening system , officials said that a county must hold steady with a tier ’ s metrics — which focus on a seven day average of positive infections and case count by population size — for three consecutive weeks before progressing .
But there is no clear timeline for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backwards through the tiered system if a county does not meet those required data points .
Also , a county must remain on Tier 2 for at least two consecutive weeks before it ’ s allowed to reopen all schools .
The state ’ s new system has prompted questions about why certain sectors are allowed to open before others .
Most recently , the California Fitness Alliance , which represents nearly 300 businesses , filed a lawsuit against Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s measures , arguing that the fitness industry has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s current rules allow fitness centers to begin opening indoor services at minimal capacity once a county reaches Tier 2 .
As is the case in L.A. County , a county can always choose to impose further restrictions beyond the state ’ s prohibitions .

California’s COVID-19 case count and hospitalizations are declining, but L.A. County’s top public health official still isn’t ready to ease up on restrictions.
Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer on Tuesday warned that lifting restrictions before getting an accurate picture on infection rates following the Labor Day holiday weekend could prove detrimental.
“It would be foolish to start reopenings now, only to have to close down because our numbers are moving in the wrong direction,” said Ferrer at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting. She was addressing questions from supervisors and the public regarding the ongoing closures of indoor malls and other businesses that, under state guidelines, are allowed to reopen with restrictions.
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The increasing pressure to reopen comes amid signs that the pandemic is in retreat. But the county has yet to show enough progress to lift most restrictions.
The county, which has recorded more than 254,680 infections and 6,274 deaths, has a seven-day average for positive infections of 4.3%. While that number could move it from Tier 1 for widespread risk of transmission to Tier 2 for substantial risk, the daily case count is 8.1 per 100,000 people — still too high to move from the state’s most restrictive tier. Additionally, county Health Services Director Dr. Christina Ghaly said that thousands of testing appointments have gone unfilled in recent weeks, all while the county is pushing for residents to get tested following the holiday.
Ferrer noted that roughly 500,000 people visited L.A. County bars during the first week they were reopened on June 18. By July 1, the case count had jumped to 2,000 cases a day. That surge has also been connected to Memorial Day weekend and a blanket reopening strategy in the county that led to a major resurgence in activity.
While wineries and breweries can open outdoor operations in counties in the state’s most restrictive level, L.A. County has not yet made the allowance. Ferrer said that places where drinking is a focal point often prompt co-mingling at a greater level than eateries, and pose a greater risk of increasing transmission.
Once a county progresses from one tier to another, it can still move backwards, but it’s unclear how quickly. San Diego County, for example, is currently reporting a case count that doesn’t meet its tier requirements. But state Health and Human Services Director Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday that the county, which has been on Tier 2 for two weeks, has not yet moved back to Tier 1.
State officials are working with San Diego County to understand what led to the increase, which appears to be driven in part by a surge in cases at San Diego State University, while taking concerns from local communities into consideration before making any changes.
“Certainly, as we see the ups and downs of transmission we should expect a county to move to a more restrictive tier,” Mark Ghaly said.
When the state launched its new reopening system, officials said that a county must hold steady with a tier’s metrics — which focus on a seven day average of positive infections and case count by population size — for three consecutive weeks before progressing. But there is no clear timeline for how long it might take to move backwards through the tiered system if a county does not meet those required data points.
Also, a county must remain on Tier 2 for at least two consecutive weeks before it’s allowed to reopen all schools.
The state’s new system has prompted questions about why certain sectors are allowed to open before others. Most recently, the California Fitness Alliance, which represents nearly 300 businesses, filed a lawsuit against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s measures, arguing that the fitness industry has been unfairly targeted. The state’s current rules allow fitness centers to begin opening indoor services at minimal capacity once a county reaches Tier 2.
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As is the case in L.A. County, a county can always choose to impose further restrictions beyond the state’s prohibitions.


latimes--2020-09-15--FBI arrests drug ring that also sold 'ghost gun' AR-15s

An FBI-led task force arrested 18 people identified in a series of federal indictments with links to a Southern California drug ring that also sold illegal weapons .
The early morning arrests across Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire were the culmination of Operation “ Black Phoenix , ” which identified 25 suspects involved in illicit narcotics and gun trades .
Four of those identified are already in custody , officials said , while three remain at large .
Investigators from the FBI , the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department seized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter-pound of cocaine and crack cocaine , and 16 firearms — including several so-called “ ghost guns , ” which lack serial numbers that could be traced by law enforcement .
Six of the accused were involved in a single drug deal involving several pounds of methamphetamine , officials said .
One of the seven indictments filed by prosecutors alleges a series of meth sales that include two 1-pound deals and four 2-pound transactions .
In two other indictments unsealed Tuesday , prosecutors detailed illegal weapons sales involving ghost guns .
Dau Quay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 47 , both of Ontario , are charged with illegal firearm sales , accused of selling five AR-15-type rifles with no make , model or serial numbers .
In another indictment , Jonathan Domingo Go , 47 , of Torrance , was charged with illegally selling three firearms — two .40-caliber pistols and a 5.56mm assault pistol , which also lacked a manufacturing mark and serial number .
The indictments include a variety of charges , including conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute narcotics and substantive narcotics trafficking offenses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If convicted , most of the defendants will face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in federal prison , and some will face decades in federal prison because of extensive criminal histories , according to prosecutors .

Jack Bennett, acting assistant director of the FBI Los Angeles field office, announces federal charges against 25 defendants at a news conference in L.A. on Tuesday.
An FBI-led task force arrested 18 people identified in a series of federal indictments with links to a Southern California drug ring that also sold illegal weapons.
The early morning arrests across Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire were the culmination of Operation “Black Phoenix,” which identified 25 suspects involved in illicit narcotics and gun trades. Four of those identified are already in custody, officials said, while three remain at large.
Investigators from the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department seized about 28 pounds of methamphetamine, a quarter-pound of cocaine and crack cocaine, and 16 firearms — including several so-called “ghost guns,” which lack serial numbers that could be traced by law enforcement.
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Six of the accused were involved in a single drug deal involving several pounds of methamphetamine, officials said. One of the seven indictments filed by prosecutors alleges a series of meth sales that include two 1-pound deals and four 2-pound transactions.
In two other indictments unsealed Tuesday, prosecutors detailed illegal weapons sales involving ghost guns. Dau Quay Duong, 53, and Christopher Nguyen, 47, both of Ontario, are charged with illegal firearm sales, accused of selling five AR-15-type rifles with no make, model or serial numbers.
In another indictment, Jonathan Domingo Go, 47, of Torrance, was charged with illegally selling three firearms — two .40-caliber pistols and a 5.56mm assault pistol, which also lacked a manufacturing mark and serial number.
The indictments include a variety of charges, including conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute narcotics and substantive narcotics trafficking offenses, such as the distribution of methamphetamine.
If convicted, most of the defendants will face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in federal prison, and some will face decades in federal prison because of extensive criminal histories, according to prosecutors.


latimes--2020-09-15--So much at stake as firefighters battle to save historic Mt. Wilson Observatory

Few places have played a more important role in the history of astronomy than the Mt .
Wilson Observatory .
On Tuesday , that history was in jeopardy as the Bobcat fire moved perilously close to its famed telescope .
The Bobcat fire was within 500 feet of the observatory shortly after noon Tuesday , according to Angeles National Forest officials .
The historic observatory has been threatened for days by the growing fire , which ignited Sept. 6 in the Angeles National Forest .
But fire officials are at the site and say they have a plan to defend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firefight right now , because it is so close , ” L.A. County Fire Capt .
David Dantic said of crews positioned at Mt .
Wilson .
Here is what we know from reports and past reporting in the Times : The fire has been burning closer and closer to the observatory for days .
Mt .
Wilson officials tweeted Monday night that it was “ knocking on our door , ” noting that all observatory personnel had been evacuated .
David Cendejas , superintendent of the complex that houses 18 astronomical wonders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Monday that firefighters were on hand , ready to do battle with the monster fire , which has swelled to more than 41,000 acres .
More than three dozen firefighters are now familiar with emergency firefighting systems and backup electric generators strategically located across the property , which is perched on a 5,710-foot mountain shaded by pine and oak trees .
Those systems include a water tank connected to a high-pressure pump built in 1970 and last used when the observatory was rescued from the snarling flames of the in 2009 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four nights .
The Station fire posed a major threat to the observatory , but it survived .
In 2017 , a much smaller brush fire threatened to damage the mountaintop observatory and an array of television broadcast towers , prompting evacuations .
The Los Angeles County Fire Department was prepping for the worst Monday night .
“ We ’ re not going anywhere , ” Capt .
Keith Stires said .
On Tuesday morning , L.A. County Fire Capt .
Dantic said he hoped crews could keep the observatory complex safe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ today — and in conjunction with water drops and hand crews putting containment lines down with the bulldozer — hopefully we can get better containment of the fire today , ” he said .
An important piece of history is at stake .
Mt .
Wilson is a major site in the development of astronomy .
The observatory was founded by George Ellery Hale in 1904 , and its first telescopes — weighing hundreds of pounds each — were transported in pieces up the 9-mile Mt .
Wilson toll road on the backs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lets visitors view space through its 60-inch telescope , which has been in place since 1908 .
When the 100-inch Hooker telescope gathered its first light on Nov. 1 , 1917 , it overtook its 60-inch neighbor and became the largest telescope in the world — a position it held for more than three decades .
“ In some ways , I consider Mt .
Wilson Observatory to be the most important optical observatory in the history of astronomy , ” , a UC Berkeley astronomer , told The Times in a 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other observatories — in the high plains of Chile , in orbit around the Earth — have rendered Mt .
Wilson obsolete , but the campus is still a destination for astronomers and stargazers , who for decades have been drawn by its famed “ seeing , ” a shared term of appreciation for the quality of light that defines Los Angeles .
The air from the Pacific Ocean , having flowed smoothly over the Los Angeles Basin , rises undisturbed and unruffled over the mountains .
Stars don ’ t twinkle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is steeped in history .
Hale , the learned astronomer who believed that from this vantage above L.A. , the mysteries of the sun could be revealed , built three solar telescopes on the mountain , beginning in 1912 — each more powerful than the last .
Beneath the observatory ’ s pines and cedars and oaks , Einstein walked ; a photo shows him on the famous bridge connecting a former kitchen with the 100-inch telescope .
On these grounds , Edwin Hubble discovered the limitlessness of the universe ; a locker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the solar telescope , Stephen Hawking looked at flares ; his name is in the guest register , dated June 2 , 1990 .
Today , the famed 100-inch and 60-inch telescopes are destinations for tour groups and venues for concerts .
A number of universities , however , maintain smaller and private telescopes at Mt .
Wilson , including Georgia State University , which manages the CHARA array .
Completed in 2004 , CHARA — which stands for Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy — is an optical interferometer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ images are coordinated and digitized by computer , giving astronomers details and precise information about star systems thousands of light years away .

Hayley Smith, Louis Sahagun, Thomas Curwen

A 5-ton mirror is carried atop a truck to be placed on a telescope at Mt. Wilson Observatory on July 1, 1917.
Few places have played a more important role in the history of astronomy than the Mt. Wilson Observatory.
On Tuesday, that history was in jeopardy as the Bobcat fire moved perilously close to its famed telescope.
The Bobcat fire was within 500 feet of the observatory shortly after noon Tuesday, according to Angeles National Forest officials.
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The historic observatory has been threatened for days by the growing fire, which ignited Sept. 6 in the Angeles National Forest. But fire officials are at the site and say they have a plan to defend it.
“They are in a firefight right now, because it is so close,” L.A. County Fire Capt. David Dantic said of crews positioned at Mt. Wilson.
Here is what we know from reports and past reporting in the Times:
Edwin Hubble worked on the 100-inch telescope in the 1920s, and his discoveries revolutionized astronomy. (Julia Rosen / Los Angeles Times )
The threat
The fire has been burning closer and closer to the observatory for days.
Mt. Wilson officials tweeted Monday night that it was “knocking on our door,” noting that all observatory personnel had been evacuated.
David Cendejas, superintendent of the complex that houses 18 astronomical wonders, including the 100-inch Hooker telescope, said Monday that firefighters were on hand, ready to do battle with the monster fire, which has swelled to more than 41,000 acres.
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More than three dozen firefighters are now familiar with emergency firefighting systems and backup electric generators strategically located across the property, which is perched on a 5,710-foot mountain shaded by pine and oak trees.
Those systems include a water tank connected to a high-pressure pump built in 1970 and last used when the observatory was rescued from the snarling flames of the Station fire in 2009 after a firefight that lasted five days and four nights. The Station fire posed a major threat to the observatory, but it survived.
In 2017, a much smaller brush fire threatened to damage the mountaintop observatory and an array of television broadcast towers, prompting evacuations.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department was prepping for the worst Monday night.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Capt. Keith Stires said.
On Tuesday morning, L.A. County Fire Capt. Dantic said he hoped crews could keep the observatory complex safe.
“With cooperation and with the weather today — and in conjunction with water drops and hand crews putting containment lines down with the bulldozer — hopefully we can get better containment of the fire today,” he said.
The 60-inch telescope saw first light on Mt. Wilson in 1908. (Julia Rosen / Los Angeles Times )
The history
An important piece of history is at stake.
Mt. Wilson is a major site in the development of astronomy. The observatory was founded by George Ellery Hale in 1904, and its first telescopes — weighing hundreds of pounds each — were transported in pieces up the 9-mile Mt. Wilson toll road on the backs of burros. Now, the observatory lets visitors view space through its 60-inch telescope, which has been in place since 1908.
When the 100-inch Hooker telescope gathered its first light on Nov. 1, 1917, it overtook its 60-inch neighbor and became the largest telescope in the world — a position it held for more than three decades.
“In some ways, I consider Mt. Wilson Observatory to be the most important optical observatory in the history of astronomy,” Alex Filippenko , a UC Berkeley astronomer, told The Times in a 2017 article celebrating the telescope’s centennial.
Flames threatened the observatory during 2009 Station Fire. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Other observatories — in the high plains of Chile, in orbit around the Earth — have rendered Mt. Wilson obsolete, but the campus is still a destination for astronomers and stargazers, who for decades have been drawn by its famed “seeing,” a shared term of appreciation for the quality of light that defines Los Angeles.
The air from the Pacific Ocean, having flowed smoothly over the Los Angeles Basin, rises undisturbed and unruffled over the mountains. Stars don’t twinkle here, they glow.
The place is steeped in history. Hale, the learned astronomer who believed that from this vantage above L.A., the mysteries of the sun could be revealed, built three solar telescopes on the mountain, beginning in 1912 — each more powerful than the last.
Beneath the observatory’s pines and cedars and oaks, Einstein walked; a photo shows him on the famous bridge connecting a former kitchen with the 100-inch telescope. On these grounds, Edwin Hubble discovered the limitlessness of the universe; a locker inside the observatory still bears his name. At the solar telescope, Stephen Hawking looked at flares; his name is in the guest register, dated June 2, 1990.
Today, the famed 100-inch and 60-inch telescopes are destinations for tour groups and venues for concerts. A number of universities, however, maintain smaller and private telescopes at Mt. Wilson, including Georgia State University, which manages the CHARA array.
Completed in 2004, CHARA — which stands for Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy — is an optical interferometer, six telescopes positioned across the campus whose images are coordinated and digitized by computer, giving astronomers details and precise information about star systems thousands of light years away.


latimes--2020-09-15--LAPD Chief Moore points to pandemic as driving factor in increased gun violence, killings

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday that the COVID-19 pandemic has helped drive gun violence and increase killings in the city this year , including by spurring economic despair and interpersonal dramas while undercutting efforts to interrupt cycles of retaliation .
“ What we ’ re sensing is a lot of stress , a lot of communities that are on edge , a certain amount of depression , ” Moore said during a morning meeting of the civilian Police Commission .
In addition to serving as an emotional and economic wrecking ball , the pandemic , Moore said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional settings such as clubs and bars into neighborhoods and party houses , which have become a “ fertile bed for some type of spontaneous violence.
” He also said that pandemic-related rules barring visitors from local hospitals have prevented trained violence intervention workers from visiting the bedsides of surviving shooting victims — eliminating the opportunity to provide resources and emotional support , address their anger and help prevent retaliatory violence on the streets .
“ Those [ programs ] are being interrupted right now , ” Moore said .
Moore ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun violence increase in July and August .
The trend has continued into this month , Moore said .
Earlier in the year , police had cited the pandemic as a cause for crime decreases , with fewer people on the street amid stay-at-home orders .
However , as of Sept. 5 , homicides were up 13.7 % compared with the same time last year , while the number of shooting victims was up 8.2 % , according to the latest city data .
Incidents in which shots were fired , including those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were up 11.9 % .
Compared with 2018 , the increases were even more stark , with homicides up more than 20 % .
The increases come despite a 5.6 % drop in violent crime overall , and a 9.3 % decrease in property crime despite a 35 % increase in vehicle thefts .
They also come despite the lack of a parallel uptick in a more traditional driver of bloodshed in L.A. : gang-related violence .
According to the Los Angeles Police Department data , shootings linked to gangs were down 14.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gang-related homicides were down nearly 2 % .
Moore described L.A. 's increased violence this year as less severe than that seen in other major cities , including New York City , but said his commanders nonetheless view it as a top priority and have begun implementing changes to address it .
As one example , Moore said that officers in the department ’ s troubled Metropolitan Division who had been detailed to general crime suppression work have been redeployed onto shooting response teams , which are now assisting detectives by canvassing neighborhoods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and victims .
Moore said the LAPD also is working with neighboring agencies to identify “ what cross-neighborhood issues may be influencing this.
” The increased violence comes amid a wildly disruptive summer in a year of shocking upheaval in policing , one in which the LAPD has taken hits from all sides .
While the killings increased , protests raged and the police budget was cut as elected leaders took up the increasingly mainstream concept of “ defunding police ” in earnest .
Moore and other leaders have been left to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and which units might be slimmed down in order to rein in spending and regain ground in the fight for public trust .
Supporters of the department have pointed to the uptick in violence as a clear reason to reverse course and “ defend police ” rather than defund them .
But critics have questioned the correlation between police funding and crime reduction .
What is clear in the data is that the uptick in violence has corresponded with a decline in arrests .
Through Sept. 5 , LAPD arrests in violent crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time last year .
Total LAPD arrests in the city were down more than 25 % compared with last year , and down nearly 40 % compared with the agency ’ s five-year average for total arrests at this point in the year .
There had been fewer than 44,000 arrests this year , as of Sept. 5 , compared with more than 58,000 last year and a five-year average of nearly 70,000 .
Stops of members of the public by LAPD officers were down more than 20 % from last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 3.9 % .
The number of firearms recovered by police was down 27.2 % this year , compared with last .
At the commission meeting , Moore was repeatedly asked about the recent $ 150-million cut to the department ’ s budget , and what the impact would be .
Moore noted that one previously identified result will be about 250 fewer sworn officers on the streets , but that additional effects are still being identified and could evolve if the department is subjected to additional budget or personnel cuts as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal crisis .
Moore said the department is committed to its core goals of reducing and solving violent crime , and that resources will remain devoted to those goals regardless of whether other responsibilities of police — such as responding to routine traffic collisions — get shifted to other agencies as public safety in the city is “ reimagined .
”

LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the Police Commission on Tuesday that the COVID-19 pandemic has helped drive gun violence this year, including by spurring economic despair.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday that the COVID-19 pandemic has helped drive gun violence and increase killings in the city this year, including by spurring economic despair and interpersonal dramas while undercutting efforts to interrupt cycles of retaliation.
“What we’re sensing is a lot of stress, a lot of communities that are on edge, a certain amount of depression,” Moore said during a morning meeting of the civilian Police Commission.
In addition to serving as an emotional and economic wrecking ball, the pandemic, Moore said, has shifted nighttime gatherings away from traditional settings such as clubs and bars into neighborhoods and party houses, which have become a “fertile bed for some type of spontaneous violence.”
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He also said that pandemic-related rules barring visitors from local hospitals have prevented trained violence intervention workers from visiting the bedsides of surviving shooting victims — eliminating the opportunity to provide resources and emotional support, address their anger and help prevent retaliatory violence on the streets.
“Those [programs] are being interrupted right now,” Moore said.
Moore’s comments follow a violent summer that saw gun violence increase in July and August. The trend has continued into this month, Moore said.
Earlier in the year, police had cited the pandemic as a cause for crime decreases, with fewer people on the street amid stay-at-home orders.
However, as of Sept. 5, homicides were up 13.7% compared with the same time last year, while the number of shooting victims was up 8.2%, according to the latest city data. Incidents in which shots were fired, including those in which no one was struck, were up 11.9%.
Compared with 2018, the increases were even more stark, with homicides up more than 20%.
The increases come despite a 5.6% drop in violent crime overall, and a 9.3% decrease in property crime despite a 35% increase in vehicle thefts.
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They also come despite the lack of a parallel uptick in a more traditional driver of bloodshed in L.A.: gang-related violence. According to the Los Angeles Police Department data, shootings linked to gangs were down 14.4% compared with last year, and gang-related homicides were down nearly 2%.
Moore described L.A.’s increased violence this year as less severe than that seen in other major cities, including New York City, but said his commanders nonetheless view it as a top priority and have begun implementing changes to address it.
As one example, Moore said that officers in the department’s troubled Metropolitan Division who had been detailed to general crime suppression work have been redeployed onto shooting response teams, which are now assisting detectives by canvassing neighborhoods for information and following up with witnesses and victims.
Moore said the LAPD also is working with neighboring agencies to identify “what cross-neighborhood issues may be influencing this.”
The increased violence comes amid a wildly disruptive summer in a year of shocking upheaval in policing, one in which the LAPD has taken hits from all sides. While the killings increased, protests raged and the police budget was cut as elected leaders took up the increasingly mainstream concept of “defunding police” in earnest.
Moore and other leaders have been left to take stock, reviewing how the department operates and which units might be slimmed down in order to rein in spending and regain ground in the fight for public trust.
Supporters of the department have pointed to the uptick in violence as a clear reason to reverse course and “defend police” rather than defund them. But critics have questioned the correlation between police funding and crime reduction.
What is clear in the data is that the uptick in violence has corresponded with a decline in arrests.
Through Sept. 5, LAPD arrests in violent crimes were down 10.6% compared with the same time last year. Total LAPD arrests in the city were down more than 25% compared with last year, and down nearly 40% compared with the agency’s five-year average for total arrests at this point in the year.
There had been fewer than 44,000 arrests this year, as of Sept. 5, compared with more than 58,000 last year and a five-year average of nearly 70,000.
Stops of members of the public by LAPD officers were down more than 20% from last year, while calls for service were down just 3.9%.
The number of firearms recovered by police was down 27.2% this year, compared with last.
At the commission meeting, Moore was repeatedly asked about the recent $150-million cut to the department’s budget, and what the impact would be.
Moore noted that one previously identified result will be about 250 fewer sworn officers on the streets, but that additional effects are still being identified and could evolve if the department is subjected to additional budget or personnel cuts as the city continues to grapple with a growing fiscal crisis.
Moore said the department is committed to its core goals of reducing and solving violent crime, and that resources will remain devoted to those goals regardless of whether other responsibilities of police — such as responding to routine traffic collisions — get shifted to other agencies as public safety in the city is “reimagined.”


latimes--2020-09-15--Column: We don't know much about the ambush of 2 L.A. County deputies. But we have scapegoats

Let ’ s go over what we don ’ t know .
We don ’ t know who walked up to two Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies sitting in their patrol vehicle in Compton on Saturday night , pulled out a gun , and shot them in the head at close range .
We don ’ t know why he — we do know the suspect is male — shot them .
We don ’ t know if he worked alone to pull off what was an unquestionably despicable act .
We don ’ t know if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else .
And we certainly don ’ t know if he is affiliated with any of the activists who , for several weeks , have been protesting a string of controversial shootings by law enforcement .
Despite all of this , some elected officials seem to have decided that they know enough to start casting blame .
The Sheriff ’ s Department and its allies haven ’ t explicitly linked the ambush to activists , but there ’ s plenty of insinuation going around .
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” created by the “ constant ” criticism of law enforcement led to the ambush .
“ I support peaceful protests , ” she said at a news conference on Monday .
“ But what I don ’ t support are the type of comments , especially the ones made outside a hospital , blocking an emergency room , where two deputies were fighting for their lives , and you had individuals chanting what they were chanting , ” she said , referring to protesters who showed up at St. Francis Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputies .
“ So I believe that we have slowly crossed that line , ” added Barger , whose husband is a retired sheriff ’ s deputy .
“ And what you ’ ve seen is what has manifested in the shooting of those two deputies .
I do believe that.
” L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva , meanwhile , went on the radio Monday to randomly call out LeBron James , the Lakers star who has been an outspoken activist for Black lives and against police brutality .
He challenged him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double ” the $ 175,000 reward for information in the case .
“ I ’ ll be very curious to see what his response is , if any , and we just , we ’ ve got to get people to start thinking big picture , ” he said on KABC .
“ Words have consequences .
We need to tone down the rhetoric.
” Unsurprisingly , James hasn ’ t responded .
Vanessa Bryant — who is suing the Sheriff ’ s Department over its insensitive handling of the helicopter crash site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their daughter , Gianna and seven others in January — has , however .
Mercifully , President Trump refrained from speculating about the case during a stop near Sacramento on Monday to discuss the many wildfires scorching the state .
But over the weekend , he leaned into his campaign tactic of attacking activists and trumpeting “ law and order ” by sharing a video of the ambush on Twitter .
“ Animals that must be hit hard , ” Trump tweeted , adding that if the deputies die , there should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killer .
Only way to stop this !
” None of this is helpful , including the rhetoric coming from the small group of people who thought it was a good idea to protest outside the hospital , one of whom was caught on video saying , “ I hope they … die.
” Without a doubt , what happened to the deputies — one of whom is the mother of a 6-year-old boy — was a cruel and callous crime for which the perpetrator should be punished .
In a security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man in dark clothing calmly walks up to their patrol vehicle , which was parked near the Compton Blue Line station .
Then , inches from the window , he lifts the gun , shoots and hurriedly walks away .
The 24-year-old male deputy was hit in the head , arm and shoulder .
The female deputy , 31 , was shot through the mouth .
Somehow , she was able to open the door and get out , then help her partner hide behind a pillar and tie a tourniquet around his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputies down , ” she says over the radio to the dispatcher .
“ Compton Pax 998.
” Thankfully , both are expected to survive .
Given what we know , it ’ s absolutely reasonable to assume that the shooter has major problems with law enforcement .
But it ’ s unreasonable to use the specter of his grievances to somehow dismiss the broader movement for racial justice and police reform .
Doing so is disingenuous at best and dangerous at worst .
Perhaps even more troubling , it glosses over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Department .
Problems that disproportionately affect the lives of Black and Latino residents and , therefore , continue to bring protesters into the streets night after night .
For example , there have been reports about a gang of deputies known as the Executioners who sport matching tattoos of Nazi imagery and dominate the Compton station .
Then there are the many questionable shootings with no answers .
Among them is that of Dijon Kizzee , a Black man who was killed last month after deputies tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South L.A. in violation of some still unknown vehicle code .
A foot chase ensued and deputies said Kizzee dropped a handgun he had been carrying , prompting them to open fire .
His death has prompted several protests , including a few that have turned contentious , such as over Labor Day weekend when deputies arrested 35 people and fired tear gas into the crowd .
Before that , it was all about Andres Guardado , who was shot five times in the back by deputies in June in Gardena — information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commissioned an independent autopsy and because Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Jonathan Lucas confirmed the findings .
The Sheriff ’ s Department has refused to release almost any information about the case .
Over the weekend , deputies in riot gear surrounded activists who were holding a news conference to criticize the department ’ s tactics .
A day later , deputies arrested KPCC reporter Josie Huang , violently throwing her to the ground and attempting to smash her cellphone , while she was covering protests outside the hospital where the deputies were being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputies cleared a months-old encampment of activists in downtown L.A .
The Sheriff ’ s Department claimed in a statement that “ illegal narcotic activity , vandalism and graffiti ” had become an issue near the encampment .
Still unclear is why they decided to clear it at 3 a.m. , giving the three dozen inhabitants only 15 minutes to leave .
Through all of this , Villanueva has been stonewalling investigations by L.A. County Inspector General Max Huntsman , cutting off one of the only avenues the public has for accountability and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are legitimate reasons for ordinary people and firebrand activists alike to constantly criticize the Sheriff ’ s Department .
Those ordinary people and firebrand activists also can believe — and most do believe — it ’ s reprehensible to ambush two deputies .
Both of these things can be true at the same time .
Even in these polarized times between law enforcement and the public , I have to believe there is an achievable middle ground , one in which accountability and transparency become the norm , rather than assumptions and rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my colleague Leila Miller on Monday , “ We don ’ t support shooting .
We don ’ t support the murder of anybody .
At the end of the day , we ’ re not against the Sheriff ’ s Department .
We ’ re not against law enforcement .
We are simply against police abuse , police racial profiling , police mistreatment of Black and brown residents within the city.
” The sheriff is right that words do have consequences .

Let’s go over what we don’t know.
We don’t know who walked up to two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies sitting in their patrol vehicle in Compton on Saturday night, pulled out a gun, and shot them in the head at close range.
We don’t know why he — we do know the suspect is male — shot them. We don’t know if he worked alone to pull off what was an unquestionably despicable act.
We don’t know if he’s from Compton or from somewhere else. And we certainly don’t know if he is affiliated with any of the activists who, for several weeks, have been protesting a string of controversial shootings by law enforcement.
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Despite all of this, some elected officials seem to have decided that they know enough to start casting blame. The Sheriff’s Department and its allies haven’t explicitly linked the ambush to activists, but there’s plenty of insinuation going around.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, for example, said the “toxic environment” created by the “constant” criticism of law enforcement led to the ambush.
“I support peaceful protests,” she said at a news conference on Monday. “But what I don’t support are the type of comments, especially the ones made outside a hospital, blocking an emergency room, where two deputies were fighting for their lives, and you had individuals chanting what they were chanting,” she said, referring to protesters who showed up at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood to wish death upon the deputies.
“So I believe that we have slowly crossed that line,” added Barger, whose husband is a retired sheriff’s deputy. “And what you’ve seen is what has manifested in the shooting of those two deputies. I do believe that.”
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, meanwhile, went on the radio Monday to randomly call out LeBron James, the Lakers star who has been an outspoken activist for Black lives and against police brutality. He challenged him to “step up to the plate and double” the $175,000 reward for information in the case.
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“I’ll be very curious to see what his response is, if any, and we just, we’ve got to get people to start thinking big picture,” he said on KABC. “Words have consequences. We need to tone down the rhetoric.”
Unsurprisingly, James hasn’t responded. Vanessa Bryant — who is suing the Sheriff’s Department over its insensitive handling of the helicopter crash site that killed her husband, Kobe, their daughter, Gianna and seven others in January — has, however.
Mercifully, President Trump refrained from speculating about the case during a stop near Sacramento on Monday to discuss the many wildfires scorching the state. But over the weekend, he leaned into his campaign tactic of attacking activists and trumpeting “law and order” by sharing a video of the ambush on Twitter.
“Animals that must be hit hard,” Trump tweeted, adding that if the deputies die, there should be a “fast trial death penalty for the killer. Only way to stop this!”
None of this is helpful, including the rhetoric coming from the small group of people who thought it was a good idea to protest outside the hospital, one of whom was caught on video saying, “I hope they … die.”
Without a doubt, what happened to the deputies — one of whom is the mother of a 6-year-old boy — was a cruel and callous crime for which the perpetrator should be punished. In a security video obtained by The Times, a man in dark clothing calmly walks up to their patrol vehicle, which was parked near the Compton Blue Line station. Then, inches from the window, he lifts the gun, shoots and hurriedly walks away.
The 24-year-old male deputy was hit in the head, arm and shoulder. The female deputy, 31, was shot through the mouth. Somehow, she was able to open the door and get out, then help her partner hide behind a pillar and tie a tourniquet around his bleeding arm.
“Compton Pax, deputies down,” she says over the radio to the dispatcher. “Compton Pax 998.”
Thankfully, both are expected to survive.
Given what we know, it’s absolutely reasonable to assume that the shooter has major problems with law enforcement. But it’s unreasonable to use the specter of his grievances to somehow dismiss the broader movement for racial justice and police reform. Doing so is disingenuous at best and dangerous at worst.
Perhaps even more troubling, it glosses over the many, very real problems at the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. Problems that disproportionately affect the lives of Black and Latino residents and, therefore, continue to bring protesters into the streets night after night.
For example, there have been reports about a gang of deputies known as the Executioners who sport matching tattoos of Nazi imagery and dominate the Compton station.
Then there are the many questionable shootings with no answers. Among them is that of Dijon Kizzee, a Black man who was killed last month after deputies tried to stop him for riding a bicycle in South L.A. in violation of some still unknown vehicle code. A foot chase ensued and deputies said Kizzee dropped a handgun he had been carrying, prompting them to open fire.
His death has prompted several protests, including a few that have turned contentious, such as over Labor Day weekend when deputies arrested 35 people and fired tear gas into the crowd.
Before that, it was all about Andres Guardado, who was shot five times in the back by deputies in June in Gardena — information that only became known because the family commissioned an independent autopsy and because Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Jonathan Lucas confirmed the findings. The Sheriff’s Department has refused to release almost any information about the case.
Over the weekend, deputies in riot gear surrounded activists who were holding a news conference to criticize the department’s tactics.
A day later, deputies arrested KPCC reporter Josie Huang, violently throwing her to the ground and attempting to smash her cellphone, while she was covering protests outside the hospital where the deputies were being treated.
And hours after that, deputies cleared a months-old encampment of activists in downtown L.A. The Sheriff’s Department claimed in a statement that “illegal narcotic activity, vandalism and graffiti” had become an issue near the encampment. Still unclear is why they decided to clear it at 3 a.m., giving the three dozen inhabitants only 15 minutes to leave.
Through all of this, Villanueva has been stonewalling investigations by L.A. County Inspector General Max Huntsman, cutting off one of the only avenues the public has for accountability and oversight.
In other words, there are legitimate reasons for ordinary people and firebrand activists alike to constantly criticize the Sheriff’s Department. Those ordinary people and firebrand activists also can believe — and most do believe — it’s reprehensible to ambush two deputies.
Both of these things can be true at the same time. Even in these polarized times between law enforcement and the public, I have to believe there is an achievable middle ground, one in which accountability and transparency become the norm, rather than assumptions and rhetoric.
As long-time activist Najee Ali told my colleague Leila Miller on Monday, “We don’t support shooting. We don’t support the murder of anybody. At the end of the day, we’re not against the Sheriff’s Department. We’re not against law enforcement. We are simply against police abuse, police racial profiling, police mistreatment of Black and brown residents within the city.”
The sheriff is right that words do have consequences.


latimes--2020-09-15--Vanessa Bryant slams L.A. County sheriff for challenging LeBron James to match reward

Vanessa Bryant is unhappy with comments made by Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva in the aftermath of the shooting of two sheriff ’ s deputies Saturday in Compton .
During a radio interview Monday , Villanueva challenged Lakers star LeBron James to double a $ 175,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the assailant .
James has yet to respond to Villanueva ’ s remark .
But Bryant — who has filed a claim against the sheriff ’ s department over deputies sharing photos from the site of the helicopter crash in January that killed her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter Gianna and seven others — had plenty to say about it on her Instagram story late Monday night .
Bryant ’ s posts mainly consisted of screenshots of Twitter responses from Twitter user @ ElanMaree and articles regarding Villanueva ’ s challenge to James and the controversy regarding the photos from the crash site .
“ How can he talk about trusting the system ?
” read one of the tweets .
“ His sheriff ’ s dept .
couldn ’ t be trusted to secure Kobe Bryant ’ s helicopter crash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graphic photos of crash victims .
Vanessa Bryant is suing them.
” Another tweet , from the same user and posted on Instagram from Bryant , said : “ He shouldn ’ t be challenging LeBron James to match a reward or ‘ to step up to the plate.
’ He couldn ’ t even ‘ step up to the plate ’ and hold his deputies accountable for photographing dead children.
” Following the police shooting of Jacob Blake , an unarmed Black man in Kenosha , Wis. , last month , James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get tired of hearing me say it , but we are scared as Black people in America , ” James said .
“ Black men , Black women , Black kids , we are terrified.
” Villanueva seemed to reference that comment in issuing his challenge to James during an interview on 790 KABC .
“ You expressed a very interesting statement about your perspective on race relations and on officer-involved shootings and the impact that it has on the African American community , ” Villanueva said in a comment aimed at James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But likewise , we need to appreciate that respect for life goes across all professions.
” One of Bryant ’ s Instagram posts featured photos of eight of the crash victims , along with the sheriff department ’ s Instagram tag .
She concluded her posts by expressing concern for the wounded deputies , both of whom have undergone surgery and are expected to recover .
“ Not all deputies are bad apples , ” Bryant wrote .
“ Prayers for the two deputies that were shot .
”

Vanessa Bryant is unhappy with comments made by Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva in the aftermath of the shooting of two sheriff’s deputies Saturday in Compton.
During a radio interview Monday, Villanueva challenged Lakers star LeBron James to double a $175,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the assailant.
For the record: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Vanessa Bryant is suing the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. She has filed a claim against the department.
James has yet to respond to Villanueva’s remark. But Bryant — who has filed a claim against the sheriff’s department over deputies sharing photos from the site of the helicopter crash in January that killed her husband, Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, their daughter Gianna and seven others — had plenty to say about it on her Instagram story late Monday night.
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Sports Vanessa Bryant wishes Kobe happy birthday in emotional post Lakers legend Kobe Bryant would have turned 42 on Sunday. His wife, Vanessa, wrote a heart-wrenching note on Instagram to mark the occasion.
Bryant’s posts mainly consisted of screenshots of Twitter responses from Twitter user @ElanMaree and articles regarding Villanueva’s challenge to James and the controversy regarding the photos from the crash site.
“How can he talk about trusting the system?” read one of the tweets. “His sheriff’s dept. couldn’t be trusted to secure Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash scene, his deputies took and shared graphic photos of crash victims. Vanessa Bryant is suing them.”
How can he talk about trusting the system? His sheriff’s dept. couldn’t be trusted to secure Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash scene, his deputies took and shared graphic photos of crash victims. Vanessa Bryant is suing them. https://t.co/X48h2h4MNv — Elan (@ElanMaree) September 15, 2020
Another tweet, from the same user and posted on Instagram from Bryant, said: “He shouldn’t be challenging LeBron James to match a reward or ‘to step up to the plate.’ He couldn’t even ‘step up to the plate’ and hold his deputies accountable for photographing dead children.”
Following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man in Kenosha, Wis., last month, James told reporters: “I know people get tired of hearing me say it, but we are scared as Black people in America,” James said. “Black men, Black women, Black kids, we are terrified.”
Villanueva seemed to reference that comment in issuing his challenge to James during an interview on 790 KABC.
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“You expressed a very interesting statement about your perspective on race relations and on officer-involved shootings and the impact that it has on the African American community,” Villanueva said in a comment aimed at James. “And I appreciated that. But likewise, we need to appreciate that respect for life goes across all professions.”
One of Bryant’s Instagram posts featured photos of eight of the crash victims, along with the sheriff department’s Instagram tag.
She concluded her posts by expressing concern for the wounded deputies, both of whom have undergone surgery and are expected to recover.
“Not all deputies are bad apples,” Bryant wrote. “Prayers for the two deputies that were shot.”


latimes--2020-09-15--15 fatalities confirmed. North Complex now among state's top 5 deadliest fires

The confirmed death toll from California ’ s unprecedented firestorm has risen to 25 as crews work to hem in some two dozen major blazes still burning statewide .
Another fatality was confirmed Monday in the area of the North Complex fire near Oroville — boosting that fire ’ s death toll to 15 , according to the Butte County Sheriff ’ s Office .
In recorded state history , only four blazes have been deadlier .
Authorities have released the names of seven fire victims : John Butler , 79 ; Sandra Butler , 75 ; Jorge Hernandez-Juarez , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khawar Bhatti , 58 ; Millicent Catarancuic , 77 ; and Josiah Williams , 16 .
All were residents of Berry Creek , a mountain town northeast of Oroville that was devastated by the fire .
As of Tuesday morning , officials said the North Complex was 39 % contained .
At more than 269,000 acres , it is now the eighth-largest fire in state history , according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .
It also ranks among the most destructive fires California has ever seen , consuming or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The North Complex is just one of several historically large conflagrations that have ignited over the past month .
So far this year , fires have chewed through more than 3.2 million acres statewide — an area larger than the state of Connecticut .
The statewide firestorm has destroyed more than 4,200 structures and forced over 60,000 people from their homes , according to Cal Fire .
The breakout of blazes includes what is listed as easily the largest wildfire recorded in California : the August Complex in Mendocino , Humboldt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The overall complex — which now includes two enormous fires , previously called the Doe and the Elkhorn , under its umbrella — has burned more than 794,000 acres and is 30 % contained .
“ Critically dry fuels ” are continuing to challenge firefighting efforts on that complex , officials said Tuesday .
Although officials have made significant progress in some areas — and are nearing full containment on the SCU and LNU Lightning Complex fires , which are the third- and fourth-largest in state history , respectively — the one-two punch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , as well as California ’ s rugged and at times unforgiving terrain , have combined to stymie their attempts elsewhere .
Firefighters lost ground Tuesday to the Bobcat fire , which is burning in the San Gabriel Mountains .
Portions of Pasadena , Altadena , Monrovia , Bradbury and Duarte have been under an evacuation notice for more than a week , and some neighborhoods in Arcadia and Sierra Madre were ordered to evacuate Sunday when winds shifted .
The fire , which was 3 % contained as of Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mt .
Wilson Observatory .
All observatory personnel have been evacuated , and the fire was less than 500 feet from the observatory shortly after noon , officials said .
The raging fires have also shuttered access to some of the state ’ s heavily visited open spaces .
California ’ s national forests have been closed , and officials announced that Sequoia National Park would be off-limits starting Tuesday morning .
“ With Three Rivers and the park headquarters under an evacuation notice , staff is focused on preparing to evacuate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
“ To ensure any pending evacuation goes as smoothly as possible , we are closing the park to visitors.
” Officials said the danger to the park was posed by the SQF Complex fire , which has burned more than 107,000 acres in and around the Sequoia National Forest .
It was 12 % contained as of Tuesday morning .
Officials are now reporting 16 % containment on the Creek fire , which has burned roughly 220,000 acres and destroyed at least 555 structures in the Sierra foothills northeast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , near Yucaipa , has scorched almost 18,000 acres and “ remains very dynamic as the terrain-driven fire aligns with the predominant wind influences in the area , ” officials said Tuesday morning .
Its listed size grew by more than 3,000 acres from Monday to Tuesday morning , though containment also increased markedly over that same time : from 44 % to 54 % .
Officials previously said that fire was sparked by a smoke-emitting pyrotechnic device used as part of a gender-reveal party .
Containment also has grown to 40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burned more than 119,000 acres in Monterey County ; and is now 10 % for the Slater fire that has scorched over 131,000 acres in Siskiyou and Del Norte counties , as well as across the border into Oregon .
Over 16,600 firefighters are battling blazes statewide , according to Cal Fire , and persistently dry conditions will continue to pose a challenge .
“ Temperatures are expected to be warm today and Thursday although tempered a bit by smoke , ” officials wrote in a statewide situation report Tuesday .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend as the trough moves through with some increase in humidity .
With no significant precipitation in sight , California remains dry and ripe for wildfires.
” Times staff writers Alex Wigglesworth , Taryn Luna , Phil Willon , Hayley Smith and Louis Sahagun contributed to this report .

The confirmed death toll from California’s unprecedented firestorm has risen to 25 as crews work to hem in some two dozen major blazes still burning statewide.
Another fatality was confirmed Monday in the area of the North Complex fire near Oroville — boosting that fire’s death toll to 15, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. In recorded state history, only four blazes have been deadlier.
Authorities have released the names of seven fire victims: John Butler, 79; Sandra Butler, 75; Jorge Hernandez-Juarez, 26; Philip Rubel, 68; Khawar Bhatti, 58; Millicent Catarancuic, 77; and Josiah Williams, 16.
All were residents of Berry Creek, a mountain town northeast of Oroville that was devastated by the fire.
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As of Tuesday morning, officials said the North Complex was 39% contained. At more than 269,000 acres, it is now the eighth-largest fire in state history, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
It also ranks among the most destructive fires California has ever seen, consuming or damaging 723 structures so far, officials said.
The North Complex is just one of several historically large conflagrations that have ignited over the past month. So far this year, fires have chewed through more than 3.2 million acres statewide — an area larger than the state of Connecticut.
The statewide firestorm has destroyed more than 4,200 structures and forced over 60,000 people from their homes, according to Cal Fire.
The breakout of blazes includes what is listed as easily the largest wildfire recorded in California: the August Complex in Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties.
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The overall complex — which now includes two enormous fires, previously called the Doe and the Elkhorn, under its umbrella — has burned more than 794,000 acres and is 30% contained.
“Critically dry fuels” are continuing to challenge firefighting efforts on that complex, officials said Tuesday.
Although officials have made significant progress in some areas — and are nearing full containment on the SCU and LNU Lightning Complex fires, which are the third- and fourth-largest in state history, respectively — the one-two punch of dangerous winds and historic heat earlier this month, as well as California’s rugged and at times unforgiving terrain, have combined to stymie their attempts elsewhere.
Firefighters lost ground Tuesday to the Bobcat fire, which is burning in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Portions of Pasadena, Altadena, Monrovia, Bradbury and Duarte have been under an evacuation notice for more than a week, and some neighborhoods in Arcadia and Sierra Madre were ordered to evacuate Sunday when winds shifted.
The fire, which was 3% contained as of Tuesday morning, is also threatening the famed Mt. Wilson Observatory. All observatory personnel have been evacuated, and the fire was less than 500 feet from the observatory shortly after noon, officials said.
The raging fires have also shuttered access to some of the state’s heavily visited open spaces. California’s national forests have been closed, and officials announced that Sequoia National Park would be off-limits starting Tuesday morning.
“With Three Rivers and the park headquarters under an evacuation notice, staff is focused on preparing to evacuate,” Acting Supt. Lee Taylor said in a statement. “To ensure any pending evacuation goes as smoothly as possible, we are closing the park to visitors.”
Officials said the danger to the park was posed by the SQF Complex fire, which has burned more than 107,000 acres in and around the Sequoia National Forest. It was 12% contained as of Tuesday morning.
Officials are now reporting 16% containment on the Creek fire, which has burned roughly 220,000 acres and destroyed at least 555 structures in the Sierra foothills northeast of Fresno.
The El Dorado fire, near Yucaipa, has scorched almost 18,000 acres and “remains very dynamic as the terrain-driven fire aligns with the predominant wind influences in the area,” officials said Tuesday morning.
Its listed size grew by more than 3,000 acres from Monday to Tuesday morning, though containment also increased markedly over that same time: from 44% to 54%.
Officials previously said that fire was sparked by a smoke-emitting pyrotechnic device used as part of a gender-reveal party.
Containment also has grown to 40% on the Dolan fire, which has burned more than 119,000 acres in Monterey County; and is now 10% for the Slater fire that has scorched over 131,000 acres in Siskiyou and Del Norte counties, as well as across the border into Oregon.
Over 16,600 firefighters are battling blazes statewide, according to Cal Fire, and persistently dry conditions will continue to pose a challenge.
“Temperatures are expected to be warm today and Thursday although tempered a bit by smoke,” officials wrote in a statewide situation report Tuesday. “It will be cooler Friday and through the weekend as the trough moves through with some increase in humidity. With no significant precipitation in sight, California remains dry and ripe for wildfires.”
Times staff writers Alex Wigglesworth, Taryn Luna, Phil Willon, Hayley Smith and Louis Sahagun contributed to this report.