latimes--2020-09-10--Cal State universities will stay online all year amid COVID-19 pandemic

The nation ’ s largest public university system will continue with primarily online instruction for the remainder of the academic year amid the state ’ s ongoing coronavirus crisis , California State University Chancellor Timothy P. White announced in a letter to students , faculty and staff Thursday .
White said he had consulted extensively with campus presidents and considered the state of the pandemic in California and university operations .
“ The disease continues to spread , ” he said .
“ While the current mitigation factors do make a difference , in the absence of a vaccine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contact-tracing infrastructure , we are not able to return to a normal , principally in-person schedule in January 2021.
” There will be some limited exceptions for classes that can not be delivered remotely .
On-campus housing will also be reduced .
White said the decision would enable faculty , students and families to plan for the next term , as it had for the fall .
The CSU was among the first institutions to decide , in May , that it would resume the fall term remotely .
The chancellor also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signing up for spring courses within a few weeks , and campuses will soon need to obtain authorization from their accrediting body in order to offer online courses .
Across the CSU , less than 7 % of classes will be offered in person this term , with significant variability by campus .
White said that he expects similar variations in the spring , and that in some cases it may be possible to increase the amount of in-person instruction , whereas in others it may be necessary to pull back .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available to us at this time .
And it is the only one that supports our twin North Stars of safeguarding the health , safety and well-being of our faculty , staff , students and communities , as well as enabling degree progression for the largest number of students , ” he said .
Campuses will develop and communicate their commencement plans next term , the university said .

Students walk back to their dorms with takeout breakfast from the Cal State Fullerton dining facility a few days before the start of classes last month.
The nation’s largest public university system will continue with primarily online instruction for the remainder of the academic year amid the state’s ongoing coronavirus crisis, California State University Chancellor Timothy P. White announced Thursday in a letter to students, faculty and staff.
White said he had consulted extensively with campus presidents and considered the state of the pandemic in California as well as university operations.
“The disease continues to spread,” he said. “While the current mitigation factors do make a difference, in the absence of a vaccine and of sufficient, cost-effective, timely testing and contact-tracing infrastructure, we are not able to return to a normal, principally in-person schedule in January 2021.”
There will be some limited exceptions for classes that cannot be delivered remotely. On-campus housing will also be reduced.
Advertisement
White said the decision would enable faculty, students and families to plan for the next term, as a previous decision on virtual learning had for the fall term. The Cal State system was among the first institutions to decide, in May, that it would resume the fall term remotely.
The chancellor also cited administrative pressures. Students will begin signing up for spring courses within a few weeks, and campuses will soon need to obtain authorization from their accrediting body in order to offer online courses.
Across the Cal State system, less than 7% of classes will be offered in person this term, with significant variability by campus. White said that he expects similar variations in the spring and that in some cases it may be possible to increase the amount of in-person instruction, whereas in others it may be necessary to pull back.
“This decision is the only responsible one available to us at this time. And it is the only one that supports our twin North Stars of safeguarding the health, safety and well-being of our faculty, staff, students and communities, as well as enabling degree progression for the largest number of students,” he said.
Campuses will develop and communicate their commencement plans next term, the Cal State system said.
White’s announcement comes as universities including San Diego State and Cal State Chico have had to backtrack on in-person class and housing offerings because of COVID-19 outbreaks.
“It is disappointing,” Zahraa Khuraibet, president of the Cal State Student Assn., said of the news that classes will continue online. “But … we have to put the students’ health and safety first, and we understand that we’re not ready.”
Robert Keith Collins, chair of the systemwide Academic Senate, said the decision reassured faculty.
“The idea of meeting in person during a pandemic and then possibly bringing [the virus] home was a big concern,” he said. “This puts that to rest and people can actually focus on newly acquired skills for teaching online.”
Advertisement
Both students and faculty faced barriers in online learning last spring, including lack of access to laptops and high-speed internet, as well as economic challenges, food insecurity and housing insecurity.
Collins said continuing remotely could exacerbate achievement gaps, but he still believed it was the right thing to do.
“It allows for that one thing that’s most important: the ability of that student to pursue their educational goals,” he said.


latimes--2020-09-10--Column: California fires debunk La La Land stereotype. We're tougher than you think

Around this time last year , my daughter texted that a building was on fire a few blocks away from her North Philadelphia apartment .
She had gone out on the street to film it and the images — of what was , mercifully , an empty four-story structure blazing like a torch amid a block of nonburning buildings — were horrifyingly spectacular .
Not , however , as horrifyingly spectacular as her parents ’ reactions .
Pack up , we told her , as I began searching the Philadelphia Inquirer website for news about the fire , following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and waiting for an emergency evacuation message from her university , which sends out real-time text alerts for every shooting , stabbing and armed robbery in the area .
Within three minutes , my husband had a list of hotels in mid-Philly where she and her roommates could go .
Roommates who , when she returned to her apartment , barely looked up from their laptops to acknowledge news of the blaze .
It ’ s three blocks away , one of them said , when Fiona wondered aloud if they should all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are already there .
What are you worried about ?
So much for that famous California laid-back , hella chill reputation .
So much for the low-key , mellow life of Lotusland , where , according to a limitless host of non-Californians ever eager to offer their opinions , year-round perfect weather has created a culture of endless summer , a continual working vacation of flip-flops and upspeak .
In La La Land no one wears suits , everyone has a scooter and the natural environment is so undemanding that Angelenos do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OK , a lot of Angelenos really don ’ t know how to drive in the rain , but the rest of it ?
Please .
California is a huge state , with all manner of seasonal changes , including autumnal foliage , snowfall and spring wildflowers .
So that ’ s the first mistake people make when they talk about Californians — compressing 164,000 square miles , 20 climate zones and pretty much every demographic you can think of into two sets of stereotypes : beachified , hug-addicted , Tinseltown-centric Southern California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hippified , hacky-sacking , crunchy Northern California , where everyone plays guitar .
As for weather , well , while climate change may have eliminated the occasional snowfall from Southern California ( other than , you know , at our mountain resorts ) , our seasons are just as distinct , if not as tea-towel-motif-friendly , as anywhere else .
As every Californian can tell you right now , we most certainly do have a fall — except what ’ s falling isn ’ t leaves , or early snow , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are 44 fires burning , with 12 dead and 3,900 structures destroyed .
Here in mellow , easygoing California , September and October are less about blazing colors and pulling out the cozy sweaters , and more about blazing fires and packing up the car in case of evacuation .
And after fire season inevitably we will face mudslide season , in which winter rainfall loosens the soil of parched and/or scorched hillsides and sends it hurtling onto roads and houses .
Just as many road closures as a blizzard and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On top of which , we have the Santa Anas , the drought and , of course , the earthquakes — I can ’ t be the only Angeleno who already had a few face masks on hand early in the pandemic because I had put a pack of them , as advised , in my earthquake kit , along with a few extra rolls of toilet paper .
Yes , yes , Angelenos are so laid back that we have earthquake kits and keep a pair of tennis shoes at work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home should the roads be impassable or our cars buried in rubble .
We ’ re so chill , we keep pallets of water in those cars in case we get stuck in gridlock during an evacuation .
We never need to worry about weather — except our standard-issue summers are hot enough to be considered heat waves in other parts of the country , our heat waves register temperatures more suitable to Mars and our rains come suddenly and often near-biblically .
But please , keep believing we are softer , dippier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real world ” than , say , Midwesterners because we don ’ t have farms and lightning storms .
Oh , wait .
We do .
I have lived in many parts of this country — rural and urban ; eastern , southern and Midwestern .
I have experienced all manner of extreme natural phenomena — blizzards , hurricanes , tornadoes — and the infrastructure breakdowns that so often accompany them : road closures , bridge closures , power outages .
But no place across our fair land requires the ongoing awareness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of preparation and vigilance , that life in Lotusland demands .
Yes , our freeways are a grisly sight but no other state has so many cities , suburbs and towns slap up against so many different types of empty space — forests , hills , desert and sea — brimming with the glories and perils of nature .
We may not be forced to start our own firebreaks like pioneers confronting a prairie blaze , but we trim trees in anticipation of the Santa Anas , clear debris in the months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rainy months and hoard batteries for inevitable power outages .
The last few years have seen an escalation of fire season , but fires are as much a part of California life as sunshine , in part because endless sunshine begets fire .
And in La La Land evacuation is as deeply ingrained in the local culture as skateboarding , surfing or even Botox .
At certain times of the year , we lean on fire maps far more than food guides , and then , a few months later , prepare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ritual as for the Rose Parade .
Our family has been evacuated only once , during the 2009 Station fire , but I can not remember an autumn that was not marked by the smell of smoke — at first faint and comforting with its evocation of camping and holidays , then cloying and dangerous , hanging in the air like the anxiety it provokes .
As ash settles like the first snow on green leaves , you know that somewhere families are boxing up the family albums and the good silver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be OK. Only sometimes it ’ s not .
I ’ m not looking for sympathy ( though if anyone wants to donate to those displaced by or fighting this year ’ s raging fires , they can do so here ) .
Every place is perilous in one way or another and , while California must begin to tackle fire prevention with more seriousness and resources , it is the state I love best .
The glamour , the wackiness , the obsession with food trucks and crystals , the weird @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of RSVP are all real .
But so is the unaffected grit , the endurance , the understanding that nature knows no boundaries — and that the ones we erect can vanish with one jolt , one gust of wind .
So have fun with the stereotypes — yes , one of the current fires was indeed started by a pyrotechnic display at a gender reveal party .
Once the pandemic ’ s over , come visit and see only what you want to see — there really are palm trees and rampant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana industries .
California is indeed a great place to have fun and veg out , and nothing makes us laugh harder than watching everyone get us wrong .
But when the fires come , or the floods , when the buildings collapse and you need help getting yourself or your family out of harm ’ s way , you ’ d do well to drop the act and ask a Californian .

Around this time last year, my daughter texted that a building was on fire a few blocks away from her North Philadelphia apartment. She had gone out on the street to film it and the images — of what was, mercifully, an empty four-story structure blazing like a torch amid a block of nonburning buildings — were horrifyingly spectacular.
Not, however, as horrifyingly spectacular as her parents’ reactions. Pack up, we told her, as I began searching the Philadelphia Inquirer website for news about the fire, following the city’s fire department on Twitter and waiting for an emergency evacuation message from her university, which sends out real-time text alerts for every shooting, stabbing and armed robbery in the area. Within three minutes, my husband had a list of hotels in mid-Philly where she and her roommates could go.
For the record: An earlier version of this story stated that the majority of Californians are Latino. While Latinos outnumber other demographics, there is no racial majority in California.
Roommates who, when she returned to her apartment, barely looked up from their laptops to acknowledge news of the blaze. It’s three blocks away, one of them said, when Fiona wondered aloud if they should all get ready to leave. The firemen are already there. What are you worried about?
So much for that famous California laid-back, hella chill reputation. So much for the low-key, mellow life of Lotusland, where, according to a limitless host of non-Californians ever eager to offer their opinions, year-round perfect weather has created a culture of endless summer, a continual working vacation of flip-flops and upspeak. In La La Land no one wears suits, everyone has a scooter and the natural environment is so undemanding that Angelenos do not know how drive in the rain.
OK, a lot of Angelenos really don’t know how to drive in the rain, but the rest of it? Please. California is a huge state, with all manner of seasonal changes, including autumnal foliage, snowfall and spring wildflowers. So that’s the first mistake people make when they talk about Californians — compressing 164,000 square miles, 20 climate zones and pretty much every demographic you can think of into two sets of stereotypes: beachified, hug-addicted, Tinseltown-centric Southern California, where everything is fake; and hippified, hacky-sacking, crunchy Northern California, where everyone plays guitar.
(As long as we’re discussing stereotypes, please keep in mind that, despite what you see on your various screens, the largest demographic in California is Latino, not white.)
Advertisement
California Los Angeles suffers worst smog in almost 30 years Air quality officials said the high pollution readings were a result of intense heat combined with stagnant weather conditions.
As for weather, well, while climate change may have eliminated the occasional snowfall from Southern California (other than, you know, at our mountain resorts), our seasons are just as distinct, if not as tea-towel-motif-friendly, as anywhere else. As every Californian can tell you right now, we most certainly do have a fall — except what’s falling isn’t leaves, or early snow, it’s ash.
As I write this, there are 44 fires burning, with 12 dead and 3,900 structures destroyed.
Here in mellow, easygoing California, September and October are less about blazing colors and pulling out the cozy sweaters, and more about blazing fires and packing up the car in case of evacuation.
And after fire season inevitably we will face mudslide season, in which winter rainfall loosens the soil of parched and/or scorched hillsides and sends it hurtling onto roads and houses. Just as many road closures as a blizzard and none of the snowplay or Christmas-card-ready selfies.
On top of which, we have the Santa Anas, the drought and, of course, the earthquakes — I can’t be the only Angeleno who already had a few face masks on hand early in the pandemic because I had put a pack of them, as advised, in my earthquake kit, along with a few extra rolls of toilet paper.
Yes, yes, Angelenos are so laid back that we have earthquake kits and keep a pair of tennis shoes at work, in case we have to walk home should the roads be impassable or our cars buried in rubble. We’re so chill, we keep pallets of water in those cars in case we get stuck in gridlock during an evacuation. We never need to worry about weather — except our standard-issue summers are hot enough to be considered heat waves in other parts of the country, our heat waves register temperatures more suitable to Mars and our rains come suddenly and often near-biblically.
But please, keep believing we are softer, dippier and less in touch with the “real world” than, say, Midwesterners because we don’t have farms and lightning storms. Oh, wait. We do.
I have lived in many parts of this country — rural and urban; eastern, southern and Midwestern. I have experienced all manner of extreme natural phenomena — blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes — and the infrastructure breakdowns that so often accompany them: road closures, bridge closures, power outages. But no place across our fair land requires the ongoing awareness of nature’s power, the constant state of preparation and vigilance, that life in Lotusland demands. Yes, our freeways are a grisly sight but no other state has so many cities, suburbs and towns slap up against so many different types of empty space — forests, hills, desert and sea — brimming with the glories and perils of nature.
We may not be forced to start our own firebreaks like pioneers confronting a prairie blaze, but we trim trees in anticipation of the Santa Anas, clear debris in the months before fire season, prep sandbags for the rainy months and hoard batteries for inevitable power outages.
Advertisement
The last few years have seen an escalation of fire season, but fires are as much a part of California life as sunshine, in part because endless sunshine begets fire. And in La La Land evacuation is as deeply ingrained in the local culture as skateboarding, surfing or even Botox. At certain times of the year, we lean on fire maps far more than food guides, and then, a few months later, prepare for flooding with as much foresight and ritual as for the Rose Parade.
Our family has been evacuated only once, during the 2009 Station fire, but I cannot remember an autumn that was not marked by the smell of smoke — at first faint and comforting with its evocation of camping and holidays, then cloying and dangerous, hanging in the air like the anxiety it provokes. As ash settles like the first snow on green leaves, you know that somewhere families are boxing up the family albums and the good silver, telling their kids it’s going to be OK.
Only sometimes it’s not.
I’m not looking for sympathy (though if anyone wants to donate to those displaced by or fighting this year’s raging fires, they can do so here). Every place is perilous in one way or another and, while California must begin to tackle fire prevention with more seriousness and resources, it is the state I love best. The glamour, the wackiness, the obsession with food trucks and crystals, the weird relationship with time and the unorthodox definition of RSVP are all real. But so is the unaffected grit, the endurance, the understanding that nature knows no boundaries — and that the ones we erect can vanish with one jolt, one gust of wind.
So have fun with the stereotypes — yes, one of the current fires was indeed started by a pyrotechnic display at a gender reveal party. Once the pandemic’s over, come visit and see only what you want to see — there really are palm trees and rampant evidence of our thriving cosmetic surgery and marijuana industries. California is indeed a great place to have fun and veg out, and nothing makes us laugh harder than watching everyone get us wrong.
But when the fires come, or the floods, when the buildings collapse and you need help getting yourself or your family out of harm’s way, you’d do well to drop the act and ask a Californian.


latimes--2020-09-10--Schools in L.A. County will not be allowed to fully reopen until at least November

No campus in Los Angeles County will be allowed to reopen to all K-12 students until at least November , although schools can still offer small in-person classes for students with special needs at no more than 10 % of capacity at one time , county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday .
The news will be a blow to students , parents and educators hoping that progress against the coronavirus might allow for campuses to reopen on a faster tract .
However , the small in-person classes for children who need special services , announced last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to campus across the county .
No districts are currently required to offer in-person services to students — and the Los Angeles teachers union is opposed to any campus reopenings at this time , citing safety concerns .
Ferrer explained the county ’ s new policies in a call Thursday with school district leaders .
The Times was able to listen to the briefing .
As Ferrer explained , the county ’ s approach is part of a multi-pronged state and county effort related to opening schools safely .
First , small groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Monday and no approval from the county is required as long as schools attest that they are following required safety guidelines .
The students who come back must be defined as having special needs .
Top priority will be given to students with disabilities and students who are learning to speak English .
Schools and school districts have flexibility to define their students ’ needs for in-person instruction .
Students who need in-person assessments also will be prioritized .
Students can meet one-on-one with a teacher or another staff member or in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as two adult supervisors or teachers .
A campus can not be at more than 10 % of capacity at any given time .
However , there is no defined limit on how many students can be served over multiple days .
For example , one group of students could be served on campus two days a week and another group on a different two days .
Such a plan could add up to a lot of students , close to 100,000 in Los Angeles Unified alone , for example .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller-scale start-up over the next six weeks before making any conclusions about a broader school reopening , Ferrer said .
That ’ s why a general reopening won ’ t happen until at least November .
Several months ago , officials had planned for campuses to reopen in the fall , but this target was pushed back indefinitely by Gov .
Gavin Newsom in July .
Now , school reopenings are based on a county ’ s pandemic health status or the approval of waiver applications for elementary schools .
L.A. County ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for general school reopenings and county officials have decided not to approve any waivers .
Officials at L.A. Unified , the state ’ s largest school system , have not committed to bringing back students in small groups .
And the union that represents L.A. teachers , counselors , librarians and nurses opposes bringing students or teachers back for in-person classes until the county has COVID-19 infections under better control .
Long Beach Unified , the county ’ s second-largest school system , told parents Thursday that the district would continue online-only instruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems are trying to work out plans to provide help for students with special needs .

This classroom in Burbank Middle School in Los Angeles has been prepared to receive students safely with social distancing and other measures, but it remains unclear which students could be returning and when.
No campus in Los Angeles County will be allowed to reopen to all K-12 students until at least November, although schools can begin to offer small in-person classes for children with special needs at no more than 10% of capacity at one time, county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday.
The news will be a blow to students, parents and educators who have been hoping that progress against the coronavirus might allow for campuses to reopen on a faster tract. However, the small in-person classes for children who need special services, announced last week, could allow at least 200,000 students back to campus across the county.
No districts are currently required to offer in-person services to students — and officials with both the L.A. Unified School District and the district’s teachers union have said they are opposed to any full campus reopenings at this time, citing safety concerns.
Some smaller school districts and private schools had hoped to open elementary campuses through a state-permitted waiver process, but Ferrer said that the county would not grant waivers. State guidelines allow for such waivers to help young students who have particular difficulties with online learning.
Ferrer explained the county’s new policies in two calls Thursday with school and district leaders. One was a health department briefing; the other was a briefing arranged by the L.A. County Office of Education, which provides support services to the county’s 80 school districts. The Times was able to listen to both briefings.
As Ferrer explained, the county’s approach is part of a multipronged state and county effort to open schools safely.
Advertisement
First, small groups can begin coming to campuses as soon as Monday and no approval from the county is required provided that schools attest that they are following required safety guidelines.
The students who come back must be defined as having special needs. Top priority will be given to students with disabilities and students who are learning to speak English. Schools and school districts have flexibility to identify which students need in-person instruction. Students who need in-person assessments also will be prioritized.
Students can meet one-on-one with a teacher or another staff member or in groups as large as 12 with as many as two adult supervisors or teachers.
A campus cannot be at more than 10% of capacity at any given time. However, there is no defined limit on how many students can be served over multiple days. For example, one group of students could be served on campus two days a week and another group on a different two days. Such a plan could add up to a lot of students, close to 100,000 in Los Angeles Unified alone, for example.
School leaders on the call with Ferrer expressed some excitement about the possibility of bringing some students back — potentially with minimal delay. It was an opening for which they had been waiting.
In a snap poll of 50 district leaders on one call, 72% said their school system would definitely or probably reopen for small groups; 24% were undecided, and 4% said probably not. No one chose definitely not. It was not clear which of the county’s 80 school districts were on the call.
Advertisement
But district leaders also expressed concern about winning necessary support from employee unions.
If confronted by teacher opposition, Ferrer suggested that, at the least, students could be brought to campus for services that did not involve teachers.
Some advocacy groups want the L.A. district to push harder toward opening campuses for students with special needs.
But parents throughout the county are divided over the pace of reopening.
Burbank PTA President Wendi Harvel says the No. 1 feedback she’s received from parents is return to campus only “when it’s safe.”
“There are a few parents I’ve spoken to who do want to get back to school soon, but the majority are being cautious and want to see conditions improve,” said Harvel, whose children are taking their high school and middle classes online.
In a Facebook video last week, L.A. teachers union President Cecily Myart-Cruz said the union would block any return to campus by students or teachers. On Thursday, the union clarified that stand, saying that Myart-Cruz spoke forcefully because she wanted to ease the concerns of members who’d just learned about the state clearing the way for small groups at schools — some teachers feared being forced back to campuses immediately.
“We’re not opposed to a safe reopening of our schools for a small targeted population of students,” said Gloria Martinez, a vice president for United Teachers Los Angeles. “However, at this point we’re concerned about whether the district has the appropriate funding and resources to ensure the safety of our students and members. If the district thinks it is in a position to open campuses safely for this purpose, we are open to meeting with them.”
Some of the students targeted for help in the small-group plan, such as English learners, live in parts of the district that have the highest COVID-19 infection rates, which complicates efforts to provide face-to-face assistance.
L.A. school officials had no immediate comment Thursday.
The county plans to study data from this smaller-scale start-up over the next six weeks before making any conclusions about a broader school reopening, Ferrer said. That’s why a general reopening won’t happen until at least November.
Several months ago, officials had planned for campuses to reopen in the fall, but this target was pushed back indefinitely by Gov. Gavin Newsom in July. Now, school reopenings are based on a county’s pandemic health status or the approval of the waiver applications for elementary schools.
L.A. County is in the highest tier for danger from the pandemic, which means a general reopening of schools is not currently permitted under state orders.
Long Beach Unified, the county’s second-largest school system, told parents Thursday that the district would continue online-only instruction through the winter break to provide instructional stability.
Supt. Jill Baker said, in a video broadcast, that there is a “higher likelihood of contributing to the spread of a communicable disease” when large groups of adults and students are at one location. And pending the availability of a vaccine, surges in infections could perpetuate “a cycle of opening and closing classrooms.”
Both Long Beach and L.A. school systems are working on plans to provide help for students with special needs.
Times staff writer Andrew J. Campa contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-09-10--California death toll tops 14,000, but new coronavirus cases continue to decline

California officials on Thursday reported that more than 14,000 residents have died of COVID-19 , but that new coronavirus cases continued to ebb statewide .
The cumulative death toll rose to 14,021 , up by 31 from Wednesday , but overall the state has seen deaths flatten out and new reported cases trend downward .
The seven-day average of new cases on Wednesday stood at 3,742 , according to data compiled by The Times — the first time new cases dropped below 4,000 since June 21 .
New cases have declined substantially since July 27 , when the state recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has averaged 93.1 deaths a day over the last seven days , hospitalizations have declined , and the 14-day positivity rate is now at 4 % , state officials said .
Turnaround times for coronavirus tests also have declined .
Dr. Erica Pan , acting state public health officer , said during an online news conference that laboratories were now producing test results in an average of 1.3 days .
“ We have made a great deal of progress , ” she said .
Outbreaks on work sites in Los Angeles County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July but are now abating , Dr. Muntu Davis , Los Angeles County health officer , said during a news conference .
The county sent inspectors to 331 businesses , including restaurants , markets , hair salons and barbershops over the Labor Day weekend and found “ reasonably good compliance ” with health rules , Davis said .
“ But not everyone is at 100 % , ” he said .
Hotels need to improve on ensuring patrons wear face coverings and restaurants on keeping customers six feet apart , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced that the city was accelerating its reopening and would permit indoor personal services and indoor gyms with limited capacity starting Monday .
“ I ’ m so glad we can move forward earlier than expected to reopen more businesses that have been closed since March , ” Breed said in a statement .
“ These businesses have been struggling , and starting Monday , they ’ ll finally be able to serve customers again , with the necessary safety precautions and modifications in place.
” Businesses that will resume indoors with limitations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salons and massage services in addition to fitness centers .
The city has decided to follow its local health indicators rather than reopen whatever the state permits .
“ We will continue our gradual reopening as it allows us to monitor the spread , manage its immediate challenges and mitigate the long-term impact on our city , ” said Dr. Grant Colfax , the city ’ s public health director .
“ Our reopening pace continue to be informed by our ability to manage the risk of more activity that may result in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghaly , secretary of California ’ s Health and Human Services Agency , speaking at the state news conference , expressed concern about the health of wildfire evacuees who may be seeking shelter with family and friends .
He urged them to wear masks where they are staying , remain distant from others and avoid sharing tables or utensils with people not from their immediate household .
Ghaly also commended Los Angeles County for issuing guidance on trick-or-treating this Halloween — the county recommends against it — and said the state is developing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that has been squarely on our minds , ” he said .
He warned that this year ’ s Halloween will be quite different from those of past years .
Both state and L.A. County officials asked residents to remain vigilant about wearing masks , distancing and washing their hands .
State officials noted that local health officers have been under enormous pressure during the pandemic .
“ We need to come together as a community , ” Pan said .
“ We have seen so much divisiveness.
” On other COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overturn Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s directives limiting in-classroom instruction to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
The state ’ s highest court rejected without comment lawsuits brought by the and others to reopen schools statewide .
Robert Tyler , one of the lawyers who brought the cases , said the legal fight was not over .
“ It simply means that we will have to start the litigation by filing our claims in the Superior Courts because the court is not willing to permit this case to skip the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Once we proceed through the normal process , we believe we will still be victorious in the end.
” Orange County has moved into Tier 2 of the state ’ s monitoring system , which gauges a county ’ s ability to reopen more fully .
The reclassification allows for more businesses — including movie theaters , restaurants and places of worship — to ease restrictions and open in limited capacity .
State officials have also told Orange County it is eligible to reopen schools Sept. 22 .

California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, shown in April, urged wildfire evacuees to wear masks and take other coronavirus precautions.
California officials on Thursday reported that more than 14,000 residents have died of COVID-19, but that new coronavirus cases continued to ebb statewide.
The cumulative death toll rose to 14,021, up by 31 from Wednesday, but overall the state has seen deaths flatten out and new reported cases trend downward. The seven-day average of new cases on Wednesday stood at 3,742, according to data compiled by The Times — the first time new cases dropped below 4,000 since June 21.
New cases have declined substantially since July 27, when the state recorded nearly 11,000 of them.
Advertisement
The state has averaged 93.1 deaths a day over the last seven days, hospitalizations have declined, and the 14-day positivity rate is now at 4%, state officials said.
Turnaround times for coronavirus tests also have declined. Dr. Erica Pan, acting state public health officer, said during an online news conference that laboratories were now producing test results in an average of 1.3 days.
“We have made a great deal of progress,” she said.
Outbreaks on work sites in Los Angeles County, including warehouses and retailers, spiked in July but are now abating, Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer, said during a news conference.
The county sent inspectors to 331 businesses, including restaurants, markets, hair salons and barbershops over the Labor Day weekend and found “reasonably good compliance” with health rules, Davis said.
“But not everyone is at 100%,” he said. Hotels need to improve on ensuring patrons wear face coverings and restaurants on keeping customers six feet apart, he said.
Advertisement
In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed announced that the city was accelerating its reopening and would permit indoor personal services and indoor gyms with limited capacity starting Monday.
“I’m so glad we can move forward earlier than expected to reopen more businesses that have been closed since March,” Breed said in a statement. “These businesses have been struggling, and starting Monday, they’ll finally be able to serve customers again, with the necessary safety precautions and modifications in place.”
Businesses that will resume indoors with limitations include hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and massage services in addition to fitness centers.
The city has decided to follow its local health indicators rather than reopen whatever the state permits.
“We will continue our gradual reopening as it allows us to monitor the spread, manage its immediate challenges and mitigate the long-term impact on our city,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, the city’s public health director. “Our reopening pace continue to be informed by our ability to manage the risk of more activity that may result in more cases and hospitalizations.”
Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of California’s Health and Human Services Agency, speaking at the state news conference, expressed concern about the health of wildfire evacuees who may be seeking shelter with family and friends.
He urged them to wear masks where they are staying, remain distant from others and avoid sharing tables or utensils with people not from their immediate household.
Ghaly also commended Los Angeles County for issuing guidance on trick-or-treating this Halloween — the county recommends against it — and said the state is developing its owns recommendations. “It is something that has been squarely on our minds,” he said. He warned that this year’s Halloween will be quite different from those of past years.
Both state and L.A. County officials asked residents to remain vigilant about wearing masks, distancing and washing their hands. State officials noted that local health officers have been under enormous pressure during the pandemic.
“We need to come together as a community,” Pan said. “We have seen so much divisiveness.”
On other COVID-19 matters, the California Supreme Court refused to overturn Gov. Gavin Newsom’s directives limiting in-classroom instruction to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The state’s highest court rejected without comment lawsuits brought by the Orange County Board of Education and others to reopen schools statewide.
Robert Tyler, one of the lawyers who brought the cases, said the legal fight was not over.
“It simply means that we will have to start the litigation by filing our claims in the Superior Courts because the court is not willing to permit this case to skip the lower courts,” Tyler said. “Once we proceed through the normal process, we believe we will still be victorious in the end.”
Orange County has moved into Tier 2 of the state’s monitoring system, which gauges a county’s ability to reopen more fully. The reclassification allows for more businesses — including movie theaters, restaurants and places of worship — to ease restrictions and open in limited capacity.
State officials have also told Orange County it is eligible to reopen schools Sept. 22.


latimes--2020-09-10--How to stay safe as smoke, horrible air quality choke Southern California

Smoke from numerous wildfires has created poor air quality in many parts of California .
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has warned that smoke and ash are probably blanketing much of Los Angeles , Orange , Riverside and San Bernardino counties because of two major fires in Southern California as well as several The air district ’ s smoke advisory said that most of Southern California will be affected by smoke , with the highest readings of fine-particle pollution , tiny lung-damaging particles known as PM2.5 , in areas closest to the Bobcat and El Dorado fires .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is some general advice from the Air Quality Management District , the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention : • People with heart or lung disease ( including asthma ) , the elderly and children should take extra precautions as they may be more likely to experience poor health if they breathe in wildfire smoke .
• Run your air conditioner if you have one .
Make sure it has a clean filter and that it is recirculating the indoor air to prevent bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean air space in your home by using a portable air cleaner instead of or in addition to your air conditioner .
Do this in one or more rooms with the doors and windows closed .
• Avoid using a whole-house fan or a swamp cooler with an outside air intake .
• Avoid using indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances , including fireplaces and candles .
• Do not rely on dust masks for protection .
Paper “ dust masks ” can block large particles such as sawdust , but do not protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gases in wildfire smoke .
Disposable respirators such as N-95 or P-100 respirators can offer some protection if they are worn properly and have a tight fit .
Breathing in smoke can have immediate health effects :

A bicyclist rides along the 1st Street Bridge as a layer of smoke hovers east of downtown in Los Angeles.
Smoke from numerous wildfires has created poor air quality in many parts of California.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has warned that smoke and ash are probably blanketing much of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties because of two major fires in Southern California as well as several Northern California blazes.
The air district’s smoke advisory said that most of Southern California will be affected by smoke, with the highest readings of fine-particle pollution, tiny lung-damaging particles known as PM2.5, in areas closest to the Bobcat and El Dorado fires.
1 / 23 Brooks Hubbard with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes photos from the historic North Broadway Bridge over the Los Angeles River Tuesday morning as smoke and ash from the Bobcat fire cloak the area. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 23 Elijah Simpson practices shooting hoops against a backdrop of smokey skies from the Bobcat Fire at Angel’s Gate Park in the San Pedro on September 16, 2020. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 23 A helicopter fights the Bobcat fire burning dangerously close to Mt. Wilson Observatory. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 23 An aerial view of Dodger Stadium and the downtown Los Angeles skyline at sunset is obscured by smoke, ash and smog on Sept. 14. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 23 Visitors check their photos at Griffith Observatory with a smoky view of the Hollywood sign behind them. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 23 Two people get ready to surf as a hazy red sun sets off Hermosa Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 23 Smoke from the Bobcat fire burning in the Angeles National Forest blankets the Southland. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 23 An airplane flies through smoky skies in downtown Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 23 A smoky haze envelopes Santa Monica Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 23 Beachgoers walk along the shoreline in Laguna Beach beneath a hazy sky. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 23 A crow on a cypress tree in Garden Grove is silhouetted by a sun obscured by ash from Southland wildfires. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 23 The sky is gray over the Santa Monica Pier as a family plays in the breakwater. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 23 A man walks his dog past the historic lifeguard tower in Laguna Beach as the sun is obscured by smoke from wildfires. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 23 An upbeat message on the South Coast Cinemas marquee in Laguna Beach is dimmed by the smoky air. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 23 Surfers near the Manhattan Beach Pier under a smoky sunset. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 23 Gray skies over the Santa Monica Pier. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 23 A hazy sun is seen behind the Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 23 Despite the unhealthful air quality, Fabian Ortez of Riverside enjoys an afternoon of fishing off the pier in Seal Beach. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 23 The Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 23 A bicyclist travels along the 1st Street Bridge as smoke hovers east of downtown Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 23 Haze from the Bobcat fire looms over Azusa as it burns in Angeles National Forest. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 23 The Los Angeles skyline is shrouded in smoke from the Bobcat fire as seen from the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 23 Haze from the Bobcat fire looms over Kare Park in Irwindale. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
So how to protect yourself?
Here is some general advice from the Air Quality Management District, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Tips:
Stay indoors, if possible.
Keep windows and doors closed.
Check local public health alerts and the Southern California air quality map.
Find an air-conditioned place, like a designated L.A. County Cooling Center.
People with heart or lung disease (including asthma), the elderly and children should take extra precautions as they may be more likely to experience poor health if they breathe in wildfire smoke.
Avoid vigorous physical activity.
Run your air conditioner if you have one. Make sure it has a clean filter and that it is recirculating the indoor air to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
Create a clean air space in your home by using a portable air cleaner instead of or in addition to your air conditioner. Do this in one or more rooms with the doors and windows closed.
Avoid using a whole-house fan or a swamp cooler with an outside air intake.
Avoid using indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces and candles.
Do not rely on dust masks for protection. Paper “dust masks” can block large particles such as sawdust, but do not protect your lungs from the small particles or gases in wildfire smoke. Disposable respirators such as N-95 or P-100 respirators can offer some protection if they are worn properly and have a tight fit.
Breathing in smoke can have immediate health effects:
Coughing
Trouble breathing normally
Stinging eyes
A scratchy throat
Runny nose
Irritated sinuses
Wheezing and shortness of breath
Chest pain
Headaches
An asthma attack
Tiredness
Fast heartbeat
More resources: L.A. County | CDC


latimes--2020-09-10--Butte County gives emergency OK for indoor dining amid wildfires

In Butte County , where wildfires have killed at least three people , officials issued an emergency measure Thursday allowing restaurants to temporarily reopen for indoor dining .
“ We are responding to what we feel is an emergency situation in our county due not only to the wildfire evacuees but also due to the air quality , ” Butte County Public Health communications manager Lisa Almaguer said .
“ We are not recommending this be done but are providing this allowance for a temporary basis right now.
” The county — one of 33 on the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not wait to receive permission from the state to reopen restaurants , Almaguer said .
Under current rules , counties in Tier 1 with a widespread risk for transmission may allow only outdoor dining .
Assemblyman James Gallagher , who represents much of Butte County , said he encouraged restaurants to defy the state ’ s guidelines because he thinks the poor air quality and pollution from the North Complex fires pose a greater health risk than the threat of catching the virus inside businesses that follow physical distancing requirements .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve got really bad air quality from all the smoke and the ash in the air from the fires , ” Gallagher said .
“ It ’ s not packed like sardines in a restaurant , ” he noted of the plans for indoor dining .
“ It ’ s with spacing and people masked when they go into the restaurant , sitting apart.
” The congressman wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that “ because of the smoke and bad air quality , all restaurants should open for indoor dining beginning today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just do it.
” He later amended his post to state it was not an official directive , but a strong suggestion .
Indoor restaurants also give evacuees a place to eat a meal and avoid the unhealthy smoke outside .
Many evacuees , Gallagher said , have been directed to a local fairgrounds and are sheltering in their cars .
In a call with the California Department of Public Health on Wednesday evening , state officials said they were considering allowing restaurants to open indoors in fire-affected areas .
But “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know , for the state to finally come around and say what should be common sense to everyone , ” Gallagher said .
Restaurants must follow county guidelines in order to reopen .
Compliance includes limiting capacity to 25 % , positioning tables six feet apart and requiring staff and customers to wear face coverings .
The measure will likely be in effect until air quality improves , Almaguer said .
Butte County was ravaged two years ago during the Camp fire — the state ’ s most destructive blaze , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed 85 people .
The Northern Complex fire , which has burned through more than 250,000 acres , is now the 10th-largest wildfire in state history , according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .

A hand crew works to save a home as the Bear fire burns through the Berry Creek area of Butte County on Wednesday.
In Butte County, where wildfires have killed at least three people, officials issued an emergency measure Thursday allowing restaurants to temporarily reopen for indoor dining.
“We are responding to what we feel is an emergency situation in our county due not only to the wildfire evacuees but also due to the air quality,” Butte County Public Health communications manager Lisa Almaguer said. “We are not recommending this be done but are providing this allowance for a temporary basis right now.”
The county — one of 33 on the state’s Tier 1 monitoring list for COVID-19 — did not wait to receive permission from the state to reopen restaurants, Almaguer said. Under current rules, counties in Tier 1 with a widespread risk for transmission may allow only outdoor dining.
Advertisement
Assemblyman James Gallagher, who represents much of Butte County, said he encouraged restaurants to defy the state’s guidelines because he thinks the poor air quality and pollution from the North Complex fires pose a greater health risk than the threat of catching the virus inside businesses that follow physical distancing requirements.
“Especially in the valley here, we’ve got really bad air quality from all the smoke and the ash in the air from the fires,” Gallagher said.
“It’s not packed like sardines in a restaurant,” he noted of the plans for indoor dining. “It’s with spacing and people masked when they go into the restaurant, sitting apart.”
The congressman wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that “because of the smoke and bad air quality, all restaurants should open for indoor dining beginning today. Don’t wait for permission, just do it.” He later amended his post to state it was not an official directive, but a strong suggestion.
Indoor restaurants also give evacuees a place to eat a meal and avoid the unhealthy smoke outside. Many evacuees, Gallagher said, have been directed to a local fairgrounds and are sheltering in their cars.
Advertisement
In a call with the California Department of Public Health on Wednesday evening, state officials said they were considering allowing restaurants to open indoors in fire-affected areas.
But “we can’t wait to, you know, for the state to finally come around and say what should be common sense to everyone,” Gallagher said.
Restaurants must follow county guidelines in order to reopen. Compliance includes limiting capacity to 25%, positioning tables six feet apart and requiring staff and customers to wear face coverings.
The measure will likely be in effect until air quality improves, Almaguer said.
Butte County was ravaged two years ago during the Camp fire — the state’s most destructive blaze, which largely destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 85 people. The Northern Complex fire, which has burned through more than 250,000 acres, is now the 10th-largest wildfire in state history, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.


latimes--2020-09-10--Placer County rescinds COVID-19 health emergency, prompting health officer to resign

With just over 3,000 cases of coronavirus infections , Placer County voted to end its local COVID-19 health emergency this week , prompting the county ’ s health officer to submit her notice of resignation .
Residents will still be expected to follow California ’ s overall guidance , but the county says it will not enforce the state rules .
In a statement , the Board of Supervisors cited concerns that the state framework for measuring COVID-19 mischaracterizes the effects of the disease in the county and “ harms the community ’ s economic , health , mental and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heavy heart that I submit this letter of resignation .
Today ’ s action by the Placer County Board of Supervisors made it clear that I can no longer effectively serve in my role as Placer County Health Officer and Public Health Director , ” Sisson wrote Tuesday .
“ I am grateful to have been granted the tremendous privilege and responsibility of protecting and promoting the health of Placer County ’ s 400,000 residents over the last 10 months.
” Sisson is among a handful of health officers throughout the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local officials .
Former Orange County health officer Dr. Nichole Quick resigned in early June following outcry over a face covering mandate .
The requirement was lifted when current Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau took over , but a California mandate — brought on by conversations between Chau and state officials — later superseded the Orange County policy .
Placer County issued a local health emergency March 3 after a second patient tested positive for the virus .
There have been 36 deaths in the county , among more than 14,000 in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of transmission of COVID-19 in their decision to lift the emergency health order and raised concerns about the community ’ s economy , which like many in the state , suffered during months-long closures .
The county is now in Tier 2 of the state ’ s four-stage color-coded monitoring system , meaning more businesses — including movie theaters , restaurants and places of worship — can ease restrictions and open in limited capacity .
“ We can not continue to keep our community shut down for some unknown amount of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the governor , ” Supervisor Bonnie Gore said .

With just over 3,000 cases of coronavirus infections, Placer County voted to end its local COVID-19 health emergency this week, prompting the county’s health officer to submit her notice of resignation.
Residents will still be expected to follow California’s overall guidance, but the county says it will not enforce the state rules.
In a statement, the Board of Supervisors cited concerns that the state framework for measuring COVID-19 mischaracterizes the effects of the disease in the county and “harms the community’s economic, health, mental and social well-being.”
Advertisement
The action prompted Public Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson to resign, effective Sept. 25.
“It is with a heavy heart that I submit this letter of resignation. Today’s action by the Placer County Board of Supervisors made it clear that I can no longer effectively serve in my role as Placer County Health Officer and Public Health Director,” Sisson wrote Tuesday. “I am grateful to have been granted the tremendous privilege and responsibility of protecting and promoting the health of Placer County’s 400,000 residents over the last 10 months.”
Sisson is among a handful of health officers throughout the state who have resigned following a clash with local officials.
Former Orange County health officer Dr. Nichole Quick resigned in early June following outcry over a face covering mandate. The requirement was lifted when current Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau took over, but a California mandate — brought on by conversations between Chau and state officials — later superseded the Orange County policy.
Placer County issued a local health emergency March 3 after a second patient tested positive for the virus. There have been 36 deaths in the county, among more than 14,000 in the state.
County officials cited a low level of transmission of COVID-19 in their decision to lift the emergency health order and raised concerns about the community’s economy, which like many in the state, suffered during months-long closures. The county is now in Tier 2 of the state’s four-stage color-coded monitoring system, meaning more businesses — including movie theaters, restaurants and places of worship — can ease restrictions and open in limited capacity.
Advertisement
“We cannot continue to keep our community shut down for some unknown amount of time as determined by the ever-changing metrics according to the governor,” Supervisor Bonnie Gore said.


latimes--2020-09-10--Deformities linked to inbreeding discovered among cougars in the Santa Monica Mountains

The discovery was heartbreaking for biologists , who consider the mountain lions of Southern California to be among the most threatened mammals in North America : a young male with the distortions of inbreeding — a tail kinked like the letter “ L ” and only one descended testicle .
The cougar found in the Santa Monica Mountains in March represented the first documented physical manifestations of extremely low genetic diversity within an isolated population of less than two dozen mountain lions still roaming the rugged canyonlands just north of Los Angeles .
Since then , scientists have found two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the findings was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic , officials said .
“ This is something we hoped to never see , ” said Jeff Sikich , a biologist with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area and an expert on local mountain lion populations .
“ We knew that genetic diversity was low here , but this is the first time we have actually seen physical evidence of it.
” Mountain lions are not a formally threatened species in California .
But state officials earlier this year concluded that six isolated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruz to the U.S.-Mexico border make up a sub-population that may warrant listing as threatened under the state Endangered Species Act .
Such a step could limit highway construction and development on thousands of acres of real estate .
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed the species ’ status in response to a petition submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity and the nonprofit Mountain Lion Foundation , which argued that the populations constitute an “ evolutionary significant unit ” that should be listed as state endangered .
The California Fish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a final decision sometime next summer .
Recent scientific studies suggest there ’ s an almost 1-in-4 chance that Southern California mountain lions could become extinct in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountain ranges within 50 years .
That ’ s partly because of how difficult it is to diversify the gene pool for the dozen adult lions still prowling in the Santa Monica Mountains : The 101 freeway is a near impenetrable barrier to gene flow for mountain lions .
In the Santa Ana Mountains , the 15 freeway limits the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sometimes , the animals manage to cross the freeways without getting hit .
“ Just like climate change , extinction risk for Southern California ’ s mountain lions is not a future threat — it ’ s already here , ” said Brendan Cummings , the center ’ s conservation director .
“ As California continues to encroach into wildlife habitat , they have become a test case as to whether we ’ re capable of living in this large state with wild animals.
” A team led by Sikich discovered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GPS radio-collar on P-81 , a mountain lion weighing 95 pounds and estimated to be about 1 ½ years old .
A few days later , another male mountain lion , also with a kinked tail , was recorded on a remote camera in the same area .
Scientists believe the two cougars may be related and perhaps siblings .
Review of remote camera footage taken in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains between the 405 and Hollywood freeways suggests that a third mountain lion in the area also appears to have a kinked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensive genetic analyses conducted over the past two decades : Cougars in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains south of Los Angeles have the lowest levels of genetic diversity ever documented in the West , said Seth Riley , wildlife branch chief for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area .
The only population with lower levels was in south Florida a few decades ago , when Florida panthers were teetering on the edge of extinction .
“ The really interesting , and worrying , thing , ” Riley said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of kinked tails and cryptorchidism ” among Florida panthers .
Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both testes fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum .
In the face of such a dire prognosis — what biologists call an extinction vortex — conservationists are stepping up calls for construction of a $ 60-million wildlife overpass that would cross the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills , one of the last places where natural habitat abuts the highway on both sides .
The bridge could help diversify the gene pool among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south of the freeway as well as in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains to the north , they say .
Because the bridge would cross the freeway , Caltrans is overseeing design and construction — but the transportation agency is not providing funding .
Instead , roughly 80 % of the funds are expected to come from private philanthropy and corporate donations .
As of September , the fundraising campaign led by the National Wildlife Federation had brought in about $ 15.4 million , including $ 3 million from the Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the State Coastal Conservancy , $ 1 million from the Annenberg Foundation , $ 250,000 from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and $ 100,000 from Boeing Co .
The project is currently in the final design phase , officials said .
If fundraising stays on track , construction could begin in late 2021 .
Farther south , however , conservationists are open to the idea of trans-locating mountain lions across the 15 freeway , even as they work with the California Department of Transportation on a relatively low-cost plan to improve freeway underpasses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ These lions ’ kinked tails are a genetic cry for help , telling us we must make it easier for them to move around and find mates , ” said Tiffany Yap , a biologist at the Center for Biological Diversity .
“ More wildlife crossings are part of it , but we need to stop sprawl developments that cut these beautiful cats off from each other .
”

The discovery was heartbreaking for biologists, who consider the mountain lions of Southern California to be among the most threatened mammals in North America: a young male with the distortions of inbreeding — a tail kinked like the letter “L” and only one descended testicle.
The cougar found in the Santa Monica Mountains in March represented the first documented physical manifestations of extremely low genetic diversity within an isolated population of less than two dozen mountain lions still roaming the rugged canyonlands just north of Los Angeles.
Since then, scientists have found two more lions with similar deformities. Announcement of the findings was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
“This is something we hoped to never see,” said Jeff Sikich, a biologist with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area and an expert on local mountain lion populations. “We knew that genetic diversity was low here, but this is the first time we have actually seen physical evidence of it.”
Mountain lions are not a formally threatened species in California. But state officials earlier this year concluded that six isolated and genetically distinct cougar clans from Santa Cruz to the U.S.-Mexico border make up a sub-population that may warrant listing as threatened under the state Endangered Species Act. Such a step could limit highway construction and development on thousands of acres of real estate.
Advertisement
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed the species’ status in response to a petition submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity and the nonprofit Mountain Lion Foundation, which argued that the populations constitute an “evolutionary significant unit” that should be listed as state endangered.
California California’s mighty predator — the mountain lion — faces ‘extinction vortex’ As the mountain lions of Southern California approach what some experts call an “extinction vortex,” environmentalists are demanding that state officials grant the big cats protective status — a move that could potentially ban development on thousands of acres of prime real estate.
The California Fish and Game Commission is expected to make a final decision sometime next summer.
Recent scientific studies suggest there’s an almost 1-in-4 chance that Southern California mountain lions could become extinct in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountain ranges within 50 years.
That’s partly because of how difficult it is to diversify the gene pool for the dozen adult lions still prowling in the Santa Monica Mountains: The 101 freeway is a near impenetrable barrier to gene flow for mountain lions. In the Santa Ana Mountains, the 15 freeway limits the movement of a family of 20 cougars.
Sometimes, the animals manage to cross the freeways without getting hit.
“Just like climate change, extinction risk for Southern California’s mountain lions is not a future threat — it’s already here,” said Brendan Cummings, the center’s conservation director. “As California continues to encroach into wildlife habitat, they have become a test case as to whether we’re capable of living in this large state with wild animals.”
Advertisement
A team led by Sikich discovered the problem on March 4 while placing a GPS radio-collar on P-81, a mountain lion weighing 95 pounds and estimated to be about 1 ½ years old.
A few days later, another male mountain lion, also with a kinked tail, was recorded on a remote camera in the same area. Scientists believe the two cougars may be related and perhaps siblings.
Review of remote camera footage taken in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains between the 405 and Hollywood freeways suggests that a third mountain lion in the area also appears to have a kinked tail.
They underscore the results of extensive genetic analyses conducted over the past two decades: Cougars in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains south of Los Angeles have the lowest levels of genetic diversity ever documented in the West, said Seth Riley, wildlife branch chief for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
The only population with lower levels was in south Florida a few decades ago, when Florida panthers were teetering on the edge of extinction. “The really interesting, and worrying, thing,” Riley said, “is that they saw the same type of kinked tails and cryptorchidism” among Florida panthers.
Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both testes fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum.
Climate & Environment Southern California mountain lions get temporary endangered species status The state Fish and Game Commission on Thursday set the stage for a fierce environmental battle by granting temporary endangered species status to the several hundred cougars still roaming Southern California and the Central Coast.
In the face of such a dire prognosis — what biologists call an extinction vortex — conservationists are stepping up calls for construction of a $60-million wildlife overpass that would cross the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, one of the last places where natural habitat abuts the highway on both sides.
The bridge could help diversify the gene pool among the lions remaining in the Santa Monicas south of the freeway as well as in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains to the north, they say.
Because the bridge would cross the freeway, Caltrans is overseeing design and construction — but the transportation agency is not providing funding. Instead, roughly 80% of the funds are expected to come from private philanthropy and corporate donations.
As of September, the fundraising campaign led by the National Wildlife Federation had brought in about $15.4 million, including $3 million from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, $2.2 million from the State Coastal Conservancy, $1 million from the Annenberg Foundation, $250,000 from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and $100,000 from Boeing Co.
The project is currently in the final design phase, officials said. If fundraising stays on track, construction could begin in late 2021.
Farther south, however, conservationists are open to the idea of trans-locating mountain lions across the 15 freeway, even as they work with the California Department of Transportation on a relatively low-cost plan to improve freeway underpasses that would allow cougars freedom to roam.
“These lions’ kinked tails are a genetic cry for help, telling us we must make it easier for them to move around and find mates,” said Tiffany Yap, a biologist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “More wildlife crossings are part of it, but we need to stop sprawl developments that cut these beautiful cats off from each other.”


latimes--2020-09-10--Judge allows assault case against L.A. district attorney's husband to proceed

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge allowed the criminal case against the husband of Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey to proceed Thursday , dismissing a defense argument that the California attorney general ’ s office decision to prosecute the case was improper .
The attorney general ’ s office filed three counts of misdemeanor assault last month against David Lacey , 66 , after he pointed a gun at protesters critical of his wife during a March confrontation on the doorstep of the family ’ s Granada Hills home .
Defense attorney Samuel Tyre had argued the attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was improper and violated David Lacey ’ s rights because misdemeanor charges in Los Angeles fall under the jurisdiction of the city attorney ’ s office .
Los Angeles police presented findings of their investigation to the attorney general ’ s office because of the conflict presented by the Laceys ’ involvement in the case .
The charges brought against David Lacey are considered “ wobblers ” under California law , meaning they can be filed as felonies or misdemeanors .
Superior Court Judge Patricia A .
Hunter ruled Thursday that the attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its discretion to oversee the case , noting that the Lacey family ’ s involvement complicated the situation and necessitated an outside review to ensure public trust .
David Lacey ’ s “ relationships to the district attorney , the city attorney ... are exactly why the attorney general has this discretion , ” Hunter said .
Chief Asst .
City Atty .
Mary Claire Malidor also submitted a letter to the court in late August supporting the attorney general ’ s decision to handle the case .
“ We are concerned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecution of David Lacey could appear biased and reduce public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the criminal justice system , ” Malidor wrote , also noting that City Atty .
Mike Feuer has publicly endorsed Lacey in the November election where she is seeking a third term .
On March 2 , demonstrators rang the Laceys ’ doorbell shortly before 6 a.m. after banging drums and chanting in the street .
David Lacey opened the door and aimed a handgun in the direction of three protesters , threatening to shoot them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ porch .
The protesters , including Black Lives Matter organizer Melina Abdullah , were unarmed .
Later that morning , Jackie Lacey apologized for her husband ’ s actions during a hastily called news conference .
She has since defended him as having “ acted out of genuine concern ” because of threats levied at her in the weeks before the incident .
Lacey is a locked in a tough re-election battle with former San Francisco Dist .
Atty .
George Gascón in a race that has been shaped as a test of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice reform .
Protesters have routinely blasted Lacey for her perceived hesitance to charge police officers in controversial shootings .
Sheriff ’ s deputies had blocked the street outside the San Fernando courthouse Thursday morning in anticipation of protesters .
No demonstrators appeared .
Tyre said he was disappointed in Hunter ’ s ruling and is considering asking the Appellate Court to stay the criminal case against David Lacey , who has yet to enter a plea in the case .
The next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 2 .

Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey speaks during a 2017 news conference. A judge allowed a criminal case against her husband, who faces assault charges for pointing a gun at protesters in March, to proceed Thursday. (AP Photo/Mike Balsamo)
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge allowed the criminal case against the husband of Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey to proceed Thursday, dismissing a defense argument that the California attorney general’s office decision to prosecute the case was improper.
The attorney general’s office filed three counts of misdemeanor assault last month against David Lacey, 66, after he pointed a gun at protesters critical of his wife during a March confrontation on the doorstep of the family’s Granada Hills home.
Defense attorney Samuel Tyre had argued the attorney general’s involvement in the case was improper and violated David Lacey’s rights because misdemeanor charges in Los Angeles fall under the jurisdiction of the city attorney’s office.
Los Angeles police presented findings of their investigation to the attorney general’s office because of the conflict presented by the Laceys’ involvement in the case. The charges brought against David Lacey are considered “wobblers” under California law, meaning they can be filed as felonies or misdemeanors.
Advertisement
Superior Court Judge Patricia A. Hunter ruled Thursday that the attorney general’s office did not abuse its discretion to oversee the case, noting that the Lacey family’s involvement complicated the situation and necessitated an outside review to ensure public trust.
David Lacey’s “relationships to the district attorney, the city attorney ... are exactly why the attorney general has this discretion,” Hunter said.
Chief Asst. City Atty. Mary Claire Malidor also submitted a letter to the court in late August supporting the attorney general’s decision to handle the case.
“We are concerned that our office’s involvement in a prosecution of David Lacey could appear biased and reduce public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the criminal justice system,” Malidor wrote, also noting that City Atty. Mike Feuer has publicly endorsed Lacey in the November election where she is seeking a third term.
On March 2, demonstrators rang the Laceys’ doorbell shortly before 6 a.m. after banging drums and chanting in the street. David Lacey opened the door and aimed a handgun in the direction of three protesters, threatening to shoot them if they didn’t leave his porch.
The protesters, including Black Lives Matter organizer Melina Abdullah, were unarmed. Later that morning, Jackie Lacey apologized for her husband’s actions during a hastily called news conference. She has since defended him as having “acted out of genuine concern” because of threats levied at her in the weeks before the incident.
Lacey is a locked in a tough re-election battle with former San Francisco Dist. Atty. George Gascón in a race that has been shaped as a test of Southern California’s appetite for criminal justice reform. Protesters have routinely blasted Lacey for her perceived hesitance to charge police officers in controversial shootings. Sheriff’s deputies had blocked the street outside the San Fernando courthouse Thursday morning in anticipation of protesters. No demonstrators appeared.
Tyre said he was disappointed in Hunter’s ruling and is considering asking the Appellate Court to stay the criminal case against David Lacey, who has yet to enter a plea in the case. The next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 2.


latimes--2020-09-10--Orange County Sheriff's Department plans to adopt body cameras

The Orange County Sheriff ’ s Department plans to roll out a body-worn camera program over the next 18 months .
The Orange County Board of Supervisors signaled in a nonbinding straw vote Sept. 1 that it would allocate $ 679,000 in funding for the program ’ s implementation .
Formal approval is expected Tuesday when county supervisors take a final budget vote .
The development was first reported by the Orange County Register .
The Sheriff ’ s Department had initially asked to add 13 positions and receive $ 1.9 million in funding for the program ’ s implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommended that the department instead add 12 positions and receive $ 679,000 in funding .
That sum will cover the cost of the program ’ s implementation only .
The total cost of the program is estimated to be $ 5 million to $ 7 million annually , Sheriff Don Barnes told the Board of Supervisors .
The cities that contract with the department for policing services are expected to bear about 80 % of the annual cost , he said .
Barnes told the Board of Supervisors that the department has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to start implementing it by January 2022 .
Officials must first issue a request for proposals , find a vendor , draft policies and train personnel .
“ It ’ s an issue not only of having a physical device that records , it ’ s the storage of that device , the bandwidth of moving that information about , the oversight and management of the program , the appropriate redaction of video for protections that are pursuant to public records request acts and legal representation of video and also working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is appropriately transferred to them for prosecution through discovery , ” Barnes said .
“ All of that takes people to be able to manage that program , which is what we ’ re moving toward as we go forward.
” Barnes said that the department has been able to take a deliberate approach in adopting body cameras because it has had dash cameras in its vehicles for more than 30 years .
“ But I think now is the time for all the right reasons — for evidentiary value , for oversight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the implementation of body-worn cameras , ” he said .
Experts say body cameras are important tools for accountability and transparency , but studies are mixed about how well they work to prevent the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers .
Some say the devices are not effective unless they ’ re coupled with appropriate policies and practices .
The Sheriff ’ s Department will join multiple cities in Orange County that have adopted body cameras in recent years , including Huntington Beach , Anaheim , Santa Ana and Fullerton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year .
The Los Angeles Police Department began deploying body cameras in 2015 , and the L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Department is scheduled to roll out cameras for deputies working at its Century Station by next month .
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors recently set aside nearly $ 35 million to equip 5,200 deputies and security officers with the devices over the next two years .
Times staff writers Alene Tchekmedyian and Dorany Pineda contributed to this report .

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department plans to roll out a body-worn camera program over the next 18 months.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors signaled in a nonbinding straw vote Sept. 1 that it would allocate $679,000 in funding for the program’s implementation. Formal approval is expected Tuesday when county supervisors take a final budget vote. The development was first reported by the Orange County Register.
The Sheriff’s Department had initially asked to add 13 positions and receive $1.9 million in funding for the program’s implementation, but the county chief executive officer recommended that the department instead add 12 positions and receive $679,000 in funding.
Advertisement
That sum will cover the cost of the program’s implementation only. The total cost of the program is estimated to be $5 million to $7 million annually, Sheriff Don Barnes told the Board of Supervisors. The cities that contract with the department for policing services are expected to bear about 80% of the annual cost, he said.
Barnes told the Board of Supervisors that the department has been researching the program for several years and plans to start implementing it by January 2022. Officials must first issue a request for proposals, find a vendor, draft policies and train personnel.
“It’s an issue not only of having a physical device that records, it’s the storage of that device, the bandwidth of moving that information about, the oversight and management of the program, the appropriate redaction of video for protections that are pursuant to public records request acts and legal representation of video and also working with the courts to make sure that it is appropriately transferred to them for prosecution through discovery,” Barnes said.
“All of that takes people to be able to manage that program, which is what we’re moving toward as we go forward.”
Barnes said that the department has been able to take a deliberate approach in adopting body cameras because it has had dash cameras in its vehicles for more than 30 years.
“But I think now is the time for all the right reasons — for evidentiary value, for oversight, for transparency — to move toward the implementation of body-worn cameras,” he said.
Advertisement
Experts say body cameras are important tools for accountability and transparency, but studies are mixed about how well they work to prevent the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers. Some say the devices are not effective unless they’re coupled with appropriate policies and practices.
The Sheriff’s Department will join multiple cities in Orange County that have adopted body cameras in recent years, including Huntington Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana and Fullerton. Irvine and Costa Mesa also greenlighted programs earlier this year.
The Los Angeles Police Department began deploying body cameras in 2015, and the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is scheduled to roll out cameras for deputies working at its Century Station by next month. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors recently set aside nearly $35 million to equip 5,200 deputies and security officers with the devices over the next two years.
Times staff writers Alene Tchekmedyian and Dorany Pineda contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-09-10--Judge bars defiant Los Angeles megachurch from holding indoor services

A megachurch that has defied Los Angeles County ’ s pandemic health orders was temporarily barred from holding Sunday worship services indoors , under a judge ’ s ruling Thursday .
L.A. County Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff sided with public health officials , who took legal action last month to enforce health orders against Grace Community Church , an evangelical congregation in Sun Valley that has been holding Sunday worship services indoors since July 26 .
“ While the court is mindful that there is no substitute for indoor worship in the ‘ spiritual refuge ’ of a sanctuary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Health Order does not dictate a ban on worship , ” Beckloff wrote in his decision granting the county ’ s request for a preliminary injunction .
The order remains in effect until the issue is resolved .
The order allows outdoor services — which were already permitted under the county ’ s public health order — only if the church follows physical distancing and face covering measures .
The order also requires the church to allow county workers to enter its property to post the order and verify the church is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed county public health workers to view its indoor services , according to court records .
Church officials , led by longtime leader Pastor John MacArthur , have also resisted orders requiring the congregation of thousands to wear face coverings and socially distance .
MacArthur has expressed deep skepticism that there is a COVID-19 pandemic .
The church ’ s attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment .
County officials said in a statement that they went to court “ only after significant efforts to work with the leaders of Grace Community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessful .
“ Religious services are central to many of our residents ’ lives , especially in these trying times , and services have been allowed to be held online and outdoors with physical distancing and the use of face coverings , and they may continue to do so , ” officials said in a statement .
“ The issue is a reminder that we must all work together and modify our activities to contain and slow this virus , which has caused the death of more than 6,000 Los Angeles County residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill .
”

Grace Community Church in Sun Valley draws thousands of worshipers, most of whom do not wear masks or socially distance.
A megachurch that has defied Los Angeles County’s pandemic health orders must stop holding Sunday worship services indoors, under a judge’s ruling Thursday.
L.A. County Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff sided with public health officials, who took legal action last month to enforce health orders against Grace Community Church, an evangelical congregation in Sun Valley that has been holding Sunday worship services indoors since July 26.
“While the court is mindful that there is no substitute for indoor worship in the ‘spiritual refuge’ of a sanctuary, the court cannot ignore the County Health Order does not dictate a ban on worship,” Beckloff wrote in his decision granting the county’s request for a preliminary injunction.
The order remains in effect until the issue is resolved.
The order allows outdoor services — which were already permitted under the county’s public health order — only if the church follows physical distancing and face covering measures.
Advertisement
The order also requires the church to allow county workers to enter its property to post the order and verify the church is in compliance. The church has not allowed county public health workers to view its indoor services, according to court records.
Church officials, led by longtime leader Pastor John MacArthur, have also resisted orders requiring the congregation of thousands to wear face coverings and socially distance. MacArthur has expressed deep skepticism that there is a COVID-19 pandemic.
The church will appeal the decision, according to attorney Charles LiMandri, who said the court didn’t properly consider evidence that shows COVID-19 cases declining.
LiMandri, who works for the Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based law firm that takes religious liberty cases, said the appeal would ultimately vindicate the church’s right to the free exercise of religion. The court, he said, did not give “adequate consideration to the fact that churches have been treated as second-class citizens compared to the tens of thousands of protesters,” said LiMandri, referencing the protests this summer that largely took place outside.
County officials said in a statement that they went to court “only after significant efforts to work with the leaders of Grace Community Church to protect public health” were unsuccessful.
“Religious services are central to many of our residents’ lives, especially in these trying times, and services have been allowed to be held online and outdoors with physical distancing and the use of face coverings, and they may continue to do so,” officials said in a statement. “The issue is a reminder that we must all work together and modify our activities to contain and slow this virus, which has caused the death of more than 6,000 Los Angeles County residents and has made thousands of others gravely ill.”


latimes--2020-09-10--Detectives shoot and kill a man in Compton, say he opened fire

Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s officials said detectives shot and killed a man who they said opened fire on them as they served a search warrant in Compton early Thursday morning .
“ When they attempted to serve the search warrant , they came under fire immediately from the suspect who was the subject of the search warrant , ” Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters at a news briefing .
He said the man , whom he did not identify , was killed during “ multiple exchanges of gunfire ” and after he tried to set fire to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence.
” No deputies were injured .
The shooting occurred about 6 a.m. in the 500 block of South Bradfield Avenue in Compton , he said .
Detectives from the department ’ s Operation Safe Streets Bureau were serving the warrant , though it ’ s unclear what it was for .
The Sheriff ’ s Department said a weapon was recovered from the scene .
The incident marks the second fatal shooting by sheriff ’ s deputies in less than two weeks .
Dijon Kizzee , whose death has sparked days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a struggle with deputies after they stopped him for allegedly riding a bicycle in violation of vehicle codes .
An attorney for Kizzee ’ s family said he was shot at 15 times as he ran away .
Sheriff ’ s officials said deputies fired after Kizzee “ made a motion toward ” a gun that fell to the ground from a jacket he dropped .
The investigation is ongoing , officials said .

An investigation is underway after a shooting involving detectives that left one man dead in Compton.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said detectives shot and killed a man who they said opened fire on them as they served a search warrant in Compton early Thursday morning.
“When they attempted to serve the search warrant, they came under fire immediately from the suspect who was the subject of the search warrant,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters at a news briefing.
He said the man, whom he did not identify, was killed during “multiple exchanges of gunfire” and after he tried to set fire to the garage to “get rid of the evidence.” No deputies were injured.
Advertisement
The shooting occurred about 6 a.m. in the 500 block of South Bradfield Avenue in Compton, he said. Detectives from the department’s Operation Safe Streets Bureau were serving the warrant, though it’s unclear what it was for. The Sheriff’s Department said a weapon was recovered from the scene.
The incident marks the second fatal shooting by sheriff’s deputies in less than two weeks.
Dijon Kizzee, whose death has sparked days of protests, was killed Aug. 31 during a struggle with deputies after they stopped him for allegedly riding a bicycle in violation of vehicle codes. An attorney for Kizzee’s family said he was shot at 15 times as he ran away. Sheriff’s officials said deputies fired after Kizzee “made a motion toward” a gun that fell to the ground from a jacket he dropped. The investigation is ongoing, officials said.