latimes--2020-08-20--L.A. coronavirus cases dropping so low officials could soon seek to reopen schools

Despite disturbing numbers of young people dying of COVID-19 , Los Angeles County ’ s chief medical officer said Thursday that new coronavirus cases may soon drop enough to allow officials to apply for waivers to reopen elementary schools .
During an online news conference , Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser noted that waivers can be sought to reopen schools when cases are below 200 for every 100,000 people for two weeks .
Over the last two weeks , officials have reported 27,739 new cases , which amounts to 275 per 100,000 , but Gunzenhauser said that number was steadily dropping .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to under 200 in the near future , ” he said .
The Los Angeles Unified School District resumed classes this week , but instruction was being done remotely .
There are extensive requirements for applying for waivers , and county health officers must approve applications .
Gunzenhauser gave a generally optimistic briefing on the state of the pandemic in L.A. County .
He said the length of average hospital stays for COVID-19 has declined from a few months ago , probably because of improved understanding of how to treat the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now being hospitalized for the disease , and they also are likely to recover more quickly than older patients .
But he warned that younger people are dying from the disease , and the percentage of people aged 18 to 29 hospitalized for COVID-19 has doubled to 10 % .
Of the approximately 5,400 people in the county who have died of COVID-19 , 440 were aged 18 to 41 with no underlying health conditions , he said .
The underlying conditions that make patients most at risk for severe illness and death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those 65 and older , and diabetes , a condition that affects 10 % of the county ’ s population , he said .
He also reported a positive trend in skilled nursing homes , where widespread testing and protective equipment are now stemming infections .
The county now has about nine nursing home deaths a week , down two-thirds from a high of 27 in April , he said .
The number is “ still too many , ” he said , “ but it does show our measures are working.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare workers and first responders in the county .
Two-thirds of them are women , nearly half are Latino , and more than half are between the ages of 18 and 40 , he said .
More than 37 % of those infected were nurses .

Los Angeles County’s chief medical officer said Thursday that new coronavirus cases may soon drop enough to allow officials to apply for waivers to reopen elementary schools.
During an online news conference, Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser noted that waivers can be sought to reopen schools when cases are below 200 for every 100,000 people for two weeks.
Over the last two weeks, officials have reported 27,739 new cases, which amounts to 275 per 100,000, but Gunzenhauser said that number was steadily dropping.
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“We do believe we could get down to under 200 in the near future,” he said.
The Los Angeles Unified School District resumed classes this week, but instruction was being done remotely. There are extensive requirements for applying for waivers, and county health officers must approve applications.
The reaction from education officials was cautious but hopeful.
Debra Duardo, superintendent for the L.A. County Office of Education, called the update a “heartening development.”
“Not all districts are going to apply for a waiver, especially right away,” Duardo said. “Each will make the best decision based on the needs of their families and communities. There are so many factors that need to be considered. The health and safety of students and staff must come first and there needs to be buy-in from labor partners.”
Also to be considered is “how nimbly can the district switch to and from different learning models?” Duardo said.
L.A. school board member Jackie Goldberg said the district needs to have in place its plan for an ambitious internal testing and contract-tracing program so parents can have confidence in the safety of campuses.
“We’ve said from the beginning, we’re going to follow the science,” Goldberg said. “We’re going to begin our testing first with the nurses and the people who are going to do the testing, but we’re going to do some baseline testing before we open any schools, because we don’t want to put people in harm’s way.”
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Parts of southeast L.A. County, which she represents, have been considered hot spots for infection, but that’s not necessarily true of all areas in her district.
Local conditions could be taken into consideration for a particular campus, said both Goldberg and school board member Nick Melvoin.
“In light of the frustrations people are feeling with online learning, we’re doing all we can to get kids back,” Melvoin said. “I do think we should look at waivers as soon as it’s feasible, on a case-by-case, school-by-school basis.”
Gunzenhauser gave a generally optimistic briefing on the state of the pandemic in L.A. County. He said the length of average hospital stays for COVID-19 has declined from a few months ago, probably because of improved understanding of how to treat the disease.
He said more young people are now being hospitalized for the disease, and they also are likely to recover more quickly than older patients.
But he warned that younger people are dying from the disease, and the percentage of people ages 18 to 29 hospitalized for COVID-19 has doubled to 10%.
Of the approximately 5,400 people in the county who have died of COVID-19, 440 were ages 18 to 41 with no underlying health conditions, he said.
The underlying conditions that make patients most at risk for severe illness and death are hypertension, which is common among those 65 and older, and diabetes, a condition that affects 10% of the county’s population, he said.
He also reported a positive trend in skilled nursing homes, where widespread testing and protective equipment are now stemming infections.
Which California counties are reopening? To contain the spread of COVID-19, parks, restaurants and stores are slowly reopening.
The county now has about nine nursing home deaths a week, down two-thirds from a high of 27 in April, he said.
The number is “still too many,” he said, “but it does show our measures are working.”
There have been 13,120 COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers and first responders in the county. Two-thirds of them are women, nearly half are Latino, and more than half are between the ages of 18 and 40, he said.
More than 37% of those infected were nurses.


latimes--2020-08-20--Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, could also make history

Some men might shrink in the shadow of a superstar spouse .
Not Douglas Emhoff , the unabashed cheerleader in chief for his wife , California Sen. Kamala Harris .
On Wednesday , she made history as the first woman of color nominated for vice president by a major political party .
After her speech , a beaming Emhoff made his entrance , walking alongside another prominent plus-one — Jill Biden — onto a convention hall stage in Wilmington , Del .
to join their headline-making partners .
Emhoff seemed a little awkward at first , tugging at the hem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embraced Harris , gave her a quick kiss , and the couple waved to the cameras .
When Joe Biden , the Democrats ’ presidential nominee , introduced his running mate last week , he told Emhoff : “ Doug , you ’ re going to have to learn what it means to be a barrier-breaker yourself.
” If Biden and Harris win in November , Emhoff would become the nation ’ s first Second Gentleman .
It ’ s been an unlikely journey for the 55-year-old Los Angeles entertainment lawyer , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a presidential campaign .
Emhoff , who lives in Brentwood , has seen his national profile swell , complete with his own fan club , the # DougHive — women who are thrilled by the novelty of a man comfortably taking a back seat in politics .
He has more than 250,000 followers on Twitter , where he identifies himself as : “ Dad , @ KamalaHarris hubby , lawyer , wannabe golfer , advocate for justice and equality.
” His posts , sometimes addressed to the # KHive , can tend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , his cellphone sported a sticker that read : “ A Woman ’ s Place is in the White House.
” “ He ’ s been 100 % in his wife ’ s corner and supporting her any way he can , ” attorney Matthew Johnson , one of Emhoff ’ s closest friends , said in an interview .
Since meeting Harris seven years ago , Johnson said , Emhoff has been “ smitten.
” Harris ’ and Emhoff ’ s romance feels scripted by Hollywood .
In some ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was a divorced father of two , managing a respected Century City law firm with more than 60 attorneys .
He ’ d been practicing law for two decades .
Born in Brooklyn , he moved to California as a teen ( he has an older sister and a younger brother ) and accumulated strong Southern California bona fides : After attending Agoura High School and Cal State Northridge , he graduated from USC Law School .
Emhoff handled cases that weren ’ t particularly sexy : intellectual property disputes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defended big-name corporate clients , including Walmart and pharmaceutical giant Merck .
One of his more noteworthy cases was a successful defense of Taco Bell ’ s advertising agency , TBWA , in the early 2000s after the fast-food chain blamed it for ripping off the idea for the chihuahua who quipped “ Yo Quiero Taco Bell ” in TV commercials .
Over the years , Emhoff honed a reputation as having a soft touch with clients , patiently listening even when some “ were being a little bit irrational , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles Police Commission and a partner at the juggernaut entertainment firm Ziffren Brittenham .
Johnson said he often referred people to Emhoff at Venable .
“ He would give clients this cool-headed , thoughtful advice , ” Johnson said .
“ Sometimes , he had to give them advice they didn ’ t want to hear.
” In 2013 , prominent filmmaker Reginald Hudlin and his PR executive wife , Chrisette Hudlin , were grappling with a complex legal issue .
They went to Venable ’ s offices , where they met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his ability to see the big picture and resolve conflict , ” Chrisette Hudlin said in an email to The Times .
Hudlin then took a leap of faith .
She gave Emhoff the cellphone number of her best friend , Harris , who was then California ‘ s attorney general .
In her book , “ The Truths We Hold , ” Harris recounted the episode : “ I was in the middle of a meeting , and my phone wouldn ’ t stop buzzing.
” Harris wrote that after ignoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called her back to check in .
“ I just met this guy , ” Hudlin told her friend .
“ He ’ s cute and he ’ s the managing partner of his law firm and I think you ’ re really going to like him.
” At the time , Harris was in her late 40s .
She had never been married ; dating was difficult due to the demands of her high-profile jobs , Harris wrote in her book .
A few nights later , Emhoff texted Harris from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Go Lakers !
” even though she ’ s a Golden State Warriors fan . )
Harris was in San Francisco , where she owns a condo , and they eventually connected by phone and scheduled a date for that weekend , when she was planning to be in L.A. “ I ’ ll never forget it , ” said Johnson , Emhoff ’ s friend .
“ The next day he called me up and said : ‘ You are not going to believe who I went out to dinner with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I said , ‘ Get the f— out of here !
How did that happen ?
’ ” Johnson had long been impressed with Harris , and had held fundraisers for her .
He blurted out to Emhoff : “ I love you like a brother , but Kamala is a serious person .
You better not — “ And Doug said , ‘ No , no , no .
I ’ m dating Kamala , ’ ” Johnson said .
Their relationship blossomed quickly .
“ He seemed so genuinely comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s part of why I liked him immediately.
” Harris and Emhoff will celebrate their sixth anniversary this weekend .
They were married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse in a small family ceremony officiated by Harris ’ sister , Maya Harris .
In honor of Harris ’ Indian roots , she placed a flower garland around his neck .
And Emhoff , who is Jewish , celebrated in tradition , by stomping on a glass .
Chrisette Hudlin said even early on , she had “ a sneaking suspicion ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They balance each other well because they agree on the most important things in life , ” Hudlin said .
“ They work hard , but they also know how to take time to enjoy each other and family.
” In March , Emhoff flew to Washington for a planned long weekend with his wife .
Then came the coronavirus shutdown and he has remained with Harris at their home in D.C. , working remotely .
During a video interview with an Ohio reporter last month , Emhoff described the experience : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Kamala Harris .
It certainly upped my game.
” Over the last five years , according to Forbes , Emhoff and Harris have earned about $ 8.2 million , most of it generated by his work at Venable and DLA Piper , the Century City firm he joined in 2017 .
On Harris ’ Senate disclosures forms , she listed more than $ 500,000 in book advance payments in the last two years .
Forbes estimates the couple ’ s net worth at nearly $ 6 million .
More than a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their three homes — in Brentwood , San Francisco and Washington , D.C .
The Biden-Harris campaign declined to make Emhoff , or family members , available for interviews .
“ Being out here on the presidential campaign trail talking about Joe and Kamala is not something I ever really expected to be doing , ” Emhoff acknowledged .
“ So a little about me .
I was born in Brooklyn , raised in New Jersey , and then moved to L.A. in high school when my dad got a new job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law school in L.A. , became a dad to Cole and Ella.
” Emhoff added that he ’ s had “ a great career as an entertainment lawyer , ” but is now on leave of absence from his current firm , DLA Piper , “ so that I can work full time to help Joe and Kamala win.
” He also mentioned their upcoming wedding anniversary , noting that after he and Harris were engaged , “ I got a congratulatory voicemail from none other than Joe Biden !
...
Believe it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message saved on my home [ voicemail ] .
” “ He ’ s just a wonderful guy : smart , grounded and wise .
He ’ s easy to talk to and he ’ s also a really good listener , ” said producer Matt Walden , a friend of Emhoff ’ s for nearly 30 years .
Before the pandemic , Walden and his powerhouse wife , Dana Walden , chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment , would enjoy occasional dinners out with the couple at Westside haunts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , Chrisette Hudlin introduced Dana Walden to Harris when Harris was a prosecutor .
Hudlin said she met her husband on a blind date arranged by the Waldens . )
“ A lot of what he and I spend time talking about is our families , ” Matt Walden said .
“ He ’ s really proud of those kids ; he is a committed dad.
” Emhoff has two children from his first marriage — Cole , 25 , and Ella , 21 — named after Jazz greats John Coltrane and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documentary film producer ( FX ’ s “ AKA Jane Roe ” and HBO ’ s “ Manhunt : The Inside Story of the Hunt for Bin Laden ” ) , divorced Doug Emhoff in 2010 .
Still , they maintain a friendly relationship , and refer to theirs as a blended modern family .
In social media posts , Kerstin Emhoff makes it clear she ’ s in Harris ’ corner .
Cole and Ella Emhoff call Harris “ Momala.
” On Wednesday , Ella Emhoff made her debut in the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her history-making moment at the Democratic National Convention .
“ You always knew [ Harris ] had larger political aspirations , ” said Rich Frey , a trial attorney who used to work with Emhoff at Venable , but is now with Epstein Becker Green in Los Angeles .
“ She ’ s very intelligent , a good advocate .
We used to joke about it , before they got married , that she might become president , ” Frey said .
“ But we didn ’ t know what his title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gentleman ?
” Twice before , there has been a woman vying for vice president on major presidential ticket : Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Sarah Palin in 2008 , raising the possibility of a historic Second Gent .
Both of those campaigns failed .
Should Biden and Harris defeat President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence , Emhoff would define the standard for the male version of supporting spouse .
It ’ s not clear what causes that Emhoff might champion , but his friends said they expect him to carve out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m sure that Doug would have a big impact , being married to the vice president , ” said Johnson , his friend .
“ He ’ ll play the role of being supportive for his wife , ” Frey said .
“ But the ambition here is not just VP .
Even if Biden doesn ’ t win , she ’ s not going to be out of the national picture .
”

Kamala Harris with husband Douglas Emhoff on the red carpet at the Broad museum’s opening gala in 2015.
Some men might shrink in the shadow of a superstar spouse.
Not Douglas Emhoff, the unabashed cheerleader in chief for his wife, California Sen. Kamala Harris. On Wednesday, she made history as the first woman of color nominated for vice president by a major political party. After her speech, a beaming Emhoff made his entrance, walking alongside another prominent plus-one — Jill Biden — onto a convention hall stage in Wilmington, Del., to join their headline-making partners. Emhoff seemed a little awkward at first, tugging at the hem of his suit jacket. Then he embraced Harris, gave her a quick kiss, and the couple waved to the cameras.
When Joe Biden, the Democrats’ presidential nominee, introduced his running mate last week, he told Emhoff: “Doug, you’re going to have to learn what it means to be a barrier-breaker yourself.”
If Biden and Harris win in November, Emhoff would become the nation’s first second gentleman.
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It’s been an unlikely journey for the 55-year-old Los Angeles entertainment lawyer, who now finds himself in the inner circle of a presidential campaign. Emhoff, who lives in Brentwood, has seen his national profile swell, complete with his own fan club, the #DougHive — women who are thrilled by the novelty of a man comfortably taking a back seat in politics. He has more than 250,000 followers on Twitter, where he identifies himself as: “Dad, @KamalaHarris hubby, lawyer, wannabe golfer, advocate for justice and equality.” His posts, sometimes addressed to the #KHive, can tend toward the goofy.
For much of last year, his cellphone sported a sticker that read: “A Woman’s Place is in the White House.”
“He’s been 100% in his wife’s corner and supporting her any way he can,” attorney Matthew Johnson, one of Emhoff’s closest friends, said in an interview. Since meeting Harris seven years ago, Johnson said, Emhoff has been “smitten.”
Harris’ and Emhoff’s romance feels scripted by Hollywood. In some ways, it was.
Seven years ago, he was a divorced father of two, managing a respected Century City law firm, Venable, with more than 60 attorneys. He’d been practicing law for two decades. Born in Brooklyn, he moved to California as a teen (he has an older sister and a younger brother) and accumulated strong Southern California bona fides: After attending Agoura High School and Cal State Northridge, he graduated from USC Law School.
Emhoff handled cases that weren’t particularly sexy: intellectual property disputes, false advertising and copyright infringement. He defended big-name corporate clients, including Walmart and pharmaceutical giant Merck. Among his more noteworthy cases was a successful defense of Taco Bell’s advertising agency, TBWA, in the early 2000s after the fast-food chain blamed it for ripping off the idea for the Chihuahua who quipped “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” in TV commercials. He also was lead attorney representing Beverly Hills United School District in 2012 as it sued the Federal Transit Administration over the controversial and long-awaited Purple Line subway to the Westside.
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Over the years, Emhoff honed a reputation as having a soft touch with clients, patiently listening even when some “were being a little bit irrational,” said Johnson, a former president of the Los Angeles Police Commission and a partner at the juggernaut entertainment firm Ziffren Brittenham. Johnson said he often referred people to Emhoff at Venable.
“He would give clients this cool-headed, thoughtful advice,” Johnson said. “Sometimes, he had to give them advice they didn’t want to hear.”
In 2013, prominent filmmaker Reginald Hudlin and his PR executive wife, Chrisette Hudlin, were grappling with a complex legal issue. They went to Venable’s offices, where they met with Emhoff.
“He impressed us with his ability to see the big picture and resolve conflict,” Chrisette Hudlin said in an email to The Times.
Hudlin then took a leap of faith. She gave Emhoff the cellphone number of her best friend, Harris, who was then California‘s attorney general. In her book, “The Truths We Hold,” Harris recounted the episode: “I was in the middle of a meeting, and my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing.” Harris wrote that after ignoring several calls from Hudlin, she finally called her back to check in.
“I just met this guy,” Hudlin told her friend. “He’s cute and he’s the managing partner of his law firm and I think you’re really going to like him.”
At the time, Harris was in her late 40s. She had never been married; dating was difficult due to the demands of her high-profile jobs, Harris wrote in her book.
Kamala Harris and Douglas Emhoff on their wedding day; they married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. (California attorney general’s office)
A few nights later, Emhoff texted Harris from an L.A. Lakers game. (Harris replied “Go Lakers!” even though she’s a Golden State Warriors fan.) Harris was in San Francisco, where she owns a condo, and they eventually connected by phone and scheduled a date for that weekend, when she was planning to be in L.A.
“I’ll never forget it,” said Johnson, Emhoff’s friend. “The next day he called me up and said: ‘You are not going to believe who I went out to dinner with last night? … Kamala Harris.’ And I said, ‘Get the f— out of here! How did that happen?’”
Johnson had long been impressed with Harris, and had held fundraisers for her. He blurted out to Emhoff: “I love you like a brother, but Kamala is a serious person. You better not — ”
Emhoff interrupted him, Johnson recalls, to say he was serious about Harris.
Their relationship blossomed quickly. “He seemed so genuinely comfortable with himself,” Harris wrote. “That’s part of why I liked him immediately.”
Harris and Emhoff will celebrate their sixth anniversary this weekend. They were married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse in a small family ceremony officiated by Harris’ sister, Maya Harris. In honor of Harris’ Indian roots, she placed a flower garland around his neck. And Emhoff, who is Jewish, celebrated in tradition, by stomping on a glass.
Chrisette Hudlin said even early on, she had “a sneaking suspicion” that Harris and Emhoff would wed.
“They balance each other well because they agree on the most important things in life,” Hudlin said. “They work hard, but they also know how to take time to enjoy each other and family.”
In March, Emhoff flew to Washington for a planned long weekend with his wife. Then came the coronavirus shutdown and he has remained with Harris at their home in D.C., working remotely. During a video interview with an Ohio reporter last month, Emhoff described the experience: “It’s surreal working at home with Kamala Harris. It certainly upped my game.”
Over the last five years, according to Forbes, Emhoff and Harris have earned about $8.2 million, most of it generated by his work at Venable and DLA Piper, the Century City firm he joined in 2017. On Harris’ Senate disclosures forms, she listed more than $500,000 in book advance payments in the last two years. Forbes estimates the couple’s net worth at nearly $6 million. More than a third of that amount comes from the value of their three homes — in Brentwood, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
The Biden-Harris campaign declined to make Emhoff, or family members, available for interviews.
Emhoff spoke briefly Thursday during a Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus meeting, reading from a prepared text.
“Being out here on the presidential campaign trail talking about Joe and Kamala is not something I ever really expected to be doing,” Emhoff acknowledged.
“So a little about me. I was born in Brooklyn, raised in New Jersey, and then moved to L.A. in high school when my dad got a new job. I went on to college and law school in L.A., became a dad to Cole and Ella.”
Emhoff added that he’s had “a great career as an entertainment lawyer,” but is now on leave of absence from his current firm, DLA Piper, “so that I can work full time to help Joe and Kamala win.”
He also mentioned their upcoming wedding anniversary, noting that after he and Harris were engaged, “I got a congratulatory voicemail from none other than Joe Biden! ... Believe it or not, I still have that message saved on my home [voicemail].”
“He’s just a wonderful guy: smart, grounded and wise. He’s easy to talk to and he’s also a really good listener,” said producer Matt Walden, a friend of Emhoff’s for nearly 30 years.
Before the pandemic, Walden and his powerhouse wife, Dana Walden, chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment, would enjoy occasional dinners out with the couple at Westside haunts, including Toscana in Brentwood. (Decades ago, Chrisette Hudlin introduced Dana Walden to Harris when Harris was a prosecutor. Hudlin said she met her husband on a blind date arranged by the Waldens.)
“A lot of what he and I spend time talking about is our families,” Matt Walden said. “He’s really proud of those kids; he is a committed dad.”
Emhoff has two children from his first marriage — Cole, 25, and Ella, 21 — named after Jazz greats John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald.
Doug and Kerstin Emhoff, a documentary film producer (FX’s “AKA Jane Roe” and HBO’s “Manhunt: The Inside Story of the Hunt for Bin Laden”), divorced in 2010. Still, they maintain a friendly relationship, and refer to theirs as a blended modern family. In social media posts, Kerstin Emhoff makes it clear she’s in Harris’ corner.
Cole and Ella Emhoff call Harris “Momala.” On Wednesday, Ella Emhoff made her debut in the video montage of family members introducing Harris ahead of her history-making moment at the Democratic National Convention.
“You always knew [Harris] had larger political aspirations,” said Rich Frey, a trial attorney who used to work with Emhoff at Venable, but is now with Epstein Becker Green in Los Angeles.
“She’s very intelligent, a good advocate. We used to joke about it, before they got married, that she might become president,” Frey said. “But we didn’t know what his title would be: First man? First gentleman?”
I don’t know what freakin rock I’ve been living under, but I just found this gif and it’s perfect 😂👌🏼 pic.twitter.com/DgO8hCl2CX — Mitali (@mmodi93) December 10, 2019
Twice before, there has been a woman vying for vice president on a major presidential ticket: Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Sarah Palin in 2008, raising the possibility of a historic second gent. Both of those campaigns failed.
Should Biden and Harris defeat President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, Emhoff would define the standard for the male version of supporting spouse. It’s not clear what causes that Emhoff might champion, but his friends said they expect him to carve out an important role.
“And I’m sure that Doug would have a big impact, being married to the vice president,” said Johnson, his friend.
Frey, Emhoff’s former law partner, agreed.
“He’ll play the role of being supportive for his wife,” Frey said. “But the ambition here is not just VP. Even if Biden doesn’t win, she’s not going to be out of the national picture.”
Times staff writer Melanie Mason contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-08-20--No deal yet in Sacramento to help struggling California renters

With less than two weeks before a statewide moratorium on renter evictions expires , California lawmakers on Thursday declined to back a plan that would have provided tax credits for landlords while sending a separate proposal that would protect tenants back for additional negotiations with Gov .
Gavin Newsom .
Three other bills dealing with affordable housing and homelessness were also sidelined for the year as the Senate and Assembly appropriations committees rushed to meet an end-of-the-month deadline for acting .
“ These are trying times , obviously , ” said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez ( D-San Diego ) , chairwoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she looked out over a mostly empty chamber where members of the panel sat wearing face masks and spaced apart to avoid the spread of the coronavirus .
The panel sidelined a measure by state Sen. Anna Caballero ( D-Salinas ) that would have created a process for preventing evictions for three years as long as a landlord and tenant reach an agreement on forgiving rent in exchange for the landlord receiving a tax credit .
The proposal was part of a sweeping economic recovery effort crafted by Senate Democratic leaders in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative calendar that was shortened due to public health concerns over lawmakers convening in Sacramento .
Before the bill was shelved , Caballero signaled that she was working with other legislators and Newsom on finding a way to protect landlords and tenants .
Senators moved forward a bill by Assemblyman David Chiu ( D-San Francisco ) that would prevent evictions for up to a year .
The measure , AB 1436 , would block evictions of renters who missed payments during the COVID-19 “ emergency period , ” which would end 90 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted or April 1 , 2021 , whichever occurs first .
Landlords would also be allowed mortgage forbearance under the legislation .
“ California is facing a tsunami of evictions and foreclosures if we do not act , ” Chiu said Thursday .
“ This bill is a balanced approach to ensure we avoid mass displacement and increased homelessness during the pandemic.
” He cited a U.S. Census Bureau survey from last month that showed 4.3 million renters in California reported “ little to no confidence ” in their ability to pay rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by groups including the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Apartment Assn.
, which represents 50,000 owners and managers .
Debra Carlton , an executive vice president of the association , said the delay in rents until 2021 will be a burden for senior landlords who depend on rentals for income and owners who need the revenue to pay mortgages and repairs .
“ These owners will lose their rental units , and tenants will eventually lose their homes , ” Carlton told lawmakers during a hearing earlier this week .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill to the full Senate , but after the Assembly panel shelved Caballero ’ s legislation , the Chiu proposal was redirected to the Senate Rules Committee for additional discussion .
“ Negotiations on this issue are ongoing , ” Chiu said .
“ It ’ s common for big bills like this to be held in the Rules Committee until there is a resolution on the issue.
” Jesse Melgar , the governor ’ s press secretary , said Newsom ’ s office is working with legislators toward a resolution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Legislature on a solution to the eviction crisis before the session ends , and work is well underway with legislative leaders and stakeholders , ” Melgar said .
The clock is ticking on negotiations after the state Judicial Council last week extended its moratorium on courts processing evictions until Sept. 1 .
Meanwhile , Assembly members also shelved a measure on Thursday that sought to increase the construction of affordable housing by giving cities the power to increase housing density by rezoning properties in areas near transit and jobs .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Sen. Scott Wiener ( D-San Francisco ) as a “ light touch ” approach to addressing the lack of affordable housing after a more ambitious bill to force cities to increase housing density failed in the Legislature in January .
This year ’ s bill would have allowed cities to zone any parcel for up to 10 units of housing if it is located in a transit or jobs-rich area , or an urban infill site , even if there are restrictions — including those approved by voters — preventing such density @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SB 902 won ’ t be advancing , ” Wiener said in a statement .
“ It would have provided cities with a powerful tool to zone for new housing .
Quite a few housing bills have died this year in both houses , but we need to get right back up and keep fighting next year for forward-looking housing legislation.
” He noted that seven other housing bills have made it to the Assembly floor , “ so we have an opportunity to make significant positive change over the next week and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Senate Bill 50 , was recently attacked in an op-ed by President Trump and Housing Secretary Ben Carson in the Wall Street Journal that called the proposal “ a relentless push for more high-density housing in single-family residential neighborhoods , has become the mainstream goal of the left.
” Wiener called it “ a racist op-ed that attacks me for fighting to legalize affordable housing in neighborhoods zoned to only allow single-family housing .
This is an ugly and desperate attempt to appeal to white suburbanites.
” On Thursday , lawmakers also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressing homelessness .
Assembly Bill 3269 would have created a new position of Housing and Homelessness Inspector General and required the state to conduct a study on the needs of homeless people and gaps in services .
The measure would have also required cities and counties to develop actionable plans to address homelessness .
The other bill that was held , Assembly Bill 3040 , would have given local governments additional credit toward meeting mandated housing goals if they identify sites that contain a single family home but are allowed up to four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these substantive , consensus measures will not move forward this year , ” Chiu said .
“ We can not let up on our efforts to address the housing and homelessness crises amidst this pandemic.
” The failure of many housing bills to gain traction with lawmakers was criticized Thursday by Brian Hanlon , co-founder and CEO of the housing advocacy group California YIMBY .
“ With its refusal to pass a housing production package that addresses the depths of the housing shortage , the California Legislature has once again failed the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Ian Jameson, left, organized a gathering of tenant rights activists at El Monte City Hall to demand that the City Council adopt a moratorium barring all evictions during the pandemic.
With less than two weeks before a statewide moratorium on renter evictions expires, California lawmakers on Thursday declined to back a plan that would have provided tax credits for landlords while sending a separate proposal that would protect tenants back for additional negotiations with Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Three other bills dealing with affordable housing and homelessness were also sidelined for the year as the Senate and Assembly appropriations committees rushed to meet an end-of-the-month deadline for acting.
California What happens when California eviction moratoriums expire? Ask our reporters Join us Wednesday for a live video event with L.A. Times reporters Liam Dillon and Andrew Khouri, along with columnist Erika Smith. They’ll answer your questions about covering evictions.
“These are trying times, obviously,” said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), chairwoman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, as she looked out over a mostly empty chamber where members of the panel sat wearing face masks and spaced apart to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
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The panel sidelined a measure by state Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) that would have created a process for preventing evictions for three years as long as a landlord and tenant reach an agreement on forgiving rent in exchange for the landlord receiving a tax credit.
The proposal was part of a sweeping economic recovery effort crafted by Senate Democratic leaders in May that has been stymied in partby a legislative calendar that was shortened due to public health concerns over lawmakers convening in Sacramento.
Before the bill was shelved, Caballero signaled that she was working with other legislators and Newsom on finding a way to protect landlords and tenants.
Senators moved forward a bill by Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) that would prevent evictions for up to a year. The measure, AB 1436, would block evictions of renters who missed payments during the COVID-19 “emergency period,” which would end 90 days after the state of emergency order is lifted or April 1, 2021, whichever occurs first.
Landlords would also be allowed mortgage forbearance under the legislation.
“California is facing a tsunami of evictions and foreclosures if we do not act,” Chiu said Thursday. “This bill is a balanced approach to ensure we avoid mass displacement and increased homelessness during the pandemic.”
He cited a U.S. Census Bureau survey from last month that showed 4.3 million renters in California reported “little to no confidence” in their ability to pay rent in August.
The measure is opposed by groups including the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Apartment Assn., which represents 50,000 owners and managers.
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Debra Carlton, an executive vice president of the association, said the delay in rents until 2021 will be a burden for senior landlords who depend on rentals for income and owners who need the revenue to pay mortgages and repairs.
“These owners will lose their rental units, and tenants will eventually lose their homes,” Carlton told lawmakers during a hearing earlier this week.
The Senate Appropriations Committee initially voted to send the bill to the full Senate, but after the Assembly panel shelved Caballero’s legislation, the Chiu proposal was redirected to the Senate Rules Committee for additional discussion.
“Negotiations on this issue are ongoing,” Chiu said. “It’s common for big bills like this to be held in the Rules Committee until there is a resolution on the issue.”
Jesse Melgar, the governor’s press secretary, said Newsom’s office is working with legislators toward a resolution.
“The governor is committed to partnering with the Legislature on a solution to the eviction crisis before the session ends, and work is well underway with legislative leaders and stakeholders,” Melgar said.
The clock is ticking on negotiations after the state Judicial Council last week extended its moratorium on courts processing evictions until Sept. 1.
Meanwhile, Assembly members also shelved a measure on Thursday that sought to increase the construction of affordable housing by giving cities the power to increase housing density by rezoning properties in areas near transit and jobs.
The measure was touted by its author, state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) as a “light touch” approach to addressing the lack of affordable housing after a more ambitious bill to force cities to increase housing density failed in the Legislature in January.
This year’s bill would have allowed cities to zone any parcel for up to 10 units of housing if it is located in a transit or jobs-rich area, or an urban infill site, even if there are restrictions — including those approved by voters — preventing such density.
“I’m disappointed that SB 902 won’t be advancing,” Wiener said in a statement. “It would have provided cities with a powerful tool to zone for new housing. Quite a few housing bills have died this year in both houses, but we need to get right back up and keep fighting next year for forward-looking housing legislation.”
He noted that seven other housing bills have made it to the Assembly floor, “so we have an opportunity to make significant positive change over the next week and a half.”
The failed predecessor bill, Senate Bill 50, was recently attacked in an op-ed by President Trump and Housing Secretary Ben Carson in the Wall Street Journal that called the proposal “a relentless push for more high-density housing in single-family residential neighborhoods” and said it has become “the mainstream goal of the left.”
Wiener called it “a racist op-ed that attacks me for fighting to legalize affordable housing in neighborhoods zoned to only allow single-family housing. This is an ugly and desperate attempt to appeal to white suburbanites.”
On Thursday, lawmakers also sidelined two bills by Chiu aimed at addressing homelessness. Assembly Bill 3269 would have created a new position of Housing and Homelessness Inspector General and required the state to conduct a study on the needs of homeless people and gaps in services.
The measure would have also required cities and counties to develop actionable plans to address homelessness.
The other bill that was held, Assembly Bill 3040, would have given local governments additional credit toward meeting mandated housing goals if they identify sites that contain a single family home but are allowed up to four units.
“I am disappointed that these substantive, consensus measures will not move forward this year,” Chiu said. “We cannot let up on our efforts to address the housing and homelessness crises amidst this pandemic.”
The failure of many housing bills to gain traction with lawmakers was criticized Thursday by Brian Hanlon, co-founder and CEO of the housing advocacy group California YIMBY.
“With its refusal to pass a housing production package that addresses the depths of the housing shortage, the California Legislature has once again failed the people of California,” Hanlon said.


latimes--2020-08-20--Two L.A. County sheriff's captains are on leave after allegations of sexual misconduct

Two Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s captains are on administrative leave following allegations of sexual misconduct , officials and public safety sources said .
Capt .
Marc Lucio , who serves on the Chino City Council , was accused in July of sexual assault involving a child , but prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to file charges , according to the San Bernardino County district attorney ’ s office .
Capt .
Donald Rubio ’ s case has been under review by prosecutors since January , the L.A. County district attorney ’ s office said .
Two public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rape by intoxication .
The sources requested anonymity to discuss the case candidly .
Neither captain responded to a request for comment .
It ’ s unclear when each captain was placed on administrative leave .
Both were recently promoted by Sheriff Alex Villanueva , with Lucio tapped in February to lead the Transit Services Bureau , which provides police services to Metro buses , trains and properties .
Rubio headed the Community College Bureau .
The allegations against Lucio were leveled in July to the Chino Police Department , which referred the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict of interest , a spokesman for the San Bernardino County district attorney ’ s office said .
“ Based on a lack of sufficient evidence , we are unable to proceed with filing criminal charges against Lucio at this time , ” the spokesman said .
In a statement , the Sheriff ’ s Department said Lucio is on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal administrative investigation , and declined to comment further .
The allegations against Rubio stemmed from an off-duty incident with an ex-girlfriend in May of last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowledge of the investigation .
He was still a lieutenant at the time .
The Sheriff ’ s Department said its Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau referred the case to the district attorney ’ s office , which will determine whether to file charges .
Rubio is on administrative leave pending that decision and the outcome of the administrative investigation , the department said .

Two Los Angeles County sheriff’s captains are on administrative leave following allegations of sexual misconduct, officials and public safety sources said.
Capt. Marc Lucio, who serves on the Chino City Council, was accused in July of sexual assault involving a child, but prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to file charges, according to the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office.
Capt. Donald Rubio’s case has been under review by prosecutors since January, the L.A. County district attorney’s office said. Two public safety sources say he was accused of rape by intoxication. The sources requested anonymity to discuss the case candidly.
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Neither captain responded to a request for comment.
It’s unclear when each captain was placed on administrative leave. Both were recently promoted by Sheriff Alex Villanueva, with Lucio tapped in February to lead the Transit Services Bureau, which provides police services to Metro buses, trains and properties. Rubio headed the Community College Bureau.
The allegations against Lucio were leveled in July to the Chino Police Department, which referred the case to Ontario police to avoid a conflict of interest, a spokesman for the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office said.
“Based on a lack of sufficient evidence, we are unable to proceed with filing criminal charges against Lucio at this time,” the spokesman said.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Department said Lucio is on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal administrative investigation, and declined to comment further.
The allegations against Rubio stemmed from an off-duty incident with an ex-girlfriend in May of last year, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. He was still a lieutenant at the time.
The Sheriff’s Department said its Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau referred the case to the district attorney’s office, which will determine whether to file charges. Rubio is on administrative leave pending that decision and the outcome of the administrative investigation, the department said.


latimes--2020-08-20--As excessive heat tapers off, threat of rolling blackouts wanes

With a near weeklong heat wave tapering off and successful energy conservation efforts , California managed to stave off rolling blackouts for the third consecutive night , and officials said power outages are not expected through the weekend .
The California Independent System Operator , which runs the electric grid for most of the state , had warned all week that statewide power outages were possible amid record heat after two nights of blackouts last weekend .
Officials repeatedly called for the voluntary conservation of electricity and issued flex alerts for consumers to reduce consumption from 3 to 10 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California ISO credited imported energy and wind production in avoiding blackouts , and Steve Berberich , the agency ’ s CEO , said further outages aren ’ t anticipated .
“ As I speak right now , absent the loss of any big units or transmission lines , we do not expect any load disruptions , ” Berberich said during a news conference .
“ We ’ re counting on those conservation measures for me to be able to say that.
” As of Thursday afternoon , no flex alerts had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had asked residents to set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees or above , use major appliances before 2 or 3 p.m. , turn off all unnecessary lights and close all blinds and drapes to the midday sun .
Earlier this week , officials had warned of blackouts affecting as many as 3 million people , and although statewide blackouts were avoided , heat-related equipment issues left thousands without power in Los Angeles .
On Wednesday , the L.A. Department of Water and Power was again faced with multiple outages across the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of high demand and high temperatures , ” the utility said on Twitter .
Berberich acknowledged the extreme weather that has gripped the state since Friday , but said after getting through Wednesday ’ s heat , the state ’ s energy load would decrease for the rest of the week .
Officials must reaccess the system ’ s resources and reset the energy forecast Monday , he added .
High heat will continue throughout the weekend across parts of the state , with many areas blanketed by smoke and dense coastal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cool , according to the National Weather Service .
An excessive heat warning remains in place for the Los Angeles area through 10 p.m. Friday , but most locations in Southern California — nearly everywhere except the Antelope Valley — will be under 100 degrees , said Kathy Hoxsie , a meteorologist with the weather service in Oxnard .
Afternoon thunderstorms in some mountain areas are also a possibility over the weekend .
“ We ’ re not in the clear , ” Hoxsie said .
“ We still have strong high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ] Southwest , so it could shift back to the West enough to put us right back into the heat.
” The record temperatures are also making life more difficult for firefighters , who are battling big blazes across the state , including in Ventura County and in the Mojave National Preserve , where has burned more than 43,000 acres and destroyed swaths of Joshua trees .

At Woodley Park in Van Nuys, Blanca Celaya of Winnetka and her family enjoy the shade. She holds her 3-month-old son, Jason Celaya. Beyond are her daughter Celia Barinese and husband, Jaime Paiz. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
The scene at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro on Aug. 14, where a cooling breeze kept the shore comfortable. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
The Telles family of the San Fernando Valley enjoys the water of the Santa Ana River in Jurupa Valley. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
At the Santa Ana River in Jurupa Valley, Mike Garcia of Norco and his children Jose, 7, and Monica, 10, employ multiple stay-cool techniques. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Jacob Debreceni, 16, with friends Ismael Fuentes, left, and Kevin Lemus, cools off with the help of a backyard waterslide in Mira Loma, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
An employee of a hot dog stand works inside the eatery along the boardwalk in Santa Monica. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Liz Saul reads a novel on her iPad in the comfort of an air mattress in Venice. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters prepare to defend a home as flames from the River fire approach in Salinas on Aug. 17. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on Aug. 16. Numerous lightning strikes sparked brush fires throughout the region. (Noah Berger / Associated Press )
A funnel appears in a thick plume of smoke from the Loyalton fire in Lassen County, Calif., on Aug. 15. (Katelynn & Jordan Hewlett via Associated Press)
Watts residents pick out clothing during the Children Mending Hearts weekly food and clothing giveaway at the Watts Empowerment Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Jon Galapago takes a break from the heat in a hammock during a day of fishing at Lake Evans in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Benjamin Cole II shows son Barreth Cole, 5, a routine while joining members of Barry’s Bootcamp as they conduct a workout session at the Watts Empowerment Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
L.A. Rams rookie outside linebacker Terrell Lewis towels away sweat as temperatures soar at the Rams training facility in Thousand Oaks. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
After a day at the beach, Sebastian Grand, 11, left, Leo Grand, 13, and Constantin Condraschi, 12, of Orange County have pizza at a Slice of New York Pizza in Seal Beach. (Josie Norris / Los Angeles Times)
The Holser Fire burns through the night just east of Lake Piru, where actress Naya Rivera died in mid-July. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
With a near weeklong heat wave tapering off and successful energy conservation efforts, California managed to stave off rolling blackouts for the third consecutive night, and officials said power outages are not expected through the weekend.
The California Independent System Operator, which runs the electric grid for most of the state, had warned all week that statewide power outages were possible amid record heat after two nights of blackouts last weekend.
Officials repeatedly called for the voluntary conservation of electricity and issued flex alerts for consumers to reduce consumption from 3 to 10 p.m. most days.
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On Wednesday evening, the California ISO credited imported energy and wind production in avoiding blackouts, and Steve Berberich, the agency’s CEO, said further outages aren’t anticipated.
“As I speak right now, absent the loss of any big units or transmission lines, we do not expect any load disruptions,” Berberich said during a news conference. “We’re counting on those conservation measures for me to be able to say that.”
As of Thursday afternoon, no flex alerts had been issued across the state. Previous alerts had asked residents to set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees or above, use major appliances before 2 or 3 p.m., turn off all unnecessary lights and close all blinds and drapes to the midday sun.
California California heat wave may rival deadly July 2006 event, forecasters say High pressure will reach a strength that occurs only about once every 10 years, the National Weather Service said, fueling a heat wave that could rival the seven-day event in 2006 that researchers connected to hundreds of deaths.
Earlier this week, officials had warned of blackouts affecting as many as 3 million people, and although statewide blackouts were avoided, heat-related equipment issues left thousands without power in Los Angeles.
On Wednesday, the L.A. Department of Water and Power was again faced with multiple outages across the city “due to strain on the system because of high demand and high temperatures,” the utility said on Twitter.
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Berberich acknowledged the extreme weather that has gripped the state since Friday, but said after getting through Wednesday’s heat, the state’s energy load would decrease for the rest of the week. Officials must reaccess the system’s resources and reset the energy forecast Monday, he added.
High heat will continue throughout the weekend across parts of the state, with many areas blanketed by smoke and dense coastal fog, but some regions will begin to cool, according to the National Weather Service.
An excessive heat warning remains in place for the Los Angeles area through 10 p.m. Friday, but most locations in Southern California — nearly everywhere except the Antelope Valley — will be under 100 degrees, said Kathy Hoxsie, a meteorologist with the weather service in Oxnard. Afternoon thunderstorms in some mountain areas are also a possibility over the weekend.
When will this heat end, you ask? Well unfortunately the heat wave is expected to last through the week before some cooling arrives this weekend. Keep drinking plenty of water and limiting outdoor activities! #CAwx #LAheat #heatwave pic.twitter.com/lyCwOU6FxL — NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) August 20, 2020
“We’re not in the clear,” Hoxsie said. “We still have strong high pressure in the West, specifically [the] Southwest, so it could shift back to the West enough to put us right back into the heat.”


latimes--2020-08-20--Two arrested in hate crime, robbery of transgender women in Hollywood

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with an attack on a group of transgender women in Hollywood earlier this week that police are now calling a hate crime .
Carlton Callway , 29 , was arrested in Bakersfield on Thursday afternoon on suspicion of robbery in connection with the attack early Monday that left one woman injured , according to LAPD Capt .
Steve Lurie , the commanding officer in Hollywood Division .
Willie Walker , a 42-year-old homeless man , was also arrested Wednesday after he allegedly tried to “ extort the victims for the return of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime bulletin .
A third suspect , 22-year-old Davion Williams , is wanted on suspicion of assault but remains at large , Lurie said .
“ There ’ s no place for hate like this anywhere , especially in Hollywood , ” Lurie said .
Video widely shared on social media earlier this week showed a man , who police now believe to be Callway threatening Eden the Doll , Jaslene Whiterose and Joslyn Flawless about 2 a.m. Monday in the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard .
All three women are influencers with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video , Callway threatens Flawless with a crowbar as he robs her and then hits Whiterose over the head with something as bystanders laugh and taunt the women .
Police said the man demanded Flawless ’ shoes and bracelet while threatening her with the weapon and struck Whiterose with a bottle — all while making “ derogatory remarks ” about their gender identity .
“ He held a crow bar to my face and threatened to kill me unless I stripped my shoes off and gave him my jewelry and all my [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was trans he would kill me , ” Flawless wrote on Instagram .
The attack stirred outrage in Los Angeles ’ LGBTQ community .
Lurie said one of the women suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated and released at the scene .
Police also allege Williams threw an electric scooter at the women .
He is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon .
In 2018 , Williams was one of seven people arrested and charged with attacking police officers during a street racing incident in South L.A .
It remains unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or if they knew the victims .
Lurie said police were able to identify the men through a combination of tips stemming from the footage of the attack and a review of the suspects ’ social media pages .
Walker , the homeless man , was known to outreach officers , Lurie said .
Court records show he has been arrested for battery in Los Angeles County several times since 2010 .
During a Police Commission meeting earlier this week , some members of the public questioned why an LAPD cruiser could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video without stopping .
LAPD Chief Michel Moore said the officer in that cruiser was en route to another emergency call but promised to investigate the matter further .
On Thursday , Lurie said a personnel investigation had been opened into the matter but repeated Moore ’ s explanation that the police SUV seen in the video had already been dispatched to an unrelated emergency .
Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O ’ Farrell , whose district includes Hollywood , expressed frustration Wednesday with those who filmed the attack and seemed to egg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not behavior that is becoming of the City of Angels , ” he said .
Black Future Project , an activist organization that sprang up during protests against police violence earlier this summer , had already scheduled a demonstration in support of Black women who identify as transgender in the wake of the attack .
The demonstration is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street .
“ Black Trans Women are some of the most vulnerable members of our community .
They are repeatedly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patriarchal and racial violence for everyone when so few people are willing to fight for them , ” the group said in an e-mail .
“ We are gathering to uplift voices that are so often silenced and let Hollywood know that ‘ Black Lives Matter ’ includes Black trans women .
”

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with an attack on a group of transgender women in Hollywood earlier this week that police are now calling a hate crime.
Carlton Callway, 29, was arrested in Bakersfield on Thursday afternoon on suspicion of robbery in connection with the attack early Monday that left one woman injured, according to LAPD Capt. Steve Lurie, the commanding officer in Hollywood Division.
Willie Walker, a 42-year-old homeless man, was also arrested Wednesday after he allegedly tried to “extort the victims for the return of their property,” according to an LAPD crime bulletin.
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A third suspect, 22-year-old Davion Williams, is wanted on suspicion of assault but remains at large, Lurie said.
“There’s no place for hate like this anywhere, especially in Hollywood,” Lurie said.
Video widely shared on social media earlier this week showed a man, who police now believe to be Callway threatening Eden the Doll, Jaslene Whiterose and Joslyn Flawless about 2 a.m. Monday in the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard. All three women are influencers with large social media followings.
In the video, Callway threatens Flawless with a crowbar as he robs her and then hits Whiterose over the head with something as bystanders laugh and taunt the women.
Police said the man demanded Flawless’ shoes and bracelet while threatening her with the weapon and struck Whiterose with a bottle — all while making “derogatory remarks” about their gender identity.
“He held a crow bar to my face and threatened to kill me unless I stripped my shoes off and gave him my jewelry and all my [possessions]. He said if I was trans he would kill me,” Flawless wrote on Instagram. The attack stirred outrage in Los Angeles’ LGBTQ community.
Lurie said one of the women suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated and released at the scene.
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Police also allege Williams threw an electric scooter at the women. He is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. In 2018, Williams was one of seven people arrested and charged with attacking police officers during a street racing incident in South L.A.
It remains unclear if the suspects knew one another, or if they knew the victims. Lurie said police were able to identify the men through a combination of tips stemming from the footage of the attack and a review of the suspects’ social media pages.
Walker, the homeless man, was known to outreach officers, Lurie said. Court records show he has been arrested for battery in Los Angeles County several times since 2010.
During a Police Commission meeting earlier this week, some members of the public questioned why an LAPD cruiser could be seen driving through the background of the video without stopping. LAPD Chief Michel Moore said the officer in that cruiser was en route to another emergency call but promised to investigate the matter further.
On Thursday, Lurie said a personnel investigation had been opened into the matter but repeated Moore’s explanation that the police SUV seen in the video had already been dispatched to an unrelated emergency.
Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, whose district includes Hollywood, expressed frustration Wednesday with those who filmed the attack and seemed to egg it on without intervening.
“That is not behavior that is becoming of the City of Angels,” he said.
Black Future Project, an activist organization that sprang up during protests against police violence earlier this summer, had already scheduled a demonstration in support of Black women who identify as transgender in the wake of the attack. The demonstration is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.
“Black Trans Women are some of the most vulnerable members of our community. They are repeatedly on the front lines, fighting against systematic patriarchal and racial violence for everyone when so few people are willing to fight for them,” the group said in an e-mail. “We are gathering to uplift voices that are so often silenced and let Hollywood know that ‘Black Lives Matter’ includes Black trans women.”
Times staff writer Kevin Rector contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-08-20--'Like Armageddon': Rotting food, dead animals and chaos at postal facilities amid cutbacks

Six weeks ago , U.S .
Postal Service workers in the high desert town of Tehachapi , Calif. , began to notice crates of mail sitting in the post office in the early morning that should have been shipped out for delivery the night before .
At a mail processing facility in Santa Clarita in July , workers discovered that their automated sorting machines had been disabled and padlocked .
And inside a massive mail-sorting facility in South Los Angeles , workers fell so far behind processing packages that by early August , gnats and rodents were swarming around containers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby chicks were dead inside their boxes .
Accounts of conditions from employees at California mail facilities provide a glimpse of what some say are the consequences of widespread cutbacks in staffing and equipment recently imposed by the postal service .
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , responding to a national outcry over service disruptions and fears of voter disenfranchisement , said this week he would suspend many planned changes until after the election .
But postal workers say significant damage has already been done , including the removal of mail-sorting machines , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term effect of the cuts on U.S. mail service is unclear , the evidence of serious disruptions appears to be mounting , according to postal employees interviewed by The Times as well as customers , lawmakers and union leaders .
Until this week , the postal service was implementing a sweeping plan to remove 671 mail-sorting machines , or about 10 % of its total , from facilities across the U.S. — including 76 in California .
Officials also slashed overtime pay and imposed a new policy that could delay outgoing mail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California , snarling the operation of one of the biggest mail-processing facilities in the country and delaying the delivery of prescriptions , rent payments and unemployment checks .
Some people have complained of going days without receiving any mail at all .
At least five high-speed mail-sorting machines have been removed from a processing plant in Sacramento , said Omar Gonzalez , the Western regional coordinator for the American Postal Workers Union .
Additionally , two of the machines have been removed in Santa Ana and six in San Diego , Gonzalez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 California post offices , some of which deliver to far-flung , rural addresses that could be faced with high delivery costs if serviced by private mail carriers .
Inside one sprawling facility at Florence and Central avenues in Los Angeles , which serves 92 L.A.-area post offices , seven delivery bar code sorters were removed in June , leaving three , Gonzalez said .
Each of those machines , which would handle mail-in ballots , can process up to 35,000 pieces of mail per hour .
“ A lot of the machinery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has been dismantled and relocated or trashed , ” Gonzalez said .
“ Although we welcome the news of the suspension of these changes , it ’ s just that — a suspension .
The attacks and undermining of our operations will resume , maybe at the worst possible time , in December , our peak season.
” Before the recent cuts , workers at the facility were working six days per week , and were still struggling to keep up with the volume of packages driven by an influx of online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail handler Aukushan Scantlebury , 47 .
When DeJoy restricted overtime two months ago , Scantlebury and other workers saw their schedules cut back to five days per week .
Within days , he said , the facility was in chaos .
Packages piled up , blocking the aisles and the heavy sorting machinery .
Boxes of steaks , fruit and other perishables rotted .
Rats dashed across the floor .
At one point , Scantlebury said , the “ whole building was filled with gnats.
” The delays were particularly tragic for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crickets , that are transported through the U.S .
Postal Service .
Usually , mail handlers say , they can hear the birds peeping and rustling around in their boxes .
This month , one worker said , she found a box with air holes in a pile of packages .
Instead of hearing the gentle sounds of baby chicks , she heard nothing .
Workers sometimes see shipments of crickets jumping around inside their packaging , said Eddie Cowan , a mail handler and the president of a local chapter of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said , “ you can see in the packages those crickets are dead.
” Sumi Ali , the co-owner of the Yes Plz coffee subscription company , arrived July 25 to mail a batch of freshly roasted beans to customers .
A frequent visitor to the complex , he was shocked at what he saw .
The parking lot was crammed with semi trailers piled high with unsorted mail ; the warehouse-like facility was packed “ wall to wall ” with mail ; and there were very few employees in sight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ali said .
“ It was a total maze .
You could not walk through the facility without having to move things out of your way .
I don ’ t know how they got forklifts through there .
There were only inches of space between containers.
” Since then , Ali said , the backlog of packages seems to have improved a little .
But , he said , the chaos continues to be as bad , if not worse , than the usual holiday season .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeJoy informed her he did not intend to restore the sorting machines or blue mailboxes that have been removed in several cities , nor did he have plans to allow for adequate overtime for workers .
As for the November election — the spark that ignited a national firestorm over USPS cutbacks — postal service and California elections officials say there ’ s less concern here than in other states .
USPS spokesman David Partenheimer did not comment on the reductions , but referred to a statement from DeJoy that said the postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail this fall .
The postal service also said DeJoy was expanding a task force to strengthen coordination with election officials to handle mail-in ballots .
The postal service had earlier warned 46 states , including California , that some ballots might not be delivered in time to be counted .
In June , Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring that all ballots postmarked by election day and delivered by Nov. 20 be counted — five times longer than California ’ s normal grace period .
Still , Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states merit close scrutiny .
“ Given this administration ’ s track record with the truth , seeing is believing , ” Padilla said in a written statement .
“ My office will continue constant communication with the U.S .
Postal Service , and will continue to monitor for any signs of disruption to service.
” At the Santa Clarita processing and distribution center , two delivery bar code sorters were padlocked and gutted of their cameras and computers in July so that workers couldn ’ t plug them in and start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason , the devices came back online Wednesday , but a third delivery bar code sorter was missing from the facility , according to a worker who did not want to named because they were not authorized to speak on behalf of the agency .
Merchant Stephen Tu of Pasadena said in the past two months he has noticed his first-class packages have been getting stuck for as many as 10 days in the Santa Clarita facility , whereas normally they would pass through in one day .
Tu , who tracks shipments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on EBay and Facebook Marketplace , said he ’ s never endured delays this long — up to 20 days for packages sent outside Southern California — in the 15 years he has been selling items online .
Tu said his customers sometimes ask him whether he has even shipped their goods at all .
In order to guarantee on-time deliveries , he said , he ’ s considering switching to private services like FedEx and UPS .
About six weeks ago on a Wednesday morning , postal clerk Kenny Diaz , 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tehachapi post office and saw something new in his nine years on the job : a plastic tub full of mail that should have gone out for delivery the night before .
Every afternoon , Diaz said , a truck driver picked up the post office ’ s outgoing mail and took it to a processing facility in Bakersfield .
If the post office was running behind , the last driver of the day would wait to pick up every bill , package and letter , he said .
“ They always waited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Our No .
1 priority is getting the mail where it has to go .
We ’ d rather delay the truck by two hours than delay the mail by a whole day.
” Now , Diaz said , the truck drivers have been instructed to leave on time , regardless of whether all the outgoing mail is on the truck .
That means some mail is arriving a day later at the processing facility , where it could be delayed again , he said .
“ Just think of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the nation , ” Diaz said .
“ You can see the domino effect that it ’ s going to have .
”

Employees at California postal facilities provide a glimpse of the chaos amid both the pandemic and widespread cuts imposed by the USPS.
Six weeks ago, U.S. Postal Service workers in the high desert town of Tehachapi, Calif., began to notice crates of mail sitting in the post office in the early morning that should have been shipped out for delivery the night before.
At a mail processing facility in Santa Clarita in July, workers discovered that their automated sorting machines had been disabled and padlocked.
And inside a massive mail-sorting facility in South Los Angeles, workers fell so far behind processing packages that by early August, gnats and rodents were swarming around containers of rotted fruit and meat, and baby chicks were dead inside their boxes.
Accounts of conditions from employees at California mail facilities provide a glimpse of what some say are the consequences of widespread cutbacks in staffing and equipment recently imposed by the postal service.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, responding to a national outcry over service disruptions and fears of voter disenfranchisement, said this week he would suspend many planned changes until after the election. But postal workers say significant damage has already been done, including the removal of mail-sorting machines, which may not be replaced.
While the long-term effect of the cuts on U.S. mail service is unclear, the evidence of serious disruptions appears to be mounting, according to postal employees interviewed by The Times as well as customers, lawmakers and union leaders.
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Until this week, the postal service was implementing a sweeping plan to remove 671 mail-sorting machines, or about 10% of its total, from facilities across the U.S. — including 76 in California. Officials also slashed overtime pay and imposed a new policy that could delay outgoing mail.
The cuts have had a ripple effect in California, snarling the operation of one of the biggest mail-processing facilities in the country and delaying the delivery of prescriptions, rent payments and unemployment checks. Some people have complained of going days without receiving any mail at all.
At least five high-speed mail-sorting machines have been removed from a processing plant in Sacramento, said Omar Gonzalez, the Western regional coordinator for the American Postal Workers Union. Additionally, two of the machines have been removed in Santa Ana and six in San Diego, Gonzalez said.
Processing plants serve more than 1,000 California post offices, some of which deliver to far-flung, rural addresses that could be faced with high delivery costs if serviced by private mail carriers.
Inside one sprawling facility at Florence and Central avenues in Los Angeles, which serves 92 L.A.-area post offices, seven delivery bar code sorters were removed in June, leaving three, Gonzalez said.
Each of those machines, which would handle mail-in ballots, can process up to 35,000 pieces of mail per hour.
“A lot of the machinery has already been gutted. Some of it has been dismantled and relocated or trashed,” Gonzalez said. “Although we welcome the news of the suspension of these changes, it’s just that — a suspension. The attacks and undermining of our operations will resume, maybe at the worst possible time, in December, our peak season.”
Susan Brown packs boxes for shipment from Chef Knives to Go, the business she runs with her husband, on Tuesday in Fitchburg, Wis. They say delivery delays that began this spring have prompted them to shift most of their shipping business to FedEx. (Will Cioci / Associated Press)
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Before the recent cuts, workers at the facility were working six days per week, and were still struggling to keep up with the volume of packages driven by an influx of online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic, said mail handler Aukushan Scantlebury, 47.
When DeJoy restricted overtime two months ago, Scantlebury and other workers saw their schedules cut back to five days per week. Within days, he said, the facility was in chaos.
Packages piled up, blocking the aisles and the heavy sorting machinery. Boxes of steaks, fruit and other perishables rotted. Rats dashed across the floor. At one point, Scantlebury said, the “whole building was filled with gnats.”
The delays were particularly tragic for live animals, including baby chickens and crickets, that are transported through the U.S. Postal Service. Usually, mail handlers say, they can hear the birds peeping and rustling around in their boxes.
This month, one worker said, she found a box with air holes in a pile of packages. Instead of hearing the gentle sounds of baby chicks, she heard nothing.
Workers sometimes see shipments of crickets jumping around inside their packaging, said Eddie Cowan, a mail handler and the president of a local chapter of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. Now, he said, “you can see in the packages those crickets are dead.”
Sumi Ali, the co-owner of the Yes Plz coffee subscription company, arrived July 25 to mail a batch of freshly roasted beans to customers. A frequent visitor to the complex, he was shocked at what he saw.
The parking lot was crammed with semi trailers piled high with unsorted mail; the warehouse-like facility was packed “wall to wall” with mail; and there were very few employees in sight.
“It was like Armageddon,” Ali said. “It was a total maze. You could not walk through the facility without having to move things out of your way. I don’t know how they got forklifts through there. There were only inches of space between containers.”
Since then, Ali said, the backlog of packages seems to have improved a little. But, he said, the chaos continues to be as bad, if not worse, than the usual holiday season.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said Wednesday that DeJoy informed her he did not intend to restore the sorting machines or blue mailboxes that have been removed in several cities, nor did he have plans to allow for adequate overtime for workers.
As for the November election — the spark that ignited a national firestorm over USPS cutbacks — postal service and California elections officials say there’s less concern here than in other states.
USPS spokesman David Partenheimer did not comment on the reductions, but referred to a statement from DeJoy that said the postal service is equipped to fully handle election mail this fall.
The postal service also said DeJoy was expanding a task force to strengthen coordination with election officials to handle mail-in ballots. The postal service had earlier warned 46 states, including California, that some ballots might not be delivered in time to be counted.
In June, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring that all ballots postmarked by election day and delivered by Nov. 20 be counted — five times longer than California’s normal grace period. Still, Secretary of State Alex Padilla said the concerns raised in other states merit close scrutiny.
“Given this administration’s track record with the truth, seeing is believing,” Padilla said in a written statement. “My office will continue constant communication with the U.S. Postal Service, and will continue to monitor for any signs of disruption to service.”
At the Santa Clarita processing and distribution center, two delivery bar code sorters were padlocked and gutted of their cameras and computers in July so that workers couldn’t plug them in and start using them again.
For an unknown reason, the devices came back online Wednesday, but a third delivery bar code sorter was missing from the facility, according to a worker who did not want to be named because they were not authorized to speak on behalf of the agency.
Merchant Stephen Tu of Pasadena said in the past two months he has noticed his first-class packages have been getting stuck for as many as 10 days in the Santa Clarita facility, whereas normally they would pass through in one day. Tu, who tracks shipments of baby clothing and accessories he sells on EBay and Facebook Marketplace, said he’s never endured delays this long — up to 20 days for packages sent outside Southern California — in the 15 years he has been selling items online.
Tu said his customers sometimes ask him whether he has even shipped their goods at all. In order to guarantee on-time deliveries, he said, he’s considering switching to private services like FedEx and UPS.
About six weeks ago on a Wednesday morning, postal clerk Kenny Diaz, 35, showed up to work at the Tehachapi post office and saw something new in his nine years on the job: a plastic tub full of mail that should have gone out for delivery the night before.
Every afternoon, Diaz said, a truck driver picked up the post office’s outgoing mail and took it to a processing facility in Bakersfield. If the post office was running behind, the last driver of the day would wait to pick up every bill, package and letter, he said.
“They always waited — they always waited,” Diaz said. “Our No. 1 priority is getting the mail where it has to go. We’d rather delay the truck by two hours than delay the mail by a whole day.”
Now, Diaz said, the truck drivers have been instructed to leave on time, regardless of whether all the outgoing mail is on the truck. That means some mail is arriving a day later at the processing facility, where it could be delayed again, he said.
“Just think of our little town, times a million across the nation,” Diaz said. “You can see the domino effect that it’s going to have.”
VIDEO | 06:41 Chaos amid USPS cutbacks Watch LA Times Today at 7 PM on Spectrum News 1 on channel 1, on Cox systems in Palos Verdes and Orange County on channel 99, and live stream on the Spectrum News App.
Times staff writer John Myers contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-08-20--Orange County reports its first coronavirus-related death of a child

Orange County public health officials on Wednesday reported the county ’ s first death of a juvenile related to COVID-19 .
The teenage girl had underlying medical conditions , the county ’ s health department said in a news release .
Her exact age and identity were not released .
“ We are deeply saddened by this loss of life and send our condolences to her friends and family during this very difficult time , ” Clayton Chau , the county ’ s acting health officer , said in a statement .
The teen was the second Californian younger than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to COVID-19 .
Last month , officials announced that a Central Valley teenager with underlying health conditions died from COVID-19 at Valley Children ’ s Hospital in Madera .
The deaths come amid a surge in coronavirus cases among children and teenagers in California .
Cases among the demographic were up 150 % last month , a rate that outpaces COVID-19 infections overall and establishes minors as a small but growing share of the state ’ s overall cases .
The increase also appears to outpace the number of coronavirus cases among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the second half of July , according to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children ’ s Hospital Assn .
Nationally , children with COVID-19 represented about 8.8 % of all U.S. cases at the end of July , compared to 9 % in California , the analysis found .
In total , Orange County recorded 295 new cases of the virus and 18 deaths Wednesday , bringing its total to 44,507 cases and 833 fatalities .
There were 419 confirmed coronavirus patients in county hospitals as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before , a decline of nearly 22 % .

The coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, shown in purple, infects a cell, colored in green.
Orange County public health officials on Wednesday reported the county’s first death of a juvenile related to COVID-19.
The teenage girl had underlying medical conditions, the county’s health department said in a news release. Her exact age and identity were not released.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss of life and send our condolences to her friends and family during this very difficult time,” Clayton Chau, the county’s acting health officer, said in a statement.
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The teen was the second Californian younger than 18 whose death was confirmed to be related to COVID-19. Last month, officials announced that a Central Valley teenager with underlying health conditions died from COVID-19 at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera.
Tracking coronavirus in Orange County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
The deaths come amid a surge in coronavirus cases among children and teenagers in California. Cases among the demographic were up 150% last month, a rate that outpaces COVID-19 infections overall and establishes minors as a small but growing share of the state’s overall cases.
The increase also appears to outpace the number of coronavirus cases among children nationally, which grew 40% in the second half of July, according to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Assn.
Nationally, children with COVID-19 represented about 8.8% of all U.S. cases at the end of July, compared to 9% in California, the analysis found.
In total, Orange County recorded 295 new cases of the virus and 18 deaths Wednesday, bringing its total to 44,507 cases and 833 fatalities.
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There were 419 confirmed coronavirus patients in county hospitals as of Tuesday, compared with 536 two weeks before, a decline of nearly 22%.
Times staff writer Laura Nelson contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-08-20--COVID-19 outbreak at Folsom Prison spreads through 10% of inmates in two weeks

Amid an overall statewide decline in the average number of coronavirus infections in recent weeks , several prisons have reported massive spikes in infections as testing has expanded .
At Folsom State Prison , the number of COVID-19 cases has skyrocketed in the past 14 days after more than three-quarters of the inmate population was tested for the virus .
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation , the facility northeast of Sacramento currently has the largest outbreak in the state ’ s prison system , with 224 inmates actively infected .
A total of 233 inmates have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or nearly 10 % of the population , in roughly the past two weeks .
Five prisoners have recovered , and four were released while ill. No deaths among the roughly 2,457 inmates have been reported .
In addition , at least 15 prison employees have tested positive for the virus .
Several other prisons have seen large spikes in cases over the past two weeks , including the California Men ’ s Colony near San Luis Obispo , which has reported 234 cases — 119 in the past 14 days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates , has 219 prisoners battling infection , the second-highest number of cases in the prison system .
California ’ s prison system , comprised of 35 institutions , has recorded more than 9,730 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began and 55 related deaths .
As testing has expanded in institutional settings , roughly 1,050 cases have been reported over the last 14 days , and 1,291 prisoners are currently infected .
San Quentin State Prison has had the deadliest outbreak in the system .
The prison in Marin County has reported the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 25 deaths .
There are currently 61 infected inmates , with seven having been reported in the past 14 days .

At Folsom State Prison, the number of COVID-19 cases has more than doubled over the past 14 days.
Amid an overall statewide decline in the average number of coronavirus infections in recent weeks, several prisons have reported massive spikes in infections as testing has expanded.
At Folsom State Prison, the number of COVID-19 cases has skyrocketed in the past 14 days after more than three-quarters of the inmate population was tested for the virus.
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the facility northeast of Sacramento currently has the largest outbreak in the state’s prison system, with 224 inmates actively infected. A total of 233 inmates have tested positive for the virus — 226, or nearly 10% of the population, in roughly the past two weeks. Five prisoners have recovered, and four were released while ill. No deaths among the roughly 2,457 inmates have been reported.
In addition, at least 15 prison employees have tested positive for the virus.
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Several other prisons have seen large spikes in cases over the past two weeks, including the California Men’s Colony near San Luis Obispo, which has reported 234 cases — 119 in the past 14 days. That institution, which houses roughly 3,394 inmates, has 219 prisoners battling infection, the second-highest number of cases in the prison system.
California’s prison system, comprised of 35 institutions, has recorded more than 9,730 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began and 55 related deaths. As testing has expanded in institutional settings, roughly 1,050 cases have been reported over the last 14 days, and 1,291 prisoners are currently infected.
San Quentin State Prison has had the deadliest outbreak in the system. The prison in Marin County has reported the most cases — 2,230 — as well as 25 deaths. There are currently 61 infected inmates, with seven having been reported in the past 14 days.


latimes--2020-08-20--PG&E worker dies while helping with Northern California wildfire response

A Pacific Gas & Electric Co. employee died while assisting crews responding to a massive Northern California wildfire , becoming the first confirmed death associated with the blaze , officials said Thursday .
The worker , who has not been identified , was found unresponsive in his vehicle Wednesday in the Gates Canyon area outside Vacaville , according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .
Officials performed CPR before taking the worker to a hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
The worker was clearing infrastructure — such as utility poles and lines — in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LNU Lightning Complex fire , according to Cal Fire .
“ Please keep the family and PG & E in your thoughts and prayers , ” fire officials wrote in a statement Thursday .
Utility spokeswoman Brandi Merlo confirmed that “ a Vacaville-based troubleman passed away while assisting first responders as they dealt with the LNU Complex fire.
” “ Out of respect for the family ’ s privacy , we won ’ t be sharing additional details at this time , ” she wrote in an email .
The LNU Lightning Complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collectively , have burned at least 131,000 acres in Napa , Sonoma , Solano , Yolo and Lake counties .
It is one of a number of large-scale fires statewide that crews are working to contain .
The firestorm has already charred more than 349,000 acres in Northern and Central California and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes .

Firefighters battle flames along Lyon Road in Vacaville on Wednesday.
A Pacific Gas & Electric Co. employee died while assisting crews responding to a massive Northern California wildfire, becoming the first confirmed death associated with the blaze, officials said Thursday.
The worker, who has not been identified, was found unresponsive in his vehicle Wednesday in the Gates Canyon area outside Vacaville, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Officials performed CPR before taking the worker to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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The worker was clearing infrastructure — such as utility poles and lines — in the area to assist crews responding to the LNU Lightning Complex fire, according to Cal Fire.
“Please keep the family and PG&E in your thoughts and prayers,” fire officials wrote in a statement Thursday.
Utility spokeswoman Brandi Merlo confirmed that “a Vacaville-based troubleman passed away while assisting first responders as they dealt with the LNU Complex fire.”
“Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we won’t be sharing additional details at this time,” she wrote in an email.
The LNU Lightning Complex is a collection of fires that, collectively, have burned at least 131,000 acres in Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Yolo and Lake counties.
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It is one of a number of large-scale fires statewide that crews are working to contain.
The firestorm has already charred more than 349,000 acres in Northern and Central California and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes.