latimes--2020-02-27--California coronavirus case could be first spread within U.S. community, CDC says

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating what could be the first case of novel coronavirus in the United States involving a patient in California who neither recently traveled out of the country nor was in contact with someone who did .
“ At this time , the patient ’ s exposure is unknown .
It ’ s possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19 , which would be the first time this has happened in the United States , ” the CDC said in a statement .
“ Community spread means spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection is unknown .
It ’ s also possible , however , that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.
” The individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County , according to the state Department of Public Health .
The CDC said the “ case was detected through the U.S. public health system — picked up by astute clinicians.
” Officials at UC Davis Medical Center expanded on what the federal agency might have meant by that in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Davis Enterprise newspaper .
The patient arrived at UC Davis Medical Center from another hospital Feb. 19 and “ had already been intubated , was on a ventilator , and given droplet protection orders because of an undiagnosed and suspected viral condition , ” according to the email UC Davis officials .
The staff at UC Davis requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC , but because the patient didn ’ t fit the CDC ’ s existing criteria for the virus , a test wasn ’ t immediately administered , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered the test Sunday , and results were announced Wednesday .
Hospital administrators reportedly said in the email that despite these issues , there has been minimal exposure at the hospital because of safety protocols they have in place .
Since Feb. 2 , more than 8,400 returning travelers from China have entered California , according to the state health department .
They have been advised to self-quarantine for 14 days and limit interactions with others as much as possible , officials said .
“ This is a new virus , and while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a lot we already know , ” Dr. Sonia Angell , director of the California Department of Public Health , said in a statement .
“ We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the U.S. , and given our close familial , social and business relationships with China , it is not unexpected that the first case in the U.S. would be in California.
” It is not clear how the person became infected , but public health workers could not identify any contacts with people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the virus is widespread .
That raises concern that the virus is spreading in the United States , creating a challenge for public health officials , experts say .
“ It ’ s the first signal that we could be having silent transmission in the community , ” said Lawrence Gostin , director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law .
“ It probably means there are many more cases out there , and it probably means this individual has infected others , and now it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find out who that person has infected.
” On Tuesday , the CDC offered its most serious warning to date that the United States should expect and prepare for the coronavirus to become a more widespread health issue .
“ Ultimately , we expect we will see coronavirus spread in this country , ” said Nancy Messonnier , director of the CDC ’ s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases .
“ It ’ s not so much a question of if , but a question of when.
” According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 59 U.S. residents have tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus — 42 of whom are repatriated citizens from a Diamond Princess cruise .
That number has grown by two since Messonnier ’ s last count Tuesday , although the CDC was not immediately available to offer details on the additional cases .
More than 82,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported globally , and more than 2,700 people have died , with the majority in mainland China , the epicenter of the outbreak .
But public health leaders have repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus to the general public remains low .
“ While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate , it has a low mortality rate , ” the state Department of Public Health said in a statement Wednesday .
“ From the international data we have , of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 , approximately 80 % do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization .
There have been no confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States to date.
” CDC officials have also warned that although the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the flu still poses a greater risk .
Gostin said the news of potential silent transmission does not eliminate the possibility of containing the virus in the U.S. and preventing an outbreak .
“ There are few enough cases that we should at least try , ” he said .
“ Most of us are not optimistic that that will be successful , but we ’ re still in the position to try .
”

A worshiper wears a face mask at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Ash Wednesday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating what could be the first case of novel coronavirus in the United States involving a patient in California who neither recently traveled out of the country nor was in contact with someone who did.
“At this time, the patient’s exposure is unknown. It’s possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States,” the CDC said in a statement. “Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. It’s also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.”
Advertisement
The individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County, according to the state Department of Public Health.
The CDC said the “case was detected through the U.S. public health system — picked up by astute clinicians.”
Officials at UC Davis Medical Center expanded on what the federal agency might have meant by that in an email sent Wednesday, as first reported by the Davis Enterprise newspaper.
California Orange County declares emergency over coronavirus Orange County’s emergency declaration over the coronavirus comes as local officials fight a proposal to send patients to a facility in Costa Mesa.
The patient arrived at UC Davis Medical Center from another hospital Feb. 19 and “had already been intubated, was on a ventilator, and given droplet protection orders because of an undiagnosed and suspected viral condition,” according to the email UC Davis officials.
The staff at UC Davis requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC, but because the patient didn’t fit the CDC’s existing criteria for the virus, a test wasn’t immediately administered, according to the email. The CDC then ordered the test Sunday, and results were announced Wednesday. Hospital administrators reportedly said in the email that despite these issues, there has been minimal exposure at the hospital because of safety protocols they have in place.
Since Feb. 2, more than 8,400 returning travelers from China have entered California, according to the state health department. They have been advised to self-quarantine for 14 days and limit interactions with others as much as possible, officials said.
Advertisement
“This is a new virus, and while we are still learning about it, there is a lot we already know,” Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the U.S., and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the U.S. would be in California.”
It is not clear how the person became infected, but public health workers could not identify any contacts with people who had traveled to China or other areas where the virus is widespread. That raises concern that the virus is spreading in the United States, creating a challenge for public health officials, experts say.
“It’s the first signal that we could be having silent transmission in the community,” said Lawrence Gostin, director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law. “It probably means there are many more cases out there, and it probably means this individual has infected others, and now it’s a race to try to find out who that person has infected.”
On Tuesday, the CDC offered its most serious warning to date that the United States should expect and prepare for the coronavirus to become a more widespread health issue.
“Ultimately, we expect we will see coronavirus spread in this country,” said Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “It’s not so much a question of if, but a question of when.”
According to the CDC’s latest count Wednesday morning, 59 U.S. residents have tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus — 42 of whom are repatriated citizens from a Diamond Princess cruise. That number has grown by two since Messonnier’s last count Tuesday, although the CDC was not immediately available to offer details on the additional cases.
More than 82,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported globally, and more than 2,700 people have died, with the majority in mainland China, the epicenter of the outbreak.
But public health leaders have repeatedly reminded residents that the health risk from the novel coronavirus to the general public remains low.
“While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate,” the state Department of Public Health said in a statement Wednesday. “From the international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80% do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization. There have been no confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States to date.”
CDC officials have also warned that although the virus is likely to spread in U.S. communities, the flu still poses a greater risk.
Gostin said the news of potential silent transmission does not eliminate the possibility of containing the virus in the U.S. and preventing an outbreak.
“There are few enough cases that we should at least try,” he said. “Most of us are not optimistic that that will be successful, but we’re still in the position to try.”


latimes--2020-02-26--Orange County declares emergency over coronavirus

Orange County has declared a local health emergency in response to the novel coronavirus , which has killed thousands globally , officials announced Wednesday .
The move is largely in response to a proposal to move coronavirus patients to a facility in Costa Mesa , which has sparked a bitter court battle , Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel and Vice Chairman Andrew Do said at a news conference .
At the center of the dispute is a proposal to use the Fairview Developmental Center as a coronavirus quarantine site , an idea that drew swift and fierce condemnation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials representing the area .
“ The county of Orange continues to support Costa Mesa in opposition of state and federal government ’ s decision to move COVID-19 patients to the Fairview Center , ” Do said .
He and other officials say the transportation of patients into Orange County does not “ preserve the health of our community , ” which has a population of more than 3 million .
The city of Costa Mesa requested a temporary restraining order from a federal judge on Friday that blocked possible plans to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton ordered federal and state officials to meet with local officials from the county and Costa Mesa to answer specific questions about how the Fairview center was chosen .
According to Steel , the status of the restraining order will be decided on March 2 .
“ We will do whatever we can do keep Orange County coronavirus-free , ” she said .
The declaration of a local emergency and a local health emergency creates a mechanism for officials to ask for mutual aid from county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event that resources are exhausted , county health officer Nichole Quick said .
The declaration allows Orange County to better leverage resources for staffing and agency coordination .
“ It expands our ability to respond in a nimble and flexible way in the future , ” county health officer Nichole Quick said .
Quick said Orange County will start testing patients who exhibit flu-like symptoms for coronavirus .
There has not been any outbreak of the coronavirus in the county so far , although one resident has tested positive for the illness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials said .
Wednesday ’ s decree follows San Francisco Mayor London Breed ’ s declaration of an emergency a day earlier on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s warning that COVID-19 is likely to spread within U.S. communities .
“ Ultimately , we expect we will see coronavirus spread in this country , ” Nancy Messonnier , director of the CDC ’ s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases , said Tuesday .
“ It ’ s not so much a question of if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ With 60 U.S. cases of coronavirus , we are facing a real-life crisis that must be managed , ” Orange County Supervisor Donald P. Wagner said .
“ I support an emergency declaration , not because I necessarily believe the public is in more danger , but because the federal and state governments refuse to give us enough information to discharge our public health responsibilities .
We want to be vigilant in ensuring the county is prepared and has sufficient resources to prevent and combat any possible outbreak of COVID-19.
” Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration ’ s intention to prepare , not panic , the community .
“ Coronavirus is a serious and growing threat , and the only way we ’ ll manage this public health emergency is with collaboration grounded in science , ” she said .
San Diego and Santa Clara counties have already issued similar declarations .
Health officials in Orange County confirmed one of the first cases of coronavirus in the state in late January .
Another patient tested positive in Los Angeles County .
Both had traveled to Wuhan , China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Wednesday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom told reporters how the state is addressing coronavirus concerns .
“ We ’ re not just preparing — we ’ ve been actively participating in addressing this issue for many months , aggressively , ” he said .
“ In fact , there ’ s no other state in America that ’ s been more involved in addressing the issue.
” Newsom said he met with Trump administration officials to discuss the coronavirus when he traveled to Washington D.C. earlier this month to attend a National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to work closely with the federal government .
“ We have had a very good relationship , open lines of communication , two-way conversations , ” Newsom said .
“ We ’ re developing quite good levels of trust , and continue to work through this dynamic moment .
I am proud of also being a Californian , where we ’ re not turning our backs on people , and that ’ s not the case in every state in this country.
” The governor said the state has been involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repatriated to the state and other travelers returning to California independently on commercial flights .
“ Everyone ’ s concerned , ” Newsom said .
“ There hasn ’ t been a day since December that ’ s gone by where we haven ’ t demonstrably been engaged , and I think that ’ s an example of the resolve that we have to meet this moment head on .
And so , rather than expressing concern , expressing anxiety , I want to demonstrate resolve to address that concern and anxiety , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all levels of government , both the county level , obviously at the state level and I couldn ’ t be more proud of our folks .
But also I ’ ll say this , there ’ s no reason for me to say it , unless I believe it : at the federal level as well.
” In Los Angeles , Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city is taking precautions to monitor the spread of the virus .
“ The city of Los Angeles will continue to be proactive and take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I commend our city and county response agencies for their hard work to keep us safe .
My office is working closely with federal , state and county agencies to monitor the situation , ” Garcetti said in a statement to The Times .
The mayor ’ s office said Los Angeles International Airport is also taking precautions to keep travelers and employees safe , including the use of CDC health screeners at the LAX .
There have been more than 81,000 cases of confirmed coronavirus and more than 2,700 reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times staff writers Dakota Smith and Taryn Luna contributed to this report .

A coronavirus health advisory is posted in the emergency department at St. Joseph Medical Center in Orange.
Orange County has declared a local health emergency in response to the novel coronavirus, which has killed thousands globally, officials announced Wednesday.
The move is largely in response to a proposal to move coronavirus patients to a facility in Costa Mesa, which has sparked a bitter court battle, Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel and Vice Chairman Andrew Do said at a news conference. At the center of the dispute is a proposal to use the Fairview Developmental Center as a coronavirus quarantine site, an idea that drew swift and fierce condemnation from city, county, state and federal officials representing the area.
“The county of Orange continues to support Costa Mesa in opposition of state and federal government’s decision to move COVID-19 patients to the Fairview Center,” Do said.
Advertisement
He and other officials say the transportation of patients into Orange County does not “preserve the health of our community,” which has a population of more than 3 million.
The city of Costa Mesa requested a temporary restraining order from a federal judge on Friday that blocked possible plans to send the affected individuals to the center.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton ordered federal and state officials to meet with local officials from the county and Costa Mesa to answer specific questions about how the Fairview center was chosen. According to Steel, the status of the restraining order will be decided on March 2.
“We will do whatever we can do keep Orange County coronavirus-free,” she said.
The declaration of a local emergency and a local health emergency creates a mechanism for officials to ask for mutual aid from county, state and federal partners in the event that resources are exhausted, county health officer Nichole Quick said. The declaration allows Orange County to better leverage resources for staffing and agency coordination.
“It expands our ability to respond in a nimble and flexible way in the future,” county health officer Nichole Quick said.
Quick said Orange County will start testing patients who exhibit flu-like symptoms for coronavirus.
Advertisement
There has not been any outbreak of the coronavirus in the county so far, although one resident has tested positive for the illness. That individual has since fully recovered, health officials said.
Wednesday’s decree follows San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s declaration of an emergency a day earlier on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s warning that COVID-19 is likely to spread within U.S. communities.
“Ultimately, we expect we will see coronavirus spread in this country,” Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said Tuesday. “It’s not so much a question of if, but a question of when.”
“With 60 U.S. cases of coronavirus, we are facing a real-life crisis that must be managed,” Orange County Supervisor Donald P. Wagner said. “I support an emergency declaration, not because I necessarily believe the public is in more danger, but because the federal and state governments refuse to give us enough information to discharge our public health responsibilities. We want to be vigilant in ensuring the county is prepared and has sufficient resources to prevent and combat any possible outbreak of COVID-19.”
Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) reiterated the declaration’s intention to prepare, not panic, the community.
“Coronavirus is a serious and growing threat, and the only way we’ll manage this public health emergency is with collaboration grounded in science,” she said.
San Diego and Santa Clara counties have already issued similar declarations.
Health officials in Orange County confirmed one of the first cases of coronavirus in the state in late January. Another patient tested positive in Los Angeles County. Both had traveled to Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak.
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters how the state is addressing coronavirus concerns.
“We’re not just preparing — we’ve been actively participating in addressing this issue for many months, aggressively,” he said. “In fact, there’s no other state in America that’s been more involved in addressing the issue.”
Newsom said he met with Trump administration officials to discuss the coronavirus when he traveled to Washington D.C. earlier this month to attend a National Governors Assn. meeting and the state continues to work closely with the federal government.
“We have had a very good relationship, open lines of communication, two-way conversations,” Newsom said. “We’re developing quite good levels of trust, and continue to work through this dynamic moment. I am proud of also being a Californian, where we’re not turning our backs on people, and that’s not the case in every state in this country.”
The governor said the state has been involved in monitoring and identifying individuals who have been repatriated to the state and other travelers returning to California independently on commercial flights.
“Everyone’s concerned,” Newsom said. “There hasn’t been a day since December that’s gone by where we haven’t demonstrably been engaged, and I think that’s an example of the resolve that we have to meet this moment head on. And so, rather than expressing concern, expressing anxiety, I want to demonstrate resolve to address that concern and anxiety, and I think that’s happening in all levels of government, both the county level, obviously at the state level and I couldn’t be more proud of our folks. But also I’ll say this, there’s no reason for me to say it, unless I believe it: at the federal level as well.”
In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city is taking precautions to monitor the spread of the virus.
“The city of Los Angeles will continue to be proactive and take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and I commend our city and county response agencies for their hard work to keep us safe. My office is working closely with federal, state and county agencies to monitor the situation,” Garcetti said in a statement to The Times.
The mayor’s office said Los Angeles International Airport is also taking precautions to keep travelers and employees safe, including the use of CDC health screeners at the LAX.
There have been more than 81,000 cases of confirmed coronavirus and more than 2,700 reported deaths, most in mainland China.
Times staff writers Dakota Smith and Taryn Luna contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-26--Riverside County resident among coronavirus patients from Diamond Princess cruise ship

A Riverside County resident who was a passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship has tested positive for coronavirus , authorities said .
The individual is currently housed at a Northern California medical facility and is expected to make a full recovery , Riverside County public health officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said Tuesday .
Nearly 3,500 passengers and crew members were on board the ship when it was quarantined after passengers from China who boarded between Jan. 19 and 24 tested positive for coronavirus .
Four people who were aboard the ship have died from the virus , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. State Department in mid-February chartered flights to transport more than 300 U.S. citizens from the ship , which had been docked off Yokohama , Japan , since Feb. 3 after it was quarantined .
The passengers landed Feb. 17 at Travis Air Force Base in Solano County , although some continued on to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas .
All are under a federally mandated 14-day quarantine on the bases .
Of those who arrived at Travis , 21 have tested positive for COVID-19 , and 17 are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention ’ s public information officer , Scott Pauley , said .
The Riverside County resident is included in that number , Pauley said .
According to the CDC ’ s latest count Wednesday morning , 59 U.S. citizens have tested positive for coronavirus — 42 of whom are repatriated citizens from the Diamond Princess cruise .
That number has grown by two since CDC Director Nancy Messonnier ’ s last count on Tuesday , although the CDC was not immediately available to offer details on the additional cases .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported globally , and more than 2,700 people have died , with the majority in mainland China , the epicenter of the outbreak .
CDC officials have warned that while the virus is likely to spread in U.S. communities , the flu still poses a greater risk .

Buses carrying U.S. passengers who were aboard the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, seen in the background, leave Yokohama, Japan, on Feb. 17. The cruise ship was carrying nearly 3,500 passengers and crew members under quarantine.
A Riverside County resident who was a passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship has tested positive for coronavirus, authorities said.
The individual is currently housed at a Northern California medical facility and is expected to make a full recovery, Riverside County public health officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said Tuesday.
Nearly 3,500 passengers and crew members were on board the ship when it was quarantined after passengers from China who boarded between Jan. 19 and 24 tested positive for coronavirus. Four people who were aboard the ship have died from the virus, which has been declared an international public health emergency.
Advertisement
The U.S. State Department in mid-February chartered flights to transport more than 300 U.S. citizens from the ship, which had been docked off Yokohama, Japan, since Feb. 3 after it was quarantined. The passengers landed Feb. 17 at Travis Air Force Base in Solano County, although some continued on to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas. All are under a federally mandated 14-day quarantine on the bases.
Of those who arrived at Travis, 21 have tested positive for COVID-19, and 17 are still receiving treatment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s public information officer, Scott Pauley, said. The Riverside County resident is included in that number, Pauley said.
California San Francisco mayor declares coronavirus emergency Mayor London Breed’s decree comes on the same day the CDC warns that cases of COVID-19 will continue to spread.
According to the CDC’s latest count Wednesday morning, 59 U.S. citizens have tested positive for coronavirus — 42 of whom are repatriated citizens from the Diamond Princess cruise. That number has grown by two since CDC Director Nancy Messonnier’s last count on Tuesday, although the CDC was not immediately available to offer details on the additional cases.
More than 81,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported globally, and more than 2,700 people have died, with the majority in mainland China, the epicenter of the outbreak.
CDC officials have warned that while the virus is likely to spread in U.S. communities, the flu still poses a greater risk.


latimes--2020-02-26--Floyd Tidwell, former San Bernardino County sheriff who modernized agency, dies at 90

Floyd Tidwell , the colorful San Bernardino County sheriff who shepherded the department from a small force of deputies who roamed Southern California ’ s outback to a modern law enforcement agency , has died at a medical center in the high desert .
Tidwell died Tuesday , the San Bernardino County Sheriff ’ s Department announced on its Faceboook page .
He was 90 .
No cause of death was specified .
Hard to miss with his turquoise jewelry , cowboy boots and a cheek full of chewing tobacco , Tidwell led the department for nearly a decade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a gang task force and sophisticated communications systems .
He retired in 1991 , saying he wished to spend more time with his grandchildren and on the rodeo circuit .
But his career was flecked with controversy and in 2004 -- long retired -- he pleaded guilty to four felony counts of concealing stolen property after investigators said he took more than 500 guns from department evidence rooms .
At sentencing , the charges were reduced to misdemeanors and he was fined $ 10,000 .
He never spent a day in jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the district attorney said at the time .
“ He ’ s 74 .
He did serve the people well in many respects for many years.
” Witnesses said that Tidwell was an avid gun collector and gave many of the weapons to family members or displayed them in his home in Phelan in the Mojave Desert .
One sergeant said the sheriff was fond of Old West-style weapons and would prowl evidence rooms “ as if shopping.
” Tidwell said he ultimately took a plea deal to spare his ailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Forty years of service for this , ” he muttered before entering his plea .
The son of a cattle rancher , Tidwell began his life in uniform as a deputy assigned to the department ’ s Big Bear Lake substation and quickly moved up the ranks , He was elected sheriff in 1982 and then reelected four years later in a landslide , earning nearly 80 % of the vote .
During his tenure he oversaw the design and construction of a new department headquarters and construction of a detention center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only color ink he would use when writing reports , Tidwell dressed up the agency ’ s fleet of squad cars with blue stripes .
Popular in the community and among the rank-and-file , Tidwell was dubbed “ the cowboy sheriff ” for his attire and folksy approach to police work .
His reputation took a hit , however , when five Latino men won $ 745,000 in federal court after claiming they ’ d been beaten by deputies .
Though video evidence introduced in court appeared to show deputies using batons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if any resistance , Tidwell stood by his officers and insisted they had used a “ proper ” level of force .
Tidwell was accused of condoning brutality .
As the years passed , though , activists said Tidwell appeared to have reflected on the lessons of the so-called Victorville Five episode and drew praise for taking steps to improve relations between the department and minority communities .
“ I believe his consciousness was raised , ” longtime activist and author Armando Navarro said at the time .

Floyd Tidwell, the colorful San Bernardino County sheriff who shepherded the department from a small force of deputies who roamed Southern California’s outback to a modern law enforcement agency, has died at a medical center in the high desert.
Tidwell died Tuesday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced on its Faceboook page. He was 90. No cause of death was specified.
Hard to miss with his turquoise jewelry, cowboy boots and a cheek full of chewing tobacco, Tidwell led the department for nearly a decade, overseeing the creation of an aviation division, a gang task force and sophisticated communications systems. He retired in 1991, saying he wished to spend more time with his grandchildren and on the rodeo circuit.
Advertisement
But his career was flecked with controversy and in 2004 -- long retired -- he pleaded guilty to four felony counts of concealing stolen property after investigators said he took more than 500 guns from department evidence rooms. At sentencing, the charges were reduced to misdemeanors and he was fined $10,000. He never spent a day in jail.
“Incarceration was never an option,” the district attorney said at the time. “He’s 74. He did serve the people well in many respects for many years.”
Witnesses said that Tidwell was an avid gun collector and gave many of the weapons to family members or displayed them in his home in Phelan in the Mojave Desert.
One sergeant said the sheriff was fond of Old West-style weapons and would prowl evidence rooms “as if shopping.”
Tidwell said he ultimately took a plea deal to spare his ailing wife the stress of a trial.
“Forty years of service for this,” he muttered before entering his plea.
Advertisement
San Bernardino County Sheriff Floyd Tidwell examines bloodstains found in a murder investigation in 1983. (Reed Saxon/AP)
The son of a cattle rancher, Tidwell began his life in uniform as a deputy assigned to the department’s Big Bear Lake substation and quickly moved up the ranks, He was elected sheriff in 1982 and then reelected four years later in a landslide, earning nearly 80% of the vote. During his tenure he oversaw the design and construction of a new department headquarters and construction of a detention center.
A fan of blue -- the only color ink he would use when writing reports, Tidwell dressed up the agency’s fleet of squad cars with blue stripes.
Popular in the community and among the rank-and-file, Tidwell was dubbed “the cowboy sheriff” for his attire and folksy approach to police work.
His reputation took a hit, however, when five Latino men won $745,000 in federal court after claiming they’d been beaten by deputies.
Though video evidence introduced in court appeared to show deputies using batons and their fists on men who offered little if any resistance, Tidwell stood by his officers and insisted they had used a “proper” level of force. Tidwell was accused of condoning brutality.
As the years passed, though, activists said Tidwell appeared to have reflected on the lessons of the so-called Victorville Five episode and drew praise for taking steps to improve relations between the department and minority communities.
“I believe his consciousness was raised,” longtime activist and author Armando Navarro said at the time.


latimes--2020-02-26--Newsom is promising a database to track homeless people statewide. It won't be that easy

“ Because you can ’ t manage what you don ’ t measure , ” Gov .
Gavin Newsom said in his State of the State address last week that California “ will establish a unified homelessness data system to capture accurate , local information.
” He made it sound so simple and matter-of-fact .
But for those homeless advocates who have long struggled to compile such data , Newsom was evoking a quest like that for the Holy Grail — a prize that is difficult to reach , but which everyone wants .
“ That ’ s awesome , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider whether a statewide database should exist .
But the former Los Angeles administrative officer who spent years involved in the city ’ s homelessness planning wasn ’ t sure that it could .
The governor ’ s plan will only work , he said , if “ every jurisdiction , every county , every city , is asked to aggregate data across the board that ’ s similar ” — and that would be a project of immense complexity .
Instead , one state agency is attempting a more attainable goal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 44 so-called continuums of care .
But that ’ s no simple task either .
These continuums of care are local agencies established to administer federal homelessness programs under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development .
There are four in Los Angeles County alone .
The cities of Long Beach , Pasadena and Glendale each have one , and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority , or LAHSA , covers the remainder of the county .
Each maintains its own database , or Homeless Management Information System , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the system of government agencies and nonprofits that work with homeless people .
The information entered into each database by outreach workers and case managers must adhere to general federal guidelines , but also can vary from place to place .
“ The first step is to clean up the data , make sure it ’ s accurate .
Secondly , is it usable ?
” said Sarah Dusseault , chairwoman of the commission that oversees LAHSA .
“ You don ’ t want a system where , in Los Angeles we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this and yet in San Bernardino it means something else.
” With consistent data , California could , for the first time , track where homeless people live and move around the state , and identify those who are using housing and services in more than one place .
That would make the process of getting people off the streets more efficient .
Finding a way to achieve that is a job that rests with the California Homeless Coordinating and Finance Council , an agency created in 2017 to oversee the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s speech , the agency was preparing a contract that it hopes to award this fall to pull information from the state ’ s 44 continuums of care , said Lynn von Koch-Liebert , deputy secretary of the California Business , Consumer Services and Housing Agency .
Whichever company receives the contract will set up an automated system to collect the data more frequently and for every homeless person , with names and other identifying information removed for privacy .
Currently , that information is only collected annually by the federal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be in place by the end of the year .
“ One of the goals would be to see if individuals are exiting homelessness in a successful way or if they are moving between different types of housing , ” Koch-Liebert said .
“ If they are leaving homelessness , we will be able to see those patterns.
” The next phase will be more ambitious , attempting to similarly compile data from more sources , such as county health departments across the state .
LAHSA has just started building such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it has been a challenge .
In addition to LAHSA , more than a dozen local and regional agencies provide services and maintain their own data systems .
Some keep records on people .
Some keep records on housing that has been provided .
Some do both .
As a result , a homeless person who has been entered into LAHSA ’ s Homeless Management Information System might also be in a database run by the Department of Health Services or the Housing Authority for the city of L.A. — with different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand data differently because they ’ ve been programmed differently , ” Dusseault said .
LAHSA has been working with the staff of those other local and regional agencies to build a complete data profile of each homeless person ’ s contact with every agency .
The goal is to find out what ’ s working smoothly and what ’ s not .
An initiative along the lines of what Newsom has suggested to expand that across the state would be welcome , Dusseault said , if it ’ s done right .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure we had the help both to improve our system locally , ” she said , “ but [ also ] to make sure that other systems throughout the state are all at that same level of accuracy and usefulness , so that we can talk to each other in a way that gets better outcomes .
”

Gov. Gavin Newsom gestures toward a chart with proposed funding to fight homelessness. In his State of the State address, he vowed to “establish a unified homelessness data system to capture accurate, local information.” L.A. is proof it won’t be easy.
“Because you can’t manage what you don’t measure,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in his State of the State address last week that California “will establish a unified homelessness data system to capture accurate, local information.”
He made it sound so simple and matter-of-fact. But for those homeless advocates who have long struggled to compile such data, Newsom was evoking a quest like that for the Holy Grail — a prize that is difficult to reach, but which everyone wants.
“That’s awesome,” said Miguel Santana when asked to consider whether a statewide database should exist. But the former Los Angeles administrative officer who spent years involved in the city’s homelessness planning wasn’t sure that it could.
Advertisement
The governor’s plan will only work, he said, if “every jurisdiction, every county, every city, is asked to aggregate data across the board that’s similar” — and that would be a project of immense complexity.
Instead, one state agency is attempting a more attainable goal of collecting data on homeless people from California’s 44 so-called continuums of care. But that’s no simple task either.
These continuums of care are local agencies established to administer federal homelessness programs under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. There are four in Los Angeles County alone. The cities of Long Beach, Pasadena and Glendale each have one, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, or LAHSA, covers the remainder of the county.
Each maintains its own database, or Homeless Management Information System, which tracks every person who comes into contact with the system of government agencies and nonprofits that work with homeless people. The information entered into each database by outreach workers and case managers must adhere to general federal guidelines, but also can vary from place to place.
The challenge is consistency.
“The first step is to clean up the data, make sure it’s accurate. Secondly, is it usable?” said Sarah Dusseault, chairwoman of the commission that oversees LAHSA. “You don’t want a system where, in Los Angeles we think ‘matched to housing’ means this and yet in San Bernardino it means something else.”
With consistent data, California could, for the first time, track where homeless people live and move around the state, and identify those who are using housing and services in more than one place. That would make the process of getting people off the streets more efficient.
Advertisement
Finding a way to achieve that is a job that rests with the California Homeless Coordinating and Finance Council, an agency created in 2017 to oversee the state’s homelessness policies.
Even before Newsom’s speech, the agency was preparing a contract that it hopes to award this fall to pull information from the state’s 44 continuums of care, said Lynn von Koch-Liebert, deputy secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
Whichever company receives the contract will set up an automated system to collect the data more frequently and for every homeless person, with names and other identifying information removed for privacy. Currently, that information is only collected annually by the federal government.
California’s new system tentatively could be in place by the end of the year.
“One of the goals would be to see if individuals are exiting homelessness in a successful way or if they are moving between different types of housing,” Koch-Liebert said. “If they are leaving homelessness, we will be able to see those patterns.”
The next phase will be more ambitious, attempting to similarly compile data from more sources, such as county health departments across the state.
LAHSA has just started building such a data system for Los Angeles County. And it has been a challenge.
In addition to LAHSA, more than a dozen local and regional agencies provide services and maintain their own data systems. Some keep records on people. Some keep records on housing that has been provided. Some do both.
As a result, a homeless person who has been entered into LAHSA’s Homeless Management Information System might also be in a database run by the Department of Health Services or the Housing Authority for the city of L.A. — with different information in each database.
“They understand data differently because they’ve been programmed differently,” Dusseault said.
LAHSA has been working with the staff of those other local and regional agencies to build a complete data profile of each homeless person’s contact with every agency. The goal is to find out what’s working smoothly and what’s not.
An initiative along the lines of what Newsom has suggested to expand that across the state would be welcome, Dusseault said, if it’s done right.
“We’d want to make sure we had the help both to improve our system locally,” she said, “but [also] to make sure that other systems throughout the state are all at that same level of accuracy and usefulness, so that we can talk to each other in a way that gets better outcomes.”


latimes--2020-02-26--Skateboarding improves mental health, helps build diverse relationships, USC study says

USC researchers have found multiple benefits in skateboarding , ranging from mental health to education and careers , the university announced Wednesday .
A first-of-its-kind study of skateboarding culture found the sport improves mental health , fosters community and encourages diversity and resilience , according to USC .
The study , conducted by the Pullias Center for Higher Education at USC ’ s Rossier School of Education and USC ’ s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism , also indicated that gender and race matter in the skateboarding community .
“ Skateboarding is embedded in youth culture today , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony Hawk Foundation funded the study .
“ Until now , little attention has been directed toward truly understanding who skateboarders are , what they think or why skateboarding becomes such an integral part of their identity .
We at the Tony Hawk Foundation are proud to have sponsored this work in order to highlight these young people.
” Researchers created a survey that targeted 13- to 25-year-olds and received more than 5,000 responses , including a significant number from skaters who identified as female and/or as a person of color .
Interviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skate community stakeholders in seven cities across the U.S .
The findings fly in the face of commonly held misconceptions around skateboarding culture , according to the Pullias Center ’ s Zoe Corwin , the study ’ s principal investigator .
“ Skateboarders are prone to being labeled by society as rebels , social deviants or rule-breakers , ” Corwin said .
“ Stereotyping masks an array of valuable skills obtained through skateboarding .
The study aims to redefine what it means to be a skateboarder and highlight connections among skateboarding , education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scholar in race and skateboarding culture , served as a researcher and co-author on the project .
“ Our research shows that through skateboarding , skaters develop the ability to communicate and build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds , ” Williams said .
“ Skaters are excellent critical thinkers and problem-solvers who view success from a more communal perspective .
They bring that insight into other areas of their lives , which is valuable to any university or organization .
”

Julian Jeang-Agliardi jumps a ramp at Vans Off the Wall Skate Park on May 9 in Huntington Beach.
USC researchers have found multiple benefits in skateboarding, ranging from mental health to education and careers, the university announced Wednesday.
A first-of-its-kind study of skateboarding culture found the sport improves mental health, fosters community and encourages diversity and resilience, according to USC.
The study, conducted by the Pullias Center for Higher Education at USC’s Rossier School of Education and USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, also indicated that gender and race matter in the skateboarding community.
“Skateboarding is embedded in youth culture today,” said skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, whose Tony Hawk Foundation funded the study.
Advertisement
“Until now, little attention has been directed toward truly understanding who skateboarders are, what they think or why skateboarding becomes such an integral part of their identity. We at the Tony Hawk Foundation are proud to have sponsored this work in order to highlight these young people.”
Lifestyle A guide to L.A.’s best skate parks The following short list, for skaters and spectators alike, offers a sampling of the best outdoor public skate spots in greater L.A.
Researchers created a survey that targeted 13- to 25-year-olds and received more than 5,000 responses, including a significant number from skaters who identified as female and/or as a person of color. Interviews also were conducted with 120 skaters and skate community stakeholders in seven cities across the U.S.
The findings fly in the face of commonly held misconceptions around skateboarding culture, according to the Pullias Center’s Zoe Corwin, the study’s principal investigator.
“Skateboarders are prone to being labeled by society as rebels, social deviants or rule-breakers,” Corwin said. “Stereotyping masks an array of valuable skills obtained through skateboarding. The study aims to redefine what it means to be a skateboarder and highlight connections among skateboarding, education and career.”
Archives Stylish skateboarding gear and goodies to keep you rolling Skateboarders have long been wary of the mainstream moving in on their turf.
Advertisement
Neftalie Williams, a scholar in race and skateboarding culture, served as a researcher and co-author on the project.
“Our research shows that through skateboarding, skaters develop the ability to communicate and build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds,” Williams said.
“Skaters are excellent critical thinkers and problem-solvers who view success from a more communal perspective. They bring that insight into other areas of their lives, which is valuable to any university or organization.”


latimes--2020-02-26--3.7-magnitude earthquake strikes near Clearlake, Calif.

A magnitude 3.7 earthquake , initially reported as a 3.5 , occurred Wednesday morning at 10:34 a.m. Pacific time 10 miles from Clearlake , Calif. , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The earthquake happened 13 miles from Healdsburg , Calif. , 18 miles from Windsor , 22 miles from Santa Rosa and 28 miles from Ukiah .
In the last 10 days , there have been no earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby .
An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred at a shallow depth .
Did you feel this earthquake ?
Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS .
Even if you didn ’ t feel this small earthquake , you never know when the Big One is going to strike .
Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit .
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot , a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS .
A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the system , visit our list of frequently asked questions .

A magnitude 3.7 earthquake, initially reported as a 3.5, occurred Wednesday morning at 10:34 a.m. Pacific time 10 miles from Clearlake, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake happened 13 miles from Healdsburg, Calif., 18 miles from Windsor, 22 miles from Santa Rosa and 28 miles from Ukiah.
In the last 10 days, there have been no earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
Advertisement
An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three-year data sample.
The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.
Even if you didn’t feel this small earthquake, you never know when the Big One is going to strike. Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit.
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.


latimes--2020-02-26--Police fatally shoot driver who crashed stolen car in Garden Grove and then fought with officer

A man who authorities say was behind the wheel of a stolen car that crashed during a police pursuit died after being shot by an officer during an altercation in Garden Grove early Wednesday .
The officer was driving to the Garden Grove Police Department shortly after 1:20 a.m. when he came across a vehicle “ smashed up around a pole ” near Harbor Boulevard and Trask Avenue , said Lt. Carl Whitney .
He approached the 2017 Dodge Challenger to see whether anyone was hurt , Whitney said .
A few minutes later , the officer radioed for backup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the vehicle ’ s driver .
“ The officer walks up to the car , and the next thing you know , he ’ s fighting for his life , ” Whitney said .
Shortly after , the officer reported that he had shot the other man .
That man — who has not been identified — was taken to a hospital , where he was pronounced dead about 2 a.m. , Whitney said .
The officer was “ banged up from the fight ” and also taken to a hospital with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life-threatening , he said .
“ It ’ s early ; we don ’ t know exactly what led up to the shooting , ” Whitney said .
He said the Challenger had been stolen from a dealership in Santa Ana just before the crash .
The department will review body camera footage and other available video .
The Orange County district attorney ’ s office will assist with the investigation , as is standard for police shootings .

A Garden Grove police officer shot and killed a man who authorities say was driving a stolen car that crashed during a pursuit.
A man who authorities say was behind the wheel of a stolen car that crashed during a police pursuit died after being shot by an officer during an altercation in Garden Grove early Wednesday.
The officer was driving to the Garden Grove Police Department shortly after 1:20 a.m. when he came across a vehicle “smashed up around a pole” near Harbor Boulevard and Trask Avenue, said Lt. Carl Whitney.
He approached the 2017 Dodge Challenger to see whether anyone was hurt, Whitney said. A few minutes later, the officer radioed for backup, saying he was in a fight with the vehicle’s driver.
Advertisement
“The officer walks up to the car, and the next thing you know, he’s fighting for his life,” Whitney said.
Shortly after, the officer reported that he had shot the other man.
That man — who has not been identified — was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 2 a.m., Whitney said. The officer was “banged up from the fight” and also taken to a hospital with injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, he said.
“It’s early; we don’t know exactly what led up to the shooting,” Whitney said. He said the Challenger had been stolen from a dealership in Santa Ana just before the crash.
The department will review body camera footage and other available video. The Orange County district attorney’s office will assist with the investigation, as is standard for police shootings.


latimes--2020-02-26--Ventura restaurants banned from using polystyrene food containers

Ventura restaurants no longer will be allowed to use polystyrene and single-use food containers after the City Council voted to ban their use .
The city is the latest to prohibit the use of polystyrene , often known as Styrofoam , in food-service businesses to help reduce litter and harm to marine animals .
The material is found in single-use plates , cups and takeout food containers and is neither biodegradable nor recyclable .
After heavy rains , polystyrene items can be seen in storm drains and on beaches , where tiny pieces often end up in the stomachs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 6-0 vote , with Deputy Mayor Sofia Rubalcava absent , city staff will begin drafting an ordinance requiring that all restaurants use biodegradable or recyclable food packaging .
Staff also will research how other cities have banned retailers from selling coolers , plates and cups containing polystyrene , noting that retail stores in the city may face a similar prohibition .
“ What ’ s extra special is current users even agree that it ’ s the right thing to do , ” Mayor Matt LaVere told the council .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We all walk on the beach and see it all the time.
” The city will use Santa Barbara ’ s ordinance as its road map , officials said .
All food providers and retailers there are required to use containers and packing materials , including “ peanuts ” and shipping boxes , that are compostable , recyclable and biodegradable , according to the ordinance .
Food providers in Santa Barbara may be exempt from the rule for up to a year if the vendor applies for an exemption showing a potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the city and brought into Santa Barbara as well as raw meat , fish and other raw food trays also are excluded from that ordinance .
More than 130 cities have implemented a similar ban , including Santa Monica , Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach .
San Diego previously voted to ban the use of polystyrene foam products but had to reverse course in the wake of a lawsuit filed by the restaurant industry .

A discarded polystyrene cup lies near the shoreline at Santa Monica Beach in 2006. The Ventura City Council this week voted to ban restaurants from using polystyrene food containers.
Ventura restaurants no longer will be allowed to use polystyrene and single-use food containers after the City Council voted to ban their use.
The city is the latest to prohibit the use of polystyrene, often known as Styrofoam, in food-service businesses to help reduce litter and harm to marine animals. The material is found in single-use plates, cups and takeout food containers and is neither biodegradable nor recyclable. After heavy rains, polystyrene items can be seen in storm drains and on beaches, where tiny pieces often end up in the stomachs of seabirds and marine animals.
Opinion Editorial: California’s failure to ban polystyrene means cities like Los Angeles need to step up The Legislature’s recent rejection of a proposed statewide ban on plastic foam takeout containers (SB 705) was disappointing and surprising, considering that it happened hours before California lawmakers were excoriating President Trump for the environmental shortsightedness of pulling out of the Paris climate accord.
After Monday’s 6-0 vote, with Deputy Mayor Sofia Rubalcava absent, city staff will begin drafting an ordinance requiring that all restaurants use biodegradable or recyclable food packaging. Staff also will research how other cities have banned retailers from selling coolers, plates and cups containing polystyrene, noting that retail stores in the city may face a similar prohibition.
Advertisement
“What’s extra special is current users even agree that it’s the right thing to do,” Mayor Matt LaVere told the council. “There’s community-wide support for this. We all walk on the beach and see it all the time.”
The city will use Santa Barbara’s ordinance as its road map, officials said. All food providers and retailers there are required to use containers and packing materials, including “peanuts” and shipping boxes, that are compostable, recyclable and biodegradable, according to the ordinance.
California Burbank officials target polystyrene, single-use products in proposed ban The Burbank City Council has proposed to ban the use of polystyrene within the city.
Food providers in Santa Barbara may be exempt from the rule for up to a year if the vendor applies for an exemption showing a potential financial hardship. Food prepared or packaged outside the city and brought into Santa Barbara as well as raw meat, fish and other raw food trays also are excluded from that ordinance.
More than 130 cities have implemented a similar ban, including Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. San Diego previously voted to ban the use of polystyrene foam products but had to reverse course in the wake of a lawsuit filed by the restaurant industry.


latimes--2020-02-26--$8.1-million award upheld for deputy who claimed harassment for reporting misconduct

A judge on Tuesday upheld an $ 8.1-million jury award for a Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputy who said he was subjected to harassing conduct and retaliation for questioning the accuracy of his trainers ’ police reports and their reasons for making some traffic stops .
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant-Deason denied motions by lawyers for the county for a new trial or for the judge to declare there there was no factual basis for the jury ’ s verdict .
Both motions rested on the county ’ s their claims that the jury was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 verdict in favor of 37-year-old Andrew Rodriguez .
Rodriguez testified that his first two trainers at the Industry sheriff ’ s station , Joanne Arcos and Timmy Nakamura , engaged in what he believed were unconstitutional traffic stops and detentions of potential suspects that could have led to both him and the trainers going to federal prison .
Attorney Mira Hashmall , arguing on behalf of the county , said there was insufficient evidence presented at trial to support Rodriguez ’ s claims of a hostile work environment and retaliation .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the jury were flawed .
Rodriguez , who filed his lawsuit in October 2017 , was assigned as a trainee at the Industry station in December 2013 after earlier stints in the county jails and as a bailiff in Compton Superior Court and the Edelman Children ’ s Court in Monterey Park .
Current Undersheriff Timothy Murakami was a captain and the head of the Industry station when Rodriguez was a trainee there .
Rodriguez testified that Arcos told him to falsely state in a report that a methamphetamine pipe found after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was recovered from the motorist ’ s clothing when it was actually found in the vehicle ’ s console .
Rodriguez said that when he asked Arcos for her legal justification in stopping the motorist , she refused to answer .
He said he also saw her make questionable searches of the trunks of vehicles during traffic stops .
Both Arcos and Nakamura denied any wrongdoing .
Rodriguez claimed Murakami told him in August and September 2014 that he would “ find something ” to get Rodriguez fired .
Rodriguez is currently an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His attorney , Maria Diaz , said it was her client ’ s dream to work in law enforcement , but that his opportunity is now likely closed because of the lawsuit .

A judge on Tuesday upheld an $8.1-million jury award for a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who said he was subjected to harassing conduct and retaliation for questioning the accuracy of his trainers’ police reports and their reasons for making some traffic stops.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant-Deason denied motions by lawyers for the county for a new trial or for the judge to declare there there was no factual basis for the jury’s verdict. Both motions rested on the county’s their claims that the jury was not properly instructed before rendering its Oct. 4 verdict in favor of 37-year-old Andrew Rodriguez.
Rodriguez testified that his first two trainers at the Industry sheriff’s station, Joanne Arcos and Timmy Nakamura, engaged in what he believed were unconstitutional traffic stops and detentions of potential suspects that could have led to both him and the trainers going to federal prison.
Advertisement
Attorney Mira Hashmall, arguing on behalf of the county, said there was insufficient evidence presented at trial to support Rodriguez’s claims of a hostile work environment and retaliation. In addition, she said, the instructions to the jury were flawed.
But the judge disagreed.
Rodriguez, who filed his lawsuit in October 2017, was assigned as a trainee at the Industry station in December 2013 after earlier stints in the county jails and as a bailiff in Compton Superior Court and the Edelman Children’s Court in Monterey Park.
Current Undersheriff Timothy Murakami was a captain and the head of the Industry station when Rodriguez was a trainee there.
Rodriguez testified that Arcos told him to falsely state in a report that a methamphetamine pipe found after a suspect’s SUV was stopped was recovered from the motorist’s clothing when it was actually found in the vehicle’s console.
Rodriguez said that when he asked Arcos for her legal justification in stopping the motorist, she refused to answer. He said he also saw her make questionable searches of the trunks of vehicles during traffic stops.
Both Arcos and Nakamura denied any wrongdoing.
Rodriguez claimed Murakami told him in August and September 2014 that he would “find something” to get Rodriguez fired.
Rodriguez is currently an unpaid, inactive member of the department. His attorney, Maria Diaz, said it was her client’s dream to work in law enforcement, but that his opportunity is now likely closed because of the lawsuit.


latimes--2020-02-26--Refinery neighbors are used to fires. But the Carson explosion was 'scary'

Juliet Alvarez was preparing to sleep when she heard the explosion .
Curious , worried , she wandered to the backyard of her Carson home .
There , she saw what was unfolding at the nearby Marathon Petroleum refinery : smoke first , then fire .
“ It got really warm , ” the 28-year-old recalled Wednesday .
“ That was the scary part .
You could just feel the heat from the fire.
” Alvarez was one of numerous people — some as far away as Glendale , Studio City and Atwater Village — who were jolted late Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sparking a spectacular blaze that shot flames 100 feet into the air and took firefighters half the night to get under control , officials said .
The fire , at least the third such incident at a California refinery since 2012 , was a reminder that the region ’ s many refineries are complex industrial facilities , with the potential for accidents and ignitions at any moment .
Officials for the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health ( Cal-OSHA ) said they have launched an investigation .
Tuesday night ’ s fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , roughly five hours after the explosion in a cooling tower at the facility , according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department .
Hazardous materials teams continued to monitor air quality in the area after the flames were doused , but detected no public health threats , the department said .
Inspectors from the South Coast Air Quality Management District collected samples during the fire that will be analyzed for toxic gases .
Those results are expected by Thursday morning , but monitors installed around the facility ’ s perimeter show no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a statement from the agency .
The district is investigating 13 complaints received from the neighboring community and “ will evaluate whether any regulatory violations occurred.
” “ If you see or smell smoke , limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed , ” officials said .
Despite assurances from authorities and air quality experts , some were worried about the health effects from the fire .
Coalition for Clean Air President Joseph Lyou , whose group has an air quality monitor southeast of the Carson refinery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fine-particle pollution from the fire .
“ The community members living near the refinery need to be prepared to shelter in place and take other protective measures .
Explosions and fires can have immediate health impacts , ” Lyou said in an email .
Fe and William Koons were watching television inside their Carson home Tuesday night when they felt a series of booms powerful enough to shake the windows .
“ It was scary , ” Fe Koons said .
“ I thought it was going to be an earthquake .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have dealt with refinery hazards over the three-plus decades they ’ ve lived near the Carson facility .
They ’ ve experienced other fires , and ash raining down on their cars , but they can ’ t remember anything that shook the house like this .
Koons said the neighborhood may have been lucky that the fire broke out at night , when most people are inside and there was little wind to spread the smoke .
“ But it ’ s not fair that the lives of the people around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ There ’ s a school , and a park where children play .
What if that happened in the morning when there are children in the park and at the school ?
” The Carson refinery is the largest on the West Coast , with a crude oil capacity of 363,000 barrels per day , according to Marathon Petroleum Corp. All of the facility ’ s personnel have been accounted for , and no injuries were reported , according to company spokeswoman Brianna Patterson .
“ Our priority is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding community and to limit environmental impact , ” she said in an email .
Los Angeles County ’ s South Bay and Harbor areas are dotted with refineries that have a history of accidents and health-damaging air pollution .
Some explosions have been so powerful they registered on seismic scales , or spewed so much dust , smoke and toxic air pollution that regulators have had to warn residents to stay inside to protect their lungs .
More than 180,000 people live within 3 miles of the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Carson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .
It ’ s one of Southern California ’ s seven major oil refineries in Carson , El Segundo , Wilmington and Torrance .
Five years ago an explosion rocked the Torrance Refinery — so powerful it registered the equivalent of a magnitude 1.7 earthquake — spewing smoke and dust over surrounding communities .
The February 2015 blast sent a 40-ton piece of equipment just short of crashing into a massive tank containing hydrofluoric acid , a dangerous chemical that can form a deadly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Board called it a “ serious near miss ” that could have resulted in a “ potentially catastrophic release ” killing or injuring many people nearby .
Tuesday ’ s fire prompted a brief closure of all lanes of the 405 Freeway at Wilmington Avenue , according to the California Highway Patrol .
All lanes reopened by about 11:45 p.m. after being closed for about 30 minutes .
The fire could inconvenience motorists in other ways .
Since part of the refinery was shut down Wednesday , California gasoline prices may rise modestly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prices at the pump could be up 10 to 15 cents per gallon , said Patrick DeHaan , head of petroleum analysis at Gas Buddy , a company that tracks real-time gas prices .
California already has begun to see an effect , with prices Wednesday in Los Angeles up about 7 cents and those in San Francisco up 12 cents .
“ It should not be a dramatic overnight spike , ” DeHaan said .
The jump in gas prices may be offset by fears of coronavirus driving oil prices down significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel an impact , as the Marathon refinery is the only one in the state able to process 350,000 barrels a day .
“ The silver lining is it ’ s happening at a time of year where demand is reduced and oil prices remain relatively low .
The market may be reacting less than if it had happened out of the blue in the middle of summer , ” when gas is in peak demand , DeHaan said .
Statewide , a gallon of gas cost an average of $ 3.48 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average of $ 2.47 , according to the American Automobile Assn .

Luke Money, Tony Barboza, Jaclyn Cosgrove, Suhauna Hussain

Things were back to normal Wednesday morning at the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Carson.
Juliet Alvarez was preparing to sleep when she heard the explosion.
Curious, worried, she wandered to the backyard of her Carson home. There, she saw what was unfolding at the nearby Marathon Petroleum refinery: smoke first, then fire.
“It got really warm,” the 28-year-old recalled Wednesday. “That was the scary part. You could just feel the heat from the fire.”
Advertisement
Alvarez was one of numerous people — some as far away as Glendale, Studio City and Atwater Village — who were jolted late Tuesday when part of the refinery exploded, sparking a spectacular blaze that shot flames 100 feet into the air and took firefighters half the night to get under control, officials said.
The fire, at least the third such incident at a California refinery since 2012, was a reminder that the region’s many refineries are complex industrial facilities, with the potential for accidents and ignitions at any moment. Officials for the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA) said they have launched an investigation.
Tuesday night’s fire was knocked down about 3:50 a.m. Wednesday, roughly five hours after the explosion in a cooling tower at the facility, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Hazardous materials teams continued to monitor air quality in the area after the flames were doused, but detected no public health threats, the department said.
Inspectors from the South Coast Air Quality Management District collected samples during the fire that will be analyzed for toxic gases. Those results are expected by Thursday morning, but monitors installed around the facility’s perimeter show no elevated levels of such substances, according to a statement from the agency.
The district is investigating 13 complaints received from the neighboring community and “will evaluate whether any regulatory violations occurred.”
“If you see or smell smoke, limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed,” officials said.
Advertisement
Despite assurances from authorities and air quality experts, some were worried about the health effects from the fire.
Fire at Marathon refinery in Carson/Wilmington I drive by every time I am home. Thinking about mi familia & the 60,000 Latinos living there breathing the air right now & the only instructions are to keep your windows closed. Environmental Justice Thread https://t.co/TemOjcLAQo — Lauren Valdez (@TheLaurenValdez) February 26, 2020
Coalition for Clean Air President Joseph Lyou, whose group has an air quality monitor southeast of the Carson refinery, said its readings showed no obvious signs of fine-particle pollution from the fire.
“The community members living near the refinery need to be prepared to shelter in place and take other protective measures. Explosions and fires can have immediate health impacts,” Lyou said in an email.
Fe and William Koons were watching television inside their Carson home Tuesday night when they felt a series of booms powerful enough to shake the windows.
“It was scary,” Fe Koons said. “I thought it was going to be an earthquake. It was that loud.”
The Koons have dealt with refinery hazards over the three-plus decades they’ve lived near the Carson facility. They’ve experienced other fires, and ash raining down on their cars, but they can’t remember anything that shook the house like this.
Koons said the neighborhood may have been lucky that the fire broke out at night, when most people are inside and there was little wind to spread the smoke.
“But it’s not fair that the lives of the people around the refinery are at risk,” she said. “There’s a school, and a park where children play. What if that happened in the morning when there are children in the park and at the school?”
#MarathonIC *UPDATE* Refinery fire brigade crews continue to make progress. Bulk of fire activity diminished. HAZMAT crews will continue to monitor air quality-no public threat detected. pic.twitter.com/eZiUJZAlj3 — L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) February 26, 2020
The Carson refinery is the largest on the West Coast, with a crude oil capacity of 363,000 barrels per day, according to Marathon Petroleum Corp. All of the facility’s personnel have been accounted for, and no injuries were reported, according to company spokeswoman Brianna Patterson.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of people and the surrounding community and to limit environmental impact,” she said in an email.
Los Angeles County’s South Bay and Harbor areas are dotted with refineries that have a history of accidents and health-damaging air pollution. Some explosions have been so powerful they registered on seismic scales, or spewed so much dust, smoke and toxic air pollution that regulators have had to warn residents to stay inside to protect their lungs.
More than 180,000 people live within 3 miles of the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Carson, where the fire occurred this week, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It’s one of Southern California’s seven major oil refineries in Carson, El Segundo, Wilmington and Torrance.
Five years ago an explosion rocked the Torrance Refinery — so powerful it registered the equivalent of a magnitude 1.7 earthquake — spewing smoke and dust over surrounding communities. The February 2015 blast sent a 40-ton piece of equipment just short of crashing into a massive tank containing hydrofluoric acid, a dangerous chemical that can form a deadly, ground-hugging cloud.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board called it a “serious near miss” that could have resulted in a “potentially catastrophic release” killing or injuring many people nearby.
Tuesday’s fire prompted a brief closure of all lanes of the 405 Freeway at Wilmington Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol. All lanes reopened by about 11:45 p.m. after being closed for about 30 minutes.
The fire could inconvenience motorists in other ways.
Since part of the refinery was shut down Wednesday, California gasoline prices may rise modestly. Within a week or two, prices at the pump could be up 10 to 15 cents per gallon, said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at Gas Buddy, a company that tracks real-time gas prices.
California already has begun to see an effect, with prices Wednesday in Los Angeles up about 7 cents and those in San Francisco up 12 cents.
“It should not be a dramatic overnight spike,” DeHaan said.
The jump in gas prices may be offset by fears of coronavirus driving oil prices down significantly. But California drivers likely will still feel an impact, as the Marathon refinery is the only one in the state able to process 350,000 barrels a day.
“The silver lining is it’s happening at a time of year where demand is reduced and oil prices remain relatively low. The market may be reacting less than if it had happened out of the blue in the middle of summer,” when gas is in peak demand, DeHaan said.
Statewide, a gallon of gas cost an average of $3.48 as of Wednesday — well above the national average of $2.47, according to the American Automobile Assn.
Times staff writer Susanne Rust contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-26--Big spending from outside groups bolsters L.A. City Hall incumbents and favorites

Technology entrepreneur Andrew Lee was barred from donating more than $ 800 to the campaign to help reelect Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu — a city restriction meant to curb the influence of wealthy donors .
But Lee could give as much as he wanted to an independent committee backing the councilman , which is not bound by the same rules .
Last month , Lee poured $ 100,000 into the Golden State Leadership Fund PAC , which has blanketed households with mailers that praise Ryu as a reformer and tout his record on homelessness .
Independent expenditure committees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates or their campaigns , but can raise and spend unlimited amounts to support their chosen candidates , making them a muscular force in local elections .
As of Wednesday , such committees had shelled out more than $ 1.2 million in Los Angeles City Council races .
That spending could be especially important as local candidates try to grab attention from more voters .
Because Angelenos will weigh in on city and national races at the same time , campaigns expect higher turnout than in the past — and more noise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have three times more voters in some of these elections , ” said Derek Humphrey , a Democratic political consultant whose L.A. clients include Councilman Gil Cedillo and candidate Kevin de León .
In light of that , “ this money is going to be even more impactful.
” The bulk of the outside spending has gone to candidates who already had an edge in political fundraising , most of them incumbents like Ryu .
The biggest beneficiary of independent spending so far has been De León , widely seen as the candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open seat representing a council district that stretches from downtown to Eagle Rock .
Outside groups had reported spending more than $ 480,000 as of Wednesday to support De León ’ s campaign to replace outgoing Councilman Jose Huizar — more than the combined amount of campaign donations raised by the four other candidates in the race .
Most of the money backing the former state Senate leader is from a committee sponsored by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor , which represents over 800,000 members , including tens of thousands who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If elected , De León would be responsible for helping approve salary and benefit packages for the city ’ s labor force .
In addition to the labor federation , the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters and Change California Now , a super PAC that supported De León ’ s 2018 unsuccessful U.S. Senate run , are listed in disclosures as the committee ’ s major funders .
“ De León has consistently stood with working people and has the record to show it , ” said labor federation spokesman Christian Castro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other candidate in that race had benefited from independent spending .
School board member Mónica García , who is also running for the seat , said there were “ agendas ” behind the outside money backing De León and that “ it is telling that a recent Democratic-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate needs a super PAC to compete in a local City Council race.
” De León is also benefiting from spending by a committee backed by the city ’ s firefighter union , which lists billboard company Lamar as a major funder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies .
As Councilman John Lee campaigns to keep his seat on the City Council , committees sponsored by labor unions and business groups had reported spending more than $ 270,000 as of Wednesday to back the incumbent and attack his opponent Loraine Lundquist , an astrophysicist and college educator who has won support from Democratic groups .
Working Californians , a committee sponsored by the union that represents workers at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power , has been the most formidable presence in the Valley race .
The DWP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric Garcetti over his Green New Deal and plans to phase out gas plants , which Lundquist has backed .
Lee won their backing by “ supporting blue-collar workers who do the hard work of keeping our water clean , lights on and our energy bills affordable , ” Working Californians spokesman Michael Trujillo said .
Bolstered by recent donations from the Los Angeles Police Protective League union — $ 150,000 — and the oil and gas company California Resources Corp. — $ 95,000 — it has sent out mailers asserting that Lundquist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electric vehicles ” and “ ban gas-powered ovens , stovetops , dryers and water heaters.
” Trujillo said such claims were based on Lundquist supporting “ zero net energy buildings ” and “ zero emission vehicles.
” Those attacks have resonated with some voters .
“ She has pipe dreams , ” said Toni Gmuer , a Chatsworth resident who supports Lee .
“ She wants to turn all our gas stoves into electric stoves and our gas cars into electric cars !
” Lundquist says that isn ’ t true .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ has no plans to legislate the elimination of gas cars by 2025 , ” as one mailer claims , nor does she want to ban gas appliances .
Instead , Abbasi said , Lundquist wants to invest in infrastructure to make electric vehicles more attractive and provide incentives for building retrofits .
“ She supports carbon-neutral electricity by 2025 , ” he added .
“ But apparently Loraine ’ s attackers don ’ t know the difference between electric cars and electricity generation.
” Oil companies have spent heavily on such attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jeopardize their monopoly and cause cheaper costs for consumers , ” Abbasi said .
“ They don ’ t want that.
” The last time that Lundquist and Lee faced off , she had outside help too .
Independent committees spent over $ 300,000 last year to support her and attack Lee , including one committee bankrolled heavily by hedge fund manager Aaron Sosnick .
But this time there has been little independent spending for Lundquist — less than $ 1,000 reported as of Wednesday .
Ryu , who is competing against several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Silver Lake-to-Sherman Oaks district , had benefited from over $ 210,000 in spending by outside committees as of Wednesday .
Even without that spending , Ryu has dramatically outraised his opponents Sarah Kate Levy and Nithya Raman , bringing in more than $ 1 million in campaign contributions by the middle of February — roughly four times as much as either Levy or Raman .
As of Wednesday , the biggest chunk of the independent spending for Ryu had come from Golden State Leadership Fund , the committee funded by tech entrepreneur Andrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as successor to the imperial throne of Korea — and industrial coatings company founder Myung Hong .
Hong , who gave $ 49,000 to the committee , is also a board member with the planned Korean American National Museum , a project that is leasing land from the city .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s ideal that two very rich men are trying to exert this much influence over our political process , ” Raman said , arguing that “ this kind of unregulated spending should be called out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed by committees sponsored by unions representing police officers and firefighters .
Levy argued that the outpouring of independent spending to help Ryu undermined his claims to be a reformer , saying that he was “ benefiting from the same secretive big money he is allegedly fighting against.
” Ryu campaign manager Estevan Montemayor countered , “ You can not find a member of City Council more committed to campaign finance reform.
” Montemayor said that although federal law restricts the Ryu campaign from controlling the actions of outside committees , Ryu wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down government restrictions on such expenditures .

Technology entrepreneur Andrew Lee was barred from donating more than $800 to the campaign to help reelect Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu — a city restriction meant to curb the influence of wealthy donors.
But Lee could give as much as he wanted to an independent committee backing the councilman, which is not bound by the same rules. Last month, Lee poured $100,000 into the Golden State Leadership Fund PAC, which has blanketed households with mailers that praise Ryu as a reformer and tout his record on homelessness.
Independent expenditure committees are not allowed to coordinate with the candidates or their campaigns, but can raise and spend unlimited amounts to support their chosen candidates, making them a muscular force in local elections. As of Wednesday, such committees had shelled out more than $1.2 million in Los Angeles City Council races.
That spending could be especially important as local candidates try to grab attention from more voters. Because Angelenos will weigh in on city and national races at the same time, campaigns expect higher turnout than in the past — and more noise to cut through for candidates.
Advertisement
“You have three times more voters in some of these elections,” said Derek Humphrey, a Democratic political consultant whose L.A. clients include Councilman Gil Cedillo and candidate Kevin de León. In light of that, “this money is going to be even more impactful.”
The bulk of the outside spending has gone to candidates who already had an edge in political fundraising, most of them incumbents like Ryu. The biggest beneficiary of independent spending so far has been De León, widely seen as the candidate to beat in the race for an open seat representing a council district that stretches from downtown to Eagle Rock.
School board member Mónica García has been critical of independent spending for her rival Kevin de León. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Outside groups had reported spending more than $480,000 as of Wednesday to support De León’s campaign to replace outgoing Councilman Jose Huizar — more than the combined amount of campaign donations raised by the four other candidates in the race.
Most of the money backing the former state Senate leader is from a committee sponsored by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, which represents over 800,000 members, including tens of thousands who work for the city of Los Angeles. If elected, De León would be responsible for helping approve salary and benefit packages for the city’s labor force.
In addition to the labor federation, the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters and Change California Now, a super PAC that supported De León’s 2018 unsuccessful U.S. Senate run, are listed in disclosures as the committee’s major funders.
Advertisement
“De León has consistently stood with working people and has the record to show it,” said labor federation spokesman Christian Castro.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no other candidate in that race had benefited from independent spending. School board member Mónica García, who is also running for the seat, said there were “agendas” behind the outside money backing De León and that “it is telling that a recent Democratic-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate needs a super PAC to compete in a local City Council race.”
Committees sponsored by labor unions and business groups have supported Councilman John Lee. (Liz Moughon / Los Angeles Times)
De León is also benefiting from spending by a committee backed by the city’s firefighter union, which lists billboard company Lamar as a major funder, and a committee supported by taxi companies.
As Councilman John Lee campaigns to keep his seat on the City Council, committees sponsored by labor unions and business groups had reported spending more than $270,000 as of Wednesday to back the incumbent and attack his opponent Loraine Lundquist, an astrophysicist and college educator who has won support from Democratic groups.
Working Californians, a committee sponsored by the union that represents workers at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, has been the most formidable presence in the Valley race. The DWP union has been at odds with Mayor Eric Garcetti over his Green New Deal and plans to phase out gas plants, which Lundquist has backed.
Lee won their backing by “supporting blue-collar workers who do the hard work of keeping our water clean, lights on and our energy bills affordable,” Working Californians spokesman Michael Trujillo said.
City Council candidate Loraine Lundquist, whose opponent has garnered some $270,000 in outside spending. (Liz Moughon / Los Angeles Times)
Bolstered by recent donations from the Los Angeles Police Protective League union — $150,000 — and the oil and gas company California Resources Corp. — $95,000 — it has sent out mailers asserting that Lundquist would “force L.A. residents to drive electric vehicles” and “ban gas-powered ovens, stovetops, dryers and water heaters.”
Trujillo said such claims were based on Lundquist supporting “zero net energy buildings” and “zero emission vehicles.”
Those attacks have resonated with some voters. “She has pipe dreams,” said Toni Gmuer, a Chatsworth resident who supports Lee. “She wants to turn all our gas stoves into electric stoves and our gas cars into electric cars!”
Lundquist says that isn’t true. Her campaign consultant Calvin Abbasi said that she “has no plans to legislate the elimination of gas cars by 2025,” as one mailer claims, nor does she want to ban gas appliances.
Instead, Abbasi said, Lundquist wants to invest in infrastructure to make electric vehicles more attractive and provide incentives for building retrofits. “She supports carbon-neutral electricity by 2025,” he added. “But apparently Loraine’s attackers don’t know the difference between electric cars and electricity generation.”
Oil companies have spent heavily on such attacks because “renewable and sustainable energy solutions jeopardize their monopoly and cause cheaper costs for consumers,” Abbasi said. “They don’t want that.”
The last time that Lundquist and Lee faced off, she had outside help too. Independent committees spent over $300,000 last year to support her and attack Lee, including one committee bankrolled heavily by hedge fund manager Aaron Sosnick. But this time there has been little independent spending for Lundquist — less than $1,000 reported as of Wednesday.
Screenwriter Sarah Kate Levy, Councilman David Ryu and nonprofit leader Nithya Raman are competing to represent a district that stretches from Sherman Oaks to Silver Lake. (Los Angeles Times)
Ryu, who is competing against several challengers to keep his seat in a Silver Lake-to-Sherman Oaks district, had benefited from over $210,000 in spending by outside committees as of Wednesday.
Even without that spending, Ryu has dramatically outraised his opponents Sarah Kate Levy and Nithya Raman, bringing in more than $1 million in campaign contributions by the middle of February — roughly four times as much as either Levy or Raman.
As of Wednesday, the biggest chunk of the independent spending for Ryu had come from Golden State Leadership Fund, the committee funded by tech entrepreneur Andrew Lee — a VPN company founder crowned as successor to the imperial throne of Korea — and industrial coatings company founder Myung Hong. Hong, who gave $49,000 to the committee, is also a board member with the planned Korean American National Museum, a project that is leasing land from the city.
“I don’t think it’s ideal that two very rich men are trying to exert this much influence over our political process,” Raman said, arguing that “this kind of unregulated spending should be called out and disavowed.”
Ryu has also been backed by committees sponsored by unions representing police officers and firefighters.
Levy argued that the outpouring of independent spending to help Ryu undermined his claims to be a reformer, saying that he was “benefiting from the same secretive big money he is allegedly fighting against.”
Ryu campaign manager Estevan Montemayor countered, “You cannot find a member of City Council more committed to campaign finance reform.”
Montemayor said that although federal law restricts the Ryu campaign from controlling the actions of outside committees, Ryu wants to overturn a federal ruling that struck down government restrictions on such expenditures.