latimes--2020-10-13--Students are creating free tutoring services to help during the pandemic

Alex Yan and Arvin Ding , seniors at Irvine ’ s Portola High School , have held free weekly in-person tutoring sessions for elementary and middle school students since they started their organization Math at the Library in 2017 .
When COVID-19 hit , their team of high schoolers quickly transitioned to online tutoring and later banded together with two other student volunteer organizations — Girls Empowering Girls , founded by Annette Yuan , a junior at Irvine High School , which offers one-on-one English conversation practice with language learners , and Code Champion , a coding class Ding started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to form the nonprofit .
While the teens previously served their local community , now they tutor students from Seattle to Toronto .
The Irvine youths are part of a growing number of advantaged high school and college students across the country who have stepped up during campus shutdowns and mandated distance learning , hoping to help narrow the educational gap between students who can and those who can ’ t and are quickly falling behind .
Emme Shaffer , a senior at the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks , and her team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 students since she started Tutor Together in the spring .
Recent high school graduate Dana Lin , from Pasadena , was a volunteer instructor teaching stem cell biology at the , a student-run educational platform that was founded in May by undergraduates from universities like Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania .
Triplets Sonia , Esha and Nikhil Mathur , high school juniors in Tucson , started Peer 2 Peer Tutoring to help high school students who were missing school because of health reasons .
But since the pandemic , they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , and since May , P2P Tutoring has expanded from Arizona to five other states , including a branch in Granite Bay that serves all of California .
These teen volunteers hope to help fill an exponentially growing demand .
In August , the Los Angeles Unified School District partnered with the startup to offer free one-on-one tutoring , though they currently only serve the communities of Huntington Park , Fremont and Taft .
Even if the pilot is successful , Step Up co-founder Nati Rodriguez told the L.A. Times it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the services available for all students in the district .
Other organizations around Southern California and beyond are adapting their tutoring programs to distance learning .
Eddie D. Tafoya , the CEO and executive director of The Southeast Community Foundation , said the tutors at their Enrichment Tutoring Academy are hired credentialed teachers , supported by grants and donations .
The Enrichment Tutoring Academy has been serving the neighborhoods of Southeast Los Angeles , from Montebello to Compton and from Huntington Park to La Mirada since 2015 .
He anticipates it ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high demand this year .
Here is a list of some free virtual tutoring resources Many of these websites have detailed information about their staff and partners , tutor vetting process , platforms used , privacy and safety precautions , testimonials , languages available and any restrictions .
Parents should familiarize themselves with the procedures of any tutoring service they choose and monitor all their children ’ s online interactions .
About : Started by 17-year-olds Sarah Shapiro and Skye Loventhal from Granada Hills Charter School , the COVID nineTEEN project offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also offer other teen-led activities .
Activities available for the week are updated on the website the Friday morning prior .
Age : First to fifth grade Subjects : English , math , science , history Contact : Register ; volunteer El Nido Family Centers About : A social service nonprofit agency , El Nido Family Centers provide counseling and family support services to disadvantaged communities in L.A. El Nido started offering tutoring during the pandemic , when many of its clients requested extra support for their children struggling with distance learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students Subjects : Reading and math Contact : ( 323 ) 998-0093 ; ; About : Founded in 2018 by Steven Luo , a junior at Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose , the Evergreen Initiative provided free in-person tutoring to locals in the Bay Area pre-pandemic , in addition to online tutoring for anyone with internet access .
It has continued its virtual tutoring during shelter-in-place orders .
Age : Kindergarten to 12th grade Subjects : Math , English , history , biology , Chinese , physics , computer science and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About : Founded by Drew Soshensky in 2019 , Jumpstart Tutoring started with Soshensky tutoring a few students in person , and now there are about 40 high school and college students who offer free one-on-one tutoring .
Soshensky is based in New York , though tutors are based all around the world .
Age : Fifth to 12th grade Subjects : Math , history , test prep and FAFSA applications ( coming soon ) Contact : ; About : Founded in 2018 , Kara Tutoring is a student-led organization that has more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tutors are required to score at least 1500 on their SATs .
Limited to : Students who receive public assistance ; live in public housing or a foster home or are homeless ; receive financial aid or have other financial disadvantages Subjects : U.S. and international test prep and general subject tutoring Contact : ; ; About : The Los Angeles Public Library provides free online tutoring through Tutor.com , powered by the Princeton Review .
Students just need to enter a library card barcode and password , and it ’ s available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The student and tutor work in a virtual classroom with chat and two-way white boards .
Age : Kindergarten to 12th grade Subjects : Homework help in math , science , English , social studies and writing , career resources and SAT/ACT essentials Contact : About : In April , Harley Simpson founded Pandemic Professors alongside a group of fellow UC Berkeley graduates to connect low-income students with free tutors .
Age : Kindergarten to 12th grade Subjects : Homework help , language , math , science , reading , coding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , career guidance and more Contact : ; ; About : Peer 2 Peer Tutoring ( P2P Tutoring ) was founded by high school students Sonia , Esha and Nikhil Mathur in 2018 to help students who were missing school due to sick days .
The nonprofit expanded during the pandemic to help any student in need .
They work with principals and teachers to try and find tutors in the student in need ’ s school or class , so they can teach the same material .
Age : High school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Contact : ; ; About : Pre-COVID-19 , the Enrichment Tutoring Academy offered 1 1/2-hour after-school sessions in its Vernon classroom , adding up to 25 hours of free tutoring .
It has transitioned to online tutoring and found that two 50-minute sessions , one for English , one for math , with a 10-minute break , work best for its students .
Locations served : Cities in southeast Los Angeles County , including Bell , Bell Gardens , Bellflower , Cerritos , Commerce , Compton , Cudahy , Downey , Huntington Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Montebello , Norwalk , Paramount , Pico Rivera , Santa Fe Springs , South Gate , Vernon and Whittier Ages : Kindergarten through high school Subjects : English and math Contact : ; About : Founded in 1993 , Schools on Wheels volunteers provide in Los Angeles .
During the pandemic , the organization has been matching each student with their own tutor , as well as offering backpacks , school supplies and technology .
Homeless children are nine times more likely to repeat a grade and four times more likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles , Ventura , San Bernardino , Santa Barbara , Orange and Riverside counties Age : Kindergarten to 12th grade Contact : ; ( temporarily not training new tutors , but people can sign up for updates or start a virtual supply drive ) ; About : Started by Irvine high school students , StudySmart is a fusion of the organizations Math at the Library , started by Alex Yan and Arvin Ding ; Girls Empowering Girls , started by Annette Yuan ; and Code Champion , started by Arvin and Cindy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held every Monday , Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific time .
English-language students are paired with tutors .
Coding sessions take place on Saturdays in five-week sessions .
The next session starts Oct. 18 .
Subjects and age : Math ( grades K-8 ) ; English as second language ( all ages ) ; coding ( recommended grades 5 and 6 ) Contact : About : Started by Emme Shaffer , a high school senior at the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks , Tutor Together offers one-hour one-on-one tutoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Weekdays 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. , and weekends 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Age : Kindergarten to 8th grade Subjects : Language and math Contact : About : Started by Aly Murray and Katie Sgarro in 2016 , Upchieve provides free tutoring-on-demand 24/7 to low-income students whose families can not afford a private tutor or admissions consultant .
The average wait time for a tutor is under 5 minutes , and most are college students or young professionals who have prior tutoring experience and have passed certification quizzes in the topics requested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Math ( pre-algebra through calculus ) , science ( biology and chemistry , with physics and environmental science soon ) , and college counseling Contact : ; ; About : The Wave Learning Festival is a college-led , free educational platform that provides tutoring and over 300 live classes .
Volunteers include over 400 college and high school students , and they ’ ve been able to reach students in 47 states and 59 countries since they started in May .
Age : Sixth to eighth grade Subjects : English and math @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; ; These services are expected to be available soon About : Communities in Schools of Los Angeles is a .
In the last school year , 99 % of its case-managed high school seniors graduated on time , and 97 % said they felt supported during school closures .
The nonprofit is planning to launch its first virtual tutoring program with volunteer teachers , private tutors and college students Contact : About : Though the name is a nod to its beginnings , founded during the COVID-19 pandemic , its tagline is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The virtual tutors are high school and college students , and they provide one- to two hour Zoom sessions per week .
Age : Kindergarten to 12th grade Subjects : Biology , chemistry , college essay writing , computer science , economics , English/grammar , math , physics and statistics Contact : ( currently accepting waitlist ) About : Founded by Mackenzie Lowenstein and led by fellow UCLA students and recent graduates , Front Lines Tutoring offers free 50-minute virtual tutoring with tutors who are college students from UCLA , Carnegie Mellon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Kids of healthcare professionals .
Subjects : Chemistry , biology , English , history , algebra , geometry , pre-calculus , calculus , Spanish , college prep and more Age : Kindergarten to 12th grade Contact : ( currently accepting waitlist ) ; ; About : Started in 2011 by , Young Leaders of Orange County provides tutoring for low-income elementary and middle school students in Buena Park , La Palma , Fullerton , Stanton , La Mirada and Anaheim .
During the pandemic , it ’ s been uploading .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they are planning more sessions for the future .
Age : Kindergarten to eighth grade Subjects : Math , reading , art , music Contact : ; ; To submit other free tutoring resources that should be on this list , email ada.tseng @ latimes.com .

A group that includes Annette Yuan, a junior at Irvine High, has expanded beyond Southern California and now tutors students from Seattle to Toronto.
Alex Yan and Arvin Ding, seniors at Irvine’s Portola High School, have held free weekly in-person tutoring sessions for elementary and middle school students since they started their organization Math at the Library in 2017.
When COVID-19 hit, their team of high schoolers quickly transitioned to online tutoring and later banded together with two other student volunteer organizations — Girls Empowering Girls, founded by Annette Yuan, a junior at Irvine High School, which offers one-on-one English conversation practice with language learners, and Code Champion, a coding class Ding started with his sophomore sister Cindy Ding — to form the nonprofit StudySmart Youth Services .
For the record: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Dana Lin as being from Pasadena. Lin is from South Pasadena.
While the teens previously served their local community, now they tutor students from Seattle to Toronto.
The Irvine youths are part of a growing number of advantaged high school and college students across the country who have stepped up during campus shutdowns and mandated distance learning, hoping to help narrow the educational gap between students who can afford to hire private tutors and those who can’t and are quickly falling behind .
Emme Shaffer, a senior at the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, and her team of high school students have tutored over 500 students since she started Tutor Together in the spring.
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Recent high school graduate Dana Lin, from South Pasadena, was a volunteer instructor teaching stem cell biology at the Wave Learning Festival , a student-run educational platform that was founded in May by undergraduates from universities like Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.
Triplets Sonia, Esha and Nikhil Mathur, high school juniors in Tucson, started Peer 2 Peer Tutoring to help high school students who were missing school because of health reasons.
But since the pandemic, they’ve opened up their services to all students, and since May, P2P Tutoring has expanded from Arizona to five other states, including a branch in Granite Bay that serves all of California.
Alex Yan, left, Annette Yuan, Cindy Ding and Arvin Ding are the co-founders of StudySmart Youth Services. (StudySmart Youth Services)
These teen volunteers hope to help fill an exponentially growing demand.
In August, the Los Angeles Unified School District partnered with the startup Step Up Tutoring to offer free one-on-one tutoring, though they currently only serve the communities of Huntington Park, Fremont and Taft. Even if the pilot is successful, Step Up co-founder Nati Rodriguez told the L.A. Times it’d likely take two years to make the services available for all students in the district.
Other organizations around Southern California and beyond are adapting their tutoring programs to distance learning.
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Eddie D. Tafoya, the CEO and executive director of The Southeast Community Foundation, said the tutors at their Enrichment Tutoring Academy are hired credentialed teachers, supported by grants and donations.
The Enrichment Tutoring Academy has been serving the neighborhoods of Southeast Los Angeles, from Montebello to Compton and from Huntington Park to La Mirada since 2015.
He anticipates it’ll be a challenge for them to meet the high demand this year.
Here is a list of some free virtual tutoring resources
Many of these websites have detailed information about their staff and partners, tutor vetting process, platforms used, privacy and safety precautions, testimonials, languages available and any restrictions. Parents should familiarize themselves with the procedures of any tutoring service they choose and monitor all their children’s online interactions.
The COVID nineTEEN Project
About: Started by 17-year-olds Sarah Shapiro and Skye Loventhal from Granada Hills Charter School, the COVID nineTEEN project offers one-on-one tutoring in 15 languages through 30-minute sessions. They also offer other teen-led activities. Activities available for the week are updated on the website the Friday morning prior.
Age: First to fifth grade
Subjects: English, math, science, history
Contact: Register; volunteer
EdRise Tutoring
About: Started by North Hollywood High School students, EdRise Tutoring serves students in a variety of subjects through weekday video calls. The tutors are trained and verified high school and college students. The program is geared toward students struggling with school, but tutors can also offer resources for students who want additional materials.
Age: Third- to eighth-grade
Subjects: Math, science, social studies, Spanish, computer science, English and more
Contact: Register, Volunteer
El Nido Family Centers
About: A social service nonprofit agency, El Nido Family Centers provide counseling and family support services to disadvantaged communities in L.A. El Nido started offering tutoring during the pandemic, when many of its clients requested extra support for their children struggling with distance learning.
Age: Elementary school to college students
Subjects: Reading and math
Contact: (323) 998-0093; volunteer ; donate
Evergreen Initiative
About: Founded in 2018 by Steven Luo, a junior at Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose, the Evergreen Initiative provided free in-person tutoring to locals in the Bay Area pre-pandemic, in addition to online tutoring for anyone with internet access. It has continued its virtual tutoring during shelter-in-place orders.
Age: Kindergarten to 12th grade
Subjects: Math, English, history, biology, Chinese, physics, computer science and other elementary school subjects
Contact: Register ; volunteer
Front Lines Tutoring
About: Founded by Mackenzie Lowenstein and led by fellow UCLA students and recent graduates, Front Lines Tutoring offers free 50-minute virtual tutoring with tutors who are college students from UCLA, Carnegie Mellon, Yale and elsewhere.
Limited to: Kids of healthcare professionals.
Subjects: Chemistry, biology, English, history, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus, Spanish, college prep and more
Age: Kindergarten to 12th grade
Contact: Register ; volunteer ; donate
Joseph Learning Lab
Joseph Learning Lab supports school districts across California by providing tutoring, mentoring and other services to close the learning gap and reduce the dropout rate. Students meet with volunteers via Google Classroom and Meet sessions for 90 minutes a day during the following time periods: Monday to Thursday, from 3:10 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. Volunteers are coordinated by L.A. Works.
Age: Third to sixth grade
Subjects: Core subjects, such as English and math
Contact: Enroll, Volunteer: Donate
Jumpstart Tutoring
About: Founded by Drew Soshensky in 2019, Jumpstart Tutoring started with Soshensky tutoring a few students in person, and now there are about 40 high school and college students who offer free one-on-one tutoring. Soshensky is based in New York, though tutors are based all around the world.
Age: Fifth to 12th grade
Subjects: Math, history, test prep and FAFSA applications (coming soon)
Contact: Register ; volunteer
Kara Tutoring
About: Founded in 2018, Kara Tutoring is a student-led organization that has more 250 tutors in over 45 countries. Tutors are required to score at least 1500 on their SATs.
Limited to: Students who receive public assistance; live in public housing or a foster home or are homeless; receive financial aid or have other financial disadvantages
Subjects: U.S. and international test prep and general subject tutoring
Contact: Register ; volunteer ; donate
Learn To Be
About: Learn To Be is a nonprofit that brings free one-on-one online tutoring to underserved youth around the United States. Since 2008, they’ve paired K-12 students with volunteer tutors in an online classroom. Sessions are one to two times per week on anything the student needs help with. To date, they’ve hosted over 30,000 hours of tutoring.
Ages: 5 to 18
Subjects: Math, science, reading, writing and social science
Contact: Register; Volunteer; Donate
Los Angeles Public Library
About: The Los Angeles Public Library provides free online tutoring through Tutor.com, powered by the Princeton Review. Students just need to enter a library card barcode and password, and it’s available daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The student and tutor work in a virtual classroom with chat and two-way white boards.
Age: Kindergarten to 12th grade
Subjects: Homework help in math, science, English, social studies and writing, career resources and SAT/ACT essentials
Contact: Register
Pandemic Professors
About: In April, Harley Simpson founded Pandemic Professors alongside a group of fellow UC Berkeley graduates to connect low-income students with free tutors.
Age: Kindergarten to 12th grade
Subjects: Homework help, language, math, science, reading, coding, college application and financial aid, fitness, career guidance and more
Contact: Register ; volunteer ; donate
Siblings Sonia, Nikhil and Esha Mathur are the founders of Peer 2 Peer Tutoring.
(Peer 2 Peer Tutoring)
Peer 2 Peer Tutoring
About: Peer 2 Peer Tutoring (P2P Tutoring) was founded by high school students Sonia, Esha and Nikhil Mathur in 2018 to help students who were missing school due to sick days. The nonprofit expanded during the pandemic to help any student in need. They work with principals and teachers to try and find tutors in the student in need’s school or class, so they can teach the same material.
Age: High school, elementary and middle school
Subjects: All
Contact: Register ; volunteer ; donate
Southeast Community Foundation’s Enrichment Tutoring Academy
About: Pre-COVID-19, the Enrichment Tutoring Academy offered 90-minute after-school sessions in its Vernon classroom. It has transitioned to online tutoring and found that two 50-minute sessions, one for English, one for math, with a 10-minute break, work best for its students.
Locations served: Cities in southeast Los Angeles County, including Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Cerritos, Commerce, Compton, Cudahy, Downey, Huntington Park, La Mirada, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Norwalk, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South Gate, Vernon and Whittier
Ages: Kindergarten through high school
Subjects: English and math
Contact: Register ; donate
School on Wheels
About: Founded in 1993, School on Wheels volunteers provide one-on-one weekly tutoring services and mentorship to students experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. During the pandemic, the organization has been matching each student with their own tutor, as well as offering backpacks, school supplies and technology. Homeless children are nine times more likely to repeat a grade and four times more likely to drop out of school.
Location: Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Orange and Riverside counties
Age: Kindergarten to 12th grade
Contact: Register ; volunteer (temporarily not training new tutors, but people can sign up for updates or start a virtual supply drive); donate
StudySmart Youth Services
About: Started by Irvine high school students, StudySmart is a fusion of the organizations Math at the Library, started by Alex Yan and Arvin Ding; Girls Empowering Girls, started by Annette Yuan; and Code Champion, started by Arvin and Cindy Ding. Fall 2020 math sessions are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific time. English-language students are paired with tutors. Coding sessions take place on Saturdays in five-week sessions. The next session starts Oct. 18.
Subjects and age: Math (grades K-8); English as second language (all ages); coding (recommended grades 5 and 6)
Contact: Register or volunteer
Tutor Together
About: Started by Emme Shaffer, a high school senior at the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, Tutor Together offers one-hour one-on-one tutoring sessions with high school students through Zoom. Weekdays 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., and weekends 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Age: Kindergarten to 8th grade
Subjects: Language and math
Contact: Register
Upchieve
About: Started by Aly Murray and Katie Sgarro in 2016, Upchieve provides free tutoring-on-demand 24/7 to low-income students whose families cannot afford a private tutor or admissions consultant. The average wait time for a tutor is under 5 minutes, and most are college students or young professionals who have prior tutoring experience and have passed certification quizzes in the topics requested.
Age: 13 and over
Subjects: Math (pre-algebra through calculus), science (biology, chemistry, physics and environmental science), and college counseling
Contact: Register ; volunteer ; donate
Wave Learning Festival
About: The Wave Learning Festival is a college-led, free educational platform that provides tutoring and over 300 live classes. Volunteers include over 400 college and high school students, and they’ve been able to reach students in 47 states and 59 countries since they started in May.
Age: Sixth to eighth grade
Subjects: English and math tutoring, plus unique classes
Contact: Register ; volunteer ; donate
These services are expected to be available soon
Communities in Schools of Los Angeles
About: Communities in Schools of Los Angeles is a dropout prevention organization that supports students in Los Angeles’ public schools . In the last school year, 99% of its case-managed high school seniors graduated on time, and 97% said they felt supported during school closures. The nonprofit is planning to launch its first virtual tutoring program with volunteer teachers, private tutors and college students.
Contact: Donate
COV-Tutors
About: Though the name is a nod to its beginnings, founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, its tagline is “We’ve got you COV-ered.” The virtual tutors are high school and college students, and they provide one- to two hour Zoom sessions per week.
Age: Kindergarten to 12th grade
Subjects: Biology, chemistry, college essay writing, computer science, economics, English/grammar, math, physics and statistics
Contact: Register (currently accepting waitlist)
Young Leaders of Orange County
About: Started in 2011 by Helen Youn and her then-teenage daughter , Young Leaders of Orange County provides tutoring for low-income elementary and middle school students in Buena Park, La Palma, Fullerton, Stanton, La Mirada and Anaheim. During the pandemic, it’s been uploading YouTube lessons . Their first Zoom tutoring session starts Oct. 17, and they are planning more sessions for the future.
Age: Kindergarten to eighth grade
Subjects: Math, reading, art, music
Contact: Register ; volunteer ; donate
To submit other free tutoring resources that should be on this list, email ada.tseng@latimes.com.


latimes--2020-10-13--Firefighters battle small brush fire in Griffith Park area

Firefighters battled a small brush fire that broke out Monday night in the Griffith Park area .
The fire burned @ @ @ @ @ .
in Los Feliz .
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department , the fire @ @ @ @ @ .
Helicopters made water drops on the blaze , assisting firefighters on the ground .

Firefighters battled a small brush fire that broke out Monday night in the Griffith Park area.
The fire burned around 2311 N Hobart Blvd. in Los Feliz. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the fire was not threatening any homes.
Helicopters made water drops on the blaze, assisting firefighters on the ground.


latimes--2020-10-13--Meet L.A.'s firefighting robot. RS3 can battle flames too dangerous for humans

With its bright-yellow armored body , grippy tank-like treads , plow nose and water cannon , the Los Angeles Fire Department ’ s latest piece of equipment looks more like a Star Wars sidekick than a firefighting assistant .
But this mini robot tanker is an inferno buster that pack a powerful punch of water or foam and can go where firefighters otherwise can ’ t .
The LAFD on Tuesday became the first fire department in the nation to acquire the Robotics Systems 3 , a droid on steroids .
LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas said firefighters put their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This year , 11 LAFD crew members were severely injured when a fireball engulfed four downtown buildings after a massive explosion that was ignited by hazardous materials .
Now , firefighters can use RS3 as a safer alternative in battling potentially explosive blazes and it allows the department to get inside a burning building when humans could not dare enter safely .
“ I can afford to lose one of these wonderful machines , I can not afford to lose a firefighter , ” Terrazas said , admiring the control pad that remotely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning , as flames engulfed a pair of industrial textile buildings in downtown L.A. , firefighters did not enter alone .
RS3 rode shotgun for the first time , Terrazas said .
As more than 130 firefighters battled the blaze , the droid got its first run maneuvering inside a fire so dangerous that department officials pulled crews from within .
Terrazas said it used it plow front end to push its way into the burning structure .
The robotic vehicle the size of a Smart car can turn on a dime and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fires like the one Tuesday , the danger of collapse is such that firefighters have to pull back and go what they call defensive , spraying water from outside , Terrazas said .
That is often effective to a point .
But the RS3 is a “ game-changer , ” Terrazas said .
“ We can fight the fire from inside.
” It can blast of 2,500 gallons of water or foam per minute — enough power to knock someone off their feet .
Admiring the spray during a demonstration Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Terrazas said it can knock out walls and roofs .
“ You can turn the water cannon vertical and turn it into its own sprinkler system , ” he said .
“ It may make us rethink some of the ways we tackle fires when it ’ s available.
” It had its own RoboCop moment at Tuesday ’ s morning fire when it wheeled off the back of the trail and headed past firefighters up to the blaze .
LAFD Capt .
Erik Scott said firefighters who have seen everything over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off it .
The RS3 had been diverted from its trip to a planned demonstration at LAFD training facility near Dodger Stadium .
During a demonstration Tuesday , it unleashed thousands of gallons of water , pushed a Chevy Celebrity like a USC lineman with its plow and sped over an assault course of railroad ties with its grippy treads .
While designed for more urban uses , it is capable of ascending a 70-degree slope .
A firefighter can operate the robot remotely or can be tethered to it .
A heat-shielding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 10 hours .
And its 5,000-pound winch can tow up to 1,750 pounds .
The technology behind the department ’ s latest firefighting tool has been used in Iraq , Afghanistan and elsewhere around the globe .
Oil companies already enlist such flame terminators .
The chassis is patterned after U.S. Army robots — used to destroy improvised explosive devices — built by the same company , Howe and Howe Technologies , the brains behind the Ripsaw super tank .
The chassis , designed to help disarm IEDs , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found to be one of the most durable built .
It joins a fleet of other robots on the Los Angeles city roster , including the LAPD Bomb Squad ‘ s BatCat — a 39,000-pound remote-control vehicle that looks like a forklift truck on steroids and has a massive telescopic arm .
Like the BatCat , the RS3 can be the eyes and ears for its human counterparts in a potentially explosive situation .
With multiple high-definition video cameras as well as an infrared camera , it can help locate people and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RS3 can literally wheel right up to the heart of the fire .
The RS3 is also assigned to Fire Station 3 , one of Los Angeles ’ busiest , as part of the Urban Search and Rescue team .
L.A. City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez , the daughter of a firefighter who joined the department in the 1970s , said that she is amazed at the advances in safety since her father ’ s days fighting fires and that the machine makes the lives of firefighters so much safer .
“ Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innovations , ” she said , speaking alongside Terrazas .
Rodriguez noted it was not public funds but fundraising by the nonprofit LAFD Foundation that made the acquisition possible .
The money , she said , is much needed , “ particularly when our budget has been so slammed by COVID-19.
” The foundation raised $ 272,000 to purchase the first-of-its-kind robot , according to Terrazas .
The LAFD added a plow and a bunch of extra bells and whistles .
The major donors that funded the RS3 include the foundation of billionaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robots will be added to LAFD ranks remains to be decided .
Terrazas said this one can reach much of the city in a short period but given the size of Los Angeles , it does make some sense to consider staging others in locations across the metropolis .
But , he said , a lot of that depends on how things go with the new firefighting machine .

Capt. Jason Ortiz operates the Los Angeles Fire Department’s new Thermite RS3 Robotic Firefighting Vehicle at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center in Los Angeles on Oct. 13, 2020.
With its bright-yellow armored body, grippy tank-like treads, plow nose and water cannon, the Los Angeles Fire Department’s latest piece of equipment looks more like a Star Wars sidekick than a firefighting assistant.
But this mini robot tanker is an inferno buster that packs a powerful punch of water or foam and can go where firefighters otherwise can’t. The LAFD on Tuesday became the first fire department in the nation to acquire the Robotics Systems 3, a droid on steroids.
LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas said firefighters put their lives on the line when battling blazes. This year, 11 LAFD crew members were severely injured when a fireball engulfed four downtown buildings after a massive explosion that was ignited by hazardous materials.
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Now, firefighters can use RS3 as a safer alternative in battling potentially explosive blazes and it allows the department to get inside a burning building when humans could not dare enter safely.
“I can afford to lose one of these wonderful machines, I cannot afford to lose a firefighter,” Terrazas said, admiring the control pad that remotely operates the firefighting drone.
On Tuesday morning, as flames engulfed a pair of industrial textile buildings in downtown L.A., firefighters did not enter alone. RS3 rode shotgun for the first time, Terrazas said.
As more than 130 firefighters battled the blaze, the droid got its first run maneuvering inside a fire so dangerous that department officials pulled crews from within. Terrazas said it used it plow front end to push its way into the burning structure. The robotic vehicle the size of a Smart car can turn on a dime and fit through a set of double doors.
In fires like the one Tuesday, the danger of collapse is such that firefighters have to pull back and go what they call defensive, spraying water from outside, Terrazas said. That is often effective to a point.
But the RS3 is a “game-changer,” Terrazas said. “We can fight the fire from inside.”
It can blast of 2,500 gallons of water or foam per minute — enough power to knock someone off their feet. Admiring the spray during a demonstration Tuesday next to the LAFD training facility, Terrazas said it can knock out walls and roofs.
“You can turn the water cannon vertical and turn it into its own sprinkler system,” he said. “It may make us rethink some of the ways we tackle fires when it’s available.”
It had its own RoboCop moment at Tuesday’s morning fire when it wheeled off the back of the trailer and headed past firefighters up to the blaze. LAFD Capt. Erik Scott said firefighters who have seen everything over the years couldn’t keep their eyes off it. The RS3 had been diverted from its trip to a planned demonstration at the LAFD training facility near Dodger Stadium.
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During a demonstration Tuesday, it unleashed thousands of gallons of water, pushed a Chevy Celebrity like a USC lineman with its plow and sped over an assault course of railroad ties with its grippy treads. While designed for more urban uses, it is capable of ascending a 70-degree slope.
A firefighter can operate the robot remotely or can be tethered to it. A heat-shielding apparatus allows it to be operated for up to 10 hours. And its 5,000-pound winch can tow up to 1,750 pounds.
California Man vs. machine: L.A. sheriff’s deputies use robot to snatch rifle from barricaded suspect, end standoff An hours-long standoff in the darkness of the high desert came to a novel end when Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies used a robot to stealthily snatch a rifle from an attempted murder suspect, authorities said Thursday.
The technology behind the department’s latest firefighting tool has been used in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the globe. Oil companies already enlist such flame terminators.
The chassis is patterned after U.S. Army robots — used to destroy improvised explosive devices — built by the same company, Howe and Howe Technologies, the brains behind the Ripsaw super tank. The chassis, designed to help disarm IEDs, has been tested at Aberdeen Proving Grounds and was found to be one of the most durable built.
It joins a fleet of other robots on the city roster, including the Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad‘s BatCat — a 39,000-pound remote-control vehicle that looks like a forklift truck on steroids and has a massive telescopic arm.
Like the BatCat, the RS3 can be the eyes and ears for its human counterparts in a potentially explosive situation. With multiple high-definition video cameras as well as an infrared camera, it can help locate people and the source of flames. Terrazas said the RS3 can literally wheel right up to the heart of the fire.
The RS3 is also assigned to Fire Station 3, one of Los Angeles’ busiest, as part of the Urban Search and Rescue team.
L.A. City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, the daughter of a firefighter who joined the department in the 1970s, said that she is amazed at the advances in safety since her father’s days fighting fires and that the machine makes the lives of firefighters so much safer.
“Los Angeles continues to be at the forefront of innovations,” she said, speaking alongside Terrazas. Rodriguez noted it was not public funds but fundraising by the nonprofit LAFD Foundation that made the acquisition possible. The money, she said, is much needed, “particularly when our budget has been so slammed by COVID-19.”
The foundation raised $272,000 to purchase the first-of-its-kind robot, according to Terrazas. The LAFD added a plow and a bunch of extra bells and whistles. The major donors that funded the RS3 include the foundation of billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Whether more robots will be added to LAFD ranks remains to be decided. Terrazas said this one can reach much of the city in a short period but given the size of Los Angeles, it does make some sense to consider staging others in locations across the metropolis. But, he said, a lot of that depends on how things go with the new firefighting machine.


latimes--2020-10-13--Coronavirus outbreaks tied to gatherings, workplaces keep L.A. County from reopening

Los Angeles County public health officials said Tuesday that an uptick in coronavirus cases linked to social gatherings and workplace outbreaks is largely keeping the area from moving out of the state ’ s most restrictive tier for reopening .
While officials remain hopeful the county will be able to progress in California ’ s reopening plan in the coming weeks , the area is still firmly in Tier 1 , or the purple zone — one of only 10 counties in the state still considered to have a widespread risk of community transmission .
Though the county ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it has been hindered by a high number of coronavirus cases .
The metric has been driven largely by outbreaks from personal gatherings , Public Health Directors Barbara Ferrer said during a Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday .
“ The only way we get to Tier 2 is to really double down , ” Ferrer said about the county ’ s goal to move to the next tier .
“ We ’ re going to have to get used to living our lives with a different set of rules.
” Worksite outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more cases have also contributed to the county ’ s slight uptick in cases , which began around the end of September .
Such outbreaks come on the heels of a staggered reopening plan in which the county most recently allowed indoor shopping centers to resume operations last week .
Following the allowance of school waiver applications , Ferrer said that 59 schools have applied for reopening .
Only three , though , were completed and could be fully processed .
Additionally , more than 800 schools have reopened across the county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special-needs learning .
According to Ferrer , 72 % are public schools , a priority that county officials set following the waiver allowance .
Although L.A. County remains mostly at a standstill , a handful of counties were given the green light by state health officials Tuesday for further reopenings .
Colusa , Kern , Kings , San Benito , Stanislaus and Sutter counties moved from Tier 1 to Tier 2 , and Alameda , Placer and Santa Clara counties advanced from Tier 2 to Tier 3 .
Each of the four tiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents the risk of community spread of the virus .
“ This was hard-fought , ” Santa Clara County Public Health Director Dr. Sara Cody said during a news briefing Tuesday .
Santa Clara County was once California ’ s hotspot of coronavirus infections and saw a spike in transmission in mid-June , much like most counties throughout the state .
But in recent months , it has been able to mitigate the spread of the virus .
The county is currently recording 3.8 cases per 100,000 residents and a positivity rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lone region to advance to Tier 4 , joining seven other counties in the state ’ s least-restrictive category that allows most business operations to open with modifications .
The tiny county situated between the Tahoe and Plumas national forests has recorded only six confirmed cases of the coronavirus .
Unlike last week , none of the state ’ s 58 counties moved backward on the tiered system , but Riverside County faces that possibility .
The county is in Tier 2 — noted for a substantial risk of transmission — but an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and the positivity rate are troubling benchmarks , state health officials said .
County leaders have asked state officials to discuss whether the latest data would force the county to return to a more restrictive tier , State Health Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said during Tuesday ’ s briefing .
“ It isn ’ t an automatic thing , ” Ghaly said about a county ’ s regression in the tier system , which was implemented seven weeks ago .
If a county requests a delay , the state will work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The aim with the adjudication process is to make the case to the state that we can maintain our current status and still control COVID-19 in our communities , ” Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said .

Los Angeles County public health officials said Tuesday that an uptick in coronavirus cases linked to social gatherings and workplace outbreaks is largely keeping the area from moving out of the state’s most restrictive tier for reopening.
While officials remain hopeful the county will be able to progress in California’s reopening plan in the coming weeks, the area is still firmly in Tier 1, or the purple zone — one of only 10 counties in the state still considered to have a widespread risk of community transmission.
Though the county’s positivity rate has dropped to 3.7%, it has been hindered by a high number of coronavirus cases. The metric has been driven largely by outbreaks from personal gatherings, Public Health Directors Barbara Ferrer said during a Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.
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“The only way we get to Tier 2 is to really double down,” Ferrer said about the county’s goal to move to the next tier. “We’re going to have to get used to living our lives with a different set of rules.”
Worksite outbreaks where there is a cluster of three or more cases have also contributed to the county’s slight uptick in cases, which began around the end of September. Such outbreaks come on the heels of a staggered reopening plan in which the county most recently allowed indoor shopping centers to resume operations last week.
Following the allowance of school waiver applications, Ferrer said that 59 schools have applied for reopening. Only three, though, were completed and could be fully processed.
Additionally, more than 800 schools have reopened across the county to accommodate roughly 1,800 students with in-person special-needs learning. According to Ferrer, 72% are public schools, a priority that county officials set following the waiver allowance.
Although L.A. County remains mostly at a standstill, a handful of counties were given the green light by state health officials Tuesday for further reopenings. Colusa, Kern, Kings, San Benito, Stanislaus and Sutter counties moved from Tier 1 to Tier 2, and Alameda, Placer and Santa Clara counties advanced from Tier 2 to Tier 3. Each of the four tiers in the state’s color-coded blueprint represents the risk of community spread of the virus.
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“This was hard-fought,” Santa Clara County Public Health Director Dr. Sara Cody said during a news briefing Tuesday.
Santa Clara County was once California’s hotspot of coronavirus infections and saw a spike in transmission in mid-June, much like most counties throughout the state. But in recent months, it has been able to mitigate the spread of the virus. The county is currently recording 3.8 cases per 100,000 residents and a positivity rate of 1.7%.
Sierra County was the lone region to advance to Tier 4, joining seven other counties in the state’s least-restrictive category that allows most business operations to open with modifications. The tiny county situated between the Tahoe and Plumas national forests has recorded only six confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
Unlike last week, none of the state’s 58 counties moved backward on the tiered system, but Riverside County faces that possibility.
The county is in Tier 2 — noted for a substantial risk of transmission — but an increase in both the average number of cases and the positivity rate are troubling benchmarks, state health officials said. County leaders have asked state officials to discuss whether the latest data would force the county to return to a more restrictive tier, State Health Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said during Tuesday’s briefing.
“It isn’t an automatic thing,” Ghaly said about a county’s regression in the tier system, which was implemented seven weeks ago. If a county requests a delay, the state will work to resolve any questions within a week.
“The aim with the adjudication process is to make the case to the state that we can maintain our current status and still control COVID-19 in our communities,” Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said.


latimes--2020-10-13--Ridley-Thomas sends Yoo cease-and-desist letter over attack website

The race to represent parts of South L.A. and Koreatown on the Los Angeles City Council is turning acrimonious following the launch of an attack website and accusations of cybersquatting .
Grace Yoo , a candidate for the Council District 10 seat , last week launched MarkRidleyThomas.com , which criticizes Yoo ’ s rival in the race , L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas .
The site includes news coverage of the supervisor , including a Times story about a probe involving his son and donations to USC .
The site also attacks the supervisor for not ruling out a potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s team responded by sending Yoo a cease-and-desist letter that accuses her of “ cybserquatting ” and defaming him with the website .
“ You have intentionally prevented our client from registering a website domain name in his own personal name , ” wrote Stephen J. Kaufman , attorney for Ridley-Thomas , in an Oct. 9 letter .
“ And , by illegally setting up this website , you have confused and lured unsuspecting members of the public who were seeking to access online information from our client to your own fraudulent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false and defamatory statements about Supervisor Ridley-Thomas.
” Ridley-Thomas and Yoo were the top vote-getters in the March election , pushing them into a November runoff for the 10th District , which stretches from Koreatown to the Crenshaw Corridor and takes in such neighborhoods as West Adams and Mid-City .
The race is turning out to be an insider vs. outside face-off , with Ridley-Thomas highlighting his decades-long experience in political office and Yoo casting herself as a fighter for regular citizens .
“ Defamatory ?
Give me a break , ” Yoo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that it isn ’ t run by Ridley-Thomas .
Yoo said she registered the domain name in May 2020 after discovering it was available .
Ridley-Thomas ’ attorney also last week sent a letter to the director of the city ’ s Ethics Commission , accusing Yoo ’ s campaign of failing to file in a timely manner copies of campaign materials with the city .
The letter was provided by Ridley-Thomas ’ campaign .
City law requires candidates that send out campaign advertisements to 200 people or more to file copies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours .
Yoo distributed door hangers , lawn signs and digital advertisements in late September but failed to report them to the city , according to Kaufman ’ s letter .
“ We , therefore , request that the city Ethics Commission investigate and prosecute these violations of the city ’ s campaign disclosure laws , ” Kaufman wrote .
Yoo said Tuesday that she reported the digital advertisement with the city in a timely fashion .
Yoo said the door hangers were left over from the primary race .
She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the distribution of those hangers during the primary , but is investigating whether she needs to file additional documents .
She said the lawn signs were also left over from the primary and she gave out less than 120 of them .
Ridley-Thomas campaign manager Fernando Ramirez called Yoo ’ s conduct “ unethical and deceptive.
” She refuses to disclose her campaign activities as legally required and launches this deceptive website , ” Ramirez said .

L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas sent a cease-and-desist letter to Grace Yoo, his rival in the race for City Council District 10, over a new attack website launched by Yoo.
The race to represent parts of South L.A. and Koreatown on the Los Angeles City Council is turning acrimonious following the launch of an attack website and accusations of cybersquatting.
Grace Yoo, a candidate for the Council District 10 seat, last week launched MarkRidleyThomas.com, which criticizes Yoo’s rival in the race, L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. The site includes news coverage of the supervisor, including a Times story about a probe involving his son and donations to USC. The site also attacks the supervisor for not ruling out a potential run for mayor in 2022.
Ridley-Thomas’s team responded by sending Yoo a cease-and-desist letter that accuses her of “cybserquatting” and defaming him with the website.
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“You have intentionally prevented our client from registering a website domain name in his own personal name,” wrote Stephen J. Kaufman, attorney for Ridley-Thomas, in an Oct. 9 letter.
“And, by illegally setting up this website, you have confused and lured unsuspecting members of the public who were seeking to access online information from our client to your own fraudulent website in order to assault them with false and defamatory statements about Supervisor Ridley-Thomas.”
Ridley-Thomas and Yoo were the top vote-getters in the March election, pushing them into a November runoff for the 10th District, which stretches from Koreatown to the Crenshaw Corridor and takes in such neighborhoods as West Adams and Mid-City.
The race is turning out to be an insider vs. outside face-off, with Ridley-Thomas highlighting his decades-long experience in political office and Yoo casting herself as a fighter for regular citizens.
Reached Tuesday, Yoo dismissed Kaufman’s letter.
“Defamatory? Give me a break,” Yoo said. She said the website makes clear that it isn’t run by Ridley-Thomas. Yoo said she registered the domain name in May 2020 after discovering it was available.
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Ridley-Thomas’ attorney also last week sent a letter to the director of the city’s Ethics Commission, accusing Yoo’s campaign of failing to file in a timely manner copies of campaign materials with the city. The letter was provided by Ridley-Thomas’ campaign.
Grace Yoo, shown in 2014, said the website she set up is not defamatory. (Anne Cusack, Los Angeles Times)
City law requires candidates that send out campaign advertisements to 200 people or more to file copies of those advertisements with the city within 24 hours. Yoo distributed door hangers, lawn signs and digital advertisements in late September but failed to report them to the city, according to Kaufman’s letter.
“We, therefore, request that the city Ethics Commission investigate and prosecute these violations of the city’s campaign disclosure laws,” Kaufman wrote.
Yoo said Tuesday that she reported the digital advertisement with the city in a timely fashion.
Yoo said the door hangers were left over from the primary race. She said she already filed documents with the city about the distribution of those hangers during the primary, but is investigating whether she needs to file additional documents.
She said the lawn signs were also left over from the primary and she gave out less than 120 of them.
Ridley-Thomas campaign manager Fernando Ramirez called Yoo’s conduct “unethical and deceptive.” She refuses to disclose her campaign activities as legally required and launches this deceptive website,” Ramirez said.


latimes--2020-10-13--Is this the first Death Valley murder in modern memory?

Authorities say they have arrested a suspect in a shooting death that may be Death Valley National Park ’ s first murder in years .
Park officials said the shooting happened along the eastern edge of the park near the community of Amargosa Valley , Nev .
The suspect is Zachary Salyer , a 34-year-old resident of Amargosa Valley , the National Park Service said .
The NPS reported that Salyer called the Nye County , Nev. , sheriff ’ s office on Sunday at 7:15 a.m. to say that he had shot someone .
Salyer told authorities the victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amargosa , the NPS said .
The inyo County Coroner ’ s Office identified the victim as Charles Cherrier , 58 , of Amargosa Valley , Nev. Arrested by the Inyo County Sheriff ’ s Office , Salyer was charged with first-degree murder and taken to the Inyo County Jail.
, with bail set at $ 1 million , the NPS said .
An Inyo Sheriff ’ s spokesman Carma Roper said the investigation remains open and that the victim and a car were found at the scene .
Named for the hardships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century , the thinly populated , 3.4-million-acre Death Valley National Park reaches across the California-Nevada border .
Park spokeswoman Abby Wines said most deaths in the park are attributed to car accidents , medical events , heat exposure or suicide .
As for homicides , Wines said , “ we haven ’ t had any since we ’ ve been on digital records .
Basically , no one can remember the last time we had a homicide in the park .
I ’ ve been here 15 years .
”

Authorities say they have arrested a suspect in a shooting death that may be Death Valley National Park’s first murder in years.
Park officials said the shooting happened along the eastern edge of the park near the community of Amargosa Valley, Nev. The suspect is Zachary Salyer, a 34-year-old resident of Amargosa Valley, the National Park Service said.
The NPS reported that Salyer called the Nye County, Nev., sheriff’s office on Sunday at 7:15 a.m. to say that he had shot someone.
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Salyer told authorities the victim was on a dry lake bed in Amargosa, the NPS said.
A car found at the scene. (Nye County Sheriff’s Office)
The inyo County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Charles Cherrier, 58, of Amargosa Valley, Nev.
Arrested by the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, Salyer was charged with first-degree murder and taken to the Inyo County Jail., with bail set at $1 million, the NPS said. An Inyo Sheriff’s spokesman Carma Roper said the investigation remains open and that the victim and a car were found at the scene.
Named for the hardships that westbound settlers suffered in the 19th century, the thinly populated, 3.4-million-acre Death Valley National Park reaches across the California-Nevada border. Park spokeswoman Abby Wines said most deaths in the park are attributed to car accidents, medical events, heat exposure or suicide.
As for homicides, Wines said, “we haven’t had any since we’ve been on digital records. Basically, no one can remember the last time we had a homicide in the park. I’ve been here 15 years.”


latimes--2020-10-13--Fiery Halloween decor prompts multiple emergency calls

In California , few things are more terrifying than fire — which may be why one Riverside family thought it would make for perfect Halloween decor .
Carmen and Travis Long said their home ’ s realistic flame display , part of a “ Pirates of the Caribbean '' -themed creation , was born from their love of the decorative holiday .
But some passersby have found it so scary that they have called the Fire Department .
“ They ’ ve done a pretty significant Halloween decorating job , ” said Phil Pitchford , spokesman for the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire Department has received five separate calls about the display since Oct. 3 , and even “ rolled an engine out there once.
” The Fire Department has since made a note in its dispatch system so if a call about flames comes in at that address , officials will know it ’ s “ the house that everybody thinks is on fire but actually is not , ” Pitchford said .
Despite the home ’ s alarming glow , it ’ s all smiles for the homeowners and their neighbors .
Firefighters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realistic display , which includes smoke , billowing orange curtains and sound effects .
The show goes on from 7 to 9 p.m. every Friday through Sunday at Chapman Place and Magnolia Avenue , and at least 300 people turn out to view the display each night , the family said .
Carmen Long told ABC-TV Channel 7 she was happy they could “ help bring a little Halloween joy for everyone ” during a particularly challenging year .
Holiday visitors have become somewhat of a tradition for the neighborhood .
Pitchford said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas decorations as well .

In California, few things are more terrifying than fire — which may be why one Riverside family thought it would make for perfect Halloween decor.
Carmen and Travis Long said their home’s realistic flame display, part of a “Pirates of the Caribbean”-themed creation, was born from their love of the decorative holiday. But some passersby have found it so scary that they have called the Fire Department.
“They’ve done a pretty significant Halloween decorating job,” said Phil Pitchford, spokesman for the city of Riverside, who noted that the Riverside Fire Department has received five separate calls about the display since Oct. 3, and even “rolled an engine out there once.”
The Fire Department has since made a note in its dispatch system so if a call about flames comes in at that address, officials will know it’s “the house that everybody thinks is on fire but actually is not,” Pitchford said.
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A raging inferno in #riverside
But this fire is all fun. 🔥
The make believe blaze so real the fire department has been called several times.
See the fiery show and meet the creators at 11pm @ABC7 #Halloween #halloweendecorations pic.twitter.com/0CtB5RjerS — Leanne Suter (@abc7leanne) October 11, 2020
Despite the home’s alarming glow, it’s all smiles for the homeowners and their neighbors. Firefighters have even congratulated the family on their realistic display, which includes smoke, billowing orange curtains and sound effects.
The show goes on from 7 to 9 p.m. every Friday through Sunday at Chapman Place and Magnolia Avenue, and at least 300 people turn out to view the display each night, the family said.
Carmen Long told ABC-TV Channel 7 she was happy they could “help bring a little Halloween joy for everyone” during a particularly challenging year.
Holiday visitors have become somewhat of a tradition for the neighborhood. Pitchford said the block is renowned for its annual Christmas decorations as well.


latimes--2020-10-13--Here's the latest on when schools can reopen in L.A. County

Unfortunately , there ’ s no simple answer in Los Angeles County to the pressing question : When will my child ’ s school reopen ?
Much depends on public health guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic , and on decisions by leaders of the county ’ s 80 school districts .
Here are the issues at play in what is emerging as a confusing patchwork of rules and policies .
What determines whether a school can reopen for in-person instruction ?
Under state rules , all campuses can open for all students 14 days after a county enters the red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s system for determining the level of coronavirus restrictions .
But L.A. County health authorities can impose further restrictions that would delay campus reopenings .
For now , L.A. County remains in the purple — or first — tier meaning that campuses can not reopen for all students .
For a county to enter the next tier — the red — it must qualify for this tier for two weeks .
Once the county is officially in the red tier , it must stay in that tier for two more weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could restart the clock .
For L.A. County , this means campuses could not reopen until well into November at this time .
But it may be later due to continuing high infection rates or county discretion .
Once campuses do reopen , however , they can remain open unless an outbreak at a school or multiple district schools is severe enough to warrant closing .
What are the exceptions that allow some students to return to campus ?
The exceptions apply to childcare , camps , athletics and some other activities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elementary schools that successfully apply for waivers .
Small groups : A school can bring back up to 10 % of students on campus at a time if they have special needs , such as students with disabilities or students who are learning English — both groups have suffered particularly without in-person contact with teachers or specialists who provide services .
School officials have some latitude in defining special needs .
In L.A. Unified , for example , an Oct. 8 agreement between the teachers union and school district also designates gifted students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the union .
Also , more than 10 % of students can be served , provided that only 10 % are on campus at any given time .
Parents should contact their teacher and school to see if their child qualifies for special services in person .
The demand for these services is likely to surpass the availability .
Parents may need to be assertive or enlist the help of advocacy groups , some of which are listed lower in this article .
Childcare/camp : A school can offer childcare that looks a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in another location interacting with students online while a different adult supervises the students in person .
The class is still conducted remotely , online — even if the students are in a classroom .
Waivers : Schools can apply for waivers to resume in-person instruction for kindergarten and first and second grades .
This exception recognizes that younger children have particular difficulties with online learning .
Schools are not required to apply for waivers .
L.A. County has imposed waiver conditions beyond what the state is requiring .
Although the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth grade , L.A. County is stopping at second grade .
The county also is prioritizing schools with higher numbers of low-income families .
Finally , the county requires agreement from all labor unions at a school or district — and consent from a majority of employees when there are no unions .
The county has committed to processing about 30 waiver requests per week , with the first approvals expected toward the end of October .
Non-union private schools , including schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles , are expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permitted by the school district , students can come on campus in small groups for individual conditioning exercises outdoors — following protocols on physical distancing .
They can not take part in group activities or play team sports .
The protocols for athletics also could apply to other group activities , such as cheer or dance teams or marching bands .
L.A. Unified has been more restrictive than some other school systems in L.A. County on this front ; voluntary sports conditioning won ’ t begin before Nov. 2 , according to tentative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applying for waivers so far ?
The vast majority of applications are from private schools .
As of Oct. 9 , the county had received 50 applications : 43 from private schools ; one from a charter school ; and six from traditional public schools , representing more than one school system .
What ’ s going on in L.A. Unified ?
One-on-one tutoring officially began Oct. 5 — eight weeks into the school year .
The agreement reached by the district and teachers union does not cover small-group instruction for students with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are offering or preparing to offer .
L.A. Unified and union officials stress the need to work through ongoing safety issues , while some advocates assert that L.A. Unified should be helping more students receive in-person instruction .
It ’ s not clear whether enough teachers will volunteer to meet the demands for tutoring .
L.A. Unified has not applied for waivers .
The nation ’ s second-largest school system is not alone in its cautious approach .
Long Beach Unified , the county ’ s second-largest district , already has ruled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the county permits it .
L.A. Unified has not ruled out an earlier return to campus .
Long Beach is , however , planning to move forward with small-group instruction for students with special needs .
Does there need to be COVID-19 testing before students can return to campus ?
The county does not require it , but your school or school district might .
L.A. Unified has set up a testing program , and it expects students to take two tests — one for baseline research — and a second test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , it ’ s not clear how often testing will take place .
It ’ s also not clear if a district can legally require all students to be tested , but L.A. Unified will continue to provide online-only instruction for families who decline COVID-19 testing or who don ’ t wish to return to campus .
All school systems must provide an online-only option for the current school year .
Does my school have to offer tutoring or small-group classes for students with special needs ?
No .
That is up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What is the role of unions in these decisions ?
Unions have the right in California to negotiate over working conditions , such as amended rules for safety and teaching during the pandemic .
If talks fail in a typical contract negotiation , an employer can impose a labor agreement and a union can strike .
The coronavirus-related legal parameters are uncertain .
Why is my school closed and one down the street appears to be open ?
Different schools and districts can make their own decisions about whether to offer tutoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs .
Some private organizations are offering childcare or camps on school sites , and some look more like regular school than others .
In some cases , parents and teachers have questioned the legality of schools that appear to be providing in-person classes simply by calling it something else .
There ’ s a number to call if you feel a school is violating health orders : ( 888 ) 700-9995 .
If the infection rate in my neighborhood is low compared with the rate in other places , will my neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Probably not .
The county , so far , is not inclined to open schools in a piecemeal fashion .
Health officials have noted that school employees — and many students — are likely to come from outside the neighborhood in which a school is located .
For the L.A. school system , whom can I contact to help me advocate for my child ?
Here are a sampling of groups that advocate for students and parents : Within the district , contact the office of your school board member or the Parent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with L.A. Unified-authorized charter schools , contact the charter division .
If you have additional questions to which you ’ d like us to find answers , please send an email to howard.blume @ latimes.com .
We also welcome your input in keeping this information accurate and up to date .

Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer in Los Angeles County to the pressing question: When will my child’s school reopen?
Much depends on public health guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic, and on decisions by leaders of the county’s 80 school districts. Here are the issues at play in what is emerging as a confusing patchwork of rules and policies.
What determines whether a school can reopen for in-person instruction?
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Under state rules, all campuses can open for all students 14 days after a county enters the red — or second — tier in the state’s system for determining the level of coronavirus restrictions. But L.A. County health authorities can impose further restrictions that would delay campus reopenings.
For now, L.A. County remains in the purple — or first — tier meaning that campuses cannot reopen for all students. For a county to enter the next tier — the red — it must qualify for this tier for two weeks. Once the county is officially in the red tier, it must stay in that tier for two more weeks before schools can reopen. A setback could restart the clock.
For L.A. County, this means campuses could not reopen until well into November at this time. But it may be later due to continuing high infection rates or county discretion.
Once campuses do reopen, however, they can remain open unless an outbreak at a school or multiple district schools is severe enough to warrant closing.
What are the exceptions that allow some students to return to campus?
The exceptions apply to childcare, camps, athletics and some other activities, small groups with special needs, and elementary schools that successfully apply for waivers.
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Small groups: A school can bring back up to 10% of students on campus at a time if they have special needs, such as students with disabilities or students who are learning English — both groups have suffered particularly without in-person contact with teachers or specialists who provide services.
School officials have some latitude in defining special needs. In L.A. Unified, for example, an Oct. 8 agreement between the teachers union and school district also designates gifted students as having special needs, according to the union.
Also, more than 10% of students can be served, provided that only 10% are on campus at any given time. Parents should contact their teacher and school to see if their child qualifies for special services in person. The demand for these services is likely to surpass the availability. Parents may need to be assertive or enlist the help of advocacy groups, some of which are listed lower in this article.
Childcare/camp: A school can offer childcare that looks a lot like school, except the teacher is in another location interacting with students online while a different adult supervises the students in person. The class is still conducted remotely, online — even if the students are in a classroom.
Waivers: Schools can apply for waivers to resume in-person instruction for kindergarten and first and second grades. This exception recognizes that younger children have particular difficulties with online learning. Schools are not required to apply for waivers.
L.A. County has imposed waiver conditions beyond what the state is requiring. Although the state allows waivers to open in-person classes through sixth grade, L.A. County is stopping at second grade. The county also is prioritizing schools with higher numbers of low-income families. Finally, the county requires agreement from all labor unions at a school or district — and consent from a majority of employees when there are no unions.
The county has committed to processing about 30 waiver requests per week, with the first approvals expected toward the end of October.
Non-union private schools, including schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, are expected to pursue waivers actively.
Athletics: If permitted by the school district, students can come on campus in small groups for individual conditioning exercises outdoors — following protocols on physical distancing. They cannot take part in group activities or play team sports. The protocols for athletics also could apply to other group activities, such as cheer or dance teams or marching bands.
L.A. Unified has been more restrictive than some other school systems in L.A. County on this front; voluntary sports conditioning won’t begin before Nov. 2, according to tentative plans released on Oct 8.
Who is applying for waivers so far?
The vast majority of applications are from private schools. As of Oct. 9, the county had received 50 applications: 43 from private schools; one from a charter school; and six from traditional public schools, representing more than one school system.
What’s going on in L.A. Unified?
One-on-one tutoring officially began Oct. 5 — eight weeks into the school year.
The agreement reached by the district and teachers union does not cover small-group instruction for students with special needs, which some other districts are offering or preparing to offer. L.A. Unified and union officials stress the need to work through ongoing safety issues, while some advocates assert that L.A. Unified should be helping more students receive in-person instruction. It’s not clear whether enough teachers will volunteer to meet the demands for tutoring.
L.A. Unified has not applied for waivers.
The nation’s second-largest school system is not alone in its cautious approach. Long Beach Unified, the county’s second-largest district, already has ruled out a general reopening before January, even if the county permits it. L.A. Unified has not ruled out an earlier return to campus.
Long Beach is, however, planning to move forward with small-group instruction for students with special needs.
California Students are creating free tutoring services to help during COVID-19 High school and college students are volunteering to address the educational gap between those who can afford private tutors and those who can’t.
Does there need to be COVID-19 testing before students can return to campus?
The county does not require it, but your school or school district might. L.A. Unified has set up a testing program, and it expects students to take two tests — one for baseline research — and a second test before returning to on-campus instruction. After that, it’s not clear how often testing will take place.
It’s also not clear if a district can legally require all students to be tested, but L.A. Unified will continue to provide online-only instruction for families who decline COVID-19 testing or who don’t wish to return to campus. All school systems must provide an online-only option for the current school year.
Does my school have to offer tutoring or small-group classes for students with special needs?
No. That is up to the local school or school district.
What is the role of unions in these decisions?
Unions have the right in California to negotiate over working conditions, such as amended rules for safety and teaching during the pandemic. If talks fail in a typical contract negotiation, an employer can impose a labor agreement and a union can strike. The coronavirus-related legal parameters are uncertain.
Why is my school closed and one down the street appears to be open?
Different schools and districts can make their own decisions about whether to offer tutoring and small-group instruction for students with special needs. Some private organizations are offering childcare or camps on school sites, and some look more like regular school than others.
In some cases, parents and teachers have questioned the legality of schools that appear to be providing in-person classes simply by calling it something else.
There’s a number to call if you feel a school is violating health orders: (888) 700-9995.
If the infection rate in my neighborhood is low compared with the rate in other places, will my neighborhood school be allowed to reopen sooner?
Probably not. The county, so far, is not inclined to open schools in a piecemeal fashion. Health officials have noted that school employees — and many students — are likely to come from outside the neighborhood in which a school is located.
For the L.A. school system, whom can I contact to help me advocate for my child?
Here are a sampling of groups that advocate for students and parents:
Within the district, contact the office of your school board member or the Parent and Community Services branch. For issues with L.A. Unified-authorized charter schools, contact the charter division.
If you have additional questions to which you’d like us to find answers, please send an email to howard.blume@latimes.com. We also welcome your input in keeping this information accurate and up to date.


latimes--2020-10-13--Californians shouldn't trick-or-treat this Halloween, state health officials say

State health officials are advising Californians to skip trick-or-treating this Halloween , though their new guidelines , released Tuesday , stop short of prohibiting the activity amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
The guidelines come as trick-or-treaters ready their costumes for Oct. 31 , which this year falls on a Saturday , increasing the likelihood of gatherings .
Health officials voiced concerns that it ’ s not possible to practice social distancing while trick-or-treating and that Día de los Muertos and Halloween celebrations would lead to people interacting with those from outside their households .
State officials are strongly discouraging trick-or-treating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as costume contests and pumpkin carving , move online .
They recommended that families go on a walk while dressed up but forgo going door-to-door for candy .
“ This is a recommendation , ” California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday .
“ Does that mean that trick-or-treaters will see some enforcement ?
Absolutely not .
We don ’ t want to turn certainly what is a celebration and a time of joy into something that is difficult or contentious , but we also recognize the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks and why we recommend strongly that we do Halloween differently than we have in the past.
” The state on Friday released holiday prohibiting gatherings among more than three households and urging residents who choose to socialize with other families to do so with a consistent group in order to reduce the risk of transmission .
The guidelines also note that interacting at multiple gatherings with different households or groups is “ strongly discouraged.
” The state had previously warned residents against mingling with members of any other households , but those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to abide by as people look to spend holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas together .
Ghaly said Tuesday that the state has to be realistic in its expectation that residents will want to gather during the holiday season and added that providing guidance on how to limit exposure in those cases is important .
“ We want to carry through this difficult time for transmission with flu , colder weather , more potential for gatherings , and that we come out of it with continued reduced cases and that we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the country are experiencing , ” Ghaly said .
Last month , Los Angeles County public health officials prohibited trick-or-treating ; following blowback , they revised the guidance a day later to say the activity was “ not recommended.
” All Halloween gatherings with people outside of a household , including haunted houses , will be barred in Los Angeles County , regardless of the state ’ s rules allowing gatherings of up to three households .
Ghaly noted Tuesday that counties can implement guidelines that are more restrictive than those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictive .
California is experiencing a respite from COVID-19 ; hospitalizations and deaths have dropped to the lowest levels seen in months .
In addition , the positivity rate , which measures the percentage of tests for the virus that come back positive , is at an all-time low of 2.7 % , according to .
The declining numbers have allowed more counties to reopen businesses and loosen restrictions on restaurants , movie theaters and gyms .
But Gov .
Gavin Newsom has warned residents to remain vigilant , emphasizing that the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , could create challenges in the state .
“ We are entering into the holidays , but also we ’ re entering into the part of the year when things cool down and people are more likely to congregate ... in settings that put their physical proximity and likelihood of transmitting disease at higher risk , ” Newsom said Monday .
“ Don ’ t be misled that this disease is any less deadly .
Quite the contrary — it is as deadly as it ’ s ever been in the context of @ @ @ @ @ @

State health officials are advising Californians to skip trick-or-treating this Halloween, though their new guidelines, released Tuesday, stop short of prohibiting the activity amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The guidelines come as trick-or-treaters ready their costumes for Oct. 31, which this year falls on a Saturday, increasing the likelihood of gatherings.
Health officials voiced concerns that it’s not possible to practice social distancing while trick-or-treating and that Día de los Muertos and Halloween celebrations would lead to interaction with people from outside one’s household. State officials are strongly discouraging trick-or-treating and suggested that some Halloween activities, such as costume contests and pumpkin carving, move online. They recommended that families go on a walk while dressed up but forgo stopping door-to-door for candy.
“This is a recommendation,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday. “Does that mean that trick-or-treaters will see some enforcement? Absolutely not. We don’t want to turn certainly what is a celebration and a time of joy into something that is difficult or contentious, but we also recognize the need to provide a clear understanding of the risks and why we recommend strongly that we do Halloween differently than we have in the past.”
The state on Friday released holiday guidelines prohibiting gatherings among more than three households and urging residents who choose to socialize with other families to do so with a consistent group in order to reduce the risk of transmission. The guidelines also note that interacting at multiple gatherings with different households or groups is “strongly discouraged.”
The state had previously warned residents against mingling with members of any other households, but those restrictions are likely to become even more difficult to abide by as people look to spend holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas together.
Ghaly said Tuesday that the state has to be realistic in its expectation that residents will want to gather during the holiday season and added that providing guidance on how to limit exposure in those cases is important.
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“We want to carry through this difficult time for transmission with flu, colder weather, more potential for gatherings, and that we come out of it with continued reduced cases and that we don’t see that surge that other parts of the country are experiencing,” Ghaly said.
Last month, Los Angeles County public health officials prohibited trick-or-treating; following blowback, they revised the guidance a day later to say the activity was “not recommended.” All Halloween gatherings with people outside of a household, including haunted houses, will be barred in Los Angeles County, regardless of the state’s rules allowing gatherings of up to three households. Ghaly noted Tuesday that counties can implement guidelines that are more restrictive than those of the state, but not less restrictive.
California is experiencing a respite from COVID-19; hospitalizations and deaths have dropped to the lowest levels seen in months. In addition, the positivity rate, which measures the percentage of tests for the virus that come back positive, is at an all-time low of 2.7%, according to state data .
The declining numbers have allowed more counties to reopen businesses and loosen restrictions on restaurants, movie theaters and gyms.
But Gov. Gavin Newsom has warned residents to remain vigilant, emphasizing that the coronavirus, coupled with the upcoming flu season, could create challenges in the state.
“We are entering into the holidays, but also we’re entering into the part of the year when things cool down and people are more likely to congregate ... in settings that put their physical proximity and likelihood of transmitting disease at higher risk,” Newsom said Monday. “Don’t be misled that this disease is any less deadly. Quite the contrary — it is as deadly as it’s ever been in the context of those that are high-risk.”


latimes--2020-10-13--How did we make our 2020 election endorsements? Ask our Editorial Board

With the 2020 election just weeks away , millions of voters across California have important decisions to make as they fill out their ballots .
One of the ways the L.A.Times aims to help voters is to make endorsements for state and local races that matter most to Californians .
This year ’ s endorsements include the presidential race , one congressional race , 12 statewide ballot measures and several Los Angeles city , county and school contests .
Writing these endorsements , which provide readers with our Editorial Board ’ s thoughts on why to vote yes or no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process that involves hours and hours of interviews , research and debate .
Editorial Page Editor Sewell Chan and seven other members of the Editorial Board are hosting a live video event to explain how they made their choices this year .
Join us Wednesday , Oct. 14 , at 6 p.m. for a discussion with them about their 2020 endorsements .
Times subscribers will get special access to the free event that will allow them to participate in polls and share their questions with members of the Editorial Board .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the event here .
Nonsubscribers can watch the event on Twitter , Facebook and YouTube .
If you ’ re not a Times subscriber , register here .
The virtual meetup is the latest installment in The Times ’ Ask a Reporter series , where staffers explain how they do their jobs during conversations with readers .

With the 2020 election just weeks away, millions of voters across California have important decisions to make as they fill out their ballots.
One of the ways the L.A.Times aims to help voters is to make endorsements for state and local races that matter most to Californians. This year’s endorsements include the presidential race, one congressional race, 12 statewide ballot measures and several Los Angeles city, county and school contests.
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Writing these endorsements, which provide readers with our Editorial Board’s thoughts on why to vote yes or no on an issue, is a monthslong process that involves hours and hours of interviews, research and debate.
Editorial Page Editor Sewell Chan and seven other members of the Editorial Board hosted a live video event to explain how they made their choices this year.
The event, on Wednesday, Oct. 14, was a discussion with them about their 2020 endorsements. Times subscribers got special access to the free event that allowed them to participate in polls and share their questions with members of the Editorial Board.
The virtual meetup was the latest installment in The Times’ Ask a Reporter series, where staffers explain how they do their jobs during conversations with readers.


latimes--2020-10-13--L.A. County to pay out $14 million over unlawful immigration holds

Los Angeles County on Tuesday agreed to pay out $ 14 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that the Sheriff ’ s Department routinely held people in jail beyond their release dates solely because of pending immigration investigations .
More than 18,500 people who were held illegally for days , weeks or months from October 2010 to June 2014 because of requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement could qualify for a share of the settlement , attorneys for the plaintiffs said .
The Sheriff ’ s Department agreed to stop honoring detainer requests in 2014 .
“ It should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement agencies around the country who continue to blindly comply with ICE ’ s requests that are patently unlawful , ” said Jennie Pasquarella , an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union who represented the plaintiffs .
Lindsay Battles , another attorney for the plaintiffs , said the case is significant because it establishes that for years , the Sheriff ’ s Department “ callously denied immigrants constitutional protections that universally apply to all other jail detainees — including the right to post bail and the right to be released from custody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrestee or jail detainee.
” The ACLU said that each class member is eligible to receive from $ 250 to $ 25,000 , depending in part on how long they were held .
Any leftover money will go toward programs that provide legal aid to people in L.A. County facing immigration consequences because of an arrest or conviction , plaintiffs ’ attorneys said .
The lawsuit was filed against former Sheriff Lee Baca in 2012 by British filmmaker Duncan Roy , who said he spent nearly three months in L.A. County jails without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 arrest .
Roy said that the Sheriff ’ s Department denied his requests to post $ 35,000 bail because of an ICE hold .
A federal judge concluded in 2018 that holding inmates beyond their release dates under civil immigration detainers violated their 4th Amendment rights .
A judge still needs to sign off on the settlement agreement , which was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday .
The Sheriff ’ s Department ’ s policies and practices have changed significantly since the lawsuit was filed .
Sheriff Alex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be paid by the county ’ s general fund , not out of the Sheriff ’ s Department budget , arguing that it ’ s not fair to slap his department for the mistakes of previous sheriffs when he has been proactive about keeping ICE out of the jails .
“ Both sheriffs , Baca and [ Jim ] McDonnell , they cooperated with ICE , ICE was in the facilities , they facilitated the transfers of inmates to ICE ’ s custody , ” Villanueva told the board .
“ I kicked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned all transfers of inmates to custody of ICE.
” Villanueva stopped the Sheriff ’ s Department ’ s participation in a federal grant that required sending federal officials personal information about inmates who were in the country illegally .
In April , he put a moratorium on ICE transfers over concerns about conditions at immigration detention facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic .
He made the moratorium permanent in August , banning inmate transfers to ICE unless the federal agency obtained a judicial warrant .

British filmmaker Duncan Roy, right, in 2012 announces a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of arrestees who said they were improperly denied bail because of federal immigration holds.
Los Angeles County on Tuesday agreed to pay out $14 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that the Sheriff’s Department routinely held people in jail beyond their release dates solely because of pending immigration investigations.
More than 18,500 people who were held illegally for days, weeks or months from October 2010 to June 2014 because of requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement could qualify for a share of the settlement, attorneys for the plaintiffs said. The Sheriff’s Department agreed to stop honoring detainer requests in 2014.
“It should send a very strong message to law enforcement agencies around the country who continue to blindly comply with ICE’s requests that are patently unlawful,” said Jennie Pasquarella, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union who represented the plaintiffs.
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Lindsay Battles, another attorney for the plaintiffs, said the case is significant because it establishes that for years, the Sheriff’s Department “callously denied immigrants constitutional protections that universally apply to all other jail detainees — including the right to post bail and the right to be released from custody under the same terms as any other arrestee or jail detainee.”
The ACLU said that each class member is eligible to receive from $250 to $25,000, depending in part on how long they were held. Any leftover money will go toward programs that provide legal aid to people in L.A. County facing immigration consequences because of an arrest or conviction, plaintiffs’ attorneys said.
The lawsuit was filed against former Sheriff Lee Baca in 2012 by British filmmaker Duncan Roy, who said he spent nearly three months in L.A. County jails without a chance to post bail after his 2011 arrest. Roy said that the Sheriff’s Department denied his requests to post $35,000 bail because of an ICE hold.
A federal judge concluded in 2018 that holding inmates beyond their release dates under civil immigration detainers violated their 4th Amendment rights. A judge still needs to sign off on the settlement agreement, which was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The Sheriff’s Department’s policies and practices have changed significantly since the lawsuit was filed.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Tuesday that the settlement should be paid by the county’s general fund, not out of the Sheriff’s Department budget, arguing that it’s not fair to slap his department for the mistakes of previous sheriffs when he has been proactive about keeping ICE out of the jails.
“Both sheriffs, Baca and [Jim] McDonnell, they cooperated with ICE, ICE was in the facilities, they facilitated the transfers of inmates to ICE’s custody,” Villanueva told the board. “I kicked ICE out of the jails and I banned all transfers of inmates to custody of ICE.”
Villanueva stopped the Sheriff’s Department’s participation in a federal grant that required sending federal officials personal information about inmates who were in the country illegally. In April, he put a moratorium on ICE transfers over concerns about conditions at immigration detention facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. He made the moratorium permanent in August, banning inmate transfers to ICE unless the federal agency obtained a judicial warrant.


latimes--2020-10-13--Twin mountain lion cubs orphaned by Zogg fire find refuge at Oakland Zoo

Two mountain lion cubs left orphaned by a Shasta County wildfire have found refuge at the Oakland Zoo .
Officials said that both seem to be in good health and that the zoo “ will give them a loving temporary home here at the hospital until a more permanent home can be found.
” The pair can be seen on video flashing their brilliant eyes and periodically baring their tiny teeth while being examined by veterinary staff .
The female cubs , estimated to be about 5 weeks old , lost their mother to the Zogg fire , which ignited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Redding .
They are the second and third kittens orphaned by the fire to come to the zoo .
The other — a male officials named Capt .
Cal — arrived Sept. 30 .
In a statement Saturday , zoo officials said they “ plan to introduce these two lil ’ ladies to Capt .
Cal , so they all can have some mountain lion interaction and some friends.
” Capt .
Cal was rescued by firefighters with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and is named after the department ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Capt .
Cal didn ’ t make it through the fire unscathed .
He suffered severe burns — particularly to his paws — his whiskers were singed off and his eyes were significantly irritated .
However , zoo officials said that there was no damage to his bones or lungs and that he “ remains alert and active , and has a great appetite.
” “ Our dedicated team at Oakland Zoo is fully committed to do everything we can for him and for his beautiful species , ” Alex Herman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital , said in a statement earlier this month .
The Zogg fire has burned more than 56,000 acres and was 99 % contained as of Tuesday .
It is one of the dozens of major blazes that have erupted throughout California this year .
To date , more than 8,500 wildfires have burned over 4.1 million acres statewide , according to Cal Fire .
Combined , those conflagrations have destroyed more than 9,200 structures and killed 31 people — including four in the Zogg fire .

The Oakland Zoo is caring for two mountain lion cubs orphaned by the Zogg fire in Shasta County. The females are believed to be about 5 weeks old and appear to be in good health.
Two mountain lion cubs left orphaned by a Shasta County wildfire have found refuge at the Oakland Zoo.
Officials said that both seem to be in good health and that the zoo “will give them a loving temporary home here at the hospital until a more permanent home can be found.”
The pair can be seen on video flashing their brilliant eyes and periodically baring their tiny teeth while being examined by veterinary staff.
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The female cubs, estimated to be about 5 weeks old, lost their mother to the Zogg fire, which ignited Sept. 27 about nine miles southwest of Redding.
They are the second and third kittens orphaned by the fire to come to the zoo. The other — a male officials named Capt. Cal — arrived Sept. 30.
In a statement Saturday, zoo officials said they “plan to introduce these two lil’ ladies to Capt. Cal, so they all can have some mountain lion interaction and some friends.”
Capt. Cal was rescued by firefighters with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and is named after the department’s mascot.
Unlike the newest arrivals, Capt. Cal didn’t make it through the fire unscathed. He suffered severe burns — particularly to his paws — his whiskers were singed off and his eyes were significantly irritated.
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However, zoo officials said that there was no damage to his bones or lungs and that he “remains alert and active, and has a great appetite.”
“Our dedicated team at Oakland Zoo is fully committed to do everything we can for him and for his beautiful species,” Alex Herman, director of the zoo’s veterinary hospital, said in a statement earlier this month.
The Zogg fire has burned more than 56,000 acres and was 99% contained as of Tuesday. It is one of the dozens of major blazes that have erupted throughout California this year.
To date, more than 8,500 wildfires have burned over 4.1 million acres statewide, according to Cal Fire.
Combined, those conflagrations have destroyed more than 9,200 structures and killed 31 people — including four in the Zogg fire.