latimes--2020-01-08--Border Patrol seizes more than 60 pounds of pot near panga boat in Malibu

U.S. Border Patrol agents seized more than 60 pounds of marijuana near an abandoned boat on Sunday in Malibu .
Agents responded to a report from the Maritime Coordination Center about a beached panga , commonly known as a fishing boat , at Deer Creek Beach near Point Mugu State Park .
No one was found near or aboard the 40-foot vessel that had washed ashore .
While searching the area , agents discovered large bundles totaling a little more than 60 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $ 24,000 .
More than 500 gallons of fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A vessel of this size , with this much power , is capable of carrying up to 5,000 pounds of narcotics and able to travel at a high rate of speed .
Considering these capabilities , a boat like this would not likely be purposefully abandoned , ” Border Patrol Press Officer Ralph DeSio said .
Agents think the drug smugglers were forced to abandon the boat , which had a broken steering cable .
Though California has the largest legal marijuana market in the world , its black market is even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and most cities ’ refusal to allow licensed shops .
Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations have seized 925 pounds of marijuana and 26 vessels since October .
More than 280 arrests from maritime smuggling events have been carried out in the San Diego sector .
Those with information about maritime smuggling along the California coast are asked to contact local police .

U.S. Border Patrol agents seized more than 60 pounds of cannabis near an abandoned fishing boat Sunday in Malibu.
The agents responded to a report from the Maritime Coordination Center about a beached panga-style boat at Deer Creek Beach near Point Mugu State Park. Authorities did not find anyone near or aboard the 40-foot vessel that had washed ashore.
While searching the area, agents discovered large bundles totaling a little more than 60 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $24,000. More than 500 gallons of fuel were also found aboard the boat.
“A vessel of this size, with this much power, is capable of carrying up to 5,000 pounds of narcotics and able to travel at a high rate of speed. Considering these capabilities, a boat like this would not likely be purposefully abandoned,” Border Patrol spokesman Ralph DeSio said.
Agents believe the drug smugglers were forced to abandon the boat, which had a broken steering cable.
Though California has the largest legal marijuana market in the world, its black market is even bigger, largely because of high taxes and most cities’ refusal to allow licensed shops.
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Border Patrol and the Air and Marine Operations division of U.S. Customs and Border Protection have seized 925 pounds of marijuana and 26 vessels since October. More than 280 arrests connected to maritime smuggling events have been carried out in the San Diego sector, which includes the Los Angeles County coast.
Those with information about maritime smuggling along the coast are asked to contact local police.


latimes--2020-01-08--California could require backup power at cellphone towers to prevent outages during fires

When the nation ’ s largest electric utility preemptively shut off power last fall to prevent wildfires in California , customers lost more than just their lights — some lost their phones too .
Data from the Federal Communications Commission show 874 cellphone towers were offline during an Oct. 27 power shutoff that affected millions of people .
That included more than half of the cell towers in Marin County alone .
On Wednesday , some Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation that would require telecommunication companies to have at least 72 hours of backup power for all cellphone towers in high-risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay for it .
The outages affected more than just cellphones .
Data shows traditional landlines and cable phone customers also lost service during the blackout .
That means some people couldn ’ t call 911 or receive emergency notifications , compounding the dangers associated with an unprecedented power outage in an era dominated by the internet and wireless communications .
“ This bill is not about checking your Facebook status , ” bill author Sen. Mike McGuire said .
“ It ’ s about life and death.
” The federal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 .
The industry successfully fought it .
“ It is unfair and unreasonable for the Legislature and the [ state regulators ] to allow the electric utilities to de-energize their networks and expect that the communications network is going to become a wholesale replacement for power , ” said Carolyn McIntyre , president of the California Cable and Telecommunications Assn .
Sen. Mike McGuire ( D-Healdsburg ) said he wrote the bill after meeting with telecom company officials last summer , when he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent widespread outages during a power shutoff .
“ As we all know , this wasn ’ t true .
They were wrong .
And , candidly , lives were put at risk , ” McGuire said .
“ Do I believe we are in for a fight ?
Hell , yes , ” McGuire said , adding : “ This is no longer a discussion about cost.
” McGuire announced his bill on the same day representatives from AT & T and Verizon were scheduled to testify before state lawmakers about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s the second time lawmakers will have hauled in private companies to account for the adverse consequences of the widespread blackouts in the fall , the largest planned power outages in state history .
In November , lawmakers questioned executives from the state ’ s largest investor-owned utilities , including the troubled Pacific Gas & Electric , whose equipment has been blamed for sparking the 2018 Camp fire that killed 86 people and destroyed roughly 19,000 buildings .
The company filed for bankruptcy protection last year .
Telecommunications outages have worsened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more common and more destructive .
A report from the California Public Utilities Commission found 85,000 wireless customers and 160,000 wired customers lost service during the 2017 North Bay fires .
Most recently , the FCC says up to 27 % of Sonoma County ’ s wireless cell sites were offline during the Kincade fire in October .
In advance comments to the legislative committee , California ’ s four largest wireless companies — AT & T , Sprint , T-Mobile and Verizon — say they generally make sure their major telecommunication hubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of on-site backup power .
They use mobile generators at other sites , but said the generators don ’ t work at every cell tower .
Also , the companies said the electric company warns them about blackouts just two hours ahead of time , making it hard for them to get their mobile generators in place and to keep them fueled .
AT & T spokesman Steven Maviglio said the company is experienced in managing large-scale outages , but noted “ the power companies ’ decision to shut off power to millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event our state had ever seen.
” “ Today , we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in our network resiliency to address these new challenges and will continue to work to ensure our customers have the connectivity they need , ” Maviglio said .
Last year , the state Legislature passed a law requiring telecommunications companies to report large outages to the Office of Emergency Services within one hour of discovering them .
State officials are still developing regulations for that law .

The Camp fire burns outside Pulga, Calif., in 2018. Preemptive power outages intended to prevent electrical equipment from sparking fires can also cut off power to cell towers, leaving nearby residents without cellphone service.
When the nation’s largest electric utility preemptively shut off power last fall to prevent wildfires in California, customers lost more than just their lights — some lost their phones too.
Data from the Federal Communications Commission show 874 cellphone towers were offline during an Oct. 27 power shutoff that affected millions of people. That included more than half of the cell towers in Marin County alone.
On Wednesday, some Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation that would require telecommunication companies to have at least 72 hours of backup power for all cellphone towers in high-risk fire areas. Telecom companies would have to pay for it.
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The outages affected more than just cellphones. Data shows traditional landlines and cable phone customers also lost service during the blackout. That means some people couldn’t call 911 or receive emergency notifications, compounding the dangers associated with an unprecedented power outage in an era dominated by the internet and wireless communications.
“This bill is not about checking your Facebook status,” bill author Sen. Mike McGuire said. “It’s about life and death.”
The federal government tried to mandate backup power for cellphone towers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The industry successfully fought it.
“It is unfair and unreasonable for the Legislature and the [state regulators] to allow the electric utilities to de-energize their networks and expect that the communications network is going to become a wholesale replacement for power,” said Carolyn McIntyre, president of the California Cable and Telecommunications Assn.
Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said he wrote the bill after meeting with telecom company officials last summer, when he said they assured him they had plans to prevent widespread outages during a power shutoff.
“As we all know, this wasn’t true. They were wrong. And, candidly, lives were put at risk,” McGuire said.
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“Do I believe we are in for a fight? Hell, yes,” McGuire said, adding: “This is no longer a discussion about cost.”
McGuire announced his bill on the same day representatives from AT&T and Verizon were scheduled to testify before state lawmakers about the outages and ways to prevent them. It’s the second time lawmakers will have hauled in private companies to account for the adverse consequences of the widespread blackouts in the fall, the largest planned power outages in state history.
In November, lawmakers questioned executives from the state’s largest investor-owned utilities, including the troubled Pacific Gas & Electric, whose equipment has been blamed for sparking the 2018 Camp fire that killed 86 people and destroyed roughly 19,000 buildings. The company filed for bankruptcy protection last year.
Telecommunications outages have worsened in recent years as wildfires have become more common and more destructive. A report from the California Public Utilities Commission found 85,000 wireless customers and 160,000 wired customers lost service during the 2017 North Bay fires.
Most recently, the FCC says up to 27% of Sonoma County’s wireless cell sites were offline during the Kincade fire in October.
In advance comments to the legislative committee, California’s four largest wireless companies — AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon — say they generally make sure their major telecommunication hubs have at least 48 to 72 hours of on-site backup power. They use mobile generators at other sites, but said the generators don’t work at every cell tower.
Also, the companies said the electric company warns them about blackouts just two hours ahead of time, making it hard for them to get their mobile generators in place and to keep them fueled.
AT&T spokesman Steven Maviglio said the company is experienced in managing large-scale outages, but noted “the power companies’ decision to shut off power to millions of Californians in October was the largest event our state had ever seen.”
“Today, we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in our network resiliency to address these new challenges and will continue to work to ensure our customers have the connectivity they need,” Maviglio said.
Last year, the state Legislature passed a law requiring telecommunications companies to report large outages to the Office of Emergency Services within one hour of discovering them. State officials are still developing regulations for that law.


latimes--2020-01-08--Rain and snow creeping over parts of California. How much will L.A. see?

The ominous gray clouds hovering Thursday above Los Angeles aren ’ t likely to produce much more than the occasional sprinkle — if that — before clear skies return in time for the weekend .
The dash of moisture , which forecasters say will be focused mostly north of L.A. in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties and across the slopes of the mountains near the Kern County line , is the result of a low-pressure system known as an inside slider that ’ s moving from the Pacific Northwest over the inland portion of California .
The system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Los Angeles Basin , and less than a quarter of an inch of precipitation elsewhere , said Kristen Stewart , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard .
“ This one doesn ’ t have a lot of moisture with it , ” she said .
“ These inside sliders mainly bring us wind and less rain.
” Stewart said the system will be chilly enough to drop snow levels to about 4,000 feet , which means the Grapevine portion of the 5 Freeway could see a dusting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amounts will be light enough that significant travel issues are not expected .
Temperatures in Southern California , which have reached more than 70 degrees in the past several days , are expected to drop slightly into the mid-60s for the rest of the week .
Another storm is on the horizon early next week , though forecasters say it ’ s still too early to tell how strong it will be .

The ominous gray clouds hovering Thursday above Los Angeles aren’t likely to produce much more than the occasional sprinkle — if that — before clear skies return in time for the weekend.
The dash of moisture, which forecasters say will be focused mostly north of L.A. in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties and across the slopes of the mountains near the Kern County line, is the result of a low-pressure system known as an “inside slider” that’s moving from the Pacific Northwest over the inland portion of California.
The system is not expected to bring measurable rain to the Los Angeles Basin and should bring less than a quarter of an inch of precipitation elsewhere, said Kristen Stewart, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
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“This one doesn’t have a lot of moisture with it,” she said. “These inside sliders mainly bring us wind and less rain.”
Stewart said the system will be chilly enough to drop snow levels to about 4,000 feet, which means the Grapevine portion of the 5 Freeway could see a dusting of fresh powder. But forecasters say snowfall amounts will be light enough that significant travel issues are not expected.
Temperatures in Southern California, which have reached more than 70 degrees in the last several days, are expected to drop slightly into the mid-60s for the rest of the week.
Another storm is on the horizon early next week, though forecasters say it’s still too early to tell how strong it will be.


latimes--2020-01-08--3.5 quake felt near Ridgecrest, Calif.

3.5 quake felt near Ridgecrest, Calif.

A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was reported Wednesday morning at 8:11 a.m. three miles from Ridgecrest , Calif. , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The earthquake occurred 28 miles from California City , 58 miles from Barstow , 60 miles from Tehachapi and 62 miles from Rosamond .
In the past 10 days , there have been two earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby .
An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada , according to a recent three-year data sample .
The earthquake occurred at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel this earthquake ?
Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS .
Even if you didn ’ t feel this small earthquake , you never know when the Big One is going to strike .
Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit .
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot , a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS .
A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published .
If you ’ re interested in learning more about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently asked questions .

A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was reported Wednesday morning at 8:11 a.m. three miles from Ridgecrest, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred 28 miles from California City, 58 miles from Barstow, 60 miles from Tehachapi and 62 miles from Rosamond.
In the past 10 days, there have been two earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
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An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three-year data sample.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 4.1 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.
Even if you didn’t feel this small earthquake, you never know when the Big One is going to strike. Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit.
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.


latimes--2020-01-08--Pair is sought after they shoot dog, leave it dead in gutter in La Mirada, authorities say

Authorities are searching for a man and a woman suspected of animal cruelty after surveillance video captured the shooting of a dog and the animal being left dead in the gutter in La Mirada .
Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s officials say the pair pulled up to an industrial area in the 16400 block of Phoebe Avenue in La Mirada in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee about 12:40 p.m. Sunday .
A witness told authorities he saw a man exit the passenger side of the car , place something on the ground near the gutter and fire two gunshots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car and the two fled the scene , driving south on Phoebe and making a left on Firestone Boulevard , authorities said .
The witness went over to investigate and found a small terrier that had been shot twice on a dog bed in the gutter , sheriff ’ s officials said .
“ I can ’ t believe someone would actually do that and not give it away to a shelter or put it down , ” witness Alex Csonka told KNBC-TV Channel 4 .
Detailed suspect descriptions were not available .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Norwalk Sheriff ’ s Station at ( 562 ) 466-5419 .

Authorities are searching for a man and a woman suspected of animal cruelty after surveillance video captured them shooting a dog and leaving it dead in a gutter in La Mirada.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials say the pair were driving a white Jeep Grand Cherokee and stopped in an industrial area in the 16400 block of Phoebe Avenue about 12:40 p.m. Sunday. A witness told authorities he saw a man get out of the passenger side of the vehicle, place something on the ground near the gutter and fire two gunshots.
That's a great question. Why? https://t.co/E723LopvxP — LASD Norwalk Station (@NorwalkLASD) January 8, 2020
The shooter got back in the car and the two drove south on Phoebe and were last seen turning left on Firestone Boulevard, authorities said. The witness went over to the gutter and found a small terrier that had been shot twice on a dog bed, Sheriff’s Department officials said.
“I can’t believe someone would actually do that and not give it away to a shelter or put it down,” witness Alex Csonka told KNBC-TV Channel 4.
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Detailed descriptions of the man and woman were not available. Anyone with information is asked to call the Norwalk sheriff’s station at (562) 466-5419.


latimes--2020-01-08--MillerCoors' Irwindale brewery will shut down — unless Pabst buys it

The MillerCoors brewery in Irwindale has fallen victim to a years-long slump in sales of light beer .
Now the plant ’ s owner , Molson Coors Beverage Co. , says it plans to close the facility — scrapping 470 jobs — by September .
However , Molson Coors also said it struck an agreement with smaller rival Pabst Brewing Co. that gives Pabst the option to buy the 225-acre Irwindale facility for $ 150 million within the next four months .
Los Angeles-based Pabst — which little more than a year ago contended that its very existence depended on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beers — said Tuesday that it would “ evaluate this opportunity ” and make a decision that ’ s “ in the best interest of all our stakeholders.
” The brewer declined to elaborate .
The 40-year-old Irwindale plant , located alongside the 210 Freeway , brews several brands for Pabst in addition to Miller Lite , Coors Light , Miller High Life and other Molson Coors brands .
The brewery ’ s 470 employees face layoffs unless there are openings elsewhere in the company for which they can apply or unless Pabst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Marty Maloney .
“ Our core brands have seen years of volume declines , ” Maloney said .
“ The lost volume means our breweries aren ’ t operating at an efficient capacity level .
The production can be absorbed by other breweries in our network.
” The company has seven U.S. breweries overall , and it said most of Irwindale ’ s production would shift to its plants in Golden , Colo. , and Fort Worth .
The Irwindale brewery produced 4.8 million barrels of beer last year , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the western United States .
U.S. shipments of light beer have tumbled in recent years , and overall beer shipments have been relatively flat .
Many people are forgoing light beer in favor of full-flavored , more expensive craft beers , wine and spirits , said Eric Shepard , executive editor of the trade journal Beer Marketer ’ s Insights .
Soaring sales of hard seltzers , such as White Claw — which tout their low calorie levels , among other things — also have eroded light beer ’ s popularity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by many consumers in their early drinking years , “ millennials are much more promiscuous in terms of what they start drinking and then later drink regularly , ” Shepard said .
Light-beer shipments totaled 58 million barrels in 2018 , down 17 % from 70 million barrels in 2013 , according to Beer Marketer ’ s Insights .
Over the same period , total beer shipments edged down to 206 million barrels from 207 million .
The top-selling light beer is Bud Light , made by Anheuser-Busch InBev , with 14.5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coors Light is a distant second with 7.3 % , followed by Miller Lite at 6 % .
Pabst is a minor player in the light-beer segment .
Shepard called Molson Coors ’ plan to shut the Irwindale brewery “ a surprise to virtually no one , ” not only because of the slump in light-beer sales but also because of restructuring efforts at Molson Coors and because prior litigation between MillerCoors and Pabst had indicated that the Irwindale facility might be vulnerable .
Molson Coors — the product of mergers involving Molson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ revitalization plan ” in October aimed at streamlining the company and enabling the firm to invest more in higher-priced beers along with other non-beer drinks such as wine .
The firm also changed its name from Molson Coors Brewing to Molson Coors Beverage “ to better reflect its strategic intent to expand beyond beer.
” Pabst , maker of Pabst Blue Ribbon , is privately owned by the investment firm TSG Consumer Partners and beer entrepreneur Eugene Kashper .
Pabst sued MillerCoors in 2016 alleging that MillerCoors had tried to destroy it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract to brew Pabst ’ s beers .
During the litigation , it was learned that MillerCoors had said it might eventually have to shut the Irwindale plant , the Associated Press reported at the time .
While jurors were deliberating after a two-week trial in November 2018 , the two sides settled the lawsuit .
Along with the agreement announced this week , any remaining claims related to that litigation have been dismissed , Molson Coors said .
The Irwindale plant was among the California breweries that made substantial changes to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drought in recent years .
MillerCoors slashed the site ’ s 20 acres of plush grass in half and made changes inside the brewery , such as switching metal conveyor belts to plastic ones that don ’ t have to be sprayed with water to help the bottles slide .

The MillerCoors brewery off the 210 Freeway in Irwindale also produces Pabst beer brands.
The MillerCoors brewery in Irwindale has fallen victim to a years-long slump in sales of light beer. Now the plant’s owner, Molson Coors Beverage Co., says it plans to close the facility — scrapping 470 jobs — by September.
However, Molson Coors also said it struck an agreement with smaller rival Pabst Brewing Co. that gives Pabst the option to buy the 225-acre Irwindale facility for $150 million within the next four months.
Los Angeles-based Pabst — which little more than a year ago contended that its very existence depended on the partnership in which MillerCoors brews its beers — said Tuesday that it would “evaluate this opportunity” and make a decision that’s “in the best interest of all our stakeholders.” The brewer declined to elaborate.
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The 40-year-old Irwindale plant, located alongside the 210 Freeway, brews several brands for Pabst in addition to Miller Lite, Coors Light, Miller High Life and other Molson Coors brands.
The brewery’s 470 employees face layoffs unless there are openings elsewhere in the company for which they can apply or unless Pabst acquires the site, said Molson Coors spokesman Marty Maloney.
“Our core brands have seen years of volume declines,” Maloney said. “The lost volume means our breweries aren’t operating at an efficient capacity level. The production can be absorbed by other breweries in our network.”
The company has seven U.S. breweries overall, and it said most of Irwindale’s production would shift to its plants in Golden, Colo., and Fort Worth.
The Irwindale brewery produced 4.8 million barrels of beer last year, which was shipped to 261 distributors for sale mostly in the western United States.
U.S. shipments of light beer have tumbled in recent years, and overall beer shipments have been relatively flat.
Bottles of beer move through on a conveyor belt at the MillerCoors brewery in Irwindale in 2005. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Many people are forgoing light beer in favor of full-flavored, more expensive craft beers, wine and spirits, said Eric Shepard, executive editor of the trade journal Beer Marketer’s Insights. Soaring sales of hard seltzers, such as White Claw — which tout their low calorie levels, among other things — also have eroded light beer’s popularity.
Although beer formerly was the alcohol favored by many consumers in their early drinking years, “millennials are much more promiscuous in terms of what they start drinking and then later drink regularly,” Shepard said.
Light-beer shipments totaled 58 million barrels in 2018, down 17% from 70 million barrels in 2013, according to Beer Marketer’s Insights. Over the same period, total beer shipments edged down to 206 million barrels from 207 million.
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The top-selling light beer is Bud Light, made by Anheuser-Busch InBev, with 14.5% of the market, Shepard said. Coors Light is a distant second with 7.3%, followed by Miller Lite at 6%. Pabst is a minor player in the light-beer segment.
The MillerCoors brewery in Irwindale employs 470 people. They stand to lose their jobs if the brewery closes. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Shepard called Molson Coors’ plan to shut the Irwindale brewery “a surprise to virtually no one,” not only because of the slump in light-beer sales but also because of restructuring efforts at Molson Coors and because prior litigation between MillerCoors and Pabst had indicated that the Irwindale facility might be vulnerable.
Molson Coors — the product of mergers involving Molson, Coors and Miller — announced a “revitalization plan” in October aimed at streamlining the company and enabling the firm to invest more in higher-priced beers along with other non-beer drinks such as wine. The firm also changed its name from Molson Coors Brewing to Molson Coors Beverage “to better reflect its strategic intent to expand beyond beer.”
Pabst, maker of Pabst Blue Ribbon, is privately owned by the investment firm TSG Consumer Partners and beer entrepreneur Eugene Kashper.
Pabst sued MillerCoors in 2016 alleging that MillerCoors had tried to destroy it by attempting to get out of its contract to brew Pabst’s beers. During the litigation, it was learned that MillerCoors had said it might eventually have to shut the Irwindale plant, the Associated Press reported at the time.
While jurors were deliberating after a two-week trial in November 2018, the two sides settled the lawsuit. Along with the agreement announced this week, any remaining claims related to that litigation have been dismissed, Molson Coors said.
The Irwindale plant was among the California breweries that made substantial changes to cut water consumption during the state’s drought in recent years.
MillerCoors slashed the site’s 20 acres of plush grass in half and made changes inside the brewery, such as switching metal conveyor belts to plastic ones that don’t have to be sprayed with water to help the bottles slide.


latimes--2020-01-08--Appeals court throws out case against four social workers in Gabriel Fernandez case

Four years ago , when L.A. County prosecutors filed criminal charges against the social workers who left 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez in the home with his mother and her boyfriend despite multiple investigations into alleged abuse , the case stood as a stern warning to child protective caseworkers across the country .
Mishandle a case badly enough , the charges seemed to say , and you , too , might face felony child abuse charges .
“ These social workers were criminally negligent , ” Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey said at the time .
“ They should be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landmark case — one of only a handful of such prosecutions nationwide — absorbed a crippling blow , when a state appeals court threw out the charges , saying there was “ no probable cause.
” The 2nd District Court of Appeal justices ruled that the case hinged , in large part , on whether the four social workers had a legal duty to “ exert control ” over Gabriel ’ s abusers — his mother , Pearl Sinthia Fernandez , and her boyfriend , Isauro Aguirre .
Both have been convicted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to far-reaching reforms within the county ’ s child welfare system .
“ Although there may be consequences to social workers who fail to fulfill ” their duties , the appellate opinion reads , “ the consequences do not include criminal liability for child abuse.
” With their 2-1 ruling , the justices tossed out the 2016 criminal charges filed against former county Department of Children and Family Services employees Kevin Bom , Stefanie Rodriguez , Gregory Merritt and Patricia Clement — one felony count of child abuse and one felony count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The decision , which the district attorney ’ s office still could appeal to the California Supreme Court , troubled Gabriel ’ s cousin , Emily Carranza .
“ I ’ m a little disturbed and disappointed in the judicial system , ” she said , adding that she hopes the district attorney ’ s office will appeal .
“ What kind of message are they sending to social workers ?
If you make a mistake , make sure you cover up your tracks ?
I ’ m angry.
” Asked if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal , Greg Risling , a spokesman for district attorney ’ s office , said , “ We ’ re in the process of reviewing the opinion.
” The recent ruling stands in stark contrast to earlier decisions from two L.A. County Superior Court judges .
During a preliminary hearing in 2017 , Judge Mary Lou Villar ruled that there was enough evidence to hold the social workers over for trial , saying she believed that the county employees had mishandled evidence of escalating abuse and failed to file reports about what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a timely manner .
“ Red flags were everywhere , ” the judge said .
Defense attorneys quickly filed a motion asking another judge to throw out the case .
But in September of 2018 , Judge George Lomeli , who presided over Aguirre ’ s murder trial , agreed that the case should proceed to trial .
Gabriel ’ s death had been “ foreseeable , ” Lomeli said , and the defendants — who he noted had overruled a scoring system intended to detect whether a child was in danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for human life.
” A synopsis of the case laid out in the appellate opinion published Monday offers bleak details about Gabriel ’ s final months .
Early in 2013 , after a counselor was assigned to do home visits with the family in Palmdale , Fernandez showed the counselor what appeared to be a suicide note written by Gabriel , which included a drawing of two upside-down characters .
“ I love you so much that I will kill my sowf , ” it read , according to court documents .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Eventually , records show , after Fernandez refused to continue counseling , Clement , one of the social workers , recommended that DCFS close the case .
But before officially closing it out , she used a risk-assessment rubric , which determined that the family scored a six — a “ high ” score .
High-risk cases can ’ t be closed unless a supervisor makes a “ discretionary override , ” which is what happened , according to court documents , when Merritt , a supervisor , downgraded the case to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about a month after the case was closed , Gabriel ’ s first-grade teacher called Rodriguez , another of the social workers , and left a voicemail saying that Gabriel had returned to school after a long absence with a red eye , skin peeling from his forehead and scabs .
The social worker didn ’ t respond to the teacher ’ s messages , according to court documents .
Days later , Fernandez called 911 and when paramedics responded to the Palmdale home , Gabriel was unresponsive .
The boy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teeth and cuts and bruises dotting his body , later died at a hospital .
In a dissenting opinion , one of the justices wrote that she was “ disturbed by the negative incentives this case creates for social workers and for DCFS , ” saying she believes it strips away incentive for social workers to want “ to reform and repair the parts of the system that may fail the children it is intended to protect.
” “ We have , in effect , encouraged DCFS and its social workers , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracks if they stumble on the cracks in the system.
” Attorneys for the social workers , however , praised the ruling as a necessary course correction .
Clement ’ s attorney , Shelly Barbara Albert , said the process has been extremely stressful for her client .
“ She ’ s looking forward to putting this behind her , ” Albert said .
Lance Michael Filer , who represents Rodriguez , said that his client had been waiting for this news for a long time .
“ Our position has always been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ that neither she nor anyone else in her shoes should have been held criminally accountable for the unpredictable nature of criminals , and that the people that actually harmed Gabriel have already had their trial and day in court .
”

Four years ago, when L.A. County prosecutors filed criminal charges against the social workers who left 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez in the home with his mother and her boyfriend despite multiple investigations into alleged abuse, the case stood as a stern warning to child protective caseworkers across the country.
Mishandle a case badly enough, the charges seemed to say, and you, too, might face felony child abuse charges.
“These social workers were criminally negligent,” Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey said at the time. “They should be held responsible.”
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But this week, the landmark case — one of only a handful of such prosecutions nationwide — absorbed a crippling blow, when a state appeals court threw out the charges, saying there was “no probable cause.”
The 2nd District Court of Appeal justices ruled that the case hinged, in large part, on whether the four social workers had a legal duty to “exert control” over Gabriel’s abusers — his mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre. Both have been convicted of murdering Gabriel, whose May 2013 death led to far-reaching reforms within the county’s child welfare system.
“Although there may be consequences to social workers who fail to fulfill” their duties, the appellate opinion reads, “the consequences do not include criminal liability for child abuse.”
With their 2-1 ruling, the justices tossed out the 2016 criminal charges filed against former county Department of Children and Family Services employees Kevin Bom, Stefanie Rodriguez, Gregory Merritt and Patricia Clement — one felony count of child abuse and one felony count of falsifying public records for each defendant.
The decision, which the district attorney’s office still could appeal to the California Supreme Court, troubled Gabriel’s cousin, Emily Carranza.
“I’m a little disturbed and disappointed in the judicial system,” she said, adding that she hopes the district attorney’s office will appeal. “What kind of message are they sending to social workers? If you make a mistake, make sure you cover up your tracks? I’m angry.”
Asked if the district attorney’s office would appeal, Greg Risling, a spokesman for district attorney’s office, said, “We’re in the process of reviewing the opinion.”
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The recent ruling stands in stark contrast to earlier decisions from two L.A. County Superior Court judges.
During a preliminary hearing in 2017, Judge Mary Lou Villar ruled that there was enough evidence to hold the social workers over for trial, saying she believed that the county employees had mishandled evidence of escalating abuse and failed to file reports about what was happening in the boy’s home within a timely manner.
“Red flags were everywhere,” the judge said.
Defense attorneys quickly filed a motion asking another judge to throw out the case. But in September of 2018, Judge George Lomeli, who presided over Aguirre’s murder trial, agreed that the case should proceed to trial.
Gabriel’s death had been “foreseeable,” Lomeli said, and the defendants — who he noted had overruled a scoring system intended to detect whether a child was in danger — had demonstrated “an improper regard for human life.”
A synopsis of the case laid out in the appellate opinion published Monday offers bleak details about Gabriel’s final months.
Early in 2013, after a counselor was assigned to do home visits with the family in Palmdale, Fernandez showed the counselor what appeared to be a suicide note written by Gabriel, which included a drawing of two upside-down characters.
“I love you so much that I will kill my sowf,” it read, according to court documents. “I love you in till you diy.”
Eventually, records show, after Fernandez refused to continue counseling, Clement, one of the social workers, recommended that DCFS close the case. But before officially closing it out, she used a risk-assessment rubric, which determined that the family scored a six — a “high” score. High-risk cases can’t be closed unless a supervisor makes a “discretionary override,” which is what happened, according to court documents, when Merritt, a supervisor, downgraded the case to “moderate.”
In early May 2013, about a month after the case was closed, Gabriel’s first-grade teacher called Rodriguez, another of the social workers, and left a voicemail saying that Gabriel had returned to school after a long absence with a red eye, skin peeling from his forehead and scabs. The social worker didn’t respond to the teacher’s messages, according to court documents.
Days later, Fernandez called 911 and when paramedics responded to the Palmdale home, Gabriel was unresponsive. The boy, who had a fractured skull, missing teeth and cuts and bruises dotting his body, later died at a hospital.
In a dissenting opinion, one of the justices wrote that she was “disturbed by the negative incentives this case creates for social workers and for DCFS,” saying she believes it strips away incentive for social workers to want “to reform and repair the parts of the system that may fail the children it is intended to protect.”
“We have, in effect, encouraged DCFS and its social workers,” she wrote, “to cover their tracks if they stumble on the cracks in the system.”
Attorneys for the social workers, however, praised the ruling as a necessary course correction.
Clement’s attorney, Shelly Barbara Albert, said the process has been extremely stressful for her client.
“She’s looking forward to putting this behind her,” Albert said.
Lance Michael Filer, who represents Rodriguez, said that his client had been waiting for this news for a long time.
“Our position has always been the same,” Filer said, “that neither she nor anyone else in her shoes should have been held criminally accountable for the unpredictable nature of criminals, and that the people that actually harmed Gabriel have already had their trial and day in court.”


latimes--2020-01-08--Inglewood charter school with history of alleged wrongdoing denied renewal by county

The Los Angeles County Board of Education voted Tuesday to close an Inglewood charter school with a lengthy history of financial problems and mixed academic performance that illustrated flaws in California ’ s oversight system .
The board ’ s unanimous decision marks the third time it has attempted to shut down a charter school run by Today ’ s Fresh Start , a nonprofit started by a wealthy couple , Clark and Jeanette Parker of Beverly Hills .
The group currently operates two charters on three campuses in Los Angeles , Compton and Inglewood .
A Times investigation published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have portrayed themselves as philanthropists , they have made millions from their charter schools .
The schools paid more than $ 800,000 annually to rent buildings the couple own , financial documents showed .
They contracted out services to the Parkers ’ nonprofits and companies and paid Clark Parker generous consulting fees , all with taxpayer money .
The couple spent tens of thousands of dollars on lobbyists and campaign contributions to many of the people responsible for regulating their schools , including school board members and state elected officials .
The Parkers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims against them baseless and manufactured by opponents of their schools .
The board ’ s Tuesday vote , which affects only the Inglewood charter , leaves the future of the school , its staff and its more than 400 students in doubt .
Jeanette Parker declined to comment following the decision .
Under current California law , Today ’ s Fresh Start can appeal the county ’ s decision to the State Board of Education .
A possible appeal would most likely be heard before July , when a new law takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s power to approve charter schools that have been rejected elsewhere .
Decisions like the county board ’ s vote to close Today ’ s Fresh Start are rare .
Los Angeles County is home to more than 350 charter schools , most of which are routinely renewed every five years by the local school districts where they are located .
Only six schools appealed renewal denials to the county in 2017-18 — the last time appeals were heard — and three were denied .
In their recommendation to close the school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern about students ’ stagnant performance on the state ’ s standardized English language arts tests and said the school hadn ’ t met the necessary academic criteria to be renewed .
On both English and math tests , students ’ scores increased between 2015 and 2017 and spiked upward in 2018 before declining last year .
The overall picture , they wrote , was “ troubling.
” The consultants also raised questions about the nonprofit ’ s management and fiscal practices , adding that many of their concerns had surfaced more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last tried to close one of the organization ’ s schools .
“ It should be noted that concerns regarding conflicts of interest and self-dealing were significant bases for revocation 12 years ago , ” the report stated .
“ Those concerns regarding conflicts of interest and self-dealing have continued to follow [ Today ’ s Fresh Start ] to this day.
” In letter to the county board , the Parkers defended Today ’ s Fresh Start as one of the few African American-founded and operated charter schools in the state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its school in Inglewood is a “ sanctuary ” for those students , they wrote .
“ We have been quite exemplary in administering our program for the last 10 years , ” Jeanette Parker told the board .
Rahul Reddy , a lawyer representing the charter school , said the county had no reason to be concerned about self-dealing because Today ’ s Fresh Start ’ s five-year construction management contract with Clark Parker expired in 2018 .
Founded in 2003 , Today ’ s Fresh Start and its schools have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrutiny from regulators at both the county and the Los Angeles Unified School District .
The county board voted to revoke its charter in 2007 based on a detailed report accusing the Parkers of self-dealing , financial conflicts of interest and wrongly administering the state tests .
The Parkers sued the county , and while the case worked its way through the courts Today ’ s Fresh Start applied to have its charter renewed , which the board also denied .
The state Board of Education overturned the county ’ s decision , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the years that followed , Today ’ s Fresh Start expanded .
The Parkers won approval for a second charter school in Inglewood and , with the help of a nearly $ 20-million state grant , built a large school building on Imperial Highway .
In 2015 , the Compton Unified School District assumed responsibility for overseeing one of the schools , later voting to extend its charter until June 2023 .
The political landscape that drove the Parkers ’ success began to shift last year .
A change in leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin paying closer attention to the charter schools within its jurisdiction .
Last year , when Today ’ s Fresh Start asked to have its charter renewed , the school board refused , citing the school ’ s erratic academic performance and operational concerns — leading to the county appeal Tuesday .
To remain open in Inglewood , Today ’ s Fresh Start must win over the state board on appeal .
Under previous governors , the board had a reputation as a rubber-stamp for charter school applicants , but its membership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s election .
The politics around charter schools have also evolved .
In California and across much of the country , a growing backlash against charters has pushed left-leaning state legislatures to place stricter regulations on how the schools are opened and overseen .
Beginning in July , school districts in California will have more authority to deny charter applications .
In addition to academic performance , they will be able to weigh a charter school ’ s potential fiscal effects on the local district and whether the charter plans to offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It won ’ t just purely be unchecked discretion to deny , ” said Lisa Mori , an attorney who specializes in charter school law .
“ But they do have more basis upon which to deny new petitions , whereas before boards were pretty constrained.
” The prospect of more empowered school districts has fueled anxiety among charter advocates .
“ We encourage schools to submit their renewals early !
” the California Charter Schools Assn .
suggests on its website , noting the date the new law takes effect .

Today’s Fresh Start built its Inglewood campus with the help of a nearly $20-million grant from the state. Now the school’s future is in doubt.
The Los Angeles County Board of Education voted Tuesday to close an Inglewood charter school with a lengthy history of financial problems and mixed academic performance that illustrated flaws in California’s oversight system.
The board’s unanimous decision marks the third time it has attempted to shut down a charter school run by Today’s Fresh Start, a nonprofit started by a wealthy couple, Clark and Jeanette Parker of Beverly Hills. The group currently operates two charters on three campuses in Los Angeles, Compton and Inglewood.
A Times investigation published last year found that although the Parkers have portrayed themselves as philanthropists, they have made millions from their charter schools.
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The schools paid more than $800,000 annually to rent buildings the couple own, financial documents showed. They contracted out services to the Parkers’ nonprofits and companies and paid Clark Parker generous consulting fees, all with taxpayer money.
The couple spent tens of thousands of dollars on lobbyists and campaign contributions to many of the people responsible for regulating their schools, including school board members and state elected officials.
The Parkers have denied any wrongdoing, calling the claims against them baseless and manufactured by opponents of their schools.
The board’s Tuesday vote, which affects only the Inglewood charter, leaves the future of the school, its staff and its more than 400 students in doubt.
Jeanette Parker declined to comment following the decision.
Under current California law, Today’s Fresh Start can appeal the county’s decision to the State Board of Education. A possible appeal would most likely be heard before July, when a new law takes effect that significantly limits the state board’s power to approve charter schools that have been rejected elsewhere.
Decisions like the county board’s vote to close Today’s Fresh Start are rare. Los Angeles County is home to more than 350 charter schools, most of which are routinely renewed every five years by the local school districts where they are located. Only six schools appealed renewal denials to the county in 2017-18 — the last time appeals were heard — and three were denied.
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In their recommendation to close the school, consultants hired by the county voiced concern about students’ stagnant performance on the state’s standardized English language arts tests and said the school hadn’t met the necessary academic criteria to be renewed. On both English and math tests, students’ scores increased between 2015 and 2017 and spiked upward in 2018 before declining last year. The overall picture, they wrote, was “troubling.”
The consultants also raised questions about the nonprofit’s management and fiscal practices, adding that many of their concerns had surfaced more than a decade ago when the county board last tried to close one of the organization’s schools.
“It should be noted that concerns regarding conflicts of interest and self-dealing were significant bases for revocation 12 years ago,” the report stated. “Those concerns regarding conflicts of interest and self-dealing have continued to follow [Today’s Fresh Start] to this day.”
In letter to the county board, the Parkers defended Today’s Fresh Start as one of the few African American-founded and operated charter schools in the state, serving mostly low-income black and Latino students. Its school in Inglewood is a “sanctuary” for those students, they wrote.
“We have been quite exemplary in administering our program for the last 10 years,” Jeanette Parker told the board.
Rahul Reddy, a lawyer representing the charter school, said the county had no reason to be concerned about self-dealing because Today’s Fresh Start’s five-year construction management contract with Clark Parker expired in 2018.
Founded in 2003, Today’s Fresh Start and its schools have weathered more than a decade of intense scrutiny from regulators at both the county and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The county board voted to revoke its charter in 2007 based on a detailed report accusing the Parkers of self-dealing, financial conflicts of interest and wrongly administering the state tests. The Parkers sued the county, and while the case worked its way through the courts Today’s Fresh Start applied to have its charter renewed, which the board also denied.
The state Board of Education overturned the county’s decision, however, giving the Parkers another chance.
In the years that followed, Today’s Fresh Start expanded. The Parkers won approval for a second charter school in Inglewood and, with the help of a nearly $20-million state grant, built a large school building on Imperial Highway.
In 2015, the Compton Unified School District assumed responsibility for overseeing one of the schools, later voting to extend its charter until June 2023.
The political landscape that drove the Parkers’ success began to shift last year.
A change in leadership at the Inglewood school district led staff to begin paying closer attention to the charter schools within its jurisdiction. Last year, when Today’s Fresh Start asked to have its charter renewed, the school board refused, citing the school’s erratic academic performance and operational concerns — leading to the county appeal Tuesday.
To remain open in Inglewood, Today’s Fresh Start must win over the state board on appeal. Under previous governors, the board had a reputation as a rubber-stamp for charter school applicants, but its membership has changed since Gov. Gavin Newsom’s election.
The politics around charter schools have also evolved. In California and across much of the country, a growing backlash against charters has pushed left-leaning state legislatures to place stricter regulations on how the schools are opened and overseen.
Beginning in July, school districts in California will have more authority to deny charter applications. In addition to academic performance, they will be able to weigh a charter school’s potential fiscal effects on the local district and whether the charter plans to offer programs that the district already provides.
“It won’t just purely be unchecked discretion to deny,” said Lisa Mori, an attorney who specializes in charter school law. “But they do have more basis upon which to deny new petitions, whereas before boards were pretty constrained.”
The prospect of more empowered school districts has fueled anxiety among charter advocates.
“We encourage schools to submit their renewals early!” the California Charter Schools Assn. suggests on its website, noting the date the new law takes effect.


latimes--2020-01-08--Column: He just wants a job that will pay the rent, but he's getting scared

Todd Little says the rent on his Toluca Lake one-bedroom apartment is covered through February .
Credit cards might keep him in place through March , but beyond that , unless he finds work soon , he doesn ’ t know where he ’ ll end up .
“ It ’ s a possibility , ” Little said over a Tuesday morning cup of coffee at a diner in Studio City .
Last year , I wrote a lot about homelessness and it ’ s still an important issue .
This year , though , I ’ ve been thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at the millions of Californians who still have roofs over their heads but are barely hanging on , despite living in a state with the world ’ s fifth-largest economy .
And then , as if on cue , I heard from Little , whom I first met 10 years ago .
“ 50 Something and Faking Normal , ” said the message field in an email Little wrote to friends and colleagues .
“ It ’ s the start of a new year and as many of you know , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in several capacities to no avail , ” he wrote .
Little said he wondered if being middle-aged was working against him , and he asked for any and all leads on temporary work and odd jobs while he continued his search for solid , full-time employment .
I met Little in 2010 , when unemployment in California was peaking during the recession .
He was an unemployed 45-year-old who ’ d graduated in theater design and directing from Pitzer College and was getting more desperate by the day , having to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pantry .
When I checked in a few months later , he ’ d gotten a job in retail , but wasn ’ t much better off .
His long commute to a low-wage job had him cutting back on everything , including food , clothing , household cleaning supplies and even lightbulbs .
Then Little landed a good job with a home decor company .
For almost eight years , the pressure was off , with one catch .
He got evicted from the home he was sharing in West Hollywood when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the owner , but with a steady income , he found a similar setup in Toluca Lake .
The good times came to an end last spring , when his employer closed the store Little managed because of tough competition from online providers .
Little found another job briefly , but said it was a bad fit from the beginning .
He collected unemployment temporarily , but now he ’ s living on modest savings and credit cards he ’ d rather not use .
Little said he doesn ’ t go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cable .
He clips coupons before he shops for the groceries he stretches for a week .
He avoids outings with friends because he doesn ’ t want to be a charity case .
“ I still feel like someone else needs a handout more than me , ” said Little , who didn ’ t even want to send out the email about his predicament , but was pushed by a friend .
It ’ s not that Little can ’ t find work ; it ’ s that he can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage .
He uses a gaggle of job search sites and fills out a couple of applications a day , usually online , which can feel like a journey through virtual trapdoors .
“ You might get to where they say they have a few more questions , so you click on this link , you go through another screening to where you ’ re asked if you ’ re willing to work 24-7 , and this job pays $ 13.25 an hour are you OK with that , and will you be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , but basically it ’ s 20 because that ’ s how they start you , and if you say yes to all that you click to a link that brings you to interview scheduling , ” Little said .
But if an interview time doesn ’ t work , maybe because you had another interview that day , you ’ re out of luck .
Little said he got as far as an in-person chat with a drugstore manager , who handed him off to an assistant manager for an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part-time job , less than 20 hours , at $ 14.25 an hour , which doesn ’ t work unless you ’ re living in a house with family and everyone else is helping to pay the rent , ” Little said .
“ She was a lovely girl , but I could have been her father , and that ’ s a lot of the problem .
The hiring managers are all half my age , or maybe three-quarters.
” Little thinks in a lot of cases , those managers might fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or that a well-spoken middle-aged college graduate like him will leave as soon as he finds a better job .
Some friends have advised him to take any job , just to have one .
Others have advised him not to panic , and spend all his time focused on landing the right job .
Little has stopped putting his age , his three decades of work experience and the year of his college graduation on his resume and applications for fear all that will work against him .
He could take in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to hold off on that .
He could move to an area with a cheaper cost of living , but he wouldn ’ t have any social or job connections in such a place , and wages might be even lower .
He could drive for Uber , but his 2006 Ford Explorer , with 148,000 miles , isn ’ t a particularly smooth ride or economical option .
Little wants a real job and has to believe he ’ ll find one , eventually .
But his story is a reminder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be at a time of mind-boggling income inequality .
“ The U.S. economy and the California economy are growing and the unemployment rate is low , but the growth is skewed away from manufacturing and many traditional jobs , and when you have that kind of transformation … there is serious dislocation , ” said Jerry Nickelsburg , director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast .
Tech is a good field for solid job prospects going forward , Nickelsburg said , but retraining can be challenging in multiple ways for older generations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in your 50s and you went to school for a year to gain some new skills , you ’ re still in your 50s , ” Nicklesburg said .
“ It ’ s much harder to make it worthwhile even if you get a job , and it ’ s going to be harder to convince an employer you can be a long-term employee they should invest a lot of money in.
” Little would prefer a job in which he helps companies build customer relations , but he ’ s open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has applied at Home Depot and at various retail goods start-up companies .
His problem , like those of so many other Californians , is not just that wages are low , but that housing costs are so high .
“ The housing boom is clustered in these coastal regions and housing costs are growing faster than wages are , especially at the bottom , ” said Julien Lafortune of the Public Policy Institute of California .
“ It ’ s harder and harder to keep up each year.
” Just under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at or near the poverty level when the cost of living is factored in , said Lafortune , who was one of the researchers on a just-released report that said California ’ s strong economy has “ underlying economic realities ” that don ’ t look so good .
Over coffee , Little and I looked over some of that report together .
Nearly 2 million Californians ages 25 to 64 were working but living in poverty in 2017 .
Median annual earnings for white and Asian families were $ 115,000 in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for African Americans and $ 60,000 for Latinos .
Since 1980 , the median middle-income family is doing 24 % better , but the median high-income family is doing 50 % to 60 % better .
And the top 10 % of families make more than 10 times as much as the bottom 10 % , a multiple that has doubled since 1980 .
“ That ’ s astounding , ” Little said .
“ I hear about numbers like these all the time , and I wonder what happened to the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Todd Little says the rent on his Toluca Lake one-bedroom apartment is covered through February. Credit cards might keep him in place through March, but beyond that, unless he finds work soon, he doesn’t know where he’ll end up.
Homeless, perhaps?
“It’s a possibility,” Little said over a Tuesday morning cup of coffee at a diner in Studio City.
Last year, I wrote a lot about homelessness and it’s still an important issue. This year, though, I’ve been thinking I also want to take a closer look at the millions of Californians who still have roofs over their heads but are barely hanging on, despite living in a state with the world’s fifth-largest economy.
Advertisement
And then, as if on cue, I heard from Little, whom I first met 10 years ago.
“50 Something and Faking Normal,” said the message field in an email Little wrote to friends and colleagues.
“It’s the start of a new year and as many of you know, I have been applying and interviewing for jobs in several capacities to no avail,” he wrote.
Little said he wondered if being middle-aged was working against him, and he asked for any and all leads on temporary work and odd jobs while he continued his search for solid, full-time employment.
I met Little in 2010, when unemployment in California was peaking during the recession. He was an unemployed 45-year-old who’d graduated in theater design and directing from Pitzer College and was getting more desperate by the day, having to make regular visits to a West L.A. food pantry. When I checked in a few months later, he’d gotten a job in retail, but wasn’t much better off. His long commute to a low-wage job had him cutting back on everything, including food, clothing, household cleaning supplies and even lightbulbs.
Then Little landed a good job with a home decor company. For almost eight years, the pressure was off, with one catch. He got evicted from the home he was sharing in West Hollywood when it was pulled off the rental market by the owner, but with a steady income, he found a similar setup in Toluca Lake.
The good times came to an end last spring, when his employer closed the store Little managed because of tough competition from online providers. Little found another job briefly, but said it was a bad fit from the beginning. He collected unemployment temporarily, but now he’s living on modest savings and credit cards he’d rather not use.
Advertisement
Little said he doesn’t go out to eat. He has no cable. He clips coupons before he shops for the groceries he stretches for a week. He avoids outings with friends because he doesn’t want to be a charity case.
“I still feel like someone else needs a handout more than me,” said Little, who didn’t even want to send out the email about his predicament, but was pushed by a friend.
It’s not that Little can’t find work; it’s that he can’t find a job with a living wage. He uses a gaggle of job search sites and fills out a couple of applications a day, usually online, which can feel like a journey through virtual trapdoors.
“You might get to where they say they have a few more questions, so you click on this link, you go through another screening to where you’re asked if you’re willing to work 24-7, and this job pays $13.25 an hour are you OK with that, and will you be available for 20 to 30 hours a week, but basically it’s 20 because that’s how they start you, and if you say yes to all that you click to a link that brings you to interview scheduling,” Little said.
But if an interview time doesn’t work, maybe because you had another interview that day, you’re out of luck.
Little said he got as far as an in-person chat with a drugstore manager, who handed him off to an assistant manager for an interview.
“It’s for a part-time job, less than 20 hours, at $14.25 an hour, which doesn’t work unless you’re living in a house with family and everyone else is helping to pay the rent,” Little said. “She was a lovely girl, but I could have been her father, and that’s a lot of the problem. The hiring managers are all half my age, or maybe three-quarters.”
Little thinks in a lot of cases, those managers might fear he’ll take their jobs, or that a well-spoken middle-aged college graduate like him will leave as soon as he finds a better job. Some friends have advised him to take any job, just to have one. Others have advised him not to panic, and spend all his time focused on landing the right job.
Little has stopped putting his age, his three decades of work experience and the year of his college graduation on his resume and applications for fear all that will work against him.
He could take in a roommate, but he’s trying to hold off on that. He could move to an area with a cheaper cost of living, but he wouldn’t have any social or job connections in such a place, and wages might be even lower. He could drive for Uber, but his 2006 Ford Explorer, with 148,000 miles, isn’t a particularly smooth ride or economical option.
Little wants a real job and has to believe he’ll find one, eventually. But his story is a reminder of how misleading the rosy economic statistics can be at a time of mind-boggling income inequality.
“The U.S. economy and the California economy are growing and the unemployment rate is low, but the growth is skewed away from manufacturing and many traditional jobs, and when you have that kind of transformation … there is serious dislocation,” said Jerry Nickelsburg, director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast.
Tech is a good field for solid job prospects going forward, Nickelsburg said, but retraining can be challenging in multiple ways for older generations.
“If you were, for example, in your 50s and you went to school for a year to gain some new skills, you’re still in your 50s,” Nicklesburg said. “It’s much harder to make it worthwhile even if you get a job, and it’s going to be harder to convince an employer you can be a long-term employee they should invest a lot of money in.”
Little would prefer a job in which he helps companies build customer relations, but he’s open to just about any line of work and has applied at Home Depot and at various retail goods start-up companies. His problem, like those of so many other Californians, is not just that wages are low, but that housing costs are so high.
“The housing boom is clustered in these coastal regions and housing costs are growing faster than wages are, especially at the bottom,” said Julien Lafortune of the Public Policy Institute of California. “It’s harder and harder to keep up each year.”
Just under 40% of the California population is at or near the poverty level when the cost of living is factored in, said Lafortune, who was one of the researchers on a just-released report that said California’s strong economy has “underlying economic realities” that don’t look so good.
Over coffee, Little and I looked over some of that report together.
Nearly 2 million Californians ages 25 to 64 were working but living in poverty in 2017.
Median annual earnings for white and Asian families were $115,000 in 2018, while they were just $66,000 for African Americans and $60,000 for Latinos.
Since 1980, the median middle-income family is doing 24% better, but the median high-income family is doing 50% to 60% better.
And the top 10% of families make more than 10 times as much as the bottom 10%, a multiple that has doubled since 1980.
“That’s astounding,” Little said. “I hear about numbers like these all the time, and I wonder what happened to the middle class. Where did it go?”


latimes--2020-01-08--Group raises nearly $16 million to buy Alder Creek giant sequoia grove

The donations ranged from $ 1 to several million .
The money came from across the country and around the world .
Save the Redwoods League raised nearly $ 16 million — more than half of it in four months — to close a deal for 530 acres of the Alder Creek Grove of giant sequoias .
The century-old conservation group took title to the Sierra Nevada property on Dec. 30 , realizing a long-held dream of acquiring the world ’ s largest private holding of the world ’ s largest trees .
League officials said the $ 15.65 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organization has ever raised in purely private donations for a single conservation project .
“ It was incredible , ” said Becky Bremser , the league ’ s director of land protection .
“ We are so thrilled .
And so proud.
” The redwoods league had lined up a handful of major donors before launching a public fundraising campaign in September that received extensive media coverage .
Outlets ranging from Oprah ’ s magazine to the Taipei Times ran stories — testament to the universal appeal of the shaggy-headed giants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ states and 30 countries outside of the U.S. chipped in .
John Woollam , a league supporter from Nebraska , and Ralph Eschenbach and Carol Joy Provan of Woodside , Calif. , made significant contributions .
The Alder Creek property boasts 483 giant sequoias with diameters of at least 6 feet , including the 3,000-year old Stagg tree .
As tall as a 25-story building and wider than a two-lane road , the Stagg is the fifth-largest giant sequoia , as measured by trunk volume .
That makes it the world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in years of on-and-off talks with the Rouch family about buying the tract , which the Rouchs had owned since the 1940s .
The family logged the mountain land , opened a short-lived ski operation and developed a small resort community called Sequoia Crest among the big trees .
But they left most of the giants alone .
Along with 1,000 to 2,000-year–old trees , the grove contains a good number of young sequoias , 50 to 200 years old , adding to its conservation value .
The league plans to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thin non-sequoias that it says have grown too dense in the absence of wildfire , and then sell it , presumably at a discount , to the U.S. Forest Service for inclusion in the neighboring Giant Sequoia National Monument .
The Alder Creek purchase means that only about 739 acres of giant sequoias remain in private hands , primarily in small scattered holdings .
Most of the 73 groves of giant sequoias growing on the western slopes of the central Sierra Nevada — their sole native habitat — are on state land @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The donations ranged from $1 to several million. The money came from across the country and around the world.
Save the Redwoods League raised nearly $16 million — more than half of it in four months — to close a deal for 530 acres of the Alder Creek Grove of giant sequoias.
The century-old conservation group took title to the Sierra Nevada property on Dec. 30, realizing a long-held dream of acquiring the world’s largest private holding of the world’s largest trees.
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League officials said the $15.65 million from individuals and foundations is the most the organization has ever raised in purely private donations for a single conservation project.
“It was incredible,” said Becky Bremser, the league’s director of land protection. “We are so thrilled. And so proud.”
The redwoods league had lined up a handful of major donors before launching a public fundraising campaign in September that received extensive media coverage.
California Conservation group to buy Alder Creek giant sequoia grove and world’s fifth-largest tree After more than seven decades of ownership, the Rouch family will sell their piece of the Sierra Nevada to Save the Redwoods League, a century-old conservation group that has long hankered after the property.
Outlets ranging from Oprah’s magazine to the Taipei Times ran stories — testament to the universal appeal of the shaggy-headed giants.
More than 8,500 donors from all 50 states and 30 countries outside of the U.S. chipped in.
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John Woollam, a league supporter from Nebraska, and Ralph Eschenbach and Carol Joy Provan of Woodside, Calif., made significant contributions.
The Alder Creek property boasts 483 giant sequoias with diameters of at least 6 feet, including the 3,000-year-old Stagg tree.
As tall as a 25-story building and wider than a two-lane road, the Stagg is the fifth-largest giant sequoia, as measured by trunk volume. That makes it the world’s fifth-biggest tree on record.
The league was in years of on-and-off talks with the Rouch family about buying the tract, which the Rouchs had owned since the 1940s.
The family logged the mountain land, opened a short-lived ski operation and developed a small resort community called Sequoia Crest among the big trees.
But they left most of the giants alone.
Along with 1,000- to 2,000-year–old trees, the grove contains a good number of young sequoias, 50 to 200 years old, adding to its conservation value.
The league plans to keep the property for five to 10 years, thin non-sequoias that it says have grown too dense in the absence of wildfire, and then sell it, presumably at a discount, to the U.S. Forest Service for inclusion in the neighboring Giant Sequoia National Monument.
The Alder Creek purchase means that only about 739 acres of giant sequoias remain in private hands, primarily in small scattered holdings.
Most of the 73 groves of giant sequoias growing on the western slopes of the central Sierra Nevada — their sole native habitat — are on state land, in national parks or in national forests.


latimes--2020-01-05--Earthquake: 3.0 quake centered in Brea

Earthquake: 3.0 quake centered in Brea

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake was reported at 8:28 a.m. Sunday in Brea , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The earthquake occurred about a mile from the cities of Fullerton , Rowland Heights , Placentia and Yorba Linda .
In the last 10 days , there have been three earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby .
An average of 59 earthquakes with magnitudes of 2.0 to 3.0 occur each year in the Greater Los Angeles area , according to a recent three-year data sample .
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 4.8 miles .
Did you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you felt to the USGS .
Even if you didn ’ t feel this small earthquake , you never know when the Big One is going to strike .
Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit .
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot , a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS .
A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published .
If you ’ re interested in learning more about the system , visit our list of @ @ @ @

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake was reported at 8:28 a.m. Sunday in Brea, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred about a mile from the cities of Fullerton, Rowland Heights, Placentia and Yorba Linda.
In the last 10 days, there have been three earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
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An average of 59 earthquakes with magnitudes of 2.0 to 3.0 occur each year in the Greater Los Angeles area, according to a recent three-year data sample.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 4.8 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.
Even if you didn’t feel this small earthquake, you never know when the Big One is going to strike. Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit.
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.