latimes--2020-02-22--Latino voters seem fond of 'Tio' Bernie. Big-name Latino politicians, not so much

They showed up in Stetsons and Dodgers caps .
Guayaberas and Mexican blouses .
Chicano hipsters — aka , “ Chipsters ” — and punks .
Dark , light and all skin tones in between .
It was a rainbow of Latino diversity that streamed onto the Santa Ana Valley High School basketball courts Friday for a Bernie Sanders rally .
“ Santa Ana ‘ berns ’ for you !
” shouted one long-haired volunteer , eliding the As in the two words so it came out like “ SanTana.
” The crowd of more than 4,000 people reflected one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities in the United States .
Sanders was here to shore up support among voters like them , a demographic he ’ ll need to win California ’ s Democratic presidential primary on Super Tuesday , March 3 .
A poll released by the Public Policy Institute of California this week shows 53 % of Latino voters in California plan to cast their ballot for Sanders — a number far larger than the 32 % he picked up among all voters .
But one group of Latinos that Sanders isn ’ t counting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Golden State ?
Big-name politicians .
All the remaining presidential hopefuls have sought the blessings of this generation of California Latino leaders because of their key role in turning the state into a blue bulwark against President Trump .
A push from any of them would help raise the profile of commander-in-chief aspirants among Latinos not just in California , but beyond .
Yet not a single member of the powerful Latino Legislative Caucus has backed Sanders .
Nor has any member of the California ’ s Latino congressional delegation , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ befuddled lower-level Latino politicians across California — mayors , councilmembers , school board trustees , county supervisors , even water district directors — who have actively campaigned for the Vermont senator .
“ It ’ s interesting — I didn ’ t know that , ” said 21-year-old Kingsburg councilwoman Jewel Hurtado .
She thought about it for a bit , then continued .
“ It might be a smart , strategic move for them .
Or maybe they ’ re more moderate than they say they are.
” “ They [ Latino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of what ’ s best for Latinx people , ” said Garden Grove Unified School District board president Walter Muneton .
Monterey County Supervisor and former Latino Legislative Caucus chair Luis Alejo remembers seeing Eduardo Garcia ( D – Coachella ) , his former colleague in the State Assembly , stump for Tom Steyer on television .
“ I texted him , and jabbed him a little bit , ” Alejo said .
“ Like , ‘ Where is this coming from ?
’ ” He laughed , then sighed .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sometimes a disconnect about what the voters are thinking.
” The highest-ranking Latino in California to endorse Sanders , Board of Equalization member Tony Vazquez ( an auxiliary member of the Legislative Caucus ) , is so unknown that he ’ s not even listed on the Sanders website endorsement page .
But what ’ s happening in California isn ’ t unique .
Only two Latino congressional representatives and seven Latino state legislators have come out for Sanders .
Far from being upset about the upper-echelon snubs , the Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its Latino strategy : rally the rabble , and eschew the elite .
They ’ ve opened offices in rural and working-class cities like Oxnard , Visalia , and Fontana with huge Latino populations but with little historical political cachet .
“ In most of these areas , people love Bernie , ” said the campaign ’ s California state director , Rafael Návar .
“ We ’ re challenging a lot of the establishment politics and the power brokers who are not working class people — so there ’ s caution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the state , Sanders enlists local Latino politicians to introduce him .
They , in turn , offer impassioned speeches about how “ Tio Bernie ” inspired them to enter politics .
In East Los Angeles last November , it was 26-year-old Cudahy Mayor Elizabeth Alcantar .
In Coachella during December , the entire City Council came out to reveal they were unanimously behind him .
At Fresno City College , the task fell to Hurtado , who attends the school .
“ Bernie understands local issues — that ’ s where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to explain why so many municipal Latino pols are with Sanders .
“ We are the state who is leading in liberal issues , and it ’ s hard to see that we don ’ t have more to see more support on the higher levels .
But change comes from the bottom up.
” Political analysts aren ’ t surprised that Sanders has yet to win over the Latino ruling class .
“ The repercussions of endorsing someone who ’ s outside the Democratic mainstream has ramifications for whether they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone else wins the nomination , said University of Notre Dame political science professor Ricardo Ramirez .
“ If they do give the endorsement to someone who ’ s asking , in his own words , for a revolution for politics , then they might be seen as outside the mainstream themselves.
” “ In the eyes of this older generation of Latino electeds , he ’ s portrayed as someone with big ideas but can ’ t get anything done , ” said Christian Arana , policy director for the Latino Community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase Latino political participation in California .
A November poll by the group showed that 38 % of Latino voters age 18 to 39 preferred Sanders at the time , while those over the age of 50 preferred Joe Biden .
“ For younger ones , they don ’ t have time for the same old same old , ” Arana continued .
“ That ’ s why they like Bernie .
He ’ s the type of person who ’ s going to go for it .
He just doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lorena Gonzalez ( D-San Diego ) gets why so many Latinos in her district and beyond favor Sanders .
“ Bernie lines up with their values .
It makes sense .
If [ Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth ] Warren weren ’ t in the race , I ’ d support Bernie.
” Sanders joined his rivals in courting the caucus last summer and fall across the state in hotel conference rooms and labor offices , at the state Democratic conventions and in restaurant basements .
The candidates made half-hour pitches and took questions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Kamala Harris , who started with strong support .
Her dropping out of the presidential race left “ a lot of people shell-shocked , ” said Gonzalez , and they then went with whom the politicos thought had the best chance of beating Trump .
“ We probably , more than our constituents have a more up-close look at the candidates , ” Gonzalez said .
“ Our access to the information is just at a different level.
” She said Sanders “ did a good job ” in his interview .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her : Sanders suggested that they should talk with so-called Dreamers , as if he had discovered a new constituency .
“ We ’ re like , ‘ Um , they ’ re our family and friends and constituents , ’ ” Gonzalez said .
“ He didn ’ t realize where we live and operate.
” But the Santa Ana rally suggested the Sanders team gets California Latinos more than ever .
The last time Sanders campaigned in Orange County in 2016 , it was at the since-shuttered Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ High , a school deep in the barrio .
Democratic Party of Orange County chair Ada Briceño drew roars when she called everyone “ santaneros , ” the Spanish denonym for Santa Ana residents .
Sanders promised “ profound changes ” to immigration reform but otherwise didn ’ t make any explicit nods to Latinos .
Not a single Latino politician was on stage .
“ Latino voters don ’ t care , ” said Hairo Cortes , executive director of Santa Ana-based nonprofit Chispa .
“ Elected Latinos , let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to corporate interests as other politicians.
” 28-year-old Santa Ana resident Maria Ruvalcaba , who walked to the Sanders event from her home , was more forgiving .
“ They ’ re like our tías , who are , like , ‘ Ese viejito , que es no tanto [ That old man , he ain ’ t much ] , ” she said .
“ But they learn once you talk to them about Bernie .
They ’ re not dumb .
”

They showed up in Stetsons and Dodgers caps. Guayaberas and Mexican blouses. Chicano hipsters — aka “Chipsters” — and punks. Dark, light and all skin tones in between.
It was a rainbow of Latino diversity that streamed onto the Santa Ana Valley High School basketball courts Friday for a Bernie Sanders rally. “Santa Ana ‘Berns’ for you!” shouted one long-haired volunteer, eliding the A’s in the two words so it came out like “SanTana.”
The crowd of more than 4,000 people reflected one of the youngest and most Latino big cities in the United States. Sanders was here to shore up support among voters like them, a demographic he’ll need to win California’s Democratic presidential primary on Super Tuesday, March 3.
A poll released by the Public Policy Institute of California this week shows 53% of Latino voters in California plan to cast their ballot for Sanders — a number far larger than the 32% he picked up among all voters.
But one group of Latinos that Sanders isn’t counting on, so far, to take the Golden State? Big-name politicians.
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All the remaining presidential hopefuls have sought the blessings of this generation of California Latino leaders because of their key role in turning the state into a blue bulwark against President Trump. A push from any of them would help raise the profile of commander-in-chief aspirants among Latinos not just in California but beyond.
Yet not a single member of the powerful Latino Legislative Caucus has backed Sanders. Nor has any member of California’s Latino congressional delegation or any statewide elected official.
That incongruity has befuddled lower-level Latino politicians across California — mayors, council members, school board trustees, county supervisors, even water district directors — who have actively campaigned for the Vermont senator.
1 / 8 David Reyes holds up his baby, Galadriel Reyes, 8 months old, as his wife, Erica Smith joins supporters cheering as they listen to Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speak at Valley High School in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 8 Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders greets supporters after speaking at Valley High School in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 8 Supporters cheer as Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at Valley High School in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 8 Joseline Garcia, student organizer manager for Bernie Sanders in California, sports a hat as she speaks before Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders addressed the crowd at Valley High School in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 8 Jeff Jones, of Los Angeles, center, poses with Bernie Sanders fans after Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders spoke at Valley High School in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 8 Maya Lasso, 4, of Monterey Park, watches the “Chihuahua for Bernie” Mia and Fiesta walk by with their owner, Anna Masa, of Boyle Heights, after Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders spoke at Valley High School in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 8 Bernie Sanders supporters pose at the podium after Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke to supporters at Valley High School in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 8 Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at Valley High School in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
“It’s interesting — I didn’t know that,” said 21-year-old Kingsburg Councilwoman Jewel Hurtado. She thought about it for a bit, then continued. “It might be a smart, strategic move for them. Or maybe they’re more moderate than they say they are.”
“They [Latino Legislative Caucus members] put special interests ahead of what’s best for Latinx people,” said Walter Muneton, president of the Garden Grove Unified School District board.
Monterey County Supervisor and former Latino Legislative Caucus chair Luis Alejo remembers seeing Eduardo Garcia (D – Coachella), his former colleague in the state Assembly, stump for Tom Steyer on television. “I texted him, and jabbed him a little bit,” Alejo said. “Like, ‘Where is this coming from?’”
He laughed, then sighed. “When folks get to Sacramento, there’s sometimes a disconnect about what the voters are thinking.”
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The highest-ranking Latino in California to endorse Sanders is Board of Equalization member Tony Vazquez (an auxiliary member of the Legislative Caucus), who is listed on the Sanders website’s endorsement page.
But what’s happening in California isn’t unique. Only two Latino congressional representatives and seven Latino state legislators have come out for Sanders.
Far from being upset about the upper-echelon snubs, the Sanders camp is taking the development as validation of its Latino strategy: rally the rabble, and eschew the elite.
They’ve opened offices in rural and working-class cities like Oxnard, Visalia, and Fontana with huge Latino populations but with little historical political cachet.
Bernie Sanders greets supporters in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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“In most of these areas, people love Bernie,” said the campaign’s California state director, Rafael Návar. “We’re challenging a lot of the establishment politics and the power brokers who are not working-class people — so there’s caution about that from them.”
At rallies across the state, Sanders enlists local Latino politicians to introduce him. They, in turn, offer impassioned speeches about how “Tío Bernie” inspired them to enter politics.
In East Los Angeles in November, it was 26-year-old Cudahy Mayor Elizabeth Alcantar. In Coachella during December, the entire City Council came out to reveal they were unanimously behind him. At Fresno City College, the task fell to Hurtado, who attends the school.
“Bernie understands local issues — that’s where he started,” the city councilwoman said when asked to explain why so many municipal Latino pols are with Sanders. “We are the state who is leading in liberal issues, and it’s hard to see that we don’t have more to see more support on the higher levels. But change comes from the bottom up.”
Political analysts aren’t surprised that Sanders has yet to win over the Latino ruling class.
“The repercussions of endorsing someone who’s outside the Democratic mainstream has ramifications for whether they’ll be included for possibilities” if someone else wins the nomination, said University of Notre Dame political science professor Ricardo Ramírez. “If they do give the endorsement to someone who’s asking, in his own words, for a revolution for politics, then they might be seen as outside the mainstream themselves.”
“In the eyes of this older generation of Latino electeds, he’s portrayed as someone with big ideas but can’t get anything done,” said Christian Arana, policy director for the Latino Community Foundation, a San Francisco nonprofit founded to increase Latino political participation in California. A November poll by the group showed that 38% of Latino voters age 18 to 39 preferred Sanders at the time, while those over the age of 50 preferred Joe Biden.
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Bernie Sanders takes the stage in Santa Ana on Friday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“For younger ones, they don’t have time for the same old same old,” Arana continued. “That’s why they like Bernie. He’s the type of person who’s going to go for it. He just doesn’t care.”
Latino Legislative Caucus chair Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) gets why so many Latinos in her Assembly district and beyond favor Sanders. “Bernie lines up with their values. It makes sense. If [Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth] Warren weren’t in the race, I’d support Bernie.”
Sanders joined his rivals in courting the caucus last summer and fall across the state in hotel conference rooms and labor offices, at the state Democratic convention and in restaurant basements. The candidates made half-hour pitches and took questions.
Many caucus members initially sided with California Sen. Kamala Harris, who started with strong support. Her dropping out of the presidential race left “a lot of people shell-shocked,” said Gonzalez, and they then went with whom the politicos thought had the best chance of beating Trump.
“We probably, more than our constituents, have a more up-close look at the candidates,” Gonzalez said. “Our access to the information is just at a different level.”
She said Sanders “did a good job” in his interview. One moment, however, stayed with her: Sanders suggested that they should talk with so-called Dreamers, as if he had discovered a new constituency.
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“We’re like, ‘Um, they’re our family and friends and constituents,’” Gonzalez said. “He didn’t realize where we live and operate.”
But the Santa Ana rally suggested the Sanders team gets California Latinos more than ever.
The last time Sanders campaigned in Orange County, in 2016, it was at the since-shuttered Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre. This time, it was in Valley High, a school deep in the barrio.
Democratic Party of Orange County chair Ada Briceño drew roars when she called everyone santaneros, the Spanish demonym for Santa Ana residents. Sanders promised “profound changes” to immigration reform but otherwise didn’t make any explicit nods to Latinos.
Not a single Latino politician was onstage.
It didn’t matter to attendees.
“Latino voters don’t care,” said Hairo Cortes, executive director of Santa Ana-based nonprofit Chispa. “Elected Latinos, let’s be real, are just as beholden to corporate interests as other politicians.”
Santa Ana resident Maria Ruvalcaba, 28, who walked to the Sanders event from her home, was more forgiving.
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“They’re like our tías, who are, like, ‘Ese viejito, que es no tanto’ [That old man, he ain’t much],” she said. “But they learn once you talk to them about Bernie. They’re not dumb.”


latimes--2020-02-22--Roommate, boyfriend arrested in triple homicide in Riverside County

Police have identified a 20-year-old woman and her boyfriend as suspects in the slayings of three of her roommates , who were found dead inside a Riverside County home .
Hemet ’ s interim Police Chief Eddie Pust said Friday that the 20-year-old woman , Jordan Guzman , lived at the home and had a “ dispute over a rental agreement ” before the slayings .
Guzman and her 18-year-old boyfriend , Anthony McCloud , were arrested Thursday in Las Vegas after they allegedly stole one of the victims ’ cars to flee .
They are being held on $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on three counts of murder .
The women — Trinity Clyde , 18 ; Wendy Lopez-Araiza , 46 ; and her daughter , Genesis Lopez-Araiza , 21 — were discovered dead Wednesday in the Hemet home .
Wendy Lopez-Araiza ’ s husband came home from work Wednesday to find one of the victims covered in blood and called 911 , Pust said at a news conference .
The chief said there was evidence of blunt force trauma and strangulation .
There was no indication of a firearm being used in the deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ long Guzman had lived at the home or how the killings unfolded .
It was not immediately clear whether Guzman and McCloud had attorneys who could speak on their behalf Rodney Clyde told KNBC-TV Channel 4 that his daughter , Trinity , had planned to rent a room at the home on Rabbit Peak Way .
The suspects allegedly stole Trinity Clyde ’ s vehicle to drive to Las Vegas .
“ I just bought her paint yesterday , “ he said .
“ That was my baby .
That was my kid @ @

Police have identified a 20-year-old woman and her boyfriend as suspects in the slayings of three of her roommates, who were found dead inside a Riverside County home.
Hemet’s interim Police Chief Eddie Pust said Friday that the 20-year-old woman, Jordan Guzman, lived at the home and had a “dispute over a rental agreement” before the slayings.
Guzman and her 18-year-old boyfriend, Anthony McCloud, were arrested Thursday in Las Vegas after they allegedly stole one of the victims’ cars to flee. They are being held on $2-million bail each in Nevada awaiting extradition on three counts of murder.
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The women — Trinity Clyde, 18; Wendy Lopez-Araiza, 46; and her daughter, Genesis Lopez-Araiza, 21 — were discovered dead Wednesday in the Hemet home. Wendy Lopez-Araiza’s husband came home from work Wednesday to find one of the victims covered in blood and called 911, Pust said at a news conference.
The chief said there was evidence of blunt force trauma and strangulation. There was no indication of a firearm being used in the deaths.
Pust said he did not know how long Guzman had lived at the home or how the killings unfolded.
It was not immediately clear whether Guzman and McCloud had attorneys who could speak on their behalf
Rodney Clyde told KNBC-TV Channel 4 that his daughter, Trinity, had planned to rent a room at the home on Rabbit Peak Way. The suspects allegedly stole Trinity Clyde’s vehicle to drive to Las Vegas.
“I just bought her paint yesterday,“ he said. “That was my baby. That was my kid.”


latimes--2020-02-22--San Diego sheriff agrees to share immigration information

The San Diego County Sheriff ’ s Department will share records of people who were criminally arrested with immigration authorities , becoming the first local law enforcement agency in five states to comply with unusual demands for information , authorities said Friday .
In recent weeks , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued administrative subpoenas — signed by an immigration official , not a judge — to state and local law enforcement agencies in Colorado , Connecticut , New York , Oregon and California .
Sheriff Bill Gore ’ s announcement , in a statement from his department late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after ICE issued four subpoenas , the only ones so far in California .
The agency is the first in all five states to comply with the requests , ICE spokeswoman Lauren Mack said .
The demands for information are among several recent moves by the Trump administration against what it considers “ sanctuary ” jurisdictions , which adopt laws and policies to limit cooperation with immigration authorities .
“ While the Sheriff ’ s Department does not enforce immigration laws , we are obligated to comply with lawfully issued subpoenas , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a state law that sharply limits cooperation with immigration authorities does not explicitly address subpoenas .
It said previous requests for information have been voluntary .
“ A federal subpoena creates a mandatory legal obligation and is not ‘ cooperation , ’ ” the statement read .
Monika Langarica , an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties , said the state law that the Sheriff ’ s Department cited , the California Values Act , clearly prohibits sharing non-public personal information with ICE .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ ICE ’ s issuance of subpoenas , and Sheriff ’ s Office ’ s potential compliance , endanger public safety and community trust , ” she said .
The office of California ’ s Democratic attorney general , Xavier Becerra , declined to comment .
Gore is a Republican elected to an officially nonpartisan position and the former head of the FBI ’ s San Diego office .
He isn ’ t known as a firebrand on immigration .
Robert Brewer , the U.S. attorney in San Diego , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subpoenas that were due this week .
Information on two others is due next week .
ICE issued its latest round of subpoenas Friday to several agencies in Oregon — the Oregon State Police , Hillsboro Police Department , Wasco County Sheriff ’ s Office and Clackamas County Sheriff ’ s Office .

An officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement observes an operation July 8, 2019, in Escondido, Calif.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department will share records of people who were criminally arrested with immigration authorities, becoming the first local law enforcement agency in five states to comply with unusual demands for information, authorities said Friday.
In recent weeks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued administrative subpoenas — signed by an immigration official, not a judge — to state and local law enforcement agencies in Colorado, Connecticut, New York, Oregon and California.
Sheriff Bill Gore’s announcement, in a statement from his department late Thursday, came less than a week after ICE issued four subpoenas, the only ones so far in California. The agency is the first in all five states to comply with the requests, ICE spokeswoman Lauren Mack said.
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The demands for information are among several recent moves by the Trump administration against what it considers “sanctuary” jurisdictions, which adopt laws and policies to limit cooperation with immigration authorities.
“While the Sheriff’s Department does not enforce immigration laws, we are obligated to comply with lawfully issued subpoenas,” the department statement read.
The department said a state law that sharply limits cooperation with immigration authorities does not explicitly address subpoenas. It said previous requests for information have been voluntary.
“A federal subpoena creates a mandatory legal obligation and is not ‘cooperation,’” the statement read.
Monika Langarica, an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties, said the state law that the Sheriff’s Department cited, the California Values Act, clearly prohibits sharing nonpublic personal information with ICE. She said the department should require court-issued subpoenas.
“ICE’s issuance of subpoenas, and Sheriff’s Office’s potential compliance, endanger public safety and community trust,” she said.
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The office of California’s Democratic attorney general, Xavier Becerra, declined to comment.
Gore is a Republican elected to an officially nonpartisan position and a former head of the FBI’s San Diego office. He isn’t known as a firebrand on immigration.
Robert Brewer, the U.S. attorney in San Diego, said the Sheriff’s Department complied with two subpoenas that were due this week. Information on two others is due next week.
ICE issued its latest round of subpoenas Friday to several agencies in Oregon — the Oregon State Police, Hillsboro Police Department, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.


latimes--2020-02-22--Judge halts plan to house coronavirus patients in Costa Mesa — for now

A federal judge late Friday temporarily blocked the U.S. government from quarantining coronavirus patients in Costa Mesa after city officials argued that the surprise proposal came with no information about how surrounding neighborhoods would be protected from the deadly virus .
The city filed a request on Friday afternoon to halt the plan to house 30 to 50 people who tested positive for the coronavirus at the state-owned Fairview Developmental Center until the 109-acre center — which sits next to several residential neighborhoods — is determined suitable for the quarantine and safeguards are put in place to protect the neighboring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an isolated location , ” Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley told The Times .
“ It would certainly be important for us as the lead city to know what the plan is.
” Late Friday , U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton issued a temporary restraining order to halt the transportation of anyone infected with the coronavirus to Costa Mesa and set a hearing for Monday at 2 p.m. to evaluate the merits of the request .
Foley said a city staffer received a call about 5:20 p.m. Thursday from the California Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that federal officials planned to start moving patients in as early as Sunday .
She and other city officials spent the next 24 hours trying to get more details , such as how long the site would be used and how restricted patients would be .
They found that the answers to their questions were different depending on who they spoke with , she said .
“ We just couldn ’ t get any answers in any timely fashion , ” she said .
“ We just want to minimize the impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the City Council decided unanimously to file a request for a legal injunction to halt the plan for the Fairview center , which houses a handful of residents and employs a few dozen staff members .
It ’ s unclear where the coronavirus patients are currently being quarantined .
Health officials in Humboldt and Sacramento counties each confirmed a case of the coronavirus this week in residents who had recently traveled to China .
In addition , five people who were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus , the CDC said , bringing the total number of confirmed cases in California to 15 .
In total , there are 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States , CDC officials said earlier Friday ; the Sacramento County case would bring that number to 35 .
Three of the cases were among people evacuated from Wuhan on government-chartered repatriation flights , and 18 were among passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship .
Those include the five hospitalized near Travis , plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Nebraska Medical Center near Camp Ashland and two who are being treated at hospitals near Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland .

A federal judge late Friday temporarily blocked the U.S. government from quarantining coronavirus patients in Costa Mesa after city officials argued that the surprise proposal came with no information about how surrounding neighborhoods would be protected from the deadly virus.
The city filed a request Friday afternoon to halt the plan to house 30 to 50 people who tested positive for the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus at the state-owned Fairview Developmental Center until the 109-acre center — which sits next to several residential neighborhoods — is determined suitable for the quarantine and safeguards are put in place to protect the neighboring community.
“It is certainly not an isolated location,” Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley told The Times. “It would certainly be important for us as the lead city to know what the plan is.”
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Late Friday, U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton issued a temporary restraining order to halt the transportation of anyone infected with the coronavirus to Costa Mesa and set a hearing for Monday at 2 p.m. to evaluate the merits of the request.
Foley said a city staffer received a call about 5:20 p.m. Thursday from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, saying that federal officials planned to start moving patients in as early as Sunday. She and other city officials spent the next 24 hours trying to get more details, such as how long the site would be used and how restricted patients would be. They found that the answers to their questions were different depending on who they spoke with, she said.
“We just couldn’t get any answers in any timely fashion,” she said. “We just want to minimize the impact on our residents and businesses.”
The City Council decided unanimously to file a request for a legal injunction to halt the plan for the Fairview center, which houses a handful of residents and employs a few dozen staff members.
It’s unclear where the coronavirus patients are currently being quarantined.
The Orange County Health Care Agency said in a statement Saturday that it was notified late Thursday evening of the state’s intent to transfer coronavirus patients from Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield to Fairview in Costa Mesa, “and told the transportation, monitoring, and care of these individuals would be entirely managed by state and federal representatives.”
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“Since then, we have not been provided crucial details such as an operational plan or proposed scope of services,” the statement said.
“As the local health department, it is our hope that we can engage in a more thoughtful and robust collaboration with our colleagues at the state and federal level to ensure the health and safety of Orange County residents is protected and next steps are clearly communicated to the public,” Dr. Nichole Quick, Orange County health officer, said in the statement.
The California Health and Human Services Agency said Saturday that the quarantine of evacuees at Travis “remains a federal operation” but that the state has been working hard to support the effort in a way that ensures the safety of the patients and local communities.
“The federal government has determined that anyone who tests positive for novel coronavirus cannot stay at Travis Air Force Base,” the agency said in a statement. “Some who have tested positive will need hospital care. But based upon our experience, many are not sick enough to need hospital care but still must be isolated until the infection is cleared.”
Fairview Developmental Center is one of the locations under consideration for that purpose, the agency said, but if it were chosen, the federal government would be responsible for providing healthcare and “robust security to ensure the public safety and public health of the surrounding community.”
Health officials in Humboldt and Sacramento counties each confirmed a case of the coronavirus this week in residents who had recently traveled to China.
In addition, five people who were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and taken to Travis Air Force Base have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the CDC said, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in California to 15.
In total, there are 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States, CDC officials said earlier Friday; the Sacramento County case would bring that number to 35. Three of the cases were among people evacuated from Wuhan on government-chartered repatriation flights, and 18 were among passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Those include the five hospitalized near Travis, plus 11 who are receiving care at University of Nebraska Medical Center near Camp Ashland and two who are being treated at hospitals near Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-21--Author who sparked 'American Dirt' scandal is escorted away from Long Beach teaching job

Myriam Gurba , the novelist and Long Beach high school teacher who sparked a row in U.S. publishing over the bestselling novel “ American Dirt , ” has been placed on administrative leave and was escorted from her school on Friday .
Gurba broke word of her removal from Long Beach Polytechnic High School via Twitter , a platform she ’ s used to intensifying effect since last month after disclosing that a magazine rejected her scathingly negative review of Jeanine Cummins ’ “ American Dirt.
” Gurba and other readers have derided the thriller-romance story set in Mexico for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depictions of Mexican life .
But in recent days , Gurba has turned her attention to brewing allegations of abuse or battery on the part of another Long Beach Poly teacher , Libby Huff .
She also has raised unconfirmed allegations against a separate teacher at another school .
Gurba said earlier this week that her school administration had begun ostracizing her for speaking out in support of the students who alleged abuse at the hands of Huff .
That teacher is on leave from the district ; Long Beach police are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter , Gurba railed this week against the district , her school and Huff .
A counselor at Long Beach Poly walked into Gurba ’ s classroom Friday to tell her she had to leave school grounds .
“ They said that my social media was disruptive to the school , ” Gurba said in an interview .
The teacher and author of the novel “ Mean ” said she was placed on administrative leave without being given any more explanation .
A district official confirmed the decision .
“ Our school district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on paid administrative leave today , ” said Chris Eftychiou , spokesperson for the Long Beach Unified School District , in an emailed response to questions .
“ The school district is not at liberty to provide further details because of confidentiality rules affecting personnel matters.
” In a Twitter post , Gurba criticized the school and her district for not “ protecting ” her and students .
“ Women and children [ are ] treated as problems by LBUSD , ” Gurba .
She also : “ I would rather have my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is a teacher of AP psychology .
On Friday afternoon she told The Times she was in touch with a lawyer but not clear on what action she would take , if any .
She added that she has contacted her union about a response to the district ’ s actions .
During the controversy over “ American Dirt , ” under growing pressure from Gurba and other critics , Cummins and her publisher , Macmillan Books , apologized for the novel ’ s publicity rollout and canceled a planned promotional tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simmering and often emotional discussion about cultural appropriation and the mechanics of a books industry that many claim sidelines or erases U.S. Latino voices .
“ American Dirt , ” meanwhile , has continued to sell well .
It currently sits at third place on the Amazon bestseller list .

Myriam Gurba speaks at a panel hosted by #DignidadLiteraria on “American Dirt” and Latinx visibility, held at Antioch University on Thursday, Feb. 6.
Myriam Gurba, the novelist and Long Beach high school teacher who sparked a row in U.S. publishing over the bestselling novel “American Dirt,” has been placed on administrative leave and was escorted from her school Friday.
Gurba broke word of her removal from Long Beach Polytechnic High School via Twitter, a platform she’s used to intensifying effect since disclosing last month that a magazine rejected her scathingly negative review of Jeanine Cummins’ “American Dirt.” Gurba and other readers have derided the thriller-romance story set in Mexico for what they have deemed stereotypical or harmful depictions of Mexican life.
But in recent days, Gurba has turned her attention to brewing allegations of abuse or battery on the part of another Long Beach Poly teacher, Libby Huff. She also has raised unconfirmed allegations against a separate teacher at another school.
Gurba said earlier this week that her school administration had begun ostracizing her for speaking out in support of the students who alleged abuse at the hands of Huff. That teacher is on leave from the district; Long Beach police are also investigating the allegations against her.
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On Twitter, Gurba railed this week against the district, her school and Huff.
A counselor at Long Beach Poly walked into Gurba’s classroom Friday to tell her she had to leave school grounds. “They said that my social media was disruptive to the school,” Gurba said in an interview.
The teacher and author of the memoir “Mean” said she was placed on administrative leave without being given any further explanation. A district official confirmed the decision.
“Our school district placed Poly High School teacher Myriam Gurba on paid administrative leave today,” Chris Eftychiou, spokesman for the Long Beach Unified School District, said in an emailed response to questions. “The school district is not at liberty to provide further details because of confidentiality rules affecting personnel matters.”
In a Twitter post, Gurba criticized the school and her district for not “protecting” her and students. “Women and children [are] treated as problems by LBUSD,” Gurba wrote. She also tweeted, “I would rather have my dignity than a job.”
Gurba said she is a teacher of AP psychology. On Friday afternoon she told The Times she was in touch with a lawyer but not clear on what action she would take, if any. She added that she has contacted her union about a response to the district’s actions.
Swear to god as I was sitting on the curb after getting quasi-FIRED one of my former students shows up w a BEST TEACHER EVER plaque and some snacks. I'm holding a Socratic sidewalk seminar. pic.twitter.com/z02DLEDC6H — Myriam Chingona Gurba de Serrano (@lesbrains) February 21, 2020
During the controversy over “American Dirt,” under growing pressure from Gurba and other critics, Cummins and her publisher, Macmillan Books, apologized for the novel’s publicity rollout and canceled a planned promotional tour. The debate also led to a simmering and often emotional discussion about cultural appropriation and the mechanics of a books industry that many claim sidelines or erases U.S. Latino voices.
“American Dirt,” meanwhile, has continued to sell well. It currently sits at third place on the Amazon bestseller list.
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Times staff writer Dorany Pineda contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-21--Kobe Bryant's pilot had been disciplined by FAA over weather-related flight violation

The pilot of the helicopter that crashed into a Calabasas hillside last month , killing NBA star Kobe Bryant and eight others , violated federal flight rules in 2015 when he flew into busy airspace near Los Angeles International Airport despite being ordered not to by air traffic control , according to records from the Federal Aviation Administration obtained by The Times .
Ara Zobayan was flying northbound in an AS350 chopper when he was denied clearance to traverse the airspace because weather conditions had reduced visibility below what is known as visual flight rules ( VFR ) , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a freedom of information act request .
The FAA said Zobayan took responsibility for the violation and underwent counseling , but faulted him for his lack of preparation .
“ Had Mr. Zobayan properly planned and reviewed current weather at LAX , he would have been able to anticipate the required action to transit ... resulting in proper coordination , ” the report says .
Federal authorities are investigating Zobayan ’ s actions during last month ’ s flight when he veered out of control after flying into heavy clouds .
Zobayan also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 2015 flight , Zobayan was flying for Island Express Helicopters , the same charter company where he worked for years leading up to the crash .
It is not clear where Zobayan was traveling that day or whether he had any passengers .
Near the Hawthorne Airport and the 105 Freeway , he contacted a tower at LAX to gain clearance to fly through the airspace .
The tower told Zobayan that the airfield was reporting less than three miles of visibility and a cloud ceiling at least 1,000 feet above the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his sight to guide him , responded with a request to continue under special VFR , which would grant him clearance to fly in weather conditions with less than the minimum visibility for regular visual flying .
When the tower denied that request and told him to navigate around the airspace , Zobayan backtracked and said that he could actually maintain VFR .
During the conversation , Zobayan continued flying northbound and entered the airspace without approval , violating FAA rules , according to the enforcement report .
An FAA investigator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , did not recommend remedial training and instead opted to counsel Zobayan in several areas including operating in airspace around large airports , special VFR weather minimums , proper planning and reviewing weather .
“ There are no indications that this is a repeated incident and there are no signs that this incident is a trend with Mr. Zobayan or any other [ Island Express Helicopter ] personnel , ” the investigator wrote .
Opinions among pilots and experts are split on the severity of the violation .
Shawn Coyle , a longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered relatively minor .
“ I don ’ t know a single pilot out there who hasn ’ t violated a rule , ” he said .
“ If that ’ s the only violation he ’ s ever had then I would say he ’ s pretty safe.
” The report comes as investigators continue to try to determine the cause of the deadly chopper crash on Jan. 26 , a process that will likely take months .
However , investigators have said Zobayan was struggling with poor visibility in the moments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Zoey Tur , a veteran Los Angeles news chopper pilot , noted that both the Hawthorne incident and the Bryant flight involved a case when the pilot found himself struggling with poor weather conditions .
“ As a pilot you ’ re supposed to check the weather conditions along the route of flight , ” Tur said .
A representative for Island Express Helicopters could not be reached for comment .
An attorney representing the company did not respond to a phone call from a reporter on Friday .
Kurt Deetz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helicopters , said navigating around the controlled airspace near LAX would have added only five to ten minutes to the flight .
He contends the pilot also should have known that LAX rarely allows helicopters to fly under special flight rules in the airspace around the airport .
Entering the airspace without approval , he added , can be dangerous because of potential conflicts with commercial jets .
“ You can ’ t request special VFR and then they deny you and you say , ‘ Oh wait a minute , actually I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ That ’ s not how it works .
It shows that perhaps his understanding of special VFR as opposed to VFR was cloudy.
” Zobayan reported the incident to his employer and the FAA .
Island Express Helicopters told federal investigators that they conducted additional ground and flight training with Zobayan in response to the situation .
Helicopter pilots and aviation experts say less-than-ideal weather is not uncommon for experienced pilots , but flying when visibility is decreasing poses an extreme danger .
Staff writers Richard Winton and Kim Christensen @ @ @ @

Officials remove a body from the wreckage in Calabasas where Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine dead in a helicopter crash.
The pilot of the helicopter that crashed into a Calabasas hillside last month, killing NBA star Kobe Bryant and eight others, violated federal flight rules in 2015 when he flew into busy airspace near Los Angeles International Airport despite being ordered not to by air traffic control, according to records from the Federal Aviation Administration obtained by The Times.
Ara Zobayan was flying northbound in an AS350 chopper when he was denied clearance to traverse the airspace because weather conditions had reduced visibility below what are known as visual flight rules (VFR), according to the enforcement action records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The FAA said Zobayan took responsibility for the violation and underwent counseling, but the agency faulted him for his lack of preparation. “Had Mr. Zobayan properly planned and reviewed current weather at LAX, he would have been able to anticipate the required action to transit … resulting in proper coordination,” the report says.
Federal authorities are investigating Zobayan’s actions during last month’s flight when he veered out of control after flying into heavy clouds. Zobayan also died in the crash.
On the May 2015 flight, Zobayan was flying for Island Express Helicopters, the same charter company where he worked for years leading up to last month’s crash. It is not clear where Zobayan was traveling that day or whether he had any passengers.
Near Hawthorne Municipal Airport and the 105 Freeway, he contacted a tower at LAX to gain clearance to fly through the airspace. The tower told Zobayan that the airfield was reporting less than three miles of visibility and a cloud ceiling at least 1,000 feet above the ground.
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Zobayan, who was relying on his sight to guide him, responded with a request to continue under “special VFR,” which would grant him clearance to fly in weather conditions with less than the minimum visibility for regular visual flying. When the tower denied that request and told him to navigate around the airspace, Zobayan backtracked and said that he could maintain VFR.
During the conversation, Zobayan continued flying northbound and entered the airspace without approval, violating FAA rules, according to the enforcement report.
An FAA investigator, who was not named in the document, did not recommend remedial training and instead opted to counsel Zobayan in several areas including operating in airspace around large airports, special VFR weather minimums, proper planning and reviewing weather.
“There are no indications that this is a repeated incident and there are no signs that this incident is a trend with Mr. Zobayan or any other [Island Express Helicopters] personnel,” the investigator wrote.
Opinions among pilots and experts are split on the severity of the violation.
Shawn Coyle, a longtime helicopter pilot, said the violation is considered relatively minor.
“I don’t know a single pilot out there who hasn’t violated a rule,” he said. “If that’s the only violation he’s ever had then I would say he’s pretty safe.”
The report comes as investigators continue to try to determine the cause of the deadly chopper crash on Jan. 26, a process that will probably take months. However, investigators have said Zobayan was struggling with poor visibility in the moments before the aircraft slammed into the hillside.
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Zoey Tur, a veteran Los Angeles news chopper pilot, noted that both the Hawthorne incident and the crash involved the pilot struggling with poor weather conditions.
“As a pilot you’re supposed to check the weather conditions along the route of flight,” Tur said.
A representative for Island Express Helicopters could not be reached for comment. An attorney representing the company did not respond to a phone call from a reporter Friday.
Kurt Deetz, a former pilot for Island Express Helicopters, said navigating around the controlled airspace near LAX would have added only five to 10 minutes to the flight.
He contends the pilot also should have known that LAX rarely allows helicopters to fly under special flight rules in the airspace around the airport. Entering the airspace without approval, he added, can be dangerous because of potential conflicts with commercial jets.
“You can’t request special VFR and then they deny you and you say, ‘Oh wait a minute, actually I’m VFR,’” he said. “That’s not how it works. It shows that perhaps his understanding of special VFR as opposed to VFR was cloudy.”
Zobayan reported the incident to his employer and the FAA. Island Express Helicopters told federal investigators that they conducted additional ground and flight training with Zobayan in response to the situation.
Helicopter pilots and aviation experts say less-than-ideal weather is not uncommon for experienced pilots, but flying when visibility is decreasing poses an extreme danger.
Times staff writers Richard Winton and Kim Christensen contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-21--Girl found dead in duffel bag was scarred 'head to toe' and abused for months, evidence shows

Trinity Love Jones was scarred from head to toe .
The slain 9-year-old ’ s body had so many injuries that a medical examiner performing an autopsy had to draw several diagrams to document them all .
Evidence showed that the girl had been abused for months — beaten , denied food and bearing an infection on her feet that made it hard for her to wear shoes .
At a preliminary hearing this week in a Pomona courtroom , prosecutors outlined the serious injuries the girl suffered before her 2019 death and provided new details , including text messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the girl ’ s mother and her boyfriend of killing her .
Taquesta Graham , 29 , and Emiel Hunt , 39 , have been charged with murder and torture .
They have pleaded not guilty .
Superior Court Judge Mike Camacho decided Friday that the case will proceed to trial , saying the evidence showed “ systematic abuse and neglect.
” “ It ’ s clear that these were intentional acts and the defendants acted with conscious disregard , ” he said .
The girl ’ s body was found March 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag near the entrance to an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights .
The killing shocked the community , and the child ’ s identity wasn ’ t confirmed for nearly a week .
Thousands of tips poured in from across the nation .
In court , investigators read aloud text messages in which Hunt and Graham wrote of punishing the girl and complained that she kept urinating on herself .
“ Trinity is going to get it , ” Graham texted Hunt after one such incident .
In another exchange from January 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the text she has sent : “ We were talking about giving you a burrito ... you messed up.
” In interviews with investigators , Hunt and Graham said that two weeks before her death , the girl fell and hit her head , L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Det .
Marc Boisvert testified .
There was a large lump on her forehead and her left and right eyes had begun to swell .
She became lethargic and started to slur her words , Graham said .
Graham told investigators that on Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trinity was congested , Boisvert testified .
She said she gave the child Pedialyte , soup and a bagel , then took a shower .
When she got out , she noticed that Trinity ’ s teeth were clenched and she was having a seizure , the detective said .
That afternoon , Graham went to work at a dollar store while Hunt waited in the parking lot .
Trinity was in the back seat of the car , sleeping , Graham told investigators .
When Graham got off work about 9:30 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Hunt carried the child back to the room .
Later that night , Graham checked on Trinity and noticed she wasn ’ t breathing .
She told authorities her first thought was that Hunt had placed a pillow over Trinity ’ s face while they were in the SUV earlier that evening .
Hunt told investigators that he woke up about 3 a.m. March 1 and noticed that the child was not breathing .
He said he and Graham “ freaked out ” because of their criminal histories but told each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong , ” Boisvert said .
Court records show Hunt was convicted of felony child abuse in San Diego County in 2005 and sentenced to 12 years in state prison .
Graham has a prior conviction for involvement with a minor in prostitution .
Graham said she wanted to call 911 , but Hunt persuaded her not to and suggested putting the girl ’ s body in a dumpster , which angered her .
She also said she didn ’ t take the child to the hospital after the fall because she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before 6 a.m. March 1 , surveillance footage from the Budget Inn in Santa Fe Springs shows Hunt carrying a body wrapped in a blanket , Sheriff ’ s Det .
Louie Aguilera testified .
About 30 minutes later , video from cameras at a Walmart shows Hunt purchasing two shovels , a throw blanket and a lighter .
At 11:36 a.m. , Hunt and Graham were spotted at a discount store purchasing a rollaway duffel bag that was identical to the one the girl was found in , Aguilera said .
Aguilera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham , who wore an ankle monitor because she was on parole , was in the area where her daughter was discovered for about 30 to 40 minutes March 1 .
After discovering the body , Los Angeles County investigators asked for the public ’ s help to identify her .
A relative called authorities after seeing a sketch and photo of her .
Investigators said that Graham , Hunt and Trinity had moved out of a relative ’ s home in July 2018 and then slept in Hunt ’ s SUV and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had seen the girl only periodically after the move .
Investigators looked into Graham and Hunt ’ s criminal histories and began searching for them as possible suspects .
Graham was arrested on an unrelated warrant March 8 at a Border Patrol checkpoint in Texas .
Hunt was arrested a day later after he was found sleeping in his SUV near San Diego International Airport .
Hunt told investigators that after the couple dumped the child ’ s body , they drove away from the site in silence , Boisvert testified .

Items left in a memorial to Trinity Love Jones, 9, whose body was found in a duffel bag along an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights in March 2019.
Trinity Love Jones was scarred from head to toe. The slain 9-year-old’s body had so many injuries that a medical examiner performing an autopsy had to draw several diagrams to document them all.
Evidence showed that the girl had been abused for months — beaten, denied food and bearing an infection on her feet that made it hard for her to wear shoes.
At a preliminary hearing this week in a Pomona courtroom, prosecutors outlined the serious injuries the girl suffered before her 2019 death and provided new details, including text messages and videos that led investigators to suspect the girl’s mother and her boyfriend of killing her.
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Taquesta Graham, 29, and Emiel Hunt, 39, have been charged with murder and torture. They have pleaded not guilty.
Superior Court Judge Mike Camacho decided Friday that the case will proceed to trial, saying the evidence showed “systematic abuse and neglect.”
“It’s clear that these were intentional acts and the defendants acted with conscious disregard,” he said.
The girl’s body was found March 5, partially stuffed inside a large duffel bag near the entrance to an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights. The killing shocked the community, and the child’s identity wasn’t confirmed for nearly a week. Thousands of tips poured in from across the nation.
In court, investigators read aloud text messages in which Hunt and Graham wrote of punishing the girl and complained that she kept urinating on herself. “Trinity is going to get it,” Graham texted Hunt after one such incident.
In another exchange from January 2019, Graham asks Hunt to show Trinity the text she has sent: “We were talking about giving you a burrito ... you messed up.”
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In interviews with investigators, Hunt and Graham said that two weeks before her death, the girl fell and hit her head, L.A. County Sheriff’s Det. Marc Boisvert testified. There was a large lump on her forehead and her left and right eyes had begun to swell. She became lethargic and started to slur her words, Graham said.
Graham told investigators that on Feb. 28, she woke up and noticed Trinity was congested, Boisvert testified. She said she gave the child Pedialyte, soup and a bagel, then took a shower. When she got out, she noticed that Trinity’s teeth were clenched and she was having a seizure, the detective said.
That afternoon, Graham went to work at a dollar store while Hunt waited in the parking lot. Trinity was in the back seat of the car, sleeping, Graham told investigators. When Graham got off work about 9:30 p.m., the three returned to a hotel and Hunt carried the child back to the room.
Later that night, Graham checked on Trinity and noticed she wasn’t breathing. She told authorities her first thought was that Hunt had placed a pillow over Trinity’s face while they were in the SUV earlier that evening.
Hunt told investigators that he woke up about 3 a.m. March 1 and noticed that the child was not breathing. He said he and Graham “freaked out” because of their criminal histories but told each other “we didn’t do anything wrong,” Boisvert said.
Court records show Hunt was convicted of felony child abuse in San Diego County in 2005 and sentenced to 12 years in state prison. Graham has a prior conviction for involvement with a minor in prostitution.
Graham said she wanted to call 911, but Hunt persuaded her not to and suggested putting the girl’s body in a dumpster, which angered her. She also said she didn’t take the child to the hospital after the fall because she was afraid of getting into trouble.
Just before 6 a.m. March 1, surveillance footage from the Budget Inn in Santa Fe Springs shows Hunt carrying a body wrapped in a blanket, Sheriff’s Det. Louie Aguilera testified.
About 30 minutes later, video from cameras at a Walmart shows Hunt purchasing two shovels, a throw blanket and a lighter.
At 11:36 a.m., Hunt and Graham were spotted at a discount store purchasing a rollaway duffel bag that was identical to the one the girl was found in, Aguilera said.
Aguilera also testified that tracking data showed that Graham, who wore an ankle monitor because she was on parole, was in the area where her daughter was discovered for about 30 to 40 minutes March 1.
After discovering the body, Los Angeles County investigators asked for the public’s help to identify her. A relative called authorities after seeing a sketch and photo of her. Investigators said that Graham, Hunt and Trinity had moved out of a relative’s home in July 2018 and then slept in Hunt’s SUV and at various hotels. Extended family said they had seen the girl only periodically after the move.
Investigators looked into Graham and Hunt’s criminal histories and began searching for them as possible suspects.
Graham was arrested on an unrelated warrant March 8 at a Border Patrol checkpoint in Texas. Hunt was arrested a day later after he was found sleeping in his SUV near San Diego International Airport.
Hunt told investigators that after the couple dumped the child’s body, they drove away from the site in silence, Boisvert testified.
Times staff writer Hannah Fry contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-21--Prosecutors decline to charge East L.A. lawmen in alleged hazing linked to Banditos

Prosecutors declined to file charges against a Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s sergeant and three deputies who were investigated for allegedly beating four other deputies at an off-duty East L.A. station party in September 2018 , records show .
In a 28-page memo released Friday , the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office said there was “ insufficient evidence ” that Sgt .
Michael Hernandez and deputies Rafael Munoz , Gregory Rodriguez and David Silverio committed battery or any crimes .
“ The evidence examined in this investigation shows that all involved individuals had consumed alcohol , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlit , many contradictory statements were made by both witnesses and the parties involved , and everyone involved has potential bias , ” the memo said .
The case was investigated by the Sheriff ’ s Department ’ s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau .
The department issued a statement saying that Sheriff Alex Villanueva “ firmly believes in the legal process as well as due process ” for those involved and that although the allegations did not meet the criteria to file a criminal case , they have been passed on to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrative investigation will be conducted and discipline imposed if merited , ” the department said .
Elizabeth Gibbons , an attorney representing Munoz , Rodriguez and Silverio , declined to comment other than to say , “ We are looking forward to the IAB investigation where the whole story of the incident will come out.
” She said the employment status of each deputy has not changed since the department said they were placed on paid administrative leave .
The altercation happened toward the end of an off-duty party at Kennedy Hall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station , to celebrate the end of training for new deputies .
It was shortly before 4 a.m. when a group of deputies ended up in a darkened parking lot next to the hall .
By the end of the incident , one deputy , Art Hernandez , had a bloody lip and was possibly rendered unconscious and a second , Oscar Escobedo , had a sore neck , the memo said .
Prosecutors said there were several different accounts of what happened .
No surveillance footage or cellphone video was recovered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be interviewed by sheriff ’ s investigators .
Several other off-duty employees provided statements and 21 deputies identified as possible witnesses declined to be interviewed , the memo said .
The incident also came up in a civil lawsuit filed against Los Angeles County in September by eight Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies who said they were routinely harassed by the Banditos , a clique of predominantly Latino deputies who wear tattoos of a skeleton with a sombrero , bandoleer and pistol .
Its members ’ monikers include “ the Godfather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Bam Bam , ” according to the lawsuit .
The district attorney ’ s memo referenced the Banditos , which prosecutors said was associated with a group of more senior deputies that ostracized younger deputies they felt were lazy .
“ At no point in this investigation did any witnesses indicate that the ‘ Banditos ’ were equivalent to a gang or any type of criminal enterprise , ” the memo said .
The civil lawsuit , however , has accused members of the group of repeatedly denying backup to the plaintiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quit or leave the station , sending hostile messages on work computers , overloading them with calls at the end of their shifts and denying them overtime , going back to 2016 .
The Times reported in July that the FBI was investigating the Banditos along with similar gang-like groups elsewhere within the Sheriff ’ s Department .
In interviews with several deputies , FBI agents have asked about the inner workings of the Banditos and the group ’ s hierarchy , sources have said .
The county Office of Inspector General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deputies at several stations who wear matching tattoos .
The groups have been accused of committing abuses against jail inmates , fellow deputies and while on patrol .
Some deputies , though , have defended the societies and the tattoos they share simply as a show of camaraderie and a way to boost morale .
L.A. County has hired the nonprofit Rand Corp. to study deputy subgroups and examine the broader climate and culture within the Sheriff ’ s Department .
Villanueva said in January that the department is putting a policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ membership of cliques that “ harm the organization or harm the community.
” “ We ’ re doing everything we can legally do , ” he said .
The Banditos are accused by other deputies of using gang-like tactics to recruit young Latino deputies into their fold and retaliating against those who rebuff them .
Vincent Miller , an attorney representing the plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit , said prosecutors never interviewed his clients , relying instead on the Sheriff ’ s Department , whose investigators he accused of intentionally sending over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basically more of the same — Villanueva sending a message to the deputy gangs , they ’ re not gon na be held accountable for their actions , ” Miller said .
“ The D.A .
is basically serving as a mouthpiece of the Sheriff ’ s Department.
” As part of the civil lawsuit , Miller plans to demand the agency make changes to what he called the systemic abuse of trainees .
“ This is about a corrupt , systemically corrupt department , ” Miller said .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Several new sheriff’s deputies working in East L.A. allege that they were hazed by older deputies.
Prosecutors declined to file charges against a Los Angeles County sheriff’s sergeant and three deputies who were investigated for allegedly beating four other deputies at an off-duty East L.A. station party in September 2018, records show.
In a 28-page memo released Friday, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said there was “insufficient evidence” that Sgt. Michael Hernandez and deputies Rafael Munoz, Gregory Rodriguez and David Silverio committed battery or any crimes.
“The evidence examined in this investigation shows that all involved individuals had consumed alcohol, the area in question was dark and unlit, many contradictory statements were made by both witnesses and the parties involved, and everyone involved has potential bias,” the memo said.
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The case was investigated by the Sheriff’s Department’s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau.
The department issued a statement saying that Sheriff Alex Villanueva “firmly believes in the legal process as well as due process” for those involved and that although the allegations did not meet the criteria to file a criminal case, they have been passed on to the Internal Affairs Bureau.
“An exhaustive administrative investigation will be conducted and discipline imposed if merited,” the department said.
Elizabeth Gibbons, an attorney representing Munoz, Rodriguez and Silverio, declined to comment other than to say, “We are looking forward to the IAB investigation where the whole story of the incident will come out.”
She said the employment status of each deputy has not changed since the department said they were placed on paid administrative leave.
The altercation happened toward the end of an off-duty party at Kennedy Hall, an event space near the East L.A. station, to celebrate the end of training for new deputies. It was shortly before 4 a.m. when a group of deputies ended up in a darkened parking lot next to the hall. By the end of the incident, one deputy, Art Hernandez, had a bloody lip and was possibly rendered unconscious and a second, Oscar Escobedo, had a sore neck, the memo said.
Prosecutors said there were several different accounts of what happened. No surveillance footage or cellphone video was recovered. The subjects of the investigation declined to be interviewed by sheriff’s investigators. Several other off-duty employees provided statements and 21 deputies identified as possible witnesses declined to be interviewed, the memo said.
The incident also came up in a civil lawsuit filed against Los Angeles County in September by eight Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies who said they were routinely harassed by the Banditos, a clique of predominantly Latino deputies who wear tattoos of a skeleton with a sombrero, bandoleer and pistol. Its members’ monikers include “the Godfather,” “Big Listo” and “Bam Bam,” according to the lawsuit.
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The district attorney’s memo referenced the Banditos, which prosecutors said was associated with a group of more senior deputies that ostracized younger deputies they felt were lazy.
“At no point in this investigation did any witnesses indicate that the ‘Banditos’ were equivalent to a gang or any type of criminal enterprise,” the memo said.
The civil lawsuit, however, has accused members of the group of repeatedly denying backup to the plaintiff deputies on dangerous calls, pressuring them to quit or leave the station, sending hostile messages on work computers, overloading them with calls at the end of their shifts and denying them overtime, going back to 2016.
The Times reported in July that the FBI was investigating the Banditos along with similar gang-like groups elsewhere within the Sheriff’s Department. In interviews with several deputies, FBI agents have asked about the inner workings of the Banditos and the group’s hierarchy, sources have said.
The county Office of Inspector General is also seeking to investigate secret societies of deputies at several stations who wear matching tattoos. The groups have been accused of committing abuses against jail inmates, fellow deputies and while on patrol. Some deputies, though, have defended the societies and the tattoos they share simply as a show of camaraderie and a way to boost morale.
L.A. County has hired the nonprofit Rand Corp. to study deputy subgroups and examine the broader climate and culture within the Sheriff’s Department.
Villanueva said in January that the department is putting a policy in place that prohibits the formation and membership of cliques that “harm the organization or harm the community.”
“We’re doing everything we can legally do,” he said.
The Banditos are accused by other deputies of using gang-like tactics to recruit young Latino deputies into their fold and retaliating against those who rebuff them.
Vincent Miller, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit, said prosecutors never interviewed his clients, relying instead on the Sheriff’s Department, whose investigators he accused of intentionally sending over a weak case.
“It’s basically more of the same — Villanueva sending a message to the deputy gangs, they’re not gonna be held accountable for their actions,” Miller said. “The D.A. is basically serving as a mouthpiece of the Sheriff’s Department.”
As part of the civil lawsuit, Miller plans to demand the agency make changes to what he called the systemic abuse of trainees.
“This is about a corrupt, systemically corrupt department,” Miller said. “We’re demanding that the county make wholesale changes.”


latimes--2020-02-21--Jurors in Harvey Weinstein trial appear deadlocked on the two most serious charges

Jurors in the Harvey Weinstein trial Friday appeared deadlocked on the most serious charges brought against the disgraced movie mogul as the fourth day of deliberations came to a close .
The jury of seven men and five women asked if they could be hung on one or both charges of predatory sexual assault — which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison — and unanimous on the other lesser charges .
The question was phrased as a hypothetical , and jurors did not indicate which way they were leaning on the other three lesser counts .
In response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they must reach a unanimous verdict on every count .
“ It is not uncommon for a jury to have difficulty reaching a unanimous verdict , or for it to believe they will never be able to reach a unanimous verdict , ” Burke said .
He then asked the jurors to continue their deliberations .
Jurors have so far zeroed in on the accusations of Mimi Haley and “ Sopranos ” actress Annabella Sciorra , whose allegation is crucial to Weinstein being convicted of predatory sexual assault .
Earlier this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cross-examination of Haley , who has accused the Miramax co-founder of forcibly performing oral sex on her in his SoHo apartment in 2006 .
Jurors also asked to review the cross-examination of Sciorra and the testimony of her friend , actress Rosie Perez , who early in the trial told jurors that Sciorra had told her about the alleged attack in the 1990s .
In addition , they wanted a list of anyone Sciorra allegedly told about the attack .
Weinstein , 69 , faces five counts of sexual assault in connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haley and Jessica Mann , a once-aspiring actress who has accused the movie mogul of raping her on two occasions , in hotels in New York and Southern California .
Weinstein and his lawyers have insisted that his encounters with the women were consensual .
During her tearful testimony , Sciorra told jurors that Weinstein barged into her Gramercy Park apartment in late 1993 or early 1994 and raped her .
Sciorra ’ s allegation was too old to prosecute individually , but it was factored into the top count of the indictment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe Sciorra ’ s testimony — and the accounts of either Haley or Mann — in order to convict Weinstein of predatory sexual assault .
On Tuesday , jurors asked to see the blueprint of the SoHo apartment where Weinstein allegedly assaulted Haley , a former production assistant on the Weinstein Co. show “ Project Runway.
” And they requested to see emails Haley sent to Weinstein , some of which occurred after the alleged attack and appeared friendly in nature .
And Wednesday , jurors asked for a slideshow presented by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychiatrist called by prosecutors who attempted to knock down so-called rape myths — including the notions that the truthfulness of a rape allegation can be evaluated by how an accuser behaves afterward .
Legal experts have predicted that continued communication between Weinstein and accusers Mann and Haley could be a point of contention for jurors .
“ Don ’ t do anything that will put your health in jeopardy over the weekend , ” Burke told the jurors as he dismissed them .
“ We need all 12 of you to reach a @ @ @

Harvey Weinstein, center, leaves Manhattan’s Criminal Court after prosecutors completed their closing argument in his rape trial on Feb. 14.
Jurors in the Harvey Weinstein trial Friday appeared deadlocked on the most serious charges brought against the disgraced movie mogul as the fourth day of deliberations came to a close.
The jury of seven men and five women asked if they could be hung on one or both charges of predatory sexual assault — which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison — and unanimous on the other lesser charges.
The question was phrased as a hypothetical, and jurors did not indicate which way they were leaning on the other three lesser counts.
In response, Judge James Burke told the jurors that they must reach a unanimous verdict on every count.
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“It is not uncommon for a jury to have difficulty reaching a unanimous verdict, or for it to believe they will never be able to reach a unanimous verdict,” Burke said.
He then asked the jurors to continue their deliberations.
Jurors have so far zeroed in on the accusations of Mimi Haley and “Sopranos” actress Annabella Sciorra, whose allegation is crucial to Weinstein being convicted of predatory sexual assault.
Earlier this week, jurors requested to rehear the testimony and cross-examination of Haley, who has accused the Miramax co-founder of forcibly performing oral sex on her in his SoHo apartment in 2006.
Jurors also asked to review the cross-examination of Sciorra and the testimony of her friend, actress Rosie Perez, who early in the trial told jurors that Sciorra had told her about the alleged attack in the 1990s. In addition, they wanted a list of anyone Sciorra allegedly told about the attack.
Weinstein, 69, faces five counts of sexual assault in connection with the alleged assaults on Sciorra, Haley and Jessica Mann, a once-aspiring actress who has accused the movie mogul of raping her on two occasions, in hotels in New York and Southern California.
Weinstein and his lawyers have insisted that his encounters with the women were consensual.
During her tearful testimony, Sciorra told jurors that Weinstein barged into her Gramercy Park apartment in late 1993 or early 1994 and raped her.
Sciorra’s allegation was too old to prosecute individually, but it was factored into the top count of the indictment. In essence, the jury needs to believe Sciorra’s testimony — and the accounts of either Haley or Mann — in order to convict Weinstein of predatory sexual assault.
On Tuesday, jurors asked to see the blueprint of the SoHo apartment where Weinstein allegedly assaulted Haley, a former production assistant on the Weinstein Co. show “Project Runway.” And they requested to see emails Haley sent to Weinstein, some of which occurred after the alleged attack and appeared friendly in nature.
And Wednesday, jurors asked for a slideshow presented by expert witness Barbara Ziv, a forensic psychiatrist called by prosecutors who attempted to knock down so-called rape myths — including the notions that the truthfulness of a rape allegation can be evaluated by how an accuser behaves afterward.
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Legal experts have predicted that continued communication between Weinstein and accusers Mann and Haley could be a point of contention for jurors.
Jury deliberations are set to resume Monday.
“Don’t do anything that will put your health in jeopardy over the weekend,” Burke told the jurors as he dismissed them. “We need all 12 of you to reach a verdict.”


latimes--2020-02-22--Early voting starts in L.A. County; some glitches reported

Hundreds of Los Angeles County centers opened for early voting on Saturday ahead of next month ’ s presidential primary election , giving voters a first glimpse of the $ 300-million overhaul of the county ’ s balloting system .
About a quarter of the county ’ s 960 voting centers were slated to be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Saturday .
But some of them were unable to open on time because supplies or equipment needed to set up had not yet arrived , said Michael Sanchez , deputy communications director for the county registrar ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers did not have the security codes or login information necessary to start the new touch=screen ballot-marking devices .
And some places were dark even though they appeared on the county ’ s official list of early voting centers .
The registrar ’ s office was still determining how many locations were affected by the problems but confirmed that at least 10 voting centers in Hollywood , West Hollywood , Silver Lake , Eagle Rock , Montecito Heights , Lincoln Heights , downtown L.A. and Pomona either opened late or not at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clock ” to send out troubleshooters and provide other assistance to those locations , and most of them were operational by Saturday afternoon , Sanchez said .
He pointed out that , as part of the revamp of the voting system , L.A. County residents can now cast a ballot at any voting center , rather than just one neighborhood polling place that ’ s assigned to them , and they have up to 11 days to do so before the March 3 primary .
“ This is part of the beauty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanchez said .
“ Of course , in a perfect world , we ’ d want to make sure everything is up and running when we open , but the fact of the matter is we have additional days under this new voting model , and that ’ s part of the benefit .
We can fix all of these opening-day issues.
” The remainder of the county ’ s voting centers will open Feb. 29 , four days before the election .
The transition to the expanded voting schedule and roster of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan that grew out of the Voter ’ s Choice Act , a state law that encouraged counties to invest in mail balloting while also offering a more flexible experience for those wishing to cast ballots in person .

Hundreds of Los Angeles County centers opened for early voting Saturday ahead of next month’s presidential primary election, giving voters a first glimpse of the $300-million overhaul of the county’s balloting system.
Some hiccups were reported.
About a quarter of the county’s 960 voting centers were slated to be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Saturday. But some of them were unable to open on time because supplies or equipment needed to set up had not yet arrived, said Michael Sanchez, deputy communications director for the county registrar’s office. At other centers, workers did not have the security codes or login information necessary to start the new touch-screen ballot-marking devices. And some places were dark even though they appeared on the county’s official list of early voting centers.
× Watch how to navigate the new rules, locations, and ways Los Angeles can vote.
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The registrar’s office was still determining how many locations were affected by the problems but confirmed that at least 10 voting centers in Hollywood, West Hollywood, Silver Lake, Eagle Rock, Montecito Heights, Lincoln Heights, downtown L.A. and Pomona either opened late or not at all.
The office was “working around the clock” to send out troubleshooters and provide other assistance to those locations, and most of them were operational by Saturday afternoon, Sanchez said.
He pointed out that, as part of the revamp of the voting system, L.A. County residents can now cast a ballot at any voting center, rather than just one neighborhood polling place that’s assigned to them, and they have up to 11 days to do so before the March 3 primary.
Politics What you need to know before voting in California’s primary election How do I vote? Will I get a ballot in the mail? A new procedure will change how some Californians cast ballots. Here’s how to vote in the California primary election.
“This is part of the beauty of having the additional days,” Sanchez said. “Of course, in a perfect world, we’d want to make sure everything is up and running when we open, but the fact of the matter is we have additional days under this new voting model, and that’s part of the benefit. We can fix all of these opening-day issues.”
The remainder of the county’s voting centers will open Feb. 29, three days before the election.
The transition to the expanded voting schedule and roster of locations are all part of a modernization plan that grew out of the Voter’s Choice Act, a state law that encouraged counties to invest in mail balloting while also offering a more flexible experience for those wishing to cast ballots in person.


latimes--2020-02-22--3 killed, 18 injured when charter bus rolls down I-15 embankment in San Diego County

Three people were killed and 18 injured Saturday morning when a charter bus veered off rain-slicked Interstate 15 and rolled down an embankment in north San Diego County , authorities said .
The crash occurred in the southbound lanes south of state Route 76 about 10:20 a.m. , according to the North County Fire Protection District .
The bus , carrying a mix of adults and children , had departed from the Los Angeles area and was headed to San Ysidro , said California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Latulippe .
It was raining when the bus driver swerved and lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slid down an embankment and landed on its roof , he said .
Emergency crews rescued several people trapped in the wreckage .
Three people died at the scene , one of whom was still trapped inside , said Fire Chief Stephen Abbott .
Eighteen others were transported to hospitals — Palomar Medical Center , Temecula Valley Hospital and Inland Valley Medical Center , officials said .
One of the patients was in critical condition and three others suffered major injuries , Latulippe said .
Their ages were not released .
The bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a resident of Whittier , suffered minor injuries and initially remained at the scene , Latulippe said .
He was later taken to a station for questioning .
Fire district spokesman John Choi said it did not appear that any other vehicles were involved .
Authorities declined to immediately identify the owner of the bus .
The bus was carrying a total of 22 people with the capacity to hold at least a dozen more , Abbott said .
Units from Cal Fire , Vista Fire , Camp Pendleton and Pala assisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southbound freeway traffic was expected to be slow and difficult for hours .
One lane of I-15 remained closed , according to the California Highway Patrol .
Crews were working to pull the bus from the embankment and recover the body still inside .
Diehl and Davis write for the San Diego Union-Tribune ; staff writer Greg Moran contributed to this article

A bus veered off Interstate 15 and rolled down an embankment in north San Diego County early Saturday, killing three people and injuring more than a dozen others.
Three people were killed and 18 injured Saturday morning when a charter bus veered off rain-slicked Interstate 15 and rolled down an embankment in north San Diego County, authorities said.
The bus, carrying a mix of adults and children, had departed from the Los Angeles area and was headed to San Ysidro, with a final stop planned in Tijuana, said California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Latulippe.
It was raining about 10:20 a.m. when the bus driver swerved and lost control in the southbound lanes of the freeway, just south of State Route 76. The vehicle slid down an embankment and landed on its roof, Latulippe said.
Several victims were ejected from the wreckage, while others were trapped inside. Some were able to crawl out on their own, authorities said.
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One woman who died was pinned under the bus, and it took several hours for crews to recover her body. The two other fatalities, also women, were pulled from inside the bus during the initial rescue effort but were pronounced dead at the scene, Latulippe said.
They had not yet been identified as of Saturday evening.
Eighteen others were taken to hospitals — Palomar Medical Center, Temecula Valley Hospital and Inland Valley Medical Center, said North County Fire Protection District Fire Chief Stephen Abbott.
A 5-year-old boy was in critical condition with a head injury, while three other passengers suffered major injuries, Latulippe said.
The bus driver, a man from Whittier, suffered minor injuries and initially remained at the scene, Latulippe said. He was later taken to a station for questioning.
The driver, whose name was not released, voluntarily submitted a blood sample, which is standard in such investigations. However, drugs and alcohol are not suspected of being a factor in the crash, authorities said.
Latulippe said it is too early to determine how much the weather played a role.
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The charter is owned by Executive Lines, a company based east of Los Angeles. The company runs a regular route from Baldwin Park through the Inland Empire to San Ysidro, according to its website.
The business did not return a phone call or email seeking comment Saturday.
The charter’s final destination was Tijuana, with many of the passengers bringing along luggage for the trip, Latulippe said. Much of that luggage was scattered along the roadside in the aftermath.
Authorities said that the bus was equipped with seat belts but that they were not used by most of the passengers.
The wreckage was precariously perched on a hill made slippery by wet grass and mud. It took several hours for crews to tip the bus to recover the deceased victim pinned underneath. The bus was then hauled up the embankment by a heavy-duty tow truck around 6 p.m.
The bus was towed to a CHP evidence yard, where it will be examined for possible mechanical failures such as steering and braking issues, Latulippe said. Investigators will also determine if the bus adhered to safety regulations required of charter companies.
Diehl and Davis write for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune staff writer Greg Moran contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-22--4.3-magnitude earthquake reported near Fortuna, Calif.

A magnitude 4.3 earthquake was reported Saturday morning at 11:14 a.m. Pacific time 33 miles from Fortuna , Calif. , @ @ @ @ @ Survey .
The earthquake occurred 39 miles from Eureka , Calif. , 46 miles from @ @ @ @ @ miles from McKinleyville , Calif .
In the last 10 days , there has been @ @ @ @ @ or greater centered nearby .
An average of 25 earthquakes with magnitudes between 4.0 and @ @ @ @ @ California and Nevada , according to a recent three year data sample .
The earthquake @ @ @ @ @ 3.6 miles .
Did you feel this earthquake ?
Consider reporting what you felt to @ @ @ @ @ what to do before , and during , an earthquake near you by reading our @ @ @ @ @ This story was automatically generated by Quakebot , a computer application that monitors the latest @ @ @ @ @ .
A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published .
If you ’ @ @ @ @ @ about the system , visit our list of frequently asked questions .

A magnitude 4.3 earthquake was reported Saturday morning at 11:14 a.m. Pacific time 33 miles from Fortuna, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred 39 miles from Eureka, Calif., 46 miles from Arcata, Calif. and 51 miles from McKinleyville, Calif.
In the last 10 days, there has been one earthquake of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
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An average of 25 earthquakes with magnitudes between 4.0 and 5.0 occur per year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three year data sample.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 3.6 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.
Find out what to do before, and during, an earthquake near you by reading our five-step earthquake preparedness guide.
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.


latimes--2020-02-22--250,000 fans visited L.A. Live in days after Kobe Bryant's death. Monday will be different

In the days after Kobe Bryant ’ s death last month , Los Angeles was in mourning .
Mayor Eric Garcetti said “ this city is broken ” as he talked about a memorial for the NBA great who died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and seven mothers .
L.A. Live , the downtown entertainment complex next to Bryant ’ s basketball home , Staples Center , became a magnet for mourners .
Staples Center officials estimated that more than 250,000 people visited L.A. Live in the days after the Jan. 26 crash .
Fans created memorials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vanessa , asked for some of the items as a reminder of the outpouring of grief .
But officials are urging fans to stay away from Monday ’ s memorial at the Staples Center .
Here is what we know about the plans : L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore said Friday that unless visitors to the downtown Los Angeles venue are among the 20,000 ticketed mourners for the memorial , which begins at 10 a.m. , they will not be allowed into the surrounding area , including L.A. Live .
“ This entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moore said .
“ As a matter of respect ... honor the family wishes and allow this event to go as smoothly as possible.
” Tickets to the memorials — which ranged in price from $ 24.02 to $ 224 — have been distributed .
More than 80,000 people applied for the ticket lottery , proceeds from which will be donated to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation .
The businesses at L.A. Live will be closed Monday morning , as will Georgia Street and Chick Hearn Court .
The massive video screens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned off .
Barriers will stretch from Pico Boulevard to Olympic Boulevard .
Some businesses at L.A. Live were unsure when they would open .
An employee said the Yard House restaurant was planning to open later than usual .
Other restaurants may wait until Monday morning to decide how to adapt to the closures .
It was unclear whether guests at the nearby J.W .
Marriott/Ritz Carlton hotel would be affected .
The event will be streamed live by various news outlets , including .

Fans outside Staples Center mourn Kobe Bryant, and daughter Gianna who were among nine killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas on Jan. 26.
In the days after Kobe Bryant’s death last month, Los Angeles was in mourning.
Mayor Eric Garcetti said “this city is broken” as he talked about a memorial for the NBA great who died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and seven mothers.
L.A. Live, the downtown entertainment complex next to Bryant’s basketball home, Staples Center, became a magnet for mourners.
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Staples Center officials estimated that more than 250,000 people visited L.A. Live in the days after the Jan. 26 crash. Fans created memorials, and Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, asked for some of the items as a reminder of the outpouring of grief.
But officials are urging fans to stay away from Monday’s memorial at the Staples Center.
Here is what we know about the plans:
Ticketed mourners only
L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore said Friday that unless visitors to the downtown Los Angeles venue are among the 20,000 ticketed mourners for the memorial, which begins at 10 a.m., they will not be allowed into the surrounding area, including L.A. Live.
“This entire area will be barricaded off,” Moore said. “As a matter of respect ... honor the family wishes and allow this event to go as smoothly as possible.”
Sold out
Tickets to the memorials — which ranged in price from $24.02 to $224 — have been distributed. More than 80,000 people applied for the ticket lottery, proceeds from which will be donated to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
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LA Live marks memorial
The businesses at L.A. Live will be closed Monday morning, as will Georgia Street and Chick Hearn Court. The massive video screens outside the L.A. Live complex will be turned off.
Barriers will stretch from Pico Boulevard to Olympic Boulevard.
Some businesses at L.A. Live were unsure when they would open. An employee said the Yard House restaurant was planning to open later than usual. Other restaurants may wait until Monday morning to decide how to adapt to the closures.
It was unclear whether guests at the nearby J.W. Marriott/Ritz Carlton hotel would be affected.
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latimes--2020-02-22--Store clerk fatally shot during brazen robbery at 7-Eleven in Whittier

A clerk was shot and killed during a robbery at a 7-Eleven store in Whittier early Saturday despite complying with the gunman ’ s orders , police said .
A man with a semiautomatic handgun entered the store at in the 8400 block of Santa Fe Springs Road shortly before 5:45 a.m. , said Officer Hugo Figueroa of the Whitter Police Department .
The clerk opened a cash register drawer and handed over money , but the suspect opened fire , according to investigators .
The robbery was caught on a surveillance camera , authorities said .
Video of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was no struggle , ” Figueroa said .
“ The victim was complying and for whatever reason the shooter decided to shoot him and fled.
” The clerk , described as a man in his late 20s or early 30s , died at the scene , police said .
His name was withheld pending notification of relatives .
The suspect was described as a man about 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 7 wearing a dark-colored hoodie with a light-colored hoodie underneath , black pants , gloves and a bandanna that partially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was asked to contact Whittier Police Det .
Jake Junge at ( 562 ) 567-9281 .

A clerk was shot and killed during a robbery at a 7-Eleven store in Whittier early Saturday despite complying with the gunman’s orders, police said.
A man with a semiautomatic handgun entered the store at in the 8400 block of Santa Fe Springs Road shortly before 5:45 a.m., said Officer Hugo Figueroa of the Whitter Police Department.
The clerk opened a cash register drawer and handed over money, but the suspect opened fire, according to investigators. The robbery was caught on a surveillance camera, authorities said. Video of the incident has not been released.
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“There was no struggle,” Figueroa said. “The victim was complying and for whatever reason the shooter decided to shoot him and fled.”
The clerk, described as a man in his late 20s or early 30s, died at the scene, police said. His name was withheld pending notification of relatives.
The suspect was described as a man about 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 7 wearing a dark-colored hoodie with a light-colored hoodie underneath, black pants, gloves and a bandanna that partially covered his face.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Whittier Police Det. Jake Junge at (562) 567-9281.