latimes--2020-08-30--Hundreds converge on East Los Angeles for 50th anniversary of Chicano Moratorium

Several hundred marchers and dozens of tricked-out cars converged on an East Los Angeles park Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium , a peace march to protest racial injustice and the disproportionate death toll of Mexican American soldiers in the Vietnam War .
Reprising the Chicano power and revolutionary rhetoric of the 1970 event , speakers at Saturday ’ s rally called for unity among the Latino and Black communities to fight the oppression they said has not been vanquished in the last half century .
The mothers of young men who were killed in police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sons while others in the crowd shouted , “ Say the name , David Flores !
Say the name , Alex Hernandez.
” In a concession to the novel coronavirus , attendees remained largely masked and kept hugging to a minimum , though physical distancing proved futile even in a crowd that grew only to a fraction of the tens of thousands who marched Aug. 29 , 1970 .
That event started as a peaceful demonstration .
But the day turned violent when sheriff ’ s deputies stormed Laguna Park and tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Three people were killed , including Times journalist Ruben Salazar .
The 1970 rally , which was the biggest gathering of Mexican American demonstrators in U.S. history to that point , is recognized as a pivotal moment in the Chicano civil rights movement .
Organizers of this year ’ s event point out that some of the issues highlighted — including racial injustice and law enforcement brutality — remain painfully relevant today as protests continue across the nation over the deaths of Black men and women at the hands of police .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park , just north of Whittier Boulevard , and ended about 2 ½ miles away at Salazar Park , the name given to Laguna Park weeks after the 1970 march .
As the marchers gathered in the morning , about 50 Brown Berets from around the country stood in a circle as several of them reflected spontaneously on the meaning of the commemoration .
“ It ’ s a continuation , not a celebration , ” said L.A. native Lukas Tekolotl .
“ We are fighting for the same thing .
That means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re not being effective .
We have to look back.
” In sharp contrast with the 1970 march , the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department stayed out of sight Saturday , leaving the Brown Berets in charge of crowd and traffic control .
They deftly guided the marchers slowly along the route with several Aztec dancing troupes in feathered headdresses and mandatory masks leading the way .
At the intersection of Atlantic and Whittier boulevards , the marchers joined a caravan of vintage cars that eventually merged into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sign-waving .
One of the day ’ s few tense moments occurred when a woman at an outdoor restaurant rushed at a marcher who took her picture .
Several Brown Berets quickly defused the scuffle .
Through the day the crowd remained mellow , letting its emotion show through rhetoric alone .
Sara Aguilar , 42 , of Whittier has taken to the streets annually for the Women ’ s March and most recently the Black Lives Matter movement .
But as a Latina and a recent member of the Brown Berets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicano Moratorium anniversary march .
Alongside her were Brown Berets from across the country : Fresno , Houston , Chicago , Oregon , Colorado and beyond .
She grew up in East L.A. , and she hasn ’ t seen much progress since her youth .
“ I don ’ t think much has changed as far as being treated equally or as a woman , ” she said .
“ That ’ s why we ’ re still out here today .
It ’ s not only a celebration but a continuation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a little girl in school , being “ taught that I can ’ t speak Spanish and that I needed to learn English.
” “ I ’ m here to get back to my roots and fight for a future that ’ s different for the children.
” Rafael Avitia , co-chair of La Mesa Brown Berets , said the term “ Chicano ” encompasses all Indigenous people .
“ We ’ re going to march and reassert who we are : la gente de Aztlan [ the people of Aztlan ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hell can we be illegal ?
We are Indigenous on this land.
” Those gathered decried continued killings by Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies and Los Angeles police officers , as well as racism against the Latino community by the presidential administration .
They held signs that said , “ End police brutality , ” “ Dump Trump .
Vote 2020 , ” “ Unite , ” “ School not prison , ” “ Keep families together ” and “ Jail killer cops.
” They repeated , “ Revolution !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter ” and “ Trump , Pence , out now !
” to the beat of a drum .
A line of cars followed behind them , from which people waved Mexican flags and held signs saying “ Chicanx Power.
” Fifty years ago , Esther Aguilar marched for the first time during the Chicano Moratorium with her sister and brother-in-law .
Now 69 years old , Aguilar came out to her hometown of East L.A. with her daughter , Vanessa Valdez , to march against police brutality .
“ We have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aguilar , pointing to the name Ruben Salazar on her sign , “ and now , for all these people dying .
It ’ s not fair and it ’ s sad , sad , sad .
“ Innocent kids are getting killed by the police .
It ’ s wrong.
” Valdez , 45 , grew up listening to her mother tell stories about the 1970 protest .
Two years ago , when she heard about the 50th anniversary march , she told her mom : “ Let ’ s go !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 73-year-old Vietnam veteran , made signs for the two women to march with : “ It ’ s a beautiful day to be a Chicana , ” said one .
“ I been marching since 1970 ” and “ Ruben Salazar , Que Viva !
” said the other .
“ I don ’ t think anything has changed since 1970 , ” Valdez said .
“ I live in Montebello , and you still see the racial profiling and you still see the cops assuming that brown people are criminals.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , they both said .
“ We all have to go out and vote , ” Aguilar said .
“ The revolution won ’ t wait , ” United Teachers Los Angeles President Cecily Myart-Cruz told the crowd assembled for the march .
“ We do not have another 50 years to get it right .
”

Dorany Pineda, Doug Smith, Alex Wigglesworth

Brown Berets join hundreds of people gathered at Ruben Salazar Park in East Los Angeles on Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium march.
Several hundred marchers and dozens of tricked-out cars converged on an East Los Angeles park Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium, a peace march to protest racial injustice and the disproportionate death toll of Mexican American soldiers in the Vietnam War.
Reprising the Chicano power and revolutionary rhetoric of the 1970 event, speakers at Saturday’s rally called for unity among the Latino and Black communities to fight the oppression they said has not been vanquished in the last half century.
The mothers of young men who were killed in police shootings tearfully called for justice for their sons while others in the crowd shouted, “Say the name, David Flores! Say the name, Alex Hernandez.”
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In a concession to the novel coronavirus, attendees remained largely masked and kept hugging to a minimum, though physical distancing proved futile even in a crowd that grew only to a fraction of the tens of thousands who marched Aug. 29, 1970.
That event started as a peaceful demonstration. But the day turned violent when sheriff’s deputies stormed Laguna Park and tried to disperse protesters with tear gas and clubs. Three people were killed, including Times journalist Ruben Salazar.
The 1970 rally, which was the biggest gathering of Mexican American demonstrators in U.S. history to that point, is recognized as a pivotal moment in the Chicano civil rights movement. Organizers of this year’s event point out that some of the issues highlighted — including racial injustice and law enforcement brutality — remain painfully relevant today as protests continue across the nation over the deaths of Black men and women at the hands of police.
Hundreds of people march along Whittier Boulevard to Ruben Salazar Park in Los Angeles on Saturday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Saturday’s march started at Atlantic Park, just north of Whittier Boulevard, and ended about 2 ½ miles away at Salazar Park, the name given to Laguna Park weeks after the 1970 march.
As the marchers gathered in the morning, about 50 Brown Berets from around the country stood in a circle as several of them reflected spontaneously on the meaning of the commemoration.
“It’s a continuation, not a celebration,” said L.A. native Lukas Tekolotl. “We are fighting for the same thing. That means we’re not doing something right. We’re not being effective. We have to look back.”
In sharp contrast with the 1970 march, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stayed out of sight Saturday, leaving the Brown Berets in charge of crowd and traffic control. They deftly guided the marchers slowly along the route with several Aztec dancing troupes in feathered headdresses and mandatory masks leading the way.
Members of the Brown Berets led the way at Saturday’s anniversary march, which included a parade of vintage cars. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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At the intersection of Atlantic and Whittier boulevards, the marchers joined a caravan of vintage cars that eventually merged into a gridlocked parade of honking, shouting and sign-waving.
One of the day’s few tense moments occurred when a woman at an outdoor restaurant rushed at a marcher who took her picture. Several Brown Berets quickly defused the scuffle. Through the day the crowd remained mellow, letting its emotion show through rhetoric alone.
Sara Aguilar, 42, of Whittier has taken to the streets annually for the Women’s March and most recently the Black Lives Matter movement. But as a Latina and a recent member of the Brown Berets, she couldn’t miss the Chicano Moratorium anniversary march.
Alongside her were Brown Berets from across the country: Fresno, Houston, Chicago, Oregon, Colorado and beyond.
She grew up in East L.A., and she hasn’t seen much progress since her youth.
“I don’t think much has changed as far as being treated equally or as a woman,” she said. “That’s why we’re still out here today. It’s not only a celebration but a continuation of our fight.”
She remembers, as a little girl in school, being “taught that I can’t speak Spanish and that I needed to learn English.”
“I’m here to get back to my roots and fight for a future that’s different for the children.”
Rafael Avitia, co-chair of La Mesa Brown Berets, said the term “Chicano” encompasses all Indigenous people.
“We’re going to march and reassert who we are: la gente de Aztlan [the people of Aztlan],” Avitia said. “How the hell can we be illegal? We are Indigenous on this land.”
March participants rest in the shade at Ruben Salazar Park. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Those gathered decried continued killings by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and Los Angeles police officers, as well as racism against the Latino community by the presidential administration.
They held signs that said, “End police brutality,” “Dump Trump. Vote 2020,” “Unite,” “School not prison,” “Keep families together” and “Jail killer cops.”
They repeated, “Revolution! Nothing less,” “Black Lives Matter” and “Trump, Pence, out now!” to the beat of a drum.
A line of cars followed behind them, from which people waved Mexican flags and held signs saying “Chicanx Power.”
Fifty years ago, Esther Aguilar marched for the first time during the Chicano Moratorium with her sister and brother-in-law. Now 69 years old, Aguilar came out to her hometown of East L.A. with her daughter, Vanessa Valdez, to march against police brutality.
“We have to continue marching for him,” said Aguilar, pointing to the name Ruben Salazar on her sign, “and now, for all these people dying. It’s not fair and it’s sad, sad, sad.
“Innocent kids are getting killed by the police. It’s wrong.”
Valdez, 45, grew up listening to her mother tell stories about the 1970 protest. Two years ago, when she heard about the 50th anniversary march, she told her mom: “Let’s go!”
Her father, Victor Aguilar, a 73-year-old Vietnam veteran, made signs for the two women to march with: “It’s a beautiful day to be a Chicana,” said one. “I been marching since 1970” and “Ruben Salazar, Que Viva!” said the other.
“I don’t think anything has changed since 1970,” Valdez said. “I live in Montebello, and you still see the racial profiling and you still see the cops assuming that brown people are criminals.”
November is a chance to see some change, they both said.
“We all have to go out and vote,” Aguilar said.
“The revolution won’t wait,” United Teachers Los Angeles President Cecily Myart-Cruz told the crowd assembled for the march. “We do not have another 50 years to get it right.”


latimes--2020-08-30--Why California's 2020 lightning fires got so big so fast

When state fire authorities announced recently that the CZU Lightning Complex fire had quadrupled in size in just one day , an audible gasp rose from the audience .
Although lightning fires have been scorching the state since prehistoric times , the speed with which the SCU and LNU lightning complex fires became the second- and third-largest blazes ever recorded in California has startled emergency officials and strained firefighting resources .
The fires have killed seven people , destroyed more than 2,100 buildings and made air unhealthy across the Bay Area .
And things may only get worse in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a direct relationship between heat and fire , and increasing heat is inevitable for at least a few decades , ” said Michael Gerrard , director of Columbia University ’ s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law .
“ If you like 2020 , you ’ re going to love 2050.
” So why have this year ’ s fires burned more than 1.4 million acres of the state ’ s scenic coastal mountains and hills surrounding wine country ?
After all , the Lightning Siege of 2008 , when nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time the National Guard had been called in to help in 40 years as resources were stretched to the limit .
The destiny of all wildfires is shaped by the fire behavior triangle — fuel , weather and topography — according to Craig Clements , a professor at San Jose State ’ s Fire Weather Research Laboratory .
But there were additional factors involved in this most recent outbreak .
A summer heat wave magnified by climate change combined with tropical moisture and storm energy to create thunderstorms .
The resulting lightning strikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult firefighting and another area that ’ s seen numerous fires in the recent past .
The state- and locally-maintained coastal mountains in Central California , where the CZU Lightning Complex is burning , have a history of challenging firefighters .
In 2016 , in Monterey County north of the current fire , a firefighter died helping contain the stubborn Soberanes fire , which burned 50 homes while flames lived for months in the range ’ s steep canyons and impassable terrain .
In 2003 , south of Livermore , where a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burning , 53 firefighters were overrun in the middle of the night and used their shelters in what may have been the second-largest shelter deployment by crews in U.S. history , Clements said .
In both instances , just as is happening now , temperatures did not drop significantly overnight nor was any ocean moisture reintroduced into the landscape ’ s higher elevations .
In the summer , a high-pressure system settles over the Pacific and rotates , steering warm , dry air over the coastal range ’ s upper elevations while squeezing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ layer below , said San Jose State atmospheric scientist Alison Bridger .
“ It ’ s basically why we don ’ t get rain in the summer , ” she said .
Throw in an extreme heat wave , and fire risk rises significantly .
“ The fact we got such extremely large , fast destructive fires without any offshore winds is very unusual , ” said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain .
“ All of this hints at something which we know to be true ... the state of the vegetation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary.
” In fact , most of the areas burning in the three lightning complex fires are considered to be in moderate to severe drought , according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday .
Huge chunks of each fire ’ s footprint include areas that haven ’ t seen fires in decades and were jackpots of dead and dry tinder .
“ Unfortunately , as the climate continues to warm , the table is being set for these extreme fires more often , ” Swain said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fires can be is continuing to increase.
” The night that the hundreds-of-miles-wide lightning storm set all these fires in motion , a “ heat burst ” before sunrise hit parts of wine country , sending predawn temperatures in areas such as Travis Air Force Base from 80 to 100 degrees in under two hours .
While experts say it probably didn ’ t have a direct impact on the fires , it certainly didn ’ t help matters and foreshadowed the challenging conditions to come .
From Tuesday to Wednesday , winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mountains between Oregon and California , shedding moisture along the way .
When they hit the wine country hills , they were bone dry and influenced the fire ’ s explosive growth , said National Weather Service meteorologist Cory Miller .
The LNU Lightning Complex fire grew tenfold in 36 hours , from 12,200 acres the morning of Aug. 18 to 124,000 acres the following night , according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .
Sarah Johnson and the Emerald Hills Horse Ranch , in Winters , were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 29 , is originally from Ohio and knows thunderstorms , so two weeks ago she kicked back in a hammock to enjoy a flavor of the Midwest as lightning flashed across the horizon around Lake Berryessa and Mt .
Vaca .
But soon , the storms were replaced with smoke , and then falling ash .
Johnson and her boyfriend were glued to their phones , listening to scanner traffic from first responders about the fire ’ s movements .
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website was working only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ web traffic from around the globe .
As the fire made its late-night surge Aug. 18 and 19 , Johnson ’ s boyfriend ’ s phone began ringing incessantly , the ranch ’ s boarders trying to reach him to warn him of the incoming fire .
The couple woke up and sprung into action , waking neighbors , loading up horses as trailers arrived and helping to knock down small spot fires that dotted the ranch pasture .
The ranch lost power sometime during the scramble .
“ It was incredibly windy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire tornado forming , and the rate of spread was incredible , ” Johnson said .
“ The fire was just so bright , that ’ s how we were able to see everything.
” Over the next several hours , their neighbors ’ homes burned .
The fire was fast and the county ’ s emergency alert system didn ’ t reach many of them until it was too late , if at all , Johnson said .
“ I remember at one point I just stopped and looked and said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
’ and it was just another surreal moment and I realized that nobody was coming , ” she said .
There ’ s a concern that as these fires hit the same areas again and again , they ’ ll permanently change California , and not for the better .
A moderate fire can clear out underbrush and competing trees , giving a healthy forest room to breathe .
But if it visits again and again — as has happened in parts of Napa County in recent years — those native grasses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invasive plants move in , similar to what ’ s happened in Southern California .
Oftentimes those new species can spread fire faster .
California has choices to make since fire is inevitable and megafires are increasingly possible , said Gerrard , the Columbia climate law director .
Building codes can be updated .
Utility infrastructure can be modernized and better regulated .
Decisions on where homes are built and how forests are managed can be made with fire risk and native ecology in mind .
“ It ’ s very much like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gerrard said .
“ The hope is that recurrent , related disasters will be a wake-up call .
”

When state fire authorities announced recently that the CZU Lightning Complex fire had quadrupled in size in just one day, an audible gasp rose from the audience.
Although lightning fires have been scorching the state since prehistoric times, the speed with which the SCU and LNU lightning complex fires became the second- and third-largest blazes ever recorded in California has startled emergency officials and strained firefighting resources. The fires have killed seven people, destroyed more than 2,100 buildings and made air unhealthy across the Bay Area.
And things may only get worse in the future, experts say.
“There’s a direct relationship between heat and fire, and increasing heat is inevitable for at least a few decades,” said Michael Gerrard, director of Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. “If you like 2020, you’re going to love 2050.”
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So why have this year’s fires burned more than 1.4 million acres of the state’s scenic coastal mountains and hills surrounding wine country? After all, the Lightning Siege of 2008, when nearly 800,000 acres burned, was the first time the National Guard had been called in to help in 40 years as resources were stretched to the limit.
The answer is complicated.
The destiny of all wildfires is shaped by the fire behavior triangle — fuel, weather and topography — according to Craig Clements, a professor at San Jose State’s Fire Weather Research Laboratory.
But there were additional factors involved in this most recent outbreak. A summer heat wave magnified by climate change combined with tropical moisture and storm energy to create thunderstorms. The resulting lightning strikes pelted a region with a history of difficult firefighting and another area that’s seen numerous fires in the recent past.
A burned vehicle sits in front of a fire-ravaged residence in Boulder Creek as smoke from the CZU Lightning Complex fire fills the sky. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
The state- and locally-maintained coastal mountains in Central California, where the CZU Lightning Complex is burning, have a history of challenging firefighters. In 2016, in Monterey County north of the current fire, a firefighter died helping contain the stubborn Soberanes fire, which burned 50 homes while flames lived for months in the range’s steep canyons and impassable terrain.
In 2003, south of Livermore, where a part of the SCU Lightning Complex is now burning, 53 firefighters were overrun in the middle of the night and used their shelters in what may have been the second-largest shelter deployment by crews in U.S. history, Clements said.
In both instances, just as is happening now, temperatures did not drop significantly overnight nor was any ocean moisture reintroduced into the landscape’s higher elevations. In the summer, a high-pressure system settles over the Pacific and rotates, steering warm, dry air over the coastal range’s upper elevations while squeezing cool, moist air into the marine layer below, said San Jose State atmospheric scientist Alison Bridger.
Advertisement
“It’s basically why we don’t get rain in the summer,” she said.
Throw in an extreme heat wave, and fire risk rises significantly.
“The fact we got such extremely large, fast destructive fires without any offshore winds is very unusual,” said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. “All of this hints at something which we know to be true ... the state of the vegetation, the state of the fuels was pretty extraordinary.”
In fact, most of the areas burning in the three lightning complex fires are considered to be in moderate to severe drought, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday. Huge chunks of each fire’s footprint include areas that haven’t seen fires in decades and were jackpots of dead and dry tinder.
“Unfortunately, as the climate continues to warm, the table is being set for these extreme fires more often,” Swain said. “It means the ceiling on how bad these fires can be is continuing to increase.”
The night that the hundreds-of-miles-wide lightning storm set all these fires in motion, a “heat burst” before sunrise hit parts of wine country, sending predawn temperatures in areas such as Travis Air Force Base from 80 to 100 degrees in under two hours. While experts say it probably didn’t have a direct impact on the fires, it certainly didn’t help matters and foreshadowed the challenging conditions to come.
In this long exposure photograph, flames consume a segment of Lake Berryessa during the Hennessey fire in the Spanish Flat area of Napa, part of the LNU Lightning Complex fire. (Josh Edelson / AFP / Getty Images)
From Tuesday to Wednesday, winds flowed downslope into the Sacramento Valley from the mountains between Oregon and California, shedding moisture along the way. When they hit the wine country hills, they were bone dry and influenced the fire’s explosive growth, said National Weather Service meteorologist Cory Miller. The LNU Lightning Complex fire grew tenfold in 36 hours, from 12,200 acres the morning of Aug. 18 to 124,000 acres the following night, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Sarah Johnson and the Emerald Hills Horse Ranch, in Winters, were in the fire’s path.
Johnson, 29, is originally from Ohio and knows thunderstorms, so two weeks ago she kicked back in a hammock to enjoy a flavor of the Midwest as lightning flashed across the horizon around Lake Berryessa and Mt. Vaca.
But soon, the storms were replaced with smoke, and then falling ash. Johnson and her boyfriend were glued to their phones, listening to scanner traffic from first responders about the fire’s movements. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website was working only intermittently, overwhelmed by a surge in web traffic from around the globe.
As the fire made its late-night surge Aug. 18 and 19, Johnson’s boyfriend’s phone began ringing incessantly, the ranch’s boarders trying to reach him to warn him of the incoming fire.
The couple woke up and sprung into action, waking neighbors, loading up horses as trailers arrived and helping to knock down small spot fires that dotted the ranch pasture. The ranch lost power sometime during the scramble.
“It was incredibly windy and smoky and you could see a fire tornado forming, and the rate of spread was incredible,” Johnson said. “The fire was just so bright, that’s how we were able to see everything.”
Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fire consume a home in unincorporated Napa County. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Over the next several hours, their neighbors’ homes burned. The fire was fast and the county’s emergency alert system didn’t reach many of them until it was too late, if at all, Johnson said.
“I remember at one point I just stopped and looked and said, ‘Where are all the fire trucks?’ and it was just another surreal moment and I realized that nobody was coming,” she said.
There’s a concern that as these fires hit the same areas again and again, they’ll permanently change California, and not for the better.
A moderate fire can clear out underbrush and competing trees, giving a healthy forest room to breathe. But if it visits again and again — as has happened in parts of Napa County in recent years — those native grasses and plants give up the fight and invasive plants move in, similar to what’s happened in Southern California. Oftentimes those new species can spread fire faster.
California has choices to make since fire is inevitable and megafires are increasingly possible, said Gerrard, the Columbia climate law director. Building codes can be updated. Utility infrastructure can be modernized and better regulated. Decisions on where homes are built and how forests are managed can be made with fire risk and native ecology in mind.
“It’s very much like managed retreat on the coastline,” Gerrard said. “The hope is that recurrent, related disasters will be a wake-up call.”


latimes--2020-08-31--Man who impersonated National Guardsman during L.A. unrest charged with gun crime

A Gardena man has been charged with a weapons offense after prosecutors say he dressed up as a member of the National Guard and displayed a rifle near a protest at City Hall that came at the height of tensions between police and demonstrators in early June .
Gregory Wong , 31 , faces up to three years in prison if convicted of one felony count of possession of an assault weapon , according to a news release issued by the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office .
Wong was armed with an ARP5 rifle and a handgun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by real members of the Guard on June 2 .
The Guardsmen confronted him after noticing incorrect decals on his uniform , police said .
Authorities have not said why Wong was wearing the uniform or what his intentions were .
Wong is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday .
A spokesman for the district attorney ’ s office did not know if he had retained an attorney .
Wong ’ s actions took place as thousands took to the streets of Southern California to call for criminal justice reform and denounce police brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s killing by Minneapolis police .
Some of the demonstrations downtown and in West L.A. veered into violence and property damage , leading to tense standoffs and scenes of cars being burned .
The National Guard was deployed to quiet the unrest and city and county officials instituted curfew orders , leading the LAPD to arrest thousands of people .
A number of troubling videos showing police swinging batons wildly at peaceful protesters , or in one case , running over a woman during a downtown protest , also led many to question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations that week .

A Gardena man has been charged with a weapons offense after prosecutors say he dressed up as a member of the National Guard and displayed a rifle near a protest at City Hall that came at the height of tensions between police and demonstrators in early June.
Gregory Wong, 31, faces up to three years in prison if convicted of one felony count of possession of an assault weapon , according to a news release issued by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Wong was armed with an ARP5 rifle and a handgun while wearing fatigues when he was confronted by real members of the Guard on June 2. The Guardsmen confronted him after noticing incorrect decals on his uniform, police said.
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Authorities have not said why Wong was wearing the uniform or what his intentions were. Wong is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday. A spokesman for the district attorney’s office did not know if he had retained an attorney.
Wong’s actions took place as thousands took to the streets of Southern California to call for criminal justice reform and denounce police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police.
Some of the demonstrations downtown and in West L.A. veered into violence and property damage, leading to tense standoffs and scenes of cars being burned. The National Guard was deployed to quiet the unrest and city and county officials instituted curfew orders, leading the LAPD to arrest thousands of people.
A number of troubling videos showing police swinging batons wildly at peaceful protesters, or in one case, running over a woman during a downtown protest, also led many to question the LAPD’s handling of the demonstrations that week.


latimes--2020-08-31--L.A. County sheriff's deputy kills man in South Los Angeles

A Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputy fatally shot a man Monday afternoon in the Westmont neighborhood of South @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Department said .
Details were scarce early Monday evening .
The department said @ @ @ @ @ man was shot at 3:16 p.m. in the 1200 block of West 109th Place and @ @ @ @ @ .
Sheriff ’ s homicide detectives were headed to the scene to investigate , the @ @ @

A sheriff’s deputy at the scene on the night of the shooting. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department said Kizzee had fled officers and struck one of them during a pursuit. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A resident looks on as protesters gather on Budlong Avenue hours after the Aug. 31 shooting. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Family and friends of Dijon Kizzee stand near the site of the shooting on Aug. 31. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
On Aug. 31, residents confront L.A. County sheriff’s deputies after the Kizzee shooting in the South L.A. neighborhood of Westmont. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters gather Saturday in front of the South Los Angeles sheriff’s station to demand justice for Dijon Kizzee. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
People look out their window as a crowd walks past Saturday to honor Dijon Kizzee along West Imperial Highway in Los Angeles. (Josie Norris/Los Angeles Times)
People block northbound Interstate 110 on Saturday during a protest of the fatal shooting of Dijon Kizzee in Los Angeles. (Josie Norris/Los Angeles Times)
Protesters gather Saturday in front of the South Los Angeles sheriff’s station to demand justice for Dijon Kizzee. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
The family of Dijon Kizzee gathers Saturday with protesters in front of the South Los Angeles sheriff’s station to demand justice for Dijon Kizzee. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Lucha Bright, left, of Revolution Club LA, caravans Tuesday with other members throughout a South Los Angeles neighborhood protesting the shooting of Dijon Kizzee. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Rima Williams, cousin of Dijon Kizzee, on Tuesday places a lighted candle at the memorial where Kizzee was shot along the 1300 block of West 109th Place in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies watch a crowd that gathered Tuesday near the corner of Imperial Highway and Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)
A few people were taken into custody Tuesday after the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department declared an unlawful assembly and moved toward a crowd that gathered near the corner of Imperial Highway and Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)
Demonstrators gather Tuesday near the corner of Imperial Highway and Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles, where Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies declared an unlawful assembly. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies on Monday shot and killed a Black man, drawing protesters to the South Los Angeles neighborhood of Westmont where he died.
The shooting victim was Dijon Kizzee, 29, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. Coroner’s spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said an examination was scheduled for Tuesday.
According to authorities, Kizzee struck a deputy in the face in the incident Monday afternoon, dropping a handgun in the process and prompting the deputy and his partner to open fire.
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Sheriff’s Lt. Brandon Dean said Monday evening that two deputies from the South Los Angeles station were driving on Budlong Avenue at 3:15 p.m. when they spotted a man riding his bicycle in violation of vehicle codes. Dean said he didn’t know which vehicle codes the man allegedly broke.
When the deputies attempted to contact the man, he dropped the bicycle and ran north on Budlong for one block with deputies in pursuit, Dean said. In the 1200 block of West 109th Place, deputies again tried to make contact with the man, and he punched one of them in the face, Dean said.
In doing so, the man dropped a bundle of clothing he had been carrying. The deputies spotted a black handgun in the bundle, Dean said, and both opened fire, killing the man. No deputies were injured.
Dean said he did not know how many times the man was shot but that reports that he had been hit more than 20 times were inaccurate.
Protesters demonstrate at the South L.A. Sheriff’s Station hours after a Black man was fatally shot by deputies. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Gerardo De La Torre, 18, was playing video games in his bedroom on West 109th Place when he heard 10 gunshots, followed by screams. He went outside and saw a group of people confronting sheriff’s deputies. Within five minutes, he said, 12 squad cars had pulled up to the intersection, sirens blaring, where a man lay dead.
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De La Torre was reminded of a shooting just three months earlier: A Latino man had come down his street, a gun in his hand, and was standing in front of his family’s home when sheriff’s deputies shot him, he said. The Sheriff’s Department said at the time that the man had pointed the handgun at officers.
There are still two bullet holes in the wooden fence outside his home.
“I don’t really like what’s been going on here,” he said. He added that he planned to move in two weeks to join his brother in San Francisco.
When Arlander Givens, 68, saw the cruisers streaming by his home on West 109th Place, he knew by the number of cars that someone had been shot by law enforcement.
Givens has watched with alarm as Black men have died at the hands of the police in Minnesota, Wisconsin — and, now, on his block.
“It’s like it’s open season,” he said.
Givens questioned why the deputies opened fire if, as a sheriff’s official has said, the man wasn’t holding a weapon.
“If he reached down to grab it, that’s different,” Givens said. “But if it’s on the ground, why shoot? That means he was unarmed.”
When his wife goes to the store, Givens tells her to be careful.
“We aren’t talking about some gang member,” he said. “We’re talking about the police. And that’s bad. I’ve got nothing to hide, I’ve got no reason to run, but when I see the police over my shoulder, I worry.”
In the hours after the shooting, a crowd of protesters — some from the neighborhood, others drawn by an “all hands on deck” tweet issued by the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter — faced off with deputies maintaining a perimeter at the scene.
As afternoon turned to night, the standoff grew tense. Many in the crowd angrily demanded to know why the man’s body remained in the street for hours. Dean, the sheriff’s lieutenant, told reporters the body hadn’t been removed because coroner’s investigators were still at the scene.
Investigators have yet to interview the deputies and many other witnesses, Dean said on Monday. They have not reviewed surveillance video or cellphone videos that may have captured the shooting.
“Give us time to conduct our investigation,” he said. “We will get all of the facts of this case and eventually present them.”
Neither deputy was wearing a body camera, according to Dean. Unlike the Los Angeles Police Department, the Sheriff’s Department has yet to equip its officers with body cameras. The department’s leadership said earlier this summer that it planned to begin distributing the cameras to deputies first at the Century Station in Lynwood, with other stations and bureaus receiving the technology over the next two years.
Deputies assigned to Century Station will be equipped with the cameras by October, the department said.


latimes--2020-08-31--Conception dive boat disaster: Feds to reveal cause of blaze that killed 34

As the anniversary of California ’ s deadliest maritime disaster in modern history nears , the National Transportation Safety Board announced it will hold a hearing in October to reveal the results of its investigation into the Conception dive boat fire that killed 34 people off Santa Cruz Island .
A preliminary NTSB investigation concluded that five members of the crew were asleep in the wheelhouse and that there was no roving watch on the vessel operated by Santa Barbara-based Truth Aquatics as required by the U.S. Coast Guard during the hours when passengers were asleep below deck .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cause and events leading up to the Conception being burned to the waterline has taken months of investigation led by NTSB board member Jennifer Homendy .
The board will vote on findings , probable cause and recommendations for changes to small passenger vessels to avoid a repeat of what its chairman called a “ horrible , horrible tragedy.
” “ We have substantially completed our investigation , ” said Eric Weiss , an NTSB spokesman .
Weiss said that in the coming weeks NTSB staff will make public interviews , research and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Families of the victims were notified Monday morning of the hearing .
A Times investigation last year found that the U.S. Coast Guard had rejected prior NTSB recommendations for tougher fire safety rules for small boats .
The U.S. Coast Guard has the sole authority over such vessels .
The Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives ’ National Response Team brought in to examine the charred wreckage is “ in the process of completing the origin and cause report , ” said Ginger Colbrun , a bureau spokeswoman .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a criminal investigation by Coast Guard investigators in consultation with the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles , the FBI and ATF .
In addition to the NTSB probe is an inquiry by the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation .
Much of the investigations of that day have focused on Capt .
Jerry Boylan ’ s actions that night .
Boylan has not commented publicly on the deadly blaze .
The boat ’ s owner , Glen Fritzler , has said Boylan did everything possible to save lives , and one of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checked the galley about a half-hour before the fire broke out .
About 3:30 a.m. Sept. 2 , 2019 , some crew members were awakened by a loud noise and found the galley and salon areas of the boat engulfed in flames , with the main bunk room located directly below the fire , in the belly of the boat .
The only way for those below to escape was through two exits into the galley and salon areas .
The surviving crew members attempted to make their way toward the engulfed middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flames .
Five crew members were able to escape , while 33 passengers and one crew member sleeping below deck died in the fire .
The coroner determined that the victims died of smoke inhalation .
In the wake of the fire , NTSB and Coast Guard investigators raised questions about the small escape hatch above the bunks of the Vision , a similar vessel owned by Truth Aquatics , and also looked at the charging areas where divers plugged in numerous lithium-ion batteries used in cameras , phones and computers .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ batteries — which have become a staple for divers who use them to power underwater equipment such as lights and scooters — as a possible starting point for the blaze .
After the Conception fire , the Coast Guard recommended that owners of passenger vessels immediately urge crews “ to reduce potential fire hazards and consider limiting the unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and extensive use of power strips and extension cords.
” Fritzler previously told The Times he believed the batteries were the cause of the Conception disaster and that he never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities .
In the weeks after the fire , Coast Guard inspectors across the country scurried to inspect small vessels that accommodate overnight passengers .
Captains told The Times that inspectors asked them to make voluntary safety improvements for fire protection , escape hatches , emergency signs and update policies for having a roving watch at all times .
In Congress , Sen Dianne Feinstein ( D-California ) and representatives for the Santa Barbara area have championed a bill to reform boat regulations .

The dive boat Conception smolders at dawn on Sept. 2, 2019, in the waters off Santa Cruz Island.
As the anniversary of California’s deadliest maritime disaster in modern history nears, the National Transportation Safety Board announced it will hold a hearing in October to reveal the results of its investigation into the Conception dive boat fire that killed 34 people off Santa Cruz Island.
A preliminary NTSB investigation concluded that five members of the crew were asleep in the wheelhouse and that there was no roving watch on the vessel operated by Santa Barbara-based Truth Aquatics as required by the U.S. Coast Guard during the hours when passengers were asleep below deck.
But the more extensive examination of the origins, cause and events leading up to the Conception being burned to the waterline has taken months of investigation led by NTSB board member Jennifer Homendy. The board will vote on findings, probable cause and recommendations for changes to small passenger vessels to avoid a repeat of what its chairman called a “horrible, horrible tragedy.”
“We have substantially completed our investigation,” said Eric Weiss, an NTSB spokesman. Weiss said that in the coming weeks NTSB staff will make public interviews, research and other investigative materials before the public hearing.
Families of the victims were notified Monday morning of the hearing. A Times investigation last year found that the U.S. Coast Guard had rejected prior NTSB recommendations for tougher fire safety rules for small boats. The U.S. Coast Guard has the sole authority over such vessels.
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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Response Team brought in to examine the charred wreckage is “in the process of completing the origin and cause report,” said Ginger Colbrun, a bureau spokeswoman. The fire is also the subject of a criminal investigation by Coast Guard investigators in consultation with the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, the FBI and ATF.
In addition to the NTSB probe is an inquiry by the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation. Much of the investigations of that day have focused on Capt. Jerry Boylan’s actions that night. Boylan has not commented publicly on the deadly blaze.
The boat’s owner, Glen Fritzler, has said Boylan did everything possible to save lives, and one of his attorneys said that a crew member had checked the galley about a half-hour before the fire broke out.
About 3:30 a.m. Sept. 2, 2019, some crew members were awakened by a loud noise and found the galley and salon areas of the boat engulfed in flames, with the main bunk room located directly below the fire, in the belly of the boat. The only way for those below to escape was through two exits into the galley and salon areas. The surviving crew members attempted to make their way toward the engulfed middle deck, but were beaten back by flames.
Five crew members were able to escape, while 33 passengers and one crew member sleeping below deck died in the fire. The coroner determined that the victims died of smoke inhalation.
In the wake of the fire, NTSB and Coast Guard investigators raised questions about the small escape hatch above the bunks of the Vision, a similar vessel owned by Truth Aquatics, and also looked at the charging areas where divers plugged in numerous lithium-ion batteries used in cameras, phones and computers.
Some boat safety experts have pointed to the batteries — which have become a staple for divers who use them to power underwater equipment such as lights and scooters — as a possible starting point for the blaze.
After the Conception fire, the Coast Guard recommended that owners of passenger vessels immediately urge crews “to reduce potential fire hazards and consider limiting the unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and extensive use of power strips and extension cords.”
Fritzler previously told The Times he believed the batteries were the cause of the Conception disaster and that he never received any alerts on the issue from authorities.
In the weeks after the fire, Coast Guard inspectors across the country scurried to inspect small vessels that accommodate overnight passengers. Captains told The Times that inspectors asked them to make voluntary safety improvements for fire protection, escape hatches and emergency signs and to update policies for having a roving watch at all times.
In Congress, Sen Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and representatives for the Santa Barbara area have championed a bill to reform boat regulations.


latimes--2020-08-31--South Coast Plaza reopens for indoor shoppers as California relaxes some COVID-19 restrictions

South Coast Plaza , Orange County ’ s renowned upscale shopping center , reopened for in-person shopping Monday as California relaxed some business restrictions put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
Although not all boutiques are open and store hours vary , officials said more than 100 shops had reopened this week , with outdoor dining , takeout and curbside pickup available at more than 20 restaurants .
The Costa Mesa mall ’ s hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday .
Seniors , those with underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reserved blocks of time for shopping — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Saturday .
In announcing the reopening , center officials said their “ ongoing commitment to your health and safety is unwavering ” and that they had adopted “ higher-than-ever standards for cleanliness , based on advice from public health officials and top industrial hygienists.
” “ Our numerous efforts include installing a state-of-the-art air treatment system , implementing social distancing practices , improving our protocol for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces frequently throughout the center and more , ” according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Face coverings are required , and some amenities — such as valet parking , drinking fountains , stroller and wheelchair rentals , and carousels — will remain unavailable for now .
Despite the precautions , center officials acknowledged there was “ an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where people are present , and our shopping center is not immune.
” That , officials wrote on South Coast Plaza ’ s website , “ is what makes our health and safety protocols for the center , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuous sanitizing , improved air quality and taking the temperatures of our employees , so important.
” South Coast Plaza , like businesses throughout California , has had to navigate a shifting landscape of coronavirus-related health orders over the last several months .
The center closed in mid-March after a store employee tested positive for the coronavirus .
The closure was originally planned to last two weeks , but officials later announced the mall would remain closed indefinitely .
South Coast Plaza reopened June 11 , welcoming back long lines of shoppers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its boutiques and restaurants roughly a month later , when California reimposed many business restrictions in response to a spike in COVID-19 infections .
Under new rules Gov .
Gavin Newsom unveiled Friday , retail stores and shopping malls are now permitted to open at a maximum of 25 % capacity .
The coronavirus outbreak has prompted the center to find creative ways to operate .
Earlier this month , South Coast Plaza opened what it called the Pavilion — a collection of by-appointment , open-air shopping suites in its northern parking structure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curbside pickup program , called SCP 2 Go , in May .

Shoppers follow social-distancing etiquette at South Coast Plaza on June 11. After closing a second time amid the pandemic, the mall reopened Monday.
South Coast Plaza, Orange County’s renowned upscale shopping center, reopened for in-person shopping Monday as California relaxed some business restrictions put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Although not all boutiques are open and store hours vary, officials said more than 100 shops had reopened this week, with outdoor dining, takeout and curbside pickup available at more than 20 restaurants.
The Costa Mesa mall’s hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Seniors, those with underlying health conditions and other at-risk groups have reserved blocks of time for shopping — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Saturday.
In announcing the reopening, center officials said their “ongoing commitment to your health and safety is unwavering” and that they had adopted “higher-than-ever standards for cleanliness, based on advice from public health officials and top industrial hygienists.”
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“Our numerous efforts include installing a state-of-the-art air treatment system, implementing social distancing practices, improving our protocol for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces frequently throughout the center and more,” according to South Coast Plaza’s website.
Face coverings are required, and some amenities — such as valet parking, drinking fountains, stroller and wheelchair rentals, and carousels — will remain unavailable for now.
Despite the precautions, center officials acknowledged there was “an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where people are present, and our shopping center is not immune.”
That, officials wrote on South Coast Plaza’s website, “is what makes our health and safety protocols for the center, such as mandatory face coverings, social distancing, continuous sanitizing, improved air quality and taking the temperatures of our employees, so important.”
South Coast Plaza, like businesses throughout California, has had to navigate a shifting landscape of coronavirus-related health orders over the last several months.
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The center closed in mid-March after a store employee tested positive for the coronavirus. The closure was originally planned to last two weeks, but officials later announced the mall would remain closed indefinitely.
South Coast Plaza reopened June 11, welcoming back long lines of shoppers, but had to shutter enclosed access to its boutiques and restaurants roughly a month later, when California reimposed many business restrictions in response to a spike in COVID-19 infections.
Under new rules Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled Friday, retail stores and shopping malls are now permitted to open at a maximum of 25% capacity.
The coronavirus outbreak has prompted the center to find creative ways to operate.
Earlier this month, South Coast Plaza opened what it called the Pavilion — a collection of by-appointment, open-air shopping suites in its northern parking structure.
The center also launched a contact-free curbside pickup program, called SCP 2 Go, in May.


latimes--2020-08-31--California's deadliest month of the COVID-19 pandemic is August

August was the deadliest month of the COVID-19 pandemic in California , even as the state makes steady progress in reducing infections , hospitalizations and deaths , data show .
This month , California has reported 3,707 deaths connected to COVID-19 , an 18 % increase over July , a Los Angeles Times analysis found .
The news comes as California tops 700,000 coronavirus cases , the most in the United States .
Adjusted for population , the Golden State ’ s case count is dwarfed by 20 other states , including southern hot spots such as Florida , Louisiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Data released by California officials and analyzed by The Times show that infection and hospitalization rates have fallen steadily for more than a month .
The average number of daily deaths has begun to fall , too , and — if the pattern holds — should continue to decline , officials say .
Hospitalizations peaked in late July , when the state reported 7,170 patients being treated for COVID-19 .
In August , hospitalizations have dropped steadily , hitting 3,940 this week — the fewest since mid-June , and a change of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The seven-day average of daily deaths in California is at its lowest point this month , a Times analysis found .
The state is reporting an average of 112 deaths per day , a 14 % decline from last week and a decrease from 133 daily deaths at the start of August .
Starting Monday , California is allowing some businesses to reopen statewide , including all retail stores , hair salons , barbershops and shopping malls , limited to 25 % capacity .
That follows the launch of Gov .
Gavin Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
The new system scraps the state ’ s “ watch list ” and instead sorts counties into four categories based on their progress fighting the virus .
Before businesses can reopen and group activities can resume , counties must show proof of consistent progress against the coronavirus .
The majority of the state is still classified as “ Tier 1 , ” and is subject to the most restrictive policies on gatherings and business operations .
That includes Los Angeles , Orange , Ventura , Riverside and San Bernardino counties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , including San Francisco and San Diego , have been classified as “ Tier 2 , ” with some nonessential businesses allowed to operate indoors with reduced capacity .
The hardest-hit areas of California are still in the Central Valley , where five counties are still seeing infection rates greater than 400 cases per 100,000 residents , according to The Times ’ coronavirus tracker .
The rate of positive COVID-19 tests in Los Angeles County fell to 5 % this week , the lowest level since mid-May , said Dr. Muntu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officer .
“ This is good news , but we ’ re still seeing way too many cases , ” Davis said .
The testing rate , he said , is still “ indicative of wide spread.
” He cautioned that a low testing rate can surge upward with little notice , as it did in June and July .
After an initial dip in positive results in May , Davis said , infections surged as “ we saw many people in crowds ” at reopened businesses and over Memorial Day weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate among Latino residents , who have been disproportionately harmed by the virus , is at the lowest point since mid-May , Davis said .

Jorge Angel Llamas, left, takes a COVID-19 test under the supervision of nurse Karen Barringer in Chula Vista on Friday.
August was the deadliest month of the COVID-19 pandemic in California, even as the state makes steady progress in reducing infections, hospitalizations and deaths, data show.
This month, California has reported 3,745 deaths connected to COVID-19, an 18% increase over July, a Los Angeles Times analysis found.
The news comes as California tops 700,000 coronavirus cases, the most in the United States. But adjusted for population, the Golden State’s case count is dwarfed by 20 other states, including Southern hot spots such as Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, according to federal data.
Despite August’s grim fatality milestone, new data released by California officials and analyzed by The Times show that by practically every measure, the state’s coronavirus situation is slowly improving.
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Infection and hospitalization rates have fallen steadily for more than a month. The average number of daily deaths is declining, too, which may be the product of tightened restrictions after a surge of COVID-19 cases around Memorial Day.
If the pattern holds, and Californians continue to observe social distancing protocols and wear face coverings, fatalities should continue to decline, officials say.
Hospitalizations peaked in late July, when the state reported 7,170 patients being treated for COVID-19. In August, hospitalizations have dropped steadily, hitting 3,940 this week — the fewest since late June, and a decline of 45% from a month ago.
The seven-day average of daily deaths in California is at its lowest point this month, a Times analysis found. The state is reporting an average of 112 deaths per day, a 14% decline from last week and a decrease from 133 daily deaths at the start of August.
This weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a new plan to slowly bring back the California economy, which has been battered by months of forced pandemic closures.
That included a green light for some businesses to open statewide, regardless of how well the local area is coping with the virus. Hair salons and barbershops are allowed to reopen, as are stores and shopping malls, limited to 25% capacity.
At South Coast Plaza, the upscale shopping mall in Costa Mesa, company officials said more than 100 stores had reopened this week, with outdoor dining, takeout and curbside pickup available at more than 20 restaurants.
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It’s not life as usual at the mall, though. Face coverings are required, and valet parking, drinking fountains, stroller rentals, wheelchair rentals and carousels are still unavailable.
The center closed in mid-March and remained shuttered until June 11. After welcoming back long lines of shoppers, the mall was forced to close again about a month later, after COVID-19 cases surged and California reimposed many business restrictions .
Newsom’s new system scraps the state’s “watchlist” and instead sorts counties into four categories based on their progress fighting the virus. Before businesses can reopen and group activities can resume, counties must show proof of consistent progress.
The majority of the state is still classified as “Tier 1,” and is subject to the most restrictive policies on gatherings and business operations. That includes Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, where few businesses are open for indoor operations.
Counties that have made more progress against the virus, including San Francisco and San Diego, have been classified as “Tier 2,” with some nonessential businesses allowed to operate indoors with reduced capacity.
The hardest-hit areas of California are still in the Central Valley, where five counties are still seeing infection rates greater than 400 cases per 100,000 residents, according to The Times’ coronavirus tracker.
The rate of positive COVID-19 tests in Los Angeles County fell to 5% this week, the lowest level since mid-May, said Dr. Muntu Davis, the county’s public health officer. And the daily transmission rate among Latino residents, who have been disproportionately harmed by the virus, is at the lowest point since mid-May, Davis said.
“This is good news, but we’re still seeing way too many cases,” Davis said. The testing rate, he said, is still “indicative of wide spread.”
He cautioned that a low testing rate can surge upward with little notice, as it did in June and July. After an initial dip in positive results in May, Davis said, infections surged as “we saw many people in crowds” at reopened businesses and over Memorial Day weekend.
Officials have voiced concern about the possibility that infection rates could similarly spike after Labor Day weekend, which is expected to hit in the middle of a triple-digit heat wave in Los Angeles County.
“It’s likely going to be a hot weekend, so be sure to take precautions to avoid the hottest part of the day and keep cool,” Davis said. He recommended visiting a hiking trail or having a picnic in the early morning or evening.
Davis advised residents to avoid gathering with anyone not in their household unit, and to wear a face covering or mask in public places. He also advised residents to avoid sharing cups, utensils and plates; to avoid crowded areas; and to be flexible, in the event that an area you’d planned on visiting is too crowded.


latimes--2020-08-31--Marine lured 14-year-old girl onto Twentynine Palms base for sex, authorities say

A Twentynine Palms Marine was arrested on suspicion of statutory rape last week after luring a 14-year-old girl to the @ @ @ @ @ , authorities say .
Donovan Bowin , 20 , is being held at the West @ @ @ @ @ of $ 25,000 bail , jail records state .
San Bernardino County sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Corps Air Ground Combat Center on Tuesday afternoon and found the 14-year-old girl , the @ @ @ @ @ in a news release .
Authorities said they discovered that Bowin had been communicating with @ @ @ @ @ , paid for a ride-hailing service to transport her from Fontana and helped her enter @ @ @ @ @ searching Bowin ’ s barracks room and collecting evidence , deputies took him into custody @ @ @ @ @ court Monday afternoon to be arraigned on a felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse with @ @ @ @ @ court records .
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the San @ @ @ @ @ Department ’ s Morongo Basin Station at ( 760 ) 366-4175 .

A Twentynine Palms Marine was arrested on suspicion of statutory rape last week after luring a 14-year-old girl to the base in the high desert, authorities say.
Donovan Bowin, 20, is being held at the West Valley Detention Center in lieu of $25,000 bail, jail records state.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies responded to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center on Tuesday afternoon and found the 14-year-old girl, the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
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Authorities said they discovered that Bowin had been communicating with the girl on social media, paid for a ride-hailing service to transport her from Fontana and helped her enter the base illegally. After searching Bowin’s barracks room and collecting evidence, deputies took him into custody.
Bowin was due in court Monday afternoon to be arraigned on a felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, according to court records.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175.


latimes--2020-08-31--Porn star Ron Jeremy charged with 20 more counts of sexual abuse in L.A. County

L.A. County prosecutors filed 20 more counts of sexual assault and groping against Ron Jeremy on Monday — including an allegation of lewd conduct with a minor — after dozens of additional women contacted law enforcement following the adult film star ’ s arrest in late June .
Jeremy — who pleaded not guilty in June to allegations that he sexually assaulted four women in West Hollywood — now faces 28 criminal counts in L.A. County , including five counts of rape and six counts of sexual battery , according to the district attorney ’ s office .
The amended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court appearance to schedule Jeremy ’ s preliminary hearing , said Ricardo Santiago , a spokesman for the county district attorney ’ s office .
Jeremy was originally facing eight counts of sexual assault stemming from allegations made by four women related to attacks in West Hollywood between 2014 and 2019 .
But after his initial court appearance , dozens of other women came forward in California and throughout the U.S. Just three days after Jeremy was initially charged , Deputy Dist .
Atty .
Paul Thompson said prosecutors had received an additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 of which had occurred in L.A. County .
Since then , six additional women who worked in the adult entertainment industry have told The Times that Jeremy had raped or abused them .
The sheriff ’ s department has interviewed 50 additional women who made allegations against Jeremy since June , said Lt. John Adams of the agency ’ s special victims bureau .
Eleven of those women are now part of the amended criminal complaint , Adams said .
Some women whose claims did not result in criminal charges could still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adams said .
Prosecutors have said in previous court filings they plan to call so-called prior bad acts witnesses who can testify to similar , but uncharged , criminal behavior .
A similar strategy played a key role in Harvey Weinstein ’ s conviction on rape charges in Manhattan earlier this year .
Two of the other new allegations were investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department ’ s Robbery-Homicide Division , authorities said .
Jeremy ’ s defense attorney , Stu Goldfarb , said his client pleaded not guilty to the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jeremy is due back in court in late October .
The new allegations span from 2004 to 2020 , prosecutors said , and include an allegation that Jeremy sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl at a party in Santa Clarita .
The most recent alleged incident took place on New Year ’ s Day , when prosecutors say Jeremy assaulted a woman outside of a business in Hollywood .
In the original criminal complaint filed in June , prosecutors charged Jeremy with forcible rape , forcible oral copulation and sexual battery .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and leveraged his celebrity status to gain access to women , whom he then took advantage of while they were drunk .
Allegations of groping and sexual assault have hovered around Jeremy since 2017 .
In the span of a few months , a video detailing past sexual abuse claims against him gained more than 200,000 views on YouTube , and Rolling Stone published allegations of groping and violent rape levied by a dozen women .
The allegations made Jeremy a pariah in the industry that had launched him to fame .

Adult film star Ron Jeremy talks with his attorney, Stu Goldfarb, during his arraignment on rape and sexual assault charges in a downtown L.A. courtroom in June.
L.A. County prosecutors filed 20 more counts of sexual assault and groping against Ron Jeremy on Monday — including an allegation of lewd conduct with a minor — after dozens of additional women contacted law enforcement following the adult film star’s arrest in late June.
Jeremy — who pleaded not guilty in June to allegations that he sexually assaulted four women in West Hollywood — now faces 28 criminal counts in L.A. County, including five counts of rape and six counts of sexual battery, according to the district attorney’s office.
The amended complaint was filed during a Monday morning court appearance to schedule Jeremy’s preliminary hearing, said Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for the county district attorney’s office.
Jeremy was originally facing eight counts of sexual assault stemming from allegations made by four women related to attacks in West Hollywood between 2014 and 2019. But after his initial court appearance, dozens of other women came forward in California and throughout the U.S.
Just three days after Jeremy was initially charged, Deputy Dist. Atty. Paul Thompson said prosecutors had received an additional 25 allegations of misconduct involving Jeremy, 13 of which had occurred in L.A. County. Since then, six additional women who worked in the adult entertainment industry have told The Times that Jeremy had raped or abused them.
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The Sheriff’s Department has interviewed 50 additional women who made allegations against Jeremy since June, said Lt. John Adams of the agency’s special victims bureau. Eleven of those women are now part of the amended criminal complaint, Adams said.
Some women whose claims did not result in criminal charges could still testify at Jeremy’s trial, Adams said. Prosecutors have said in previous court filings they plan to call so-called prior bad acts witnesses who can testify to similar, but uncharged, criminal behavior. A similar strategy played a key role in Harvey Weinstein’s conviction on rape charges in Manhattan earlier this year.
Two of the other new allegations were investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, authorities said.
Jeremy’s defense attorney, Stu Goldfarb, said his client pleaded not guilty to the new charges in a downtown court appearance Monday. Jeremy is due back in court in late October.
The new allegations span from 2004 to 2020, prosecutors said, and include an allegation that Jeremy sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl at a party in Santa Clarita. The most recent alleged incident took place on New Year’s Day, when prosecutors say Jeremy assaulted a woman outside of a business in Hollywood.
In the original criminal complaint filed in June, prosecutors charged Jeremy with forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual battery. Investigators said he had prowled the Sunset Strip and leveraged his celebrity status to gain access to women, whom he then took advantage of while they were drunk.
Allegations of groping and sexual assault have hovered around Jeremy since 2017. In the span of a few months, a video detailing past sexual abuse claims against him gained more than 200,000 views on YouTube, and Rolling Stone published allegations of groping and violent rape levied by a dozen women. The allegations made Jeremy a pariah in the industry that had launched him to fame.


latimes--2020-08-31--L.A. and Airbnb launch system meant to help with enforcing rental rules

Los Angeles and Airbnb have launched a new system meant to help the city ferret out and remove illegal listings from the online platform , a step that L.A. officials say is crucial to enforcing its restrictions on renting out homes for short stays .
The new system “ will significantly streamline the process for identifying and taking down illegal short-term-rental listings , ” planning department spokesman Yeghig Keshishian said in an email .
“ In many ways , it ’ s the missing piece to the puzzle.
” Los Angeles has struggled to crack down on illegal rentals : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to protect housing and limit short-term rentals went into effect , a Times analysis found thousands of unregistered listings remained on Airbnb .
City officials recently estimated that more than 6,000 listings on the platform were out of compliance .
The municipal law requires short-term-rental hosts to register with the city , which checks whether they are meeting key requirements such as renting out their own “ primary residence ” rather than a second home or investment property .
Advertising an unregistered rental , which is illegal , could be a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city rules .
The new system , announced Monday , makes it easier for Airbnb and the city to share information and strip illegal listings from the platform .
Planning officials said they were already able to remove more than 1,350 ineligible listings when it was being tested last week .
“ Airbnb is the only platform that has developed a first-of-its-kind system that both helps the city and helps hosts who share their homes in a responsible way , ” said John Choi , Airbnb ’ s Southern California public policy manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that delays rolling out that system had hampered enforcement : Under an agreement between Airbnb and the city , the platform had to boot off a number of “ categorically ineligible ” listings identified by the city but did not have to remove any other illegal listings until the new system was in place .
City staffers had also complained about delays .
Emails obtained by The Times through a public records request show that in February , a city planner said he had told Airbnb that “ management is extremely dissatisfied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sincerity to completing the project.
” In May , another city planner groused that “ Airbnb ’ s commitment of sufficient resources to this task did not begin in a timely manner.
” Choi responded to that email by pointing out that the company had suffered layoffs that had directly affected the team working on the system .
Airbnb , in turn , repeatedly raised concerns last year with the city about promptly getting information about city guidelines that would help the company design the new system , emails from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines for hosting platforms were not approved until last fall , months after the ordinance went into effect .
In June , Airbnb first announced that it was launching the long-awaited system .
Then the office of Mayor Eric Garcetti put those plans on hold : Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar said the decision stemmed from a June memo urging city departments to assess how any new policies would affect city revenues as L.A. stared down a budget crisis .
Planning director Vince Bertoni warned in a July email to a Garcetti aide that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ significantly limit ” enforcement .
Bertoni said that Airbnb had been “ immune ” from many requirements under L.A. 's ordinance because of the agreement , and “ no other host/platform has this protection.
” Bertoni added that rolling out the new system could also help the city combat party houses that were operating as unregistered Airbnb listings , addressing a concern that Garcetti has raised publicly during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Planning officials also argued in a report that cracking down on illegal Airbnb rentals was not likely to slash revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would simply book legitimate rentals instead .
Comisar said last week that after the report was reviewed by finance officials , “ we immediately gave them approval to move forward with implementation.
” Groups that had bemoaned problems with enforcement said they were pleased to see the system in place .
“ Short-term rentals can be regulated if the city aggressively enforces the law it passes , and up until now , that hasn ’ t happened , ” said James Elmendorf , policy director with the Los Angeles Alliance for a New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be if the city actually fines both these hosts and the platforms that illegally list them , ” he said .

Dozens of Venice residents and advocates rally on the Venice Boardwalk in 2015 to call on the Los Angeles City Council to regulate short-term rentals.
Los Angeles and Airbnb have launched a new system meant to help the city ferret out and remove illegal listings from the online platform, a step that L.A. officials say is crucial to enforcing its restrictions on renting out homes for short stays.
The new system “will significantly streamline the process for identifying and taking down illegal short-term-rental listings,” planning department spokesman Yeghig Keshishian said in an email. “In many ways, it’s the missing piece to the puzzle.”
Los Angeles has struggled to crack down on illegal rentals: More than a year after new rules meant to protect housing and limit short-term rentals went into effect, a Times analysis found thousands of unregistered listings remained on Airbnb. City officials recently estimated that more than 6,000 listings on the platform were out of compliance.
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The municipal law requires short-term-rental hosts to register with the city, which checks whether they are meeting key requirements such as renting out their own “primary residence” rather than a second home or investment property. Advertising an unregistered rental, which is illegal, could be a way for scofflaws to try to dodge the city rules.
The new system, announced Monday, makes it easier for Airbnb and the city to share information and strip illegal listings from the platform. Planning officials said they were already able to remove more than 1,350 ineligible listings when it was being tested last week.
“Airbnb is the only platform that has developed a first-of-its-kind system that both helps the city and helps hosts who share their homes in a responsible way,” said John Choi, Airbnb’s Southern California public policy manager.
Tenant and neighborhood groups had complained that delays rolling out that system had hampered enforcement: Under an agreement between Airbnb and the city, the platform had to boot off a number of “categorically ineligible” listings identified by the city but did not have to remove any other illegal listings until the new system was in place.
City staffers had also complained about delays. Emails obtained by The Times through a public records request show that in February, a city planner said he had told Airbnb that “management is extremely dissatisfied with their progress ... and strongly questions Airbnb’s sincerity to completing the project.”
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In May, another city planner groused that “Airbnb’s commitment of sufficient resources to this task did not begin in a timely manner.”
Choi responded to that email by pointing out that the company had suffered layoffs that had directly affected the team working on the system.
Airbnb, in turn, repeatedly raised concerns last year with the city about promptly getting information about city guidelines that would help the company design the new system, emails from the company to the city show. Key guidelines for hosting platforms were not approved until last fall, months after the ordinance went into effect.
In June, Airbnb first announced that it was launching the long-awaited system. Then the office of Mayor Eric Garcetti put those plans on hold: Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar said the decision stemmed from a June memo urging city departments to assess how any new policies would affect city revenues as L.A. stared down a budget crisis.
Planning director Vince Bertoni warned in a July email to a Garcetti aide that holding off on the new system would “significantly limit” enforcement. Bertoni said that Airbnb had been “immune” from many requirements under L.A.’s ordinance because of the agreement, and “no other host/platform has this protection.”
Bertoni added that rolling out the new system could also help the city combat party houses that were operating as unregistered Airbnb listings, addressing a concern that Garcetti has raised publicly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Planning officials also argued in a report that cracking down on illegal Airbnb rentals was not likely to slash revenue from lodging taxes, since most travelers would simply book legitimate rentals instead. Comisar said last week that after the report was reviewed by finance officials, “we immediately gave them approval to move forward with implementation.”
Groups that had bemoaned problems with enforcement said they were pleased to see the system in place. “Short-term rentals can be regulated if the city aggressively enforces the law it passes, and up until now, that hasn’t happened,” said James Elmendorf, policy director with the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy.
Now “the real test will be if the city actually fines both these hosts and the platforms that illegally list them,” he said.


latimes--2020-08-31--In latest house party shooting, 23-year-old man is killed in Arcadia

A shooting at an Arcadia house party left one man dead Sunday night , authorities said .
Gunfire broke out about 8:40 p.m. in the 2800 block of Caroline Way , according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department , which is assisting Arcadia police in the investigation .
Responding officers found the victim , a 23-year-old man , on the rear patio of the home .
He had been shot multiple times in the torso , authorities said .
Arcadia Police Lt. Kollin Cieadlo said the victim was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital , where he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some type of argument led to a shooting , ” Cieadlo said .
The shooting took place during a house party attended by roughly 25 guests , he said , adding that “ it looked like a rental.
” Authorities have not yet disclosed the victim ’ s name , but a family member identified him to KTLA-TV Channel 5 as Gustavo Lopez of Long Beach .
Officials have not yet publicly identified a suspect .
Another 23-year-old man , who authorities described as a person of interest , was detained for questioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department on unrelated charges , sheriff ’ s officials said .
The incident is the latest in a string of shootings at house parties in Los Angeles County .
One person was killed and another injured last week when shots were fired at a party house in the upscale Beverly Crest neighborhood .
Prior to the gunfire , 25 to 30 people were at the gathering , which was held in a short-term-rental home known for parties , according to Los Angeles Police Department Det .
Meghan Aguilar .
Earlier this month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting at another party in Beverly Crest — at a mansion in the 13200 block of Mulholland Drive .
Five people also were taken to a hospital following a shooting at a large party in a warehouse in the Harbor Gateway area .
With bars , nightclubs and other nightlife spots closed amid coronavirus-related health orders , authorities say some Angelenos have turned to private parties as a substitute — even though such gatherings are prohibited .
Health officials have repeatedly urged residents to avoid these kinds of parties , which heighten the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have pledged stepped-up enforcement efforts to curtail the restricted revelry .
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti has authorized the city to shut off water and power services at residences where such gatherings are held .
Earlier this month , he ordered the power cut at a swanky residence on Appian Way in the Hollywood Hills that police say held parties in violation of public health orders .
Social media stars Bryce Hall and Blake Gray were charged in Los Angeles last week with misdemeanors in connection with parties thrown at the rental home .

An investigation is underway after a shooting at an Arcadia house party left one man dead Sunday night.
A shooting at an Arcadia house party left one man dead Sunday night, authorities said.
Gunfire broke out about 8:40 p.m. in the 2800 block of Caroline Way, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which is assisting Arcadia police in the investigation.
Responding officers found the victim, a 23-year-old man, on the rear patio of the home. He had been shot multiple times in the torso, authorities said.
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Arcadia Police Lt. Kollin Cieadlo said the victim was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“It looked like some type of argument led to a shooting,” Cieadlo said.
The shooting took place during a house party attended by roughly 25 guests, he said, adding that “it looked like a rental.”
Authorities have not yet disclosed the victim’s name, but a family member identified him to KTLA-TV Channel 5 as Gustavo Lopez of Long Beach.
Officials have not yet publicly identified a suspect. Another 23-year-old man, who authorities described as a person of interest, was detained for questioning and later arrested by the Arcadia Police Department on unrelated charges, sheriff’s officials said.
The incident is the latest in a string of shootings at house parties in Los Angeles County.
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One person was killed and another injured last week when shots were fired at a party house in the upscale Beverly Crest neighborhood. Prior to the gunfire, 25 to 30 people were at the gathering, which was held in a short-term-rental home known for parties, according to Los Angeles Police Department Det. Meghan Aguilar.
Earlier this month, one woman was killed and four people were injured during a shooting at another party in Beverly Crest — at a mansion in the 13200 block of Mulholland Drive.
Five people also were taken to a hospital following a shooting at a large party in a warehouse in the Harbor Gateway area.
With bars, nightclubs and other nightlife spots closed amid coronavirus-related health orders, authorities say some Angelenos have turned to private parties as a substitute — even though such gatherings are prohibited.
Health officials have repeatedly urged residents to avoid these kinds of parties, which heighten the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
Officials also have pledged stepped-up enforcement efforts to curtail the restricted revelry.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti has authorized the city to shut off water and power services at residences where such gatherings are held. Earlier this month, he ordered the power cut at a swanky residence on Appian Way in the Hollywood Hills that police say held parties in violation of public health orders.
Social media stars Bryce Hall and Blake Gray were charged in Los Angeles last week with misdemeanors in connection with parties thrown at the rental home.
City News Service contributed to this report.