latimes--2020-03-10--An O.C. deputy filed evidence late in a majority of his cases. Then he got promoted

An Orange County sheriff ’ s deputy accused of mishandling evidence was promoted to sergeant less than a year after the Sheriff ’ s Department referred his case for possible criminal prosecution , a public defender alleged recently in court filings .
The sergeant , Philip Avalos , failed or was late to book weapons , drugs and other property in 51 cases , according to internal Sheriff ’ s Department documents filed by Assistant Public Defender Scott Sanders in court March 2 .
The documents , detailing cases from 2016 to 2018 , were submitted as part of Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The revelation marks the latest development in a growing scandal involving improper booking practices by more than a dozen deputies .
The department ’ s policy requires evidence to be booked by the end of each shift , but an internal audit in 2018 found that deputies routinely booked evidence late or failed to book evidence completely .
Avalos , in one instance , took nine months to book a machete he seized from a suspected gang member during a 2017 traffic stop in Anaheim , according to Sheriff ’ s Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shadow of doubt on the department ’ s willingness to stop this kind of conduct if he ’ s put in a leadership role over other deputies , ” Sanders said in an interview last week .
“ At its core , the willingness to promote someone like him says this kind of conduct is absolutely acceptable in this department.
” Sheriff Don Barnes said last week that the Sheriff ’ s Department identified issues with evidence booking , investigated it and held people accountable when it was necessary .
He said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the individuals who were identified during the probe , he added that “ the purpose of discipline is not to permanently banish somebody.
” “ In fact , by law , I can not separate out or treat somebody differently because of discipline , ” he said .
“ Discipline is intended to correct behavior , and once that discipline is imposed and served , they come back to the organization with the expectation that they will be a contributing member of the Sheriff ’ s Department ... .
” The department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter evidence information in a computer database and then tag and place the evidence in a secure locker .
In 2018 , the Sheriff ’ s Department submitted information on 15 deputies — including Avalos — who were identified as having mishandled evidence to the Orange County district attorney ’ s office for possible criminal charges .
The office initially declined to prosecute any of the deputies .
The Sheriff ’ s Department then conducted an internal affairs investigation , which resulted in the termination of five deputies .
Nine more faced disciplinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take unpaid hours off .
Dist .
Atty .
Todd Spitzer has since reopened the criminal investigations in conjunction with sheriff ’ s officials .
Spitzer said he was not aware of the scope of the issue given that each of the cases was submitted to his office invidividually rather than all at once .
“ It is entirely inappropriate for your staff to publicly assert that my office had knowledge of the existence of a department-wide audit when we clearly did not , ” Spitzer wrote in a letter to Barnes last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line in your submissions to the effect as a result of an audit did not in any way address the department-wide review in which your department was actually engaged .
There was no effort by your department to put these cases in context.
” Two more deputies have been accused of wrongdoing since the new probe was opened .
Avalos ’ booking practices , according to Sanders , “ were among the worst in the agency.
” Avalos ’ average delay in booking evidence in his cases was nine times that of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the filing .
It took Avalos on average 30.6 days to book evidence , which is 27.2 days longer than the department ’ s average of 3.4 days .
Sanders also raised questions about how Avalos kept track of methamphetamine , heroin and cocaine that he seized in various cases .
He contends that Avalos kept collected items “ mixed together in a desk stuffed with evidence from other cases.
” In response to the internal affairs probe , the department placed Avalos on unpaid leave for 60 hours .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the investigations division to the men ’ s central jail , according to court records .
Avalos could not be reached for comment .
But during an interview in 2018 , Avalos described his booking procedure as “ bad habits.
” “ Deputy Avalos explained that he now realizes that what he was doing was not the best practice .
His routine or personal procedure for booking evidence was in an effort to spend less time in the office and more time helping his partners or search for criminal activity .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , ” the sheriff ’ s investigator wrote in a report .
Avalos told the investigator that he was disappointed and his behavior did not reflect “ how he wants to portray himself .
”

An Orange County sheriff’s deputy accused of mishandling evidence was promoted to sergeant less than a year after the Sheriff’s Department referred his case for possible criminal prosecution, a public defender alleged recently in court filings.
The sergeant, Philip Avalos, failed or was late to book weapons, drugs and other property in 51 cases, according to internal Sheriff’s Department documents filed by Assistant Public Defender Scott Sanders in court March 2. The documents, detailing cases from 2016 to 2018, were submitted as part of Sanders’ discovery motion in a drug case.
The revelation marks the latest development in a growing scandal involving improper booking practices by more than a dozen deputies. The department’s policy requires evidence to be booked by the end of each shift, but an internal audit in 2018 found that deputies routinely booked evidence late or failed to book evidence completely.
Avalos, in one instance, took nine months to book a machete he seized from a suspected gang member during a 2017 traffic stop in Anaheim, according to Sheriff’s Department investigation.
“This casts a tremendous shadow of doubt on the department’s willingness to stop this kind of conduct if he’s put in a leadership role over other deputies,” Sanders said in an interview last week. “At its core, the willingness to promote someone like him says this kind of conduct is absolutely acceptable in this department.”
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Sheriff’s officials declined to comment on Avalos’ case.
Sheriff Don Barnes said last week that the Sheriff’s Department identified issues with evidence booking, investigated it and held people accountable when it was necessary. He said that while he was “tremendously disappointed” in the individuals who were identified during the probe, he added that “the purpose of discipline is not to permanently banish somebody.”
“In fact, by law, I cannot separate out or treat somebody differently because of discipline,” he said. “Discipline is intended to correct behavior, and once that discipline is imposed and served, they come back to the organization with the expectation that they will be a contributing member of the Sheriff’s Department ....”
The department’s booking protocol requires deputies to enter evidence information in a computer database and then tag and place the evidence in a secure locker.
In 2018, the Sheriff’s Department submitted information on 15 deputies — including Avalos — who were identified as having mishandled evidence to the Orange County district attorney’s office for possible criminal charges. The office initially declined to prosecute any of the deputies.
The Sheriff’s Department then conducted an internal affairs investigation, which resulted in the termination of five deputies. Nine more faced disciplinary measures, which included forcing them to take unpaid hours off.
Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer has since reopened the criminal investigations in conjunction with sheriff’s officials. Spitzer said he was not aware of the scope of the issue given that each of the cases was submitted to his office individually rather than all at once.
“It is entirely inappropriate for your staff to publicly assert that my office had knowledge of the existence of a department-wide audit when we clearly did not,” Spitzer wrote in a letter to Barnes last year.
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“To insert a single line in your submissions to the effect as a result of an audit did not in any way address the department-wide review in which your department was actually engaged. There was no effort by your department to put these cases in context.”
Two more deputies have been accused of wrongdoing since the new probe was opened.
Avalos’ booking practices, according to Sanders, “were among the worst in the agency.” Avalos’ average delay in booking evidence in his cases was nine times that of a typical deputy in the department, according to the filing. It took Avalos on average 30.6 days to book evidence, which is 27.2 days longer than the department’s average of 3.4 days.
Sanders also raised questions about how Avalos kept track of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine that he seized in various cases. He contends that Avalos kept collected items “mixed together in a desk stuffed with evidence from other cases.”
In response to the internal affairs probe, the department placed Avalos on unpaid leave for 60 hours. He was promoted to sergeant last year and moved from the investigations division to the men’s central jail, according to court records.
Avalos could not be reached for comment. But during an interview in 2018, Avalos described his booking procedure as “bad habits.”
“Deputy Avalos explained that he now realizes that what he was doing was not the best practice. His routine or personal procedure for booking evidence was in an effort to spend less time in the office and more time helping his partners or search for criminal activity. This practice eventually led to poor endings to cases,” the sheriff’s investigator wrote in a report.
Avalos told the investigator that he was disappointed and his behavior did not reflect “how he wants to portray himself.”


latimes--2020-03-10--L.A. councilman under fire over FBI probe, Vegas trip with his indicted former boss

Just a week ago , Los Angeles City Councilman John Lee was smiling ear to ear in a roomful of cheering and clapping supporters after the first round of election results showed him with a strong lead over his rival , Loraine Lundquist .
Now Lee is facing calls to resign , even as votes remain to be tallied in the race .
The reason : Lee confirmed Monday that he was on a Las Vegas trip where a businessman allegedly lavished his former boss , Mitchell Englander , with cash and other illicit perks .
He disclosed the information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , outraging critics who said voters should have been told about the FBI investigation before election day .
Englander , a former councilman , is facing criminal charges of obstructing a federal investigation into allegations that he accepted cash , hotel rooms , costly meals and the services of a female escort during 2017 trips to Vegas and Palm Springs from an unnamed businessman .
He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear again in court later this week .
The federal indictment unsealed Monday said that Englander was accompanied on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B ” — a high-ranking staffer who worked for him until roughly June 2017 .
Lee stepped down that month as Englander ’ s chief of staff .
Lee said Monday that he was with Englander in Las Vegas but “ was unaware of any illegal activities for which Councilmember Englander is being charged.
” The San Fernando Valley councilman said in a statement that he had cooperated with the FBI and done “ everything in my power to pay for and reimburse expenses related to this trip.
” Lee did not answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified as City Staffer B or explain what steps he took to pay for expenses incurred in Las Vegas .
Federal investigators have not accused Lee of wrongdoing or charged him in the case .
His spokeswoman , Grace Yao , added that he was “ absolutely not ” the recipient of any escort services .
Lee “ asks that everyone please look at the facts and not jump to conclusions , ” Yao said in a statement Tuesday .
The councilman was last contacted by law enforcement about the matter in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is an ongoing legal proceeding , he wants to respect that process and will not be making further comment at this time , ” Yao said .
The federal indictment states that City Staffer B was provided with some of the same perks as the councilman and others who attended the Vegas trip , including a hotel room with “ VIP ” amenities , an expensive meal and bottle service and drinks at a nightclub .
Two months after the trip , City Staffer B was interviewed by the FBI about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After Englander became aware of the FBI probe , he sent a $ 442 check to the businessman , backdated to appear as if he had reimbursed the man for some expenses in August before hearing from federal investigators , the indictment states .
The package also included a $ 442 check from City Staffer B with the same August date , according to the indictment .
Federal investigators cited the backdated check as part of a scheme by Englander to “ falsify and conceal material facts , ” which included coaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had repeatedly tried to reimburse him .
Lundquist , who has not conceded in the council race , said that “ if in fact John Lee is Staffer B , he participated in the cover-up by backdating his ‘ reimbursement ’ check.
” “ And if that is the case , he should resign , ” Lundquist said .
Hundreds of people have signed an online petition calling on Lee to step down if he is ultimately declared as the winner of the council seat .
Among them is Porter Ranch resident Amy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it unfair that the federal indictment was unsealed days after the election .
“ I have a hard time imagining that he didn ’ t know something was going on , ” Hood-Rettberg said of Lee , citing the fact that he was on the Vegas trip .
“ We need an overhaul of our City Council .
Corruption is rampant .
I want someone there who would do something about that.
” Phyllis Winger , a former City Hall planning deputy who worked with Lee in the past , said she still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him even if the allegations had emerged sooner .
She complained that “ no one seems to want to hold back and wait for facts and truth to come out.
” “ He ’ s totally competent and able to continue in the position he has deservedly won , ” Winger said Tuesday .
“ I see no reason for John to step down .
...
These are just accusations.
” Lee did not answer questions about what expenses , if any , were left outstanding from the Las Vegas trip .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government form that details his economic interests during that period .
Under Los Angeles rules , council aides are generally supposed to report gifts from people doing business in the city , although a gift does not count as a gift if the giver is promptly reimbursed .
Englander announced he was giving up his City Council seat in October 2018 , roughly a year after the FBI first reached out to him for an interview .
He left City Hall at the end of December , triggering a special election that Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went up for a rematch with Lundquist this year .
The U.S. Department of Justice has cautioned prosecutors to “ never select the timing of investigative steps or criminal charges for the purpose of affecting any election ” and encourages them to seek guidance from the department if they have a question about the timing of charges near an election .
Former federal prosecutor Richard Drooyan , who now works in private practice , called it a longstanding “ general policy ” of the department .
“ Most people feel that the criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an election , ” Drooyan said .
“ If that individual did something wrong , they will be charged and convicted afterwards and then removed from office.
” Democratic political consultant Brian VanRiper said the FBI appeared to have done the right thing in holding off .
But he argued that Lee shouldn ’ t have run for office knowing about the federal investigation into his former boss .
“ If this had come out a week ago , I think Loraine would be on top right now , ” VanRiper said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of watchdog group California Common Cause , said it ’ s not yet clear to her whether the information contained in the indictment would have been enough to swing the election against Lee .
As of the last tally Friday , Lee was nearly 2,000 votes ahead of his opponent .
And while Englander has been accused of accepting envelopes of cash and the services of an escort , the indictment does not say that Lee or any other city official also received those things , she said .
“ Prostitutes make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes a difference , ” Feng said .
“ Sad to say , I don ’ t know if voters get riled up ” about potential violations of gift laws , she said .

Just a week ago, Los Angeles City Councilman John Lee was smiling ear to ear in a roomful of cheering and clapping supporters after the first round of election results showed him with a strong lead over his rival, Loraine Lundquist.
Now Lee is facing calls to resign, even as votes remain to be tallied in the race.
The reason: Lee confirmed Monday that he was on a Las Vegas trip where a businessman allegedly lavished his former boss, Mitchell Englander, with cash and other illicit perks. He disclosed the information hours after Englander surrendered to federal authorities, outraging critics who said voters should have been told about the FBI investigation before election day.
“I understand the Justice Department doesn’t want to bring out things about candidates right before an election, but it would have made a big difference if people had known about this,” said Chatsworth resident Richard Mathews, a Lundquist supporter who drafted a petition calling for Lee to step down.
Englander, a former councilman, is facing criminal charges of obstructing a federal investigation into allegations that he accepted cash, hotel rooms, costly meals and the services of a female escort during 2017 trips to Vegas and Palm Springs from an unnamed businessman. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear again in court later this week.
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The federal indictment unsealed Monday said that Englander was accompanied on the Las Vegas trip by “City Staffer B” — a high-ranking staffer who worked for him until roughly June 2017. Lee stepped down that month as Englander’s chief of staff.
Lee said Monday that he was with Englander in Las Vegas but “was unaware of any illegal activities for which Councilmember Englander is being charged.” The San Fernando Valley councilman said in a statement that he had cooperated with the FBI and done “everything in my power to pay for and reimburse expenses related to this trip.”
Lee did not answer questions about whether he is the person identified as City Staffer B or explain what steps he took to pay for expenses incurred in Las Vegas. Federal investigators have not accused Lee of wrongdoing or charged him in the case. His spokeswoman, Grace Yao, added that he was “absolutely not” the recipient of any escort services.
Lee “asks that everyone please look at the facts and not jump to conclusions,” Yao said in a statement Tuesday. The councilman was last contacted by law enforcement about the matter in 2017, his spokeswoman added.
“Given that there is an ongoing legal proceeding, he wants to respect that process and will not be making further comment at this time,” Yao said.
The federal indictment states that City Staffer B was provided with some of the same perks as the councilman and others who attended the Vegas trip, including a hotel room with “VIP” amenities, an expensive meal and bottle service and drinks at a nightclub. Two months after the trip, City Staffer B was interviewed by the FBI about the trip, according to the indictment.
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After Englander became aware of the FBI probe, he sent a $442 check to the businessman, backdated to appear as if he had reimbursed the man for some expenses in August before hearing from federal investigators, the indictment states. The package also included a $442 check from City Staffer B with the same August date, according to the indictment.
Federal investigators cited the backdated check as part of a scheme by Englander to “falsify and conceal material facts,” which included coaching the businessman to falsely state that Englander had repeatedly tried to reimburse him.
Lundquist, who has not conceded in the council race, said that “if in fact John Lee is Staffer B, he participated in the cover-up by backdating his ‘reimbursement’ check.”
“And if that is the case, he should resign,” Lundquist said.
Hundreds of people have signed Mathews’ online petition calling on Lee to step down if he is ultimately declared as the winner of the council seat. Among them is Porter Ranch resident Amy Hood-Rettberg, a Lundquist supporter who called it unfair that the federal indictment was unsealed days after the election.
“I have a hard time imagining that he didn’t know something was going on,” Hood-Rettberg said of Lee, citing the fact that he was on the Vegas trip. “We need an overhaul of our City Council. Corruption is rampant. I want someone there who would do something about that.”
Phyllis Winger, a former City Hall planning deputy who worked with Lee in the past, said she still supports him and would have voted for him even if the allegations had emerged sooner. She complained that “no one seems to want to hold back and wait for facts and truth to come out.”
“He’s totally competent and able to continue in the position he has deservedly won,” Winger said Tuesday. “I see no reason for John to step down. ... These are just accusations.”
Lee did not answer questions about what expenses, if any, were left outstanding from the Las Vegas trip. He did not report any gifts on a government form that details his economic interests during that period.
Under Los Angeles rules, council aides are generally supposed to report gifts from people doing business in the city, although a gift does not count as a gift if the giver is promptly reimbursed.
Englander announced he was giving up his City Council seat in October 2018, roughly a year after the FBI first reached out to him for an interview. He left City Hall at the end of December, triggering a special election that Lee ultimately won last August. Lee then went up for a rematch with Lundquist this year.
The U.S. Department of Justice has cautioned prosecutors to “never select the timing of investigative steps or criminal charges for the purpose of affecting any election” and encourages them to seek guidance from the department if they have a question about the timing of charges near an election.
Former federal prosecutor Richard Drooyan, who now works in private practice, called it a longstanding “general policy” of the department.
“Most people feel that the criminal justice system should not influence the outcome of an election,” Drooyan said. “If that individual did something wrong, they will be charged and convicted afterwards and then removed from office.”
Democratic political consultant Brian VanRiper said the FBI appeared to have done the right thing in holding off. But he argued that Lee shouldn’t have run for office knowing about the federal investigation into his former boss.
“If this had come out a week ago, I think Loraine would be on top right now,” VanRiper said.
But Kathay Feng, executive director of watchdog group California Common Cause, said it’s not yet clear to her whether the information contained in the indictment would have been enough to swing the election against Lee. As of the last tally Tuesday, Lee was more than 1,700 votes ahead of his opponent, putting him at nearly 52% of the vote.
And while Englander has been accused of accepting envelopes of cash and the services of an escort, the indictment does not say that Lee or any other city official also received those things, she said.
“Prostitutes make a difference in an election. Cold cash makes a difference,” Feng said. “Sad to say, I don’t know if voters get riled up” about potential violations of gift laws, she said.


latimes--2020-03-10--Mother suspected of DUI in crash that killed one of her infants, injured her 2 other children

An infant was killed and his two siblings were injured when their mother , who police say was driving under the influence , crashed head-on into an SUV in the San Fernando Valley on Monday night .
Irlanda Sanchez , 23 , was driving a 2003 white Toyota SUV recklessly east on Nordhoff Street about 11:45 p.m. when she veered into oncoming traffic and slammed into a 2017 black Chevy SUV near Tobias Avenue , said Officer Tony Im , a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department .
Her three children — infant twins who were 4 to 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized .
One of the twins — a boy — died at a hospital , police said .
The condition of the surviving twin was not provided by police Tuesday .
The toddler had lacerations to the head and was expected to survive .
The man driving the Chevy SUV was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries and was expected to survive , police said .
Video from the scene showed investigators combing through the mangled wreckage of the crash amid falling rain early Tuesday .
Sanchez , who was also treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday on suspicion of murder , Im said .
She is being held in lieu of $ 2 million bail , according to jail records .

An infant was killed and his two siblings hurt when a car being driven by their mother slammed into another vehicle, police say.
An infant was killed and his two siblings were injured when their mother, who police say was driving under the influence, crashed head-on into an SUV in the San Fernando Valley on Monday night.
Irlanda Sanchez, 23, was driving a 2003 white Toyota SUV recklessly east on Nordhoff Street about 11:45 p.m. when she veered into oncoming traffic and slammed into a 2017 black Chevy SUV near Tobias Avenue, said Officer Tony Im, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Her three children — infant twins who were 4 to 6 months old and a toddler — were hospitalized. One of the twins — a boy — died at a hospital, police said. The condition of the surviving twin was not provided by police Tuesday. The toddler had lacerations to the head and was expected to survive.
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The man driving the Chevy SUV was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries and was expected to survive, police said. Video from the scene showed investigators combing through the mangled wreckage of the crash amid falling rain early Tuesday.
Sanchez, who was also treated at a hospital, was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of murder, Im said. She is being held in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records.


latimes--2020-03-10--Boy dies after being struck by vehicle while crossing street in South L.A.

A 12-year-old boy died Tuesday morning after he was hit by a car on the way to school in South Los Angeles , authorities said .
The incident happened about 7:30 a.m. when the driver , a 43-year-old woman , made a left turn from Woodlawn Avenue onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard .
The boy , who was a half-block away from his home , was halfway through the intersection when he was hit by the driver , who didn ’ t see him , said Moses Castillo , detective for the Los Angeles Police Department .
The driver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The woman had finished dropping off her daughter at school and claimed she wasn ’ t distracted by her phone , Castillo said .
“ She ’ s also very distraught , ” he said .
There was no evidence of alcohol or drugs and Castillo said police took the driver ’ s phone to run an analysis and see what happened .
Castillo said they ’ re conducting a “ thorough investigation ” and that “ everything ’ s on the table.
” Despite help from a bystander who performed CPR and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department , the “ child was beyond medical help , ” and died at the scene , according to an alert issued by the agency .
The boy , who would have turned 13 in May , was on his way to Animo Jefferson Charter Middle School , according to Castillo .

Los Angeles Police Det. Moses Castillo, left, escorts Kenny Hernandez, center, the distraught mother of a boy who was killed while crossing Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on the way to school Tuesday in Los Angeles.
A 12-year-old boy died Tuesday morning after he was hit by a car on the way to school in South Los Angeles, authorities said.
The incident happened about 7:30 a.m. when the driver, a 43-year-old woman, made a left turn from Woodlawn Avenue onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The boy, who was half a block away from his home, was halfway through the intersection when he was hit by the driver, who didn’t see him, said Moses Castillo, a detective for the Los Angeles Police Department. The driver and the boy had green lights.
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The woman had finished dropping off her daughter at school and claimed she wasn’t distracted by her phone, Castillo said.
“She’s also very distraught,” he said.
There was no evidence of alcohol or drugs and Castillo said police took the driver’s phone to run an analysis and see what happened.
Castillo said they’re conducting a “thorough investigation” and that “everything’s on the table.”
Despite help from a bystander who performed CPR and quick action by the Los Angeles Fire Department, the “child was beyond medical help,” and died at the scene, according to an alert issued by the agency.
The boy, who would have turned 13 in May, was on his way to Animo Jefferson Charter Middle School, according to Castillo.


latimes--2020-03-10--More counties shift away from coronavirus quarantines, urge firms to allow telecommuting

Two more counties have announced a shift Tuesday from trying to contain COVID-19 to accepting that the disease is spreading too fast for widespread quarantining measures to be realistic or effective .
Public health officials in Placer and Yolo counties , which neighbor Sacramento County to the northeast and west , urged businesses to allow employees to telecommute where possible and for large events to be postponed or canceled .
Seven people in Placer County have tested positive for COVID-19 , including a Rocklin man who died last week .
Yolo County has had one person test positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community transmission .
“ This is a critical moment in the growing outbreak of COVID-19 in the region , and decisive action is needed to slow the spread of the disease , ” the counties said in a news release Tuesday .
Top U.S. health officials have also said the country is expected to make the shift from containment , where people who have likely been exposed to the coronavirus are identified and quarantined , to mitigation , meaning the virus is too prevalent in a community to continue such measures and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the spread to vulnerable residents and emergency responders .
Under the new recommendations in Placer and Yolo counties , which are effective through March 31 , individuals who have come in contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 will no longer be required to be quarantined for 14 days .
Instead , a person with cold-like symptoms , regardless of whether they have the coronavirus or flu , are asked to self-quarantine and manage their symptoms with over-the-counter drugs .
People who develop breathing problems , extreme lethargy , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should call their doctor , the recommendations say .
A person with these symptoms should notify any medical office prior to arriving to ensure precautions are taken .
The counties also said while they have tests for COVID-19 , they will be reserved for those with more serious symptoms since mild symptoms are treated the same regardless of the diagnosis .

Cleaning supplies, water, toilet paper and hand sanitizers are among the items flying off shelves in response to the coronavirus.
Two more counties have announced a shift Tuesday from trying to contain COVID-19 to accepting that the disease is spreading too fast for widespread quarantining measures to be realistic or effective.
Public health officials in Placer and Yolo counties, which neighbor Sacramento County to the northeast and west, urged businesses to allow employees to telecommute where possible and for large events to be postponed or canceled.
Seven people in Placer County have tested positive for COVID-19, including a Rocklin man who died last week.
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Yolo County has had one person test positive for the new coronavirus, likely a case of community transmission.
“This is a critical moment in the growing outbreak of COVID-19 in the region, and decisive action is needed to slow the spread of the disease,” the counties said in a news release Tuesday.
Sacramento County announced a similar shift on Monday evening.
Top U.S. health officials have also said the country is expected to make the shift from containment, where people who have likely been exposed to the coronavirus are identified and quarantined, to mitigation, meaning the virus is too prevalent in a community to continue such measures and that the focus should be on trying to stop the spread to vulnerable residents and emergency responders.
Under the new recommendations in Placer and Yolo counties, which are effective through March 31, individuals who have come in contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 will no longer be required to be quarantined for 14 days. Instead, a person with cold-like symptoms, regardless of whether they have the coronavirus or flu, are asked to self-quarantine and manage their symptoms with over-the-counter drugs.
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People who develop breathing problems, extreme lethargy, or get better then a lot worse, should call their doctor, the recommendations say. A person with these symptoms should notify any medical office prior to arriving to ensure precautions are taken.
The counties also said while they have tests for COVID-19, they will be reserved for those with more serious symptoms since mild symptoms are treated the same regardless of the diagnosis.


latimes--2020-03-10--ICE says no confirmed coronavirus among detainees after 4 test negative

Four people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody have tested negative for the new coronavirus , according to the federal agency .
There are thousands of detainees held in detention facilities across the country , and there have been no cases of confirmed coronovirus among them , according to ICE .
The four detainees met the criteria for being tested .
ICE epidemiologists have been tracking the outbreak and “ regularly updating infection prevention and control protocols , and issuing guidance to ICE Health Service Corps staff for the screening and management of potential exposure among detainees , ” according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , welfare and safety of ICE detainees is one of the agency ’ s highest priorities , ” an agency spokesperson said in a statement .
Of 20 detention facilities run by ICE Health Services Corps , 16 of those have airborne-infection isolation rooms , which will be used to house detainees “ with epidemiologic risk ” for COVID-19 and who have a fever and/or symptoms of respiratory illness , according to the agency .
ICE also has instituted screening guidance for new-arrival detainees , which includes isolating those who meet Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a risk of coronavirus infection and observing them for a specified time period .
Asymptomatic detainees being observed in isolation can attend appointments , the agency said , and detainees in isolation who have symptoms can attend medical appointments while wearing a mask .
Asymptomatic detainees at risk of having an infection , as well as those with mild illness , may be placed in airborne-infection isolation rooms , which are designed to contain biological agents .
Individuals with moderate to severe symptoms will be taken to hospitals with expertise in high-risk care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to incorporate CDC ’ s COVID-19 guidance , which is built upon the already established infectious disease monitoring and management protocols currently in use by the agency , ” the spokesperson said .
“ In addition , ICE is actively working with state and local health partners to determine if any detainee requires additional testing or monitoring to combat the spread of the virus .
”

Four people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody have tested negative for the new coronavirus, according to the federal agency.
There are thousands of detainees held in detention facilities across the country, and there have been no cases of confirmed coronovirus among them, according to ICE. The four detainees met the criteria for being tested.
ICE epidemiologists have been tracking the outbreak and “regularly updating infection prevention and control protocols, and issuing guidance to ICE Health Service Corps staff for the screening and management of potential exposure among detainees,” according to an agency spokesperson.
“The health, welfare and safety of ICE detainees is one of the agency’s highest priorities,” an agency spokesperson said in a statement.
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Of 20 detention facilities run by ICE Health Services Corps, 16 of those have airborne-infection isolation rooms, which will be used to house detainees “with epidemiologic risk” for COVID-19 and who have a fever and/or symptoms of respiratory illness, according to the agency.
ICE also has instituted screening guidance for new-arrival detainees, which includes isolating those who meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for a risk of coronavirus infection and observing them for a specified time period.
Asymptomatic detainees being observed in isolation can attend appointments, the agency said, and detainees in isolation who have symptoms can attend medical appointments while wearing a mask.
Asymptomatic detainees at risk of having an infection, as well as those with mild illness, may be placed in airborne-infection isolation rooms, which are designed to contain biological agents. Individuals with moderate to severe symptoms will be taken to hospitals with expertise in high-risk care, according to ICE.
“ICE continues to incorporate CDC’s COVID-19 guidance, which is built upon the already established infectious disease monitoring and management protocols currently in use by the agency,” the spokesperson said. “In addition, ICE is actively working with state and local health partners to determine if any detainee requires additional testing or monitoring to combat the spread of the virus.”


latimes--2020-03-10--Robert Durst's defense: He found his friend's dead body and fled in panic

Robert Durst discovered the dead body of his close friend Susan Berman after she was shot in the head in her Los Angeles home , his defense attorney said Tuesday , but he did not kill her .
During the long-awaited opening statements in Durst ’ s murder trial , defense lawyer Dick DeGuerin told the jurors that after finding Berman ’ s body before Christmas in 2000 , Durst ’ s instinct was to flee .
“ When Bob showed up and found her dead , he panicked , ” DeGuerin told jurors in an eighth-floor courtroom near Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the anonymous letter so her body would be found , and he ran , ” DeGuerin said , referring to the so-called “ cadaver note ” that alerted Beverly Hills police to Berman ’ s dead body .
“ He ‘ s run away all his life , ” DeGuerin added .
But the lawyer promised jurors they would hear Durst ’ s side of the story , and that he would testify .
Durst , the heir to a Manhattan real estate fortune , is accused of killing Berman either on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 23 in 2000 .
The Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office alleges that Durst , 76 , shot Berman to prevent her from spilling incriminating information regarding the 1982 disappearance of his first wife , Kathleen , whose body was never found .
The defense ’ s presentation Tuesday came after a three-day opening statement by Deputy Dist .
Atty .
John Lewin , who portrayed Durst as a triple-murderer for killing his first wife , his close friend Berman , and his neighbor in Galveston , Texas , Morris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s killing in 2003 after claiming self-defense , though he admitted dismembering Black ’ s body and disposing of his limbs in the Gulf of Mexico .
DeGuerin , who led the successful defense of Durst in Galveston , began Tuesday by showing the 12 jurors and 11 alternates a white card with the Greek letter pi .
The letter also is a legal shorthand for the plaintiff or prosecution , DeGuerin explained .
“ The reason I have this in front of you is to tell you : You haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve heard the prosecution side , ” DeGuerin said .
He followed by holding up a card with the Greek letter delta , which refers to the defense .
“ It ’ s my simple way of illustrating there are two sides to every story.
” What led Durst to Berman ’ s home just before Christmas in 2000 , the lawyer said , was a tradition among friends .
Durst , estranged from his family , had a “ pattern ” of seeing Berman around the holidays .
“ Susy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family .
She and Bob were the closest of friends , ” DeGuerin said .
DeGuerin focused much of his time Tuesday morning chipping away at the prosecution ’ s efforts to link Durst to three killings .
He referred to the dismemberment of Black ’ s body in 2000 as “ the elephant in the room.
” “ I know it concerns everyone , ” he said .
DeGuerin told jurors that the gruesome details of Black ’ s death were separate from Berman ’ s killing , and called its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ calculated ” move by the prosecution “ to obscure everything else.
” He drew three buckets on a poster board , and labeled each : one for Durst ’ s wife ; one for Susan Berman ; and one for Morris Black .
“ The Morris Black bucket is full .
And its full of bad stuff , bad evidence .
And our concern is that the evidence about Morris Black will spill over into those other buckets.
” He portrayed Durst as autistic , ailing and unusual .
“ Bob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s part of his makeup , ” DeGuerin said .
He said Durst ’ s “ emotional condition ” was a mild form of autism that was previously known as Asperger ’ s syndrome .
He listed the symptoms : social awkwardness , a lack of expression of emotion , an inability to read social cues .
Durst , he explained , self-medicated with his social difficulties .
He smoked marijuana on a daily basis , drank alcohol and also abused methamphetamine .
He pointed to Durst and outlined his medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgeries , brain surgery and a general difficulty with walking and maintaining his balance .
Durst , who will turn 77 next month , sat quietly next to his defense lawyers , staring at a tablet displaying a real-time transcript of the proceedings .
DeGuerin suggested that Durst was the victim of “ gotcha journalism ” in the form of the HBO series “ The Jinx : The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst.
” Durst was arrested on the eve of the series ’ finale , and excerpts of the hours of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of the prosecution ’ s opening statement .
Lewin , the prosecutor , told jurors that Durst ’ s comments captured by “ The Jinx ” filmmakers amounted to a confession .
DeGuerin , who also agreed to be interviewed and was featured in “ The Jinx , ” said the series was “ deviously misleading ” and “ heavily edited.
” “ I ’ ll show you how that got us here today , ” he promised .

Robert Durst will testify in his trial against the charge that he killed his close friend, his lawyers said Tuesday as they revealed a new line of defense: that Durst discovered the dead body of Susan Berman after she was shot in the head in her Los Angeles home, and that he fled out of fear.
Attorney Dick DeGuerin told jurors in his long-awaited opening statements that Durst not only was in Los Angeles around the time of Berman’s slaying just before Christmas in 2000, he was right at the scene.
“When Bob showed up and found her dead, he panicked,” DeGuerin said in a crowded eighth-floor courtroom near Los Angeles International Airport. “He wrote the anonymous letter so her body would be found, and he ran,” DeGuerin said, referring to the so-called “cadaver note” that alerted Beverly Hills police to Berman’s dead body.
“He‘s run away all his life,” DeGuerin added.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has alleged that Durst, the heir to a Manhattan real estate fortune, killed Berman either on the night of Dec. 22 or morning of Dec. 23 in 2000. Prosecutors contend that Durst killed Berman to prevent her from spilling incriminating information about the 1982 disappearance of his first wife, Kathleen, whose body was never found.
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The defense’s presentation Tuesday came after a three-day opening statement by Deputy Dist. Atty. John Lewin, who portrayed Durst as a triple-murderer for killing his first wife, his close friend Berman, and his neighbor in Galveston, Texas, Morris Black. Durst was acquitted in Black’s killing in 2003 after claiming self-defense, though he admitted dismembering Black’s body in a fearful panic and disposing of his limbs in the Gulf of Mexico.
DeGuerin, who led the successful defense of Durst in Galveston, began Tuesday by showing the 12 jurors and 11 alternates a white card with the Greek letter pi. The letter also is a legal shorthand for the plaintiff or prosecution, DeGuerin explained.
“The reason I have this in front of you is to tell you: You haven’t heard the whole story. You’ve heard the prosecution side,” DeGuerin said. He followed by holding up a card with the Greek letter delta, which refers to the defense. “It’s my simple way of illustrating there are two sides to every story.”
What led Durst to Berman’s home just before Christmas in 2000, the lawyer said, was a tradition among friends. Durst, estranged from his family, had a “pattern” of seeing Berman around the holidays.
“Susy was alone. Bob was not happy with his family. She and Bob were the closest of friends,” DeGuerin said.
David Chesnoff, a veteran Las Vegas lawyer on the defense team, said that Durst was driving from northern California, part of a planned trip to see Berman, who had told her friends the visit would be filled with festivities.
“If this was some plot by Mr. Durst to commit a premeditated murder,” Chesnoff said, “you don’t plan a party.”
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Durst made it to Bakersfield on the night of Dec. 22, 2000, the lawyer said, but checked into a hotel because he was suffering from migraines and neck pains. He called Berman to tell her he’d pick her up the next day at home. The two planned to dine at the Rose Cafe in Venice, Chesnoff said.
When Durst showed up at Berman’s home on Dec. 23, he found her dead and then scrawled out a note to Beverly Hills police, telling them a “cadaver” was at her address.
“Bob was scared,” Chesnoff said. “He didn’t want to just leave her there, but he couldn’t call himself.”
The defense lawyer proceeded to highlight what he deemed failures in the police investigation after Berman’s killing.
“The investigation didn’t produce one piece of forensic evidence for you to consider,” Chesnoff said. There were no fingerprints or DNA related to Durst at Berman’s home, the gun was never found, and the LAPD had not properly secured the crime scene, the lawyer claimed.
And Chesnoff pointed to elements at the home that suggested a struggle, or warranted further inquiry: Berman’s phone was off the hook, and her dogs, which were running loose around Benedict Canyon, prompting a neighbor to phone police, had their leashes on.
“The investigation in this case was sloppy, it was incomplete, and no efforts were made at the time to find the real killer,” Chesnoff told the jurors.
During his opening on Tuesday morning, DeGuerin, the lead defense attorney, focused much of his time on chipping away at the prosecution’s efforts to link Durst to a trifecta of killings. He referred to the dismemberment of Black’s body in 2000 as “the elephant in the room.”
“I know it concerns everyone,” he said.
DeGuerin told jurors that the gruesome details of Black’s death were separate from Berman’s killing, and called its inclusion in Lewin’s opening statement a “calculated” move by the prosecution “to obscure everything else.” He drew three buckets on a poster board, and labeled each: one for Durst’s wife; one for Susan Berman; and one for Morris Black.
“The Morris Black bucket is full. And it’s full of bad stuff, bad evidence. And our concern is that the evidence about Morris Black will spill over into those other buckets.”
He portrayed Durst as autistic, ailing and unusual.
“Bob doesn’t make good decisions. It’s part of his makeup,” DeGuerin said. He said Durst’s “emotional condition” was a mild form of autism that was previously known as Asperger’s syndrome and said he suffered from social awkwardness, a lack of expression of emotion and an inability to read social cues.
Durst self-medicated, smoking marijuana on a daily basis, drinking alcohol and also abusing methamphetamine, DeGuerin said.
He pointed to Durst and outlined his medical problems: esophageal cancer, two spinal surgeries, brain surgery and a general difficulty with walking and maintaining his balance.
Durst, who will turn 77 next month, sat quietly next to his defense lawyers, staring at a tablet displaying a real-time transcript of the proceedings.
DeGuerin suggested that Durst was the victim of “gotcha journalism” in the form of the HBO documentary “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst.” Durst was arrested on the eve of the series’ finale, and excerpts of the hours of interviews Durst gave to the filmmakers comprised much of the prosecution’s opening statement.
Lewin, the prosecutor, told jurors that Durst’s comments captured by “The Jinx” filmmakers amounted to a confession.
DeGuerin, who also agreed to be interviewed and was featured in “The Jinx,” said the series was “deviously misleading” and “heavily edited.”
“I’ll show you how that got us here today,” he promised.


latimes--2020-03-10--Officers' actions 'undoubtedly saved lives' during Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, D.A. says

Three police officers acted lawfully when they shot a gunman who opened fire at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in a violent rampage last year that killed three people , including two children , and wounded 17 others , according to a Santa Clara County district attorney report released Tuesday .
Thousands were in attendance at the popular food festival in the “ Garlic Capital of the World ” on July 28 when a gunman identified as 19-year-old Santino William Legan cut through a fence to bypass event security and unleashed a barrage of gunfire at attendees .
Legan was confronted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting started .
He was hit several times by rounds from the officers ’ handguns before he delivered the fatal bullet from his own rifle .
Under California law , officers are allowed to use deadly force when they or others are faced with imminent danger .
The officers “ quite reasonably believed that they needed to use deadly force to protect innocent lives , and their own , from Legan ’ s violent rampage , ” Deputy Dist .
Atty .
Rob Baker wrote in the report .
“ Placing themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire to stop a mass murderer undoubtedly saved lives and prevented further bloodshed.
” Gilroy Det .
Eric Cryar , Officer Robert Basuino and Officer Hugo Del Moral were patrolling the festival about 6:30 p.m. when they heard shots being fired from the gunman ’ s AK-47-style assault rifle and rushed to investigate .
Cryar was about to take a knee to fire when the gunman turned toward him and fired a round .
The detective took cover behind a nearby barrel and fired at least 12 shots at the suspect .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gunman appeared to be down because he didn ’ t know if the man was reloading or the gun had malfunctioned .
Basuino and Del Moral also opened fire on the suspect .
Cryar and Del Moral , who were wearing body-worn cameras that day , did not activate them before the shooting began because of the urgency of the situation , they told investigators .
“ If we didn ’ t take the action that we took there could be a lot of dead people , ” Cryar told investigators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half hour before it was set to close for the day and fired his rifle once into the ground .
Witnesses told police that it appeared the gun malfunctioned and the gunman struggled with the weapon for 15 to 20 seconds before removing the magazine and inserting a new one .
After reloading , he fatally shot 13-year-old Keyla Salazar , who was with her parents under a white tent near an inflatable slide .
The gunman then began firing rounds into the crowd in a counterclockwise fashion , the report states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trevor Irby , 25 , were fatally wounded .
The FBI and Gilroy police are still investigating the shooting as a possible act of domestic terrorism .
Authorities launched the probe after officials discovered the gunman had a list of other potential targets including religious organizations , courthouses , federal buildings and political institutions involving both the Republican and Democratic parties .
“ In light of the grave circumstances of this case , [ law enforcement ’ s ] actions were unquestionably lawful and justified , ” Baker wrote .

Three police officers acted lawfully when they shot a gunman who opened fire at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in a violent rampage last year that killed three people, including two children, and wounded 17 others, according to a Santa Clara County district attorney report released Tuesday.
Thousands were in attendance at the popular food festival in the “Garlic Capital of the World” on July 28 when a gunman identified as 19-year-old Santino William Legan cut through a fence to bypass event security and unleashed a barrage of gunfire at attendees.
Legan was confronted by officers less than a minute after the shooting started. He was hit several times by rounds from the officers’ handguns before he delivered the fatal bullet from his own rifle. Under California law, officers are allowed to use deadly force when they or others are faced with imminent danger.
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The officers “quite reasonably believed that they needed to use deadly force to protect innocent lives, and their own, from Legan’s violent rampage,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Rob Baker wrote in the report. “Placing themselves, literally, in the line of fire to stop a mass murderer undoubtedly saved lives and prevented further bloodshed.”
Gilroy Det. Eric Cryar, Officer Robert Basuino and Officer Hugo Del Moral were patrolling the festival about 6:30 p.m. when they heard shots being fired from the gunman’s AK-47-style assault rifle and rushed to investigate.
Cryar was about to take a knee to fire when the gunman turned toward him and fired a round. The detective took cover behind a nearby barrel and fired at least 12 shots at the suspect. He fired three or four additional shots after the gunman appeared to be down because he didn’t know if the man was reloading or the gun had malfunctioned. Basuino and Del Moral also opened fire on the suspect. Cryar and Del Moral, who were wearing body-worn cameras that day, did not activate them before the shooting began because of the urgency of the situation, they told investigators.
“If we didn’t take the action that we took there could be a lot of dead people,” Cryar told investigators.
The assailant had entered the festival about a half hour before it was set to close for the day and fired his rifle once into the ground. Witnesses told police that it appeared the gun malfunctioned and the gunman struggled with the weapon for 15 to 20 seconds before removing the magazine and inserting a new one. After reloading, he fatally shot 13-year-old Keyla Salazar, who was with her parents under a white tent near an inflatable slide.
The gunman then began firing rounds into the crowd in a counterclockwise fashion, the report states. Stephen Romero, 6, and Trevor Irby, 25, were fatally wounded.
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The FBI and Gilroy police are still investigating the shooting as a possible act of domestic terrorism. Authorities launched the probe after officials discovered the gunman had a list of other potential targets including religious organizations, courthouses, federal buildings and political institutions involving both the Republican and Democratic parties.
“In light of the grave circumstances of this case, [law enforcement’s] actions were unquestionably lawful and justified,” Baker wrote.


latimes--2020-03-10--Former University of La Verne student accused of making fake threats

A former University of La Verne student is facing criminal charges after authorities say she made a series of fake threats that roiled the campus and forced classes to be canceled for a day , authorities said .
Anayeli DominguezPena , 25 , of Ontario was arrested Monday and has been charged with making criminal threats and filing a false claim for state victim compensation benefits — both felonies .
She also was charged with internet or electronic impersonation , a misdemeanor , and six misdemeanor counts of filing a false police report , according to the La Verne Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning in lieu of $ 200,000 bail , jail records show .
The arrest stems from an investigation La Verne police launched in February 2019 in response to reported threats that were directed at the university , an affiliated student group , its members and DominguezPena herself , authorities said .
“ The investigation concluded that the suspect acted alone and no other members of the student group were involved with the criminal acts , ” police officials wrote in a statement .
Most of the threats came via text messages or emails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the university canceled classes on March 1 , 2019 , citing “ two reports of hate crimes targeted at members of the student body.
” Among the incidents investigated was a backpack emitting smoke in a car at a dormitory parking lot , police said .
The reported threats also used the logo of a fraternity “ to focus suspicion on the fraternity and its president , ” but no evidence was found tying them to the crimes , police said .
The incident sent a shock wave through the university community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candlelight vigil following what officials initially believed to be “ racially motivated hate crimes.
” “ The actions of the accused , if proven true , threatened to undermine the sincere and necessary work of addressing the very real issues of race and social justice that persist locally and nationally , ” university President Devorah Lieberman said in a statement .
“ We will not be deterred in that work .
We are committed to moving forward together here at the University of La Verne to make positive changes on our campuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bachelor ’ s in child development from the university in 2018 and was in her first year in the higher education administration master ’ s program at the time of the incidents , according to spokesman Rod Leveque .
She is not currently enrolled , he added .
Leveque said the group allegedly targeted by the threats “ was not an official student group recognized or funded by the university , but rather a self-organized collection of students.
” He declined to name the group or the fraternity whose logo was linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university has taken a number of steps in the past year to demonstrate its “ commitment to diversity and inclusion ” — including mandating diversity training for faculty and staff , offering workshops , requiring training on unconscious biases and equitable practices for those serving on search committees and opening the Ludwick Center for Spirituality , Cultural Understanding and Community Engagement .
“ The university has zero tolerance for hateful acts or related misconduct , and any member of the campus community found to have engaged in such behavior will be dealt with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school wrote in a statement .
“ The university will also continue to cooperate with the La Verne Police Department and other law enforcement partners in this investigation and any related criminal prosecution .
”

A former University of La Verne student is facing criminal charges after authorities say she made a series of fake threats that roiled the campus and forced classes to be canceled for a day, authorities said.
Anayeli DominguezPena, 25, of Ontario was arrested Monday and has been charged with making criminal threats and filing a false claim for state victim compensation benefits — both felonies. She also was charged with internet or electronic impersonation, a misdemeanor, and six misdemeanor counts of filing a false police report, according to the La Verne Police Department.
She remained in custody Tuesday morning in lieu of $200,000 bail, jail records show.
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The arrest stems from an investigation La Verne police launched in February 2019 in response to reported threats that were directed at the university, an affiliated student group, its members and DominguezPena herself, authorities said.
“The investigation concluded that the suspect acted alone and no other members of the student group were involved with the criminal acts,” police officials wrote in a statement.
Most of the threats came via text messages or emails and eventually escalated to the point that the university canceled classes on March 1, 2019, citing “two reports of hate crimes targeted at members of the student body.” Among the incidents investigated was a backpack emitting smoke in a car at a dormitory parking lot, police said.
The reported threats also used the logo of a fraternity “to focus suspicion on the fraternity and its president,” but no evidence was found tying them to the crimes, police said.
Anayeli DominguezPena, 25, of Ontario faces felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities say she reported false threats directed at the University of La Verne, a student group, its members, and herself. (La Verne Police Department)
The incident sent a shock wave through the university community, which at one point came together for a candlelight vigil following what officials initially believed to be “racially motivated hate crimes.”
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“The actions of the accused, if proven true, threatened to undermine the sincere and necessary work of addressing the very real issues of race and social justice that persist locally and nationally,” university President Devorah Lieberman said in a statement. “We will not be deterred in that work. We are committed to moving forward together here at the University of La Verne to make positive changes on our campuses and in our community.”
DominguezPena received a bachelor’s in child development from the university in 2018 and was in her first year in the higher education administration master’s program at the time of the incidents, according to spokesman Rod Leveque. She is not currently enrolled, he added.
Leveque said the group allegedly targeted by the threats “was not an official student group recognized or funded by the university, but rather a self-organized collection of students.” He declined to name the group or the fraternity whose logo was linked to the threats.
Officials said the university has taken a number of steps in the past year to demonstrate its “commitment to diversity and inclusion” — including mandating diversity training for faculty and staff, offering workshops, requiring training on unconscious biases and equitable practices for those serving on search committees and opening the Ludwick Center for Spirituality, Cultural Understanding and Community Engagement.
Such efforts will continue, officials added.
“The university has zero tolerance for hateful acts or related misconduct, and any member of the campus community found to have engaged in such behavior will be dealt with in accordance with university policy,” the school wrote in a statement. “The university will also continue to cooperate with the La Verne Police Department and other law enforcement partners in this investigation and any related criminal prosecution.”


latimes--2020-03-10--From lighter commutes to cancelled events: How coronavirus is changing California life

With coronavirus cases spreading across California , life is changing in ways big and small .
Universities are going to online classes .
Commuters are working from home .
There is a lot more hand-washing .
But expect more disruptions and everyday changes in the coming weeks .
“ These are trying days .
And the weeks ahead are going to be difficult for everyone in our community , ” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said , summing up the view of many California officials .
“ And I am confident that if we take care of each other and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stronger than this virus.
” Here ’ s what we know as the virus has sickened more than 140 in the state and killed two people .
Public events The health officer for Santa Clara County issued a rare legal order banning mass gatherings of 1,000 or more people .
This is the most aggressive action taken in California and includes games played by the San Jose Sharks hockey team .
The Sharks said the team would abide by the county ’ s new order at SAP Center in downtown San Jose , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and city police agencies .
The Los Angeles Times has postponed its Festival of Books and Food Bowl — annual events in Los Angeles that draw thousands of visitors — from April and May to the fall .
Multiple sources told The Times that Coachella promoter Goldenvoice is in talks with artists to move the 2020 edition of the event , which was set to take place on two consecutive weekends starting April 10 , to Oct. 9 and 16 .
Social distancing The Los Angeles County director of public health , Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ social distancing , ” a term officials use to describe keeping people away from crowded areas in hopes of dramatically reducing the spread of an infectious disease .
Ferrer ’ s call came after one of two newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in L.A. County was announced to be from an unidentified source of exposure , the county ’ s first case of community transmission .
That indicates the virus is being passed through people in the community , even those without a history of travel or close personal contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Small gatherings Some health officials are advising that even smaller gatherings be canceled in the interest of halting the spread of disease .
“ All nonessential gatherings should be canceled , postponed or done remotely , ” Dr. Scott Morrow , health officer for San Mateo County , said Thursday .
“ Unfortunately , at this time , I have no standard definition of ‘ nonessential ’ or ‘ gathering ’ to guide your decisions .
Use your best judgment.
” Commuting More people are working from home , sometimes by choice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles have noticed less traffic during their morning and evening commutes .
Traffic is also lighter around Los Angeles International Airport as fewer people travel .
BART ’ s mass transit ridership in the Bay Area was down last week by 8 % compared with the week before , a spokesman said , and the BART commute Monday morning seemed particularly light .
BART said it was wiping down hand-contact surfaces with “ hospital-grade disinfectant more frequently each day.
” Colleges and universities UC Berkeley , UC San Diego , San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clara University and Stanford University are moving classes online ; a Stanford faculty member has tested positive for the virus .
USC is testing online classes this week .
Theme parks Disneyland and other theme parks remain open .
Universal Studios said it is keeping in close touch with health officials .
“ We are enhancing our already aggressive cleaning protocols — and applying stringent guidelines for cleaning all areas of our destination and CityWalk .
This includes our rides and attractions , our restaurants and dining areas , our merchandise locations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
• Defined cycles for frequent cleaning and disinfection of targeted areas • Quick response to spills , trash and other situations • End-of-day sanitation procedures for restroom , kitchen , and other facilities • Frequent cleaning and “ wash down ” of outdoor locations , including walkways and queues • Training for employees , or “ cast members , ” with ongoing reinforcement on a regular basis

A Disneyland “cast member” dressed as Rey from the “Star Wars” films poses for a photo with Michael Bland, 5, of Alhambra at Disneyland on Jan. 16, 2020.
With coronavirus cases spreading across California, life is changing in ways big and small.
Universities are going to online classes. Commuters are working from home. There is a lot more hand-washing. But expect more disruptions and everyday changes in the coming weeks.
“These are trying days. And the weeks ahead are going to be difficult for everyone in our community,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said, summing up the view of many California officials. “And I am confident that if we take care of each other and we work together, we are collectively stronger than this virus.”
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Here’s what we know as the virus has sickened more than 140 in the state and killed two people.
Public events
The health officer for Santa Clara County issued a rare legal order banning mass gatherings of 1,000 or more people. This is the most aggressive action taken in California and includes games played by the San Jose Sharks hockey team. The Sharks said the team would abide by the county’s new order at SAP Center in downtown San Jose, which is enforceable by the county sheriff and city police agencies.
The Los Angeles Times has postponed its Festival of Books and Food Bowl — annual events in Los Angeles that draw thousands of visitors — from April and May to the fall.
Multiple sources told The Times that Coachella promoter Goldenvoice is in talks with artists to move the 2020 edition of the event, which was set to take place on two consecutive weekends starting April 10, to Oct. 9 and 16.
Social distancing
The Los Angeles County director of public health, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, on Monday called for “social distancing,” a term officials use to describe keeping people away from crowded areas in hopes of dramatically reducing the spread of an infectious disease.
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Ferrer’s call came after one of two newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in L.A. County was announced to be from an unidentified source of exposure, the county’s first case of community transmission. That indicates the virus is being passed through people in the community, even those without a history of travel or close personal contact with people known to be infected.
Small gatherings
Some health officials are advising that even smaller gatherings be canceled in the interest of halting the spread of disease.
“All nonessential gatherings should be canceled, postponed or done remotely,” Dr. Scott Morrow, health officer for San Mateo County, said in a statement Thursday. “Unfortunately, at this time, I have no standard definition of ‘nonessential’ or ‘gathering’ to guide your decisions. Use your best judgment.”
Commuting
More people are working from home, sometimes by choice, some mandated by companies. Many in Los Angeles have noticed less traffic during their morning and evening commutes. Traffic is also lighter around Los Angeles International Airport as fewer people travel.
BART’s mass transit ridership in the Bay Area was down last week by 8% compared with the week before, a spokesman said, and the BART commute Monday morning seemed particularly light. BART said it was wiping down hand-contact surfaces with “hospital-grade disinfectant more frequently each day.”
Colleges and universities
UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, San Francisco State, San Jose State, Santa Clara University and Stanford University are moving classes online; a Stanford faculty member has tested positive for the virus. USC is testing online classes this week.
Theme parks
Disneyland and other theme parks remain open. Universal Studios said it is keeping in close touch with health officials.
“We are enhancing our already aggressive cleaning protocols — and applying stringent guidelines for cleaning all areas of our destination and CityWalk. This includes our rides and attractions, our restaurants and dining areas, our merchandise locations and more,” Universal said in a statement.
Disneyland announced a list of measures designed to address coronavirus:


latimes--2020-03-10--El festival de Coachella puede reprogramarse debido a la amenaza de coronavirus

A medida que el coronavirus continúa propagándose y cambiando los planes de viaje y la vida cotidiana , el Festival de Música y Artes del Valle de Coachella se convertirá en la última víctima .
Múltiples fuentes informan que el promotor de Coachella , Goldenvoice , está en conversaciones con los artistas para trasladar la edición 2020 del evento , que tendrá lugar dos fines de semana consecutivos a partir del 10 de abril , hasta el 9 y 16 de octubre .
También está trabajando para trasladar el Stagecoach festival de música country para un fin de semana de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ que se celebra cada mes de abril en el Empire Polo Club en Indio , presentará más de 150 actos , con Rage Against the Machine , Travis Scott y Frank Ocean como cabezas de cartel .
Programada del 24 al 26 de abril , Stagecoach promociona una alineación dirigida por Thomas Rhett , Carrie Underwood y Eric Church .
Se espera que Coachella atraiga a 250,000 fanáticos durante sus dos fines de semana .
Ni Goldenvoice ni su empresa matriz , AEG , han hecho un anuncio sobre el destino de los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anuncio de SXSW el viernes de que la ciudad de Austin había desconectado su serie de conferencias de música , medios y películas de marzo .
El domingo , los organizadores del BNP Paribas Open en Indian Wells , no lejos de Indio , cancelaron el torneo anual de tenis después de que el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Riverside confirmó el primer caso local de coronavirus y declaró una emergencia de salud pública .
Días después , se anunciaron tres nuevos casos en el condado de Riverside .
Hasta el @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 545 personas contrajeron el virus en los EE .
UU.
, Con al menos 22 muertes .
Considerado durante mucho tiempo como el inicio de la temporada de conciertos de primavera y verano , Coachella y Stagecoach han inyectado energía cultural y comercial en la escena musical del sur de California durante 21 años .
Los comerciantes del área de Palm Springs incorporan las ganancias inesperadas del festival de abril en sus presupuestos .
Miles de trabajadores temporales se trasladan al área para atender a los 250,000 asistentes al festival , que inyectan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economía de la región .
Al abordar la situación del coronavirus el miércoles pasado , la directora de salud pública del condado de Riverside , Kim Saruwatari , cuyo ámbito incluye a Indio , le dijo al Times que el condado había estado contactando a los organizadores del evento para conversar .
“ No estamos listos para apretar el gatillo de nada , pero queremos asegurarnos de que podemos proteger a la comunidad ” , dijo Saruwatari .
“ Este virus está cambiando día a día , hora por hora .
Lo estamos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lo posible para avisar con anticipación , pero es una situación fluida , y si tenemos que tomar una decisión tarde , haré eso `` .
El posible aplazamiento por Goldenvoice es el último de una serie de interrupciones relacionadas con la propagación del virus .
Además de la cancelación de SXSW , el Ultra Music Festival en Miami pospuso su exhibición anual de música electrónica a principios de este mes .
El lunes , la banda de rock Pearl Jam pospuso la etapa norteamericana de su próxima gira .
Los promotores de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ libre de la temporada , como el Festival de Jazz y Patrimonio de Nueva Orleans , Electric Daisy Carnival , Bonnaroo y Lollapalooza , observan de cerca el destino de Coachella .

El festival Coachella de abril puede reprogramarse para el 9 y 16 de octubre debido al coronavirus.
A medida que el coronavirus continúa propagándose y cambiando los planes de viaje y la vida cotidiana, el Festival de Música y Artes del Valle de Coachella se convertirá en la última víctima.
Múltiples fuentes informan que el promotor de Coachella, Goldenvoice, está en conversaciones con los artistas para trasladar la edición 2020 del evento, que tendrá lugar dos fines de semana consecutivos a partir del 10 de abril, hasta el 9 y 16 de octubre. También está trabajando para trasladar el Stagecoach festival de música country para un fin de semana de otoño.
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El Festival de Coachella, que se celebra cada mes de abril en el Empire Polo Club en Indio, presentará más de 150 actos, con Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott y Frank Ocean como cabezas de cartel. Programada del 24 al 26 de abril, Stagecoach promociona una alineación dirigida por Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood y Eric Church.
Se espera que Coachella atraiga a 250,000 fanáticos durante sus dos fines de semana.
Ni Goldenvoice ni su empresa matriz, AEG, han hecho un anuncio sobre el destino de los festivales.
Los posibles aplazamientos siguen al anuncio de SXSW el viernes de que la ciudad de Austin había desconectado su serie de conferencias de música, medios y películas de marzo. El domingo, los organizadores del BNP Paribas Open en Indian Wells, no lejos de Indio, cancelaron el torneo anual de tenis después de que el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Riverside confirmó el primer caso local de coronavirus y declaró una emergencia de salud pública.
Días después, se anunciaron tres nuevos casos en el condado de Riverside.
Entretenimiento El Ultra y el festival de la calle 8 de Miami son cancelados por coronavirus Los organizadores del festival de música electrónica Ultra, que se iba a celebrar en Miami del 20 al 22 de marzo, anunciaron oficialmente su cancelación por culpa del COVID-19, al igual que el Festival de la calle 8 que comenzaba el 15 de ese mismo mes, a lo que se suma el aplazamiento del foro tecnológico eMerge Americas.
Hasta el lunes, se confirmó que al menos 545 personas contrajeron el virus en los EE. UU., Con al menos 22 muertes.
Considerado durante mucho tiempo como el inicio de la temporada de conciertos de primavera y verano, Coachella y Stagecoach han inyectado energía cultural y comercial en la escena musical del sur de California durante 21 años. Los comerciantes del área de Palm Springs incorporan las ganancias inesperadas del festival de abril en sus presupuestos. Miles de trabajadores temporales se trasladan al área para atender a los 250,000 asistentes al festival, que inyectan más de $ 700 millones en la economía de la región.
Al abordar la situación del coronavirus el miércoles pasado, la directora de salud pública del condado de Riverside, Kim Saruwatari, cuyo ámbito incluye a Indio, le dijo al Times que el condado había estado contactando a los organizadores del evento para conversar.
“No estamos listos para apretar el gatillo de nada, pero queremos asegurarnos de que podemos proteger a la comunidad”, dijo Saruwatari. “Este virus está cambiando día a día, hora por hora. Lo estamos monitoreando muy de cerca. Haremos todo lo posible para avisar con anticipación, pero es una situación fluida, y si tenemos que tomar una decisión tarde, haré eso “.
El posible aplazamiento por Goldenvoice es el último de una serie de interrupciones relacionadas con la propagación del virus. Además de la cancelación de SXSW, el Ultra Music Festival en Miami pospuso su exhibición anual de música electrónica a principios de este mes. El lunes, la banda de rock Pearl Jam pospuso la etapa norteamericana de su próxima gira.
Los promotores de otros importantes festivales de música al aire libre de la temporada, como el Festival de Jazz y Patrimonio de Nueva Orleans, Electric Daisy Carnival, Bonnaroo y Lollapalooza, observan de cerca el destino de Coachella.
Randall Roberts proporcionó informes adicionales.
For the original story in English, please click here.


latimes--2020-03-10--'Inhumane' smuggling attempt uncovers Mexican man inside car seat, border agents say

Federal agents have arrested an 18-year-old woman after Border Patrol officers found a man hidden underneath the rear seat of a vehicle at the Mexican border , according to a news release .
The woman driving a black Mitsubishi was stopped early Monday at the Calexico West Port of Entry , where a Border Patrol agent at the booth ordered an in-depth examination of the driver and vehicle , according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection .
The border separates Calexico , Calif. — a dusty city about two hours east of San Diego — from Mexicali , Mexico .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a detector dog alerted authorities to the car ’ s rear area , where they found a 48-year-old Mexican citizen , according to the agency .
Pictures show the man hiding beneath a concealed compartment below two seats .
Authorities escorted the man into an area for further processing .
The driver , a U.S. citizen , was transported to Imperial County Jail to await criminal proceedings .
“ The primary focus of our national security mission is to protect the American homeland from all threats , ” Pete Flores , Border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for San Diego , said in a statement .
“ Although we routinely encounter individuals attempting to enter our country illegally , this incident serves as another example of the inhumane tactics human smugglers will utilize in order to circumvent our laws .
”

Federal agents have arrested an 18-year-old woman after Border Patrol officers found a man hidden underneath the rear seat of a vehicle at the Mexican border, according to a news release.
The woman driving a black Mitsubishi was stopped early Monday at the Calexico West Port of Entry, where a Border Patrol agent at the booth ordered an in-depth examination of the driver and vehicle, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The border separates Calexico, Calif. — a dusty city about two hours east of San Diego — from Mexicali, Mexico.
A canine team screened the vehicle, and a detector dog alerted authorities to the car’s rear area, where they found a 48-year-old Mexican citizen, according to the agency. Pictures show the man hiding beneath a concealed compartment below two seats.
Authorities escorted the man into an area for further processing. The driver, a U.S. citizen, was transported to Imperial County Jail to await criminal proceedings.
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“The primary focus of our national security mission is to protect the American homeland from all threats,” Pete Flores, Border Protection’s director of field operations for San Diego, said in a statement. “Although we routinely encounter individuals attempting to enter our country illegally, this incident serves as another example of the inhumane tactics human smugglers will utilize in order to circumvent our laws.”


latimes--2020-03-10--LAPD releases photo of suspected gunman in slaying

Authorities are seeking the public ’ s help in identifying a man they say shot and killed a pedestrian at the border of the Westlake and Pico-Union neighborhoods earlier this year .
The Los Angeles Police Department on Monday released a photo of the suspect — described as an older man with a long ponytail and glasses — in the Jan. 6 killing of 48-year-old Erik Perez .
Officers who responded to the 900 block of South Alvarado Street about 7:30 p.m. found Perez lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to his chest .
He was later pronounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suspect was walking south on Alvarado when he passed Perez on the sidewalk .
The man then stopped , wheeled around and shouted something at Perez .
As the two started walking toward each other , the gunman pulled a handgun from his waistband and shot Perez once in the chest before fleeing on foot down Alvarado and east on Olympic Boulevard , police said .
Anyone who may know the suspect ’ s identity or has additional information is asked to call Det .
Bradley Golden with Central Bureau Homicide at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be left anonymously at ( 800 ) 222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org .

Authorities say this man, shown in an image from security video, is a suspect in a fatal shooting Jan. 6 in Los Angeles.
Authorities are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man they say shot and killed a pedestrian at the border of the Westlake and Pico-Union neighborhoods earlier this year.
The Los Angeles Police Department on Monday released a photo of the suspect — described as an older man with a long ponytail and glasses — in the Jan. 6 killing of 48-year-old Erik Perez.
Officers who responded to the 900 block of South Alvarado Street about 7:30 p.m. found Perez lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities say the suspect was walking south on Alvarado when he passed Perez on the sidewalk. The man then stopped, wheeled around and shouted something at Perez.
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As the two started walking toward each other, the gunman pulled a handgun from his waistband and shot Perez once in the chest before fleeing on foot down Alvarado and east on Olympic Boulevard, police said.
Anyone who may know the suspect’s identity or has additional information is asked to call Det. Bradley Golden with Central Bureau Homicide at (323) 342-8960. Tips also can be left anonymously at (800) 222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org.


latimes--2020-03-10--Thunderstorms, hail and waterspouts possible as rain douses Southern California

A slow-moving storm crept into Southern California overnight , bringing widespread showers that dampened the morning commute , slowing traffic across Los Angeles County early Tuesday and threatening to unleash thunderstorms across the area .
Rainfall thus far has been relatively light and spotty in coverage over land during the overnight and morning hours , but rain has been falling more steadily off the coast and several thunderstorms have been observed , according to an update from the National Weather Service at noon Tuesday .
As the storm moves to the east , thunderstorms were expected to come ashore Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other words , the rain is still coming after a lackluster start to the day , ” weather service meteorologist Ryan Kittell said in an email .
Rain chances will continue into Friday .
The low-pressure system— fed by a plume of subtropical water vapor at the lower and middle levels of the atmosphere — is expected to bring 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain to the coast and valleys of Los Angeles County , with up to 3 inches possible in the foothills and mountains through at least Wednesday , said Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weather Service in Oxnard .
So far , Avalon has received the bulk of the rain in Los Angeles County , with just under half an inch falling on Catalina Island .
Downtown Los Angeles , Redondo Beach and Hawthorne received just over a tenth of an inch Tuesday morning .
Rainfall rates of up to an inch per hour are possible in the afternoon if thunderstorms materialize .
The thunderstorms are capable of producing small hail , wind gusts up to 45 mph and dangerous lightning .
Isolated waterspouts , which can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possibility by the afternoon , Sirard said .
“ The main concern really is there could be some urban flooding and ponding of water on roadways , which could make for some pretty hazardous driving conditions , ” he said .
“ If people hear thunder , the best thing they can do to protect themselves is to go indoors .
People should use common sense.
” Forecasters are also warning of minor mud and debris flows in recent burn areas and rockslides along mountain and canyon roadways , mainly across Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ river carrying the bulk of the subtropical moisture is expected to remain to the south of California , which will result in lower overall rainfall amounts than meteorologists had predicted earlier .
The system will still tap into some of that moisture , but instead of consistent downpours typical of an atmospheric river , it ’ s more likely to result in widespread showers , forecasters said .
Snow levels are expected to drop to about 7,000 feet , with eight to 10 inches of snow possible at the “ resort level ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this storm is expected to taper off Wednesday evening , but scattered showers are possible through the rest of the week as another low-pressure system moves into the region Friday .
The rain appears to be just in time to help the region rebound from disappointing precipitation totals after a parched start to 2020 .
A high-pressure ridge that lingered over the eastern Pacific Ocean for much of January and February rerouted winter storms that typically soak California and the Pacific Northwest during what are usually the state ’ s wettest months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell in downtown Los Angeles last month , placing it in a tie with February 1899 for .
Downtown L.A. also had its fourth-driest combined January and February on record after just 0.36 inch fell during the first two months of 2020 .
Forecasters and water managers keeping a close eye on precipitation are hopeful that a wet month , a phenomenon known by weather experts as a “ miracle March , ” may help bolster lackluster winter rain totals and help keep the state out of drought conditions .

A slow-moving storm crept into Southern California overnight, bringing widespread showers that dampened the morning commute, slowing traffic across Los Angeles County early Tuesday and threatening to unleash thunderstorms across the area.
Rainfall thus far has been relatively light and spotty in coverage over land during the overnight and morning hours, but rain has been falling more steadily off the coast and several thunderstorms have been observed, according to an update from the National Weather Service at noon Tuesday.
As the storm moves to the east, thunderstorms were expected to come ashore Tuesday afternoon and evening.
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“So in other words, the rain is still coming after a lackluster start to the day,” weather service meteorologist Ryan Kittell said in an email. Rain chances will continue into Friday.
A low-pressure system has been generating rain and thunderstorms off the Southern California coast. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
The low-pressure system— fed by a plume of subtropical water vapor at the lower and middle levels of the atmosphere — is expected to bring 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain to the coast and valleys of Los Angeles County, with up to 3 inches possible in the foothills and mountains through at least Wednesday, said Joe Sirard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
So far, Avalon has received the bulk of the rain in Los Angeles County, with just under half an inch falling on Catalina Island. Downtown Los Angeles, Redondo Beach and Hawthorne received just over a tenth of an inch Tuesday morning.
Rainfall rates of up to an inch per hour are possible in the afternoon if thunderstorms materialize. The thunderstorms are capable of producing small hail, wind gusts up to 45 mph and dangerous lightning. Isolated waterspouts, which can come ashore as tornadoes, are also a possibility by the afternoon, Sirard said.
A pedestrian walks along the beach path in Santa Monica. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
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“The main concern really is there could be some urban flooding and ponding of water on roadways, which could make for some pretty hazardous driving conditions,” he said. “If people hear thunder, the best thing they can do to protect themselves is to go indoors. People should use common sense.”
Forecasters are also warning of minor mud and debris flows in recent burn areas and rockslides along mountain and canyon roadways, mainly across Santa Barbara County.
A previously forecast atmospheric river carrying the bulk of the subtropical moisture is expected to remain to the south of California, which will result in lower overall rainfall amounts than meteorologists had predicted earlier. The system will still tap into some of that moisture, but instead of consistent downpours typical of an atmospheric river, it’s more likely to result in widespread showers, forecasters said.
Snow levels are expected to drop to about 7,000 feet, with eight to 10 inches of snow possible at the “resort level” above 8,000 feet.
Thunderstorm Outlook from @NWSSPC.#TSTMs could get strong this afternoon and evening across #SoCal. Gusty winds, small hail and brief heavy rain are possible. #cawx https://t.co/9YAfPI4zgu — NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) March 10, 2020
The rain from this storm is expected to taper off Wednesday evening, but scattered showers are possible through the rest of the week as another low-pressure system moves into the region Friday.
The rain appears to be just in time to help the region rebound from disappointing precipitation totals after a parched start to 2020. A high-pressure ridge that lingered over the eastern Pacific Ocean for much of January and February rerouted winter storms that typically soak California and the Pacific Northwest during what are usually the state’s wettest months.
A total of 0.04 inch of rain fell in downtown Los Angeles last month, placing it in a tie with February 1899 for the 10th-driest February on record . Downtown L.A. also had its fourth-driest combined January and February on record after just 0.36 inch fell during the first two months of 2020.
Forecasters and water managers keeping a close eye on precipitation are hopeful that a wet month, a phenomenon known by weather experts as a “miracle March,” may help bolster lackluster winter rain totals and help keep the state out of drought conditions.