latimes--2020-05-07--Skelton: Newsom is relying on public health officials for his coronavirus response. But he has to li

Skelton: Newsom is relying on public health officials for his coronavirus response. But he has to listen to others too

Lots of people have specific roles in life .
In our American democracy , no single sector can rule absolutely — not even public health officials in a pandemic .
Public health professionals have one compelling goal right now : Vanquish the coronavirus .
And do whatever it takes to achieve that end .
We ’ re fortunate they ’ re here and so dedicated .
They should be the most influential advisors listened to by all elected chief executives — the president , governors and mayors .
And by all indications they are , except it seems for President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about virus contagion , health experts can not be given a free hand in dictating public policy .
They have only one professional agenda .
People collectively have many .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom is very much aware of that real-life truth .
“ If we followed public health officials , California wouldn ’ t open back up to anything this year , ” says a Newsom insider , who didn ’ t want to be identified .
“ This is a balancing act .
Public health isn ’ t absolute .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ livelihood .
He gets that.
” Newsom also gets this , as he mentioned in his daily coronavirus briefing Wednesday : “ People ’ s mental health has to be considered.
” For many people , their mental health deteriorates after being cooped up at home for a long period .
And it ’ s even worse for workers who have been laid off because their employer ’ s business has collapsed during the pandemic .
Governors also must listen to business , whose sole reason for existence is profit .
If profitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay for the government safety net programs that Democrats demand , plus schooling for everyone ’ s kids and grandkids .
Democratic politicians must listen to organized labor — their campaign patrons — whose sole goal is well-compensated jobs .
And most important , there ’ s the citizenry — the electorate .
Ultimately , voters are the boss .
And anyone who thinks that ’ s naive should read up on former Gov .
Gray Davis .
Also , former Presidents George H.W .
Bush and Jimmy Carter .
All three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last 40 years .
It ’ s often damned if they do , damned if they don ’ t for elected officials .
In a republican system of democracy , candidates for office get elected to represent the people in decision making .
That ’ s called politics .
What I ’ ve never quite understood is why politicians then seem to be ashamed of being swayed by voters or interests in making tough decisions .
They won ’ t admit to acting based on what they consider to be good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the flip side , if they don ’ t heed their voters ’ wishes , they get slammed for not obeying the public ’ s will — as Newsom did shortly after taking office when he ordered a moratorium on capital punishment .
Voters had twice declared in recent statewide elections that they wanted to execute the most brutal murderers — even expedite it .
Newsom has been fortunate in his battle against the virus .
His leadership has enjoyed overwhelming public support so far .
In a mid-April poll by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a phenomenally high 70 % of voters approved of how Newsom was handling his job — up 10 percentage points from September .
Part of the reason for that high mark surely was because they agreed with the governor ’ s anti-virus actions .
Seventy percent of voters were more worried that his stay-at-home orders would end too soon , causing the virus to spread , than they were that the confinements would linger too long , further damaging the economy .
That was mid-April , however .
There have been growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in rural areas where the virus has had little if any impact .
Some counties have defied Newsom by reopening on their own .
Their public health officials have planned it .
But although Newsom said Tuesday those counties were “ making a big mistake … putting their public at risk , ” he pragmatically acknowledged there are “ regional differences ” throughout California and said some rural communities would be allowed to open up faster than others .
He also approved the partial reopening of some businesses throughout the state .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his plan to close all beaches in California after his intention was leaked and protests erupted overnight .
One big reason he pulled back was that most communities agreed to negotiate with him over terms for remaining open .
Only Orange County cities refused , and their beaches were ordered temporarily closed .
When they came to the bargaining table and worked out a plan with the governor , he reopened the beaches Monday .
“ He ’ s going to follow science , ” the Newsom insider told me .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A governor has tremendous power after he declares a statewide emergency .
But any edicts require local cooperation to enforce his orders and provide medical care .
“ We have a democratic system of government based on the consent of the governed , ” says Democratic consultant Garry South , former chief strategist for Davis .
“ If the governed start withdrawing their consent , you have a problem .
“ I think Newsom has handled it skillfully.
” Bob Shrum , director of the Center for the Political Future at USC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests are a noisy minority… .
“ If I were running the government , I would listen to scientists and health directors.
” Newsom is .
But as an elected politician , he also knows it ’ s wise to listen to everyone .

Gov. Gavin Newsom has shown his willingness to listen to public health officials as well as industry and the concerns of the electorate.
Lots of people have specific roles in life. In our American democracy, no single sector can rule absolutely — not even public health officials in a pandemic.
Public health professionals have one compelling goal right now: Vanquish the coronavirus. And do whatever it takes to achieve that end.
We’re fortunate they’re here and so dedicated. They should be the most influential advisors listened to by all elected chief executives — the president, governors and mayors. And by all indications they are, except it seems for President Trump.
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But regardless of their wisdom about virus contagion, health experts cannot be given a free hand in dictating public policy. They have only one professional agenda. People collectively have many.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is very much aware of that real-life truth.
“If we followed public health officials, California wouldn’t open back up to anything this year,” says a Newsom insider, who didn’t want to be identified. “This is a balancing act. Public health isn’t absolute.
“Part of living life is having a livelihood. He gets that.”
Newsom also gets this, as he mentioned in his daily coronavirus briefing Wednesday: “People’s mental health has to be considered.”
For many people, their mental health deteriorates after being cooped up at home for a long period. And it’s even worse for workers who have been laid off because their employer’s business has collapsed during the pandemic.
Governors also must listen to business, whose sole reason for existence is profit. If profitable, business provides jobs and tax revenue to pay for the government safety net programs that Democrats demand, plus schooling for everyone’s kids and grandkids.
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Democratic politicians must listen to organized labor — their campaign patrons — whose sole goal is well-compensated jobs.
And most important, there’s the citizenry — the electorate. Ultimately, voters are the boss. And anyone who thinks that’s naive should read up on former Gov. Gray Davis. Also, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter. All three were ousted from office by unhappy voters in the last 40 years.
It’s often damned if they do, damned if they don’t for elected officials.
In a republican system of democracy, candidates for office get elected to represent the people in decision making. That’s called politics.
What I’ve never quite understood is why politicians then seem to be ashamed of being swayed by voters or interests in making tough decisions. They won’t admit to acting based on what they consider to be good politics — doing what their constituents want.
On the flip side, if they don’t heed their voters’ wishes, they get slammed for not obeying the public’s will — as Newsom did shortly after taking office when he ordered a moratorium on capital punishment. Voters had twice declared in recent statewide elections that they wanted to execute the most brutal murderers — even expedite it.
Newsom has been fortunate in his battle against the virus. His leadership has enjoyed overwhelming public support so far.
In a mid-April poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, a phenomenally high 70% of voters approved of how Newsom was handling his job — up 10 percentage points from September.
Part of the reason for that high mark surely was because they agreed with the governor’s anti-virus actions. Seventy percent of voters were more worried that his stay-at-home orders would end too soon, causing the virus to spread, than they were that the confinements would linger too long, further damaging the economy.
That was mid-April, however. There have been growing protests against Newsom’s stay-at-home order in rural areas where the virus has had little if any impact. Some counties have defied Newsom by reopening on their own. Their public health officials have planned it.
But although Newsom said Tuesday those counties were “making a big mistake … putting their public at risk,” he pragmatically acknowledged there are “regional differences” throughout California and said some rural communities would be allowed to open up faster than others.
He also approved the partial reopening of some businesses throughout the state.
Two weeks ago, he wisely backed off his plan to close all beaches in California after his intention was leaked and protests erupted overnight. One big reason he pulled back was that most communities agreed to negotiate with him over terms for remaining open.
Only Orange County cities refused, and their beaches were ordered temporarily closed. When they came to the bargaining table and worked out a plan with the governor, he reopened the beaches Monday.
“He’s going to follow science,” the Newsom insider told me. “But there’s lots of wiggle room.”
A governor has tremendous power after he declares a statewide emergency. But any edicts require local cooperation to enforce his orders and provide medical care.
“We have a democratic system of government based on the consent of the governed,” says Democratic consultant Garry South, former chief strategist for Davis. “If the governed start withdrawing their consent, you have a problem.
“I think Newsom has handled it skillfully.”
Bob Shrum, director of the Center for the Political Future at USC, says, “The folks conducting protests are a noisy minority….
“If I were running the government, I would listen to scientists and health directors.”
Newsom is. But as an elected politician, he also knows it’s wise to listen to everyone.


latimes--2020-05-06--Drug investigators serve warrants in North Hollywood, West Los Angeles

Investigators arrested four people and seized firearms , a kilogram of cocaine and more than 500 pounds of marijuana in @ @ @ @ @ North Hollywood and West Los Angeles , law enforcement authorities said Thursday .
Officer Mike @ @ @ @ @ Police Department said investigators served the warrants about 1 p.m. Wednesday at a business near @ @ @ @ @ and Riverside Drive .
Investigators also searched a location on Wilshire Boulevard , according to @ @ @ @ @ for the Drug Enforcement Administration , which is leading the investigation .
Collectively , investigators @ @ @ @ @ a kilogram of cocaine , more than 500 pounds of marijuana , seven firearms , @ @ @ @ @ jewelry valued at $ 100,000 , Nishida said .
Ronnel Pinopio , 31 , Andrei @ @ @ @ @ Parsons , 48 , and Timothy Vicencio , 26 , were arrested on suspicion of @ @ @ @ @ .

Investigators arrested four people and seized firearms, a kilogram of cocaine and more than 500 pounds of marijuana in a pair of raids in North Hollywood and West Los Angeles, law enforcement authorities said Thursday.
Officer Mike Lopez of the Los Angeles Police Department said investigators served the warrants about 1 p.m. Wednesday at a business near the intersection of Cahuenga Boulevard and Riverside Drive.
Investigators also searched a location on Wilshire Boulevard, according to Nicole Nishida, a spokeswoman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, which is leading the investigation.
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Collectively, investigators seized from the two sites a kilogram of cocaine, more than 500 pounds of marijuana, seven firearms, $250,000 in cash and jewelry valued at $100,000, Nishida said.
Ronnel Pinopio, 31, Andrei Cheine, 49, William Parsons, 48, and Timothy Vicencio, 26, were arrested on suspicion of drug offenses, Nishida said.


latimes--2020-05-07--3 dead, several  wounded in cycle of South L.A. gang shootings, police say

A single shooting in South Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon is believed to have touched off a vicious cycle of retaliation between two gangs that left at least three men dead and more than half a dozen others injured , law enforcement officials said .
After that first fatal shooting , another man was killed just south of Gramercy Park in unincorporated Los Angeles County , and the third in Inglewood , police said .
The victims were not immediately identified .
In addition to the dead , there were multiple shootings across the area from the afternoon well into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labrada of the LAPD ’ s South Bureau , where much of the gunfire occurred .
“ It ’ s a very unusual , very high number of victims , ” Labrada said .
“ It ’ s just an unfortunate situation for us , especially in light of people supposed to be staying home , that there are still people shooting people out there.
” Early signs of gun violence in the city dropping off amid coronavirus-related shutdowns have disappeared in recent weeks .
Wednesday ’ s cycle was one example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 5800 block of South Hoover Street , a man was killed in a drive-by shooting , Labrada said .
“ That started a rash of unfortunate , retribution-type shootings that resulted in a total of 12 incidents between us and the county , ” Labrada said .
About 2 p.m. , a man was shot in the 9100 block of La Salle Avenue and left in critical condition .
“ He ’ s still in pretty bad shape at the hospital , ” Labrada said Thursday afternoon .
About 2:25 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Vermont Avenue were shot at , though no one was struck .
At 2:50 p.m. , a man was shot and wounded at 11th and West Florence avenues .
At 3 p.m. , Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department deputies responded to the 1700 block of West 111th Street and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds .
He was pronounced dead .
They also located a second man suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower torso .
He was listed in stable condition at a hospital , the Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. , in South Los Angeles , a man was shot and wounded in the 4600 block of South Gramercy Place .
At 4:30 p.m. , a woman was shot in the 4300 block of La Salle Avenue .
About 6:45 p.m. , a man was found fatally shot , lying on the ground in the 700 block of North La Brea Avenue , said Inglewood police .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
About 11 p.m. , and again about 3:30 a.m. , there were two more shootings in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Labrada said .
There was other gunfire in which no one was struck , he said .
Labrada said police believe the incidents were related , and involved two South Los Angeles gangs , but he declined to specify which ones .
On Tuesday , LAPD Chief Michel Moore expressed concern to the Police Commission about a resurgence of serious violence .
While crime — including violent incidents — is down overall in the city , homicides are up , with 86 killings as of earlier this week compared with 82 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have dropped by 16 % .
Moore attributed much of that decline to fewer citations in “ discretionary areas ” involving misdemeanor or minor offenses .
Felony arrests overall were also down 2 % and felony narcotics arrests fell by 16 % .
Some police resources previously focused on narcotics trafficking are now “ redirected at times to deal with this pandemic and the needs in the streets , ” Moore said .
Labrada said police are working hard to find those responsible for the recent uptick in gun violence and asked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information .

A single shooting in South Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon is believed to have touched off a vicious cycle of retaliation between two gangs that left at least three men dead and more than half a dozen others injured, law enforcement officials said.
After that first fatal shooting, another man was killed just south of Gramercy Park in unincorporated Los Angeles County, and the third in Inglewood, police said. The victims were not immediately identified.
In addition to the dead, there were multiple shootings across the area from the afternoon well into the night, said Cmdr. Alfred Labrada of the LAPD’s South Bureau, where much of the gunfire occurred.
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“It’s a very unusual, very high number of victims,” Labrada said. “It’s just an unfortunate situation for us, especially in light of people supposed to be staying home, that there are still people shooting people out there.”
Early signs of gun violence in the city dropping off amid coronavirus-related shutdowns have disappeared in recent weeks. Wednesday’s cycle was one example of the grim turnaround.
About 12:40 p.m. in the 5800 block of South Hoover Street, a man was killed in a drive-by shooting, Labrada said.
“That started a rash of unfortunate, retribution-type shootings that resulted in a total of 12 incidents between us and the county,” Labrada said.
About 2 p.m., a man was shot in the 9100 block of La Salle Avenue and left in critical condition. “He’s still in pretty bad shape at the hospital,” Labrada said Thursday afternoon.
About 2:25 p.m., 10 people in the 6400 block of Vermont Avenue were shot at, though no one was struck.
At 2:50 p.m., a man was shot and wounded at 11th and West Florence avenues.
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At 3 p.m., Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the 1700 block of West 111th Street and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead.
They also located a second man suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower torso. He was listed in stable condition at a hospital, the Sheriff’s Department said.
At 3:45 p.m., in South Los Angeles, a man was shot and wounded in the 4600 block of South Gramercy Place. At 4:30 p.m., a woman was shot in the 4300 block of La Salle Avenue.
About 6:45 p.m., a man was found fatally shot, lying on the ground in the 700 block of North La Brea Avenue, said Inglewood police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
About 11 p.m., and again about 3:30 a.m., there were two more shootings in the area, with two more men wounded, Labrada said. There was other gunfire in which no one was struck, he said.
Labrada said police believe the incidents were related, and involved two South Los Angeles gangs, but he declined to specify which ones.
On Tuesday, LAPD Chief Michel Moore expressed concern to the Police Commission about a resurgence of serious violence.
While crime — including violent incidents — is down overall in the city, homicides are up, with 86 killings as of earlier this week compared with 82 at the same time last year.
Arrests have dropped by 16%. Moore attributed much of that decline to fewer citations in “discretionary areas” involving misdemeanor or minor offenses. Felony arrests overall were also down 2% and felony narcotics arrests fell by 16%.
Some police resources previously focused on narcotics trafficking are now “redirected at times to deal with this pandemic and the needs in the streets,” Moore said.
Labrada said police are working hard to find those responsible for the recent uptick in gun violence and asked for the public’s help in providing information.


latimes--2020-05-07--LAPD officers named in fatal shooting of alleged gunman in South Central

Two members of the Los Angeles Police Department who fatally shot a man during a foot pursuit in Historic South Central last week were identified by the department Thursday as officers Luke Coyle and Kevin Ruiz .
Daniel Hernandez , who authorities say pulled out a handgun during the April 30 chase , was pronounced dead at the scene .
The shooting remains under investigation by the LAPD ’ s special Force Investigation Division , which reviews all deadly encounters involving city police .
Police said Coyle and Ruiz , who are assigned to patrol in the Newton Division , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2200 block of Wall Street about 9:40 p.m. when they saw a vehicle back up , collide with another vehicle and drive away .
As the officers followed the vehicle , Hernandez and two others got out in a nearby alley and ran , police said .
After Hernandez “ produced a handgun , ” he was shot , police said .
The other men who got out of the vehicle , identified as Jose Hernandez and Anthony Villegas , were later arrested .
Hernandez was treated for a bite from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers ’ actions will be reviewed by Chief Michel Moore , the civilian Police Commission , the department ’ s inspector general and the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office .

Los Angeles police officers shot and wounded a woman after they allegedly found her stabbing another person to death.
Two members of the Los Angeles Police Department who fatally shot a man during a foot pursuit in Historic South Central last week were identified by the department Thursday as officers Luke Coyle and Kevin Ruiz.
Daniel Hernandez, who authorities say pulled out a handgun during the April 30 chase, was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting remains under investigation by the LAPD’s special Force Investigation Division, which reviews all deadly encounters involving city police.
Police said Coyle and Ruiz, who are assigned to patrol in the Newton Division, were driving a marked police car in the 2200 block of Wall Street about 9:40 p.m. when they saw a vehicle back up, collide with another vehicle and drive away.
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As the officers followed the vehicle, Hernandez and two others got out in a nearby alley and ran, police said. After Hernandez “produced a handgun,” he was shot, police said.
The other men who got out of the vehicle, identified as Jose Hernandez and Anthony Villegas, were later arrested. Hernandez was treated for a bite from a police dog, police said.
The officers’ actions will be reviewed by Chief Michel Moore, the civilian Police Commission, the department’s inspector general and the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.


latimes--2020-05-07--First youths test positive for coronavirus in L.A. County juvenile halls

Two youths in L.A. County juvenile detention tested positive for the novel coronavirus this week after officials began testing newly booked detainees , authorities said Thursday .
The juveniles , both of whom are asymptomatic , have not been in contact with other youths , said Adam Wolfson , communications director for the L.A. County Probation Department .
One was admitted to Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar , the other to Central Juvenie Hall in Los Angeles , Wolfson said .
Their ages were not released .
Nineteen probation employees have tested positive for the coronavirus , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday marked the first time juveniles had been known to have the virus .
All of the employees who contracted the virus have since recovered and returned to work , Wolfson said .
County officials began testing newly sentenced youths Monday , he said , adding that 30 juveniles have been tested in total .
The two youths who tested positive this week will be isolated from the general population of each juvenile hall , and probation employees working with them are “ receiving enhanced personal protective equipment as well as infection control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolfson said .
As part of efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus , the average daily population of California ’ s juvenile detention system fell by about 1,000 youths between late February and late April , state records show .
In L.A. County , the number of youths in custody has fallen from 819 on March 1 to 550 as of Thursday , a drop of roughly 33 % .
Still , some advocates and attorneys have called for a wider release of juveniles for fear conditions in L.A. County ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an outbreak .
Last month , a petition was filed with the California Supreme Court asking for the release of juveniles with health conditions that place them at higher risk of contracting the coronavirus , as well as those being held on either a probation violation or failure to appear in court .
A hearing in that case is scheduled for Monday .

Two youths in L.A. County juvenile detention tested positive for the novel coronavirus this week after officials began testing newly booked detainees, authorities said Thursday.
The juveniles, both of whom are asymptomatic, have not been in contact with other youths, said Adam Wolfson, communications director for the L.A. County Probation Department. One was admitted to Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, the other to Central Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles, Wolfson said. Their ages were not released.
Nineteen probation employees have tested positive for the coronavirus, including seven assigned to Nidorf Hall, but Thursday marked the first time juveniles had been known to have the virus. All of the employees who contracted the virus have since recovered and returned to work, Wolfson said.
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County officials began testing newly sentenced youths Monday, he said, adding that 30 juveniles have been tested in total.
The two youths who tested positive this week will be isolated from the general population of each juvenile hall, and probation employees working with them are “receiving enhanced personal protective equipment as well as infection control training” from county health officials, Wolfson said.
As part of efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the average daily population of California’s juvenile detention system fell by about 1,000 youths between late February and late April, state records show. In L.A. County, the number of youths in custody has fallen from 819 on March 1 to 550 as of Thursday, a drop of roughly 33%.
Still, some advocates and attorneys have called for a wider release of juveniles for fear conditions in L.A. County’s juvenile halls and camps remain ripe for an outbreak.
Last month, a petition was filed with the California Supreme Court asking for the release of juveniles with health conditions that place them at higher risk of contracting the coronavirus, as well as those being held on either a probation violation or failure to appear in court. A hearing in that case is scheduled for Monday.


latimes--2020-05-07--Palm Desert man threw daughter off a cliff, stabbed good Samaritan trying to help, sheriff says

A Palm Desert man crashed his car Wednesday morning , stabbed a good Samaritan who tried to free his daughter from the wreck and then flung the girl off a cliff , killing her , according to the Riverside County Sheriff ’ s Department .
Adam Slater , who is recovering at a hospital , will be arrested and booked on suspicion of murder once he is discharged , the Sheriff ’ s Department said .
On Thursday , the department laid out the chain of events that culminated in his daughter ’ s death .
At 8:30 a.m. Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Station responded to a stabbing in the parking lot of a church in Indian Wells .
There , they found an injured woman and identified her assailant as Slater , 49 , the department said in a news release .
A spokeswoman for the Sheriff ’ s Department declined to specify the woman ’ s relationship to Slater , but said she suffered her injuries in a domestic violence incident .
Her father , Michael Grome , said she was married to Slater but had moved out a month ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to time , she would meet Slater — always in public — so he could see their daughter , who celebrated her first birthday in April , Grome said .
On Wednesday morning , Grome said his daughter told him , Slater climbed into her car in the church ’ s parking lot and said , “ You ’ re dying today .
We ’ re all dying today.
” He punched her and plunged a knife into her thighs and chin , Grome said .
When a witness spotted the assault and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from her car seat and took off , Grome said .
Deputies radioed out a description of Slater and the car he fled in , the Sheriff ’ s Department said .
About 30 minutes later , the California Highway Patrol reported a collision off Highway 74 , south of the Coachella Valley Vista Point lookout .
Slater ’ s car was overturned and several hundred feet off the highway , according to the Sheriff ’ s Department .
Good Samaritans came to his aid .
One was trying to extricate his daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the car , stabbed the man and pulled the girl from his arms , according to the Sheriff ’ s Department .
He flung the girl off “ a steep cliff ” and into a ravine , the department said .
Slater ran off but was quickly apprehended , the Sheriff ’ s Department said .
Deputies and a CHP officer found his daughter in the ravine , dead .
“ I held her in my arms the day before , ” the girl ’ s grandfather said Thursday .
“ She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His daughter was discharged from the hospital on Thursday , shaken and sore but recovering , Grome said .
She is six months pregnant with Slater ’ s child , he said .

A Palm Desert man crashed his car Wednesday morning, stabbed a good Samaritan who tried to free his daughter from the wreck and then flung the girl off a cliff, killing her, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Adam Slater, who is recovering at a hospital, will be arrested and booked on suspicion of murder once he is discharged, the Sheriff’s Department said. On Thursday, the department laid out the chain of events that culminated in his daughter’s death.
At 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to a stabbing in the parking lot of a church in Indian Wells. There, they found an injured woman and identified her assailant as Slater, 49, the department said in a news release.
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A spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department declined to specify the woman’s relationship to Slater, but said she suffered her injuries in a domestic violence incident.
Her father, Michael Grome, said she was married to Slater but had moved out a month ago, fearing for her safety. From time to time, she would meet Slater — always in public — so he could see their daughter, who celebrated her first birthday in April, Grome said.
On Wednesday morning, Grome said his daughter told him, Slater climbed into her car in the church’s parking lot and said, “You’re dying today. We’re all dying today.”
He punched her and plunged a knife into her thighs and chin, Grome said. When a witness spotted the assault and started honking, Slater pulled his daughter from her car seat and took off, Grome said. Deputies radioed out a description of Slater and the car he fled in, the Sheriff’s Department said.
About 30 minutes later, the California Highway Patrol reported a collision off Highway 74, south of the Coachella Valley Vista Point lookout. Slater’s car was overturned and several hundred feet off the highway, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Good Samaritans came to his aid. One was trying to extricate his daughter from the passenger side when Slater ran around the car, stabbed the man and pulled the girl from his arms, according to the Sheriff’s Department. He flung the girl off “a steep cliff” and into a ravine, the department said.
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Slater ran off but was quickly apprehended, the Sheriff’s Department said. Deputies and a CHP officer found his daughter in the ravine, dead.
“I held her in my arms the day before,” the girl’s grandfather said Thursday. “She was just taking her first steps.”
His daughter was discharged from the hospital on Thursday, shaken and sore but recovering, Grome said. She is six months pregnant with Slater’s child, he said.


latimes--2020-05-08--'It's not what this town is about': Seal Beach's Main Street struggles to come back

John “ Lucky ” Domingue stood by the pier in Seal Beach sipping coffee and gazing at the blue ocean Friday morning .
It was nearly 10 a.m .
The beach was empty and so was the tree-lined street behind him .
“ It ’ s eerie , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not what this town is about.
” No , the tiny coastal city , between Long Beach and Huntington Beach , is a tourist destination .
The main street is lined with restaurants , clothing stores and antique shops , and long before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But now , restaurants were allowed to do only takeout orders and food deliveries .
Even though clothing stores were allowed to reopen Friday for curbside service only , most remained closed .
The stores taped messages to their display windows or front doors , letting shoppers know they remained closed but could schedule pickup orders .
At one antique shop , the following message was displayed on the window : “ Sorry , closed for safety .
If you see something in the window or if you would like to pick up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message at another clothing store read : “ We are here for your shopping needs .
We will provide : Shopping by appointment .
Curbside Service .
Free shipping.
” Domingue , a Seal Beach resident and sideshow performer , said businesses are struggling and worried about the long-term economic effect the coronavirus will have on his town .
“ It ’ s been difficult but this is a resilient town , ” Domingue said .
“ I think we will bounce back , but how long will that take ?
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly shutting down Main Street in the future to allow restaurants to serve customers outdoors to increase capacity while following social distancing rules .
The closure would be only temporary until things returned to normal .
“ They can ’ t fall back to the old ways , ” Domingue said .
“ They have to be creative .
Farther down the street , Cynthia Freund , 48 , laced up a roller skate inside her clothing store , Station 17 .
The skates are the most popular items in her store .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a new online sale of roller skates , ” she said .
“ People are wanting to get out and exercise.
” But the core of her business is boho chic clothing , handmade jewelry and records .
It often requires customers to come in and see the items for themselves .
“ That ’ s the hardest thing — you can ’ t try anything , you can ’ t come into the store , ” she said .
“ So many people want to come in.
” Freund used her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her store so that customers don ’ t accidentally walk in .
Although it has been a hard since the state issued stay-at-home orders , Freund has received some assistance to stay afloat .
The woman who owns the building shaved off $ 1,000 from Freund ’ s monthly $ 2,600 rent .
The stimulus check also helped her , and now she ’ s waiting on a government small business loan .
Additionally , she saved enough money before opening the business to make sure she had six months of rent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t plan on leaving even though her lease ends this month .
“ This is my passion , ” she said , glancing at her store .
“ This is what I want to do.
” For years , Freund was a wardrobe stylist for music videos and television commercials and shows .
She eventually began selling clothes at music festivals and street fairs .
Later , she started selling clothes at the Orange County Marketplace in Costa Mesa .
But after years of setting up and tearing down , she wanted something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the little brick and glass store became vacant .
Freund remembers looking at the commercial space .
It was 700 square feet , much like the size of her pop-up boutique .
“ I loved it , it was magical , ” she said , recalling .
“ The area was so cute : tree-lined street and it ’ s near the water.
” Freund is already thinking of the future .
She ’ s trying to figure out when customers are allowed back into the shop , what will she do ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , allowing customers to move through the store in one direction and having masks by the door for people who didn ’ t have any .
She also thought about keeping only a certain number of people inside the store at any given time .
“ It ’ s hard times , emotionally and financially , ” she said .
“ I think when things get back up and running again , people are going to want to shop .
“ It ’ s going to pick up where it left off , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down , at the Knock-Knock Toys & Gifts store , Lisa McHenry was trying to work on her window display .
There were puzzles , games and pool floats .
“ Twister is probably not a game people want to play right now , ” she said , chuckling as she removed the game from the display .
McHenry , a former schoolteacher , has been selling toys for 14 years in Seal Beach .
She loves children and always wanted to open a store .
She worked at a toy store in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said puzzles have been selling well , and she plans to stay open because she ’ s committed to the community and her store .
“ I don ’ t expect to be the same financially , ” she said .
McHenry hopes that will change in time once vaccines are created and medicine to combat the coronavirus improves .

Christina Dagle, center, and her daughter Eleanor Eades, 4, of Seal Beach, wait in line six feet apart from others to buy flowers for a friend from Devynn’s Garden in Seal Beach on Friday. Florists and other select businesses are reopening under a relaxation of the state’s stay-at-home order.
John “Lucky” Domingue stood by the pier in Seal Beach sipping coffee and gazing at the blue ocean Friday morning. It was nearly 10 a.m. The beach was empty and so was the tree-lined street behind him.
“It’s eerie,” he said. “It’s not what this town is about.”
No, the tiny coastal city, between Long Beach and Huntington Beach, is a tourist destination. The main street is lined with restaurants, clothing stores and antique shops, and long before the coronavirus arrived, it was booming.
But now, restaurants were allowed to do only takeout orders and food deliveries. Even though clothing stores were allowed to reopen Friday for curbside service only, most remained closed.
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The stores taped messages to their display windows or front doors, letting shoppers know they remained closed but could schedule pickup orders.
At one antique shop, the following message was displayed on the window:
“Sorry, closed for safety. If you see something in the window or if you would like to pick up your layaway, please call…”
A message at another clothing store read: “We are here for your shopping needs. We will provide: Shopping by appointment. Curbside Service. Free shipping.”
Domingue, a Seal Beach resident and sideshow performer, said businesses are struggling and worried about the long-term economic effect the coronavirus will have on his town.
“It’s been difficult but this is a resilient town,” Domingue said. “I think we will bounce back, but how long will that take?”
He said there has been community discussions about possibly shutting down Main Street in the future to allow restaurants to serve customers outdoors to increase capacity while following social distancing rules. The closure would be only temporary until things returned to normal.
“They can’t fall back to the old ways,” Domingue said. “They have to be creative.
Farther down the street, Cynthia Freund, 48, laced up a roller skate inside her clothing store, Station 17. The skates are the most popular items in her store.
“Every day, I wake up to a new online sale of roller skates,” she said. “People are wanting to get out and exercise.”
But the core of her business is boho chic clothing, handmade jewelry and records. It often requires customers to come in and see the items for themselves.
“That’s the hardest thing — you can’t try anything, you can’t come into the store,” she said. “So many people want to come in.”
Freund used her business sign to block the entrance to her store so that customers don’t accidentally walk in. Although it has been a hard since the state issued stay-at-home orders, Freund has received some assistance to stay afloat.
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The woman who owns the building shaved off $1,000 from Freund’s monthly $2,600 rent. The stimulus check also helped her, and now she’s waiting on a government small business loan. Additionally, she saved enough money before opening the business to make sure she had six months of rent in reserves.
Freund said she doesn’t plan on leaving even though her lease ends this month.
“This is my passion,” she said, glancing at her store. “This is what I want to do.”
For years, Freund was a wardrobe stylist for music videos and television commercials and shows. She eventually began selling clothes at music festivals and street fairs. Later, she started selling clothes at the Orange County Marketplace in Costa Mesa. But after years of setting up and tearing down, she wanted something more stable.
Two years ago, the little brick and glass store became vacant. Freund remembers looking at the commercial space. It was 700 square feet, much like the size of her pop-up boutique.
“I loved it, it was magical,” she said, recalling. “The area was so cute: tree-lined street and it’s near the water.”
Freund is already thinking of the future. She’s trying to figure out when customers are allowed back into the shop, what will she do? She thought about taking the IKEA concept, allowing customers to move through the store in one direction and having masks by the door for people who didn’t have any. She also thought about keeping only a certain number of people inside the store at any given time.
“It’s hard times, emotionally and financially,” she said. “I think when things get back up and running again, people are going to want to shop.
“It’s going to pick up where it left off,” she added.
A few businesses down, at the Knock-Knock Toys & Gifts store, Lisa McHenry was trying to work on her window display. There were puzzles, games and pool floats.
“Twister is probably not a game people want to play right now,” she said, chuckling as she removed the game from the display.
McHenry, a former schoolteacher, has been selling toys for 14 years in Seal Beach. She loves children and always wanted to open a store. She worked at a toy store in New York for five years.
She said puzzles have been selling well, and she plans to stay open because she’s committed to the community and her store.
“I don’t expect to be the same financially,” she said.
McHenry hopes that will change in time once vaccines are created and medicine to combat the coronavirus improves.


latimes--2020-05-08--Newsom warns defiant counties they could lose coronavirus cash for reopening early

Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s administration sent a clear warning this week to rural counties defying his state ’ s stay-at-home order to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus : Keep it up , and you ’ ll lose disaster funding .
Mark Ghilarducci , director of the California Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services , sent nearly identical letters dated May 7 to Yuba , Sutter and Modoc counties , where local officials lifted restrictions and allowed gyms , restaurants , shopping malls , hair salons and other businesses to open their doors again , ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghilarducci said disaster funding is predicated on jurisdictions needing help in extraordinary circumstances , and if the counties believe there ’ s no emergency and choose to defy the governor ’ s order , then they won ’ t be able to prove they need such funds .
“ Further , disaster assistance programs prohibit a jurisdiction from receiving funding for a condition caused by its own negligence , ” he wrote in the letter to Yuba County .
“ Should Yuba County experience a surge in COVID-19 cases as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be ineligible for reimbursement.
” Ghilarducci directed the counties to confirm their intent to comply with the state ’ s order and a new framework that allows some areas to move ahead of the administration ’ s four-stage reopening plan , which gradually returns California to a sense of normalcy beginning with the return of business operations deemed to pose a lower risk of spreading coronavirus .
Under Stage 2 rules , counties must submit an application declaring that the presence of the virus is limited or nonexistent in their jurisdictions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepare for a future surge in infections before opening additional businesses .
Yuba and Sutter counties confirmed that they received the letter and said they understand the governor ’ s directive .
In a joint statement , the counties said they are “ working to do what is best for the overall health of our communities and coordinating with governor ’ s representatives on achieving balance with his order , ” and look forward to discussing their Stage 2 application .
Modoc County did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Northern California counties is symbolic of the governor ’ s struggle to convince local officials and residents across the state to adhere to his orders as the economy tanks and millions lose their jobs .
His administration ’ s ability to limit the spread of the virus in California has only added to a chorus of skeptics , particularly in rural counties with few cases or in conservative enclaves such as Orange County , where some have questioned why the state needs to remain under restrictions .
But as Newsom begins to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that moving too quickly could result in a second surge of cases .
In the state of nearly 40 million , roughly 4,500 people were hospitalized with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis as of Thursday .
The California Department of Public Health says 62,512 people have tested positive for COVID-19 , which has killed 2,585 Californians so far .
Modoc County , home to fewer than 10,000 people , became the first to openly defy the governor ’ s order on May 1 by allowing all businesses , churches and schools in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open again with modifications and a requirement to keep people six feet apart .
At the time , the rural area had not reported any confirmed cases of the virus and advised residents aged 65 and older or with underlying health conditions to stay home .
Days later , Yuba-Sutter Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu cited guidance from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security when she announced that restaurants , retail operations , shopping malls , construction , real estate , agriculture , gyms and fitness studios , hair salons and barbershops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapy centers and tattoo parlors were permitted to reopen in the counties on May 4 .
The businesses must similarly limit the number of people inside to ensure six feet of distance between patrons and must provide hand sanitizer .
The counties are also requiring people to wear face coverings in public .
Luu followed up with a letter to businesses two days after the restrictions were removed , admonishing some for not taking precautions to properly protect patrons .
Newsom lashed out at the counties Tuesday , calling their decision to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re putting their public at risk , ” Newsom said .
“ They ’ re putting our progress at risk .
These are real exceptions .
The overwhelming majority of Californians are playing by the rules , doing the right thing.
” At a news conference on Friday , Newsom said 33 salons that reopened in counties that moved ahead have decided to shut down in recent days when contacted by state officials .
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control visited multiple businesses in Yuba and Sutter counties earlier this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state licensing to serve alcohol if they don ’ t close down their dining rooms .
“ We ’ ll just see more of that if people get ahead of themselves , and again , I just don ’ t want to put businesses in that position , ” Newsom said .
Despite no confirmed COVID-19 cases at the time , officials in Modoc , Yuba and Sutter counties declared local states of emergency in March in order to seek reimbursement for their preparations to protect public health .
President Trump approved California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disaster in the state on March 22 , opening up aid opportunities for counties .
Under the system , the Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services grants county requests for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds .
In the letter to the counties , Ghilarducci said he hopes they “ will act in good faith , in the best interests of its residents and for the safety of all Californians .
”

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration sent a clear warning this week to rural counties defying his state’s stay-at-home order to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus: Keep it up, and you’ll lose disaster funding.
Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, sent nearly identical letters dated May 7 to Yuba, Sutter and Modoc counties, where local officials lifted restrictions and allowed gyms, restaurants, shopping malls, hair salons and other businesses to open their doors again, ahead of the state’s plans.
Ghilarducci said disaster funding is predicated on jurisdictions needing help in extraordinary circumstances, and if the counties believe there’s no emergency and choose to defy the governor’s order, then they won’t be able to prove they need such funds.
“Further, disaster assistance programs prohibit a jurisdiction from receiving funding for a condition caused by its own negligence,” he wrote in the letter to Yuba County. “Should Yuba County experience a surge in COVID-19 cases as a result of hasty and careless actions, the county may be ineligible for reimbursement.”
Ghilarducci directed the counties to confirm their intent to comply with the state’s order and a new framework that allows some areas to move ahead of the administration’s four-stage reopening plan, which gradually returns California to a sense of normalcy beginning with the return of business operations deemed to pose a lower risk of spreading coronavirus. Under Stage 2 rules, counties must submit an application declaring that the presence of the virus is limited or nonexistent in their jurisdictions and they’ve met certain requirements to prepare for a future surge in infections before opening additional businesses.
Yuba and Sutter counties confirmed that they received the letter and said they understand the governor’s directive. In a joint statement, the counties said they are “working to do what is best for the overall health of our communities and coordinating with governor’s representatives on achieving balance with his order,” and look forward to discussing their Stage 2 application.
Modoc County did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The rebellion against the coronavirus restrictions in the Northern California counties is symbolic of the governor’s struggle to convince local officials and residents across the state to adhere to his orders as the economy tanks and millions lose their jobs.
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His administration’s ability to limit the spread of the virus in California has only added to a chorus of skeptics, particularly in rural counties with few cases or in conservative enclaves such as Orange County, where some have questioned why the state needs to remain under restrictions. But as Newsom begins to ease the order, health experts warn that moving too quickly could result in a second surge of cases.
In a state of nearly 40 million, roughly 4,500 people were hospitalized with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis as of Thursday, according to the California Department of Public Health.
As of Friday, 64,519 people in California had tested positive, and 2,632 had died.
Modoc County, home to fewer than 10,000 people, became the first to openly defy the governor’s order on May 1 by allowing all businesses, churches and schools in the northeast corner of the state to open again with modifications and a requirement to keep people six feet apart. At the time, the rural area had not reported any confirmed cases of the virus and advised residents aged 65 and older or with underlying health conditions to stay home.
Days later, Yuba-Sutter Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu cited guidance from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security when she announced that restaurants, retail operations, shopping malls, construction, real estate, agriculture, gyms and fitness studios, hair salons and barbershops, nail salons, spas, massage therapy centers and tattoo parlors were permitted to reopen in the counties on May 4. The businesses must similarly limit the number of people inside to ensure six feet of distance between patrons and must provide hand sanitizer. The counties are also requiring people to wear face coverings in public.
Luu followed up with a letter to businesses two days after the restrictions were removed, admonishing some for not taking precautions to properly protect patrons.
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Newsom lashed out at the counties Tuesday, calling their decision to reopen a “big mistake.”
“They’re putting their public at risk,” Newsom said. “They’re putting our progress at risk. These are real exceptions. The overwhelming majority of Californians are playing by the rules, doing the right thing.”
At a news conference on Friday, Newsom said 33 salons that reopened in counties that moved ahead have decided to shut down in recent days when contacted by state officials.
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control visited multiple businesses in Yuba and Sutter counties earlier this week and warned restaurants that they could lose state licensing to serve alcohol if they don’t close down their dining rooms.
“We’ll just see more of that if people get ahead of themselves, and again, I just don’t want to put businesses in that position,” Newsom said.
Despite no confirmed COVID-19 cases at the time, officials in Modoc, Yuba and Sutter counties declared local states of emergency in March in order to seek reimbursement for their preparations to protect public health.
President Trump approved California’s request to declare a major disaster in the state on March 22, opening up aid opportunities for counties. Under the system, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services grants county requests for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.
In the letter to the counties, Ghilarducci said he hopes they “will act in good faith, in the best interests of its residents and for the safety of all Californians.”
Times staff writer John Myers contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-08--On Venice's hip Abbot Kinney, there are signs of retail life after devastating coronavirus closures

On Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice , the normally bustling shopping district that has been largely vacant amid the coronavirus , there were signs of life Friday as some retailers opened for curbside service .
Jennifer Angeles , 36 , heard about Aviator Nation opening up for curbside pickup from its Instagram page so she decided to take her dog Reese out for a walk and buy a hat from the California retail store .
“ I just want to support a brand I really love , ” said the Santa Monica resident , who had been a fan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Curbside is kind of nice because you don ’ t have to wait for shipping , ” she added .
Entrepreneur Tina Wakino came to her store Bazar around 11 a.m. Friday , hopeful that she would get some curbside business after noticing foot traffic was picking up as the weather warmed .
Wakino owns a concept store called Bazar , which opened in 1998 , and the place next door , Le Pop-Up , a concept pop-up with rotating brands .
Wakino said she was among those who had believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only to be disappointed at how sharply everything went downhill .
Bazar survived the 2008 financial crisis and other national events , but being forced to close its doors for an indefinite amount of time only meant uncertainty .
“ This one feels different , for sure , ” she said .
Curbside pickup seemed similar to online shopping , with people more likely to buy drinking glasses than clothing from a brand they may know their size in , she said .
“ I kind of am [ optimistic ] and maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I think people may come by .
I ’ m hopeful.
” The mood on the boulevard with high-scale shops felt different for Dr. Courtney Gillenwater , who stopped by Pressed Juicery .
On her walk , she noticed a plant store that had literally gone curbside , putting out a table full of plants on the sidewalk .
“ Oh , my God , it made my day , ” said Gillenwater , who volunteered in New York to help with the rising cases of COVID-19 before returning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel better.
” Although she didn ’ t buy any , she said it was nice to see other people out and sensed that businesses were doing the best they could with curbside pickup .
In nearby Santa Monica , Heather Hamilton said her business experienced more calls from customers as soon as the announcement came that toy stores were among those that could reopen for curbside service .
The pandemic marked the first time that the Acorn Store , which sells eco-friendly toys for children , had closed its doors in 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So she was glad for the bump in business .
When the closures began , she said she reached out to local schools about delivering items to families for students who were stuck at home .
And as for curbside pickup , Hamilton said , her store already had a process .
Customers would pay for items over the phone , pull up in their cars , and pop their trunks , where the toys would be deposited .
To help pick out the right items for customers , she video chats or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find the right ones .
“ These are things I never considered , it never crossed my mind but have been incredibly effective , ” she said .

Holly Boies, 53, center, talks with longtime shoppers Enid Koffler, left, and her daughter Samara Koffler on Friday at the entrance of Boies’ women’s clothing store, Salt, on Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice. Boies, who is planning to reopen her store for curbside pickup Saturday, said: “We’ll see how it goes. I’ll be here.”
On Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, the normally bustling shopping district that has been largely vacant amid the coronavirus, there were signs of life Friday as some retailers opened for curbside service.
Jennifer Angeles, 36, heard about Aviator Nation opening up for curbside pickup from its Instagram page so she decided to take her dog Reese out for a walk and buy a hat from the California retail store.
“I just want to support a brand I really love,” said the Santa Monica resident, who had been a fan of curbside service and typically avoided shopping malls. “Curbside is kind of nice because you don’t have to wait for shipping,” she added.
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Entrepreneur Tina Wakino came to her store Bazar around 11 a.m. Friday, hopeful that she would get some curbside business after noticing foot traffic was picking up as the weather warmed.
Wakino owns a concept store called Bazar, which opened in 1998, and the place next door, Le Pop-Up, a concept pop-up with rotating brands. Wakino said she was among those who had believed 2020 would be a great year, only to be disappointed at how sharply everything went downhill.
Bazar survived the 2008 financial crisis and other national events, but being forced to close its doors for an indefinite amount of time only meant uncertainty.
“This one feels different, for sure,” she said. Curbside pickup seemed similar to online shopping, with people more likely to buy drinking glasses than clothing from a brand they may not know their size in, she said.
“I think people may come by. I’m hopeful,” she said.
The mood on the boulevard with high-scale shops felt different for Dr. Courtney Gillenwater, who stopped by Pressed Juicery.
On her walk, she noticed a plant store that had literally gone curbside, putting out a table full of plants on the sidewalk.
“Oh, my God, it made my day,” said Gillenwater, who volunteered in New York to help with the rising cases of COVID-19 before returning to Venice.
“The plants made me feel better.” Although she didn’t buy any, she said it was nice to see other people out and sensed that businesses were doing the best they could with curbside pickup.
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In nearby Santa Monica, Heather Hamilton said her business experienced more calls from customers as soon as the announcement came that toy stores were among those that could reopen for curbside service.
The pandemic marked the first time that the Acorn Store, which sells eco-friendly toys for children, had closed its doors in 18 years, said Hamilton, 48. So she was glad for the bump in business.
When the closures began, she said she reached out to local schools about delivering items to families for students who were stuck at home.
And as for curbside pickup, Hamilton said, her store already had a process. Customers would pay for items over the phone, pull up in their cars, and pop their trunks, where the toys would be deposited.
To help pick out the right items for customers, she video chats or sends photos by text to help them find the right ones. “These are things I never considered, it never crossed my mind but have been incredibly effective,” she said.


latimes--2020-05-08--Yosemite employees evicted amid coronavirus pandemic

An estimated 90 shuttle bus drivers and Yosemite National Park transportation workers who were laid off after the park closed to visitors in March are now facing eviction .
The group of Yosemite Hospitality workers were told this week layoffs require them to leave Yosemite by May 21 , the Fresno Bee reported Friday .
These are the first reported Yosemite evictions solely because of layoffs caused by the coronavirus pandemic and they come in spite of Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s order calling for a statewide moratorium on evictions through May 31 , the newspaper reported .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to federal lands , including national parks .
One unidentified Yosemite employee told the newspaper that leaders with Aramark — the Philadelphia-based company that owns Yosemite Hospitality — stressed that the company has the right to evict them because their housing is contingent on employment .
Aramark employees in Yosemite pay about $ 100 a month to live in shared employee housing .
Among the evicted are people without family nearby , including former foster youths and some older , longtime Yosemite workers .
Aramark spokesman David Freireich did not immediately respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which had about 4.6 million visitors in 2019 , has not announced how long its buses will sit idle , but employees said they were told they won ’ t run again until January 2021 .
Aramark employs about 1,200 Yosemite Hospitality workers .
In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to the south , employees of its concessionaire , Delaware North , were ordered to leave those parks at the end of March .
Ever since the National Park Service closed Yosemite on March 20 , the park has been virtually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come of the shadows to wander amid the meadows and empty hiking trails , as The Times reported in early April .

Yosemite National Park was closed to visitors in March. Now workers at the park who have been laid off are being told to leave.
An estimated 90 shuttle bus drivers and Yosemite National Park transportation workers who were laid off after the park closed to visitors in March are now facing eviction.
The group of Yosemite Hospitality workers were told this week layoffs require them to leave Yosemite by May 21, the Fresno Bee reported Friday.
These are the first reported Yosemite evictions solely because of layoffs caused by the coronavirus pandemic and they come in spite of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order calling for a statewide moratorium on evictions through May 31, the newspaper reported.
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It’s unclear how the order pertains to federal lands, including national parks.
One unidentified Yosemite employee told the newspaper that leaders with Aramark — the Philadelphia-based company that owns Yosemite Hospitality — stressed that the company has the right to evict them because their housing is contingent on employment. Aramark employees in Yosemite pay about $100 a month to live in shared employee housing.
Among the evicted are people without family nearby, including former foster youths and some older, longtime Yosemite workers.
Aramark spokesman David Freireich did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The park, which had about 4.6 million visitors in 2019, has not announced how long its buses will sit idle, but employees said they were told they won’t run again until January 2021. Aramark employs about 1,200 Yosemite Hospitality workers.
In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to the south, employees of its concessionaire, Delaware North, were ordered to leave those parks at the end of March.
Ever since the National Park Service closed Yosemite on March 20, the park has been virtually empty, other than wildlife that has come of the shadows to wander amid the meadows and empty hiking trails, as The Times reported in early April.


latimes--2020-05-08--Merchants rejoice as they finally swing open doors and greet customers — with restrictions, of cours

Merchants rejoice as they finally swing open doors and greet customers — with restrictions, of course

The congratulatory and confusing calls came flooding in Thursday for Ruben Cortez , 36 , manager of Lovell ’ s Records and Tapes in Uptown Whittier .
“ Man , I had probably around 20 to 30 calls from people asking me if the store was open or telling me they were happy and they couldn ’ t wait until tomorrow when they ‘ could finally walk inside , ’ ” Cortez said .
“ I had to tell people that the store wasn ’ t opening for people to come in , but just allowing for pickups .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” This is how the first day went as some businesses across California were allowed to open on Friday .
It was limited , halting and a bit confusing .
But merchants said they were grateful to connect with customers directly , even with all the social distancing rules and other safeguards .
Despite the confusion , the message of curbside pickup was getting through to some patrons as Cortez had five orders confirmed an hour before his shop was set to open .
“ It ’ s great , ” Cortez said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have good business through social media , mostly Instagram , and now people have been asking for the pickup service.
” While Cortez said his ideal would be to open up , he credits the community , “ from La Habra , La Mirada , Montebello , Pico Rivera and Whittier ” for rallying to save Lovell ’ s , which he contends has been in its same location since 1965 .
Lovell ’ s walls and counters are bursting with vinyl albums spanning genres from rock and indie rock to hip-hop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large collection of DVD movies , as well as rock posters that draw onlookers to stare through its large front window .
Montebello resident Ralph Rodriguez , 60 , stopped by with a bag of vinyl albums he was donating to the store .
Rodriguez , who claims he ’ s a weekly visitor , knocked to see if would be allowed to come in , before eventually being directed by Cortez to hand over the bag at the entrance door .
Both men were wearing masks .
Rodriguez took a look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag , then stepped back , turned around and walked down Greenleaf Avenue with some mixed emotions .
“ This place has so much history and I just wish I could come in , ” Rodriguez said .
“ At least it ’ s still in business.
” Uptown Whittier resident Katrina Woerner , 37 , was busy juggling three care packages in one hand and a steaming hot cup of coffee from local shop Mimo ’ s in the other as she entered Pour Le Bain Bath Shop on Greenleaf Avenue on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes before the business was set to open for curbside service , which is designated from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. , and Woerner , who helps run the family enterprise , was preparing gift baskets for pickup .
The Mother ’ s Day packages included a variety of goodies — essential oils , body washes , soaps , etc .
— that she felt were much more personal than other gifts .
“ It ’ s a great advantage to be able to come down and pick up a personalized gift for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her something off the internet , ” Woerner said .
“ We ’ re really excited about this opportunity.
” Pour Le Bain had survived primarily on internet and social media orders that were all mailed .
Woerner said the bath shop already had a few pickup orders in the queue and expected more activity as customers became aware of the policy .
“ This helps , ” Woerner said , “ at least until we can open up.
” Woerner ’ s store was one of a few that took advantage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other businesses along what is a normally bustling Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier remained closed .
A clothing boutique directly across the street from Le Bain chose not to open , instead asking customers on a posted message to continue making purchases through the store ’ s website .

The congratulatory and confusing calls came flooding in Thursday for Ruben Cortez, 36, manager of Lovell’s Records and Tapes in Uptown Whittier.
“Man, I had probably around 20 to 30 calls from people asking me if the store was open or telling me they were happy and they couldn’t wait until tomorrow when they ‘could finally walk inside,’” Cortez said. “I had to tell people that the store wasn’t opening for people to come in, but just allowing for pickups. A lot of people didn’t understand.”
This is how the first day went as some businesses across California were allowed to open on Friday. It was limited, halting and a bit confusing. But merchants said they were grateful to connect with customers directly, even with all the social distancing rules and other safeguards.
Despite the confusion, the message of curbside pickup was getting through to some patrons as Cortez had five orders confirmed an hour before his shop was set to open. “It’s great,” Cortez said. “We’ve been fortunate to have good business through social media, mostly Instagram, and now people have been asking for the pickup service.”
While Cortez said his ideal would be to open up, he credits the community, “from La Habra, La Mirada, Montebello, Pico Rivera and Whittier” for rallying to save Lovell’s, which he contends has been in its same location since 1965. Lovell’s walls and counters are bursting with vinyl albums spanning genres from rock and indie rock to hip-hop and underground.
The store also has a large collection of DVD movies, as well as rock posters that draw onlookers to stare through its large front window.
David Fernandez and Yolanda Gallegos sit with coffee from La Monarca Bakery in Whittier, which was open for takeout orders on Friday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Montebello resident Ralph Rodriguez, 60, stopped by with a bag of vinyl albums he was donating to the store. Rodriguez, who claims he’s a weekly visitor, knocked to see if would be allowed to come in, before eventually being directed by Cortez to hand over the bag at the entrance door.
Both men were wearing masks. Rodriguez took a look inside the shop while handing over the bag, then stepped back, turned around and walked down Greenleaf Avenue with some mixed emotions.
“This place has so much history and I just wish I could come in,” Rodriguez said. “At least it’s still in business.”
Uptown Whittier resident Katrina Woerner, 37, was busy juggling three care packages in one hand and a steaming hot cup of coffee from local shop Mimo’s in the other as she entered Pour Le Bain Bath Shop on Greenleaf Avenue on Friday morning.
It was still 90 minutes before the business was set to open for curbside service, which is designated from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Woerner, who helps run the family enterprise, was preparing gift baskets for pickup.
The Mother’s Day packages included a variety of goodies — essential oils, body washes, soaps, etc. — that she felt were much more personal than other gifts.
“It’s a great advantage to be able to come down and pick up a personalized gift for your mother rather than just by getting her something off the internet,” Woerner said. “We’re really excited about this opportunity.”
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Pour Le Bain had survived primarily on internet and social media orders that were all mailed. Woerner said the bath shop already had a few pickup orders in the queue and expected more activity as customers became aware of the policy.
“This helps,” Woerner said, “at least until we can open up.”
Woerner’s store was one of a few that took advantage of the new curbside service option as many other businesses along what is a normally bustling Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier remained closed.
A clothing boutique directly across the street from Le Bain chose not to open, instead asking customers on a posted message to continue making purchases through the store’s website.


latimes--2020-05-08--Coronavirus death toll rises to 71 in Orange County

Another five people have died from the coronavirus in Orange County , bringing the county ’ s total death toll to 71 , health officials announced Friday .
Since last Friday , the county has confirmed 21 new deaths linked to COVID-19 .
Sixteen of the 71 total victims were residents of nursing facilities , according to the Orange County Health Care Agency .
Those facilities , whose elderly residents tend to be particularly at risk , continue to be hot spots of coronavirus activity throughout the state .
Of those who have died from the coronavirus in Orange County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years old , and 37 have been at least 75 .
Still , Orange County ’ s observed mortality rate associated with COVID-19 is about 2.2 % — well below the statewide rate of roughly 4 % .
Orange County health officials reported another 153 coronavirus infections Friday , the second-highest one-day total since the outbreak began .
The latest cumulative case count of 3,240 includes 316 at nursing facilities and 251 in the county jail system .
As of the latest update , 188 patients were hospitalized countywide and 74 of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures have stayed relatively flat over the past week , though they vary from day to day depending on when and how many hospitals report their data .
To date , 46,372 COVID-19 tests have been conducted countywide — including 812 that were reported Friday .
Effective Wednesday , “ counts of Orange County COVID-19 tests performed replaced the count of people tested , ” according to the Health Care Agency .
“ This change more accurately reflects testing conducted by Public Health , clinical and commercial labs , ” officials wrote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite continued coronavirus activity throughout the state , California allowed more retailers and other venues to reopen Friday .
Orange County ’ s beaches — which Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered closed last week because of crowding concerns — are also back open in a limited capacity for what ’ s shaping up to be a picture-postcard sque weekend .
Newsom said earlier this week that bookstores , music stores , toy stores , florists , sporting goods stores , clothing stores and others can reopen for curbside pickup — unless local restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have taken things a step further .
One , Nomads Canteen in San Clemente , has recently offered dine-in service despite the state ’ s prohibition .

Armando Mendoza, 53, of Anaheim, who spent 45 days at St. Joseph Hospital battling COVID-19, hugs his wife Lilia after he was released Tuesday.
Another five people have died from the coronavirus in Orange County, bringing the county’s total death toll to 71, health officials announced Friday.
Since last Friday, the county has confirmed 21 new deaths linked to COVID-19.
Sixteen of the 71 total victims were residents of nursing facilities, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. Those facilities, whose elderly residents tend to be particularly at risk, continue to be hot spots of coronavirus activity throughout the state.
Of those who have died from the coronavirus in Orange County, 49 have been at least 65 years old, and 37 have been at least 75.
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Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Still, Orange County’s observed mortality rate associated with COVID-19 is about 2.2% — well below the statewide rate of roughly 4%.
Orange County health officials reported another 153 coronavirus infections Friday, the second-highest one-day total since the outbreak began.
The latest cumulative case count of 3,240 includes 316 at nursing facilities and 251 in the county jail system.
As of the latest update, 188 patients were hospitalized countywide and 74 of them were in intensive care. Both those figures have stayed relatively flat over the past week, though they vary from day to day depending on when and how many hospitals report their data.
To date, 46,372 COVID-19 tests have been conducted countywide — including 812 that were reported Friday.
Effective Wednesday, “counts of Orange County COVID-19 tests performed replaced the count of people tested,” according to the Health Care Agency.
“This change more accurately reflects testing conducted by Public Health, clinical and commercial labs,” officials wrote on the county’s data portal.
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Despite continued coronavirus activity throughout the state, California allowed more retailers and other venues to reopen Friday.
Orange County’s beaches — which Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered closed last week because of crowding concerns — are also back open in a limited capacity for what’s shaping up to be a picture-postcard sque weekend.
Newsom said earlier this week that bookstores, music stores, toy stores, florists, sporting goods stores, clothing stores and others can reopen for curbside pickup — unless local restrictions forbid it.
Some businesses, though, have taken things a step further. One, Nomads Canteen in San Clemente, has recently offered dine-in service despite the state’s prohibition.


latimes--2020-05-08--3 more inmates die at Chino prison as coronavirus infections continue to spread

As an outbreak of the coronavirus continues to rage inside the California Institution for Men in Chino , three more inmates at the prison have died , the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced Friday .
The prisoners , who died over the course of two days this week at San Bernardino County hospitals , are among a growing number of inmates who have contracted COVID-19 .
Outbreaks at federal penitentiaries at Terminal Island in San Pedro and Lompoc are among the worst in the nation .
The number of inmates infected at the Chino prison has more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prisoners are housed in large dormitories , and implementing social distancing to stem the spread of the virus has been a struggle .
The prison previously had reported only one death , on April 19 .
Dana Simas , a corrections spokeswoman , said the families of the three inmates who died have been notified .
“ No additional information is being provided to protect individual medical privacy , ” she said in a statement to The Times .
The increase in the number of coronavirus cases is a result of mass testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Lt. Thomas Lopez , a spokesman for the Chino prison .
Inmates and correctional staff at the prison have pushed for more widespread testing as fear has grown that asymptomatic prisoners may be infecting others with existing medical conditions that make them more vulnerable .
Debra Harrison Blagg said she fears for her husband , John Blagg , who is serving eight years for driving under the influence and has suffered three prior heart attacks .
“ I am so scared for John I can not stop crying , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effort to reduce the state ’ s inmate population by thousands in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus , saying the state has already made “ numerous and significant ” changes .
U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar said California has taken measures to reduce overcrowding , including halting the admission of an expected 3,000 new inmates from county jails and the planned early release of some over the next two months .
State lawyers say that the corrections agency is implementing a social distancing plan involving pods in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is rearranged to have each pod more than six feet from others .
But with 45,000 inmates in the system having medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the virus , attorneys argue more must be done .
Nationally , more than 14,500 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Forty-four inmates have died in federal prisons , according to the federal Bureau of Prisons .
The Marshall Project prison tracker had documented 218 deaths related to the coronavirus as of last week among all types of incarceration .
In California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Correctional Institute at Lompoc skyrocketed in the last week as well .
Nearly half of the inmates — 541 men — have tested positive as mass testing of all inmates got underway .
Eleven staff members are also infected at the facility , which houses 1,162 low-security inmates .
A military mobile hospital has been built on the grounds to cope with the growing number of sick .
At a neighboring medium-security prison , 33 inmates and 14 staff are infected .
Lompoc is now has the second-largest COVID-19 outbreak among federal facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates have been infected and six have died .
In an effort to keep the infection rate down , inmates have been spread out across the Terminal Island complex using a factory and U.S. Coast Guard facilities .
Federal prison officials and Los Angeles County public health officials have said that the numbers are high because so many of the inmates have been tested .
Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan ( D-San Pedro ) said this week after speaking to the warden that she was disappointed with the efforts to release inmates there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ only five have actually been released from the low-security facility that houses just over a 1,000 medically vulnerable inmates .
The wife of one inmate , who asked not to be identified , said once her husband contracted the virus at Terminal Island , he was taken to a San Pedro hospital , but it took her days to find out where he was .
She said she didn ’ t learn how serious his condition was until she spoke with a hospital chaplain .
The woman said her husband survived the illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but is struggling to recover .
“ He is very weak .
He fell down in the shower , ” she said .

Three more inmates have died of COVID-19 at the California Institution for Men in Chino.
As an outbreak of the coronavirus continues to rage inside the California Institution for Men in Chino, three more inmates at the prison have died, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced Friday.
The prisoners, who died over the course of two days this week at San Bernardino County hospitals, are among a growing number of inmates who have contracted COVID-19. Outbreaks at federal penitentiaries at Terminal Island in San Pedro and Lompoc are among the worst in the nation.
The number of inmates infected at the Chino prison has more than doubled to 332, officials said. Prisoners are housed in large dormitories, and implementing social distancing to stem the spread of the virus has been a struggle. The prison previously had reported only one death, on April 19.
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Dana Simas, a corrections spokeswoman, said the families of the three inmates who died have been notified. “No additional information is being provided to protect individual medical privacy,” she said in a statement to The Times.
The increase in the number of coronavirus cases is a result of mass testing of inmates regardless of symptoms, according to Lt. Thomas Lopez, a spokesman for the Chino prison. Inmates and correctional staff at the prison have pushed for more widespread testing as fear has grown that asymptomatic prisoners may be infecting others with existing medical conditions that make them more vulnerable.
Debra Harrison Blagg said she fears for her husband, John Blagg, who is serving eight years for driving under the influence and has suffered three prior heart attacks.
“I am so scared for John I cannot stop crying,” she said.
A federal judge last month rejected an effort to reduce the state’s inmate population by thousands in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, saying the state has already made “numerous and significant” changes.
U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar said California has taken measures to reduce overcrowding, including halting the admission of an expected 3,000 new inmates from county jails and the planned early release of some 3,500 inmates over the next two months.
State lawyers say that the corrections agency is implementing a social distancing plan involving pods in which groups of inmates are separated and bedding is rearranged to have each pod more than six feet from others. But with 45,000 inmates in the system having medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the virus, attorneys argue more must be done.
Nationally, more than 14,500 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Forty-four inmates have died in federal prisons, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons. The Marshall Project prison tracker had documented 218 deaths related to the coronavirus as of last week among all types of incarceration.
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In California, the number of inmates at the Federal Correctional Institute at Lompoc skyrocketed in the last week as well. Nearly 70% of the inmates — 792 men — have tested positive as mass testing of all inmates got underway.
Eleven staff members are also infected at the facility, which houses 1,162 low-security inmates. A military mobile hospital has been built on the grounds to cope with the growing number of sick. At a neighboring medium-security prison, 33 inmates and 14 staff are infected.
Lompoc is now has the second-largest COVID-19 outbreak among federal facilities, behind Terminal Island, where 644 inmates have been infected and six have died. In an effort to keep the infection rate down, inmates have been spread out across the Terminal Island complex using a factory and U.S. Coast Guard facilities.
Federal prison officials and Los Angeles County public health officials have said that the numbers are high because so many of the inmates have been tested.
Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-San Pedro) said this week after speaking to the warden that she was disappointed with the efforts to release inmates there. Only 46 prisoners are being considered and only five have actually been released from the low-security facility that houses just over a 1,000 medically vulnerable inmates.
The wife of one inmate, who asked not to be identified, said once her husband contracted the virus at Terminal Island, he was taken to a San Pedro hospital, but it took her days to find out where he was. She said she didn’t learn how serious his condition was until she spoke with a hospital chaplain.
The woman said her husband survived the illness and is now back at the prison but is struggling to recover. “He is very weak. He fell down in the shower,” she said.