latimes--2020-02-09--Another flight carrying Americans fleeing coronavirus lands in Southern California

Another flight carrying Americans fleeing the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan , China , arrived Friday at a Southern California military base .
The plane was one of two chartered by the Defense Department to carry about 300 passengers to the U.S. , the Pentagon said Thursday night in a statement .
One of the aircraft landed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego shortly before 9 a.m. , Lance Cpl .
Andrew Hiatt said .
The flight first stopped in Vancouver , where about 30 Canadian nationals deplaned .
Defense Department officials said they offered seats to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all U.S. citizens were accommodated .
Of the 232 people quarantined at Miramar , seven have been transported to local hospitals for evaluation after reporting possible coronavirus symptoms , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday .
Two of them have tested negative , while results for five others were still pending as of Sunday afternoon .
The second flight landed at Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento , where 53 evacuees departed and joined those already under quarantine at the base , a group that now totals 234 people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flew on to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio , where more passengers were expected to deplane , and then to Camp Ashland in Omaha .
Once at Travis , four of the passengers were found to have a fever , a possible symptom of coronavirus , and were taken to a local hospital , the CDC said .
They were placed in isolation and were continuing to be evaluated Saturday .
Another person who arrived at Travis on an evacuation flight that landed Wednesday was also hospitalized after reporting possible symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , passengers on both flights were placed under 14-day quarantine ordered by the CDC .
The new strain of coronavirus has infected more than 37,000 people and killed more than 800 since it emerged in China in late December .
In the U.S. , 12 people have become infected in six states — six in California , two in Illinois and one each in Arizona , Massachusetts , Washington and Wisconsin .
All of the patients had either recently traveled to China or , in two cases , had close contact with someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advised against all travel to China because of the virus and has said that any Americans there should try to return to the U.S .
Most commercial airlines have suspended or reduced flights between the two countries .
Last week , the Trump administration declared a public health emergency and announced restrictions on people traveling to the U.S. from China .
Now , foreign nationals who recently visited China aren ’ t allowed to enter the U.S. , and returning American citizens are subject to 14-day quarantines .
On Saturday , the Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 1,000 people who may need to be quarantined upon arrival from overseas travel at four facilities , including Travis and Miramar .
On Wednesday , the Pentagon said it had also been asked to identify 11 military installations near major airports that could house about 220 additional people under quarantine , if needed .
Those “ tertiary locations , ” each of which could accommodate about 20 travelers if backup housing options become full , included Travis , which is not far from San Francisco International Airport , and March Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport , the Pentagon said in a statement .
In total , the Defense Department has conducted five flights evacuating more than 800 people from Wuhan .
The Defense Department does not anticipate staging additional flights , officials said Friday .
In addition to the passengers who arrived Friday , nearly 550 people are already under federal quarantine at military bases in California .
Two jets carrying about 350 passengers landed in the state on Wednesday — one at Travis Air Force Base and one at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the people quarantined at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar have been taken to local hospitals after showing symptoms of the virus , the CDC has said .
In addition , 195 Americans who were evacuated from the U.S. Consulate in Wuhan have been under quarantine at March Air Reserve Base since late last month .
Of the group , two children were taken to local hospitals after developing a fever .
On Monday , one of the children was returned to the base after testing negative for coronavirus .
The second child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after also testing negative , a spokesman for the Riverside County Department of Public Health said .
In a separate incident , another person traveling from mainland China was transferred from Los Angeles International Airport to March Air Reserve Base on Monday .
That person was screened for the virus and released after a short quarantine , officials said .

A second flight carrying U.S. citizens fleeing the coronavirus outbreak in China arrives at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on Friday.
Another flight carrying Americans fleeing the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, arrived Friday at a Southern California military base.
The plane was one of two chartered by the Defense Department to carry about 300 passengers to the U.S., the Pentagon said Thursday night in a statement.
One of the aircraft landed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego shortly before 9 a.m., Lance Cpl. Andrew Hiatt said. The flight first stopped in Vancouver, where about 30 Canadian nationals deplaned. Defense Department officials said they offered seats to the Canadians because there was extra room after all U.S. citizens were accommodated.
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Of the 232 people quarantined at Miramar, seven have been transported to local hospitals for evaluation after reporting possible coronavirus symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday. Two of them have tested negative, while results for five others were still pending as of Sunday afternoon.
The second flight landed at Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento, where 53 evacuees departed and joined those already under quarantine at the base, a group that now totals 234 people, a CDC spokesman said. The plane flew on to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where more passengers were expected to deplane, and then to Camp Ashland in Omaha.
Once at Travis, four of the passengers were found to have a fever, a possible symptom of coronavirus, and were taken to a local hospital, the CDC said. They were placed in isolation and were continuing to be evaluated Saturday. Another person who arrived at Travis on an evacuation flight that landed Wednesday was also hospitalized after reporting possible symptoms, the CDC said.
Upon arrival, passengers on both flights were placed under 14-day quarantine ordered by the CDC.
The new strain of coronavirus has infected more than 37,000 people and killed more than 800 since it emerged in China in late December.
In the U.S., 12 people have become infected in six states — six in California, two in Illinois and one each in Arizona, Massachusetts, Washington and Wisconsin. All of the patients had either recently traveled to China or, in two cases, had close contact with someone who had.
The State Department has advised against all travel to China because of the virus and has said that any Americans there should try to return to the U.S. Most commercial airlines have suspended or reduced flights between the two countries.
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Last week, the Trump administration declared a public health emergency and announced restrictions on people traveling to the U.S. from China. Now, foreign nationals who recently visited China aren’t allowed to enter the U.S., and returning American citizens are subject to 14-day quarantines.
On Saturday, the Defense Department announced it had agreed to house up to 1,000 people who may need to be quarantined upon arrival from overseas travel at four facilities, including Travis and Miramar.
On Wednesday, the Pentagon said it had also been asked to identify 11 military installations near major airports that could house about 220 additional people under quarantine, if needed. Those “tertiary locations,” each of which could accommodate about 20 travelers if backup housing options become full, included Travis, which is not far from San Francisco International Airport, and March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, because of its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport, the Pentagon said in a statement.
In total, the Defense Department has conducted five flights evacuating more than 800 people from Wuhan. The Defense Department does not anticipate staging additional flights, officials said Friday.
In addition to the passengers who arrived Friday, nearly 550 people are already under federal quarantine at military bases in California.
Two jets carrying about 350 passengers landed in the state on Wednesday — one at Travis Air Force Base and one at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Five of the people quarantined at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar have been taken to local hospitals after showing symptoms of the virus, the CDC has said.
In addition, 195 Americans who were evacuated from the U.S. Consulate in Wuhan have been under quarantine at March Air Reserve Base since late last month. Of the group, two children were taken to local hospitals after developing a fever. On Monday, one of the children was returned to the base after testing negative for coronavirus. The second child was returning to the base on Saturday after also testing negative, a spokesman for the Riverside County Department of Public Health said.
In a separate incident, another person traveling from mainland China was transferred from Los Angeles International Airport to March Air Reserve Base on Monday. That person was screened for the virus and released after a short quarantine, officials said.


latimes--2020-02-08--Paramount Ranch's majestic Witness Tree to be cut down, a victim of Woolsey fire

A majestic oak tree at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills that experts believe could be more than a century old will be cut down this month , a victim of the destructive Woolsey fire , which charred more than half of the Santa Monica Mountains in 2018 .
The venerable tree with its sprawling branches was given more than a year to show signs of recovery and life after the fire swept through the area , but decay set in and fungi took hold , park officials said .
The dead tree will be cut down by the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could pose a safety hazard .
The iconic Valley oak is known as the Witness Tree , a name given to trees that have been present during key events in history .
The tree has served as a backdrop for countless weddings , family photos and special occasions , and even appeared in television shows .
Visitors ’ last chance to say goodbye to the Witness Tree is Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at a formal farewell .
The public was invited to bring their photos of the tree to display during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were to be present to answer questions .
There is also a contest to guess the tree ’ s age , which will be determined by counting its rings after it ’ s cut down .
“ We ’ re trying to take what is otherwise a pretty sad event for the community and instill a little bit of fun into it , ” said Beatriz Cholo , spokeswoman for the National Park Service .
As of Saturday morning , she had received over 100 responses from as far away as Switzerland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine , grew up here and they moved on , but the tree has remained a fixture in their memories , ” she said .
Park staffers believe it ’ s at least 100 years old because it can be seen in photos from the early 1920s , Cholo said .
The tree once stood in the center of Paramount Ranch ’ s Western Town , used for movie and TV shoots .
The collection of rustic buildings doubled as the Colorado mining town in the television show “ Dr .
Quinn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the backdrop for HBO ’ s “ Westworld.
” All of the buildings were destroyed in the Woolsey fire .
A barn next to the Witness Tree burned for hours , and heat from the flames is believed to have contributed to the intense damage the tree sustained .
“ It ’ s already kind of leaning a little bit , ” Cholo said .
“ It has twin trunks , so we don ’ t want to take any chances on it hurting anyone.
” The tree will be cut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used for items such as hitching posts , signs and benches for Paramount Ranch ’ s planned reconstruction of Western Town .

A majestic oak tree at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills that experts believe could be more than a century old will be cut down this month, a victim of the destructive Woolsey fire, which charred more than half of the Santa Monica Mountains in 2018.
The venerable tree with its sprawling branches was given more than a year to show signs of recovery and life after the fire swept through the area, but decay set in and fungi took hold, park officials said.
The dead tree will be cut down by the end of the month due to fears that it could pose a safety hazard.
The iconic Valley oak is known as the Witness Tree, a name given to trees that have been present during key events in history. The tree has served as a backdrop for countless weddings, family photos and special occasions, and even appeared in television shows.
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Visitors’ last chance to say goodbye to the Witness Tree is Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at a formal farewell. The public was invited to bring their photos of the tree to display during the gathering. Staff and volunteer historians were to be present to answer questions. There is also a contest to guess the tree’s age, which will be determined by counting its rings after it’s cut down.
“We’re trying to take what is otherwise a pretty sad event for the community and instill a little bit of fun into it,” said Beatriz Cholo, spokeswoman for the National Park Service. As of Saturday morning, she had received over 100 responses from as far away as Switzerland.
“A lot of people, I imagine, grew up here and they moved on, but the tree has remained a fixture in their memories,” she said.
Park staffers believe it’s at least 100 years old because it can be seen in photos from the early 1920s, Cholo said.
The tree once stood in the center of Paramount Ranch’s Western Town, used for movie and TV shoots. The collection of rustic buildings doubled as the Colorado mining town in the television show “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” and more recently served as the backdrop for HBO’s “Westworld.”
All of the buildings were destroyed in the Woolsey fire. A barn next to the Witness Tree burned for hours, and heat from the flames is believed to have contributed to the intense damage the tree sustained.
“It’s already kind of leaning a little bit,” Cholo said. “It has twin trunks, so we don’t want to take any chances on it hurting anyone.”
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The tree will be cut down in mid-February and its wood will be used for items such as hitching posts, signs and benches for Paramount Ranch’s planned reconstruction of Western Town.


latimes--2020-02-09--San Diego Symphony's new seaside venue, the Shell, readies for a summer debut

The San Diego Symphony will start a new chapter with the July 10 opening of its new , year-round $ 45 million outdoor concert and events venue , the Shell .
The new facility will replace the symphony ’ s longtime seasonal Bayside Summer Nights venue , which was located at the same downtown Embarcadero Marina Park South site but had to be set up from scratch each June and then disassembled in September .
The Shell is named both for its design and in honor of its waterfront location between Coronado and the San Diego Convention Center .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage , ensconced by a 57-foot steel shell that measures 33,000 square feet , weighs 270,000 pounds and is covered with two layers of a white , PVC-like fabric .
Its appearance may remind some concertgoers of a more intimate version of the Hollywood Bowl .
To celebrate the debut of the Shell , the 111-year-old symphony will host the longest summer-and-beyond outdoor concert season in its history .
Confirmed artists include jazz guitarist Pat Metheny , New Zealand rock band Crowded House , Motown legends Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peters and Jennifer Hudson .
Rafael Payare , who last fall debuted as the symphony ’ s new music director , will conduct at least two concerts this summer at the Shell , starting with the July 10 season opener .
“ The Shell will add greatly to the vibrancy of our city , ” said symphony Chief Executive Martha Gilmer .
“ And there are performances we ’ re producing that you won ’ t be able to hear anywhere else.
” The 2020 lineup at the new venue also includes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aida Cueva , neo-R & B star Maxwell and vocalist Bobby McFerrin , one of three musicians to be named a 2020 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters honoree .
The Shell will have a flexible seating capacity that will enable it to accommodate between 2,000 and 10,000 attendees per event , as opposed to the 2,900-to-4,000 capacity at the symphony ’ s 2019 summer concerts .
Most of the 2020 season concerts will have a seating capacity of 3,660 , a number that will increase to around 5,000 for Jennifer Hudson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular concert on Sept. 13 .
Ground for the new venue was broken last fall , after the Port of San Diego agreed to lease a 3.68-acre site on Embarcadero Marina Park to the symphony for up to 50 years .
In addition to its permanent new stage , the Shell will include backstage dressing rooms with showers , an on-site music library to house the musical scores performed by the orchestra and a VIP lounge .
The rear of the stage area will include a 5,445-square-foot public viewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 68-stall restroom , part of which will be open year-round to the public .
The concert site will also be rented out , be it for private functions , groups meeting at the adjacent San Diego Convention Center or other events .
If all goes according to plan , the Shell could quickly become a major asset for the city and the symphony , whose annual fall-through-spring concert season is held indoors at downtown ’ s nearby Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Center .
The new outdoor venue has been funded largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gilmer noted .
“ The Shell has been the dream and hope of a lot of people for a long time — 17 years — a coming together of nature and culture , ” she said .
“ I get very emotional about it , because this site has created incredible memories for people who have attended concerts at it for a long time .
But this is also an opportunity for people who haven ’ t been here yet to discover it.
” Where the symphony ’ s previous summer concert seasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September , the 2020 edition will extend from July 10 to Oct. 1 .
The expanded seating capacity means that , rather than have some of the same concerts be repeated over two consecutive nights — as was the case at least six times in 2019 — a greater variety of individual concerts can be held .
The stage will be equipped with a Meyer Sound Constellation System , along with an expansive new lighting system .
Except for the VIP tables immediately in front of the stage , the seating areas will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide optimal views of the performers .
The maximum volume level for all concerts will be 98 decibels .
Audio monitoring devices will be installed across the bay in Coronado to ensure the volume level there does not exceed 45 decibels during concerts held at the Shell .
“ We are investing a significant amount of money to make this a premier venue , ” Gilmer said .
“ It is important to us that we do everything right.
” For now , at least , the venue will be simply known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a corporate sponsor affixed to it , although that could change .
“ It ’ s a distinct possibility , ” Gilmer said .
“ But a decision might not be made to do so until a future year.
” Under any name , she said , the Shell should thrive .
“ There will be programming year-round at the Shell , “ Gilmer said .
“ But the next chapter is : ‘ How can we activate the park at Shell Park ?
’ Because , 85 % of the time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public ... .
There are more chapters and innovations to come , because it ’ s a great , welcoming venue .
”

The San Diego Symphony will start a new chapter with the July 10 opening of its new, year-round $45-million outdoor concert and events venue, the Shell.
The new facility will replace the symphony’s longtime seasonal Bayside Summer Nights venue, which was located at the same downtown Embarcadero Marina Park South site but had to be set up from scratch each June and then disassembled in September.
The Shell is named both for its design and in honor of its waterfront location between Coronado and the San Diego Convention Center. The new venue will feature a 13,015-square-foot outdoor stage, ensconced by a 57-foot steel shell that measures 33,000 square feet, weighs 270,000 pounds and is covered with two layers of a white, PVC-like fabric. Its appearance may remind some concertgoers of a more intimate version of the Hollywood Bowl.
To celebrate the debut of the Shell, the 111-year-old symphony will host the longest summer-and-beyond outdoor concert season in its history. Confirmed artists include jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, New Zealand rock band Crowded House, Motown legends Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight, and Broadway singing stars Audra McDonald, Bernadette Peters and Jennifer Hudson.
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Rafael Payare, who last fall debuted as the symphony’s new music director, will conduct at least two concerts this summer at the Shell, starting with the July 10 season opener.
“The Shell will add greatly to the vibrancy of our city,” symphony Chief Executive Martha Gilmer said. “And there are performances we’re producing that you won’t be able to hear anywhere else.”
A construction crew works on the San Diego Symphony’s new concert venue, the Shell, located at Embarcadero Marina Park South behind the San Diego Convention Center. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
The 2020 lineup at the new venue also includes the Beach Boys, Mexican ranchera music mainstay Aida Cueva, neo-R&B star Maxwell and vocalist Bobby McFerrin, one of three musicians to be named a 2020 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters honoree.
The Shell will have a flexible seating capacity that will enable it to accommodate between 2,000 and 10,000 attendees per event, as opposed to the 2,900-to-4,000 capacity at the symphony’s 2019 summer concerts.
Most of the 2020 season concerts will have a seating capacity of 3,660, a number that will increase to around 5,000 for Jennifer Hudson’s July 12 concert and 6,000 for the 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular concert on Sept. 13.
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Ground for the new venue was broken last fall, after the Port of San Diego agreed to lease a 3.68-acre site on Embarcadero Marina Park to the symphony for up to 50 years. In addition to its permanent new stage, the Shell will include backstage dressing rooms with showers, an on-site music library to house the musical scores performed by the orchestra and a VIP lounge.
The rear of the stage area will include a 5,445-square-foot public viewing deck. The symphony is also building a 68-stall restroom, part of which will be open year-round to the public. The concert site will also be rented out, be it for private functions, groups meeting at the adjacent San Diego Convention Center or other events.
If all goes according to plan, the Shell could quickly become a major asset for the city and the symphony, whose annual fall-through-spring concert season is held indoors at downtown’s nearby Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Center. The new outdoor venue has been funded largely by private donations, Symphony CEO Gilmer noted.
“The Shell has been the dream and hope of a lot of people for a long time — 17 years — a coming together of nature and culture,” she said.
“I get very emotional about it, because this site has created incredible memories for people who have attended concerts at it for a long time. But this is also an opportunity for people who haven’t been here yet to discover it.”
Where the symphony’s previous summer concert seasons typically ran from late June to early September, the 2020 edition will extend from July 10 to Oct. 1. The expanded seating capacity means that, rather than have some of the same concerts be repeated over two consecutive nights — as was the case at least six times in 2019 — a greater variety of individual concerts can be held.
The stage will be equipped with a Meyer Sound Constellation System, along with an expansive new lighting system. Except for the VIP tables immediately in front of the stage, the seating areas will be on a gently sloping terrace to provide optimal views of the performers.
The maximum volume level for all concerts will be 98 decibels. Audio monitoring devices will be installed across the bay in Coronado to ensure the volume level there does not exceed 45 decibels during concerts held at the Shell.
“We are investing a significant amount of money to make this a premier venue,” Gilmer said. “It is important to us that we do everything right.”
For now, at least, the venue will be simply known as the Shell, without the name of a corporate sponsor affixed to it, although that could change.
“It’s a distinct possibility,” Gilmer said. “But a decision might not be made to do so until a future year.”
Under any name, she said, the Shell should thrive.
“There will be programming year-round at the Shell,“ Gilmer said. “But the next chapter is: ‘How can we activate the park at Shell Park?’ Because, 85% of the time, the park will remain open to the public.... There are more chapters and innovations to come, because it’s a great, welcoming venue.”
Varga writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.


latimes--2020-02-09--Orson Bean's death on Venice street sparks mourning and concern over pedestrian safety

The death of Orson Bean , the 91-year-old veteran actor-comedian , has prompted an outpouring of grief in the Los Angeles theater community and also prompted new concerns about pedestrian safety in a city that has struggled to reduce deaths .
Bean was killed when he was hit by two cars Friday night while crossing Venice Boulevard on his way to see a play .
Here is what we know : Bean ’ s death comes as new figures show that the number of people killed in car crashes in Los Angeles remains stubbornly high .
In 2019 , four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic deaths on city streets , 244 people died in collisions in Los Angeles , including 134 pedestrians and 19 cyclists .
Since Vision Zero was launched in 2015 , the number of pedestrians , vehicle occupants , bicyclists and motorcyclists killed annually in traffic crashes has risen 33 % .
Fatalities surged in 2016 from 183 to 253 , and have fallen 3.6 % since then .
Los Angeles has yet to achieve the first major benchmark set out in Vision Zero : a 20 % reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve in 2017 .
Reducing deaths by half by 2020 , the next goal on the city ’ s list , would require reducing fatalities this year by more than 100 .
Los Angeles police said Bean was on Venice Boulevard near the Pacific Resident Theatre outside a marked crosswalk around 7:30 p.m. Friday when he was struck by a Honda Civic traveling west .
He was hit a second time by a Toyota Prius .
Both drivers remained on the scene .
Judith Borne , publicist for the theater , said Bean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife , Alley Mills , who was volunteering as an usher , to watch a production of Arthur Miller ’ s play “ All My Sons.
” He had parked on the opposite side of the street and was crossing alone .
“ Many of us do this , including the audience , ” Borne said .
“ The crosswalk is out of the way .
Many people … just cross ” the lanes .
Borne , who did not witness the incident but heard from others who were at the scene , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bean , he fell .
Then a second car hit him and didn ’ t stop right away .
Bean was dragged for about a quarter of a block , she said .
Marilyn Fox , the theater ’ s artistic director , was outside when the crash happened .
She said Saturday she saw an “ explosion ” of debris and that Mills ran after a car .
Someone went inside to tell others that Bean had been struck .
Friday night ’ s performance , scheduled for 8 p.m. , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were going to have a show at that moment , ” Fox said .
Pedestrians are involved in a fraction of the traffic crashes in Los Angeles but represent a disproportionate number of the victims .
Over a five-year period in the last decade , people on foot were involved in 8 % of collisions but represented 44 % of those killed , according to city data .
The death of a 4-year-old struck and killed by a driver while she was walking to school with her mother in Koreatown became a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a left turn into the crosswalk , had her own children in the backseat , police said .
The girl ’ s death sparked an outcry among advocates , who staged a “ die-in ” at Los Angeles City Hall to voice their frustrations with the city ’ s lack of progress on Vision Zero .
In response to the most pedestrian death numbers , the Transportation Department made more changes to streets in L.A. in 2019 than in the prior two years combined , spokeswoman Connie Llanos told The Times earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crosswalks , traffic signals , intersections and other elements of the street are designed to improve the safety of the street .

A makeshift memorial for actor Orson Bean, who died after being struck by two cars Friday night in Venice.
The death of Orson Bean, the 91-year-old veteran actor-comedian, has prompted an outpouring of grief in the Los Angeles theater community and also prompted new concerns about pedestrian safety in a city that has struggled to reduce deaths.
Bean was killed when he was hit by two cars Friday night while crossing Venice Boulevard on his way to see a play.
Here is what we know:
A daunting problem
Bean’s death comes as new figures show that the number of people killed in car crashes in Los Angeles remains stubbornly high. In 2019, four years after Mayor Eric Garcetti launched the Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic deaths on city streets, 244 people died in collisions in Los Angeles, including 134 pedestrians and 19 cyclists.
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Since Vision Zero was launched in 2015, the number of pedestrians, vehicle occupants, bicyclists and motorcyclists killed annually in traffic crashes has risen 33%. Fatalities surged in 2016 from 183 to 253, and have fallen 3.6% since then.
Los Angeles has yet to achieve the first major benchmark set out in Vision Zero: a 20% reduction in deaths that officials had hoped to achieve in 2017. Reducing deaths by half by 2020, the next goal on the city’s list, would require reducing fatalities this year by more than 100.
A death in Venice
Los Angeles police said Bean was on Venice Boulevard near the Pacific Resident Theatre outside a marked crosswalk around 7:30 p.m. Friday when he was struck by a Honda Civic traveling west. He was hit a second time by a Toyota Prius. Both drivers remained on the scene.
Judith Borne, publicist for the theater, said Bean was on his way to meet his wife, Alley Mills, who was volunteering as an usher, to watch a production of Arthur Miller’s play “All My Sons.” He had parked on the opposite side of the street and was crossing alone.
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“Many of us do this, including the audience,” Borne said. “The crosswalk is out of the way. Many people … just cross” the lanes.
Borne, who did not witness the incident but heard from others who were at the scene, said that after the first vehicle clipped Bean, he fell. Then a second car hit him and didn’t stop right away. Bean was dragged for about a quarter of a block, she said.
Marilyn Fox, the theater’s artistic director, was outside when the crash happened. She said Saturday she saw an “explosion” of debris and that Mills ran after a car. Someone went inside to tell others that Bean had been struck. Friday night’s performance, scheduled for 8 p.m., was canceled.
“There was no way we were going to have a show at that moment,” Fox said.
A larger movement
Pedestrians are involved in a fraction of the traffic crashes in Los Angeles but represent a disproportionate number of the victims. Over a five-year period in the last decade, people on foot were involved in 8% of collisions but represented 44% of those killed, according to city data.
The death of a 4-year-old struck and killed by a driver while she was walking to school with her mother in Koreatown became a rallying cry. The driver, who made a left turn into the crosswalk, had her own children in the backseat, police said.
The girl’s death sparked an outcry among advocates, who staged a “die-in” at Los Angeles City Hall to voice their frustrations with the city’s lack of progress on Vision Zero.
In response to the most pedestrian death numbers, the Transportation Department made more changes to streets in L.A. in 2019 than in the prior two years combined, spokeswoman Connie Llanos told The Times earlier this month. Those 1,529 modifications to crosswalks, traffic signals, intersections and other elements of the street are designed to improve the safety of the street.
Times staff writer Laura J. Nelson contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-10--Column: Iowa doesn't represent America's diversity. It shouldn't set the tone for a presidential ele

Column: Iowa doesn't represent America's diversity. It shouldn't set the tone for a presidential election

California voters finally are in position to influence the nomination of a presidential candidate .
But elsewhere the Democrats ’ nominating process needs to be chucked .
The long-ballyhooed Iowa caucuses and the hallowed New Hampshire primary should be stripped of their first-in-the-nation privileges before the next presidential election .
These pipsqueak states have been allowed to kick off the national nominating process for far too long .
Even if Iowa hadn ’ t booted the head count on its chaotic caucuses night , the Hawkeye and Granite states should not influence the candidates ’ fates disproportionately to their small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are roughly 90 % white .
The nation is around 60 % white .
OK , maybe size shouldn ’ t matter .
But a representative sample of racial and ethnic voters should .
There are other states of similar size with much more diverse electorates .
For example , in the West there ’ s Oregon , Nevada , Arizona and New Mexico .
Eastern politicians would squawk that campaigning out here would be too inconvenient .
Yeah , so ?
Western politicians have been complaining about New Hampshire ’ s inconvenience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina is 64 % white with a large black population that dominates the Democratic electorate .
Its primary is already the fourth contest in the lineup , after Iowa , New Hampshire and Nevada .
So advance South Carolina a couple of steps .
Or let it lead off the whole shebang with Nevada .
In the nation ’ s center , Oklahoma is much more diverse than Iowa .
Make it one of the early contests .
And Iowa ’ s neighbor , Illinois , is a clone of America .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 million people — 63 % white , 17 % Latino , 14 % black and 5 % Asian .
That ’ s pretty close to the nation as a whole .
It has “ Big Shoulders ” Chicago and rural life downstate — something for everybody .
It ’ s also plenty convenient for practically any candidate .
I ’ d start the nominating process with the Illinois primary and be happy about it .
Enough of pampered Iowa and New Hampshire .
One can argue that despite Iowa ’ s lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started the first black president on his way to the White House .
Barack Obama won there in 2008 .
But I agree with Obama ’ s former Housing and Urban Development secretary , Julian Castro .
Before dropping out of the 2020 race , he told reporters last November : “ We can ’ t as a Democratic Party continually and justifiably complain about Republicans who suppress the vote of people of color and then turn around and start our nominating contest in two states that , even though they take their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color.
” Defenders of Iowa and New Hampshire point out that these tiny , compact states keep alive “ retail ” politics .
Candidates discuss issues one on one with individual voters or in small groups gathered in coffee shops .
They don ’ t need to spend millions on TV ads like candidates do in far-flung , heavily populated California .
“ Voters take the primary seriously , ” says Steve Maviglio , a California Democratic strategist who grew up in New Hampshire and was elected to the Legislature there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as often as you want — not through a 30-second TV ad or Facebook spot .
There ’ s value in that for the democratic system .
“ It ’ s not a bunch of cows in a pasture either .
There ’ s a tech belt , old mill towns with blue-collar workers and commuters from Boston .
And while it ’ s not ethnically diverse , voters share the same concerns as Democrats do nationally.
” Fine .
But my argument is that there are other small states where the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they ’ re more diverse .
Give some of them a crack at being first .
And don ’ t remind me that New Hampshire state law requires its primary to be the nation ’ s first .
The Democratic National Committee doesn ’ t have to follow that law .
It could refuse to accept the primary results .
The state ’ s delegates could be barred from the national convention .
“ Certainly states that are more representative of the country ’ s population should be reflected in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says California Secretary of State Alex Padilla , who runs our election system .
Another reform that needs to happen is scuttling the whole caucus contraption — and not just because Iowans couldn ’ t count straight .
“ I like the people of Iowa .
They work hard at being responsible , ” says Democratic strategist Bill Carrick , who has managed presidential races there .
“ But the truth is , you have to be able to count the results .
Maybe the caucus process is just out of date .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know how they survive in this era.
” I used to like caucuses .
Now I don ’ t .
In an Iowa caucus , there aren ’ t secret ballots .
People must commit themselves to three hours in a school cafeteria or gymnasium .
It ’ s usually freezing outside with snow and ice .
Turnout is abysmal .
Many seniors and people with disabilities can ’ t handle it .
Neither can workers on night shifts .
And the whole thing is convoluted .
Just let people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place — or mail it in .
Like in California .
Nevada has a simpler caucus system .
But it also should turn to a primary because it ’ s more democratic .
For too many elections , California has relegated itself to the nosebleed seats and squinted at the race .
Or if we were up close , the contest had practically run its course .
But on Super Tuesday — March 3 — we ’ ll at last be in the heat of the action with 13 other primary states .
@ @ @

California voters finally are in position to influence the nomination of a presidential candidate. But elsewhere the Democrats’ nominating process needs to be chucked.
The long-ballyhooed Iowa caucuses and the hallowed New Hampshire primary should be stripped of their first-in-the-nation privileges before the next presidential election.
These pipsqueak states have been allowed to kick off the national nominating process for far too long. Even if Iowa hadn’t booted the head count on its chaotic caucuses night, the Hawkeye and Granite states should not influence the candidates’ fates disproportionately to their small size and homogeneous population.
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Both states are roughly 90% white. The nation is around 60% white.
OK, maybe size shouldn’t matter. But a representative sample of racial and ethnic voters should. There are other states of similar size with much more diverse electorates.
For example, in the West there’s Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. Eastern politicians would squawk that campaigning out here would be too inconvenient. Yeah, so? Western politicians have been complaining about New Hampshire’s inconvenience for decades.
In the East, South Carolina is 64% white with a large black population that dominates the Democratic electorate. Its primary is already the fourth contest in the lineup, after Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. So advance South Carolina a couple of steps. Or let it lead off the whole shebang with Nevada.
In the nation’s center, Oklahoma is much more diverse than Iowa. Make it one of the early contests.
And Iowa’s neighbor, Illinois, is a clone of America.
Illinois is the sixth-largest state with about 13 million people — 63% white, 17% Latino, 14% black and 5% Asian. That’s pretty close to the nation as a whole. It has “Big Shoulders” Chicago and rural life downstate — something for everybody. It’s also plenty convenient for practically any candidate.
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I’d start the nominating process with the Illinois primary and be happy about it.
Enough of pampered Iowa and New Hampshire.
One can argue that despite Iowa’s lack of racial diversity, however, it started the first black president on his way to the White House. Barack Obama won there in 2008.
But I agree with Obama’s former Housing and Urban Development secretary, Julian Castro. Before dropping out of the 2020 race, he told reporters last November:
“We can’t as a Democratic Party continually and justifiably complain about Republicans who suppress the vote of people of color and then turn around and start our nominating contest in two states that, even though they take their role seriously, hardly have any people of color.”
Defenders of Iowa and New Hampshire point out that these tiny, compact states keep alive “retail” politics. Candidates discuss issues one on one with individual voters or in small groups gathered in coffee shops.
They don’t need to spend millions on TV ads like candidates do in far-flung, heavily populated California.
“Voters take the primary seriously,” says Steve Maviglio, a California Democratic strategist who grew up in New Hampshire and was elected to the Legislature there. “You can hear directly from candidates as often as you want — not through a 30-second TV ad or Facebook spot. There’s value in that for the democratic system.
“It’s not a bunch of cows in a pasture either. There’s a tech belt, old mill towns with blue-collar workers and commuters from Boston. And while it’s not ethnically diverse, voters share the same concerns as Democrats do nationally.”
Fine. But my argument is that there are other small states where the same comfy retail politics could be performed — and they’re more diverse. Give some of them a crack at being first.
And don’t remind me that New Hampshire state law requires its primary to be the nation’s first. The Democratic National Committee doesn’t have to follow that law. It could refuse to accept the primary results. The state’s delegates could be barred from the national convention.
“Certainly states that are more representative of the country’s population should be reflected in the early stages of the primary calendar,” says California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who runs our election system.
Another reform that needs to happen is scuttling the whole caucus contraption — and not just because Iowans couldn’t count straight.
“I like the people of Iowa. They work hard at being responsible,” says Democratic strategist Bill Carrick, who has managed presidential races there. “But the truth is, you have to be able to count the results. Maybe the caucus process is just out of date. They make things too complicated. I don’t know how they survive in this era.”
I used to like caucuses. Now I don’t.
In an Iowa caucus, there aren’t secret ballots. People must commit themselves to three hours in a school cafeteria or gymnasium. It’s usually freezing outside with snow and ice. Turnout is abysmal. Many seniors and people with disabilities can’t handle it. Neither can workers on night shifts. And the whole thing is convoluted.
Just let people fill out a ballot at a polling place — or mail it in. Like in California.
Nevada has a simpler caucus system. But it also should turn to a primary because it’s more democratic.
For too many elections, California has relegated itself to the nosebleed seats and squinted at the race. Or if we were up close, the contest had practically run its course.
But on Super Tuesday — March 3 — we’ll at last be in the heat of the action with 13 other primary states. No caucuses.


latimes--2020-02-10--I took the subway to the Oscars. It was just the beginning of a wild ride

The Academy Awards are typically covered by veteran entertainment journalists steeped in the strategy of “ award season.
” But @ @ @ @ @ also sent Julia Wick , a reporter from the paper ’ s Metro section who @ @ @ @ @ .
She emerged from the subway , passed the lines of valets and headed to @ @ @ @ @ claiming her nose-bleed seat .
Over the next few hours , she experienced a different @ @ @ @ @ the swag-filled restrooms , the surprisingly meager bar tipping , the aggressive food runs , @ @ @ @ @ way even Hollywood ’ s biggest night can ’ t quite compete with Nextdoor .
@ @ @ @ @ of the Academy Awards making history .
Here is Julia ’ s journey as she @ @ @ @ @

Among the Oscars scenes you don’t see on TV.
The Academy Awards are typically covered by veteran entertainment journalists steeped in the strategy of “award season.”
But this year, The Times also sent Julia Wick, a reporter from the paper’s Metro section who writes the Essential California newsletter.
She emerged from the subway, passed the lines of valets and headed to the rain-soaked red carpet before claiming her nose-bleed seat.
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Over the next few hours, she experienced a different side of the Oscars — the swag-filled restrooms, the surprisingly meager bar tipping, the aggressive food runs, the stealth vacuuming and the way even Hollywood’s biggest night can’t quite compete with Nextdoor.
And of course the excitement of the Academy Awards making history.
Here is Julia’s journey as she told it on Twitter:
Heading to cover #oscars for @latimes but first going to talk to some people on the way pic.twitter.com/Fv83uBqEbb — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 9, 2020
Johnny Morales, 29, is a good of example of how much Oscars culture permeates the city, even if (like him) you haven’t seen any of the movies. Sounding like a film pundit, he says 1917 will prob win big, but OUATIH has good shot bc it’s about Hollywood & Hollywood ppl love that. pic.twitter.com/MV94umbXvC — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 9, 2020
Carlos Gomez and his wife Sandra Perez say biz is slow today bc the street is closed. They both loved The Joker. “That’s the one that’s going to win a lot of awards today, I hope so,” Carlos says. They’re also hoping to catch a glimpse of Joaquin Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/2kJ7WAyRLp — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 9, 2020
Never forget that Hollywood’s biggest night is held in a mall with a Cabo Wabo Cantina and a CPK. pic.twitter.com/FkML0kuiaT — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 9, 2020
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Juan, 21, found out he would be working valet for the #Oscars 3 days ago from “my boss’s boss’s boss.” It’s his first time working the show and he’s thrilled to be here. He moved from St Louis for school (he’s studying computer science) & is hoping to see Tom Hanks. pic.twitter.com/79FqS0UVTs — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 9, 2020
“Oh my goodness, it’s sopping!” says a woman as she lifts up her magenta strapless gown heading into the show. Security guard is warning everyone about the wet carpet and you can hear the squish-squish of shoes on it over the chatter pic.twitter.com/XcnNmaMmNH — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 9, 2020
The celebrities are separated from the plebes on the carpet by a curtain of pearls (but the plebes on this side also include a few studio heads) pic.twitter.com/r2Oo1w7puq — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 9, 2020
Lotsa discarded champagne flutes and Lord Jones CBD infused toiletries (including take-one sized pouches of “High CBD formula stiletto cream” ?!) in the ladies room. pic.twitter.com/8DN23J3E5q — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 10, 2020
The woman in the row in front of me is taking advantage of this commercial break during Hollywood’s biggest night to read the Nextdoor digest email for Sherman Oaks. #oscars — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 10, 2020
The snacks in the lobby are getting SWARMED. (Special shoutout to this woman filling her purse with as many individual bags of popcorn as she can fit in) pic.twitter.com/3xwo1ZT0km — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 10, 2020
Margot Robbie rapid-fire typing into her group text (looks like there is maybe a fire emoji in the group name but couldn’t quite see) while walking in the lobby, stops to hug Rooney Mara — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 10, 2020
“It’s vomit. Mom’s. Spaghetti. On your sweater,” says a man parsing Eminem lyrics with a Talmudic intensity, while an otherworldly beautiful woman vapes next to him looking bored. — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 10, 2020
Woman on the loudspeaker asks that we “respectfully refrain” from applause during the in memoriam segment, which must be next. — Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) February 10, 2020


latimes--2020-02-10--Workers at coronavirus quarantine base accosted amid unfounded fears of spreading virus

Workers at March Air Reserve Base and their families have been verbally attacked in person and on social media by people fearing their proximity to the 195 Americans under quarantine at the base after fleeing China amid the coronavirus outbreak , Riverside County officials said Monday .
“ Please understand that people on and off the base are not at increased risk for exposure to the new virus , and we don ’ t restrict people who don ’ t actually pose any risk , ” public health officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said in a letter to the community .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evacuees , whose area is fully separated from base personnel .
You do not need to exclude household or family members of MARB personnel , nor do you need to require them to obtain unnecessary ‘ clearance letters ’ from a physician or health authority .
They pose no greater risk than anyone else.
” Kaiser said that some base workers have been accosted while in uniform .
To date , no one at the base has tested positive for the novel coronavirus , including two children who were hospitalized for fevers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Only 12 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. , six of which are in California .
Kaiser said that officials in Riverside do not expect any positive cases to surface among the group , which landed at the base on Jan. 29 .
Unlike medical staff , including healthcare workers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and nurses from Riverside University Health System-Public Health , base workers have not been in direct contact with the group , which has been placed under a 14-day quarantine .
The CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not pose a threat to the larger community .
The CDC mandated a quarantine — the first in more than 50 years — on Jan. 31 for those fleeing the epicenter of the virus in Wuhan , China .
The order , which did not align with the World Health Organization ’ s recommendation advising against travel bans , has prompted health workers to scramble and stirred panic within communities .
There is no clear explanation for why the U.S. government issued a mandatory quarantine .
While a quarantine is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus , as no vaccine currently exists , experts have said it ’ s difficult to measure the effectiveness of a modern-day quarantine — a practice developed in the 14th century in Italy to prevent plague epidemics from spreading to coastal cities from ships that had returned to port in Venice .
The coronavirus outbreak was confirmed before it hit American soil , unlike the 2009 H1N1 influenza , commonly known as the swine flu — a disease that infected more than 60 million and killed more than 12,000 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mandatory quarantine order .
Dr. Nancy Messonnier , director of the CDC ’ s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases , said that while a quarantine is unprecedented , officials hope it will keep the virus contained , as it ’ s believed to be traveling directly from China .
Politics also could have something to do with the decision , said Jennifer Nuzzo , senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
“ I do believe that politics played a role in our decision to implement these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s not what health officials were talking about a few days earlier , ” she said , adding that politicians ’ calling on the government to expand efforts is a “ knee-jerk ” reaction whenever a new virus emerges .
The State Department has said that more than 800 people have been evacuated from Wuhan .
The majority have remained in quarantine at facilities in California tapped by the Department of Defense .

Workers at March Air Reserve Base and their families have been verbally attacked in person and on social media by people fearing their proximity to the 195 Americans under quarantine at the base after fleeing China amid the coronavirus outbreak, Riverside County officials said Monday.
“Please understand that people on and off the base are not at increased risk for exposure to the new virus, and we don’t restrict people who don’t actually pose any risk,” public health officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said in a letter to the community.
“They have had no contact with the evacuees, whose area is fully separated from base personnel. You do not need to exclude household or family members of MARB personnel, nor do you need to require them to obtain unnecessary ‘clearance letters’ from a physician or health authority. They pose no greater risk than anyone else.”
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Kaiser said that some base workers have been accosted while in uniform.
To date, no one at the base has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, including two children who were hospitalized for fevers and have since tested negative for the virus. Only 13 cases have been confirmed in the U.S., seven of which are in California.
The situation is a bit different in San Diego County, where 232 American citizens and their family members are serving the 14-day government-mandated quarantine after arriving at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar last week.
Late Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified San Diego health officials that a botched test result allowed an evacuee infected with the coronavirus to leave a San Diego hospital earlier in the day after initially saying the person was in the clear.
The error was detailed in a brief statement released by UC San Diego Health, which says that all four quarantine patients admitted to its isolation units last week were discharged back to quarantine quarters after the CDC said the coronavirus tests came back negative.
Science & Medicine Coronavirus symptoms: What to look for if you think you might be sick A coronavirus infection can have common symptoms like a cough or fever. There can also be serious problems, including pneumonia or kidney failure.
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“The confirmed positive patient was returned to UC San Diego Health for observation and isolation until cleared by the CDC for release,” the statement said.
The university also said that it had received another patient with possible coronavirus symptoms, bringing the total hospitalized out of Miramar quarantine to eight.
The two patients in isolation units at UC San Diego facilities are said to be “doing well” with “minimal symptoms.”
In Riverside, Kaiser said that officials do not expect any positive cases to surface among the group there, which landed at March Air Reserve Base on Jan. 29.
Unlike medical staff, including healthcare workers from the CDC and nurses from Riverside University Health System-Public Health, base workers have not been in direct contact with the group, which has been placed under a 14-day quarantine. The CDC has previously said that quarantined individuals do not pose a threat to the larger community.
The CDC mandated a quarantine — the first in more than 50 years — on Jan. 31 for those fleeing the epicenter of the virus in Wuhan, China. The order, which did not align with the World Health Organization’s recommendation advising against travel bans, has prompted health workers to scramble and stirred panic within communities.
There is no clear explanation for why the U.S. government issued a mandatory quarantine. While a quarantine is one of the only tools that may help mitigate the spread of the virus, as no vaccine exists, experts have said it’s difficult to measure the effectiveness of a modern-day quarantine — a practice developed in the 14th century in Italy to prevent plague epidemics from spreading to coastal cities from ships that had returned to port in Venice.
The coronavirus outbreak was confirmed before it hit American soil, unlike the 2009 H1N1 influenza, commonly known as the swine flu — a disease that infected more than 60 million and killed more than 12,000 in the U.S. but did not result in a mandatory quarantine order. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said that while a quarantine is unprecedented, officials hope it will keep the virus contained, as it’s believed to be traveling directly from China.
Politics also could have something to do with the decision, said Jennifer Nuzzo, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
“I do believe that politics played a role in our decision to implement these quarantines and travel [restrictions]. It’s not what health officials were talking about a few days earlier,” she said, adding that politicians’ calling on the government to expand efforts is a “knee-jerk” reaction whenever a new virus emerges.
The State Department has said that more than 800 people have been evacuated from Wuhan. The majority have remained in quarantine at facilities in California tapped by the Department of Defense.
San Diego Union-Tribune staff writer Paul Sisson contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-10--Mountain lion killed under state law that allows lethal action if livestock, pets attacked

A young mountain lion monitored by the National Park Service since 2017 was killed last month , the first to be killed in the Santa Monica Mountains under a California law that allows a landowner to take lethal action against a big cat that has killed or injured livestock or pets if other deterrents have failed .
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area announced the death of P-56 on Monday .
The 4- or 5-year-old mountain lion was believed to be the brother of P-55 and the father of P-70 , P-71 , P-72 and P-73 and was living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western area of the Santa Monica Mountains .
Mountain lion hunting has been banned in California since 1990 .
An exception to the law , created in 2014 , allows lions that have killed a pet or livestock to be put down .
In those instances , a property owner may request a depredation permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife .
In the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains , where the mountain lion population is isolated and at risk , an individual must allow for a “ three-strike ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , before taking action .
In the case of P-56 , a property owner reported nine attacks over two years that resulted in the loss of 12 animals .
Prior to the mountain lion ’ s death in late January , the Department of Fish and Wildlife said the landowner tried to keep the lion from the animals , including by penning livestock close to a barn and house , using trained guard dogs , putting up hot-wire fencing , and using motion-activated lights and audio frequencies .
“ The loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study , especially when the population is already very small , ” said Jeff Sikich , the lead field biologist for the mountain lion research project .
“ There are always animals out there that are not being tracked .
Currently , there is only one adult male in the Santa Monica Mountains that we are tracking and that is P-63.
” P-63 was first caught and collared in February 2018 .
The mountain lions in the Santa Monica range have been part of a nearly 18-year-long national park study .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lions , the Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the state ’ s wildlife .
Fish and Wildlife officials were not immediately available to provide further details on the mountain lion ’ s death , including where and how it was killed .

A young mountain lion monitored by the National Park Service since 2017 was killed last month near Camarillo, the first to be killed in the Santa Monica Mountains under a California law that allows a landowner to take lethal action against a big cat that has killed or injured livestock or pets if other deterrents have failed.
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area announced the death of P-56 on Monday.
The 4- or 5-year-old mountain lion was believed to be the brother of P-55 and the father of P-70, P-71, P-72 and P-73 and was living south of the 101 Freeway in the western area of the Santa Monica Mountains.
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Mountain lion hunting has been banned in California since 1990. An exception to the law, created in 2014, allows lions that have killed a pet or livestock to be put down. In those instances, a property owner may request a depredation permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. In the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains, where the mountain lion population is isolated and at risk, an individual must allow for a “three-strike” policy, which went into effect in 2017, before taking action.
In the case of P-56, a property owner in the Camarillo area reported nine attacks over two years that resulted in the loss of 12 animals, mostly sheep and a few lambs. Before the mountain lion’s death in late January, the Department of Fish and Wildlife said the landowner tried to keep the lion from the animals, including by penning livestock close to a barn and house, using trained guard dogs, putting up hot-wire fencing and using motion-activated lights and audio frequencies. P-56’s most recent attack was just a day or so before he was killed, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“The loss of a breeding male is a concern for the study, especially when the population is already very small,” said Jeff Sikich, the lead field biologist for the mountain lion research project. “There are always animals out there that are not being tracked. Currently, there is only one adult male in the Santa Monica Mountains that we are tracking and that is P-63.”
P-63 was caught and collared in February 2018.
Joseph T. Edmiston, the 40-year executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, said he’s willing to circumvent bureaucratic processes to take matters into his own hands to prevent the death of the last remaining male mountain lion in the area.
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“I’ve worked for 40 years. To see one of the last two breathing mountain lion males shot for 12 sheep is so egregious. I will spend my own personal money so that doesn’t happen again.”
Edmiston said the mountain lion’s killing went “under the radar” until it was disclosed this week. He fears what will happen if P-63 gets hungry near an area where livestock roam.
In such an instance, Edmiston is asking that any affected individual who loses an animal to a lion to contact him directly for monetary reimbursement, rather than going to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for a depredation permit. He is also asking the conservancy’s board to ask the state Legislature to appropriately amend the law and establish an indemnity fund.
“My personal email is jtedmiston@gmail.com. Email me,” he said.
The mountain lions in the Santa Monica range have been part of a nearly 18-year national park study. While the park service conducts research on local lions, the Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the state’s wildlife. There are an unknown number of uncollared mountain lions that live in the Santa Monica range.
Tim Daly, an information officer with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said when someone reports that their livestock or pet was attacked by a mountain lion, the agency investigates the incident to confirm what happened, looking over the bite marks, animal tracks and other details. Fish and Wildlife staff will also contact the National Park Service to ask it to check whether any collared mountain lions were in the area at the time of the attack, Daly said.
The agency staff will then communicate with the animal owners about how they can better protect their pets and livestock, Daly said. The agency staff will look to see whether the fencing or lighting is adequate and if not, explain how the owner can fix it.
Before the agency will considering granting a depredation permit, owners must show that they’ve done everything they can to protect their property and animals and discourage a wild animal’s return, Daly said.
The agency doesn’t disclose the method used to kill an animal through a depredation permit, but the method used is required to be humane and the most effective method possible, he said.
“These are very unfortunate situations,” Daly said. “It breaks our hearts. We’re in this for the right reasons. We don’t like taking animals out of their existence, but there are times when, whether it’s a mountain lion in Southern California, or a bear in Northern California, sometimes they keep pushing and pushing, and the messages to discourage their visits are no longer working.”


latimes--2020-02-10--California attorney general to investigate LAPD gang scandal

The California Department of Justice announced Monday it will conduct its own investigation of the Los Angeles Police Department ’ s use of a statewide database of alleged gang members after allegations that officers falsified records to enter people in it .
California Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra said his office has been in touch with the LAPD regarding its use of CalGang , an online index containing detailed information about more than 88,000 Californians suspected of being involved in street crime , and will independently audit some records entered by the LAPD , review the department ’ s internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sessions for personnel on use of the database .
Becerra said that someone ’ s erroneous placement in the database could lead to them being subjected to unwarranted scrutiny by law enforcement agencies .
“ Right now , the LAPD ’ s inputs are under the microscope , ” said Becerra .
The LAPD previously announced it was investigating up to 20 officers for allegedly fabricating information from field interviews to enter people into CalGang .
Monday , LAPD chief spokesman Josh Rubenstein said 19 officers are currently under scrutiny .
Along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for using the database , including greater internal oversight .
In a statement , LAPD Chief Michel Moore said that the gang database is a critical tool to solve violent crime and that it would fully cooperate with the state attorney general ’ s office .
“ We are committed to holding anyone who falsified information accountable , ” he said .
The state action comes in the midst of ongoing controversy over CalGang .
Beginning in 2018 , the California Legislature gave oversight of CalGang to the attorney general after a scathing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight and contained questionable records — including children who were entered when they were as young as 1 .
Becerra at the time froze additions to the database while it was reviewed , ultimately purging thousands of records .
But thousands more have since been added .
Becerra ’ s office was also tasked with crafting statewide regulations for the use of CalGang .
Those regulations have been the subject of intense debate between law enforcement and community activists , who have said CalGang lacks transparency .
Though the rules were slated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been pushed until at least the summer .
At issue is how much and what kind of evidence should be required before someone is added .
Currently , law enforcement can use information like the clothing a person is wearing , the neighborhood where police encounter them and identification as gang members by “ reliable ” sources to add someone .
The public has no access to CalGang , though , and some community activists say those criteria are too loose and subject to abuse — including racial profiling .
The database @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men .
In a proposal last summer , Becerra suggested cutting back on the reasons a person could be added to CalGang .
In December , he reversed on that tightening of regulations after objections from law enforcement , who argued their expertise in gang identification should be taken into account , and that such discretion was necessary because gangs have become more adept at evading scrutiny .
Becerra said Monday that his office was continuing to work on the regulations , and would accept public comment on the latest version .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help us build a system that is workable , accountable and helps us get it right.
” This is the first time since taking oversight of CalGang that the attorney general has investigated an agency over its use , Becerra said .
He cited the lack of finished regulations as one bar for implementing full oversight .
“ Until our regulations are actually implemented , we don ’ t have the infrastructure we will need to have in order to conduct these investigations , ” Becerra said .
The LAPD places more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency in the state .
From Nov. 1 , 2017 , to Oct. 31 , 2018 , the period covered by a 2018 report by the attorney general ’ s office , it was responsible for 20,583 records — more than 20 % of the records in the database .
The current scandal came to light after a Van Nuys mother received a letter early last year from the LAPD saying her son was identified as a gang member during an interview with officers .
She believed her son was misidentified and reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police station .
Officials then reviewed body-worn camera video and other information , and they found inaccuracies they attributed to the officer .
Moore has said the investigation into the alleged falsifications initially focused on three officers and expanded to others who worked with the original three , and then on to others associated with those officers .
He has recommended the criminal prosecution and firing of one officer and has referred that person ’ s case to the Board of Rights , an internal disciplinary appeal panel .
Another officer , Metro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject of a review by the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office .
The LAPD ’ s data-driven culture has also come under scrutiny by critics who suggest that officers filled in the cards to artificially boost their statistics .
The Times obtained what is known as a platoon recap sheet for the Metro Division , which shows that officers were measured daily in 16 categories such as their confiscation of guns , citations and arrests .
Field interviews of gang members were among the categories used to measure productivity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make changes to how it handles CalGang .
Now , body camera video is reviewed and compared with officers ’ reports of their field interviews before anyone is added to the database .
A more robust appeals process that allows people to be removed from gang databases is also being instituted with multiple layers of oversight .
LAPD Assistant Chief Horace Frank has said that the department has begun training its officers to be much more specific when identifying on a field interview card the evidence that may allow someone to be added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to explain , for example , why a particular area should be deemed a gang location if that is a reason for inclusion .
“ We ’ re requiring our personnel be much more specific in their articulation of why some of these criteria have been met , ” he said .
Becerra said that his investigation will also include reviewing of body-worn camera video and other recordings , and will expand to records entered across the department , not just in the Metro division .
Becerra said that the recently passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authority to suspend or revoke a law enforcement department ’ s use of the database if an investigation finds misconduct .
Becerra said he could not comment on how many people have been entered erroneously into the database because the investigation was just beginning .
He also could not answer questions about how far back his probe would extend .
“ Our role is to make sure that good , accurate information is being entered into the database so that all the agencies that use CalGang … know that the system has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The CalGang database is only as good as the information that is put in it .
”

California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra says the California Department of Justice will conduct an independent review of the Los Angeles Police Department records and policies regarding use of CalGang, a criminal intelligence database used by law enforcement to share gang-related intelligence.
The California Department of Justice announced Monday it will conduct its own investigation of the Los Angeles Police Department’s use of a statewide database of alleged gang members after allegations that officers falsified records to enter people in it.
California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra said his office has been in touch with the LAPD regarding its use of CalGang, an online index containing detailed information about more than 88,000 Californians suspected of being involved in street crime, and will independently audit some records entered by the LAPD, review the department’s internal controls and policies, and observe its retraining sessions for personnel on the use of the database.
Becerra said that someone’s erroneous placement in the database could lead to them being subjected to unwarranted scrutiny by law enforcement agencies.
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“Right now, the LAPD’s inputs are under the microscope,” said Becerra.
The LAPD previously announced it was investigating up to 20 officers in its inquiry of officers that allegedly fabricated information from field interviews to enter people into CalGang. Monday, LAPD chief spokesman Josh Rubenstein said 19 officers are currently under scrutiny. Along with the investigation, LAPD has announced reforms for using the database, including greater internal oversight. In a statement, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said that the gang database is a crucial tool to solve violent crime and that it would fully cooperate with the state attorney general’s office.
“We are committed to holding anyone who falsified information accountable,” he said.
The state action comes amid ongoing controversy over CalGang.
Beginning in 2018, the California Legislature gave oversight of CalGang to the attorney general after a scathing audit found the database lacked meaningful state oversight and contained questionable records — including children who were entered when they were as young as 1. Becerra at the time froze additions to the database while it was reviewed, ultimately purging thousands of records. But thousands more have since been added.
Becerra’s office was also tasked with crafting statewide regulations for the use of CalGang. Those regulations have been the subject of intense debate between law enforcement and community activists, who have said CalGang lacks transparency. Though the rules were slated for completion by Jan. 1, their finalization has been pushed until at least the summer.
At issue is how much and what kind of evidence should be required before someone is added to the database. Currently, law enforcement add someone based on information such as the clothing a person is wearing, the neighborhood where the police encounter occurred and identification as gang members by “reliable” sources.
The public has no access to CalGang, though, and some community activists say those criteria are too loose and subject to abuse — including racial profiling. The database is comprised predominately of black and Latino men.
In a proposal last summer, Becerra suggested cutting back on the reasons a person could be added to CalGang. In December, he reversed on tightening regulations after objections from law enforcement members, who argued their expertise in gang identification should be taken into account, and that such discretion was necessary because gangs have become more adept at evading scrutiny.
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Becerra said Monday that his office was continuing to work on the regulations and would accept public comment on the latest version.
The regulations, he said, “should help us build a system that is workable, accountable and helps us get it right.”
This is the first time since taking oversight of CalGang that the attorney general has investigated an agency over its use, Becerra said. He cited the lack of finished regulations as one bar for implementing full oversight.
“Until our regulations are actually implemented, we don’t have the infrastructure we will need to have in order to conduct these investigations,” Becerra said.
The LAPD places more people on CalGang than any other law enforcement agency in the state. From Nov. 1, 2017, to Oct. 31, 2018, the period covered by a 2018 report by the attorney general’s office, it was responsible for 20,583 records — more than 20% of the records in the database.
The current scandal came to light after a Van Nuys mother received a letter early last year from the LAPD saying her son was identified as a gang member during an interview with officers. She believed her son was misidentified and reported it to a supervisor at a nearby police station. Officials then reviewed body-worn camera video and other information, and they found inaccuracies they attributed to the officer.
Moore has said the investigation into the alleged falsifications initially focused on three officers and expanded to others who worked with the original three, and then on to others associated with those officers. He has recommended the criminal prosecution and firing of one officer and has referred that person’s case to the Board of Rights, an internal disciplinary appeal panel. Another officer, Metro Officer Braxton Shaw, is already the subject of a review by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
The LAPD’s data-driven culture has also come under scrutiny by critics who suggest that officers filled in the cards to artificially boost their statistics. The Times obtained what is known as a platoon recap sheet for the Metro Division, which shows that officers were measured daily in 16 categories such as their confiscation of guns, citations and arrests. Field interviews of gang members were among the categories used to measure productivity.
Department officials have said there are no incentives for officers to complete more field interview cards.
“There’s no target [number],” said LAPD Assistant Chief Horace Frank. “There’s no incentive for anyone to breach the law.”
The scandal already led the department to make changes to how it handles CalGang. Now, body camera video is reviewed and compared with officers’ reports of their field interviews before anyone is added to the database. A more robust appeals process that allows people to be removed from gang databases is also being instituted with multiple layers of oversight.
Frank has said that the department has begun training its officers to be much more specific when identifying on a field interview card the evidence that may allow someone to be added to the database. An officer will have to explain, for example, why a particular area should be deemed a gang location if that is a reason for inclusion.
“We’re requiring our personnel be much more specific in their articulation of why some of these criteria have been met,” he said.
Becerra said that his investigation will also include reviewing of body-worn camera video and other recordings, and will expand to records entered across the department, not just in the Metro Division.
Becerra said the recently passed reform legislation on CalGang gives his office the authority to suspend or revoke a law enforcement department’s use of the database if an investigation finds misconduct. Becerra said he could not comment on how many people have been entered erroneously into the database because the investigation was just beginning. He also could not answer questions about how far back his investigation would extend.
“Our role is to make sure that good, accurate information is being entered into the database so that all the agencies that use CalGang … know that the system has integrity,” Becerra said. “The CalGang database is only as good as the information that is put in it.”


latimes--2020-02-10--Mountain lion spotted in Simi Valley backyard is captured and relocated

A female mountain lion spotted in Simi Valley was captured and relocated to a more suitable habitat over the weekend , wildlife officials said .
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife tracked the roughly 90-pound cat after it was seen in a tree in a backyard in the 600 block of Laguna Drive on Saturday .
“ We darted it in one yard , ” Fish and Wildlife spokesman Tim Daly said in an email Monday .
“ It ran into another yard before the drugs took effect.
” After being tranquilized , the approximately 3-year-old cougar was tagged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mountain lion was initially spotted around 9:20 a.m. , prompting the Simi Valley Police Department to issue a temporary warning to residents to keep children and small animals indoors .
No people or pets were harmed , officials said .
Simi Valley is no stranger to the big cats .
In December , officials and residents said mountain lions attacked two dogs , killing one , and mauled at least three goats in the area .
That same month , authorities said they captured a mountain lion that had reportedly attacked a raccoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last week , another mountain lion killed several chickens in a backyard coop , Daly said .
That animal also was “ darted and released into nearby suitable habitat , ” he said .
Daly said the spate of sightings and encounters in Simi Valley isn ’ t unusual for communities next to mountain lion habitat .
“ More than half of California is considered to be that habitat , ” he said .
“ In Southern California , [ as ] the population of people grows , the space for animals decreases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re also seeing more nighttime visits by mountain lions because of the increase of home security camera systems.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .

A female mountain lion spotted in Simi Valley was captured and relocated to a more suitable habitat over the weekend, wildlife officials said.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife tracked the roughly 90-pound cat after it was seen in a tree in a backyard in the 600 block of Laguna Drive on Saturday.
“We darted it in one yard,” Fish and Wildlife spokesman Tim Daly said in an email Monday. “It ran into another yard before the drugs took effect.”
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After being tranquilized, the approximately 3-year-old cougar was tagged and released outside the city.
The mountain lion was initially spotted around 9:20 a.m., prompting the Simi Valley Police Department to issue a temporary warning to residents to keep children and small animals indoors. No people or pets were harmed, officials said.
Simi Valley is no stranger to the big cats. In December, officials and residents said mountain lions attacked two dogs, killing one, and mauled at least three goats in the area.
California A mountain lion is attacking dogs in Simi Valley, and residents are on edge Two dogs have been attacked by a mountain lion in Simi Valley and one was killed after its owner tried to wrest her pet from the big cat’s jaws.
That same month, authorities said they captured a mountain lion that had reportedly attacked a raccoon in the backyard of a home.
Last week, another mountain lion killed several chickens in a backyard coop, Daly said. That animal also was “darted and released into nearby suitable habitat,” he said.
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Daly said the spate of sightings and encounters in Simi Valley isn’t unusual for communities next to mountain lion habitat.
“More than half of California is considered to be that habitat,” he said. “In Southern California, [as] the population of people grows, the space for animals decreases, and sightings are likely to continue. We’re also seeing more nighttime visits by mountain lions because of the increase of home security camera systems.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-10--Hepatitis A outbreak linked to Long Beach steakhouse, health officials say

A hepatitis A outbreak that has hospitalized several people has been linked to a Long Beach steakhouse , health officials said .
As of Monday morning , eight cases of the infectious disease have been confirmed in individuals who dined at the 555 East American Steakhouse on or around Christmas Eve , according to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services .
The source of the illness is still under investigation , but diners who ate at the restaurant around that time may have been exposed and should seek medical attention if they become ill , health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ livers and can cause fatigue , poor appetite , stomach pain , nausea , dark urine and jaundice — a yellowing of the eyes or skin .
“ We are notifying the public of the exposure so that people can immediately seek medical care if they begin to develop symptoms , ” Dr. Anissa Davis , Long Beach ’ s health officer , said in a statement .
“ Individuals who have been vaccinated for hepatitis A or have had the disease are protected .
Those who are not immune to hepatitis A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop symptoms , and let their provider know they may have been exposed to hepatitis A.
” Staff and management at the steakhouse are cooperating with the health department to prevent further infection , officials said , and the restaurant does not pose a public health risk at this time .
“ Our highest priority is food safety , food quality and unsurpassed service , ” said Kelly Ellerman , a spokeswoman for the restaurant .
“ The report from the Health Department does not indicate anyone who dined in our restaurant or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were a direct cause of this hepatitis A outbreak.
” Hepatitis A symptoms can appear two to seven weeks after exposure , health officials say , and usually develop over several days .
The disease can be spread through contaminated food and water or be transmitted from feces to mouth .
While practicing good hygiene , such as hand-washing , can help avoid potential infection , health officials also recommend getting vaccinated against hepatitis A .
“ People over 50 tend to be more at risk because they ’ re generally not immune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holman , communicable disease controller for the city of Long Beach .
“ That ’ s a big one for hep A.
” Long Beach ’ s announcement followed news of an outbreak in San Bernardino County , where health officials said there have been 42 confirmed cases since the start of last year .

Eight cases of hepatitis A have been linked to the 555 East American Steakhouse in downtown Long Beach, according to city health officials.
A hepatitis A outbreak that has hospitalized several people has been linked to a Long Beach steakhouse, health officials said.
As of Monday morning, eight cases of the infectious disease have been confirmed in individuals who dined at the 555 East American Steakhouse on or around Christmas Eve, according to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.
The source of the illness is still under investigation, but diners who ate at the restaurant around that time may have been exposed and should seek medical attention if they become ill, health officials said.
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Hepatitis A affects patients’ livers and can cause fatigue, poor appetite, stomach pain, nausea, dark urine and jaundice — a yellowing of the eyes or skin.
“We are notifying the public of the exposure so that people can immediately seek medical care if they begin to develop symptoms,” Dr. Anissa Davis, Long Beach’s health officer, said in a statement. “Individuals who have been vaccinated for hepatitis A or have had the disease are protected. Those who are not immune to hepatitis A should consult their medical provider if they develop symptoms, and let their provider know they may have been exposed to hepatitis A.”
Staff and management at the steakhouse are cooperating with the health department to prevent further infection, officials said, and the restaurant does not pose a public health risk at this time.
“Our highest priority is food safety, food quality and unsurpassed service,” said Kelly Ellerman, a spokeswoman for the restaurant. “The report from the Health Department does not indicate anyone who dined in our restaurant or any employee who works in our restaurant were a direct cause of this hepatitis A outbreak.”
Hepatitis A symptoms can appear two to seven weeks after exposure, health officials say, and usually develop over several days.
The disease can be spread through contaminated food and water or be transmitted from feces to mouth.
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While practicing good hygiene, such as hand-washing, can help avoid potential infection, health officials also recommend getting vaccinated against hepatitis A.
“People over 50 tend to be more at risk because they’re generally not immune, not vaccinated,” said Emily Holman, communicable disease controller for the city of Long Beach. “That’s a big one for hep A.”
Long Beach’s announcement followed news of an outbreak in San Bernardino County, where health officials said there have been 42 confirmed cases since the start of last year.


latimes--2020-02-10--In Harvey Weinstein trial, witness contests account of assault: 'That never happened'

A witness in Harvey Weinstein ’ s rape trial Monday emphatically denied helping facilitate an alleged assault between the fallen Hollywood mogul and accuser Lauren Young .
Under a fiery cross-examination by the prosecution , however , Claudia Salinas said her memory of the encounter between Weinstein and Young was patchy .
Last week , Young testified that she had been living in Los Angeles for two years when she first met Weinstein in February 2013 in the restaurant of the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills , a meeting allegedly set up by Salinas .
The premise of the meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about her unfinished script .
Weinstein , Salinas and Young talked briefly at the restaurant over drinks , Young said .
Then , she alleges , Weinstein told both women that he needed to go up to his room because he had to prepare to accept an award later that night , and he invited them to join him .
Young said that once they entered Weinstein ’ s hotel room , the producer led her into a bathroom , with Salinas behind her .
She then said Salinas trapped her in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During rapid-fire questioning by defense attorney Damon Cheronis , Salinas denied going to Weinstein ’ s suite that night with Young .
“ Do you ever recall following Lauren Young into that suite ?
” Cheronis asked .
“ That never happened , ” Salinas said , calling the evening “ uneventful.
” But during cross-examination , Salinas acknowledged that she previously told investigators that she wasn ’ t sure whether Young went to Weinstein ’ s room that night .
“ I remember meeting for a drink , ” Salinas told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always remembered meeting for a drink .
That ’ s all I remember.
” During cross-examination , prosecutor Meghan Hast called attention to inconsistencies between what Salinas told investigators in 2019 and what she told jurors Monday .
According to transcripts from an interview with investigators , Salinas said she didn ’ t remember such an encounter in a hotel suite , but that it “ could have happened.
” In court Monday , Salinas clarified : “ I meant that if it happened , I most certainly wasn ’ t there.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 at the time of the alleged 2013 attack , was the last of six women to testify against Weinstein in Manhattan , where he faces five counts of sexual assault and life in prison if convicted .
Young , now 30 , is also one of two women whose allegations led Los Angeles County prosecutors to file nine charges of rape and sexual misconduct against Weinstein in early January .
In Los Angeles County , the accusations made by Young and an Italian model led prosecutors to charge Weinstein with forcible rape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by use of force and sexual battery by restraint on the eve of his New York trial .
He faces up to 28 years in state prison if convicted of all counts in California .
In her testimony , Young recalled a moment during the alleged assault when she realized the encounter may have been planned .
“ I realized this was set up , she put me in here , ” Young said .
Salinas said Weinstein never asked her to bring Young specifically to the hotel meeting .
When questioned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mogul prohibiting her from inviting someone other than Young to a later party .
Salinas said Weinstein usually asked her to bring her “ good-looking friends ” to parties he invited her to .
She told investigators in 2019 that Weinstein could be a bully , and that “ at times , he wasn ’ t nice to me.
” “ When you talked to the D.A.
, do you remember telling [ them ] that he was not very ethical ?
” Hast asked .
“ I may have used those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean it literally , ” Salinas said , adding , “ Mr .
Weinstein had to have his way.
” Salinas , who now works primarily as a social media influencer in Los Angeles , testified that she met Weinstein when she was 19 and the producer was around 50 .
She never had a romantic or sexual relationship with Weinstein , she said , but during that first meeting he was “ flirtatious.
” Weinstein later helped Salinas secure a small role in the 2004 movie “ Dirty Dancing : Havana Nights.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weinstein ’ s hotel suites in Los Angeles on several occasions , as he often used those rooms as a “ mobile office , ” but had never been alone with him in that setting .
“ There were always people around , ” she said .
“ Hotel staff , assistants , other people taking meetings .
”

A witness in Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial Monday emphatically denied helping facilitate an alleged assault between the fallen Hollywood mogul and accuser Lauren Young.
Under a fiery cross-examination by the prosecution, however, Claudia Salinas said her memory of the encounter between Weinstein and Young was patchy.
Last week, Young testified that she had been living in Los Angeles for two years when she first met Weinstein in February 2013 in the restaurant of the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, a meeting allegedly set up by Salinas.
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The premise of the meeting, Young said, was to talk about her unfinished script. Weinstein, Salinas and Young talked briefly at the restaurant over drinks, Young said. Then, she alleges, Weinstein told both women that he needed to go up to his room because he had to prepare to accept an award later that night, and he invited them to join him.
Young said that once they entered Weinstein’s hotel room, the producer led her into a bathroom, with Salinas behind her. She then said Salinas trapped her in the bathroom while Weinstein groped her and masturbated.
During rapid-fire questioning by defense attorney Damon Cheronis, Salinas denied going to Weinstein’s suite that night with Young.
“Do you ever recall following Lauren Young into that suite?” Cheronis asked.
“That never happened,” Salinas said, calling the evening “uneventful.”
But during cross-examination, Salinas acknowledged that she previously told investigators that she wasn’t sure whether Young went to Weinstein’s room that night.
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“I remember meeting for a drink,” Salinas told the jury. “I’ve always remembered meeting for a drink. That’s all I remember.”
During cross-examination, prosecutor Meghan Hast called attention to inconsistencies between what Salinas told investigators in 2019 and what she told jurors Monday.
According to transcripts from an interview with investigators, Salinas said she didn’t remember such an encounter in a hotel suite, but that it “could have happened.”
In court Monday, Salinas clarified: “I meant that if it happened, I most certainly wasn’t there.”
Young, a Pennsylvania native who was 22 at the time of the alleged 2013 attack, was the last of six women to testify against Weinstein in Manhattan, where he faces five counts of sexual assault and life in prison if convicted.
Young, now 30, is also one of two women whose allegations led Los Angeles County prosecutors to file nine charges of rape and sexual misconduct against Weinstein in early January.
In Los Angeles County, the accusations made by Young and an Italian model led prosecutors to charge Weinstein with forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by use of force and sexual battery by restraint on the eve of his New York trial. He faces up to 28 years in state prison if convicted of all counts in California.
In her testimony, Young recalled a moment during the alleged assault when she realized the encounter may have been planned. “I realized this was set up, she put me in here,” Young said.
Salinas said Weinstein never asked her to bring Young specifically to the hotel meeting.
When questioned by Hast, Salinas said she did remember the mogul prohibiting her from inviting someone other than Young to a later party.
“You were upset by that?” Hast asked.
“I was,” Salinas said.
Salinas said Weinstein usually asked her to bring her “good-looking friends” to parties he invited her to. She told investigators in 2019 that Weinstein could be a bully, and that “at times, he wasn’t nice to me.”
“When you talked to the D.A., do you remember telling [them] that he was not very ethical?” Hast asked.
“I may have used those words, but I didn’t mean it literally,” Salinas said, adding, “Mr. Weinstein had to have his way.”
Salinas, who now works primarily as a social media influencer in Los Angeles, testified that she met Weinstein when she was 19 and the producer was around 50. She never had a romantic or sexual relationship with Weinstein, she said, but during that first meeting he was “flirtatious.”
Weinstein later helped Salinas secure a small role in the 2004 movie “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”
“Was he inappropriate with you?” Cheronis asked.
“Never,” Salinas said.
Salinas said she had been in Weinstein’s hotel suites in Los Angeles on several occasions, as he often used those rooms as a “mobile office,” but had never been alone with him in that setting.
“There were always people around,” she said. “Hotel staff, assistants, other people taking meetings.”