latimes--2020-08-25--Some of the most startling images of wildfires raging through Northern California

With over 1,600 structures destroyed by fires sweeping across Northern California and the blazes still burning , we look at @ @ @ @ @ from this historic firestorm .
Recent favorable weather has given crews a boost , but @ @ @ @ @ , the widespread fires continue to take a dramatic toll .
More than 136,000 people @ @ @ @ @ among the fires stand at seven .
Five people were killed in the LNU Lightning @ @ @ @ @ Napa County and two in Solano County — and one in the CZU Lightning Complex @ @ @ @ @ and Santa Cruz counties .
A pilot also died in Fresno County while on a @ @ @ @ @ fire .
Seven people also were missing in the area of the CZU Lightning Complex @ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff ’ s Chief Deputy Chris Clark .

With over 1,600 structures destroyed by fires sweeping across Northern California and the blazes still burning, we look at some of the startling images from this historic firestorm.
Recent favorable weather has given crews a boost, but although the progress is encouraging, the widespread fires continue to take a dramatic toll.
Flames consume both sides of a segment of Lake Berryessa in Napa County. (Josh Edelson / AFP-Getty Images)
More than 136,000 people were evacuated, and fatalities among the fires stand at seven.
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Five people were killed in the LNU Lightning Complex fire — three in Napa County and two in Solano County — and one in the CZU Lightning Complex fire burning in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. A pilot also died in a helicopter crash in Fresno County while on a water-dropping mission for the Hills fire.
Seven people also were missing in the area of the CZU Lightning Complex, according to Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Chris Clark.
An American flag billows in front of a burning home in Vacaville, Calif. (Josh Edelson / AFP-Getty Images)
A destroyed home in Napa County. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Veterinary technician Brianna Jeter comforts a llama injured in a wildfire in Vacaville, Calif. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Flames consume a cabin at a Napa County winery. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)
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Debris from a fire is seen in the eye of a horse in Vacaville, Calif. (Jose Carlos Fajardo / Associated Press)
A dead cow in Vacaville, Calif. (Josh Edelson / AFP-Getty Images)
A home burns in Napa County. (Josh Edelson / AFP-Getty Images)
A car burns in Vacaville, Calif. (Josh Edelson / AFP-Getty Images )
Smoke hangs low in the air at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, where redwoods burned. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
People watch a wildfire in Healdsburg, Calif. (Josh Edelson / AFP-Getty Images )
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The rubble of a structure burns along Big Basin Highway in the Santa Cruz Mountains. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
A resident guards a house in Napa County. (Josh Edelson / AFP-Getty Images )
An airplane drops fire retardant over homes in Napa County. (Josh Edelson / AFP-Getty Images )
A fire truck drives through flames in Napa County. (Josh Edelson / AFP-Getty Images)
Firefighters protect a home in the Berryessa Estates neighborhood of unincorporated Napa County. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Firefighters work in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Boulder Creek. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
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Family members embrace at the burned remains of their home in Vacaville, Calif. (Josh Edelson / AFP-Getty Images )


latimes--2020-08-25--FBI boss gone from L.A. after watchdog finds top agents got exclusive Dodgers playoff seats

The top FBI agent in Los Angeles departed this month in the wake of a U.S. Justice Department Inspector General ’ s report that found he was responsible for violations of federal ethics requirements and FBI policies by holding a meeting with his management team in an exclusive club at Dodger Stadium during the playoffs two years ago and allowing them to indulge in the free buffet .
Paul Delacourt was reassigned earlier this month from his post overseeing the L.A. regional office , a position that carries the rank of assistant director .
Delacourt has disputed the report ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the prestigious Stadium Club with an “ unobstructed view of the field ” as the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series two years ago , according to the report from Inspector General Michael Horowitz made public this week .
Seven of those present dined at the buffet and one top intelligence chief drank a beer , the report said , but no one from the bureau paid for the luxury seats and food .
“ Surrounded , at times by fans at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L.A. would briefly discuss sensitive intelligence subjects , the report said .
Use of the exclusive seating and buffet violated federal ethics regulations and FBI policy prohibiting the acceptance of gifts , the report concluded .
The report cited Special Agent In Charge Voviette Morgan , who oversees the FBI criminal investigations in L.A. , for initiating the arrangement and Delacourt for approving it .
Delacourt and Morgan showed “ poor judgment , ” and Delacourt was criticized for allowing discussion of sensitive information , the IG ’ s office said .
Attorneys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to requests for comment .
At least one member of the management team raised serious concerns about the “ optics ” of the meeting location , and the FBI special events coordinator had advised against the venue .
The 50-page investigation reviewed more than 32,000 documents .
It found that Delacourt failed to disclose to Deputy Director David Bowdich in Washington the full nature of the of the amenities , calling it a sandwich lunch .
The buffet included carving stations , salad bars , desserts , pizzas and Dodger Dogs , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he envisioned “ Costco sandwiches ” at the command post .
Morgan remains in charge of criminal investigations in the Los Angeles region .
The San Francisco FBI office special agent in charge , John Bennett , is now acting head of the L.A. office .
Bureau officials said the transfer is not punitive .
Delacourt disputed that he did not provide full details to Bowdich .
In the wake of the Oct. 15 meeting , an FBI attorney advised that those who attended might each need to pay about $ 500 back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adequately .
But Delacourt , the report said , disagreed , saying it was a work assignment .
“ We remain troubled that an FBI executive with Delacourt ’ s experience still , to this day , does not recognize this failing , ” the report noted .
A limited version of the report was released in July , Politico obtained the full report through a freedom of information request .
Lawrence Berger , an attorney for Delacourt , told Politico his client ’ s transfer was not considered punishment under FBI policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accused officials as a result of the incident .
It is not the first time , agents assigned to L.A. have been censured over a sporting event .
A footnote in the report noted a decade ago , a special agent in charge at the Los Angeles office resigned after coming under scrutiny for accepting National Basketball Association tickets .
According to the report , the officials later paid $ 20 per person to a Dodgers charity to cover the cost of the meal , after the bureau was told the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general learned that the baseball team valued the buffet at $ 62.95 a person .
Morgan told investigators the meeting was conceived after finding a need for many new members of the leadership team to assess stadium security for potential World Series games .
Delacourt told investigators he wasn ’ t there to watch a baseball game , but to familiarize himself with the stadium for high-profile events during the 65-minute meeting .
Morgan said it was Delacourt ’ s decision to accept the food , and it was her concern that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to the “ complimentary perks when one is a frequent guest at a Las Vegas hotel , ” according to the report .
Discussion of sensitive information was relatively short in the meeting , the inspector general said .
But at least three items mentioned by the intelligence Special Agent In Charge Stephen Woolery are blacked out in the IG ’ s report .
During the game , Woolery drank a beer in violation of the bureau policy , the report noted .
The day after the game , an ethics expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the events .

The top FBI agent in Los Angeles departed this month in the wake of a U.S. Justice Department Inspector General’s report that found he was responsible for violations of federal ethics requirements and FBI policies by holding a meeting with his management team in an exclusive club at Dodger Stadium during the playoffs two years ago and allowing them to indulge in the free buffet.
Paul Delacourt was reassigned earlier this month from his post overseeing the L.A. regional office, a position that carries the rank of assistant director. Delacourt has disputed the report’s findings.
Eight FBI officials sat in the prestigious Stadium Club with an “unobstructed view of the field” as the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series two years ago, according to the report from Inspector General Michael Horowitz made public this week.
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Seven of those present dined at the buffet and one top intelligence chief drank a beer, the report said, but no one from the bureau paid for the luxury seats and food.
“Surrounded, at times by fans at other tables” the FBI brass in L.A. would briefly discuss sensitive intelligence subjects, the report said.
Use of the exclusive seating and buffet violated federal ethics regulations and FBI policy prohibiting the acceptance of gifts, the report concluded.
The report cited Special Agent In Charge Voviette Morgan, who oversees the FBI criminal investigations in L.A., for initiating the arrangement and Delacourt for approving it. Delacourt and Morgan showed “poor judgment,” and Delacourt was criticized for allowing discussion of sensitive information, the IG’s office said.
Attorneys for Delacourt and Morgan did not respond to requests for comment.
At least one member of the management team raised serious concerns about the “optics” of the meeting location, and the FBI special events coordinator had advised against the venue.
The 50-page investigation reviewed more than 32,000 documents. It found that Delacourt failed to disclose to Deputy Director David Bowdich in Washington the full nature of the of the amenities, calling it a sandwich lunch. The buffet included carving stations, salad bars, desserts, pizzas and Dodger Dogs, the inspector general noted. Bowdich said “he envisioned “Costco sandwiches” at the command post.
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Morgan remains in charge of criminal investigations in the Los Angeles region. The San Francisco FBI office special agent in charge, John Bennett, is now acting head of the L.A. office. Bureau officials said the transfer is not punitive.
Delacourt disputed that he did not provide full details to Bowdich.
In the wake of the Oct. 15 meeting, an FBI attorney advised that those who attended might each need to pay about $500 back to the Dodgers to reimburse the club adequately. But Delacourt, the report said, disagreed, saying it was a work assignment.
“We remain troubled that an FBI executive with Delacourt’s experience still, to this day, does not recognize this failing,” the report noted. A limited version of the report was released in July, Politico obtained the full report through a freedom of information request.
Lawrence Berger, an attorney for Delacourt, told Politico his client’s transfer was not considered punishment under FBI policy and no discipline has been imposed on the accused officials as a result of the incident.
It is not the first time, agents assigned to L.A. have been censured over a sporting event. A footnote in the report noted a decade ago, a special agent in charge at the Los Angeles office resigned after coming under scrutiny for accepting National Basketball Association tickets.
According to the report, the officials later paid $20 per person to a Dodgers charity to cover the cost of the meal, after the bureau was told the cost was $87. But the inspector general learned that the baseball team valued the buffet at $62.95 a person.
Morgan told investigators the meeting was conceived after finding a need for many new members of the leadership team to assess stadium security for potential World Series games.
Delacourt told investigators he wasn’t there to watch a baseball game, but to familiarize himself with the stadium for high-profile events during the 65-minute meeting.
Morgan said it was Delacourt’s decision to accept the food, and it was her concern that they receive no special treatment. She compared it to the “complimentary perks when one is a frequent guest at a Las Vegas hotel,” according to the report.
Discussion of sensitive information was relatively short in the meeting, the inspector general said. But at least three items mentioned by the intelligence Special Agent In Charge Stephen Woolery are blacked out in the IG’s report. During the game, Woolery drank a beer in violation of the bureau policy, the report noted.
The day after the game, an ethics expert in the office raised questions with Delacourt about the events.


latimes--2020-08-25--Young Black activist's arrest during George Floyd protest in San Luis Obispo sparks a new movement

In July , Tianna Arata helped organize an antiracism protest in San Luis Obispo , hoping to bring the message of racial justice sparked by the police killing of George Floyd to the Central Coast community .
The rally began at a local park .
But at some point , more than 300 protesters blocked traffic on U.S. 101 .
Police say at least two cars were vandalized .
Arata , a 20-year-old college student , was arrested .
Her arrest has since become a rallying point for members of Black Lives Matter and other activist groups .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference and rally outside the San Luis Obispo courthouse to stand in solidarity with Arata .
“ Tianna ’ s freedom is about all of our freedom , ” Melina Abdullah , Pan-African studies professor at Cal State L.A. and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles , shouted into a microphone as supporters gathered on the sidewalk and held signs that read “ Free Tianna.
” Counter-protesters were also present at the event .
Police have argued that the charges against Arata are fair and warranted .
“ She wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” San Luis Obispo Police Chief Deanna Cantrell said .
“ She was arrested because of her own actions and her own behaviors , and she is the one that violated laws.
” Following the rally , Cantrell and San Luis Obispo City Manager Derek Johnson held a virtual news conference to address questions about Arata ’ s arrest and other diversity concerns .
Arata was taken into custody on suspicion of eight charges : four felony counts of false imprisonment ; one felony count of conspiracy ; and three misdemeanor counts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participating in a riot and unlawful assembly , according to the Police Department .
She was released later that evening on zero bond .
Now , she ’ s waiting as the district attorney ’ s office investigates her case and decides whether to move forward with charges .
Her arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 3 .
“ It ’ s super-insane because I never thought I was even going to get arrested in the first place , ” Arata told the Los Angeles Times during a Zoom call .
“ It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed like it was to discourage other people from organizing protests in San Luis Obispo.
” Fighting against racial injustice , Arata said , has long been part of her life .
The Portland , Ore. , native , who moved to San Luis Obispo when she was 16 years old , started her journey as an activist at age 14 after Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in Ferguson , Mo .
As demonstrations arose worldwide after Floyd ’ s death in May at the hands of Minneapolis police , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly took to the streets of San Luis Obispo .
Arata said comments from the town ’ s sheriff , Ian Parkinson , that he had “ never seen any indication that systemic racism exists ” in the county also pushed them to show residents of San Luis Obispo — which is predominantly white — that racial injustice is present even in the “ happiest place in America.
” ( In 2018 , a series of racist incidents at Cal Poly sparked much debate , with some Black students on campus saying they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A lot of people in San Luis [ Obispo ] specifically , they like to point the finger and say , ‘ Oh we don ’ t have these issues here , ’ ” Arata said .
“ But we needed people to open their eyes and be like , ‘ OK , this affects us.
’ This is a group of young Black and brown youth and we ’ re telling you , we have issues in this community as well .
No community is exempt.
” Arata co-organized a protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with other local youth activists .
The demonstration started about 4 p.m. at Mitchell Park near downtown San Luis Obispo .
From Arata ’ s perspective , the atmosphere was uplifting .
“ Everybody was super-positive , ” she said about the event .
“ Cars even on the freeway in general , they were honking in support .
[ They ] were like super-respectful and polite during our moments of silence .
“ It was really joyous .
There was a lot of just dancing and positivity and people just expressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She spoke to Cantrell about the event in advance .
But the Police Department saw it differently .
About an hour later , police said protesters got onto U.S. 101 , which is the main highway in San Luis Obispo , and began to threaten the safety of motorists , themselves and law enforcement by blocking traffic in both directions for nearly an hour .
While on the highway , police said protesters allegedly damaged the hood and “ smashed ” the rear window of a passenger vehicle with a 4-year-old child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that , in an incident that took place off the freeway , some protesters were seen chasing down and throwing objects at a vehicle .
Drone video footage of an incident involving a gray vehicle was posted on the Police Department ’ s .
Arata and others dispute the police account .
They say the video appears to show a protester being dragged onto the hood of the vehicle for a short period of time before the car drives away , narrowly missing Arata and other demonstrators .
Once the protest ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends were packing up a vehicle , she said , police officers appeared and took her into custody .
“ They pushed all my friends out of the way .
They weren ’ t interested in arresting anybody else , ” Arata said .
“ It was completely targeted , and it was frustrating and really disheartening .
“ I was just like , why ?
Why are you targeting me ?
What is this going to accomplish ?
” she said .
A video of Arata ’ s arrest was shared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another protester , Elias Bautista , was also arrested that evening on suspicion of “ assaulting two officers during the arrest ” of Arata , Cantrell said .
Efforts to have been created .
Cantrell said she supported “ peaceful ” protesting and would like to continue meeting with activists to figure out ways to “ make policing meaningful to our community.
” “ For Tianna and anybody else , if there is a goal to change policing , at some point , we ’ re going to have to sit down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that looks like , ” Cantrell told The Times by phone .
The police chief said she had an obligation to uphold the rights of all residents , including those on the freeway .
Johnson , the city manager , said he wanted the public to know that the Police Department and local officials “ support the principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.
” “ We want the voice of Ms. Arata to be heard , and we want safe venues for free expression , and we also need to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t property damage , ” he said .
Statements that Arata , if convicted , could potentially face up to 15 years in prison quickly circulated on social media .
But Dist .
Atty .
Dan Dow debunked that , saying it was and that any charges she faced would lead to a much smaller sentence in county jail , not prison .
Dow also said it was too soon to speculate what the charges might be presented before Arata ’ s arraignment .
But one of Arata ’ s attorneys , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office was “ being completely dishonest about the time she faces.
” “ He ’ s completely misleading the public , ” Briggs said about Dow .
`` [ Tianna ] would be incarcerated in a jail .
... She would actually be facing worse conditions in a local jail , which is not designed to give somebody the lifestyle of facing several years in custody .
It ’ s very reasonable to say she would spend four , five , six years in custody.
” During the protest , Briggs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors said Arata ’ s case brought up a bigger issue of law enforcement trying to intimidate and silence protesters .
“ Tianna is not an anomaly , ” Cullors told The Times via email .
“ She is a part of hundreds of other people who have been criminalized .
...
I think we should be praising young leaders for making our country better and stronger .
Instead , we have created an environment that has made Tianna out to be something that she is not.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that more work needs to be accomplished in San Luis Obispo and beyond .
“ Since I ’ m getting all this national attention , I eventually hope to be able to highlight other issues and not just strictly ‘ Oh , Free Tianna , ’ ” she said .
“ Because the fight in dropping my charges and getting them dismissed is not only for me , it ’ s for all people who have been mistreated by law enforcement in this country .
”

Activist Tianna Arata, 20, stands on the steps of the San Luis Obispo County courthouse Tuesday as supporters gather to protest her arrest after a July antiracism rally in San Luis Obispo.
In July, Tianna Arata helped organize an antiracism protest in San Luis Obispo, hoping to bring the message of racial justice sparked by the police killing of George Floyd to the Central Coast community.
The rally began at a local park. But at some point, more than 300 protesters blocked traffic on U.S. 101. Police say at least two cars were vandalized. Arata, a 20-year-old college student, was arrested.
Her arrest has since become a rallying point for members of Black Lives Matter and other activist groups. On Tuesday, hundreds of people showed up to a news conference and rally outside the San Luis Obispo courthouse to stand in solidarity with Arata.
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“Tianna’s freedom is about all of our freedom,” Melina Abdullah, Pan-African studies professor at Cal State L.A. and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, shouted into a microphone as supporters gathered on the sidewalk and held signs that read “Free Tianna.”
Supporters of Tianna Arata rally outside the San Luis Obispo County courthouse Tuesday. Arata is facing eight charges in connection with an antiracism demonstration she helped organize last month. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Counter-protesters were also present at the event.
Police have argued that the charges against Arata are fair and warranted.
“She wasn’t arrested for lawfully protesting,” San Luis Obispo Police Chief Deanna Cantrell said. “She was arrested because of her own actions and her own behaviors, and she is the one that violated laws.”
Following the rally, Cantrell and San Luis Obispo City Manager Derek Johnson held a virtual news conference to address questions about Arata’s arrest and other diversity concerns.
× San Luis Obispo leaders answer questions about the arrest of Tianna Arata.
Arata was taken into custody on suspicion of eight charges: four felony counts of false imprisonment; one felony count of conspiracy; and three misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing a peace officer, participating in a riot and unlawful assembly, according to the Police Department. She was released later that evening on zero bond.
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Now, she’s waiting as the district attorney’s office investigates her case and decides whether to move forward with charges. Her arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 3.
“It’s super-insane because I never thought I was even going to get arrested in the first place,” Arata told the Los Angeles Times during a Zoom call. “It was completely targeted. … And it obviously seemed like it was to discourage other people from organizing protests in San Luis Obispo.”
Fighting against racial injustice, Arata said, has long been part of her life. The Portland, Ore., native, who moved to San Luis Obispo when she was 16 years old, started her journey as an activist at age 14 after Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Mo.
As demonstrations arose worldwide after Floyd’s death in May at the hands of Minneapolis police, Arata and a group of her friends quickly took to the streets of San Luis Obispo. Arata said comments from the town’s sheriff, Ian Parkinson, that he had “never seen any indication that systemic racism exists” in the county also pushed them to show residents of San Luis Obispo — which is predominantly white — that racial injustice is present even in the “happiest place in America.” (In 2018, a series of racist incidents at Cal Poly sparked much debate, with some Black students on campus saying they did not feel welcome there.)
Tianna Arata, who helped spearhead a rally against racial injustice, says her arrest “seemed like it was to discourage other people from organizing protests in San Luis Obispo.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
“A lot of people in San Luis [Obispo] specifically, they like to point the finger and say, ‘Oh we don’t have these issues here,’” Arata said. “But we needed people to open their eyes and be like, ‘OK, this affects us.’ This is a group of young Black and brown youth and we’re telling you, we have issues in this community as well. No community is exempt.”
Arata co-organized a protest with her friend, Melissa Elizalde, along with other local youth activists. The demonstration started about 4 p.m. at Mitchell Park near downtown San Luis Obispo.
From Arata’s perspective, the atmosphere was uplifting.
“Everybody was super-positive,” she said about the event. “Cars even on the freeway in general, they were honking in support. [They] were like super-respectful and polite during our moments of silence.
“It was really joyous. There was a lot of just dancing and positivity and people just expressing how they feel,” Arata added. She spoke to Cantrell about the event in advance.
Tianna Arata, left, hugs friend Nicole Huffman before Tuesday’s rally outside the San Luis Obispo County courthouse. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
But the Police Department saw it differently. About an hour later, police said protesters got onto U.S. 101, which is the main highway in San Luis Obispo, and began to threaten the safety of motorists, themselves and law enforcement by blocking traffic in both directions for nearly an hour.
While on the highway, police said protesters allegedly damaged the hood and “smashed” the rear window of a passenger vehicle with a 4-year-old child in the back seat. Police also reported that, in an incident that took place off the freeway, some protesters were seen chasing down and throwing objects at a vehicle.
Drone video footage of an incident involving a gray vehicle was posted on the Police Department’s Facebook page .
Arata and others dispute the police account. They say the video appears to show a protester being dragged onto the hood of the vehicle for a short period of time before the car drives away, narrowly missing Arata and other demonstrators.
Once the protest ended and Arata and a few of her friends were packing up a vehicle, she said, police officers appeared and took her into custody.
“They pushed all my friends out of the way. They weren’t interested in arresting anybody else,” Arata said. “It was completely targeted, and it was frustrating and really disheartening.
“I was just like, why? Why are you targeting me? What is this going to accomplish?” she said.
A video of Arata’s arrest was shared on social media with the #FreeTianna hashtag.
Another protester, Elias Bautista, was also arrested that evening on suspicion of “assaulting two officers during the arrest” of Arata, Cantrell said. Efforts to support Bautista’s cause have been created.
Cantrell said she supported “peaceful” protesting and would like to continue meeting with activists to figure out ways to “make policing meaningful to our community.”
“For Tianna and anybody else, if there is a goal to change policing, at some point, we’re going to have to sit down at the table and talk about what that looks like,” Cantrell told The Times by phone.
The police chief said she had an obligation to uphold the rights of all residents, including those on the freeway.
Johnson, the city manager, said he wanted the public to know that the Police Department and local officials “support the principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.”
“We want the voice of Ms. Arata to be heard, and we want safe venues for free expression, and we also need to make sure that people are safe and there isn’t property damage,” he said.
Hundreds rally in support of activist Tianna Arata at the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse. Police argue that the charges against Arata are fair and warranted. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Statements that Arata, if convicted, could potentially face up to 15 years in prison quickly circulated on social media. But Dist. Atty. Dan Dow debunked that, saying it was “patently incorrect,” and that any charges she faced would lead to a much smaller sentence in county jail, not prison.
Dow also said it was too soon to speculate what the charges might be presented before Arata’s arraignment.
But one of Arata’s attorneys, Curtis Briggs, said the district attorney’s office was “being completely dishonest about the time she faces.”
“He’s completely misleading the public,” Briggs said about Dow. “[Tianna] would be incarcerated in a jail. ... She would actually be facing worse conditions in a local jail, which is not designed to give somebody the lifestyle of facing several years in custody. It’s very reasonable to say she would spend four, five, six years in custody.”
During the protest, Briggs called for Cantrell‘s resignation.
Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors said Arata’s case brought up a bigger issue of law enforcement trying to intimidate and silence protesters.
“Tianna is not an anomaly,” Cullors told The Times via email. “She is a part of hundreds of other people who have been criminalized. ... I think we should be praising young leaders for making our country better and stronger. Instead, we have created an environment that has made Tianna out to be something that she is not.”
For Arata, her arrest is proof that more work needs to be accomplished in San Luis Obispo and beyond.
“Since I’m getting all this national attention, I eventually hope to be able to highlight other issues and not just strictly ‘Oh, Free Tianna,’” she said. “Because the fight in dropping my charges and getting them dismissed is not only for me, it’s for all people who have been mistreated by law enforcement in this country.”


latimes--2020-08-25--Vehicle plunges off Malibu road, killing one

A vehicle plunged about 100 feet over the side of a road in Malibu on Tuesday , killing one person @ @ @ @ @ said .
The L.A. County Fire Department was alerted to the incident , which occurred @ @ @ @ @ just before 4 p.m .
In a Twitter post , officials said that one person @ @ @ @ @ scene , and a second person was being taken to a hospital “ in severe @ @ @ @ @ a supervising dispatcher with the department , said it was not clear why the incident @ @

A vehicle plunged about 100 feet over the side of a road in Malibu on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring another, authorities said.
The L.A. County Fire Department was alerted to the incident, which occurred near Stunt and Schueren roads just before 4 p.m.
In a Twitter post, officials said that one person was found dead at the scene, and a second person was being taken to a hospital “in severe distress.”
Melanie Flores, a supervising dispatcher with the department, said it was not clear why the incident occurred.


latimes--2020-08-25--Son of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar charged with stabbing neighbor

Adam Abdul-Jabbar , the son of famed Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , faces criminal charges of repeatedly stabbing his neighbor after getting into a heated exchange over taking in trash cans , prosecutors said Tuesday .
Orange County prosecutors said they had charged Abdul-Jabbar , 28 , of San Clemente , with three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon , one felony count of carrying a dagger and three enhancements of inflicting great bodily injury .
Prosecutors allege that on June 9 , a neighbor confronted Abdul-Jabbar and accused him of not bringing in the trash cans for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the argument escalated , prosecutors said , Abdul-Jabbar stabbed his 60-year-old neighbor multiple times with a large hunting knife , fracturing his skull and causing a brain bleed .
The neighbor ’ s wife drove him to a hospital , where he collapsed .
“ A dispute between neighbors should never escalate to violence , much less the ruthless nature of this attack , ” Orange County Dist .
Atty .
Todd Spitzer said in a statement .
Abdul-Jabbar , whose arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 9 , faces a maximum sentence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prosecutors said .
He is free on $ 25,000 bail .
“ It was the complaining witness in this matter who initiated the altercation and it was Mr. Abdul-Jabbar who contacted the police to report it , ” said Shawn Holley , Abdul-Jabbar ’ s attorney , in a statement .
“ For these reasons and many more , we are disappointed that this case was filed , but stand ready to address the charges in court .
”

Adam Abdul-Jabbar, the son of famed Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, faces criminal charges of repeatedly stabbing his neighbor after getting into a heated exchange over taking in trash cans, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Orange County prosecutors said they had charged Abdul-Jabbar, 28, of San Clemente, with three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one felony count of carrying a dagger and three enhancements of inflicting great bodily injury.
Prosecutors allege that on June 9, a neighbor confronted Abdul-Jabbar and accused him of not bringing in the trash cans for Abdul-Jabbar’s elderly roommate. As the argument escalated, prosecutors said, Abdul-Jabbar stabbed his 60-year-old neighbor multiple times with a large hunting knife, fracturing his skull and causing a brain bleed. The neighbor’s wife drove him to a hospital, where he collapsed.
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“A dispute between neighbors should never escalate to violence, much less the ruthless nature of this attack,” Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer said in a statement.
Abdul-Jabbar, whose arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 9, faces a maximum sentence of nine years and eight months in prison, prosecutors said. He is free on $25,000 bail.
“It was the complaining witness in this matter who initiated the altercation and it was Mr. Abdul-Jabbar who contacted the police to report it,” said Shawn Holley, Abdul-Jabbar’s attorney, in a statement. “For these reasons and many more, we are disappointed that this case was filed, but stand ready to address the charges in court.”


latimes--2020-08-25--Judge denies L.A. County's request to stop Grace Community Church from gathering

A judge on Tuesday rejected Los Angeles County ’ s attempt to temporarily bar a large church in Sun Valley from holding indoor worship services where hundreds of unmasked congregants have continued to gather over the last five Sundays .
The decision is the latest in a legal battle between the county and Grace Community Church , which has continued to hold services despite state and county health orders prohibiting indoor worship services .
The county was seeking a temporary restraining order barring the indoor gatherings until a hearing on a preliminary injunction on Sept. 4 .
“ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to grant the County ’ s request for a temporary restraining order prohibiting Grace Community Church from holding indoor services , ” county officials said in a statement .
“ We look forward to a favorable ruling when a full hearing is heard on the matter.
” The church and its attorneys celebrated Tuesday ’ s victory , which extends a streak of favorable rulings .
“ We look forward to fully vindicating our clients ’ constitutionally protected rights in subsequent proceedings for this important case , ” said Paul Jonna , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The county ’ s lawsuit , which was filed Aug. 12 , has encountered setbacks from the start , with a county judge allowing the church to hold indoor services if congregants wear face coverings and practice social distancing .
On Aug. 16 , following the favorable ruling , the church ’ s congregation erupted in applause when Pastor John MacArthur arrived at the pulpit for Sunday service .
“ All that , and I haven ’ t even said anything , ” he said , pausing .
“ We ’ re having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favor of the county at one point , but officials chose not to enforce the health order , at least until the full hearing .
MacArthur said the church was meeting indoors not because it wanted to be “ rebellious ” but because it was commanded by God to come together in worship .
“ The good news is , you ’ re here , you ’ re not distancing , and you ’ re not wearing masks , ” he told his congregation Aug. 16 .
“ And it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not outside because it ’ s very hot out there , so the Lord knew you needed to be inside and unmasked , so he did us that gracious favor.
” Researchers have continued to raise serious concerns about how the coronavirus spreads indoors , especially while people are singing .
In Washington state , a choir practice was deemed a “ super-spreading event ” after 45 of its singers contracted the virus , at least three were hospitalized , and two people died .
The county appears to share those concerns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Superior Court in mid-August , county public health officer Dr. Muntu Davis outlined his concerns with indoor religious gatherings , noting that at least 650 COVID-19 cases have been linked to nearly 40 churches and religious events across the country .
Davis said in the court document that he reviewed images and video clips of Grace Community Church ’ s indoor services over the last few weeks and saw congregants sitting next to one another without wearing face coverings .
“ Based on these images , in my opinion , it is only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not already happened — until there is a significant outbreak of COVID-19 cases among the attendees , ” Davis said .
Times staff writers Richard Read and Colleen Shalby contributed to this report .

Grace Community Church in Sun Valley has held weekly Sunday services since July 26, in defiance of state and county health orders prohibiting indoor worship services.
A judge on Tuesday rejected Los Angeles County’s attempt to temporarily bar a large church in Sun Valley from holding indoor worship services where hundreds of unmasked congregants have continued to gather over the last five Sundays.
The decision is the latest in a legal battle between the county and Grace Community Church, which has continued to hold services despite state and county health orders prohibiting indoor worship services.
The county was seeking a temporary restraining order barring the indoor gatherings until a hearing on a preliminary injunction on Sept. 4.
“It is deeply disappointing that the Court decided not to grant the County’s request for a temporary restraining order prohibiting Grace Community Church from holding indoor services,” county officials said in a statement. “We look forward to a favorable ruling when a full hearing is heard on the matter.”
The church and its attorneys celebrated Tuesday’s victory, which extends a streak of favorable rulings. “We look forward to fully vindicating our clients’ constitutionally protected rights in subsequent proceedings for this important case,” said Paul Jonna, one of the church’s attorneys.
The county’s lawsuit, which was filed Aug. 12, has encountered setbacks from the start, with a county judge allowing the church to hold indoor services if congregants wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
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On Aug. 16, following the favorable ruling, the church’s congregation erupted in applause when Pastor John MacArthur arrived at the pulpit for Sunday service.
“All that, and I haven’t even said anything,” he said, pausing. “We’re having church.”
An appellate court did rule in favor of the county at one point, but officials chose not to enforce the health order, at least until the full hearing.
MacArthur said the church was meeting indoors not because it wanted to be “rebellious” but because it was commanded by God to come together in worship.
“The good news is, you’re here, you’re not distancing, and you’re not wearing masks,” he told his congregation Aug. 16. “And it’s also good news that you’re not outside because it’s very hot out there, so the Lord knew you needed to be inside and unmasked, so he did us that gracious favor.”
Researchers have continued to raise serious concerns about how the coronavirus spreads indoors, especially while people are singing. In Washington state, a choir practice was deemed a “super-spreading event” after 45 of its singers contracted the virus, at least three were hospitalized, and two people died.
The county appears to share those concerns.
In a declaration filed in L.A. County Superior Court in mid-August, county public health officer Dr. Muntu Davis outlined his concerns with indoor religious gatherings, noting that at least 650 COVID-19 cases have been linked to nearly 40 churches and religious events across the country.
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Davis said in the court document that he reviewed images and video clips of Grace Community Church’s indoor services over the last few weeks and saw congregants sitting next to one another without wearing face coverings.
“Based on these images, in my opinion, it is only a matter of time — if it has not already happened — until there is a significant outbreak of COVID-19 cases among the attendees,” Davis said.
Times staff writers Richard Read and Colleen Shalby contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-08-25--L.A. County COVID-19 cases continue to drop, setting up potential for some school reopenings

Los Angeles County continues to see a downward trend in confirmed coronavirus infections , setting the stage for a possible reopening of some elementary schools .
The county ’ s coronavirus case rate has dropped below 200 per 100,000 residents over the most recent two-week span , a threshold at which the county can request waivers that would allow some K-6 schools to reopen for in-person classes .
Although the county remains on the state ’ s COVID-19 watchlist , which monitors for surges in infections and hospitalizations — and will be removed only if cases fall below 100 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of overall cases in the county continues to decline on a weekly basis .
The 14-day average infection rate in L.A. County is currently 197.5 per 100,000 people , according to the California Department of Public Health .
On Tuesday , the L.A. County Department of Public Heath reported 989 new cases , noting that it was the first time the number of new cases has been under 1,000 since the start of June .
In mid and late July , there had been about 3,200 new cases a day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s too early to know whether the case count will remain below 200 .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced in July that any county on the monitoring list for in-person classes , including all public , private , charter and faith-based schools .
But the governor allowed for public school districts as well as charter and private schools to apply through their local health agency for a waiver to .
L.A. County health officials said earlier this month they would but would reconsider their decision once the numbers fell to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heartened by case rates falling below 200 and is working to assess the new guidance issued today by the CDPH to determine what additional adjustments may be needed before opening up the waiver process , ” the agency said in a statement Tuesday .
“ Public Health will advise as soon as the school waiver application process is opened and accepting applications.
” Last week , health officials said waiver applications could be distributed to schools — and then sent to state officials for review — once the county met the reduced transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be approved , and the county must maintain reduced case counts for 14 days before waivers can be considered .
“ Dr .
[ Barbara ] Ferrer and her entire team has been thinking about this closely , ” Health and Human Services Director Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday , referring to the L.A. County public health director and school waivers .
“ These decisions will only be made when ... a school district , as well as parents and children and other local community groups , come together with the commitment from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely.
” Last week , the Orange County Health Care Agency announced that several schools were approved for in-person classes after the county ’ s infection rate dropped .
The OK came shortly before Orange County was removed from the state ’ s watchlist .
If a county remains off the state list for 14 days , all schools are permitted to reopen .
More counties have been removed from the state ’ s monitoring list as California continues to see a plateau in COVID-19 cases and a drop in hospitalizations .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently 5.7 % , Ghaly said Tuesday .
That is below the country ’ s overall average , which according to Johns Hopkins University is currently 6.1 % .
As numbers have trended downward in recent weeks , eight counties in California have been removed from the list and are awaiting state guidelines on how to begin reopening some of the businesses forced amid a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The state plans to release new guidance on reopenings this week , Ghaly said .
As massive fires have forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the state , and as Labor Day approaches , Ghaly stressed the need for residents to avoid congregating with others outside their households and to maintain social distancing practices to keep transmission rates low .
Last week , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said he expected the mortality rate across the nation to drop as cases had declined .
In an interview with the Journal of the American Medical Assn.
, Redfield attributed the progress to business closures and social distancing practices .
“ I think I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mitigation steps that we advocated , something as simple as a face mask , social distancing , washing your hands , closing bars and having limited indoor dining at restaurants , ” have helped control the pandemic , he said .
Times staff writers Nina Agrawal , Paloma Esquivel , Taryn Luna and Melody Gutierrez contributed to this report .

Gladys Alvarez, a teacher at Manchester Avenue Elementary School in South Los Angeles, talks to students via Zoom in her empty classroom last week.
Los Angeles County continues to see a downward trend in confirmed coronavirus infections, setting the stage for a possible reopening of some elementary schools.
The county’s coronavirus case rate has dropped below 200 per 100,000 residents over the most recent two-week span, a threshold at which the county can request waivers that would allow some K-6 schools to reopen for in-person classes.
Although the county remains on the state’s COVID-19 watchlist, which monitors for surges in infections and hospitalizations — and will be removed only if cases fall below 100 per 100,000 residents, among other criteria — the number of overall cases in the county continues to decline on a weekly basis. The 14-day average infection rate in L.A. County is currently 197.5 per 100,000 people, according to the California Department of Public Health.
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On Tuesday, the L.A. County Department of Public Heath reported 989 new cases, noting that it was the first time the number of new cases has been under 1,000 since the start of June. In mid and late July, there had been about 3,200 new cases a day, officials said.
The health department said it’s too early to know whether the case count will remain below 200.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in July that any county on the monitoring list could not open K-12 schools for in-person classes, including all public, private, charter and faith-based schools. But the governor allowed for public school districts as well as charter and private schools to apply through their local health agency for a waiver to reopen school for Grades K-6 only .
L.A. County health officials said earlier this month they would not issue waivers but would reconsider their decision once the numbers fell to an acceptable level.
“Public Health is heartened by case rates falling below 200 and is working to assess the new guidance issued today by the CDPH to determine what additional adjustments may be needed before opening up the waiver process,” the agency said in a statement Tuesday. “Public Health will advise as soon as the school waiver application process is opened and accepting applications.”
Last week, health officials said waiver applications could be distributed to schools — and then sent to state officials for review — once the county met the reduced transmission threshold. Robust safety plans must also be approved, and the county must maintain reduced case counts for 14 days before waivers can be considered.
“Dr. [Barbara] Ferrer and her entire team has been thinking about this closely,” Health and Human Services Director Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday, referring to the L.A. County public health director and school waivers.
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“These decisions will only be made when ... a school district, as well as parents and children and other local community groups, come together with the commitment from the local health officer to track transmission closely.”
Last week, the Orange County Health Care Agency announced that several schools were approved for in-person classes after the county’s infection rate dropped. The OK came shortly before Orange County was removed from the state’s watchlist. If a county remains off the state list for 14 days, all schools are permitted to reopen.
More counties have been removed from the state’s monitoring list as California continues to see a plateau in COVID-19 cases and a drop in hospitalizations.
The seven-day average for positive COVID-19 test results is currently 5.7%, Ghaly said Tuesday. That is below the country’s overall average, which according to Johns Hopkins University is currently 6.1%.
As numbers have trended downward in recent weeks, eight counties in California have been removed from the list and are awaiting state guidelines on how to begin reopening some of the businesses forced amid a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state plans to release new guidance on reopenings this week, Ghaly said.
As massive fires have forced tens of thousands to evacuate in some parts of the state, and as Labor Day approaches, Ghaly stressed the need for residents to avoid congregating with others outside their households and to maintain social distancing practices to keep transmission rates low.
Last week, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said he expected the mortality rate across the nation to drop as cases had declined. In an interview with the Journal of the American Medical Assn., Redfield attributed the progress to business closures and social distancing practices.
“I think I’ve seen pretty strong data that the mitigation steps that we advocated, something as simple as a face mask, social distancing, washing your hands, closing bars and having limited indoor dining at restaurants,” have helped control the pandemic, he said.
Times staff writers Nina Agrawal, Paloma Esquivel, Taryn Luna and Melody Gutierrez contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-08-25--Feeling anxious and depressed? In California, you're right at home

It ’ s official , California : COVID-19 has left us sick with worry and increasingly depressed .
And our youngest adults — those ages 18 to 29 — are feeling it the worst .
conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau from late April through late July offer a grim view of the toll the pandemic has taken on mental health in the Golden State and across the nation .
By late July , more than 44 % of California adults reported levels of anxiety and gloom typically associated with diagnoses of generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer months alongside the menacing spread of the coronavirus .
The U.S. at large has followed a similar pattern , with about 41 % of adult respondents nationwide reporting symptoms of clinical anxiety or depression during the third week of July .
By comparison , just 11 % of American adults reported those symptoms in a similar survey .
The July responses showed a marked geographic variance .
Residents of Western and Southern states , where the virus remains most virulent , registered greater mental distress , on average .
The findings reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severity of the global crisis set in .
Most adults have been moored at home in a forced stasis , many in relative isolation .
The unemployment rate hit its highest rate since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
Thousands of families across California and tens of thousands across the U.S. have lost people to the virus .
There is no clear indication when — or even if — life will return to normal .
“ The pandemic is the first wave of this tsunami , and the second and third waves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health piece , ” said , executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness ( NAMI ) California .
The surveys were part of a novel partnership between the National Center for Health Statistics and the Census Bureau to provide relevant data on the coronavirus ’ impact .
In weekly online surveys over three months , the Census Bureau asked about 900,000 Americans questions to quantify their levels of anxiety or depression .
The four survey questions are a modified version of a physicians use to diagnose mental illness .
Respondents were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days they had been bothered by feeling hopeless or depressed ; had felt little interest or pleasure in doing things ; had felt nervous or anxious ; or had experienced uncontrolled worry .
They were scored based on how often they had experienced those symptoms in the previous week , ranging from never to nearly every day .
High scores on the anxiety questions indicated symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder .
High scores on the depression questions indicated symptoms of major depressive disorder .
In both California and the nation , symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among young adults , and generally decreased with age .
For example , nearly three in four California respondents between 18 and 29 reported “ not being able to stop or control worrying ” for at least several of the previous seven days .
And 71 % reported feeling “ down , depressed or hopeless ” during that time .
Interestingly , respondents 80 and older — an age group far more likely to suffer and die from COVID-19 — reported nowhere near the same levels of distress .
Just 40 % reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several days in the previous week , and 42 % reported uncontrollable worry .
Cruz said that may be because young adults are more comfortable expressing worry and sadness than their parents and grandparents , adding that such openness is a good thing .
However , even before the pandemic , suicide rates among teens and young adults had been on a years-long climb nationwide ; and California emergency rooms had in the number of young adults seeking care for mental health crises .
Some researchers have cited the ubiquitous reach of social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of inferiority and alienation — as factors in the rise in mental health struggles among younger generations .
COVID-19 could be exacerbating those feelings of isolation , Cruz said .
The census surveys also found higher rates of depression and anxiety among those who have lost jobs during the pandemic .
Young adults in the service sector have been hit particularly hard by the wide-scale economic shutdowns .
In July , the unemployment rate among U.S. workers ages 20 to 24 , compared with 9 % among workers 25 to 54 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Others noted that many other young adults who would normally be immersed in college life are stuck on the couch in their parents ’ home , staring at a professor on Zoom , with little social life and no paid work after class .
“ Some of the things that generally help improve mood have been more difficult and more challenging now , ” said , director of counseling services at UC Davis .
“ So I think some of our counselors ’ work is to help them think through , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you stay socially connected while socially distant ?
’ ” Californians with lower incomes also reported higher levels of anxiety or depression .
About 72 % of California respondents with household incomes below $ 35,000 reported “ little interest or pleasure in doing things ” for at least several of the previous seven days , according to an average of survey results from July 2 through July 21 .
“ People have had a lot of trouble accessing unemployment benefits — that has not been an easy path , ” said , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Country Community Clinic in Shasta County .
Some experts said they worry that the tumble toward depression and anxiety could outlast the pandemic itself , particularly if the economy lapses into a prolonged recession .
“ The pandemic will likely have short- and long-term implications on mental health and substance use , ” said Laura Pancake , a vice president at Pacific Clinics , one of the largest mental health service providers in Southern California .
The pandemic , she added , “ has only exacerbated existing challenges that many face , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Phillip Reese writes for ( KHN ) , which publishes , an editorially independent service of the .
KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

Feelings of depression and anxiety are up in California and around the nation because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s official, California: COVID-19 has left us sick with worry and increasingly depressed. And our youngest adults — those ages 18 to 29 — are feeling it the worst.
Weekly surveys conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau from late April through late July offer a grim view of the toll the pandemic has taken on mental health in the Golden State and across the nation. By late July, more than 44% of California adults reported levels of anxiety and gloom typically associated with diagnoses of generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder — a stunning figure that rose through the summer months alongside the menacing spread of the coronavirus.
The U.S. at large has followed a similar pattern, with about 41% of adult respondents nationwide reporting symptoms of clinical anxiety or depression during the third week of July. By comparison, just 11% of American adults reported those symptoms in a similar survey conducted in early 2019 .
The July responses showed a marked geographic variance. Residents of Western and Southern states, where the virus remains most virulent, registered greater mental distress, on average.
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The findings reflect a generalized sense of hopelessness of the severity of the global crisis set in. Most adults have been moored at home in a forced stasis, many in relative isolation. The unemployment rate hit its highest rate since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Thousands of families across California and tens of thousands across the U.S. have lost people to the virus. There is no clear indication when — or even if — life will return to normal.
“The pandemic is the first wave of this tsunami, and the second and third waves are really going to be this behavioral health piece,” said Jessica Cruz , executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California.
The surveys were part of a novel partnership between the National Center for Health Statistics and the Census Bureau to provide relevant data on the coronavirus’ impact. In weekly online surveys over three months, the Census Bureau asked about 900,000 Americans questions to quantify their levels of anxiety or depression. The four survey questions are a modified version of a common screening tool physicians use to diagnose mental illness.
Respondents were asked how often during the previous seven days they had been bothered by feeling hopeless or depressed; had felt little interest or pleasure in doing things; had felt nervous or anxious; or had experienced uncontrolled worry. They were scored based on how often they had experienced those symptoms in the previous week, ranging from never to nearly every day.
High scores on the anxiety questions indicated symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder. High scores on the depression questions indicated symptoms of major depressive disorder.
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In both California and the nation, symptoms of depression and anxiety were more pronounced among young adults, and generally decreased with age. For example, nearly three in four California respondents between 18 and 29 reported “not being able to stop or control worrying” for at least several of the previous seven days. And 71% reported feeling “down, depressed or hopeless” during that time.
Interestingly, respondents 80 and older — an age group far more likely to suffer and die from COVID-19 — reported nowhere near the same levels of distress. Just 40% reported feeling down or hopeless for at least several days in the previous week, and 42% reported uncontrollable worry.
Cruz said that may be because young adults are more comfortable expressing worry and sadness than their parents and grandparents, adding that such openness is a good thing. However, even before the pandemic, suicide rates among teens and young adults had been on a years-long climb nationwide; and California emergency rooms had registered a sharp rise in the number of young adults seeking care for mental health crises.
Some researchers have cited the ubiquitous reach of social media — and with it an increased sense of inferiority and alienation — as factors in the rise in mental health struggles among younger generations. COVID-19 could be exacerbating those feelings of isolation, Cruz said.
The census surveys also found higher rates of depression and anxiety among those who have lost jobs during the pandemic. Young adults in the service sector have been hit particularly hard by the wide-scale economic shutdowns. In July, the unemployment rate among U.S. workers ages 20 to 24 was 18% , compared with 9% among workers 25 to 54, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Others noted that many other young adults who would normally be immersed in college life are stuck on the couch in their parents’ home, staring at a professor on Zoom, with little social life and no paid work after class.
“Some of the things that generally help improve mood have been more difficult and more challenging now,” said Paul Kim , director of counseling services at UC Davis. “So I think some of our counselors’ work is to help them think through, ‘How is it, for example, you stay socially connected while socially distant?’”
Californians with lower incomes also reported higher levels of anxiety or depression. About 72% of California respondents with household incomes below $35,000 reported “little interest or pleasure in doing things” for at least several of the previous seven days, according to an average of survey results from July 2 through July 21.
“People have had a lot of trouble accessing unemployment benefits — that has not been an easy path,” said Jo Campbell , a therapist and integrated operations director at Hill Country Community Clinic in Shasta County.
Some experts said they worry that the tumble toward depression and anxiety could outlast the pandemic itself, particularly if the economy lapses into a prolonged recession.
“The pandemic will likely have short- and long-term implications on mental health and substance use,” said Laura Pancake, a vice president at Pacific Clinics, one of the largest mental health service providers in Southern California. The pandemic, she added, “has only exacerbated existing challenges that many face, including unemployment, poor health and other barriers.”


latimes--2020-08-25--California moves to stop excessive punishment of Black and disabled students at three districts

Three school districts in Barstow and Oroville discriminated against Black students and students with disabilities by excessively disciplining them , prompting the state to impose five-year corrective plans , California Atty .
General Xavier Becerra said Tuesday .
The California Department of Justice found that Barstow Unified School District , Oroville City Elementary School District and Oroville Union High School District had a “ systemic over-reliance on punitive , exclusionary discipline against Black students and students with disabilities , ” according to a news release from Becerra ’ s office .
It also found that the districts failed to respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including in some cases the use of racial slurs .
“ Our society is built on how we educate our children , ” Becerra said in the release .
“ When our schools use punishment discriminately , it has lasting consequences .
And when our schools fail to adequately address bullying or racial harassment , we all suffer .
Among the department ’ s findings were the following : • At Barstow Unified , with 6,435 students in the last school year , Black students and students with disabilities were more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of others races and without disabilities .
• At Oroville City Elementary , Black students lost days of school due to suspension at a rate 18 times the statewide average .
Middle school students with disabilities received almost twice as many days of punishment as students without disabilities .
The district north of Sacramento serves 2,739 students .
• At Oroville Union High , with 2,237 students , Black students were 56 % more likely to be suspended out of school than white students for the same types of behaviors .
Duane Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elementary and high school , both of whom are Black , said each had been suspended after reporting bullying and harassment by white students to teachers , only to see them take no action .
The older son , now 17 , was the target of racial slurs involving the n-word , and the younger son , now 10 , was bullied by another student who took food off his lunch plate , Jones said .
When the harassment escalated and Jones ’ sons fought back , they were suspended — but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His younger son still has not recovered from his in-school suspension , during which he was left alone all day in the principal ’ s office .
He has trouble controlling his emotions and can become inconsolable when things don ’ t go his way , Jones said .
“ Our black children have it hard enough trying to learn something and trying to get a good foot in this lifetime without losing their education , ” Jones said .
The department began its investigations in May 2019 .
It would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the districts .
The findings come about a year after California extended its ban on so-called willful defiance suspensions for disruptive behavior from Grades K-3 to Grades K-8 , though students may still be suspended for more serious actions .
Research has shown that suspensions and the accompanying loss of instructional time disproportionately affect students of color , particularly Black students .
The investigation found that Barstow Unified illegally suspended students in grades K-3 for disruption and defiance , the attorney general ’ s complaint against the district said .
Seventy percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though just 20 % of its students overall are .
The district also routinely used suspensions for relatively minor behaviors , including use of vulgar or obscene language , the complaint said .
In Oroville City Elementary School District , data showed that elementary schools reported high numbers for reports of physical injuries at the district ’ s elementary schools .
This “ raised concerns , ” the complaint said , either that minor offenses are being incorrectly coded as more serious ones in order to suspend students for them , which would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unsafe — “ or both.
” And at Oroville Union High School District , the attorney general ’ s office found that use of “ exclusionary punishment ” — removing students from class — was excessive , with 90 % of defiance or obscenity incidents resulting in in-school or out-of-school suspensions .
All three school districts have agreed to five-year corrective action plans , to be overseen by an independent monitor .
The plans include revising student discipline policies , regularly analyzing student discipline data for evidence of bias , strengthening counseling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet students ’ academic and emotional needs , and improving procedures for handling student complaints .
The settlements , announced Tuesday , follow a series of actions the California Department of Justice has taken against school districts that have implemented discriminatory practices .
Last year , Becerra announced the state ’ s first desegregation order in 50 years , in the Sausalito Marin City District .
It also has reached settlements with the Stockton Unified School District and the Mojave Unified School District .
“ What we ’ re finding is that ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our schools are not complying with the requirements of the law , ” Becerra said at a news conference Tuesday .
“ Most of the time it has a lot to do with resources .
Oftentimes it has a lot to do with changing laws that folks aren ’ t keeping pace with .
And unfortunately sometimes it ’ s that there is a negligence .
... Whatever the case , it ’ s the job of the Department of Justice to ... make sure that every child is getting the education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they ’ re entitled to.
” All three district superintendents said they were committed to ensuring equitable school environments .
Supt .
Jeff Malan of Barstow Unified said the district would “ leverage ” its already existing behavioral interventions , extend bilingual services and recruit new talent .
Supt .
Corey Willenberg of Oroville Union High said that as a result of the settlement , his district had already modified its student discipline policy and employee training program .

In Los Angeles in 2013, high school students celebrate the LAUSD decision to ban student suspensions for “willful defiance.” California banned the practice for all K-8 students in 2019.
Three school districts in Barstow and Oroville discriminated against Black students and students with disabilities by excessively disciplining them, prompting the state to impose five-year corrective plans, California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra said Tuesday.
The California Department of Justice found that Barstow Unified School District, Oroville City Elementary School District and Oroville Union High School District had a “systemic over-reliance on punitive, exclusionary discipline against Black students and students with disabilities,” according to a news release from Becerra’s office. It also found that the districts failed to respond adequately to complaints of harassment and discrimination, including in some cases the use of racial slurs.
“Our society is built on how we educate our children,” Becerra said in the release. “When our schools use punishment discriminately, it has lasting consequences. And when our schools fail to adequately address bullying or racial harassment, we all suffer.”
Among the department’s findings were the following:
At Barstow Unified, with 6,435 students in the last school year, Black students and students with disabilities were more likely to be punished and suspended than students of other races and without disabilities.
At Oroville City Elementary, Black students lost days of school due to suspension at a rate 18 times the statewide average. Middle school students with disabilities received almost twice as many days of punishment as students without disabilities. The district north of Sacramento serves 2,739 students.
At Oroville Union High, with 2,237 students, Black students were 56% more likely to be suspended from school than white students for the same types of behaviors.
Duane Jones, an Oroville parent with sons in elementary and high school, both of whom are Black, said each had been suspended after reporting bullying and harassment by white students to teachers, only to see them take no action. The older son, now 17, was the target of racial slurs involving the N-word, and the younger son, now 10, was bullied by another student who took food off his lunch plate, Jones said.
When the harassment escalated and Jones’ sons fought back, they were suspended — but the white students were not, he said.
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His younger son still has not recovered from his in-school suspension, during which he was left alone all day in the principal’s office. He has trouble controlling his emotions and can become inconsolable when things don’t go his way, Jones said.
“Our black children have it hard enough trying to learn something and trying to get a good foot in this lifetime without losing their education,” Jones said.
The department began its investigations in May 2019. It would not comment on the original source of complaints about the districts.
The findings come about a year after California extended its ban on so-called willful defiance suspensions for disruptive behavior from grades K-3 to grades K-8, though students may still be suspended for more serious actions. Research has shown that suspensions and the accompanying loss of instructional time disproportionately affect students of color, particularly Black students.
The investigation found that Barstow Unified illegally suspended students in grades K-3 for disruption and defiance, the attorney general’s complaint against the district said. Seventy percent of the students suspended were African-American, though just 20% of its students overall are. The district also routinely used suspensions for relatively minor behaviors, including use of vulgar or obscene language, the complaint said.
In Oroville City Elementary School District, data showed that elementary schools reported high numbers for reports of physical injuries at the district’s elementary schools. This “raised concerns,” the complaint said, either that minor offenses are being incorrectly coded as more serious ones in order to suspend students for them, which would be illegal, or that the campuses are unsafe — “or both.”
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And at Oroville Union High School District, the attorney general’s office found that use of “exclusionary punishment” — removing students from class — was excessive, with 90% of defiance or obscenity incidents resulting in in-school or out-of-school suspensions.
All three school districts have agreed to five-year corrective action plans, to be overseen by an independent monitor. The plans include revising student discipline policies, regularly analyzing student discipline data for evidence of bias, strengthening counseling services, putting in place systems to meet students’ academic and emotional needs, and improving procedures for handling student complaints.
The settlements, announced Tuesday, follow a series of actions the California Department of Justice has taken against school districts that have implemented discriminatory practices. Last year, Becerra announced the state’s first desegregation order in 50 years, in the Sausalito Marin City District. It also has reached settlements with the Stockton Unified School District and the Mojave Unified School District.
“What we’re finding is that ... some of our schools and the personnel in our schools are not complying with the requirements of the law,” Becerra said at a news conference Tuesday. “Most of the time it has a lot to do with resources. Oftentimes it has a lot to do with changing laws that folks aren’t keeping pace with. And unfortunately sometimes it’s that there is a negligence. ... Whatever the case, it’s the job of the Department of Justice to ... make sure that every child is getting the education not just that they deserve, but that they’re entitled to.”
All three district superintendents said they were committed to ensuring equitable school environments. Supt. Jeff Malan of Barstow Unified said the district would “leverage” its already existing behavioral interventions, extend bilingual services and recruit new talent. Supt. Corey Willenberg of Oroville Union High said that as a result of the settlement, his district had already modified its student discipline policy and employee training program.


latimes--2020-08-25--LAPD will keep testing BolaWrap, a device meant to immobilize suspects from a distance

Los Angeles police will continue testing a tether restraint designed to help immobilize suspects from a distance — known as the BolaWrap — after an initial six-month pilot program produced too little data to gauge the tool ’ s overall effectiveness .
At the department ’ s request , the Police Commission unanimously granted a 180-day extension to the program during its meeting Tuesday morning .
Since the initial 180-day pilot began in February , LAPD officers have used the BolaWrap a total of nine times .
It was deemed “ effective ” in six instances .
According to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission , successful deployments helped take various suspects into custody , including a naked man running through traffic , a suspect wielding a pipe , a suspect with a knife , and an arson suspect .
The devices were ineffective in one incident in which a suspect was up against a fence , in another where a suspect wore a very a large , bulky coat , and another in which the officer who fired the tether missed the suspect , the report said .
Deputy Chief Martin Baeza told the commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from more deployments in the coming months to help determine whether to keep using the BolaWrap .
He said the devices were meant to assist officers in bringing potentially dangerous situations to an end without using more deadly force , and that he remained optimistic they could serve that purpose .
Baeza said the LAPD was also working with the manufacturer of the BolaWrap , which provided 200 devices for testing , to see if improvements might be made to make the devices more effective .
Commissioner Dale Bonner asked Baeza to assess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be testing the devices and report those back to the commission as well .

The LAPD will extend its pilot program to test the BolaWrap device for another six months.
Los Angeles police will continue testing a tether restraint designed to help immobilize suspects from a distance — known as the BolaWrap — after an initial six-month pilot program produced too little data to gauge the tool’s overall effectiveness.
At the department’s request, the Police Commission unanimously granted a 180-day extension to the program during its meeting Tuesday morning.
Since the initial 180-day pilot began in February, LAPD officers have used the BolaWrap a total of nine times. It was deemed “effective” in six instances.
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According to an LAPD report on those incidents provided to the commission, successful deployments helped take various suspects into custody, including a naked man running through traffic, a suspect wielding a pipe, a suspect with a knife, and an arson suspect.
The devices were ineffective in one incident in which a suspect was up against a fence, in another where a suspect wore a very a large, bulky coat, and another in which the officer who fired the tether missed the suspect, the report said.
Deputy Chief Martin Baeza told the commission that the department hoped to gather data from more deployments in the coming months to help determine whether to keep using the BolaWrap. He said the devices were meant to assist officers in bringing potentially dangerous situations to an end without using more deadly force, and that he remained optimistic they could serve that purpose.
Baeza said the LAPD was also working with the manufacturer of the BolaWrap, which provided 200 devices for testing, to see if improvements might be made to make the devices more effective.
Commissioner Dale Bonner asked Baeza to assess the findings of other police departments that may be testing the devices and report those back to the commission as well.


latimes--2020-08-25--Gov. Gavin Newsom endorses George Gascón in Los Angeles County D.A.'s race

Gov .
Gavin Newsom endorsed George Gascón on Tuesday in his bid to become Los Angeles County district attorney , marking the political reunion of two former Bay Area allies .
As San Francisco ’ s mayor , Newsom appointed Gascón police chief and later district attorney , so the endorsement is hardly a surprise .
But it marks the latest in a raft of high-profile endorsements picked up by Gascón this summer as a national debate about criminal justice reform has energized his attempt to unseat Jackie Lacey as the county ’ s top prosecutor .
“ This November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as calls to re-imagine our dated system of justice grow louder , and I urge them to join me once again in turning to George Gascón , ” Newsom said in a statement .
Lacey became Los Angeles ’ first Black district attorney in 2012 and is seeking a third-term helming the nation ’ s busiest district attorney ’ s office .
But she has been the target of near constant criticism from Black Lives Matter organizers and other progressive groups calling for an overhaul of the criminal justice system .
Gascón , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform candidate and represents a nationwide push to elect more progressive prosecutors .
In recent months , vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
have endorsed Gascón .
U.S. Reps. Adam Schiff ( D-Burbank ) and Ted Lieu ( D-Torrance ) rescinded their endorsements of Lacey — who is often criticized by activists for her hesitancy to prosecute officers involved in shootings — amid protests against police brutality .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also seemed to walk back his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June interview that “ it may be ” time for a change in the district attorney ’ s office .
He has not endorsed Gascón .
Lacey still enjoys support from a broad array of law enforcement unions and elected officials including Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( D-Calif. ) and four members of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors .
San Francisco Mayor London Breed also spurned Gascón to endorse Lacey last year .

Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed George Gascón on Tuesday in his bid to become Los Angeles County district attorney, marking the political reunion of two former Bay Area allies.
As San Francisco’s mayor, Newsom appointed Gascón police chief and later district attorney, so the endorsement is hardly a surprise. But it marks the latest in a raft of high-profile endorsements picked up by Gascón this summer as a national debate about criminal justice reform has energized his attempt to unseat Jackie Lacey as the county’s top prosecutor.
“This November Angelenos will choose who to turn to as calls to re-imagine our dated system of justice grow louder, and I urge them to join me once again in turning to George Gascón,” Newsom said in a statement.
Lacey became Los Angeles’ first Black district attorney in 2012 and is seeking a third-term helming the nation’s busiest district attorney’s office. But she has been the target of near constant criticism from Black Lives Matter organizers and other progressive groups calling for an overhaul of the criminal justice system. Gascón, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a reform candidate and represents a nationwide push to elect more progressive prosecutors.
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In recent months, vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have endorsed Gascón. U.S. Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) and Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) rescinded their endorsements of Lacey — who is often criticized by activists for her hesitancy to prosecute officers involved in shootings — amid protests against police brutality.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also seemed to walk back his endorsement of Lacey, saying in a June interview that “it may be” time for a change in the district attorney’s office. He has not endorsed Gascón.
Lacey still enjoys support from a broad array of law enforcement unions and elected officials including Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and four members of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. San Francisco Mayor London Breed also spurned Gascón to endorse Lacey last year.