Desert Star Weekly May 15, 2020 issue!

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Lockheed Martin declares Mission (almost) Accomplished see page 3

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Friday, May 15, 2020 Vol. 24 No. 38

‘No Knockouts’ Evander Holyfield will only agree to Mike Tyson fight on one condition. Demands bizarre rule for potential Mike Tyson comeback fight

By Desert Star Staff Boxing great Evander Holyfield could be set for a THIRD showdown with former rival Mike Tyson after the former world heavyweight champion confirmed he is set to make

his return to the ring for a charity bout at the age of 57.

Holyfield announced on social media late Wednesday that he will fight for the first time in nine years to help raise funds for the charity campaign Unite

By Desert Star Staff With more than half of the U.S. starting to reopen at least partially but almost 36.5 million Americans having lost their jobs during the pandemic, WalletHub today released updated rankings for the States with the Biggest Increases in Unemployment Due to the Coronavirus.

To identify which states’ workforces have been hurt most by COVID-19, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on increases in unemployment claims. We used this data to rank the most impacted states in both the latest week for which we have data (May 4) and overall since the

beginning of the coronavirus crisis (March 16). Below, you can see highlights from the report, along with a WalletHub Q&A. To see the states most impacted since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic

4 Our Fight, igniting speculation that he could be set to renew ties with Tyson which was among the most infamous sporting rivalries of the 1990s.

“The moment you’ve all been waiting for…. The Champ

is back,” Holyfield wrote on Instagram, accompanied by a video showing him in various stages of training.

“I’d like to announce that I will be making a comeback to the ring. I will be fighting in

exhibition matches for a great cause. I’m training to promote a charity that’s very close to me.

“Our #Unite4OurFight campaign aims to provide Continues on Page 2

Increases in Unemployment Due to Coronavirus Increase in California Unemployment Due to Coronavirus (1=Worst, 25=Avg.): • 440.23% Increase in Unemployment Claims (May 2020 vs May 2019) • 214,028 the week of May 4, 2020 vs 39,618 the week of May 6, 2019 • The lowest increase in the U.S. Continues on Page 3

Amazon Workers Protest for Safer Workplace During COVID-19

By Desert Star Staff Amazon’s firing of workers who speak out on working conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic is galvanizing labor organizers.

Over the past few months, media outlets have profiled several workers who say they were fired for protesting lack of social distancing measures and personal protective equipment while working at Amazon’s fulfillment centers.

And this month the vice president at Amazon Web Services quit the company over its treatment of warehouse workers.

Bill Londrigan, president of the Kentucky State AFLCIO, says the pandemic is putting the spotlight on the e-commerce giant’s unchecked power over its employees.

“Right now with COVID-19, I think we’re seeing workers

become more cognizant of the fact that unless they do organize, unless they have the right to collectively bargain, then they basically don’t have any rights to their jobs at all,” he states.

In a web statement, Amazon says it expects to spend more than $800 million during the first half of the year on COVID-19 safety measures.

The company also has said its employees will receive up to two weeks of paid time off if they are diagnosed with COVID-19.

Amazon operates at least 10 fulfillment centers in Kentucky.

Since the pandemic started, coronavirus cases have swelled among warehouse workers, yet the e-commerce giant has refused to release the number of confirmed cases.

Londrigan says

Amazon warehouses have been hotspots for COVID-19 cases nationwide. (Adobe Stock) workers’ lives are at risk.

“We’ve heard reports of folks not having access to personal protective equipment, mask, gloves, things that they

would benefit from having in a warehouse situation,” he states.

Earlier this week, a group of state attorneys general sent a letter to the company calling

for the disclosure of how many of its warehouse workers and Whole Foods employees have been infected with or died from the coronavirus.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month With nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state, many road users are going places without the same protections as drivers.

Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than vehicle occupants.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

By Desert Star Staff Desert Hot Springs, Calif.

— May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Desert Hot Springs Police Department encourages the

Drivers: • Always check twice for motorcycles. Both your mirrors and blind spots.

• Use your signal when changing lanes.

• Never follow a community to think about the people need to get out once in a motorcycle too closely. Always safety of riders on two wheels while and run essential errands,“ keep a safe distance. and look twice for motorcycles. Chief Jim Henson said. “Don’t • When at an “While we should be staying let safety on the road go by intersection, allow enough at home during the COVID-19 the wayside, whether you space before turning. pandemic, we understand are on two wheels or four.”

‘No Knockouts’

Continued from Page 1

students the resources they need for emotional development and education.”

The announcement comes days after another legend of the ring, Mike Tyson, made a similar statement in which he said he was training for a return to the sport for an exhibition bout, which has led to speculation that the two former rivalsturned-friends could tangle once more - 23 years after their last fight ended prematurely after Tyson was disqualified for biting a chunk of Holyfield’s ear off.

They most recently shared a ring together as recently as February when both men were guests in the ring ahead of the world title rematch between

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and hit the mitts, 30 minutes, 25 I’m in pain, I feel like three guys minutes, start getting in better kicked the sh*t out of me.” condition. I’m starting to put A third fight between the those combinations together. two, even for charity, would Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

“I’ve been hitting the mitts for the last week,” Tyson said on Instagram Live recently of his own potential comeback.

“I’ve been working out, I’ve been trying to get in the ring, I think I’m going to box some exhibitions and get in shape.

I want to go to the gym and get in shape to be able to box three or four-round exhibitions for some charities and stuff.

“Some charity exhibitions, make some money, help some homeless and drugaffected motherf**ker like me.

I do two hours on cardio, I do the bike and the treadmill for an hour, then I do some light weights, 300, 250 reps.

“Then I start my day with the boxing thing, I go in there May 15, 2020

Motorcyclists: • Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear like gloves and leather clothing.

• Consider adding reflective tape to your clothing to make it easier for other drivers to see you.

• Keep your lights on at all times, even during the day.

• Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.

Lastly, never drive/ride under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Remember, we are all in this together, even if we are told to stay apart.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

once again demonstrate the one truism which is a constant in combat sports: retirements are often a temporary arrangement.

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Lockheed Martin declares Mission (almost) Accomplished

By Desert Star Staff The maker of the troubled F-35 fighter jet claims to have solved “most” of the safety issues that plagued the $1.5 trillion plane – but flaws that could injure pilots are still present, on top of hundreds of software issues.

Lockheed Martin has fixed all but eight of the 111 ‘Category 1’ flight safety issues found during a January 2018 analysis of the fighter jet program, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing the Government Accountability Office analyst in charge of monitoring the pricey plane’s development.

Category 1 issues are those that can “injure or kill pilots or otherwise jeopardize

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the plane’s security.”

And what of the remaining eight? The Pentagon and Lockheed have “procedures in place to work around” those issues, analyst Jon Ludwigson told the outlet, striking an optimistic tone. The problems include an issue with cabin air pressure that could injure pilots’ ears, as well as flaws in the plane’s night-vision camera and sea-searching radar – but Ludwigson nevertheless praised the fighter jet program for working with the military “to really prioritize what needs to get fixed versus what would be just a helpful thing to the pilot.”

The Pentagon has had years to fix many of the problems, which it has classed as Category 1B, or “critical impact on mission readiness.” The Defense Department’s F-35 office told Bloomberg three of the remaining flaws were present during the “intensive combat testing” phase that began in

late 2018, while five others came out during software testing. Five of the issues are supposed to be resolved by December, the office said, though the radar problem won’t have a fix until 2024.

Those are just the big issues; however – Lockheed Martin admitted the F-35 is also dealing with some

860 “software and hardware deficiencies,” though the company claimed 104 of those have been fixed pending verification, and the others are being addressed. A few have been written off as “’mission enhancements’ that don’t need immediate attention.”

Most – 85 percent – are said to be software-related,

though a software glitch can still drive a plane into the ground. “When you are flying close to the speed of sound… seemingly minor issues like a glitched computer can mean the difference between success and failure,” Project on Government Oversight analyst Dan Grazier told Bloomberg.

Increases in Unemployment Due to Coronavirus Continued from Page 1

• 482.86% Increase in the Number of Unemployment Claims (May 2020 vs January 2020) • 214,028 the week of May 4, 2020 vs 36,720 the week of January 1, 2020 • 24th lowest increase in the U.S. • 1,329.04% Increase in Unemployment Claims Since Pandemic Started • 4,202,932 between the week of March 16, 2020 and the week of May 4, 2020 vs 316,238 between the week of March 18, 2019 and the week of May 6, 2019 • 5th lowest increase in the U.S. To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit: https://wallethub.com/ edu/states-with-the-biggestincrease-in-unemploymentdue-to-coronavirus/72730/.

WALLETHUB Q&A How can we reverse the spike in unemployment caused by the coronavirus pandemic?

“The unemployment rate will not return to normal levels until we develop either a vaccine for COVID-19 or herd immunity,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “Until we have a vaccine, we must protect people vulnerable to the disease by, at the very least, requiring face masks in all indoor spaces and offering free deliveries of essential purchases, whether ordered online or by phone.

The government couldn’t buy enough time to come up with a vaccine before it became untenable to keep people indoors en masse, so it looks

like we’re going to need a plan for re-opening as safely as possible. One of the most important tools in that effort will be app-based contact tracing, but it will have to be mandatory and that means finding a way to do it without jeopardizing any personally identifying information first.”

store. If COVID-19 restrictions are recommendations rather than laws, that allows people to disregard the safety of others for their own comfort and risk spreading the disease.”

What can states do in order to minimize the rise in their unemployment rates?

“States should aggressively focus on keeping residents safe from coronavirus while enabling economic activity, which requires moving out of the phase of simply issuing guidelines on people’s behavior and instead passing laws,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “When states reopen businesses, they should simultaneously issue strict rules such as mandatory mask wearing in public and limits on the number of people in a

How do red states and blue states compare when it comes to increases in unemployment?

“With an average rank of 24 among the most affected states, blue states suffered a higher increase in unemployment during the coronavirus outbreak than red states, which rank 28 on average,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “The lower the number, the higher the increase in initial unemployment claims that state received during the coronavirus pandemic.”

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“New York has seen a 347% increase in initial unemployment claims from the beginning of 2020 to the week of May 4,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst.

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Nebraska’s Essential Meatpacking Workers Still at Risk

nation’s food supply.

“But at the same time, these workers are working in close quarters, and whereas some companies are trying to take the necessary precautions and recommendations by the CDC, not all are doing it,” she states. “And we still have workers becoming infected.”

President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to prevent plants from closing and keep food supply chains moving.

Kretz’ group is calling on Gov. Pete Ricketts to move beyond voluntary compliance and demand that plants install uniform safety protocols recommended by health experts. They include President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to prevent meatpacking plants from social distancing, adequate closing and keep food supply chains open. (Flickr) sanitation and personal protection equipment,

By Desert Star Staff the meat they process is more have been linked to the area’s and testing, along with paid medical leave so sick OMAHA, Neb. -- Many valuable than their lives. nine meatpacking plants.

Nebraska meatpacking According to Douglas Abbie Kretz, lead organizer workers can stay home and not lose their job. workers, who stand side by County’s health director, at Heartland Workers Center, Kretz says she worries side in cool, virus-preserving 70% of COVID-19 infections says she understands that plant managers don’t conditions, are reporting that involving two or more people the need to protect the

understand that there is a life and family behind each worker considered an essential employee, many of whom are immigrants and refugees. She is hopeful that the pandemic has made it clear that everyone is connected, and everyone should be treated as a valued member of the community.

“But it can no longer be this ‘us versus them’ mentality,” she stresses.

“And I think once we can begin to see ourselves as one Nebraska, we can actually stand in solidarity with each other and say that these actions need to take place for the benefit of all.”

In Nebraska and across the U.S., minority populations have been disproportionately affected by the novel coronavirus.

A recent Live Well Nebraska magazine report showed nearly 70% of all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Douglas County were people of color.

Reduce Your Risk of Another Heart Attack or Stroke

COVID-19 pandemic highlights importance of maintaining healthy routines

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FAMILY FEATURES

fter a heart attack or stroke, as many as 1 in 4 survivors will have another one. However, lifestyle changes and working closely with your doctor to manage your health may minimize the risk of a repeat event. Sticking to secondary prevention routines – by eating healthy, being active and taking medications as prescribed – is important as cases of COVID-19 increase.

“A heart attack or stroke is a very scary experience, and people try to avoid revisiting that difficult time,” said neurologist Lee Schwamm, MD, chair of the American Stroke Association and professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School “Unfortunately, the risk of a repeat stroke is high, and lifestyle changes to reduce a person’s risk are almost always necessary to reduce those odds.”

Up to 80% of second clot-related strokes and heart attacks may be prevented by making healthy choices. Consider these tips from the American Stroke Association’s secondary heart attack and stroke prevention initiative, sponsored nationally by Bayer.

Blood Pressure: Work with your doctor to ensure you’re maintaining a healthy blood pressure level below 130/80. High blood pressure is both a leading cause and major risk factor for stroke and heart attack.

Cholesterol: Medication and healthy lifestyle habits can help keep high cholesterol in check.

Blood Sugar: Having diabetes, which is caused by high blood sugar, more than doubles your risk of stroke. Some people have diabetes and don’t know it until a medical emergency happens.

Medications: If you are prescribed medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, make sure you take them as prescribed. If you had a clot-related stroke or a heart attack, your doctor may recommend aspirin to help prevent another event.

Aspirin is not appropriate for everyone, so talk to your doctor before beginning an aspirin regimen.

Smoking: If you smoke, stop. Smoking increases the risk of stroke and heart attack because it damages blood vessels, which can lead to blockages.

Physical Activity: Being physically active at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week or 150 minutes per week is recommended by the American Stroke Association.

Even as COVID-19 cases strain emergency medicine, calling 9-1-1 still provides access to life-saving treatments for people experiencing medical emergencies like heart attacks or strokes. Emergency medical responders can assess symptoms, begin treatment and transport the patient to the most appropriate hospital, if necessary.

Based on current information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it appears people 65 and older and people of any age with underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, are more likely to be infected and develop more severe symptoms. Stroke survivors may face increased risk for complications if they get COVID-19.

Find more resources to help manage your risk at stroke.org/oneisenough.

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Know the Warning Signs for Strokes and Heart Attacks

Even as COVID-19 cases strain emergency medicine, experts say calling 9-1-1 is still the best way to access life-saving treatments for people who are experiencing heart attack or stroke symptoms.

Heart attacks and strokes are medical emergencies. If someone is experiencing stroke or heart attack symptoms, he or she should call 9-1-1. Emergency medical responders can assess symptoms, begin treatment in the ambulance and transport the patient to the most appropriate hospital, if necessary.

Hospitals have plans in place to keep potentially contagious patients away from others and keep surfaces clean. Calling 9-1-1 and activating Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ensures you have the best possible chance to beat a heart attack or stroke. EMS can begin treatment in the ambulance and take you to the hospital best suited to care for you in an emergency.

May 15, 2020

Stroke warning signs can be remembered using the acronym F.A.S.T.: n F – Face drooping n A – Arm weakness n S – Speech difficulty n T – Time to call 9-1-1

Heart attack warning signs include: n Chest discomfort. n Discomfort in other areas of the upper body such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. n Shortness of breath. n Breaking out in a cold sweat n Nausea n Lightheadedness

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Interior Approves Plan for the Largest Solar Project in U.S. History

day public scoping period and two additional public meetings during the 90-day public to average 500 to 700 comment period after the construction workers, with a Draft Resource Management peak of up to 900 workers Plan Amendment (RMPA) and at any given time, supporting Draft Environmental Impact up to an additional 1,100 Statement (EIS) were released.

The BLM responded to all jobs in the local community substantive comments that it and injecting an estimated $712.5 million into the received on the Draft RMPA/ economy in wages and total Draft EIS, as well as protests output during construction. on the proposed RMPA and The Project is expected to input it received from the be constructed in two phases. Governor’s office. The BLM The first phase of power could also conducted governmentcome on-line in 2021 with final to-government consultations over several months, traveling completion as early as 2022.

Federal revenues are expected to and meeting with the following Tribes: Moapa to be more than $3 million Band of Paiutes, Las Vegas annually to the U.S. Treasury.

Paiute Tribe, Fort Mojave Environmental Benefits Tribe, Twenty-Nine Palms and Impact Mitigation The Project is expected to Band of Mission Indians, generate renewable electricity Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, that would annually offset Bishop Paiute Tribe, Colorado greenhouse emissions of River Indian Tribes and the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. about 83,000 cars (384,000 Project Specifications metric tons of carbon The ROD approves a dioxide equivalent). The right-of-way grant for the hybrid alternative specified in the ROD also includes Project and the associated amendment to the Las Vegas a mowing method that Resource Management Plan will result in fewer impacts of 1998. The authorized solar on native vegetation and facilities include 34.5 kilovolt wildlife, such as the desert overhead and underground tortoise. Extensive long-term monitoring will be required, collector lines, a 2-acre in addition to possible (0.8-hectare) operation adaptation of methods and maintenance facility, used to reduce potential three substations, internal impacts to desert tortoise. access roads, access roads The BLM and Solar along generation tie-lines, Partners XI, LLC also a perimeter road, perimeter developed measures to fencing, water storage avoid, minimize and mitigate tanks for fire protection, impacts to other resources drainage control features, a including, but not limited to, potential on-site water well visual resources, cultural and or a new water pipeline, and tribal resources, recreation improvements to the existing access and air quality.

NV Energy facilities to support Substantial Public interconnection. The project Comment and Tribal also includes a 380 MW solar-powered battery system Consultation The Secretary signed the able to store and deploy ROD after the BLM facilitated over 1,400 megawatt hours a comprehensive public which can be used when the power is needed most. process that included two public meetings during a 45-

Projected 8th largest solar project in the world, estimated to power 260,000 homes

By Desert Star Staff WASHINGTON - The Trump Administration remains committed to its America First, all of the above approach to domestic energy production as the Department of the Interior (Department) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today the approval of a proposal to construct and operate the largest solar project in United States history.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt signed the Record of Decision (ROD) for Solar Partners XI, LLC to construct a 690-MW photovoltaic solar electric generating facility and ancillary facilities about 30 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The estimated $1 billion Gemini Solar Project (Project) could be the eighth-largest solar power facility in the world when finished and is expected to generate enough electricity to power 260,000 homes in the Las Vegas area and potential energy markets in Southern California.

“As our economy rebounds from the invisible enemy, President Trump is working to make the United States stronger than ever before. Our economic resurgence will rely on getting America back to work, and this project delivers on that objective,” said Secretary Bernhardt.

“This action is about getting Americans back to work, strengthening communities and promoting investment in American energy,” said Casey Hammond, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Exercising the Authority of the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management.

“Domestic energy production on Federal lands remains fundamental to our national security and the achievements of the Trump Administration.”

The Project will facilitate critical infrastructure investments that will create jobs and economic activity and increase renewable energy, helping to meet

Federal and state energy goals. It directly advances policy objectives described in President Trump’s Executive Order 13783, which promotes “clean and safe development of our Nation’s vast energy resources,” and Secretary’s Order 3355 prioritizing infrastructure projects and streamlining the environmental review process.

“Despite the challenges of the coronavirus, we’re pleased to see that Nevada will soon be home to one of the biggest solar projects in the world,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “The solar industry is resilient and a project like this one will bring jobs and private investment to the state when we need it most. We appreciate the work that the Trump Administration has done to make this historic project a reality.”

Significant Economic Impact The on-site construction workforce is anticipated

For Mixed Immigration-Status Couples, No COVID-19 Stimulus Checks

Jose Avalos, who works at Kaiser Permanente in Clackamas, Ore., won’t receive $2,700 in stimulus money because of his wife’s immigration status. (Jose Avalos) www.desertstarweekly.com

By Desert Star Staff CLACKAMAS, Ore. -- Couples with mixed immigration status aren’t eligible for coronavirus relief stimulus payments, and that’s hitting some families hard.

Jose Avalos is a U.S. citizen with three children who works as a housekeeper for Kaiser Permanente in Clackamas, putting him on the front lines of the pandemic.

His wife filed for a visa in 2016 and is waiting for the paperwork to be finalized. She files taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number -- an alternative to a Social Security number often used for people without legal immigration status. However, the CARES Act bars folks who May 15, 2020

file with ITIN from receiving stimulus checks. Avalos and his wife file taxes jointly.

“That’s what I found unfair,” he said. “If you are a taxpayer, regardless your situation, you should be receiving help.”

There are 1.2 million U.S. residents married to folks who are undocumented, according to the Migration Policy Institute, which means they also could be missing out on coronavirus relief checks.

The CARES Act authorized $1,200 checks for people making less than $75,000 a year, and another $500 for each child. That would have made the Avalos family eligible for $2,700 of stimulus money. Their

total income for a family of five was less than $40,000 in 2019. Avalos said his family and others need support during this crisis.

“We got left behind, and not only me,” he said. “They left behind my family, my children and they left behind hundreds of thousands of families in the United States.”

Luckily, Avalos said, Kaiser has been able to offer some help to employees.

With children unable to go to school, the health-care provider is offering families $300 a week for childcare.

Migration Policy Institute data is online at migrationpolicy.org.

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U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Honors Two Educators

By Desert Star Staff WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today that Donna Woods and Kara Four Bear have been selected as the inaugural Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award awardees.

This award recognizes Ms. Woods, of Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley, California, and Ms. Four Bear, of New Town Middle School in New Town, North Dakota, for instilling in their students the skills, knowledge, and passion for cybersecurity.

The Department received 43 nominations from 23 states, and the honorees were selected based on their demonstration of superior educator accomplishment, academic achievement indicators, and leadership contributing to educational excellence.

“I am pleased to congratulate Donna Woods and Kara Four Bear, the inaugural class of Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award honorees,” said Secretary DeVos. “Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing fields in the world. This award recognizes great teachers who are helping prepare our students to fill those jobs and help keep our nation safe now and in the future.”

As principal of New Town Middle School, Ms. Four Bear spearheaded the adoption of North Dakota cybersecurity education initiatives that teach digital literacy and safety skills to students of all ages. Under her leadership, educators at New Town Middle School

make real-world connections to cybersecurity in the classroom so that students at this Title I school learn about career paths in this field. She has expanded opportunities for students to explore cybersecurity beyond the classroom through the Valley City State University Summer Academy and participation in the University of North Dakota NASA Near Space Project.

Ms. Woods has fostered pathways to success for students by guiding the creation of career and technical education programs with emphasis on cybersecurity, which include real-world training such as internships and apprenticeships alongside classroom instruction.

Throughout Ms. Woods’ five years in the Moreno Valley Unified School District’s Cyber Academic Pathway, 97.4% of students have achieved industry certifications. Her students have gone on to put their cybersecurity skills to work as network analysts, systems engineers, IT network

specialists, and more. She has also led award-winning CyberPatriot teams, which compete in challenges to secure virtual networks.

As part of this commendation, Woods and Four Bear will receive acknowledgement by President Donald J. Trump and Secretary DeVos, public recognition as leaders in the field of cybersecurity education, and professional development opportunities.

This award was established on May 2, 2019, by President Trump’s Executive Order on America’s Cybersecurity Workforce.

The U.S. Department of Education was charged to create this award within one year and in consultation with the Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism at the National Security Council and the National Science Foundation.

The 2021 nomination season will be announced later this year.

Vigils Demand Clemency for Those Threatened by COVID in Prisons

By Desert Star Staff NEW YORK -- Formerly incarcerated people and the families and communities of people now in prison held a vigil outside Fishkill Correctional Facility on Friday to demand the release of those most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Congregate living quarters

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and little or no personal protective equipment make prisons potential hotbeds of coronavirus infection.

So far, 85 of those incarcerated at Fishkill have tested positive for COVID-19, more than any other prison in the state, and five have died.

According to Mark Shervington, statewide

community organizer for the Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) campaign, the vigil was held in the prison burial grounds to honor the lives of those who have died, and to demand action to protect those most at risk.

“To grant immediate executive clemency without broad categories of people being excluded based on their kind of conviction to avoid mass deaths in prison,” he states.

Statewide, more than 1,100 prison staff and 415 of those incarcerated have tested positive for COVID-19. But RAPP says only 1% of the incarcerated have been tested.

Corrections officers now are allowed to wear surgical masks and the incarcerated population is allowed to use state-issued handkerchiefs as face masks. But Shervington says that isn’t enough to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“It’s really insufficient as well as too late,” he stresses.

“They only recently started doing that after the number of infections among the prisoners and the staff began to rise.”

Shervington adds that releasing those near the end of long sentences and those who are parole eligible or already approved for parole would further reduce the prison population.

Shervington says two

pieces of legislation, the Elder Parole Bill and the Fair and Timely Parole Act, introduced last year in the State Legislature, would have made some of the most vulnerable in state prisons eligible for release.

“If those bills had been passed during the legislative session, then we would most likely not be in the position that we are now,” he states.

On Tuesday, criminal justice reform advocates will gather outside the Edgecombe Correctional Facility to continue their call for clemency for vulnerable prisoners.

Families and advocates demand testing of all incarcerated people and clemency for those most at risk of COVID-19. (Walter Hergt/North Star Fund)

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May 15, 2020

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Desert Star Weekly Legals PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

City of Desert Hot Springs NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council will conduct a Public Hearing to consider the General Plan Updates and Zoning Updates (“Project”). The Public Hearing will be held as follows: DATE: Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 TIME: 1:00 P.M. (or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard) LOCATION: Video Conference (See below for details) The proposed General Plan Update (“GPU”) is a long-range planning program to guide the growth and development of the Desert Hot Springs Planning Area through the year 2040. It is intended to communicate the City’s vision of its future and to establish a policy framework to govern decision making concerning the physical development of the community, including assurances that the community at large will be supported by an adequate range of public services and infrastructure systems. This Update includes both amendments to General Plan and Land Use Map. The General Plan Housing Element 4-year update is also included. The Planning Area consists of the corporate boundaries of the City of Desert Hot Springs and its Sphere of Influence.

The City’s corporate boundaries total 30.5 square miles and its Sphere of Influence (unincorporated Riverside County) totals 28.8 square miles, for a total Planning Area of 59.3 square miles. The City of Desert Hot Springs is updating its General Plan consistent with State requirements. The existing general plan was adopted in 2000. The updated General Plan serves as a policy guide for determining the appropriate physical development, community services, and character of the entire Planning Area. The Zoning Update includes both text amendments to the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code (“DHSMC”) and Zoning map updates. The text updates include changes to the allowable use table for Commercial, Industrial, Residential and Mixed-Use Zones. The Proposed General Plan, Environmental Impact Report, and Zoning Amendments can be found on the City’s website at https://www.cityofdhs.org/ general-plan-update. The following Resolutions and Ordinance are included in the project: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, 1) CERTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT; 2) ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND ADOPTING A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS; AND 3) APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT AND LAND USE MAP NO. GPA-20-1, AMENDING THE GENERAL PLAN AND LAND USE MAP FOR SEVERAL PROPERTIES IN THE CITY. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA REPEALING THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC PLANS, WHICH IN LIGHT OF THE NEW GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. GPA-20-1 AND ZONING AMENDMENT NO. ZA-20-1, ARE OUTDATED: 1) DESERT HIGHLANDS SPECIFIC PLAN, 2) EAGLE POINT SPECIFIC PLAN, 3) INDIAN HILLS SPECIFIC PLAN, 4) MOUNTAIN VIEW ESTATES II SPECIFIC PLAN, 5) ARROYO VISTA/RANCHO DEL ORO SPECIFIC PLAN, 6) VORTEX SPECIFIC PLAN, 7) INDIGO LAKE SPECIFIC PLAN, AND 8) VISTA DEL MONTE SPECIFIC PLAN. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESERT HOT SPRINGS 1) AMENDING OR ADDING THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS OF THE DESERT HOT SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE: A) 17.04.050 “DEFINITIONS”; B) 17.08 “RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS”; 4) 17.12 “COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS”; D) 17.14 “MIXED USE DISTRICTS”; E) 17.16 “INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS”; F) 17.64 “ADMINISTRATION”; G) 17.74 “ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS” AND 2) AMENDING THE ZONING MAP IN ACCORDANCE WITH ZONING AMENDMENT NO. ZA-20-1. ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) prepared for the proposed General Plan and Zoning amendments is a “Program EIR” pursuant to Article 11 Section 15168 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Handbook. The EIR analyzes the potential environmental impacts associated with the adoption and long-term implementation of the GPU. Program-level analysis was conducted for the GPU as a whole to account for the broad, cumulative impacts that may occur due to the anticipated, collective development of the Planning Area. The programmatic analysis focused on the long-term changes that the GPU implies and how those changes can be accommodated to minimize the impacts of land use decisions on the physical environment. At the meeting, the City Council in its recommendation to the City Council will consider a Statement of Overriding Considerations to consider the benefits of the project in relation to its significant, unavoidable environmental impacts on Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Noise, and Transportation and Traffic. On May 26th, 2020, the City Council, at the public hearing or during deliberation, may approve, deny, or propose changes to the Project or to the environmental determination. INTERESTED PERSONS MAY be heard or written comments may be submitted prior to the Public Hearing(s). Written comments will be made a part of the public record.

If you challenge this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Desert Hot Springs, at or prior to, the public hearing.

Notice Regarding COVID-19 and Public Participation at City Council Meetings. Pursuant to California Governor Newsom’s Executive Orders N-25-20 issued on March 4, 2020 and N-29-20 issued on

PUBLIC NOTICE

May 15, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE

March 18, 2020, the City Council meeting will be conducted remotely through Zoom and broadcast live on the City’s YouTube channel. Access to the zoom meeting will be available with the published agenda. Pursuant to the Executive Orders, and to ensure the health and safety of the public by limiting human contact that could spread the COVID-19 virus, the Carl May Center/Council Chamber will not be open for the meeting. The City Council and Staff will be participating remotely and will not be physically present in the Council Chamber. All information regarding the proposed project is available for public review on the City’s Website at https:// www.cityofdhs.org/general-plan-update. QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES regarding this matter for the above-described project Contact Person: Rebecca Deming Mailing Address: Community Development Department 65950 Pierson Boulevard, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 Phone: (760) 329-6411, Ext. 240 Email: rdeming@cityofdhs.org. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (760) 329-6411 or via email at jsoriano@cityofdhs.org. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting(s) will enable the City to make reasonable accommodations to ensure accessibility. Publish May 15, 2020 DSW20-5086 T.S. No. 085169-CA APN: 614-163-027-6 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 10/26/2006.

UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER On 7/21/2020 at 3:00 PM, CLEAR RECON CORP, as duly appointed trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 10/31/2006 as Instrument No. 2006-0801830 of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of Riverside County, State of CALIFORNIA executed by: JAMES AMADOR, A SINGLE MAN WILL SELL

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK DRAWN ON A STATE OR NATIONAL BANK, A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, OR A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, OR SAVINGS BANK SPECIFIED IN SECTION 5102 OF THE FINANCIAL CODE AND AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE: AT THE FRONT STEPS TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE FORMER CORONA POLICE DEPARTMENT, 849 W. SIXTH STREET, CORONA, CA 92882 all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 82418 REBECCA DRIVE INDIO, CA 92201 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be held, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, condition, or encumbrances, including fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to pay the remaining principal sums of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $136,342.94 If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned or its predecessor caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property.

You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (844) 477-7869 or visit this Internet Web site WWW.STOXPOSTING.COM, using the file number assigned to this case 085169CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. FOR SALES INFORMATION: (844) 477-7869 CLEAR RECON CORP 4375 Jutland Drive San Diego, California 92117. Publish May 15, 22, 29, 2020. DSW20-5085

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FAMILY FEATURES

ith the majority of schools across the country closed, many parents are feeling the stress of taking more active roles in their children's education. As time away from the classroom extends into summer, parents also face the challenge of helping their children maintain what they've learned through a summer of uncertainty.

This year's shift to at-home learning has provided plenty of resources parents can use to keep their children's minds engaged and actively learning. The shift has also prompted families to create new routines and healthy learning habits. Continuing these best practices over the summer may prove beneficial in setting students up for success when they return to the classroom. n

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Set a clear daily schedule with realistic goals and be sure to allow flexibility. A child's attention span grows longer with age – typically 2-3 minutes per year of age – so the amount of time an elementary school student will focus on a task may be significantly shorter than a high school student.

Build in time for kids to play. According to the journal, "Pediatrics," playing promotes healthy brain development and boosts academic skills.

Play time also helps children manage stress – making it an important and fun way for parents to support kids coping with stress or anxiety.

Create a conducive learning environment at home. If possible, set up a designated desk and distraction-free workspace children can use for everything from completing school assignments to playing educational games.

While routines are important, they may not be the only key to summer learning success. Research from

Harvard indicates parents who engage with their children in simple activities over the summer – like reading together or talking about baseball statistics – can have a greater impact on their children’s academic performance than popular summer activities, such as summer camps, travel or summer school.

Since education can happen anywhere as part of everyday life, there are many activities families can do together to create a sense of summertime fun while fostering academic growth. n

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Spend some time cooking or baking together.

Use these experiences as opportunities to practice reading recipes or practice math by measuring and adding ingredients.

Work with other parents or family members to find summer pen pals. Have kids write letters back and forth to practice reading and writing skills.

Extend story time with read-and-do activities that lay the groundwork for developing engaged readers. For example, the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program offers free online activities at bookitprogram.com children and parents can do together, such as drawing, letter recognition or sight-word bingo.

Explore science and nature by taking a walk.

Try and identify different types of clouds, trees, plants, rocks and animals. Take pictures of any you find interesting. Then look up additional information when you return home to practice research skills.

Watch the news or read about current events together. This can provide practical lessons on social studies and help kids raise questions about the world around them.

From educators helping their students to organizations lending support in trying times, dozens if not hundreds of online resources have emerged to help parents navigate teaching at home.

Internet Access: While many at-home learning resources can be found online, some families lack access to reliable and affordable internet connections. For information on free or low-cost home internet access, as well as other resources for teachers and families, visit firstbook.org/coronavirus-educator-resources.

Online field trips: While school and family outings are limited, it's still possible to explore the world from the comfort of home. Zoos, museums and other places of interest are sharing everything from educational videos and live webcams to guided tours on their websites and social media.

Reading programs: Literacy is the foundation for all learning, so focusing on activities that promote reading gives children a chance to practice that essential skill, often in ways that don't feel like learning. One resource is The Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program, the nation's largest and longest-running corporate-supported reading program. Parents can visit bookitprogram.com to find a number of activities designed to help children find joy in reading. Resources include book recommendations, activity and book pairings, video messages from best-selling authors Tom Angleberger and Kate DiCamillo and printable worksheets, story maps and more.

Educational websites: Many academic websites have opened their subscription-based content for free or reduced access. You can find videos, interactive programs, lesson plans and more.

Before creating an account, check if your school has secured free or discounted access codes.

New skills: From learning the basics of keyboard typing to trying a new instrument or mastering a new language, there are sites dedicated to helping students develop new skills while they're at home.

While on summer break, kids commonly lose some of the learning momentum from the previous school year. It's a phenomenon casually referred to as the "summer slide."

A report from the Northwest Evaluation Association found students in third-fifth grades lost about 20% of their school-year gains in reading and 27% in math, on average, during summer break.

After such an abrupt end to formal curriculum, the slide could be a little steeper for kids in the fall.

However, summer plans for families likely look different this year. More free time may make it easier to build in time for educational activities, which can also offer an escape during this uncertain time.

Allow for reading aloud. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, reading aloud is the single most important activity for reading success as it helps build word-sound awareness. Encourage your child to play teacher and read aloud books, magazines, or comics to family members, pets or even stuffed animals.

Begin a book club. Read the same books as your children then discuss what you all read over a shared snack or gathered around the dinner table. Joining in shows the importance of prioritizing reading during the summer.

Check into services offered by libraries. If possible, make use of local libraries, many of which offer free online resources and have extended due dates. Inquire about online services offered in your area and how your family can participate in programs taking place over the summer.

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DesertSTAR

May 15, 2020

www.desertstarweekly.com