Newsletter: The Ghost Ship case brings pain and frustration to families

Hello and welcome to the Essential California bulletin. His Friday 6th September and I write from Los Angeles.

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Thursday – two years, nine months and four days after the fire that fell on a warehouse that became an art collective in Oakland, killing 36 people – Bay Area jury verdict in Ghost Ship fire trial.

Two men, Max Harris and Derick Almena, had been sentenced to 36 years in prison for 36 counts of manslaughter related to the fire.

The jury acquitted Harris, 29-year-old 'creative director' of the warehouse, described by himself, and impasse on charges against Almena, the real estate manager of the warehouse. Yesterday's verdict culminated in a long judicial saga involving two trials, an unsuccessful plea agreement and a near-nil trial. It was unclear at the moment whether prosecutors would try or not to try Almena again.

"For the relatives of the victims, many of whom had already been to court and had listened to heartrending testimony about the last moments of their loved ones during the four-month trial, or had been shuttling between other parts of the country for attend key audiences. Thursday's result was the latest round of suffering and frustration, "said James Queally, a police and police reporter, in his verdict article.

"There are 36 people who died and no one is responsible for that," said Grace Kim, whose cousin Ara Jo died in the fire in Queally.

[Lirel'histoirecomplète:[Readthefullstory:[Lirel'histoirecomplète:[Readthefullstory:"Ghost Ship Verdict: the jury acquits one of the accused, a deadlock on the fire of a second warehouse that killed 36 people" in the Los Angeles Times]

To learn more about the ghost ship's fire:

• "He helped build an artist utopia. At present, he is being tried for 36 deaths there. A nuanced and heartbreaking portrait of Max Harris, who was doing housework and collecting rent in the artists' warehouse where he resided before facing criminal charges for the deaths of some of his close friends. New York Times
• Latest news from the East Bay Times: The Oakland newspaper was honored by a Pulitzer for its incessant coverage of the tragedy and its reports revealing the city's inability to take action that could have prevented it. This report is collected here. East Bay Times
• For many rescuers, fire was a scene they could never forget. Los Angeles Times

And now, Here's what's happening in California:

BEST STORIES

A preliminary investigation into the Conception Boat Fire revealed serious safety issues aboard the vessel, including the absence of a "wandering night watchman". who must stay awake and alert passengers in case of fire or other hazards, according to several repressive sources familiar with the investigation. The investigation also raised questions as to whether the crew had adequate training and whether the passengers benefited from a comprehensive security briefing. Los Angeles Times

Proponents and critics of the California vaccine bill are puzzled by the sudden changes of Governor Gavin Newsom. The governor's requests for the eleventh hour – which could reduce or eliminate the number of existing vaccine exemptions that would be reviewed by state officials – were made just days before the legislature was lifted, creating confusion and new conflicts on Capitol Hill. Los Angeles Times

A rapid brush fire that erupted in the hills near Murrieta rose to 1,974 acres on Thursday and prompted new evacuation orders for more neighborhoods in the southern California city of about 113,000. More than 500 firefighters were assigned to the Tenaja fire in Riverside County, which was confined at 10% to 18 hours. Thursday. Los Angeles Times

L.A. STORIES

This secret donor gave 400 million US dollars. In 60 years of existence, billionaire B. Wayne Hughes has quietly exercised power and granted huge donations to the university that he loves. Los Angeles Times

The cream of avocado toast has arrived, thanks to a fourth local grader. Los Angeles Magazine

The Detroit Pistons' owner, Tom Gores, has become one of L.A.'s richest men. seize businesses at risk and unload them for profit. A phone case in prison
however, only brought him problems. Los Angeles Times

Plácido Domingo faces new reports of sexual harassment, and the pressure on L.A. Opera continues to grow. Los Angeles Times

Day-Glo's masterpieces fade. At the bottom of a LA Museum of Art Los Angeles County Museum, a curator and her team rushed to save them. Los Angeles Times

What happens when Netflix buys the Egyptian theater in Hollywood? It's complicated, and some local moviegoers are worried about what it will mean if the deal ends. Los Angeles Times

The quarrel between the leader of the free world and the woman who played Grace in "Will & Grace" continues: On Thursday, President Trump called actress Debra Messing "racist at McCarthy". Los Angeles Times

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Immigration and the border

Sexual assault complaints at the Otay Mesa Detention Center have multiplied of 158% last year, according to a new report. Voice of San Diego

Also at Otay Mesa: eleven men tested positive for mumps at the detention center this summer. San Diego Union-Tribune

Trump began dismantling DACA two years ago this week. Here is the life of two undocumented students in the Coachella Valley. Desert sun

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

California lawmakers are poised to approve one of the only national laws limiting rent increases after Governor Newsom announced an agreement with the legislative leaders last week. Here's how the state's new potential plan to limit rent increases would work. Los Angeles Times

The outgoing representative Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) faces a particularly new complication of this electoral cycle. His opponent, a Republican, also calls Raul Ruiz. (None of these two men should be confused with the legendary journalist and activist Chicano movement, Raul Ruiz, who died in June.) Read the excellent obituary of my colleague Gustavo Arellano for the late Raul Ruiz.) politico

San Francisco could force drivers wishing to navigate Lombard Street's famous crooked street to reserve their place in advance and pay a toll, if Governor Newsom signs a bill that the legislature sent him Thursday. San Francisco Chronicle

CRIME AND COURSES

Warrior tickets, Louis Vuitton bags and literal silver envelopes: Federal prosecutors have accused the largest home health care provider in the Bay Area of ​​paying doctors millions of dollars in commissions (including the aforementioned notes, bags and Benjamins) as part of a ploy to defraud the Medicare system. Mercury News

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

The blob can be back: A large and exceptionally hot water mass threatens again to disrupt the marine ecosystem along the Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska. The researchers described the oceanic phenomenon as "gout" when it appeared in 2014 and 2015. Los Angeles Times

CULTURE OF CALIFORNIA

The Wine Train in Napa Valley has been controversial for decades. This fascinating look at the history and future of the tourist train also draws attention to the cultural crises and issues facing the region. San Francisco Chronicle

Kern County Fair to Install Metal Detectors at Doorstep and strengthen perimeter security when it opens later this month. Bakersfield Californian

"Uber and Lyft shoot fast every time they convince you to share." The editor of the Chronicle is based on the term "carpool", which he considers a convenient fiction allowing large companies to avoid regulation. San Francisco Chronicle

A squatter turned a secret place into a floor-to-ceiling art gallery, Ride in secret in downtown Sacramento. Bee Sacramento

Sacramento's movements are deteriorating especially for state workers. Help is on the way. Bee Sacramento

Built in 1833, this historic building would have been the site of the first California newspaper. Monterey's first bakery and the first pottery kiln in the city. There is also an oak on the property planted by Father Junipero Serra, or at least the local tradition says. The Adobe Stokes is now on the market for $ 3.35 million. Monterey Herald

Fresno in 12 foods: From Chicken Pie to Grandmarie's Chicken Biscuit Shop to Agnolotti Pasta at Fresno State Corn Annex Kitchen (sold only when corn is in season), it's the Fresno Food for Dining in the City . Fresno Bee

Highway 50 to Lake Tahoe will be closed for two weeks. Here is the detour map. East Bay Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Los Angeles: sunny, 90. San Diego: sunny, 82. San Francisco: sunny, 70. San Jose: partly sunny, 79. Sacramento: partly sunny, 92. More time is here.

AND FINALLY

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful. Send your comments, complaints, ideas and book recommendations not related to Julia Wick. Follow her on Twitter @Sherlyholmes.