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Morning Briefing: A First, And Last, Job For Beloved Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round Man
Julio Gosdinski, who has died at 49, was the longtime operator of the Griffith Park merry-go-round and for the last nine years a co-owner as well. (Courtesy Dora Herrera)
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Over the weekend we learned of the death of Julio Gosdinski, the beloved longtime operator of the Griffith Park merry-go-round.
“This was his ‘first and last job,’ is what he likes to say,” his friend Dora Herrera, who is an officer with the Friends of Griffith Park board, told reporter Josie Huang. Gosdinski was found dead at his home Friday at age 49.
He came to the U.S. from Peru when he was 12 and started working on the merry-go-round when he was a teenager. Gosdinski played such a big role in running and maintaining the famous carousel, friends say they're worried about what's next for the attraction he co-owned.
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Christine N. Ziemba has your guide to weekly events. Watch wacky videos compiled from found footage. Listen to risky storytelling. Get crafty and drink crafty. Head to the latest SFV drive-in.
Residents and staff at some nursing homes in LA County weren’t tested until months into the pandemic. At one nursing home in L.A., residents were tested on May 22, but an outbreak had already been underway. At least 16 people there have died. Investigative reporter Elly Yu spoke to family members grappling for answers.
Long before coronavirus, many restaurants had complained that the "Big Four" food delivery apps — UberEats, Postmates, GrubHub and DoorDash (which owns Caviar) — were charging too much in commissions and fees. Amid the economic devastation of the pandemic, Gina Pollack examines complaints that have only grown louder and more intense, and found a growing number of restaurants are ditching the big third-party apps.
The most significant changes to California’s charter school law since its passage in 1992 took effect before this school year, and already charter advocates are unhappy about how LAUSD is handling the changes. The California Charter Schools Association says LAUSD’s board will vote this week on a proposed implementation plan that grossly abuses districts’ new powers under the new law and Kyle Stokes is following the story.
The Past 48 Hours In LA
Rabbits In Danger: A devastating virus for both wild and domestic rabbits has officially arrived in L.A. County. Julia Paskin reports on the concerns being raised. One of those: If the rabbit population diminishes, wild animals such as coyotes and raccoons will travel deeper into residential communities in search of prey.
Penguin Encounters: The Aquarium of the Pacific has reopened its popular penguin exhibit and is offering one-on-one encounters — with some new rules and a $150 cost per person for a half-hour.
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Apple Fire Update: As firefighters gain more control over the Apple Fire, which has now burned in Riverside and San Bernardino counties for more than a week, they're now working on "burn area repair."
No Mask, Big Fine: If you're planning to be out and about in Hermosa Beach, be sure to have your mask handy. The city has started enforcing a new ordinance. First fine: $100. Second fine: $200. Third and more: $500.
Pandemic Relief — With Big Caveats: After failing to get an agreement in Congress to extend some critical pandemic relief programs, President Trump on Saturday issued several executive orders, including one that brings back a weekly supplement for unemployment benefits — but at a lower amount. He's calling on an extra $400 in relief, down from $600, and says states must pay 25% of the total.
'Cautiously Optimistic': It's a phrase they've used a lot, but L.A. County public health officials said again over the weekend that they're "cautiously optimistic" about current hospitalization trends. They also announced 61 new deaths, bringing that total to 4,977, and also said to expect the positive COVID-19 cases to rise once a state backlog is fixed.
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The cardboard fans came early and stayed late to witness the Dodgers on Sunday take the weekend series against the rival San Francisco Giants 2-1.
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