In brief: Five killed in fire at home care facility
SAN FRANCISCO – A fire at a California home care facility for the disabled killed five people, and federal authorities on Sunday were helping local investigators determine the cause of the blaze.
The fire was reported at around 11:45 p.m. Saturday in Marina, a small coastal community in Monterey County, about 100 miles south of San Francisco.
Four bodies were found shortly after the fire, and a fifth body was found by investigators Sunday morning, Marina police Lt. Rick Janicki said.
The cause of the fire hadn’t been determined by Sunday afternoon, but investigators with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on the scene at the request of Marina fire officials, ATF spokeswoman Donna Sellers said.
Three Marina police officers suffered smoke inhalation when they tried to rescue people inside the burning single- family home. The officers have been treated and released.
Two other people were hospitalized – one of whom has since been released, Janicki said.
Only 41 sterilization program victims located so far
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina officials have tracked down fewer than four dozen of the thousands of residents forced to undergo sterilizations between 1929 and 1974.
The Charlotte Observer reported Sunday that state officials believe at least 1,500 of the 7,600 people sterilized under a state program are still alive. But only 41 files have been matched to living survivors or relatives of the dead.
North Carolina officials are considering compensating survivors. A task force created in March is supposed to figure out possible cash payments. It is expected to make its recommendation in February.
The Eugenics Board approved sterilizations for people who suffered from mental illness or epilepsy and those with low intelligence.
Lone Occupy Atlanta protester arrested
ATLANTA – The lone protester in an Atlanta park was arrested after refusing to leave by a Sunday night curfew, a day after 19 demonstrators were taken to jail by officers in riot gear when a rally spilled into the streets.
The woman was draped in an American flag as dozens more demonstrators stood behind barricades surrounding Woodruff Park, where police had warned they would enforce an 11 p.m. curfew. Occupy Atlanta organizer Tim Franzen said having one person protesting was just as powerful as several.
The group held its general assembly meeting earlier in the evening, then marched back to the downtown park. Police spokesman Carlos Campos said officers were watching. Police issued three warnings to leave the park. Usually after the third, they have moved in to make arrests.
Occupy Atlanta organizers earlier said they planned to again camp at the park, setting up yet another potential showdown with police and the mayor.