Thursday news roundup for San Francisco for Thursday, June 9, 2016

NEW EXHIBIT OPENED WEDNESDAY FOR THREE WOLF BROTHERS AT THE SF ZOO

The new Wolf Canyon exhibit opened Wednesday morning at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, according to zoo officials.
Zoo officials said two former bear grottos were transformed into a functional and beautiful wolf habitat for three Mexican gray wolf brothers – Prince, David Bowie and Jerry Garcia.
The refurbished area opened at 9:30 a.m. for the wolves, who are considered the most endangered wolf subspecies, according to zoo officials.
“Wolf Canyon isn’t just an exquisite exhibit, it’s an opportunity for San Francisco Zoo & Gardens to participate in the conservation of a
species.” President of San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Tanya Peterson said in a statement.
The dynamic design was carefully crafted to enrich the animals with terrain they might encounter in their natural environment, zoo officials said.
In the coming weeks, the exhibit will be outfitted with state-of-the-art technology like automatic feeding devices and sensors to
detect environmental conditions.
According to zoo officials, the unique attributes will allow animal staff to provide the best care possible care for the animals while minimizing human interaction.

NBA FINALS GAME 4 TO BE BROADCAST LIVE AT CIVIC CENTER

NBA Finals Game 4 between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday will be broadcast live in San Francisco’s Civic
Center Plaza, Mayor Ed Lee announced today.
City officials will broadcast the game on a Jumbotron screen in front of City Hall starting at 6 p.m.
“We’re creating a Dub Nation opportunity in front of San Francisco City Hall for families to gather and root for the Warriors to another NBA Championship,” Lee said in a statement.
The game will be played in Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors, who defeated Cleveland in last year’s NBA finals, currently lead
the Cavaliers 2-1.
Friday’s event will include Off the Grid food trucks and family activities including basketball games for youth, free throw contests and
pickup games and Warriors-themed art projects. No alcohol will be sold or permitted.
Those planning to attend are encouraged to come early and take public transit.

VEHICLE STRIKES PEDESTRIAN NEAR ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL

San Francisco police and firefighters are responding to a possibly fatal collision involving a pedestrian near St. Mary’s Cathedral.
The collision at Franklin Street and Geary Boulevard was reported at 10:48 a.m., according to police Officer Wilson Ng.
A vehicle collided with a pedestrian in the area. Some lanes may be closed and drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible. Buses are
being rerouted around the area.
San Francisco fire officials said on Twitter that the collision was fatal, but Ng was not able to confirm that.

APPEALS COURT BY 7-4 VOTE UPHOLDS STATE’S RESTRICTIONS ON CONCEALED CARRY OF GUNS

A federal appeals court ruled in San Francisco today that the constitutional Second Amendment right to bear arms does not include a right
to carry concealed guns.
A special 11-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled by a 7-4 vote on two lawsuits filed by gun owners in San Diego and Yolo counties.
The gun owners argued that a California law on the concealed carry of weapons violated their rights.
The law states that citizens must obtain a permit from their county sheriff to carry a concealed gun and must be of good moral character
and have “good cause” to gain a permit.
The measure gives sheriffs wide latitude to determine good cause. While some counties grant permits to law-abiding gun owners on demand, the San Diego and Yolo county sheriffs require applicants to prove they are in exceptional danger.
The gun owners contended that when combined with other California laws restricting the open carry of guns, the concealed-carry law “effectively destroyed” their right to bear arms.
But in today’s decision, written by Circuit Judge William Fletcher, the court majority said that historical and legal precedents have
allowed restrictions on concealed carry.
The California law and the varying interpretations by different sheriffs are therefore constitutional, the court said.
Fletcher examined English law going back to 1328 and American law dating back to colonial times.
“Based on the overwhelming consensus of historical sources, we conclude that the protection of the Second Amendment — whatever the scope of that protection may be — simply does not extend to the carrying of concealed firearms in public by members of the general public,” Fletcher wrote.
The court majority also cited a landmark 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision written by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, in which the high court by a 5-4 vote also drew on historical precedents and said the right to bear arms extends to individual citizens.
The 9th Circuit majority noted that the Supreme Court decision said some limits on gun possession are allowable and that the high court
ruling gave examples of 19th century American courts upholding concealed-carry restrictions.
The appeals court said it was not ruling on whether restrictions on the open carry of guns are constitutional because that question was not before the panel.
Chuck Michel, a lawyer for the plaintiffs in the case, said, “My clients are disappointed. An appeal to the Supreme Court is possible.”
California Attorney General Kamala Harris said in a statement, “The court’s decision is a victory for public safety and sensible gun safety laws. The ruling ensures that local law enforcement leaders have the tools they need to protect public safety.”

WOMAN ARRESTED IN AMBULANCE THEFT, PURSUIT FACES FELONY CHARGES

A woman arrested in the alleged theft of a San Francisco Fire Department ambulance on Tuesday is scheduled to be arraigned today on felony
charges, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
The woman, identified by police as Veronica Barahona, 37, has been charged with felony unlawful taking of a vehicle and felony unlawful taking of a special vehicle, according to district attorney’s office spokesman Max Szabo. Barahona is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. today at the Hall of Justice.
Barahona was arrested Tuesday after a pursuit that started around 8 a.m. near the Ambassador Hotel at 55 Mason St., where emergency personnel were responding to a medical emergency.
Barahona is alleged to have driven the ambulance east onto the Bay Bridge and then exited at Treasure Island, where she lost control and crashed on the side of the road, according to police.
The ambulance caught fire and police were able to detain the suspect.
The collision closed the eastbound Treasure Island off-ramp for nearly two hours and caused major traffic delays on the Bay Bridge and other nearby highways.