A former California hotel staffer claims that he was fired on Friday after harassing Israeli guests and publishing footage of the incident, but the hotel said on Saturday that he had resigned.
California
Falling rock kills hiker near Mt. Whitney in California; third fatality in a week
A hiker was killed near Mt. Whitney on Sunday after being struck by a falling rock, marking the third fatality within a week near California’s highest peak, authorities said.
The hiker was in the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek Trail when bystanders reported that a rock fell and severely injured the individual, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office said.
Search and rescue crews immediately responded to the scene via helicopter and lowered a team member down to the site of the accident. Rescuers determined the injured hiker had died from their injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
The hiker’s body was then airlifted to Lone Pine and turned over to the Inyo County Coroner. Officials did not immediately release the identity of the hiker or provide additional details.
BODIES OF MISSING HIKERS RECOVERED, IDENTIFIED AFTER DISAPPEARING ON HIKE UP CALIFORNIA’S HIGHEST PEAK
A rescue helicopter responded to the injured hiker’s location in the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek Trail. The hiker was pronounced dead at the scene. (Inyo County Sheriff’s Office)
It was the third hiker fatality in the Mt. Whitney region within a week.
The bodies of two missing hikers were recovered from the north face of Mount Whitney on Thursday. The hikers were identified as Andrew Niziol, 28, a resident of South Lake Tahoe, and Patty Bolan, 29. The pair were on a long-term hiking trip across the state of California.
The two previous fatalities were Andrew Niziol, 28, and Patty Bolan, 29. Their bodies were found on the north face of Mount Whitney after the couple went missing. (iStock/Andrew Niziol Facebook)
UTAH HUNTER FINDS SKELETAL REMAINS OF MAN MISSING SINCE 2019 IN REMOTE MOUNTAINS
Officials cautioned those visiting the area to be aware of the changing weather conditions as the seasons shift.
Mt. Whitney has an elevation of 14,505 feet. (Santi Visalli/ Getty Images, File)
“Early spring conditions prevail on the mountain, with treacherous steep snow, loose rock, and variable weather,” the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office said. “Parties venturing onto Mt. Whitney should stay together, turn around before deteriorating conditions become unmanageable, make responsible decisions, and be prepared and fit.”
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Mt. Whitney is the highest mountain in the contiguous U.S., reaching an elevation of 14,505 feet. More than 25,000 visitors per year seek to summit Mt. Whitney, according to the National Park Service.
Fox News’ Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
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California
‘Baby killer:’ California hotel staffer fired after harassing Israeli guests | The Jerusalem Post
A hotel staffer, identifying as Ryan Smith on a GoFundMe fundraiser, said in a Thursday Instagram post that he had said “free Palestine” to a pair of Israeli guests at the Oceanpoint Ranch in Cambria.
An Israeli woman confronted him, according to the video published by Smith, telling him that he should be “completely objective” to paying guests.
Smith expressed shock when the guest said that she was a Zionist after he had used it as a slur, and then demanded to know if her partner had served in the IDF.
“Are you a baby killer?” asked Smith.
The Israeli man said that he refused to interact with the hotel staffer and continued on, but his partner expressed concern about staying at a hotel where he worked.
Called for others to “give them hell”
“I won’t stay here, certainly he’ll break into our room and do something,” the woman said in Hebrew.
Smith claimed on Instagram that the woman threatened to call the police because “the only thing these cowards can do is hide behind the pedo[phile] regime that runs the country.”
Alongside the video, Smith called for others to “give them hell” if one saw them in California, and that if he “could’ve he would’ve.”
“I’ve never stared into the soul of the devil like I did tonight,” wrote Smith. “The woman (dual citizen of Israel) proceeds to confront me after I see [sic] ‘free Palestine’ as they leave the lobby. She then takes a step further and proceeds to admit to being a Zionist.”
Smith later opened a fundraiser, claiming that he had been “let go” from his job, and asked for donations to support him while he sought new employment. As of Sunday morning, Smith raised $11,773 dollars.
“The world needs to be set free, and I believe peace and love will overcome,” Smith said on his fundraiser web page.
The Oceanpoint Ranch did not immediately respond to a query from The Jerusalem Post, but said in a Saturday social media post that Smith had “unilaterally resigned” from his position after the hotel opened an investigation into the incident.
“The events in the video do not reflect the professionalism and hospitality that our team members are trained to deliver to all our valued guests,” said Oceanpoint Ranch.
“Our team remains committed to fostering a respectful environment for all of our guests, employees, and community.”
California
Letters to the Editor: The purpose of California’s journalism fund isn’t just protecting its biggest players
To the editor: The role of government is not to pick winners and losers in journalism, which is precisely why the California Civic Media Program was designed with independent safeguards from the outset (“Ensure that California’s journalism fund supports key players,” May 18). Funding decisions will ultimately be made by an independent third-party administrator, not by state officials or political appointees.
The program also followed the Legislature’s direction in the creation of a nine-member advisory committee, which has continuously emphasized expanding access to local, ethnic and community media, particularly in underserved communities and regions with limited local news coverage — goals enshrined in the program’s statute. Furthermore, it says the advisory board “may consider” awarding funds based on the number of journalists an organization employs — but in no way requires it.
The purpose of the California Civic Media Program was never simply to preserve the state’s largest publishers, although they are critical. It was to help close information gaps, strengthen newsroom sustainability and ensure more Californians have access to accurate, well-sourced local reporting that empowers participation in civic life and builds stronger communities across the state. At a time when local journalism is struggling nationwide, California is working hard to help sustain and strengthen it for future generations.
Dee Dee Myers, Sacramento
This writer is director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
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