Contra Costa Herald

Surveillance video footage shows about 20 masked suspects entered Heller’s Jewelers in San Ramon for the smash and grab armed robbery on Monday. Source: Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) / X

Michael Lamont Ray, Jr., 31 & Ira Raheem Austin, 19, of San Francisco, Jimmy Mack Ray, 27, of Vallejo

Among about 20 thieves who stole over $1 million of merchandize, used stolen vehicles for getaway

Michael Ray held on $300K bail; Jimmy Ray with history of arrests dating back to 2017 held on no bail; Austin bonded out of custody

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – Three Bay Area men are facing serious felony charges after orchestrating a brazen smash and grab armed robbery at a San Ramon jewelry store on Monday, September 22, 2025, stealing more than one million dollars in merchandise.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced charges on Thursday, September 25, 2025, against Michael Lamont Ray, Jr., 31, and Ira Raheem Austin, 19, both of San Francisco, along with Jimmy Mack Ray, 27, of Vallejo, in connection with the September 22nd robbery involving about 20 masked suspects at Heller Jewelers in the City Center Bishop Ranch mall on Bollinger Canyon Road.

The trio executed a scheme that began with stealing vehicles and culminated in an escape that involved gunfire. Each defendant now faces 13 counts of second-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime, with special enhancements under Proposition 36 due to the value of the stolen property.

The conspiracy charges detail 11 overt criminal acts that involved a coordinated operation. The individuals stole vehicles to use in the crime, forcibly entered the jewelry store, smashed display cases to access and steal valuable merchandise and fired a weapon to shatter a glass door during their getaway.

The suspects then fled the scene in the stolen vehicles and evaded pursuing San Ramon Police officers until officers with Oakland Police were able to apprehend the suspects after they were seen leaving a building on the 9900 block of International Boulevard in Oakland.

“Our communities deserve safety from conduct like the audacious daylight robbery in San Ramon,” said Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton. “Thanks to the excellent investigative work by the San Ramon Police Department, these defendants will face significant punishment for the offenses they committed.”

Becton emphasized her office’s commitment to prosecuting theft crimes, stating, “My Office will continue to work with San Ramon PD and other law enforcement partners to identify other perpetrators who participated in this brazen robbery and charge them accordingly.”

Jimmy Ray will be arraigned on September 29th at 1:30 pm in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, 11-inch tall, 170-pound suspect is non-Hispanic, was born 2/20/1998 and being held on no bail. According to localcrimenews.com, Jimmy Ray has a history of arrests by multiple agencies dating to 2017, including by Solano County Sheriff’s Deputies on July 19, 2025, for crimes including possession of ammunition, manufacturing, importing or sale of a large-capacity magazine and violation of probation. Plus, five times for robbery, three times for grand theft, twice each for burglary, use of a firearm, addict in possession of a firearm, elder or dependent adult abuse, threats of violence and vandalism, as well as for human trafficking of a victim under 18, unlawfully causing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act, petty theft and a variety of other charges.

According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, 10-inch tall, 185-pound Michael Ray is Black, was born 7/21/1994 and is being held in the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on $300,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 30 at 8:30 AM in Alameda County Superior Court, Dept. 112 of the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.

Michael Ray was also arrested on an outstanding warrant for charges including PC1170(B)-F circumstances in aggravation under CRC 4.421, carrying a concealed firearm on person and in a city, corporal injury to a relationship partner, grand theft exceeding $950 and vandalism under $400 damage.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, as of Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 5:19 AM Austin had bonded out of custody.

Case No. 01-25-03128 | The People of the State of California v. Michael Lamont Ray, Jr.

Case No. 01-25-03129 | The People of the State of California v. Jimmy Mack Ray

The People of the State of California v. Ira Raheem Austin

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Source: TRIP

Existing transportation funding strained by rising construction costs, population growth, potential decrease in state gas tax revenue

“115 of 1,374 bridges are rated poor/structurally deficient, with significant deterioration” – TRIP Report

By Carolyn Bonifas Kelly, Director of Communication & Research, TRIP

San Francisco, CA – While additional state and federal transportation funding is allowing California to repair and improve roads and bridges, a new report documents looming challenges including population growth, rising congestion, construction cost inflation and declining fuel-tax revenue. The report by The Road Information Program, TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit based in Washington, DC, examines California’s road and bridge conditions, congestion and reliability, highway safety, economic development, vehicle travel trends, and the impact of recent state and federal transportation funding increases.

The TRIP report, “Keeping California Mobile: Providing a Modern, Sustainable Transportation System in the Golden State,” finds that throughout the state, traffic fatalities have increased significantly in the last decade despite recent downward trends, 50 percent of major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, five percent of locally and state-maintained bridges (20 feet or more in length) are rated poor/structurally deficient, and traffic congestion costs the state’s drivers $55 billion annually in lost time and wasted fuel. In addition to statewide data, the TRIP report includes regional pavement and bridge conditions, congestion data, highway safety data, and cost breakdowns for the Los Angeles, Riverside-San Bernardino, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco-Oakland and San Jose urban areas.

The TRIP report finds that 73 percent of major locally and state-maintained roads in the San Francisco-Oakland urban area are in poor or mediocre condition, costing the average motorist an additional $1,106 each year in extra vehicle operating costs, including accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair costs, and increased fuel consumption and tire wear. Statewide, 28 percent of California’s major roads are in poor condition and 22 percent are in mediocre condition. TRIP estimates that the state’s drivers lose $24.2 billion annually in extra vehicle operating costs as a result of driving on deteriorated roads.

In the San Francisco-Oakland area, eight percent of bridges (115 of 1,374 bridges) are rated poor/structurally deficient, with significant deterioration to the bridge deck, supports or other major components. This includes locally and state-maintained bridges that are 20 feet or longer. Statewide, five percent of California’s bridges are rated poor/structurally deficient. Most bridges are designed to last 50 years before major overhaul or replacement. In California, 54 percent of the state’s bridges were built in 1969 or earlier.

According to the TRIP report, traffic congestion in the San Francisco-Oakland area causes 111 annual hours of delay for the average motorist and costs the average driver $3,406 annually in lost time and wasted fuel. On average, San Francisco-Oakland drivers waste 38 gallons of fuel annually due to congestion. Statewide, drivers lose $55 billion annually because of lost time and wasted fuel due to traffic congestion. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, vehicle travel in California dropped by as much as 41 percent in April 2020 (as compared to vehicle travel during the same month the previous year). By 2025, vehicle miles of travel in California had rebounded to five percent below 2019’s pre-pandemic levels. Congestion reduces job accessibility significantly. In California’s six largest metros, the number of jobs accessible within a 40-minute drive during peak hours were reduced by 44 percent in 2023 as a result of traffic congestion.

Source: TRIP

Traffic crashes in California claimed the lives of 24,508 people from 2019 to 2024. The state’s 2024 traffic fatality rate of 1.19 fatalities for every 100 million miles traveled was slightly lower than the national average of 1.2. The number of traffic fatalities and the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles of travel in California spiked dramatically in 2020 and 2021 before falling each year from 2022 to 2024. But, despite recent progress, from 2014 to 2024 the number of traffic fatalities in California increased 24 percent and the state’s traffic fatality rate increased 29 percent. From 2019 to 2023, 30 percent of those killed in California crashes involving motorized vehicles were pedestrians or bicyclists. In the San Francisco-Oakland area, 36 percent of traffic fatalities between 2019 and 2023 (306 of 934) were pedestrians or bicyclists.

“California’s future depends on transportation infrastructure that can withstand the challenges of a changing climate and a growing population,” said Senator Dave Cortese, chair of the California Senate Transportation Committee. “These investments don’t just move people and goods—they cut emissions, strengthen communities, create jobs, and spur economic growth. The TRIP report makes clear that smart infrastructure investments are among the most powerful tools we have to support California’s workforce and drive long-term economic prosperity.”

Improvements to California’s roads, highways and bridges are funded by local, state and federal governments. In April 2017, the California legislature enacted SB 1 — the Road Repair and Accountability Act. SB 1 increased state revenues for transportation by increasing the state’s gasoline and diesel taxes, implementing a transportation investment fee on vehicles and initiating an annual fee on zero emission vehicles. SB 1 is estimated to increase state revenues for California’s transportation system by an average of $5.2 billion annually through to 2027. In addition to state transportation funding, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law on November 2021, provides $25.3 billion in federal funds to the state for highway and bridge investments in California over five years, representing a 29 percent increase in annual federal funding for roads and bridges in the state over the previous federal surface transportation program. The IIJA is set to expire on September 30, 2026.

“California’s transportation system is the backbone of our daily lives, connecting millions of people to work, school, and opportunity,” said Assemblymember Lori Wilson, chair of the California State Assembly Transportation Committee. “The TRIP report provides the proof points behind what we already know: our infrastructure needs are urgent and growing. As we transition to cleaner vehicles and more sustainable mobility, we must secure fair and reliable funding solutions to ensure tomorrow’s infrastructure serves Californians better than today’s.”

The ability of revenue from California’s motor fuel tax – a critical source of state transportation funds – to keep pace with the state’s future transportation needs is likely to erode as a result of increasing vehicle fuel efficiency, the increasing use of electric vehicles and inflation in highway construction costs. The Federal Highway Administration’s national highway construction cost index, which measures labor and materials cost, increased by 48 percent from the beginning of 2022 through the fourth quarter of 2024.

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) found that steps taken by California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including programs and policies that are targeted at increasing the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), increasing the use of lower-carbon fuels, and reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled will reduce state transportation revenues by $4.4 billion over the next decade. This reduction in state transportation spending which is projected to result in poorer road conditions. However, the recent federal rollbacks to California strict emissions requirements will impact these programs and policies.

“Our deteriorating transportation system costs Californians lives, time, and money,” said California Transportation Commissioner Joseph Cruz. “Every investment in improving and maintaining our roads, bridges, and transit networks is an investment in people. These projects don’t just build infrastructure – they create good jobs, support local economies, and ensure California’s workforce is at the center of the solution.”

Source: TRIP

The efficiency and condition of California’s transportation system, particularly its highways, is critical to the health of the state’s economy. In 2023 California’s freight system moved 1.4 billion tons of freight, valued at $2.8 trillion. From 2022 to 2050, freight moved annually in California by trucks is expected to increase 65 percent by weight and 100 percent by value (inflation-adjusted dollars). The design, construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure in California supports approximately 420,000 full-time jobs across all sectors of the state economy. Approximately 7.1 million full-time jobs in California in key industries like tourism, retail sales, agriculture and manufacturing are dependent on the quality, safety and reliability of the state’s transportation infrastructure network.

“California’s transportation dollars are already being stretched thin by increased inflation in construction costs and declining fuel tax revenue,” said Dave Kearby, TRIP’s executive director. “Without additional transportation investment, needed projects that would make the state’s roads safer, smoother and more efficient will not move forward.”

By Contra Costa Health

The Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program, one of the largest and oldest programs of its kind, is marking its 75th year of training future family physicians.

The County’s residency program began in the early 1950s as a general practice training program. In 1975 it evolved into one of the nation’s first family medicine residency programs, which includes a broader spectrum of services to prepare doctors to care for people of all ages and stages of life.

The nationally recognized three-year program receives 800 applications for 13 residency slots each year. As one of the largest family medicine residency programs in the country, it is helping meet the ongoing need for primary care physicians.

“From our earliest days, our mission has always been clear: to care for the underserved, to train full-spectrum family physicians, and to meet our communities needs wherever they are,” said Dr. Leah Romito, the director of the Residency Program and also a graduate. “We train physicians who heal with compassion, prioritize care for the underserved, exemplify the true meaning of full spectrum family medicine, and do common things uncommonly well.”

Residents in the program learn about a wide variety of services, from emergency medicine to intensive care to delivering babies to outpatient primary care. The Residency also sponsors a global health fellowship that sends residents around the world to train doctors in other countries as well as Indian Health Services sites.

Many of the program’s graduates continue to practice locally after completing their residency. It’s estimated that one in 13 Contra Costa County residents have a primary care physician who graduated from the Residency Program.

“We have had a storied tradition of training the next generation of doctors to be the best clinicians around,” said Dr. Sergio Urcuyo, Chief Medical Officer for Contra Costa Regional Medical Center & Health Centers and a graduate of the Residency class of 2012. “For over 75 years we have educated generalist physicians in the ways of medicine, surgery and humanity. We have turned ‘mission driven’ into a genetic condition that is carried with us in one way or another for the rest of our careers.”

The Residency is part of Contra Costa Health, the County’s safety-net healthcare system. Residents are trained at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and the County’s nine outpatient health centers. The program is affiliated with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and is part of the UCSF Family Medicine Educational Alliance.

Photo: CCHealth

Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution recognizing the Residency’s anniversary and its positive impact on the community. The Residency recently held a reunion celebration at the Contra Costa Country Club, which brought together more than 200 alumni from across the country and current residents. (See photos from the dinner on the CCHealth Facebook page)

“Celebrating this milestone is not just about looking back at our history — it’s about looking forward,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, CEO of Contra Costa Health. “The next generation of family doctors will face new challenges, and we are dedicated to preparing them with the skills, compassion and resourcefulness they need to lead the way in community health.”

For more information about the Residency, visit our website.

SB771 attempts to curb online “hate speech”, awaits Newsom’s decision by Oct. 12; second effort in two years to limit online speech, first one failed

Computer & Communications Industry Association warns California bill “could undermine free speech online”

“It effectively incentivizes broad suppression of speech through the threat of legal action.” – TechNet

“sets stage for…fight” and “could create a messy, drawn-out legal battle” – Washington Examiner

CalChamber also opposes

By Allen D. Payton

SB 771, by State Senator Henry Stern, entitled “Personal rights: liability: social media platforms” has passed both the State Assembly and Senate and currently awaits the governor’s decision as of September 22, 2025, would allow fines of up to $1 million per violation for social media companies that generate more than $100 million in annual gross revenues, whose algorithms amplify content violating California’s civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. (Source: compliancehub.wiki)

The platforms could also face fines of up to three months of the platform’s gross revenue preceding the judgment for intentional violations, or up to $500,000 per violation for reckless violations, which is designed to address platforms that show disregard for potential harm without specific intent.

Newsom has until Oct. 12, 2025, to either sign or veto the bill. If he signed, bill would become operative on January 1, 2027, giving social media platforms time to prepare.

According to the Legislative Counsel’s Digest, “Existing law generally regulates social media platforms, including by requiring a social media company to post terms of service for each social media platform owned or operated by the company in a manner reasonably designed to inform all users of the social media platform of the existence and contents of the terms of service, as prescribed.

Existing law generally prohibits a person from using violence or intimidation to interfere with another person’s enjoyment of certain rights or because of certain attributes of that person, including the person’s political affiliation, race, or sexual orientation, and punishes violations of that law with certain civil penalties or as misdemeanors, as prescribed.

This bill would make a social media platform, as defined, that violates the above-referenced provisions of law relating to personal rights through its algorithms that relay content to users or aids, abets, acts in concert, or conspires in violation of those laws, or is a joint tortfeasor in an action alleging a violation of those laws, liable for specified civil penalties. The bill would declare its provisions to be severable and would declare attempted waiver of its provisions to be void and unenforceable.”

The bill specifically references violations of:

• Penal Code Sections 31 and 422.6 (hate crimes and interference with civil rights)
• Civil Code Section 51.7 (Ralph Civil Rights Act)
• Civil Code Section 51.9 (Civil rights protections against violence or intimidation)
• Civil Code Section 52 and 52.1 (Tom Bane Civil Rights Act)

According to a report by Reason.com, “The Legislature says the bill is needed because of a rise in documented hate crimes. It cites a report by the Human Rights Campaign that found “anti-LGBTQ+ disinformation and harmful rhetoric” increased by 400 percent following the passage of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill in 2022, as well as a report by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations that found that “hate crimes involving anti-immigrant slurs increased by 31 percent” in FY 2024, the highest number since tracking began in 2007.

“The bill additionally cites the Anti-Defamation League’s 2024 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, which found an 893 percent increase in antisemitic incidents over the previous 10 years, and a 2023 study by nonprofit Global Witness, which found that paid advertisements promoting violence toward women were placed and distributed across social media platforms.”

However,  the report continues, “the bill is sure to face scrutiny under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which largely protects platforms from being held liable for user speech.”

Sets State for Free Speech Fight

According to a Washington Examiner report, the bill “sets stage for free speech fight” and “could create a messy, drawn-out legal battle with multibillion-dollar tech companies over what people can post on their platforms.”

CCIA Warns California SB 771 Could Undermine Free Speech Online

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), whose members include Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Threads; Google and Apple, is opposed to the bill. It testified in July “before the California Assembly Judiciary Committee…reiterating its opposition to SB 771. The association warns that the proposal could limit access to lawful content, discourage open dialogue online, and conflict with key constitutional and federal legal protections.

SB 771 would allow lawsuits against large social media platforms if their recommendation systems are accused of amplifying unlawful content targeting protected groups. But the bill’s broad language and legal uncertainty could force platforms to take down more content than necessary — not because it’s harmful, but to avoid the risk of litigation.

CCIA believes this approach would reduce the availability of protected speech and place platforms in a legally precarious position. The bill also raises serious concerns about First Amendment protections and may conflict with Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields online services from liability for content moderation carried out in good faith.

“We all want to create safer online spaces and are concerned that SB 771 takes the wrong approach,” said Aodhan Downey, State Policy Manager for CCIA. “The bill creates vague legal standards that could prompt platforms to over-remove content out of fear of lawsuits. That would limit access to important conversations and weaken free expression online. California lawmakers should reject this bill and pursue targeted, effective solutions that protect users while respecting constitutional rights.”

According to the company’s website, CCIA is an international, not-for-profit trade association representing a broad cross section of communications and technology firms. For more than 50 years, CCIA has promoted open markets, open systems, and open networks. CCIA members employ more than 1.6 million workers, invest more than $100 billion in research and development, and contribute trillions of dollars in productivity to the global economy.

TechNet, CalChamber Oppose SB771

In a July 10, 2025, letter to Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and who represents portions of Western Contra Costa County, TechNet, whose members include Comcast NBC Universal, Google and Meta, was joined by CCIA and the California Chamber of Commerce in writing, “TechNet and the following organizations must respectfully oppose SB 771, as it raises significant concerns about potential conflicts with longstanding internet law by exposing social media platforms to substantial liability, calculated in the billions, for user-generated content.

TechNet is the national, bipartisan network of technology CEOs and senior executives that promotes the growth of the innovation economy by advocating a targeted policy agenda at the federal and 50-state level. TechNet’s diverse membership includes dynamic American businesses ranging from startups to the most iconic companies on the planet and represents over 4.5 million employees and countless customers in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence, e commerce, the sharing and gig economies, advanced energy, transportation, cybersecurity, venture capital, and finance.

Although SB 771 does not explicitly mandate content removal, it effectively incentivizes broad suppression of speech through the threat of legal action. In practice, the elevated liability risk could compel platforms to take down content based solely on unsubstantiated allegations of violence. This dynamic sets the stage for a heckler’s veto, in which bad actors or politically motivated users can flag content they disagree with, knowing the platform may err on the side of removal to avoid potential lawsuits.

This bill’s implicit concern is harmful content. It is impossible for companies to identify and remove every potentially harmful piece of content because there’s no clear consensus on what exactly constitutes harmful content, apart from clearly illicit content. Determining what is harmful is highly subjective and varies from person to person, making it impossible to make such judgments on behalf of millions of users. Faced with this impossible task and the liability imposed by this bill, some platforms may decide to aggressively over restrict content that could be considered harmful.

Furthermore, platforms would need to evaluate whether to eliminate their fundamental features and functions, which are the reasons users go to their platforms, due to the legal risk involved. For instance, direct messaging features could potentially be misused for contacting and bullying other teens; such features would likely be removed.

Serious First Amendment concerns.

It is well established that the companies covered by this legislation have constitutional rights related to content moderation, including the right to curate, prioritize, and remove content in accordance with their terms of service. By exposing these companies to civil liability for content they do not remove, SB 771 creates a chilling effect on their editorial discretion. The significant, prescribed civil penalties – potentially amounting into the billions for each violation – would lead platforms to over-remove lawful content to mitigate legal exposure. Therefore, if this law passes, it will almost certainly be struck down in court (see NetChoice v Paxton) because it imposes liability on social media platforms for whether certain types of third-party content are shown to users, as well as the expressive choices social media platforms make in designing the user experience. This violates the First Amendment rights of users and social media platforms.

Moreover, the proposed liability framework likely conflicts with Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides strong federal protections for platforms against civil liability for third-party content and for good-faith content moderation. Courts (see Twitter,inc V. Taamneh, 598 U.S.__ (2023)) have consistently upheld Section 230 as preempting state-level attempts to impose liability for content hosting or moderation decisions.

For these reasons, we respectfully oppose SB 771. If you have any questions regarding our position, please contact Robert Boykin at rboykin@technet.org or 408.898.7145.”

The letter was signed by Robert Boykin, Executive Director for California and the Southwest TechNet, Ronak Daylami attorney and Policy Advocate with the California Chamber of Commerce and Aodhan Downey of the CCIA.

Second Legislative Attempt to Limit Online Speech, First Failed in Court

This is the second attempt by the California legislature and Newsom to limit online speech in the last two years. Last year, AB2839 and AB2655 were signed into law, banning deceptive elections-related media, known as “deep-fakes”, in advertisements including those containing parody.

AB2839 would have “prohibited a person, committee, or other entity from knowingly distributing an advertisement or other election communication, as defined, that contains certain materially deceptive content, as defined, with malice, as defined, subject to specified exemptions. The bill would apply this prohibition within 120 days of an election in California and, in specified cases, 60 days after an election.”

AB2655 would have required “a large online platform, as defined, to block the posting of materially deceptive content related to elections in California, during specified periods before and after an election…and to label certain additional content inauthentic, fake, or false.”

However, parody website, The Babylon Bee sued the state and according to the Alliance Defending Freedom which represented the media outlet, “California officials agreed they cannot enforce one of those laws (AB2839) against The Babylon Bee and Kelly Chang Rickert, a California attorney and blogger, after a federal district court ruled that the law likely violates the First Amendment.”

Contact Governor Newsom

To contact the governor’s office to offer your opinion on the legislation, use the website form at www.gov.ca.gov/contact and select Legislation Issues/Concerns in the drop down menu, mail Governor Gavin Newsom at 1021 O Street, Suite 9000 Sacramento, CA 95814 or call (916) 445-2841.

USS Boxer (Photo & crest source: Facebook) and Chief Petty Officer Glyndale Cabrera. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin Tang, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

Chief Petty Officer Glyndale Cabrera, a Hercules High grad, serves as aviation ordnanceman aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Osborne, Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Navy sailors serve and protect from around the globe, and every sailor got their start somewhere. Chief Petty Officer Glyndale Cabrera, a native of Pittsburg, California, serves aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, currently operating out of San Diego, California.

Cabrera graduated from Hercules High School in 2008.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Pittsburg.

“Growing up, I learned from my father that I cannot let anyone change me,” Cabrera said. “He also told me to be respectful and to recognize there is a time and a place for everything.”

Cabrera joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, Cabrera serves as an aviation ordnanceman.

“I joined the Navy because I was tired of my hometown and I wanted to see and experience different things and finish up my college,” Cabrera said.

Source: U.S. Navy

Boxer, the sixth and current ship to be named for the original British gunbrig captured by the USS Enterprise in 1813, plays a crucial role in projecting power and maintaining presence for naval forces. It serves as the cornerstone of amphibious operations, capable of carrying Marines, their equipment, and aircraft to execute a wide range of missions, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to full-scale amphibious assaults. This ship enables forces to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in littoral (near-shore) environments, providing a versatile platform for achieving strategic objectives across the globe.

Resembling a small aircraft carrier, Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines.

INDIAN OCEAN (Aug. 18, 2011) The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) transits the Indian Ocean. Boxer is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility during a western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Trevor Welsh/Released)

Cabrera has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishments have been getting selected for chief petty officer and proving wrong the people who said I couldn’t do something,” Cabrera said. “We always hear a lot of ‘no’s,’ but I have been able to turn a lot of those into yeses through hard work and patience.”

Cabrera serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“At this point in my career, serving in the Navy means I can do anything I put my mind to,” Cabrera said. “I have a 13-year-old daughter, and it’s important she understands that.”

Cabrera is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my parents, Glynda and Ramon, and my brother, Ryndell Cabrera, for always being there for me,” Cabrera added. “They have always been so supportive. I also want to thank my daughter, Analisa, who has made me a better person and always puts a smile on my face.”

Source: USS Boxer Facebook page

U.S. Navy Celebrating 250th Birthday

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/

Join the conversation with our social media: Facebook.com/NavyOutreach and Instagram: @Navy.Outreach

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Surveillance video footage shows about 20 masked suspects entered Heller Jewelers in San Ramon for the smash and grab armed robbery on Monday. Screenshot surce: Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) on X

Several of 20 suspects detained following chases into Oakland, Dublin  

By Lt. Mike Pistello, San Ramon Police Department

On Monday, September 22, 2025, at 1:50 p.m., San Ramon Police Department personnel responded to Heller Jewelers, located at 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, for a take-over style armed robbery. Approximately 20 masked individuals entered the store and began smashing display cases, taking numerous items. Several suspects were armed with handguns, and at least one suspect fired rounds through the front entrance. Fortunately, no one was injured, and there is no ongoing danger to the public.

The suspects fled the scene in awaiting cars they had staged in the City Center valet parking area. San Ramon Police Officers pursued some of the involved vehicles but terminated due to the inherent danger to the public and because of air support was overhead and available to continue tracking the suspect vehicle.

Law Enforcement air support tracked the suspects through Contra Costa and into Alameda County. Several suspects were detained at two locations in Oakland and a second location in Dublin.

See surveillance camera and drone video footage included in the NBC Bay Area which reported police said the thieves “helped themselves to more than $1 million of fine jewelry.”

San Ramon Detectives will tirelessly continue their investigation into this incident and ask anyone who may have witnessed the robbery to contact Detective Corporal Kevin Tjahjadi at (925) 733-7316.

The San Ramon Police Department would like to thank the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and the Oakland Police Department for their assistance. This incident is still under active investigation, and we will not be releasing any additional information until it is appropriate, as it may compromise the ongoing investigative efforts.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Effective immediately, MDRR’s residential recycling program will officially accept #2 plastic squeeze tubes in the blue recycling cart.

By Nicole Impagliazzo, Executive Director, Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery

Pittsburg, California – Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery (MDRR), an industry-leading company dedicated to diverting as much material as possible from landfills, is excited to announce a partnership with Colgate-Palmolive and Glacier robotics to gather data on the recovery of recyclable plastic squeeze tubes.

Colgate-Palmolive, an innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets, and our planet, pioneered the development of a first-of-its-kind recyclable tube made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), the same No. 2 plastic used for milk and detergent bottles, which launched in 2019. The company shared its patented technology and approach with tube suppliers, other brands, and interested parties. As of 2025, it is estimated that approximately 95% of toothpaste tubes and 85% of all HDPE tubes are designed for recycling, based on industry data compiled by Stina Inc., which leads the Plastic Squeeze Tube Recycling Project.

Now, using Glacier’s AI-powered cameras, Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery will be able to collect real-time data on toothpaste tubes and other non-toothpaste tubes—like lotion and shampoo—coming through the facility.

“We are excited to partner with Colgate and Glacier. It represents a significant step forward in our mission to divert as much material as possible from landfills. By leveraging advanced technology, we can improve our recycling and communication practices and contribute to a greener future.” Kish Rajan, MDRR, CEO

Recycle Your Squeeze Tubes – Residential Program Expansion Alert!

Effective immediately, MDRR’s residential recycling program will officially accept #2 plastic squeeze tubes in the blue recycling cart.

#2 Lotion, Toothpaste, Sunscreen, and Cosmetic plastic squeeze tubes now go into the blue!

Before placing them in your cart, please be sure they are:

• Plastic (no metal tubes)
• As empty as possible
• With the cap on

Tubes should be placed loose in your blue recycling cart, not bagged.

This program expansion means that more of the items you use daily can stay out of the landfill and enter a recovery pathway, supporting a cleaner, greener community for everyone.

About Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery:

Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery serves our customers, communities, and environment responsibly by optimizing the use of discarded materials.

Today, Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery serves over 250,000 residents and thousands of businesses throughout Contra Costa, Napa, and Solano Counties. It combines excellence in customer service with competitive rates and operates recycling and recovery programs designed to increase sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery’s Material Resource Facility in Pittsburg, California, contains the area’s largest state-of-the-art recycling processing center and C+D line to keep items out of the landfill.

Our company continues to grow and change to prepare our communities for the future. Consistent with our business values, we invest in programs and technology that maximize diversion and maintain customer convenience and service.

Photo source: Hartog, Baer & Hand on LinkedIn

By Matt J. Malone, Chief Counsel and PIO, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County

The Contra Costa Superior Court is pleased to announce that Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Commissioner Andrew R. Verriere as the Court’s newest judge. He assumed his new role today and will preside in Department 11. His first judicial assignment will be at the George D. Carroll Courthouse in Richmond.

Judge Verriere has served the Court as a Commissioner since May 1, 2023, handling traffic, unlawful detainer, small claims, and domestic violence and civil harassment restraining order matters. While a Commissioner, he worked with the California Judges Association on proposed legislation to amend Penal Code section 1050 in infraction cases, helped establish a guardian ad litem roster for defendants in limited jurisdiction civil cases, and worked with the Traffic Committee to provide improved language access for traffic defendants who communicate primarily in languages other than English.

Prior to serving as Commissioner, Judge Verriere worked as a trial and appellate litigator in civil and probate matters. He was most recently a principal at Hartog, Baer, Zabronsky & Verriere APC, focusing on trust and estate litigation, conservatorship litigation, financial elder abuse, related litigation, and appeals. A highly-regarded speaker and instructor, he has presented to numerous trade organizations on topics of fiduciary duty, financial elder abuse, and discovery dispute resolution. Judge Verriere is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association.

Judge Verriere graduated from UC Berkeley School of Law and obtained his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Brian F. Haynes.

Photo: Brentwood Union School District

Concealed in student’s backpack

By Lindzie Laughridge, Community Engagement Officer, City of Brentwood

BRENTWOOD, CA- This morning, September 23rd, 2025, at approximately 8:15AM, Adams Middle School staff were alerted to a report of a student on campus who was in possession of a firearm concealed in their backpack. The Brentwood Police Department was immediately contacted and our School Resource Officer responded to the incident.

Upon further investigation, the firearm was determined to be real, and the student was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to Juvenile Hall for booking.

We are working closely with Adams Middle School, the District, and the involved parents, to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Our top priority is the safety of students, staff, and the community. We take any report of a weapon on campus extremely seriously and are thankful for the students who reported their concerns, along with the swift response from school staff.

Based on our investigation, this is an isolated incident.

Anyone with any information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Brentwood Police Department at 925-809-7911.

Faces additional charges of making criminal threats of death and great bodily injury in 2024, preventing wife from calling police in 2023

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – A 43-year-old Walnut Creek resident was charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office in a double murder.

Howard Wang was scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 pm on September 23rd in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez for the murder of his wife Linlin Guo, and mother-in-law, Beimin Cheng. The murders occurred on September 18th, 2025, at the couple’s residence in Walnut Creek. The charges include special circumstances enhancements for multiple murders. If found guilty by a jury, Wang could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Additional charges against Wang include making criminal threats of death and great bodily injury against Linlin Guo around August 31st, 2024, and preventing Linlin Guo from reporting a crime to law enforcement on January 7th, 2023.  As previously reported, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 183-pound Wang was also arrested on Jan. 7, 2023, by Walnut Creek Police for battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse, removing, destroying or damaging a wireless communication device to prevent summoning assistance or law enforcement.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “This tragic case is a stark reminder of the devastating toll domestic violence takes — not only on the victims whose lives were lost, but on families and the community as a whole. Our office is committed to aggressively pursuing justice in this case.”

Case No. 01-25-03009 | The People of the State of California v. Howard Wang

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.