Organizers of the Alexis Gabe search effort and the KlaasKids Foundation are asking farmers, ranchers, real estate agents and other citizens with access to unoccupied out buildings, unoccupied residences, structures, or fields to check those locations for signs of missing Alexis Gabe this coming weekend, March 26-27. (See related articles here and here)
The search for a missing loved one is a long, arduous task that requires the help and assistance of countless people. Law Enforcement and our volunteers have done an incredible job at searching public locations and lands, but we need your help to cover accessible privately owned property. For this reason, we are asking individuals with access to out buildings, unoccupied residences, and other structures to please search for any signs of missing Alexis Gabe. This effort will go far toward eliminating possible locations where she may be kept against her will, or other evidence of her current whereabouts.
If any suspicious items are located or if you have any information related to the disappearance of Alexis Gabe, please contact the Oakley Police Department at (925) 625-8855
We want to take this opportunity to thank the Oakley Police Department, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Search & Rescue and the selfless volunteers who have searched for Alexis, or otherwise supported the search effort. Another volunteer search will be scheduled and conducted on Saturday, April 2, 2022
Read MoreMarch 24, 2022 – The victim in Wednesday’s shooting death in an unincorporated area between Pleasant Hill and Lafayette has been identified as 20-year-old Basel Jilani of Lafayette. (See related article)
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read More$24 million for clean water program
Money to restore San Francisco Bay and address impacts from climate change received a $24 million boost via the federal omnibus spending bill signed into law this week by President Biden.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 provides funds to implement the priority actions identified in the San Francisco Estuary Partnership’s Blueprint. Specifically, the money will go toward the U.S. EPA’s San Francisco Bay Area Water Quality Improvement Fund, which has focused work on removing pollutants, improving wetlands and reducing runoff.
The $24 million annual earmark is the biggest increase to the fund since it began in 2008, with a push from Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The Water Quality Improvement Fund currently receives about $5 million annually to advance wetland restoration, water quality improvement and green urban development projects.
“Thanks to the efforts of Rep. Jackie Speier and our members of Congress, the new law provides funds to implement the priority actions identified in the Estuary Blueprint,” said Caitlin Sweeney, Director of the Estuary Partnership. “This is a huge development and is critical for the long-term health of San Francisco Bay.”
With the support from the Appropriations Act, federal funding for San Francisco Bay will be on par with regional funding from sources like the Bay Area’s Measure AA, which passed in 2016 and dedicates $25 million annually to fund multi-benefit shoreline projects that protect and restore the bay.
The new law also provides a bump in funding for the National Estuary Program, bringing the San Francisco’s Estuary Partnership appropriation this year to $750,000, a $50,000 increase.
Enactment of the omnibus spending bill augments the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in November 2021, which allocates approximately $5 million annually over the next five years to the Water Quality Improvement Fund and dedicates about $4.5 million over the same period to the Estuary Partnership for implementation of the Estuary Blueprint.
The San Francisco Estuary Blueprint — being updated for 2022-2027 and due out later this year — is a five-year roadmap for restoring the estuary’s chemical, physical, biological, and social-ecological processes to health. The Blueprint identifies the top actions needed for thriving habitats and wildlife, improved water quality for animals and people, increased scale and pace of climate change adaptation and planning, and healthier human and wildlife communities.
Hosted by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the San Francisco Estuary Partnership is a collaboration of local, state and federal agencies; non-governmental organizations; and academic and business leaders working to protect and restore the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary. The Estuary Partnership was established in 1988 by the state of California and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act’s National Estuary Program when the San Francisco Estuary was designated as an estuary of national significance.
Read MorePublic test of Vote-by-Mail counting equipment
The April 5, 2022 Special Election for the California Assembly District 11 office is underway in California. The Contra Costa County Elections Division will perform the county’s official logic and accuracy testing on central ballot counting and processing equipment at 10:00 am Friday, March 25, 2022 at the Elections Office, located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez and the public is invited to observe.
According to Helen Nolan, Assistant Registrar, “Contra Costa County purchased its ballot counting and processing equipment from Dominion Voting Systems. We originally purchased this ballot tabulation system in March 2018 and will be conducting our 11th election with the system in April using the Dominion Democracy Suite 5.10a. Brand names used in the system include Dell, Canon, InoTec, OKI, AValue, and HP.” (See related article)
Logic and accuracy testing is a standard pre-election procedure. The test will confirm that all central count equipment is in working order and functioning properly. A set of test ballots will be run through each scanner to ensure they are properly programmed and operating as expected.
Visitors are asked to check-in at the Elections lobby. For more information, call 925-335-7800.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County
At about 1:06 PM, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report of a shooting in the unincorporated area of Taylor Blvd. and Gloria Terrace between Pleasant Hill and Lafayette.
Deputies arrived on scene to find bystanders providing lifesaving measures to a person on the ground near a vehicle. The victim, who appeared to have been shot, was pronounced deceased at the scene. He is not being identified at this time.
The investigation by Sheriff’s Office Homicide Detectives and the crime lab is ongoing. The suspect is outstanding at this time.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read MoreBy CHP-Contra Costa
Early Sunday morning, March 20, 2022, at about 3:41 AM, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a wrong way driver traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-80 near the Carquinez Bridge. The wrong way vehicle (Honda SUV) continued westbound in the eastbound lanes and collided head on into a vehicle (Tesla Model 3) traveling in the eastbound lanes of I-80, just west of Pomona Street. Both vehicles sustained major damage and came to rest within the eastbound lanes. Moments later, a third vehicle (Toyota Camry) traveling eastbound collided into the damaged vehicles. Due to the collision, the Honda and the Tesla became fully engulfed in flames.
The driver and sole occupant of the Honda and the Tesla sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the Toyota sustained minor injuries. At this time, it is undetermined if drugs and/or alcohol were a factor. This incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision, the wrong way vehicle prior to the collision, or the events leading up to the collision, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.
Read MoreQuick investigative work results in two arrests within 48 hours
By Steve Hill, PIO, Con Fire
CONCORD, CALIF., Mar. 23, 2022 – Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) today announced its fire investigators made arrests in the last 48 hours in two separate, intentionally set fires in Bay Point and Antioch.
On March 22, Con Fire investigators arrested Emanuel Serrano, 25, a transient, in the vicinity of two vegetation fires burning along Highway Four near Evora and Willow Pass Roads in Bay Point. The two separate fires originated along the walking trail next to westbound Highway 4.
As crews were arriving, a witness pointed out a subject who they had observed starting the fires. Investigators checked the area and observed Serrano running through a nearby field. Searching the area on foot and from above with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), investigators located the suspect hiding in tall vegetation on a nearby hill where he was taken into custody.
Witnesses positively identified Serrano as the individual seen starting the fires. Investigators conducted an “origin and cause” investigation, which did not reveal ignition sources other than human activity in the area of the fires. Serrano was transported to and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility, charged with two counts of Arson of a Structure or Forest Land (PC § 451(c)).
On March 21, a Con Fire investigator responded to an exterior fire burning in brush along the soundwall near Larkspur Drive and Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch. Nearby, Jason McGee, 27, a transient living in Antioch, who had been seen in the area of the fire, was identified as a suspect.
During questioning, McGee admitted to lighting this fire and a witness in the area further identified the suspect as having been seen lighting another fire the previous Friday. McGee was subsequently arrested for both fires and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking on two charges of Arson of a Structure or Forest Land (PC § 451(c)).
Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit asks residents to help them fight the crime of arson by calling the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON. They caution residents not to hesitate on information that seems too little or unimportant, adding some of the most valuable tips come from residents who were not aware what they saw was very important to the investigation of an incident. Residents can leave a recorded message on the tip line about fire-related criminal activity in English or Spanish. Tips can be anonymous, and all tips are treated confidentially. But investigators sometimes need additional information, so contact information is encouraged.
Read MoreSome 50 fire personnel conduct rare, complex and risky rescue to free man in 30’s from where he had been trapped for up to two days
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) led a three-and-a-half-hour, nearly 50-person rescue effort Sunday evening that freed a man in his thirties from an underground storm water pipe where he had been stuck for up to two days.
The rescue took place after passersby heard cries for help coming from underground and reported this to 911. Con Fire was notified at 5:37 p.m. Sunday of someone possibly stuck in a drainage pipe near the 3100 block of Buchanan Road in Antioch. Arriving on scene moments later, firefighters quickly determined someone was trapped and launched the rescue effort.
The complex, high risk, and rare “confined space” rescue was conducted by specially trained firefighter technicians from Con Fire and East Contra Costa Fire with support from City of Antioch Public Works and Antioch PD. Four Con Fire firefighters, connected by umbilical cords for breathing air and underground communications, made entry into the storm water infrastructure, locating the victim, clearing considerable debris blocking his path, and bringing him to the surface shortly before 9 p.m.
“As an all-risk fire agency, we train for rare rescues such as this,” said Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Fire Chief Lewis Broschard. “Still, this was a complex and high-risk rescue effort that required extensive specialized resources and the skill and experience of many professionals from across the District to successfully complete.”
Confined space rescues are both uncommon and high risk. They are highly complex for many reasons including oftentimes the unknown location and condition of the victim and the potential risks to both victim and rescuers. Confined spaces such as these are not intended for humans to occupy, consequently, they may be an oxygen-deficient environment not capable of supporting human life.
In this case, uncertain of how to successfully reach the man through several potential access points, the incident commander ordered two simultaneous rescue attempts from opposite sides of the drainage pipe. The first, which eventually proved successful, involved sending rescue firefighters into a nearby underground vault to make their way to and free the victim. At the same time, City of Antioch Public Works responders were directed to use a backhoe to dig down to the underground pipe on the opposite side of the victim’s location in case it became necessary to break it open to affect a rescue from that direction.
Con Fire firefighters routinely train to conduct restricted space and a wide variety of other rescue types at our Training Division on Treat Boulevard in Concord. In addition to academic training facilities, the Con Fire training campus has many sophisticated training props designed to allow firefighters to train in the most realistic environments possible for rescues such as this.
Rescuers were unable to determine the man’s motivation for entering the stormwater drainage system or his exact entry point, which is believed to have been some distance from the rescue location.
Once brought to the surface, the victim was evaluated at the scene, determined to be uninjured, and transported to Sutter Delta for further evaluation.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, and the Oakley Police Department continue to investigate the Discovery Bay officer-involved shooting death per the county law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol.
Last night, March 22, 2022, at about 8:44 PM, deputy sheriffs were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at a residence on the 8000 block of Westport Circle in Discovery Bay. After speaking to the caller, a deputy attempted to talk to a man in the residence. As deputies tried to speak to him through a screen door, the man took out a knife and raised it over his head. Deputies commanded him to drop the knife. The man then brandished what appeared to be a rifle at the deputies, who retreated to safe distance away from the residence to set up a perimeter.
A short while later, as other deputies and Oakley police officers arrived at the scene, the man came out of the residence with the weapon raised and pointed as he walked toward the deputies and officers on the street. They attempted to de-escalate the situation by giving him numerous commands to put his weapon down. He refused to comply and advanced on the deputies and officers who discharged their firearms striking the man. They immediately requested an ambulance and the fire department to respond and began performing life-saving measures. The man was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The man is identified as 51-year-old Robert Jones. The weapon he was carrying and pointed at law enforcement officers was a Umarex AirJavelin Archery Rifle that propels arrows up to 300 feet per second.
The California Department of Justice was contacted and declined to participate in the investigation because the weapon Jones possessed is considered to be a deadly weapon.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dis-patch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read MoreBy Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media
Antioch, CA…March 19... Kellen Chadwick picked up the win in the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Skies threatening rain and a little bit of drizzle gave way and allowed racing to take place. Chadwick was the class of the field with a dominant Main Event performance and a win in his heat race. It was a bit of redemption for Chadwick, who felt he let the win slip away from him a week earlier.
2016 champion Bobby Motts Jr had a front row start and charged into the lead from the get-go. Chadwick moved into second on Lap 2 and made a Turn 4 pass to take the lead on the seventh circuit. Previous winner Nick DeCarlo settled into third on Lap 13. Chadwick stretched his advantage to a straightaway in victory. DeCarlo made an outside pass attempt in the final turn, but Motts held him off for second. Pettit settled for fourth, followed by Terry DeCarlo, Jr. The eight lap heat race winners were Chadwick and Pettit.
Fred Ryland won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was the second-straight win for the reigning division champion. Past champion KC Keller took the early lead ahead of Nicholas Zapatero. Ryland made a move around Zapatero on a Lap 5 restart, and Zapatero spun moments later for a yellow flag. Keller led Ryland on the restart, but Ryland made a low pass in Turn 2 on Lap 7 to take the lead. Jacob Mallet Jr got by Keller on Lap 9 and took up pursuit of Ryland. However, Ryland was just a little bit too smooth as he won ahead of Mallet and Keller. Andrew Pearce salvaged a fourth place finish after a rough heat race as Tyler Browne settled for fifth. Keller and Ryland won the eight lap heat races.
Jason Robles won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. This race was destined to go without a yellow flag. Robles bolted into the lead at the start ahead of Dave Hill. Previous winner Fred Ryland started back in the fourth row and found his way into third by the the fifth lap. Ryland worked hard to get around Hill for second before making an inside pass in Turn 4 on Lap 15. By then, Robles held a straightaway advantage that he would bring to the checkered flag. Ryland pulled away comfortably for second, and reigning champion Travis Dutra made a last turn pass to take third from Hill, who fell back to fifth behind Kellen Chadwick. It was Ryland and Hill getting the eight lap heat race victories.
Danny Wagner won the 20 lap Delta Dwarf Car Main Event. The two-time champion took the lead at the outset with Devan Kammermann in pursuit. Kammermann was in search of his first win, but he had his hands full trying to hold off Chance Russell for several laps. There was a red flag incident on the Lap 15 when contact sent Sean Catucci rolling in Turn 4. David Michael Rosa was black flagged from third at that point. Kammermann tried to keep it close, but he was no match for the hard charging Wagner. 2020 champion Travis Day finished third ahead of David Rosa and John Tardiff. Kammermann, Justin Bingman and Wagner picked up the eight lap heat race wins.
This Saturday, the Delta Dwarf Cars are scheduled to return along with the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks and Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Antioch Speedway Unofficial Race Results March 19th
IMCA Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Kellen Chadwick, Jim Pettit II. Main Event (20 laps) – Kellen Chadwick, Bobby Motts Jr, Nick DeCarlo, Jim Pettit II, Terry DeCarlo Jr, Paul Gugliemoni, Clark Gugliemoni, Buddy Kniss, Trevor Clymens, Jeff Browne.
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps)-KC Keller, Fred Ryland. Main Event (20 laps) – Fred Ryland, Jacob Mallet Jr, KC Keller, Andrew Pearce, Tyler Browne, Mark Garner, Chuck Golden, Jason Ryan Jr, Nicholas Zapatero, Jake Bentancourt.
IMCA Stock Cars
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Dave Hill, Fred Ryland. Main Event (20 laps) – Jason Robles, Fred Ryland, Travis Dutra, Kellen Chadwick, Dave Hill, Joe Gallaher, Anthony Giuliani, Jeff Bentancourt (DNS).
Delta Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Devan Kammermann, Justin Bingman, Danny Wagner. Main Event (20 laps) – Danny Wagner, Devan Kammermann, Travis Day, David Rosa, John Tardiff, Jerry Shreffler, Jack Haverty, Sean Catucci, Ellie Russo, David Michael Rosa.
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