By Matt J. Malone, Public Information Officer, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County
Recognizing the severity of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Contra Costa County Superior Court is taking active steps to control its spread within the community and reduce infections.
Parties, attorneys, and jurors who are experiencing coughing, fever, or shortness of breath should not come to Court.
• Individuals who have received a summons for jury duty may reschedule their service either online at http://www.cc-courts.org/jury/jury.aspx or by calling 925-608-1000 to speak to the Court’s jury services department.
• Parties or attorneys should contact the individual departments handling their matters for rescheduling.
The public is encouraged to refer to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website for up-to-date information about COVID-19 symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html.
Those who come to Court without presenting these symptoms should still practice excellent personal hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, avoiding touching the face, and coughing or sneezing into the elbow. The Court is taking extra effort to sanitize public access areas, including doors, elevators, stair rails, and other frequently-touched surfaces.
The Court’s services and business hours otherwise remain unchanged.
These instructions may be updated as additional information becomes available.
Read MoreExpected to reopen at 10 p.m.
According to the CHP-Contra Costa and the Vasco Road is shut down entirely between Camino Diablo and Dalton Avenue in Livermore due to a three-vehicle fatality collision. A Sigalert has been issued and expected to reopen at about 5pm. Seek alternate routes to avoid the area. More details soon.
According to the East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, “At 2:31 pm ECCFPD units responded to a report of a 3-vehicle accident involving a big rig on its side. Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that one patient has died in the accident.”
According to the Contra Costa County Public Works Department, they “anticipate the road to re-open by 10:00 p.m. Please take alternative routes to avoid this area.”
Motorists are urged to avoid the area and use Interstate 680 to get between eastern Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
Read MoreMain Street Arts in Martinez presents “Confluence” featuring the wonderful artwork created by Patsy Taylor’s students, past and present. The exhibition runs through April 2nd to 29th, with the reception April 4th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, 613 Main Street in Martinez.
Patsy Taylor is an artist living in the East Bay. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and has been teaching since 2008 both privately and in community programs. She paints in the studio and outdoors.
As a teacher Ms. Taylor believes in establishing foundations and then, from there, allowing creativity to flow. With this in mind she teaches with a focus on individual development and exploration.
As an artist she has been mostly focused on landscape painting in oils. Expression of her love for the natural world and interest in connections with life has seen her work recently diverge into a different style with more intimate content. She intends to continue on this path with her painting.
Patsy has been teaching in the East Bay for many years and has been a great influence on a generation of painters. We look forward to this talented group.
Main Street Arts was founded in 2016 by several of the Martinez Gallery Co-op members, in partnership with other local artists. Our goal is to make Martinez an important part of the Bay Area art scene by showing and promoting the best in local contemporary art.
We offer a wide range of collectible fine art, from fused glass, to photography, and paintings. It’s also a great destination to find the perfect gift, with affordable prints and other small items.
Hours: Open 11 am – 5 pm, Wednesday through Saturday; 10 am – 2 pm on Sundays
Note, the Martinez Farmers Market is open year-round every Sunday from 10 am – 2 pm.
The Martinez art scene is undergoing an exciting revitalization! Every 3rd Saturday of the month, Artcelerator puts on Art Beat in downtown Martinez. Main Street Arts will be open until 9 p.m. on Art Beat nights.
For more information about Main Street Arts visit www.mainstreetarts.net or call (925) 269-8049.
Read MoreBy Susan Shiu, Director, Contra Costa County Office of Communications and Media
Martinez, CA – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution at its Board meeting on March 10, 2020 for a proclamation of a state of emergency in the county to deal with the potential spread of novel coronavirus or COVID-19.
The proclamation states that “this Board found that due to the introduction of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property did exist in the County of Contra Costa commencing on or about March 3, 2020, and therefore the Board proclaimed the existence of a local emergency throughout this county. These conditions, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of this County, and will require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat.”
The proclamation states that “this Board requests the Governor of the State of California to proclaim the County of Contra Costa to be in a state of emergency.”
Board Chair, Supervisor Candace Andersen, said, “The new coronavirus or COVID-19 presents our community with a challenge. While I urge you to be prepared, it is certainly not a time to panic. Following our health officials’ guidelines will help prevent the spread of disease. The County and Contra Costa Health Services will continue to offer guidance and resources. Meanwhile, there is much each and everyone one of us can do to keep our families and communities well. It will take all of us working together.”
The Supervisors emphasized that “everyone plays an important role” as they unanimously voted for a county emergency proclamation that will allow our health department to mobilize county resources, accelerate emergency planning, streamline staffing, coordinate agencies across the county, allow for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments, and raise awareness about how everyone can prepare in the event that COVID-19 begins to spread in our community.
“The County and its health department will continue to work with multiple agencies and jurisdictions to keep residents informed during this local emergency,” said County Administrator David J. Twa. “We will continue to take appropriate steps to protect the safety and wellbeing of our employees and the public. We encourage everyone to stay prepared.”
Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for County Health officials’ latest guidance for the community and resources. For the latest updates, follow Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) on Twitter @CoCoHealth and on CCHS Facebook. Information is also available at www.contracosta.ca.gov.
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Enforcement results in numerous arrests, 60 citations issued and 55 vehicles towed
By Sgt. Rick Smith, Antioch Police Field Services – Patrol
Information was developed that a large scale “sideshow” event was planned to occur in Eastern Contra Costa County on March 7, 2020. These events have been frequently occurring in the Bay Area and if not addressed by law enforcement they become out of control. These events are extremely dangerous due to the reckless driving that often leads to violence or subjects being severely injured while disrupting the lives of non-involved motorists and residents.
The Antioch Police Department reached out to surrounding law enforcement agencies for assistance in addressing this planned “sideshow” due to the anticipated size of the event and the various locations in Eastern Contra Costa County identified as possible locations of occurrence. The request was answered with officers being sent from all east county agencies to include the Brentwood Police Department, Oakley Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, California Highway Patrol and Deputies from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Air Operations also assisted by having Helicopter STAR 3 overhead in support.
A large “sideshow” event occurred with participants performing dangerous and reckless driving maneuvers in the intersection of Marsh Creek Road and Vasco Road. This is a heavily travelled area of roadway and participants used their vehicles to stop traffic in all directions while performing dangerous driving maneuvers. CCSO STAR 3 was overhead and was able to help responding units stop and arrest numerous participants.
Several of these participants did manage to escape arrest by driving at and around arriving officers on roadway shoulders and into oncoming lanes of traffic. Again, putting numerous citizens and officers in harm’s way. These participants went to other nearby areas and continued to take over intersections by performing dangerous and reckless driving maneuvers.
Thanks to CCSO STAR 3 overhead, several officers were able to break-up this second “Sideshow” event that was occurring along Vineyards Parkway in the City of Brentwood. Several participants were again stopped and arrested with their vehicles being towed.
CCSO STAR 3 helped identify a third “sideshow” location on Balfour Road at American Avenue in the City of Brentwood. Arriving Officers located and arrested several more drivers with their vehicles again being towed.
This continued with a fourth “sideshow” taking place in the City of Antioch at the intersection of A Street and East 18th Street. Officers arrived as the participants were dispersing. Officers were able to identify the involved drivers and vehicles. More vehicles were stopped at various locations with the drivers being arrested and their vehicles being towed.
During these events, a motorcycle was involved and fled from officers when an enforcement stop was attempted. With the assistance of CCSO STAR 3, officers were able to follow the motorcycle safely and later located the rider. The rider was taken into custody with his motorcycle being subsequently towed and stored.
The remaining group of drivers then made their way into the City of Concord. The Concord Police Department was aware of what was occurring in the eastern end of the county. They were able to disperse the remaining participants from their city. After this last incident, it appears the participants stopped for the night and no other incidents were reported.
Nearly 60 citations were issued. 50 of the citations were for infield arrests for reckless driving offenses directly related to “sideshow” activity. This resulted in 55 vehicles being towed and stored. There were three other arrests as a result of this enforcement for charges of driving under the influence, felony evading, and a warrant arrest for robbery.
This type of reckless driving has become a regular occurrence in the Bay Area. It is an extreme danger to those involved and even more of a danger for the un-involved citizens who unfortunately become victims of the illegal activity. Due to the officers pro-actively addressing this issue, several of the involved drivers will now be without their vehicles for an extended period and will also be facing possible fines from the Courts. Officers in Contra Costa County will continue to address these incidents with zero tolerance.
As a reminder to those who choose to show off their driving skills, public roadways are not the proper venues for this type of behavior. There are sanctioned events and locations throughout the state that allow this type of driving. Often rewarding drivers for their skills while providing a safe environment to all.
This preliminary information is made available by the Community Policing Division. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.
Read MoreBy Petty Officer 1st Class David R. Finley Jr., Navy Office of Community Outreach
PORT HUENEME, CA – “We Build, We Fight” has been the motto of the U. S. Navy’s Construction Force, known as the “Seabees,” for more than seven decades. The Navy Seabees are an elite group of personnel trained in both combat and the craft skills of the construction industry. Petty Officer 2nd Class Divino Gonzales, a native of Concord, California, builds and fights around the world as a member of a naval construction battalion center located in Port Hueneme, California.
Gonzales is serving as a Navy engineering aide, who is responsible for providing engineering support for construction projects.
“We serve in a civil engineering or surveyor type role in the civilian world,” Gonzales said.
Building in austere environments can be a challenge. Fighting in harsh conditions can also be a challenge. Building in austere environments while fighting in harsh conditions takes a special kind of person with a great deal of perseverance and determination, according to officials with the U.S. Navy History and Heritage Command. These are the kinds of people being trained at Port Hueneme, to provide crucial support to Seabee units deployed around the world.
The jobs of some of the Seabees today have remained unchanged since World War II, when the Seabees paved the 10,000-mile road to victory for the allies in the Pacific and in Europe, said Lara Godbille, director of the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum.
“I enjoy doing my job, especially drafting and using AutoCAD,” said Gonzales. “I get a chance to work with some high-tech software.”
Seabees have served in all American conflicts for nearly 80 years. They have also supported humanitarian efforts using their construction skills to help communities around the world following earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
According to Gonzales, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Concord.
“I learned self-discipline and how to be independent at a young age,” Gonzales said.
Port Hueneme is the West Coast homeport of the Navy’s Seabees. It’s one of five learning sites in the Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering domain. They train and develop sailors, soldiers, airman, and Marines in construction trades and military skills for Department of Defense operating forces to accomplish contingency and peacetime construction, chemical, biological, and radiological operations, and humanitarian assistance missions worldwide.
Port Hueneme and the men and women who serve there play a key role in the Navy’s broader mission of protecting American interests on the world’s oceans.
According to Navy officials, maintaining maritime superiority is a vital part of a Navy that is present today and prepared for tomorrow. The impact affects Americans and their interests around the world, as more than 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water and 90 percent of all trade travels by sea.
The foundation of the Navy the nation needs includes a focus on warfighting, warfighters and the future of the fighting force.
“I am confident that we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “We will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Gonzales is most proud of earning his first Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
“I performed maintenance on life-saving equipment,” said Gonzales. “I know that my work is making a difference in the fleet.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Gonzales, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“I am happy to be a Seabee and contribute to the humanitarian mission of the Navy,” said Gonzales. ‘It is something that I will be proud of for the rest of my life.”
Read MoreBy Allen Payton
Italian tenor and PBS star, Pasquale Esposito will perform operatic pop concert, From Italy With Love, with very special opening act, the Anthony “Nino” Lane Band on Saturday, March 21 at the historic El Campanil Theatre in Antioch. His performance will include a touch of opera, standards, Broadway and his originals. The concert begins at 3:00 p.m. and tickets for all reserved seating are $39.
Born in Naples, Italy, tenor Esposito grew up listening to the music of famous tenor Enrico Caruso, also from Naples and started singing when he was just six years old. By age seven Esposito began performing in church, the same church in which Caruso sang.
“I was born in his same neighborhood, which is why the inspiration,” Esposito said.
Following a visit to California in 1998, he decided to move to America where he studied music at San Jose State University. Esposito graduated with a degree in vocal performance in 2009.
“Don’t ask me to dance,” he said with a laugh.
He has gone on to perform during tours in both the U.S. and Italy, singing in multiple languages: Italian, English, Spanish and Neapolitan, the Italian dialect from Naples.
Esposito tours a couple times a year.
“We partner with PBS, then we follow with a concert in the area where the television show is aired,” he shared. “We do this a couple times a year,”
Enrico Caruso was born in the 1800’s and achieved amazing success in Italy, but mostly in the U.S. He was with the Metropolitan Opera and was one of the first to be recorded.
“We did another special on Italian Squares that we visited,” said Esposito. “The main concert was done in Rome.”
“What we will be doing in Antioch is a combination of these two shows,” he stated. “I think we are going to have an amazing video projection of media behind, to tell the story. It’s an interactive performance.”
He will have with him his “piano player, who has been with me for 12 years, a guitar player, a drummer, a percussionist and bass player,” Esposito added.
“We will also do some American standards and even some Spanish songs,” he shared.
About Neapolitan, he said “it is one of the most musical languages in the world. If you want to start in opera, you need to start with Neapolitan songs.”
Asked which one is his favorite, Esposito said, “I do have one, it’s one from an aria from an opera from Pucini. Turandot is the name of the opera. Nessun Dorma is the name of the aria.”
“I had the joy to collaborate in my first PBS special with Placido Domingo,” he said. “He has been my mentor and definitely a light in my life.”
About his career, Esposito said, “It was an amazing journey. If you ask me if it was something I chose, I would have to say no. I was lucky to win the green card lottery at age 22 and moved to the United States.”
“It’s the story of a new immigrant,” he stated. “The U.S. is still the land of opportunity, where if you work hard, your dreams can come true. I am able to support my family with this gift.”
Sorry, ladies, but Esposito is married and has three children, Vittorio, Roxanna and Valentina, named because she was born in February, and they live in the San Jose area.
“The last one was a beautiful surprise,” he shared. “She just turned one years old on Feb. 6.”
He finished a Christmas special for PBS that will air later this year.
Esposito said he travels between Italy and the U.S. but spends most of his time in California.
“It’s a joy to come to a new community,” he shared. “This show is not just made for Italians but music lovers. Even those who love rock ‘n roll will love this style of music.”
The concert is part of a series being brought to East County by Licata-Cardinale Productions, and partners Michael Licata and George Cardinale.
“This is a guy who has been a PBS star and never been on this side of the Bay,” Cardinale said. “He’s performed all over the world, in Vegas and Reno. We’re happy to bring his talent to historic downtown Antioch. You’ll enjoy the show very much. It’s really a treat for the people here who have never seen him, before.”
For tickets visit https://www.elcampaniltheatre.com/pasquale-esposito.html, call the Box Office at (925) 757-2500, or stop by Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or one hour before shows at 602 W. 2nd Street in Rivertown, Antioch.
For more information about Pasquale Esposito visit pasqualeesposito.com.
Read MoreBoard of Supervisors to consider calling for state of emergency in the county at Tuesday meeting
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) confirmed five new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in residents of the county.
Four are being treated at hospitals in Contra Costa. They had no travel history outside the U.S. or known contact with a confirmed case. The fifth patient, who had close contact with another person who previously tested positive for COVID-19, is isolating at home under the guidance of CCHS.
As of Sunday morning, Contra Costa has nine confirmed cases of novel coronavirus. One patient who tested positive last week remains in a local hospital, while three other previously identified patients who tested positive are also isolating at home. CCHS will not release further details about the patients to protect their medical privacy, including the names of the hospitals where they are being treated.
“The coronavirus is here in our community. As we ramp up our testing, we expect to identify more cases. But there is still a lot we can do to slow down the spread and protect our most vulnerable,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, acting Contra Costa Health Officer.
Last week, CCHS released recommendations for people who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Practicing good public health hygiene remains the best way of avoiding any respiratory disease, including novel coronavirus:
- People who are sick should stay home from work or school until they are well
- Older adults and people with chronic conditions should avoid large gatherings, as they are at higher risk of becoming infected
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
- People who are sick should cover their coughs and sneezes using a tissue or their elbow
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your unwashed hands
- Masks are for sick people. There is no evidence that wearing masks in public prevents healthy people from getting sick with novel coronavirus
Calls have been placed to Anna Roth, Director and Dr. Chris Farnitano, Health Officer for Contra Costa Health Services and Dr. Samir Shah, Chief Medical Officer for the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center seeking additional information. Dr. Shah was specifically asked in a voicemail when Contra Costa County will become more transparent and share the names of the hospitals where the patients are located as that doesn’t violate HIPAA law, according to other medical professionals.
“We have a presentation to the Board of Supervisors, tomorrow,” said Will Harper, Acting Communications Director for Contra Costa Public Health when reached for comment. “We’ve been asked to give an update with the latest guidance for the community. The board will consider declaring an emergency in the county.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website, “the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the HIPAA Privacy Rule to implement the requirements of HIPAA.”
Furthermore, “A major goal of the Privacy Rule is to ensure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public’s health and well-being. The Privacy Rule strikes a balance that permits important uses of information while protecting the privacy of people who seek care and healing.”
However, according to the CDC, “the Privacy Rule permits use and disclosure of protected health information, without an individual’s authorization or permission, for 12 national priority purposes.” One of those is labeled, “Serious Threat to Health or Safety. Covered entities may disclose protected health information that they believe is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to a person or the public, when such disclosure is made to someone they believe can prevent or lessen the threat (including the target of the threat).”
The question is whether or not the HIPAA privacy rule prevents the release of the names of which hospitals patients are being treated so the public can decide whether or not to go to that hospital for treatment.
“We have not announced any hospitals to protect the patient privacy and the operations of the hospital,” said Scott Pauley, Public Information Officer for the CDC. “There’s a very thin line there. That’s policy level and the decisions made are by the hospitals and county health officials.”
Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for local information about COVID-19.
Allen Payton contributed to this report. Please check back later for updates.
Read MoreAs of the update posted Friday, March 6, 2020 at 4:33 p.m., the results of the election for Contra Costa County Supervisor in the District 5 race between incumbent Federal Glover and two challengers is still too close to call.
Glover, seeking his sixth term on the board, is just 0.3% away from winning the race outright. If not, in the November General Election he will face either County Assessor Gus Kramer, who has 25.82% of the vote and leading Martinez Planning Commissioner Sean Trambley with 24.48% of the vote, by just 516 votes.
However, there are approximately 40,000 ballots remaining to be counted in the county. According to the Contra Costa County Elections website:
Below are the estimated number of ballots that remain to be counted as of March 6
7,500 Vote by Mail
29,200 Provisional
800 Conditional Voter Registration
2,500 Other
40,000 Total Estimate
Before the latest update was provided, Trambley commented on Thursday, “We will see what happens. Although this wasn’t the outcome I expected, I’m proud of the campaign I ran.”
“Hard to say how many of those (remaining ballots) are in District 5,” he added.
Read MoreBy CHP – Contra Costa
This morning, Sat., March 7, 2020 at about 5:59 am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a vehicle collision involving a big rig at I-680 southbound, just south of Stone Valley Road. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, the solo male driver of the big rig (64-year-old male from Oakland) had been ejected and was declared deceased at the scene. A prior non-injury collision was in the roadway just before the Freightliner big rig crashed. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the male driver.
It appears that the big rig driver was unable to avoid the collision that was just ahead of him. He veered his big rig to the left in an attempt to avoid the previous crash, towards the concrete center divider, but subsequently crashed into the concrete barrier. It appears that the driver was not wearing his seatbelt because he was ejected onto the roadway. Unfortunately, the driver did not survive and was declared deceased at the scene. No other drivers were injured.
This incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980. Thank you.
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