Contra Costa Herald

Navidad en el Parque

By Colleen Awad, Community Relations Manager, City of Concord

The City of Concord will kick off the holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Mayor’s Sing-Along, a free community event, on Friday, December 5, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Todos Santos Plaza.

The Christmas Tree Lighting & Mayor’s Sing-Along is a family-favorite event that features a number of traditional holiday festivities, including an official tree-lighting, real reindeer, a holiday music sing-along, crafts, shopping at Santa’s Village, and photos with Santa.

Enjoy a night filled with live performances, including Concord High School’s The Honeytones and The Evergreens, Concord Salvation Army Band, Westwood Elementary Chorus Club, Queen of All Saints Children’s Choir with special guest Mayor Carlyn Obringer on the piano, D’Ann’s Dance Academy, Queen of All Saints cheer Team, and fan-favorite The 925 Band.

New this year, the City of Concord has partnered with KultureCity to make the event Sensory Inclusive! KultureCity will be providing a pop-up sensory room. These resources are designed to help individuals of all ages and abilities with sensory needs feel more comfortable and supported during the event.

The City of Concord thanks its sponsors: Realm Real Estate, Concord Police Association, The Todos Santos Business Association, and The Makers Boulevard.

The Christmas Tree Lighting & Mayor’s Sing-Along will be live-streamed on the City of Concord’s TV channel (Comcast channel 28, Astound channels 29 and 1026, and U-verse channel 99) and the City’s YouTube channel, with the official tree lighting scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Holiday Sip N’ Stroll with Visit Concord

In addition to the City’s event, Visit Concord will be hosting a “Sip ‘n’ Stroll” through downtown Concord restaurants and establishments with treats and drinks for guests ages 21+. Tickets are $20 per person and include food and beverage samples from participating businesses. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Source: 4CD

DVC teams win all four prizes in The 4CD Business Pitch Competition

By Jennifer Ortega, Director of Communications and Community Relations, Contra Costa Community College District

PLEASANT HILL, CA  — Student entrepreneurs from across the Contra Costa Community College District (4CD), including Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College, recently showcased their creativity, talent and business acumen at The 4CD Business Pitch Competition, held at Diablo Valley College’s Pleasant Hill campus.

Ten finalist teams presented their business ideas to a panel of local leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The teams were selected to pitch from a competitive pool of 24 applicants, each demonstrating originality, clarity, and potential for real-world impact.

First Place winner Anya Gupta of WellPulse and Second Place winner of Leftoverly, with DVC Dean of Business Charlie Shi. Photos by Brandy Howard.

At the conclusion of the event, four standout student teams were awarded cash prizes:

• First Place ($1,000): WellPulse – 100% anonymous wellness survey platform
• Second Place ($500): Leftoverly – Platform for restaurants to sell surplus meals
• Third Place ($250): Scholarise – Platform for tracking scholarships, internships, coursework for university transfer
• People’s Choice (Audience Vote, $50): Garydian Angel – Voice-activated wristband providing calm family safety

All of the winning teams were from DVC.

Third Place winners of Scholarise (left) and People’s Choice winner of Garydian Angel (right) with DVC Dean of Business Charlie Shi. Photos by Brandy Howard

Anya Gupta, the founder of the winning pitch for WellPulse said, “It’s truly an honor to win first place in this competition. I’ve been working on this project for more than two years, and to see it grow from a small idea into something making an impact on student mental health is incredible. What started here at Diablo Valley College has already reached the county level and even BART, and I really believe it can go global. This win reminds me that change can start with one person and one small idea — and I’m excited to keep building from here.”

“This competition truly highlights the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and determination of our students at DVC, and our sister colleges CCC, and LMC,” said Charlie Shi, Dean of Business, Computer Science, and Culinary Arts, and Community Education at DVC. “Their ideas reflect the potential of community college entrepreneurs to create generational wealth and shape the future of our regional economy.”

The event, held on Nov. 21, 2025, was made possible through sponsorships from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) and Sunvalley Shopping Center in Concord.

Judges for the final competition included Kim Trupiano, Mayor of Clayton; Ruby Grover, business leader from Sunvalley Shopping Center; Nayab Siddiqui, COO, ZAYNA Ventures; and Dan Siegel, a local entrepreneur. Entries were evaluated on writing quality, slide design, clarity of the concept, and any demonstrated traction or early validation.

Students from all three colleges were invited to submit applications earlier this month, with the finalists selected on Nov. 9. Their presentations captivated an audience of peers, faculty, staff, and community members, demonstrating the depth of entrepreneurial talent within the 4CD community.

For more information on the competition and business programs across the district visit:

https://www.dvc.edu/news/4cd-business-pitch-competition-turns-ideas-opportunities

DVC Business Entrepreneurship

https://www.dvc.edu/academics/explore-our-programs/business-entrepreneurship

CCC Business & Accounting

https://www.contracosta.edu/academics/departments/business/

LMC Business

https://www.losmedanos.edu/business/

For more information about future pitch competitions or entrepreneurship programs across 4CD, please contact: Brandy Howard, Director of Marketing at bhoward@dvc.edu or (925) 969-2048. For more information about 4CD visit www.4cd.edu.

Source: USPS

As USPS underscores readiness to deliver and meet holiday mail and shipping needs during their 250th year

Postal Service encourages public to follow online holiday hub for all shipping information

Get a letter from Santa with the North Pole postmark!

CALIFORNIA — The United States Postal Service’s busiest holiday season is in full swing as its real-time Holiday Mail Counter goes live online, and Postal Service leaders say they are ready to deliver for every American’s holiday mailing and shipping needs.

The Postal Service has made continued investments in network transformation and modernization, boosting the strong and reliable service customers have come to expect throughout the organization’s 250 years of service to the nation. As it expands its role as the nation’s end-to-end carrier of choice, the Postal Service’s improvements in infrastructure, technology, and shipping standards are core components of holiday readiness in California and across the nation.

The holiday season is the busiest time of year for the Postal Service and one of the most critical opportunities to serve communities in California. Throughout its 250 years of service, the organization has evolved from horseback and steamships to the Next Generation Delivery Vehicles serving communities today. Thanks to investments made in California and across the country, and the dedication of the USPS workforce, the Postal Service is prepared to deliver this holiday season reliably, quickly, and affordably.

Source: USPS

“The Postal Service plans throughout the year to deliver the nation’s mail and packages during the high-volume holiday season and we are well prepared and ready to deliver for the American public,” said Postmaster General and CEO David Steiner. “For the past several years, the Postal Service has been gaining market share in our package business, which reflects the strong value and excellent portfolio of the shipping options we provide. We expect to see a continuation of this trend in the coming holiday period and to continue winning a larger share of the nation’s shipping business.”

The Postal Service has opened hundreds of expanded facilities with new state-of-the-art sorting machines, bringing the Postal Service total to 614 packaging sorting machines across the country. These investments have resulted in a daily processing capacity of approximately 88 million packages – up from 60 million last holiday season. The Postal Service also plans to hire 14,000 temporary employees to support the holiday season, complement the full-time workforce, and ensure the Postal Service can handle the extra holiday volume across the country.

The Postal Service remains the most affordable way to send mail and packages. This holiday season, customers can expect their mail and packages to be delivered, on average, in less than three days. For shipping within the same regional service areas, holiday customers can expect a 2–3-day turnaround.

Local hours at all post offices are available at USPS.com.

The Postal Service has also launched a live holiday counter, keeping tally of how many mail pieces and packages have been accepted into the network this holiday season.

For holiday related information – including how to order free Postal Service shipping supplies – and to see the Holiday Mail Counter visit usps.com/holidaynews.

Source: USPS

Letters from Santa

Yes, there is a Santa Claus and the Postal Service^TM can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child’s letter — complete with the North Pole Postmark! Create the excitement of Christmas, letter writing, stamps and penmanship. For detailed instructions and more information visit Greetings from the North Pole – Letters from Santa.

About USPS – Delivering Since 1775

The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Delivering since 1775 and overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is celebrating its 250th year of service to customers amidst a network modernization plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Learn more about the history of the USPS at 250th Anniversary | USPS.

Toys for Tots – Help Us Brighten the Holidays!

By Danville Police Department

The Danville Police Department is proud to partner once again with the Marine Corps Reserve for this year’s Fill the Cruiser Toys For Tots toy drive!

As you’re out shopping this season, please consider purchasing a new, unwrapped toy to help bring joy to a child in need. All toys collected will be donated to children within Contra Costa County.

You can find us collecting donations at Marshall’s at Fostoria Way and Camino Ramon on Friday, December 5th and 12th from 12-5 PM, or you may drop off toys at the Danville Police Department through December 15th.

Thank you for helping make the holidays brighter for families in our community!

At two shopping centers

By Lt. Drew Olson, Walnut Creek Police Department

On November 25, 2025, at approximately 4:15 a.m., Walnut Creek Police Officers responded to a commercial alarm at the San Miguel Shopping Center on Newell Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple businesses had been burglarized.

While investigating the initial scene, officers were dispatched to a second alarm at the Countrywood Shopping Center at Bancroft Road and Treat Blvd. There, they located additional businesses that also showed signs of forced entry.

In total, nine businesses were identified as victims of burglary.

Walnut Creek Police Department detectives are actively investigating these incidents and following up on leads.

If you have any information about this case, please contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 943-5844 or the Anonymous Tip Line at (925) 943-5865.

Social media photo of juveniles with BB gun in public in Richmond. Source: Richmond PD

By Richmond Police Department

We are aware of videos circulating on social media involving Richmond Police officers detaining a group of juveniles at gunpoint this afternoon.

Officers responded after a community member reported seeing the group brandish what appeared to be a firearm, as shown in the photo. The juveniles were passing the firearm around and examining it. Given the information provided and the realistic appearance of the object, officers conducted a high-risk detention to ensure everyone’s safety.

Upon investigation, officers determined the item was a BB gun, not a real firearm. The juveniles were released after the scene was made safe.

This incident serves as an important reminder: BB guns and replica firearms can easily be mistaken for real weapons, especially during fast-moving situations. Brandishing or carrying them in public can place community members—and the individuals holding them—at serious risk. We are glad this incident was resolved without anyone being injured, but it underscores an important message — leave your BB guns or replica firearms at home!

Please speak with your children and teens about the dangers associated with replica or BB guns. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and we appreciate the community’s vigilance and understanding.

By Concord Police Department

Help Us Bring Holiday Magic to Local Kids!

We’re hosting our Concord Police Department Toy Drive Collection and we’d love your support!

Target – 560 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill

Saturday, November 29

7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Join us in making the holidays brighter for local families.

Come on out — we’ll see you there!

Held for attempted homicide on $3.35 million bail

By Ashley Moore, San Ramon Police Department

On Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, San Ramon Police arrested a Union City woman in connection with the November 23rd shooting of a 17-year-old on Talavera Drive.

On November 23, 2025, at approximately 6:18 p.m., officers from the San Ramon Police Department responded to Talavera Drive for a report of an injured 17-year-old.  Upon arrival, San Ramon Valley Fire personnel and officers found the juvenile with a single gunshot wound to the upper shoulder. The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital, received medical treatment, and was later released.

Throughout the course of the investigation, patrol officers and detectives identified the suspect as Xiaojie Zhang, a 40-year-old female resident of Union City (born 1/20/1985). San Ramon officers arrested Zhang at her home on a $1 million Ramey Warrant for attempted homicide, and she was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility. While we are not revealing the relationship between the victim and the suspect, we can confirm that the two were known to one another.

Following her arrest, San Ramon Police Department detectives executed a search warrant of Zhang’s residence, where they located two firearms. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. There is no continued threat to the San Ramon community, and our heartfelt thoughts are with the victim and his family.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective T. Bryan at (925) 973-2782 or at tbryan@sanramon.ca.gov.

Thank you to the Danville, Dublin, and Union City Police Departments for their assistance.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, two-inch tall, 105-pound Zhang is now being held on $3,350,000 bail and her next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 1 at 8:30 a.m. in Martinez Superior Court.

Allen D. Payton contribute to this report.

Arrested by Walnut Creek Police, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; held on $200,000 bail

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

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, that a suspect in possession of child sexual abuse material faces a four-count felony complaint.

32-year-old Ryan Allen Fenton of Antioch (born 6/13/1993) was arrested in Antioch Tuesday by Walnut Creek Police on a warrant related to a complaint the District Attorney filed with the court on February 3rd, 2025. The complaint was amended and refiled on November 25th after investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force found additional evidence Fenton was in possession of child sexual abuse material.

Fenton was arraigned Wednesday in Superior Court in Martinez at 10:30 am on the following:

• Two felony counts for possessing over 600 images of child or youth pornography on or about October 23rd, 2024, and November 25th, 2025 [PC 311.11(c)(1)].
• Two felony counts for possessing child or youth pornography on or about October 23rd, 2024, and November 25th, 2025 [PC 311.11(a)].

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “The possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is not a victimless crime; it is an act that perpetuates the sexual abuse of children and fuels a criminal enterprise. As District Attorney, my office treats the possession of CSAM with the utmost gravity, recognizing that every image and video represents an assault on a child.”

Fenton’s preliminary hearing is set for December 9th at 8:30 am at the A.F. Bray courthouse in Martinez in Department 6. He remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on a $200,000 bond.

Case No. 01-25-00447 | The People of the State of California v. Ryan Allen Fenton

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 135-pound Fenton is Hispanic, but also listed as white, is now being held in the West County Detention Facility.

According to localcrimenews.com, Fenton was also arrested in 2020 in Inyo County for speeding, driving without a license and failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.