Contra Costa Herald

Source: League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley

Hear from U.S. Constitutional scholars on Constitution Day in-person or online

By Gail Murray, League of Women Voters Diablo Valley

On Constitution Day, September 17, two eminent U.S. Constitutional scholars will discuss the challenges of maintaining effective presidential leadership while preventing abuse of power. Their conversation will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.at St. Mary’s College in Moraga in the Claeys Room of the Soda Center and will be available simultaneously on Zoom.

Speakers will be:

• Vikram Amar, the Daniel J. Dykstra Distinguished Professor of Law at UC Davis Law School. Amar is one of the most eminent and frequently cited authorities in constitutional law.
• Dan Farber, the Sho Sato Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Edley Center on Law & Democracy at UC Berkeley Law School. Farber is the author of Contested Ground: How to Understand the Limits on Presidential Power.

Recent public debates have renewed longstanding constitutional questions about the proper scope of executive power. The speakers will engage in a discussion about perennial questions:

• How should we balance the need for effective leadership with the need to prevent abuse of power?
• Have we achieved that balance?
• What would the founders think about the powers of the modern presidency?

Professor Barbara McGraw, Director of the Center for Engaged Religious Pluralism and professor of Social Ethics, Law, and Public Life at Saint Mary’s College will moderate the discussion.

Register on Zoom here:

https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/6a848feabe14820029882727

Professor Steve Woolpert of St. Mary’s College, an organizer of the event, is available for interviews. Contact woolpert@stmarys-ca.edu He can speak about this panel and other activities around the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and the Declaration of Independence.

The Contra Costa County Library will provide closed captioning for this event, and the Library and the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley (LWVDV) are underwriting simultaneous Spanish translation. This program will be recorded and uploaded to the Library and LWVDV YouTube channels after the event.

For more information, contact Diane Bianchi of the LWVDV at programs@lwvdv.org

Sponsors of the event are St. Mary’s College, The Disney Forum, the League of Women Voters Diablo Valley, the League of Women Voters West Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa County Library and CCTV.

Enter to win 4 Weeks of FREE Nékter

By Riley Garner, The Zest Lab, on behalf of Nékter

Pittsburg, CA – Nékter Juice Bar is celebrating its new Pittsburg location with a Grand Opening Celebration on September 19 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 2261 W. Leland Road in Pittsburg, CA. The celebration will begin with an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11:00 AM, welcoming the community to experience Nékter’s fresh, handcrafted menu and commitment to healthy living.

Guests are invited to enjoy exclusive Grand Opening offers, enter to win wellness-focused prizes, and connect with local businesses and community members dedicated to helping Pittsburg live healthier, happier lives.

To celebrate the Grand Opening, guests can receive a FREE Protein Waffle with a $15 purchase and enter for the chance to win 4 Weeks of FREE Nékter – one smoothie per week for four weeks.

Nékter San Marco offers a variety of products. Sources: Nékter website and video screenshots, Nékter San Marco Instagram

The celebration will also showcase artwork created by local students as part of Nékter’s Student Art Challenge. Participating students will have their artwork displayed during the Grand Opening and receive a FREE Mini Iconic Smoothie when they attend the event.

Beyond the giveaways, the celebration is an opportunity for Nékter to connect with local businesses, community leaders, and residents around a shared commitment to health and wellness.

“After being part of this community for the past 12 years, opening a Nékter Juice Bar here feels incredibly special to us. We’ve had the privilege of getting to know so many people in this community, and we’re excited to bring something new that we hope will become a part of their everyday lives. We look forward to creating a welcoming place where people can enjoy fresh, healthy food and drinks, connect with friends and family, and feel at home. Most importantly, we’re grateful for the continued support of this community and excited for what’s ahead,” said Hena and Farukh Munir, owners of Nékter San Marco Juice Bar.

Nékter Sweet & Savory Waffles. Source: Nékter website

The new Pittsburg location will offer dine-in seating, free Wi-Fi, and online ordering through the Nékter app, providing a welcoming space for guests looking to incorporate more wellness into their daily routine.

Community members are encouraged to attend the Grand Opening celebration, meet the owners, experience Nékter’s menu, and help welcome one of Pittsburg’s newest local businesses.

For more information about the Grand Opening, visit https://locations.nekterjuicebar.com/ll/us/ca/pittsburg/2261-w-leland-rd/ or follow @NekterSanMarco and @NekterJuiceBar on social media.

About Nékter Juice Bar

Founded in 2010, Nékter Juice Bar is a leading lifestyle brand celebrated for its unwavering dedication to providing clean, fresh and truly healthy superfood smoothies, açaí bowls, cold-pressed juices, cleanses, and nourishing snacks, including its new line of protein waffles. The brand quickly emerged as a trailblazer in menu transparency and ingredient integrity, catering to America’s growing demand for plant-based and wholesome food options that align with diverse lifestyles and dietary needs.

At Nékter, “healthy” is not just a promise—it’s an experience that tastes great, is easily accessible, and inspires anyone seeking to add more wellness into their lives. Guests don’t just taste the difference—they love the way they feel knowing they’re enjoying food just as nature intended—but blended! For more information, visit www.NekterJuiceBar.com or follow @NekterJuiceBar on Instagram, Facebook and X, and @NekterJuiceBarOfficial on TikTok.

Source: EBRPD

During 42nd Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day

OAKLAND, Calif. — Volunteers and East Bay Regional Park District staff will come together to clean and protect local shorelines and waterways during California Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9am to noon. The Park District is facilitating cleanup events at nine sites across Alameda and Contra Costa counties, including bayside beaches, shoreline trails, and inland lakes. Staff and volunteers will work together to collect and dispose of litter and recyclables, beautify the shorelines, and help maintain delicate ecosystems. At last year’s event, volunteers collected an estimated 9,295 pounds of trash from East Bay Regional Parks.

Volunteers are welcome in all locations listed below, although registration is appreciated. Sign up at ebparks.org/coastal-cleanup or call 510-544-2229 for more information.

Source: California Coastal Commission

Park District Coastal Cleanup Day Sites

Contra Costa County

• Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Giant Staging Area. More info.
• Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, end of Rydin Road, Richmond. More info.
• Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, main parking lot off N. Court Street. More info.
• Waterbird Regional Preserve, near the pavilion by the parking area, Martinez. More info.

Alameda County

• Del Valle Regional Park, lakeside cleanups at the Visitor Center & Fiesta Grande Picnic Area. More info.
• Robert W. Crown Regional Shoreline, near the Native Plant Garden and Bath House. More info.
• Hayward Regional Shoreline, West Winton Avenue. More info.
• Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area, Isherwood Way – Ensenada North Picnic Area. More info.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Arrowhead Marsh Staging Area. More info.

The Park District will provide garbage bags and gloves, and volunteers are welcome to bring their own additional trash-hunting gear such as long-handled grabber tools. Participants are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle, hats, gloves, and sunscreen, and must wear closed-toe shoes. Layered clothing is recommended. The Park District will also provide snacks and water throughout the event. Please note that parent participation is required for children under 18.

Source: California Coastal Commission

Each year at Coastal Cleanup Day, volunteers discover unusual items during cleanup events. Past items include a boombox, statues of Ganesh and Shiva, a sparkly high heel, and a functioning 1980s-era ThighMaster. Participants who find an odd or interesting item will receive a Park District-themed cooling towel (while supplies last).

This year’s Coastal Cleanup Day also marks the 50th anniversary of California’s Coastal Act, the 1976 law that established a lasting commitment to protecting California’s coast and ensuring it remains accessible to everyone. Over the past 50 years, the Coastal Act has helped protect thousands of acres of open space and habitat, create public access to the coast, and open hundreds of miles of the California Coastal Trail. Coastal Cleanup Day is a chance for all to play a small part in caring for the land and ensuring it remains healthy and accessible for generations to come.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.ebparks.org

Source: Seamless Bay Area

Win prizes in the Ride Contest

To encourage people to discover adventures that start on public transit this

By Kaleo Mark, Seamless Bay Area

San Francisco, CA (Sept. 10, 2026) – Bay Area Transit Month is in full swing and everyone is invited to the 80+ upcoming events that celebrate the role of public transportation in our communities and the region’s economic, social, and cultural vibrancy throughout September.

Some upcoming events include:

• All Aboard with Transit CEOs on Fri, 9/11 starting at 3pm, hosted by BART
• Oakland Transit Stop Accessibility Audit on Sun, 9/13 at 9:00am, hosted by Transbay Coalition
• Ferry Ride + Run with East Bay Queer Run Club on Sun, 9/13 starting at 9:45am, hosted by East bay Queer Run Club
• Sausal Creek Nature Walk on Sun, 9/13 starting at 10:30am, hosted by Hiking by Transit and Friends of Sausal Creek
• T Third Ride-Along: Tour #1 and #2 on Sun, 9/13, hosted by SFMTA
• Petaluma Transit Scavenger Hunt on Sat, 9/19 at 1:00pm, hosted by Petaluma Urban Chat
• Caltrain x Cookies: Student Transit Event on Sat, 9/19 from 1-3pm, hosted by Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action
• Let’s Glow BART Anime Festival on Sat, 9/18 from 4-9pm, hosted by BART
• 2nd Annual Pop Up Transit Art Fair on Wed, 9/23 from 3-6pm, hosted by the Transbay Joint Powers Authority and San Francisco Transit Riders
• Transit Tales: A Storytelling Night on Wed, 9/23 starting at 5:30, hosted by SPUR

This is the 6th Annual Bay Area Transit Month hosted by San Francisco Transit Riders and Seamless Bay Area, two non-profit transit advocacy organizations. And Transit Month is expanding across California with Transit Month celebrations in Southern California, San Diego, and the North Coast.

To see the full list of Bay Area events, check out the official calendar.

Ride Contest

The Ride Contest is part of Transit Month, a celebration of the role of public transportation in our communities and the California’s economic, social, and cultural vibrancy.

Get ready to log your rides between September 1st and 30th!

Participate in the Ride Contest by tracking your rides to earn badges, win prizes, compete against friends and show your love for transit! Every ride you take on public transit run by a Bay Area transit agency is another entry into our Transit Month raffle.

This year, there are more ways to win prizes. Some prizes require taking the most rides, but for others, each logged ride will enter your name into a raffle. Prizes include exclusive transit ridealongs and tours, tote bags, and transit maps. Some require taking the most rides, but for others, each logged ride will enter your name into a raffle.

The Ride Contest is part of Transit Month by San Francisco Transit Riders , Seamless Bay Area , Move LA (a project of Community Partners) and the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities.

For more information visit https://ridecontest.com.

“Transit Month 2026 is off to an amazing start!” said Reanne Lacosta, the Communications and Membership Manager for SFTR. “San Francisco Transit Riders kicked off the month with our annual Kickoff Rally and Ride Along. We gathered at San Francisco City Hall, where we heard speeches from transit leaders, riders, advocates, and operators, including Mayor Daniel Lurie, SFMTA Director of Transportation Julie Kirschbaum, Board President & District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter, District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen, District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong, Caltrain Director Michelle Bouchard, TWU 250A President Pete Wilson, and Senior and Disability Action Advocate Sagar Gupta. There, we celebrated Muni’s success, growing ridership, and committed to addressing transit’s future challenges. Transit Month is the perfect opportunity for transit leaders of all levels to connect, and we can’t wait to see what will come of the second half of this year’s Transit Month.”

Throughout September, community-based organizations, transit agencies, professional and business organizations, and individuals across the Bay Area host fun and educational events. Events include a wide range of activities that encourage people to explore the Bay Area on public transit, building community, learn about transit’s role in keeping our region moving, and encouraging elected officials to support policies that improve public transit.

“Public transit is essential to so many peoples’ lives in the Bay Area,” said Kaleo Mark, Community Organizer at Seamless Bay Area. “That’s why in September we celebrate Transit Month. This is an opportunity for folks to really cherish the public transit we have in our region, connect with fellow transit riders at events, and highlight the future work needed to make transit work better for everyone. It’s so amazing to see how much Transit Month has grown over the past few years and I invite everyone to check out all the events happening this year.”

In addition to events, Transit Month features the Ride Contest: a month-long online game that highlights the places, events, and recreation people can discover via public transit. By tracking their transit trips throughout September, people win prizes, earn digital badges, and compete against friends and for top leaderboard positions. The Ride Contest is a fun and casual way to participate in Transit Month and encourage people across the Bay Area to take more trips on public transit throughout September. In 2025, riders logged some 33,000 transit trips for a combined 198,000 miles traveled on Bay Area transit!

“Petaluma is a small city, but small cities can lead, too. Showing up for Transit Month alongside the big regional push from groups like Seamless Bay Area is our way of proving that climate action doesn’t have to start at the state level. We are so proud to host Petaluma’s very first Transit Month event, and we want to show that culture change can be as simple as neighbors gathering at a bus stop.” – Natasha Juliana, Campaign Director of Cool Petaluma. Cool Petaluma hosted the Book Club – Confessions of a Recovering Engineer on 9/1 and will host the Transit Scavenger Hunt on 9/16.

“As the Bay Area’s leading transit history organization, Market Street Railway loves how Transit Month attracts new generations of riders to public transit. Through the many fun and engaging events, Transit Month renews the community of transit advocates and energizes activism for the public funding that transit needs to keep the Bay Area connected. We especially love co-sponsoring Muni Heritage Weekend, which attracts thousands from around the Bay to experience the same streetcar, cable car, and bus rides previous generations enjoyed.” – Rick Laubscher, President and CEO of Market Street Railway. Market Street Railway hosted a Pop-Up Transit Gallery on 9/4, and will host the F-Line Historic Bar Crawl on 9/10, and partnering with SFMTA for Muni Heritage Weekend on 9/19 and 9/20.

“I love that Transit Month is both a celebration of Bay Area transit and an invitation to ask – what’s next? It gives all of us a chance to reconnect with why we love public transit and the communities it fosters through intentional exploration. It also creates a moment for us to pause, reflect, and imagine the future we want for transit, and the role each of us can play in building that future.” – Jac Matter Resnik, Creator of COMMUNITY Magazine. The COMMUNITY Magazine will be available at select Transit Month events in San Francisco.

“Oakland Heritage is proud to partner on Transit Month, which is a ground up movement to highlight how rich and diverse our transit assets are. It gets people to new places, on new modes, and builds connections to each other and our built environment.” – Daniel Levy, President of the Oakland Heritage Alliance. The Oakland Heritage Alliance hosted a sold out Tour of Oakland’s 16th Street Station with more than 600 free tickets sold.

Transit Month is made possible by sponsorship from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, ATU Local 1555, Bay Area Air District, TWU Local 250A, IBEW Local 6, United Business Bank, Chase Center/Golden State Warriors/Valkyries, San Francisco County Transportation Authority, Westlight Energy, San Francisco Bay Ferry, BlinkTag Inc., Capitol Corridor, Lime, Kaiser Permanente, HaydenAI, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and Fehr & Peers.

Background

Transit Month began as San Francisco Transit Week in 2016. Public transit plays an important role in our region. Transit is key to achieving many of the Bay Area’s housing goals, where about two thirds of new homes are planned near high-quality transit. More dense communities also means reduced emissions from automobiles, which are the number one source of carbon emissions in California. Public transit also plays an important role in reducing inequality by increasing mobility options for older adults, people with disabilities, young people, and low-income residents – many of whom cannot drive. Improving public transit will be key to increasing affordability in our region as car ownership is the second highest cost burden on Bay Area families after housing.

Since then Bay Area public transit has faced significant challenges with ridership cratering during the Stay at Home order era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridership has steadily risen every year since 2020 with return-to-office policies and riders taking public transit for a broader diversity of trips. Recent improvements such as Caltrain electrification and the expansion of infrastructure that prioritizes transit in San Francisco have helped bolster ridership. But as ridership still recovers and federal funding aimed to keep transit afloat dries up, regionwide funding shortfalls threaten to slash service and lead to a transit “death spiral” – where less service leads to fewer riders, thus leading to less revenue to keep our transit system running.

For the 6th year in a row, Transit Month brings together various stakeholders in our region – including community members, advocacy organizations, public agencies, and businesses – who value public transit and seek to increase awareness of its importance.

Transit Month events calendar: https://www.ca.transitmonth.org/bay-area

Stand Up on the Delta by local non-profit connects U.S. veterans with community and critical services like housing and jobs 

By Ella Sogomonian

Antioch, CA – Delta Veterans Group continues its mission to serve those who served our country. The local non-profit is inviting U.S. veterans on Friday, Sept.11 to the VFW Post 6435 in Antioch for the inaugural “Stand Up on the Delta”. This one-day event (video here) connects vets with medical treatment, housing, jobs, as well as mental health and drug counseling. In addition to these critical services, the event builds a sense of camaraderie for veterans who have a hard time creating a sense of community after they end their military service. DVG partners with East Bay Regional parks to take vets and their families fishing on the Delta shores. They will provide  a backpack, collapsible fishing pole, tackle and lunch will be catered. Competitions, such as farthest cast, will also take place. There is a 50 veteran limit for the fishing experience.

“As a vet myself I understand how critical it is to extend a helping hand and create a welcoming space,” said J.R. Wilson, Founder of Delta Veterans Group. “Veterans serve their country and community so we give them a new mission to serve the community and these events bring them together to make that happen.”

Since 2015, the non-profit has helped more than thousands of veterans by finding permanent housing, serving over 23,000 meals, providing half-a-million-dollars in dental care, and sleeping bags.

Who: U.S. military veterans and their families

What: Stand Up on the Delta resource event

When: Friday, Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Where: TWO LOCATIONS: Resource fair at VFW Post 6435, 815 Fulton Shipyard Road Antioch, CA 94509 & fishing experience at Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline Pier at Bridgehead Road at Wilbur Avenue in Antioch, CA 94509

Contact on-site: JR Wilson at (925) 222-7596

72nd annual competition for seniors entering college next fall; Finalists announced next spring

By San Ramon Valley Unified School District Office of Communications, Family and Community Engagement

Danville, CA (Sept. 9, 2026) – San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) is proud to announce that 68 of its high school seniors have been named Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. These outstanding students represent the academic excellence and dedication of SRVUSD students and school communities. Semifinalists now have the opportunity to advance to Finalist standing and compete for National Merit Scholarships to be awarded in spring 2027.

On September 9, 2026, officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. SRVUSD’s 68 Semifinalists are among the highest-scoring students in California, representing the top 1% of the state’s senior students.

Students qualified for the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program through the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which SRVUSD offers to all juniors, in fall 2025. To advance to Finalist standing, Semifinalists must fulfill several additional requirements. National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from the Finalist group in spring 2027.

“Being named a National Merit Semifinalist is an outstanding accomplishment and a testament to the determination of these 68 students,” said Superintendent CJ Cammack. “We are incredibly proud of their achievement and the way they continue to challenge themselves to pursue excellence. We also applaud the teachers, families and school communities who encourage and support our students every step of the way. Congratulations to all of our Semifinalists.”

The program is conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) whose mission is to recognize and honor the academically talented students of the United States. NMSC accomplishes its mission by conducting nationwide academic scholarship programs. The enduring goals of NMSC’s scholarship programs are:

• To promote a wider and deeper respect for learning in general and for exceptionally talented individuals in particular
• To shine a spotlight on brilliant students and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence at all levels of education
• To stimulate increased support from individuals and organizations that wish to sponsor scholarships for outstanding scholastic talent

For more information on the National Merit Program, visit their website.

About San Ramon Valley Unified School District: Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) is one of the highest-achieving school districts in California. With approximately 28,500 students, the district encompasses the communities of Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, and a small portion of Walnut Creek and Pleasanton.

SRVUSD has been recognized at state and national levels with many awards and achievements and is designated as a Learning 2025 Lighthouse District by AASA, the School Superintendents Association. Based on a foundation of academic excellence, the district’s work is guided by its Strategic Directions and Learner Profile. SRVUSD is committed to preparing students for their future by providing a strong academic foundation, supporting their well-being, and equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

The suspect’s two firearms confiscated by police and multiple bullet holes in the door and wall outside the home where the shooting occurred. Photos: Richmond PD

Fired over 30 rounds, charged with four felonies including murder, held on $950k bail; officer recovering

By The Richmond Police Department

The Richmond Police Department is providing additional information regarding the recent attempted murder of one of our police officers during a call for service involving our partners with A3 (Contra Costa County Behavior Health Crisis Response Team).

As previously reported, at approximately 6:41 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, Contra Costa Health’s A3 Crisis Response was contacted regarding a request to conduct a mental health check on an individual in the 2200 block of Key Boulevard. A3 is Contra Costa County’s behavioral health crisis response program. When circumstances present a potential safety concern, A3 may request assistance from law enforcement. Due to the nature of the call, A3 requested that Richmond Police officers accompany them to the location.

During this extremely dangerous incident, the suspect, 39-year-old Jasmine Nicole Robinson (born
6/19/1987), fired in excess of 30 rounds from a Romarm/Cugir Draco-C rifle. Our officer was struck by gunfire shortly after arriving at the scene. We are incredibly fortunate that our officer survived and is continuing to recover from their injuries.

We are also grateful that our A3 partners, neighboring residents, and other responding personnel were not injured as numerous rounds were fired from the residence, which included striking a Richmond Police patrol vehicle.

The significant threat posed by the suspect required a large-scale tactical response, including armored rescue vehicles and specialized resources from allied law enforcement agencies. These resources were critical in allowing personnel to safely respond to an exceptionally dangerous and unpredictable situation and ultimately take the suspect into custody.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our allied law enforcement partners who responded without hesitation to assist the Richmond Police Department. Their professionalism, teamwork, and willingness to place themselves in harm’s way were instrumental in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.

We are thankful that despite the extraordinary level of gunfire and danger presented during this incident, our officer survived, our A3 partners were unharmed, and no members of our community were injured.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, six-inch tall, 150-pound Robinson is non-Hispanic, also listed as Black, and is being held in the West Re-Entry Treatment and Housing facility in Richmond on $950,000 bail. She is charged with four felonies including murder, assault committed with a high-risk firearm, kidnapping and maliciously and willfully firing a gun at an inhabited dwelling house, occupied building, occupied motor vehicle, occupied aircraft, inhabited housecar, or inhabited camper.

According to MyLife, Robinson currently lives in Vallejo and previously lived in Richmond at two different addresses on the street where last week’s incident occurred, and one other.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

After Contra Costa County Board of Education denies appeal

By Phillip Balistreri

The speech I wrote out for my children’s interdistrict transfer appeal hearing on 09/08/2026 provides all the details.

“Good morning. My name is Phillip William Balistreri, and I am the father of Emerald Marie Balistreri and Sierra Rose Balistreri. My reason for being here today is to respectfully request that the board approve our appeal of the interdistrict transfer denial Byron Union School District has issued, so that my children can remain at the school they are currently attending, Vintage Parkway Elementary School in the Oakley Union School District.

For economic reasons, my family and I moved from Oakley, to Discovery Bay over the summer. These cities are less than 15 minutes away from each other, and my wife and I chose Discovery Bay because it was close enough to continue sending our children to Vintage Parkway. The staff at Vintage Parkway told us they would love for Emerald and Sierra to continue coming to their school and informed us how to get the process going to make it happen. We thought submitting the transfer form through Byron would be more of a formality, as our children were already enrolled in Oakley and had been assigned their classes. To our surprise, the Byron Union School “District denied our request under Education Code § 48307(b), which, to my understanding, has to do with average daily attendance and school funding.

“After we learned of this decision, it was huge let down, as my wife received the email while she was in the middle of back-to-school night with our children, meeting their new teachers at Vintage Parkway. Byron also contacted the Oakley School District and told them to unenroll our children from Vintage Parkway immediately so they could start their new classes at Point of Timber Elementary School, a school neither of the girls have ever been to.

“After my wife and I did some research, we respectfully asked Oakley Union if our children could continue at Vintage Parkway under Education Code § 46603, which allows the girls to attend Vintage on a temporary basis until the appeal is settled. Oakley Union graciously accepted our request, and our children have been attending their scheduled classes at Vintage Parkway for the time being, and they have been loving the school year so far.

Emerald is eight years old and is currently in third grade. She is a very bright young girl with a lot of ambition for someone her age. When she grows up, she says she’s going to be a rocket scientist, but she’s also going to study giant snails in Papua New Guinea, and she’s going to be an animal doctor. My wife and I have informed her that if this is her goal, her performance in school is very important. Despite our advice, in the past it was difficult getting her to adapt to a classroom setting, but the staff at Vintage Parkway created an environment where she could thrive, and she is thriving now.

“She is currently enrolled in leadership, and in an extracurricular garden club at Vintage Parkway with a science field trip to Big Break planned in October, which she is very excited for. She has excellent scores in reading and math now, where before it was a struggle to get her to focus on her work without getting emotional or overwhelmed. She is also a very popular girl, with many friends at Vintage Parkway. It would be detrimental for her current success to remove her from the school she has always attended, and this isn’t just my opinion. There have been many studies done that show that removing a child from their school and placing them in another consistently shows dips in English and math scores, and added stress that my daughter just doesn’t need.

“Sierra is five years old and is currently attending kindergarten. She also did preschool in the Oakley Union School District and transitional kindergarten at Vintage Parkway. Her new kindergarten teacher just so happens to be the same kindergarten teacher my daughter Emerald had when she was five years old, and Emerald helps Sierra get to her class every morning. Sierra is also a very bright girl who is very athletic. She loves the monkey bars and prides herself on being the best at them in the whole school. She loves to boast about how she gives monkey bar lessons at recess and is teaching the other kids how to get better. So far she has been magnificent in school and has gotten awards for her kindness and understanding. Sierra loves her school and all of the friends she has in her class, and is looking forward to her fieldtrip to the Smith’s Family farm Pumpkin Patch with her whole class. She was also extremely excited to find out she had the same class as her best friend, Luna. Sierra is an inspiration to her class and a warm light who would be missed if she were to stop attending Vintage Parkway.

“We understand Byron has funding and enrollment limits, and these concerns are not weightless. But we are asking you to let two students who are already placed, already succeeding, and already attending Vintage Parkway stay there. Oakley Union has already demonstrated their willingness to host our children, and keeping them in their current school is the best choice for their educational success. Please keep this in your considerations when making your decision today. I appreciate you taking the time to hear me, and I would gladly take any of your questions now. Thank you very much.”

“After I spoke, Byron Union was allowed to present its side. The superintendent got on a soapbox about how transfers like our family’s request damage small districts. She said she had approved about 80 transfers like this, that she cares about children, and that this was where she was going to make a stand. She also said that if the board approved my appeal that day, she would have me come back every single year because she would deny our application again the next year.

“The county board ate it up. They were sympathetic to the district’s funding argument and treated my daughters’ educational needs as an afterthought, and even that is giving them to much credit because there wasn’t a single mention of my children’s educational needs made outside of my own arguments. They completely ignored it. When the board asked if I would be willing to come back every year and do this again, I said, ‘For lack of a better word, I would describe that as petty. But I am not here representing a district. I am here representing my daughters. They are what matter to me, and if I had to come back here every year to do what is best for them, I would.’

In hindsight I thought: why am I the one expected to respect the rules, while this superintendent is openly saying she would not respect the board’s decision and would keep fighting my children attending the only school they have ever known?

‘The very next day — today, September 9, 2026 — my girls were ripped out of their school. Oakley told us they are no longer allowed at Vintage Parkway because of the board’s decision. ‘Enroll in Byron or educate them somewhere else,’ T Amaral from Oakely Union School District said. It is no longer Oakley’s concern. Right in the middle of their classes, with field trips scheduled and a life at Vintage Parkway already underway, it was taken from them so Byron could protect its count.

“Oakley had agreed to keep them during the appeal under Education Code 46603 because they were already enrolled and assigned there, but their tune completely changed after the hearing. According to the board, it was the first time that code had been used in one of these hearings; some members had to have it explained to them in the room. Byron and the Contra Costa County Board of Education did not like that. Byron’s superintendent said the rule needs to be revised. They are very attached to the rules until the rules would let two young girls keep attending the only school they have known. The board made a point of saying they do not make the rules, they only enforce them. Then they ignored what 46603 had already shown: Oakley was willing, and the girls were already there.

“The board dismissed my daughters’ educational needs in favor of a funding concern that was never shown, in any detail, to harm Byron’s schools. Continuity is listed in their own appeal criteria (AR 5117.1 G6). Their written decision cites only G14: we failed to meet any listed criteria. They never explained why continuity did not count.

“That is the system. Funding and politics first. Two small girls who just wanted to stay in the school that already wanted them don’t matter at all. I will not put my children in a system that works that way. We are homeschooling. I am sending this because the public should see how these decisions are actually made.

“If Byron’s superintendent wants to stand on the soapbox that interdistrict transfers damage small districts, then I am standing on the soapbox that putting funding ahead of kids damages small children. As I left the meeting I stopped, turned around, and asked if I could say one last thing. I told them the reason California’s schools are at the bottom is because of this right here. Then I left the room heartbroken for my girls.”

Attached is the board’s final letter. IDT Appeal_Final Decision-Balistreri

Board’s Decision, No Further Appeal, Only Court Action

“Thank you for taking the time to read this.”

In a letter to Balistreri, his wife, Jennifer Burns, Byron Union School District Superintendent Crystal Castañeda and Oakley Union Elementary School District Superintendent Jeff Palmquist, Matt Wayne, Assistant Superintendent, Student Programs in the Contra Costa County Office of Education wrote, “An Interdistrict Attendance Transfer Appeal was heard by the Contra Costa County Board of Education at a meeting on September 8, 2026. Action on the appeal was as follows:

Action: Denied

Basis of Decision: AR 5117.1 – G14: Failure to qualify for any of the listed criteria shall result in denial of the appeal.”

According to district staff, videos of interdistrict transfer appeals meetings are not video recorded as they are conducted in Closed Session.

When asked if there is another level to appeal the Board’s decision Balistreri said, “The only appeal grounds we have going forward is legal action if there was some kind of discrimination. From everything I’ve found, they are well within their rights to deny this. I just think it’s wrong to rip my kids out of their schools when it’s funding concerns. That’s all they care about at the end of the day. They don’t care about the kids, their education or what they’re going through. That was not brought up once in the meeting other than in my speech and comments.”

“For the future people need to look at this and redesignate their priorities,” he added.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Photos: (Left) MTC (Right) Credit John Huseby, Caltrans

Carpools allowed in bus lane only during weekday peak periods

By Cindy Ramirez, CHP, Bart Ney, Caltrans and John Goodwin, Bay Area Toll Authority

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9, 2026. . . The California Highway Patrol, in partnership with Caltrans and the Bay Area Toll Authority, this month will resume concentrated enforcement of the laws governing the westbound approach to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. This includes strict enforcement of vehicle-type and vehicle-occupancy laws in the bus/carpool lane that bypasses the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge toll plaza at the far-right side of the roadway.

This lane — which can be accessed by traffic approaching the bridge from Interstate 80, Interstate 880 or West Grand Avenue — may be used by buses, motorcycles or carpools with three or more occupants during the weekday commute periods of 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Only buses may lawfully use the lane at other times, including all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Drivers cited for improper use of the bus/carpool lane outside weekday commute hours are subject to a fine of $490 or more.

“The signs at access points to the lane are clear and unambiguous. They read ‘Buses Only,’” noted Lt. Ed Clarke of the CHP’s Oakland Area. “But many drivers have not consistently followed the rule in recent years.” The CHP, Caltrans and BATA agree that focused enforcement will help address ongoing violations, improve compliance with the posted restrictions, and ensure the lane remains available for its intended use.

Acting Caltrans District 4 Director and BATA Commissioner Doanh Nguyen reminds drivers that the toll booths at the Bay Bridge and other state-owned toll bridges will soon be a thing of the past. “The transition to open-road tolling already is underway, with the new system set to debut next year at the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. The comprehensive reconfiguration of the approaches to every state-owned toll bridge will improve safety and efficiency by allowing drivers to pay their tolls without having to slow down to squeeze past the obsolete toll booths.”

BATA administers all toll revenues from the region’s seven state-owned toll bridges. Caltrans owns and operates the state highway system, including state-owned toll bridges such as the Bay Bridge.

La Policía de Caminos de California (CHP) se enfoca en el acceso al puente Bay Bridge para una campaña de reforzar el control

Los vehículos compartidos solo pueden circular por el carril de autobuses durante las horas pico de los días laborables

SAN FRANCISCO, 9 de septiembre de 2026. . . La Policía de Caminos de California (CHP), en colaboración con Caltrans y la Autoridad de Peajes del Área de la Bahía, reanudará este mes la aplicación intensiva de las leyes que rigen el acceso en dirección oeste al puente San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Esto incluye la aplicación estricta de las leyes sobre el tipo y la ocupación de vehículos en el carril para autobuses y vehículos compartidos que evita la plaza de cobro del puente San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge por el lado extremo derecho de la carretera.

Este carril — al que pueden acceder los vehículos que se acercan al puente desde la Interestatal 80, la Interestatal 880 o West Grand Avenue — puede ser utilizado por autobuses, motocicletas o vehículos compartidos con tres o más ocupantes durante días laborables en los horarios pico de 5 a.m. a 10 a.m. y 3 p.m. a 7 p.m. Solo los autobuses pueden utilizar el carril en otros momentos legalmente, incluyendo todo el día los sábados y domingos. Los conductores

que reciban una infracción por el uso indebido del carril para autobuses y vehículos compartidos fuera de los horarios pico de los días laborables están sujetos a una multa de $490 o más.

“Las señales en los puntos de acceso al carril son claras e inequívocas. Dicen ‘Solo autobuses’,” señaló el teniente Ed Clarke del Área de Oakland de la CHP. “Sin embargo, muchos conductores han omitido cumplir la norma de forma consistente en los últimos años.” La CHP, Caltrans y la BATA coinciden en que una aplicación rigurosa de la ley ayudará a abordar las infracciones continuas, mejorará el cumplimiento de las restricciones establecidas y garantizará que el carril siga disponible para el uso previsto.

El director interino del Distrito 4 de Caltrans y comisionado de la BATA, Doanh Nguyen, recuerda a los conductores que las casetas de cobro en el puente de la Bahía y otros puentes de cuota de propiedad estatal pronto pasarán a ser historia. “La transición al sistema de cobro de cuotas en carretera abierta ya está en marcha, y está previsto que el nuevo sistema entre en funcionamiento el próximo año en el puente Richmond-San Rafael. La reconfiguración integral de los accesos a todos los puentes de cuota de propiedad estatal mejorará la seguridad y la eficiencia, al permitir que los conductores paguen sus cuotas sin tener que reducir la velocidad para pasar por las casetas de cobro obsoletas.”

BATA administra los ingresos de peajes de los siete puentes de peaje de propiedad estatal en la región. Caltrans es propietario y opera el sistema de carreteras estatales, incluyendo los puentes de cuota de propiedad estatal como el puente Bay Bridge.

CHP 針對海灣大橋引道展開強化執法行動

共乘車輛僅在工作日高峰時段才允許使用公車道

舊金山，2026年9月9日—加州公路巡警（CHP）將聯合加州交通局（Caltrans）

和灣區收費管理局（BATA），於本月恢復對舊金山-奧克蘭海灣大橋（San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge）西向引道相關交通法規的集中執法。執法重點包括加強監管位於最右側、可繞過海灣大橋收費站的公車／共乘專用車道，以確保使用該車道的車輛類型及載客人數符合規定。

該車道可供從 80 號州際公路、880 號州際公路或 West Grand Avenue 駛向大橋的車輛進入。在工作日通勤時段的上午 5 點至 10 點及下午 3 點至 7 點，公車、摩托車或載有三人及以上的共乘車輛可以使用該車道。在其他時段（包括週六和週日全天），僅公車可合法使用該車道。在工作日通勤時段以外違規使用該公車／共乘車道，將面臨 490 美元或以上罰款。

「車道入口處的標誌清晰明確，上面寫著『僅限公車』（Buses Only），」CHP 奧克蘭分局的 Ed Clarke 中尉指出，「但近年來，許多駕駛者並未始終遵守這項規定。」CHP、Caltrans 和 BATA 一致認為，開展集中執法有助於解決持續發生的違規行為，提高駕駛者對現場標示限制的遵守程度，並確保該車道維持其原定用途。

Caltrans 第 4 區代理局長兼 BATA 委員 Doanh Nguyen 提醒駕駛者，海灣大橋及其他州屬收費橋樑的收費亭即將成為歷史。「向開放式道路收費（open-road tolling）系統轉型的工作已經展開，新系統預計將於明年在Richmond-San Rafael大橋上率先啟用。對所有州屬收費橋樑引道進行全面重新規劃與改造，將讓駕駛者無須減速、穿越老舊的收費亭即可繳納通行費，從而提升道路安全與通行效率。」

BATA負責管理本地區七座州屬收費大橋的所有通行費收入。Caltrans負責擁有和營運州級公路系統，其中包括海灣大橋等州屬收費大橋。

Faith-based organization aims to raise $175,000 for a 5th transitional home following milestone growth

By Mike Sisler Executive Director, RESTORE

CONCORD, CA — RESTORE (Restore Hope Dignity Life), a faith-based organization dedicated to life transformation through transitional housing and comprehensive support services, today announced the launch of its Fall fundraising season. The seasonal campaign fuels RESTORE’s ongoing doubling expansion plan, building on last year’s milestone addition of a fourth home to its network. At the conclusion of this Fall’s events, RESTORE aims to raise $150,000 to open a fifth home.

RESTORE’s holistic model integrates stable housing with personalized spiritual care and family reunification support, empowering residents to overcome hardship and achieve lasting recovery. Expanding its housing capacity allows RESTORE to double the number of men, women, and children it serves, directly meeting a vital need for compassionate, faith-based support in Contra Costa County.

“These events are transformative for the audience, the staff, and the residents, as all three groups experience the impact our safe homes and Christ-centered recovery programs have,” said Mike Sisler, Executive Director of RESTORE. “We sincerely invite all to attend.”

Event attendees will experience approximately 20 powerful mixed-media testimonials—featuring live personal stories, video presentations, and silent reading materials—that showcase the profound, real-world impact RESTORE has on individuals and families rebuilding their lives.

Fall Event Schedule

• Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, CA: September 11, 2026
• New Life Church, Concord, CA: October 2, 2026
• Hillside Covenant Church, Walnut Creek, CA: November 6, 2026

To learn more about RESTORE, attend an upcoming fundraiser, or support the expansion plan, visit www.restore1.org or email Christine Thatcher at christinethatcher@restore1.org.

About RESTORE

Founded in Contra Costa County, RESTORE provides holistic, home-based programs to help individuals recover in all areas of life as they break free from addictions, re-story their lives, and reunify families. RESTORE’s mission is to provide men, women, and their children with safe homes and Christ-centered, 12-step recovery programs to restore hope, dignity, and life in them and the broader community. As a nonprofit, RESTORE operates through the generous support of individuals, partner churches, business donors, and grants.