Contra Costa Herald

Speeding continues to endanger lives on California roadways, making it a priority for the California Highway Patrol in its efforts to make roads safer.

By Jaime Coffee, CHP Director of Communications Office of Media Relations 

SACRAMENTO— The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding motorists to slow down and drive responsibly as they head out for Independence Day celebrations statewide. To address unsafe driving and keep California’s roads safe, the CHP will conduct a Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) from July 2 at 6 p.m. to July 5 at 11:59 p.m., with an emphasis on combating speeding.

During last year’s 78-hour Independence Day HEP, CHP officers responded to more than 850 speed-related crashes. Tragically, at least seven of those collisions resulted in the loss of life, and nearly 400 crashes resulted in injuries to those involved. In addition, CHP officers made 1,311 arrests for driving under the influence – an average of one DUI arrest every three and a half minutes.

“Reckless driving and speeding continue to endanger lives on California’s roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “As families and friends travel this holiday weekend, we urge everyone to slow down, be considerate of others and make responsible choices behind the wheel. Getting there safely is what matters most.”

Higher Speeds, Greater Consequences

Speeding is dangerous – it slows reaction time, increases stopping distance and crash severity, and can lead to serious, even fatal, consequences. According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, an average of more than 115,000 collisions in California each year are attributed to speed. The data also shows that speeding contributes to about 600 traffic-related deaths statewide each year.

During this Independence Day HEP, the CHP will continue using 100 low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles to target dangerous driving behaviors on California’s highways. These vehicles blend into traffic, allowing officers to identify reckless drivers before taking enforcement action. Since their deployment last year, CHP officers operating these vehicles have issued over 59,000 speed-related citations statewide.

Pilot Program Targets Speeds

In December 2025, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the CHP launched a pilot program to swiftly take action against drivers caught traveling more than 100 mph, aiming to reduce potentially deadly crashes. The FAST (Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets) program automatically refers drivers to the DMV for review – independent of any court proceedings – to determine whether immediate action, such as license suspension or revocation, is warranted.

According to the DMV, the CHP submitted more than 3,200 FAST referrals between January and May 2026 for drivers engaging in speeding and high-risk driving behavior. The DMV responded with more than 3,000 suspension and re-examination actions, 94.3% of which were upheld after administrative review and hearings, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in identifying drivers who pose a significant risk to public safety.

Simple Steps to Help Save Lives

To help prevent crashes and save lives this Independence Day weekend, the CHP encourages everyone to take the following safety precautions:

• Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before celebrations begin.
• Use a rideshare service, taxi or public transportation if you have been drinking.
• Host responsibly and ensure guests have a safe way home.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or other impairing substances.
• Always wear your seat belt; it remains one of the most effective ways to reduce injuries and save lives in a crash.
• If someone is about to drive impaired, speak up, take the keys, and help them get home safely.
• Help remove a dangerous driver from the road by dialing 9-1-1.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service and Security.

Proclamation to veterans July 3rd

By Town of Danville & Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley

Danville’s biggest community tradition is almost here. The Kiwanis-Danville 4th of July Parade brings neighbors, families, friends and the whole community together for a morning of celebration in Downtown Danville.

The parade takes place Saturday, July 4 from 9 a.m. to noon, with floats, music and plenty of red, white and blue along the route.

The parade will feature more than 100 participating groups, with thousands of spectators expected to line the route for one of Danville’s most anticipated summer celebrations. This year’s event also carries special national significance as communities across the country prepare to mark America’s 250th anniversary.

The weekend recognition will begin Friday, July 3, at 10 a.m., when a proclamation will be presented to Veterans Service Organizations at the Veterans Memorial Building. The presentation will recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans as Danville prepares for Independence Day and the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Make your plans to join the community for a festive morning along the parade route.

Honoring SRVUSD: Great schools + great students = great community!

This year’s 2026 Parade Grand Marshal is San Ramon Valley Unified School District.

2026 marks the 51st anniversary that the Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley first began organizing and conducting the 4th of July Parade in Danville, and Kiwanis has presented a Parade every year since, including the virtual Parade that was held online in COVID year 2020.

Find more details about the parade, entertainment, and upcoming community events at danville.ca.gov/summer or Parade — Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley.

Photo collage: CA State Parks

By CA State Parks

SACRAMENTO — Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary this Fourth of July holiday weekend is the perfect opportunity to have fun in the sun at one of California’s 280 (and growing) state parks. Whether you’re interested in swimming, hiking, boating, recreating in an off-highway vehicle, or watching fireworks over San Francisco Bay, the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system has something for everyone. Following simple safety precautions, such as wearing a properly-fitted life jacket in the water, wearing sunscreen, and avoiding alcohol, can help you and your party have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend outdoors.

Here are some helpful tips to have a safe visit to California’s state parks during the holiday weekend:

• Plan ahead and pack appropriately
  • Schedule activities based on temperatures throughout the day.
  • Dress in appropriate clothing for your planned activities.
  • Shield yourself from the sun by bringing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
  • Bring plenty of water and avoiding dehydrating beverages such as alcohol and caffeine.

• Water safety
  • Wear a properly-fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket around the water. Water-related incidents can happen suddenly, and wearing a life jacket is the best way to increase chances of survival. View locations where public agencies and private organizations loan life jackets to the public.
  • If you encounter an ocean rip current, stay calm and do not fight it. Swim or float parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim toward the shore.
  • Seek help from a lifeguard or call 911 during emergencies.
  • Never dive headfirst into the water or use rope swings.

• Avoid alcohol and drugs
  • Operating any vehicle, including a boat or an off-highway vehicle, while impaired is against the law. Impaired drivers and boaters can be arrested and their car or boat can be towed.
  • Some parks have alcohol bans. Check each specific park website to determine if there are local ordinances concerning alcohol.

• Practice fire safety
  • Fireworks are prohibited in California’s state parks.
  • Never leave campfires unattended. Fully extinguish fires before leaving and keep water and a shovel nearby.
  • Do not build fires larger than necessary.

• Leave no trace
  • Leave the park better than you found it by packing out all trash and putting food waste, napkins, single-use food wrappers, and other waste in trash bags until it can be properly disposed of. For human waste, the use of waste alleviation gel bags or other portable toilet options is recommended.
  • Leaving items on a beach or park, even if they are “near” a trash can, may be considered illegal dumping.
  • Do not disturb wildlife or plants.

You can find additional safety tips and information on backpacking, biking, camping, horseback trails and laws at https://www.parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips. To find a state park near you, visit parks.ca.gov/Find-a-Park.

Reminder – Free Historian Passport: California’s state parks offer a variety of experiences, including more than 30 state historic parks that immerse visitors in California’s complex history. In honor of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the special edition of State Parks’ Historian Passport is free to download through the Fourth of July weekend. Learn how you can download the pass for free here.

You can ensure you have an enjoyable Fourth of July Weekend in State Parks by following a handful of basic safety tips. Photos from California State Parks.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

Source: USTMA

Annual safety campaign launches “Full Circle,” a new platform demonstrating how safe tires keep American life moving

By Kim Kleine & Roland Buaben, USTMA

National Tire Safety Week (NTSW) is an annual initiative organized by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) to educate motorists about proper tire care, maintenance, and safety, emphasizing that tires are the only part of a vehicle that touches the road and are critical for safe driving.

The USTMA, representing manufacturers that produce tires in the United States, today launched National Tire Safety Week 2026, an annual weeklong public education campaign reminding drivers that tires play a critical role in vehicle safety and should be checked regularly as part of routine maintenance. Running June 29 through July 4, this year’s campaign carries the theme “Driving Safety, Full Circle” and kicks off a new USTMA storytelling platform, dedicated to the everyday value of tires to American life.

“Every drive home, every family road trip, every race to an emergency by a first responder happens on tires,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO. “Proper tire maintenance plays a critical role in safety on the road, and we must all do our part to protect the people and moments we value most. National Tire Safety Week is our reminder that caring for our tires is simple and essential, and that behind every safe mile is an industry working to make mobility safer, smarter and more dependable.”

This week serves as a reminder that proper tire care and routine maintenance can help reduce the risk of crashes and keep everyone safe on the road.

Take a few minutes to inspect your tires before your next drive.

Source: USTMA

TIRE SAFETY WEEK CHECKLIST:

1. CHECK TREAD DEPTH

Use the penny test. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, your tread is too low. Replace your tires.

2. CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

Check at least once a month when tires are cold. Proper inflation improves safety, handling, and fuel efficiency.

3. INSPECT FOR DAMAGE

Look for cuts, bulges, cracks, blisters, or foreign objects. Damaged tires can fail without warning.

4. CHECK FOR UNEVEN WEAR

Uneven wear could be a sign of alignment or suspension issues. Get it checked.

5. BE WEATHER READY

Worn tires are more likely to hydroplane. Good tread helps you grip the road, especially in wet conditions.

Source: USTMA

Putting You in the Driver’s Seat

This year, USTMA is telling that story through Full Circle Moments, a series of short, safety-themed videos capturing the ordinary scenes in American life made possible by tires. The series opens with a newborn’s first ride home from the hospital, and highlights the crucial role of tires through five everyday moments:

• A newborn’s first ride home: a smooth ride when it matters most. Watch 
• A parent teaching a teenager to drive: reliability when it matters most. Watch

A family road trip: durability when it matters most. Watch

• Driving through a downpour: traction when it matters most. Watch 
• A sudden stop: stopping power when it matters most. Watch

The full series is available throughout the week on USTMA’s National Tire Safety Week landing page and across the Association’s social channels.

The campaign also gives drivers a simple way to act. USTMA and its members encourage motorists to remember their “P.A.R.T.” – Pressure, Alignment, Rotation, and Tread, and to check all four at least once a month and before long summer trips. A few minutes in the driveway can prevent problems on the highway.

Source: USTMA

The Bigger Story Behind Every Tire 

National Tire Safety Week also marks the public debut of Full Circle, a new storytelling platform that highlights the ways in which American life and commerce are unthinkable without tires. Organized around five pillars – safety, sustainability, innovation, economic impact and advocacy – Full Circle shares proof-based stories of an industry committed to dependable mobility and continuous progress, from tires that get families home safely every day to the work underway to give every tire a productive second life. Explore the platform at www.ustires.org/fullcircle.

“Tires are essential to nearly every part of modern life, yet they’re easy to take for granted,” said Luke. “Full Circle embodies the depth of our industry’s commitment to the communities we serve. It’s a story of an industry committed to continuous progress with safety at the forefront, and we’re proud to keep driving it forward.”

National Tire Safety Week is an industry-led initiative supported by USTMA members: Bridgestone Americas, Inc.; Continental Tire the Americas, LLC; Giti Tire (USA) Ltd.; The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; Hankook Tire America Corp.; Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc.; Michelin North America, Inc.; Nokian Tyres, Inc.; Pirelli Tire LLC; Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.; and Yokohama Tire Corporation.

Source: USTMA

About USTMA

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. Our 11 member companies operate 55 tire-related manufacturing facilities in 16 states. U.S. tire manufacturing has an annual economic footprint of $259.5 billion and is responsible for more than 329,527 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, distribution and retailing. The industry supports more than 606,477 additional U.S. jobs in supplier and induced activities, totaling more than 936,004 jobs nationwide. USTMA advances a sustainable tire manufacturing industry through thought leadership and a commitment to science based public policy advocacy. Our member company tires make mobility possible. USTMA members are committed to continuous improvement of the performance of our products, worker and consumer safety and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.USTires.org and follow us on Twitter/X @USTires.

CHP – Golden Gate and Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By City of San Ramon

Kick off America’s 250th with patriotic music on the 4th of July from Olympia Fields Brass followed by a high-energy concert featuring The Cheeseballs, an internationally traveling dance band bringing you the best of funk and soul with hits from the ’80s, ’90s and today. Grab your friends, family, and picnic blanket for a spectacular evening of dancing, singing, and summer fun under the stars. Beer, wine, and food truck purchases available.

Central Park Amphitheater – 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road

• Olympia Fields Brass | 5:00 p.m.
• The Cheeseballs | 6:00 p.m.
• Food trucks available
• Beer & wine available for purchase
• FREE Admission

Source: City of San Ramon

Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, family and friends for a night of patriotic music, dancing and summer fun under the stars. There will be no fireworks display.

Additional parking available at Iron Horse Middle School. Please see map for ADA parking and Loading and Unloading Area.

For more information visit sanramon.ca.gov/events.

40th Annual Run San Ramon

The 2026 Run San Ramon presented by the City of San Ramon is celebrating its 40th year! Sign up today to run this Independence Day classic Get a healthy start to your 4th of July by enjoying the paved, looped 5K/10K course through San Ramon or the out-and-back Fastest Mile. All participants will receive a collectible, commemorative short-sleeve shirt, bib and participation medal with the 2026 logo.

The Run San Ramon is a chip timed race.

Start & Finish: San Ramon Community Center – 12501 Alcosta Blvd.

7:00am – Check-in & Race Day Registration Opens

8:00am – Fastest Mile Start

8:30am – 5K/10K Start

Register at SanRamon.ca.gov/FitnessRaces.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By City of Richmond

City of Richmond presents the Annual 3rd of July Fireworks Showcase for 2026.

Join us on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Marina Bay Park for our annual community celebration featuring music, food, and activities for all ages. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks show beginning at 9:15 pm.

Bring your family, friends, and festive spirit, as we come together for one of Richmond’s favorite summer traditions.

For more information, call (510) 620-6512.

By Lafayette Library and Learning Center

On Thursday, July 2, join us at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center for a fun community celebration to mark the 250th Anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence! Proudly presented by the City of Lafayette, in partnership with the Lafayette Historical Society, the Acalanes Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Chapter, and All Ages Recreation Downtown (AARD), with special thanks to Front Porch Music. Everyone is welcome!

From 4pm to 6pm outside the library

• Carnival games
• Craft activities – hosted by AARD
• Sign a giant copy of the Declaration of Independence and take a selfie with a founding father – hosted by the Acalanes DAR Chapter
• Live music in the amphitheater by The Au Contraires as well as Janel and the Magdalena Sage Band
• Learn about the Marquis de Lafayette
• Complete the Passport Activities to receive a free USA flag!
• Hot dogs and nachos available for purchase

Starting at 6pm in the Don Tatzin Community Hall

• National Anthem performed by Janel Wagne
• Comments by Mayor Carl Anduri
• Mary McCosker will share the story of how our town got its name
• Screening of Lafayette: The Lost Hero, a one-hour documentary on the Marquis’s extraordinary life and contributions to American independence.

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center and Don Tatzin Community Hall are located at 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd., in downtown Lafayette.

Details at www.lovelafayette.org/250th.

Celebrate America’s 250th and City’s 150th anniversaries

By Eve Kearney, Martinez City Manager’s Office

Martinez, CA – The City of Martinez is pleased to announce its 2026 Independence Day Celebration, featuring a full day of events for residents, families, and visitors. This year’s festivities honor two important milestones: the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 150th anniversary of the City of Martinez. The community is invited to celebrate with a series of events taking place on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

Parade – 10:00am

Hosted by Downtown Martinez & Co., the annual Independence Day Parade will take place on historic downtown Main Street and feature local organizations, civic groups, marching units, classic vehicles, and community representatives.

Martinez Sturgeons Baseball Game – 12:30pm

Join us for the great American pastime, with a special Independence Day home game featuring the Martinez Sturgeons, playing at Joe DiMaggio Field in Waterfront Park. Concessions will be available.

Fun Fest at Waterfront Park – 5:00 pm

The afternoon continues at Waterfront Park with a family-friendly Fun Fest featuring activities, food trucks, and entertainment. Highlights include Bubble Fun from 5:00–6:0pm, a professional kite show from 6:00–7:00pm, and music from DJ Rhythm Masters beginning at 6:30pm. This event is designed to offer residents of all ages a safe, welcoming space to enjoy the holiday together.

Fireworks Finale – 9:30 pm

The City of Martinez will conclude the day with its annual fireworks display over the Martinez Waterfront. This professionally produced show will begin at 9:30pm and promises to be an outstanding display of dazzling colors and community spirit!

The City of Martinez looks forward to celebrating Independence Day with the community and thanks its partners and public safety personnel for their efforts in coordinating this year’s events. The City would also like to thank the East Bay Regional Park District for their continued support and partnership with the City’s annual Fireworks Show.

Please note that general vehicle access to the Marina will be closed off starting at 6:00am and parking will be by permit only as City staff and contractors prepare for the event. Free parking for the day’s events is available in the surrounding Downtown area.

As a reminder, the use of personal fireworks is prohibited in both the City of Martinez and throughout Contra Costa County, to protect our community from the significant risks associated with fireworks, including fires, injuries, and disruptive noise impacts. We appreciate our community’s continued cooperation in helping to maintain a safe, respectful, and enjoyable environment for all residents, visitors, and pets.

We look forward to marking history together, celebrating 250 years of America and 150 years of Martinez, on an unforgettable day of community pride!

By City of Pittsburg

Get ready for an unforgettable Independence Day celebration as the City of Pittsburg proudly commemorates America’s 250th Anniversary with a spectacular waterfront fireworks show and community celebration!

Join us on Saturday, July 4, at the beautiful Pittsburg Marina for an evening filled with family friendly fun, great food, and patriotic excitement. Enjoy a variety of delicious food trucks along the marina, browse local vendors, and stop by the Waterfront Fireworks Party hosted by Dale Vino. Be sure to visit the Pittsburg Yacht Club 4th of July Membership Drive Party.

Then, as the sun sets, look to the sky for our dazzling fireworks spectacular beginning at 9:00 p.m. a breathtaking display you won’t want to miss!

Pittsburg Marina – 51 Marina Blvd., Pittsburg

Fireworks Show Begins at 9:00 p.m.

Sources: City of Pittsburg (left) and Gerald Glasper, Project 4 Band (right)

Space is limited, so we encourage attendees to arrive early and enjoy all the festivities.

Bring your family, friends, and patriotic spirit as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday together on Pittsburg’s beautiful waterfront. We look forward to celebrating with you!

The brass plate marks the Mount Diablo Initial Point inside the Visitor’s Center. Left source: Mount Diablo State Park. Right photo: The Center for Land Use Interpretation (CLUI)

Free historic public event commemorates one of the most significant survey monuments in the American West

By Mount Diablo State Park & Public Land Survey System Foundation

Join us on July 18, 2026, to commemorate a significant day in California mapping history.

On a hot summer day in 1851 Colonel Leander Ransom and his survey crew carried their equipment to the top of Mount Diablo and established the Mount Diablo Initial Point – the starting point for mapping property lines for much of California and all of Nevada.

Celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Initial Point with us…explore antique and modern surveying equipment, visit information booths, enjoy hands-on exhibits showcasing the science and practice of land surveying and activities designed to introduce younger visitors to the profession. Land surveyors and historians will be on hand to demonstrate equipment and answer questions about the history and significance of the Initial Point and Mount Diablo’s prominence. Guided tours will point out the original survey monuments housed inside the Summit Visitor Center.

with a day-long public celebration highlighting the history and enduring importance of one of the West’s most significant surveying landmarks.

The free educational event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Summit Upper Lot in Mount Diablo State Park. Visitors of all ages are invited to experience interactive exhibits, historical surveying demonstrations, educational presentations, and family-friendly activities that illustrate the vital role surveying has played in the development of California and Nevada.

According to The Center for Land Use Interpretation, the Mount Diablo Initial Point “is one of 37 federal survey points of origin covering the USA (outside of the 13 original colonies), known as Initial Points, selected over the course of 150 years, to anchor newly acquired federal land to the legal and cartographic grid.

“Most Initial Points are created incidentally, as baselines (and sometimes the meridians) are usually created first, with one end anchored on relatively immutable geographic features, such as the confluence of rivers, or latitudinal lines. The west has a number of exceptions, where prominent peaks were selected to be Initial Points, and then base-lines and meridians were drawn from them, as their visibility from great distances aided the surveyor’s task. Such was the case with Mount Diablo, an isolated mound rising above the surrounding valley, east of the San Francisco Bay area.”

A concrete column, built at the same time as the rest of the structure, sits atop the exposed bedrock of the summit and continues through the ceiling to a viewing gallery on the level above where it is topped with a brass plate. Photos: CLUI

“Mount Diablo has the most elaborate commemorative architectures of all the Initial Points. The building at the top of the mountain, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, contains a small museum and encloses a monument built on top of the summit. The building itself extends the peak another 45 feet in elevation. A concrete column, built at the same time as the rest of the structure, sits atop the exposed bedrock of the summit and continues through the ceiling to a viewing gallery on the level above where it is topped with a brass plate. The rock of the actual summit is exposed at the base of the concrete column. An opening at the base of the column was provided to allow access to the exact spot from which the survey was conducted, marked now by a copper bolt head left from a 1876 triangulation station.”

The survey lines from Mount Diablo extend from the Pacific Ocean to Utah, and from Monterey Bay to Oregon, covering an area that includes most of California and all of Nevada (in green) and U.S. Meridians and Baselines map. Sources: (left) CLUI and (right) U.S. Dep’t of the Interior Bureau of Land Management

According to the Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society, “California has three initial points; Mount Diablo Base and Meridian (est. 1851) (center), San Bernardino Base and Meridian (est. 1852) (bottom), and Humboldt Base and Meridian (est. 1853) (top). Initial points are the starting points, and were established to describe and enable the government to sell public lands covering California and Nevada which were part of the Public Lands Survey System (PLSS).”

Visitors are encouraged to bring lunch, snacks, drinks and sunscreen and plan to spend the day enjoying the mountaintop setting while learning about one of California’s most enduring historical landmarks.

California State Parks, the Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society and Mount Diablo Interpretive Association are presenting this event and invite visitors to drop in between 10am-4pm at the Summit Visitor Center parking lot. Parking in this lot will be very limited. Please follow signs to park in the lower parking lot. There is a $10 per vehicle park entry fee, but no charge for the event.

For more information about the Public Land Survey System Foundation visit  www.plssfoundation.org.

Click for more information about Mount Diablo State Park or www.facebook.com/MountDiabloStatePark#.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.