Contra Costa Herald

5 years after raising sales tax with Measure X

By Denise P. Kalm, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association

Little more than five years after raising our sales taxes, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors is going back to the well. On Tuesday, they voted unanimously to move forward with another sales tax increase, further increasing the costs of everyday essentials and making the County even more unaffordable for seniors and working families alike. (See related article)

Although Supervisors express pride over how 2020 Measure X sales tax revenue was spent, many of us question whether the money is going to core government functions. A recent oversight report listed these Measure X funded projects: Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Democracy Initiative, African American Holistic Wellness Center & Resource Hub and a Guaranteed Income Pilot. While many readers may agree with these projects, many taxpayers do not, and so they should be privately funded.

As the accompanying graph shows, County revenues have risen sharply in recent years with the passage of the Measure X and increased federal grants to County programs. When I quoted statistics from this graph, Supervisors questioned my accuracy, so let me assure them that the numbers come from the County’s own audited financial reports and budget.

A large share of the increase relates to Medi-Cal, a federal/state program that funds healthcare for low-income residents. Contra Costa County has aggressively involved itself in Medi-Cal, creating a pioneering Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan to provide care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Between 2020 and 2025, the cost of Contra Costa County’s Medi-Cal Plan surged 157% from less than $900 million to almost $2.3 billion. A major contributor to this growth was the decision to extend Medi-Cal benefits to adult undocumented immigrants. According to state data, over 30,000 undocumented Contra Costa adults were receiving free healthcare through Medi-Cal last year.

Until recently, this was not a financial problem for the county because it was able to shift the cost onto the state and federal governments. But now this is becoming more difficult with Congressional Republicans, the Trump Administration and even the state government restricting reimbursements for undocumented immigrant coverage.

To continue growing this program, the Supervisors are now looking to residents to cover the tab by adding 0.625% to our sales taxes Countywide.

I realize that neighbors have a variety of views about immigration. Personally, I think the US should allow more of the talented people we need as well as a program to allow temporary, migrant workers to come here, which might go to support their request to immigrate here legally.

While I am for legal immigration, I do not agree that local communities should be on the hook to provide free medical care to anyone who comes here and completes an application. That policy is unsustainable, and unfair to the rest of us who pay a lot of money for healthcare. There are hundreds of millions of people around the world who would love to come to northern California and not have to worry about our high cost of living, including our high healthcare costs.

While I think we should welcome new neighbors, we should expect them to either shoulder the costs of living here or find friends, relatives, and charitable organizations that will help them do so.

Finally, the pro-tax side may portray your yes vote as a way to resist Trump and DC Republicans. But I urge you to hold two opinions simultaneously that may seem contradictory yet aren’t: you can hate the Administration’s hostile treatment of immigrants while also believing that local government should be fiscally responsible.  We have to manage our budgets carefully; those taking our tax money should be just as responsible.

If Supervisors are able to pass this sales tax in 2026 by a wide margin, there is every reason to think that they will come back for even more taxes in the years ahead with cities following them.  We already know that a transit sales tax increase of 0.5% is likely to be on the November ballot, another case of failing to manage BART and AC Transit money prudently.  So, I hope you’ll vote no in June, talk to your friends, and consider volunteering with our group to oppose this measure.

For more information about the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association visit www.cocotax.org.

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Morning and evening riders participated in a game to make personal connections while riding transit

By Transbay Coalition

Yesterday, Wednesday, February 11th, was International Make A Friend Day, and transit advocates were helping people throughout the region to make a friend on transit.  Morning and evening riders participated in a game across Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties to make personal connections while riding transit.

Early that morning hundreds of Bay Area residents participated in Make a Friend (On Transit) Day and wore name tags as they went about their regular BART, Caltrain, ferry and bus trips to celebrate the day and build camaraderie in the Bay.

“It’s good for us all to remember the old saying that strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.” said Carter Lavin, Transbay Coalition Co-Founder. “Transit is a shared public resource, connects us all, and is an integral part of our community. Make A Friend (On Transit) Day may be simple and a bit silly, but we hope it can bring a little more joy and connection.”

Between 7:30 and 9am at 10 BART stations, five Caltrain stations and one ferry terminal across the region, transit advocates across the region passed out materials at all corners of the Bay from Antioch to San Jose, San Francisco to Dublin/Pleasanton, Redwood City to Oakland. Despite a drizzly morning, transit riders wearing name tags with, “Hi my name is _____, ask me about ______” got to know one another while chatting about a range of topics including Bad Bunny, 3D printing, R&B, dancing, hobbits, and much more. A nice reminder that making a new friend can be as simple as getting to know your fellow transit rider.

“Make a Friend Day reminds us that friendship is a powerful bond that connects us all. Let public transit be that bridge; a simple hello to a fellow passenger today has the potential to brighten someone’s world,” says Tri Delta Transit CEO Rashidi Barnes.

In the evening, Transbay Coalition hosted free events at five locations around the Bay for people to gather and have another opportunity for folks to make some new friends.

“Make A Friend on Transit Day is a great reminder that our buses and stations are shared community spaces,” said Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection. “A simple hello can go a long way.”

Tri Delta Transit, County Connection and LAVTA Wheels helped  with nametag distribution at Antioch, Concord and Dublin/Pleasanton BART stations– which are also bus hubs served by the agencies. BART, Caltrain and SF Bay Ferry promoted the events on social media.

“SF Bay Ferry loves to welcome enthusiastic riders onboard our vessels. We hope that Make a Friend on Transit Day is an opportunity for passengers to connect about their favorite experiences on the ferry,” shared Teo Saragi, SF Bay Ferry spokesperson.

About Transbay Coalition

The Transbay Coalition is a grassroots public transportation advocacy group championing bold near-term solutions to the Bay Area’s regional transportation crisis. Founded to campaign for dedicated bus-only lanes on the Bay Bridge and its approaches, we’re striving to create an equitable and efficient public transit system and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our Mission and Vision is to build an equitable, seamless, and successful transportation network in the Bay Area by building a broad-based, ongoing, grassroots movement to advocate for equitable, sustainable public transportation.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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To pay for healthcare costs, offsetting cuts in federal budget

If passed, sales tax rate in 10 of the 19 cities in the county would increase by 0.625% to over 10%

By Allen D. Payton

During their regular, weekly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors decided to tell the taxpayers that they love our money by giving an early Valentine’s Day gift of a 5/8-cent sales tax increase measure on the June ballot. As a general tax, a simple majority of voters will have to give it their support in order to pass. If they do, it will generate an estimated $150 million per year for five years for a total of $750 million, intended to pay for healthcare for county residents impacted by federal budget cuts.

To adopt the sales tax ordinance a 4/5 vote of the Board was required but it passed unanimously. According to the proposed “2026 Retail Transactions (Sales) and Use Tax Ordinance”, all of the proceeds from the tax will be placed in the County’s general fund and used for purposes consistent with general fund expenditures of the County.

Timeline to the Supes Vote

In the staff presentation for the proposed ordinance, the supervisors were provided with the timeline of events that led up to their vote: On November 18, 2025, the County Administrator’s Office offered a presentation on the State Budget and impacts of H.R.1, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump which cuts healthcare expenditures. Then, on December 16th, the Health, Employment and Human Services departments provided an in-depth presentation on federal and state financial impacts. That was followed on January 20th by Board direction for seeking legislation allowing for an additional 0.625% general sales tax and development of a related taxing ordinance for a period of five years. Finally, during last Tuesday, February 3rd’s Board Retreat, presentations from Beacon Economics, the County Finance Director, California Welfare Director’s Association (CWDA) and the California Association of Public Hospitals & Health Systems (CAPH) were made to the Board.

Projected Sales Tax Levels by City

If the measure passes, the amount of sales tax collected in each city in the county will increase by 0.625% or 62.5 cents for each $100 spent on taxable items. The presentation shows the sales tax increase would cause 15 of the 19 cities in the county to be above the local sales tax cap, including the tax cap changes from SB1349. That law, passed in 2020, allowed Contra Costa County to impose a sales tax of up to 0.5% for transportation projects, which is exempt from the state’s 2% cap. According to an April 2025 Issue Brief on Sales and Use Tax by the California State Association of Counties, “Today, the statewide sales tax rate on eligible taxable goods is 7.25%.”

According to the CA Department of Tax and Fee Administration, “The…7.25%…is made up of three parts:

• 6.00% State
• 1.00% Local Jurisdiction
• 0.25% Local Transportation Fund

Some components of the state rate go to various local revenue funds.”

In addition, “Cities may impose a rate of up to one percent (1%).”

In California, the local sales tax cap is generally set at 3.5% above the 6% state sales tax rate for a total of 9.5%.

Following is the list of the new sales tax amounts by city if the county measure passes:

The cities with the highest current sales tax rates in the state are Alameda and Albany at 10.75%. With the proposed Contra Costa sales tax increase, El Cerrito and Pinole would have the highest sales tax rate in both the county and state at 10.875%. Antioch would have the second highest in the county at 10.375%. That does not include other sales taxes that may be passed in 2026 including the regional transit tax slated for the November 2026 ballot, which would be an additional 0.5% Countywide. (See related article)

Gioia Offers Comments on Facebook, in TV Interview

In a post by John Gioia on his Facebook page, today, Feb. 11th, he shared a video of his comments during a KTVU FOX2 interview “about why a unanimous bi-partisan Board of Supervisors is placing a 5/8 cent temporary 5-year sales tax on this June’s ballot to protect our county’s hard working families from Trump’s devastating health, human services and food assistance cuts.”

“The average Contra Costan would pay about $10 per month to prevent over 50,000 people from losing healthcare and crowding emergency rooms that we all use and protecting emergency response times,” he added.

Resolution Details

The Resolution adopted by the Board includes the following clauses, “On July 4, 2025, the President signed H.R. 1, which enacted the deepest cuts in our country’s history to Medicaid and the federal food assistance programs;

“Medicaid and Medicare are the largest sources of revenue for the County’s public health and hospital/clinic system, which provide lifesaving and essential care to county residents, including Medi-Cal beneficiaries, Medicare recipients, and uninsured residents.

“H.R. 1 immediately freezes supplemental Medicaid funding and blocks the County from drawing down expected supplemental payments, producing escalating negative impacts on the County’s budget, while simultaneously making significant eligibility changes which will cause thousands of county residents to lose health coverage;

“Lack of health coverage often causes people to delay medical care resulting in sicker residents and will increase demand for emergency care sought by residents no longer able to access preventative healthcare after losing insurance coverage;

“More than 335,000 County residents rely on Medi-Cal for their health care, and the County is the primary health-care provider for this population;

“H.R. 1 also makes substantial reductions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), limiting food assistance relied upon by approximately 110,000 county residents;

“As a result of the federal funding cuts and rising costs, the County projects annual revenue losses exceeding $300 million by 2029;

“The combination of decreased federal funding with the increased demands on the County’s healthcare and social services threatens ALL County services, from public safety to homeless services;

“An additional five-eighths of one cent countywide general transaction and use tax (sales tax) would generate an estimated $150 million annually for five years…”

Adopted Proposed Ballot Measure Language

The resolution also includes the proposed ballot measure language pending approval by the County Clerk’s Office:

“To help Contra Costa County address deep cuts in federal funding; support critical local services such as health care, supplemental food assistance, and other general county services; and reduce the risk of closures at Contra Costa’s regional hospital and health clinics, shall Contra Costa County adopt a five-eighths of one cent general sales tax for 5 years, providing an estimated $150,000,000 annually, not available to the federal government and subject to annual audits and independent citizens oversight?”

The primary election will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

For more details see Discussion Item D.2. on the Board Agenda for their meeting on Feb. 10, 2026, and watch the meeting video beginning at the 2:20:18-minute mark.

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Including stealing bags of jewelry valued at $300K to $500K from San Pablo jewelry store

Will serve combined 60 years in prison

One suspect arrested 30 times since 2013

By U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Nine associates of the Oakland-based “Ghost Town” gang have been sentenced to a combined total of nearly 60 years in prison for a series of armed robberies targeting small Bay Area businesses.  The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín, with the final defendant sentenced today.

The nine defendants, Demarco Barnett, 36 of Oakland; Jakari Jenkins, 34 of Stockton; Danny Garcia, 41; Garland Devonte Rabon, 30 of Mountain House; Aramiya Burrell, 35 of Oakland; Lester Andre Garnett, 34 of Tracy; Darrin Andre Hutchinson, 39 of Cherryland, CA, located between San Leandro and Hayward; Ricky Joseph, 37 of Oakland; and Keanna Alloise Smith-Stewart, 33 of West Sacramento, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce.  Based on their involvement, eight of the defendants also pleaded guilty to a varying number of substantive counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce.

The robberies took place in 2022.  On March 18, 2022, the co-conspirators engaged in the armed robbery of a coin and stamp store located on the tenth floor of a building in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco.  The co-conspirators entered the store, brandished firearms, and demanded money from the business and the two individuals who happened to be present at the time – the owner and his son. The robbers struck the head and zip-tied the hands of the owner’s son, and absconded with cash, jewelry, and coins.  Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, and Joseph were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

The co-conspirators then struck a San Pablo jewelry store on Nov. 12, 2022.  Five co-conspirators, at least three of whom were brandishing firearms, entered the store and pretended to be customers, while two others waited outside in the getaway cars.  The co-conspirators stole bags of jewelry valued at approximately $300,000 to $500,000.

As previously reported, the pretend customers left jewelry with the operators of the store. According to the indictment, Jenkins, Barnett, and Rabon arrived at the jewelry store with at least four other co-conspirators and robbed the store of jewelry, including the jewelry that members of the gang previously had left with the store. The robbers arrived in two getaway cars—both Dodge Chargers bearing stolen license plates. Five co-conspirators, at least three of whom were brandishing firearms, entered the store while two of the co-conspirators waited outside in the getaway cars. The co-conspirators stole bags of jewelry valued at approximately $300,000 to $500,000. The indictment describes how all four defendants in the superseding indictment later wore the stolen jewelry, shared the stolen jewelry with other members of Ghost Town gang members, or otherwise made use of the stolen jewelry for their personal purposes.

Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, Rabon, Garcia and Hutchinson were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

A third robbery occurred on Dec. 24, 2022, of a marijuana business in Oakland.  The co-conspirators arrived at the business as an employee was leaving it.  The robbers brandished weapons, directed the employee back into the building at gunpoint, demanding “budded weed” and “money.”  One of the robbers struck the employee in the head with a firearm.  The robbers searched through the employee’s pockets and stole his bank debit card.  The robbers absconded with the victim’s debit card and a bag of marijuana plant trimmings.  Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, Rabon, Burrell, Garnett, and Garcia were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

The following chart summarizes the number of counts each defendant pleaded guilty to and the sentence each defendant received:

 

Defendant	Number of Counts in Guilty Plea	Sentence (months)
Demarco Barnett	Conspiracy + 3 substantive robberies	114
Jakari Jenkins	Conspiracy + 3 substantive robberies	96
Danny Garcia	Conspiracy + 2 substantive robberies	84
Garland Rabon	Conspiracy + 2 substantive robberies	75
Aramiya Burrell	Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery	82
Lester Garnett	Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery	70
Darrin Hutchinson	Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery	70
Ricky Joseph	Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery	68
Keanna Smith-Stewart	Conspiracy	50
Total		709

 

In addition to the custodial time, the Court also ordered restitution in the amount of $150,338.00.

The Violent Crime Strike Force is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Yenni Weinberg.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Oakland Police Department.

Previous Arrests of Suspects

According to localcrimenews.com, the five-foot, 11-inch, 215-pound Demarco is Black and has a history of nine arrests dating back to 2014 including five times for burglary and once for hit-and-run; the five-foot, five-inch tall, 180-pound Jenkins is Black and has been arrested 30 times since 2013 including 14 times for burglary, plus, multiple times for domestic violence, drugs and gun charges; the six-foot tall, 190-pound Rabon is Black and has a history of 11 arrests since 2016 including multiple times for burglary and petty theft, as well as gun charges; the five-foot, seven-inch tall, 195-pound Burrell is Black and has been arrested nine times since 2014 including for carjacking, burglary and multiple gun and ammunition charges; the six-foot, one-inch tall, 190-pound Garnett is Black and has been arrested six times since 2015 including multiple times for burglary as well as for DUI, gun and drug charges; the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 260-pound Hutchinson is Black and has been arrested three times including once for being an addict in possession of a firearm; Joseph is Black and has three arrests including one for burglary; and the five-foot, five inch tall, 135-pound Smith-Stewart is Black and has been arrested once on April 29, 2024, but no details were available. Information about Garcia was requested. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Further Information:

Case No. 23-cr-00191-AMO

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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By Colleen Awad, City of Concord Community Relations Manager

Concord, CA (February 10, 2026) – City Manager Valerie Barone announced today that Public Works Division Manager Kit Jory has been promoted to Public Works Director for the City of Concord, effective February 16, 2026. He replaces Director William Tarbox who served in the position since December 2021 according to his LinkedIn profile.

“Over the past several years, Kit Jory has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep understanding of the needs of our city’s residents. He has led numerous initiatives to effectively and efficiently deliver public works services to our community and to beautify our City; and I look forward to seeing the lasting impact of his leadership,” said Barone.

In this new role, Jory will be responsible for the City’s infrastructure maintenance (roads, trees, buildings, medians, sewer, stormwater, and parks) and will oversee a team of 94 skilled and dedicated public employees.

Since 2022, he has served as the Public Works Division Manager. In this role, he has led the City’s successful overhaul of maintenance operations across parks and made substantial advances in the City’s Urban Forestry Program.

Prior to joining the City of Concord, Jory served as Community Services Superintendent and City Arborist for the City of Fremont, and as an Operations and Management Crew Leader in Public Works for the City of Modesto. He brings over 20 years of experience in both private industry and public agencies. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Management and Leadership and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis on organizational change.

On accepting the position, Jory said, “I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to continue to serve such a diverse community, professional and collaborative City staff, and a forward-thinking City Council in this leadership role.”

For more information about the City of Concord Public Works Department visit Public Works | Concord, CA.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

 

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By Laura Kindsvater, Senior Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

CONTRA COSTA, ALAMEDA, STANISLAUS AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES—Explore some of the East Bay’s premiere hiking and natural areas with Save Mount Diablo in 2026, including places normally closed to the public.

The Discover Diablo outings series offers guided hikes, themed walks, and other outdoor activities: mountain biking; rock climbing; meditation in nature; plein air painting events; and property tours.

New this year are a Green Ranch rove, and a Spanish language hike at Pine Canyon.

We’ll also be continuing much-loved events in 2026 including rock climbing at Mount Diablo State Park and Pinnacles National Park, stargazing with the Mount Diablo Astronomical Society, our Mitchell Canyon medicinal herb walk, Pinnacles condor hikes and our tarantula treks!

Save Mount Diablo is offering a total of 36 more excursions in 2026 in Contra Costa County (Walnut Creek, Clayton, Concord, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Danville, and San Ramon), Alameda County (Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton), Stanislaus County (Patterson), and San Benito County (Hollister and San Juan Bautista). All events are free to the public. Trailblazers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to choose appropriate outings from our extensive offerings.

The Discover Diablo program began in 2017 to connect local communities to the spectacular natural world of the Mount Diablo area and to build awareness about land conservation.

Hikes and outings take place at Save Mount Diablo’s conserved properties or on park lands in the Diablo Range. These include Mount Diablo State Park, East Bay Regional Park District, Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation, Contra Costa Water District, Stanislaus County Parks, and National Park Service lands.

Discover Diablo hikes are guided by experts steeped in the natural history and lore of the region, who both educate and entertain while emphasizing the breathtaking beauty that the Diablo Range has to offer.

Save Mount Diablo hopes the Discover Diablo series will spark a passion for the Diablo Range and deepen people’s connections to the land and nature.

Ted Clement, Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo, stated, “It is the goal of the Discover Diablo program to build connections between people, Save Mount Diablo, and the land, helping our communities develop a strong sense of place and a deepened appreciation for our collective backyard. Most importantly, we want to cultivate a love of the land in participants, as that is what it will take to ensure the precious Diablo natural areas are taken care of for generations to come.”

There is something right for anyone to discover in the nooks and crannies surrounding Mount Diablo and within its sustaining Diablo Range, so be sure to hit the trails in 2026 and find your own individual inspiration!

RSVPs required. To ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to attend, registration for hikes and outings will open one month prior to each hike’s date. See our schedule of upcoming hikes and outings; view and RSVP online here: https://savemountdiablo.org/what-we-do/educating-and-inspiring-people/discover-diablo-hikes-outings/

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Free gifts at Grand Opening Saturday, February 14th

Second San Francisco East Bay location by co-owner Julie Husic marks the brand’s 68th location nationwide

By Anna Gasiorowski, Senior Account Executive, Segal Communications

BRENTWOOD, CA — FACE FOUNDRIÉ, an efficient and effective focused facial bar providing affordable, approachable, and accessible skincare in a modern and inclusive environment, has announced the opening of its newest franchise location at The Streets of Brentwood. The Grand Opening celebration will be held on Saturday, February 14th, at 10 a.m. 

This opening marks the brand’s fifth location in California and the second franchise for Husic Beauty, a family-operated franchise group, following the successful debut of their first facial bar in Emeryville less than six months ago.

“We are thrilled to bring FACE FOUNDRIÉ to another wonderful East Bay community,” said Julie Husic, franchise co-owner. “Our experience in Emeryville reaffirmed the strong demand for quality skincare at an affordable price, and opening in Brentwood is an important step toward our goal of bringing this incredible brand to more communities throughout the region.”

Julie Husic oversees operations for the franchise group she co-owns with her two sons, FJ and Paris Husic, who lead marketing efforts. The expansion into Brentwood reflects FACE FOUNDRIÉ’s continued franchise growth and momentum in Northern California and represents a key milestone as the brand joins the re-envisioning of Streets of Brentwood by CenterCal Properties, LLC. The Husic family views this location as an opportunity to further serve the diverse needs of East Bay residents by offering an elevated yet affordable alternative to traditional spa services, while reinforcing FACE FOUNDRIÉ’s commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality experiences supported by strong local ownership.

Join us for the FACE FOUNDRIÉ Brentwood Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, February 14th from 10–11:30am at The Streets of Brentwood, 2455 Sand Creek Road, Suite 132, Brentwood, next to Chico’s on the east end of The Streets.

The first 50 guests in line will receive a free Focused Facial coupon and a goodie bag from local businesses, plus, enjoy mini FACE FOUNDRIÉ consultations, demos, and a photo/selfie station.

Hint: come early to secure your spot!

This wonderful team couldn’t be more excited to join the Brentwood community and to celebrate with all of you. We hope to see you there!

“We are excited to welcome FACE FOUNDRIÉ to The Streets of Brentwood,” said Charles Martinez, Senior General Manager. “Their innovative approach and commitment to exceptional guest experiences will be a strong addition to our growing mix of retail partners. We look forward to the value they will bring to the community.”

FACE FOUNDRIÉ continues to differentiate itself from its competitors through a broad selection of services and commitment to affordability, approachability and accessibility. The brands’ two different monthly membership options offer clients discounted services and products, enabling them to maintain a consistent skincare routine at a lower cost while experiencing the convenience of a focused facial bar.

For more information about FACE FOUNDRIÉ’s services or to book an appointment at the new Brentwood location, visit www.facefoundrie.com/brentwood and follow @husicfam.facefoundrie on Instagram.

ABOUT FACE FOUNDRIÉ

FACE FOUNDRIÉ is an all-inclusive focused facial bar. We empower our customers to look and feel their best by providing cutting-edge services, accessible pricing, and an extensively trained staff of experts that deeply care. Our goal is to provide efficient and effective services for all things face: facials, lashes, brows, and skincare. We pride ourselves on offering an impeccable service experience and strive for 100% consumer satisfaction! We aim to be affordable, approachable and accessible to all.

ABOUT THE STREETS OF BRENTWOOD

The Streets of Brentwood, a top-tier shopping destination located in Brentwood, Calif., features a dynamic and convenient mix of retail, dining, and entertainment. It is the premier shopping, dining, and entertainment lifestyle destination within the hub of four major California regions — Bay Area, Tri-Valley, Sacramento Delta, and the Central Valley. Featuring more than 40 stores and restaurants and a 14-screen AMC Theatre with IMAX. For more information, visit: ShopStreetsOfBrentwood.com.

ABOUT CENTERCAL PROPERTIES, LLC

CenterCal, a premier full-service commercial real estate company founded in 2004, is redefining the landscape of the western U.S. With a focus on community-building, the company creates spaces that foster connection, enjoyment, and a sense of belonging. Under the visionary leadership of founder Jean Paul Wardy, CenterCal has become synonymous with excellence and innovation, boasting a portfolio of iconic destinations across California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Rooted in core values that include creative persistence, uplifting communities, and creating magical places, CenterCal specializes in the investment, development, leasing, and management of high-quality retail and mixed-use developments from its headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif. More information, including a full property portfolio, is available at www.centercal.com.

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By Greg Burt, Vice President, California Family Council

LONG BEACH, CA — Outside a Long Beach hotel where the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) convened its Federated Council meeting last Friday morning, Feb. 6, 2026, female athletes stood shoulder to shoulder with parents, advocates, and state lawmakers to deliver a clear and urgent message: girls’ sports are for girls.

The 111-year-old CIF, according to Wikipedia, is the governing body for public and private high school sports in California.

The February 6 press conference, organized by California Family Council’s Outreach Director Sophia Lorey, ahead of the CIF meeting, marked a significant moment in California’s ongoing debate over fairness and safety in women’s athletics. For the first time, two members of the California State Assembly publicly joined female athletes to confront CIF leadership over policies that allow males who identify as transgender to compete in girls’ sports and access female locker rooms, policies critics argue violate the original intent of Title IX. (Watch the press conference here…)

But the peaceful gathering also revealed the deep political divide surrounding the issue, as a prominent Democrat legislator representing the Long Beach area publicly criticized the presence of Republican lawmakers and dismissed concerns raised by female athletes.

Athletes Speak: “This Isn’t Fair. This Isn’t Safe.”

At the heart of the press conference were the voices of young women whose athletic careers have been directly impacted by CIF policies.

Reese Hogan, a varsity tri-sport athlete in track and field at Crean Lutheran High School, described the toll of repeatedly competing, and losing, against a male athlete in girls’ events.

“Track is not just something I do. It’s who I am,” Hogan said. “I train to push my limits, to compete fairly, and to earn every achievement through hard work. But over the past two years, that fairness has been taken away from me.”

Hogan detailed five separate competitions, spanning from May 2024 to January 2026, in which she lost to a male athlete competing in the girls’ division. One moment, she said, still stands out.

“At CIF finals, I broke my school record in the triple jump,” Hogan explained. “I jumped 37.2, earning a new personal record and breaking my school record. It was one of the proudest moments of my athletic career. That jump should have earned me first place.” Instead, a male athlete who jumped 4 feet farther placed first.

Hogan said the experience was devastating.

“CIF, why won’t you do anything?” she asked. “You are protecting males competing in women’s sports more than you are protecting the women the sport was created for.”

Hogan warned that allowing males into girls’ sports is not merely unfair, but dangerous.

“There is a reason sports are divided by sex,” she said. “It is not a matter of opinion; it’s a matter of fact.”

Locker Rooms and Lost Privacy

Another athlete, Audrey Vanherweg, a senior and four-year varsity athlete at Arroyo Grande High School, spoke about the consequences of CIF policies beyond the field of play.

Two years ago, Vanherweg said, she began hearing rumors that a boy was using the girls’ locker room. At first, she tried to ignore it. But when she learned that the same male student would also compete in girls’ track and field, the issue became unavoidable.

“I wasn’t going to go into a locker room and change in front of a boy,” Vanherweg said. Especially since he “wasn’t changing himself, but simply just watching all of us girls undress.”

Rather than risk her privacy, Vanherweg made a painful decision.

“I decided to go change in my car,” she said. “I’m more comfortable changing in my own car than in my own school locker room, where boys are welcomed to watch girls undress.”

As a thrower, she explained, competing against males also undermines fairness.

“Boys have a strength advantage,” she said, explaining that boys compete with the heavier implements in track and field competitions. “So, if a boy decides to throw as a girl, he not only has the strength advantage, but also a lighter implement.”

Vanherweg said she is speaking out not just for herself, but for future generations of girls.

“I’m speaking out against CIF policy, not only for myself, but for all other girls, girls who are too afraid to speak out, girls who don’t know what’s going on, and girls who haven’t been born yet,” she said.

Lawmakers Step In

Standing with the athletes were Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez (R–Murrieta) and Assemblyman David Tangipa (R–Fresno), the first time multiple Republican legislators have publicly joined female CIF athletes at such an event.

Assemblywoman Sanchez, author of AB 89, the Protect Girls’ Sports Act, said the rejection of her bill in committee last year did not end the fight.

“Politicians killed the bill, but they didn’t kill this movement,” Sanchez said. “And they didn’t silence these athletes.”

Sanchez emphasized that Title IX was designed to guarantee fairness and opportunity for women.

It was “never meant to be controversial,” she said. “It was meant to guarantee girls a fair shot, a fair race, a fair roster, and a fair opportunity to win.”

She warned that those protections are being eroded across California.

Girls “are losing podium spots, losing championships, losing scholarships… and some are even losing the basic right to privacy and safety in their own locker rooms.” Sanchez said. “That is not equality. That is not progress, and we will not pretend it is.”

Assemblyman Tangipa, a former Division I football player at Fresno State, challenged fellow lawmakers to stop referring to those who want female-only sports as Nazis. He also urged fathers to confront the reality facing young women.

“Why or how is it somehow believed [that it’s] Nazi ideology when you just wanna place to dress freely, and why and how is it Nazi ideology when you want to play in your sport freely?” Tangipa asked. “Why do we ignore safeguards and disregard biology and reality, which is insanity?

He urged fathers to step up.

“There are boys in your daughter’s locker room. There are boys in your daughter’s sports,” he said. “Where are you?”

Tangipa pledged continued action, including potential ballot initiatives, to restore protections for female athletes.

A Democrat Arrives—Then Attacks

In an unexpected development, Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal (D–Long Beach), the Speaker pro Tempore and representative of the district where the CIF meeting was held, appeared near the protestors, but not to support their cause.

Instead, Lowenthal criticized the presence of Republican legislators in his district, accusing them of staging a press conference “about trans kids in sports” without notifying him.

“We all know they don’t actually care about women,” Lowenthal said, adding that an upcoming budget vote funding $90 million for “women’s reproductive health, [abortion]” specifically for Planned Parenthood, would prove his point.

Assemblywoman Sanchez later responded by posting a video of Lowenthal’s remarks on X. (Watch this post here…)

“Respectfully,” Sanchez wrote, “I will stand up to protect girls’ sports in any city, and I’ll always stand with these brave women… No man, especially not you, will ever tell me otherwise.”

Sophia Lorey Challenges CIF

After the press conference, Sophia Lorey, Outreach Director for California Family Council and a former four-year CIF varsity athlete herself, addressed the CIF Federated Council directly, issuing a pointed challenge to its leadership. Lorey rejected the claim that CIF’s hands are tied by state law, arguing that the federation has the authority to act now if it chooses to do so.

“You have a policy in place,” Lorey told the board. “Until you remove the policy that allows males to be in female locker rooms and sports, you can’t say your hands are tied by the state. Remove that policy and stand up for these girls.” Lorey emphasized that female athletes should never have to resort to lawsuits to secure basic protections, adding that CIF leaders have a limited window to act. “Silence is no longer neutrality,” she warned, calling on CIF officials to work with advocates and restore fairness and safety in girls’ sports.

Many of the female athletes also went inside to address CIF leadership directly during the public comment period.

For them, the issue is not partisan.

“This isn’t about politics,” Sanchez said. “It’s about principle.” And as the athletes made clear, they are no longer willing to be silent.

“When you sideline girls,” Sanchez warned CIF leaders, “we will stand up. When you ignore them, we will amplify them. And we will not stop fighting.”

About California Family Council

California Family Council works to advance God’s design for life, family, and liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, and Culture. By advocating for policies that reinforce the sanctity of life, the strength of traditional marriages, and the essential freedoms of religion, CFC is dedicated to preserving California’s moral and social foundation.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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Mike Bowers served as interim leader since February 2025

By Elissa Harrington, Sr. Media Relations & PR Rep., Kaiser Permanente Northern California

OAKLAND, Calif.— Kaiser Permanente has named Mike Bowers as president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals in Northern California.

Bowers has served as the region’s interim president since February 2025, overseeing operations for 21 hospitals and 203 medical offices, as well as the health care and coverage of 4.6 million Kaiser Permanente members.

Bowers joined Kaiser Permanente in 2022 as senior vice president for health plan and hospital operations in Northern California. Under his leadership, Northern California achieved significant improvements in care quality, patient safety, and affordability through an innovative care delivery redesign process. The region also earned national recognition, receiving seven prestigious Beacon Awards from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recognizing exceptional patient care and a supportive work environment.

“Mike’s leadership has strengthened our operational performance, expanded our joint efforts with The Permanente Medical Group, and elevated the experience we provide to our members,” said Craig T. Albanese, MD, president, Integrated Care and Coverage, Kaiser Permanente. “His proven ability to deliver meaningful results positions our Northern California region for continued growth and long-term success.”

Bowers brings nearly three decades of health care leadership experience to this role. Before joining Kaiser Permanente, he served as regional chief operating officer for SSM Health’s St. Louis and Southern Illinois regions, following four years as president of SSM Health St. Joseph Hospitals in St. Louis. His career has included leadership roles at Dignity Health in California’s Central Valley, Community Hospital Corporation in Dallas, and Memorial Hermann in Houston.

Bowers is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on multiple community boards. He holds both a Master of Health Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston–Clear Lake, and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

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Includes statewide offices, Congress, State Assembly, County Supervisor and others

Deadline: March 6 unless incumbent chooses to not run for re-election

By Dawn Kruger, Community and Media Relations Coordinator, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department 

Today, Monday, February 9, the Candidate Filing Period for the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election begins, and nomination papers will be available for candidates running for Statewide Constitutional offices, United States Representative in Congress, Member of the State Assembly, County offices and Superior Court Judges. The nomination period runs through 5:00 pm Friday, March 6, 2026, unless an incumbent chooses to not run for re-election. The deadline is then extended by five days to 5:00 pm Wednesday, March 11th.

Offices up for election include the statewide positions of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner and Board of Equalization, District 2. Plus, elections for the House of Representatives, State Assembly, Board of Supervisors, Districts 1 and 4, Assessor, Auditor-Controller, Clerk-Recorder, Treasurer-Tax Collector and County Superintendent of Schools  will be held in June, as well.

A list of offices currently up for election can be found here: www.contracostavote.gov/wp-content/uploads/26Jun02_PositionsUpForElection_OfficeOnly.pdf

Papers for offices that are up for election will be available at the Contra Costa Elections Office, located at 555 Escobar Street, Martinez. County Elections staff are working with the City Clerk in Richmond to help implement the electoral reform passed by the voters of Richmond in 2024 requiring candidates for City Council and Mayor to file with the City of Richmond and run in the Primary.

For further information on the primary election and key dates, go to www.contracostavote.gov

“Election activities for the 2026 Primary are ramping up in Contra Costa County,” said Kristin B. Connelly, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters. “Candidate filing is an important first step in the election process, and our Candidate Services team is prepared to guide prospective candidates through key deadlines, requirements, and resources as they consider running for public office.”

Interested candidates can schedule an appointment through email at candidate.services@vote.cccounty.us or by calling 925-335-7800. Walk-ins are accepted, but subject to the availability of staff. Appointments are available on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Filing documents and information will be provided to interested constituents at their appointment. The process takes approximately 20 minutes.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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