Contra Costa Herald

Source: PORAC

By Allen D. Payton

In a post on the Pittsburg Police Officers Association Facebook page last week, they announced that a Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) Fund A Hero account has been established to raise funds to help one of their own who was shot inside the police station by a detainee earlier this month. (See related articles here and here)

Then, over the weekend on PORAC’s Facebook page it was also announced: “Pittsburg Police Officer Jimmy Sanchez was seriously injured in the line of duty on September 3. His courageous actions helped protect fellow officers and prevent further harm. Stand with Officer Sanchez and his family. Donate to his Fund A Hero here: https://porac.org/fundraiser/pittsburgpoa_officerjimmysanchez/ .”

More was shared both on that website and the Pittsburg POA’s Facebook page offering more details, most of which had previously been reported.

They wrote, “On Thursday, September 3, Officer Jimmy Sanchez of the Pittsburg Police Department was seriously injured in the line of duty while protecting others and carrying out his duties as a police officer.

“Jimmy is a four-and-a-half-year veteran of the Pittsburg Police Department who has dedicated himself to serving the community and helping those around him. During this tragic incident, Jimmy was violently attacked by an armed suspect inside the department’s booking facility.

“Jimmy had approached the suspect after he requested water and said he was not feeling well. In an act that reflects the compassion and professionalism he brings to his work, Jimmy was simply attempting to check on the suspect’s welfare when he was suddenly ambushed.

“The suspect attacked Jimmy, striking him repeatedly with a firearm before firing a single round. “Jimmy suffered serious gunshot injuries, including a wound to his lower abdomen below his body armor.

“Despite being brutally beaten and shot, Jimmy refused to give up.

“He continued fighting and played a critical role in preventing the suspect from firing additional rounds. Jimmy’s actions gave responding officers the precious time they needed to enter the booking facility, disarm the suspect, and bring the attack to an end.

“Jimmy’s courage and determination undoubtedly saved lives that day.

“He was transported for emergency medical care and underwent surgery for his injuries. He is now recovering with his family, friends, and his Pittsburg Police Department family by his side.

“While Jimmy focuses on healing, his family is facing the difficult reality of caring for a loved one recovering from a traumatic line-of-duty injury while also caring for their 10-month-old baby. The physical and emotional challenges of this recovery are significant, and the last thing Jimmy and his family should have to worry about is the financial burden that accompanies an unexpected injury like this.

“Your support will help provide Jimmy and his family with meals and other essential expenses while they navigate his recovery. Every contribution, regardless of size, is an opportunity to show Jimmy and his family that they are not alone.

“The Pittsburg community, Jimmy’s fellow officers, friends, and countless others have already surrounded him with an incredible outpouring of support.

“Now, we ask you to stand with Jimmy and his family as he continues to fight to recover.

“Thank you for supporting Officer Jimmy Sanchez, his family, and the Pittsburg Police Department during this incredibly difficult time. Your generosity, prayers, and encouragement mean more than words can express.”

———-

As of early Monday morning, Sept. 14th, a total of $10,975 had been raised.

According to the website, “100% of donation proceeds will go to the organizing PORAC Association to distribute to the individual and/or their family.”

This year’s theme: “Americans Stand Ready”

By Martinez Police Department

Emergencies can happen anytime, and being prepared ahead of time can make all the difference.

According to Ready.gov, an official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “Each September, FEMA’s Ready Campaign celebrates National Preparedness Month…to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared. This year’s theme is, “Americans Stand Ready.”

FEMA’s Ready Campaign educates and empowers Americans to take some simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies, including those from natural hazards and man-made disasters. Ready asks individuals to do three key things: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and appropriate responses. Everyone should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive several days if an emergency occurs.

This list of emergency supply kit items is only a starting point. It is important that individuals review this list and consider the unique needs of their family, including pets, for items to include. Individuals should also consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, vehicle or other places they spend time.

Take a few simple steps this month to help keep you and your family ready:

• Know your risks
• Make an emergency plan
• Build a 72-hour kit (See FEMA’s Ready.gov Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit checklist)
• Get involved in your community

About Martinez CERT

Organized under FEMA, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates residents about disaster preparedness and equips them with practical skills for handling emergencies in residential settings. The program’s training covers essential skills such as emergency first aid, fire suppression, basic search and rescue, radio usage, command structure

Trained CERT members are prepared to assist their families and neighbors during disasters when professional responders might be delayed. Developed originally by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, CERT became a national initiative in 1993. Today, with more than 3,200 local programs across all 50 states and over 600,000 trained individuals, CERT is an essential component to building a Culture of Preparedness in the United States.

Our partners with Martinez CERT play an important role in helping make our community stronger, safer, and more prepared. Whether it’s learning lifesaving skills, helping neighbors, or supporting first responders, CERT volunteers make a difference.

For more information visit Martinez Community Emergency Response Team.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Both were student-athletes at Liberty High in Brentwood, two others injured, including another Liberty student-athlete

By Lt. Franco Cesar, Antioch Police Department

ANTIOCH, CA – The Antioch Police Department is deeply saddened to report a fatal traffic collision that occurred early Sunday morning, claiming two lives and leaving others injured.

On September 13, 2026, at 12:11 AM, APD Dispatch received a report of a major vehicle collision in the area of Deer Valley Road and Balfour Road. Officers arrived on scene at 12:21 AM and located two vehicles involved: a white BMW and a silver Infiniti.

Tragically, two occupants inside the Infiniti died at the scene. A third individual from the Infiniti sustained injuries and was promptly transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The driver of the BMW also sustained injuries as a result of the collision.  According to Sgt. Rob Green the two deceased were 17-year-old males from Discovery Bay. According to a report by The Press, they were “Liberty High School student-athletes” and one of the injured was another current Liberty student and athlete from the school.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under active investigation by the Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit. Out of respect for the families and loved ones involved, law enforcement is working to confirm the identity of one victim and complete next-of-kin notifications before releasing additional information.

As investigators work to piece together the events leading up to the collision, the Antioch Police Department asks anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has surveillance or dashcam footage from the area around the time of the crash, to please come forward. If you have any information, please contact Sgt. Green of the Traffic Unit at (925) 779-6864. Anonymous tips may also be submitted directly to the department. Case No.: 26-8743.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Rendering of the planned Bay Skyway for the western span of the Bay Bridge. Source: MTC

A New Way to Cross the Bay

By Gavin Lohry, Bay Skyway Program Coordinator, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

A team is working to extend both ends of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge East Span Path into a broader network called the “Bay Skyway” that will link Oakland and the greater East Bay with Treasure Island and downtown San Francisco.

Every year, thousands of residents and visitors enjoy the path on the East Span of the Bay Bridge, a 15-foot-wide walking and biking path with panoramic views of San Francisco Bay. The path joins Berkeley and Emeryville with Yerba Buena Island with a bus connection and private ferry service to downtown San Francisco. The Bay Skyway project will extend the path in both directions, linking Oakland and the greater East Bay with Treasure Island and downtown San Francisco.

Building the Complete Bay Bridge Path

Creating the complete car-free path between San Francisco and the East Bay will take several significant steps.

Work on the first piece of the puzzle – known as the Multimodal Bay Skyway – is already underway and expected to be complete by 2031. It will connect the West Oakland Community all the way to Treasure Island. This part of the project is called multimodal because the final connection for the full journey to San Francisco will require taking transit (bus or ferry) from Treasure Island to downtown San Francisco.

The second piece of the puzzle – a bicycle/pedestrian path on the West Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge – is in the early planning stages.

Source: MTC

About the Bay Skyway

The Multimodal Bay Skyway is made up of two key projects—the Full West Oakland Link and the Full Yerba Buena Island Multi-Use Pathway—which together will extend both ends of the existing San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge East Span Path. Both projects are currently in the design phase with initial segments planned to open by 2029.

1. The West Oakland Link will extend the east end of the East Span path further to the east by constructing the missing connection to West Oakland, connecting with planned protected bike lanes on Grand Avenue to Downtown Oakland.
2. The Yerba Buena Island Multi-Use Pathway will extend the East Span path west to the Treasure Island intermodal hub. From there, travelers will be able to take a ferry or expedited bus into downtown San Francisco.
   • The electric ferry will connect Treasure Island and the San Francisco Ferry Building, with plans to extend service to Mission Bay in the future. Frequent electric ferry service intervals of 15-minute are not expected until 2030 or later.
   • Buses will operate on a new one-way bus-only lane and on ramp between Treasure Island and the Bay Bridge West Span that will decrease bus travel time to downtown San Francisco.

Part of Bay Trail

The Bay Skyway is a critical section of the San Francisco Bay Trail which, when complete, will give hikers, joggers, bicyclists, skaters and wheelchair users access to more than 500 miles of trails encircling the bay. With the rapid adoption of electric bicycles (e-bikes), the Bay Skyway will also provide an alternative for Bay Area residents to cross the Bay without adding to roadway or transit congestion.

Benefits

• Sustainability: Adds a new sustainable and low-cost travel mode along the Bay Bridge corridor, increasing capacity without increasing vehicle miles traveled (VMT), greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution. By connecting a Transbay pathway with an electric ferry network, the project supports car-free development and enables new Treasure Island residents to establish sustainable transportation options starting on move-in day.
• Access: Provides a connection for bicycle/e-bike/micromobility users going between San Francisco and Oakland, which are two cities with the lowest car ownership rates in California. It also provides 20,000 future residents of Treasure Island with improved transit and bicycle access to the East Bay and regional rail such as BART, Capitol Corridor and Amtrak.
• Equity Priority Communities: The Bay Skyway will provide access to high-quality jobs at the Port of Oakland and in downtown San Francisco, while providing an affordable transportation option for residents of equity priority communities on both sides of the Bay.
• Car-Free Housing: In the next decade, significant housing developments are planned in the areas around downtown San Francisco and adjacent to the Multimodal Bay Skyway. Projects include 8,000 units on Treasure Island, 5,000 in West Oakland and 29,000 in downtown Oakland, including thousands of affordable homes.

Part of Plan Bay Area 2050+

The Bay Skyway is included in Plan Bay Area 2050+ as part of the “Build Complete Streets Network” strategy to promote walking, biking and small electric micromobility vehicles (such as e-scooters) throughout the Bay Area.

Source: MTC

Partnership

MTC, the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA), Caltrans District 4, San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA), Treasure Island Mobility Management Agency (TIMMA), Alameda County Transportation Commission and San Francisco Bay Ferry are working on several projects in two phases to extend the path and connect downtown San Francisco and the East Bay.

Phase One

As of March 2026, about $100 million has been secured by MTC and SFCTA to construct the interim Multimodal Bay Skyway projects that include the interim West Oakland Link, the interim Yerba Buena Island Multi-Use Pathway and electric ferry charging infrastructure. The full buildout of the West Oakland Link and Yerba Buena Island Multi-Use Pathway will be completed when funding is secured.

Timeline

The Interim West Oakland Link (WOL) is in the detailed design phase with construction on the westernmost portion. In the near term, the project will rely on another MTC project — Bay Bridge Forward West Grand Avenue Bus and High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Phase 2 — to provide access sooner. The Bay Bridge Forward project includes the construction of a pedestrian and bicycle path connecting the eastern end of the WOL’s western touchdown and the West Grand Avenue/Mandela Parkway intersection. Construction of the Bay Bridge Forward path is expected to start and be completed in 2027. This path will not be impacted during the construction of the remaining portions of the interim WOL, which is anticipated to be completed by 2029. The full West Oakland Link will be constructed once funding is secured.

The Interim Yerba Buena Island Multi-Use Pathway (Interim YBI MUP) is currently under construction, expected to be complete in 2028, except for one section that includes a spiral loop ramp designed to connect the East Path landing with the Full YBI MUP.  Until funding is secured for the spiral loop ramp, westbound bicyclists will continue to use Macalla Road on improved protected bike lanes. Eastbound bicyclists will use the interim YBI MUP and a temporary connector at the location where the spiral loop ramp will be. Pedestrians will continue to use Macalla Road in both directions until the spiral loop ramp is built.

Electric ferry service is planned to begin in 2027 with connections to downtown San Francisco, and future service to Mission Bay is expected.

Source: MTC

Multimodal Bay Skyway Phase Two: Bay Bridge West Span

Bay Bridge West Span Path: Project Overview

The Bay Skyway Phase Two project will construct a bicycle and pedestrian pathway on the Bay Bridge West Span, which will allow a continuous route to walk, bike and e-bike between the East Bay and downtown San Francisco. The path will have the capacity to carry 7,500 bicycle trips and 4,500 people walking per hour across the Bay.  This project will build upon the infrastructure developed through the Multimodal Bay Skyway, connecting the West Span path to thousands of new residents on Treasure Island, the existing Bay Bridge East Span path, and into Oakland via the West Oakland Link. The next major milestone is completing the State and Federal environmental analyses, which can be finalized as early as 2027.

The Bay Skyway will help shift transbay trips to biking, e-biking and other micromobility options. This will reduce congestion in the transbay corridor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution while providing low-cost transportation options for Bay Area residents.

West Span Path Design

In 2018, alternative designs for a path on the Bay Bridge West Span were first presented to the public. As a result of this outreach and professional judgment, a design was chosen for a path on the north side of the bridge. This path will touch down on Essex Street in downtown San Francisco and on Yerba Buena Island, where it will connect to Treasure Island to the existing Bay Bridge East Span path via the Yerba Buena Island Multi-Use Pathway.

Source: MTC

Funding Challenges

The biggest challenge for the West Span Path project is securing funding. The cost is expected to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and no funding sources have been identified yet. State and Federal environmental analysis, the next step in the Phase 2 project, may be completed in 2027. If funding is secured, Phase 2 of the project could be completed as early as 2034.

Design Challenges

To move forward, the project must address several design issues including: safety during earthquakes, withstanding strong winds, providing access for maintenance crews, and maintaining enough clearance for shipping traffic.

Watch the video to learn more about the proposed West Span Path.

Take the Survey: Multimodal Bay Skyway Survey

Sign up for the Bay Skyway mailing list.

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.