Contra Costa Herald

Walnut Creek Police K9 Rollo. Photo: WCPD

By Walnut Creek Police Department

K9 Rollo will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Rollo’s vest was sponsored by Buddy the Basset and Friends of Scottsville, VA and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Buddy the Basset – A friend to all”. Delivery is expected within ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 6,513 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old, actively employed, and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lbs., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

Photos: Con Fire

By Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

On Monday, June 15, 2026, shortly before 11:40 a.m., Contra Costa Fire responded to a hazardous materials alarm at a facility in Concord. Facility personnel reported a fluorine leak alarm had activated inside the building, prompting an immediate evacuation of employees.

The first arriving crews confirmed the building was evacuated, secured the area and initiated hazardous materials operations.

Firefighters developed an entry plan and assembled a hazardous materials team to investigate the source of the leak. Firefighters entered the building wearing specialized protective equipment and conducted air monitoring throughout the facility. Operations were conducted to isolate the leak and safely shut down the affected valve.

Following mitigation efforts, a second entry team conducted additional monitoring throughout the building. Air monitoring confirmed all readings had returned to zero, indicating the leak had been successfully controlled and the atmosphere was safe.

As part of the operation, firefighters completed decontamination procedures before exiting the incident. Decon is the process of removing or neutralizing potentially hazardous substances from personnel and equipment before they leave the operational area. Crews utilized a Tiger Paw decontamination system and paper indicator testing to verify that no contamination remained on personnel or equipment.

No injuries were reported.

See more photos, here.

Google, FBI partnering on lawsuit against major criminal scam syndicate in China

Google endorsing Harder’s Stop SCAMS Act to create all-of-government response to organized cybercrime

By Kevin Winslow, Communications Director, Office of Congressman Josh Harder

WASHINGTON – On Monday, June 15, 2026, Rep. Josh Harder (D, CA-09) announced that his anti-scam advocacy led to a major coordinated crackdown on international scammers. Google, major tech companies, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced a lawsuit today against the China-linked cybercriminal network “Outsider Enterprise” alongside Google’s endorsement of Harder’s “Stop Schemes, Cyberfraud, Abuse, Manipulation, and Swindles Act” or Stop SCAMS Act, H.R. 7215, which would establish a government-wide task force to respond to cyberscams.

Organized crime rings are overwhelming law enforcement and victims alike:

• Groups like Outsider Enterprise have created over 9,000 fake websites, 1 million fraudulent URLs, and supported over 2.5 million scam texts to Android users alone.
• Californians lost as much as $2.5 billion to online scams in 2024, in the form of robocalls, texts, fake tax collections, phony job ads, card-declined alerts, and cryptocurrency schemes targeting seniors, veterans, and working families.
• Severe scams like identity theft are growing rapidly and increasingly targeting previous victims multiple times.

“International cybercriminals are robbing our families of their hard-earned savings, and we need a permanent solution to bring them to justice,” said Rep. Harder. “My Stop SCAMS Act would bring every level of government together to aggressively crack down on scams and the organized crime rings behind them. I’m grateful to have Google’s support and look forward to partnering with law enforcement and industry partners to stop cyber scams once and for all.”

“We strongly support the Stop SCAMS Act,” said Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google General Counsel. “Shutting down scammers takes a coordinated effort, and this bill will help government agencies work better together to keep Americans safe. Thank you to Representatives Harder and Fitzpatrick for championing this vital consumer protection.”

How the Stop SCAMS Act cracks down on organized cybercrime:

• New Task Force – Directs the FBI to organize a coordinated, government-wide task force to prevent and respond to modern scams.
• Better Data – Aligns inter-agency actions, definitions, and data to improve the efficiency of scam-fighting efforts.
• Prevention – Measures the effectiveness of scam prevention efforts and improves public education campaigns.

Harder represents California’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The new district boundaries under Prop 50 will include Antioch and other portions of Eastern Contra Costa County following the November election.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff recently discovered criminal conduct involving an employee at its Property Services Unit office in Concord.

Detectives launched an investigation into the conduct. During the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for the employee’s residence and as well as an arrest warrant.

This afternoon, detectives arrested the employee who was involved in thefts from the Property Services Unit.

He is identified as 62-year-old Kevin Ray Lee of Martinez. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on four felony charges: burglary, receiving stolen property, embezzlement and possession of an assault weapon. He is being held in lieu of $160,000 bail.

Lee joined the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office in May 1990 as a Deputy Sheriff and later became a Temporary Deputy Sheriff (Per-Diem) in 2012 and was assigned to the Property Services Unit.

In light of this incident, the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office will request the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to conduct an independent audit of the Property Services Unit.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Lee is Asian/Pacific Islander and bonded out of custody as of June 17th at 2:18 AM.

“All Sheriff’s Office employees are held to the highest standards and any employee who is involved in criminal conduct will be held accountable,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “This matter was taken seriously, and a thorough investigation was immediately launched once we learned about it.”

Guns confiscated during arrests on June 14 and 15, 2026. Photos: San Pablo PD

Richmond police assist

Included two juveniles, one sent to Juvie Hall, the other released to guardian

By San Pablo Police Department

Zero Dark Thirty Activities

On Sunday, June 14, 2026, at around midnight, San Pablo Police graveyard officers pulled over a car at the intersection of Church Lane and Dover Avenue for a vehicle code violation.

The officers were instantly greeted by the unmistakable smell of marijuana drifting out the car. Officers saw the driver acting nervously and appeared to be hiding something in his waistband. Based off these peculiar behaviors, officers asked the driver to step out of the car. Low and behold, Officers found a loaded gun in his waistband.

The suspect’s midnight joyride was cut short, and he was promptly fitted with silver bracelets and booked into the local Juvenile Hall.

The gun was found to be stolen and no person in the car was over the age of 21 with a medical permit.

On Monday, June 15, 2026, around 11 p.m. graveyard officers pulled over a car at the area of San Pablo Avenue and Van Ness Street for a vehicle code violation. The male driver must have thought the officer’s lights and siren were a polite suggestion, so he decided to not stop for a few blocks. When the car eventually stopped, officers got out of their cars, but simultaneously so did two female passengers at a much hastier pace.

The wild sequence of events unfolded as follows:

One female took off running, but while being chased, she decided to shed some weight by casually tossing a loaded 9mm Glock on someone’s lawn. Spoiler alert, she was shortly captured after.

Another female decided her best camouflage was to hide directly underneath a parked car. Shout out to the helpful neighbors who ratted her out to our officers!

Less of an aerodynamic (but just as effective) arrest. This female was found to be a juvenile out past her bedtime.

Meanwhile, the male driver left the two females and casually drove to his home in Richmond where Richmond Police Department officers were patiently waiting for his arrival for his complimentary ride to jail.

The car was slapped with a 30-day vacation at the tow yard, the adults were sent off to the county jail, and the juvenile was released to her guardian.

By Richmond Police Department

The Richmond Police Department is currently investigating a homicide that occurred in the 4500 block of Potrero Avenue.

Officers responded to the area and are actively conducting an investigation. Detectives remain on scene gathering evidence and following up on leads.

At this time, there is no additional information available for release. More details will be provided as they become available and when it is appropriate to do so without compromising the investigation.

We ask community members to avoid the immediate area and expect an increased police presence while investigators complete their work.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Richmond Police Department or submit an anonymous tip through the department’s tip line at (510) 223-1214.

The Richmond Police Department appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.

More information will be released when available.

By E. Harith Aleem, Parks and Recreation Director, City of Brentwood

BRENTWOOD, CA – The City of Brentwood invites residents and visitors to come together for its third annual Juneteenth Celebration, which will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Brentwood City Park. The event will commemorate Juneteenth and honor the rich history, culture and contributions of the African American community with an evening of live entertainment, food, shopping, community resources, family activities and celebration.

Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and serves as a time to reflect, honor, and celebrate an important moment in American history. Brentwood’s celebration will bring residents, families, friends and neighbors together for an evening of unity, connection, and community pride.

Headlining this year’s celebration is Grammy-nominated gospel singer Kim Burrell. The evening will also feature performances by local artists Stepz Dance Fitness, Split Second Response, Virtuous Voices Music Academy, Monique McCoy, Steven Green and Kritta.

Guests can enjoy a wide variety of eats provided by Foodie Crew food trucks, including Dad’s BBQ, Brooklyn’s Lunchbox, Fry Boys, Mini Donut Shack, Yummy Boba, Craving Cajun, Shawndee’s Comfort Kitchen, Mozzeria, Cousins Maine Lobster, Philly Cheesesteak, Jollof Kitchen and Rosie’s Mexican Food. Additional dessert vendors will include Gina’s Sweets & Treats, Carter’s Cannolis and Pound Bizness.

The celebration will also feature craft and merchandise vendors, including Ken’s Pretty Little Things, Holley’s Honey, BOWZ by Novi, Kreative Minds Inspire, AfriCali Designs, Niki Denise, Perch & Bloom, LEIMYA’s CO-OP, LaTisa’s Kingdom Living, LaSarah’s Prayer Closet, Lisa’s Sparkle Box, Kiki’s Kreations, Hey Carter!, Christye Creations, Kay’s Creations, The Adventures of Blu Pigtails and Bangi.

Community and educational booths will be available throughout the event, featuring organizations and partners such as Split Second Response, Contra Costa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Virtuous Voices Music Academy, Delta Bay Impact, Stepz Dance Fitness, Aspiranet, Never Gonna Give It Up, LLC, STEM and Sprout, Chosen Sports Leagues, Inc., Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department Navigators, First Page New Chapter, Caste Action Alliance, Affiliated Martial Arts Promoters Association, GirlTREK and Diablo Black Men’s Group.

This year’s celebration will also include kids’ activities and the Downtown Brentwood Freedom Walk, an interactive stamp card experience where participants can visit participating downtown businesses, learn facts about African American history, and enjoy local shops and restaurants along the way.

Separately, earlier that day, the American Red Cross will host a blood drive from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center. Blood drive participation is by appointment.

All are welcome to join the City of Brentwood for an evening of celebration, education, and connection.

For more information visit Juneteenth | Brentwood, CA.

By Toni Baldazo, Community Engagement Officer, City of Pittsburg

The City Council appreciates the members of the public who attended and participated in last night’s City Council meeting. The community’s engagement, questions and feedback are valued and play an important role in shaping our community’s future.

At the direction of the Mayor and the Pittsburg City Council, a workshop on development of data centers will be placed on an upcoming regular meeting of the City Council to allow for additional public engagement. The direction follows the June 15, 2026, meeting, where residents shared their perspectives on the development of data centers in Pittsburg.

The item will be discussed at an upcoming City Council meeting and will provide an opportunity for public participation and City Council direction. Consistent with California’s open-meeting law, that agenda will be posted publicly on bulletin boards at City Hall, 65 Civic Avenue, the Pittsburg Library, 80 Power Avenue, and on the City’s website, www.pittsburgca.gov. Pursuant to City practices, the agenda will be posted and emailed to all who have requested email notice of City Council agendas 10 days in advance of the meeting date so that residents have adequate notice and an opportunity to review the item, plan to attend, and offer public comment in advance of the meeting. In addition to this required posting the City will announce the meeting on each of its social media platforms.

We encourage residents to stay involved and to sign up to receive notifications about City projects and initiatives to remain engaged in the process. Sign up for the City’s enews here: pittsburgca.gov/government/enews-sign-up.

The City of Pittsburg remains committed to transparent, accessible processes and will continue to keep the community informed at every step.

Source: 10,000 Degrees

To support students from low-income backgrounds

At SF State July 18 – Limited spots available, first come, first served! 

By Rachel Clark, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager, 10,000 Degrees

The 10,000 Degrees College Access Program presents The Summit, a FREE one-day, in-person summer event on Saturday, July 18 | 9:00 – 5:00 PM, where students will visit San Francisco State University.

Lunch and transportation will be provided for FREE.

Open to Juniors and Sophomores who attend a high school in the following counties: Contra Costa, Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara.

Students will: Dive into action-oriented college workshops. Get an insider’s look at SF State. Explore essential student resources at a resource fair. Connect with the 10,000 Degrees team and learn about our scholarship. Bonus: Win raffle prizes.

About 10,000 Degrees College Access Program

We are dedicated to helping high school students from low-income backgrounds get to college, whether you enroll at a four-year university or community college. Students at our partner schools can receive support from Fellows right on campus and attend financial aid and college readiness workshops and events all year.

Our College Access Program for high school students starts with The Summit, an incredible college immersion program held in the summer before your senior year. You can participate in our programming as early as the spring of your junior year by checking out our program application! From there, we provide informational, action-oriented workshops to help you explore your college options, apply for free financial aid and the 10,000 Degrees Scholarship, complete college application, and more. Throughout your senior year, we also offer comprehensive college support at our partner high school directly on campus.

Limited spots available for The Summit college tour – first come, first served!

For more information visit https://10000degrees.org/students-alumni/high-school-students/#summit.

No changes in new leaders elected, countywide ballot measures

But lead change in 14th Assembly District second place for November run-off

By Allen D. Payton

According to the Contra Costa Elections Division, with the seven-day deadline to receive mail-in ballots passed on Tuesday and only 2,100 ballots remaining to be processed and 4,000 ballots to be cured, the results are confirmed as of June 10th at 3:23 p.m.: three new leaders have been elected, three re-elected, one ballot measure passed and two failed.  A total of 323,422 ballots were cast in the county resulting in a 44.21% turnout.

Plus, according to the California Secretary of State as of 7:25 p.m., second place in two of the closest races in the state have been determined, including one lead change since last Friday’s update.

Source: CCC Elections

County Leader Elections

In the four contested races for countywide positions no changes occurred. Dr. Dana Eaton defeated Dr. Jag Lathan for Superintendent of Schools; Vince Robb defeated his two opponents, Nick Spinner and Kismat Kathrani, for Assessor; Peter Karumbi defeated Deepika Naharas for Auditor-Controller; and incumbent County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar Kristin Connelly was re-elected having defeated challenger Pratima Sonavne.

Source: CCC Elections

Countywide Ballot Measures – A Passes, B & G Fail

In the three countywide ballot measure elections, Measure A, the Urban Limit Line renewal, passed overwhelmingly while Measure B, the County’s sales tax increase and Measure G, the college district’s bond, were defeated.

Measure A increased its margin of victory to 70.2% of the vote in favor to 29.8% opposed.

In the Measure B contest, while more “no” than “yes” votes were counted since last Friday’s update and the margin of defeat increased from 36,562 votes to now 41,093, the percentage of defeat decreased from 57.41% to 56.93% of the vote against. Yet, there are not enough votes remaining to be counted in the county for it to pass.

Although the “yes” votes overtook the “no” votes in the Measure G contest and currently lead by 253 votes, it requires 55% of the vote to pass. There are now 50.03% of the vote in favor to 49.97% opposed. Yet, even if all the remaining 6,100 ballots in the county included favorable votes, the bond measure would still fall about 12,000 votes short of passing.

Source: CA Secretary of State

Lead Change in 14th Assembly District

In the race for second place to determine who will face incumbent Democrat Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks in November in the 14th Assembly District, which includes most of West County and portions of Alameda County, a lead change occurred. Green Party candidate Mark Rendon has overtaken Republican Borgar Solnordal by 1,251 votes, a reversal of 2,201 votes since last Friday’s update and 3,336 votes since Election Night.

Source: CA Secretary of State

10th Congressional District

In the second-place contest to determine who will take on incumbent Democrat Rep. Mark DeSaulnier in November in the 10th Congressional District, which includes most of Contra Costa and portions of Alameda County, Republican Jeff Frese has 3,077 more votes than third-time candidate Katherine Piccinini. He increased his lead by 121 votes since the last update and 233 since Election Night.

The mystery candidate has a website, Facebook page with two followers, X/Twitter feed with zero followers and an Instagram account with one post and one follower as of June 10th. But Frese does not provide a photo of himself or description of what he does for work as a Small Business Owner, which is his ballot designation. Only an email address is provided. An effort to reach him comment about his advancing to the General Election and details about his business were unsuccessful prior to publication time.

Estimated number of unprocessed ballots in Contra Costa County:

Ballots voted at a voting location – 0

Vote-by-mail ballots received on or before Election Day – 0

Vote-by-mail ballots received after Election Day – 0

Provisional ballots – 100

Conditional Voter Registration Provisional ballots – 1,000

Other (In Review, Damaged) – 1,000

Total – 2,100

Ballots Left to Cure – 4,000

Next Results Expected (date and time): Friday, 6/12/2026, 4:00PM

Estimated number of unprocessed ballots in Alameda County:

Ballots voted at a voting location – 0

Vote-by-mail ballots received on or before Election Day – 0

Vote-by-mail ballots received after Election Day – 18,058

Provisional ballots – 233

Conditional Voter Registration Provisional ballots – 1,467

Other (In Review, Damaged) – 293

Total – 20,051

Ballots Left to Cure – 1,600

Next Results Expected: Friday, 6/12/2026, 4:00PM

According to the Secretary of State, “State law requires county elections officials to report final official results to the Secretary of State by July 3, 2026. The Secretary of State has until July 10, 2026, to certify the results of the election.”

Please check back later for any updates to this report.