By CHP Contra Costa
This morning, Monday, November 1, 2021, at about 10:45 AM, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision on westbound Highway 4, east of McEwen Road between Martinez and Hercules. The vehicle (a white Ford Ranger) was traveling westbound and left the roadway, rolling down an embankment. The driver and only occupant of the vehicle was not seat belted and was ejected from the vehicle.
The driver was transported to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
This collision is still under investigation, if anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.
Read MoreBy Allen Payton
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) San Francisco field office joined with the City of Pittsburg to present a special naturalization ceremony in the council chambers on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. At the event, 25 immigrants from 13 nations became U.S citizens. (See Zoom video – begins at 5-minute mark)
Nine the new U.S. citizens were from the Philippines, three from Mexico, two each from India and the United Kingdom, and one each from El Salvador, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Mongolia, Nicaragua and Pakistan.
Four of the new citizens shared about themselves. Roya Yousefelahiyeh, of Concord, came here from Iran to study, and now works as a civil engineer in wastewater treatment.
Pittsburg resident Suku Varney from Liberia applied, as do millions of others, for the diversity visa. He was selected at random and got the golden opportunity to immigrate to the U.S. As a student at San Francisco State, he’s doing an internship in Superior Court, and hopes to go to law school.
Antioch resident Sergio Roque Henriquez came here from El Salvador at age 16, speaking no English.
“I had a goal, to go to school,” he said.
His cousins helped him get an exception and enter the local junior college’s English as a Second Language classes. Now, he’s married, dad of two, ages 16 and 11 and works as a chef.
Concord resident Liswana “Celilia” Judanu, formerly of Indonesia. She came here in 1978 to join her brothers after being rejected by the State Department for a visitor visa. Back home, Celilia had studied English, so she did well and wound up as a long-time employee of Wells Fargo, working now as a credit associate.
The keynote speaker was Pittsburg Mayor Merl Craft and opening remarks were presented by Councilwoman Shanelle Scales-Preston USCIS San Francisco District Chief of Staff Joseph Hamilton administered the Oath of Allegiance, and City of Pittsburg Assistant Director of Economic Development and Recreation Kolette Simonton sang the National Anthem.
“We are so proud to have hosted Pittsburg’s first-ever naturalization ceremony alongside USCIS,” said Melaine Venenciano of the Pittsburg Community Services Department.
“It was a wonderful event, and it went so smoothly,” said Joseph J. Hamilton, Chief of Staff, District 42, USCIS. “I have no doubt that our 25 newest citizens will forever have fond memories of their naturalization ceremony and the City of Pittsburg.”
USCIS naturalized approximately 625,000 people in fiscal year 2020. Many of them applied using USCIS online tools. More than seven million people have applied online for immigration benefits. To file online, individuals must first create a USCIS online account at USCIS naturalized approximately 625,000 people in fiscal year 2020. Many of them applied using USCIS online tools. More than seven million people have applied online for immigration benefits. To file online, individuals must first create a USCIS online account at https://myaccount.uscis.gov/.
USCIS encourages new U.S. citizens to share their naturalization photos on social media using the hashtag #NewUSCitizen.
Facts on Naturalization
Since our founding, the United States has welcomed immigrants from all over the world who have helped shape and define our country. During the last decade, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services welcomed more than 7.3 million new citizens into the fabric of our nation. Despite extended office closures and the impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic, USCIS naturalized approximately 625,400 in fiscal year (FY) 2020.
Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is a personal decision and an important milestone in an immigrant’s life. Individuals who naturalize demonstrate a commitment to the principles that unify us as Americans and, in return, enjoy the rights and privileges that are fundamental to U.S. citizenship. We are committed to making the naturalization process more accessible to everyone who wants to start their citizenship journey.
About the Naturalization Process
People age 18 or older seeking to become U.S. citizens apply for naturalization by submitting Form N–400, Application for Naturalization. The N-400 application is available for online filing. An applicant must meet all the eligibility requirements in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to naturalize.
These general eligibility requirements specify that the applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years of age when they submit the N-400 application;
- Be a lawful permanent resident (have a Green Card) for at least five years;
- Demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least five years immediately before applying for naturalization;
- Have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months;
- Be a person of good moral character;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the English language including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English;
- Have knowledge of U.S. government and history (civics);
- Demonstrate attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution; and
- Be willing and able to take the Oath of Allegiance.
Special naturalization provisions modify these requirements for certain applicants or exempt them from one or more of these requirements. Among the applicants exempt from some of these requirements are spouses of U.S. citizens or members of the military.
- Individuals may apply for naturalization as the spouse of a U.S. citizen just three years after they receive a Green Card, instead of waiting five years. They must have been physically present in the United States for at least 18 months.
- Spouses of U.S. citizens stationed abroad may not have to meet any particular residence or physical presence requirements.
- Members of the military who served honorably during certain periods of conflict may be eligible for naturalization even if they do not have a Green Card and even if they are under the age of 18.
- Members of the military who served honorably for at least one year, at any time, and apply for naturalization within a certain time after their military service, are also exempt from the general residence and physical presence requirements.
Everyone filing an N-400 application who submits a complete application with all required documents will have an interview with a USCIS officer. Applicants we approve for naturalization are scheduled for a ceremony before a judge or with USCIS. They do not become U.S. citizens until they have taken the Oath of Allegiance.
Naturalization Statistics
- Since 2005, USCIS has welcomed approximately 730,000 citizens each year during naturalization ceremonies across the United States and around the world.
- In FY 2020, 70 percent of all naturalized citizens lived in 10 states: California, Florida, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia and Virginia.
- In FY 2020, the leading metropolitan areas of residence were New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA (10 percent), Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL (8 percent), and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (7 percent).
- In FY 2020, the top five countries of origin for naturalized citizens were: Mexico (82,700), India (47,900), Philippines (33,100), Cuba (31,000), and China (23,000). Since 2002, we have naturalized more than 139,000 members of the U.S. military, both at home and abroad. We have held naturalization ceremonies in more than 30 countries from Albania to the United Arab Emirates. In the last five years (FY 2016-20), we naturalized almost 30,000 service members. In FY 2020, we naturalized more than 4,500 service members, about the same number as the previous year.
- More than 40% of those we have naturalized since FY 2016 have been service members born in the Philippines, Mexico, China, South Korea and Jamaica—the top five countries of birth among citizens naturalized in that time span. Another 17% of military naturalizations from FY 2016-20 have been immigrants from the next five countries of birth: Nigeria, Nepal, India, Ghana and Kenya.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
There are three U.S. immigration agencies within the Department of Homeland Security.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Following are the responsibilities of each agency:
USCIS
- Adjudication of applications to gain immigrant status, based on family or work petitions, refugee or asylee status or through the Violence Against Women Act.
- Adjudication of naturalization applications
- Adjudication of asylum and refugee applications
- E-Verify employment verification
- Help with foreign adoptions
- Adjudication of work-related non-immigrant visas
- Adjudication of T and U visas (victim visas)
- E-Verify
ICE
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Preventing Terrorism
- Illegal Movement of People and Goods
- Immigration Enforcement
- Fugitive Operations
- Detention and Removal Management
CBP
- Inspections involving customs law
- Inspections involving immigration law
- Border Patrol
- USDA-APHIS agricultural quarantine inspections program
Sharon Rummery, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services contributed to this report.
Read MoreFollowing vehicle pursuit by Richmond police
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury today reached a finding in the July 23, 2020 death of 53-year-old Steven Kenneth Trottier of El Sobrante. The finding of the jury is that the death is a suicide.
The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.
Following reports of a man with a gun, Richmond police responded and a vehicle pursuit of Trottier ensued. He stopped his car on Amend Road and died of a self-inflicted gunshot.
A July 23, 2020 post at 9:04 p.m. on the Richmond Police Department’s Twitter feed read, “Richmond police officers responded to the 5000 block of Amend Rd. following a report of a man with a gun. The incident has been resolved and there is no risk to the public. Please avoid the area while the investigation continues.”
A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving law enforcement personnel, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreBy Rachel Heggen, Community Relations & Development Specialist, MOWDR
At 66, Dianne never imagined she would depend on others to do her grocery shopping. Walking is difficult for her, which makes going to the supermarket challenging, and because she lives on a fixed income, she faces yet another obstacle to obtaining healthy food.
“I didn’t plan on my life coming down to this.” says Dianne. “I had a well-paying job, but now, I’m on disability. With the high cost of living nowadays, it’s really been tough.”
In 2020, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region (MOWDR) partnered with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano to launch the Grocery Bag Program to help seniors like Dianne who face food insecurity. Twice a month, a MOWDR volunteer is able to deliver healthy groceries and fresh produce along with her weekly meals.
“It’s a wonderful program,” says Dianne. “It’s been life-saving.”
The Grocery Bag Program provides food to low-income seniors in Antioch, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Oakley, Pittsburg, Concord, Martinez and Walnut Creek. MOW Diablo Region Grocery Bag Coordinator Casey Claibourne says, “the program currently serves 160 clients, but there are many more people who need the service. The only way we can offer it is to find more volunteers.”
“You can tell most of the seniors are struggling, and from the looks of things, most likely they do not have a lot in their refrigerator,” says Ted Dason, who’s been volunteering since February. “If anyone is considering being a volunteer, I tell them, it’s super rewarding and it literally only takes about two hours every month.”
If you would like to learn more or volunteer for the Meals on Wheels Diablo Region’s Grocery Bag program, contact Casey Claibourne at cclaibourne@mowdr.org.
About
MOW Diablo Region delivers meals to seniors, 60 years or older, who are homebound, not able to drive, unable to prepare food themselves, and do not have a caregiver that prepares their meals. Meals are provided based on need, not on income. Volunteer drivers deliver over 1,000 hot, nutritious meals to homebound seniors every day. Meal deliveries also provide a needed safety-check and is often the only human interaction a senior will have all day.
Read More“Laurie Sings A Song For You” A Cabaret Concert Inspired by the Music of Karen Carpenter
Presented by Laurie Roldan
November 5 – 14, 2021
Directed by Rachel Robinson. Musical Direction by Brett Strader.
Oakley resident Laurie Roldan shares personal stories and memories in an uplifting evening woven through well-known Carpenters songs. Featuring Musicians Roberta Drake on drums and Pat Tinling on bass and Special Guest Vocalists Anita Colotto, Clarisse Nichole, Stephanie Hill and Charlotte Jeffries, Roldan’s daughter.
Running Time: approx. 1 hour 45 minutes, with one intermission
Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 is required for all guests age 12 and over, and face coverings are required to be worn by all guests age two and over when visiting the Lesher Center for the Arts.
About
On her website, Roldan writes, “I am a singer with an inexhaustible passion for inspirational music. I believe that each of us has a destiny. I know that it is my destiny to sing. It is my goal to bring hope, joy, and comfort to all those I am privileged enough to perform for.”
She is a professional singer and actor with a passion for inspirational music. She thrives on using music to inspire others and feels this is her unique purpose in life. Laurie is a guest artist at many special events throughout the West and has appeared as a soloist with symphony orchestras throughout California and performed lead roles at a variety of Bay Area Theaters.
Laurie recorded a unique inspirational album, Even That, which was created to comfort to those going through difficult times, as well as provide relaxing soothing music that relieves stress.
Laurie also loves to sing with her husband, Dan, all over Northern California. They perform concerts of best loved show tunes and standards, with a unique theme each month, for senior living, retirement communities, and at special events.
Laurie is very excited about a new chapter in her life, writing and premiering her new one-woman show Laurie Sings A Song For You.
For more information about Roldan, visit www.laurieroldan.com.
Read MoreFundraiser supports efforts to provide hospice and palliative care services
By Cindy Hatton, President & CEO
Hospice East Bay has been caring for patients and their families in our community since 1977. We are proud to be celebrating our 35th annual Tree of Lights. These ceremonies set aside time for families and friends to honor their loved ones through the symbolism of light and the reading of names.
Funds raised by these events help Hospice East Bay provide hospice and palliative care services to everyone in our communities, regardless of their ability to pay. Through your gifts, we also offer additional supportive services and programs, such as music therapy and children’s grief programs, which are not covered by insurance.
I wish to thank the many community groups that make these events so special and unique. A special thank you to Rudney Associates for their ongoing support as a Sustaining Light Sponsor.
This year, we are hoping to see you in person at a ceremony near you. However, due to growing concerns about the Delta variant, we may need to hold these events virtually once again. I hope you will join us either way and gather with others to remember or honor someone special in your life.
About
Hospice East Bay provides compassionate end-of-life care to terminally ill patients, while offering emotional, spiritual, and grief support for the entire family. As a not-for-profit organization, we accept all medically qualified patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Proceeds from our thrift shoppes support our programs.
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Forced into oncoming traffic on Brentwood Boulevard near Sellers Avenue
By CHP Contra Costa
On October 26, 2021 at around 3:35 pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a three vehicle collision on Brentwood Boulevard, east of Sellers Avenue. The events occurred as follows, a Honda Civic with one occupant was stopped and waiting to make a left turn. A Dodge Ram with one occupant was approaching the Civic from the rear and collided with the rear of the Civic. This initial collision caused the Civic to be pushed into the opposite lanes of traffic and an approaching Ford Expedition with one occupant collided with the right side of the Civic.
The driver of the Honda was pronounced deceased at the scene and was identified by the Contra Costa Coroner’s Office as 39-year-old Jesus Ismael Virgen-Medina of Pittsburg.
The occupants of the Ford and Dodge suffered minor injuries.
This collision is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.
Read More
$18 million in funding for the next 3 years available to private and public land owners
CAL FIRE announced today, Thursday, October 28, 2021, it is allocating more than $18 million for the California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP), which is designed to provide up to a 90% cost-share assistance to small private and public forestland owners to improve forest health and increase the resilience of California’s forestlands to adapt to climate change. Funding to support private forestland owners through this and other programs was provided through Senate Bill-170 Budget Act of 2021.
The purpose of the CFIP is to encourage private and public investments in forestlands and resources within the state to ensure adequate future high quality timber supplies, related employment, and other economic benefits, and to protect, maintain, and enhance the forest resource for the benefit of present and future generations.
The funds will be released over the next three years beginning in 2021 for forest health projects. The funds will be dispersed in bi-monthly blocks of approximately $2 million until all monies have been applied for by project applicants. Cost-share assistance is available to private and public ownerships containing 20 to 5,000 acres of forest land, and cost-shared projects include thinning for forest health and fire resilience, tree planting, pruning, and other forest health improvement activities as described at the following web location:
https://www.fire.ca.gov/grants/california-forest-improvement-program-cfip/
For inquiries on the program and how to apply, please contact one of CAL FIRE’s Forestry Assistance Specialists at the following web location:
https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/trjncbme/contact-a-cfip-forest-advisor.pdf
This funding is designed to help meet California’s goals of improved forest health, resilience to climate change, and reduced forestland impacts due to devastating wildfires. The efforts help implement the recommendations in California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan from the Governor’s Forest Management Task Force issued in January, this year.
The CFIP has been in existence since the 1978 California Forest Improvement Act was passed and has encumbered over $75 million for landowner assistance since the beginning of the program.
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Federal grant funding Impaired Driving Reduction efforts
By Jaime Coffee, Information Officer II, California Highway Patrol
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California Office of Traffic Safety are partnering on a campaign aimed at reducing the number of crashes caused by impaired drivers. The $5.5 million grant will fund the Impaired Driving Reduction (IDR) education and enforcement campaign, which began October 1, 2021 and continues through September 30, 2022.
In 2019, impaired driving crashes were responsible for 568 deaths and 11,444 injuries within the CHP’s jurisdiction throughout the state. Each one of these injuries and deaths represents a preventable tragedy and a continued need to focus efforts on reducing impaired driving in California.
“This grant will help support the Department’s mission by strengthening education and enforcement efforts throughout the state,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “As a public safety organization, we will continue to do everything in our power to promote safety for all on California’s roadways.”
In 2020, more than 90,000 violations for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs were cited by CHP officers through California. The IDR grant provides the CHP with funding to conduct additional saturation patrols, checkpoints, and traffic safety education efforts throughout California. These efforts are designed to remove impaired drivers from the roadway and educate the public regarding the dangers of DUI. Additionally, the CHP will actively participate in California’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over public awareness campaign.
The CHP wants to remind the public, “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Alcohol, cannabis, certain prescription and over-the-counter medications, illegal drugs, or any combination can affect your ability to drive and will result in an arrest if you are under the influence. Always make good decisions and plan ahead by designating a sober driver, take public transportation, or call a taxi or ride-share. There is always a better option than getting behind the wheel while impaired.
The public is encouraged to call 9-1-1 if they observe a suspected impaired driver. Be prepared to provide the dispatcher a location, direction of travel, and vehicle description.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
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