Contra Costa Herald

The International Orphan Relief Foundation wishes you a happy holiday season! We would love for you to be a part of our annual East County Christmas Children’s PJ and Toy Drive. Please click the link below to see how you can impact the youth and families in East County and bring joy this Christmas!

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One from Vacaville, four from Vallejo

By CHP – Contra Costa

Early Thursday morning, Nov 17, 2022, at about 12:10 am, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a wrong way driver traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Highway 4 near Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. The wrong way vehicle, a Hyundai Elantra, continued eastbound in the westbound lanes and collided head on into a Ford Flex traveling in the westbound lanes of Hwy 4, west of Loveridge Road. Both vehicles sustained major damage and came to rest within the westbound lanes.

The driver and sole occupant of the Ford sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. The Hyundai was occupied by one adult driver and three juvenile passengers, all occupants sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene.

According to Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office PIO Jimmy Lee, the victims were Lasaundra Goode age 44 of Vacaville and the driver of the Elantra was Tiara Tucker age 27 of Vallejo. The three children in one of the cars was Mariah Mihailovic age 5, Keilani Johnson-Ochoa age 4 and Kaliyah Johnson-Ochoa age 9, all also from Vallejo.

At this time, it is undetermined if drugs and/or alcohol were a factor. For more details see the CBS News Bay Area report about the crash.

This incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this crash, the wrong way vehicle prior to the crash, or the events leading up to the crash, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980. Thank you.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Video screenshot from Pittsburg Police Officer John Odell’s body camera at the 6:55 mark showing suspect Patrick Watkins with a gun in his right hand on Thursday night, May 20, 2021.

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, Calif. – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office report concludes that officers who were involved in the shooting death of Patrick Watkins in Pittsburg were justified in their actions.

Since 1984, Contra Costa County has a protocol in place for law enforcement agencies to investigate Officer Involved Shootings. The District Attorney’s Office conducts its own independent investigation of such incidents and releases its findings in a Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident (LEIFI) report. The document summarizes the investigative report of the incident, contains a legal analysis, and concludes with a charging decision.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said that she and her executive team review the evidence, officer and witness statements, and other facts related to the incident “to independently determine if there is any criminal liability in fatal incidents when law enforcement is involved.” If criminal liability does exist, the District Attorney – which represents The People of the State of California – has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that a death was not justified.

The incident involving Patrick Watkins took place on May 20, 2021, around 9:20 pm in the City of Pittsburg. Peace Officers from Pittsburg Police Department responded to a 911 call that Watkins was at the front door of his ex-girlfriend’s residence with a firearm and was refusing to leave the premises.

When officers arrived at the location, they saw a man who matched Watkins’s description at the ground floor level of the residential complex. After attempts by police to get Watkins to comply with orders, Watkins ignored the commands and proceeded to walk up a stairwell toward his ex-girlfriend’s home. Multiple officers followed him to the second story, ordering him to get on the ground. Watkins was facing away from the officers but then turned toward them with a semi-automatic firearm in his right hand. Watkins then pointed the weapon at one officer – who fired three shots at Watkins. After the officer’s service weapon malfunctioned, he dropped to a prone position. Another officer, who thought his fellow peace officer had been shot, fired twice at Watkins. Watkins died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. (See related articles here and here)

An autopsy by the Contra Costa County Coroner was conducted on May 24, 2021, by Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Ikechi Ogan. Dr. Ogan’s summary of the autopsy concluded that Watkins had two gunshot wounds, one on his left calf, and one on the left side of his chest that pierced his heart, liver, and fractured a rib. A toxicology report noted Watkins had the presence of Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, and Delta 9 THC – a chemical found in cannabis that produces an intoxicating effect when consumed.

In a legal analysis of the case, the District Attorney’s Office applied the applicable laws and the California District Attorney’s Uniform Crime Charging Standards to review the evidence of the incident. The concluding opinion determined the actions by the peace officers against Patrick Watkins was justified in the use of lethal force. Both officers acted with an actual and reasonable belief that deadly force was necessary in this incident to defend against an imminent threat of death or great bodily injury.

As such, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office will take no further action in this case.

The family members of Patrick Watkins and the Attorney General of the State of California have been notified of the Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident report – which can be viewed on the Contra Costa District Attorney’s website.

Photo by CCC Sheriff’s Office

By CCC Office of the Sheriff

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has recently approved additional sergeant and specialist positions for the Office of the Sheriff. They will be used to help handle the backlog of requests for concealed carry weapon (CCW) permits.

Since the Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen on June 23, 2022, the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office has been inundated by requests for CCW permits. The ruling struck down New York’s restrictions on applicants for CCW’s to show a compelling need to carry a concealed weapon in public. That meant that similar restrictions requiring applicants to demonstrate “good cause” in some states, like California, were unconstitutional.

Prior to the Bruen decision, the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office would typically receive about 20 CCW applications each month which would be processed by one employee. Since the decision, the Sheriff’s Office has been receiving several hundred applications a month and now has a backlog of over 1,000 CCW applications.

Obtaining a CCW is a multi-step process that requires a detailed application, California Department of Justice fingerprints, background check, interview, and training class. There is also a fee of $160 that is paid after the applicant completes the training class. In addition to new applications, the Sheriff’s Office handles the ongoing renewals for about 500 current CCW holders.

The Sheriff’s Office is now in the process of filling the new positions. We regret the delay and are processing applications as quickly as possible.

Click here to Apply for a CCW Permit | Contra Costa Sheriff, CA (cocosheriff.org)

The Krane Pond property. Photo: Scott Hein

Has year to raise $500,000 to close deal

By Laura Kindsvater, Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo  

Save Mount Diablo has secured an option agreement to purchase the Krane Pond property, a 6.69-acre parcel directly adjacent to Clayton and Mount Diablo State Park. The property is part of the “Missing Mile,” a square mile of private land on the slopes of North Peak and Save Mount Diablo’s fourth acquisition project there. The Krane Pond property has been a priority for 50 years, includes a large spring-fed pond that is very important for wildlife, and is adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park. In addition, an on-site building pad, neighboring subdivision, and fragmented ranchette landscape nearby all indicate what might take place if the property isn’t protected.

A jewel within Mount Diablo, the Krane Pond property has been a priority since Save Mount Diablo was founded in 1971. If Save Mount Diablo can raise $500,000 within the next year—two $25,000 options to hold the property, a $400,000 purchase price, and $50,000 for initial stewardship—then the Krane Pond property will be permanently protected.

Map of the location of the Krane Pond property in the “Missing Mile” on the north slopes of Mount Diablo’s North Peak. Source: Save Mount Diablo

“The Missing Mile is one of our high priority land acquisition areas. This area is roughly a square mile made up of numerous privately owned open space acres that have not yet been conserved or developed. The Missing Mile is on the slopes of Mount Diablo itself, and the area is contiguous with important conservation lands like Mount Diablo State Park.

“Over time, we have successfully done multiple land acquisition projects in the Missing Mile: we successfully acquired a perpetual conservation easement on almost 154 acres of the Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association land earlier this year; in 2016 we got about 88 acres of North Peak Ranch under an agreement that will have us acquire that land in fee simple title in 2026; and in 2006 we acquired the fee simple title to the 17.62-acre Young Canyon property.

“Thus, amidst our 50th anniversary celebrations, it was very special to recently secure an option to purchase, and a purchase and sale agreement on the Krane Pond property, which is located in the Missing Mile. Now we have one year to raise the necessary funds to ensure this important Krane Pond property is permanently protected,” said Save Mount Diablo Executive Director Ted Clement.

The Krane family. Photo courtesy Roseann Krane

In 1978, Walter and Roseann Krane purchased 6.7 acres of land on the outskirts of Clayton bordered by Mount Diablo State Park and the meridian on the west side, Mount Diablo Creek on the north side, and property held by ranchers to the east. The parcel is accessed by a little bridge that crosses over Mount Diablo Creek. The Kranes originally had plans to build a house for themselves and their two boys on the mountainside lot, which has grand views and great oaks, and back then had a 25-foot-deep lake. It’s become shallower over the years.

“Instead of building a house,” said Roseann Krane, “we decided to preserve the land. Walt loved the outdoors and our family camped and fished all over California. Walt adored our boys and was an Assistant Scoutmaster for 11 years. He bought 200 bass and stocked the lake and helped the kids build a dock. We spent time with Indian Guides, Boy Scouts, soccer, and many friends picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, and horseback riding at the site. Wildlife we observed visiting the property included many deer, bucks, songbirds, ducks, ground squirrels, rattlesnakes, and a great blue heron.

“We have been long-time supporters of Save Mount Diablo. When Walt retired in 2000, he became a professional artist and donated his oil paintings to Save Mount Diablo’s Moonlight on the Mountain fundraiser.

“Last May 2021, Walt passed away from leukemia. I thought that the best way to honor Walt’s memory and love of the outdoors, was having our open space preserved by Save Mount Diablo, and eventually be part of the state park system.”

The Krane Pond property is part of North Peak’s Young Canyon and is bordered by a small spur ridge. Its ecological significance eclipses its size. The property includes one of the largest ponds on the north side of Mount Diablo and is critically important for Mount Diablo’s wildlife. It can help sustain a multitude of species from ground squirrels to mountain lions and even rarer endangered species such as California red-legged frogs and Alameda whipsnakes.

Development has carved its way into Diablo’s foothills below the property’s border. Krane was threatened by Clayton’s Marsh Creek Specific Plan 30 years ago while a neighboring parcel was developed into the Oakwood Estates subdivision. Save Mount Diablo helped shrink the specific plan, and the county and Clayton’s Urban Limit Lines gained strength over the years. Krane is adjacent to the Clayton city limits but just outside the Urban Limit Line.

The Krane Pond property is directly adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park and harbors a large pond that is essential for wildlife. Photo: Sean Burke

Had developers acquired this property, they would have graded the ridge and developed much of the acreage. Protecting this property halts development in its tracks, saving more of Mount Diablo’s open space.

Beginning in 1971 SMD’s co-founder, botanist Mary Bowerman, began creating acquisition priority lists based on her decades of research on the mountain. The Missing Mile properties, including Krane, were high on the list.

During the fundraising period for the $500,000, Save Mount Diablo will survey the property boundaries, which will be necessary for work on property fencing and dam repair. If fundraising is successful, initial stewardship will include fence repair and maintenance of the pond’s earthen dam.

Save Mount Diablo staff at the Krane Pond property. Photo: Scott Hein

About Save Mount Diablo

Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, watersheds, and connection to the Diablo Range through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide educational and recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources. To learn more, please visit www.savemountdiablo.org.

Aspire Visual & Performing Arts Academy is performing at the Pittsburg High Creative Arts Building on Saturday, December 10 with a cast of some 100 scholars, grades Kindergarten to 12th grade from across Contra Costa County for our annual holiday production of Joy – The Urban Nutcracker!  This urban take on the classic ballet, The Nutcracker, is a fun filled, colorful and moving, holiday production that includes singing, dancing and acting.

Tickets available at joytheurbannutcracker.eventbrite.com.

(L-R, T-B) Kristin Connelly leads Vicki Gordon for County Clerk and Ken Carlson is ahead of Debora Allen for District 4 County Supervisor. Sources: Official campaign photos.

Butler, Maxwell win, Lewis leading in county school board races

170,000 ballots to be counted as of Wed., more ballots arriving through Tues., Nov. 15 could affect results

By Allen D. Payton

As of the latest update on the Contra Costa County Elections Division website on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 12:03 a.m., with all precincts reporting, Acalanes School Board Trustee Kristin Connelly appears to be winning the race for County Clerk-Recorder and Pleasant Hill City Councilman Ken Carlson is ahead in the race for District 4 County Supervisor. The district boundaries include Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill and portions of Walnut Creek.

County Clerk-Recorder

With 100,938 votes or 53.55% of the vote Connelly has a commanding lead over former Contra Costa College Board Trustee Vicki Gordon who had 87,567 votes or 46.45% of the vote. Carlson is leading BART Board Member Debora Allen by 4,122 votes. He had 26,110 votes or 54.17% to her 22,088 votes or 42.83% of the vote.

According to county elections personnel, after receiving Wednesday’s mail there were an estimated 170,000 unprocessed ballots. The latest figures on the website don’t include all the vote-by-mail ballots submitted on Election Day including at the polls.

As a result, Connelly is not declaring victory, just yet. When reached for comment Thursday afternoon she responded, “I am very excited about how the results are shaping up in my race and look forward to the timely count continuing.”

Carlson Declares Victory in District 4 Supervisor’s Race

In a post on his campaign Facebook page on Wednesday Carlson was more confident in the results declaring victory. He wrote, “It has been a long, hard fought campaign, but WE GOT IT DONE, and I am proud to claim #VICTORY! I am humbled to have had your support, and I am grateful to now have the opportunity to serve all of District 4 as your next Supervisor! Countless groups and individuals made this win possible. I share the credit for this victory with a great many folks in our community. I want to say thank you to my opponent, Debora Allen for helping keep this campaign about the issues that matter to each and every one of us. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work. THANK YOU.”

On Wednesday, Allen conceded on her campaign Facebook page writing, “The results are in, and it is clear I fell short of the votes needed by 4100, to win the District 4 seat on the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors. We came close, but as my dad used to say, close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and ballroom dancing.

To my family, friends, supporters, donors, and colleagues, I extend a big THANK YOU for your support, contributions, love and encouragement. I am forever grateful for your faith in me.

To the voters of Contra Costa, thank you for the 22K votes of support and the great conversations at your doors, in your businesses, and at public events over the last year. I learned a lot about the people of our county.

To the public employees’ and construction labor unions who provided $300K of funding to oppose me and support Carlson in this general election, congratulations, you won! You just bought yourselves a supervisor. Your nasty disinformation tactics are what continue to win elections for unions and keep you in control of our government.

To Contra Costa Supervisor-elect Ken Carlson for County Supervisor 2022, I wish you all the best as the next Contra Costa Supervisor in District 4. I hope you will find the courage to stand up to all that union money that elected you, especially when voting on their labor contracts, or on construction project labor agreements to shut out all local non-union construction businesses from the work in this county.

Until we run again!”

However, on Thursday, Allen posted, “UPDATE 11/10/22: We should have better tallies of votes by 5pm today. Will update then.”

Assuming a fifth of the remaining 170,000 unprocessed ballots are for the District 4 race, Allen would need 62% of them or 21,123 votes of the estimated 34,000 ballots that were remaining to be counted in order to eke out a win.

County Board of Education

In the races for county Board of Education, incumbents Sarah Butler in Area 2 and Mike Maxwell in Area 4 have defeated their challengers by wide margins, and Annette Lewis in Area 5 is leading her closest challenger, Justin Brown by 2,556 votes or by 7.35% a margin that could prove insurmountable.

Butler had 24,621 votes or 50.69% of the vote defeating Lisa Disbrow with 13,450 votes or 27.69%, and Rupy Krishnan with 10,501 or 21.62% of the vote.

The race for Area 4 was closer as Maxwell had 19,127 votes or 43.44% of the vote defeating challengers Cheri Calgano with 13,672 votes or 31.05%, and Anaité Letona with 11,229 votes or 25.5% of the vote.

Finally, in the Area 5 race, Lewis had 15,250 votes or 45.83% to Brown’s 12,694 votes or 36.48% followed by challenger Derek Carson II with 6,582 votes or 19.69% of the vote.

Thursday afternoon Lewis shared, “Waiting to see what tonight’s numbers will show. This morning’s returns by district show roughly 22,000 more ballots turned in my area.”

Next Update Thursday Afternoon

The next update for results in all elections in the county is expected later today, Thursday, Nov. 10 before 5:00 p.m.

Please check this website later for that update.

Ballots lined up to be counted in the County Elections office on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. Herald file photo

Ballots still arriving and can through the mail until next Tuesday

Next results update expected later today

By Allen D. Payton

According to county Elections Division personnel, after receiving Wednesday’s mail there were 170,000 unprocessed ballots remaining to be counted in the county. They are also receiving ballots dropped off in other counties and have seven days from the election to receive ballots postmarked by Nov. 8, which is through next Tuesday, Nov. 15

The latest figures on the Elections Division website as of 12:03 a.m. Wednesday morning, Nov. 9 show 229,444 ballots had been cast and counted by then. They don’t include all the vote-by-mail ballots submitted on Election Day including those dropped off at polling places, according to Elections Division staff.

The next update for results in all elections in the county is expected later today, Thursday, Nov. 10 before 5:00 p.m.

Alexis Gabe from her missing poster.

Last seen in Antioch on January 26, 2022.

According to the Oakley Police Department and the Amador County Sheriff’s Office, on November 3, 2022, at approximately 3:00 p.m., the Amador County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip from a local resident of the Plymouth, California area who had discovered something suspicious that was thought to be human remains. Amador County Sheriff’s Office detectives and crime scene investigators responded to the scene and initiated a search of the area where they ultimately located the remains described in the tip. The remains were determined as those of missing Oakley woman Alexis Gabe.  She went missing on January 26, 2022, was last seen in Antioch and is suspected of being murdered by her late ex-boyfriend, Marshall Curtis Jones of Antioch. He was later shot and killed by police in Washington state. (See related articles here and here)

Plymouth is located in the west end of Amador County. The tip was made through the Amador County Secret Witness Program. Amador County Sheriff’s detectives and crime scene investigators documented the evidence found and collected the remains.

Due to the time of day and diminishing daylight, it was determined it would be best to keep watch over the area and initiate a more thorough investigation this morning. Members of the Oakley Police Department and the Antioch Police Department responded to the Plymouth area early Friday morning to assist with the investigation with the assistance of cadaver dogs. More evidence was identified and collected from the scene.

The specific location is an area just off of Jackson Road in Plymouth. The area where Alexis’ remains were found has been searched further and no other remains have been located.

The collaborative investigation did confirm the partial remains were human. A forensic odontologist responded to the Amador County Sheriff’s Office facility to examine the remains. The forensic odontologist positively identified the remains as those of Alexis Gabe. All evidence collected by the Amador County Sheriff’s Office was turned over to Oakley Police Department detectives and Coroner jurisdiction has been turned over to the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office to determine manner and cause of death.

The Gabe family has been notified and they are requesting respect and privacy during this time of mourning.

According to the Oakley Police Department, the Gabe family has been notified and they are requesting respect and privacy during this time of mourning.

Jackson Road is an area we identified early on as an area where Jones travelled to in the hours and days after Alexis was reported as missing.

Due to the nature of the condition of Alexis’ remains, and the lack of her full body, we believe the remainder of her remains are scattered in various areas.

Due to the condition of Alexis’ remains we realize there may never be a full recovery of her. The City of Oakley has determined there will be no extensions of reward funds for any future remains that may be found.

A press conference will be scheduled for early next week and we will provide details for the date and time as soon as possible. Any questions regarding this case should be directed to the Antioch and Oakley Police Departments.  The Amador County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend their condolences to the Gabe family in this difficult time.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

You don’t have to be molto bene to join the “Wine and Cheese League”

By Anthony Kennerly, President, CCIBA

Hello East Bay Residents!

What kind of fun activities do you do in the wintertime?  How about considering playing indoor bocce with friends, family and other residents of the east bay!

The Contra Costa Indoor Bocce Association, now in its 31st year offering indoor winter bocce league play, is offering a brand-new beginner league. We call it the Wine and Cheese League, meant to inspire thoughts of a relaxing, fun and social experience while learning how to play the game of bocce ball. This league is perfect for folks who have never played before and those who want non-competitive players. The Association Board Members will be providing instruction to the new players when the season begins to help guide players to further enjoy the game.

The Association is hosting an Open House for newcomers on November 6th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Indoor Bocce Courts located at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) in Antioch. We invite you to come by and try bocce ball and consider signing up for the new season. The Association will help form teams for individuals that sign up or you can put together a team of family and friends (6-10 players) and register. The registration fee is $175 per team formed and the deadline to sign up is November 12th.

Access to the bocce building uses the same side O Street entrance as Paradise Skate (follow the signs) at the Contra Costa Event Park. For more information email us at: contracostaindoorbocce@gmail.com.