By Ken Paglia
A coyote that bit five people in Contra Costa County has been caught by a multi-agency team of dedicated wildlife management professionals and local law enforcement and euthanized. The coyote attacked five people in the Moraga/Lafayette area of Contra Costa County, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced.
This unusually aggressive coyote attacked a small child on July 9, 2020, an adult male on Dec. 4, 2020, another adult male on Dec. 15, 2020, another small child on Feb. 16, 2021 and another adult male on Feb. 19, 2021. All the attacks occurred within two miles of one another in a north to south Lafayette/Moraga corridor. Personnel from CDFW, U.S. Dept of Agriculture – Wildlife Services, the Moraga and Lafayette police departments and Contra Costa County Animal Services have been working constantly to locate and remove the offending animal. On Thursday, evidence from CDFW’s wildlife forensics lab matched the DNA of this coyote to samples taken from each of the five victims.
A post on the CDFW Facebook page announced reads, “Personnel from the agencies involved are grateful to citizens in Contra Costa County for their overwhelming support of the effort to remove the dangerous animal. We sincerely hope that locals can recreate outdoors again with significantly reduced anxiety, and that the community knows that outdoor recreation is still very safe.”
U.C. Davis veterinary staff will conduct a rabies test. There is no current evidence to suggest the coyote is rabid but because of the severity of the disease it is standard operating procedure in an animal attack investigation such as this one. Rabies tests can only be done post-mortem.
Contra Costa County residents interested in learning more about living near coyotes can visit Keepmewild.org where there are helpful tips on how we can all better coexist with coyotes and other wild animals around us.
Personnel from the agencies involved in the operation wish to extend gratitude to the Contra Costa County citizens in the vicinity who have been overwhelmingly supportive of the effort to remove the dangerous animal. It is the sincere hope of the agencies that locals can recreate outdoors in the area again with significantly reduced anxiety and that the community knows that outdoor recreation is still very safe.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreBy Brentwood Police Department
Tuesday night, March 9, 2021 officers were dispatched to Marsh Creek Apartments after we received a call from a frantic person stating that someone had just shot at them. Officers learned that a dispute had broken out between a tenant, identified as 60-year-old Hal Flood, and a man, who had had been staying with Flood for a few weeks. The man had invited some friends over and Flood refused to let the man and his friends enter the apartment and that’s when things got ugly. During the dispute, Flood discharged a firearm in the parking lot towards the group who had come to his apartment. Fortunately, no one was injured! Upon arrival officers attempted to make contact with Flood, who stated by phone he was not in the area.
Officers remained vigilant and in the area during the early morning hours, they located Flood in the apartment complex and safely took him into custody. When searched, officers located a concealed fixed-blade knife on Flood.
Flood was booked into county jail for assault with a firearm, discharge of a firearm and carrying a concealed dirk or dagger.
According to an internet search, in 1998 Flood was found guilty of evading a vehicle operated by a pursuing peace officer resulting in serious bodily injury, in Richmond on May 22, 1994.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreCalifornia CASA announced today, Friday, March 12, 2021, that it has published its 2019/2020 Impact Report, which reinforces the organization’s mission as it relates to helping serve the over 83,000 youth in California’s foster care system, local CASA programs, and Court Appointed Special Advocates. This year’s report also focuses on the unique actions the organization took in the wake of unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this exceptional year, the 44 CASA programs in our state experienced first-hand how difficult it was, at times, for children in foster care to get their basic needs met. California CASA also witnessed the dedication and resiliency of CASA staff, boards, and volunteers in their outstanding support of youth who have experienced abuse and neglect,” said CA CASA CEO Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq. “The 2019/2020 Impact Report showcases the strength of our network and the potential to serve even more children by recruiting, training, and overseeing a growing and more diverse group of volunteer advocates in each county.”
The title of this year’s report — Stronger Together— underscores the cooperative relationship of California CASA and the variety of community members that come together to care for children across the state. In the midst of these tumultuous times, California CASA’s flexibility enabled the organization to operate exceptionally in an environment where county and state guidelines shifted in unpredictable ways. This purposeful approach was enhanced by dedicated CASA staff and volunteers at individual CASA programs adapting to ever changing dependency court and public health requirements that impacted advocates and the youth they are connected to.
The report looks at the how California CASA managed a wide range of initiatives to strengthen the service, quality, and impact of Court Appointed Special Advocates around the state.
Summary of 2019/2020 Impact in California:
- 14,150 children in California foster had the support of a CASA volunteer.
- 8,798 Court Appointed Special Advocates worked on behalf of children.
- $17.6M+ worth of volunteer service hours were provided by CASA volunteers to foster youth.
- 6,628 hours of technical assistance were provided by California CASA to local CASA programs.
- $8.5M+ in funding was facilitated by California CASA for local CASA programs.
- 2500 local CASA staff and volunteers attended California CASA webinar training sessions.
California CASA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization ensuring that children and youth in California’s foster care system have both a voice and the services they need for a stable future. California CASA connects the 44 county CASA programs in the state in order to raise awareness of the need for Court Appointed Special Advocates and provides support, advice, resources, and oversight to maintain high-quality programs that serve children’s best interests. California CASA is a member of the National CASA/GAL Association for Children.
More information about California Court Appointed Special Advocates Association can be found here: CaliforniaCASA.org.
Read More
By Danville Police Department
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred in Danville.
Thursday morning, March 11 at about 11:48, police dispatch received several calls from motorists regarding a person who was throwing rocks off the Sycamore Valley Road overpass onto Interstate 680.
A Danville Police Officer arrived at the scene and contacted the subject in question in the area of Sycamore Valley Road and Camino Ramon. The officer approached the subject who was standing on the street. As the officer tried to talk to him, the subject pulled out a folding knife and then opened it. The officer ordered him to drop the knife several times. He then advanced toward the officer, who discharged his weapon striking the subject once.
The fire department and an ambulance were called and responded to the scene. The subject was taken to a local hospital where he is being treated at this time. He is not being identified.
The investigation is ongoing per the countywide officer involved protocol. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Investigation Division through dispatch at (925) 646-2441 or at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read MoreBy CHP – Contra Costa
Thursday morning, March 11 at about 4:54 am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle crash on Hwy-24 westbound, at the Wilder Road offramp. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined that a solo red Ford Ranger had been driven off the roadway of the offramp, overturned and the roof of the Ford slammed into a metal light pole. The Ford sustained major damage and its roof was crushed.
Tragically the driver, a 60-year-old male from Brentwood and sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel on the scene. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of his identity.
Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision but, it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.
Read MoreLaw Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol invoked
By Richmond Police Department
At around 10:35 a.m., Wednesday morning, March 10, 2021, the Richmond PD Communications Center received a 911 call from a business owner in the 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue, advising of an individual who was creating a disturbance inside the business and damaging property. When officers arrived, they found the 47-year-old man stumbling around. He had fallen to the ground. The man appeared to be in medical distress or under the influence of drugs. Officers tried to calm the man and provided medical assistance to him until the paramedics arrived.
Officers placed him in a prone position while one officer placed his knee on the individual’s lower back to handcuff him. The man was placed on a gurney and taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, despite all lifesaving measures the man passed away.
Due to the circumstances, the county-wide Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol was invoked. That means that members of the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office are currently conducting an independent investigation of this incident.
The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office identified the man as 47-year-old Ivan Gutzalenko. According to two internet searches, he was a resident of Bay Point. According to a BART news report, on Jan. 13, 2006, authorities arrested Gutzalenko, then 32 years old, “in Walnut Creek for possession of four destructive devices and several illegal firearms including three fully automatic assault rifles” with the help of “one of BART’s bomb sniffing dog teams.”
Any person who may have any information related to this incident is asked to please contact Homicide Detective Savannah Stewart at (510) 620-6541, email her at sstewart@richmondpd.net or they can contact Richmond’s anonymous tip line at (510) 307-T1PS (8177).
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreSupervisors ink negotiating agreement with Pacific West Communities for Bay Point Orbisonia Heights mixed use development; Extend temporary industrial hemp cultivation moratorium to Sept. 30
By Daniel Borsuk
By next Wednesday, Contra Costa County residents can expect the county to graduate from the Purple Tier to the less restrictive Red Tier, Contra Costa County Public Health Officer Dr. Christopher Farnitano announced Tuesday as the daily cases per 100,000 cases continues to decline to 7.9 cases a day.
The red tier designation means businesses and gyms can reopen at 25 percent capacity and retail businesses can reopen at 50 percent capacity. Schools are also reopening with COVID-19 health precautions in place for students and on-site staff.
When Contra Costa County does graduate to the red tier next week, it along with Sonoma County will be the final two Bay Area counties to move into the less restrictive tier.
Dr. Farnitano delivered the upbeat report at the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday.
Progress is also materializing as more Contra Costa County residents from all economic and racial groups roll up their sleeves to be inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines. About 370,000 county residents have been vaccinated with either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, said Contra Costa County Health Director Anna Roth.
As for last week’s development where the state designated health giant Blue Cross to manage the state’s COVID-19 vaccination appointment system, Dr. Farnitano said. “We are still working with Blue Shield during the transition.”
Approve Bay Point Property Exclusive Negotiating Agreement
After years of neglect and bumps in the economy, the county might be taking another stab at trying to nail down an exclusive negotiating development agreement to finally get a 7.7-acre of county-owned property on Bailey Road to the west, State Highway 4 to the north and West Leland Road to the south, developed.
Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve the exclusive negotiating agreement that was a consent agenda item at Tuesday’s supervisors’ meeting.
The vacant property is near the Bay Point-Pittsburg BART Station, the Oak Hills Shopping Center on Bailey Road and Ambrose Park to the East. The proposed development is commonly known as the Orbisonia Heights project in Bay Point.
In 2009 the county failed to develop the property when the real estate market collapsed, said Maureen Toms, deputy director of policy planning division of the Contra Costa Conservation and Development Department (CCCDD).
Supervisors designated the CCCDD Director John Kopchick. or his representative. to negotiate and execute an exclusive negotiating agreement with well-known multi-family housing developer Pacific West Communities of Eagle, ID for the potential development of a at least 325 multiple family residences and 40,000 square feet of commercial space.
At least 15 percent of the residential units would be affordable housing, Maureen Toms, CCCDD deputy director of policy, told the Contra Costa Herald in an email.
“There were delays due to the poor economy and the elimination of redevelopment. We have been working with Pacific West Communities to develop the property,” Toms wrote in the email.
Planners have visions of developing four-story structures over parking with 15 percent of the residential units designated as affordable housing.
“It has been a long time coming,” said District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, who is reservedly excited about the potential of getting the Orbisonia Heights development finally up and running. “We’re at that point to get the development underway because it is near BART, shopping, and Ambrose Park.”
Glover envisions the possibility that other services could be included in Orbisonia Heights project such as a library and retail.
A representative for Pacific West Communities was unavailable for comment.
Supervisors Extend Temporary Industrial Hemp Cultivation Moratorium to September 30
Even though District 3 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill initially pushed for a June deadline on extending an urgency ordinance extending a moratorium on Industrial Hemp cultivation in East Contra Costa County, Mitchoff eventually relented and agreed with colleagues and CCCDD Director Kopchik to set a deadline of September 30.
The supervisors’ action marks the third urgency interim ordinance that the supervisors have set in order to accommodate county officials in developing new regulations that accurately balances the sensitive commercial and agricultural activities of hemp interests versus homeowners land value and safety interests.
Supervisors have heard complaints from East County homeowners about criminal and traffic impacts stemming from hemp growing operators while hemp growers have defended their thriving businesses as being safe and economically solid sources of income for local residents.
At one point, District 3 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill wanted to curtail the timeline for CCCDD staff and Agriculture Commissioner Weights & Measures Director Matt Slattengren to draft a new county hemp ordinance by setting a July 30 deadline. But CCCD Director Kopchik was able to convince Mitchoff and other supervisors that due to work assignments, a September 30 deadline would be more realistic.
Making it difficult for county officials to draft new regulations on hemp cultivation is the fact there is little if anything on the books that regulates the rising hemp industry in California. The urgency ordinance makes this obviously clear stating: “Under state law, industrial hemp is not subject to the same regulatory provisions as cannabis. Health and Safety Code section 11018.5(b) exempts industrial hemp from regulation under Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act. As a result, the county’s cannabis regulation ordinance, Chapter 88-28 of the County Code, does not regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp within the unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.”
At least this observer thinks, it appears county officials are left hanging in limbo on this hemp issue. It will be interesting to see what Kopchick and Slattengren are able to concoct in ensuing months.
Dentist-Engineer Dr. Jack Rosenfeld Recognized for 30 years of Service
Supervisors recognized Dr. Jack Rosenfeld, who retired after 30 years of service with Contra Costa Health Services as a dentist. “Dr. Rosenfeld has worked at various clinics throughout West, Central and East Contra Costa County, providing a wide array of dental services to the community,” the board of supervisors’ resolution stated about the dentist.
His specialty was practicing dentistry in underserved populations at several community clinics and Native American reservations throughout California.
Before studying dentistry at UCSF School of Dentistry, Dr. Rosenfeld was an electrical engineer. Dr. Rosenfeld used his electrical engineering training to develop a dental safety device that is still in production.
Supervisors Recognize American Red Cross Month
With March being American Red Cross Month, supervisors acknowledged the organization’s 140- year mission of preventing and alleviating suffering by noting that in 2020 in Contra Costa County, 115 families affected by home fires relied on the American Red Cross volunteers for aid.
Contra Costa County residents donated 17,350 units of blood, the resolution stated. The resolution also noted that the American Red Cross hosted 142 blood drives, 3,459 local community members took classes to learn skills that save lives, and 719 military members and their families received support and services.
“Nearly 200 years since the birth of American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, we dedicate this month of March to all those who continue to advance her noble legacy, and we ask others to join in their commitment to care for people in need,” the resolution stated.
Read MoreHas history of arrests dating back to 2014
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the District Attorney Contra Costa County
Yesterday, Wednesday, March 10, 2021, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed five counts against Rashad Chavez Yarbrough (30-year-old Pittsburg resident), including a felony count for the attempted kidnapping on March 6 of a female. The case was investigated by the BART Police Department and presented to our office for a filing decision on March 10.
On March 6, the victim called for an Uber ride to go to the Pittsburg Bay Point BART station. When she left her residence, she spoke with the defendant who offered her a ride to the station. She declined the offer, yet the defendant followed her Uber ride to the station. The victim did not know the defendant, nor had she seen him before.
Once the victim’s Uber ride dropped her off at the BART station, the defendant followed her down an access road. The defendant tried to entice the victim to enter his car, but she refused. Yarbrough eventually got out of his car and approached the victim. He grabbed at her arm and tried to get her into his vehicle. In doing so, her wallet fell out of her purse and he picked up her wallet.
The victim ended up fleeing the area to a nearby shopping center. After the police were called to the scene, the defendant fled the area in his vehicle. The following day, when police went to check in on the victim, the defendant arrived at her residence and he was arrested. A search of his vehicle revealed a firearm and methamphetamine.
The complete counts filed against Yarbrough are as follows:
- Attempted Kidnapping, Felony
- Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Felony
- Petty Theft, Misdemeanor
- Possession of Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, Misdemeanor
- Possession of a Smoking Device, Misdemeanor
Case information: People v. Rashad Chavez Yarbrough, Docket Number 04-201433-0
According to localcrimenews.com Yarbrough has a history of arrests dating back to 2014, by various agencies including Pittsburg PD, Antioch PD, Concord PD, Fremont PD and Oakland PD, for burglary, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and grand theft.
Read More
At approximately 3:20 pm, Danville Police were called to the 700 block of Everett Drive near intersection with Paraiso on a report of an individual threatening suicide. A subject had barricaded themself in their vehicle and refused to leave, threatening to have a firearm.
Police cleared the area of Everett Drive. Residents in the area were asked to stay inside and motorists were asked to avoid the area.
Officers from Danville PD, San Ramon PD, and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office set up a perimeter around the area and began talking with the subject in order to resolve the situation safely.
Shortly after 7 p.m., the subject voluntarily left their vehicle and surrendered to police custody. They have been taken in for a mental health evaluation. No firearm was found at the scene.
See video of the scene in the report by KPIX5 CBS.
.
Read MoreIn coordination with An Elderly Wish Foundation
Please join in this free drive-through mobile shredding event at TreVista in Antioch at 3950 Lone Tree Way or TreVista in Concord at 1081 Mohr Lane on Saturday, March 27, 2021 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm!
Freewill tax-deductible donations will be accepted for An Elderly Wish Foundation a non-profit granting wishes to seniors in Contra Costa County. Our website is www.elderlywish.org.
Thanks to Tamsen and Anne of TreVista for their support!!
Read More