Contra Costa Herald

Had help from Concord man, his co-defendant; victims included eight minors between 11 and 14 years old

OAKLAND – Delaney Tang was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for solicitation of child pornography and conspiracy to commit cyberstalking in connection with a sexual extortion scheme, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. Haywood S. Gilliam, U.S. District Judge.

Tang, 22, of Oakland, pleaded guilty to the charges on April 28, 2021. The plea agreement describes how Tang used Instagram to harass, threaten, and successfully extort a 12-year-old victim into sending him nude photos and videos of herself. The agreement further describes how Tang provided instructions to the victim specifying what she must wear, say, and do in her photos and videos as well as how Tang also attempted to coerce the victim into filming a video of herself performing additional sex acts with an underage male. Tang received assistance executing the scheme from co-defendant Vincenz Sison, 21, of Concord. Sison attempted to convince the victim to comply with Tang’s extortion requests. Ultimately, Tang publicly posted to Instagram and other sites sexually explicit images and videos of the 12-year-old victim after she stopped responding to Tang’s requests for additional photos and videos.

The government’s memorandum regarding Tang’s sentencing further explains how Tang used Instagram to extort additional victims, including seven identified underage victims who were between 11 and 14 years old.

On February 10, 2021, the United States filed a criminal information charging Tang and Sison with conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 & 2261A(2)(B), and charging Tang with an additional count of solicitation of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(3)(B).  Tang pleaded guilty to both counts charged against him.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Gilliam ordered Tang to serve an eight-year period of supervision following his release from prison.  Tang will surrender to begin serving his sentence on January 19, 2022. Tang’s next scheduled appearance is on January 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., for a hearing to determine restitution for his victims.

For his part in the scheme, Sison pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking on April 28, 2021. Judge Gilliam scheduled Sison’s sentencing for February 2, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Vieira is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the San Francisco Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security.

Suspect Danny Lamont Hamilton in 1999 and 2018, and victim Priscilla Lewis. Photos: CCCSheriff

Suspect formally charged for 1996 murder of Vallejo woman

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff has solved the 1996 murder of Priscilla Lewis in Crockett.

On September 24, 1996, Priscilla Lewis, a 21-year-old resident of Vallejo, was working as a waitress at the Four Corners restaurant located at 628 2nd Avenue in Crockett. The cook at the restaurant called 9-1-1 shortly before 10:30 PM after finding her body in the basement bathroom. The cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning.

Since that time, detectives from the Sheriff’s Office have continued the investigation interviewing dozens of people while the crime lab analyzed numerous pieces of evidence. Several search warrants were also served. Despite persistent investigation for over two decades, the case remained unsolved.

In 2020, detectives submitted additional evidence to the crime lab to be tested using current technology. A DNA match came back to that of Danny Lamont Hamilton, also of Vallejo. Hamilton was incarcerated at the Martinez Detention Facility from 1999-2002 for unrelated sexual assault charges. He was later convicted of those charges and sentenced to prison for 295 years. Hamilton, who is 51 years old, is currently serving his term at a state prison near San Diego.

On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, homicide detectives from the Sheriff’s Office presented the case to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. Hamilton was charged with one count of murder along with numerous enhancements in the Priscilla Lewis case:

PC187(a) (PC1203.075) – Murder with four (4) special enhancements

1. PC190.2(a)(15) – Murder by lying in wait
2. PC190.2(a)(17) – Felony murder kidnapping
3. PC190.2(a)(17) – Felony murder burglary
4. PC190.2(a)(17) – Felony murder—enumerated sex offence (committed during an attempted rape)

“I would like to recognize the many Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives and crime lab staff for their dedication and relentless work in the murder of Priscilla Lewis in 1996,” said Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston. “We continue to investigate unsolved homicides in an effort to provide families, like that of Priscilla Lewis, with answers and some closure and to hold suspects accountable.”

Homicide detectives are continuing to investigate this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

“The time has come to shut down those establishments that don’t obey the code.” – District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff

“There are no Omicron variant cases yet in our county.” – CC Health Services Director Anna Roth

Approve $95.5 million for new West County Reentry Treatment & Housing Facility; East County Groundwater Plan approved

By Daniel Borsuk

A defensive Contra Costa Health Services Director Anna Roth faced criticism from county Supervisors, especially emanating from District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff on why 13 restaurants remain open in defiance of county COVID-19 health orders. As of Sept. 22, by order of the county’s Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and other entertainment venues must require patrons to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test in order to enter. (See related article)

“There is no change in enforcement,” Roth said at Tuesday’s supervisors meeting. As of November, 99 percent of restaurants in the county are compliant. We have 13 outstanding cases.”

But Roth’s statement did not satisfy Mitchoff, the supervisor who initially unveiled the code enforcement issue with the county health services.

“The time has come to shut down those establishments that don’t obey the code,” Mitchoff said. “We have done the education. We’ve done the warning.”

None of the owners of the 13 restaurants spoke at Tuesday’s supervisors meeting. Lumpy’s Diner in Antioch, and MJ’s Downtown Café are among eating establishments that the county has tagged as out of compliance of COVID-19 health code.

One of the 13 restaurants on the county’s red tag list, the In-n-Out in Pleasant Hill has been closed for indoor dining health code violations.

District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg came to the defense of Roth and her department’s code enforcement division commenting, “I think you’re doing an outstanding job out there. The volume of people out there who are out of compliance is small. I enjoy eating inside a restaurant. I understand the stress,”

In the meantime, Roth reported that while 75.6 percent of Contra Costa County residents are fully vaccinated, twenty-seven persons are hospitalized in county hospitals with COVID-19 symptoms One patient dies daily on average from COVID-19 symptoms, she noted.

“There are no Omicron variant cases yet in our county,” said Roth.

In an interview for a KRON4 news report, County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said, “We don’t just jump right in there with a fine at the get go. We give the businesses the opportunity. Because our goal is to get to compliance for people to follow the order. Our goal isn’t to issue a bunch of fines.” The report also shared that Farnitano said only four restaurants in the county have been fined.

Rendering of the entrance of the West County Re-entry Treatment and Housing Facility. Source: Contra Costa County

$95.5 Million West County Detention Facility Expansion Plan Approved

Supervisors unanimously approved a $95.5 million design-build contract with Montana-based contractor Sletten Construction Company to design and build five secure housing units, a medical treatment center, reentry program space and building, and visitation facilities at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond. It will be known as the West County Reentry Treatment & Housing Facility.  WRTH presentation CCCBOS120721

One of the objectives of the project is to reduce overcrowding by 128 inmate beds to 288 high-security inmate beds in five housing units. Ninety-six beds will still be mental health treatment beds.

Possible Relocation of Marsh Creek Shooting Range

In a related matter, supervisors approved as a consent item a report on the future use and potential relocation of the shooting range at the Marsh Creek Detention Facility possibly to the Concord Naval Weapon Station. At the low-security detention facility inmates learn wood making skills and other basic education skills.

Used also as a training facility for the Office of the Sheriff and law enforcement agencies from Contra Costa County and surrounding counties, the Marsh Creek Range Facility generates revenue for the county. The range will bring about $113,000 for fiscal year 2021-2022, wrote County Administrator Monica Nino in her report to the supervisors.

East County Groundwater Sustainability Plan Approved

Supervisors also approved the East Contra Costa Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan on a 5-0 vote. The $1.4 million groundwater study applies to the cities of Antioch and Brentwood, Byron-Bethany Irrigation District, Diablo Water District, Discovery Bay Community Services and East Contra Costa Irrigation District.

Even under drought like conditions, the plan found, “Groundwater conditions in the ECC Subbasin are favorable and reflect stability over the past 30 years or more. Using various analogies, the Subbasin can be described as generally full through various water-year types, including drought and is in good “health.” The favorable conditions are in part due to surface water availability that represents the largest sources of supply for municipal and agricultural uses in the Subbasin.”

Ryan Hernandez of the Department of Conservation and Planning said if the board of supervisors did not adopt the ECC-GSP, the county would be in violation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which would result in the State Water Resources Board intervening in local groundwater management.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Former Central Committee member claims he was kicked out for voting against resolutions

“It is crucial to reallocate funds from police and sheriff departments” – approved CCC Democratic Party resolution

Segments of the Contra Costa County Democratic Party July 31, 2020 letter to the Board of Supervisors. Source: Jason Bezis

Dear Editor:

Please see the PDF attachment, which I received from the County of Contra Costa this morning in response to a Public Records Act/Better Government Ordinance request. CCCDP – Alegria Communications (12.6.21 Response)

This is the Contra Costa County Democratic Party’s local homage to the national “Defund the Police” movement:

(1) In the July 31, 2020 County Democratic Party letter to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors: “What is needed is an unprecedented and urgent redirection of funds from law enforcement …  It is crucial to reallocate funds from police and sheriff departments …”

[The earlier version that the County Democratic Central Committee passed called for “divestment.”  After I protested use of the word “divestment”, due to its very strong connotation in connection with 1980s “divestment” from the South Africa apartheid regime, County Party leaders softened it with the language above.]

(2)  July 2020 Contra Costa County Democratic Party resolution: “Shift Funding from Police and Sheriff Departments to Community Services … Therefore, be it resolved that we, the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, encourage city councils to decrease police department funding and that County Boards of Supervisors decrease Sheriff Department funding, and instead shift these funds …”

I voted “no” on both actions.  The County Democratic Party retaliated by kicking me out of their organization (as the Contra Costa Herald already has reported, in part, in April of 2021).

The Contra Costa County Democratic Party buffoons who approved this resolution and letter enabled the recent horrifying robbery at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and similar criminal conspiracies at Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton, Southland Mall in Hayward, and at Union Square in San Francisco.

DPCCC 2020 endorsement promos for Kevin Wilk and Cindy Darling. Provided by Jason Bezis

Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk and Councilmember Cindy Darling sought and secured endorsements for their 2020 re-election campaigns from the County Democratic Party at the same time all of these “Shift Funds from Police” actions were taken by the County Democratic Party. The “Herald” should ask Wilk and Silva to publicly disclose their answers to Democratic Party written questionnaires in 2020, especially about any police funding questions.  Were they asked about police funding in oral interviews? (Police funding/oversight was a major issue in Walnut Creek in 2020 with the “Justice for Miles Hall” movement.) CADEM2020 Slate Cards – WalnutCreek

The “Herald” also ought to ask Sheriff Livingston and his announced opponent(s) about what they think of the July 2020 Democratic Party letter and resolution about police and sheriff funding.  I expect that candidates might make themselves unavailable for public comment. The District 4 Supervisorial District candidates (Birsan, Obringer, and ???) also should be asked whether or not they supported this resolution and letter, both then in 2020 and now in 2021 after the nationally notorious crime wave that struck Broadway Plaza.  Birsan now is on the Cal. Dem. Party Executive Board. Again, watch for candidates to be unavailable for public comment.

The PDF attachment is a public record.

Best regards,

Jason Bezis

Lafayette, Calif.

Sheriff’s vehicle patrols downtown Walnut Creek. Photo by CCCSheriff

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

Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff Quinton Valentine patrolling downtown Walnut Creek. Photo by CCCSheriff.

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff will be providing patrol assistance to the Walnut Creek Police Department this holiday season. This comes in response to a recent spate of organized retail thefts in the Bay Area, including one in the Broadway Plaza shopping mall in Walnut Creek.

A special detail of Contra Costa deputy sheriffs will be conducting high-visibility patrols in downtown Walnut Creek alongside police officers to help prevent similar incidents from occurring and to provide additional security for the area.

“I made a personal commitment to the City of Walnut Creek to staff down-town Walnut Creek with deputy sheriffs during the holidays,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “Working with our partners at the Walnut Creek Police Department, this deployment from the Sheriff’s Office will help keep businesses, shoppers and residents safe.”

The Sheriff’s Office wishes every-one a safe and happy holiday season. Please always be alert wherever you are and that if you see suspicious activity to notify your local law enforcement agency.

About the Sheriff’s Office

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office offers a full range of law enforcement services to over 1,000,000 residents in the 715 square mile county. Besides patrolling the unincorporated areas, Deputy Sheriffs provide comprehensive police services to a number of contract cities and special districts. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office operates county detention facilities, provides security for the courts and runs the Office of Emergency Services. Log on www.cocosheriff.org for more information.

Jason Elliott, Senior Counselor to Gov. Gavin Newsom was joined by (L-R) Contra Costa Health Services Deputy Director Lavonna Martin, Pittsburg Mayor Merle Craft and Supervisor Federal Glover for the grand opening ceremony of Delta Landing. Photo by Karl Fischer.

State, local officials celebrate during grand opening of Pittsburg site for year-long program; will open later this month after extensive renovation is completed.

The Contra Costa Health Services hosted a grand opening ceremony for Delta Landing, a 172-unit interim housing site in Pittsburg, on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. It will be among the first in California to open thanks to the state’s Homekey program to provide shelter and on-site services to help county residents experiencing homelessness to regain housing.

“We are going to ensure we will continue to serve as many as possible with this resource…as we open this site as a permanent fixture,” said Deputy Health Services Director Lavonna Martin. She is the former Director of Health, Housing, & Homeless Services for Contra Costa County Health Services.

Rendering of the Delta Landing transitional housing site. Source: CCHS

Delta Landing, recipient of a $21.5 million Homekey grant in 2020, will open later this month after extensive site renovation. In addition to new paint, roof, furnishings, laundry and fire sprinkler system, clients can make use of a new wellness center for physical and behavioral health needs and co-located services to help them regain permanent housing. (See related article)

“We are grateful to California and Gov. Gavin Newsom for the opportunity to add critically needed services in East County for residents without housing,” said Diane Burgis, chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “Historically there has been a severe lack of beds in this part of the county, and Delta Landing is a great first step toward addressing that need.”

The site at 2101 Loveridge Road was previously a Motel 6, used since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as a non-congregate emergency shelter for county residents with funding from the state’s Project Roomkey program.

The Homekey award allowed Contra Costa to negotiate the purchase of the motel and provide the necessary renovations to make a state-of-the-art interim housing facility with services such as basic healthcare, housing navigation and case management provided on site.

One of the rooms at Delta Landing viewed during a tour of the facility following the grand opening ceremony on Monday, Dec. 6. Photo by Karl Fischer

“This is a bit of a full circle moment. 524 days ago, the governor stood right there at the end of this walkway, right there and announced the new thing in the state called Homekey. It didn’t exist. Now, we’re here today,” said Jason Elliott, Senior Counselor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and one of the governor’s point-people on housing and homelessness. “What we did was we created a program and we provided funding. What the local governments did was make this happen…172 units of critically needed housing.” (See related article)

Clients staying at the site were temporarily placed at other Project Roomkey locations in the county during renovations and will relocate back to Delta Landing this month.

“We know that the first service that people experiencing homelessness need is a stabilized living situation,” said Contra Costa Supervisor Federal Glover, whose district includes Pittsburg. “Delta Landing provides that stable place, so clients can make full use of the services and supports to transition into permanent housing.”

He previously shared that it is a year-long program that currently has a waitlist.

The county’s most recent homeless point-in-time count, in January 2020, showed that one-third of residents living outdoors in Contra Costa were in eastern Contra Costa – more than 500 people. But, before Delta Landing, there were only 20 available shelter beds in the county east of Concord.

Contra Costa’s Public Works Department led nearly $6 million renovation project. Homekey will also $4.196 million toward operation of this permanent facility, which is managed by Bay Area Community Services (BACS), a contractor of Contra Costa Health Services’ Division of Health, Housing and Homeless Services (H3).

Visit cchealth.org/h3 for information about services for people experiencing homelessness in Contra Costa County.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa Community College District Board President Andy Li and Chancellor Dr. Bryan Reece. Photos: 4CD

Ward 4 Trustee Andy Li denies committing Brown Act violation.

By Allen Payton

Prior to the start of the regular meeting of the Contra Costa Community College Governing Board on Wednesday, Dec. 8, the trustees will meet in closed session beginning at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the discipline/dismissal/release/complaint of Chancellor Bryan Reece. This would be another attempt by board members to discipline or remove him after little more than a year in the position. (See related articles here and here)

Asked which trustee or trustees requested the closed session item, which employee is the subject and which district employees does the board hire, 4CD PIO, Timothy Leong responded, “Items for the closed and open session agenda are developed collaboratively by the Chancellor and the Governing Board, and includes consultation with legal counsel. This includes personnel matters.” He also wrote, “The Governing Board only hires one person: the Chancellor. They Governing Board may also have input on other contract administrator positions, but the final decision on those positions is made by the Chancellor.”

Board President Andy Li was asked the same questions. “The board only hires the chancellor,” he responded.

Regarding which trustee or trustees requested the item be placed on the closed session agenda, Li said, “I don’t think I can disclose that. You can talk to the chancellor about that. He knows better whether we can or cannot.”

Request for Investigation and Censure of Governing Board President

In addition, during the regular meeting, which begins at 6:00 p.m., a censure and investigation of Li will be discussed. According to the staff report, Board Policy 1024 and Education Code Section 72121.5 afford members of the public the opportunity to place items on the agenda of meetings of the Governing Board subject to reasonable regulations.

On November 10, 2021, four members of an organization called CCC Latinx for Inclusion, Maria Alegria, former Mayor of Pinole; Genoveva Calloway, former Mayor of San Pablo; Contra Costa County Board of Education District 1 Trustee Consuelo Lara,; and Antioch School Board Trustee Mary Rocha, submitted a request that the Governing Board initiate an investigation into comments made by Governing Board President Andy Li at the June 23, 2021, Governing Board Meeting and is requesting that Mr. Li be subject to censure based on that investigation (see Board Back-up No. 20D). Ms. Alegria will be afforded up to five minutes to make her proposal to the Governing Board and to state the reasons for her requested action. Request for Censure of Andy Li 12-08-21

In their letter to the board they wrote, “Unfortunately, Trustee Li, under your leadership as President, you’ve repeatedly violated the Brown Act and governed with two different sets of standards for transparency and accountability.”

The letter continues, “Trustee Marquez, the most senior member of the Board, has requested twice that your censure for violating the confidentiality of closed session at the June 23 board meeting be placed on the agenda. Yet this request continues to be ignored. President Li, I have reviewed that video of the Board’s discussion on Agenda Item 18B: Interact Communications $10M Contract, which you stated was discussed in closed session. You were also cautioned by Trustees Barrett, Marquez and Sandoval, as well as Attorney Meola about this.”

They then offered an example of Li’s Brown Act violations, writing, “For example, at the May 26, 2021 4CD Board Meeting you read a prepared statement on your reasoning for recommending censure of Trustee Marquez. You stated: that you had grave concerns with Trustee Marquez’s conduct as he violated the confidentiality of closed session discussion”. This recommendation of censure of Trustee Marquez was an ‘action’ by the Board and was not listed on the agenda, under closed session or as a regular agenda item. You gave the public no opportunity to participate on this matter.”

Li Denies Committing Brown Act Violation

Asked if he had a response to the allegations, Li referred to another meeting, saying, “It was the second meeting in June between the 32-minute and 38-minute marks. People can check and make their judgment.”

Asked if there was a Brown Act violation what would he do to cure it, Li responded, “I didn’t. I did nothing wrong.”

Other Agenda Items

The regular meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the following three items:

• a presentation from 4CD students to the Governing Board;
• a special recognition for Diablo Valley College (DVC) and Los Medanos College (LMC) in the promotion of Associate Degrees for Transfer; and
• Board Report No. 20A a public hearing on ward equalization based on the 2020 Census presented for approval is a Resolution Approving Adjusted Trustee Ward Areas Based on 2020 Census. (See related article)

Other highlights of the meeting are:

• Board Report No. 16A Contra Costa College will offer a new Associate in Science Degree for Transfer in Business Administration.
• Board Report No. 16B DVC will offer a new Associate in Science Degree for Transfer in Business Administration.
• Board Report No. 16D Your approval of this report will allow three different groups of DVC students to travel to Spokane, Washington, Honolulu, Hawaii and Washington, DC. These filed trips will allow students to participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Aloha State Choral Festival and the National Student Advocacy Conference.
• Board Report No. 19A As requested at the August 11, 2021, Governing Board meeting, an overview of ongoing work by Interact/SIG, including an expenditure report, timeline and market update will be presented.
• Board Report No. 19C A listing of conferences of interest from January 2022 through February 2023 is presented for your information and planning purposes.
• Board Report No. 20B In accordance with Education Code Section 72000, a regular Governing Board meeting on December 15, 2021, is proposed so that the annual organizational meeting to select officers for December 2021 to December 2022 can be held.
• Board Report No. 20C This report is presented for approval to revise the 2021-22 Governing Board Meeting Calendar to accommodate the National Legislative Summit in Washington, DC that will be held in person in February 2022. Also presented for adoption is the 2022-23 Governing Board Meeting Calendar.

4CD Regular Governing Board Meeting – 12.8.21 agenda

The agenda for the above meeting and a memo highlighting certain reports are attached. The agenda can also be accessed at:  2021-12-08-GB Agenda

While Governing Board members will attend in person, audience members have the option of attending in-person or via Zoom.

If you are attending in person, public session will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Second Floor Board Room.  Please note that according to Contra Costa Health Services and effective August 3, 2021, masks are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in indoor public spaces such as businesses, classrooms and offices.

If you are attending remotely, please see the information below to access the meeting.

Meeting link:                https://tinyurl.com/2021-12-08-GB-Agenda

Meeting ID No.:           972 7628 0768

Passcode:                     205040

Phone option:               1.669.900.6833

Public Comment:  You may address an item on the agenda or a subject of your choice. The desired goal is to create an environment of mutual respect between participants of Governing Board meeting discussions; to enhance intellectual thought; and to insure that all present have an opportunity to present their views in an orderly fashion.  If you would like to make public comment at this meeting, please see the information listed on the attached agenda. A fillable public comment card is also attached within the agenda and included here: 4CD Board Mtg Public Comment Card

Source: Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center

The Contra Costa County Micro-Enterprise Relief Fund offers grants to micro-businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Contra Costa County cities except for Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg, and Antioch which receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, directly.

The Contra Costa County Micro-Enterprises Relief Fund is funded by the Contra Costa County CDBG program. The CDBG program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This fund is administered by the nonprofit organization Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s East Bay office.

FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS FUND, A “MICRO-ENTERPRISE” WILL BE DEFINED AS A FOR-PROFIT ENTITY WITH:

-A maximum of 5 employees (including owner)

-Less than $250,000 in annual business revenue

-Registered, in good standing with, and operating in Contra Costa County cities except for Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg, and Antioch

ELIGIBILITY, BUSINESS MUST:

-Be an existing micro-enterprise with 5 employees of less (including owner)

-Have a business operating in Contra Costa County except for Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg, and Antioch

-If resident lives outside of the county, business must be a brick and mortar in eligible cities

-Have a business license or permit

-Have a DUNS number (or able to obtain one prior to grant receipt)

-Be able to show their business financials from 2020 (tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, POS reports, quarterly taxes)

-Have a household income that is low to moderate-income (varies based on household size) or the majority of employees are low income (must show proof of income)

-Be directly impacted by COVID-19

INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES:

-Operating one of the following types of businesses: adult entertainment, liquor, cannabis, franchise
-Gig-workers: Uber, Instacart, etc.

-Received over $25,000 in PPP or EIDL loan/grants, if so, grants must be used for different expenses.

EXAMPLE USE OF FUNDS (NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST)

-Purchasing technology (i.e. laptops, printer, point of sale system)

-COVID-19 precaution supplies (PPE)

-Safety remodeling (plexiglass, spacing tape, construction labor)

-Façade improvements and signage

-Online platform fees and social media marketing to further online sales

-Commercial rents

-Employee salaries (must provide third party payroll vendor, 941 Form or W3 IRS Form)

-Funds cannot be used to pay debt or loans.

GRANT AMOUNT: $1,000.00- $10,000.00

To apply visit Contra Costa County Micro-Enterprise Relief Fund – Renaissance Center : Renaissance Center (rencenter.org)

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE EMAIL: EASTBAY@RENCENTER.ORG or CALL ‪(510) 877-3738

Items recovered from retail theft in Walnut Creek on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2021. Photos: WCPD

By Walnut Creek Police Department

You may have noticed extra Walnut Creek PD Officers, Lafayette PD, and Contra Costa County Deputies patrolling the downtown area.

We are doing our best to combat the influx of organized retail crime. Here is a little bit of the most recent activity:

On Sunday, Dec. 5, Officer Matt Smith noticed a suspicious vehicle parked in a parking lot near Broadway Plaza. The license plates were removed from the car, which Officer Smith recognized may be an indicator of someone attempting to get away with some kind of criminal behavior.

Officer Smith’s proactive investigation and the assistance of other WCPD units on scene led to the arrest of Eriona Mclothan, born Jan. 16, 1997, out of Oakland for PC 490.4, organized retail theft.

Approximately $2,000 in merchandise from various retailers in Broadway Plaza was recovered and returned.

Great investigation by all involved!!

Ladasha Wheeler, with her daughter, is enrolled in the CNA program at Opportunity Junction in Antioch. Photo courtesy of BART.

East Contra Costa Community Alliance chosen as this year’s beneficiary

Sometimes the people we rely on to care for loved ones need a helping hand themselves. At Opportunity Junction in Antioch future care providers are getting the assistance they need to launch careers as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) through an innovative program that not only provides invaluable hands-on experience but also offers support in dealing with other life challenges. That helping hand can include coaching, connections to resources for housing and childcare, transportation assistance, and food support.

Opportunity Junction is one of a dozen charitable organizations that are part of the East Contra Costa Community Alliance. The Alliance is dedicated to strengthening resources available for those in need in eastern Contra Costa County, an area where finding adequate services has historically been a challenge. By coming together members of the Alliance share and leverage resources to better support disadvantaged populations. BART Board President Mark Foley has selected the Alliance as the beneficiary of this year’s annual BART Holiday Toy Drive.

Graduates of the CNA program at Opportunity Junction. Photo courtesy of BART.

This collaborative approach of the Alliance is paying off for 39-year-old Ladasha Wheeler who is enrolled in the CNA program at Opportunity Junction. Wheeler says she’s always wanted to work in the health care industry and the need has never been greater. “With the pandemic you heard the stories of how people couldn’t be there for their loved ones and how health care workers are overworked,” said Wheeler. “If you can step in to help with a sincere heart to do it why not?”

Wheeler has two adult children and is currently raising her seven-year-old daughter. She says she wouldn’t be able to pursue her career dream without Opportunity Junction. “If you can get the help that you need it’s really nice to have,” said Wheeler. “I’m a proud person but when it comes to donations you never know when you might eventually be on the receiving end.”

ECCCA member Loaves and Fishes delivers lunch daily to the Wheeler’s classroom, helping take the burden off the CNA trainees.

“Working together with our partners, we can provide the comprehensive services our residents need,” says Opportunity Junction CEO Alissa Friedman. “That CNA program is itself a partnership with Mt. Diablo Adult Education and Empowered Aging.”

33-year-old Natalee Pletcher is also a mother of three who is in the nursing program. Pletcher says she wouldn’t be able to pursue her goal of becoming a CNA and then a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) without the support of Opportunity Junction.

“The program has really given me not only help with tuition but help with courage because they’ve been there,” she said. “They’re really there for you if you’re struggling with something financially, mentally, or otherwise.”

Pletcher says the BART Holiday Toy Drive will make a big difference for hundreds of families including hers.

“It’s been very difficult for my family to get caught up with COVID. It’s set us back a lot so having this toy drive will really help my kids have a great Christmas,” she added.

The East Contra Costa Community Alliance includes the following non-profit groups that work together to offer a variety of support services:

• Opportunity Junction– Helps motivated job seekers develop the skills and confidence to launch careers.
• Monument Impact– Building skills, resources, and power within immigrant, refugee, and low-income communities.
• Loaves and Fishes– Provides community-based food programs and partner services focused on basic needs.
• Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA)– Advocates for abused and neglected youth in foster care.
• DreamCatchers EmpowermentNetwork – Empowers youth and adults with limitations with assessments, job preparation, placement, and coaching.
• SparkPoint– Focuses on financial stability including managing credit, increasing income, and building assets.
• Village Community Resource Center– Family-focused support including after-school programs, mental health service, and parent support.
• Winter Nights Family Shelter– Provides safe shelter for families and assistance to break the cycle of homelessness.
• Counseling Options and Parent Education (COPE)– Strengthens family relationships through counseling options and parent education programs.
• Contra Costa Senior Legal Services – Protecting the rights of seniors with a focus on keeping clients healthy and independent.
• People Who Care Children Association– Free mental health counseling and enrichment opportunities ranging from job training to life skills.
• Brighter Beginnings– Supports healthy births and development by partnering with parents. Assists young parents and expecting parents.

The collaboration between the charities has been especially valuable in the last year in the face of the global pandemic. Members of the alliance are sharing technical help and advice as well as learning lessons from one another as they offer support services to the community during a challenging time.

“We know what one another does so we can refer to one another more easily and it expands the resources we have for our own clients,” said SparkPoint Contra Costa Director Betty Geishirt Cantrell. “We really supported each other during the pandemic. We all had to move to remote services. We asked each other, ‘how are you doing remote services, what platforms are you using, which one works best’ all of that.”

“Connecting resources for a family who is in crisis is easier when we have partners who value each other’s services”, said C.O.P.E. Family Support Center’s Founder Cathy Botello.

The spirit of partnership is making a difference in the lives of thousands of families in Eastern Contra Costa County.

“Virtual was a factor last year for sure. Most of our classes are in Spanish and that’s a population that often falls into the digital divide,” said Monument Impact Executive Director Debra Ballinger. “We’re partnering with Pittsburg Unified to accommodate more people, teaching basics like how to use a Chromebook. Also, people were so panicked about job loss. It was sudden and immediate for people. We found that we had to find different ways to help to keep people in their homes.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP: If you’d like to join BART employees in helping the non-profits that are part of the East Contra Costa Community Alliance at the holidays you can visit www.ecccalliance.org. The site includes links to all 12 members of the Alliance.