Luc Toan Chanh Ciel
By Scott Alonso, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has concluded Richmond Police Department officers lawfully shot and killed Luc Toan Chanh Ciel in 2019. The DA’s Office released a public report about the shooting today. No charges will be filed against the officers and the Office’s criminal investigation has been concluded. The facts show that the officers had probable cause to believe that Ciel posed a significant threat of death or great bodily injury, not only to himself, but to his family. (See related article)
On April 11, 2019, at approximately 2:33 a.m., multiple Richmond officers arrived at a residence due to an urgent 911 call. Ciel broke into the residence and had weapons, including two knives, with him as he stabbed and attempted to kill three family members.
Officers arrived at the scene and entered the residence from different locations. Officer Danielle Evans and Officer Jeffrey Tyner entered from the rear of the building. They noticed broken glass on the ground and could hear yelling from inside the house. The officers found one victim with blood on her face in the first room they entered.
Officer Tyner proceeded to continue inside the house and saw Ciel with a knife standing over another victim. Ciel was in the process of attempting to stab this victim. Officer Tyner commanded Ciel to step away from the victim and drop his knife. Ciel refused to listen to the officer’s commands. Officer Tyner in turn fired his weapon three times. Officer Evans saw Ciel continue to stand up after he was hit and turned towards the officers. Officer Evans then fired her weapon once.
Officer Terrance Jackson was also inside the residence and observed Tyner and Evans engaging with Ciel. Officer Jackson fired his weapon once after Ciel turned towards his fellow officers. Officer Jackson’s shot occurred simultaneously to Officer Evans’ shot.
Officers located numerous black flex ties in Ciel’s pocket. There was also another knife in the hallway near his body. He had a knife sheath on his belt. Ciel was pronounced deceased at the scene. An autopsy performed by the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office found Ciel suffered four gunshot wounds and one stab wound. A toxicology report was negative for the presence of any substance.
The DA’s Office and every law enforcement agency in Contra Costa County has adopted the Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incidents Protocol (“the Protocol”) to investigate incidents when officers or civilians are shot or die during an encounter with law enforcement. Under the Protocol, the DA’s Office investigates all officer-involved shootings in Contra Costa County for the purpose of making an independent determination of criminal liability. The sole purpose of the District Attorney’s investigation is to determine if there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed during a fatal encounter with law enforcement.
The OIS public report is available on our website.
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But can choose to hold in-person meetings
By Allen Payton
On Sept. 16, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 361, entitled “Open meetings: state and local agencies: teleconferences,” extending the time period for online meetings of government agencies until Jan. 1, 2024. The current order allowing the online meetings until the end of this month, will expire on Oct. 1 under an executive order he signed, on Monday, Sept. 20.
According to the Legislative Counsel’s Digest, “This bill, until January 1, 2024, would authorize a local agency to use teleconferencing without complying with the teleconferencing requirements imposed by the Ralph M. Brown Act when a legislative body of a local agency holds a meeting during a declared state of emergency, as that term is defined, when state or local health officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing, during a proclaimed state of emergency held for the purpose of determining, by majority vote, whether meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees, and during a proclaimed state of emergency when the legislative body has determined that meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees, as provided.”
However, government agencies can still choose to return to meeting in person.
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Contra Costa Fire and East Contra Costa Fire Protection Districts to move forward with applications to Local Agency Formation Commission
By Steve Hill, PIO, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District & Steve Aubert, Fire Marshal/PIO, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) and East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) announced Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, their boards of directors have each approved resolutions for the annexation of ECCFPD into the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The agencies are now expected to make applications to the Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for formal approval of the annexation.
“Annexation into Con Fire is a huge victory for the businesses and residents of East Contra Costa,” said ECCFPD Board of Directors President Brian Oftedal. “We explored every option to fix this historically underfunded district and provide a better service delivery model. Annexation will improve response times, open fire stations and provide a paramedic level of service for our communities.”
ECCFPD was formed in November of 2002 by combining the Bethel Island Fire District, the East Diablo Fire District, and the Oakley Fire District. It serves Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron and the unincorporated area to the Clayton city limits.
ECCFPD Service Area Map
“I am so excited and proud of the teamwork that has brought us to this point,” said District 3 Supervisor and Board Chair Diane Burgis, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “With the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors acting as the Con Fire fire board unanimously approving the request to formally apply for annexation of ECCFPD, and the ECCFPD board voting unanimously to move forward, we are a giant step closer to providing improved fire and rescue services in East Contra Costa County.”
“I look forward to continuing to work to push this across the finish line,” she added.
Once approved by LAFCo, Con Fire will absorb the firefighting staff, support staff, facilities and equipment of today’s ECCFPD and the newly merged organization will provide improved fire and emergency services to the more than 128,000 residents of eastern Contra Costa County. The annexation approval process is expected to take four-to-six months followed by operational and administrative consolidation of the two entities.
“I am pleased by the decisions of the two agencies’ boards, approving our requests to formally apply for annexation of East Contra Costa Fire into Con Fire,” said Chief Lewis Broschard of Con Fire. “I look forward to now beginning in earnest the implementation of this long-studied initiative that will provide more effective, efficient and safer fire and emergency services across our county.”
Benefits of annexation for residents are expected to include more coordinated, cohesive and streamlined fire and emergency services. While both fire districts already work very closely on mutual aid assignments across current borders, each maintains separate operations, training and administrative functions, creating potential for economies of scale by bringing the separate operational entities under one administrative structure.
Another important benefit will be better alignment of firefighting models across districts that could net both increased fire services and improved firefighter safety. Annexation is also expected to reduce current burdens on the agencies’ busiest stations by increasing resources within Battalion 5 in East County.
ECCFPD Chief Brian Helmick. Official photo
“ECCFPD’s citizens and businesses are one step closer to receiving adequate fire and rescue service levels,” said ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick. “My staff and I will continue to diligently work to ensure the remaining consolidation processes go through seamlessly and in a timely manner.”
When reached for comment, he added, “it still needs both LAFCo and state Board of Equalization approval. It is anticipated both those processes will go smoothly and we expect to be one agency by March 2022. It’s just a process issue. At this time, we have heard of no opposition to either board’s identical resolutions.”
Asked about what his new position will be, Helmick responded, “that’s still being worked out. We’ll probably know what that looks like in the next couple months. They’re working on finalizing positions for many people in the organization.”
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, acting as the Con Fire Board, unanimously approved a resolution for Con Fire to annex East Contra Costa Fire in its regular monthly meeting on September 14, 2021.
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board of Directors voted unanimously to move forward with consolidation with Contra Costa County Fire Protection District at a special Fire Board meeting on September 16, 2021. (See related article)
About Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) — A recognized fire service leader – – Con Fire provides fire and emergency medical services to more than a million people across its 304 square-mile District area, and through mutual aid, in and around the 20 cities and unincorporated communities of Contra Costa County, California. With few exceptions, county emergency ambulance transport services are provided by Con Fire through its unique sub-contractor Alliance model across the District and beyond to include some 520 square miles of the county. In 2020, the District responded to some 75,000 fire and EMS emergencies and dispatched some 95,000 ambulances, providing expert medical care on more than 74,000 ambulance transports. The District, with 26 fire stations and more than 400 employees, is dedicated to preserving life, property, and the environment.
About East Contra Costa Fire Protection District — The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is a rural-funded fire district that currently operates three fire stations and has a three-station deficit. The district protects a population of more than 128,000 across its 249 square-mile service area. ECCFPD provides firefighting personnel, emergency medical services (basic life support) and fire prevention to the residents and businesses of the cities of Brentwood and Oakley, and unincorporated communities of Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron, Marsh Creek, and Morgan Territory. Learn more at www.eccfpd.org or social media via Facebook (East Contra Costa Fire Protection District), Instagram(@east_contra_costa_fire), Twitter (@ECCFPD ) or our YouTube channel (East Contra Costa Fire Protection District).
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$752,000 in civil penalties
By Scott Alonso, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton announced today that the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, together with 33 other California District Attorneys and City Attorneys, have reached a settlement for violations of hazardous waste regulations with Ulta Beauty, Inc., Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc., Ulta, Inc., and Possibilities AB, Inc., (collectively referred to as “Ulta”) that includes $752,000 of civil penalties, supplemental environmental projects, and costs. Ulta has five stores in Contra Costa County and 161 facilities overall in California. The settlement follows an investigation of Ulta stores’ improper storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous and other regulated waste and inadequate employee training.
Ulta stores in Contra Costa County are located in Brentwood, Concord, Pinole Pleasant Hill and San Ramon.
“Companies must be held responsible for business practices that pose a harm to the environment.,” said DA Becton. “Ulta was cooperative throughout the investigation and in correcting the issues.”
In fact, Ulta stores in California have adopted and implemented new policies and procedures and enhanced existing training programs designed to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste products, other regulated waste, and confidential customer consumer information.
Under the settlement, which includes a Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction entered in Solano County Superior Court Case No. FCS057080, by the Honorable Alesia Jones, the corporations must pay $439,500 in civil penalties, $250,000 in costs and $62,500 in supplemental environmental projects. Defendants must also implement certain compliance assurance programs.
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By Eddie Willis, Planner, East Bay Regional Park District
Greetings, park supporters:
I am excited to announce that East Bay Regional Park District and East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy will be hosting a free, on-site OPEN HOUSE EVENT at the former Roddy Ranch Golf Course in Antioch the morning of Saturday, September 25. This is an opportunity to see the site in-person, walk along a section of former golf cart paths, and learn about park planning efforts, design ideas, and habitat restoration for the future Regional Park. Capacity is limited, so registration is required. Face coverings and/or social distancing may also be required per local health orders.
When: Saturday, September 25*, 2021 from 9:30am – 11:30am
*If September 25 is canceled due to wildfire smoke or other issue, an alternate date of Saturday, October 9 will be offered.
Where: Former Roddy Ranch Golf Course at 1 Tour Way, Antioch (entrance off Deer Valley Road)
Registration required: visit [t.ly/4Axy]t.ly/4Axy or call 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757) and reference program #41871
Please pass this invitation along to any community members, civic leaders, family, or friends you think may be interested in learning about the new park. For general questions, I can be contacted at ewillis@ebparks.org.
Thank you for supporting your Regional Parks!
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Virgil Lee Adams arrested and illegal gun confiscated on Tues., Sept, 15, 2021. Photos: WCPD
Ages 22, 21 and 13; during Tuesday traffic stop; both adults have history of arrests, already released from custody
By Walnut Creek Police
If you happened to see police activity in the area of S. California Ave. and Newell Ave. on Tuesday, here is what happened!
At around 3:40pm, Officer Kim and his FTO Officer Young made a traffic stop on the corner of S. Cal and Newell Ave.
While they were investigating, one person in the car (Virgil Lee Adams, born 8/18/99) got out of the car and ran away from the scene. Officers then located a loaded firearm underneath the seat Adams was sitting in.
Additional WCPD Officers and Detectives quickly responded to the scene.
Officer Marre and Sergeant Njoroge located Adams in the creek just south of Newell Ave. after a foot chase.
Officers Young and Kim located the loaded firearm and over 80 fentanyl pills inside the car.
Adams was arrested for narcotics possession, possession of narcotics while armed, weapons possession, and obstruction.
Other occupants in the car included a 13-year-old male who was arrested for an outstanding warrant out of Oregon and Quan’naejia Ta’zjae Taylor (born on 10/31/99. Taylor was arrested for ID Theft. Excellent work by all involved!
Virgil Lee Adams Aug. 2020 and Quan’naejia Ta’zjae Taylor Aug. 2019 and Feb. 2018. Sources: Portland, OR Police & Clackamas Co., OR Sheriff
As of Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, according to the Vine website she was out of custody on general release and Adams was out of custody released on court order.
According to bustedmugshots.com he was arrested on Oct. 28, 2016 for attempted murder and unlawful use of a weapons. Then, according to arrestfacts.com Adams was arrested by Portland Police on Dec. 9, 2016 for unlawful possession of a loaded firearm and interfering with a peace officer. According to thegrio.com, he was arrested on Feb. 13, 2017 for robbery and assault, but was later found not guilty.
Finally, according to crimeinformer.com, Adams was arrested in Portland, OR on Aug. 25, 2020 for attempted murder, assault and unlawful use of a weapon. According to his Facebook page he lives in Portland and is the father of three children.
According to crimeinformer.com, Taylor was also arrested on Feb. 2, 2018 for theft in Clackamas County, OR, then again on Aug 5, 2019 in Portland, OR for disorderly conduct and interfering with a peace officer. According to mugshots.com and bustedmugshots.com she was arrested by Portland Police on May 9, 2019 for robbery, identity theft and fraud. According to her Facebook page, she’s the mother of two children.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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Illegal guns seized during traffic stop on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Photo: RPD
During Saturday morning traffic stop
By Richmond Police Department
PROACTIVE POLICING = SAFER STREETS!
Saturday morning, while patrolling the 23rd Street corridor, Officer McDonell saw a car driving without headlights, and conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle.
Upon contacting the driver, Officer McDonell immediately noticed that the driver appeared to be driving under the influence (DUI). Furthermore, he could see open containers of alcohol and marijuana within the car, which was occupied by four other passengers.
During the course of his investigation, Officer McDonell located three illegal firearms within the car! Not only was one of the guns loaded with an illegal 32-round extended magazine, but a records check revealed that a second gun had been reported stolen out of another local jurisdiction.
The driver, who was under the age of 21, was determined to have been driving under the influence (DUI) with the four passengers in her car. RPD officers provided free rides to RPD jail, where the suspects were booked on multiple DUI, narcotics, and firearms-related charges.
We are relieved that this DUI driver, and the illegal firearms in her car, were intercepted before anyone was potentially injured or killed. We are proud of Officer McDonell’s proactive policing efforts to keep our community safe!
Richmond PD is committed to protecting our community, with a zero-tolerance approach if you are caught driving under the influence. Remember – buzzed driving is drunk driving; PLEASE plan ahead and designate a sober driver!
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By CHP – Oakland
OAKLAND, CA. – On September 16, 2021, at 3:30 p.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a call of a road rage incident which led to a freeway shooting on eastbound State Route 24 (SR-24), west of the Caldecott Tunnel. CHP officers responded to the scene and located the victim stopped on the right shoulder. The victim vehicle sustained multiple bullet strikes. No injuries were reported.
Traffic was impacted from 3:30 p.m., to 6:00 p.m. while the shooting investigation was being conducted. This remains an ongoing investigation. The CHP asks that any person with information contact the CHP Golden Gate Division tip line at (707) 917-4491, or by email at 30specialinvestigations@chp.ca.gov.
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Suspect’s van rams Oakland Police car on April 16, 2020 injuring two officers. Richmond PD video screenshot.
After pointing gun at police, rammed his car into theirs, injuring two Oakland officers
CORONER’S INQUEST JURY FINDING
By Jimmy Lee, Public Affairs Director, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Deceased kidnapping suspect Juan Ayon-Barraza. Photo by Vallejo PD
Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced that a coroner’s jury Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 reached a finding in the April 16, 2020 death of 24-year-old Juan Carlos Ayon-Barraza of Vacaville. The finding of the jury is that the death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident.
A suspect in the shooting of a Vallejo woman and dumping her body in the Oakland Hills, Ayon-Barraza led police on a chase to Richmond. The suspect pointed his firearm at pursuing officers. Multiple Oakland police officers and a Richmond police officer fired their weapons in defense of their and/or other lives. Simultaneously, the suspect vehicle crossed over into traffic on South 37th Street and Stege Ave. and collided with an Oakland police vehicle. (See Richmond PD video and related article for more details)
Two Oakland police officers were injured during the collision, both considered moderate and non-life threatening. The suspect sustained a fatal gunshot wound during this incident. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female victim sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
An Oakland Police Officer on the ground in front of the suspect’s van after being one of two struck when he rammed their cars.
The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.
A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, 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, At the hands of another person, other than by accident.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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NCQA rated Kaiser Permanente Northern California among highest for consumer experience, prevention, and treatment
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
OAKLAND, CA – For the sixth year, Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s Medicare health plan is rated 5 out of 5 stars, making it the highest rated plan in the region – and among the highest rated in the country.
In the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Health Plan Ratings 2021, published today, Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plan in Northern California received 5 stars and its commercial health plan received 4.5 stars. Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California region received the same ratings – making the two plans among the highest rated in California and the nation.
“Kaiser Permanente continues to be recognized nationally for what matters most to our members and patients: high quality care and exceptional service,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “We are proud to be a leader in health care delivery and these ratings, which are so consistent over time, demonstrate our commitment to putting our patients and their health at the center of all we do.”
“This recognition is a tribute to the dedication and expertise of our highly-skilled physicians, nurses, and staff,” said Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Through our innovative, personalized, and technologically advanced approach to health care, we continue to transform care delivery while having a positive and often life-changing impact on the health and well-being of our members and patients.”
NCQA analyzed over 1,000 health plans in the nation – private, Medicare, Medicaid – for quality and service. Only 17 health plans in the country, or about 1.6 percent, were rated 5 out of 5 stars. In all, Kaiser Permanente has six of those highest rated plans.
NCQA is a national, private not-for-profit organization that surveys health plans for performance in a wide range of clinical service measures including consumer experience, prevention and treatment. All Kaiser Permanente health plans were rated 4 stars or higher. For the sixth year in a row, all Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plans were rated highest (or tied for the highest) in the areas they serve. Kaiser Permanente serves more than 12.5 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia.
The NCQA’s Health Insurance Plan Ratings are based on combined scores for health plans in Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set®, commonly called HEDIS; the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems®, or CAHPS; and NCQA Accreditation standards scores.
The ratings and methodology are posted on the NCQA’s website at www.ncqa.org.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve almost 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org
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Luc Toan Chanh Ciel
By Scott Alonso, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has concluded Richmond Police Department officers lawfully shot and killed Luc Toan Chanh Ciel in 2019. The DA’s Office released a public report about the shooting today. No charges will be filed against the officers and the Office’s criminal investigation has been concluded. The facts show that the officers had probable cause to believe that Ciel posed a significant threat of death or great bodily injury, not only to himself, but to his family. (See related article)
On April 11, 2019, at approximately 2:33 a.m., multiple Richmond officers arrived at a residence due to an urgent 911 call. Ciel broke into the residence and had weapons, including two knives, with him as he stabbed and attempted to kill three family members.
Officers arrived at the scene and entered the residence from different locations. Officer Danielle Evans and Officer Jeffrey Tyner entered from the rear of the building. They noticed broken glass on the ground and could hear yelling from inside the house. The officers found one victim with blood on her face in the first room they entered.
Officer Tyner proceeded to continue inside the house and saw Ciel with a knife standing over another victim. Ciel was in the process of attempting to stab this victim. Officer Tyner commanded Ciel to step away from the victim and drop his knife. Ciel refused to listen to the officer’s commands. Officer Tyner in turn fired his weapon three times. Officer Evans saw Ciel continue to stand up after he was hit and turned towards the officers. Officer Evans then fired her weapon once.
Officer Terrance Jackson was also inside the residence and observed Tyner and Evans engaging with Ciel. Officer Jackson fired his weapon once after Ciel turned towards his fellow officers. Officer Jackson’s shot occurred simultaneously to Officer Evans’ shot.
Officers located numerous black flex ties in Ciel’s pocket. There was also another knife in the hallway near his body. He had a knife sheath on his belt. Ciel was pronounced deceased at the scene. An autopsy performed by the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office found Ciel suffered four gunshot wounds and one stab wound. A toxicology report was negative for the presence of any substance.
The DA’s Office and every law enforcement agency in Contra Costa County has adopted the Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incidents Protocol (“the Protocol”) to investigate incidents when officers or civilians are shot or die during an encounter with law enforcement. Under the Protocol, the DA’s Office investigates all officer-involved shootings in Contra Costa County for the purpose of making an independent determination of criminal liability. The sole purpose of the District Attorney’s investigation is to determine if there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed during a fatal encounter with law enforcement.
The OIS public report is available on our website.
Read MoreBut can choose to hold in-person meetings
By Allen Payton
On Sept. 16, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 361, entitled “Open meetings: state and local agencies: teleconferences,” extending the time period for online meetings of government agencies until Jan. 1, 2024. The current order allowing the online meetings until the end of this month, will expire on Oct. 1 under an executive order he signed, on Monday, Sept. 20.
According to the Legislative Counsel’s Digest, “This bill, until January 1, 2024, would authorize a local agency to use teleconferencing without complying with the teleconferencing requirements imposed by the Ralph M. Brown Act when a legislative body of a local agency holds a meeting during a declared state of emergency, as that term is defined, when state or local health officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing, during a proclaimed state of emergency held for the purpose of determining, by majority vote, whether meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees, and during a proclaimed state of emergency when the legislative body has determined that meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees, as provided.”
However, government agencies can still choose to return to meeting in person.
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Contra Costa Fire and East Contra Costa Fire Protection Districts to move forward with applications to Local Agency Formation Commission
By Steve Hill, PIO, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District & Steve Aubert, Fire Marshal/PIO, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) and East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) announced Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, their boards of directors have each approved resolutions for the annexation of ECCFPD into the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The agencies are now expected to make applications to the Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for formal approval of the annexation.
“Annexation into Con Fire is a huge victory for the businesses and residents of East Contra Costa,” said ECCFPD Board of Directors President Brian Oftedal. “We explored every option to fix this historically underfunded district and provide a better service delivery model. Annexation will improve response times, open fire stations and provide a paramedic level of service for our communities.”
ECCFPD was formed in November of 2002 by combining the Bethel Island Fire District, the East Diablo Fire District, and the Oakley Fire District. It serves Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron and the unincorporated area to the Clayton city limits.
ECCFPD Service Area Map
“I am so excited and proud of the teamwork that has brought us to this point,” said District 3 Supervisor and Board Chair Diane Burgis, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “With the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors acting as the Con Fire fire board unanimously approving the request to formally apply for annexation of ECCFPD, and the ECCFPD board voting unanimously to move forward, we are a giant step closer to providing improved fire and rescue services in East Contra Costa County.”
“I look forward to continuing to work to push this across the finish line,” she added.
Once approved by LAFCo, Con Fire will absorb the firefighting staff, support staff, facilities and equipment of today’s ECCFPD and the newly merged organization will provide improved fire and emergency services to the more than 128,000 residents of eastern Contra Costa County. The annexation approval process is expected to take four-to-six months followed by operational and administrative consolidation of the two entities.
“I am pleased by the decisions of the two agencies’ boards, approving our requests to formally apply for annexation of East Contra Costa Fire into Con Fire,” said Chief Lewis Broschard of Con Fire. “I look forward to now beginning in earnest the implementation of this long-studied initiative that will provide more effective, efficient and safer fire and emergency services across our county.”
Benefits of annexation for residents are expected to include more coordinated, cohesive and streamlined fire and emergency services. While both fire districts already work very closely on mutual aid assignments across current borders, each maintains separate operations, training and administrative functions, creating potential for economies of scale by bringing the separate operational entities under one administrative structure.
Another important benefit will be better alignment of firefighting models across districts that could net both increased fire services and improved firefighter safety. Annexation is also expected to reduce current burdens on the agencies’ busiest stations by increasing resources within Battalion 5 in East County.
ECCFPD Chief Brian Helmick. Official photo
“ECCFPD’s citizens and businesses are one step closer to receiving adequate fire and rescue service levels,” said ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick. “My staff and I will continue to diligently work to ensure the remaining consolidation processes go through seamlessly and in a timely manner.”
When reached for comment, he added, “it still needs both LAFCo and state Board of Equalization approval. It is anticipated both those processes will go smoothly and we expect to be one agency by March 2022. It’s just a process issue. At this time, we have heard of no opposition to either board’s identical resolutions.”
Asked about what his new position will be, Helmick responded, “that’s still being worked out. We’ll probably know what that looks like in the next couple months. They’re working on finalizing positions for many people in the organization.”
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, acting as the Con Fire Board, unanimously approved a resolution for Con Fire to annex East Contra Costa Fire in its regular monthly meeting on September 14, 2021.
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board of Directors voted unanimously to move forward with consolidation with Contra Costa County Fire Protection District at a special Fire Board meeting on September 16, 2021. (See related article)
About Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) — A recognized fire service leader – – Con Fire provides fire and emergency medical services to more than a million people across its 304 square-mile District area, and through mutual aid, in and around the 20 cities and unincorporated communities of Contra Costa County, California. With few exceptions, county emergency ambulance transport services are provided by Con Fire through its unique sub-contractor Alliance model across the District and beyond to include some 520 square miles of the county. In 2020, the District responded to some 75,000 fire and EMS emergencies and dispatched some 95,000 ambulances, providing expert medical care on more than 74,000 ambulance transports. The District, with 26 fire stations and more than 400 employees, is dedicated to preserving life, property, and the environment.
About East Contra Costa Fire Protection District — The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is a rural-funded fire district that currently operates three fire stations and has a three-station deficit. The district protects a population of more than 128,000 across its 249 square-mile service area. ECCFPD provides firefighting personnel, emergency medical services (basic life support) and fire prevention to the residents and businesses of the cities of Brentwood and Oakley, and unincorporated communities of Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron, Marsh Creek, and Morgan Territory. Learn more at www.eccfpd.org or social media via Facebook (East Contra Costa Fire Protection District), Instagram(@east_contra_costa_fire), Twitter (@ECCFPD ) or our YouTube channel (East Contra Costa Fire Protection District).
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$752,000 in civil penalties
By Scott Alonso, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton announced today that the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, together with 33 other California District Attorneys and City Attorneys, have reached a settlement for violations of hazardous waste regulations with Ulta Beauty, Inc., Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc., Ulta, Inc., and Possibilities AB, Inc., (collectively referred to as “Ulta”) that includes $752,000 of civil penalties, supplemental environmental projects, and costs. Ulta has five stores in Contra Costa County and 161 facilities overall in California. The settlement follows an investigation of Ulta stores’ improper storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous and other regulated waste and inadequate employee training.
Ulta stores in Contra Costa County are located in Brentwood, Concord, Pinole Pleasant Hill and San Ramon.
“Companies must be held responsible for business practices that pose a harm to the environment.,” said DA Becton. “Ulta was cooperative throughout the investigation and in correcting the issues.”
In fact, Ulta stores in California have adopted and implemented new policies and procedures and enhanced existing training programs designed to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste products, other regulated waste, and confidential customer consumer information.
Under the settlement, which includes a Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction entered in Solano County Superior Court Case No. FCS057080, by the Honorable Alesia Jones, the corporations must pay $439,500 in civil penalties, $250,000 in costs and $62,500 in supplemental environmental projects. Defendants must also implement certain compliance assurance programs.
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By Eddie Willis, Planner, East Bay Regional Park District
Greetings, park supporters:
I am excited to announce that East Bay Regional Park District and East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy will be hosting a free, on-site OPEN HOUSE EVENT at the former Roddy Ranch Golf Course in Antioch the morning of Saturday, September 25. This is an opportunity to see the site in-person, walk along a section of former golf cart paths, and learn about park planning efforts, design ideas, and habitat restoration for the future Regional Park. Capacity is limited, so registration is required. Face coverings and/or social distancing may also be required per local health orders.
When: Saturday, September 25*, 2021 from 9:30am – 11:30am
*If September 25 is canceled due to wildfire smoke or other issue, an alternate date of Saturday, October 9 will be offered.
Where: Former Roddy Ranch Golf Course at 1 Tour Way, Antioch (entrance off Deer Valley Road)
Registration required: visit [t.ly/4Axy]t.ly/4Axy or call 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757) and reference program #41871
Please pass this invitation along to any community members, civic leaders, family, or friends you think may be interested in learning about the new park. For general questions, I can be contacted at ewillis@ebparks.org.
Thank you for supporting your Regional Parks!
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Virgil Lee Adams arrested and illegal gun confiscated on Tues., Sept, 15, 2021. Photos: WCPD
Ages 22, 21 and 13; during Tuesday traffic stop; both adults have history of arrests, already released from custody
By Walnut Creek Police
If you happened to see police activity in the area of S. California Ave. and Newell Ave. on Tuesday, here is what happened!
At around 3:40pm, Officer Kim and his FTO Officer Young made a traffic stop on the corner of S. Cal and Newell Ave.
While they were investigating, one person in the car (Virgil Lee Adams, born 8/18/99) got out of the car and ran away from the scene. Officers then located a loaded firearm underneath the seat Adams was sitting in.
Additional WCPD Officers and Detectives quickly responded to the scene.
Officer Marre and Sergeant Njoroge located Adams in the creek just south of Newell Ave. after a foot chase.
Officers Young and Kim located the loaded firearm and over 80 fentanyl pills inside the car.
Adams was arrested for narcotics possession, possession of narcotics while armed, weapons possession, and obstruction.
Other occupants in the car included a 13-year-old male who was arrested for an outstanding warrant out of Oregon and Quan’naejia Ta’zjae Taylor (born on 10/31/99. Taylor was arrested for ID Theft. Excellent work by all involved!
Virgil Lee Adams Aug. 2020 and Quan’naejia Ta’zjae Taylor Aug. 2019 and Feb. 2018. Sources: Portland, OR Police & Clackamas Co., OR Sheriff
As of Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, according to the Vine website she was out of custody on general release and Adams was out of custody released on court order.
According to bustedmugshots.com he was arrested on Oct. 28, 2016 for attempted murder and unlawful use of a weapons. Then, according to arrestfacts.com Adams was arrested by Portland Police on Dec. 9, 2016 for unlawful possession of a loaded firearm and interfering with a peace officer. According to thegrio.com, he was arrested on Feb. 13, 2017 for robbery and assault, but was later found not guilty.
Finally, according to crimeinformer.com, Adams was arrested in Portland, OR on Aug. 25, 2020 for attempted murder, assault and unlawful use of a weapon. According to his Facebook page he lives in Portland and is the father of three children.
According to crimeinformer.com, Taylor was also arrested on Feb. 2, 2018 for theft in Clackamas County, OR, then again on Aug 5, 2019 in Portland, OR for disorderly conduct and interfering with a peace officer. According to mugshots.com and bustedmugshots.com she was arrested by Portland Police on May 9, 2019 for robbery, identity theft and fraud. According to her Facebook page, she’s the mother of two children.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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Illegal guns seized during traffic stop on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Photo: RPD
During Saturday morning traffic stop
By Richmond Police Department
PROACTIVE POLICING = SAFER STREETS!
Saturday morning, while patrolling the 23rd Street corridor, Officer McDonell saw a car driving without headlights, and conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle.
Upon contacting the driver, Officer McDonell immediately noticed that the driver appeared to be driving under the influence (DUI). Furthermore, he could see open containers of alcohol and marijuana within the car, which was occupied by four other passengers.
During the course of his investigation, Officer McDonell located three illegal firearms within the car! Not only was one of the guns loaded with an illegal 32-round extended magazine, but a records check revealed that a second gun had been reported stolen out of another local jurisdiction.
The driver, who was under the age of 21, was determined to have been driving under the influence (DUI) with the four passengers in her car. RPD officers provided free rides to RPD jail, where the suspects were booked on multiple DUI, narcotics, and firearms-related charges.
We are relieved that this DUI driver, and the illegal firearms in her car, were intercepted before anyone was potentially injured or killed. We are proud of Officer McDonell’s proactive policing efforts to keep our community safe!
Richmond PD is committed to protecting our community, with a zero-tolerance approach if you are caught driving under the influence. Remember – buzzed driving is drunk driving; PLEASE plan ahead and designate a sober driver!
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By CHP – Oakland
OAKLAND, CA. – On September 16, 2021, at 3:30 p.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a call of a road rage incident which led to a freeway shooting on eastbound State Route 24 (SR-24), west of the Caldecott Tunnel. CHP officers responded to the scene and located the victim stopped on the right shoulder. The victim vehicle sustained multiple bullet strikes. No injuries were reported.
Traffic was impacted from 3:30 p.m., to 6:00 p.m. while the shooting investigation was being conducted. This remains an ongoing investigation. The CHP asks that any person with information contact the CHP Golden Gate Division tip line at (707) 917-4491, or by email at 30specialinvestigations@chp.ca.gov.
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Suspect’s van rams Oakland Police car on April 16, 2020 injuring two officers. Richmond PD video screenshot.
After pointing gun at police, rammed his car into theirs, injuring two Oakland officers
CORONER’S INQUEST JURY FINDING
By Jimmy Lee, Public Affairs Director, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Deceased kidnapping suspect Juan Ayon-Barraza. Photo by Vallejo PD
Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced that a coroner’s jury Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 reached a finding in the April 16, 2020 death of 24-year-old Juan Carlos Ayon-Barraza of Vacaville. The finding of the jury is that the death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident.
A suspect in the shooting of a Vallejo woman and dumping her body in the Oakland Hills, Ayon-Barraza led police on a chase to Richmond. The suspect pointed his firearm at pursuing officers. Multiple Oakland police officers and a Richmond police officer fired their weapons in defense of their and/or other lives. Simultaneously, the suspect vehicle crossed over into traffic on South 37th Street and Stege Ave. and collided with an Oakland police vehicle. (See Richmond PD video and related article for more details)
Two Oakland police officers were injured during the collision, both considered moderate and non-life threatening. The suspect sustained a fatal gunshot wound during this incident. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female victim sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
An Oakland Police Officer on the ground in front of the suspect’s van after being one of two struck when he rammed their cars.
The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.
A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, 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, At the hands of another person, other than by accident.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreNCQA rated Kaiser Permanente Northern California among highest for consumer experience, prevention, and treatment
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
OAKLAND, CA – For the sixth year, Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s Medicare health plan is rated 5 out of 5 stars, making it the highest rated plan in the region – and among the highest rated in the country.
In the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Health Plan Ratings 2021, published today, Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plan in Northern California received 5 stars and its commercial health plan received 4.5 stars. Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California region received the same ratings – making the two plans among the highest rated in California and the nation.
“Kaiser Permanente continues to be recognized nationally for what matters most to our members and patients: high quality care and exceptional service,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “We are proud to be a leader in health care delivery and these ratings, which are so consistent over time, demonstrate our commitment to putting our patients and their health at the center of all we do.”
“This recognition is a tribute to the dedication and expertise of our highly-skilled physicians, nurses, and staff,” said Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Through our innovative, personalized, and technologically advanced approach to health care, we continue to transform care delivery while having a positive and often life-changing impact on the health and well-being of our members and patients.”
NCQA analyzed over 1,000 health plans in the nation – private, Medicare, Medicaid – for quality and service. Only 17 health plans in the country, or about 1.6 percent, were rated 5 out of 5 stars. In all, Kaiser Permanente has six of those highest rated plans.
NCQA is a national, private not-for-profit organization that surveys health plans for performance in a wide range of clinical service measures including consumer experience, prevention and treatment. All Kaiser Permanente health plans were rated 4 stars or higher. For the sixth year in a row, all Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plans were rated highest (or tied for the highest) in the areas they serve. Kaiser Permanente serves more than 12.5 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia.
The NCQA’s Health Insurance Plan Ratings are based on combined scores for health plans in Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set®, commonly called HEDIS; the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems®, or CAHPS; and NCQA Accreditation standards scores.
The ratings and methodology are posted on the NCQA’s website at www.ncqa.org.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve almost 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org
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