Today, Thursday, December 10, 2020, the Contra Costa Health Officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano, shortened the time for quarantines from 14 days to 10.
Following is the updated Mass Quarantine Order:
Date of Order: 12/10/2020
This order supersedes HO-COVID19-32 (October 8), the order requiring the quarantine of persons exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19. Quarantine separates individuals who were exposed to COVID-19 from others until it is determined that they are not at risk for spreading the disease.
Based on updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this order shortens the quarantine period for most individuals from 14 to 10 days. This order also prohibits employees of detention facilities and long-term care facilities from returning to work for four days after completion of the 10-day quarantine requirement.
See the complete order, here.
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ANTIOCH – As a major event facility, The Contra Costa Event Park has been weighing all of its options, as we monitor the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. There is no higher priority than the safety of our Fairgrounds family, patrons, vendors, promoters and sponsors at the Contra Costa Event Park. It is with heavy heart and great regret due to this ongoing situation the Contra Costa Event Park Board of Directors met last night and unanimously voted to cancel the 2021 Contra Costa County Fair scheduled for May 13 – 16.
We understand that this decision has both financial and emotional impact on all of our Fair partners. After thoughtful consideration, we do not feel it would be a responsible decision to continue with the planning of the 2021 Contra Costa County Fair, when it could potential be canceled at the last minute.
The Contra Costa County Fair has been an annual event for over 80 years, and has operated uninterrupted, with the exception of a few years during World War II. The Fair is a large part of our communities’ history and tradition, and the decision to cancel the 2021 Fair did not come lightly.
We thank the community and all of our partners for your continued support during these challenging times.
We look forward to seeing you all safe and healthy for the 2022 Contra Costa County Fair May 12 – 15.
Read More
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff
The autopsy to determine the cause of death for Virillio Patino-Cruz whose body was found in a North Richmond house fire Tuesday, took place Wednesday. The cause of death of the 23-year-old North Richmond man is listed as carbon dioxide intoxication due to smoke inhalation. The Investigation Division has now classified the case as a homicide. (See related article)
Anyone with any information on this incident 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.
Read MoreVaccine on the way to county; Mitchoff calls for tougher COVID fines
Newly appointed Contra Costa County Administrator, Monica Nino. Photo: San Joaquin County
By Daniel Borsuk
Against protests from labor organization leaders, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to appoint San Joaquin County Administrator Monica Nino to become the new county administrator, replacing David Twa, who is retiring after holding the powerful position since 2007.
Nino, who topped 47 other candidates for the post, will start her new position on Jan. 4. She was given a five-year contract and will be paid $372,000 a year.
Before supervisors put their stamp of approval on an executive search firm’s selection, they got an earful of complaints from labor leaders that Ms. Nino’s labor track record in San Joaquin County, where she has overseen 7,500 employees in 26 departments and an annual budget of $1.9 billion, since 2013, had them concerned.
When she takes over the reins in Contra Costa County, Nino will oversee a $3.6 billion operating budget for 7,500 employees and 28 departments and a regional hospital.
“Ms. Nino is a known union buster in San Joaquin County,” said labor representative John Rowe, who was one of more than 10 labor representatives blasting the supervisors for their selection of Nino. “This person has opposed the union movement.”
“You’ll get inaccurate information from Ms. Nino,” warned Lisa Harlow of the Contra Costa County Service Employees International Union (SEIU) clerks union, whose members, she said, earn 20 percent less than most other Bay Area county unionized clerks.
Even with the poor reviews from labor representatives, Nino received favorable endorsements from the five Contra Costa County supervisors and San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathy Miller, who said, “She has really set a very high standard for bringing in folks with experience and new ideas and she worked “very hard alongside the Board injecting the 21st century into the county as an organization. She is leaving the county in a very good position.”
County Administrator Twa recommended Nino based on his work with her on state association projects. “She is very professional and very engaged,” he said of Nino, who would be the first woman and Hispanic to hold the county’s post in its 177-year history.
“She’ll do an excellent job,” Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Candace Andersen said. “We need to be held accountable. You cannot compare us to San Joaquin County. There’s going to be some significant changes.”
“I am very dissatisfied in our labor partners. Nothing was done in secrecy,” said Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill. “There’s no rush to judgement.”
In a related matter, supervisors approved a three-month contract extension with Twa during the January through March transition period to assist Nino settle into her new job. The board approved a contract extension with him, as well as a Position Adjustment Resolution creating a second county administrator position, to provide for the transition during the three months, at a cost of $95,000.
“I always had a goal to be either in the Bay Area or Southern California with a bigger urban county,” said Nino after the supervisors’ vote. “It was a goal from the time I was in Stanislaus, so I am very complimented that the Board considered me.”
Prior to her position in San Joaquin County, Nino was employed in Stanislaus County in various leadership positions from 1988 to 2013, and appointed to Chief Executive Officer in 2011. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. According to her bio, Nino values “making a difference in the community, offering greater transparency within and outside the organization by ensuring local government, community, and public services are delivered efficiently and effectively.”
“I thank the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors and look forward to working with them, the employees and the residents of the county,” Nino said. “I look forward to working to address the opportunities and challenges for the next, several years.”
“I’m very excited,” she added.
Mitchoff Wants Tougher COVID Fines
An adamant Supervisor Mitchoff proposed the county look into raising code enforcement fines because there are an increasing number of businesses defying the public health shut down orders over concerns that the orders will financially shutter their businesses.
“Code enforcement and the police will have to do something different If these business owners want to illegally stay open and spread COVID. They will have to pay higher fines,” said Mitchoff.
Mitchoff’s request should be calendared for public hearing at next week’s board meeting, the final meeting of 2020.
Currently, businesses violating county public health ordinances are subject to a first fine of $250. A second fine costs $500 and a third fine costs $1,000.
“I’d like to see $10,000, $15,000 and $20,000 fines,” Mitchoff said. “We have to do something different. If these businesses want to stay open and to spread COVID, they have to pay the price.”
No one from the business community spoke out either in favor or in opposition to Mitchoff’s proposal, but there are an increasing number of businesses, especially restaurants and personal care – gyms and hair salons and barbershops – that are defying health code orders willing to pay the low fines in order to stay in business.
COVID-19 Vaccine on the Way
With more than 2,000 COVID-19 deaths a day nationwide, Contra Costa Health Director Dr. Chris Farnitano informed supervisors said that the countywide COVID-19 positivity rate will soon be at 11 percent to 12 percent, but hope is around the corner with the delivery of a vaccine as early as next week.
Dr. Farnitano said the county could receive less than 10,000 doses of the vaccine next week. High risk health care workers will receive the vaccine, he said. “Our health department has a vaccine branch working with local hospitals.”
It will be late winter or early spring before the vaccine will become widely available for the general public, he said.
“In the meantime, hunker down and get through this winter. Stay home. Stay safe. Wear a mask,” Farnitano added.
Saranap Area General Plan Approved
Supervisors approved, with no public comment, the Saranap Area General Plan. With the proposed Saranap Village mixed used project near downtown Walnut Creek that consists of 235 multifamily residential units, 30,000 square feet of street level restaurant, retail, and off space parking located in four buildings. The plan also calls for revised, improved on-road bicycle lanes, trails, and signage along Boulevard Way.
.
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By Anthony Dorado
The Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s online payment system crashed on Wednesday, December 9 just a day before the first installment deadline for property tax bills tomorrow. A Tax Collector’s office staff member said that they had experienced an influx of payments that overloaded and subsequently crashed the system.
Many residents utilize the online system as a cheaper, more efficient way to pay their taxes and with the current COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Due to the nature of the system, most users wait until just days before the deadline to submit those taxes and are now seemingly at risk for penalty. No announcement was issued on the matter regarding the crash nor what was being done about it.
However, the staff member said they were doing everything in their power to fix the system and that it should be back up and running soon. While they understand and empathize with those inconvenienced, Tax Collector’s office is asking that people be patient and flexible.
Anyone who has not yet filed their first installment taxes can do so by mailing them by tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 10. Those who mail their taxes by or before the deadline will have their taxes received and filed promptly according with their postage date. As long as the filing is postmarked by Dec. 10, there will be no penalties.
Taxes, paid by check only, must be mailed to Contra Costa Tax Collector P.O. Box 631, Martinez, CA 94553 or they can be dropped off in the box at the Main Street door of the county Finance Building at 625 Court Street, Suite 100 in Martinez.
Read More
Fentanyl overdose kills young adult who ingested counterfeit oxycodone pills
SAN FRANCISCO – The United States Attorney’s Office charged Gage Pascoe with the distribution of pills containing fentanyl that resulted in the overdose death of his customer, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The federal complaint alleges that Pascoe, 22, of Pittsburg, California, sold counterfeit pills that appeared to be Oxycodone but instead contained the lethal drug fentanyl. The young adult customer purchased the pills from Pascoe and shortly after taking the apparent Oxycodone pills at a Walnut Creek home died from an overdose of fentanyl.
“This sad, tragic death shows how easy it is to die from drugs bought from drug dealers,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “Counterfeit pills marked and sold as one drug, such as Oxycodone pills with “M30” stamps, commonly contain fentanyl instead. Even a tiny amount of fentanyl is deadly. Drug buyers must be aware that pills bought from drug dealers may be laced with fentanyl. Drug dealers should know we vigorously prosecute those who sell drugs that cause fentanyl overdoses.”
“Fentanyl is cheap, man-made and potent. Overdose can occur in the smallest amount and in this case it left a family with unimaginable loss,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “We will pursue those who distribute this deadly drug and continue to seek justice for those lives that have been lost.”
The complaint charging Pascoe describes how he was a repeat dealer of illegal drugs to the victim. The complaint outlines that Pascoe communicated in the days before the death through a series of text messages with the victim, who he knew from attending the same high school, to sell Oxycodone to the victim. The texts, outlined in the complaint, show that Pascoe offered “more oxy” to his victim customer and they eventually met up in Pittsburg at night for Pascoe to sell the purported Oxycodone pills to the victim. The next day, June 17, 2020, the victim was found dead at a Walnut Creek home. The complaint describes how the victim’s father found pills in the victim’s room with “M30” stamped on them, which is a common stamp on counterfeit Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. A lab analysis found those pills to contain fentanyl. As the complaint further describes, an analysis of the victim’s body showed the victim died from a fatal fentanyl overdose.
Pascoe was arrested on Saturday, December 5, 2020, and made an initial appearance today in San Francisco federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler. Pascoe is currently being held in custody pending further proceedings. He is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing before United States Magistrate Laurel Beeler on December 14, 2020, at 10:30 am.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are mere allegations. As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Pascoe is charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death or great physical injury, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). If convicted of this count, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. The investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Concord Police Department, and the Walnut Creek Police Department.
This investigation and prosecution is part of OCDETF, which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Read the criminal complaint, here.
Read More
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff
Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and arson investigators from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CON Fire) are investigating a suspicious death that occurred in a fire.
At about 4:45 this morning, deputy sheriffs were requested by CON Fire to assist with traffic control at a house fire on the 1800 block of Giaramita Street in North Richmond.
Deputies learned that an unresponsive man in the home was earlier transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The person is identified as 23-year-old Virillio Patino-Cruz of North Richmond. An autopsy into the cause of death is scheduled for tomorrow.
Anyone with any information on this incident 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.
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As part of his commitment to transparency around the construction of the new veterans’ healthcare facility, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) will host a virtual veterans town hall to update the community on the progress of the project and to discuss the pressing issues facing our nation’s veterans.
On Thursday, December 10th, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, Congressman McNerney will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to take questions and listen to concerns from constituents.
Join Online:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88948595816?pwd=SGZzOS9EUXZnWUU4ZkNza3ZaUWNtdz09
Passcode: 148324
Join by Phone:
(312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 889 4859 5816
Passcode: 148324
Additionally, constituents can submit a question in advance of the event here.
Since coming to Congress, Congressman McNerney has led the efforts for the development of the French Camp facility – from working with federal and local officials on selection of the building site to securing the funding for construction. He has pushed to expedite the project, sending several letters to authorities, meeting regularly with VA and Corps officials, and urging that ongoing correspondence and updates be made available to his office and the public. This project hit a major milestone in November of 2019 when Congressman McNerney attended the groundbreaking ceremony of this facility.
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The Environmental Justice Community Survey launched by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) closes this Friday, December 11th. The survey takes just a few minutes and is intended to gather perspectives from community members who live or work in the Stockton, Sacramento, and Antioch region and the small towns in between. Your input is crucial to identifying the potential impacts and benefits of the proposed Delta tunnel known as the Conveyance Project.
Don’t wait – if you haven’t already, take the survey today – and share with others in the Delta region!
| Click here to TAKE THE SURVEY TODAY! |
About the Survey
Through the “Your Delta, Your Voice” survey, DWR is specifically aiming to engage those who live or work in the Delta region and are often not adequately represented in public processes by seeking direct input from low income residents and workers, people of color, limited English speakers, Tribal members and other underrepresented communities.
They survey has two primary goals. One is to accurately reflect how the members of a variety of Delta communities value the region’s cultural, recreational and natural resources, through a series of questions and a map that allows people to identify places that are special to them. The other is to seek input about ways the project may cause impacts to these resources or potentially bring benefits to Delta communities.
Spread the Word
Please help spread the word about the survey by forwarding this email to those in your network so the voices of the Delta’s diverse communities can be heard.
You can also share the survey on social media using the following links:
Share on Facebook: English | Español | 中文
Share on Twitter: English | Español | 中文
An event to connect constituents with free skills-training programs
By Nikki Cannon, Communications Director
As COVID-19 has changed many aspects of Americans lives, including career trajectories and prospects, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) has announced a collaborative event with the software company Salesforce to help his constituents learn in-demand skills and expand employment opportunities.
The workshop, entitled Skill Up for the Future with Trailhead, will take place on Wednesday, December 9th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, using the Salesforce learning platform, Trailhead.
Join Online:
https://trailhead.salesforce.com/live/broadcasts/a2r3k000001n2SR/trailhead-tour-stockton
Read More
Today, Thursday, December 10, 2020, the Contra Costa Health Officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano, shortened the time for quarantines from 14 days to 10.
Following is the updated Mass Quarantine Order:
Date of Order: 12/10/2020
This order supersedes HO-COVID19-32 (October 8), the order requiring the quarantine of persons exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19. Quarantine separates individuals who were exposed to COVID-19 from others until it is determined that they are not at risk for spreading the disease.
Based on updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this order shortens the quarantine period for most individuals from 14 to 10 days. This order also prohibits employees of detention facilities and long-term care facilities from returning to work for four days after completion of the 10-day quarantine requirement.
See the complete order, here.
Read More
ANTIOCH – As a major event facility, The Contra Costa Event Park has been weighing all of its options, as we monitor the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. There is no higher priority than the safety of our Fairgrounds family, patrons, vendors, promoters and sponsors at the Contra Costa Event Park. It is with heavy heart and great regret due to this ongoing situation the Contra Costa Event Park Board of Directors met last night and unanimously voted to cancel the 2021 Contra Costa County Fair scheduled for May 13 – 16.
We understand that this decision has both financial and emotional impact on all of our Fair partners. After thoughtful consideration, we do not feel it would be a responsible decision to continue with the planning of the 2021 Contra Costa County Fair, when it could potential be canceled at the last minute.
The Contra Costa County Fair has been an annual event for over 80 years, and has operated uninterrupted, with the exception of a few years during World War II. The Fair is a large part of our communities’ history and tradition, and the decision to cancel the 2021 Fair did not come lightly.
We thank the community and all of our partners for your continued support during these challenging times.
We look forward to seeing you all safe and healthy for the 2022 Contra Costa County Fair May 12 – 15.
Read More
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff
The autopsy to determine the cause of death for Virillio Patino-Cruz whose body was found in a North Richmond house fire Tuesday, took place Wednesday. The cause of death of the 23-year-old North Richmond man is listed as carbon dioxide intoxication due to smoke inhalation. The Investigation Division has now classified the case as a homicide. (See related article)
Anyone with any information on this incident 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.
Read MoreVaccine on the way to county; Mitchoff calls for tougher COVID fines
Newly appointed Contra Costa County Administrator, Monica Nino. Photo: San Joaquin County
By Daniel Borsuk
Against protests from labor organization leaders, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to appoint San Joaquin County Administrator Monica Nino to become the new county administrator, replacing David Twa, who is retiring after holding the powerful position since 2007.
Nino, who topped 47 other candidates for the post, will start her new position on Jan. 4. She was given a five-year contract and will be paid $372,000 a year.
Before supervisors put their stamp of approval on an executive search firm’s selection, they got an earful of complaints from labor leaders that Ms. Nino’s labor track record in San Joaquin County, where she has overseen 7,500 employees in 26 departments and an annual budget of $1.9 billion, since 2013, had them concerned.
When she takes over the reins in Contra Costa County, Nino will oversee a $3.6 billion operating budget for 7,500 employees and 28 departments and a regional hospital.
“Ms. Nino is a known union buster in San Joaquin County,” said labor representative John Rowe, who was one of more than 10 labor representatives blasting the supervisors for their selection of Nino. “This person has opposed the union movement.”
“You’ll get inaccurate information from Ms. Nino,” warned Lisa Harlow of the Contra Costa County Service Employees International Union (SEIU) clerks union, whose members, she said, earn 20 percent less than most other Bay Area county unionized clerks.
Even with the poor reviews from labor representatives, Nino received favorable endorsements from the five Contra Costa County supervisors and San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathy Miller, who said, “She has really set a very high standard for bringing in folks with experience and new ideas and she worked “very hard alongside the Board injecting the 21st century into the county as an organization. She is leaving the county in a very good position.”
County Administrator Twa recommended Nino based on his work with her on state association projects. “She is very professional and very engaged,” he said of Nino, who would be the first woman and Hispanic to hold the county’s post in its 177-year history.
“She’ll do an excellent job,” Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Candace Andersen said. “We need to be held accountable. You cannot compare us to San Joaquin County. There’s going to be some significant changes.”
“I am very dissatisfied in our labor partners. Nothing was done in secrecy,” said Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill. “There’s no rush to judgement.”
In a related matter, supervisors approved a three-month contract extension with Twa during the January through March transition period to assist Nino settle into her new job. The board approved a contract extension with him, as well as a Position Adjustment Resolution creating a second county administrator position, to provide for the transition during the three months, at a cost of $95,000.
“I always had a goal to be either in the Bay Area or Southern California with a bigger urban county,” said Nino after the supervisors’ vote. “It was a goal from the time I was in Stanislaus, so I am very complimented that the Board considered me.”
Prior to her position in San Joaquin County, Nino was employed in Stanislaus County in various leadership positions from 1988 to 2013, and appointed to Chief Executive Officer in 2011. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. According to her bio, Nino values “making a difference in the community, offering greater transparency within and outside the organization by ensuring local government, community, and public services are delivered efficiently and effectively.”
“I thank the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors and look forward to working with them, the employees and the residents of the county,” Nino said. “I look forward to working to address the opportunities and challenges for the next, several years.”
“I’m very excited,” she added.
Mitchoff Wants Tougher COVID Fines
An adamant Supervisor Mitchoff proposed the county look into raising code enforcement fines because there are an increasing number of businesses defying the public health shut down orders over concerns that the orders will financially shutter their businesses.
“Code enforcement and the police will have to do something different If these business owners want to illegally stay open and spread COVID. They will have to pay higher fines,” said Mitchoff.
Mitchoff’s request should be calendared for public hearing at next week’s board meeting, the final meeting of 2020.
Currently, businesses violating county public health ordinances are subject to a first fine of $250. A second fine costs $500 and a third fine costs $1,000.
“I’d like to see $10,000, $15,000 and $20,000 fines,” Mitchoff said. “We have to do something different. If these businesses want to stay open and to spread COVID, they have to pay the price.”
No one from the business community spoke out either in favor or in opposition to Mitchoff’s proposal, but there are an increasing number of businesses, especially restaurants and personal care – gyms and hair salons and barbershops – that are defying health code orders willing to pay the low fines in order to stay in business.
COVID-19 Vaccine on the Way
With more than 2,000 COVID-19 deaths a day nationwide, Contra Costa Health Director Dr. Chris Farnitano informed supervisors said that the countywide COVID-19 positivity rate will soon be at 11 percent to 12 percent, but hope is around the corner with the delivery of a vaccine as early as next week.
Dr. Farnitano said the county could receive less than 10,000 doses of the vaccine next week. High risk health care workers will receive the vaccine, he said. “Our health department has a vaccine branch working with local hospitals.”
It will be late winter or early spring before the vaccine will become widely available for the general public, he said.
“In the meantime, hunker down and get through this winter. Stay home. Stay safe. Wear a mask,” Farnitano added.
Saranap Area General Plan Approved
Supervisors approved, with no public comment, the Saranap Area General Plan. With the proposed Saranap Village mixed used project near downtown Walnut Creek that consists of 235 multifamily residential units, 30,000 square feet of street level restaurant, retail, and off space parking located in four buildings. The plan also calls for revised, improved on-road bicycle lanes, trails, and signage along Boulevard Way.
.
Read More
By Anthony Dorado
The Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s online payment system crashed on Wednesday, December 9 just a day before the first installment deadline for property tax bills tomorrow. A Tax Collector’s office staff member said that they had experienced an influx of payments that overloaded and subsequently crashed the system.
Many residents utilize the online system as a cheaper, more efficient way to pay their taxes and with the current COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Due to the nature of the system, most users wait until just days before the deadline to submit those taxes and are now seemingly at risk for penalty. No announcement was issued on the matter regarding the crash nor what was being done about it.
However, the staff member said they were doing everything in their power to fix the system and that it should be back up and running soon. While they understand and empathize with those inconvenienced, Tax Collector’s office is asking that people be patient and flexible.
Anyone who has not yet filed their first installment taxes can do so by mailing them by tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 10. Those who mail their taxes by or before the deadline will have their taxes received and filed promptly according with their postage date. As long as the filing is postmarked by Dec. 10, there will be no penalties.
Taxes, paid by check only, must be mailed to Contra Costa Tax Collector P.O. Box 631, Martinez, CA 94553 or they can be dropped off in the box at the Main Street door of the county Finance Building at 625 Court Street, Suite 100 in Martinez.
Read More
Fentanyl overdose kills young adult who ingested counterfeit oxycodone pills
SAN FRANCISCO – The United States Attorney’s Office charged Gage Pascoe with the distribution of pills containing fentanyl that resulted in the overdose death of his customer, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The federal complaint alleges that Pascoe, 22, of Pittsburg, California, sold counterfeit pills that appeared to be Oxycodone but instead contained the lethal drug fentanyl. The young adult customer purchased the pills from Pascoe and shortly after taking the apparent Oxycodone pills at a Walnut Creek home died from an overdose of fentanyl.
“This sad, tragic death shows how easy it is to die from drugs bought from drug dealers,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “Counterfeit pills marked and sold as one drug, such as Oxycodone pills with “M30” stamps, commonly contain fentanyl instead. Even a tiny amount of fentanyl is deadly. Drug buyers must be aware that pills bought from drug dealers may be laced with fentanyl. Drug dealers should know we vigorously prosecute those who sell drugs that cause fentanyl overdoses.”
“Fentanyl is cheap, man-made and potent. Overdose can occur in the smallest amount and in this case it left a family with unimaginable loss,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “We will pursue those who distribute this deadly drug and continue to seek justice for those lives that have been lost.”
The complaint charging Pascoe describes how he was a repeat dealer of illegal drugs to the victim. The complaint outlines that Pascoe communicated in the days before the death through a series of text messages with the victim, who he knew from attending the same high school, to sell Oxycodone to the victim. The texts, outlined in the complaint, show that Pascoe offered “more oxy” to his victim customer and they eventually met up in Pittsburg at night for Pascoe to sell the purported Oxycodone pills to the victim. The next day, June 17, 2020, the victim was found dead at a Walnut Creek home. The complaint describes how the victim’s father found pills in the victim’s room with “M30” stamped on them, which is a common stamp on counterfeit Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. A lab analysis found those pills to contain fentanyl. As the complaint further describes, an analysis of the victim’s body showed the victim died from a fatal fentanyl overdose.
Pascoe was arrested on Saturday, December 5, 2020, and made an initial appearance today in San Francisco federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler. Pascoe is currently being held in custody pending further proceedings. He is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing before United States Magistrate Laurel Beeler on December 14, 2020, at 10:30 am.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are mere allegations. As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Pascoe is charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death or great physical injury, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). If convicted of this count, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. The investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Concord Police Department, and the Walnut Creek Police Department.
This investigation and prosecution is part of OCDETF, which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Read the criminal complaint, here.
Read More
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff
Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and arson investigators from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CON Fire) are investigating a suspicious death that occurred in a fire.
At about 4:45 this morning, deputy sheriffs were requested by CON Fire to assist with traffic control at a house fire on the 1800 block of Giaramita Street in North Richmond.
Deputies learned that an unresponsive man in the home was earlier transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The person is identified as 23-year-old Virillio Patino-Cruz of North Richmond. An autopsy into the cause of death is scheduled for tomorrow.
Anyone with any information on this incident 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.
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As part of his commitment to transparency around the construction of the new veterans’ healthcare facility, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) will host a virtual veterans town hall to update the community on the progress of the project and to discuss the pressing issues facing our nation’s veterans.
On Thursday, December 10th, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, Congressman McNerney will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to take questions and listen to concerns from constituents.
Join Online:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88948595816?pwd=SGZzOS9EUXZnWUU4ZkNza3ZaUWNtdz09
Passcode: 148324
Join by Phone:
(312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 889 4859 5816
Passcode: 148324
Additionally, constituents can submit a question in advance of the event here.
Since coming to Congress, Congressman McNerney has led the efforts for the development of the French Camp facility – from working with federal and local officials on selection of the building site to securing the funding for construction. He has pushed to expedite the project, sending several letters to authorities, meeting regularly with VA and Corps officials, and urging that ongoing correspondence and updates be made available to his office and the public. This project hit a major milestone in November of 2019 when Congressman McNerney attended the groundbreaking ceremony of this facility.
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The Environmental Justice Community Survey launched by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) closes this Friday, December 11th. The survey takes just a few minutes and is intended to gather perspectives from community members who live or work in the Stockton, Sacramento, and Antioch region and the small towns in between. Your input is crucial to identifying the potential impacts and benefits of the proposed Delta tunnel known as the Conveyance Project.
Don’t wait – if you haven’t already, take the survey today – and share with others in the Delta region!
| Click here to TAKE THE SURVEY TODAY! |
About the Survey
Through the “Your Delta, Your Voice” survey, DWR is specifically aiming to engage those who live or work in the Delta region and are often not adequately represented in public processes by seeking direct input from low income residents and workers, people of color, limited English speakers, Tribal members and other underrepresented communities.
They survey has two primary goals. One is to accurately reflect how the members of a variety of Delta communities value the region’s cultural, recreational and natural resources, through a series of questions and a map that allows people to identify places that are special to them. The other is to seek input about ways the project may cause impacts to these resources or potentially bring benefits to Delta communities.
Spread the Word
Please help spread the word about the survey by forwarding this email to those in your network so the voices of the Delta’s diverse communities can be heard.
You can also share the survey on social media using the following links:
Share on Facebook: English | Español | 中文
Share on Twitter: English | Español | 中文
An event to connect constituents with free skills-training programs
By Nikki Cannon, Communications Director
As COVID-19 has changed many aspects of Americans lives, including career trajectories and prospects, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) has announced a collaborative event with the software company Salesforce to help his constituents learn in-demand skills and expand employment opportunities.
The workshop, entitled Skill Up for the Future with Trailhead, will take place on Wednesday, December 9th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, using the Salesforce learning platform, Trailhead.
Join Online:
https://trailhead.salesforce.com/live/broadcasts/a2r3k000001n2SR/trailhead-tour-stockton
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