By Nick Cahill, Courthouse News Service
Surviving an exhaustive maze of manmade barriers and hungry predators, a hardy group of salmon have beat the odds and returned to spawn in one of California’s most-heavily dammed rivers.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation says for the first time in over 65 years, threatened spring-run Chinook adult salmon have returned to the San Joaquin River near Fresno to complete their life cycle. The return of the hatchery-reared fish marks a huge milestone for a billion-dollar undertaking to revive an ancient population of salmon that disappeared in the 1940s with the opening of Friant Dam.
Officials announced that at least five adult spring-run Chinook born in fish hatcheries and released into the wild several years ago, have made the 370-mile trek from the Pacific Ocean back to the San Joaquin River.
Don Portz, who oversees the fish restoration program for the bureau, says the salmon that have been caught in nets prove that the joint-effort by the feds and state is going in the right direction.
“This is monumental for the program,” Portz said in a statement. “It’s a clear indication of the possibility for these fish to make it out of the system as juveniles and then return as adults in order to spawn.”
For years California’s second largest river teemed with salmon, providing food for Native American tribes and then settlers during the 1800s. But as the Gold Rush died down, Californians headed south and found the Central Valley ripe for farming.
In their pursuit of water, farmers and government agencies ended up damming the river dry in some parts by the 1940s. Water was divvyed up and delivered in canals to farmers for crops like almonds and cotton, but the native salmon species and their spawning habitat vanished. Today, parts of the river go dry during certain times of the year and other sections have manmade barriers that prevent salmon from reaching their spawning beds.
Thanks to a nearly two-decade-long lawsuit fought by the National Resources Defense Council, things are changing on the San Joaquin. A settlement reached in 2006 with the federal government set goals of restoring native fish populations to “good condition” without overtly damaging water suppliers’ take of the river; the state and federal government plan to spend over a billion dollars to restore flows, wetlands and fish to the river.
The five Chinook captured this month returned from the ocean on their own, but had to be transported by researchers in a 500 gallon tank to bypass manmade barriers. The biologists confirmed that the fish were from a California hatchery because they were missing a small rear fin.
The five adult salmon and any others that may return will hold in the cool water below Friant Dam for the summer, before hopefully spawning in the fall.
“Now, that’s worth a toast!,” tweeted Kate Poole about the salmon’s return, senior director at the NRDC.
The long-term goal is to update the barriers to allow fish to swim upstream in the future without being transported, Portz said. Restoration efforts are meant to help spring and fall-run Chinook, Pacific lamprey and white sturgeon.
Read MoreFrom Concord Police Department Facebook page
On April 24th, Concord Police Officer’s responded to an alarm activation call at City Hall at 5:00 am. It was determined that a break in and burglary just occurred. Officers searched the area and found the suspect, later identified as Jesse Marron, near the Library. When officers tried to detain Marron, he assaulted several PD personnel. He was arrested and found to be in possession of stolen property from the building. He was also in possession of drug paraphernalia.
Images of Marron breaking into the building were captured on the surveillance system. The District Attorney’s Office has charged Marron with several crimes, including Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, Obstructing an Officer in the Performance of Their Duties, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Marron remains in county jail.
Since many of our followers are commenting on how well Mr. Marron is dressed, we just wanted to let you know that the suit he is wearing was also stolen during the burglary.
Read MoreBy Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney
On April 24, 2019, Lawrence Taylor pleaded guilty to pandering and agreed to accept a sentence of four years state prison. The Hon. Judge Patricia Scanlon accepted his guilty plea and will impose sentence on May 1, along with a criminal court protective order barring Taylor from having contact with the victim for a period of 10 years.
On March 10, 2018, Taylor was arrested as part of a law enforcement operation conducted by the Concord Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ Safe Streets Task Force and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. The operation was designed to identify and apprehend individuals using online dating sites to exploit women for purposes of prostitution and also to connect the women to services and support.
Taylor, who was on parole for armed robbery, was apprehended after driving with the victim to a hotel where she had a pre-arranged “date” with an undercover officer. He was found to be in possession of two cell phones. The victim was immediately connected to a Human Trafficking Advocate from the District Attorney’s Office and offered services and support.
Forensic analysis of cell phones seized in the case showed that Taylor had been encouraging the victim to work as a street prostitute and also to prostitute through posting internet ads like the one involved on this night.
“Collaborative enforcement operations such as these are key to identifying exploiters in our community, holding them accountable for their crimes, and giving victims an opportunity to connect to services and support,” said Human Trafficking Unit Supervisor Dana Filkowski. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Jay Melaas and Filkowski.
“The Concord Police Department is committed to working with our justice and victim-service providers to end sex trafficking and exploitation in our community,” added Concord Police Sergeant Jeff Ross, who participated in the enforcement event. “We will continue to organize and implement investigative strategies such as this.”
If you or someone you know is being pressured to engage in prostitution to benefit or help support another person, help is only a phone call away. Contact Community Violence Solutions at 800-670-7273 to speak to a confidential counselor. Or visit the Contra Costa Family Justice Centers in Richmond or Concord to talk to a Navigator about a variety of services and support available right here in Contra Costa County. The Family Justice Centers are a family-friendly one-stop center serving victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and other types of interpersonal violence. No appointment is needed, and the centers are located at 256 24th Street in Richmond or 2151 Salvio St., Suite. 201 in Concord.
To learn more about human trafficking in Contra Costa County, visit the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Coalition’s webpage at www.contracostacoalition.org
Case information: People v. Lawrence Laquontia Taylor, Docket 05-182046-3
Read MoreOn Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, local police departments and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
Bring your pills for disposal at the following sites. The DEA cannot accept needles or sharps, only pills, patches, and liquids sealed in their original container. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
-Office of the Sheriff Muir Station, 1980 Muir Road, Martinez, CA.
(Field Operations Building)
-Office of the Sheriff Bay Station, 5555 Giant Highway, Richmond, CA.
(West County Detention Facility)
-Office of the Sheriff Blackhawk, 1092 Eagle Nest Lane, Danville, CA
-Antioch Police Department, Front Lobby, 300 L Street, Antioch, CA
-Brentwood Police Department, 9100 Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, CA
-Danville Police Department, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA.
-Lafayette Police Department, 3471 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA
-Orinda Police Department, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA
-Pittsburg Police Department, 65 Civic Avenue, Pittsburg, CA
-San Ramon Police Department, 2401 Crow Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Take Back event, go to the DEA Office of Diversion Control website at: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff.
The Orinda Police Department, assisted by the Oakland Police Department, arrested 49-year-old Duane Makela of Oakland Tuesday morning, April 23 in connection with two bank robberies that occurred in the city of Orinda last year.
During the joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Makela was identified as the suspect. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Makela and a search warrant for his home. Makela was arrested at about 6:55 AM on the 3600 block of Broadway in Oakland without incident.
Makela’s vehicle was also searched. A possible explosive device was located in his car; the device was rendered safe.
Makela was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on robbery and drug possession charges. He is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.
Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Orinda Police Department at (925) 254-6820. For any tips, call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.
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Happy Easter! He is risen!
By Larry Adams
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, . . .1 Corinthians 15:1-4
We receive plenty of messages throughout our lives that are of great importance, but none more important than the message of Easter.
The good news of Jesus’ death on the cross to pay for our sins and His burial in a tomb is a vital part of that message. But the best news of all is that the grave couldn’t hold Him. Jesus rose again! He conquered sin, death the grave for all of us. He is alive and is offering hope, forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe and receive Him into their lives.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is our historical proof and guarantee that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the only way to God. His resurrection sets Christianity apart from every other religion and approach to God.
All the religions of the world except four are based in pure philosophy. They are the inventions of men.
The four religions that remain are based on the teachings of their founders, (Judaism/Abraham; Islam/Mohammad; Buddhism/Gautama and Christianity/ Jesus Christ).
All four founders died. Three are still in their graves. Only Jesus rose again and only Jesus lives to offer eternal life to all who come to Him by faith.
That’s why Easter is celebrated by millions of people worldwide. Easter is the celebration of life in Jesus Christ who died for our sins, conquered our death and rose again to give eternal life to all who believe and receive Him. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) This is still life’s most important message.
Larry Adams is the Senior Pastor of Golden Hills Community Church, which has campuses in both Antioch and Brentwood.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announces that a Coroner’s inquest jury has reached a finding in the October 22, 2018 death of 37-year-old Salvador Contreras Morales-Cazares of Pittsburg. The finding of the jury is that the death was at the hands of another person, other than by accident.
Contreras was killed during a shoot-out with Pittsburg Police officers, following a domestic dispute that led to a police chase to Concord and back, and then barricading himself in a house.
According to an ABC7 News Report, “Morales eventually walked out of the house and onto the driveway with the gun and didn’t comply with police commands to drop the weapon, according to police. He was shot after he ‘raised the gun and fired towards officers,’ police said.”
The Coroner’s jury reached the verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.
A Coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner 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, or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.
Read MoreBy Pittsburg Police Department
In October 2018 the Pittsburg Police Department became aware of a scam involving Teresita Del Rosario, a 74-year-old Brentwood resident and a business owner in the City of Pittsburg. The case was immediately assigned to the Investigations Division where it was thoroughly investigated over the course of the last several months. Through the course of the investigation, it was learned Del Rosario was the owner of Best Haven Realty and Mortgage located at 3128 Harbor Street and offered a wide range of services, including tax preparation and notary services.
Del Rosario used her authority and trust placed in her by her customers to prey on unsuspecting victims. Del Rosario presented false pretenses to victims using a scam known as the “Advance Fee Scheme” or “Nigerian Scam” to obtain large amounts of money from them, with no intention of paying them back.
Investigators learned of a victim, a client whom she provided tax services for, that reported Del Rosario stated that she had come into a large amount of money ($2.8 million) which was tied up in an offshore account in the Philippines. Del Rosario related she needed a loan from the victim to pay for taxes and other fees, or the money wouldn’t be released to her. Del Rosario showed the victim online records and other documentation to support her claims and requested a $12,000.00 loan from the victim, ensuring him she would give him $24,000.00 by the end of the week in return payment. To reassure the victim, Del Rosario completed a notarized Promissory Note which she provided to him and displayed fraudulent documentation supporting her claims.
Through the investigation, other victims have been identified. The same scheme was used on an elderly couple who trusted Del Rosario with their tax preparation for 17 years. The elderly victims had been defrauded by Del Rosario in excess of $75,000.00 over the course of several months under the same false pretenses. Detectives have served numerous search warrants to banks and followed other leads. Ultimately, it was discovered Del Rosario was endorsing the Cashier’s Checks provided to her by the victims and endorsing them into a third party’s name to avoid detection and wiring funds to an offshore bank account.
The case was brought to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and reviewed by Deputy District Attorney Dodie Katague. The Office of the District Attorney ultimately filed charges against Del Rosario for multiple charges including Grand Theft, Theft by False Pretenses, and Elder Abuse.
On April 17, 2019, the Pittsburg Police Department Investigations Division served a search warrant at Best Haven Realty and Mortgage and took Del Rosario into custody for the above-mentioned charges.
This investigation is still ongoing. It is believed that there are further victims that have been defrauded by Del Rosario and is asking for help identifying as of yet unknown victims. If you or someone you know is a victim of fraud purported by Del Rosario or an associate of hers, contact Detective Jonathan Elmore at 925-252-4875.
Read MoreThe Department will pursue Disciplinary Action on the License of the Bar
On April 10, 2019, Agents with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and Officers from the Clayton Police Department arrested two individuals for alleged illegal drug sales. The arrests came during an enforcement operation at “Clayton Club Saloon” located at 6096 Main Street in Clayton.
ABC received an anonymous complaint alleging illegal narcotics activity was taking place at the licensed premises. The information received indicated employees were directly involved in the illegal activity.
ABC Agents worked undercover at the location for nearly three months and were able to purchase suspected cocaine from premises employees on multiple occasions.
On Wednesday, April 10, ABC and Clayton Police arrested 31-year-old Kevin Garner of Clayton and 31-year-old Zachary Bednarz, of Concord. Both men are bar employees. Garner is employed as a bouncer at the licensed premises and Bednarz is employed as a bartender. Both were transported to the Concord Police Department where they were booked for felony sales of narcotics.
The ABC will be filing an administrative accusation against the licensed premises which could result in disciplinary action involving a fine, license suspension or possibly the revocation of the ABC license.
ABC protects communities through education and by administering prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws. ABC encourages licensees to sign up for ABC’s Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) training free of charge. Licensees and their employees can now take the training online at http://www.abc.ca.gov/programs/LEAD/Online_LEAD_Training.html, they can also sign up for training in person in a classroom setting.
Visit https://www.abc.ca.gov/programs/programs_PE.html to learn more about ABC enforcement and prevention programs that can help increase public safety. ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
Read MoreThe Contra Costa County Supervisors were presented Tuesday a proposed $3.69 billion budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 that sparked dialogue among supervisors of potentially developing a new tax source in order to support the county’s growing service needs, especially in the areas of health, medical, employment and human services.
The proposed 2019-2020 budget consists of $1.7 billion in county imposed general fund revenue that is approximately the same level of local tax revenue budgeted for the current 2018-2019 fiscal year. State and federal funds make up the other $2 billion in budget revenue.
Supervisors voted 4-0 to instruct county administrator David Twa to present the budget for adoption at its May 7 meeting. Vice chair Candace Andersen of Danville was absent at the time of the vote.
“After several years of relative stability, we now enter a period of needing to adjust our county budget to meet challenges due to uncertainties to countywide revenue streams (especially in the Health Services and the Employment & Human Services departments), compounded by sharply rising wage and benefit costs,” County Administrator Twa wrote in his 2019-2020 budget presentation. CCCo Budget Presentation 19-20 Draft
In the 2019-2020 fiscal year county officials plan to wrap up labor negotiations with the Physicians and Dentists Organization that represents workers in the Health and Human Services and at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Clinics, the District Attorney Investigators Association, the Deputy Services Association and the In-Home Supportive Services Association.
Even in a good economy, Contra Costa County employees find themselves underpaid on average 5 percent to 8 percent of what their counterparts earn at similar jobs in the Bay Area. Supervisors listened to a number of speakers representing the county’s health care system, Contra Costa CARES, that the county needs to boost salaries of its healthcare workers 8 percent if it expects to retain employees.
For next fiscal year, county medical director Anna Roth proposed that the supervisors approve a 3 percent cost of living adjustment, designate $135 million in county general funds, count on $1.6 billion in revenues, but expect expenses of $1.8 billion. The department plans to expand the West County Behavioral Health Center next year, she said.
“We’ve got some work to do,” said District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill upon noticing a projected a combined general fund deficit from health services and human services of at least $30 million.
Noting how other Bay Area counties like San Francisco, Alameda, and San Mateo can adequately pay county workers because of additional tax revenues streaming in from property and sales tax sources, board chair John Gioia of Richmond said, “Other counties have robust tax revenue resources. We don’t have that.”
“You say we need more money,” said District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg. “We have to be creative.”
Employment and Human Services Director Kathy Gallagher said to balance her department’s budget for 2019-2020 she will have to eliminate 67 positions. For next fiscal year, EHS will have 1,904 fulltime positions in order to operate its diverse operations such as Adult Protection Services that has undergone some criticism for alleged financial abuse of its clients.
Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston has proposed a $7 million increase for salaries and benefits for his 685 sworn officers and 350 non-sworn personnel. For next fiscal year, the sheriff plans to hire three additional sworn officers. Planning for a proposed 128 bed mental health facility for the West County Detention Center in Richmond is back on track after being sidelined for rising construction costs, mostly related to steel tariffs.
With $44 million proposed for the District Attorney’s Office, District Attorney Diana Becton plans to increase staffing in the human trafficking unit by $1 million. The DA Office has 222.5 positions on the payroll of which 102 are attorneys, 33 are investigators, 17 are victim/witness experts, and 70.5 are administrative support.
A $3.7 million project at Buchanan Air Field is one of the big tasks on drawing boards for the Public Works Department next fiscal year, department director Brian Balbas said, but the biggest challenge is retaining staff. With a $254 million budget and 545 employees, Balbas said his department is hampered by a high turnover rate of more than 20 percent when workers find better paying jobs at other counties or in the private sector. “The focus for 2019/2020 will be in recruitment and retention,” he told supervisors.
Public Defender Robin Lipesky said in addition to handling 6,900 misdemeanor cases, 3,747 felony cases, and 450 bail hearings, her department handled 600 Stand Together Contra Costa legal consultations, a new duty of her department. Citing a decline in the county’s juvenile population and a decline in the juvenile hall population, the department plans to cut 22 juvenile justice positions, she said.
Supervisors Salary Ordinance Approved
On a 3-2 vote, with supervisors Candace Andersen of Danville and Diane Burgis of Brentwood casting the dissenting votes, supervisors approved an ordinance that will raise their salaries at an established percentage, 65 percent of the annual salary of the Office of Superior Court Judge, effective January 1, 2021.
Effective June 30, each supervisor will earn a monthly base salary of $9,736.75, equivalent to an annual salary of $116,841.
From July 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019 supervisors will each earn an annual salary equal to 60 percent of the annual salary for the Office of Superior Court Judge as prescribed by the state legislature. Supervisors will receive another salary boost effective January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 at a base of 63 percent of a Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge. A third and final salary hike equal to 65 percent of the annual salary for the Office of Superior Court Judge in Contra Costa County would go into effect after January 1, 2021.
In addition to the pay increases, each supervisor will receive reimbursement for “reasonable expenses incurred in the conduct of such office” and “eligibility for an eighty-five-dollar monthly contribution to the county’s deferred compensation plan in the same manner as other exempt management employees.”
Each supervisor will also receive an automobile allowance of $600 per month and, in addition to the automobile allowance, mileage at the rate per mile allowed by the Internal Revenue Service as a deductible expense, for all miles driven by the supervisor on county business outside that supervisor’s district.
Supervisors OK Revised WCCTAC Transit Mitigation Fee
In other business, supervisors unanimously approved revised property transportation mitigation fees developers in unincorporated parts of the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee area of El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, and San Pablo that have been in place since 1997.
No one spoke either in favor of or in protest against the fees that are assessed to go towards construction of transportation projects.
Since the inception of the WCCTAC transit mitigation fees in 1997, $11.6 million has been raised to help alleviate transportation impacts from residential, commercial or industrial development, said John Cunningham of the Contra Costa County Conservation and Development Department.
Revenues from the transit mitigation fee cover 19 percent of the construction costs of transit projects in the WCCTAC area. Some of those projects include $9,672 towards a $50,903 San Pablo Avenue complete streets project, $156 for the I-580/Harbour Way Interchange pedestrian and bicycle access improvements, $10,175 for the Hercules Regional Intermodal Transportation Center, and $20,749 for capital improvements to the I-80 Express Bus Service.
Accessory dwelling units are exempt from the revised transit mitigation fees that will go into effect July 1, 2020 and will increase or decrease every July 1 thereafter based by the annual percentage change in the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index for the San Francisco Bay Area for the 12 month period ending with the February index of the same year in which the increase or decrease will take effect
The new WCCTAC transit mitigation fees are multi-family residential, $5,439 per dwelling unit; senior housing, $1,469 per dwelling unit; hotel, $3,481 per hotel unit; retail/service, $6.59 per square foot; office, $8.12 per square foot; industrial, $5.56 per square foot; storage facility, 0.76 per square foot; and other, $7 per square foot.
Red Cross Community Services Award Recipients
As a consent items, supervisors adopted resolutions honoring Bryan Canty of Antioch as recipient of the 2019 Red Cross Good Samaritan Award, Samantha Barhouse, also of Antioch, as recipient of the 2019 Red Cross Disaster Service Award, and the San Damiano Retreat Center of Danville, as the recipient of the 2019 Red Cross Community Service Award.
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