Contra Costa Herald

County Board of Education, College Board, city councils, school boards, special districts

By Dawn Kruger, Community and Media Relations Coordinator, Contra Costa County, Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department 

The Candidate Filing Period for the November 3rd General Election will began, Monday, July 13, 2026, and nomination papers will be available for candidates running for office. The nomination period runs through 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026.

A list of offices anticipated for the election can be found here: www.contracostavote.gov/wp-content/uploads/26Nov03_PositionsUpForElection.pdf.  Offices on this list are subject to change as resolutions are still being filed.

Papers for offices that are up for election will be available at the Contra Costa Elections Office, 555 Escobar Street, Martinez. Papers for Municipal Offices will be available from the City Clerk’s office in the city the position represents.

For further information on the General Election and key dates, go to www.contracostavote.gov

“Our Candidate Services team is ready to work with Candidates who will be running in the November General Election,” said Kristin B. Connelly, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters. “Candidate Filing begins Monday July 13 and our office is here to help potential candidates.”

If an incumbent does not file to run for office by the August 7^th deadline, the filing period for that office will extend until 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. This rule does not apply to incumbents that have reached their term limit and are unable to run again.

Interested candidates can schedule an appointment by emailing candidate.services@vote.cccounty.us or by calling (925) 335-7800. Walk-ins are accepted, but service is subject to the availability of staff. Appointments are available on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Filing documents and information will be provided to interested constituents at their appointment. The process takes approximately 20 minutes.

Renderings source: CyberTran International, Inc.

Richmond’s CyberTran International, Inc., EarthGrid, UC Berkeley’s PATH, San Ramon’s Manex announce major achievement signaling new era of freight rail innovation and development, East Bay job creation

Richmond, CA – The Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, officially and unanimously adopted a resolution in support of moving freight through the county using Richmond-based CyberTran International’s Ultra-Light Rail Freight and Transit (ULRF&T) system. The ULRF&T system is planned to operate from Oakland to the Central Valley via underground tunnels, and create a next-generation SuperGrid for underground utilities.

The development partnership includes CyberTran International, Richmond-based EarthGrid, U.C. Berkeley Partners in Advanced Transportation Technology (PATH), located at the Richmond Field Station, and the San Ramon-based Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex).

“Adoption…demonstrates…support for continued exploration and development of the Ultra-Light Rail Freight and Transit system, associated underground infrastructure improvements, and the establishment of advanced manufacturing and Inland Port facilities that could provide long-term transportation, environmental, and economic benefits to the East Bay region.” – Supervisor Nate Miley

Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley has been a leading advocate for this effort. According to his staff report for the agenda item, #46, “The proposed ULRF&T system is intended to provide a lower-cost, zero-carbon alternative to conventional freight and transit rail systems while reducing truck traffic along the heavily congested Interstate 580 corridor. EarthGrid’s proposed underground SuperGrid technology would provide tunnel infrastructure capable of supporting both freight transportation and modernized utility corridors, while PATH contributes expertise in autonomous vehicle technology. MANEX would assist CyberTran in establishing a manufacturing facility within Alameda County, creating local jobs and supporting advanced manufacturing in the East Bay. As part of this initiative, CyberTran and its partners are also proposing the development of an Inland Port in eastern Alameda County to facilitate the movement of goods between the Port of Oakland and California’s Central Valley.”

“Adoption of the attached resolution demonstrates the County’s support for continued exploration and development of the Ultra-Light Rail Freight and Transit system, associated underground infrastructure improvements, and the establishment of advanced manufacturing and Inland Port facilities that could provide long-term transportation, environmental, and economic benefits to the East Bay region,” the staff report concludes.

Miley made the motion to adopt the resolution, Board President David Haubert seconded the motion, and it passed on a vote of 5-0. (See AlCo BOS CyberTran Resolution 071426)

“Automobiles have evolved, aviation has evolved, aerospace has evolved, it’s time for rail to evolve. Plus, roving blackouts and wildfires along with tomorrow’s energy and water needs dictate that it’s time to upgrade our outdated utility grid,” said Dexter Vizinau, CEO of CyberTran International.

Key Highlights of the Resolution

• The initiative seeks to establish a Public Private Partnership Pilot Project.
• The project will focus on developing and deploying an innovative autonomous rail system designed to efficiently transport freight, reduce costs, and decrease travel times compared to traditional trucking methods.
• The County’s resolution also supports UC Berkeley PATH’s work to research, develop, and implement an autonomous ULRF&T system.
• EarthGrid’s plasma boring technology is endorsed for tunnel construction, which will form a SuperGrid for utilities and facilitate the ULRF&T transit network.
• Manex is supported in creating a CyberTran factory in Alameda County to manufacture and distribute ULRF&T systems globally.
• This initiative is expected to reduce traffic congestion, particularly along the Highway 580 Corridor.
• Thousands of well-paying jobs are anticipated for Alameda County residents because of the project.
• By lessening truck traffic and congestion, the county aims to reduce negative environmental impacts.

Commitment to East Bay Community

The companies and organizations involved have a long history of fostering innovation and supporting skilled individuals, organizations, and businesses. Their strong ties to Alameda and Contra Costa County demonstrate their dedication to quality, creativity and integrity. (See related articles here, here and here)

(See 2:01:30 mark of Board meeting video)

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Note: The publisher of the Herald has a financial interest in CyberTran International, Inc.

Avery Alexander Gibbs was arrested by Las Vegas Police on July 9, 2026. Photo: CCC Sheriff’s Office

Transient Avery Alexander Gibbs shot “several individuals”

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

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, while investigating the Bay Point homicide, Sheriff’s Office detectives determined suspect was in Las Vegas. Detectives notified their counterparts in LV who arrested 35-year-old Avery Alexander Gibbs after searching for him.

As previously reported, on Friday, July 3, 2026, at about 1:30, Muir Station deputy sheriffs were dispatched to an unknown problem on Olivia Lane in Bay Point. The call was later reported to be “shots fired.”

While enroute to the location, deputies were flagged down by several individuals who were injured at the location.

Deputies arrived at the scene and located an unresponsive person who was later transported to a local hospital. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. He is not being identified pending next of kin notification. One other person was transported to the hospital.

Gibbs was booked for homicide and awaits extradition to Contra Costa County. The DA’s Office has charged him with murder & attempted murder. The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office thanks the Las Vegas Metropolitan PD for their assistance & partnership in apprehending Gibbs.

According to localcrimenews.com, Gibbs is Black, from San Pablo and has a history of arrests dating back to at least 2016. He was arrested by multiple agencies for crimes including human trafficking of a victim under 18, derive income from earnings or proceeds of a minor prostitute, pandering: other of a person 16+ and threats of violence.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Video screenshot: Con Fire

By Contra Costa Fire Protection District

2026 4th of July

(10:00 AM on the 4th through 3:00 AM on the 5th)

Total Incidents: 228

Total Phone Calls Answered by Fire Dispatch: 498

EMS: 127

Exterior Fires: 45

Vegetation Fires: 12

Structure Fires: 3

Fire- Other: 8

All other call types: 33

Source: PHPD

Provide more stats

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

The Pleasant Hill Police Department is back to provide you with a look at some of the police activity that took place in our city in June 2026.

A total of 2,032 calls for service were received. That makes 14,329 total incidents or calls for service in 2026. That’s 17.8% more calls for service, compared to this time last year.

A total of 263 cases were taken resulting in 57 arrests with three for DUI. 100% of the arrests involved adults and 30% were felonies.

Pleasant Hill Property & Personal Crimes June 2026. Source: PHPD

There were 80 larcenies, eight auto thefts, two robberies, two business burglaries and one residential burglary. Larcenies include shoplifting, theft from a car, bike theft, purse snatch, etc.

A total of 173 citations were issued, 46% were hazardous, 54% non-hazardous.

We’ll continue sharing this information monthly on social media, but for a more extensive look at our crime stats, please visit our website at www.phillca.gov/1384/Crime-Statistics.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Items were seen being tossed from the second suspect vehicle believed to be evidence from the robbery before being stopped. Video screenshots. Source: SFPD

Following gang-related armed jewelry store robbery

By San Francisco Police Department

San Francisco, CA — An investigation by the San Francisco Police Department’s Violence Reduction Team (VRT) into a series of gang-related homicides led to the arrest of multiple suspects and the recovery of firearms after investigators coordinated with regional law enforcement agencies following an alleged armed jewelry store robbery in Contra Costa County.

During June 2026, VRT investigators were conducting surveillance as part of an ongoing investigation into multiple gang-related homicides and efforts to prevent additional acts of violence. During the investigation, officers observed several armed individuals exit a vehicle in San Francisco carrying firearms, including assault-style rifles. Based on their observations, investigators believed the group was preparing to target rival gang members. Detectives continued monitoring the suspects and identified several individuals known to investigators.

On June 28, 2026, investigators observed the group travel to Concord, where they allegedly committed an armed jewelry store robbery inside the Sunvalley mall. As previously reported, according to Concord Police, “Officers arrived on scene and learned that at least four suspects had smashed display cases at the Banter jewelry kiosk and pepper sprayed a patron during the commission of the robbery. The suspects fled the area prior to officers’ arrival.”

Following the robbery, the suspects switched vehicles in an apparent attempt to evade law enforcement. Investigators coordinated a regional enforcement operation to safely apprehend those involved.

The suspect in Richmond fled on foot but was quickly apprehended. Video screenshot. Source: SFPD

In Richmond, California, during the surveillance, one suspect was seen exiting a vehicle and entered a second SUV. When officers attempted to detain him, he fled on foot before being quickly taken into custody. A subsequent search of the SUV resulted in the recovery of a handgun, an assault-style rifle, ammunition, and additional evidence believed to be connected to the investigation.

Meanwhile, investigators continued tracking a second vehicle with the assistance of law enforcement drones. Officers observed occupants allegedly discarding items from the vehicle that investigators believe were evidence from the robbery. The vehicle was ultimately stopped, and officers conducted a felony stop, safely taking the occupants into custody without further incident.

In total, multiple suspects were arrested during the coordinated operation.

As the investigation continued, detectives served search warrants at residences in Richmond and Oakland associated with the suspects, recovering additional evidence.

An assault-style weapon discovered during searches of one of the homes following the arrests. Video screenshot. Source: SFPD

The case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration on the following arrested individuals, who were charged:

• Cameron Haynes, 21-year-old, San Francsico
• Terry Franklin, 29-year-old, San Francisco / Daly City
• Lavar Kent, 18-year-old, San Francisco
• Eric Howard, 18-year-old, San Francisco
• Teric Howard, 20-year-old, San Francisco

Concord Police posted on their Facebook page, “Once again, the Concord Police Department remains committed to partnering with our allied law enforcement agencies to bring those who come into our community and commit crime to justice. We are thankful for SFPD’s partnership!”

See related video.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Francisco Police Department at 415-575-4444 or submit tips anonymously through the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or by texting TIP411 and beginning the message with “SFPD.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Concord Police Department

As previously reported, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at approximately 3:12 p.m., Concord Police Department officers responded to a report of a robbery at Sunvalley Shopping Center.

The incident occurred inside the mall near Macy’s Women’s store. Two masked male suspects approached the victim and grabbed his necklaces. A physical struggle occurred, and the suspects fled from the mall with the victim’s necklaces.

The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of the confrontation.

July 2, 2026 – Two suspects were identified in this case and arrested by the Concord Police Department. The suspects were juveniles and as such their names are not being released at this time.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against the two juveniles.

This incident is not related to the recent press release regarding the jewelry store robbery inside Sun Valley mall on June 28.

Stolen jewelry and price tags recovered from suspects. Photos: Concord PD

By Concord Police Department

On June 28, 2026, at approximately 1:24 PM, the Concord Police Department Communications Center received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a robbery in progress at the Sun Valley Mall.

Officers arrived on scene and learned that at least four suspects had smashed display cases at the Banter jewelry kiosk and pepper sprayed a patron during the commission of the robbery.

The suspects fled the area prior to officers’ arrival.

Through investigative efforts and coordination with the San Francisco Police Department, the suspects were quickly identified and ultimately located in the City of Richmond. All five suspects were taken into custody on charges related to the robbery, as well as various additional offenses. Stolen jewelry from the business was recovered. Multiple firearms were located as well.

The swift identification and arrest of the suspects highlights the strong partnership between the Concord Police Department and the San Francisco Police Department. Continued collaboration and real-time intelligence sharing between agencies remain critical in investigating and disrupting organized retail crime throughout the Bay Area.

This case was jointly investigated by the San Francisco Police Department and the Concord Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit. The case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration on the following arrested individuals, who were charged:

• Cameron Haynes, 21-year-old, San Francsico
• Terry Franklin, 29-year-old, San Francisco / Daly City
• Lavar Kent, 18-year-old, San Francisco
• Eric Howard, 18-year-old, San Francisco
• Teric Howard, 20-year-old, San Francisco

No further information is being released at this time.

This robbery is in addition to the robbery on June 23rd inside the mall near Macy’s Women’s store.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Arrested for outstanding DUI warrant July 9th by Antioch Police

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

On Friday, July 10, 2026, at about 12:24 AM, a deputy sheriff at the West County Detention Facility was conducting safety checks when she saw an unresponsive inmate who had a ligature around her neck.

Deputies immediately began life-saving measures while Health Services medical staff at the facility responded and continued life-saving efforts. The fire department and an ambulance also responded. The inmate was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

The inmate is identified as 59-year-old Robi Lynn Perley, a white female, of Rio Vista. Perley, who had an outstanding arrest warrant for driving under the influence and probation violation, was taken into custody yesterday by the Antioch Police Department. She was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility at about 1:30 PM.

According to Antioch Police CitizenRIMS, Perley was five-feet nine inches tall, 135 pounds and was arrested at 12:05 p.m. in the 5700 Block of Lone Tree Way on the misdemeanor outside warrant. Case Number: 26-6379.

The county-wide law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol was invoked and the investigation into this in-custody death is being conducted by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and the Contra Costa D.A.’s Office.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us  or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Source: Stop Pittsburg Data Center

Not happy with City holding virtual community workshop

By Stop Pittsburg Data Center

Stop Pittsburg Data Center is a coalition of Pittsburg parents, children, teachers, and longtime residents. We are issuing this statement because the city has broken a written promise, and because the decisions that matter most are now happening where residents are not looking.

On June 16, 2026, the City of Pittsburg promised in writing that the data center would return to a regular City Council meeting with public participation and Council direction. Instead, it scheduled a staff-run Zoom webinar on July 30 with emailed questions, no noticed agenda item, no live public comment, and no Council action. The city promised residents a seat at the table. We got a webinar instead. (See related article)

We have deep concerns about bias in the decisions that remain. Among the last approvals standing before construction is BAAQMD air permits for 37 diesel generators near a middle school and sports courts on West Leland Road. Mayor Adams sits on the BAAQMD Board and its Stationary Source Committee, which oversees these permits. And in February, the state Fair Political Practices Commission found that the Mayor, a 24-year PG&E employee, has a legally disqualifying financial interest in the Pittsburg Power Company-PG&E agreement this project depends on. The state ordered her to recuse fully and leave the room, roughly 15 months after the Council’s unanimous approval. These are not suspicions. They are the state’s own findings.

The health numbers deserve scrutiny too. The developer’s own modeling submitted to the California Energy Commission showed a cancer risk of up to 17 in a million, above BAAQMD’s 10-in-a-million threshold (AVAIO Response to Data Request AQ-8, Table 1C, CEC Docket 24-SPPE-01, TN 259481, Oct. 8, 2024). Before issuing any permit, BAAQMD must explain publicly what changed and why the final number should be trusted.

Residents were never given a choice about this land. On August 1, 2017, while the Delta View Golf Course was still open, the city signed an exclusive negotiating agreement with Energy Delivery Solutions LLC for a technology park that, in the city’s own words, “would include one or more data centers.” Nine months later, residents were told the course was closing for economic opportunity. The opportunity had already been chosen. By the time the city announced the results of its resident poll on June 4, 2018, the exclusive agreement had already been in place for ten months. Public input came after the city’s decision to pursue a data center project. In the nine years since, the city never once asked publicly whether this land could generate $2 million a year without this risk, and its own budget shows why: the General Fund is projected to end FY 26/27 with a balance of $3,796. A city this broke cannot drive a hard bargain.

We are asking for three things, and the first two cannot wait. Permits can issue and agreements can be signed at any moment, and every week of silence closes the window residents were promised.

1. The real, noticed Council agenda item the city promised in writing, held before any further approvals or agreements are signed.
2. That BAAQMD evaluate all 37 generators as a single pollution source, with a full health risk assessment and a public comment period, before issuing any permit.
3. An urgency moratorium on new data center applications and approvals, including future phases of the Technology Park, until the city adopts a data center ordinance written with public input. Residents asked for a moratorium on June 15 and have received no answer.

More than 23,000 people have signed a petition opposing this project. We also speak for neighbors who cannot attend daytime meetings, don’t speak English, or lack internet access. They deserve the process the city promised. So does everyone else.

Learn more at StopPittsburgDataCenter.com.

Join us at StopPittsburgDataCenter on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.