Thursday evening at about 8:26 pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision on Highway 4 eastbound, west of Pacheco Blvd. in Martinez. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, a blue Saturn sedan was found crashed into the center divider of eastbound Hwy 4, several witnesses that stopped along the right shoulder of eastbound Hwy 4, and the adult female driver of the Saturn was lying in the westbound lanes of traffic and unresponsive. The driver of a white Dodge pickup truck was also stopped along the right shoulder but on the westbound side. Unfortunately, the female driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. She has not yet been identified. The Contra Costa County Sheriff Coroner,s Office will be handling the release of her identity.
In the initial investigation, it appears that the solo female driver of the Saturn sedan was traveling on Hwy 4 eastbound approaching Pacheco Blvd at an unknown speed, veered off the roadway and into the center metal guardrail. Witnesses related the female driver then exited her vehicle, climbed over the center metal guardrail, and began to run across the westbound lanes of traffic of Hwy 4. She was then struck by an oncoming white Dodge pickup. Once emergency personnel and CHP arrived on scene, they located the female driver lying in the westbound lanes and unresponsive. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. The male driver of the Dodge pickup remained on scene, was not injured, and cooperative throughout the investigation. Witnesses also remained on scene to provide information.
It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs are a factor in this collision as it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.
Read MoreIn an open letter to District 3 residents, Supervisor Diane Burgis, who has served the district since 2016, issued the following statement regarding her health.
“When I count the things I am grateful for, representing you is right up there with my family, friends and good health. I am humbled and honored for the trust that you have placed in me, and I take the responsibility that comes with that trust very seriously.
That is why I want you to know that I am having heart surgery on February 25 to replace an aortic valve due to aortic stenosis, or a narrowing of my aortic valve. What some don’t know is that when I was seven years old, I had this same procedure, and my surgeons told me then that I would likely need another surgery later in life. The good news is that due to my overall health, the operation is happening much later than they predicted.
My doctors, who have performed hundreds of these procedures, assure me that my prognosis is excellent and that I will be better than new after the surgery. I will be in the hospital for approximately one week and then at home for recovery.
In the meantime, I promise that you will receive the same high level of service, sound decision-making, and representation as always. My staff and the County staff will keep me updated on the issues, and my office will continue the vital work that we are doing, in consultation with me, and under the leadership of my Chief of Staff, Mark Goodwin.
I also want to put everyone on notice – if you think it’s hard to keep up with me now, just wait!! I look forward to continuing our work together to create opportunities and find solutions to our challenges in Contra Costa County.
I also can’t wait to ride my bike on the Marsh Creek trail, hike up Mount Diablo, kayak on the Delta, chase my beautiful grandson, and get back on the tennis courts!
I am ready for more adventures in this terrific life!
Thank you for your support, and well wishes.”
Mark Goodwin, Burgis’ Chief of Staff will be the primary point of contact during Supervisor Burgis’ surgery and recovery. Well wishes may be sent to Supervisor Burgis at her main office, 3361 Walnut Boulevard, Suite 140, Brentwood, CA 94513.
Supervisor Diane Burgis represents District 3, the largest of the five Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor districts, which includes Antioch, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, and Oakley in East Contra Costa County and Blackhawk, Diablo and Tassajara Valley in the southern portion of the district.
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Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) will host a town hall meeting at Clayton Valley Charter High School in Concord on Wednesday, February 20th at 6:30 p.m.
This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 77th town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress four years ago. The town hall was originally scheduled for January 23rd, but was postponed due to the government shutdown. During the town hall, Congressman DeSaulnier will provide an update on the recent border security deal and other issues before Congress, will take questions, and discuss the services his office can provide.
Concord Town Hall
Wednesday, February 20th
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Clayton Valley Charter High School
Multiuse Room
1101 Alberta Way
Concord, CA 94521
Doors Open at 6:00 p.m.
This event is open to the public, press, and photographers.
Please RSVP by visiting https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or calling (925) 933-2660. To request ADA accommodations, translation services, or for more information, contact Congressman DeSaulnier’s office in either Walnut Creek or Richmond.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Officers, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
On Friday, February 15, 2019, at about 8:48 PM, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to an unknown medical problem on the first block of Lancaster Circle in Bay Point. The Sheriff’s Office was later told that someone was shot at that location.
Deputies arrived finding a person on the ground. The 18-year-old man suffered from a gunshot wound. The fire department and an ambulance arrived. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim is not being identified at this time.
The investigation is ongoing by Detectives from the Homicide Unit.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 646-2441 or (925) 313-2600. For any tips, call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.
Read MoreStory and photo by Daniel Borsuk
At their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognized the 2018 Counties Care Holiday Food Fight participants. Last December Contra Costa County employees and elected officials raised more than $73,000. Over the past 10 years, county employees have raised $1.4 million for the Contra Costa Food Bank.
Awards for top contributors were presented to county employees or elected officials such as District Attorney Diana Becton and District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen.
The Contra Costa Food Bank serves 30,000 low income residents each year.
Read MoreNine Appointed to 2020 Census Complete Count Steering Committee
By Daniel Borsuk
Since passage of Contra Costa’s Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO) in December 1998, the landmark law hammered out between the refinery industry and local government has played a major role in driving down the number of deadly chemical incidents in the county.
On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors heard Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), representative Shanelle Scales-Preston read a letter from the congressman about the importance of ISO’s enactment:
“The creation of the Industrial Safety Ordinance was one of the most impactful proposals I have been involved in throughout my 35 years in public service. As a member of the Board of Supervisors at the time of the Tosco explosion in 1997, we reacted immediately to put an end to corporate profits coming at the expense of safety. We partnered with labor, industry, environmental groups, and safety experts to draft the Industrial Safety Ordinance.
“The results speak for themselves. The severity of major chemical accidents or releases in Contra Costa County has declined since its implementation. During the 1990’s, on average there was a major incident every year that caused a fatality, serious injury, or major damage. Since the ISO took effect in 1999, there have been a total of two major incidents in covered jurisdictions over a nearly 20-year period. The county continues to proactively seek enhancements, and it continues to serve as a guidepost for safety.”
District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, who was an intern in 1998, recalled negotiations were not by any means diplomatic between industry and government representatives. “Those were headbutting meetings,” she said. “Those meetings were not smoothly conducted.”
Since the enactment of ISO in 1999, the number of major chemical accidents has fallen from a high of 10 Major Chemical Accidents or Releases (MCARs) in 2001 to 1 incident each in 2017 and 2018. No MCARs were reported in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016.
District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood, who knows about the petroleum industry’s safety measures because she has a son who works in industry, commented, “I’m proud of Contra Costa County’s contributions to refinery safety.”
In a related consent action, supervisors approved a $700,000 contract with the consultant firm Baker and O’Brien, Inc. to provide refining industry analyses in connection with refinery property tax appeals for the period from Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019. These appeals typically place several billion dollars of valuation in issue, said county counsel Sharon Anderson. “Assistance is required because valuations are highly technical, requiring specialized knowledge that only industry experts have,” said Anderson.
Supervisors Support Creation of Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets
On a consent action, supervisors called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to create a statewide commission on recycling markets citing the severity of environmental impacts triggered by China’s National Sword, that nation’s strict mixed paper and plastic contamination policy.
Upon noting that China has recently enacted strict mixed paper and plastic contamination limits and import bans, that are commonly called “National Sword,” China has declared its intent to ban all recyclable materials by 2020.
The board’s resolution states:
“Whereas, local governments across California will soon have to comply with additional state regulations for organic waste diversion and processing, SB 1383 (Chapters 395, 2016) establishes targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025. Infrastructure required to implement these regulations is expected to cost billions of dollars; and
“Whereas, these increased diversion requirements added to recent changes to international policies and a declining global market value for recyclables, has resulted in an issue of statewide concern for the resource recovery industry, local governments, and Californians;
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Count of Contra Costa calls for the Governor to establish a statewide Commission to address these significant challenges to our recycling markets.”
Nine Appointed to 2020 Census Complete Count Steering Committee
Supervisors appointed as a consent action nine persons to serve At-Large seats on the 2020 Census County Complete Count Steering Committee, a committee designed to set goals and objectives to identify community areas or a population group that might be difficult to count.
Appointed to the committee are Fran Biderman of Kensington, Alvaro Fuentes of Richmond, Samuel Houston of Concord, Melody Howe Weintraub of Lafayette, Terry Koehne of San Ramon, Mark Orcutt of Walnut Creek, Andres Orozco of Brentwood and Ali Saidi of Pinole.
District 3 Supervisors Diane Burgis of Brentwood chairs the committee.
Formation of the 2020 Census Complete county Steering Committee will aid the county is securing up to $362,605 in state aid to support the Complete Count campaign.
Victim/Witness Program Post Approved
District Attorney Diana Becton won supervisors’ consent approval to hire a full-time Victim/Witness Assistance Program Specialist in the Human Trafficking unit. The position will be responsible for advocacy and direct services for victims of human trafficking. The position’s salary will be $3,992 to $4,853 per month.
Approve $149,869 Payment to Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association
Supervisors also approved the payment of $149,869 to the Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA) for services provided to the Contra Costa Clean Water Program during the period July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. Program funding is provided by the county and 19 cities and towns within Contra Costa County. Contra Costa County’s share is about $22,500.
Read MoreContra Costa Animal Services offering reduced cost adoptions during Big Love Valentine’s Day Special
Promotion offered at CCAS’ Martinez & Pinole adoption centers to ensure everyone has a chance to find love this Valentine’s Day
Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) is offering reduced cost adoptions of all animals between February 14th and February 28th in an effort to help Bay Area residents and families find love this Valentine’s Day. During CCAS’ Big Love adoption promotion, the adoption fee for all dogs over 25 lbs, and all cats over 5lbs, will be reduced to $25. Interested adopters can take advantage of this adoption promotion by visiting CCAS’ Martinez and Pinole adoption centers to meet animals and adopt their new family member.
“Typical adoption costs range from $86-$264 at CCAS, depending on the animal, which makes this promotion a huge incentive for potential adopters,” says CCAS spokesman, Steve Burdo. “In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to find love this year.”
To view animals available for adoption, visit www.ccasd.org.
CCAS Adoption Locations
CCAS Adoption Centers
Martinez Adoption Center – 4800 Imhoff Pl., Martinez, CA 94553
Pinole Adoption Center – 910 San Pablo Ave., Pinole, CA 94564
For more information, contact Contra Costa County Animal Services’ Media and Community
Relations Manager Steve Burdo at 925-393-6836, or by email at steve.burdo@asd.cccounty.us.
Read MoreWashington, D.C. – Today, in honor of Black History Month, Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) and Barbara Lee (CA-13) reintroduced a House Resolution calling for the public exoneration of the Port Chicago 50. The resolution is part of their ongoing effort, first started by former Congressman George Miller III, to bring attention and solutions to the injustice suffered by the Port Chicago 50, a group of African American sailors who were wrongly convicted of mutiny following the deadliest home front disaster of World War II at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in California.
After experiencing segregation in the Navy, 435 African American munitions sailors, who were not properly trained or supported, were killed or injured when a cargo vessel exploded. This incident accounted for more than 15 percent of all African American Naval casualties during WWII. When 50 of these men understandably refused to return to the unsafe working conditions that killed their fellow sailors, they were discriminately charged and convicted of mutiny.
“If we are to progress as a nation, it is critical that we learn from past injustices and correct our mistakes,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “Our resolution recognizes the Port Chicago 50’s courage, celebrates their service to our country, and calls for their public exoneration. I thank Congresswoman Lee for her partnership as we work to right the wrongs of our past, and properly honor these men.”
“As the daughter of a veteran, I am deeply grateful to our men and women in uniform, who make tremendous sacrifices in service to this nation. However, our nation has not always treated our service members with the compassion and decency that they deserve. The 50 African American sailors at Port Chicago, who boldly stood against discrimination and refused to return to unsafe work conditions, should be remembered as heroes. The wrongful charges of mutiny levied against these service members were an injustice that persists to this day,” said Congresswoman Lee. “These brave men should be honored, not only for their pivotal role in the World War II home front effort, but also for their courage in the face of injustice. I am grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for introducing this legislation and celebrating these local heroes.”
Representatives DeSaulnier and Lee have introduced this resolution in both the 114th and 115th Congress, and together they sent a letter to former President Obama requesting he acknowledge the injustice suffered by these sailors and remove these racially biased convictions from their records.
Additionally, Congressman DeSaulnier successfully included a provision to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requiring the Navy to investigate the circumstances surrounding the treatment of sailors at Port Chicago. This led to the Navy acknowledging the injustice that was served to the Port Chicago 50. DeSaulnier has also called upon the Smithsonian Institution to include information about the Port Chicago 50 in the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
To learn more about the Port Chicago disaster and memorial visit https://portchicagomemorial.org/.
Read MoreSACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Discovery Bay), chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, released the following statements on Tuesday after California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his first State of the State Address before a joint session of the Legislature.
“Governor Newsom inherited a high-speed rail project that is a mess. He showed he is ready to step up and take the reins as a leader, recognizing there needs to be wholesale changes. I appreciate his realistic and common-sense approach to this project.
The governor also has a soft spot in his heart for the intellectually and developmentally disabled and recognizes that we need to step up our game to better support the special needs community.”
The governor also announced he will appoint a new member to the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors, with the expectation the new appointee will become chair. Frazier responded with the following statement:
“I applaud the decision to appoint Lenny Mendonca to the High-Speed Rail Authority Board with the governor’s intention that Mendonca become chairman. An investigation by State Auditor Elaine Howle revealed a pattern of repeated failures at the Authority, under the direction of current Chairman Dan Richard, with hundreds of millions in cost overruns and a lack of honesty and transparency. That is just one reason I have been advocating for a change in leadership. I have high hopes for Mr. Mendonca to lead the High-Speed Rail Authority to complete the scaled down project the governor outlined in his State of the State Address today. A change of leadership at the HSRA was long overdue.”
Regarding Newsom’s announcement on scaling back the twin Delta tunnels to a single tunnel project, Frazier, whose district encompasses a large portion of the Delta, issued the following statement:
“I’m grateful Governor Newsom has been willing to listen to local stakeholders in the battle for the future of the Delta. His unequivocal denunciation of the twin tunnels project is a step in the right direction. I look forward to working with the governor to convince him there are alternative water delivery solutions that are economical and can be delivered in a timely manner, nullifying the need for even a single tunnel.”
Assemblymember Frazier represents the 11th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis AFB, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.
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