San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Boundary Modification Act map. Source: Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08) introduced legislation to expand the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge by approximately 5,658 acres.
The expansion would include adjacent baylands owned by the State of California and nonprofit Sonoma Land Trust, with parcels in Solano County, Marin County, and Sonoma County. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02) and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.-04) are cosponsoring the bill in the House of Representatives.
“The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge hosts a rich wetland ecosystem and offers numerous recreational activities,” said Padilla. “Expanding the refuge’s boundary by over 5,500 acres would both protect Northern California tidal marshes to support wildlife and advance California’s ambitious conservation goals.”
“Conserving California’s special places has been a lifelong passion throughout my tenure in the state legislature, as Deputy Secretary of the Interior to President Clinton, and now as a member of Congress representing Solano County. San Pablo Bay is one of those special places. Our bill will help to restore the saltmarshes in San Pablo Bay for future generations. Expanding the National Wildlife Refuge is part of my ongoing work in Congress to support the redevelopment of historic Mare Island for Bay Area residents and visitors alike, while revitalizing its shipbuilding industry,” said Garamendi.
“The San Pablo Bay Wildlife Refuge is home to some of the North Bay’s most vital habitats — serving as a safe haven for threatened species, increasing the region’s climate resiliency, and providing outdoor recreation opportunities for folks in the Bay Area. As a time-tested proponent of land conservation, I think this area is the perfect candidate for expansion,” said Huffman. “Our bill will restore and expand this land so it can thrive for generations to come.”
“San Pablo Bay is an essential part of California, and protecting local saltmarshes and baylands is a priority for Bay Area lawmakers and communities,” said Representative Thompson. “I’m honored to introduce The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act with Congressman Garamendi, Congressman Huffman, and Senator Padilla to ensure we protect the health and longevity of our region’s natural resources for generations to come.”
The approximately 5,658 acres of state-owned and privately owned conservation land proposed for addition to the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge are as follows:
The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act would also direct the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enter into cooperative agreements with state agencies, like California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, to manage the federal National Wildlife Refuge and nearby state conservation lands within the San Pablo Bay watershed. As with all National Wildlife Refuges, the legislation ensures that federally owned land within the expanded San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge boundary remain open to the public for outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing where permitted. The bill would not affect private land ownership or local land use decisions in any way and prohibits the use of eminent domain by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand the National Wildlife Refuge.
The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge currently encompasses 24,390 acres, much of which is over water. The proposed 5,658-acre expansion would increase the National Wildlife Refuge’s acreage by more than 23 percent, supporting President Biden’s “America the Beautiful” National Conservation Goal to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the lands and waters in the United States by 2030 and Governor Newsom’s similar conservation goal for California.
The bill is endorsed by organizations including Sonoma Land Trust, California State Coastal Conservancy, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, CalWild, Sierra Club, Tuleyome, California Waterfowl Association, American Rivers, Friends of the Lost Coast, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, National Wildlife Refuge Association, Endangered Habitats League, Californians for Western Wilderness, Klamath Forest Alliance, Wilderness Society, Save Mount Diablo, Ocean Project, Latino Outdoors, and Resource Renewal Institute.
Senator Padilla has secured millions of dollars to support San Pablo Bay. The $2.3 million he secured in the FY 2023 and FY 2024 appropriations packages for the Hamilton Airfields Wetlands Restoration project will help restore tidal and seasonal wetlands at the former Army airfield on San Pablo Bay in the city of Novato. He also announced $1.64 million for San Pablo Bay and Mare Island Strait to perform preliminary channel assessments in order to maintain the Mare Island Strait’s authorized width and depth, and to ensure a safe and navigable waterway for current and future economic development of Mare Island and the City of Vallejo.
A map of the proposed boundary expansion is available here.
Full text of the legislation is available here.
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Source: Johnson Mayor campaign
On campaign of THRIVE: Togetherness, Housing, Recreation, Inclusion, Volunteerism and the Economy
Will use business background to attract employers and high-paying jobs to city; will work to add 5th police beat, eliminate homelessness
By Allen D. Payton
Gerald Johnson, current City of Brentwood Planning Commissioner, former two-time president of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, local business owner and 22-year resident of Brentwood is running for Mayor of Brentwood. With a vision for a thriving community rooted in unity, sustainable growth and economic vitality, Johnson says he is prepared to bring fresh leadership to the city he calls home.
“As a Planning Commissioner, I’ve been privileged to help shape Brentwood’s future by ensuring our city grows responsibly while preserving its unique character,” said Johnson. “My experience as President of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce has deepened my commitment to strengthening our local economy and supporting the businesses that are the backbone of our community.”
Johnson serves on the Brentwood Planning Commission. Photo: Johnson for Mayor campaign
Johnson’s campaign is centered on the principles of THRIVE: Togetherness, Housing, Recreation, Inclusion, Volunteerism and the Economy. His platform focuses on developing attainable housing for young families and professionals, enhancing cultural and recreational opportunities, promoting inclusivity, encouraging volunteerism, driving economic growth through strategic public-private partnerships, and expanding Brentwood’s agritourism sector so he can balance the budget.
He will also work to increase public safety by adding and staffing the long-planned fifth beat to the police department and push for policies to eliminate homelessness in the city. Johnson also aims to leverage the talents and knowledge of Brentwood’s senior community to enrich local initiatives and programs that benefit them.
Johnson recognizes housing growth is inevitable since it’s required by state law under the Regional Housing Needs Analysis mandates, but said he and the council need to work with developers to get the most and best amenities for the city as possible and offset any impacts to the community.
Endorsements
Johnson’s campaign is already gaining momentum with endorsements from several prominent individuals and organizations, including Brentwood Councilman Tony Oerlemans, former Brentwood Mayor Brian Swisher; former Brentwood Vice Mayor Johnny Rodriguez, Contra Costa, County Board of Education Area 3 Trustee Anamarie Avila Farias, the Contra Costa United Professional Firefighters, Contra Costa Labor Council, AFL-CIO and the Contra Costa Building & Construction Trades.
“I am running for Mayor because I believe Brentwood’s best days are ahead of us. I aim to create a community where everyone can thrive – where we unite to solve our challenges, support our local businesses, and ensure that Brentwood remains a wonderful place to live and work,” Johnson added.
Business Background
The Principal of Sabacon Consulting, a management consulting firm, since 2006, Johnson has an extensive business background working for and with Fortune 500 companies. According to his LinkedIn profile, they include Northern California Regional Manager for ConocoPhillips and Area Manager for Mobil Oil over 15 years. He also has served as President of the Northern California Chapter of the Institute of Management Consultants USA and since January Johnson is serving as Chair of the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee which is the leadership group of the Certified Minority Business Enterprises Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council, an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council.
He says he will use his business experience and contacts to attract employers to Brentwood with high-paying jobs for the residents, so they can get out of the commute and spend more time with their families.
Education
The first-time candidate for public office has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Brooklyn College and pursued a Minority Executive Program Certificate from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, as well as becoming a Certified Management Consultant.
Gerald & Audrey Johnson and family. Source: Johnson for Mayor campaign.
Personal
He is married to Audrey and they have two sons who attended Brentwood schools. It was that experience driving them to school that helped shape Johnson’s thinking about the need for better traffic flow in the community, especially around Heritage High and Adams Middle School.
Johnson’s candidacy combines a fresh perspective with seasoned experience. He is committed to listening to the community’s needs and working collaboratively to build a stronger, more vibrant Brentwood.
He faces one opponent, current Vice Mayor and District 3 Councilwoman Susannah Meyer in the November election.
For more information about Johnson’s campaign, call (925) 515-7900, email info@GeraldCJohnson.com or visit www.GeraldCJohnson.com.
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Also, fees waived at national parks and other federal public lands that day
By Amy Skalmusky, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, National Environmental Education Foundation
On Saturday, September 28, there are nearly 50 volunteer events throughout the state for National Public Lands Day (NPLD). Parks are seeking volunteers.
It’s also a great day to get outside because entry fees will be waived at national parks and other federal public lands, including national monuments, forests, recreation areas, seashores, wildlife refuges, historical sites, battlefields, and grasslands.
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) coordinates NPLD in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, and other federal agencies, state and local parks, and non-profits. This year marks the 31st annual event. People can find hundreds of already-planned volunteer events and other cool activities in most states by searching the official NPLD Map, with more added every day.
Here are a few events happening in California on NPLD:
Volunteers can participate in various projects across the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. With habitat restoration, landscaping, nursery, and gardens programs, there is something for everyone.
Volunteers will address illegal dumping at Post Mountain within the Hayfork Ranger District. Supported by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, this cleanup effort aims to remove large dump sites and prevent further trash accumulation.
Volunteers will honor the 40th anniversary of the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area. Help with garden restoration at the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center, then enjoy a panel presentation about the area’s rich history.
More Events Within 100 Miles of Contra Costa County
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day and Coastal Clean-up Day Events 2024
Join us on September 25-28, 2024, for National Public Lands Day– the nation’s largest volunteer effort for public lands! Established in 1994, this annual event celebrates the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits. With habitat restoration, landscaping, nursery, and gardens programs, there is something for everyone. Bring yourself, your friends, and your family! Registration required.
When: Wednesday, September 25 – Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Where: Project locations vary throughout the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), see below for more details.
Groups of five or more require special arrangements and must be confirmed in advance. Please review the List of Available Projects and fill out the Group Project Request Form.
The Golden Gate National Parks Volunteer Program is a cooperative parkwide effort of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the Presidio Trust.
San Francisco, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 9:00am
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day at the Cosumnes River Preserve
Your public lands are in need of your helping hands. Join thousands of other Americans across the country along with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the National Environmental Education Foundation as we celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday September 28th!
Galt, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Educational
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
27th Annual Yuba River Cleanup
A week-long small group self-guided cleanup which starts on California Coastal Cleanup Day (9/21) culminating in a community-wide Cleanup Event and party during National Public Lands Day (9/28)
NEVADA CITY, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Recreational
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/21/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Projects we will focus on this NPLD: picking up litter, graffiti abatement, trail maintenance, painting projects,
Oakdale, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 7:00am
In-Person Event
Come out and celebrate National Public Lands Day at New Hogan Lake!
Valley Springs, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Englebright Lake will be conducting a lake clean up to remove any litter that has accumulated throughout the recreation season. Come and join the Park Rangers for an exciting opportunity to be a good steward to the lands that we enjoy!
Smartsville, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Lake Sonoma Cleanup Day
Geyserville, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Fort Ord National Monument – Public Lands Day
Volunteers are needed to help with native plant landscaping, seed and straw throw, invasive weed removal, native seed collection, oak care and watering, and trail maintenance work. Volunteers will work from 9:00-11:30 and then be treated to a free lunch, t-shirts and park entry passes hosted by Monument partners at FORT Friends and NEEF.
Marina, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Family, College
Sat, 10/26/2024 – 9:00am
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day and Coastal Clean Up Day
San Francisco Maritime NHP is hosting a National Public Lands Day and Coastal Clean-up Day event in Aquatic Park on September 28, 2024.
San Francisco, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Historical/Cultural
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 10:00am
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day: Seashore Cleanup – Invasive Iceplant Pull
Join Point Reyes National Seashore in improving habitat for native flora and fauna by removing invasive plants. This is a FREE voluntary event.
Rangers will be on-hand at a localized area within the seashore to host a group event removing invasive Sea Fig, (Carpobrotus edulis), which crowds out native plants and decreases habitat for native species.
Help park rangers remove this lovely but invasive plant at the North Beach parking lot.
No experience necessary. Bring your own gloves, snacks, and plenty of drinking water; instructions on how to pull iceplant will be provided.
Limited to 25 volunteers. This event ends at noon. Bring your own lunch and enjoy a lunch on the beach afterwards!
Inverness, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Educational , Recreational , Health & Wellness
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 10:00am
In-Person Event
Volunteer event happening at New Melones Lake in the Glory Hole and Tuttletown Recreation Areas
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Bear Yuba Land Trust is joining South Yuba River Citizens League in uniting the community for the Annual River Cleanup! BYLT will be out with volunteers to clean up our host site, Sugarloaf Mountain & Trail, along with the general surrounding area.
Our group will be pulling trash and debris from Sugarloaf Mountain, with opportunities for all ages and abilities to get involved. Please bring gloves, a hat, comfortable shoes and water. We’ll provide snacks and a water refill station.
Nevada City, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 9:00am
Please let me know if you are interested in getting details or if you would like any photos. Over 500 volunteer events are happening nationwide, with volunteering in nearly every state. In the past decade, over a million people have volunteered on National Public Lands Day, the single largest volunteering day for parks and public lands.
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Funding for Contra Costa Transportation Authority through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Will benefit two projects on I-680
By Mairead Glowacki, Communications Director at U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Washington, D.C. – Today, Monday, September 23, 2024, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) will receive over $166 million in funding he advocated for to the Department of Transportation (DOT) that will help to improve safety, reduce congestion, and reduce air pollution along the I-680 corridor through Contra Costa County. This funding was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and longtime champion for policies that would reduce commute times, cut harmful pollution, and improve our quality of life, I was proud to advocate for this funding and am delighted it has been granted and will begin making a difference in the lives of Bay Area and California residents,” said DeSaulnier. “I am thankful to CCTA and DOT for their partnership in working to improve transportation across our region.”
“The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for his support in securing this monumental award. This federal grant speaks to the Congressman’s long-standing leadership in transportation and vision for our community,” said Tim Haile, Executive Director, CCTA. “Interstate 680 (I-680) is critical to the region’s economy and prosperity. It provides for the movement of goods, services, and people throughout northern California and beyond. Thousands rely on this corridor and increased congestion has led to unacceptable delays. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority is excited to advance the I-680 corridor through focused modernizations that will maximize efficiency and promote shared transportation. We are grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s dedication to improving quality of life and embracing innovation at both the local and national levels.”
Will Benefit Two Projects on I-680
This funding will go to two projects in Contra Costa County, which are part of the INNOVATE 680 Program, to complete the northbound I-680 express lane gap from SR-24 to SR-242 and convert the existing northbound High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane from SR-242 to north of Arthur Road into an express lane, construct a braided ramp system between North Main Street and Treat Boulevard interchanges in Walnut Creek to address an existing bottleneck caused by weaving at this location, and implement Coordinated Adaptive Ramp Metering for a 19-mile segment of NB I-680.
More information about this funding can be found in the letters Congressman DeSaulnier sent to DOT in support of this grant.
Congressman DeSaulnier has been a longtime champion of improving transportation in the Bay Area and along the I-680 corridor, including by consistently supporting CCTA in its work to advance projects that innovate our transportation systems, ease congestion, and make our roadways safer.
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Source: Kaiser Permanente
NCQA rates Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s Medicare and commercial health plans highest in California, among highest in nation
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
OAKLAND, Calif.– Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s health plans are once again recognized as the highest rated in California – and among the highest in the nation – for providing expert, coordinated care, and exceptional service.
Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare and commercial health plans in Northern California each received 4.5 out of 5 stars, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2024 Health Plan Ratings. This is the ninth ratings period that Kaiser Permanente Northern California has been the highest-rated plan in the region and among the highest in the country. Nationally, only 8% of the health plans are rated 4.5 stars or higher.
NCQA also ranks Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plans as best in the state for overall treatment, prevention, equity, and patient experience.
“Kaiser Permanente Northern California is a national leader when it comes to putting patient care first, and ensuring we are exceeding our members’ needs with a focus on providing high-quality, safe, and equitable care,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “This NCQA recognition reiterates our commitment to delivering world-class service to those who entrust us with their care.”
Source: NCQA
For 2024, NCQA analyzed more than 1,000 plans – commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid – for quality and service nationwide. All of Kaiser Permanente’s commercial and Medicare plans received the highest rating, or were tied for the highest rating, in all of the geographic regions we serve. Kaiser Permanente had more 5-star or 4.5-star plans than any other health care organization for the ninth ratings cycle in a row.
“This exceptional rating from NCQA is yet another testament to the expert and coordinated care provided by our clinical teams in Northern California,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Our highly skilled physicians and dedicated care teams continue to deliver innovative and equitable care that translates to healthier lives for our 4.6 million patients.”
Source: NCQA
NCQA is a national, private not-for-profit organization that surveys health plans for performance in a wide range of clinical service measures including consumer experience, prevention, equity and treatment.
NCQA primarily used the 2023 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set, or HEDIS®, to establish its ratings. HEDIS is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care.
The 2024 ratings and methodology are posted on the NCQA’s website at https://www.ncqa.org/.
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EarthGrid’s 2-Torch Plasma-Boring System Operating on Limestone. Source: EarthGrid
Groundbreaking joint venture with Kuwait-based EnerTech will use Point Richmond company’s plasma boring technology
Enables critical infrastructure improvements, increased grid capacity and resiliency to meet rising clean power demands
POINT RICHMOND, Calif./PRNewswire/ — EarthGrid, a Bay-area plasma tunnel-boring technology and infrastructure development company, announced Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, that it has signed a joint venture agreement with EnerTech, a Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) entity, to deploy infrastructure projects in four phases across the United States, Europe and the Middle East.
https://earthgrid.io/
The first two phases consist of, in estimate, $18 billion in U.S. infrastructure improvement projects. Utilizing EarthGrid’s patented plasma-powered machines, this joint venture will develop a network of underground tunnels designed to upgrade the current power grid and fiber networks with reliability, efficiency, and resiliency while accelerating the clean power transition.
To meet the U.S. goal of reaching net-zero economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, more than a million miles of new transmission will be required over the span of three decades. Compounding this challenge is that more than 70% of current transmission lines are over 25 years old, aged over half their 50-year expected lifetime. Through this joint venture, EarthGrid will enable more than 100 gigawatts of new renewable energy to be added to the U.S. grid while also solving grid congestion in strategic locations.
“On average, it takes 10 to 20 years to develop, permit, and build new overhead transmission lines, making it evident that an alternative approach is critical to meet the needs of U.S. environmental goals,” said Troy Helming, EarthGrid founder and CEO. “Through our joint venture with EnerTech, a cleantech and infrastructure developer, we are proud to support the much-needed evolution of the U.S. power grid, enabling clean energy and improving core infrastructure development.”
While overhead transmission lines are time-consuming to complete, traditional undergrounding is also slow, more costly than overhead lines, and performs poorly against hard rock, which can, in turn, result in abandoned or very delayed projects. EarthGrid’s plasma-boring technology and proprietary approach significantly reduces the time and costs of undergrounding methods without harmful chemicals, primarily powered by clean energy.
EarthGrid’s cleantech undergrounding approach aligns with EnerTech’s goals to deploy breakthrough technology globally, with projects initiated first in the U.S., and subsequently, in Europe and the Middle East, to accelerate the deployment of clean energy options worldwide. “We are thrilled to announce this partnership with EarthGrid to deploy what we believe is the fastest and most cost-efficient tunnel boring technology by far to improve core infrastructure,” said Abdullah Al Mutairi, EnerTech CEO.
As a registered telecommunications utility in 46 states (CPCN), EarthGrid offers its customers and partners preferred access to rights of way alongside public roadways to expedite underground fiber projects. EarthGrid intends to secure permits, as needed, to add additional infrastructure to its tunnels and trenches, including power, water, and robotic freight tubes.
Ultimately, this joint venture’s project pipeline will be deployed in collaboration with an ecosystem of key capital, strategic and government stakeholders globally, including utilities, data centers, and clean energy companies.
EarthGrid was represented by a U.S law firm, Glaser Weil, with Jeff Joyner, senior partner of the firm, playing a key role in executing the deal through his extensive experience in sustainable solutions.
About EarthGrid
EarthGrid, founded in 2016, is a plasma boring technology and infrastructure company specializing in proprietary, groundbreaking plasma tunnel-boring technology that can revolutionize the grid infrastructure in the U.S. Its goal is to create a network of underground tunnels to transmit clean energy and high-speed broadband across the U.S. In addition to expanding electricity capacity, EarthGrid aims to enhance the safety, security, and reliability of grid infrastructure, housing critical infrastructure underground to avoid the crippling effects of natural disasters. Follow EarthGrid on LinkedIn and YouTube.
About EnerTech
Established in 2012, EnerTech’s mission is to initiate its own development projects and participate in projects within the energy, clean technology, recycling, water, waste management, and renewable energy sectors. EnerTech is a Kuwait-based state-owned entity with full ultimate ownership by Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), currently one of the world’s oldest and largest sovereign wealth funds.
Media Contact: jocelyn@warnerpr.com
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Felony charges to include assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder; held on $820,000 bail
By Lt. Christopher Peart, Brentwood Police Department
Brentwood, CA – On September 19, 2024 at approximately 8:44 p.m., Brentwood officers responded to the area of Sand Creek Road near Stony Creek Drive for a reported shooting. When officers arrived, they located an adult male victim who had been shot one time in the abdomen. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment and is expected to survive.
After speaking to the victim and witnesses in the area, a suspect was identified, and multiple people were detained as part of the investigation. This was an isolated incident with no apparent threat to public safety and the motive for the shooting is still under investigation.
3:46 PM 9/20/24 UPDATE: Further investigation revealed the shooting occurred on Sand Creek Road east of Stoney Creek Drive. Following the shooting, individuals fled to a home in the 100 block of Brush Creek Drive. There, Officers detained six people related to the incident, recovered a firearm and arrested the shooter, identified as 18-year-old female Ty’Jae Dukes (born 3/15/2006) from Brentwood. Dukes was booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on a number of felony charges to include Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Attempted Murder.
The shooting victim remains hospitalized and is expected to recover.
According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, nine-inch tall, 120-pound Dukes is being held on $820,000 bail.
This remains an ongoing investigation, and no additional information is being released at this time. Anyone with information or witnesses that have yet to be interviewed by Law Enforcement are encouraged to contact Detective Goold at (925) 809-7911. Callers may remain anonymous.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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Freshmen attend Algebra 1 at Oakland Technical High School in Oakland, Calif., Monday, May 1, 2017. Student mental health was declining even before the pandemic, research has shown. Photo by Alison Yin for EdSource
Young, disabled, English learners and homeless students are coming back too slowly from effects, report states
By Emma Gallegos, EdSource.org, republished with permission
Nearly five years after Covid-19 began, a national report released Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, shows that recovery from the pandemic for students will be a “long slog.”
“The State of the American Student,” a report by the Center for Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) states that the findings are “sobering, daunting, and discouraging,” and that the slow pace of recovery from the pandemic has left an indelible mark on education, with long-term implications for students’ income, racial inequity and social mobility in the United States.
“If policymakers and educators do not get serious about ensuring these students have access to proven interventions, then we will continue to see the educational impact of the pandemic reverberate for many years, both in our schools and in our economy,” the report stated.
For the last three years, CRPE — a research organization out of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University — has released annual reports examining the academic, social, emotional and mental health effects of the pandemic on students. CRPE Executive Director Robin Lake said the reports were an attempt to ensure that schools wouldn’t go back to business as usual before students were “made whole.”
Fears that the pandemic would widen pre-existing opportunity gaps have come to fruition, according to the report’s summary of a wide span of research. The report focuses extra attention on certain groups: young children, disabled students, English learners and homeless students, and students who still lag far behind from where they would have been if not for the pandemic. Lake added these groups were largely not well served by schools before the pandemic began.
The report takes a sweeping look at the issues that have been harming students’ recovery since 2020, including chronic absenteeism, staffing shortages, poor teacher morale and student disengagement. These are all signs pointing to a pandemic recovery effort that will require a “long haul.”
Struggling students need more attention
Currently, schools are facing “gale-force” headwinds trying to address these challenges, the report states. Pandemic-era funding is drying up, declining school enrollment is stretching district finances, and many educators are facing burnout. But the worst part is that the problem is underappreciated, Lake said.
“Perhaps the most concerning thing to us is how little discussion there is about these problems,” Lake said.
Politicians are not talking about pandemic recovery, especially when it comes to the groups that have been struggling the most, she said. For instance, CRPE pointed out how some states, including California, do a poor job communicating data about how students have fared since the pandemic.
Additionally, parents do not seem to know just how far behind their children are — thanks in part to grade inflation and some schools’ poor communication, Lake said.
USC’s Center for Economic and Social Research conducted interviews with the parents of disabled students.
One parent did not learn from the school that their child was failing two courses, making him ineligible to graduate from high school: “I didn’t know until we were in the process of graduation,” the parent told interviewers.
The number of students who are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has skyrocketed in recent years. It dipped during the peak of the pandemic when school campuses were closed, but surged again as students returned to the classrooms. It’s not clear why, but different theories have emerged.
While it states that kindergartners who have not attended preschool are more likely to have academic and social struggles, including a rising number of behavioral issues and speech delays, the report notes that students who start school behind their peers may be being over-identified as having a disability or that the high numbers could be because students who might have simply been treading water in a previous era are now being correctly identified as having a disability.
The problems faced by disabled students exemplify many of the biggest struggles of pandemic recovery efforts in schools. Disabled students’ academic performance has long lagged behind other students, but that gap has widened in the wake of the pandemic. The teacher shortage is particularly acute among special education teachers, now that they are needed most. Meanwhile, some effective efforts, such as tutoring, are not reaching disabled students. Low expectations for students with disabilities is a crisis that has failed to garner proper attention and resources, Lake said.
One parent interviewed for the report said that getting help for their disabled students required constant fighting. “Multiple times, they promised in-person, in-school tutoring — which they just were understaffed and were never able to find anyone,” the parent said.
Another parent said that without speech therapy, their son with epilepsy fell behind in school during the pandemic.
“He fell further behind because my husband and I tried our best, but we can only do so much if you’re not a teacher, which is very frustrating,” the parent said in an interview.
Recovery solutions are straightforward
The strategies that helped schools recover have “not been rocket science,” Lake said.
Many schools have been successful with programs such as tutoring, high-quality curricula, extending learning time and improving communication with parents. Some schools are making these strategies a permanent part of the school experience, which is good news: Tutoring and small-group instruction are some of the most powerful tools schools have at their disposal, the report states.
But scaling can be tricky, and many of the students who need help the most are not getting it, CRPE notes. Fewer than half of students who most needed that help enrolled in summer school, according to a Rand study, and just 1% of eligible students in Louisiana enrolled in a tutoring program for struggling readers.
The report recommends focusing on the specific needs of struggling students, such as students with a disability or English learners, rather than so-called average students. Addressing the issues that these students are struggling with will pay dividends for the broader student population, Lake said.
Some schools are demonstrating that recovery is possible, even if it’s not the dominant story right now. Students and educators alike are struggling, but there is a renewed understanding of the crucial role that school plays in a community. That has led to some schools rebuilding and strengthening that institution.
“During the pandemic, you remember, there was so much talk about more joyful education, more engaging, more flexible,” Lake said. “We think that that has actually taken hold.”
Emma Gallegos covers equity issues in education and is based in California’s Central Valley.
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(L-R) Brianne Zorn, Mayor of Martinez; Newell Arnerich, Chair, Contra Costa Transportation Authority; Tim Haile, Executive Director, Contra Costa Transportation Authority; Michelle Grey, President, Transit Union Local 1605; Manik Dhar, Chief Commercial Officer, May Mobility and Dr. Sergio Urcuyo, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center with one of May Mobility’s PRESTO autonomous shuttles at the launch of the service in Martinez on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Photo: CCTA
The free service aims to improve access to healthcare and eliminate transportation barriers for community residents
MARTINEZ, Calif. – Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and May Mobility, an autonomous driving (AD) technology company, on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, launched PRESTO, a shared autonomous vehicle (AV) service for the general public in Martinez, California and Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (County Hospital) patients. A goal of the service is to improve access to healthcare in the area by providing another reliable and convenient mode of transportation.
The free service will run Monday through Friday, first offering County Hospital patients rides from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then opening to the general public from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Patients can book rides to or from the County Hospital and to a preferred pharmacy from a set list of locations by calling (925) 995-3797 or by arranging travel with a hospital representative.
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the service will be open to all residents in the area. Those interested can book rides to a list of designated stops within the service zone by using the May Mobility app, powered by transit tech leader Via, or by calling (925) 995-3797. In addition to stops at the County Hospital healthcare facilities and local pharmacies, the service zone includes stops that help connect Martinez residents to their community, including residential areas, shopping districts and downtown Martinez.
“CCTA is once again making history here in Northern California by offering a free, autonomous vehicle transportation service to City of Martinez residents,” said CCTA Chair Newell Arnerich. “We established the County Hospital element to aid patients who may need rides in the afternoon to resources in the community. As an added benefit to residents, during the evening hours, the service will carry passengers to an array of destinations in the City of Martinez.”
A second PRESTO autonomous shuttle presented during the launch in Martinez. Photo: CCTA
May Mobility equipped a fleet of seven Toyota Sienna Autono-MaaS vehicles with its patented Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) AD technology. MPDM uses in-situ AI to learn in real-time by imagining thousands of “what-if” scenarios every second while it drives and then commits to the safest and most comfortable maneuvers within milliseconds. Each shared AV seats five passengers and all will have an attendant on board to answer questions and assist with passenger entry and exit if needed. Three of the AVs are also wheelchair accessible, with an ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp allowing entry and exit via the rear of the vehicle. The wheelchair-accessible vehicles seat up to three passengers, including one wheelchair user.
“May Mobility is dedicated to filling gaps in public transportation. With the PRESTO shared AV pilot in Martinez, we’re redefining how communities connect and move,” said May Mobility Chief Commercial Officer Manik Dhar. “We’re excited to see how our patented MPDM technology will service local residents and contribute to the broader adoption of AVs.”
CCTA and May Mobility have also partnered with County Connection, which provides fixed-route and paratransit bus service for communities in Central Contra Costa County.
“County Connection has partnered with our paratransit contractor to provide union drivers to serve as safety stewards in each Martinez ADS vehicle,” said County Connection General Manager Bill Churchill, “underscoring our commitment to innovative transportation deployments ensuring everyone has the freedom to travel safely and independently.”
Passenger feedback will play a critical role in shaping the future of autonomous mobility, as data from the City of Martinez PRESTO pilot will be used by federal transportation officials to advance standards in automated mobility. The pilot is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Martinez marks the third location where CCTA has introduced an autonomous vehicle pilot program.
To learn more about PRESTO, visit https://ridepresto.com/martinez/
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San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Boundary Modification Act map. Source: Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08) introduced legislation to expand the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge by approximately 5,658 acres.
The expansion would include adjacent baylands owned by the State of California and nonprofit Sonoma Land Trust, with parcels in Solano County, Marin County, and Sonoma County. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02) and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.-04) are cosponsoring the bill in the House of Representatives.
“The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge hosts a rich wetland ecosystem and offers numerous recreational activities,” said Padilla. “Expanding the refuge’s boundary by over 5,500 acres would both protect Northern California tidal marshes to support wildlife and advance California’s ambitious conservation goals.”
“Conserving California’s special places has been a lifelong passion throughout my tenure in the state legislature, as Deputy Secretary of the Interior to President Clinton, and now as a member of Congress representing Solano County. San Pablo Bay is one of those special places. Our bill will help to restore the saltmarshes in San Pablo Bay for future generations. Expanding the National Wildlife Refuge is part of my ongoing work in Congress to support the redevelopment of historic Mare Island for Bay Area residents and visitors alike, while revitalizing its shipbuilding industry,” said Garamendi.
“The San Pablo Bay Wildlife Refuge is home to some of the North Bay’s most vital habitats — serving as a safe haven for threatened species, increasing the region’s climate resiliency, and providing outdoor recreation opportunities for folks in the Bay Area. As a time-tested proponent of land conservation, I think this area is the perfect candidate for expansion,” said Huffman. “Our bill will restore and expand this land so it can thrive for generations to come.”
“San Pablo Bay is an essential part of California, and protecting local saltmarshes and baylands is a priority for Bay Area lawmakers and communities,” said Representative Thompson. “I’m honored to introduce The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act with Congressman Garamendi, Congressman Huffman, and Senator Padilla to ensure we protect the health and longevity of our region’s natural resources for generations to come.”
The approximately 5,658 acres of state-owned and privately owned conservation land proposed for addition to the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge are as follows:
The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act would also direct the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enter into cooperative agreements with state agencies, like California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, to manage the federal National Wildlife Refuge and nearby state conservation lands within the San Pablo Bay watershed. As with all National Wildlife Refuges, the legislation ensures that federally owned land within the expanded San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge boundary remain open to the public for outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing where permitted. The bill would not affect private land ownership or local land use decisions in any way and prohibits the use of eminent domain by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand the National Wildlife Refuge.
The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge currently encompasses 24,390 acres, much of which is over water. The proposed 5,658-acre expansion would increase the National Wildlife Refuge’s acreage by more than 23 percent, supporting President Biden’s “America the Beautiful” National Conservation Goal to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the lands and waters in the United States by 2030 and Governor Newsom’s similar conservation goal for California.
The bill is endorsed by organizations including Sonoma Land Trust, California State Coastal Conservancy, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, CalWild, Sierra Club, Tuleyome, California Waterfowl Association, American Rivers, Friends of the Lost Coast, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, National Wildlife Refuge Association, Endangered Habitats League, Californians for Western Wilderness, Klamath Forest Alliance, Wilderness Society, Save Mount Diablo, Ocean Project, Latino Outdoors, and Resource Renewal Institute.
Senator Padilla has secured millions of dollars to support San Pablo Bay. The $2.3 million he secured in the FY 2023 and FY 2024 appropriations packages for the Hamilton Airfields Wetlands Restoration project will help restore tidal and seasonal wetlands at the former Army airfield on San Pablo Bay in the city of Novato. He also announced $1.64 million for San Pablo Bay and Mare Island Strait to perform preliminary channel assessments in order to maintain the Mare Island Strait’s authorized width and depth, and to ensure a safe and navigable waterway for current and future economic development of Mare Island and the City of Vallejo.
A map of the proposed boundary expansion is available here.
Full text of the legislation is available here.
Read MoreSource: Johnson Mayor campaign
On campaign of THRIVE: Togetherness, Housing, Recreation, Inclusion, Volunteerism and the Economy
Will use business background to attract employers and high-paying jobs to city; will work to add 5th police beat, eliminate homelessness
By Allen D. Payton
Gerald Johnson, current City of Brentwood Planning Commissioner, former two-time president of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, local business owner and 22-year resident of Brentwood is running for Mayor of Brentwood. With a vision for a thriving community rooted in unity, sustainable growth and economic vitality, Johnson says he is prepared to bring fresh leadership to the city he calls home.
“As a Planning Commissioner, I’ve been privileged to help shape Brentwood’s future by ensuring our city grows responsibly while preserving its unique character,” said Johnson. “My experience as President of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce has deepened my commitment to strengthening our local economy and supporting the businesses that are the backbone of our community.”
Johnson serves on the Brentwood Planning Commission. Photo: Johnson for Mayor campaign
Johnson’s campaign is centered on the principles of THRIVE: Togetherness, Housing, Recreation, Inclusion, Volunteerism and the Economy. His platform focuses on developing attainable housing for young families and professionals, enhancing cultural and recreational opportunities, promoting inclusivity, encouraging volunteerism, driving economic growth through strategic public-private partnerships, and expanding Brentwood’s agritourism sector so he can balance the budget.
He will also work to increase public safety by adding and staffing the long-planned fifth beat to the police department and push for policies to eliminate homelessness in the city. Johnson also aims to leverage the talents and knowledge of Brentwood’s senior community to enrich local initiatives and programs that benefit them.
Johnson recognizes housing growth is inevitable since it’s required by state law under the Regional Housing Needs Analysis mandates, but said he and the council need to work with developers to get the most and best amenities for the city as possible and offset any impacts to the community.
Endorsements
Johnson’s campaign is already gaining momentum with endorsements from several prominent individuals and organizations, including Brentwood Councilman Tony Oerlemans, former Brentwood Mayor Brian Swisher; former Brentwood Vice Mayor Johnny Rodriguez, Contra Costa, County Board of Education Area 3 Trustee Anamarie Avila Farias, the Contra Costa United Professional Firefighters, Contra Costa Labor Council, AFL-CIO and the Contra Costa Building & Construction Trades.
“I am running for Mayor because I believe Brentwood’s best days are ahead of us. I aim to create a community where everyone can thrive – where we unite to solve our challenges, support our local businesses, and ensure that Brentwood remains a wonderful place to live and work,” Johnson added.
Business Background
The Principal of Sabacon Consulting, a management consulting firm, since 2006, Johnson has an extensive business background working for and with Fortune 500 companies. According to his LinkedIn profile, they include Northern California Regional Manager for ConocoPhillips and Area Manager for Mobil Oil over 15 years. He also has served as President of the Northern California Chapter of the Institute of Management Consultants USA and since January Johnson is serving as Chair of the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee which is the leadership group of the Certified Minority Business Enterprises Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council, an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council.
He says he will use his business experience and contacts to attract employers to Brentwood with high-paying jobs for the residents, so they can get out of the commute and spend more time with their families.
Education
The first-time candidate for public office has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Brooklyn College and pursued a Minority Executive Program Certificate from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, as well as becoming a Certified Management Consultant.
Gerald & Audrey Johnson and family. Source: Johnson for Mayor campaign.
Personal
He is married to Audrey and they have two sons who attended Brentwood schools. It was that experience driving them to school that helped shape Johnson’s thinking about the need for better traffic flow in the community, especially around Heritage High and Adams Middle School.
Johnson’s candidacy combines a fresh perspective with seasoned experience. He is committed to listening to the community’s needs and working collaboratively to build a stronger, more vibrant Brentwood.
He faces one opponent, current Vice Mayor and District 3 Councilwoman Susannah Meyer in the November election.
For more information about Johnson’s campaign, call (925) 515-7900, email info@GeraldCJohnson.com or visit www.GeraldCJohnson.com.
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Also, fees waived at national parks and other federal public lands that day
By Amy Skalmusky, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, National Environmental Education Foundation
On Saturday, September 28, there are nearly 50 volunteer events throughout the state for National Public Lands Day (NPLD). Parks are seeking volunteers.
It’s also a great day to get outside because entry fees will be waived at national parks and other federal public lands, including national monuments, forests, recreation areas, seashores, wildlife refuges, historical sites, battlefields, and grasslands.
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) coordinates NPLD in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, and other federal agencies, state and local parks, and non-profits. This year marks the 31st annual event. People can find hundreds of already-planned volunteer events and other cool activities in most states by searching the official NPLD Map, with more added every day.
Here are a few events happening in California on NPLD:
Volunteers can participate in various projects across the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. With habitat restoration, landscaping, nursery, and gardens programs, there is something for everyone.
Volunteers will address illegal dumping at Post Mountain within the Hayfork Ranger District. Supported by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, this cleanup effort aims to remove large dump sites and prevent further trash accumulation.
Volunteers will honor the 40th anniversary of the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area. Help with garden restoration at the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center, then enjoy a panel presentation about the area’s rich history.
More Events Within 100 Miles of Contra Costa County
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day and Coastal Clean-up Day Events 2024
Join us on September 25-28, 2024, for National Public Lands Day– the nation’s largest volunteer effort for public lands! Established in 1994, this annual event celebrates the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits. With habitat restoration, landscaping, nursery, and gardens programs, there is something for everyone. Bring yourself, your friends, and your family! Registration required.
When: Wednesday, September 25 – Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Where: Project locations vary throughout the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), see below for more details.
Groups of five or more require special arrangements and must be confirmed in advance. Please review the List of Available Projects and fill out the Group Project Request Form.
The Golden Gate National Parks Volunteer Program is a cooperative parkwide effort of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the Presidio Trust.
San Francisco, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 9:00am
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day at the Cosumnes River Preserve
Your public lands are in need of your helping hands. Join thousands of other Americans across the country along with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the National Environmental Education Foundation as we celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday September 28th!
Galt, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Educational
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
27th Annual Yuba River Cleanup
A week-long small group self-guided cleanup which starts on California Coastal Cleanup Day (9/21) culminating in a community-wide Cleanup Event and party during National Public Lands Day (9/28)
NEVADA CITY, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Recreational
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/21/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Projects we will focus on this NPLD: picking up litter, graffiti abatement, trail maintenance, painting projects,
Oakdale, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 7:00am
In-Person Event
Come out and celebrate National Public Lands Day at New Hogan Lake!
Valley Springs, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Englebright Lake will be conducting a lake clean up to remove any litter that has accumulated throughout the recreation season. Come and join the Park Rangers for an exciting opportunity to be a good steward to the lands that we enjoy!
Smartsville, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Lake Sonoma Cleanup Day
Geyserville, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Fort Ord National Monument – Public Lands Day
Volunteers are needed to help with native plant landscaping, seed and straw throw, invasive weed removal, native seed collection, oak care and watering, and trail maintenance work. Volunteers will work from 9:00-11:30 and then be treated to a free lunch, t-shirts and park entry passes hosted by Monument partners at FORT Friends and NEEF.
Marina, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Family, College
Sat, 10/26/2024 – 9:00am
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day and Coastal Clean Up Day
San Francisco Maritime NHP is hosting a National Public Lands Day and Coastal Clean-up Day event in Aquatic Park on September 28, 2024.
San Francisco, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Historical/Cultural
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 10:00am
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day: Seashore Cleanup – Invasive Iceplant Pull
Join Point Reyes National Seashore in improving habitat for native flora and fauna by removing invasive plants. This is a FREE voluntary event.
Rangers will be on-hand at a localized area within the seashore to host a group event removing invasive Sea Fig, (Carpobrotus edulis), which crowds out native plants and decreases habitat for native species.
Help park rangers remove this lovely but invasive plant at the North Beach parking lot.
No experience necessary. Bring your own gloves, snacks, and plenty of drinking water; instructions on how to pull iceplant will be provided.
Limited to 25 volunteers. This event ends at noon. Bring your own lunch and enjoy a lunch on the beach afterwards!
Inverness, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Educational , Recreational , Health & Wellness
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 10:00am
In-Person Event
Volunteer event happening at New Melones Lake in the Glory Hole and Tuttletown Recreation Areas
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Bear Yuba Land Trust is joining South Yuba River Citizens League in uniting the community for the Annual River Cleanup! BYLT will be out with volunteers to clean up our host site, Sugarloaf Mountain & Trail, along with the general surrounding area.
Our group will be pulling trash and debris from Sugarloaf Mountain, with opportunities for all ages and abilities to get involved. Please bring gloves, a hat, comfortable shoes and water. We’ll provide snacks and a water refill station.
Nevada City, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 9:00am
Please let me know if you are interested in getting details or if you would like any photos. Over 500 volunteer events are happening nationwide, with volunteering in nearly every state. In the past decade, over a million people have volunteered on National Public Lands Day, the single largest volunteering day for parks and public lands.
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Funding for Contra Costa Transportation Authority through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Will benefit two projects on I-680
By Mairead Glowacki, Communications Director at U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Washington, D.C. – Today, Monday, September 23, 2024, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) will receive over $166 million in funding he advocated for to the Department of Transportation (DOT) that will help to improve safety, reduce congestion, and reduce air pollution along the I-680 corridor through Contra Costa County. This funding was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and longtime champion for policies that would reduce commute times, cut harmful pollution, and improve our quality of life, I was proud to advocate for this funding and am delighted it has been granted and will begin making a difference in the lives of Bay Area and California residents,” said DeSaulnier. “I am thankful to CCTA and DOT for their partnership in working to improve transportation across our region.”
“The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for his support in securing this monumental award. This federal grant speaks to the Congressman’s long-standing leadership in transportation and vision for our community,” said Tim Haile, Executive Director, CCTA. “Interstate 680 (I-680) is critical to the region’s economy and prosperity. It provides for the movement of goods, services, and people throughout northern California and beyond. Thousands rely on this corridor and increased congestion has led to unacceptable delays. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority is excited to advance the I-680 corridor through focused modernizations that will maximize efficiency and promote shared transportation. We are grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s dedication to improving quality of life and embracing innovation at both the local and national levels.”
Will Benefit Two Projects on I-680
This funding will go to two projects in Contra Costa County, which are part of the INNOVATE 680 Program, to complete the northbound I-680 express lane gap from SR-24 to SR-242 and convert the existing northbound High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane from SR-242 to north of Arthur Road into an express lane, construct a braided ramp system between North Main Street and Treat Boulevard interchanges in Walnut Creek to address an existing bottleneck caused by weaving at this location, and implement Coordinated Adaptive Ramp Metering for a 19-mile segment of NB I-680.
More information about this funding can be found in the letters Congressman DeSaulnier sent to DOT in support of this grant.
Congressman DeSaulnier has been a longtime champion of improving transportation in the Bay Area and along the I-680 corridor, including by consistently supporting CCTA in its work to advance projects that innovate our transportation systems, ease congestion, and make our roadways safer.
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Source: Kaiser Permanente
NCQA rates Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s Medicare and commercial health plans highest in California, among highest in nation
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
OAKLAND, Calif.– Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s health plans are once again recognized as the highest rated in California – and among the highest in the nation – for providing expert, coordinated care, and exceptional service.
Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare and commercial health plans in Northern California each received 4.5 out of 5 stars, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2024 Health Plan Ratings. This is the ninth ratings period that Kaiser Permanente Northern California has been the highest-rated plan in the region and among the highest in the country. Nationally, only 8% of the health plans are rated 4.5 stars or higher.
NCQA also ranks Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plans as best in the state for overall treatment, prevention, equity, and patient experience.
“Kaiser Permanente Northern California is a national leader when it comes to putting patient care first, and ensuring we are exceeding our members’ needs with a focus on providing high-quality, safe, and equitable care,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “This NCQA recognition reiterates our commitment to delivering world-class service to those who entrust us with their care.”
Source: NCQA
For 2024, NCQA analyzed more than 1,000 plans – commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid – for quality and service nationwide. All of Kaiser Permanente’s commercial and Medicare plans received the highest rating, or were tied for the highest rating, in all of the geographic regions we serve. Kaiser Permanente had more 5-star or 4.5-star plans than any other health care organization for the ninth ratings cycle in a row.
“This exceptional rating from NCQA is yet another testament to the expert and coordinated care provided by our clinical teams in Northern California,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Our highly skilled physicians and dedicated care teams continue to deliver innovative and equitable care that translates to healthier lives for our 4.6 million patients.”
Source: NCQA
NCQA is a national, private not-for-profit organization that surveys health plans for performance in a wide range of clinical service measures including consumer experience, prevention, equity and treatment.
NCQA primarily used the 2023 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set, or HEDIS®, to establish its ratings. HEDIS is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care.
The 2024 ratings and methodology are posted on the NCQA’s website at https://www.ncqa.org/.
Read MoreEarthGrid’s 2-Torch Plasma-Boring System Operating on Limestone. Source: EarthGrid
Groundbreaking joint venture with Kuwait-based EnerTech will use Point Richmond company’s plasma boring technology
Enables critical infrastructure improvements, increased grid capacity and resiliency to meet rising clean power demands
POINT RICHMOND, Calif./PRNewswire/ — EarthGrid, a Bay-area plasma tunnel-boring technology and infrastructure development company, announced Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, that it has signed a joint venture agreement with EnerTech, a Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) entity, to deploy infrastructure projects in four phases across the United States, Europe and the Middle East.
https://earthgrid.io/
The first two phases consist of, in estimate, $18 billion in U.S. infrastructure improvement projects. Utilizing EarthGrid’s patented plasma-powered machines, this joint venture will develop a network of underground tunnels designed to upgrade the current power grid and fiber networks with reliability, efficiency, and resiliency while accelerating the clean power transition.
To meet the U.S. goal of reaching net-zero economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, more than a million miles of new transmission will be required over the span of three decades. Compounding this challenge is that more than 70% of current transmission lines are over 25 years old, aged over half their 50-year expected lifetime. Through this joint venture, EarthGrid will enable more than 100 gigawatts of new renewable energy to be added to the U.S. grid while also solving grid congestion in strategic locations.
“On average, it takes 10 to 20 years to develop, permit, and build new overhead transmission lines, making it evident that an alternative approach is critical to meet the needs of U.S. environmental goals,” said Troy Helming, EarthGrid founder and CEO. “Through our joint venture with EnerTech, a cleantech and infrastructure developer, we are proud to support the much-needed evolution of the U.S. power grid, enabling clean energy and improving core infrastructure development.”
While overhead transmission lines are time-consuming to complete, traditional undergrounding is also slow, more costly than overhead lines, and performs poorly against hard rock, which can, in turn, result in abandoned or very delayed projects. EarthGrid’s plasma-boring technology and proprietary approach significantly reduces the time and costs of undergrounding methods without harmful chemicals, primarily powered by clean energy.
EarthGrid’s cleantech undergrounding approach aligns with EnerTech’s goals to deploy breakthrough technology globally, with projects initiated first in the U.S., and subsequently, in Europe and the Middle East, to accelerate the deployment of clean energy options worldwide. “We are thrilled to announce this partnership with EarthGrid to deploy what we believe is the fastest and most cost-efficient tunnel boring technology by far to improve core infrastructure,” said Abdullah Al Mutairi, EnerTech CEO.
As a registered telecommunications utility in 46 states (CPCN), EarthGrid offers its customers and partners preferred access to rights of way alongside public roadways to expedite underground fiber projects. EarthGrid intends to secure permits, as needed, to add additional infrastructure to its tunnels and trenches, including power, water, and robotic freight tubes.
Ultimately, this joint venture’s project pipeline will be deployed in collaboration with an ecosystem of key capital, strategic and government stakeholders globally, including utilities, data centers, and clean energy companies.
EarthGrid was represented by a U.S law firm, Glaser Weil, with Jeff Joyner, senior partner of the firm, playing a key role in executing the deal through his extensive experience in sustainable solutions.
About EarthGrid
EarthGrid, founded in 2016, is a plasma boring technology and infrastructure company specializing in proprietary, groundbreaking plasma tunnel-boring technology that can revolutionize the grid infrastructure in the U.S. Its goal is to create a network of underground tunnels to transmit clean energy and high-speed broadband across the U.S. In addition to expanding electricity capacity, EarthGrid aims to enhance the safety, security, and reliability of grid infrastructure, housing critical infrastructure underground to avoid the crippling effects of natural disasters. Follow EarthGrid on LinkedIn and YouTube.
About EnerTech
Established in 2012, EnerTech’s mission is to initiate its own development projects and participate in projects within the energy, clean technology, recycling, water, waste management, and renewable energy sectors. EnerTech is a Kuwait-based state-owned entity with full ultimate ownership by Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), currently one of the world’s oldest and largest sovereign wealth funds.
Media Contact: jocelyn@warnerpr.com
Read MoreFelony charges to include assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder; held on $820,000 bail
By Lt. Christopher Peart, Brentwood Police Department
Brentwood, CA – On September 19, 2024 at approximately 8:44 p.m., Brentwood officers responded to the area of Sand Creek Road near Stony Creek Drive for a reported shooting. When officers arrived, they located an adult male victim who had been shot one time in the abdomen. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment and is expected to survive.
After speaking to the victim and witnesses in the area, a suspect was identified, and multiple people were detained as part of the investigation. This was an isolated incident with no apparent threat to public safety and the motive for the shooting is still under investigation.
3:46 PM 9/20/24 UPDATE: Further investigation revealed the shooting occurred on Sand Creek Road east of Stoney Creek Drive. Following the shooting, individuals fled to a home in the 100 block of Brush Creek Drive. There, Officers detained six people related to the incident, recovered a firearm and arrested the shooter, identified as 18-year-old female Ty’Jae Dukes (born 3/15/2006) from Brentwood. Dukes was booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on a number of felony charges to include Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Attempted Murder.
The shooting victim remains hospitalized and is expected to recover.
According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, nine-inch tall, 120-pound Dukes is being held on $820,000 bail.
This remains an ongoing investigation, and no additional information is being released at this time. Anyone with information or witnesses that have yet to be interviewed by Law Enforcement are encouraged to contact Detective Goold at (925) 809-7911. Callers may remain anonymous.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreFreshmen attend Algebra 1 at Oakland Technical High School in Oakland, Calif., Monday, May 1, 2017. Student mental health was declining even before the pandemic, research has shown. Photo by Alison Yin for EdSource
Young, disabled, English learners and homeless students are coming back too slowly from effects, report states
By Emma Gallegos, EdSource.org, republished with permission
Nearly five years after Covid-19 began, a national report released Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, shows that recovery from the pandemic for students will be a “long slog.”
“The State of the American Student,” a report by the Center for Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) states that the findings are “sobering, daunting, and discouraging,” and that the slow pace of recovery from the pandemic has left an indelible mark on education, with long-term implications for students’ income, racial inequity and social mobility in the United States.
“If policymakers and educators do not get serious about ensuring these students have access to proven interventions, then we will continue to see the educational impact of the pandemic reverberate for many years, both in our schools and in our economy,” the report stated.
For the last three years, CRPE — a research organization out of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University — has released annual reports examining the academic, social, emotional and mental health effects of the pandemic on students. CRPE Executive Director Robin Lake said the reports were an attempt to ensure that schools wouldn’t go back to business as usual before students were “made whole.”
Fears that the pandemic would widen pre-existing opportunity gaps have come to fruition, according to the report’s summary of a wide span of research. The report focuses extra attention on certain groups: young children, disabled students, English learners and homeless students, and students who still lag far behind from where they would have been if not for the pandemic. Lake added these groups were largely not well served by schools before the pandemic began.
The report takes a sweeping look at the issues that have been harming students’ recovery since 2020, including chronic absenteeism, staffing shortages, poor teacher morale and student disengagement. These are all signs pointing to a pandemic recovery effort that will require a “long haul.”
Struggling students need more attention
Currently, schools are facing “gale-force” headwinds trying to address these challenges, the report states. Pandemic-era funding is drying up, declining school enrollment is stretching district finances, and many educators are facing burnout. But the worst part is that the problem is underappreciated, Lake said.
“Perhaps the most concerning thing to us is how little discussion there is about these problems,” Lake said.
Politicians are not talking about pandemic recovery, especially when it comes to the groups that have been struggling the most, she said. For instance, CRPE pointed out how some states, including California, do a poor job communicating data about how students have fared since the pandemic.
Additionally, parents do not seem to know just how far behind their children are — thanks in part to grade inflation and some schools’ poor communication, Lake said.
USC’s Center for Economic and Social Research conducted interviews with the parents of disabled students.
One parent did not learn from the school that their child was failing two courses, making him ineligible to graduate from high school: “I didn’t know until we were in the process of graduation,” the parent told interviewers.
The number of students who are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has skyrocketed in recent years. It dipped during the peak of the pandemic when school campuses were closed, but surged again as students returned to the classrooms. It’s not clear why, but different theories have emerged.
While it states that kindergartners who have not attended preschool are more likely to have academic and social struggles, including a rising number of behavioral issues and speech delays, the report notes that students who start school behind their peers may be being over-identified as having a disability or that the high numbers could be because students who might have simply been treading water in a previous era are now being correctly identified as having a disability.
The problems faced by disabled students exemplify many of the biggest struggles of pandemic recovery efforts in schools. Disabled students’ academic performance has long lagged behind other students, but that gap has widened in the wake of the pandemic. The teacher shortage is particularly acute among special education teachers, now that they are needed most. Meanwhile, some effective efforts, such as tutoring, are not reaching disabled students. Low expectations for students with disabilities is a crisis that has failed to garner proper attention and resources, Lake said.
One parent interviewed for the report said that getting help for their disabled students required constant fighting. “Multiple times, they promised in-person, in-school tutoring — which they just were understaffed and were never able to find anyone,” the parent said.
Another parent said that without speech therapy, their son with epilepsy fell behind in school during the pandemic.
“He fell further behind because my husband and I tried our best, but we can only do so much if you’re not a teacher, which is very frustrating,” the parent said in an interview.
Recovery solutions are straightforward
The strategies that helped schools recover have “not been rocket science,” Lake said.
Many schools have been successful with programs such as tutoring, high-quality curricula, extending learning time and improving communication with parents. Some schools are making these strategies a permanent part of the school experience, which is good news: Tutoring and small-group instruction are some of the most powerful tools schools have at their disposal, the report states.
But scaling can be tricky, and many of the students who need help the most are not getting it, CRPE notes. Fewer than half of students who most needed that help enrolled in summer school, according to a Rand study, and just 1% of eligible students in Louisiana enrolled in a tutoring program for struggling readers.
The report recommends focusing on the specific needs of struggling students, such as students with a disability or English learners, rather than so-called average students. Addressing the issues that these students are struggling with will pay dividends for the broader student population, Lake said.
Some schools are demonstrating that recovery is possible, even if it’s not the dominant story right now. Students and educators alike are struggling, but there is a renewed understanding of the crucial role that school plays in a community. That has led to some schools rebuilding and strengthening that institution.
“During the pandemic, you remember, there was so much talk about more joyful education, more engaging, more flexible,” Lake said. “We think that that has actually taken hold.”
Emma Gallegos covers equity issues in education and is based in California’s Central Valley.
Read More(L-R) Brianne Zorn, Mayor of Martinez; Newell Arnerich, Chair, Contra Costa Transportation Authority; Tim Haile, Executive Director, Contra Costa Transportation Authority; Michelle Grey, President, Transit Union Local 1605; Manik Dhar, Chief Commercial Officer, May Mobility and Dr. Sergio Urcuyo, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center with one of May Mobility’s PRESTO autonomous shuttles at the launch of the service in Martinez on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Photo: CCTA
The free service aims to improve access to healthcare and eliminate transportation barriers for community residents
MARTINEZ, Calif. – Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and May Mobility, an autonomous driving (AD) technology company, on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, launched PRESTO, a shared autonomous vehicle (AV) service for the general public in Martinez, California and Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (County Hospital) patients. A goal of the service is to improve access to healthcare in the area by providing another reliable and convenient mode of transportation.
The free service will run Monday through Friday, first offering County Hospital patients rides from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then opening to the general public from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Patients can book rides to or from the County Hospital and to a preferred pharmacy from a set list of locations by calling (925) 995-3797 or by arranging travel with a hospital representative.
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the service will be open to all residents in the area. Those interested can book rides to a list of designated stops within the service zone by using the May Mobility app, powered by transit tech leader Via, or by calling (925) 995-3797. In addition to stops at the County Hospital healthcare facilities and local pharmacies, the service zone includes stops that help connect Martinez residents to their community, including residential areas, shopping districts and downtown Martinez.
“CCTA is once again making history here in Northern California by offering a free, autonomous vehicle transportation service to City of Martinez residents,” said CCTA Chair Newell Arnerich. “We established the County Hospital element to aid patients who may need rides in the afternoon to resources in the community. As an added benefit to residents, during the evening hours, the service will carry passengers to an array of destinations in the City of Martinez.”
A second PRESTO autonomous shuttle presented during the launch in Martinez. Photo: CCTA
May Mobility equipped a fleet of seven Toyota Sienna Autono-MaaS vehicles with its patented Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) AD technology. MPDM uses in-situ AI to learn in real-time by imagining thousands of “what-if” scenarios every second while it drives and then commits to the safest and most comfortable maneuvers within milliseconds. Each shared AV seats five passengers and all will have an attendant on board to answer questions and assist with passenger entry and exit if needed. Three of the AVs are also wheelchair accessible, with an ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp allowing entry and exit via the rear of the vehicle. The wheelchair-accessible vehicles seat up to three passengers, including one wheelchair user.
“May Mobility is dedicated to filling gaps in public transportation. With the PRESTO shared AV pilot in Martinez, we’re redefining how communities connect and move,” said May Mobility Chief Commercial Officer Manik Dhar. “We’re excited to see how our patented MPDM technology will service local residents and contribute to the broader adoption of AVs.”
CCTA and May Mobility have also partnered with County Connection, which provides fixed-route and paratransit bus service for communities in Central Contra Costa County.
“County Connection has partnered with our paratransit contractor to provide union drivers to serve as safety stewards in each Martinez ADS vehicle,” said County Connection General Manager Bill Churchill, “underscoring our commitment to innovative transportation deployments ensuring everyone has the freedom to travel safely and independently.”
Passenger feedback will play a critical role in shaping the future of autonomous mobility, as data from the City of Martinez PRESTO pilot will be used by federal transportation officials to advance standards in automated mobility. The pilot is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Martinez marks the third location where CCTA has introduced an autonomous vehicle pilot program.
To learn more about PRESTO, visit https://ridepresto.com/martinez/
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