Personalized learning public school serving Contra Costa County students approved by New Jerusalem Elementary School District
Tracy, CA – On November 12, 2024, the board of trustees for New Jerusalem Elementary School District unanimously approved the seven-year renewal of Valley View Charter Prep, A Pacific Charter Institute School. The seven-year renewal is considered high track according to the California legislature under AB 1505 using the California Dashboard results for the prior two years. Valley View Charter Prep achieved high track status through focused instruction, clear goals, and a cadence of high expectations. This renewal is a testament to the success that Valley View has consistently demonstrated in providing high-quality education to its students though its personalized education approach.
About Valley View Charter Prep
Valley View Charter Prep began operation as a tuition-free public charter school established by Pacific Charter Institute and New Jerusalem Elementary School District in 2014 serving students in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. VVCP serves over 600 students using personalized learning plans, ongoing assessments, and tailored instruction support.
About Pacific Charter Institute
Founded in 2005 with the mission of developing self-motivated, responsible citizens and lifelong learners. Over the last 20 years Pacific Charter Institute has expanded to six charter schools serving over 3,600 students serving 16 counties in Northern California. Pacific Charter Institute focuses on personalized learning ensuring each student has the resources, guidance, and support to become responsible, compassionate, and innovative leaders who are well-prepared to make meaningful contributions to society.
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Source: Kaiser Permanente
High rating reflects the expert medicine, seamless care, and outstanding service provided to Kaiser’s 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
OAKLAND, CA— Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plan in California is rated among the best in the state for providing high-quality, seamless care, and outstanding service to its 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members.
This year, the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California received 4.5 out of 5 stars, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2025 Star Ratings. In addition, the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California is tied for the highest star rating in the state.
“These ratings demonstrate our commitment to providing high-quality care and exceptional service to all of our Northern California members, including our Medicare Advantage members,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Kaiser Permanente is routinely recognized as being among the nation’s best for improving the health and well-being of our members and patients.”
The Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California has been highly rated – with mostly 4.5 and 5 star ratings – for the past 15 years.
“Our clinicians work together across all specialties to ensure personalized, high-quality care for our patients,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “The CMS Star Ratings, along with our nation-leading NCQA ratings, demonstrate the commitment of our physicians and care teams to provide all of our patients with the exceptional and compassionate care they need to live long, healthy lives.”
Ratings reflect high-quality care and service
Every year, CMS publishes Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) ratings. The ratings offer consumers a way to compare the quality of Medicare plans.
To develop the ratings, CMS considers many areas of care and service. For example, it looks at how well health plans keep members healthy and manage their chronic conditions. CMS also considers patient experiences, customer service, patient access, and pharmacy services.
Kaiser Permanente provides care to more than 1.9 million Medicare members in 8 states and the District of Columbia.
Northern and Southern California are rated together as one contract with CMS. Kaiser Permanente’s Dual Eligible-Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) H-contract (H8794) began in California on January 1, 2024, and is too new to be measured for the 2025 Star Ratings. It will be eligible beginning with the 2026 Star Ratings if the contract has sufficient enrollees and measures rated.
Ongoing recognition for Kaiser Permanente’s health plans
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) also recently ranked Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s health plans 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 NCQA’s 2024 Health Plan Ratings. This was the ninth ratings period that Kaiser Permanente Northern California was 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 ranked Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plans as best in the state for overall treatment, prevention, equity, and patient experience.
Enrolling in a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Health Plan
Medicare’s annual enrollment period for all 2025 Medicare health plans begins on October 15 and runs through December 7, 2024.
Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the CMS’ star ratings and Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plans by visiting kp.org/medicarestars.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
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Basic Visitor services Training, Prairie City State Vehicle Recreation Area. ©2018, California State Parks. Photo by Brian Baer
November 16-24
SACRAMENTO — California State Parks invites all off-roading enthusiasts to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division’s Fall OHV Safety Week from Nov. 16 to 24. This year’s theme, “Share the Trails,” focuses on fostering respect, responsibility and a sense of community for all who enjoy California’s diverse off-highway trails.
“We encourage all riders to participate in the second OHV Safety Week of the year and embrace this year’s theme,” said OHMVR Division Chief Callan McLaughlin. “By sharing the trails responsibly, we’re ensuring safer, more enjoyable off-highway experiences for everyone while also protecting the environment we all cherish.”
As riders hit the trails this season – whether on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), dirt bikes, recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) or 4x4s – it’s important to remember these four guiding principles:
- Stay to the Right: When operating an off-highway vehicle (OHV) on trails, especially in shared areas, always stay to the right. This one simple action makes a big difference in helping traffic flow smoothly and preventing collisions.
- Share Your Knowledge: Seasoned riders, here’s your chance to ensure future generations can enjoy the same thrilling experiences. Help newcomers by sharing tips on safety, trail etiquette and environmental stewardship.
- Ride Smart: Know the terrain and what to expect, and ride at a speed that is safe for the trail and conditions. Never ride or drive while intoxicated.
- Ride With Respect: Follow posted signs, avoid sensitive habits and follow “Leave No Trace” practices. Treating the trails, fellow riders and the environment with respect is key to preserving California’s off-highway areas for years to come.
Remember – everyone on the trail has a role in creating a safer, more informed off-highway recreation community.
Throughout Fall OHV Safety Week, the OHMVR Division will work with its partners to share safety tips, educational content, videos and activities on social media to raise awareness about trail etiquette and encourage responsible riding. Additionally, several state vehicular recreation areas (SVRAs) such as Oceano Dunes, Prairie City and Clay Pit will be offering free ATV, ROV and motorcycle safety classes — a great opportunity to build confidence and skills. Some SVRAs are also hosting additional special events during Fall Safety Week, such as Junior Ranger programs and a family ride. For information on the free safety classes and other events, visit the California Outdoor Recreation Foundation website for schedules and sign-up information, and check with the SVRA you want to visit. Local OHV parks will also be hosting special events, workshops and OHV safety training.
For more information on OHV Fall Safety Week, resources on OHV safety, or to find an SVRA near you, please visit ohv.parks.ca.gov.
A Big Thank You to Our Partners
The OHMVR Division is grateful to its partners – Tread Lightly! Initiative, California Highway Patrol, California Outdoor Recreation Foundation, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, ATV Safety Institute (ASI), Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA), Motorcycle Industry Council and Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) – for their invaluable support in making Fall OHV Safety Week a success.
About the OHMVR Division
California’s OHMVR Program was created in 1971 out of the critical need to better manage the growing demands for OHV recreation, while fostering respect for private property rights and protecting the state’s natural and cultural resources. Today, there are nine SVRAs across California: Carnegie, Clay Pit, Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch, Heber Dunes, Hollister Hills, Hungry Valley, Oceano Dunes, Ocotillo Wells and Prairie City. The OHMVR program also supports safe and responsible OHV recreation beyond the state park system. Since 1971, more than $833 million in grants, managed by the OHMVR Division, have been awarded to federal and local partners, funding acquisition and development, resource protection, safety and education, and law enforcement for OHV recreation. For more information about the OHMVR Division, including grant opportunities, please visit ohv.parks.ca.gov.
In October 2020, the California OHMVR Commission passed a resolution dedicating two weeks of the year to promote and focus on safe and responsible OHV practices.
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Former Antioch Police Officer Devon Wenger is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California. Herald file photo
Alleges prosecutorial misconduct, claims retaliation; says evidence used was unlawfully obtained, information withheld from defense; separate matter from and not involved in racist text scandal
Devon Wenger, who was not terminated but resigned, faces charges of attempted civil rights violations, illegal use of force, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids
“There’s a lot there that is political.” – Attorney Nicole Castronovo
Oakland, CA – A former Antioch Police officer who spoke out against sexually explicit group texts among department members is fighting back against a malicious prosecution which has made him the scandal’s scapegoat as punishment for blowing the whistle.
Former Officer Devon Christopher Wenger of the Antioch Police Department, who resigned from the force on June 5, 2023, and is embroiled in a high-profile case stemming from the department’s texting scandal, filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him which have been grossly exaggerated as retribution.
The motion to dismiss was filed Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, by Wenger’s attorney, Nicole Castronovo, and argues evidence used against Wenger was unlawfully obtained, undermining his right to a fair trial. Castronovo further alleges prosecutors improperly withheld key exculpatory information from the defense.
“The manner in which this investigation was conducted shows a blatant disregard for Wenger’s constitutional rights,” Castronovo said. “We have uncovered that evidence has been manipulated, critical facts have been omitted and exculpatory material has been ignored. This entire case is being levied against my client as a vicious act of retribution and is a gross misuse of the criminal justice system.”
Along with other Antioch officers, Wenger was arrested on Thursday, August 17, 2023, and prosecuted as a result of the investigations by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney. He was originally charged with 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids; 18 U.S.C. § 1519 Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations and 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 Conspiracy Against Rights, 242 Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. (See related articles here, here and here)
However, Castronovo said Wenger is facing only three charges, “conspiracy to commit civil rights violations based solely on the text messages and with illegal use of force, for using what’s called a 40,” which is a non-lethal weapon. “He did so at the command of his sergeant, and it was within policy. So, they charged him for something found to be within policy,” she added. Wenger is also facing the steroid charges in a separate case in which he’s represented by a different attorney.
Regarding his claim of having whistleblower status Castronovo said, “He was a whistle blower on all kinds of things. His lieutenant had an affair with Wenger’s girlfriend. There’s a lot there that is political. He didn’t send any of the racist text messages. He also blew the whistle on a sexting scandal.”
Recently filed court documents uncovered a prior FBI investigation into the Antioch Police Department during which evidence was mishandled and not appropriately sealed. That evidence, in an unrelated, State-level case, is now potentially being used by federal prosecutors against Wenger.
Key to Wenger’s claims of misconduct include a declaration highlighting the testimony of Larry Wallace, who served as a high-ranking law enforcement advisor under Vice President Kamala Harris during her tenure as California Attorney General. Wallace resigned after being sued for sexual harassment and now works as an investigator in the Contra Costa DA’s Office.
Federal prosecutors failed to mention Wallace was part of a joint operation with the FBI starting in November 2021. The government also did not disclose the FBI’s simultaneous seizure of Wenger’s phone in the unrelated state-level investigation.
In a testimony given on October 25, 2024, Wallace admitted he illegally mishandled sensitive data and failed to seal private information during his involvement in the FBI investigation of the Antioch Police Department in 2021. The mishandling of that evidence resulted in the unauthorized use of Wenger’s personal communications and violated his legal right to privacy. It also violated the stringent rules of CalECPA (California Electronic Communications Privacy Act).
In addition, the Herald later broke the news on Aug. 17, 2023, that Wallace also failed to properly redact officers’ names, cell phone numbers and alleged crimes in a report released to the media. Exclusive: Contra Costa DA’s Office under fire for releasing report revealing phone numbers of Antioch cops in text scandal, names of Antioch, Pittsburg cops, alleged crimes in FBI investigation | Contra Costa Herald
The chain of evidence log demonstrates that the FBI seized Wenger’s phone on March 28, 2022, well before federal warrants were signed authorizing the seizure of evidence in this current case and raise significant questions about the legality of the evidence and the government’s representations to the Court.
Federal prosecutors also misrepresented to the Court the number of search warrants in existence, referring to only two warrants in their moving papers (dated May and July of 2023), which postdate Wallace’s defective state warrants in the earlier FBI investigation.
These misrepresentations are critical, as the defense contends that the Independent Source Doctrine, invoked by the government to justify the evidence, cannot apply under such circumstances, where an investigation since its inception has been a joint task force between state and local agencies.
Castronovo also questions the independence of the investigation, arguing that federal prosecutors heavily relied on data from state-level investigations, which violated the Independent Source Doctrine.
“We are determined to see that justice prevails,” Castronovo emphasized. “Officer Wenger is entitled to a fair trial, free from unlawful manipulation and misconduct by those in power.”
APOA Attorney Submits Declaration About Wallace in Support of Wenger
Michael Rains, the attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association, whose firm has been representing more than a dozen officers caught up in the investigations, submitted a Declaration in Support of Wenger’s Motion to Dismiss “based upon prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective assistance of counsel, in the alternative defendant requests a change of venue.” In his declaration, the APOA attorney wrote of his cross-examination of Wallace in another case in which Rains was defending an Antioch Police Officer. He wrote, “According to California Penal Code Section 1546.1, also known as CalECPA, it is a legal requirement to seal any information obtained through the execution of a search warrant that is unrelated to the objective of the warrant. Any such sealed information should not be subject to further review, use, or disclosure except pursuant to a court order or to comply with discovery as required by Sections 1054.1 of the Penal Code.
“When I questioned Wallace at arbitration as to whether he had complied with the requirements of CalECPA he admitted that (1) he neither sealed the information nor (2) did he seek any further order from the court to use the information for any other purpose. From my involvement in discipline cases involving several Antioch officers, I know the text messages relied upon by the City of Antioch to terminate officers, did not result from a Court Order authorizing such use,” the APOA attorney’s declaration further states.
Rains also wrote, “Wallace admitted in his testimony that he ha last received training on search warrants in 2004, and never received any training concerning CalECPA, which became law in 2021, as it pertains to writing search warrants.”
“Wallace testified that in November 2021, he received an anonymous postcard from the Pittsburg Police Department as well as information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding steroid use amongst Antioch Police Officers and Pittsburg police officers and a joint investigation was launched by the FBI and the Contra Costa County DA’s office,” the declaration states. “It was communicated to Wallace that the Chief of Pittsburg Police Department gave the post card to Chief of Inspectors Arnold Threets, who then assigned the investigation to Wallace. ‘Almost simultaneously’, upon receipt of the postcard Wallace was visited by FBI Agent Thuy Zobach regarding issues in the wiretap room concerning Officer Timothy Manly Williams of the Antioch Police Department. Notably the postcard never mentioned Devon Wenger…by name.”
Asked if one of the 8 cell phones seized by Wallace was Wenger’s personal cell. Castronovo said it was. According to Rains’ declaration, the phones were seized by Wallace in 2022, after he prepared the state warrant on March 22nd that year. Wallace turned it over to the FBI on March 28th. But I have a receipt for property on April 11, 2022, that includes Wenger’s phone, which is when they gave it back to Wallace,” Castronovo shared. “So, they probably dumped it during those two weeks. But the FBI didn’t issue a warrant for it until the following year.”
The judge in the hearing for Castronovo’s motion to suppress the evidence from the phone, “chose to listen to the FBI. He’s a former Assistant U.S. Attorney,” she explained. “The federal prosecutors just called it moot and said they wouldn’t use the evidence, which was really fishy, to me.”
“What’s interesting in their moving papers they said there were only three search warrants,” which would have only covered three phones, Castronovo shared. “But in the FBI’s search warrant it shows there were eight,” for the eight phones.
Rains Also Exploring Legal Options, Damages to Officers for Wallace’s Release of Information
As previously reported about the release of information by Wallace, Rains said, “I am exploring legal options including a possible lawsuit related to our grave concerns about the way in which this report was ordered released by the court to begin with, when I was supposed to be given the opportunity on behalf of the officers to seek a protective order.”
“Plus, the release by the DA’s Office when they told me, the judge told me to tell Chief Assistant DA Simon O’Connell to not release the report until I had the opportunity to be heard,” he continued. “We tried to set up dates with the defense attorneys on Monday, after the morning appearance I made. Then I received an email from O’Connell on Tuesday that the judge ordered the report released. I feel betrayed by both the judge and by the DA’s Office.”
“I’m exploring the damages done to the officers due to the actions by the DA’s Office,” Rains added.
DA’s Office Will Not Comment
Wallace and the Contra Costa DA’s Office were asked for comment regarding the claims about his testimony in Wenger’s case. The DA’s spokesman, Ted Asregadoo, responded, “We will not comment on an active federal prosecution in which the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office was involved or address the inaccuracies in the press release you shared. However, we want to clarify that Larry Wallace, an employee of our office, acted in compliance with a court order to release information to defense attorneys in a March 2021 murder case in the City of Antioch.”
Wenger’s Next Hearing Possibly Dec. 10
The next hearing for Wenger is tentatively scheduled for December 10, 2024, at the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, where these and other issues raised by the defense’s motion to dismiss will be addressed.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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Sources: Yes on 4 campaign, CA Secretary of State
SACRAMENTO, CA – On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, the California State Parks Foundation released the following statement reacting to the passage of Proposition 4 –The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. The passage of Prop 4 authorizes up to $10 billion in bonds to help the state become more climate resilient. The investments in state parks will include $175 million in deferred maintenance, $50 million in sea level rise adaptation projects, and $200 million to build parks and recreational facilities in local communities.
“While there are many votes still left to count, we are optimistic that voters passed Prop 4 by a wide margin,” saidRachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “We thank California voters for choosing to supply California’s state park system with desperately needed resources to make our state parks more resilient to extreme weather, sea level rise, wildfires, and other impacts driven by climate change. These funds will also update state park infrastructure, help California acquire new parklands, and create recreation opportunities in local communities.
“As California’s economic fortunes have changed the past few years, and budget surpluses became budget deficits, state parks have faced steep cuts. The passage of Prop 4 is an important step in reversing the budget reductions that cut the deepest.”
ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION
California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation on Facebook, or Instagram and Twitter/X (@calparks).
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Source: Herald file photo.
11/7/24 UPDATE: As of 12:43 p.m. the County Elections office claims 191,700 unprocessed ballots remaining to be counted
As of Wednesday; no breakdowns by city
By Allen D. Payton According to Dawn Kruger, Media Outreach Coordinator for the Elections Division of the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, as of Wednesday morning there were still as many as 90,000 ballots remaining to be counted in the county. “We had tallied 291,000 ballots as of Election Day. All the ballots received at the polling places, those were counted on Election Night, except for the Vote By Mail ballots submitted in their sealed envelopes at polling places,” she stated. Those are part of “the upwards of 90,000 ballots we received included from Drop Boxes which were picked up last on Tuesday afternoon. Those still have to be processed with signature verification, then extraction, then tally,” Kruger explained. Asked about the additional ballots from the Drop Boxes she said, “The boxes were locked at 8:00 p.m. and the ballots were picked up the following morning.” “We expect to add all those ballots to the results on Friday’s update,” Kruger stated. “But we continue to receive ballots placed in the mail on Election Day which can be received up to seven days following, which is Tuesday, the 12th. “We’ll have a better understanding this afternoon.” Kruger added. “By tomorrow afternoon at end of the day, we’ll have more of an exact count up on our website.” She also shared they do not have a breakdown by city of remaining ballots to be counted. 11/7/24 UPDATE: Estimated Number of Unprocessed Ballots in County According to the Contra Costa Elections office, the estimated number of unprocessed ballots as of 12:43 p.m. on Thursday, total 191,700: Ballots voted at a voting location – 200 Vote-by-mail ballots received on or before Election Day – 170,000 Vote-by-mail ballots received after Election Day – 6,500 Provisional ballots – 6,000 Conditional Voter Registration Provisional ballots – 6,000 Other (In Review, Damaged) – 3,000 Total – 191,700. That’s over 101,000 more ballots than the estimated unprocessed ballots figure provided earlier in the day. The next results update is expected at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. The Elections office has 28 days to certify the election. Read More
Beginning Dec. 1
By Brooke Converse, PIO, Contra Costa County Library
The Contra Costa County Library is piloting a new program designed to give patrons access to the Concord Library on Sundays when the branch is normally closed. Patrons who sign up for the service in advance will be able to enter the Concord Library between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sundays beginning December 1. There will not be any staff on site, but two security guards will be present to ensure that only patrons who have signed up for the service are entering the library.
Patrons can browse the collection and check out books, return items, pick up holds, connect to Wi-Fi, and use the space for studying or reading.
“We know our patrons would like the libraries to be open more and especially on Sundays,” said County Librarian Alison McKee. “We don’t have the budget to staff the libraries on Sundays, but this pilot offers an alternative solution that, if successful, could expand to other branches in the future.”
“The Library is such an important resource in our communities,” said District IV Supervisor Ken Carlson. “Having self-service hours on Sundays will give more people the opportunity to use libraries more often.”
To sign up for the service, patrons must have a library card in good standing, a valid ID, attend an in-person orientation, and sign the user agreement. Approved patrons will scan their library card at the door and use a unique PIN code to enter.
The Library will assess the pilot program after six months and consider expansion.
“We are very excited to have a pilot program on Sundays that rewards our residents with self-service, which goes with our spirit of being in concordance with one another to build a community with trust and cooperation,” said Concord Mayor Edi Birsan.
Services not available will include computers, printing, scanning, and photocopying, restrooms, LINK+ pickups, and returns, use of the community meeting room, and the Friends bookstore.
The first open Sunday will be December 1, but patrons must sign up for the service in advance. Sign-ups are available now. To get started visit, ccclib.org/self-service-sundays.
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A CHP Golden Gate Air Operations helicopter rescues climber on Mount Diablo on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Sources: CHP video screenshots
By CHP Media Relations
RESCUE: Saturday afternoon, Oct. 26, 2024, H-30 and Reach 32 were requested to the Rock City area of Mount Diablo for a climber who had fallen and suffered major injuries. H-30 inserted a San Ramon Valley Fire HRT member who packaged and prepared the patient for hoist / transport. H-30 hoisted the patient from the scene and handed off patient care to Reach 32.
Reach then transported the patient to John Muir Hospital where they are being treated for their injuries. (See video on Facebook or Instagram).
@chpgoldengateairoperations is thankful for our relationships with our allied agency partners. #AirRescue #helicopter #aviation #aircraft #rescue #flying #bayarea #h125 #chp #golden-gate #california #highway #highwaypatrol #cliffrescue #SAR #hoistrescue #helicopterrescue #airbornelawenforcement #searchandrescue #firstresponder #lifeflight #paramedic #ems #mountainrescue #aviationdaily #medevac #pilotlife #rotorcraft #instahelicopter #hoistoperatorsunion.
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Credit: CHIPS for America
In Sunnyvale
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, Nov. 2, 2024, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after the Department of Commerce announced that the CHIPS for America Design and Collaboration Facility (DCF), the official headquarters of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), will be established in California. Earlier this year, Padilla led the entire California Democratic delegation in urging Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to establish the NSTC headquarters in California.
The DCF in Sunnyvale, California, will be a colocation of the NSTC headquarters and the flagship design hub from where all NSTC R&D work will be coordinated. The headquarters will serve as a site to host NSTC member and semiconductor ecosystem convenings, NSTC programmatic activities, the Workforce Center of Excellence, the future investment fund, and more. The national design facility will include the NSTC Design Enablement Gateway and an institution for design research focused on chip design, electronic design automation, hardware security, and chip system architecture.
“California is the clear choice to lead NSTC’s semiconductor innovation and R&D. Our state has built a world-class innovation economy and has been at the forefront of the semiconductor industry for decades. We are uniquely positioned to leverage our R&D, manufacturing capacity, and end-users to drive this industry forward.
“Establishing the NSTC headquarters in California will capitalize on our state’s unparalleled assets to grow a highly skilled workforce and develop next-generation advancements. I am confident that this CHIPS Act funding will propel emerging technologies and protect America’s global semiconductor leadership, all while bringing good-paying jobs to our state.”
Santa Clara County alone holds 20 percent of all semiconductor utility patents granted in the last decade, and California is home to more semiconductor R&D, design, intellectual property (IP), and electronic design automation (EDA) firms than Texas, New York, and Oregon combined – with over 175 companies operating out of Silicon Valley. The design facility is one of three planned major NSTC centers. The Department of Commerce recently announced the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Accelerator in New York, and said a Prototyping and NAPMP Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility is still forthcoming.
In April, Padilla, Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), and Representative Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07) led the entire California Democratic delegation in urging Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to establish the NSTC headquarters in California. The letter came after Padilla and Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement rebuking the CHIPS Program Office’s (CPO) cancellation of the third CHIPS Act Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for advanced commercial research and development facilities in the United States.
In 2022, Senator Padilla and Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) sent a letter urging Senate leadership to support provisions in the final version of the United States Innovation and Competition Act that would require semiconductor companies receiving federal assistance for research, design, and manufacturing to invest in a more diverse workforce and improve procurement from minority-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses. Padilla and Warnock applauded the passage of one of these provisions through the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act later that year.
To view the release online, click here.
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Sideshow in Antioch on May 29, 2021. Source: Antioch Police drone video screenshot
Helps fund the STREET III – Sideshow, Takeover, Racing, Education, and Enforcement Taskforce
By CHP Media Relations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) received $2 million in federal funding that will expand its major crackdown on dangerous sideshows and street racing statewide, holding participants and organizers accountable for reckless driving behaviors.
Federal funding for the Sideshow, Takeover, Racing, Education, and Enforcement Taskforce (STREET III) grant comes after the CHP received $5.5 million in state funding to combat illegal street racing and sideshow activities, resulting in a 40% decrease in illegal sideshow incidents from 2021 to 2022. The STREET III grant aims to reduce the number of fatal and injury traffic crashes attributed to reckless driving, street racing, and sideshows. The CHP will implement a public awareness campaign to tackle these unlawful activities and conduct specialized enforcement operations such as excessive speeding behaviors where motorists are traveling more than 100 mph on state highways. Last year, CHP officers participating in specialized speed enforcement operations from January 2023 to July 2024 issued over 30,000 citations to motorists exceeding 100 mph.
“Sideshows and street takeovers are reckless, criminal activities that endanger our communities and make streets less safe. We have seen too many people killed or hurt at these illegal events. California will continue to ramp up our efforts to crack down on sideshows. For anyone considering attending a sideshow: know that not only do you risk getting hurt at these events, but you also risk the potential loss of your vehicle,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
Since February, the CHP has made 1,125 arrests, seized 110 illegal guns, and recovered more than 2,000 stolen vehicles in Alameda County and the East Bay alone. Last month, Governor Newsom signed four bills into law that impose stricter penalties and strengthen law enforcement’s ability to combat sideshows and street takeovers.
“The CHP’s top priority is the safety of our communities. This new grant allows us to strengthen our efforts in addressing the growing issues of sideshows and illegal street racing, which endanger lives and disrupt neighborhoods,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “By increasing patrols, deploying advanced technology, and partnering with local organizations, we are committed to making our roads safer and holding those responsible for reckless driving accountable.”
Alongside allied agencies, the CHP established task forces to tackle the challenges posed by street racing and sideshows. In addition, social media initiatives have been introduced to enhance public awareness regarding the dangers associated with aggressive driving behaviors, including illegal street racing and sideshows. The STREET III grant allows for a campaign starting this month through September 30, 2025.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
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Personalized learning public school serving Contra Costa County students approved by New Jerusalem Elementary School District
Tracy, CA – On November 12, 2024, the board of trustees for New Jerusalem Elementary School District unanimously approved the seven-year renewal of Valley View Charter Prep, A Pacific Charter Institute School. The seven-year renewal is considered high track according to the California legislature under AB 1505 using the California Dashboard results for the prior two years. Valley View Charter Prep achieved high track status through focused instruction, clear goals, and a cadence of high expectations. This renewal is a testament to the success that Valley View has consistently demonstrated in providing high-quality education to its students though its personalized education approach.
About Valley View Charter Prep
Valley View Charter Prep began operation as a tuition-free public charter school established by Pacific Charter Institute and New Jerusalem Elementary School District in 2014 serving students in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. VVCP serves over 600 students using personalized learning plans, ongoing assessments, and tailored instruction support.
About Pacific Charter Institute
Founded in 2005 with the mission of developing self-motivated, responsible citizens and lifelong learners. Over the last 20 years Pacific Charter Institute has expanded to six charter schools serving over 3,600 students serving 16 counties in Northern California. Pacific Charter Institute focuses on personalized learning ensuring each student has the resources, guidance, and support to become responsible, compassionate, and innovative leaders who are well-prepared to make meaningful contributions to society.
Read MoreSource: Kaiser Permanente
High rating reflects the expert medicine, seamless care, and outstanding service provided to Kaiser’s 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
OAKLAND, CA— Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plan in California is rated among the best in the state for providing high-quality, seamless care, and outstanding service to its 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members.
This year, the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California received 4.5 out of 5 stars, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2025 Star Ratings. In addition, the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California is tied for the highest star rating in the state.
“These ratings demonstrate our commitment to providing high-quality care and exceptional service to all of our Northern California members, including our Medicare Advantage members,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Kaiser Permanente is routinely recognized as being among the nation’s best for improving the health and well-being of our members and patients.”
The Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California has been highly rated – with mostly 4.5 and 5 star ratings – for the past 15 years.
“Our clinicians work together across all specialties to ensure personalized, high-quality care for our patients,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “The CMS Star Ratings, along with our nation-leading NCQA ratings, demonstrate the commitment of our physicians and care teams to provide all of our patients with the exceptional and compassionate care they need to live long, healthy lives.”
Ratings reflect high-quality care and service
Every year, CMS publishes Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) ratings. The ratings offer consumers a way to compare the quality of Medicare plans.
To develop the ratings, CMS considers many areas of care and service. For example, it looks at how well health plans keep members healthy and manage their chronic conditions. CMS also considers patient experiences, customer service, patient access, and pharmacy services.
Kaiser Permanente provides care to more than 1.9 million Medicare members in 8 states and the District of Columbia.
Northern and Southern California are rated together as one contract with CMS. Kaiser Permanente’s Dual Eligible-Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) H-contract (H8794) began in California on January 1, 2024, and is too new to be measured for the 2025 Star Ratings. It will be eligible beginning with the 2026 Star Ratings if the contract has sufficient enrollees and measures rated.
Ongoing recognition for Kaiser Permanente’s health plans
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) also recently ranked Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s health plans 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 NCQA’s 2024 Health Plan Ratings. This was the ninth ratings period that Kaiser Permanente Northern California was 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 ranked Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plans as best in the state for overall treatment, prevention, equity, and patient experience.
Enrolling in a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Health Plan
Medicare’s annual enrollment period for all 2025 Medicare health plans begins on October 15 and runs through December 7, 2024.
Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the CMS’ star ratings and Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plans by visiting kp.org/medicarestars.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
Read MoreBasic Visitor services Training, Prairie City State Vehicle Recreation Area. ©2018, California State Parks. Photo by Brian Baer
November 16-24
SACRAMENTO — California State Parks invites all off-roading enthusiasts to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division’s Fall OHV Safety Week from Nov. 16 to 24. This year’s theme, “Share the Trails,” focuses on fostering respect, responsibility and a sense of community for all who enjoy California’s diverse off-highway trails.
“We encourage all riders to participate in the second OHV Safety Week of the year and embrace this year’s theme,” said OHMVR Division Chief Callan McLaughlin. “By sharing the trails responsibly, we’re ensuring safer, more enjoyable off-highway experiences for everyone while also protecting the environment we all cherish.”
As riders hit the trails this season – whether on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), dirt bikes, recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) or 4x4s – it’s important to remember these four guiding principles:
- Stay to the Right: When operating an off-highway vehicle (OHV) on trails, especially in shared areas, always stay to the right. This one simple action makes a big difference in helping traffic flow smoothly and preventing collisions.
- Share Your Knowledge: Seasoned riders, here’s your chance to ensure future generations can enjoy the same thrilling experiences. Help newcomers by sharing tips on safety, trail etiquette and environmental stewardship.
- Ride Smart: Know the terrain and what to expect, and ride at a speed that is safe for the trail and conditions. Never ride or drive while intoxicated.
- Ride With Respect: Follow posted signs, avoid sensitive habits and follow “Leave No Trace” practices. Treating the trails, fellow riders and the environment with respect is key to preserving California’s off-highway areas for years to come.
Remember – everyone on the trail has a role in creating a safer, more informed off-highway recreation community.
Throughout Fall OHV Safety Week, the OHMVR Division will work with its partners to share safety tips, educational content, videos and activities on social media to raise awareness about trail etiquette and encourage responsible riding. Additionally, several state vehicular recreation areas (SVRAs) such as Oceano Dunes, Prairie City and Clay Pit will be offering free ATV, ROV and motorcycle safety classes — a great opportunity to build confidence and skills. Some SVRAs are also hosting additional special events during Fall Safety Week, such as Junior Ranger programs and a family ride. For information on the free safety classes and other events, visit the California Outdoor Recreation Foundation website for schedules and sign-up information, and check with the SVRA you want to visit. Local OHV parks will also be hosting special events, workshops and OHV safety training.
For more information on OHV Fall Safety Week, resources on OHV safety, or to find an SVRA near you, please visit ohv.parks.ca.gov.
A Big Thank You to Our Partners
The OHMVR Division is grateful to its partners – Tread Lightly! Initiative, California Highway Patrol, California Outdoor Recreation Foundation, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, ATV Safety Institute (ASI), Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA), Motorcycle Industry Council and Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) – for their invaluable support in making Fall OHV Safety Week a success.
About the OHMVR Division
California’s OHMVR Program was created in 1971 out of the critical need to better manage the growing demands for OHV recreation, while fostering respect for private property rights and protecting the state’s natural and cultural resources. Today, there are nine SVRAs across California: Carnegie, Clay Pit, Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch, Heber Dunes, Hollister Hills, Hungry Valley, Oceano Dunes, Ocotillo Wells and Prairie City. The OHMVR program also supports safe and responsible OHV recreation beyond the state park system. Since 1971, more than $833 million in grants, managed by the OHMVR Division, have been awarded to federal and local partners, funding acquisition and development, resource protection, safety and education, and law enforcement for OHV recreation. For more information about the OHMVR Division, including grant opportunities, please visit ohv.parks.ca.gov.
In October 2020, the California OHMVR Commission passed a resolution dedicating two weeks of the year to promote and focus on safe and responsible OHV practices.
Read MoreFormer Antioch Police Officer Devon Wenger is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California. Herald file photo
Alleges prosecutorial misconduct, claims retaliation; says evidence used was unlawfully obtained, information withheld from defense; separate matter from and not involved in racist text scandal
Devon Wenger, who was not terminated but resigned, faces charges of attempted civil rights violations, illegal use of force, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids
“There’s a lot there that is political.” – Attorney Nicole Castronovo
Oakland, CA – A former Antioch Police officer who spoke out against sexually explicit group texts among department members is fighting back against a malicious prosecution which has made him the scandal’s scapegoat as punishment for blowing the whistle.
Former Officer Devon Christopher Wenger of the Antioch Police Department, who resigned from the force on June 5, 2023, and is embroiled in a high-profile case stemming from the department’s texting scandal, filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him which have been grossly exaggerated as retribution.
The motion to dismiss was filed Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, by Wenger’s attorney, Nicole Castronovo, and argues evidence used against Wenger was unlawfully obtained, undermining his right to a fair trial. Castronovo further alleges prosecutors improperly withheld key exculpatory information from the defense.
“The manner in which this investigation was conducted shows a blatant disregard for Wenger’s constitutional rights,” Castronovo said. “We have uncovered that evidence has been manipulated, critical facts have been omitted and exculpatory material has been ignored. This entire case is being levied against my client as a vicious act of retribution and is a gross misuse of the criminal justice system.”
Along with other Antioch officers, Wenger was arrested on Thursday, August 17, 2023, and prosecuted as a result of the investigations by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney. He was originally charged with 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids; 18 U.S.C. § 1519 Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations and 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 Conspiracy Against Rights, 242 Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. (See related articles here, here and here)
However, Castronovo said Wenger is facing only three charges, “conspiracy to commit civil rights violations based solely on the text messages and with illegal use of force, for using what’s called a 40,” which is a non-lethal weapon. “He did so at the command of his sergeant, and it was within policy. So, they charged him for something found to be within policy,” she added. Wenger is also facing the steroid charges in a separate case in which he’s represented by a different attorney.
Regarding his claim of having whistleblower status Castronovo said, “He was a whistle blower on all kinds of things. His lieutenant had an affair with Wenger’s girlfriend. There’s a lot there that is political. He didn’t send any of the racist text messages. He also blew the whistle on a sexting scandal.”
Recently filed court documents uncovered a prior FBI investigation into the Antioch Police Department during which evidence was mishandled and not appropriately sealed. That evidence, in an unrelated, State-level case, is now potentially being used by federal prosecutors against Wenger.
Key to Wenger’s claims of misconduct include a declaration highlighting the testimony of Larry Wallace, who served as a high-ranking law enforcement advisor under Vice President Kamala Harris during her tenure as California Attorney General. Wallace resigned after being sued for sexual harassment and now works as an investigator in the Contra Costa DA’s Office.
Federal prosecutors failed to mention Wallace was part of a joint operation with the FBI starting in November 2021. The government also did not disclose the FBI’s simultaneous seizure of Wenger’s phone in the unrelated state-level investigation.
In a testimony given on October 25, 2024, Wallace admitted he illegally mishandled sensitive data and failed to seal private information during his involvement in the FBI investigation of the Antioch Police Department in 2021. The mishandling of that evidence resulted in the unauthorized use of Wenger’s personal communications and violated his legal right to privacy. It also violated the stringent rules of CalECPA (California Electronic Communications Privacy Act).
In addition, the Herald later broke the news on Aug. 17, 2023, that Wallace also failed to properly redact officers’ names, cell phone numbers and alleged crimes in a report released to the media. Exclusive: Contra Costa DA’s Office under fire for releasing report revealing phone numbers of Antioch cops in text scandal, names of Antioch, Pittsburg cops, alleged crimes in FBI investigation | Contra Costa Herald
The chain of evidence log demonstrates that the FBI seized Wenger’s phone on March 28, 2022, well before federal warrants were signed authorizing the seizure of evidence in this current case and raise significant questions about the legality of the evidence and the government’s representations to the Court.
Federal prosecutors also misrepresented to the Court the number of search warrants in existence, referring to only two warrants in their moving papers (dated May and July of 2023), which postdate Wallace’s defective state warrants in the earlier FBI investigation.
These misrepresentations are critical, as the defense contends that the Independent Source Doctrine, invoked by the government to justify the evidence, cannot apply under such circumstances, where an investigation since its inception has been a joint task force between state and local agencies.
Castronovo also questions the independence of the investigation, arguing that federal prosecutors heavily relied on data from state-level investigations, which violated the Independent Source Doctrine.
“We are determined to see that justice prevails,” Castronovo emphasized. “Officer Wenger is entitled to a fair trial, free from unlawful manipulation and misconduct by those in power.”
APOA Attorney Submits Declaration About Wallace in Support of Wenger
Michael Rains, the attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association, whose firm has been representing more than a dozen officers caught up in the investigations, submitted a Declaration in Support of Wenger’s Motion to Dismiss “based upon prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective assistance of counsel, in the alternative defendant requests a change of venue.” In his declaration, the APOA attorney wrote of his cross-examination of Wallace in another case in which Rains was defending an Antioch Police Officer. He wrote, “According to California Penal Code Section 1546.1, also known as CalECPA, it is a legal requirement to seal any information obtained through the execution of a search warrant that is unrelated to the objective of the warrant. Any such sealed information should not be subject to further review, use, or disclosure except pursuant to a court order or to comply with discovery as required by Sections 1054.1 of the Penal Code.
“When I questioned Wallace at arbitration as to whether he had complied with the requirements of CalECPA he admitted that (1) he neither sealed the information nor (2) did he seek any further order from the court to use the information for any other purpose. From my involvement in discipline cases involving several Antioch officers, I know the text messages relied upon by the City of Antioch to terminate officers, did not result from a Court Order authorizing such use,” the APOA attorney’s declaration further states.
Rains also wrote, “Wallace admitted in his testimony that he ha last received training on search warrants in 2004, and never received any training concerning CalECPA, which became law in 2021, as it pertains to writing search warrants.”
“Wallace testified that in November 2021, he received an anonymous postcard from the Pittsburg Police Department as well as information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding steroid use amongst Antioch Police Officers and Pittsburg police officers and a joint investigation was launched by the FBI and the Contra Costa County DA’s office,” the declaration states. “It was communicated to Wallace that the Chief of Pittsburg Police Department gave the post card to Chief of Inspectors Arnold Threets, who then assigned the investigation to Wallace. ‘Almost simultaneously’, upon receipt of the postcard Wallace was visited by FBI Agent Thuy Zobach regarding issues in the wiretap room concerning Officer Timothy Manly Williams of the Antioch Police Department. Notably the postcard never mentioned Devon Wenger…by name.”
Asked if one of the 8 cell phones seized by Wallace was Wenger’s personal cell. Castronovo said it was. According to Rains’ declaration, the phones were seized by Wallace in 2022, after he prepared the state warrant on March 22nd that year. Wallace turned it over to the FBI on March 28th. But I have a receipt for property on April 11, 2022, that includes Wenger’s phone, which is when they gave it back to Wallace,” Castronovo shared. “So, they probably dumped it during those two weeks. But the FBI didn’t issue a warrant for it until the following year.”
The judge in the hearing for Castronovo’s motion to suppress the evidence from the phone, “chose to listen to the FBI. He’s a former Assistant U.S. Attorney,” she explained. “The federal prosecutors just called it moot and said they wouldn’t use the evidence, which was really fishy, to me.”
“What’s interesting in their moving papers they said there were only three search warrants,” which would have only covered three phones, Castronovo shared. “But in the FBI’s search warrant it shows there were eight,” for the eight phones.
Rains Also Exploring Legal Options, Damages to Officers for Wallace’s Release of Information
As previously reported about the release of information by Wallace, Rains said, “I am exploring legal options including a possible lawsuit related to our grave concerns about the way in which this report was ordered released by the court to begin with, when I was supposed to be given the opportunity on behalf of the officers to seek a protective order.”
“Plus, the release by the DA’s Office when they told me, the judge told me to tell Chief Assistant DA Simon O’Connell to not release the report until I had the opportunity to be heard,” he continued. “We tried to set up dates with the defense attorneys on Monday, after the morning appearance I made. Then I received an email from O’Connell on Tuesday that the judge ordered the report released. I feel betrayed by both the judge and by the DA’s Office.”
“I’m exploring the damages done to the officers due to the actions by the DA’s Office,” Rains added.
DA’s Office Will Not Comment
Wallace and the Contra Costa DA’s Office were asked for comment regarding the claims about his testimony in Wenger’s case. The DA’s spokesman, Ted Asregadoo, responded, “We will not comment on an active federal prosecution in which the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office was involved or address the inaccuracies in the press release you shared. However, we want to clarify that Larry Wallace, an employee of our office, acted in compliance with a court order to release information to defense attorneys in a March 2021 murder case in the City of Antioch.”
Wenger’s Next Hearing Possibly Dec. 10
The next hearing for Wenger is tentatively scheduled for December 10, 2024, at the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, where these and other issues raised by the defense’s motion to dismiss will be addressed.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreSources: Yes on 4 campaign, CA Secretary of State
SACRAMENTO, CA – On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, the California State Parks Foundation released the following statement reacting to the passage of Proposition 4 –The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. The passage of Prop 4 authorizes up to $10 billion in bonds to help the state become more climate resilient. The investments in state parks will include $175 million in deferred maintenance, $50 million in sea level rise adaptation projects, and $200 million to build parks and recreational facilities in local communities.
“While there are many votes still left to count, we are optimistic that voters passed Prop 4 by a wide margin,” saidRachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “We thank California voters for choosing to supply California’s state park system with desperately needed resources to make our state parks more resilient to extreme weather, sea level rise, wildfires, and other impacts driven by climate change. These funds will also update state park infrastructure, help California acquire new parklands, and create recreation opportunities in local communities.
“As California’s economic fortunes have changed the past few years, and budget surpluses became budget deficits, state parks have faced steep cuts. The passage of Prop 4 is an important step in reversing the budget reductions that cut the deepest.”
ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION
California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation on Facebook, or Instagram and Twitter/X (@calparks).
Read MoreSource: Herald file photo.
11/7/24 UPDATE: As of 12:43 p.m. the County Elections office claims 191,700 unprocessed ballots remaining to be counted
As of Wednesday; no breakdowns by city
By Allen D. Payton According to Dawn Kruger, Media Outreach Coordinator for the Elections Division of the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, as of Wednesday morning there were still as many as 90,000 ballots remaining to be counted in the county. “We had tallied 291,000 ballots as of Election Day. All the ballots received at the polling places, those were counted on Election Night, except for the Vote By Mail ballots submitted in their sealed envelopes at polling places,” she stated. Those are part of “the upwards of 90,000 ballots we received included from Drop Boxes which were picked up last on Tuesday afternoon. Those still have to be processed with signature verification, then extraction, then tally,” Kruger explained. Asked about the additional ballots from the Drop Boxes she said, “The boxes were locked at 8:00 p.m. and the ballots were picked up the following morning.” “We expect to add all those ballots to the results on Friday’s update,” Kruger stated. “But we continue to receive ballots placed in the mail on Election Day which can be received up to seven days following, which is Tuesday, the 12th. “We’ll have a better understanding this afternoon.” Kruger added. “By tomorrow afternoon at end of the day, we’ll have more of an exact count up on our website.” She also shared they do not have a breakdown by city of remaining ballots to be counted. 11/7/24 UPDATE: Estimated Number of Unprocessed Ballots in County According to the Contra Costa Elections office, the estimated number of unprocessed ballots as of 12:43 p.m. on Thursday, total 191,700: Ballots voted at a voting location – 200 Vote-by-mail ballots received on or before Election Day – 170,000 Vote-by-mail ballots received after Election Day – 6,500 Provisional ballots – 6,000 Conditional Voter Registration Provisional ballots – 6,000 Other (In Review, Damaged) – 3,000 Total – 191,700. That’s over 101,000 more ballots than the estimated unprocessed ballots figure provided earlier in the day. The next results update is expected at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. The Elections office has 28 days to certify the election. Read More
Beginning Dec. 1
By Brooke Converse, PIO, Contra Costa County Library
The Contra Costa County Library is piloting a new program designed to give patrons access to the Concord Library on Sundays when the branch is normally closed. Patrons who sign up for the service in advance will be able to enter the Concord Library between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sundays beginning December 1. There will not be any staff on site, but two security guards will be present to ensure that only patrons who have signed up for the service are entering the library.
Patrons can browse the collection and check out books, return items, pick up holds, connect to Wi-Fi, and use the space for studying or reading.
“We know our patrons would like the libraries to be open more and especially on Sundays,” said County Librarian Alison McKee. “We don’t have the budget to staff the libraries on Sundays, but this pilot offers an alternative solution that, if successful, could expand to other branches in the future.”
“The Library is such an important resource in our communities,” said District IV Supervisor Ken Carlson. “Having self-service hours on Sundays will give more people the opportunity to use libraries more often.”
To sign up for the service, patrons must have a library card in good standing, a valid ID, attend an in-person orientation, and sign the user agreement. Approved patrons will scan their library card at the door and use a unique PIN code to enter.
The Library will assess the pilot program after six months and consider expansion.
“We are very excited to have a pilot program on Sundays that rewards our residents with self-service, which goes with our spirit of being in concordance with one another to build a community with trust and cooperation,” said Concord Mayor Edi Birsan.
Services not available will include computers, printing, scanning, and photocopying, restrooms, LINK+ pickups, and returns, use of the community meeting room, and the Friends bookstore.
The first open Sunday will be December 1, but patrons must sign up for the service in advance. Sign-ups are available now. To get started visit, ccclib.org/self-service-sundays.
Read MoreA CHP Golden Gate Air Operations helicopter rescues climber on Mount Diablo on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Sources: CHP video screenshots
By CHP Media Relations
RESCUE: Saturday afternoon, Oct. 26, 2024, H-30 and Reach 32 were requested to the Rock City area of Mount Diablo for a climber who had fallen and suffered major injuries. H-30 inserted a San Ramon Valley Fire HRT member who packaged and prepared the patient for hoist / transport. H-30 hoisted the patient from the scene and handed off patient care to Reach 32.
Reach then transported the patient to John Muir Hospital where they are being treated for their injuries. (See video on Facebook or Instagram).
@chpgoldengateairoperations is thankful for our relationships with our allied agency partners. #AirRescue #helicopter #aviation #aircraft #rescue #flying #bayarea #h125 #chp #golden-gate #california #highway #highwaypatrol #cliffrescue #SAR #hoistrescue #helicopterrescue #airbornelawenforcement #searchandrescue #firstresponder #lifeflight #paramedic #ems #mountainrescue #aviationdaily #medevac #pilotlife #rotorcraft #instahelicopter #hoistoperatorsunion.
Read MoreCredit: CHIPS for America
In Sunnyvale
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, Nov. 2, 2024, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after the Department of Commerce announced that the CHIPS for America Design and Collaboration Facility (DCF), the official headquarters of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), will be established in California. Earlier this year, Padilla led the entire California Democratic delegation in urging Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to establish the NSTC headquarters in California.
The DCF in Sunnyvale, California, will be a colocation of the NSTC headquarters and the flagship design hub from where all NSTC R&D work will be coordinated. The headquarters will serve as a site to host NSTC member and semiconductor ecosystem convenings, NSTC programmatic activities, the Workforce Center of Excellence, the future investment fund, and more. The national design facility will include the NSTC Design Enablement Gateway and an institution for design research focused on chip design, electronic design automation, hardware security, and chip system architecture.
“California is the clear choice to lead NSTC’s semiconductor innovation and R&D. Our state has built a world-class innovation economy and has been at the forefront of the semiconductor industry for decades. We are uniquely positioned to leverage our R&D, manufacturing capacity, and end-users to drive this industry forward.
“Establishing the NSTC headquarters in California will capitalize on our state’s unparalleled assets to grow a highly skilled workforce and develop next-generation advancements. I am confident that this CHIPS Act funding will propel emerging technologies and protect America’s global semiconductor leadership, all while bringing good-paying jobs to our state.”
Santa Clara County alone holds 20 percent of all semiconductor utility patents granted in the last decade, and California is home to more semiconductor R&D, design, intellectual property (IP), and electronic design automation (EDA) firms than Texas, New York, and Oregon combined – with over 175 companies operating out of Silicon Valley. The design facility is one of three planned major NSTC centers. The Department of Commerce recently announced the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Accelerator in New York, and said a Prototyping and NAPMP Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility is still forthcoming.
In April, Padilla, Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), and Representative Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07) led the entire California Democratic delegation in urging Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to establish the NSTC headquarters in California. The letter came after Padilla and Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement rebuking the CHIPS Program Office’s (CPO) cancellation of the third CHIPS Act Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for advanced commercial research and development facilities in the United States.
In 2022, Senator Padilla and Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) sent a letter urging Senate leadership to support provisions in the final version of the United States Innovation and Competition Act that would require semiconductor companies receiving federal assistance for research, design, and manufacturing to invest in a more diverse workforce and improve procurement from minority-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses. Padilla and Warnock applauded the passage of one of these provisions through the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act later that year.
To view the release online, click here.
Read More
Sideshow in Antioch on May 29, 2021. Source: Antioch Police drone video screenshot
Helps fund the STREET III – Sideshow, Takeover, Racing, Education, and Enforcement Taskforce
By CHP Media Relations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) received $2 million in federal funding that will expand its major crackdown on dangerous sideshows and street racing statewide, holding participants and organizers accountable for reckless driving behaviors.
Federal funding for the Sideshow, Takeover, Racing, Education, and Enforcement Taskforce (STREET III) grant comes after the CHP received $5.5 million in state funding to combat illegal street racing and sideshow activities, resulting in a 40% decrease in illegal sideshow incidents from 2021 to 2022. The STREET III grant aims to reduce the number of fatal and injury traffic crashes attributed to reckless driving, street racing, and sideshows. The CHP will implement a public awareness campaign to tackle these unlawful activities and conduct specialized enforcement operations such as excessive speeding behaviors where motorists are traveling more than 100 mph on state highways. Last year, CHP officers participating in specialized speed enforcement operations from January 2023 to July 2024 issued over 30,000 citations to motorists exceeding 100 mph.
“Sideshows and street takeovers are reckless, criminal activities that endanger our communities and make streets less safe. We have seen too many people killed or hurt at these illegal events. California will continue to ramp up our efforts to crack down on sideshows. For anyone considering attending a sideshow: know that not only do you risk getting hurt at these events, but you also risk the potential loss of your vehicle,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
Since February, the CHP has made 1,125 arrests, seized 110 illegal guns, and recovered more than 2,000 stolen vehicles in Alameda County and the East Bay alone. Last month, Governor Newsom signed four bills into law that impose stricter penalties and strengthen law enforcement’s ability to combat sideshows and street takeovers.
“The CHP’s top priority is the safety of our communities. This new grant allows us to strengthen our efforts in addressing the growing issues of sideshows and illegal street racing, which endanger lives and disrupt neighborhoods,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “By increasing patrols, deploying advanced technology, and partnering with local organizations, we are committed to making our roads safer and holding those responsible for reckless driving accountable.”
Alongside allied agencies, the CHP established task forces to tackle the challenges posed by street racing and sideshows. In addition, social media initiatives have been introduced to enhance public awareness regarding the dangers associated with aggressive driving behaviors, including illegal street racing and sideshows. The STREET III grant allows for a campaign starting this month through September 30, 2025.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
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