Contra Costa Herald

Source: City of Hercules

By City of Hercules

The City of Hercules held a special commemoration of the City’s 125th anniversary and annual Christmas tree lighting celebration on Sunday, Dec. 7. The event, held at City Hall, featured photo opportunities with Santa, entertainment and light refreshments. The evening ended with Santa lighting the tree.

It was presented in part by the Bay Front Chamber of Commerce of Hercules, Pinole and Rodeo.

“There is no better way to honor 125 years of Hercules than with our community,” said City Manager Dante Hall. “As we come together to enjoy this favorite winter celebration with neighbors and visitors alike, this special anniversary also encourages our community to reflect on the history that has shaped our City and traditions like these.”

Photos: City of Hercules

Founded in the late 1880s as a company town for the Hercules Powder Company, Hercules produced explosives for mining, construction and transportation across the West Coast. These early industrial roots from the Hercules Powder Company gave our City its powerful name and laid the foundation for our City’s evolution

The City began as a company town for the California Powder Works, which started in 1861 near Santa Cruz. The company made Hercules Powder, which is a powerful dynamite named after the mythological hero who slayed giants.

For nearly 100 years, Hercules was home to the workers and families who helped build roads and mines across California. It wasn’t until the 1970s that Hercules transformed into the vibrant community we know today.

Hercules remained a company town until the 1970s, until the City redeveloped the area into the diverse, innovative and welcoming suburban community we know today. From its industrial past to sustainable planning and vibrant neighborhoods, Hercules has spent 125 years building a future rooted in smart growth and community connection.

Our legacy continues along the City’s waterfront, which was once a major shipping and rail hub for transporting explosives and other goods. Today, the City is reimagining its waterfront as an interconnected transportation center with restored passenger rail service, transit-oriented housing, businesses, bicycle and pedestrian pathways, bus routes and a future ferry service known as the Hercules Hub.

“The tree lighting event allows us to celebrate our great past and the bright future ahead of Hercules,” said Hall. “Community festivities are the perfect way to feel the warmth and cheer of the holiday season.”

In the spirit of compassion and celebration, attendees were encouraged to bring canned food items, gently used coats and unwrapped toys to the event. Giving back strengthens our community as we celebrate 125 years of Hercules.

Learn more about our industrial past from the Hercules Historical Society.

By Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office

The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a homicide that occurred on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 8:04 a.m. at a home on the 5100 block Laurel Drive in unincorporated Concord.

Valley Station deputy sheriffs responded to a welfare check and found a resident of the home deceased on the property. Detectives believe the incident began as a domestic issue when a family dispute escalated into an altercation. Three others who suffered from injuries were transported to a local hospital.

The victim is identified as 38-year-old Antonio Valdez of Antioch. A person in the home who suffered injuries remains in the hospital.

The Investigation Division Homicide Unit and Crime Lab responded to the scene. Detectives believe the incident began as a domestic issue when a family dispute escalated into an altercation. There are no outstanding suspects and no threat to the public.

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

Contra Costa DA Diana Becton (in magenta) is joined by District 5 Supervisor Shanell Scales-Preston, East County officials and others as she cuts the ribbon on the new CCDA branch office in Pittsburg on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Photo credit: Glenn Kimball, Contra Costa County Office of Communications and Media

“We’re Open for Business!”

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

On Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening of our newest branch office at 3890 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg.

We were honored to have special guests join us, including District 5 County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, Pittsburg Mayor Dionne Adams, Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal, Pittsburg Councilman Jelani Killings, Brentwood Councilwoman Jovita Mendoza, Antioch Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, Pittsburg Police Chief Steve Albanese, Antioch Police Captain Desmond Bittner and NAMI Contra Costa CEO Gigi Crowder. Several delivered remarks before the ribbon-cutting ceremony and office tour.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated this milestone — two years in the making! We’re grateful for the dedication of our District Attorney’s staff who made this possible.

We’re fully staffed and ready to serve the communities of East Contra Costa County!

The mailboxes of 22 victims in Brentwood were broken into. Photo: Brentwood PD

Craig Whiteley, Jr. fled scene with two other suspects; found with keys, drugs, cash, ammo

By Brentwood Police Department

In the early morning hours of December 14, 2025, at approximately 5:38 a.m., Brentwood Police officers responded to a report of suspicious activity near community mailboxes in the 2700 block of Empire Avenue.

A witness reported seeing three male suspects flee on foot after being startled, leaving behind the vehicle they arrived in. When officers arrived, they found the community mailboxes had been compromised and stolen mail belonging to multiple residents was located inside the suspect vehicle, which had been left running.

Officers quickly set up a search of the surrounding area and located 37-year-old Craig Allen Whiteley, Jr. from Antioch who matched the suspect description and appeared to have recently fled on foot. A records check revealed the individual was on felony probation for firearm- and mail theft-related offenses.

During the investigation, officers recovered evidence linking the suspect to the mail theft. A subsequent search led to the discovery of keys used to access mail boxes, narcotics intended for sale and ammunition.

Mail, keys, cash, narcotics and ammunition recovered from the scene. Photos: Brentwood PD

The suspect was arrested and booked into County Jail on charges including probation violation, mail theft, narcotics possession and additional related offenses.

All 22 victims had their stolen mail successfully recovered and returned.

Excellent work by our graveyard officers for their swift response and diligent investigation.

Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity immediately to help keep our neighborhoods safe.

According to the Brentwood Police website, Whitely is five-feet, 11-inch tall, 160-pound white male.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, as of Dec. 17, 2025, at 9:11 PM, Whitely was out of custody with no charges filed.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Agreement aligns with U.S. DOJ reforms; this part of case only includes attorney’s fees

By Allen D. Payton

The City of Antioch announced Friday morning, Dec. 19, 2025, it has reached a settlement agreement “that strengthens accountability and transparency in the Antioch Police Department (APD) through updated policies, independent oversight and measurable reporting. The agreement is structured to align with the U.S. Department of Justice Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) governing APD reforms.”

The settlement is subject to court approval and is associated with Trent Allen, et al. v. City of Antioch, et al., United States District Court, Northern District of California (Case No. 3:23-cv-01895-TSH), a class action lawsuit against the City, as well as police officers and chiefs. As previously reported, Allen is one of four suspects convicted of the 2021 murder of Arnold Marcel Hawkins and the attempted murder of Aaron Patterson. He and a variety of other plaintiffs claimed civil rights violations by the officers.

Oakland civil rights attorney John Burris and associates filed the lawsuit in April 2023, naming five then-current and former officers, for their racist and other offensive texts and mistreatment of citizens, plus, three past police chiefs, the City of Antioch and Does 1-100. (See related articles here and here)

The plaintiffs included Shagoofa Khan, the 2017 Antioch Youth of the Year who was one of the lead protesters in the city in 2020, was arrested a few times including once for felony arson in January 2021 and at former Chief Tammany Brooks’ farewell party later that year, and was the subject of one of the vile texts; Adam Carpenter, Joshua Butler, Diego Zavala, the son of Guadalupe Zavala, who was unarmed when he was shot and killed by police in 2021 after a seven-hour stand-off with police (whose last name is listed in the lawsuit as Savala), and Allen, whose murder case resulted in the release of the texts.

The suit described what occurred between the named Antioch Police officers and the plaintiffs as a “conspiracy and/or conspiracies” and claims they were “the failure and/or refusal (by the former chiefs)…to prevent or aid in preventing” them from occurring. The suit further claimed the four department leaders “maintained customs, policies, and/or practices which encouraged, authorized, condoned, ratified, failed to prevent, and/or failed to aid in the prevention of wrongs conspired to be done by” the named officers.

The suit sought multiple forms of damages including “past, present and/or future wage loss, income and support, medical expenses”; special damages, any and all permissible statutory damages, and attorneys’ fees.

UPDATE & CORRECTION: According to City Manager Bessie Scott, the settlement does not include any money. But she later shared the City will pay attorney’s fees. Then during the press conference on Friday, Dec. 19, Burris said, “There were two parts of the case, one involving the individuals, which we settled, 23,” earlier in the year. Those did involve payments which will be reported on later once City staff has provided a response to the Public Records Act request by the Herald.

Independent Consultant to Oversee Settlement Provisions

The settlement will be administered by the same independent consultant responsible for oversight under the U.S. DOJ MOA to ensure coordinated implementation and consistent monitoring.

The independent consultant will oversee APD’s implementation of the settlement’s provisions, including providing technical assistance, reviewing affected policies, and issuing regular reports on APD’s progress toward substantial compliance. The independent consultant will also ensure APD remains in substantial compliance for the required period of time. If APD is not making adequate progress, the monitor may seek further orders of the court to compel compliance.

The independent consultant is required to report to the City Council every six months. Reports to Council will be public. The City also anticipates public reporting related to community engagement/community policing efforts and statistics on traffic stops and police interactions related to use of force.

“This settlement agreement reinforces the reform work already underway, ensures sustainable transparency measures and updates core policies to modernize how APD continues to provide constitutional policing services to the residents of Antioch,” said Scott.

“This agreement will ensure we continue prioritizing the community and safety,” said Chief of Police Joe Vigil. “We will continue working towards greater transparency, accountability and community engagement as we work through this agreement.”

Key elements of the settlement include:

Expanded transparency and oversight

• Data collection and analysis requirements
• Audits and reviews
• Reporting requirements to track progress and compliance

Policy and procedure updates to modernize APD operations

• Non-discriminatory policing
• Use of force, including canine deployment
• Hiring and promotions
• Complaint intake, review, and resolution
• Supervisor responsibilities and accountability
• Police officer communications
• Body-worn camera use

Community engagement

• Provisions to expand APD’s community engagement and support accountability through public-facing practices.

The City will provide additional information as implementation milestones are established.

Jaden Baird, City of Antioch PIO contributed to this report.

Four locations

By Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

THIS WEEKEND!

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the United Professional Firefighters Association of Contra Costa County Local 1230 are partnering to collect new, unwrapped toys for children in our communities!

Celebrate the season with Santa at one of his four stops across the county! Donate a toy, enjoy cookies and cocoa, and meet your local firefighters!

Fire Station 10- 2955 Treat Blvd., Concord
Friday, December 19, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Fire Station 82- 196 Bluerock Drive, Antioch
Saturday, December 20, 10:00 AM – Noon

Fire Station 92- 201 John Muir Parkway, Brentwood
Saturday, December 20, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Fire Station 76- 1680 Refugio Valley Road, Hercules
Sunday, December 21, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

For more information about Con Fire visit www.cccfpd.org.

By Contra Costa Health

Contra Costa County must prepare for significant reductions in Medi-Cal coverage and hundreds of millions of dollars in long-term funding loss as a result of recent federal and state policy changes, county officials said Tuesday.

New federal requirements under H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” combined with state Medi-Cal eligibility and reimbursement changes, will make it harder for many residents to enroll in or keep healthcare coverage. While final details are still emerging, county estimates indicate that as many as 93,000 Contra Costa residents could be affected by 2029.

At the same time, Contra Costa Health (CCH) projects more than $300 million in cumulative state and federal funding reductions through 2029, driven by Medi-Cal disenrollment and cuts to supplemental funding that public hospitals rely upon. These impacts are expected to grow year over year and reflect a broader trend affecting counties and public health systems across California.

“These changes mean fewer people covered and fewer dollars coming into the system at the same time,” said Candace Andersen, Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “Our responsibility is to face that reality head-on, plan carefully, and ensure the county continues to provide essential care for residents who have nowhere else to turn.”

During a presentation to the Board on Tuesday, leaders of CCH and the county’s Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) emphasized that the projected impacts are a result of external policy decisions, not local performance, and that significant uncertainty remains around timelines, enforcement and the response from California.

Federal guidance on several provisions of H.R. 1 has not yet been issued, and California’s approach to mitigating coverage losses is still evolving.

The presentation outlined how specific provisions of H.R. 1 and recent state Medi-Cal policy changes are expected to reduce enrollment, increase administrative barriers to coverage, and lower reimbursement to safety-net providers. It also reviewed projected enrollment losses, funding impacts to CCH and Contra Costa Health Plan, and the anticipated timing of changes, along with areas of ongoing uncertainty.

The Board directed CCH to return in early 2026 with a proposal to update and strengthen the county’s existing supports for people who are not eligible for Medi-Cal and have no other healthcare options.

Contra Costa County will share additional updates as federal and state guidance becomes available and planning continues.

Includes Grand Menorah Lighting

By Chabad of Concord

We are excited to announce the 2nd Grand Community Chanukah Festival in Clayton!
We are thankful to have an incredible lineup of entertainment, officials, crafts, and Chanukah excitement that you won’t want to miss.

Chabad of Concord and The City of Clayton have joined forces to bring you a Grand Menorah Lighting & LED juggling show event that promises to be unforgettable! So, get ready to celebrate with us as a community and show your Jewish pride and unity!

Sunday, Dec 21, 4:00 PM

At The Grove – 6110 Center Street in Clayton

• Celebrate Jewish pride and unity this Chanukah with local dignitaries, leaders, and community!
• Enjoy latkes, “The Best Sufganiyot”, hot chocolate & More
• Live Show
• Music videos
• Crafts
• Raffles
• More

Raffle ticket provided with RSVP.

Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. Chanukah begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and continues for eight days.

Looking forward to a grand time celebrating together!

Free admission- Please RSVP Jewishconcord.com/Clayton.

Special thanks ABL Health Care, Simcha Sisters, the City of Clayton and PJ Library for your partnership!

By Chabad of Concord

We are thrilled to announce that the 7th annual Grand Community Menorah Lighting is finally here!

This year, we are thankful to have an incredible lineup of entertainment, officials, crafts and Chanukah excitement that you won’t want to miss.

Chabad of Concord and The Veranda have joined forces to bring you a grand Menorah lighting event that promises to be unforgettable! So, get ready to celebrate with us as a community and show your Jewish pride and unity!

Thursday, December 18, 4:30 PM

At The Veranda – 2025 Diamond Blvd., Concord

• Celebrate Jewish pride and unity this Chanukah with local dignitaries, leaders, and community!
• Enjoy Chanukah treats
• Live Performance by the award-winning Goofball
• Music videos
• Crafts
• Raffle

Raffle ticket provided with RSVP.

Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. Chanukah begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and continues for eight days.

Looking forward to a grand time celebrating together!

Free admission- Please RSVP Jewishconcord.com/grand.

Special thanks ABL Health Care & Simcha Sisters for your sponsorship!

For more information visit www.jewishconcord.com or www.facebook.com/chabadofconcord.

Includes Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony

By Chabad of the Delta

Get ready to light up the night! The Chanukah Festival is happening in Brentwood, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, and you won’t want to miss this incredible lineup of fun, food and festivities!

DELICIOUS FOOD: Indulge in traditional, piping-hot latkes and warm, fluffy sufganiyot (donuts)! Plus, keep cozy with our FREE Hot Drink Bar (Hot Cocoa & Spiced Cider)!

AMAZING ACTIVITIES: Test your speed at the Flickering Flame Game (Menorah Whack-a-Mole!), take a spin on the Human Dreidel, and get a festive Glitter Tattoo!

TECH CORNER: See the future of the holiday with a 3D Printed Dreidel Demo!

MAIN STAGE: Join us for the hilarious and astonishing Al Skinner Comedy Magic show at 5:30 PM, followed by the Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony!

RAFFLE ALERT: Enter to win a one-of-a-kind 3D-printed dreidel! Find the raffle table near the Chanukah Gift Shop. Winners announced after the Menorah Lighting!

Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. Chanukah begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and continues for eight days.

Join us at the Brentwood Community Center at 35 Oak Street in Downtown.

Don’t wait! RSVP at www.JewishDelta.com/Chanukah.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/ChabadoftheDelta.