Held on $375,000 bail
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a 15-count felony complaint on August 4th against 40-year-old Jarvis Leigh Ferguson (born 2/8/83) of Daly City for a string of commercial burglaries in Walnut Creek. Ferguson was also charged on August 10th for selling and possessing controlled substances.
Ferguson was arraigned in Superior Court in Martinez on August 7th and pled not guilty to the commercial burglary charges. He committed the offenses between July 16th and July 24th targeting restaurants and a hair salon in Walnut Creek during non-business hours. Walnut Creek Police investigated the burglaries and found the methods used in the crimes were similar. Moreover, once evidence was collected and analyzed from the affected businesses, it led police to Ferguson as the primary suspect.
Ferguson faces seven counts of second-degree commercial burglary [PC 459], six counts of grand theft of property [PC 487(a)], and two counts of vandalism causing over $400 in damage [PC 594(a)].
In a separate filing, Ferguson will be on August 11th on a four-count felony complaint for possessing and selling methamphetamine and cocaine on August 2nd. Two counts are for violating HS 11378 for the possession or sale of a controlled substance, and two counts for violating HS 11379(a) to sell or offer to sell a controlled substance.
Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “We’re grateful to Walnut Creek Police who thoroughly investigated these brazen burglaries and drug offenses. Those who engage in such criminality will continue to be prosecuted by my office.”
Ferguson is currently in custody at the West County Detention Facility with a bail amount currently set at $375,000.
Case No. 01-23-02512 | The People of the State of California v. Ferguson, Jarvis Leigh
Case No. 01-23-02552| The People of the State of California v. Ferguson, Jarvis Leigh
Read More![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Assemblyman-Tim-Grayson-Pastor-of-Lifepoint-Church-72323-1024x674.jpg)
Assemblyman Tim Grayson and in his role as pastor on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Sources: Official photo and Lifepoint Church of Concord.
The bi-vocational pastor touts his “strong legislative record in consumer protection, affordable housing and public safety”; can only serve one term
Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Friday, August 11, 2023, Assemblyman Tim Grayson announced his run for the California State Senate. Grayson has served in the Assembly since his election in 2016 and was previously the Mayor of Concord. He currently represents the 15th Assembly District and is seeking to represent District 9 in the State Senate, encompassing Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The district is currently State Senate District 7 and is represented by State Senator Steve Glazer who is termed out.
“Californians are struggling to keep pace with rising inflation and skyrocketing housing costs. I’ll stand up for them in the State Senate and expand on the work I did to stand up for middle-class Californians – expanding statewide protections for renters, standing up to Big Banks and pharmaceutical companies, providing affordable housing, and improving our roads, bridges, and infrastructure,” said Grayson.
He made his announcement with a video posted on social media for his supporters.
Grayson, a registered Democrat, was the first in his family to earn a college degree. His father was a Teamster, and his mother was a public transit worker. Starting in 1997, Tim operated a business as a general building contractor and still holds a license today. In 2010, he was elected to the Concord City Council, winning reelection in 2014 and eventually serving as the city’s mayor. As mayor, Tim worked to balance Concord’s $90 million budget and built up the city’s rainy-day fund.
Grayson co-founded the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, a nonprofit that helps victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. He fought for funding for survivors of abuse during the coronavirus pandemic and wrote a law making it tougher for sexual predators to avoid justice.
Since being elected to the Assembly, Tim has authored and passed historic legislation to build more affordable housing for middle and working-class families, establish statewide rent protections to help more Californians stay in their homes, increase access to effective mental health services for our California firefighters and first responders, and put an end to predatory lending and rein in the payday loan industry.
Grayson’s major legislative accomplishments include:
- Serving as Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee. Assemblymember Grayson has championed innovative solutions that will benefit all Californians and lead to economic growth.
- Securing $30 million in state funding for Family Justice Centers throughout California to streamline services for victims of interpersonal violence.
- Securing $34M to improve the Interstate 680/State Route 4 interchange in Concord.
- Passed laws (AB 1482 and AB 1481) to protect California renters from unfair evictions and significant rent increases.
- Authored legislation, AB 1116 (Grayson, 2019), to increase access to effective mental health services for firefighters.
- Supported legislation and funding to help law enforcement recover stolen merchandise to protect local businesses.
- Supported funding a permanent Smash and Grab Enforcement Unit to fight organized retail theft.
- Supported a state budget that included $30 Million to support the National Guard’s drug eradication efforts, targeting transnational criminal organizations.
- Supported $156 Million for gun violence prevention programs, and $25 Million for gun buyback programs.
- Supported $30 Million investment for fentanyl & other drug trafficking prevention programs.
- Supported legislation to ensure officers receive strong use-of-force training in order to protect them in the field and help keep our communities safe.
- Passed AB 539 to stop the predatory payday lending industry by capping the interest rates on small loans between $2,500-$10,000.
According to Grayson’s biography on his official Assemblymember website, “Grayson serves as Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee and as a member of the Business and Professions Committee, the Insurance Committee, and Revenue and Taxation Committee. Grayson also chairs the Select Committee on Streamlining Services for Victims of Interpersonal Violence.
Grayson continues to serve as the Concord Police Department’s Critical Response Chaplain, a position he has held since 2007, providing emotional support and counseling to first responders, victims, and their families during and after traumatic events. Grayson also has maintained a license as a general building contractor since 1997.”
He “is eligible to serve up to twelve years in the Legislature through 2028,” allowing him one, four-year term in the State Senate if he’s elected.
According to Grayson’s Wikipedia page, “Although once a Republican, he switched parties upon making a bid for Assembly.”
His run for State Senate triggers the campaign by Antioch City Councilwoman Monica Wilson’s campaign for Assembly, which she announced in June and was conditional upon Grayson not running for re-election. (See related article)
Grayson is also pastor of Lifepoint Church formerly, Calvary Apostolic Church, in Concord. He lives in Concord where he raised his two children with his wife of more than 35 years, Tammy who is the principal of Calvary Christian School which is operated by the church along with Calvary Christian Preschool. According to corporationwiki.com, Grayson is currently president of Calvary Apostolic Church of Concord, and formerly affiliated with United Pentacostal Lighthouse of Rodeo, for which according to bizapedia.com Tammy served as Chief Financial Officer, and Grace for Grace Ministries, which according to bizapedia.com was located in Stockton.
Additional details are available at www.GraysonforCA.com.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreAwards more than $40 million statewide for Resilient Workforce Program, invests in workforce opportunities that advance job quality, environmental resilience.
By Anna Champe, Communications Manager, CA Workforce Development Board
The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), in partnership with the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, recently awarded more than $41 million to 18 projects across the state to advance High Road Training Partnerships (HRTPs) that move underserved populations into better jobs. Today’s funding announcement is part of a larger, multi-level state investment to promote workforce development efforts that prioritize equity, quality jobs, and climate reliance while meeting regional labor market needs.
“HRTPs invest in industry-led, worker-informed efforts to deliver on the promise of a California for All,” said CWDB Executive Director Tim Rainey. “HRTP’s Resilient Workforce Program is part of California’s high road vision for the state’s workforce development system that focuses on the principles of job quality, worker voice, equity, and environmental sustainability.”
HRTPs are industry-based, worker-focused training partnerships that develop talent for California’s “high road” employers — firms that compete based on the quality of product and service achieved through innovation and investment in human capital and thus can generate family-supporting jobs where workers have agency and voice. The HRTP Resilient Workforce Program initiative will increase access to existing high-road jobs for underserved populations and create pathways for job growth for incumbents already employed with high-road employers.
Projects receiving funding include $500,000 to the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County for the East Bay Health Equity Initiative.
The East Bay Health Equity Initiative (EBHEI), which includes East Bay Workforce Boards and the Bay Area Health Workforce Partnership, received funding to replicate a successful Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) training program and other in-demand health careers. The project will focus efforts on local schools providing career training in a variety of health professions and includes additional resources to enhance financial, academic and career support.
Over the last two years, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County’s (WDBCCC) has established a proven model by identifying existing training providers and then adding supplemental services and resources to make those programs more accessible and better meet the needs of low-income workers, immigrants/refugees, justice-involved, veterans and other priority groups.
The project is expected to begin implementation in Spring 2024.
Additional grants throughout the state include:
- $5 million for Scaling Proven Allied Healthcare Adult Training Pathways – Jewish Vocational and Career Counseling Service will deliver established allied healthcare training programs in the Bay Area and work to scale them throughout the state using strategic partnerships with various healthcare institutions.
- $5 million for Public Pathways – the Aggie Square Community Partnership will connect underserved populations with career, education, training, and skills in high-road, high-demand career pathways, including public sector/business, healthcare, biotechnology, and community workers.
- $5 million for HRTP- Behavioral Health Expansion (BHE) – to expand substance use disorder career pathways in San Diego with the support of many diverse, invested local partners and five different education partners.
- $4.8 million for Golden State Pathway to Teaching and Leading – to create no-cost pathways for paraeducators and others to earn a teaching license. The Teachers College of Western Governors University will provide education, training, and in-classroom experiences.
- $4.6 million for High Road to Microelectronics – for specific company-specific and worker-customized training and certificate programs at three community colleges in the Bay Area to bring workers into quality semiconductor careers.
- $4.5 million for High Road to Correctional Health Professions – to support strategic partnership between Service Employees International Union Local 1000, California Correctional Health Care Services, and multiple community colleges to expand the LVN and RN apprenticeship program, launch an RN residency program, and provide training for correctional health workers.
A complete list of awardees can be found on CWDB’s website.
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Multiple handguns recovered
By Concord Police Department
There was a large police presence in downtown Concord Thursday morning and we want to share what happened.
On Thursday, August 10, 2023, at about 11:30 AM, the Concord Police Department received information from Mt. Diablo High School staff that a student was robbed at gunpoint earlier in the day on campus. Patrol officers began investigating the robbery and developed suspect descriptions and leads.
About 30 minutes later, a Concord Police officer located the suspect vehicle and several subjects in a downtown Concord parking garage. As the officer detained the subjects, one of them fled on foot. Several Concord officers chased the suspect, detained him and placed him under arrest. This juvenile suspect was in possession of a handgun when he was arrested and was later identified as the robbery suspect.
During the investigation, multiple handguns were recovered and it was determined several of the subjects were related to the robbery. The subjects detained and suspects arrested were all juveniles.
As this is an ongoing investigation, no other information is being released at this time. If anyone has any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Alvarado, Violence Suppression Unit – Investigations Division at (925) 671-5820 or the Anonymous Tip line at (925) 603-5826
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Any additional victims urged to contact police
By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police Department
The Walnut Creek Police Department is reaching out to the community and urging any additional victims of sexual assault to come forward after the recent arrest of a suspect.
On July 7, 2023, Walnut Creek Police Department Detectives arrested Brandon Alexander Delliquadri, a 35-year-old male from Walnut Creek, in connection with several sexual assaults believed to have occurred over the past few years. The arrest was the result of diligent investigations by WCPD Patrol Officers and Detectives, and resulted in the following charges being filed against Delliquadri:
PC 261(a)(2) – Forcible Rape (four felony counts)
PC 261(a)(4) – Rape of an Unconscious Victim (one felony count)
Case #: 23-11727
Due to the nature of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the case, we believe there may be other individuals who may have been sexually assaulted by the same suspect. We understand that it can be challenging for victims to come forward. If you or someone you know has information about one of these cases or has experienced any form of sexual assault, we urge you to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.
Read MoreReports of drive-by during celebration of life for Antioch teen shot, killed in attempted Brentwood robbery last month
By Pittsburg Police Department
At approximately 2:15 PM, Pittsburg Police officers responded to Highlands Ranch Park after receiving multiple 911 calls regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located evidence of a shooting as well as a 24-year-old male that had sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. First aid was rendered, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
A resident reported the shooting occurred during the celebration of life for the 17-year-old Antioch resident who was shot and killed while attempting to rob an Antioch resident in Brentwood on July 14, 2023. But those details have not yet been confirmed by police. (See related article)
Officers interviewed multiple witnesses on scene and are currently collecting and reviewing surveillance video from the area in order to identify those involved. The Pittsburg Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance and asks anyone with additional information to contact dispatch at (925) 646-2441. No further information is available at this time.
8/11/23 UPDATE: It was confirmed in a comment posted in the private Pittsburg Edition Rants and Raves Facebook page on on Friday, that the shooting was a drive-by and occurred during the celebration of life for the Antioch teen.
The comment reads, “We buried my 17-year-old cousin, yesterday at 11:00am, as we listened to the deep hideous sobs of his mother. We decided to celebrate the life and memory of (name withheld because he was a juvenile) at Highlands Ranch. Unfortunately, the family was victimized to a drive-by shooting.”
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreThe Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office investigated a possible murder-suicide at a residence in the 100 block of Larkwood Circle in Danville on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. At about 5:20 PM, Danville police officers responded to the residence for a welfare check. Officers entered the residence and found three bodies, an adult and two juveniles.
The fire department confirmed all three to be deceased. The adult is identified as 44-year-old Nemanja Isailovic of Danville.
According to his Linkedin page, Isailovic was a hardware and software engineer and worked since September 2016 as a Content Resource Engineer for IXL Learning in San Mateo. In 2010 he earned a doctorate in Computer Engineering from U.C. Berkeley.
There is no ongoing threat to the community. The Sheriff’s Office is still actively investigating this case.
Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read More![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Officials-at-Sand-Creek-Road-groundbreaking-ceremony-080823.jpg)
Breaking ground for the Sand Creek Road extension during the ceremony are Supervisor Diane Burgis, Brentwood City Councilmembers Jovita Mendoza and Susannah Meyer, Mayor Joel Bryant, and Councilmembers Pa’tanisha Pierson and Tony Oerlemans on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Photo: City of Brentwood
Will cross Sand Creek and connect Highway 4 to Heidorn Ranch and Deer Valley Roads in Antioch
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, a gathering of dignitaries and City of Brentwood staff marked the Sand Creek Road Extension Groundbreaking Ceremony. The long-anticipated extension is a significant milestone in enhancing Eastern Contra Costa County’s transportation infrastructure. While the City had hoped to extend an invitation to the public for the event, due to the project’s location, active construction, and concern for the safety of all participants, it was imperative to limit the total number of attendees.
With an estimated cost of $8.7M, this extension will expand Sand Creek Road at State Route 4 westward, connecting Sand Creek Road to Heidorn Ranch Road. This initiative projects to alleviate traffic congestion on adjacent streets, including Lone Tree Way, Balfour Road and Deer Valley Road. Furthermore, this extension will provide Brentwood residents and emergency personnel, an accelerated and safer route to Kaiser Permanente in Antioch.
It will “provide Brentwood residents with a direct connection to Kaiser hospital and the Innovation Center that includes the recently approved Costco to be located off of Lone Tree Plaza Drive,” Mayor Joel Bryant added.
The project will also include the bridge over the actual Sand Creek. It “was delayed a little bit. The contract was awarded back in April,” Interim Brentwood City Engineer Allen Baquilar shared.
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sand-Creek-Rd-extension-at-Hwy-SB-on-offramps.jpg)
The Sand Creek Road extension (encircled by plastic orange fencing) will include a bridge across Sand Creek (see upper left area with trees) and connect to the current segment near the Highway 4 southbound off- and on-ramps in Brentwood. Source: City of Brentwood video screenshot.
“As we move forward with this project, we must acknowledge the efforts from past City Council and staff, who have diligently paved the way. This road extension will serve as a conduit to a healthier future, providing safety and accessibility for residents traveling to our neighboring city,” emphasized City Manager Tim Ogden.
“With enthusiasm, we observe the commencement of this project. We recognize the community’s understanding and patience exhibited while we addressed challenges and setbacks that emerged during the project’s progression,” Assistant City Manager Darin Gale shared in a press release. “The project’s contractors, Goodfellow Sequoia Joint Venture, have demonstrated their capability to manage the project despite unexpected delays. As the work continues, we are confident in their ability to bring this project to completion, slated for late May 2024.”
“We’re excited to see this project underway and look forward to see it opened, soon,” Ogden added.
Funding source for the road project are from City of Brentwood Development Impact Fees and the Eastern Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority all provided by new housing and commercial development in the city and East County.
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sand-Creek-Road-extension-Heidorn-Ranch-Rd.jpg)
Sand Creek Road will be extended east past Heidorn Ranch Road along Antioch’s southeast city limits. Source: City of Brentwood video screenshot.
In an email on Thursday, August 10, Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis shared the following about the road extension:
“As East County continues to grow, our transportation and infrastructure needs are growing as well. One of the biggest local road improvements is the new Sand Creek Road extension in Brentwood.
The City of Brentwood’s staff and elected officials have been hard at work for years planning the extension, which will lead west from Highway 4 toward Dear Valley Road and connect with other extensions that are already completed.
I had the unique opportunity to speed up the project in February as Chair of the East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority (ECCRFFA), when I, along with the four mayors of Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley and Pittsburg, voted unanimously to prioritize funding this shovel-ready extension. I’m proud of our elected officials for working together as a region and putting taxpayer dollars toward a project that will have immediate impacts for public safety and economic development.”
Official Project Description: The project scope includes extension of Sand Creek Road from westerly of the existing terminus at State Route 4 to Heidorn Ranch Road approximately 2,300 linear feet. The improvements include constructing the central 56 feet of roadway (2 – 20-foot roadway and a 16-foot median), streetlights, wet and dry utilities, full-width bridge (4-lane arterial) across Sand Creek, and related work linking State Route 4 to Heidorn Ranch Road.
To learn more about the Sand Creek Road Extension Project, please visit Sand Creek Road Extension and see video of the groundbreaking ceremony on the City of Brentwood’s Facebook page.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreThe maps show that while urban centers are often characterized as the leading settings of gun violence, this data shows two-thirds of gun homicides occurred outside urban settings and California’s most populated cities.
By Antonia Ehlers, PR & Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Hope and Heal Fund in partnership with RomoGIS Enterprise today launched a groundbreaking statewide Geographical Information System (GIS) maps of gun homicides from 2014-2022. The California Gun Homicides 2014 – 2022 dashboard was collaboratively built to visualize available data of reported gun homicides and raise awareness about where gun-related homicides have occurred in California communities.
For the first time, Californians can view where gun violence happens in communities, filtered by county and showing street-level incidents. The maps reveal a compelling insight into the patterns of gun homicides in California. The maps show that approximately two-thirds of gun homicides over the past nine years occurred outside urban settings and California’s most populated cities. This finding underscores the urgent need to extend support beyond urban centers and address the rising rates of gun violence in rural, semi-rural, and suburban areas.
This research was made possible by grant funding from long-time gun violence prevention supporter Kaiser Permanente. With this support Hope and Heal Fund has also built a Northern California network of community leaders focused on gun violence data collection and mapping and to better understand when and where California gun-related deaths occur.
Cuco Rodriguez, Hope and Heal Fund’s Chief Strategist and Equity Officer led this initiative, sharing, “One important finding from the data is the need to separate and examine different types of gun homicides, particularly those related to intimate partner violence. Currently, general homicide data from law enforcement agencies often overlook the impact and frequency of intimate partner homicides, leading to misconceptions about the primary drivers of gun violence.”
Through further mapping and by analyzing disaggregated homicide data, we can better understand the unique challenges posed by intimate partner homicides and allocate appropriate resources to address this specific issue.
This effort initially set out to counter inaccurate assumptions regarding urban centers being drivers of gun homicides in California. With access to timely data, stakeholders should consider the implications of this information and data and how it can best be leveraged to develop opportunities that are strategic, focused, and surgical in reducing all forms of gun violence across the state.
“As a health care organization that is committed to improving health in our communities and addressing health equity, we are proud to support the work of the Hope and Heal fund to raise awareness and reduce gun-related homicides in California,” said Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente Northern California vice president for External and Community Affairs. “Far too often our clinical teams see the devastating effects of gun violence on individuals and families. Together with all health care organizations, we must do more to support evidence-based community interventions that prevent gun violence.”
To explore the GIS maps and gain insights into gun violence data, please visit our CA Gun Homicides GIS Mapping Report.
Hope and Heal Fund is the only state-based donor collaborative fund investing in a public health, racial equity, and community-based approach to decreasing firearm suicides and gun homicides, injuries, and trauma. Hope and Heal Fund partners with impacted communities on strategies to prevent and interrupt gun violence and heal from the trauma, harm, and generational iniquities exacerbated by the lethality and coercive effects of guns in homes and communities.
About RomoGIS Enterprises
RomoGIS Enterprises specializes in geospatial solutions, specifically GIS mapping and analysis. With its expertise in data visualization and interactive tools, RomoGIS empowers organizations to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions.
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![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lea-Sweet-as-Tina-Turner-East-Co-Juneteenth-2023.jpg)
Lea Sweet performed as Tina Turner at the 2023 East County Juneteenth Celebration. Sources: (Left) 3 Queens of Motown. (Right) Herald file photo
Lea Sweet part of 3 Queens of Motown Tribute Show
By Allen D. Payton
Considered to be one of the top Tina Turner Tribute artists in the country, Brentwood resident Lea Sweet will perform as a cast member of the popular 3 Queens of Motown Tribute Show during the Pittsburg Seafood Festival.
The 3 Queens of Motown also includes Samantha Alexes as Aretha Franklin and Stacy Carter as Diana Ross. Under the music direction of music director Nathan Owens and his exciting nine-piece band, they will perform Sunday, September 10th at 3:30 pm.
Sweet performed in tribute to Tina Turner in July at the completely sold-out Bill Picket Rodeo in Dublin. The rodeo is the largest, annual African American, family friendly event to take place in the Bay Area. The 3 Queens of Motown also performed last month at Vallejo’s Empress Theater.
To learn and see more about the 3 Queens of Motown Tribute Show visit their website at www.3QueensTributeShow.com.
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