Contra Costa Herald

Source: CHP

Significant decline in number of highway violence incidents involving firearms for second year in a row.

By Jaime Coffee, CHP Media Relations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a significant milestone for public safety, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) documented a substantial reduction in the number of freeway shootings across the state.  The number of confirmed freeway shootings in California dropped from 349 to 274 last year – a reduction of more than 21% from the previous year and a 38% reduction from 2021.

In addition to the reduction in the number of freeway shootings, CHP data confirms the number of victims killed and injured in highway violence incidents also decreased.  Last year there were four people killed in freeways shootings, which is a 60% reduction from 2022.  Additionally, there was an 8% reduction in the number of people injured – from 74 to 68 last year.  Reflecting the good work that contributed to these reductions, the number of arrests by the CHP in freeways shootings increased nearly 9% from 2022.

“While this downward trend marks progress, let’s be clear: one life lost by gun violence is one too many,” said Governor Newsom. “California will remain relentless in our pursuit to improve public safety, reduce gun violence, and invest in smart crime-fighting strategies that deliver real results.”

“Freeway shootings are serious crimes, and the CHP actively investigates every incident of highway violence,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “This accomplishment reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of our highways throughout California and fostering an environment where motorists can travel without fear.”

If you are driving on the freeway and a shooting takes place near you, you should remain calm, be a good witness and note any details such as vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers.  Maintain a safe distance from the suspect, and call 9-1-1 if possible, to report the incident and your current location.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Sonoma Coast and Trinidad Bluffs by Dean Evans.

Dean Evans

Main Street Arts welcomes its newest member Dean Evans. His work focuses on the coastal areas and towns that surround the San Francisco Bay. Evans seeks out the parts of the Bay that haven’t been affected too much and still retain some of the area’s uniqueness.

“Making paintings of these places is the best way I have to share my interest in their disappearing character and also preserves something of my past,” Evans said. “I grew up in the area and have seen many dramatic changes there. Now, I find myself seeking out the parts that haven’t been affected too much and still retain some of the area’s uniqueness. Making paintings of these places is the best way I have to share my interest in their disappearing character and also preserve something of my past.”

We will be open on February 2 from 6 to 9pm during Martinez First Fridays so you can be the first to view these beautiful and outstanding expressions of the Bay. A preview of the show is available at www.mainstreetarts.net.

The California Watercolor Association exhibit continues to February 25. After that we will have Assemblage Artist, Dave Kwinter’s work on our guest wall, and we invite the public to his reception on March 1 from 6 to 9pm during the Martinez First Fridays event

Hope Valley and Black Steer by Dean Evans.

While you are visiting the gallery don’t forget to sign up for our monthly drawing for a free piece of work from one of our eleven members. December’s drawing offered an original abstract by Mimi Wirth. January’s drawing is offering a gorgeous Asian themed painting by Eric Carlstrom. February will highlight an original work by Bonnie Fry.

February is the month for Valentines Day! How about giving a gift that will last forever? Make it something so special like an original piece of art.

Main Street Arts is located at 613 Main Street in Martinez. We are open Wednesday through Saturday from 1:00am to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

From all of us at Main Street Arts, have a great 2024!

24-year-old also involved in separate January 8th incident

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

A 24-year-old Danville resident has been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with a five-count complaint that includes two felonies for assault.

Kevin Hu Xu was arraigned in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez today, January 24, 2024, for an assault with a deadly weapon and assault by means likely to produce great bodily harm. Both counts are felonies that include special allegations related to great bodily harm. In addition to the

felony charges, Xu has been charged with the following misdemeanor offenses: resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer, battery, and aggravated trespassing.

The incident that led to Xu’s arrest started on January 20th around 2:20 in the afternoon. Xu was exiting his residence on Glasgow Circle when he encountered his father walking toward a neighbor’s home. Xu and his family are estranged and do not live together, and his father expressed to the police that he is afraid of his son because of his erratic behavior. When Xu’s father saw him, he turned and fled down a street calling for help while Xu pursued him. When Xu caught up with his father, he proceeded to strike him several times causing multiple injuries requiring medical treatment. Danville Police were called and attempted to locate Xu – who evaded police detection until the next day.

In another incident on January 8th, Xu was sitting on a sidewalk near some trash receptacles when a neighbor came out and asked him to leave. However, instead of leaving, Xu followed the neighbor into a garage and attempted to gain entry to their home. The neighbor and another family member were able to repel Xu from forcing his way into the home and called 911 shortly afterward.

Xu remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on $117,000 bail. The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Inmate Locator shows his bail is set at $147,000.

Asked which amount is correct, Asregadoo responded, “The bond was set by the court at $117,000. He was arraigned today. There may have been a request to increase the bail amount, but the court has not updated their information on this case. However, Court Protective Orders have been issued for victims in both incidents in case he makes bail.”

If convicted on all counts with the special allegations, Xu could face a sentence between 2 and 7 years in state prison.

Case No. 01-24-00218 | The People of the State of California vs Xu, Kevin

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Jen Vanya, Public Information Specialist, East Bay Regional Park District 

For the past 31 years, the East Bay Regional Park District has encouraged the public to explore their Regional Parks through its annual Trails Challenge program. The free program connects people with nature and healthy recreation by providing 20 designated trails for each year’s challenge.

The 2024 Guidebook includes 20 trails available for all levels of fitness, ranging from easy and moderate to challenging. There are trails open to hikers, bicyclists, dogs, and equestrians. Trails Challenge 2024 also offers increased accessibility with trails that have been evaluated and identified as usable by persons with mobility limitations.

To complete the challenge, hike five of the 20 trails, or 26.2 miles (the distance of a marathon) of trails within East Bay Regional Park District. You can submit your log, online or by mail, by December 1, 2024, and receive a commemorative pin, while supplies last.

Trails Challenge is made possible in partnership with the Regional Parks Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, who have both sponsored Trails Challenge since 2005.

Download the 2024 Trails Challenge and learn more at ebparks.org/TC.

Tips for the Trails

East Bay Regional Parks are popular with hikers, bikers, equestrians, and nature viewers, among others. Help keep trails enjoyable for all by following these tips for the trails:

• Hikers:Stay to the right and stay alert
• Bikers:Slow down around others and call out or ring your bell when passing
• Equestrians:Keep to the right around other trail users and let them know how to pass your horse safely

More tips for trail safety can be found on our Trails are for Everyone webpage: www.ebparks.org/about-us/whats-new/news/trails-are-everyone.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

By Jon Coupal

Note: This column first appeared in The Press-Enterprise. Republished with permission.

Daily news reports on the great “California Exodus” are not just from conservative outlets. Left-leaning publications such as the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle have recently reported on the outmigration of upper-income citizens who, even if not billionaires, still generate a lot of income tax revenue.

Earlier this month the California Legislature held a hearing on Assembly Bill 259 which would lay the foundation for the imposition of a wealth tax. The companion legislation to AB 259 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would, among other things, effectively sweep away Proposition 13’s limits on taxing property.

Fortunately, the idea that California would be the first in the nation to impose a highly unpopular wealth tax is so radical that the proposal was rejected by Democrats as well as Republicans on the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee. It didn’t take long for the Democrat chair of the committee to shuffle the bill to the “suspense” file where bad legislation goes to die.

Coincidentally, the wealth tax hearing occurred on the same day that Gov. Newsom released his proposed budget. Things got a little sparky during the presentation with Newsom pushing hard against the Legislative Analyst’s figure of a $68 billion deficit. Newsom contends that the deficit is “only” $38 billion. (But hey, what’s a $30 billion difference between friends).

Newsom saved his most animated criticism for those who highlight the state’s shortcomings, including the significant outmigration of California’s most productive citizens. He especially targeted the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal, which has never been reticent about commenting on the state’s well-deserved reputation for anti-business bias.

But to his credit, Newsom rejected the notion of a wealth tax – at least for now. For taxpayers, it matters little whether the governor’s stance is motivated by politics or a sincere policy position. Either way, we’ll take it.

The problems with the wealth tax proposal – even as half-baked as it is – are legion. But one issue should be especially troubling to anyone who believes both in fiscal restraint and basic constitutional freedoms. That is, could a wealth tax be applied to people who voluntarily leave the state for the specific purpose of avoiding California’s highest-in-the-nation income taxes? AB 259 contains a provision that applies the wealth tax to every “wealth-tax resident,” defined as someone who “is no longer a resident, and does not have the reasonable expectation to return to the state.”

The question here is not whether a resident of another state can be taxed when they have a “nexus” to California, for example income earned in California or owning property in the state. Rather, what about someone who no longer has any connection to California? The proposal to tax wealth on such people would likely be deemed to violate the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause.

More fundamentally, an “exit tax” could be construed as an impairment to the right to travel. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed in 1958 in Kent v. Dulles that citizens have a liberty interest in the right to travel: “[t]he right to travel is a part of the ‘liberty’ of which the citizen cannot be deprived without due process of law under the Fifth Amendment …”

Setting aside the practical and legal problems with this or any wealth tax proposal, a fundamental problem is the signal it sends to all productive California taxpayers as well as those in other states who might consider moving here.  California already has a horrible reputation for its treatment of taxpayers and businesses, why would we even consider another punishing tax?

The proponents of the wealth tax need to be reminded that, as much as they might want to prevent citizens from leaving, California is not East Berlin. The U.S. Constitution will not allow the state government to build a wall to keep citizens in, and then shoot tax bills at them when they try to escape.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

February 23 deadline to submit application

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants for appointment to the Measure X sales tax Community Advisory Board. The Measure X Community Advisory Board (MXCAB) was established on February 2, 2021 following passage of the countywide sales tax measure providing general purpose revenue for County programs.

The Supervisors are seeking diverse representation from individuals with broad experience with programs that align with the Measure’s voter-approved purpose “to keep Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers, emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential county services.”

The main responsibilities of the Measure X Community Advisory Board are:

• Providing input on the scope and methodology of the regular written assessment of community needs and priorities;
• Using the assessment findings to develop general funding priorities to be recommended to the Board of Supervisors on Measure X net revenues available for allocation;
• Receiving annual status reports on the implementation, milestones, impact, and outcomes of Measure X funded programs;

Appointments for seven (7) At-Large and five (5) At-Large Alternate seats will be considered at the Board of Supervisors Finance Committee, with public interviews scheduled March 4, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. To have your application considered at the March Finance Committee meeting, please submit an application online by February 23, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

For further information, please call Emlyn Struthers, Deputy County Administrator, at (925) 655-2045 or Emlyn.Struthers@cao.cccounty.us.

Being held on $147,000 bail

By Danville Police Department

On Saturday, January 20 at 2:18 pm, Danville Police Officers were dispatched to a disturbance on Glasgow Circle in the 200 block. Upon arrival, they found that Kevin Xu, a 24-year-old from Danville, had assaulted his father using a deadly weapon. Mr. Xu had already left the scene by the time the officers arrived. Consequently, a warrant was issued for his arrest that same day.

Throughout the night, officers conducted extensive searches in and around Glasgow Circle for Mr. Xu. The following morning, on January 21 at 6:38 am, officers located Mr. Xu on Grassland Court. They established a perimeter and successfully apprehended him. The Danville Police Department would like to thank community members within the search area for their help in reporting suspicious activity that greatly assisted in the apprehension of Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu was booked and remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Resisting Arrest. The case was forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review. According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the 5-foot, 10-inch, 150 lb. suspect is being held on $147,000 bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act would fund new units throughout state

Rep. John Garamendi. Official photo.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA08) and Joyce Beatty (D-OH03) reintroduced updated legislation to help address the affordable housing crisis. Their HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act would significantly increase the amount of federal funds available for affordable housing across the country. Companion legislation is being introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

“Hardworking Californians face a drastic shortage of affordable housing options,” said Congressman Garamendi. “Minimum wage workers have to work an 88-hour week on average to afford a modest one-bedroom rental at a fair market rate. This legislation reauthorizes the HOME Investment Partnership Program for the first time since 1994 to bring this crucial program into the 21st century and provide states and local governments with the funding to construct and rehabilitate affordable rental housing as well as provide homeownership opportunities for working families. I’m thankful to Senator Cortez Masto for introducing the companion legislation in the Senate, and we will work tirelessly until this legislation becomes law.”

“Families across Ohio and the United States are facing a daunting affordable housing crisis that demands creative, collaborative solutions,” said Rep. Beatty. “For more than three decades, the HOME program has provided essential gap funding for states and communities across the nation to address their most pressing housing challenges. I am proud to join Senator Cortez Masto and Congressman Garamendi in leading this legislation to authorize ample funding for HOME for the next five years and to make critical improvements to the program that will ensure more American families have access to safe, affordable housing.”

“We have to do more to address our affordable housing crisis and increase the supply of affordable homes for Nevada families,” said Senator Masto. “The HOME program delivers critical funding to help communities build new housing units, support rental assistance, and support new homebuyers – but it needs to be updated to meet today’s needs. My legislation reauthorizing, improving and expanding this vital program will ensure more Nevadans have a quality, affordable place to call home.”

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is the largest federal affordable housing block grant and is HUD’s flagship affordable housing production program. Since 1990, HOME has helped state and local housing agencies support a wide variety of housing needs, from financing new construction and home repairs to funding down payment and rental assistance. It also provides additional funding to housing developments financed by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, helping the program serve more extremely low-income people including seniors, veterans, those experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities. Since 1992, the HOME program in California has:

• Invested $5.27 billion into housing across the state;
• Built or preserved 121,727 homes;
• Given rental assistance to 43,840 families;
• Supported 277,318 jobs; and
• Generated $19.2 billion in local income.

The program was last re-authorized in 1994 and needs critical updates to better address today’s housing crisis. Garamendi’s HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act would reauthorize the HOME program and make several much-needed improvements. Specifically, it would:

• Authorize $5 billion in HOME funding for fiscal year 2024 and boost the funding for the program by five percent annually through 2028. Garamendi’s legislation would address chronic underfunding of the affordable housing investment program, which received only $1.5 billion in 2023;
• Improve HOME’s ability to provide downpayment assistance to homebuyers and home repair assistance to homeowners;
• Enable HOME funds to support Community Land Trusts and other shared equity homeownership programs; and
• Increase access to HOME funds for nonprofits and provide state and local governments loan guarantee options that would allow them to leverage their future HOME funds for investments today.

The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Shontel Brown (D-OH), André Carson (D-IN), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Annie Kuster (D-NH), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Nikema Williams (D-GA), and Juan Vargas (D-CA) and Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). It is also supported by the National Council of State Housing Agencies, Council of State Community Development Agencies, Enterprise Community Partners, Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), Grounded Solutions Network, National Multifamily Housing Council, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, National Community Development Association, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), National Association of Realtors (NAR), National CAPACD, Habitat for Humanity, National Apartment Association and National Association for Community Economic Development Associations.

Representative Garamendi has spent his entire career advocating for affordable housing, robust homeowner protections, and rental assistance programs. As California’s first-ever elected Insurance Commissioner, Garamendi successfully implemented Proposition 103, which reformed the homeowner insurance industry and lowered homeownership insurance rates. Last year, Garamendi and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) led members of California’s congressional delegation in sending a letter to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara urging him to use his power under state law to protect homeowners in the face of an insurance crisis. During his congressional tenure, Garamendi worked with Habitat for Humanity to establish a financing mechanism that utilized existing funding to build new veteran housing units. Garamendi originally introduced the HOME Investment Partnership Reauthorization Act in 2020 and has continued to champion the legislation in Congress. He is also a cosponsor of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which would support the financing of more affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

Golden Hills Christian School in Brentwood is a TK–8th Grade school, accredited through ACSI and WASC. We’re hosting our annual Open House on January 29, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to welcome prospective families to check out the campus and meet the staff. Open enrollment will also begin that day.

This is a great opportunity to meet our teachers, look at the school curriculum, and learn more about the enrollment process. For more info about Golden Hills Christian School you can visit ghcs.org and RSVP below to let us know you’re coming!

The event will be held and the school is located in the Education Building at 2401 Shady Willow Lane in Brentwood.

Information meeting Jan. 24; application deadline Feb. 2

Contra Costa County Fair Queen serves as a role model for young women in our community.

The pageant is seeking young women who are intelligent, articulate, charming, talented, sincere and healthy (in mind and body) with warm outgoing personalities.

The winner and her court will reign for one year.

Closing date for Application is Friday, February 2nd, 2024.

Contestants must be between the ages of 17 – 21 years old, on the day of the pageant (May 16th, 2024). Contestant must be female, single, have never been married nor is planning to be married until after her reign, and have never given birth to a child.

Pageant Information Meeting:

Wednesday, January 24th at 6pm, to assist and answer any questions regarding the pageant,

completing the application form and the required activities.

Location: Fair Administration Office

1201 West 10th Street, Antioch

For more information contact Devon Baldocchi, Pageant Director at office@ccfair.org or (925) 783-2275.

2024 Fair Queen Application

Visit www.contracostafair.com for Contra Costa County Fair updates on shows, exhibits, entertainers, fair-time sponsors, fair maps, promotions, ticket sales and more!