Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Pittsburg woman arrested for fatal hit-and-run of 36-year-old man

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By Pittsburg Police Department

In the early morning hours of Saturday, January 6th, Pittsburg Officers responded to the 1200 block of Railroad Avenue for a report of a pedestrian down in the roadway. Upon arrival, a 36-year-old male, later identified as Tony Weems, was located who was suffering from major injuries. Medical personnel provided medical aid to the victim, unfortunately he succumbed to his injuries while enroute to the hospital. It was quickly determined that the victim was struck by a vehicle and the driver and vehicle had fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival.

The traffic division and detectives responded and over the next several hours were able to identify the responsible vehicle as well as the driver. The vehicle was located and collected to be processed for evidence and the responsible driver was taken into custody. The driver, a 42-year-old female Pittsburg resident, has been booked and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office this week requesting formal charges. This is still an active investigation, and anyone who has additional information related to the case should contact Detective Gutierrez at 925-252-4095

 

Earthquake Brace + Bolt grants now available to more California homeowners

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Source: Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program.

The largest program expansion in its history: EBB now available in 815 high-risk ZIP Codes

EBB Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary with more than 23,000 homeowners receiving seismic retrofit grants over the past decade

Sacramento, CA – 30 years after the devastating Northridge Earthquake, new retrofit opportunities are available.  Thousands of California homeowners are now eligible to apply for Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) seismic retrofit grants as approximately 300 new ZIP Codes have been added to the program. Starting today, January 10 and continuing until February 21st, eligible homeowners in 815 ZIP Codes can apply for $3,000 seismic retrofit grants to help strengthen their homes against earthquake damage.

Eligible Contra Costa ZIP Codes are located in Bay Point, Brentwood, Byron, Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Sobrante, Hercules, Lafayette, Orinda, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Rodeo and Walnut Creek.

More than $20 million in grant funding will be available to help offset the cost of seismic retrofits that brace the crawl space walls of older homes, when present, and bolt houses to their foundations, making them less vulnerable to earthquake damage. In the ten years since it began, the EBB program has assisted more than 23,000 homeowners in strengthening their homes against earthquake damage. The EBB grant program is administered by the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) a Joint Powers Authority between the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).

“California has an ever-present risk of earthquakes and no one knows when or where the next Big One might hit. But we know older homes near faults are at greater risk if they haven’t been strengthened with a seismic retrofit,” said Janiele Maffei, the Chief Mitigation Officer of CEA and Executive Director of CRMP. “By expanding to 815 ZIP Codes, we’re broadening our reach to help more homeowners safeguard their families and properties. I strongly encourage homeowners to seize this opportunity and join the growing community of Californians who’ve taken this vital step towards resilience.”

Income-eligible homeowners may also qualify for supplemental grants. Up to $7,000 in additional grant funds are available for households with an annual income at or below $87,360, which may be able to provide up to 100% of the funds needed to cover a seismic retrofit. Grants are contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements and available funds.

There are more than 1.2 million houses in California built before 1980 in high-hazard areas that are vulnerable to collapse or destruction by sliding off the foundation during a strong earthquake.

“The memorable earthquake that shook the Northridge area in 1994 is a profound reminder for Californians to check if their homes qualify for the EBB grant,” said Glenn Pomeroy, Chief Executive Officer of the California Earthquake Authority. “Given the unpredictable nature of earthquakes and the possibility of a life-altering seismic event, it’s crucial for homeowners – especially those with older homes – to take proactive steps that can lessen the potential for earthquake damage. At CEA, we are reinforcing our commitment to support California homeowners in these seismic mitigation efforts with more access and funding.”

Beginning January 10 through February 21, 2024, eligible homeowners can apply for a retrofit grant at EarthquakeBraceBolt.com, where they can also find detailed program information, select a trained, California-licensed general contractor and view the full list of eligible ZIP Codes and program areas. The EBB program added ZIP Codes in new areas including areas in and around Eureka, San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland, Monterey/Salinas, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and San Diego.

The new EBB registration period coincides with the 30th Anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake, a damaging 6.7 magnitude earthquake that struck early in the morning of January 17th, 1994. It caused an estimated $20 billion dollars in damages and 57 deaths and led to the State legislature creating the CEA in 1996.

About Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB)

Established by the California Residential Mitigation Program, EBB offers up to $3,000 to help California homeowners retrofit their house to reduce potential damage from earthquakes. A residential seismic retrofit makes a house more resistant to earthquake activity, such as ground shaking and soil failure, by bolting the house to its foundation and adding bracing around the perimeter of the crawl space. For more information, including an online media kit, please visit http://www.EarthquakeBrace Bolt.com.

About the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP)

CRMP was established in 2011 to help Californians strengthen their homes against damage from earthquakes. CRMP is a joint powers authority created by the California Earthquake Authority and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. For more information, please visit https://www.CaliforniaResidentialMitigationProgram.com/About-CRMP

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Jan. 25th deadline for Lafayette City Council vacancy appointment

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The Lafayette City Council announced an upcoming vacancy on the City Council and laid out the process for filling the vacancy at their January 8, 2024 meeting.

On December 15, 2023, Councilmember Teresa Gerringer announced her plan to resign from the Council effective Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Gerringer has served on the Lafayette City Council since 2018 and previously served for 18 years on the Lafayette School Board. The announcement coincided with Gerringer’s retirement as District III Chief of Staff for Contra Costa Supervisor Diane Burgis in December.

“I’m looking forward to a happy, healthy next chapter of life with my family in the Pacific Northwest,” Gerringer said. “In the meantime, I will continue to fulfill my duties as a Lafayette City Councilmember.”

The Lafayette City Council is obligated to fill the vacancy by March 23, 2024. The appointed person will serve on the City Council until the next regularly scheduled municipal election in November 2024.

Applicants must be a resident of the City of Lafayette and registered to vote. Applicants will be interviewed on Monday, January 29th and Wednesday January 31st (if necessary).

Click here for the application.

Applications must be received by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Completed applications can be submitted to the City Clerk via email at JRobbins@lovelafayette.org, mail or in-person at 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., #210, Lafayette CA  94549.

 

Richmond man sworn in as new CHP Officer

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DeAnza High grad, Carlos Ibarra will work in Marin Area office

New Officer Carlos Ibarra. Photo courtesy of the CHP

By CHP Media Relations

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Carlos Ibarra of Richmond, Calif., has successfully completed cadet training at the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy. He is assigned to duty at the CHP’s Marin Area office.

Officer Ibarra graduated from De Anza High School in 2017.  He also attended the University of California, Merced earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. Prior to attending the CHP Academy, he worked as a field technician for Technical Safety Service in Berkeley, Calif.

At the CHP Academy, cadet training starts with nobility in policing, leadership, professionalism and ethics, and cultural diversity. Training also includes mental illness response and crisis intervention techniques. Cadet instruction covers patrol operations, crash investigation, first aid, and the arrest of suspected violators, including those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The cadets also receive training in traffic control, report writing, recovery of stolen vehicles, assisting the motoring public, issuing citations, emergency scene management, and knowledge of various codes including the Vehicle Code, Penal Code, and Health and Safety Code.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Contra Costa Supervisors install Glover in final year as Chair, Andersen as Vice-Chair

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New Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Federal Glover (District 5) and Vice Chair Candace Andersen (District 2) following their oaths of office ceremony. Photo: CoCoCounty

(Martinez, CA) – Supervisors Federal D. Glover and Candace Andersen are taking on new leadership roles for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in 2024. During their Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, meeting, Contra Costa Superior Court Presiding Judge Honorable Edward G. Weil administered the Oath of Office to Glover as Chair and Andersen as Vice-Chair of the Board.

District 5 Supervisor Glover, who represents Hercules, Rodeo, Crockett, Martinez, Bay Point, Pacheco, Clyde, Pittsburg, and parts of Antioch and Marsh Creek, is the Board’s first and only African American Supervisor. He was elected to the Board in 2000, served four previous terms as Chair, and is the fourth longest-serving Supervisor in California. Supervisor Glover announced that he would retire at the end of his current term in December 2024, thus ending six consecutive terms as the District 5 supervisor.

Standing between his wife and son, Supervisor Federal Glover takes his oath of office administered by Contra Costa Superior Court Presiding Judge Edward G. Weil on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Photo: CoCoCounty

“As we head into 2024, we will focus on improving the quality of life for all County residents with the Board’s theme of “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access” guiding our efforts,” said Supervisor Glover. “And as I reflect on my time as supervisor, I’m honored and humbled to continue representing the diverse communities of District 5 in my final year on the Board. I’m excited about Contra Costa County’s future and look forward to our work ahead.”

Over the years, Supervisor Glover has served as chair of the Public Protection Committee, Equity Committee, Los Medanos Healthcare Operations Committee, Sustainability Committee, Northern Waterfront Ad Hoc Committee, and Industrial Safety Ordinance/Community Warning System Ad Hoc Committee.

Contra Costa Superior Court Presiding Judge Edward G. Weil administers the oath of office to Supervisor Candace Andersen on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Photo: CoCoCounty

District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen represents Alamo, Blackhawk, Canyon, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Tassajara Valley, and parts of unincorporated Walnut Creek. She was first elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in June 2012. She ran unopposed in 2016, 2020, and once again has no opponent in the March 2024 election. Supervisor Andersen currently sits on 28 local and regional boards and commissions addressing planning, land use, transportation, pensions, mental health, healthcare, reuse and recycling, economic development, and public safety.

“I am proud to represent the residents of District 2 and continue my work as an advocate for the most vulnerable and for the health and safety of all residents in the County,” said Andersen.

Supervisors Glover and Andersen will lead the five-member elected body that sets the direction of County government and oversees its $5.5 billion budget to serve the 1.2 million residents of this diverse East Bay county with a “AAA” bond rating.

For more information about Contra Costa County and its Board of Supervisors, visit the County’s website at www.contracosta.ca.gov/or the webpage: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/7283/Board-of- Supervisors.

For more information about Supervisor Federal D. Glover, visit his County webpage at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/781/District-5- Supervisor-Federal-D-Glover.

For more information about Supervisor Candace Andersen, visit her County webpage at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/4668/District-2-Supervisor-Candace-Andersen.

 

Opinion: County Assessor says Supes hypocritical in new Treasurer-Tax Collector appointment

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Dear Editor:

Once more the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has made fools of themselves and embarrassed the rest of the citizens of our county by its recent appointment to fill the vacancy of the County Treasurer-Tax Collector.

The Board of Supervisors, after months of pontificating, chest beating and self-congratulating each other for creating a new department with two department heads called the Department of Racial Equity and Social Justice, proved how hypocritical they truly are.

During the same board meeting, the board held public interviews for the County Treasurer-Tax Collector position, even though two of the candidates were current, high-level managers, with many years in the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, and both women of color, who were eminently qualified and credentialed. Predictably, the board instead picked a white man from Yuba County.

Why should any of us ever believe anything these board members say or do about racial or social justice?

Sincerely,

Gus S. Kramer, Assessor

Bikes now allowed on escalators at BART

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Screenshots source: BART

BART is going all in on bikes! As of January 1, 2024, bikes are allowed on most of the escalators throughout the BART system to help make it easier for people to bring their bikes on board the train.

This change was approved by the BART Board of Directors at the request of Director Rebecca Saltzman. The vote authorizes further changes to BART’s bike rules, including allowing bikes on all train cars except the first car (bikes were previously banned from the first three cars during commute times), and allowing bicyclists to secure bikes on the train using the bike lean bar and straps, instead of holding them.

The bike rules were last changed 10 years ago, when BART ended the ban on bikes on BART during commute hours. Over the last decade, longer and heavier bicycles, such as e-bikes and cargo bikes, have soared in popularity.

“Carrying bikes up and down stairwells can be difficult and not all bikes fit in our elevators,” said BART Director Rebecca Saltzman. “Updating our rules will make BART easier to use for cyclists and families bringing bikes on the train. Bikes play an important role in getting people out of their cars and on public transit and these updated rules encourage environmentally friendly multimodal travel options.”

BART encourages riders to use their best judgment when utilizing system escalators and elevators because individual bikes vary in size and weight.

BART is releasing a new video detailing safety tips for bringing bikes on escalators in the BART system.

See updated Bikes on BART rules here:

*Bikes will remain banned from BART’s ten narrow escalators located at the following three stations: 19th Street Oakland, Antioch and Oakland Airport Connector

Bike + Transit Trips

BART’s Trip Planner offers multi-modal, end-to-end itineraries for bike + transit trips. It features customizable bike speed options including an option for e-bikes (select the settings/tool icon to customize your options). BART’s Trip Planner includes results for more than 30 transit systems in the Bay Area such as bus service, ferries, cable cars, and regional train systems.

BART’s Trip Planner is available on web, mobile, and the official BART app. The BART app also offers station information, including information on secured bike parking.

Elevator Dimension Guid

BART also offers this Elevator Dimension Guide to assist cyclists in navigating BART elevators. It outlines the dimensions of each elevator in the system including measurements of the door, width, length, and diagonal space across the floor. As always, use your best judgment when utilizing system elevators because individual bikes and elevators vary in size.

Pinole police ID carjacking suspect arrested Saturday, offer more details

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(Left) Arrest of Franklin Gyurnek for carjacking on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Source: Pinole PD. Photos (right) Frank Gyurnek, Jr. posted 2/28/19 on one of his three Facebook pages and (bottom) Franklin Gyurnek posted on posted 8/19/19 on another of his Facebook pages.

Also charged with assault with a deadly weapon, felony evading

By Commander Matt Avery, Pinole Police Department

On Saturday, January 6th, officers arrested Franklin Michael Gyurnek, a 34-year-old male out of Tennessee, for carjacking. (See related article)

At approximately 2:15 PM, officer responded to the 1500 block of Fitzgerald Drive on a report of a male subject lying on the ground between Best Buy and the former Kmart buildings. Officers arrived and found a male with cuts and abrasions on his body. The victim told officers his car had been stolen from the Motel 6 parking lot, and he had been dragged across the street when the suspect fled in the vehicle. Officers requested medical assistance, and AMR paramedics treated the victim at the scene.

The victim told investigating officers that a subject that he met a few days earlier at Motel 6 had stolen his vehicle. When the victim reached into his car to try to stop the suspect, he was dragged by the vehicle. The victim eventually fell from the car, and the suspect fled east through the parking lot and was last seen via surveillance cameras southbound on Appian Way.

Two witnesses stopped, provided aid to the victim, and called 911. The witnesses and victim provided officers with a description of the suspect, and the victim added that the suspect was wearing a brown Carhartt jacket and brown boots. Pinole PD Dispatch broadcast a “Be on the lookout” for the stolen vehicle to surrounding agencies, and at approximately 3:10 PM, a deputy with the Contra Costa Sherrif’s Office located the vehicle on San Pablo Dam Road near Milton Road. When deputies attempted to stop the car, the suspect fled, and a pursuit ensued on surface streets through Richmond, El Cerrito, Albany, and Berkeley.

During the pursuit, the suspect ran several red lights and drove on the wrong side of the roadway for a short distance. The suspect eventually yielded to officers near the intersection of University Avenue and San Pablo Avenue and was safely taken into custody. There were no collisions, and no one was injured during the pursuit. The suspect was wearing the same clothing when he was arrested as what the victim described he was wearing during the carjacking.

Gyurnek (born 10/14/1989) was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility for carjacking (PC 215(a)), assault with a deadly weapon (PC 245(a)(1)), and felony evading (VC 2800.2(a) and VC 2800.4).

We thank the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, the San Pablo Police Department, and the Berkeley Police Department for their assistance. Anyone with information is urged to contact Officer Esparza by calling 510-724-1111.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the 5’11”, 226-lb. Gyurnek, who is listed as Hispanic, is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $230,000 bail. According to localcrimenews.com, the suspect lives in Shelbyville, TN and was also arrested in San Bernardino County, CA on Dec. 1, 2023, for DUI alcohol/drugs with blood alcohol content great than .08, battery on an officer or emergency personnel with injury and resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer.

According to one of his Facebook pages, Gyurnek lives in Manchester, TN and attended Shelbyville Central High School. His other two other Facebook pages list him as Franklin Gyurnek, Jr.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

DeSaulnier announces 2023 Congressional App Challenge winner

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U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier held a reception Friday to announce the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge, Sania Bidurukontam of Dougherty Valley High School. Four Dougherty Valley students tied for second place. Photo: Office of U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

Dougherty Valley High junior from San Ramon invents CogniPro

3 other Dougherty Valley students and Dublin High team tie for second, third place winner from Monte Vista High

On Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that Sania Bidurukontam of San Ramon is the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for California’s 10th Congressional District. Bidurukontam, is a junior at Dougherty Valley High School. She invented the CogniPro app, which aims to reduce misdiagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and help mental health professionals properly diagnose ADHD. The app includes a 2D platform game and embedded eye tracking to monitor levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, the most common symptoms of ADHD.

“It’s such a joy to see students’ creativity and talent on display each year during our Congressional App Challenge,” said DeSaulnier. “As a proud advocate in Congress for improving youth mental health, I am proud to see young people like Sania working on ways to better identify and address the challenges faced by her peers. Congratulations, Sania!”

Second place was a four-way tie with Advita Goyal (Dougherty Valley High School), Aryan Agrawal (Dougherty Valley High School), Prisha Marpu (Dougherty Valley High School), and a team comprised of Rohan Vij, Ayush Garg, Mohit Varikuti, and Jimin Lim (Dublin High School)—all recognized for their apps SkinScan, WellTeen, Med Track, and Politica AI, respectively. SkinScan helps to identify and monitor skin conditions, WellTeen helps to manage stress and promote mental wellbeing, Med Track helps users track their daily medications, and Politica AI helps users identify political biases and misinformation while reading the news. Third place was awarded to Jacob Trentini (Monte Vista High School) for his app BreatheFree, which monitors air quality and pollen levels.

This year’s winners were chosen by a panel of judges from the STEM and education fields, all of whom live or work in California’s 10th Congressional District.

The CAC is a public initiative to encourage young people to learn how to code in an effort to inspire creativity and encourage interest in STEM education. In the eight years of the CAC, the program has yielded 46,928 applicants across all 50 states.

CA State Controller complains about inability to tax largest portion from L.A. Dodgers pitcher’s contract

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L.A. Dodgers’ pitcher Shohei Ohtani. Source: L.A. Dodgers Instagram

Wants Congress to approve caps on deferred compensation

SACRAMENTO — State Controller Malia M. Cohen released the following statement following last month’s announcement that the L.A. Dodgers signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with pitcher Shohei Ohtani. The contract is structured so that Ohtani will receive $2 million per year and defer the balance approximately 10 years, when he could potentially return to Japan and escape payment of California state income taxes on the deferred amount:

“The current tax system allows for unlimited deferrals for those fortunate enough to be in the highest tax brackets, creating a significant imbalance in the tax structure.” said Cohen. “The absence of reasonable caps on deferral for the wealthiest individuals exacerbates income inequality and hinders the fair distribution of taxes. I would urge Congress to take immediate and decisive action to rectify this imbalance.”

“Introducing limits on deductions and exemptions for high-income earners promotes social responsibility and contributes to a tax system that is just and beneficial for all. This action would not only create a more equitable tax system, but also generate additional revenue that can be directed towards addressing pressing important social issues and fostering economic stability,” Cohen stated.

About Controller Cohen

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Cohen is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation’s two largest public pension funds. Follow the Controller on X at @CAController and on Facebook.