Contra Costa Herald

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

Three women killed, one from Antioch when Amtrak train hits car near Brentwood Sunday afternoon

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Emergency personnel on scene of the crash that occurred at a rural railroad track crossing in unincorporated Brentwood Sunday afternoon, June 26, 2022. Source: CBS13 video screenshot. Published with permission.

Two other people including child sustain major injuries

The damaged victims’ Honda Civic following the collision with an Amtrak train in unincorporated Brentwood Sunday afternoon, June 26, 2022. Source: KPIX5 video screenshot. Published with permission. Redacted by the Herald.

By Allen D. Payton

Three people were killed, and two others were injured when an Amtrak train hit a car near Brentwood Sunday afternoon.

According to Con Fire PIO Steve Hill, at 1:00 P.M. in the 3000 block of Orwood Road located in unincorporated Brentwood, a single passenger vehicle was struck by a west bound train with 85 people aboard. Three people were pronounced dead on scene. Two other victims were air lifted due to major injuries. The scene was turned over to CCC Sheriff’s Office and BNSF.

One of the injured was a child who was transported by helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Oakland.

“A third person was transported due to unrelated medical conditions,” East Contra Contra Fire Protection District PIO Steve Aubert added.

East Contra Costa County Firefighters transport a victim to an ambulance from the destroyed Honda Civic. Screenshot of video by Art Ray. Published with permission.

The Contra Costa Coroner’s Office released the identities of the victims. Mercedes Regalado aged 50 of Antioch, Maria Nieves, 27, and Julia Mondragon, 40, both of Dixon died when the Honda Civic they were in was struck as it crossed the railroad tracks.

A report by CBS13 Sacramento included video of the scene showing the damaged car. According to that report, nobody on board the train was hurt.

According to CHP-Contra Costa PIO Lane Adams, “the collision is being investigated by BNSF railroad police.” An effort to reach BNSF Rail spokesman Juan Acosta for additional details on Monday was unsuccessful.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Fireworks cause of four-alarm June 17 major Pittsburg grass fire

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Threatened 100 homes, prompted evacuation of 2,200 residents

By Steve Hill, Con Fire PIO

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) today announced last week fire investigators have determined fireworks were the cause of the early morning June 17 grassfire that originated in the open space south of Jacqueline Drive, Pittsburg. The fire threatened some 100 homes and forced the mandatory evacuation of approximately 2,200 residents.

The blaze, first reported at 2 a.m., prompted a four-alarm response from both Con Fire and Cal Fire, with more than 100 firefighters and support personnel dispatched to the scene. Structure protection crews, who were aided by substantial work by residents to create defensible space around their properties, were required to protect numerous homes.

When the fire was declared knocked down at 6 a.m, the fire had burned 121 acres.

Weather conditions at the time – principally high winds, gusting to 30 miles per hour – coupled with extremely dry and dangerous vegetation, quickly fed the fire, which burned to the northeast, northwest and south, threatening homes to the north.

The mandatory evacuation order implemented by incident commanders, and executed by Pittsburg Police and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, was Con Fire’s first significant use of the

new Zonehaven digital evacuation tool, evacuating zone PTS-E008. Many residents also self-evacuated ahead of the order as flames quickly spread.

Con Fire encourages all County residents to learn their home’s zone by visiting www.cwsalerts.com and clicking on the “Know Your Zone” tab at the top of the page.

No firefighters or civilians were reported injured as a result of the blaze.

The fire remains under investigation at this time to identify the person or persons responsible for setting off the fireworks.

Travis Credit Union to offer free youth financial education at Diablo Valley College July 8

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Source: Travis Credit Union

Mad City Money Youth Financial Boot Camp

Adulting can be challenging when it comes to finances. That’s why Travis Credit Union (TCU) is offering an in-person Mad City Money Youth Financial Boot Camp, designed to prepare the next generation with personal finance skills for the workforce. All young adults between the ages of 12 – 18 are encouraged to attend and learn these financial skills that will last a lifetime.

Mad City Money is a three-and-a-half-hour simulation that gives young adults the chance to make decisions regarding budgeting, spending, and saving in an assigned-life scenario. For example, each participant will be given a temporary identity that includes an occupation, salary, debt, marital status, children, etc. The goal is to show the reality of financial responsibilities and equip them with the skills needed to make better financial decisions.

Travis Credit Union is offering a free Mad City Money event in Pleasant Hill.

July 8, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road.

Students will learn how to practice budgeting as an adult under realistic circumstances. They will be able to distinguish between good and poor financial decisions. and begin making good judgments regarding spending.

Admission to this event is free. To register, please visit traviscu.org/mad-city-money.

 

Motorcycles entertain the fans at Antioch Speedway

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Tony Meiring #1 on his way to the Pro Am heat race win. He swept all three of his races. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…June 25…The flat track motorcycles invaded Antioch Speedway for a special night of racing on the 3/8 mile clay oval track. Over a dozen different classifications of bikes took their turns on the speedway in heat race and Main Event competition. However, the focus was on the Pro Am division, which competed for a $1,000 prize.

There were eight competitors for the Pro Am class, and the Top 4 heat race finishers would earn the right to compete in the winner take all $500 Dash for Cash. After winning the 10-lap heat race, Tony Meiring proceeded to score the big victory in the four lap Trophy Dash.

Meiring had his eyes on the $1,000 prize in the 20 lap Main Event, and he led that race from the outset. Brandon Weller moved into second on Lap 2, and Chris McDougall battled his way into third. They would finish in that order with Meiring the happy winner.

Donnie Darrah #48 led the pack in both the 230 Motorcycle heat race and Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

The 12-lap Running Of The Bulls event didn’t have quite the first prize that was originally intended due to sponsorship pulling out at the last minute. However, the drivers on hand competed for $500 to win. After winning the 10-lap heat race, Blake Ash proceeded to win the 12-lap Main Event. Jonathan Schaefer was second ahead of William McDonnell.

The Schaefer name was at the head of the pack in the 85cc class, which brought nine riders to the show. Colton Schaefer won the 12-lap Main Event ahead of Rider Fitz-Hay and Jeff Katarzy. Schaefer and Chris Knox picked up their respective 10-lap heat race wins.

The 250 class saw Myles Henderson win their 12-lap Main Event ahead of James Arraiz and Christian Knox. Henderson also won the 10-lap heat race.

Donnie Darrah opened the evening with the Vintage A 10-lap heat race win and followed that up by holding off William McDonnell and Larry Greene to win the 12-lap Main Event.

Ryder Meiring #56 and C Elscholz #199 battle for position in the Peewee heat race. Photo by Katrina Kniss

The Peewee class for kids four- to six years old proved to be very popular, and Indy Tallent won the 12-lap feature ahead of C Elscholz and Ryder Meiring. Tallent also picked up the win in the 10-lap heat race.

The 100-150 4 Stroke win went to Dean Rabideau ahead of Ryder Fitz-Hay. Pedro Brown won the 12-lap Hooligan Main Event ahead of Dean Thompson and Victor Tallent.

The event ran smoothly from the start with only one crash stopping the action for fallen rider Joe Pereira. Pereira was shaken up in the incident on the back straightaway, but he was said to be doing well after a trip to the hospital.

This Saturday night is an off week for the speedway, but action resumes on July 9th with the Hetrick Memorial race. Extra money will be on the line for the event that will feature the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Harmful algae blooms reported in Discovery Bay

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Source: CA Water Quality Monitoring Council

Stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep Children away from algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.

Contra Costa Health (CCH) advises caution on the part of anyone who boats, fishes or swims in or around Discovery Bay after large blooms of blue-green algae were discovered in multiple locations in and around the community.

A bloom is a buildup of blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, that creates a green, blue-green, white or brown coloring on the surface of slow-moving waterways. Contact with a toxin produced by the bloom can make people and pets very sick.

The state Water Resources Control Board recently sampled water at Discovery Bay after a person and a dog, in separate incidents, each developed minor symptoms consistent with exposure to cyanobacteria toxin after contact with water in the community. Sampling revealed elevated levels of harmful algae.

CCH has provided caution signs to Reclamation District 800 to post at the marina in Discovery Bay. Everyone should follow the instructions on the signs and stay away from algae and scum in the water.

Keep children and pets on shore, away from the blooms, and do not touch or handle algae in the water or scum on the shoreline. It is also unsafe to drink or cook with water in these areas, or to eat fish or shellfish caught in or near them.

Visit cchealth.org/eh/hab to learn more about harmful algae blooms. Visit mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs for more information and resources, including an online map showing where high concentrations of harmful algae have been reported across the state.

TreVista Senior Living and Memory Care welcomes author Jolene Brackey for a Zoom Event on June 28, 2022

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Brackey will offer tips to caregivers, friends and family of individuals with dementia

Antioch and Concord…Although it’s impossible to create a perfectly wonderful day, caregivers for those with dementia can create perfectly wonderful moments for those with memory loss. In an effort to assist caregivers as well as anyone who loves someone with dementia, TreVista Senior Living and Memory Care in Antioch and Concord are pleased to welcome Jolene Brackey, author of Creating Moments of Joy, for a special event. Brackey will discuss fun and simple ways to bring joy into every day for those with dementia. She will also answer questions from event attendees.

The zoom event will be held on June 28, 2022, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. (pacific). Those interested in attending should either Tamsen Meierdierck at TreVista Antioch at tmeierdierck@trevista-antioch.com or 925-470-3395 or Mike Bonifay at TreVista Concord at mbonifay@trevista-concord.com or 925-798-3900. Those who contact either individual will be added to the RSVP list and get a personalized zoom link. Those who attend the event live on zoom will get a free copy of Brackey’s book.

Brackey has shared her message of joy and inspiration with families and caregivers across North America for more than twenty years. A sought-after voice in the health care community, Brackey maintains an active speaking calendar. Passing on all she has learned from her travels and from her work with families and loved ones, her passion is to change the way people see people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. More information can be found at Jolene’s website, enhancedmoments.com.

For more information on TreVista, please visit trevistaseniorliving.com.

About TreVista

TreVista Senior Living and Memory Care provides expert, loving care for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. TreVista believes that the quality of life for those with memory loss can be enhanced in the right environment with their support. There are two TreVista communities, located in Antioch and Concord, CA. TreVista is a member of the Agemark Senior Living family of companies. Agemark has been an industry leader in creating home-like senior communities for more than three decades and has been named a Great Place to Work in Aging Services by Great Place to Work and FORTUNE magazine, three years running. For more information on TreVista, visit trevistaseniorliving.com. For more information on Agemark, visit www.agemark.com.

 

Take BART to Warriors victory parade and celebration in SF Monday morning

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Source: BART

BART is ready to help the Bay Area celebrate the Golden State Warriors and their championship season. Now that the Warriors have won their fourth NBA title in eight seasons it’s BART’s turn to get fans to the parade in downtown San Francisco, which starts at 11:20 am on Monday, June 20th. This latest party will be different from past victory celebrations in downtown San Francisco and there will be no post-parade rally at Civic Center.

For many fans this will be their first-time riding BART since the arrival of the pandemic. With that in mind we’ve put together some quick tips to help make your championship parade a slam dunk experience.
READ THE FULL RIDER GUIDE HERE

Top tips for riding BART to the victory celebration in San Francisco

  • Masks are required in all BART stations and on all trains.
  • With no post-parade rally there isn’t a need to crowd into Civic Center Station.
  • Embarcadero, Montgomery Street, Powell Street, and Civic Center stations can all be used to get to the parade route.
  • The parade ends between the Powell and Civic Center stations. Riders who arrive at Civic Center should exit at the east end of the station toward 7th Street.
  • Red (Richmond-Millbrae) and Yellow (Antioch-SFO) Line trains coming from the East Bay going into downtown San Francisco will not stop at Montgomery Street Station before the parade. Those riders should instead get off at Embarcadero, Powell Street, or Civic Center stations.
  • Riders at Embarcadero Station are discouraged from using the entrance at Market and Main streets as it opens to a private parade staging area.
  • Before you leave home put a Clipper card on your cellphone through either Apple Pay or Google Pay. Clipper is waiving the $3 new-card fee for riders who add either of the mobile options.
  • Download the official BART app to plan your trip, get real time departures, and pay for parking.
  • In addition to their normal patrols, the BART Police Department will deploy additional sworn officers as well as Community Service Officers at our downtown San Francisco stations to help promote a safe environment for the parade. You can call BART Police at 510-464-7000 or you can text BPD at 510-200-0992. You can also download the free BART Watch App, it lets you send a message to police dispatch.
  • Be patient, it could get crowded on trains and in our stations. BART’s busiest hours are expected to be 9 am until the parade start and from 1 pm to 3 pm leaving the parade.
  • When planning your trip to BART consider taking the bus, walking, or getting dropped off. Though BART has had plenty of available parking during the pandemic, some stations could fill on parade day.
  • When boarding trains, move to the center of the car so more can fit, remove backpacks.
  • Don’t jam a train door- it will take the whole train out of service and everyone will boo you.

Code of conduct

We can’t wait to help you celebrate a Warriors championship on what should be a joyous and memorable day. Please show common courtesy to your fellow riders by following our simple rules.

 

 

East Bay Parks offer Free Park Day for Juneteenth Sunday

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Hike of Celebration and Reflection at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park in Concord

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District

The Park District is celebrating Juneteenth this year with a Free Park Day in recognition of the date when enslaved Black Americans in Texas were notified of their freedom, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. While Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to U.S.  General Ulysses S. Grant in April 1865, fighting continued in Texas for nearly two months. On June 2, 1865, Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith finally surrendered. A few weeks later, on June 19, U.S. troops landed in Galveston, Texas, confirming the end of the Civil War and slavery in Texas. Today, the abolition of slavery and emancipation of Black Americans in Texas is celebrated on June 19 annually as Juneteenth.

The Park District is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and making our parks and agency more welcoming and reflective of the communities we serve. Park District fees waived on Juneteenth include park entrance, parking, dogs, horses, boat launching, and fishing. However, the fee waiver does not apply to swimming, camping, reservable picnic facilities (due to capacity limits), District concessions, and state fees for fishing licenses, and watercraft inspections for invasive mussels.

The Park District is celebrating Juneteenth with several naturalist-led programs, including a Hike of Celebration and Reflection at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50.

For more information about Juneteenth, visit www.ebparks.org/Juneteenth.

 

CA State Parks Week: Weeding for Biodiversity on Mt. Diablo Friday, June 17

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Diablo Overlook. Panorama photo by Elise McFarland. Source: CA State Parks

9:00 am FREE

As part of Stewardship Day during California State Parks Week, learn about the amazing variety of plant life at Mount Diablo State Park which includes species that are only found here. Threatening this rich diversity are some species that can turn an area with many types of plants into an area where there is only one. You can help as we pitch in with our park biologist to remove one of these invasive plants from an area of the park. Reservations required. Group size limited to 15.

Meet at 2675 Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd. in Danville.

For reservations and information email sharon.peterson@parks.ca.gov or visitcastateparksweek.org/event/weeding-for-biodiversity/.

There are more opportunities to participate in State Parks Week on Friday and during Partnership Day / Volunteer Day on Saturday, June 18. Enjoy the over 279 park units, from the redwood forests on the North Coast to the sunny beaches in Southern California, that preserve and protect the best of California’s natural and cultural history, from natural features and ecosystems to historic structures and cultural resources.