Contra Costa Herald

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

Group of state legislators from Delta Caucus release statement on alarming Oroville Dam situation

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(SACRAMENTO) – On Monday, February 13, 2017, members of the Delta Caucus of the California state legislature, including three representing Contra Costa County, released the following statement regarding the hazardous situation at Oroville Dam after news reports that previous concerns about the safety of the dam’s current infrastructure were ignored:

“We are concerned that a clear alarm raised 12 years ago about the state of the Oroville Dam’s emergency spillway was discounted. There has been more than enough time since then for upgrades and maintenance to the structure. Instead, nearly 185,000 people have been displaced, and there are still people in harm’s way. A catastrophic failure at Oroville would result in uncontrolled releases that do considerably more harm to the surrounding communities, and threaten those further downstream, including levee-protected communities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. For now, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that people are safe and that necessary steps are taken to prevent further compromise of the entire Oroville facility.  When the immediate threats have subsided, we need to clearly assess this disaster and its causes.  We have a duty to ensure California’s existing infrastructure is maintained and upgraded, and not sacrificed in favor of conveyance projects.”

Caucus Co-Chair Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Oakley) and Assemblymembers Tim Grayson (D-Concord) and Catharine Baker (R-San Ramon) are members of the Delta Caucus, a bipartisan group of legislators whose districts include portions of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. The caucus works to keep their colleagues updated on the latest scientific data, economic developments, and actions taken by the state agencies responsible for the Delta, including the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, and the Delta Stewardship Council.

They and the following legislators issued the statement: Co-Chair Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa), Senator Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) and Assemblymenbers  Susan Eggman (D-Stockton) and Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove).

Diablo Road closed due to fallen tree, Wednesday morning

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According to the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff,  Diablo Road between Green Valley Road and Mt. Diablo Scenic Boulevard remains closed after a fallen tree took down power lines and blocked the road early this morning. That section of Diablo Road is expected to be shut for much of today as repairs are made and the tree removed.

Local traffic will be diverted. Motorists heading to Blackhawk are advised to use Camino Tassajara.

County road closure update: Morgan Territory Road expected to reopen Thursday

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Morgan Territory Road is closed between Marsh Creek Road and Manning Road. The road is open to local traffic and emergency vehicles only and is anticipated to reopen to through traffic on Thursday, February 9.

Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Roadremains closed indefinitely.Signs and message boards alert drivers of the closure. There is not an estimated timeframe for reopening Alhambra Valley Road at this time.

The amount of rain received has saturated the soil which makes it more difficult to remove the mudslides and clean the roadways. Crews are monitoring County roads during the storms and additional closures may be necessary for public safety. The County will continue to provide updates as conditions change.

If you’re concerned about flooding at your home or business, it’s not too late to visit one of the free sandbag stations located throughout the county.  Please note that you’ll need to bring a shovel, but bags and sand are available for free.   Find out details regarding County sandbag sites at www.cccounty.us/sandbags.

County Public Works Maintenance road crews maintain the storm drain inlets through a program of annual inspection and cleaning. To report a clogged catch basin or drainage inlet please call the Public Works Maintenance Division at 925-313-7000 during work hours and after hours call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 925-646-2441.

Fundraising goal for new livestock scale at county fairgrounds exceeded during annual Heritage Foundation dinner

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County Fair Board Member and auctioneer Steve Limrite takes bids on one of the tasty cakes that helped raised thousands of dollars during the annual Heritage Foundation dinner benefiting the Contra Costa County Fair on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017.

This peanut butter cup cake went for $2,000. That’s almost $300 per peanut butter cup!

Cake sells for $2,000 during live auction

By Allen Payton

Hundreds of supporters of the Contra Costa County Fair came out for the 3rd Annual Heritage Foundation Membership Dinner on Saturday night, January 28, 2017 and contributed thousands of dollars toward a new, digital livestock scale and operations for the year. The scale is used during the fair for the animal auctions and the current one is 30 years old.

Folks enjoyed a dinner of tri-tip, beef brisket, tasty chili and baked potatoes with all the fixings, cooked by Tom Hartrick and a team of volunteers and served by young people who are members of Contra Costa County 4H clubs and Brentwood Future Farmers of America (FFA).

This carrot cake donated by Jeff Warrenburg was auctioned off for $200.

The foundation’s goal has been to raise $7,000 by March 1, 2017 for the new scale and they more than met their goal with $16,695 raised, that night alone.

The most generous supporters of the fundraiser were the folks at the table hosted by Les Schwab Tires of Martinez. They not only outbid many others during the lively cake auction led by auctioneer and Fair Board Member Steve Limrite, but one of them donated back the $520 he won during one of the 50-50 playing card raffles. Plus, they donated a set of four tires as an auction item, which was won for a price of $800 by outgoing Foundation Board President Jeff Warrenburg.

Jeff Warrenburg foundation Board President for 2016 hands off the oversized gavel to 2017 President Felicia Cursi.

But, the most generous, individual contributor of the night was Bob Sherwood who out bid the competition in the most exciting part of the cake auction, spending $2,000 for a peanut butter cup cake. Other cakes, like a gluten free cake with the Heritage Foundation logo on it sold for $90 and the carrot cake, also with the Heritage Foundation logo on it donated by Warrenburg, went for $200.

Another $1,500 was raised when one of the Platinum Tables for next year’s dinner was auctioned off to a guest sitting at one of those special table, at this year’s dinner. Platinum Table guests get to served appetizers, unlimited drinks and dinner service without standing in line.

Warrenburg thanked his officers and board members for their service over the past year, including Vice President Bill Chivers, Secretary Tami Daniels, Treasurer Laurie Limrite and Board Members Tom Hartrick, Laura Glass and Felicia Cursi.

The annual fundraising dinner was well attended by supporters of the County Fair.

He then introduced Cursi as the new Board President for 2017, handing her an oversized gavel to help her in running the meetings. Warrenburg also introduced Joe Brengle, the new Chief Executive Officer for the County Fair.

Also announced was the winner of the winner of the Heritage Foundation’s 2017 Scholarship award, Bailey Newlin of Tassajara Valley 4H. She has been an active member of 4H since she was nine years old and this year marks her ninth year involved in horse, market lamb, market goat, market hog, CCC Camp leadership and finance, with the organization.

Bob Sherwood takes the cake, literally. A volunteer delivers his peanut butter cup cake for which he had the winning bid of $2,000.

Next year Newlin will use her scholarship funds to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin where she will be studying veteran science. She plans to specialize in large animal care and nutrition. Newlin is also excited that she will be a member of the NCAA Equestrian team and competing in western horsemanship and reining, against top, Division 1 schools in the country.

Membership in the foundation is available for as little as $125 per year. Download the form, here. For more information about the foundation, visit www.ccheritage.net. For more information about the Contra Costa County Fair, visit www.contracostafair.com. This year’s fair will be held May 18-21.

Suspect in 2015 North Richmond murder arrested in Mexico

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The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff announced, on Friday, that a suspect wanted in connection with a murder committed in North Richmond on November 26, 2015 is now in custody.

Guillermo Sanchez was wanted for the killing of 23-year-old Isela Moreno of North Richmond. On Thanksgiving Day 2015, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a re-port of an unknown problem/disturbance at a residence on the 400 block of Market Avenue in North Richmond. The caller advised that there was an injured person. Deputies arrived on scene and found a female who was bleeding from multiple stab wounds. The fire department and an ambulance were called. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim was later identified as Moreno.

Homicide Detectives from the Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division identi-fied the suspect as Sanchez, who fled to Mexico. Detectives worked closely with the U.S. Marshals Service and on January 24, 2017, the U.S. Marshals San Diego Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Northern District of California in coordination with the government of Mexico effected the arrest of Sanchez in Guadalajara. He was returned to California.

The 22-year-old Sanchez was booked for murder at the Martinez Detention Facility. He is being held in lieu of $2,050,000 bail.

 

Annual East Bay USA conference draws 330 business, civic leaders

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Hear from keynote speaker astronaut Captain Scott Kelly

NASA astronaut Captain Scott Kelly, USN. Ret., was the keynote speaker at the 2017 East Bay USA conference on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. photo courtesy of East Bay Leadership Council.

At this time last week the East Bay Leadership Council (EBLC) team was putting the finishing touches on what they had hoped would be a memorable night. They were not disappointed.

The 31st Annual East Bay USA event, at the Concord Hilton, drew 330 business and civic leaders, gave a chance to learn about how the major sponsors support innovative STEM programs, provided networking opportunities over local wine, and featured an inspiring keynote by astronaut Captain Scott Kelly, (USN, Ret.) who left the attendees feeling like the sky was not the limit.

“The evening was made possible by 27 companies and 26 community leaders whose commitment to the East Bay Leadership Council makes our work possible. Thank you again to all of our sponsors,” said Kristin Connelly, EBLC President and CEO. “I hope you will save the date and join us on January 18, 2018 for East Bay USA’s 32nd Annual celebration.”

See more photos from the event, here and learn more about the East Bay Leadership Council, here.

NASA astronaut, Captain Scott Kelly, USN, Ret.

About Captain Kelly

Kelly served a one-year mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2015, then served as the ISS Branch Chief within the Astronaut Office. He served as a backup crewmember for ISS Expedition 5 and as the Astronaut Office Space Station Branch Chief. Kelly also served as a Flight Engineer for ISS Expedition 25 and as the Commander of ISS Expedition 26.

Selected by NASA in April 1996, Kelly reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. Following completion of training, he was assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Spacecraft Systems/Operations branch. A veteran of three space flights, Kelly has logged more than 180 days in space. He served as pilot on STS-103 in 1999 and was the Mission Commander on STS-118 in 2007. Following STS-103, Kelly served as NASA’s Director of Operations in Star City, Russia.

Kelly is the recipient of two Defense Superior Service Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, two Navy Unit Commendations, the National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, two NASA Space Flight Medals, and the Russian Federation Medal for Merit in Space Exploration.

No one hurt when car shot by BB gun on 680, Thursday morning

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Walnut Creek, CA – On Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at about 11:50am, Contra Costa CHP received a call of possible shots fired at a vehicle in the area of I-680 southbound at Treat Blvd.  After the initial investigation, it’s been determined a BB gun was shot from a dark grey Dodge Charger with dark tinted windows and a red sticker reading “RL” in the rear window and the BB’s caused damage to a white Volkswagen. Although the party in the Volkswagen was shaken up, thankfully no injuries were reported.

The suspects from the Dodge Charger were reported as a white female adult (driver) in her 30’s with brown hair and the passenger (shooter) as a Hispanic male adult in his 30’s with a black hoodie. The whereabouts of the Dodge and suspects are unknown at this time.  If anyone witnessed this incident or has information regarding it, contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4890 and investigating Officer Miga.

Love is in the air at County Clerk’s office

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Appointments now available for couples to get married on Valentine’s Day

The Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder Division is taking appointments for couples who wish to exchange wedding vows on Valentine’s Day.  Because of the popularity of this day, the division is also extending ceremony hours and accommodating additional appointments.

There are 47 appointment times available from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

“Valentine’s Day is the most popular day at our office for marriage ceremonies,” said Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder Joseph E. Canciamilla. “Additional appointments give more couples the opportunity to get married on what many consider is the most romantic day of the year.”

Interested couples are encouraged to make an appointment online at www.contracostacore.us  using our new appointment system.  Walk-in couples are welcome and will be accommodated based on availability of ceremony rooms.

One of two wedding rooms available at the County Clerk’s office.

A civil marriage ceremony is $60.  Couples can obtain a public marriage license for $86 or a confidential license for $90.  To save time, marriage license applications are available for completion online at  www.contracostacore.us prior to visiting the office and may also be purchased before the ceremony date.

The Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder Division features two beautifully appointed ceremony rooms adorned with handcrafted stained glass windows.  The largest ceremony room accommodates up to 24 guests. The smaller ceremony room seats 17 guests. Learn more at www.ccclerkrec.us/clerk/marriage/wedding-ceremonies.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Gutierrez, Clerk-Recorder Services Manager at (925) 335-7920.

 

Water level at Los Vaqueros Reservoir rises to a new high

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Los Vaqueros Reservoir. courtesy of CCWD

After leaning on Los Vaqueros Reservoir for supply during the drought, the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) is pleased to announce that the reservoir is now holding more water than it ever has for its customers.  The reservoir is doing its job and the filling underway is good news for serving customers now and into the future.

This week, the reservoir’s storage level rose above 133,000 acre-feet, surpassing the high reached in 2013.  CCWD will continue to fill while conditions are favorable, depending on Delta water quality and energy costs.

“Los Vaqueros continues to serve CCWD customers well, especially during this drought,” said CCWD Board President Lisa M. Borba. “Customers responded tremendously to the call for conservation, and we were able to save conserved water in the reservoir, positioning us well if dry years continued. Now we are adding to our water saving account.”

CCWD owns and operates Los Vaqueros Reservoir primarily to manage water quality for the 500,000 residents of central and eastern Contra Costa County.  Water from the Delta is pumped into the reservoir when water quality is good and then is used to keep water quality delivered to its customers high when salinity levels rise in the Delta.  The off-stream reservoir located near Brentwood was originally constructed in 1998 with the ability to store up to 100,000 acre-feet of water.

An expansion of the reservoir was completed in 2012 increasing the capacity to 160,000 acre-feet.  Stores of water in the off-stream reservoir reached a then high of 132,900 acre-feet in 2013 and was then drawn upon, as designed, to meet water supply demands during the past few years of drought.

With strong and steady storms this winter supplying fresh water to the Delta, CCWD has turned on its pumps to move high quality water into Los Vaqueros for future use.

Learn more about CCWD and Los Vaqueros Reservoir at www.ccwater.com.

East County fire district funding workshop attracts Ghost Ship fire Councilman, local agencies invited to attend

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East County Voters for Equal Protection (ECV) announced that the Honorable Noel Gallo, Oakland City Councilman, has agreed to be the Keynote Speaker at a Fire District Funding Workshop being held February 23, 2017, in Brentwood.

Councilman Gallo represents Oakland’s District 5, where the Oakland Ghost Ship fire occurred causing the death of 36 people.  He will describe the importance of adequate fire and emergency medical services to a community and the implications of a catastrophic fire on local public safety policy and elected leaders.

East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is currently underfunded, receiving the lowest property tax allocation rate in the county.  A recent study indicates that the district receives just $106 per resident, while fire districts in other parts of the county receive $366 or $349 per resident to provide the same services.

The funding workshop will cover the historical causes of the underfunding situation, how lack of funds has impacted ECCFPD response capability, and the procedural steps needed to correct the situation.  While the public is not invited, members of the press will be in attendance, and State Senator Steve Glazer and Assemblyman Jim Frazier have also been invited.

Roughly two dozen government entities are on the guest list, including the cities of Brentwood and Oakley, the county, nine special districts and eight school-related entities.

Councilman Gallo has represented District 5 on the Oakland City Councilsince 2013.  He is chair of the Council’s public safety committee, where he advocated for the creation of a Public Safety Oversight Commission.  Gallo previously served on the staff of Oakland city manager Robert Bobb, and in 1992 he was the first Hispanic elected to the Oakland School Board, also serving as its President.

In addition to Gallo’s presentation, members of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection Board of Directors will present current and proposed conditions.

East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is currently underfunded, receiving the lowest property tax allocation rate of all fire districts in the county.  A recent study indicates that the district receives just $106 per resident, while fire districts in other parts of the county receive $366 or $349 per resident to provide the same services.

There are 110,000 residents in the 249 square-mile district, and the district has funding for just three fire stations and nine firefighters.  Response times far exceed national standards, as well as those standards mandated by Brentwood’s General Plan.

Entities invited to the Fire District Funding Workshop are:

General government role (5): Contra Costa County (David Twa), City of Brentwood (Gus Vina), City of Oakley (Bryan Montgomery), Town of Discovery Bay (Mike Davies), Bethel Island Municipal Improvement Dist.(Jeff Butzlaff);

Special/independent districts (9): Bay Area Rapid Transit (Grace Crunican), East Bay Regional Parks (Robert Doyle), BBK Union Cemetery Dist.(Barbara Fee), East Contra Costa Irrigation District (Patricia Corey), Contra Costa Mosquito Abatement District (Craig Downs), Contra Costa Flood Control (Mike Carlson), Contra Costa Water Dist. (Jerry Brown), Ironhouse Sanitary Dist. (Chad Davisson), RECL-800 Dist.(Robert Lyman);

School-related entities (8): Liberty Union High School Dist. (Eric Volta), Brentwood Elementary School Dist. (Dana Eaton), Contra Costa Community College Dist. (Dr. Fred Wood), County Board of Education (Karen Sakata), Oakley Elementary School Dist. (Greg Hetrick), Byron Elementary School Dist. (Debbie Gold), Antioch Unified School Dist. (Stephanie Anello), Knightsen Elementary School Dist, (Theresa Estrada).

California fire districts are funded principally by local property taxes, and the allocation percentage rate was set over 30 years ago.  ECCFPD receives about 7.5% of the property taxes collected in East County while other fire districts in the county receive 14%, 15%, 20%, and 30% of the taxes collected in their respective areas.

ABOUT ECV

East County Voters for Equal Protection is a non-partisan grass roots citizens action committee formed to address the unequal funding of fire and emergency medical services existing in 249 square miles of Eastern Contra Costa County.  About 110,000 residents, as well as those who work and play in Eastern Contra Costa, have services funded at a level one-fourth to one-third of those levels in other parts of Contra Costa County.  For more information contact committee Co-Chairs Hal Bray at hal.bray@pacbell.net or Bryan Scott scott.bryan@comcast.net.    The group’s Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/EastCountyVoters/