Contra Costa Herald

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

GoMentum Station in Concord announces new partnership with BestMile to advance driverless car project

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BestMile’s cloud-based computing platform will support and enhance efforts to solve the first-and-last mile challenge

GoMentum Station and BestMile announced a new partnership today to further the shared autonomous vehicle (SAV) pilot project aimed at addressing the first-and-last mile challenge in Contra Costa. BestMile will offer its cloud-based computing platform to support the operation and optimization of SAV fleets, including the full testing of EasyMile shuttles. The EasyMile shuttles arrived at GoMentum Station in September of 2016, and the pilot demonstration project with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority marks the first time EasyMile shuttles will be utilized in the United States. BestMile’s computing platform will not only allow the EasyMile shuttles to work more effectively together, it will facilitate the ability of riders to interface with the shuttles.

“GoMentum Station is putting Contra Costa and the Bay Area squarely at the center of the transportation technology revolution with this innovative project to address first and last mile transit accessibility challenges, which we hope will allow people to use transit and commuter rail more effectively and efficiently,” said Randy Iwasaki, Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA). “We are excited to leverage BestMile’s unique technology capabilities to incubate transportation solutions that will help further shared mobility.”

“We believe the future of mobility isn’t in autonomous vehicles themselves, but in what they can offer when they’re operated and managed collectively in an integrated ecosystem. It is an incredible opportunity for BestMile to be able to showcase its fleet optimization platform within the framework of this exciting project at GoMentum Station, Bishop Ranch and then hopefully expand to the Bay Area. It will allow passengers of SAVs to experience a truly optimized, sustainable and efficient SAV service. Ordering your own SAV will be only one click away thanks to the traveler app we are also providing as part of our platform” said Raphael Gindrat, CEO of BestMile.

BestMile has created the world’s first cloud platform for the operation and optimization of autonomous vehicle fleets, designed to support shared electric connected and automated mobility. Using cutting-edge algorithms, it sends optimized missions to vehicles and seamlessly handles planning, real-time automated dispatching, intelligent routing, and electrical energy management. Their first commercial project launched in June 2016 with Switzerland’s main transport operator, PostBus. The collaboration with GoMentum Station marks the first time BestMile’s technology will be incorporated into a project within the United States and aligns with BestMile’s mission to accelerate innovative autonomous transportation solutions for cities everywhere.

About GoMentum Station

GoMentum Station in Concord, California is where the Contra Costa Transportation Authority leads and facilitates a collaborative partnership among multiple automobile manufacturers; original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers; communications suppliers; technology companies; researchers and academia; public agencies and other partners. At GoMentum Station, technology, innovation and commercialization will converge to define the next generation of transportation network infrastructure. More information about GoMentum Station is available at gomentumstation.net.

About BestMile

BestMile is a Swiss company with offices in Lausanne (Switzerland), San Francisco (USA) and London (UK), developing distributed and highly scalable cloud technology leveraging the full potential of autonomous vehicles to tackle urban mobility challenges. By providing the first platform allowing for the intelligent operation and optimization of autonomous vehicle fleets, BestMile is revolutionizing mobility. It manages both scheduled trips and on-­demand service and is independent of any vehicle manufacturer, thus allowing customers to remotely manage heterogeneous fleets composed of autonomous vehicles of different types and brands. By using cutting-edge algorithms to handle planning, real-time automated dispatching, intelligent routing, and electrical energy management, BestMile is shaping “individual robots” into an intelligent, innovative and flexible mobility system. After launching its first commercial project with Switzerland’s main transport operator in June 2016, BestMile now has a foot in the US thanks to GoMentum Station, located in Contra Costa County. More information is available at www.bestmile.com.

About The Contra Costa Transportation Authority

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.

County road closure updates – McEwen Road closed in West County

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McEwen Road is closed between Highway 4 and Carquinez Scenic Drive near Port Costa due to mudslides. The road is open to emergency vehicles only.

Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Road is closed indefinitely.Signs and message boards will alert drivers of the closure. There is not an estimated timeframe for reopening Alhambra Valley Road at this time.Drivers are encouraged to use the routes on the map above as alternate routes for Alhambra Valley Road.

Morgan Territory Road is open to local traffic only between Marsh Creek Road and Manning Road is anticipated to reopen the week of January 23-30

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.

BART offers longer trains for inauguration-related events

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BART is taking steps to prepare for what are expected to be large crowds for Inauguration-related events in downtown Oakland and San Francisco. Longer trains will be available for riders all day Friday and Saturday.  BART also plans to have a few additional event trains on standby at key locations on Saturday ready to deploy if warranted by the size of the crowds.

Additional employees will be at the ready to assist BART riders during the next few days.  That includes more Station Agents at what are likely to be the busiest stations.  We will have extra technicians at the ready at those stations to make sure our ticket machines are working and to respond to any new elevator or escalator outages.  Also, additional officers and sergeants from the BART Police Department will be working through Saturday to help with crowd control.

Dozens of events are planned for the region starting Thursday night and continuing through Saturday.  We are expecting some our busiest stations to include 12th Street and Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland as well as Civic Center and Embarcadero in San Francisco.

Riders also play an important role in preparing for these busy travel days.  We strongly encourage everyone to either buy roundtrip tickets or use their Clipper cards.  Also, if you see something suspicious at a station, please tell BART police or a station agent.  If you see something say something.

The ceremonies for the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States will begin Friday morning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, 8:30 a.m. Paficic.

 

Due to storm damage Contra Costa County issues Proclamation of Local Emergency

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Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa on Thursday, January 19, 2017, signed a proclamation of local emergency in response to winter storm damage that has occurred in a variety of locations throughout the unincorporated parts of the County. The local emergency declaration will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for ratification in a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 26, at 8:30 a.m. The emergency status enables the County to be eligible for disaster relief funding that might be available in the future.

The strong series of storms has led to widespread flooding, mudslides, sinkholes and damage to public buildings, flood control facilities and roadways. Notably, Alhambra Valley Road remains closed between Bear Creek and Castro Ranch Roads. Signs and message boards remain in place to alert drivers; there is no estimate yet on a date for reopening Alhambra Valley Road.

Morgan Territory Road remains open only to local traffic between Marsh Creek and Manning Roads, with the goal of reopening entirely next week.

Some county roads reopened, Morgan Territory Road anticipated to reopen next week

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Contra Costa County has reopened the following roads:

  • Marsh Creek Road between the Clayton city limits and Deer Valley Road
  • McEwen Road between Highway 4 and Carquinez Scenic Drive

The following road is open to local traffic only:

  • Morgan Territory Road between Marsh Creek Road and Manning Road is anticipated to reopen the week of January 23-30

The closures were required due to mudslides and flooding concerns. The amount of rain received has saturated the soil which makes it more difficult to remove the mudslides and clean the roadways. Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Road is closed indefinitely. Signs and message boards will alert drivers of the closure. There is not an estimated timeframe for reopening Alhambra Valley Road at this time. Drivers are encouraged to use the routes on the map below as alternate routes for Alhambra Valley Road.

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.

Important phone numbers and webpages:

(925)313-7000 Public Works Maintenance Division- For emergencies during normal business hours

(707)551-4100 California Highway Patrol- For emergencies after hours

(925)646-2441 Contra Costa County Sheriffs Dispatch- For emergencies after hours

http://www.cccounty.us/sandbags   –  Contra Costa County Sand Bag Locations

http://www.cccounty.us/5906/Winter-Storm-Preparedness-Winter Storm Preparedness

http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/5895/Flooding-Information-Flood Information

http://www.cccounty.us/332/FEMA-Floodplain-Program- FEMA Floodplain Program

http://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1578/Flood-Forecast-Information-How to Flood Forecast

http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/5907/Flood-Preparedness-California Flood Preparedness

Share your ideas of the art you want in Pittsburg at Arts Café, tonight

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Tonight – Don’t let the Rain stop ART

Join us for an Exciting Arts Café

What Would Art Look Like in Pittsburg?

at Croskey Real Estate in Pittsburg

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Guest Speaker Sculptor Jason Griego

What kinds of events would enhance living in Pittsburg – Arts- Music-Street performers – Community gardens? Join other community members at an Arts Cafe’ on January 18 to share your ideas for community activities to enhance life in Pittsburg.

Meet Pittsburg resident, artist, and internationally known sculptor, Jason Griego who will share some of his graceful, thought-provoking sculptures of resin, bone and bronze. Organized by Creative Pittsburg, the event will introduce a new grassroots community organization with the goal of encouraging and organizing fun arts and culture activities for Pittsburg. www.creativepittsburg.org

Thank you to Croskey Real Estate, host of the evening event.

Who Should Go?

Creative Pittsburg is a cooperative intended to harness innovative thoughts about how to create a quality sense of community and place. We also  supports the role of  the arts in developing a vibrant community that embraces innovation, creativity and action to help transform Pittsburg into a place where residents are proud to live, work and play. Everyone is invited to bring their ideas, make new friends to collaborate and envision the future of the community.

Tonight -January 18th

Free to the public

AC5 Arts Cafe  – 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Croskey Real Estate, 745 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg

Richmond teacher convicted on 87 counts, including forcible child molestation, kidnap

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By Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney

Justice was served on January 12, 2017 when a jury returned guilty verdicts in the case against Ronald David Guinto.  Guinto, a former sixth grade science and math teacher at Making Waves Academy in Richmond, was charged with 90 counts related to repeated and long term child molestation of 13 charged and two uncharged victims between 2002-2013.  The jury found the defendant guilty as charged on 87 counts and hung on three counts.

In 2002, Guinto enticed his first victim through an AOL chat room to sneak out of his house and with Guinto in order to molest thethen 12-year-old boy.  The molestation occurred on multiple occasions, in both Santa Clara and Solano Counties.  Defendant was convicted of twenty nine counts of child molestation and kidnapfor acts committed with this victim.

Between 2008 and 2009, Ronald Guinto participated as a Cub Scout Pack Leader and Camp Counselor for summer camps and local Cub Scout troops in the greater San Jose area where he groomed and molested multiple victims.  Through Guinto’s contacts with the Boy Scouts, Guinto gained access to a church in San Jose where he kidnapped and took one of the charged victimsand molest him and showed him pornography.  Defendant was convicted of three counts related to the kidnap and molestation of this boy, also twelve.  Defendant also molested multiple uncharged victims from his Cub Scout Pack in his home and on camping trips.

In 2009, Ronald Guinto created a camp he called, “Camp Epic” as a project in his Master’s Program at Tuoro University.  In 2012, Guinto graduated from Tuoro University and began teaching at Making Waves Academy as a full time teacher.Ronald Guinto invited students at the school to join “Camp Epic,”and attend camping trips, adventure trips to amusement parks, and other overnight trips.  Ronald Guinto persuaded parents to allow these children to go with him alone overnight.  At the trips, Guinto molested children in tents, showed them pornography, and encouraged sexualized conversations.

The camping trips spanned multiple counties across Northern California, including, El Dorado, Placer, Mariposa, Santa Clara, Marin, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Napa, and Solano.  Guinto committed dozens of acts of sexual assault inside the tents during these camping trips on multiple victims.  Ronald Guinto had victims spend the night at his home, molested them and showed them pornography during his brief employment at Making Waves Academy between 2012-2013.

Deputy District Attorney Alison Chandler, the prosecutor on this case said,”The jury delivered verdicts of justice for all the victims in this case.  The courage and perseverance of these survivors inspires me.  I am proud of them.”

Wanted suspect leads Sheriff’s Deputies on pursuit on I-80 in West County, Friday night

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Sheriff seeks public’s helping in locating suspect

Eddie Nute

On Friday, January 13, 2017, at approximately 9:40 PM, Deputy Sheriffs in North Richmond attempted to stop a red Acura that was believed to be driven by 22-year-old Eddie Nute of Citrus Heights, who has a $1 million dollar arrest warrant for auto burglary and conspiracy with a gang enhancement.

The vehicle failed to yield and led Deputies on a pursuit, which headed westbound on Highway 80. While fleeing, the suspect collided with a minivan and did not stop. As the suspect approached the Bay Bridge, he struck a Mercedes, which lost control. A Deputy attempted to stop, however he collided into the back of the Mercedes. The pursuit was terminated.

The drivers of the two vehicles were transported to local hospitals as a precaution. The Deputy was not injured.

While on scene Deputies were notified that there was a nearby vehicle disabled in the median. It was later determined it was the wanted vehicle. The driver fled and is still outstanding.

Nute is described as African American, 5’, 7” tall, 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Nute is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Supervisor Burgis announces committee, board and commission assignments

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Last Tuesday, January 10, 2017, County Supervisor Diane Burgis was officially sworn into office, representing District Three on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. The district includes most of Antioch, and all of Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen in East County, as well as Blackhawk, Diablo and Camino Tassajara in the San Ramon Valley.

“It’s truly an honor to have earned the trust and confidence of the voters of District Three,” said Supervisor Diane Burgis. “I’m excited to follow in the footsteps of East County’s loyal advocate, Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho, and to work hard for my constituents defending the Delta, improving public safety and strengthening our local economy.”

During last Tuesday’s meeting each board was also appointed to various county committee and regional boards and commissions. Supervisor Burgis was appointed to the following posts:

Chair:

  • Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee

Vice Chair:

  • Airport Committee
  • East County Transportation Planning (TRANSPLAN)
  • Internal Operations Committee
  • Legislation Committee
  • Open Space/Parks & East Bay Regional Parks District Liaison Committee
  • State Route 4 Bypass Authority

Commissioner:

  • Delta Protection Commission

Director:

  • Tri Delta Transit Authority Board

Member:

  • California Identification System Remote Access Network Board
  • City-County Relations Committee
  • Dougherty Valley Oversight Committee
  • East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy Governing Board
  • East Contra Costa Regional Fee & Finance Authority
  • East County Water Management Association
  • eBART Partnership Policy Advisory Committee
  • Northern Waterfront Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee

Alternate Member:

  • Association of Bay Area Counties Executive Board
  • Contra Costa Transportation Authority Board
  • Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
  • Mental Health Commission
  • Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board

In her first term, Diane’s policy priorities include:

  • Transportation infrastructure improvements and expansion
  • Responsible stewardship of natural resources, open space and the Delta
  • Preservation and revitalization of the county’s agricultural core
  • Faster police, fire and emergency response times
  • Efficient and effective delivery of county services

Prior to her election as a County Supervisor, Diane was the Executive Director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed and also served as:

  • Ward 7 Director of the East Bay Regional Park District
  • Oakley City Councilmember
  • Delta Protection Commission Member
  • Association of Bay Area Governments Regional Planning Committee Member

District 3 includes most of Antioch, and all of Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen in East County, as well as Blackhawk, Diablo and Camino Tassajara in the San Ramon Valley. Click here for additional information about the office of Supervisor Diane Burgis.

Discover Diablo, new Free Public Hike Series offered by Save Mount Diablo, beginning this weekend

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Hikers enjoy the trails on Save Mount Diablo’s Four Days Diablo Group Camping Trip, a 30-mile trek along the Diablo Trail over 4 day leading you on an adventure through rarely seen Mount Diablo landscapes. Photos by Scott Hein, Save Mt. Diablo Board President

Discover Diablo is Save Mount Diablo’s new free public hike series, offering an annual schedule of guided walks, hikes and interpretive tours open to any and all trail blazers. Generously sponsored by the Shell Martinez Refinery, the Discover Diablo Free Public Hike Series will launch in early 2017. Discover Diablo will offer two events per month for the entire year (please see schedule, below) – one taking place and focusing on a Save Mount Diablo property and one designed for families on other public parks.

Hosted by Save Mount Diablo, the new Discover Diablo program seeks to build awareness of local land conservation efforts and to convey the importance of protecting open space for habitat and recreation. With the launch of Discover Diablo, we intend to reach new audiences, build our membership base of adventurers, explorers and outdoor enthusiasts, and spark a passion for the Diablo Range.

Four Days Diablo 2012

We invite you to join us in exploring the Bay Area’s beautiful wild lands and open spaces. We hope that with two events per month in various locations, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Save Mount Diablo’s Family walks are for hikers of all skill levels and will take place on other portions of open space on and around the mountain. Save Mount Diablo’s Property tours will illustrate the importance of preserving wildlife habitat, building corridors between existing parks, and of course, all the beauty that the Diablo Range has to offer.

To honor Save Mount Diablo’s mission, we aim to display both our current property holdings as well as those we have helped protect over the years. Hosting monthly hikes is an effective way to engage and grow communities invested in the sustainability of local open space. SMD properties aren’t usually open to the public, so these are rare opportunities.

To complete the land conservation picture in the Diablo Range and pay homage to collaborating agencies, we also host monthly outings on Mount Diablo State Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation lands. Save Mount Diablo’s new hike series, Discover Diablo, ties these outings together by offering an annual schedule of free public hikes to explore these diverse lands – with the added bonus of being guided by staff and experienced volunteer hike leaders.

According to Ted Clement, Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo, “It is the goal of the Discover Diablo program to build connections between people and land, helping communities develop a strong sense of place and a deepened appreciation for our collective backyard. Most importantly, we want to cultivate a love of the land in participants – so as to grow the land ethic and stewardship for our precious Mount Diablo area.”

We intend to reach audiences from all over the Bay Area to improve awareness of and advocacy efforts for the Diablo Range. There is something for us all to discover in the nooks and crannies surrounding Mount Diablo. Please join us on the trails to find your own individual inspiration!

Visit us on Eventbrite to our full schedule of upcoming hikes: Discover-Diablo.eventbrite.com. RSVP required.

What: Save Mount Diablo’s Discover Diablo Free Public Hike Series

When: Two monthly events throughout 2017. (See schedule below)

Where: CONTRA COSTA COUNTY – Walnut Creek, Clayton, Concord, Livermore, Pittsburg.

Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited, non-profit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, and watersheds through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide recreational opportunities consistent with the protection of natural resources. To learn more and support Save Mount Diablo please visit www.savemountdiablo.org.