Contra Costa Herald

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

Suspect arrested in San Jose for 2025 murders of former El Cerrito, Fairfield high school football players

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Guardian Harper as a player for the El Cerrito High School football team. Photo source: Facebook

Following a year on the run

El Cerrito victim killed in separate incident at Bay Point house party

By Allen D. Payton

According to the Fairfield Police Department, law enforcement has taken a suspect into custody over a year after a fatal shooting in Fairfield. On August 8, 2025, officers responded to a shooting in the parking lot of 1300 W. Texas Street, where a 19-year-old Ta’Marcus Williams, a former Armijo High School football player, tragically lost his life, while sitting in a parked vehicle outside a Fairfield smoke shop.

Detectives quickly identified 20-year-old Adonnis Isiah Evans (born 9/10/2005), who raps under the stage name “Lul Dada”, as the suspect and secured an arrest warrant.

According to a Hoodline report, Williams died inside the vehicle before emergency responders arrived, and police say Evans and his girlfriend then fled south toward San Jose in a waiting Nissan. Solano County prosecutors filed murder and firearm charges against Evans on August 22, 2025.

But Evans evaded authorities for over a year. While a fugitive, he continued releasing music.

Wanted for El Cerrito Football Player’s Murder

Evans is also wanted as the primary suspect in the June 2025 killing of 18-year-old Guardian Harper at a house party in Bay Point. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, on June 14, 2025, at 12:58 a.m., Deputies arrived on scene and found a person suffering from gunshot wounds in a front yard. Deputies immediately performed life-saving measures until the fire department and an ambulance arrived. The person, who was not identified at the time, was later pronounced deceased. Deputies learned that two other gunshot victims transported themselves to a local hospital and were being treated for non-life-threatening wounds.

According to a Pressbee report, Harper was a 2024 El Cerrito High graduate and played football at both Benicia and El Cerrito High Schools before moving on to American River College and San Francisco City College.

Earlier this week, the San Jose Police Department successfully contacted Evans and placed him under arrest. On August 21, 2026, he was transported and booked into the Solano County Jail, where he is facing charges of 187 P.C. (Murder).

According to the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, six-inch tall, 125-pound Evans is Black and being held in the Justice Center Detention Facility in Fairfield on no bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24th at 1:30 p.m. in Fairfield Superior Court.

“We thank our law enforcement partners for their assistance in bringing him into custody,” Fairfield Police concluded in a post on their Facebook page.

BBB warns Bay Area consumers about BG Wealth Sharing and DSJ Exchange investment operation

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Adults age 65 and older lost almost $70,000

By Alma Galvan, Regional Marketing & Communications Director, Better Business Bureau San Francisco Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about an alleged cryptocurrency investment operation involving BG Wealth Sharing LTD and the DSJ Exchange platform.

Since May 2026 BBB has received several Scam Tracker reports from local Bay Area consumers who reported losing a combined $69,706.60. All reports were submitted by adults age 65 or older from Alameda and San Francisco counties.

According to the reports, consumers were introduced to the opportunity through relatives, friends, or local recruiters. Four consumers reported attending presentations at a Denny’s restaurant in Hayward, where participants were shown how to open and fund accounts and use trading “signals” or codes on the DSJ Exchange platform.

Consumers reported initially depositing between $2,000 and $5,000 through cash or cryptocurrency. Some said they gave cash to another participant or intermediary who converted it to cryptocurrency and funded their DSJ account.

The consumers described seeing their account balances increase as they copied and pasted trading codes provided through an online group. Some reported being promised daily returns, bonuses, or additional trading signals for recruiting new participants.

When consumers attempted to withdraw their earnings, however, they reported that withdrawals were frozen or unavailable. Several said they were instructed to pay an additional “tax” equal to 12% of the total balance displayed in their account before their funds could be released.

One consumer reported that a $5,000 initial deposit appeared to grow to more than $24,600. The consumer was then instructed to pay nearly $3,000 more before attempting a withdrawal. The consumer refused to pay and reported being unable to access the displayed balance.

“Consumers should never have to send additional money or cryptocurrency to pay a supposed tax before withdrawing their own funds,” said Alma Galvan, Regional Marketing and Communications Director for BBB SF Bay Area. “A growing balance displayed on an investment platform does not necessarily mean that the money exists or can be withdrawn. Be especially cautious when an opportunity relies on recruiting friends and family or promises unusually consistent returns.”

The reports received by BBB are consistent with concerns raised by securities regulators in several states. The Texas State Securities Board issued an emergency cease-and-desist order involving BG Wealth Sharing and DSJ Exchange, alleging an operation that used recruitment incentives, misleading account dashboards, withdrawal restrictions, and demands for an additional 12% “exit tax” or “compliance fee.”

The State of Hawaii also issued a preliminary cease-and-desist order alleging that BG Wealth Sharing and certain promoters solicited and offered unregistered securities. Securities regulators in Utah and Washington have issued investor warnings regarding BG Wealth Sharing and DSJ Exchange.

BBB cautions that this warning concerns BG Wealth Sharing LTD and the DSJ Exchange platform described in the reports and regulatory actions. It should not be confused with unrelated businesses that use similar names.

BBB recommends the following precautions:

  • Verify the investment and seller are properly registered.
  • Be skeptical of guaranteed or unusually consistent returns.
  • Research opportunities independently, even when recommended by someone you trust.
  • Avoid investments that reward recruitment.
  • Never give cash to someone to invest on your behalf.
  • Do not pay additional taxes or fees to withdraw funds.
  • Be cautious of unfamiliar platforms; displayed profits may be fabricated.

Consumers who believe they have lost money should immediately stop sending funds and contact their bank, cryptocurrency exchange, or payment provider. Preserve screenshots, messages, transaction records, wallet addresses, receipts, and information about anyone involved. BBB encourages consumers to submit scram reports to:

Victims should also be alert for recovery scams. Individuals claiming that they can hack a blockchain, retrieve cryptocurrency, or recover lost funds in exchange for an upfront payment may be attempting to victimize them a second time.

ABOUT BBB: Better Business Bureau‘s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust by setting standards for ethical business behavior, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models, calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior, and creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities.

 

Coalition opposing November Bay Area transit tax files lawsuit claiming bias in ballot language, impartial analysis

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Left graphic source: CABAT

Says “the District Board wrote the RTM Ballot Question…in a way that is intentionally confusing or misleading to voters.”

By Allen D. Payton

The Committee for Affordable Bay Area Transit (CABAT) organized to oppose the Regional Transit Measure (RTM) on the November ballot filed a lawsuit, Monday, against Election Officials in the five included counties and Kimberly Ward, the Public Transit Revenue Measure District Elections Official. If approved by voters, the tax measure, known as Connect Bay Area Transit, will raise a half-cent in four of the five counties, including Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara and San Mateo and one-cent in San Francisco County for 14 years and raise an estimated $17 billion.

Labeled a VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, the lawsuit was filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court by 10 petitioners including former State Senator Quentin L. Kopp, Gregg A. Diéguez, President of CABAT and Director of Sustainability for SHIFT Bay Area, and Marc Joffe, President of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, as well as Brian Holtz, Thomas Rubin and five others listed as individuals and electors in the Public Transit Revenue Measure District.

Kopp is also President of the San Francisco Taxpayers Association; Holtz is President of the Purissima Hills Water District Board of Directors in Santa Clara County and Secretary and Treasurer of the Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County; and Rubin is Vice President of the Alameda County Taxpayers Association, Inc.

Attorney Jason Bezis of Lafayette is representing them.

The District was formed to oversee the process for the transit tax measure. (See related article) According to the Fact Sheet for SB 63: Connect Bay Area Act, a separate oversight committee will be formed “to confirm money distribution follows the SB 63 expenditure plan” should the measure pass.

The lawsuit was filed before “the final printing deadline date” of “Friday, August 28, 2026, by which all ballot language and County Voter Information Guides (CVIG) materials must be finalized, including resolving any legal challenges in court.”

Transit Officials Were Warned But Did It Anyway

According to Joffe, “Transit officials cannot claim they were blindsided. On the night of July 23, 2026, the eve of the board’s special meeting, attorney Bezis sent a detailed pre-litigation demand letter urging the board not to approve the question as drafted.  The letter was acknowledged multiple times and the measure was placed on the ballot with the slanted wording anyway.”

Lawsuit cover page. Source: CABAT

Legal Claims

The lawsuit “challenges biased, not neutral, untrue, partial, argumentative, and/or prejudicial wording in the RTM Ballot Question (also called ‘ballot label’ or ‘statement of the measure’) in violation of the Elections Code sections 9051(e) and 13119(c) standards and false and/or misleading wording in the RTM Ballot Question under the Elections Code section 9380/McDonough v. Superior Court (2012) 204 Cal.App.4th 1169 (‘McDonough’) standard. This lawsuit also challenges the Impartial Analysis authored by real party in interest DISTRICT Counsel KATHLEEN KANE as false, misleading, and/or not impartial in violation of Elections Code section 9380.”

The petitioners “seek a writ of mandate to compel amendment of the ballot question (also known as ‘ballot label’ or ‘statement of the measure’) and the impartial analysis that Respondents COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICIALS and Ms. WARD are preparing for voter use in the Regional Transit Measure (‘RTM’) election to be held on November 3, 2026.”

Further, the lawsuit claims, “Petitioners assert that the DISTRICT and DISTRICT BOARD wrote the RTM Ballot Question…in a way that is intentionally confusing or misleading to voters.”

Current Ballot Language

The lawsuit explains, “As approved by the PTRMD BOARD at its July 24, 2026 meeting, the RTM Ballot Question (see District Resolution No. 2 Page 7) currently reads:

‘To prevent major service cuts to BART and other transit, avoid increased traffic, and reduce pollution by: Preserving BART, Caltrain, VTA, SamTrans, AC Transit, Muni, other transit for everyone, including workers, students, seniors, persons with disabilities; Supporting transit safety, cleanliness, affordability, reliability; Repairing targeted roads/potholes; Requiring financial transparency, oversight, accountability; shall the measure enacting a 0.5% (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara counties), and 1% (San Francisco) sales tax for 14 years generating approximately $980,000,000 annually, be adopted?’”

Challenges & Proposed Changes

However, the petitioners claim the adopted ballot language does not comply with state Elections Code and the amount is incorrect and should instead be $1.2 million per year. They claim the statement of the measure is not “a true and impartial synopsis of the purpose of the proposed measure,” is “argumentative” and “likely to create prejudice for or against the measure,” and that the “RTM Ballot question is inherently prejudicial” based on a survey MTC conducted last year. Furthermore, the petitioners “argue that components of the RTM Ballot Question are false and/or misleading.”

They want to make the following changes:

  • Amend the phrase “Preserving BART …” to read “Funding BART …”
  • Delete the phrase “for everyone, including workers, students, seniors, persons with disabilities”.
  • Delete the phrase “To prevent major service cuts to BART and other transit”.
  • Alternatively, strike the word “major” in the phrase “To prevent major service cuts …”
  • Delete the phrase “avoid increased traffic”.
  • Delete the phrase “reduce pollution”.
  • Strike the phrase “/potholes”.
  • Amend “Repairing targeted roads” to read “Repaving transit-served roads”.
  • Strike the words “affordability, reliability”.
  • Amend “enacting” to read “imposing”.
  • Amend the phrase “sales tax” to read “sales and use tax”.
  • Strike the word “oversight” in the phrase “Requiring … oversight”.
  • Strike the word “accountability” in the phrase “Requiring … accountability”.
  • Amend “$980,000,000 annually” (September 2025 estimate) to an updated number (an August 2026 estimate) or “$1,200,000,000 annually” (September 2025 estimates, averaged over 14 years).

Alternative Ballot Language

The lawsuit offers the following ballot language alternatives:

“If the Court were to order all of the amendments and corrections suggested by Petitioners supra, the RTM Ballot Question would read:

‘Funding BART, Caltrain, VTA, SamTrans, AC Transit, Muni, other transit; Supporting transit safety, cleanliness; Repaving transit-serving roads; Requiring financial transparency; shall the measure imposing a 0.5% (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara counties) and 1% (San Francisco) sales and use tax for 14 years generating approximately $1,200,000,000 annually, be adopted?’”

The lawsuit further reads, “If the Court were to order all of the amendments and corrections suggested by Petitioners supra, including use of the ‘Shall the measure … be adopted?’ format, the RTM Ballot Question would read:

‘Shall the measure imposing a 0.5% (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara counties) and 1% (San Francisco) sales and use tax for 14 years generating approximately $1,200,000,000 annually; Funding BART, Caltrain, VTA, SamTrans, AC Transit, Muni, other transit; Supporting transit safety, cleanliness; Repaving transit-serving roads; Requiring financial transparency; be adopted?’”

The petitioners also claim the “RTM Impartial Analysis is partial, false, and/or misleading” and that it should be written by either the California Attorney General, a county counsel or district attorney instead of Kathleen Kane who is he legal counsel for the District.

“Supporters of the Transit Measure need to use misleading advertising because voters won’t pass the measure if they have the real story that it is a regressive tax falling hardest on seniors and low-income families for 14 years,” Dieguez stated.

“Voters deserve the honest description the law guarantees them, and if the district won’t provide it, a court should,” Joffe added.

See the Public Transit Revenue Measure District’s Legal Counsel RTM Impartial Analysis.

See RTM Ballot Question Lawsuit Aug 17

For more information about CABAT visit Committee for Affordable Bay Area Transit.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Public Transit Revenue Measure District formed, governed by MTC Board

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Photo, agency & map graphics: MTC

To oversee process for Bay Area transit tax on Nov. ballot

By Metropolitan Transportation Commission

OAKLAND, CA – Updated Aug. 17, 2026 – The Public Transit Revenue Measure District (PTRMD) was established under Government Code Title 7.85, by Senate Bill 63 (2025), which also authorizes a regional transportation revenue measure to be placed on the November 2026 ballot, known as the Connect Bay Area Transit Initiative.

District Members

The Public Transit Revenue Measure District is comprised of the same individuals that govern the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).

The PTRMD on Jan. 16, 2026, received a notice of intent from the Connect Bay Area Transit Committee to place a citizen’s initiative on the November 2026 ballot. Senate Bill 63, authored by state senators Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Jesse Arreguín of Berkeley, authorized a qualified voter initiative to impose a retail transactions and use tax ordinance applicable to the entire district for a duration of 14 years, in an amount of 0.5% in each of the counties located within the district and 1% in the City and County of San Francisco, subject to voter approval at the November 3, 2026, statewide general election.

On July 1, 2026, the District Elections Official issued a Certificate to Initiative Petition, certifying that proponents of the Connect Bay Area Transit Initiative submitted sufficient valid signatures for the measure to qualify for placement on the ballot.

The District at its July 24, 2026, meeting formally approved a resolution accepting the District Elections Official’s certification of the Connect Bay Area Transit initiative measure and requesting the Boards of Supervisors in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to call a special election on the measure and to consolidate this special election with the November 3, 2026, statewide general election.

Impartial Analysis of Regional Transit Measure 

Legal counsel for the Public Transit Revenue Measure District has prepared an impartial analysis of the  Regional Transit Measure pursuant to subdivision (d) of Government Code 67740. This text will also be included in each county’s voter information guide per state law.

Notices of Election Provided by Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters provided the following notices of election:

Election-Related Deadlines 

Established election dates related to the measure can be found on the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters (ROV) website. Please reference the most recently published Public Transit Revenue Measure District (PTRMD) calendars, which may be accessed at the SantaClaraCounty.gov website.  If you are unable to access the link, please contact the Santa Clara County ROV directly for assistance.

Staff Contact

Kimberly Ward, District Elections Official
Phone: 415-778-5367
Email: kward@bayareametro.gov

請求協助! | ¡Solicita ayuda! | Request assistance! 

您是否需要我們翻譯其中一份文件的內容? 您是否需要大字體或盲文印刷的書面資料? 您是否需要手語或您所說語言的口譯服務才能參與?

如需協助，請致電 (415) 778-6757。若需使用 TDD 或為聽障人士，請致電 711，加州轉接服務，或 (800) 735-2929 (TTY) ，(800) 735-2922 (語音)，然後要求轉接至(415) 778-6700。請至少提前三個工作日提出申請，以便我們能為您提供適當的安排。

¿Necesita que alguno de nuestros documentos sea traducido? ¿Necesita nuestras comunicaciones escritas en letra grande o en Braille? ¿Necesita un intérprete del lenguaje de señas o un intérprete que hable su idioma para poder participar?

Para solicitar asistencia, por favor llamemos al (415) 778-6757. Para telecomunicaciones para personas sordas y discapacitadas, favor de llamar al 711, el Servicio de Retransmisión de California (CRS) para TTY/VCO/HCO a Voz o para Voz a TTY/VCO/HCO al (800) 855-3000 y pedir que lo conecten al (415) 778-6700. Necesitamos aviso de al menos tres días hábiles de anticipación para proporcionar la asistencia adecuada.

Do you need one of our documents translated? Do you need written materials in large type or in Braille? Do you need a sign language interpreter or an interpreter who speaks your language in order to participate?

To request accommodation, please call (415) 778-6757. For TDD or hearing impaired, call 711, California Relay Service, or (800) 735-2929 (TTY), (800) 735-2922 (voice) and ask to be relayed to (415) 778-6700. We require at least three working days’ notice to accommodate requests.

For more information visit Public Transit Revenue Measure District.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Richmond Police Marine Unit assists with sinking boat on the Bay

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Photos: Richmond PD

By Richmond Police Department

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the Richmond Police Department Marine Unit responded to assist after a vessel sank in the San Francisco Bay, resulting in a tragic loss of life.

According to a CBS News Bay Area report, “One person died and three were missing in the San Francisco Bay on Tuesday after a boat with 20 people on board sank near Alcatraz Island, authorities said.” The person was identified “as Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, a former Sutter County sheriff’s deputy.”

However, as of Thursday night, “A body found in San Francisco Bay on Thursday afternoon was identified as one of the three passengers missing after the sinking of a boat near Alcatraz Island on Tuesday. San Francisco’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the person was 58-year-old Tondra Miller from Sacramento County. She was also known as Tondra Madruga, the office said.”

Our Marine Unit worked alongside our regional law enforcement and public safety partners during the initial response and will continue assisting in the ongoing search efforts.

The Richmond Police Department remains committed to supporting our partner agencies whenever called upon. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by this tragic incident.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

SFPD’s Violence Reduction Team releases video of multiple arrests in Contra Costa

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Items were seen being tossed from the second suspect vehicle believed to be evidence from the robbery before being stopped. Video screenshots. Source: SFPD

Following gang-related armed jewelry store robbery

By San Francisco Police Department

San Francisco, CA — An investigation by the San Francisco Police Department’s Violence Reduction Team (VRT) into a series of gang-related homicides led to the arrest of multiple suspects and the recovery of firearms after investigators coordinated with regional law enforcement agencies following an alleged armed jewelry store robbery in Contra Costa County.

During June 2026, VRT investigators were conducting surveillance as part of an ongoing investigation into multiple gang-related homicides and efforts to prevent additional acts of violence. During the investigation, officers observed several armed individuals exit a vehicle in San Francisco carrying firearms, including assault-style rifles. Based on their observations, investigators believed the group was preparing to target rival gang members. Detectives continued monitoring the suspects and identified several individuals known to investigators.

On June 28, 2026, investigators observed the group travel to Concord, where they allegedly committed an armed jewelry store robbery inside the Sunvalley mall. As previously reported, according to Concord Police, “Officers arrived on scene and learned that at least four suspects had smashed display cases at the Banter jewelry kiosk and pepper sprayed a patron during the commission of the robbery. The suspects fled the area prior to officers’ arrival.”

Following the robbery, the suspects switched vehicles in an apparent attempt to evade law enforcement. Investigators coordinated a regional enforcement operation to safely apprehend those involved.

The suspect in Richmond fled on foot but was quickly apprehended. Video screenshot. Source: SFPD

In Richmond, California, during the surveillance, one suspect was seen exiting a vehicle and entered a second SUV. When officers attempted to detain him, he fled on foot before being quickly taken into custody. A subsequent search of the SUV resulted in the recovery of a handgun, an assault-style rifle, ammunition, and additional evidence believed to be connected to the investigation.

Meanwhile, investigators continued tracking a second vehicle with the assistance of law enforcement drones. Officers observed occupants allegedly discarding items from the vehicle that investigators believe were evidence from the robbery. The vehicle was ultimately stopped, and officers conducted a felony stop, safely taking the occupants into custody without further incident.

In total, multiple suspects were arrested during the coordinated operation.

As the investigation continued, detectives served search warrants at residences in Richmond and Oakland associated with the suspects, recovering additional evidence.

An assault-style weapon discovered during searches of one of the homes following the arrests. Video screenshot. Source: SFPD

The case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration on the following arrested individuals, who were charged:

  • Cameron Haynes, 21-year-old, San Francsico
  • Terry Franklin, 29-year-old, San Francisco / Daly City
  • Lavar Kent, 18-year-old, San Francisco
  • Eric Howard, 18-year-old, San Francisco
  • Teric Howard, 20-year-old, San Francisco

Concord Police posted on their Facebook page, “Once again, the Concord Police Department remains committed to partnering with our allied law enforcement agencies to bring those who come into our community and commit crime to justice. We are thankful for SFPD’s partnership!”

See related video.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Francisco Police Department at 415-575-4444 or submit tips anonymously through the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or by texting TIP411 and beginning the message with “SFPD.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

BART to run Sunday schedule for Fourth of July and San Francisco fireworks show

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By BART Communications

For Fourth of July on Saturday, July 4, BART will be running a Sunday schedule (8am-midnight). We will run 5-line service until 8pm and then 3-line service after 8pm.

5-line service means all lines will be running, including the Green and Red lines, which provide direct service into San Francisco.

Extra trains may be added in case of crowding after fireworks in San Francisco. The fireworks show in San Francisco will be from the Golden Gate Bridge beginning at 9:30pm. The best viewing spots are at Crissy Field, Marina Green, and Pier 39.

Muni is providing a Marina Fireworks Shuttle from Powell Street BART Station and a Pier 39 Embarcadero Fireworks Shuttle from the Embarcadero BART Station. Muni’s F-Line also serves Embarcadero to Pier 39. See Muni’s webpage with information. People looking to take BART home, should immediately return to BART to catch the last trains of the evening. The Muni shuttle service could take up to 60 minutes to connect to a BART Station.

The last train to run through downtown San Francisco stations towards the East Bay (with connections to all stations) is at around 12:25am. The last train to run through downtown San Francisco stations towards Daly City/Millbrae is at around 1:10am (this train does not stop at SFO Station). The last train to run through downtown San Francisco that will stop at SFO Station is at around 12:40am.

Planning and paying for your trip 

Plan your door-to-door trip using BART’s Trip Planner. Itineraries will include key transfer information. You can also check Real Time Departures for the stations you use.

Parking at BART stations (except Milpitas and Berryessa stations) is free on weekends.

Every BART station has restrooms except Pittsburg Center, 12th St./Oakland City Center, Civic Center, 16th St. Mission, 24th St. Mission, and the Oakland International Airport Station (Coliseum Station has a restroom).

All Bay Area transit, including BART, accepts contactless debit or credit cards and mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay for adult fare payment. No setup is required. Just Tap and Ride. Each person needs their own card or device. Clipper cards are also accepted.

Riders who use more than one transit agency in a single trip (e.g., BART to VTA) will only be charged full fare on the first operator. A transfer discount of up to $2.85 will apply on any additional transit agency the rider uses within a two-hour window. Transfer discounts are calculated automatically using Tap and Ride or Clipper for accounts that have been upgraded to the next generation system (click here to upgrade your card).

BART Resources 

System Map

Trip Planner

Real Time Departures from each station

Tap and Ride contactless payment

Download the BART Watch App

Text BART Police to report concerns at 510-200-0992

 

Discovery Bay driver arrested for San Francisco fatal vehicle collision

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Killed pedestrian, struck 3 more people

By San Francisco Police Department

On May 25, 2026, at approximately 12:13 am, San Francisco Police officers responded to the area of 16th and Mission Streets regarding a vehicle collision.

Officers were advised that a collision occurred between a vehicle and a pedestrian.

Officers arrived on scene and located a pedestrian victim being treated by paramedics for life threatening injuries. Paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital.

Despite lifesaving efforts of medical staff, the victim was later declared deceased at the hospital.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a vehicle collided with a pedestrian and struck three additional victims.

The three victims were medically assessed on scene for non-life-threatening injuries.

Through the course of the investigation, officers located the suspect vehicle and detained the occupant of the vehicle.

The Traffic Collision Investigations Unit (TCIU) responded to scene and conducted their investigation.

Through the course of the investigation, TCIU investigators developed probable cause to arrest the driver identified as 57-year-old Samuel Powell of Discovery Bay on June 30, 2026.

Powell was arrested and charged for vehicular Manslaughter 192(c)(2) PC and the driver’s responsibility to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian within the roadway 21955(b)(3) CVC.

Although an arrest has been made, this remains an open and active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

 

MTC announces Connect Bay Area half-cent sales tax transit measure qualifies for Nov. 2026 election

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Photos: MTC

Will appear on Bay Area ballots across five counties including Contra Costa

By Jeff Cretan, West Advisors

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA — The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has announced that the Connect Bay Area regional transit funding measure has officially qualified for the November 2026 ballot after elections officials confirmed the campaign submitted enough valid signatures across Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

The announcement follows the Connect Bay Area campaign’s submission of more than 305,000 signatures in May, far exceeding the 186,000 valid signatures required to qualify the measure. The MTC’s official certification sent on June 30 declared that the registrars of voters across the five counties each conducted their individual county counts and submitted the results to the MTC and the total submitted far exceeded the qualification threshold.

The measure if adopted would increase the sales tax in Contra Costa, Alameda San Mateo and Santa Clara counties by a half cent and one cent in San Francisco County for 14 years. As previously reported, the measure would generate approximately $980 million annually across the five counties.

The success of this effort was built on one of the largest grassroots transit organizing efforts the region has ever seen and unprecedented support from business, labor, and community organizations across the Bay Area.

The Connect Bay Area five-county sales tax measure would provide long-term operational funding for major Bay Area transit agencies while supporting projects to strengthen and better connect transit systems across the region. It will protect major transit agencies like BART, Muni, Caltrain and AC Transit from devastating service cuts, help VTA grow to better serve residents, workers, and businesses, and provide direct support to counties for transit improvements.

Connect Bay Area also strengthens accountability for transit agencies. SB 63 – the legislation authored by Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguín that enabled Connect Bay Area – requires independent financial reviews, continued efficiency improvements, and stronger regional coordination before the measure even appears on the ballot.

The five counties that would be included in the tax measure vote. Source: Connect Bay Area

Unprecedented Grassroots, Labor and Business Support

The Connect Bay Area campaign has grown in support over the last several months with more than 80 elected officials and more than 90 labor, business, and advocacy organizations signing on in support. Major businesses from across the region helped raise more than $5.5 million to qualify the measure and prepare for the November election.

Since launching in January, Connect Bay Area mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers and advocates across Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. Supporters gathered signatures at transit stations, farmers markets, community events, neighborhood meetings, and major public gatherings throughout the Bay Area.

The overwhelming signature total that led to the measure’s qualification for the ballot reflects broad public support for transit and growing awareness of the urgency surrounding the future of Bay Area public transportation.

Without sustainable transit funding, the Bay Area could face catastrophic service reductions:

  • BART: Up to 15 station closures, elimination of two lines, and service cuts of up to 70%
  • Caltrain: Hourly train service, no weekend service, and weekday shutdowns after 9 p.m.
  • Muni: At least 20 bus routes eliminated and service reductions of 30% or more
  • AC Transit: Service cuts of at least 16%

The campaign will now turn its full attention toward the November election, building on the unprecedented coalition of volunteers, businesses, labor organizations, transit riders, and community advocates who helped qualify the measure.

About Connect Bay Area

The Connect Bay Area campaign is a five-county Regional Transit Measure on the November 2026 ballot. The measure would establish a 0.5% sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties and a 1% sales tax in San Francisco to provide additional support for Muni. It would provide long-term operational funding for major Bay Area transit agencies while supporting regional projects that strengthen transit throughout the region.

The Regional Transit Measure will:

  • Protect and improve service on BART, Muni, Caltrain, SamTrans, VTA, and AC Transit.
  • Prevent catastrophic transit service cuts across the Bay Area.
  • Reduce traffic congestion and emissions while supporting California’s climate goals.
  • Support the Bay Area economy by strengthening downtown recovery and regional mobility.

The measure includes strong accountability and oversight provisions, including independent financial reviews for every transit operator, regional coordination requirements to ensure systems work better together, and a citizen oversight committee to monitor spending and performance. A recent independent study required under SB 63 found Bay Area transit agencies have already achieved approximately $1 billion in operational efficiencies while identifying additional opportunities to improve service and reduce costs.

The Connect Bay Area Transit Committee is comprised of labor, business, and transit advocates, including Bay Area Council, SEIU 1021, ATU 1555, South Bay Labor Council, SPUR, and SAMCEDA, alongside an advocacy council of more than 20 organizations representing transit, housing, environmental, equity, senior, and disability organizations.

For more information about the Connect Bay Area campaign or to get involved, visit connectbayarea.com.

MTC/ABAG award $8 million for environmental and community projects

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McNeil Park Project. Source: City of San Pablo

$500K for San Pablo park

Grants support Plan Bay Area goals

By Metropolitan Transportation Commission

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission in June awarded $8 million to 16 Bay Area projects through the Priority Conservation Area (PCA) Grant Program. These grants support the goals of Plan Bay Area, the region’s long-range plan for housing, the economy, transportation, and the environment.

The PCA Grant Program is a key tool used by MTC and ABAG to protect and enhance natural and agricultural lands, expand public access to open space, and invest in climate resilience and community-driven environmental stewardship. The 2026 awardees reflect a diverse mix of planning, restoration, acquisition, and access projects across all nine Bay Area counties.

These 16 projects were awarded after a multi-step application and evaluation process that initially received over 50 proposals requesting nearly $36 million in funding.

  • McNeil Park (City of San Pablo) – $500,000 to transform a vacant school site into a multi-benefit community park with recreation amenities, green infrastructure, and inclusive design features.
  • Wooden Bridge Replacement Feasibility Study (City of Alameda) – $500,000 to plan replacement of a critical Bay Trail connection threatened by sea level rise and aging infrastructure, serving over 1,000 daily users.
  • Restoring Connections: Deep East Oakland Community Stewardship, Creeks, & Shoreline Access (Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation) – $450,000 to advance community-led stewardship, outdoor learning, and improved shoreline access in urban neighborhoods.
  • Canal Boatyard Urban Park Connection (City of San Rafael) – $800,000 to plan a new shoreline park and pedestrian bridge in the Canal neighborhood, improving access to open space in an Equity Priority Community.
  • Resilient Suscol Creek: Climate-Ready Habitat Planning (Napa County RCD) – $440,000 to develop restoration designs to improve climate resilience and ecological function across approximately 100 acres of habitat.
  • Twin Peaks Promenade – Bay Area Ridge Trail Connection & Habitat Restoration (San Francisco Recreation & Park Department) – $500,000 to convert a former roadway into a multi-use trail with habitat restoration and improved Ridge Trail connectivity.
  • Fire & Flora: Resilient Foothills Initiative (Grassroots Ecology) – $210,000 to reduce wildfire risks and restore native plant communities while training volunteers and workforce participants.
  • Bay Trail SFO Gap Closure Project – Phase 1 (San Mateo County Transportation Authority) – $600,000 to advance design and environmental review for a 2.5-mile segment closing a major gap in the Bay Trail.
  • Highway 17 Wildlife & Ridge Trail Crossings and Connections (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District) – $750,000 to reconnect wildlife habitat and close a critical gap in the Ridge Trail with new crossings and trail construction.
  • North Coyote Valley Wildlife & Trails Study (Peninsula Open Space Trust) – $250,000 to evaluate trail alignments that balance recreation access with wildlife connectivity in a regionally significant corridor.
  • Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Outreach & Awareness Campaign (UC Cooperative Extension) – $200,000 to build public support for agricultural land conservation through storytelling, education, and community engagement.
  • Farm to Market Phase 4 (Solano County Department of Resource Management) – $800,000 to improve multimodal access to agricultural areas, supporting local farms and active transportation options.
  • South Fork Gualala River Acquisition (Western Rivers Conservancy with Kashia Band of Pomo Indians) – $750,000 to protect 298 acres of river corridor and redwood forest, supporting habitat restoration and Tribal cultural uses.
  • Petaluma River Park (Petaluma River Park Foundation) – $550,000 to advance design and construction of a new riverfront park featuring habitat restoration and expanded recreational access.
  • Osprey Hill Ranch (Sonoma Land Trust) – $450,000 to plan a public trail network across a 365-acre coastal property while protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources.
  • Improving Habitat Quality and Bike/Ped Connectivity on PCA Creeks (City of Sonoma with Sonoma Ecology Center) – $250,000 to enhance creek ecosystems while improving regional trail safety and connectivity.

The PCA Grant Program—funded through the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program and administered by the San Francisco Estuary Partnership—has supported more than 85 projects and invested over $46 million in conservation and access improvements across the region since its inception in 2013.