Contra Costa Herald

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

East County Realtors offer 5 ways to help during the Christmas season

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Gift Wrapping Event at Barnes & Noble Thursday, Dec. 4; plus, Warm Coat and CANTREE Food Drives and more

By Jody Drewery, President, Women’s Council of REALTORS®

Real Estate is not just about buying and selling homes — it’s about showing up for our community. I’m proud to be a part of the Delta Women’s Council of REALTORS® and the Delta Association of REALTORS® Community Foundation, where giving back is at the heart of what we do.

This season, we have several opportunities to make a difference — and you don’t have to be a REALTOR® to help.

First, join us this Thursday! The Delta Women’s Council of REALTORS® will be at Barnes & Noble in the Streets of Brentwood (2475 Sand Creek Road, Suite 100) for a community Gift Wrapping Event and hosting Adopt-a-Senior.

You can also:

  • Donate to the Warm Coat Drive (see above)
  • Donate a Gift Card
  • Donate canned goods to the CANTREE Food Drive (see below)

Every contribution, big or small, helps someone in need — and with the year many families have had, from economic challenges to government impacts, there has never been a more meaningful time to come together.

If you’d like additional information or want to get involved, please call (925) 818-1977 or visit www.facebook.com/WCRDelta. Let’s collaborate and spread some love throughout our community!

Future Founders: Community college students win cash prizes at entrepreneurship showcase 

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Source: 4CD

DVC teams win all four prizes in The 4CD Business Pitch Competition

By Jennifer Ortega, Director of Communications and Community Relations, Contra Costa Community College District

PLEASANT HILL, CA  — Student entrepreneurs from across the Contra Costa Community College District (4CD), including Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College, recently showcased their creativity, talent and business acumen at The 4CD Business Pitch Competition, held at Diablo Valley College’s Pleasant Hill campus.

Ten finalist teams presented their business ideas to a panel of local leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The teams were selected to pitch from a competitive pool of 24 applicants, each demonstrating originality, clarity, and potential for real-world impact.

First Place winner Anya Gupta of WellPulse and Second Place winner of Leftoverly, with DVC Dean of Business Charlie Shi. Photos by Brandy Howard.

At the conclusion of the event, four standout student teams were awarded cash prizes:

  • First Place ($1,000): WellPulse – 100% anonymous wellness survey platform
  • Second Place ($500): Leftoverly – Platform for restaurants to sell surplus meals
  • Third Place ($250): Scholarise – Platform for tracking scholarships, internships, coursework for university transfer
  • People’s Choice (Audience Vote, $50): Garydian Angel – Voice-activated wristband providing calm family safety

All of the winning teams were from DVC.

Third Place winners of Scholarise (left) and People’s Choice winner of Garydian Angel (right) with DVC Dean of Business Charlie Shi. Photos by Brandy Howard

Anya Gupta, the founder of the winning pitch for WellPulse said, “It’s truly an honor to win first place in this competition. I’ve been working on this project for more than two years, and to see it grow from a small idea into something making an impact on student mental health is incredible. What started here at Diablo Valley College has already reached the county level and even BART, and I really believe it can go global. This win reminds me that change can start with one person and one small idea — and I’m excited to keep building from here.”

“This competition truly highlights the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and determination of our students at DVC, and our sister colleges CCC, and LMC,” said Charlie Shi, Dean of Business, Computer Science, and Culinary Arts, and Community Education at DVC. “Their ideas reflect the potential of community college entrepreneurs to create generational wealth and shape the future of our regional economy.”

The event, held on Nov. 21, 2025, was made possible through sponsorships from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) and Sunvalley Shopping Center in Concord.

Judges for the final competition included Kim Trupiano, Mayor of Clayton; Ruby Grover, business leader from Sunvalley Shopping Center; Nayab Siddiqui, COO, ZAYNA Ventures; and Dan Siegel, a local entrepreneur. Entries were evaluated on writing quality, slide design, clarity of the concept, and any demonstrated traction or early validation.

Students from all three colleges were invited to submit applications earlier this month, with the finalists selected on Nov. 9. Their presentations captivated an audience of peers, faculty, staff, and community members, demonstrating the depth of entrepreneurial talent within the 4CD community.

For more information on the competition and business programs across the district visit:

https://www.dvc.edu/news/4cd-business-pitch-competition-turns-ideas-opportunities

DVC Business Entrepreneurship

https://www.dvc.edu/academics/explore-our-programs/business-entrepreneurship

CCC Business & Accounting

https://www.contracosta.edu/academics/departments/business/

LMC Business

https://www.losmedanos.edu/business/

For more information about future pitch competitions or entrepreneurship programs across 4CD, please contact: Brandy Howard, Director of Marketing at bhoward@dvc.edu or (925) 969-2048. For more information about 4CD visit www.4cd.edu.

Series of 9 Walnut Creek business burglaries under investigation

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At two shopping centers

By Lt. Drew Olson, Walnut Creek Police Department

On November 25, 2025, at approximately 4:15 a.m., Walnut Creek Police Officers responded to a commercial alarm at the San Miguel Shopping Center on Newell Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple businesses had been burglarized.

While investigating the initial scene, officers were dispatched to a second alarm at the Countrywood Shopping Center at Bancroft Road and Treat Blvd. There, they located additional businesses that also showed signs of forced entry.

In total, nine businesses were identified as victims of burglary.

Walnut Creek Police Department detectives are actively investigating these incidents and following up on leads.

If you have any information about this case, please contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 943-5844 or the Anonymous Tip Line at (925) 943-5865.

Oakley on Ice Grand Opening Nov. 22

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Opens today, Friday, Nov. 21

By City of Oakley

It’s opening day for Oakley on Ice, our brand-new seasonal ice-skating experience located in the parking lot directly behind the Mercantile Building at 3350 Main Street.
This magical new attraction is proudly brought to you by Got a Party Inc., in partnership with the City of Oakley. Together, we’ve turning downtown into a sparkling winter wonderland, right in the heart of Oakley!

The Grand Opening will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 4:45 p.m. and will feature a performance by the San Francisco Ice Theatre.

Oakley on Ice is located at 3350 Main Street, behind the Mercantile Building. More information: https://oakleyonice.com/.

Pleasant Hill Holiday Theft Suppression begins! 16 people arrested for retail theft

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Four of the 16 individuals arrested for retail theft in Pleasant Hill. Photos: Pleasant Hill PD

7 adults from Concord, 2 from San Pablo, 1 each from Brentwood, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Richmond & Vallejo and 2 juvies from Berkeley

Many have histories of arrest, some as many as 10 to 21 times

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

As we’ve entered the holiday shopping season, we continued our special theft suppression enforcement efforts with local retailers throughout the city. Officers worked together with loss prevention to arrest 16 people in two evening operations occurring within the last week. Those who qualified under new laws have had formal charges filed by the District Attorney’s Office related to these operations. All other cases will be sent to the district attorney for review. Two juvenile arrests (residents of Berkeley) were not included below.

Many have histories of arrest, some as many as 10, 17 and 21 times.

Stolen items, a knife and tools used in the retail thefts seized by police during the operation. Photos: Pleasant Hill PD

Juis Lara 37 – Brentwood – According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of nine arrests since 2018 for drugs, burglary and more.

Margarita Bravo 38 –Concord

Rosalinda Leach 37 – Concord – According to localcrimenews.com, she has a history of 11 arrests since 2021 for vehicle theft, hit-and-run, grand theft, using stolen ID’s, check fraud, drugs and more.

Jose Navarro 46 – Concord

Johan Omar-Matchusa 25 – Concord

Alexis Pellette 34 – Concord – According to localcrimenews.com, an Alexis Coquette Pellette was previously arrested three times, once for assault and twice for assault with a deadly weapon.

Clara Sanchez 35 –Concord

Maria Rogel 35 – Concord

Christina Mendivil 47 – Pittsburg – According to localcrimenews.com, she has a history of 10 arrests since 2014 for child cruelty, vehicle theft, petty theft, receiving stolen property, drugs and more.

Daniel Garcia-Vasquez 28 – Pleasant Hill – According to localcrimenews.com, he was previously arrested in 2022 for possession of burglar’s tools and drugs.

Stacie Gaskins 47 – Richmond – According to localcrimenews.com, she has a history of 20 arrests since 2015 for vehicle theft, grand theft, burglary, robbery, shoplifting, theft, petty theft, forgery, forged driver’s license or ID, using stolen ID, driving without a license, trespassing, drugs and more.

Devoreah Allen 27 – San Pablo

Kendra Timmons 57 – San Pablo – According to localcrimenews.com, she has a history of 17 arrests since 2013 for robbery, burglary, grand theft, shoplifting, carrying a loaded firearm, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, addict in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of tear gas, forgery, using stolen ID, check fraud, drugs and more.

Jade Hill 20 – Vallejo

These holiday theft-suppression operations will continue throughout the holiday season. Would be grinches beware, we will be on high alert to protect our retail partners and community members.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

13 County DA’s reach multi-million-dollar environmental settlement with pesticide companies

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By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton and other California district attorneys have reached a $3.15 million settlement with Clark Pest Control of Stockton, Orkin Services of California, and Crane Pest Control.

The settlement resolves allegations that the companies violated state laws by disposing pesticides and hazardous waste into trash bins destined for landfills not authorized to accept such materials. The settlement also resolves the allegations that the companies discarded customer records containing private information.

“The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is dedicated to ensuring companies are held accountable for conduct that endangers the environment and our citizens,” said DA Becton.

The investigation, led by Contra Costa and San Mateo County District Attorneys, was initiated in 2021. From March 2021 through February 2022, investigators statewide conducted undercover inspections of 40 dumpsters at 22 separate Clark and Orkin facilities. These inspections uncovered thousands of unlawfully disposed items including pesticide containers with liquids, powders, foams, baits, pellets, and aerosol sprays, plus hazardous batteries, e-waste, hand sanitizers, adhesives, and cleaning solutions. Inspectors also found thousands of privacy law violations: customer records that were not shredded — or rendered unreadable — and dumped in regular trash, including service orders, contracts, invoices, and route reports containing personal information.

After prosecutors notified Clark and Orkin of the violations, the companies cooperated fully and promptly updated their policies and procedures to ensure proper waste management and protect customer privacy in California.

Under the stipulated final judgment, Clark, Orkin, and Crane will pay a total of $3.15 million consisting of:

  • $2,017,000 in civil penalties.
  • $400,000 in Supplemental Environmental Projects.
  • $333,000 in investigative costs.
  • $400,000 in credit for Supplemental Environmental Compliance Measures.

The judgment also requires the companies to comply with a permanent injunction mandating significant operational reforms for a period of no less than five years, including:

  • Retention of a third-party auditor to conduct dumpster audits at a minimum of 10% of its facilities each year for five years.
  • Report the findings of the dumpster audits to the prosecutors.
  • Require that all facility employees complete a training program that ensures compliance with applicable pesticide waste and hazardous waste management and maintain proof of the training for three years.
  • Devote a minimum of two thousand hours per year for each year in which the judgment remains in effect to enhanced environmental compliance measures, including compliance reviews of waste accumulation areas, oversight of waste minimization efforts by company technicians, and oversight of enhanced hazardous waste compliance management.

Joining Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton and San Mateo District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe in this lawsuit are the District Attorneys of Alameda, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Orange, Riverside, San Diego and Ventura counties.

Case No. C25-03346 | The People of the State of California v. Clark Pest Control of Stockton, Inc., a California corporation, Crane Pest Control, a California corporation, and Orkin Services of California, Inc., a Delaware corporation

45-year-old felon arrested for Brentwood business burglary

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Mario Delgado of Brentwood was on felony probation, has a history of arrests, held on $50K bail

By Brentwood Police Department

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 8800 block of Brentwood Blvd. in response to an alarm call at a local business.

Upon arrival, officers discovered an open door but did not locate anyone inside the premises. Officers reviewed the business’s video surveillance footage, which showed a male suspect inside the business stealing items.

A short time later, a Brentwood Sergeant located the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mario Raphael Delgado of Brentwood (born 4/18/1980), a short distance from the burglarized business. Delgado was found to have an outstanding felony warrant and was on felony probation at the time of arrest.

Delgado was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking on charges related to the burglary and the outstanding warrant.

The Brentwood Police Department remains committed to protecting local businesses. Had it not been for the video surveillance and the quick response by officers, the suspect may not have been arrested.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, five-feet, eight inches tall, 175-pound Delgado is Hispanic, but also listed as white, and being held in the West County Detention Facility on $50,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 15 at 8:30 AM in Superior Court in Pittsburg.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating back to 2015 by multiple agencies including Fremont PD, and the Sheriff’s Departments of Tulare, Fresno, El Dorado and Contra Costa counties for crimes including carjacking, vandalism, DUI, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, addict in possession of firearm, carrying a concealed firearm – pistol, revolver, other, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner, purchasing or receiving a firearm knowing that he is prohibited by restraining order or injunction and intoxicated in public.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Quick response leads to 4 arrests at Concord shopping center

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The stolen merchandise recovered (center and four suspects. Photos: Concord PD

Juveniles suspected of stealing $3,400 in merchandise; Pleasant Hill PD assists

By Concord Police Department

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, officers responded to a report of four subjects running toward the exit after stealing merchandise from a local store. When officers arrived, the suspects fled in different directions—but our officers quickly pursued and apprehended all four juvenile suspects. All four were booked and then transported to Juvenile Hall.

All stolen merchandise—valued at approximately $3,400—was recovered. Detectives are investigating whether these individuals are connected to other recent high-value thefts from the same store over the past two weeks.

A big thank you to Pleasant Hill PD for their assistance!

Thanks to the quick response and teamwork, another theft was stopped, and our community remains a little safer.

Oakley on Ice comes to downtown Nov. 21-Jan 4

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Photo: Brentwood on Ice Facebook page

Relocates from Brentwood

By Danielle Navarro, Oakley Assistant City Manager

Oakley, CA – The City of Oakley is thrilled to announce the launch of Oakley on Ice, a brand-new seasonal ice-skating experience coming to Downtown Oakley this holiday season! The rink will be open from November 21, 2025, through January 4, 2026, located in the parking lot directly behind the Mercantile Building at 3350 Main Street.

This magical new attraction is proudly brought to you by Got a Party Inc., in partnership with the City of Oakley. Together, we’re turning downtown into a sparkling winter wonderland, right in the heart of our hometown!

“Oakley on Ice is more than just an ice rink; it’s a celebration of community,” said Joshua McMurray, the City Manager. We are so excited that this event will take place in the center of our growing and thriving downtown. It’s a perfect opportunity for residents, visitors, and curious business owners and investors to experience the potential and energy in Oakley, where you can live, work, and play in the Heart of the Delta. We are proud to bring this first-of-its-kind seasonal attraction to our city, one that encourages families to make new memories, helps local businesses connect, and brings even more fun and excitement into our winter wonderland.”

“It’s a privilege to collaborate with the City of Oakley to make Oakley on Ice a reality” said Tom Gregory, owner of Got a Party Inc., “Our goal is to create a magical family-friendly experience that brings people together, supports local businesses, and makes downtown Oakley a true holiday destination.”

In addition to ice skating, the seasonal event will offer opportunities for local businesses and nonprofits to advertise and participate on-site, promoting community connections and economic activity.  Pre-sale tickets will also be available to help local groups raise funds for their organizations, a fun and festive way to give back this holiday season.

Oakley on Ice complements the City’s beloved Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, which takes place at Civic Center Plaza on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The Tree Lighting event will once again feature the best-lit, real tree in all of Contra Costa County, free admission, horse-drawn carriage rides, live performances and music, and a special visit from Santa Claus, all part of Oakley’s growing tradition of community celebration.

CA credit unions mobilize relief for federal employees during government shutdown

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By Karla Davis, Vice President of Communications and Marketing, California’s Credit Unions

Ontario, CA (Oct. 9, 2025): California’s Credit Unions today announced a broad package of financial relief options for employees of the federal government impacted by the government shutdown.

Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions that offer services like checking and savings accounts, auto loans, debit and credit cards, low-cost or free financial counseling, and much more.

How Federal Employees Can Get Help Today

According to Congressional Research Services, over 155,000 federal employees work in California. This does not include the thousands of employees who work for federal contractors and may also be impacted.

During the shutdown, credit unions throughout California are offering various support services, which may include:

  • Loan Relief: Loan payment deferrals and temporary hardship modifications.
  • Emergency Assistance: Short-term, low- or no-interest loans to cover essential expenses.
  • Fee Waivers: Waiving late fees, overdraft fees, and penalties.
  • Financial Counseling: Access to financial wellness counselors to provide budgeting and debt management guidance.
  • Online Resources: Tools and information on our website to help with everyday expenses such as food, utilities, housing and healthcare.

“Credit unions are financial institutions focused on their mission of ‘people helping people.’ This includes times of need and emergencies, such as the government shutdown,” said Stephanie Cuevas, Senior Vice President of Federal Advocacy for California’s Credit Unions. “Credit unions are moving quickly to offer support to federal workers — from TSA agents to air traffic controllers, service members, and more. The goal is to support families during these times of uncertainty while the shutdown is resolved in Washington, D.C.”

Contact, Ask, and Explore

Federal employees can get help today by:

  • Contacting a credit union. Those reaching out should mention shutdown-related assistance. You can find a local credit union here.
  • Asking about eligibility. Every credit union has its own unique method to serving the community. Be sure to ask about how you can receive support.
  • Exploring options. The credit union will want to tailor financial solutions to your needs and circumstances.

California’s Credit Unions

Headquartered in Ontario, CA, California’s Credit Unions exists to help credit unions change people’s lives by supporting their operations, guidance, strategy, and philosophy. Our trade association helps local credit unions in California serve more than 14.4 million members. Credit unions are for people, not profit.