Contra Costa Herald

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

Brentwood man arrested, charged for discharging firearm in Walnut Creek

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Suspect Eric Clausen placed in the back of a police vehicle on August 16, 2023. WCPD video screenshot.

By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police Department

On August 16, 2023, at about 9:13pm, Walnut Creek Police Department received a call of a vehicle driving recklessly on N. Main Street traveling toward the City of Pleasant Hill, and the driver was reportedly holding a gun. A short time later, a witness called Dispatch to report a male crashed his vehicle in a shopping center located at 2900 N. Main Street, then discharged a gun in the air several times after exiting the vehicle. A Walnut Creek Police Officer in the area heard the gunfire and was on scene within seconds, but the suspect fled the area on foot. Officers set up a perimeter and began a search, which included the use of drones and assistance from a CHP helicopter.

At approximately 10:21pm, a WCPD Officer located the suspect behind a nearby business and the suspect was safely taken into custody without incident. The firearm involved in this case was later located by officers. There were no reported injuries to the suspect, officers, or anyone in the area.

Eric Ross Clausen, a 30-year-old Hispanic male from Brentwood (born 5/21/93), was arrested for various weapons violations and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, as of August 31 the 5-foot-11-inch, 160-lb suspect was still in custody at the West County Detention Center being held on $100,000 bail.

On August 18th, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed the following charges against Clausen:

PC 29800(a)(1) – Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

PC 246.3(a) – Willful Discharge of a Firearm with Gross Negligence

PC 25850(a) – Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Public Place

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.

Names of four Martinez cops in officer-involved shooting at cannabis business released

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Mayor, council members release statement – “this situation exacerbates our ongoing staffing challenges in the Police Department”

By City of Martinez

As previously reported, on August 18, 2023, around 3:27 a.m., the Martinez Police Department received a report of a video alarm at Velvet, a cannabis dispensary, located at 4808 Sunrise Drive. While enroute, officers were advised of multiple subjects at the business along with two vehicles.

Officers arrived on scene around 3:32 a.m. and one of the vehicles, described as a white SUV, fled the scene. Officers broadcast that shots were fired and there was an assault on an officer. The second vehicle attempted to flee and then crashed into a fire hydrant. The two occupants of the vehicle were transported to the hospital.

Based on the investigation, it is believed that four Martinez police officers discharged their firearms in this incident. The four officers have been placed on administrative leave as per department policy.

One of the civilians in the incident who was transported to the hospital is deceased.

The officers involved in this shooting have been identified as: Officer Cole Bennett, Officer Marc Kahue, Officer Raul Ceja-Mendez and Officer Alexander Tirona. All officers were assigned to patrol at the time of the incident. The California Department of Justice, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506, is conducting an independent investigation into the use of force by each officer in this incident. I unequivocally support their investigation and the police department is fully cooperating. I am confident they will find the answers to many of the questions that have been raised and provide us all with an understanding as to what happened.

At the conclusion of their investigation, DOJ will provide a public report containing their determinations regarding the lawfulness of the use of force as well as their findings and recommendations regarding the policies and practices of the Martinez Police Department.

The Martinez Police Department initiated a separate administrative investigation into this incident. The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether the use of force by each officer complied with department policies and procedures. An outside firm is conducting this investigation.

These investigations will both take time, but it is critical they are able to accomplish their respective tasks carefully, comprehensively and independently, based on facts and the evidence.

The officers involved were wearing body-worn cameras. Generally, the body-worn video is subject to release within 45 days following the incident, with certain exceptions. The department intends to release the videos within the 45 days.

Mayor, Councilmembers Issue Statement

In response Martinez Mayor Brianne Zorn and Councilmembers issued the following statement on Friday, August 25:

Today, the Department of Justice released the names of our four officers involved in the August 18th shooting at the Velvet Cannabis Dispensary. We acknowledge and understand the public’s interest in the ongoing investigations conducted separately by the Department of Justice for use of force, and an outside investigations firm for administrative policy compliance. We trust that these processes will arrive at the truth and remain committed to transparency as both investigations continue. These investigations will take time to complete, and we request patience as the information is compiled, analyzed, and evaluated by the appropriate independent authorities to ultimately determine the findings.

We recognize that this situation exacerbates our ongoing staffing challenges in the Police Department and are exploring all available resources and options to continue to keep our community safe and respond to all crimes in progress.

Brianne Zorn, Mayor

Mark Ross, Vice Mayor

Debbie McKillop, Councilmember

Jay Howard, Councilmember

Satinder S. Malhi, Councilmember

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Kaiser eye doctor helps man see straight for first time since childhood

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Patient Kyle Emard with Kaiser Permanente ophthalmologist Dr. Daniel Greninger. Photo by Allen D. Payton

“Strabismus” could affect as many as 30,000 people in Contra Costa and is correctable

“I look at the picture and go ‘wow’! I just feel good.” – patient Kyle Emard

“It’s an out-patient surgery. You go home the same day.” – Dr. Daniel Greninger

By Allen D. Payton

After living with being both cross-eyed and deaf for most of his life, 49-year-old Kyle Emard can now see straight thanks to the talent and skills of Kaiser Permanente ophthalmologist, Dr. Daniel Greninger, whose office is in Antioch. He corrected Emard’s vision impairment known as strabismus.

“After I was born my eyes would look straight ahead. But when I was five, my eyes started to go inward,” Emard shared through a sign language interpreter. “My mom asked me if I wanted surgery. I said, ‘no, no’.”

And he never did have the corrective surgery, until last year.

Kyle Emard before surgery. Photo Kaiser Permanente

“I never had any bullying,” Emard said. “I was playing football, wrestling and traveling all over the country. My grandfather had a travel agency. It didn’t bother me. People would ask me what was wrong with my eye. They thought I was blind in one eye. During conversations people would look past me, not sure which eye to look at. I’d think, ‘they’re not looking at me’. I’d say, ‘I’m looking at you’.”

“I graduated from high school. I got ready for college. Then I bought a house,” Emard continued. “My mom asked me, again if I wanted surgery, and I told her ‘no’.”

“Strabismus describes eye misalignment problems,” Greninger explained. “In Kyle’s case this is most likely attributed to accommodative esotropia. That’s a condition where a person’s eyes turn in excessively due to them trying to focus. Kyle is far sighted.”

“This is very common for eye misalignment problems,” the doctor added. “People have a hard time looking at those with strabismus.”

“Sometimes it would be a serious discussion and people would say, ‘look at me’, And I was,” Emard shared. “It was annoying.”

“For some people it’s more than annoying,” Greninger interjected. “For people with strabismus it’s a quality-of-life impact issue.”

“What is particularly unique for me from the doctor’s side of it is Kyle also has hearing impairment. He has to communicate visually,” he continued. “Sometimes people with strabismus and hearing impairment have double vision. Sometimes depth perception is affected.”

Kyle Emard wearing his first set of glasses at age 5. Photo courtesy of Kyle Emard.

Emard began wearing his first pair of glasses when he was five years old. But his vision progressively worsened, through the years.

“Kyle mainly looked out of one eye,” the doctor shared. “But surgery was done on both eyes. More on the right eye than the left.”

“For people with hearing impairment it’s called Usher Syndrome in which people have both hearing and vision impairment,” Greninger continued. “People assumed Kyle had that. Usher syndrome is a completely different genetic condition in which patients often have very significant hearing and vision deficits and are often functionally blind.  In Kyle’s case, I think people knew he was deaf, and then saw his eye drifting and assumed that he also couldn’t see due to Usher syndrome, which would be incorrect.”

“People assumed I was blind in one eye,” Emard shared.

Asked if it was difficult to read a book, watch TV or go to the movies, he said, “No.”

“His sight was fine. He could see 20/20 but he was only looking out of one eye,” the doctor replied. “If you have strabismus as a child, often the brain learns to ignore one eye to avoid seeing double.  In adults, acquired strabismus can often result in double vision. Kyle’s problem, accommodative esotropia, typically develops between 2-6 years of age, and is related to hyperopia, or far-sightedness.”

Emard said he continued to wear glasses, then mainly contacts in high school. He went snow skiing, snowboarding and dirt biking.

“I wouldn’t go up high places, just small hills,” he shared. “I played roller blade hockey, defensive end in football. That was all before.”

A graduate of Leigh High School in San Jose, Emard attended Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.

“It’s one of the best known colleges for the deaf. All the instruction is in ASL (American Sign Language),” Greninger added.

“It’s a muscle issue. There are six muscles that are attached to the eye that move it in different directions. Up and down, left and right, and torsion that twists the eye,” he explained. “In strabismus, sometimes it’s a disease of the eye muscles. More commonly it’s the brain not telling the eye to do something. Our brains are usually hardwired to know how much to turn to focus.”

Kyle Emard post-surgery. Photo Kaiser Permanente

The Surgery

Asked when he decided to have the surgery Emard responded, “After my mom passed away three years ago. My family had money. Everything I was doing was done for the deaf organization. I felt it was the right time.”

The surgery took place last September.

“I met Kyle in 2022 after I had received a referral from one of my colleagues, a consult request. We set up a video chat with an interpreter,” Greninger shared. “We do video consults, first. For this condition it’s important for me to know the history of the condition.”

“We had that first video visit. We used some remote tools which allowed Kyle to take photos and videos at home,” the doctor continued. “We were able to use the components of technology that we didn’t have five years ago. I then had him come in for a complete eye exam to make sure his eyes were healthy.”

Asked if the technology is better, Grenginer said, “It’s safer, now. It’s about an hour-and-a-half surgery.”

“I can’t go into the brain and turn a screw a quarter inch to change how the brain controls the eye,” he explained. “In the surgery, we put in an eyelid speculum, make a small incision over the white part of the eye and find where the eye muscle is located. We put in a small suture where the muscle connects to the white of the eye. Then I detach the muscle with surgical scissors and move it to a new position.  If we move it back, this creates some slack and decreases the force on the eye for turning.”

“I wear special surgical loops to help me see. But it’s all done with hands no lasers,” the doctor stated. “The amount we move the muscles is determined by the measurements we take in the office. Deciding which muscles to move and in which pattern based on the person’s problem are the intellectual work of my specialty.”

“I don’t want to over-compensate or under do it,” he continued. “It’s done in millimeter precision. We’re measuring the half-millimeter. Each millimeter moves the eye three degrees.”

“I knew I was nervous out of fear of losing my eye,” Emard shared.

“Each time I saw you I was more comfortable,” he said to the doctor.

“I don’t remember the surgery. When I woke up, I thought, ‘I’m ready’. But I looked and was shocked,” Emard exclaimed.

“It’s general anesthesia surgery so you’re asleep the whole time,” Greninger said. “We were able to get a sign language interpreter to be there in Walnut Creek the whole day, which I think is very important to give people the same level of care. I was really happy the leadership and nursing staff were able to provide that.”

“We had to move three muscles on Kyle’s eyes. One muscle on his left eye and two muscles on his right eye,” the doctor explained. “First, we relaxed the muscle on the left eye. Then on the right eye we tightened the outside muscle and relaxed the inside muscle.”

“I remember the right eye was much more red than the left,” Emard explained. “After surgery I did have double vision for a little while but then it went away. I had full vision. I could see all the way around. It was strange.”

“After the surgery I felt the same,” he added.

He used eye drops for a few a days, “but the redness lasted a few weeks,” Emard shared.

Asked how long the recovery time is Greninger said, “About six to eight weeks. I usually tell patients in two months’ time people won’t be able to tell they had the surgery. Kyle came back to see me about six months later to see if everything was fine, about March of this year.”

“Sometimes I forgot. ‘Did I have surgery?” Emard stated. “I posted and let everyone know on Facebook and showed the before and after photos and got almost a thousand likes. After my surgery I cried a lot because my mom wasn’t around to see it. But she’s happy, now.”

Emard lives in Livermore, works in Fremont as a middle school counselor and has one child, a 15-year-old son.

Asked what his son thought Emard said, “He said ‘wow!’ He was shocked. He just kept looking around my eye, opening my eye. He was used to looking at me inward.”

Kyle Emard today. Photo by Allen D. Payton

“On the day of my surgery my son was at school, and he was all worried. He said my dad’s fine and the teacher said, ‘good’. The week after he had a football game and my friend drove me. I sat alone by the goal post. I told people I didn’t want to talk yet I’m still healing. But I had to be there.”

Asked if it has impacted his job Emard said, “It’s about the same” then spoke of the difference between the school pictures from last year compared to this year.

Asked if he feels different about himself, he said, “Oh, yes. I look at the picture and go ‘wow’! I just feel good.”

“After surgery my friends were gathering and said they missed my lazy eye,” Emard said with a laugh. “I’m happy every day.”

Asked if people who have the surgery get counseling after, Dr. Greninger said, “The psycho-social impact of strabismus has been well studied.  Characters in movies with strabismus often are portrayed with other disabilities, and people may wrongly assume that all people with eye misalignment have other intellectual handicaps.  Studies have shown that childhood strabismus can negatively impact a teacher’s perception of a student’s motivation or focus.  In addition, strabismus in adulthood can sometimes be a barrier to success in the workplace or finding a romantic partner.”

“Even the term lazy eye – we don’t use that term,” he continued. “Some people despite having strabismus they use the term lazy eye. It has a certain connotation to it. We think if it as a negative There’s a misunderstanding of people with strabismus.”

30,000 County Residents Have Correctable Vision Impairment

With offices at Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center on Deer Valley Road, Dr. Greninger grew up in San Ramon, graduated from Cal High and earned his undergrad at Dartmouth College. He did his residency at UCSF Medical Center in Ophthalmology followed by a Fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus at Oregon Health Science University in Portland.

“I started at the Antioch Medical Center in 2013. It’s been about 10 years of offering the surgery in Contra Costa County,” the doctor shared. “About half of my practice is adult strabismus and about half are children. We do about 100 to 150 surgeries like this each year.”

“We estimate we have about 15,000 with eye misalignment problems in our service area,” Greninger stated. “Sometimes people can have a medical problem like a stroke, thyroid eye disease, a neurological condition or facial trauma from an accident or assault. They can cause eye alignment problems. Probably half my adult patients had it as children and it either came back or it was never dealt with.”

He also estimates there are as many as 30,000 people in Contra Costa County suffering from strabismus which is correctable.

“Many people have this and don’t know something can be done or has been on the back burner for a long time,” Greninger stated. “Sharing stories like Kyle’s is good to let people know something can be done. I have patients come to me and say, ‘I wish I had come to you earlier’.”

“I try to put myself in the patient’s shoes to see how they’re thinking. It’s a leap of faith for a patient. It takes a lot of bravery to trust a doctor with your eyesight,” he said.

“It’s an out-patient surgery. You go home the same day. Most of the eye surgeries are done in Walnut Creek,” Greninger added.

 

Payton Perspective: Mt. Diablo school board renaming Concord High mascot from Minuteman to Bears ignores history

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Concord High marquee showing the Minutemen mascot and the gym sign reading “Home of the Minutemen”. Photos courtesy of The Pioneer.

Follows lead of City, Concord Historical Society

Irony: only a British encyclopedia website offers the historical origin of the name of both the city and school

Contact school board members to reconsider their vote, or vote out two of them, next year

By Allen D. Payton

This past week, the Mt. Diablo Unified School Board voted 4-1 to change the name of the mascot for Concord High School from the Minutemen to the Bears, supposedly in response to a request by students, which is in dispute. According to a news report by The Pioneer, the change has many people upset including some students who say they weren’t asked during the process, as well as alumni.

“Several alumni spoke before the board vote, all in opposition to the change. One of those speakers mentioned that of 2,400 comments on the issue in an online forum there was not one comment in favor of the change.” Board members took “the action in order to make the school ‘more welcoming and inclusive’ to its students”, according to The Pioneer’s report.

According to USHistory.org, “Minutemen were a small hand-picked elite force which were required to be highly mobile and able to assemble quickly. Minutemen were selected from militia muster rolls by their commanding officers. Typically, 25 years of age or younger, they were chosen for their enthusiasm, reliability, and physical strength. Usually about one quarter of the militia served as Minutemen, performing additional duties as such. The Minutemen were the first armed militia to arrive or await a battle. By the time of the Revolution, Minutemen had been a well-trained force for six generations.”

They sound like pretty good examples for students at any school or any American to follow – elite, prepared, ready, responsive, enthusiastic, reliable, with physical strength and the first to arrive.

According to the staff report for the board meeting agenda item, “Concord High School, through the New Mascot Student Committee, is requesting the review and approval of a mascot change at Concord High School. The Student Body has conducted multiple petitions, town hall meetings, as well as conducted multiple rounds of student discussions and voting over several months, involving all stakeholders of the Concord High School community including students, alumni and staff. As a result of the discussions and multiple rounds of student voting, the Concord High School community has selected the mascot name ‘The Bears’ to replace the name ‘Minutemen’ as presented to the Board on May 10, 2023 and June 28, 2023.”

Supposedly, one of the reasons is because the “Latinx” students (the “woke” term they were referred to during the board meeting even though most Hispanic or Latino Americans don’t use that term to describe themselves) which make up the majority of the student body don’t share that culture.

The Pioneer article shares more about the decision. School Board Area 4 Trustee Cherise “Khaund said, ‘The Mt. Diablo Unified School District Governing Board is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in education. We as a school district should listen carefully to student concerns, especially if they feel unwelcome or unsafe on our campuses.’ She also pointed to MDUSD board policy 0410 which states that ‘District programs and activities shall also be free of any racially derogatory or discriminatory school or athletic team names, mascots, or nicknames.’”

Girls in the Concord High Marching Band wear the same three-cornered hats and uniforms as the boys do in a parade at Disneyland on April 22, 2022. Source: Nelida Pulido on Facebook.

How is the Minutemen mascot racially derogatory or discriminatory? Because it refers to only men? Seriously? The women didn’t fight in the militia during the Revolutionary War in the 1770’s. How ignorant of history do you have to be to not understand that fact? How patronizing and actually racist to assume Latino students aren’t aware of or know the history of our country, or that it’s not part of their “culture”? If that’s truly the case, then work to make it part of their culture. Why do you think their ancestors who weren’t born here, came to this country? For the freedoms won during the Revolutionary War and the opportunities they afford.

Interestingly enough, girls in the school’s marching band wear the same three-cornered hat and uniform as the boys do.

How do any students feel “unwelcome or unsafe” with the Minutemen mascot? Nobody on any of the school’s sports teams, cheerleading squads, in the band nor any faculty or staff member actually carries a real musket or any other gun on the campus. Do they? Of course, not. (Well, maybe security personnel do. But that’s doubtful.)

Name Change Originated with Teachers, Not Students

Yet, while explaining the history of both the original name and its change, The Pioneer claims the proposal for a new mascot came from teachers not students.

“The name Minutemen was chosen as the mascot when the school opened in 1966 in honor of the men who formed the Minutemen militia in Concord, Massachusetts as the American Revolution was beginning in 1775,” the report reads. “The Pioneer first spoke to former Concord High principal Rianne Pfaltzgraff during the 2020-21 school year when she stated she had a discussion with some of her teachers when the idea was brought up that ‘Minutemen’ refers to only one gender and the symbol holding a rifle is not reflective of the school in the third decade of the 21st Century. At that time, it was not mentioned that students had brought the issue forward.”

Source: MDUSD

Board Votes Switch from 2-2 to 4-1

The board vote on June 28 to change the mascot name failed on a two-two tie with Trustee Khaund absent. But then with her in attendance at the board meeting on August 16 and Area 2 Trustee Linda Mayo flip-flopping, the mascot name change passed 4-1.

Decision Ignores and Attempts to Erase U.S. History

Whatever the reasons, the fact is the decision completely ignores our nation’s undisputed history.

It also shows the board’s disinterest in actually educating the students who attend the school about the rich history of the name of both the city in which it is located and the school itself, as well as what the Minutemen signify in the history of our nation, as shared by The Pioneer. They helped us win our freedom from the King of England and beat the British troops in the Revolutionary War! Hello?

Concord High Marching Band at Disneyland on April 22, 2022, with the Drum Major carrying a replica of a musket. Source: Nelida Pulido on Facebook.

Army National Guard logo with Minuteman.

Heaven forbid the Minutemen carried guns. Well, what do you think helped them fight and win the war? What do you think helped all of our military men and women fight and defeat the enemies in all the wars we’ve ever won? Guns! It was accomplished by bearing arms, as it’s written in the Second Amendment of the 10 Bill of Rights to the Constitution – another historical fact that should be taught to high school students. (I hope it still is during U.S. History classes in both 8th and 11th grades). That amendment mentions the militia as it reads, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Another interesting fact is the Drum Major of the Concord High Marching Band carries a replica of a musket while leading the band – even as of last year while in a parade at Disneyland.

Even today’s Army National Guard logo is of a Minuteman.

The School Board is Not Alone, Ironic Source for Name Origin

Yet, the school board is not alone in ignoring and even appearing to bury and hide the history of the origin of the name of both the city and school. The most ironic thing about this entire matter is, you have to find the origin of the name Concord, California on a British encyclopedia website. No joke!

On Britannica.com about Concord, California it reads, “the city was renamed in 1869 for Concord, Massachusetts.” For those who don’t remember their U.S. History classes, as The Pioneer reported, that was the city where the American Revolution began. (I learned as an adult after I bought a set, that the Encyclopedia Britannica is written from a British perspective, and at that time didn’t even include Niagra Falls as something important to Americans, while the Encyclopedia Americana is written from an American perspective).

But you won’t find that origin fact on the History page of the City’s website, the Concord Historical Society’s website nor even on the Wikipedia page about the city. The City’s website only provides links to other websites without mentioning anything about the city’s history. On the historical society’s concordhistory.com website’s chronology page, under the section entitled, “1860’s: Todos Santos Town Established”, it merely reads, “Name ‘Concord’ is used immediately by new settlers to re-identify town of Todos Santos.” On the Early History page it reads, “Within months after Todos Santos has been recorded as the official name, CONCORD was heralded by the Contra Costa Gazette as the actual name. In an article dated April 17, 1869, the paper, published in Pacheco town, congratulated the residents of Concord for adopting such a meaningful name for their new village. They highlighted the harmonious spirit and euphony of this fine name.” But there’s no mention of the origin of the name nor why it was so “meaningful”.

Concord Massachusetts Location of “Shot Heard Round the World”

Also, for an additional history reminder, it was during the battles of Concord and Lexington, Mass. on April 19, 1775, where the opening shot, referred to as the “shot heard round the world”, sparked the American Revolutionary War.

The Minute Man statue by Daniel Chester French erected in1875 in Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts. Source: City of Concord, MA

In fact, in Concord, Mass. is The Minute Man statue by Daniel Chester French erected in 1875 and located in Minute Man National Historical Park, which looks a lot like the Concord High Minutemen mascot.

Board Spending $200K on Name Change

Oh, one more thing. The board is literally going to spend, actually waste, $200,000 of taxpayer money on the mascot name change at a time those funds could be spent in the classroom to actually help students obtain a better education – and maybe learn some U.S. history. The three-corrnered hats worn by the marching band members will have to be replaced, as they represent the hats worn by the Minutemen during the Revolutionary War. (That’s the same type of hat I wore as part of the uniform for the band I was a member of during my first semester in high school – the Marching Patriots of Patrick Henry High School in San Diego. As of last year, in front of the school, the mascot could still be seen wearing the three-cornered hat and – surprise – holding a musket with even a bayonet attached! Oh, and a painting of the American flag on the front wall could also be seen. Hope that doesn’t offend the four school members’ delicate sensibilities).

San Diego’s Patrick Henry High School mascot with musket in photo taken on Sept. 29, 2022. Courtesy of Margarito G. Perez on Facebook.

Their action follows the cancel culture decisions in professional sports to rename teams that some oversensitive people have found offensive – usually on behalf of others, such as the Washington Redskins to the Commanders. Guess what? Now, a group of Native Americans are petitioning to get the name changed back because they believe it honors rather than degrades them and promotes their history.

School Board Must Reconsider Their Vote

The board must reconsider its vote and spend the $200,000 educating the students at Concord High on the history of the school’s and city’s name and of our nation, and how the Minutemen played a significant role in obtaining the freedoms we enjoy, today – including property ownership and representative government in our constitutional republic.

If not, then Mt. Diablo School district voters need to replace the four who voted for this foolishness and who are failing their students by not educating them properly. Shame on those board members, especially the one who changed her vote, Trustee Mayo who caved between the meetings of June 28 and August 16, for some reason. Kudos to the one board member, Area 1 Trustee Debra Mason, who used wisdom and demonstrated having a backbone to stand up for common sense by voting both times against the change. (By the way, Common Sense is the name of the pamphlet published in 1775 by Thomas Paine, one of our nation’s Founding Fathers, that sparked the American Revolution, as it argued that the colonists had a natural right to self-government and independence from the British monarchy. Perhaps the $200,000 should be spent buying copies of that and distributed to the Concord High School students each year during their American History classes!)

Oh, and how do I know this information about U.S. history? Because I’m a graduate of Northgate High School in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, where I attended the U.S. History class in my junior year (as required for graduation) taught by a great teacher, actually did my homework and learned the subject matter!

The terms for Trustees Keisha Nzewi and Erin McFerrin who both voted twice for the mascot name change expire following the November 2024 elections. Source: MDUSD

Two Trustees Who Twice Supported Change Face Re-Election Next Year

Seriously, voters in the district, there are only two trustees, who voted for the change both times, that are up for re-election, next year when their terms expire: Board President and Area 3 Trustee Keisha Nzewi and Board Vice President and Area 5 Trustee Erin McFerrin. If they don’t reconsider their vote and change the mascot name back, it’s indicative they don’t care about our nation’s history, the history of the City’s and school’s name nor about educating the students in your district and specifically, at Concord High, about it all. Take back your government from the foolish, wasteful, weak leaders who are contributing to the dumbing down of the education system in the largest school district in Contra Costa County. Just maybe, this latest decision will serve as a lightning rod to wake people up, get them to take action and change things for the better for our future and the benefit of our youth.

Here’s how to contact each of the five trustees by email:

Board President & Area 3 Trustee Keisha Nzewi, Term expires 2024 – nzewik@mdusd.org

Vice President & Area 5 Trustee Erin McFerrin, Term expires 2024 – mcferrine@mdusd.org

Area 1 Trustee Debra Mason, Term expires 2026 – masond@mdusd.org

Area 2 Trustee Linda Mayo, Term expires 2026 – mayol@mdusd.org

Area 4 Trustee Cherise Khaund, Term expires 2026 – khaundc@mdusd.org

Approved MDUSD Trustee Areas 2019. Source: MDUSD

Historical Society, City Must Stop Hiding History and Origin of Their Name

One final thing, to the Concord Historical Society, you really need to add the fact of the origin of the city’s name to your website and the Concord History website, and don’t make it so difficult to find; and to the City of Concord council members and staff, you should actually provide some history about your city on the history page of your website.

Four Martinez cops placed on leave, suspect dead following shooting at cannabis dispensary

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During early Friday morning response; assault on officer reported

By Martinez Police Department

On August 18, 2023, around 3:27 a.m., the Martinez Police Department received a report of a video alarm at Velvet, a cannabis dispensary, located at 4808 Sunrise Drive. While enroute, officers were advised of multiple subjects at the business along with two vehicles.

Officers arrived on scene around 3:32 a.m. and one of the vehicles, described as a white SUV, fled the scene. Officers broadcast that shots were fired and there was an assault on an officer. The second vehicle attempted to flee and then crashed into a fire hydrant. The two occupants of the vehicle were transported to the hospital.

Additional law enforcement agencies responded to secure the scene. The Martinez Police Department initiated an investigation with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office in accordance with the countywide protocol for officer-involved shootings. One officer is receiving treatment at the hospital for what is believed to be a minor injury.

Based on the investigation, it is believed that four Martinez police officers discharged their firearms in this incident. The four officers have been placed on administrative leave as per department policy.

One of the civilians in the incident who was transported to the hospital is deceased. In accordance with Assembly Bill 1506 (https://oag.ca.gov/ois-incidents), the Martinez Police Department notified the California Department of Justice (DOJ). The CADOJ is leading the investigation and will independently review the officer-involved shooting.

The investigating agencies have responded with extensive resources to determine exactly what took place. The area where the incident occurred remained closed while crime scene investigators collect evidence. The officers involved were wearing body-worn cameras and footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation.

The investigation is in its early stages and ongoing. Our understanding of the incident may change as more individuals are interviewed and evidence is collected and analyzed.

If you have information regarding this incident, please contact Investigations at 925-372-3450.

 

 

Sacramento female teen arrested in Walnut Creek charged for multiple weapons violations

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Gun confiscated from Sacramento teen during arrest on July 27, 2023. Photos: WCPD

By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police

A 19-year-old Sacramento woman is under arrest after a reported theft in progress at a store in Broadway Plaza. On July 27th, 2023, at approximately 1:30PM, Walnut Creek Police Officers were dispatched to a possible theft in progress in the 1200 block of Broadway Plaza. Upon arrival, three females were detained. Upon further investigation, one of the women, Romajane Prestige Hill, was found to be in possession of a stolen handgun. The firearm was modified from a semi-automatic pistol to a fully automatic pistol, and also had a 30-round extended magazine. Hill was ultimately arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

On July 31st, Hill was charged by the District Attorney’s Office for the following felony charges:

32625(a) PC: Possession of a Machine Gun

32310(a) PC: Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine

25850(a) PC: Carrying a Loaded Firearm on One’s Person

25400(a)(2) PC: Having a Concealed Firearm on One’s Person

Hill posted bail and is currently out of custody. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.

Pittsburg man arraigned for carjacking, burglary, vandalism, more

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Multiple victims in Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill; bail set at $620K

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

Sean Christopher White of Pittsburg was arraigned on a 13-count complaint for a series of burglaries, a carjacking, attempted carjackings, criminal threats, vandalism, and other violations that occurred on August 9th.

The 5’7”, 140 lb., 33-year-old Hispanic man (born 5/17/90) committed these offenses in the City of Walnut Creek, unincorporated Walnut Creek, and the City of Pleasant Hill affecting multiple victims. White’s crime spree involved:

  • Three attempted carjackings [PC 664/ PC 215 (a)] – one with an enhancement for the use of a hammer as a deadly weapon [PC 12022 (b)(1)].
  • One count of carjacking [PC 215 (a)].
  • Two counts of driving or taking a vehicle without consent [VC 10851 (a)].
  • Two counts of first-degree burglary where a victim was present [PC 459].
  • One count of criminal threats with an enhancement for the use of a hammer as a deadly weapon [PC 422 (c), PC 12022 (b)(1)].
  • Indecent exposure [PC 314 (a)].
  • Vandalism which destroyed or damaged property valued over $400 [PC 594 (a)].
  • Receiving stolen property valued over $950 [PC 496 (a)].

During White’s arraignment in court, his bail was set at $620,000. He’s currently being held in the Martinez Detention Facility.

The District Attorney’s Office thanks the thorough work from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and Walnut Creek Police in responding to these incidents and investigating the violations that occurred.

His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 25 in 05 Superior Court Department 06 at 8:30 a.m.

Case No. 01-23-02568 | The People of the State of California v. White, Sean Christopher

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Walnut Creek commercial burglar arraigned on felony complaint; also charged separately with drug sales, possession

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Held on $375,000 bail

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a 15-count felony complaint on August 4th against 40-year-old Jarvis Leigh Ferguson (born 2/8/83) of Daly City for a string of commercial burglaries in Walnut Creek. Ferguson was also charged on August 10th for selling and possessing controlled substances.

Ferguson was arraigned in Superior Court in Martinez on August 7th and pled not guilty to the commercial burglary charges. He committed the offenses between July 16th and July 24th targeting restaurants and a hair salon in Walnut Creek during non-business hours. Walnut Creek Police investigated the burglaries and found the methods used in the crimes were similar. Moreover, once evidence was collected and analyzed from the affected businesses, it led police to Ferguson as the primary suspect.

Ferguson faces seven counts of second-degree commercial burglary [PC 459], six counts of grand theft of property [PC 487(a)], and two counts of vandalism causing over $400 in damage [PC 594(a)].

In a separate filing, Ferguson will be on August 11th on a four-count felony complaint for possessing and selling methamphetamine and cocaine on August 2nd. Two counts are for violating HS 11378 for the possession or sale of a controlled substance, and two counts for violating HS 11379(a) to sell or offer to sell a controlled substance.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “We’re grateful to Walnut Creek Police who thoroughly investigated these brazen burglaries and drug offenses. Those who engage in such criminality will continue to be prosecuted by my office.”

Ferguson is currently in custody at the West County Detention Facility with a bail amount currently set at $375,000.

Case No. 01-23-02512 | The People of the State of California v. Ferguson, Jarvis Leigh

Case No. 01-23-02552| The People of the State of California v. Ferguson, Jarvis Leigh

Juvenile suspects arrested for armed robbery of high school student in Concord

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Multiple handguns recovered

By Concord Police Department

There was a large police presence in downtown Concord Thursday morning and we want to share what happened.

On Thursday, August 10, 2023, at about 11:30 AM, the Concord Police Department received information from Mt. Diablo High School staff that a student was robbed at gunpoint earlier in the day on campus. Patrol officers began investigating the robbery and developed suspect descriptions and leads.

About 30 minutes later, a Concord Police officer located the suspect vehicle and several subjects in a downtown Concord parking garage. As the officer detained the subjects, one of them fled on foot. Several Concord officers chased the suspect, detained him and placed him under arrest. This juvenile suspect was in possession of a handgun when he was arrested and was later identified as the robbery suspect.

During the investigation, multiple handguns were recovered and it was determined several of the subjects were related to the robbery. The subjects detained and suspects arrested were all juveniles.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no other information is being released at this time. If anyone has any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Alvarado, Violence Suppression Unit – Investigations Division at (925) 671-5820 or the Anonymous Tip line at (925) 603-5826

 

Walnut Creek man arrested for multiple rapes

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Any additional victims urged to contact police

By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police Department

Brandon Delliquadri. Photo: Walnut Creek PD

The Walnut Creek Police Department is reaching out to the community and urging any additional victims of sexual assault to come forward after the recent arrest of a suspect.

On July 7, 2023, Walnut Creek Police Department Detectives arrested Brandon Alexander Delliquadri, a 35-year-old male from Walnut Creek, in connection with several sexual assaults believed to have occurred over the past few years. The arrest was the result of diligent investigations by WCPD Patrol Officers and Detectives, and resulted in the following charges being filed against Delliquadri:

PC 261(a)(2) – Forcible Rape (four felony counts)

PC 261(a)(4) – Rape of an Unconscious Victim (one felony count)

Case #: 23-11727

Due to the nature of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the case, we believe there may be other individuals who may have been sexually assaulted by the same suspect. We understand that it can be challenging for victims to come forward. If you or someone you know has information about one of these cases or has experienced any form of sexual assault, we urge you to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.