Contra Costa Herald

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

Martinez: Main Street Arts offers 20% off during annual August sale

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Family Love by Gwenn Spratt and art by Olga Jusidman. Source: all photos by Main Street Arts

By Main Street Arts

We are excited to offer a BIG 20% off sale in August, to all our customers at Main Street Arts. It’s our way of saying thank you for all the support you have given us the past year.

The gallery will be jammed with art for you to select from. It will be a treasure hunting experience! So, wear your comfortable shoes and get ready to spend some time with us.

Art by Paula Oesterling, Samantha McNally & Pamela McCauley.

Visit www.mainstreetarts.net and see the BIG Sale page for more artwork that will be 20% off during our annual August sale.

The Main Street Arts Gallery is located at 613 Main Street in Martinez. For more information call (925) 269-8049.

 

In Memoriam: Longtime owner of cattle ranch on Mt. Diablo, Sandia National Lab engineer Tom Brumleve passes at 92

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Thomas Duane Brumleve

December 2, 1930 – June 28, 2023

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Thomas Duane Brumleve, age 92, after a brave battle with cancer.  He was born in Mattoon, Illinois, on December 2, 1930, to Sylvester and Rachel Brumleve.

Tom got his early education in Mattoon and then graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.  He served in the United States Marine Corps.  He spent his career as an Electrical and Solar Engineer at Sandia National Laboratories from 1958 to 1984.  He married Joan Marilyn Kerley on November 9, 1963.  They enjoyed 38 years together, until she passed away on April 6, 2001.

Tom enjoyed his work at Sandia where his focus was solar energy.  He was proud to have received an award from the U.S. Department of Energy, a national award for Technical Excellence in Solar Thermal Technology in 1982.  In 1984, Tom retired early from Sandia and became the full-time Manager of Diablo Ranch, a cattle ranch on the slopes of Mt. Diablo.

Tom was very active in the community.  He was President of the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, the Contra Costa Farm Bureau, and the Contra Costa/Alameda County Cattlemen’s Association.  Tom was Chairman of the Range and Public Lands Committee, and Chairman of the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts.  He was a member of the Range and Public Lands Committee, the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, the Contra Costa Agriculture Task Force, the Natural Resources Committee, and the California Farm Bureau Federation. He served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Contra Costa Farm Bureau, for the Contra Costa/Alameda County Cattlemen’s Association, for the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, for the Contra Costa Citizens Land Alliance, and for the California Native Grass Association.  His leadership left a mark and made a difference in not only Contra Costa, and Alameda counties, but also at the State level.

Tom was an avid outdoorsman, adventurer, and educator.  He enjoyed scuba diving and being an instructor for the Livermore Skin Diving Club.  He was a founding-member of the Vaqueros of the Sea.  He enjoyed cross-country skiing, canoeing, back-packing, traveling, and putting in a hard-day’s work.  He climbed Mt. Shasta, hunted grizzly bears in Alaska, and canoed the Rogue River.  He thought he was the first person to ever go down Glen Canyon in an open canoe just prior to its closing for the dam.

He was especially interested in range-management techniques, proper grading, and maintenance of back-country roads.  Tom was actively involved in preserving agriculture and our Western Heritage, looked to improve urban understanding of agriculture, and other ag/urban interface issues.

He was active in the Fire Safe Council and the Mt. Diablo Bee Keepers Association.  He was a well-respected cattle rancher in Contra Costa County.  His presence in our lives will be greatly missed.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife Joan, siblings Leila and Rita, and his grandchildren Brandon and Tyler Brumleve.  He is survived by his sister Sylvia and brother Ken; children, Julia “Jill” Kilcourse, Kimmie Brumleve and Dan Brumleve, son-in-law Christopher Kilcourse; and grandchildren, Will and John (Jack) Kilcourse, and Coledan and Jessiana Brumleve, as well as nieces and nephews, and treasured friends.  A heartfelt thank you to Shirley Olsen for loving Tom and taking such good care of him for the last 22 years.  He will truly be missed.

A mass was held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Walnut Creek, on Friday, July 21st. A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, July 22nd at Diablo Ranch. He will be laid to rest at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be sent to the California Cattlemen’s Association and/or the Contra Costa Farm Bureau in his name.

Mt. Diablo State Park temporarily closes North Gate Road for emergency slide repair through mid-Sept.

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Storm damage on North Gate Road in Mt. Diablo State Park. Source: CA State Parks

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.— California State Parks announced on May 17, 2023 the temporary closure of North Gate Road at Mount Diablo State Park to pedestrians, vehicles, equestrians and bicyclists. The road will be closed May 19 through mid-September to stabilize and rebuild a section damaged by the 2023 winter storms. (Apologies to our readers. The Herald publisher just learned of this, yesterday).

Visitors will be able to access the summit and developed areas of the park from the South Gate Entrance (2675 Mt. Diablo Scenic Boulevard in Blackhawk, 94506) on the Danville side of the mountain. Whether driving or riding your bike, please ensure you are travelling at a safe speed for you, wildlife, and fellow visitors.

For updates on the progress of the project, visit Mount Diablo’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MountDiabloStatePark.

North Gate Road closed at the Junction Ranger Station near the intersection with South Gate and Summit Roads on July 22, 2023. Photo by Allen D. Payton

About Mount Diablo State Park

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area to the east of Walnut Creek, people have been drawn for generations to Mount Diablo for its spectacular views from the summit which extend over 100 miles in all directions on a clear day. Visitors have been attracted by the complex geology that has created amazing rock formations such as the “wind caves” at Rock City, and by the mountain’s variety of habitats which are home to over 600 species of plants and an amazing array of wildlife such as butterflies, bats and birds of prey, tarantulas, bobcats, lizards, snakes, and deer.

In 2021 Mount Diablo celebrated its 100th year as a state park. Though more than 100-years is a long history as a park, the importance of Mount Diablo was recognized long before that. For thousands of years Native Americans were the caretakers of this land. Many groups considered and treated the mountain as a sacred place and continue to do so today.

Since becoming a park in 1921, Mount Diablo has been protected as a natural area, and over the past 100 years the park has grown from only a few hundred acres to over 20,000 acres. Today it is a destination for those who would like to view wildlife and wildflowers, experience beautiful views, hike, camp, picnic, run, cycle, climb, ride horses, or gaze at the stars.

 

American Heart Association recognizes Kaiser hospitals for reducing death, disability among cardiac, stroke patients

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Including Antioch, Richmond and Walnut Creek; severe heart attacks in Kaiser Nor Cal patients reduced by 72% using team-based, preventive approach

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

The American Heart Association is recognizing 21 Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals with awards for their commitment to delivering high-quality cardiac and stroke care that follows nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals receiving both the Get With The Guidelines®– Heart Failure and the Get With The Guidelines®– Stroke awards include Antioch, Fremont, Fresno, Modesto, Oakland, Redwood City, Richmond, Roseville, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, South San Francisco, Vacaville, Vallejo, and Walnut Creek. In addition, Kaiser Permanente Manteca received the Get With The Guidelines®– Heart Failure award and Kaiser Permanente San Francisco received the Get With The Guidelines®– Stroke award.

“This recognition is a tribute to the collective expertise of our physicians, nurses, and staff who provide comprehensive cardiac care and treatment for our patients and members,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Our reduction in cardiovascular events continues to surpass the nation in quality outcomes, as our cardiologists, physicians, and care teams work across specialties and locations to consistently deliver the highest quality care to our patients and members, who are living longer and healthier lives as a result of these efforts.”

Kaiser Permanente Northern California caregivers have reduced severe heart attacks by 72% using a team-based, preventive approach, according to Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Division of Research.​ Kaiser Permanente members are 33% less likely to experience premature death due to heart disease, Elizabeth A. McGlynn, PhD, et al., “Measuring Premature Mortality Among Kaiser Permanente Members Compared to the Community,” Kaiser Permanente, July 20, 2022.

“Our Kaiser Permanente Northern California teams of cardiac specialists collaborate seamlessly to coordinate diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of our patients,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “We are helping our members and patients with heart disease live longer, healthier lives through our comprehensive care and support.”

The Get With The Guidelines®– Heart Failure award is earned by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and aggressive risk-reduction therapies. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their heart failure and overall health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

The Get With The Guidelines®– Stroke award is earned by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

Report shows no ongoing public health risk from Martinez Refinery petroleum coke dust release

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Source: Martinez Refining Company

By Contra Costa Health

Laboratory analysis shows that samples of coke dust collected by Contra Costa Health (CCH) following last Tuesday’s hazardous materials release at Martinez Refining Company (MRC) did not contain high levels of toxic metals, indicating the dust does not pose an increased, long-term risk to public health. (See related article)

CCH’s Hazardous Materials Program sent samples of the sooty substance for laboratory analysis after it collected on cars, garbage cans and other surfaces in neighborhoods around the refinery soon after notification of the release on July 11. The laboratory report is available here.

MRC reported the release at about 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday by activating the county’s Community Warning System at Level 1, the lowest-level alert, used for hazardous materials releases when there are no expected off-site health consequences.

MRC reported the material was coke dust, a black, sooty or powdery residue created during petroleum refining that primarily contains carbon and is chemically similar to charcoal. The material was released about 8:30 a.m. for approximately one minute, according to MRC.

CCH and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District are investigating the incident to determine whether the release violated regulatory law.

CCH is also investigating whether MRC properly followed the county’s emergency notification policy and properly used the Community Warning System, as required by law.

Coke dust can be safely washed off surfaces with soap and water. The primary health concern regarding the release of coke dust is irritation of throat, lungs and the respiratory system while the release was occurring and the material was in the air, particularly for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Anyone who believes they have symptoms or health concerns due to breathing material released during the July 11 incident should contact their healthcare provider.

CCH expects to learn more about the contributing causes of the incident, actions immediately taken, and proposed actions to prevent a similar incident from occurring. The first incident report from MRC to CCH, required by the county’s notification policy, will be available at cchealth.org on Monday. 

 

Walnut Creek man arrested for attempted catalytic converter theft Friday morning

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Brian Dodds arrested for attempted catalytic converter theft Friday morning July 14, 2023. Photos: Walnut Creek PD

Burglary tools, firearms seized; has history of arrests

By Walnut Creek Police Department

Early Friday morning  (3:48 am to be exact) July 14, 2023, an alert WC citizen reported a catalytic converter theft in progress in the 2700 block of Larkey Lane. The citizen reported they were seeing someone underneath a parked car with a flashlight and could hear loud grinding noises as well. Your graveyard Team-4 was able to get there in time to detain the responsible, Brian Phillip Dodds (41, Walnut Creek, DOB 9-2-81).

Dodds was arrested for the attempted theft in addition to multiple other charges ranging from burglary tools to felon in possession of firearms. He was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility.

Guns and burglary tools seized Friday morning, July 14, 2023. Photos: WCPD

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Dodds is now in the West County Detention Facility on no bail.

According to localcrimenews.com Dodds has a history of arrests dating to 2019 by Walnut Creek PD, Pleasant Hill PD, Concord PD and Martinez PD for firearms violations, receiving stolen property, burglary, trespassing, ammunition and drug possession and on Jan. 18, 2023 for receiving stolen property – motor vehicle.

WCPD values our community and stakeholders who consistently aid in the fight against crime. We can’t do our job without you!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Oakland man re-arrested, charged for murder in February 2021 Concord shooting

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U.S. Marshals assist; held on $2 million bail

By Concord Police Department Major Crimes Unit Investigations Division

On February 28th, 2021, 26-year-old Robert Franklin Currier was found deceased, as a result of gunshot wounds, in the roadway on Concord Avenue near Meridian Park Blvd. Evidence and witnesses were located at the scene; however, the suspects had fled the area. Detectives identified the suspect vehicle and subsequently arrested Viliami Edwardal Ofanoa on March 3, 2021 related to the murder. Ofanoa was released from custody pending further investigation.

Throughout this ongoing investigation, the Concord Police Major Crimes Detectives worked closely with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. A detailed analysis of phone records, DNA evidence, and license plate reader data were used to establish probable cause to re-arrest Ofanoa for the murder of Robert Currier.

In June 2023, Concord Police served the arrest warrant for Ofanoa (of Oakland, now age 37, DOB 06/21/86) with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Contra Costa County Safe Streets Task Force. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Ofanoa and he is being held on $2,000,000 bail for the crime of murder, as well as an enhancement for use of a firearm.

According to locacrimenews.com, Ofanoa was arrested by Oakland Police on August 9, 2021 for being an addict in possession of firearm, possession of ammunition and for carrying a loaded firearm on person or in vehicle while in a public place.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Ofanoa has a hearing scheduled for August 10, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. in Contra Costa Superior Court.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Rocketship Education issues 2022-23 annual report of activities in California

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By Maricela Guerrero, Executive Director, Rocketship California

As community schools, we deeply engage our families in their student’s academic life and build our school community around our families. Our Care Corps is an expansion of Rocketship’s community schools model, allowing us to support the whole child and families inside and outside of the classroom. Our full-time Care Corps coordinators help our families navigate support systems and get the assistance they need by overcoming language barriers, red tape, and lack of internet access to connect them to vital services that are too often cumbersome and complicated. Care Corps coordinators are fully dedicated to helping families meet their basic needs so their children can thrive in school.

Rocketship Education operates the Delta Prep TK-5th school in Antioch, Futuro Academy TK-5th in Concord in Contra Costa County, and 11 other schools in California, three in Tennessee, one in Texas with a second opening this fall, two in Wisconsin and three in Washington, D.C.

We’re so proud to have once again holistically served thousands of families through Care Corps in the 2022-2023 school year. This past year:

Partnering with the Healthy Kids Foundation and K-12 Health East Bay, we provided free health screenings for 5,655 students across the Bay Area and partnered with Vision to Learn to give free eyeglasses to 618 Rocketship students.

We partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank to feed our families – distributing almost 11,000 food kits to families in San Jose and the East Bay.

We partnered with City Team Ministries to offer a pop-up closet for our families at Rocketship Brilliant Minds, helping clothe over 200 households.

We also partnered with Bay Area Urban Barber College to give over 500 Rocketeers and their siblings free school supplies and haircuts.

Partnering with the State of California and the Santa Clara County Department of Health, we hosted a vaccination clinic and community resource fair for our San Jose families.

And last, but not least, our very own Ms. Elena organized a Rocketship folklorico group of 80 students that performed for the community at the Vietnamese Association in San Jose every Wednesday.

Thank you for your continued support of our Rocketeers. Our Care Corps team is excited to continue this important work the next academic year.

For more information visit www.rocketshipschools.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office to host Summer Pop-Up Party in Walnut Creek Thursday

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Come and join the excitement at our Summer Pop-Up Party! Get ready for an incredible time filled with games, prizes, and non-stop fun. Mark your calendars for this Thursday, 7/13, because we’ll be taking over the Contra Costa Centre Transit Village on Treat Blvd. in Walnut Creek from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

And that’s not all! Satisfy your taste buds with mouthwatering delights from the amazing BunBao food truck. Don’t miss out on this epic event – we can’t wait to have you there with us!

Contra Costa Health responding to coke dust release at Martinez Refining Company

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Source: Martinez Refining Company

Contra Costa Health’s (CCH) Hazardous Materials program is investigating a hazardous materials release from the Martinez Refining Company (MRC) Tuesday morning.

MRC reported through the Community Warning System (CWS) that the released material was coke dust, a byproduct of the petroleum refining process.

The release left the material on the ground, parked cars, and other surfaces in the surrounding neighborhoods. CCH’s Hazardous Materials team is working to assess potential health impacts.

Wipe samples are being taken and will be sent to a lab for analysis. Results are expected by the end of the week. CCH will provide updates after the results are reviewed.

Coke dust is black and looks like soot. Use soap and water to clean impacted outdoor surfaces.

MRC notified CCH of the release around 10:20 a.m. through the CWS. MRC reported the release took place around 8:30 a.m. and lasted approximately one minute.

“We are very concerned about the delayed notification to the Community Warning System. We are once again responding to a refinery incident and trying to determine the health impacts,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover. “We understand this is an ongoing concern for our community and timely notification is critical.”

CCH requested a 72-hour report about the incident, which will be posted to cchealth.org.