Contra Costa Herald

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

Bay Area scores $407 million in state transportation funds for 11 projects

By Leave a Comment

I680/SR4-Interchange. Photo: CCTA

Region receives 20 percent of statewide awards, $18 million for Contra Costa project

Bay Area highway, transit and goods-movement projects this week earned more than $400 million in new funding as the California Transportation Commission (CTC) finalized a new round of awards through a trio of competitive statewide programs established by the Senate Bill 1 transportation investment package signed into law in 2017.

MTC will work with Caltrans, BART and county transportation agencies to deliver 11 crucial projects around the Bay Area, which together earned about 20 percent of the total $2.046 billion awarded by the CTC through the Solutions for Congested Corridors, Trade Corridor Enhancement and Local Partnership programs.

“SB 1 money is essential to keeping the California economy moving, not just through the current crisis, but into the post-pandemic future,” said MTC Chairman and Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty. “The Bay Area’s success in the stiff competition for these dollars reflects the clear need to modernize our freeways, transit systems and freight corridors to maintain the Bay Area’s position as an engine for economic growth throughout the state.”

Among the allocations approved through the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program are:

  • $18 million for the final design of further improvements to the Interstate 680/State Route 4 Interchange in Contra Costa County.
  • $123 million to complete a $275 million funding package for construction to begin in 2021 on 18 miles of Express Lanes along Interstate 80 through the heart of Solano County, providing travelers a reliable trip through this vital artery connecting the Bay Area to Sacramento. The express lanes will also support express buses in the corridor and encourage carpooling as an alternative to single-occupant vehicles.
  • $55 million to complete a $101 million funding package for transforming the outdated two-lane connector between U.S. 101 and State Route 25 in southern Santa Clara Countyto a new four-lane connector with shoulders and bike lanes. The project, set to begin construction in 2022, will improve traffic flow and decrease backups on U.S. 101.
  • $24 million to complete final design for a new Cordelia Truck Scales facility along westbound I-80 in Solano County.

SB 1 funds awarded through the Local Partnership Program include:

  • $25 million to complete the Interstate 680 Southbound Express Lanes project in Alameda County.
  • $25 million for improvements to the U.S. 101/De La Cruz/Trimble interchange just north of the Mineta San Jose International Airport in Santa Clara County.
  • $9 million for San Francisco’s Mission/Geneva Safety Improvements project.
  • $3 million to Sonoma Countyfor the Windsor River Road/Windsor Road Intersection Improvements and Pathway project.

The largest of the CTC’s new allocations to Bay Area projects through the Solutions for Congested Corridors program is $60 million to enable BART to begin construction next year on its $1 billion Train Control Modernization Project, part of the agency’s Transbay Core Capacity Program to increase the number of trains able to travel through the Transbay Tube between San Francisco and Oakland.

The CTC allocated $40 million through the Solutions for Congested Corridors program to close the final gap (known as segment B7) in the long-running US-101 Marin-Sonoma Narrows project by constructing a carpool lane between Novato and Petaluma. The SB1 dollars will supplement over $90 million from other sources and allow for construction on this final segment to begin as early as 2021.

The CTC’s third Bay Area allocation through the Solutions for Congested Corridors program is $25 million to complete a $64 million funding package and begin construction next year of a double roundabout at the Soscol Junction of State Routes 29 and 221 south of Napa. The improvements will relieve a traffic bottleneck that has long bedeviled residents, workers and tourists to Napa’s famous wine region, and will also deliver important safety and active transportation benefits to the area.

Related: California Transportation Commission (CTC), Gasoline — Taxation, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1)

 

Residents challenge John Muir CEO and Exec. VP over firing of Trauma Director for letter questioning county health orders

By 7 Comments

Social media post asking for county residents to contact John Muir Health executives over the firing of Dr. deBoisblanc. Source: anonymous (Information redacted by the Herald)

See doctors’ letter to Dr. Chris Farnitano and Contra Costa County Supervisors; effort now challenges compensation of John Muir executives

Dr. Michael deBoisblanc. Photo: BASS Medical Group

By Allen Payton

Last Friday, Dec. 18, Dr. Michael deBoisblanc was fired as the Medical Director of Trauma and Regional Services for John Muir Health. One of the partners in his private practice, the Bay Area Surgical Specialists (BASS) Medical Group, Dr. Pete Mazolewski, who also works at John Muir, confirmed the firing and said it was done, “without explanation.”

However, according to an NBC Bay Area news report, deBoisblanc “was reassigned after questioning COVID-19 restrictions” and “in a phone call…the doctor said, ‘clearly the interpretation of my letter to the county … they felt the need to separate themselves and remove me from my position.’”

A phone call to John Muir Health’s Director of Corporate Communications, Ben Drew, on Friday, Dec. 18 was never responded to.

That Dec. 10th letter (see below), by deBoisblanc, Mazolewski and Dr. Brian Hopkins, also a member of the BASS Medical Group who works at their John Muir, was sent to Contra Costa Health Officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano and county supervisors. It questioned the impacts of the health orders on the mental health, and the need for it when ICU beds are impacted every winter, as well as the impacts on businesses.

In response, a letter writing campaign was begun through social media to question both Cal Knight, John Muir’s President and CEO, and Jane Willemsen, the Executive Vice President and President of Hospital Operations for both John Muir’s Walnut Creek and Concord Campuses, as well as John Muir Behavioral Health.

Resident’s Letter to John Muir CEO & EVP

Calvin Knight, CEO & President, John Muir Health. Photo: JohnMuirHealth.com

As part of the campaign, the following letter was sent to Knight and Willemsen, and provided to the Herald anonymously:

“Dear Mr. Knight and Ms. Willemsen,

I am writing you as a very concerned Contra Costa County resident in order to address the recent news of what appears to be a retaliatory termination and/or reprimands directed towards three doctors at John Muir relating to a letter addressed to Contra County Health official – Dr. Chris Farnitano.  As has been reported on NBC Bay Area, KTVU, The California Globe and several other news agencies, it is incredibly concerning that it appears as if John
Muir took retaliatory measures against those doctors for what seems to be a very thoughtful and respectful letter addressed to Dr. Farnitano (California Globe posted the letter in its article).  Additionally, it does not appear as if any of the doctors listed any association with John Muir, or inferred that they were speaking on its behalf in the letter.  As a lifetime California and a 21+ year Contra Costa County resident I am very concerned that John Muir’s actions seem more focused on intimidation and retaliation rather than what is in the best interest of the hospital and our community. Please see three of my specific concerns below:

  1. This is a global pandemic and there are countless well respected views that differ on best practices and treatment.  These differing views are widely articulated by county health officials, mayors, governors, state politicians, research institutions, doctors, nurses, etc.  Based on the doctors letter, I (and many others) feel it was a very thoughtful, well written and respectful letter in both tone and content. The tone was in no way disrespectful nor was there any mention of John Muir.  Additionally, it did not seem in any way out of line with medical questions/comments made daily by many, many well respected health leaders across the country on how to best respond to the virus taking into consideration both short term and long term impacts.

    Jane A Willemsen, Executive VP, John Muir Health. Photo: JohnMuirHealth.com

  2. Recently there have been many doctors in print and on TV from Stanford, UCSF, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and many other well respected institutions who have very publicly voiced conflicting points of views/opinions and openly included the names of their institutions (not just that they were doctors).  Stanford even recently posted that they supported some of their doctors conflicting views given the amount unknowns regarding the virus.  I have not heard of any retaliatory actions taken on any of those individuals.
  3. Most concerning of all is that John Muir’s actions appears to be retaliatory/intimidating in nature and could seriously compromise staff at the hospital from speaking up in the future. If there is a culture of “don’t say anything or you risk termination”, then no one will ever speak up even when there are serious concerns regarding patient care, best practices or worse outright illegal/harmful activity. As a result, John Muir’s institutional credibility will significantly suffer even more over time and ultimately patient care will be compromised. This is not the type of environment that gives the community confidence in its hospital or its leadership.
    I fully understand that there are many differing points of view regarding best practices, treatment and long term impacts on all actions taken to address the pandemic.  That being said, based on all of the reporting and posted letter that I have seen it does not appear as if the doctors did anything wrong or disrespectful relating to their relationship with John Muir, the community and more importantly their Hippocratic oaths. To be honest, it really feels like the type of thoughtfulness and concern that you would encourage from everyone at the John Muir, including its administrators and executives.”

Letter From Three Doctors

Following is the text of the letter sent by the three John Muir doctors:

“December 10, 2020

Dr Farnitano and Contra Costa County supervisors,
We are writing to you with deep concern regarding more lockdown measures for our county. We feel the science is clear that more lockdowns lead to much more non covid morbidity and mortality as supported by the CDC.
We are confused as to why this is happening as we are often overcapacity in our hospitals and ICUs every winter and we have never done this previously. We also run our ICUs normally at a high rate of occupancy as this is most cost effective.
Here are the issues in a nutshell:
1. Excessive PCR testing is leading to numerous false positive results.  The specificity of PCR testing is really unknown but I have seen many authorities claim it is no higher than the low 90% range because of the attempt to be 100% sensitive using cycle threshold standards of 40. (sensitivity is inversely related to specificity)
2. For the sake of illustration, I will assume a 97-98% specificity which is likely far too high. Back in March when the county could only perform 300-400 tests per day, a 98% specificity would only lead to 6-8 false positive tests. Now we have reached up to 8000 tests per day. With a 98% specificity, that would lead to 160 false positive cases a day in our county. With a population of 1.1 million that would put us at 14.5 positive cases per 100,000 population and we would find ourselves in the worst possible tier based solely on false positive tests!!! This is absolutely a fact of epidemiology/science.
3. Again we have normal ICU and hospital winter surges that happen every winter and we never had any county lockdowns.  Our county figures on your website show essentially a stable ICU occupancy from July 1st to today. In addition on your website, we only have a minimal surge in hospitalized patients as compared to last year.
4. When you test like this for everyone that comes into your hospital, ‘hospital covid patient” numbers will rise simply because you are capturing more asymptomatic disease in patients who otherwise are visiting the hospital for other reasons.
5. Public policy is being based on these erroneous numbers and assumptions.
6. Public policy with shutdowns (various closures) leads to excessive non covid related deaths. Please see attached CDC article which shows clearly that these excessive deaths are most pronounced in the 25-44 year old age range with numerous weeks during this year that 40-50% excessive deaths are seen in this age group. When you measure in terms of life-years lost as compared to life-years lost with actual covid deaths, it is not even close. We are harming more people in our community who do not have nor are at risk of having significant covid disease with senseless closures of businesses and schools. This is data supported.
7. The CDC and pediatric societies across America have voiced their support of opening all schools. School age children are not significant vectors of the disease.
With this information above, can you answer the following questions:
1. How do you account for these high numbers of false positives with the county tiering system? Do you throw these numbers out so that only true positives are counted?
2. Why did you not intervene with any type of community closure in the past winters when our hospitals were at overcapacity? What is different now?
3. What data do you have that supports closures of businesses like gyms and outdoor dining while keeping other businesses open like walmart? What data do you have that supports that we stay indoors as opposed to outdoors? (all the science that we have reviewed supports a predominantly 99% indoor vehicle of transmission).
4. Why have you gone against the medical experts in not recommending the opening of our schools?
5. What about our county’s ICU figures caused you to trigger a closure? As you can see on Contra Costa County website, ICU occupancy has been stable between 75 and 80% since July 1st despite changing covid admissions. Please be specific here. When we run normally at 75% occupancy, why is 85% so terrible? We handle these surges every winter. It is expected.
We look forward to your reply.
Sincerely
Pete Mazolewski, MD, FACS, USAR
Brian Hopkins, MD,
Mike deBoisblanc, MD, FACS, USAR”

John Muir Responds to Letter

In what appears to be a response to the doctors’ letter, on Dec. 11, John Muir Health issued the following statement regarding Stay-at-Home Order and COVID-19 response

“John Muir Health continues to work closely with the Contra Costa County Public Health Officer and Contra Costa County Health Services in support of their efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. We fully support the health orders, including the most recent Stay-at-Home order, implemented by County Health Services to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have great trust in the County Health Department and appreciate all they have done to support the safety of our community under very difficult circumstances.

We realize there are a number of opinions on the Stay-At-Home order, including within our medical staff, but these views do not represent the views of John Muir Health. This is not a normal winter season. We have significantly expanded our ICU capacity to care for more COVID and non-COVID patients. Every day, we see the devastating effects of COVID-19 on patients and urge our community to wear a mask, not to gather with people outside their home and to limit any non-essential activities.

We will get through this pandemic, and it will take all of us working together. If you need health care, please do not delay seeking care. We are here to safely care for our patients and the community. Our courageous medical teams, who have displayed tremendous resiliency and compassion in the face of unrelenting challenges, appreciate the community’s support.”

Executive Compensation

In addition, the effort is also, now challenging the compensation of the non-profit healthcare organizations executives. According to John Muir Health’s 2018 tax return, Knight was paid nearly $4 million and Willemsen earns almost $1.9 million. (See page 85).

Pages from John Muir Health’s 2018 tax return.

No Response Yet from County Health Officer or Supervisors

As of Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 the doctors have yet to receive a response to their letter. Efforts to reach Farnitano, county health communications staff and the five members of the Board of Supervisors, Thursday afternoon, were unsuccessful.

12/24/20 6:17 PM UPDATE: However, according to Kim McCarl, Communications Officer for Contra Costa Health Services, following “is the statement that the department released on Dec. 11.”

“Contra Costa County and all of California are in the grip of a deadly pandemic. The number of COVID-19 patients in our county’s hospitals has more than tripled in the past 30 days. The number of intensive care unit beds occupied by COVID-19 patients during the same period has more than doubled – and we do not believe the full effect of local transmission during the Thanksgiving holiday has reached our hospitals at this point. Also, flu season, which sends many people to the hospital, hasn’t peaked yet.

This wave is neither seasonal nor is it normal. It’s illogical to look at what happened at hospitals in prior years to predict what we can expect now. In years past, we weren’t dealing with a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic.

We cannot afford to wait until our hospitals are actually full to make policy changes to reduce the spread of this deadly virus.

It would be irresponsible to suggest that universally accepted, proven-effective public health prevention measures to promote physical distancing are not in order at this time.

It would be dangerous at this moment to promote unfounded, unsupported theories about the efficacy of the standard test used to detect COVID-19, or to deny the reality that hospitals across California are rapidly filling with people who are very ill because of this virus.

We are now nearly a year into this pandemic. We have learned a few things along the way. We know from experience that stay-at-home orders, as challenging as they are for everyone, flatten the curve and save lives.”

Yet, when asked if the county staff had sent that letter to the three doctors, one of the three, Dr. Hopkins, replied, “No. They did not respond.”

“I saw this but it wasn’t sent to us directly,” he continued. “Lots of problems with this.  It all ‘sounds’ good and appeals to those not trained in science or medicine or statistics . They still haven’t been able to show that the ICU and/ or hospital numbers are different from prior years. Also “case” numbers are up compared to Spring, but the numbers don’t translate to the same numbers of deaths proportionally as the Spring wave for a ton of reasons.”

“Additionally, the data shows lockdowns have not been effective anywhere in the world at stopping the spread in areas where the virus is established,” Hopkins explained. “Finally, they missed the boat entirely on our message:  that the lockdowns are more destructive than the virus itself. This is an epidemiologic disaster from the standpoint of suicides, missed medical appointments and cancer screenings, depression, drug overdoses, etc.”

“So, they actually didn’t address anything in our letter. This response looks like it was written by a junior high school student.  Pathetic,” he concluded. “We are right about this just like we were in April and May when we said kids need to be back in school. Now, that is undisputed. The data backed that up back then, as well.”

“Ian Miller has some very nice graphics on lockdowns, mask mandates, and their lack of relationship to case numbers and deaths. See: https://rationalground.com/mask-charts/ or his Twitter feed is even better: Twitter@ianmSC,” Hopkins added.

From rationalground.com

 

Fatal solo vehicle crash on Hwy 242 late Sunday night claims life of Pittsburg man

By Leave a Comment

By CHP – Contra Costa

Last night at about 11:33pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle crash on State Route 242 northbound, at Hwy 4. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined that a solo, black 1994 Honda Civic had veered from the lanes of traffic of SR-242 northbound and collided into the concrete center divider. The driver then lost control of the vehicle as it tumbled over the center divider and down the center dirt embankment towards the southbound lanes of SR-242. The vehicle landed on its roof and came to rest within the southbound lanes of SR-242.

The driver, a 22-year-old male from Concord, was restrained and sustained only minor injuries. The male passenger, an adult male from Pittsburg, was not properly restrained and subsequently ejected from the vehicle and onto the roadway of SR-242 southbound and struck by a passing vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of the deceased passenger’s identity.

Alcohol or drugs are not considered a factor in this collision, but it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it and have not yet spoken with CHP, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

Pearl Harbor veterans to be honored in virtual “Eye of Diablo” Beacon-Lighting Ceremony December 7

By Leave a Comment

Mount Diablo Beacon. Photo by Stephen Joseph.

Commemorative Pictorial Postmark Announced

By Laura Kindsvater, Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

This December 7th, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, three local survivors of World War II’s “Day of Infamy”—the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941—will share their stories as part of a virtual ceremony filmed primarily atop Mount Diablo.

Sponsors of the yearly event, including local land trust Save Mount Diablo, California State Parks, Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors Chapter 5, and California State University– East Bay, are proud to present a virtual celebration this year beginning at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Monday, December 7th.

In a 45-minute video, three local East Bay survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack will recount their experiences that fateful day. Speakers will then pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and honor those yet living, “Lest We Forget” the tragedy that befell the country nearly six decades ago and the way we came together after the attack.

Three Pearl Harbor survivors and the crowd celebrating the Beacon being lit and looking up to the Summit of Mount Diablo from the California State University–East Bay Concord Campus on December 7, 2018. Photo by Richard Usinger.

“When that beacon light is turned on, that’s a tribute to those individuals who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor,” said Pearl Harbor survivor Earl “Chuck” Kohler from Concord.

Save Mount Diablo’s Executive Director Ted Clement noted, “This year it is especially important that we come together as a nation to honor National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and those who served. Reflecting on that day and the aftermath reminds us of the strength of our nation when we come together even amidst great adversity. Our December 7th virtual event will enable more people to come together on this important day.”

Eddie Guaracha, California State Parks Diablo Range District Superintendent, stated, “As we reflect on this historic event, it is not only critical to remember the many lives that were lost, but also to remember the selfless acts undertaken by many on this fateful day. This is the spirit of our country in critical times. It is an honor to represent California State Parks on this momentous occasion, and I hope we can all remember to radiate kindness toward one another, as we remember those who gave all on this day.”

“As we pass through difficult, often divisive times ourselves, the sacrifices borne by the American people following that fateful morning some 79 years ago should give us all an enormous sense of pride, and most importantly, hope for the future. Cal State East Bay is honored to once again participate in this annual act of remembrance,” said Robert Phelps, Director of the California State University–East Bay (Concord Campus).

The U.S. Postal Service, in commemoration of this year’s National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, is issuing a special pictorial postmark. The postmark can be obtained by following the instructions here.

Those interested in witnessing this year’s virtual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony can find the video link on Save Mount Diablo’s home page at 4:30 PM on December 7th at www.savemountdiablo.org.

Background

Every year since 1964, the Pearl Harbor survivors and their families have memorialized Pearl Harbor Day by relighting the historic Beacon atop Mount Diablo’s summit.

The Beacon was originally lit by Charles Lindbergh in 1928 to assist in the early days of commercial aviation. The Beacon shone from the summit of Mount Diablo each night until December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

It was not relit until December 7, 1964, when Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces during World War II, attended a ceremony on Mount Diablo’s summit in commemoration of the survivors of Pearl Harbor. He suggested that the Beacon be lit every December 7th to honor those who served and sacrificed.

Save Mount Diablo, California State Parks, the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors Chapter 5, California State University–East Bay (Concord Campus), and others organize the annual lighting ceremony of the Beacon every December 7th in honor of the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

One of the bright lights provided to the San Francisco Bay Area during this pandemic is the Mount Diablo Beacon, which Save Mount Diablo staff and volunteers light every Sunday night after sunset so that the Beacon can shine brightly through the darkness until it is rested after sunrise on Monday.

Save Mount Diablo’s lighting of the Beacon every week is a way to thank our heroes in these troubling times, to help our communities come together, and to remind people to lift their eyes to the light and nature.

Save Mount Diablo began this weekly lighting of the Beacon on Sunday, April 12th, Easter Sunday. However, the Beacon will not be lit on Sunday, November 29th and Sunday, December 6th to build anticipation for and honor the coming National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. After the December 7th ceremonial lighting of the Beacon, Save Mount Diablo will resume the weekly lighting of the Beacon for as long as the pandemic rages here.

Commemorative Pictorial Postmark Announced

As a community service, the U.S. Postal Service™ offers pictorial postmarks to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation.

Those who wish to obtain the postmark may submit a mail order request. Requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial postmark date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail® postage. Items submitted for postmark may not include postage issued after the date of the requested postmark. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a postmark must affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: Pictorial Postmarks, followed by the Name of the Station, Address, City, State, ZIP+4® Code, as listed next to the postmark.

Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for postmark, as long as they supply a larger envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial postmark, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

About Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors

It is the mission of the SDPHS to create programs that inspire youth and adults to learn and document the history of the beginning of WWII and the days that followed from people who experienced it and from their ancestors. Learn more at www.sdphs.org.

About Save Mount Diablo

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

About California State Parks

To provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.

About California State University–East Bay

Cal State East Bay welcomes and supports a diverse student body with academically rich, culturally relevant learning experiences that prepare students to apply their education to meaningful lifework, and to be socially responsible contributors to society. Through its educational programs and activities, the university strives to meet the educational needs and to contribute to the vitality of the East Bay, the state, the nation, and global communities. Learn more at www.csueastbay.edu.

County high school students explore new ways to connect with nature

By Leave a Comment

De La Salle students gather with Save Mount Diablo Executive Director Ted Clement at SMD’s Big Bend property east of Clayton to prepare for their solo experiences in nature. Photo by Al Johnson.

De La Salle High School students team up with Save Mount Diablo to learn about nature while staying safe during the pandemic

By Laura Kindsvater, Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

De La Salle High School students, eager to get outdoors, leapt at the chance to be part of Save Mount Diablo’s newly revised, hands-on Conservation Collaboration Agreement program designed  to connect young people to nature while keeping them safe during the pandemic. “Students are geniuses at adapting,” said Ted Clement, Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo (SMD). “When we had to change the way we deliver our experiential Conservation Collaboration Agreement (CCA) education program, they and their teachers took up the challenge and are making it work.”

Two De La Salle students breaking ground to plant some native coyote brush as part of restoring Save Mount Diablo’s Big Bend property during an environmental service project. Photo by Al Johnson.

De La Salle High School is not new to the CCA program. An earlier class took part in 2018, when the program’s traditional three-part format was in place. Then, students learned basic information during classroom presentations by SMD staff and, on a separate day in the field, completed a hands-on stewardship project along with a hike, a presentation by an environmental educator, and a solo journaling experience. The impact was powerful: Students’ knowledge and intentions to spend more time outdoors skyrocketed.

Now SMD has moved presentations to a Zoom platform, and outdoors activities take place with social distancing and masks. Plus, students can opt for self-directed outdoors projects under the guidance of SMD and their teacher instead of gathering with their classmates. The question is: Will the new format be as effective?

Save Mount Diablo Land Stewardship Manager Roxana Lucero pulls mulch out of a wheelbarrow as De La Salle students and Honors Biology Teacher Henriette Howett prepare to rake it around a newly planted native coyote brush shrub. Photo by Al Johnson.

So far, yes. This year’s class – a total of 54 Honors Biology students – is jumping right in to the new CCA format. After two initial Zoom presentations, the class spent a day outdoors – a group of 21 completed a restoration project on Save Mount Diablo’s Big Bend property, and 33 created their own hands-on nature service projects. Save Mount Diablo gave these 33 students a list of project ideas, such as creating art from trash, cleaning up their neighborhoods, planting native plants in their gardens, removing invasive weeds with landowners’ permission, and reducing energy usage in their homes.

Wearing masks and distancing themselves socially, the group of 21 worked hard to restore habitat at Save Mount Diablo’s Big Bend property, planting yarrow, coyote bush, Pacific blackberry, and California rose. They also potted up blue oak acorns for planting next year. The 33 students who completed the program as an independent study project will report on their experience in the class’s upcoming, and final, Zoom meetings today and tomorrow.

Two De La Salle students planting some native coyote brush on November 14 at Save Mount Diablo’s Big Bend property in the Marsh Creek watershed. Photo by Al Johnson.

“On Saturday, November 14th, 2020, I was fortunate to take 21 of my Honors Biology students on a field trip to work on a Conservation Collaboration Agreement with Save Mount Diablo. This is my second year doing a CCA and it was a wonderful experience. I’m currently teaching remotely, so this was the first time for me to see my students in person. As always, it was so nice to be out in nature, but more so now because of the pandemic. Many students are feeling isolated being home in front of the computer all day long for virtual meetings. I’ve been encouraging them to go out for hikes and to get some fresh air, but it was nice to have the experience together. My favorite part of the day was the solo in nature. I watched eagerly as 10 of my students walked up the oak-covered hillside and selected a tree to sit by. They reflected on their prompts about nature, as did I. In this busy time where all the days seem to drag together, day after day, it was a meaningful experience to sit and slow down. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity with my students and the Save Mount Diablo staff,” stated Henriette Howett, De La Salle High School Honors Biology Teacher.

A De La Salle student contemplating nature amid a forest of blue oak trees during the solo part of the field experience. Photo by Al Johnson.

This enthusiasm is important because youth today, “spend less time outside than prison inmates, with the average child playing freely outside for just four to seven minutes a day,” according to a 2017 report commissioned by REI Co-op, The Path Ahead. This report notes that the average American now spends about 95 percent of their life indoors. It further reports that we are becoming an “indoor species,” which comes with consequences: “Our health and well-being may suffer. And the less we value our outdoor spaces, the less likely we are to protect them.”

Clement considers De La Salle one of the CCA program’s benchmark participants. “It’s clear that De La Salle students embrace new challenges, and their teachers support them every step of the way,” he noted. “Having this group use our new CCA format, so we can continue to connect kids to nature during the pandemic, is a privilege and will pave the way for other classes to be successful.” He continued, “Save Mount Diablo thanks De La Salle High School for its commitment to getting young people connected to the beautiful Mount Diablo natural areas through our Conservation Collaboration Agreement program. This type of leadership is directly addressing the disturbing trend of ‘nature deficit disorder’ in our modern culture.”

De La Salle students work with Save Mount Diablo Land Stewardship Manager Roxana Lucero to gather mulch for native planting sites. Photo by Al Johnson.

In the final portion of the CCA program, designed to engage students in educational and participatory philanthropy, the class will work to raise funds to become members of SMD through SMD’s discounted youth membership program.

About Save Mount Diablo

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

DeLaSalle students with Save Mt. Diablo Executive Director Ted Clement. Photo by Floyd McCluhan.

About De La Salle High School

De La Salle High School is a private Roman Catholic school for boys in Concord, California. The school was founded in 1965. De La Salle currently enrolls 1,039 students, and roughly 99 percent of each graduating class goes on to attend a university or college. Learn more at www.dlshs.org.

 

For other photos, please credit photographer in image file name. For video files, please credit Floyd McCluhan.

 

 

Coroner’s Jury finds 2019 police shooting death of Concord man attacking his parents with knife to be an accident

By Leave a Comment

Screenshot of body worn camera video of Donald James Eversen attacking his mother just before Concord Police Officer fatally shot him on Dec. 1, 2019.

By Jimmy Lee, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff-Coroner

Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a Coroner’s Jury reached a finding in the December 1, 2019 death of 60-year-old Donald James Eversen of Concord. The finding of the jury is that the death is an accident.

The Coroner’s Jury yesterday reached a 10-0 verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.

Eversen was shot and killed by Concord Police while he was attacking his elderly parents with a knife. (See Concord Police Department video of incident. Warning: contains disturbing images.)

Screenhot of still image showing Eversen with knife just as he’s shot by police. From Concord PD.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: accident, suicide, natural causes, or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Herald Addition: Asked why the jury chose “an accident” instead of “at the hands of another person, other than by accident” and if they offered any details for their decisions, Lee responded, “That was the jury’s decision. No details were provided.”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office investigates death of El Sobrante attempted murder suspect from fight at Martinez jail

By 1 Comment

Following and awaiting results of test for COVID-19

By Jimmy Lee, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office continue to investigate an in-custody death at the Martinez Detention Facility per the officer-involved fatal incident protocol.

On Monday, November 16, 2020, at 5:07 PM, inmate Ezekiel McCoy sustained injuries during a fight with other inmates at the West County Detention Facility. He was transported by ambulance to the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC) in Martinez at 6:30 PM.

On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at about 12:15 AM, McCoy arrived at the Martinez Detention Facility after being treated and cleared by medical staff at CCRMC.

McCoy was placed in a negative air flow room at MDF pending the result of a COVID-19 test. He was checked on throughout the day and last checked at 4:23 PM. About nine minutes later, deputies found McCoy unresponsive. Deputies and medical staff provided life-saving measures. The fire department was at MDF on an unrelated incident, and they responded immediately. McCoy was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

30-year-old McCoy of El Sobrante was originally arrested by the Pinole Police Department and booked into MDF on July 28, 2020. McCoy was being held on numerous charges that include attempted murder, child endangerment, burglary, having a concealed weapon in his car, domestic violence, making criminal threats, and probation violation. McCoy was being held in lieu of $1,480,000 bail.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Reporters who have inquiries on McCoy’s medical treatment should contact the Contra Costa Health Services Public Information Officer at (925) 608-5463 or at DOC.PIO@cchealth.org.

Glazer names Walnut Creek-based Trinity Center 7th Senate District 2020 Nonprofit of the Year

By Leave a Comment

Trinity Center’s new home, part of the St. Paul’s Commons Community in Walnut Creek, California. Photo: Trinity Center website.

State Senator to honor group for its work welcoming vulnerable populations during COVID-19 on Wed., Nov. 18

Senator Steve Glazer, (D-7, Orinda), has chosen Walnut Creek-based Trinity Center as the 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year for his Senate district. Senator Glazer will recognize the nonprofit group in a livestream presentation on Wednesday, November 18.

The livestream will take place on Senator Glazer’s website: https://sd07.senate.ca.gov/ at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 18.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Trinity Center has provided a welcoming space for homeless and very low-income individuals at a level not seen before: It served 970 unique individuals and provided more than 56,000 services in 2019-2020.

Trinity Center, located at 1888 Trinity Avenue in Walnut Creek, is a place where vulnerable people can feel physically and emotionally safe, supported in their recovery, and part of a caring group that is focused on helping them escape the challenges of poverty.   Trinity Center operates during the day and offers services such as: meals, showers, laundry, clothing, and mail & telephone access, coupled with case management for benefits, housing, employment, and substance use counseling.

“I am proud to honor Trinity Center for its vital work in keeping people safe and providing them with much needed services during this trying time of the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Glazer. “Trinity Center’s work is a lifeline for people who otherwise might not make it. Nonprofit organizations like Trinity are doing heroic work that cannot be undervalued.”

As a contracted Coordinated Assessment Referral and Engagement (CARE) Center since 2018, Trinity Center is an integral part of Contra Costa’s system of care for persons experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, providing for basic, immediate needs, and linking people with resources to regain stability and housing.

This is the fifth year of the California Nonprofit of the Year initiative, and with nonprofits doing more than ever to help their communities weather this COVID-19 crisis, their work should rightfully be celebrated.

“Nonprofits are often hidden in plain sight,” said Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits). “With one in every 14 California jobs being at a nonprofit, honoring a California Nonprofit of the Year shows that elected officials recognize and celebrate the good work they see nonprofits doing in their districts. We urge everyone to appreciate the collective impact of nonprofits in our communities.”

About Trinity Center

Trinity Center is a non-residential program serving homeless and working poor adult men and women in Walnut Creek and Central Contra Costa County. We are a membership community that offers hope and support. We invite everyone to participate in our mission. For more information or to volunteer visit https://trinitycenterwc.org or call (925) 949-8712.

 

Walnut Creek resident, Ombudsman Services Executive Director named Woman of the Year by Congressman Garamendi

By Leave a Comment

Nicole Howell, Executive Director of Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda. Photo & logo courtesy of OSCCSA.

Pleasant Hill, CA – Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda is pleased to announce that Executive Director Nicole Howell has been selected as a 2020 Woman of the Year by Congressman John Garamendi.

In an effort to recognize outstanding women serving in California’s Third Congressional District, the Congressman annually invites individuals and organizations to submit nominations of those who have shown a commitment to improving quality of life through leadership and public service.

“Every year I have the honor of recognizing the achievements and service of these distinguished women, Garamendi said. “These leaders come from a variety of backgrounds, but every one of them has made a real difference to their communities and the people around them. It’s a privilege to be able to honor them.”

“As the COVID-19 pandemic has rippled through our nation, each of these women have worked tirelessly to serve their communities and help vulnerable populations weather this storm. Their service is deserving of recognition, and by receiving this award, their work will be commemorated and chronicled at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC,” Garamendi added.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Howell said during the awards ceremony. “I would like to thank Jennalee Dawson for nominating me and, of course, Congressman Garamendi for selecting me.”

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Howell, and the Ombudsman team took to the front lines to distribute personal protective equipment to over 15,000 residents in long-term care. She also participated in efforts for residents’ rights by collaborating with local media and testifying on behalf of a movement of residents and their families at the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing “Examining the COVID-19 Nursing Home Crisis” on June 25. During the height of COVID-19, OSCCSA completed nearly 300 facility consultations and close to 200 individual consultations, providing vital information and resources throughout Alameda County.

“I want to accept this award on behalf of all those people who are fighting the fight for seniors right now, particularly those in long-term care,” Howell said. “Thank you so much. This is beyond what I could have dreamed.”

Driven by a calling, the Walnut Creek resident dedicates her career to the memories and experiences of her grandma – a Native American facing struggles as a low-income person whose second language is English.

In her grandma’s legacy, a decade-long career began in the nonprofit and then aging communities to fill a void by building programs, teams, and infrastructures and providing resources to educate and combat the ageism fighting against old adults. Nicole has helped cultivate change through the belief that there is both power and equity in shared leadership. She believes that powerful leadership is met with equal parts enthusiasm, engagement, and connection to the team and those you are working with.

As the Executive Director for Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano, and Alameda (OSCCSA), Howell is responsible for ensuring that the nearly 29,000 long-term care residents and their families have access to the highest level of care and respect and, above all, can live free of abuse and neglect.

“I’ve always had a passion for the nonprofit community, but when I became part of the Ombudsman Services in my prior role as the Director of Operations for Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, something just clicked,” she said. “It reignited a connection and those experiences I saw my grandma facing. I quickly became a fierce advocate for seniors and dependent adults and was driven to immerse myself in culture-changing initiatives and person-centered care philosophies. It’s a true honor to use my voice for all of those in long-term care – residents, their families, and those who have passed. Really, it’s not just a community. It’s a movement of people.”

Since becoming Executive Director, Howell has grown OSCCSA’s budget by nearly 600%, lowered the use of anti-psychotics in Contra Costa County by 10%, and increased facility coverage by unearthing the problems and issues that are being overlooked. She has helped spearhead many new programs in Ombudsman Services and beyond, including the Elder Justice Program Solano, Telephone Reassurance, and Friendly Visiting in Solano County, as well as Healthcare Career Pathways and Residents’ Rights in Contra Costa.

About Nicole Howell

A Las Vegas native, Nicole Howell holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno. As an avid speaker on all topics on elder advocacy and elder justice, she is honored to serve and be a part of the Solano Partners Against Violence as a Solano County appointed board member, a Chair of Legislative Policy for California Elder Justice Coalition, a member of the Rotary Club of Walnut Creek Sunrise, a member of the Core Project Team for the Alliance to End Abuse, a member of the Council for Age-Friendly Communities–Alameda County, a board member for the Trinity Center–Contra Costa County, and 2020 Walnut Creek Chair for Wine, Women, and Shoes.

About Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda

Based in Pleasant Hill, with offices in Fairfield and Oakland, Ombudsman Services is the only organization mandated by law to make unannounced visits to long-term care facilities to ensure that residents are free from abuse and are receiving quality care. We have been aiding the community for more than 40 years, and all services are free of charge. We serve Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda counties with our team of highly trained Ombudsman staff and volunteers. For more information, visit www.ccombudsman.org.

About U.S. Congressman, John Garamendi

John Garamendi joined the U.S. House of Representatives on November 5, 2009. He brings nearly four decades of public service to the House Armed Services and Transportation & Infrastructure committees.

He has been a tireless proponent of job creation, quality and affordable health care, education, environmental protection, and scientific research, while always working to ensure the stability and success of the state he has always called home. Garamendi was raised on his family’s cattle ranch in Mokelumne Hill. He graduated with a BA in business from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

As California’s 46th Lieutenant Governor, Garamendi was Chair of the Commission for Economic Development, where he transformed this important body into a powerhouse to advocate for workforce development, vocational education, and research. As a Regent of the University of California and Trustee for the California State University System, Garamendi fought to hold the line on student fee increases and excessive administrator salaries. As Chair of the California State Lands Commission, he led the fight against new offshore oil drilling. For more information, visit https://garamendi.house.gov/.

Concord man jumps to his death off Hwy 242 overpass while fleeing from Sheriff’s Deputies

By Leave a Comment

Officer involved fatal incident under investigation, suspect identified

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at about 8:31 PM, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report of a hit and run collision in Bay Point. Deputies were assisting CHP attempting to locate the hit and run vehicle when a deputy saw a Toyota Prius driving erratically away from them. The deputy believed the Prius might be involved in the hit and run and attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the area of Willow Pass Road and Weldon Street in Bay Point.

The vehicle did not yield and fled at a high rate of speed, leading deputies on a pursuit that went westbound on Highway 4, Highway 242, and surface streets in the city of Concord.

The suspect later collided into a guardrail at the interchange between Highway 242 and westbound Highway 4. The suspect then fled on foot on the freeway. While running on the overpass to westbound Highway 4, the suspect jumped off the overpass.

Deputies found the suspect on the ground and immediately performed CPR on him with the assistance of Concord PD. An ambulance and the fire department responded to the scene to continue life-saving measures.

The suspect was later pronounced deceased at the scene. He is identified as 31-year-old Kentreal Irving of Concord.

Per the countywide law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol, this incident is being investigated by the Contra Costa County D.A.’s Office, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, and the California Highway Patrol.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.