Contra Costa Herald

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

County Clerk’s Office to stay open late on Thursdays during summer, beginning July 6

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Residents can get married, obtain documents until 7:30 pm

Summertime in Contra Costa County means two things: warmer temperatures and the Clerk-Recorder’s office being open late on Thursday nights. So, now you can get hitched without missing work!

Every Thursday between July 6th and August 31st, the Clerk Recorder Division office, located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez, will be open from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, a welcome three-hour extension to the usual closing time.

Summer is an important time for parents to obtain birth certificates for school and those seeking documents for traveling. It is also a popular season for weddings.

“We want to provide a courtesy for our residents, especially those who work during the day and find it difficult to make it to our office before 4:30,” said County Clerk-Recorder Joe Canciamilla. Services provided during the extended hours include the issuance of marriage licenses, copies of vital records such as birth and death certificates, copies of recorded documents, fictitious business name and other professional filings.

Marriage ceremonies will also be available by appointment and walk-ins accommodated if possible. Document costs are available on the Clerk-Recorder website at www.contracostacore.us.

The Extended Summer Hours program debuted in 2015 and proved to be even more popular in its second year.

By holding longer hours in the summer season, customers are able to take advantage of the extra daylight. 368 customers were assisted during extended hours last summer, a nearly 50 percent increase over 2015. Marriage services accounted for almost half of those transactions.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 925-335-7900 or visit www.contracostacore.us.

CHP identifies person of interest in Friday night hit and run collision in Concord killing two San Pablo boys

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LEMUEL SIRVONN WILSON, Jr. Photo courtesy of DMV

Friday night, June 30, 2017, at about 10:55 pm an Infiniti sedan collided with a Dodge Durango on the Solano Avenue on-ramp to SR-4 in Concord and subsequently killed two young children and injury two others.

At 10:55pm, a silver 2004 Infiniti sedan was traveling on SR-4 westbound at an unknown rate of speed and traveling towards the Solano Avenue off-ramp. At the same time, a grey 2006 Dodge Durango was traveling on the on-ramp from Solano Avenue to SR-4 westbound, which is adjacent to the off-ramp. It is unclear why, at this time, but the driver of the silver Infiniti drove off the roadway of the off-ramp and directly towards the Durango. The front end of the Infiniti slammed into the left rear of the Durango. The collision was so severe the Durango was pushed sideways down to the edge of the on-ramp and the Infiniti was catapulted over the dividing fence and into the parking lot of Kinder’s where it came to rest just feet from the front door.

Sadly, a 10-year-old boy and five-year-old boy from the Durango were both ejected and tragically died at the scene. The three-month-old remained in its car seat but sustained major injuries and was transported to Oakland Children’s Hospital. The driver, 35-year-old mother, sustained major injuries and was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. This family resides in San Pablo.

Witnesses on scene said the driver of the Infiniti fled on foot across the highway and ran towards the Solano drive-in movie theater located at Arnold Industrial Place. The fleeing driver was described as a black male adult, lanky build about 5’10”-6’1″, with short black hair and wearing a gray or dirty white shirt, blue jeans and black shoes. Witnesses also said the driver sustained injuries to his head and face because of the significant amount of blood on him. And he may have additional injuries as well. The CHP along with numerous allied agencies searched the area but were unsuccessful in finding the driver.

PERSON of INTEREST: From evidence, information located at the scene, and eyewitness testimony at the scene, LEMUEL SIRVONN WILSON, Jr – DOB-6/24/1982, is the number one person of interest in this hit & run fatality collision. If you know him, know his whereabouts now, saw him at the collision scene or at the movie theater, please contact CHP – Golden Gate Division Communications Center by calling 707-551-4100. Relate that you have information for CHP – Contra Costa and Officer Odom who is handling this investigation. Thank you for any help you can provide.

Petition to form Northgate school district includes Oak Grove Middle and Ygnacio Valley High Schools in territory transfer

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Proposed Northgate Unified District territory map.

As part of the ongoing review of a petition by Northgate Community Advocacy for our Public Schools (Northgate CAPS) and its proposed transfer of territory carving out five schools to form a new school district, the Mt. Diablo School District (MDUSD) is reiterating concerns that the territory for the proposed Northgate district includes two additional schools that are physically located within the proposed district’s boundary but have separate MDUSD attendance boundaries.

“The campuses of Oak Grove Middle School and Ygnacio Valley High School are clearly situated within the proposed territory for a Northgate Unified School District (NUSD) and this raises a number of issues which the Northgate CAPS organization has not addressed,” said Dr. Nellie Meyer, Superintendent of Mt. Diablo Unified.

“Last month, we mentioned in our preliminary response our concerns that the proposal, which would include Northgate High School, Foothill Middle School, and Bancroft, Valle Verde, and Walnut Acres elementary schools, creates an “island effect” by including the Oak Grove and Ygnacio Valley school facilities but not their attendance boundaries,” said Meyer. “The state’s education code is very clear on this: a school district shall not be formed or reorganized to include territory which is separated from other portions of one or more other school districts.  This proposed secession prompts a number of questions.”  (Reference: CA Education Code 35543)

“If CAPS’ intention is to include Oak Grove Middle and Ygnacio Valley High School in their territory, is it also their intention to retain those students? Or will these students – approximately 2,000 students – be displaced?” questioned Meyer. “What happens to Oak Grove and YV’s feeder schools?  If the CAPS proposal was constructed knowing about these profound school facility and displacement issues, why were there no meetings held with the Oak Grove Middle School and Ygnacio Valley High School communities?” 

At the previous public hearings conducted by the Contra Costa County Board of Education in its capacity as the County Committee on School District Reorganization, public testimony was provided to make clear the proposed NUSD boundaries would also include attendance areas for Highlands Elementary, impacting 53% of that school’s current student body and prompting associated staff reductions and program changes or losses.

According to MDUSD, the petition fails to substantially meet many of the legal requirements by which such petitions may be considered for approval. The District unequivocally opposes the petition for several key reasons, including the following:

  • The proposed division results in a new school district that is far more racially and socioeconomically segregated, depriving students in both districts of an integrated educational experience.
  • The proposed division results in an inequitable distribution of assets and assessed property values.
  • The proposed division separates communities and would result in increased negative traffic impacts community-wide.
  • The proposed division would reduce the size of both districts, resulting in the disruptive shuffling of teaching and staff assignments, including likely necessitating layoffs and the elimination of key District programs.
  • The proposed division has a negative impact on both potential districts’ financial health and educational programs.
  • The District has made great strides over the last few years that are now paying dividends in student achievement, teacher recruitment and retention, and the provision of innovative educational programs and opportunities for every student throughout the District.  This petition would derail this progress and negatively impact the District’s students, families, teachers and staff.

The County Committee will have the remainder of the summer to review the Northgate CAPS petition to determine whether it meets the state’s required criteria.  Additional hearings – potential leading to a recommendation to approve or disapprove the petition – are expected to take place in early fall.

For more information please see the following:

RESOURCES:

California Education Code

Education Code sec. 35511. 

An “action to reorganize districts” means either of the following:

·          An action to form a new school district, which is accomplished through any of, or any combination of, the following:

o   Dissolving two or more existing school districts of the same kind and forming one or more new school districts of that same kind from the entire territory of the original districts.

o   Forming one or more new school districts of the same kind from all or parts of one or more existing school districts of that same kind.

o   Unifying school districts, including the consolidation of all or part of one or more high school districts with all or part of one or more component school districts into one or more new unified school districts.

o   Deunifying a school district, including the conversion of all or part of a unified school district into one or more new high school districts, each with two or more new component districts.

·          An action to transfer territory, including the transfer of all or part of an existing school district to another existing school district.

Education Code sec. 35706. 

(a) Within 120 days of the commencement of the first public hearing on the petition, the county committee shall recommend approval or disapproval of a petition to form one or more new districts or for the division of the entire territory of a school district into two or more new or acquiring districts, as the petition may be augmented, or shall approve or disapprove a petition for the transfer of territory, as the petition may be augmented.

Education Code sec. 35543. 

On or after January 1, 1981, a school district shall not be formed or reorganized to include territory which is separated from other portions of the territory of the district by the territory of one or more other school districts.

Morgan Territory Road culvert repair, June 14-16

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Culvert work on Morgan Territory Road is scheduled for June 14th through June 16th between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The work will occur approximately 8 miles south of the Morgan Territory Road temporary signal. Drivers can expect 30 minute delays and are encouraged to use an alternate route during this time. Signage will be placed in advance of the culvert work to alert drivers of the work and anticipated delays.

Walnut Creek doctor arrested in sexual assault case

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Rajesh Kumar Singla

Detectives from the Special Victims Unit of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division on Monday arrested 36-year-old Rajesh Kumar Singla of Milpitas for multiple counts of sexual assault charges.

Singla is a family medicine doctor, who is a member of the John Muir Health physician network. His office is located at 1450 Treat Boulevard in unincorporated Contra Costa County.

Complaints from a female patient against Singla were reported to the Office of the Sheriff earlier this month. Follow-ing an investigation, detectives arrested Singla without incident at his office after receiving an arrest warrant.

Singla was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on two counts of sexual battery, two counts of indecent exposure, and one count of attempted oral copulation. He was being held in lieu of $130,000 bail. Singla bailed out early this morning.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with any information or who believes they are a victim is asked to call detectives at (925) 313-2621. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Supervisors consider improving aircraft rescue, fire safety at county airports

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By Daniel Borsuk

Contra Costa supervisors plan to revisit a personnel proposal that could boost aircraft rescue and firefighting readiness conditions at the county’s two airports when supervisors reconvene on April 18.

“This item needs more work,” County Administrator David Twa informed supervisors Tuesday upon recommending delaying action on the safety item concerning the county’s two airports:  Buchanan Field in Concord and Byron Airport.

But according to Airports Director Keith Freitas, the proposal to create four Airport Safety Officer classifications to replace three 1980’s drafted classifications of Airport Operations Technician, Airport Operations Specialist, and Lead Airport Operations Specialist will bring the airports into compliance with current significantly increased regulatory standards and changes in aircraft rescue and firefighting training, certifications, and protocols.

The proposal will cost the county about $168,809 in extra annual salary and pension expenses because it calls for the creation of four Teamster classified positions, not three classifications as the county currently pays.

Freitas pointed out the four new classifications, may also turn around the county’s “dismal” retention rate among fire rescue personnel.

“Contra Costa County has a retention rate of 60 percent over the last four years,” he told the Contra Costa Herald.  “Many candidates simply decline to interview or, if hired, consistently resign their positions after a few years for much higher paying opportunities at other local airports.”

The high turnover has become a financial drain on the Airport Enterprise Fund because training costs exceed $100,000 per employee during their first year of employment.

“The most significant responsibilities of this job were heightened with the recent start of scheduled service by Jet Suite X to Burbank and Las Vegas,” Freitas added.  “The new service has upgraded Buchanan Field to an active status commercial service airport.”

Storm Damage Tops $9.5 Million

In other action, supervisors voting 4-0 with supervisor John Gioia absent declared costs associated with damage from the January and February storms will exceed $9.5 million, an initial estimate.

The action was necessary to maintain the county’s eligibility for disaster relief funds to cover emergency storm-related repairs to Alhambra Valley Road, Marsh Creek Road, and Morgan Territory Road.

Young Antioch man killed after being hit by three cars on I-680 in Pleasant Hill, Saturday morning, identified

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On Saturday morning, March 25, at around 4:40am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a hit and run traffic collision on northbound I-680 south of Monument Blvd. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival it was determined a pedestrian (19-year-old male from Antioch) was struck by three vehicles. The first vehicle to strike the pedestrian left the scene.

The first vehicle to strike the pedestrian was described as possibly being a white Acura Integra. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision. On Monday, the victim was identified by the Contra Costa County Coroner as Dyshon Douglas.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the pedestrian was standing in the lanes of northbound I-680 just south of Monument Blvd. It appears as though a white colored sedan collided with the pedestrian and continued northbound on I-680. Immediately after the initial collision the pedestrian was struck by an Audi SUV (driven by a 29-year-old male from Oakley) and a Toyota Corolla (driven by a 22-year-old female from Concord). The drivers of the Audi and Toyota stopped on scene and provided statements to officers.

At this time alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision. This collision is still under investigation and if anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Officer Mitchell at Contra Costa CHP (925) 646-4980.

Teen arrested for filming others in locker room at Walnut Creek health club

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On Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at about 11:40 AM, the Office of the Sheriff was dispatched to a report of harassment that occurred at a fitness center on the 2800 block of Jones Road in unincorporated Walnut Creek.

A Deputy Sheriff spoke to the male victim who was apparently secretly recorded with a cell phone while in a locker room. This happened on February 20, 2017. The video and photos were posted to Snapchat.

The Deputy contacted the 17-year-old suspect, who is not being identified. The suspect was later arrested for invasion of privacy. He was cited for violation of California Penal Code 647(j) and then released to his parents. The investigation into this incident is continuing.

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

Pro wrestling offers Saturday night excitement in Pacheco

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Tony Vargas celebrates retaining his EBPW championship belt after defeating Jody Kristofferson. photos by Jesus Cano

By Jesus Cano

You don’t have to travel far to witness pro wrestling, as East Bay Pro Wrestling (EBPW) operates in Pacheco and houses bi-monthly shows as part of the independent wrestling circuit. On February 11th they held their Saturday Night Showcase, where every single one of their championships were on the line.

The EBPW Championship was at stake in the main event. Tony Vargas came into the match with the championship around his waist and left with it under his possession, as he forced Jody Kristofferson to tap out by utilizing the Cloverleaf submission hold. Kristofferson is a former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar who competed in WWE’s developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling, which has now been rebranded to NXT.

Shotzi Blackheart uses the ropes to her advantage against Kimberly Diamond.

Women’s action came alive as Shotzi Blackheart defeated Kimberly Diamond via knockout, as Blackheart had Diamond in a gruesome submission that made her become unresponsive to the referee’s drop counts. Blackheart walked away, still the EBPW Ladies Champion.

After winning the gold in the previous show, the team of Sensationally Dangerous defended their tag team titles against Fight Club, where they successfully retained the championship in their first title defense.

During the show, it was announced that EBPW will have their first ever steel cage match, where Perry Von Vicious will clash with former best friend Levi Shapiro. This all coming after Shapiro attacked Von Vicious after his victory against Buddy Royal, where wrestlers in the locker-room had to storm out separate. The steel cage match will be held on February 25th, 2017 where owner Maynard Skynard expects a sellout crowd.

The rest of the card saw Mr. East Bay Pro, Leon Ikusa, defeat Shoop Shellhammer by delivering a heckuva kick after Shellhammer was distracted by disputing with the referee about his officiating.

Shapiro was in action as well, where he stole a victory against Steven Tresario as he pinned him with a fist full of tights. He had a little help from Royal, who was a nuisance to the official while he was at ringside and obnoxiously streamed the match via Facebook live.

EBPW was established on May 16th, 2016, and is family friendly according to Skynard. General Admission is $10.00 while kids 12 and under pay $8.00.

“My main intention is to put on quality wrestling match,” Skynard said. “Come on down Saturday night and have a good time screaming and yelling.”

While EBPW offers live action, it also has its own wrestling academy where Anton Voorhees is the head trainer but Skynard also helps out with training young talent. Of course they offer pro wrestling training, but also provide help with those seeking to become referees, valets and ring announcers. Products of the academy eventually wrestle on the main roster and other promotions in the country.

To learn more about East Bay Pro Wrestling, visit their page on Facebook. They are located on 110 2nd Avenue South #B9 in Pacheco. Their next show is February 25th.