Contra Costa Herald

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

Country music stars help raise funds for Concord organization’s affordable housing efforts

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Country music stars Lee Brice, Michael Ray and David Tolliver perform during the Yellow Roof Foundation’s “Raise the Roof” fundraiser on June 22, 2025. Photo: Yellow Roof Foundation

Lee Brice, Michael Ray, David Tolliver help bring in more than $1 million at “Raise the Roof” for Yellow Roof Foundation

By Mike Hoye

CONCORD, CA – Yellow Roof Foundation’s annual “Raise the Roof” fundraiser was once again an overwhelming success, generating more than $1 million to advance the non-profit organization’s mission to create affordable, income-based rental housing for families and individuals at risk of homelessness.

Yellow Roof Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Concord, Calif. The organization was founded by Dave and Lori Sanson, owners of DeNova Homes, also headquartered in Concord. Yellow Roof has built several communities in the greater Bay Area to provide affordable housing to those who are hardworking, contributing members of society but are experiencing hard times due to circumstances beyond their control and are at risk of becoming unhoused. As the serious housing crisis continues to grow in California, especially in the affordable housing arena, so has the population who may be on the verge of homelessness.

The sold-out “Raise the Roof” was held on June 22, 2025, at The CIA at Copia in Napa, where sponsors and special guests gathered for an evening of giving and celebration. Attendees enjoyed a beautifully prepared dinner and heartwarming presentations that showcased the life-changing impact of Yellow Roof’s work.

During the program, Yellow Roof announced its next new project in the East Bay town of Pittsburg, made possible a land donation from The Sanson Family. The land is approved for 81 multi-family units, which will make it the largest Yellow Roof community to date. In addition, local businessman and philanthropist, Steve Gonsalves, for whom two of Yellow Roof’s communities are named, shared that because 100% of donations go directly to projects and that accountability is instilled in residents are key factors as to why he believes so strongly in and is committed to Yellow Roof’s mission.

Among the evening’s other highlights was the presentation of the 2025 Champion Award to Valerie Sanders, Homeless Liaison for the Pittsburg Unified School District, in recognition of her remarkable partnership in helping to place deserving families into stable housing.

One of those families was represented on stage by resident Araceli Solis, who, joined by her three daughters, shared her powerful story of resilience following the sudden loss of her husband and how Yellow Roof’s income-based rental housing and financial education programs have restored her family’s hope.

Jasmine Strange, a recent graduate from Yellow Roof housing, also moved the audience, describing how the three years she and her family spent with the non-profit prepared them for a brighter future and helped them secure permanent affordable housing.

The concert portion of the evening featured an unforgettable singer-songwriter performance donated by Lee Brice, Michael Ray, and David Tolliver. A special moment came when Lee and Sara Brice’s two youngest children, Ryker and Trulee, took the stage, with Ryker returning for an encore to rally the crowd to bid generously on an autographed guitar signed by all the artists.

“Raise the Roof has become a beacon of hope and a testament to what is possible when compassionate people come together,” said Lori Sanson, President and Director of Yellow Roof Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, guests, artists, and volunteers whose commitment makes it possible for us to provide families with a foundation of safety, dignity, and opportunity. The funds raised this year will help us build more homes and change more lives.”

For more information about Yellow Roof Foundation, to stay updated on its communities and events, or to make a valuable donation to support its efforts, please visit YellowRoofFoundation.org.

Raise the Roof 2025 Sponsors

Diamond Sponsors: BIA Bay Area, California Retaining Walls, Cemcon, Inc., Covenant Technical Solutions, DeNova Homes, Inc., Rescue Electric, RPM, Sanco Pipelines, SDG Architects, The Conco Companies, The Garaventa & Colvis Families, The Graham Family and The Resmark Companies

Platinum Sponsors: Brookfield Residential, Calex Drywall, California Bank & Trust, cbg Civil Engineers – Surveyors – Planners, Discovery Wall Systems, DPAE Structural, Independent Construction, Legacy Risk & Insurance Services, Lew and Sara Carpenter, Miller Starr Regalia, OAG Architects, Pacific Coast Landscape Management, UBS, Waymark Development and Weber Christensen & Heinrichs, LLP

Gold Sponsors: Blazona Concrete Construction, Inc., California Building Industry Association, Gately Family Foundation, J&M, Inc., Meridian Associates, OJ Insulation, Silvermark Construction Services and vanderToolen Associates

CHP investigates Wednesday afternoon road rage shooting on eastbound Highway 4

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Traffic on Hwy 4 eastbound in Concord was backed up and stopped for 25 minutes during commute time late Wednesday afternoon, July 2, 2025. Photo by person who chose not to be identified.

Victim called 9-11, drove to nearby gas station to wait for medical assistance

By Allen D. Payton

An Advisory of a Hazard on eastbound Highway 4 in Concord could be seen on the Apple Maps app at 5:42 PM on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Source: iPhone screenshot

A road rage shooting Wednesday afternoon, July 2, 2025, on eastbound Highway 4 between Concord and Pittsburg left a man injured with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. A commuter who chose to not be identified said at 5:35 p.m. she was stuck in the back-up for 25 minutes, that there was “no movement and people are leaving their cars.” CHP – Contra Costa Public Information Officer Dan Gilmore, confirmed traffic was stopped “for exactly 25 minutes.”

According to CHP spokesman, Sgt. Andrew Barclay, “Our detectives are still actively investigating” and “CHP Detectives assigned to the Golden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit are on the way and will be taking the lead in the investigation.”

He provided details of the incident: “The time of the call was 2:24 p.m. The victim called 9-1-1 and reported a shooting following a road rage incident on eastbound Highway 4 between Willow Pass Road in Concord and San Marco Blvd. in Pittsburg.  The man exited to San Marco Blvd. and stopped at a gas station where medical personnel arrived,” Barclay explained.

“The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. CHP is waiting to determine if it was an actual gunshot, grazing or other wound,” he shared.

“Nothing has been confirmed yet, but it’s possible CHP will close eastbound Hwy 4 to search for casings,” Barclay continued. “There is no further information on potential suspect at this time.”

Unless an arrest is made tonight any additional information won’t be released until Thursday, the spokesman added.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Prison sentence for Walnut Creek transient man in child sex abuse case

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Marc Alexander Simon arrest photo. Source: Walnut Creek PD

6 years, 8 months for 28-year-old Marc Alexander Simon

Occurred in library restroom

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney

Martinez, California – A Walnut Creek man was sentenced today in Contra Costa County Superior Court after entering guilty pleas to felony charges of sexual abuse of a minor and aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material.

28-year-old Marc Alexander Simon (born 12/25/96) was sentenced by the Honorable Charles Burch on June 26th, 2025, to six years and eight months in state prison. Simon was further ordered to register for life as a sex offender upon his release from custody.

The offenses for which Simon was sentenced occurred on April 11, 2024, when Simon followed a child into a restroom at the Walnut Creek Library and sexually abused the minor. The child reported the incident to an adult, who contacted the Walnut Creek Police Department.

Walnut Creek Police detectives used security cameras to quickly identify Simon’s vehicle as he left the scene. Police tracked him to another location in Walnut Creek, where he was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. An iPhone seized during his arrest was forensically examined, revealing hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

The transient man was arrested for lewd acts upon a child and attempted kidnapping. Simon has been in custody since his arrest and will begin to serve his sentence immediately. (See related article)

District Attorney Diana Becton said: “The swift investigative work by Walnut Creek Police and our Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was crucial in holding the defendant accountable. This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting children in our communities from those who prey on them.”

Deputy District Attorney Ashley Torres from the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted the case. The Walnut Creek Police Department Investigations Unit led the investigation with the assistance of the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, six-inch tall, 160-pound Simon is Hispanic and being held in the Martinez Detention Facility.

Case No. 01-24-01623 | The People of the State of California v. Simon, Marc Alexander

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

FBI offers $25K reward for help ID’ing female suspect in Concord assault, theft

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Source: FBI

By Federal Bureau of Investigation

The unknown suspect wanted for assault on a federal officer in Concord, CA June 10, 2025. Photo: FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Francisco Field Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual responsible for assaulting federal officers and the theft of government property on June 10, 2025, in Concord, California. The individual is described as a female who was wearing a black hoodie at the time.  She is believed to be the individual who took the FBI Special Agent’s badge. The FBI offers a reward of up to $25,000.

Submit a Tip:

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

See video that depicts an unknown female wearing a black hoodie and black mask assaulting a federal officer in Concord, California, on June 10, 2025.

CHP investigating fatal Tuesday crash in Concord

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By CHP-Contra Costa

CONCORD, CA – On Tuesday May 20th, 2025, at approximately, 5:24 p.m., officers assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Contra Costa Area office responded to a two-vehicle crash which occurred at the northernmost intersection of northbound Kirker Pass Road and Hess Road in Concord.

A Ford Fusion stopped at the westbound Hess Road intersection attempted to make a left turn onto southbound Kirker Pass Road. While turning, it pulled into the path of a Toyota Sienna traveling northbound on Kirker Pass Road, resulting in the Toyota crashing into the Ford’s driver side.

The Ford was occupied by an adult female driver and a 14-year-old male passenger in the front right seat. The Toyota was solely occupied by an adult female driver. Tragically, the driver of the Ford sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 14-year-old sustained suspected major injuries and was airlifted to the hospital. The driver of the Toyota sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. Both the 14-year-old and Toyota driver are expected to recover from their injuries.

An impaired driving investigation was also conducted, and DUI was ruled out as a factor in this crash.

Both northbound and southbound lanes of Kirker Pass Road were closed at approximately 5:35 p.m., for on-scene investigation, and were re-opened at approximately 8:40 p.m.

This crash remains under investigation.

The Mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

CoCoTax Lunch with Contra Costa Water District Board President Ernie Avila May 23

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Contra Costa Taxpayers Association’s May Luncheon will feature CCWD Board President Ernesto Avila as speaker. Photo: CCWD

Registration

  • Member – $25.00
  • Non-Member – $30.00

The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association (CoCoTax) invites you to attend a Board and Members Luncheon Meeting at Denny’s Restaurant, 1313 Willow Pass Road in Concord, on Friday May 23, 2025, at 11:45 am. Please register in advance on the CoCoTax website where you can pay ONLINE, or bring cash or check on Friday and pay at the door – $25 for members, $30 for guests.

In addition to our speaker, we will be discussing planned updates to the County’s Urban Limit Line (which restricts development in unincorporated areas) and El Cerrito’s forthcoming library parcel tax measure.

SPEAKER TOPIC

Contra Costa Water District 2025 Update

With recent fires in Southern California and ongoing discussions about California’s public water systems and supply, Contra Costa Water District continues to serve as a leader among water agencies throughout the state. CCWD Board President Ernesto “Ernie” Avila will join us May 23 to give updates about ongoing capital improvement projects, how customer rates are used to provide a stable, long-term water supply, what resources and rebates are available to customers, and other initiatives underway to improve the reliability of our local water system. For more information visit Contra Costa Water District, CA | Official Website.

Speaker Bio

Ernesto A. Avila, P.E., was appointed to CCWD’s board in March 2016 to represent Division 3, which includes eastern Concord, Clayton, and part of Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill, and began serving as Board President in May 2022. He has over 40 years of professional experience in planning, environmental compliance, regulation, design, and construction of water, wastewater and recycled water works and municipal facilities. He is currently Principal/Vice-President of a private engineering firm.

As a member of the Board, he brings his dedication to the community, passion for water issues, and his experience in the private and public sectors. For the community, he has volunteered for many citizen-based committees/organizations including the Walnut Creek Transportation Commission, the Concord Planning Commission, the John Muir/Mount Diablo Community Health Fund, the Knights of Columbus, the East Bay Leadership Council, and the St. Francis of Assisi School Board. While working full time, he has made volunteering in the community a priority, representing his neighbors and family on important issues that affect their everyday life.

He is passionate about water issues in his professional life, working on a variety of issues statewide during his career. Among several relevant positions, he served as Director of Engineering at Contra Costa Water District before moving on to become General Manager of Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. He also served as Executive Director for the California Urban Water Agencies, Program Director for the Multi-State Salinity Coalition, and was elected as Vice President of the Association of California Water Agencies for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2024. He has experience on water projects of all shapes and sizes, including water treatment plant improvements, dam retrofits, and watershed management and habitat conservation projects.

He lives in Clayton with his family and is a licensed civil engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from St. Mary’s College of California.

About CoCoTax

Founded in 1937, CoCoTax leads the way in providing fiscal oversight of local government.  We actively resist unwarranted taxes and fees, discriminatory regulations, ill-advised public expenditures and government secrecy, inefficiency and waste. For more information and membership visit www.cocotax.org.

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Bay Area Military Appreciation BBQ in Martinez May 26

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Nuvision Credit Union Partners with VFW Post 1351 & American Legion Post 29

Bill Meyer, AVP, Communications, Nuvision Credit Union

May is Military Appreciation Month, and Nuvision Credit Union is proud to be honoring local veterans this Memorial Day.  Nuvision is privileged to partner with VFW Post 1351 and American Legion Post 29 for the credit union’s upcoming Memorial Day Military Appreciation BBQ in Martinez, California.

The event takes place on Monday, May 26th from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street in Martinez.

The BBQ is to honor and thank the men and women who serve our country, welcoming all veterans, active-duty military members, and the families that serve alongside them.  The BBQ is open and free to all who have served, as well as their families.

Baseball players from the Martinez Sturgeon, an independent professional baseball team, will be in attendance to honor our veterans and active military for their service and sacrifice, and will be serving lunch to attendees.

During the BBQ Nuvision will also be presenting $1,500 donations to two Bay Area veteran support organizations — Delta Veterans Group, and Diablo Valley Veterans Foundation – in support of their ongoing missions.

Active military and veterans interested in attending are invited to register for the free BBQ.

 Nuvision Credit Union Background:

Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Nuvision was founded in 1935. Today, the credit union has more than $3.8 billion in assets

  • Nuvision has 6 branches in the Bay Area, serving the communities of Berkeley, Martinez, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Brentwood and Hayward
  • Nuvision serves more than 200,000+ members in 5 states, including California, Alaska, Washington State, Wyoming, and Arizona.

Website: Nuvision Credit Union | Banking, Credit Cards & Loans (nuvisionfederal.com)

With help of U.S. Marshals Concord man arrested for attempted murder in March shooting

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Being held on over $1.5 million bail

Has history of arrests for other gun-related crimes dating back to 2016

By Concord Police Department

On March 18, 2025, at approximately 4:30 P.M., the Concord Police Department’s Communications Center was notified that a gunshot victim had come into the John Muir Emergency Department. Patrol Officers arrived at the hospital and learned that a single victim had been shot. The victim’s injuries were not life threatening, and the Victim was treated and released.

Officers located the scene of the shooting, which occurred in the area of Esperanza Drive and Huron Drive. Detectives from various CPD Investigative Units were called to the scene to further investigate. Through a variety of investigative methods, Devante Lucas Watson, age 27 (born 8/6/97) of Concord, was identified as the suspected shooter in this case.

An arrest warrant for Watson was sought and approved. With the assistance of the United States Marshal’s Service, Watson was located at a location in Richmond where he was arrested and transported to the Concord Jail. Detectives conducted multiple search warrants and located a loaded firearm.

Further investigation has led to the conclusion this was a targeted attack and not a random act of violence.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed a five-count felony criminal complaint on Watson for:

PC245(a)(2) – Assault with a semi-automatic firearm (two counts)

PC246 – Discharging a firearm at an occupied motor vehicle

PC29800(a) – Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

PC626.9(d) – Discharging a firearm in a school zone

Watson is being held in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on $1.5 million bail.

The Concord Police Department continues to take a zero-tolerance approach to violence in all areas of the City, with an extremely high emphasis on violence in school zones. Violence in school zones is simply unacceptable, and the Concord Police Department will dedicate all available resources to investigating and solving these crimes.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting can reach out to Detective Luciano at 925-603-5831.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the six-foot, three-inch tall, 170-pound Watson is Black, and being held on $1,521,000 bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 21, 2025, in Superior Court, Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating back to 2016 by multiple agencies including Concord and Pleasant Hill Police Departments and the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department for crimes, such as gun and drug charges, assault, battery, robbery and receiving or concealing stolen property.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Livermore man arrested for Walnut Creek bank robbery

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Pet sitting service manager didn’t use weapon

By Sgt. Mike Watson, Walnut Creek Police Department

Shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, Walnut Creek Police received a 911 call reporting a bank robbery that had just occurred at Chase Bank, 1390 S. Main Street. WCPD Officers arrived within minutes of the call and learned the suspect had passed a note to the teller demanding money. No weapon was used in the commission of the crime, and the suspect left in a vehicle after receiving money from the teller.

Officers continued to check the area and found the suspect vehicle traveling on Olympic Blvd. Officers made a traffic stop on the vehicle at 1:07 PM and our investigation revealed the driver was the suspect in the bank robbery.

The suspect, 54-year-old Ronald Terry Lane, Jr. (born 10/15/70) of Livermore, was arrested and the money stolen was recovered from inside the vehicle. The suspect was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking and our Investigations Bureau will be forwarding the case to the District Attorney’s office for review.

Walnut Creek Police would like to thank the Chase employees for being quick to report the crime and provide detailed information that assisted our officers locate and apprehend the suspect.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the anonymous tip line at 925-943-5865.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the six-foot, three-inch tall, 195-pound Lane is now being held in the West County Detention Facility on $50,000 bail.

According to Bizapedia, he is the Manager of Twenty-Four Paws, LLC a pet-sitting service which is based in Livermore.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord credit union armed robbery suspects arrested following chase to San Jose, carjackings along the way, shooting by cops

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Officer involved shooting occurred with one of the armed suspects.

By Concord Police Department

On Monday, April 21, 2025, shortly before 10 am, two suspects committed an armed robbery at a credit union in Concord. Concord Police Officers located the suspect vehicle, which immediately began to flee, and a police pursuit was initiated.

The suspect vehicle became disabled on SB 680 in Sunol and the suspects carjacked two vehicles at gunpoint, ultimately fleeing again in one of them.

Concord Police Officers pursued the suspects in the carjacked vehicle to San Jose where that vehicle became disabled. An officer involved shooting involving Concord Police officers occurred with one of the armed suspects. That suspect was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. The other suspect was located in the area a short time later by San Jose Police Department officers.

There are no suspects still outstanding.

The Concord Police Department is investigating the bank robbery, pursuit, and carjacking and the San Jose Police Department is investigating the officer involved shooting that occurred in their jurisdiction. No further details are being released at this time.

Anyone with further information regarding this case is asked to contact Concord Police Department Major Crimes Unit Detective J. Riche at (925) 603-5922 or the Concord Police Department tip line at (925) 603-5836.