Contra Costa Herald

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

Assemblymember Grayson announces state funding for I-680/SR 4 Interchange improvements

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Interstate 680 / Highway 4 Interchange. From CCTA.net

Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) announced that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) has approved $34 million in funding for improvements of the Interstate 680 / State Route 4 highway interchange in Concord, one of the most congested freeway interchanges in the Bay Area.

“Anyone who has driven in the East Bay knows this interchange is notorious for gridlock, which is why I have been working for more than a year with the CTC, Department of Transportation, and Contra Costa Transportation Authority to secure the funding needed to get this project started,” Grayson said. “As a critical artery for the region, it is incumbent on us to ensure the conditions of this interchange are improved so commuters are able to navigate this interchange without the additional stress caused by standstill traffic and bottlenecks. I applaud the CTC for funding this project so that the people of my district, and the East Bay Area, will be able to spend less time sitting in traffic and more time at home with their families.”

The I-680/SR4 Interchange connects a major north-south thoroughfare for Solano, Contra Costa, and Alameda Counties with the main east-west artery for Contra Costa County. In its review, the Commission concluded the existing I-680/SR 4 interchange has deficiencies that contribute to heavy traffic congestion and inefficient traffic operations. This project, one of several phases of improvements planned by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority for Highway 4, will construct almost 10 miles of new traffic lanes to ease congestion and will retrofit bridges to meet seismic standards as well as extend on-ramps to improve traffic safety. CCTA was awarded the funding through the CTC’s competitive Local Partnership Program.

Grayson represents the 14th Assembly District that includes the communities of Benicia, Concord, Clayton, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Vallejo, Pittsburg and Walnut Creek. For more information please visit the Assemblymember’s website, www.assembly.ca.gov/a14.

Bidders’ Conference for Keller Canyon grants Monday, April 30 in Pittsburg

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Nonprofit organizations and government agencies wishing to apply for a grant from the Keller Canyon Landfill Mitigation Fund are invited to a Bidders Conference, April 30.

The Keller Canyon grants are from $500 to $10,000 and given to services and events that will benefit residents of Bay Point, Pittsburg and parts of Antioch and Concord, said Supervisor Federal Glover, who oversees the grant program on behalf of the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors.

Interested applicants are REQUIRED to attend:

Keller Canyon Bidders’ Conference

April 30, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

California Theater, 351 Railroad Ave, Pittsburg

Generally, applications that fall into the following general categories will receive consideration:

  • Youth Services – specific activities projects that benefit children/youth
  • Code Enforcement – activities focusing on clean communities
  • Public Safety – related to law enforcement, crime prevention, etc.
  • Community Beautification
  • Community Services – broad category of public benefit activities

The deadline for applications is May 18. After an initial screening, you may be requested to give a 5-minute oral presentation during the week of June 18, 2018 – June 22, 2018. Awards for the fiscal year 2018-2019 will be announced in July.

At the Bidders’ Conference, county staff will provide grant information and general technical assistance on the submission requirements.

For more information about the Bidders Conference, the Keller grant or the application process, contact Brittney Jones, at (925) 608-4200.

Contra Costa DA charges Vallejo teacher with possession of child porn, other child sex related crimes

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Also charged with attempted lewd acts with a child and online enticement of a child

Andrew Lund from the Glen Cove Elementary School website.

On Friday April 20, 2018, Andrew Lund, a 36-year-old Vallejo elementary school teacher, was formally charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office with possession of child pornography, arranging to meet a minor for sex, enticing a minor online, sending harmful material to a minor and attempted lewd acts with a child.

Between April 7, 2018 and April 17, 2018, Lund communicated with an undercover police officer, believing he was talking with a 14-year-old girl. Lund sent harmful material to the undercover officer, with the intent that it be seen by a minor and made arrangements to meet the minor in Concord, California for sex.

On April 19, 2018, a search warrant was executed at Lund’s residence in Vallejo. Investigators seized electronics from his home, and after an initial review, determined at least one item contained child pornography. Lund was arrested during the service of the search warrant. Lund as booked at the Contra Costa County Detention Facility in Martinez and he is being held on $3 million bail.

Investigators immediately notified the administration at Glen Cove Elementary School. Additional electronic devices were seized from Lund’s classroom and office at the school pursuant to a search warrant. Lund currently serves as a teacher supervisor for the school and teaches two classes a day to fifth graders.

Lund will make his initial appearance in front of the Honorable Christopher Bowen on Monday April 23, 2018 at 8:45 a.m. in Martinez. Lund remains in the custody of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy District Attorney Jay Melaas is the lead prosecutor on behalf of the People in this case.

Lund has previously taught in Wisconsin, Glenn County (California), Shasta County, San Diego County and Solano County.

This investigation in ongoing and includes determining if Lund acted inappropriately towards any current or former students. Anyone with information can contact Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe at 925-957-2263 or by e-mail at dholcombe@contracostada.org. Information regarding Lund’s employment with the Vallejo City Unified School District can contact their administrative offices at 707-556-8921.

The investigation was conducted by a multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County Probation Department and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force. Substantial assistance was provided by the Vallejo Police Department.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org for further information.

Case information: People v. Lund, Dockett Number 01-185460-3

Rep. DeSaulnier hosts 60th town hall meeting Saturday in Concord

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Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced he will host his 60th town hall and mobile district office hour since taking office in January of 2015. The town hall will be held at Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord tomorrow, Saturday, March 3rd at 11:00 a.m.

“I am proud to represent this community that is so civically engaged and invite all constituents to attend our 60th town hall to share their thoughts, opinions, and questions.”

Concord 60th Town Hall

Saturday, March 3, 2018

11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Ygnacio Valley High School

755 Oak Grove Road

Concord, CA 94518

DeSaulnier’s regular and frequent practice of holding town halls was among the reasons his office was recently nominated by the Congressional Management Foundation as a finalist in the first-ever Democracy Awards for outstanding Constituent Service. 

To confirm attendance, please by RSVP online at https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call 925-933-2660. To request ADA accommodations, translation services, or for more information please contact one of Congressman DeSaulnier’s offices in either Walnut Creek or Richmond.

CHP Officer struck by vehicle during traffic stop on eastbound Hwy 4, Monday night

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The damaged motorcycle of a CHP Officer who was injured in a crash on eastbound Hwy 4, Monday night, Jan. 15, 2018. Screenshots from NBC Bay Area News report.

Three of the eight vehicles damaged by the three, chain-reaction crashes.

According to the CHP – Contra Costa Facebook page, “This evening at about 6:15 pm, one of our CHP Officers was involved in a traffic collision at SR-4 eastbound and Port Chicago Highway (in Concord). He suffered major injuries, non-life threatening, and was transported to a local hospital. The scene is still active for the investigation. We have no further details at this time, but we will advise when we do. Thank you.”

Further reports on NBC Bay Area TV Channel 3 News and ABC7 News he was a motorcycle officer, and an SUV flipped an landed on the officer including a broken leg. It set off a chain reaction including at least eight cars and three separate crashes. It backed up traffic on Highway 4 for miles.

Mt. Diablo Adult Ed teacher arrested for rape of developmentally disabled student

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Daniel Gonzalez

By Sgt. Christine Magley, Concord Police Investigations Division / Special Victims Unit

On December 7, 2017, Concord Police received a report of a teacher at Loma Vista Adult Center who was allegedly having sex with a developmentally disabled adult student. The student was enrolled in the Bridge Program which aids students in the development of their independent living skills, academics and more. The suspect, identified as 55-year-old Daniel Gonzalez, was a teacher in the program offered through the Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s Adult Education Department.

The Concord Police Special Victims Unit led the investigation and determined the adult student had an intellectual development level of a young teenager and therefore, is considered a dependent adult. According to California Penal Code 261, it is illegal to have sex with a person who is incapable of consent due to a mental or developmental disability. Based on the facts discovered during the course of the investigation, the school district was notified and the teacher was immediately placed on an administrative leave of absence.

SVU detectives arrested Gonzalez and he was later transferred to the Martinez Detention Facility with a $2 million bail amount. The case is pending review by Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Detectives are taking steps to identify other potential victims. Anyone with additional information regarding Gonzalez, please contact the Concord Police Department Special Victims Unit at 925-671-3020.

Concord police identify two of five suspects arrested in Monday’s shooting death near high school

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Photos courtesy of Concord PD.

Four face murder, other charges

From Concord Police Department Facebook Page

Concord Police provided an update to their investigation into the Monday murder of a teen near Olympic High School. (See related article)

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, Concord Police Detectives presented this murder case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the following charges were filed:

– Kristhiam Uceda, a 20-year old Concord resident, was charged with murder.

– Bryan Sermeno-Chachagua, an 18-year old Concord resident, was charged with hiding the gun after the shooting.

We are not identifying three suspects due to their ages:

– A 17-year old Concord male was charged with murder for driving the involved car.

– Another 17-year old Concord male was charged with hiding the gun after the shooting.

– No charges were filed at this time against a 5th male juvenile.

The Concord Police Department is not releasing further details at this time, due to the ongoing investigation. Inquiries can be referred to Lieutenant Mike Kindorf at (925) 671-3478.

Concord Police make multiple arrests in Monday shooting death of teen

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From the Concord Police Facebook Page

Concord Police Officers have made several arrests in the below described homicide that occurred yesterday near Olympic High School in our downtown. The individuals arrested have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Police are not seeking any additional suspects at this time. They are exploring all avenues to explain the motive in this case. There were multiple individuals in the suspect vehicle.

Further information was available at a press conference that was held today, Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 5:30 PM in front of the Concord Police Department at 1350 Galindo St in Concord. It can be viewed on the CPD Facebook page, here.

Original Post: We are currently investigating a shooting that occurred at 1:32 PM, near Olympic High School, at the corner of Salvio Street and Beach Street. Our investigation reveals that after school let out for the day, a passenger in an unknown black sedan, exited the suspect vehicle and approached a group of individuals off campus. The suspect shot at one of the individuals, as the others ran for safety. The victim ran onto the campus of Olympic High School where he was medically treated by staff, paramedics and police. There are no other injured people. The victim was transported to a local hospital and his condition is unknown at this time.

If you were a witness to the shooting and have not been contacted by a CPD officer, please contact the Concord Police Department at 925-671-3333.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Brentwood woman dies in fatal collision on HWY 4 in Concord Tues. night

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Screenshot of video by KRON4 TV of red Honda in fatal collision on HWY 4 in Concord, Tues. night, August 29, 2017.

Jacquelyn Irene “Jackie” Grimaldo. photo from Facebook

UPDATE: The victim has been identified by the County Coroner’s Office as 23-year-old Jacquelyn Grimaldo of Brentwood.

On Tuesday night, August 29, 2017 at about 10:23pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two-vehicle traffic collision in the eastbound lanes of HWY 4 at Solano Way. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, it was determined that a red Honda HR-V collided with the back of an unoccupied flatbed truck within the south shoulder. The female driver of the Honda tragically did not survive the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the solo female driver of the Honda (23-year-old female from Brentwood) was traveling eastbound on HWY 4, partially within the south shoulder, and collided into the back of the unoccupied International 4700 flatbed truck, which was stopped within the shoulder. The Honda sustained major frontend damage and unfortunately the driver of the Honda succumb to her injuries at the scene. HWY 4 eastbound was shut down for about one hour and 40 minutes for the investigation and removal of the vehicles.

An earlier report that it was a  hit-and-run and the truck was located later was incorrect, according to Contra Costa CHP Public Information Officer Brandon Correia.

Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision but it is still an ongoing investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.