Contra Costa Herald

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

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

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By Maricela Guerrero, Executive Director, Rocketship California

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information visit www.rocketshipschools.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord to celebrate Independence Day with 5K & kids fun runs, parade, festival and fireworks!

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The 2023 Concord July 4th 5K & Kids Fun Run, Parade, Festival and Firework presented by Marathon is going to be a day filled with fun. The day begins down at Todos Santos Park at 8am with a kid’s fun run & 5k along with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast, at 10 am will be the 32nd Annual Independence Day Parade, then at 4pm at Mt. Diablo High School the gates will open for our Festival that will include Live Music, a Kids Carnival, local food, and vendor booths. Finally, at 9pm will be a Fireworks Spectacular over Concord. Presented by the Todos Santos Business Association Arts Foundation.

All the days information can be found at www.concordjuly4th.com

Festival & Fireworks Event Notes: No Smoking, No Dogs, No Alcohol. Bags will be checked by security upon entry.

Schedule

Events at Todos Santos Plaza
8:00 am – Stars & Stripes Kids Fun Run
8:00 am – Rotary Pancake Breakfast
8:15 am – Stars & Stripes 5k Run & Walk
10:00 am – Independance Day Parade
Events at Mt. Diablo High School
4:00 PM – Festival Gates Open
9:00 PM – Fireworks over Concord

All the day’s information can be found at www.concordjuly4th.com

Thank you to your sponsors:

Title Sponsor: Marathon

Stripes Sponsor: Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery, The Hop Grenade Taproom & Bottleshop

Stars Sponsor: Pacific Service Credit Union, Johnmuirhealth, AssetMark, Inc.

Blue Sponsors: Brenden Theatres Concord 14, IBEW Local 302, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 104

Special Thanks to: City of Concord, California, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Visit Concord, CA, Greater Concord CA Chamber of Commerce, Tim McGallian & Carlyn Obringer

4th of July Parade and 5K Run/Walk Road Closures

There will be several road closures in place and restricted street parking during the morning hours of July 4th to accommodate the Concord Police Association’s Stars and Stripes 5k Run and Walk and the Concord Independence Day Parade.

Several streets will be closed from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. for the Concord Police Association’s Stars and Stripes 5k Run and Walk. The following road closures will be in place:

  • Grant Street from Willow Pass Road to Pacheco Street.
  • Colfax Street from Willow Pass Road to the parking garage entrance
  • East Street from Willow Pass Road to Pacheco Street
  • Port Chicago Highway from Willow Pass Road to Pacheco Street
  • Salvio Street from Mt Diablo Street in the downtown area to Esperanza Drive
  • Beach Street, Parkside Circle and Parkside Drive from Salvio Street to Baldwin Park
  • Cedar, Date, Elm, Fir and Pacheco Streets south of Baldwin Park will be open but affected due to the run route
  • Esperanza Drive from Salvio Street to N. Sixth Street
  • Bonifacio Street from N. Sixth St to Port Chicago Highway
  • Erie Drive between Esperanza Drive and Claudia Drive
  • Claudia Drive between Erie Drive and N. Sixth Street
  • N. Sixth Street between Claudia Drive and Port Chicago Highway will remain open

The most significant closure for the 5K run will be on Salvio Street between Port Chicago Highway and Mt Diablo Street as participants of all abilities are completing the race. Other streets in the immediate area will be impacted. Many of the above closures will be very brief. The Concord Police Association will have volunteers monitoring the course and will work to accommodate residents and business owners within the closure.

At 9:30 a.m. personnel will set up for the Annual 4th of July Parade. The Parade will start at Mt Diablo High School and proceed toward downtown via Grant Street. The procession will make a right turn onto Willow Pass Road then a right turn onto Mt Diablo Street, heading back to the high school. Streets in the immediate area of the parade route will be closed.

Those arriving for the parade during the 5K Run/Walk are encouraged to park in the parking garage at the intersection of Pacheco Street and Concord Avenue by accessing it from the Pacheco Street side.

The parking garage near Concord Avenue will have the Pacheco Street entrance available all day for entrance only and the Salvio Street side for exit only. The parking garage near Colfax Street will have the Colfax Street side open for entrance and exit all day.

Please enjoy your 4th of July safely!

 

 

 

 

Annual Spring Block Party in Concord June 6

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Contra Costa County and the City of Concord bring services to residents from 4-7 p.m.

Avoid having to make multiple stops to government offices or wait in long lines to take care of important tasks. Instead, stop by the County Services Spring Block Party.

Contra Costa County, the County’s Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department and the City of Concord are collaborating to provide a fun, festive event that offers a wide variety of on-the-spot government services at one single location.

The County’s annual Block Party will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 6, at the Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, in Concord.

This is the fifth year that Contra Costa County has hosted the increasingly popular event. The “Block Party” rotates locations each year to provide opportunities to engage with different communities around the County.

“This event is designed to bring together multiple services in one location and make it easier for county residents to get things done,” said District IV Supervisor Ken Carlson. “We’re serving residents where they are.”

“Accessibility and outreach are key goals for me as a county elected official, and the County Block Party is a great way to offer county residents accessibility to services out in the community,” said Kristin B. Connelly, Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters. “Our department is excited to be an integral part of this annual event.”

Available services at the Block Party event will include, but are not limited to:

  • Apply for CalFresh & Medi-Cal,
  • Information about childcare and preschool options,
  • Record with Reach from Clerk-Recorder’s Office
  • Library Card Signups,
  • Weatherization information,
  • Voter Registration,
  • Clean Slate Program information,
  • Contra Costa Television (CCTV) — and many more programs.

Food Trucks will offer food for purchase, and parking is free.

For more information, please call the County’s Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department at 925-335-7805.

Concord man arrested for stabbing older roommate to death

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By Concord Police Department

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at approximately 4 pm, Officers responded to a home in a North Concord neighborhood near Port Chicago Hwy. Officers found a 66-year-old male deceased inside the home, with apparent stab wounds. Officers arrested his 38-year-old roommate. It appears as if the two had an argument which led to the stabbing.

Nicholas Carson was taken into custody and is currently held at the Contra Costa County Jail. The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case may contact Detective James Nielsen at 925-603-5817. CPD Case #23-05129

 

CHP Officer injured by suspected DUI driver on Hwy 242 in Concord

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Traffic was blocked in all lanes of Hwy 4 westbound in Concord Saturday night, April 8, 2023.

By Adam Lane, PIO, CHP-Contra Costa

Last night, April 8, 2023, at 8:22pm, a CHP Contra Costa Officer was conducting an enforcement stop on a Chevrolet on the right shoulder of southbound Hwy 242, south of Hwy 4. The Officer was standing near the Chevrolet when a Mercedes traveling southbound veered from the roadway and struck the rear of the Chevrolet. The force of the crash caused the Chevrolet to strike the Officer standing near it.Our Officer was transported to the hospital where she was treated for her injuries and later released. She is expected to make a full recovery. The driver of the Chevrolet suffered potential minor injuries and was transported to the hospital. The driver of the Mercedes sustained no injuries and was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

Traffic was blocked in all westbound lanes of Hwy 4 from the Hwy 242 interchange to east of the Port Chicago Highway offramp causing a back-up on the freeway until about 8:55 p.m.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Police seek suspects in smash and grab theft at Concord jewelry store

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By Lt. Robert Garcia, Concord Police Department

BURGLARY/GRAND THEFT – Sunvalley Shopping Center

Concord Police Case Number 23-03286

On March 31, 2023, at approximately 7:06pm, Concord Police Dispatch received a report of three masked subjects who entered St. Andrew Jewelers in the Sunvalley Shopping Center and smashed several cases with hammers. The employees of the store reported that the suspects made off with miscellaneous jewelry items. Officers responded to the scene however, the suspects had already left in a waiting vehicle. The actual dollar value loss is still being determined. There were no reported injuries during the incident.

The suspects were described as three African-American males in dark clothing and wearing ski masks, armed with hammers.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no further information is being released at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, you can contact our anonymous tip line at 925-603-5836.

 

Organized retail thieves arrested in Concord

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Several thousand dollars of stolen merchandise was recovered from the retail thieves on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Photo: Concord PD

By Concord Police Department

On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, a newly installed Flock camera alerted a CPD Investigator to a felony vehicle in the City of Concord. The vehicle was linked to a CPD investigation for organized retail theft of thousands of dollars in merchandise from local stores.

CPD Officers were able to locate and arrest both of the suspects responsible for a multitude of crimes committed all over the Bay Area. Organized retail theft is a problem which results in the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars each year from our local businesses and this case is just one example of technology assisting us in the apprehension of criminals.

Thank you to our friends at Park N Shop for supporting new resources CPD is employing to keep our community safer!

 

Public’s help needed in legal action against Christopher George Miller

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Arrested for sex crimes against minors in Contra Costa

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

As the seven-count felony case against Christopher George Miller continues in Superior Court in Martinez, the investigative team who arrested him in a sting operation for arranging to engage in sex acts with a minor are asking the public for help.

The investigation into Miller started in 2022 when he was employed at Deer Valley High School in Antioch as a campus supervisor. A parent of a student reported to school officials that Miller was sending inappropriate texts to the student regarding marijuana use at the school, as well as sexually suggestive messages. (See related article)

The Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) adopted the case about three weeks ago to see if Miller (who was then a former employee at the high school) would sell marijuana and arrange to meet for sex. Posing as a 13-year-old girl on a chat app Miller used, a Detective with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office started communicating with him. At one point while exchanging texts, Miller offered to sell the fictitious teen marijuana — and later the chats became more sexual in nature.

Miller arranged to meet the teen for sex at a park in Martinez on March 16th, 2023. Participating ICAC members from the Sheriff’s Office, Concord Police, Danville Police, Pittsburg Police, and the District Attorney’s Office met him at the park and arrested Miller on marijuana possession with the intent to sell to a minor and other charges related to contacting and arranging to engage in lewd and lascivious acts with a minor. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility and arraigned on a total of seven felony charges on March 21st. His preliminary hearing is set for April 3rd at 8:30 am in Department 25 in Martinez.

According to the charging document filed on March 20 by the CCDA’s Office, Miller was charged with seven felonies, including P0288.3(a), Contact with Minor for Sexual Offense on or about June 14, 2022; PC288.4(b), Meeting Minor for Lewd Purposes between March 10 and 16, 2023; PC288.3(a), Contact with Minor for Sexual Offense on or between March 10 and 16, 2023; PC288.2(a)(2), Distributing Or Showing Pornography To A Minor on or about March 14, 2023; PC288.2(a)(2), Distributing Or Showing Pornography To A Minor on or about March 15, 2023; PC 664/PC288(a), Attempted Lewd Act Upon A Child on or about March 16, 2023; PC 664/HS11360(a), Attempted Sale/Offer To Sell/Transportation Of Marijuana on or about March 16, 2023.

ICAC Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe notes that Miller may have been in contact with other victims. He’s asking the public to email him at the District Attorney’s Office if they have information related to Miller’s case. He can be reached at: DHolcombe@contracostada.org.

Case No. 01-23-00820 | The People of the State of California v. Miller, Christopher George

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Attempted murder in Concord leads to arrest of three in Antioch

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AK-47-style rifle and bullets seized. Photos: Concord PD

AK-47-style rifle used in shooting, loaded handgun seized

Concord PD SWAT, Crisis Negotiations Team, drone activation plus assistance by Antioch PD

By Concord Police Department

Concord Police Sgt. Sansen with drone deployed. Photo: Concord PD

During the early morning hours on Thursday, March 16th, 2023, Concord Police officers were dispatched to the area of Revere Drive and Grant Street in Concord for a report of a shooting. Officers arrived on scene and located several spent shell casings, as well as a single victim. The victim was not hit by gunfire, but the evidence at the scene suggested at least 12 shots from a rifle were fired at the victim.

Later that morning, the Concord Police Department’s Investigations Division began working the case and within hours, identified three Suspects responsible for the shooting. The suspects were seen at a residence in the City of Antioch and the investigation revealed the firearm used was an AK-47 style rifle. Arrest warrants for the Suspects were sought, granted and that evening, the Concord Police Department activated the SWAT and CNT (Crisis Negotiations Team) to serve the arrest warrant. The SWAT team is only activated during incidents involving a high threat to the public and officers when attempting to make an arrest.

The Crisis Negotiations Team was able to deploy a negotiator, who has received extensive training in peacefully resolving volatile situations, inside the SWAT’s armored vehicle. This vehicle allowed us to take a negotiator and place them into a position to optimize negotiations and the safety of the negotiator.

The Antioch Police Department assisted Concord PD by providing an armored rescue vehicle, as well as the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, who assisted us in providing their Bearcat for the operation.

Additionally, the Concord Police Department’s drone team deployed and was able to observe the residence to ensure the safety of approaching officers and negotiators. During this time, with the drone overhead, the operator observed two of the suspects fleeing the area in a vehicle. Additional Concord Police Officers were able to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle and safely arrest the occupants. A loaded handgun was located in that vehicle. Moments later, a suspect was seen, via the drone, placing a rifle into a secondary vehicle and fleeing the scene in that vehicle. Concord Police Officers conducted a traffic stop on that vehicle and located an AK-47 style rifle, the one suspected of being used in the shooting.

SWAT and CNT was able to approach the residence safely and secure any evidence inside. The incident concluded without further incident.

The case will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations.

Take care and stay safe! If you need us, we’re one call away!

 

Healthcare workers protest short-staffing at John Muir Concord Medical Center

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Healthcare workers protest at John Muir Concord Medical Center on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Photos by SEIU

“The union’s accusations of patients not receiving meals, dangerous working conditions and lack of investment in our employees, are completely false.” – John Muir Health PIO Ben Drew

By Allen D. Payton

Healthcare workers are gathered at John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center today, Wednesday, March 15, beginning at 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., to protest unsafe staffing levels and their employer’s lack of investment in their workforce. Members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West are wearing their uniforms picketing, carrying signs and speaking about what they claim is the hospital’s failure to invest in its patients and caregivers.

According to a press release from the union, “John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center employees say conditions are dangerous for caregivers and patients as management ignores concerns about understaffing and working conditions. Workers are worried about patient and staff safety and say they’ve been pushed to the limit by their employer. They are calling on their employer to listen to and work with healthcare workers to address the staffing crisis through ongoing contract negotiations.”

“We care a lot for our patients, but management isn’t giving us the support we need. Staffing shortages are hitting all departments at our hospital,” said Brian Mynatt, a dietetic technician at John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center. “One of the best ways a patient can recover from an illness is through food and nutrition. But, when we don’t have the staff to get patients the meals they need, it puts their health at risk.”

However, spokesman for the healthcare provider, Ben Drew refutes the claims. In a response statement issued, yesterday he wrote, “The union’s accusations of patients not receiving meals, dangerous working conditions and lack of investment in our employees, are completely false.”

Located at 2540 East Street, John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center’s refusal to invest in its workforce comes in the midst of a healthcare staffing crisis across the state. California faces a massive shortage of allied healthcare workers — job classes that include medical assistants, respiratory therapists, emergency room workers, licensed vocational nurses, lab assistants, housekeepers, and many other frontline staff. 

SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is a healthcare justice union of more than 100,000 healthcare workers, patients, and healthcare activists united to ensure affordable, accessible, high-quality care for all Californians, provided by valued and respected healthcare workers. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org.

John Muir Health issues statement responding to SEIU-UHW informational picketing at Concord Medical Center

John Muir Health issued the following response to the protest: “SEIU-UHW and John Muir Health just began bargaining for a successor contract for the Concord Medical Center. The current agreement expires in mid-April and we’ve held one bargaining session to date.

The union’s accusations of patients not receiving meals, dangerous working conditions and lack of investment in our employees, are completely false. Notably, not a word was said at yesterday’s bargaining session about patients not receiving meals. At all times, the health and safety of our patients, staff and providers is our top priority.

Like all health systems, JMH has been facing staffing challenges. We have worked hard to address those challenges by hiring 1,125 new employees in 2022, and that hiring process continues.

We have a long history of constructive relationships with the unions that currently represent employees at our Concord Medical Center, including SEIU-UHW. We hope to continue this practice going forward and reach a fair agreement on a new contract. We will continue to bargain in good faith.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.