Contra Costa Herald

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

Autopsy determines Danville woman died of gunshot in Byron homicide, Friday

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Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff are continuing to investigate a homicide in Byron.

The autopsy was performed this morning on the victim, 37-year-old Emily Courchesne of Danville. The cause of death was a gunshot wound. (See related article).

On Friday morning, at about 10:05, Deputies were dispatched to a “Medical – PD” call at a residence on the 24000 block of Marsh Creek Road in Byron.

Deputies found Courchesne deceased inside the home. Detectives later determined it was a homicide. Detectives believe Courchesne was killed sometime between Wednesday evening and Thursday early morning. No motive or suspects have been established yet. 

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Guest Commentary: East County Fire Board accepts coverage failure in present, future service levels

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By Bryan Scott

Residents of Eastern Contra Costa County are being poorly served by local politics.  It is as clear as the nose on your face, to use a hackneyed cliché, and was illustrated earlier this month at the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Board meeting.

During the month of September ECCFPD had no resources to respond to emergency calls for a total of 16 hours and 33 minutes, it was revealed at the Board of Directors meeting on September 2.

According to the Operational Update, delivered to the Board by Interim Battalion Chief Ross Macumber, six calls came in during this period, and all were calls for medical assistance.

“Sixteen hours and 33 minutes without coverage, that’s a new record for the district,” said Director Joe Young.

Joel Bryant, ECCFPD Board President and Brentwood Vice Mayor, also commented on the situation.

“It’s a bad situation that we’re in,” he said, referring to September’s lengthy time period when 114,000 residents were without ECCFPD fire and emergency medical services coverage.

Six 9-1-1 calls came in during the period when ECCFPD was unresponsive, and all were for medical assistance.  Responses to the calls came from Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire).

The Operational Update does not indicate the locations where these first responders came from, or how long it took to arrive on scene at these medical emergencies.  What impact this delayed response time had on each of the medical outcomes was also not included in the report.

Fire and emergency medical services in East County are funded at just $94 per person, while residents in central parts of the county have the same services funded at rates of $370 and $449 per person, according to a June 2016, LAFCO report. Funds are distributed to government entities based on state law.

The fire district’s low funding rate has caused ECCFPD to cut staff and close fire stations at a time when East County is experiencing significant residential and commercial growth.

A government Task Force and the CCC Grand Jury have both reported extensively on the funding crisis, while Assembly Member Jim Frazier has called the situation a “public safety emergency.”

One solution to the problem is the reallocation of currently collected property taxes.  A recent memorandum prepared by ECCFPD legal counsel outlined the history of other such state-directed funding changes, and found no legal barriers.

But would the Directors of ECCFPD the support such a solution?

All nine members of the Board are appointed by other government agencies that would lose funds, should a reallocation effort be implemented.  Two Board members, President Joel Bryant and newly-appointed Director Susan Morgan, serve on the legislative bodies of other government agencies which receive property tax funds.

President Bryant is the Vice Mayor of the agency that appointed him to the fire board, the City of Brentwood.  And Director Morgan, appointed to the fire board by Oakley, is President of the Ironhouse Sanitary District Board of Directors.

Any funds reallocated to the fire district would come from these, and other, government agencies.  Is there a conflict of interest here?

For six hours and 36 minutes on the Labor Day Holiday, Monday, September 4, when four emergency calls came in, the ECCFPD service area of 249 square-miles was without ECCFPD coverage.

And yet at the October ECCFPD Board meeting, over two and one-half hours in duration, no discussion of ways to improve funding took place.

Just how interested in improving district funding is this Board?

Brentwood resident Bryan Scott is Co-Chair of East County Voters for Equal Protection, a non-partisan citizens action committee striving to improve funding for the ECCFPD.  He can be reached at scott.bryan@comcast.net, or 925-418-4428.  The group’s Facebook page is  https://www.facebook.com/EastCountyVoters/.  

Danville woman identified as victim in Friday morning Byron homicide

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Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff are continuing to investigate a homicide in Byron. The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Emily Courchesne of Danville. 

On Friday morning, October 6, 2017 at about 10:05, Deputies were dispatched to a “Medical – PD” call at a residence on the 24000 block of Marsh Creek Road in Byron. Deputies found Courchesne deceased inside the home. Detectives later determined it was a homicide. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. 

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Brian Helmick named Chief of East Contra Costa Fire Protection District

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ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick.

The Board of Directors of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District is pleased to announce that Brian Helmick has accepted an offer to serve as Fire Chief, effective immediately.

At its meeting on October 2, the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board of Directors voted unanimously to offer the permanent Fire Chief position to Helmick, who has been serving as Interim Fire Chief since March 31, 2017.

Chief Helmick started with the District as a firefighter in 2002. Chief Helmick successfully worked through the ranks and was promoted to Battalion Chief in July 2006, serving as the District’s Operations Chief leading up to his appointment as Interim Fire Chief.

Chief Helmick has offered the following statement on the appointment:

“I am honored and privileged to assume this role, to serve the Board and this community, and to lead and work alongside the firefighters and other hard-working professionals who provide fire and emergency response in this District every day and every night. I am honored that the Board has placed its trust in me – and in the support my family will provide to me as I take on this role in a permanent capacity. This is a tremendous opportunity and I do not take the responsibility lightly.”

“I look forward to working with the Board and the community to develop and implement a plan to provide even better fire services to this community, which I, too, call my home,” Helmick added.

“I am thrilled that Chief Helmick has accepted this position,” said Board President Joel Bryant. “It has been gratifying and immensely encouraging to see Chief Helmick’s development over these last 15 years, and especially over the last six months he has served as our Interim Chief. Today is a very good day for the District, and I expect many more good days under Chief Helmick’s leadership.”

The economic terms approved by the Board of Directors on March 6, 2017 for Helmick’s service as Interim Chief will remain in place while the District and Chief Helmick negotiate a new employment agreement, which will be presented for Board approval in the coming months.

For more information about the district visit www.eccfpd.org.

Two men arrested for August murder of San Francisco woman in Byron

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Aleli Avila. Photo by CoCoSheriff

Homicide Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff have arrested two suspects in the killing of 49-year-old Aleli Avila of San Francisco. Her body was found on a roadway on August 22, 2017, at about 3:50 PM, in the area of 500 Camino Diablo Road in Byron. (See related article)

Detectives on Tuesday arrested 44-year-old Alex Estrada of Antioch. He was arrested in Pittsburg. Estrada was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a murder charge. The D.A.’s Office has since formally charged him. Estrada is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Friday morning Detectives arrested 60-year-old Rodolfo Manalo of San Francisco. He was arrested in Daly City. Manalo was booked on a murder charge. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Detectives worked continuously on the Avila murder investigation. They interviewed numerous people, collected evidence, and followed up on all leads. They were able to obtain arrest warrants for both Estrada and Manalo.

The investigation is ongoing. The motive is still being determined. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to:tips@so.cccounty.us.

Contra Costa industrial businesses open doors to students for Manufacturing Day this Friday

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Central County high school students get first-hand experience of modern manufacturing

WHAT:

This Friday morning, close to 250 Contra Costa County Career Technical Education/Regional Occupational Program (CTE/ROP) high school students will be visiting local modern industrial businesses, in observation of Manufacturing Day.

National Manufacturing Day, started in 2012, is an annual celebration of modern manufacturing, during which manufacturers invite their communities — including students, educators, business people, media, and politicians — to their facilities in a collective effort to educate visitors about manufacturing career opportunities and improve public perceptions of manufacturing. By working together during and after Manufacturing Day, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, strengthen the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.

WHO:

More than 250 students, currently attending CTA/ROP engineering/industrial-related courses at Antioch High, Mt. Diablo High, Concord High, and Ygnacio Valley High will be visiting local modern manufacturing businesses to get a first-hand look at their hosts’ operations, and possible career opportunities.

The Contra Costa County CTE/ROP serves nearly 12,000 students annually with classes in 34 high schools throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Currently, there are 399 state-of-the-art career development classes in this program. CTE/ROP focuses on career preparation and exploration, hands-on experience, and academic excellence to prepare students for success in college and future careers. CTE/ROP provides students with the newest equipment, rigorous academic standards, and classes in emerging technologies. All of the CTE/ROP classes and programs are directed by and funded through the CCCOE. For more information about CTE/ROP classes, visit their website.

WHEN:

Friday, October 6, 2017; primarily between 9:00-11:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Fresenius (dialysis equipment manufacturer), 4040 Nelson Ave. Concord

Dow (Dow Chemical operations), 901 Loveridge Rd. Pittsburg

Bishop-Wisecarver (producers of custom complex assemblies, linear motion solutions and optimal embedded intelligence systems), 2104 Martin St., Pittsburg

QuickMount (solar roof mounts), 2700 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek

Granberg (chain saw mills and accessories), 1051 Los Medanos St. Pittsburg

Tri Delta Transit launches new mobile app for security

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As of Monday, October 2, Tri Delta Transit is offering ‘Tri Delta Watch,’ a mobile security app that instantly allows riders to notify police or dispatchers of security incidents on buses and at bus stops. The free app allows riders to anonymously send text reports with pictures or videos to dispatchers who can respond to or address the problem. Contacting local police directly is an option of the app, which is made simple via a one-click 911 button for more serious situations.

The free security application is available at the Apple App Store and Google Play for iPhone and Android devices; search Tri Delta Watch. Once downloaded, riders can report suspicious activity, and incidents that might require law enforcement’s presence on board Tri Delta Transit buses.

“Occurrences that might merit the use of the app are extremely rare on our buses,” said Mike Furnary, Director of Marketing. “Having the app is just another means to help us keep it that way.”

Tri Delta Watch and similar security apps are important new components in the industry’s effort to enhance safety for customers and drivers. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security adopted the “If You See Something, Say Something” public awareness campaign in 2010. Transit agencies, including Tri Delta Transit, have launched a variety of advertising and outreach efforts to educate riders about the importance of being vigilant in reporting suspicious, illegal or inappropriate behavior and activities, as well as unattended packages.

The smartphone app allows customers to assist security efforts by reporting suspicious activity in a timely manner. When a rider sees a suspicious situation, with the click of a button, they can directly call police or discretely submit a report with photos or video, incident descriptions, and GPS coordinates to transit officials. If the user chooses to submit a picture or video, the camera flash is automatically disabled to not draw attention to the rider.

The mobile app allows riders to report incidents such as suspicious activity, disruptive behavior, crime in progress, and security or safety issues. Riders may also report immediately threatening situations such as fighting, or attacks on drivers.

Once a report is initiated, real-time two-way communication is enabled. Dispatchers may ask the rider for more details about the situation or provide instructions, as needed. In the event of an active incident, the dispatcher and reporter are able to communicate concerning details about those involved, what bus they are on, and assessment of the suspect’s behavior. The dispatcher can advise and communicate with the customer or contact the appropriate person or agency for assistance if necessary.

“Safety and security begins with all of us,” said Furnary. “If you see something, say something.”

Tri Delta Transit provides over 3,000,000 trips each year to a population of over 250,000 residents in the 225 square miles of Eastern Contra Costa County. They operate 13 local bus routes Monday – Friday, 4 local bus routes on weekends, door-to-door bus service for senior citizens and people with disabilities, and shuttle services to community events. For additional information about Tri Delta Transit, please visit www.trideltatransit.com.

Contra Costa’s CyberTran awarded U.S. patent for Transportation Internet

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Rendering of a CyberTran transit station. Renderings courtesy of CyberTran International, Inc.

Ultra-Light Rail Transit system vehicles travel throughout connected rail networks at low, medium and high speeds, direct to destination and at much lower capital deployment and maintenance costs

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – CyberTran International, Inc. (CTI) offers the most innovative approach to solving the world’s traffic congestion problems. The recent patent approval for fixed guideway transportation systems, with lower cost of ownership and optimized benefits, validates what they’re calling the Transportation Internet technology. This system can be thought of as the computer-controlled technology solution to the problems of mass transit cost overruns and inefficiency.

Artist rendering of a CyberTran vehicle and station with overhead solar panels generating the power to operate the system.

CTI’s Ultra-Light Rail Transit (ULRT) is a mass transit system with the ability to build out Urban Circulator systems, Commuter Rail systems and High-Speed Rail systems and connect them to one network where small rail vehicles carrying up to thirty passengers can travel throughout the network Direct-to-Destination (nonstop). This allows ULRT to serve three separate markets, low, medium and high speeds! Until today all three markets have been served by three separate distinct technologies that can only be connected at transfer points where passengers have to disembark one system only to transfer to another to reach their destination.

Currently, CTI is closing in on funding for the purpose of demonstration and deployment. “Everybody wants to be second, nobody wants to be first,” said Dexter Vizinau, President of CTI.

Transit officials are hesitant to take a chance on a small and innovative company. The BART system started out as a demonstration project and the technology was the first of its kind. Today, CTI has approximately ten cities that are willing to be first, he explained.

In every major metropolitan region of the world, people are stuck in traffic. Today’s solutions aren’t working.

“Expanding today’s transit systems are too costly to build and maintain, yet transit officials continue to approach this as a solution, with little result,” said Neil Sinclair, CTI Board Chairman. “There’s a $78 billion backlog in transit systems maintenance in the U.S. and the only way to pay for it is to raise taxes. In the meantime, we’re all stuck in traffic with no end in sight.” That is, until today.

Overview rendering of the offline CyberTran stations.

“Our patent validates everything we’ve already proven,” Vizinau continued. “Two full-scale prototype vehicles have already been built and tested. The test vehicles have achieved speeds of up to 60 mph and have climbed a 10% grade, which means ULRT can go over the Sepulveda Pass in Los Angeles and also travel up the Grapevine Summit in Southern California. Bullet train systems and L.A. Metro-like systems cannot climb steep grades and therefore either have to tunnel or go around.”

By building out ULRT networks in cities at 35 mph, and then connecting them together throughout a region at 80 mph, ULRT becomes a commuter rail system like BART and Metro in Los Angeles. ULRT can handle the same throughput as BART during rush hour via the Transbay Tube. CTI can then connect regions with a high-speed line. The ULRT System design is flexible and can expand easily. Guideways and civil structures are manufactured offsite and assembled onsite allowing ULRT systems to be constructed more efficiently. CTI can construct long-distance systems in up to a quarter mile per day. The system was designed to reach speeds of up to 150 mph. (See related article)

CyberTran’s ULRT system also operates from solar power. Canopies of solar panels above the guideway can generate more than one megawatt per mile and eight times more energy than the system consumes, and supply renewable energy to surrounding communities resulting in a net gain to CTI.

Rendering of a possible CyberTran station on the second floor of an office building and campus.

Transit officials currently purchase transit systems from foreign companies. CTI plans to manufacture ULRT transit systems for a global market in Contra Costa County. “We’ve been to China five times in as many years. There are six hundred cities in China that can use this,” says Sinclair. Councilmember Rich Kinney of the City of San Pablo states, “West Contra Costa County in particular has to solve the I-80 corridor congestion issue to attract more businesses and jobs to our cities. This is our opportunity to effectively address that issue. May we not continue to kick the proverbial can down the road – it’s time to embrace the full deployment of CyberTran right here at home.”

Earlier this year the city councils of Oakley, Brentwood and Antioch each voted unanimously to join the cities of Richmond and San Pablo to support efforts by CTI to obtain the needed funding for systems in both Western and Eastern Contra Costa County. (See related article) In addition, CTI has the support of U.C. Berkeley in their efforts to bring the technology to market. (See related article)

The next steps for CTI are to obtain funding to build two showrooms and a factory. This calls for one low-speed demonstration track up to 35 mph, and one rapid speed demonstration track up to 150 mph – in curves and with left and right banking. Both demo tracks and factory construction are to be done concurrently. There were no funding programs to support transit innovation, such as ULRT, at the federal level until CTI lobbied Congress to create one. Program legislation was created and approved in 2014 under a Republican-controlled Congress and Senate. CTI was hopeful that President Obama would release the program funding but it did not happen. CTI is hopeful about the President Trump’s infrastructure package and is encouraged by their reception in Washington, D.C.

Note: The publisher of the Contra Costa Herald has a financial interest in CyberTran International.

East Contra Costa Fire partners with CA Fire Foundation to supply aid to victims in emergency

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ECCFD Chief Brian Helmick

By ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick

The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is pleased to announce it will now be able to lend residents a helping hand after disaster strikes.

In partnership with the California Fire Foundation who has launched the Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) Program, Chief Officers of the ECCFPD can now provide emergency financial assistance to fire and natural disaster victims. The goal is to provide immediate short-term support in the aftermath of a fire or other natural disaster which displaces victims.

“As a fire district, one of our core values is trying to help people in their time of need whenever and however we can. The SAVE Program allows us to provide help to our residents that are impacted by a substantial incident,” said Fire Chief Brian Helmick. “We are proud to now be participating in this valuable program that enhances the services we provide to our community after an incident.”

Working with the SAVE Program, the ECCFPD will distribute gift cards in amounts of up to $100, to eligible victims of a fire or natural disaster so they may purchase basic necessities such as food, clothing or medicine.

Under the program, a disaster includes: fire, flood, earthquake or landslide/mudslide. The financial support will allow victims of these disasters to purchase food, water, over the counter prescription medication, gas, shelter, clothing, or basis household necessities.

“As firefighters, we realize once a fire is out and all life safety hazards are removed our job is done. With that said, we are always looking for opportunities to do more. This program allows us to do that by providing direct assistance to our community members who are need. It is great to be able to provide more support once a fire is out,” said Chief Helmick.”

The ECCFPD has joined more than 75 fire departments across California in the SAVE program. The SAVE Program is funded by donations to the California Fire Foundation and Corporate Sponsors.

To learn more or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.cafirefoundation.org.

You can visit us on the Districts website, www.eccfpd.org or through our social media pages on Facebook (East Contra Costa Fire Protection District), Instagram (@east_contra_costa_fire) , Twitter (@eccfpd ) and our YouTube channel (East Contra Costa Fire Protection District) for more information on the Fire District.

ABOUT THE EAST CONTRA COSTA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT: The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District spans 249 square miles and our firefighter/EMTs serve more than 110,000 residents in the Cities of Brentwood and Oakley, the Town of Discovery Bay, the communities of Byron, Bethel Island and Knightsen, the Marsh Creek/Morgan Territory area, and all other areas within unincorporated Contra Costa County to the east of Antioch and to the southeast of Clayton