Contra Costa Herald

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

Seeno’s attorneys request new trial following Save Mount Diablo legal victory against Faria project in Pittsburg hills

By 2 Comments

The Pittsburg hills where the Faria project has been approved for construction, as seen from the San Marco neighborhood in Pittsburg. Photo: Scott Hein

607-acre, 1,650-home development next to planned Thurgood Marshall Regional Park

SMD leader says motion for new trial “should be denied”

By Allen D. Payton

Last Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, attorneys representing Discovery Builders and their Faria new home development requested a new trial for the lawsuit by Save Mount Diablo, following a judge’s decision in favor of the environmental group to stop the project. As previously reported, on March 30, 2021, Save Mount Diablo filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Pittsburg’s approval of the 1,650-unit Faria project, on the ridgeline between Pittsburg and Concord. According to the agenda item documents, the master plan overlay district encompasses approximately 607 acres of land. (See related article)

The motion for a new trial was filed “on the basis that the Court’s decision is not supported by the evidence and controlling legal authorities. Specifically…that there were several portions of this Court’s February 10, 2022, Statement of Decision that may not have fully considered evidence in the administrative record.” In addition, the motion asks that the “Court vacate its Statement of Decision and enter a new decision denying SMD’s motion” and “conduct a new hearing”. Faria project Motion for New Trial Parsons Dec. ISO Mot for New Trial      Raskin Dec. ISO Mot for New Trial    Faria project new trial Proof of Service

A hearing date on the motion for a new trial has been set for April 14, 2022.

The now named Thurgood Marshall Regional Park is directly adjacent to the Pittsburg City Council approved Faria project. Herald file graphic. Credit: Save Mount Diablo/Google Earth.

On the day of the decision, Save Mount Diablo issued the following press release about their legal victory:

“On February 10, 2022, the Contra Costa County Superior Court handed Save Mount Diablo a major victory in its legal challenge to the City of Pittsburg’s approval of the 1,650-unit Faria/Southwest Hills Project.

According to the ruling, the city’s environmental review was inadequate in numerous ways. Faria was proposed by Seeno companies/Discovery Builders, Inc./Faria Investors LLC on the spectacular and highly visible major ridgeline between Pittsburg and Concord and could include grading and houses visible across the ridge.

As a result, the City of Pittsburg is required to overturn approvals for the project and correct environmental review. The city and Seeno/Discovery Builders will also be required to pay Save Mount Diablo’s legal fees.

It remains to be seen whether the developers, Discovery Builders, Inc. and Faria Land Investors, LLC, or the City of Pittsburg will appeal the decision.

The Pittsburg City Council—then-Mayor Merl Craft; then–Vice Mayor Holland Barrett White; and Councilmembers Shanelle Scales-Preston, Juan Antonio Banales, and Jelani Killings—all voted to approve the proposal in February 2021. (The mayor and vice-mayor designations rotate among the councilmembers.) They ignored hundreds of letters and public comments that opposed the project. Save Mount Diablo filed a lawsuit challenging the project’s approval in March 2021.

If the project had moved forward, it would have meant the development of a major, new residential subdivision on 606 acres of ridgeline and hillside grazing land in what is currently unincorporated Contra Costa County, immediately south of the City of Pittsburg.

The biologically rich site supports sensitive wildlife species and rare plants and is in one of the most visible and most environmentally constrained areas of the county. The Faria project would have fragmented open space and damaged wildlife corridors.

The proposed housing development would have changed the beautiful green hills forever by annexing the property to the City of Pittsburg and locating 1,650 new residences far from jobs, transit, and services.

The Faria project would have also impacted the new East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50 at the Faria site’s southwestern edge, formerly part of the Concord Naval Weapons Station. Save Mount Diablo and its partners advocated for the creation of this new park over many years. The Faria project would have been located directly above the new park on a ridgeline, degrading views from surrounding areas.

The Contra Costa Superior Court ruled that the City of Pittsburg’s environmental review of the project was inadequate in four major ways:

  1. It failed to analyze any impacts that would results from the 150 accessory dwelling units that were added by the City of Pittsburg at the last minute. This is important because the number of units affects every part of environmental review from traffic to water supply to schools, etc. and will make correcting the environmental review complicated;
  2. It failed to include a baseline description of biological resources that could be impacted by the project, specifically special-status plant species;
  3. It failed to consider the water supply impacts of adding 1,650 new housing units in the area, which is especially important given years of drought and increasing fire danger; and
  4. It failed to adequately disclose or mitigate the project’s air quality impacts, including greenhouse gas impacts, without which development will continue to make the climate crisis much worse.

“The court’s decision says to developers: ‘You don’t get to kick the can down the road. You have to do a thorough analysis of your project’s impacts before you lock in project approvals,’” said Winter King, Save Mount Diablo’s attorney from Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger. “The court got it right.”

The court’s ruling means that the City of Pittsburg’s approval of the project is null and void.

The court also noted that additional impacts—such as geologic hazard impacts resulting from grading and filling, and impacts on streams and agricultural lands—would need to be addressed in more detail.

Save Mount Diablo Executive Director Ted Clement said, “Throughout the East Bay, residents have worked hard to protect our ridges and views, flora and fauna, and to defend our parks. In this case that was just decided in our favor, Save Mount Diablo had to stand up against some very powerful interests to help further the work of protecting these treasured resources, which add so much to our collective quality of life.”

“Although I’ve worked for Save Mount Diablo on this issue, I’m also a Concord resident,” said Juan Pablo Galván Martínez, Save Mount Diablo’s Senior Land Use Manager. “This project infuriated me as an open-space lover, a wildlife enthusiast, and someone who is deeply worried and taking action to stop catastrophic climate change. Since this affects both cities, I want both city councils to work together to protect the hills and ridgeline.”

“This is a major victory for Pittsburg’s hills,” stated Save Mount Diablo Land Conservation Director Seth Adams. “Open space, habitat for wildlife, and the community’s scenic views have won the day, and poorly planned development will not go forward, for now. We are very happy with the court’s decision.”

“On the other hand,” said Adams, “while our victory is costly for the city and Seeno/Discovery Builders in time and money, it does not stop the project forever. After correcting environmental documents, the Pittsburg City Council can approve Seeno’s huge project again if they choose. But now they have a second chance to make it better by protecting the ridgeline and neighboring regional park. We don’t have to argue about protecting ridgelines in other cities. The Pittsburg City Council should do the right thing.”

Save Mount Diablo Says Motion for New Trial “Should Be Denied”

Asked about the motion for a new trial, Save Mount Diablo Executive Director, Ted Clement responded, “Regarding the Seeno companies/Pittsburg request for a new trial, the Court has already rejected their arguments for reasons fully set forth in its decision. Their Motion for New Trial does not question the adequacy of the administrative record on which the Court properly based its decision (and which the City itself prepared) or suggest there was any other irregularity or unfairness in the hearing. Instead, they seek a second bite of the apple.”

“Their Motion reargues issues that were fully briefed and addressed in the Court’s Decision,” he continued. “They also seek to introduce irrelevant and improper extra-record evidence, violating black letter law that CEQA actions must be decided on the record that was before the agency when it made its decision.”

“Because their Motion provides no basis for this Court to order a new trial solely on the issues decided adverse to them, it should be denied,” Clement concluded.

Delta Blues Festival Benefit Concert at Antioch’s historic El Campanil Theatre Saturday, March 5

By 2 Comments

Will feature Sue Foley and her new album Pinky’s Blues, nominated for three 43rd BLUES MUSIC AWARDS (2022): Album of the Year, Traditional Blues Album and Traditional Blues Female Artist; co-headlining with Chris Cain who also has four nominations from the BMA awards. His album, Raisin’ Cain was just listed as the second most played album on Living Blues Radio Charts for 2021.

Before you get the wrong idea, Sue Foley’s new album, Pinky’s Blues, was not titled such due to her strawberry hair. Nor because of that fabulous pink leather jacket or those amazing boots. Nope. It’s her beloved pink paisley, Fender Telecaster electric guitar for which the new album is the namesake. Pinky has been with Sue for decades and continues to be an almost living extension of who Sue is, as evidenced by its strong contribution to the album as well as appearing live with Sue while on tour, guiding her through the rambunctiously deep renditions of everything Sue performs.

And the Blues part of the album title? It just might have something to do with Sue’s sizzlingly smooth voice and her chicly raw, resolute, bad-*ss style of playing, performing and songwriting. Well, check it out for yourself on the below link of one of the new songs on Pinky’s Blues:

SUE FOLEY is “Hurricane Girl” Official Music Video with live footage.

SUE FOLEY Live Interview about the new album, Pinky’s Blues on November 9, 2021.

“I’ve been on the road,” says Sue in trying to explain Pinky’s Blues. “I’ve made dozens of albums of my own. I’ve raised a child. I’ve bought and sold homes. I’ve had great successes and great failures. And all of this just makes my life richer and more colorful.”

And these are the blues Sue Foley brings to life while performing in her own way: compelling, sensual, seamlessly rich, tasty, yet with an undertone of saltiness and challenge.

“It’s a great trip and I never get tired of playing a slow blues. That’s the ultimate.” Today, in 2022, Sue Foley is surely one of the ultimate.

With Pinky right by her side.

Ya gotta come and check it out!

Doors/Show: 6:00pm/7:00pm

Tickets: $15.00 (youth) – $30.00 (Adults) plus fees

https://us.patronbase.com/_ElCampanilTheatre/Productions/R009/Performances

602 West 2nd Street in Antioch in historic, downtown Rivertown.

Brentwood Police Officers’ Association responds to media on lawsuit for 2020 K9 mauling of robbery suspect

By 5 Comments

Brentwood Police Officer body camera video shows injuries robbery suspect Talmika Bates sustained to her head from the police dog attack on Feb. 10, 2020. Screenshot of video posted by KTVU.

Claim news reports “demonize the police and fan the flames of racial discord”

City states “use of force committee…found the use of force to be within policy and law under the circumstances”

By Allen D. Payton

The Brentwood Police Officers’ Association issued the following press release on February 24, 2022, in response to media reports of recently released police body cam footage of a Feb. 10, 2020, incident with a robbery suspect involving a police dog attacking her, and the lawsuit she filed. (See unedited police body cam video. Warning: graphic images)

—————-

Local Bay Area media outlets KRON and KTVU began reporting on a civil lawsuit filed against one of our members, Officer Ryan Rezentes. National media outlets have also begun reporting on the story. As has become commonplace in recent years, those media outlets abdicated their responsibility to inform the public on the facts of an incident, and instead have chosen to demonize the police and fan the flames of racial discord. Contrary to what was reported by the media, this was not just “a shoplifting incident” and the use of a police K9 had nothing to do with the race of the suspects.

The lawsuit stems from a crime which was committed on February 10, 2020. The plaintiff, Talmika Bates, who was 24 years old at the time, along with two of her associates reportedly stole over $10,000 worth of merchandise from a store and then fled in a vehicle. As another Brentwood PD officer was responding to the reported crime, he observed the suspect vehicle at a nearby major intersection and it appeared the vehicle was attempting to cross the busy intersection against the red light. That officer positioned his police car in front of the suspect vehicle so that he could protect the other motorists and prevent any further flight. Instead of stopping, the suspect vehicle rammed the front end of the police car in order to escape, and then fled at high speeds. The suspects’ actions not only endangered the police officer who was rammed, but also endangered numerous other citizens on the roadway.

Bates and her associates continued fleeing in their vehicle until they collided with a curb and disabled their vehicle, at which time all of the suspects, including Bates, fled the vehicle on foot. Numerous officers, including Officer Rezentes with K9 Marco, along with a police helicopter, responded to the scene to assist with a search for the suspects. One of the areas being searched was a field with large swaths of nearly impenetrable shrubbery and trees. These types of areas are especially dangerous for police officers to search, due to the fact that potentially armed suspects can easily conceal themselves inside the overgrown vegetation, and officers may not see the suspect until they are right upon them. This is one of numerous scenarios where utilizing a police dog helps keep our officers safe.

After nearly an hour of searching, during which time even the helicopter was unable to find the suspects, Officer Rezentes ordered K9 Marco to search the large patch of overgrown vegetation and the dog located Bates inside. Police dogs are trained to bite the first part of the suspect’s body they come in contact with, which in Bates’ case was the top of her head. When it became apparent that K9 Marco had located one of the suspects concealed in the vegetation, Officer Rezentes and the other officers ordered Bates to come out. This is standard safe practice, because the officers were still unable to see Bates and they could not determine if she was armed. Once Bates was taken into custody, she was immediately provided with medical aid for her injuries.

The Brentwood Police Officers’ Association believes it is important that the public have this context regarding Officer Rezentes’ actions and the use of K9 Marco. All of the details we have provided here, and many more, were available within public records. It appears these media outlets chose to not seek out this information, and they attempt to defend their actions by stating they sought comment from the City of Brentwood and the Brentwood Police Department, knowing full well that neither of those entities are going to provide comment on an incident that has pending litigation. The media is well-versed in making public records requests, and know they could have obtained the court records from Bates’ criminal case. Since these specific media outlets did not do so, we can only conclude that is because they had no desire to provide the context which we have provided here, and that they would rather attempt to sow division between the police and the community.

The Brentwood Police Officers’ Association will not make any further comment regarding the specifics of this incident. We are grateful for the support of our community as our officers do their best to protect everyone’s safety.

Brentwood PD Press Release of Incident

On February 10, 2020 at 11:45 AM, officers were dispatched to Ulta Beauty Supply (in the Streets of Brentwood Shopping Center) to investigate a theft. Keilaysha Usher (24-year-old female, Oakland) Talmika Bates (24-year-old female, Hayward) and Ramiah Armstrong (22-year-old female, Richmond) left the store with about $10,000 worth of merchandise and fled in a Nissan Murano toward Lone Tree Way.

A responding Brentwood Police Officer located the vehicle at the intersection of Shady Willow Lane and Lone Tree Way and attempted a traffic enforcement stop. The driver of the Nissan collided with the patrol car and fled. The vehicle was located in a field at the north end of Slatten Ranch Road where the occupants fled on foot into a nearby neighborhood. A perimeter was set up by Brentwood, Antioch and Oakley Police units until all three females were located and taken into custody.

An additional subject, Adrian Benton Jr. (21-year-old male, Richmond) appeared in the area to pick up the females and help them flee the area. He was also taken into custody without incident.

All four subjects are being booked into Martinez Detention Facility.

This case is currently under investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call Brentwood PD dispatch at 925-809-7911.

Questions for Brentwood PD

The following questions were sent to the Brentwood PD on Tuesday morning, March 1.

“Are police dogs trained to attack and bite any parts of a suspect’s body including their head, face and torso, or just their arms and legs to get them to stop running and/or resisting arrest?

At what point is a K9 Officer supposed to call off and restrain the dog from further attack of a suspect, if they’re no longer running and seated, as Ms. Bates is seen in the video, as the dog continued to attack her?

Why didn’t the officer taze Ms. Bates to get her to comply and emerge from the bushes, and restrain the dog once she was no longer running and seated?”

Brentwood Statement in Response to Media Requests Regarding Bates Lawsuit

In response, the following statement was provided by Assistant City Manager Darin Gale.

“Due to ongoing civil litigation the City of Brentwood including the Brentwood Police Department will not comment on the specific details and personnel matters requested by the media concerning this incident.

We can share that this incident was reviewed by the Brentwood Police Department use of force committee which found the use of force to be within policy and law under the circumstances which involved a high-speed chase and a collision with a Brentwood police vehicle.”

A Public Records Act request has been made for “any and all documents, video, etc. regarding the police incident on Feb. 10, 2020, including K9 unit with suspect Talmika Bates and the other suspects mentioned in the press release, including the response to her lawsuit.”

Please check back later for their responses and any other updates.

 

 

 

During traffic stop four from Stockton arrested in Brentwood for drugs, burglary tools

By 1 Comment

Items confiscated during the arrest of four suspects from Stockton in Feb. Photos: Brentwood PD

By Brentwood Police Department

Meth confiscated during the arrest.

During the week of Feb. 6, 2022, while on patrol, an officer observed a vehicle driving without a rear window and expired registration. He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Sand Creek Road near Highway 4, and found that the driver, Jose Garcia (Stockton) did not have a driver license. Three additional passengers in the car were without proper identification.

Garcia and two of the other passengers identified as; Alicia Saldana (Stockton) and Jasmine Fuentes (Stockton) were all found to be on active probation. The fourth occupant, Jesus Quintero-Zavala (Stockton) lied to police about his identity and was under the influence of drugs.

A search of the vehicle revealed a stun gun, burglary tools, several grams of methamphetamine and stolen property from a business in another city.

Garcia, Saldana, Fuentes, and Quintero-Zavala, were placed under arrest for several charges and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. Garcia’s vehicle was also towed from the scene.

Driver arrested with ghost gun parts during multi-agency task force effort Thursday night

By Leave a Comment

Ghost gun parts ammo and other items confiscated by police Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. Photos: SPPD

Walnut Creek PD assisted by San Pablo, Oakley and Antioch PD’s

Axe, knife and more confiscated items.

By San Pablo Police Department

Thursday night, Feb. 17, 2022, SPPD assisted Walnut Creek PD in a vehicle task force assignment formed to suppress crime in participating agencies in the Contra Costa County. Officer Howes and Officer Agredano performed a proactive traffic stop on a suspicious car and through the course of their investigation they found a loaded firearm inside of the car along other gun parts to make more unserialized firearms aka Ghost guns.

The driver was arrested and taken to jail. SPPD would like to give a shout out to Oakley Police Departments and Antioch PD for their assistance.

Pittsburg PD also joins statewide operation to combat human trafficking

By Leave a Comment

LA Sheriff Aex Villanueva commends Pittsburg Police Detectives during a press conference about the operation on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. Video screenshot

L.A. County Sheriff commends Pittsburg Detectives for their efforts during 7th Annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild

By Pittsburg Police Department

During the second week of February, in conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Pittsburg Police Department personnel took part in a statewide human trafficking operation. The 7th Annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild is an annual multi-agency initiative that focuses on rescuing victims of human trafficking, providing victims with much-needed services, and identifying and arresting their captors. Police agencies and other trafficking task forces throughout the state, including Brentwood PD joined in the operation to continue a no tolerance focus on human trafficking and sex crimes. (See related article)

This year, the Pittsburg Police Department joined with the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force and over 100 other agencies throughout California to combat Human and Sex Trafficking. This statewide Task Force is an example of how individual law enforcement agencies can work together to be more effective when they join together.

As the operation took place throughout the state, Pittsburg Police Detectives were hard at work in our community, making several arrests related to human trafficking and other crimes. In addition, several other suspects in human trafficking cases were identified, and many victims were contacted and connected with resources. These arrests are part of the over 494 arrests and 82 rescues made throughout the statewide operation. During a recent media conference by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, the great work by Pittsburg Detectives was highlighted.

We were proud to do our part in making Operation Reclaim and Rebuild a big success in Contra Costa County, and a special thank you to our law enforcement partners, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, and Community Violence Solutions for working with us.

 

Search continues for Oakley woman missing since January 26 and last seen in Antioch

By 3 Comments

Alexis Gabe – Missing fliers have been posted throughout East County. Source: Oakley PD

24-year-old Alexis Gabe’s car was found in Oakley the next day

One of the digital billboards on Highway 4 and I-680 provided by Mesa Outdoor. Source: Del Rey Advertising.

By Allen D. Payton

Today, Wednesday, February 16, 2022, Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard issued the following brief update on the search for the woman missing since January 26 and last seen by her ex-boyfriend in Antioch that night. (See related article)

“The investigation into the disappearance of Alexis Gabe has remained at the forefront of the Oakley Police Departments daily operations. We have also remained in frequent contact with the Gabe family throughout our investigation and we support them in their efforts as they try to locate Alexis as well.

We understand there is a great deal of public interest in this case. We remain committed to the tenets of completing a thorough investigation and making sure the integrity of our investigation outweighs public curiosity. The Oakley Police Department remains committed to locating Alexis and we are continuing on our path towards a complete investigation.”

Fliers about Gabe have been distributed and posted throughout East County, as well as posts on social media and ads have been placed on digital billboards along Highway 4 and I-680 to help in locating her.

If you have any information, please contact Oakley PD at (925) 625-8060.

2022 Antioch Speedway Race Schedule – begins Feb. 19

By 1 Comment

* Subject to Change

February 19 & 26, and March 5 – Open Practice

March 12 – Opening Day!! – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

March 19 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Dwarf Cars

March 26 – Wingless Sprints, Limited Latemodels**, Mini Stocks, Dwarf Cars

April 2 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Hard Tops / Winged Vintage Valley Sportsmen

*Subject to Change

April 9 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Limited Latemodels**

April 16 – ** Easter Egg Hunt ** – WMR Midgets, Mini Stocks, Wingless Sprint Cars, Dwarf Cars

April 23 – Wingless Sprint Cars, IMCA Sport Modifeds, Hobby Stocks, Dwarf Cars

April 29/30 or 30/May 1st – Monster Trucks

May 7 – Mother’s Day – Mini Vans, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars

May 14 – ** Contra Costa County Fair **

Destruction Derby

May 21 – Wingless Sprint Cars, MCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Dwarf Cars

May 28 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Limited Latemodels**, Hard Tops / Winged Vintage Valley Sportsmen

* Subject to Change

June 4 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Dwarf Cars

June 11 – WMR Midgets, HUNT Magneto Series Wingless Sprint Cars, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks

June 18 – Lightning Sprints, Wingless Sprint Cars, Limited Latemodels**, Dwarf Cars

June 25 – Hetrick Memorial – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

July 2 – Dark – No Races

July 9 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

July 15 & 16 – Dwarf Car Nationals – 15th Dwarf Cars, Hobby Stocks, 16th Dwarf Cars, IMCA Stock Cars

July 23 – Wingless Sprint Cars, Limited Latemodels**, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Dwarf Cars

* Subject to Change

July 30 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Dwarf Cars

August 6 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

August 13 – Lightning Sprint, Wingless Sprint Cars, Limited Latemodels**, 600 Non-Winged Micros

August 20 – WMR Midgets, Wingless Sprint Cars, Mini Stocks, Hard Tops / Winged Vintage Valley Sportsmen

August 27 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

September 3 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars

September 10 & 11 – Monster Trucks

September 17 – **Championship Night #1** – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stocks Cars

* Subject to Change

September 24 – **Championship Night #2** – Wingless Sprint Cars, Hobby Stocks, Limited Latemodels**, with Guest Division WMR Midgets. (Championship Night is for Antioch Divisions ONLY!)

September 29-October 1st 0 West Coast Nationals Bill Bower Memorial – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars

October 8 – Donna Soares Memorial / Hall of Fame Night – Lightning Sprint Non-Winged Sprints, Wingless Sprint Cars, Limited Latemodels**, Dwarf Cars

October 15 – 200 lap Enduro $2000 to Win!

October 22 – Dwarf Car Mainia – Dwarf Cars, Hard Tops / Winged Vintage Valley Sportsman, Mini Stocks

October 28 & 29 – Hobby Nationals – Details TBA

November 25 – Wingless, 600 Non-Winged Micro Mini, Limited Latemodels**

November 26 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

New Year – Pending…

* Subject to Change

**Super Stocks can NOT run with Limited Latemodels.

Call (925) 779-9220 today, about sponsorship opportunities.

In memoriam: Antioch resident Beatriz Elizabeth “Bea” Truxton passes at 89

By Leave a Comment

Beatriz Elizabeth “Bea” Truxton

March 12, 1932 – January 28, 2022

Our dear mother, Beatriz Elizabeth Truxton, passed away January 28, 2022. Beatriz was born March 12, 1932, in Guayaquil Ecuador to Anibal Leon Barrera and Melania Medina Molina. She had two older sisters.

Beatriz married the love of her life, Perry Truxton, on December 16, 1950, in Ecuador after a whirlwind six-week courtship. They were two months shy of their 60th wedding anniversary when Perry passed away in 2010.

Beatriz made many friends in Central and South America and the Caribbean following Perry who worked for the Inter American Geodetic Survey headquartered in the Panama Canal Zone. During his service, they lived in Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Panama. In 1976, they moved to Alamogordo, NM. Beatriz and Perry continued to travel after Perry retired in 1985.

In her mid-60s, Beatriz decided to pursue education by first earning her G.E.D. and then continuing to earn her Associates of Art degree in 2008 at the Alamogordo branch of New Mexico State University. She also took many art classes, enjoying drawing and acrylic painting. She served students through a part-time job in the Language Lab as a Spanish tutor where she made many friends.

Beatriz enjoyed the beach and scuba diving when she was younger. She went camping because Perry promised her that she would not have to either cook or clean up! Beatriz and Perry were great dancers. Beatriz enjoyed animals. As a child, she had a monkey and an ocelot as a pet. She loved dogs. Her favorite breed was the beagle and favorite dog names were Ginger or Topsy!

Beatriz had a deep faith in her savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. She taught her children to also have a deep faith in God. Beatriz loved traveling. She enjoyed visiting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made a priority to attend milestone events such as weddings, high school or college graduations and First Holy Communions.

In 2018, Beatriz went to live with her children. She lived with Roy in Tampa, FL before coming to live with Nellie in Antioch, CA. Beatriz joined the Antioch Senior Center where she participated in the painting activity. She also enjoyed going to the senior activity at the Celebration Center at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Brentwood, CA.

Beatriz is survived by her sons, Roy, Charlie (Vicki), and Stephen, and daughter Nellie (Brian) Beatty; grandchildren Emmanuel, Michael, Maureen, Elizabeth (Nathan) Blumhorst, Teresa, Jennifer, Katherine, Angela, Christopher, Sarah, Aaron, Rebecca, Annelise, and Maria; great-grandchildren Gabriel, Jacob, and Emrys; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank both Hospice of the East Bay and the staff at Spyglass Villas 2 for the wonderful care they gave to Beatriz. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made to the Alzheimer’s Society in Beatriz Truxton’s name.

A funeral mass will be held on February 17, 2022, at St. Anthony’s Church, 971 O’Hara Ave, Oakley, CA  94561 at 12 p.m. with the rosary at 11 a.m. Interment is at Del Puerto & St. Mary’s Cemetery, 10800 CA-22, Patterson, CA 95363 at 11 a.m. February 18, 2022.

Brentwood native and 2011 Liberty High grad serves aboard floating airport

By Leave a Comment

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Rodriguez, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Talbot of Brentwood. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Manvir Gill

NORFOLK, Va. – Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Talbot, a native of Brentwood, California, serves the U.S. Navy aboard one of the world’s largest warships, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.

Talbot joined the Navy six years ago. Today, he serves as a machinist’s mate (nuclear).

“I joined the Navy because I wanted to see the world and have an opportunity to get out and make a difference,” said Talbot.

Growing up in Brentwood, Talbot attended Liberty High School and graduated in 2011. Today, Talbot relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Brentwood to succeed in the military.

“When I was growing up, I was on the wrestling team for six years,” said Talbot. “It taught me to have a strong work ethic and drive. It taught me to tackle any challenge placed in front of me. It also helped me understand how to achieve my own goals but also be part of a team.”

These lessons have helped Talbot while serving in the Navy.

Aircraft carriers provide unique capabilities and survivability. They are a powerful exhibition of the American Navy’s legacy of innovation, technological evolution, and maritime dominance, according to Navy officials.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) represents the first major design investment in aircraft carriers since the 1960s. The ship is engineered to support new technologies and a modern air wing essential to deterring and defeating near-peer adversaries in a complex maritime environment. Ford delivers a significant increase in sortie generation rate, approximately three times more electrical generation capacity, and a $4 billion reduction in total life-cycle cost per ship, when compared to a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Once deployed, the Ford-class will serve as the centerpiece of strike group operations through the 21st century, supporting a host of evolving national strategic objectives. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land from FORD’s state-of-the-art Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG). With nearly 5,000 Sailors serving aboard, Ford is a self-contained mobile airport.

The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford departs Naval Station Norfolk to transit to Newport News Shipyard in support of its planned incremental availability, a six-month period of modernization, maintenance and repairs, on Aug. 20, 2021. Photo by MC1 William Spears/U.S. Navy) Source: DefenseNews.com

Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. Carrier strike groups have the unique advantage of mobility, making them far more strategically advantageous than fixed-site bases. No other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility, and the combat capability of its air wing.

“I could not be more proud of our sailors; this crew displayed a phenomenal amount of resiliency and proficiency during each phase of our operational development,” said Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, Ford’s commanding officer. “The crew’s efforts are what make Warship 78 so great, and I can’t wait to be a part of what this mighty warship and her crew achieve in 2022.”

Since USS Langley’s commissioning 100 years ago, the nation’s aircraft carriers, such as Ford, and embarked carrier air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide. Gerald R. Ford represents a generational leap in the aircraft carrier’s capacity to project power on a global scale.

“The aircraft carrier is our U.S. Navy’s centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant reminder to the rest of the world of our enduring maritime presence and influence,” said Rear Adm. James P. Downey, USN, Program Executive Officer (PEO) Aircraft Carriers. “These ships touch every part of our Navy’s mission to project power, ensure sea control, and deter our adversaries.”

According to DefenseNews.com, “The U.S. Navy has promised a first deployment for its new aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford by this fall — but that deployment won’t be a typical one…The carrier and its strike group will operate on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean alongside a long list of foreign navies…But the operations will be outside the typical Global Force Management-dictated deployment in support of the joint force.”

Serving in the Navy means Talbot is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“If we didn’t have a strong naval presence out there, I don’t think there would be as much deterrence,” said Talbot. “Other countries would try to threaten the peace of other nations without consequences. I think a lot of people sleep easier knowing we’re out here.”

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Talbot and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I was selected to be the engine room supervisor during full ship shock trials,” said Talbot. “That is where they used 40,000 pounds of explosive to test how the ship would respond and handle battle damage. Out of 75 different operators, I was only one of two who were selected. My department knew that while I was on watch, the reactor plant would operate safely no matter what.”

As Talbot and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy has given me an opportunity to challenge myself every day and be a part of something bigger,” added Talbot. “I enjoy serving alongside some great friends and being around some of the greatest people I have ever met.”