Contra Costa Herald

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

Two from Oakley, one other arrested in Brentwood Friday with drugs, fake money, stolen mail, more in stolen car

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Photos by Brentwood PD.

By Brentwood Police Department

Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 – It started as a traffic stop. That changed when officers discovered three people in a car in possession of methamphetamine, stolen mail, burglary tools, an imitation firearm and counterfeit currency. On top of all that, it was discovered that the car they were in was stolen. Arrested were 29-year-old Carlos Canales Jr. and 25-year-old Savannah Vetterli of Oakley along with 27-year-old Jesus Olivarez II of Stockton.

All three were given a ride to county jail…and the owner of the car will be getting their car back!

Brentwood man dies in solo car crash Saturday evening

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Photo by Brentwood PD.

By Brentwood Police Department

It’s with great sadness tonight, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 that we have to report the loss of a 23-year-old Brentwood man who died at the scene of this collision. At 5:09 PM, officers responded to this crash and discovered a man inside the car unresponsive and trapped. Fire Personnel arrived and were able to extract him from the car but pronounced him deceased.

Fortunately, there were no other occupants in the car. What caused this collision is still being investigated by our Traffic Safety Division so please refrain from passing judgment. We do not suspect alcohol was involved and there were no other reports of any other vehicles associated with this collision.

Out of respect to the family, we are not releasing the decedent’s name at this time.

If anyone witnessed this accident, or has information to share about moments prior to it, please contact our Traffic Safety Division at 925-634-6911.

Man fatally shot in Pittsburg Friday night, police ask public’s help to find shooter

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By Pittsburg Police Department

Last night, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, we received multiple 911 calls of several shots fired near Crestview Drive and Alta Vista Circle. Officers arrived to find a 21-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by EMS, he did not survive.

We are in the early stages of the investigation and the information is limited.

At this point, it appears the victim was in a park adjacent to Alta Vista Circle when an unidentified suspect approached the victim and fired several shots. The suspect then ran and got into a compact car and drove away.

Our investigators could use the public’s help with any information or security camera video from the area. Anyone with information should please contact our Pittsburg Police Tip-Line at (925) 252-4040

Supervisors approve acquisition of City of Antioch property for $1 for proposed homeless center

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Parcel map and aerial photo of Antioch land the County has agreed to purchase. 02-11-20

Recognize African American Mental Health Awareness Week

By Daniel Borsuk

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors took a major step forward in tackling East County’s unyielding homeless problem in approving the acquisition of a 4.79-acre vacant parcel of property on Delta Fair Boulevard in Antioch for a proposed homeless navigation facility.

At their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11 County Supervisors voted 4-0 to buy the property adjacent to the county’s Children and Family Services Center in Antioch and Los Medanos College in Pittsburg.

The land runs along the southern line of Delta Fair Boulevard, known as Assessor’s Parcel No. 074-080-034. (See parcel map, above.)

Supervisors agreed to purchase the future site of the homeless navigation center for $1.00 from the City of Antioch. Supervisors approved the land acquisition on a consent action. Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill was absent during the meeting.

“This is a real hot item,” commented Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, who represents District 5 where the proposed Antioch homeless center site is located. “We have tracked this project for a number of years and now we are getting close to seeing shovels in the ground.”

“The county is working collaboratively with the city and state to develop additional resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness,” said District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood. “I expect we’ll add significant capacity to Continuum of Care. The conveyance of this parcel provides a lot of flexibility.”

“While this is not a housing development, the plan is to place a CARE center there for people needing shelter,” explained Contra Costa County Homeless Services Director Lavonna Martin. The proposed Antioch center will be modeled after those now available for persons needing housing assistance in Concord and Richmond.

So far Martin is unaware of any public complaints about the proposed homeless navigation center in Antioch because up to now the project’s 2018 award of a $7.9 million in California Homeless Emergency AID Block Grant Fund made it exempt from public review.

As a result, it is presently unknown if there any public opposition to the CARE center at the proposed Delta Fair Boulevard site.

“The city council hasn’t voted on it, yet,” said Antioch City Manager Ron Bernal.

A shelter for women and children had been proposed for the site, in the past. But, that project never materialized due to a lack of funding. This will allow the county to move forward with a project on the same site that will serve the homeless in Antioch and East County

Approve Donation of County Land for Rodeo YMCA

In another consent real estate item, Supervisors approved the donation of an improved parcel of county property at 200 Lake Ave. in Rodeo to the Young Men’s Christian Association of the East Bay.

Since 1990, the county has leased the property the to the YMCA of the East Bay for $100 a month for children’s services. The county has declared the property surplus property and no longer requires the property for county purposes. The property is in need for repairs and is expected to cost the county in excess of $500,000. The board action essentially gets the county off the hook in being responsible for maintaining the property and for making necessary repairs.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognized African American Mental Health Awareness Week Feb. 16 through 22 and Miles Hall Remembrance Day February 15, 2020 at their meeting on Tuesday. The supervisors’ resolution recognizes the need in the African American community to support the recovery process of peers, clients, consumers and family members struggling with challenges of mental health and substance use issues through the delivery of culturally responsive services. On Feb 22, a Mental Health Black History event will be held at Solomon Temple Church. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

CALeVIP Program Gets Green Light

In other business, the supervisors flashed the green light for the Contra Costa County Conservation and Development Department to proceed to work with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and other partners in the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project or CALeVIP. CALeVIP is focused on the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure in the state.

According to state statistics, Contra Costa County currently has 151 charging stations with about 400 EV ports. By the year 2025, some 3,500 EV ports will be needed to meet the increased demand of electric vehicle owners.

Approve Public Protection Committee 2019 Report

On a consent item, supervisors approved 12 crime items that will be focused on by the Public Protection Committee that meets nine times during 2020.

Topics that the Public Protection Committee will study are:

Opportunities to Improve Coordination of Response to Disasters and Other Public Emergencies: Welfare Fraud Investigation and Prosecution; Multi-Language Capability of the Telephone Emergency Notification System; County Support and Coordination of Non-Profit Organizations to Provide Re-entry Services; Implementation of AB 109 Public Safety Realignment and Appointment Recommendations to the Community Corrections Partnership; Inmate Welfare Fund/Telecommunications/Visitation Issues; Racial Justice Task Force Project Review of Juvenile Fees Assessed by the Probation Department; County Law Enforcement Participation and Interaction with Federal Immigration Authorities; Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council; Review of Banning Gun Shows at the County Fairgrounds, Review of Adult Criminal Justice Fees; and Racial Equity Action Plan.

Appoint Discovery Bay Resident to County Planning Commission

Discovery Bay resident Bob Mankin was appointed to complete the unfinished term of Contra Costa County Planning Commissioner Duane Steele, also of Discovery Bay, who had resigned.

Mankin was recommended by Supervisor Burgis to complete former commissioner Steele’s term of office on June 20, 2021.

The commission meets regularly twice a month and pays each of the five appointed commissioners $50 per meeting plus mileage. There is a $300 a month cap stipend per commissioner.

View the complete Board of Supervisors meeting agenda, here.

RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul celebrates 9th anniversary Monday

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Zenaida and Yazmin in front of the St. Vincent de Paul and RotaCare Pittsburg signs. Photos by SVDP.

Launching initiative to implement electronic medical records

While celebrating the 9th Anniversary of serving uninsured residents of Contra Costa County, on Monday, Feb. 10th, RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul announces a major initiative – to update the clinic’s medical record keeping system. A successful implementation of an electronic medical record system (EMR) will allow the clinic to provide more efficient health care to the uninsured patients served, and more effectively track patients referred for surgical or specialty care. The Free Medical Clinic, located at St. Vincent de Paul’s (SVdP) Family Resource Center, 2210 Gladstone Dr. in Pittsburg, is one of the busiest Rotacare free clinics in the Bay Area, and provides no-questions asked healthcare to Contra Costa County’s most vulnerable, uninsured residents. The program serves adults with no medical insurance, providing exams, pharmaceuticals, lab tests, diagnostics, referrals, nutritional and healthy cooking classes – all at no charge.

The clinic is managed through a joint effort by SVdP and Rotacare Bay Area. Medical services are provided by volunteer doctors, nurses, interpreters, and other medical professionals. It is open every Wednesday from 4-8 PM and on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 8-11 AM. Since the clinic’s opening in 2011, over 13,000 patient visits have been provided to residents without insurance. Bi-lingual translation in Spanish is provided.

“What makes the clinic unique is that it is solely for the uninsured,” said longtime Medical Director Dr. Hamid Khonsari, “These are people who have no other place to go for medical care.”

A volunteer nurse serves a patient with a translator at the RotaCare Pittsburg clinic.

“We are one of the largest Rotacare Clinics in the Bay Area – and the benefits of switching to an EMR system is tremendous. One of the benefits will be the ability to share records with other Rotacare Clinics in the area using the same system, as well as giving us a better insight into our impact on our community,” Khonsari continued, “It really helps us pinpoint what we can improve on.” This information is difficult to access using paper charts.

In response to the needs of the community, the clinic evolved from its original launch as an urgent care clinic. With the continued help of their dedicated team of volunteers, the RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul added days, added volunteer providers, developed a hypertension clinic, and established asthma and diabetic follow up care. A special grant from Rotary International and local Rotary Clubs has provided funding for a pilot program, The Transitional Care Clinic, which provides intensive, on-going care for a small subset of diabetes & hypertension patients in an effort to impact their health outcomes. Now the clinic is ready to take the next step in their record keeping as well.

Financial support for the free clinic is provided from Kaiser Permanente, Los Medanos Community Healthcare District, Sutter Health, John Muir Health, City of Pittsburg/CDBG, Contra Costa County/CDBG, Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund, area Catholic Churches, local Rotary Clubs, St. Vincent de Paul and many generous individuals.

SVdP’s Family Resource Center in Pittsburg, also provides additional safety-net services. Assistance is also available through SVdP’s 29 branches throughout the county.

To learn more, visit www.svdp-cc.org, or call (925) 439-5060 or send an email to info@svdp-cc.org.

Contra Costa’s green future? Sierra Club to hold Green New Deal Town Hall in Antioch Feb 21

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The Green New Deal is a proposed package of legislation first introduced in Congress by freshman Member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey. It has aroused support and controversy in equal measures.  The legislative proposal is their comprehensive approach to address claims of climate change and has become a central discussion point in the 2020 election. It combines the economic approach of President Roosevelts’ New Deal program and adds renewable energy and resource efficiency. It is being championed by self-described democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders, one of the front runners in the Democratic presidential primary race.

The two bills that make up the package are House Resolution 109 and Senate Resolution 59. In the Senate, Markey introduced the bill and it was defeated with no votes in favor and 57 votes against, and 43 Senators voting present in protest to there not being any debate or expert testimony. The House bill has not yet received a vote. However, the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis was created to study the list of proposals contained in the legislation.

But what does it mean for Contra Costa County?

The Sierra Club, one of America’s leading environmental protection organizations, is hosting a Town Hall in Antioch to discuss the plan and how Contra Costa communities will benefit and be impacted.

The event will take place on Friday, February 21st from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Antioch Community Center, 4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch.

Featured speakers include Dr. Mark Stemen, professor of geography, planning, and civics from California State University, Chico. Stemen is a noted authority and a highly entertaining speaker who is much in demand.

Also speaking will be youth leaders from the Sunrise Movement of Northern California. The Sunrise Movement is at the vanguard of environmental activism, their tactics of organizing have demanded attention from both elected officials and the public.

In addition, Deirdre Des Jardins, principal with California Water Research, will discuss water challenges for the Delta Region. From the Sierra Club, Helen Fitzmaurice will speak about the importance and ways to educate schools and students on climate change. Public officials and candidates have also been invited.

In response to the proposed legislation it was announced on Wednesday, Feb. 12 that a new website was launched to expose the dangers of the Green New Deal by America Rising Squared, which, according to their website, is an organization “dedicated to promoting the principles of freedom, limited government, free enterprise, and a strong national security, and pushing back against big government liberal policies and the special interests that support them.”

The Green New Deal Town Hall in Antioch promises to be a stimulating and exciting discussion of Contra Costa County’s future.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

Concord teen injured by hit-and-run driver on Highway 4 on-ramp in Concord Monday night

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CORRECTION: The original headline was incorrect as the incident occurred in Concord, not Bay Point.

By CHP – Contra Costa

Last night, at approximately 9:15pm, CHP Contra Costa responded to a call of a pedestrian down in the roadway at the Port Chicago Highway on-ramp to Hwy-4 eastbound. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, an 18-year-old male from Concord was located with major injuries and then transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. No vehicle or responsible party was located at the scene.

This incident is still under investigation and requires follow up investigation as well. The 18-year-old pedestrian transported to the hospital is listed as life-threatening critical condition. At this time CHP has located a party and vehicle of interest regarding this incident and is still gathering information.

That is all the information we to offer at this time as it requires follow up investigation. If anyone has information regarding this collision, the events leading up to it, or witnessed it, please call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980. Thank you.

Following chase four arrested in Antioch for stealing $10,000 of goods from Brentwood beauty supply store, Monday

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Merchandise stolen from the Brentwood Ulta store. Photos by BPD.

The suspects’ vehicle that collided with a patrol car.

Two from Richmond, one from  Oakland, one from Hayward

By Brentwood Police Department

On Monday, 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 from Oakland) Talmika Bates (24-year-old female from Hayward) and Ramiah Armstrong (22-year-old female from 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.

Brentwood PD deployed a K9 unit and Antioch PD used their drone in the search for the suspects.

An additional subject, Adrian Benton, Jr. (21-year-old male from 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.

Motorcyclist killed by DUI driver in multi-vehicle collision on Highway 4 in Pittsburg Sunday morning

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Driver from Antioch taken to hospital, arrested; Driver of other car from Oakley sustains minor injuries

By CHP-Contra Costa

UPDATE: the Volkswagen sedan driven by Moss was determined that it was traveling wrong way (westbound within the eastbound lanes) of Hwy-4 prior to the initial collision with the Toyota.

Early this morning, at approximately 2:09 am, CHP Contra Costa responded to a collision involving three vehicles on Hwy-4 eastbound, just east of Bailey Road. Upon CHP & emergency personnel arrival, a 2002 Volkswagen sedan, a 2015 Toyota sedan, and a 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle had been involved in a collision. Unfortunately, the solo male driver of the Harley (29 years old from Antioch) was killed in the crash. The solo male driver of the Toyota (20 years old from Oakley) sustained only minor complaint of pain injuries. And the solo male driver of the Volkswagen (59-year-old Tony Moss from Antioch) was transported to John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek for his injuries and suspicion of DUI driving.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased male rider from the Harley Davidson.

This incident is still under investigation and requires follow up investigation as well. But our preliminary report indicates the Volkswagen and Toyota may have been involved in a collision on eastbound Hwy 4 at Bailey Road and then the Harley Davidson became involved as well, subsequently ejecting the rider of the Harley Davidson and killing him. The driver of the Toyota suffered only minor injuries, remained on scene, and cooperated with the investigation.

While at the hospital, Officers placed Moss under arrest for felony DUI. Upon his release from the hospital early this morning, he was transported to the Martinez detention facility where he was booked into the county jail for two counts of FELONY DUI: 23153(a)VC & 23153(b)VC.

As this incident is still under investigation, if anyone has information regarding this collision or events leading up to it, call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980. Thank you.

Los Medanos College seeks nominations for annual César Chávez Awards

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Los Medanos College (LMC) is preparing to host its annual César Chávez Celebration on Friday, March 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A reception will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by the awards and recognition ceremony at 7:00 p.m. LMC is located at 2700 East Leland Road in Pittsburg.  The public is welcome to attend, and the event is free.

Los Medanos College hosts this event each year to honor the life of César Chávez and to recognize East Contra Costa County community leaders who continue his great tradition of service and social activism. A true American hero, César Chávez exemplifies service to community and non-violent social change.

The college is now seeking nominations for three recognition awards, which will be presented at the event.  The LMC César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service, established in 1995, is awarded to local residents who have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to service and who represent the core values established by César Chávez: Service to Others, Sacrifice, Help the Most Needy, Determination, Non-Violence, Acceptance of All People, Respect for Life and the Environment, Celebrating Community, Knowledge, and Innovation.  The East County Educator Award honors members of the educational community who demonstrate the above values and a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for low-income students and students of color.  The Chávez Spirit Award recognizes student/emerging leaders who are making an impact on East Contra Costa County in the areas of advocacy and social justice.

To submit nominations for the César Chávez awards, visit: www.losmedanos.edu/chavez/nominate/.  The deadline for nominations is February 29, 2020.

Details about other LMC activities celebrating the life and legacy of César Chávez can be viewed at: www.losmedanos.edu/chavez/event.