Contra Costa Herald

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

Juveniles stopped for riding e-bikes, electric motorcycles in Lafayette, one impounded for 30 days

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Photos: Lafayette PD

Police offer rules, regulations, age restrictions for operating

By Lafayette Police

Recently, a Lafayette PD motor officer attempted to stop four juveniles – two riding electric bikes and two on electric motorcycles. Three of the juveniles stopped, but one sped away. Due to safety concerns, the officer did not pursue.

The motor officer provided an educational talk to the three juveniles who stopped and released them with a verbal warning. A parent came to pick up the one juvenile and the electric motorcycle.

After some follow-up investigation, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, our motor officer located the same juvenile who had previously fled. He was riding the same electric motorcycle, this time performing a wheelie on a public street. Fortunately, the juvenile stopped for the officer. The motor officer cite-released the juvenile to his parent on scene and impounded the electric motorcycle for 30 days.

Don’t run from the police; it only escalates the situation.

Remember: Unregistered electric motorcycles are not street legal.

E-Bike vs. Electric Motorcycle (CA law):

  • Class 1 E-Bike: pedal assist only, no throttle, max 20 mph
  • Class 2 E-Bike: pedal assist plus throttle, max 20 mph
  • Class 3 E-Bike: pedal assist only, max 28 mph (helmet required, no riders under 16)
  • Electric Motorcycle: Anything exceeding these specs (no pedals, higher speeds) requires registration, insurance, and a motorcycle license for road use.
  • Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV): Models like Sur-Ron or Talaria electric motorcycles are designed only for off-road use.

Lafayette awarded $19.5M in competitive state grant funds for permanent supportive housing project

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View from the parking lot rendering of the proposed Sunflower Hill Lafayette. Source: Sunflower Hill

For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Award from the California Department of Housing and Community Development Super NOFA funding brings the project one step closer to reality for Sunflower Hill and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates.

By Suzanne Iarla, Public Information Officer, City of Lafayette

Lafayette, CA: The vision to build 48 permanent supportive housing units in downtown Lafayette for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) is one step closer to becoming a reality after Governor Newson announced on September 22, 2025 that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is awarding funding for 30 affordable housing projects across California, including the proposed development at 949 Moraga Road by non-profit co-developers, Sunflower Hill and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA).

According to their website, founded in 2012, Sunflower Hill (SFH) is “a registered 501c3 non-profit co-developing affordable residential communities and creating programs and activities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that support independence and interdependence.” They have an affordable housing community in Pleasanton and multi-disciplinary in-person and virtual programs and activities in Pleasanton and Livermore.

Sunflower Hill Lafayette will be designed for people with I/DD, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other chromosomal abnormalities. The project would mark SFH’s first expansion into Contra Costa County. The 0.74 acre site was acquired by the city of Lafayette in 2010 and was designated as exempt surplus land by the City in early 2025. In April 2025, the Lafayette City Council unanimously approved an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with SFH/SAHA to help the project move forward. In May 2025, the team presented an initial version of the new community at a Planning Commission and Design Review Study Session.

The project team will continue to apply for competitive funding at the county, state and federal levels. If fully funded and realized, the community will offer one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, plus ample space for supportive activities and services such as a teaching kitchen, fitness room, community room, community garden and other flex space areas both inside and outdoors.

Source: Sunflower Hill

“Lafayette truly is a community of character,” said Rosemary Kirbach, Sunflower Hill board member and land committee chair. “We are very grateful to the City, our partner SAHA, and the greater Lafayette community. There is a long history of support in Lafayette for individuals with I/DD, including Las Trampas and Futures Explored and we are proud to build on that legacy. 949 Moraga will be Sunflower Hill’s first expansion into Contra Costa County.”

The application for the State’s Multifamily Finance Super NOFA funding was incredibly competitive, with only two awards in Contra Costa County.

The City of Lafayette had previously identified this city-owned site, currently a parking lot, as an opportunity site for housing under its Housing Element. The City has entered into an Exclusive Negotiating Rights Agreement and intends to contribute the land for the development, conditioned on the project acquiring full funding.

Lafayette Mayor Susan Candell said, “We are proud to partner with Sunflower Hill and SAHA to build stable, supportive, 100% affordable housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are excited to see this project coming to our community and have pledged to support the project by donating the land for this project.”

Entry view rendering of the proposed Sunflower Hill Lafayette housing project. Source: Sunflower Hill

“We’re thrilled to reach this funding milestone – while there is still plenty of work ahead, this is a monumental step forward and shows what we can accomplish working together,” commented Eve Stewart, SVP of Real Estate for SAHA.

“We are so grateful to the Governor and HCD for providing this much-needed funding to build affordable housing,” added Mayor Candell.

Sunflower Hill’s designs for the new community include one- and two-bedroom apartments, a community room, fitness room, teaching kitchen and small garden.

“I am thrilled that Sunflower Hill has chosen to build supportive housing in Lafayette and we look forward to working together with them and the other project partners to build much needed homes for people with developmental disabilities,” added City Manager Niroop Srivatsa.

See Governor’s Office funding announcement.

About Sunflower Hill:

Sunflower Hill’s mission is to provide affordable housing, life skills and enrichment programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Bay Area. The 949 Moraga project team for Sunflower Hill includes Kathy Layman and land use expert Brian Griggs.

Irby Ranch, Sunflower’s first community in Pleasanton, opened in 2020. Plans are now underway for two new developments in the City of Dublin.

Website: sunflowerhill.org/communities/lafayette

About Satellite Affordable Housing Associates:

SAHA is a Berkeley-based non-profit with over 50 years’ experience developing and managing affordable housing. SAHA operates nearly 80 Bay Area communities for families, low-income seniors and people with special needs, providing services to more than 3,500 households

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa Taxpayers’ Association welcomes defeat of Acalanes school district parcel tax

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Measure T fails to receive two-thirds vote

On May 15, the Contra Costa Clerk Reporter published final results of the Acalanes Union High School District Measure T parcel tax election, showing that the measure failed to achieve the two-thirds majority required for passage. “Yes” votes totaled 19,448 or 63.57% of all votes counted.

The “No” vote of 11,115 was 50% higher than the negative vote total when AUHSD last went to the ballot for a parcel tax measure in 2014 suggesting increased resistance to supplementary taxation in the District, which includes Lamorinda and adjacent portions of Walnut Creek.

Leading opposition to the ballot measure was the Contra Costa Taxpayer’s Association, whose President, Marc Joffe, acted as a plaintiff on a successful ballot language lawsuit and wrote the opposition arguments in the ballot guide.

CoCoTax’s major concerns with the ballot measure included the District’s decision to call a costly special election and its use of misleading ballot language. For example, the original version of the 75-word ballot summary did not clearly state that the amount of the parcel tax would increase with the area cost of living.

With respect to the need for an additional $130 per year parcel tax (on top of the $301 already levied), opponents were critical of the large number of highly compensated administrative employees in the District and its emphasis on non-academic matters such as Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

Campaign finance disclosures reported to County Clerk Recorder showed that the campaign on behalf of Measure T raised over $140,000 in cash contributions and received non-monetary support worth over $20,000.

The “Yes” campaign sent multiple mailers and text messages while also blanketing social media. “Advocates should take pause from the fact that they raised over $7 per Yes vote and still failed to win“ Joffe said. “The tens of thousands donated by local educational foundations and parent teacher organizations would have been better spent on programs for area high school students.”

Several of the donating organizations are Section 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organizations. “While they may have not violated the letter of IRS regulations, channeling charitable donations to election campaigning seems to run contrary to the spirit of the laws governing 501(c)3 non-profits,” Joffe concluded.

Jury convicts man for kidnapping, robbery, more in 2022 Lafayette home invasion case

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Kenneth David McIsaac mugshot. Source: Lafayette PD

Kenneth McIsaac used replica gun to rob neighbors, hold captive for five hours until subdued

Referred to mental health treatment facility in 2023 but fled, rearrested

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

On March 27, 2025, a Contra Costa County jury convicted 34-year-old Kenneth David McIsaac (born 12/20/90) on multiple felony charges, related to a home invasion incident involving a Lafayette family.

The conviction stems from a September 24, 2022, incident in Lafayette. As a mother and her children returned from the community pool in their apartment complex, McIsaac, who was also a resident at the same complex, followed them into their unit, shut the door and announced he was there to rob them. He lifted his shirt to reveal what appeared to be a firearm, later found to be a replica.

The mother called for her husband, who entered the living room. McIsaac forced the family to sit on the floor, retrieved kitchen knives, and handed the mother duct tape to bind her husband and children before binding her himself. For over five hours, he held the family captive and threatened to kill the parents in front of the children.

Through will and determination, the husband was able to free himself from his bindings. When McIsaac returned to the living room, the husband fought back, ultimately subduing the intruder long enough for the rest of the family to escape and seek help.

In August 2023, McIsaac was referred to Mental Health Court for diversion — despite objections from the District Attorney’s Office. He was accepted and released to a treatment facility — but fled in October.

Law enforcement apprehended him on November 14th.

McIsaac was convicted by a jury on multiple felony charges, including:

  • Two counts of kidnap to commit robbery
  • Two counts of kidnapping for ransom
  • Multiple counts of first-degree residential robbery
  • Felony child abuse
  • False imprisonment
  • Criminal threats

Additionally, the jury found true enhancements for the use of a deadly weapon in 12 of the 13 charges.

District Attorney Diana Becton stated: “This verdict holds Kenneth McIsaac accountable for the harm he caused this family. His conviction sends a strong message that violent crimes of this nature will not be tolerated in Contra Costa County.”

McIsaac is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6th by Judge Mary Ann O’Malley in Martinez. He faces a potential life sentence.

According to localcrimenews.com, the six-foot, three-inch tall, 190-pound McIsaac was also arrested in October 2020 by Oakland Police for battery with serious Bodily injury and elder or dependent adult abuse.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, he is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail.

Case # 01-22-01678 | The People of the State of California vs. McIsaac, Kenneth David

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

32-year-old man dies in two-vehicle crash on Hwy 24 in Orinda Friday morning

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By Contra Costa CHP

ORINDA, Calif. – A two-vehicle crash early this morning has resulted in fatal injuries to one driver.

On March 14, 2025, at approximately 8:20 a.m., officers assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Contra Costa Area office responded to a two-vehicle crash which occurred on Hwy 24 eastbound at Wilder Road in Orinda.

Our preliminary investigation indicates a blue Ford Flex, solely occupied by an adult male driver, was traveling eastbound on SR-24 at Wilder Road, when, for reasons still under investigation, it crashed into the rear of a red Toyota Corolla traveling in the same direction.

The adult male driver and sole occupant of the Toyota was uninjured. The driver of the Ford, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and was tragically pronounced deceased at the scene. It is still under investigation whether DUI was a factor in this crash.

All lanes of SR-24 eastbound were closed at approximately 8:44 a.m., for on-scene investigation, and were re-opened at approximately 11:34 a.m.

According to Officer Dan Gilmore, CHP-Contra Costa PIO, the deceased was 32 years old.

This crash remains under investigation. If anyone witnessed the incident or the events leading up to it, please contact the Contra Costa Area office in Martinez at (925) 646-4980 or email your contact information to 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.

The Mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Police seek suspects in smash-and-grab robbery at Orinda consignment shop

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Photo: Hilton House Facebook page.

Pepper sprayed employee, customers

By Orinda Police Department

On Saturday, March 1, 2025, at about 11:44 AM, Orinda police officers were dispatched to a report of a robbery at a business in the first block of Orinda Way. Several male suspects entered a store and pepper-sprayed an employee and some customers. They fled after stealing multiple items. Police checked the area and notified other law enforcement agencies. The suspects were not located. The victims were treated at the scene.

According to a KTVU FOX 2 news report, five suspects entered the store with hammers, breaking glass display cases and robbed the Hilton House Consign & Design in Orinda and pepper sprayed one employee and some customers.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Orinda Police Department at (925) 254-6820. Tips could be email to: orindatip@cityoforinda.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Wednesday morning Orinda freeway shooting under investigation

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Uninvolved vehicle struck by bullet

By Contra Costa CHP

ORINDA, Calif. – Officers assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Contra Costa Area Office are investigating a freeway shooting that occurred on westbound State Route (SR) 24 near Wilder Road.

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at approximately 10:27 a.m., officers assigned to the CHP’s Contra Costa Area office were dispatched to a report of a possible freeway shooting on westbound SR-24 near the Wilder Road overcrossing. While responding to the scene, officers were informed that a vehicle traveling in the area at the time of the incident had been struck by a bullet. Fortunately, the victim was uninjured.

Contra Costa CHP officers arrived at the scene to assist the victim and initiate an investigation. To facilitate a thorough assessment, all lanes of westbound SR-24 between Camino Pablo and the Caldecott Tunnel were temporarily closed for approximately 50 minutes.

Upon initial investigation, CHP officers determined the victim vehicle appeared to have been an uninvolved passing motorist at the time of the shooting and was not an intended target.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation, with CHP officers diligently working to identify the suspect(s) and vehicle(s) involved, as well as to establish a potential motive. CHP requests anyone with information related to this incident to contact the CHP Contra Costa Area at (925) 646-4980 or via email at 320investigations@chp.ca.gov.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

 

Four Alamo residential burglary suspects arrested following pursuit from Concord

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On of the stolen vehicles used in the Alamo residential burglary was located. Photo: CCCSheriff

Stolen vehicles used found in Bay Point, Orinda

Multi-agency effort

By Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office

This morning at about 1:40, Valley Station deputy sheriffs responded to a residential burglary on the 100 block of La Sonoma Way in Alamo. The suspects fled after stealing two vehicles.

With the assistance of Sheriff’s Office dispatch, deputies located them in Concord. The suspects fled at a high rate of speed. Deputies terminated their pursuit, but Sheriff’s Office dispatch later found one of the stolen vehicles in Bay Point and another in Orinda. The suspects fled on foot.

With the assistance of Muir Station deputies, CHP air support, and Orinda, Lafayette and Pittsburg police, all four suspects were located and arrested.

Both recovered vehicles, along with personal property, were returned to the owner. All four suspects were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on multiple charges that include burglary, felony evading and vehicle theft.

 

10 Contra Costa athletes compete at 2024 Olympics

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The 2024 Olympic athletes from Contra Costa County competing in Paris (by last name alphabetical order). Top Row: Amit Elor, Megumi Field, Drew Holland, Sabrina Ionescu and Kara Kohler. Bottom Row: David Liebenberg, Daniella Moroz, CJ Nickolas, Jewell Roemer and Maggie Steffens.

Former Antioch resident trained two of the Olympians on Team USA’s four-member taekwondo squad; Oakley athlete is alternate in Men’s Trampoline

By Allen D. Payton

Contra Costa County is well represented at the 2024 Olympics in multiple sports. According to the Team USA website, there are nine athletes who qualified to compete in the quadrennial games in Paris. In addition, former Antioch resident and taekwondo training center owner, Ed Givans has two Olympians that he’s trained, who earned spots on the four-member Team USA taekwondo roster.

80Kg Gold Medalist Carl Nickolas at the Taekwondo competition at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games October 22, 2023 in Santiago, Chile. Photo by Mark Reis, USOPC.

CJ Nickolas – Brentwood – Taekwondo

As previously reported, Carl “CJ” Nickolas, Jr. of Brentwood is competing for gold in taekwondo in his first Olympics during the Paris 2024 Games. He was trained by Givans – his dad – until he was 18 and had heart surgery in 2020. As of last December, Nickolas was ranked number two in the world.

Learn more about Nickolas on the USA Taekwondo website and his experience and victories through the years, here, here, here and here. Watch video of CJ’s victory at the 2024 President’s Cup in Costa Rica, here.

Watch Nickolas represent Team USA and compete in the Men’s Welterweight 68-80kg division on August 9th.

Kara Kohler in the gym and rowing in Sept. 2023. Source: Facebook

Kara Kohler – Clayton – Rowing

Bronze medal winner, Kara Kohler from Clayton is competing in rowing in the Women’s Single Sculls. The three-time Olympian competed at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo where she placed 9th in Women’s Single Sculls, and at the 2012 Olympic Games in London 2012, where she won bronze in Women’s Quadruple Sculls.

On Saturday, Kohler took first place in Heat 6. She competed again in Quarterfinal 1, Lane 3 on Tuesday, July 30 at 12:30 a.m. Pacific and took second place qualifying Kohler for the semifinals on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 12:30 a.m. Pacific. (See related article)

Maggie Steffens. Sources: (left) TeamUSA, (center) USA Water Polo and with her 2020 Gold medals. Source: Facebook.

Maggie Steffens – Danville – Women’s Water Polo

Three-time gold medal winner Maggie Steffens will compete at her fourth Olympic Games in Women’s Water Polo for her fourth gold medal in a row. She won her first gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, here second at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and her third in 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

According to USA Water Polo, The two-time MVP is also the Team USA captain and considered one of the best in the world” and Steffens “Hails from a massive water polo playing family and was joined on the 2012 team by older sister Jessica.” (See related article)

Jewel Roemer official photo and during competition. Source: USA Water Polo

Jewell Roemer – Martinez – Water Polo

Playing in her first Olympics, Martinez native Jewell “Roemer’s journey to the Olympics is marked by a series of impressive achievements. She has been a part of the Stanford University’s women’s water polo team, where she contributed to the team’s success as NCAA Champions in 2022 and 2023,” according to an iHeart Radio report.

According to USA Water Polo, Roemer “Attended Acalanes High School…Four-year letter winner and senior season team captain in water polo…Three-time first-team All-American (2018-20)…Two-time North Coast Section MVP (2019-20)…CIF Northern Division MVP (2020)…Three-time first-team All-Conference (2018-20)…Team went undefeated in back-to-back seasons, winning North Coast Section championships…Two-time Junior Olympics MVP with 680 Water Polo Club.

Won 1st place at the 2024 World Aquatics World Championships in DOHA, QATAR, 1st place at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile and 1st place at the World Aquatics World Cup in Long Beach.

During their second Group B match on Monday against Spain, Steffens and Roemer each added one goal apiece, but the Americans were handed a rare 13-11 loss. Team USA Women’s Water Polo next plays Italy on Wednesday.

Megumi Field. Sources: Team USA and Instagram

Megumi Field – Danville – Artistic Swimming

East Coast transplant Megumi Field, of Danville, will compete in her first Olympics on the Artistic Swimming team. She started synchronized swimming at five years old and earned among many other victories since 2018, Field won a bronze medal for Technical Team at the 2023 World Championships.

According to USA Artistic Swimming, as part of the official 2024 Olympics roster, Megumi and her teammates “made a statement in their debut” at the World Cup Super-Final hosted in Budapest, Hungary by winning three gold medals for Team Technical, Team Acrobatic and Team Free in the final competition before the Olympic Games.

In addition, “Jaime Czarkowski and Megumi Field made their second appearance as duet partners in Budapest, choosing to participate in the Technical Duet receiving 7th place overall with a score of 222.5134.”

Watch Artistic Swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics beginning Monday, Aug. 5th.

Danielle Moroz. Sources: TeamUSA, Facebook and US Sailing

Daniella Moroz – Lafayette – Kiteboarding

The first member of the U.S. Sailing team to qualify for the Paris 2024 Games, 23-year-old Daniella Moroz of Lafayette will compete in Olympic Kiteboarding for the first time in the sport’s history, after the sports’ athletes have been waiting for two decades.

According to a report on Paris2024.Sailing.org, Moroz has six consecutive Formula Kite World Championships titles to her name before the age of 22.

“Everything I do and have been doing the last several years is to give myself a shot at a medal,” she said. “At the Olympics I want to deliver my best possible performance and I know I’m capable of winning a gold medal if I do my best. It would mean everything to me and my family and to bring a gold home to the US after we’ve really struggled as a nation the last few Games’ would be really special.”

“I just want to keep enjoying it and keep racing for as long as possible. I am definitely thinking about LA 2028 since it will be a home Games,” Moroz added.

Women’s Kiteboarding will take place in the Marseille Marina in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and begins Sunday, Aug. 4th with the medal round on Thursday, Aug. 8th.

Drew Holland and playing goalie. Source: Team USA

Drew Holland – Orinda – Men’s Water Polo

The 2013 graduate of Miramonte High School in Orinda, Drew Holland returns for his second Olympic Games. He played in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo where the U.S. Men’s team placed sixth and he tallied 52 saves. According to his USA Water Polo profile, Holland accumulated 26 saves at the 2024 World Aquatics World Championships in Doha, Qatar; Racked up 33 saves at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile; Notched 12 saves at the 2023 World Aquatics World Championships in Fukuoka and named top goalkeeper at the 2021 FINA World League Super Final recording 41 saves.

Holland played at Stanford University where he holds the all-time save record with 925 and was a four-time All-American.

Team USA Men’s Water Polo lost to Italy on Sunday, 8-12 and was to play again Tuesday morning, July 30 against Romania at 7:30 a.m. Pacific. (See schedule)

David Liebenberg official photo and in competition with teammate Sarah Newberry Moore. Source: US Sailing

David Liebenberg – Richmond – Sailing

Competing in Sailing during the 2024 Paris Olympics, 32-year-old David Liebenberg of Richmond has three National Championship titles and three North American Championship titles. According to U.S. Sailing, as a member of the Tufts University Sailing Team he was a team captain during his senior year and led the team to their first Collegiate Match Racing National Championship in 2012. In the summer of 2013, Liebenberg was the tactician for the American Youth Sailing Force, which was selected to represent San Francisco in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

Sailing a Nacra 17, he took first at the Oakcliff Sailing Triple Crown #3 (Oyster Bay, USA) in 2018 and second sailing  a 49er at the Cork Olympic Classes Regatta (Kingston, CAN) in 2016.

He will be sailing the Nacra 17 with his teammate, Sarah Newberry Moore of Miami, FL. The pair qualified the U.S. as a country at the Pan American Games in Chile on November 3, 2023. They won athlete selection at the 2024 Nacra 17 World Championship in France in May and secured their spot to represent the U.S. at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Following that final step Liebenberg said, “It’s quite a relief. It has been nearly 10 years coming and to finally secure a spot feels amazing.”

See video of the team sailing out of the Richmond Yacht Club and watch Liebenberg and Newberry Moore compete in the Nacra 17 (Mixed Multihull) sailing competition beginning Saturday, Aug. 3rd with the medal round Aug. 7th.

(Top Left) Amit Elor in her official uniform and with LeBron James (bottom left) and Steph Curry (bottom center) on the Team USA boat during the Opening Ceremony on July 26, 2024. (Top right) Wrestling in a match on Oct. 1, 2022. (Bottom right) Flexing with Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus, Jr. during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Source: Facebook

Amit Elor – Walnut Creek – Wrestling

A 20-year-old female wrestler from Walnut Creek, Amit Elor, a New Year’s Day baby, attended College Park High School in Pleasant Hill and Diablo Valley College, and has been on Team USA since 2022. She is competing in her first Olympic Games. According to her Team USA profile, Elor is an eight-time gold medalist at World Championship events across the U17, U20, U23 and Senior age divisions, including the freestyle and beach wrestling disciplines.

Wrestling during the 2024 Paris Olympics begins on Monday Aug. 5th and ends on Sunday, Aug. 11th.

Learn more about Elor on her official website.

Sabrina Ionescu in her #6 jersey. Source: USA Basketball. Goofing in her Team USA uniform. Source: Instagram

Sabrina Ionescu – Walnut Creek – Basketball

The 26-year-old Sabrina Ionescu is a Walnut Creek native, graduate of Miramonte High School and University of Oregon and is playing in her first Olympics during the Paris 2024 Games as a member of the Women’s Basketball Team. According to USA Basketball, “Ionescu will make her Olympics debut after helping the USA to gold at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup. She has extensive experience with USA Basketball at the junior level, winning gold with the 2013 U16 Women’s National Team, 2014 U17 Women’s National Team and 2017 U23 Women’s National Team, in addition to experience in 3×3.”

In high school, Ionescu was the 2016 USA Today and MaxPreps National Player of the Year; MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game. In college, she helped lead Oregon to a gold medal (6-1) at the 2019 Red Bull 3×3 Nationals in Las Vegas and was named MVP and as a junior in 2018-19, led the Ducks to their first NCAA Final Four.

Ionescu was selected No. 1 overall by New York in 2020, has played four WNBA seasons with New York and is a two-time WNBA All-Star (2022, 2023). In addition, according to her WNBA profile, she was the first player in WNBA history to record 500+ points, 200+ rebounds and 200+ assists in a single season and the first player to record a Triple-Double in less than three quarters in WNBA history, as well.

Watch her play for Team USA’s Women’s Basketball team.

UPDATE: Ruben Padilla – Oakley – Trampoline Alternate

Ruben Padilla. Photo: USA Gymnastics

23-year-old Rubin Padilla of Oakley is also in Paris for the 2024 Olympics and a member of Team USA. But according to his mother, Nelia, “Ruben is the alternate for trampoline. We are aware he will not compete.”

According to his Team USA profile, Padilla began gymnastics at age 5 when his mother enrolled him in a class because he always used furniture as gym equipment as a child.

Among his many World Championship medals, Padilla won four gold medals, including in 2023 for All Around Team – Mixed, Double Mini Trampoline – Men and Double Mini Trampoline Team – Men; and in 2022 for Double Mini Trampoline – Men. According to the USA Gymnastics website he is the 2024 U.S. trampoline, double mini and synchro champion. See video of Padilla defending his World Title in the Double Mini at Trampoline Worlds in November 2023.

Ed Givans and CJ Nickolas in 2018. Source: Ed Givans. CJ, Ed and Faith Dillon in May 2024. Photo courtesy of Grandmaster Clint Robinson, Robinson’s Taekwondo. CJ and Faith. Source: Givans Taekwondo

Former Antioch Resident Ed Givans, Trainer, USA Taekwondo

As mentioned, Nickolas’ dad, former Antioch resident Ed Givans, who owned Givans Taekwondo in the city before relocating it to Las Vegas a few years ago, trained CJ until he was 18.

Givans is also on the Tournament Committee for USA Taekwondo and has another athlete he trained who made the four-person U.S. taekwondo team at the Olympics, Faith Dillon. According to the Team USA website, she earned her spot during the Pan Am qualification tournament in April.

Read more about her and watch Faith fight in the 57 kg. category on August 8th.

Learn more about all the members on the Team USA 2024 Olympic Roster at www.teamusa.com/paris-2024/olympics/roster and watch all the athletes compete on NBC channels.

Go, Team USA! Bring home the gold!

Misinformation and Disinformation: Election Edition in Lafayette Aug. 22

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Source: LWV

By Gail Murray, League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley

Learn how to spot fake news, fact-check sources and navigate the complexities of today’s media landscape to become a more informed voter and citizen.

The presentation by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley will take place in the Homework Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.

Register at www.tinyurl.com/LAF-misinfo

Contact programs@lwvdv.org for more information.