Contra Costa Herald

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

Orinda attorney Gina Dashman appointed Contra Costa Superior Court Commissioner

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By Matt Malone, Public Information Officer, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County

Gina Dashman. From her LinkedIn profile.

The Court is very pleased to announce the appointment of Gina Dashman as Commissioner. Commissioner Dashman will preside over Department 57, handling traffic, unlawful detainer, small claims, and restraining order matters with morning calendars at the Pittsburg courthouse and afternoon calendars at the Wakefield Taylor courthouse in Martinez. Commissioner Dashman assumed her role effective April 27, 2020.

The 60-year-old Orinda resident is an experienced and accomplished lawyer who, prior to her appointment, was an equity partner at Haapala, Thompson & Abern LLP since 2014, where she had also been an associate since 2009. Previously, she was of counsel at Stein, Rudser, Cohen & Magid from 2002-2009, an associate and partner at Buresh, Kaplan, Jang & Feller from 1988-2002, and an associate at Epstein, Becker & Green from 1986-1988.

Dashman served as President of Women Lawyers of Alameda County from 2018-2019 and on the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association from 2018-2020. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University School of Law in 1986 and her Bachelor of Arts degree from U.C. Berkeley in 1983.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Dashman is also a published author of Neighbor Disputes-Law and Litigation, and United States Corporate Disinvestment from South Africa: The Financial Rand and Exchange Control.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Critical rail replacement coming at Orinda BART Station; first track shutdown weekend May 9-10

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BART is moving forward with a track replacement project near the Orinda Station, which will require five weekend track shutdowns between the Lafayette and Rockridge stations.  Preliminary work is already underway on the effort to replace critical track components that in many cases date back to when BART first started service on its main Contra Costa line in 1973. This replacement effort has been designated as an essential public works project per the region’s public health orders issued in response to the coronavirus.  The project is being conducted for the safety of BART passengers and employees.

The shutdown weekends are May 9-10, May 23-25 (Memorial Day weekend), June 6-7, June 20-21, and July 4-5.  Free buses will replace trains on those weekends and riders should expect delays of 20-25 minutes.

BART closely examined the possibility of moving up the track shutdown weekends to minimize impacts to the public.  However, it was determined this wasn’t possible because BART couldn’t acquire needed materials for the project ahead of schedule. BART is prioritizing the safety of its workers and contractors by following social distancing guidelines for all critical infrastructure projects that are allowed to proceed under state and regional stay-at-home orders.

The work will require temporary, late night and early morning lane closures of Highway 24 in Orinda to make way for construction equipment.  Periodic overnight lane closures in Orinda begin in mid-April. These overnight lane closures will involve no more than two lanes and are expected to have minimal impact on Highway 24 drivers.  Unlike similar work completed last year in Lafayette, this project will NOT require weekend daytime lane closures on Highway 24.

BART crews will work around-the-clock on shutdown weekends to replace critical railway components.

Project highlights include:

  • Replacing four track switches that are at the end of their useful lives. These are large track components that can measure up to 200 feet in length and allow trains to move from line to line.
  • Installing approximately 3,000 feet of new rail.
  • Replacing approximately 300 badly worn wooden ties with longer-lasting, concrete ones.
  • Replacing 600 to 800 tons of rock ballast, which is essential for stabilizing the rail.

Many of the components being replaced are more than 40 years-old and have reached the end of their design life.  Once the project is complete BART customers will experience a more comfortable ride and trains will be quieter for riders and neighbors.

BART making gains on capital work during the stay-at-home order

While BART was unable to accelerate the timeline of this project, the agency is continuing work to improve the system and rebuild aging infrastructure.

Extremely low ridership and the new 9 pm service closure are allowing new opportunities for progress on capital projects.  Several projects are being advanced during this period including the 19th Street Station Modernization, El Cerrito Del Norte Station Modernization, Rail Grinding, Rail Replacement, and Transbay Tube Cathodic Protection.

Capital projects are not paid for by operating funds, which means the huge revenue loss from the ridership decline isn’t delaying infrastructure work.  Many capital projects are supported by Measure RR, which was approved by BART District voters in 2016.  The bond measure provides BART with $3.5 billion in funding for infrastructure work. The rail replacement project near the Orinda Station is funded by RR.

Track revitalization to begin this summer in Hayward

A second major track replacement project is scheduled to begin this summer on the weekend of July 18-19 near the Hayward Station.  The work is expected to require five weekend track shutdowns between the Bay Fair and South Hayward stations.  Free buses will replace trains on those weekends and riders can expect delays of 20-40 minutes.  The track shutdown weekends are scheduled to be July 18-19, August 1-2, August 22-23, September 5-7 (Labor Day weekend), and September 19-20.  More details will be announced closer to the start of work.

Orinda home, car burn in early morning 2-alarm fire Sunday

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Orinda home and car burn early Sunday morning. The burning car rolled down the driveway and into the firetruck. By MOFD.

By Moraga-Orinda Fire Department

Moraga-Orinda Fire District crews responded to a fully involved structure fire off Arroyo Drive in Orinda early this morning. The fire grew to a second alarm before being contained. The fire attack was complicated by a burning car that rolled down the driveway and into the MOFD fire engine.

No residents or responders were injured, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Campolindo boys’ basketball beats De La Salle to be NorCal champions but state championship game cancelled due to coronavirus concerns

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The 2019-20 Campolindo Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team. Photo from Campolindo High Athletics.

First time CIF basketball championships were cancelled

By Allen Payton

The Campolindo Cougars of Moraga made it to the state championship game scheduled for tonight, Friday, March 13, 2020, by beating De Le Salle in the NorCal Division 1 championship game 54-49 Tuesday night. (See game video highlights here) But in response to concerns over the coronavirus, on Thursday morning the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) cancelled the 12 state championship games and one Northern California Open semifinal game. That includes the Division 1 game between the number 7 ranked Campolindo and the number 8 ranked Ribet Academy Fighting Frogs of Los Angeles.

Campolindo ended the season unbeaten in league at 12-0 and with an overall record of 26-6. Ribet finished with a 30-3 overall record and 7-1 in league.

In the CIF news release announcing the cancellations, it states:

“Effective Immediately – The California Interscholastic Federation (‘CIF’) has canceled all remaining CIF State Basketball Championship games. This includes regional finals scheduled for March 12, 2020, and the CIF State finals scheduled for March 13-14, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. This decision was made after careful deliberation and in the primary interest of protecting the health and safety of our member schools, fans, and most importantly, our student-athletes. While we understand this decision is disappointing, we strongly believe that the opportunity to compete in this event does not outweigh our obligation to place the health and safety of our member schools and school communities above all else.

We want to recognize the hard work and commitment our student-athletes have made to reach the State Basketball Championships. The impact of COVID-19 created many unexpected challenges during this year’s tournament season, and we want to thank everyone involved for their flexibility, patience, and commitment in providing our student-athletes a great experience despite this unique situation.

For those that have already purchased tickets for the March 13-14, 2020 games at Golden 1 Center, refunds will be made available at the original point of purchase. If tickets were purchased online via ticketmaster.com, refunds will be processed automatically.

Ron Nocetti

CIF Executive Director

According to Cal-Hi Sports, this was the first time the state basketball championships have been cancelled since the competition begin 1981.

“This is not the first time that the CIF has had to cancel a state championship event, but it’s the first time since World War II. The only CIF state finals in those days was the CIF state track meet and it was not held because of the war for 1942 through 1945. The worldwide flu epidemic in the late 1910s also caused the CIF not to conduct regional football championships in 1918 as well as the 1919 state championships in basketball. Those early years of the CIF state basketball championships began in 1916 and were halted in 1928.

There also was great disruption to the 2018 CIF state football championships due to an outside force, but it was due to the natural disaster in Northern California known as the Camp Fire and the immense amount of smoke it generated that stayed locked near the ground for several weeks. In that case, the CIF moved its state football finals back one week, but no championship games were cancelled.”

An attempt to reach Campolindo Coach Steven Dyer for comment was unsuccessful before publication. Please check back later for updates to this report.

Police arrest suspect connected to bank robberies in Contra Costa County

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Bank robbery suspect Brendan Gray. Photo by CCCSheriff.

Alamo resident

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Thursday, February 20, 2020, at about 3:35 PM, Lafayette and Walnut Creek Police arrested 41-year-old Brendan Gray at his home in Alamo. Gray is a suspect in a series of recent bank robberies that occurred in Contra Costa County.

On February 19, 2020, at about 3:46 PM, a bank robbery happened at the Wells Fargo Bank on the 3600 block of Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. During the investigation, Detectives determined that robbery was connected to one that occurred at the Wells Fargo Bank on Moraga Way in Orinda on February 12, 2020, and at a Wells Fargo Bank in Walnut Creek on February 1, 2020.

Lafayette Police Detectives, assisted by Danville Police, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, and Walnut Creek Police were able to identify a suspect vehicle and identify Brendan Gray as the suspect in the robberies.

An arrest warrant was obtained and with the assistance of Walnut Creek PD, Gray was taken into custody without incident. Gray was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on three counts of first degree robbery. He is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail.

The Lafayette Police Department is asking anyone with additional information regarding these cases to contact Detectives at (925) 283-3680 or (925) 299-3234 or email Sergeant Rossberg at tross@so.cccounty.us. Tips could also be emailed to the Lafayette Police Department at: 94549TIP@gmail.com

Miramonte High teacher arrested for sex abuse of students at Acalanes in late 90’s

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Suspect Kyle Ann Wood. Photo by CCCSheriff.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at about 6:30 PM, Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff arrested 54-year-old Kyle Ann Wood at her home in Pleasant Hill.

The Lafayette Police Department, assisted by the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division, recently began an investigation into Wood after receiving reports of alleged inappropriate and unlawful relationships between Wood and two minors. The crimes occurred between 1996-1998. The victims were students at Acalanes High School where Wood was a teacher.

Wood is currently a teacher at Miramonte High School in Orinda.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed felony sex charges against Wood. She was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility and is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.

The investigation is ongoing. The Lafayette Police Department is asking anyone with additional information regarding this case to contact detectives at (925) 283-3680 or (925) 299-3234 or email Sergeant T. Rossberg at tross@so.cccounty.us.

Wanted felon arrested in stolen car following police pursuit from Orinda to San Leandro Thursday

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Photo: CCC Sheriff

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Thursday, January 2, 2020, at about 11:16 PM, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff was advised about a stolen vehicle on Highway 24. The vehicle was stolen out of Alameda County.

A Lafayette Police Officer located the stolen vehicle on westbound 24 at the Wilder exit and followed it. Sheriff’s Office STARR 1 helicopter provided aerial support for the officer.

In the area of Marina Boulevard and Highway 880 in San Leandro, the officer, assisted by other agencies, attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop. The suspect did not yield and drove away at a high rate of speed. The officers terminated the pursuit, while STARR 1 stayed overhead monitoring the vehicle’s location.

CHP helicopter. Photo: Wikimedia

The suspect drove to the Bay Fair BART station where he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot along the tracks. STARR 1 and a CHP helicopter located the suspect who was trying to hide from officers. The suspect was later arrested after surrendering.

The suspect is identified as 20-year-old Joseph Willis. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges that include felony evading, obstruction, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, and multiple weapons violations including felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a stolen firearm and having large capacity magazines. Willis also had three outstanding out of county arrest warrants. Willis, who was also booked for a probation viola-tion, is being held without bail.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Stolen vehicle suspect arrested in Lafayette with two firearms found in car

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Saturday, December 21, 2019, at about 11:51 AM, Contra Costa Deputy Sheriffs located an occupied stolen vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 24 near the Pleasant Hill Road exit in Lafayette.

The vehicle continued on Highway 24 and eventually exited on 12th Street in Oakland.

Deputies followed the vehicle waiting for cover units to arrive. At no time did Deputies pursue the vehicle. A Deputy conducted a traffic enforcement stop in the area of Willow Street and Goss Street in Oakland.

With the assistance of the Oakland Police Department, the driver and passenger were both detained.

A search of the vehicle found two firearms under the possession of the driver, who was identified as 44-year-old Andres Williams of Oakland.

Williams was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges that include felon in possession of a firearm, stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, and a parole hold. The passenger, who is not being identified, was released at the scene.

The Contra Costa Deputy Sheriffs involved in this case were part of the additional Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies assigned to both Lafayette and Orinda following recent violent crimes in those cities.

These Deputy Sheriffs are supplementing Lafayette and Orinda Police Departments’ regular patrols. ​Additional security measures have also been stepped up and are ongoing.

Three die in Highway 4 crash in Orinda, early Saturday morning

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Scene of the fatal crash in Orinda. Photo by KTVU Fox2.

By CHP-Contra Costa

Early this morning at approximately 3:07 a.m., CHP Contra Costa responded to a solo vehicle collision on Highway 24 westbound, just east of Camino Pablo in the Orinda area. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, a red 2009 Nissan Versa had crashed off the roadway head on into a tree, causing major damage. Tragically all three male occupants were killed in the crash. The two male passengers were a 31-year-old from Oakland and a 22-year-old from Hayward. The male driver was unable to be identified at the scene of the collision. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroners Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased passengers and also the identity of the deceased driver.

Our preliminary investigation indicates the Nissan was traveling westbound on HWY-24, at a speed yet to be determined, when the driver allowed the vehicle to veer to the right completely off the roadway and into the hillside with numerous trees, located just north of the highway. The Nissan then struck a tree head on, where it came to rest. All three males were still within the Nissan upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival and tragically all three males were pronounced deceased at the scene.

At this time it is unknown if alcohol or drug impairment were a factor in this collision but it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980.