Contra Costa Herald

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

Pleasant Hill man arrested for attempted sexual abuse of minor

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Peter Joseph Digangi. Photo: Pleasant Hill PD

Arranged meeting with 13-year-old boy

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

In August of 2023, Pleasant Hill Police Detectives participated in an operation with the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in a proactive online investigation.

On August 16, 2023 Peter Joseph Digangi (age 65 of Pleasant Hill, CA) engaged in an explicit online conversation and sent obscene materials to an undercover agent who was posing as a 13-year-old boy on a social media/dating application. Digangi arranged to meet with who he believed to be a 13-year-old boy and was arrested by police upon arrival. A search warrant for Digangi’s home and electronic devices was granted by a Superior Court magistrate. The search yielded numerous electronic/storage devices and a preliminary examination of those devices yielded child sexual assault material. Digangi was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on multiple felony charges.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against Digangi for violations of 288.4(b) PC- Meeting with a minor for lewd/lascivious acts, 288.3 (a) PC- Contacting a minor for lewd/lascivious acts, 664/288(a) PC- Attempted lewd/lascivious acts with minor under 14, 288.2(a)(1) PC- Sending explicit/obscene material to a minor, and 311.11(c)(1) PC- Possession of 600+ images of child pornography including at least 10 images of children under age 12.

The Pleasant Hill Police Department routinely participates in these operations in order to identify and arrest suspects who target minors. This is a good reminder to parents and young teens about the potential dangers associated to activity on social media/online platforms.

We would like to thank our local and federal partners who participated on this operation.

If you have any questions, tips, or believe you may be a victim in a case such as this, please contact PHPD Investigations at 925-288-4600 or PDInvestigations@Pleasanthillpd.org.

Suspect arrested for armed robbery of mail carrier in Concord

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By Concord Police Department

On Thursday, August 24, 2023, you may have seen a large Concord Police Department presence in the Blackfield Drive area of Concord and later in the City of Vallejo. We’d like to tell you why.

One of our local US Postal Service mail carriers was robbed at gun point while delivering mail to our residents of Concord. Through witness statements, video surveillance, and other investigative leads, our Patrol Officers and Detectives of our Investigations Division identified the suspect vehicle and involved persons.

Last night at about 10 PM, our Patrol officers located the suspect vehicle driving in Concord and initiated a high-risk felony stop on Blackfield Drive with the assistance of STARR 3, Air Support Unit – Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff. Several subjects were detained and taken into custody for various crimes.

Our Detectives also identified a related suspect house in the City of Vallejo and our Crisis Negotiations Team and SWAT Team served a search warrant early this morning, resulting in the recovery of evidence related to the armed robbery.

We would like to thank our residents in the community who called in suspicious activity in their neighborhood and provided valuable information to our investigators.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no other information is being released at this time. If anyone has any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Rutland, Major Crimes Unit – Investigations Division at (925) 603-5853 or the Anonymous Tip line at (925) 603-5826

Brentwood man arrested, charged for discharging firearm in Walnut Creek

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Suspect Eric Clausen placed in the back of a police vehicle on August 16, 2023. WCPD video screenshot.

By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police Department

On August 16, 2023, at about 9:13pm, Walnut Creek Police Department received a call of a vehicle driving recklessly on N. Main Street traveling toward the City of Pleasant Hill, and the driver was reportedly holding a gun. A short time later, a witness called Dispatch to report a male crashed his vehicle in a shopping center located at 2900 N. Main Street, then discharged a gun in the air several times after exiting the vehicle. A Walnut Creek Police Officer in the area heard the gunfire and was on scene within seconds, but the suspect fled the area on foot. Officers set up a perimeter and began a search, which included the use of drones and assistance from a CHP helicopter.

At approximately 10:21pm, a WCPD Officer located the suspect behind a nearby business and the suspect was safely taken into custody without incident. The firearm involved in this case was later located by officers. There were no reported injuries to the suspect, officers, or anyone in the area.

Eric Ross Clausen, a 30-year-old Hispanic male from Brentwood (born 5/21/93), was arrested for various weapons violations and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, as of August 31 the 5-foot-11-inch, 160-lb suspect was still in custody at the West County Detention Center being held on $100,000 bail.

On August 18th, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed the following charges against Clausen:

PC 29800(a)(1) – Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

PC 246.3(a) – Willful Discharge of a Firearm with Gross Negligence

PC 25850(a) – Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Public Place

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.

Save Mount Diablo protects critical Balcerzak Inholding property within Mount Diablo State Park

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Save Mount Diablo has purchased the “Balcerzak Inholding” including the most remote house on Mount Diablo. Balcerzak Inholding – Mt. Diablo View 2023 by Justin Gray, jryder.photography 

Must raise at least $500,000 and hopefully more for the land acquisition project. 

By Laura Kindsvater, Senior Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

On August 8, three weeks after signing a purchase agreement, Save Mount Diablo closed escrow and acquired the 10-acre “Balcerzak Inholding” property for $1,075,000, including a two-year, interest-only loan to cover half the purchase price. The “Balcerzak Inholding” is a small knoll and steep slopes nestled in an extremely rugged side canyon dropping from Knobcone Point into Curry Canyon, east of the State Park’s Curry Point. It includes a log cabin house and other structures.

“It is a major deal acquiring and protecting one of the few remaining private land inholdings within Mount Diablo State Park.  It is even more significant when you consider the time pressure and competition we had to face when the property was put on the market, and we were working to try and secure what had been an at-risk and beautiful inholding threatening Mount Diablo State Park.  We are already working with our valued agency partners, California State Parks and the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, to get this land added to Mount Diablo State Park as soon as they can. Our terrific donors have also been reaching out to help us,” said Ted Clement, Save Mount Diablo Executive Director.

The “Balcerzak Inholding” property was listed on a Monday and the Save Mount Diablo team lined up Board approval, secured a loan, and took other steps to be in the running for this land acquisition opportunity within a few days.

Save Mount Diablo’s “Balcerzak Inholding” is below the Knobcone Point Trail in upper Curry Canyon. AERIAL Balcerzak – 02-2022 by Save Mount Diablo

The 20,000-acre Mt. Diablo State Park has five inholdings — private land surrounded by public land. Inholdings are a unique opportunity for the landowner: isolation, views and spectacular beauty surrounded by nature but with special challenges including fires, floods, wildlife, privacy concerns and public recreational use. From a park agency’s perspective, private properties within parks create management challenges, impact resources and can conflict with recreational use.

The “Balcerzak Inholding” includes a large log cabin house, barns and outbuildings as well as four converging stream canyons and black oaks, blue oaks, chaparral, and fire adapted knobcone pine woodland, near SMD’s 1,080 Curry Canyon Ranch property. Reached three miles up a steep dirt road from Morgan Territory Road near Clayton, as well as several fords of Curry Creek, the property is closer to Blackhawk and Danville. There is not a more isolated house in a more isolated canyon on all of Mt. Diablo.

“Curry Canyon’s side canyons are incredible,” said Seth Adams, SMD’s Land Conservation Director. “We did our due diligence, but we could have practically bought this property sight unseen. We knew from our Curry Canyon Ranch property just how rich the biodiversity is—we’ve recorded over 800 species of wildlife there. There are big rocky sandstone cliffs, knobcone pine forest just above the property and cultural sites nearby.  This inholding has been affecting hundreds of acres of the State Park. We’re reassembling a gorgeous natural landscape.”

Save Mount Diablo’s “Balcerzak Inholding” is surrounded by Mt. Diablo State Park near SMD’s Curry Canyon Ranch, southeast of the mountain’s summit. Reached through Clayton, it’s closer to Blackhawk and Danville. Area Map – Balcerzak 8-2023 by Save Mount Diablo

The Balcerzak inholding wasn’t originally an inholding. It was part of the 6-lot Mann subdivision. “Backhoe Bob” Balcerzak purchased one of the lots in 1984 and built a large log cabin. In the 1960s Mt. Diablo State Park acquired part of the Blackhawk Ranch and expanded the park east down Curry Canyon from Curry Point and the Knobcone Point ridge. Later, five of the Mann parcels were purchased by the State in 1986 and 1987, completely encircling Balcerzak.  Bob Balcerzak passed away in September 2022 and his wife Barbara Ackerman put the property on the market in June.

Every rural community hopes for a neighbor like “Backhoe Bob” Balcerzak, handy, helpful and with a lot of tools and heavy equipment. For many years Bob Balcerzak helped maintain the fire road up Curry Canyon. But he was also blustering and protective of his property. He actively discouraged hikers on the adjacent public trail which climbed from the bottom of Curry Canyon and dead ended at the neighboring Bertagnolli property. Save Mount Diablo purchased Bertagnolli in 2013 and renamed it “Curry Canyon Ranch.”

Curry Canyon is a special high priority acquisition area for Save Mount Diablo. Diablo’s main peaks have many large canyons, such as Pine Canyon and Mitchell Canyon, most with fire roads and regional staging areas with lots of parking. Visitors love the easy access and shade in stream canyons. The exceptions were Riggs Canyon on Finley Road, where East Bay Regional Park District bought 768-acre Finley Road Ranch in April with Save Mount Diablo’s help, to provide better access.

Save Mount Diablo’s “Balcerzak Inholding” includes a log cabin, barns and other structures. Balcerzak House 2023 by Justin Gray, jryder.photography

And Curry Canyon with its “Sloan Road” which dropped east from Curry Point and Rock City. Early promoters billed it as the “Stockton Road’ or east entrance to the mountain, but legal public access wasn’t formally established. Save Mount Diablo and the State have preserved 5/6ths of the canyon and SMD has secured two other access routes. In March Save Mount Diablo also opened to the public a missing piece of the Knobcone Point Trail across its Curry Canyon Ranch property, connecting Curry Point and the Knobcone Point area in the State Park along a ridge east to Riggs Canyon. The bottom of Curry Canyon is still private, but the new Balcerzak acquisition will allow several new trail loops to be opened from the State Park across Curry Canyon Ranch.

But first Save Mount Diablo must raise at least $500,000 and hopefully more for the Balcerzak land acquisition project.  When Balcerzak was listed on the market, SMD was already committed to three other acquisitions, including its Krane Pond land acquisition project, in which it must complete fundraising for the $500,000 project by October, and its North Peak Ranch project near Clayton.  To move fast at Balcerzak, the organization took out a 2-year, interest only loan. As soon as possible within these two years Save Mount Diablo will look to receive funding support from its partner agencies.

Second, there will be a big cleanup effort at Balcerzak.  Although we’ve passed the property many times on the fire road, we only recently got a closer look.  The owners have done quite a bit to get the property ready for the market, but after 40 years there has been a big accumulation of ranch and construction materials. “Our stewardship volunteers love this kind of project,” said Land Programs Director Sean Burke. “We will spend hundreds of hours beautifying and healing this magical canyon.”

About Save Mount Diablo

Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, watersheds, and connection to the Diablo Range through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide educational and recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources. To learn more, please visit https://www.savemountdiablo.org .

Celebrate California Biodiversity Day Sept. 7

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With more than 60 events at over 40 State Parks

More activities taking place week of September 2-10

California State Parks invites the public to become community scientists and celebrate California Biodiversity Day, September 7. More than 40 parks statewide will be hosting more than 60 special events and engaging activities all week long from September 2 to 10. The public is also invited to a friendly bioblitz competition to see who can record the highest number of species of plants and animals in California’s State Park System. Humboldt Redwoods State Park currently holds the record of 380 species identified in 2022.

This year marks the fifth annual celebration of California Biodiversity Day since it was first established in 2018. Since then, several executive orders and other actions by the Newsom Administration – such as the Pathways to 30×30 strategy, California’s initiative to conserve 30 percent of lands and coastal waters by 2030 – have built on this foundation to understand and protect California’s unique and precious natural resources.

In 2023, the public can choose from a variety of activities like “Perk Up in the Park” where visitors can enjoy a hot beverage and learn about Mount Tamalpais State Park’s unique biodiversity or appreciate birds with an environmental scientist at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, or they can go on self-guided bioblitzes. Using the free iNaturalist app, participants can use their smartphones to record the different species of animals, insects, plants, fungi and more thriving within the parks. The photographs and locations of species captured during the bioblitzes in iNaturalist will help monitor the presence and range of species and contribute to an overall understanding of California’s extraordinary biodiversity.

Below are additional activities taking place throughout the week of September 2 to 10:

  • Salton Sea State Recreation Area – During California Biodiversity Week, visitors can go on self-guided bioblitzes and observe as many species as they can to show off the amazing biodiversity the desert has to offer. Download the iNaturalist app, take a picture, and share your findings. Get more details on the iNaturalist app.
  • Sue-meg State Park – Participate in a tidepool bioblitz from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 2. Join the interpreters to explore the tidepools at Agate Beach and learn about the plants and animals that live there. Meet at the Agate Beach trailhead at 8 a.m. to hike down to the tidepools with the interpreters or meet them at the tidepools anytime from 8 to 10 a.m. The hike to Agate Beach is approximately half a mile downhill.
  • Crystal Cove State Park – Celebrate California Biodiversity Day on September 7 at 9 a.m. with a biodiversity bioblitz hike. Join staff for an easy one-mile hike down Moro Canyon to explore the park’s beautiful backcountry while identifying and documenting animal and plant species using the iNaturalist app. Ages 8 and up are welcome. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring water, and dress in layers. No registration necessary. Participants can meet at the Berns Amphitheater in the lower Moro Day Use Area.
  • Folsom Lake State Recreation Area – Join staff for a biodiversity themed Junior Ranger program on Saturday, September 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Nimbus Flat and Black Miners Bar Day Use Areas. The event may include a scavenger hunt and introduction to iNaturalist. Get more details on the iNaturalist app.

Past events in celebration of California Biodiversity Day have included a wide range of activities that help the public observe, understand, appreciate, and protect the amazing diversity of life in California’s State Park System. Some favorite activities have included guided nature hikes, birding walks, tide pool tours, nighttime forays, creek sampling and virtual events. The public can find this year’s full list of events at parks.ca.gov/Biodiversity and additional events at California Natural Resources Agency’s Biodiversity Day website.

What will you find during California Biodiversity Week? Observe and record the unique diversity of life within California’s State Park System using the iNaturalist app.

Subscribe to California State Parks News online at parks.ca.gov/newsroom.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

Sarale wins Bock Memorial at Antioch Speedway 

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Caden Sarale #14 won the Doug Bock Memorial race for the BCRA Midgets. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Johns, Wagner, Davis, Land, Hannagan also winners

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…August 26…Caden Sarale of Stockton won the 30 lap BCRA Midgets Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. When long time car owner Doug Bock recently passed away, it was decided to make this a memorial race in his honor, and it was also the second leg of the Triple Crown Series for the group.

Sarale jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Danika Jo Parker of Oakdale and Ben Worth of Coalinga. On the fourth lap, the race came to a grinding halt when David Gasper of Santa Barbara flipped in Turn 4. Before the race even restarted, the USAC Midgets regular was able to rejoin the field at the back of the pack after quick repairs. Sarale continued to lead Parker on the restart, but Worth moved into second on Lap 6.

The leaders caught heavy traffic by the 10th circuit, but the smooth driving Sarale held a straightaway advantage ahead of Worth at that point. Nikko Panella of Stockton slipped past Parker for second on Lap 17, but a yellow flag negated the pass. Sarale continued to lead Worth and Parker on the restart, but Panella moved into third by Lap 19. Moments later, Worth stalled in Turn 2 for a yellow flag as his race came to an end.

Blaine Craft #35 came to rest next to the fence after his wild ride out the Turn 1 exit gate saw him flip over the K rail. He was not injured. Photo by Candice Martin

Sarale led Panella and the resurgent Gasper on the restart. However, a red flag waved on Lap 21 after a scary incident with another car sent Blaine Craft of Elk Grove out the Turn 1 exit gate, over the K rail and into the fence. Fortunately, he was not injured. Sarale continued to lead Panella and Gasper on the restart. Gasper was pressuring Panella for second before making the move on Lap 27. However, nobody was stopping Sarale as he sped home to victory ahead of Gasper, Panella, Blake Bower of Brentwood and Bryant Bell of Oakley.

Ken Johns #32 maintained his hold on second in points with his second Hobby Stock feature triumph. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Ken Johns won the 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. This was his second win of the season as he maintains second in the championship standings.

Colten Haney of Brentwood set the early pace ahead of Kevin Brown of Oakley and Johns. Aidan Ponciano of Oakley briefly got by Johns for third, but Johns reclaimed the spot on Lap 3. Johns slipped past Brown for second on the sixth lap and made a Turn 4 pass on Lap 8 to take the lead from Haney. Hard charging Danny Wagner of Bay Point moved into fourth on Lap 6 after an opening lap spin and settled into third two laps later.

Wagner overtook Haney for second in Turn 2 on Lap 9. Chris Long of Antioch moved into third on Lap 12 as Wagner was pressuring Johns for the lead. Wagner made a Turn 4 pass on Lap 17 to take over, only to see his pass negated by a yellow flag involving point leader Grayson Baca of Brentwood.

Johns led the restart, but Wagner went low in Turn 1 on Lap 18 to again claim the lead. Wagner spun in Turn 1 with mechanical issues. Johns led the final restart and won ahead of Long, Ponciano, the resurgent Baca and Brown.

Danny Wagner #11 picked up his third Delta Dwarf Car Main Event victory. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Reigning Delta Dwarf Car champion Danny Wagner of Bay Point won his third 20 lap Main Event of the season in thrilling fashion. The recently crowned South Bay Dwarf Car champion made a last lap pass on point leader Chance Russell of Antioch to steal the victory.

The Dwarf Cars had a non-stop affair with Russell charging out to the early lead ahead of Wagner. Russell and Wagner began to pull ahead as Sean Catucci of Brentwood settled into third. Antioch’s David Michael Rosa moved into fourth and enjoyed a good battle with Catucci before getting by. As the race hit the stretch run, Wagner began to put serious pressure on Russell.

The leaders caught slower traffic on Lap 18 with Wagner making an outside pass in Turn 2 to briefly grab second. However, Russell went motoring ahead down the back straightaway. As the leaders hit the final turn, Wagner made his move on the inside and beat Russell back to line in a drag race for the thrilling victory. Rosa ended up third ahead of Catucci and Eric Weisler of Campbell.

Tom Davis #75 scored his eighth win of the season in the West Coast Sport Compact race. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Tom Davis of Los Molinos won the 20 Lap House of Juju West Coast Sport Compact Main Event. This was his eighth win of the season at the track and first on the tour.

Austin Sprague of Merced took the early lead ahead of Chris Corder of Modesto and Tony Quinonez of Corning. Davis got past Quinonez for third on the second lap and slipped past Corder for second on Lap 3. Davis put the moves on Sprague in Turn 2 on Lap 6 to grab the lead. Reigning champion Tom Brown of Santa Rosa gained third on Lap 8 and set his sights on Sprague. Brown finally got by on Lap 16 with a Turn 4 pass. However, Davis had a comfortable advantage by then as he went on to victory. Sprague settled for third ahead of Dan Myrick of Coalinga and Corder.

Matt Land #91 made a late move to win the BCRA Lightning Sprint Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Matt Land of Elk Grove won the BCRA Lightning Sprint 20 lap Main Event with a late move around Series point leader Dakota Albright of Waterford. Albright broke the point lead wide open when rival Greg Dennett of Livermore scratched prior to the Main Event.

Albright took the early lead ahead of Land rookie Jason Schostag of Diamond Springs. On the 12th lap, Land spun in Turn 4 to fall back the third, but Schostag stalled at the Turn 1 exit gate for a yellow flag. On the restart, Land began to pressure Albright before making an inside pass on the front stretch on Lap 19 to take the lead. Land scored the thrilling victory ahead of Albright and Schostag.

Joel Hannagan drove the Junkyard Dog #16 Hardtop to his fifth win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Joel Hannagan of San Jose won the 15 lap Hardtop Main Event. This was the fifth win of the season for the point leader aboard the Doug Braudrick owned Junkyard Dog.

Brad Coello of Oakley took the early lead in the Tommy Thomson owned car, but Hannagan raced by on the inside down the front stretch a lap later to take over. Hannagan set a rapid pace and stretched his advantage to half a lap over Coelho by the time the race was over. Joe Shenefield of Modesto ended up third ahead of Ken Clifford of Antioch.

David Amsted and Jim DeJong brought their Vintage Midgets for some exhibition laps. The cars are a throwback to what represented the BCRA Midget class in the 1940s and 1950s.

The track takes a break for Labor Day weekend and returns on September 8th and 9th with the Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour. On September 15th and 16th, it will be Hall of Fame weekend with two nights of racing. For further information, go to http://www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results – August 26, 2023

BCRA Midgets

FT-Ben Worth 14.298. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Ben Worth, Caden Sarale, Blake Bower. Main Event (30 laps)-Caden Sarale, David Gasper, Nikko Panella, Blake Bower, Bryant Bell, Danika Jo Parker, Michael Snider, Anthony Bruno, Marvin Mitchell, Floyd Alvis.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Aidan Ponciano, Chris Long. Main Event (20 laps)-Ken Johns, Chris Long, Aidan Ponciano, Grayson Baca, Kevin Brown, Breanna Troen, Charlie Bryant, Jess Paladino, Maddie Motts, John Keith.

Hardtops

Heat Winner (6 laps)-Joel Hannagan. Main Event (15 laps)-Joel Hannagan, Brad Coello, Joe Shenefield, Ken Clifford, Bob Slaney DNS.

Delta Dwarf Cars

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Danny Wagner, David Michael Rosa. Main Event (20 laps)-Danny Wagner, Chance Russell, David Michael Rosa, Sean Catucci, Eric Weisler, Travis Day, Devan Kammermann, Mark Biscardi, David Rosa, Elie Russo.

BCRA Lightning Sprints

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Greg Dennett. Main Event (20 laps)-Matt Land, Dakota Albright, Jason Schostag, Greg Dennett DNS, Chris Crowder DNS.

House of Juju West Coast Sport Compacts

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Tom Brown, Tom Davis. Main Event (20 laps)-Tom Davis, Tom Brown, Austin Sprague, Dan Myrick, Chris Corder, Tony Quinonez, Gene Glover, Kevin Thompson, Josh Applebaum, Rick Berry.

Oriental Fruit Flies detected near Brentwood and Oakley, quarantine to be announced

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Oriental Fruit Fly. Source: Contra Costa County

The fly is known to target over 230 different fruit, vegetable, and plant commodities.

The Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner, in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture, has initiated an extensive survey and eradication plan in response to the detection of seven male oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis, near the cities of Brentwood and Oakley in Contra Costa County.

The initial detection was confirmed on August 25, 2023. The detections were made as part of the department’s coordinated pest prevention system that protects the County’s agriculture and natural resources from invasive species with early detection as a key component to successfully eradicating an infestation before it can become established.

The extensive survey, also known as a delimitation survey, consists of multiple oriental fruit fly traps at prescribed densities placed in concentric circles going out 4.5 miles in each direction from the oriental fruit fly detection sites. Seven Oriental Fruit Flies will trigger a quarantine which will be announced shortly by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Following the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), agricultural officials use “male attractant” technique as the mainstay of the eradication effort for this invasive species. This approach has successfully eliminated dozens of fruit fly infestations in California. Trained workers squirt a small patch of fruit fly attractant mixed with a very small dose of Spinosad, a natural pesticide made by soil bacterium and is approved for use on organic crops, approximately 8-10 feet off the ground on street trees and similar surfaces; male fruit flies are attracted to the mixture and perish after consuming it. The male attractant treatment program is being carried out over an area that extends 1.5 miles from each site where the oriental fruit flies were trapped.

While fruit flies and other invasive species that threaten California’s crops and natural environment are sometimes detected in agricultural areas, the vast majority are found in urban and suburban communities. The most common pathway for these pests to enter the state is by “hitchhiking” in fruits and vegetables brought back illegally by travelers as they return from infested regions of the world or from packages of home grown produce sent to California. Help protect California’s agricultural and natural resources; please Don’t Pack a Pest (www.dontpackapest.com) when traveling or mailing packages.

“Invasive non-native fruit flies are serious pests for California’s agricultural industry and backyard gardens,” said Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner Matt Slattengren. “These recent detections remind us that we need to remain vigilant in protecting our agricultural and natural resources. When traveling abroad or mailing packages to California, we urge the public not to bring back or ship fruits and vegetables as they are pathways for oriental fruit flies and other invasive species entering our state.”

The oriental fruit fly is known to target over 230 different fruit, vegetable, and plant commodities. Important California crops at risk include grapes, pome, stone fruits, citrus, dates, avocados, and many vegetables, particularly tomatoes and peppers. Damage occurs when the female fruit fly lays her eggs inside the fruit. The eggs hatch into maggots, which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption.

The oriental fruit fly is widespread throughout much of the mainland of southern Asia and neighboring islands, including Sri Lanka and Taiwan, and it has invaded other areas, most notably Africa and Hawaii.

Federal, state, and county agricultural officials work year-round, 365 days a year, to prevent, deter, detect, and eliminate the threat of invasive species and diseases that can damage or destroy our agricultural products and natural environment. The efforts are aimed at keeping California’s natural environment and food supply plentiful, safe, and pest-free.

Residents with questions about the project may call the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 925-608-6600 or the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899.

 

Volunteers needed for Stand Down on the Delta in Antioch Sept. 8-11

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Delta Veterans Group to serve homeless and other military veterans, members of the public

By J.R. Wilson, Founder/ President, Delta Veterans Group

The next Stand Down on the Delta will be held in September 8-11, 2023, at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) located in Antioch, CA presented by Delta Veterans Group (DVG).

DVG was proud to bring the first homeless and at-risk of becoming homeless veteran “Stand Down on the Delta” of its kind to Contra Costa County in September 2015. Stand Down on the Delta was a four-day, three-night event in which veterans were provided full medical treatments, court and legal services, DMV, chaplain services, housing, addiction and mental health counseling, employment and a myriad of other community services. During the event, veterans were also provided with clothing, meals, showers, sleeping tents, live entertainment and a safe place to “stand down” for the duration.

We will do the same for our veterans, this year as well.

Volunteers are needed to help serve our military veterans because VETERANS SERVED THEIR COUNTRY AND VETERANS SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES!

Most services on Saturday, Sept. 9 will be open to the general public. You do not need to be a veteran to receive services that day.

Veterans and volunteers can register and obtain more information by visiting www.deltaveteransgroup.org.

Delta Veterans Group is comprised of both veteran and civilian volunteers who wish to serve veterans in their community. We strive to bring our veterans the four pillars of success – Housing, Employment, Health and Education – one which will not work without the other three. Through the four pillars of success as a veteran myself, I was able to find peace and balance in my life, and a chance to bring about positive changes for veterans in our community. Our goal is simple – to bring together all of the Veteran Service Organizations in our communities and champion support for our nation’s finest men and women veterans.

Delta Veterans Group 501(c)3 was founded in Contra Costa County in 2012 by Army veteran J.R. Wilson, DVG has now grown to provide services to surrounding Northern California areas including Alameda, Monterey, Napa, San Joaquin, San Francisco, and Solano counties.

Alhambra Valley Road Slope Failure Repairs Project work Aug. 29 & 30

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Alhambra Valley Road geotechnical work map. Source: CCC Public Works

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works

Contra Costa County Public Works will be performing geotechnical borings in preparation for the Alhambra Valley Road Slope Failure Repairs Project. Work will take place on Alhambra Valley Road at three locations between Castro Ranch Road and Bear Creek Road located 1-mile, 1.3-miles, and 1.6-miles east of the intersection with Castro Ranch Road. Work will occur on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and Wednesday, August 30, 2023, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm., barring unforeseen circumstances. Drivers should expect delays up to 30 minutes during construction and are encouraged to use alternate routes.

For more information visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/AlhambraValleyRoadRepair

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org

For Construction and Project status contact, Xiuwei Tang, 925.313.2105

 

West County: One dead in Saturday night Rodeo shooting

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office

On Saturday, August 26, 2023, at about 10:34 PM, Bay Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance call on the 100 block of Rodeo Avenue in Rodeo. At about the same time, dispatch received several calls of shots being fired in the area.

Deputies arrived and located a person who was suffering from a gunshot wound. The fire department responded and began life-saving measures. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene and is not being identified at this time.

According to a KTVU FOX2 report, the victim was a mother with an eight-year-old son.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.