Contra Costa Herald

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

Man shot in arm at Pittsburg park Thursday

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Reports of drive-by during celebration of life for Antioch teen shot, killed in attempted Brentwood robbery last month

By Pittsburg Police Department

At approximately 2:15 PM, Pittsburg Police officers responded to Highlands Ranch Park after receiving multiple 911 calls regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located evidence of a shooting as well as a 24-year-old male that had sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. First aid was rendered, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

A resident reported the shooting occurred during the celebration of life for the 17-year-old Antioch resident who was shot and killed while attempting to rob an Antioch resident in Brentwood on July 14, 2023. But those details have not yet been confirmed by police.  (See related article)

Officers interviewed multiple witnesses on scene and are currently collecting and reviewing surveillance video from the area in order to identify those involved. The Pittsburg Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance and asks anyone with additional information to contact dispatch at (925) 646-2441. No further information is available at this time.

Portion of a comment on Facebook on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. Redacted by the Herald.

8/11/23 UPDATE: It was confirmed in a comment posted in the private Pittsburg Edition Rants and Raves Facebook page on on Friday, that the shooting was a drive-by and occurred during the celebration of life for the Antioch teen.

The comment reads, “We buried my 17-year-old cousin, yesterday at 11:00am, as we listened to the deep hideous sobs of his mother. We decided to celebrate the life and memory of (name withheld because he was a juvenile) at Highlands Ranch. Unfortunately, the family was victimized to a drive-by shooting.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Danville murder-suicide takes lives of man, two children Wednesday

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The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office investigated a possible murder-suicide at a residence in the 100 block of Larkwood Circle in Danville on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. At about 5:20 PM, Danville police officers responded to the residence for a welfare check. Officers entered the residence and found three bodies, an adult and two juveniles.

The fire department confirmed all three to be deceased. The adult is identified as 44-year-old Nemanja Isailovic of Danville.

According to his Linkedin page, Isailovic was a hardware and software engineer and worked since September 2016 as a Content Resource Engineer for IXL Learning in San Mateo. In 2010 he earned a doctorate in Computer Engineering from U.C. Berkeley.

There is no ongoing threat to the community. The Sheriff’s Office is still actively investigating this case.

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.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Sand Creek Road extension breaks ground in Brentwood

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Breaking ground for the Sand Creek Road extension during the ceremony are Supervisor Diane Burgis, Brentwood City Councilmembers Jovita Mendoza and Susannah Meyer, Mayor Joel Bryant, and Councilmembers Pa’tanisha Pierson and Tony Oerlemans on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Photo: City of Brentwood

Will cross Sand Creek and connect Highway 4 to Heidorn Ranch and Deer Valley Roads in Antioch

On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, a gathering of dignitaries and City of Brentwood staff marked the Sand Creek Road Extension Groundbreaking Ceremony. The long-anticipated extension is a significant milestone in enhancing Eastern Contra Costa County’s transportation infrastructure. While the City had hoped to extend an invitation to the public for the event, due to the project’s location, active construction, and concern for the safety of all participants, it was imperative to limit the total number of attendees.

With an estimated cost of $8.7M, this extension will expand Sand Creek Road at State Route 4 westward, connecting Sand Creek Road to Heidorn Ranch Road. This initiative projects to alleviate traffic congestion on adjacent streets, including Lone Tree Way, Balfour Road and Deer Valley Road. Furthermore, this extension will provide Brentwood residents and emergency personnel, an accelerated and safer route to Kaiser Permanente in Antioch.

It will “provide Brentwood residents with a direct connection to Kaiser hospital and the Innovation Center that includes the recently approved Costco to be located off of Lone Tree Plaza Drive,” Mayor Joel Bryant added.

The project will also include the bridge over the actual Sand Creek. It “was delayed a little bit. The contract was awarded back in April,” Interim Brentwood City Engineer Allen Baquilar shared.

The Sand Creek Road extension (encircled by plastic orange fencing) will include a bridge across Sand Creek (see upper left area with trees) and connect to the current segment near the Highway 4 southbound off- and on-ramps in Brentwood. Source: City of Brentwood video screenshot.

“As we move forward with this project, we must acknowledge the efforts from past City Council and staff, who have diligently paved the way. This road extension will serve as a conduit to a healthier future, providing safety and accessibility for residents traveling to our neighboring city,” emphasized City Manager Tim Ogden.

“With enthusiasm, we observe the commencement of this project. We recognize the community’s understanding and patience exhibited while we addressed challenges and setbacks that emerged during the project’s progression,” Assistant City Manager Darin Gale shared in a press release. “The project’s contractors, Goodfellow Sequoia Joint Venture, have demonstrated their capability to manage the project despite unexpected delays. As the work continues, we are confident in their ability to bring this project to completion, slated for late May 2024.”

“We’re excited to see this project underway and look forward to see it opened, soon,” Ogden added.

Funding source for the road project are from City of Brentwood Development Impact Fees and the Eastern Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority all provided by new housing and commercial development in the city and East County.

Sand Creek Road will be extended east past Heidorn Ranch Road along Antioch’s southeast city limits. Source: City of Brentwood video screenshot.

In an email on Thursday, August 10, Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis shared the following about the road extension:

“As East County continues to grow, our transportation and infrastructure needs are growing as well. One of the biggest local road improvements is the new Sand Creek Road extension in Brentwood.

The City of Brentwood’s staff and elected officials have been hard at work for years planning the extension, which will lead west from Highway 4 toward Dear Valley Road and connect with other extensions that are already completed.

I had the unique opportunity to speed up the project in February as Chair of the East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority (ECCRFFA), when I, along with the four mayors of Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley and Pittsburg, voted unanimously to prioritize funding this shovel-ready extension. I’m proud of our elected officials for working together as a region and putting taxpayer dollars toward a project that will have immediate impacts for public safety and economic development.”

Official Project Description: The project scope includes extension of Sand Creek Road from westerly of the existing terminus at State Route 4 to Heidorn Ranch Road approximately 2,300 linear feet. The improvements include constructing the central 56 feet of roadway (2 – 20-foot roadway and a 16-foot median), streetlights, wet and dry utilities, full-width bridge (4-lane arterial) across Sand Creek, and related work linking State Route 4 to Heidorn Ranch Road.

To learn more about the Sand Creek Road Extension Project, please visit Sand Creek Road Extension and see video of the groundbreaking ceremony on the City of Brentwood’s Facebook page.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Groundbreaking maps dispel former misconception about gun homicides in California

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Source: California Gun Homicides 2014-2022 dashboard

The maps show that while urban centers are often characterized as the leading settings of gun violence, this data shows two-thirds of gun homicides occurred outside urban settings and California’s most populated cities.

By Antonia Ehlers, PR & Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Hope and Heal Fund in partnership with RomoGIS Enterprise today launched a groundbreaking statewide Geographical Information System (GIS) maps of gun homicides from 2014-2022. The California Gun Homicides 2014 – 2022 dashboard was collaboratively built to visualize available data of reported gun homicides and raise awareness about where gun-related homicides have occurred in California communities.

For the first time, Californians can view where gun violence happens in communities, filtered by county and showing street-level incidents. The maps reveal a compelling insight into the patterns of gun homicides in California. The maps show that approximately two-thirds of gun homicides over the past nine years occurred outside urban settings and California’s most populated cities. This finding underscores the urgent need to extend support beyond urban centers and address the rising rates of gun violence in rural, semi-rural, and suburban areas.

This research was made possible by grant funding from long-time gun violence prevention supporter Kaiser Permanente. With this support Hope and Heal Fund has also built a Northern California network of community leaders focused on gun violence data collection and mapping and to better understand when and where California gun-related deaths occur.

Cuco Rodriguez, Hope and Heal Fund’s Chief Strategist and Equity Officer led this initiative, sharing, “One important finding from the data is the need to separate and examine different types of gun homicides, particularly those related to intimate partner violence. Currently, general homicide data from law enforcement agencies often overlook the impact and frequency of intimate partner homicides, leading to misconceptions about the primary drivers of gun violence.”

Gun Homicides in Contra Costa County 2014-22.

Through further mapping and by analyzing disaggregated homicide data, we can better understand the unique challenges posed by intimate partner homicides and allocate appropriate resources to address this specific issue.

This effort initially set out to counter inaccurate assumptions regarding urban centers being drivers of gun homicides in California. With access to timely data, stakeholders should consider the implications of this information and data and how it can best be leveraged to develop opportunities that are strategic, focused, and surgical in reducing all forms of gun violence across the state.

“As a health care organization that is committed to improving health in our communities and addressing health equity, we are proud to support the work of the Hope and Heal fund to raise awareness and reduce gun-related homicides in California,” said Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente Northern California vice president for External and Community Affairs. “Far too often our clinical teams see the devastating effects of gun violence on individuals and families. Together with all health care organizations, we must do more to support evidence-based community interventions that prevent gun violence.”

To explore the GIS maps and gain insights into gun violence data, please visit our CA Gun Homicides GIS Mapping Report.

Hope and Heal Fund is the only state-based donor collaborative fund investing in a public health, racial equity, and community-based approach to decreasing firearm suicides and gun homicides, injuries, and trauma. Hope and Heal Fund partners with impacted communities on strategies to prevent and interrupt gun violence and heal from the trauma, harm, and generational iniquities exacerbated by the lethality and coercive effects of guns in homes and communities.

About RomoGIS Enterprises

RomoGIS Enterprises specializes in geospatial solutions, specifically GIS mapping and analysis. With its expertise in data visualization and interactive tools, RomoGIS empowers organizations to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions.

 

Construction to begin on Grayson Creek Desilt Project Aug. 14

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Grayson Creek Desilt Project work area map. Source: CCC Public Works

In Martinez, Pacheco and Pleasant Hill, will continue until Oct. 31

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works

Contra Costa County Public Works will begin construction on the Grayson Creek Desilt Project on Monday, August 14, 2023, through Tuesday, October 31, 2023, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), weather permitting. Drivers should expect delays near Imhoff Drive and along Pacheco Boulevard and Contra Costa Boulevard between Highway 680 and Chilpancingo Parkway during construction.

The work consists of removing approximately 25,000 cubic yards of silt in the Grayson Creek Channel to restore creek flow capacity. Funding for this project is provided by Flood Control Zone 3B Funds. For more information visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/GraysonCreekDesilt

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 status contact Randolf Sanders at (925) 313-2111.

Pittsburg man who died at Antioch construction site identified

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The construction site at the former ABC Rendezvous bar where a crew member died on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. Photo by Ronn Carter, Spotlight Antioch

Cause of death not yet determined, but not an accident

By Ronn Carter & Allen D. Payton

A man who died while working at construction site in Antioch last Wednesday, August 2, 2023 has been identified. According to Contra Costa County Deputy Coroner Gonzalez, the man was Saul Cisneros, age 55, (born January 31, 1968) of Pittsburg.

While contractors were transforming the former ABC Rendezvous bar located on Walter Way near Railroad Avenue into what appears to be a commercial storage facility, a crew member collapsed on the job. Antioch Police and Con Fire paramedics were dispatched at 2:39 p.m. for a medical emergency. Soon after their arrival the medical team announced the individual as a ‘1055’ coroner’s case. In response to the situation, all construction staff were released for the day as APD took charge and roped off the area.

As of 4:15 PM that day, Antioch Police Department spokesman Sgt. Price Kendall said an officer was on the scene still investigating. On Sunday, he said no more details will be released, that the Coroner’s Office has the investigation, now and they will determine the cause of death.

On Tuesday, August 8, Gonzalez said, “the cause of death has not been determined and is labeled as ‘pending.’ It was not an accident.”

 

22-year-old Oakley man dies from shooting on Hwy 24 in Orinda

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By CHP – Golden Gate Division

Detectives assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Golden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit are investigating a freeway shooting that occurred on westbound State Route 24 (SR-24), east of St. Stephens Drive in Orinda.

On Friday, July 28, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers assigned to the CHP’s Contra Costa Area office were notified by local police officials that an individual had been transported to a local hospital after being struck by gunfire on westbound SR-24, east of St. Stephens Drive in Orinda.

The CHP’s preliminary investigation indicates the suspect vehicle pulled in behind and then alongside the victim vehicle on westbound SR-24, when several gunshots were heard, and the driver and front passenger quickly realized the rear passenger was struck by gunfire. The injured passenger was driven to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning.

The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Brandon Valencia, age 22 from Oakley.

CHP detectives are actively attempting to determine a motive and identify the suspect(s) and vehicle(s) involved. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to call the CHP Investigations Tipline at (707) 917-4491.

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.

 

College District selects Dr. Tony Wold as Associate Vice Chancellor, CFO

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By Marisa Greenberg, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, 4CD

MARTINEZ, California – The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) has selected Dr. Tony Wold as the next Associate Vice Chancellor, Chief Financial Officer (AVC CFO). Following a nationwide search that began in May 2023, the 4CD Governing Board will vote on ratification of his contract at their August 9, 2023, meeting.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Tony Wold to 4CD. He brings an impressive amount of experience in finance, public education, labor negotiations, and bond programs. He embodies a student-first approach, complementing our focus on student equity and success,” shared Executive Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Dr. Micaela Ochoa.

For the past year, Dr. Wold served as Chief Business Officer in Residence for School Innovations & Achievement, where he focused on rebuilding systems to bring students back into schools while addressing the learning loss and changes in attendance behaviors resulting from the pandemic. He recently served as Associate Superintendent, Business Services, for West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), where he oversaw the daily operations and management of accounting, budget, purchasing, payroll, employee benefits, labor relations, school operations, athletics, safety, warehouse, transportation, nutrition services, and risk management. He also helped lead the passage of WCCUSD’s $575 million Measure R Bond in March 2020, and overcoming a $49.9 million structural deficit to restore the WCCUSD budget certification.

“I am excited to join the 4CD team and support their vision of a college-going culture for its diverse student population,” said Wold. “Community colleges are essential in providing an affordable and quality higher education given the changing job market locally and across the world, and I look forward to helping 4CD successfully achieve that mission.”

Dr. Wold received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (USC), his School Business Management Certification and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at USC. He also earned Chief Business Official certifications from the Council of Great City Schools, and Lead Negotiators certification from the School Employers Association of California (SEAC).

The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The 4CD serves 1.2 million residents, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. 4CD is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College with campuses in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon, and Los Medanos College with campuses in Pittsburg and Brentwood. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez. Each college is individually accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. For more information visit www.4cd.edu.

 

Pittsburg mayor announces campaign for District 5 Supervisor if incumbent Glover doesn’t run for re-election

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Shanelle Scales-Preston. Source: Facebook

Shanelle Scales-Preston says her priorities will include investing in youth services, transportation, promoting economic growth, strengthening public safety, and protecting our environment.

By Allen D. Payton

In a Facebook post on Friday, August 4, 2023, Pittsburg Mayor Shanelle Scales-Preston serving her second term on the city council, announced she will run for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District 5 if current, six-term incumbent Federal Glover doesn’t run for re-election in the 2024 Primary next March.

She currently works as District Director for Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, serving in the position since 2016.

In her post, Scales-Preston wrote:

“Hello Facebook Family and Friends,

I’m excited to announce I’m running for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District V if Federal Glover decides not to seek re-election.

It has been an honor to represent Pittsburg residents as mayor and serve on the city council since 2018. Together, we have strengthened our community and improved services. I firmly believe that a strong and vibrant community is the foundation for a prosperous and fulfilling life. It is this belief that drives me to step forward and offer my dedication, experience, and passion to serve as your County Supervisor.

Pittsburg is my home and has shaped who I am today. I understand the day-to-day struggles we all face. Throughout my life, I have witnessed the power of unity and the strong ties of community built from our relationships with our neighbors, churches, and organizations where we volunteer, and the incredible potential that lies within each individual. That’s why I believe in fostering an inclusive and diverse community that celebrates our differences and embraces our shared goals and aspirations. I am devoted to working tirelessly to ensure that our county is a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered.

My campaign is centered around the idea that community and people mean everything. I am committed to being an accessible representative for all residents in District V. My priorities include investing in youth services, transportation, promoting economic growth, strengthening public safety, and protecting our environment.

My community service started in the federal government more than twenty years ago and has equipped me with the tools I need to effectively advocate for residents and fix problems. District V is sprawling and diverse, covering the northern waterfront. I have worked in these communities for my whole career in public service and have built lasting relationships with residents here.

I look forward to engaging with people across District V to learn what matters most to you and all residents. I am excited for the campaign and hope I can earn your support.

Your involvement, ideas, and support are invaluable in shaping the future of our community. Together we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and prosperous community.

Sincerely,Shanelle Scales-Preston

Website: www.shanelle4supervisor.org

Donate: https://www.efundraisingconnections.com/c/ShanelleScalesPreston

Letter: https://conta.cc/44WuQPw”

—————

According to her campaign website, Scales-Preston is Chair of the Board for MCE, the local electricity provider, Chair of TransPlan which coordinates regional transportation projects in East County and is President of the League of California Cities East Bay Division. She is married and a mother of two boys.

According to her LinkedIn page she has worked for the U.S. House of Representatives for the past 22 years, first as a Field Representative from 2001 to 2015 for Congressman George Miller.

According to her page on votersedge.com during the 2022 campaign in which she was re-elected as the top vote-getter, Scales-Preston wrote, “Growing up in Pittsburg, I benefited from youth programs. Now, I have led efforts to expand activities for young people by investing $3 million dollars in Youth Services.” She has been mayor since December, a position rotated annually among council members in Pittsburg.

If Scales-Preston runs, she will join fellow Pittsburg Councilmember Jelani Killings in the race.

The filing deadline in the race is December 8. If no one wins a majority of the vote in March, the top two candidates will face off in a run-off election in the November General Election.

Efforts to reach her for comment and to reach Glover to determine if he has made a decision about the 2024 election yet, were unsuccessful prior to publication. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Acting Antioch city manager appoints acting captain as City’s new acting police chief

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Antioch Police Chief Steve Ford (left) will retire Friday, August 11, 2023, and Acting Captain Joe Vigil has been appointed to fill the vacancy. Herald file photo

Will launch search for interim chief

A high-ranking officer on Antioch’s police force will assume temporary leadership of the department following the retirement of the City’s Police Chief this week.

Acting Captain Joseph Vigil has been named Acting Chief effective Aug. 12, said Acting City Manager Kwame Reed on Monday.

Chief of Police Steven Ford announced last month that he will be retiring. His last day is Friday.

Vigil (pronounced “vehill”) was one of four internal candidates Reed interviewed for the top job.

“He’s done a lot in his career,” said Reed, noting that Vigil earned a master’s degree in emergency service administration from California State University, Long Beach.

In December, Vigil also began attending the California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training’s Command College, a 14-month, master’s level program that equips police who are leaders in their departments with the skills and strategies needed to recognize emerging social, political, and other issues that could affect law enforcement.

Vigil began his 23-year career in law enforcement with the Sacramento Police Department and then served as a Sergeant with the Richmond Police Department for nearly 11 years.

He joined Antioch’s police force in 2020, and as an Acting Captain he oversees patrol teams, investigations, the training of newly hired officers, and monitors the department’s use of body cameras among other duties.

Reed now will launch the search for an Interim Police Chief and once he has made that hire, Vigil will return to his previous position.

After that, there will be a recruitment for a permanent Police Chief. Although he can’t predict how long the search will take, Reed said he looks forward to working with both the City Council and the Antioch community to identify the qualities that are most important for that person to have.

He added that he will be working with Chief Ford and Acting Chief Vigil this week to create a smooth transition between administrations.

Vigil said he had no comment at this time.