Contra Costa Herald

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

Property Tax Reduction Scam Alert: important warning from Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer

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Don’t pay a fee to have your property taxes reduced

(Martinez, CA) – Many property owners throughout Contra Costa County are receiving an official looking document in the mail regarding a fee-based service to have their property’s taxable value reduced. Although these mailers have the appearance of an official government document, the correspondence is not from the Contra Costa County Assessor or any other Contra Costa County Office.

The California Attorney General’s Office has posted warnings to California property owners on their website about the practices of these companies. For more information, please visit the Attorney General’s Consumer Alert at https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/prop_tax_scam.

Current scam mailers are requiring both a $40 county filing fee with the Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board for a formal appeal, and a contingent fee of 30% of any tax savings as a result of filing the application. 

It is important for property owners to know that the Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office does not charge a fee to complete an informal value review for our taxpayers.

Property owners who believe the current market value of their property is less than the assessed value, can file a FREE “Request for Value Review (Prop 8)” form with the Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office. Please visit our webpage at http://www.cccounty.us/assessor and select “Review Your Value” to find a downloadable application.

 

Freeway shooting on westbound Highway 24 in Lafayette

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By CHP Contra Costa

On Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 11:00 am, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a freeway shooting which occurred on Hwy 24 westbound near Pleasant Hill Road in Lafayette.

CHP responded to the scene where witnesses described hearing gunshots coming from two vehicles traveling westbound. As this occurred, one of the suspect vehicles collided with a previously uninvolved Ford. The original vehicles fled the scene, and the Ford exited the freeway where they were contacted by CHP. The driver of the Ford was not injured.

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

Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project receives $10 million from Bureau of Reclamation

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Los Vaqueros Reservoir and Dam. Source: LVREP JPA

Funding to benefit regional water supply improvements and protection of critical bird populations

Expansion will increase capacity by 115,000 acre-feet, cost about $1.25 billion

The Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project Joint Powers Authority today (July 27, 2023) was notified that it will receive $10 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. The funding will be used to further the project’s goals of improving Bay Area and Central Valley water supply and supporting wildlife refuges along the Pacific Flyway, a vital migratory route for critical bird populations.

According to the National Audubon Society, each year at least one billion birds migrate along the flyway, which is only a fraction of those that used it a century ago. Wildlife refuges along the Pacific Flyway provide protection against habitat loss, water shortages, diminishing food sources and climate change.

Additionally, the expansion will increase the Los Vaqueros Reservoir capacity from 160,000 acre-feet to 275,000 acre-feet and add new and modified conveyance facilities to provide environmental, water supply reliability, operational flexibility, water quality and recreational benefits.

The dam will be increased by 55 feet from its current height of 226 feet to 281 feet from toe to crest.

“We are grateful to Reclamation for acknowledging the importance of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project and the role it will play in providing water supply reliability for 11 million customers and protection of critical bird populations from the Bay Area to the Central Valley,” said Board Chair Angela Ramirez Holmes. “Our partnership with Reclamation is invaluable and will help ensure quality of life now and for future generations.”

Source: LVREP Fact Sheet

The $10 million allocation today is authorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, approved by Congress in November 2021, and is in addition to a previously awarded $164 million from all federal sources for the reservoir expansion project. The project was previously authorized for federal funding under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act of 2016.

According to the project Fact Sheet, the total development and construction cost of the expansion is budgeted at approximately $980 million in 2022 dollars and $1.25 billion in escalated costs through the end of construction. Construction is expected to last from 2023 through 2030.

“We appreciate the ongoing federal support of this project that is vital to millions of Californians and key wildlife refuges,” said Los Vaqueros Reservoir Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Taryn Ravazzini. “The allocation of these funds marks another milestone and allows the LVR JPA and its members to continue our progress toward regional resilience.”

Source: LVREP Fact Sheet

About the LVRJPA

The Los Vaqueros Reservoir Joint Powers Authority (JPA) was formed in 2021 and provides governance and administration for the Phase 2 Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project (Project).  The Los Vaqueros Reservoir is an off-stream reservoir owned and operated by the Contra Costa Water District.

The Project will increase Bay Area and Central Valley water supply reliability, develop water supplies for wildlife refuges, and improve water quality while protecting Delta fisheries and providing additional Delta ecosystem benefits. When completed, it will increase the Los Vaqueros Reservoir capacity from 160,000 acre-feet to 275,000 acre-feet and add new and modified conveyance facilities to provide environmental, water supply reliability, operational flexibility, water quality, and recreational benefits.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Three men arrested in Oakley for attempted stolen vehicle

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One each from Oakley, Antioch and Brentwood

Public advisory on keeping your vehicle safe

On July 25, 2023 at 6:10PM Oakley Police officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Yellow Rose Circle for an attempted vehicle theft that had just occurred. The victim of the case interrupted the theft and the suspects fled the area. The victim followed the suspects and called us to provide details on what had happened and to update us on the whereabouts of the suspects. Our officers made contact with the suspects and stopped them. It was determined the suspects broke a window of the victim vehicle, which happened to be a Jeep equipped with a 6.4-liter engine. Also, in the suspects’ possession were blank, programmable Dodge key fobs.

There is currently a widespread problem, extending well outside of the Bay Area, involving Dodge/Jeep/RAM products that are primarily equipped with 6.4-liter engines. These products have become highly sought after by thieves for the purposes of using them in exhibition of speed events such as sideshows and these stolen vehicles have been known to be used to commit other crimes and they have often been documented to be involved in police pursuits.

A typical theft involves the suspects breaking a window to gain entry into the vehicle. The suspects then manipulate the vehicle into neutral so they can push it down the road a little ways. The thieves are equipped with a smart phone or tablet that allows them to tap into the onboard diagnostic electronics of the vehicle and they are able to manipulate the vehicle into starting up and driving away without the use of the actual electronic key that was supplied with the vehicle. Once the vehicle is in possession of the thieves they can program actual electronic keys to the vehicle and those keys can then be used just like the key that was supplied with the vehicle.

“I would normally not put such specific information out regarding the tactics and tools thieves use to steal because I do not want to be part of the “criminal education program”. This issue however, has become such a problem that I want potential victims to be aware of how vulnerable they are to this type of a theft. I encourage people with these types of vehicles to safeguard their vehicles by doing any one (or more) of the following:

  • Park in the garage
  • Equip your vehicle with battery disconnect devices (kill switch)
  • Use prominently displayed steering wheel locks
  • Use brake locks
  • If possible use another vehicle to block the preferred vehicle in place
  • Equip your home with legitimate security light/camera systems
  • Place hidden GPS devices in your vehicles (Apple air tags)

I am identifying the suspects in this case as Anthony Parson (21, of Oakley), Kyle Michael LaCosta Schmidt (20, born 1/20/2003 of Brentwood) and Brian Wayne Ray (20, of Antioch). All three suspects were booked into jail for this offense. Our investigators and the members of our Special Services Team are investigating this trio to see if their involvement goes into the much larger theft ring of these preferred vehicles, which again includes all 6.4-liter equipped Dodge/Jeep/RAM vehicles.

According to localcrimenews.com, Parson was also arrested by Contra Costa CHP on May 27, 2023 for DUI with Blood Alcohol Conent above. 08

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, LaCosta is 6’2”, Hispanic and was still in custody on Wednesday, being held on $20,000 bail. According to localcrimenews.com, LaCosta Schmidt was also arrested by Concord PD on May 29, 2021 for reckless driving.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Ray is White and bonded out of custody Wednesday night, July 26 at 10:43 p.m.

I will update the community on this issue if any developments occur. I know hard working residents buy their Chargers, Challengers, Hellcats, Scat Packs, Jeeps and RAMs to enjoy and use. I do not want your daily lives interrupted by criminal activity, I want you to continue to enjoy your vehicles so please take extra security measures as we work to determine the depth of this crime ring and work to bring it to an end. I highly encourage owners of these types of vehicles to contact their Dodge/Jeep/RAM dealer to get a RF Hub Module Software Update. I am informed this is the best factory preventative measure, for this problem, currently available.

Thank you and stay safe Oakley!”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa Public Works to repair pavement on roads in Bay Point July 31 – Oct. 31

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Bay Point road work area map. Source: CCC Public Works Dept.

Contra Costa County Public Works will be repairing pavement base failures, as needed, and applying a pavement surface treatment on various residential roads in the Bay Point area. Work will begin on Monday July 31, 2023, through Tuesday October 31, 2023, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, weather permitting. Restrictions will be in place to minimize impacts to drivers during commute hours.

Funding for this project is provided by Gas Tax (SB1 Road Repair and Accountability Act). For more information regarding this work, including a list of the streets impacted, visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/2023CountywideSurfaceTreatmentProject  

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. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @cccpublicworks.

CONTACT: Pavement Dig outs: Eric Sanders, 925.595.5992; Surface Treatments: Jaemin Park, 925.818.3756

During bargaining Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions holding nationwide protests this week

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Kaiser says pickets, actions at hospitals July 24-29 aren’t strikes, facilities remain open

By Allen D. Payton

The 85,000-member Coalition of Kaiser Permanent Unions is holding nationwide pickets and actions at Kaiser hospitals and facilities, this week, July 24-29 to protest staffing shortage and wages, less than three months from their contract expiration on September 30. The two sides are in the midst of bargaining and the next session is scheduled for Tuesday, August 1. The protest at Kaiser Medical Centers in Antioch and Richmond were held yesterday, Tuesday, July 25 and the protest at Kaiser-Walnut Creek is occurring, today.

The Coalition unites 85,000 members of four international unions at Kaiser hospitals, clinics, and facilities throughout the United States.

In a July 13, 2023 post on their website labeled “Bargaining Update 4”, the coalition claims, “At bargaining this week, the ‘non-profit’ that pays its CEO $16 million a year gave a clear message to the EVS (environmental services) worker raising a family on $48K a year in LA: ‘You make too much money.’

It’s unbelievable. Kaiser pays 49 executives more than a million dollars a year, but they think a PCT (patient care technician) earning $52K a year in Portland is making Kaiser unaffordable. The corporation that has over $113 billion in investments – including questionable ventures around the world – believes they are paying healthcare workers $450 million a year too much in wages that are ‘over market.’

We will be submitting a full economic proposal – including wages – at our next bargaining session on August 1, but the fault lines in negotiations are becoming more and more clear: our Coalition spoke about how we are falling behind, struggling to afford living where we work, and losing ground to rising costs. Kaiser spoke about outsourcing more of our work to low wage, for-profit companies – undermining middle class jobs.”

The unions have offered a list of concerns and demands:

  • We want Kaiser to grow as a union company with leading wages, benefits, and quality care. Instead, Kaiser is spending $5 billion of our patients’ premiums to launch a non-union, non-partnership company that will lower labor standards.
  • We want a guaranteed PSP payout we can count on when we reach our goals. Kaiser is still defending their shameful decision to deny frontline caregivers our PSP while paying big bonuses to managers.
  • We want Kaiser to make meaningful investments in solving the staffing shortage: increase training funds, eliminate barriers to promotion, justify unposted vacancies, create paid externships, provide referral/ retention and recruitment bonuses, and dial back wasteful registry spending.

The coalition further claims, “It’s clear that the only way that we will get Kaiser to listen to us is to make some noise.”

Kaiser Responds: Not Strikes, Hospitals & Facilities Remain Open

Kaiser Permanent responded with a statement that the events are not strikes and their facilities remain open.

Following is the complete Statement from Kaiser Permanente on Coalition picketing July 24 to 29:

“It’s important for our members and patients to know that these events are not strikes. Our medical facilities will remain open and operate normally.

Kaiser Permanente is the largest union-represented health care employer in the U.S. — with nearly 75% of our employees represented by unions. We are currently bargaining with the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, which represents about 88,000 employees in a variety of roles and is part of our historic Labor Management Partnership.

Our priority is to reach an agreement that ensures we can continue to provide market-competitive pay and outstanding benefits. We are confident we’ll be able to reach an agreement that strengthens our position as a best place to work and ensures that the high-quality care our members expect from us remains affordable and easy to access.

Given where we are in the bargaining process, it’s clear the picketing by the Coalition isn’t about drawing attention to new issues, but rather an attempt to create bargaining leverage.

We have been and will continue to address the real issues that are affecting health care and our employees. On the heels of the global pandemic and given today’s economy, these challenges include inflation and rising costs to deliver health care, increasing competition from nontraditional businesses, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and increases in the demand for access to health care. We look to the Coalition to be a constructive partner in helping address these and other challenges affecting us all.

Staffing

The staffing challenges mentioned by the Coalition have been happening all across health care but are actually less true at Kaiser Permanente now than elsewhere.

It’s worth remembering that during the pandemic, we took extraordinary steps to support and protect our workforce. This included providing $800 million in employee assistance to ensure that front-line employees had access to alternate housing options, special child care grants, and additional paid leave for COVID-19 illness and exposure.

The average employee turnover rate across health care is 21.4% (Source: PwC Saratoga 2022 Survey). While it crept up a bit during the height of the pandemic, we are thankful that our current rate of 8.5% as of June 2023 is significantly lower than the rest of health care.

At the beginning of bargaining in April, Kaiser Permanente and the Coalition agreed to a joint goal of hiring 10,000 new people for Coalition-represented jobs in 2023. We are making great progress toward achieving that goal.

Talented people want to work at Kaiser Permanente, which is why 96% of candidates accept our employment offers, which is 5.3% above the U.S. health care industry average (Source: PwC Saratoga 2022 Survey).

Our staffing approach reflects our shared commitment to ensure every Kaiser Permanente patient receives extraordinary care, every time and in every place.

Wages and Benefits

We are one of the leaders in employee wages and benefits in every market we’re in. We offer employees market-competitive pay and outstanding benefits, opportunities to learn new skills and grow their careers, and we’re committed to providing a safe and equitable work environment. We also want to ensure that we help our employees build long-term economic security with low-cost health insurance, industry-leading retirement plans, and other benefit programs to support their health and well-being.

We have discussed with the Coalition that in some regions Kaiser Permanente is paying Coalition-represented employees up to 28% above the market average wage rates — impacting our overall costs and ability to attract new members. In other regions, we are paying at or slightly above the market average, which hurts our ability to attract new employees and retain the excellent employees we already have.

We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our union partners in bargaining. We will reach a great agreement. To get there, we all need to be responsible stewards of our members’ and customers’ needs and resources and be mindful of the rising costs of health care and our collective role in addressing it.”

American Red Cross needs help to avert a blood shortage

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Chance at shark dive trip, $10 e-gift card for donors in August

Says COVID vaccines don’t pose risk to patients receiving blood transfusions

By Martin Gagliano, Regional Communications Manager, American Red Cross, Northern California Coastal Region

After a summer of declining donations, the American Red Cross needs the public’s help to prevent a blood shortage. When a donor makes and keeps an appointment to give blood or platelets in the weeks ahead, they can help ensure trauma patients, those undergoing cancer treatment, and people with lifelong blood disorders can get the blood they count on.

Right now, the Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive and type B negative blood donors, as well as platelet donors. Donors of all blood types can schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross is teaming up with Warner Bros. for the theatrical release of Meg 2: The Trench to celebrate a summer of sharks and help stave off a summer blood and platelet shortage. All who come to give through Aug. 12 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Those who come to give throughout the month of August will also get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Movie.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 1-15:

Contra Costa County

Brentwood

8/2/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Summerset at Brentwood III, 1581 Regent Drive

8/15/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic, 500 Fairview Avenue

Danville

8/4/2023: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., The Grange Hall, 743 Diablo Road

Hercules

8/4/2023: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., City of Hercules, 102 Civic Drive

Pleasant Hill – Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

8/1/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/3/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/5/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/10/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

San Ramon

8/11/2023: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., San Ramon Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2260 Camino Ramon

Alameda County

Alameda

8/5/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Alameda Community – Twin Towers United Methodist, 1411 Oak Street

Berkeley

8/10/2023: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Avenue

8/11/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street

Newark at Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

8/1/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/3/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/5/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/10/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.

Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

8/1/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/3/2023: 10:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/5/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/10/2023: 10:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

8/1/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/5/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

San Francisco – Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street, unless otherwise noted

8/1/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/3/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton Street

8/4/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/5/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

Santa Clara County

Gilroy

8/10/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Interfaith – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gilroy, 7999 Miller Avenue

Los Altos

8/11/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Los Altos (Grant Road), 1300 Grant Road

Morgan Hill

8/8/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Interfaith – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Morgan Hill, 1790 E. Dunne Avenue

Mountain View

8/2/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Intersect at Mountain View Chinese Christian Church, 175 E. Dana Street

San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street (unless otherwise noted)

8/1/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church, 467 North White Road

8/2/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/3/2023: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Central Christian Church, 2555 Meridian Avenue

8/5/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Administrative Office Building (AOB), Building H, 2325 Enborg Lane

8/9/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/10/2023: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

How to donate blood

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements

Amplify your impact − volunteer!

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we approach the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Regarding the COVID-19 vaccines and blood donations:

  • Amid ongoing conversation about COVID-19 vaccinations and blood donation, America’s Blood Centers, the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB), and the American Red Cross reiterate the safety of America’s blood supply and assure the public that vaccines do not pose a risk to patients receiving blood transfusions.
  • Blood donations from individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine approved or authorized for use in the U.S. are safe for transfusion. Similar to other vaccines such as those for measles, mumps or influenza, COVID-19 vaccines are designed to generate an immune response to help protect an individual from illness, but vaccine components themselves do not replicate through blood transfusions or alter a blood recipients’ DNA.
  • In summary, there is no scientific evidence that demonstrates adverse outcomes from the transfusions of blood products collected from vaccinated donors and, therefore, no medical reason to distinguish or separate blood donations from individuals who have received a COVID19 vaccination.
  • All blood collection organizations in the U.S. are required to follow Food and Drug Administration guidelines and regulations to collect, process and distribute blood products for patients in need. The FDA explicitly allows donors who have recently received approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines to give blood as long as they are healthy on the day of donation and meet all other eligibility criteria. On multiple occasions, the Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that there is no evidence to support concerns related to the safety of blood donated by vaccinated individuals.
  • All Americans, including both blood donors and blood recipients, should feel confident that receiving a blood transfusion is safe. COVID-19 vaccines do not replicate, and all blood donations offer the same life-saving therapeutic benefits, regardless of the vaccination status of the donor.

Also, here is a joint statement from the AABB, the America’s Blood Centers (ABC) and the American Red Cross: https://www.aabb.org/news-resources/news/article/2023/01/30/blood-community-issues-new-joint-statement-to-combat-misinformation-regarding-vaccines-and-the-blood-supply

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Four arrested on gun charges during two traffic stops in Brentwood

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A gun confiscated during one of the traffic stops and subsequent arrests. Photo: Brentwood PD

Two men from Martinez, Oakley with histories of arrests, two women from Pittsburg, Brentwood; busy week for one officer

By Brentwood Police Department

Last week, a Brentwood officer was patrolling the area of Brentwood Blvd and Beverly Place and did a car stop on a vehicle for tinted windows.

The officer contacted the driver, 41-year-old James Charles Blevins of Martinez, and two additional occupants, 32-year-old Taylor Berdett Michelson of Oakley and 29-year-old Alexandra Angelina Wehr of Pittsburg. Blevins told the officer he did not have a driver’s license and was also on probation.

After the occupants were detained, a loaded “ghost” gun and ammunition were found inside the car. Blevins and Michelson, who had prior felony convictions, were arrested, along with Wehr, for gun-related charges. All three were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

A few days later, the same officer responded to the areas of Oak Street and First Street for a welfare check and arrested 35-year-old Kenya Elizabeth Orochena of Brentwood, for possession of a loaded gun.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, as of Tuesday, July 25, Blevins was out of custody, released by court order. According to localcrimenews.com this is his second arrest this year. He has a history of arrests dating back to 2016 by multiple agencies including several times for grand theft, vehicle theft, drug possession, burglary and drunk driving.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Michelson was still in custody as of Friday, July 21. He, too, has a history of arrests since 2013 according to localcrimenews.com by multiple agencies for crimes including possessing a stolen ID with intent to defraud, drug possession, vehicle theft, and gun charges including carrying a loaded firearm on person or in vehicle while in a public place. This is Michelson’s third arrest this year.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, as of Tuesday, July 25, Wehr was out of custody and no charges have been filed.

No other information about Orochena could be found.

A busy week for one officer – and a reflection of the hard work of all Brentwood officers.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Police seek suspect in Concord strong arm robbery of woman removing child from car seat

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At Park ‘N’ Shop

By Lt. Robert Garcia, Field Operations Division, Concord Police Department

On Friday, July 21st at approximately 3:00 pm, Concord Police Department received a report of a strong-arm robbery that just occurred in the 1700 block of Willow Pass Road at Park ‘N’ Shop. The victim was getting her child out of the rear car seat of her vehicle when the suspect attempted to grab her purse. The victim and the suspect struggled over the purse, but the suspect was able to get away after punching the victim. The victim sustained minor injury as a result. The suspect got into a black SUV and drove off toward the freeway on Willow Pass Road. The suspect was described as a black male with a thin build, wearing a mask.

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 Concord Police Department Major Crimes Unit at (925) 671-5074. You can also contact us on our Anonymous Tip line at (925) 603-5826.

 

Suspect in stolen car arrested for San Pablo carjacking at knifepoint

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Photo: San Pablo PD

By San Pablo Police Department

SPPD Officers received a call early Sunday morning, July 23, 2023, regarding a carjacking. The victim was held at knifepoint and ordered the victim to give him the car.

SPPD Officers were able to quickly obtain suspect and vehicle information from the victim. It didn’t take long before officers located the vehicle parked at a nearby apartment complex.

Officers were able to successfully deploy spike strips to stop the vehicle. The driver was arrested and transported to jail.