Contra Costa Herald

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

Brentwood Police investigate drive-by shooting at In-N-Out Burger Friday night

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By Brentwood Police Department

On Friday night/Saturday morning, October 19, 2019, at around 12:04 a.m., Brentwood officers responded to the In-N-Out Burger parking lot located at 5581 Lone Tree Way to investigate a shooting. When officers arrived on scene, they quickly learned two victims (19- and 16-year-old males) were struck by gunfire in a drive-by shooting. When the shooting occurred, both victims were standing amongst a group people in the parking lot on the west side of the restaurant. Both victims were taken to area hospitals and are expected to survive their gunshot wounds.

The suspect vehicle was described as a silver, 2017 or newer, Honda Accord sedan with rear tinted windows. The suspect vehicle was last seen traveling eastbound on Lone Tree Way towards Canada Valley Road. The shooting happened so quickly nobody could provide a suspect(s) description.

The restaurant was struck by two bullets, but thankfully no customers or employees were hit.

Preliminary information suggests this was not a random act, but the motive is still unclear.

This investigation is still ongoing and no additional details are being released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is encouraged to call Detective Joe Nunemaker at 925-809-7761. Callers can remain anonymous.

Sheriff’s Deputies investigate Thursday death of San Pablo man struck by train in Richmond

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

Thursday morning, Oct. 17, 2019 at about 10:45, Bay Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to the train tracks near Parr Boulevard and Giant Road in North Richmond regarding a found male body.

The Richmond Police Department was already on scene. It was initially believed the man died after being struck by a train. As this occurred in Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, Deputies began an investigation. They noticed the man suffered from a gunshot wound.

Detectives from the Homicide Unit and the Forensic Services Division Crime Lab responded to the scene.

The victim is identified as 40-year-old William Cody Tate of San Pablo.  On Friday, October 18, 2019, an autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death. The Forensic Pathologist found no evidence of a gunshot wound.  The cause of death for Tate is listed as blunt force trauma and the injuries are consistent with being struck by a train.

This case is still under investigation.

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

Child molestation suspect from Walnut Creek dies in custody at West County Detention Facility Wednesday

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Enrique Pina. Photo by Walnut Creek PD.

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

At approximately 1:40 PM today, Wednesday, October 16, 2019, a Deputy Sheriff was conducting room checks at the West County Detention Facility (WCDF) in Richmond. While approaching a room, he noticed an inmate hanging from his bunk by a bedsheet. The Deputy Sheriff, as well as medical staff at the jail, immediately began lifesaving measures. The inmate was later pronounced deceased.

The inmate is identified as 72-year-old Enrique Pina of Walnut Creek. He was arrested on September 24, 2018 and has been in custody since then. He was arrested by the Office of the Sheriff and booked on nine felony charges that include sodomy with a child who is 10 years of age or younger, oral copulation of a child who is 10 years of age or younger, and using force to commit lewd and lascivious acts against a child under the age of 14. Pina was being held in lieu of $4.8 million bail.

Pina, who was also suffering from a terminal illness, was evaluated last month by a Mental Health Clinician from Contra Costa Mental Health (CCMH). Pina was cleared to remain on the module at WCDF and was being monitored by CCMH.

The in-custody death protocol was invoked. The investigation is ongoing by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff.

Any inquiries regarding Pina’s medical and mental health should be directed to Contra Costa Health Services. The Health Services’ Public Information Officer can be reached at (925) 957-2681.

Contra Costa Hazardous Materials responding to fire at NuStar Energy near Crockett

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 I-80 closure near Crocket as of 4:30 p.m. By CHP-Contra Costa.

Residents of Crockett and Rodeo are advised to stay inside and shelter in place.

By Karl Fischer

Contra Costa Hazardous Materials advises anyone living near the NuStar Energy facility in Crockett to stay inside and keep windows and doors closed because of a fire.

Hazardous Materials received reports of the incident shortly before 2 p.m. Two large tanks are burning at the facility, which is at 90 San Pablo Avenue.

Hazardous Materials staff and firefighters are on scene. Hazardous Materials staff are conducting air monitoring on site. Contra Costa County’s Community Warning System has been activated, including sirens in the area.

Residents of Crockett and Rodeo are advised to stay inside and shelter in place. Turn off all heaters, air conditioners, and fans. Unless you are using your fireplace, close your fireplace dampers and vents. Cover any cracks around doors or windows with tape or damp towels. Stay off the phone unless you need to report a life-threatening emergency at your location.

Remain sheltered indoors until you receive further official instructions. Stay off the phones and do not call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency.

At this time there is no known offsite impact, and no injuries have been reported.

One of tanks are believed to contain ethanol. The other is believed empty.

According to the CHP, as of 4:30 p.m., “I-80 is shut down in both directions, eastbound and westbound, from Hwy-4 in Hercules to I-780 in Vallejo. Please seek alternate routes. (Hwy-4 e/b to 680/Benicia Bridge, Hwy-4 e/b to SR-160 in Antioch, or I-580 into Tracy.) Plan ahead, avoid the area.”

Follow us on Twitter (@CoCoHealth)  for updates.

See video of the fire in a Fox40 News report.

Sheriff’s Deputies make arrest for pointing laser at rescue helicopter Friday

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Contra Costa County Sheriff STARR Air Unit 1 2015. Photo by CCCSheriff

By Office of the Contra Costa County Sheriff

While assisting a law enforcement agency with a pursuit on Friday, Sheriff’s Office STARR 3 helicopter was hit continuously with a green laser that came from an uninvolved vehicle. This is dangerous as it can temporarily blind the pilot.

Once STARR 3 cleared the pursuit, it was able to direct ground units to the location of the suspect vehicle where the laser was discharged. Deputies arrested and booked the suspect for discharging a laser at an aircraft and probation violation. A green laser was recovered.

Byron man dies, two others injured in Oakley high speed 3-car crash Saturday night

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By CHP-Contra Costa

Saturday night, Oct. 12, 2019 at approximately 11:26 pm, CHP Contra Costa responded to a three-vehicle collision on Delta Road, just east of Main Street, in unincorporated Contra Costa county. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, an Infiniti sedan had crashed into a Ford pickup and then into a parked Dodge sedan on Delta Road, where it came to rest. The driver of the Infiniti (22-year-old male from Byron) unfortunately did not survive and was pronounced deceased at the scene. It was also determined he was not wearing his seatbelt. His female passenger (21-years-old from Oakley) sustained moderate injuries only and the solo male driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries only. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased male.

Our preliminary investigation indicates the following; the male driver of Ford pickup was traveling east on Delta road and preparing to make a left turn into his residence. The male driver of the Infiniti was approaching the slower moving Ford, preparing to turn, at a high rate of speed. The driver of the Infiniti drove into the westbound traffic lane in an attempt to pass the Ford. As the Ford driver began his left turn, the Infiniti driver crashed into the left side of the Ford at a high rate of speed causing major damage. The Infiniti then continued east on Delta and then crashed into a parked Dodge sedan on the north side of the roadway, also causing major damage. Tragically the male driver of the Infiniti was not wearing his seatbelt and died as a result of the collision. The female passenger was wearing her seatbelt, sustained moderate injuries, and was transported by helicopter to John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek and has since been released. The male driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries and was transported to Kaiser hospital in Antioch and has also since been released.

At this time, it is unknown if alcohol or drug impairment were a factor in this collision, but speed certainly was a contributing factor. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980. Thank you.

Fatality collisions and the loss of a young life are always tragic and especially if it was preventable. Seatbelts really do save lives so please buckle up every time you or passengers are in a vehicle. And please slow down at all times.

Governor signs tax credit bill to promote historic preservation, affordable housing

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Will create $800 million in economic activity and 1,300 construction jobs

Sacramento, CA: On Tuesday, October 9th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 451, the California Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, adding California to the list of more than 35 states that have passed such incentives. The bill, which passed both the Senate and the Assembly with unanimous approval, will enable the renewal of aging structures and communities throughout the state, and promote the development of affordable housing.

The bill will create a 20% state tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic structures listed on the California Register of Historic Places.  An additional 5% bonus can be granted for certain projects, such as affordable housing for lower-income households and projects in transit-oriented developments or regions with high unemployment and poverty rates. All projects must be approved by the California Office of Historic Preservation and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee to determine if a project qualifies. The tax credit goes into effect on January 1, 2021.

“The California State Historic Tax Credit is an important tool that we can use to revitalize communities throughout California,” said Cindy Heitzman, Executive Director, California Preservation Foundation. “This is a major victory for every Californian who believes that our architectural and cultural heritage is worth protecting.”

The State Historic Tax Credit will help to address the critical need for affordable housing in underutilized historic buildings by providing an important financial incentive. Between 2007 and 2017 over 38% of all federal historic tax credit projects in California created new housing units or improved existing units. Of that amount over half were affordable housing projects, and SB 451 will make even more of these projects feasible.

Since February, the California Preservation Foundation (CPF) and the American Institute of Architects, California Council have led a major coalition to shepherd the bill through the legislature, working directly with California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins. The bill received broad support from organized labor, affordable housing groups, historic preservation organizations and local governments.  This effort built on the work CPF did in 2014 to pass AB 1999, the first version of this legislation. While it passed both houses of the California legislature, it was ultimately vetoed by then Governor Jerry Brown.

“This legislation will breathe new life into the buildings that give our cities and communities character and charm…Further, the Historic Tax Credit will increase the supply of affordable housing, support growth through infill development and encourage property rehabilitation and maintenance in economically depressed areas,” said Senator Atkins.

About the Federal Tax Credit

Since 1976, the Federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC) has offered tax credits equal to 20 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures (QRE) for the rehabilitation of certified historic buildings, such as those listed on the National Register of Historic Places or architecturally contributing to a National Register district. Over the last 4 decades, more than 35 states have passed their own bills to boost this tax credit, making thousands of projects financially feasible.

From 2002 to 2016, $468.1 million in Federal Historic Tax Credits catalyzed 169 projects in California, totaling $2.8 billion in qualifying rehabilitation expenditures. This activity has generated:

  • 39,279 jobs
  • $2.8 billion in Gross State Product
  • $160 million in state and local taxes
  • $493.3 million in federal taxes
  • $468.1 million in federal tax credits

SB 451 will provide further incentive for historic rehabilitation, increase the supply of affordable housing, support growth through infill development, and encourage property rehabilitation and maintenance in economically depressed areas. Below are a few examples of the types of projects that will benefit from SB 451, but there are hundreds more stories just like these throughout California. The tax credit will make these kinds of projects more feasible, and will encourage meaningful investments in communities across the state.

For more information:

Bill Text: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB451

Images and additional information: https://californiapreservation.org/tax-credit-press/

Press Release from Senator Toni Atkins on the passage of SB 451: https://sd39.senate.ca.gov/news/20190912-press-release-atkins%E2%80%99-tax-credit-historic-preservation-passes-assembly

Preservation & State Historic Tax Credits overview from the National Trust for Historic Preservation: https://forum.savingplaces.org/learn/fundamentals/economics/tax-credits/state-htc

2017 Report from the National Park Service on the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit’s impact: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/htc2017.htm

Case Statement: https://californiapreservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Case-Statement.pdf

PSPS Update: PG&E issues weather “All Clear” in Contra Costa, other counties for safety inspections and restoration

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Efforts to Begin in Many Areas; Continues to Monitor Weather Conditions in Many Areas including Bay Area; Restoration Progress Continues: 126,000 Customers Restored

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company reported that improving weather conditions in some parts of the areas affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) have allowed for an “all clear” to be issued for safety inspections, repair and restoration efforts to begin in many areas.

Updates

  • As of 3 p.m. Thursday, the following additional counties were added to the “all clear” list for inspection, repair and restoration to begin: Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Placer, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and in portions of Yuba.
  • As of 2 p.m. all clears have been declared in the following areas to begin inspections and assess if equipment is safe to resume electric delivery services.
County Total Customers Notified Weather Event
Alpine 633 All Clear
Amador 16,041 All Clear
Calaveras 23,708 All Clear
El Dorado 51,396 Partial All Clear
Mariposa 1,812 All Clear
Merced 14 All Clear
Monterey 3 All Clear
Placer 51,641 Partial All Clear
San Joaquin 52 All Clear
San Mateo 14,766 Partial All Clear
Santa Clara 38,250 All Clear
Santa Cruz 36,940 Partial All Clear
Stanislaus 1,088 All Clear
Tuolumne 34,413 All Clear
  • PG&E crews will visually inspect power lines to look for potential weather-related damage to the lines, poles and towers. This is done by vehicle, foot and air.
  • More than 30 PG&E Community Resource Centers remain open throughout the service area to provide water, phone charging stations and air-conditioned seating for customers. To view the full list, visit here.
  • Resources supporting the restoration include more than 6,300 on-the-ground field personnel and 44 helicopters. Crews will conduct visual inspections and will make repairs as necessary if any damage is found.

Kern Update

Power was turned off for safety to approximately 4,000 customers in Kern County this morning.

Weather updates

Dangerous weather conditions are expected to continue in some parts of the Sierra Foothills and Bay Area until midday Thursday. Similar conditions in Kern County are beginning late morning Thursday and lasting through midday Friday.

PG&E PSPS UPDATE: “All clear” for Bay Area not yet issued, restoration begins in some affected areas

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126,000 Customers Restored; Current Impacted Count is 600,000

PG&E Continues to Monitor Weather Conditions; No Equipment-Related Fires Reported

Executes Final Wave of Safety Turnoffs in Kern County, Impacting Approximately 4,000 Customers

By Tamar Sarkissian, PG&E Spokesperson

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. 1:22 PM, Thurs., Oct. 10, 2019 — On Thursday morning, October 10, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reported that improving weather conditions in some parts of the areas affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) have allowed for safety inspections, repairs and restoration in some areas to begin. Approximately 126,000 customers were restored by 6 a.m. Thursday.

There are still currently approximately 600,000 customers without power as a result of the PSPS event, which began on early Wednesday.

Updates

  • There were no reported fires related to PG&E equipment in the PSPS impact zone.
  • As of 6 a.m. Thursday, peak wind gusts — a major factor in the decision to implement a PSPS — have been recorded at 77 mph at Mt. St. Helena West in Sonoma County and 75 mph at Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County since midnight. Both of these areas were de-energized in the PSPS action.
  • The company has received many preliminary reports of vegetation-related damage to its equipment in these areas.
  • A third phase for portions of Kern County is scheduled for late morning Thursday. Due to changing weather forecasts, PG&E now expects this event to impact approximately 4,000 customers. Earlier forecasts predicted impacts to 40,000 customers in this area.
  • Safety inspections, repairs and power restoration will begin in specific areas once a weather “all clear” is given.
  • Customers not impacted by the PSPS may experience power outages due to PG&E equipment damaged during this major event.
  • Resources standing by to support the restoration include more than 6,300 on-the-ground field personnel and 45 helicopters. Crews will conduct visual inspections and will make repairs as necessary if any damage is found.
  • The number of circuit-miles requiring inspection includes nearly 25,000 miles of distribution lines and 2,500 miles of transmission lines, a combined distance measuring longer than a trip around the circumference of the Earth.

“We faced a choice between hardship or safety, and we chose safety. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience and the hardship, but we stand by the decision because the safety of our customers and communities must come first,” said Michael Lewis, Senior Vice President, Electric Operations.

Weather Updates

Dangerous weather conditions are expected to continue in parts of the Sierra Foothills and Bay Area until midday Thursday. Similar conditions in Kern County are beginning late morning Thursday and lasting through midday Friday.

For restoration to begin, the company must inspect its affected equipment to ensure no damage has occurred to its equipment. As of 10 a.m., the company has not issued an “all clear” for the Bay Area. Inspection patrols take place during daytime hours.