Contra Costa Herald

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

Park Happenings for January

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News from the East Bay Regional Park District

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District

Welcome to the East Bay Regional Park District’s 90th Anniversary year. Established in 1934, the Park District has grown to be the largest regional park district of its kind in the nation, with 73 regional parks available for hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, and nature discovery. Wherever you live in the East Bay, there is a beautiful regional park close to you.

We will be hosting numerous special events and programs throughout the year to commemorate our anniversary, including a community birthday celebration on May 11 and monthly naturalist-led “Explore Your Parks” adventure programs. Join us for the next “Explore Your Parks” adventure program, Community Science Bio Blitz at Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve in Sunol on Saturday, January 27, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. For more information about the Park District’s 90th Anniversary, including events and activities, visit www.ebparks.org/celebrating-90-years.

The East Bay Regional Park District’s 2024 Trails Challenge program is underway, offering 20 new trails for the new year. In its 31st year, the annual Trails Challenge program encourages the public to explore and enjoy their Regional Parks. The free guide provides 20 designated trails for all levels, ranging from easy and moderate to challenging and is open to hikers, bicyclists, dogs, and equestrians. The 2024 Trails Challenge program also offers increased accessibility with trails that have been evaluated and identified as usable by persons with mobility limitations. The trail guide is available online at www.ebparks.org/TrailsChallenge

To complete the challenge, hike five of the 20 trails, or 26.2 miles (the distance of a marathon) of trails within the East Bay Regional Park District. The Trails Challenge program is made possible with help from the Regional Parks Foundation and Kaiser Permanente. To get started, visit www.ebparks.org/TrailsChallenge.

Celebrate the fruits of winter at the Tilden Fungus Fair! View hundreds of local mushroom specimens, mingle with the mycological community, and enjoy presentations by guest speakers at this two-day special event, Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/events/tilden-fungus-fair.

Black Diamond Mines has begun offering weekend Mining History Tours and Hazel-Atlas Mine Tours again, in addition to their Coal Mine Experience tours. From the mid-1920s to the mid-1940s, the Hazel-Atlas Mine produced silica sand to make jars, bottles, and other glass items. Tour participants can now take a walk into the mine to see mine workings, ore chutes, the shifter’s office, and ancient geological features. For safety reasons, you may tour the mine only as part of a guided tour, and all participants must be at least seven years old. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “Mine Tours.”

Water’s Amazing Journey at Coyote Hills! Water surrounds Coyote Hills, but where does it come from, and where does it go? In winter, we expect rain to fall from the clouds (precipitation) and land on mountains, lakes, and rivers. Some of this water is soaked up by plants and seeps into the ground, replenishing groundwater. Explore the Coyote Hills watershed, discover where your water comes from, and learn how we are connected and responsible for our watersheds at the Water, Water, Everywhere program on Saturday, January 27, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Coyote Hills Visitor Center. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “Water, Water, Everywhere.”

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area

San Pablo Dam Road work in El Sobrante begins Monday, Jan. 21

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Source: CCC Public Works

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works

Contra Costa County Public Works will be upgrading traffic signal hardware to improve pedestrian safety at nine (9) intersections on San Pablo Dam Road between El Portal Drive and Castro Ranch Road. Work will begin on Monday, January 22, 2024, and continue through Friday, June 21, 2024, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), 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) and Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). For more information regarding this work, visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/San-Pablo-Dam-Road-and-Bailey-Road-Signal-Hardware-Upgrades

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 Facebook, Instagram and X @cccpublicworks.

 

10 Contra Costa Shark Tank Youth Competition finalists announced

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Students ages 11-17 selected from over 300 applicants 

Finalist pitch event February 6th at Lafayette library will determine $1,000 winner

MORAGA, CALIFORNIA –Ten students in Contra Costa County have been selected as finalists for the first Contra Costa Shark Tank Youth Competition (www.contracostasharktank.org).

The competition, open to all Contra Costa County students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade, is a fun way to promote youth entrepreneurship. When young people succeed as entrepreneurs, they improve their own lives while also contributing to the economic development of their local communities.

“The best way to learn about entrepreneurship is by starting a business,” explains high school junior Maya Hammerman, the competition founder and one of the judges. “My journey as an entrepreneur started in elementary school. I created the competition to inspire kids in Contra Costa County to start or grow any type of business from traditional ones such as lemonade stands, to innovative new products or services that they create.”

The ten finalists listed below were selected by members of the Campolindo High School Entrepreneurship Club from over 300 applicants.

  1. SportzCity, Hunter Smith (5th Grade, Burton Valley Elementary, Lafayette)
  2. Experimental Kids, Archit Kundu (5th Grade, Bella Vista Elementary, San Ramon)
  3. Lydia’s Soap, Lydia Stewart (7th Grade, Homeschool, Antioch)
  4. Loonies, Valerie Castellanos, Angie Alvarenga, Giovanny Perez (7th, Summit Tamalpais, Richmond)
  5. Tied Up in a Bow, Himna Imam & Mahum Malik (9th Grade, Venture & Dougherty Valley, San Ramon)
  6. ElderSafe, Ronen Jain (10th Grade, Monte Vista High, Danville)
  7. MiracleAlgae, Nicolas Angel-Ordonez & Shashank Koundinya (11th Grade, San Ramon Valley, Danville)
  8. Synchroma Studio, Hector Espinoza (12th Grade, Freedom High, Oakley)
  9. ScrubWoofer™, Beatrice Roberge (12th Grade, Campolindo High, Moraga)
  10. Workout Wizard, Fatimah Hussain (12th Grade, Dougherty Valley High, San Ramon)

Winners will receive $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place. Sponsors for the competition include Chevron, Visa, PG&E, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and Campolindo Parents Club. Winners will be chosen by a panel of five judges at the Finalist Pitch Event at the Lafayette library on Tuesday February 6, 2024 at 7pm. For ticket information visit www.contracostasharktank.org

 Contact Information:

Contra Costa Shark Tank Youth Competition

Maya Hammerman, Founder

Email: contracostasharktank@gmail.com

Website: www.contracostasharktank.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/contracostasharktank

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550742340795

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contracostasharktank

 

Felony vehicle alert results in stolen gun recovered in Concord

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Photos: Concord PD

By Concord Police Department

Responding to a felony vehicle alert, a graveyard officer located the suspect’s vehicle near our downtown area. Following a high-risk stop, the driver was taken into custody.

But the story doesn’t end there! During the arrest, officers uncovered a stolen, loaded firearm with extended magazines. This quick and decisive action undoubtedly prevented a potential threat to our community.

Pittsburg woman arrested for fatal hit-and-run of 36-year-old man

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By Pittsburg Police Department

In the early morning hours of Saturday, January 6th, Pittsburg Officers responded to the 1200 block of Railroad Avenue for a report of a pedestrian down in the roadway. Upon arrival, a 36-year-old male, later identified as Tony Weems, was located who was suffering from major injuries. Medical personnel provided medical aid to the victim, unfortunately he succumbed to his injuries while enroute to the hospital. It was quickly determined that the victim was struck by a vehicle and the driver and vehicle had fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival.

The traffic division and detectives responded and over the next several hours were able to identify the responsible vehicle as well as the driver. The vehicle was located and collected to be processed for evidence and the responsible driver was taken into custody. The driver, a 42-year-old female Pittsburg resident, has been booked and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office this week requesting formal charges. This is still an active investigation, and anyone who has additional information related to the case should contact Detective Gutierrez at 925-252-4095

 

Earthquake Brace + Bolt grants now available to more California homeowners

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Source: Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program.

The largest program expansion in its history: EBB now available in 815 high-risk ZIP Codes

EBB Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary with more than 23,000 homeowners receiving seismic retrofit grants over the past decade

Sacramento, CA – 30 years after the devastating Northridge Earthquake, new retrofit opportunities are available.  Thousands of California homeowners are now eligible to apply for Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) seismic retrofit grants as approximately 300 new ZIP Codes have been added to the program. Starting today, January 10 and continuing until February 21st, eligible homeowners in 815 ZIP Codes can apply for $3,000 seismic retrofit grants to help strengthen their homes against earthquake damage.

Eligible Contra Costa ZIP Codes are located in Bay Point, Brentwood, Byron, Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Sobrante, Hercules, Lafayette, Orinda, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Rodeo and Walnut Creek.

More than $20 million in grant funding will be available to help offset the cost of seismic retrofits that brace the crawl space walls of older homes, when present, and bolt houses to their foundations, making them less vulnerable to earthquake damage. In the ten years since it began, the EBB program has assisted more than 23,000 homeowners in strengthening their homes against earthquake damage. The EBB grant program is administered by the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) a Joint Powers Authority between the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).

“California has an ever-present risk of earthquakes and no one knows when or where the next Big One might hit. But we know older homes near faults are at greater risk if they haven’t been strengthened with a seismic retrofit,” said Janiele Maffei, the Chief Mitigation Officer of CEA and Executive Director of CRMP. “By expanding to 815 ZIP Codes, we’re broadening our reach to help more homeowners safeguard their families and properties. I strongly encourage homeowners to seize this opportunity and join the growing community of Californians who’ve taken this vital step towards resilience.”

Income-eligible homeowners may also qualify for supplemental grants. Up to $7,000 in additional grant funds are available for households with an annual income at or below $87,360, which may be able to provide up to 100% of the funds needed to cover a seismic retrofit. Grants are contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements and available funds.

There are more than 1.2 million houses in California built before 1980 in high-hazard areas that are vulnerable to collapse or destruction by sliding off the foundation during a strong earthquake.

“The memorable earthquake that shook the Northridge area in 1994 is a profound reminder for Californians to check if their homes qualify for the EBB grant,” said Glenn Pomeroy, Chief Executive Officer of the California Earthquake Authority. “Given the unpredictable nature of earthquakes and the possibility of a life-altering seismic event, it’s crucial for homeowners – especially those with older homes – to take proactive steps that can lessen the potential for earthquake damage. At CEA, we are reinforcing our commitment to support California homeowners in these seismic mitigation efforts with more access and funding.”

Beginning January 10 through February 21, 2024, eligible homeowners can apply for a retrofit grant at EarthquakeBraceBolt.com, where they can also find detailed program information, select a trained, California-licensed general contractor and view the full list of eligible ZIP Codes and program areas. The EBB program added ZIP Codes in new areas including areas in and around Eureka, San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland, Monterey/Salinas, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and San Diego.

The new EBB registration period coincides with the 30th Anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake, a damaging 6.7 magnitude earthquake that struck early in the morning of January 17th, 1994. It caused an estimated $20 billion dollars in damages and 57 deaths and led to the State legislature creating the CEA in 1996.

About Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB)

Established by the California Residential Mitigation Program, EBB offers up to $3,000 to help California homeowners retrofit their house to reduce potential damage from earthquakes. A residential seismic retrofit makes a house more resistant to earthquake activity, such as ground shaking and soil failure, by bolting the house to its foundation and adding bracing around the perimeter of the crawl space. For more information, including an online media kit, please visit http://www.EarthquakeBrace Bolt.com.

About the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP)

CRMP was established in 2011 to help Californians strengthen their homes against damage from earthquakes. CRMP is a joint powers authority created by the California Earthquake Authority and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. For more information, please visit https://www.CaliforniaResidentialMitigationProgram.com/About-CRMP

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Jan. 25th deadline for Lafayette City Council vacancy appointment

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The Lafayette City Council announced an upcoming vacancy on the City Council and laid out the process for filling the vacancy at their January 8, 2024 meeting.

On December 15, 2023, Councilmember Teresa Gerringer announced her plan to resign from the Council effective Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Gerringer has served on the Lafayette City Council since 2018 and previously served for 18 years on the Lafayette School Board. The announcement coincided with Gerringer’s retirement as District III Chief of Staff for Contra Costa Supervisor Diane Burgis in December.

“I’m looking forward to a happy, healthy next chapter of life with my family in the Pacific Northwest,” Gerringer said. “In the meantime, I will continue to fulfill my duties as a Lafayette City Councilmember.”

The Lafayette City Council is obligated to fill the vacancy by March 23, 2024. The appointed person will serve on the City Council until the next regularly scheduled municipal election in November 2024.

Applicants must be a resident of the City of Lafayette and registered to vote. Applicants will be interviewed on Monday, January 29th and Wednesday January 31st (if necessary).

Click here for the application.

Applications must be received by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Completed applications can be submitted to the City Clerk via email at JRobbins@lovelafayette.org, mail or in-person at 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., #210, Lafayette CA  94549.

 

Richmond man sworn in as new CHP Officer

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DeAnza High grad, Carlos Ibarra will work in Marin Area office

New Officer Carlos Ibarra. Photo courtesy of the CHP

By CHP Media Relations

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Carlos Ibarra of Richmond, Calif., has successfully completed cadet training at the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy. He is assigned to duty at the CHP’s Marin Area office.

Officer Ibarra graduated from De Anza High School in 2017.  He also attended the University of California, Merced earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. Prior to attending the CHP Academy, he worked as a field technician for Technical Safety Service in Berkeley, Calif.

At the CHP Academy, cadet training starts with nobility in policing, leadership, professionalism and ethics, and cultural diversity. Training also includes mental illness response and crisis intervention techniques. Cadet instruction covers patrol operations, crash investigation, first aid, and the arrest of suspected violators, including those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The cadets also receive training in traffic control, report writing, recovery of stolen vehicles, assisting the motoring public, issuing citations, emergency scene management, and knowledge of various codes including the Vehicle Code, Penal Code, and Health and Safety Code.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Contra Costa Supervisors install Glover in final year as Chair, Andersen as Vice-Chair

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New Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Federal Glover (District 5) and Vice Chair Candace Andersen (District 2) following their oaths of office ceremony. Photo: CoCoCounty

(Martinez, CA) – Supervisors Federal D. Glover and Candace Andersen are taking on new leadership roles for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in 2024. During their Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, meeting, Contra Costa Superior Court Presiding Judge Honorable Edward G. Weil administered the Oath of Office to Glover as Chair and Andersen as Vice-Chair of the Board.

District 5 Supervisor Glover, who represents Hercules, Rodeo, Crockett, Martinez, Bay Point, Pacheco, Clyde, Pittsburg, and parts of Antioch and Marsh Creek, is the Board’s first and only African American Supervisor. He was elected to the Board in 2000, served four previous terms as Chair, and is the fourth longest-serving Supervisor in California. Supervisor Glover announced that he would retire at the end of his current term in December 2024, thus ending six consecutive terms as the District 5 supervisor.

Standing between his wife and son, Supervisor Federal Glover takes his oath of office administered by Contra Costa Superior Court Presiding Judge Edward G. Weil on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Photo: CoCoCounty

“As we head into 2024, we will focus on improving the quality of life for all County residents with the Board’s theme of “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access” guiding our efforts,” said Supervisor Glover. “And as I reflect on my time as supervisor, I’m honored and humbled to continue representing the diverse communities of District 5 in my final year on the Board. I’m excited about Contra Costa County’s future and look forward to our work ahead.”

Over the years, Supervisor Glover has served as chair of the Public Protection Committee, Equity Committee, Los Medanos Healthcare Operations Committee, Sustainability Committee, Northern Waterfront Ad Hoc Committee, and Industrial Safety Ordinance/Community Warning System Ad Hoc Committee.

Contra Costa Superior Court Presiding Judge Edward G. Weil administers the oath of office to Supervisor Candace Andersen on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Photo: CoCoCounty

District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen represents Alamo, Blackhawk, Canyon, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Tassajara Valley, and parts of unincorporated Walnut Creek. She was first elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in June 2012. She ran unopposed in 2016, 2020, and once again has no opponent in the March 2024 election. Supervisor Andersen currently sits on 28 local and regional boards and commissions addressing planning, land use, transportation, pensions, mental health, healthcare, reuse and recycling, economic development, and public safety.

“I am proud to represent the residents of District 2 and continue my work as an advocate for the most vulnerable and for the health and safety of all residents in the County,” said Andersen.

Supervisors Glover and Andersen will lead the five-member elected body that sets the direction of County government and oversees its $5.5 billion budget to serve the 1.2 million residents of this diverse East Bay county with a “AAA” bond rating.

For more information about Contra Costa County and its Board of Supervisors, visit the County’s website at www.contracosta.ca.gov/or the webpage: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/7283/Board-of- Supervisors.

For more information about Supervisor Federal D. Glover, visit his County webpage at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/781/District-5- Supervisor-Federal-D-Glover.

For more information about Supervisor Candace Andersen, visit her County webpage at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/4668/District-2-Supervisor-Candace-Andersen.

 

Bikes now allowed on escalators at BART

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Screenshots source: BART

BART is going all in on bikes! As of January 1, 2024, bikes are allowed on most of the escalators throughout the BART system to help make it easier for people to bring their bikes on board the train.

This change was approved by the BART Board of Directors at the request of Director Rebecca Saltzman. The vote authorizes further changes to BART’s bike rules, including allowing bikes on all train cars except the first car (bikes were previously banned from the first three cars during commute times), and allowing bicyclists to secure bikes on the train using the bike lean bar and straps, instead of holding them.

The bike rules were last changed 10 years ago, when BART ended the ban on bikes on BART during commute hours. Over the last decade, longer and heavier bicycles, such as e-bikes and cargo bikes, have soared in popularity.

“Carrying bikes up and down stairwells can be difficult and not all bikes fit in our elevators,” said BART Director Rebecca Saltzman. “Updating our rules will make BART easier to use for cyclists and families bringing bikes on the train. Bikes play an important role in getting people out of their cars and on public transit and these updated rules encourage environmentally friendly multimodal travel options.”

BART encourages riders to use their best judgment when utilizing system escalators and elevators because individual bikes vary in size and weight.

BART is releasing a new video detailing safety tips for bringing bikes on escalators in the BART system.

See updated Bikes on BART rules here:

*Bikes will remain banned from BART’s ten narrow escalators located at the following three stations: 19th Street Oakland, Antioch and Oakland Airport Connector

Bike + Transit Trips

BART’s Trip Planner offers multi-modal, end-to-end itineraries for bike + transit trips. It features customizable bike speed options including an option for e-bikes (select the settings/tool icon to customize your options). BART’s Trip Planner includes results for more than 30 transit systems in the Bay Area such as bus service, ferries, cable cars, and regional train systems.

BART’s Trip Planner is available on web, mobile, and the official BART app. The BART app also offers station information, including information on secured bike parking.

Elevator Dimension Guid

BART also offers this Elevator Dimension Guide to assist cyclists in navigating BART elevators. It outlines the dimensions of each elevator in the system including measurements of the door, width, length, and diagonal space across the floor. As always, use your best judgment when utilizing system elevators because individual bikes and elevators vary in size.