Contra Costa Herald

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

Geotechnical work on Highland Road east of San Ramon Dec. 22

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Highland Road damage. Photos: CCC Public Works Dept

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

Contra Costa County Public Works will be performing geotechnical borings in preparation for the Highland Road Erosion Repair Project east of San Ramon on Friday, December 22, 2023, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will repair the roadway and road embankment along the eastbound shoulder of Highland Road, at a Tassajara Creek tributary crossing, approximately 50-feet west from the intersection with Collier Canyon Road.

The project will, approximately 50 feet northwest of the intersection with Collier Canyon Road.   Repair work will included construction of a soldier pile retaining wall to restore and stabilize the roadway embankment.  The project will also include installing guardrail along the retaining wall and backfilling and reconstructing the damaged roadway and shoulder.

Source: CCC Public Works Dept.

Drivers should expect 15-minute delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes.

For construction and project status contact Jorge Hernandez, 925.313.2346. For more information visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/Highland-Road-Erosion-Repair

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

 

Concord Realtor announces campaign for State Assembly

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Source: Ledo for Assembly campaign

Running to replace Tim Grayson, Sonia Ledo is the sole Republican in the race against three Democrats

Sonia Ledo, a resident of Concord and Realtor, has announced her candidacy for the California State Assembly. She aims to bring an improved quality of life for all residents of District 15.

“I’m excited to take this important step in seeking to represent much of Contra Costa County in the California State Assembly,” said Ledo. “I believe my professional and personal experiences give me a unique understanding of the needs of the district and the challenges we face. I will work to develop common sense solutions to improve the quality of life for not only Contra Costa residents, but all Californians.”

Through her professional experience in mortgage lending and real estate, Ledo has helped many first-time buyers purchase their dream homes utilizing various down payment assistance programs. Personally, she has raised four sons in the public education system in Contra Costa, including autistic twins who require special needs assistance.

The bi-lingual candidate who is fluent in Spanish and a first-generation American, has also volunteered locally over the years by coaching Challenger baseball for special needs players, sorting food at the Food Bank, feeding the needy on Christmas morning, and directly assisting families through personal donations. Ledo served as treasurer for the Women’s Council of Realtors Contra Costa and is also a longtime member of the One Hundred Club organization that supports families of fallen firefighters and police officers.

According to her webpage on the Compass, Inc. real estate website, she has been a licensed California Realtor® since 1991 and earned a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from JFK University and is a certified paralegal. In her free time, Ledo enjoys hiking the Contra Costa trails with her dog.

This blend of professional and personal experience has given her a deep understanding of the challenges faced in our communities by small businesses, families, seniors, disabled, people in crisis, and those with special needs.

If elected to the State Assembly, Ledo promises to work hard to bring fairness, transparency and a strong work ethic to Sacramento. Her priorities would include public safety, education, improved mental health services, increasing housing supply, and serving as a good steward of taxpayer money when faced with tough decisions regarding the looming state budget deficit of $68 billion.

Regarding housing, Ledo emphasizes that, “Building more housing alone won’t solve the issues of housing affordability. The underlying reasons for the high cost of housing must be addressed. We also need to better serve individuals with disabilities, mental health issues, and homelessness as a collaborative state effort.”

Assembly District 15 map. Source: Office of Assemblyman Tim Grayson

The seat being vacated by Assemblymember Tim Grayson includes all or parts of the cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg and Pleasant Hill and unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County including Bay Point, Crockett and Pacheco.

The only Republican in the race, Ledo is looking forward to the March 5th primary elections and will be ready on day one to begin with a strong commitment to working with all bay area and California elected leaders for the well-being of our communities, region and state.

She faces Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson, Contra Costa School Board Trustee Anamaria Avila Farias and former county Supervisor Karen Mitchoff in the primary. The top two vote-getters will continue on to face off in the general election in November.

For more information about Ledo’s campaign visit www.sonialedo.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Brentwood, San Ramon Police participating in national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign

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Through New Year’s Day

By Brentwood Police Department

The holiday season can be a dangerous time for people on the roads. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Brentwood PD wants to remind the public of the dangers of driving impaired and celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.

From December 13th through New Year’s Day, Brentwood PD will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk.

Brentwood PD encourages everyone to stay in for the night or have a “go safely” game plan by scheduling a ride or designating a sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol.

San Ramon Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement throughout this Holiday Season.

 

 

Hercules traffic stop leads to arrest for unregistered firearm

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Loaded unregistered gun discovered and confiscated on Dec. 11, 2023. Photos: Hercules PD

By Hercules Police Department

Can you spot the firearm? Swipe to see if you would have located it… good eye, Officer.

On Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at approximately 1:53 AM an officer conducted a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Malibu on Willow Ave at Hawthorne Drive. While speaking with the driver, the officer observed the barrel of a silver and black firearm protruding from underneath a jacket on the front passenger seat.

The driver was detained, and a search of the vehicle was conducted. The search revealed a loaded, silver and black Springfield XD-M 40 pistol. The firearm was unregistered. The driver was arrested for firearm violations and booked in jail.

 

Stolen vehicle stop leads to 600 lbs. of stolen AT&T copper wire in San Pablo

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Stolen wire and car recovered on Dec. 14, 2023. Photos: San Pablo PD

By San Pablo Police Department

This is how you get on Santa’s naughty list!!!

On Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, officers were patrolling our city and located a stolen vehicle driving around. They were able to stop the vehicle and contacted three subjects inside. All three subjects were detained and while searching the vehicle, officers located approximately 600 lbs. of copper wire.

An AT&T representative responded and identified it as stolen AT&T wire and stated that it was worth approx. $10,000.00 dollars. These suspects earned themselves a spot on Santa’s naughty list and were booked into county jail. The copper wire was returned to AT&T and the vehicle to its owner.

 

Contra Costa Sheriff warns of scam by fake department employee

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Please be aware of a scam targeting our community. The scam involves an individual posing as an employee of the Sheriff’s Office who calls unsuspecting residents.

The scammer informs the resident that they have an active warrant and must immediately make a payment to avoid legal consequences.

It is important to note that the scammer is utilizing technology to manipulate caller ID systems, making it appear that the calls originate from legitimate Sheriff’s Office phone numbers.

We urge all residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant. Law enforcement agencies will never demand immediate payments over the phone (typically through gift cards) or threaten arrest for unpaid fees or fines.

Stay informed and protect yourself from falling victim to these scams. Hang up and never provide private, personal information.

 

Walnut Creek suspicious death in November now investigated as homicide

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By Lt. Bruce Jower, Walnut Creek Police Department

On November 27th, 2023, at approximately 3:09 PM, Walnut Creek Police patrol officers were dispatched to a suspicious death in the 1900 block of Camino Verde Circle. Walnut Creek Police Detectives responded to the scene and investigated the case as a suspicious death. Detectives have officially classified this case as a homicide and are investigating it as such.

At this time, we are not revealing the identity of the victim. However, the next of kin has been notified. WCPD Detectives are following up on all leads at this time.

If anyone has any information about this case, please contact Detective Nick Olson at olson@walnutcreekpd.com or call the anonymous tip line (925) 943-5865. Case #: 23-37597

Concord PD asks public’s help to ID suspect in sexual assault

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Video surveillance photo of suspect in Concord sexual assault on Oct. 7, 2023. Source: Concord PD

Special Victims Unit needs your help

By Concord Police Department

On October 7, 2023, at approximately 10:17 AM, the male in the attached photograph sexually assaulted a female in the pedestrian tunnel under Hwy 242 connecting Franquette Avenue and Market Street. The male may frequent the area around Home Depot (2090 Meridian Park Blvd., Concord).

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this male may contact Detective David Boucher with CPD’s Special Victims Unit at 925-603-5876. CPD Case #23-11048. We also have an anonymous tip line at 925-603-5836.

Brentwood traffic stop leads to DUI, gun arrest of Antioch woman, Oakland man

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Her third DUI arrest this year; cited and released

By Brentwood Police Department

Alcohol and stolen gun confiscated during traffic stop on Dec. 10, 2023. Photo: Brentwood PD

Last weekend, on December 10, 2023, a Brentwood officer was patrolling the area of Heidorn Ranch and Kohl’s Drive when he pulled a car over for not having a front license plate and suspended registration. When he contacted the driver, identified as 20-year-old Arrieanna Renel Snell, Jr. of Antioch, he determined she was driving under the influence of alcohol. The officer also noticed an open bottle of tequila behind the passenger’s seat.

Upon contacting the passenger, identified as 23-year-old Jai Royale Williams of Oakland, the officer located a stolen gun in the car.

Snell was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and Williams was placed under arrest for being in possession of the stolen gun. Both were transported to the County Jail for booking.

According to vinelink.com, Snell was cited and released and Williams is out of custody with no charges filed.  According to localcrimenews.com, she was also arrested for driving with a license suspended for drunk driving. Earlier this year, Snell was arrested twice for assault upon a peace officer, DUI alcohol/drugs and for DUI alcohol with blood alcohol content above .08 percent.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa County surveys residents about Community Warning System

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Contra Costa Health (CCH) seeks input from county residents about whether they use the Community Warning System (CWS), how well it works, and if more notification options would improve it.

The CWS is an all-hazards community notification system that alerts residents about emergencies affecting public health or safety, including those from refineries and large chemical manufacturing facilities in Contra Costa County.

CCH’s online survey, available on the CWS page at cchealth.org, seeks information about community familiarity with the tool, whether polled residents subscribe, and opinions about the service.

The CWS sends free phone calls, texts and emails to anyone who signs up at cwsalerts.com. Users have subscription options, including whether to receive alerts only from certain areas of Contra Costa County, or only about certain facilities.

The survey, conducted at the direction of the Industrial Safety Ordinance / Community Warning System Ad Hoc Committee of the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, also asks if residents would like notifications about nearby industrial incidents that are not deemed emergencies.

The CWS was designed for emergency use, and so when a facility reports an unexpected release – such as flaring, odors, smoke, noises, or fires – CWS only sends an alert to its subscribers if the incident is likely to affect health in the surrounding community, in the estimation of the facility, or the emergency responders from CCH or the fire department who are investigating.

For details about the CWS and its response levels, visit the CWS page at cchealth.org.

The county’s Hazardous Materials Incident Notification Policy requires specified facilities, including all the county’s refineries, to immediately report to the CWS whenever there is a release or threatened release of hazardous material, as well as flaring events.

Most of these are “Level 1” incidents – received and investigated by CCH’s Hazardous Materials Response Team, but not subject to a community alert. CWS has received 227 reported Level 1 alerts so far in 2023 from industrial facilities.

Since 2022, an automated feed has displayed all active Level 1 alerts that have lasted longer than 20 minutes and are seen, heard or associated with offsite odors, at cchealth.org/hazmat.

The survey asks whether CWS subscribers should have the option to directly receive additional alerts via phone, text or email as they happen, even for incidents that may not threaten the community.

The survey is planned to continue through January 12, 2024, and CCH share the results publicly and with the Ad Hoc Committee.