Contra Costa Herald

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

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7 San Ramon Valley Unified students advance in local Shark Tank Competition 

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SRVUSD student entrepreneurs of 10 finalists to be judged by global business executives Feb. 6

By Ilana Israel, Director of Communications, Family and Community Engagement, San Ramon Valley Unified School District

Of the top ten finalists in the Contra Costa Shark Tank Youth Competition that have been announced, including three teams, five placements went to seven students from Bella Vista, Venture, Dougherty Valley High School, Monte Vista High School, and San Ramon Valley High School in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. The seven students’ entrepreneurial projects cover various industries, including health care, environmentalism, and health and wellness.

The over 300 Contra Costa Shark Tank Youth Competition applicants were evaluated based on their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship, how the business is presented, the viability of the business and how the prize money will be used to launch a new business or grow an existing business.

The annual competition is open to all Contra Costa County students in kindergarten to 12th grade. The program promotes youth entrepreneurship and teaches important life skills, including perseverance, self-confidence, and financial literacy. Winners receive $1,000 (first place), $500 (second place), and $250 (third place). The competition was created by Maya Hammerman, an entrepreneur and Campolindo High School student, to inspire kids in Contra Costa County to explore entrepreneurship and new business ideas.

The finalists from San Ramon Valley Unified School District are:

  • Nicolas Angel-Ordonez & Shashank Koundinya, 11th Grade, San Ramon Valley High School – MiracleAlgae
  • Fatimah Hussain, 12th grade, Dougherty Valley High School – Workout Wizard
  • Himna Imam & Mahum Malik, 9th grade, Venture & Dougherty Valley High School – Tied Up in a Bow
  • Ronen Jain, 10th grade, Monte Vista High School – ElderSafe
  • Archit Kundu, 5th grade, Bella Vista Elementary School – Experimental Kids

“I congratulate our students who have followed their entrepreneurial spirit and worked very hard to bring their business ideas to life,” said Dr. John Malloy, Superintendent, San Ramon Valley Unified School District. “I wish our students the best of luck at the final pitch.”

As previously reported, the other five finalists are:

  • Valerie Castellanos, Angie Alvarenga, Giovanny Perez, 7th Grade, Summit Tamalpais, Richmond – Loonies
  • Hector Espinoza, 12th Grade, Freedom High, Oakley – Synchroma Studio
  • Beatrice Roberge, 12th Grade, Campolindo High, Moraga – ScrubWoofer™
  • Hunter Smith, 5th Grade, Burton Valley Elementary, Lafayette – SportzCity
  • Lydia Stewart, 7th Grade, Homeschool, Antioch – Lydia’s Soap

The top ten finalists will compete in the Finalist Pitch Event on February 6, 2024, at the Lafayette Library (3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA). The judges include Jason Gardner, Founder, Chairman, and Former CEO of Marqeta, Inc.; Stephanie Williams, CFO and Controller of Pacific Gas & Electric Company; Roxanne Christophe, Founder and CEO of Girls Crushing It; Anthony Marino, President of thredUp; and Maya Hammerman, Founder of Moon Blossom Collection.

More information about the event, including tickets, is available at https://contracostasharktank.org/.

About San Ramon Valley Unified School District: Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) is one of the highest-achieving school districts in California. With approximately 29,000 students, the district encompasses the communities of Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, and a small portion of Walnut Creek and Pleasanton.

SRVUSD has been recognized at state and national levels with many awards and achievements. The district is designated by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, as a Learning 2025 Lighthouse District because it serves as a model of positive change in public education and is committed to the whole child. Based on a foundation of academic excellence, SRVUSD’s work is guided by the district’s Strategic Directions, and broadening the definition of success so all students can thrive. The district maintains graduation rates above 96%. The Learner Profile outlines the competencies the district aspires for students to possess upon graduation, preparing students to be Critical Thinkers, Creative Contributors, Intentional Collaborators, Adaptable Learners, and Effective Communicators.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

DA charges Danville man with two felonies for assault on father

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24-year-old also involved in separate January 8th incident

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

A 24-year-old Danville resident has been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with a five-count complaint that includes two felonies for assault.

Kevin Hu Xu was arraigned in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez today, January 24, 2024, for an assault with a deadly weapon and assault by means likely to produce great bodily harm. Both counts are felonies that include special allegations related to great bodily harm. In addition to the

felony charges, Xu has been charged with the following misdemeanor offenses: resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer, battery, and aggravated trespassing.

The incident that led to Xu’s arrest started on January 20th around 2:20 in the afternoon. Xu was exiting his residence on Glasgow Circle when he encountered his father walking toward a neighbor’s home. Xu and his family are estranged and do not live together, and his father expressed to the police that he is afraid of his son because of his erratic behavior. When Xu’s father saw him, he turned and fled down a street calling for help while Xu pursued him. When Xu caught up with his father, he proceeded to strike him several times causing multiple injuries requiring medical treatment. Danville Police were called and attempted to locate Xu – who evaded police detection until the next day.

In another incident on January 8th, Xu was sitting on a sidewalk near some trash receptacles when a neighbor came out and asked him to leave. However, instead of leaving, Xu followed the neighbor into a garage and attempted to gain entry to their home. The neighbor and another family member were able to repel Xu from forcing his way into the home and called 911 shortly afterward.

Xu remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on $117,000 bail. The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Inmate Locator shows his bail is set at $147,000.

Asked which amount is correct, Asregadoo responded, “The bond was set by the court at $117,000. He was arraigned today. There may have been a request to increase the bail amount, but the court has not updated their information on this case. However, Court Protective Orders have been issued for victims in both incidents in case he makes bail.”

If convicted on all counts with the special allegations, Xu could face a sentence between 2 and 7 years in state prison.

Case No. 01-24-00218 | The People of the State of California vs Xu, Kevin

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Danville man arrested for assault on estranged father

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Being held on $147,000 bail

By Danville Police Department

On Saturday, January 20 at 2:18 pm, Danville Police Officers were dispatched to a disturbance on Glasgow Circle in the 200 block. Upon arrival, they found that Kevin Xu, a 24-year-old from Danville, had assaulted his father using a deadly weapon. Mr. Xu had already left the scene by the time the officers arrived. Consequently, a warrant was issued for his arrest that same day.

Throughout the night, officers conducted extensive searches in and around Glasgow Circle for Mr. Xu. The following morning, on January 21 at 6:38 am, officers located Mr. Xu on Grassland Court. They established a perimeter and successfully apprehended him. The Danville Police Department would like to thank community members within the search area for their help in reporting suspicious activity that greatly assisted in the apprehension of Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu was booked and remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Resisting Arrest. The case was forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review. According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the 5-foot, 10-inch, 150 lb. suspect is being held on $147,000 bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

DeSaulnier announces 2023 Congressional App Challenge winner

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U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier held a reception Friday to announce the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge, Sania Bidurukontam of Dougherty Valley High School. Four Dougherty Valley students tied for second place. Photo: Office of U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

Dougherty Valley High junior from San Ramon invents CogniPro

3 other Dougherty Valley students and Dublin High team tie for second, third place winner from Monte Vista High

On Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that Sania Bidurukontam of San Ramon is the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for California’s 10th Congressional District. Bidurukontam, is a junior at Dougherty Valley High School. She invented the CogniPro app, which aims to reduce misdiagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and help mental health professionals properly diagnose ADHD. The app includes a 2D platform game and embedded eye tracking to monitor levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, the most common symptoms of ADHD.

“It’s such a joy to see students’ creativity and talent on display each year during our Congressional App Challenge,” said DeSaulnier. “As a proud advocate in Congress for improving youth mental health, I am proud to see young people like Sania working on ways to better identify and address the challenges faced by her peers. Congratulations, Sania!”

Second place was a four-way tie with Advita Goyal (Dougherty Valley High School), Aryan Agrawal (Dougherty Valley High School), Prisha Marpu (Dougherty Valley High School), and a team comprised of Rohan Vij, Ayush Garg, Mohit Varikuti, and Jimin Lim (Dublin High School)—all recognized for their apps SkinScan, WellTeen, Med Track, and Politica AI, respectively. SkinScan helps to identify and monitor skin conditions, WellTeen helps to manage stress and promote mental wellbeing, Med Track helps users track their daily medications, and Politica AI helps users identify political biases and misinformation while reading the news. Third place was awarded to Jacob Trentini (Monte Vista High School) for his app BreatheFree, which monitors air quality and pollen levels.

This year’s winners were chosen by a panel of judges from the STEM and education fields, all of whom live or work in California’s 10th Congressional District.

The CAC is a public initiative to encourage young people to learn how to code in an effort to inspire creativity and encourage interest in STEM education. In the eight years of the CAC, the program has yielded 46,928 applicants across all 50 states.

Two arrested for drugs, ghost gun in San Ramon

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Police officers affected by fentanyl exposure taken to hospital

By Chief Denton Carlson, San Ramon Police Department

On Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at approximately 11:00 am, San Ramon Police Department Officers responded to the parking lot of 2505 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in response to reports of an individual who appeared to be passed out inside a vehicle. While contacting the individual, suspected narcotics were observed, and the occupants were detained. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located additional suspected narcotics and a loaded firearm without a serial number (ghost gun).

The two officers who were conducting the vehicle search began to feel the effects of what was suspected to be fentanyl in the suspect’s vehicle. Both officers were transported to the San Ramon Regional Medical Center for precautionary reasons due to their elevated heart rates, dizziness, and weakness. We are happy to report both officers were released after being observed for roughly four hours by medical personnel.

The two suspects, a 19-year-old male from Vacaville and a 27-year-old female from Cottonwood, were arrested for multiple charges, including possession of a loaded firearm without a serial number, possession of narcotics, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

For a few hours, the parking lot surrounding the vehicle was closed to the public while San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District’s Hazardous Materials Response Team members decontaminated the vehicle and the surrounding area. The parking lot has been reopened, and we thank you for your patience while our public safety partners worked to ensure it was again safe for the San Ramon community.

 

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

 

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.

 

 

Armed robbery suspects arrested in San Ramon

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The Central County SWAT assisted in the arrest on Nov. 22, 2023. Photo: SRPD

SWAT, Walnut Creek PD assist

By San Ramon Police Department

On a recent evening, the Central County SWAT Team assisted Walnut Creek PD with the execution of a high-risk search warrant of known armed-robbery suspects.

The operation was successful, and a suspect was taken into custody for various felony offenses.

One of the suspects’ guns confiscated in the arrest on Nov. 22, 2023. Photo: SRPD

Additionally, firearms and stolen merchandise from various victims were recovered. More excellent work from San Ramon PD and our partner agencies.

 

Jury convicts Alamo attorney of embezzling $400,000 from fire victim clients

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By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

A jury in Martinez returned guilty verdicts on November 7th in a felony case involving an attorney, William James Reed, who embezzled $400,000 from his clients.

Reed, an 80-year-old attorney formerly of Alamo, was convicted of felony grand theft by embezzlement and a white-collar crime enhancement related to a settlement agreement with PG&E. The agreement included payments to victims of the 2006 Zamora Fire near Woodland, CA.

Following the fire, Reed authored a letter, purportedly from a fellow landowner impacted by the fire, stating that in a lawsuit against PG&E, attorney’s fees would be covered by PG&E. He invited fire victims to a Town Hall meeting in Zamora, where he assured them that, according to the law, PG&E would be responsible for attorney’s fees, not the clients.

Two families, including elderly victims with ranch properties damaged by the fire, agreed to have Reed represent them. Reed presented unclear and confusing lawyer-client relationship documents, including a contract implying clients would pay his hourly legal fees and costs at the rate of $625 an hour, and a cover letter stating PG&E would cover Reed’s attorney’s fees and costs. After obtaining the victims’ agreement on legal representation, Reed filed a lawsuit against PG&E on the victims’ behalf in 2008.

In 2013, a $200,000 settlement for each victim family was brokered by Reed with PG&E. Reed received the $400,000 settlement from an attorney representing PG&E — but Reed failed to inform his clients about the money. His clients discovered the settlement money was paid to Reed at an unrelated court hearing.

Afterward, when the victims asked Reed about their money, he presented them with a proposed settlement agreement. The agreement stated the clients would each give him $103,000 for attorney’s fees and costs, and in turn each client would receive $97,000. The victims refused to sign Reed’s proposed settlement agreement because it contradicted their initial agreement with him. Years of civil litigation ensued between Reed and the victims, with Reed using some of the settlement money to pay his lawyers to fight the victims.

In 2017, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office was alerted to possible criminal violations related to the victim’s settlement money. A Forensic Accountant at the District Attorney’s Office analyzed Reed’s bank account statements and determined that Reed had spent the entire $400,000 on himself. Thereafter, felony grand theft by embezzlement charges were filed against Reed.

The case went to trial on October 13, 2023. Deputy District Attorney Scott Prosser had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury that Reed was not entitled to the victim’s settlement money for attorney’s fees A key piece of evidence presented to the jury during the trial was the document stating that Reed’s fees would be paid by PG&E and not the victims.

The jury deliberated for a few hours and convicted Reed on two felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement and a white collar crime enhancement, establishing illegal possession of over $100,000. Reed faces imprisonment for three years and eight months and will be sentenced on January 10, 2024, by

Superior Court Judge Charles Treat.

Deputy District Attorney Prosser, after the verdict, stated, “It is unconscionable for an attorney to lead a client to believe they were not responsible for attorney’s fees, and then take 100 % of the client’s money from a settlement agreement. And we are very pleased with the outcome in our fight to seek justice for the

victims in this case.”.

Brilliance: Danville exhibition to feature works from Lamorinda Arts Alliance

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Town of Danville partnered with local artists’ group on display opening November 4.

By Samantha McNally, Lamorinda Arts Alliance

The Town of Danville announces the opening of Brilliance, an exhibition featuring works by members of the Lamorinda Arts Alliance. Brilliance is juried and curated by Karen Baden Thapa, and co-curated by Ruth Stanton with the goal of displaying a selection of media that when seen all together, creates a dynamic, uplifting show for all to enjoy.

The artists of Brilliance describe their combined collection of artworks in this show as “full of intensity, sparkle, dazzle, and luminosity.” Brilliance opens Saturday, November 4 with an artists’ reception from 4 to 6 p.m. The reception is open to the public, and the exhibition runs through December 15.

The Village Theatre Art Gallery is at 233 Front Street, Danville. For more information, including hours and artists, visit www.danville.ca.gov/arts.

About the Town of Danville

Incorporated in 1982, the Town of Danville is in Contra Costa County, at the center of the San Ramon Valley. The Town comprises 18.5 square miles and has 43,906 residents. Danville began as a small rural village during the 1850s, and although the Town is suburban, it still retains its small-town character. The Town operates and maintains over 167 acres of parkland, including six community parks, sports fields, a dog park, walking trails, and facilities including the Village Theatre and Art Gallery and Danville Community Center. Danville’s primary commercial district lies in the center of the community and offers resident-serving commercial businesses, boutique shopping, and fine dining. The Town operates under the Council-Manager form of government and is governed by a five-member Town Council elected at large and serving staggered four-year terms.