Contra Costa Herald

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

Plans for new Oakland A’s waterfront ballpark move forward

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Renderings of A’s proposed waterfront ballpark and area development. Source: Oakland A’s.

City of Oakland releases Draft EIR for project

The City of Oakland’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), which the city released today, offers an incredibly thorough analysis showing the path forward for the Oakland A’s privately financed project at Howard Terminal that will be important to the environmental, transportation, and housing future of Oakland. The Draft EIR illustrates how current and future Port activity and a new neighborhood can not only coexist but also thrive.

“The release of the Draft EIR is another important step forward in the process of building a new privately financed ballpark at Oakland’s Howard Terminal,” said Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval.

The analysis shows, along with the plans the A’s have unveiled, how a once-in-a-generation project like this can contribute to the health and vitality of Oakland, including improved infrastructure and transportation solutions, measures to improve air quality, and supplying additional housing.

The DEIR outlines the following key areas:

Opening the Waterfront to the Community

  • Creates public waterfront access and more than 18 acres of new waterfront parks and open space areas
  • Improves Oakland’s resilience against sea-level rise
  • Transforms an underutilized industrial site into a sustainable community at no expense to taxpayers

Forward-looking Transportation Plan

  • A transit-first approach, the plan reduces car trips by 20 percent, expands public transportation options, and invests in bike safety and infrastructure, and pedestrian walkways and bridges
  • Separates ballpark and development transportation from Port of Oakland traffic to safeguard the Port and provide greater efficiency for trucks to access the Port

Caring for the Environment for Generations

  • Achieves net zero greenhouse gas emissions, and numerous other long-term health benefits for residents
  • Invests in electric vehicle chargers, solar options, public transportation

Creating Homes for Oaklanders

  • Proposes 3,000 homes, including affordable housing, in an area that the City of Oakland designated as a “Priority Development Area” by the Plan Bay Area 2040 vision for long-term growth

“The Athletics are the last professional sports team in Oakland,” said Kaval. “We employ thousands of Oakland and Alameda County residents, and local businesses, the City, and County derive significant economic benefits and revenue from our games. While the release of the draft environmental report is a great milestone, it is imperative that the City Council take a vote on the project this year. We look to the City for their support and partnership to keep the A’s in Oakland for generations to come.”

For more information on the A’s new ballpark plans and to watch the video, visit WeAreRooted.com. To see renderings of the ballpark and entire project site, click here.

A safe Super Bowl Sunday is CHP’s goal

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Officers will be on high alert for impaired drivers this weekend

By Jaime Coffee, Information Officer II, California Highway Patrol

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Football fans may have to come up with a new game plan for this year’s Super Bowl festivities, but the California Highway Patrol (CHP) still reminds everyone to put safety first.

California’s public health recommendations encourage residents to gather outdoors and with no more than three households.  In addition, Californians should stay close to home and limit non-essential travel to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.  If you must travel, the CHP wants to remind you of some important traffic safety tips to help you arrive safely:  drive sober, avoid distractions, always buckle up and leave plenty of time to get to your destination.

“The Super Bowl is one of the most celebrated sporting events of the year, and I am encouraging Californians to celebrate responsibly,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “If you choose to drink, do not get behind the wheel. Designate a sober driver.”

CHP officers will be on high alert for impaired drivers this weekend.  Alcohol is not the only substance that can lead to an arrest for driving under the influence (DUI).  Cannabis, prescription medications, and illegal drugs can all impair your ability to drive.

According to preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, four people died in alcohol-involved collisions in California on Super Bowl Sunday in 2020, and 120 people were injured.  In addition, the CHP made more than 300 DUI arrests that day.

The public can help keep California roadways safe by calling 9-1-1 if they suspect an impaired driver.  Callers should be prepared to give the vehicle’s description, location, license plate number and direction of travel.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

 

Antioch’s Najee Harris in running for Heisman Trophy for performance as Alabama running back

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Najee Harris evades an Arkansas State player. Photo: University of Alabama Football

Scores 5 TD’s in SEC Championship game, named MVP; showered with national honors; Heisman presentation Thursday on ESPN; will play in Rose Bowl Jan. 1

Najee Harris. Photo: UAF

By Jesus Cano

University of Alabama running back Najee Harris has taken the college football world by storm this season, but anyone who saw him play at Antioch High School knew this would happen

On Saturday night, Harris and the No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide took down No. 7 Florida in the SEC championship, where he was named the MVP. He recorded five touchdowns, three receiving and two rushing, and 245 all-purpose yards. His performances all season have put him in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy – given to the best college football player, for which he’s been training. Harris is one of the final five candidates, voting ended on Monday, Dec. 21, and the 2020 Heisman Trophy Finalists Reveal Show will be held Thursday, Dec. 24 at 4:30 pm Pacific Time on ESPN, and the winner presented on Jan. 5.

“A lot of stuff has happened this year,” Harris said. “We’re happy to be here.” (See his postgame press conference)

Overall, during his senior season, the 6-foot-2-inch, 230-pound Harris rushed for 24 touchdowns and 1,262 yards, for a total of 1,578 yards including 312 receiving, after choosing to stay in school to play one more year and forego entering the NFL draft. For Harris’ four-year college career, he has 4,311 total yards, including 3,649 rushing.

Harris is Alabama’s all-time leader in career touchdowns, surpassing current NFL running backs Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram, and Seattle Seahawks legend, Shaun Alexander. Harris is also just 101 yards shy of breaking the all-time rushing yards record at Alabama.

Najee Harris hurdles an Ole Miss player. Photo: UAF

As of last week, he was chosen one of three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award, which is presented annually to the Division I college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field. The award honors exemplary character and commitment to community, family and teammates.

In the description of Harris for that award, it reads, “One of the nation’s top running backs, Harris has…overcome a challenging childhood in which he faced homelessness to become a vocal leader during the Alabama team’s social justice movement and one of the main voices for his university’s push towards a more unified campus. He has also been an active member in the Tuscaloosa community, recording nearly 50 hours of community service, highlighted by his volunteer efforts with the Alberta Head Start Unity Project.”

Harris is also one of 14 student-athletes named to the 2020 SEC Football Community Service Team for his work and it was just announced on Monday, Dec. 21st during the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) honors presentation, he is one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award. The honor was created in 1989 to recognize the nation’s premier running back for his accomplishments on the field, achievement in the classroom and citizenship in the community. The winner will be announced during The 30th Annual Home Depot College Football Awards show on Thursday, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m. PT, on ESPN.

Harris was also a semi-finalist for The Maxwell Award which is presented annually to the college football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and NCAA head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best all-around in the United States.

Now, he and the Tide shift their focus to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) College Football Playoffs, where Alabama will play No. 4 Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl game on Jan. 1 at 1:00 p.m. Due to the State of California COVID-19 health orders, the game won’t be played in Pasadena, but at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas, instead.

Najee Harris stretches for the touchdown vs. Clemson in the 2019 BCS Championship game. Photo: UAF

Harris committed to Alabama his sophomore year of high school, very early to decide even for an athlete as rated as he was. And while there were talks of last-minute flips to Michigan or Cal, Harris remained true to the Crimson Tide.

“Words can’t express how happy and proud I am for Najee,” Antioch defensive coordinator Brett Dudley said. “It’s amazing getting to see him every Saturday on TV and it was great to see he graduated a couple weeks ago. It’s great for the city of Antioch because he will forever be the inspiration for every kid growing up in Antioch. The best example there is that if you’re a great person and you do all the right things on and off the field, you can achieve all of your dreams.”

Harris ended his high school career with 99 touchdowns for the Panthers, with 7,948 rushing yards. Antioch went undefeated in 2015, winning its first league title since 1984. The following year, Antioch made it to the NCS DI championship, but came up short, losing to Monte Vista.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Professional soccer player identified as Delta boater who went missing Friday night, body discovered Sunday morning

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Joseph “The Jet” Cairel tributes. Photo top left from death-obituary.com, photo top right and bottom graphic by Ontario Fury.

Formerly of Livermore; Sheriff’s investigation continues

By Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Sunday morning, June 28, 2020 at about 9:48 am, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Dive Team responded to Indian Slough, west of Lido Bay to assist patrol deputies with a report of a deceased body found in the water.  The Dive Team recovered the decedent who was turned over to the Coroner’s Division for identification and determination of cause of death.

On Monday, June 29, 2020 the Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Division identified the decedent as 29-year-old Joseph Thomas Cairel of Marina, CA near Monterey. He was the boater reported missing on Friday, June 26, 2020. (See related article)

According to his Facebook page, Cairel was a professional soccer player and former resident of Livermore. His team, the Ontario Fury, in Southern California announced his passing on their Facebook page on Monday writing, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we report the sad news that Fury Midfielder Joseph Cairel passed away this past weekend. He will be greatly missed by us all. We extend the deepest condolences and sympathy to all of his family and friends. All of our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.”

The Fury, part of the Major Arena Soccer League had just posted on Friday, a “Happy Birthday” message to Cairel on their Facebook page. See below a video from 2016 of Cairel posted on the Facebook page of the Tacoma Stars for whom he used to play.

Player Profile: Joseph Cairel

You may have seen a blur of long, flowing hair and legs shooting across the turf at the ShoWare Center this season. Well, that blur was Joseph Cairel, and LEVYfilms was able to get him to sit still long enough for us to get to know him a little better. #Enjoy

Posted by Tacoma Stars on Wednesday, February 24, 2016

The investigation into the cause of Cairel’s death is continuing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Area of Indian Slough where boater went missing Friday night, June 26, 2020. Photo by CCCSheriff.

Football player signs fake letter of intent to Texas Tech

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Tre’Vante Daniels posted a photo of himself signing an acceptance letter on his Instagram account.

Claims a mix up with coaching staff due to the coronavirus pandemic

By Jesus Cano & Luke Johnson

Tre’Vante Daniels left many confused after he posted a video of himself signing a letter of intent to play football at Texas Tech University.

Even his coaches couldn’t confirm its legitimacy.

However, the Texas Tech athletic department could and said Daniels was never offered a spot on the team.

In the video, Daniels hosted what appeared to be a National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing ceremony with family and close friends at a park. It was posted to his Instagram page Saturday but, has since been removed.

“It’s official Ya boy a Red Raider. Just know all my haters was my motivators,” he said in the caption.

Daniels, a sophomore defensive back at Los Medanos College (who previously played for Contra Costa College in San Pablo), claimed he was duped by someone who posed as a Texas Tech coach on Twitter. The person in question extended the offer to Daniels, he said.

However, after the Herald initially informed Daniels that Texas Tech’s coaches said they never offered him a roster spot, he replied saying there was a mix up on behalf of the university’s coaching staff due to the ongoing pandemic.

“They sent an offer, but there’s a lot going on with Corona, so it’s a lot of coaches going and coming,” Daniels said.

Matt Dowdy, the director of communications at Texas Tech, said there were no coaching staff changes in relation to the COVID-19 situation.

Daniels, a graduate of Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, would have been the first LMC football player in 15 years to sign to a Power 5 Conference school if the offer was real.

But Texas Tech wasn’t the only Power 5 school Daniels claimed he had an offer from. He also posted on his Instagram that he had scholarship offers from The University of Arkansas, Kansas University, Vanderbilt University and the University of Arizona. The posts have since been deleted.

When asked by the Herald if he could provide documentation of those scholarships, Daniels said all of it might have been purged.

“I have to check the house to see what I can get you, but more than likely it’s in storage or my mom threw it away after we moved,” Daniels said.

All of his Power 5 offers were posted exclusively to his Instagram. However, only offers from lower-division schools were shared on Twitter. In those posts, Daniels tagged members of LMC’s coaching staff and the school that offered him.

Daniels said all of his offers were pulled as soon as he committed to Texas Tech.

Rice University was another school Daniels said offered him a scholarship. But Chuck Pool, the assistant athletic director, explained the team didn’t even know about Daniels.

“Our coaches said they never recruited Tre’vante Daniels or anyone else from Los Medanos College,” Pool said.

This isn’t the first time a counterfeit NLI was signed. Back in 2008, Kevin Hart of Fernley High School in Nevada faked his commitment to the University of California, Berkeley. He was exposed days later by members of the Golden Bears coaching staff who said they never offered him a scholarship, according to Mercury News. Hart later admitted to fabricating the whole situation.

Daniels insists he was the victim of a scam.

“Why would I put my family and myself through anything like this to lie about a piece of paper to play football?” Daniels said. “It doesn’t matter to me what’s real and what’s fake. I know the truth and that’s all that matters.”

According to Kevin Hartwig, former Freedom High School football head coach for 15 years, most recruiters talk to the coaches before offering scholarships to their players to have a better scouting report of the athlete on and off the field.

Daniels was one of LMC’s best players last season. He was voted First Team All-Pacific 7 and had three interceptions with 15 pass deflections.

Some of his peers were excited to see him post the NLI signing on Instagram. It was shared by a few of his teammates, who supported the move.

“It was not surprising at all,” said teammate Javier Hernandez. “He was very confident and aware of the player he was and came out big when we needed him most… He was grinding all throughout the season.”

Campolindo boys’ basketball beats De La Salle to be NorCal champions but state championship game cancelled due to coronavirus concerns

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The 2019-20 Campolindo Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team. Photo from Campolindo High Athletics.

First time CIF basketball championships were cancelled

By Allen Payton

The Campolindo Cougars of Moraga made it to the state championship game scheduled for tonight, Friday, March 13, 2020, by beating De Le Salle in the NorCal Division 1 championship game 54-49 Tuesday night. (See game video highlights here) But in response to concerns over the coronavirus, on Thursday morning the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) cancelled the 12 state championship games and one Northern California Open semifinal game. That includes the Division 1 game between the number 7 ranked Campolindo and the number 8 ranked Ribet Academy Fighting Frogs of Los Angeles.

Campolindo ended the season unbeaten in league at 12-0 and with an overall record of 26-6. Ribet finished with a 30-3 overall record and 7-1 in league.

In the CIF news release announcing the cancellations, it states:

“Effective Immediately – The California Interscholastic Federation (‘CIF’) has canceled all remaining CIF State Basketball Championship games. This includes regional finals scheduled for March 12, 2020, and the CIF State finals scheduled for March 13-14, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. This decision was made after careful deliberation and in the primary interest of protecting the health and safety of our member schools, fans, and most importantly, our student-athletes. While we understand this decision is disappointing, we strongly believe that the opportunity to compete in this event does not outweigh our obligation to place the health and safety of our member schools and school communities above all else.

We want to recognize the hard work and commitment our student-athletes have made to reach the State Basketball Championships. The impact of COVID-19 created many unexpected challenges during this year’s tournament season, and we want to thank everyone involved for their flexibility, patience, and commitment in providing our student-athletes a great experience despite this unique situation.

For those that have already purchased tickets for the March 13-14, 2020 games at Golden 1 Center, refunds will be made available at the original point of purchase. If tickets were purchased online via ticketmaster.com, refunds will be processed automatically.

Ron Nocetti

CIF Executive Director

According to Cal-Hi Sports, this was the first time the state basketball championships have been cancelled since the competition begin 1981.

“This is not the first time that the CIF has had to cancel a state championship event, but it’s the first time since World War II. The only CIF state finals in those days was the CIF state track meet and it was not held because of the war for 1942 through 1945. The worldwide flu epidemic in the late 1910s also caused the CIF not to conduct regional football championships in 1918 as well as the 1919 state championships in basketball. Those early years of the CIF state basketball championships began in 1916 and were halted in 1928.

There also was great disruption to the 2018 CIF state football championships due to an outside force, but it was due to the natural disaster in Northern California known as the Camp Fire and the immense amount of smoke it generated that stayed locked near the ground for several weeks. In that case, the CIF moved its state football finals back one week, but no championship games were cancelled.”

An attempt to reach Campolindo Coach Steven Dyer for comment was unsuccessful before publication. Please check back later for updates to this report.

“Letters to 87” featuring Hall of Famer Steve Young, and Brent Jones, Eric Wright and Dwight Hicks in Walnut Creek Jan. 16

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Presented by the Diablo Regional Arts Association

January 16, 2020 / 7:30PM – 9:00PM (no intermission)

Tickets available at: https://lesherartscenter.showare.com/lettersto87

Celebrate the Legacy of the 49ers with Letters to 87 live!

Football fans will always remember “The Catch” as the moment a dynasty was born. When Dwight Clark caught the touchdown pass that sent the 49ers to their first Super Bowl in 1982, an indelible moment was etched into the history of the NFL. Later, as Clark battled ALS, he and sportswriter Matt Maiocco put out a call to friends and fans, asking them to share their memories of this moment. The letters that Clark and Maiocco received tell the story of how the man who wore number 87 brought together a city and a franchise through his sincerity, his loyalty, and his spirit for life and the game.

Join us for a special star-studded evening at the Lesher Center for the Arts presented by the Diablo Regional Arts Association where we will look back on the legacy of “The Catch” and the 49ers in the Bay Area featuring Hall of Famer Steve Young and 49ers greats Brent Jones, Eric Wright and Dwight Hicks in a panel moderated by NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco. Your ticket includes a copy of the commemorative coffee table book, Letters to 87, featuring essays by Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., Ronnie Lott, Joe Montana, Brian Murphy, and Kelly Clark along with rare photos from Michael Zagaris, Brad Mangin, and John Storey.

Regular admission tickets to the event are $50 with proceeds going to the Golden Heart Fund, a charity that was near and dear to Dwight Clark. The Golden Heart Fund provides emotional, financial, and physical support to former 49ers players in dire need of assistance. A special VIP reception is also available for $187 and includes a ticket to the show, a book, and admission to the VIP reception featuring all panel participants plus some surprise special guests. Space is limited to the VIP reception.

The perfect gift for any football fan!

First Chinese Harlem Globetrotter set to play in Bay Area Jan. 11-20

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Rookie Shan “Lucky” Jiang set to make California debut at Chase Center, Oakland Arena, and SAP Center at San Jose

Harlem Globetrotters_Lucky Jiang_Action Shot_2020 Pushing the Limits World Tour. Photo courtesy of Harlem Globetrotters.

The Harlem Globetrotters newest rookie Shan “Lucky” Jiang will make his California debut when he joins his new teammates during their new “Pushing the Limits” World Tour in the Bay Area for seven games from Jan. 11-20.

Jiang and the world famous team will play the new Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., the Oakland Arena (formerly Oracle Arena) on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and SAP Center at San Jose on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m.

Lucky Jiang, a 5-11 ball handling sensation from Beijing, China, is the first Chinese player ever to suit up as a Globetrotter in the team’s 94-year history. Jiang first saw the Globetrotters perform live in 2014, during one of the team’s tours of China, and says he was so “awed” by the performance that he made sure he attended a Globetrotters game every time the team toured China from that point on.

Jiang recently joined teammates Zeus McClurkin and Scooter Christensen to trade tricks with Golden State Warriors rookie Eric Paschall (video is available HERE, courtesy Harlem Globetrotters).

Jiang, McClurkin, and Christensen will spread goodwill in the Bay Area from Jan. 8-10, prior to the games.  To request media availability with the Globetrotters, email Eric Nemeth at nemeth@harlemglobetrotters.com.

“Some people said that because I am Chinese, the chance to become a Harlem Globetrotter was always remote, maybe only 1% chance,” said Lucky. “But I was happy with that, because that meant there was always a 1% chance. I always worked hard, and I believe in miracles.”

Tickets for all Bay Area games are now on sale at harlemglobetrotters.com.

On the new tour, Globetrotters’ fans will experience even bigger moments and memories, including a live world record attempt at each game.  Plus, many markets will feature a glow in the dark performance.

The “Pushing the Limits” World Tour will up the ante and create even bigger moments and memories for Globetrotter fans. The Hall of Fame team’s 94th consecutive year will feature over 280 games through April in North America.

New to this year’s tour, and never been done before, include:

  • Holders of 21 current world records, the Globetrotters will attempt a new world record live at each game on tour this year, hoping to add to their list of impressive accolades and innovations.
  • In many markets, the Globetrotters will also perform their legendary pre-game “Magic Circle” ball handling warmups in the dark, using a glow in the dark Baden basketball to provide the illumination.
  • The Globetrotters will celebrate their fans by introducing “The Fifth Quarter,” a free interactive post-game autograph session where fans will have the opportunity to meet the Globetrotters stars up close and personal.

As part of the tour, the Globetrotters will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the four-point shot, a shot 30-feet from the basket which they introduced to the sport in 2010. The team will also bring back its popular “Magic Pass” pre-game event, which enables fans to come onto the court, meet their favorite Globetrotters for pictures and autographs, and even learn how to spin a ball on their finger just like the stars.

The Harlem Globetrotters roster showcases some of the most thrilling athletes in the world, including Big Easy Lofton, Hi-Lite Bruton, Hammer Harrison, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard, and Cheese Chisholm – plus female stars TNT Lister, Torch George and more.

The Harlem Globetrotters® are legendary worldwide, synonymous with one-of-a-kind family entertainment and great basketball skills for the past 93 years. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 124 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans – among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents – over nine thrilling decades. The Ambassadors of Goodwill are sponsored by Baden Sports, the Official Basketball, Champion, the Official Uniform & Apparel provider, Tum-e Yummies, the Official Fruit Flavored Drink, Carnival Cruise Line, Inc., Heelys, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed entertainment company in the U.S. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, visit the Globetrotters’ official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com and follow them on Twitter @Globies.