Contra Costa Herald

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

San Pablo to celebrate America’s 250th Independence Day with drone show July 4th

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Plus, live entertainment, carnival games, food trucks and more

By City of San Pablo

San Pablo — we’re celebrating the 4th of July in style!

The City of San Pablo is excited to invite you to our annual Fourth of July Celebration. A full evening of live entertainment, carnival games, food trucks, a drone show and more!

Join us starting at 5:30PM and ending our night with a drone show set to launch at 9:30PM at the San Pablo Community Center, 2450 Road 20.

  • Doors open 5:30 PM
  • Drone show after dark

Come early, stay late, celebrate big. Don’t miss it!

City of El Cerrito & worldOne to hold 2026 4th of July Festival

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From 11am-5pm at Cerrito Vista Park

By City of El Cerrito Recreation Department

The annual City of El Cerrito & worldOne 4th of July Festival provides the chance to celebrate America’s 250th Independence Day and California’s 175th Anniversary of Statehood amongst high-flying banners, world-class music, friends, community groups, a classic car showcase and more. Join us on Saturday, 7/4 to celebrate this renowned El Cerrito tradition!

The Festival brings 10,000 community members together on Independence Day for a day of fun, celebration and civic pride. The event is free to the public, with pay-as-you-go options for attractions such as food and beverage booths, rides, bounce houses, vendor booths and more!

Getting Here

Parking:

  • Limited ADA parking is available at the El Cerrito Community Center Parking Lot (7007 Moeser Lane)
  • Street Parking around the Festival Grounds (please note streets immediately surrounding Cerrito Vista Park will be closed)
  • Carpools strongly encouraged for those driving to the festival!

Bike Parking:

  • FREE Bike Valet for those biking to the Festival hosted by the ECHS Mountain Bike Team

BART:

  • 0.9 Mile Walk from the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station via the Ohlone Greenway
  • 1.5 Mile Walk from Del Norte BART Station via the Ohlone Greenway

AC Transit:

  • Line 72M runs South on San Pablo Avenue from El Cerrito Del Norte Station. Exit San Pablo Ave & Moeser Lane
  • Line 72 runs North on San Pablo Avenue from El Cerrito Plaza Station. Exit San Pablo Av & Moeser Lane

See a large version of the Festival Map.

Thank you to our Sponsors.

For more information visit  2026 City of El Cerrito & WorldOne 4th of July Festival Official Website or email us at recreation@elcerrito.gov.

Celebrate America’s 250th Independence Day with Fireworks Showcase at Richmond’s Annual 3rd of July

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By City of Richmond

City of Richmond presents the Annual 3rd of July Fireworks Showcase for 2026.

Join us on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Marina Bay Park for our annual community celebration featuring music, food, and activities for all ages. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks show beginning at 9:15 pm.

Bring your family, friends, and festive spirit, as we come together for one of Richmond’s favorite summer traditions.

For more information, call (510) 620-6512.

Oakland man arrested in Hercules for human trafficking of a minor

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Deyonne Anthony White was arrested for human trafficking and more charges. Photo: Hercules PD

Held on $425K bail, has history of arrests

By Hercules Police Department

The Hercules Police Department announced the arrest of 30-year-old Deyonne Anthony White (born 2/16/1990) of Oakland in connection with a multi-agency human trafficking operation. White was arrested during a U.S. Probation Office visit in San Francisco with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. He faces felony charges including human trafficking of a minor for commercial sex, pimping and pandering, and witness intimidation, with bail set at $425,000.

The arrest stems from Operation Cross Country, a federal operation conducted July 28, 2023, in partnership with the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 163-pound White has his next court appearance scheduled for July 17, 2026, at 8:30 AM in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, he is Black and was also arrested last October by Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputies for assault with a firearm on a person and being an addict in possession of a firearm and by Oakland PD in 2022 for murder, street terrorism, assault with firearm on person, being an addict in possession of a firearm and violation of parole: Felony.

Report suspected human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (24/7), Hercules PD at (510) 724-1111, or text “HELP” to 233733. This investigation involved collaboration with the FBI, HSI, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force, U.S. Marshals Service, and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. The charges are allegations; White is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Police take another gun off San Pablo streets

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Photo: San Pablo PD

By San Pablo Police Department

June 24, 2026 – Thanks to a concerned community member, San Pablo Police officers located another firearm. Officers responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle in one of our neighborhoods. During their investigation, officers observed a loaded firearm inside the vehicle. The subject was arrested and transported to county jail.

CHP Officers arrest wrong-way Pittsburg driver following sideshow near Hercules

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22-year-old stopped by head-on crash with patrol vehicle injuring two passengers

By CHP Contra Costa

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers stopped a wrong-way driver following an illegal sideshow late Thursday night, preventing what could have been a deadly crash.

On June 26, at approximately 11:35 p.m., CHP Contra Costa Area officers received reports of sideshow activity near Franklin Canyon Road and State Route 4 (Hwy 4) in unincorporated Contra Costa County near Hercules.

As officers responded, a silver Infiniti sedan involved in the sideshow fled the area and entered westbound SR-4 by driving the wrong way. A CHP patrol unit already on Hwy 4 immediately began a traffic break to slow traffic and protect motorists from the approaching vehicle.

Moments later, officers spotted the Infiniti, with its lights turned off, driving the wrong way on the westbound shoulder of Hwy 4 east of McEwen Road.

Without hesitation, the officers positioned their patrol vehicle in the path of the wrong-way driver to shield the public from the oncoming vehicle. The Infiniti continued toward the patrol vehicle and crashed head-on into it. After the crash, the driver ran from the vehicle, but officers quickly detained him. Two adult female passengers were also detained.

The two passengers suffered suspected minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital, where they are expected to recover. One CHP officer was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and later released. After receiving medical clearance, the driver was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

The driver, Seth Antonio Edwards, 22, of Pittsburg, faces charges including driving the wrong way on a freeway while fleeing, resisting arrest, participating in a speed contest and driving without a valid driver’license.

The officers’ quick and courageous actions prevented what could have been a far more serious tragedy.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Edwards is Black and bonded out of custody on Saturday, June 27th at 3:06 PM.

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

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

13 firearms removed from Richmond streets since May 1st

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Source: Richmond PD

By Richmond Police Department

Since May 1st, Richmond Police Officers have proactively confiscated 13 firearms from our streets through proactive policing efforts. These firearms were recovered because our officers are out every day and every night working to keep Richmond safer.

Each firearm taken off the street has the potential to prevent violent crime, save a life, and make our neighborhoods safer. Behind every recovery are officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community and ensure Richmond remains a safer place for everyone.

The Richmond Police Department remains committed to reducing gun violence through proactive policing, strong community partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to public safety. We are proud of the work our officers do every day and thank our community for continuing to partner with us to help keep Richmond safe.

Coroner ID’s woman killed by Amtrak train in Port Costa

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The 18-year-old woman had a broken heart tattoo on her inner left wrist which helped in her identification. Photo: CCC Sheriff-Coroner’s Division

Just 18 years old; possibly same girl as went missing in Bakersfield last year

By Jimmy Lee, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Coroner’s Division

On May 4, 2026, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Coroner’s Division requested the public’s assistance in trying to identify a person, who despite multiple efforts, could not be identified.

After notifying local media and posting the information and photograph of a tattoo on social media, a person spoke to a Coroner Investigator stating she believed she knew the unidentified person and was able to provide a name. The person who spoke to the investigator was a social worker.

The Coroner’s Division continued their investigation and was later able to positively identify her. Next of kin were notified. She is identified as Layla White who was 18 years old at the time. Her last known address could not be determined.

Background: on February 16, 2026, a woman was struck by a train in Port Costa. The incident was investigated by Amtrak Police and Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. The person was pronounced deceased at the scene. The manner of death was later determined to be a suicide. The Coroner’s Division took custody of the body but could not identify the person who did not have any identification.

The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the community for their interest in this case. Social media posts on our Facebook and X on the Jane Doe case generated nearly 250,000 views and 465 shares. In the end, a single person who saw the Facebook post provided a name. Investigators were able to positively identify her and provide some answers and closure to the family.

According to a report by KGET News, a 17-year-old girl named Layla White, matching the description of the 18-year-old in the Contra Costa case, went missing in Bakersfield on August 20, 2024, according to police.

Construction begins on first mental health rehabilitation center in Contra Costa County

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Contra Costa Health Director of Behavioral Health Dr. Suzanne Tavano, CEO Dr. Grant Colfax and District 1 County Supervisor John Gioia (second, third & fourth from left) are joined by former Contra Costa Mental Health Commissioner Teresa Pasquini (green jacket) and others as they prepare to ceremonially break ground on the new Contra Costa Recovery Center in a renovated and repurposed existing building in Richmond on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Photo & rendering: CC Health

Located in Richmond, three more planned in Pleasant Hill, Pittsburg and Antioch

By Contra Costa Health

Contra Costa County broke ground Wednesday, June 17, 2026, on a new 45-bed facility in Richmond that will expand local long-term behavioral health treatment capacity for residents with serious mental illness.

The project will renovate and repurpose an existing one-story county-owned building on the Brookside Shelter campus into a mental health rehabilitation center — the first facility of its kind in Contra Costa County. The new Contra Costa Recovery Center will provide longer-term treatment and stabilization services in a secure residential setting for adults recovering from severe psychiatric conditions.

Mental health rehabilitation centers provide sub-acute treatment services for people who require longer-term stabilization following stays in acute care hospitals, state hospitals or detention settings. They are secure, locked facilities designed for clients who are conserved and need intensive support as part of their recovery process.

The Recovery Center is expected to open in June 2027 and will offer county residents a nearby option in Contra Costa for such care. Currently, residents are placed in similar facilities in other counties.

“This project represents a significant step forward in strengthening our local behavioral health system and ensuring residents can receive specialized care closer to home,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, CEO of Contra Costa Health.

The approximately 20,000-square-foot facility will undergo a full interior remodel to provide 24/7 care and rehabilitation services for eligible adults living with serious mental illness. The renovated building will include client care suites and sleeping rooms, medical and wellness spaces and an outdoor recreation area.

Groundbreaking ceremony for the new 45-bed facility in Richmond that will expand local long-term behavioral treatment capacity for residents with serious mental illness

The project is being funded with an $18.6 million grant from the California Department of Health Care Services through its Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP). As part of the state funding agreement, the County met the required 10% match through equity in the property and committed to operating the facility for behavioral health purposes for at least 30 years.

“This investment reflects Contra Costa County’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to compassionate, high-quality behavioral health care,” said District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, who represents the West County district where the facility is located. “By creating local treatment capacity, we can better support some of our most vulnerable residents and improve outcomes for individuals, families, and the broader community.”

In a post-event interview by Gioia with Director of Behavioral Health Dr. Suzanne Tavano asking why the facility is needed she said, “This has been a 25-year dream and goal to make this happen. Until this opens members of our community who need this level of care are really going outside the county sometimes…hundreds of miles.” It keeps people in the community, “So they’re in familiar surrounds, in proximity to friends and relatives and also, we as the treatment people could stay in really regular contact and help them on their journey, help move them as they progress through the delivery system and into the community.”

In a post on LinkedIn following the event, former Contra Costa Mental Health Commissioner, mental health advocate and author, Teresa Pasquini, wrote, “Thank you, Dr. Tavano, Dr. Colfax, and Supervisor Gioia, for inviting me to join this celebration of a dream I have carried for over twenty years.” She was first appointed by Gioia in 2006 and also shared about her efforts following the experience with her son who suffers from serious mental illness.

After the event, Gioia wrote on his Facebook page that Pasquini’s “Love-driven and tireless advocacy has pushed our county to become a better place for those dealing with mental health struggles.”

This Recovery Center is one of four BHCIP-funded projects in Contra Costa under development offering various levels of support for people dealing with mental illness or substance use disorders. The others, which have yet to start construction, will be located in Pleasant Hill, Pittsburg and Antioch. These projects were identified during a comprehensive 2022 needs assessment done with the goals of building local behavioral health capacity and providing equitable service.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Drone technology helps capture dangerous suspect following wrong-way pursuit, collision in Richmond

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Screenshots of Richmond Police drone video shows pursuit of suspect driving wrong way on city streets and I-80 freeway. Source: Richmond PD

Police K-9 Bane assists

By Richmond Police Department

On Monday, May 15, 2026, Richmond Police officers responded to reports of a reckless driver who was intentionally driving on the wrong side of the roadway in an apparent attempt to cause a collision.

When officers arrived, the suspect intentionally accelerated his vehicle toward a responding officer, forcing the officer to take immediate evasive action. A vehicle pursuit was authorized; however, after the suspect turned off his headlights and entered the freeway traveling the wrong direction, the pursuit was safely terminated.

Shortly afterward, the suspect collided with another vehicle and fled on foot into a wooded area where the suspect laid down and hid in the bushes.

Screenshots of Richmond Police drone video show suspect colliding with another vehicle while driving the wrong direction on I-80, then exiting his car and a police K-9 finding him hiding in the bushes. Source: Richmond PD

During the search, a K-9 officer yelled out, “Richmond PD K-9 unit. You are under arrest. Surrender, now. If the dog finds you, he may bite you.”

Fortunately, Richmond Police Department’s Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program was overhead throughout the entire incident, providing officers with real-time aerial intelligence and maintaining continuous visual contact with the suspect. This critical technology, combined with the efforts of our officers and K-9 Bane, led to the successful apprehension of this dangerous individual.

This incident highlights how innovative public safety technology can help officers make informed decisions, reduce risk to the community, and safely bring dangerous situations to a resolution.

Outstanding teamwork by our patrol officers, K-9 Bane, and DFR operators!

See video on Facebook or Instagram.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.