Contra Costa Herald

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

Thrive Thursdays/Health 4 All to support Richmond Soccer Coordination Center’s “Girl Power” Initiative July 20

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By Supervisor John Gioia, District 1, Contra Costa County

Join us this Thursday evening to support Richmond Soccer Coordination Center’s “Girl Power” Initiative

Thrive Thursdays/Health 4 All at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park at 360 Harbor Way in Richmond from 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Únase a nosotros este jueves por la noche en MLK Jr. Park para apoyar la iniciativa “Girl Power” del Richmond Soccer Coordination Center

Thrive Thursdays/Health 4 All en Martin Luther King, Jr. Park en Richmond de 6:30 a 8:00 p.m.

This week, Thrive Thursdays welcomes Richmond Soccer Coordination Center’s efforts to uplift girls’ athletics in the East Bay.

Our growing weekly public health event, Thrive Thursday, is set for another boost as Richmond Soccer Coordination Center’s “Girl Power” initiative will join us on Thursday, July 20 at 6 pm for a press conference that coincides with the start of FIFA Women’s World Cup play!

Girl Power is a perfect message to add to Thrive Thursday’s call for supporting nutrition and fitness empowerment for all.

Supporting health for all means fighting to advance equity in everything we do, and equity and sports excellence is something that our Women’s National Soccer Team embodies.

Women’s soccer has grown into a global brand, but work remains at the community level to encourage girls and women to explore athletics. The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) recently added a women’s club in the Bay Area, called Bay FC. Oakland is also home to Oakland Soul SC, part of another professional league for the development and launch of women’s soccer in the United States.

For more information about this exciting event contact Tania Pulido in my office at (510) 942-2225 or Tania.pulido@bos.cccounty.us.

 

 

American Heart Association recognizes Kaiser hospitals for reducing death, disability among cardiac, stroke patients

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Including Antioch, Richmond and Walnut Creek; severe heart attacks in Kaiser Nor Cal patients reduced by 72% using team-based, preventive approach

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

The American Heart Association is recognizing 21 Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals with awards for their commitment to delivering high-quality cardiac and stroke care that follows nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals receiving both the Get With The Guidelines®– Heart Failure and the Get With The Guidelines®– Stroke awards include Antioch, Fremont, Fresno, Modesto, Oakland, Redwood City, Richmond, Roseville, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, South San Francisco, Vacaville, Vallejo, and Walnut Creek. In addition, Kaiser Permanente Manteca received the Get With The Guidelines®– Heart Failure award and Kaiser Permanente San Francisco received the Get With The Guidelines®– Stroke award.

“This recognition is a tribute to the collective expertise of our physicians, nurses, and staff who provide comprehensive cardiac care and treatment for our patients and members,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Our reduction in cardiovascular events continues to surpass the nation in quality outcomes, as our cardiologists, physicians, and care teams work across specialties and locations to consistently deliver the highest quality care to our patients and members, who are living longer and healthier lives as a result of these efforts.”

Kaiser Permanente Northern California caregivers have reduced severe heart attacks by 72% using a team-based, preventive approach, according to Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Division of Research.​ Kaiser Permanente members are 33% less likely to experience premature death due to heart disease, Elizabeth A. McGlynn, PhD, et al., “Measuring Premature Mortality Among Kaiser Permanente Members Compared to the Community,” Kaiser Permanente, July 20, 2022.

“Our Kaiser Permanente Northern California teams of cardiac specialists collaborate seamlessly to coordinate diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of our patients,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “We are helping our members and patients with heart disease live longer, healthier lives through our comprehensive care and support.”

The Get With The Guidelines®– Heart Failure award is earned by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and aggressive risk-reduction therapies. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their heart failure and overall health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

The Get With The Guidelines®– Stroke award is earned by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

During investigation police shoot, kill Richmond man, arrest second man, seize multiple firearms

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Video screenshot of body-worn camera shows a Richmond Police officer shooting a suspect inside a home on June 28, 2023. Source: Richmond PD

DA files felony charges for assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a firearm, illegally possessing firearm

By Richmond Police Department

On June 28, 2023, officers from the Richmond Police Department were involved in an officer-involved shooting in the 1200 block of Sanderling Island, Richmond, CA. This press release provides additional information on the incidents preceding the shooting and what occurred during the shooting.

On June 18, 2023, at 8:47 pm, officers responded to a report of a subject brandishing a firearm from a vehicle at pedestrians in the 900 block of West Cutting Blvd. in Point Richmond. The victims provided a description of the suspect, his vehicle, and the firearm that was brandished. The suspect fled before officers arrived and was not identified at that time.

On June 26, 2023, at 1:32 am, officers responded to another report of a subject brandishing a firearm at pedestrians in the 100 block of Washington Avenue. During this incident, the suspect discharged the firearm. One of the victims in this incident identified Jose Jamir Martinez, a 63-year-old resident of Richmond (born 10/22/59), as the suspect.

Seized handguns and rifles on June 28, 2023. Photos: Richmond PD

Detectives conducted a follow-up investigation and developed probable cause to arrest Jose Martinez for brandishing a firearm, discharging a firearm in a negligent manner, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Officers also identified Jose Martinez as the suspect in the brandishing incident on June 18, 2023.

On June 28, 2023, at 4:09 am, officers located Jose Martinez on I-580 near Regatta Blvd. Officers stopped his vehicle and took him into custody. He admitted to possessing a firearm, and a firearm was located in his vehicle.

Martinez has numerous prior felony arrests which would prohibit him from legally possessing a firearm. He admitted to detectives that he lived at a residence in the 1200 block of Sanderling Island. He also admitted to possessing additional firearms that he stored in his bedroom.

Detectives authored and were granted a search warrant to retrieve the additional firearms and evidence from his residence.

On June 28, 2023, at 9:08 am detectives arrived at the residence in the 1200 block of Sanderling Island to serve the warrant. Officers approached the residence and knocked on the door making numerous announcements identifying themselves as police officers while demanding entry into the residence. Officers continued to make numerous announcements prior to entering the residence, utilizing a key that was provided by Jose Martinez.

Officers then slowly and methodically searched the interior of the two-story residence for occupants. During this time, officers continued to announce they were from the police department while demanding that any occupants show themselves.

Grenade, bullets and AR pistol seized on June 28, 2023. Photos: Richmond PD

Officers approached a closed bedroom door, which they opened while they announced themselves as being “Richmond Police”. As officers opened the door, officers located Kevin McDonald seated on a bed, armed with an AR-15-style pistol. McDonald raised his weapon toward officers, at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred.

Officers provided medical aid to McDonald, who was pronounced deceased, by responding medical personnel. McDonald was a 66-year-old Richmond resident who had prior felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms.

A subsequent search of the residence resulted in detectives locating a total of 53 firearms, including 23 pistols, 8 revolvers, 20 rifles, and two shotguns. A live hand grenade along with a large quantity of ammunition was seized. Materials to manufacture illegal firearms were also seized.

On June 30, 2023, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against Jose Martinez for nine felonies. These charges include assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a firearm, and illegally possessing a firearm. Jose Martinez remains in custody on these charges.

This officer-involved shooting is being investigated as part of a joint investigation by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and the Richmond Police Department.

Video footage from one of the officer’s body worn cameras can be viewed here. WARNING: Graphic, violent content.

 

No Independence Day events, fireworks in Pinole this year

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By City of Pinole

The City of Pinole will not be hosting fireworks this year.

We encourage residents to enjoy a safe and fun Fourth of July, celebrating the birth of our exceptional nation. Families and friends often gather to recognize this special day together.

For a number of years, until 2010, the City hosted a fireworks display at Bayfront Park on Fourth of July. The City had been hoping to again host fireworks on Fourth of July in 2023. After collaborating with partner agencies to assess Bayfront Park and other sites, it was determined that there is no safe and accessible site in Pinole from which to launch fireworks. Since Pinole last held fireworks, fireworks safety standards and practices have evolved and concern about wildfires has increased substantially.

For those who would like to see fireworks, below is a list of events in Pinole’s neighboring cities.

3rd of July Fireworks

Richmond: Richmond Marina Bay Park, fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Fourth of July Fireworks

Antioch: Fireworks in downtown Antioch over the San Joaquin River, start at after dusk

Concord: Mt. Diablo High School, at around 9 p.m.

Hercules: Bayfront Blvd, the show will start once it’s dark

Pleasant Hill: College Park High School fields, fireworks around 8:45 p.m.

 

Hercules to celebrate Independence Day with Bayfront fireworks show

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It’s almost time for the 4th of July and that means time to celebrate. Join us for a FREE Fireworks Celebration this July 4th, at the Bayfront in Hercules. The show will start once it’s dark. Estimated time is 9:25p (give or take).

There will be food trucks down at the Bayfront. Parking will be limited. We recommend parking further out and walking down. Bring your blanket or chairs and join us for a fun celebration.

4th of July Fireworks Show – Bayfront Blvd., Hercules

 

City of El Cerrito and worldOne Radio to host 4th of July Festival

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Plus, 25th worldOne Festival Monday, July 3

By City of El Cerrito

We are excited to celebrate with the El Cerrito community and supporters once again on Tuesday, July 4 from 11am-5pm at Cerrito Vista Park, corner of Moeser Lane and Pomona Avenue.

The City of El Cerrito Recreation Department hosted the first co-sponsored 4th of July Festival with worldOne in 1998. Since then, the festival has grown into a world-class hometown institution featuring high quality musical performances, family entertainment such as rides and bounce houses, non-profits and civic organization booths, vendors and food booths and trucks offering a wide variety of cuisines, plus, a Classic Car Showcase.

After a two-year hiatus during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Festival returned in summer 2022 thanks to the generous support of sponsors and individual donors. The City is committed to annual fundraising efforts to make sure the 4th of July Festival comes back year after year and remains fiscally sustainable and accessible to all.

Classic Car Showcase

The City of El Cerrito/worldOne 4th of July Festival Classic Car Showcase is the perfect place to show off your car! The showcase will be held from 11am to 2pm on Moeser Lane adjacent to Cerrito Vista Park. If you are interested in participating in the 2023 Classic Car Showcase, please note the following information as you complete your application:

  • Space is limited.
  • Car Clubs must arrive together to park together, Spaces are first come, first served.
  • Electricity is not available.
  • Chairs and canopies will NOT be provided. You may bring your own.
  • Vehicles must vacate the area by 4 pm.
  • Once your application is received and accepted, there are no refunds. The event takes place rain or shine.

Completed application and payment of $5 are due by Monday, July 3, 2023. Day of registration not guaranteed and are subject to availability.

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 El Cerrito Strollers & Rollers and the ECHS Mountain Bike Team

For more information click here.

 

 

 

San Pablo to celebrate Independence Day with 4th of July Multi-Cultural Celebration

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Aerial drone light show

The City of San Pablo is excited to announce the return of the 4th of July Multi-Cultural Celebration Event!

Enjoy live music, food, carnival games and entertainment. Headliners Kalimba-The Spirit of Earth Wind and Fire.

NEW this year – aerial drone light show! (No firework show, this year.)

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 5:00-10:00 pm

San Pablo Community Center (2450 Road 20)

FREE!  Gates open at 5:00 pm

Parking:
Along Road 20

Rock Harbor Church – corner of Road 20 and Chuch Lane

Overflow parking at Contra Costa College

Shuttle service from Contra Costa College to the event 5:00 – 8:30 pm.

Thank you to our sponsor: San Pablo Senior Advisory Board

 

Richmond to celebrate Independence Day on Monday, July 3rd with music, food, fun and fireworks!

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What: Fireworks, live music, food and fun for the entire family

Time: 5 pm – 10 pm

Location: Marina Bay Park

Fireworks begin at 9:15 pm

By City of Richmond

Join us for the annual 3rd of July Fireworks show at the beautiful Richmond Marina Bay Park! This year’s event will take place on Monday, July 3, 2023, from 5 pm to 10 pm. The fireworks display will begin at 9:15 pm, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot.

Enjoy an evening of live music, delicious food, and fun activities for the whole family. We’ll have a variety of food trucks and vendors offering tasty treats, so come hungry!

Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and blankets to relax and enjoy the show. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones while watching spectacular fireworks display over the beautiful bay.

Admission to the event is free, and parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to carpool or use public transportation to help reduce traffic and parking congestion.

Come out and celebrate our fireworks show with us at Richmond Marina Bay Park. We can’t wait to see you there!

 

Richmond woman arrested for Oakley gym locker room robbery

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Stole wallets, cell phones, debit cards and cash; tried to buy $5,000 worth of merchandise

By Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard

On June 26, 2023 at 4:58PM Oakley Police Officers were dispatched to the Diamond Hills Gym, located at 1510 Neroly Road, on the report of multiple thefts that had just occurred. Upon arrival our officers learned a woman used a fake name to gain entry into the gym and then proceeded to physically break into multiple lockers in the women’s locker room. Approximately 5-6 patrons reported being victims of the thefts and items such as: wallets, cell phones, debit cards, and cash were reported as being stolen. Our officers interviewed victims, witnesses, and obtained video surveillance of the suspect. Some of the victims were alerted by their bank institutions, their credit cards were already being used at the Nordstrom store, in Concord at the Sun Valley Mall.

Officer Hurtado responded to the Nordstrom store to continue his investigation and obtain additional video surveillance. Officer Hurtado learned the suspect had left the store by the time he arrived. Officer Hurtado continued his investigation by talking to security and store employees when he saw a woman walk back into the store.

Officer Hurtado recognized the woman from the Diamond Hills Gym surveillance, and also from the Nordstrom store surveillance. Officer Hurtado approached the woman and promptly arrested her for the crimes, the woman continued her nefarious ways by providing a false name to Officer Hurtado.

Officer Hurtado was ultimately able to identify the woman as Andrania Yancy (37, Richmond). It was further determined, Yancy attempted to purchase over $5,000 worth of merchandise using six different stolen credit cards, all of which were denied. Yancy was arrested for grand theft, false impersonation of another, identification theft, and an outstanding warrant.

“I would like to thank everybody who brought this criminal matter to our attention. Because of quick reporting by witnesses and victims our officers were able to get an early jump on their investigation and they were able to develop information even as another related crime was taking place in another jurisdiction. At the time of this crime we had additional resources available to us in the form of a fully staffed swing shift team. This fully staffed team is the direct result of a commitment by the Oakley City Council and City Management to listen to Oakley residents and business owners to fund appropriate law-enforcement services. This commitment is not only leading to safer streets, but it has also resulted in the recruitment of some of the best law-enforcement candidates in the industry, such as Officer Hurtado, and I am grateful for all of them. Stay safe Oakley.”

According to information from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Yancy bonded out and is no longer in custody as of Wednesday afternoon, June 28.

According to localcrimenews.com Yancy has a history of arrests for various criminal activity dating back to 2014 including for grand theft, burglary, forgery in multiple cities and counties.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Kaiser Permanente Richmond employees support daughter’s childhood dream to become a doctor

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Bianca Silva with parents Letty and Martin Silva on graduation day. Photos: Kaiser Permanente

“Sí se puede! Dreams do come true!

Dr. Bianca Silva.

By Ronelle Scardina

Bianca Silva believed her grandfather’s words, “Sí se puede,” and her mother’s advice that “if you can think it, you can make it happen.” On May 20, Bianca graduated with a D.O. degree from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is preparing for her first job in June as a family medicine resident physician at Kaiser Permanente Vallejo with the intention of serving the local community she once grew up in as a teen.

Bianca’s parents, Martin and Letty Silva, work at the Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center. He is a gardener, and she is an administrative assistant. Both parents supported their daughter’s dream of becoming a doctor. After years of hard work, they are excited to see her dreams come true.

“When Bianca was in middle school, my husband would pick her up from school as he was getting off his shift and bring her to me at the pharmacy at the Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center,” Letty recounted. “She had to wait for 30 minutes until my shift ended because he worked the night shift and I worked the day shift. Bianca enjoyed her visits. She got to know the team and had an opportunity to be exposed to so much about working in the medical field. One day, Bianca looked up at me and said that she wanted to become a doctor when she grows up.”

Bianca always demonstrated commitment to pursing her dream and working with medically underserved and vulnerable populations. She worked hard—something she learned at a young age. Growing up, she helped her father with landscaping side jobs by picking up sticks and leaves in return for treats at McDonald’s.

“We believed it was important to teach them responsibility and commitment,” Martin said. “We said that if they could think it, they could make it happen!”

It has been a long journey, but the family was always there to support and encourage Bianca along the way. She was especially close to her now deceased grandfather, Raul, who encouraged Bianca to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor — “Sí se puede, echale ganas . . . Yes, you can, give it your best!”

“He motivated her to achieve her goal,” Letty noted. “Bianca put in a lot of effort and never gave up. She’s looking forward to the day that she can visit his grave with her degree and let him know all about it. Although he won’t be at her graduation, Bianca knows deep in her heart that he will be there with her in spirit.”

Bianca was born at the Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center. She grew up in Richmond with her older brother, Martin, Jr., and younger sister, Jessica. She later moved to Vallejo to attend Jesse Bethel High School. Bianca received most of her care at Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center, where she would eventually match for residency. She currently lives at home in Fairfield with her cat, Luna.

The family is looking forward to celebrating Bianca’s graduation and new job on June 10.

Letty, Bianca and Martin Silva.

Martin Silva has been employed at Kaiser Permanente Richmond since March, 1995. He spent seven years in Environmental Services before transferring to the Landscape Team as a gardener, where he has worked ever since. Letty has worked for Kaiser Permanente Richmond since 1987.

A Richmond native, Letty hoped to work at Kaiser Permanente since she was a little girl because she wanted to give back to the local community.

“We love our community,” she said. “We love to help our neighbors and our other family at Kaiser Permanente—it’s considered our home away from home. It took a lot of sacrifice and commitment, and it means everything. We are so proud of Bianca’s accomplishments. It was worth it!”