Contra Costa Herald

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

Richmond’s Craneway Pavilion to be converted to a 250-bed federal Medical Station for COVID-19 patients

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The Craneway section of the Ford Assembly Building, Richmond, California. Photo by Billy Hustace Photography.

By Kim McCarl, Assistant to the Director, Communications, Contra Costa Health Services

As part of local emergency preparations, Contra Costa County officials are working with Federal and state partners to convert the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond into a 250-bed medical station for COVID-19 patients.

Inside the Craneway Pavilion. Photo from Kickstarter.

Beds and medical supplies are being brought in by the National Guard this week to begin transforming the Craneway Pavilion, a large event center on the Richmond waterfront, into a temporary medical facility. The goal is to have the facility ready to receive patients by the third week of April, when health experts predict the Bay Area will see COVID-19 cases begin to peak.

“This is one more step to be better prepared for the anticipated COVID-19 surge,” said Candace Andersen, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We are very grateful for the cooperation of so many private and public entities that are making their venues available to serve the health needs of our community in this unprecedented crisis.”

The federal medical station would serve as an alternate care site for COVID-19 patients who don’t need ICU-level care. It would be used only in the event local hospitals lack capacity to handle a surge of COVID-19 cases. While equipment and supplies are provided by the Federal Government, the County would coordinate medical staffing of the site.

“Dedicated County physicians, nurses and other professional staff will provide vital medical care in this historic building to help prevent our local hospitals from becoming overburdened by an expected surge in patients” said Supervisor John Gioia, who represents the area where this site is located.

The County is also establishing other alternate care sites, including using hotels for homeless residents.
Contra Costa and other Bay Area counties recently extended a regional stay-at-home order through May 3 hoping that continued social-distancing measures will reduce the impact of COVID-19 on area hospitals.

The site will be secured and not open to visitors.

Managed by the Division of Strategic National Stockpile, federal medical stations are rapidly deployable caches containing beds, supplies, and medicines which can quickly turn a preidentified building into a temporary medical shelter during a national emergency.

Richmond Mayor Tom Butt stated that “The Craneway played an essential part in winning World War II.  Today it is being repurposed to fight another global war.  This facility will help not only our local communities but contribute to the overall effort to contain COVID-19.”

The Craneway Pavilion, located in the Ford Building, was a Ford Auto Plant from 1928 to 1956 and switched to assembling jeeps, tanks and military vehicles during World War II.

According to the Public Health Emergency webpage for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:

The Federal Medical Station (FMS) “is an HHS deployable healthcare facility that can provide surge beds to support healthcare systems anywhere in the U.S. that are impacted by disasters or public health emergencies. FMS are not mobile and cannot be relocated once established.

Each FMS comes with a three-day supply of medical and pharmaceutical resources to sustain from 50 to 250 stable primary or chronic care patients who require medical and nursing services. Staffing for an FMS can be provided using displaced local, regional or EMAC providers, or can be provided by the federal government (primary federal staff are Officers of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps). Potential roles for an FMS include the following:

  • Provide temporary holding and care for patients to decompress a local hospital (increase beds available for patients with disaster-related trauma or illness
  • Receive patients from nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities forced to evacuate due to the disaster
  • Provide low acuity care for patients with chronic illnesses whose access to care is impeded due to the disaster

Because the equipment and supply cache does not include tents, each FMS requires an appropriate building of opportunity* in which to operate. Significant preparation is needed to employ FMSs in support of local, State, Tribal, and Territorial emergency plans. An FMS must be established in a structurally intact, accessible building with adequate hygiene facilities and functioning utilities (hot and cold potable water, electricity, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and internet accessibility or capability).

A 250-bed FMS requires roughly 40,000 square feet of open space, while a 50-bed FMS requires about 15,000 square feet. In addition, wrap around logistical services must be coordinated and in place before an FMS can be operational. Some of these include a 10-12 person set up team, contracted support for patient feeding, laundry, ice, medical oxygen, and biomedical waste disposal. Fewer beds can be set up in smaller facilities, but building attributes and wrap around services remain the same.

Once a request for FMS has been approved, the cache of equipment and supplies will be delivered in 24-48 hours, after which 12 hours is planned for set-up. ASPR Regional Emergency Coordinators are the primary points of contact for FMS preparedness by State, local, Tribal and Territorial authorities. CDC Division of Strategic National Stockpile (DSNS) can assist with site surveys and training for receipt and set-up of FMSs.”

White Pony Express continues food deliveries to families who use school food pantries

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Despite school closures

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, almost all Contra Costa County schools are now closed for the protection of students. Despite this, White Pony Express (WPE), the food rescue nonprofit based in Pleasant Hill, will continue to deliver food to students and families being served by WPE’s “School Food Pantry Program.” Under this Program, WPE has been delivering fresh, surplus food to eleven free-lunch schools in the county. Since the schools are now closed, WPE will deliver the food to a nearby community center or church where families can still obtain it. Many of these families rely on this food to make ends meet.

Need for School Food Pantry Programs

Over 100,000 students in Contra Costa County, or 40%, qualify for the free lunch program. The goal of the School Pantry Program is to help eliminate hunger and increase students’ academic success so they can contribute more fully to the communities in which they live. Helen Jones, WPE’s Food Rescue Operations Manager says, “The families we serve through this program have

demanding challenges throughout the month. Many of the participants receive food stamps which only cover a portion of a month’s worth of food. The food that WPE provides to the schools we serve not only provides nutrition. It provides hope.”

Currently, WPE’s eleven school pantries are set up in schools located in Antioch, Bay Point, Martinez, Pittsburg, Richmond, and San Pablo. This year WPE’s school pantries will deliver in excess of 415,000 meals of quality, nutritious food. WPE plans to open new pantries in 2020, but

continuing the Program will depend on finding sustainable funding.

Institution of New Health Protocols

Based upon guidelines issued by the state and county, WPE will be incorporating new health guidelines to support state and local efforts to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. These protocols (hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, gloves, social distancing, etc.) will be made a part of all aspects of WPE’s food and clothing operations.

“It is important for the public and our volunteers to know that WPE will be implementing strict cleanliness standards so that our valuable programs can continue safely,” says Mary Brooks, WPE’s Executive Director. “And the families at the schools we are serving should know that WPE is preparing and delivering this surplus food in accordance with these high standards.”

ABOUT White Pony Express: WPE is a volunteer powered 501(c)3 organization headquartered in Pleasant Hill, CA, which helps people move from the margins to the mainstream by providing free food and clothing in a loving and respectful manner.

Dr. Carol Weyland Conner founded WPE in September 2013 when she was troubled that with such as an abundance of food, many thousands were going hungry, while at the same time food retailers were throwing out huge quantities of healthy, fresh food. Out of this insight, the Food Rescue program was born. In a little over 6 years, WPE has rescued and delivered more than 10.5 million pounds (equivalent to 8,750,000 meals) of fresh, nutritious food, free of charge, that would otherwise go to waste.

In 2014 the White Pony General Store was added to provide high quality clothing, toys, and books to the underserved in our communities – all free of charge. Since that time, the General Store has given away over 512,000 items to those in need.

If you’d like to contribute to WPE’s School Food Pantry Program or its other programs, you can do so by visiting WPE’s website at www.whiteponyexpress.org/donate-funds. Those who wish to volunteer can sign up at www.whiteponyexpress.org/volunteer.

For more on WPE, visit www.whiteponyexpress.org.

Traffic stop leads San Pablo police to arrest man, woman with outstanding warrants for sex crimes and drugs

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Drugs and paraphernalia found in suspects’ vehicle. Photos by SPPD.

By San Pablo Police Department

Warrant Arrests – Sexual Offenses

Friday night, March 13, 2020 officers on the graveyard shift made a traffic stop. The driver and the passenger, a male and a female, both had warrants for their arrest. One for rape and one for pimping and pandering.

Upon search of the vehicle, officers found drugs, scales, paraphernalia and bags for packaging/sales.

The warrants did not originate from the San Pablo Police Department but other neighboring cities and outside of Contra Costa County.

Richmond High P.E. teacher sentenced to 3 years in state prison for sex with minor

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Israel Ayala-Lopez; Photo by Richmond PD.

By Scott Alonzo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney

Earlier this week, Israel Ayala-Lopez (27-years-old) of Richmond pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor, Jane Doe, and he will serve three years in state prison. Ayala-Lopez will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Ayala-Lopez at the time of his arrest in the late summer of 2019, was a physical education teacher and soccer coach at Richmond High School. He received his teaching credential from the state of California in 2017.

Ayala-Lopez had sexual relations with the victim multiple times from at least April 2019 until August 2019. He was arrested by the Richmond Police Department and has been in custody since our Office filed criminal charges against him. Ayala-Lopez was also a collegiate athlete at San Jose State University and California State University Monterey Bay for their respective soccer teams.

To protect their confidentiality, our Office does not release the name or age of the victim, or their relationship to a defendant for this type of case. A criminal protective order was also ordered by the judge to prevent the defendant from communicating with the victim.

The case was investigated by the Richmond Police Department. Deputy District Attorney Kate Jewett prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. DDA Jewett is assigned to our Sexual Assault Unit.

Case information: People v. Israel Ayala-Lopez, Docket Number 02-330632-1.

Fatal crash in Hercules takes life of Fremont man Saturday

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By CHP – Contra Costa

Saturday afternoon, Feb. 29, 2020 at about 12:40pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision that came off of eastbound I-80 to the Hwy-4 split. (Into the dirt area just east of I-80 and south of Hwy-4) Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, the solo male driver (44 year-old-male from Fremont) was unconscious. CPR and lifesaving procedures were attempted on the driver and he was quickly transported to John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek. Unfortunately, he did not survive and died from his injuries. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the male driver.

It remains unclear at this point in our initial investigation as to why the man veered off the roadway but he was driving his 2000 Dodge Dakota truck on I-80 eastbound and approaching the Hwy-4 split and for an unknown reason he veered to the right across all lanes of traffic and off the roadway into the dirt field area, where the truck came to rest. The male driver was unresponsive upon CHP and emergency personal arrival. He died a short time later from his injuries after being transported to the hospital.

This incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980. Thank you.

Voter registration opportunity remains for presidential primary

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At Regional Early Voting locations on Thursday, February 27th through Monday, March 2nd

By Scott O. Konopasek, Assistant Registrar, Contra Costa County

The voter registration deadline has passed, but you can still register and vote in one transaction between now and Election Day. Several convenient locations will be available leading up to and during Election Day for you to register to vote and cast your ballot.

Contra Costa Elections Division offers Conditional Voter Registration as a safety net for those who were unable to complete or update their voter registration before the deadline. Those who are already registered may also update their address or political party preference.

“We want make sure that everybody who is eligible to register to vote has ample opportunity to cast their ballot,” said Deborah Cooper, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters.

The Conditional Registration steps include going to an eligible county location, filling out a form that includes your name, address, date of birth and either the last four digits of your Social Security Number or your driver’s license number, and casting your ballot. Conditionally voted ballots are processed once our office completes the verification of the voter registration and confirms no ballot has already been voted. This service is available at the Elections Office, 555 Escobar in Martinez, during normal business hours and on Election Day from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Conditional Voter Registration will also be available at Regional Early Voting locations on Thursday, February 27th through Monday, March 2nd (excluding Sunday). Regional Early Voting is 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on the weekdays and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, February 29th. These locations are available to all Contra Costa voters looking to cast their ballot ahead of time and avoid the Election Day rush. Any Contra Costa voter can vote at any one of the Regional Early Voting locations.

• Antioch Water Park, 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch

• Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond

• Hyatt House, 2611 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill

Conditional Voter Registration is also available on Election Day at any of the county’s 166 polling places. For more information, call 925-335-7800.

Four suspects charged for auto repair insurance fraud from undercover operation in Contra Costa

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Working for auto body shops in Concord, Richmond and Pittsburg

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the District Attorney, Contra Costa County

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the California Department of Insurance partnered to conduct an undercover operation targeting auto repair insurance fraud in Contra Costa County. Today investigators arrested the last two of four employees at four different auto repair shops caught in the sting operation.

Auto repair shops provide estimates to customers for insurance claims knowing that the customer’s ultimate decision on whether to proceed with the repair, and pay for it, may depend on the insurance company approving and paying out for the claim. This can create an incentive for the estimator to overlook or even encourage a customer known to be committing a fraud. Accepting business with knowledge or reckless disregard for the fact that a customer intends to commit insurance fraud is a felony punishable by up to three years in prison and an additional fine of up to $50,000.

An undercover officer visited several auto body repair shops in Contra Costa County and told estimators that they wanted to claim and repair pre-existing damage on a new insurance policy initiated after the damage occurred. The officer requested a repair estimate from the shop to assist with the false insurance claim.

Four individuals have been charged in the sting operation including:

Kyle Coburn (30-years-old) of AW Collision in Concord;

Marco Hernandez (49-years-old) of 101 Auto Body in Richmond;

Estephanie Gonzalez-Marquez (26-years-old) of Tepa Autobody in Pittsburg;

Vu Hoang (33-years-old) of Kee’s Auto Body in Concord.

The District Attorney’s Office also reminds consumers to be wary of listening to anyone who suggests lying to an insurance company related to an insurance claim. Providing false or misleading information in support of an insurance claim is a felony punishable by up to five years state prison and an additional fine of up to $50,000.

Anyone with information about possible auto insurance fraud can report that information to the District Attorney’s Office via email at DA-ReportFraud@contracostada.org

Suspect arrested in Richmond hit and run that killed four-year-old boy

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The victim of the hit-and-run, named Heitor, who died from his injuries on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. Photo courtesy of RPD.

By Richmond Police Department

On Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 at 5:00 pm, Richmond Police officers responded to a hit and run collision in the 2200 block of Coalinga Avenue. A 4-year-old child was struck and killed in the collision.

RPD turned to social media, our community members, and local media outlets to request their assistance in locating the suspect vehicle.

Our community partners answered our request and assisted in sharing our request tens of thousands of times on social media platforms. Local media outlets assisted by providing extensive news coverage. All of these things combined to assist us in identifying the driver and suspect vehicle.

Saturday at 7:00 pm, RPD Traffic Investigators arrested the suspect for this hit and run. On Sunday, Feb. 9, the suspect and suspect vehicle were located and are in police custody. The suspect was booked on charges of hit and run resulting in death.

RPD is grateful for the outpouring of support from our community in helping us bring this driver to justice. Thank you from RPD and from the victim’s family for helping them achieve some closure.

Video screenshots of suspect vehicle. By RPD.

**Spanish Translation**

***SOSPECHOSO ARRESTADO EN COLISION QUE REAULTO EN MUERTE***

El Viernes, 7 de Febrero, a las 5:00 PM, Oficiales de la Policia de Richmond respondieron al bloque 2200 de la Avenida Coalinga en una investigación donde un vehicúlo atropello y mato a un niño de 4 años de edad.

La Policia de Richmond solicito la ayuda de nuestros miembros de la comunidad, usando redes sociales y noticias locales para encontrar el vehicúlo del sospechoso.

Nuestros miembros de la comunidad nos ayudaron con compartir este incidente miles de veces en redes sociales. Noticias locales asistieron con reportar una amplia cobertura de noticias sobre el incidente.

Todas estas cosas combinadas nos asistieron en identificar al sospechoso y el vehicúlo.

El Sabodo a las 7:00, Investigadores de tráfico arrestaron al sospechoso. El sospechoso fue transladado a la carcel con cargos de huir la escena de colision que resulto en murte.

La Policia de Richmond esta agradecido por el soporte de la comunidad por ayudarnos el traer el sospechoso ante la justicia.

Gracias de parte de la Policia de Richmond y de la familia de la victima en lograr un poco de cierre en este caso.

Three Contra Costa County Library branches to host and stream local candidate forums

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The Contra Costa County Library is hosting two candidate forums in advance of the March primary. Voters attending the forums can hear directly from the candidates about their experience and positions on relevant issues. The forums will stream live on Facebook and re-air on Contra Costa Television (CCTV).

The Hercules Library will host a forum for the Board of Supervisors District V race on Tuesday, February 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. East County residents interested in watching the District V forum can attend a viewing party at the Pittsburg Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the library community room.

The Brentwood Library will host a forum at the Brentwood Community Center on Thursday, February 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Candidates for the Board of Supervisors District III seat will take part in the moderated forum.

County residents unable to attend the forums can watch live on the Contra Costa County Library Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ccclib/. The forums will also be archived on the Library’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/theccclib.
All forums will re-air on Contra Costa Television (CCTV). CCTV is available on Comcast channel 27, AT&T U-Verse channel 99 or Astound channel 32. For a full schedule, visit ccclib.org.

The Library is partnering with the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley and the West County League of Women Voters, Contra Costa County Elections Department and Contra Costa Television (CCTV).

For more information, contact Rich Hall at rhall@ccclib.org, (925) 608-7770.

Barricaded suspect from last week’s West County standoff arrested, charged

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Suspect Jimmey Allen Parrish and the weapons seized. Photos by CCCSheriff.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

A suspect who barricaded himself inside his residence in Tara Hills near San Pablo, last week has been charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. 30-year-old Jimmey Allen Parrish was charged with two counts of possession of an assault weapon, possession of a machine gun, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence and resisting/obstructing a peace officer.

On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at about 8:43 PM, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report of a person with a gun at a home on the 2400 block of O’Toole Way in the Tara Hills neighborhood in unincorporated Contra Costa. At the time Parrish apparently brandished a weapon and possibly fired some shots. There were no injuries.

Deputy Sheriffs attempted to make contact with Parrish but were not able to. At about 11:30 PM, the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and negotiators responded to the location. Negotiators continued trying to make contact with him. The SWAT Team on Wednesday morning entered the heavily fortified home and detained Parrish. He was later taken to the hospital and arrested on Thursday, January 23, 2020.

Parrish is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility. He is being held in lieu of $353,000 bail.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. Tips could be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.