Contra Costa Herald

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

Police confiscate “imitation weapon” brought by student to Liberty High in Brentwood

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Police responded to Liberty High School Wednesday morning, Aug. 19, 2026. Photo source: Liberty High School Facebook

By Brentwood Police Department

The Brentwood Police Department is aware of a report involving a possible weapon at Liberty High School today, Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

School administrators immediately notified law enforcement, and officers responded to investigate. The item involved was determined to be an imitation weapon and was confiscated. The investigation determined there was no active threat to students, staff or the campus, and the matter was resolved without disruption to the school day.

We appreciate the students, staff, and community members who promptly report safety concerns. Reports of possible threats are taken seriously and investigated in coordination with our school partners.

Because this incident involves a student, no additional information will be released at this time.

The Brentwood Police Department remains committed to working with our schools to help maintain a safe and secure learning environment.

CA State Senate rewrite of “sex offender” bill still allows predators to run for office

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Photos by CA Family Council

Vote in Senate as early as Thursday

New language by Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee chaired by Senator Scott Wiener also exempts crimes against disabled victims and, in some cases, children under 14.

WARNING: Graphic content

By California Family Council

SACRAMENTO, CA — AB 2691, the Public Trust Protection Act, could be voted on the Senate floor as soon as tomorrow morning, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. On August 4, the bill’s authors quietly rewrote its central definition. They did not fix the problem California Family Council (CFC) raised in June. They made it bigger, and harder to see.

Background

AB 2691, authored by Assemblywoman Dawn Addis (D-Dawn Addis), passed the Assembly floor 67 to 0. It would bar people convicted of felony sexual assault or human trafficking from holding public office, a policy CFC supports. On June 24, the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee, chaired by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), added language exempting felony sodomy, oral copulation and sexual penetration when the victim is a minor age 14 to 17.

CFC Vice President Greg Burt testified against that exemption on June 30 and asked the committee to restore the bill to the form the Assembly passed unanimously. The committee advanced the bill anyway, 4 to 1, with only Senator Steven Choi (R-Irvine) voting no.

What Changed on August 4, and How California’s Sex Offender Registry Actually Works

The named exemption for ages 14 to 17 is gone from the bill text. In its place, Addis rewrote the bill to define “sexual assault” using California’s sex offender registration system, and only the most severe part of it.

California sorts every registerable sex offense into one of three tiers, based on how serious the offense is:

  • Tier 1 requires registration for 10 years. It covers misdemeanor sex offenses and the least serious felony sex offenses.
  • Tier 2requires registration for 20 years. It covers felony sex offenses that state law separately classifies as “serious” or “violent”, along with a short list of specifically named crimes.
  • Tier 3 requires registration for life. It is reserved for the most serious sex crimes: forcible rape, forcible sodomy, aggravated sexual assault of a child, and similar offenses.

Under the bill the Assembly passed, a felony conviction under any of six penal code sections covering rape, sodomy, oral copulation, and sexual penetration disqualified a candidate, full stop. Under the August 4 rewrite, a conviction only disqualifies a candidate if it happens to fall into Tier 3 of the sex registry list. A conviction that falls into Tier 1 or Tier 2, no matter how serious the underlying crime actually was, no longer counts.

That single change does not narrow the original exemption. It widens it.

  • Crimes against minors age 14 to 17 remain exempted. The specific carve-out is gone by name, but the conduct it covered, non-forcible sodomy, oral copulation, and sexual penetration of a 14-to-17-year-old, is a Tier 1 offense. It still falls outside the bill’s new definition.
  • Sex crimes against disabled victims are now exempted. Non-forcible sodomy and sexual penetration of a victim who cannot legally consent because of a mental disorder or a developmental or physical disability are Tier 2 offenses and fall below the bill’s new threshold.
  • Under certain circumstances, so do sex crimes against children under 10. A first-time, non-forcible conviction for molesting a child under 14, which includes children under 10, is a Tier 2 offense and no longer disqualifies a candidate under the bill’s new language, unless the act specifically involved intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, or penetration, which remain covered under a separate, Tier 3 statute.

“We asked this Assemblywoman Addis in June to send this bill back to the form the Assembly passed unanimously. Instead, she took the exemption we objected to, deleted the sentence that named it, and buried the same result inside a much bigger loophole,” said CFC Vice President Burt. “Sex crimes against 14 to 17-year-olds are still exempted. Now sex crimes against people with disabilities are exempted too. And under the right circumstances, so is molesting a child under 14. This bill was supposed to keep sex offenders out of public office. As written, it tells some of them they’re still welcome to run.”

Call to Action

The Senate could vote on AB 2691 as early as tomorrow morning. California Family Council urges senators to vote no on the bill as currently written and urges Californians to contact their state senator today.

About California Family Council

California Family Council works to advance God’s design for life, family, and liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, and Culture. By advocating for policies that reinforce the sanctity of life, the strength of traditional marriages, and the essential freedoms of religion, CFC is dedicated to preserving California’s moral and social foundation.

APPENDIX: Affected Crimes, With Penal Code Citations

This list is limited to items independently confirmed against the text of Penal Code section 290, subdivisions (d)(1) through (d)(3), and Penal Code section 667.5(c). Additional items appear in supplemental research from a California State Senate office; those are not included here pending independent confirmation.

No Longer Disqualifying: Tier 1 Offenses (10-Year Registration)

Penal Code 286(b) — sodomy, non-forcible, victim under 18

Penal Code 287(b), or former 288a(b) — oral copulation, non-forcible, victim under 18

Penal Code 289(h) and (i) — sexual penetration by foreign object, non-forcible, victim under 18

Penal Code 289.5 — fleeing to California to avoid prosecution or custody for a registerable sex offense committed in another state (misdemeanor)

No Longer Disqualifying: Tier 2 Offenses (20-Year Registration)

Penal Code 285 — incest

Penal Code 286(g) — sodomy of a victim who cannot legally consent due to a mental disorder or a developmental or physical disability

Penal Code 286(c)(1) — sodomy of a victim under 14, where the offender is more than 10 years older, without force

Penal Code 288(a) — a lewd or lascivious act on a child under 14, first offense, without force. This is California’s basic child molestation statute.

Penal Code 288.3 — contacting a minor with intent to commit a felony, specifically when the underlying intent was to violate 286(b), 287(b), or 289(h)/(i)

Penal Code 289(b) — sexual penetration of a victim who cannot legally consent due to a mental disorder or a developmental or physical disability

Penal Code 647.6 — annoying or molesting a child, second or subsequent offense

Still Disqualifying: Tier 3 Offenses (Lifetime Registration)

Penal Code 236.1(c) — human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act

Penal Code 266h(b) — aggravated pimping of a minor

Penal Code 266i(b) — aggravated pandering of a minor

Penal Code 266j — procuring a child under 16 for a lewd act

Penal Code 269 — aggravated sexual assault of a child

Penal Code 286(c)(2) and (d) — forcible sodomy of a child under 14, including in concert

Penal Code 287(c) and (d), or former 288a — forcible oral copulation of a child under 14, including in concert

Penal Code 288(b) — a lewd act on a child under 14 committed by force

Penal Code 288(c) — a lewd act on a 14- or 15-year-old, where the offender is at least 10 years older

Penal Code 288.2 — sending harmful matter to a minor with intent to seduce, felony

Penal Code 288.3 — contacting a minor with intent to commit a felony, except when the intent was to violate 286(b), 287(b), or 289(h)/(i)

Penal Code 288.5 — continuous sexual abuse of a child

Penal Code 288.7 — sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, or sexual penetration with a child age 10 or younger

Penal Code 289(a) — forcible sexual penetration

Penal Code 653f(c) — soliciting another person to commit rape, sodomy, oral copulation, or a lewd act on a child

A felony sentenced to a mandatory life term under Penal Code 667.61 (“One Strike” law)

Designation as a habitual sex offender under Penal Code 667.71

A second, separately tried conviction under Penal Code 288(a)

Sources: California Penal Code section 290, subdivisions (d)(1) through (d)(3), and Penal Code section 667.5(c), both available at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

Oakland man, 3 juveniles arrested for 37 Concord vehicle and residential burglaries

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Concord burglary suspects in action and the arrest of one. Video screenshots source: Concord PD

4th juvenile already in jail

Also responsible for approximately 40 more burglaries in other cities; property valued at over $250,000

Multi-agency effort

By Concord Police Department

In May of 2026, the Concord Police Department’s Major Case Unit initiated an investigation into a vehicle and residential burglary series that occurred between late April and June. The suspects in these cases broke into vehicles, typically during the early morning hours, and would often use garage door openers located inside the vehicles to enter the associated garages in search of additional power tools.

In May of 2026, surveillance video captured the same suspects, armed with firearms, pointing a firearm at the interior door leading from the garage into a residence, in apparent anticipation of a homeowner exiting the residence. The suspects stole various power tools and, during one burglary, stole 14 firearms from a residential garage.

Also in May, a Concord Police officer located a possible suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, and a pursuit was initiated but later terminated due to public safety concerns.

During a subsequent burglary series in June, Concord PD officers located a different suspect vehicle, which fled from pursuing officers and eluded capture.

Items recovered of those stolen valued at over $250,000. Video screenshots source: Concord PD

In an additional, separate burglary series in June, the juveniles fled the scene of a burglary, became involved in a vehicle collision and fled on foot. The juveniles again eluded capture; however, another firearm was recovered.

In late June of 2026, working in conjunction with the Richmond Police Department, Concord PD detectives identified four juveniles believed to be involved in the burglaries. One of the juveniles was already in custody at Juvenile Hall for an unrelated incident that did not occur in the City of Concord. Arrest and search warrants were granted for the three remaining juveniles.

In July of 2026, simultaneous arrest and search warrants were executed by the Concord Police Department SWAT Team, with assistance from the Antioch Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, Central County SWAT and the U.S. Marshals Service. All three outstanding suspects were arrested during the operation. During searches of their residences, two firearms stolen during a Concord burglary were recovered. A third stolen firearm was previously recovered by the Richmond Police Department during its investigation.

Ultimately, the suspects were identified as being responsible for 37 vehicle and residential burglaries in the City of Concord, as well as approximately 40 additional burglaries in various other cities throughout Contra Costa and Solano counties. The crimes also included multiple vehicle thefts, with the suspects using stolen vehicles to commit additional crimes.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed complaints against the three juveniles. Their names are not being released, consistent with state law.

Further investigation by Concord PD detectives showed the suspects communicated with 37-year-old Wuillian Cordova-Cubias of Oakland. Cordova-Cubias was identified as purchasing tools from the suspects on multiple occasions, often immediately following the burglaries.

Stolen firearms recovered. Video screenshots source: Concord PD

An arrest warrant for Cordova-Cubias and a search warrant for his residence were sought and granted. With assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Oakland Police Department, Concord PD detectives arrested Cordova-Cubias at his residence in Oakland. During a search of the residence, detectives located an extremely large quantity of power tools, a stolen ATV, a stolen forklift, an unregistered firearm, and numerous other high-value items. The property was valued at approximately $250,000.

On Friday, August 7, 2026, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office Organized Retail Theft Unit filed criminal charges against Cordova-Cubias for the following:

Penal Code § 496(a) – Receiving Stolen Property

Penal Code § 496d(a) – Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle

Penal Code § 182(a) – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime

Penal Code § 29805(c) – Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm

Cordova-Cubias was booked into the Concord Police Department Jail and transferred to the Martinez Detention Facility. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, as of Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 09:28 AM he had bonded out of custody. UPDATE: However, according to Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo, Cordova-Cubias “not out of custody anymore. He was brought back in earlier today,” Friday, Aug. 7.

The Concord Police Department remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat crime throughout our region. Multiple agencies assisted with this investigation, including:

Richmond, Antioch, Pittsburg and Oakland Police Departments, Central County SWAT, U.S. Marshals Service, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

According to localcrimenews.com, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 240-pound Cordova-Cubias is Hispanic and has been arrested at least five other times for guns, drugs and violent crimes including battery and threats of violence, as well as receiving or concealing stolen property.

For additional information, please visit the Concord Police Department’s social media platforms for a video overview of the investigation. (Instagram: @ConcordPD).

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

11 ways to help kids start school strong

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Photos: Sutter Health

Advice from pediatric experts across Sutter Health on helping children and teens thrive this school year.

By Monique Binkley-Smith, Manager, Media Relations, Sutter Health 

The countdown to a new school year has begun. For many families, that means shopping for supplies, filling out forms and preparing for busy schedules. It’s also the perfect time to reset healthy habits.

Pediatricians across Sutter Health share 11 back-to-school tips to help children and teens stay healthy, focused and ready to learn.

  1. Start adjusting sleep schedules now

One of the biggest mistakes families make is waiting until the night before school starts to reset bedtime.

“As the school year approaches, it’s time to start adjusting your sleep routine,” says Dr. Dan Brennan, Greater Central Coast Children’s Service Line medical director with Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Group in Santa Barbara. “In the weeks leading up to the start of school, start moving bedtime up by 15 minutes a night until you get to the expected school-year bedtime.”

  1. Know how much sleep children really need

Adequate sleep helps regulate metabolism, maintain a healthy weight, promote positive mood and behavior, and support memory retention and mental alertness needed for academic success, says Dr. Jessica Tsai, with Sutter East Bay Medical Group in Antioch.

Dr. Rakhi Mehrotra, with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Livermore, also recommends helping kids and teens stay on track by keeping the same bedtime and wake-up time every day, including weekends.

Drs. Tsai and Mehrotra recommend the following hours of sleep by age:

  • Preschoolers: 10-13 hours daily, including naps
  • Children age 6-12: 9-12 hours nightly
  • Teens: 8-10 hours nightly
  1. Fuel kids for learning and growth

Healthy eating habits help children get the nutrients they need for energy, growth, focus and overall well-being, according to Dr. Mehrotra.

She recommends:

  • Starting the day with breakfast
  • Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and dairy each day
  • Choosing colorful fruits and vegetables throughout the week
  • Filling half the plate with fruits and vegetables, one-quarter with whole grains and one-quarter with healthy protein
  • Choosing healthy snacks such as fruit, yogurt, nuts, vegetables and whole-grain options
  1. Make water the beverage of choice

Hydration becomes especially important as children spend more time outdoors and return to sports.

“With kids outside more, we want to encourage families to provide as much hydration as possible, water being our first choice,” explains Dr. Brennan.

Sugary and caffeinated beverages should be avoided. Caffeinated beverages work against hydration and generally lead to more dehydration, he notes.

  1. Encourage kids to get moving

Physical activity supports both physical and mental health.

“Whether it’s organized sports, riding bikes, walking the dog or playing at the park, daily physical activity supports both physical and mental health,” says Dr. David Tejeda, with Sutter West Bay Medical Group in San Francisco.

For children interested in organized athletics, Dr. Brennan suggests recreational sports leagues and individual activities such as swimming, running, biking, gymnastics, and rock climbing.

  1. Avoid specializing in one sport too soon

Playing the same sport year-round may sound like a path to success, but pediatricians often see the downside.

“I discourage my pediatric patients from specializing in one sport too early,” emphasizes Dr. Brennan. “High-level athletes benefit from cross training that comes with playing a variety of sports.”

He notes that children who play one sport year-round can develop chronic overuse injuries.

  1. Prepare young athletes before the season begins

As children return to practices, tryouts and games, Dr. Anita Juvvadi, with Sutter West Bay Medical Group in San Francisco, encourages families to focus on the basics:

  • Increase activity gradually before organized practices begin
  • Stay hydrated throughout the day
  • Prioritize consistent sleep
  • Eat enough to support increased activity

“The body needs time to acclimate to new movement and sustained activity,” she says.

  1. Warm up the right way

Before sports and physical activity, Dr. Liang Xue, with Sutter East Bay Medical Group in Brentwood, recommends active, dynamic warm-ups rather than static stretching.

Dynamic warm-ups use movements such as jogging, skipping, lunges and arm circles to increase blood flow, raise body temperature and prepare muscles and joints for activity.

In contrast, holding static stretches before exercise may temporarily reduce strength and power. Saving static stretching for after activity, when muscles are warm, can help improve flexibility and support recovery.

  1. Protect growing bodies and brains

Protective gear matters, according to Dr. Brennan.

“A helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter can protect that precious brain, and don’t forget to buckle the helmet,” he advises.

He also cautions parents about e-bikes and electric scooters, which account for a growing number of serious injuries, emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

“When possible, skip the electric version and stick to good old-fashioned pedaling,” he says.

  1. Know the signs of concussion

As children return to school sports, parents should familiarize themselves with concussion symptoms.

Dr. Angela Lumba-Brown, a pediatric emergency medicine physician with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Palo Alto, reminds parents to watch for:

  • Worsening headaches
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Balance problems
  • Seizures
  • Neck pain
  • Unusual behavior

“If a concussion is suspected, children should be removed from play and evaluated before returning to sports,” she says.

  1. Don’t forget vaccines and sun protection

The start of the school year is an ideal time to review routine immunizations.

“Vaccines save lives and keep children healthy by building immunity to many serious viral and bacterial infections,” advises Dr. Brennan.

He stresses the importance of families staying up to date on routine vaccinations and annual flu vaccines.

For outdoor activities, Dr. Yvonne Nicole Lee, with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Santa Clara, recommends broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, hats, UV-protective clothing and sunglasses. Sunscreen should be applied 10 to 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours.

The Bottom Line

Healthy school years don’t happen by accident. Good sleep, nutritious meals, physical activity, hydration, injury prevention and routine healthcare all work together to help children learn, grow and thrive.

CA’s mixed-sex bathroom law kicks in just before school starts

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All-gender restroom in California’s State Capitol building. Video screenshot source: CA Family Council

“The law requires that every school campus have at least one all-gender restroom option available to students.”

By Greg Burt, California Family Council

SACRAMENTO, CA — California is quietly moving toward mixed-sex bathrooms in K-12 public schools, and the state’s own Department of Education is leading the way.

A new law California Family Council opposed, SB 760, now requires schools to provide at least one “all-gender” restroom option on campus.

Passed in September 2023, the bill was cosponsored by then-State Senator Steve Glazer (D-Orinda). He, then-State Senator Nancy Skinner, now-State Sen. Tim Grayson and Assemblymembers Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Buffy Wicks and Lori Wilson who represent Contra Costa County, voted for the bill.

The stated goal was to make transgender-identified students feel safer from bullying. But in the rush to accommodate those students’ feelings, lawmakers apparently gave little thought to a different safety question: what happens when boys are given access to girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms?

The State Is Already Building the Roadmap

The California Department of Education has an entire webpage dedicated to “All Access Restrooms,” describing it as a resource offering background information, planning and design resources, laws and regulations, and references for implementing “gender-inclusive” restrooms in K-12 schools.

The background information on that page acknowledges that “the designs of all-access restrooms have been trending in schools throughout the state, the country, and the world,” while noting there are currently no California design standards for these facilities. In other words, the trend is already underway, and the standards are still catching up.

The planning section of the CDE page is even more candid about the scope of what is being proposed. It describes “shifting from multi-user gendered restrooms and single-user all-gender restrooms to offering blocks of restroom facilities for all students;” meaning the goal is not just a single converted nurse’s bathroom tucked in a hallway. The ambition is to redesign entire blocks of school restroom facilities so that boys and girls share the same space.

What Would It Look Like?

The new all-gender bathroom designs typically eliminate urinals entirely, replacing them with individual private stalls accessible to everyone. The CDE’s resources page recommends an academic article published in the Education Sciences Journal titled “Expanding the Scope of Universal Design: Implications for Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation,” by Ellyn Couillard and Jeanne L. Higbee (2018), as a guide for implementation. That an academic paper on gender identity ideology is among the state’s recommended planning resources tells you something about the ideological framework driving these design decisions.

But keep in mind, SB 760 doesn’t require a complete redesign of a single-sex bathroom for it to become all-gender.

You Already Saw It at the State Capitol

If you want to get a glimpse of what legislators have in mind when they convert a single sex bathroom into an all gender bathroom, take a look at one of the converted male bathrooms at the state capitol, used by legislative staffers, adult visitors, and elementary school children visiting on field trips. California Family Council Vice President Greg Burt recently took a video of the empty bathroom located to one side of the Capitol Dome. “I’m pretty sure most parents would object to their young children sharing a bathroom while men are using the urinals,” Burt said. “Even without the adult issue, I’ve witnessed the chaos that occurs when young boys are pouring into the same bathrooms as the girls while visiting the Capitol. The girls are not happy about it.” (Watch video tour of Capitol bathroom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okTcKcP3ACQ)

So, what should parents expect when multi-stall bathrooms are converted to all gender at their child’s school?

What the Law Actually Requires — And What It Doesn’t

It is important to be clear about what SB 760 does and does not mandate. The law requires that every school campus have at least one all-gender restroom option available to students. It could be single-stall or multi-stall. It must be supplied with menstrual products starting in 3rd grade, and it must be unlocked and easily accessible. But there are no requirements that urinals be removed or that additional privacy measures be added to stalls.

Sex-separated restrooms are still permitted, and most schools will continue to have them.

Burt explained what this means in practice for families. “How each school fulfills this new requirement is entirely up to the local school board. A conservative district might simply relabel a single-occupancy nurse’s bathroom and call it done. A progressive district could use this law as a green light to convert entire multi-stall restroom facilities to mixed-sex use. Parents need to find out right now what their district is planning,” he said.

The CDE’s planning resources make clear that the broader vision goes well beyond a single-stall accommodation in the corner of the building. It points toward a wholesale redesign of school bathroom facilities, one that treats sex-separated restrooms as a problem to be solved rather than a common-sense protection for children.

The Question Nobody in Sacramento Answered

SB 760’s supporters argued the law was needed to protect transgender-identified students from harassment, but the legislature never seriously asked the parallel question: does giving boys access to girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms create new opportunities for harassment and assault of girls?

California has seen case after case in recent years where policies designed to accommodate gender identity have created unsafe situations for female students. The discomfort of girls sharing intimate spaces with biological males is not a lesser concern. Lawmakers who refused to weigh it have not protected children. They have simply chosen which children’s safety matters.

Parents: Now Is the Time to Speak Up

Because each school board will decide how to implement SB 760 on its own campuses, parents have a real opportunity to influence what happens at their child’s school, but that window will not stay open indefinitely. Decisions about restroom redesigns and facility changes get made early in the budget and planning process, often before most parents are even aware the conversation is happening.

If you want a say in how your district handles this new requirement, call your school board member and school administrators now. Ask them directly: how does our district plan to fulfill the SB 760 all-gender restroom requirement? Will existing sex-separated restrooms be preserved? Will multi-stall facilities be converted? Every parent deserves to know the answers.

Here is one of the committee hearings from 2023, when SB 760 was discussed, and CFC provided opposition testimony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwk7J82Prn8&t=1s

About California Family Council

California Family Council works to advance God’s design for life, family, and liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, and Culture. By advocating for policies that reinforce the sanctity of life, the strength of traditional marriages, and the essential freedoms of religion, CFC is dedicated to preserving California’s moral and social foundation.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Police warn of large gathering at Streets of Brentwood July 9th

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By Brentwood Police Department

The Brentwood Police Department has become aware of online posts encouraging a large gathering at the Streets of Brentwood on the evening of Thursday, July 9th.

At this time, there is no known or credible threat associated with the event. However, because higher-than-normal attendance is possible, additional officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence and help keep the community safe.

Residents, visitors, and local businesses should anticipate increased activity and traffic throughout the evening. Disruptive behavior or evidence of illegal activities will not be tolerated, and officers will take appropriate enforcement action when necessary.

We encourage everyone to stay alert, be mindful of their surroundings, and report any suspicious or concerning behavior to the Brentwood Police Department. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

We appreciate our community’s cooperation as we work together to ensure the Streets of Brentwood remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

Contra Costa Superior Court resumes Juvenile Dependency Mediation Program

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By Matt J. Malone, PIO, Contra Costa County Superior Court

The Contra Costa County Superior Court is pleased to announce the return of its Juvenile Dependency Mediation Program effective July 1, 2026.

Dependency mediation is a confidential, voluntary process that offers families and other participants an opportunity to resolve issues outside of a contested court hearing. The program is facilitated by specially trained, neutral mediators who do not make decisions or determine case outcomes. Instead, mediators guide productive discussions, help participants identify areas of agreement, and support the development of informed, mutually acceptable resolutions that prioritize the safety, well-being, and best interests of the child while also considering the safety of all family members.

As a program of the Juvenile Court, dependency mediation provides a collaborative forum where parents, child welfare professionals, and other involved parties can openly discuss concerns, explore potential solutions, and work toward agreements. Any agreement reached through mediation is submitted to the judicial officer for review and approval. Once approved, the agreement becomes an enforceable court order.

By encouraging communication and cooperative problem-solving, dependency mediation helps reduce conflict, promotes meaningful participation by all parties, and often resolves matters more efficiently than a contested hearing. The process also minimizes the emotional impact of litigation on children and families by focusing on the family’s strengths and supporting long-term collaboration in addressing the child’s needs.

Click for more information about Juvenile Dependency | Superior Court of California | County of Contra Costa.

Notice: All Contra Costa County Superior Court locations will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day. Regular court operations will resume on Monday, July 6, 2026.

Monte Vista High student is National Speech & Debate Tournament champion

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Anadita Upadhyaya is a 2026 National Speech & Debate Champion. Photo: LinkedIn

By Shelby Young, Marketing & Communications, National Speech & Debate Association

After five days of rigorous competition at the National Speech & Debate Tournament, six students have earned the title of national finalist in the Rep. Barbara Jordan Congressional Debate – House competition. Anadita Upadhyaya, a sophomore at Monte Vista High School in Danville, is the National Champion. The competition is part of the 2026 Main Debate Event.

The Tournament, presented by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), is the world’s largest academic competition. More than 7,000 students from 48 states, the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories, and eight countries traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to compete this past week.

“Speech and debate equips students with the skills to engage meaningfully with the world—to question, advocate, understand diverse perspectives, think critically, and communicate with purpose,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the NSDA. “These students are the next generation of leaders and changemakers, and their voices will build a stronger future.”

Congressional Debate is a group debate event simulating the U.S. legislative process. Students meet in chambers and debate legislation over a session typically lasting two to three hours.

Source: NSDA

The NSDA is proud to recognize the top six students in the country in the Rep. Barbara Jordan Congressional Debate – House:

National Champion

Anadita Upadhyaya

Monte Vista High School, California

According to her LinkedIn profile she wrote, “A high school sophomore driven by a curiosity for how AI and innovative technology can solve real-world problems. Whether I’m diving into STEM projects, breaking down complex ideas into engaging stories through public speaking, or practicing discipline on the martial arts mat as a third-degree black belt, I love taking on new challenges. Always open to public speaking opportunities and eager to connect with peers, mentors, and innovators!

Anadita has been a member of the California Scholarship Federation Danville, is currently the On-site Co-President beginning this month and served as the Director of Student Activities from June 2025 to May 2026.

She is a Third Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and has worked as a referee for World Taekwondo in the San Francisco Bay Area since August 2024.

2nd Place

Alysia Aldea

Medina Senior High School, Ohio

3rd Place

Chaith Mittal

Archbishop Mitty High School, California

4th Place

Enan Khan

American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, Florida

5th Place

Hayley Fung

Los Osos High School, California

6th Place

Vedant Hathalia

Bellarmine College Preparatory, California

These students represent the top 1% of speech and debate competitors in the National Speech & Debate Association. Students must compete in local, regional, or online district competitions throughout the school year to qualify for the National Speech & Debate Tournament. Finalists are selected after multiple rounds of competition with students from across the country.

See more about the various competitions and the finalists on the NSDA Facebook page.

The NSDA is the largest speech and debate organization in the United States, supporting interscholastic tournaments, schools, coaches, and students since 1925. For more than 100 years, the NSDA has prepared generations of young people to engage in the public sphere through academically rigorous speech and debate training, competitions, and education.

The NSDA plans to expand access to this life-changing activity through the National Speech & Debate Initiative. Over the next five years, the NSDA has a goal to increase participation in speech and debate to 200,000 students by 2030. To learn more about the NSDA, visit www.speechanddebate.org.

The 2027 National Tournament will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, June 13-18, 2027. To learn more about Nationals, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals.

About the National Speech & Debate Association

The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For more than 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

 

Back-to-back gun arrests by San Pablo Police graveyard officers

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Guns confiscated during arrests on June 14 and 15, 2026. Photos: San Pablo PD

Richmond police assist

Included two juveniles, one sent to Juvie Hall, the other released to guardian

By San Pablo Police Department

Zero Dark Thirty Activities

On Sunday, June 14, 2026, at around midnight, San Pablo Police graveyard officers pulled over a car at the intersection of Church Lane and Dover Avenue for a vehicle code violation.

The officers were instantly greeted by the unmistakable smell of marijuana drifting out the car. Officers saw the driver acting nervously and appeared to be hiding something in his waistband. Based off these peculiar behaviors, officers asked the driver to step out of the car. Low and behold, Officers found a loaded gun in his waistband.

The suspect’s midnight joyride was cut short, and he was promptly fitted with silver bracelets and booked into the local Juvenile Hall.

The gun was found to be stolen and no person in the car was over the age of 21 with a medical permit.

On Monday, June 15, 2026, around 11 p.m. graveyard officers pulled over a car at the area of San Pablo Avenue and Van Ness Street for a vehicle code violation. The male driver must have thought the officer’s lights and siren were a polite suggestion, so he decided to not stop for a few blocks. When the car eventually stopped, officers got out of their cars, but simultaneously so did two female passengers at a much hastier pace.

The wild sequence of events unfolded as follows:

One female took off running, but while being chased, she decided to shed some weight by casually tossing a loaded 9mm Glock on someone’s lawn. Spoiler alert, she was shortly captured after.

Another female decided her best camouflage was to hide directly underneath a parked car. Shout out to the helpful neighbors who ratted her out to our officers!

Less of an aerodynamic (but just as effective) arrest. This female was found to be a juvenile out past her bedtime.

Meanwhile, the male driver left the two females and casually drove to his home in Richmond where Richmond Police Department officers were patiently waiting for his arrival for his complimentary ride to jail.

The car was slapped with a 30-day vacation at the tow yard, the adults were sent off to the county jail, and the juvenile was released to her guardian.

Free college access program opportunity for high school juniors and sophomores

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Source: 10,000 Degrees

To support students from low-income backgrounds

At SF State July 18 – Limited spots available, first come, first served! 

By Rachel Clark, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager, 10,000 Degrees

The 10,000 Degrees College Access Program presents The Summit, a FREE one-day, in-person summer event on Saturday, July 18 | 9:00 – 5:00 PM, where students will visit San Francisco State University.

Lunch and transportation will be provided for FREE.

Open to Juniors and Sophomores who attend a high school in the following counties: Contra Costa, Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara.

Students will: Dive into action-oriented college workshops. Get an insider’s look at SF State. Explore essential student resources at a resource fair. Connect with the 10,000 Degrees team and learn about our scholarship. Bonus: Win raffle prizes.

About 10,000 Degrees College Access Program

We are dedicated to helping high school students from low-income backgrounds get to college, whether you enroll at a four-year university or community college. Students at our partner schools can receive support from Fellows right on campus and attend financial aid and college readiness workshops and events all year.

Our College Access Program for high school students starts with The Summit, an incredible college immersion program held in the summer before your senior year. You can participate in our programming as early as the spring of your junior year by checking out our program application! From there, we provide informational, action-oriented workshops to help you explore your college options, apply for free financial aid and the 10,000 Degrees Scholarship, complete college application, and more. Throughout your senior year, we also offer comprehensive college support at our partner high school directly on campus.

Limited spots available for The Summit college tour – first come, first served!

For more information visit https://10000degrees.org/students-alumni/high-school-students/#summit.