Contra Costa Herald

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

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.

Three juveniles cited for reckless e-motorcycle riding in Lafayette

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File photo: Lafayette PD

Parents “admonished…they could be cited for child endangerment”

By Lafayette Police Department

On Thursday, May 28, 2026, a Lafayette PD Officer attempted to stop and educate juveniles recklessly riding e-motorcycles (not street-legal) in the downtown area. In two different incidents, the juveniles refused to stop and sped away doing wheelies. Due to the public safety concerns, no pursuit was initiated. After reviewing the incident and speaking with witnesses, the officer identified all three juveniles. The officer later met with the juveniles and their parents to discuss their riding behavior and to educate all parties that e-motorcycles are not street legal. The officer cited all three juveniles for CVC 12500(a) – Unlicensed Driver. The parents were admonished that if their child is caught riding these again, they could be cited for child endangerment.

Here are two recent incidents highlighting the danger of these electric motorcycles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaBKm_cTRYE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qQKL_NE5h0

Remember: Unregistered electric motorcycles are not street legal.

Learn How to Choose an Electric Bike at https://www.rei.com/…/exper…/how-to-choose-an-ebike.html

Source: Pleasant Hill PD

Electric Bike vs. Electric Motorcycle (CA law)

Class 1 E-Bike: pedal assist only, no throttle, max 20 mph

Class 2 E-Bike: pedal assist plus throttle, max 20 mph

Class 3 E-Bike: pedal assist only, max 28 mph (helmets required, no riders under 16)

Maximum 750 Watts.

Electric Motorcycle: Anything exceeding these specs (no pedals, higher speeds) requires registration, insurance, and a motorcycle license for road use.

Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV): Models such as Sur-Ron and Talaria electric motorcycles are designed only for off-road use.

Tri Delta Transit announces Youth Ride Free 2026

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June 1st-July 31st

Tri Delta Transit is excited to announce Youth Ride Free 2026. This program, funded by County Supervisor Burgis and County Supervisor Scales-Preston, provides FREE rides for ages 18 and under from June 1st-July 31st on Tri Delta Transit fixed and express route buses. Tri MyRide and paratransit are not included. No fares, no applications, no ID, no passes are needed. So, enter your travel era and ride to jobs, summer program, entertainment, school and more.

Tri Delta Transit se complace en anunciar el programa Youth Ride Free 2026 o Los Jóvenes Viajan Gratis 2026. Este programa es financiado por las Supervisoras del Condado de Contra Costa, Supervisora de el Distrito 3, Diane Burgis y Supervisora de el Distrito 5, Shanelle Scales-Preston.

Youth Ride Free 2026/Los Jóvenes Viajan Gratis 2026 ofrece viajes GRATIS para personas de 18 años o menos empezando desde el 1 de junio hasta el 31 de julio en los autobuses de rutas fijas y expresas de Tri Delta Transit. Tri MyRide y el servicio de paratránsito no están incluidos en este programa.

No se necesitan tarifas, aplicaciones, identificación, ni pases. ¡Así que incia tu era de viajes, ya sea viaja a trabajos, programas de verano, entretenimiento, la escuela y más!

For more information visit Youth Ride Free – Summer Pilot Program – June +July 2026 -Tri Delta Transit.

Brentwood Police to host first Youth Academy June 22-25

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Now accepting applications. Deadline: June 10

By Brentwood Police Department

The Brentwood Police Department is excited to launch our first-ever Youth Academy! This is a great opportunity for local teens to get a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement, build leadership skills, and connect with Brentwood officers and fellow students.

The Youth Academy is designed to help participants learn more about the Brentwood Police Department, its officers, and the many specialized units and responsibilities within the agency. Youth participants will have the opportunity to explore topics such as SWAT, investigations and detectives, evidence collection, traffic stops, dispatch operations, and other important areas of police work.

The program also provides a valuable opportunity for the Police Department to build positive relationships with local youth. Through hands-on learning, open conversations, and direct interaction with officers, participants can gain a better understanding of public safety, decision-making, teamwork, and the role law enforcement plays in the community. Apply below.

Brentwood Police Youth Academy starts June 22-25 (Monday-Thursday) 9am-12pm.

Location: Brentwood Police Department, 9100 Brentwood Blvd.

Open to Liberty Union High School district students ages 13–17.

Requirements:

  • Minimum 2.0 GPA
  • Must be available all four days
  • No criminal record

Participants will learn about different aspects of policing through hands-on activities and interactive instruction.

  • Traffic stops
  • Dispatch
  • Evidence
  • SWAT
  • MILO Simulator and more

Application Deadline: Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Limited spots available

Apply today at:

brentwood.info/youth-academy

Questions? Contact Ofc. Chris Bollinger at cbollinger@brentwoodca.gov or (925) 809-7729.

Chosen Sports to hold 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament “Honoring Fathers” June 13-14 in Brentwood

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Sponsorship opportunities available.

By Jermaine Worley

It’s time to lace up and hit the hardwood! Chosen Sports is teaming up with the City of Brentwood for the Brentwood 3-on-3 Tournament, and we want you on the court.

Whether you’re looking to prove you’ve still got that jumper or you want to give your kids a weekend they won’t forget, this tournament is all about honoring fathers and strengthening our community.

CALLING ALL BALLERS

Don’t miss out on your chance to compete for cash prizes and bragging rights.

  • When: June 13 – 14
  • Where: Liberty High School
  • Who: Ages 10 to Adult (Youth + Adult Divisions)
  • The Perks: 3 games guaranteed, Live DJ, Dunk Contest, and a Free Chick-fil-A Dinner for the first 50 dads!

ATTENTION LOCAL BUSINESSES

Want to get your brand in front of the community? We have three tiers of sponsorship designed to help you make an impact:

  • Team Sponsor ($500): Full team registration + your name on the reversible jerseys.
  • Father’s Day Gift Sponsor ($1,000): Direct brand association with our raffle and honoring local dads.
  • Event T-Shirt Sponsor ($2,500): Maximum exposure with your logo on every single tournament shirt (players + staff).

HOW TO JOIN

Scan the QR code in the images above to register or head to www.chosensportsleagues.org.

Questions? Give us a shout at 925-529-5194.

Let’s make this Father’s Day Month legendary. See you at Liberty High!

Youth Arts Connection: Free poetry and art workshops in East County

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Free poetry and art workshops for ages 12-18 at the Contra Costa County District 3 and 5 libraries in Antioch (Tues & Thurs), Brentwood (Wed) and Pittsburg (Mon). Professional artists help youth build personal/educational skills. Snacks & supplies included!

A creative and supportive artist team works with youth to develop skills for personal growth, team building, educational, and professional opportunities.

The Youth Arts Connection library workshops are funded in part by Measure X.

See schedule: https://artscontracosta.com/youth/

For more information email info@artsccc.com.

Partners include the Contra Costa County Library, Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services, and Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County.