Out of an abundance of caution and in continued response to the COVID-19 virus, the East Bay Regional Park District is canceling all programs and closing all Visitor Centers, rental facilities, campgrounds and swim facilities through April 12,2020.

Currently, all regional parks and trails (except those listed below) remain open to the public. We understand that nature is a great place to get exercise and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul – especially in time of crisis. A walk on a trail, around your neighborhood or private backyard will allow you to breathe fresh air and help to reduce stress and anxiety

Public and employee safety is a priority to us! Out of an abundance of caution in continued response to the COVID-19 virus planning, East Bay Regional Park District is implementing facility closures to protect the public and our employees to reduce the potential for exposure to COVID-19.

Effective at 5pm Sunday, March 15, Park District facilities that WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 12, 2020 are:

All Visitor Centers

Ardenwood Historic Farm (Fremont), Big Break Visitor Center (Oakley), Black Diamond Mines Visitor Center (Antioch), Coyote Hills Visitor Center (Fremont), Crown Beach Crab Cove Visitor Center (Alameda), Garin Barn (Hayward), Sunol Visitor Center (Sunol), Tilden Botanic Garden, Environmental Education Center AND Little Farm (Berkeley).

All Internal Rental Facilities

Brazilian Room at Tilden Park (Berkeley), Shoreline Room at Martin Luther King, Jr. Shoreline (Oakland), Fern Cottage at Kennedy Grove (El Sobrante), Beach House at Lake Temescal (Oakland).

All programs, paid or free

This includes all school programs, recreational programs and naturalist-directed programs.

All campgrounds

Anthony Chabot and Del Valle

All swim facilities at

Contra Loma, Cull Canyon, Don Castro, Shadow Cliffs, Lake Anza at Tilden, Lake Temescal, Pool at Robert’s Regional Park, Quarry Lakes

As a reminder, currently, all regional parks and trails (except those listed above) remain open to the public. If you do visit, please be prepared by bringing your own water and hand sanitizer.

We understand that nature is a great place to get exercise and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul – especially in time of crisis. A walk on a trail, around your neighborhood or private backyard will allow you to breathe fresh air and help to reduce stress and anxiety.

For more information visit www.ebparks.org/news/releases.htm.

State of Local Emergency Declared

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Contra Costa County Health Officer’s Order which went into effect today, City Manager Ron Bernal has declared a State of Local Emergency effective today March 17, 2020. This will be brought to the City Council for ratification on March 24th. The City has also declared a partial activation of the EOC (Emergency Operations Center). This may be expanded to a full activation depending on how things progress. See full emergency proclamation, here – Antioch Local Emergency Declaration 03-17-20

The following is a brief description of essential services that are being provided by the City and the actions that went into effect at 12:00 pm today:

• All City facilities will be closed.
• Police Department is operating with an emergency staffing model that allows for separation and containment. All volunteer programs have been suspended.
• Animal Services is closed to the public.
• City Manager, City Attorney, Human Resources, Finance, Information Systems are on-site.
• Economic Development Department, Environmental Services Code Enforcement, Recreation/Senior Center, Planning, Engineering CIP and Development Services working remotely.
• Building/Engineering/Public Works inspections:  CIP and utility inspections all still occurring; all exterior housing inspections still occurring; all building permits in vacant or currently being built buildings still occurring; inspections within occupied dwellings being postponed unless it involves life/safety.
• Bag lunch pick-ups from the Senior Center (should only be done by Seniors under 65 years old). Looking into transitioning solely to Meals on Wheels.
• Public Works performing essential functions. GIS and Marina employees working remotely. All other divisions performing essential services and filling in for contracted services which may be temporarily discontinued by contractors.
• Water shut offs have been suspended through April 7th.
• Parks open – playgrounds signed as closed; dog park closed; skate park closed; park bathrooms closed, parking lot access gates locked.
• Public Works Maintenance and Operations administration staff will be handling all overflow calls from the public and will be routing to appropriate department(s) for attention.
• Board meetings are being canceled. Commission meetings are being postponed until after April 7th. City Council Meetings will still be held but with technology in place that will allow remote Council, staff and public participation.

Services we depend on such as water, sewer, garbage, filling potholes, street sweeping and maintain health and safety for our community will continue throughout this emergency.

We want to assure everyone that we are focused on being wise in our actions and keeping the public informed on what is happening on a regular basis. Those of you who have been following the recommendations and direction from the President, Governor and County Health Officer know that this is a complex and continually changing crisis. We will be modifying directives as this situation evolves so please try to remain optimistic and flexible. Together we will come out of this unique situation as a better organization and community.

By Timothy Leong, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa Community College District

The Governing Board of the Contra Costa Community College District (District) has paused the search for the next Chancellor for 30 days due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on the ability to serve students quality and affordable higher education.

“The selection of the Chancellor is one of the Board’s most important jobs,” says Governing Board President Rebecca Barrett. “I join my fellow trustees in deciding to pause our search for 30 days. We need to give our District leadership, staff and students time to focus on the COVID-19 crisis as we transition our classes and support services to a mobile format as a result of restrictions resulting from efforts to minimize the rapid spread of the Coronavirus.”

Assisting the District in the Chancellor search is Collaborative Brain Trust and Dr. Brice Harris, a longtime California community college educator and Chancellor Emeritus of the California Community Colleges. The goal remains to complete the search process and selection by the beginning of May 2020, with a start date of July 1, 2020.

For more details about this search, contact Dr. Brice Harris at harrisbrice@att.net or cell phone at (916) 715-7272. Progress reports and updates will be posted on the District website at www.4cd.edu.

Suspect Daiveon Allison. Photo source unknown.

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau)

St. Patrick’s Day turned out to be a lucky day for the family of Jonathan Parker and Antioch Police. On March 17, 2020, the 15-year-old suspect, Daiveon Allison of Pittsburg wanted in the shooting death of the Deer Valley High student on Jan. 31, turned himself in with an attorney to Antioch Police Detectives and Deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service. The arranged surrender took place at the Oakland Police Department. The suspect was transported and booked into the Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall in Martinez.

Allison was identified by police to the public on Friday, March 13 over a month after the case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office on but on February 7, 2020. Allison was charged in juvenile court with murder and having a firearm on school grounds. (See related article)

The shooting occurred in the Deer Valley High School parking lot following a basketball game against cross-town Antioch High School.

Jonathan Parker DVHS shooting victim posted on Instagram by chris27ul.

The Antioch Police Department would like to thank the public and U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance with this case.

According to one of Parker’s family members a wanted poster was created and a $10,000 reward was going to be offered for information that led to Daiveon’s whereabouts and arrest, using the funds from a GoFundMe effort. However that didn’t turn out to be necessary.

No further information will be released regarding this case.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

From Deborah Cooper, County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters

The Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department remains open to provide essential services, but access to buildings and in-person services is limited. The counting of remaining ballots from the March 3 Presidential Primary election will continue until complete.

Those who want to observe the count are still welcome, but they need to call to make an appointment. The Elections Division is hoping to certify the election, this week. As of last Friday’s update, there were still 30,500 ballots remaining to be counted in the county.

The Department is urging customers to use online services in an effort to help reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission. In-person services are currently limited to transactions that cannot be done online, over the phone or through the mail.

Elections Division: Most information and election services are available online at https://www.cocovote.us/

For any necessary in-person visits please call and arrange an appointment. Contact the Elections Division for assistance with voting or election information, state or local petition delivery, or other needs at 925-335-7800.

Clerk- Recorder Division: Customer assistance for Clerk or Recording services is available by calling (925) 335-7900. Normal hours of operation are 8 am to 4:30 pm (subject to change).

Clerk Services: Most Clerk services are available online, with few exceptions. Civil marriage ceremonies will not be performed in the office until further notice. County Clerk services information is available on the department website at https://www.contracostacore.us/

Recording Services: Customers are encouraged to mail documents for recording to Contra Costa County Recorder at 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 92553 or place documents in the drop box at the building entrance. Prior to mailing documents for recording, documents may be emailed for review and fee information to crwebmaster@cr.cccounty.us.

Recording information is available at www.contracostacore.us/

For updates related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), visit www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/.

Unwavering Focus of Company’s 23,000 Employees, Many of Them Represented Members in the Field, is Providing Safe and Reliable Gas and Electric Service during COVID-19 Pandemic

PG&E Opens Emergency Operations Center to Coordinate, Facilitate Company’s Response

Planned Outage Repair Work in the Six Bay Area Counties Suspended for Next Three Weeks

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting countries and industries world-wide and is having many local impacts. People are rightfully concerned about the health and safety of their family and friends, the education of their children and their finances as more businesses temporarily close.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has this message for our customers: “We’ll keep working hard every day to keep the power and gas on for you.”

“Our 23,000 employees remain focused on delivering safe and reliable gas and electric service to our customers. You’ll continue to see our blue and white trucks and our hard-working crews in the field engaged in important work to safely supply energy to our customers,” said Andy Vesey, PG&E Utility CEO and President.

“We see our role at PG&E during this very difficult time as helping to maintain essential services, no matter what. With inclement weather continuing across Northern and Central California, right now that means tracking weather systems and working with our workforce in the field to stage resources, inspect our equipment, make needed repairs and ensure we’re prepared for what comes next,” Vesey said.

Today, in its continuing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, PG&E announced:

• It has formally activated its Emergency Operations Center to facilitate and coordinate the company’s response to the spread of the virus. The company has had an Incident Management Team monitoring and responding to the virus for three weeks.
• In an effort to maintain continuity of gas and electric service, the company has proactively determined that it will not engage in system upgrades or other work that results in a disruption of gas or electric service through April 7 in the six Bay Area counties under the shelter-in-place directives. This includes San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
• All PG&E’s customer service centers where customers can normally pay their bills will be closed as of tomorrow (Tuesday, March 17). This follows guidance on social distancing. Customers who typically pay their bills at one of these centers can call 1-877-704-8470, mail payments to PG&E, P.O. Box 997300, Sacramento, CA 95899, or go to go to pge.com to learn how to pay online or to find nearby Neighborhood Payment Centers.

Tom Dalzell, business manager of IBEW Local 1245, which represents most of PG&E’s electric and gas workers, agreed that ensuring customers have the energy they need for their lives is more important than ever.

“We stand with PG&E during this challenging time, and the men and women of IBEW will be working as hard as ever to make sure the grid is working safely, gas is flowing reliably and that we are here for PG&E’s customers,” said Dalzell.

Power in PG&E’s portfolio remains readily available and more than 80 percent GHG-free. PG&E operates several natural gas power plants, a nuclear plant in San Luis Obispo County and the country’s largest privately held hydropower system. Additionally, the company gets power from solar and wind farms and other renewable sources. It all flows to our customers via electric transmission lines and gas transmission pipelines and then through distribution lines to homes and businesses.

On March 12, PG&E announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has voluntarily implemented a moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment, effective immediately. This suspension will apply to both residential and commercial customers and will remain in effect until further notice. Please visit www.pge.com/covid19 for more details and to see how the company is supporting its customers and employees.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 23,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.

PG&E outage maps of Antioch on Monday, March 16, 2020. From PGE.com.

By Allen Payton

A power outage in Antioch Monday night affected 6,779 customers beginning at 7:45 p.m.

According to a PG&E spokesman, just after 9:00 p.m. they were able to restore service to 3,000 customers. Then at 10:35 p.m. they were able to reduce the customer count to 772

According to PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian, Friday morning, they fully restored all of their customers as of 12:36 AM and the cause was equipment failure.

“It was a splice that failed,” she said.

Sacramento- Governor Newsom Monday asked law enforcement across the state to exercise discretion for 60 days in the enforcement of driver license and vehicle registration expiration dates beginning March 16, 2020 in response to the extraordinary circumstances the state is facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In light of this pandemic, it is vitally important that our constituents practice social distancing. Our seniors and vulnerable populations should not risk their lives because their driver’s license or registration are expiring,” said Assemblymember Frazier. “I commend Governor Newsom on his actions to ensure people do not have to rush to a DMV office as they are asked to shelter in place in my district. I also want to thank DMV staff for continuing to provide vital services for the people of California.”

The DMV has taken several actions to encourage social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. DMV field offices are asking individuals for their phone numbers so they can wait in their cars and receive a text alert as to when DMV employees are ready to help them. The department is also encouraging people to use online services, DMV Now Kiosks, or a DMV business partner for transactions that do not have to occur in a DMV Field Office.

Assemblymembers Frazier (D-Fairfield) and Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) Introduced AJR 28 in February, a resolution asking the Department of Homeland Security to delay REAL ID implementation for domestic air travel by at least three years.

“More and more Californians are being asked to shelter in place with fewer eligible to fly in October,” Frazier said. “I urge the federal government to make sure our travel industry does not take a double hit this year and extend the REAL ID deadline so people do not have to come into a DMV office during this crisis to get a new ID.”

The American Travel Association estimates that 57% of Americans are unaware they need a REAL ID to fly and that the U.S. economy will lose out on nearly $300 million of travel related economic spending in the first week of REAL ID implementation.