Many Californians are looking forward to a three-day weekend this year for Independence Day. Even though people are eager to travel and get together with family and friends, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is urging motorists to slow down and enjoy the holiday.

From 6:01 p.m. on Friday, July 2, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 5, the CHP will observe a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) focused on speed enforcement. To keep the roadways safe for everyone, all available officers will be watching for motorists who are distracted, speeding, or driving under the influence (DUI). CHP officers will also be on alert for aggressive driving and acts of road rage.

With many motorists expected on the roadways, patience will be key. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination and avoid unsafe driving behavior such as tailgating. Remaining calm and courteous behind the wheel reduces your risk of an unpleasant encounter with other motorists. If you feel you are at risk, call 9-1-1.

“Saving lives is a priority for our officers,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “Motorists will help make everyone’s holiday safer on the road by observing the speed limits, avoiding distractions, staying sober, practicing patience, and being courteous to other drivers.”

During the 2020 Independence Day MEP, at least 36 people were killed in crashes on California roadways. The CHP also made 738 arrests for DUI of alcohol and/or drugs.

This year’s Independence Day MEP also coincides with a speed-related traffic safety effort that the CHP is participating in along with the Oregon State Police and the Washington State Patrol along Interstate 5, which passes through all three states. Officers in the three states will focus on speed violations along the entire stretch of Interstate 5.

“By getting the message out, we are hoping for voluntary compliance from motorists,” added Commissioner Ray. “However, officers will be looking for anyone who is speeding or driving impaired and posing a danger on the roadways.”

The most recent nationwide data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows one-fourth of traffic fatalities in 2018 were the result of speeding. In fatal crashes in 2018, nearly half (48 percent) of speeding drivers in passenger vehicles were not using seat belts at the time of the crash.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than with a concert and BBQ!?! The Red Caboose is gonna do just that. We are bringing FOUR awesome tribute bands to the Red Caboose stage and an amazing DJ between sets! Starting at 2:00 pm!

2:00-3:00 Electric Land: Tribute to Bad Company

3:30-4:30 Scar Tissue: Tribute to Red Hot Chili Peppers

5:00-6:00 Steel Horse Band: Tribute to Bon Jovi

6:30-8:00 HAROLD DAY AND THE EXPERIENCE: Tribute to Jimi Hendrix

THIS is a day you won’t want to miss!!

$20 cover charge for the entire six  hours of entertainment.

Over at 8:30 just in time to go see the fireworks!

Source: The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

13 provisions included in the INVEST in America Act

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier.

Washington, DC – Today, July 1, 2021, 13 initiatives authored by Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D, CA-11) and aimed at promoting sustainable transportation and improving access to safe and reliable public transit were included in the INVEST in America Act (H.R. 3684), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 221-to-201. The INVEST in America Act is a $715 billion surface transportation reauthorization and water infrastructure bill that will create good-paying jobs to rebuild and reimagine America’s surface transportation infrastructure, with investments in roads, bridges, transit, rail, and drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. 2021 Fact Sheet for INVEST in America Act“California has long been a model for the country in the transportation space, particularly when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in public transportation. The INVEST in America Act aligns with and furthers California’s goals through bold, innovative legislation that would put millions of Americans to work, speed up our economic recovery, and follow through on our commitment to reduce emissions with transformative investments in cleaner transportation,” said DeSaulnier.

DeSaulnier’s measures included in the bill would aid the transition to environmentally clean modes of transportation, improve accessibility of reliable and efficient public transit, increase road safety, and save taxpayer money. Among those provisions are:

• Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Enhancement:Based on Congressman DeSaulnier’s Clean Corridors Act (H.R. 2012), the bill would quickly build out EV charging infrastructure nationwide to allow more Americans to shift to environmentally-friendly modes of transportation, saving gas money and our planet, while also creating jobs. The Biden Administration has signaled that this is a top priority.
• Improved Transportation System Connectivity:Would provide grants to implement better public transportation investment allowing us to create a more interconnected, innovative, and efficient public transportation system that will in turn get more cars off the road, reduce congestion, create more equity, and help fight climate change. This language is part of Congressman DeSaulnier’s Jobs for a Carbon Free Transportation System Act and Incentivizing Value Capture for Greener Transportation Act (H.R. 2205).
• Greater Transportation Accessibility:Originally included in Congressman DeSaulnier’s COMMUTE Act (H.R. 3581), this provision would enhance transportation planning and equity by improving access to essential services like jobs, health care and childcare facilities, and affordable housing.
• Enhanced Trucking Safety and Oversight: The bill includes requirements that enhance motor carrier compliance with labor and workplace safety laws, ensuring that our truckers and other road users remain safe on the roads and that motor carriers are held accountable when they violate these protective laws.
• Transportation Safety Improvement:Based on the Stop Underrides Act (H.R. 1622), co-led by Congressmen Cohen and DeSaulnier, the package directs the Department of Transportation to enhance underride guard protections to prevent deadly truck underride collisions.
• Efficient Infrastructure Project Delivery:The bill would increase oversight of large infrastructure projects to minimize megaproject cost overruns, delays, and reduced construction quality. Based on Congressman DeSaulnier’s Megaprojects Accountability and Oversight Act (H.R. 2204), this measure would reduce waste, save taxpayer money, and ensure vital infrastructure projects are completed safely and without delay.

The bill still requires approval by the U.S. Senate.

Congressman DeSaulnier is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He previously served as Chair of the California State Senate Transportation and Housing Committee as well as the California Assembly Transportation Committee. He is also a former member of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and has been a longtime leader in advocating for sustainable transportation as well as safe and efficient public transportation systems.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Crescencio Garcia-Zavala 2013 DMV photo (left), and 2020 arrest photo (right). Photos: APD

Victim shot multiple times, including once in the head, in grave condition

By Sergeant James Stenger, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Tuesday June 29, 2021, at approximately 4:04 PM, Antioch Patrol Officers responded to the 2300 block of Arthur Way for a male who was shot in the street. When officers arrived, they located a 23-year-old male (resident of Pittsburg) who had been shot several times, including once in the head. The victim was transported to a local trauma center and is currently listed in grave condition.

It was determined through the investigation of this case that 49-year-old Crescencio Zavala-Garcia shot the victim during a verbal argument about a work-related issue. Zavala-Garcia fled the scene in a vehicle after the shooting.

The Antioch Police Department Special Operations Unit and Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team located the vehicle Zavala-Garcia fled in on a property in unincorporated Brentwood, where he was known to stay. The Antioch Police Department SWAT Team was utilized to search the property, but Zavala-Garcia was not located during the search.

A judge issued a probable cause warrant for Zavala-Garcia and the Antioch Police Department is actively looking to arrest him. Zavala-Garcia also has an arrest warrant for kidnapping, domestic violence and felony evading and has a very violent past.

The Antioch Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Zavala-Garcia. Zavala-Garcia should be considered armed and extremely dangerous and should not be approached. If Zavala-Garcia is seen or you know his location, please call 9-1-1 or the Antioch Police Dispatch center at (925) 778-2441.

Zavala-Garcia is described as a Hispanic Male, 5’ 7” tall, 145 pounds, with brown eyes and gray hair.

Zavala-Garcia has used the following names in the past: CRESCENCIO GARCIA-ZAVALA, CRESCENCIO GARCIA, CRESCENCIO ZAVALA, CRESENCIO ZAVALA GARCIA, CRESENCIO GARCIA, CRECENCIO GARCIA, CRECENCIO ZAVALA GARCIA, CRECENCIO ZAVALA GARCIA, CRESENCIO GARCIA ZAVALA

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Gerber at (925) 779-6943 or by emailing RGerber@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.