For Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing

By Linsey Willis, Director of External Affairs, CCTA

BRENTWOOD, CA – In partnership with the City of Brentwood, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is constructing the Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing to provide safe access to cyclists and pedestrians for commuting and recreational travel, reconnecting two sides of the trail that were separated by the expansion of State Route 4.  The overnight closure will enable the contractor to pour concrete for the superstructure as part of the construction work installing the pedestrian and bicyclist crossing over State Route 4.  This closure will impact State Route 4 in both the Eastbound and Westbound directions.  CCTA and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have scheduled the closure during the early morning hours in order to minimize impacts to the motoring public.

Overnight Freeway Closure of State Route 4 between Lone Tree Way and Sand Creek Road

In order to ensure crew and public safety during the planned construction work, a temporary nighttime freeway closure in both directions of State Route 4 will occur between Friday, May 19, 2023 and Saturday, May 20, 2023 on the following schedule (weather permitting): Eastbound and Westbound Highway 4 will be closed from 9:00pm on Friday, May 19 until 6:00am on Saturday, May 20, 2023. 

Detours

Detours will be in place to reroute drivers around the closure and are planned as follows:

Eastbound traffic will be directed to exit at Lone Tree Way, go eastbound to Shady Willow Lane, then southbound on Shady Willow Lane to Sand Creek Road, before proceeding westbound on Sand Creek Road to the eastbound State Route 4 on-ramp.

Westbound drivers having to detour will exit on Sand Creek Road and go eastbound on Sand Creek Road to Shady Willow Lane, then northbound on Shady Willow Lane to Lone Tree Way, and proceed westbound on Lone Tree Way to the westbound State Route 4 on-ramp.

Future Freeway Closures

Additional overnight closures will be needed over the course of the next eight weeks (weather dependent) to facilitate concrete pours for the stem and soffit and deck of the future Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing.  Additional information regarding dates and detours will be provided once the schedule is confirmed. This project is anticipated to be complete in late summer or early fall of 2023.

About the Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing

In partnership with the City of Brentwood, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is constructing the Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing to provide safe access to cyclists and pedestrians for commuting and recreational travel, reconnecting two sides of the trail that were separated by the expansion of State Route 4.

When completed, the overcrossing will provide access to the future East County Intermodal Transit Center and BART Station in Brentwood, as well. It is part of the larger Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail which also includes the Delta de Anza Regional Trail that runs through Antioch and Oakley,  that will, when completed, connect six counties across California from the East Bay to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The cost to design and build the bridge is approximately $13 million, with funding provided through Measure J taxpayer dollars, the State Route 4 Bypass Authority, and bridge toll funds.

About the Contra Costa Transportation Authority

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. With a staff of twenty people managing a multi-billion-dollar suite of projects and programs, CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is accelerating its efforts to halt illegal street racing and sideshows plaguing the state’s roadways and destroying the lives of innocent victims. To increase awareness about the devastation and destruction caused by this illegal and dangerous driving behavior, the CHP unveiled a new multi-media campaign while standing amid a three-dimensional installation featuring an actual crashed vehicle along Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.

The billboard, a striking visual reminder, is just one of the more than 50 displays being erected throughout the state reminding drivers about illegal street racing and sideshows, “Thrills That Kill.”  The public can expect to see the billboard campaign through the summer months in areas of California that have seen a high number of illegal street racing and side show activity. Among the locations:  Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and the Central San Joaquin Valley. 

Illegal sideshows have been occurring at an alarming rate in California, and they continue to get bigger and more dangerous.  In 2021, the CHP responded to more than 7,300 incidents statewide with nearly 123,000 participants. While the number of incidents decreased by approximately 50 percent last year, there is still a significant amount of work to be done to keep California’s communities, and those who use our roads, safe.

“Illegal street racing and sideshows put lives at risk, upset the quality of our neighborhoods, cause damage to private and public property, and in some cases, have resulted in the death of innocent people,” CHP Deputy Commissioner Troy Lukkes said. “Through our ongoing efforts we want to send the message throughout California that this dangerous and illegal activity will not be tolerated.” 

Over a five-year period, illegal street racing and sideshow activities have resulted in 264 crashes. Of those incidents attributed to this reckless behavior, 30 crashes were fatal, and 124 others resulted in injuries.

To combat this trend, the CHP has been working with its public safety partners and community-based organizations throughout the state. Together, we are engaging in a strong education and enforcement campaign with the goal of keeping all who use California’s roadways safe by encouraging others to make good choices behind the wheel.

Funding to support the CHP’s efforts were made possible by the Governor’s approval of a one-time state budget allocation of $5.5 million at the request of California Assemblymember Vince Fong and a former Assemblymember, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper. The funds are being used to support state and local task forces to end dangerous sideshow activities that have become a major problem in communities throughout the state.

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

Cooper, Ryan, Hannagan other winners

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media 

Antioch, CA…May 13…Jeffrey Hudson of Keno, Oregon picked up the win in the 25 lap Tri State Pro Stock Challenge Series Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the annual Larry Damitz Memorial race, paying tribute to the man who raced for over 60 years and was a champion at 87 years old. Hudson collected $1,000 for his effort along with a championship belt.

Hudson drew the pole for the Main Event and charged into the lead at the start ahead of Antioch’s Buddy Kniss. Following a Lap 2 yellow flag, Richard Brace Jr of Grass Valley took up pursuit of Hudson.  The third yellow of the race flew on Lap 11 for Peter Coberly of Atwater in Turn 4. As Hudson continued to lead Brace, Chris Smith of Coalinga settled into third. 

On the 13th lap, Smith slipped past Brace on the front stretch to take second. Recent Placerville winner Travis White of Fallon, Nevada put the moves on Brace for third on the 16th circuit. Hudson drove a flawless race as he lapped slower cars down the stretch and picked up the win ahead of Smith, White, Brace and 2021 series champion Justin Crockett of Arroyo Grande.

Brian Cooper of Yuba City scored the victory in the 25 lap West Coast Hobby Stock Main Event. Cooper, who is a past IMCA Sport Modified State champion, organized this series with Jerry Bartlett of Yuba City. Drivers from Hobby Stock divisions throughout the state gathered at Antioch with a field of 48 cars in competition.

As Cooper started back in the third row, Galt’s Clarence Holbrook III bolted into the early lead ahead of Bobby Motts Jr of San Pablo. An inside pass on the back stretch on the third lap moved Cooper into second. A yellow flag waved on Lap 4, and Cooper turned up the pressure on Holbrook on the restart. As they worked their way down the front stretch on Lap 6, Cooper moved to the inside and made the pass for the lead. Les Friend of Galt began challenging Holbrook for the second position, and a tangle involving Phillip Shelby and Cameron Swank brought out a Lap 13 yellow flag.

As Cooper led the way, Friend slipped past Holbrook for second. Holbrook came back strong to reclaim second on Lap 15, but Holbrook used a Turn 4 pass on Lap 18 to regain the runner-up spot. A yellow flag waved moments later, and Cooper continued to lead Friend on the restart. 19th starter Casey Gingrich of Orland moved into third late, and Cooper scored the satisfying win ahead of Friend, Gingrich, Ty Carlson of Stockton and Rob Gallaher of San Jose.

Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was his first career victory. Ryan competed in the Central California Clash Series the week prior and ended up second in the standings.

With a pole position start, Dylan Connolly set the early pace ahead of Jonathan Hagio of Prunedale. A yellow flag waved for a four-car crash in Turn 4. Connolly continued to lead the restart with Tommy Fraser of Antioch and Ryan moving into second and third. Connolly was doing an impressive job of leading the way in his pursuit of a first time win, and he maintained the point through two more yellow flags.

On a Lap 16 restart, Ryan started challenging Fraser for second before slipping past him on Lap 17. Ryan turned up the heat on Connolly before finding his opening on the back stretch on Lap 17 to gain command. Ryan went on to victory from there ahead of Connolly, Fraser, Brentwood’s Trevor Clymens and Kenny Shrader of Pacheco.

Joe Hannagan drove the Doug Braudrick owned Junkyard Dog Hardtop to the victory in their 12 lap Main Event. Front row starter Ronnie Ruiz of West Sacramento took the early lead ahead a Brad Coelho of Oakley. Hanngan motored into second on Lap 2. Bob Slaney spun in Turn 4 for a Lap 3 yellow flag. Hannagan took the lead from Ruiz on the restart. A low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 7 gained Coelho second from Ruiz. However, Ruiz kept it close. A back stretch pass on Lap 11 regained Ruiz second, but Hannagan built a comfortable advantage by then on his way to victory. Coelho settled for third ahead of Joe Shenefield of Modesto and Dave Reed of West Sacramento.

Patricia Robles of Rio Vista won the 10 lap Mother’s Day Minivan race, beating a field of four competitors.

Antioch Speedway will be open during the Contra Costa County Fair for two nights of racing. On Friday night, the Wingless Spec Sprints are back in action along with the IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Stock Cars. Saturday night sees the return of the exciting Figure 8 along with the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks and IMCA Sport Modifieds. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results

Tri State Pro Stocks

FT Travis White 15.674. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Richard Brace Jr, Mike Learn, Jeffrey Hudson. Main Event (25 laps)-Jeffrey Hudson, Chris Smith, Travis White, Richard Brace Jr, Justin Crockett, Ryan Smith, Mike Learn, Paul Miller, Donny Richardson, Brent Lawrence.

West Coast Hobby Stocks 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Larry McKinzie Jr, Devin Koranda, Anthony Vigna, Colten Haney, Rob Gallaher, Bobby Motts Jr. B Main 1 (12 laps)-Les Friend, Philip Shelby, Grayson Baca. B Main 2 (12 laps)-Steven Johnson, Nick Johnson, Joe Gallaher. Main Event (25 laps)-Brian Cooper, Les Friend, Casey Gingrich, Ty Carlson, Rob Gallaher, Joe Gallaher, Clarence Holbrook III, Grayson Baca, Lance Hurst, Anthony Vigna.

IMCA Sport Modifieds 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Jonathan Hagio, Chuck Golden, Chester Kniss. Main Event (20 laps)-Jason Ryan Jr, Dylan Connolly, Tommy Fraser, Trevor Clymens, Kenny Shrader, Mark Garner, Chester Kniss, Joseph Pato, Matt Pitts, Chuck Golden.

Hardtops

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Joel Hannagan. Main Event (12 laps)-Joel Hannagan, Ronnie Ruiz, Brad Coelho, Joe Shenefield, Dave Reed, Don Slaney, Ken Clifford DNS.

Loneliness and isolation contribute to health risks including insomnia, anxiety, depression, and even a shorter life span.

Finding and nourishing friendship is the remedy.

By Lynn Mundell, Senior Manager, Writers and Copywriters, Kaiser Permanente

In early May, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, released an advisory addressing the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” affecting the country and laying out a plan for advancing social connection.

While the news may have surprised some, Jessica Johnson, a licensed clinical social worker at the Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Medical Center, has seen the topic of loneliness arising more frequently in her practice.

Loneliness and isolation contribute to a range of health risks.

“Patients at our clinic are complaining of anxiety or depression, but not realizing how their basic social isolation is playing a huge part in that.”

Missing friendships

According to Johnson, the 2020 pandemic that started with shelter-in-place disrupted friendships. Over the ensuing years, people moved away, changed jobs or retired, began virtual classes and workdays, or withdrew from their social lives due to health concerns.

“As a result, people haven’t always had opportunities to build friendships or even maintain some of the friendships they already had,” she said.

Johnson said this shift has resulted in a lack of companionship for people of all ages, from new college students isolated in dorm rooms, to those working from home.

“Statistically we’ve seen that many of us really have our strongest friendships from our school days or through the workplace,” she said. “But when the pandemic hit, we lost that structure and connection.”

“Johnson added that seniors are also struggling to transition to a more virtual world, due to inexperience with technology.

“Most senior are not working anymore, and they often don’t have access to the virtual world that the rest of us do. Isolation and loneliness for them is tenfold.”

Making friendships

While it would be natural to blame the pandemic for the shift in friendships, the share of people saying they have no close friends at all went from 3 percent in 1990, to 12 percent in 2021, according to the World Economic Forum.

It may be difficult to pinpoint all of the reasons behind the decades-long decline, and instead more constructive to coach people in friendship-making. Johnson has a number of practical ideas.

• Reach out

Haven’t heard from a friend in a while? Pick up the phone and say hello. Schedule regular calls with loved ones. If everyone is comfortable, schedule a trip to catch up in person. “Who in your life offers you comfort, validation, or recognition?” Johnson asked. “Those are the people to seek out.”

• Take the lead

Invite a new or old friend to lunch. Organize a neighborhood block party, book group, or crafting circle. “We’re all hungry for some more social interaction,” Johnson said. “It’s OK to be the one who initiates it, because more than likely the person you’re asking is also really in need of a friend.”

• Get out there

Friendships can be founded on shared interests. Take a class or volunteer in your community. After you make a new friend, initiate a coffee date. Johnson said if you have social anxiety, ask questions. “People love to talk about themselves.”

• Ask for help

“Sometimes the people in your life can’t give you direction or don’t know the answers,” Johnson said. If you’re lonely and having difficulty connecting with others, she recommends support and therapy groups — another place where she has seen friendships grow.

Johnson said friendships matter, for what they do for us and for how they make us feel.

“Friends give us access to others, to resources, and to opportunities from work to dating,” she said. “We are hardwired to feel, be seen and heard, and to be valued. A good majority of our most important relationships are with our friends.”

Introduces 2023 Student Delegates

The Antioch-Chichibu Sister City Organization is excited to announce that we are back! After a short hiatus due to travel restrictions related to the pandemic, we are up and running again!

The Antioch/Chichibu Sister City Organization is a volunteer, non-profit organization comprised of interested citizens in both cities.

We are hosting a fun filled day at Chichibu Park on May 20th from 10am-3pm. Our activities will include a park clean up, fun kids’ games, snacks for sale, voting on our new organization logo, as well as local vendors and a community garage sale. We are still accepting vendors and garage sellers. We look forward to meeting and sharing information about our organization with many community members on Saturday!

The purpose of the organization is to give citizens of Antioch and Chichibu the opportunity to experience each other’s country and culture. The benefits of our program include the making of many friends between the two cities. We alternate years with Chichibu to send delegations to each other’s city for a roughly two-week home-stay. We last hosted our friends from Chichibu in 2018! This being an odd year, it is our turn to send a delegation to Chichibu. Our visit is scheduled for July 13th to the 23rd.

We have elected a new board: President Antwon Webster, Vice President Jessica Davis, Treasurer Jim Davis, Secretary Grace Mangaoang, Public Relations Abe Rodriguez, Board Member Cheryll Newberry, Board Member Margaret Skupa.

Our student delegates are: Noah Engle-Senior Antioch High, CoraRose Adams-Junior Antioch High, Albert Wong-Junior Antioch High, Abigail Monfil-Sophomore Antioch High, Madilyn Davis-Sophomore Antioch High, Haylee Wong-Sophomore Clayton Valley Charter High, Zion Engle-Sophomore Prospects High, Hillary Tam-Freshman Dozier Libby High, Alexander Ferguson-8th Grade Antioch Charter Academy

Our adult delegates are Antwon Webster, Jessica Davis, Cheryll Newberry, Grace Mangaoang, Abe Rodriguez and Tom Stinson.

Robert Sedlar of Grand View Financial LLC which operated in the counties of Contra Costa, San Diego, San Mateo, Alameda, San Joaquin, Placer, Solano, Mendocino, San Francisco, El Dorado, and Sacramento. 

OAKLAND —  California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Friday, May 12 the former president of a purported mortgage “investment” company, Robert Sedlar, has been convicted of 100 felony counts for operating a mortgage fraud scheme throughout California. The scheme resulted in a combined loss of over $7 million. The victims, including people who were elderly and in financial distress, sought mortgage relief services from Grand View Financial LLC in the counties of Contra Costa, San Diego, San Mateo, Alameda, San Joaquin, Placer, Solano, Mendocino, San Francisco, El Dorado, and Sacramento. The operators of Grand View Financial—Steven Rogers, Robert Sedlar, and Audrey Gan—were previously indicted by a grand jury in the Sacramento Superior Court for conspiracy, grand theft, elder abuse, filing false or forged documents in a public office, and engaging in a prohibited act as a foreclosure consultant. Steve Rogers and Audrey Gan entered guilty pleas before trial, and Robert Sedlar, president of the company, proceeded to trial in March 2023 on all counts. Today, Robert Sedlar was found guilty of Conspiracy as well as multiple counts of Filing a False Document, Grand Theft, Elder Abuse, and Prohibited Acts by a Foreclosure Consultant. He will be sentenced on July 21, 2023.

“Let this be a strong warning to anyone seeking to steal people’s hard-earned money: We will find you, and we will hold you accountable,” said AG Bonta. “Individuals who prey on vulnerable communities to enrich themselves will be held accountable by the California Department of Justice. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who disregard the rule of law.”

Between 2015 and 2019, the defendants conspired to steal money and homes from distressed homeowners using a company called Grand View Financial LLC. The company advertised assistance to desperate homeowners facing foreclosure. The defendants promised consumers that if they transferred title of their house to Grandview Financial and paid money, the company would eliminate the mortgage lien and deed the home back to the homeowner, clear of any liens. During this time, the defendants filed false court documents, false documents with the county recorders offices, and false bankruptcies that stalled the foreclosures but did nothing to eliminate the liens, all while collecting funds from the victims. Every single victim lost their home as a result.  

The indictment and arrests are the result of a joint investigation by the California Department of Justice, Fraud and Special Prosecutions Section and White Collar Investigation Team; the United States Office of Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; the United States Office of Inspector General, Federal Housing Finance Agency; the United States Trustee Program; the United States Marshals Service; the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office; and the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. 

A copy of the charges can be found here.

Will pay almost $8 million for selling expired over-the-counter drugs and baby formula.

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit has settled a civil law enforcement action against CVS Pharmacy for selling expired over-the-counter drugs and baby formula.

The settlement is part of a multi-county enforcement action initiated by Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Fresno, Marin, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Shasta, Solano, and Yolo Counties District Attorneys’ Offices. Locally, Contra Costa Deputy District Attorney Bryan Tierney prosecuted the case against CVS Pharmacy, Inc., Longs Drug Stores California, L.L.C., and Garfield Beach CVS, L.L.C., (“CVS”).

CVS Pharmacy owns and runs pharmacies and retail stores throughout California – with 31 stores in Contra Costa County. These stores offer a variety of products such as over-the-counter drugs, food, infant formula, and baby food.

California law prohibits retailers from selling or offering for sale any over-the-counter drug that has expired. Also, food retailers in California are prohibited from selling or offering for sale any infant formula or baby food that has passed its “use by” date, as mandated by the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The civil complaint — which was filed in Santa Cruz County Superior Court on May 9th — alleged that CVS Pharmacy has been selling expired over-the-counter drug products, as well as infant formula and baby food past their “use by” date for the past four years.

After being informed of the violation, CVS Pharmacy cooperated with authorities and acted by conducting internal checks for expired over-the-counter drugs, infant formula, and baby food that were past the “use by” date at all their retail locations in California. CVS Pharmacy also invested time and resources to retrain store personnel to verify the expiration dates of food and drug products.

It’s important to note that the investigation did not uncover any evidence that the sale of expired or past the “use by” date products resulted in harm to consumers.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “This enforcement action underscores how our work helps to protect consumers from unlawful business practices. The residents of Contra Costa County must have confidence that the products they purchase are safe and not beyond their expiration dates. This settlement shows that CVS Pharmacy understands the seriousness of the violations and has taken steps to remedy the problem.”

CVS Pharmacy agreed to abide by a court order that prohibits any further violations of California law regarding the sale or offer for sale of expired over-the-counter drugs or infant formula and baby food past their “use by” date. The agreement was made without admitting or denying any wrongdoing. As part of the judgment, CVS will pay $6,500,000 in civil penalties and investigative costs, as well as an additional $1,000,000 in restitution. The restitution amount will be contributed to various charitable organizations that serve California residents throughout the state. Locally, CVS Pharmacy will pay the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office $475,000 in civil penalties, and $19,000 to reimburse the office for prosecution costs.

To be held at Genesis Church, 1800 Woodland Drive, Antioch. For more information visit ANTIOCH YOUTH SPEAK! Pizza w/ the Chief | Facebook.