On Monday, November 13th, the Candidate Filing Period for the March 5th 2024 Presidential Primary Election will begin and nomination papers will be available for candidates running for United States Senator, United States Representative in Congress, Member of the State Senate, Member of the State Assembly, County Board of Supervisors, Superior Court Judges and Mt. View Sanitary District. The nomination period runs through 5:00 pm Friday, December 8, 2023. If an incumbent doesn’t run for re-election, the filing period is extended five days until 5:00 pm Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
Papers for offices that are up for election will be available at the Contra Costa Elections Office, 555 Escobar Street, Martinez.
For further information on the primary election and key dates, go to www.contracostavote.gov.
“The 2024 Presidential Election cycle is ramping up,” said Kristin Connelly, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters. “Our Candidate Services team is ready to help candidates get their papers filed. We look forward to working with any candidates who are planning to run for office.”
Interested candidates can schedule an appointment through email at candidate.services@vote.cccounty.us or by calling 925-335-7800. Walk-ins are accepted, but subject to the availability of staff. Appointments are available on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Filing documents and information will be provided to interested constituents at their appointment. The process takes 20 minutes.
Various ramps and ped/bike path closures scheduled along I-80 and U.S. 101 in San Francisco due to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2023 Summit
Information from MTC, CalTrans & CHP
People traveling to, from and within San Francisco next week can expect heavy congestion and traffic delays; transit reroutes, delays and crowding; and reduced or inconvenient pedestrian and bicycle access during the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 Summit taking place in the city from Monday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 19.
APEC is expected to draw more than 20,000 people, including heads of state and dignitaries from over 20 member economies, to downtown San Francisco. MTC encourages people to avoid traveling to San Francisco next week if possible. For those who must travel to or through the city, MTC encourages them to ride transit and to visit 511.org for critical travel alerts related to street closures and transportation delays.
In cooperation with the California Highway Patrol, and in coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, Caltrans is implementing enhanced safety measures throughout our highway systems in and around San Francisco during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 summit starting Wednesday, November 15. The U.S. Secret Service recently designated the APEC summit as a National Special Security Event, requiring heightened security measures in and around the city of San Francisco.
Closures: At the request of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, Caltrans will be implementing the following closures to ensure the safety and security of all attendees and residents:
San Francisco / Oakland Bay Bridge
Closures of #1 (left) lane on Eastbound I-80 and #5 (right) lane on Westbound I-80
o Tuesday, November 14 through Friday, November 17, 2023.
o 4 Day Closure, beginning 11/14 at 5:00 AM, ending 11/17 at 9:00 PM.
o Controlled access to Bay Bridge Ped/Bike Path.
o No impacts to transit bus services.
o Treasure Island on-/off-ramps, Fremont Street off-ramp remain open.
Closures of 4th Street off-ramp from Eastbound I-80 and 5th Street off-ramp from Westbound I-80
o Wednesday, November 15 through Friday, November 17, 2023.
o 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Daily).
Closure of NB U.S. 101 Dana Bowers Vista Point off-ramp
o Tuesday, November 14 through Saturday, November 18 (Five Day Closure).
o No access to Dana Bowers Vista Point for vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians.
o Golden Gate Bridge Pedestrian Path closed at north end of bridge; no pedestrian access from Marin County.
o Bicycle Path on west side of bridge to remain open between Marin County and San Francisco.
California Highway Patrol officers will be present to enforce these closures. We understand that these closures may cause temporary inconvenience, but they are essential to ensure the safety and security of this significant event and to promote immediacy and availability for emergency response. We encourage you to plan your travels, accordingly, allow extra time for your commute, and consider using alternative routes or public transportation during this period. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work to ensure the success of the APEC 2023 summit and the safety of our community.
Muni will reroute several transit lines from Nov. 13-19, and Muni Metro T-Third service will be suspended. For more details, visit SFMTA’s APEC information page. BART, Caltrain and the San Francisco Bay Ferry do not anticipate any major APEC-related impacts to their services.
For the Golden Gate Bridge, the Dana Bowers Vista Point off-ramp from northbound U.S. 101 will be closed from Nov. 14-18. There will be no access to the Vista Point for vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians. The Golden Gate Bridge Pedestrian Path will be closed at north end of bridge, and there will be no pedestrian access from Marin County.
Most APEC activities will take place in the South of Market and Nob Hill neighborhoods. Due to the scale of the gathering, APEC also may create travel impacts on travel in other areas. People should expect a range of street impacts in and around the United States Secret Service security zones (Vehicle Exclusion Zones)(link is external) established for the conference and conference-related events. Pedestrians will be banned from APEC security zones unless they live or work there; and bicycles, whether traditional or e-bikes, also will be barred.
For 24/7 traffic updates, please visit 511.org: https://twitter.com/511SFBay. MTC operates 511 in partnership with Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and other transportation agencies.
This year’s Veterans Day Parade route in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown is a bit different than in the past. It will begin at the intersection of L Street and W. Second Street, travel east and turn south on G Street to W. 3rd Street, travel west back to L Street and turn north past the Antioch Police Station. The parade will begin at 11 AM following the annual Ceremony at 9:30 AM in the Marina/Boat Launch Parking Lot next to the Antioch Veterans Memorial. (See more at Antioch Veterans Day Breakfast, Ceremony, Parade & Concert Saturday, Nov. 11 | Antioch Herald)
What lesson has the Antioch California School District taught by suspending, investigating and ultimately shaming a teacher for free speech that was (probably by children, at least) regarded, innocently? (See related article)
I believe you have brought the attention of our children to the limits of healthy dialog. In a dangerous period in our country, when history lessons are being taken out of schools, violence is allowed to be perpetrated by groups, you could have taught love, understanding, sensitivity and had discussion about intentions, misinterpretations, and perspective.
You could have first met with parents, staff and professionals to discuss and learn why blackening one’s face in a costume could be offensive for Black people. Then you could have had lessons within the schools that attempt to teach sensitivity, respect and regard for all cultural backgrounds. You could have had discussion, about listening to and hearing each other. Without discussion, a lesson is lost.
Female was also arrested two days earlier for grand, petty theft in Pleasant Hill; male also arrested in 2017, 2022
By San Francisco District Attorney’s Office
San Francisco, CA – District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that Ahjanae Woods (23) and Terry Nichols (28), both of Antioch, have been charged in connection to the early morning smash and grab at Christian Dior in Union Square on October 12, 2023.
Ms. Woods and Mr. Nichols were arraigned on October 16, 2023, and each pled not guilty to one count of second-degree commercial burglary (PC 459), one count of grand theft (PC 487(a), one count of organized retail theft (PC 490.4(a)(1)), one count of conspiracy (PC 182(a)) and one count of resisting arrest (PC 148(a)(1)).
“The early morning smash and grab at Christian Dior is one more example of how brazen some thieves have become,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “This conduct is completely unacceptable and will be prosecuted vigorously. I would also like to thank the San Francisco Police Department for their swift action in responding to this incident and arresting these suspects. We will not let up on our efforts to improve public safety and demonstrate our resolve to those who choose to engage in criminal activity in our community.”
As listed in the overt acts of the conspiracy charge, it is alleged that at approximately 6:50AM on October 12, 2023, Ms. Woods and Mr. Nichols, along with other uncharged co-conspirators, arrived in three vehicles to the Union Square neighborhood and first tried to break into Fendi at 195 Grant Street. The group then broke the gate and doors at Christian Dior at 185 Post Street where they stole numerous handbags and other merchandise.
Ms. Woods and Mr. Nichol’s next court date is October 27, 2023, for the preliminary hearing in this matter. The District Attorney’s Office moved to detain Ms. Woods and Mr. Nichols pending trial because of the public safety risk they pose. The court granted the motion to detain Ms. Woods and Mr. Nichols without prejudice. The court will hear further arguments on the People’s motion to detain at the time of the preliminary hearing in this case.
Although charges have been filed, this remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
According to localcrimenews.com Nichols was also arrested in 2017 and 2022 by Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department for changing, altering, removing and/or obliterating ID marks on a firearm and for addict in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
As previously reported by the Herald, Woods was among 11 individuals arrested in Pleasant Hill on Oct. 10, 2023, for grand theft and petty theft.
Louise passed on September 4, 2023; weeks shy of her 98th birthday. Louise was born in Arvada, Colorado, the first of four children. She and her husband Lauron met in the Chemical Engineering department at the University of Colorado. After years in Washington, Oregon and Southern California they moved to Antioch, with Lauron working for Crown Zellerbach and Louise raising their three daughters, Leslie, Linda, and Lori.
Louise became a substitute teacher and in 1964 she was appointed to the Planning Commission, where she remained until she won a seat on the City Council in 1968. She became the first woman mayor of Antioch in 1970-1971, and again in 1975-1976, a groundbreaking role model for future generations of young women. In addition to the City Council, Louise served as Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). She was also appointed to the Seismic Safety Commission and was an independent contractor for environmental protection at Caltrans.
In 1966 Louise obtained her pilot’s license and in 1969 she and Lauron flew the family in a six-seater Cherokee on a tour of the United States. After retirement they loved to travel and were proud of the fact, they had visited all seven continents. Later Louise and Lauron relocated to Sonora, California, where they resided for over 20 years. They loved exploring the Eastern Sierras and she was involved in the local arts community and became a prolific oil painter, often painting scenes of the Sierra foothills.
Louise was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Lauron, her sister Bobbie & brother-in-law Tom Warfield. Louise leaves behind daughters Leslie Lum, Ollie Linda Anderson & Lori Brown, her sister Billie Homberg & nephew David (Donna) O’Bryan and niece Donna Ruth (Todd) Schutz, brother Tony (Joie) Price, nephew Bill (Linda) Warfield, and niece Debra (Blue) Bergmann. She will be greatly missed.
By Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis
Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors honors Veterans & their families at the Annual Veterans Day Celebration on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the Board Chambers at 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez.
This year, the ceremony will feature a special recognition for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
Watch online at www.contracostatv.org. The celebration will broadcast live on Contra Costa Television channels: Comcast Channel 27, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, and Astound Channels 32 and 1027.
