By Kelly Kalfsbeek, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department
Contra Costa County (County) is accepting applications for the upcoming Member at Large opening on the Aviation Advisory Committee (AAC). This position is designated for someone who works or resides in Contra Costa County to represent all County stakeholders in matters related to Buchanan Field and Byron Airports. Upon appointment by the Board of Supervisors the new appointee would serve a term expiring on Sunday, February 28, 2027.
The AAC serves as an advisory group to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors (Board) to provide advice and recommendations to the Board on aviation matters related to the Contra Costa County Airports. The AAC typically meets every other month at either Buchanan Field or Byron Airport.
Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or at: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418/Appointed-Bodies-Committees-Commissions. Applications should be submitted online or returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor in Martinez, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews in person or via Zoom, tentatively scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2024, at 11:00 am at the County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar Street, Conference Room 110 A & B, Martinez, at the Airports Committee Meeting.
For more information on the Contra Costa County Airports or the AAC visit us at www.ContraCostaCountyAirports.org or by calling (844) Fly-ToUs or (844) 359-8687.
Running to replace Tim Grayson, Sonia Ledo is the sole Republican in the race against three Democratsincluding Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson
District 15 includes all of Antioch
Sonia Ledo, a resident of Concord and Realtor, has announced her candidacy for the California State Assembly. She aims to bring an improved quality of life for all residents of District 15.
“I’m excited to take this important step in seeking to represent much of Contra Costa County in the California State Assembly,” said Ledo. “I believe my professional and personal experiences give me a unique understanding of the needs of the district and the challenges we face. I will work to develop common sense solutions to improve the quality of life for not only Contra Costa residents, but all Californians.”
Through her professional experience in mortgage lending and real estate, Ledo has helped many first-time buyers purchase their dream homes utilizing various down payment assistance programs. Personally, she has raised four sons in the public education system in Contra Costa, including autistic twins who require special needs assistance.
The bi-lingual candidate who is fluent in Spanish and a first-generation American, has also volunteered locally over the years by coaching Challenger baseball for special needs players, sorting food at the Food Bank, feeding the needy on Christmas morning, and directly assisting families through personal donations. Ledo served as treasurer for the Women’s Council of Realtors Contra Costa and is also a longtime member of the One Hundred Club organization that supports families of fallen firefighters and police officers.
According to her webpage on the Compass, Inc. real estate website, she has been a licensed California Realtor® since 1991 and earned a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from JFK University and is a certified paralegal. In her free time, Ledo enjoys hiking the Contra Costa trails with her dog.
This blend of professional and personal experience has given her a deep understanding of the challenges faced in our communities by small businesses, families, seniors, disabled, people in crisis, and those with special needs.
If elected to the State Assembly, Ledo promises to work hard to bring fairness, transparency and a strong work ethic to Sacramento. Her priorities would include public safety, education, improved mental health services, increasing housing supply, and serving as a good steward of taxpayer money when faced with tough decisions regarding the looming state budget deficit of $68 billion.
Regarding housing, Ledo emphasizes that, “Building more housing alone won’t solve the issues of housing affordability. The underlying reasons for the high cost of housing must be addressed. We also need to better serve individuals with disabilities, mental health issues, and homelessness as a collaborative state effort.”
Assembly District 15 map. Source: Office of Assemblyman Tim Grayson
The seat being vacated by Assemblymember Tim Grayson includes all or parts of the cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg and Pleasant Hill and unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County including Bay Point, Crockett and Pacheco.
The only Republican in the race, Ledo is looking forward to the March 5th primary elections and will be ready on day one to begin with a strong commitment to working with all bay area and California elected leaders for the well-being of our communities, region and state.
She faces Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson, Contra Costa School Board Trustee Anamaria Avila Farias and former county Supervisor Karen Mitchoff in the primary. The top two vote-getters will continue on to face off in the general election in November.
Since 1910, Scouting has helped mold the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes and understands that helping youth puts us on a path towards a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.
Today’s professional Scouters are a diverse group of men and women sharing a dynamic career offering independence, achievement, and stability. This is work that makes a difference, work that calls one to continual learning and challenge, work that offers solid compensation, benefits and advancement.
The District Executive selected will:
Work with a volunteer board of directors and other community and business leaders to identify, recruit, train, guide, and inspire them to become involved in youth programs.
Achieve progress towards specific goals and objectives which include: program development through collaborative relationships, volunteer recruitment and training, fundraising, membership recruitment and retention.
Be responsible for extending programs to religious, civic, fraternal, educational, and other community-based organizations through volunteers.
Secure adequate financial support for programs in assigned area. Achieve net income and participation objectives for assigned camps and activities.
Recruit leadership for finance campaign efforts to meet the financial needs of the organization.
Ensure that all program sites are served through volunteers, regular leader meetings, training events and activities.
Collaborate with adult volunteers and oversee achievement of training for their respective role.
Be a good role model and recognize the importance of working relationships with other professionals and volunteers. The executive must have communication skills and be able to explain the program’s goals and objectives to the public.
Provide quality service through timely communication, regular meetings, training events and activities.
Have a willingness and ability to devote long and irregular hours to achieve council and district objectives.
Desired Skills:
Strong marketing, fund-raising and program development background is highly desired.
Non-profit, fundraising or sales experience is a plus.
Must be comfortable with public speaking and interacting with diverse audiences. Excellent people skills, enthusiastic, punctual, responsible and creative.
Self-motivated individual with solid time management skills and strong organizational skills in management, budgeting, and planning.
Committed to personal and professional productivity, while maintaining high ethical and professional working standards.
Requirements:
Must be willing to accept and meet the Boy Scout of America’s leadership and membership standards and subscribe to the Scout Oath and Law.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (transcript with the date degree conferred stated is required for employment).
Attained 21 years of age or older unless prohibited by any applicable law.
Ability to work varied hours when necessary, evening activities and weekend work is frequently required to achieve positive objectives.
Ability to travel for training at least once a year for one to two weeks.
A Scouting background is helpful but not required for employment.
Offers for employment are subject to criminal, reference and motor vehicle background checks.
Compensation:
All councils are equal opportunity employers. In addition to offering a competitive salary of $64,480, Professional Scouting offers benefits to include major medical, prescription coverage, dental, vision, life-insurance, long-term disability, accidental death, a defined benefit retirement plan, plus compensation for authorized and approved business related expenses to include phone and mileage reimbursement. We also offer generous vacation policy and ten holiday observances.
How to apply:
Qualified candidates must submit cover letter and resume with salary history to kara.miller@scouting.org only the most qualified candidates will be contacted.
Location of the shooting in front of the victim’s tent next to the railroad tracks in downtown Antioch Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. Redacted photo by Allen D. Payton.
Antioch Police search home in Brentwood for suspect who was taken into custody; Brentwood PD assistswith new armored vehicle
At least 11 murders in city, this year
By Allen D. Payton
Antioch Police are investigating a fatal shooting of transient man by an unknown suspect next to the railroad tracks between Waldie Plaza and the fishing pier, in downtown Antioch Saturday evening.
Witnesses said the victim, named Eric, age 29, was shot point blank in the chest in front of his tent next to the BNSF Rail line after a Hispanic man walked up to him, asked his name then shot him. One woman said a group of people tried to resuscitate the victim, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Nearby Waldie Plaza, where the City’s Christmas tree is located, was taped off by Antioch Police during the investigation. Photo by Allen D. Payton
According to an interview of Antioch Police Lt. Rick Martin by Art Ray of Bay News Video, Antioch Police served a search warrant at a home in Brentwood looking for the shooting suspect.
“Based on our investigation we had leads that led us to the 1200 block of Dainty Avenue in the City of Brentwood” where the suspect, described as is a Hispanic male in his 30’s, was believed to have gone, Martin shared.
The 40-year-old suspect from Concord was taken into custody.
The shooting incident “started as a dispute between two males,” Martin added.
A Brentwood Police Officer in the department’s new Emergency Rescue Vehicle which was deployed while assisting Antioch Police in serving a search warrant in Brentwood Saturday night Dec. 16, 2023. Photo courtesy of Art Ray, Bay News Video
Ray said Brentwood Police assisted APD by using their new armored Emergency Rescue Vehicle during the search at the home.
12/17/235:55 PM UPDATE from APD – The following press release was issued by Lt. Martin of the Antioch Police Investigations Bureau early Sunday morning but issues with APD’s server prevented it from being sent out to the media until Sunday evening:
On December 16, 2023, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Antioch Police Dispatch began receiving calls of a shooting near the railroad tracks in the 700 block of W. 1st Street. Antioch Police officers arrived and located a 29-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers arrived on scene and immediately began rendering first aid. Paramedics arrived a short time later and pronounced the male deceased.
Witnesses on scene provided information to officers of the suspect and the suspect vehicle. A short time later, Brentwood Police located the suspect vehicle in the 1200 block of Dainty Avenue. With the assistance of the Brentwood police patrol officers and Brentwood police SWAT team, a 40-year-old male suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Antioch Police Detectives are still conducting this active investigation. We are withholding the name of the decedent until proper family notification has been made. The suspect’s name will be released at a later date.
APD would like to thank the Brentwood Police Department and Antioch citizens for their assistance in this investigation. No further information will be provided at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441.
Please be aware of a scam targeting our community. The scam involves an individual posing as an employee of the Sheriff’s Office who calls unsuspecting residents.
The scammer informs the resident that they have an active warrant and must immediately make a payment to avoid legal consequences.
It is important to note that the scammer is utilizing technology to manipulate caller ID systems, making it appear that the calls originate from legitimate Sheriff’s Office phone numbers.
We urge all residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant. Law enforcement agencies will never demand immediate payments over the phone (typically through gift cards) or threaten arrest for unpaid fees or fines.
Stay informed and protect yourself from falling victim to these scams. Hang up and never provide private, personal information.
Her third DUI arrest this year; cited and released
By Brentwood Police Department
Alcohol and stolen gun confiscated during traffic stop on Dec. 10, 2023. Photo: Brentwood PD
Last weekend, on December 10, 2023, a Brentwood officer was patrolling the area of Heidorn Ranch and Kohl’s Drive when he pulled a car over for not having a front license plate and suspended registration. When he contacted the driver, identified as 20-year-old Arrieanna Renel Snell, Jr. of Antioch, he determined she was driving under the influence of alcohol. The officer also noticed an open bottle of tequila behind the passenger’s seat.
Upon contacting the passenger, identified as 23-year-old Jai Royale Williams of Oakland, the officer located a stolen gun in the car.
Snell was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and Williams was placed under arrest for being in possession of the stolen gun. Both were transported to the County Jail for booking.
According to vinelink.com, Snell was cited and released and Williams is out of custody with no charges filed. According to localcrimenews.com, she was also arrested for driving with a license suspended for drunk driving. Earlier this year, Snell was arrested twice for assault upon a peace officer, DUI alcohol/drugs and for DUI alcohol with blood alcohol content above .08 percent.
Contra Costa Health (CCH) seeks input from county residents about whether they use the Community Warning System (CWS), how well it works, and if more notification options would improve it.
The CWS is an all-hazards community notification system that alerts residents about emergencies affecting public health or safety, including those from refineries and large chemical manufacturing facilities in Contra Costa County.
CCH’s online survey, available on the CWS page at cchealth.org, seeks information about community familiarity with the tool, whether polled residents subscribe, and opinions about the service.
The CWS sends free phone calls, texts and emails to anyone who signs up at cwsalerts.com. Users have subscription options, including whether to receive alerts only from certain areas of Contra Costa County, or only about certain facilities.
The survey, conducted at the direction of the Industrial Safety Ordinance / Community Warning System Ad Hoc Committee of the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, also asks if residents would like notifications about nearby industrial incidents that are not deemed emergencies.
The CWS was designed for emergency use, and so when a facility reports an unexpected release – such as flaring, odors, smoke, noises, or fires – CWS only sends an alert to its subscribers if the incident is likely to affect health in the surrounding community, in the estimation of the facility, or the emergency responders from CCH or the fire department who are investigating.
For details about the CWS and its response levels, visit the CWS page at cchealth.org.
The county’s Hazardous Materials Incident Notification Policy requires specified facilities, including all the county’s refineries, to immediately report to the CWS whenever there is a release or threatened release of hazardous material, as well as flaring events.
Most of these are “Level 1” incidents – received and investigated by CCH’s Hazardous Materials Response Team, but not subject to a community alert. CWS has received 227 reported Level 1 alerts so far in 2023 from industrial facilities.
Since 2022, an automated feed has displayed all active Level 1 alerts that have lasted longer than 20 minutes and are seen, heard or associated with offsite odors, at cchealth.org/hazmat.
The survey asks whether CWS subscribers should have the option to directly receive additional alerts via phone, text or email as they happen, even for incidents that may not threaten the community.
The survey is planned to continue through January 12, 2024, and CCH share the results publicly and with the Ad Hoc Committee.
Katherine Piccinini challenges Mark DeSaulnier in District 10
Katherine Piccinini, a long time Oakley resident, has successfully filed to run for Congress in District 10. The district includes portions of Antioch.
As a mother of four and grandmother of five, she previously ran in 2022 as a write-in candidate for this position when contacted by some in the 11th hour to run. Piccinini secured 1,638 votes in a 20-day campaign—a record for Congressional Republican write-in votes since 2012, enough to get her name on the General election ballot.
Over the past four years, she has served as the President of East Contra Costa Republican Women and President and a founding member of Eastern Contra Costa Republican Assembly. Additionally, she has been a Central Committee Member for Contra Costa and Alameda Counties and a GOP Delegate.
Remaining true to her commitment to truth and transparency, Piccinini, coming from a law enforcement family, pledges to prioritize the protection of police, fire, and military. Her main concerns include the safety and security of children, families, parental rights, and borders. She criticizes the educational system as “indoctrination, not education,” and her motto is “Putting the People First.”
Passionate about the nation’s direction, she fears losing America if it continues down the path it is going and is determined to do her best to prevent this. Piccinini emphasizes there needs to be accountability and transparency to the citizens, expressing a lack of belief in current leaders’ following through on this.
Her agenda focuses on the needs of the people of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, with a
dedication to representing their interests in Washington.
She believes we deserve clean air, pure water, safe food, freedom of speech and balanced budgets for citizens. She vows to stand for freedom, truth, and the flag. She will not stand for tyranny, injustice, and lawlessness. With corruption at the highest levels in government and political parties, she invites others to join her in reclaiming the freedoms that are being taken from them and securing a future and hope for their children and grandchildren.
As a community advocate, Piccinini asserts that putting the people first involves prioritizing infants, children, law enforcement, workers, veterans and farmers. She advocates for rewriting laws to address those that perpetrate their crimes on society, businesses and the gender mutilation of children.
Katherine Piccinini pledges to be your voice in Congress, ensuring your trust to carry forth your message to Washington D.C. She is interested in hearing from you and what your issues are.
Piccinini believes that together we can stand as communities dedicated to Putting People First.
Please contact Katherine Piccinini and share these thoughts with her. For more information visit piccinini4congress.com.
