By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Forensic Services Division (FSD), a nationally accredited crime laboratory, has been awarded a competitive one-year grant of $170,000 to help keep our roadways safe from impaired drivers. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The FSD will use the funding to support the testing program for detecting alcohol and drugs in driving under the influence (DUI) cases. New equipment will be purchased to enhance the analysis of alcohol and other volatile substances in DUI cases. Supplies will also be purchased to support comprehensive analysis and enable detection of illegal, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs commonly found in DUI cases. Funding for the pro-grams runs through September 2026.
“This grant will improve testing capabilities, analysis, and turnaround times at the Forensic Services Division,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “Having rapid results will benefit county law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and improve public safety.”
Investigate the operations of local government officers, departments and agencies
Application deadline: March 13, 2026
By Contra Costa County Grand Jurors Association
The Contra Costa County Superior Court is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury Service for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 term.
Contra Costa County’s Grand Jury consists of 19 citizens. A new Grand Jury is impaneled each year. Grand Jurors are officers of the Court, and function as an independent body under the guidance of a Superior Court Judge. Jurors are impaneled in June and are expected to attend a two-week training in June. Each term serves through June of the following calendar year.
Every year, in each of California’s 58 counties, a group of ordinary citizens takes an oath to serve as grand jurors. Its function is to investigate the operations of the various officers, departments and agencies of local government. Each Civil Grand Jury determines which officers, departments and agencies it will investigate during its term of office.
Apart from the investigations mandated by the California Penal Code, each County’s Grand Jury decides what it will investigate. Investigations may be initiated in response to letters from citizens, newspaper articles and personal knowledge.
If you are interested in applying, please complete the application and review the timeline below.
District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis is given her oath of office as the new Chair for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors by Judge Edward G. Weil as District 4 Supervisor Ken Carlson and her stepmother, Nancy Peterson, look on during ceremonies on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Photos: CCCounty
Diane Burgis takes helm as Chair, Ken Carlson to serve as Vice Chair
By Kristi Jourdan, PIO, Contra Costa County
(Martinez, CA) – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors held its annual reorganization meeting Tuesday at the County Administration Building, ushering in a new chapter of leadership. District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis was sworn in as Chair, and District 4 Supervisor Ken Carlson assumed the role of Vice Chair. Their oaths of office were administered by the Honorable Edward G. Weil, a Contra Costa County Superior Court judge.
Supervisor Burgis represents the 222,000 residents of District 3, which includes a portion of Antioch, plus, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen and Oakley. First elected in 2016 and reelected in 2024, she serves on over 30 local and regional committees, including as Chair of the Legislation Committee, and the Internal Operations Committee. She also leads California’s Delta Protection Commission and serves on the State’s Delta Stewardship Council.
“At a time when our communities are facing complex challenges, I look forward to advancing solutions that strengthen emergency preparedness and public safety, expand access to mental health services, and ensure County government remains responsive, equitable, and accountable to the residents we serve,” Chair Burgis said.
District 4 Supervisor Ken Carlson takes his oath of office as the Board’s new Vice Chair for 2026.
Supervisor Carlson represents District 4, which includes the cities of Clayton, Pleasant Hill and a majority of Concord and Walnut Creek. He brings a strong background in public service and community engagement, with a focus on equity, mental health, and public safety.
“Serving as Vice Chair is an opportunity to help guide the County’s work with stability, collaboration, and a clear focus on results,” said Vice Chair Ken Carlson. “Alongside Chair Burgis and the full Board, my focus will be on delivering practical solutions that support public safety, promote mental health and well-being, and reflect the values of the diverse communities we represent.”
Chair Burgis and Vice Chair Carlson will lead the five-member Board, which oversees a $7.16 billion budget and serves 1.2 million residents across Contra Costa County.
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
Martinez, California – The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) of $323,500 to support a specialized prosecution team dedicated to alcohol and drug-impaired driving cases.
“We are grateful for this grant, which will allow us to focus specifically on holding individuals accountable for impaired driving and making the roads in our community safer for everyone,” District Attorney Diana Becton said. “Driving Under the Influence remains a significant danger on our roads. This funding strengthens our commitment to improving road safety and making sure justice is served effectively and efficiently.”
The specialized prosecution team will also partner with the statewide Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Program (TSRP) to train other prosecutors and investigators and collaborate with law enforcement agencies on best practices for handling and managing driving under the influence (DUI) cases.
“Through focused prosecution efforts and strong partnerships, we are working toward a future where all people will be safe on California roads,” OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said. “Together, we’re holding impaired drivers accountable and encouraging safe, responsible choices that help build a culture where safety comes first.”
This is the first year the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has received funding from the OTS for a specialized DUI prosecution program. The grant program runs through September 2026.
Five new CHP officers have joined the force in Contra Costa County including (L-R) Anthony Manzo badge #24910, K. Wheeler #25019, Dylan Hoffman #24951, E. Rios #24994 and O. Karimi #24895. Photo: CHP Contra Costa
Graduates from final class of 2025 including valedictorian
By Allen D. Payton
A post on the CHP – Contra Costa Facebook page on Dec. 23, 2025, reads, “Please join us in welcoming five new officers to the CHP Contra Costa Area! These officers are members of Cadet Training Class III-25 and are beginning the next chapter of their careers as they start Field Training, gaining valuable knowledge and hands-on experience from their Field Training Officers.
We’re proud to have you and look forward to watching you grow, serve, and protect the Contra Costa area.”
According to Synthia Ramirez of the CHP Office of Media Relations, “While at the CHP Academy, cadets have the option of requesting a news release/article in their hometowns. Only two of the five new officers at the CHP Contra Costa Area office wanted a news release.” They include Officers Dylan Hoffman and Anthony Martin Manzo, and according to CHP Contra Costa PIO Dan Gilmore, the other three new officers are K. Wheeler, E. Rios and O. Karimi.
New CHP Contra Costa Officer and Cadet Training Class III-25 Valedictorian Anthony Manzo. Photo: CHP
Officer Anthony Martin Manzo – Class Valedictorian
According to Jaime Coffee, CHP Director of Communications, Office of Media Relations, on Dec. 5, 2025, Anthony Manzo of Turlock, CA, successfully completed cadet training at the CHP Academy and is assigned to duty at the CHP’s Contra Costa Area Office.
Officer Manzo graduated from John H. Pitman High School in 2022 and then attended Modesto Junior College. Before attending the CHP Academy, he worked as a sales apprentice at America’s Tire in Turlock. As a new CHP officer, he is eager to contribute to keeping California’s roads safe for all travelers. During graduation, he was named class Valedictorian for his outstanding academic performance at the academy.
New CHP Contra Costa Officer Dylan Hoffman. Photo: CHP
Officer Dylan Hoffman
Dylan Hoffman of Roseville, CA, has also successfully completed cadet training at the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy. He is assigned to duty at the CHP’s Contra Costa Area office.
Officer Hoffman graduated from Rocklin High School in 2022. Before attending the CHP Academy, he worked as a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician for Impact Air Solutions in Carmichael, Calif. He says he will miss the connections and stories shared with his classmates, as well as the motivation that came from early-morning physical training.
About the CHP Academy
At the CHP Academy, cadet training starts with nobility in policing, leadership, professionalism, ethics, and cultural diversity. Training also includes mental illness response and crisis intervention techniques. Cadet instruction covers patrol operations, crash investigation, first aid, and the arrest of suspected violators, including those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The cadets also receive training in traffic control, report writing, recovery of stolen vehicles, assisting the motoring public, issuing citations, emergency scene management, and knowledge of various codes, including the Vehicle Code, Penal Code, and Health and Safety Code.
The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service and Security.
Possible exposure in Walnut Creek Dec. 17- 19, 23, 24or LafayetteDec. 21
By Contra Costa Health
Contra Costa Health (CCH) is notifying the public of a confirmed case of measles in the county, identified on Dec. 24, 2025. The individual was contagious in public between Dec. 17 and Dec. 24, and people may have been exposed at the locations listed below.
Locations of potential measles exposure:
Dec. 17 or Dec. 19: Anthropologie, 1149 South Main St., Walnut Creek
Dec. 18: Macy’s, 1320 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek; ALO, 1292 Broadway Plaza, Suite 1106, Walnut Creek; Apple Store, 1200 South Main St., Walnut Creek
Dec. 21: STAT Med, 3799 Mount Diablo Blvd. #100, Lafayette
Dec. 23-24: Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Emergency Department, 1425 South Main St., Walnut Creek
People who were at these locations during the dates listed above may be at risk of developing measles, especially if unvaccinated, pregnant or immunocompromised. Measles can develop seven to 21 days after exposure. If you were at these locations during these times, you should confirm with your healthcare provider that you have been fully vaccinated against measles or have had measles infection in the past.
If symptoms develop, stay home and call your healthcare provider immediately before seeking care so they are prepared to take care of you. Those who have been symptom free for more than 21 days after being exposed are no longer at risk for developing measles.
A large majority of Contra Costa County residents are fully vaccinated against measles and have lifetime protection against infection. CCH encourages all eligible unvaccinated residents to get immunized against measles with two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to ensure their protection. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can linger in the air or on surfaces for over an hour after the contagious individual leaves an area. This makes it even easier to spread to those who do not have protection. Also, a person can spread the virus to others even before they develop symptoms. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that spreads over the body. Although the risk of contracting measles is low for those who are fully vaccinated, members of the public should be aware of the situation and watch for symptoms.
CCH is conducting contact tracing and notifying local healthcare providers to be vigilant for possible measles cases. CCH continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates if more information becomes available.
More information about measles can be found on our website.
Antioch Police and Con Fire personnel responded to the scene of the fatal collision causing a back-up in the eastbound lanes of Highway 4 between Pittsburg and Antioch Monday morning, Dec. 22, 2025. Video screenshot courtesy of Spotlight CoCoCounty.
Following collision involving DA Senior Inspector killing Antioch assault suspect running on Hwy 4; CHP leads investigation
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
Martinez, California – A fatal traffic collision with a pedestrian is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol pursuant to the County Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol.
On Monday, December 22, 2025, at approximately 10:35 a.m., in the area of Delta Fair Blvd. in Antioch, a suspect engaged in a disturbance at Delta Bowl. According to Antioch Police, the initial incident occurred at the Comfort Inn, located at 2436 Mahogany Way, where the 27-year-old male suspect had pulled a fire alarm and then struck a 47-year-old male security guard. As police responded, the suspect climbed over a fence and entered eastbound Highway 4 on foot.
The individual was struck in the roadway by an oncoming county vehicle driven by a District Attorney Senior Inspector whose duties were unrelated to the disturbance. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The California Highway Patrol is the venue agency conducting the traffic collision investigation. The California Department of Justice has been notified. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has yielded legal analysis to avoid a potential conflict of interest. The investigation is ongoing.
Contra Costa County must prepare for significant reductions in Medi-Cal coverage and hundreds of millions of dollars in long-term funding loss as a result of recent federal and state policy changes, county officials said Tuesday.
New federal requirements under H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” combined with state Medi-Cal eligibility and reimbursement changes, will make it harder for many residents to enroll in or keep healthcare coverage. While final details are still emerging, county estimates indicate that as many as 93,000 Contra Costa residents could be affected by 2029.
At the same time, Contra Costa Health (CCH) projects more than $300 million in cumulative state and federal funding reductions through 2029, driven by Medi-Cal disenrollment and cuts to supplemental funding that public hospitals rely upon. These impacts are expected to grow year over year and reflect a broader trend affecting counties and public health systems across California.
“These changes mean fewer people covered and fewer dollars coming into the system at the same time,” said Candace Andersen, Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “Our responsibility is to face that reality head-on, plan carefully, and ensure the county continues to provide essential care for residents who have nowhere else to turn.”
During a presentation to the Board on Tuesday, leaders of CCH and the county’s Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) emphasized that the projected impacts are a result of external policy decisions, not local performance, and that significant uncertainty remains around timelines, enforcement and the response from California.
Federal guidance on several provisions of H.R. 1 has not yet been issued, and California’s approach to mitigating coverage losses is still evolving.
The presentation outlined how specific provisions of H.R. 1 and recent state Medi-Cal policy changes are expected to reduce enrollment, increase administrative barriers to coverage, and lower reimbursement to safety-net providers. It also reviewed projected enrollment losses, funding impacts to CCH and Contra Costa Health Plan, and the anticipated timing of changes, along with areas of ongoing uncertainty.
The Board directed CCH to return in early 2026 with a proposal to update and strengthen the county’s existing supports for people who are not eligible for Medi-Cal and have no other healthcare options.
Contra Costa County will share additional updates as federal and state guidance becomes available and planning continues.
