During the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve Open House on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26 and 27, free mine tours will be held for both the Coal Mine Experience and the Hazel Atlas Sand Mine! We will also have Victorian Era games to play and a nature table outside the mines, plus staff at the Rose Hill Cemetery to chat with.
Tour Details:
All tours will be first come, first served.
The earliest you can sign up for tours is 10am.
First tours will begin at 10:30am.
Last tours will begin at 3:00pm.
All tours will last 30 minutes.
Tours are only available to ages 7+.
No animals allowed on tours with the exception of service animals.
How to Sign-Up for Free Tours:
Coal Mine Experience- Register at the table outside of the Greathouse Visitor Center.
Hazel Atlas Sand Mine- Register at the table outside of the Hazel Atlas Mine.
*Sign-ups are done in person, there will be no reservations over the phone.
Other Helpful Info:
It can take a good 10-15 minutes to walk to either mine from the parking lot.
It can also take 10-15 minutes to walk from mine to mine – don’t sign up for one mine tour directly after the other.
The Hazel Atlas Sand Mine has train tracks going throughout the tour making it less accessible than the Coal Mine Experience, which is flat the whole way.
The Greathouse Visitor Center will be open from 10am-4pm.
Check the weather and dress accordingly. Even if it’s hot outside, it’s still cold in the mines!
Pittsburg, Calif. – Los Medanos College (LMC) presents a special livestream production on CCTV of the Mustangs’ homecoming game against De Anza College Lions, 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 from the Pittsburg Campus, 2700 E. Leland Road.
The livestream includes a half-time show that debuts a special 50th Anniversary Tribute with historic images, musical score by the LMC Jazz Band, introduction by Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson, and commentary by former President Peter Garcia, President Pamela Ralston, author and art history professor Nick Nabas, and others.
“This tribute showcases the heart and soul of LMC that has endured from the first day we swung open the doors to students,” President Pamela Ralston said. “It captures the arc of our success through memories and stories of our alumni, dedicated faculty and staff, and students.”
Source: LMC
The tribute video, produced in partnership with Fallout Pictures, rounds out the homecoming game production, which includes a high-energy opener produced by CCTV’s Ronn Carter. The opener highlights the city of Pittsburg and its storied success as an economic driver for the East Bay. Gametime coverage also features announcing and color commentary by local sports broadcasters Tony Schultz and Dan Wall (an LMC alumnus), and contributions by LMC Experience student journalists Finn Atkin, Juan Cebreiros, and Lauren Gannod.
The homecoming game is Part II of a day of festivities that begins at the 11 a.m. party, hosted by legendary DJ Chuy Gomez of 102 Jams FM. The party will be held on the Pittsburg Campus in grassy area adjacent to Mustang Stadium.
About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.
¡El Supervisor Federal Glover lo invita a la Conferencia de Empoderamiento Juvenil UpliftED 2024! Contra Costa County District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover is thrilled to invite you to the UpliftED 2024 Youth Empowerment Conference – a transformative, day-long event dedicated to empowering our youth and shaping the leaders of tomorrow. With a deep commitment to our community’s future, Supervisor Glover has put together an incredible experience designed to equip young people with the tools, resources, and inspiration they need to succeed.
This year’s conference is more than just an event – it’s a call to action. Through powerful keynote speeches, dynamic workshops, and interactive sessions, young attendees will explore vital topics such as career development, mental health, digital wellness, and social justice, all within a framework of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA). The event features industry leaders and experts who are eager to share their insights and help guide our youth toward meaningful and impactful futures.
But it’s not just about learning – it’s about connection, community, and fun! With networking opportunities, engaging activities, a live DJ, and an array of food trucks, the UpliftED 2024 Youth Empowerment Conference promises to be an unforgettable experience. Whether your child is passionate about technology, the arts, activism, or simply discovering new possibilities, this event is designed to ignite their potential and empower them to make a difference.
Supervisor Glover, who is deeply dedicated to the well-being and success of our youth, personally invites all parents to bring their children and for all young people to attend this impactful conference. Don’t miss this chance to be part of an event that will inspire, educate, and uplift our community’s future leaders.
This is a free event sponsored by Supervisor Federal Glover, District 5. We can’t wait to see you there!
El Supervisor Federal Glover se complace en invitarlo a la Conferencia de Empoderamiento Juvenil UpliftED 2024, un evento transformador de un día de duración dedicado a empoderar a nuestros jóvenes y formar a los líderes del mañana. Con un profundo compromiso con el futuro de nuestra comunidad, el Supervisor Glover ha reunido una experiencia increíble diseñada para equipar a los jóvenes con las herramientas, los recursos y la inspiración que necesitan para tener éxito.
La conferencia de este año es más que un evento, es un llamado a la acción. A través de poderosos discursos de apertura, talleres dinámicos y sesiones interactivas, los jóvenes asistentes explorarán temas vitales como el desarrollo profesional, la salud mental, el bienestar digital y la justicia social, todo dentro de un marco de Diversidad, Equidad, Inclusión y Acceso (DEIA). El evento cuenta con líderes y expertos de la industria que están ansiosos por compartir sus conocimientos y ayudar a guiar a nuestros jóvenes hacia futuros significativos e impactantes.
Pero no se trata solo de aprender, ¡se trata de conexión, comunidad y diversión! Con oportunidades para establecer contactos, actividades atractivas, un DJ en vivo y una variedad de camiones de comida, la Conferencia de Empoderamiento Juvenil UpliftED 2024 promete ser una experiencia inolvidable. Ya sea que a su hijo le apasione la tecnología, las artes, el activismo o simplemente descubra nuevas posibilidades, este evento está diseñado para encender su potencial y empoderarlo para marcar la diferencia.
La Supervisora Glover, quien está profundamente dedicada al bienestar y éxito de nuestra juventud, invita personalmente a todos los padres a traer a sus hijos y a todos los jóvenes a asistir a esta impactante conferencia. No se pierda esta oportunidad de ser parte de un evento que inspirará, educará y elevará a los futuros líderes de nuestra comunidad.
Este es un evento gratuito patrocinado por el Supervisor Federal Glover, Distrito 5. ¡No podemos esperar a verte allí!
With support from elected and community leaders, unions and faculty
Representing portions of Antioch, Pittsburgand Brentwood and other East County communities
“My goal is to drive student success for the jobs of the future.” – Fernando Sandoval
East County community leader Fernando Sandoval announces his re-election candidacy for the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees in Ward 5 with support from a strong list of elected officials, labor leaders and community members from throughout the district including: Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson, Building and Construction Trades, Central Labor AFL-CIO and the United Faculty of the College District. They join a coalition of college faculty, staff, students, small business owners, civic leaders and community activists in support of Sandoval’s race.
Sandoval is completing his first term on the college board, after being elected in 2020 during his second and successful attempt to defeat then-incumbent Trustee Greg Enholm. Ward 5 includes portions of Antioch, Pittsburg and Brentwood and all of Oakley, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen. (See College District Wards map)
“Fernando Sandoval is a leader who has brought vision, bold leadership and a commitment to educational excellence and equity that will advance the academic opportunities for our students, said Yolanda Peña Mendrek, Liberty Union High School District Board President. She adds, in addition, his 30 years as a finance and banking consultant to top worldwide corporations will make him an experienced voice and strong ally with the Governing Board as it addresses the budget constraints by the State and the continued fiscal aftermath of the global pandemic.”
In 2022-23 Fernando served as President of the Governing Board. During his four-year tenure as Board Trustee, some of his accomplishments in this capacity included bringing in District leadership stability with the hiring of the permanent Chancellor, Mojdeh Mehdezadeh, and Presidents of Los Medanos College and Contra Costa College, restoring a relationship with John F. Kennedy-National University and leading DEI efforts most recently with an innovative model for enrollment with Diablo Valley College, Mount Diablo Unified School District and United Latino Voices.
Source: Contra Costa Community College District
He has also served as a past member of the Contra Costa Community College District Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee (DEEOAC) to advise on a districtwide commitment to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities in accordance with California Education Code, Title 5. He also Chaired the Bond Oversight Committee for modernization of schools at Pittsburg Unified School District (PUSD).
Sandoval’s community leadership also includes organizing mentoring, tutoring and motivational workshops for K-12 students and Los Medanos College students. He was recognized for his service by receiving the 2020 Cesar Chavez Award for Exemplary Community Service by Los Medanos College.
“I am running for the Contra Costa Community College District Board in my home region because I personally experienced the equity barriers and lack of mentorship for higher education access, particularly for underserved students which still exists today,” said Sandoval. “My goal is to drive student success for the jobs of the future. I want to bring my professional experiences, innovative spirit and commitment to educational excellence and equity to advance real solutions to these issues in collaboration with the Board and through community and philanthropic partnerships.”
The Ward 5 Trustee continued, “I am honored to have the support of educational leaders, local policy-makers and hard-working residents from throughout the East County community college district. We still face unprecedented challenges ahead due to the pandemic’s impact on the district’s budget combined with the long-term racial and social injustice issues facing our region and college district. It has never been more important to have experienced, principled, and responsive leadership now more than ever.”
Background
Sandoval was raised in East County by a hard-working immigrant family who sacrificed and encouraged education as a career pathway. Fernando is a veteran who served in the Vietnam War, where he maintained advanced computer systems on the USS Enterprise. Professionally he was recruited for information technology manager roles by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sperry Rand, Hughes Aircraft Corporation, and managed change at IBM and General Electric among others. He also provided management strategies and policy decisions for economic recovery as a finance consultant to top banking institutions worldwide.
Stolen items from the Antioch Target store recovered by police. Photo: APD
After employee was rammed with shopping cart
By Antioch Police Department
Antioch Officers were dispatched to Target on Lone Tree Way for a reported theft. When a Target employee tried to intervene, one of the suspects rammed the employee with a shopping cart and threatened them, turning this simple theft into a robbery. Three suspects—one male and two females—fled the scene in a vehicle with the stolen merchandise.
Thanks to quick coordination with the Brentwood Police Department, the suspect vehicle was located at a Safeway in Brentwood, where another robbery had just occurred. Working with the victims in this case, three of the four suspects were positively identified, and the stolen property was returned to Target.
The suspects were booked at Martinez Detention Facility for robbery.
Construction work to widen Buchanan Road between Somersville Road in Antioch and Meadows Avenue in Pittsburg to serve the Tivoli development is expected to be completed this fall. Photos by Allen D. Payton
Plus, other required mitigationsfor traffic impacts all paid for by developer, expected to be completed this fall
By Allen D. Payton
For those who live or work in East County and haven’t driven on Buchanan Road west of Somersville Road in Antioch, lately, you might not be aware the road is being widened to accommodate a new home development. Seeno Homes’ Tivoli at Tuscany Meadows in Pittsburg will include 917 single family homes and 365 multi-family units on 135.6 acres surrounding the Chevron property. The development was approved in 2015 and 2016 and has some residents concerned about traffic impacts. City of Pittsburg staff say all the mitigations that were proposed in the plans are being implemented. They include widening Buchanan Road to four lanes plus, turn lanes between Somersville Road in Antioch and Meadows Avenue in Pittsburg, as well as nearby affected roads and intersections.
The project will also include an internal collector street, labeled Sequoia Drive, which will connect and provide the new residents access to Somersville Road in Antioch. But the main street in the new development, labeled Tuscany Meadows Drive, will not connect to James Donlon Blvd. using Metcalf Street in Antioch until the long-planned James Donlon Blvd. extension to Kirker Pass Road in Pittsburg is completed. But that project is currently on hold, according to city staff.
City staff also shared, all the mitigations for traffic impacts are being paid for by the developer.
The eastbound view of the Buchanan Road widening project near the Tuscany Meadows Drive entrance to the Tivoli new home development on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
According to the Project Description in the Draft Environmental Impact Report, “Historically the project site was used as an above-ground crude oil tank farm owned by Chevron USA, Inc. However, the tanks and associated piping were removed from the site in 1981.”
According to the City of Pittsburg staff report for the project, the Tuscany Meadows Residential Subdivision consists of 917 single family homes and 365 multi-family residential units on an approximately 170-acre vacant site. The site consists of two parcels bounded on the north by Buchanan Road, to the east by the Contra Costa Canal and Somersville Road, to the south by the Black Diamond Estates residential development (in Antioch), and the west by the Highlands Ranch residential development (in Pittsburg). The project site is located in what was an unincorporated area of Contra Costa County, California between the City of Antioch and the City of Pittsburg limits. In 2011, the City of Pittsburg Urban Limit Line and General Plan were amended, via voter initiative, to reflect and accommodate the proposed project area in anticipation of future annexation and development.
The land was later annexed into the Pittsburg city limits.
The Tuscany Meadows Project Location map showing internal streets and connections. Source: Traffic Impact Analysis
Traffic Impacts
According to the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) for the project, dated July 30, 2014, the new homes “would contribute to LOS (level of service) operations exceeding the established standards at the following seven intersections: Railroad Avenue at Leland Road (Intersection #3) Buchanan Road at Harbor Street (Intersection #7) Buchanan Road at Loveridge Road (Intersection #12) Buchanan Road at Ventura Drive (Intersection #13) Buchanan Road at Tuscany Meadows Drive (Intersection #15) Buchanan Road at the Tuscany Meadows Apartments (Intersection #17) Buchanan Road at Somersville Road (Intersection #22).”
As shown in Table 5 of the TIA, entitled, “Trip Generation Calculations”, the new home development will produce almost 10,500 Average Daily Trips with most of them from the single-family homes.
The TIA included multiple measures to mitigate the traffic impact on Buchanan Road and other nearby roads and intersections.
The report reads, “The improvements listed below are not currently included in the City’s Transportation Impact Fee Program. Prior to construction of the identified improvements the project would mitigate the above-identified impacts by either constructing the required improvements as outlined below or paying a proportionate share of the construction costs, subject to City approval. The intersection mitigations required for the project to meet the established LOS standards include the following:
Railroad Avenue at E. Leland Road – Construction of an additional southbound left-turn lane and associated widening.
Buchanan Road at Harbor Street – Widening of Buchanan Road at the intersection to allow for the construction of two through lanes on the westbound approach as well as two receiving lanes on the west side of the intersection.
Buchanan Road at Loveridge Road – Widening of Buchanan Road at the intersection to allow for the construction of two through lanes on the westbound approach as well as two receiving lanes on the west side of the intersection.
Buchanan Road at Ventura Drive – Widening of Buchanan Road at the intersection to allow for the construction of two through lanes on the eastbound approach as well as two receiving lanes on the east side of the intersection. Alternative Mitigation: Implementation of PM peak hour metering of southbound Kirker Pass Road at Pheasant Drive (the project has a significant impact in the PM peak hour only).
Buchanan Road at Tuscany Meadows Drive – Widening of Buchanan Road at the intersection to allow for the construction of two through lanes on the eastbound approach as well as two receiving lanes on the east side of the intersection. Alternative Mitigation: Relocation of control point metering to this location and implementation of PM peak hour metering of southbound Kirker Pass Road at Pheasant Drive.
Buchanan Road at the Tuscany Meadows Apartments Entrance – Widening of Buchanan Road at the intersection to allow for the construction of two through lanes on the eastbound approach as well as two receiving lanes on the east side of the intersection. Alternative Mitigation: Implementation of PM peak hour metering of southbound Kirker Pass Road at Pheasant Drive (the project has a significant impact in the PM peak hour only).
Buchanan Road at Somersville Road – Construct an additional eastbound left turn lane to allow for a dual left turn movement onto northbound Somersville Road and an additional northbound lane to allow for a dual left turn movement onto westbound Buchanan Road. Alternative Mitigation: Implementation of PM peak hour metering of southbound Kirker Pass Road at Pheasant Drive.
Beyond these intersections, the analysis indicates the project would not cause any other significant impacts to traffic operations in the area. Please note that mitigations are only proposed to address PM peak hour conditions at the signalized intersection of Buchanan Road with Tuscany Meadows Drive. No mitigations are required to address AM conditions at this intersection because, as discussed in Section 5.5, AM peak hour traffic operations on Buchanan Road are covered by a traffic management plan (TMP) which was adopted as part of the East County Action Plan.
According to the 2017 East CountyAction Plan for Routes of Regional Significance, Buchanan Road is included in the list, “Between Somersville Road and Railroad Avenue. This route serves as a conduit for traffic from East County communities to get to Kirker Pass Road and from there to Central County. Note that Buchanan Road will no longer be designated as a Route of Regional Significance once the James Donlon Boulevard extension is constructed.”
Westbound view of Buchanan Road widening at the southbound entrance to Tuscany Meadows Drive the main road serving the development where the model homes have already been built.
Pittsburg Public Works Director Provides Additional Details
Questions were sent to Pittsburg Community & Economic Development Director Jordan Davis, Assistant Director John Funderburg and Planning Division Senior Planner Hector Rojas, who is the lead agency contact for the project. They were asked when the widening construction is expected to be completed, how it’s being paid for, if either from the per home developer fee imposed by the East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority (ECCRFFA) or the county’s half-cent sales tax revenue from Measure J, and which traffic mitigations were included in the approval for the project.
Finally, they were asked where things stand in the process for extending James Donlon Blvd. through the Sky Ranch II development and connecting it to Kirker Pass Road. The adjacent 163-acre, 415 home development, planned for the land south of the Tivoli at Tuscany Meadows project and west of the existing homes in Antioch, was approved in 2004 but has yet to begin construction.
Pittsburg Public Works Director John Samuelson provided the answers. He responded, “The widening of Buchanan Road is scheduled to be completed this Fall. These improvements were a condition of approval on the development and is fully funded by the developer. No ECCRFFA or Measure J funds are being used.
All mitigations identified in the traffic study were used as conditions of approval for this development project.”
The planned James Donlon Blvd. Extension is shown on the map from the 2017 East County Action Plan for Routes of Regional Significance. It also shows another long-planned road connecting to both Buchanan Road and Delta Fair Blvd. in Antioch next to Los Medanos College, labeled Standard Oil Drive.
James Donlon Blvd. Extension from Antioch to Kirker Pass Road on Hold
Samuelson also shared, “The James Donlon Extension Project has been put on hold. There have been some challenges with this project which has caused the City of Pittsburg to change priorities. This is still an important project for this region, and we hope to make progress once development occurs in this area.”
