From pages 1 and 3 of the CA Justice & Public Safety PAC 496 report dated May 28, 2022, showing the $489,200 spent against Knox and $652,000 contributed by Soros. Source: Netfile.com

Including $510,000 more in attack ads against Knox; Soros contributes $652,000

“This money will not drown out the voices of the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of local donors who have worked tirelessly side-by-side with me over the past 11 months to spread our campaign’s message…” – Deputy D.A. Mary Knox

By Allen D. Payton

The Washington, D.C.-based PAC funded by billionaire George Soros has received just over $1 million to help re-elect incumbent Contra Costa D.A. Diana Becton and defeat her challenger, Deputy D.A. Mary Knox. According to two campaign finance reports on Netfile.com submitted by the California Justice & Public Safety PAC date May 28, Soros contributed $652,000, the Smart Justice California Action Fund contributed $300,000 and M. Quinn Delaney of Piedmont contributed $50,000.

According to their website, Smart Justice California is “an alliance of donors and funders…helping to change the belief that prosecutors must be incarceration-driven by engaging voters and establishing a statewide candidate pipeline of justice reform champions.”

The report lists Delaney as retired. But according to the organization’s website, she “is the Founder and Board Chair of Akonadi Foundation, which supports the development of powerful social change movements to eliminate structural racism and create a racially just society. The Foundation funds primarily in Oakland with a focus on ending the criminalization of people of color.”

6/2/22 UPDATE & CORRECTION: That brings the total received by the PAC to $1,002,000 in the race, so far. (See related article)

It was previously reported that the $1 million in contributions was in addition to over $400,000 previously spent according to the PAC’s Form 496 reports dated May 14 for a total of more than $1.4 million in contributions. However, according to Alex Navarro-Mckay of New York-based Berlin Rosen campaigns said, “when the $400,000 was spent the PAC was incurring liabilities.” Asked when the ads started running, he responded, “right around there. May 13 or 14.”

That means the PAC spent over $400,000 on negative, digital attack ads against Knox before the funds were received on May 17, 26 and 27. Most media companies require political campaigns to pay in advance.

Of the latest amount received, almost $500,000 was spent on negative attack ads against Knox and another $10,050 was spent for digital ads against her. The PAC only spent $34,900 on digital ads to support Becton.

In response to those contributions and expenditures to defeat her, Knox released the following statement:

“An out-of-state billionaire along with special interest groups have now dropped an unprecedented $1M to defeat my campaign and influence voters for District Attorney in this local election.  Contra Costa voters will determine the outcome of this election and the future of public safety in Contra Costa County. This money will not drown out the voices of the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of local donors who have worked tirelessly side-by-side with me over the past 11 months to spread our campaign’s message,” said. “I have served this community for 37 years as a prosecutor. The bottom line is this, people in our community want to feel safe in their neighborhoods. Every day I talk to voters who are frustrated with D.A. Becton and want to see their District Attorney focused on public safety and crime reduction.”

As previously reported, Becton was asked if it is good to have so much out-of-county and out-of-state funds spent to influence an election in Contra Costa County, but she did not respond. Becton was also the beneficiary of spending by Soros during her first election campaign in 2018. (See related article)

Knox has served as a prosecutor in the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office for 37 years and has extensive trial experience. Knox has earned the endorsement of every law enforcement agency in the County, as well as state and local organizations such as the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, PORAC, the California Narcotics Officers Association and the California Gang Investigators Association. Mary has advanced social justice while preventing crime in Contra Costa County.  She brought anti-bias training to the District Attorney’s Office and has fought to end discrimination against women in the Contra Costa County’s District Attorney’s Office.

Knox and Becton are the only candidates running for election as District Attorney.  Since this election will be won by a simple majority, the election of the next District Attorney of Contra Costa County will be determined by the votes cast on June 7, 2022.

“Don’t Tax the Sun” event is part of the largest ever submission of live and video-recorded public comments in CPUC history

Organizers claim tax will boost utility profits at the expense of clean energy needs 

San Francisco—Hundreds of solar workers, consumers, clean energy advocates, community leaders, conservationists, and climate activists will join together at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) headquarters building in San Francisco on Thursday to protest the CPUC’s latest proposal to tax rooftop solar and drastically reduce the credits consumers receive for selling their solar energy back to the grid.

After a brief rally, solar supporters will line up to give public comments during the CPUC meeting. In Los Angeles, another thousand solar supporters will record their video testimonials to submit to the CPUC. Combined, Thursday’s actions are expected to be the largest ever submission of live and video-recorded public comments in CPUC history.

• WHAT: 500+ ‘Don’t Tax the Sun’ rally and largest ever CPUC public comment submission
• WHEN: Thursday, June 2 at 11:00am PDT
• WHERE: CPUC headquarters at 505 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco where the CPUC will be opening its doors to in-person public comment.
• WHO:  Large and diverse coalition of solar supporters.
• VISUALS: Rally and more than 500 solar supporters lined-up to give public comments wearing bright red ‘Don’t Tax the Sun’ tee-shirts with signs and banners.

The CPUC is currently considering changes to “net energy metering,” the state policy that makes rooftop solar more affordable for consumers of all types by compensating them for the excess energy they produce and share with their neighbors. Currently 1.5 million consumers use net metering, including thousands of public schools, churches and affordable housing developments, and it is the main driver of California’s world-renowned rooftop solar market. As a result of net metering, working and middle class neighborhoods are just under half of the rooftop solar market and the fastest growing segment today.

Big utilities want to change the rules in their favor in order to eliminate a growing competitor, keep consumers stuck in utility monopolies, and maintain the need for costly and often dangerous transmission lines that are a key driver of utility profits and ratepayer costs.

Despite the overwhelming popularity of rooftop solar and net metering in California, the CPUC is considering a proposed decision, favored by investor-owned utilities, to implement a monthly solar penalty tax while also slashing credits consumers receive for their excess solar energy.

The CPUC had previously proposed a similar steep tax on rooftop solar and an immediate gutting of the credits of solar consumers. The unpopular proposed decision was shelved for an indefinite amount of time earlier this year after intense backlash and public disapproval from Governor Newsom. The CPUC’s recent ruling to re-open its net energy metering procedures seems again to be pursuing a tax, this time hidden and under a different name.

By contrast, solar supporters want to keep solar growing and affordable for all types of consumers, ensure California remains on track with its clean energy and land conservation goals, and accelerate the growth of solar plus storage to build a more resilient electric grid.

About Save California Solar

Save California Solar is a coalition formed to help ensure that rooftop solar continues to grow and benefit every Californian. Save CA Solar includes more than 600 diverse organizations and helped generate 150,000+ public comments submitted in support of net metering ahead of the CPUC proposed decision. Learn more at www.savecasolar.org.

Multiple Antioch Police officers and vehicles were in the Marina boat launch parking lot to investigate a man’s body found in the river on Memorial Day afternoon, Monday, May 30, 2021. In the distance can be seen Monica’s Riverview restaurant near where Sheriff’s Deputies recovered the body. Photo by Ronn Carter

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff & Allen D. Payton

View of boat launch from I Street near where the body was recovered on Monday, May 30, 2022. By Ronn Carter

On Monday, May 30, 2022, at about 3:53 PM, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol was dispatched to a report of a body that was floating on the water on the San Joaquin River near the Antioch marina boat ramp. Marine patrol deputy sheriffs arrived and recovered the body, an adult male. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The Coroner’s Division took custody of the body.

An autopsy was conducted today, Tuesday, May 31. The cause of death is listed as asphyxia due to drowning. The Coroner’s Division is still trying to identify the man.

Antioch resident Ronn Carter who was out for a bike ride on Memorial Day afternoon said Antioch Police were investigating a body found in the water near the boat ramp at the Marina and part of the boat ramp was taped off. As of 5:00 p.m. the body had not been recovered, according to Antioch Police Officer Kendall.

Antioch Police Officers on Monica’s Riverview pier on Monday, May 30, 2022. By Ronn Carter

Another Antioch resident, Michael Mello said he saw three police cars at the Amtrak station, two on the west side of Monica’s Riverview as he was driving into the restaurant’s parking lot and three or four more cars in the boat ramp parking lot.

Carter later said he saw law enforcement personnel in a boat remove the body from near Monica’s Riverview. But the boat carrying the body – which wasn’t visible – didn’t use the boat ramp near the marina because there were too many people nearby. Instead, it turned and headed east.

The Sheriff’s Marine Patrol boat went to another location to meet the coroner.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division at (925) 313-2850. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Anthony Slaney #4 became the third different Limited Late Model Main Event winner on the tour with his Antioch triumph. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…May 28…Anthony Slaney won the 20 lap Xtreme Scaffolding Limited Limited Late Model Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. He’s the third different winner in as many races on the tour this year, and the race would go without a yellow flag.

Past Marysville and Placerville champion Matt Micheli took the early lead ahead of Slaney and Dan Brown Jr. Brown went low in Turn 4 on Lap 5 to take second from Slaney, and Dan Jinkerson briefly took third from Slaney on Lap 10. Within a few laps, the Top 5 competitors ran nose to tail, and Slaney made a big move on the outside in Turn 4 on Lap 13 to regain second. A low pass in Turn 3 of the 14th lap gained Slaney the lead. Jinkerson made an inside pass on the backstretch on Lap 16 to take second, but he spun in Turn 4 a lap later without a yellow flag. Slaney went on to victory ahead of Brown, Micheli, Kiely Ricardo and Brian Pearce.

Aaron Crowell #29c is the fourth different IMCA Modified Main Event winner of the year at Antioch Speedway. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Aaron Crowell won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. This was the first win of the season for the 2004 champion. Crowell jumped into the early lead after the race had been restarted. Trevor Clymens was an early second. Clymens surrendered second to Kellen Chadwick in traffic on Lap 10 with Troy Foulger following closely into third. A blanket three-car battle developed for the lead with Crowell leading Chadwick and Foulger. As Foulger fell back a little bit in the waning laps, Chadwick took one more shot at Crowell, but Crowell prevailed at the checkered flag. Foulger settled for third, followed by Anthony Slaney and Clymens.

Fred Ryland #7j grabbed the IMCA Sport Modified point lead with his third win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Fred Ryland won his third 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The race was destined to go without a yellow flag, and Nick Zapatero bolted into the lead at the start ahead of Kevin Brown. Brown surrendered second to Chuck Golden on Lap 4 as Golden went low in Turn 4. Ryland made his first appearance in the Top 5 on Lap 7 and quickly moved into third behind Kenny Shrader after Golden hit the Turn 2 wall on Lap 9. Ryland slipped past Shrader for second on Lap 15. Zapatero was nursing some front end damage as he tried to protect his lead, but Ryland closed in on him with two laps to go. Zapatero went high exiting the final turn, and Ryland ducked low to make his winning pass and score the victory. Zapatero was a career best second, ahead of Shrader, Jacob Mallet Jr and Tommy Fraser.

Jim Freethy #99 won his second Super Stock Main Event of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Jim Freethy won the 15 lap Super Stock Main Event. This was the second win of the season for the reigning division champion. The division’s all time win leader and two-time champion Mike Gustafson returned to action and set the early pace ahead of Freethy and Joey Ridgeway Jr. A low move in Turn 2 of the fourth lap put Freethy into the lead with Ridgeway going low in Turn 3 to get second. The yellow flag waved on Lap 9 for Ridgeway in Turn 4, and Jimmy Robbins pitted with a flat tire. Freethy continued to lead the restart with Robbins going high in Turn 2 to take second from Gustafson. Freethy led the rest of the way to win ahead of Robbins, Gustafson, Ridgeway and Michael Burch.

Racing resumes next Saturday night with IMCA Modifieds back in action along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Delta Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results – May 28, 2022

Xtreme Limited Late Models 

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Dan Jinkerson Anthony Slaney. Main Event (20 laps) – Anthony Slaney, Dan Brown Jr, Matt Micheli, Kiely Ricardo, Brian Pearce, Fred Ryland, Ray Trimble, Rod Oliver, Dan Jinkerson, Jay Norton.

IMCA Modifieds 

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Troy Foulger, Kellen Chadwick. Main Event (20 laps) – Aaron Crowell, Kellen Chadwick, Troy Foulger, Anthony Slaney, Trevor Clymens, Bobby Motts Jr, Terry DeCarlo Jr, Kenneth Robles, Gary Hylton, Eric Berendsen.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Fred Ryland, Kenny Shrader. Main Event (20 laps) – Fred Ryland, Nick Zapatero, Kenny Shrader, Jacob Mallet Jr, Tommy Fraser, Andrew Pearce, Chuck Golden, Kevin Brown, Tyler Browne, Johnathan Hagio.

Super Stocks

Heat Winner (8 laps) – Jim Freethy. Main Event (15 laps) – Jim Freethy, Jimmy Robbins, Mike Gustafson, Joey Ridgeway Jr, Michael Burch, Wayne Trimble DNS.

CHP helicopter H-30 locates injured mountain biker on Mt. Diablo Monday morning, May 30, 2022. Photo: CHP-Golden Gate Division Air Operations

After rescuing another injured mountain biker in Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa

According to a post on the CHP-Golden Gate Division Air Operations’ Facebook page, Monday afternoon

“Earlier today, H-30 responded with CAL FIRE/Napa County Fire Department and AMR Napa County to report of an injured mountain biker in Skyline Park. H-30 located the patient and transported him to the trailhead for transport by ground ambulance.

H-30 departed that rescue and assisted Con Fire and San Ramon Valley Fire with an injured mountain biker on Mount Diablo. H-30 was able to locate the rider who was ejected off trail. H-30 landed near the rider and assisted until firefighters arrived at the scene. H-30 departed that rescue and headed to Milpitas for a third pending rescue.”

CHP Medevac helicopter H-32 waits on Hwy 160 to transport one of the injured boys to Children’s Hospital in Oakland. Photo: CHP-Golden Gate Division Air Operations

Three children in car with him and 70-year-old woman driving other car sustain major injuries

He was driving “at high speed…borderline reckless” – Mark Leavitt, PIO, CHP-South Sacramento

By Allen D. Payton

A San Ramon man suspected of driving under the influence died in a crash he caused on Highway 160 north of the Antioch bridge late Sunday night. Three children in the car with him and the 70-year-old female driver of the car he struck sustained major injuries. They were taken to hospitals in Walnut Creek, Oakland and Sacramento.

According to Mark Leavitt, PIO for CHP-South Sacramento, “It happened, last night about 10:20 p.m. There two vehicles involved. We had multiple callers and witnesses. A Mazda was traveling on 160 toward the bridge at high speed, according to witnesses, and borderline reckless, and possible DUI. We’re treating it as a DUI.

The Mazda crossed over the solid double yellow lines. At the same time an Audi was traveling northbound on 160, and the Mazda struck the Audi. The Mazda overturned from the crash.”

The Audi was traveling at approximately 55 mph. The Mazda struck the Audi, spinning the Audi into the righthand shoulder. The Mazda came to rest on its roof blocking the southbound lane.

“The driver of the Mazda was from San Ramon, he was born in 1983 and estimated to be 38,” Leavitt continued. “He was not wearing his seatbelt and was pronounced deceased at the scene. In the Mazda there were three juveniles, a 15-year-old female in the front passenger seat, two males ages six and four in the rear seat. We don’t believe the children in the back seat were belted, and no child seats were found in the car.

All the children had major injuries. We don’t know the relationship of anyone in the car. We haven’t determined that yet. The 15-year-old was taken to John Muir Walnut Creek by ambulance

One of the boys was taken by Life Flight helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Oakland. The other boy was taken to U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.”

“In the other vehicle was just a driver no passengers, a 71-year-old woman from Rio Vista,” Leavitt continued. “She has major injuries and was taken to John Muir Walnut Creek, also by ambulance. They say she’s in stable condition.”

“We do believe the driver of the Mazda was DUI according to witnesses and the 15-year-old girl in the car,” he stated. “We won’t know for sure until the Sacramento County Coroner’s autopsy is completed.”

“Contra Costa CHP assisted us, as well, since it’s close to the border of our jurisdictions,” Leavitt added.

According to CHP-Golden Gate Division Air Operations in a post on their Facebook page Monday morning, “Late last night, H-32 responded with firefighters from Solano and Sacramento Counties to a report of a head on collision, Highway 160 near Sherman Island.

As ground resources arrived at the scene it was determined that one of the occupants was deceased and there were at least two young children who were critically injured.

H-32 transported one of the children to Children’s Hospital in Oakland while the other was transported by REACH to UC Davis.

Two additional patients were taken by ground ambulance to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.”

Becton speaking at pro-Roe v Wade rally on the county courthouse steps on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Source: Becton’s campaign Facebook page.

County school board member Avila Farias calls Herald readers “white supremacist cult followers”

By Allen D. Payton

DA Becton with Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and two other attendees at the May 14 rally. Source: Becton campaign Facebook page.

District Attorney Diana Becton spoke at a rally on the county courthouse steps on last week in support of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortions nationwide and touted her endorsement by Planned Parenthood.

In a post on her campaign Facebook page that day Becton wrote, “It was an honor to speak at the rally to kick off the day. Access to safe abortions is a public safety issue. I will always, proudly, stand by our right to privacy and our right to choose!

This morning we gathered at the Martinez Courthouse steps to rally in support of Roe vs Wade. Over 100 Contra Costan’s rallied and then got on buses to go rally in Sacramento or walk out neighborhoods in support of pro-choice candidates.

Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan said it best today, if we are going to protect our right to choose we have to elect pro choice candidates up and down the ballot. I’m proud to be the only candidate running for Contra Costa District Attorney that is endorsed by Planned Parenthood.”

Becton, an ordained Baptist minister who preaches in her and her husband’s church and has the title of “reverend”, was asked the following questions about her position on abortion and endorsement by Planned Parenthood:

“As a Baptist minister, someone who claims to be a Christian and as an African American how can you support abortion and Planned Parenthood, which was both founded in racist eugenics and continues to target Black and Hispanic communities, today by locating most of their facilities in their neighborhoods and aborting more of their unborn babies combined, than white babies, following the original mission of Margaret Sanger to keep their populations down? Why would you want the endorsement of an organization like that?”

In addition, she was asked, “how can you justify your position with what is written in the Bible in both Jeremiah 1, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart’ and in Psalm 139, ‘For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb’?”

Instead of responding to the emailed questions, on Friday, May 20, Becton posted the following on her campaign’s Facebook page and Twitter feed:

“In the spirit of transparency, I am sharing the questions I received today from the so-called ‘press’ outlet @antiochheraldca & @cocoherald.

For the record, I’m proud to be the ONLY candidate running for Contra Costa District Attorney that is endorsed by @PPact.

A woman’s right to choose is fundamental. It is non negotiable. A woman’s power — her constitutional right to make choices about her personal health care —  is a matter of public safety every day and every hour, and it must be protected. #BansOffOurBodies”.

Anamarie Avila Farias’ comment on Becton’s campaign Facebook page.

County School Board Trustee Avila Farias calls Herald readers “white supremacist cult followers”

In a comment beneath the post on Becton’s campaign Facebook page, Contra Costa County Board of Education Trustee for Area 3, Anamarie Avila Farias

She wrote, “Pro Choice -Catholic Mexican Mama here, the hope I have for my daughter, and all of our children, is that they grow up with the freedom to determine their own course in life and that starts with their own reproductive freedom. Thank you DA Becton of occupying various spaces of justice!”

Avila Farias then took a nasty, baseless swipe at this reporter and the readers of the Herald writing, “Allen Payton and all his white supremacist cult followers spew nothing but discrimination, machismo, and cultural stereotypes which are largely responsible for the barriers Latinas and people of color face in accessing proper healthcare, especially around reproductive rights.

We all know what to do Co Co County – Re- Elect Diana Becton! The Prosecutor office must reflect the communities they serve and the changing demographics!”

The election is June 7 in which Becton is facing a challenge from Deputy District Attorney Mary Knox.

Cull Canyon Swim Complex in Castro Valley. Photo by Jennifer Vanya. Source: EBRPD

Contra Loma Swim Lagoon in Antioch closed this weekend and for swim season due to required but delayed maintenance and safety repairs

All regional parks in the East Bay will be open this Memorial Day for annual holiday gatherings and celebratory festivities. Parks are anticipated to be busy and some at full capacity early, so park staff recommend arriving early to secure first-come, first-served, non-reservable picnic sites.

Many lifeguarded swim areas will also be open for visitors, including Castle Rock Pool at Diablo Foothills in Walnut Creek, Cull Canyon in Castro Valley, Don Castro in Hayward, and Lake Temescal in Oakland. Non-life-guarded beaches include Keller Beach at Miller Knox Regional Park in Richmond and Robert Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda. Unfortunately, many of the Park District’s most popular swim areas, including Del Valle, Shadow Cliffs, and Lake Anza will be closed due to water quality, low water conditions, or construction and maintenance repairs.

“We regret the inconvenience and limitations on the public’s use of all of our swim facilities,” said Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor.

Park District swim facilities face ongoing challenges related to climate change, including cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and low water levels. Water quality is tested regularly during the swim season to ensure it is safe for the public. Visitors should check the status of swim facilities before they go by visiting www.ebparks.org/swimming.

Open Swim Facilities for Memorial Day Weekend are:

• Castle Rock Pool– OPENING May 28
• Cull Canyon Swim Lagoon – OPEN
• Don Castro Swim Lagoon – OPENING May 28
• Lake Temescal Swim Beach – OPENING May 28

Swim areas that are Closed for Memorial Day Weekend are:

• Contra Loma Swim Lagoon – CLOSED for swim season due to required maintenance and safety repairs.
• Lake Anza Swim Beach – CLOSED due to scheduled maintenance and ongoing water quality uncertainty.
• Del Valle Swim Beach – CLOSED due to Blue-Green Algae.
• Quarry Lakes Swim Beach – CLOSED due to Blue-Green Algae.
• Roberts Pool– CLOSED for renovation and new pool facility construction.
• Shadow Cliffs Swim Beach – CLOSED due to extreme drought and low water levels.

UPDATE: Parks Staff Explain Delay in Repairs

Mason and Park District Ward 7 Director Colin Coffey, who represents Antioch, were asked why the Contra Loma Swim Lagoon wasn’t repaired during the off-season so it could be open this summer.

In response, Lisa Goorjian, Chief of Design and Construction said, “it’s important to remember safety is our number one priority. For the lagoon to operate properly, it needs repairs. The delay was two-fold. It’s a complex lagoon. We’ve been working on a waterproofing seal. It’s specialized and it’s been difficult to secure due to the global supply chain issues. It’s been challenging to identify the right product. The lagoon is different than a swimming pool because it has sand. So, it makes it difficult to find something that will work with the sand and not have the seal fail.”

“We’ve been working with our contractor who is working with a supplier to identify the material,” she continued. “The lagoon original material was coming to the end of its life and when we initially made repairs in 2020, we used a new material. The original material is no longer available. We found out our conditions were such that the new material was not successful.”

“We understand that it’s a disappointment and we’re working hard to get it fixed,” Goorjian added. “We are working with our regional partners to provide swimming in eastern Contra Costa County to accommodate swim needs.”

“It is very distressing as Contra Loma is the backyard pool to so many in the area,” Coffey responded. “I asked Lisa to talk to you given she has been overseeing the project. I know it was planned to be completed by swim season.  I am hoping we are able to expand hours at another swim facility, like Ambrose, with placement of our lifeguards and covering overhead.  Staff is working on that.  Have a good holiday weekend.”

Swimming fees vary by facility. However, swimming is free for Regional Parks Foundation members. For information about becoming a Regional Parks Foundation member, visit regionalparksfoundation.org.

Walk-ins for all open locations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. Cull Canyon and Don Castro also offer optional swim entry registration on weekends and holidays to guarantee admission. To reserve your all-day swim entry, register at www.bit.ly/3NtZnLk.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.