Antonio Morales. Photo courtesy of CCCSheriff

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff are looking for 22-year-old Antonio Morales of Oakley in connection to an attempted homicide incident in Byron.

At about 2:04 AM on September 2, 2017, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report of a shooting on the 3000 block of Taylor Road in Bryon. Callers also reported an unknown suspect speeding through a parking lot with his vehicle aimed toward a group of people. Initial reports indicated the vehicle, a Nissan Maxima, struck numerous people, shots had been fired and several people were injured.

The suspect vehicle fled the scene. Two people were hit by the car. They were treated and released from the hospital. Detectives later identified Morales, the driver, as the suspect. There is a warrant for his arrest for two counts of attempted murder.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Morales or on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip line at (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Screenshot from drone video of construction work at the Highway 4 and Balfour Road interchange in Brentwood, Tues., Sept. 12, 2017. Courtesy of Alta Vista Solutions.

Emerging drone technology moves construction and engineering into the future

On Tuesday morning, September 12, 2017, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and Alta Vista Solutions showcased two emerging technologies on a construction project aimed to improve commutes on Highway 4 in Brentwood (aka the Bypass). Engineers piloted drones equipped with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) lasers–a surveying tool that uses a laser to create high-resolution geographical data.

The combination of the two emerging technologies has never been done in construction before and opens untold possibilities for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and related jobs in the future.  CCTA featured the system in action by providing a live feed of a drone flight.  The feed from this morning’s drone flight can be viewed at altavistasolutions.com/media – bar .

With assistance from engineering firm Alta Vista Solutions (Alta Vista), who proposed the new method, CCTA is flying the LiDAR scanners to measure the volumes of earth that need to be moved during this $74-million project to rework the Balfour Road interchange. The drones ensure that the cut-and-fill earthwork goes efficiently. With LiDAR’s pinpoint accuracy, CCTA can now make needed calculations and monitor site conditions faster, eliminating the unavoidable guesswork involved in manual surveys. Putting LiDAR on drones gathers 15 gigabytes of precise, high-quality data per month, cutting down drastically on time spent surveying. The drones also improve safety by taking workers out of live traffic.

Drone capabilities enable CCTA to track construction progress firsthand as work on Highway 4 continues.

“We are always looking for new ways to increase safety and efficiency on construction projects,” said CCTA Executive Director Randy Iwasaki. “Drones give us aerial views of the site that were hard to come by before, making it safer for surveyors to do their job and helping us manage the large volumes of dirt that are being used to improve this intersection. This technology also allows us to monitor environmentally sensitive areas without disturbing the habitat.”

“This will change engineering and surveying,” said Ed Greutert, principal engineer at Alta Vista Solutions. “Innovations like combining LiDAR and UAVs are opening doors in infrastructure and making us efficient, effective, and safe in ways we couldn’t achieve before.”

Greutert also addresses fears of job loss as automation increases. “Using technology to do the surveying work can lead people to ask if this is the next step to the robot apocalypse – are drones going to take our jobs?” he speculates. “Not quite. It’s going to change jobs. It’s going to create new jobs in technology—and in the Balfour Road case, help people get to work faster.”

CCTA has faced challenges in being the first to test these technologies together.

“This has never been done. LiDAR on a UAV hasn’t worked until now – there are huge possibilities if we can be creative enough to really tap into them,” Greutert noted.

Handling the unprecedented quantity of data generated has also posed a challenge. However, in recent months, the team has succeeded in processing the hundreds of gigabytes collected.

“There are always challenges to pioneering new technology,” Iwasaki said. “But with the benefits this technology can provide in terms of keeping workers safe and managing a complicated construction project, I believe we’ll start to see more widespread use of drones on construction sites within a few years – especially as we discover new applications that can help save time and money. Right now, CCTA is excited to be leading efforts in this new frontier.”

About the Contra Costa Transportation Authority

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts.  CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go.  CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable.  More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.

About Alta Vista Solutions

Alta Vista is a California-based engineering firm that has been recognized as the 20th fastest-growing engineering firm in America by Inc. 5000 and was named by Zweig Group as one of America’s Hot Firms. Alta Vista has quickly differentiated itself by performing customized quality management strategies for some of the most complex infrastructure projects in the world. Over the past decade, Alta Vista has worked with public and private organizations to complete large-scale engineering projects that better serve their regions. Known for engineering services that include engineering, inspection, testing, unmanned aerial systems, quality management, and structural health monitoring, Alta Vista has grown and diversified and has been acknowledged in 2017 by ENR Magazine and other media outlets for using innovative solutions and technologies to deliver infrastructure projects faster, better and more cost effectively.  For more information about Alta Vista, visit altavistasolutions.com.

Discovery Bay Odyssey of the Mind students benefited by the 2016 Dow CAP Grant. Photo courtesy of Dow Chemical Pittsburg.

Deadline for applications is Monday, Sept. 18

Do you know a local non-profit in need of funding? Tell them about the 2017 Dow Community Advisory Panel (CAP) Grant. We invite eligible organizations in East Contra Costa County to submit grant proposals for projects supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and contribute to improving our community and environment.

Last year, the Dow Community Grant helped our friends at Discovery Bay Odyssey of the Mind prepare for their trip to the Odyssey of the Mind Eurofest competition in Minks, Belarus. The teams, consisting of 8th graders from Excelsior Middle and 5th graders from Discovery Bay Elementary, took home 1st and 2nd place trophies from the GLOBAL competition.

We continue to support STEM/STEAM organizations this year with our 2017 CAP Grant. Apply today. Deadline to apply is September 18.

Don’t …miss out on this opportunity to do great things for your organization. #STEM #STEAM #Grant #ContraCostaCounty

For questions, contact Taylor Gonzalez at tgonzalez2@dow.com. More info: http://www.dow.com/pittsburg/community/cap/ Apply here: http://www.cybergrants.com/dow/applications/open

On September 11, 2017, at 11:02 AM Antioch Police Officers responded to a reported robbery at Lauryn Jewelers located at 5887 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. It was learned that two individuals entered the business and assaulted the clerk with pepper spray. The suspects smashed multiple jewelry cases and stole an undisclosed amount of jewelry. They fled into the parking lot on foot. The clerk was uninjured and treated for the pepper spray exposure.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Jeff Decker #84 moved even closer to his third DIRTcar Late Model championship with his fifth Main Event win, Saturday night, Sept. 9 at the Antioch Speedway. Photo by Paul Gould

By Don Martin, II

Antioch, CA…September 9…Jeff Decker won the 20-lap DIRTcar Late Model Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway.  This was the fifth win of the season for the point leader.  Paul Guglielmoni paced the first three Main Event laps ahead of Decker.  A lap four restart provided Decker with an opportunity to race by Guglielmoni on the back stretch for the lead.  Reigning champion Richard Papenhausen moved into second and started pressuring Decker for the lead.  However, Decker pulled away in the waning laps to record the impressive victory.  Papenhausen settled for second ahead of Terry Kuntz, Kimo Oreta and Jim Freethy.

Art McCarthy #19 and crew celebrate his second Winged 360 Sprint Car win in the last three races. Photo by Paul Gould

Art McCarthy won his second 20 lap All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event.  The ageless Sprint Car veteran has two wins and a second in his last three starts as he continues to cut into Marissa Polizzi’s point lead.  McCarthy and fellow heat winner Dan Gonderman shared the front row for the Main Event, but title contender Burt Foland Jr. raced into second behind McCarthy at the start.  There were two early yellow flags, but the final 17 laps went all green.  McCarthy was being careful with a slower car on lap 15, allowing Foland to close the gap.  McCarthy made a move past the slower car on the back stretch and continued his rapid pace for a well-earned victory.  Foland settled for his fourth second place finish.  Gonderman won a close battle with Polizzi for third as Ricky Brophy rounded out the Top 5.

Kellen Chadwick #83 won his third A Modified Main Event. Photo by Paul Gould

Kellen Chadwick returned to action and won his third A Modified Main Event.  The race was a battle of attrition as several drivers didn’t make it to the end.  Chadwick was the class of the field as he grabbed the win ahead point point leader Bobby Motts Jr.  Heat race winner Scott Busby settled for third ahead of Sean O’Gara and Gregg McElhaney.

Reigning B Modified champion Trevor Clymens won his fifth 20 lap Main Event of the season.  The race looked like it would go to past A Modified champion Kenny Neu.  Neu led the first 13 laps through multiple yellow flags.  Clymens was running second when Neu slowed in Turn 4 for a lap 14 caution flag.  Clymens led the pack on the restart and led the rest of the way for the victory.  Mark Garner battled point leader K.C. Keller for a second-place finish as Tommy Frazier and Nick Caughman Jr. completed the Top 5.

Reigning B Modified champion Trevor Clymens #2c celebrates his fifth win with his family and crew. Photo by Paul Gould

Kimo Oreta collected his fourth 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event victory in the Sun Drop Racing #15 car.  Oreta had a front row start in a race that was destined to go non-stop, and he charged into the lead at the drop of the green flag.  He stretched his advantage to a half-lap ahead of second place by the time Bob Kempf threw the checkered flag, leaving the battle was for second.  Despite relentless pressure from Mark Garner, Lori Brown kept her cool and earned a season best second place finish.  Mike Gustafson made a couple of late passes to finish fourth ahead of fellow heat race winner Jim Freethy.

Limited Late Model point leader Kimo Oreta #15 stretched his point lead with his fourth Main Event win. Photo by Paul Gould

Melissa Myers won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event.  This was the second win of the season for the two time division champion.  Jordon Swank led the Main Event for four laps before Chris Long made a high move in Turn 4 to grab the lead.  Long slowed on the back stretch as Swank and Myers made it a three wide race up front on lap seven.  Long fell back several positions, but a red flag flew moments later for a blocked race track exit.  Long was back in the lead for the restart, but he slowed on lap nine.  Myers raced into the lead at that point ahead of Brent Curran.  Myers led the final ten laps to win ahead of Curran, Gene Haney, Cameron Swank and point leader Chris Sorensen.

Melissa Myers #33 (right) and passenger Rachel Slaney (left) win the Hobby Stock Main Event. Photo by Paul Gould

Jason Armstrong won the 15 lap Bay Area Hardtops Main Event.  This was the 15th running of the Chet Thomson Memorial, and the race ran non-stop.  Armstrong sprinted out to a straightaway lead over the dueling Ken Retzloff and Tommy Thomson, but Armstrong slowed his pace in traffic on lap six.  Retzloff used traffic to break away from Thomson, and he chased Armstrong closely.  However, Armstrong scored his second straight Thomson Memorial win ahead of Retzloff.  Thomson managed to hold off last starter Kimo Oreta for third as Dan Williams rounded out the Top 5.

Next Saturday is the 2nd Annual John Soares Sr. Top Dog Memorial, which honors the man who promoted Antioch Speedway from its opening in 1961 to 1980.  The All Star Series Winged 360 Sprints are back along with the DIRTcar Late Models, A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Dwarf Cars and Hobby Stocks.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

All Star Series Antioch Speedway – Unofficial Race Results

DIRTcar Late Models Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Dennis Souza, Richard Papenhausen.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Jeff Decker, Richard Papenhausen, Terry Kuntz, Kimo Oreta, Jim Freethy.

Winged 360 Sprint Cars Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Art McCarthy, Dan Gonderman.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Art McCarthy, Burt Foland Jr., Dan Gonderman, Marissa Polizzi, Ricky Brophy.

A Modifieds Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Brian Pearce, Scott Busby.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Kellen Chadwick, Bobby Motts Jr., Scott Busby, Sean O’Gara, Gregg McElhaney.

B Modifieds Heat Winners (8 Laps)-K.C. Keller, Mark Garner.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Trevor Clymens, Mark Garner, K.C. Keller, Tommy Frazier, Nick Caughman Jr.

Limited Late Models Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Jim Freethy, Mike Gustafson.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Kimo Oreta, Lori Brown, Mark Garner, Mike Gustafson, Jim Freethy.

Hobby Stocks Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Cameron Swank, Chris Long.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Melissa Myers, Brent Curran, Gene Haney, Cameron Swank, Chris Sorensen.

Bay Area Hardtops Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Jason Armstrong.  Main Event-Jason Armstrong, Ken Retzloff, Tommy Thomson, Kimo Oreta, Dan Williams.

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced he will host two upcoming “Service Academy Nights” in Pleasant Hill and Richmond. All students living in the Eleventh Congressional District of California who would like to apply to one of the nation’s premier service academies are invited to attend.

At each of the events, service academy representatives will be on hand to speak with interested students, including members from the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy (aka West Point). Service academy representatives will give presentations, and Congressman DeSaulnier’s staff will provide a briefing on the nomination process.

Students who wish apply to a service academy must ensure a completed application is received by Congressman DeSaulnier’s office no later than October 31, 2017.

Richmond Service Academy Night Thursday, September 14, 2017 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Richmond City Council Chambers 440 Civic Center Plaza First Floor Richmond, CA 94804

Pleasant Hill Service Academy Night Thursday, September 28, 2017 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Diablo Valley College The Diablo Room, 3rd Floor HFS Building 321 Golf Club Road Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Details: A map of DVC’s campus can be found here.

For more information on applying to any of the service academies or to RSVP, please contact Congressman DeSaulnier’s office at ca11.rsvp@mail.house.gov or (925) 933-2660.

By Public Information Officer Brandon Correia, Contra Costa CHP

On Friday, September 8, 2017, at about 9:34 PM a freeway shooting occurred on Highway 4 eastbound around Somersville Road in Antioch. The driver in the victims’ vehicle was struck and his passenger was not. The victim drove himself and passenger to a local hospital in Antioch.  An unknown suspect vehicle with unknown occupants fled the scene and continued on Highway 4 eastbound.

CHP arrived on scene and at the hospital to contact the victim.  The male driver had indeed been shot in his upper extremity and his injury was non-life threatening. CHP also inspected the victims’ vehicle and it did appear that it had been shot.

CHP also shut down areas of Highway 4 by Somersville Road to search for, locate, and secure evidence located at the scene.

This is still an ongoing investigation and are still investigating whether this was a targeted shooting or an isolated road rage incident.