As part of the Highway 4 construction work, the contractor will be erecting temporary supports for the new Highway 4 bridges over Lone Tree Way/A Street. In order to ensure crew and public safety during this work, the contractor will close all lanes of Lone Tree Way/A Street in the northbound and southbound directions between the westbound Highway 4 onramp and the eastbound Highway 4 on-ramp on Monday through Thursday evenings, September 30 to October 3, from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am.

The detours for this work will be as follows:

o Southbound motorists will be directed left on Bryan Avenue, right on Sunset Drive, right on Cavallo Road, right on Tregallas Road to Lone Tree Way. For detour map, please see attachment.

o Northbound motorists will be directed right on Tregallas Road, left on Cavallo Road, left on Sunset Drive, left on Bryan Avenue to A Steet. For detour map, please see attachment.

All on and off ramps at the Lone Tree Way/A Street interchange will remain open with the following exceptions: The westbound on-ramp from Lone Tree Way/A Street will be closed on Tuesday through Thursday evenings from 11:59 pm to 3:00 am, Friday morning.

The Highway 4 projects include improvements to the entire project corridor that will help revitalize eastern Contra Costa County. The projects expand Highway 4 from four to eight lanes between Loveridge Road and SR-160, and add a BART extension from Pittsburg to Antioch (eBART). The projects will also expand the highway from two to four lanes from Lone Tree Way to Sand Creek Road.

This will greatly improve transit accessibility for the region and help reduce traffic congestion and enhance the quality of life for the more than 250,000 residents of eastern Contra Costa County. The projects have been carefully staged to keep 130,000 vehicles per day moving as major construction and demolition work continue, and include over $1.3 billion in State, Federal, Regional Bridge Toll, and Contra Costa Measures C & J sales tax funds.

Caltrans and CCTA appreciate your patience as we work to improve the highways. For the most current

information on all Highway 4 corridor closures please visit our website at: http://4eastcounty.org.

As part of the Highway 4 construction work, the contractor will be performing various activities on the new concrete pavement. In order to ensure crew and public safety during this work, the contractor will close all lanes of eastbound Highway 4 between Loveridge Road and Somersville Road/Auto Center Drive on Tuesday morning, October 1, from 1:00 am to 5:00 am.

The detour for this work will be as follows:

o Eastbound motorists will be directed off the highway at Loveridge Road, right on Loveridge Road, left on E. Leland Road, becomes Delta Fair Boulevard, left on Somersville Road, and right onto the eastbound Highway 4 on-ramp from Somersville Road/Auto Center Drive. For detour map, please see attachment.

The contractor will close all lanes of eastbound Highway 4 between Somersville Road/Auto Center Drive and Lone Tree Way/A Street on Tuesday through Thursday evenings, October 1-3, from 11:59 pm to 5:00 am, and if necessary, Saturday morning, October 5, from 1:00 am to 6:00 am.

The detour for this work will be as follows:

o Eastbound motorists will be directed off the highway at Somersville Road/Auto Center Drive, right on Somersville Road, left on Delta Fair Boulevard, left on Buchanan Road, becomes Fitzuren Road, right on G Street, left on Putnam Street, left on Lone Tree Way, and right onto the eastbound Highway 4 on-ramp from Lone Tree Way/A Street. For detour map, please see attachment.

The contractor will close all lanes of westbound Highway 4 between Lone Tree Way/A Street and Contra Loma Boulevard/L Street on Tuesday through Thursday evenings, October 1-3, from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am, and if necessary, Saturday morning, October 5, from 1:00 am to 5:00 am.

The detour for this work will be as follows – See the detour maps by clicking here HIGHWAY 4 TRAFFIC ADVISORY FULL CLOSURES OCT 1-5 2013

o Westbound motorists will be directed off the highway at Lone Tree Way/A Street, right on A Street, left on W. 18th Street, left on L Street, and right onto the westbound Highway 4 on-ramp from Contra Loma Boulevard/L Street. For detour map, please see attachment.

The Highway 4 projects include improvements to the entire project corridor that will help revitalize eastern Contra Costa County. The projects expand Highway 4 from four to eight lanes between Loveridge Road and SR-160, and add a BART extension from Pittsburg to Antioch (eBART). The projects will also expand the highway from two to

four lanes from Lone Tree Way to Sand Creek Road. This will greatly improve transit accessibility for the region and help reduce traffic congestion and enhance the quality of life for the more than 250,000 residents of eastern Contra Costa County. The projects have been carefully staged to keep 130,000 vehicles per day moving as major construction and demolition work continue, and include over $1.3 billion in State, Federal, Regional Bridge Toll, and Contra Costa Measures C & J sales tax funds.

Caltrans and CCTA appreciate your patience as we work to improve the highways. For the most current information on all Highway 4 corridor closures please visit our website at: http://4eastcounty.org.

By Allen Payton

At a very brief council meeting, that lasted less than half an hour tonight, Councilman Gary Agopian shared with the public that he has an inoperable brain tumor for which there is no cure.

“The first thing I want to say is I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior,” Agopian said.”I want to be the man he wants me to be…and that my wife Robin wants me to be.”

He went on to share, with those in attendance, including Robin and His wife Robin and other family members, as well as on live TV on Comcast’s local cable access Channel 24, that he will know more about his condition and any treatments, later this week.

To his fellow council members he said, “I love you. I know that sounds strange being said up here. But I do.”

In a phone conversation, earlier today, Agopian shared that while the tumor, that has crossed over to the other hemisphere in his brain, is inoperable, it’s not untreatable. He’s going to focus on a healthy diet, which many studies and the experiences of others, has shown, can have a significant impact on the healing of someone with cancer.

CORRECTION: But, he also shared that the doctors told him people with his condition have a mean lifespan of two to two-and-a-half years. Half fall on one side, half on the other. Gary doesn’t know where he is on that, yet.

“So, I’m going to continue to serve. I’m not giving up on living,” he stated emphatically during the council meeting. “I’m not giving up on this city.”

Following his words, Mayor Harper and the other three council members shared their thoughts and telling him they were praying for him, loved him and to not give up.

“I just know you’re going to beat this,” Councilwoman Monica Wilson stated. “We’re going to be together at the Rivertown Jamboree in 2015.”

A streaming video from this council meeting, and all regular council meetings held in the Council Chambers can be viewed on the city’s website at www.ci.antioch.ca.us/CityGov/citycouncilmeetings.htm.

By Allen Payton

Agopian

Antioch Councilman Gary Agopian announced this week that he has been diagnosed with brain cancer.  He had an MRI on Tuesday and was meeting with the head neurosurgeon at Stanford Cancer Center on Thursday, according to a Facebook post by his wife Robin, who is a teacher in Antioch.

Agopian, who is a Realtor in Antioch, was  was elected to the Antioch School Board of Trustees in 2006, and in 2008 ran for County Supervisor against Federal Glover and Erik Nunn. When Nunn was killed in a plane crash, after coming in second in the primary race, Agopian, who placed third, replaced Nunn on the ballot, but lost to Glover in the November General Election, later that year.

Agopian then ran for and was elected to the Antioch City Council in 2010. In last November’s election, he run unsuccessfully for Mayor of Antioch, coming in second to Wade Harper. His council term expires next November when he will be up for re-election.

“Thank you for your prayers and kind words. This has been VERY difficult news to hear ~ your support is helping us,” said Robin on her Facebook post.

He and Robin became grandparents this year, when their daughter Heather gave birth to a baby girl. They have two sons, as well, Corey, who graduated from California Baptist University this year, and Jason who is on the Men’s Volleyball team at U.C. Irvine.

On a personal note, Gary’s been a friend of mine for many years and I ask you to join me in praying for him during this time, and his family, as well.

Due to the mandatory evacuation of homes caused by the fire burning near Mt. Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds has been set up as an evacuation center for horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats.

The Fairgrounds are open and equipped to handle large and small livestock brought to the Fairgrounds throughout the night. The barns and pens have been set up, and water is available for the animals. Buckets have been donated by Home Depot of Brentwood, Lone Tree.

Animals are expected to arrive within the next few hours, and the Fairgrounds will continue to receive and house the livestock as long as needed. Residents with livestock who are impacted by the Mt. Diablo fire in the event of an evacuation, or need to remove livestock to a safer location, are encouraged to utilize the Fairgrounds.

For further information about bringing your livestock to the Fairgrounds, please call the Fairgrounds Office at (925) 757-4400. For updated fire information and evacuation updates, contact the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department at (925) 335-1500.

A fire burns near Clayton and Mt. Diablo and filling the sky with smoke over southeast Antioch on Sunday, September 8, 2013. – by Brandon Payton

By Allen Payton

As of 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 8, 2013, a fire near Mt. Diablo and Clayton in the area of Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek Roads, has grown to about 300 to 400 acres, according to Brandon Leittzke, Battalion Chief with CalFire. Evacuations are in progress on Oak Hill Road in Clayton.

In addition to CalFire, other agencies are on the scene actively fighting the blaze, including Contra Costa Fire Department, Marin County Fire Department and others.

An Emergency Alert has been broadcast on television about the fire and evacuations.

For those with livestock being evacuated from Mt. Diablo the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds is now set up as an evacuation center for horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats. Please spread the word to those in need. Call 757-4400 for more information.

The fire near Clayton and Mt. Diablo spreads, filling the sky over Antioch with smoke. By Brandon Payton

The fire had spread up the north peak of Mt. Diablo by 10:30 p.m. – by Allen Payton

The Contra Costa County (County) Aviation Advisory Committee (AAC) is accepting applications for an upcoming opening for an At-Large position; position becomes vacant March 1, 2014. Contra Costa residents are eligible to fill this position to represent all County stakeholders in matters related to Buchanan Field and Byron Airports.

The AAC serves as an advisory group to the Contra Costa County Board (Board) of Supervisors to provide advice and recommendations to the Board on aviation matters related to the Contra Costa County Airports. The AAC typically meets once per month at either Buchanan Field or Byron Airport. If you are interested in serving on the AAC, please contact the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at (925) 335-1900 to obtain an application. Applications must be received by the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2013.

For more information on the Contra Costa County Airports or the AAC visit the Airport’s website at www.buchananfield-byronairports.org or by calling (925) 646-5722.

MARTINEZ, CA – The Contra Costa Community College District (District) sadly announced the passing of Governing Board president Sheila A. Grilli on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at the age of 75. Ms. Grilli represented Ward 3 which included most of Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and the community of Pacheco.

She was first elected to the Governing Board in 1998, and was serving her fourth consecutive term of office.  Grilli is only the third member to represent this area since the District was created in 1948.  Former Ward 3 representatives included founding Governing Board member George R. Gordon for whom the District Office in Martinez is named, and Eugene H. Ross for whom the District Office board room is named.

“Our prayers and sympathies are with the Grilli family and friends,” says Governing Board Vice President John E. Márquez.  “Sheila was a feisty advocate for the students who come to us with hopes of fulfilling their higher education goals with us.  One of my fondest memories will be the joy on her face as she describes her participation at graduation ceremonies and seeing the contribution our colleges make in the lives of our students.  She will be missed.”

After earning her A.A. degree at Diablo Valley College, Grilli attended U.C. Berkeley, where she graduated with a B.A. in English and Journalism.  She then went on to San Francisco State University, where she earned her general secondary teaching credential and taught at Clayton Valley High School. She also studied for her M.A. in English at California State University, Hayward and taught writing there for four years.

During her fifteen years as a Governing Board member, Grilli was a tireless supporter of the community college mission to provide affordable and quality higher education opportunities for our students and the community.  She worked on the passage of Bond Measure A 2002 and 2006 which have modernized our campus facilities to improve the learning environment for students and prepare them for 21^st century jobs and careers.

Grilli was a bookstore owner in Martinez and active in community work.  She served as treasurer of the Muir Heritage Land Trust, secretary of Woodbridge Children’s Centers, and secretary of St. Catherine’s Pastoral Council.  She was also active in the Cal Alumni Association and in the revitalization of downtown Martinez.

In adherence to California Education Code 5091, the Governing Board shall decide within 60 days if the District will order an election or make a provisional appointment to fill the vacancy.

The Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The CCCCD serves a population of 1,065,177 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. The District is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon.  The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez. For more information about the District, visit www.4cd.edu.