Contra Costa Herald

You can too at 10:15am

By BART

BART will participate in the 2026 International ShakeOut Day earthquake drill on Thursday, October 15, to test our emergency response systems and to help raise public awareness of the importance of having a plan and being prepared.

At 10:15am, BART staff will trigger our ShakeAlert early warning earthquake system to ensure it is functioning and working correctly. Once triggered, trains will automatically slow down to 27mph. Then all trains will come to a very brief stop. BART will also make a systemwide public announcement encouraging riders to be prepared for earthquakes. BART will also test our internal communications systems to notify employees and the Operations Control Center will observe earthquake alarms and our train control systems to ensure they are working properly. BART has also added simulated damage inspections to its ShakeAlert drill, which you can read more about below.

ShakeAlert Early Warning Earthquake System

BART is an early adopter of the ShakeAlert system, which is connected to a network of USGS seismic sensors throughout California. When the BART seismic condition threshold is reached is reached, the system sends a speed restriction command to trains. This system removes human response time and can even slow trains down before the shaking occurs depending on how far away the quake is centered.

Emergency Response Plan

BART has an Earthquake Emergency Response Plan, and we hold several drills a year to ensure staff is trained and ready to respond. In the event of an earthquake, riders should listen for instructions from BART personnel. Employees are trained to evacuate the public from dangerous areas.  Following an earthquake, BART trains are held in place (except for trains in the Transbay Tube and Berkeley Hills Tunnel) until it is determined it is safe to move the train to the nearest station where riders will be offboarded.

Earthquake Safety Tips

Where will you be and what will you do when the next big earthquake hits? Taking time to consider these questions now could help if you ever do find yourself in an earthquake.

LISTEN FOR INSTRUCTIONS

That’s one reason why the first guideline in a BART emergency is to follow instructions from BART personnel. The BART Operations Control Center is in constant communication with trains and Station Agents and is in the best position to manage emergencies and provide direction for the public.

ON A TRAIN

If you’re on a train during an earthquake, Train Operators will follow BART’s established emergency plan and provide you with important information. Sit down or grab a handhold to avoid injury. If an evacuation is necessary, emergency response personnel will coordinate.

IN A STATION

If you’re in a station during an earthquake, back away from the edge of the trackway. If you’re in the station concourse, don’t proceed to the platform. Instead, prepare to evacuate the station under the direction of BART personnel.

TRY TEXTING

No matter where you are, emergency experts recommend using text messaging instead of cell calls to communicate with family and loved ones in an emergency. Cell networks can be overwhelmed if everyone’s trying to call at the same time; text messages can be more efficient.

Earthquake Safety Program Completed in 2024

In September 2024, BART completed its Earthquake Safety Program, which retrofitted vulnerable high traffic portions of the original system to make it safer in a large quake. The Earthquake Safety Program was funded in part by Measure AA, a $980 million general obligation BART bond approved by voters in 2004. The program focused on upgrading portions of the original system not only for life safety but also to ensure that we can return to operation shortly after a major earthquake.

Source: ShakeOut.org

BART’s Earthquake Response Team

BART’s Earthquake Response Team (ERT) consists of around sixty engineers and thirty maintenance employees that fan out across the system in the advent of a major earthquake, defined as an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 or greater with an epicenter within 50 miles of the BART system. Since its inception, the ERT has never been activated for a real event, but they train throughout the year to prepare for the real possibility of a massive earthquake rattling the Bay Area.

The Great ShakeOut is the ERT’s big show. Once the international earthquake drill commences, BART staff hit the ground running. ERT members travel to all 50 stations to conduct structural assessments, simulating damage inspections that would occur during a real earthquake. They inspect walkways, support structures, elevators, escalators – anything that could sustain damage in a powerful earthquake.

The Great ShakeOut simulation is designed to exercise “muscle memory” for BART’s earthquake response as well as identifying areas for improvement.

Safety is BART’s mission above all, and the practiced ERT is crucial for getting service up and running quickly.

The team focuses their observations on stations and aerial structures. They’re looking for physical damage – cracks, leaning, displacement, unevenness, and foundation damage – as well as issues like station power outages, falling signage, and water intrusion.

Members of the ERT can be activated at any time, and staff volunteer to join the team. Every ERT member is issued two big backpacks full of supplies they might need, from batteries and measuring tools to safety vests and protein bars. One backpack stays at their house: the other in their office. See what’s inside in the video.

Visit Shakeout.org for simple safety steps during earthquakes.

Photos: Slice House

T-shirt giveaway for first 50 guests and raffle for chance to win free pizza for a year!

Local owners bring award-winning pizza to Contra Costa County with debut of nationally acclaimed fast-casual concept, expanding availability across Nor Cal

By Sarah Nardolillo, Siena Di Roma, Kiara McMahon & Elizabeth Dewey, J. Wade Public Relations

BRENTWOOD, CALIF. – Slice House by Tony Gemignani, the highly successful crafted fast-casual pizza franchise by world renowned pizzaiolo and Bay Area native Tony Gemignani, is proud to announce the October 17, 2026 opening of its first Contra Costa County location in Brentwood. Located at 2523 Sand Creek Road in The Streets of Brentwood outdoor mall, near the AMC Theaters, the new pizzeria will welcome guests to experience Gemignani’s award-winning pizza in a community-driven setting. Opening day events, which begin at 11 a.m., include a Slice House t-shirt giveaway for the first 50 guests and a raffle for the chance to win free pizza for one year.

Nitin and Mansi Bhatia, the brand partners behind the new location, bring a strong local perspective to Slice House Brentwood. They chose the city for their first restaurant because of its close-knit community, growing dining scene, and family-friendly nature. As business owners invested in Contra Costa County, they are focused on creating local jobs, giving back to the community, and offering a welcoming place where residents can gather over handcrafted pizza made with premium, from scratch ingredients.

“It has been such a pleasure working with dedicated partners like Nitin and Mansi to further expand Slice House’s footprint in the San Francisco Bay Area and bring our pizzas to the incredible community of Brentwood,” shares founder Tony Gemignani. “We are excited to open the doors to this location, and I look forward to welcoming guests from across Contra Costa County to enjoy our artisan pizza during the grand opening celebration and in the years to come.”

Slice House Brentwood features an expansive menu of Gemignani’s acclaimed New York, Sicilian, Grandma, and Detroit-style pizzas, available by the slice or as whole pies. Staying true to Gemignani’s approach, the menu places an emphasis on artisanal, from-scratch preparation and high-quality ingredients, with house-made components and thoughtfully sourced products from trusted purveyors. The menu also includes pasta, wings, fresh salads, and options for gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian diners, complemented by a beverage selection of craft beers, premium wines, and non-alcoholic offerings.

Specialty Pizzas for Brentwood

As is tradition with every new Slice House brand partner, Slice House Brentwood features two signature pizzas created by Gemignani in partnership with the Bhatias.

“I’m excited because I make specialty pizzas for each location when I open them,” Gemignani shared in a video on Facebook. “I started working on this pizza with local corn. So, I did a vegetarian, and I did a barbecue pulled pork. Both of these pizzas are fantastic and I’m super excited to share them with the Brentwood community. It’s coming soon. I’m excited. It’s in a great shopping center.”

“Just wait. Brentwood’s going to have some amazing pizza. Go Slice House,” he added.

Both are New York-style pies built around local Brentwood corn, a nod to the city’s deep farming roots, and available by the slice only. The Brentwood BBQ is topped with pulled pork, tangy barbeque sauce, shredded mozzarella, Brentwood corn, corn tortilla strips, sweety drop peppers, green onions and a drizzle of garlic oil. A Slice of Brentwood, a vegetarian pizza named by the winner of Slice House’s local pizza box design competition, layers shredded mozzarella, Brentwood corn, corn tortilla strips, sweety drop peppers, and serrano peppers, topped with Tajin aioli and garlic oil.

Hours of Operation

The new fast-casual restaurant has indoor seating for 26 people and outdoor patio seating for 20 people, as well as takeout, online ordering, and delivery. Slice House Brentwood will be open seven days a week – from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

“As new members of the Brentwood community, we’re especially excited to open a Slice House nearby and bring Tony’s exceptional pizza to our neighbors,” said Mansi Bhatia, co-owner of Slice House Brentwood. “We appreciate Tony’s creativity and emphasis on quality ingredients, two things we are confident will resonate with our guests. Slice House has an expansive menu that works for just about any occasion, from grabbing a slice on the go to sitting down for dinner with family or meeting up with friends, and we’re looking forward to sharing that with Brentwood.”

Slice House Brentwood is located within The Streets of Brentwood, an open-air lifestyle center anchored by an AMC Theatre with IMAX and a growing mix of national retailers including Barnes & Noble, Ulta Beauty, DSW, and popular dining spots. The center has added several new tenants as part of its recent renovation, including Dutch Bros Coffee, Pandora, Face Foundrié, and Lovesac, with American Eagle on the way. The restaurant is also conveniently near Brentwood’s growing base of local employers as well as the Sand Creek Sports Complex, in a city that continues to draw new families and businesses due to its easy access to Highway 4 and proximity to San Francisco, Oakland, and the greater East Bay. Surrounded by residential neighborhoods and top-rated schools, the restaurant is poised to become a go-to dining destination for residents across Brentwood and the greater East Contra Costa County area.

Slice House is a convenient way for diners to experience various pizza styles and more by a world-champion, celebrity chef. Originally opened in San Francisco’s historic Italian neighborhood of North Beach in 2010, Slice House by Tony Gemignani has since expanded to include 37 locations – Slice House Brentwood will be its 38^th location.
For more information, visit www.slicehouse.com and follow along on Instagram @SliceHouse and @SliceHouseBrentwood as well as Facebook @SliceHouseBrentwood.

About Slice House by Tony Gemignani

Slice House by Tony Gemignani is a dynamic pizzeria concept led by award-winning pizzaiolo Tony Gemignani. In 2026, Tony’s flagship San Francisco restaurant, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, was ranked the #2 pizzeria in the United States and #5 in the world by 50 Top Pizza. Slice House, Tony’s celebrated fast-casual franchise, delivers an artisan pizza experience rooted in the 2010 origins of his North Beach, San Francisco pizzeria, all within an artistic and energetic atmosphere. With more than 150 locations open or in development, Slice House has set the standard in the fast-casual pizza segment, offering an extensive menu featuring four styles of handmade crust, including traditional New York, homestyle Grandma, rustic Sicilian, and robust Detroit-style pizzas, available by the slice or whole pizza. The complete menu also includes wings, salads, and options for gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diners. As 2024’s #1 Overall Brand by Pizza Marketplace’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers and recognized among Fast Casual’s Brands to Watch in 2026, Slice House invites entrepreneurs nationwide to join its rapidly expanding franchise program, carrying forward Tony’s craft through authentic recipes and a flexible, proven business model tailored for diverse dining and delivery platforms.

Representing Contra Costa County; Application deadline: Nov. 9

By Diana Oyler, Sr. Deputy, Contra Costa County Administrator’s Office & Office of Communications & Media

(Martinez, CA) – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking an individual who is interested in park land use to represent the County on the East Bay Regional Parks District Park Advisory Committee (PAC).  The PAC is a 21-member citizens’ advisory group that studies issues and makes recommendations and comments on myriad policy issues, such as grazing, dogs, horses and bikes in parks, the Park District budget, naming of park facilities, park land use plans, new concessions, and more.

Members are appointed for two-year terms and may serve a total of four consecutive terms, or eight years. The term of office for this appointment will be January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. Service is voluntary and members receive no compensation. Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month at 4 p.m.

Application forms for the Contra Costa County seat can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000, or the application can be completed online by visiting the County website at  https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418.  Applications should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar St., Martinez, CA  94553, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews to be held virtually via Zoom on Monday, November 23, 2026.

More information about the Park Advisory Committee can be obtained on their website at: https://www.ebparks.org/public-meetings/park-advisory or by calling Erich Pfuehler at the East Bay Regional Parks District at (510) 544-2006.

Oakley Amtrak Station rendering. Source: SJRRC

Construction to begin in early 2027, Gold Runner train service expected to begin by spring 2028

Antioch station still scheduled to close

By Ahdel Ahmed, Public Relations Manager, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission

Oakley, CA – The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA), the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), and the City of Oakley are proud to announce the next major milestone in the development of the new at-grade regional rail station that will bring Gold Runner trains into the heart of Contra Costa County. To commemorate this milestone, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Wednesday, October 14, at the site of the future station. The event will feature remarks from SJRRC and City leadership, as well as local, regional, state, and federal representatives.

What: Oakley Station Groundbreaking

When: Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Where: 3486 Main Street, Oakley

“The City Council and staff are thankful for our project partners, who are bringing a much-needed commuter transit option for the residents of Oakley,” said Oakley Mayor Hugh Henderson. “We are also excited about the station and rail service providing another opportunity for economic growth as passengers from outside the region will be able to comfortably travel to attend Oakley events, and eat, drink, and shop right in the downtown, as well as access bus and rideshare services to travel throughout the city.”

The future Oakley Station will bring Amtrak’s Gold Runner (formerly San Joaquins) intercity passenger rail service to one of Contra Costa County’s fastest-growing areas, creating a new transportation connection for Oakley, Brentwood and surrounding East Contra Costa County communities.

Gold Runner Rail & Thruway Bus Service from Oakley

Developed through a partnership between the SJJPA and the City of Oakley, the station will provide Gold Runner rail and Thruway Bus service to communities throughout Northern California, the Bay Area, the Central Valley and Southern California.

“Breaking ground on the Oakley Station is the next step toward bringing Gold Runner service to a high-growth area in the East Bay and is a long-term investment in intercity rail that will serve the community for years to come,” said Chris Orlando, CEO of the SJRRC and SJJPA. “We’ve worked closely with the City of Oakley for nearly a decade to plan this station, and their partnership and local investment are a big reason we’re taking this next step. Once complete, the station will give East County residents a modern, accessible and convenient way to travel by rail, whether they’re headed to Oakland, Santa Rosa, Eureka, Sacramento, the San Joaquin Valley, or Southern California.”

Key Construction Components

The project includes construction of a new at-grade station with a 720-foot-long, 13-foot-wide cast-in-place concrete side-loading passenger platform to safely and efficiently serve current and future rail operations. The station will feature ADA-compliant accessibility improvements, including tactile warning panels, a full-length underdrain system, and metal safety guardrails.

Architectural elements such as canopy shelters, lighting, signage, and wayfinding have been designed to complement the surrounding neighborhood while enhancing the passenger experience. The platform meets BNSF and Amtrak clearance standards and is sized to accommodate the Gold Runner’s current longest seven-car Venture trainset with a locomotive, while providing capacity for future expansion to an eight-car consist.

Major construction activities are anticipated to begin in early 2027, with trains serving the station by spring 2028.

Source: City of Oakley

Antioch-Pittsburg Station Will Close

The opening of the Oakley Station will be at the expense of the Antioch-Pittsburg Station in downtown Rivertown and it will close in spite of the improvements there and the formation of a working group last fall. (See related articles here, here, here, here and here).

To verify if that’s still the case, Ahdel Ahmed, Public Relations Manager for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission was asked if the Antioch-Pittsburg Station will close when the Oakley Station opens in spring 2028. He said, “Some of the timeline challenges have to do with getting a contractor on board for Oakley. As soon as Oakley opens the Antioch Station will have to be closed in the next 12 to 18 months.”

Asked if the board can change their vote, now that Antioch has cleaned up its station area and made it safer, Ahmed said, “Technically, the SJJPA board could change their vote. However, we’re at this point now where the contract will be awarded for construction of the Oakley station.”

“I think we had a clear line of communication with the City of Antioch,” he continued. “The leadership has done an outstanding job of communicating with us and the investment they made in that area won’t necessarily cause our board to have a reverse decision. We do appreciate their partnership on that. We’ve had some townhalls with the community with the City as a partner, but we haven’t had a change of direction.”

Asked if the issue was the distance between the stations Ahmed stated, “With the distance between the two stations, we’re simply not able to operate the train. These requirements are coming through the host railroad.”

The railroad company is Burlington Northern Santa Fe, known as BNSF, which has a rule requiring a six-mile distance between stations. The planned Oakley Amtrak station is less than that distance from the Antioch-Pittsburg Station which gave the SJJPA board another reason to close it.

Tri Delta Transit Bus Service to Oakley Station

Asked if there will bus service from the current Antioch-Pittsburg station location to the Oakley station once it opens, Leeann Loroño, Manager of Customer Service and Marketing for Tri Delta Transit said, “We are going to service Amtrak in Oakley with our regular route service, 373 and Tri My Ride and we are in talks with the SJJPA about serving the Antioch Amtrak Station. They are currently in discussions about that.”

Route 373 also connects to the Antioch BART Station, “from Brentwood, through Oakley to the Antioch BART Station,” she added.

About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)

Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Gold Runner, previously Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile Gold Runner Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com. Gold Runner is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area, providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Gold Runner is currently running six daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Gold Runner Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno. For more information about SJJPA, visit www.sjjpa.com.

About the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC)

The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) is a public agency focused on expanding and improving passenger rail service across the Central Valley and Northern California. As the operator of ACE and manager of the Valley Rail Program, SJRRC works to deliver safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation that connects communities, reduces traffic congestion, and supports regional growth. For more information about SJRRC, visit www.sjrrc.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Photo: Eggbred Brentwood

Breakfast and brunch restaurant

First 50 customers receive BOGO-free burritos or sandwiches, next 100 get a $10 EggBred gift card

By Brittany Satterfield, Director of Marketing, Eggbred International, Inc.

Brentwood, CA – EggBred, the renowned breakfast and brunch destination, is delighted to announce the grand opening of its newest location in the Brentwood community on Saturday, October 17th, 2026. The EggBred team is eager to bring their egg-centric delights and innovative culinary creations to the vibrant community of Brentwood.

Situated at 6740 Lone Tree Way, Unit 2, Brentwood, at the entrance to the WinCo shopping center, the new EggBred location promises to deliver a fresh and exciting dining experience for locals and visitors alike. With a dedication to freshness, every dish is made from scratch, cooked to perfection, and handcrafted with precision. EggBred prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients and cooking everything fresh and from scratch.

The Grand Opening celebration on October 17th kicks off at 7:00 AM with an exciting lineup of giveaways and specials! The first 50 customers will receive BOGO-free burritos or sandwiches, the next 100 customers will get a $10 EggBred gift card, and free coffee will be served all day. Plus, we’re giving away 13 Toastie backpacks, with 3 lucky winners receiving free EggBred for a year!

Guests can look forward to a warm and inviting atmosphere, where they can indulge in EggBred’s signature dishes such as the Chorizo Egg & Cheese Breakfast Burrito and crowd favorites, the Scramble Me Softly Breakfast Sandwich and the Truffle Crunch Burger. Guests can also look forward to sipping on freshly brewed coffee, indulging in cold-pressed juices, and savoring the classic taste of the Mixed Berry Cheesecake Waffle.

“We are thrilled to bring the EggBred experience to Brentwood. Our commitment to serving delicious, high-quality breakfast and brunch options with a creative twist has been the driving force behind our success,” said Albert Shim, CEO of EggBred. “We look forward to becoming an integral part of the Brentwood community and providing a welcoming space for friends and families to enjoy quality food and a memorable dining experience.”

EggBred invites the community to join in the celebration on October 17th and discover the eggstraordinary flavors that have made EggBred a culinary sensation. For more information about EggBred and its menu offerings, please visit EggBred.com/Brentwood or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

About EggBred

EggBred is a culinary destination that celebrates the versatility and deliciousness of eggs. With a commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, EggBred offers a unique and flavorful menu that caters to breakfast and brunch enthusiasts. Each dish is crafted with creativity and passion, ensuring a memorable dining experience for every guest. Learn more at EggBred.com.

CEO running for Pittsburg City Council

“Just took a little bit longer than expected. But it was paid 100 percent in full.” – Wolfgang Croskey

By Allen D. Payton

According to documents available on the Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County website, a private security company based in Antioch sued The Greater Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce and “Does 1-50” to get paid a little more than $15,000 for providing services to the Pittsburg Seafood Festival in 2023. The annual event was organized by the Chamber for which Wolfgang Croskey, a current Pittsburg City Council candidate, was and is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

While the organization’s new website offers no mention of him, on the page of Croskey’s campaign website entitled, “The Record” he lists, “Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, CEO 2020 onward.”

In his role as CEO, Croskey signed the agreement with Strategic Threat Management, Inc. in August 2023 for the security services provided to the festival the following month. Yet, Croskey and the Chamber refused to pay, even after being sued and losing in court in 2024, until now.

While the contract total was for $26,561.60, the company sought $15,173.60 in their lawsuit, filed April 23, 2024, and the default judgment was issued and filed a little over a year later, on April 29, 2025. It required the Chamber to also pay the company pretrial interest at an annual rate of 10%, plus, attorneys fees and other costs for a total of $18,555.30.

Asked why the difference between the contract total and amount in the lawsuit, Strategic Threat Management’s president, Lawrence Treat explained, “He paid 50 percent as a deposit.” The additional amount sought in the lawsuit was to cover interest before it was filed. “He totally ghosted us. The judgment was by default. He completely ignored the court.”

On Monday, October 12, 2026, Treat shared with the Herald that Croskey had paid his attorney on Friday which was confirmed today. Asked what Croskey said to him, Treat said, “He didn’t say squat. No apology. It’s an absolute insult. It couldn’t have come at a better time. More important is the principle. You can’t do that to honest people. We’ve been in the community for a long time. It was absolutely uncalled for. It goes to his character. Heaven forbid he ends up in office. He’ll be in charge of city finances.”

“How timely was that?” Treat added asking rhetorically.

When asked why the Chamber didn’t pay Strategic Threat three years after their services were rendered and 18 months after the judgement was issued, Croskey said on Monday, “That’s been taken care of and paid.”

Asked if there was a dispute, he said, “No dispute at all. Just a revenue issue. The last couple of festivals have taken out of the Chamber. We’ve lost the steel mill and Corteva. We’ve lost some major sponsors. It’s been hard. We’ve never disputed the item or their services. The Chamber doesn’t get any money from the City and hasn’t for the past two years.”

The 2024 festival was the final year of the annual event that was first held in 1984.

Asked why the Chamber did not respond to the lawsuit in 2024 Croskey said, “There was nothing to dispute. Just took a little bit longer than expected. But it was paid 100 percent in full.”

See Judgment filed 4-29-25 re Strategic.Pittsburg.

Croskey faces nine other candidates for three council seats in the November election.

Throughout October, “The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Sheriffs Association teamed up in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Uniformed staff can wear a special shoulder patch this month. This is our way of supporting a meaningful and important cause.” – Sheriff David Livingston. Photos by CCC Sheriff’s Office

Passenger had felony warrants; driver twice headed wrong way on Highway 4; helicopter assists

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office

On Saturday, October 10, 2026, at about 6:01 PM, the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office specialized patrol unit J-Team, with the assistance of helicopter STARR 3, attempted a high-risk stop in Antioch on a Honda Civic. A person who was seen getting into the passenger seat of the vehicle was wanted for a post-release community supervision violation and multiple felony warrants.

The driver quickly reversed the vehicle narrowly missing a deputy sheriff and drove out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed.

The driver led deputies on a pursuit which traveled on surface streets in Antioch then onto Highway 4 at Loveridge Road where the Honda went the wrong way, heading eastbound in the westbound lanes. The deputies terminated the pursuit.

The Honda later corrected direction and drove westbound on Highway 4. The suspect vehicle exited Bailey Road in Bay Point and CHP successfully deployed spikes at Willow Pass Road and Alves Road.

The Honda continued to Highway 4 at San Marco Blvd. where the Honda entered eastbound Highway 4 going westbound on the shoulder. The pursuit was once again terminated.

The Honda continued westbound on the shoulder where it collided with a parked Sheriff’s Office vehicle. The suspect in the passenger seat fled on foot but was apprehended.

The Honda sped away in the wrong direction and collided with a vehicle on Highway 4. The driver of the suspect vehicle was arrested and was taken to the hospital for injuries sustained from the collision.

The suspect who was in the passenger seat and civilian driver were transported to the hospital as a precaution.

The two suspects will be booked later at the Martinez Detention Facility on multiple felony charges. They are not being identified at this time.

First occurred in Concord, second in Martinez both in 2022 while on parole for previous rape, assault conviction; 44-year-old has history of 15 arrests since 2019

– See link to his mugshot

WARNING: Contains graphic content

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – A Richmond man who cut off his parole ankle monitor and then violently assaulted two women in 2022 has been sentenced to 169 years to life in state prison.

Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge John W. Kennedy sentenced Mark Lewis Hinton, 44, on October 2nd to 150 years to life on the rape counts, plus a 19-year determinate term. A jury convicted Hinton of 11 felony counts on September 5th, 2025. Sentencing was delayed for more than a year after Hinton hired new defense counsel.

Two counts did not result in convictions:

Count 5 (PC 273.5(a)) was dismissed during the trial.

Count 11 (PC 207) ended in a hung jury and was then dismissed.

Hinton was convicted on the remaining 11 counts.

At the time of the assaults, Hinton was on state parole for a 2011 Contra Costa County conviction for forcible rape, sodomy and oral copulation, for which he had received a 12-year prison sentence.

The first assault: September 2022

In early September 2022, Hinton cut off his ankle monitor and went to a Concord motel where a woman he knew casually was staying with acquaintances. Armed with knives, he struck her, forced her into a different room and sexually assaulted her while strangling and beating her. He then threatened to kill her if she told anyone. When police arrived, she was too frightened to tell them about the sexual assault. She later came forward to Concord police and the District Attorney’s Office.

For that attack, the jury convicted Hinton of kidnapping to commit rape, forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, forcible sodomy and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.

Note: The Concord Police Department’s Crime Map does not include incidents prior to 2023.

The Martinez Police Department’s CitizenRIMS Crime Map shows the location and details of the rape on December 30, 2022. Screenshot

The second assault: December 2022

Three months later, Hinton began what the second woman, who was experiencing homelessness, believed was a dating relationship. Within weeks he was beating her. One blow fractured the bone around her eye, and he told her to tell hospital staff she had been in a car accident. Witnesses testified she was terrified of him.

On December 29th, she escaped to her car and called 911, but Hinton forced her back inside while she was still on the line. The next day, armed with a knife, he threatened and sexually assaulted her. She fled to a nearby store, where employees called 911, and Hinton was arrested in Martinez that day.

For those attacks, Hinton was convicted of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, domestic violence causing great bodily injury, criminal threats with a knife, assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and false imprisonment.

The Martinez PD CitizenRIMS Crime Map shows:

Rape By Force/fear/etc (F)

Crime: 261(A)(2) PC, 211 PC, 417(A)(1) PC
Crime Type: Rape
Crime Classification: Felony
Address: 600 Block Of J Street
City: Martinez
Occurred: 12/30/2022 at 1:53 PM
Case Number: 22-2563
Incident Number: 2212300038

At trial

The woman Hinton sexually assaulted in 2008 also testified, describing the attack that led to his 2011 conviction. In closing arguments, Deputy District Attorney Danielle Brown told jurors the second woman “said she’s lucky to be alive. She realized that he was going to kill her at some point.” Brown added, “He needs his victims to feel scared so that he can feel powerful.”

“These women showed extraordinary courage in facing the person who abused them and telling a jury what he did,” said Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton. “Domestic violence cases are difficult to prosecute because abusers often isolate and intimidate their victims and choose people they believe won’t be heard. These survivors proved him wrong.”

See 01-23-00045 – Amended Information Filed

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this year’s national theme, With Survivors, Always, calls for moving from awareness to action in support of survivors’ safety, support and solidarity.

Anyone in Contra Costa County experiencing domestic violence can call the STAND! For Families Free of Violence 24-hour crisis line at 888-215-5555, or the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Assistance Program at (925) 957-8650 (Martinez) or 510-374-3272 (Richmond). In an emergency, call 911.

The case was investigated by the Martinez and Concord police departments.

Case No. 01-23-00045 | The People of the State of California v. Mark Lewis Hinton

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 200-pound Hinton was born on Feb. 19, 1982, is listed as Non-Hispanic but also listed as Black, was arrested by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies out of county on Feb. 4, 2025, and is currently being held in the Martinez Detention Facility. For the charge of 3000.08 PC F, the case number and court docket are FCR364634 / FCR364634/SOLANO. For the charges of 978.5 PC F, 10851(A) VC F, the case number and court docket are VCR240038 / VCR240038/SOLANO.

In addition, the Sheriff’s Office offered additional information about a cleared case against Hinton:

Case Number/Court Docket: 25-108 / 01-25-00462

Charges: 209(B)(1) PC F – aggravated kidnapping to commit robbery or certain sexual offenses, punishable by life imprisonment in state prison; 286(C)(2)(A) PC F – sodomy against the victim’s will by means of force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, six, or eight years; 273.5(A) PC F – willfully inflicting corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition upon a victim is guilty of a felony, and shall be punished by imprisonment in state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of up to $6,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment; 261(A)(2) PC F – rape; and 287(C)(2)(A) PC F – oral copulation accomplished against the victim’s will by means of force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person shall be punished by imprisonment in state prison for three, six, or eight years.

Cleared Date – 6/10/2025 1:28:00 PM.

After work hours on Friday, both Asregadoo and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jimmy Lee were asked where Hinton was arrested. They were also asked for the suspect’s mugshot which appears on the VineLink website.

According to localcrimenews.com, Hinton is Black and has a history of 14 other arrests since October 2019 by multiple agencies in Contra Costa and Solano counties on drugs and gun charges, vehicle theft and more.

Please check back later for any updates.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Photo: AC Transit

District says agreement strengthens workforce stability, helping protect service for riders

Requires AC Transit Board approval

By Robert Lyles, Media Affairs & Strategic Initiatives Manager, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District 

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) has reached a ratified agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3916, marking an important advancement during a pivotal year for the Transit District and its workforce of more than 2,200 employees.

The ratified collective bargaining agreement offers greater stability and certainty for the more than 300 Local 3916 members, while reinforcing the workforce stability needed to deliver reliable service to more than 3 million riders each month.

“I want to thank everyone on both sides of the negotiating table for the professionalism and persistence that brought us to this milestone. The negotiations were challenging but never became an ‘us versus them.’ We remained focused on supporting the administrative employees, supervisors, and managers who work to keep AC Transit moving every day. This agreement demonstrates what ‘One East Bay. One AC Transit’ looks like in action,” says General Manager Sal Llamas.

Among the 2.5-year agreement’s key provisions are wage increases designed to help employees keep pace with inflation, with 3 percent increases in the current fiscal year, FY 2027–28, and FY 2028–29. The agreement also includes an on-call pay adjustment that helps ensure qualified employees are ready to respond when the unexpected happens.

The newly ratified CBA helps AC Transit retain the skilled employees who keep our service moving safely and reliably. That workforce stability is particularly important as the Transit District manages an estimated $200 million in projected deficits over the next four years. By helping reduce turnover and providing greater certainty around labor costs, the CBA gives AC Transit a more predictable foundation for planning as it works toward long-term financial sustainability.

“Our members help power innovative trip-planning tools, coordinate bus assignments and running times, monitor service disruptions and emergencies on the road, and perform countless other essential functions that our riders may never see. Reaching this contract agreement and the vote shows the Transit District recognizes the value we bring to work every day,” said Gideon Murey, AFSCME Local 3916 President.

Beyond compensation, the agreement strengthens employees’ voice in the workplace. It expands the Labor Management Committee (LMC), giving Local 3916 a greater role in providing recommendations on the Transit District’s use of contract workers. In addition, the agreement introduces new illuminated safety equipment, providing greater visibility and protection for employees working around moving buses, traffic, maintenance equipment, and in low-light conditions.

Now that AFSCME Local 3916 members have ratified the agreement, it advances to the AC Transit Board of Directors for consideration and final approval.

Source: AFSCME Council 57 Local 3916

About AC Transit

The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, known as AC Transit, has been in operation since 1960 and is the largest public bus-only system in California, and the 3rd largest bus-only transit agency in the United States. Based out of Oakland, California and multiple facilities throughout Alameda and Contra-Costa counties, AC Transit makes bus service available to 1.5 million East Bay residents that populate our 364 square mile service area. AC Transit operates a fleet of 626 buses and 6 facilities and is moving forward its zero-emission program as funding becomes available. Currently, AC Transit connects to 14 transit agencies, 27 BART stations, seven Amtrak stations, and five ferry terminals.

It provides an average of nearly 135,000 daily passenger trips with 133 bus lines throughout the 364-square-mile service area. AC Transit provides safe, convenient, courteous, and reliable service in 13 cities and adjacent unincorporated areas as well as carrying almost 7,000 daily riders across the bay to San Francisco.

In 2023, the District was honored as the Outstanding Public Transportation System of the Year by the American Public Transportation Association. AC Transit’s mission is to deliver safe, reliable, sustainable transit service that responds to the needs of our customers and community.

About AFSCME Council 57

AFSCME fights to promote freedom and opportunity for all working people wherever, and whoever, they are. For public service workers, we negotiate better pay and benefits because fighting for every member’s future is a form of respect. We inform people about the issues that keep all working families up at night because informed advocates command respect. That’s how we win better lives for ourselves, our families, our communities and our country. These are the things we will never quit fighting for.

AFSCME Council 57 is comprised of 26 local unions representing 35,000 members throughout Northern California and the Central Valley including Local 3916. Established in 1963, the Council was formed as a progressive, member-driven labor organization dedicated to empowering and securing dignity and respect for all workers. We work together to improve wages, benefits and working conditions through organizing, collective bargaining and political action. We represent workers in schools and community colleges, transit agencies, public works and services, clinics and hospitals, and water and wastewater facilities. Our members are also the health and social service professionals in corrections facilities across California.

We support our local unions by:

• Providing resources, training and professional services
• Fighting for economic and social justice
• Raising awareness on issues that affect working families
• Empowering members in representation and bargaining
• Mobilizing workers to participate in the political process
• Sharing effective communication and resources
• Organizing unorganized workers

We also partner with other labor organizations, service providers, consumers, the faith community and community-based organizations to:

• ensure the health and vitality of working families and their communities
• seek solutions to critical issues like the healthcare and mental health crisis as well as climate change
• raise awareness of wasteful contracting out of public services
• stop attacks on public sector workers
• fix California’s inequitable tax policies

Council 57 is affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a democratic union with 1.4 million members who share a common commitment to public service in our communities. We also encourage our locals to affiliate with their local arm of the AFL-CIO, the Central Labor Council.

For more information visit https://afscme57.org/locals/afscme-local-3916.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Source: Caltrans District 4

Beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, until 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10

By DeNise Harding – Public Information Officer- Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY — Caltrans has updated the scheduled closures for sound wall replacement on El Cerro Boulevard along southbound I-680 in the Town of Danville. The agency will fully close the El Cerro Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-680 and Lane 4 between the El Cerro Boulevard on- and off-ramps. To search for current District 4 lane closure information, please click here.

**All work is weather dependent and subject to change**

Closure Information

• Locations: Lane #4 on Southbound I-680 and El Cerro Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-680-Closed
• Date: Friday, Oct.9 – Saturday, Oct. 10,
• Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.,

Detour Information

During the overnight closure of the El Cerro Boulevard on ramp and Lane #4:

• Motorists traveling to southbound I-680 should use alternate nearby on-ramps, including Stone Valley Road or Sycamore Valley Road, as appropriate.
• Prepare to merge and slow for the cone zone.

Changeable Message Signs (CMS) will provide advance notice for motorists traveling in the area. Be work zone alert, drive with caution through the work zone. For 24/7 traffic updates, follow 511.org on Twitter. For real-time traffic, visit Caltrans QuickMap.

Caltrans appreciates the public’s patience during this essential safety work.

For real-time traffic conditions, closures, and detours, visit Caltrans QuickMap or follow 511.org for 24/7 traffic updates.