Contra Costa Herald

Orbisonia Village and new Bay Point Library. Rendering credit: Architects Orange

Mixed-use development will bring 167 affordable homes and a new public library to Bay Point

By Brody Fernandez, Communications Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston

(Martinez, CA) – Contra Costa County will join community leaders, project partners, and residents Tuesday, Oct. 20, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Orbisonia Village and Bay Point Library, a major mixed-use development that will bring a new public library and affordable housing to the Bay Point community.

The groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 1p.m., at 570 S. Broadway Avenue, in Bay Point.

The first phase of Orbisonia Village will include a new 20,900-square-foot library and 167 affordable rental homes. The development is located on a 3.31-acre site at Bailey Road and Maylard Street, within walking distance of the Pittsburg-Bay Point BART Station.

“It’s exciting to see the County’s long-term redevelopment vision come to life with Orbisonia Village, creating a vibrant community for about 1,000 residents and a new library near BART,” said Board Chair Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor.

Designed by Architects Orange, it will be built and owned by project developer, Pacific West Communities of Idaho, a major affordable‑housing developer active across California, with over 11,000 low‑income units built and more than 140 Tax Credit Allocation Committee/low-income housing tax credit projects, specializing in family, senior and special‑needs housing. It is part of The Pacific Companies.

A New Library at the Heart of the Community

For the first time in 50 years, the County is building a new library.  The Bay Point Library will replace the community’s existing library space inside the Riverview Middle School Library and will provide a modern public facility designed to serve residents of all ages.

The library will feature a maker space, children’s room, teen space, quiet reading room, an upper-level balcony, six study rooms and a large community meeting room.

The planned Orbisonia Village in Bay Point. Rendering credit: Architects Orange

Affordable Housing and Access to Opportunity

The first phase of Orbisonia Village will provide a total of 169 residential units, including 167 affordable rental homes and two manager units. The affordable homes will serve households earning between 30-70 percent of the area’s median income, with a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes designed to accommodate individuals and families.

As part of its broader investment in the project, the County has pursued state funding to support affordable housing, the new library, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, transit service and bus shelters, transit passes for residents, and workforce development and anti-displacement programs.

A Long-Term Investment in Bay Point

Orbisonia Village builds on years of planning and public investment in the Bay Point community. The project site is located within an area that has been the focus of the County’s housing and redevelopment efforts for many years.

District V Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston proudly represents Bay Point, the home of the new Library and the Orbisonia Village.

“For the first time in 50 years, Contra Costa County is opening a brand-new library right here in District V,” Scales-Preston said. “Bay Point is the largest unincorporated community in Contra Costa County. I’m thrilled our Bay Point residents will soon have a dedicated, state-of-the-art library they can call their own.

The new affordable housing development we’re also breaking ground on is a significant investment for the Bay Point Community. It shows we are serious about delivering the housing and resources our families deserve. By co-locating essential housing with a beautiful new library, we are creating a vibrant hub where our neighbors can live, grow, and thrive.”

The Board of Supervisors has approved multiple funding and financing actions supporting the project, including local affordable housing funds and authorization related to tax-exempt financing. The project has an estimated total development cost of about $128 million for the first phase. County funding has included land financing, Measure X, and Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds, along with other state and federal financing sources.

Construction is expected to continue through 2028.  The new Bay Point Library is anticipated to open to the public in the spring of 2029.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Faces up to 13 years in prison

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

Martinez, California – On October 15, 2026, a jury in Contra Costa County found 41-year-old Jamarr Lamont Victor, of Oakland, CA, guilty of human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act and four related felonies for exploiting a 16-year-old girl in Richmond.

Victor was convicted of:

• Human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act [Penal Code 236.1(c)(1)]
• Pimping a minor 16 years of age or older [Penal Code 266h(b)(1)]
• Pandering a minor over the age of 16 [Penal Code 266i(b)(1)]
• Unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor [Penal Code 261.5(c)]
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon [Penal Code 29800(a)(1)]

On February 21st, 2026, Jane Doe called 911 in Richmond to report that Victor, whom she had just met, put her to work in Richmond’s 23rd Street corridor. When Richmond Police officers responded to the emergency call, Jane Doe pointed out that she was doing sex work and her pimp as around the corner at a restaurant. The victim also noted that Victor was frightening her with talk of wanting to do unusual sexual acts with her.

The police investigation showed that Victor picked up the girl in Oakland earlier that day. That same day, he drove her to Richmond, ordered her to complete a set number of commercial sex transactions that night. Victor gave her a price list and took the money she earned that night.

District Attorney Diana Becton said: “We thank the jury for their work in holding the defendant accountable in these difficult cases. Traffickers often target children for sex work because they think no one will listen to minors when they report harm. This verdict shows that our office, our law enforcement partners, and our community are and were listening.”

Deputy District Attorney Jessica Murad prosecuted the case. The Richmond Police Department led the investigation.

Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Nichelle Holmes presided over the trial. She will sentence Victor on Thursday, November 6th, 2026, at 1:30 pm at the A.F. Bray Courts Building in Martinez.

At sentencing, Judge Holmes will also rule on the aggravating circumstances alleged by the prosecution. These include that the victim was particularly vulnerable and that the crime showed planning and sophistication. Victor faces up to 13 years in state prison.

To protect the victim’s privacy, the District Attorney’s Office will not release additional information about Jane Doe.

Anyone who is a victim of human trafficking, or who suspects someone is being trafficked, can get confidential help:

• Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Hotline: 925-957-8658
• National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, or text HELP to 233733

Survivors can also contact the District Attorney’s Victim-Witness Program for help with the legal process and victim compensation, in Martinez at 925-957-8650 or in Richmond at 510-374-3272.

The District Attorney’s Office runs the Human Trafficking Task Force in partnership with the FBI, local police and community groups. More information and a full list of community resources are available on the Human Trafficking Unit website.

Case No. 02-26-00432 | The People of the State of California v. Jamarr Lamont Victor

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 150-pound Victor was born July 3, 1985, is listed as non-Hispanic but also as Black, he’s being held in the West County Detention Facility and his bail was set at $360,000.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

28 charged in statewide Operation Protect the Vote, five in Bay Area

By Ciaran McEvoy, PIO, U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California

LOS ANGELES – Federal law enforcement throughout California today arrested 11 foreign nationals living in the United States who are charged in criminal complaints with federal crimes, including that they fraudulently registered to vote in U.S. elections, electoral contests in which most of them cast illegal and fraudulently obtained ballots.

A total of 28 people were charged statewide, 21 actually voted in elections and 11 were arrested today. Law enforcement is seeking the other individuals or have been summoned.

Today’s arrests are part of “Operation Protect the Vote” – a coordinated effort among all four California-based United States Attorney’s Offices to combat and root out fraud in U.S. elections and protect electoral integrity.

Source: republicanpollworkers.com

All 28 foreign nationals charged are lawful permanent residents (LPRs), or “green card” holders. Although LPRs have legal immigration status in the United States, they are not U.S. citizens and are not permitted to vote in U.S. elections.

The criminal charges include making false statements in a naturalization application and some of the defendants also are charged with fraudulent voter registration. Both charges are felonies that carry a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

The defendants arrested today are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in U.S. District Court. No pleas will be taken today.

On October 13, the federal government provided a list of these individuals to California to ensure that their vote-by-mail ballots were set aside until these individuals’ citizenship status could be confirmed. California declined to assist the federal government in setting aside their ballots, prompting a lawsuit by the United States that seeks a court order to prevent the unlawful dilution of American citizens’ votes and to uphold the integrity of our elections.

“Every illegal vote cancels out the vote of a lawful American citizen,” said Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter. “Each of the 28 defendants charged today appears on the list of more than 20,000 likely noncitizen registrants we provided to California election officials last week. California refused to look at that list. Today’s charges show exactly what that refusal puts at risk. California must verify the citizenship of those more than 20,000 registrants before mail-in ballots are counted.”

“Today’s arrests prove what we have been saying,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “California is mailing ballots to noncitizens, and they are refusing to comply with federal law, which makes it a crime for noncitizens to vote. The voting rights of American citizens must be protected.”

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is committed to protecting the integrity of our nation’s electoral process by investigating allegations of criminal conduct that undermine public confidence in our elections,” said HSI Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon. “Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue those who knowingly violate federal law, while ensuring that every investigation is conducted fairly, thoroughly, and consistent with due process.”

According to court documents, the defendants knowingly and willfully lied under oath in their voter registration applications that they were U.S. citizens to be permitted to vote in California. Their fraudulent voter registration applications were approved, and, in many cases, the defendants illegally voted in recent U.S. elections. They subsequently lied in their paperwork to become naturalized U.S. citizens that they had never claimed U.S. citizenship, nor had they registered to vote or voted in U.S. elections.

Broken down by jurisdiction, the following defendants are charged in today’s takedown:

Central District of California

All the following defendants below in this jurisdiction face felony charges, including false statements in a naturalization application:

• Omar Alexander Muñoz, 72, a Belizean national living in Commerce, fraudulently registered to vote in September 2019, claiming his was a U.S. citizen, then voted in U.S. elections in 2020, twice in 2022, and in 2024. He also lied on his application to become a naturalized U.S. citizen when he falsely stated under oath to have never claimed to be a U.S. citizen.
• Amandeep Kaur, 30, an Indian national living in Rancho Palos Verdes and who is seeking to become a U.S. citizen, fraudulently registered to vote in December 2022 and voted in the November 2024 U.S. election.
• Ana Domínguez, 60, a Salvadoran national living in Long Beach, fraudulently registered to vote in July 2006 and lied in her naturalization paperwork in March 2026.
• Axel Giovani Prera García, 46, a Guatemalan national and Pico Rivera resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2002 and 2005, and lied in his naturalization paperwork in June 2025.
• Flavio Alejandro Zúñiga, 43, a Mexico national and La Puente resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2003 and lied in his naturalization paperwork in February 2026.
• Butleng Taing, 43, a Cambodian national living in Long Beach, fraudulently registered to vote in July 2021, voted in the 2022 and 2024 U.S. elections, and lied on his naturalization paperwork in August 2025.
• Carlos Antonio Galeas, 54, a Honduran national and West Covina resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2012 and 2016, then lied in his naturalization paperwork in September 2018.
• Ernest Gutiérrez Ruvalcaba, 57, a Mexican national living in Wilmington, fraudulently registered to vote in February 2024 and voted one month later.
• Jesús Narez-Madrigal, 52, a Mexican national living in Carson, fraudulently registered to vote in 2014, voted in the 2024 U.S. general election, and lied in his naturalization paperwork in June 2024.
• José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz, 42, a Mexican national and West Adams resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2007 and lied on his naturalization paperwork in March 2025.
• Muhammad Khan, 50, a Pakistani national and Anaheim resident, submitted a provisional ballot in 2020 and lied on his naturalization paperwork five years later.
• Rouzbeh Seyamaknejad, 63, a Canadian national and Rancho Palos Verdes resident, fraudulently registered to vote in December 2018, lied in his naturalization application in January 2024, and voted in the November 2024 U.S. election.
• Sulema de León, 35, a Mexican national and Long Beach resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2013, lied on her naturalization application in 2019, and voted in the November 2020 U.S. general election.

Eastern District of California

The following defendants are charged with voting by an alien in a federal election, a misdemeanor that carries a statutory maximum sentence of one year in federal prison:

• Maricela Nazarín González, 43, a Mexican national living in Clovis, registered to vote in 2020, indicating that she was a U.S. citizen, and voted in elections in 2022, twice in 2024, and 2025.
• Rony de Jesús Sicaja, 38, a Guatemalan national living in Fresno, fraudulently registered to vote in 2017, and voted in the June 2022 primary election and the November 2024 general election in the United States.
• Camino Giles Jiménez, 51, a Mexican national living in Kerman, knowingly voted in three U.S. elections despite knowing he is a noncitizen, the most recent election being the June 2026 primary.
• Juan Antonio Rivas García, 46, a Mexican national and Sacramento resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2018 and 2020, both times falsely asserting under oath that he was a U.S. citizen. Rivas voted in the 2022 and 2024 U.S. elections.
• Giezell Viduya Adawag, 41, a Philippines national and Vacaville resident, fraudulently registered to vote the day of the November 2024 general election, falsely certified that she was a U.S. citizen, and voted in the election that day.
• Kamlesh Navnitlal Shah, 67, an Indian national living in Sacramento, fraudulently registered to vote on the day of the November 2024 general election and voted that day. He is charged via information.

Northern District of California

The following defendants are charged with attempted procurement of naturalization contrary to law, false statement under oath in any matter relating to naturalization or citizenship, and voting by an alien:

• Verónica Bullene, 43, a.k.a. “Verónica Hernández Martínez,” a Mexican national living in Petaluma, made false statements on her naturalization application that she had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen when, in fact, she did so under penalty of perjury to register to vote in 2022 and 2023 then voted in 2024.
• David Shapiro, 41, a Georgian national living in San Jose, fraudulently registered to vote in 2024 and later voted in a U.S. election, and made false statements on his naturalization application that he had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen.
• Moe Thida Lwin, 57, a Myanmar national and Daly City resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2024 and then proceeded to illegally vote in a U.S. citizen. She made false statements on her naturalization paperwork as well.
• Manakotau Mataele Finau, 61, a Tongan national and Hayward resident, fraudulently registered to vote in the 2024 election then vote, then lied about it in naturalization paperwork.
• Maribel del Carmen Garcés Barriga, 62, an Ecuadoran national and San Francisco resident, made false statements in her naturalization paperwork that she never claimed U.S. citizenship and had never voted in a U.S. election or had registered to vote. In fact, Garcés fraudulently registered to vote in 2024 and proceeded to vote in a U.S. election.

Southern District of California

The following defendants are charged with false claim to citizenship to vote, unlawful attempted procurement of naturalization, and false statement under oath in matter relating to naturalization or citizenship:

• José Probitsado Amaro, 51, a citizen of the Philippines living in National City, fraudulently registered to vote by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. He then cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election and made false statements during his naturalization interview, denying that he had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting his voting history.
• Jennifer Jung, 31, a Canadian national living in San Diego, fraudulently registered to vote by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. She then cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election and made false statements during her naturalization interview, denying that she had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting her voting history.
• Erick Ronaldo Soto Mendizábal, 64, a citizen of Guatemala and former Oceanside resident now living in Moreno Valley, fraudulently registered to vote by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. He then cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election and made false statements in his naturalization application, denying that he had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting his voting history.
• Pamele Arbués Line, 56, a citizen of the Philippines living in Escondido, registered to vote, cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election, and made false statements in her naturalization interview, denying that she had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting her voting history.

Criminal complaints and informations merely contain allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating these matters in the Central District of California. HSI and the FBI are investigating these matters in the Eastern and Northern Districts of California. HSI, the FBI, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services are investigating the matters in the Southern District of California.

Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Wheat and Minjae Kim of the Orange County Office are prosecuting the Central District of California cases. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Khasigian and Joshua Banister are prosecuting the Eastern District of California cases. Special Assistant United States Attorney Roger Dinh is prosecuting the Northern District of California cases.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Incumbent Colin Coffey is facing challenger Inderprit Sekhon in this year’s East Bay Regional Park District Ward 7 race. Photos: EBRPD and LinkedIn

Colin Coffey touts his accomplishments and plans while Inderprit “Indy Rishi Singh” Sekhon, wants “to promote and educate about ecological medicine” and “dance for office instead”

By Allen D. Payton

Running for a third four-year term as a Director on the East Bay Regional Parks District in Ward 7, Colin Coffey faces a unique candidate, Inderprit “Indy Rishi Singh” Sekhon, who is running a different campaign while dancing to a different tune and offering an alternative focus and approach to the position. Ward 7 includes the northern waterfront portion of Contra Costa County from Pinole and Hercules in the west to the eastern county line north of Discovery Bay. (See map and below)

Cities and Communities in Ward 7 include: A portion of Alhambra Valley south of Martinez, Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Clyde, Crockett, Hercules, Knightsen, Martinez, and the adjacent Mountain View on the east side, Oakley, Pacheco, Pittsburg, Port Costa, Rodeo and Vine Hill between Martinez and Pacheco.

The Regional Parks in Ward 7 include: Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline, Bay Point Regional Shoreline, Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, Briones Regional Park west of Pleasant Hill, Browns Island Regional Preserve north of Pittsburg, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Clayton Ranch Regional Preserve, Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch, Crockett Hills Regional Park, Delta Access Regional Recreation Area north of Discovery Bay, Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez, Rancho Pinole Regional Preserve east of Pinole, San Pablo Bay Regional Shoreline, and the Waterbird Regional Preserve/McNabney Marsh near Martinez.

Asked why Rancho Pinole doesn’t appear in the list of parks on the District’s website, Coffey shared, “Rancho Pinole lands in a section of the 2013 Master Plan that will be a regional park. It’s not currently operated by the District, but by the John Muir Land Trust. It includes Fernandez Ranch, about 1,000 acres, also includes the Franklin Canyon Ranch, surrounding the golf course. It totals about 2,000 acres so far. The Park District has partial ownership interest in Fernandez Ranch. The plans show someday it will all be converted to an East Bay Regional Park District park.”

Also, Deer Valley Regional Park south of Antioch, which includes the former Roddy Ranch Golf Course “is being returned to its original natural habitat. They’re ripping up the golf course paths as they’re not suitable for hiking,” he continued. “We recently acquired more land on Briones Valley Road near Brentwood. It will possibly break ground early next year. Within a year it’s possible we’ll open to the public. We already have a parking lot there, which really helps. We’re doing public programming there, already.”

East Bay Regional Park District Ward 7 boundary map. Source: EBRPD

About Coffey

According to his bio on the East Bay Regional Parks District website, retired attorney Coffey is a resident of Hercules and “was appointed to the Board in January 2017. Previously, he served on the Park District’s Park Advisory Committee twice, first appointed by former EBRPD Director Ted Radke from 2001-2009 and appointed by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors from 2012- 2017. He has also been a volunteer Ambassador for the parks for 19 years. He is a longtime supporter of the John Muir Land Trust and a member of the Regional Parks Foundation.

“Director Coffey is a retired partner with the (law) firm Best, Best & Krieger in Walnut Creek. Director Coffey is a public health attorney, representing public and nonprofit healthcare providers. He is a past president of the Contra Costa Bar Association. Director Coffey is married, has two children and resides in Hercules. He is a lifelong resident of Contra Costa County.”

According to his campaign website, Coffey “was elected to the Board in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. He was a public health attorney, representing public and nonprofit healthcare providers and is a past president of the Contra Costa BAR association.

“Coffey’s family was politically active, and he served as an intern in then-Congressman George Miller’s Washington, DC office in his youth and later was the Congressman’s appointee to the Democratic Central Committee for 23 years.

“Coffey, his wife Mila and their two adult children are life-long parks and trails enthusiasts.”

His campaign is focused on the following issues: “Preservation of New Open Space and Wildlife Habitat / Aggressive Pursuit of Wildfire Risk Reduction / Enhanced Public Safety in the Parks; New Open Spaces; and Wildfire Mitigation.”

Coffey offers a long list of his accomplishments while in office under the categories of Leadership, Preservation of Open Space and Wildlife Habitat or Restoration of Natural Areas and Excellence in Programs and Policies.

He also shares under “Looking Forward – If Re-elected:” that fact that in “2027 I will be President of the Board and working with our new GM Max Korten. This will represent a huge opportunity for North and East Contra Costa input into open space preservation and wildlife habitat preservation. I will help complete a new 10 year Master Plan, highlighting future preservation of open space and wildlife habitat, more ways to enjoy open space, and continued focus on wildfire risk reduction.” Plus, other projects such as, “Extend the Marsh Creak Regional Trail to Dutch Slough on the North and to Round Valley Regional Park on the South” and “Build the proposed Delta Bay Trail from Bay Point to Antioch/Oakley and beyond,” and “Repairing and funding Hazel Atlas Mine and Great House Visitor Center to keep consistently open,” in East County.

Plus, “Rancho Pinole acquisitions and regional park development in partnership with JMLT (John Muir Land Trust) to create a future large regional park in the Hercules and Pinole area” and “Support Rodeo Community Association campaign to have EBRPD expand Lone Tree Point Park and clean up contaminated land in the area. Incorporate Greenway Vision for Rodeo shoreline into Master Plan” in West County.

About Inderprit “Indy Rishi Singh” Sekhon

According to the campaign website for Crockett resident Inderprit “Indy Rishi Singh” Sekhon, he “is a regenerative farmer, community organizer and systems thinker. His work focuses on the relationship between personal health, community wellbeing and the health of the land. He is running because he believes the Park District can build on its legacy of land protection and become a more active partner in public health, climate resilience, ecological restoration and community stewardship. His question is straightforward: How can the land we have already protected do more good for the people and places around it?”

In a post in August on his LinkedIn profile page, Sekhon wrote, “I’m on the California ballot as Inderprit Sekhon (government name). Check out what East Bay Regional Park District does and get involved with our campaign. We are seeking to collaborate with healers, artists, educators, ecological stewards, farmers, and anyone who feels like their skills/ideas are important, but not valued enough by government or current economic systems. Learn more about my intention to promote and educate about ecological medicine,” with a link to the website for his non-profit organization named Cultivating Self.

In that same LinkedIn post is a video which he says, “I don’t know why I’m doing this. But I’m running for office this fall. But, yeah, maybe I do know why I’m doing this. But I also feel it’s good to not know why I’m doing this,” with a laugh. “How can an organization with so much money and have so many resources how can it be a resource for the community, an asset for the community…how can that be part of our preventative, ecological medicine? That’s why I’m doing this. I don’t even know why and also, I do know that we need to do something…”

Then, in a post on Friday, Sept. 18, Sekhon wrote, “What if a neurodivergent Generalist ran for office? What if he decides to dance for office instead? find out what’s possible: https://lnkd.in/gsQVRw8h.”

That takes you to his campaign website where it shares his slogan, “Healthy land. Healthy people. Public money that works.” He writes, “The District has spent generations protecting land. Indy’s campaign asks how that protected land can more fully sustain the people and communities around it,” and his platform is to “Protect. Connect. Deliver.”

Under “Protect” Sekhon writes, “Care for the land before the emergency. Keep land, water, roads, trails and fire-prone landscapes healthy and safe — with maintenance and ecological stewardship matched to the places the District manages,” and lists “Wildfire resilience, Wetlands and shorelines, and Healthy soil and habitat.”

Under “Connect” he writes, “Make parks work for more people. Treat parks as public-health and belonging infrastructure, with better access, locally relevant programming and meaningful ways for residents to participate,” and lists, “Health and wellbeing, Transit and first-visit access, and Youth and paid stewardship.”

Finally, under “Deliver” Sekhon wants to, “Make public money produce visible results. Modernize field systems, publish priorities and costs, and make it easier to see what is being fixed, restored and improved,” and lists, “Transparent priorities, Modern field tools and Measurable outcomes.”

The first-time candidate also offers what he calls his Donut Vision 2036, of “A safe and thriving place for people and planet,” and writes, “Doughnut Economics asks how we meet more human needs without damaging the living systems we depend on. Indy’s 2036 vision applies that question to Ward 7’s parks and communities.”

Under the subheading, “People thrive” Sekhon shares about “Health, Food, Youth and Access,” and under the subheading, “Nature thrives” he writes about “Fire resilience, Shorelines, Biodiversity and Circular systems,” specifically, “Turn organic material back into useful ecological value.”

Sekhon also writes, “The theory of change: If we invest in parks as infrastructure for both people and planet, healthier land can support healthier communities, healthier communities can become stronger stewards, and accountable public systems can reinforce both.”

He then offers what the future will look like by following his vision, writing, “Ward 7, 2036. See the place. Imagine the next chapter.” Sekhon offers six parts to his vision: “The Shoreline We Can Restore, The Park That Heals, The Park That Feeds, The Park That Creates Work, The Government You Can See, and The Land We Care for Before Crisis.”

Under “Public money that works – You should be able to see what your Park District is doing,” Sekhon writes, “The argument is not that every public dollar is discretionary. It is that a large public institution should make its priorities, costs and results understandable.”

He includes eight focus areas: “Maintenance response & repair times; Trail & facility condition over time; Wildfire hazards treated & acres restored; Water quality & ecological outcomes; Residents reached; Local organizations contracted; Ward 7 investment; and Project costs, owners & timelines.”

Under “Heartstorming Ward 7 Listening that leads somewhere” Sekhon explains, “Most public engagement begins with a survey. Heartstorming begins with a place, a conversation and a practical question: What would help your community thrive here?” He lists five tasks to accomplish it: “1 Experience the place, 2 Share what you see and need, 3 Imagine what could change, 4 Connect ideas to policy and action, and 5 Invite people back into the work.”

Finally, Sekhon offers, “Plain-language FAQ What does this mean?” and asks and answers four questions: “Why call it ‘Doughnut Vision’? The doughnut is a simple model: make sure people can thrive while keeping ecological systems healthy. The campaign uses it as a long-horizon method, not as a prerequisite for understanding the platform.”

He continues, “Is every 2036 idea already an official Park District program? No. The site distinguishes campaign proposals and future concepts from existing District programs. Partnerships are not implied until they are actually established.”

Recognizing his limitations as only one of seven board members Sekhon writes, “What does one Park District director control? One director does not control the District alone. Indy would need to build public support and Board support for pilots, policies and investments.”

Finally, the challenger asks, “Why focus on public systems?” His answer is, “Maintenance, ecological care, field data and capital decisions are connected. Better information and clearer priorities can help staff, the Board and residents understand what needs attention and what progress looks like.”

Sekhon then invites voters to “Help shape Ward 7’s next decade. Vote. Volunteer. Share a park story. Come to a Heartstorming event. Help turn a long-horizon vision into practical work.”

He also shares more videos about his campaign on his Facebook page.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Source: Stop Pittsburg Data Center Coalition

19 minutes before end of school day

Los estudiantes de Pittsburg High planean una huelga y una marcha para protestar contra el proyecto del centro de datos antes de la reunión del Concejo el lunes

19 minutos antes del fin de la jornada escolar

By Allen D. Payton

According to Marifer Miranda, East County Community Organizer for Concord-based Monument Impact’s Antioch office, the Stop Pittsburg Data Center Coalition, is holding a walkout by Pittsburg High School students Monday afternoon, Oct. 19, 2026, at 3:15 p.m. with a half-mile march to City Hall, before the Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. The walkout is scheduled to begin 19 minutes before school lets out after 6th Period which ends at 3:34 p.m. according to Pittsburg High’s Bell Schedule.

WHAT: Student Walkout, March and Evening City Council Meeting

WHEN: Monday, October 19 Walkout at 3:15 pm and City Council Meeting 7:00 pm

WHERE: Pittsburg High, 1750 Harbor Street, Pittsburg to City Hall, 65 Civic Avenue

The Stop Pittsburg Data Center Coalition is an intergenerational collective of families, educators, students, union members, and well-established residents residing in Pittsburg, that are fighting to stop data center development in our city and county. As of Friday, October 16, 2026, our initial petition has almost reached 30,000 signatures with the majority coming from Contra Costa Residents. We also uplift the voices of our neighbors who are mixed-status, disabled, and low-income workers who are the most vulnerable and deeply impacted by this city project.

The previous time the AVAIO Data Center Project was on the City Council agenda was during an explosive August 3rd meeting where City Council defended their decision to approve the data center project and asked for residents to “trust we [City Council] made the decision with the best interest of residents in mind.”

Rendering of proposed AVAIO Digital data center in Pittsburg. Source: City of Pittsburg

Join us for a day of action sparked by Pittsburg High School students where we will march from the front of Pittsburg High School and finish at Pittsburg City Hall. Later in the evening at 7:00 pm, the City Council meeting will review an update from the Community Advisory Committee and receive a recommendation for next steps. Coalition members will be present to give public comment and ensure our demands are heard and met.

Under Item. 4 on Monday night’s meeting agenda, a presentation will be provided to the Council entitled, “Data Center and the Advisory Committee on Data Center Update – An informational overview regarding the advisory committee’s objectives and process.”

Pittsburg residents reject that statement and demand:

1) Implement a legally binding 90-day Moratorium on ALL Phases of Data Center Projects in the City;

2) Ban on ALL Data Projects in the City; and

3) Increased transparency of City Budget & Public Process

Proposed data center in the Pittsburg Technology Park Specific Plan. Source: City of Pittsburg

How to Provide Public Comment

In-Person – Attend the meeting at the listed location. Complete a speaker card or follow the instructions announced at the meeting. When called, approach the podium and provide your comments.

Remote – Use the Zoom participation link for the meeting or call (669) 900-6833, ID: 898 0554 4017. When the item is open for public comment, use the “Raise Hand” feature. When called, unmute your microphone and provide your comments.

For more information about the Coalition email Pittsburgdatacenter@gmail.com and visit Stop Pittsburg Data Center.

Los jóvenes lideran la lucha local contra el projecto del centro de datos

Huelga estudiantil, protesta en el concejo municipal y seguimiento del Comité Asesor Comunitario

QUÉ: Huelga estudiantil, Marcha y Reunión del Concejo Municipal

CUANDO: Lunes 19 de octubre a las 3:15 (Huelga) y Reunión del Concejo Municipal a las 7PM

DÓNDE: 1750 Harbor St, Pittsburg, CA 94565 (Pittsburg High), 65 Civic Avenue (Concejo Municipal)

QUIÉN: para detener el centro de datos de Pittsburg

La Coalición Stop Pittsburg Data Center es un colectivo intergeneracional de familias, educadores, estudiantes, sindicalistas y residentes consolidados de Pittsburg, California, que luchan para detener la construcción de un centro de datos en nuestra ciudad y condado. Desde el viernes 16 de octubre de 2026, nuestra petición inicial había alcanzado casi 30,000 firmas, la mayoría siendo de residentes del condado de Contra Costa. También alzamos la voz de nuestros vecinos con estatus migratorio mixto, personas con discapacidad y trabajadores de bajos ingresos, quienes son los más vulnerables y se ven profundamente afectados por este proyecto municipal.

La última vez que el proyecto del centro de datos AVAIO estuvo en la agenda del Concejo Municipal fue durante una tensa reunión el 3 de agosto, donde la ciudad defendió su decisión de aprobar el proyecto del centro de datos y pidió a los residentes que “confíen en que [el Concejo Municipal] tomó la decisión pensando en el mejor interés de los residentes”. Los residentes de Pittsburg rechazan esa declaración y exigen:

1) Implementar una moratoria legalmente vinculante de 90 días sobre TODAS las fases de los proyectos de centros de datos en la ciudad;

2) Prohibir TODOS los proyectos de datos en la ciudad; y

3) Aumentar la transparencia del presupuesto municipal y del proceso público.

Únete a nosotros para un día de acción impulsado por Estudiantes de la secundaria de Pittsburg: marcharemos desde la entrada de la escuela hasta las puertas del Concejo Municipal de Pittsburg. Más tarde, a las 7PM, el Concejo Municipal revisará un informe del Comité Asesor Comunitario y recibirá recomendaciones sobre los próximos pasos. Miembros de la coalición estarán presentes para expresar sus inquietudes y asegurar que nuestras demandas sean escuchadas y atendidas.

Más información, aqui: StopPittsburgDataCenter.com y Pittsburgdatacenter@gmail.com.

Rep. DeSaulnier and Sen. Padilla. Official photos.

One of many mailed to congressional and election offices nationwide including CA U.S. Senator Padilla

By Mairead Glowacki, Communications Director, Office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier

Walnut Creek, CA – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) issued the following statement after a suspicious envelope was received in his Walnut Creek district office Friday afternoon, Oct. 16, 2026.

“Following reports from U.S. Capitol Police of identical suspicious envelopes containing threatening letters and a white powdery substance that were delivered to other Congressional district offices across the nation, a member of our team identified a letter matching the description and return address, immediately secured the envelope without opening it, and called local law enforcement and U.S. Capitol Police.

Threats and political violence seem to have reached a fever pitch in our country, and I urge my fellow Americans to stand united against such attempts at undermining our democracy.

My priority remains the safety and security of my team, and I am thankful for the quick and decisive response. We remain committed to serving CA-10 residents and will not be deterred from this important work by threats.”

According to an AP news report, “Federal authorities are investigating letters with ‘suspicious substances’ that have been mailed to congressional and election offices nationwide and are urging recipients to treat the mailings as ‘potentially hazardous.’

“The investigation by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Capitol Police was first disclosed in a message from the Senate Sergeant at Arms obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. The notice, sent to Senate offices, said that law enforcement officials were working to intercept any additional letters, but ‘it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations.’ Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California said the Postal Service intercepted a suspicious package before it reached his office.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

The four Creekside Park Pickleball Courts under construction in Feb. 2024. Photo: City of Brentwood

Monday’s meeting offers opportunity to shape courts’ future just one week before scheduled closure.

By Kelly Reddell, Creekside Pickleball Club

BRENTWOOD  — The future of pickleball at Creekside Park in Brentwood could reach a turning point Monday evening. The Brentwood City Council has scheduled a special meeting for Monday, October 19, at 5:30 p.m., with pickleball as its only agenda item, following community objections to the process that led to the decision to close the courts. (See related article)

The meeting will give residents an opportunity to address both the near-term closure of Creekside’s permanent courts and their replacement with temporary courts in a parking lot at Sunset Park. The city has announced an October 26 transition, making Monday’s discussion particularly timely.

Members of the pickleball community objected that the September 21 agenda described planning for a new permanent facility and the long-term future of Creekside but did not identify immediate or near-term closure and temporary parking-lot courts as options under consideration. Players say that distinction mattered: had those possibilities been clearly identified, more residents would have attended and directed their comments to those specific proposals.

The community welcomes the city’s decision to provide another opportunity for public discussion.

Photo of players from Save Creekside Park Pickleball Courts effort.

“We appreciate the city listening to our concerns and bringing this issue back for public comment,” said Aaron Hill, a Brentwood resident and Creekside pickleball player. “Monday is an opportunity to find a better way forward—one that takes neighbors’ concerns seriously while preserving the recreation, friendships, and sense of belonging that have grown at Creekside.”

The four Creekside courts were completed in August 2024. Players describe them as a welcoming gathering place where newcomers learn the sport, families spend time together, and residents of different ages and abilities build friendships through regular play.

Supporters have proposed compromises, including substantially reduced playing hours, fewer days of operation, and quieter equipment. They are asking the city to explore these possibilities with players and nearby residents before proceeding with a complete closure.

Monday’s meeting also provides an opportunity to examine whether the temporary Sunset Park courts will adequately serve the community and to hear directly from the people who would use them.

Pickleball supporters are urging the Council to use this discussion to reconsider the near-term closure and work toward a solution that preserves access while addressing neighborhood concerns. Residents and members of the media are encouraged to attend what could be an important next chapter for public pickleball in Brentwood.

Meeting: Special Brentwood City Council meeting
When: Monday, October 19, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
Topic: Pickleball—the meeting’s only agenda item

Location: City Council Chambers, City Hall, 150 City Park Way

See meeting agenda.

Source: California School Dashboard

See the results for your child’s school

By John Fensterwald for EdSource.org. Republished with permission

The California Department of Education this week released the annual California School Dashboard, the state’s multidimensional, multicolored look at student, school and district achievement.

The dashboard was designed to offer parents a quick look at student results, as well as to provide data for guiding school improvement and for holding districts accountable. Trying to serve these different purposes has created a data system that’s complex and comprehensive, often useful, but also daunting for first-time parent users.

The California Department of Education has translated the dashboard into multiple languages and produced dozens of flyers, videos, and an annually updated Dashboard Communications Toolkit. This is a good place to start.

Here are some answers and tips to help parents navigate the dashboard experience.

What’s the purpose of the state dashboard?

The dashboard gives an extensive look at every school, charter school and school district’s yearly performance as measured by ratings on eight state indicators. They are standardized test scores, of course — English Language Arts and math in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11, English learners’ progress, and, in 2026 for the first time, science.

Along with high school graduation rates, there are ratings for chronic absences, though only through grade 8, and suspension rates; both measures underscore the importance of engagement and school climate to student success.

There is also a measure of how well high schools prepare students for college and careers. It has expanded to include 14 measures. They include:

• Satisfying the A-G course requirements for admissions to UC and CSU campuses
• Passing multiple AP and International Baccalaureate courses
• Successfully completing two semesters of credit-bearing college or CTE courses
• Attaining a seal of biliteracy or a seal of biliteracy
• Completing a CTE pathway or pre-apprenticeship program
• Passing the Leadership/Military Science and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test
• Demonstrating work-based learning.

What’s the point of using colors?

Rating performance by color serves a double purpose. There are five: blue signaling the highest achievement, green, yellow, orange, and red signaling the lowest performance. Each color reflects a blend of two factors, evenly weighted: the current year’s test score or rate, and the change from the preceding year to credit improvement or signal a decline deserving attention.

Screenshot of San Jose Unified’s dashboard from the 2026 California School DashboardScreenshot of San Jose Unified’s dashboard from the 2026 California School Dashboard

Screenshot of San Jose Unified’s dashboard from the 2026 California School Dashboard

A school’s goal is to achieve green or blue for any indicator, but a sharp change from the results of students the year before can elevate an otherwise yellow score to green or lower it to orange.

Clicking any indicator on a district or school’s overview page will lead to additional details.

For example, clicking the math score “odometer” for San Jose Unified reveals that students averaged 25.4 scale points below the threshold for proficiency or “meeting standard” in math in 2025-26 — a significant gap. Its students also gained 1.5 points from the year before. The combination is rated orange, two levels below green. The same template applies to other indicators.

Why is there no overall rating for a school’s or district’s performance?

Unlike other states’ dashboards, the State Board of Education chose not to give a summative or top number or rating for a school or district, in order not to overemphasize test scores, at the expense of other important measures. It also wanted to draw attention to achievement gaps among student groups, which would be hidden by focusing on an average score for all students.

How do student groups factor into the dashboard?

Tracking achievement gaps among 15 different student groups, including eight racial and ethnic groups, drives the dashboard. Every student group with a statistically valid number (usually a minimum of 30) receives a color rating on every indicator in every school and district.

While five of San Jose Unified’s student groups scored in the orange range, English learners, foster youth, long-term English learners and students with disabilities scored in the red band. White students achieved a green rating, and Asian students and students with two or more races were rated blue.

Screenshot of San Jose Unified 5×5 schools report for math scores

Every district’s dashboard includes grids — the 5×5 Placement Reports — that lay out the color rating for every school in the district on every indicator. Here’s the 2025 math 5×5 grid for San Jose’s Unified, for example (The 2026 grid will be released Dec. 15). It shows that of the district’s 40 schools on the grid, 12 rated orange, 10 were yellow, seven were green, six were blue and five were red.

As with all districts with student groups receiving a red rating on an indicator, San Jose Unified must then address low achievement in its Local Control and Accountability Plan, better known as the LCAP.  That’s the three-year improvement plan in which districts must list, among other requirements, an action item, including funding, for every student group with a red rating.

Can you compare districts’ ratings on the state dashboard?

No, but you can compare schools within each district.

Other organizations have included a comparison tool in modifying the state dashboard.

What are local indicators?

The dashboard includes priorities for which there are no statistically valid comparable statewide data or assessments, but nonetheless are vital for successful schools. These include family engagement, school climate and access to a broad course of study.

The State Board of Education requires that districts analyze each local priority and report back to the public annually. Examples are the results of local school climate surveys and the district’s actions to improve public engagement. For example, county offices of education must report on how well they are coordinating services for foster youths and expelled students.

How does dashboard information drive improvement?

Districts in which at least one student group is rated red on two or more priority areas, such as low reading scores and high chronic absenteeism, are designated eligible for “Differentiated Assistance.” They are encouraged to seek guidance from county offices of education or the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, a small state agency, on how to improve. Differentiated Assistance is voluntary and applies only to districts.

Since the dashboard’s first year, in 2017-18, more than three-quarters of districts, charter schools and county offices have qualified for differentiated assistance, with more than 80% of those identified two or more times.

In 2026, only 144 school districts will qualify for differentiated assistance, down from 418 last year. Recognizing a need to focus on fewer districts with more intensive, effective help, the State Board revised the criteria, and districts will receive assistance for three years, instead of one year.

Districts are selected based on poorly performing subgroups as well as districts’ overall scores receiving red ratings. Most of those qualified because of the low ratings for students with disabilities and long-term English learners, and in some charter schools, for low ratings of Hispanic students, according to Department of Education analysis.

John Fensterwald writes about education policy and its impact in California.

Congressmen Garamendi and DeSaulnier official photos

Funding cancelled because of its “DEl initiatives, ‘environmental justice’ initiatives, and conflict with the Agency’s policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence” – EPA

Also, later rescinded by Congress in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

By Cameron Niven, Communications Director, Office of Congressman John Garamendi

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), who each represent portions of Contra Costa County, issued the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the government watchdog, published Garamendi’s requested report finding that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to block a $19 million Community Change Grant to Contra Costa County violated the law.

This news comes more than one year after Reps. Garamendi and DeSaulnier confronted the EPA for violating federal appropriations law and federal court injunctions by canceling a $19.1 million Community Change Grant awarded to Contra Costa County for its North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative.

“The GAO confirmed what we knew all along: President Trump’s EPA broke the law, and now I’m demanding they pay us back,” said Garamendi. “This funding was, and still is, not a suggestion. Congress mandated years ago that these funds be delivered to frontline communities like North Richmond, which, because of President Trump’s blatant abuse of the law, has continued to suffer the health impacts of extreme pollution. Not only has Trump’s EPA acted in ways that break the law, but because of its callousness and disregard for the American people, it is endangering the health and wellbeing of some of our nation’s most vulnerable residents. The people of North Richmond deserve better. Trump took away their money, and now they need to give it back.”

“Over a year ago, I was proud to stand with Congressman Garamendi in calling on the Trump Administration to reverse course as they illegally clawed back over $19 million in federal funding for environmental protection efforts from Contra Costa County,” said DeSaulnier. “Now the GAO, an independent government watchdog agency, has confirmed the Administration violated the law in stealing this money and we demand it be reinstated immediately.”

Background

In spring 2025, the EPA terminated a $19.1 million Community Change Grant awarded to Contra Costa County for its North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative. The initiative is one of 105 applications selected for the Inflation Reduction Act’s Community Change Grants (CCG) Program announced by the Biden Administration in December 2024, just at the end of his term, which was the largest national investment in environmental and climate justice (ECJ).

The $19.1 million in funding was allocated directly to the community for the initiative, which aimed to build a resilience center for emergencies and natural disasters and to plant 65 trees along the Verde Elementary schoolyard to shield students from pollution caused by a new distribution center.

In response to the news of the cancellation, Congressman Garamendi and Congressman DeSaulnier sent a letter to Trump-appointed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stating that the agency flagrantly violated the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act without any explanation or due process.

In response to Garamendi and DeSaulnier’s letter, the EPA provided little to no justification for the cancellation, saying only that the agency does not support programs or organizations that promote or take part in DEI or “environmental justice” initiatives.

Congressman Garamendi then requested a report on the Trump Administration’s actions from the GAO, which published its decision on the termination of the Community Change Grants on October 7. The GAO found that the EPA violated the law and noted that Garamendi and DeSaulnier’s letter to the EPA and the agency’s response also helped inform its determination.

GAO Claims EPA Broke the Law, Congress Later Rescinded Funding

According to the GAO’s report, “In early 2025, EPA decided to terminate the ECJ subprograms, including the CCG Program, paused payments to grantees, and later terminated the CCGs. Congress subsequently rescinded the unobligated balances of amounts made available to the ECJ Program as part of Public Law 119-21 – commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

“Unless Congress has enacted a law providing otherwise, executive branch officials must take care to ensure that they prudently obligate appropriations during their period of availability. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA) allows the President to withhold funds from obligation or expenditure, but only under strictly limited circumstances and only in a manner consistent with that Act.

“We find that EPA violated the ICA when the agency, without submitting a special message to Congress: (1) withheld funds from expenditure for the CCG Program after deciding to terminate the program; and (2) withheld funds from obligation by terminating the CCGs. These withholdings were impoundments subject to the ICA and not programmatic delays.

“GAO is aware of ongoing litigation involving the termination of ECJ Program grants, including CCGs. We have included the most up-to-date information related to the litigation in this decision.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Source: CCC Superior Court

By Dan Radovich, ADA Coordinator & Communications Manager, Contra Costa County Superior Court

The Contra Costa County Superior Court has released its Strategic Plan for 2027–2029.  This three-year roadmap focuses on improving access to justice, developing and retaining a skilled workforce, expanding community outreach and partnerships, maintaining secure court facilities and information systems, and streamlining operations through technology and data.

The plan is built on key input gathered earlier this year from Contra Costa County residents and court users through a public survey, as well as from County partners, justice partners, and members of the bench and court staff.

The plan includes five Strategic Priorities with three goals for each:

• Accessible Justice
• Workforce Excellence
• Trusted Courts
• Safe & Secure Courts and
• Operational Excellence & Innovation

The Court thanks everyone who took the time to contribute their perspectives and ideas, especially the residents and court users who completed the survey.  This feedback was essential to shaping the plan’s priorities and goals.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.