The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon.
Today’s question:
QUESTION: Do you think authorities should crack down on people who illegally sell food on the street, or do you think they should be left alone?
Talk about it….
Record Number Of Californians Expected To Travel For Memorial Day
The summer travel season is kicking off with one of the busiest Memorial Day weekends since AAA began tracking travel data in 2000.
Nationwide, more than 43.8 million Americans are projected to travel over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. That figure is 4 percent higher than last year and comes close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers.
AAA projects a record 38.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, up 4 percent compared to last year. In addition, AAA expects this will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005 with 3.51 million air travelers this holiday weekend, an increase of nearly 5 percent over last year.
“We’re expecting Memorial Day weekend numbers like we haven’t seen in almost 20 years,” said Brian Ng, Senior Vice President of Membership and Travel Marketing for AAA Northern California. “It’s not just a return to pre-pandemic levels but also foreshadows the robust summer travel season ahead.”
Losers Ram Front Door Of Concord Business On Solano Way – Owner Offering $500 Reward For Information That Leads To Arrest
A Concord business owner is offering $500 for information leading to the arrest of any individuals involved in ramming his engineering business with a vehicle.
The incident took place on Monday night just before 10 p.m. on Solano Way in Concord.
If you have any information, please call the Concord Police Department.
Concord Drunk Driver Who Killed 86-Year-Old Man Sentenced To 12-Years In Prison
A Concord man who struck and killed an 86-year-old man last Thanksgiving was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.
Damian Lopez-Avelino was 19 and intoxicated when his vehicle struck another vehicle at Oak Grove and Ryan roads in Concord.
Police responded at 6:49 p.m. on Nov. 23 to a report of a two-vehicle crash at Treat Boulevard and Oak Grove Road in Concord. While at the scene, police determined a second crash happened a few blocks away.
Lopez-Avelino struck a second vehicle, in which Thomas O’Connell was a passenger. O’Connell was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Police arrested Lopez-Avelino, who was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing serious bodily injury, hit-and-run with injury, and driving a motor vehicle while unlicensed.
Lopez-Avelino reached a negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors on April 11, pleading guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving with a .08 blood alcohol content causing injury. Both charges carried enhancements.
Lopez-Avelino was sentenced to 12 years and eight months in prison, with credit for serving 139 days and another good conduct credit of 20 days.
The Water Cooler – California’s $45B Budget Deficit – What Services/Programs/Jobs Need To Be Cut?
The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon.
Today’s question:
California has a huge budget problem that could force thorny decisions from Democratic leaders who enjoyed a more than $100 billion surplus just three years ago, the Associated Press reported.
Governor Newsom announced on Friday a $26.7 billion deficit, but it’s really closer to $45 billion. That’s because Newsom didn’t include roughly $17.3 billion worth of actions he and lawmakers already agreed on, according to the AP.
QUESTION: What programs/services/jobs would you cut if you were Governor of California?
Talk about it….
PG&E Invites Bay Area Customers To Town Hall For Contra Costa Updates, Wildfire Safety Program Updates And Customer Resources
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) invites Bay Area customers to a virtual town hall to learn more about work in Contra Costa County, wildfire safety updates and resources to keep you safe.
On Tuesday, May 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., PG&E experts, including Regional Vice President Jake Zigelman, will provide a brief presentation during which participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.
The event can be accessed by visiting PG&E’s website, pge.com/webinars.
American Sign Language interpretation will be available. For the full webinar events schedule, additional information on how to join and to view past event recordings and presentation materials, visit pge.com/webinars.
Files Removed From Contra Costa County School Campus Raise Concerns
The Antioch Unified School District employee suspended for bullying his coworkers was recently seen on surveillance cameras removing files from his office, a concern for several staff given his appointment to oversee the schools’ bond dollars.
Liz Robbins, associate superintendent of business and operations, confirmed that she did escort Kenneth Turnage to his office on May 4 to retrieve “personal documents and items.”
Turnage is the AUSD director of maintenance, operations and facilities who is accused of several bullying incidents, including allegedly placing a coworker’s desk on the roof. He did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.
“This is the same respectful practice that is given to district employees who are placed on paid administrative leave,” Robbins said, noting that he was under her direct supervision for the entire duration of his visit.
She did not, however, confirm whether she reviewed the files first to ascertain what was in them.
AUSD Board President Antonio Hernandez said that when he asked about the matter, it was unclear to him whether anyone checked the files retrieved by Turnage.
The issue was raised during public comment at last week’s board meeting, when the trustees voted to retain Superintendent Stephanie Anello. Employees have claimed that Anello’s friendship with Turnage was the reason she ignored complaints of bullying. Hernandez and Trustee Jag Lathan voted to remove Anello from her position, though they were outvoted by trustees Mary Rocha, Gary Hack and Clyde Lewis.
During the meeting, AUSD employee Kim Atkinson stood at the podium, voice shaking as she spoke directly to Robbins seated near the dais while sharing with the audience what she had seen on surveillance footage.
“I don’t feel safe, and you promised me I was safe,” she said. “You sent me an email and said, ‘You’re safe — everything’s been handled, no worries.’ And then you took him (to the office) without telling anybody, and you let him use his keys, and you let him disarm the alarm with his code. … What was in those files? What is going on?”
In an interview after the meeting, Kim Atkinson and her husband Brian Atkinson, union president of the California School Employees Association’s Antioch Chapter 85, explained that for security reasons, staff are given alarm codes and can see who’s coming and going from the buildings.
Given her experience with Turnage, Kim Atkinson said she had previously expressed concerns about her safety and asked whether he still had keys and other means to access the building — to which she said Robbins assured her it was “handled.”
Yet on Saturday, May 4, the Atkinsons said they and other staff members watched remotely as Turnage used his keys to open his office and walk away with files, accompanied by Robbins.
“I was told that it was a lack of communication that Liz didn’t tell anybody that she was bringing him here to the office, and she was sorry for the lack of communication,” Kim Atkinson said. “I was physically shaking and crying, and they ended up telling me to go home for the day, that they were sorry that they assured me he did not have keys, which obviously wasn’t true.”
She went on to note that had Turnage walked away with a box of picture frames or coffee mugs, she wouldn’t have been as alarmed, but she pointed out that he’s now also the manager of the Measure B bond, a $195 million bond that narrowly passed in March this year. In an April 10 email to staff, Turnage announced that he would be overseeing all planning and construction on the bond.
When asked whether Turnage would retain his position overseeing the bond, Robbins said, “In general, an employee placed on paid administrative leave continues to hold all the job responsibilities that are contained within their job description and can be contacted at any time for information by their supervisor, under the approval of the Human Resources department.”
Brian Atkinson shared that there’s a push to bolster the existing bond oversight committee, which currently has three open seats and four members, including an AUSD-paid contractor. He expressed frustration that the last bond that was passed didn’t appear to be going toward fixing plumbing or other issues at some of the district’s oldest facilities.
“So the deep behind-the-scenes garbage that is going on, this is old-school Antioch good old boys stuff,” he said. “And even though I’ve been here since 1980, I’m not a good old boy. I don’t buy into their games.”
While the content of the files remains unclear, Hernandez said the general lack of trust within the community makes it easier to question and distrust. He is advocating for more transparency about how the bond dollars are being used and said the district’s decision to place Turnage in charge of the bond was not made in the public taxpayers’ best interest.
“I think it’s important for us to do as much as we can to prove to the community that we’re doing right by their tax dollars, that we’re spending them wisely, that ultimately we’re delivering the results for our students,” he said. “I will continue to push for systems of accountability, including updating our policies and evaluating our superintendent who has not been evaluated since 2020.”
Lathan said the call for transformative leadership in AUSD is urgent and unmistakable, as she highlighted the disparity in standardized test scores and suspension rates predominantly affecting students of color.
She said the current administration’s acceptance of failure is unacceptable.
“It’s time for a superintendent who champions justice and equity in education, ensuring every child receives the support they need to succeed academically and socially,” Lathan said.
A YouTuber from Concord gave investigators all the evidence they needed before convicting him last month of multiple incidents of extreme speeding and reckless driving on Contra Costa County freeways.
The California Highway Patrol received public complaints about a gray BMW speeding and driving recklessly on Interstate 680 between Contra Costa and Solano counties in late spring 2022.
Investigators discovered the driver’s identity through his YouTube channel. Scott Kitfield, 33, posted numerous dashcam videos documenting his dangerous driving, including speeding well over 100 mph on Bay Area freeways, racing other cars, and weaving through traffic at high speeds while endangering nearby commuters.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said Kitfield’s comments on the channel further confirmed his disregard for safety by boasting about his reckless actions. The videos also confirmed Kitfield frequently sped on I-680 and other Bay Area freeways, exceeding 120 mph.
On July 14, 2023, a CHP aircraft tracked Kitfield’s car as he drove home from Solano County to Concord, in the afternoon, with investigators watching him speed over 110 mph on I-680 as he crossed the Benicia-Martinez bridge.
He exceeded 120 mph while racing another car through Martinez. Just after passing a CHP patrol vehicle, Kitfield swerved abruptly across the freeway and exited at Willow Pass Road and drove into a residential area.
The CHP officer tried pulling Kitfield over as he turned around at a dead end. The DA’s office said Kitfield led the CHP officers on a chase before finally stopping his car and surrendering.
CHP investigators recovered Kitfield’s computer and the dash camera he used to create videos for his YouTube channel. The devices contained several more videos of him driving recklessly.
On April 3, Kitfield was convicted of two criminal charges arising from his conduct on July 14: fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly and engaging in a motor vehicle exhibition of speed on a highway.
Kitfield was also convicted of charges from incidents on June 25-26: reckless driving on a highway and driving a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license.
The court sentenced Kitfield to 60 days in jail and probation. He can only drive his own registered car with a valid license and vehicle insurance. He must also allow a tracking device installed on his vehicle by law enforcement. Kitfield also acknowledged in writing — and was verbally admonished by the judge — that his reckless driving conduct was extremely dangerous to human life, and that if he drives recklessly again and kills someone, he could potentially be charged with murder.
Danville Police Searching For At-Risk Senior Who’s Been Missing For 4 Days
Danville police said Monday they are still looking for at-risk senior Anna Palma, who has been missing for four days.
The 81-year-old woman was last seen around 2 a.m. on May 9, walking away from the area of Verde Mesa Drive.
Police said Palma, who has dementia, was wearing a floral blouse and carrying a clothing bag.
The Contra Costa County Search and Rescue Team has been out looking for Palma and asking residents of Cameo Acres and nearby neighborhoods to help with the search.
Police asked residents to review video camera footage for the day starting at 2 a.m., check around their properties, including the backyard, any outbuildings and inside cars.
Anyone with information about Palma’s whereabouts is asked to call police at (925) 820-2144.
The Water Cooler – Will You Use California’s High-Speed Rail?
Community Event At Concord’s Cambridge Park Seeks To Make Monument Blvd. Safer For Walking, Biking, and Rolling
The City of Concord is submitting a grant application to attempt to make Monument Boulevard safe and comfortable for people walking, biking, and rolling.
The Monument Blvd Trails-to-Transit project will build a 1.5-mile-long separated walking & biking path on Monument Boulevard from the Iron Horse Trail in the west to Walters Way in the east. This project will help residents of the Monument Corridor safely access parks, schools, BART, downtown, and other community destinations.
The City of Concord is partnering with Monument Impact to gather input from residents who use Monument Blvd every day. Join the City of Concord at Cambridge Park from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday, May 17 to review plans for the corridor.
City Of Concord Hosting “Energizer Stations” During “Bike To Work Day” On Thursday
May is National Bike Month and Thursday, May 16, is “Bike to Wherever” Day. Start your day with fresh air and exercise! Enjoy meeting other cyclists and pick up free goodies at various Energizer Stations along your route.
The City of Concord will be hosting two stations on Bike to Wherever Day 2024:
7-9 a.m.: Concord Skatepark on Monument Blvd & Cowell Rd, hosted by the Concord Engineering Division
8-11 a.m.: Todos Santos Plaza, hosted by the Concord Community Development Department
Although the City of Concord will be hosting two energizer stations, there will be more than 30 other stations spread out across Contra Costa County. These stations will welcome riders with a free canvas tote and snacks as they bike to work — or wherever.
ACCIDENTS:
- None.
ARRESTS:
- 5400 Clayton Rd. Trespass: Injure Property; Possess Controlled Substance; Possess Unlawful Paraphernalia; Receive/Etc. Known Stolen Property; Possess Burglary Tools; Probation Violation. A 38-year-old transient male was arrested after being contacted by officers. He was transported to Martinez Detention Facility for booking. (05/04/24 – 1925 hrs.) (Kelly, Jason; 12/12/85; 602(K) PC; 11377(A) H&S; 11364(A) H&S; 496(A) PC; 466 PC; 1203.2(A) PC ) – THIS IS JASON KELLY’S 29th ARREST SINCE 2017)
BURGLARIES/THEFTS:
- None.
VANDALISMS:
- None.
Watch the video above to find out about the ancient roots and modern history of Mother’s Day, which is celebrated on the second Sunday in May in the United States.
You can also learn why the creator of Mother’s Day was arrested for actually protesting Mother’s Day.