BOS District I - News All Archives 3/1/19 -- Celebrating Stockton Avenue In celebrating 15 years on Stockton Avenue, the Jenny K. Gifts shop is also bucking a national trend by going from online startup to mom-and-pop, brick-and-mortar business. 1/24/19 - MLK Humanitarian Award MARTINEZ, CA — The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Tuesday named a Richmond preacher who's been active in preventing violence and reducing the city's homicide rates as Humanitarian of the Year during the 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Martinez. PATCH 1/21/19 - MLK Day El Cerrito Supervisor John Gioia called the El Cerrito celebration “the biggest and best” in Contra Costa County. “I think it’s really important to be out here and to be part of things today because so often what we’re hearing is that we can’t be silent, we can’t stand by,” Gioia said. EAST BAY TIMES 1/15/19 -- Gioia Becomes New Board Chair Gioia, has been representing District 1, or West County, as a supervisor since he was first elected in 1998. This is his fifth term as Board Chair. RICHMOND STANDARD 1/15/19 -- New Day for Ferry Services The Craneway Pavilion, next to the new terminal, was packed full last Thursday afternoon for the official opening of Richmond’s new ferry service. Thousands of guests lined the water’s edge for a first glimpse of the newest edition to the Richmond waterfront, and to take a short ride around the harbor. RICHMOND PULSE 1/10/19 -- Ferry Service Again State lawmakers and local leaders celebrated the launch of regular daily ferry service from the Port of Richmond into San Francisco for the first time since the late 1950s Thursday. BAY CITY NEWS 1/10/19 - Water Ferry Links Bay The new ferry route from Richmond to San Francisco debuted today to rave reviews. Commuters who are tired of fighting their way to San Francisco everyday say they have been waiting for this. ABC7 1/10/19 - San Francisco and Richmond Linked State lawmakers and local leaders celebrated the launch of regular daily ferry service from the Port of Richmond into San Francisco for the first time since the late 1950s Thursday. SFGATE 1/10/19 - Ferry Service Returns to Richmond The excitement on the Richmond waterfront Thursday was palpable, as hundreds gathered to celebrate the launch of brand new ferry service to downtown San Francisco. RICHMOND STANDARD 12/19/18 - Census Resources Available CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The Decennial Census is looming in April 2020, and a new question about citizenship is fueling concerns that Contra Costa County could lose out on federal funding over the following decade if hard-to-count populations like undocumented immigrants are left out. PATCH 12/14/18 -- Verde Holiday Giveaway Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia and his staff expressed gratitude to the community this week for pulling off yet another successful holiday drive at Verde Elementary. Sup. Gioia has been holding a holiday drive for the North Richmond school for two decades. RICHMONDSTANDARD 12/5/18 -- Polystyrene Ban The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to implement a ban on certain polystyrene products, often called sytrofoam. RICHMOND STANDARD 12/5/18 -- Guns at Fairs MARTINEZ — Deciding that gun shows don’t belong at the county fairgrounds, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to ask the state to ban them. The supervisors will send a letter to the president of the 23rd District Agricultural Association — which owns and operates the fairgrounds and hosts the annual county fair — requesting that the agency consider banning the “possession of firearms and ammunition, including the purchase, sale, and discharge of firearms and ammunition.” EAST BAY TIMES 11/6/18 -- Air Quality Monitor Richmond is about to begin a unique process to identify a group of community leaders to work with the state and local air resources boards to determine key drivers of the city’s pollution and put together a plan to reduce it. RichmondConfidential 11/2/18 -- Duane Chapman Robert Rogers, district coordinator for Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia’s Office, said Chapman remained committed to community advocacy even as he battled with his illness. “…Even though he was confined to his bed and in terrible pain, he still mustered the energy to tell me about the plight of the homeless in our communities, and how he was fortunate to have a roof,” Rogers said. RICHMOND STANDARD 10/26/18 -- Economic Summit “We’re right on the bay, great transportation infrastructure, rail and the new ferry service set to start on Jan. 10 next year,” Contra Costa County John Gioia told the assembled group of local leaders and business owners. “We have highways, great proximity, and a great trained and ready workforce.” RICHMOND STANDARD 10/20/18 -- CCC Advocate Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia told the assembled, “As children and teenagers you should not be ignorant to the fact that you have influence on your parents.” CCCADVOCATE 10/3/18 -- CARB Votes to Strengthen Emission Rules Sacramento - At its meeting on Friday, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) officially confirmed that it will stick with planned increases in emissions and fuel economy standards for cars sold in the state. DIGITALJOURNAL 10/2/18 -- ICE Impact on Counties Washington Post 10/2/18 -- Tar Sands Loom Over Bay Area Communities have specifically identified the proposed reconfiguration of the Phillips 66 Rodeo refinery near San Francisco to process more oilsands crude as a sign of things to come — and are already fighting back. THE NARWHAL 10/2/18 -- ICE Backlash Throughout Nation Activists in Alexandria, Va., are pressing the sheriff to drop an agreement to detain migrants for ICE. The sheriff in Contra Costa County, Calif., canceled a similar contract in July, soon after at least 1,000 protesters marched on the local jail. WASHINGTON POST 9/26/18 -- Unions Donate to Shields Reid Late Wednesday morning, it was difficult to miss the large plots of bright yellow paint when driving past the Shields-Reid Community Center at 1410 Kelsey St. RICHMOND STANDARD 9/21/18 -- Canada's Trans Mountain Pipeline “Building a pipeline to transport Canadian tar sands to Vancouver, BC-area ports would flood the global market with large amounts of higher polluting heavy crude. This would have serious negative impacts in our fight against global warming and could increase emissions around refineries in the Bay Area. That’s why we need to keep tar sands in the ground, stop the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project, and prevent this dirtier crude from being processed in local refineries.” -John Gioia, member of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and board member of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Yubanet.com 9/19/18 -- Racial Justice Task Force Seeks Diverse Members Public Protection Committee Chair, Supervisor John Gioia, commented on the process, “We value diversity, inclusion and racial equity in Contra Costa County, and we welcome interest from residents all across our County who want to serve the community in the cause of racial justice.” EAST COUNTY TODAY 9/12/18 -- County Public Defenders Request Pay Raise MARTINEZ — In what they call an issue of racial justice, attorneys from the Contra Costa County public defender’s office are urging the Board of Supervisors to close the pay gap between the entry-level lawyers who defend most residents accused of misdemeanor crimes and their counterparts in the district attorney’s office who prosecute them. MERCURY NEWS 8/23/18 -- Prefabs for Homeless The first MicroPad development for homeless people may be built in Richmond, California, where the county government has federal funding for new supportive housing. The county has yet to choose a developer, but sees several advantages of a design like the MicroPad. “Prefabricated small units provide a smart and efficient way to spend one-time funds from HUD for housing our homeless population with dignity,” says John Gioia, vice chair of the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors. FASTCOMPANY 7/31/18 -- Soda Tax Ban Could Plant Seeds for Future After more than a decade of failed attempts at both the state and local levels to impose soda taxes, health advocates scored a watershed victory in 2014 when Berkeley voters approved by a two-thirds majority a one-cent-per-ounce tax on sugary beverages sold within the city limits. 7/10/18 -- Gioia Hails Historic End of ICE Contract A Northern California jail will cancel its profitable contract with federal immigration officials to house suspects facing deportation, authorities said Tuesday. NBCBayArea 7/10/18 -- ICE Contract Stopped ABC7 RICHMOND, Calif. -- It's being hailed by some as an historic day in Contra Costa County, while others are warning of unintended consequences. Sheriff David Livingston announced Tuesday that his department is canceling its contract with ICE at the Richmond jail. ABC7 7/10/18 -- ICE Contract Ended AP SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A Northern California jail will cancel its profitable contract with federal immigration officials to house suspects facing deportation, authorities said Tuesday. The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department is the third local law enforcement agency in California to cut ties in recent months with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials amid continued protests over federal detention policies. 6/27/18 -- ICE Protest at Jail A broad coalition of political action groups gathered outside the Richmond jail on Tuesday to protest an array of immigration issues and promised continued demonstrations in Contra Costa County, which is home to the Bay Area’s only ICE detention center. EAST BAY TIMES 6/26/18 -- North Richmond Incorporation RICHMOND — North Richmond, a 1.5-square-mile unincorporated pocket surrounded by Richmond, could be annexed into the city — if its residents are OK with that. Annexation would mean access to city programs such as rent control, more direct political representation and possibly more public safety for North Richmond residents, but that would come at a cost. Annual property taxes would rise by $140 per $100,000 of a home’s assessed value. City and county officials want North Richmond residents to decide for themselves whether the benefits are worth paying higher taxes. EAST BAY TIMES 6/23/18 -- KTVU Rally Against ICE East Bay activists and elected officials are planning a town hall and a rally in response to the Trump administration's purported plans to place as many as 47,000 immigrants in a detention camp at the Naval Weapons Station just outside Concord. KTVU 6/22/18 -- Naval Weapons Site Eyed as Deportation Center East Bay leaders responded Friday afternoon to the Trump administration's purported plans to have the U.S. Navy place as many as 47,000 immigrants in a mass-detention camp at the Naval Weapons Station just outside Concord. The city of Concord issued a statement on social media saying city officials were "very concerned" to learn of Friday's news, and that the Navy has not yet communicated its intentions to the city. CALIFORNIA NEWS WIRE 6/22/18 -- SFGATE Detention Center Report East Bay activists and elected officials are planning a town hall and a rally in response to the Trump administration's purported plans to place as many as 47,000 immigrants in a detention camp at the Naval Weapons Station just outside Concord. SFCHRONICLE 6/22/18 -- ABC7 Detention Center Report There is much opposition against a proposal to build large-scale detention centers for undocumented immigrants across the country including in the Bay Area. "No local officials including the sheriff had been informed about this," said Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia says he was blindsided by the news the US Navy is considering the former Concord Naval Weapons Station property as a possible detention center site to house up to 47,000 migrants. ABC7 6/22/18 -- NBC Bay Area Detention Center Report Time Magazine reported Friday that it has obtained exclusive documents which shows that the U.S. Navy is planning to construct detention centers to house tens of thousands of immigrants in Alabama, Arizona and California, including the former Naval Weapons Station in Concord, about 30 miles from San Francisco. NBCBayArea 6/22/18 -- KRON4 Concord Detention Center Report CONCORD (KRON)- - The U.S. Navy plans to construct immigration detention camps on bases throughout California including one in the Bay Area, Times Magazine revealed. The former Naval Weapons Station in Concord could house as many as 47,000 people under President Trump's 'zero-tolerance policy,' according to Congressman Mark DeSaulnier. KRON4 6/4/18 -- Fire Inspections Needed Calling California’s broken system of fire safety inspections intolerable and a threat to public safety, a state senator on Monday said he will introduce legislation to force local fire departments to notify the public how well they are following the state mandate to inspect schools and apartment buildings each year. East Bay Times 5/10/18 -- Block Party Today A community-driven effort to beautify a central North Richmond grocer will culminate on Friday with a block party. From 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., a new mural covering the exterior of the Rancho Market & Deli at 500 Market Ave. is set to debut, and there will be food, music, live performances, kids activities and resource booths. 5/4/18 -- Celebrating Heritage Point It may have taken over 15 years, but affordable housing is at last being built in North Richmond. In a well-attended ground-breaking ceremony at 1540 Fred Jackson Way on Thursday, Supervisor John Gioia, community leaders and project officials praised the community partnerships that formed the Heritage House, a 42-unit multifamily affordable housing development that is being constructed on several parcels between Grove and Chesley avenues. Richmond Standard 5/4/18 -- Block Party Mural A mural depicting jazz musicians playing on saxophone, butterflies, red roses and a medicine wheel is taking shape at North Richmond's Rancho Market, a storefront that was once distinguished only by bullet holes and painted-over graffiti. NBC Bay Area 4/26/18 -- Heritage Point Groundbreaking in North Richmond A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Thursday, May 3 for the Heritage House, a 42-unit multifamily affordable housing development that will be built on Fred Jackson Way between Grove and Chesley avenues in North Richmond. Richmond Standard 4/19/19 - New 10.5 Megawatt Solar Farm RICHMOND — The city and Marin Clean Energy hosted a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday for a new, 10.5-megawatt solar farm built on a brownfield that was the site of a former landfill. East Bay Times. 4/19/18 - Bay Area's Largest Public Private Solar Project Pproject partners MCE and sPower commemorated Earth Day 2018 early with a ribbon cutting for MCE Solar One, a 60-acre solar farm in Richmond, California, that provides enough renewable electricity to serve 3,900 MCE customers annually. Solar Power World 4/18/18 - Solar Farm Opens on Chevron Property In advance of Earth Day, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday for one of the Bay Area’s most significant environmental achievements: the construction of a 60-acre solar farm on land provided by Chevron Richmond. Richmond Standard 4/14/18 - Gioia Calls for Stop to Posting Release Dates for ICE Inmates MARTINEZ -- A chorus of public and private voices on Thursday called on the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office to stop publishing the release dates of inmates in what some viewed as an indirect coordination with ICE. East Bay Times 4/14/18 - Alleged Deputy Sex with Inmates Seeps into DA Race MARTINEZ -- The head of the District Attorney's Office sexual assault unit -- who is running for DA -- was told last week not to participate in the case review of a sheriff's deputy accused of having unlawful sex with two jail inmates. East Bay Times 3/21/18 -- Rapid Response from Gioia Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, who represents West County, has released a video promoting a new program launched March 1 to help local immigrant families in fear of deportation under the Trump administration. “We’re standing up to Trump’s effort to deport hard working immigrant families and split our communities,” Gioia stated in the video. “On March 1, we launched Stand Together Contra Costa to provide Rapid Response Legal services to immigrant families at risk of deportation.” Richmond Standard. 3/20/18 -- Methadone Clinic Looks for Home BayMark Health Services’ BAART Richmond clinic withdrew its application to the Richmond Planning Commission to relocate its drug treatment facility from 1313 Cutting Blvd. to 3563 San Pablo Dam Road, and is no longer considering the site. The decision followed opposition by El Sobrante business owners and residents and a pledge by Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia to assist in identifying an alternative location. Gioia confirmed to the Standard today that he worked with BayMark to get them to withdraw their application last month. Richmond Standard 3/16/18 -- Stand Together Contra Costa by RC On March 1st , Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia announced the launch of the Deportation Defense Hotline. The new service is part of Stand Together Contra Costa, a county initiative that offers information that can help people navigate the complex immigration system. The County Public Defender’s office provides educational and administrative support with “know you rights” workshops for community members. Richmond Confidential 3/10/18 -- DeSaulnier Calls for ICE Detention Halt U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier says it's time for Contra Costa County to end its relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Democratic congressman from Concord, who recently toured the Richmond jail that the county leases to the federal government for detention of undocumented immigrants, said that the Contra Costa County sheriff's office's move this week to ban volunteers from visiting immigrants inside the jail - to check on their well-being - was the last straw. SF Chronicle 3/8/18 -- Bill Lindsay to Retire RICHMOND — City Manager Bill Lindsay, who is credited with helping to pull Richmond out of financial ruin, has announced he will retire later this year. Lindsay, 62, is leaving Richmond on July 31 and said he is not looking for another job. “I came to Richmond because I wanted a challenge,” Lindsay said Thursday. “Richmond certainly offered that.” A former city manager of Orinda, Lindsay arrived in Richmond in 2005, recruited by former Contra Costa County Administrator Phil Batchelor, who served as interim city manager. He entered a city that looked much different — in budget reports and around city streets and buildings — than the one he is leaving. EAST BAY TIMES 3/7/18 -- Group Banned from Touring Jail RICHMOND — The advocacy group that last year went public with allegations of ICE detainee mistreatment is no longer welcome at Contra Costa jails, the Bay Area News Group learned Wednesday and the nonprofit calls it retaliation. Sheriff David Livingston’s department banned volunteers from CIVIC (Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement) from entering the jail Tuesday. An email to the group obtained exclusively by this news agency accuses it of having “habitually violated numerous policies and procedures,” and that the organization “poses a security and safety hazard” to the West Contra Costa Jail in Richmond. EAST BAY TIMES 3/2/18 -- Contra Costa Protects Against ICE Raids MARTINEZ — As Northern California feels the heat from stepped up ICE raids, Contra Costa County has responded with a deportation defense hotline offering legal help, notifications and community support. The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Stand Together Contra Costa rapid response hotline for immigrant families to access legal services or report Immigrants and Customs Enforcement raids in the county at any hour. East Bay Times 2/28/18 -- Smoke and Toxic Fire go Together RICHMOND -- On Jan. 30, multiple Richmond neighborhoods became enveloped in a heavy, black cloud of toxic smoke. The fire had sparked at the Sims Metal Management facility at 600 S. 4th St., and it prompted a shelter-in-place order that lasted nearly 11 hours. In the weeks following the blaze, residents, elected officials, and environmental groups have raised serious questions and concerns about Sims' handling of flammable materials and its lack of preparation for dealing with industrial fires. 2/27/18 -- Investigators Can't Find Source of Fire RICHMOND -- The cause of a major fire at a metal recycling facility in Richmond that sent high levels of toxic smoke into the air last month may never be known. Investigators have spent weeks interviewing employees of the Sims Metal Management site and sifting through large amounts of burned debris, but in the end they could not find conclusive evidence of what exactly sparked the Jan. 30 blaze, according to Inspector Eric Govan of the Richmond Fire Department. 2/15/18 -- State Senate Bill to Increase Emission Penalties State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, wants to triple some of the most serious penalties local air districts can levy against oil companies when their refineries violate emissions regulations. Dodd, who represents a district that’s home to refineries owned by Shell, Tesoro and Valero, introduced legislation on Wednesday that would raise the limits on certain fines for the first time in decades. EAST BAY TIMES. 2/7/18 - Coal Impacts Local Health In October 2014, Sylvia Hopkins first noticed the line of coal cars sitting on tracks close to her home in Richmond's Atchison Village. Shortly thereafter, she began to discover black, greasy deposits on her windowsills. "I went on the 'Toxic Tour' of Richmond in 2015," she said. "I saw the uncovered coal piles directly in the line of winds blowing from the bay." East Bay Express 2/5/18 - Richmond Launches Fire Investigation Richmond city officials have begun to scrutinize the Sims Metal Management facility, where a smoky fire forced thousands of residents to stay indoors last week. The city’s Planning and Building Department will review whether Sims is complying with rules governing its work near the Port of Richmond, according to Richard Mitchell, the department’s director. East Bay Times. 2/4/18 - Tick Tock of Fire Emergency Response In Richmond, response to Tuesday night’s scrap yard fire is in the eye of the beholder. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt was no fan of the Contra Costa Community Warning System, and never has been. “As far as I’m concerned, it never worked,” Butt said of the system that came under, er, fire during the Chevron refinery release in 2012 — to the point that supervisors John Gioia and Federal Glover were tasked with reviewing the system. East Bay Times. 2/2/18 -- Benzene in Air from Scrap Fire RICHMOND — Air quality tests from a metal scrapyard fire this week were released on Friday and showed elevated levels of benzene, a chemical known to cause cancer and to damage the central nervous system. The Contra Costa Health Services Department released the test results from air samples that showed the higher levels of benzene taken around Point Richmond after the large fire Tuesday night at Sims Metal Management. East Bay Times. 2/2/18 - Worst Air in Decades from Fire The smoke from Tuesday’s two-alarm blaze prompted a 10-hour shelter-in–place for residents in the area. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District will investigate whether particulates were present that were too dangerous to breathe, and whether Sims Metal Management, a metal and electronic recycling facility may face fines for violations, officials said. Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, who sits on the air district board, said some of the readings he’s already seen indicate levels of toxic air matter that for periods of time were similar to the readings during the North Bay fires in October. East Bay Times. 2/1/18 -- Smoke From Sims Fire May Have Violated Air Laws Air samples from smoke that wafted through Richmond Tuesday night and Wednesday morning from a large fire at a scrap metal yard included high levels of toxic particulate matter that were too dangerous to breathe, according to a top local air official. “For a shortened period of time there were some levels of smoke from this fire that were similar to the North Bay fires,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, who sits on the Bay Area Air Quality Management District board. KQED. 1/30/18 -- Benicia Reader Supports Industrial Ordinance According to a May 23 KQED article regarding the May 5 Valero Benicia Refinery incident: “The refinery should be held to higher safety standards, the same standards that the four refineries in Contra Costa are held to,” Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia said. The number of serious refinery accidents in Contra Costa have dropped since the industrial safety ordinance was adopted in 1999, according to Gioia. Benicia Times Herald. 1/23/18 - Sup. Gioia Thanks Community for Helping Verde With support from West County residents, businesses and nonprofits, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia said his annual Book & Hoodie Drive benefiting Verde Elementary served all of the North Richmond school’s 330 students. Richmond Standard. 1/12/18 -- Methadone Clinic Relocation Stirs Controversy A proposal to move an East Bay methadone clinic is causing controversy. The clinic is currently located on Cutting Boulevard in Richmond but is planning to move to San Pablo Dam Road in neighboring El Sobrante. KGO/ABC7 1/9/18 -- North Richmond Mural Moves Forward An ongoing community project to beautify Rancho Market in North Richmond is moving forward after receiving a neighborhood mini-grant from the Richmond Arts & Culture Commission. Richmond Standard. 1/8/18 -- County Refunds Parents of Incarcerated Youth One California county is giving its citizens something that’s not typically on offer from the US justice system: a refund. This week, the Contra Costa County probation department will begin notifying and mailing checks to families who, since 2010, were wrongfully billed for their children’s incarceration. Vice News 1/5/18 -- Mistreatment at Richmond jail SFGate column by Otis Taylor questions the internal investigation by the Contra Costa County Sheriff into alleged mistreatment of inmates. 1/4/18 -- Heritage Point North Richmond Richmond Standard story and video on Heritage Point, a 42-unit housing project that will be an economic benefit to North Richmond. 12/16/17 -- Catalyst North Richmond Housing Project Moves Forward County leaders hope a 42-unit apartment building, Heritage Point affordable housing complex, will help spur a revival in North Richmond. East Bay Times. 12/13/17 -- County Supervisors Vote to Refund Juvenile Justice Fees Contra Costa County will give refunds to hundreds of families who were unlawfully charged fees while their children were held in juvenile hall. KQED. 12/12/17 -- Concerns over Methadone Clinic in El Sobrante The planned move of a methadone clinic from its longtime Cutting Boulevard location to San Pablo Dam Road is causing consternation among some El Sobrante Valley residents and business owners. East Bay Times. 11/25/17 -- Rubicon Helps Homeless Gain Employment, Housing Richmond-based Rubicon helps homeless and previously incarcerated regain self-worth and improve lives. East Bay Times. 11/15/17 -- New Air District Regulations New Air District regulation will cut toxic cancer risk from facilities. BAAQMD. East Bay Times Article. 11/15/17 -- County & Richmond Propose Micro Housing for Homeless A “MicroPAD” delivered in front of City Hall by a San Francisco developer with long ties to Berkeley is being pitched by local officials as “a bold move to reduce homelessness.” East Bay Times. 11/14/17 -- Micropad to Reduce Homelessness On any given night, there are about 1,600 homeless people on the streets of Contra Costa County and getting roofs over their heads has proven difficult like in most areas. KRON4 11/14/17 -- Micropads Touted in Richmond An East Bay city is looking to take people off the streets by creating tiny homes for the homeless, but some say it won’t even make a dent in dealing with the issue. CBS Bay Area 11/14/17 -- Micropad Development Hailed Panoramic Interests has been working with the city of Richmond and Contra Costa County to find a location to build a MicroPAD development. Richmond Standard. 11/10/17 -- Investigation Demanded in Alleged Jail Abuse -- Sheriff Pledges Investigation Following reports and an open letter from 40 federal immigration detainees alleging abuse and civil rights violations in the West County Detention Center, the county Sheriff’s office has pledged to conduct a full investigation. East Bay Times. 11/10/17 -- Veterans Saluted at Craneway Hundreds of community members came to the Craneway Pavilion on Friday to pay homage to past, present and future military members during a heartfelt ceremony. Richmond Standard. 11/10/17 -- Dream Act Rally In Richmond One year after President Trump’s election, Dreamers and activists walked out of their schools and jobs to demand that Congress pass a “Clean Dream Act” before the winter recess. Organizing for Action (OFA), a Bay Area advocacy group and others gathered in solidarity at Richmond City Hall. RichmondConfidential. 11/9/17 -- Inhumane Treatment at Jail Alleged At the West County Detention Facility, federal immigration detainees alleged that they have been denied access to bathrooms and forced to relieve themselves in bags or clothes in their cells. East Bay Times. 11/8/17 -- Calls to Investigate ICE Jail Contra Costa County sheriff’s officials said it was news to them last week that female detainees at their jail in Richmond were complaining that they were locked in their cells for 23 hours a day — with no bathroom access. SFGATE. 11/8/17 -- Background Checks for Contra Costa Employees Supervisors on Tuesday asked for improved, and more specific, screening procedures for evaluating and hiring Contra Costa County employees, especially those who would have regular contact with children. East Bay Times. 11/8/17 -- North Richmond's Future Could be Part of City Many believe the time has finally come for the tiny district of North Richmond to be annexed to the city of Richmond. East Bay Express. 11/8/17 -- Supervisor Gioia Joins Alta Bates Supporters in Rally to Save Hospital About 150 people, many pushing strollers, rallied Sunday to protest the closing — or otherwise put, the repurposing — of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. East Bay Times. 11/2/17 -- Jail Conditions Draw Complaints On Tuesday, I got a rare tour of the West County Detention Facility — and even rarer access to some of the female ICE detainees there. It’s true — the jail cells have no toilets. SFGATE. 10/30/17 - County Considers Airbnb Regulations Contra Costa County's board of supervisors is considering taxing operators and implementing new laws to regulate short-term Airbnb rentals in unincorporated areas. RichmondConfidential. 10/30/17 -- GRIP Harmony Walkers Rally Community Hundreds of Richmonders turned out for the 31st Annual Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) Harmony Walk & 5K run, which began and ended at Nicholl Park on Saturday. Richmond Standard. 10/29/17 -- Gioia Leads Makeover of North Richmond Market Community members and leaders gathered at Rancho Market at 500 Market Ave. on Saturday to provide North Richmond’s only non-alcohol selling grocer with an exterior paint job. The Paint Party event was a partnership between Supervisor John Gioia’s office and the city of Richmond’s Love Your Block initiative. Richmond Standard. 10/25/17 - Rancho Market Beautification North Richmond’s only non-alcohol selling community grocer — the Rancho Market & Deli at 500 Market Ave. — is about to receive several coats of community love this Saturday. Richmond Standard. 10/25/17 - Historical Photo 1980 Photo of community members and John Gioia in Parchester Village in 1980. Richmond Independent. 10/24/17 - Award Winning Journalist Credits Gioia The idea to follow this line of reporting came from an offhand comment that county Supervisor John Gioia made to the newsroom about certain lawsuits surrounding dispensaries in Richmond. Thebault decided to look into those lawsuits which led him to a string of public documents and court reports that eventually became this series of stories. Richmond Confidential. 10/24/17 - Contra Costa County Restricts Marijuana A vote in Contra Costa County Tuesday afternoon put some significant restrictions on recreational pot sales. CBS Bay Area. 10/21/17 - Richmond Council Votes to Proceed with Annexation Process In a 5-2 vote, it was decided that the city will formally begin the application process with the county, the first step in correcting what many say was a historic injustice. In addition, informational material and a non-binding city ballot will be sent to North Richmond residents in order to gauge public opinion. RichmondConfidential. 10/19/17 - Council Moves Toward One Richmond The City Council this week gave the go-ahead to launch the process of annexing North Richmond, and simultaneously conduct public outreach to gauge the unincorporated enclave’s support for such a move. East Bay Times. 10/18/17 - North Richmond Annexation Possible The Richmond City Council voted in favor Tuesday of moving forward with the state application to annex unincorporated North Richmond, but not without simultaneously voting to conduct extensive outreach and polling of North Richmond residents which, depending on the results, could end up derailing annexation. Richmond Standard. 10/13/17 - Gioia's Op-Ed on Future of North Richmond North Richmond now has a chance to advance these improvements, and build a better future by becoming part of the City of Richmond, instead of remaining an isolated pocket of unincorporated community governed by the County. Richmond Standard. 10/11/17 - State Affordable Housing Bills Offer Hope Gov. Jerry Brown signed 15 housing bills late last month ... in Contra Costa County, the laws have been met with cautious optimism — and also a feeling that more needs to be done. Richmond Confidential. 10/9/17 - North Bay Fires Impact Local Air Quality Significant fires in Sonoma, Napa and Yuba counties have impacted air quality throughout the Bay Area, including in West Contra Costa County where residents posted photos to social media of smoke-hazed city streets and ash coating parked cars. Richmond Standard. 9/27/17 - Gioia Hosts Housing Townhall Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia will co-host a town hall meeting on the subject of housing Sept. 30 at Church of Christ, 1501 Florida Ave. Co-hosts of the 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. meeting are the Ensuring Opportunity campaign to end poverty in the county, and the Multi-Faith Action Coalition, which seeks to address the root causes of poverty through advocacy and public policy change, according to its website. East Bay Times. 9/27/17 - San Pablo on the Rise On Monday, the city held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new nutritional center for families with young children that the city is building just behind the West County Health Center, a county-run regional clinic that opened in 2011. SFGATE. 9/26/17 -- Community to Beautify North Richmond Grocer Supervisor John Gioia’s office is partnering with the city of Richmond as well as sponsors The Home Depot and Kelly-Moore Paints to “put a new paint job on this important community grocer” at Market Avenue and 5th Street, according to Robert Rogers, district coordinator for Supervisor Gioia. Richmond Standard. 9/26/17 -- County Considers Short Term Rental Regulations Recognizing that different parts of unincorporated Contra Costa have widely differing tastes and circumstances regarding short-term rentals, the Board of Supervisors will ask local panels to weigh in on a countywide ordinance regulating Airbnb-type rentals. East Bay Times. 9/25/17 -- County Supports Legal Aid for Undocumented The Contra Costa board of supervisors voted unanimously to help fund Stand Together CoCo, establishing the first rapid-response legal aid program for its estimated 65,000 unauthorized immigrants. RichmondConfidential.org 9/24/17 -- North Richmond Annexation Debate Heats Up Public opinion is divided. Officials are mostly tight-lipped. And after more than 50 years, Tuesday night could bring political isolation to a close for North Richmond: City council is scheduled to decide on whether to incorporate the community into Richmond at-large. RichmondConfidential.org. 9/20/17 - Contra Costa Supports Rubicon Funding Two weeks after Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston questioned whether to fund Richmond-based prisoner re-entry organization Rubicon Programs, prompting accusations of political retaliation, supervisors voted unanimously to approve a $400,000 contract with the longstanding group. RichmondConfidential.org. 9/19/17 -- Vacation Rental Tax for Contra Costa County Discussed The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors heard a pair of reports this morning on their options for new ordinances that would affect short-term rental operators such as Airbnb hosts in unincorporated areas of the county. Patch.com. 9/18/17 - Becton Sworn in as First African American DA in Contra Costa In a brief but energetic ceremony, Diana Becton was sworn in Monday as the first African-American and first woman to serve as Contra Costa County’s district attorney. East Bay Times. 9/13/17 -- State Bill Could Save Alta Bates It’s the final week of this year’s legislative session, and East Bay lawmakers are pushing a bill that could stop Sutter Health from shuttering its Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley. Richmond Confidential. 9/12/17 -- Judge Becton Hailed as New DA of Contra Costa Diana Becton was one of five finalists for the job. She was selected as the first choice of supervisors John Gioia, Diane Burgis and Federal Glover during the initial vote, with Deputy District Attorney Paul Graves getting picked by supervisors Candace Andersen and Karen Mitchoff. KTVU. 9/12/17 -- Russian Consulate Cited by Air Regulators After the mysterious burning of materials at the Russian consulate on the eve of its closure earlier this month, Bay Area air quality investigators formally cited the foreign government agency for violating burn restrictions. East Bay Times. 9/12/17 -- Retired Judge Becton to Become Next DA A recently retired judge has been selected as the new Contra Costa County district attorney by the Board of Supervisors, according to county officials. East Bay Times. 9/9/17 -- Sheriff, Supervisor Clash Over Re-entry Policy Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston and county Supervisor John Gioia, who clashed over the controversial West County jail expansion, are at odds again — this time over the contract renewal for a Richmond-based prisoner re-entry program. East Bay Times. 9/7/17 -- El Sobrante Library Mini-Park Unveiling Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia will host a ribbon-cutting celebration at the recently completed El Sobrante Library Mini-Park from 12 to 2 p.m. Sept. 9. East Bay Times. 9/5/17 -- Kimmie James Remembered in North Richmond The community is mourning the recent death of Kimmie Morris James, a longtime North Richmond resident, business owner and advocate. Richmond Standard. 9/5/17 -- El Sobrante Park Ribbon Cutting The community is invited to a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 9 for extensive new improvements of the public space surrounding the El Sobrante Library. Richmond Standard. 9/2/17 -- Richmond Changing NPR's Richard Gonzales grew up in the blue collar city of Richmond, Calif., just east of San Francisco. On his trip home, he found a city in transformation in the local businesses and the neighborhoods. National Public Radio. 9/1/17 -- Russian Consulate Smoke Draws Ire Acrid, black smoke was seen pouring from a chimney at the Russian consulate in San Francisco Friday, a day after the Trump administration ordered its closure amid escalating tensions between the United States and Russia. East Bay Times. 8/30/17 -- North Richmond Levees Project Kicks Off As the nation stood in awe over catastrophic floods in Texas produced by Hurricane Harvey, a group of officials and community volunteers this week were taking steps to protect against lesser but nonetheless significant flood dangers in North Richmond. East Bay Times. 8/29/17 -- Workers Bolster North Richmond Levees As families in Houston seek shelter from the flooding left behind by Hurricane Harvey, local officials in North Richmond are gathered in a creek bed, where they appear to be gardening. "It's gonna be bit by bit to remove these," said Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, as he snipped thick vines with a large pair of shears. KGO 8/28/17 -- Soulful Softball a Home Run in Richmond Hundreds of community members attended an afternoon of softball games at Nicholl Park in Richmond on Sunday. During the games, participants and fans had the option to dine on free soul food courtesy of Richmond’s CJ BBQ and Fish, and could also tap resources from information booths promoting health, wellness, education and jobs. Richmond Standard. 8/20/17 -- New San Pablo Library Celebrates Grand Opening The new library at 13731 San Pablo Ave. is 22,000 square feet, LEED certified and cost $6.5 million to construct. It replaces the 8,000 square foot location at El Portal Drive. Richmond Standard. 8/15/17 -- Saranap Village Housing Development Approved Saying the project will provide needed housing and almost singlehandedly rejuvenate a threadbare commercial corridor, Contra Costa County supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the $100 million Saranap Village commercial/retail mixed use project that figures to transform a tired commercial strip between Walnut Creek and Lafayette. East Bay Times. 8/9/17 -- North Korea Threats Raise Specter of Nuclear Event For the first time since the end of the Cold War, Bay Area residents are being forced to confront the unthinkable: the possibility of a nuclear attack on our own soil. San Jose Mercury News. 7/31/17 -- Las Deltas Loitering Prompts Robust Response To combat littering, sideshows and other illicit activities, county officials are proposing to restrict vehicles from stopping, standing and parking along stretches of Silver Avenue and North Jade Street near the Las Deltas Housing Project in North Richmond. Richmond Standard. 7/31/17 -- Las Deltas Restrictions Enhance Safety Contra Costa supervisors are considering new restrictions to help reduce unsafe driving and loitering along a 500-foot section of North Jade Street near the Las Deltas apartments, and an adjacent stretch of Silver Avenue. East Bay Times. 7/18/17 -- Cannabis Policy Studied by Board of Supervisors The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors continued their education on how to regulate cultivation, delivery, manufacturing and dispensing of medical and recreational cannabis in unincorporated areas throughout the county. East Bay Times. 7/12/17 -- DMC Records Available to Former Patients For Limited Time Get your patient records from Doctors hospital before they are destroyed — that’s the message that went out Tuesday from Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia’s office to anyone ever treated at the former Brookside Hospital, which became Doctors Medical Center before it was declared insolvent and closed its doors to patients in April 2015. East Bay Times. 7/12/17 -- County Board Restricts Flavored Tobacco The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to prohibit the selling of flavored tobacco products near parks and schools in unincorporated areas of the county. CBS Bay Area. 7/11/17 -- Cap and Trade Deal Sparks Controversy A new deal to extend California’s landmark climate program known as cap and trade was met with both praise and condemnation Tuesday a environmentalists, business groups and lawmakers worked furiously to untangle — and wrangle over — the complex proposal that could be up for a vote within days. East Bay Times. 7/6/17 -- New East Richmond Festival Set for July Debut The East Richmond Heights neighborhood is gearing up for a brand-new street festival that it plans to make into a yearly celebration, enlivened by the countless artists and musicians who call the area home. Richmond Standard. 6/29/17 -- Low Profile Grand Jury Investigation It was an unusual and erroneous way to refer to one’s “favorite politician,” and Jim Mellander got the attention of those in the room as the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors on June 23 discussed how to go about replacing District Attorney Mark Peterson. East Bay Times. 6/23/17 -- Imagine No Jail Expansion Imagine. On a recent Tuesday, my day began as the Board of Supervisors focused again on Sheriff David Livingston’s plans for the West County Detention Facility. My day ended in the El Cerrito City Council chambers. East Bay Times Opinion. 6/23/17 -- Public Forum as Part of Search For New District Attorney County supervisors want to appoint an interim district attorney by mid-September, and plan to hold a public forum in August where the public would be allowed to directly ask the finalists questions. East Bay Times. 6/21/17 -- GHG Cap Decision Must Wait Bay Area air regulators on Wednesday postponed adopting the nation’s first limits on greenhouses gases from oil refineries because of complaints that the public wasn’t given enough time to review 11th-hour changes. Vallejo Times Herald. 6/21/17 -- No New Greenhouse Gas Caps For Now Board members of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District on Wednesday delayed voting on a plan to create the nation’s first greenhouse-gas limits for oil refineries. SFGATE 6/20/17 -- Jail Expansion Approved on Divided Vote A $25 million grant for a controversial expansion of the West County Detention Facility in Richmond was approved Tuesday by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, the last major hurdle for this project. Supervisor Gioia opposed the jail expansion. East Bay Times. 6/14/17 -- Contra Costa Considers Banning Flavored Tobacco In a push to prevent tobacco and e-cigarette companies from targeting youth and minorities, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is considering adopting a slew of provisions that restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products and electronic and menthol cigarettes. NBCBayArea. 5/31/17 -- Greenhouse Gas Caps on Bay Area Refineries Considered The Bay Area’s air pollution board took a big step toward becoming the first in America to cap greenhouse gas emissions from oil refineries. East Bay Times. 5/31/17 -- Planned Parenthood to Close 3 Bay Area Locations Planned Parenthood officials will close three Bay Area clinics by the end of June, and it could get worse. Facilities in Richmond, Pittsburg and Vacaville will close June 30 as health reimbursements for the state’s poor continue to shrink. East Bay Times. 5/26/17 -- Opposition to Jail Expansion Simmers The subject: A $25 million expansion plan for the West County Detention Facility in North Richmond that the supervisors approved in February. The ongoing message: Reverse that approval, and pay for other community services instead of more jail space. East Bay Times. 5/25/17 -- West County Free Meals Sites PDF listing all the sites where residents can access free meals. 5/23/17 -- Refinery Outage Prompts Talks of New Rules City officials would have greater oversight over the Valero refinery under a proposal set to be unveiled at the Benicia City Council meeting on Tuesday—a potential reform prompted by the major outage at the facility earlier this month. KQED. 5/22/17 -- Refinery Vulnerability in Bay Area May Be Worse Than Thought The recent conclusion by local air regulators that malfunctions at Chevron’s Richmond facility sent toxic gas 11 miles across San Francisco Bay late last year means that a larger part of the region may be vulnerable to refinery malfunctions than many previously believed. KQED. 5/10/17 -- East Richmond Spring Fling Gathering A bustling Spring Fling BBQ celebration on the afternoon of Sunday, May 7, brought about 100 residents of East Richmond Heights for a neighborhood bash highlighted by fantastic pot-luck food and an appearance by Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia. Richmond Standard. 5/4/17 -- Board Approves MCE in County On a 4-1 vote, with supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill casting the lone dissenting vote, Contra Costa supervisors selected San Rafael-based MCE Clean Energy to develop solar power plants preferably in the county’s sprawling northern waterfront area to lower PG&E electric rates for residential and commercial electricity customers. Antioch Herald. 4/28/17 -- Standing Up For Sanctuary Policies Speaking on public radio station KQED’s Forum program April 26, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia called the decision “a victory for those of us at local government in cities and counties to pursue the practices we believe are the most effective in keeping our communities safe and making them stronger. Frankly, also, a victory for policies that bring us together, not divide us.” People's World. 4/26/17 -- Contra Costa County Board Pledges to Reduce Idling Engines Contra Costa County supervisors signed a pledge on Tuesday to stop idling while they wait. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is behind the Idle Free Pledge. ABC7 4/17/17 -- El Cerrito, Sheriff Clash Over Jail Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston pledges to back out of a five-year deal to provide police dispatch services to the city because of its formal opposition to a proposed expansion of the West County jail. East Bay Times. 4/14/17 -- Sen. Skinner Letter Opposes Jail Expansion State Sen. Nancy Skinner sent a letter to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Friday urging its members to reverse their support for a controversial Richmond jail expansion. NBC Bay Area. 4/14/17 -- Sen. Skinner Says No to $95 Million Jail Expansion State Sen. Nancy Skinner sent a letter to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors today urging them to reverse plans for an expensive jail expansion in Richmond. East Bay Express. 04/12/17 -- Knox's Bipartisan Legacy John T. Knox, who spent 20 years in the California Assembly and whose name is attached to several landmark laws and structures, died April 3 in Richmond at age 92. As Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia pointed out in the newspaper, “There is a reason things are named after him; he got things done.” East Bay Times. 04/10/17 - El Cerrito Denounces Jail Expansion The city last week joined Richmond in formally opposing the planned expansion of the West Contra Costa Detention Facility. The City Council on April 4 unanimously approved a recommendation by Councilwoman Rochelle Pardue–Okimoto “authorizing the mayor to send a letter to the California Board of State and Community Corrections opposing the $70 million grant proposal from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office for the expansion of the West County Detention Facility in Richmond.” East Bay Times. 04/04/17 -- John T. Knox, 92, Dies Former state Assemblyman John T. Knox, a liberal Democrat who was a driving force behind the 1970 creation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission in 1965, died Tuesday at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Richmond after a long illness. He was 92. East Bay Times. 04/04/17 -- State Law Could Bar ICE Contracts Long-standing lucrative jail contracts between California sheriff’s departments and federal agencies could unravel if state legislators pass a bill barring local law enforcement from cooperating with immigration authorities, critics of the legislation said Tuesday. SFGate 3/20/17 -- Gioia's Poetry Eases Tension Things were a little tense in the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors meeting room last Tuesday when the supes took up whether to give the operators of Keller Canyon landfill near Pittsburg more time to conform to rules governing the handling of construction waste. After all, the dump operators had sued the county last year over it. East Bay Times. 3/17/17 -- Trump Pushes to Defund Federal Refinery Regulator Local leaders and health officials in Contra Costa County, home to four oil refineries, are blasting a part of President Trump’s budget that calls for cutting all money for the federal agency that investigates chemical accidents. KQED. 3/16/17 -- Bill Oliver, El Sobrante Businessman, Dies at 96 Bill Oliver, a longtime El Sobrante businessman and civic leader who was an advocate for the small town, has died. He was 96. East Bay Times. 3/16/17 -- Borenstein: County Hired Social Worker With Domestic Violence History A Contra Costa child protective services worker has her own history of domestic violence and participated in an infamous “Dirty DUI” scheme to entrap her ex-husband for drunken driving. East Bay Times. 2/14/17 -- Landrin Kelly, Father Who Turned Anguish into Helping Others, Dies Kelly, 48, of Suisun City, died at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. His death was confirmed by the Contra Costa County Coroner, though no other official details of the circumstances were available. Kelly had been in the hospital at least since Saturday. East Bay Times. 2/14/17 -- Op-Ed by John Gioia: Contra Costa Doesn't Need More Jail Cells Contra Costa County needs greater investment in mental health treatment, job training, affordable housing, and youth services to help keep people from becoming incarcerated, not a larger West County jail. East Bay Times. 2/13/17 -- Livingston Schmoozes with Jeff Sessions On the same day the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office requested approval from the Board of Supervisors for a jail expansion, the agency’s top cop, Sheriff David Livingston, was in Washington, D.C., schmoozing with Jeff Sessions, the recently confirmed attorney general. SFGATE. 2/10/17 -- New Violations Found at Richmond Auto Yard That Went Up In Flames Contra Costa County health inspectors have discovered a new round of serious hazardous waste violations at the Richmond-area auto-wrecking yard where some 200 vehicles burned in a large fire in December. KQED. 2/8/17 -- Tempers Flare During Controversial Approval of Jail Expansion The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 4-1 to move forward with a controversial proposal to build a new wing at the West County Detention Facility, an expansion that would result in hundreds of inmates at the Martinez jail shuffled to new units in Richmond. NBC Bay Area. 2/8/17 -- County Board Votes to Expand Jail Despite pleas from community activists, educators, nurses and others, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to move forward with a controversial plan to expand jail services at the West County Detention Facility, a project that will cost the county $25 million in construction costs and $5 million a year thereafter. East Bay Times. 2/7/17 -- Contra Costa County Supervisors Approve Jail Expansion During a crowded and occasionally unruly meeting that lasted several hours, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Wednesday to approve a proposal to expand a jail in Richmond. Supervisor John Gioia cast the sole dissenting vote against the proposal. PATCH.com 2/7/17 -- Contra Costa Sheriff’s Tie to ICE Riles Immigrants’ Advocates As talk of a travel ban, the construction of a massive wall and the status of sanctuary cities percolates in the United States, another immigration issue is near a boiling point in Contra Costa County. SFGATE. 1/14/17 -- County Supervisors Encouraged by Positive Economic Report A new economic outlook report commissioned by the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors offered mostly good news but reflects enough uncertainty over the possible ramifications of a Donald Trump presidency and regional housing and transportation concerns to keep the elected leaders on their toes. East Bay Times. 1/10/17 -- S.F. Supervisor Wants Answers From Chevron on Toxic Gas Release and Odor San Francisco Supervisor Mark Farrell wants to haul executives from the Chevron oil company to City Hall to explain why two malfunctions at their Richmond refinery may have sent toxic gas to San Francisco twice late last month. KQED. 1/6/17 -- Air District Says Chevron Refinery in Richmond Probably Caused Mysterious S.F. Odors The Chevron oil company will most likely face a series of fines in connection with malfunctions at its Richmond refinery and high levels of a toxic gas that were measured near the facility last week, according to a top local air district official. KQED. 1/6/17 -- Chevron Likely Source of Foul Odors, Fine Likely Air district officials are zeroing in on the Chevron refinery in Richmond as the source of foul odors detected in San Francisco and Richmond, with fines against the company likely, according to one member of the district’s board of directors. East Bay Times. 1/4/17 -- Heritage Point North Richmond Could be Big for North Richmond Richmond Standard article and video on the Heritage Point Project, a 42-unit housing complex that will be an economic boost for North Richmond. 12/27/16 -- Forum Addresses Increase in Hate Crimes In the wake of reports of two hate crimes in West Contra Costa County and hundreds throughout the country since the election of Donald Trump, West County residents came together to address the recent increase and discuss ways to deal with them locally. Richmond Pulse. 12/26/16 -- Wave of Hate Crime Disturbs El Sobrante El Sobrante was a predominantly white town when Becki Cohn-Vargas and her family moved there almost three decades ago. SFGATE. 12/22/16 -- Gioia Wants to Shut Down Wrecking Yard in North Richmond After Fire Although the wind-emboldened fire was deemed accidental, Gioia wants Deal Auto Wrecking investigated “with the hope that it would be shut down,” the KQED News report stated. The supervisor called the facility a “nuisance in many ways.” Richmond Standard. 12/22/16 -- North Richmond Yard, Site of Fire, Had Received Multiple Violatoins The automobile demolition yard that caught fire last week, sending a large plume of black smoke into the sky that could be seen for miles and forcing neighbors, including a nearby school, to shelter in place for hours, has been cited for numerous violations in recent years. East Bay Times. 12/22/16 -- Local Official Wants to Close Richmond Auto Yard Involved in Fire Supervisor John Gioia, who represents the unincorporated area where the fire broke out, was among those caught in the smoke and had to stay indoors at one of the nearly 30 schools under the temporary shelter order. The property is located at Gertrude Avenue and Richmond Parkway, close to Chevron’s Richmond refinery. KQED. 12/8/16 -- Public Forum in El Sobrante Against Hate, For Human Rights Day Local and state officials are holding a public forum in El Sobrante late Saturday morning in response to “the increase of hate crimes nationally and tragic recent alleged hate crimes in West Contra Costa County,” according to Supervisor John Gioia’s office. Richmond Standard. 12/7/16 -- El Sobrante Forum on Hate Crimes Set A month after the shocking murder of a young African-American man at an El Sobrante pool hall by a group of white men, an incident prosecutors have called a hate crime, local organizations are planning a forum to address intimidation and harassment in West Contra Costa. East Bay Times. 12/2/16 -- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Expand in Richmond The city is set to accept grants to install two electric vehicle charging stations: one at Kennedy High at 4300 Cutting Blvd., and the other at the West County Family Justice Center at 256 24th St. Richmond Standard. 11/23/16 -- Extensive Renovations Underway at El Sobrante Library Extensive renovations are underway at the El Sobrante Library, including landscape and parking lot improvements. The project began earlier this month and will continue through the spring. The library will remain open during the work, although the parking lot and Reading Garden will be closed to the public. East Bay Times. 11/2/16 -- Contra Costa County Approves Contract for Warning System That Had Malfunctioned Contra Costa County supervisors have approved a new contract with the company that runs its massive community warning system more than two months after it malfunctioned near Richmond’s Chevron refinery, outraging that city’s mayor. KQED. 11/1/16 -- North Richmond’s Newest Farm to Sell Fresh Food Richmond nonprofit Urban Tilth hosted a celebration to introduce North Richmond’s newest farm. The Oct. 15 event marked the beginning of construction at the new three acre farm site at Fred Jackson Way and Brookside Drive. But the land won’t only be used to grow food. Urban Tilth executive director Doria Robinson said she envisions it as a community gathering place. Richmond Pulse. 10/30/16 -- Alta Bates closure concern East Bay Times 10/26/16 -- Juvenile Fees Halted 2 Richmond Standard Story 10/26/16 -- Juvenile Fees Halted CBS Story 10/24/16 -- Juvenile fee issue KQED news 10/19/16 -- North Richmond Farm Groundbreaking RichmondConfidential.org 9/17/16 - Supervisor Gioia calls for investigation (Op-ED) East Bay Times 9/9/16 -- San Pablo to open new library East Bay Times 7/29/16 -- Gioia urges respect for Kids First voters East Bay Times 7/8/16 -- Sex scandal implicated officer on leave Contra Costa Times 7/2/16 -- Sex scandal implicated officers reassigned Contra Costa Times 5/25/16 - Racial Justice Task Force openings Contra Costa Times 5/25/16 -- Expanding Health Coverage PR Newswire 4/21/16 -- Refinery emission reductions SFBay.ca 4/21/16 -- BAAQMD disclosure rules East Bay Times 4/15/16 -- Racial Justice Task Force East Bay Times 4/13/16 -- John Gioia's Earth Day events Richmond Standard 3/30/16 -- North Richmond annexation study Contra Costa Times 3/23/16 -- Sup. Gioia leads shoreline walk Contra Costa Times 3/9/16 -- Sup. Gioia supports Reentry Success Center KQED 3/9/16 -- Breakfast with Sup. Gioia and Mayor Lyman Contra Costa Times 3/1/16 -- Supervisor Gioia works for Measure AA Oakland Magazine 2/24/16 -- Contra Costa Times Supports SFBay Restoration Measure Contra Costa Times Editorial 1/21/16 -- Train Derailment Rekindles Safety Fears Contra Costa Times 1/14/16 -- George Carroll, first black judge Contra Costa, dies Contra Costa Times 1/13/16 -- Bay Area tax to protect against rising seas Contra Costa Times 1/15/16 -- Martin Luther King Jr. Events in West County 1/1/16 -- County to study racial disparity in justice system Contra Costa Times 12/22/2015 - Supervisor Gioia encourages residents to prepare for wet weather Contra Costa Times 12/18/15 - Sup. Gioia gives hoodies and books to Verde Richmond Standard 12/09/15 - Contra Costa Supervisors on Workplace Safety 10/13/15 -- County explores own renewable energy program Contra Costa Times 10/13/15 -- County unveils new reentry center Contra Costa Times 9/24/2015 - Supervisors vote yes to health care RichmondConfidential.org article. 9/23/2015 - Contra Costa County offers health services to undocumented CaliforniaHealthline.org 9/22/2015 - Contra Costa restores health care for undocumented KQED article. 9/4/15 -- North Richmond farm a dream come true Contra Costa Times 8/28/15 -- Opening Rumrill sports park Contra Costa Times 8/20/2015 - Supervisor Gioia opposed jail expansion KQED News 8/19/2015 - Supervisor Gioia supports El Cerrito's minimum wage increase proposal Contra Costa Times 8/20/2015 - Jail expansion opposed KQED 8/20/2015 - Supervisor Gioia opposes jail expansion project KQED story 8/19/15 -- El Cerrito moves toward wage hike Contra Costa Times 8/19/2015 - Supervisor Gioia opposes jail expansion Contra Costa Times 7/21/2015 - Supervisor Gioia works to create a healthier and more vibrant El Sobrante Richmond Pulse 7/10/15 -- El Sobrante streets get upgrades Contra Costa Times 7/7/15 - El Sobrante Before and After Downtown Richmond Standard article and photos on El Sobrante Downtown. 7/7/15 - El Sobrante Downtown Makeover Contra Costa Times Story on El Sobrante new sidewalks and party to welcome completion. 5/29/15 - State of the art medical response Contra Costa Times article 5/29/15 - New San Pablo Firehouse Richmond Standard 7/7/15 -- El Sobrante ceremony to celebrate streets Contra Costa Times 5/29/15 - State of the art medical response unvelied Contra Costa Times 5/21/2015 - Supervisor Gioia leads effort to improve Fred Jackson Way Richmond Standard 5/11/2015 - Supervisor Gioia encourages North Richmond residents to be fire safe Richmond Standard 04/01/15 -- Seniors get support from Supervisor Gioia CCCounty newsletter article 3/16/2015 -- Supervisor Gioia supports health clinic at Kennedy High 2/4/2015 - Contra Costa County Adopts Mental Health Care Law 1/28/15 - Supervisor Gioia Ccmments on Chemical Safety Board final report Mercury News 12/19/2014 - Gioia criticizes Chevron for response to flaring incident KQED story. 12/14/14 - Q & A Supervisor Gioia on importance of broadband access Valley Vision 12/3/2014 - Supervisor Gioia proposes multi step plan to save Doctors Medical Center Contra Costa Times 12/2/2014 - Supervisor Gioia partnering to keep Doctors Medical Center open Richmond Confidential 12/2/2014 - Supervisor Gioia proposes 8 point plan to save Doctors Medical Center The California Report 12/2/2014 - Supervisor Gioia gets support from Board of Supervisors to help Doctors Medical Center Richmond Standard 12/2/2014 - Supervisor Gioia fighting to keep Doctors Medical Center open Contra Costa Times 11/23/2014 - We Can All Save Doctors Hospital Contra Costa Times 10/20/14 - Supervisor Gioia leads cleaner refinery requirements Richmond Confidential 10/20/2014 - Supervisor Gioia leads effort to cut refinery emissions by 20% Richmond Confidential 10/17/14 - Supervisor Gioia spearheads cleaner refinery emission requirements Contra Costa Times 10/16/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses prison phone calls catch 22 KALW 10/16/2014 - Supervisor Gioia fights to make refineries cleaner SF Business Times 10/2/2014 - RYSEing to the occasion CSAC - California State Association of Counties 9/30/2014 - Prevention & Early Intervention: Counties Making a Difference CSAC - California State Association of Counties 9/24/2014 - Contra Costa County receives rare grant for domestic violence programs Contra Costa Times 9/22/2014 - Supervisor Gioia states Coastal Cleanup is about education as much as cleaning Richmond Confidential 9/17/2014 - Volunteers needed for Coastal Cleanup Richmond Standard 9/9/2014 - Supervisor Gioia suggests Kennedy High to receive 100k grant The Journal 9/4/2014 - Supervisor Gioia helps Kennedy High win $100k grant Richmond Standard 8/29/2014 - Judge affirms service cuts to Doctors Medical Center Contra Costa Times 7/18/2014 - Tour of unique mini-park in El Sobrante Herald-Times 7/8/2014 - Supervisor Gioia urges independent review of cell tower West County Times 7/7/2014 - Doctor's Hospital fiscal challenges are national issue California Healthline 7/2/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses positive property value trends Contra Costa Times 7/1/2014 - California bans the box Bay Area News Group 6/28/14 - Supervisor Gioia attends Juneteenth celebration in Richmond Contra Costa Times 6/20/2014 - Supervisor Gioia talks personal connection to Relay for Life events Contra Costa Times 6/17/2014 - Supervisors approve funds for Doctors Medical Center San Jose Mercury News 6/09/2014 - Supervisor Gioia talks exploring options for Doctors Medical Center San Jose Mercury News 6/09/2014 - Supervisors approve poll for proposed sales tax San Jose Mercury News 6/04/2014 - Supervisor Gioia talks accessibility at veterans hall in El Cerrito West County Times 6/04/2014 - Phillips 66 to recirculate EIR East Bay Express 6/04/2014 - Supervisor Gioia pleased measure to support EMS passed in San Pablo Hot News International 5/30/2014 - Supervisor discusses Naomi's house SF Gate 5/30/2014 - Supervisor Gioia talks sales tax for health and safety West County Times 5/29/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses support for formerly incarcerated West County Times 5/15/2014 - Conference to tackle poverty Martinez News-Gazette 5/13/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses efforts to save Doctors Medical Center San Jose Mercury News 5/12/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses lack of help to save Doctors Medical Center San Francisco Business Times 5/10/2014 - New health center dedicated to Rep. George Miller and wife San Jose Mercury News 05/2014 - Community Hospital Needs Community Solution Contra Costa County Health Services 5/1/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discuss El Sobrante sidewalk project Accent Advocate 4/25/2014 - Supervisor Gioia provides update on Measure C Richmond Pulse 4/23/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses plans for a library in North Richmond Richmond Standard 4/15/2014 - Supervisor Gioia talks plan to save Doctors Medical Center KGO7 4/05/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses levee vegetation Contra Costa Times 3/26/2014 - Supervisor Gioia fights for Doctors Medical Center Contra Costa Times 3/25/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses Bakken shale crude oil transportation Contra Costa Times 3/17/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses transportation of crude oil Contra Costa Times 3/12/2014 - Supervisor Gioia Discusses Refinery Safety Inside Bay Area News 3/04/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses poverty in Bay Area Martinez Gazette 2/27/2014 - Supervisor Gioia discusses campaign to reduce poverty in Bay Area Concord Patch 02/2014 - Supervisor Gioia's interview in the Contra Costa Marketplace Contra Costa Marketplace 1/26/2014 - Gioia Continues His Fight for Doctors Contra Costa Times 1/26/2014 - Brief History of Doctors Medical Center Contra Costa Times 1/16/2014 - Supervisor Gioia Urges Stronger Regulation Over Refineries to Chemical Safety Board Richmond Confidential 1/16/2014 - Supervisor Gioia Seeks to Stiffen Existing County Laws on Refineries Contra Costa Times 1/8/2014 - Supervisor Gioia Works for Kaiser Support of Doctors Hospital Contra Costa Times 12/21/2013 - Supervisor Gioia's CSAC Message California State Association of Counties 12/9/2013 - California Counties Group Picks Contra Costa County Supervisor Gioia as President Contra Costa Times 11/12/2013 - Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo Declares Fiscal Emergency Contra Costa Times 11/12/2013 - Richmond Celebrates Veterans Day Richmond Confidential 11/11/2013 - Program Helps Homeless Veterans Find Shelter Richmond Confidential 11/11/2013 - Veterans and Residents Flock to Homefront Shore in Richmond For Veterans Day Contra Costa Times 11/1/2013 - Supervisor Gioia Discusses New Family Justice Center Contra Costa Times 10/21/2013 - Supervisor Gioia Discusses Prison Alignment Richmond Confidential 9/27/13 - Supervisor Gioia Speaks About Chevron's New Air Monitor Richmond Confidential 9/23/13 - Despite Rain, Hundreds Clean Up Richmond's Shoreline Richmond Confidential 9/19/13 - City, County settle Chevron tax dispute Richmond Confidential 9/16/13 - County Supervisors Adopt Suicide Prevention Plan Richmond Confidential 8/21/2013 - Supervisor Gioia Talks DoctorsMC and UCSF Partnership Contra Costa Times 7/23/2013 - Richmond Commission tries to quell 'hate speech' directed at gays Contra Costa Times 6/11/2013 - Hometown Hero Brings Baseball to North Richmond Contra Costa Times 6/03/13 - Supervisor Gioia at Portola Middle School Groundbreaking Contra Costa Times 6/02/13 - Supervisor Gioia Speaks at Portola School Groundbreaking El Cerrito Patch 5/9/13 - Supervisor Gioia Appointed to State Air Resources Board SF Gate 5/9/13 - Supervisor Gioia Appointed to State Air Board Richmond Confidential 5/8/2013 - Supervisor Gioia Appointed to California Air Resources Board California Newswire 5/8/2013 - Supervisor Gioia Appointed to State Air Resources Board El Cerrito Patch 4/19/13 - Federal Investigators in Chevron Fire Recommend Regulatory Reform Contra Costa Times 4/16/13 - Supervisor Gioia Welcomes New Richmond Vet's Center Richmond Confidential 4/7/13 - Supervisor Gioia Orders County Chevron SafetyReview Richmond Confidential 4/6/13 - Supervisor Gioia Calls for Chevron Safety Review Contra Costa Times 4/6/13 - Supervisor Gioia Calls for Audit of Chevron Safety KTVU Channel 2 3/23/13 - Supervsior Gioia Lauds Crackdown on N. Richmond Ilegal Garbage Collection Contra Costa Times 3/22/13 -- Kensington defibrillator Oakland Tribune 3/6/13 - County Starts Review of Kensington ATT Cell Sites Contra Costa Times 2/28/13 - Supervisor Gioia Votes to Lower Pension Rate Return Contra Costa Times 2/27/13 - Supervisor Gioia Questions Pension Board Hawaii Travel California Watch 2/28/13 - Supervisor Gioia Supports Richmond's Quest for Call Center Contra Costa Times 2/23/13 - Supervisor Gioia Supports Richmond Call Center Contra Costa Times 1/22/13 - Doctors Looks to Partner for Fiscal Sustainability Richmond Confidential 1/21/13 - Montalvin Manor Hometown Hero Cites Supervisor Goia's Help Contra Costa Times 1/8/13 - Doctors Looks to Partner For Fiscal Strength Contra Costa Times 12/21/12 - Supervisor Gioia Says All Chevron Violations Serious SF Gate 12/20/12 - Supervisor Gioia to Chevron; Up Your Review Process 12/19/12 - Supervisor Gioia Says Chevron Pipe Review Must Improve Contra Costa Times 12/16/12 - Supervisor Gioia's Verde Coat & Toy Drive a Success Richmond Confidential 12/12/12 - Supervisor Gioia Celebrates Opening RYSE Outside Contra Costa Times 11/14/12 - City, County Help House New Family Justice Center in Richmond Contra Costa Times 11/8/12 - Supervisor Gioia Helps Plant Trees in Richmond Richmond Confidential 10/23/12 - Supervisor Gioia Spearheads Move for Easier Access to Government Contra Costa Times 9/24/12 - Supervisor Gioia Works to Strengthen Industrial Safety; Warning System Richmond Confidential 9/24/12 - Gioia Says Chevron's Credibility at Stake With Bypass Issue ABC 7 9/24/12 - Supervisor Gioia Calls For Transparency From Chevron Contra Costa Times 9/23/12 - Supervisor Gioia Concerned by Chevron's Air Monitoring Bypass Pipe San Francisco Chronicle 9/14/2012 - Supervisor Gioia discusses air monitors in Richmond KQED News 9/14/12 - Supervisor Gioia Asks About Promised Chevron Air Monitors Bay Citizen 9/24/12 - Gioia Concerned by Chevron's Bypass Pipe Situation NBC Bay Area 9/12/12 - Gioia Hosts 22nd Coastal Cleanup El Cerrito Patch 9/10/12 - Air Board Chair Gioia: Better Monitoring, Preventing Releases ABC 7 9/11/12 -Gioia, Chair of Air Board, Tells Richmond Residents Yes More Monitors Richmond Confidential 9/10/12 - Supervisor Gioia, Air Board Chair, Says Time for More and Better Monitors Contra Costa Times 9/10/12 - Gioia, Chair of Air Board, Supports More & Better Monitors SF Chronicle 9/10/12 - Gioia Warns of Claims Scammers in Wake of Chevron Fire ABC 11 9/10/12 - Supervisor Gioia calls for more air monitoring MercuryNews.com 9/6/12 - Supervisor Gioia Supports West County Health Center El Cerrito Patch 9/6/12 - Gioia Celebrates New West County Health Center Richmond Confidential 9/4/12 - Supervisor Gioia's Grand Opening Comments West County Health Center 8/31/12 - Supervisor Gioia Supports Efforts of Chemical Safety Board Contra Costa Times 8/28/12 - Supervisor Gioia Discusses Dim Lights in Kensington El Cerrito Patch 8/27/12 - Supervisor Gioia Expresses Concern over Kensington Lightpoles El Cerrito Patch 8/06/12 - Supervisor Gioia Discusses ConFire Parcel Tax MercuryNews.com 8/24/12 - Supervsior Gioia Calls for Better Air Monitoring KQED 8/22/12 - Supervisor Gioia Wants County to Consider New Emergency Alert Vendor KTVU 2 8/22/12 - Supervisor Gioia discusses possible switch of emergency alert system provider San Ramon Express 8/21/12 - Board of Supes Seeks Info on Response to Chevron Fire ABC Channel 11 8/21/12 - Supervisor Gioia calls for emergency alert improvements Contra Costa Times 8/19/12 - Gioia proposes more Air District monitoring of Refinery emissions San Francisco Chronicle 8/17/12 - Supervisor Gioia and CC Times Editorial Oppose New West County Jail Expansion Contra Costa Times 8/16/12 - New West County Health Center to open on September 4 Richmond Confidential 8/13/12 - Gioia Helps Reopen Solano Playlot in Richmond Richmond Confidential 8/10/12 - Supervisor Gioia comments about Chevron Fire KGO Channel 7 - Transcript 8/10/12 - Gioia Recommends Richmond Strengthen Industrial Safety Ordinance Contra Costa Times 8/8/12 - Supervisor Gioia at Chevron Town Hall on 9/6 Fire Patch News Sites 8/7/12 - Gioia Calls on Chevron for Full Incident Report Contra Costa Times 8/7/12 - Supervisor Gioia on Chevron Fire During Incident Patch News Sites 8/4/12 - Supervisor Gioia Committed to Kens Light Solution El Cerrito Patch 8/12 - Supervisor Gioia Gets Hands-On Learning on SF Bay Boat Trip SF Bay Estuary Partnership Newsletter 6/17/12 - Supervisor Gioia Celebrates Juneteenth in Richmond Contra Costa Times 6/15/12 - Gioia Supported Clean Slate Helps Minor Offenders in Contra Costa SF Chronicle 6/6/12 - Supervisor Gioia Supports LGBT Community at Richmond City Council Contra Costa Times 6/6/12 - Supervisor Gioia Joins LGBT Advocates at Richmond City Council Richmond Confidential 6/5/12 - West County Schools Pay Debt KQED 5/28/12 - Gioia Lauds Decision Against Casino in N. Richmond Richmond Confidential 5/27/12 - Supervisor Gioia Speaks at Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center Opening El Cerrito Patch 5/27/12 - Supervisor Gioia Appreciates Ruling Against N. Richmond Casino Contra Costa Times 5/22/12 - Supervisor Gioia Teams to Give Computers to Foster Youth Post News Group 5/21/12 - Jennifer Peck Recognized for Promoting After-School Programs El Cerrito Patch 5/16/12 - Supervisor Gioia Collaborates to Donate Computers to Foster Youth Richmond Confidential 4/3/12 - Gioia Welcomes Fair Chevron Appeals Tax Ruling San Francisco Chronicle 4/3/12 - Appeals Board Rules Chevron Owes Taxes to County, Richmond Contra Costa Times 4/3/12 - Gioia Welcomes Fair Appeals Board Ruling on Chervon Taxes Richmond Confidential 3/27/12 - Gioia Wears Hoodie to Fight Sterotypes El Cerrito Patch 3/13/12 - Fire District Considers Parcel Tax Contra Costa Times 2/23/12 - County Pension Returns Lower Than Expected Contra Costa Times 2/22/12 - Supervisor Gioia Narrates Documentary on North Richmond Richmond Confidential 2/16/12 - Supervisor Gioia Advocates for Fair Refinery Taxes 2/13/12 - Supervisor Gioia Meets Tara Hills Constituents Pinole Patch 2/9/12 - Supervisor Gioia Helps Good Samaritan Facing Foreclosure Contra Costa Times 2/8/12 - Supervisor Gioia Talks About Air Quality in Documentry on Urban Development Richmond Confidential 2/7/12 - Supervisor Gioia Hosts Breakfast in Tara Hills 1/30/12 - Bay Area Air Board Meets at Places it Regulates Contra Costa Times 1/15/12 - Supervisor Gioia Joins Students in MLK March Richmond Confidential 1/13/12 - Supervisor Gioia Honors Kennedy High Coach Dolly Felix Richmond Confidential 1/11/12 - Supervisor Gioia Remembers Richmond Mayor Livingston Contra Costa Times Editorial 12/16/11 - Santa returns to Verde Elementary in North Richmond Richmond Confidential 12/13/11 - County reaches contra deal with five unions Contra Costa Times 11/16/11 - Voters pass parcel tax for Doctors Medical Center Richmond Confidential 11/16/11 - Parcel tax passes for Doctors Medical Center Contra Costa Times 11/16/11 - Voters OK tax to keep San Pablo hospital open San Francisco Chronicle 11/15/11 - Parcel Tax for Doctors Hospital Approved El Cerrito Patch 11/11/11 - Supervisor Gioia Honors Veterans in Richmond El Cerrito Patch 11/10/11 - Contra Costa Times Endorses Measure J Contra Costa Times 10/27/11 - On Arbor Day Supervisor Gioia Plants Trees in Richmond Contra Costa Times 10/24/11 - Supervisor Gioia Offers Free Healthy Halloween Treats El Cerrito Patch 10/23/2011 - Supervisor Gioia says non-profits hospitals not carrying weight. Contra Costa Times 10/20/11 - Supervisor Gioia Explains Dire Impacts if Doctors Closes El Cerrito Patch 10/18/11 - El Cerrito City Council Endorses Doctors Ballot Measure El Cerrito Patch 10/11/11 - New State Law One Piece of Saving Doctors, Gioia Says Pinole Patch 10/11/11- New Law Supported by Gioia Helps Doctors El Cerrito Patch 10/11/11- Gov. Brown Signs Law to Help Doctors Bay Citizen 9/30/11 - Supervisors Gioia & Glover Hold Pinole Town Hall Contra Costa Times 9/19/11 - Youth Turn Out for Richmond Coastal Cleanup Richmond Confidential 9/9/11 - Community Leader and Legend Fred Jackson Dies Richmond Confidential 9/8/11 - Legendary Richmond Peacemaker Fred Jackson Dies Contra Costa Times 9/8/11 - Hard Work on Many Fronts to Help Doctors Hospital Contra Costa Times 9/01/11 - Air Board Vice Chair John Gioia Welcomes Bill Clinton to Richmond Richmond Confidential 8/15/11 - Voters Will Be Asked to Support Doctors Medical Center Richmond Confidential 8/10/11 - Helping Support Doctors Medical Center on November Ballot Contra Costa Times 8/9/11 - Supervisors Vote on Redistricting Maps Contra Costa Times 7/27/11 - Supervisors Agree on Redistricting El Cerrito Patch 7/13/11 - Supervisor Gioia - North Richmond Man Globe Newspaper 6/26/11 - Supervisors Voice Their Redistricting Preferences Contra Costa Times 6/22/11 - Poll Shows Support for Tax to Save Doctors Contra Costa Times 6/20/2011 - Supervisor Gioia Questions Timing of Fire Chief's Travel Contra Costa Times 6/10/11 - Doctors Medical Center Faces Tough Finances California Healthline 6/4/11 - Urban Ag Summit Co-Hosted by Supervisor Gioia, Big Success Richmond Confidential 6/6/2011 - Doctors Medical Center May Declare Bankruptcy Contra Costa Times 6/3/11- Meeting Planned on Doctors Medical Centers Fiscal Woes Contra Costa Times 6/2/11 - Supervisor Gioia Joins in Thanks to Chevron for Sparkpoint Funding Business Wire 5/23/11 - County Breaks Ground on New West County Health Center Contra Costa Times 5/21/11 - Supervisor Gioia Calls for Increased Transparency in County Government Contra Costa Times 5/20/11 - Supervisor Gioia Celebrates Groundbreaking of West County Health Center Richmond Confidential 5/18/11 - Richmond Fighters of Alcohol Abuse Honored by Board of Supervisors Richmond Confidential 5/12/11 - Supervisor Gioia Seeks Applicants for Community Boards El Cerrito Patch 5/2/11 - The County Starts Planning for Redistricting El Cerrito Patch 4/30/11 - Jennifer Peck, Ex. Dir. Partnership for Children & Youth, on Summer Learning The Huffington Post 4/22/11 - Supervisor Gioia's Guest Commentary on the Need for Pension Changes Contra Costa Times Readers' Forum 4/20/11 - Supervisor Gioia Supports State Soda Tax To Raise Funds for Schools & Health Education Contra Costa Times 4/20/11 - Supervisor Gioia Agrees With Proposed Soda Tax NBC Bay Area 4/6/11 - County Makes Loan to Help Doctors Medical Center San Francisco Business Times 4/5/11 - Board of Supervisors Approves Loan to Doctors Medical Center Contra Costa Times 3/25/11 - Supervisor Gioia Supports Church Facing Eviction Richmond Confidential 3/24/11 - Supervisor Gioia Backs Effort to Help Doctors Medical Center Contra Costa Times 3/23/11 - Supervisors Gioia and Glover Lead County's Reentry Effort for Formerly Incarcerated Contra Costa Times 3/23/11 - Supervisor Gioia Among Leaders Honoring Local Women El Cerrito Patch 3/20/11 - Supervisor Gioia Helps Find Home for San Pablo Burn Victims Contra Costa Times 3/17/11 - Community Meeting Discusses El Cerrito Annexation of East Richmond Heights Contra Costa Times 3/15/2011 -- Saleem Bey Editorial Government money should be allocated to the best projects to meet the needs of the community. East Bay Times. 3/9/11 - Gioia and Richmond Councilman Tom Butt Support Urban Agriculture in Richmond East Bay Express 3/7/11 - Supervisor Gioia Opposes Raises for County Retirement Board Execs Contra Costa Times 3/3/11 - Gioia-Supported Farm 2 Table Program Gets Major Boost Contra Costa Times 2/24/11 - Gioia Lauded in Editorial on Redevelopment Reform Contra Costa Times 2/19/11 - Gioia Wants to Name N. Richmond Street for Fred Jackson Contra Costa Times 2/17/11 - Gioia Leads Board of Supervisors in Support of Redevelopment Reform Contra Costa Times 2/16/11 - Gioia Champions Rethinking Redevelopment East Bay Express 2/16/11 - Gioia Proposes Naming N. Richmond Street After Fred Jackson Richmond Confidential 2/9/11 - Supervisor Gioia Advocates for Redevelopment Reform Contra Costa Times 2/7/11 - Gioia on the County's Reentry Initiative (See audio archive for full broadcast) KCBS Radio 1/25/11 - County Refinery Accidents Drop in Past Decade Contra Costa Times 1/23/11 - Supervisor Gioia's Guest Commentary on Future Challenges Contra Costa Times 1/15/11 - Gioia and Other Supes Reflect on Challenges Ahead Contra Costa Times 1/14/11 - Gioia at Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in El Cerrito 1/13/11 - Doctors Hospital CEO steps down Contra Costa Times 1/11/11 - Gioia Discusses East Richmond Heights Annexation to El Cerrito El Cerrito Patch 1/2/11 - Supervisor Gioia on Budget Under New Governor El Cerrito Patch 12/17/10 - Gioia Supports New Centers Helping Low-Income with Finanical Independence Contra Costa Times 12/2/10 - Gioia and Board Consider Mandatory Spay and Neutering of All Shelter Dogs Contra Costa Times 10/26/10 - Gioia Leads Board of Supervisors to Ban All Junk Food in County Vending Machines Contra Costa Times 10/20/10 - Gioia and Other Leaders Talk Teaching History El Cerrito Patch 10/6/10 - Gioia Leads Successful Request for Public PGE Gas Line Maps Contra Costa Times 9/29/10 - Gioia Joins Board in Banning Smoking in Multiplex Housing Contra Costa Times 9/15/10 - Supervisor Gioia Helps Launch Bay Area School Supply Initiative San Francisco Chronicle 9/10/10 Gioia Helps Distribute Free School Supplies in Richmond Richmond Confidential 8/25/10 - Gioia Joins RYSE Back to School Festival Richmond Confidential (hard copy) 8/25/10 - Supervisor Gioia Enjoys RYSE Back to School Festival Globe 8/25/10 - Gioia Joins RYSE Back to School Street Festival Richmond Confidential 8/17/10 - Opinion: Supervisor Gioia Calls Proposed State Legislation on Pension Spiking Misguided Contra Costa Times Readers' Forum 8/17/10 - Editorial: California Pension spiking bill needs to be stopped Contra Costa Times 8/5/10 -- Supervisors Gioia and Piepho Support Ordinance for Pit Bull Neutering Contra Costa Times 7/9/10 -- Site Chosen for State-of-the-Art West County Health Center Contra Costa Times 6/30/10 - Supervisor Gioia Champions Soda Free Summer Richmond Confidential 6/21/10 - Contra Costa County Kicks Off Campaign to Steer Kids Away from Soda This Summer 6/22 - Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Presentation and Resolution 6/2/10 - Bay Area air board approves guidelines to limit greenhouse gases Contra Costa Times 5/29/10 - Editorial: Save lives cardiac arrest Contra Costa Times 5/25/10 - Supervisor Gioia sponsors PRIDE Month Resolution Martinez News-Gazette 4/12/10 - Editorial to Re-Elect Supervisor John Gioia Contra Costa Times Editorial Board 4/02/2010 - Supervisors Gioia and Glover Lead Re-Entry Efforts Contra Costa Times 3/21/10 - Gioia Joins Environmentalists Opposing New Home Project on South SF Bay Sacramento Bee 3/18/2010 - Supervisor Gioia Leads West County HeartSafe Effort Oakland Post 3/14/10 - Supervisor Gioia Promotes Heart Health Campaign in El Cerrito Contra Costa Times 3/4/2010 - Quality Accolade for Doctors Medical Center Contra Costa Times 3/1/10 - Gioia Joins Environmentalists to Fight 12,000 New Homes on SF Bay San Francisco Chronicle 2/26/10 - Gioia Among Bay Area Officials Opposing 12,000 New Homes on SF Bay San Mateo Daily Journal 2/23/10 - Supervisor Gioia Helps New Initiative Giving School Supplies to Kids in Need Contra Costa Times 2/24/10 - Gioia and Supervisors Vote Diablo not Reagan for Mountain AOL News 2/23/10 - Board of Supervisors Won't Support Mt. Diablo Name Change Contra Costa Times 2/22/10 - Dedication of El Sobrante Reading Garden Contra Costa Times 2/15/10 - Supervisor Gioia Talks With El Sobrante Leaders to Support New Deputy Contra Costa Times 2/2/10 - Supervisor Gioia speaks at MLK Celebration Contra Costa College Advocate 1/25/2010 - Supervisors Reflect on 2010: Gioia focuses on health, crime, and youth Contra Costa Times 1/25/2010 - Supervisor Gioia announces 2-year timeline to build new health center Contra Costa Times 12/09/2009 - Supervisor Gioia Shoots Hoops for Charities Contra Costa Times 12/09/2009 - Supervisor Gioia attends White House announcement to rebuild Richmond Health Center Contra Costa Times 11/24/2009 - Supervisor Gioia Launches Annual Coat and Toy Drive for Verde Students Contra Costa Times 10/24/2009 - Supervisor Gioia Promotes Healthy Halloween Contra Costa Times 10/24/2009 - Supervisor Gioia Calls Chevron Tax Fair Contra Costa Times 09/16/2009 - Supervisor Gioia hosts Richmond courthouse renaming ceremony Contra Costa Times 10/14/09 - El Sobrante residents asked to weigh in on farmers market Contra Costa Times 9/14/09 - Program provides free bus passes for West County students Contra Costa Times 9/14/09 - Supervisor Gioia hosts BBQ at 25th annual Coastal Cleanup Contra Costa Times 9/4/09 - Supervisor Gioia asks Chevron to not retract tax funds Contra Costa Times 8/28/09 - Doctors Medical Center's New Outpatient Clinic Contra Costa Times 8/21/2009 - RYSE Center Teens build alter for slain 14-year-old Contra Costa Times 7/23/2009 - Doctors Hospital Names New CFO San Francisco Business Times July 20, 2009 - Deputies for North Richmond (KPIX) July 20, 2009 - Deputy Presence Boosted in N. Richmond (Contra Costa Times) July 2, 2009 - Gioia Works on Balancing County Budget (Contra Costa Times) July 2009 - Support for Richmond Farm 2 Table Program (El Cerrito Democratic Club Journal) June 19, 2009 - Letters to the Editor Support Farm 2 Table (Contra Costa Times) May 19, 2009 - June Declared Gay Pride Month by BOS (Contra Costa Times) May 28, 2009 - Richmond Farm 2 Table Program (Contra Costa Times) April, 21, 2009 - County Supervisors Aid Community Health Clinics (Contra Costa Times) April 17, 2009 - Supervisor Gioia Stands Up For Water Conservation (Contra Costa Times) January 7, 2009 - Suspects Charged in Richmond Rape/Hate Crime (Contra Costa Times) December 14, 2008 - Richmond Police Investigate Possible Hate Crime (Contra Costa Times) October 9, 2008 - Painting volunteers needed for RYSE Youth Center September 18, 2008 Supervisor Gioia Again Hosts Coastal Cleanup in Richmond September 18, 2008. Supervisor Gioia Again Hosts Coastal Cleanup in Richmond. Contra Costa Times September 16, 2008 - Supervisor Gioia Gets Input on Kensington Library Improvements September 11, 2008 Supervisor Gioia Backs San Pablo Fire Protection Plan August 23, 2008. Contra Costa Times. San Pablo near deal on firefighters August 14, 2008. Contra Costa Times. Doctors Medical Center emerge from bankruptcy August 14, 2008. East Bay Business Times. Doctors Medical Center emerge from Bankruptcy August 13, 2008. Contra Costa Times. Gioia supports Public Disclosure of Employee Salary Info July 21, 2008. Contra Costa Times. Lessons Learned from Deadly Montalvin Manor Fire (Part 2) July 19, 2008. Contra Costa Times. Lessons Learned from Deadly Montalvin Manor Fire (Part 1) 7-10-08 KTVU Supervisor Gioia Helps Successful Fundraiser For Burn Victim July 1, 2008. Contra Costa Times. Supervisor Gioia helps raise money for burn victim June 29, 2008. Contra Costa Times. Major grant will help Richmond RYSE better serve West County June 11, 2008. Contra Costa Times. North Richmond yound adult center opens March 3, 2008. Contra Costa Times. Richmond eyes dream youth center November 29, 2007. Contra Costa Times. Grief brings neighbors together November 29, 2007. Contra Costa Times. Chevron appeals for cut in property tax November 28, 2007. Contra Costa Times. Supervisors revise response plan for future spills June 17 ,2007 Supervisor Gioia hears community input on Doctor's Business Plan June 15, 2007 Supervisor Gioia Weighs in on El Cerrito's Charms June 8, 2007 - Supervisor Gioia Works with Animal Services to Remove Beached Dead Whale May 21, 2007 Doctor's Works to Eliminate Debt March 18, 2007 - Montalvin Manor residents work for park improvements praising Supervisor Gioia January 17,2007 - Editorial Supports Supervisor Gioia's call for Review of Warning System December 24, 2006 - Coat Drive Successful December 10, 2006 - Supervisor Gioia Works with Verde School on Coat Drive October 18, 2006 - County Reveals Plans for Doctor's Medical Center October 17, 2006 - County Plan to bail out Doctor's Medical Center October 10, 2006 - County developers tentative plan to save Doctor's Hospital September 13, 2006 - Supervisor Gioia sponsors coastal clean-up August 17, 2006 - Supervisor Gioia Talks to San Quentin inmates about violence July 26, 2006 - Supervisor Gioia joins East Bay Lawmakers to end violence July 25, 2006 - Supervisors Gioia joins East Bay Lawmakers to end violence July 24, 2006 - Supervisor Gioia weighs in on civil marriages July 23, 2006 Cost of Crime Hurts Everyone July 16, 2006 - Richmond Council considers crematorium July 12, 2006 - Chronicle Auto Aid Returns to West County March 14, 2006 - Southeast Asian youths face risks, study concludes March 2, 2006 - Supervisor Gioia demonstrates defibrillator to Richmond City Council February 7, 2006 Supervisor Gioia envisions new youth center in Richmond December 20, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Learning from tragedy 12/19/2005 - Portable defibrillators Contra Costa Times December 6, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Supervisor Gioia seeks advisory vote on urban casinos November 16, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Contra Costa cracks down on aggressive dogs November 16, 2005. Contra Costa Times Editorial - Protection from dogs November 14, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Board to weigh permits on aggressive dogs October 22, 2005. San Francisco Chronicle. Limits proposed on felons owning some dogs October 22, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Law would bite at owners of aggressive dogs, breeds September 14, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Supervisor questions disaster readiness. September 10, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Curfew for parolees considered in Richmond August 7, 2005. Contra Costa Times Editorial- Support our economy by supporting youths July 12, 2005. San Francisco Chronicle. Developer pitches in for low cost housing July 12, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Home builder donates funds to affordable housing trust July 12, 2005. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles considers Supervisor Gioia's acronym policy July 7, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Chemical stockpiles raise terror attack concerns June 24, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Rally slams bingo-machine proposal June 24, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Kensington residents seek to improve paths June 24, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Panel asks for limits on big events June 22, 2005. San Francisco Chronicle. Supervisors to pay $1 fine for using bureaucratic lingo June 22, 2005. Contra Costa Times Editorial - Supervisor's noble quixotic act June 21, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Supervisor Gioia introduces policy to end June 16, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Juneteenth festival to focus on the history of fete June 8, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Ban on some dog breeds encouraged May 19, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Governor, Supervisors attack casino proposal April 1, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Supervisors may raise casino odds March 19, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Supervisor Gioia assembles civic leaders to attack obesity March 15, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Politicians want federal grants handed to schools immediately March 4, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Supervisor spent his school years on the run February 26, 2005. San Francisco Chronicle. Richmond neighborhood trapped by trains February 16, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Supes renew ambulance group AMR February 4, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Supervisor Gioia spearheads restaurant grading system January 23, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Locals vocal on casino plan January 22, 2005. Contra Costa Times. Lyttons to unveil revised San Pablo casino plan 3/8/04 -- Take Responsibility Did you ever notice that when things go bad the people most responsible for the particular demise are the first to propose that 'we will not cast blame?' West County Times 2/14/2004 -- Richmond Mayor Stifles Councilman Many California cities require rental property owners to take out a business license, and Tom Butt thinks Richmond should do the same. East Bay Times 8/9/00 - Supervisors avoid health cuts in budget approval Contra Costa Times 3/27/97 -- Marina Bay Call to Action A last minute deal proffered by local developers and power broker Darrell Reese has some City Council members and residents fuming. West Count Times 08/07/1996 -- EBMUD Editorial EBMUD Editorial

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