Highway 4 Commute Ranked #10 Worst in U.S.
Highway 4 Commute Ranked #10 Worst in U.S.
Memorial Day Ceremony in Discovery Bay – MONDAY at 10am
Memorial Day Ceremony in Discovery Bay – MONDAY at 10am
This Memorial Weekend, the Sea Ray Yacht Club will be conducting a moving ceremony in “Honor of the Fallen” veterans. The ceremony will take place from a floating stage, at 10:00 am, this Monday, Memoiral Day.
The public will view the ceremony from land, by lining Harbor Drive, the waterfront street behind the blue top condos, off Marina Road. On the water, this is the back bay known as the “pond.” Gathering will begin at about 9:30 am.
Karen Mann, with the Discovery Bay Yacht Club says they “are looking for VETS who would like to participate – and more than that we need our children to be in attendance to understand the true significance of Memorial Day Weekend.”
Veterans who would like to participate: Please contact Bev Seaman 925-634-5911 or bevseaman@comcast.net
Huge Marijuana Growing Organization Dismantled in Operation Disco Dazed
Huge Marijuana Growing Organization Dismantled
in Operation Disco Dazed
(Discovery Bay, CA) – Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams and United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announce the arrest of 19 individuals and the service of numerous search warrants today in Operation Disco Dazed. As a result of the investigation law enforcement seized 14 indoor marijuana grow operations, 3,606 marijuana plants, 96 pounds of processed marijuana, 36 firearms to include multiple assault rifles, a 37mm grenade launcher, a ballistic vest, 8 vehicles, 5 motorcycles, 5 boats to include an Eliminator Sport Boat, and approximately $400,000.
“This large-scale marijuana trafficking organization set up shop in several neighborhoods and communities. Through the diligent efforts of law enforcement they have been dismantled and the nuisance removed,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams. “The great success of this investigation would not have been possible without the invaluable assistance received from our law enforcement partners.”
The DEA Sacramento District Office began their investigation in early 2011 after receiving information about an alleged drug trafficking organization centered around Grower’s Choice Hydroponics, a hydroponic equipment retailer operating in Tracy and Hayward. According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Steven Ortega Sr. and Marla Ortega own both retail outlets. During the course of the investigation, agents learned that Steven Ortega Sr. and Steven Ortega Jr. were leaders of this drug trafficking organization, and used Grower’s Choice Hydroponics to furnish cultivation equipment to partners willing to grow marijuana in exchange for profit sharing. Court documents further reveal the organization allegedly maintained several marijuana growing operations in multiple counties. Through investigative efforts law enforcement learned that marijuana was trafficked locally and outside of California.
The lengthy investigation culminated today when hundreds of law enforcement personnel served federal arrest and search warrants. All warrants were served without incident. The following individuals were arrested today in this investigation:
1. Steven Ortega Sr., 50, of Byron
2. Steven Ortega Jr., 25, of Discovery Bay
3. Marla Ortega, 57, of Byron
4. Matt Ortega, 21, of Byron
5. Anthony Giarrusso, 24, of Oakley
6. Jay Dupee, 50, of Byron
7. Brock Enrico, 25, of Oakley
8. Todd Becerra, 38, of Tracy
9. Steven Adgate, 30, of Rio Vista
10. Bryan Swiers, 31, of Byron
11. Kyle Schmidt, 25, of Oakley
12. Travis Olibas, 23, of Fresno
13. Jake Weterman, 22, of Livermore
14. Justin McMillian, 32, of Salida
15. Shawn Thompson, 43, of Mountain House
16. Frederick Laurens, 29, of Brentwood
17. Jason Siegfried, 28, of Patterson
18. Kevin Kuester, 43, of Fremont
19. Joseph Mirante, 40, of Tracy
Charges include manufacture, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana, and maintaining a place for manufacture and distribution of marijuana.
Law enforcement discovered indoor marijuana growing operations at 14 locations where search warrants were served. Many of the operations were set up with sophisticated lighting, water irrigation, ventilation, and air filtration systems. The electricity in some of these homes had been rewired to bypass the electrical meter, saving the organization thousands of dollars in electrical bills each month, but creating a significant fire hazard. The DEA estimates the value of the marijuana seized in this investigation to be more than $1 million.
This case was the product of an extensive investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, San Leandro Police Department, San Joaquin County Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force (METRO), Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Tracy Police Department, and California Highway Patrol. Assistance was also provided by Antioch Police Department, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Central Valley HIDTA, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation-Evidence Response Team, Homeland Security Investigations, Manteca Police Department, Placer County Special Investigations Unit, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency, United States Marshals Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, West El Dorado County Narcotics Enforcement Team. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Anderson is prosecuting the case.
The defendants are scheduled to have an initial appearance today in Sacramento Federal Court. If convicted of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and manufacturing marijuana counts, the defendants face a maximum possible sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years in prison, and a $4 million fine. If convicted of maintaining a place for manufacture and distribution of marijuana the defendants face a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables and any applicable statutory sentencing factors.
The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Officer Involved Incident
OFFICER INVOLVED INCIDENT
This morning (Wednesday, May 2) at approximately 1 AM, the Oakley Police Department was involved in a vehicle pursuit of a subject who failed to stop for a traffic violation. The suspect vehicle left the City of Oakley heading towards Bethel Island. While on Gateway Boulevard in Bethel Island, the suspect fired multiple rounds from a high powered assault weapon at two Oakley Police units as well as a Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff vehicle that was responding to the area to assist. The suspect then evaded police. Later the suspect vehicle was located within the Bethel Island Golf Course property on Gateway Boulevard near the location of where the shots were fired.
Deputies determined that the suspect was still in the vehicle. Numerous attempts were made to communicate with the suspect. He was unresponsive.
The Office of the Sheriff SWAT Team responded to the scene and tried to make contact with the suspect. SWAT Team members later approached the vehicle and determined the suspect was deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
No Deputies or Officers were injured during the incident. Two police vehicles were struck by gunfire. It is unknown why the suspect shot at the Officers and Deputies.
The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Bryan Akers-Davis. His residence is unknown at this time but he has ties to East County.
Following the Officer Involved Fatal Incident Protocol, this incident is being jointly investigated by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Sheriff. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to call the Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600.
BUSD Service Awards
Byron Union School District PTAs honor outstanding service to local school communitiesEllen Bower
Unwanted Prescription Drugs
Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Teams-up with DEA to TAKE BACK
Unwanted Prescription Drugs
On Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to one of the following locations:
-Field Operations Building, 1980 Muir Road, Martinez, CA
-Danville Police Department, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA
-Oakley Police Department, 3231 Main Street, Oakley, CA
The service is free and anonymous, no questions will be asked.
Last October, Americans turned in 377,080 pounds—188.5 tons—of prescription drugs at over 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement partners. In its three previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in almost a million pounds—nearly 500
tons—of pills.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish at home are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Four days after the first event, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an “ultimate user” of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them. The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances. The DEA is drafting regulations to implement the Act, a process that can take as long as 24 months. Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug Take Back events.
For more information on the Take Back program, visit: www.dea.gov
Discovery Bay 5k Family Fun Run
Discovery Bay 5k Family Fun Run
Saturday, May 12th, 2012 at 9:30am. Runners, walkers, stroller joggers, and little bikers are all invited to participate in the AGC 4th annual 5K Family Fun Run.
Run, walk, bike, stroller or scooter around beautiful Discovery Bay. All participants will receive a t-shirt and all children will receive a medal for crossing the finish line. Bring your family and have some fun in the sun, on May 12, at 9:30 AM.
The fun will start and end at the parking lot at 1900 Willow Lake Road, in Discovery Bay.
Registration will begin at8:30 amon race day or you may pick up your race number and shirt on Friday, May 11th between 5-7 pm at the Delta Community Presbyterian Church. Entry details and registration form can be found here:
School Incident at DB Elementary
An Excelsior Middle School was injured (accidental) on a school bus today, at approximately 1:08 PM, in front of Discovery Bay Elementary School.
The incident required emergency services to be called, according to a recorded message sent to parents from Principal Storey, a procedure which delayed the release of some students.
The Sheriff’s office was called and “it was determined that the 13-year old, female student had brought a knife to school and somehow stabbed herslf,” said Sheriff’s spokesman Jimmy Lee.
The girl received some stitches for the injury. No other students were injured in this incident.
Both the BUSD district and Contra Costa Sheriff are investigating the matter. Witnesses stated the girl had brought the knife to school for fear of being “jumped.”
Further details will be reported here when and if they become available.
Letter to the Editor – Fire Tax Concerns
Dear Editor:
East Contra Costa Fire is asking us to approve a 10 year $197 parcel tax with up to 3% annualCPIescalation. By year 10, that tax could be as much as $257.04 and then they run out of money again. Should we approve it?
I have attended the ECCFPD town hall meetings as well asking probing questions of the fire chief and a Fire District board member. I have examined the internal financials of the District and have concluded that they will indeed be faced with multiple station closures without additional funds this coming year. The question remains; should we approve the tax and what will be the consequences of failure?
First some hard facts. Our Fire District has a much lower pay scale than Contra Costa Fire which serves a large part of the County. East Contra Costa Fire serves 250 square miles and has seen tax revenues decline from $12 million in 2008 to less than $8million today. The District receives from 5 to 9 cents of property tax revenues compared to 12 to 14 cents in communities served by Contra Costa Fire. This is a structural problem related to Prop. 13 and the District Board are unable to make necessary changes.
Most will agree that our current fire safety coverage is barely adequate with the Discovery Bay Blvd. station already closed. What will happen to fire insurance premiums if our closest station becomes Brentwood? The choices are clear. Take a gamble and hope the Board of Supervisors solves the problem or approve the parcel tax as proposed.
Bruce Hall
Discovery Bay
Delta Sun Times
