On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors appointed Aaron McAlister as Fire Chief of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire).

McAlister has served with Con Fire since 2016 and most recently served as Deputy Fire Chief of Administration, overseeing Communications/Fire Dispatch, Information Systems, Support Services, Finance, and Human Resources. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Fire Chief and played a key role in strengthening the District’s operational readiness, facilities, staffing, and regional coordination.

During his tenure, McAlister helped lead major district advancements, including the annexation of the East Contra Costa and Rodeo-Hercules fire districts and the service contract with the City of Pinole. He also supported the expansion of firefighting resources, staffing, facilities, and emergency services, while advancing wildfire mitigation efforts and helping establish more than 40 Firewise communities.

“Chief McAlister has demonstrated strong leadership, operational expertise, and a deep commitment to public safety throughout his career with Con Fire,” said Board Chair Diane Burgis. “Through a highly competitive selection process, he distinguished himself as the top choice to lead the District. His experience and vision will help ensure Contra Costa County continues to deliver the high level of fire protection and emergency services our residents depend on every day.”

Before joining Con Fire, McAlister served as Fire Chief for the City of Dixon.

McAlister replaces Chief Lewis Broschard, who retired in March after more than 30 years in the fire service, including 18 years with Con Fire. Broschard briefly returned in an interim capacity to support leadership continuity during the transition.

“I am honored by the Board’s confidence and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Fire Chief,” said McAlister. “Con Fire’s firefighters, dispatchers, fire prevention staff, support staff, professional staff, and leadership team are among the very best in the fire service. I look forward to building on our strong foundation and continuing our mission of protecting lives, property, and the environment throughout Contra Costa County.”

McAlister holds a Master of Arts in Homeland Security from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento. He is a Certified Fire Chief through the California State Fire Marshal and holds a Chief Fire Officer credential from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

The cost of this position for the remainder of the fiscal year is approximately $79,324 with the total ongoing cost projected at $634,595 annually. Funding for this position is included in the District operating budget.

Contra Costa Fire provides fire protection and emergency medical services to more than 790,000 residents across 13 cities and 11 unincorporated communities throughout Contra Costa County.

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QUESTION: If definitive proof of alien life were revealed tomorrow, how do you think the world would react? And do you believe there could be life on other planets or even in other dimensions?

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1. $1,970,010 for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to upgrade and develop a network of smart traffic signals between Antioch and Oakley to improve commute times, reduce delays, and ease congestion.
2. $1,200,000 for the Contra Costa County Public Works Department to create a separate bike path to fill a gap in the County-wide bicycle network along Marsh Drive in unincorporated Pacheco, which will improve safety for all road users and access to local commercial centers, recreational centers, and additional connections to the local mass transit system.
3. $1,000,000 for the Contra Costa County Public Works Department to construct bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Treat Boulevard in the Contra Costa Centre Transit Village in Walnut Creek to close a critical gap along the Iron Horse Regional Trail, which would improve safety for non-motorized road users and improve connectivity for first and last mile connections to public transit and local commercial establishments.
4. $850,000 for the Town of Danville to install fiber optic cables and construct new conduit and junction boxes for 54 traffic signals in Danville to enable real-time traffic signal optimization to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety, and allow for future implementation of smart city technologies.
5. $850,000 for the City of Dublin to improve safety and accessibility of Village Parkway by narrowing vehicle lanes, adding lighting, and constructing buffered bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and protected intersections.
6. $850,000 for the East Bay Regional Park District to construct visitor facilities such as restrooms, drinking fountains, public parking areas, and a turnout lane on Bailey Road to allow for the Thurgood Marshall Regional Park to be opened up to the public.

Public Health and Safety Projects:

1. $1,915,000 for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) to replace and install equipment, including backup generators, shore power plugs, and automatic transfer switches, at radio towers across Contra Costa County that are used for communication between law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services to improve system reliability during emergencies and disasters that result in the loss of power.
2. $1,145,144 for the Diablo Water District to provide structural and foundational reinforcements to water infrastructure to mitigate risks associated with major seismic events, safeguard water supply, and contribute to the region’s overall disaster preparedness strategy.
3. $1,034,487 for the City of Concord to make improvements to the Emergency Operations Center in Concord to ensure its longevity, efficiency, and resilience as it serves as a critical hub for bolstering regional preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during emergencies and disasters.
4. $1,000,000 for the City of Walnut Creek to purchase 120 body worn cameras, charging docks, and equipment to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust in the police department.
5. $600,000 for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office to create an Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Prevention and Prosecution Unit with the goal of addressing increased levels of retail theft crimes, helping local law enforcement better confront these types of crimes, and improving public safety.
6. $500,000 for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office to enhance the identification and referral of survivors of labor trafficking and cases of labor trafficking occurring in the County, increase the capacity of the District Attorney’s Office to investigate cases of labor exploitation and trafficking, and improve the quality and scope of services provided to underserved and marginalized victims of human trafficking.

Environmental Protection and Sustainability Projects:

1. $2,000,000 to the Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) to construct a battery system to allow the agency to charge its zero emission buses overnight, and provide a source of power to maintain operations during emergencies.
2. $1,092,000 to the Central Conta Costa Sanitary District (Central San) to upgrade the water treatment facility’s ultraviolet (UV) technology to reduce the energy footprint of water treatment and protect public health and water quality in the region.
3. $273,000 for the Marine Mammal Center to help build scientific literacy and environmental stewardship of the coastal zone for 2,700 students and their teachers in Contra Costa County and to develop a pipeline for the future STEM workforce.

The post Contra Costa, Alameda Counties Receive Over $16 Million For Local Projects appeared first on CLAYCORD.com.

More than 5.86 million Californians are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA. The forecast sets a new holiday travel record and is slightly higher than last year’s numbers.

AAA says more than 4.77 million Californians will hit the road, while over 632,000 are expected to fly. Another 455,000 are projected to travel by bus, train, or cruise ship. Despite higher gas prices, AAA says demand for summer travel remains strong. The busiest travel days are expected to be Thursday, Friday, and Memorial Day Monday, especially between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. AAA is urging drivers to prepare their vehicles before traveling and reminding motorists to drive sober and move over for stopped emergency vehicles.

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A group of homeless people reportedly sparked concern Sunday night after lighting a campfire dangerously close to a gas station near the intersection of Concord Ave. and Contra Costa Blvd. in Concord. The fire was burning just feet away from the Chevron gas station and near the southbound I-680 onramp, creating what many described as an obvious safety hazard. No injuries or fires spreading beyond the campfire were reported.

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QUESTION: If you could bring back one discontinued food or drink, what would it be?

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A man accused of firing on a deputy and who attempted to fatally shoot himself during a standoff with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year has apparently killed himself while incarcerated in jail, the Sheriff’s Office said Sunday.

Oakley resident Raymond Smith, 54, was originally taken to the hospital after attempting to kill himself in his cell on May 4, the Sheriff’s Office said. He had remained in the hospital but died on Sunday morning.

Smith was admitted to jail in January on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and criminal contempt of court.

On Jan. 12 just before 11 a.m., a deputy responded to a call about a violation of a restraining order and made a traffic stop on Smith in the 4300 block of Gold Run Drive in Oakley.

“Almost immediately after the stop, the driver came out of the vehicle and fired several shots at the deputy,” said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jimmy Lee. “The deputy was not struck and was able to return gunfire.”

Smith fled on foot in the neighborhood and a shelter-in-place was issued for residents and schools in the area.

Multiple agencies including the Sheriff’s Office, the Oakley Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, East Bay Regional Park Police, and police from Brentwood and Antioch responded.

The Sheriff’s Office SWAT team also responded when Smith was found barricaded in his home in the 2700 block of Placer Drive in Oakley.
Officers and deputies attempted to communicate with him for several hours, the Sheriff’s Office said, leading to a SWAT armored vehicle approaching the residence.

“A gunshot was heard,” said Lee at the time. “The suspect apparently tried to take his own life.”

Smith was taken to the hospital, where he survived, before he was transferred to the jail to face his charges.

As per protocol, Smith’s death is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s newly announced “Golden State Start” diaper program is already drawing criticism from political opponents and watchdogs who are questioning both the cost of the initiative and the connections between the nonprofit selected to run it and the governor’s inner circle.

The statewide program, unveiled Friday at San Francisco’s Exploratorium, would provide free diapers to families of newborns through hospitals and birthing centers across California. The state has already approved roughly $7.4 million for the effort, with another $12.5 million proposed in Newsom’s 2026-27 budget, bringing the total projected cost to about $20 million. Officials say the goal is to distribute more than 40 million diapers in the program’s first year before eventually scaling up to 160 million annually.

While Newsom framed the initiative as a first-in-the-nation affordability program aimed at helping struggling families, critics say the rollout raises serious questions about political favoritism and taxpayer spending.

At the center of the controversy is California-based nonprofit Baby2Baby, which was selected to oversee diaper procurement, warehousing, and statewide distribution. The organization is led by co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof.

Critics have pointed to Weinstein’s role on the board of the California Partners Project, a nonprofit founded by California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom that focuses on advancing women in leadership roles. Opponents argue the overlap creates the appearance of insider relationships influencing state-funded contracts and partnerships.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has been among the most vocal critics of the program, arguing the state is spending taxpayer dollars inefficiently while directing money toward politically connected organizations.

“If you take the number of diapers they’re planning to send out and the amount of money that he’s spending on it, it’s 50 cents for each one,” Hilton said over the weekend. “But where’s the money coming from? Us.”

Some critics have also questioned the overall economics of the initiative, arguing diapers can often be purchased in bulk at lower retail prices. Others have raised concerns about whether the state conducted a competitive selection process before partnering with Baby2Baby.

The controversy has expanded online, where critics have accused the governor of using taxpayer money to benefit politically connected nonprofits. Some have also highlighted the broader political ties surrounding Baby2Baby leadership, including Kelly Sawyer Patricof’s connections to longtime Democratic donor networks through her family.

Supporters of the program, however, argue the criticism ignores the realities many low-income families face. Newsom and state lawmakers backing the effort say diapers are a basic necessity that can place a major financial burden on families already struggling with California’s high cost of living.

“For low-income families, diapers are the fourth-highest expenditure after rent, food, and utilities,” Sawyer Patricof said during Friday’s announcement.

Newsom defended the initiative as a direct response to rising affordability concerns, pointing to the 45% increase in diaper prices since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“The biggest problem, defined universally in our city, our state and our nation, is the issue of affordability,” Newsom said. “This is what affordability looks like. It’s not a slogan, it’s a box of diapers.”

Still, with the proposal now heading toward legislative review and expansion funding debates, the political controversy surrounding the program appears unlikely to fade anytime soon.

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A truck nearly missed a head-on collision with a tree on Ygnacio Valley Rd in Concord on Sunday afternoon. The collision occurred just before 5 p.m. on Ygnacio near Park Highlands. No major injuries were reported. The cause of the collision is under investigation.

Thanks to Emma for the photo.

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This post is “Talk About Politics”. Please use this post to talk about politics, and keep politics out of the “whatever” thread. Thank you, and be kind to each other.

Please Note: Users who use multiple names will be deleted. Please choose a name so others can easily chat with you. Users must provide a name in the ‘name field’, please do not use the ‘@’ symbol in the name field.

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QUESTION: Where did you grow up? City & State.

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A national coffee chain is looking to make its California debut in Concord by transforming the A&W/KFC restaurant on Clayton Road into a drive-through-only coffee stand. According to project plans submitted to the City of Concord, the proposed 7 Brew Coffee location would convert the existing 3,664-square-foot fast-food restaurant into a drive-through-focused operation with no indoor seating or dining area. The former dining space would instead be used for employee training and storage. The project includes construction of a dual-lane drive-through entrance along the western property line, exterior upgrades to the building, new signage, and minor landscaping improvements.

Founded in Arkansas, 7 Brew Coffee has rapidly expanded across 35 states and is known for its customizable menu of hot and iced coffees, teas, energy drinks, lemonades, smoothies, shakes, and flavored sparkling waters. The company also sells limited packaged food items. If approved, the Concord site would become the company’s first California location. Plans indicate the business would employ between 10 and 15 workers per shift, with additional staffing during peak periods. The location may also serve as a regional training facility for future Northern California stores, with room for up to five trainees at a time. To help move vehicles through the line more quickly, 7 Brew plans to use employees known as “runners” or “line busters” who walk between vehicles taking orders and payments using handheld devices. The company says the system is designed to reduce wait times while creating a more personal customer experience. The proposed hours of operation would be from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. A Dutch Bros Coffee location sits two buildings east of the proposed site, and a Starbuck’s is being constructed just across the street, on the corner of Clayton and Bailey.

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New trail markers are being installed throughout Shell Ridge Open Space, bringing a noticeable upgrade for visitors. The new, larger signs provide clearer information and indicate which users are permitted on each trail – helping hikers, cyclists, and equestrians navigate with ease and confidence. Following completion at Shell Ridge, the Open Space Division will expand the new signage program to Lime Ridge, Sugarloaf, and Acalanes. 

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