Community Corner
East Bay Congressman Hosting Candlelight Vigil For Las Vegas Shooting Victims
U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell invites residents to gather together on Sunday evening.

CASTRO VALLEY, CA — The community is invited to join East Bay U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell on Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. in Castro Valley for a candlelight vigil to honor the lives of those killed in the tragic Las Vegas shooting. Those interested in joining can meet at Castro Valley Boulevard and Redwood Rood in Castro Valley on Sunday.
“This is a time for our community to come together in sympathy and solidarity with those who were killed, wounded and traumatized in this horrific massacre,” Swalwell said.
More than 22,000 people attended the Route 91 Harvest Festival, an outdoor country music concert that was held near the Las Vegas Strip. Shortly after 10 p.m. on Sunday, 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock opened fire on the crowd from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las Vegas police said.
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The Victims Of The Las Vegas Shooting
Two women who graduated from California High School in San Ramon were among those killed. Novato resident Stacee (Rodriguez) Etcheber, class of 1985, and Santa Barbara resident Denise (Freed) Cohen, class of 1977, both died during the shooting that left 59 people dead and more than 500 injured. Etcheber leaves behind two children and her husband, San Francisco police officer Vinnie Etcheber.
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“The San Ramon Valley Unified School District joins the greater community in mourning the victims of the Las Vegas attacks,” San Ramon Valley Unified School District Officials said. “Our hearts and thoughts are with the families of Denise Cohen and Stacey Etcheber.”
School district officials said the California High School Alumni Association is working with California High School to honor Cohen and Etcheber at the game on Oct. 13.
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- 2 Cal High Graduates Killed In Las Vegas Shooting Will Be Honored At Homecoming

A GoFundMe page established to help raise funds for Etcheber’s husband and children has garnered more than $130,000 since it was launched on Oct. 3. Click here to donate. A GoFundMe campaign started for Denise Cohen’s survivors can be found by clicking here.
Photo via Shutterstock
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