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Community Corner

🌱Former Richmond Teacher Arrested + San Ramon Trails Challenge

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Concord.

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Jeri Karges, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Good morning, Concord! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know in Concord today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 73 Low: 50.

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Here are the top five stories today in Concord:

  1. A BART manager failed to disclose her spouse's employment at a major San Francisco construction company when she played a role in recommending board approval of a $40 million contract to that company, BART's inspector general said in a report released Friday. The investigation into the relationship between the BART manager — who isn't identified in the report — and an employee of PGH Wong Engineering forced the agency to halt construction under the contract in January. The BART manager and the company also failed to disclose that she previously worked for the firm, which also employs her sibling. Harriet Richardson, the inspector general, is also calling on BART to void a remaining $27 million in contract funds that has yet to be allocated and $5.4 million in unpaid invoices. (Silicon Valley)
  2. Thanks to the Society for Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources, the railroad at Ardenwood has been restored and you can ride it for free when you visit the park. After the train ride, you can dye Easter eggs the natural way with naturalist Mindy Castle 1-2 p.m. April 17. Find out which plants and spices are great for dyeing eggs and take home a finished product. This is a drop-in program; registration is not required. Meet at the granary. Find other great things to do this spring at our East Bay Parks at this link! (Pioneer Publishers)
  3. A former Richmond school teacher is facing multiple charges of child molestation. The Contra Costa District Attorney's Office filed 29 counts against Anessa Paige Gower on April 8 in Contra Costa County Superior Court. Gower was a biology teacher at Making Waves Academy in Richmond and allegedly engaged in numerous acts of a sexual nature with seven minors between 2021-2022. Richmond Police, with assistance from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, arrested Gower at Sacramento International Airport on April 6 as she was returning to California from Hawaii. She is currently in custody in Richmond. (News 24/680)
  4. According to transit officials, the Antioch line of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system was experiencing substantial delays due to a malfunctioning BART train that had been stuck between the Pleasant Hill and Concord stations on Friday. BART authorities said just before 1 p.m. that the system was recovering from the issues created by the disabled train, but that there were still delays on the Antioch line. (Concord News Journal)
  5. The Pittsburg City Council is set to introduce an ordinance for Military Equipment Use for the Pittsburg Police Department in response to Assembly Bill 481. The term "military equipment," as used in AB 481, does not necessarily indicate equipment used by the military. Items deemed to be "military equipment" include, but are not limited to, unmanned aerial or ground vehicles, armored vehicles, command and control vehicles, less lethal 40mm kinetic energy launchers, chemical munitions, and diversionary devices. According to the Staff Report, there is no fiscal impact because the cost of the current equipment is presently funded and included in the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 budget. (East County Today)

Today in Concord:

  • Green garlic and asparagus are in season at the Walnut Creek Farmer's Market! (9:00 AM)
  • Come out to the Hilton Concord Hotel Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Contra Costa Con 3 (10:00 AM)
  • Head out to Painting with a Twist for Beauty Brains Brawn Sing-Along (All Ages) (12:00 Noon)
  • The rockabilly virtuoso Jared Freiburg returns with his band, the Vagabonds, to blow the lid off of El Campanil Theatre! (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • East Bay Regional Park District will be offering guided tours of the former Roddy Ranch Golf Course this spring! It is an opportunity to see the site in-person, learn more about the recently released preferred design concept, and to ask questions and provide feedback to the planning team. Two tours will be offered on Saturday, May 7. Registration is required. You can reserve online or by calling 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757) (Contra Costa Herald)
  • Celebrate Earth Day with arts, crafts and fun for the whole family! This year's Family Art Day will take place outdoors on April 23 at Shadelands in Walnut Creek. Local artists and organizations will lead activities exploring environmental themes. Families will be able to visit the different stations to plant seeds, make prints of local animals, sculpt with recycled materials and more!
  • The 2022 San Ramon Trails Challenge is now live, and will run through September 30. Challenge yourself to get out and explore some of the great trails that are right here in your community! The program is free to participate, and early registrants can also receive a FREE Trails Challenge T-Shirt while supplies last. T-Shirts are available for pickup at Sports Basement's San Ramon location during store hours. Learn More & Register

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Jeri Karges

About me: Jeri Karges has been living in and loving the Sacramento region for over 30 years. Her passion is finding new and unique ways to enjoy the city and surrounding areas. On weekends, you can find her pestering her friends to sample the restaurant that doesn't have silverware, or try their hand at throwing an axe. Jeri also enjoys writing about retirement planning at https://rockinretirement.subst...

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