“Lucky” Winds Save Refinery Neighbors From Toxic Cloud, County Health Says
From Contra Costa Health: Refinery Discloses Toxic Chemicals Released During Recent Fire The Martinez Refining Company (MRC), owned by PBF Energy, has told local health officials that chemicals and combustion byproducts from a recent fire at the refinery included chemicals that can cause cancer, as well as heart and lung disease. Dr. Ori Tzvieli, the…
Hi And G’Morning News24/680 Newbies!
Bunch of new folks and even an old gal pal joining us in recent days so to you all we say: “Welcome,” “Bienvenido” and “Bienvenue!” Sharing some old memories with Old Friends and ready to make some new ones with New Ones as we push out into the year and stir up a little dust.…
The Monday Meditation: Muleskinner Blues; Mellencamp Rules And “Copenhagen, Here We Come!”
A pal sent an email with a gif attached, the snippet from Dances With Wolves where the muleskinner Timmons surveys the pierced, desiccated remnants of an unlucky Prairie Voyager and intones: “Somebody back east is sayin’: ‘Why don’t he write?'” We weren’t sure where our friend was going with the email and pinged him to…
One Killed, One Severely Injured In Martinez Crash Monday
One person was killed and another severely injured when their vehicle struck the center divide of northbound I680 south of Marina Vista and overturned Monday morning. The single-vehicle crash, reported at approximately 10:33 a.m., triggered a SigAlert for the highway and reduced northbound traffic to a single lane while California Highway Patrol investigators searched for…
“Pull It Over There, Keanu… Where’s Sandra?”
One of Walnut Creeks’s venerable Gillig electric trolleys got away from its operator Friday, slightly damaging two cars in separate locations before it could be pulled over by police. The trolley’s passengers were off-loaded and transferred to another bus while officers assessed the damage, which in no way came close to that inflicted by Reeves…
Danville Schools Enact Secure Campus Protocol After Reported Threats Thursday
Two Danville schools adopted a Secure Campus posture Thursday following reports of a student threatening violence against the Charlotte Wood Middle School and Monte Vista High School campuses. “Secure Campus,” apparently one security level below a hard lockdown at the schools, barred anyone from entering or leaving the campuses while staff and police searched for…
Suspect Who Snatched Watch Near Orinda BART Detained At Walnut Creek Station Wednesday
A suspect who allegedly stole an Apple Watch from a woman walking near Orinda BART on Wednesday was tracked and detained at the Walnut Creek BART station soon after. Details remain sketchy as the suspect has only just been detained, reportedly by sheriff’s deputies and members of other agencies. The incident was reported at approximately…
Man Arrested At Walnut Creek BART After Brandishing Pistol Tuesday
A man seen behaving erratically at the Walnut Creek BART station Tuesday was subsequently arrested after he allegedly brandished a pistol while threatening a bus driver. Zion E. Brown, 21, was arrested on multiple charges after he allegedly tried to hide a Glock 17 pistol with an extended magazine on the BART platform. Transit and…
Martinez Health Advisory Lifted Tuesday
From Contra Costa Health: Contra Costa Health (CCH) has lifted a public health advisory today at 3:00 p.m. following confirmation that the fire at Martinez Refining Company (MRC) is out. Residents in the affected area can now resume normal activities and should open doors and windows to air out buildings and homes. CCH was first…
County Supervisor Promises Full Investigation Into Martinez Refining Company Fire
County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston said Tuesday she is meeting with county health officials, Martinez Mayor Brianne Zorn, refinery officials and first responders to determine the cause of Saturday’s fire at the Martinez Refining Company facility in Martinez. “This is the third major incident since BPF Energy purchased the refinery in 2020 and many more spills…