Sideshow Participant Charged With Attempted Murder Of A Police Officer

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple felony charges against Juan Noel Vargas and Genesis Castaneda stemming from a incident during a street sideshow in Richmond January 28. Charges against Vargas, who was driving at the time of the incident, include Attempted Murder of a Police Officer and Assault with a Deadly Weapon.…

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Members Of Richmond Street Gang Charged With Attempted Murder Of Orinda Woman

Members of a Richmond street gang known as the “Swerve Team” have been charged with the attempted murder of Orinda school board member Carol Brown – accosted with her husband by gang members in a random robbery outside their Orinda home last September. Brown and her husband were unloading groceries outside their residence when they were…

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Betty Lane Fire Was Intentionally Set, Police Say, Lafayette Woman Arrested

A Lafayette woman is in custody on arson and attempted murder charges Monday after allegedly setting fire to a boarding residence she lived in with others on Betty Lane. Lisa Stevens, 53, was arrested on suspicion of arson of an inhabited dwelling and attempted first-degree murder, investigators said. She is being held in lieu of $750,000…

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Orinda Council Studying Possible Future Requirements For Short-Term Rentals

Bloodied when a short-term rental scenario went wrong with tragic results in February, Orinda’s city council has spent the interim period tinkering with ideas to safeguard homeowner, renters – and the city – in future. Mayor Victoria Smith asked city staff to canvass surrounding cities and towns for their approaches to the short-term rental market, popularized by sites…

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