Remote Surveillance Trailer in El Cerrito, CA

Two Contra Costa County Cities announced their 2026 minimum wage standards that are set to go into effect on January 1, 2026.

In California, the minimum wage in California, effective January 1, 2026, is $16.90/hour for all employers.

Per City of El Cerrito:

Beginning January 1, 2026, an employee who performs at least two (2) hours of work in a particular workweek within the geographic limits of the City of El Cerrito must be paid wages of not less than $18.82 per hour. This minimum wage rate applies equally to all employees, regardless of the size of the employer.

The minimum wage requirements set forth in the El Cerrito Minimum Wage Standards Ordinance, El Cerrito Municipal Code Chapter 6.95, apply to any employee (part-time or full-time) who performs work within the City of El Cerrito (tips may not be counted toward payment of the minimum wage). Starting in January 2020, the City will adjust the rate annually based on the Consumer Price Index. — more info

Per City of Richmond

According to their ordinance, the cost of living in the City of Richmond was estimated at 20% greater than the overall national average when the City of Richmond Minimum Wage Ordinance was originally adopted and has since increased to 27% greater than the overall national average.

The original ordinance dates back to 2014 when Richmond raised the minimum wage to $12.30 an hour by 2017. At the time, California minimum wage was just $8 and Richmond raised the standard to $9.60.

For a transition period beginning on January 1, 2015 and ending on December 31, 2015, the Minimum Wage shall be an hourly rate of nine dollars and sixty cents ($9.60). For a transition period beginning on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2016, the Minimum Wage shall be an hourly rate of eleven dollars and fifty-two cents ($11.52). For a transition period beginning on January 1, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2017, the Minimum Wage shall be an hourly rate of twelve dollars and thirty cents ($12.30).

Within the ordinance, to prevent inflation from eroding its value, beginning on January 1, 2019, and each year thereafter, the Minimum Wage shall increase by an amount corresponding to the prior year’s increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA metropolitan statistical area, or any successor index as published by the U.S. Department of Labor or its successor agency.

Employers shall pay Employees no less than the Minimum Wage set forth in this Ordinance for each hour worked within the geographic boundaries of the City of Richmond.

More info: https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2615/Minimum-Wage-Ordinance

Join the community for several Martin Luther King Jr events, ceremonies and celebrations across Contra Costa County on Monday, January 19. — MLK Day of Service. Events are located in the cities of Antioch, Brentwood El Cerrito, Martinez, Pittsburg, Richmond, and San Ramon.

On Tuesday, January 20, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 47th Annual Commemoration Event at 11 am in the Board of Supervisors Chambers 1025 Escobar St., in Martinez

Antioch to Host MLK Day of Service

The City of Antioch will host a Martin Luther king Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 19, 2026 with several restoration and beautification projects around the city.

From painting a vibrant mural inside of Mission Elementary school in 2024 to working on a myriad of landscaping and painting projects for Fremont Elementary School and Antioch Community Park in 2025, each year residents of all ages have come together, not only to commune, but also to be of service to each other.

This year, in addition to our Senior Engagement Activities and AUSD’s Poetry Contest, Antioch wants to highlight the Antioch Skatepark, one of the city’s hidden gems! Step one of our plans is to focus on restoring the park with a brand-new paint job and they need your help! They are looking for 40-50 volunteers who want to roll up their sleeves and contribute to making Antioch an even more beautiful place to be.

MLK Jr. Day of Service – Antioch Skatepark Restoration Project

Sign Up for Senior Engagement Activities & Discussion

Sign Up for Antioch Skatepark Restoration Project

More information, click here

Brentwood Creek Cleanup

The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed (FoMCW) invite you to join us for a creek cleanup at Brentwood Creekside Park on Monday, January 19th. Together, we’ll honor Dr. King’s legacy through hands-on environmental stewardship in the Marsh Creek Watershed. The event is from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Creekside Park located at 1010 Claremont Dr, Brentwood. If you have any questions about the event, please feel free to reach out to me at irivero@ccrcd.org. For more info, click here.

East Bay Regional Park District Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

Join the EBRPD Martin Luther King Jr. Community Day of Service is on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline. They are hosting volunteer projects at the following Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline Locations

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

All over the nation, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service inspires Americans to come together and serve their communities. Every year, to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, citizens engage in service to empower and strengthen our communities and bring us closer to his vision of a “Beloved Community.” View additional information and register

El Cerrito MLK Annual Celebration

Join the City of El Cerrito for its annual Martin Luther King Jr Celebration – which includes a parade and rally on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Join the Parade

For more information, click here

NAACP MLK Prayer Breakfast (Pittsburg)

8:00 am — Welcome to the East Contra Costa County NAACP MLK Prayer Breakfast! Come join us at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Junior High School for a morning filled with reflection, community, and celebration. This in-person event will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through prayer, breakfast, and inspiring speeches.

The special guest speaker is Keither Carson, former Alameda County Supervisor.

Let’s come together to commemorate Dr. King’s vision of equality and justice for all. Don’t miss out on this special event! — located at Martin Luther King, Jr. Junior High School (2012 Carion Court Pittsburg, CA 94565). For more information, info@eastcountynaacp.org or call (925) 430-5099. For tickets, click here

On Monday, January 19, 2026, the community will come together for the 19th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on the Richmond Greenway Trail, a powerful day of unity, reflection, and action honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King.

This year’s celebration invites volunteers of all ages to roll up their sleeves and participate in a wide range of community projects, from urban greening and garden beautification to art projects, trail maintenance, resource fair, and environmental education.

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1967

Rain or shine event: Dress in layers and wear rain boots.

Choose a volunteer activity, and sign up with the project location. Please arrive at the project location listed on the sign-up button — click here.

MLK Day of Service at the Richmond Greenway

The Contra Costa Resource Conservation District (CCRCD) and Earth Team invite you to the Richmond Greenway to take action on the 19th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service!

On MLK Day, all people are called to work alongside their neighbors for a day of civic engagement to help build stronger and more equitable communities. Volunteer with the CCRCD, Earth Team, and local garden steward Paula Kristovich at the Richmond Greenway for a day of garden maintenance and family-friendly arts and crafts. Come to get your hands dirty helping to maintain and beautify our gardens, or bring your kids to learn about native plants and paint signs for our pollinator patch!

Event details:

For additional questions about this event, please email erich@ccrcd.org. We hope to see you there for a day of service, love, and learning! For more info, click here.

San Ramon: SRV Diversity Coalition

The San Ramon Valley Diversity Coalition in partnership with the City of San Ramon, is proud to present the 5th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on January 19 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at San Ramon City Hall Rotunda. Join us to celebrate this year’s honoree: AAUW of California — Danville–Alamo–Walnut Creek & San Ramon branches and to recognize their dedication to equity, education, and opportunity. They will come together as a community to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and recommit to compassion, service, and collective care — more info.

Martinez, CA – The Board of Supervisors is honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 48th Annual Commemoration Event 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers 1025 Escobar St., in Martinez.

“Service strengthens our community in powerful ways, and we are deeply honored to recognize one Adult Humanitarian and one Student Humanitarian of the Year whose dedication brings Dr. King’s vision to life,” said Board Chair Diane Burgis, District 3 Supervisor. “This year is especially meaningful as we proudly rename the Humanitarian Awards in honor of former Supervisor Federal Glover.”

The event theme, “Democracy as a Verb: Building on Dr. King’s Legacy in Contra Costa,” emphasizes active civic participation and community leadership. The celebration features keynote speaker, The Hon. Alexander Walker-Griffin, Vice Mayor of the City of Hercules. His passion for civic engagement began at age 10 and led to early work on statewide campaigns and student leadership at Contra Costa College. A former Mayor of Hercules and a California Guard Army officer, Walker-Griffin has served in key public policy roles at the local, state, and national levels, advanced equity and sustainability initiatives, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University.

The Board will honor Federal D. Glover Adult Humanitarian of the Year, Ms. Gaby Ghorbani, and Student Humanitarian of the Year, Yenell Elena Velazquez, from Summit Tamalpais High School-Hilltop in Richmond. Their passionate leadership, advocacy, and community service have improved the lives of Contra Costa County residents and reflect the spirit of Dr. King’s work and achievements.

The program also includes performances by Grace Temple Church of God in Christ Choir, and an Invocation given by Pastor Ed Harris from AMEZion Church.

The public can also watch the ceremony at http://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6086 or www.contracostatv.org. The celebration will also be broadcast live on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) channels, Comcast X-finity Cable 27, U-Verse 99, and Wave 32 & 1027, or online at contracostatv.org. To learn more about the Dr. King Ceremony and past ceremonies, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/5307.

More Events

It’s been a whirlwind for El Cerrito football coach Tim Johnson since he returned from Southern California on Sunday.

Then again, the 47-year-old and the Gauchos have been battle tested.

A year after the program was under siege and forced to forfeit seven wins for using ineligible players, on Saturday night it was hoisting a CIF state championship Division 4-A trophy at Buena Park High School after a dominating 35-12 defeat of Beckman-Irvine.

It was the team’s 12th straight win to finish 13-2 and first state title for a storied program that has produced such NFL standouts as Jamir Miller, Cornell Green, Jerry Bell and most recently Aaron Banks, along with longtime respected coaches Frank Milo and George Austin.

“I’m still in awe that we made it all the way through,” Johnson said. “To win it all, I still can’t believe it.”

On Tuesday night the Gauchos were scheduled to be honored by El Cerrito Mayor Carolyn Wysinger at City Hall, and Wednesday it is a meeting with the school’s Superintendent Cheryl Cotton.

Not exactly something Johnson, a former standout linebacker himself at the school in the 1990s, had envisioned last spring when more coaches showed up for workouts than players.

“It was pretty dire and discouraging,” Johnson said. “We didn’t know what kind of team we were going to have, if one at all. Certainly not a junior varsity team. Being eligible for the playoffs was totally up in the air.”

The Gauchos went 8-1 on the field last season but were banned from the playoffs by the North Coast Section and placed on probation for two years for violations of bylaws, including providing inaccurate information, undue influence, pre-enrollment contraction and athletically motivated transfers.

The school cut ties with former head coach Jacob Rincon, who took over the program in 2017 and went 60-18 over seven seasons with NCS titles in 2022 and 2023.

Johnson ran the defense for five of those seasons and was named interim coach to finish 2024. With the probation, a 1-8 official record and uncertainty about being eligible for the playoffs, 13 players transferred out of the school.

“But the guys who stuck were true and dedicated,” Johnson said. “Our numbers remained low during the summer but once school started, we started to get more and more players - enough for a JV program.”

They played most of the season with 22 or 23 players, well below the normal 40 or so. They started the season with tough losses to established, bigger programs San Ramon Valley-Danville (20-14) and Vacaville (27-13) sandwiched between a 62-0 victory over Lowell.

Johnson saw promise. But definitely not first-ever NorCal and state championships.

“It’s all about the hard work,” Johnson said. “And the devotion of the players.”

The leader was 6-foot-1, 180-pound two-way star Gary Youngblood, who hauled in three TD passes - given him 18 this season - against Beckman. He also had one of his 12 interceptions.

Sophomore quarterback DeJuan Compter Jr., who threw for 265 yards and four scores in the state final, developed faster than anticipated, and junior running backs Joezon and Joseph Broussard carried the load to help control the clock.

And the hard-hitting defense, a staple of the team for decades, allowed an average of less than 10 points per game with four shutouts and kept the Gauchos in every contest.

“We built things from the ground up, day by day,” said Johnson. “No days off. The kids bought in.”

Final rankings: The Gauchos moved from No. 13 to No. 9 in the final Chronicle rankings. Three other state champions - St. Ignatius (No. 6), Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland (No. 11) and Balboa (No. 25) - also made significant leaps. St. Ignatius moved up 14 spots and O’Dowd and Balboa did not appear in the previous rankings, which took place after the regular season.

Balboa update: The CIF said “it is working with both school administrations to determine next steps” concerning the game-ending brawl between Balboa and South El Monte in the state 7-A title game won by the Buccaneers, 42-8. It occurred after South El Monte’s two-point conversion with one minute remaining.

Balboa finished with a school-record 12 wins and its second straight 7-A title and third overall, most in San Francisco Section history. Senior running back Mekai Smith scored four more touchdowns - two rushing and two receiving - giving him a state-best 53 for the season and shattering the SFS record of 38.