In brief: West Contra Costa Supervisor Gioia’s chief of staff leaving
WEST CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
After 10 years of dedicated service, Sonia Bustamante will step down Wednesday as the chief of staff for John Gioia, Contra Costa County’s District 1 supervisor, to start a new leadership opportunity to help the Bay Area’s immigrant community.
Gioia says he appreciates the impact Bustamante has had on improving the lives of Contra Costans and that her leadership, vision and commitment to community have been instrumental in advancing equity, inclusion and innovation in his West Contra Costa County district.
Bustamante helped lead the efforts of Gioia and his staff to form an Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice and to establish programs to provide immigrant health care (Contra Costa Cares) and protect immigrants at risk of deportation (Stand Together Contra Costa).
Robert Rogers, who has worked in Gioia’s office for 10 years, will be Gioia’s new chief of staff. Gioia says Rogers brings extensive experience, strong relationships and a deep passion for public service and that he is confident Rogers will lead Gioia’s office with integrity and purpose.
Bustamante will direct the SAFE Center/Centro SAFE, part of the Immigrant Action Network. With $5 million in Contra Costa County seed funding, the SAFE Center serves as a network to connect direct-service providers to immigrant families. For more details about the SAFE Center, visit immigrantactionnetwork.org online, and to reach Bustamante, email sbustamante@immigrantactionnetwork.org.
— Supervisor John Gioia’s office
BERKELEY
Classes will teach skills to prepare for, respond to disasters
Take emergency preparedness classes with fellow Berkeleyans to learn practical skills you can use in your neighborhoods before, during and after disasters. These classes include skills such as extinguishing fires; finding and rescuing victims using basic tools; performing basic first aid; and helping survivors cope with extreme stress.
Take any one of these classes at the city Fire Department’s training center in West Berkeley. You can also take all seven classes to complete the series to help increase your own resilience, that of your neighborhood and Berkeley as a whole. Each of these three- to four-hour-long classes will be offered two times in-person from Jan. 8 through April 18, with evening and weekend sessions available.
For more details or to register for classes, visit berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/news/certclasses-jan-apr-2026 online.
— city of Berkeley
EL CERRITO
City’s new leaders sworn in, school football team honored
The El Cerrito High School Gauchos football team made history in December with their first California Interscholastic Federation Division 4-A state shampionship. Outgoing Mayor Carolyn Wysinger hosted the team, cheerleaders, coaches, staff and families at El Cerrito’s Dec. 16 City Council meeting and presented them with a mayoral proclamation congratulating them on their remarkable season.
The meeting began with a State of the City address by outgoing Mayor Carolyn Wysinger, followed by the swearing-in by California Attorney General Rob Bonta of new Mayor Gabe Quinto and Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Saltzman, who will lead the 2026 El Cerrito City Council.
— city of El Cerrito
ALBANY
Free sandbags available to residents during rainy season
The rainy season has arrived in Albany, and sandbags can help if your property is prone to flooding. As a courtesy, supplies for sandbags are available for free. With proof of Albany residence, up to 10 sandbags can be obtained from the city’s Albany Fire Department at 1000 San Pablo Ave. in Albany (510-528-5770).
Sand is also available in the Ocean View Park parking lot at 900 Buchanan St. Bring a shovel, as there are none on-site. If you need assistance filling your sandbags, contact Albany CARES at 510-524-9283, and they will help you get prefilled bags.
This seasonal service is offered to support the community during periods of heavier rain and to help reduce the risk of localized flooding. Residents are encouraged to stay aware of changing weather conditions, clear gutters and drains and take simple steps to protect their homes ahead of incoming storms. Visit albanyca.gov/storm-response online for more information in preparation for and during a storm.
— city of Albany
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