Contra Costa Weighs Replacing Stolen $24,923 Check Amid Flood Watch

Contra Costa County is facing a nearly $50,000 financial loss — $49,847.86 combined — after a $24,923.93 county check issued to a contractor for deaf and hearing-impaired interpretation services was intercepted and fraudulently cashed, according to documents on the November 3, 2026 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors agenda (Claycord). At the same time, the National Weather Service warned that moderate coastal flooding is possible through Sunday along Contra Costa County's San Pablo Bay shoreline, with a 10% to 30% chance of light rain on Halloween (Claycord).

Supervisors to Consider $24,923.93 Replacement Payment on November 3

According to a report from the Contra Costa County Health Services Department, the county issued a check for $24,923.93 on September 11, 2025, to Partners in Communication LLC to pay for specialized interpretation services provided to deaf and hearing-impaired patients under a county contract (Claycord). Because the check was intercepted and cashed by an unauthorized party before reaching the vendor and the original funds have not been recovered, county officials are requesting board authorization on November 3, 2026, to issue a replacement payment of $24,923.93.

If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the combined cost of the stolen check and the replacement payment will total $49,847.86, with Contra Costa Behavioral Health absorbing the loss using Forensic Mental Health funds. The staff report notes that Partners in Communication LLC fulfilled its contractual obligations and remains entitled to payment, warning that failing to reissue the funds could damage the county's relationship with the contractor and disrupt access to interpretation services. The agenda report does not identify who stole and cashed the check or state whether an arrest has been made (Claycord).

Coastal Flooding Possible Along San Pablo Bay Ahead of Halloween Rain Chances

Along Contra Costa County's northern waterfront bordering San Pablo Bay, the National Weather Service advised that higher-than-normal tides through Sunday could flood low-lying areas, trigger isolated road closures, and contribute to coastal erosion in Richmond, Pinole, and Hercules (Claycord). High tides are forecast to peak Friday afternoon before gradually receding over the weekend, while most of the Bay Area — including Contra Costa County — carries a 10% to 30% chance of light rain on Saturday for Halloween, with additional rain possible next week and temperatures near or slightly below seasonal averages.