Mike Jeanpierre signs a piece of cardboard at a memorial for James "Pops" Gilbeaux on Mariposa Street in Rodeo, Calif.

The Rodeo-Hercules Fire board on Thursday censured member Bill Prather, accusing him of creating a hostile working environment in connection with his comment at a February board meeting that 5-foot-2 women are unqualified to be firefighters.

The Pack Test that appears to have spurred a drive to oust the Rodeo-Hercules fire chief and suspend or remove a district board member is at the center of a statewide debate involving wildland fire experts, fire chiefs and unions on how to gauge firefighter fitness to fight wildland fires.

Cordero Kelly, 19, of Rodeo is being held at the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez in lieu of $1.1 million bail.

Daniel Avanesyan was arrested hours after the stabbing, which happened 12:04 a.m. Thursday outside a home on Clover Lane near Nicholson Road.

What: Benicia Torchlight Parade When: 6:30 p.m. Where: The parade will travel up First Street from D Street to Military.

Officers have arrested three people for prowling, police said. At about 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, police received reports of suspicious people at a home on Olive Branch Court.

The Crockett Library will close for three weeks starting Monday for restoration and beautification work.

Cuts to administrator jobs in the Pinole Fire Department threaten the existence of Battalion 7, a team of six fire stations in three agencies that functions as one department for a large chunk of West Contra Costa, some fire officials warn.

Rodeo brings back one of its longest standing traditions Saturday, celebrating the arrival of baseball season.