Antioch resident Dylan Hicks competes and ties for fifth in the men’s high jump with a jump of 6’5″ at the 2017 CIF state championship meet on Saturday, June 3, at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium on the Buchanan High School campus, in Clovis, CA. Photo by Debbie Hicks

By Allen Payton

Antioch teen, Daylon Hicks, who at the time was a sophomore at Clayton Valley Charter School in Concord, qualified for the 2017 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state championship track and field meet in men’s high jump.  The meet was held on Saturday, June 3, at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium on the Buchanan High School campus, in Clovis, CA.

Hicks was the only sophomore among the top five jumpers who placed. He tied for 5th place with a jump of 6’5”.

Hicks reached his personal best of 6’6” at Stanford University’s Invitational Track Meet for high school and college students on April 1, 2017.  He accomplished that after coming off a severe laceration to his right foot and big toe area, three weeks earlier.

Hicks is a scholar athlete who does will in both academics and sports. In addition to competing in the high jump, he also plays football and basketball at Clayton Valley Charter.

Adopt a pet, today for just $25 at Antioch Animal Services at 300 L Street, corner of W. 2nd Street next to the Antioch Police Facility in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown or call (925) 779-6989. Visit them online at www.ci.antioch.ca.us/CityGov/Police/AntiochAnimalSvcs. They’re open Mon-Thurs and Sat 10-5.

Sand Creek Focus Area Specific Plan Update proposed land use map.

Would allow projects to move forward under existing General Plan

By Allen Payton

In the staff report to the Antioch Planning Commission for their meeting tonight, Wednesday, August 2, Community Development Director Forrest Ebbs is recommending the General Plan Land Use Element Update for the Sand Creek Focus Area Specific Plan be tabled “indefinitely.” That was in response to letters from attorneys for the East Bay Regional Parks District, as well as Save Mt. Diablo and Greenbelt Alliance, stating that the Amended Environmental Impact Report (EIR) which was recently completed, is insufficient and that a more complete Supplemental EIR is needed.

That, however will take more time to complete and it’s already been over a year of review by the commission and direction from the city council. If the commissioners follow Ebbs’ recommendation, then the original Specific Plan and 2003 General Plan EIR, approved by the city council at that time, allowing for approximately 4,000 homes, will remain in effect.

Under the current plan two new developments in the Sand Creek area that include 1,174 homes, were already approved by the city council in 2016. According to the staff report on the matter, “the largest development project in the Sand Creek Focus Area, The Ranch, has already been submitted, was determined to be a complete application, and could be considered under the current General Plan.”

“The development capacity of 4,000 units for the entire plan would not change under the update,” Ebbs said. “All we have been doing is shifting where those units would be built.”

The Ranch project, which has as many as 1,307 homes if the plan is approved with an active, senior adult community element, and any other projects could be delayed if the city pursues the Supplemental EIR. However, under the current plan, if they want to make changes proposed in the update, each developer will have to submit a General Plan Amendment of their own.

The Planning Commission meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 83rd installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from The Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program; Volunteers in Police Service; community volunteers and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We”, everyone who works and lives in the City Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

The 83rd Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, August 5, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. We will be cleaning the neighborhood along Center Lane, Tregallas Road, Garrow Drive and Worrell Road. Volunteers will meet at Belshaw Elementary School on Roosevelt Lane (see map).

Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance. Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community.

County to Host Public Forum on Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Five applicants remain under consideration to serve as the Interim District Attorney for Contra Costa County. The Board of Supervisors found all 12 applicants to be highly qualified, but during its August 1, 2017, public meeting, decided that only five individuals would move on to the next stage of the selection process. The finalists will be invited to participate in a moderated discussion to be held on Tuesday, August 15, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The public will have an opportunity to provide comments in advance beginning at 5:00 p.m.

The five applicants continuing in the process are: Diana Becton, Danielle Douglas, Paul Graves, Thomas Kensok and Patrick Vanier. Application materials for all 12 of the original applicants are available online. Background investigations will now be conducted on the five finalists. (See related article.)

At the public forum on August 15, a discussion with the applicants will take place, moderated by former Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder Steve Weir. The forum will be held in the Board of Supervisors Chamber at 651 Pine Street in Martinez. While the public will have an opportunity to offer questions and comments that evening, you can also provide your input electronically prior to the event. Find out how at the District Attorney Recruitment Information website. If you are unable to attend the forum in person, it will also be televised live on CCTV and streamed live online.

The June 14 resignation of Mark Peterson from the position of District Attorney created a vacancy that will extend until the current term of office expires on January 7, 2019. The next election for the District Attorney will take place in June of 2018, with a potential runoff election in November of 2018.

Following the August 15th public forum, the Board of Supervisors will interview the final applicants at the September 12th public meeting; a decision could be made that day, or possibly at the following meeting on September 19, 2017.

School supplies are a necessity not a want

Antioch High 16-year-old, Claryssa Wilson will host her annual Back 2 School Stuff The Bus School Supply Give-A-Way on Saturday, August 5, 2017. This event will enable students in the area an opportunity to shop for free school supplies at Somersville Towne Center at 2550 Somersville Road in Antioch from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on this Saturday, August 5th. The first 200 students will receive a signature Warriors backpack, donated by the 2017 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, in addition to some other Warrior fan favorites including additional mall-wide, back to school discounts.

“No student should not be successful due to a lack of needed school supplies,” said Claryssa, creator and host of the annual effort. “Schools supplies are a necessity, not a want.”

Many students have already benefited from the free school supplies. They attend school better prepared and ready to learn with free pencils, pens, calculators, notebooks and paper. The annual event enables students to have no excuses for not having school supplies.

Claryssa created her program the annual giveaway and School Supply Retention Program because she had peers who were disruptive in class since they did not have the basics, like a pen, paper or notebook. Some of the students she noted came from low-income homes like herself, and she just had to do something to help.

Founded by award winning principal, motivational speaker and activist, Theresa Everett the Speak Rivers Youth Outreach Project is meant to give to our community, our kids, and our families by sending messages of positivity.

The free event will be held this Saturday, August 5 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. at Williamson Ranch Park, corner of Lone Tree Way and Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch.

There will be a backpack giveaway, jumper, food, music featuring the premiere of Come & Spy, and fun activities for the kids.

Theresa Everett

Everett, principal of Skyview Elementary School in Riverside County, CA, was honored in 2016 as Elementary Principal of the Year by the Western Riverside County Association of School Managers. 

Her school was awarded a California Gold Ribbon in 2016 by State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Antioch’s own Tom Torlakson.

The Gold Ribbon Awards recognize California schools that have made gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education. These include the California Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, California English Language Development Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.

“These schools shine as bright beacons for others, putting forth an exemplary effort to ensure that every student is ready for 21st century college and careers…California teachers are developing an education model for the nation, training the students of today to be the problem-solvers, inventors, and pioneers of tomorrow,” said Torlakson.

Learn more about Everett, here. 

Connect with Speak Rivers online at www.speakriversyouth.com, Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/SpeakRivers/ or Instagram: speakrivers.