Adds instruction on adolescent relationship abuse and intimate partner violence to sexual health education

SACRAMENTO – Middle and high school students in California public schools will receive education on how to spot the early warning signs of abusive relationships under a bill authored by Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Discovery Bay) that Gov. Jerry Brown signed on Saturday.

Frazier’s bill, AB 643, adds instruction on how to recognize early warning signs of adolescent relationship abuse and intimate partner violence to sexual health education at California public schools, for grades 7-12.

“Domestic violence invariably leads to tragedy – broken families, long periods of incarceration and far too often homicide,” Frazier said. “It leaves untold suffering in its aftermath. It consumes law enforcement and other emergency resources. AB 643 gives our children the knowledge they need to help stop this destructive behavior before it becomes tragic. I thank the governor for recognizing the importance of this early education and its potential to prevent future suffering.”

Frazier authored AB 643 after a constituent, Sonia McClellin, came forward to relate the story of her sister’s murder at age 24 by an abusive boyfriend. Ms. McClellin asked Frazier to find a way to help educate youth to recognize the type of behavior that led to the tragedy that took her sister’s life.

“On behalf of my sister Deborah and my entire family, I would like to thank Assemblymember Frazier and his staff, who tirelessly saw this process through to the end,” McClellin said. “If any good can come of my sister’s tragic death, it would be that we now having something in place to educate our youth in an effort to prevent domestic violence from happening in the first place.”

Assemblymember Frazier represents the 11th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis AFB, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff are continuing to investigate a homicide in Byron.

The autopsy was performed this morning on the victim, 37-year-old Emily Courchesne of Danville. The cause of death was a gunshot wound. (See related article).

On Friday morning, at about 10:05, Deputies were dispatched to a “Medical – PD” call at a residence on the 24000 block of Marsh Creek Road in Byron.

Deputies found Courchesne deceased inside the home. Detectives later determined it was a homicide. Detectives believe Courchesne was killed sometime between Wednesday evening and Thursday early morning. No motive or suspects have been established yet.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Antioch Police Officers with Wesley, his new bike and Ron Lopez, owner of Schwinn City in Antioch. Photos by APD

Wesley’s damaged bike.

From the Antioch Police Facebook page,

On Saturday, Sept. 30, shortly after 2 pm, 10-year-old Wesley was riding his bicycle in front of his home on Bart Avenue, when a vehicle struck him from behind. The vehicle fled towards Marie Avenue, dragging Wesley’s bike underneath it. Fortunately for Wesley, he was knocked off of his bike and didn’t end up underneath the car. He still suffered multiple injuries, including a concussion, and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.

With so few leads to work with, and Wesley’s bike being destroyed in the incident, Officer McElroy contacted Ron and Kelly Lopez, the owners of Schwinn City at 814 A Street.

After hearing what happened to Wesley, without hesitation, Ron and Kelly graciously agreed to split the cost of a new bike with Ofc. McElroy, and do what they could to help. All of the officers and dispatchers working day shift heard what Ofc. McElroy was doing, and chipped in their own money to help Wesley. The money donated, along with Ron and Kelly’s generosity, was enough to purchase a new bike for Wesley.

The entire APD dayshift crew helped deliver the bike to Wesley.

On Oct. 1st the entire dayshift crew and Ron Lopez, delivered Wesley’s new bike to him and his parents at their home. Ron included a new bike lock, and Antioch PD also added a new bike helmet. Wesley was beyond excited and appreciative, as were his parents.

Although the responsible driver and vehicle have not been located or identified, we are happy we could brighten Wesley’s day. The vehicle could only be described as an older grey sedan, similar in appearance to a Honda Accord. It possibly has tinted windows, and could have some front end or right-side damage.

Anyone with any information as to the location of the vehicle or the identity of the driver, please contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441, and refer any information to Officer McElroy, Case Number 17-10545.

Meat Harvest – Sean Boatright and Raman Mahal of Concord, were the Grand Champions and Ribs winners during the 1st Annual Rivertown Brews & BBQ Contest on Sat., Sept. 22.

Big Buddy Que – Chris Coffey of Antioch and buddy celebrate his 1st Place in the chicken category.

By Allen Payton

Fourteen teams competed during the 1st Annual Brews & BBQ Cook-Off competition on Saturday, Sept. 22 in Antioch’s historic downtown. The judges’ panel, made up of Mayor Sean Wright, other officials and community leaders chose the following winners in two categories of chicken and ribs, and the overall Grand Champion winners.

Grand Champion: Winners’ trophy and $250, Meat Harvest – Raman Mahal and Sean Boatright of Concord; 2nd Place trophy, Big Buddy Que – Chris Coffey of Antioch; 3rd Place trophy, Pork Dynasty – Jon Davis of Antioch.

Chicken: Winner’s trophy and $100, Big Buddy Que; 2nd Place trophy and $75, Brothers BBQ Team; 3rd Place trophy Meat Harvest.

Ribs: Winner’s trophy and $100, Meat Harvest; 2nd Place trophy and $75, Big Buddy Que; 3rd Place trophy, Pork Dynasty.

Jon, Jamison and Jessica Davis of Pork Dynasty took third place in ribs and third overall.

Presented by The Drama Factory will be the age-old tale of creation gone wrong. Very wrong. This beloved Halloween time story is staged in a dramatic fashion with the special effects, you hope for – a dark and horrific tale that has become so much a part of our lives we wonder if it can come to life again.

Nick Rodriguez Theatre at 213 F Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

Performances: 10/27, 10/28, 11/03, 11/04  at 7:30 pm and 10/28, 10/29, 11/04 at 1:30 pm

General admission $10. Seniors $8 – Free Senior Sunday 10/29 1:30 performance.

For more information visit www.dramafactory.org or call (925) 695-4123.