Each year, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) nominates exceptional students from the 9th Congressional District for appointment to the U.S Military, Naval, Merchant Marine, and Air Force Academies. Appointed students receive a free 4-year university education, room and board, medical and dental coverage, and a stipend in exchange for a 5-year military service commitment upon graduation.

This year, the Congressman will host two information sessions for high school students interested in attending a military service academy. The first information session will take place in Antioch on Tuesday, September 24th from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Deer Valley High School Library.

Antioch Military Service Academy Information Session

When: Tuesday, September 24

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Where: Deer Valley High School Library

4700 Lone Tree Way

Antioch, CA 94531

The Congressman will also host an information session in Stockton on Wednesday, September 25th from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Ronald McNair High School Theater.

Stockton Military Service Academy Information Session

When: Wednesday, September 25

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Where: Ronald McNair High School Theater

9550 Ronald E. McNair Way

Stockton, CA 95210

Representatives from Congressman McNerney’s office and various service academies will be on hand to offer information and answer questions about the application process.

For more information about this event or academy nominations, please contact Congressman McNerney’s Stockton office at (209) 476-8552.

The Shops at Lone Tree Village site map. From Tekin & Associates.

By Allen Payton

People have been asking what’s going in where the new construction is occurring on Lone Tree Way and Jeffery Way right next to Highway 4 (the bypass). So, here’s the answer: it’s a small shopping center known as The Shops at Lone Tree Village. It’s in Brentwood, because everything east of Heidorn Ranch Road and South of Lone Tree Way is. (The street and everything on the north side up to Empire Road is in Antioch). Plans for the center include a Chase bank branch, a 24-Hour Fitness, a 7-11 and a Taco Bell, so far.

It’s being developed by Tekin & Associates, based in Frisco, Texas and is scheduled to be completed in April 2020.

They also own the 5.89-acre property at the corner of Somersville Road and Buchanan Road in Antioch, which is currently zoned residential commercial but the City wants to rezone to commercial, and is available for lease. If interested contact Mark Tekin at (925) 409-8950.

Site map of commercial development location at the corner of Somersville Road at Buchanan Road in Antioch. From Tekin & Associates.

Kayla Jennings new GM for Antioch JC Penney store. Photo by JCP.

PLANO, Texas – JCPenney has named Kayla Jennings general manager of its Orchard at Slatten Ranch store, which went into effect September 1. Jennings has been with JCPenney for more than three years and brings a wealth of retail knowledge to her position at the highest level of store leadership.

“I am thrilled to continue serving JCPenney, leading an extraordinary team of dedicated associates who are passionate about delivering great products and exceptional service to our customers,” said Jennings. “I look forward to continue serving the Antioch community and ensuring every customer’s shopping experience at JCPenney is worth their time, money and effort.”

Jennings is originally from Martinez, California, and began her career working at a Sephora inside JCPenney. She is married with three children and enjoys spending her free time with her family.

JCPenney first opened its doors at Orchard at Slatten Ranch in 2008 and has been committed to serving the needs of local customers ever since. JCPenney began in 1902 as the Golden Rule store in Kemmerer, Wyoming, and has employed some of the retail industry’s most innovative and passionate store leaders throughout its 117-year history.

About JCPenney:

1. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP), one of the nation’s largest apparel and home retailers, combines an expansive footprint of over 850 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico with a powerful e-commerce site, jcp.com, to deliver style and value for all hard-working American families. At every touchpoint, customers will discover stylish merchandise at incredible value from an extensive portfolio of private, exclusive and national brands. Reinforcing this shopping experience is the customer service and warrior spirit of approximately 95,000 associates across the globe, all driving toward the Company’s mission to help customers find what they love for less time, money and effort. For additional information, please visit jcp.com.

Illegal guns confiscated from suspect. Photo by APD

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney

Earlier this week a Contra Costa grand jury indictment was unsealed with multiple criminal counts against defendant Terry Ferguson, a 34-year-old resident of Antioch. The allegations include possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, possession of a machine gun, and possession of heroin. He also had multiple firearms in his possession. Ferguson allegedly used equipment to create untraceable firearms and converting a firearm into a machine gun. (See related article).

Ferguson was initially charged in a criminal complaint on March 27, 2019. The indictment included multiple charges for his alleged possession of firearms and ammunition as a previously convicted felon. In 2008 and 2014 he was convicted of felonies related to the possession of a controlled substance, child abuse and evading a peace officer while driving in a reckless manner. (See related article).

In March 2019, the Antioch Police Department served a search warrant at Ferguson’s residence. Officers at the scene found multiple firearms and ammunition in the defendant’s possession. The firearms recovered were a SKS rifle, two AR-15 rifles, a handgun with a selector switch, and a Ruger Mark IV .22 caliber pistol.

This week, Ferguson appeared for an arraignment in Department 3 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court before the Honorable Patricia Scanlon. Ferguson pleaded not guilty to the charges alleged in the indictment. Deputy District Attorney Jeffery Kolko is the prosecutor assigned to the case on behalf of the People. DDA Holmes is with our Community Violence Reduction Unit.

Case information: People v. Terry Domino Ferguson, Docket Number 05-191614-7

Veterans relax on their bunks at Stand Down on the Delta. Herald file photo

By Sandee Wiedemann

The biennial effort known as Stand Down on the Delta to support homeless and at-risk veterans, returns to Antioch at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) September 20-23. This is a great opportunity for the community to show appreciation for their service to our country and to receive the reward of helping others. The events were last held in 2015 and 2017. The 2015 effort attracted over 300 veterans and 260 veterans were assisted in 2017. (See related articles, here and here).

Veterans will be given dental, medical, and counseling services, plus legal and VA claims assistance. They will also receive clothes, haircuts, shaves, meals, and sleeping accommodations. Real estate and banking leaders will be available to help the veterans possibly purchase a home.

Delta Veterans Group needs the community’s help to provide the most possibilities for our veterans. There are opportunities for professional services in the fields of medical, dental, legal, and more. See volunteer options under categories of general volunteer and/or professional services at https://www.deltaveteransgroup.org/stand-down-on-the-delta. There is a place for every person or service club to make a difference in the lives of our Veterans.

The Contra Costa Event Park is located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.

Veterans watch a movie at Stand Down on the Delta. Herald file photo.

The U.S. and California state flags flying at the AUSD offices.

By Allen Payton

In response to concerns about the district flying the LGBTQ rainbow flag at the district offices and each school, in June, the Antioch School Board adopted a flag policy at their meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Now, any commemorative flag must fly on a separate and shorter pole from the U.S. and California state flags at the district office. However, the policy does not include flying commemorative flags at the schools in the district.

The new language of the policy includes the following:

“Commemorative flags displayed at the District office shall be on a flagpole separate from the flag of the United States and the flag of California if a secondary flagpole is available. The secondary flagpole shall be located in a place of less prominence and shall be at a lower height than the main flagpole.”

In addition, the policy states, “The District will not display a commemorative flag based on a request from a third party, nor will the District use its flagpoles to sponsor the expression of a third party.”

When asked why the schools weren’t included in the policy, Anello simply responded, “It was not party of the policy.” Asked why not, she responded, “The Board didn’t request it. But, probably will address that next.”

Both Trustees Crystal Sawyer-White and Ellie Householder were also asked why the school sites weren’t included in the policy. Householder responded, “School sites are allowed to develop their own policies regarding flying flags.”

The policy was adopted on a 4-0 vote, as Trustee Diane Gibson-Gray was absent. The complete policy can be read, here: AUSD Ceremonies and Observances – after changes

Please check back for any updates to this report.

By Allen Payton

At their meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Antioch School Board adopted a new policy regarding handling information of students and their families who are in the country illegally.

According to the staff report, “This policy was revised to reflect Assembly Bill 699 – new legislation mandating school district to adopt policy consistent with a model policy developed by the California Attorney General which limits assistance with immigration enforcement at public schools.

These changes reflect the recommendations of the California School Boards Association (CSBA).

In addition, the California Department of Education (CDE) Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) conducted a Civil Rights Review (CRR) of the Career Technical Education (CTE) program at Dozier-Libbey Medical High School during the 2018-19 school year. As part of the review, the reviewer advised the District to update this policy to reflect the recommendations from the California Attorney General addressing the following areas in order to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all students:

• gathering and handling student and family information
• responding to requests for access to school grounds for immigration enforcement purposes
• responding to the detention or deportation of a student’s family member
• responding to hate crimes and bullying related to national origin or ethnicity”

According to the Legislative Counsel’s Digest, AB699 prohibits “school officials and employees of a school district, county office of education, or charter school, except as required by state or federal law or as required to administer a state or federally supported educational program, from collecting information or documents regarding citizenship or immigration status of pupils or their family members. The bill would require the superintendent of a school district, the superintendent of a county office of education, and the principal of a charter school, as applicable, to report to the respective governing board or body of the local educational agency in a timely manner any requests for information or access to a schoolsite by an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency for the purpose of enforcing the immigration laws in a manner that ensures the confidentiality and privacy of any potentially identifying information.”

The new policy includes the following language:

“Responding to Requests for Information

Unless authorized by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act pursuant to 20 USC 1232g, student information shall not be disclosed to immigration law enforcement authorities without parental consent, a court order, or judicial subpoena. The Superintendent or designee shall annually notify parents/guardians that the district will not release student information to third parties for immigration enforcement purposes, unless the parent/guardian consents or as required to do so by a court order or judicial subpoena.

Upon receiving any verbal or written request for information related to a student’s or family’s immigration or citizenship status, district staff shall:

1. Notify the Superintendent or designee about the information request
2. Provide students and families with appropriate notice and a description of the immigration officer’s request
3. Document any request for information by immigration authorities
4. Provide students and parents/guardians with any documents provided by the immigration enforcement officer, unless such disclosure is prohibited by a subpoena served on the district or in cases involving investigations of child abuse, neglect, or dependency

Resources and data collected by the district shall not be used, directly or by others, to compile a list, registry, or database of individuals based on national origin, immigration status, religion, or other category of individual characteristics protected against unlawful discrimination.”

The Federal Educational Rights and Policy Act “allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):

• School officials with legitimate educational interest;
• Other schools to which a student is transferring;
• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
• Accrediting organizations;
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
• State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.”

In addition, the policy’s language states, “The Superintendent or designee may refer a student or his/her family members to other resources for assistance, including, but not limited to, an ICE detainee locator, legal assistance, or the consulate or embassy of the parent/guardian’s country of origin.”

The policy was adopted 4-0, as Trustee Diane Gibson-Gray was absent.

The complete AUSD policy can be read, here – AUSD Response to Immigration Enforcement – with changes