State’s Top Law Enforcement Official Adds to United Bipartisan Support for Bonilla Among Law Enforcement Leaders

Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla announced today that her campaign has received the endorsement of California Attorney General Kamala Harris.

“Susan Bonilla has a proven record of advocating for smart, innovative approaches to serious issues like crime prevention, consumer protection and the fight for equality,” California Attorney General Kamala Harris said. “Susan Bonilla is my choice for State Senate.”

“I’m proud to have the support of Attorney General Kamala Harris,” Susan Bonilla said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with her in our efforts to crack down on child predators, protect seniors, and keep neighborhoods safe.”

Support from Harris adds to the unanimous support that Bonilla has received from public safety leaders across the region and the state. Bonilla’s wide and bi-partisan support from safety leaders includes:

Contra Costa County District Attorney Mark Peterson

Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston

Alameda Sheriff Greg Ahern

Peace Officers Research Association of California

California Association of Highway Patrolmen

California Professional Firefighters

Cal Fire Local 2881 – Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Firefighters

Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs from Across the District

A full list of endorsements, as well as statements of support from public safety leaders, can be found at www.susanbonilla.com/endorsements.

By John Crowder

Two Deer Valley High School (DVHS) students, Devansh Vaid and Katia Williams, were awarded third place honors in the Math and Computer Science category of the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair, held on Saturday, March 28, 2015. Their project, entitled, “Simple Calculus: The Transformation of an Oxymoron into a Reality,” was one of 262 entered in the competition from students throughout the county.

The student competition, in its eleventh year, is an Intel-affiliated science and engineering fair, in which winners advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The prestigious competition, which is the largest high school scientific research event in the world, brings together more than 1,500 students from about 70 countries and territories to compete for college scholarships, including one for $75,000.

The Contra Costa County’s fair was established when local businesses joined together with K-12 educators in 2005. This year the fair was held at Los Medanos College. 130 judges, each reviewing multiple projects, worked all day and into the evening the Friday before the awards ceremony in order to complete the difficult task of selecting the winners from among the many outstanding projects entered into the local competition.

For their project, Devansh, a junior, and Katia, a senior, who are both taking AP Calculus AB this year, created a new Calculus notation for basic principles, such as limits, derivatives, and integrals, that had visual connections to the logical concepts that they were taken from.

Both students found Calculus to be challenging, and noticed that many of their classmates did, as well. According to Katia, “We were able to make it through – and we love it- but we still saw others around us having lots of difficulty, and knew that many other students don’t even attempt Calculus because they know how challenging it will be.”

Devansh concurred with Katia’s assessment.

“Nobody will deny that Calculus is difficult,” he said. “But I saw no reason why that great, and almost magical, thing couldn’t be simpler.”

Devansh explained the project he and Katia worked on.

“Katia and I tackled the problem of making calculus easier, more aesthetically pleasing, and more approachable,” he stated. “We wanted to simplify the hardest things about Calculus and we found that it was the transition from logic to mathematics that made it so daunting. A lot of time, with traditional notation, things get lost in translation, and success is dependent on the student’s analysis of that translation rather than comprehending the problem.”

According to Katia, “If the notation looked like the type of problems students were solving, and reminded students of the logic by which they can solve the problem, concepts would be easier to grasp and would be understood on a deeper, and lasting, level.”

“Innovation, especially innovation and research in STEM fields, often needs tools like Calculus in order to occur at all. I believe our project helps us achieve this innovation,” she added.

Both students also had high praise for those who assisted them with their project.

“Ms. McClain, our AP (Advanced Placement) Calculus teacher, and Mr. Adkins, our AP Physics teacher, were both immensely helpful,” said Katia. “They both inspired us to begin the project, and guided us along the way.”

Devansh agreed that both teachers were, “immensely helpful,” and added that his parents, “were also an inspiration for me.”

The two students each spoke enthusiastically about their science fair experience.

“It was really humbling to be at the science fair,” said Devansh.

“It was definitely interesting,” added Katia. “It was a great learning experience, and I like to think that the judges’ reactions spoke to our level of innovation.”

Katia will be graduating this year, and plans to attend either U.C. Berkeley or UCLA in the fall. Meanwhile, Devansh will have another year at DVHS, where he believes he may be able to further expand upon the project he and Katia began this year.

Both students also said they wanted to encourage others to pursue an interest in science.

“Science and technology are the future,” said Devansh. Katia concurred.

“I would highly encourage any student with any inkling of an idea for research to enter the science fair as soon as they can,” she said.

Katia shared a final thought.

“I think that, as kids, we feel like we sometimes don’t have much to offer the world, but it is the exact opposite. We have everything to offer,” she exclaimed. “Adults are often tied down with jobs and responsibilities, but, as students, we have ideas and time. We don’t have to – and we shouldn’t – wait to innovate.”

By Allen Payton

Antioch Police responded to a domestic violence call at the home of County School Board Trustee Jeff Belle, late Saturday night. Belle was temporarily detained by police, but no arrest was made.

In a brief phone conversation with Belle’s wife, Carmen, at 10:49 p.m., she said Jeff got in her face, so she pushed him away. He grabbed her arm, so she slapped him and he slapped her back. She then called police.

Sunday UPDATE: Jeff Belle responded on Sunday, with a statement, refuting his wife’s allegations.

“I never touched her. She attacked me while I was reading in bed. God is my witness – I never touched her, instead she hit me several times. She was angry that her daughter didn’t return home,” he wrote in a text.

When asked if it was all her fault, he wrote, “Yes! I don’t fight with women or men. I don’t slander or curse others. I never raised my hand or voice.”

“I was not detained by police. In fact I was in the bed all the time they were here. I never slapped her, if I had, they would have arrested me,” he stated. “We should talk about issues of concern to the people. This is just bedroom drama.”

Detained does not mean arrested. It means the police had him for questioning, which could have occurred at the home, while he was in bed.

In a final comment about the incident, Carmen Belle wrote in a text, “Of course he blames everything on me. The police officer told Jeff to shut up. That he did not care who he knew, when he started to say he knows all the big people across the country.”

Check back for any updates from Antioch Police.

 

By Luke Johnson

Ayanna Sanchez, a freshman on Antioch High School’s varsity softball team, pitched the second perfect game in school history Thursday, March 19, in a 10-0 victory against Dublin. The other perfect game occurrence at Antioch was in 2001 from Melissa Baugh according to coach Nick Wisely.

Sanchez, who has been playing softball since she was 5 years old, is no stranger to throwing perfect games. She has done so on two separate occasions, both coming last year on her travel ball team.

“My defense had my back the entire game,” Sanchez said. “Without them, I would not have been able to throw a perfect game… I am proud to be playing for Antioch!”

Two plays that really set the tone of the game defensively came from senior Ciara Whitesell in centerfield. She made two over the shoulder catches in the right centerfield gap running in full stride. Sanchez struck out five batters in the contest, and after the Panthers went up 10-0 in the bottom of the fifth in the game was called due to mercy rule.

Throughout the season, Sanchez has an ERA of 2.90 and has 41 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched. She is not only lethal on the mound, but also has a strong skillset offensively. She is batting .414, third best on the team behind senior shortstop Natalie Larsen (.474) and junior third baseman Julia Odom (.455), and has scored the most runs on the team with 10 through eight games.

Something unique about Sanchez is that she is not even a student Antioch High School. She attends Dozier-Libbey Medical High School, which has not been known for producing great athletes since its establishment in 2008.

The Panthers have been a little shaky as a team this season. They blew out Kennedy (Richmond), 32-0, in the season opener, but after that they lost three straight, getting shutout in the latter two. Now the team is red hot and currently possesses a four-game winning streak. In the past three games they have outscored their opponents 40-4. At 5-3 overall, the Panthers have the second best record in the Bay Valley Athletic League and will begin league play on April 14.  

“Heritage is the team to beat for sure,” Wisely said in regards to contending for BVAL Championship, “But after that I think it is wide open… Every team is a possible playoff team, and anybody can beat anybody any given day. If we play the right ball, we can win day in and day out.”

“This is my way of thanking America for my freedom.”

By Allen Payton

A new mural was revealed in Antioch, Friday afternoon, of the American flag. Located on the back wall of the Antioch Veteran’s Memorial Building on West 6^th Street, the mural was painted by Scott LoBaido of Staten Island, as part of his “Painting Flags Across America” 50-state tour.

“I’m doing one veterans post in each state,” LoBaido said.

He contacted American Legion State Commander Janet Wilson, the first female in that position in the organization’s 96-year history, and whose home post is in Antioch. She told him they had a wall, here.

“I’ve been trying for 10 years, but couldn’t get someone to donate their services,” Wilson said. “So when this opened up I said ‘we want it.'”

So, Antioch was chosen as the one place in California for one of LoBaido’s American flag mural.

He started Wednesday about Noon, finished it up, yesterday and did some touch up, today, LoBaido shared.

“I don’t charge for this. It’s a gift,” he stated. “This is my way of thanking America for my freedom.”

The mural can be viewed from either the 7th Street side or E Street.

LoBaido’s tour is sponsored by The Home Depot, Behr Paint, City Quiet Windows and Stephen Stiller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

For more information about the muralist or to follow his tour, visit www.scottlobaido.com. For more information about the American Legion Harding-Noia, CA Post 161 in Antioch, call 925-754-8381 or email post161@aol.com.

See more photos on the Antioch Herald Facebook page, here.

By Corporal Powell Meads, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, April 1st, 2015 at approximately 7:43 p.m., Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to a vehicle collision at the intersection of Cavallo Road and East 18th Street. Upon arrival, officers located a bicyclist down on the ground with a head injury. Con-Fire and AMR responded to the scene and the victim, a 48-year-old Antioch man, was transported to a local area hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life threatening. The driver of the vehicle that collided with the bicyclist remained on scene and cooperated with the investigating officers.

Our preliminary investigation indicates that the bicyclist was riding E/B across the northbound and southbound lanes of Cavallo Rd. The vehicle, traveling northbound on Cavallo Rd., collided with the bicyclist who was thrown from the bicycle. Drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the collision.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441.

By F.D. Purcell

The banners that hang high in the raptors of Oracle Arena for the players, teams and coach who’ve made contributions during their Philadelphia years and since their relocation to the Bay Area in 1962.

May 25th will mark 40-years since Golden State won their last NBA Championship. Comprised of a deep bench and players led by Hall of Famers such as Rick Barry and Jamaal Wilkes the Warriors finished with a 48-34 record finishing 1st in the Pacific Division.

“It was a fantasy year, said Barry the MVP of Game 4, we never quit and we never gave up. We were the deepest team in the NBA, a Cinderella team.”

He’s correct, the Warriors weren’t the favorite to win and certainly weren’t expected to sweep the then Washington Bullets in Washington especially after Bullets forward Mike Riordan attempted to get into the head of star player Rick Barry in the final game but instead it would be head coach Alvin Attles who would be ejected in the first quarter for standing up for Barry. Golden State scrapped their way to a 96-95 victory, their first and last championship since that date.

Fast-forward 40-years later, a little more gray and some no longer with us a handful of those team members graced Oracle Arena with their presence and it was as though they hadn’t missed a beat. Butch Beard, George Johnson, Rick Barry, Clifford Ray, Jeff Mullins, assistant coach Joe Roberts, Jamaal Wilkes and head coach Alvin Attles were some of those present on Monday.

There were lots of laughs and Barry was in his usual dominate form taking over questions and choosing the longer route when answering questions and everyone else’s; however, he also gave much deserved credit when it came to his former teammates and coaches.

The press room was packed as new media blended with old, times when you couldn’t live tweet and watched the game on tape delay. Those in attendance sat on the edge of their seats marinating on every word from the championship team and each vivid detail from flying coach and the sometimes disgusting habits of teammates and legendary announcer Bill King. It was refreshing to hear raw honesty minus the direction of a spin doctor.

“I’m appreciative to the Warriors for bringing us all together. I’m excited to see everyone including the late Phil Smith’s kids,” said 1975 Rookie of the Year Jamaal Wilkes, then known as ‘Keith.’ “It’s very moving and touching.”

A heartfelt ceremony was held before the second quarter honoring the championship team and the sellout crowd of 15,595 gave a rousing standing ovation as former center Clifford Ray, known on the court as a menacing figure, fought back tears.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr chose not to discuss any plays during the timeout instead opting to allow his team to soak in the ceremony. Afterwards Kerr said how special it was to have the championship team speak with his guys after their 107-76 victory over the Wizards.

“It’s just good encouragement for the mission that we’re on this year. I think there is something special about it being their 40th anniversary of winning the championship,” said center Marreese Speights, who finished the game with 16 points. “Having them all here gives us a visual of where we want to be. I think it’s a good motivation for the last part of this regular season and then once we get to the playoffs.”

Golden State will return for one game on Thursday, April 2nd versus the Phoenix Suns after their four-game road trip. They will head on the road again for a three-game road trip that includes Dallas, San Antonio and New Orleans.

They will host their final four games at home: Portland, Minnesota, Memphis and finish their regular season versus the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, April 15th.

By Corporal Rick Smith, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 9:59 a.m., Antioch Police responded to the reports of gunshots in the area of West 10th Street and G Street. While en route, Antioch Code Enforcement Officers and witnesses in the area provided detailed descriptions of the involved parties. This information led to the location of a vehicle leaving the area.

Initially, this vehicle was stopped and all subjects were detained. It was later learned that these were in fact victims fleeing the area after being shot at following a physical altercation on West 10th Street over a parking dispute.

Eventually, another party of the incident arrived at an area hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. This subject was identified as Antioch resident Anwar Hughes 33 and taken into custody. Hughes was with his girlfriend, Stephanie Lopez 25, who was also later taken into custody for her involvement in this incident. A firearm was later recovered and found to be the involved weapon.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.