By Allen Payton

Antioch’s Live Oak High School graduated 92 of their students during ceremonies Wednesday night, June 16, 2021, held in Eells Stadium at Antioch High. The school is one of the Antioch district’s continuation high schools. (See ceremony video)

“Class of 2021, congratulations,” said Principal Tim Cooper. “You’ve all earned your participation in the graduation ceremonies, tonight. You should be proud of your accomplishments because it was a lot of hard work. Tonight, begins your journey as an adult. Show your family they you’re ready.”

In attendance were Antioch School Board President Ellie Householder, and Trustees Mary Rocha and Gary Hack, and Associate Superintendent Christine Ibarra.

“I’m here to show you all, you should hold your heads high when you say, ‘I graduated from Live Oak,’” said Householder to the graduating class. “I congratulate you all on this tremendous accomplishment.”

Graduate Estefani Saavedra was the student speaker saying, “above everything else I want to give credit to my teachers. To everyone working behind closed doors without recognition I want to say ‘thank you.’”

“2021 graduates I understand how different this school year was for us. We can at least be grateful we got to do school in bed,” she joked. “We all have our own reasons for coming here. This school seems like a different opportunity and new chance. You should all feel proud. In your years ahead may you lead by example. Class of 2021, we did it.”

The Mayor’s award and Knights of Columbus award and scholarship were presented by teacher Steven Wells.

“The staff of Live Oak selected this student on behalf of the Missiah Collins to help her in studying cosmetology and business management,” he said.

Ibarra accepted the Class of 2021 followed by the presentation of diplomas to the graduates, followed by the turning of the tassels on their mortarboard caps.

With the anticipated heatwave 🥵☀️ the City of Antioch, CA Government will be opening cooling centers 😎🧊starting today, Wednesday through Friday from 12:00-6:00 pm.

The cooling centers will be at the Antioch Senior Center at 415 W. 2nd Street and Antioch Community Center at 4703 Lone Tree Way.

Remember to stay hydrated, check on relatives and neighbors, and never leave pets or children unattended in a vehicle.

Donations are still needed. Give $4 or More for the 4th at www.CelebrateAntioch.org.

Antioch Schools Education Foundation contribute, as well

By Allen Payton

Earlier this month, representatives of the Kiwanis Club of the Delta Antioch and Delta-Antioch Rotary Clubs presented checks to Mno Grant Elementary School Principal Janeen Zuniga and teacher Frank Zrinski for the purchase of tower gardens. They are being used to teach students about science growing plants aeroponically.

The Kiwanians provided a check for $1,000 and Rotarians provided a check for $1,500. In addition, $1,000 was donated by the Antioch Schools Education Foundation.

“I want to thank you for your awesome communication and support,” said Zrinski during the presentation.

Zuniga thanked “Kiwanis, Rotary and the support from our school board and coordinator.”

“This is just fabulous having their support,” she said.

“The way is through science and agriculture is going to lead the way and take us to Mars!” said an enthusiastic Zrinski, who teaches math and science. “These tower gardens are going to be used in so many ways. Even in kindergarten. They’re going to work with the English and History teachers for cross curriculum.”

“This is the indoor version, and the outdoor version has lights,” he pointed out.
The tower gardens are being purchased through Gwen O’Neill, which is one of the products she offers as a Juice Plus representative in Antioch.

“We met on Facebook,” O’Neill said referring to Zrinski. “This has been my dream for five years.”

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time,” club president Dr. Clyde Lewis, who is also vice president of the Antioch School Board. “By providing support for community events that directly benefit the kiddos of our city, Kiwanis Club of the Delta, Antioch continues to strive toward improving not only our city, but the world…one child at a time.”

“As club president, it is my duty to ensure that our club builds on the traditions of those leaders who came before,” he continued. “This is one of the reasons that it was a no-brainer for our club to award Mno Grant $1,000 to support for their tower garden project. When our club is in the community volunteering, this is our why.”

Mitchoff questions holding July 4th parades; approve funds to address illegal dumping

By Daniel Borsuk

Fourth of July celebrations are around the corner and the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday took a strident step in minimizing fires by unanimously passing a stronger fireworks ordinance that pins financial liability on owners of property and vessels where fireworks are used in unincorporated areas of the county.

Recognizing the extreme dry vegetation conditions the county now faces due to low winter rain fall, supervisors passed the ordinance as a consent item without hearing citizen comments on Ordinance No. 2021-19 that amends the county’s fireworks ordinance, Chapter 44-2 of the County Ordinance Code.

Contra Costa County received only 30 percent of average rainfall, said Brian Garcia, a National Weather Service meteorologist.  “The fuels that we have for fire this year are already at record levels. It’s really bad already and we’re not at the peak of the fire season.”

Conditions are so dry, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Deputy Fire Chief Aaron McAlister said, “Whether its moderate, high or very high, the risks are here in this county. We definitely have that potential that existed south of us and north of us in previous years. That potential now exists here in Contra Costa County.”

Under the new ordinance, property and vessel owners are responsible for ensuring that the use of illegal fireworks does not occur on their property.  Owners may be liable for ordinance violations if illegal fireworks are used on their property or vessel.

Board Chair Diane Burgis of Brentwood was the supervisor who shepherd the tougher fireworks ordinance, citing an increase in fireworks violations in her District 3 area.

“Illegal fireworks are a drain on our system,” Burgis said. “We simply don’t have the resources to address this continued problem. I would encourage cities and towns to adopt stronger ordinances and send the message that illegal fireworks will not be tolerated in Contra Costa County.”

“Due to unseasonably dry fuel conditions in Contra Costa County, we urge the public to take every precaution to prevent wildfires,” said Contra Costa County Fire Department Chief Lewis T. Brouschard III. “The use of illegal fireworks caused a recent fire in our county that destroyed two apartment buildings and displaced 30 residents. Playing with illegal fireworks is dangerous and poses the very real possibility of causing wildland fires that could easily destroy homes and threaten lives in this time of critically high fire risk.  We urge everyone to follow the regulations and stay safe.”

“Illegal fireworks in our county continually pose a threat to the safety of our communities,” said East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Fire Chief Brian Helmick in a press release. “On behalf of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, we would like to thank Supervisor Burgis for taking these necessary actions to curb the use of illegal fireworks and for helping to protect all citizens who have been impacted by illegal fireworks.”

Passage of the fireworks ordinance, a supervisors’ meeting consent item that did not draw public comment.

According to the supervisors’ agenda background information:

“Chapter 44-2 of the County Ordinance Code prohibits the possession, manufacture, sale, use and discharge of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of the County. The Sheriff and fire department in the County receive numerous calls for service each year stemming from illegal fireworks, including calls to address vegetation fires, structure and exterior fires, personal injury or death, and noise or other public nuisances.

“The proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 44-2 and authorize the Sheriff to arrest and cite a responsible party as defined in the ordinance, for violations of Chapter 44-2.   The proposed ordinance established that a responsible party is required to maintain, manage and supervise the property or vessel for which they are responsible to prevent violations of Chapter 44-2. A responsible party is liable and violates the prohibition on fireworks under Chapter 44-2 if any person possesses, manufactures, sells, offers to sell, uses, or discharges, any fireworks at the property, or on the vessel, for which the responsible part is responsible, regardless of whether the responsible party is present when the violation occurs.

“The proposed ordinance defines a responsible party as any of the following:

1. A person that owns, rents, leases, or otherwise has possession of, or is in immediate control of a residence or other private property or a vessel.
2. A person that organizes, supervises, sponsors, conducts, allows, controls, or controls access to the possession, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, use, or discharge of fireworks at a residence or other private property or on a vessel.

“If a residence or other private is rented or leased for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, the landlord or lessor is not a responsible party unless the landlord or lessor: has possession of, or is in immediate control of, the residence or other private property; or has knowledge of the possession, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, sue, or discharge of fireworks at the residence or other private property.

The owner of a residence that is rented for a period of 30 consecutive days or less (a short-term rental) is a responsible party and is liable for violations of Chapter 44-2 if the short-term renter, or any other person, possesses, manufactures, sells, offers to sell, uses, or discharges, any fireworks at the residence, regardless of whether they owner of the short-term rental is present when the violation occurs.”

Mitchoff Questions Holding July 4^th Parades

At one point during the meeting, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill questioned the wisdom of cities permitting July 4^th parades at least this year even though the county and all other counties will be off the Centers for Disease Control color tier system effective June 15.

“If you have not been vaccinated, people need to take this seriously for one more year,” said the supervisor. “There are communities that think they can handle this.  I am not so sure that is the case. The public needs to take this seriously. People will show up at parades and will be unvaccinated.”

Contra Costa County Deputy Health Director Ori Tzvilell said the state’s mask mandate will be relaxed effective June 15 “only if everyone has been vaccinated.”  Mask requirements will remain in place for retail businesses, he noted.

County Chief Equity Officer Gilbert Salinas said the health department will conduct a mobile vaccination unit in a census tract in Antioch (North of Highway 4 from L Street to Sommerville Road) to vaccinate about 16,000 unvaccinated persons on June 11.

Salinas said future mobile vaccination activities are planned for Antioch Park, Antioch Middle School and Pittsburg City Park.

Stormwater Utility Assessments Approved

Even in severe drought conditions, supervisors had to think about the potential of stormwater pollution issues, especially funding. Supervisors approved assessments for Stormwater Utility Areas 1 through 18 that will provide $15,914,283 in funding for the cities and county for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program and drainage maintenance activities during fiscal year 2021-2022.

Approve Initial Illegal Dumping Funds

In other action, supervisors launched the county’s Illegal Dumping Initiative with the allocation of $350,000. “This is exciting,” said Burgis, who served as one of the key catalysts to jump start the initiative three years ago.

The board’s action instructs that $200,000 of the $350,000 will be spent for the installation of lighting and $150,000 will be directed to remove 50 derelict boats and recreational vehicles during the current 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Burgis and District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover were key players in initiating in 2018 the formation of an interdepartmental “Think Tank” team of professionals from county departments to propose how to address the illegal dumping problems.  County departments involved in the Think Tank are the Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Public Works, the Environmental Health Division of the Health Services Department and the Department of Conservation and Development.

Don’t think you need an emergency kit? Think again, say families who needed one.

Flashlights, jugs of bottled water, a first aid kit, and ready-to-eat meal packs line the Soliz’s family’s living room floor. The family isn’t going camping—they’re preparing for disaster by putting together a “go bag.”

Preparing in advance with a disaster-ready kit has helped families nationwide through extreme and abnormal weather events, which experts warn are on the rise.

In Antioch, California, Boris Soliz and his family know what it’s like to live in an area where earthquakes can occur without warning. “We’ve lived in the East Bay for decades, anticipating ‘The Big One’ to hit. Being able to find up-to-date information on jw.org for disaster preparedness and go bags has really helped our family to be prepared, not only physically, but also emotionally.”

“Having a personal preparedness plan increases your chances of staying safe,” according to a training program from the Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness.

Jolted awake by a neighbor’s urgent knocking, Aaron and Jacqueline Pate were horrified to see the encroaching flames of the fast-moving Woolsey fire that had been miles away when they went to bed. It burned to within 100 feet of their Westlake Village home in 2018 as part of California’s deadliest wildfire season on record.

“Because we had go bags, we weren’t running around trying to pack things at the last minute,” said Jacqueline. “We had the time we needed to comfort our kids and get everyone safely into the car.”

The Pates credited the disaster-preparedness help they received as Jehovah’s Witnesses, both through periodic reminders at their congregation meetings and from tips for putting together go bags on the organization’s website, www.jw.org.

“Life is precious, so we encourage all to heed the Bible’s advice to take practical steps to protect ourselves from danger,” said Robert Hendriks III, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States.

Go bags also have proven useful in the opposite circumstances as “stay bags.”

Disaster-preparedness suggestions and tips for putting together a go bag are available from FEMA at ready.gov and from Jehovah’s Witnesses at https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/awake-no5-2017-october/disaster-steps-that-can-save-lives/.

In honor of Deer Valley High student Jonathon Parker who was shot and killed following a basketball game at the school parking lot, last year

Please attend our march against gun violence, it is our second annual event held June 5th at 5pm beginning at Antioch City Sports Club to Deer Valley High School. My company called Johnny’s Angels, LLC created a group page called “In Honor Of Our Loved Ones” to build an alliance to end gun violence and we did just that. We have linked with families all over the world, some as far as Alaska. We are airing the protest live for families who cannot attend such as in North Carolina, South Carolina, Chicago, Illinois, Alaska, Minnesota, Michigan, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, and Kansas City. Attendees of the march will be holding signs to honor their loved ones, and others loved ones, lost to gun violence.

I created the event and group in honor of my son, Jonathon D’wayne Parker, who was murdered leaving his high school event at DVHS. We have mailed flyers/shirts/invites/ all over the world and are requesting that people march in their area if they cannot attend. The goal is to SAVE ANTIOCH, SAVE OUR YOUTH, SAVE LIVES, make a difference, make a change, make the event global, bring awareness to gun violence, and statistically see if there is a decline in murders during the month of June.

We also have families attending from different states and are hoping they will feel welcomed, families from Mississippi, Tennessee, Colorado, Arizona, & Nevada.

WE BELIEVE ANTIOCH COULD BE THE HOME, THE LANDMARK OF THIS MAJOR EVENT THAT COULD BECOME GLOBAL CREATED BY ALIZCIA GURULE’ IN MEMORY OF JONATHON D’WAYNE PARKER.

Please see above just one flyer. We have to create three to fit all of the request. We have over 70 families requesting that ANTIOCH march for their loved ones.

Thank you.

Alizcia Gurule’

Johnny’s Angels LLC (CEO)

BA- Psychology

MA-Education 1st Year 

 

Make your contribution, today! See link below.

Make your contribution, today by clicking, here.