By Allen Payton

At their regular meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 the Antioch School Board was presented with four alternative maps for the district elections in November 2020. They take into consideration racial demographics, locations of the district schools, as well as the locations of the current residence of each of the five trustees. AUSD Trustee Area Scenarios Presentation 052219

Only Trustee Ellie Householder had suggestions for the consultant from Cooperative Strategies, asking that he return with another alternative combining Scenarios 1 and 2. No one from the public spoke on the matter.

A schedule for public input on the maps is as follows:

Tuesday, May 28 – Community Meeting on Trustee Area Scenarios at the District Office at 5 p.m.

Saturday, June 1 – Community Meeting on Trustee Area Scenarios at Black Diamond Middle School at 10 a.m.

Wednesday, June 12 – Board Meeting: Second Public Hearing on Trustee Area Scenarios

Wednesday, June 24 – Board Meeting: Final Public Hearing on Trustee Area Scenarios, Board Consideration of Map and Change in Election Method, Public Hearing on General Waiver Request, Board Consideration of General Waiver Request.

July/August – County Committee on School District Organization Holds a Public Hearing and Considers Approval of Change in Election Method and Trustee Area Map.

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau)

On May 21, 2019 at approximately 10:48 PM, the Antioch Police Department responded to Sutter Delta Medical Center on Lone Tree Way for two male victims, who arrived at the emergency room with gunshot wounds. A 19-year-old Antioch male succumbed to his injuries at Sutter Delta Medical Center, and an 18-year-old Antioch male was transferred to a trauma center and is in stable condition at this time.

It was determined the two victims were at Memorial Field Park on Putnam Street in Antioch when at least one male approached their vehicle and started firing rounds into their car. The 18-year-old male was able to drive away and drove directly to Sutter Delta Medical Center.

The Antioch Police Investigations Unit is currently investigating this case and evidence is being collected at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Recently, DarVisa Marshall’s six-grade classroom at Antioch Middle School received a visit from Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey. For the past five years, Marshall has been teaching English language arts, English language development, and history. Before joining Antioch Middle, the 21-year teacher had taught the same subjects to grades 3-8 in Oakland and her native city of Cincinnati. This past March, Marshall was named by the Antioch Unified School District as their Teacher of the Year (TOY), and later was selected as one of the four finalists contending for one of the two spots as Contra Costa County TOY. The two county TOYs will then represent Contra Costa County in the California state-wide TOY program.

Throughout the school year, Superintendent Mackey makes it a point to visit each incoming TOY in their classrooms, before they are all honored at the annual Teachers of the Year Gala Dinner. This is a great way for her to meet the teachers and their students, as well as take in the day’s lesson plan.

On the evening of September 26, 2019, the 22 Contra Costa County TOYs, class of 2019-20, including Marshall will be introduced and honored at the renowned annual Teacher of the Year Gala, held at the Hilton Concord. The 22 TOYs will be accompanied by their families, friends, and co-workers. The expected crowd of close to 500 will also include numerous other supporters of the program. For more information about this year’s CCCOE TOY Program, please review this earlier-sent news release.

“This was my first year as a teacher,” says 8th grade English teacher Lorena Bathey. “I joined the world of eighth grade at Antioch Middle School and I was beyond nervous. My first day of teaching was a lesson for me in how not ready I was. I pushed the students out the door so they would not spy my weakness as the tears rolled down my face at the end of sixth period. To Ms. Marshall’s room I ran, no really… I ran, for help, saving a hug. And there was Ms. Marshall, with arms open saying, ‘How can I help you.’ This is a constant phrase from Ms. Marshall to everyone she knows.”

Bathey continues, “Beyond being an incredible teacher who has her student-centered classroom running so smoothly a clockmaker would be impressed, she is always striving to be more. From pursuing her National Board Certification, to being active with the Antioch Education Association, to serving as the school’s English chairperson, to mentoring a brand-new teacher like me, Ms. Marshall is all about helping Antioch Middle School.”

Currently, there are approximately 8,637 teachers educating nearly 178,000 students in Contra Costa County’s public schools. To recognize their efforts and bring much-deserved honor to the teaching profession, the participating school districts in the county named their TOY representatives in mid-March.

The incoming 22 TOYs represent 17 Contra Costa County school districts, the Contra Costa Community College District, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE). Most of these representatives, those who teach grades TK-12, are eligible to compete in the Contra Costa County TOY competition. The two top teachers in the county TOY program will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program this coming fall.

Note regarding eligible participants:

Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for his/her outstanding body of work with their designated college. The colleges rotate each year between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa. (These instructors do not compete in the State Teacher of the Year competition.) This year is Contra Costa College’s turn.

Due to the larger number of students and teachers in their districts, West Contra Costa USD, Mt. Diablo USD, and San Ramon Valley USD are allowed to submit two TOY candidates.

Follow Contra Costa County’s Teacher of the Year program on Twitter and Instagram: #cocotoy

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations)

On Sunday, May 19, 2019 at approximately 2:48 AM, the Antioch Police Department responded to a disturbance in the 4500 block of Big Horn Court. Antioch patrol officers arrived on scene and located a deceased 30-year-old female inside of a residence. The female had suspicious injuries that appeared to be the cause her death.

A 32-year-old male is being questioned as a person of interest in this homicide. This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department will begin construction of the Marsh Creek Road Traffic Safety Improvements project. The project will consist of installing a centerline rumble strip, restriping of the centerline, and traffic sign replacement and upgrades along the 14-mile stretch of Marsh Creek Road between the Cities of Clayton and Brentwood. Improvements will also include a streetlight installation on a wooden pole, and two solar flashing beacons at the intersection of Marsh Creek Road and Deer Valley Road.

Construction will begin on Monday, May 20, 2019, with completion by July 1, 2019, barring unforeseen circumstances. Drivers can expect traffic delays up to 30 minutes. Work hours will be 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to minimize impacts to commute traffic.

Funding for this project is gas tax revenues provided by the SB1 Road Repair and Accountability Act and the Highway Safety Improvement Program funds. More information for this project can be found at http://www.cccounty.us/pwdmap.

2 more from Pittsburg, 2 from Bay Point

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

SAN FRANCISCO – Thirteen defendants were indicted on narcotics trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris D. Nielsen.  The indictment follows the arrest of five of the defendants on April 30, 2019, and the execution of search warrants at thirteen locations, including nine residences in Contra Costa County, Humboldt County, Fairfield, Suisun City and Modesto.  

Three defendants are from Antioch including 66-year-old Lorenzo Lee, 63-year-old Deborah Polk and 40-year-old Timothy Peoples. Two others from Pittsburg were indicted, 46-year-old Jeffrey McCoy and 38-year-old Deshawnte Gamboa, as well as 57-year-old Anthony Brown and 26-year-old Evan Martinez-Diaz, both of Bay Point

All thirteen defendants were charged in a single indictment which charges controlled substance offenses involving methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base. The defendants and the charges pending against them are as follows:

Defendant	Age	Residence	Charges	Maximum Statutory Penalty
LORENZO LEE, a/k/a “O.G.”	66	Antioch, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
			Distribution of and Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, Including Cocaine, Cocaine Base, Methamphetamine, and Heroin (Counts 4, 7, and 13-15)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
JEFFREY MCCOY	46	Pittsburg, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
			Distribution of Controlled Substances, Including Cocaine Base, Cocaine, and Heroin (Counts 2-7 and 9)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
ANTHONY BROWN, a/k/a “Ant Man”	57	Bay Point, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
			Distribution of Cocaine Base   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Count 7)	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
DESHAWNTE GAMBOA	38	Pittsburg, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
			Distribution of Heroin (Count 9)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
DEBORAH POLK	63	Antioch, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
			Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin (Count 15)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
			Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Count 16)   21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(2)	20 years imprisonment   3 years supervised release   $500,000 fine
EVAN MARTINEZ-DIAZ	26	Bay Point, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
			Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine (Counts 13 and 14)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
MAGO AGUILAR-PACHECO	38	West Covina, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
CESAR ALVARADO	38	Desert Springs, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
			Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, and Methamphetamine (Counts 11-14)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
JESSE LOPEZ, III	30	Fowler, California	Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl (Count 8)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
JOSE DELGADILLO, a/k/a “Tepa”	41	Fairfield, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Counts 1 and 10)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
MARCO DELGADILLO, a/k/a “Tonio”	39	Fairfield, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 10)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
LUIS TORRES-GARCIA, a/k/a “Guero”	33	Rio Dell, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 10)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
TIMOTHY PEOPLES, a/k/a “Tee”	40	Antioch, California	Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Cocaine Base (Counts 17 and 18)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine

The defendants arrested on April 30, 2019, were originally charged by complaint.  The complaints have been unsealed.  Eight defendants were charged in complaints that were supported by an affidavit describing the underlying investigation (the Affidavit).  In addition, a separate complaint was filed against defendant Timothy Peoples, and that complaint has been unsealed as well.

According to the Affidavit, this investigation started in 2017 and involved the DEA, the United States Internal Revenue Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Antioch Police Department, Oakley Police Department, and Concord Police Department.  In 2017 and 2018, the investigators used informants to conduct a series of purchases of cocaine, cocaine base and heroin from JEFFREY MCCOY.  In furtherance of their investigation, the agents also obtained federal wiretap orders in 2018 and 2019 to monitor communications over telephones used by the conspirators.

According to the Affidavit, the agents also seized significant quantities of narcotics from various defendants during the investigation.  The following chart summarizes the seizures, which are discussed in more detail in the Affidavit: 

DATE	SEIZED	CIRCUMSTANCES
5/15/2018	4 kg of heroin mixed with fentanyl and $46,000	Seized from courier after leaving LEE’s residence
8/8/2018	18 lbs of methamphetamine	Seized en route to TORRES-GARCIA from Jose DELGADILLO
1/26/2019	2 kg of cocaine	Seized en route to meeting point with LEE
2/9/2019	7 kg of narcotics and $104,505	Seized from courier after leaving LEE’s residence
2/9/2019	20 lbs of methamphetamine and 1 kg of cocaine	Discarded from courier’s vehicle after leaving LEE’s residence

In addition, any sentence following conviction will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. 

This case was investigated and prosecuted by member agencies of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

The following four teachers have been named as the 2019-2020 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year (TOY) Finalists: Gina Capelli, Liberty Union High School District; Shay Kornfeld, Mt. Diablo Unified School District; DarVisa R. Marshall, Antioch Unified School District; and Maureen Mattson, Pittsburg Unified School District. Two of these four finalists will be chosen in late September, and will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program. See below for the entire listing of the 22 Contra Costa County TOYs, class of 2019-2020.

Like so many teachers, DarVisa Marshall was influenced by a special teacher in her life. For Marshall, it was in the 11th grade, back in Cincinnati, Ohio. “No matter the circumstances, Mrs. Bryant never gave up on me,” remembers Marshall. “She saw potential that I never saw and my parents didn’t understand. Because of her, I became a teacher.” For the past five years, Marshall has been teaching English language arts (ELA) and history to grade six, at Antioch Middle School, in Antioch. Her 21 years of experience also includes teaching ELA and history in middle and elementary schools in Oakland and Cincinnati.

With 27 years of education experience, Gina Capelli has been teaching at Liberty High School, in Brentwood, since 2002. Capelli’s courses include psychology, government, ethnic studies, and social studies. Capelli joined Liberty High School with an impressive resume of teaching experience with school districts in San Jose, Livermore, and Brentwood. “My most important contribution to my students is to model selflessness and the importance of school and community involvement,” says Capelli. “Living in a small, tight-knit community has helped me to participate in many community activities alongside my students.”

Science instructor and robotics club advisor, Shay Kornfield, has been teaching at Diablo View Middle School, in Clayton, for the past three years. Five years prior, Kornfield taught grades 4 and 5 at Fair Oaks Elementary School, in Pleasant Hill. Kornfield says that he was lucky enough to grow up in a loving household with educated parents and grandparents that fostered his sense of curiosity and adventure. “Then, I had a teacher, Glen Barker [2018 CCCOE Teacher of the Year], who made school feel like summer camp for the first time in my life,” remembers Kornfield. “Without these amazing people, perhaps I would not have chosen the career path I have – but choose it I did, and what an amazing ride thus far!”

Maureen Mattson has been a positive fixture for the past 33 years at Pittsburg High School. The honored teacher has been teaching physical education during her entire career at the school. Along with teaching physical education, she has served many other rolls, including the school’s women’s basketball coach, assistant principal, and assistant athletic director. “My biggest influence in becoming a teacher was my father, Bob Matson,” reflects Mattson. “He was a physical education teacher, department chair, athletic director, and coach of multiple sports at Hollister High School for 38 years.”

The county’s TOY program is directed by the CCCOE, and with such a high caliber of teaching professionals to draw from (18 teachers eligible this year), the CCCOE’s TOY program uses a three-stage selection process, with a point and percentage system to determine the final candidates as follows:

I Application Screening:

On April 12, a committee of 13 judges, representing the county’s education, business, and public-sector partners carefully reviewed the TOY representative applications submitted by the school districts. This committee independently read and rated each application. After the application screening and scoring are completed, four teachers (see above) will be selected to advance to the next two phases as finalists.

II Classroom Observation and Interview:

April 22-May 17, a small committee of education specialists and business partners will observe the four finalists interacting with their students. Immediately following, the committee will interview the candidates, discussing topics such as their teaching philosophy and techniques.

III Speech Presentation:

On July 24, the four TOY finalists will each give a three- to five-minute speech to another panel of a dozen educators, business, and public-sector representatives who will judge the finalists on their speech and presentation skills.

On the evening of September 26, 2019, all 22 TOYs, accompanied by their families, friends, and co-workers (an audience of close to 500) will be honored at the annual Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Dinner Celebration, held at the Hilton Concord. Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey, who serves as the evening’s master of ceremonies, will introduce all 22 TOYs to the attendees. This will be followed by the four finalists giving their three- to five-minute speeches (same speeches given in July) to the filled banquet room. Finally, the night will come to a dramatic conclusion with the announcement of the two 2019-2020 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.

2019-2020 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Representatives:

• Paul Verbanszky, Acalanes Union High School District, Campolindo High School
• DarVisa R. Marshall, Antioch Unified School District, Antioch Middle School
• Ezra Smith, Brentwood Union School District, Pioneer Elem/Loma Vista Elem
• Alicia Woodson, Byron Union School District, Discovery Bay Elementary
• Cheri Etheredge, Contra Costa Community College District, Contra Costa Community College
• Kevin McKibben, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Mt. McKinley School
• Nagia “GG” Abdu, John Swett Unified School District, John Swett High School
• Katy Bracelin, Knightsen Elementary School District, Knightsen Elementary School
• Cindy Fisher, Lafayette School District, Happy Valley Elementary School
• Gina Capelli, Liberty Union High School District, Liberty High School
• Pamuela Galletti, Martinez Unified School District, John Muir Elementary School
• Jennifer Strohmeyer, Moraga School District, Donald L. Rheem Elementary School
• Emily Andrews, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Bancroft Elementary School
• Shay Kornfeld, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Diablo View Middle School
• Maria Fernandez, Oakley Union Elementary School District, Oakley Elementary School
• Jennifer Dodd, Orinda Union School District, Del Rey Elementary School
• Maureen Mattson, Pittsburg Unified School District, Pittsburg High School
• Athena Agustin, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Dougherty Valley High School
• Nusheen Saadat, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Quail Run Elementary School
• Jana Palmquist, Walnut Creek School District, Walnut Creek Intermediate School
• Daniel O’Shea, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Pinole Valley High School
• Doug Silva, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Helms Middle School

Note regarding eligible participants:

Seventeen of the eighteen Contra Costa County school districts represented, and the CCCOE are participating in this year’s TOY program.

Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for his/her outstanding body of work with their designated college. The colleges rotate each year between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa. (These instructors do not compete in the State Teacher of the Year competition.) This year is Contra Costa College’s turn.

Due to the larger number of students and teachers in their districts, West Contra Costa USD, Mt. Diablo USD, and San Ramon Valley USD are allowed to submit two TOY candidates.

Follow Contra Costa County’s Teacher of the Year program on Twitter and Instagram at: #cocotoy

For details and schedule visit www.ContraCostaFair.com or download the following:

  2019 CCCFair Schedule p1, 2019 CCCFair Sched p2 & Map, 2019 CCCFair Details