Deer Valley High School math teacher Maria McClain, was honored, recently by President Obama with one of the annual Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). It is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics or science (including computer science) teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Up to 108 teachers are recognized each year. Since 1983, more than 4,400 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Presidential Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

“I am extremely honored to receive the Presidential Award as recognition of the commitment of mathematics teachers in providing rigorous and relevant curriculum that guarantees equity and access for all students. This award provides me the opportunity and responsibility to continue to advocate for changes in expectations and practices that will increase student engagement and achievement. Receiving this award ensures that my voice will be heard as I continue this work on behalf of all students.”

Maria McClain has been teaching mathematics for the past 28 years, the last 20 of which have been at Deer Valley High School, where she currently teaches Mastering Algebra I, Precalculus, Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB, and AP Statistics.

Maria believes in creating a classroom environment which supports and challenges students through the use of instructional strategies designed to promote exploration, critical thinking, and discourse. In her role as Mathematics Department Chair, she supports the transition to the Common Core by facilitating professional development and collaboration opportunities for teachers. She is dedicated to providing access for all students and has worked extensively to eliminate barriers that prevent students from enrolling and achieving in higher level coursework.

Maria has served as a District Mentor Teacher for the past 16 years and is the Lead Teacher of a California Academic Partnership Program grant designed to implement the Common Core and create a seamless transition from high school to post-secondary education. Her awards include Antioch Unified School District and Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year for 2015-16, and California Teacher of the Year Semi-finalist for 2016. She is National Board Certified in adolescent and young adulthood mathematics.

Maria earned a B.A. in mathematics from California State University, Sacramento. She is certified to teach preK–12 and adult mathematics.

For more information about PAEMST, visit https://paemst.org/.

2015-16 honoree, Deer Valley High School math teacher, Maria McClain will speak about her year

Vicki McGuire, teacher at Antioch’s Sutter Elementary, is this year’s representative from AUSD

Contra Costa County’s two 2016-2017 Teachers of the Year (TOY) will be announced at the annual TOY Dinner Celebration, held this Thursday evening, September 22. Two of the four finalists will go on to represent Contra Costa County in the California State Teacher of the Year Program. The county TOY program is presented by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE).

More than 400 attendees will be on hand for the dinner, which will be held from  6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hilton Concord Hotel. The assembly will include the 21 celebrated TOYs, plus numerous educators (K-college), business executives (sponsors), local government, and local political representatives. The evening’s entertainment will be provided by the Hillview Junior High (Pittsburg) Jazz Band, directed by Diane Klaczynski. Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata will serve as master of ceremonies. Each of the three finalists, who will be introduced by a former student, will give an inspiring five-minute speech.  (The same speech as they gave at the TOY Speech Presentation in late August.) The evening will conclude in excitement and anticipation, with the announcement of the two 2016-2017 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.

After being named Teacher of the Year by their respective Contra Costa County school districts, then passing a rigorous application screening, followed by a panel classroom observation and interview, and concluding with a speech presentation, two of these four finalists will be selected to represent Contra Costa County as its 2016-2017 Teachers of the Year:

This year’s two Contra Costa County TOYs will join the long list of other finalists, dating back to the 1972-1973 school year. Along with the four finalists, this year’s other 17 TOY candidates will also be honored at this event (for complete list below).

Finalists:

Shauna Hawes teaches computer applications/technology to grades 6-8 at Valley View Middle School, in Pleasant Hill. The 18-year teacher has been with the Mt. Diablo Unified School District during her entire teaching career. Prior to her current position, Hawes taught 6th grade core (English, history, and reading) at Valley View. Before coming to Valley View, she taught 5th grade (all subjects) at Hidden Valley Elementary, in Martinez, from 1998-2007.

Gina Minder-Maldonado has recently begun her 26th year of teaching. For the past 18 years, Minder-Maldonado has taught at Oakley Elementary School, in Oakley. Currently teaching 2^nd grade, Minder-Maldonado’s former teaching experience includes preschool through 5^th, as well as adult education.

Summer Rodriguez has commenced her 17^th year as an educator for Liberty High School, in Brentwood. Rodriguez has taught all levels of high school English, AP English language and composition, and AP English literature and composition. In addition to her education duties, she has served as director of the school’s student activities through its Student Leadership Program.

Joyce Rooks began her career in teaching after serving as a senior programmer analyst/senior systems analyst for Mervyns, as well as an independent computer-training consultant. This year, Rooks has begunher 14th year teaching for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, where she has served as an instructor for Dougherty Valley High, California High, and Coyote Creek Elementary. She has been teaching first and second grades for the past five years at Creekside Elementary, in Danville.

2016-2017 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Representatives:

Jamie Cackler Bennetts, Knightsen Elementary School District, Knightsen Elementary

Cynthia Boyko, Acalanes Union High School District, Miramonte High

Rachael Byron, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Dougherty Valley High

Erin Dinday, Martinez Unified School District, Alhambra High

Krystal Figaroa, Pittsburg Unified School District, Stoneman Elementary

Daniel Yoshio Haley, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, El Dorado Middle

Shauna Hawes, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Valley View Middle

Judy Jernigan, Lafayette School District, Lafayette SD Schools

Kristyn Loy, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Stewart Elementary

Judy Mazur, Walnut Creek School District, Buena Vista Elementary

Vicki McGuire, Antioch Unified School District, Sutter Elementary

Aminta Mickles, Contra Costa Community College District, Contra Costa College

Gina Minder-Maldonado, Oakley Union Elementary School District, Oakley Elementary

Dayle Okamitsu, Orinda Union School District, Wagner Ranch Elementary

Lawrence Pang, West Contra Costa Unified School District, El Cerrito High

Deborah Guillén Rocchild, John Swett Unified School District, John Swett High

Summer Rodriguez, Liberty Union High School District, Liberty High

Joyce Rooks, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Creekside Elementary

Juliet Simens, Brentwood Union School District, Pioneer Elementary

Angela Taylor, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Parole Education Program Oakland Computerized Literacy Learning Center

Sarah Vieira, Byron Union School District, Timber Point Elementary

Note regarding eligible participants:

Sixteen of the eighteen Contra Costa County school districts, as well as 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: #cocotoy

By Allen Payton

Ahead of the symposium in Antioch on community-police relations and 21st Century Policing, planned for this Saturday night, Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando released a list of ways the Antioch Police Department engages with the community. (See symposium article, here)

“Please understand that this is the community engagement we have been doing for years, which just so happens to align with President Obama’s 21st Century Policing program,” Cantando stated. “We are engaged with our community because this is the best way to work in partnership and make our city a wonderful place to live.”

Following are the ways the department engages with the Antioch community. It is not necessarily a comprehensive list:

• Coffee with the Cops
• Pizza with the Police
• Volunteers In Police Services (VIPS) program
• Neighborhood Watch / Business Watch
• Police Explorer program
• Citizens Police Academy
• National Night Out
• Police Activities League (PAL)
• Hispanic (ESL – English as a Second Language) Coffee with the Cops at Holy Rosary Church
• Antioch Police Activities League
• Programs with the Junior Giants
• College Preparedness classes
• Etiquette classes
• After-School Skate
• After-School Bowling
• Field trips to sporting events for our youth
• Life After High School program to prepare kids for college
• Youth Leadership Program
• Annual charity golf tournament
• After-School Basketball program (in-progress)
• Legos and the Law program
• Social media outreach (Facebook / Twitter/youtube)
• PD Smartphone App to provide information to our citizens
• Crimereports.com that allows citizens to view crime in our city
• Running Man Video
• Visits to faith based organizations
• “Panther Tails” program where H.S. students run with our shelter animals
• Halloween Candy giveaway
• Holiday Food and Gift giveaway
• Visits and presentations at schools
• “Read Across America” program in our schools
• Rotary “Empowerment Program” focused at girls in high school
• “We’re looking out for you” program where waste disposal drivers  and postal carriers are trained to look for and report crime
• Monthly neighborhood clean-ups
• “Tip-a- Cop” events for Special Olympics
• “Torch Run” for Special Olympics
• Police Department Open House
• Quarterly presentations to City Council regarding crime and departmental updates
• On-going and pro-active dialog with NAACP and LULAC regarding community

While neither Cantando nor Captain Tammany Brooks, who learned about 21st Century Policing while attending the FBI National Academy in Washington, D.C., will be able to attend the symposium, they’re working with the organizers to schedule a future meeting regarding the issue. The discussion during Saturday’s forum will be about matters in general and not specific to Antioch, organizers have said.

The symposium, entitled Building Bridges & Tearing Down Barriers, hosted by the Antioch Community Team will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, at the Delta Bay Church of Christ located at 913 Sunset Drive in Antioch.

The forum for the seven candidates running for the Antioch School Board in the November election, hosted by the Antioch Herald, has been rescheduled for a final time to Friday night, September 23 at 7:00 p.m.

We apologize but, this is due to three of the candidates informing us, either yesterday or today, that they couldn’t attend the forum previously scheduled for tonight.

Associate Publisher Connie Woods will be the panelist asking the questions, City Clerk Arne Simonsen will serve as timekeeper and Publisher Allen Payton will serve as moderator, keeping track of the questions, answers and rebuttals.

The Antioch City Council candidates’ forum will still be held tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 20th at 6:30 p.m. and the Antioch Mayoral candidates’ forum will follow at 8:15 p.m.

All three forums will be held in the Antioch City Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 200 H Street, between West 2nd and West 3rd Streets in downtown. Each candidate will have the opportunity to ask two questions of fellow candidates and give two rebuttals. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates, as well.

A video of each forum will be made and will be shown later on one or more local cable TV access channels.

So be sure to attend and bring with you your best questions to be asked of the candidates.

By Sergeant John Fortner #3264, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

At approximately 12:07 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to the Las Brumas Salvadorian Restaurant at 913 W. 10th Street on the report of a robbery. An employee called 911 and reported that two adult males entered the restaurant and ordered everyone to get down on the ground. The suspects threatened to shoot people if they did not comply but no guns were seen.

The victims complied and the suspects stole cash and fled from the business on foot. No gunshots were fired, and the victims were not injured during the incident.

Officers conducted an extensive area check, but the suspects were not located at that time. At approximately 1:45 PM, and a short distance away, officers responded to a call from the Antioch Credit Union located at 301 G St. stating that the bank was just robbed by two male suspects.The suspects stole cash and fled the bank on foot. There were no injuries in this incident either.

During an area check, officers located two subjects matching the robbery suspects’ descriptions near the Antioch Amtrak Station.

Both suspects attempted to flee on foot but were quickly captured and detained. Evidence of the crime was recovered from the suspects. Both were identified as the suspects who committed the bank robbery, and one of them was also identified as a suspect who committed the restaurant robbery. Both subjects were arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. Their identities are not being released at this time.

This incident is currently under investigation.

Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau at 925-779-6926. 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.

Need for civic-minded citizens to help throughout the county in November

Kelly Davis and her fellow Contra Costa volunteers have an early wake-up call on Election Day, but most of them don’t mind the long hours.

Each of them has their own unique reasons for being poll workers. And the Contra Costa County Elections Division is looking for civic-minded men and women to join them on our Election Day Team.

Davis, of Orinda, is motivated to get out of bed on Election Day and stay energized throughout the day to raise money for foster children.

Monnie Segelke of Danville and Maude DiVictor of Richmond both find helping voters fulfilling and they enjoy seeing neighbors and familiar faces at their polling places.

Julie Southern of Antioch, like several volunteers, grew up in families who emphasized civic participation.

“I enjoy being involved in the democratic process, and there’s no better way than being a poll worker because you’re involved in the nitty-gritty,” Southern said. “I can say I’m a part of history.”

The November 2016 election will be an historic one as a new President and state Senator are elected. Voter turnout is anticipated to be the highest it has been in years.

As a result, Contra Costa Elections has more opportunities for volunteers to be poll workers than in years past.

No prior experience is necessary and training is provided.  Poll workers receive a stipend for their service, which includes attending a mandatory two-hour training and working 6:00 am to 9:00 pm on Election Day.

Participants receive a special pin denoting their service.  Serving as a poll worker does not have any bearing on Social Security or unemployment status, according to State law.

County and State employees are encouraged to apply.

Bilingual citizens are strongly encouraged to volunteer. High School students who are at least 16 and have a grade point average of 2.5 or above may serve as poll workers.  Student poll workers will receive a stipend and may fulfill community service requirements.

For more information, visit www.cocovote.us or text “cocoteam” to 28683.

Those who might be interested should email eo@vote.cccounty.us or call the Elections Division at (925) 335-7800, option 1.

Antioch Police calls for service highlights as published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated September 9, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service and Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 09/08/16 00:00:00 – 09/14/16 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,511

Number of Case Reports: 265

Number of Arrests: 67

Felony: 37

Misdemeanor: 30

Arrests with DUI charge: 3

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• ·On 9/14/16 at 10:14 pm an 18 year old male was driving home from work and pulled into his parking space at an apartment complex on Gentrytown Drive. As he exited his truck, a male subject approached and demanded his wallet and phone. According to neighbors, a male subject was heard yelling and then a single shot was heard seconds later. The victim made it to his apartment and his father drove him to a local hospital. He is in critical but stable condition after a bullet entered his upper chest and exited through his back. The suspect took his phone and wallet. Detectives were contacted and took over the investigation.
• ·On 9/14/16 at 2:30 pm an anonymous person reported there were three juveniles behind an apartment at 2301 Sycamore Drive and that one of the juveniles had a gun. When officers arrived they determined that the apartment backed up to another set of apartments and there was a dirt alleyway between the two buildings. Officers saw a 13 year old male holding a gun in his hand. Two 13 year old juveniles and a 15 year old juvenile were contacted. When the 13 year old male saw the police he dropped the gun. He had a loaded magazine for the gun on his person. The gun was checked and found to be a Czechoslovakian made 7.62×25 pistol. The rounds for this pistol can penetrate up to level IIA ballistic vests. The 13 year old was arrested and transported to Juvenile Hall. The other two juveniles were identified and released to their parents
• ·9/13/2016 at 8:43 pm, 32 year old Jamie Smith was contacted by officers in the 600 block of West 16^th St. and found to be in possession of methamphetamine, heroin, and a glass pipe. He was arrested and booked at APD and later released on a citation.
• ·9/13/2016 at 1:27 pm, a Walmart loss prevention officer observed 58 year old Donald McDaniels stealing items from the store. Mc Daniels was detained and found to have a warrant for his arrest for auto theft and burglary. Officers responded and took Mc Daniels into custody without incident and booked him into county jail.
• ·9/12/2016 at 9:44 pm, an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle driven by 24 year old Jesse Potteet in the area of Minaker Dr. and East 13^th St. A records check revealed Potteet had two warrants in the system for burglary and providing a false name. Potteet was arrested without incident and booked at county jail.
• ·9/12/2016 at 8:43 pm, 43 year old Thea Hendricks was contacted in the 1700 block of Sycamore Dr. It was discovered she had warrants for narcotics and theft related charges. She was issued a notice to appear and released.
• ·9/12/2016 at 8:36 pm, we received a bulletin via the California Department of Corrections that 52 year old Ronald Rector had cut off his GPS ankle monitor and was wanted for violating his parole. An APD officer knew that Rector frequented the alley behind 1712 Sycamore Drive. During an area check there, the officer located Rector and arrested him without incident. Rector was booked into county jail.
• ·9/12/2016 at 8:15 am, citizens called dispatch to report there was a white vehicle in front of Johnny’s Market located at 622 West 9th St. and it looked like a subject was stripping the car. We arrived and found 35 year old Nathaniel Brantley in the driver’s seat working on a stereo. We eventually got a hold of the owner who confirmed Brantley was ok to be in the car. Unfortunately for Brantley, he had two warrants for his arrest for burglary. He was booked into county jail.
• ·9/11/2016 at 11:09 pm, 21 year old Francisco Ramirez was contacted at 2105 Lemontree Way and found to have a warrant for his arrest for theft related charges. Ramirez was arrested and taken to county jail.
• ·9/11/2016 at 3:28 pm, the victim was driving west bound on Lone Tree Way when he was cut off by 31 year old Gary Grant driving in the same direction. The two exchanged words while stopped at traffic signal. During the argument, Grant got out of his car and struck the victim’s vehicle with a baseball bat. The victim threw a milk shake at Grant’s vehicle. Grant got back in his car and as they started driving again, Grant sideswiped the victim’s vehicle causing minor scratches. The sideswipe appeared to be accidental. The victim followed Grant to his residence, where Grant started striking the victim’s vehicle with the bat again. Grant ran back in the house and as the victim drove away, Grant came out with a shotgun. Grant did not point the gun at the victim and eventually put it away before police arrived. Grant was contacted at his home and arrested without incident. He was sent to county jail for vandalism and hit and run.
• ·9/11/2016 at 1:32 pm, the unknown female responsible entered Fallas at Somersville Towne Centre and selected three pairs of jeans. She attempted to leave the store without paying when a loss prevention employee attempted to stop the responsible. The two had a brief struggle and the responsible was able to leave with the stolen goods. She fled in a newer maroon sedan. The loss prevention employee had minor injuries from the incident.
• ·9/11/2016 at 9:52 am, an officer was in the area of Shaddick Dr. and Garrow Dr. when he saw a Honda traveling at a high rate of speed. He caught up to the vehicle after several blocks when the driver, 22 year old Richard Raymundo-Wilcox parked the Honda and walked away. Wilcox was contacted and eventually detained. The registered owner of the vehicle responded to the scene and reported that the vehicle was stolen sometime during the night. Raymundo-Wilcox was arrested without incident and booked into county jail for auto theft.
• ·9/10/2016 at 10:33 pm, officers responded to the report of shots fired at the Ramada Inn on Mahogany Way involving a large party in two of the rooms. On arrival, an adult male was found on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds and was bleeding heavily. Several subjects were detained in and around the rooms. It was learned that this was a birthday party for the victim and subjects showed up wanting to fight with a female at the party. They were told to leave and an argument ensued. A 21 year old suspect produced a pistol and began shooting at the rooms. The victim was the only one struck. The subjects who were fighting fled in a white vehicle. The victim was transported to the hospital and went into surgery. He was later listed in stable condition. It took most of both patrol teams to complete the numerous interviews and process the scene. The majority of the party goers were found to be 16-18 years old. All parents were contacted and collected their children. As of this writing, the suspect had not been located and probable cause for his arrest was put out. This case is still under investigation.
• ·9/10/2016 at 9:08 pm, APD received several calls regarding 28 year old Andrew Lucero’s driving. He was seen swerving in his lane and appeared to be impaired. Officers located him in the area of Contra Loma Blvd. and Centennial Way just getting out of his vehicle after he drove over the curb and struck a city sign. Lucero was found to be intoxicated and submitted to a blood test. He was later booked into county jail.
• ·9/10/2016 at 7:09 pm, 49 year old Melinda Vanosten was driving west bound on Barn Hallow Way from Metcalf Dr. and collided into two separate parked vehicles on Barn Hollow Way. Vanosten attempted to flee in her vehicle after the second collision; however, the neighbors were able to take the keys away from her. Officers made contact with Vanosten and performed field sobriety tests, which she was unable to perform successfully. Vanosten later admitted to being under the influence of narcotics. She was booked at APD and later sent to county jail for felony DUI.
• ·9/10/2016 at 3:52 pm, an officer observed 35 year old Michael Kyle walking on Lemontree Way and knew he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for burglary and evading arrest. The officer was able to make contact and arrest Kyle without incident. He was booked on the warrant and sent to county jail.
• ·9/10/2016 at 2:18 pm, officers were dispatched to the 5400 block of San Martin Way after a resident called 9-1-1 to report his Ford delivery van stolen. The victim was making a delivery at the location and left the van running in the street. During a canvas of the area, an officer located the van traveling westbound on Mokelumne Dr. A vehicle pursuit ensued and continued eastbound on Lone Tree Way. During the pursuit, the driver, 20 year old Travon Jackson, drove into an officer’s vehicle head-on causing damage to both vehicles. Jackson then fled on foot from the van on Lone Tree Way in front of Denny’s. Both officers gave chase and apprehended Jackson on Wagon Wheel Way when he surrendered to commands. He was taken into custody without incident. Jackson was booked into county jail.
• ·9/10/2016 at 12:08 pm, 30 year old Mark Mora was arrested after he spray painted graffiti on the exterior wall of Walmart. When contacted he explained that he was “creating artwork.” The damage was estimated in excess of $1,500 and Walmart management requested prosecution. He was taken into custody without incident and booked at county jail.
• ·9/10/2016 at 8:03 am, an officer recognized 46 year old Daniel Semelsberger walking in the intersection of A St. and W. 17th St. and knew he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. A records check confirmed he had two outstanding no-bail warrants for his arrest that were narcotics related. Semelsberger was taken into custody without incident and booked at county jail.
• ·9/10/2016 at 12:29 am, 24 year old Roger Joseph was contacted near 617 West 19^th St. attempting to access a truck. He was trying to use a key to open the passenger door. A records check showed the truck was stolen. Joseph was taken into custody without incident. Joseph stated he bought the truck two weeks ago, but could not provide any information or from who. Joseph was booked into county jail for grand theft auto.
• ·9/9/2016 at 10:19 pm, 48 year old Jason Elliot was contacted at Lowes on Auto Center Dr. and was found to have a warrant for his arrest for DUI. He was taken into custody without incident. Elliot was booked into county jail.
• ·9/9/2016 at 11:54 pm, Elk Grove PD responded to an audible alarm and observed a silver van fleeing at a high rate of speed in their city. CHP took over the pursuit which led through four different counties and lasted almost two hours. Apparently the suspects were calling family members during the entire chase. In turn family members began following the pursuit to make sure there was no inappropriate behavior by the police. Two CHP air units, a K-9 unit and numerous ground units were involved. The driver of the getaway car’s mother lives in Antioch so the entire event ended at the front door of APD. As the suspects approached 4th and L St., a female family member jumped in front of the suspect’s car causing them to come to a stop. A high risk stop was conducted and both suspects were taken into custody by CHP.
• ·9/9/2016 at 9:01 pm, officers observed a reported stolen vehicle driving westbound on South Lake Dr. The vehicle stopped on its own at 70 South Lake Dr. Officers conducted a high risk stop on the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, 29 year old Adam Renfroe, was taken into custody without incident. The passenger was released without charges at this time. Renfroe was arrested and found to be on parole. He was sent to county jail for auto theft and violation of probation. The vehicle was drivable and returned to its owner.
• ·9/9/2016 at 7:56 pm, numerous 911 calls came in regarding a house fire in the 4400 block of Parkview Ct. The fire started near a shed in the rear yard of 4877 Parkview. The fire quickly spread to 4855 and both residences were evacuated. Contra Costa County Fire arrived and put out both fires. Neither of the residences was still habitable and there were no signs of arson.
• ·9/9/2016 at 3:51 pm, dispatch received a call stating that 25 year old Richard Cendejas was at 2735 G Street and that he had a warrant. A records check showed that Cendejas had a felony warrant out of Alameda County for three counts of felony assault on a peace officer. Cendejas was also a listed responsible in an 8/22/16, APD pursuit where officers were victims of a felony assault with a vehicle. Several Officers and two K9 units went to the residence. Cendejas fled out the back of the residence but gave up when he realized he was surrounded. Cendejas was booked into county jail.
• ·9/9/2016 at 11:26 am, on 9/4/16, three males entered the Quickstop on Sycamore Dr. and one of the males jumped the counter and stole a box with cash. The clerk attempted to stop the male and was thrown to the ground by all three males. The cash fell on the ground and all three subjects picked up the cash and fled on foot. Today, 9/9/2016, the Quikstop owner called dispatch and stated that two of the suspects were in the parking lot and were associated with a silver Toyota Camry. Officers arrived on scene as the vehicle was leaving the parking lot. A traffic stop was conducted and 18 year old Lamar Crawford was found to have a loaded 9mm pistol in his waistband. Crawford also had a warrant for his arrest. 25 year old Jeremiah White was found to have individually wrapped baggies of suspected cocaine in his pocket. Both Crawford and White were identified during an infield show up as being responsible for the robbery. The driver of the vehicle was released from the scene. Crawford and White were booked into county jail.
• ·9/9/2016 at 10:33 am, officers responded to the Chevron at 2413 A St. for an armed robbery that just occurred. A male entered the store and told the clerk he had a gun. The male took cash from the register and two packs of cigarettes and fled towards Bryan Ave. The clerk ran outside and saw the suspect running away with a heavy set female. The two were last seen running on McGinley Ave. An extensive area check was done, but the suspects were not located.
• ·9/8/2016 at 9:51 pm, a motorcyclist was westbound on San Carlos Dr. and lost control of his motorcycle and fell to the ground. He was not wearing a helmet and struck the pavement with his head. He suffered a large laceration to his head. The rider was transported to the hospital for treatment. Due to the head injury, he was kept in the hospital overnight for observation purposes only.
• ·9/8/2016 at 9:49 pm, residents called to report a male slumped over at the wheel of a Nissan in the 2400 block of Whitetail Dr. in the roadway. Officers located the vehicle and 24 year old Gabrielle Cassell. Contra Costa County Fire forced entry into the vehicle to get to the male. Once pulled from the vehicle he came to life and we discovered he had just injected heroin. We located numerous needles some with heroin still inside. He was taken to the hospital and blood was drawn. He was released pending further investigation due to his medical requirements. There were no reported accidents or injuries. His vehicle was towed for 30 days for driving on a suspended license. This case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for charges at a later date.
• ·9/8/2016 at 9:44 pm, a vehicle was southbound on Hillcrest Ave. when the driver lost control just north of Sterling Hills Dr. The vehicle slid onto the adjacent sidewalk and struck a fire hydrant before coming to a stop in the middle of the intersection. The driver was uninjured and claimed a black Nissan Maxima had cut him off. The Maxima was never located. Public Works responded and shut off the hydrant.
• ·9/8/2016 at 10:55 am, Uber Exchange called dispatch and stated that an Uber vehicle had been stolen in Sacramento on 9/2/2016 and they had a GPS location on the vehicle driving in Antioch. Officers were directed to where the vehicle was driving and attempted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and officers chased the vehicle for about three blocks before terminating due excessive speeds. The vehicle was abandoned and witnesses stated three males fled from the vehicle on foot. An extensive area check was done with negative results. The vehicle was returned to its owner.
• ·9/8/2016 at 7:30 am, dayshift patrol conducted a probation search at 85 South Lake Dr. 26 year old Corey Whittington was contacted inside of the residence and found to have warrants for his arrest for burglary and grant theft. He was arrested and booked into county jail.

By Nick Goodrich

During the regular meeting of the Antioch School Board on Wednesday, September 14th, Mike Burkholder, the publisher of eastcountytoday.net and a candidate for school board in the November election, had some particularly harsh words for appointed Board Trustee Fernando Navarro.

Toward the end of the public comments section of the meeting, Burkholder entered the room and stated his desire to make a comment. Board Vice President Walter Ruehlig, who was running the meeting in President Diane Gibson-Gray’s absence, allowed it.

Burkholder then proceeded to take issue with a statement that he said Navarro made at a debate last week for the school board candidates, hosted by the Friday Morning Breakfast Club.

According to Burkholder, Navarro said that the AUSD provides “services equivalent to the DMV.” Burkholder also said that he had been told by a local elected official who had met privately with Navarro to discuss the state of the schools, that Navarro had said, “If the District were to be graded, it would receive an F minus minus.”

Burkholder went on to say that, as a member of the School Board, Navarro should be “promoting the District and building it up, rather than shedding a negative light on it.”

“It’s simply bad rhetoric,” Burkholder said of Navarro’s comments.

With Antioch Unified already facing problems such as a high transfer-out rate, he said that one of the Board’s primary concerns should be to always promote the District in a way that attracts new students and those that are already here.

Burkholder called for Navarro to issue a formal apology to the District and the Board Members, while citing Antioch’s recent college fair – in which dozens of scholarships were issued and students accepted to schools – as a sign that the District is seeing some notable successes.

“When a member of the School Board is that negative,” he said, “It makes the District look bad and makes these problems worse.”

9/19/16 UPDATE: Burkholder did not participate in the candidates’ forum on Thursday, September 8. But, he did provide an audio of Navarro’s comments during the forum, which was surreptitiously obtained. The forum moderator, Ann Flynn of the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley specifically stated that no unauthorized recording of the forum would be allowed. On Monday, September 19, Don Freitas, the leader of the Friday Morning Breakfast Club which sponsored the forum stated, “I didn’t authorized an audio recording. If there is one, it was done without the FMBC’s permission.”

Burkholder was asked how he obtained the audio, but didn’t respond.

Following is Navarro’s complete statement at the forum, which can be heard, here:

“Well I’d like to start with what I’m not. So, I’m not a politician. I’m not a polished orator. But, what I am, as I’ve stated before, I’m a parent with two children in the district, which gives me skin in the game. I’m a business owner, like I said for 20 years. I know customer service and I know quality control. Demographically, we’re losing 900-plus students between last year and the end of this year, projected. We’re dropping the ball on quality service to our customers, which are the kids and their parents. We’ve lost 25% of our student population in the last dozen years. If we were a for profit business, we’d be shuttered and closed down, by now. But because we are subsidized by the taxpayers we’re becoming a little tone deaf and we’re becoming equivalent in customer service with the DMV. For God’s sakes, let us not become the DMV.”

When asked for comments following the school board meeting, Navarro said that, although his comments were taken out of context, he stands by his assessment of the District’s condition. Noting that over 900 students have left the District in the last two years, and the exceedingly low state test scores by Antioch students in math and English, Navarro said the AUSD was failing the majority of its students.

“My point as a business owner was to underscore the dangers of not respecting where the incoming funds originate. We talk about the funds coming from the feds, or from the state. Ultimately, though, all funds come from the taxpayers,” he said. “Whenever a government body loses that perspective, becomes tone deaf, and suffers no consequences, we become just like the DMV. My actual statement during the debate was, ‘Folks, let’s not become like the DMV.’”

Navarro also said that he was surprised that the private conversation he’d had with Antioch Mayor Wade Harper had been passed on to the public, but that the statistics on student outcomes supported that statement, as well.

“When over 80% of our students are not proficient in math, and 70% are not proficient in English,” he said, “That certainly seems like a failure to me.”

Despite the backlash to his comments, Navarro was also appreciative. “I am open to any criticism, comments, and suggestions that can help improve the District,” he said. “This isn’t fun and games. We must be serious about it for the sake of the kids and the District…If we’re simply going to conceal our issues, we’re never going to solve them.”

When reached for comment to explain if and why he shared what Navarro had told him with Burkholder, Harper said he had “no comment.”

Allen Payton contributed to this story, specifically providing the 9/19/16 update, including Navarro’s complete comment at the forum.