The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants interested in serving on its 20-member Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC).  The JJCC currently has vacancies for two (2) At-Large Youth and one (1) At-Large Community-Member Representatives.

The JJCC is a multiagency advisory body that informs the development and implementation of a countywide juvenile justice plan composed of several critical parts, including, but not limited to an assessment of existing law enforcement, probation, education, mental health, health, social services, drug and alcohol and youth services resources which specifically target both at-promise as well as system-involved youth, and their families. The JJCC will also coordinate on a countywide basis the work of those governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in activities designed to reduce the incidence of juvenile crime and delinquency in the greater community, develop information and intelligence-sharing systems to ensure that county actions are fully coordinated, and provide data and appropriate outcome measures.

The Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council is composed of the following 20 members:

Ten (10) Ex‐Officio Members:

• Chief Probation Officer, as Chair
• District Attorney’s Office representative
• Public Defender’s Office representative
• Sheriff’s Office representative
• Board of Supervisors’ representative
• Employment and Human Services Department representative
• Behavioral Health Services representative
• Alcohol and Other Drugs Division representative
• Public Health representative
• Juvenile Justice Commission Chair

Ten (10) Additional Members, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, as follows:

• City Police Department representative
• County Office of Education or a School District representative
• Four (4) At-Large members, residing or working within Contra Costa County
• Two (2) Community-Based Organization representatives
• Two (2) At-Large youth, fourteen to twenty-five years old and residing or working within Contra Costa County

Appointments to the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council will be for a term of two years ending June 30, 2023. The JJCC meets monthly October through April and bi-monthly the remainder of the year. Members have the option to serve on three (2) two subcommittees that each currently meets monthly.

The application deadline is 5 pm on May 10, 2021. All timely applicants will be invited to the public interview process conducted by the Board of Supervisors’ Public Protection Committee: Supervisors Candace Andersen, District II, and Federal Glover, District V. This committee will then recommend a selection of applicants for the Board of Supervisors to appoint to the Racial Justice Oversight Body.

Below is a complete timeline of this recruitment process to fill the three (3) vacant JJCC seats:

• May 10: Final Day of the Application Period, due by 5 pm
• May 24: Public Protection Committee Meeting: Interviews
• June 8: Board of Supervisors Appointments

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or by visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418. Completed applications should be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us. Applications can also be mailed to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Office at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553.

 

The Contra Costa County Probation Department has permanently eliminated collect calling for youth detained at the Glenn A. Davis Juvenile Hall in Martinez, and Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility in Byron. Rather than continuing the practice of charging recipients when a youth makes a call, the Department will now absorb those costs.

“Our primary goals are harm reduction and removing barriers to success for our clients and their loved ones,” said Chief Probation Officer Esa Ehmen-Krause. “Eliminating this additional financial burden and creating a pathway for increased communication with loved ones is the right thing to do.”

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has consistently demonstrated support for justice-involved youth and families. A moratorium was issued in 2016 on the assessment and collection of juvenile probation fees. In 2017, the Board took further action to permanently repeal these fees, and discharge any outstanding fees owed. These forward-thinking actions were ahead of Senate Bill 190, which required counties to eliminate juvenile fines and fees in 2018. This legislation did not include collect calling.

“In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever that everyone stays connected to their families, especially youth, and I applaud the Probation Department for making it easier on families as we pursue the ultimate goal of reunification and living a healthy life,” said Diane Burgis, Chair of the Board of Supervisors.

Additionally, in response to the public health shelter in place order, the Department began utilizing video visitation in 2020, which has created the ability to offer more frequent contact between youth and their family members. The Department plans to continue this service, also provided at no cost, even after on-site visitation resumes. Video visitation affords family members who may have transportation challenges or mobility concerns with another resource to maintain contact with their loved ones.

Program qualifies for district to receive state funds for school reopening of over $4.5 million

By Allen Payton

During their meeting on Wed., March 24, 2021 the Antioch School Board approved staff proposals that most district students would continue in distance learning for the remainder of the school year. Specifically, the board approved remaining in distance learning for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year, opening 50+ learning centers across the District for students who would benefit from a classroom environment, providing an in-person learning option for students with disabilities in grades K-5 who attend Special Day Classrooms, and providing an in-person learning option for students with disabilities in the Community Based Instruction program.

The district staff report reads:

“Throughout the pandemic, our core values have remained the same:

To open schools for in-person learning in a manner that is safe, is the least disruptive to families, and provides the most instructional time as possible.

At this time, the majority of parents surveyed would like to continue in distance learning through the end of the school year. However, we also recognize that some families would like their children to be in a school environment. To meet as many of our families’ needs as possible while staying true to the core values stated above, staff is recommending the following:

Remain in distance learning for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

Open 50+ learning centers across the District for students who would benefit from a classroom environment.

Provide an in-person learning option for students with disabilities in grades K-5 who attend Special Day Classrooms.

Provide an in-person learning option for students with disabilities in the Community Based Instruction program.”

Superintendent Stephanie Anello said “as you may be aware, we did a survey of parents, last week…it remained steady at 10,000 votes, 60% of parents wanted to remain at distance learning, because of the enormous disruption of dropping off students at 8 am then picking them up at 11 a.m.”

Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, Christine Ibarra spoke of “many hours and sleepless nights” developing the proposed plan.

“The health guidelines are constantly changing,” she continued.

“Many of our schools will have large screen TV’s that will take a picture of groups of students to determine if any has a temperature,” Anello interjected.

“We are grounding our decisions and our recommendation in what our values are,” Ibarra stated. “That’s with the least disruption” to families. “The majority of our parents prefer distance learning at this time.”

Learning Centers

Ibarra shared that each school would have multiple learning centers and the district will reach out to those parents who prefer in-person learning for their students. They will open April 19 for K-6 and on April 26 for grades 7-12.

“Students will be wearing masks at all times,” she continued. “We will be taking temperatures. Appropriate social distancing of desks will be followed.”

Asked how many hours the learning centers will be open, Anello responded, “We still have to negotiate that with the teachers.”

About 50 public comments were then read, which lasted for over two hours, with most from district staff members in favor of Anello’s recommendations.

Board members then gave their input.

Trustee Gary Hack said, “I do have some thoughts to share. One is I trust the current leadership at this district. I trust the employees of the district…who make their best efforts to educate and keep safe those 17,000 students. I trust the surveys and the feedback. Most of the surveys showed 60% to 70%…support distance learning. I don’t believe COVID-19 is history, yet.”

Trustee Antonio Hernandez asked, “does this plan qualify for some of the money set aside for school districts to open?”

“I have run this plan by school services of California and we have been assured it does…because we are bringing students back,” said Assistant Superintendent Jessica Romeo. “The money begins when school returns on April 1st. There are nine days of instruction that we will not receive. So, we will receive about 91% of the $5 million.”

“Do we know what summer and fall will look like?” he asked.

“We’ve been taking this pandemic one day at a time,” Anello responded. “We expect to have programs during the summer. Whether or not they’ll be in person we’ll have to decide.”

Hernandez asked about the survey responses. Anello said they were in line with attendance, but slightly over the average for the parents of Hispanic and white students and below average for Black students.

“We’re not going to be able to make everyone happy,” he said. “Everyone’s going to be upset no matter what the decision.”

“To say I’ve been thinking about this, a lot would be an understatement,” Board President Ellie Householder said. “No matter what we do there are going to be some people who will be unhappy. This has been very difficult. This is probably the most consequential vote that I will make in my life here at the school district. I’ve really made myself sick…worrying about this. I’m the first person to be critical of some of our programming overall. I say that to say I think this is the best plan we could have come up with. The hybrid model just wouldn’t work for folks. We live in a commuter city. It is a difficult plan. It is truly tailored to our community. I thought it was cool how you came up with this model with learning centers.”

“It all came back to keeping people safe…and asking for out of the box thinking,” Anello responded. “It was a group effort. Credit has to go to Ms. Romeo for proposing the idea.”

“We tried to come up with a plan that would meet the needs of the 60%,” Romeo then said.

“The playbook is out the window,” Householder said, referring to the plan as “in between distance learning and a hybrid model.”

“This is an elegant solution to a messy problem,” she concluded.

Trustee Dr. Clyde Lewis spoke next thanking the staff. “Making these decisions that have the impact on our students, on our community…is not easy. I want to appreciate as a parent the concerns that are still there.”

“The decisions we’re going to make, tonight they’re not easy,” he continued.

“From the plan that we have…the parents who want to stay in distance learning have that option?” Lewis asked.

“The PODS are specifically for

“The learning centers are not. Those are separate. Those are additional,” Anello responded. “They will be in a supervised setting, but they will be logging in with their teachers.”

He then asked about time and hours.

“It will depend on the amount of students at each school,” Romeo responded. “The more learning centers we can open, we will expand as there is a need to expand.”

“For those students who come to class without materials, will the school district be given materials?” Lewis asked.

“Yes,” Ibarra responded.

“I want to highlight. I know there’s going to be some blowback no matter which side we decide to sit on,” he shared. “This is an opportunity if you are unhappy to engage in dialogue to find out how these decisions were made.”

Trustee Mary Rocha asked, “will the learning centers be a lot of age difference?”

“We wouldn’t put high school kids with younger students,” Anello responded.

The number of learning centers at each school will differ based on the interest.

“It depends on the amount of students, is that it?” Rocha asked. “Yes,” Anello said. “It could be that you fill it up with all first graders because that is the interest.”

“At least we’re giving the parents the opportunity which way they want to go,” Rocha stated. “At least we’re given that child the opportunity to get some help with a para-professional.”

“What is happening with the band, the music and choral?” Rocha asked.

“As of Monday, band performances are allowed at sporting events,” Anello responded.

“If you’re going to get mad at somebody don’t get mad at the teachers,” Householder said. “But it’s the board’s decision, tonight. I’ve really felt like part of a team, even though I’m board president, I really feel part of a team.”

“I encourage you, if you have a disagreement engage in dialogue,” Lewis reiterated. “It’s about what’s best for the kiddos.”

Rocha then made a motion to approve the recommendation by the superintendent for the Fourth Quarter learning. Hack seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.

After winning at the Oakland Diocese Chapter level, two Antioch youths and three others from East County advanced to the State Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship where they had great success.  Here are the results:

Eric Mendoza of Antioch is STATE CHAMPION in the 14-Year-Old Boys competition;

Lilyana Ponce of Antioch took 2nd Place at State in the 12-Year-Old Girls category;

Ryan Wisely of Oakley is STATE CHAMPION for 9-Year-Old Boys;

Kylie Wisely also of Oakley is STATE CHAMPION in the 13-Year-Old Girls competition; and

Brigida Coria of Brentwood is STATE CHAMPION in the 14-Year-Old Girls category

Mendoza and Ponce had won in the first round in the Antioch competition. (See related article)

The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, and jurisdictional competitions. International champions are announced by the Knights of Columbus international headquarters based on scores from the jurisdiction-level competitions.   All boys and girls ages 8 to 14 are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions.   Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent.

Council #3265 in Antioch, CA is one of 17,000 Knights of Columbus councils that make up the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, today the approximately two million members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service.

“I think we’re solid all the way around,” – Antioch Head Coach John Lucido

“We see ourselves as underdogs,” – Deer Valley Head Coach Robert Hubbard

By Jesus Cano

With their first games tonight, Liberty at Antioch and Deer Valley at Heritage take a look at the two teams, key players and their prospects for the shortened, 5-game season. (See full schedule, below)

Antioch High Panthers

After going 1-5 to begin the 2019 season, the Panthers needed to do something different on offense. That’s when the coaching staff decided to incorporate the Wing-T offense. It quickly changed Antioch’s offensive production. The Panthers went from averaging 79 rushing yards per game, to finishing the season with three straight games of 300 plus yards.

Head coach John Lucido said that the team has really liked that style of play and it has been an easy offense to keep around given the limited time the team’s had back on the field.

It’s easy to install, and to get you you only have three weeks to really put stuff in,” Lucido said. “We already had it in the blocking. So, we just kind of built off of that. We don’t want to confuse the kids and try to make things as simple as possible.”

Antioch is a young team. Out of the roster of 41 players, only eight are seniors. Running backs Jaysn Wade and Dwight Turner graduated but Lucido highlighted Dervon “Wu” Fryerson and Jorge Hernandez deal with most of the carries.

And while Antioch has a run-oriented offense, Lucido said quarterback Rocco Borelli will still have the opportunity to throw the ball plenty of times to receiver Charles Lindsey, Jr. Borrelli managed to throw for 976 yards in the 2019 season.

“We have different formations where we could run and throw out of it,” Lucido said. “So, you’ll see and throw the ball quite a bit. Try to have a lot of one-on-one matchups and kind of take what the defense gives us so we’re not one dimensional.”

But Antioch’s offensive line does not carry as much experience as opposed to other areas on the team, but Lucido emphasized how much this unit – featuring Daniel Johnson, Siaka Tonga,Sione Fetulimoeata and Ben Ulufaleilupe – has improved a lot over the past weeks.

Antioch will have a lot of two-way starters on the line, but defensive end Jailen Weaver will play a big role on defense and has the ability to move anywhere. The senior committed to Nebraska earlier this year.

Versatility is one of Antioch’s strengths according to Lucido. Even Borrelli – the quarterback – will also play linebacker but, will be rotating with starter Cameron Wright – who saw a lot of playing time last season.

Fryerson, Hernandez and Lindsey will also play defensive back for the Panthers.

“I think we’re solid all the way around,” Lucido said. “I think it’s a good team. I think they play together. They want to play together, if that’s our strength. It’s we’ve had talent in the past, and maybe they weren’t to get so close as a team. But these guys even with this pandemic going on are so close together as a team.”

Deer Valley Wolverines

As Deer Valley takes the field for practice, there is always one phrase senior captain Bryson Parker echoes to his team.

“Ain’t nobody ever gave me nothing,” he said.

The team always roars back with the same energy Parker brings out.

“And that’s kind of our motto, we see ourselves as underdogs,” Deer Valley head coach Robert Hubbard said. “We see ourselves as a team that has locked that grind and that’s gonna have to fight for anything we get. Literally take any yard, any when we got to go out and take it’s not gonna be given to us.”

Last season, in the fall of 2019 the Wolverines struggled with roster numbers. Sometimes, the team had just the minimum amount of players to suit the field, resulting in a 0-10 season.

Suiting up players on game day should not be an issue for Deer Valley at the varsity level this year. Hubbard – the 2019 BVAL fall coach of the year – said the Wolverines have between 35 to

40 players on the varsity roster this season, but there is no JV or freshman team this year for Deer Valley. Instead, players from all levels will be on the varsity roster.

“We’re going to suit up everybody,” Hubbard said. “But legitimately varsity players will probably only have about 22-24 guys this year.”

Reggie Hill will be the quarterback for the Wolverines this year. He should be seen as a dual-threat option considering he was one of DV’s key running backs from last season. He’ll have Parker and Richard Felder to connect with.

With Hill throwing the rock, Hubbard said he has talented players that will be playing the running back positions by committee. Sophomore Cameron Clanton is a player that Hubbard is really excited about that can also play defense. Ahmad Woodard and Kamel Jones are also going to contribute at running back according to Hubbard.

Hubbard also said the Wolverines’ offensive line is one of the most exciting parts of their roster, with Keion Vinson anchoring the way and Josiah Barnett playing a big role.

Defensively, many of these players will be playing on both sides of the ball according to Hubbard, Parker is a player that can excel at any of his positions. He is expected to have a big bounce back season after suffering injuries last season.

“He’s the one that leads the show for us,” Hubbard said. “If he’s out there now he’s going to be explosive he’s going to be exciting to watch on both sides of the ball.”

Annual Mayor’s Cup Game

Deer Valley will host Antioch on Friday, April 2 in the crosstown Mayor’s Cup game.

By San Francisco Police Department

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, at approximately 4:58 PM officers from Richmond Police Station responded to an attempted carjacking that just occurred at ‘Safeway’ on the 700 block of 7th Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and met with the 75-year-old female victim who was suffering from injuries sustained during the incident. Officers summoned medics who treated the victim for non-life-threatening injuries.

The victim told the officers she drove into the ‘Safeway’ parking lot. After the victim parked her car an unknown female approached her and asked to borrow her cell phone to call a family member. The victim handed the female her cell phone and was suddenly attacked by the female and two additional suspects. The victim was assaulted and dragged while being robbed of her wallet and keys. After obtaining the victim’s keys the suspects jumped into the victim’s car. A male bystander saw the commotion in the parking lot and came to the victim’s aid. The suspects then backed the car into the bystander while trying to steal the car. The bystander hit the rear window of the victim’s car, which shattered upon impact with his bare hand and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. When the rear window shattered the suspects exited the car and jumped into an awaiting vehicle that fled the scene. Additional witnesses recorded portions of the incident and along with the Good Samaritan provided officers information that assisted in identifying the suspect vehicle. A felony want was placed on the suspect vehicle.

The SFPD Robbery Unit who investigates carjacking incidents took over the investigation.

On Friday, March 12, 2021, at approximately 5:09 PM the SFPD was notified that the Antioch Police Department located the suspect vehicle and detained three occupants. One of the occupants was identified as one of the suspects in the carjacking. Officers from Richmond Police Station responded to Antioch, placed the suspect under arrest, and had the vehicle towed to San Francisco. The suspect is a 16-year-old female from San Leandro, California. The female was transported and booked into San Francisco’s Juvenile Justice Center for felony charges of Carjacking (215 PC), Robbery (211 PC), Aggravated Assault (245(a)(1) PC), Elder Abuse (368(b)(1) PC), and Conspiracy (182PC).

The investigation on the identities of the three other suspects remains open and active.

The victim and the Good Samaritan are recovering from their injuries and are cooperating with the investigation. The victim was very appreciative of the swift response and kindness of the Good Samaritan, witnesses, and police officers.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415- 575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.

 

In coordination with the Antioch Unified School District middle schools, Unity theme

On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, Antioch Rotary Club and Antioch Unified School District will host a virtual Day of Empowerment for 700 8th-grade girls in celebration of International Day of the Girls. Our theme this year is “Unity” and will be the focus during the 3½-hour Zoom event.

“We are very committed to the success of the youth in our community of Antioch. We want our young ladies to know their options are not limited and there is a wide range of careers available to them,” said Tirrell Muhammad, Antioch Rotary President.

The virtual event will include keynote speaker San Francisco Mayor London Breed and will kick off with motivational speaker Tracie Berry McGhee, M.Ed. She will lead her “I am Enough” series, which rallies against society’s pressure for girls to be perfect.

In addition, a panel discussion will be held featuring four community leaders and positive female role models. AUSD Superintendent Stephanie Anello, infectious disease specialist Dr. Yenjean Hwang, probation officer LaTasha Jones and chemical engineer Caroline Salazar will discuss their professional careers and answer questions from students. Each panelist was chosen to inspire young women to pursue their future goals and aspirations.

As part of this project, the Antioch Rotary Club has been working closely with the principals of all Antioch middle schools, along with two charter schools and Holy Rosary.

“Antioch Rotary is very proud to be involved with AUSD and their middle schools to bring such a powerful program to our young ladies, again this year,” Muhammad added. “We hope to also bring our Kings’ Conference which focuses on African American males in the spring.”

For further information regarding this program or the Kings’ Conference, contact program coordinator Sal Sbranti, at salsbranti@comcast.net.

By Allen Payton

Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton issued a statement regarding Thursday’s California Supreme Court decision to uphold the constitutionality of Senate Bill 1391 (Lara).

Proposition 57, passed in the November 2016 general election, requires prosecutors to commence all cases involving a minor in juvenile court. Senate Bill No. 1391 enacted in 2018, amended Proposition 57 to prohibit minors under the age of 16 from being transferred to adult criminal court.

In the case of O.G. v. The Superior Court of Ventura County, the Court of Appeal held that Senate Bill 1391 is inconsistent with Proposition 57 and thus invalid. The state Supreme Court overruled the lower court’s decision.

“We agree with the majority view that Senate Bill 1391 was a permissible amendment to Proposition 57 and we reverse the judgment in this case,” the decision reads.

“Today’s unanimous decision by the Supreme Court is an important moment for the criminal justice system to give children a chance at rehabilitation for crimes they committed during their youth,” said Becton. “I have always believed this law was constitutional and should be followed. Our local judges in Contra Costa County have also agreed with me.”

“The juvenile justice system currently is not working,” she continued. “I established a task force to examine how to reform our juvenile justice system. We must think differently on how we treat children and ensure we strategically allocate resources to focus on prevention and rehabilitation efforts.”

The full Supreme Court decision is available here.

Scott Alonso, PIO, CCCDA contributed to this report.