Contra Costa Herald

A shooting occurred on westbound SR-4, west of Railroad Avenue at around 10:00 PM Thursday night, May 6, 2021. A driver and his passenger were shot at in what appears to be an attempted road rage incident. The driver and passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result of this shooting and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The unknown suspect fled the scene in an unknown vehicle subsequent to the shooting.

Detectives assigned to CHP – Golden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are actively investigating this shooting. Our detectives are requesting assistance from the public in gathering the details surrounding this incident. If you or anyone you know have any information that might be helpful, please call the CHP Investigative Tipline at 707.917.4491.

While cash sales were initially suspended in March 2020, Amtrak San Joaquins has resumed cash payments onboard and at all staffed stations. Reintroducing cash payments was the result of coordination among the San Joaquins Joint Powers Authority, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, LOSSAN JPA, the State of California, and Amtrak.

Historically, approximately 15% of San Joaquins ticket revenue has been generated by cash payments. Reintroducing cash payments provides improved rail and Thruway bus access to the unbanked and underbanked passengers that have been disproportionately impacted by this policy.

Onboard ticket sales are in place to accommodate passenger boarding at unstaffed stations. Passengers boarding at unstaffed station, including Richmond, Antioch, Lodi, Turlock, Madera, Wasco, and Corcoran can purchase their ticket directly from the conductor. Passengers boarding at staffed stations will pay a $10 surcharge in addition to the price of the ticket. The surcharge is a resumption of previous policy.

“We are pleased to begin accepting cash once again throughout our service,” said Stacey Mortensen, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority. “In response to the immediate COVID-19 crisis, we took all the necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of our travelers and staff; this included requiring contactless ticketing. In coordination with state officials and Amtrak, we have determined that cash exchange is not only safe, but also improves transportation access to cash dependent riders. The resumption of cash represents a positive step towards normalcy.”

As the state begins to reopen from COVID-19 restrictions, Amtrak San Joaquins is encouraging riders to also review the Visit California “Responsible Travel Code” for additional tips on how to plan thoughtful, safe, and respectful travel.

Customers are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and book early to guarantee available tickets. Amtrak’s new standard of travel includes:

• Face coverings: Federal law and Amtrak policy require all customers and employees to wear a mask or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose, fits snugly against the side of the face, and secures under the chin at all times while onboard trains and in stations, even if state or local policies are different.
• Station arrival: Customers are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes before departure and 60 minutes if in need of ticketing and/or baggage assistance.
• Capacity indicator: When searching for travel, the percentage of seats sold displays next to each trip and adjusts as customers make reservations. This gives customers the opportunity to book a train that is less crowded. If capacity exceeds comfort levels, customers can change their ticket without incurring a fee (a fare difference may apply).
• Amtrak app: Customers can book, board, check train status and access information from the convenience and safety of a mobile device. Amtrak continues to encourage boarding with eTickets, which conductors scan from the Amtrak app.
• Air quality: All Amtrak trains are equipped with onboard filtration systems with a fresh air exchange rate every 4-5 minutes.
• Physical distancing: Signage has been displayed at our stations to indicate safe distances in high traffic areas. In addition, protective plastic barriers have been installed at customer counters at our stations.

Passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to boarding at stations, online at AmtrakSanJoaquins.com, on the Amtrak app, or at a station kiosk.

About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)

Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile San Joaquins Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com.

Amtrak San Joaquins is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 1.1 million annual riders and 18 stations providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Prior to service modifications due to the COVID-19 crisis, Amtrak San Joaquins ran 7 daily train round-trips and its Thruway buses provided connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno. To book your next trip, visit www.AmtrakSanJoaquins.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

No criminal prosecution of two officers involved in June 2019 incident

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Office, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office concludes there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of Officer KC Hsiao and Officer Melissa Murphy in the 2019 fatal shooting of Miles Anthony Hall. The DA’s Office released a public report about the shooting today. No charges will be filed against any officer involved in this shooting. (See related article)

On June 2, 2019, at 4:40 p.m., an emergency call was received by the California Highway Patrol about a disturbance at a home on Sandra Court in Walnut Creek where Mr. Hall resided. The individual that made the emergency call was a family member of Mr. Hall. At approximately the same time, a neighbor also called 911 about a disturbance at the same residence. The neighbor saw Mr. Hall running outside the residence. A third neighbor called 911 and reported that Mr. Hall had just pounded on their front door and was carrying a black steel digging tool. The tool was measured to be 4 feet 11 inches long and weighed 15 pounds. Another witness also called 911 and reported that Mr. Hall chased their vehicle on foot as they drove through the neighborhood.

At 4:51 p.m., the initial two officers arrived on the scene to respond. As additional officers arrived, a staging area near Orchard Lane and Lancaster Road was set up. The four officers discussed how they would respond once they encountered Mr. Hall. All four officers were aware of a previous incident where Mr. Hall had brandished a knife at Walnut Creek police officers, and they used less than lethal force to take him into custody for a mental health hold. Additionally, paramedics from Contra Costa County Fire Protection District were called to the scene.

Mr. Hall was near 140 Arlene Lane when four officers attempted to contact him. They gave him commands to stop running and to drop the digging tool. Mr. Hall did not respond to those commands and began running in the general direction of the officers with the digging tool in his hand.

Officer Matt Smith, armed with the less than lethal beanbag shogun, fired four rounds at Mr. Hall in an attempt to stop him. Mr. Hall continued to run in the officer’s direction despite being hit with less than lethal force. At this point, Officers Hsiao and Murphy discharged their department issued handguns at Mr. Hall. Ultimately, Mr. Hall was struck by four rounds and fell to the ground. Mr. Hall was restrained in handcuffs and the officers began performing life saving measures until the paramedics arrived. Mr. Hall was taken to John Muir Hospital and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The DA’s Office and every law enforcement agency in Contra Costa County has adopted the Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incidents Protocol (“the Protocol”) to investigate incidents when officers or civilians are shot or die during an encounter with law enforcement. Under the Protocol, the DA’s Office investigates all officer-involved shootings in Contra Costa County for the purpose of making an independent determination of criminal liability. The sole purpose of the District Attorney investigation is to determine if there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed during a fatal encounter with law enforcement.

In December 2019, a Contra Costa Coroner’s Inquest Jury found that Hall had died “at the hands of another person, other than by accident”. (See related article)

The OIS public report is available here.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Addresses other matter of Black students being told which colleges they should and shouldn’t apply to

Important issues of concern for the Black community

Iris Archuleta interacts with a student in her class at LMC.

By Iris Archuleta, J.D.

Following are the extended remarks of a statement I made during the Los Medanos College Academic Senate meeting on March 22, 2021. (Publisher’s note: This was received for publication in the publisher’s personal email, that day and was not seen until, today. However, the issue is ongoing and still timely).

First, I want to thank Willie Mims and NAACP President Victoria Adams for attending LMC Academic and Curriculum Committee meetings and making powerful statements about this madness.

At a time when the fight for equity and social justice should be embraced, and even as the new Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) Chancellor, Dr. Bryan Reece, is promoting and instituting serious strategies for equity and inclusion and is a strong advocate for anti-racist policies and behaviors throughout the district, a disturbing attack is underway by a non-Black faculty member and her so-called “Ethnic Studies Council” to take over a highly successful class I have been teaching since 2015, and have a non-Black professor, herself, teach it this fall.

I am an Adjunct Professor in Social Science at Los Medanos College. Since 2014, I have taught several courses, including American Government, Social Justice, and Issues Facing African Americans. In fact, in 2015, because of my background and experience, I was asked to teach, Issues Facing African Americans (SOCSC 045), when the professor teaching it unexpectedly did not show up for class on the first day.

I developed the curriculum and study materials and have been teaching the course every semester since then. In my classes, I have a no-cost textbook policy to save students money, and instead, my students are able to access the study materials that I have developed through research and that I provide through PowerPoints and links to free material. In addition, my students are taught to do their own research and provide presentations to the entire class to enhance student learning.

My students are empowered, and as a Black professor, I infuse in them a sense and level of pride and teach them about the resilience and power of Black people in this society. I have stayed in contact with many students over the years and helped them attain goals they never believed they could. I get a message almost every day from former students who thank me for awakening their thirst for knowledge and for the truths they learned about the struggles and successes of Black people in America.

I also make it a point to bring in guest speakers with expertise and experiences in a range of struggles and concerns facing African Americans. For example, my husband, Keith Archuleta, who is Black and Chicano, is a community leader in his own right, with several degrees, including African and African American studies with honors from Stanford University, is a guest lecturer on several subjects during each semester.

Not only that, but my husband and I have encouraged Black students to apply for their colleges of choice and not to shy away even from schools such as Stanford. In our class, Keith is able to share with them that as a student at Stanford, not only was he “accepted,” but he started the Black Media Institute and the Black Community Services Center. He and thousands of other Black students over the years have made Stanford a better place.

We are attempting to counteract what many Black students are being told, by this professor and others who are attacking me, that Stanford is a “white” school where they would not be accepted, so don’t even try to apply.

I recently sent out a link to faculty celebrating the graduation of over 60 Black Harvard Law School students this year, and I did not even get a comment from this professor to indicate anything had changed about her low expectations of Black students going to some of the best universities in the country.

I have received excellent performance reviews in all the courses I teach, and have earned preference, a designation meaning first choice when scheduling classes among adjuncts.

I work continually to improve my teaching methods and bring in new research, data, and issues to keep the course fresh, relevant, contextual, and interdisciplinary.

So, last year, when the new full-time professor in Social Justice, who is not a Black professor, asked to meet with me to discuss updating the curriculum for the Issues Facing African Americans course, I was happy to meet with her. We worked together to do a few updates, with the bulk of the curriculum that I created over time remaining intact.

She said she wanted to change the name of the course to Introduction to Black Studies. I saw no problem with that. However, she failed to mention at the time that not only did she plan to change the name, but that she was planning to take over teaching the course and discontinue my teaching of the course.

So, until fairly recently, I believed that in the fall semester I would be teaching the same course I am teaching this semester, Issues Facing African Americans, just updated and retitled Introduction to Black Studies, with the curriculum that I created.

However, just a few weeks ago, that professor approached me and asked if I would teach an additional class, Race and Ethnicity (SOCSC 150). Since I and other Black faculty and others had written the curriculum for Race and Ethnicity, that made sense. So, then I thought if I accepted the Race and Ethnicity class, that in the fall I would be teaching that course and Introduction to Black Studies.

However, later she informed me that she would be teaching Intro to Black Studies because the course now requires someone with a degree in Ethnic Studies to teach it. She feels she is more qualified because of her full-time status and her Doctorate in Chicana Studies. She is not, nor does she claim to be African American or Black.

It is ironic that in the name of Ethnic Studies, a class taught by a Black woman would be eliminated and the same course, now under a different title, would be set up to be taught by someone who is not Black.

When I think of racism it reminds me of our history of dealing with people who feel they are superior to others and have the inherent right to take from those they designate as inferior, which in this case happens to be me.

This is not acceptable. It is not acceptable to me; it is not acceptable to Black students; and in fact, it is not acceptable to any students of all backgrounds who have taken this course or plan to take it in the future. It should not be acceptable to the college.

Furthermore, her claim that only someone with a degree in Ethnic Studies is qualified to teach Intro to Black Studies makes no sense and in fact makes a mockery of the CCCCD Anti-Racism Pledge, which says, in part:

“Resolved, that the Academic Senates of the CCCCD encourage all CCCCD employees to commit to professional development, hiring practices, and/or curricular changes that work to dismantle structural racism.”

By excluding a Black professor from teaching a course she has been qualified to teach for over five years and allowing a non-Black professor to take over a course called Intro to Black Studies, would actually be strengthening structural racism.

Black in the context of Black Studies is a socio-political term defined as: “the collective struggle/experience of people of African descent to gain power and influence in the processes and institutions of government as a way of securing and protecting a diverse array of issues as American citizens.” Black Studies is typically associated with politics and law in the fight against racism.

Just as my background, training, and life experiences have more than qualified me to teach Issues Facing African Americans, my Political Science degree with honors and my Juris Doctorate (Law) degree with honors more than qualify me to teach Intro to Black Studies.

It has been courageous Black leaders such as Charles Houston, Thurgood Marshall, and other world-changing Black lawyers, such as Bryan Stevenson – the attorney responsible for getting more than 100 wrongly convicted African American and other prisoners off death row – that continue to inspire my life’s work and drove me to earn a degree in Political Science and an advanced degree in Law in the first place.

To rub salt into the wound, as this affront has been allowed to continue, this professor and her committee have doubled down on personal attacks and insults toward me and others at the college who support my position; and are now adding more false justifications for taking the course from me.

One of the things that they are promoting is what they refer to as “engagement in the African American community” as a prerequisite along with an Ethnic Studies degree for teaching Intro to Black Studies, implying that this is another requirement that would bar me from teaching this course.

Not many others at LMC have had anywhere near my experience in Black community engagement. First of all, my very life is rooted in the Black community and the solid relationships I have built in Eastern Contra Costa County and the Bay Area. I’ve really been blessed to grow up in San Francisco where I lived in a home that welcomed SNCC organizers and Black Panthers.

My husband and I are the founders of Emerald HPC International, LLC, a consulting company active, locally and globally, in community and economic development consulting, specializing in the design and implementation of systems change strategies and outcomes-based collaborative efforts through our trademarked, High Performing Communities Framework (HPC).

We invested our own funds and organized the Youth Intervention Network that served Antioch youth and families, with a 92% reduction in police calls for service, an 83% reduction in truancy, and an improvement in student GPA by an average of two grade points. Ninety-six percent of the students participating in YIN graduated from high school. Of these, 99% went on to postsecondary education. YIN was featured as one of three global best practices and a model urban anti-violence and peace building initiative at the 2012 opening celebration of the United Nations Peace University at The Hague and recognized by Attorney General Eric Holder during the Barack Obama administration with the U.S. Justice Department’s National Best Community Involvement Award.

We have also worked with Hispanic leaders on important projects such as Brentwood’s One Day at a Time (ODAT) and sponsored youth, including LMC students, to attend the international Corrymeela Peace and Reconciliation Center in Northern Ireland, to study racial and ethnic struggles worldwide.

We are currently working with Dr. Clay Carson, the Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research & Education Institute, who has been entrusted with the original writings, letters and speeches of Martin and Coretta King, to continue the study of the unfinished work of the Civil Rights Movement and the on-going racist backlash to the anti-racist movement and the successes of the Black struggle for freedom.

We brought Rev. Jesse Jackson to Antioch for a talk with officials and citizens about social and economic justice. We have worked with Keith’s fellow Stanford BSU leader, Steve Phillips to launch PowerPac and Vote Hope that supported Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign, and we brought California and Bay Area Black clergy to Antioch to organize their support for that campaign and Black voter registration.

We don’t have space enough here to talk about most of our work locally and the myriad of local leaders, artists, and activists who are engaged in making life better not only for Black residents and young people, but all people here in Eastern Contra Costa County, especially those most impacted by racism and inequity. Students in my classes have access to these and other local, national, and international Black community leaders, who have been and still are on the frontline of the struggles facing Black people.

Before I close, let me show you how absurd this situation is by giving you the following scenario:

What if I, a Black woman, had majored in Ethnic Studies, and was recently hired at a community college as the new full-time professor to head up the Ethnic Studies department, that has no other full-time professors. I find out that a Chicana has been teaching a course in that department called Issues Facing Mexican Americans for five years as a part-time adjunct professor.

What if I, with all of my power as a full-time professor who is the nominal head of the department, then decided to change the name of the course to Intro to Latinx Studies, and because I have an Ethnic Studies degree, I am now automatically more qualified than a professor who is Chicana and has both a J.D. and a Political Science degree? What if I made this unilateral decision with no accountability either to that college or that community?

Still, I need to make sure you know this:

Even if I do not teach this class, it is important that someone else be hired who has the appropriate qualifications to teach Intro to Black Studies. It is my hope that LMC will recognize other brilliant brothers and sisters, especially the younger ones, with doctorates in African American studies and who are Black. If I am not to teach this class, I want LMC to respectfully hold off on posting this course until someone qualified is hired.

Finally, I appreciate all those who are willing to speak up, speak out, and distribute this information. I also appreciate all those who are making sure this information gets out to the community, including Laurie Huffman, my colleague and ally, who has also spoken out against this issue.

Please feel free to voice your concerns to:

• Nikki Moultrie, LMC Dean of Career Education & Social Sciences: NMoultrie@losmedanos.edu
• James Noel, Chair of LMC Academic Senate: JNoel@losmedanos.edu

Academic Senate meeting dates: https://www.losmedanos.edu/intra-out/as/

• Name, Chair Curriculum Committee: mlynn@losmedanos.edu

Curriculum Committee meeting dates: https://www.losmedanos.edu/intra-out/cur/meetings.aspx

Thank you all for your support and your time and attention.

Iris Archuleta is Vice President of Community Engagement for Emerald HPC International, LLC and Adjunct Professor in Social Science at LMC.

The Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity (ACEEO) has one (1) vacant Community seat open to applicants. The successful candidate must reside within Contra Costa County and have an interest in equal employment matters. The ACEEO meets the fourth Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. except for holidays.

The ACEEO assists with the implementation of the County’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Contracting Programs and serves as an advisory committee to the Board of Supervisors. The Council reviews the Equal Employment Opportunities Program and recommends actions to facilitate the attainment of the County’s goals for equal employment opportunities regardless of gender, and race/ethnicity.

The Board of Supervisors established the ACEEO on July 9, 1991. The Council has thirteen (13) seats representing the following groups:  4 Community seats; 2 Labor seats; 2 Management seats; 1 Educational seat; 1 Disability seat; 1 Business seat; 1 Veteran seat; and 1 Labor/Trade seat.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418.  Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 1025 Escobar St., 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553 no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 31, 2021. Applications can also be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us.

Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews on June 7, 2021. Due to COVID-19, interviews will be conducted via Zoom.  For further information about the ACEEO, please contact Antoine Wilson at antoine.wilson@riskm.cccounty.us or (925) 335-1455. You can also visit the web page at www.contracosta.ca.gov/4503/Advisory-Council-on-Equal-Employment-Opp.

Dr. Tina Vasconcellos, Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper and Dr. Damon Bell during their online forums. Video screenshots

The recordings of the forums for the three finalists for president of Contra Costa College are now available to students, faculty, staff and the public to review and offer comment. In response to a challenge by the Herald of the brief amount of time previously allotted, the public review and comment period was extended until Wednesday, May 12 instead of ending tonight, Thursday, May 6. (See related article)

The community is encouraged to view the three separate forums for finalists Damon A. Bell, Ed.D., Tia Robinson-Cooper, Ed.D., and Tina Vasconcellos, Ph.D. and submit comments, which will be shared with Chancellor Bryan Reece for consideration.

The community will be able to view the recordings and submit feedback until Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at midnight. Additional details related to the forums, finalists and process can be found on the District website at https://www.4cd.edu/career/ccc-president/index.html.

Following the comment period, Reece will then review and make his recommendation to the 4CD Board who will vote on which candidate to hire for the position.

Eddie LIra

Stockton, Calif – Eddie Lira has been appointed to the executive team of locally-owned BAC Community Bank as Executive Vice President, Chief Business Development Officer.  Eddie is a commercial banking professional with over 15 years of experience in leadership, portfolio management, and business development.

Most recently, Eddie worked for a large national bank, overseeing a team of business professionals across the Central Valley. This team was focused on providing business lending, cash management, and deposit solutions for customers under their care.  Eddie’s past responsibilities include serving as Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer for six years at BAC Community Bank.

“We welcome Eddie back to BAC, and we are excited to see him in this new role,” said BAC’s Chief Executive Officer Dana Bockstahler. “His business banking expertise and years of delivering exceptional service and solutions will be of great value to our customers.”

As a member of the bank’s executive team, Eddie will be working directly with Dana Bockstahler, Chief Executive Officer; Janet Jenkins, Chief Credit Officer; Paul Haley, Chief Lending Officer; and Jackie Verkuyl, Chief Administrative Officer.

Committed and invested in the local community, Eddie volunteers for local non-profit organizations and currently serves as a board member of the San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Eddie can be reached at (209) 473-6827 or eddie.lira@bankbac.com.

About BAC Community Bank

BAC Community Bank, first headquartered in Brentwood, California, now operates 11 branch offices throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and eastern Contra Costa counties, and is identified as “one of the strongest financial institutions in the nation” by BauerFinancial, Inc.

The bank is now centrally headquartered in Stockton, California and is continuously recognized for banking excellence through local awards and banking industry accolades.

BAC Community Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is an Equal Housing Lender. More information available online at www.bankbac.com.

Dr. Damon Bell, Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper and Dr. Tina Vasconcellos. Photos: 4CD

Announced Monday, public input forums held Tuesday; videos will be posted and available for public viewing and input through Thursday night

By Erin Brooks, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, 4CD

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) has announced the selection of three finalists for the position of President of Contra Costa College in San Pablo. The finalists are: Damon A. Bell, Ed.D., Tia Robinson-Cooper, Ed.D., and Tina Vasconcellos, Ph.D.

Three separate public forums were scheduled for Tuesday, May 4th. (Publisher’s note: the Herald did not receive the press release announcing the three finalists and forums until Monday night, May 3rd and the subject line did not mention Tuesday’s forums).

For those who were unable to participate in the May 4th public forums, links to all three recorded Zoom sessions will be made available on the District website. Access to the recordings and comment box will be available until midnight on Thursday, May 6, 2021.  (For more information click here)

Following the public forums, Chancellor Bryan Reece will conduct final interviews of the candidates on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, and is expected to announce the selection of a candidate soon thereafter. The permanent CCC President will begin July 1, 2021.

Contra Costa College General Education Building.

Dr. Damon A. Bell has been serving as the Interim President for Contra Costa College since last fall. He has nearly 30 years of higher education experience in the community college and California State University systems. Prior to working at Contra Costa College, Dr. Bell served as Interim President at Ventura College and as Vice President for Student Services at Olympic, San Bernardino Valley, and San Diego Mesa colleges.

He is very dedicated to working in the community. He is a Rotarian and a life member of the NAACP and have served on several foundation boards. He spent four years serving in various leadership positions including president for the Washington State Student Services Commission.  He has served on multiple state-wide committees and taskforces.  Also, he served as a Guided Pathways Change Facilitator for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Dr. Bell completed an associate degree from Los Angeles Harbor College and went on to earn a bachelor’s in Philosophy from the UC San Diego, a master’s in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Georgia, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Community College Leadership from CSU Fullerton. He is a true product of the California higher education system.

Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper currently serves as the provost and vice-president of academic affairs/chief academic officer at Inver Hills Community College, a campus of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. As provost, she launched the “PERC Promise”, a comprehensive plan to: (re)image student success and advance diversity, equity and inclusion; increase student persistence, retention, graduation and transfer; closing equity gaps; and cultivating an environment that embraces diverse perspectives.

Prior to her appointment, she served as the vice-president of academic affairs at East Central College. She was instrumental in in increasing student enrollment and retention; advancing early college programs; improving student success outcomes and fostering a holistic student experience; and establishing partnerships with nonprofit and business leaders. Before Dr. Robinson-Cooper’s tenure at East Central, she served in numerous positions including dean of teaching and learning (Rock Valley College); associate dean and dean of instruction (Olive-Harvey College); dean of academic affairs (Northwestern College); and adjunct faculty appointments (City Colleges of Chicago and University of Phoenix).

Dr. Robinson-Cooper earned her A.S. in Business from Kishwaukee College, a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Northern Illinois University, an MBA and M.S. in Managerial Leadership & Organizational Development both from National Louis University, and an Ed.D. in Counseling & Adult Higher Education from Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Tina Vasconcellos is a passionate educator who believes in the transformative impact community colleges have on students and communities. She is a leader who is deeply committed to equity, racial and social justice.

Her commitment is grounded in her Hispanic heritage where her families immigrated to America as farm workers to create opportunities for their children. Dr. Vasconcellos attributes her strong sense of family, community and a commitment to giving back and helping others succeed to her ancestors. She is a first generation college graduate who like many community college students initially lacked the cultural capital to successfully navigate the academy.

Dr. Vasconcellos earned a Ph.D. focused on community college leadership from a national perspective from Colorado State University and a Master’s degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis in multicultural and holistic counseling from John F. Kennedy University. Her degrees along with more than 20 years as a community college educator serve as her foundation. Dr. Vasconcellos has a reputation of being inclusive, transparent, coalition building and cultivating academic excellence.

Dr. Vasconcellos is an experienced executive leader and is in her fifth year serving as the Vice President of Student Services and Accreditation Liaison Officer at College of Alameda where she has infused the Division with a commitment to cultural humility and inclusiveness in support of employee development and student success. She is honored to have served in both instruction and student services throughout her tenure as a community college educator, providing her with a unique lens of the college and most importantly the student experience. As tenured faculty, she taught and counseled students and developed two career education-transfer programs designed to support student self-sufficiency, education and career goal achievement. Dr. Vasconcellos served as Dean of Academic and Student affairs at Laney College and Merritt College where her portfolio included career education, liberal arts and student services departments. She is adept at leading college and district wide initiatives. Dr. Vasconcellos successfully led Educational Master Planning processes, a district wide mission statement review and affirmation and is currently leading the College of Alameda Institutional Self Evaluation Process. Dr. Vasconcellos has excellent fiscal acumen with experience managing general and categorical funds, Federal, State, and local grants and providing oversight for Capital projects and parcel tax initiatives.

Dr. Vasconcellos served as a Chief Student Services Officers (CSSO) state-wide representative for several years advocating for the diverse needs of community college students. She served as the CSSO representative on the CCCO Basic Skills Advisory Committee for two terms, was appointed to the CCCO IEPI Executive Committee and is currently the CSSO Executive Board Region 3 Representative where she leads the New CSSO Virtual Pre-Conference. Dr. Vasconcellos is an active member of ACCCA and is a mentor for community college professionals with goals of serving as an administrator.

Dr. Vasconcellos has a rich history of community service. She recently received a commendation for her partnership with the Eat.Learn.Play Foundation and World Central Kitchen, leveraging over $900,000 to address food insecurities for students and the community. She is committed to working with justice impacted communities and serves as education lead for the Alameda County Re-entry Strategic Plan implementation. Dr. Vasconcellos also serves as a Board Member for the Diversity in Health Training Institute (DHTI) empowering immigrants and refugees from all countries in continuing their education and employment in the health profession and to improve healthcare in Alameda and Contra Costa by making the workforce more diverse.

In the About section of her LinkedIn profile, where she lists her pronouns as “She, her, hers”, Vasconcellos quotes Nelson Mandella who said, “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.”

About the District 

The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The 4CD serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. 4CD is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez. For more information visit www.4cd.edu.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Suffering from delusions, shot dog, shot up house

By Lt. Matt Avery, Pinole Police Department

On Sunday, May 2, 2021 at approximately 10:30 PM, the Pinole Police Department responded to a residence in the 700 block of Marlesta Road regarding a mother reporting her 32-year-old son was suffering from delusions and making paranoid statements, and in possession of her handgun. The mother left the house for her safety to meet with officers at a secondary location.

Minutes later, a second caller reported hearing gunshots coming from the house. Officers responded to and searched the house but did not locate anyone. Officers did find a Pit bulldog in the house suffering from at least one gunshot wound and unfortunately the dog succumbed to its injuries. Officers discovered bullet holes and bullet casings in the house as well as a large capacity magazine to a second type of handgun leading officers to believe the subject was in possession of two handguns. Witnesses advised officers the subject left in a white Infiniti I30.

The subject’s vehicle alerted on ALPR cameras in the San Pablo area and around 12:45 AM cell phone information revealed the vehicle was back in the Pinole area. Approximately 2:00 AM, officers located the vehicle traveling without its lights on eastbound San Pablo Avenue near Sunnyview Drive. The vehicle continued travelling as officers positioned themselves to make an enforcement stop. The vehicle turned onto Kilkenny Way from Tara Hills Drive and then pulled to the curb before officers activated their emergency equipment. The driver, the only occupant, fled on foot west on Kilkenny Way.

With the assistance of the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department (CCCSO), the Hercules and San Pablo Police Departments, a perimeter was established, and officers followed the subject as he moved on foot on Kilkenny Way and then north on Kildare Way. Officers made contact with the subject verbally and via cell phone, but he refused to surrender, and repeatedly ducked between and hid behind vehicles parked in the area. A shelter in place was issued requesting residents to remain in their house, lock their doors and shut their windows.

Officers continued to negotiate with the subject, but he still refused to surrender. CCCSO negotiators responded and continued to negotiate with the subject. Just before 9:30 AM, the negotiators were able to convince the subject to discard two handguns he was in possession of and then surrendered peacefully to CCCSO SWAT members. The shelter in place was lifted shortly thereafter.

The subject was transported to the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center for a mental health evaluation. We are still investigating the incident and we will be pursuing the following criminal charges: unlawful possession of a firearm (PC 25850(c)(6)), felon in possession of a firearm (PC 30305(a)(1)), negligent discharge of a firearm (PC 246.3), carrying a concealed firearm (PC25400(a)(2)), possession of an extended magazine (PC 32310(a)), and animal cruelty (PC 597).

During the entire incident, the subject did not threaten officers, or threaten to harm himself or anyone else. Neither the subject or any officers were injured, and we want to thank the allied agencies for helping us resolve the incident peacefully.

The investigation is on-going and anyone with information is asked to call the Pinole Police Department’s non-emergency line at 510-724-8950.

Get your tickets, now!

By Allen Payton

Under new ownership, the Antioch Speedway is back and open for spectators with races each week. This week, on Wednesday, May 5th, owners Chad and Tina Chadwick will be hosting the IMCA Speed Week Night #5.

Located at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch, the speedway will feature races including IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.

Spectator Gate Opens at 4:00 p.m.

*Tickets will be sold at the Ticket Booth and on MyRacePass.com

https://market.myracepass.com/store/tickets/?i=1246122…

Adult Ticket: $20.00

Child Ticket (Under 12): $15.00

Senior Ticket (60 and over): $15.00

Children 5 and under: Free

Military: $15.00

(Please remember that any time we are out of our Seats, we must be wearing masks and follow the social distancing guidelines.)

The Mother’s Day race will be held this Saturday, May 8 and will feature Mini Vans, Wingless Sprint Cars, IMCA Stock Cars and Dwarf Cars.

View the entire season’s race schedule and watch past races on AntiochSpeedwayTV.

Antioch Speedway – Where Action is the Attraction!