Contra Costa Herald

The Contra Costa County Library is releasing five new library card designs and needs help to narrow down the choices. Beginning today, May 20, the public can vote for their five favorite designs. The voting, which takes place online, will allow people to choose from nine options.

Visit ccclib.org and look for the VOTE HERE button. Voting will remain open through June 1, 2019.

“Helping us decide on our new cards is a fun way to get the public excited about the library,” said County Librarian Melinda Cervantes. “As part of our Strategic Plan, we are always looking for ways to engage with library customers.”

The five winning cards will be revealed, and available to the public, later this year.

Clarimer Hernandez-Vargas. with permission.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Clarimer Hernández-Vargas as the new Contra Costa County District Conservationist, based in Concord.

“I am very excited to be in this position,” said Hernández-Vargas. “I am excited to meet the local farmers and see how we can help them address their resource concerns across the county.”

Popular conservation practices in the county include irrigation improvements on cropland and orchards, assistance to organic producers, and wildlife habitat, in addition to dozens of other conservation priorities.

Hernández-Vargas holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with a minor in animal science from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus. She is a native of Puerto Rico.

Hernández-Vargas started her NRCS career as a soil conservationist in Sioux Falls, S.D. She worked in different counties throughout South Dakota, before moving to Delaware. When this position became available in California, she jumped at the opportunity. Hernández-Vargas started her new position on March 18.

NRCS is a federal agency that works in partnership with resource conservation districts. With the mission of “Helping People Help the Land,” NRCS provides products and services that enable people to be good stewards of the nation’s soil, water, and related natural resources on non-federal lands.

The Contra Costa Resource Conservation District was formed in 1941. Their service area includes all of Contra Costa County and covers 516,191 acres. CCRCD is one of California ’s 103 Resource Conservation Districts. It is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors appointed by the County Board of Supervisors.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Dear Editor:

Even liberal Bill Maher says, “Enough already. Either move to impeach Trump or shut up about it”.  He’s right on, it’s time the Democrats stop wasting their time and the president’s, too trying to take the president down.

It’s time for them to concentrate on things they were elected to do, important issues confronting the country, like the southern invasion of illegal aliens, China trade issues, Iran, etc.  Instead they keep calling for silly investigations.

Calling for Trump’s financial and tax returns has nothing to do with running the country.  Most people don’t give a whit about them either.

Pelosi is a weak leader.  The real leaders in the House today are a Jew hating woman and a Congresswoman from New York whose IQ is less than her age.

The country is split, and the Democrats are fueling it.  Instead they should calm down and help bring the nation together.

Ken Hambrick

Walnut Creek

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

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

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

Brent Curran #132 moved further up the B Modified point list with his second win. Photo By Paul Gould

Bobby Motts Jr #13 celebrates his Hobby Stock win with his daughter Madison Motts. Photo By Paul Gould

By Don Martin, II

Brent Curran won his second 25 lap All Star Series B Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The race had three yellow flags during the first four laps as Kenny Shrader set the early pace. An inside pass in Turn 4 of the fifth lap gained Curran the lead from Shrader. Curran continued to set the pace through a pair of yellow flags during the next 10 laps, and point leader Cameron Swank pitted on lap eight. As Curran pulled away to win by about a straightaway, Shrader won a good battle with Todd Gomez to finish second. Previous winner Tommy Fraser and reigning champion Trevor Clymens completed the Top 5.

Bobby Motts Jr won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Motts was driving the car that he built for his daughter Madison, who was riding passenger with him in this race. Motts raced into the lead at the start with point leader Chris Sorensen and Josh Leach running closely behind him. Second changed hands a couple of times after restarts on laps four and seven, but Motts continued to set the pace. The lead three cars ran closely until Sorensen and Leach hooked bumpers briefly in Turns 1 and 2 on the 15th lap. They broke free on their own, and Sorensen closed in on Motts on the final lap. However, Motts took the checkered flag ahead of Sorensen, Leach, Breanna Troen and Ken Johns.

David Rosa’s Dwarf Car win was the 60th of his career at Antioch Speedway. Photo By Paul Gould

David Rosa won the 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event. This was the 60th career feature win for the two-time Street Stock champion. Chuck Conover led early, and it wasn’t long before David Michael Rosa and father David Rosa were running closely behind in a good battle for the lead. A low pass in Turn 2 of the 11th lap gained David Rosa second from his son, and he made an inside pass on the front stretch to take the lead from Conover on lap 14. Moments later, David Michael Rosa’s race came to an end with a Turn 1 crash. David Rosa continued to lead the race as 10th starter Scott Dahlgren and Devan Kammermann settled into second and third. With Dahlgren pressuring him in the remaining laps, David Rosa kept his cool and scored a well-earned victory. Dahlgren settled for second, followed by Kammermann, Chuck Conover and Toby Brown.

Richard Papenhausen #4p rolled to his third straight DIRTcar Late Model win. Photo By Paul Gould

Richard Papenhausen won his third-straight DIRTcar Late Model Main Event. Papenhausen ran second for one lap before leader Mike Hynes spun in Turn 4. Papenhausen led Rod Oliver and Danny Malfatti on the restart and would rapidly pull away from everybody. Malfatti and Kimo Oreta had a good battle going for third until Malfatti pitted on lap 13. Papenhausen lapped second place Oliver late and won the race easily. Oreta settled for third, followed by Malfatti and Hynes.

Saturday night, the Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars will run special races during the Contra Costa County Fair. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results

Antioch Speedway All Star Series

B Modifieds

Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Tommy Fraser, Mark Garner. Main Event (25 Laps)-Brent Curran, Kenny Shrader, Todd Gomez, Tommy Fraser, Trevor Clymens, Mark Garner, Kevin Brown, Kelly Campanile, Dennis Gilcrease, Tommy Clymens Jr.

Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (6 Laps)-John Wacht, Josh Leach. Main Event (20 Laps)-Bobby Motts Jr, Chris Sorensen, Josh Leach, Breanna Troen, Ken Johns, Jacob Mallett Jr, John Wacht, Will Buirch, Jeff Betancourt, Dalton Jewel.

Dwarf Cars

Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Travis Dutra, Mario Marques, Toby Brown. Main Event (20 Laps)-David Rosa, Scott Dahlgren, Devin Kammermann, Chuck Conover, Toby Brown, Troy Stevenson, Jerry Doty, Travis Dutra, Giovanni Bertolli, Mario Marques.

DIRTcar Late Models

Heat Winner (6 Laps)-Richard Papenhausen. Main Event (20 Laps)- Richard Papenhausen, Ron Oliver, Kimo Oreta, Danny Malfatti, Mike Hynes, John Soares.

3 from Antioch, 2 from Pittsburg, 2 from Bay Point

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Photo courtesy of CAHSR.

By Allen Payton

On Thursday, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) terminated the 2010 grant of $928.62 million to the California High-Speed Rail Authority, due to the new governor’s plans to scale back the project and the failure of the authority to deliver the project within the timeframe originally projected.

The FRA issued the following statement regarding the matter:

“After careful consideration, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has terminated Cooperative Agreement No. FR-HSR-0118-12-01-01 (the FY10 Agreement) with the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), and will deobligate the $928,620,000 in funding under that agreement.  The decision follows FRA’s Notice of Intent to Terminate and consideration of the information provided by CHSRA on March 4, 2019. FRA finds that CHSRA has repeatedly failed to comply with the terms of the FY10 Agreement and has failed to make reasonable progress on the Project.  Additionally, California has abandoned its original vision of a high-speed passenger rail service connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles, which was essential to its applications for FRA grant funding. FRA continues to consider all options regarding the return of $2.5 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds awarded to CHSRA.”

The action was in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement during his State of the State speech in February, in which he outlined his administration’s plans to scale back the project, and threats to revoke the funds from President Trump.

“[L]et’s level about High-Speed Rail. The project, as currently planned, would cost too much and take too long,” Newsom stated. “There’s been too little oversight and not enough transparency. Right now, there simply isn’t a path to get from Sacramento to San Diego, let alone from San Francisco to LA. I wish there were. However, we do have the capacity to complete a high-speed rail link between Merced and Bakersfield.”

In addition to the FRA’s statement, FRA Administrator Ronald Batory sent a scathing letter to Brian Kelly, CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, detailing the reasons for the revocation of the funds. CHSRA – FRA Ltr 5-16-2019

“FRA has determined that CHSRA has violated the terms of the FY 10 Agreement and consistently failed to make reasonable progress on the Project. Despite FRA’ s identification of Project issues, and the ample time provided to CHSRA to take appropriate remedial actions, CHSRA instead chose delay and inaction,” Batory wrote in conclusion. “In FRA’s view, there is nothing in FRA’ s long working relationship with CHSRA to suggest that CHSRA would likely be able to initiate and complete the necessary corrective actions, if given yet another opportunity. Finally, the dramatically reduced scope of California’ s current plan for its HSR System is simply not consistent with the Project as CHSRA proposed in its applications for Federal financial assistance on the Project. For these reasons, and those set forth in this decision, FRA has determined to terminate the FYlO Agreement, effective today, and will deobligate the associated funds.”

To see all the related documents related to the termination of the grant, click here.

Gina Capelli, Liberty Union High School District; Shay Kornfeld, Mt. Diablo Unified School District; DarVisa R. Marshall, Antioch Unified School District; and Maureen Mattson, Pittsburg Unified School District. Photos courtesy of CCCOE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Application Screening:

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

II Classroom Observation and Interview:

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

III Speech Presentation:

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

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

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

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

Note regarding eligible participants:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contra Costa County Public Works Department will perform roadwork on Vasco Road from Camino Diablo Road to the Alameda County line. The roadwork will occur from Tuesday through Thursday, May 28-30 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The roadwork will consist of replacing the delineators, debris removal and street sweeping. The purpose of the delineators is to increase driver awareness and safety when travelling through this commute corridor. The work may be rescheduled based on weather conditions. Electronic message boards will alert drivers of the scheduled work. There will be traffic control through the work area and drivers can expect delays.