Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Archives for 2017

Reports: Nation’s #1 recruit, Najee Harris of Antioch High to just show up at college of choice

By Leave a Comment

Najee Harris during practice for Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Source: OregonLive.com

No. 1 by three different rankings, five-star running back won’t announce publicly; insiders say he’s flying to Alabama, Oakland on Sunday

By Allen Payton

According to national news reports including by NBCSports, which showed up on Yahoo! News, Antioch High running back Najee Harris will not announce his college of choice, publicly but will just show up on campus.

Najee Harris ranked #1 recruit in the nation. Source: 247Sports.com

Making national news as the nation’s number one high school football recruit, this year, Harris was in San Antonio, Texas at the second day of training, Tuesday for Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was being watched by media from across the country, but wouldn’t give any interviews. He did however speak with 247Sports on Monday and said, although he’s committed to the University of Alabama, Harris is still “undecided” and considering the University of Michigan, as well as U.C. Berkeley.

The website reported that Antioch High Varsity Football Coach John Lucido said Harris will simply fly to his college of choice after the game to enroll in school early, without notifying the media. Only his “circle of trust” will know.

Both Alabama head coach Nick Saban and former offensive coach Lane Kiffin visited Harris in Antioch, this past year, as well as Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, the former coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Najee Harris at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl practice field. Source: AL.com

According to 247Sports Harris is “ranked by the industry-generated 247Sports Composite as the nation’s No. 1 prospect,” and that “the five-star Harris has been a verbal to Alabama since April of 2015, but Jim Harbaugh and Michigan have created doubt about the future for the ballyhooed recruit who took his official to Ann Arbor in mid-December and has been there a few times.” (Harris is also ranked the nation’s No. 1 high school football recruit by Scout and Rivals).

The article further stated that “Alabama quarterback commit Tua Tagovailoa has told BamaOnLine insider Hank South this week that he is planning to room with Harris in Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban and Alabama don’t generally lose recruits they want like Harris, but Harbaugh and Michigan have done all they can to make the West Coast talent think otherwise.”

According to MLive.com, “Harbaugh hosted a satellite camp at Antioch in June and even announced the homecoming queen while watching Harris play in October. Harris visited Michigan in August for the BBQ at the Big House annual recruiting event and took an official visit to Ann Arbor in December.”

According to AL.com, when Harris was “asked if he’d just duck interviews after the game and head to the airport and to his school of choice, he said that’s what he plans on doing. So, there will be no announcement.”

However, according to 247Sports, on Wednesday “Alabama quarterback commit Tua Tagovailoa told 247Sports that he would be on the same flight as…Najee Harris to Birmingham at the completion of the Army Bowl. That news seemed to indicate Harris’ intention to enroll at Alabama in January, effectively ending his recruitment.”

The article further states Tagovailoa has also said this week that Harris is also his scheduled roommate in Tuscaloosa. Tracked down for confirmation in the hallways of the Grand Hyatt hotel, Harris playfully said, “What flight? I don’t even know my flight.”

Yet, on Thursday, 247Sports reported they have “since learned from two sources that Harris’ departing flight from San Antonio actually has Oakland — his hometown (airport) — as its final destination.”

Then, a further report by 247Sports Thursday morning, has Harris heading to Alabma. “As part of the invitation to play in the Army Bowl, travel is paid for, with a departing flight from San Antonio to anywhere of the player’s choice. Those flights can be changed — and Thursday afternoon, after practice No. 3, Harris made use of the flexible nature of the Army Bowl’s travel capabilities. It is unclear,  but assumed, that Harris’ travel request will be accommodated.

A non-Bama bound player on the West squad told 247Sports on Thursday he had heard Harris would stick with his Alabama commitment, too. Classes start Jan. 11 at Alabama.”

So the mystery continues and we’ll have to just wait until after we watch Harris play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl this Saturday, Jan. 7th at 10:00 AM on NBC. For more information about the game visit www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com. To learn more about Najee Harris and his high school career playing for the Antioch Panthers, visit his Wikipedia page, his page on MaxPreps, or search his name on www.AntiochHerald.com.

Running Your Money: Are bank account opening bonuses for real?

By 2 Comments

By Harry Stoll

Are bank account opening bonuses for real?

Yes, but you will pass many dark dank alleys in a dicey neighborhood, so take care. Banks often have a third party do the pitch, such as Hustler Money, Money Crashers, and Nerd Wallet. They are very up- front about being paid by the banks. In many of them Chase is mentioned first. Being paid by the banks doesn’t make the offer phony. Often there is promotional code you must use. You can open the account online.

Two bits of advice: Always, always, print a copy of the offer and keep it at least until you have collected the money. And, always, RTFP (definition available in the Suburban Dictionary). I ignored my good advice in a recent deal with Wings Financial Credit Union; I read the fine print but didn’t print out a copy. When it came time to collect the puny $50 gift card, customer “service” said, “Ah, ah, ah, you have to agree to accepting paperless statements to earn the gift card.” I didn’t remember that but I was stuck.

Chase often puts pitches in that envelope of coupons including sewer repair and ridding your abode of rodents. I have taken several Chase offers. I like to open the account at a nearby branch. They always recognize me even though I enter the bank only to open an account; otherwise I go to the money wall.

I recently opened a Chase Business Account, depositing $1,500. The rep won’t be fussy about your business,  E just wants to close the deal and rack up brownie points. Chase will deposit $300 to the account about 70 days after opening, when  It will be available to withdraw. You must maintain a $1,000 minimum balance. To avoid a monthly fee keep at least $1,500 in the account That’s an annual percentage yield 40%. The fine print says if you close the account before 12 months, it will deduct the bonus. Well, nyah, nyah, nyah, what if I take the money and run before I close it? But they might not recognize me when I come in next year with the offer. It’s like guys on Hogs in black leather jackets with an eagle on the back; I don’t wish to incur their displeasure.

For an HSBC Bank: bonus of $350, initially deposit at least $25 dollars, pay two bills a month through them for three months and collect $350. No minimum payment is stated; I deposited $25 and for two months made two payments of $4. Account opening was arduous, I danced to their tune online and it took three weeks to open. They asked questions indicating they were seeking affluent depositors, but I have the account.

BMO Harris offered a $200 bonus and Tech CU a $150 bonus for opening an account and making a direct deposit of a paycheck or government check, such as Social Security. Residents of Northern California are eligible for membership in both institutions.

These offers appear and poof, all gone, but new offers will appear.

Martinez man, driver in Dec. 30th fatal collision at SR-4 and I-680 has also died

By Leave a Comment

Second fatal car accident on Highway 4 last week

The Contra Costa CHP announced today, Wednesday, January 4, 2017, they have learned that the male driver from Martinez in the fatal collision on Friday, December 30th which took the life of his 74-year-old female passenger has also died. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. This is still an ongoing investigation.

On Wednesday, December 30th, at about 9:57 am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle traffic collision at eastbound SR-4 to the southbound I-680 connector. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, the driver (79 year old male from Martinez) and his passenger (a 74 year old female also from Martinez) had both sustained major injuries.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the driver was traveling on eastbound SR-4 and transitioning to the connector ramp to I-680 southbound. For unknown reasons, the driver overshot the I-680 ramp and drove his Chrysler sedan off the roadway and down the dirt embankment and continued to drive until he collided with a concrete divider.

Both the driver and passenger were transported to John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek for major life threatening injuries. While at the hospital, the female passenger succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. The male driver was in critical condition.

Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision. This collision is still under investigation and if anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP.

This was the second fatal accident on Highway 4 last week. The first one occurred on Wednesday, Dec. 28. At about 7:59 PM that night, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two vehicle traffic collision at westbound SR-4 just east of Port Chicago Highway involving two vehicles with one party trapped inside her overturned vehicle. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, Party 1 (a 60 yr old female from San Jose) was pronounced deceased on scene.

In the initial investigation, it appears that Party 1 was traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on SR-4, within the #3 lane, and approaching Party 2 (a 64 year old male from Pittsburg), also in the #3 lane at about 70mph. Party 1 veered into the #4 lane and attempted to pass Party 2 but lost control of her 2001 Toyota Camry and then veered back into the #3 lane and collided with the front of Party 2’s 2012 Toyota Corolla. Both vehicles continued toward the center divider and Party 1’s Camry collided with the center metal guard rail and overturned. Party 1 was partially ejected and subsequently crushed by her own overturned vehicle. Party 2 was uninjured.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs are a factor in this collision. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP and investigating Officer N. Johnson.

Contra Costa Sheriff investigates Dec. 28th shooting death of teen in Bay Point

By Leave a Comment

On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at about 9:40 AM, Deputy Sheriffs were requested at a medical call on the 2200 block of Willow Pass Road in Bay Point. A person was reported to be bleeding.

Deputies arrived finding a person suffering from a gunshot wound.

The victim, an 18-year-old man, was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. He is not being identified at this time. An autopsy was scheduled for Dec. 29th.

Detectives and Crime Lab personnel responded to the scene; several people were interviewed.  The investigation is ongoing. At this point, the shooting appears to be accidental.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Antioch High’s Najee Harris selected to play in U.S. Army All-American Bowl, this Saturday, Jan. 7

By Leave a Comment

Antioch High running back Najee Harris wearing the jersey as a U.S. Army All American, with representatives of the U.S. Army, following a ceremony in the school’s gymnasium on October 7, 2016.

Five-star running back, top recruit in the nation

By Tyler Vistalli

Najee Harris, the number one high school football recruit in America and one of the best up and coming football stars this area has ever seen, has been honored as a U.S. Army All-American and selected to play in the bowl game of the on January 7th in San Antonio, Texas.

At 6’3”, 226 lbs, Harris, Antioch High’s star running back, has rare physical skills that allow him to run with great balance and patience, as well as being able to fight through tackles and take it to the end zone. He finishes his high school career with the most rushing yards in Bay Area history (7,945 yards), which also ranks fourth all-time in California, plus 99 touchdowns and an incredible 9.5 yards per carry.

During their stop in Antioch, the U.S. Army Selection Tour held a ceremony in the Antioch High School gym on October 7th, and presented Harris with his All-American jersey. The tour traveled to schools across the country to personally give each of the team’s players their jerseys and hold a small ceremony in their honor. Harris’ mother, Tiana Hicks, was also presented with the American Insurance Dream Champion Award. This award is given at each event to recognize family members that play an important role in the All-American’s success.

Being selected as a U.S. Army All-American is a very prestigious honor as they only select 90 of the country’s top high school football seniors for the class of 2017. Previous participants of this game include NFL stars Ezekiel Elliot, Odell Beckham Jr., and Andrew Luck to name a few. The players are divided into two teams, East and West, and play a game to showcase their talent to the world. More than just a game, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a week-long event that consists of awards ceremonies, coaching from college and NFL coaches and a national combine for the top underclassmen football players. Harris attended this combine for underclassmen when he was a junior and his experience fueled his commitment to play in the game his senior year.

Having not signed a letter of intent, his college destination is still undetermined, as of press time. Harris has a firm verbal commitment to the University of Alabama, but Michigan and USC have made their way into the mix. Being an early enrollee to start college courses in January, his decision will need to be made in the next few weeks.

Watch Najee Harris play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan.7. The game will be nationally televised on NBC at 10am.

Happy New Year from the Herald

By Leave a Comment

As we all look forward to a new year, I want to take a moment to thank you for reading the new ContraCostaHerald.com and following us on Facebook and Twitter, since we launched on March 1st, last year.

We will work in 2017 to bring you more news and information about Contra Costa County that you might not get elsewhere. God bless you, God bless Contra Costa County and may you have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!