Contra Costa Herald

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

5 arrested for July 4th shooting death of man in Pittsburg

By Leave a Comment

Victim Markel Benson-Braggs was 23 years old and leaves behind a one-year-old son. Photo source: GoFundMe.

2 in Rodeo, 3 in Pittsburg, four have arrest records; GoFundMe account setup for victim identified as Markel Benson-Braggs, leaves one-year-old young son

By Pittsburg Police Department

PITTSBURG, CA – In the late hours of July 4th, officers from the Pittsburg Police Department responded to a shooting reported near the intersection of W. 10th Street and West Street. Upon arrival, officers found and rendered medical aid to the victim, 23-year-old Markel Benson-Braggs, who was unfortunately pronounced deceased at the scene despite life-saving efforts.

Through swift and thorough investigative efforts, Pittsburg Detectives were able to identify multiple suspects involved in the shooting. On Friday, July 12th, detectives apprehended two suspects, 27-year-old Rohney Lee Stewart (born 2/8/97) and 21-year-old Jaylaun Kael Stewart (born 7/16/03), at a residence in Rodeo.

Continuing their efforts, the Pittsburg Police Department, in collaboration with the Central County SWAT Team and the FBI, executed search warrants at three different residences in Pittsburg early Wednesday morning, July 31st at 5:00 AM. This operation led to the arrest of three additional suspects: 26-year-old Israel Alejandro Dezama (born 6/15/98), 21-year-old Maxamillion Spaceman Holiday (born 7/19/03), 21-year-old Abraham Gomez (born 7/25/03) as well as the recovery of pertinent evidence to the investigation.

The Pittsburg Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community. The safe arrest of these individuals was made possible by the hard work of the men and women of the Pittsburg Police Department and welcomed assistance of our neighboring law enforcement agencies.

The investigation into this tragic event is ongoing, and the case will be presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney for review and prosecution. We ask anyone who has information related to this case to please contact Pittsburg Police Department Dispatch at 925-646-2441 or Detective Elmore at 925-252-4875.

According to localcrimenews.com, the five-foot, nine-inch tall, 209-pound Dezama has the most extensive criminal history of the five. He was also arrested on July 14 by Los Angeles PD for evading police with wanton disregard for safety; on June 24, 2024, by Pittsburg Police for possession of marijuana / hashish for sale; on Dec. 30, 2022, by Sacramento Sheriff’s Office for shoplifting less than $950 and organized retail theft; and on Feb. 12, 2022, by Pittsburg Police for being an addict in possession of a firearm possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm on a person or in a vehicle while in a  public place, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner and  possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Jaylaun Stewart is from Pittsburg and was also arrested by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies on July 18, 2023, for DUI and again on Feb. 5, 2024, on possession of ammunition and revocation of probation.

Holiday was also arrested by Pittsburg PD on June 11, 2022, for carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and the manufacture, import and/or sale of a large-capacity magazine. According to DocketAlarm.com, that case has been ongoing since July 20, 2022, he was released on his own recognizance and has a Felony Jury Trial / Minute Order scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5.

Gomez was also arrested by Pittsburg Police on May 16, 2021, for possession of narcotic or a controlled substance.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, DeZama is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $1.15 million bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for today, Friday, Aug. 2 at 1:30 p.m. in Superior Court, as are the five-foot, four-inch tall, 115-pound Holiday, and the five-foot, three-inch tall, 100-pound Gomez.

Rohney Stewart is six-feet tall, 200 pounds, is being held on no bail in the Martinez Detention Facility and his next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5 in Superior Court.

Jaylaun Stewart is five-feet, eight-inches tall, 140 pounds, is being held on $1.4 million bail at the West County Detention Facility and his next court appearance is set for Friday, Aug. 16 in Superior Court.

GoFundMe Account for Victim’s Funeral

A GoFundMe account has been set up by Benson-Braggs’ mother, Sharnita Benson. She wrote, “I’m asking for  donations to help with funeral expenses for my 23 yr.old son. Markel Benson-Braggs was a sweet loving father of a one yr old son who was his entire world. Markel was tragically murdered on the 4th of July. He had a career at Tesla Car Factory as a Labor Production Associate. This was a unexpected tragedy making it a very difficult time for our family. Due to the circumstances of our unexpected loss we are asking for donations. Any donation amount will help and is greatly appreciated. Thank You” As of Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, a total of $682 had been raised toward the goal of $10,000.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

CHP needs help ID’g driver in major injury Hwy 4 hit-and-run crash in Antioch Sunday

By Leave a Comment

Four female passengers taken to local hospitals, one airlifted

By CHP Contra Costa

WE NEED YOUR HELP:

Major injury Hit-and-Run crash on SR-4 westbound in Antioch near Brentwood

On Sunday afternoon, July 28th, at approximately 1:02 pm, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a two-vehicle hit-and-run crash on SR-4 westbound, just north of Lone Tree Way in Antioch near Brentwood.

At this location, an adult male was driving a burgundy Toyota Tacoma, occupied by himself and four other adult female passengers. At the same time and location, an unknown driver was traveling in an unknown dark pickup truck, with a trailer in tow, directly to the right of the Tacoma in the number two lane. The dark pickup made an unsafe lane change into the number one lane and crashed into the right side of the Tacoma. This crash caused the driver of the Tacoma to lose control. The Tacoma subsequently veered left and traveled into the grassy center divider where it overturned multiple times. The dark pickup truck was last seen fleeing the area on SR-4 westbound.

While the driver of the Tacoma was uninjured, the four passengers were injured from the crash, some seriously. One was airlifted to the hospital and the other three were transported by ambulance. All are expected to make full recoveries.

Upon initial investigation it was determined all occupants within the Tacoma were properly seat-belted. It is unknown whether the driver of the dark pickup truck was seat-belted during the crash and it is unknown if the crash is DUI related.

Asked for an update on a possible suspect, CHP-Contra Costa PIO Dan Gilmore said, “We’ve had a couple people reaching out. But no major leads and no one in custody, yet.”

This crash is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed the crash, the events leading up to, or has information/dash-cam footage of the crash/suspect, please contact CHP Contra Costa in Martinez, (925) 646-4980 or email your contact information to 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Man dies in solo vehicle crash in Brentwood Sunday night

By Leave a Comment

The driver’s overturned Toyota Tundra following the crash on Camino Diablo on Sunday night, July 28, 2024. Photo: CHP

Driver wasn’t wearing seatbelt

By CHP Contra Costa

Sunday evening, on July 28, 2024, at approximately 7:35pm, CHP was notified of a solo vehicle crash on westbound Camino Diablo, just east of Vasco Road.

A white Toyota Tundra, solely occupied by a male adult driver, was traveling westbound on Camino Diablo, east of Vasco Road. Due to traveling at an unsafe speed, the driver of the Toyota lost control of the vehicle while navigating a curve in the roadway. The Toyota subsequently left the roadway, overturned, and the driver was ejected from the vehicle.

CHP arrived on scene along with other emergency services to assist. The driver sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene.

Based on evidence discovered during our preliminary investigation, it was determined the driver was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. It is unknown whether DUI was involved.

The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim but will not yet release any information about him pending notification of his family.

This crash is still under investigation, if anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact CHP Contra Costa in Martinez, (925) 646-4980 or email your contact information to 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

10 Contra Costa athletes compete at 2024 Olympics

By Leave a Comment

The 2024 Olympic athletes from Contra Costa County competing in Paris (by last name alphabetical order). Top Row: Amit Elor, Megumi Field, Drew Holland, Sabrina Ionescu and Kara Kohler. Bottom Row: David Liebenberg, Daniella Moroz, CJ Nickolas, Jewell Roemer and Maggie Steffens.

Former Antioch resident trained two of the Olympians on Team USA’s four-member taekwondo squad; Oakley athlete is alternate in Men’s Trampoline

By Allen D. Payton

Contra Costa County is well represented at the 2024 Olympics in multiple sports. According to the Team USA website, there are nine athletes who qualified to compete in the quadrennial games in Paris. In addition, former Antioch resident and taekwondo training center owner, Ed Givans has two Olympians that he’s trained, who earned spots on the four-member Team USA taekwondo roster.

80Kg Gold Medalist Carl Nickolas at the Taekwondo competition at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games October 22, 2023 in Santiago, Chile. Photo by Mark Reis, USOPC.

CJ Nickolas – Brentwood – Taekwondo

As previously reported, Carl “CJ” Nickolas, Jr. of Brentwood is competing for gold in taekwondo in his first Olympics during the Paris 2024 Games. He was trained by Givans – his dad – until he was 18 and had heart surgery in 2020. As of last December, Nickolas was ranked number two in the world.

Learn more about Nickolas on the USA Taekwondo website and his experience and victories through the years, here, here, here and here. Watch video of CJ’s victory at the 2024 President’s Cup in Costa Rica, here.

Watch Nickolas represent Team USA and compete in the Men’s Welterweight 68-80kg division on August 9th.

Kara Kohler in the gym and rowing in Sept. 2023. Source: Facebook

Kara Kohler – Clayton – Rowing

Bronze medal winner, Kara Kohler from Clayton is competing in rowing in the Women’s Single Sculls. The three-time Olympian competed at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo where she placed 9th in Women’s Single Sculls, and at the 2012 Olympic Games in London 2012, where she won bronze in Women’s Quadruple Sculls.

On Saturday, Kohler took first place in Heat 6. She competed again in Quarterfinal 1, Lane 3 on Tuesday, July 30 at 12:30 a.m. Pacific and took second place qualifying Kohler for the semifinals on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 12:30 a.m. Pacific. (See related article)

Maggie Steffens. Sources: (left) TeamUSA, (center) USA Water Polo and with her 2020 Gold medals. Source: Facebook.

Maggie Steffens – Danville – Women’s Water Polo

Three-time gold medal winner Maggie Steffens will compete at her fourth Olympic Games in Women’s Water Polo for her fourth gold medal in a row. She won her first gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, here second at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and her third in 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

According to USA Water Polo, The two-time MVP is also the Team USA captain and considered one of the best in the world” and Steffens “Hails from a massive water polo playing family and was joined on the 2012 team by older sister Jessica.” (See related article)

Jewel Roemer official photo and during competition. Source: USA Water Polo

Jewell Roemer – Martinez – Water Polo

Playing in her first Olympics, Martinez native Jewell “Roemer’s journey to the Olympics is marked by a series of impressive achievements. She has been a part of the Stanford University’s women’s water polo team, where she contributed to the team’s success as NCAA Champions in 2022 and 2023,” according to an iHeart Radio report.

According to USA Water Polo, Roemer “Attended Acalanes High School…Four-year letter winner and senior season team captain in water polo…Three-time first-team All-American (2018-20)…Two-time North Coast Section MVP (2019-20)…CIF Northern Division MVP (2020)…Three-time first-team All-Conference (2018-20)…Team went undefeated in back-to-back seasons, winning North Coast Section championships…Two-time Junior Olympics MVP with 680 Water Polo Club.

Won 1st place at the 2024 World Aquatics World Championships in DOHA, QATAR, 1st place at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile and 1st place at the World Aquatics World Cup in Long Beach.

During their second Group B match on Monday against Spain, Steffens and Roemer each added one goal apiece, but the Americans were handed a rare 13-11 loss. Team USA Women’s Water Polo next plays Italy on Wednesday.

Megumi Field. Sources: Team USA and Instagram

Megumi Field – Danville – Artistic Swimming

East Coast transplant Megumi Field, of Danville, will compete in her first Olympics on the Artistic Swimming team. She started synchronized swimming at five years old and earned among many other victories since 2018, Field won a bronze medal for Technical Team at the 2023 World Championships.

According to USA Artistic Swimming, as part of the official 2024 Olympics roster, Megumi and her teammates “made a statement in their debut” at the World Cup Super-Final hosted in Budapest, Hungary by winning three gold medals for Team Technical, Team Acrobatic and Team Free in the final competition before the Olympic Games.

In addition, “Jaime Czarkowski and Megumi Field made their second appearance as duet partners in Budapest, choosing to participate in the Technical Duet receiving 7th place overall with a score of 222.5134.”

Watch Artistic Swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics beginning Monday, Aug. 5th.

Danielle Moroz. Sources: TeamUSA, Facebook and US Sailing

Daniella Moroz – Lafayette – Kiteboarding

The first member of the U.S. Sailing team to qualify for the Paris 2024 Games, 23-year-old Daniella Moroz of Lafayette will compete in Olympic Kiteboarding for the first time in the sport’s history, after the sports’ athletes have been waiting for two decades.

According to a report on Paris2024.Sailing.org, Moroz has six consecutive Formula Kite World Championships titles to her name before the age of 22.

“Everything I do and have been doing the last several years is to give myself a shot at a medal,” she said. “At the Olympics I want to deliver my best possible performance and I know I’m capable of winning a gold medal if I do my best. It would mean everything to me and my family and to bring a gold home to the US after we’ve really struggled as a nation the last few Games’ would be really special.”

“I just want to keep enjoying it and keep racing for as long as possible. I am definitely thinking about LA 2028 since it will be a home Games,” Moroz added.

Women’s Kiteboarding will take place in the Marseille Marina in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and begins Sunday, Aug. 4th with the medal round on Thursday, Aug. 8th.

Drew Holland and playing goalie. Source: Team USA

Drew Holland – Orinda – Men’s Water Polo

The 2013 graduate of Miramonte High School in Orinda, Drew Holland returns for his second Olympic Games. He played in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo where the U.S. Men’s team placed sixth and he tallied 52 saves. According to his USA Water Polo profile, Holland accumulated 26 saves at the 2024 World Aquatics World Championships in Doha, Qatar; Racked up 33 saves at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile; Notched 12 saves at the 2023 World Aquatics World Championships in Fukuoka and named top goalkeeper at the 2021 FINA World League Super Final recording 41 saves.

Holland played at Stanford University where he holds the all-time save record with 925 and was a four-time All-American.

Team USA Men’s Water Polo lost to Italy on Sunday, 8-12 and was to play again Tuesday morning, July 30 against Romania at 7:30 a.m. Pacific. (See schedule)

David Liebenberg official photo and in competition with teammate Sarah Newberry Moore. Source: US Sailing

David Liebenberg – Richmond – Sailing

Competing in Sailing during the 2024 Paris Olympics, 32-year-old David Liebenberg of Richmond has three National Championship titles and three North American Championship titles. According to U.S. Sailing, as a member of the Tufts University Sailing Team he was a team captain during his senior year and led the team to their first Collegiate Match Racing National Championship in 2012. In the summer of 2013, Liebenberg was the tactician for the American Youth Sailing Force, which was selected to represent San Francisco in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

Sailing a Nacra 17, he took first at the Oakcliff Sailing Triple Crown #3 (Oyster Bay, USA) in 2018 and second sailing  a 49er at the Cork Olympic Classes Regatta (Kingston, CAN) in 2016.

He will be sailing the Nacra 17 with his teammate, Sarah Newberry Moore of Miami, FL. The pair qualified the U.S. as a country at the Pan American Games in Chile on November 3, 2023. They won athlete selection at the 2024 Nacra 17 World Championship in France in May and secured their spot to represent the U.S. at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Following that final step Liebenberg said, “It’s quite a relief. It has been nearly 10 years coming and to finally secure a spot feels amazing.”

See video of the team sailing out of the Richmond Yacht Club and watch Liebenberg and Newberry Moore compete in the Nacra 17 (Mixed Multihull) sailing competition beginning Saturday, Aug. 3rd with the medal round Aug. 7th.

(Top Left) Amit Elor in her official uniform and with LeBron James (bottom left) and Steph Curry (bottom center) on the Team USA boat during the Opening Ceremony on July 26, 2024. (Top right) Wrestling in a match on Oct. 1, 2022. (Bottom right) Flexing with Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus, Jr. during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Source: Facebook

Amit Elor – Walnut Creek – Wrestling

A 20-year-old female wrestler from Walnut Creek, Amit Elor, a New Year’s Day baby, attended College Park High School in Pleasant Hill and Diablo Valley College, and has been on Team USA since 2022. She is competing in her first Olympic Games. According to her Team USA profile, Elor is an eight-time gold medalist at World Championship events across the U17, U20, U23 and Senior age divisions, including the freestyle and beach wrestling disciplines.

Wrestling during the 2024 Paris Olympics begins on Monday Aug. 5th and ends on Sunday, Aug. 11th.

Learn more about Elor on her official website.

Sabrina Ionescu in her #6 jersey. Source: USA Basketball. Goofing in her Team USA uniform. Source: Instagram

Sabrina Ionescu – Walnut Creek – Basketball

The 26-year-old Sabrina Ionescu is a Walnut Creek native, graduate of Miramonte High School and University of Oregon and is playing in her first Olympics during the Paris 2024 Games as a member of the Women’s Basketball Team. According to USA Basketball, “Ionescu will make her Olympics debut after helping the USA to gold at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup. She has extensive experience with USA Basketball at the junior level, winning gold with the 2013 U16 Women’s National Team, 2014 U17 Women’s National Team and 2017 U23 Women’s National Team, in addition to experience in 3×3.”

In high school, Ionescu was the 2016 USA Today and MaxPreps National Player of the Year; MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game. In college, she helped lead Oregon to a gold medal (6-1) at the 2019 Red Bull 3×3 Nationals in Las Vegas and was named MVP and as a junior in 2018-19, led the Ducks to their first NCAA Final Four.

Ionescu was selected No. 1 overall by New York in 2020, has played four WNBA seasons with New York and is a two-time WNBA All-Star (2022, 2023). In addition, according to her WNBA profile, she was the first player in WNBA history to record 500+ points, 200+ rebounds and 200+ assists in a single season and the first player to record a Triple-Double in less than three quarters in WNBA history, as well.

Watch her play for Team USA’s Women’s Basketball team.

UPDATE: Ruben Padilla – Oakley – Trampoline Alternate

Ruben Padilla. Photo: USA Gymnastics

23-year-old Rubin Padilla of Oakley is also in Paris for the 2024 Olympics and a member of Team USA. But according to his mother, Nelia, “Ruben is the alternate for trampoline. We are aware he will not compete.”

According to his Team USA profile, Padilla began gymnastics at age 5 when his mother enrolled him in a class because he always used furniture as gym equipment as a child.

Among his many World Championship medals, Padilla won four gold medals, including in 2023 for All Around Team – Mixed, Double Mini Trampoline – Men and Double Mini Trampoline Team – Men; and in 2022 for Double Mini Trampoline – Men. According to the USA Gymnastics website he is the 2024 U.S. trampoline, double mini and synchro champion. See video of Padilla defending his World Title in the Double Mini at Trampoline Worlds in November 2023.

Ed Givans and CJ Nickolas in 2018. Source: Ed Givans. CJ, Ed and Faith Dillon in May 2024. Photo courtesy of Grandmaster Clint Robinson, Robinson’s Taekwondo. CJ and Faith. Source: Givans Taekwondo

Former Antioch Resident Ed Givans, Trainer, USA Taekwondo

As mentioned, Nickolas’ dad, former Antioch resident Ed Givans, who owned Givans Taekwondo in the city before relocating it to Las Vegas a few years ago, trained CJ until he was 18.

Givans is also on the Tournament Committee for USA Taekwondo and has another athlete he trained who made the four-person U.S. taekwondo team at the Olympics, Faith Dillon. According to the Team USA website, she earned her spot during the Pan Am qualification tournament in April.

Read more about her and watch Faith fight in the 57 kg. category on August 8th.

Learn more about all the members on the Team USA 2024 Olympic Roster at www.teamusa.com/paris-2024/olympics/roster and watch all the athletes compete on NBC channels.

Go, Team USA! Bring home the gold!

Brentwood man dies from motorcycle vs SVU collision in Antioch Saturday night

By Leave a Comment

Speed was contributing factor

By Sergeant Rob Green #3639, Antioch Police Traffic Unit

On July 27, 2024, at approximately 7:43 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to a report of a vehicle collision between a motorcycle and a SUV in front of Bev Box at 907 W. 10th Street. Officers found the 32-year-old male (Brentwood resident) motorcyclist on the ground and unresponsive. Officers performed lifesaving aid and the motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Traffic Accident Investigators took over the investigation and determined from witness statements and from video collected at the scene that speed was a contributing factor to the crash. This case is in the preliminary stages and the names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441 or Traffic Collision Investigator Sergeant Green at 925-779-6864, email rgreen@antiochca.gov. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

More outreach and access are needed in adult education, panel says

By Leave a Comment

Video screenshot source: EdSource.org

Adult education offered in East County

By Mallika Seshadri, EdSource.org. Republished with permission.

Despite efforts across various sectors, adults throughout California continue to struggle to access education opportunities that can be critical for their family’s economic mobility.

The panel at EdSource’s roundtable, “Adult education: Overlooked and underfunded,” discussed how adults and their families can benefit from adult education, the common barriers to access and ways to overcome them.

“During the pandemic, our emergency room took in some of our most at-need people and triaged them to the right medical care that they need,” said John Werner, the executive director of Sequoias Adult Education Consortium at Thursday’s discussion. “Adult schools do very similar work with education.”

Barriers to adult education

Panelist Francisco Solano grew up in Mexico, where he earned a high school education but had no interest in continuing his schooling. About 16 years ago, he came to the United States and found himself working for salad-packing companies.

He eventually enrolled in adult education classes at Salinas Adult School and is now wrapping up a doctorate in molecular biology at UCLA.

But the road through his adult education was “exhausting” and “not convenient at all.”

“That’s what I see with my peers,” Solano said. “They are not able to get out of that lifestyle because it’s so difficult for them to be able to have a job that secures rent and food for the families and, at the same time, find time and resources to go to school or try something else.”

Solano also believes that larger companies do not want migrants like him to succeed because that would take away a source of cheap labor.

Rural areas — where barriers associated with time and distance are greater — have a high need for adult education.

Steve Curiel, the principal of Huntington Beach Adult School, said not enough conversations about adult education are held at the policy level because most people in elected positions are unlikely to understand the critical role it plays, having experienced more traditional educational journeys.

Raising awareness and marketing 

Carolyn Zachry, the state director and education administrator for adult education at the California Department of Education, stressed the importance of raising awareness and sharing stories like Solano’s among potential students.

“That gives the courage to come forward and to walk in those doors of that school,” she said. “And once they’re inside those school doors, then that school community wraps around them and really supports them.”

Werner also emphasized the importance of actively seeking students. He mentioned specific efforts to speak to individuals at local community events, like farmers markets and flea markets. A TV or radio presence can also be helpful, he said.

Helping communities overcome barriers 

Numerous organizations are enacting measures to expand access to adult education, including creating remote and virtual options as well as providing childcare for students while they are in school.

Several panelists agreed that virtual learning can be a helpful way to bring educational opportunities to adults at home — though Kathy Locke, who teaches English as a second language in Oakland Unified, emphasized the importance of in-person instruction, so adults can learn the skills they need to succeed online.

“The more marginalized, the greater your need in terms of English level, the harder it is to access the technology to be able to use the technology to do distance learning well,” Locke said.

To improve access to online learning, Curiel said the Huntington Beach Adult School has provided laptops and channels for internet connection.

Providing childcare is another way to help reduce barriers for adults. 

“Our classes provide babysitting for our students to be able to come with their children. Their children go to child care, and then they’re able to come and learn,” Locke said.

“I think that as a district, we really named that as a barrier and really put our money where our mouths were, I think, and made that a priority to get adults in our classrooms, so that they can do the learning that they need.”

Broader benefits of adult education 

Adult education also helps support a child’s education, the roundtable panelists agreed.

For example, a child’s literacy benefits when parents attend English language classes, Locke said. And parents are more likely to be involved with their child’s education later on.

“If you want to help a child in poverty, you have to help an adult in poverty,” Werner said. “Only the adult can go get a job tomorrow.”

Adult Education Programs in East County

The Antioch Unified School District offers education for adults to obtain their diploma, GED and High School Equivalency diploma at Prospects High School. The Fall 2024 Semester registration begins July 29th, 2024, Placement Testing begins August 8th and the first day of classes is August 19th. For more information visit https://antiochadultschool.asapconnected.com.

Adult education is also offered by the Pittsburg Adult Education Center. For more information visit https://paec.pittsburgusd.net.

The Liberty Union High School District also offers their Liberty Adult Education. For more information visit https://libertyadulted.org.

Mallika Seshadri covers Los Angeles and LAUSD.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

First West Nile Virus death since 2006 reported in Contra Costa County

By Leave a Comment

Source: CCCounty

Victim was adult man in East County

One dead bird, five sentinel chickens test positive for virus, all in Oakley

By Contra Costa Health

A Contra Costa resident died this month from West Nile virus infection, underscoring the need for everyone in the county to take precautions against mosquito-borne illness.

The death of an adult man who lived in East County was reported to the county on July 16. It was the first West Nile virus-related death reported in Contra Costa since 2006.

“This is a tragedy, and we offer our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones for their loss.” said Dr. Meera Sreenivasan, deputy county health officer. “This death also reinforces how important it is to reduce risk of West Nile virus infection by reducing our exposure to mosquitos.”

Contra Costa Health’s (CCH) Communicable Disease Program is investigating the case and has not determined where the person became infected. To preserve medical privacy, CCH will not release further details about the case.

The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Contra District (District) has detected other recent evidence of the virus’s presence in East County. One dead bird and five sentinel chickens have tested positive for the virus in Contra Costa County, all located in Oakley. According to the Delaware Journal of Public Health, “Chickens serve as valuable sentinel animals since they are not effective amplifying hosts, and they develop a short and relatively low viremia compared to other bird species when infected by WNV.”

Certain birds can become infected with West Nile virus, and when a mosquito feeds on an infected bird, the mosquito can become infected. An infected mosquito can spread the virus to a human or other animal through a single bite. The infection can be dangerous to humans, with symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, or rash.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a Contra Costa County resident to West Nile virus,” said Paula Macedo, Ph.D., district general manager. “This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting ourselves from mosquito bites and supporting community efforts to control mosquito populations.”

West Nile virus activity is typically higher during the summer months. To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, the District recommends using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients:

  • DEET
  • Picaridin
  • The repellent version of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
  • IR3535

Always follow the instructions on the label when using insect repellent. Wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors where mosquitoes are present, often at dawn and dusk, can reduce exposed skin and reduce the risk of mosquito bites. And dumping out any amount of standing water in front and backyards and scrubbing the inside of each container to remove mosquito eggs can also help lower the risk of mosquitoes.

The District provides public health services to Contra Costa County residents including a mosquito service of inspection and control upon request. Request a District service by phone at 925-685-9301 or online at www.contracostamosquito.com. Click on “I Want to” at the top of the webpage, then select “Request Services” from the drop-down menu.

Contra Costa County residents can help the District identify areas of potential WNV risk by reporting dead birds to the California Dead Bird Call Center by phone at 1-877-968-2473 or online at westnile.ca.gov. Dead birds are often the first sign of West Nile virus in a particular area. By reporting dead birds, residents provide the District with critical information that allows District employees to set mosquito traps near the site of the dead bird to look for infected mosquitoes. If those mosquitos are found, the District will take timely action to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease for neighboring residents.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Kaiser Permanente mom from Brentwood to cheer on son at Paris Olympics

By Leave a Comment

Ncal-Olympics-02 – Denise and CJ Nickolas in 2009. (Left) 80Kg Gold Medalist Carl CJ Nickolas’ first flag run after he won the Taekwondo competition at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games October 22, 2023, in Santiago, Chile. Photo by Mark Reis, USOPC. (Center) Ncal-Olympics and Ncal-Olympics-01 CJ Nickolas at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile in October 2023. Photo credit by Mark Reis, USOPC (Right)

A nurse in Antioch, CA has nurtured her 22-year-old son’s taekwondo ambitions since he was 3

Expected to compete for gold, CJ Nickolas, a former Heritage High student, was first trained by his father at Givans Taekwondo in Antioch

By Elizabeth Schainbaum, Manager, Regional Content, Corporation Communications, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Over the years, wound care nurse Denise Nickolas would talk with colleagues about her kids’ sports activities — just as others would talk about their own kids.

Most colleagues didn’t realize her kids were different. They didn’t know how seriously athletic they were after he won a medal in World Taekwondo Championship in May 2023 when her son, CJ, received publicity as he vied for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

CJ is competing in the Paris Olympics in taekwondo on August 9, 2024. The 22-year-old is ranked second in the world.

“She doesn’t go around telling just anyone how he ranked at tournaments,” said Daniella White, a colleague who has cheered Nickolas on through CJ’s injuries and other challenges. “If someone asks, she will humbly share how well he did. That’s not to say she wasn’t overly proud or excited for him, but she just continued to show humility in the process.”

Kaiser Permanente fan club

Nickolas is happy everyone knows now.

“Everyone is so excited, and they asked why I didn’t say anything,” said Nickolas, who was a gymnast in college and also achieved a taekwondo black belt during her son’s practices. “They’ve been so supportive and even started a Teams group to cheer us on and check the progress of his Olympic bid.”

Her boss, Darci Walker, is a big fan.

“I remember her sharing one of CJ’s competitions where he won first place, and he moved the entire crowd and audience by singing the national anthem. The whole stadium joined in and sang together,” Walker recalled. “This was a very proud moment that Denise shared with me. When I watched the video on her phone, it brought me to tears as well. We are all excited for CJ and their entire family.”

A ‘family-friendly’ organization

Nickolas has worked at Kaiser Permanente since 2001. Since then, as a single mom, she’s juggled full-time work with two kids who were competitive athletes.

Her older daughter, now 24, was an elite gymnast for a long time. She pivoted to diving, and that was the sport she did in college.

Her kids’ sports often required traveling to competitions. Nickolas said her managers and colleagues have been supportive and accommodating when she’s had to take time off, even last minute.

“Kaiser Permanente is absolutely a family-friendly organization,” she said. “I was able to have the life I wanted with my kids because of Kaiser Permanente.”

To make it work, she would essentially work two part-time jobs and lived just 10 minutes from the hospital.

She would start the morning at the Antioch Medical Center and then take the kids to their practices. Later, she would work another shift with Home Health Department.

“I was exhausted, but it was worth it, totally worth it,” Nickolas said. “I’m so grateful.”

Walker said Nickolas also worked hard to make it work. She coordinated well with colleagues before she would travel so there were no bumps with patient care. When she returned, she was ready to get back into the swing of work.

Going for gold

Nickolas followed this routine for years. She realized in 2007 that CJ, who had been doing taekwondo for three years at that point, had a future in competitive sports.

At the age of three, he said he wanted to do martial arts. She hesitated because she was against combat sports at the time.

She pushed that feeling aside because she could see how eager he was to do it. She steered him to taekwondo because it was included in Ivy League sports programs and was an Olympic sport.

When he was about 6, she noticed he was intense and focused. She checked in with the coach.

“’Am I just proud or is he really good?’” she recalled saying. “The coach said, ‘No, he’s really as good as you think he is.’”

That coach, until CJ turned 18, was his father, Ed Givans, who previously owned and trained his son at Givans Taekwondo in Antioch which he relocated to Las Vegas in 2018. Givans is also on the Tournament Committee for USA Taekwondo and has another competitor he’s trained on the four-person U.S. team at the Olympics, Faith Dillon. As of last December, CJ was ranked number two in the world. She earned her spot at the Pan Am qualification tournament in April.

Many injuries later, including a broken toe that she said Kaiser Permanente did an excellent job of repairing, he’s now going for Olympic gold.

Nickolas will be there watching, with her Kaiser Permanente colleagues rooting for her son.

“I can’t believe this day has come,” she said. “He’s worked so hard, but it still feels so surreal.”

Watch CJ represent Team USA and compete on August 9th on the NBC channels.

Learn more about CJ’s experience and victories through the years, here, here and here.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Port Chicago Weekend July 18-21 includes National Memorial 80th Anniversary July 20th

By Leave a Comment

Port Chicago Weekend

Port Chicago Weekend is a four-day festival held across various Bay Area cities, featuring music, art, food, education and commemoration.

The weekend events align with and support Port Chicago Remembrance Day, aiming to educate and spotlight the national history of Port Chicago, California by raising awareness of its impact on World War II and our nation’s civil rights.

For details visit www.portchicagoweekend.org/index.html.

National Park Service’s Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial 80th Anniversary

The National Park Service, in collaboration with the Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial, and the U.S. Army’s 834th Transportation Battalion, invites you to join the annual Port Chicago Commemoration on July 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow the ceremony. We will honor the 320 men who lost their lives in the largest WWII military disaster on the home front.

This year’s event is an opportunity for friends, family, and others interested in the Port Chicago disaster and its aftermath to join in a day of remembrance. The events following the disaster led to a work stoppage and the largest mutiny trial in U.S. naval history. The response of African American communities to these events exposed the shameful injustices of racism and illuminated the issues of segregation and racial inequality in the military. Today, the memorial serves not only as a place to honor those who lost their lives, but also as a springboard for exploring social justice in our society.

The event will be held at Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO), which is an active military base, requiring all visitors to have a reservation and a security check. Visitors aged 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For more information visit www.nps.gov/poch/commemorating-the-80th-anniversary.htm.