Contra Costa Herald

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

10 Contra Costa athletes compete at 2024 Olympics

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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!

Misinformation and Disinformation: Election Edition in Lafayette Aug. 22

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Source: LWV

By Gail Murray, League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley

Learn how to spot fake news, fact-check sources and navigate the complexities of today’s media landscape to become a more informed voter and citizen.

The presentation by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley will take place in the Homework Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.

Register at www.tinyurl.com/LAF-misinfo

Contact programs@lwvdv.org for more information.

Lafayette Council places sales tax measure for city services on November ballot

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City manager claims 1/2-cent increase to 9.25% needed due to inflation, unfunded state mandates; would last 7 years

On July 22, 2024, the Lafayette City Council placed a funding measure on the November 2024 ballot, asking Lafayette voters to authorize a local sales tax increase of 1/2 cent (half a penny for every $1 spent locally) for seven years to maintain the current level of City services.  This measure will require a 50% +1 vote to pass.

At a previous City Council meeting, City Manager, Niroop K. Srivatsa, explained that due to inflation, prices on everything from materials, to insurance, to labor have continued to increase. Furthermore, the State continues to impose a number of unfunded mandates. As a result, the City is facing a structural deficit of more than $2M annually, beginning in fiscal year July 2024-25.

If approved by voters in November, all the revenue from the sales tax would go directly into the City’s General Fund; The General Fund provides funding for City services and facilities including:

  • Maintaining public streets and storm drains and providing timely pothole repair.
  • Sustaining wildfire preparedness activities.
  • Maintaining the number of sworn police officers at the current level.
  • Services for senior citizens.
  • Maintaining city parks, open spaces, paths, and playfields.
  • Traffic safety improvements on our streets and roads for all users including people driving, biking and walking.
  • Continuing support for our community partners like the Chamber of Commerce and the School District.

Lafayette’s current sales tax rate is 8.75%. If voters approve a ½ cent sales tax measure, Lafayette’s rate will increase to 9.25%, equal with the rate in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek and lower than Orinda, Moraga, and Concord. The new rate would go into effect starting April 1, 2025, for seven years.

“The half cent (1/2%) increase, if approved by Lafayette voters, would generate approximately $2.4 million annually, which, according to current projections, is enough to maintain the level of service presently being provided. If the voters do not pass the measure, the Council will have to make difficult decisions about which programs and services to reduce or eliminate,” said Administrative Services Director Tracy Robinson. “Filling a $2M annual deficit is approximately 10% of the City’s General Fund, and it would require cuts across all City departments, including police, public works, planning, engineering, parks and recreation, and administration,” Robinson added.

“One reason the City Council chose to place a sales tax measure on the ballot is because sales tax is paid by visitors who dine and shop in Lafayette, so funds would be brought into the community from people who reside outside the community but who utilize our public infrastructure and services,” explained Vice Mayor Wei-Tai Kwok.

For many years, the City has been able to balance its budget, build a healthy emergency reserve, and operate frugally, however the current state of the economy coupled with unfunded State mandates that cities are obligated to fulfill have all contributed to the structural deficit. The City has foregone new projects recently and froze the hiring of four staff positions, however, the City Council believes that the additional cuts in expenses to address the $2M deficit would negatively impact Lafayette residents, so instead are asking voters to consider increasing the sales tax rate for seven years.

More information about the City’s financial situation and the funding measure is available on the City of Lafayette’s website at www.lovelafayette.org/FiscalSustainability

 

Lamorinda cities, County work together to saves construction dollars

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Patchwork being performed on a residential street in Lafayette. Photo: City of Lafayette

The City of Lafayette has sought opportunities to combine relatively small projects with the City of Orinda, Town of Moraga, and Contra Costa County to take on larger, less expensive projects for each public agency.

This ultimately means more efficient use of taxpayer dollars, improved infrastructure, and a better overall quality of life for residents in each participating community.

Through these joint efforts, the cities can use economies of scale for construction projects and save money because the contractor’s overhead becomes a smaller percentage of the overall project costs.

“This can take the form of lower unit prices for asphalt pavement and surface seal materials or an increase in the number of bidders, thus a more competitive bidding environment,” explained Mike Moran, the Director of Engineering and Public Works for the City of Lafayette, CA.

Lafayette has collaborated with the City of Orinda, Town of Moraga, and Contra Costa County to combine smaller projects into one large project that is more cost-effective for each public agency. Two recent examples of such projects include the following:

  • 2019 Surface Seal Project with the town of Moraga; Lafayette spent $391,000, and Moraga spent $1.5 million.
  • 2022 Surface Seal Project with the town of Moraga and Contra Costa County; Lafayette spent $2 million, Moraga spent $418,000, and the County spent $60,000.

          “By collaborating with our neighboring cities and the County, we spent less money and fostered stronger working relationships with our neighbors,” says Lafayette Engineering Services Manager Matt Luttropp. 

According to City Manager Niroop Srivatsa, the City continuously seeks ways to save money and secure more. “Additional funding is necessary to maintain the City’s infrastructure, with a particular focus on road maintenance needs,” Srivatsa concludes.

About The City of Lafayette

Lafayette is a charming small community located in Contra Costa County, 30 miles from The City of Oakland. It’s known for its beautiful green hills, excellent schools, and miles of hiking trails, making it an attractive place to live. The City has a population of more than 25,000 highly educated residents, with 75.2% of them holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, 73.6% of the homes in Lafayette are owner-occupied. The median home value is $1,914,700, while the median household income is $219,250. The total area of the city is 15.22 square miles.

For more information, email LafayetteListens@LoveLafayette.org, call (925) 299-3206 , or visit www.LoveLafayette.org.

Mis/Disinformation: Election Edition presentation June 25

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Join a presentation at the Moraga Library on Tuesday, June 25 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an eye-opening discussion of the impact of misinformation and disinformation on elections.  Learn how to spot fake news, fact-check sources and navigate the complexities of today’s media landscape to become a more informed voter and citizen.

The presentation by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley will be in the library, 1500 St Mary’s Road in Moraga.

For more information contact programs@lwvdv.org.

 

27 Contra Costa seniors receive National Merit Scholarships

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6 awarded corporate-sponsored scholarships

14 awarded $2,500 scholarships

7 awarded college-sponsored scholarships

26 from 4 high schools and one home-schooled student

By Contra Costa County Office of Education

A total of 27 students from Contra Costa County have been named recipients of National Merit Scholarships in the 69th annual program funded by corporations, U.S. colleges and universities, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced. These distinguished students are from Campolindo High School in Moraga, Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon, Miramonte High School in Orinda and Monte Vista High School in Danville. One winner was homeschooled.

Corporate-Sponsored Scholarship Winners

Celebrating academic excellence, six seniors from four Contra Costa County high schools have been recognized as winners in the scholarship program. These students are among about 770 distinguished high school seniors nationwide announced in the first National Merit Scholars group for 2024.

“These six high school seniors stand out for their exceptional academic achievements and well-rounded accomplishments,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “Their dedication and hard work, supported by the encouragement of their families, have earned them this distinguished honor. I also want to thank the teachers and support staff whose commitment and guidance nurtured the talents of these high achieving students.”

Sponsored by corporations, company foundations and other business organizations, these scholarships are designed to assist students who are either children of employees, residents of communities served by the company/funder, or are pursuing college majors and careers that align with the sponsor’s objectives.

Scholarship winners were chosen from a group of students who had reached the Finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship competition and met the criteria established by their scholarship sponsors. Most of the awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study and offer annual stipends ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, or a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000.

High school juniors entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, marking the beginning of their journey towards this prestigious recognition. In September 2023, 114 Contra Costa County students were honored as National Merit Semifinalists, representing the highest-scoring program entrants in California, and comprising less than one percent of the nation’s seniors.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CORPORATE-SPONSORED NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Campolindo High School

  • Laurel K. Tringe

Dougherty Valley High School

  • Ansh Maroo
  • Elaine Peng
  • Neal Y. Yan

Miramonte High School

  • Alexander Poe Battersby

Monte Vista High School

  • Alan Fang

$2,500 Scholarship Winners

Fourteen Contra Costa County high school seniors were among 2,500 students named National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®).

“Congratulations to these 14 amazing students who have illustrated the exceptional academic standards in this county,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “The students, their families and their school communities should be proud of this accomplishment.”

National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.

These scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the Finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY $2,500 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Campolindo High School

  • Christopher W. Seo
  • Naina Srivastava
  • Yu Xin Wang

Dougherty Valley High School

  • Nidhi Gaonkar
  • Shirin Kaur Grewal
  • Anna E. Lau
  • Taneesh V. Matharasi
  • Ananya Pinnamaneni

Miramonte High School

  • Cameron Corbin Berg
  • Nicole Y. Guo

Mont Vista High School

  • Sheldon U. Tan
  • Adithya Ramesh
  • Hannah Abigail Yang

Homeschool

  • Benjamin G. Klieger

College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships

The National Merit Scholarships provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the sponsoring institution. 149 higher education institutions are underwriting these awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program.

“Thank you to the school communities and families who supported and challenged these students to achieve this accomplishment,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “We are proud of these scholars for representing our County as National Merit Scholarship winners. These scholarships are highly competitive and require far more than just high-test scores. Your hard work has paid off, and we wish you the best as you embark on your college journeys.”

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY COLLEGE-SPONSORED NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The Contra Costa County students who have been awarded College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships are:

Monte Vista High School

  • Owen Chen – National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship
  • Alice Jiang – National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship
  • Emily M. Kalin – National Merit Purdue University Scholarship

Dougherty Valley High School

  • Prerita Babarjung – National Merit University of Texas at Dallas Scholarship
  • Dhruv Harinath – National Merit Claremont McKenna College Scholarship
  • Vaishnavi Kolluru – National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship
  • John Park – National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship

Each award recipient submitted a detailed scholarship application, including an essay and information on extracurricular activities, awards, and leadership roles. Their SAT or ACT scores were also considered, alongside academic records and recommendations from high school officials.

Of over 15,000 scholarship Finalists nationwide, about half will become Merit Scholarship winners in 2024.

Scholarship recipients represent less than one percent of the nation’s seniors and are among the highest-scoring program entrants from each state. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, awardees possess the strongest combination of academic skills, extracurricular achievements, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. During the 2024 competition, more than 6,870 academic champions will be selected for National Merit Scholarships, totaling about $26 million.

Merit Scholars are selected based on their academic skills, extracurricular achievements, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. More information about the National Merit Scholarship program can be found online at https://www.nationalmerit.org/.

According to The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, by the conclusion of this year’s competition, over 6,870 Finalists will receive National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million. More winners of college-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards will be announced on July 15.

About Contra Costa County Office of Education

One of 58 counties in California, Contra Costa County (CCCOE) has the 11th largest public-school student population in the state (approximately 169,225 students). Officially established in 1932, CCCOE has a long history of providing direct services to some of our county’s most vulnerable students, including young people who are incarcerated, homeless, or in foster care, as well as students who have severe physical or emotional challenges.

CCCOE also provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County; services that can be handled most effectively and economically on a regional basis rather than by each of the county’s 286 schools or 18 school districts. These services range from budget approval and fiscal support to technology infrastructure, communication support, and high-level professional development opportunities for educators. CCCOE maintains a website at www.cocoschools.org.

2023 Annual Report: Serious crime in Lafayette remains low

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Report cover and 2023 Lafayette Police Department staff. Photo: Lafayette PD

“Overall, crime remains low in Lafayette, a testament to the collective efforts of our community. However, there are still categories of crimes that the Police Department, in partnership with our residents, continues to strive to reduce.” – Chief Benjamin Alldritt

By Lafayette Police Department

The most recent crime report for 2023 from the Lafayette Police Department has been presented to the Lafayette City Council. The report shows that the rate of violent crime in Lafayette remains low, with only 13 reported Part 1 violent crimes in 2023. This equals 51.2 violent crimes per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 380.7 violent crimes per 100,000 and the California average of 494.6 violent crimes per 100,000 in 2022.

“Overall, crime remains low in Lafayette, a testament to the collective efforts of our community. However, there are still categories of crimes that the Police Department, in partnership with our residents, continues to strive to reduce,” said Lafayette Police Chief Benjamin Alldritt.

In 2023, the Lafayette Police received 12,007 calls for service, filed 1,168 police reports, made 302 arrests, and issued 1,022 traffic citations.

Lafayette Police Department Total Annual Calls for Service 2014-23. Source: Lafayette PD

Part I Crimes include two categories: Crimes against Persons and property crimes.  Crimes against Persons are murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, and human trafficking.  Property Crimes are burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

“Crimes against Persons are our top priority because they have the most significant impact on the victim. The Lafayette Police Department is committed to dedicating all necessary resources to investigate these crimes and bring the suspects to justice,” said Chief Alldritt.

Overall, Part 1 crimes decreased from 456 in 2013 to 277 in 2023. This represents a 39% decrease in these types of crime over the last decade.

“Proactive policing and an alert community keep crime low in Lafayette,” he continued. “If people see something, they say something. Residents quickly report, respond, and actively watch out for their friends, family, and neighbors. We appreciate that our community members continue to call in and report crimes and remain aware of their surroundings”.

10–Year Comparison of Part 1 Uniform Crime Reporting in Lafayette, CA. Source: Lafayette PD

“The professional staff are force multipliers for the Police Department,” said Chief Alldritt. “They run the administrative office, manage the City’s emergency preparedness activities and fleet maintenance, carry out crime scene investigations, parking enforcement, vacation house checks, emergency traffic control, and other programs such as “Slow Down Lafayette.”

The City of Lafayette takes a multi-departmental approach to reduce accidents in Lafayette by using the “Three E’s” of traffic safety: Enforcement, Engineering, and Education. The Police Traffic Unit meets regularly with the City’s Transportation Planner to identify problem areas where engineering solutions may have a calming effect on traffic, resulting in fewer accidents and less need for enforcement. The Traffic Unit reviews collision rates and locations, along with citizen complaints, when considering areas for enforcement efforts.   

  • Acquired two low-profile radar measurement devices, two temporary speed display signs, two speed display trailers, and two LIDAR devices to assist with speed enforcement.
  • Analyzed over 1.3 million data points on vehicle speeds
  • Reduced the number of speeders by 20%–25% in areas where display signs and traffic enforcement are used. Provided educational materials on crosswalk safety, school bus safety, e-bikes, and various weather and other traffic-related notices.
  • The Lamorinda Residents Guide to Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation was updated and mailed out to all Lamorinda residents in 2022.
  • The Police Department encouragesresidents to sign up for the County’s Community Warning System (CWS)
  • The ALERT California wildfire program maintains a network of cameras to detect, alert, and monitor wildfires. Lafayette Police Department Emergency Services Manager John Cornell handled the installation of multiple wildfire cameras throughout Contra Costa County, which included training for multiple local fire and police departments.

Lafayette Police Department Emergency Services Manager John Cornell handled the installation of multiple wildfire cameras and coordinated camera locations and training with other agencies. Source: Lafayette PD

The city also operates an information and emergency radio station, available on AM 1670 or streaming via the city’s app, My Lafayette, for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play – Android Store.

 “I am proud of the men and women who serve the City of Lafayette with pride and dedication,” says Chief Alldritt. “The entire Police Department and our City staff and leaders are focused on providing the highest level of service possible to our residents, businesses, and visitors. From responding to calls for service, to investigations, traffic enforcement, emergency preparedness, and the myriad other things my staff do daily in service of the community.”

You can also download the slide deck of the May 28, 2024, presentation and watch a recording of the presentation to the City Council on May 28, 2024, on the City’s YouTube channel.

About The City of Lafayette

Lafayette is a charming small community located in Contra Costa County, 30 miles from The City of Oakland. It’s known for its beautiful green hills, excellent schools, and miles of hiking trails, making it an attractive place to live. The City has a population of more than 25,000 highly educated residents, with 75.2% of them holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, 73.6% of the homes in Lafayette are owner-occupied. The median home value is $1,914,700, while the median household income is $219,250. The total area of the city is 15.22 square miles.

Lamorinda Safety Fair June 22

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The Lamorinda Safety Fair will be held Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 9:00am-4:00pm at the Lafayette Reservoir off Mt. Diablo Blvd. presented by Lafayette Police, East Bay Municipal Utilities District, Amateur Radio Communications and Lafayette CERT Foundation.

Meet your local first responders and see their equipment. Get up close to a police helicopter. Learn how to perform CPR. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher. Learn how to prepare for the next emergency / disaster. Meet your local HAM radio club (LARIG) and talk to HAM operators from around the globe using radio!

Shuttle service and additional parking will be available at the Lafayette Veteran’s Memorial Building at 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. For more information call (925) 299-3282.

Orinda: Grand Opening of Alder and Leatherwood Creek Restoration and Public Access Project & Eastport Staging Area Thursday

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The newly restored and daylighted Alder Creek flows through the former McCosker property in Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. Photo: EBRPD

Ribbon cutting for largest creek restoration project in East Bay Regional Park District’s history.

At Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

By Flora Csontos, Acting Public Information Specialist, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District

Join East Bay Regional Park District on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 11 A.M. to celebrate the completion of the Alder and Leatherwood Creek Restoration and Public Access Project at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve – the largest creek restoration project in the Park District’s history. The Alder and Leatherwood Creek Restoration and Public Access Project removed several culverts and opened up 3,000 linear feet of creek to a more natural run. The event will include a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the restoration project and the reopening of the Eastport Staging Area.

Speakers will include East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth, Board President Ward 1 Member Elizabeth Echols and Ward 2 Board Member Dee Rosario.

The Alder and Leatherwood Creek Restoration and Public Access Project, previously referred to as the McCosker Project, provides natural habitat for special status or protected species, including the California red-legged frog, California foothill yellow-legged frog, Alameda whipsnake, San Francisco dusky-footed wood rat, golden eagle, Cooper’s hawk, loggerhead shrike, northern harrier, and white-tailed kite. Water quality and streamflow were also improved by the project, providing new habitat for rainbow trout.

Stabilizing jute protects the creek’s soil while plants begin to grow in December 2022. Photo: EBRPD

The project (Alder Creek Project), which began construction in 2020, daylights, or opens up and restores to natural conditions, approximately 2,900 linear feet (approximately half a mile) of previously culverted, or buried, creek and restores riparian habitat along portions of Alder, Leatherwood, and San Leandro creeks. The 250-acre site is situated within a deep canyon of dense oak woodland at the bottom of a ridgeline of rolling grassland hills.

The restoration also created habitat for the rainbow trout (a native salmonid species) by creating stream corridors, using a step-pool system that incorporates a mix of cascades and resting and pocket pools in steeper areas. This newly created stream channel with riparian vegetation and pool riffle complexes, allows sediment transport, slows flows and helps reduce erosion to provide benefits to aquatic organisms and provide spawning sites for rainbow trout. In fact, a young-of-year (juvenile) rainbow trout was observed in the channel in spring 2021. Engineers designed the restoration project using fundamental concepts in fluvial geomorphology and engineering principles to meet the goal of creating a dynamically stable and self-maintaining creek channels that require a low level of adaptive management and maintenance practices.

Plants sprout along the newly daylighted creek in January 2023. Photo: EBRPD

The restoration project also increased the carbon sink, flood capacity on site, removed invasive species, enhanced habitat, and added revegetation. In support of inclusive public access, additional enhancement work included new nature trails and future amenity areas.

The restoration area within Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve is now opened to the public. It includes an 11-car staging area along Pinehurst Road, with trail connections for a loop trail (the McCosker Loop Trail) and trails that follow the creeks on the property.

The project was made possible through $4 million in funding secured by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan in the 2019 state budget. Additional funding came from the Park District’s voter-approved Measure WW and other state and federal grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CA Natural Resources Agency, Wildlife Conservation Board, Coastal Conservancy, California State Parks and voter-approved Propositions 1, 84 and 50 allocated by the California Natural Resources Agency.

Source: EBRPD

The Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve and Eastport Staging Area are located at 920 Pinehurst Road in Orinda.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Following police chase from Lafayette to El Sobrante suspects arrested for armed robberies in 3 counties

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7-year-old boy discovered in suspects’ vehicle was child of driver; both suspects have history of arrests

By Lafayette Police Department

Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 28, 2024, at about 2 PM, Lafayette police officers responded to a report of a robbery at a fast-food restaurant on the 3500 block of Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette.

Officers identified the suspect vehicle and determined it was involved in armed robberies in Solano and Marin Counties earlier in the day.

At about 2:12 PM, a Lafayette officer located the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 24. The vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed leading the officer on a pursuit that went west on Camino Pablo toward El Sobrante.

While on Camino Pablo (which turns into San Pablo Dam Road), the suspect vehicle apparently lost traction and collided with another car traveling in the opposing lane.

Two occupants in the suspect vehicle were taken into custody. They are identified as 24-year-old Jajuan Ojeda of Oakland and 39-year-old Aevra Traylor of Sacramento. Officers discovered a 7-year-old boy in the suspect vehicle who turned out to be the child of the driver. Ojeda and Traylor were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility and are facing charges that include robbery, felony evasion, and child endangerment. Both also had multiple warrants for their arrest.

The driver of the vehicle who was struck on San Pablo Dam Road was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The investigation is ongoing.

According to localcrimenews.com, the 5-foot, 6-inch, 160-lb. Ojeda has a history of arrests dating back to 2017 inclulding once in December 2023, by the Sheriff’s Departments of Marin and Alameda counties and Oakland PD for crimes including carjacking, assault with a firearm, and multiple charges of evasion and resisting arrest.

According to localcrimenews.com, 5-foot, 5-inch, 165-lb. Traylor also has a history of arrests dating to 2017, including three times in December 2023, by the Sheriff’s Departments of Marin, Sacramento and Solano counties, Solano CHP and Castro Valley CHP for crimes including multiple vehicle thefts, driving with a suspended license, receiving stolen property, DUI, multiple gun charges, evasion of a police officer – driving on the wrong side of the road and wanton disregard for safety, and drug possession.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.