Contra Costa Herald

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

American Cancer Society encourages parents to reschedule missed HPV vaccine visits for kids

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Coronavirus threatens to slow progress against cancer prevention

In an effort to boost public health and help keep vaccinations on track in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the American Cancer Society continues efforts around Mission: HPV Cancer Free, a campaign to eliminate HPV cancers as a public health problem, starting with cervical cancer.

The ongoing pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for healthcare providers, patients, and policymakers. Data indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a negative effect on vaccination rates. Many parents have postponed pediatrician visits to avoid transmission of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that HPV vaccinations are down by more than 20% or more than 1 million doses in the public sector alone, compared to 2019. 

Adding to the challenge is the expected availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents. It is predicted that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available for children as young as 12 years old early this summer. If approved, adolescents who get the vaccine will have a seven to eight-week period when they cannot receive other vaccines before, during, or after the COVID-19 protocol. This could impact the number of adolescents who will get their HPV vaccination on time this year.  It’s important for parents, in consultation with their pediatricians, to reschedule any missed vaccinations now.

“COVID-19 has reversed some of the gains in HPV vaccination uptake that we’ve worked so hard to make over the years,” said Irene Lo, MD, a general surgeon in the Bay Area and Board Co-Chair for the American Cancer Society.  “It’s critical that we act quickly to protect the national investment in HPV vaccination to protect against these six types of cancer.”

HPV or human papillomavirus is a common virus that can cause six types of cancer. About 14 million people in the United States become infected with HPV each year. Eight out of ten people will get HPV at some point in their lifetime. Most infections become undetectable, but some can go on to cause cancer.

“HPV vaccination works best when given between ages 9 and 12,” added Shelly Barsanti, Board Co-Chair for the American Cancer Society in the Bay Area.” Vaccination at the recommended ages will prevent more cancers than vaccination at older ages.”  

Children and young adults ages 13 through 26 who have not been vaccinated, or who haven’t gotten all their doses, should get the vaccine as soon as possible. Both boys and girls can get infected with HPV. HPV vaccination helps protect boys from cancers of the throat, penis, and anus later in life. HPV vaccination helps protect girls from cancers of the cervix, throat, vagina, vulva, and anus later in life.

The goal of Mission: HPV Cancer Free is to reach a vaccination rate of 80% of 13-year-olds in the United States by 2026.  For information on cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, cancer recovery or free services, visit cancer.org.  To speak with a live Cancer Information Specialist 24/7 in multiple languages, call the American Cancer Society anytime at 1.800.227.2345.

For further information: Beckie.MooreFlati@cancer.org or 714.697.8666 mobile.

 

Contra Costa Supervisors honor 27th Annual César Chávez Youth Hall of Fame Award winners

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This year’s theme: Move Our Community Forward! ¡Adelante Con Nuestra Communidad!

César Chávez. Source: Contra Costa County

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors celebrated the memory of César Chávez recognizing his commitment to social justice and respect for human dignity during the 27th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Virtual Celebration on Tuesday, March 30.

“We honor the memory of César E. Chávez and continue his commitment to fight for social justice and for those who can’t fight for themselves,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Diane Burgis. “We also recognize our 2021 Youth Hall of Fame awardees, highlighting deserving teens and their commitment to community and service.”

The theme for this year’s celebration was Move Our Community Forward – Adelante Con Nuestra Comunidad. The celebration featured three keynote speakers, including Antioch School Board Trustee Mary Rocha, Jane Garcia, Chief Executive Officer of La Clínica de La Raza, and San Pablo City Councilman Arturo Cruz. The event also included musical performances by Mariachi Monumental and Ballet Folklórico Netzahualcoyotl.

The Youth Hall of Fame Awards presentation acknowledges outstanding Contra Costa County teens who demonstrate excellence in one of six categories. The 2021 Youth Hall of Fame Awardees are (click on the link for each name to read the resolution providing the reasons for the  recognition):

Good Samaritan: Chris Garcia, Antioch High School

Leadership & Civic Engagement: Ryan Raimondi, Liberty High School

Middle School Rising Star: Stephanie Boustani, Acalanes High School

Perseverance: Bianey Douglas, Carondelet High School

Teamwork: Haley Brathwaite, Carondelet High School

Volunteerism: Jonathan Castaneda, Pinole Valley High

The annual celebration honors the diversity and richness of our community and its immigrants. Visit the César E. Chávez Ceremony webpage found in the “County Celebrations” section of Contra Costa County’s website www.contracosta.ca.gov for details and a look at the previous ceremony.

Contra Costa County seeks applicants for Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council

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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants interested in serving on its 20-member Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC).  The JJCC currently has vacancies for two (2) At-Large Youth and one (1) At-Large Community-Member Representatives.

The JJCC is a multiagency advisory body that informs the development and implementation of a countywide juvenile justice plan composed of several critical parts, including, but not limited to an assessment of existing law enforcement, probation, education, mental health, health, social services, drug and alcohol and youth services resources which specifically target both at-promise as well as system-involved youth, and their families. The JJCC will also coordinate on a countywide basis the work of those governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in activities designed to reduce the incidence of juvenile crime and delinquency in the greater community, develop information and intelligence-sharing systems to ensure that county actions are fully coordinated, and provide data and appropriate outcome measures.

The Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council is composed of the following 20 members:

Ten (10) Ex‐Officio Members:

  • Chief Probation Officer, as Chair
  • District Attorney’s Office representative
  • Public Defender’s Office representative
  • Sheriff’s Office representative
  • Board of Supervisors’ representative
  • Employment and Human Services Department representative
  • Behavioral Health Services representative
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs Division representative
  • Public Health representative
  • Juvenile Justice Commission Chair

Ten (10) Additional Members, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, as follows:

  • City Police Department representative
  • County Office of Education or a School District representative
  • Four (4) At-Large members, residing or working within Contra Costa County
  • Two (2) Community-Based Organization representatives
  • Two (2) At-Large youth, fourteen to twenty-five years old and residing or working within Contra Costa County

Appointments to the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council will be for a term of two years ending June 30, 2023. The JJCC meets monthly October through April and bi-monthly the remainder of the year. Members have the option to serve on three (2) two subcommittees that each currently meets monthly.

The application deadline is 5 pm on May 10, 2021. All timely applicants will be invited to the public interview process conducted by the Board of Supervisors’ Public Protection Committee: Supervisors Candace Andersen, District II, and Federal Glover, District V. This committee will then recommend a selection of applicants for the Board of Supervisors to appoint to the Racial Justice Oversight Body.

Below is a complete timeline of this recruitment process to fill the three (3) vacant JJCC seats:

  • May 10: Final Day of the Application Period, due by 5 pm
  • May 24: Public Protection Committee Meeting: Interviews
  • June 8: Board of Supervisors Appointments

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or by visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418. Completed applications should be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us. Applications can also be mailed to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Office at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553.

 

Contra Costa Probation Department eliminates collect calling for detained youth

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The Contra Costa County Probation Department has permanently eliminated collect calling for youth detained at the Glenn A. Davis Juvenile Hall in Martinez, and Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility in Byron. Rather than continuing the practice of charging recipients when a youth makes a call, the Department will now absorb those costs.

“Our primary goals are harm reduction and removing barriers to success for our clients and their loved ones,” said Chief Probation Officer Esa Ehmen-Krause. “Eliminating this additional financial burden and creating a pathway for increased communication with loved ones is the right thing to do.”

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has consistently demonstrated support for justice-involved youth and families. A moratorium was issued in 2016 on the assessment and collection of juvenile probation fees. In 2017, the Board took further action to permanently repeal these fees, and discharge any outstanding fees owed. These forward-thinking actions were ahead of Senate Bill 190, which required counties to eliminate juvenile fines and fees in 2018. This legislation did not include collect calling.

“In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever that everyone stays connected to their families, especially youth, and I applaud the Probation Department for making it easier on families as we pursue the ultimate goal of reunification and living a healthy life,” said Diane Burgis, Chair of the Board of Supervisors.

Additionally, in response to the public health shelter in place order, the Department began utilizing video visitation in 2020, which has created the ability to offer more frequent contact between youth and their family members. The Department plans to continue this service, also provided at no cost, even after on-site visitation resumes. Video visitation affords family members who may have transportation challenges or mobility concerns with another resource to maintain contact with their loved ones.

East County youths win Knights of Columbus State Free Throw Championship

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Three of the 2021 state Knights of Columbus Free Throw champions from East County with their local awards, (L-R) Brigida Coria, Kylie Wisely and Ryan Wisely. Photo by Wayne Steffen.

After winning at the Oakland Diocese Chapter level, five youths from East County advanced to the State Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship where they had great success.  Here are the results:

Eric Mendoza of Antioch STATE CHAMPION in the 14-Year-Old Boys competition;

Brigida Coria of Brentwood is STATE CHAMPION in the 14-Year-Old Girls category

Ryan Wisely of Oakley is STATE CHAMPION for 9-Year-Old Boys;

Kylie Wisely also of Oakley is STATE CHAMPION in the 13-Year-Old Girls competition; and

Lilyana Ponce of Antioch took 2nd Place at State in the 12-Year-Old Girls category;

The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, and jurisdictional competitions. International champions are announced by the Knights of Columbus international headquarters based on scores from the jurisdiction-level competitions.   All boys and girls ages 8 to 14 are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions.   Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent.

Council #3265 in Antioch, CA is one of 17,000 Knights of Columbus councils that make up the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics

in the United States, today the approximately two million members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service.

Contra Costa DA Becton supports California Supreme Court decision to prevent minors from being tried as adults

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By Allen Payton

Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton issued a statement regarding Thursday’s California Supreme Court decision to uphold the constitutionality of Senate Bill 1391 (Lara).

Proposition 57, passed in the November 2016 general election, requires prosecutors to commence all cases involving a minor in juvenile court. Senate Bill No. 1391 enacted in 2018, amended Proposition 57 to prohibit minors under the age of 16 from being transferred to adult criminal court.

In the case of O.G. v. The Superior Court of Ventura County, the Court of Appeal held that Senate Bill 1391 is inconsistent with Proposition 57 and thus invalid. The state Supreme Court overruled the lower court’s decision.

“We agree with the majority view that Senate Bill 1391 was a permissible amendment to Proposition 57 and we reverse the judgment in this case,” the decision reads.

“Today’s unanimous decision by the Supreme Court is an important moment for the criminal justice system to give children a chance at rehabilitation for crimes they committed during their youth,” said Becton. “I have always believed this law was constitutional and should be followed. Our local judges in Contra Costa County have also agreed with me.”

“The juvenile justice system currently is not working,” she continued. “I established a task force to examine how to reform our juvenile justice system. We must think differently on how we treat children and ensure we strategically allocate resources to focus on prevention and rehabilitation efforts.”

The full Supreme Court decision is available here.

Scott Alonso, PIO, CCCDA contributed to this report.

Pinole Valley High senior Jermaine Gitana is 2021 Contra Costa County Poetry Out Loud Champion

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2021 Contra Costa County Poetry Out Loud Champion Jermaine Gitana. Graphic: AC5.org

Student from Deer Valley High in Antioch places second, San Ramon Valley High student places third

The Arts and Culture Commission is excited to announce Jermaine Gitana from Pinole Valley High School as our 2021 Poetry Out Loud Contra Costa County Champion! On February 11th, we held a Facebook Live Virtual Screening and Awards Ceremony. He was awarded a $200 cash prize and varsity jacket. (See his introduction and winning performance at approximately the 20:35 mark of the competition video)

Esmeralda Noyola from Deer Valley High School (Antioch) won second place and was awarded a $150 prize. Tessa Brubaker from San Ramon Valley High School took third place and was awarded a $100 prize. The County Finals included impressive high school champions Patricia May Villanueva of Prospects High School (Antioch), Michael Miralles of John Henry High School (Richmond), Kyla Erika Nano of Concord High School, and Kaleigh Thurman of College Park High School (Pleasant Hill).

“I am a 17-year-old senior at Pinole Valley High who is part Black and Filipino,” said Gitana. “I enjoy playing instruments, making music, swimming, singing, and most of all reciting poetry.”

His performances of the poems Written By Himself by Gregory Pardlo and Piano by D. H. Lawrence proved to be a winning combination! On March 11th, Jermaine will compete in the Poetry Out Loud State Finals where students recite 3 poems. On March 12th, the California State Winner will be announced on California Arts Council email, internet, and social media. We are very proud of Jermaine!

Jermaine Gitana performance screenshot.

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Poetry Out Loud provides free curriculum materials—all available online—including a poetry anthology, a comprehensive teacher’s guide, videos of student performances, lesson plans, and promotional and media resources.

Schools with students in the 2021 CCC finals.

All Contra Costa County high school students, grades 9-12, are invited to enter Poetry Out Loud. School winners advance to the County competition each February, then the State competition in March, and ultimately to the National Finals. The 2021 POL National Semifinals will take place on Sunday, May 2nd and the 2021 POL National Finals will take place on Thursday, May 27th and will be held virtually in lieu of holding them on-site in Washington D.C. as previously planned. Both will be video submission-based competitions and will be streamed on arts.gov.

Every Contra Costa County high school (public, private, parochial, independent, alternative, continuation, court, charter and home schools), non-profit organizations, and libraries are encouraged to participate. Students don’t enter the POL competition directly, but through their high schools or a school POL liaison such as a teacher, librarian, school staff, or organization member.

“Last August, I became the new Managing Director and was first introduced to the amazing Poetry Out Loud program,” said Jenny Balisle, Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County Managing Director. “Our incredible team of Donté Clark (Poetry Out Loud Coordinator), Brennan DeFrisco (Poetry Out Loud Student Coach and Assistant Coordinator), and Antonio Tamayo (Poetry Out Loud Digital Content and Technical Assistant) worked together to transition the program online. The Virtual Screening and Awards Ceremony was an evening of many firsts for the Arts and Culture Commission: first Facebook Live event for a signature art program, first ASL interpreters for a live virtual event, and first Land Acknowledgement. Despite the pandemic, we were determined to uplift, support, and celebrate Contra Costa County youth! I’m proud of what we accomplished but most of all- very proud of the resilience and grace of our youth.”

To watch all the competitors in the Virtual Screening and Awards Ceremony please visit here.

Poetry Out Loud is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, California Arts Council, and Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5).

AC5 is dedicated to advancing the arts in a way that promotes communication, education, appreciation and collaboration throughout Contra Costa County so that we may grow creatively as a community that preserves and celebrates our diverse cultural expression.

Please visit www.ac5.org for more information and sign up on our email list. We welcome your participation and hope to see you next year!

Public’s help needed in search for Richmond teen missing since last Wednesday

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Multiple agencies assist, $10,000 reward offered

By Richmond Police Department

Antoine Whittley

On Wednesday, February 10th just prior to 8:30 pm, 17-year-old Antoine Whittley was visiting a friend’s house in the 300 block of Marina Way South. He obtained a ride share to return home in the Point Richmond area. Approximately ten minutes after being picked up by the ride share driver, our investigation revealed that Antoine was last seen on the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. He has not been seen since then.

Antoine is 5’9” and approximately 130 pounds; he was last seen wearing a black Covid-19 mask, hooded Reebok sweatshirt and black/green pants with an orange/green/gray camouflage stripe on both legs. He was carrying a backpack with personal belongings inside of it.

The City of Richmond Police Department is committed to investigating incidents that occur in our city. We ask that any person, who may have any information related to this crime please contact Detective Kris Palma at (510) 621-1276, email him at kpalma@richmondpd.net or they can contact Richmond’s anonymous tip line at (510) 307-T1PS (8177).

Comments have circulated online indicating that Antoine returned home. As of 11:00 am on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2021, Antoine has not been located and RPD is actively seeking information from anyone who may know his whereabouts.

Comments have also been critical of the rideshare driver and his possible involvement with Antoine’s disappearance. Detectives have interviewed the driver and are confident the driver did not have anything to do with his disappearance. Our investigation also shows that Antoine voluntarily left the rideshare vehicle.

Photos by RPD.

The Richmond Police Marine Patrol Unit has been actively searching the vicinity of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge for missing 17-year-old Antione Whittley. Allied agencies, which include the Richmond Fire Department, San Rafael Police Department, San Rafael Fire Department, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Marin County Sheriff’s Office, Solano County Sheriff’s Office, CHP Air Support, and the US Coast Guard Air Support have joined in on the search. In a coordinated effort led by Richmond Police Sergeant Joe England, searches of all waterways and shorelines are being conducted. The Solano County Sheriff’s Office has utilized their underwater sonar capabilities in order to search underneath the water. The US Coast Guard and CHP Air Support have been conducting daily fly overs in this vicinity. Richmond Police Officers have also been walking the shorelines and utilizing UAS (Drone) in areas that are hard to get by vessel.

The focus of the search is from the Angel Island area in the SF Bay to the area of East Brothers Island, in the San Pablo Bay. This area is vastly large and numerous miles of shoreline, long wharfs, islands, obstacles in the water, and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge are being searched on a daily basis. Our goal is to continue daily searches and bring Antione home.

It has not been confirmed if Antione actually went into the water, but Richmond Police Marine Unit want to ensure all areas in the vicinity of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge have and will be checked. We encourage any boaters in this vicinity to be observant and report any activity to the Richmond Police Department or the US Coast Guard.

$10,000 Reward

As the search continues, we are offering a $10,000 reward for information regarding Antoine Whittley’s whereabouts. If you have information, we encourage you to call Detective K. Palma at (510)-621-1276 or email kpalma@richmondpd.net. Thanks for your help in finding Antoine!

 

After school Program in a box hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Contra Costa

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Youth on a program call with staff after receiving their program materials for Sports Week.

Seeks to improve distance learning by launching “Program in a Box” for youth.

This year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Contra Costa, the community’s leading children’s nonprofit, launched their “Program in a Box” service for youth in Contra Costa County.

“Parents have been expressing concerns about the negative impact of distance learning,” said CEO Michael Dunn. “Our solution was to develop a program that requires youth to get hands-on! Our programs have materials delivered weekly to kids’ homes. The kids then complete projects and upload them to a secure website to share with our staff and their friends.”

Program bags below ready for delivery (Sports Week).

Boys & Girls Clubs of Contra Costa’s “Program in a Box” is revolutionary. Kids get program materials delivered DIRECTLY to their homes weekly. These program materials allow for our youth to participate in engaging projects covering STEM, Art, Sports and Cooking.

With this program we’ve found creative ways to help support parents and keep kids social and engaged during these unprecedented times.

“I spoke to a parent recently who started crying because her daughter has been struggling with distance learning, and our home delivered program materials provided a much-needed change of pace,” said Keirstan Faulkner, Director of Programs.

Additionally, staff gets on a weekly ZOOM calls with our youth for live engagement and fun. Our

members also have complete access to videos created by Boys & Girls Club staff members to follow along with the materials in the program boxes.

“This pandemic has been challenging, but we are committed to doing whatever it takes to keep our youth engaged and having fun,” said Dunn. “We are confident that this program will be very beneficial for our youth and families in Contra Costa County as we continue to work around distance learning.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Contra Costa has been serving Contra Costa kids at their Martinez and El Sobrante clubhouses since 1956. Today they serve thousands of kids with virtual programming, school supplies and food services programs. Before COVID-19, they served over 250 kids in-person each day at their clubhouse in Martinez and at three school sites throughout West Contra Costa.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Contra Costa and their online programming, visit www.bgccontracosta.org. They are also looking for support to run these programs during these difficult times. If you can help, please donate at www.bgccontracosta.org/donate.

19-year-old Antioch man dies in Vasco Road head-on collision early Tuesday morning

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Struck by 49-year-old male driver from Brentwood

By CHP – Contra Costa

Early this morning at about 3:45am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two-vehicle crash on Vasco Road, south of Walnut Blvd. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined that a 2008 Chevrolet HHR was traveling northbound on Vasco Road and began a turning movement, crossing over the solid double yellow lines and into the southbound lane. As the Chevrolet entered into the southbound lane, it was directly in the path of an oncoming vehicle, a 2015 Ford F-150. The driver of the Ford, a 49-year-old male from Brentwood, was unable to avoid the HHR within the lane and collided into it, causing major damage to both vehicles. Tragically the driver of the Chevrolet, a 19-year-old male from Antioch, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the Ford suffered moderate injuries and was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. The Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased driver.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision, but it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it and have not yet spoken with CHP, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.