The Press 08.25.2023

DeSaulnier hosts youth mental health town hall

By Savannah Pecknold Correspondent

“Our young people are hurting,” said Gigi Crowder from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Contra Costa.

In 2021, a study found that more than four in 10 high school students in America said they feel persistently sad and hopeless.

According to Jesse Tamplen, Vice President at John Muir Behavioral Health, studies also found that 50% of all mental health diagnoses happen before the age of 14, and between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States.

“Mental health is a pediatric condition,” Tamplen stressed. “With treatment and hope, people will get better.”

U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, whose 10th District includes Brentwood and Oakley, encouraged Contra Costa County residents to continue the conversations and challenge

Brentwood City Council cracks down on tobacco

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

Brentwood’s moratorium on new smoke shops has been extended for another year.

The Brentwood City Council voted unanimously during their Aug. 22 meeting to do so in an attempt to enact stronger restrictions on tobacco going forward.

“The stats that we’re hearing tonight are appalling and, frankly, embarrassing,” Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer said following public comments. “This responsibility is on our shoulders to make things better.”

Meyer was referencing statistics brought by residents – many of them middle and high schoolers – who are burnt out on the ease of access to tobacco products for youth. Students from local schools spoke, telling of their experiences being offered tobacco products, especially flavored vape products, by other students and the “crip-

pling nicotine epidemic,” as one student described it. All but one resident who spoke did so strongly in favor of not just extending the moratorium but enforcing stricter regulations that would make it harder for businesses to sell tobacco to minors.

Councilmember Jovita Mendoza noted ahead of the meeting that Brentwood has more lenient tobacco regulations than other cities in the county. A study by Contra Costa Health indicated that Brentwood is one of the few cities in the county that does not require retailers to have a specific license to sell tobacco and does not restrict retailers from selling tobacco near “youth-friendly areas” such as parks, schools and libraries. Neighboring cities such as Antioch and Oakley both have regulations relating to the latter concern.

While there are 10 dedicated tobacco retailers, such as smoke shops, in Brentwood, according to City Manager Tim Ogden,

see Tobacco page 19A

U.S. Rep Mark DeSaulnier hosted a mental health clinic in Concord on Aug. 22 for the benefit of high schoolers.

the stigmas around youth mental health at a town hall he hosted on Aug. 22 at John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center.

“We need more resources to be more effective and for people to get the treatment they need and deserve,” DeSaulnier said. “Sometimes we forget how important gen-

erationally and as a community we are to the state of this country.”

The town hall started with a panel discussion, followed by a Q&A and a resource fair that explored a variety of topics, including the criminalization of mental illness, representation in schools, suicide prevention, the impact of social media on children, and more.

Guest speaker Chris Pearsall, a therapist at John Muir Behavioral Health, emphasized during his resiliency story that “We cannot forget anybody in this world.” Panelist Gigi Crowder talked about proper representation in school staff and the importance of empowering young people by helping them feel seen by educators. “We can do better with recognizing that the color of a person’s skin should not dictate whether they’re going to graduate from

see DeSaulnier page 19A

Local group helps train dogs to save lives

By Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent

When Mark Ruefenacht was inadvertently alerted to an issue with his glucose levels by a guide dog puppy he was working with, he was struck with a novel idea. Ruefenacht, a diabetic, was traveling in New York when the dog sensed he was having trouble. The dog’s reaction prompted Ruefenacht to recognize his low blood sugar and get help. Then he started thinking.

“It prompted me to consider what I could do,” he said of the incident. “Was it possible to train a dog to detect low blood sugar, and if so, would that be universal? If a dog could detect low blood sugar on me, could it also on you? It took two and a half years of self-funded research and effort to prove those hypotheses.”

The research led Ruefenacht to found Dogs for Diabetics in 2004, though the name became the National Institute of Canine Service and Training (NICST) in 2020. The nonprofit raises and trains service dogs,

some in East County.

“We have developed a comprehensive training program that has quality built into

see Dogs page 19A

Photo by Savannah Pecknold

Kimber is a 13-week-old female black lab in training with NICST.

LAST CHANCE

TO VOTE! Let Your Favorite Brentwood Businesses KNOW They Are the BEST!

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK UP AND VOTE for your favorite Brentwood business or person. Who is your favorite hairstylist, doctor, dentist, personal trainer or loan officer? Where do you get your car fixed? Who’s your dog groomer, painter or plumber? You get the idea – now get voting! We list 200 categories to help you weigh in on the Best of Brentwood.

BRENT WOOD 2 3 2023 THE PRESS You Can WIN a

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just by taking the time to fill out and submit a ballot. We will be awarding three lucky voters who submit their ballots by Monday, August 28th. Vote online now at www.thepress.net/bob_ballot.

6 rules to follow so your ballot counts:

1. Vote for Brentwood-based businesses only.

2. Vote for a minimum of 10 categories.

3. Provide your name, e-mail and phone number on the ballot.

4. Full-sized, 11x17 photocopied newspaper ballots are OK, but entries must be written by hand in ink.

*Additional single copies available at The Press

5. When voting for a person, enter the person’s FULL name AND their company’s name.

6. When voting for a company, enter the company’s complete name.

Vote online at www.thepress.net/bob_ballot or come by The Press to pick up a paper ballot.

Opportunity Junction recognized by national nonprofit evaluator

Charity Navigator recently nominated Antioch-based nonprofit Opportunity Junction for a national Community Choice Award.

Charity Navigator, considered the nation’s largest and most influential nonprofit evaluator, announced the nominees on National Nonprofit Day, Aug. 17. Voting will take place through Aug. 27, and the public can participate here: bit.ly/43xTazb.

Opportunity Junction in Antioch provides no-cost business and health

care career training, job placement assistance, career counseling, and alumni support. The organization’s mission is to help Contra Costa County job seekers develop the skills and confidence to launch careers that lead to financial security. Since 2000, the organization has helped more than 1,500 launch careers.

Brianna Robinson, president and CEO of Opportunity Junction said, “We are deeply grateful for this nomination and the continued support from our community of supporters and partners. Opportunity

Junction remains committed to helping motivated Contra Costa County job seekers develop the skills and confidence to launch careers that lead to financial security.”

The nomination arrived shortly after Opportunity Junction earned a 100% perfect rating across all four of Charity Navigator’s categories: impact and results, accountability and finance, culture and community, and leadership and adaptability. Out of 1.6 million nonprofits evaluated across the United States, only 28 were recognized with a perfect

100% rating.

The Community Choice Awards will have one winner in each size-based category: small, medium, large, and super. Opportunity Junction was nominated in the large category. Winners will be determined based on the total number of votes received. The winners will be announced on Sept. 27.

To cast your vote and support Opportunity Junction in the Community Choice Awards, please visit bit.ly/43xTazb and follow the voting instructions.

Volunteers, runners sought to help with

12th

annual

Runners and volunteers are needed to participate in The 12th annual Delta Harvest Run on Sept. 10.

All of the net proceeds goes to the Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation. The foundation is a non-profit organization run by local Realtors and affiliates. Since its establishment in 2005, the foundation has been offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors at each of the high schools from Pittsburg to Discovery Bay.

The foundation estimates that it has awarded over $100,000 in high school scholarships since its inception. In addition to scholarships, the Foundation donates money to local food banks, community chests, homeless shelters, Elderly Make A Wish, and other charitable organizations in East Contra Costa County.

Delta Harvest Run on Sept. 10

an ice cream or a coffee. The run will also award age group medals as well as overall male and female trophies.

The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., with a pre-race warm-up led by a professional instructor prior to race time. The awards ceremony will take place at The City Park immediately following the race.

The Delta Harvest Run offers a half marathon, 10K, 5K and a 1-Mile Family Fun Run. The run begins and ends at City Park in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Oak and Second streets. The half marathon starts at 7:30, 10K at 7:45, 5K at 8 a.m. and the 1-mile family fun run at 9 a.m.

The flat route meanders through the

tree lined city streets and on the peaceful and scenic Marsh Creek trail. The run is facilitated by a professional race and timing company. All participants will receive a finishers metal, a custom performanceshirt, a swag bag and snacks at the finish line.

Back by popular demand, the runners will receive a token for a free beer,

For more information about the run or to register as a runner or a volunteer, visit http://www.deltaharvestrun.com/, or call race director Patti Shaner at 925-5841614.

Applications for scholarships will be available at each of the high school career centers by early December. Interested seniors can also call Tonia at the Delta Association of Realtors at (925) 757-8283 to receive an application.

The Press file photo

News iN Brief

Brentwood school district seeks applicants for bond oversight committee

The Brentwood Union School District is accepting applications for a citizens oversight committee for the Measure B school bond for a two-year term.

According to a press release from the district, the member needs to be one of the following:

• be part of a business organization

• be part of a senior citizens’ group

• be a parent in the district

• be a resident at large

• be part of a taxpayers’ organization

• be part of an agricultural or farming group

To apply, a paper form is available at the district office at 255 Guthrie Lane in Brentwood, or visit brentwood.k12.ca.us. busd/page/measure-b-citizen-oversightcommittee.

The deadline for completed applications is Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. For more information, call the district office at 925-513-6349.

Contra Costa Animal Services offering adoptions every day through August

Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) will be offering adoption services seven days a week through August in an effort to in-

crease adoptions amidst crowded conditions at the Martinez shelter. Potential adopters will now be able to meet and adopt pets on Sundays and Mondays, days that the shelter is typically closed to the public. Sunday and Monday adoptions will occur from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and during regular shelter hours Tuesday through Saturday.

“We’re pulling out all the stops to get animals out of the shelter and into loving homes,” says CCAS Director, Beth Ward.

CCAS has over 150 pets seeking permanent or temporary homes, and all adoptions are free of charge. Interested adopters and fosters can view CCAS’s available pets at www.ccasd.org, or come to meet them at the CCAS adoption center at 4800 Imhoff Place in Martinez. A $25 licensing fee may apply for pet adoptions.

For more information, contact Public Information Officer Steve Burdo at 925393-6836, or by email at steve.burdo@asd. cccounty.us.

DA charges Antioch, Pittsburg police officers with obstruction of justice and bribery

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced the filing of charges against five police officers who engaged in a criminal conspiracy and accepted bribes for voiding the citations of friends while serving

To submit a news item for this page, send it to editor@brentwoodpress.com

as sworn police officers for the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments.

“The charges set forth in these complaints allege offenses of public corruption,” said District Attorney Becton. “As District Attorney for Contra Costa County, my role is to seek justice and work on solutions to improve our communities. The legal action we’ve taken here today reflects that commitment.”

In all, six complaints were filed in Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. The alleged offenses center on fixing traffic violations of associates of sworn peace officers. The defendants are:

• Timothy Manly-Williams, Antioch

• Calvin Prieto, Antioch

• Andrea Rodriguez, Antioch

• Ben Padilla, Antioch

• Juan Ernesto Mejia-Orozco, Pittsburg

On March 22, 2022, state and federal investigators obtained search warrants for the cellphones of several officers. During a forensic analysis of the phones, investigators uncovered evidence of criminal wrongdoing, which culminated in conspiracy to obstruct justice and bribery.

Manly-Williams also faces a federal criminal indictment related to violations that arose out of a joint DA/FBI investigation.

In addition to the criminal conduct, a large trove of overtly racist, sexist, and homophobic text messages was uncovered. The conduct of the officers has compromised a num-

ber of cases and triggered scrutiny under the California Racial Justice Act (PC 745).

East County Performing Arts Center to offer scholarships to students

The East County Performing Arts Center has announced its first annual Community Performing Arts Scholarship to area performing arts students.

East County Performing Arts Center in Brentwood offers dance, musical theater, voice and acting classes for kids.

There is a class for everyone, whether your child is looking to learn how to dance or wanting to develop their musical theater passion.

The scholarship is a program that invites children throughout the Brentwood Union School District, in grades TK-8, the opportunity to apply for a full-year tuition scholarship. Students can complete an application by Sept. 15.

One scholarship will be awarded to one student from each school in theBrentwood Union School District.

Students will be given the opportunity to select the genre of performing arts they would like to practice for their scholarship term (acting, musical theater, vocal show choir, ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, or acrobatics).

For more information, contact eastcountypac@gmail.com or call 925-240-5556.

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Emergency readiness fair canceled, but organizers offer virtual tips

By Savannah Pecknold Correspondent

The emergency preparedness fair that was scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 2350 Jeffery Way in Brentwood was canceled.

In an email to The Press, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the organizer of the event, Dave Hull, said the event was canceled because the persons running the event had some personal conflicts. “We just were not ready,’ he said.

“I am sorry that we could not pull together an in-person event this year. The recent events certainly bring the topic to mind ..., “ which he said included the wildfires in Maui, the tropical storm/hurricane in Southern California for the first time in 25 years, plus the magnitude 5.5 earthquake, as well as the fires in Washington state.

Hull added, “In place of an inperson event this year, the committee is working on a communication with

links to resources, ideas, and information that you can use to make preparations for unplanned events.”

Vendors were scheduled to have displays and tables at the event so they could help give area residents tips about how to prepare for any kind of emergency (wildfire, earthquake, etc.) that would affect East County. Attendees would also learn what to do for the first 72 hours after a disaster under the assumption that first responders would not be able to help people in need for the first 72 hours, officials said. Examples included developing a family communication plan, food, first aid, cooking, and more.

Organizers sent a PDF of emergency preparedness as well as a presentation on YouTube.

The PDF can be found at thepress.net. The YouTube video for the fair is at https://m.youtube.com/ watch?v=bm89V45Mn8o.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net

UNDERSTANDING TESTAMENTARY CAPACITY by Martin C. Johnson, Attorney at Law, MBA,RMA®

Occasionally, individuals find themselves putting off the creation of their last Will and Testament until they’re in their later years, potentially facing health challenges. This situation raises the question of testamentary capacity, whether one possesses the mental capability required for a valid Will. On one hand, this delay could expose them to undue influence, fraud, or coercion, factors that can render even a legally sound Will invalid, despite having testamentary capacity. On the other hand, after their passing, even if the Will is initially accepted as valid for probate, doubts about testamentary capacity could lead to contests. This, in turn, delays the inheritance process for their beneficiaries.

Testamentary Capacity:

A cornerstone of a legally binding Will

Crafting a legally binding Will in California hinges on testamentary capacity. This involves a four-pronged assessment:

1. Did the testator grasp the implications of creating the Will?

2. Did they have a comprehensive understanding of their assets’ nature and extent?

3. Were they aware of the relationships between themselves and the intended beneficiaries?

4. Did any mental disorders or delusions impair them?

When a Will is submitted for probate, there’s an assumption of validity. However, this presumption can be contested.

Indeed, challenging a Will based on concerns about the testator’s testamentary capacity is common. The challenger bears the onus of proving the lack of capacity. If established, the Will becomes void and disregarded. Then the state decides who gets what.

Distinguishing testamentary capacity from testamentary intent

Testamentary capacity aligns with another pivotal Will requirement: testamentary intent. This involves whether, at the Will’s drafting, the testator genuinely intended its contents. A presumption exists that the testator understands the Will’s contents since they were presumably involved in its creation.

Intent becomes relevant in the face of:

• Undue influence, where another person manipulates the testator’s will improperly.

• Fraud, when a person knowingly crafts a Will based on misrepresented facts.

• Mistake, where the testator signs a different document unintentionally.

If testamentary intent is absent, a probate judge could invalidate the Will.

In essence, testamentary capacity revolves around the testator’s comprehension of the Will, while testamentary intent captures their genuine intentions in the Will.

Lack of Testamentary Capacity: Implications for Will Validity

As previously mentioned, individuals suspecting a testator’s incapacity to create a Will can challenge its validity if they have legal standing. If they prove the absence of any testamentary capacity element during Will creation, the court may nullify the Will. An invalid Will leads to the distribution of listed property among the decedent’s heirs based on state intestacy laws.

Need to create an estate plan or will?  We offer free consultations in our Walnut Creek office. This article provides only general legal information, and not specific legal advice.  The information contained is not a substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney.  360 ESTATE PLANNING INC, PHONE (925) 2898837, 1600 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Walnut Creek, CA  94596     © 2023 Martin Johnson

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

Vera’s Travel Tips

by Vera Martinez, Certified Travel Agent

Maui Strong

With the recent Maui wildfire, I’m left heartbroken and remembering all the times that I have visited that beautiful island and how much I’ve enjoyed walking through the town of Lahaina.  My heartache stems from a variety of reasons. First and foremost, the loss of life and property, natural beauty, and the memories associated with the affected areas are deeply painful. Homes that held cherished moments for their families and landscapes that held a connection to nature have been altered in ways I can’t even imagine. You might be asking yourself a couple of questions right now.  First, “Can I travel to Maui?”  Officially, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, M.D., and Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen are recommending that tourist travel not be to West Maui for now.  It’s important to remember that residents of West Maui are trying to move forward, and we want to respect what this community

Lazy Dog’s future in Brentwood uncertain

is dealing with now and for years to come.  But if you are still traveling to Maui, other areas of the island like Wailea, Kihei, Paia, Hana and parts of upcountry Maui are open for visitors.  The rest of the state is also open because travel to Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island remains unaffected.

The second question you may be asking is “How can I help?”  You can visit Maui County’s comprehensive website with information on how to make donations by using this link: https://www.mauinuistrong.info/.  Your help and support will make a world of difference to someone in need.  I can’t say for certain how long the recovery will take, but I can say with certainty that the people of Maui are resilient, and like the island itself, they will overcome this tragic event.  They are Maui Strong.

To Book Your Dream Vacation call me at 925-639-9194 or go to www.vmartinez.dreamvacations.com.

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

Plans to bring a Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar to Brentwood have been put on hold by the restaurant chain because the restaurateurs and city disagree over the design.

Although the Planning Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 15 to approve plans to build a Lazy Dog restaurant on the southeast corner of Sand Creek Road and Highway 4 across from the Streets of Brentwood shopping center, the chain has since backed out.

“That was the word we received after the Planning Commission meeting due to significant cost increase estimates with design element changes approved,” City Manager Tim Ogden said via email. “However, staff continue to work with them, and with the City Council call for review to be reconsidered at their Sep. 26 meeting, we’ll see if Lazy Dog reconsiders coming to Brentwood.”

Lazy Dog is a national chain of sitdown restaurants with a “Rocky Mountain-inspired design,” according to city staff who presented plans to the commissioners during the meeting. The restaurant’s website describes its menu as

“comfort foods,” such as hamburgers, sandwiches and pasta, and features indoor dining as well as outdoor patio dining. As the name suggests, the restaurants are dog-friendly, although pets are limited to the patio dining area. The closest location is in Concord.

The changes to the design elements included concerns over a tower-like structure that is a “signature piece” for the restaurant chain, according to the planners’ Vice Chairperson David Sparling at the meeting. The Planning Commission expressed concern that it would worsen the sightline of the area by blocking out surrounding scenery. The commissioners ultimately agreed that the restaurant would be able to include the tower, albeit modified to include smaller design elements, in spite of their reservations.

The meeting can be found at https:// bit.ly/3qyqMG8

To comment, visit www.thepress.net

Courtesy of City of Brentwood

Byron Hot Springs restoration on hold again

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

The historic Byron Hot Springs, once a destination for celebrities and the wealthy, is falling apart and its owner can’t stop it.

“I don’t know what to do about it,” Robert Cort says of the property. “I just want to save the building from falling right now.”

The biggest hurdle to the property’s rehabilitation is not lack of know-how – Cort has a long history of developing real estate – but lack of cooperation from the county, he says. Cort has owned the property since 2019 and has faced an uphill battle in getting the necessary approvals to develop it into a destination spot or even repair the existing building.

Cort originally had a meeting scheduled with the county on Aug. 21 but was “frustrated” to find out that a

miscommunication had left it off of the Contra Costa County Planning Department’s agenda. He’s now hoping that he can meet with them in early September.

“I’m shocked they’re not giving me permission to make this safe,” Cort said of the process.

The 350-acre property is north of the Byron Airport between Vasco Road and Byron Highway. Earlier this year, Cort said due to its historical importance to the East Bay, the county planner gave him an extensive list of large, expensive items to be completed, such as conducting comprehensive “environmental impact and Native American studies” and widening the main road to the property. At the time, he had originally planned to make the building a restaurant, add an outside seating area and possibly a wedding garden, but intended to leave the property largely unchanged to preserve its historical significance.

“We wanted it to be for the community,” Cort said in March. “Just something so people can come out and see it

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and know what it is, because every day, 10 or 20 people break in and walk over to see what it is … so I went to the planning department and submitted it and they gave me this insane list.”

Cort’s chief concern now is safety more than revitalization. Earlier this year, he discovered the building’s foundation was severely damaged and needed to be repaired or there wouldn’t be a building left to preserve.

“The building is just at the point that it’s starting to collapse,” he said in the spring. “It’s old, there’s been fires and vandalism and damage and the building has been faithfully solid. But it’s just now giving in. There is a corner that’s cracked and sinking about six inches down. I called some engineers out to look at it, and most said I need to do some emergency foundation work just to stabilize the building, or it will all fall down.”

Until he can meet with the county, Cort says there’s “no progress” to report.

CORT

The Press did a bit of globetrotting through Europe with Christian Raitt. The pair were spotted in Italy, England and even France!

Paul Wayne Schwartz

November 27, 1936 -August 16, 2023

Paul Wayne Schwartz, loving husband to Christel and father to Kurt and Kristian, passed at the age of 86 on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.

Paul Schwartz resided in Brentwood, Calif.

Paul was born in Walnut, Iowa, on November 27, 1936, to Viola and Raymond Schwartz. Paul had three siblings: Gene, Gerald, and Marlene. Paul grew up on a working farm, a source of many fond memories.

Paul served with the U.S. Navy for three years, stationed in Adak, Alaska, and was responsible for copying and translating Russian Morse code. Paul graduated from The University of Omaha with a degree in Business Management and served with Bank of America as a Vice President of Credit for 30 years.

The shining moment of Paul’s life was when he met his future wife, Christel, at a New Year’s party in 1966. It was ‘love at first sight,’ with Paul proposing to Christel on their

third date. Paul and Christel were inseparable and shared 54 years of a loving marriage.

Paul is survived by his older son, Kurt Wayne Schwartz, his daughterin-law, Jennie Schwartz, and their children Colleen, Jarod, Brooklynn, and Hailey Schwartz, his younger son, Kristian Paul Schwartz, his daughterin-law, Mary Schwartz, and their children Claire and Katherine Schwartz. He is also survived by his brother, Gerald Fredrick Schwartz, his sisterin-law, Jane Schwartz, his sister, Marlene Viola Martin, nieces Lori Cahoun (Dale), Kenley Kifer, Danielle Davis (David), Elaine Stewart and nephews Dr. Bradley Schwartz (Amy), Charles Schwartz and Brian Kelly (Amber).

Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Christel Schwartz, his parents, his brother, Col. Raymond “Gene” Schwartz USAF (Ret), brother-in-law, Robert Martin, and niece, Christy Kelly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to The American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org).

No memorial service is immediately planned. The family will notify loved ones in the future when a service is scheduled.

Photos by Christian Raitt

n

Challenging myself and striving for excellence

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of introductions to The Press’ writing staff.

“True perfection is unattainable, but if you chase perfection, you will catch excellence.” ~Vince Lombardi, Hall of Fame Green Bay Packers Head Coach.

Correspondent

To this day, Coach Lombardi’s “excellence” quote remains one of my favorites not just because I am an avid sports fan, but also because I believe that quote also applies to life, period.

We, as humans, are imperfect. We all fall on our faces from time to time, we occasionally slip up and make those pesky errors. However, if we pick ourselves up, keep working hard, keep trying our absolute hardest, and striving to do our best, good things are bound to happen!

In life, just like in sports, whether we realize it or not, we all need coaches

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Send correspondence to The Press, 248 Oak St., Brentwood, California, 94513; or email editor@ brentwoodpress.com.

(whoever they may be – a parent, family member, a teacher, or a boss), just like we all need people to heap praise and embrace the good while at the same time to point out areas of improvement and, thus, keep us humble and grounded. It may not always be fun, and we may not always like it, but in order to obtain growth and success, it is absolutely vital. But hold that thought...

My love for writing dates all the way back to when I was only 14 when I started journaling. I don’t think enough words can describe my passion for writing; to be able to put into words onto paper, on a computer, or in print my thoughts and feelings, is a magical, powerful tool that has helped me in life in more ways than I can count. As I grew older and as my passion and interest in writing grew with it, I was often asked by friends, family, and teachers about whether or not I planned on doing anything with my writing. I was always hesitant, fearing what people would think of it, or whether or not it was simply good enough. I didn’t think I could take anyone criticizing something so near and dear to me, and something at the time I considered private.

However, I knew that if I wanted to take my writing anywhere, I knew I would have to step out of my comfort zone, be ready for whatever praise or criticism that came my way, and take the good with the bad. If I wanted to grow as a writer and become better, it was an absolutely necessary step.

I’ve been a freelance writer since 2017, and have been with The Press since 2021. Along the way, I’ve written about a wide variety of topics ranging

from local infrastructure, the housing market and economy, pets and animals, recreation, community sports, as well as some societal topics such as bullying and pollution. I also had the privilege to meet and converse with local city leaders, police officers, firefighters, veterans, school officials and teachers, coaches, and aspiring athletes.

While writing for The Press, I’ve come to truly respect and admire the entire editing and publishing process that goes into producing not just the new material you read weekly and daily, but even just a single article. It was this same process that I once feared; being critiqued or told where I could improve, without being seasoned or confident enough to handle it or think that at the end of the day, they’re simply trying to help me. That being said, I can’t thank and appreciate my colleagues and superiors here at The Press enough, for being those coaches I once feared and tried for so long to avoid, for helping me become a better writer and looking for ways to help me improve not just as a writer, but as a person as well.

Chasing perfection and striving for excellence has a lot to do with one word; accountability. Of course, it’s easier said than done. In our society today, I do believe that in more ways than one, accountability is somewhat of a lost art, but that is another story for another time. In the sports world, if someone makes a mistake, it’s virtually impossible to hide from it. They have their peers, fans, the media, and the whole world watching. You almost have no choice BUT to be accountable for your actions. The same goes with other aspects in life.

The same goes with writing. It’s easy to point fingers and deflect blame. But, it takes time, energy, and discipline to sit back, listen, and learn how you can improve.

I also have to credit my wife and my parents for their great inspiration and teaching me not only the importance of working hard, but also that hard work NEVER stops. It’s great to accomplish a feat or to win a game. Take a moment to admire and appreciate it. But at the end of the day, reality sets in; you have to win another one. In writing, it’s nice to have something published. Take a moment to savor and appreciate your work. But, time to write another one. And another one. And another one after that. The work never stops!

One of the things I’ve absolutely loved about this job is that while I am tasked with the assignment of writing an article for you to read and with which to educate yourself, I too am educating myself on topics on which I previously had limited to no knowledge. It’s a win-win; you, the reader, and I are both learning!

It is my sincere hope to continue to grow and hone my writing skills for as long as I am able to with The Brentwood Press. Writing for The Press has been a fun ride, meeting and working with a bunch of different people with one shared goal – to write something newsworthy, accurate, and hopefully enjoyable for all of you readers. And it’s a ride I hope continues for a very long time!

I look forward to more challenges, because without a challenge, you can’t have improvement, and without improvement, you can’t have growth. And without growth, you can’t have......excellence.

Publisher & Editor Greg Robinson

Controller Sandie McNulty

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Heritage looks for strong start to season and first win against Foothill

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

In last week’s scrimmage jamboree at Dublin High, the Heritage Patriots gave a glimpse of what the offense can be capable of.

Now as the games count starting Friday night, they’ll look to finally open the curtains all the way on what they hope is the explosive offense they’ve been working on all summer.

“It’s been a long haul getting here,” head coach Dave Fogelstrom said Friday night after the jamboree. “We finally got to be right in front of three different colored jerseys. I felt like the energy was there, obviously there were a little nerves when we first came out for some guys that haven’t been in the scenario before. But all in all we needed this night.”

Both junior quarterbacks Austin Peters and Phillip Babbitt threw touchdowns and guided the offense downfield fairly smoothly against Berkeley and Bishop O’Dowd – Peters threw a 40-yard touchdown to Brooks Davis against Berkeley, taking advantage of Davis’s speed and physicality against Berkeley’s single coverage, while Babbitt threw a bomb to the junior speedster JJ Kinnaird for a score and hit a wide open Charlie Blaise in the middle of the end zone for another.

“They came out a little nervous from the beginning,” Fogelstrom said. “Our goal tonight was for those guys to play hard and to basically get to the right spots.”

Running back Emanuel Rankins ran well through the night, hitting the gaps and running through defenders during his time in the scrimmage as well, although he would say differently.

“We did pretty good,” Rankins said. “I feel we could’ve done a little better running the ball, but overall we did good.”

Heritage struggled to get much of anything going, against the host Dublin Gaels in the final session of the night. The Gaels managed to contain the Patriots offense both on the ground and in the air, while they were able to grab big gains

against the Patriots’ defense.

Junior running back Emanuel Rankins tries to run through a Berkeley defender during last week’s scrimmage in Dublin.

Brentwood.

“Foothill’s kind of like us,” Fogelstrom said. “They lost a lot of guys last year, they’re not quite sure what they’re going to see Friday night. It’s a really good test for us. We’re going to attempt to make history and get after them on Friday.”

The Falcons went 6-4 during the regular season last year, bouncing back in league play after a 2-4 start in non-conference play that included a four-game losing streak that saw their offense score just 35 points in the stretch. They reached the playoffs after going undefeated in league play and lost in the NCS semifinals to eventual CIF State Runner-Up San Ramon Valley.

“We played pretty hard,” Peters said of the scrimmage. “Overall, we just keep building from this and keep working hard.”

Friday night’s game at Foothill in Pleasanton presents a unique opportunity for the Patriots to start the 2023 season.

On one hand, there’s the goal of starting the season with a win, then there’s the chance to defeat Foothill for the first time in program history.

Heritage is 0-2 against the Falcons so far, falling to them 34-13 back in 2019 in Pleasanton and 31-18 in 2018 at home in

Friday night’s season opener could prove to be the first true test for this hopeful high-powered offense, specifically in the passing game. Although Foothill’s pass rush totaled 28.5 sacks in 12 games last year including the playoffs, its secondary grabbed only five interceptions.

Regardless, Fogelstrom said he knows that Friday night’s result won’t make or break the season, despite the historical angle there isn’t as much on the line and that the team’s performance can only get better after the scrimmage at Dublin last Friday.

“It might take a game before we really figure out who we are and that takes some time,” Fogelstrom said. “(Friday night) we took another step forward.”

Liberty eager and confident entering the 2023 season

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

In last year’s season opener, Liberty dominated the James Enochs 56-0 at home in a season-opening game that was just about over before halftime.

However, when the Lions travel out to Modesto to take on Enochs on Thursday to open this season, they’ll face a different Enochs team, one of which they won’t expect to go as easily as it did last year.

“We have the utmost respect for Enochs,” second-year head coach Mike Cable said. “It’s still a good football team. They won Week 1 against Beyer – they blew them out – so we are expecting a competitive football team and we’re really putting our best foot forward.”

The Eagles shutout Beyer 28-0 in their season opener last Friday in Modesto as senior running back Aiden Muhammad ran for 188 yards on 16 carries with a pair of touchdowns. They posted a similarly dominant win over Beyer last year as well before the blowout by the Lions the week after.

In fact, the start of the Lions’ 2023 season mirrors their start of 2022. They open at Enochs on Thursday, followed by games against Los Gatos and Wood, all of whom they faced to start last season in that same order. Liberty went 2-1 in the first three games against them last year with the lone loss coming at Los Gatos 31-0, the only shutout the Lions suffered in 2022.

The sense of familiarity in the schedule, let alone hav-

ing the opponents in the same exact order, adds a sense of comfort for Cable as he enters his second season manning the Lions’ sidelines.

“Last year was my first year in Liberty and the BVAL,” he explained. “It was my first exposure to these opponents in the competition.

“But again, our mindset is much different this year than it was last year. It’s a completely different team and we’re excited.”

“I think (Monday night) I didn’t go to bed ‘til like 1 because I was watching film and doing our scouting reports,”

Robertson added as he prepares to make his varsity debut Thursday night in Modesto. “It’s just in my head, and I just want to go out and play.”

“He’s progressed a lot this offseason,” Cable said of his quarterback. “The one thing that I saw a lot from him in (last Friday’s scrimmage) that we needed to see was his confidence. That bodes very well for his poise and as a leader on this team and this offense and exactly what we want to see from him.”

Robertson added that taking on Enochs and the same teams to start the 2023 season gives the Lions an advantage.

“We kind of know what they’re going to do,” he explained. “Our coaches let us know, and I’ve seen them all play before, seen their games before,so I kind of know how they play and what they play.”

“I’m not going to say it’s easier, but it’s kind of nice to know what they’ve done in the past.”

The Lions start the 2023 campaign after a strong showing in their scrimmage jamboree at Clayton Valley Charter last Friday. Cable said that although it took a while for the Lions to get to game speed for the first time, they were able to play “their brand of football.”

“We were a little rattled at first,” he said. “Once we did we kind of took things over and we ran our brand of football – a lot of success running the football, passing the ball and defense did well. All in all it was a great scrimmage for us. We got everybody involved and kind of found out where we are as far as depth goes.”

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Lions junior quarterback Sage Robertson steps up to pass during the team’s practice on Tuesday.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Heritage girls volleyball gets off to strong start; Hannigan’s questions answered

(Editor’s note: This story was written before Heritage’s matches against Castro Valley on Aug. 23 and Granada on Aug. 24)

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

Before the first serve was taken in last weekend’s East County Invite, Heritage girl’s volleyball head coach Janet Hannigan had several questions about her roster entering the 2023 campaign.

Can her freshman setter fill a role held by a senior last year? Does this current roster have just as good, if not a better, sense of cohesiveness compared to last year? Are the seniors providing the right leadership for the underclassmen?

Those questions may have been put to bed after the Patriots’ opened the season 3-2 after the tournament at Deer Valley last Saturday.

“Kind of answered some questions for me on some things,” Hannigan said after the team’s opening win against El Cerrito. “We’re always going to try new stuff, but getting a win, and a decisive win, is really great.”

Heritage swept El Cerrito 2-0 (25-13, 25-10) in the best-of-three series as senior Brenna Gleason and Chisom Okaforize each notched a team-high four kills in

the match with sophomore Camy De La Chevrotiere served four aces.

The Patriots went on to lose to Encinal in two straight sets afterward, despite a furious rally in the first set that nearly saw them come all the way back from a 16-2 hole.

Heritage would grab 2-0 wins in two of the final three matches of the day against College Park and Mt. Diablo before getting swept by Albany to end the day. De La Chevrotiere finished the day

with 10 aces, while Gleason got 19 kills and nine aces of her own.

The Patriots say that the start to the season has been a huge boost to the team’s confidence.

“I think it’s really good,” Gleason said. “I feel like we went into the season by the two jamboree’s kind of hesitant, kind of nervous about the play because there’s a lot of new people on the team. But the younger underclassmen really

have been stepping up. I’m excited to see how the season goes.”

The 3-2 start to the campaign is a step in a better direction from the 1-6 start to 2022. Heritage would eventually finish 17-11 overall while running through the BVAL 10-0, extending their winning streak in league to 22 matches in the process.

They rode a six-match win streak and won nine of their last 11 before crashing in the North Coast Section playoffs at Berkeley after a five-set classic that went down to the wire.

“That game was really disappointing,” senior Natalie Labarge said. “This year, if we really practice with each other well enough and we could get that flow going, I think we really will take it on. If we continue to bring that up and bring up the level I feel like we could take NCS longer.”

“We’re going to face different teams and we’re going to face different levels,” senior Ellie Hartman said. “I think as long as we pull the positives from every match and every practice, we take what our coaches taught us, and we apply that to our gameplay, I think that’s what’s going to bring us to the next level.”

Heritage finishes non-conference play on the road on Wednesday, Sept. 6 and opens BVAL play the following night against Antioch at home on Sept. 7.

Natalie Labarge #12, #4 Brenna Gleason, #9 Madeleine Whitaker all celebrate scoring during the Patriots’ match against El Cerrito last Saturday.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Should the voting age be raised or lowered?

Determining the optimal voting age remains a longstanding debate, with proposals to lower it to 15 or raise it to 21, but this intricate issue encompasses diverse viewpoints and considerations. Advocates of lowering the voting age argue that engaged student activists aged 15-17 warrant a say in shaping their future. These young individuals are already involved in economic activities such as tax payments and implying a sense of responsibility for participating in the political process. Their input and assertion are crucial for influencing policies that will inevitably impact their lives.

Conversely, supporters of raising

the voting age range, specifically Gen X, emphasize the opinions of young minds. Scientific research suggests that brain maturation extends until around 25 years of age, raising queries about the capacity of individuals younger than 25 to make informed and sensible political decisions.

The study “Maturation of the adolescent brain” from Saint James School of Medicine explains “brain development is not complete until near the age of 25 years refers specifically to the development of the prefrontal cortex.” This contention posits that the voting age could be raised due to the need for the development of the brain for opinions.

The benefits of modifying the voting age are apparent on both sides. By

enabling younger individuals to vote, societies create a stronger link between the younger generation and the political process. This allows for political awareness and engagement from a younger age. It would empower impassioned young individuals to voice their opinions on matters that will influence their lives down the road, allowing them to actively contribute to shaping their society.

However, changing the voting age also poses potential downsides. Lowering the voting age could introduce a susceptibility to influence that may not align to form an informed electorate.

Younger minds tend to be more adaptable and impressionable, rendering them susceptible to external opinions and trends. This raises concerns about the genuineness of the votes cast by younger individuals, and whether they genuinely reflect independent thought or are swayed by external factors.

Although, altering the voting age could hold significant drawbacks. Extending the age range of voters by a few years may introduce more diverse perspectives. Still, it could also impact the election dynamics, changing voter statistics due to various opinions and

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ages. Moreover, there is potential for negatives, as the younger generations have strong opinions at an early age.

The issue of the minimum voting age is not an easy one to answer. While young activists aspire to have their voices heard and their opinions counted, concerns about the maturity of young minds cannot be dismissed. Any law change to the voting age is a heavy topic, as it wields the power to reshape the political landscape, although the voting age has not been altered in years.

Essentially, the conversation is almost useless because, in our current society, the system works. People argue about raising or lowering but do not consider that since there are so many pros, cons, why’s, and don’t they realize that it should be kept the same.

The topic surrounding the minimum voting age conversation reflects on different issues taken at different points, although it has not changed does not mean it will not be spoken upon.

For another perspective visit https:// www.dailytarheel.com/article/2022/11/ university-student-voting-protest.

– By Rojan Mikael Habon Sophomore, Heritage High School

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For print, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication. For online, post your events for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.

This Week’s Events

Saturday, August 26

9th annual Hot August Bites

RioVision is hosting their annual rib and chili cook-off, Hot August Bites, from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. in downtown Rio Vista. The event features live music, vendors, pony rides and a car and truck show. For more information and to enter the car and truck show and the rib and chili cook-off, visit https://bit.ly/3pp0W72.

2023 Salvation Army 5th Annual Car Show and Fundraiser

Rivertown Community Church and the Disciples Car Club Ministry are hosting their fifth annual car show and fundraiser to benefit the Salvation Army from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Registration is $25 for cars and motorcycles, and $15 for bikes. The event at 11 Worrell Road in Antioch will also feature raffle prizes and craft vendors. Registration opens at 8 a.m.

Free car wash in Antioch

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is offering a free car wash from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. at 3015 Rio Grande Dr. The church group is offering access to the air-conditioned church while wash is in progress.

Retro Summer Block Party featuring the movie Space Jam

The Oakley Recreation Division is offering the first Retro Summer Block Party. Join us before the movie starts for giant Jenga, corn hole, free glitter tattoos, music and more will be offered before the movie starts. The free games and fun will begin at 6 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, the original Space Jam movie will begin at dark. Staff will be selling popcorn, candy and soda in the snack shack located behind the stage. For details, visit http://www.ci.oakley.ca.us.

Aug. 26-27

Auditions for “You Can’t Take It With You” from Ghostlight Theatre

Free auditions for “You Can’t Take It With You” from Ghostlight Theatre will be from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at 400 Guthrie Lane in Brentwood. It will be performed in November and directed by Michael Wilson. Callbacks on Aug. 30 if necessary. Grandpa Vanderhof and his wacky family are a madcap group of eccentrics, marching to the beat of their own drum with pride and joy. Their hobbies include collecting snakes, building fireworks, writing plays that never

get published, making candy and taking ballet lessons. They only want to enjoy life and have no time for practical problems like jobs and paying taxes. But when sensible daughter Alice becomes engaged to the son of her employer, the Vanderhof clan must straighten up to meet the new in-laws. Things don’t go as planned and hilarity ensues. Will love be enough to bring two very different families together? For more information, https://ghostlightte.org/ you-cant-take-it-with-you

Sunday, August 27

Discovery Bay Farmers Market

The Discovery Bay Farmers Market is starting again this Sunday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. It runs every Sunday from May through October at the Discovery Bay Marina at 5879 Marina Road to check out fresh fruits and veggies, food, local artisan products. Admission is free. For details, visit http:// sjcfarmersmarket.com

Monday, August 28

Brentwood Concert Band Rehearsals

Brentwood Concert Band Rehearsals will be at Hillside Church at 108 Hillside Road in Antioch. Rehearsals also are Sept. 4, 11, 18,. 25 and Oct. 2 – all at 7 p.m. Any instrumentalist who can read music and has one year or more experience is welcome to join us. The band is primarily a wind ensemble (woodwinds, brass, percussion), but strings are welcome. Piano players and guitarists will find a home in the percussion section. If possible, please contact us before coming so we can prepare music for you.

On the Horizon

Saturday, September 9

Summer Jam Concert

The Discovery Bay Lions Club is hosting their annual free Summer Jam Concert Series at the Discovery Bay Community Center on 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd. The featured band is Gunpowder and Lace, and gates open at 5 p.m. Food, beer, wine and margaritas will be available for purchase. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3DAfKmy

2nd Annual La Gran Fiesta!

The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is hosting La Gran Fiesta! in downtown Brentwood from 1-6 p.m. The event will also feature performances from Grupo L and Grupo Maya. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/44VQTWk or call Melisa Hanson at (925) 634-3344.

Saturday, Sept. 9- Sunday, Sept. 10

39th Pittsburg Seafood and Music Festival

The Pittsburg Seafood & Music Festival at John Buckley Square in Old Town Pittsburg provides a safe and enjoyable environment for the whole family with a wide variety of activities that include: arts and crafts on display, activities for the kids including face painting, magic shows, cooking demonstrations, three live entertainment stages, craft beer, a wine pavilion, Latin flare entertainment and more. Hours are 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3YzGqO9.

Sunday, September 10

The 35th annual Community Bar-bque in Brentwood

From 2–4 p.m. at the East Contra Costa Historical Museum at 3890 Sellers Ave. in Brentwood/Knightsen. Tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for kids 6-12, and kids younger than 6 are admitted free. To buy tickets, call 925-634-4049 or visit http://eastcontracostahistoricalsociety.org.

Delta Harvest Run

The 12th annual Delta Harvest Run offers a half marathon, 10K, 5K and a 1-Mile Family Fun Run. The run begins and ends at City Park in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Oak and Second streets. The half marathon starts at 7:30 a.m., 10K at 7:45, 5K at 8 a.m. and the 1-mile family fun run at 9 a.m. .Net proceeds go to the Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation. For more information about the run or to register as a runner or a volunteer, visit http://www.deltaharvestrun.com/, or call race director Patti Shaner at 925-584-1614.

Friday, September 15

Cache Creek Casino Bus Trip

The Oakley Senior Center at 215 Second St., is hosting a fundraising casino bus trip to Cache Creek Casino in Brooks. The cost is $42, and includes bingo, snacks, water and a 50/50 raffle. The bus will leave the Oakley Senior Center at 8 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. For more information on the trip, call 925-732-2304.

Saturday, Sept. 23

Second annual Brentwood Craft Brew Fest

The second annual Brentwood Craft Brew Fest is at City Park at 790 2nd St. from 1–5 p.m. Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the gate. The fundraiser is hosted by The Rotary Club of Brentwood. For ticket information, visit bit.ly/3sqfHrh.

Stroll for Gold Fun Run and Walk –Dillon’s Dream

The second annual 5K and 10K Stroll for Gold Fun Run and Walk is to raise awareness of childhood cancer. Starts at 9 a.m. at Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch. Registration is $40. For details, visit http://dillonsdreams. simpletix.com

Ongoing Events

East County Rotary Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Rotary Club meets weekly on Monday at noon at the Wedgewood Banquet Center at 100 Summerset Drive in Brentwood. For more information, visit https:// www.brentwoodrotary94513.com. Oakley: The Oakley Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at Black Bear Diner, 3201 Main St. in Oakley. For more information, visit http:// rotaryclubofoakley.com. Antioch: The Antioch Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at noon at Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road in Antioch. For more information, visit http://www.antiochrotaryclub.com/.

The Rotary Club of the Delta meets weekly on Wednesday at 7 a.m. at Denny’s, 4823 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. For more information, visit https://www.rotaryclubofthedelta.org/.

East County Lions Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Lions Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Locations vary. For more information, visit: https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/

Oakley: The Oakley Lions Club meets the fourth Wednesdays of every month at 7 p.m. at the Oakley Senior Center, for more information, visit https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/ Antioch: The Antioch Lions Club meets every second and fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Denny’s on Delta Fair Blvd. Discovery Bay: The Discovery Bay Lions Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club. For more information, visit:https://discoverybaylions.com/who-weare/meetings/ Byron: The Byron Delta Lions Club meets every first Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church for more information https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/byron_delta/

East Contra Costa Historical Museum

Season Open

The East Contra Costa Historical Museum at 3890 Sellers Ave., season is open until Oct. 28 from 2-4 p.m. The museum features displays of early pioneer life in the Byer/Nail House built in 1878, lessons in the Eden Plains schoolhouse and a variety of outdoor activities. For more information visit https://eastcontracostahistory.org/

Cop logs

The following is a selection of recent law enforecement activity:

OAKLEY

August 3, 4:30 a.m. A security check was conducted at Diamond Hills Sports Club and Spa.

August 3, 4:40 a.m. A suspicious person was reported at the 4600 block of Bayside Way.

August 3, 5:55 a.m. A traffic hazard was reported at Laurel Road and Rose Avenue.

August 3, 7:29 a.m. Grand theft from a vehicle was reported on the 5100 block of Winchester Drive.

August 3, 7:36 a.m. A suspicious vehicle was reported on Delta Road and Lozoya Way.

August 3, 8:23 a.m. Reckless driving was reported on Laurel Road and O’Hara Avenue.

August 3, 10:13 a.m. A vehicle theft was reported on the 300 block of Myrtle Lane.

August 3, 11:55 a.m. A misdemeanor hit and run was reported on the 500 block of Norcross Lane.

August 3, 11:57 a.m. A burglary was reported at Main Street and 5th Street.

August 3, 12:56 p.m. Patrol request on the 600 block of Marathon Way.

August 3, 2:11 p.m. A felony was reported on the 3200 block of Main Street.

August 3, 2:25 p.m. A misdemeanor hit and run was reported on the 100 block of Malicoat Avenue.

August 3, 4:25 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on the 40 block of Grand Canyon Drive.

August 3, 7:41 p.m. A verbal dispute was reported on the 5000 block of Fernwood Circle.

August 3, 8:27 p.m. An accident with injury was reported at O’Hara Avenue and Home Street.

August 3, 9:52 p.m. A verbal dispute was reported on the 4100 block of Sequoia Drive.

August 3, 10:06 p.m. Reckless driving was reported at Teton Road and Sierra Trail Road.

August 3, 10:40 p.m. An unwanted guest was reported at the Shell Gas on Main Street.

August 4, 8:13 a.m. A domestic disturbance was reported on the 300 block of Hazelnut Lane.

August 4, 8:11 a.m. A suspicious vehicle was reported at Almond Grove Elementary School.

August 4, 8:35 a.m. A public nuisance

was reported at Main Street and Douglas Road.

August 4, 12:44 p.m An abandoned vehicle was reported on the 1800 block of Hamburg Street.

August 4, 1:28 p.m. A suspicious circumstance was reported at Empire Avenue and Laurel Road.

August 4, 2:52 p.m. Loud music was reported on the 3900 block of Harvest Circle.

August 4, 3:42 p.m. A juvenile disturbance was reported at Cypress Grove Community Park.

August 4, 3:49 p.m. A vehicle theft was reported at Oakley Elementary School.

August 4, 4:11 p.m. A suspicious vehicle was reported at Main Street and Carol Lane.

August 4, 5:25 p.m. Property damage was reported at the Best Western on Main Street.

August 4, 5:53 p.m. A case of identity theft was reported on the 4700 block of Bayside Way.

August 4, 8:35 p.m. A misdemeanor DUI was reported at Laurel Road and Empire Avenue.

August 4, 9:15 p.m. A case of reckless driving was reported on at Big Break Road and Main Street.

August 4, 9:25 p.m. A misdemeanor DUI was reported on West Cypress Road and O’Hara Avenue.

August 4, 10:13 p.m. Loud music was reported on the 300 block of E. Home Street.

BRENTWOOD

August 2, 12:02 a.m. A domestic dispute was reported on Bond Lane.

August 2, 6:21 a.m. An officer assisted in serving a warrant for an outside agency on Edera Place and an adult was taken into custody.

August 2, 12:04 p.m. was reported on Lone Tree Way. The sus pect stole the reporting party’s trash can and filled it with five shoes.

August 2, 2:19 p.m. A case of embezzlement was reported on Sand Creek Road. An employee was fired for taking over $50,000.

August 2, 2:32 p.m. An accident with no injuries was reported on W. Country Club and Lakeview Drives. The reporting party was hit by someone trying to cut her off, resulting in a verbal dispute.

August 2, 4:00 p.m. A verbal dispute was reported on Wentworth Court

August 2, 9:32 p.m. A warrant was served on Villa Terrace, and an adult was taken into custody.

August 2, 10:06 p.m. A verbal dispute was reported on Amanda Drive. The reporting party’s ex got home from the store and was causing a disturbance of the peace.

August 3, 1:57 a.m. A suspicious person was reported on Nottingham Drive. Suspect was walking around with a flashlight, looking into houses and kicking garbage cans, then was arrested.

August 3, 5:45 a.m. A suspicious circumstance was reported on Lone Tree Way. The reporting party was attempting to put out a small fire when a vehicle with 4 males approached. The male suspects threatened her and informed her that they had been the ones to start the fire. The reporting party advised that one of the suspects had a gun in his lap.

August 3, 7:56 a.m. A vehicle burglary was reported on Sand Creek Road. A black, 2013 Chevy Tahoe, along with items including the vehicle registration, were taken.

August 3, 8:09 a.m. A minor injury accident with medical response was reported on Sand Creek Road and Minnesota Avenue. A vehicle struck a juvenile on a bicycle.

August 3, 10:55 a.m. A case of vandalism was reported on Walnut Boulevard. The

A case of petty theft orting party’s bicycle was stolen from

A case of petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. The suspect stole the reporting party’s trash can and filled it with five shoes.

DeSaulnier from page 1A

college,” she said. According to Crowder, school safety and representation for all students contribute to a healthier and motivated mental state.

Adé Gobir from the Contra Costa County Office of Education and manager for the Wellness In Schools Program (WISP), discussed the idea of getting wellness centers in schools to help increase student access to behavioral health services. “It’s not one person’s job. It’s important that we continue to build community and build access. Because if we’re talking about mental health and stigma, it’s very important to have access. We have to have a safe place for people so they can get the care they need,” Gobir said.

DeSaulnier and the panelists stressed the difference between preventing a mental health crisis versus treating it. Anna M. Sabio, LCSW Director of Therapeutic Services at John Muir Health, showed in a presentation the symptoms of mental health issues and a six-step safety plan for suicide prevention. The steps are:

• Recognize warning signs

• Identify triggers

Tobacco from page 1A

• Internal coping strategies

• External coping strategies

• Build trust and problem solving

• Seek professional help

“We all have our part to prevent crisis. In order for us to prevent crisis, we need to recognize the problem early,” Sabio said.

Natalia Garcia from Common Sense Media called out social media for its addictive, invasive nature and urged large technology companies to take accountability for the harmful content they make easily accessible to young people.

Garcia cited a statistic from the Teens, Tweens, Tech, and Mental Health research report that said, “7 in 10 children who exhibit depressive symptoms are served on their feeds suicidal content on social media a minimum of once a month.”

“Very expensive tech lobbyists have been working around the clock to make sure that there is a golden fence built around companies like Meta, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and the rest. As a result, we don’t have a lot of rules or regulations in place for tech companies in how they design their products for our children,” said Garcia. “Our kids are experiencing an exorbitant

there are 44 stores in town that sell tobacco products, according to Contra Costa Health’s Tobacco Prevention Coalition. Thirty-seven of those stores, including gas stations and pharmacies, are near youth-friendly areas.

“Tobacco companies have targeted kids forever,” Sanvi Panda, 14, told the council. Panda is a member of her school’s tobacco use prevention program and has seen its effects on other students. “They sell a product that essentially kills their customers and they constantly need more people to keep up profits.”

The moratorium on bringing new tobacco shops to Brentwood was first enacted last Sept. 27, according to city staff. The moratorium was then extended in October and was set to expire on Sept. 8, 2023 had the council not voted to extend it. The current expiration date is Sept. 8, 2024.

Beyond just extending the moratorium, the council expressed interest in enacting stronger anti-tobacco regulations in the city to be approved at a future meeting. Assistant City Attorney Katherine Wisinski wrote 16 points for city staff to research as directed by council. They included:

1. implementing a local tobacco retail license system, includ-

every single level,” he said, noting he is happy to share his information with others in hopes it could be improved upon. “What I’ve found is that other trainers and programs use our methods and cut corners, cut statistical analysis, and just train the dog. And to this day we do not cut corners… we are about quality, not quantity.”

Volunteer puppy raisers began receiving donated puppies from other service dog organizations, caring for them until they were old enough to go to training. Ruefenacht takes pride in his training program, noting in the past 20 years, his own service dogs have often alerted him of his low blood sugar before his monitor.

Oakley resident Carrie Treggett is the program’s manager for NICST. Through their programs, recipients receive service dogs free of charge to help them navigate life safely.

“Our dogs save lives,” said Treggett. “They literally save people from dying every day.”

NICST’s live-saving programs include:

amount of loneliness, anxiety, depression, body issues, drug issues, and even suicide, and social media is a contributing factor.”

One of the attendees, Arris Quddus, a nursing student from San Ramon, came to the town hall because he aspires to work in psychiatry, and found the event to be a valuable experience.

“I wanted to hear the needs of our community and connect with community leaders, and I wanted to address some shortcomings in the system that I’ve experienced firsthand,” Quddus said. “The panelists did a good job in explaining the organizations they work for and do, but there wasn’t an actual discussion on what they’re going to do for mental health. However, I really appreciated that afterward, the panelists, including the Congressman, stayed behind to address the concerns directly.”

Quddus said that there were mental health organizations at the six-table resource fair he hadn’t heard of. “I only wish their marketing was increased so people can access these services before feeling it is necessary to commit harm to themselves or someone else,” he said.

DeSaulnier was asked in an interview

ing maximum amount that can be charged, and how those fees will be spent;

2. 100% flavor ban on tobacco sales;

3. prohibiting vaping product sales;

4. maximum distance between tobacco retailers and schools that’s allowed by law;

5. minimum sales sizes (e.g. pack/carton);

6. strictest laws for proximity between retailers;

7. all tobacco sales banned at pharmacies;

8. working with law enforcement on decoy purchasers;

9. any way to retroactively revoke licenses (if applicable);

10. preventing cheap prices on tobacco so students can’t easily afford it;

11. prohibit coupons/discounts;

12. cap on smoke shops and tobacco retailers in total;

13. Department of Justice grants to support code enforcement;

14. require a conditional use permit for tobacco sales;

15. potential penalties available; and

16. bring other best practices from other cities for City Council consideration

“If we are going to protect one of the most vulnerable

• Their flagship program Dogs4Diabetics, which trains dogs to detect dangerous glucose levels in their owners

• Paws on a Mission, using inmates to help train dogs

• First Response K9, a life empowering partnership between dogs and first responders to help lower on-the-job stress levels

• Love for Leashes, targeting teens and young adults with depression and anxiety

• Detection Dogs, an innovative project working to train dogs to detect a range of diseases including some types of cancer.

These programs are supported by volunteer puppy raisers and the organization’s newest addition of breeders and breeder caretaker.

Ruefenacht said the program is so important to him, he has turned down millions of dollars from pharmaceutical companies trying to buy the rights to his discovery. Over concerns his program would not be used for

about his plans in furthering the conversation on youth mental health.

“On the legislative side, I’ll keep introducing the bills I have, and I’m actually working with the education committee on a couple of things now– the social, cognitive development, and career development parts,” DeSaulnier explained. “All of this is just trying to make it work in a thoughtful way as quickly as possible.”

In addition to the various mental health legislation he’s worked on, Desaulnier, as co-chair of the bipartisan TraumaInformed Care Caucus, has secured $2.96 million for three community projects in support of mental health access in Contra Costa County. “All of this is just trying to make it work in a thoughtful way as quickly as possible,” he said.

For more information about the John Muir Health Behavioral Services, visit them at https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/locations/ behavioral-health-center-concord.html

For more information about Congressman DeSaulnier, visit https://desaulnier. house.gov/

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia

demographics in our community – our children – then we have got to do something,” Mayor Joel Bryant said. ‘I would love to see as severe a stand as we can who violate [regulations] at a state level.”

Following the meeting, Mendoza was hopeful for the future changes that the city was looking into to act as “guardrails.”

“It’s all positive stuff for our middle and high schoolers,” she said.

Infographics related to the statistics cited in the public hearing can be found at www.thepress.net

Other topics discussed at the meeting include:

• A rebate program and to provide rebates for conversion of landscape to water efficient plants and drip irrigation

• A future agenda item request to prepare a local ordinance related to liquor licenses, with the ordinance defining “schools” and regulating proximity to specific uses.

• A future agenda item request for amendments codes related to animals being kept outdoors during extreme heat

• A proclamation of Sept. 10-16 as Suicide Prevention Week

The full meeting can be watched at bit.ly/3YJS9tr

the benefit of all, he refused to sell out.

“Maybe some of the pharmaceuticals were genuine in wanting to figure out what we were doing,” he said. “We did end up working with Roche [a healthcare company] in a mutually beneficial way, under a joint venture. They got information out of it and helped us fine-tune our sample collection process and ensure it was optimized.”

In addition to training dogs to help diabetics, NICST also trains dogs to help firefighters, police, detectives and victims in stressful situations. Dogs who graduate from this program are placed with agencies to help first responders decompress after the trauma they go through in everyday life. Antioch resident Marikay Batina has volunteered with NICST since its inception and said the agency dogs are pros at giving and receiving affection.

“We have an agency dog in Fairfield,” she said. “It goes around the place and knows when people are stressed and they can love on the dog and that brings down cortisol levels.”

Batina said she likes being a volunteer puppy raiser for NICST because she enjoys learning how to train different types of service dogs. She also helps run the group behind the scenes, and is working on a training manual for Paws on a Mission, run out of the Solano State Prison in Vacaville. Unlike NICST’s other programs, which are funded solely by private donations, Paws on a Mission is funded by a state grant.

“We train the inmates how to train our service dogs,” she said. “It teaches the inmates a restorative justice and gives them a skill they can utilize when they are paroled and expands our puppy raising pool.”

NICST said it always needs support through financial donations and volunteer hours. There are no qualifications needed to be a puppy raiser, and Batina said trainers are there to help whenever needed. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, call 925-246-5785 or visit www.ourdogssavelives. org

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia

Dogs from page 1A

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Heritage reloads in chase of first playoff berth since 2017

JEFF WEISINGER

Heritage football head coach Dave Fogelstrom started the day’s practice by going over kickoffs and kickoff returns before they got into their warmup lines on the home sideline with him standing in the middle, leading the drill.

“We grew up a lot,” he said as the players warmed up, passing him by.

Through the summer, from the field to the weight room and after several passing tournaments, he’s seen his team mature day in and day out.

“The team that we were at Sac State (passing tournament) is definitely not the team we are right now,” he said. “We gave our kids a bunch of opportunities and we were all over the place this summer. I think we’ve grown up a lot in the weight room and also on the field.”

As the pads come on and the team prepares for Week 1 at Foothill (Friday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m.), the Patriots will now see if they matured and developed enough to spark the program’s first playoff run in six seasons.

“We don’t ever want a year like ‘okay, this is a growth year,’” Fogelstrom said. “We want to reload, we want to come back and we want to compete. No mistake about it.”

Heritage seemed primed for a playoff return in 2022, starting 4-0 in dominant fashion, outscoring opponents 167-34

through the first four games. However, a loss in Union City at James Logan, followed by injuries, shifted Heritage away from ending the playoff drought. They finished the campaign 2-4 with both of those wins coming decisively against three-win Freedom and winless Deer Valley.

Despite the disappointing end, last season was, however, the first year that the Patriots finished with a winning record since 2017 – the last time the team made the North Coast Section postseason.

One big change for Heritage in 2023 is the program now playing at the NCS Division 2-A level, a step back from Division 1-A that

Brooks Davis, right, celebrates his touch-down catch with JJ Kinnaird, left, during a recent scrimmage game at Dublin High School.

HERITAGE 2023 SCHEDULE

August 25, 7:00 PM @ Foothill (Pleasanton)

September 1, 7:00 PM vs. Granada

September 8, 7:00 PM @ Whitney (Rocklin)

September 15, 7:00 PM @ Vintage (Napa)

September 22, 7:00 PM vs. James Logan

September 29, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch*

October 13, 7:00 PM @ Deer Valley (Antioch)*

October 20, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg (Pittsburg)*

October 27, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom*

November 3, 7:00 PM @ Liberty (Brentwood)*

*BVAL games

features the likes of local powerhouse De La Salle and league-rival Pittsburg.

“If we can get in the NCS playoffs at the 2-A level, we can make some noise,” Fogelstrom said. “We really think we’re competing at a level that is really good for our team.”

On the field, the Patriots’ biggest change comes on defense.

Last year’s Heritage squad featured senior starters across the board, giving the Patriots an entire side of the ball to replace, an emphasis of sorts entering 2023.

“We got better in our pass coverages in the summer,” Fogelstrom said. “Now the pads come on and we’ll find out the guys that we think might be players. Sometimes somebody will emerge that we didn’t expect and somebody we thought was going to be pretty good will back away from the contact.”

Heritage’s new look defense will look to improve from a team that got just 11 sacks, but also nabbed 15 interceptions in the 10 games played last year.

Offensively, the Patriots could be in for a prime season. Senior wideout and Montanacommit Brooks Davis leads what is projected to be an explosive passing game, along with junior wideout Jordan Kinnaird and tight end Charlie Blaise.

Junior quarterback Austin Peters gets the keys to the offense after being thrust into duty last year as a sophomore. He’s looking to build on a debut campaign that saw him throw for 949 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

“(Peters) has really progressed through the summer,” Fogelstrom said. “Last year, he was kind of forced into duty. Now, he feels more comfortable in the system, he’s more comfortable stepping into that role.”

However, all of this is led by the Patriots’ veteran offensive line led by seniors Santana Roberts, Cole Weatherby and Cody Wong. Roberts and Wong each earned offers from schools like Pacific University (Roberts), University of Puget Sound, and Lewis & Clark College (Wong) over the summer.

“We got a bunch of guys coming back who have been on the o-line and we want to lean on it,” Fogelstrom said. “We want to run the football. It’s high school football, we want to run the football.”

The Patriots offensive line paved the way for Heritage to run for a team total of 2,052 yards last year with senior Devon Rivers rushing for 1,759 of them with 24 rushing touchdowns.

Heritage opens the season in Pleasanton at Foothill High School on Friday, August 25 before returning home a week later to take on Granada on Sept. 1. They’ll host James Logan on Sept. 22 in a rematch of last year’s 17-7 loss before opening league play at home against Antionch on Sept. 29.

The Patriots will finish the season with three of the last four on the road with senior night against Freedom the lone home date in that stretch on Friday, Oct. 27. They’ll travel up Balfour to play Liberty in the annual Brentwood Bowl on Friday, Nov. 3.

To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Freedom’s focus: ‘It’s all about us’

JEFF WEISINGER

In 2023, Freedom Falcons are focused on one thing and one thing only.

“The mantra this year is ‘It’s all about us,’” head coach Zach Sims said. “We’re not worried about what the other teams in the area are doing. We think that if we’re the best version of ourselves every day, we’re best equipped to get ourselves as good as we can be.”

Freedom did not participate in last week’s scrimmage week like the other schools in the league and throughout the Bay Area did. Another school not taking part in scrimmages is their opening opponent, NCS Division I runner-up Marin Catholic, who they lost to on opening day last year 55-29.

“We feel we can give each other just as good of a look as we can if we go up against another team that’s maybe a little bit more out of control, or not as ready enough, or injuries happen,” Sims said. “I think we’re going to come in a lot more sharp and ready to go healthy.”

One obstacle Sims mentioned is the Falcons’ lack of overall experience.

The 2023 version of the Falcons are young with juniors and sophomores taking important roles and key positions. However, it’s that sense of teaching and developing that experience that has Sims excited for what’s ahead this season and beyond.

“We have a lot of juniors and firsttime varsity players,” Sims said. “Seeing them grow has been an absolute joy.”

“We went from having to learn basic football fundamentals to now running a very, very complex offense both passing and running. Seeing the growth in these kids and their dedication, their hard work, their coachability, and just the positive energy around the program is really great to see and we’re getting exponentially better every day.”

One of those young positions is at quarterback as 6-foot-1 junior Myles Hunt gets the starting nod. Hunt threw for 836 yards with seven touchdowns and just three interceptions. His best game came against Menlo School where he completed a season-best 19-for-24 passes for 267 yards with a touchdown.

He finished in the top 10 in passing yards amongst quarterbacks in the

NCS Division I, putting him in the same top-10 category that also featured current rival quarterbacks like Pittsburg’s Marley Alcantara and Heritage’s Austin Peters.

Hunt says that while he doesn’t feel the pressure to get the Falcons back to their winning ways, his confidence continues to build despite what the campus has said about the team.

“When I’m walking around school, you know how they talk about the team,” he said. “I have confidence because I’m here every day, they’re not. They don’t know what’s going on here, and they don’t know what’s going on in other schools either. I feel like our league is pretty open to take because a lot of the teams are really young like us.”

“I don’t let it get to me too much because then I lose too much focus out here and they’re not watching us practice every day.”

The Falcons will need Hunt’s experience to lead them past the funk that the program has been through in the last three full seasons. Since losing to San Ramon Valley in the NCS Division I title game back in 2018, the Falcons haven’t won more than three games in each of the last three full seasons: 3-7 in 2019, 2-8 in 2021, and 3-6 last year. They seemed as if they would get back on track last year, splitting their non-conference schedule 2-2. However, they were nearly obliterated when BVAL play started, getting outscored 219-82 with the lone win and over half of those points coming in the season finale against then-winless Deer Valley.

Junior quarterback Myles Hunt runs with his offensive line leading the way during Freedom’s training camp.

“Last season, we had most of our games really close to halftime or the third quarter,” Hunt explained. “In the fourth quarter of some games, they would just cut loose on us and they kind of got away from us.”

“First and foremost, the BVAL is always the number-one or -two rated league in our section. We play in a great league. We play a lot of great opponents,” Sims said. “We played a lot of teams that were senior heavy, having their best teams ever last year, so there’s context behind that.”

Freedom has quite the uphill climb in 2023. Their first three opponents – Marin Catholic, El Cerrito, and Vanden – all lost in the CIF Regional Finals of their respec-

FREEDOM 2023 SCHEDULE

August 26, 1:00 PM @ Marin Catholic (Kentfield)

September 1, 7:00 PM vs. El Cerrito

September 8, 7:00 PM vs. Vanden

September 15, 7:00 PM @ Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park)

September 22, 7:00 PM @ De Anza (El Sobrante)

September 29, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty*

October 13, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg*

October 20, 7:00 PM @ Antioch*

October 27, 7:00 PM @ Heritage*

November 3, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley*

*BVAL games

tive divisions last year. Rancho Cotate was an NCS semifinalist and DeAnza went one-and-done in the NCS playoffs.

Freedom opens BVAL play with back-to-back home matchups against Liberty and Pittsburg before finishing with two of their final three games on the road at Antioch and Heritage before coming home for senior night against Deer Valley.

To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Antioch hopes shift to passing game creates explosive offense in 2023

Antioch’s strength and tradition is its ground game.

Last year, the Panthers ran 402 times for 3,357 yards with 38 total rushing touchdowns. In comparison, according to MaxPreps, the national average for a team last season was 1,465 yards on 246 carries and 18 touchdowns. Then-senior Charles Brown Jr. led the Panthers with 1,930 yards on the ground with 20 touchdowns, while quarterback Larenzo Mayfield ran for 778 yards with seven scores on the ground.

With Brown Jr. now graduated and Mayfield returning for his senior season, the Panthers are taking a new approach in 2023 -- the passing game, which brings the Panthers into today’s era of pass-happy football.

“(Offensive coordinator Juan Corral) kind of prepared me for it more, so it’s going to just go well I feel,” Mayfield said, who also added that one of his biggest challenges this season is not running and staying in the pocket.

“It’s definitely a change,” Corral said about the shift in the Panthers’

approach on offense. “We ran the ball over 400 times last year and only threw the ball I think 150, 120 times. So, flipping those numbers on their head a bit was definitely an eye opener for a lot of these guys. But we’re so loaded at the skill positions.”

Last year, Mayfield threw for 756 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, and completed 70 percent

of his passes.

Despite the change, Mayfield’s offensive coordinator Corral, who’s leading the passing charge, says that the transition is going well.

“At first it was rocky,” Mayfield explained. “Now I’ll say I’m starting to look more and more like an actual quarterback.”

“These guys are starting to click,” Corral said. “I think we’re moving really well right now and it’s just a matter of being more consistent with things that we want to do offensively.”

“Everybody’s touching the ball, so it’s pretty good right now,” Mayfield added. “We feel way more confident going into this year. We should be league champs. My goal is for us to be league champs.”

Despite squeaking into the playoffs

ANTIOCH 2023 SCHEDULE

August 25, 7:00 PM vs. Arroyo

September 1, 7:00 PM @ Vintage (Napa)

September 8, 7:00 PM vs. James Logan

September 15, 7:30 PM vs. College Park

September 22, 7:00 PM @ Tennyson (Hayward)

September 29, 7:00 PM @ Heritage (Brentwood)*

October 13, 7:00 PM @ Liberty (Brentwood)*

October 20, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom*

October 27, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley, (Antioch)*

November 4, 1:30 PM @ Pittsburg*

*BVAL games

last year at 4-6 (3-2 in the BVAL), the Panthers struggled with consistency in 2022. After winning their opener at Monte Vista, they dropped their four remaining non-conference games before snapping their skid with a pair of backto-back wins at Deer Valley, then at Heritage. However, injuries caught up with Antioch as the season went on and they went on to drop two of their last three regular season games, ending with a pair of decisive losses against Pittsburg in the regular season finale and the playoff opener in consecutive weeks.

Antioch opens the season on Friday, Aug. 25 against an Arroyo team that went just 4-6 last season, followed by a trip to Napa to take on Vintage the week after. Their first big test of the season comes at home on Sept. 8 against a James Logan team that had back-to-back NCS first-round playoff losses at De La Salle.

The Panthers open their BVAL schedule at Heritage on Sept. 29 and end the season in the annual Big Little Game at Pittsburg on Saturday, Nov. 4.

To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

JEFF WEISINGER

Senior quarterback Larenzo Mayfield drops back and

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Liberty to rely on experience and chemistry to make run at State

JEFF WEISINGER

When Liberty opened camp in late June, head coach Mike Cable made one thing clear: “We’re not out here to try.”

As the Lions prepare for the 2023 campaign with Sage Robertson at quarterback, the expectations for the program were made clear from the start: The program has the State tournament on its mind.

“We set very high expectations last season, my first year coming in, putting in a lot of work, and changing the culture here,” Cable said at the start of camp. “We have high expectations. We want to win, we want to go back to the playoffs and we feel we have the contention for State this year.”

Robertston, a junior quarterback, will look to build off of a sophomore season when he led the junior varsity to a 7-2 record, while outscoring league opponents 109-22 through four league games, an average of 27.25 points per game. Like Bell before him, Robertson showed that he has the ability to lead an offense to score points. Now he’ll look to do it on the big stage.

“I feel confident going into the season,” he said. “I feel like we really all are, it’s really been a team effort. We’ve really all come together, and I’ve really gotten into the playbook and my pre-snap reads and all of that. They’re all coming together.”

Robertson has some big shoes to fill. Bell accounted for 2,575 yards of total offense in 2022 with 33 total touchdowns.

“I feel everybody thinks it’s a lot of pressure,” Robertson said. “I’m not going to be like Nate. I’m going to be the best version of me.”

While he doesn’t have Bell’s athleticism, Robertson did get Bell’s offensive line. Liberty features a senior-led offensive line in 2023 who Robertson and the Lions offense will be leaning on this season.

“As a group we have been really working hard together ever since January,” senior offensive lineman Noah Blake said. “We have a big responsibility. The offensive line is the most important position group out there, so we’re really looking forward

to the season getting here.”

The offensive line showed its dominance in 2022 as the Lions averaged 335 offensive yards per game, highlighted by the Lions rushing for 2,235 yards, both numbers of which are nearly 50 percent more than the national average, according to MaxPreps.

Blake added that having a younger and more pocket-based passer like Robertson has been a “good transition”.

“He’s been smooth,” Blake explained. “It’s been really good. (They have) very different play styles, but it’s been a good way to adapt.”

“We always tell him not to worry about what people say and just be himself.”

Defensively, the Lions are hoping to build on the strong 2022 campaign that saw them get 18.5 sacks with 21 total interceptions including two returned for touchdowns -- another piece of the puzzle that got them to within a game of the NCS Championship last year.

Liberty opens their season on the road at James Enochs High in Modesto on Thursday, Aug. 24. The Lions shut out the Eagles on opening day last year, 56-0 at home. Liberty returns home to Brentwood to take on Los Gatos a week later on Friday, Sept. 1.

Their biggest non-conference test comes on Sept. 22 against the 2022 NCS Division 2 champ and CIF State Division 2A

Coming Soon

Brentwood

Junior quarterback Sage Robertson looks to throw during the Lions’ camp practice.

runner-up San Ramon Valley Wolves.

The Lions

PM vs. Antioch*

October 20, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley*

October 27, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg*

November 3, 7:00 PM vs. Heritage*

will host the defending NCS Division 1-A champ and CIF Division 1-A State runner-up Pittsburg on Oct. 27. The Lions will finish the year against Heritage in the annual Brentwood Bowl on Nov. 3 at home.

To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

New quarterback hopes to lead Deer Valley’s turnaround

JEFF WEISINGER

When Charles Wright stepped behind his center for the first play in team session during the Wolverines’ practice on Monday, he took a bad snap from his center and the play ended up as a fumble out of the end zone. The next play was an incomplete pass into coverage, and the third play was an overthrow toward the sideline.

He then went on to complete the rest of his pass attempts, minus one deep ball afterward and shook his defense on a few scrambles and an option play.

Despite early misfires, Wright’s ability to bounce back and show the potential that head coach Matthew Mills and his staff have said could be what helps Deer Valley bounce back after a 2023 that saw the program freefall into an 0-10 record. It’s also the theme for the Wolverines in 2023 -- ‘bounce back.’

“He’s done a great job of just kind of attacking the moment,” Mills said after practice Monday. “He kind of got thrown in there in our 7-on-7 we had and he hadn’t planned on being our starter, but through this offseason he just kind of took command of the offense and having the guys rally around him and believe in him.”

“I think (my teammates) would say I’m

good at what I do,” Wright said.

Wright also fits into Mills’ long-term plan of rebuilding the culture of Deer Valley football, now having a quarterback that he plans to be his starter to build around for the next three seasons starting this year.

“(Wright) made us feel real comfortable as a coaching staff going with a young guy,” Mills said. “Then having the advantage as years go on, his experience continues and

was built on something really special.”

Wright takes the starting quarterback job over senior Coby Fosselman who was originally set to take the spot entering the 2023 campaign, but decided to focus more at tight end and defense.

Wright also takes over for a team riding a 17-game losing streak entering the campaign.

“This year, I feel like we can win games and do well,” Wright said. When asked about the doubters outside of Deer Valley, Wright added that he and the team “use it as motivation.”

Deer Valley hopes that Wright can get the offense to be explosive in 2023. Last year, the Wolverines threw just five total touchdown passes between Fosselman (3) and then-senior Ayanfe Adediran Jr. (2) with

DEER

neither quarterback reaching the 1,000-yard mark in passing. Mills is hoping that stability at the quarterback position will create production and consistency, or at least plant the seeds for it going forward.

“The number one question every team has is ‘Who’s your quarterback?,” Mills said. “I think having a young quarterback that we’re building a young core around puts us in a great spot for the future.”

Deer Valley opens its season in Concord against Mt. Diablo on Friday, Aug. 25. They’ll play at home in Antioch for the first time on Friday, Sept. 9 against Kennedy-Fremont looking to get revenge for last season’s 12-7 loss in Fremont.

Of the five teams that Deer Valley will play in their non-conference part of the season, only Dougherty Valley had a winning record in 2022, going 6-4.

The Wolverines open league play at Pittsburg on Oct. 6 and close the season on the road at Freedom on Nov. 3.

To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Pittsburg hoping young experience leads Pirates to elusive State title

JEFF WEISINGER

Pittsburg football is the current king of East County.

They’ve won 16 straight games in the BVAL and 19 of their last 20 since 2018 to hang onto the BVAL crown for the last three full seasons, and went unbeaten easily during the shortened and delayed COVID season in the spring of 2021.

The one crown that has slipped away from them the last two years, however, has been the CIF State title.

The Pirates have gotten to the CIF Division 1-A State playoffs in each of the last two seasons, losing both times to the Liberty Patriots of Bakersfield – first in the regional finals in 2021, then in the State Championship last year.

“Liberty-Bakersfield is a fantastic program,” said Pirates head coach Charlie Ramirez who is taking over the helm for the first time after spending the last 10 years as an assistant coach. “Tip of the hat to them, but we know what we want to accomplish and we know that we got to get over that big hurdle, which is winning State. That’s going to continue to be our objective.

“We’re going to continue to strive for that, whether it’s NCS, whether it’s BVAL, obviously Northern California and, ultimately, winning State.”

Even with a new head coach in Ramirez, Pittsburg’s biggest attribute is to consistently perform at a high level week after week, year after year, something that Ramirez says doesn’t come easily.

“I think it’s very hard,” Ramirez explained. “It’s not just consistency. Once you get in a season, or even in the summertime, it’s establishing that consistency – in the classroom in January when the spring semester starts, establishing the norms of the program. As long as you get the guidelines

and you let the players know where they can move and eliminate a lot of gray, that’s what’s going to help these guys understand what the ultimate objective is and be able to stay on that course.”

The lineup will look a lot different from the team that went to its second-straight CIF playoff appearance and first State Finals last year. Along with Ramirez now on the sideline, junior quarterback Marley Alcantara takes over as the starting quarterback with Jaden Rashada graduated and now at Arizona State.

Alcantara, a 5-foot-8 junior, got plenty of reps behind the then-senior Rashada, throwing 14 touchdowns with just one interception and 908 yards passing, fourth-best in the BVAL. Where he lacks traditional size, his coaches say he makes up for it everywhere else.

“The strength of my game is me as a leader and my poise being under distress in the pocket or outside of the pocket,” Alcantara said. “I can make plays all over the field, and the way I lead my team to get everybody rallied up and ready to go.”

quarterback Marley Alcantara sets to throw during the Pirates team session in their camp practice.

Ramirez agreed with his quarterback.

“Marley has all of the intangibles that you want out of a D-I quarterback,” Ramirez said.

“Marley is going to have an opportunity to make a lot of big plays and, being the quarterback of Pittsburg High School traditionally, the main objective is to get the ball in the hands of the playmaker. Marley does a good job of not only doing that, but also understanding the dynamics of the game and of the scheme. “As a first-year head coach having a quarterback like him, I really couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Alcantara not only leads a stacked junior skills class, but he’ll also get a lot of help from numerous other returning players as well to pick up where the offense left off in 2022. Last year, Pittsburg racked up 6,118 total yards on offense, averaging 407.9 yards per game, scoring 78 touchdowns.

“It’s like last year,” Ramirez said. “We had a lot of sophomores that were starters and have returned, so that helps. Having a quarterback that got a lot of varsity playing

PITTSBURG 2023 SCHEDULE

August 26, 1:00 PM @ Sacred Heart

Cathedral Prep (San Francisco)

September 1, 7:30 PM @ Granite Bay

September 8, 7:15 PM vs. Monterey Trail

September 15, 7:00 PM vs. California

September 29, 7:30 PM @ Los Gatos

October 6, 5:00 PM vs. Deer Valley,*

October 13, 7:00 PM @ Freedom (Oakley)*

October 20, 7:00 PM vs. Heritage*

October 27, 7:00 PM @ Liberty (Brentwood)*

November 4, 1:30 PM vs. Antioch*

*BVAL games

time last year, that all helps, and a returning running back that started all 15 games. We have another four sophomores that are going to be on varsity and we’re going to have incoming freshmen be on varsity, so it’s easy for those guys to follow suit.”

The Pirates’ chase for a third consecutive trip to the CIF State playoffs starts at San Francisco’s Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. They’ll continue the road trip a week later at Granite Bay who were the runner-ups in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 Finals.

Pittsburg opens BVAL play against Deer Valley at home on Friday, Oct. 6 and will end the season in the Big Little Game at home against Antioch on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m.

To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Junior

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

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