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Vol. 21, No. 3
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Community mourns young victims of fatal car crash
January 18, 2019
Being Your Best Self
by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
Hundreds endured a cold, wind-driven rain as they gathered in a Walmart parking lot in Antioch Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil to remember the young victims of a fatal accident that occurred across the street the prior Friday, Jan. 11. The weather and large crowd made it difficult for many to hear or see anything, but still the mourners remained and struggled to keep their candles lit in the drenching rain. Jaia Lightner, 13, of Antioch, and Leana Rubin, 17, of Oakley were identified by the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office as the two fatalities in the single-vehicle accident. Four other teens suffered injuries ranging from moderate to life-threatening. Their identities have not been released, but a press release from the Antioch Police Department (APD) did state that two 17-year-
A mourner leaves a note on the tree where a memorial was erected at the site of a fatal car accident Friday, Jan. 11. The crash took the lives of 13-yearold Jaia Lightner and 17-year-old Leana Rubin. Four others in the car suffered moderate to life-threatening injuries.
old females, a 16-year-old male and a 13-year-old female were also in the car at the time of the accident. Rubin, believed to have been the driver, attended Independence High School in the Liberty Union High School District.
The following letter was issued by Independence Principal Guy Rognlien. “It is with great sadness that I write this letter to inform you of the tragic loss of an Independence High School student,” read the letter. “Our condolences and
“(The candidates) all
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The Brentwood commission responsible for recommending the city’s future growth, development and design regulations is getting a makeover. The Brentwood City Council recently decided to replace first-time planning commissioners Jodi Marfia and Jamie Tobin with newcomers Seana Fippin and Emily Cross at the conclusion of their two-year terms. Fellow first-time commissioner Cyndi Hankins, whose term was also up, was reappointed. “We had a tremendous amount of applicants,” said Mayor Bob Taylor, who, along with Vice Mayor Joel Bryant, interviewed 17
had a tremendous amount of qualifications. The chosen came through with extraordinary colors.
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Mayor Bob Taylor candidates, including Marfia and Tobin. “(The candidates) all had a tremendous amount of qualifications. The chosen came through with extraordinary colors.” Hankins owns the interior design and cost-estimating firm CED Consulting, Fippin
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thoughts go out to the family and friends of our student. During this time, as our school community processes through this tragic news and copes with grief, we will offer support services for all of see Victims page 22A
co-owns Red Box Business Solutions Inc., and Cross is Del Sol Energy’s director of processes and procedures. The trio will join insurance agent Dirk Zeigler and real estate agent John Fink on the five-member commission tasked with recommending the city’s future growth, development and design regulations and carrying out general plan and zoning ordinance provisions. Cross, a 28-year Brentwood resident, said she jumped at the opportunity to fill a role that serves her community and uses her skills and knowledge. She develops Del Sol Energy’s processes and procedures in addition to helping with the company’s internal and external communica-
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Photo by Tony Kukulich
City names two new planning commissioners
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see Commissioners page 22A
Rx Disposal
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Rx drop boxes let residents safely dispose of medicine at CVS Pharmacies.
Chaplain Fr. Robert Rien offers support, comfort to fire-fighting community. Page 4A
Texas-Sized Tournament
Liberty girls’ soccer team travels to Ft. Worth to play in prestigious tournament. Page 14A Calendar.............................23A Classifieds..........................17A Cop Logs.............................21A Entertainment....................9A ODAT....................................11A Milestones...........................8A Pets......................................10A Sports..................................14A
Lawyers Wanted www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
Practicing, retired law professionals are needed for student mock trials program.