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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 15, No. 12
Discovery Bay teacher honored by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
Discovery Bay resident and seventhgrade math teacher Erica Hornnes has been honored as Byron Union School District’s (BUSD) Teacher of the Year. Hornnes’ work as math liaison between the district and the county’s office of education, along with her efforts to bring back the sixth-grade outdoor education program, have brought her to the attention of her peers. “Mrs. Hornnes is a leader, a team player and an excellent teacher and colleague,” said BUSD Superintendent Debbie Gold. “Byron (District) is proud to have Erica representing as Teacher of the Year.” Hornnes grew up in the Bay Area and earned her teaching credential at Chapman University, after graduating from Hayward State. She came to work at Excelsior Middle School (EMS) 11 years ago and has enjoyed every minute of it. “Being a teacher runs in my family;
Welcome! Guide is here W
my grandmother and my sister are both teachers,” said Hornnes. “I spent a lot of time with my grandmother when I was growing up, and that motivated me.” Hornnes has spent time with each grade at Excelsior, but primarily teaches seventh-grade math. She said she enjoys working with kids in middle school and looks forward to seeing her students each day. “I think (middle school) is the best age to work with,” said Hornnes. “I would never work with any other age group. The kids are old enough to have fun and joke around with and young enough to help them see that right path and take the right direction in life.” In addition to her teaching duties, Hornnes took on the task of bringing back outdoor education to the sixthgraders at EMS. Working with the eighth-grade science teacher, Tak Nobori, Hornnes spent hours researching different programs and speaking to coordinators. She and Nobori presented their see Teacher page 30
your gu ide to e ast cou nty
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The Brentwood Press’ 2017 East County Welcome! Guide has hit the streets. This year’s book is chock-full of useful and helpful information to make your life more fun, efficient and productive. Pick up a copy at your local chamber of commerce; the Brentwood Press office, at 248 Oak St.; from numerous racks throughout East County; or by calling 925-250-1405. If you prefer reading the guide online, you’ll find it there, too. Just hop on to www.eastcountywelcomeguide. net. Hops and Brews
Tapping in on the craft-beer craze
Farm Fres Harvest h
East Count y’s Fertile Ag Lands
Growing Grapes
Local vintne rs crushing the compe tition
Those Who Serve, Protect
Photo courtesy of Erica Hornnes
Excelsior Middle School’s math teacher Erica Hornnes was recently named Teacher of the Year.
by Ruth Roberts
2017
Staff Writer
Two assembly bills designed to alleviate the funding problems plaguing the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) are being introduced by Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D – Discovery Bay), and if passed, would allow for the annual reallocation of $10.5 million from the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) to the fire district. AB 898 would enact legislation to allow for the reallocation of property-tax revenue from the EBRPD for fire-protection services in Contra Costa County. The accompanying AB 899 is a safeguard bill, which would allow for a public election should AB 898 not pass. AB 898 would need a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to pass. “We have been looking at agencies that might have the ability to use their discretionary
dollars for over a year now,” said Frazier. “We made a list and (EBRPD) is the only one that worked. It’s great to have this agency, and they do great work, but right now, we don’t have the resources to take it from elsewhere. To me, public safety trumps anything else.” The EBRPD has a district-wide annual expenditure budget of $194 million, according to Debra Auker, CFO and acting general manager of finance and management services for the EBRPD. Frazier’s proposal is to take some of those funds – $10.5 million – and redirect them to the ECCFPD. According to Frazier, the monies would allow for the opening of three additional fire stations with the possibility of paramedic stations as well. “I think the public will see this bill as a common-sense approach,” said Frazier. But Robert Doyle, general manager of see Frazier page 30
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Walking To Find A Cure
Local business owners turn their son’s tragic death into hope for others. Page 4
Frazier fire relief bill targets park district
ELCOME
March 24, 2017
BART’s newest station will boost already surging Warm Springs Innovation District.
Get to know a local law-enforcement officer in this week’s edition of Meet The Beat. Page 5
Leaving The Liberty Lions
Liberty football head coach Jeff Walters heads home to coaching spot at Del Oro High. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................25 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................16 Food........................................15 Health & Beauty..................20 Milestones............................12 Pets.........................................10 Sports.....................................21
Awareness
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It’s Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month in Contra Costa.