Brentwood cracks down
City Council discusses unruly gatherings, tobacco license appeal
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
The Brentwood City Council used their May 12 meeting to reaffirm their stance on public safety, with the council unanimously voting to uphold the suspension of a tobacco license for a business that sold product to a minor while also voting 4-1 in favor of a “social nuisance” ordinance intended to fine those involved in loud or unruly gatherings. Vice Mayor Pa’tanisha Pierson was the dissenting vote in the latter discussion.
Tobacco license
The council heard an appeal from the owner of One Stop Smoke Shop at 2411 Empire Ave. The owner, Noman Yousifi, sent a letter to the city on March 26 requesting a formal appeal of the 60day suspension of his shop’s tobacco li-
Oakley council extends A.I. data center moratorium
cense as well as the $1,000 fine issued in accordance with the Municipal Code.
“I have been operating this business for the past four years with a strong commitment to complying with all tobacco-
related laws and regulations,” the letter reads in part. “My store has successfully passed multiple inspections conducted
Hantavirus not a ‘pandemic-
level’ threat
County health service weighs in on virus making global headlines
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
Following reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) that passengers on a cruise ship were afflicted with a respiratory illness known as hantavirus earlier this month, headlines from news organizations have reported on the ship and its passengers, some of whom died as a result of contracting the illness. As of early May, seven cases have been identified, including three deaths, one critically ill patient and three individuals reporting mild symptoms, ac-
see Virus page 4A
By Connor Robles Correspondent
The Oakley City Council voted unanimously to extend the city’s current moratorium on the approval of artificial intelligence (A.I.) data centers until April 14, 2027 at their May 12 meeting. The council has the option to extend it for another year once the initial expiration date is reached. They also gave a cautious recommendation to staff on moving forward with joining the Joint Powers Authority of the Regional Alternative Compliance (RAC) system, a stormwater management and green infrastructure system with members across Contra Costa County.
Data center moratorium
The City Council first implemented a 45-day data center moratorium at their April 14 meeting, as required by city law before a ban could be passed. They chose to renew the moratorium on May 12, before the 45 days were up, so as to not have a gap in which a developer could potentially propose a data center. A joint work session of the City Council and Planning Commission is planned for this summer to discuss permanent regulations or a total ban on data centers in Oakley.
Oakley page 19A
see Brentwood page 19A
The Brentwood City Council unanimously denied an appeal from the owner of One Stop Smoke Shop on Empire Avenue requesting they reduce the $1,000 fine and lift a suspension on his tobacco license after an employee sold tobacco products to a minor in March.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
OFFICIAL BALLOT “BEST OF OAKLEY & BETHEL ISLAND”
Make sure your ballot counts! Please follow these guidelines: • Vote for Oakley and Bethel Island-based businesses only. •Vote for a minimum of 10 categories. • Provide your name, email and phone number on this ballot. •11x17 photocopied ballots are OK, but must be filled in by hand in ink. • When voting for a company, enter the company's complete name. • When voting for a person, enter the person's FULL name AND their COMPANY'S name.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR BALLOT IS TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026, 5:00pm.
All suspected "ballot stuffers" will be disqualified. No ballots can be accepted in stacks of more than 15. Sorry, no exceptions.
119. Deli Sandwich
Desserts
BEST EATS, DRINKS & FUN
Bagel
C ommunity
Antioch students recognized for writing excellence
The General Federation Women’s Club of Antioch hosted an award ceremony and ice cream social on May 7 recognizing the winners of the “Antioch Through My Eyes” writing contest.
The district-wide contest invited all fourth-grade and fifth- grade students in Antioch Unified School District to share their perspectives, creativity, and voices through writing. The program was designed to support local schools while giving students a meaningful opportunity to express themselves and write with purpose, according to Terri Hamilton, a teacher with the school district.
Winners were selected in each grade level, with first($100), second- ($50), and third- ($25) place awards presented to top essays. In addition, one student from each participating class was recognized with a special “Top of the Class” ($10) award.
“The ceremony was held at the Woman’s Clubhouse and brought together students, their families, teachers, principals, board members to celebrate the young writers’
1st prize - Madeline Cortes/Fremont Elementary School
2nd prize - Marcus Hamilton/Orchard Park School
3rd prize - Hayley Corado/ Marsh Elementary School
5th Grade:
1st prize - Alyssa Bennett/Mno Grant Elementary
2nd prize - Aissatu Diallo/ Mno Grant Elementary
3rd prize -Natalia Saucedo/Kimball Elementary
achievements,” Hamilton said. “The event concluded with an ice cream social in honor of all participants.”
Hamilton noted that Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal was unable to attend the event, but that he had “prepared special awards” for each of the contest winners.
“Top of the Class” Award
Albertha Kolaco/5th grade - Grant Elementary
Alexa Colmenares/4th grade - Orchard Park School
Angel Gibbs/5th grade - Mission Elementary
Chiara Guisadio/4th grade - Jack London Elementary
Ella Garringer/4th grade - Sutter Elementary
Ezeuiel Escobar/4th grade - Marsh Elementary
La’Riyana Mayfield/5th grade - John Muir Elementary
Mia Ramirez/4th grade - Orchard Park School
Nehemias Bueso/4th grade - Fremont Elementary
Noah Sarabia/5th grade - Kimball Elementary
Yahir Camacho/4th grade - Kimball Elementary
As
4th Grade:
THE ROB REPORT
By Rob O’Malley, Regional Vice-President/Sr. Mortgage Advisor
The Market Is Shifting—And Opportunity Is Opening Up
Rising costs, changing markets, and evolving trends create new opportunities for today’s consumers. Understanding your options can make a huge difference in building long-term wealth. Thinking about making a move? Financial preparedness is just as important as finding the right home. A knowledgeable Mortgage Professional can help buyers explore options such as home equity lines of credit, bridge financing, debt consolidation, or adding cosigners to enable purchasing before selling their current home. Interest rates are temporary! Refinancing when rates drop should always be part of the purchase plan.
Take a closer look at insurance expenses. You may have additional coverage through auto policies or credit card benefits. Review policies annually to eliminate duplications and reduce monthly costs. Let me know if you would like to have your insurance policies reviewed. I know several qualified professionals that will gladly look for efficiencies for you.
Women entrepreneurs continue reshaping the business landscape. Nearly half of all new businesses launched between 2019 and 2024 are women owned. Women continue making gains in leadership roles across major industries!
People are becoming strategic with credit card usage. Cash-back programs, sign-up bonuses, travel rewards, and introductory 0% interest offers can help consumers offset rising costs. I am happy to meet with you to review your debt, credit, and budgetary expenses. A debt-consolidation refinance can save hundreds, or even thousands, in outgoing monthly expenses.
Economic uncertainty remains top of mind. Rising oil prices tied to global conflict have contributed to higher gas prices, inflation, and interest rates remaining elevated longer than expected. The average contracted Conventional rate is currently 6.5%, and the average FHA rate is 6.12%. Mortgage rates are approximately .5% lower in rate than 2 years ago (despite the recent uptick) and the average homeowner in the U.S. has approximately $300k in equity. Call for a conversation to discuss your options!
Contact The O’Malley Team for free, no obligation, conversations. We are always at your service! 925-418-3956 or visit www.yourhomeloanexperts.net/omalleyteam.
(2026)
Virus from page 1A
cording to the WHO. Four Californians, including one in the South Bay, reportedly are being monitored for symptoms, and one Sacramento resident reportedly is being quarantined.
In light of speculation that the virus could lead to a pandemic similar to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020, Contra Costa Health has helped shed light on the illness by answering the questions below.
•What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a rare virus that spreads through the urine, droppings or saliva of wild rodents. The strain typically seen in California does not spread from one person who is sick to another person. The cruise ship investigation involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is found outside of the United States and can spread through prolonged close contact with an infected person, such as through sharing close, indoor spaces.
•How is it generally contracted? (airborne, close contact, etc)
People can become infected with hantavirus by breathing in air contaminated with the virus. This can happen when dried rodent urine, saliva or droppings are disturbed, and particles become airborne. Unlike the strain typically seen in California, the Andes strain can spread from person to person through prolonged, close contact.
•What are the early symptoms? How does one get tested for the virus?
Hantavirus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a serious and potentially fatal respiratory disease. Early symptoms may include fatigue, fever, chills, headache and muscle aches. After four to 10 days, these symptoms can progress to coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness as fluid builds up in the lungs. Testing is typically ordered by
a healthcare provider based on a patient’s symptoms and potential exposure history.
•What do treatment and prevention consist of?
There is no specific cure or treatment for HPS, other than supportive care. The public doesn’t need to take any special precautions to protect themselves from the Andes strain. In general, people can reduce their risk of hantavirus by minimizing exposure to wild rodents. Prevention measures include sealing holes and openings in homes or buildings, using snap traps and storing food in rodentproof containers.
•How great is the risk of this becoming a pandemic-level event in the U.S.? Is it too soon to tell?
While hantavirus can be serious, the risk to the public from this outbreak remains very low. Contra Costa Health does not believe this situation poses a pandemic-level threat. Unlike COVID, the Andes strain of hantavirus does not spread easily between people and generally requires prolonged close contact for transmission. It is also not spread before symptoms develop. A person is contagious when they feel sick, which allows for isolation if symptoms develop and helps prevent further spread.
•Have there been any recent local cases of a person having contracted hantavirus?
Contra Costa Health has not been notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of any confirmed Andes hantavirus cases or exposure contacts in the county. The traveler who has returned to California is being monitored for symptoms by their local health department. The remaining Californians have not yet returned home, but they are all well and feeling fine.
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
THE PRESS IS HIRING
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
• The Press is looking for a graphic/layout designer to join our team. Designer skills to include print & digital ad building and page layout skills
• Applicant must be fluent in InDesign CC, Photoshop CC, Illustrator CC and Acrobat Pro DC.
• Online advertising knowledge is a plus. Newspaper or previous publication experience is preferred.
• Most importantly, designer must be a team player and demonstrate speed, accuracy and thrive under deadline pressure.
• The position is for 20-30 hours per week in office with an opportunity to grow into a full-time position.
• Pay range is $19.00-$22.00 per hour based on experience.
• Come work in person at the historic Press building
this position is right for you, send your resume and portfolio link to: ekinnaird@brentwoodpress.com with your available start date.
April showers bring May flowers
AMIKE’S ESTATE PLANNING MINUTE
By Michael J. Amthor, Esq.
ESTATE PLANNING IS NOT A ONE-TIME EVENT
While signing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives may feel final, these documents are designed to operate in the future under changing circumstances. Over time, life events, financial changes, and legal developments can cause an estate plan to drift out of alignment with your current goals.
Major life events such as marriage, divorce, remarriage, births, deaths, or health changes often require updates to beneficiary designations, fiduciary appointments, and distribution plans. Financial changes, including real estate transactions, business ownership shifts, inheritances, or other windfalls, can also affect how an estate plan functions. Legal and regulatory updates matter as well.
Changes to estate tax laws, probate rules, Medicaid eligibility, and other regulations may impact the effectiveness of older plans. Trustbased plans especially require periodic reviews to ensure assets remain properly titled and funded.
Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and financial accounts
should also be reviewed regularly to avoid conflicts with the overall estate plan.
Incapacity planning documents, such as powers of attorney and health care directives, should be updated when named agents or practical circumstances change. Periodic reviews also help address long-term care planning, family dynamics, creditor risks, and evolving beneficiary needs. Even if no revisions are needed, confirming that the plan still works under current circumstances provides peace of mind.
Estate plan reviews are legal evaluations that help preserve consistency across all planning documents and ensure your intentions remain aligned with current realities. Working with an experienced estate planning and elder law attorney can help keep your plan accurate, responsive, and effective when it matters most.
To review or create your estate plan, contact Golden Legacy Law Group in Brentwood, CA at 925-516-4888 or visit goldenlegacylaw.com.
– Advertorial
At Oakley Veterinary Medical Center we are committed to providing quality care at every stage of your pet’s life. From routine preventive care to early detection and treatment of a wide range of conditions and diseases, as well as surgical options, we have the expertise to provide the care your pets need.
ntioch resident Gwen Gates recently submitted this photo of her backyard garden in full bloom. Gates calls gardening her special interest and says friends and family have encouraged her to submit photos of it to gardening magazines and garden tour programs due to its vitality.
Photo by Gwen Gates
Calendar
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
Friday-Sunday, May 15-17
Contra Costa County Fair in Antioch
Friday-Rodeo night; Saturday – flat-track motorcycle races at the Antioch Speedway, which is part of the fairgrounds, from 4–8 p.m.; Sunday will feature a full day of Mexican entertainment in addition to the other daily events such as the exotic animal exhibits.
Live entertainment each day. Hours are noon -9:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and Saturday from noon-10:30 p.m. For more information on who is performing on which days, and to buy general admission tickets for the fair, visit www.contracostafair.com.
Saturday, May 16
7th Annual Rotary Club of Oakley Gala: A Night of Aloha
Celebrate seven years of community service from 5:30–10 p.m. at La Grande Estates at 1799 Carpenter Road in Oakley. The event will be a night featuring island-inspired cuisine, live entertainment, music, dancing, and fundraising opportunities Tickets are $75 per person. For details, visit www.rotaryclubofoakley.com.
Hawaiian luau at IHM Parish Hall
The Italian Catholic Federation is hosting a Hawaiian luau from 4-8 p.m. at the IHM Parish hall at 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood. Tickets are $40 for food, cash bar, live music and hula performers. Tickets can be purchased at the parish office on Monday-Wednesday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. or make check payable to ICF and mail to IHM, 500 Fairview Ave., Brentwood, CA 94513. Proceeds pay for local kids’ scholarships. For details, email Michael Valenti at 1mfv2@gmail.com.
Delta Culinary Experience
Soroptimists of the Delta is offering a culinary experience from 5-9 p.m. at DeLuna Ranch at 7540 Balfour Road, visitors can experience seven culinary stations plus five bites by World Chef Champion 2023 Roberto Rose and two stations by Brentwood Fine Meats, each paired with Bay Area wines. The Culinary Experience costs $60, add the wine tasting for $80. The experience helps girls and women with their education. For details, visit www.siofthedelta.com.
Merrill Gardens Car Show
CNC Cruisers are among other timeless classics and modern marvels at their annual car show from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Merrill Gardens, 2600 Balfour Road in Brentwood. For details, call 925-297-6841.
Sunday, May 17
Dog Park Opening - The Meadows
Celebrate the opening of the dog park at The Meadows at Marsh Creek — and an adoption event with Rhodie’s Rescue — from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m at 22216 Marsh Creek Road. Bring your fourlegged friends and enjoy an afternoon dedicated to pups and the people who love them. Rhodie’s Rescue, a local 501c 3 non-profit animal shelter, who will be on site with dogs looking for their forever homes. For details, visit http://SheaHomes. com/The-Meadows
Monday, May 18
Brentwood State of the City address
The Delta Theater in downtown Brentwood at 641 First St. will host Mayor Susannah Meyer and the City Council as they present key achievements, investments, and future plans that continue to shape Brentwood’s growth and success. Attendees are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. The speeches start at 6 p.m. (Doors open at 5:45). Or watch on Zoom. Webinar ID: 858 8801 9409. https://brentwoodca-gov. zoom.us/j/85888019409
Tuesday, May 19
Oakley Senior Citizens’ Casino Day bus trip to Red Hawk Casino Roundtrip motorcoach transportation is $49, which includes driver’s tip. The bus leaves the Oakley Recreation Center at 1230 O’Hara Ave. at 8 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Money must be in by Friday, May 15. For details, call Allan at 925-4899785 or the center at 925-626-7223.
Helping One Woman
In April 2025, Kimberly Wilson-Mock of Brentwood was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer. Since then, she has faced ongoing chemotherapy treatments with incredible courage. Through it all, she has remained positive, determined, and focused on the things that matter most—her family and her passions. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit are an inspiration to everyone who knows her. She is deeply grateful to Helping One Woman for the love, generosity, and support shown through this dinner at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. from 5:30–8 p.m. Tickets at $26 are available at https://mysosevent.com/events/ how-discovery-bay-kimberly-wilson-mock
On the Horizon
Sunday, May 24
Bags and Brews 2026
Cornhole Tournament
A community celebration bringing together friendly competition, local spirit, and a meaningful tribute in honor of Memorial Day weekend. Check-in at 241 Oak St. (in front of the Bank of America building) at 10:30 a.m., Memorial Day ‘remember and honor’ ceremony is at noon, and bags fly at 1 p.m. The event is free, but registration is $120 per team of 2 to play. For details, visit https://downtownbrentwood.com/event/ bags-and-brews-2026/
Saturday, May 30
Free Annual Health Fair
A free health fair will be at the Delta Bay Community Church at 1020 E. Tregallas Road in Antioch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Vendors include Rehab Doctor Presentation, healthcare supplies, workshops, a hip-hop step class, medical professionals will answer questions, perform blood pressure and blood sugar checks, and there will be a jumper for the kids. For more information, call (925) 238-9792.
Broadway, Baby! – Brentwood Community Chorus
Step into the magic of Broadway in our community. The Brentwood Community Chorus presents Broadway, Baby! from 2-4 p.m. at Bristow Middle School, 855 Minnesota Ave., in a family-friendly concert celebrating the music, stories, and moments of musical theatre –Chicago, Mamma Mia!, Hamilton, Wicked, Les Misérables, and more, this high-energy performance brings beloved Broadway favorites to life with local singers. Raffle tickets and concessions will be available for purchase in the lobby. Tickets are $20, and are available at www.brentwoodcommunitychorus. org/events/broadway-baby.
Sunday, May 31
Tales, Toppers & Treats
Three of the Bay Area’s most compelling authors: Alka Joshi, the internationally known bestselling author; Meg Donohue, a USA Today best-selling author; and Audrey Lee, a bestselling debut author will speak from 2-4:30 p.m. at a fundraiser at Club Los Meganos at 1700 Trilogy Parkway, Brentwood. Tickets are $45 and available at https://www.eventbrite.com. This fundraiser is organized by the Friends of the Brentwood Library to benefit programs at the library.
Looking for more things to do?
Desserts will be served and there will be a nohost bar. For details, visit http://www.fobl.org. For details on the authors, visit www.alkajoshi.com, www.megdonohue.com and www.audeeauthor. comreyl.
Saturday, June 20
Miles for Mayo 5K run/walk
This fundraiser starts at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park in Brentwood, 3841 Balfour Road. The Miles For Mayo 5K is a timed, family-friendly event focused on commemorating the life of Matías “Mayo” Rogers and helping others find inspiration through running. All proceeds support local high schools and the Delta Limitless youth running program. Matías passed away at the age of 16 on June 16, 2021 in a car accident. All participants receive a T-shirt, wristband and participant medals. For details and to register, visit milesformayo. org.
Ongoing Events
St. Anthony’s Church
Food Distribution
Oakley Senior Center food distribution has moved out of their previous location. For the foreseeable future, they will be operating out of St. Anthony’s Church at 971 O’Hara Ave. in Oakley on Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. Residents are asked to bring their own bags/containers. For more information, call 925-783-0818.
Hope House Food Distribution
The distributions are on Monday and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at 218 Pine St. in Brentwood.
IHMC Food Distribution
On the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month, the Contra Costa County Food Bank distributes fruits and vegetables from the parking lot at 500 Fairview Ave. from noon-1 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul also distributes food from the church hall every Friday from 9 a.m.-noon.
East County Rotary Club Meetings
Brentwood: The Brentwood Rotary Club meets weekly on Monday at noon at the Club Los Meganos Event Center at 1700 Trilogy Parkway in Brentwood. For more information, visit www. brentwoodrotaryclub.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 www.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 www.facebook.com/ antiochrotaryclub.
The Rotary Club of the Delta: The Rotary Club of the Delta meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7 a.m. at Denny’s, 4823 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. For more information, visit 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. at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. in Brentwood. For more information, visit: www.eclubhouse.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-we-are/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/.
Soroptimists of the Delta Soroptimists is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. They meet the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. For more information, call Sonia at 415-717-0294 or visit siofthedelta.com.
Marine Corps League, Delta Diablo Detachment 1155, monthly meeting
The Marine Corps League, Delta Diablo Detachment 1155, hosts its monthly meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St., in Brentwood. The group is open to all active or retired U.S. Marines. Attendees are encouraged to bring a veteran friend, and spouses are always welcome. The meetings feature camaraderie, food, drink, conversation and updates on upcoming events. For more information, call 925-338-1775, email MCL1155@outlook.com or visit https://www. mcl1155.org/.
Widow and Widower
Grief Support Group
A widow and widower grief support group from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church meets every Thursday from 5 to 6:15 p.m. at the church library at 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood. The group focuses on finding a new normal as attendees walk the grief trail with others experiencing the same loss. A monthly pot luck and happy hour are also available. For more information, contact Mary Ann Smith at 925240-1706 or Connie Cononen at 925-392-9037.
Coffee with Carolyn Kaleidoscope Cancer Connection’s Coffee with Carolyn is a cancer support group for women, hosted by Carolyn George and financially supported by The Kaleidoscope Cancer Connection of Byron. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month from noon to 1 p.m. The location is at the Kaleidoscope Sacred Garden behind the Byron United Methodist Church (14671 Byron Highway in Byron). For more information, contact Carolyn George at 925-577-3325.
Open Mic Poetry Night
Hosted by the City of Brentwood’s Poet Laureate, Maria Denney, the free event takes place every second Thursday of the month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Participants can join in-person at 331 Pine Street in Brentwood, or join virtually via Zoom. All are invited to come listen, read or share their talent. All levels are welcome. Contact Recreation Supervisor Lindsay Pinell for the Zoom link at 925-516-5117 or lpinell@ brentwoodca.gov. For more information visit www.brentwoodca.gov/government/ parks-recreation/public-art/poet-laureate.
Attention commercial venues! The Press is excited to announce we are now allowing commercial venues, bars and for-profit events to list your events in The Press’s weekly printed community calendar. For only $25 per week, it will include 55-60 words or a 380-390 character count with bigger font and will be hotlinked to your website on the e-Press. To place your event, let us know by Friday at noon for the following Friday’s publication at ads@brentwoodpress.com or call 925-634-1441.
Voting by mail ‘safe and convenient’
County quells concerns ahead of June 2 election
With the upcoming primary general election on June 2, the Contra Costa County Elections Office is reminding voters that mail-in ballots are a “safe” option for those who do not want to go to local polling stations. The last day to register and receive a vote-by-mail ballot is May 26.
“Voting by mail is safe, secure, and preferred by most voters,” the Elections Office said. “To make it easy for all registered voters to participate, every registered voter in California is mailed a ballot or can choose to vote in person. Vote by mail increases voter turnout and over 90% of Contra Costa County voters vote by mail.”
Postage for vote-by-mail ballots is paid for from the county’s General Fund. This is mandated by the state.
Vote-by-Mail has been around since the Civil War, and elections officials have had the opportunity to refine the process over many years. Vote-by-mail is a highly regulated process and fraud is exceedingly rare due to the multiple checkpoints, people, and systems that work together to keep vote-bymail ballots safe, and makes fraud “nearly impossible”. These failsafes are outlined on the elections office website, including:
• Ballots are mailed only to registered voters.
• Ballot envelopes are picked up from the post office or drop boxes with strict chain-of-custody procedures.
• Ballot envelopes are assigned unique ID numbers to ensure voters only vote once and so voters can track their ballots.
• Ballot envelopes are signature verified, up to three separate times, to the voter’s signature on file.
• If a signature is missing or not a match, a letter is sent to the voter to resolve the signature issue.
• Ballots are not counted until the voter’s signature is verified.
• A voter’s activity is logged in the voting history system when they submit their vote by mail ballot or vote in person, and only the first ballot received by election officials is counted.
The Contra Costa County Elections Office has a number of checks and balances in place to ensure voting, whether inperson or by mail, is safe and secure.
Press file photo
Tampering with votes, such as by “tossing out” ballots, is against both state and federal laws, according to the elections office. In order to better assure the public that poll workers are upholding their duties, there are checks and balances in place that help lessen the possibility of tampering.
• Poll workers undergo intensive training and polling places are supervised by an inspector and a clerk.
• Strict chain-of-custody and security protocols are in place when setting up, running, and closing up polling places and delivering ballots to the Elections Office at the end of the day.
• At least two people must be with ballots and voting equipment at all times.
• Voters check in at the polling place to verify that they’re registered to vote and
to ensure they vote only once.
• Voters put their completed ballots into secure boxes at polling places. These drop boxes are “under heavy safeguards to protect ballots,” the office explained. “The typical drop box is made of heavy high-grade metal, which is bolted to the ground and is equipped with additional security features such as tamper-evident seals, minimal ballot insertion size, locks, and water/fireproof materials and placed in a public location.”
The Elections Division has one suggestion for voters: Vote early, take the pressure off and ensure your vote is included in the first election results report on June 2 after the polls close. Contra Costa Elections Division offers registered voters many ways to cast their ballot early. Voters can return their vote-by-mail envelopes through the United States Postal Service, any official ballot drop box, or at any regional early voting site. Voters can vote in person at their office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or at a regional early voting site beginning May 29 through June 1.
For more information, including registering to vote by mail or to find your polling place, visit www contracostavote gov/elections
Brentwood celebrated Arbor Day by planting trees on April 24
On April 24, the City of Brentwood celebrated National Arbor Day with a tree planting that included three London Plane Sycamores and nine Multi Trunk Crape Myrtles at the Marsh Creek Trailhead.
The event brought together Terracare, the
City’s landscape maintenance contractor, Park and Recreation Commissioners Blyth Lind, Catherine Velasco, and Trudy Curto, along with City staff. Participants not only contributed to enhancing Brentwood’s green space but also learned about proper tree planting techniques and long-term care.
Oakley City Council celebrates various city workers
At the May 12 meeting of the Oakley City Council, Mayor Hugh Henderson presented proclamations to Chief Building Official Conrad Fromme, police Chief Paul Beard, center, and Public Works Director/ City Engineer Billilee Saengchalern on behalf of the City Council recognizing Building Safety Month, National Police Week, and Public Works Week.
The Press goes to Europe
athleen Pirtle, a semi-retired mechanical engineer from Antioch, and her friend, Yvonne Cummings from San Leandro, recently traveled to Europe and brought the Press with them. Their stops included Edinburgh, Scotland where they saw the statue of the great physicist James Maxwell, above, and Paris, where they saw the Eiffel Tower.
Photos courtesy of City of Oakley
Photo courtesy of Kathleen Pirtle
Photo courtesy of the City of Brentwood
EDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY
o P inion
Letters to the editor
Eaton the best choice for county schools superintendent
Editor:
As someone who has worked alongside Dana Eaton, Ed.D for more than 20 years through the Brentwood Regional Community Chest where he serves as Co-President, I have seen firsthand his deep commitment to children, families and our community.
Dana has dedicated his career to education as a teacher, principal and, for the past 13 years, Superintendent of the Brentwood Union School District.
Have something to say? Post a comment or submit a letter to the editor at www.thepress.net/site/forms.
What stands out most is his genuine care for students and his ability to bring people together to improve opportunities for children. His leadership experience at both the local and state level gives him the knowledge and vision needed to support schools across Contra Costa County.
Dana Eaton understands that strong schools create strong communities. I believe he will be an outstanding Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools. I encourage voters to support his candidacy.
Lillian Pierce Brentwood
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Social Talk About Town...
they deal with the traffic there especially the Oak St light to Walnut Blvd light.” - Kathryn Phillips Lopez, Facebook
“Much needed in Brentwood!” - Denise Deredita, Facebook
“While the project sounds greatcan’t Mr Hagar think of a better place for it? It’s small, narrow, literally next to train track and in a place where traffic is already awful!!” – Jeni Dolman Groseclose, Facebook
Planners approve The Grove for downtown -Published in the May 8 edition of The Press
“They missed the opportunity to call it ‘The Depot’ since the train depot used to be there.” - Eric Bustos, Facebook
“Stop building in agricultural communities.” - Daphne Inman, Facebook
“Reminds me of Liberty Public Market in San Diego - it would be a huge draw for Brentwood especially with our wonderful foods. I’m anxious to see how
Antioch City Manager on leave of absence
-Published in the May 8 edition of The Press
““There’s no such thing as a confidential personnel matter in public service. What did she do? The people deserve to know.” @ zoanom, Instagram
“You work for us the public has the right to know” @ xsoaplegendx, Instagram
“Typical Antioch city government bull” – Robbie Guard, Facebook
Liberty boys volleyball embraces ‘amazing’ first NCS championship berth
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Liberty’s boys volleyball team made program history Tuesday night, defeating Irvington 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-19) to advance to the program’s first North Coast Section Division I championship match. The Lions traveled to Walnut Creek on Thursday night to face top-seeded Northgate.
“It’s great. It’s amazing,” Liberty coach Haylie Bustamante said.
“It’s thrilling,” Lions senior James Barnett III said. “We literally just became the best Liberty boys volleyball team in program history. It feels amazing.”
The berth in the title match comes two years after the program’s first NCS semifinal appearance at Castro Valley, a 3-0 loss to the Trojans for a then-young Liberty squad. Since the full return of spring sports following the COVID-19 pandemic, Liberty has qualified for the postseason in each of the past five seasons.
The win on Tuesday marked another milestone for the program. According to MaxPreps, the sweep was Liberty’s first 3-0 postseason victory. The Lions reached the semifinals after beating De La Salle 3-1 in the opening round and rallying for a 3-2 reverse sweep at third-seeded Dublin in last week’s quarterfinals.
One of the defining traits of Liberty’s postseason run has been its resilience. The Lions again found themselves trailing midway through the first two sets Tuesday before responding with extended runs to regain control.
“These boys are showing a ton of heart right now,” Bustamante said. “They wanted it and knew they had to take care of business. We weren’t done with just two sets. The last thing they wanted was to give up the next set and end up in the same situ-
Liberty’s boys volleyball team celebrates a point during their North Coast Section semifinal game against Irvington Tuesday evening in Brentwood.
further. They don’t know about Liberty, but they’re going to find out.”
Along with the grit it has shown throughout the postseason, Liberty also fed off the energy inside Ghiggeri Gymnasium on Tuesday night. Players danced along the sideline during timeouts while a packed crowd of family members, friends and the Liberty band created a playoff atmosphere the program had rarely experienced.
“Having the semifinals at home was pretty cool,” Liberty senior Zachary Sisney said. “I’ve never really had that many people come and support, not specifically me, but my team, and it felt good. Even the band showed out and played music. Just really good energy and atmosphere. I’m pretty grateful.”
ation that we put Dublin in on Tuesday.”
Senior Branden Beresford, who was a sophomore on Liberty’s first semifinal team, said this group is playing its best volleyball at the right time.
“I think right now we’re peaking,” Beresford said. “We’re playing great volleyball. In the playoffs, we play great teams and we step it up, and that’s exactly what I need from everybody and exactly what I love. A lot of people said we couldn’t do it. They doubted us, and that pushed us even
With the NCS championship berth, Liberty also secured the program’s first appearance in the CIF Northern California regional tournament. Regional seedings will be announced Sunday following championship weekend.
“We’re definitely on a winning streak right now,” Barnett III said. “We want to keep that going, and we feel like we’re on top of the world. We’re carrying that through every game. We’re battling every set.”
Liberty softball celebrates third-straight BVAL title
Team fetes the senior core that got them there
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Since Brandi Macias took over the Liberty softball program in 2023, the Lions have known only two things: winning, and doing so with the same group of current seniors who helped her build the foundation three seasons ago.
Liberty clinched its third-straight Bay Valley Athletic League title on Tuesday, routing Freedom 15-0 at home. The victory also gives the Lions a chance to secure their third consecutive undefeated league season in Thursday’s regular-season finale.
“I’m just so dang proud of them,” Macias said.
Senior pitcher Kate Skinner and freshman Jiana Gatto combined for a two-hit shutout of the Falcons, striking out nine. Meanwhile, junior Jewel Cooper provided the fireworks at the plate, crushing two home runs as part of her seven RBI day.
“I’m so happy,” Skinner said. “To be a part of this amazing team and win BVAL three years back-toback-to-back — I’m glad that I was able to contribute to the rebuilding of Liberty softball and make our team known again.”
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
The program’s current dominance is a far cry from the era preceding Macias’s arrival. In the two seasons following the COVID-19 pandemic, Liberty limped to a combined 16-30 record (10-16 in league play), according to MaxPreps. Heading into Thursday, the Lions are 77-29 under Macias and are riding a 30-game undefeated streak in league play dating to the end of the 2023 season. Last year’s North Coast Section title run tied the softball program with the 2003-05 girls volleyball teams for most NCS titles by a Liberty athletics program in the school history with three. Both trail just the
boys wrestling program, who have nine, according to the BVAL archives.
Tuesday’s win also marked the program’s third straight 20-win season.
Throughout her tenure, Macias has deflected credit for the program’s success toward her senior core: Skinner, Kelsie Skaggs, Madison Tuttle, Bella Rice, Kylee McKinney, Kaitlyn Macias, Hailey Graham, and Maddie Bachieri. On Thursday, before the first pitch against Freedom, the coach and program were to celebrate the class that defined her early career.
“This year’s senior class has taken care of me for four years,” Brandi Macias said. “From Day 1, I came in as a freshman with them. I don’t know this program without them, if I’m going to be honest. I’m dreading that thought [of them leaving].”
For the players, the feeling is mutual.
“It’s truly a sisterhood,” Skaggs said. “There’s no other group of girls and coaches I would’ve rather done this with.”
The ceremony carries an extra emotional weight for the head coach. Her daughter, Kaitlyn Macias, is among the departing seniors.
“It kills me,” Brandi Macias said. “Obviously, I’ve seen her since she was 6 years old playing this game as a Little Leaguer. On Senior Day, I will be ‘Mom’ for the moment she walks out onto the field. But once they say ‘play ball,’ the coach will come back.”
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Liberty softball poses for a team photo after clinching their third-straight BVAL league title following their win over Freedom Tuesday afternoon in Oakley.
Freedom’s Yasmeen Sanchez ‘takes in last moments’ with Falcons softball
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
For much of this decade, Freedom softball has been one of the Bay Valley Athletic League’s more consistent, productive programs.
The Falcons have posted double-digit win totals and reached the North Coast Section playoffs in each of the past five full seasons since the return from the COVID19-shortened 2020 campaign. That stretch followed a dominant run in the 2000s, when Freedom captured multiple league championships and won seven NCS titles during that decade before adding one more in 2016.
Although the 2026 season has looked different from many of the Falcons teams of the past, one constant remained in the lineup: senior center fielder Yasmeen Sanchez.
Once the team’s everyday leadoff hitter, Sanchez, who still bats atop the order, experienced both the highs and lows of recent Freedom softball history. As her career with the Falcons nears its end, the UC Santa Barbara commit said she is trying to appreciate every moment along the way.
“We go as she goes,” Freedom head softball coach Kenny Sposito said of Sanchez during last month’s Livermore Stampede tournament.
“It’s bittersweet,” Sanchez said following Tuesday’s Senior Day game against Liberty. “I’ve been here since I was 15, my freshman year, playing and starting.”
Freedom honored Sanchez along with fellow seniors Kyra Castrence, Alyssa Price, Mariah Almendarez and Katelyn Slagle prior to first pitch Tuesday. Walking onto the field with her family during the pregame ceremony
the field. To not only make varsity as a freshman, but then earn a starting spot, that meant a lot.
“I’m really hard on myself, and I never really saw myself being in this position today. I’m really blessed for that.”
Sanchez quickly became a fixture at the top of Freedom’s lineup. She hit .358 with 13 RBI, one home run and seven stolen bases in her debut season as a freshman. Her offensive numbers steadily improved, particularly over the last two seasons, entering Thursday’s finale batting above .500 in both her junior and senior years.
She also benefited from hitting alongside standout players such as Maya Soto and Madison Evers-Lyles, both of whom went on to play Division I softball at the University of Nevada-Reno, and Sacramento State, respectively.
gave Sanchez a different perspective on a tradition she had watched for years.
“It was surreal walking out there, and I’m still kind of in shock about it,” she said. “I’ve always been the one in the line giving the basket.”
Freedom (8-15, 6-3 BVAL) closed the regular season Thursday at Liberty, finishing with its first single-digit win total since 2019. For Sanchez, the season marked the end of a chapter filled with adversity, growth and perspective.
“My freshman year, I learned that anything is possible,” she said. “I didn’t even know if I was going to make varsity because I was competing against all these older girls. I was the youngest on the field and the smallest on
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“I was blessed to be on a team where we were just raking against every team,” Sanchez said. “Going into my junior and senior year, obviously it was a change and a switch, but it teaches you adversity and how to play in those situations.”
Despite the losing overall record this season, Freedom remains in position for a lower seed in the NCS Division III playoffs after posting a winning mark in league play entering Thursday’s finale.
For Sanchez, however, the postseason is less about results and more about making the most of what remains of her high school career.
“Honestly, I just want to have fun and take in these last moments,” Sanchez said. “I feel like we get caught up in the competition and forget to have fun, so I’m going to count on myself to have fun and take in these moments.”
Freedom’s Yasmeen Sanchez hugs one of her teammates during the Falcons Senior Day ceremony Tuesday afternoon in Oakley.
Photo courtesy of Joey Pacheco
Dallas Ranch Middle School’s girls volleyball team won the league championship last week, defeating Black Diamond 2-0 (25-19, 25-17). The win is the program’s fifth in a row.
“Dallas Ranch
ily,” Dallas Ranch Coach Cheryl Brinkman said. “Coaching
leyball is
school year.”
The boys team was not too far behind. But they lost in their title game to Black Diamond in three sets, 2-1 (21-25, 2514, 5-15), extending their title drought to 12 years, according to Dallas Ranch Athletic Director Shaun Waterhouse.
Dallas Ranch’s girls volleyball team members pose for a team photo after winning their league championship game last Thursday.
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Brinkman
REGIONAL & LOCAL
News iN Brief
County wants you to complete this survey
Contra Costa County officials want you to complete a survey about how to improve its Ride Together program.
Ride Together is a free program that helps older adults and people with disabilities use the bus and train safely, confidently, and on their own terms.
The program is designed to meet people where they are — whether they have never tried public transit before or simply want to feel more comfortable using it. Through information sessions, guided group trips, and hands-on skills practice, participants build the knowledge and confidence to get to the places that matter most to them: medical appointments, family, errands, work, and community activities.
The survey is for older adults and people with disabilities in the county who want to learn how to use the bus or train, including how to plan a trip, pay with a Clipper Card, and access accommodations available on public transit.
The program provides group information sessions, guided real-world transit trips, and small-group skills workshops covering trip planning, fare payment, and riding the bus and BART.
The cost is free.
This program is in the design and planning phase and is not yet open to the public. Complete the survey at http://bit.ly/3RkwgRK.
Heal the heart seminars in Antioch start this month
The City of Antioch is hosting a six-week seminar on emotional wellness for those who are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, and the first session is on May 19.
The seminars will be at Antioch High School every Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m., according to a press release from Supervisor Diane Burgis’s office. Attendees are advised to register early because only 15 spots are available. Attendees must be 18 or older.
For details on how to register, email pscr@antiochca.gov or call 925-779-7082
Byron schedules a community clean-up/ waste tire day on May 16
The Byron Community Clean Up event and Waste Tire event is on Saturday, May 16 on Main Street downtown from 8 a.m. - noon.
Attendees are required to bring local valid I.D. and current disposal bill, according to a press release from Supervisor Diane Burgis’s office.
For more information about the Byron Community Clean Up event, contact Wendy Fabian from Burgis’ Office at 925-655-2330 or Wendy.Fabian@ bos.cccounty.us.
For more information about the
Waste Tire Drop-off event, call 925608-5500.
County coroner seeks public’s help in identifying unknown person
The County Office of the Sheriff Coroner’s Division is requesting the public’s assistance in trying to identify an unknown person.
On Feb. 16, a woman was struck by a train in Port Costa. The incident was investigated by Amtrak Police and Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the manner of death was later determined to be a suicide, according to a press release from Supervisor Diane Burgis’s office.
She is described as a White, adult female with brown colored hair and hazel eyes. She was 5-foot, 4 inches tall and 171 pounds.
She has a small broken heart tattoo on the inner left wrist. She was wearing a black pullover top, black and grey plaid pants, and red/white Nike athletic shoes.
Anyone with any information on the identity of the person is asked to contact the Coroner’s Division at (925) 313-2850.
Save Mount Diablo secures more protection for Curry Canyon Ranch
Save Mount Diablo has gained more protection for Curry Canyon Ranch, securing 100 acres in the East Contra Costa Habitat Conservancy.
Curry Canyon Ranch is the largest and most diverse of Save Mount Diablo’s properties. Its key features include Curry Canyon, Clark Canyon, Windy Point, Cave Point, and Knobcone Point, all of which are visible from the summit of Mount Diablo, according to a press release from Supervisor Diane Burgis’s office.
More than a mile of exposed sandstone cliffs provide nesting sites for rare peregrine and prairie falcons, and the creeks and ponds are home to many threatened and endangered species such California red-legged frog, tiger salamander, and Alameda whipsnake.
When the property is opened to the public, it will complete four major public trail gaps from Curry Point to Riggs Canyon and will allow a hiker to make the journey along the ridge line as well as through lower-elevation trail loops.
County declares EMS appreciation week May 17-23
This coming week, the county is recognizing the people behind the emergency medical services patch, to improving health outcomes.
Improving Outcomes, Together is the title for the county declaring May
To submit a news item for this page, send it to editor@brentwoodpress.com
17-23 EMS appreciation Every paramedic, emergency medical technician, or nurse who has worked on an ambulance, fire apparatus or aircraft carries one call with them forever. Not for its heroism, but for its humanity. A child whose breathing finally stabilized, a grandmother whose hand was held until her family reached her side, or a stranger who, despite fear and pain in their eyes, chose to trust them.
These daily moments seldom make headlines, yet they influence outcomes and change lives. These outcomes go beyond just vital signs, according to a press release from Supervisor Diane Burgis’s office. They include people returning home, families remaining united and communities feeling safer because someone was there when it mattered most.
Today’s EMS clinicians bring advanced skills and tools to these moments: evolving models of care that serve patients in big cities, tribal lands, rural plains and everywhere in between: pre-hospital ultrasound, early stroke recognition, and whole blood transfusion. These advancements are creating a measurable difference well before the patient reaches the hospital.
Improving Outcomes, Together extends beyond medicine. It’s a collective responsibility that involves investing in the people behind the care with fair pay, safe staffing levels, mental health resources, leadership that listens and acts, and opportunities for professional growth.
Antioch man charged with murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and child abuse
An Antioch man is being held on $11.6 million bond after the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office charged Jaquan Tarrell Jones, 38, with six felony counts stemming from an attack that left one man dead and multiple victims injured in an Antioch neighborhood.
On May 5, Jones fatally shot Cordai Mustafi, 44, and attempted to murder Dejon Anderson, 23, and Shontella Anderson, 46, at their residence on the 5200 block of Percheron Way in Antioch, according to a press release from the District Attorney’s Office. Jones then left that location and entered a home on the 5500 block of Dawnview Court, where he kidnapped a 65-year-old woman who was caring for a child identified as John Doe.
In addition to kidnapping, Jones is charged with child abuse and possession of a firearm with prior violent convictions.
Several of the felony charges carry enhancements related to using and discharging a firearm, as well as causing great bodily injury to one of the victims.
Jones also faces special allegations related to prior serious felonies, including a 2006 robbery conviction and a 2024 conviction for possessing a firearm, the D.A.’s office said.
Supervisors appoint McAlister to lead Con Fire
The county Board of Supervisors has appointed Aaron McAlister as Fire Chief of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire).
McAlister has served with Con Fire since 2016, and most recently was Deputy Fire Chief of Administration, overseeing Communications/Fire Dispatch, Information Systems, Support Services, Finance, and Human Resources.
Prior to that, he was Assistant Fire Chief and helped strengthen the District’s operational readiness, facilities, staffing, and regional coordination, according to a press release from Con Fire.
During his tenure, McAlister helped lead major district advancements, including the annexation of the East Contra Costa and Rodeo-Hercules fire districts and the service contract with the City of Pinole. He also supported the expansion of firefighting resources, staffing, facilities, and emergency services, while advancing wildfire reduction efforts and helping establish more than 40 Firewise communities.
Before joining Con Fire, McAlister was fire chief in Dixon.
McAlister replaces Chief Lewis Broschard, who retired in March after more than 30 years in the fire service, including 18 years with Con Fire. Broschard briefly returned in an interim capacity to support leadership continuity during the transition.
Newsom announces a $1 billion rebate program for people buying electric trucks
Gov. Newsom has launched a $1 billion rebate program for electric mediumand heavy-duty trucks. California continues to offer incentives for zero-emission vehicle deployment and is committed to building the future of clean transportation even as President Trump cedes America’s clean automotive industry to China.
With funding from the Low Carbon Fuel Standard program, the clean fuel reward program is expected to become the largest utility-administered rebate program for electric trucks in the country, with $250 million available this year and over $1 billion in total rebate funding expected through 2030, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
Exhaust-spewing trucks are among the largest contributors to local air pollution, especially in cities near ports and freight hubs. By accelerating the adoption of zero-emission technology, the program will deliver cleaner air for Californians who suffer the most from exposure to harmful emissions, the press release stated.
C lassifieds & l egals
For Sale For Sale
Email: peaceele@aol.com
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: GREGORY JAMES MARTIN, deceased CASE NUMBER P26-00759 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: GREGORY JAMES MARTIN deceased.
A Petition for Probate has been filed by: DIANE EILEEN CHILDS - C/O RYAN DARLING, 3697 ARLINGTON AVE., RIVERSIDE, CA 92506, 951-788-2889 in the Superior Court of California, County of: CONTRA COSTA The Petition for Probate requests that: DIANE EILEEN CHILDS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: a. Date: JULY 08, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM Dept: 38. b. Address of court: 725 COURT STREET, MARTINEZ, CA 94553
If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters a general personal representative as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: RYAN MICHAEL DARLING, 3697 ARLINGTON AVE., RIVERSIDE, CA 92506, 951-788-2889
Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Publish Dates: May 8, 15, 22, 2026
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: VICTOR ANTHONY MALETIC, deceased CASE NUMBER P25-01877
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: VICTOR ANTHONY MALETIC, deceased. A Petition for Probate has been filed by: JASON B. SMITH in the Superior Court of California, County of: CONTRA COSTA The Petition for Probate requests that: JASON B. SMITH be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should
not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: a. Date: JUNE 16, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM Dept: 38 WAKEFIELD TAYLOR COURTHOUSE. b. Address of court: 725 COURT STREET, MARTINEZ, CA 94553. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters a general personal representative as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Petitioner:
JASON B. SMITH
3620 Shaw Circle, Antioch, CA 94509 (561) 800-9400
ANTIOCH PRESS 06-1617 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: May 8, 15, 22, 2026
NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE
Under a Notice of Delinquent Assessment Lien Alterra File No.: 582426 APN: 032430-016 T.S. No.: 2026-582426 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT LIEN (CIVIL CODE SECTION 5740) RECORDED 10/25/2024. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ATTORNEY. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ALTERRA ASSESSMENT RECOVERY, LLC as Trustee, or Successor Trustee or Substituted Trustee of that certain Notice of Delinquent Assessment Lien (“Lien”), recorded on 10/25/2024 as Instrument No. 2024-0115845 in the Official Records of the County Recorder of Contra Costa County, California, and further pursuant to that certain Notice of Default and Election to Sell recorded on 05/07/2025, as Instrument No. 2025-0044928 in said County, and further pursuant to California Civil Code Section 5700 and 5710 and that certain Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (“Declaration”) recorded on 02/23/2006, as Instrument No. 2006-0056008-00. WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, on 06/10/2026, at 1:30 p.m., under the power of sale conferred by Civil Code Section 5700, payable at the time of sale in lawful money of the United States of America or cashier’s check made payable to the Creditor Association, Alterra Assessment Recovery, LLC, At: At the north side of the Pittsburg Civic Center near the grass located at 65 Civic Avenue, Pittsburg, CA 94565. All that right, title and interest in the property situated in said County and State which is legally described in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. Legal Description EXHIBIT A The land referred to is situated In the County of Contra Costa, City of Oakley, State of California, and is described as follows: Parcel One: Lot 133, as shown on the Map of “Subdivision 8900 Summer Lake Phase 18” filed in the Office of the Recorder of the County of, State of California, on December 2, 2005, in Book 486 of Maps Pages 10-21. EXCEPTING THEREFROM: “All oil, gas and other hydrocarbons and minerals now or at any time hereafter situated therein and thereunder, together with all easements and rights necessary on convenient for the Production, storage and transportation thereof and the exploration and testing of the said real property and also
the right to drill for produce and use water from the said real property in connection with its drilling or mining operations thereon”, as reserved in the Deed from Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, recorded April 25, 1942, Book 658, Page 129 of Official Records, all surface rights to a depth of 500 feet have been released by Instrument recorded August 16, 1991, Book 16809, Page 474, Official Records. Parcel Two: A right of way (not to be exclusive) as an appurtenance to Parcel One above and any subdivision or subdivisions thereof, for use as a roadway for vehicles of all kinds, pedestrians and animals, for water, gas, oil and sewer pipe lines and for telephone, cable, electric fight and power lines, together with necessary poles or underground conduits to carry said lines, over, under and upon Cypress Road, Cypress Lake Drive, Windermere Lane, Clear Lake Drive; Lakeview Court, Blue Lake Court, Clear Lake Court, Park Place Drive, Lake Park Drive, Lakewood Drive, Lake Park Court, Leeward Road, Bethel Island Road, as shown on the Map of Subdivision 7562, filed April 5, 2004, Map Book 462 Page 46, Contra Costa County Records, and Lakewood Drive, Park Place Drive, Poplar Drive, Poplar Court, Maple Drive, Maple Court, Redwood Drive, and Sycamore Drive, as shown on the Map of Subdivision 8900 filed December 2, 2005, Map Book 486, Page 10, Contra Costa County Records. APN: 032-430-016 The record owners of which are Albert Burruss and Twyla Burruss, husband and wife, as community property with right of survivorship (“Owner”). The street address or other common designation of Property to be sold: 1233 Poplar Drive, Oakley, CA 94561, APN: 032-430-016. The undersigned trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Name and Address of Creditor Association at whose request the sale is being conducted: Summer Lake Owners Association ALTERRA ASSESSMENT RECOVERY, LLC 33332 Valle Road, Suite 100 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 (916) 939-0772 | www.nationwideposting.com The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. THE PROPERTY IS BEING SOLD IN AN “AS-IS” CONDITION. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the Property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $27,915.87. Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase the figure referenced above prior to the sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession or encumbrances, to satisfy the unpaid balance currently due & owing under the aforesaid Lien and/or late fees, costs of collection (including attorneys’ fees), and interest, which said Owner is obligated to pay Creditor Association under Civil Code Section 5650 and the Declaration, in addition to fees, charges, and expenses of the Trustee. Alterra Assessment Recovery, LLC is acting in the function as a debt collector, and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Property is being sold subject to a right of redemption created by Civil Code Section 5715(b): “A non-judicial foreclosure by an association to collect upon a debt for delinquent assessments shall be subject to a right of redemption. The redemption period within which the separate interest may be redeemed from a foreclosure sale under this paragraph ends 90 days after the sale.” NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a
junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property.
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (916) 939-0772 or visit this internet website http://nationwideposting.com, using the file number assigned to this case 2026-582426. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the internet website http:// nationwideposting.com. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (916) 939-0772, or visit this internet website http://nationwideposting.com, using the file number assigned to this case 2026-582426 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer,” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. OFFICE VISITS ARE BY APOINTMENT ONLY, NO WALK INS CAN BE ACCOMMODATED. PLEASE
Business Profile
Business Profile
The story in your glass is 150 million years old
I was stocking a new Sancerre (think Sauvignon Blanc) wine on the shelf last week when the label caught my eye: Terroir Jurassique.
My first thought was, “Another winery using fancy words to justify a high price?” But I decided to look into it, and guess what? It’s not just a marketing trick.
Uncorked:
History by tHe Glass
It’s actually about geology, and it’s really interesting.
The soil under many of Sancerre’s best vineyards in the Loire Valley in France is Kimmeridgian limestone, a mix of clay and chalk that formed during the Jurassic period, about 160 million years ago. Back then, the whole area was under a warm, shallow sea.
Over time, marine creatures, like a tiny comma-shaped oyster called Exogyra Virgula, died, sank, and got squished into the ground. Now, if you take a stone from a Sancerre vineyard, you might find fossilized shells inside. The Jurassic Sea is still there, just hidden underground.
This same soil is what makes the great Chardonnays from Cha blis to the north so special, and the two areas are basically like geologi cal twins, just 100 miles apart.
Sancerre’s geology is a bit more var ied, with older limestone and flint-rich soils too, but the Kimmeridgian terres blanches (white lands), especially around Chavignol, are what producers most often mention when they talk about the Jurassic.
Most serious wine experts say ‘yes.’ These ancient soils are known for their amazing mineral balance, a hint of saltiness, and their ability to age beautifully, even more than you’d expect from a white wine.
That chalky, almost briny taste that makes a truly great Sancerre stand out? You’re tasting 150 million years of ocean floor that’s been squished together.
So when a label says Terroir Jurassique, the producer isn’t just being poetic. They’re being really specific.
No dinosaurs were hurt making this wine — but they might have swum right through it.
Does it make a difference to the wine?
When a label says Terroir Jurassique, the producer isn’t just being poetic – you’re tasting 150 million years of ocean floor.
Frank MaiUri
Brentwood from page 1A
by the City of Brentwood and Contra Costa County without any violations.”
The violation in question occurred on March 20, when Brentwood police used a decoy operation that resulted in the business selling cigarettes to a person under age 21, according to the agenda packet for the May 12 meeting.
“The decoy operation involved two Brentwood Police Officers parked several stalls from the store entrance and an individual under 21, but over 18, entering the smoke shop with a $20.00 bill provided by the Police Officers,” the packet reads. “The decoy exited the store and provided the Police Officers with a pack of cigarettes, a receipt, and change from the $20 bill. The decoy stated that they asked for the pack of cigarettes and were sold cigarettes by the employee in the store without the employee asking for identification…the decoy also stated that this was the only employee they saw in the store at that time. The Police Officers entered the store and made contact with the employee immediately after the purchase and the employee confirmed that they did not ask for identification prior to the purchase.”
In his letter, Yousifi explained that the violation occurred on the first day of Eid ulFitr, a “significant religious holiday” for him and that he had asked a temporary employee to manage the shop in his absence with strict instructions that no product was to be sold to anyone under 21, as verified by ID. Yousifi explained in his appeal that he had already taken “corrective actions” involving staff training and stronger supervision policies and also said the fine would create “significant financial hardship” for his business.
Mayor Susannah Meyer said that the council does not “take ordinances lightly,” while Councilmember Tony Oerlemans noted that this appeal was new territory for the
council. Meyer said it was “not an easy decision,” explaining that a lot of staff time goes into making sure the decision the council arrives at is the “right one” before Oerlemans moved to deny the appeal, upholding both the 60-day suspension and the $1,000 fine based on a “preponderance of evidence.”
The council voted 5-0 in favor of denying the appeal.
Social Nuisance Ordinance
The proposed social nuisance ordinance was proposed by Councilmember Faye Maloney in February of last year, with the council voting 5-0 to direct city staff to work on preparing an ordinance, Director of Community Development Alexis Morris explained during the May 12 meeting. The ordinance focuses on loud or unruly conduct that “creates a substantial disturbance and generally threatens public health and safety and includes the following elements that should improve enforcement efforts,” according to the agenda packet.
Under this new ordinance, gatherings deemed to be “unlawful loud and unruly” would result in a warning for the responsible party, with any subsequent violation within a 12-month period incurring a fine. The first fine would be $100, the second within the 12-month period would be $200 and each additional violation after that $500. According to the agenda packet, any money collected via these fines would be deposited into the city’s General Fund.
The criteria to determine if a gathering could be determined to create a social nuisance was outlined in the ordinance, with more than 20 listed examples, ranging from public drunkenness and indecent exposure to excessive noise, vandalism, littering and public urination.
Meyer noted that several of these criteria overlap with complaints the city has received about its unhoused population, asking if this ordinance would be used to authorize
Local resident Briana Rose and ecological activist Bud Chaddock gave public comments in favor of a ban. Rose stressed that data centers would severely damage the health of residents, and wished to preserve Oakley’s rural nature, its “farmers markets and cherry picking.” Chaddock emphasized the potential damage to the environment, such as cooling systems leaking microplastics into wastewater. He also voiced his distrust of “big-money wearing suits, shaking hands, and having cocktails” who are common backers of data center projects, such as one pushed by Shark Tank billionaire Kevin O’Leary in Utah.
Councilmember George Fuller expressed unease and uncertainty at A.I. technology and data centers, saying that “we know they’re coming about, but we don’t know what we’re dealing with.” He was concerned by A.I.’s potential illegal uses, such as the creation of illicit pornography, and its impacts on residents’ bills, giving the example of New Jersey, where he said energy bills have increased by 22 percent due to data centers. He also noted that a Canadian company, POET, was developing technology that could reduce data center water and power usage drastically. Fuller ultimately voted to extend the moratorium.
Regional Alternative Compliance Joint Powers Authority work session
The Regional Alternative Compliance system allows cities and the unincorporated regions of Contra Costa County to better comply with the San Francisco Bay Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP), whose strict stormwater treatment provisions can be difficult for smaller communities and those less impacted by old industrial pollution to fulfill, according to the Contra Costa Clean Water Program’s website.
the city to deal with those complaints. Morris explained that the ordinance is intended to target behaviors in Brentwood, not targeting housed versus unhoused individuals. City Attorney Thomas Lloyd Smith echoed this, explaining that the ordinance is not intended to penalize people based on their housing status but penalize those who are creating social nuisances regardless of housing status. Councilmember Jovita Mendoza agreed, saying the ordinance is not meant to target unhoused individuals, but rather behaviors that reduce quality of life for affected residents, whether the root cause of the behavior is an unhoused person, a loud party or something else that fits the criteria.
Meyer asked Smith what enforcement would look like in instances in which unhoused residents were found to be in violation of the ordinance, given their likely inability to pay fines. Smith agreed, saying that the city cannot make people pay a fine with money they do not have. Meyer called the resulting situation “back to square one in terms of enforcement” while also pointing out that the city does not have a homeless shelter.
Ultimately, the council recognized that the new ordinance would have limited ability to deter these behaviors among unhoused residents due to the monetary nature of the penalty, but City Manager Harold Duffey explained that Contra Costa County has a mechanism by which they can offer assistance to those who are chronically homeless through CARE Act Court.
CARE (Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment) is “a collaborative court to support eligible community members in need of mental health care and other resources to live safely and independently,” according to its website. CARE Court is voluntary and connects participants to essential services like behavioral health care, alcohol and drug support, vocational training, and more through a voluntary CARE Agree-
The Bridgehead Industrial Project is a 164-acre project approved by the Oakley City Council in March. An A.I. Data center was originally a potential usage for the space, but was withdrawn ahead of the project’s approval. The Council has since pushed to ban data centers outright.
The system allows green stormwater infrastructure treatment facilities within the county to generate compliance units, which can then be bought and sold amongst such entities as municipalities and developers, giving green infrastructure maintenance money to sellers and legal compliance with the MRP to buyers. They then do not have to build on-site green infrastructure, which can be difficult to install and maintain. Buyers then pay for 30 years of the operations and maintenance of the project that generated the compliance units.
The Joint Powers Authority of the system is intended to act as its administrator, overseeing and certifying transactions involving compliance units. It also manages a Community Facilities District, which can levy special taxes on property owners or landowners who purchase compliance units. These taxes would be used to fund stormwater infrastructure con-
ment or Plan that is overseen by a dedicated judge. According to Duffey, the city’s Community Resource Officers would be able to partner with CARE Court to identify those in violation of the ordinance and in need of assistance, getting them into the system and working with a dedicated judge.
Members of the public expressed concern with the ordinance, suggesting that it was defined too loosely or that it would not deter disruptive behavior that occurs once a year, such a New Year’s Eve since residents are given a warning without citation for their first offense.
Pierson, an attorney outside of her role as vice mayor, said she could not support the ordinance due to its lack of specificity when defining what constitutes a public nuisance.
“What does ‘loud’ look like? What is ‘unruly,’?” she asked. “I would love to have more discussion about private and public spaces because those go into a whole other legal discussion.”
Pierson expressed concern that the ordinance could lead to potential issues related to the Fourth Amendment because it could create probable cause for a residence to be searched for violation of city statutes. She also noted that the First Amendment’s right to assembly could also be challenged by using the ordinance to undermine it if a gathering were deemed unruly without some objective measure, such as a decibel threshold. As part of the discussion, the word “loud” was stricken from the text of the ordinance in favor of “unlawful and unruly” to better reflect this concern.
“I’m in no way saying I thought the intent was nefarious,” Pierson explained. “The right thing in the wrong hands of the wrong person, it can be used incorrectly.
The full meeting can be watched at https://bit.ly/4nsQNQe
struction, maintenance, and repair. Individual homeowners in RAC system areas will not be taxed by it, according to Rinta Perkins of the Contra Costa Clean Water Program. Selling compliance units also does not take control of a project away from the local city council, as Councilmember Anissa Williams worried.
Vice Mayor Aaron Meadows voiced concerns about cities that are unaffected by pollution, and who did not benefit from the development that caused the pollution, such as Oakley, having to pay for the rehabilitation of cities that are affected by pollution, such as Richmond. He found the fact that “unelected bureaucrats are cramming this stuff on us to pay for, when we didn’t get any benefit” unfair, and had the same opinion of the fact that each of the 16 potential members of the Joint Powers Authority had to pay the same amount into it ($3,000 for the first year). He suggested that the payment be based on population, so that Richmond, which is “three times [Oakley’s] size,” pays correspondingly more than Oakley. Despite these concerns, he supported joining the RAC system.
Assistant Engineer Brianne Visaya said that the RAC system will give developers in Oakley more flexibility, since they would have the choice between building green stormwater infrastructure on site or, if that is found to be too difficult, buying compliance units. She said that this would be useful for projects in the Downtown Specific Area, where space is at a premium. Visaya did say that the newness of the project could be a downside, but she and City Manager Joshua McMurray endorsed the program.
The Council as a whole instructed staff to bring the topic of RAC back at another meeting, since Oakley is struggling with increasing stormwater regulation costs, according to Councilmember Anissa Williams.
Oakley from page 1A
Image courtesy of City of Oakley)
LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE
Secure RV storage is managed by the Antioch Marina staff, conveniently located at Gentrytown Drive and Putnam Street in Antioch. Available to tenants and the public, with recent security upgrades including a new 8-foot entry gate, enhanced fencing, upgraded surveillance, and reinforced perimeter protection.
• 61 total stalls ranging in sizes from 20, 30 and 40’
• 24/7 security surveillance
• Open 365 days
• State-of-the-art key pad entry system
• On-call assistance available 3060 Gentrytown Dr and Putnam St
ith the summer months and busy traveling season fast approaching, it might be time for travelers to take their recreational vehicles (RVs) out of storage for that summer road trip or cross-country adventure. However, there are some maintenance tips to be aware of before hitting the road to allow people to save money, prevent potential roadside breakdowns, and ensure safety.
A quick RV spring and summer maintenance checklist includes checking the engine oil and transmission fluid, inspecting belts and hoses, testing all lights, and updating emergency kit supplies, according to Goodsam. com. Additionally, emergency preparedness is critical for RV owners particularly in remote
areas. As a result, power, navigation, and survival gear are key, which include a portable generator, GPS, water purification systems, and emergency meals. First aid kits, fire extinguishers, flashlights, and jump start cables are also important, to go along with flares, a tire repair kit, and tow straps, according to recreational website campingworld.com. As part of the checklist, RV owners should also verify insurance and roadside coverage and perform monthly inspections.
The spring maintenance checklist differs from the summer maintenance checklist. RV owners must inspect roof seals to check for winter damage, and de-winterize the plumbing system, according to Goodsam.com. De-winterizing the plumbing system entails completely flushing the water lines, filling the fresh water tank with drinking water, turning on the water pump or connecting it to a city water supply, then taking the water heater out of bypass mode. From here, all hot and cold taps must be opened until clear water runs through. Additionally, the toilet
see RVs page 4B
SEAN TONGSON
Antioch Marina: the fastest way to the Delta
Boaters looking for a slip on fast water leading into the Delta may find the Antioch Marina to be just what they are looking for.
“Our facility is communitybased,” Antioch Marina Administrative Assistant Tania Briceño said of why the Antioch Marina stands apart from other marinas. “Our intimate marina setting enables us to provide exceptional service tailored to each guest’s needs.”
According to Briceño, the Antioch Marina’s competitive rates for berthing are $6.30 per foot for uncovered berths and $7.90 per foot for covered berths. Minimum size berth uncovered is 24 feet, covered is 32 feet. She explained that the marina offers digital selfservice reservations for easier access. Boaters can set up their overnight reservations online: 45-foot boats and smaller are charged $25 per night; boats longer than 45 feet are charged $35 per night. Each boater is charged a $10 key fee. Overnight renters have full access to private restrooms, showers and laundry.
The marina’s amenities also include:
♦ Water, electricity is metered, with 20- and 30-amp service available.
♦ Computer-controlled access gates and on-site marina office.
♦ Access to exclusive berther restrooms and showers.
♦ Coin-operated laundry facility on site.
♦ 100-foot public dock located behind the restaurant is first come, first served.
♦ A Chevron fuel dock offering diesel and mid-grade gasoline at competitive prices (temporarily closed for upgrades).
♦ Free waste pump-out station.
♦ Access to the Dow Wetlands Preserve with 7 miles of nature trails and bird watching platforms.
In addition to the listed amenities, the marina provides complimentary day-use slips for direct access to Smith’s Landing restaurant and a short distance to the downtown shopping area for boaters seeking an evening dinner on the water, according to Briceño.
She emphasized that the atmosphere at the Antioch Marina resembles a social hub for people who want to share their love for boating and the water. Briceño said that people are also invited and encouraged to take a tour to see what sets the marina apart from other marinas.
“I believe for those boaters who seek the home away from home experience will find that there is a big sense of community here,” Briceño said. “Presenting the best energy to
The Antioch Marina offers many amenities for boaters. To learn more, scan the QR code at the lower right.
make the best experience for everyone. I’m more of a heartfelt person, and it spills out of my job description.”
To this end, the City of Antioch also offers an RV storage lot managed by the Marina staff. This facility provides secure parking for recreational vehicles (RVs) to tenants and the public, depending on availability and approval. The lot is at the intersection
of Gentrytown Drive and Putnam Street.
It offers enhanced security, including a newly installed 8-foot front entrance gate, perimeter fencing topped with barbed wire, and upgraded surveillance systems. Additionally, boulders have been placed around the perimeter for increased security.
The City of Antioch RV Storage Facility offers 61 stalls, available in sizes of 20, 30, and 40 feet.
The marina is at 5 Marina Plaza and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. For inquiries, call (925) 779-6957 or visit www.antiochca. gov/359/Marina
Submitted photos
RVs from page 2B
must be flushed several times, and any water filters that were removed for storage must be replaced, according to Outrig.com. Other spring checklist items include:
♦ Deep cleaning and waxing the exterior
♦ Thoroughly sanitizing the water system
♦ Recharging or replacing batteries
♦ Checking the propane system and filling tanks
♦ Perform tests on all safety detectors
♦ Lubricate slide-outs along with other moving parts
♦ Inspect awnings for mold or damage
“Always check your tires for sidewall cracks and pressure,” said full-time RV traveler Cindy Collondrez, a former Brentwood resident. “If you hear sounds you didn’t hear
and
✔ Full Fabrication Shop ✔ Over 35 Years of Experience
Warranty Work, Insurance Work
Customized Systems ✔ Flat Screen TV Conversions
Satellite Dishes Installed
before, investigate. And never leave your black tank (a black tank is a holding tank specifically for sewage) open so you don’t get a ‘poop pyramid’- this is what happens when there is not enough water for your waste to empty.”
The importance of spring maintenance is due in part to batteries losing charge naturally, which can drop below 50 percent, according to Goodsam.com. As a result, this damages internal cells and can shorten battery life by years. Additionally, tires develop flat spots where they rest against the ground, with the weight of the RV pressing on the same section for months at a time, which can create deformities that cause uneven wear and vibration, resulting in permanent damage. Rubber seals around
windows and doors contract in colder temperatures, causing development of cracks that allow leaks and moisture intrusion. Lastly, rodents may seek shelter by chewing through wiring and nesting inside the furnace, cabinets, and water heater.
Summer checklist items include:
♦ Monitor tire pressure every week
♦ Clean air conditioner filters every month
♦ Inspect exterior surfaces for sun damage
♦ Lubricate hinges and mechanisms
♦ Check generator oil levels
♦ Inspect water hoses for swelling or leaks
♦ Closely monitoring waste tanks
♦ Clean refrigerator vents
Due to summer travel placing extra strain on RV cooling systems, tires, and mechanical components, regular inspections are important. Furthermore, with long-distance traveling putting additional stress on an RV, scheduling a professional inspection to catch issues that simple checks might miss before taking an RV on a long trip is recommended.
In addition to making sure roadside assistance coverage is active before departure, spare fluids, such as engine oil, coolant, and transmission fluid, should be carried along with a portable tire inflator for pressure adjustments.
Dashboard warnings should be monitored, with alerts needing to be addressed immediately, while also keeping a maintenance log of tracking service history to keep track of recurring issues.
Additionally, an emergency roadside kit with flares, reflective triangles, flashlights, basic tools, and jumper cables is essential,
according to Goodsam.com.
RV owners are also advised to seek professional help if you notice burning smells, unexplained fluid leaks, air conditioner failures, unusual brake noises or vibrations, or annual propane leak-down tests, which is required to be performed by certified professionals.
Professional assistance is also recommended for brake inspections and repairs, wheel alignment and chassis inspection, and generator maintenance and servicing.
For more details, visit https://www. goodsam.com/ and outrig.com.
For help in East County, these services are available:
Road Runner R.V. Repair 415 Beatrice Court, Brentwood Tamara Ylitalo extremerv@att.net (925)240-6773
But these two also offer RV-related services, such as storage:
Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina, 1440 Sugar Barge Road, Bethel Island Tracy Venable sugarbargetracy@comcast.net, Sarah@sugarbarge.com, Ed@sugarbarge.com (925)684-9075
City of Antioch Marina 5 Marina Plaza Ben Ambrie/ Tania Briceno bambriz@antiochca.gov, tbriceno@antiochca.gov (925)779-6957
Benjamin Winn Construction: docks, decks, and customer service
If you need a dock for your boat or a deck for your backyard in the area around Discovery Bay, Ben Winn of Benjamin Winn Construction and Hoist of Brentwood says he can build it right the first time, every time. With over a decade of experience in building docks and decks, Winn is an ideal choice for backyard construction.
Benjamin Winn Construction and Hoist at 2900 Delta Road, Brentwood offers wooden, aluminum, and steelframe docks. They also offer decks in composite and in synthetic vinyl, which Winn says keeps cool better than traditional composite decking. The company additionally offers boat hoists, including HydroHoist hydraulic models. Each dock and deck is
custom-built to the customer’s specifications, one of the company’s specialties, according to Winn.
“We absolutely love the Brock [and] Premier brand[s], because it’s vinyl, so it stays way cooler than any of the composite decking,” Winn said. “On average, it’s about 18 degrees cooler, is what we’ve always been told. It is a phenomenal product.”
The company has offered Premier decking since 2012, before Winn began working there, and it became a Brock decking dealer in 2018.
Winn’s journey to business ownership began in 2013, when he was hired by his company’s previous owner, Tim Bubniak, as a foreman; working for Bubniak gave Winn a love of working on the water that has carried him through his career.. He held that position until 2021, when Bubniak retired and handed the business over to him. Since then, Benjamin Winn Construction and Hoist has striven to set itself apart by focusing on “quality, over quantity,” Winn. The company is trying to be as well-recommended as it was under Bubniak, and that has
worked so far, according to Winn.
“We prioritize making sure our stuff is sound and long-lasting,” Winn said. “We don’t get them knocked out as fast as we can. I fully believe in custombuilding; you do it right, so you don’t get called back for a mistake later on.”
For Winn, there is no such thing as an ideal customer. His adaptability in
building allows him to fulfill the diverse needs of his customer base.
“I try to service everybody,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter, as long as [they’re] someone who’s going to appreciate the work. It’s really hard to screw that up for the customer. It’s all on me, and I’m fine with that responsibility.”
According to Winn, only one customer has ever called him back to fix a mistake or flaw in their dock or deck, a twisted beam that needed replacing.
She was angry, then “happy, because she had a big party coming up, and she was very appreciative that I got right to it,” Winn said.
“I would love the honor of building your guys’ custom dock or deck,” he added.
Benjamin Winn Construction and Hoist can be found online at https :// www facebook com / BenjaminWinnConstructionHoist / , or by phone at (925) 303-8475.
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CONNOR ROBLES
How to keep mosquitoes, ticks, and outdoor bugs away
By Sean Tongson Correspondent
Summer invites more outdoor activities such as traveling, camping, fishing, and hiking. However, summer also invites the exposure to more pests, such as mosquitoes, ticks, or fleas.
Everyone is at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes and ticks and getting sick from the germs they can spread as a result, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with more than 20 mosquito-borne and tickborne diseases are found in the United States alone. Certain groups of people, including children, older adults, dog owners, outdoor workers, outdoor enthusiasts, and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for disease than others.
A dozen types of mosquitoes spread germs through bites, with mosquito-borne diseases including viruses such as West Nile, Cache Valley, Chikungunya, Dengue, Jamestown Canyon, La Crosse, and Zika, along with Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, and Malaria. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in as little as half an inch of standing water, therefore making
clogged gutters, birdbaths, and overturned containers ideal breeding sites, according to Pestworld.org. As a result, air conditioners and screens can be used to prevent mosquitoes from coming indoors.
People are also advised to check themselves for ticks after coming inside, take a shower within two hours of coming inside, and to tumble dry clothing on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks.
“Prevention as always will be the most logical approach. EPA-registered insect repellents are a must in deeply wooded areas in my experience,” said Chris Cosper, Sutter Health Registered Nurse. “But also proceed with caution as the repellents also require consideration.”
“DEET falls under the category for EPA approved, and it is my number 1 go-to, but still requires special considerations. When possible, spray clothing (hat, jacket, socks) separately and let it dry.”
“In addition, long-sleeved shirts, tucking in shirts, pants, closed-toe shoes, stay on trail (avoid tall grass, brush, etc.) are all helpful ways to avoid bug bites,” Cosper said.
Experts suggest wearing loose-fitting or long clothing, or to use an Environmental
see Mosquitoes page 7B
Best bait for fishing at Los Vaqueros
Anglers who are bait fishing at Los Vaqueros for rainbow trout, catfish, and/or striped bass can employ basically the same rig. The trout rig would require lighter line, sinkers, and smaller hooks, but the catfish and striper rigs would be like each other.
For stripers and catfish, you could use a two to three ounce sliding sinker and for trout a one to half once sliding sinker that will slide up and down the main line. The main line will attach to one side of a barrel swivel, and the leader and hook will attach to the other side of the barrel swivel. Hooks are whatever the anglers prefer. Generally, trout hooks will be smaller.
The bait of choice for catfish, stripers, and trout are as follows: anchovies and chicken liver work well for stripers and
Mosquitoes
from page 6B
Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients:
• DEET
• Picaridin IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) - A plant-derived ingredient
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD),
• 2-undecanone — A plant-derived ingredient
In addition, to keep mosquitoes away on a camping trip, use mosquito lamps and
catfish. PowerBait is the best for trout with rainbow being the most popular color. Also, nightcrawlers do the job for trout, catfish, and largemouth bass.
There are many kinds of lures that are used for stripers, trout, and largemouth bass at Los Vaqueros. If you are targeting striped bass, top water lures are very popular as well as crankbaits and jerkbaits. Shad and firetiger patterns are good as well as orange- and chartreuse-colored lures. Trout fishermen use a variety of spoons and jigs in many different colors and patterns. Pinks, chartreuse, and orange are all good choices.
Largemouth bass can be fooled on jerkbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and a variety of artificial worms and crawdads.
lanterns, which use heat-activated repellant pads to clear an area of up to15 square feet. Wristband and clip-ons are worn on the body and control mosquitoes while camping, gardening, hiking and other outdoor activities.
Permethrin clothing, also known as an ‘Insect Shield’, infuses a chemical into the fabric to increase insect repellency while reducing skin exposure to sun and insects, as this type of clothing usually retains its effectiveness for up to 75 washes.
For details, visit www cdc gov/vector-borne-diseases
