Oakley City Council and planners signal willingness to ban data centers
By Connor Robles Correspondent
At a special joint work session, the Oakley City Council (minus Councilmember George Fuller) and Planning Commission directed city staff to prepare a resolution that would ban freestanding data centers from being built in the city, whether they are used for artificial intelligence (A.I.) or not.
Smaller facilities that are ancillary to a main building, such as server rooms, will not be affected by the ban. The Council and Commission may reconvene for another work session to work out the exact wording of the ban before the end of the year. This could delay a ban to
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 An A.I. data center was originally a potential usage for the space, but was withdrawn ahead of the project’s approval.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.
early next year, but Council and Commission members said that they wanted to put a ban in place as quickly as pos-
sible to prevent any data center applications from coming in, while also making it as strong as possible.
Brentwood hotel granted extension on design plans
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
A new hotel slated to come to Shady Willow Lane in Brentwood is getting a later check-in after the Planning Commission voted 4-0 to allow an 18-month extension on the project’s permits, which would have expired this summer. Commissioner Anita Roberts was absent from the meeting.
The reason for the extension, according to city staff, was that the developer had faced challenges related to both the economy and the need to find a new civil engineer for the project.
The proposed ban stems from public concern over the natural resource use and utility costs of large A.I. data centers. City staff cited a study from the University of Michigan that said that data centers can drive up utility costs for nearby residents and consume enough energy to power 16,000 to 22,000 homes (for a data center of 10,000 to 150,000 square feet).
A UC Riverside study from 2024, also cited by city staff, said that increased demand for data centers will increase health expenditures because of data centers up to $20 billion by 2028, with the most affected counties having
see Data Centers page 15A
Autopsy results in
Brentwood
traffic stop death released
An autopsy conducted last Dec. 26 on Romaine Alexander Morgan by Dr. James Caruso determined that Morgan’s cause of death during a traffic stop two days earlier was listed as, “Gunshot Wounds of the Torso.” In addition, Morgan’s blood tested positive for cannabinoids and methamphetamine, according to a press release.
the circumstances.
“The engineering firm that they were working with is no longer in business,” Associate Planner Sarah Yuwiler explained to the commissioners during her presentation.
The applicant added that they are finding a new civil engineer as well as a landscape engi-
neer to work with, but that the economy has made the process more difficult since it has driven many firms out of business.
The proposed 69,060
see Planning page 15A
According to state law and the District Attorney’s Uniform Crime Charging Standards, the three Brentwood police officers – Tanner Kephart, Chelsea Valadez and Kimberly Beltran –acted in lawful self-defense/ defense of others and their use of force was reasonable under
The incident began on Dec. 24, 2025, at 10:54 p.m., when Kephart was driving on Deer Valley Road when he saw a gray Lincoln driving 20-25 miles per hour in a 45 mile an hour zone. The vehicle momentarily crossed over into the opposing lane of traffic, prompting Officer Kephart to follow the vehicle as it turned eastbound onto Balfour Road. Kephart saw the vehicle weave back and forth within its lane of traffic and then swerve erratically to the right. As a result, Kephart initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle under see Shooting page 15A
Concept art of the proposed hotel.
Press file photo
REGIONAL & LOCAL
News iN Brief
General Election ballot submissions due Aug. 7
Are you interested in campaigning for office? The race for the November 3, 2026 General Election is officially on, and Contra Costa County Clerk-RecorderElections is hunting for its next batch of leaders.
Whether you’re aiming to fix the potholes, shape the schools, or finally getting your face on a lawn sign, spend 20 minutes submitting your paperwork for your ticket to the ballot box.
Schedule an appointment by emailing or calling at: candidate.services@vote. cccounty.us or by calling 925-335-7800.
Chase Bank offers money skills workshop
Rubicon Programs and Chase Bank are presenting a program titled Financial Lessons for Families & School Supplies Backpack Giveaway.
This event on building strong money habits i on July 29 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Rubicon Programs, 418 West 4th St. in Antioch.
The workshop will feature an interactive financial skills workshop designed to help parents and kids build healthy financial habits. Through hands-on, engaging games and practical activities, families
will discover how to track savings, make smart spending choices, and map out a solid financial future together.
And because heading back to school in style is important, every participating family will receive a new backpack loaded with essential school supplies while supplies last.
Sign up for a free energy and water efficiency assessment
This summer, county residents can receive an energy and water efficiency assessment and installation service, also known as a Green House Call, through the Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, for free.
During a Green House Call, trained energy specialists come to your home and install renter-friendly upgrades that help save energy and water. The visit typically takes about one hour, depending on the size of your home. The Green House Call is valued at $125 and includes:
• A portable induction cooktop and compatible pan
• LED light bulbs
• High-efficiency kitchen and bathroom sink aerators,
• Water-saving showerhead,
• Weather-stripping for doors and windows
• –A customized home report with tips and resources to save even more energy and water.
Appointments are available through July 31. To sign up, visit: https://risingsun. tfaforms.net/f/GHC or call 510) 665-1501 ext. 300 and leave a message.
American Avenue in Brentwood to get pilot traffic improvements
The City of Brentwood is implementing pilot traffic improvements on American Avenue before schools reopen for the 2026 academic year to help improve traffic flow and safety during student dropoff and pick-up at Adams Middle School and Heritage High School.
Newsom announces continued growth in California ZEV sales as Iran war raises gas prices
As gasoline prices skyrocketed in the wake of the war in Iran, California’s demand for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) grew. ZEV sales increased in the second quarter of 2026, representing 19.1% of new vehicle sales in California, a 3.3-percentage-point increase from the first quarter of the year, the governor’s office said in a press release.
California remains the nation’s ZEV leader, and next month, the state’s new ZEV instant rebate program will make going electric easier and more affordable.
MyFirstEV, the instant rebate program established by the legislature and signed by Newsom, takes effect next month, with 13 automakers offering instant rebates to first-time ZEV buyers.
“Nearly 1 in 5 Californians are choosing to go electric because EVs are fun to drive, fast, and cheaper to fuel and maintain,” said California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez.
These improvements were developed in coordination with both schools, the city said in a press release. The goal is to reduce traffic conflicts, improve circulation, and enhance safety for students, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
The pilot improvements include:
• Flexible delineators to better steer traffic into appropriate lanes
• Modifications to pedestrian crossings
• Additional red curb to reinforce noparking areas
• Removal of bike lanes to provide additional curbside parking during school peak periods
• New pedestrian crossing warning signs at the Heritage High School traffic signal
City crews have already begun pavement striping, with all roadway improvements expected to be completed before the first day of school. Some traffic signal work may be completed shortly afterward due to equipment delivery schedules.
Suspect arrested in death of Antioch man from assault
Antioch police have arrested a suspect after a man, 77, who died after being assaulted in June.
Police arrested Camari Coleman, 23, in Brentwood and charged him with murder and abuse of an elder, Paul Lawson, according to a press release from Antioch police.
The charges stem from an incident on June 9 when police responded to a call about a reported battery of an outdoor phone vendor on Delta Fair Boulevard. Lawson was involved in a verbal and physical confrontation with employees at the stand. During the incident, Lawson fell and reported that he could not move. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
New principals to focus on student involvement
their leadership roles.
By Taylor Shepherd Correspondent
Knightsen Elementary School District welcomed Rachel Fogleman and Jessica Erickson as the district’s newest school leaders for the 2026–27 school year. Together, the two have already engaged themselves in the community under
“I am most excited to bring some expertise in looking at our data,” Erickson said. “Our district is really focused on implementing PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) and using student data to drive instruction. So, leading our staff through data, seeing what areas of development we need to work on. I know we are focused on attendance, which is something I have worked on at previous schools as well.”
PLC’s are collaborative, data-driven
see Principals page 14A
(Min. 2) (Mon-Fri)
Flavors
Rachel Fogleman (right) and Jessica Erickson (left).
Photo by Taylor Shepherd
LMC’s Community Education is excited to announce new courses for fall 2026. This year’s adult enrichment courses span a wide variety of topics that include eminent women of East Contra Costa County, the temperance movement and the impact on wine making, and the everpopular lectures and tours of Byron Hot Springs and John Marsh house.
Community Education Minute with Natalie Hannum
We will also provide a series on iPhone and protecting yourself and your data, and a series on first aid that includes CPR and AED training. For the full course schedule and class descriptions, or to register for a course visit www.losmedanos.edu/ communityed. Classes start on Sept. 16.
All courses are from 1-3 p.m. at LMC’s Brentwood Center, 1351 Pioneer Square. The cost is $25 per course. For questions or more information, email nhannum631@losmedanos.edu or call 925-473-7397
Brentwood interim police chief Walter O’Grodnick is sworn in as the city’s 13th police chief on July 16 inside of the auditorium at Heritage High School in Brentwood.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
O’Grodnick: ‘We’ll face them head-on’
New police chief talks challenges, opportunities at swearing-in ceremony
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Walter O’Grodnick has been a staple of the Brentwood Police Department for about three decades. As long as he can remember, he wanted to be a cop — whether he was playing “cops and robbers” with his siblings, starting out as a reserve officer in Galt at 19 years old and needing notes from his mother for him to work, to eventually finding his way to Brentwood nearly 30 years ago.
That journey has now reached its highest point. On Thursday afternoon, inside the auditorium at Heritage High School, O’Grodnick was named the city’s 13th police chief in a swearing-in ceremony attended by his family, friends and many of his current and former coworkers. He sheds the interim tag he had held since last September and succeeds the retired Tim Herbert.
“I am truly honored to serve as the City of Brentwood’s 13th chief of police,” O’Grodnick said in his speech. “It’s such an honor. None of this was by my own doing.”
O’Grodnick thanked his family and fellow officers, along with his former chiefs who were in attendance.
a Police Chief Community Survey, the city said in a news release. More than 240 people participated, identifying public safety, integrity, accountability, communication, leadership and community-oriented policing as the qualities most important in Brentwood’s next chief. Those priorities matched O’Grodnick’s leadership qualities, the release stated.
“One of the great things about him is that he’s very down to earth and he’s very accessible, and he was talking about that a little bit,” Brentwood Mayor Susannah Meyer said. “But truly, if I ever had a concern about something, I know I could reach out to him and he’d be okay with that.”
“And he has said many, many times that residents who have concerns about pretty much anything can reach out. He makes sure that he’s there. He makes sure that he’s kind of a solid, calm presence in a state of concern if there’s anything going on in the community. He’s just that person. He’s solid.”
“He’s got a very analytical brain, and he’s very thorough in everything he does,” Herbert said.
“He’s always been very professional and taken the community to heart when he’s working or handling any type of calls. So his leadership style is perfect for what the department needs right this minute.”
O’Grodnick brings 32 years of law enforcement experience to the role, including 28 with the Brentwood Police Department. He credits his mentors and past chiefs for guiding him to this point in his career.
“I think, had it not been for the mentors and the coaches that I had at the time stepping into this role as a cadet, it gave me exposure and it really gave me reassurance that this was the profession that I wanted to do,” O’Grodnick said. “But it was because of the coaches and the mentors that I had that actually helped guide me there, because they trusted me. They were willing to invest in me. And that’s what I appreciate about it.”
“It’s an exciting time, not only for me, but for the department,” he said after the ceremony. “Having an opportunity to continue to lead the organization, I’m very excited about it. We have such a wonderful and great community that supports us. When I mentioned earlier that I’m looking to enhance and provide the highest level of public service that this community’s never experienced before, I mean that. And we’re going to work together as a team to make that happen.”
O’Grodnick was selected as the new chief after the city sought input from residents, business owners, employees and community stakeholders through
Aside from that experience, one of the most important things O’Grodnick brings to the role is his familiarity with Brentwood
-Advertorial
and his presence in the community.
“To have the chief out at just about every event, dancing with residents, just being himself and chatting and being very open and friendly, I think it meant a lot,” Meyer said. “I think Brentwood is in a space where there have been some positions hired from the outside, and they were appropriate hires for what the city has needed at certain points, but we needed him. We needed him in this role. We needed him to come up from being here for that long and being who he has been to the city to rise into a position of leadership.”
“Chief O’Grodnick has embraced the community as though he’s a resident here, and he’s been here for 28 years,” Herbert said. “It’s ingrained in him. He always has the community’s best interest at heart when dealing with whatever is put before him.”
One point of emphasis for O’Grodnick as he takes over full time is improving the department.
“[We want to] enhance everything we do, from community engagement to traffic enforcement, community outreach and technology. That’s all evolving,” O’Grodnick said. “We need to stay on top of that because we don’t want to get behind the curve. That’s going to remain a top priority.”
O’Grodnick also steps into the fulltime role at a challenging time for the department, following the recent death of Brentwood resident Yolanda Ramirez in police custody.
“All of this adversity, diversity — these are all things that are important to me,” O’Grodnick said. “I’m going to continue to try and recruit the best, hire the best, so that we deliver the highest level of service to the community.”
“We still have challenges. We’ll face those challenges. We’ll face them headon. I talked about being nimble, being resilient. That’s what we’ll continue to do as a team.”
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
Oakley police clarifies bike laws to public
With school starting next Monday, Oakley police want to remind parents that if you are purchasing a motorized bicycle/moped or an e-scooter for your child, state law requires licensing just like a regular motorcycle or a car, making them illegal to operate if the rider is under age 16 and/or improperly licensed.
Motorized bicycles are substantially faster than e-bikes, and more dangerous, according to a press release. E-scooters cannot go faster than 15 mph in California, and both e-scooters and motorized bikes/mopeds require a bike helmet for riders under 18 years old.
The state defines e-bikes as bicycles equipped with a motor of less than 750 watts. They fall into three classes:
•Class 1: E-bikes that assist only while the rider is pedaling, and that cease
to assist once the bike reaches 20 mph.
•Class 2: E-bikes that have a throttle and can propel the bike without pedaling, also with a maximum speed of 20 mph.
•Class 3: E-bikes that assist while the rider is pedaling up to 28 mph and are required to have a speedometer. Riders must be at least 16 years old.
Officers have also noticed more kids riding traditional bikes without helmets and on the wrong side of the road.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of all residents, and officers will address these issues via citations and, in some cases, the two-wheeled vehicles may be seized for a period of time until they can be returned to lawful and responsible owners,” the city said in the release.
O’GRODNICK
For print, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication. For online, post your events for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.
This Week’s Events
Saturday, July 25
Think Big, Act Bigger Backpack Giveaway in Brentwood
All students must be present to collect their school supplies at from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 757 First St. in Brentwood. Take what you need and leave what you don’t, giving others the opportunities to take what they need. If students have one at home they would like to re-use instead, please bring it to fill. All college students will have to provide a current student ID or a current school schedule upon check-in. One backpack per student. Students must be present to collect backpacks. For details, visit http://tbactbigger org
Community Barbecue and Clothing/Food Drive
Rage for Democracy is hosting a free community barbecue at Veterans Park, 3841 Balfour Road in Brentwood from 5-7 p.m., to bring neighbors together for food, connection, and local support. The event will include free hot dogs and chips, kid-friendly activities, music, and a beginner gardening class led by local residents. Guests are welcome to stop by, meet neighbors, learn more about Rage for Democracy’s outreach programs, and help support local families by bringing food bank-style donations or gently used clothing. For details, visit https://www eventbrite com/e/1990822772504
Back-to-School Supply Giveaway in Pittsburg
Mount Diablo Resource Recovery is hosting its seventh Annual Reuse Event with the Pittsburg Police Department to help local families prepare for the school year while promoting the power of reuse. The event is from 9-11 a.m. at 65 Civic Ave. Registered families will receive free backpacks filled with school supplies. To register, go to https://form jotform com/261536340731149
On the Horizon
Saturday, Aug. 1
VFW and ALA Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament
Enjoy a night of cards and celebration with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10789 and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 202 to support local veterans and active-duty service members with this fundraiser from 5-10 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St. Tickets are $80 per person and includes: Tournament play, buffet dinner, one drink ticket. Must be 21 and over to attend. For details, email Travis Martin at events@vfwpost10789.org. To register: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ vfw-and-ala-texas-holdem-tournament
Saturday, August 8- Sunday, August 9
Delta Quilters Guild 2026 Quilt Show
The Delta Quilters Guild 2026 Quilt Show are hosting a quilt show from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Aug. 8) and 10 a.m.4 p.m. (Aug. 9) at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. Tickets are $12, good for both days (those younger than age 8 and over age 80 are admitted free) . For details, visit http://deltaquilters org
Monday, August 17
Second Annual Catwalk of Courage Fashion Show
This fashion show at the Delta Theater, 641 First St. benefitting Dillon’s Dream and Adventure Therapy. This event celebrates healing, strength, resilience, and the power of community as local cancer warriors and their families take the runway in fashions provided by downtown Brentwood boutiques. Enjoy a reception, food and drinks, and a fashion show, all while supporting two local nonprofits making a difference in the lives of families impacted by cancer in our community.Tickets are $50 and can be bought at https://downtownbrentwood com/ event/2nd-annual-catwalk-of-courage-fashion-show/ Thursday, August 27
Hot Preferred Nights Car Show
Preferred Rate hosts the third Annual Hot Preferred
Look at the many local events on
Nights from 6-9 p.m. at 141 Sand Creek Road. This free event has become an annual celebration of classic cars, local businesses, family fun, and the people of East County. Founded with the goal of giving back to the community, Hot Preferred Nights was created to bring neighbors together, support local businesses, and provide a fun, family-friendly evening where relationships — not just cars — take center stage. Vehicle check-in and staging begins at 5, with the public invited to enjoy the festivities at 6. For details, visit https://flow page/hotpreferrednights2024-1. For more information, contact For additional information, contact Alex Coons, Director of Business Development at Preferred Rate at 925418-3956 or alex.coons@preferredrate.com.
Saturday, August 29
Community Barbecue and Clothing/Food Drive
Rage for Democracy is hosting a free community barbecue at Veterans Park, 3841 Balfour Road in Brentwood from 5-7 p.m., to bring neighbors together for food, connection, and local support. The event will include free hot dogs and chips, kidfriendly activities, music, and a beginner gardening class led by local residents. Guests are welcome to stop by, meet neighbors, learn more about Rage for Democracy’s community outreach programs, and help support local families by bringing food bankstyle donations or gently used clothing. For details, visit https://www eventbrite com/e/1990822772504
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/.
Milestones
Freedom graduate awarded Koch Family Foundation Dependent Scholarship
Laura Hoang, a graduating senior at Freedom High School in Oakley, has been selected as a recipient of a 2026 Koch Family Foundation Dependent Scholarship of $2,000 based on her academic achievement and community impact. She is the daughter of Phu Truong and Xuan Hoang.
Phu is a process control engineer at the Georgia-Pacific Antioch Gypsum plant. Koch is Georgia-Pacific’s parent company, according to a press release.
“Congratulations to Laura for earning the Koch Family Foundation Dependent Scholarship through her commitment and hard work,” said Rob King, plant manager for Georgia-Pacific’s Antioch Gypsum plant. “Education enables scholars to dis-
cover, develop and apply their talents, contributing to the community and their own self-fulfillment.”
The Koch Family Foundation Dependent Scholarship Award is a competitive program for high school seniors and undergraduate and skilledtrade students. Scholarships of $2,000 are awarded to qualifying dependents of full-time Koch company employees.
“Education is one of GeorgiaPacific’s four areas of impact in our stewardship initiatives,” said
Curley Dossman, president of Community Programs, Georgia-Pacific and vice president of the Koch Companies Community Fund. “Being named a 2026 Koch Family Foundation Scholar celebrates each recipient’s pursuit of academic excellence and positive community impact.”
The scholarship is just one of many initiatives supporting education through the Koch Family Foundation. The Foundation supports the organization’s mission to inspire a new generation of lifelong learners that make lasting contributions to society and their communities.
Antioch woman named to Linfield University’s spring 2026 Dean’s List
Izabella Hight from Antioch earned Dean’s List honors at Linfield University during the spring 2026 academic term.
The Dean’s List identifies undergraduate students who earned a GPA at least equivalent to a cum laude (3.65) while taking at least graded 12 credits. It is computed following the posting of grades at the end of each semester.
Students from Linfield’s three locations -McMinnville campus, Portland campus and eCampus - are eligible.
Hight is a sophomore majoring in international business.
Linfield University is an independent, nonprofit university with campuses in McMinnville and Portland, Oregon, as well as an eCampus for online learning.
Norman Duane Schnittker
OBITUARY
June 8, 1949 - July 11, 2026
Norman Duane Schnittker was born in the elevator of a hospital in Enid, Oklahoma, on June 8, 1949. Such a memorable beginning was the start of a life well lived until his passing on July 11, 2026, in Brentwood, California.
Duane was raised on a farm near Cunningham, Kansas, where his lifelong work ethic was formed bucking hay bales, plowing long hours in the field, and getting up in the night to check on the farrowing hogs.
He shared his childhood with older brother Gerald and younger siblings Janice and Robert. He attended grade school in the tiny village of St. Leo, where the Catholic nuns were known to use picking up a full container of broken glass on the playground during recess as punishment. While not habitually in trouble, Duane figured out quickly that he could bury the required amount of glass near the ball field, unbury it, and be back for his next turn at bat. He has asked that his final resting place be near that schoolyard.
Duane graduated from Cunningham High School with 21 other members of the Class of ’67, many of whom remained lifelong friends. After his sophomore summer, Duane grew from 5-feet,10 inches to the 6-feet, 3-inch hearty man that we all came to know. He delightedly answering the question, “How tall are you?” with a perfectly serious “5-15” and watching the puzzled looks come over the inquirer’s face. While he played both basketball and football, his favorite was the latter, but playing 8-man football didn’t garner much attention for taking that much further. So from being a Cunningham wildcat, Duane became a Kansas State University Wildcat.
In 1974, Duane graduated from KSU as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. During this time, he met and married his wife of 53 years, Sue Tasker Schnittker, who survives him. Duane always credited Sue for saving him from a life as a hog farmer. During Dr. Schnittker’s 35 years of practice, he treated not only tradi-
tional large and small animals but a few exotic animals as well. He was most proud of moving permanently to the small town of Brentwood in 1979 and owning the Brentwood Veterinary Hospital until his retirement at the age of 60 in 2009. He loved his patients, their owners, and the wonderful staff that supported him.
Duane and Sue were blessed with two daughters, who also survive him – Sarah Serrin of Los Gatos, Calif. and Theresa Rhoades of Southlake, Texas. He raised his girls with love, laughter, and wonderful memories of tossing them around in the backyard pool, skiing on the Delta, and playing ASA softball.
In time, his beloved family grew to include Theresa’s husband David and their sons Greyson and Dawson Rhoades and Sarah’s daughters Addison and Janson Serrin. In the last years of practice, Duane was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, and one of his only sorrows in life was that his grandchildren never knew him before his diagnosis and with the abilities that it gradually stole from him.
Duane was a man of great humor and a wonderful storyteller, some of which have been preserved in a precious memoir titled Tales and Tails, My Life and My Career. He was an outstanding father, Papa, mentor, and friend. He was an outstanding provider and husband. To say, “He will be missed” is an understatement.
Duane maintained his level of activity and fought the progression of Parkinson’s for more than 25 years. It was a heartbreaking day when he had to hang up his golf bag, but during this time he and Sue formed a local Parkinson’s support group that Duane suggested be named the Delta Shadow Boxers because its members are fighting something that we cannot see. Duane and Sue were also instrumental in bringing a Rock Steady Boxing program to this area that thrives today and provides, not only the physical activity that those with Parkinson’s Disease must maintain, but also a social environment surrounded by those who “get it.”
Consequently, the members of his family request that any donations in his memory be made to the non-profit Delta Shadow Boxers Parkinson’s Support Group, 1036 Pacific Grove Court, Brentwood, CA 94513. A celebration of his life will be planned for the future.
O pini O n
EDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY
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Social Talk About Town...
Heritage alum Potestio drafted by New York Yankees
Published in the July 17 issue of The Press
“Awesome. My sons went to Heritage Good luck. Wishing lots of success!!”
-@easterelana via Instagram
“Wow! Love this! We live in Brentwood and this is a dream for my son! Congrats!”
-@esmereldavegaxoxo via Instagram
Coroner’s Inquest rules
Yolanda Ramirez death an accident
Published in the July 17 issue of The Press
“This tragedy was entirely preventable and should never have happened. Rest in peace, sweet Yolanda—you deserved safety, care, and respect. It is deeply unsettling and heartbreaking to feel unsafe in our own community, especially when those sworn to protect us cause such harm to our most vulnerable.
I pray that Yolanda’s family receives the justice they deserve, and that her bravery is never
forgotten. The City of Brentwood must acknowledge this tragedy, pay tribute to Yolanda, and bring awareness to ensure this never happens again. My heart goes out to her family during this devastating time.”
-Tina Duarte via Facebook
“Why aren’t the family taking responsibility? They were the ones so threatened by her they needed the police to handle her. But for them the police would have never been there.”
-@jthorner94 via Instagram
“Accident not natural caused by @ brentwoodpd”
-@marishellenn via Instagram
Pittsburg looks to offer clarity regarding data center
Published in the July 3 issue of The Press
“Allow me to offer some clarity to the officials of Pittsburgh. Listen to your voters or get voted
Have you changed your eating habits because of the cyclosporiasis outbreak?
With cases of the foodborne cyclosporiasis parasite on the rise nationwide, have you changed your diet or eating habits to avoid it?
out.”
-@cptn_carbonara_uav via Instagram
“Data centers don’t belong in populated areas”
-Josh Simonton via Facebook
“LIES!!! This same story was quoted to people across the Nation who are now living in hell from these data centers.
The bull from the economic benefits, the noise, recycled water nonsense! This will not add jobs from our community! This will destroy our community your explanation for Emergency evacuation if something goes wrong is a joke!!!! There is only one road to escape!!!! What kind of people representing us would unanimously vote to put this project a few hundred feet from School, homes and parks. Stop the backpedaling and stand up for your constituents!!!!!!!!”
-@bidwinandgo via Instagram
26.3% Yes, I’m skipping storebought produce for now
15.8% Yes, I’m preparing my vegetables differently
26.3% Yes, I’m staying away from Taco Bell for now
31.6% No, I’m not worried about it
Editor Jake Menez
Founder & Publisher Emeritus Jimmy Chamoures
Freedom girls flag football hopes ‘new culture’ brings better results
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Through the first three seasons of varsity high school girls flag football, Freedom has yet to establish one thing: a winning culture.
That’s especially true compared with nearby rivals Liberty and Heritage, both of which have reached the playoffs and competed in the inaugural North Coast Section tournament in 2023.
With a new coaching staff in place for the upcoming 2026 season, new Freedom girls flag football coach Pierre Wallace is looking to change that as he makes his return to East County.
“It feels good to be back,” he said following the team’s summer training session Wednesday morning in Oakley. “We’re trying to bring a new culture here, change everything and offset all the bad things that people say about this school.”
Wallace returns to East County after spending time as a student at both Deer Valley and Liberty before eventually graduating from Mount Diablo in 2010. He has coached at several schools, beginning at Armijo High
by Jeff Weisinger
the program’s only winning season, according to MaxPreps.
Senior quarterback Olivia Nino said the reset of the culture around the program was needed as she enters her final season.
“It’s really nice getting this new reset,” Nino said. “I wish we had it years prior because I feel like so many more of us would’ve improved more than we are now. I still think we’re really good. I think that we have potential.”
Nino showed that potential behind center in her first varsity season as a junior in 2025. On a Falcons team that managed six wins in 18 games, she threw for 1,460 yards, 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions over 17 games.
Part of the program’s reset — or “new culture,” as its Instagram page promotes — is how the team prepares.
School in Fairfield, where he coached girls basketball and flag football, and most recently within the Tracy Unified School District before arriving in Oakley.
Wallace takes over a Falcons flag foot-
ball program that has reached the postseason once in its first three years of existence. Freedom went one-and-done against College Park in the opening round of the 2024 playoffs, capping a 12-7 campaign that remains
According to Nino and Wallace, this summer marks the first time the Freedom girls flag football program has held any type of summer camp or organized workouts. That puts the Falcons more in line with pro-
New Heritage Athletic Director Wisely’s focus extends beyond wins and losses
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Last year, Nick Wisely found himself in a new position: head varsity football coach. He continued his coaching tenure with Heritage this week as the team continues its training camp, preparing for the upcoming season that starts at home on Friday, Aug. 28 against James Logan (7 p.m., Patriots Stadium). The season-opening game completes their two-year, home-and-home series against the Colts.
This year, he’s adding a new title to his Heritage business card as he enters his second year at the helm of the Patriots: athletic director.
Wisely takes over Heritage’s athletic department as the school year starts on Monday as previous athletic director Nate Smith becomes the school’s new vice principal. Wisely says that he sees the move less as a departure from coaching and more of an expansion of the work that he’s already been doing.
“I’ve had a lot of jobs,” Wisely said. “I’ve been an activity director. I’ve coached many different varsity sports, and I got approached with this opportunity, and I think it was a good step for me.”
Last year, Wisely became the fourth head football coach in program history as he replaced Dave Fogelstrom who led the program for five years prior. Wisely went 1-9 with the Patriots in his 2025 head coaching debut.
Along with his daily football responsibilities as the sea-
Heritage head football coach and new athletic director Nick Wisely goes over his play sheet during the team’s training camp session Wednesday afternoon in Brentwood.
son approaches, he’s responsible for processing athletic clearances (eg. student registrations, physicals and other necessary paperwork) checking the student-athletes’ grades, reviewing program budgets, and securing facilities on campus ahead of the Fall sports teams’ upcoming practices.
He adds that as his children are older – one just graduated from Heritage in 2025 – he has more time to devote to overseeing the school’s athletic department. As well, Wisely’s new additional job requirements are treated as more of a passion project than job responsibilities.
“I love sports,” he said. “I love coaching. I love being a part of it. I think it’s a good fit.”
“Nick has shown an eagerness to lead the athletic department, but he also brings years of experience supporting student-athletes in so many different ways,” Smith said.
Wisely becomes just the school’s third athletic director, following Smith and Liberty Union High School District athletic Hall of Famer and recently-retired North Coast Section commissioner Pat Cruickshank. As the athletic director, both Smith and Cruickshank led a Patriots athletic department that’s won multiple Bay Valley Athletic League awards in various sports and four North Coast Section championships, most recently the girls volleyball team’s NCS title last Fall.
Wisely says that he hopes to continue Heritage’s line of success in its relatively young history thus far.
“There’s always that pressure trying to fill that void because there’s been great ADs ahead of me,” Wisely said. “You just try to hold that torch and keep that going and learn from them, and also put your own little spin to it. … We’re in this for the kids and what’s best for our kids.”
“Winning is just a product of doing things well,” he add-
New Freedom head flag football coach Pierre Wallace talks with his players during Thursday’s summer workout in Oakley.
Photo
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
going to work and get there and put the work and sweat in.”
“I really enjoy it,” Nino said. “It’s making everything more comfortable and just more enjoyable.”
One of the bigger changes for the Falcons off the field has been a growing sense of camaraderie.
Following Wednesday’s practice, as the players packed up and prepared to leave, everyone stopped at the corner of the field to sing “Happy Birthday” to one of their teammates.
Wallace said that off-the-field bonding is as much a part of the plan as the work on the field.
“Every Friday, we have team bonding,” he said. “We do potlucks, we give back to the community, we do toy drives. My kids give back.”
from page 9A
grams such as Liberty and Heritage, which wrapped up their summer camps this week ahead of the first week of school on Monday.
In the past, the Falcons essentially began their season with tryouts once school started, with little organized preparation during the summer.
“We started summer training about four weeks ago,” Wallace said. “They said they’ve never been in the weight room. Now we’re in the weight room daily. They said we never did summer practices before the season. We’re out here on the gridiron getting that work. … It’s just a new culture. The sky is the limit. We’re
“I think that it’s bringing the girls more together than we were in the past years,” Nino said. “I feel more connected and comfortable, and able to talk to people that I wasn’t able to do because of the way that coaching was last year. So, I think that’s a really big improvement, because we need to be a team.”
“The difference is just the effort. I think that these coaches come and want to coach. Not saying the other ones didn’t, but I just think that (the current staff) definitely want it more.”
Freedom opens the season Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. against Pittsburg in Oakley as Wallace and the Falcons begin their campaign with three of their first four games at home.
ed. “When it’s all said and done, our records don’t go on our tombstones. What goes on our tombstones is how we make other people feel, and that’s what people will remember.”
Wisely’s spin on his new job continues Heritage’s tradition of success not just in athletics, but in academics, something the school touts every June in its graduation ceremony.
“The kids want to excel,” he said. “Not only on the field, but they want to excel in life.”
As well, one of the bigger questions that have come up with Wisely’s appointment as the new athletic director has been the possibility of a conflict of interest considering his higher role in the department along with him coaching the biggest team on campus.
Smith explains that Heritage’s administrative structure provides oversight, one of which he’s in charge of in his new role as vice principal.
‘In our district, athletic director is not a full administrator position, and is overseen by an administrator,” Smith said. “That’s part of my new role, and that creates a system of checks and balances from higher up.”
“I could see how people could see (the potential for conflict of interest),” Wisely said. “You have one of the biggest sports on campus, the biggest revenue sport, and then you have the athletic director. I’ve always been a teacher first, leading into coaching. My goal has always been for the student, no matter what sport they play.”
Freedom from page 9A
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Wisely
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Freedom senior Olivia Nino throws a pass during the Falcons girls flag football team’s summer workout Thursday morning in Oakley.
Heritage’s Nick Wisely talks to his team after Wednesday’s summer camp practice in Brentwood.
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teams of educators in elementary schools who meet regularly to analyze student performance, share instructional strategies, and improve teaching practices.
Erickson added that she will also look at what barriers current students have to increase the school’s attendance, data, and student achievements.
Fogleman said they will be working collaboratively to align both Knightsen and Old River Elementary School with their traditions and community involvement. “I come with a special-ed lens, so looking through that PLC process, looking at the data, looking at student achievement, and really diving into how we support our special education students as well as our general education students, and really looking at all of the students belong to all of us,” Fogleman said. “They belong to our district, they belong to both of us as administrators to support, and really looking at that piece.”
“ Their past experiences working in other districts, along with their extensive community involvement, will be a huge asset to our district, ”
Harvey Yurkovich, Superintendent at Knightsen Elementary School District
with families and staff to ensure regular school attendance is the priority. I have been very impressed with both the principals’ continual focus on students and their ongoing success at school. They have been very helpful in asking all the right questions to help us reflect on and refine the processes we currently have in place, while bringing forward suggestions for future initiatives.”
Fogleman emphasized Knightsen as being “a special place.” “It is a special school district, it’s small, and we have to really keep to our traditions while making sure we are moving forward through best practices, learning more about what’s out there, PLC process, and student achievement and engagement.”
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia Principals from page 3A
a way that will help it grow its deep roots. “I know we have our special person events, our mother-and-son and father-and-daughter events, and all of these things that are well established in the school. So we are looking at how we can support this coming in.” Erickson said.
Fogleman noted that a lot of their teachers have been coming in from both school sites and supporting them with the traditions, helping them build out their master schedule, and have had parents reaching out. “We are already learning from them, and we started coming to the schools in May to do walkthroughs and visit the students during their lunch and recess time. Learning from them first before jumping in and trying to make changes to honor what is already in place.”
Harvey Yurkovich, Superintendent at Knightsen Elementary School District, praised Erickson and Fogleman’s involvement thus far. “Their past experiences working in other districts, along with their extensive community involvement, will be a huge asset to our district,” he added. “They have already started to immerse themselves in our culture and school community. Our focus for this year is putting student data into actionable practice in the classroom. Likewise, our principals will be working closely
With the strong community involvement and traditions, Erickson said they look to add to the school in
Erickson added that although she and Fogleman are new to Knightsen, they are familiar with the surrounding communities. “Rachel works with the Delta Diablo 4H Group as a leader, and I work in the youth sports in the area, so we already have our feet wet with members of the community. Using this and our connection with different people to add to our roles, helps support the bigger picture within the community as there are a lot of extracurricular activities that the students at Knightsen are participating in.”
For more information on Knightsen Elementary School District, visit https://www knightsen k12.ca us
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suspicion of driving under the influence.
The driver and solo occupant of the vehicle, Romaine Alexander Morgan pulled over to the side of the road on Foothill Drive just north of Balfour Road. Kephart exited his patrol car and contacted Morgan on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Moments later, Valadez and Beltran arrived on scene and approached the passenger side of the vehicle.
Valadez and Beltran saw a container of suspected marijuana inside Morgan’s car. Valadez approached Kephart and advised him of what they observed. Kephart asked Morgan to step out of the vehicle to search for additional marijuana and to determine if he was under the influence.
Officers searched Morgan’s vehicle. During the search, Beltran removed a jacket from the front passenger floorboard and located an AR-style firearm. Beltran handed the firearm to Kephart, who examined the firearm, determined it
Planning from page 1A
was loaded, and placed it on the driver’s seat of Morgan’s vehicle. Kephart immediately approached Morgan, who was still standing next to Valadez, and told
square-foot hotel is to be located at the southwest corner of Shady Willow Lane and Los Cielos Way, adjacent to Sprouts, according to the agenda packet for the 2024 meeting. It is expected to be a dual-branded La Quinta Inn/Hawthorn Suites featuring 151 rooms and standing four stories tall. Amenities would include a swimming pool and a covered barbecue patio. The approved design also includes 121 designated parking spaces for the hotel and 30 parking spaces the hotel would share
Data Centers from page 1A
seven times the national average health expenditures.
Most data centers are powered by fossil fuels, which have a “direct negative impact on air quality,” according to the staff’s presentation, and the byproducts of fossil fuel burning can cause acid rain and smog. Renewable energy is a fast-growing source of power for data centers, however. Data centers can also cause low-frequency noise pollution, which from larger data centers can carry for over half a mile and is difficult to reduce since it can pass through walls, as well as light pollution from security lighting and alarm beacons.
Oakley would not be the first city in California to ban data centers, as Monterey Park in Los Angeles County banned them with a ballot measure in June. A few other California cities have placed moratoriums on data centers as Oakley has done, and 141 jurisdictions in America have either restricted or are considering banning data centers as of July 6. At the state level, Senate Bills 886, 887, and 1168, and Assembly Bills 222 and 2619 are related to data centers, with lawmakers attempting to implement protections for ratepayers whose rates are increasing due to the energy needs of data centers, according to the staff presentation.
According to city staff, Oakley is not a prime location for data centers due to its lack of heavy industrial areas, with the closest land use designation and zoning type being light industry.
While generally supportive of a ban, some councilmembers and com-
Still shot images from Brentwood Police Officer Tanner Kephart’s dash camera video depicting Romaine Morgan turning towards officers with his firearm.
him to turn around.
Morgan slouched down into a seated position and the rifle fell to the ground in front of him. Kephart announced “Shots
with surrounding businesses, bringing the total to 151 to match the number of rooms. The building would allow for “some extended stay” in the Hawthorn Suites half of the hotel, according to city staff, but no more than 30 days at a time.
During the July 21 discussion, the planners expressed sympathy for the applicant and acknowledged the reality of the economic challenges being faced by many developers.
Chairperson Kristopher Brand and Vice Chairper-
fired” over police radio. Morgan continued to move his arms as officers gave him repeated commands.
Minutes later, Sergeant Taylor Johnson and additional cover officers arrived on scene. Officers formulated a plan on how to safely approach Morgan, who was positioned within arm’s reach of the loaded firearm. Valadez equipped herself with a 40 mm less lethal launcher and fired two rounds at Morgan, who appeared non-responsive. Kephart equipped himself with a ballistic shield and approached Morgan with Johnson. Kephart then pinned Morgan with his shield as Johnson safely removed the firearm.
Officers began rendering medical aid. Medical personnel arrived moments later and evaluated Morgan, who died of his injuries at the scene.
The full report can be read at https:// bit.ly/4yBuXyS.
son Rod Flohr expressed their continued interest in the project, which had first been approved in June 2024. Both pointed out that its proximity to the Sand Creek Sports Complex would be a “key component of making that area come alive” by providing a place for out-oftown teams to stay while competing at the complex’s soccer fields.
The full meeting can be watched at https://bit ly/4vGf5IL
“ Don’t believe what the rich on high would like you to believe, that you need massive amounts of hardware – no you don’t. We don’t need to replicate the human brain [on a computer] and blow up the planet so people can get richer. ”
Louis Gentry
would like you to believe, that you need massive amounts of hardware – no you don’t,” Gentry said. “We don’t need to replicate the human brain [on a computer] and blow up the planet so people can get richer.”
missioners had questions about aspects of it. Councilmember Anissa Williams asked about the potential for people to build small data centers attached to their homes, a new technology for which Community Development Director Ken Strelo had no answer.
She also expressed concern that a data center could move into the Oakley Logistics Center should one of the current tenants move out. Strelo replied that this would require extra steps before approval. Councilmember Shannon Shaw reiterated that the ban on data centers should be implemented quickly, but strongly, with no loopholes.
Commissioner Sean Ireland suggested including objective criteria in the definition of data centers that would be banned, while Commissioner Kerry Harvey asked city staff to consider designating all data centers as H-2 heavy industry uses, adding “don’t let them have our water.”
Six local residents out of the 21 in the audience gave public comments at the meeting. Four of the six – Randy Sullivan, Jasper Willowbrook, Melinda Moran, and Louis Gentry – supported
a ban. Sullivan expressed concern about data centers “finish[ing] off the Delta” and damaging Oakley’s small-town feel, as well as driving up utility bills, which he said have doubled in the past 25 years due to increased housing construction.
Willowbrook warned of the deleterious consequences of the already-approved Perseus 99-megawatt data center in Pittsburg, and supported large data centers only near research institutions that need record-keeping like the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, not in residential areas for generative A.I. like Perseus.
Moran, a Pittsburg resident, said that large data centers weren’t needed for most uses, like record-keeping, and did not see a need for so many large data centers due to their environmental effects.
Gentry raised a concern about the thousands of tons of e-waste that data centers generated, which contain mercury, lead, and other toxins that can leach into soil. He also warned of a coming collapse of the current A.I. boom, which would leave most data centers as empty buildings when their builders go out of business.
“Don’t believe what the rich on high
The remaining two commenters, Jon Basinger and Cherie Cabral, were more pro-A.I.. Basinger, a self-described “A.I. Sheriff” of the digital Wild West, advocated for education about A.I. to be implemented in schools, and said that even students could run “amazing” A.I. programs on even gaming machines that they have at home, with dated hardware and 100-amp power supplies. He offered himself as an expert in the matter of A.I. education, so that children and adults would not be “scared to death” of A.I. any longer. Cabral, of the California Construction Labor Management Trust, said that data centers were not a new phenomenon, and were part of the critical infrastructure of the digital age, as roads were in previous eras, and that most data centers were not built to power generative A.I. Instead of a ban, she recommended governing data center construction carefully through the regular city planning processes.
Ultimately, the Council and Commission gave city staff the direction to hold a second, focused workshop with the intent to proceed with a data center ban, ideally before the end of the year, though Strelo said that this would be difficult due to the upcoming city elections, the time needed to gather information for another workshop, and the small number of meetings that occur late in the year.
Image courtesy of Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
ESTATE GUIDE REAL
TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY?
The differences between a buyers’ and sellers’ market
FAQS ABOUT DIY
Remodel on your own or call in the pros?
How
hopping for a new home is an exciting experience. As prospective buyers shop around and attend open houses, they are likely to fine-tune their list of what they need and what they want in their next home.
One choice buyers will be faced with is how much home to buy. Determining how much square footage an ideal home should have can be difficult. While many home buyers can envision themselves enjoying a palatial estate, square footage is a significant variable in regard to home prices. When trying to determine how much home to buy, prospective home buyers can ask themselves a range of questions to help make that decision.
How much can I afford?
Home buyers’ budgetary considerations should extend beyond the asking price of a home and into what they will be able to afford should they purchase a particular property. Projected monthly mortgage payments can be easy to determine, but utilities can fluctuate considerably from home to home. Energy prices are fluid, but the more square footage a home has, the higher utility bills are likely to be. When determining how much home you should buy, you first need to identify what you can afford, and that mock budget should include estimates regarding monthly utilities. In addition, upgrading and renovating a larger property is likely to cost more, so that’s another budget-related variable to consider when determining how much home to buy.
How much home can I take care of?
Seasoned homeowners know that the work required to own a home never ceases. First-time buyers must keep that in mind when shopping for a home. A home with lots of square footage will require more daily and long-term maintenance than a smaller home. If you don’t have the time, the means or the will to keep up with maintaining a property, then perhaps a home with a small footprint in terms of square footage is for you. If taking care of the home is not a concern, then extra square footage may not be a deterrent.
How significant a variable is ZIP code when selling a home?
Another variable to consider when determining square footage is the ZIP code of a home. Selling might not be foremost on the minds of prospective buyers, but a large home in a town with a poor school district and safety concerns is unlikely to generate as great a return on investment as a smaller home in a town with a reputation for great schools and little crime. However, the real estate market is forever in flux, so prospec-
tive buyers who prefer a larger home but don’t want to break the bank to purchase one are urged to work with a real estate professional to identify areas that might be up-and-coming and offer the best of both worlds. That’s no small task, but local real estate agents and realtors can be invaluable assets in such pursuits.
How much home do I need?
Of course, how much home a buyer needs is a unique and important variable. But this also is a difficult question to answer.
Buyers who plan to grow their families will need enough space to accommodate everyone who eventually lives under their roof. Couples buying a home together who discuss how big a family they want to have can use that discussion to inform how large a home to buy. Buyers who like to get out and about can ask how much time they’re likely to spend at home and use that to determine how much square footage they need at home.
– Metro Creative
Photo by Adobe Stock
The ideal amount of square footage in a home varies from buyer to buyer. Determining what suits you may come down to how you answer a variety of questions.
DIY remodels versus hiring a pro
The pros and cons of each process
Some home remodels can be done yourself, while other projects may need professional help. Experts in the East Bay give their take on why knowledge, preparedness, safety, and time are important aspects to have and consider when deciding whether to remodel yourself or hire a professional.
James Carey, president at Carey Bros. Remodeling in Antioch, said doing a remodel yourself depends on how adaptable you are. “If you’re a very mechanical person, and you’re willing to read and look at charts and and photos, you can do almost anything and do it effectively, and in many instances, do it better than a contractor. I would say that in priority order, it would be knowledge. Do you have the knowledge necessary to perform the specific task?”
“You can do a DIY remodel, you can hire a contractor, or you can do a blend and do a little bit of both with a hybrid remodel,” said James Carey (left), president at Carey Bros. Remodeling.
James said knowledge and preparedness come first in a DIY remodel, then being safe so you can do the job professionally or as professional as what meets yours needs, and third is having the time to complete the remodel. “Is it something that will end up improving your home, or will it, because you don’t have the skill set, detract from its beauty and thus,
BRING YOUR
maybe end up diminishing the value of your home,” he added. “You shouldn’t attempt to do anything that could potentially put you in harm’s way. So,if you’re going to attempt something, you have to be mindful of safety, and that relates to working with electricity, working with plumbing because you could flood your house. If you’re using power tools, you could seriously injure yourself if you aren’t familiar with how to utilize those tools and utilize them safely.”
James noted the importance of setting realistic expectations. “If you have expectations of having something done for vacation, for a wedding, for house guests, for a holiday, determine whether you can get it done or not in time, and how much is your time worth? If you’re a school teacher, and you’re off for the summer, and you have nothing else to do, have at it.”
Kevin Bates, store manager at Brentwood Ace Hardware, said “DIY can be very self-satisfying for someone to learn about a project and complete it themselves. Not always does DIY come out the way you want it to on some projects and that would be the con right is that sometimes you know without proper research it can be pretty extensive so.”
Morris Carey, senior draftsperson at Carey Bros. Remodeling, said that “if
you’re an ambitious person, and you have some physical strengths, and you’re willing to reach out and learn how to do it, more power to you.”
Morris said there are always contractors available for a DIY project.
With all the information available today, James Carey is not opposed to suggesting a DIY project if the time and energy is there. “Information is in every corner of the earth that wasn’t available when my brother [Morris] and I first started in business decades ago. There’s so much information available to help you learn and to help you go through the process.”
James said that as he gets older, he finds there is less benefit to consumers in their business or in other urban areas due to demands and travel. ”If you’re in Arkansas, this may be a little different. You don’t spend 14 hours in traffic a week,” James added. “Consumers often think that there’s going to be significant savings or tremendous benefits associated with taking on a project themselves, and I think they find that they may have bit off more than they can chew. Our program for 35 years on radio, on our newspaper column, and our books have been directed at helping consumers accomplish DIY projects, and how to buy right when
see Remodel page 5B
TAYLOR SHEPHERD
Courtesy of Carey Bros. Remodeling
Buying and selling real estate: what
4. Make an offer and prepare for negotiations
Your agent will help you structure a competitive offer including price, contingencies, and terms.
1. Choose the right real estate agent
Finding an agent you trust is just as important as finding the right home. As the guide notes:
“Choosing a real estate agent whom you trust and feel comfortable with can be as challenging as finding your dream home.”
A knowledgeable agent will guide you through the process, protect your interests, and help you secure the best deal.
2. Strengthen your financial position
Down payment: Most buyers put down 10%–20% of the purchase price.
“The down payment is the initial amount of money paid to secure the purchase.”
Improve your credit score, pay down debt, avoid late payments, and keep balances low to qualify for better mortgage rates.
3. Start your home search
Research neighborhoods (schools, safety, amenities, commute).
Create a list of must-haves vs. nice-to-haves. Attend open houses and take notes/photos to compare homes.
Be prepared for counteroffers — flexibility is key.
5. Inspection and appraisal
Home Inspection: A professional inspector evaluates the home’s structure, systems, and potential issues.
“The inspector will evaluate electrical, plumbing, HVAC… roof, foundation, and structural integrity.”
Appraisal determines the home’s fair market value. Buyers often include an appraisal contingency to protect themselves.
6. Closing the deal
Before closing, you will review the closing disclosure, conduct a final walk-through, sign loan and title documents, and pay closing costs. Once complete — you’re officially a homeowner.
7. Moving in
Plan ahead: hire movers, transfer utilities, change your address, and settle into your new neighborhood.
8. Selling a home – what to know before you list
1. Choose a skilled listing agent
A strong agent helps you price correctly, market effectively, and negotiate confidently.
“Our agents possess industry knowledge… to determine the ideal selling price and timing.”
2. Price your home strategically
Pricing too high can scare off buyers; pricing too low leaves money on the table. Your agent will analyze market trends and comparable sales to determine the right number.
3. Stage your home for maximum appeal
Staged homes sell more quickly and for more money.
Key tips:
♦ Declutter and depersonalize
♦ Deep clean and repair visible issues
♦ Use neutral colors
♦ Let in natural light
♦ Add simple finishing touches (fresh flowers, throw pillows)
4. Market your home effectively
A strong listing highlights your home’s best features and uses professional photography. Your description should paint a picture of what it feels like to live there.
5. Prepare for showings
♦ Keep the home clean and tidy
♦ Create a welcoming first impression
♦ Remove pets during showings
♦ Be flexible with scheduling
6. Review offers and negotiate
Evaluate each offer carefully — price, financing, contingencies, and closing timeline all matter.
Your agent will help you negotiate the strongest terms.
7. Inspections and under contract
Once under contract, the buyer completes inspections and secures financing. You may need to address repairs or negotiate credits.
9. Finalize and close the sale
You’ll complete paperwork, resolve final details, and sign documents transferring ownership. Once the buyer delivers the money, the sale is complete.
- Deborah Maisterrena. Advertorial - See ad on 6B
working with the pro. What we do is very complex, and there are a lot of moving parts, and it’s a lot of risk. And the older I get, the more I know about what we do, and how it’s done today.”
James said that you have to really want to do the remodel to get it done. “I’m not talking about painting cabinets, changing a faucet, and changing a light fixture, I’m talking about a full-blown kitchen remodel or a bathroom remodel or a room edition.”
The Carey brothers said one of the reasons to hire someone who knows what they’re doing is to shift the risk.
“One of the things you do when you write a contract or a check is you transfer the risk off your shoulders onto their shoulders,” Morris said. “That’s why it’s so important to find someone that’s dependable so that they will be there down the road if something goes wrong. A whole house remodel or a kitchen remodel, a full kitchen remodel, a full bathroom is very complex and usually requires a remodeling contractor to hire, and 10 or 12 different subcontractors to do the various things such as flooring, tile, plumbing, electrical heating, countertops. These are all different categories of work that you have to hire from various contractors.”
James added that with remodeling, comes a required interface among trades, and that requires management on the part of the person who’s hiring them, whether it’s a contractor or a consumer.
“The contractor pretty much knows what those unique instances are where the consumer might not,” James said. “Even if the consumer understands how to change the faucet and do some wiring, they may not know when they’re hiring people, who does what. So, knowledge is a very valuable asset when it comes to doing anything.”
Bates said that with a professional remodel, time is money. “Professionals can be very expensive to do things. And if you’re able to have the confidence level and do the research, DIY can be a way that you can definitely save money and add it to your budget in some other place.”
James said a way to remodel without putting someone at significant risk is part-
nering with a contractor to do the work. This will also help save money.
“Some contractors don’t want you to get between them and their profit and their job schedule,” he said. “We have a tolerance for homeowner involvement, for reasons that we understand, which is their personal satisfaction, their availability, and their budget constraints. So, you can kind of understand where someone is coming from, not compromise your business attitude, or put them at undue risk, but do a hybrid model.”
James said a hybrid remodel is where both the owner of the home and the contractor work together. “The homeowner does things that they’re capable of — for example painting, demolition, or yard clearing,” James added. “These are
things that the consumer can do to offset costs in cooperation with a contractor.”
The Carey brothers suggest checking with your local building official or building department to see where a permit is required before starting any kind of work.
“It is for your protection, for the protection of your family, your neighborhood, your community,” Morris emphasized.
“Get a building permit, and do it right.”
For more information, contact: Carey Bros. Remodeling 2624 Verne Roberts Circle, Antioch careybros com (877) 734-6404
Brentwood Ace Hardware 8900 Brentwood Blvd. acebrentwood com (925) 634-3201
Courtesy of acebrentwood com
Brentwood Ace Hardware at 8900 Brentwood Blvd.
Is the housing market better for buyers or sellers?
Is today a better time to look for a place to live in East County, or to look for someone to purchase your current home?
Three Realtors – Tracy Nelson, Lori Abreu, and Pat McCarran – gave three different answers. Abreu said it’s a buyer’s market due to an increase in the number of available houses. McCarran says it’s a seller’s market, but also that buyers are “being very particular about what they buy.” Nelson says that the market is “right in the middle,” but can vary depending on the neighborhood.
According to McCarran, whether the market is a buyers’ or sellers’ market is determined by how many months of housing inventory there are on the market. This, in turn, is determined by a simple formula: the number of houses listed for sale divided by how many homes have been sold in the past month. For example, if there are 200 homes on the market and 20 were sold last month, there are currently 10 months of inventory.
Also a determining factor is the supply and demand of and for housing. If supply is high and demand is low, prices go down, and the market is better for buyers. If demand is high and supply is low, prices go
up, and it’s better for sellers.
Interest rate hikes can also cause a slowdown in the housing market. Nelson said that in a buyers’ market, buyers have more ability to ask for credits, price reductions, and repairs, while in a sellers’ market, sellers have more ability to sell their homes as is and demand higher prices.
McCarran says that, based on inventory and demand, the market is better for sellers, but buyers are being particular. He gave two examples.
“There was one [house] in Antioch that was a [house] flip, and they priced it low to get multiple offers. Then they had 18 offers, and the buyers bidded up like 25
percent over the asking price. They started at 425 [thousand] and ended at 500 [thousand],” McCarran explained. “Then there was another house that sits and sits for two months, and finally gets one [offer] under the asking price.”
There are fewer than three months of inventory on the market, McCarran said, making it a sellers’ market. Three to five months of inventory would make it balanced, while six months or more would be a buyers’ market.
Abreu said that the market is better for buyers, as demand has begun to decline after three to four years of remaining steady in the aftermath of the COVID19 pandemic.
“The highest we got was 700 homes on the market, when the market was going crazy [after the pandemic],” she recalled.
The buyer-friendly nature of the market is in spite of factors such as the variable state of the economy, the war in Iran, and the current 3.8 percent federal interest rate, with buyers having an advantage mainly because “there’s a lot to choose from.”
Nelson said the market is neither a buyers’ nor a sellers’ market on the whole, but individual neighborhoods can vary greatly.
“I’ve sold homes at asking price and just over asking price,” she said. “Not a lot has changed in the last year. We’re seeing that houses priced a little lower than recent sales are getting the attention that sellers want. People are being very strate-
Whether the market is a buyers’ or sellers’ market is determined by how many months of housing inventory is on the market.
gic about list prices. If it’s priced too high, that makes a big difference. If you start a little lower, you’ll get a lot more buyers to compete for your home, and you’ll get a lot more out of it.”
Interest rate dips can make for successful weeks or weekends. But on the whole, Nelson says, the market is “stagnant,” with demand driven mainly by three things: deaths, divorces, and job relocations.
None of the Realtors could say if there will be a major change in the status quo soon. They “have no crystal ball[s],” Abreu said. They did lean toward things not changing, primarily due to what McCarran called the “turmoil” of the current day: war, economic fluctuation, and interest rate changes.
“Once we get economic stability, interest rates will stabilize,” McCarran said. “Once that happens, we’ll see an influx of buyers, which will change the market.”
Until then, Nelson advised people to find a Realtor who is “well-educated in the market and knows what buyers and sellers want,” who pays attention to the market every day. McCarran said that, as long as a house is ready to be moved into and clean, it will have a better chance of selling.
Contact Nelson at https://soldbytracynelson com and (925) 872-0400. Contact Abreu at https://bit.ly/4ywi6Ot and (925) 216-6317. Contact McCarran at https://bit.ly/3Tc9E75 and (925) 899-5536.
CONNOR ROBLES
Photo by Adobe Stock
