2021
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YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS | SERVING EAST COUNTY
Vol. 23, No. 29
Young victim faces long recovery by Tim Epperson Staff Writer
BRENTWOOD Jordan Glen lived the life of a typical 19-year-old. He had just been offered a job fixing diesel engines in Oakland. He liked to spend time with friends and family. He loved riding dirt bikes, camping, wakeboarding and playing with his baby nephews, many of the things a typical 19-year-old would enjoy. On June 16, his life changed. Jordan sustained severe injuries in a head-on crash while driving home from work. The wreck killed the other driver, 16-year-old Matias Rogers and injured Matias’ passenger. Jordan survived, but was in critical condition. He was taken to the John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center with internal injuries and several broken bones. “He’s young, thank God! He can’t put pressure on his feet for at least 10 weeks,” Jordan’s mother, Jordana Glen, said Friday in a tele-
Jordan Glen survived a terrible automobile crash in June, but with the help of his family, he’s begun his long road to recovery.
Photo courtesy of the Glen family.
phone interview. Jordan’s father, Tony Glen, submitted a long list of injuries that Jordan sustained in the wreck. Those injuries include: Lacerations to his spleen and stomach, Concussion, Broken right foot, Broken left foot, Broken back (compression fracture of the L3 vertebrae)
“The biggest fear is he lost part of an artery in his foot and sustained nerve damage,” Jordana Glen said. “ He’s going to have to be very careful for the rest of his life. If he cuts his foot, he may not realize it, because he can’t feel it and that could lead to infection.” As it stands, Jordan will have to be off his foot for at least six months.
The doctors may have to fuse his heel which would make it difficult to walk. Jordana said Jordan cannot move his right ankle and he’s confined to a wheelchair. He has to make sure he keeps bending his toes to ensure blood flow. He will require another surgery on his left foot. see Recovery page 26
Freedom teacher receives national honor by Kyle Szymansk Staff writer
OAKLEY When Freedom High School Spanish teacher Annalouisa Gonzalez-Ortega stumbled into the teaching profession, she didn’t know what to expect. Some 24 years later, the chance move has benefited thousands of students and counting. The White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative will soon honor Gonzalez-Ortega for her dedication to serving the community through teaching as part of the program’s #Latinosteach webpage and on social media. Gonzalez-Ortega, who has taught at Freedom for about 21
years, was chosen from among educators nationwide after being nominated by Freedom Assistant Principal Dr. Steve Amaro and subsequently answering a series of education-focused questions. “Most importantly, she has great relationships with the kids,” Amaro said. “She has been part of the fabric of Freedom High School for well over 15 years. She’s just an incredible teacher who goes above and beyond. She has a great heart. Watching her interact with students day-to-day, she finds a way to individualize for every student.” Gonzalez-Ortega said the honor took her by surprise. “I was ecstatic and shocked for a bit,” she said. “I was not
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GONZALEZ-ORTEGA expecting it. I was really honored and thank Mr. Amaro for the nomination.” Gonzalez-Ortega says she
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tries to use her profession not only to educate her students but also to better their lives. Gonzalez-Ortega’s influence often transcends classroom Spanish language and culture instruction, morphing into tips on a range of collegiate options and success — insight that paved her own path to prosperity. Her father finished only up to sixth grade and her mother third grade. “They (my parents) couldn’t help me, but I was fortunate to have somebody to guide me and tell me this is what I need to do,” Gonzalez-Ortega said. “Other-
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July 16, 2021
ECCFPD merger on hold by Tony Kukulich Correspondent
REGIONAL Just as it seemed that a crucial decision on the consolidation of the East Contra Costa (ECCFPD) and Contra Costa County (ConFire) fire protection districts was within sight, a lastminute scheduling conflict caused the cancellation of ConFire’s board of directors meeting Tuesday afternoon, July 13. The board was expected to consider the final feasibility study on the merger after the full report was released late last week. The report’s key finding is that the three fire agencies covered by the study – ConFire, ECCFPD and the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District (RHFD) – should move forward with consolidation, also referred to as annexation. “Based on the analysis, annexation will increase both the effectiveness and efficiency of the service delivery system and the efficiency of the administrative functions,” stated the report. The recommendation was supported by the report’s finding that anticipated revenue for the consolidated district would be sufficient to fund current and expanded services throughout the five-year period identified in the project’s scope of work. Additionally, the study found no operational impediments to consolidation. “I was excited to read the feasibility study indicating that combining the agencies will greatly improve fire and medical services for residents within a short timeframe,” said Diane Burgis, Contra Costa see ECCFPD page 26
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Broken Road Farm to move on
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