WWW.THEPRESS.NET
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 22, No. 6
Council’s focus stays on residents
Honoring their own
February 7, 2020
Pro Tips For Wedding Bliss
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Brentwood City Councilmembers will be elected differently come November, but each member will still represent residents equally, according to a recently adopted resolution. That is the upshot of the governing body’s recent declaration, even as it has adopted plans to replace the current atlarge election procedure with a system in which councilmembers will be elected by representative districts beginning this year. The mayor will still be elected at-large. “Every decision we make applies to and affects every single one of us, and we cannot afford to neglect anybody,” said Vice Mayor Joel Bryant. “We don’t have any throwaway, disposable citizens, families, communities or sides of town. We have one city; one beautiful community that is integrated and very diverse.” Under the new election structure — adopted last July after a months-long public process — a divided, four-area elecsee Residents page 30
From flowers to venues, find advice from the pros on planning your big day. Page 15
Raising Funds For Futures Photo by Tony Kukulich
P
olice Chief Tom Hansen congratulates Officer of the Year recipient Officer Matt King during the Brentwood Police Department’s annual recognition ceremony Thursday, Jan. 30. Honorees included: Support Staff of the Year Jackie Hussain, Volunteer of the Year Cecilia Schieber and Explorer of the Year Hunter Hammond. To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
Investigation ongoing in student death by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
Photo by Tony Kukulich
A memorial for 16-year-old shooting victim Jonathan Parker grew in the parking lot of Deer Valley High School in Antioch, Monday, Feb. 3. Jonathan, a Deer Valley student, was shot during an altercation after a basketball game at the school Friday, Jan. 31, and died later that weekend.
SAVE NOW
As family and friends mourn the death of Jonathan Parker, questions remain as to how the 16-year-old Deer Valley High School (DVHS) student could have been gunned down on school grounds following a basketball game, Friday, Jan. 31. A press release issued by the Antioch Police Department (APD) stated that officers responded to the report of a shooting at 8:44 p.m. and found Parker in the school parking lot suffering from three gunshot wounds. He was transported by ambulance to the trauma center at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek in critical condition but later died as a result of his wounds.
10% OFF Any Service
FAIRVIEW HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. Connect with The Press!
Scan QR code with your mobile device.
Service • Repair • Installation
Contractor’s Lic. #533790 C-20
925-625-4963 • www.fairviewair.com
“We, along with the rest of AUSD (Antioch Unified School District), denounce this senseless violence and call on the community to come together to address such vicious brutality,” wrote AUSD Superintendent Stephanie Anello and DVHS Principal Bukky Oyebade in a joint press release. “Our children must be taught that solving disagreements with violence is not the answer and that there are other ways to resolve our differences that do not result in the unjust and unnecessary killing of our youth. Finally, we ask that everyone in this community and nearby communities model the love and peace they hope to create.” A large memorial to Parker grew in the DVHS parking lot
Liberty grad turns swim school into a nonprofit organization funding education. Page 5
Lions Splash Another Win
Liberty boys’ basketball team picks up third-straight win in victory over Heritage. Page 21
see Death page 30
Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................26 Entertainment.....................10 Food........................................11 Milestones..............................9 Opinion..................................20 Adopt a Pet.............................8 Sports.....................................21
BART Changes
Star Headlining
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Beginning Feb. 10, BART train schedules will adjust to further improve service.
www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
Grammy Award winner Vanessa Williams to perform at Bankhead Theater.
