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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 10
Deer Valley student wins poetry contest
Photo courtesy of Arts & Culture Commission of Contra Costa County
Kiara Chatman, a senior at Deer Valley High in Antioch, took first place in the Contra Costa County Poetry Out Loud competition for the second year in a row with her recitation of “The Gaffe” by C.K. Williams.
Deer Valley High senior Kiara Chatman took first place in the Contra Costa County Poetry Out Loud competition for the second year in a row at the Las Lomas High School Theatre in Walnut Creek, on Feb. 11. “When I found out I took first place, I was so excited,” said Kiara. “It’s a great feeling to accomplish something you worked hard for.” The runner-up position went to senior Camila MoralesJimenez from El Cerrito High in El Cerrito, and third place to sophomore Wesley Little from Monte Vista High in Danville. The three were among thousands of students across the state to participate in the national recitation
contest, a program started by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and run by the California Arts Council and the Arts & Culture Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5) to engage highschool students in the presentation of poetry through memorization and performance. Chatman will advance to the California state finals in Sacramento, on March 12 and 13. At stake are hundreds of dollars on the state-competition level and thousands at the national finals of Poetry Out Loud. This is Contra Costa’s 10th year of Poetry Out Loud competition, and many attendees comsee Poetry page 30
March 10, 2017
Pottery With A Purpose
Heritage High School’s Clay Club to make plates, bowls for coming local restaurant. Page 4
Once Upon A Mattress
Deer Valley Academy of Performing Arts retells “The Princess and the Pea.” Page 10
Helmick named interim fire district chief Heritage Falls by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) tapped one of its own to serve as interim fire chief, as the district’s board unanimously chose current Battalion Chief Brian Helmick and formally approved his contract at the board’s meeting this week. Helmick, 40, will replace Hugh Henderson, who announced his retirement in January after 12 years with the district. Helmick is expected to begin on March 31. “It’s not only exciting, it’s incredibly humbling,” Helmick said. “It’s a tremendous responsibility; one I welcome with open arms.” The board chose Helmick after interviewing him and one other undisclosed external contender last Friday. Helmick is slated to make up to $11,758.07 a month, plus benefits. His up-to-one-year contract is expected to include an evaluation in October. Joel Bryant, ECCFPD board president
HELMICK called the job of finding Henderson’s replacement the most important decision he’s had to make for the community. “Battalion Chief Helmick was the clear choice,” Bryant said. “This wasn’t just because he was part of our system already; this
is because he earned this position. He is the most qualified person we interviewed.” Helmick, who lives in Brentwood with his wife and three children, began his career in fire service with the now-dissolved Moraga Fire Protection District before becoming a paid-on-call firefighter for the former Oakley Fire Protection District. He was the first paid-on-call employee hired by the ECCFPD, which was formed in 2002 with the merger of the Bethel Island, East Diablo and Oakley fire districts. As an ECCPFD employee, Helmick climbed the ranks from firefighter to engineer to captain, before becoming a battalion chief in 2006. In his new role, Helmick is excited to work with district staff and become more connected with the community. “It’s a little overwhelming, it’s exciting and it is humbling,” Helmick said. “I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to move the organization forward.” see Chief page 30
County Bonds
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Contra Costa County has closed a $99,810,000 lease revenue bond transaction.
At Playoffs
Carondelet knocks off Heritage 54-31 in NCS Division I championship game. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................25 Cop Logs................................29 Education................................6 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Milestones............................15 Opinion..................................20 Pets.........................................12 Sports.....................................21
Flood Response
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Rep. McNerney introduces H.R. 1233 to empower local response to flood disasters.