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Vol. 19, No. 1
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Award-winning volleyball coach fired by school district by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Linda Ghilarducci, longtime Liberty High School girls’ volleyball coach, has been dismissed from her position, according to Liberty Union High School District (LUSHD) Superintendent Eric Volta. Volta would not disclose the reason for her removal, but confirmed that a formal complaint was recently filed against Ghilarducci by first-year freshman coach Ron De La Chevrotiere. Ghilarducci was let go just prior to winter break. Her employment as a physical education teacher is not affected by the decision. “(The cause was) nothing physical and not any one (particular) thing,” Volta said. Ghilarducci, a Liberty graduate and 34-year coach of the Lions, is an icon at the school. She guided the squad to 31 North Coast Section (NCS) playoff appearances, including three consecutive NCS
titles. She was named Bay Valley Athletic League Coach of the Year in 2003, NCS Coach of the Year in 2004, a model coach by the California Interscholastic Federation in 2006 and the California Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2010. In 2013, she was inducted into the LUHSD Athletic Hall of Fame. Neither Ghilarducci nor De La Chevrotiere returned requests for comment. Assistant coach Dawnell Kent, who played for Ghilarducci and has coached alongside her since 2006, said she was questioned by Assistant Superintendent Denise Rugani about a series of allegations involving Ghilarducci, all of which Kent characterized as incorrect. Kent was asked about Ghilarducci’s practice of making players run if they showed up late or forgot to bring something to practice. Other inquiries centered around the coach see Coach page 30
January 6, 2017
New Year’s Frozen Buns
Residents brave the cold for the annual Frozen Bun Run on Bethel Island. Page 10
Granting A Senior’s Wish
The Elderly Wish Foundation, which grants seniors’ wishes, is looking for recipients. Page 4 Press file photo
Longtime Liberty High School girls volleyball coach Linda Ghilarducci, seen here on the right, with Liberty Union High School District Board Member Joanne Byer, was dismissed from her position prior to winter break. Ghilarducci has coached the team for the past 34 years.
Lions Tearing Up Preseason
New laws set for the new year by Heather Brewer Staff Writer
People across the nation often use the turning of the new year to change themselves and their lives, but this year, new laws in the state are expanding the transformations. The following are just a few of the new laws coming into effect that could alter the way East County residents drive, work and relax. Cellphone use while driving Californians are no lon-
“ Those driving while holding a cell phone can be ticketed. Hopefully, this will curb distracted driving.
” Sgt. Mark Louwerens
Brentwood Police Department ger allowed to use a handheld wireless phone or wireless electronic device while driving, unless the device is mounted on the vehicle windshield or dashboard in a way that doesn’t
hinder the driver’s view of the road. “Those driving while holding a cell phone can be ticketed,” said Sgt. Mark Louwerens of the Brentwood Police De-
partment. “Hopefully, this will help curb distracted driving. Like with speeding and not stopping at stop signs, there will be those who do it anyway, but it will definitely make it easier to identify those who are using their phones while driving.” Drivers are now only allowed to activate or deactivate a feature or function of their phone if it can be done with a single swipe or tap. Drivers see Laws page 30
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Liberty High School boys’ basketball team wins the MaxPreps Holiday Classic. Page 21 Business.................................13 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................26 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty....................8 Opinion..................................12 Pets.........................................19 Sports.....................................21
E-cigarettes
go to news/press releases Prop 56 helps to better regulate and tax the sale of electronic cigarettes.