Happy YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 20, No. 21
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Liberty honors top students by Aly Brown
May 25, 2018
Read All About Pets
Staff Writer
With only a few weeks remaining in the school year, Liberty High School prepares to send off yet another graduating class and honor those with the highest academic achievements. The spot for valedictorian was tied between Madison MacPherson and Skyler Ligon, who both earned a cumulative GPA of 4.39, and Jordan McIntosh was named the salutatorian with a 4.34. “These students have proven to be the top academic students, who go above and beyond both in and out of the classroom,” said Liberty Principal Heather Harper. “We couldn’t be prouder of our students.” Madison ran varsity crosscountry and track and field throughout her high school career, serving as captain for three years. During her senior year, she became a member of track council.
This week’s special section features all the things we love about our furry friends. Page 1B
MacPHERSON
LIGON
McINTOSH
“I am very appreciative of my coaches for putting me in these leadership positions,” she said. An active student and community member, Madison was involved in Champions Martial Arts Academy, Rubik’s Cube Club, Math Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation and also served as a youth group leader at Brentwood
Neighborhood Church (BNC). She noted teachers like Mrs. Stillwell, Ms. Marin, Mrs. Olsen and Ms. Rodriguez to be influential in her life, but one of her favorite classes was taken during sophomore year. Mrs. Weinert’s AP statistics class became a turning point as it made Madison realize she wanted to study math and became a statistician. She also expressed gratitude for all of her coaches, especially Eric
Morford, and the church family she found at BNC. “It is an indescribable honor to be named valedictorian – one that I never really planned for. First and foremost, I must credit my parents for always reminding me that grades aren’t everything and getting an education is much more important than attaining a high GPA. see Students page 30A
Residential care facility approved by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The Brentwood Planning Commission has approved plans for a nearly 130,000-square-foot residential care center on a 6.7acre site on Summerset Drive. The two-story Merrill Gardens facility – south of Balfour Road between Summerset Drive and State Route 4 – will offer light acuity care among its estimated 121 residential units, 18 of which will be dedicated to memory care. The building meets a previously approved use for the area, which meant that it only needed design approval for the site, said Brentwood Associate Planner Tim Nielsen. Other possible uses could have included integrated business
“ I think the design is very nice ... It will fit well. The project is laid out nicely, and I think it fits a need that is here ...
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Dirk Zeigler, planning commission vice chair and research parks, large individual corporate establishments, professional and administrative office centers, and light industrial complexes. “I think the design is very nice,” said Dirk Zeigler, vice chairperson of the planning commission. “It will fit well. The project is laid out very nicely, and I think it fits a need that is here and will continue to grow in our area.” Around 105 units will be open to residents seeking various
levels of care, from independent living to an intermediate level of care through assisted living. The remaining 17 or so rooms will be dedicated to memory care, according to project plans. Services offered will include medication management and bathing and dressing assistance, said architect and project spokesperson Chad Lorenz during a recent meeting. “(Building officials) promote social interaction among the resi-
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dents,” he said, noting the average resident age will likely be between 80 and 83 with 65 percent being independent seniors and 35 percent requiring assistance. “There have been a lot of studies done on the quality of life, keeping people engaged in the community and socialized at that age.” Although the project design was approved by the planning commission, at least one resident is concerned that additional development could further strain the fire district that already struggles to handle its call load with only three stations to serve 114,000 residents and 249 square miles. “This project degrades the already excessive response times for current Brentwood residents
Ally Receives Third Miracle
Former Freedom cheerleader Ally Jenkins receives third lung transplant. Page 6A
Moving On To Next Round
Heritage baseball team defeats Liberty in first round of North Coast Section playoffs. Page 21A
see Facility page 30A
Calendar.............................31A Classifieds..........................25A Cop Logs............................. 29B Entertainment..................10A Food.....................................11A Kid Scoop............................. 9A Opinion...............................20A Pets........................................ 8B Sports..................................21A
Legacy Honors
Video Storytime
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East Bay Regional Park District has been named the 2018 Legacy Award Winner.
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The Contra Costa County Library launches Video Storytime for kids and families.