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Vol. 16, No. 40
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Minder-Maldonado named county Teacher of the Year Oakley Elementary School teacher Gina Minder-Maldonado has been named Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year (TOY) for 2016 to 2017, and was recently honored during a gala event at the Concord Hilton. “The Oakley Union Elementary School District (OUESD) could not be more proud of this great accomplishment for Gina, and we are honored to be represented as a district by such an amazing educator,” said Greg Hetrick, OUESD superintendent. Shauna Hawes, of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District was honored along with Minder-Maldonado, and they will both go on to compete for the state teacher of the year competition next month. Minder-Maldonado has recently begun her 26th year of teaching – the past 18 years spent at Oakley Elementary. “I think I am still in a state of shock and thinking this is all
a dream, and I will wake up any minute,” she said. “I am beyond honored to be chosen as one of the teachers of the year. As I said in my acceptance speech, I was honored to just be chosen by the peers at my school for teacher of the year of Oakley Elementary School. I never in a million years thought I would be district, then a finalist and then county TOY! I am just a mere representation of the fabulous teachers, staff and administrators we have in the Oakley Union Elementary School District. I am so proud to represent my district.” Currently teaching second grade, Minder-Maldonado’s former teaching experience includes preschool through fifth grade, as well as adult education. “For the last 25 years, Gina Minder-Maldonado has challenged the students in Oakley see Teacher page 26
September 30, 2016
Letting The Dogs Out
Antioch High School’s crosscountry team works out with city shelter dogs. Page 5
Popular Mail Carrier Retires
Longtime Brentwood letter carrier Kris Lue said farewell to his customers and route. Page 4 Photo courtesy of Jonathan Lance
Oakley Elementary School teacher Gina Minder-Maldonado, has been named Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year for 2016 to 2017.
Homecoming Victory
ECCFPD holds fire chief for a day contest by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
East Contra Costa youth who dream of being a fire chief may get their chance sooner than they think. The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is hosting four station open houses over two weekends in October, which includes a random drawing that will allow one East County youngster to be the fire chief for a day. “I don’t want to tip my hand too much, because we have lots of fun things planned
“ It’s exciting to give a student who lives in the district an opportunity to see how the fire district works for a day.
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ECCFP Chief Hugh Henderson for them,” said ECCFPD Board Member Meghan Bell. “We are very, very excited for that.” Fire Chief Hugh Henderson did speculate the winner could possibly take part in morning briefings, attend public events, inspect a station and ride along for whatever pops up dur-
ing the day. Entrants must be between the ages of 5 and 13 and live within the fire district, which includes Oakley, Brentwood, Bethel Island, Discovery Bay, Byron, Knightsen, Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek. “It’s exciting to give a student that lives in the district an
opportunity to see how the fire district works for a day,” Henderson said. Budding chiefs can sign up for the drawing by attending fire station open houses in Oakley, on Oct. 9; in Brentwood, on Oct. 15; or in Discovery Bay or Knightsen, on Oct. 16. Visitors will get a chance to tour the stations, try on firefighter gear, see the inside of a fire engine and create emergency home-exit plans. “It not your average school tour; we are really trying to see Fire page 26
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Project Homeless Connect helps county homeless become selfsufficient.
Heritage High School takes down Berkeley in a 56-20 homecoming win. Page 17 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................22 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................12 Milestones............................13 Opinion..................................16 Pets...........................................8 Sports.....................................17
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East County Shared Ministry celebrates October with several events.