The Press 03.10.2023

Planning panel OKs new home designs

By Chris Campos Staff Writer

OAKLEY A total of 817 more single-family homes are closer to coming to Oakley’s shores at the Summer Lake North Project after the city’s Planning Commission unanimously approved its Design Plan at a meeting Tuesday night.

The city also prepared its 2023-2031 housing plan update in compliance with state law and has identified sites that can accommodate housing to meet the city’s state-mandated allocation. The Summer Lake North Project is one of them.

Trent Sanson, a vice president of DeNova Homes of Concord, presented their plans in hundreds of pages of floor plans, architectural elevations, colors and materials schemes, and village pre-

see Planning page 22A

Show by Mother Nature

Arainbow graces a snow-capped Mount Diablo this week in this photo submitted by Press reader Nicolle Judge of Discovery Bay. The National Weather Service predicted another stretch of off-and-on rain storms to hit the Bay Area this week.

What does ‘policing in 2023’ look like?

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

BRENTWOOD Police use-offorce policies and tactics are being debated nationwide, and area residents will get a firsthand look at how police make these splitsecond, critical decisions at the latest Police Citizen’s Academy next month. It’s the first such academy since the summer of 2016.

Brentwood police want to bring more people into their profession, so they’re opening up their Citizen’s Academy to show them

Bridge traffic control to end in March

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

DISCOVERY BAY Drivers will have to wait until the end of March for one-way traffic control to come to an end on the stretch of Highway 4 at the Old River Bridge.

Although traffic control was originally expected to end in early March, according to Caltrans officials, the measures will remain in place through the end of the month as the department prepares to remove the temporary supports that were placed under the bridge during its renovation. The removal itself will require a full closure of the area for 55 hours.

what it’s like behind the scenes, including how they make those decisions, often in life-or-death circumstances.

“It’s a way to pull back the curtain, so people can see what we do, how things are done, and some

of the ‘why’ behind why we do certain things,” Brentwood police chief Tim Herbert said.

The nine-week course starts on April 26 and runs every Wednesday until June 21 with classes from 6-9 p.m. Participants

will meet and interact with members of the police departments and even some with the district attorney’s office weekly on various topics from day-to-day operations to an overview of the challenges police officers and support staff face daily.

“My vision for this academy was ‘Policing in 2023’ and what that looks like,” Community Engagement Officer Lindzie Laughridge said. “It’s important to us that we have to be with the

see Academy page 22A

“As of [March 3], the decision was made to tentatively schedule the 55-hour closure for the weekend of March 24. Recent weather conditions/forecasts play a role in finalizing the schedule,” Skip Allum, a public information officer for Caltrans, said via email. “Our goal is to provide approximately two weeks advance notice to the public before such a significant closure/traffic impact.”

Caltrans was expected to settle on a finalized date for the closure during a March 8 meeting, but the meeting had not occurred as of press time.

Following the closure to re-

see Bridge page 22A

“

I think it’ll give them an opportunity to really understand how quickly something can change from being peaceful to being violent. ”

Police Chief Tim Herbert

State begins effort to control Delta invasive plants

From Staff Reports

SACRAMENTO California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) has announced its plans for this year’s Aquatic Invasive Plant Control Program (AIPCP) in the Delta and its southern tributaries.

Starting March 1, DBW began herbicide treatments to control water hyacinth, South American spongeplant, Uruguay water primrose, Alligator weed, Brazilian waterweed, curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, hornwort (aka coontail), and fanwort.

These aquatic invasive plants have no known natural controls in the West Coast’s largest estuary, the Delta. They harm the Delta’s ecosystem as they displace native plants. Continued warm temperatures help the plants proliferate at high rates.

Plants are also known to form dense mats of vegetation creating safety hazards for boaters, obstructing navigation channels, marinas, and irrigation systems. Due to their ability to rapidly spread to new areas, it is likely that the plants will never be eradicated from Delta waters. Therefore, the state operates a “control” program as opposed to an “eradication” program. The division works with local, state, and federal entities to better understand the plants and implement new integrated control strategies to increase

efficacy.

“Partnerships, technology, and monitoring efforts have helped the Division of Boating and Waterways better control the spread of aquatic invasive plants, such as water hyacinth and Egeria densa,” said Division of Boating and Waterways Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez. “Since eradicating them is impossible, the division and partners will continue to focus on reducing their negative impacts on

people’s daily lives and businesses.”

All herbicides used in the AIPCP are registered for aquatic use with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Treated areas for submersed aquatic vegetation (Brazilian waterweed, curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, coontail/hornwort and fanwort) will be monitored to ensure herbicide levels do not exceed allowable limits and follow

Water Hyacinth is an extremely prolific aquatic invasive plant that can double in size every 10 days in hot weather, according to the California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways.

EPA-registered label guidelines. The public may view the public notices, treatment maps, and sign up to receive weekly updates on this year’s treatment season on DBW’s website.

Below is a list of control actions for the 2023 treatment season: Floating Aquatic Vegetation Control Water hyacinth, South American

see Plants page 7A

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Press photo

These are the keys to her success

Brentwood middle school student wins first piano competition

By Rene De Amaral Staff Writer

For her first piano competition, 12-year-old Sultona Payman faced down the anxiety of her youth and just decided to make music in the U.S. International Open Music Competition.

She walked away with first place.

“I was actually amazed; usually some competitors for their first composition don’t win first place,” Sultona said. “I was really nervous, and I thought I would mess up. But I actually did get first place and I was really shocked and surprised and happy.”

Sultona, a seventh grader at Edna Hill Middle School, has been playing piano for seven years, with her mother, Yulduz Payman, as her teacher. She is an advanced piano student and won with the piece “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum” by composer Claude Debussy. Payman said she enjoys playing the piece because of its unique techniques and its roots in Greek mythology.

According to its website, the United States International Open Music Competition has promoted the best of classical music since 1992 among young musicians through its annual piano competition events and wants to expand the competition to include all aspects of classical repertoire in solo, duet, ensemble, and concerto events.

Over the years, the group has grown from a 500 entries into state competition to more than 1,000 entry national and international level competition. Donations support

their Scholarship Endowment Program, which provides musicians scholarships towards their pursuit in music.

This year’s competition was held at the Oakland Inter-Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints from Feb. 13-18.

Her father, Ed Payman, entered her in the competition, and both he and his wife were nervous for her. But they also were proud when she won first place in her first competition. “It was a happy moment to see your child become a first-prize winner. It is the happiest moment for parents,” Ed said. “All this hard work you do, especially my wife. I can see the practice that she did with her. It was outstanding, I was very impressed and very happy for that.”

Yulduz Payman started teaching Sultona at a young age and now teaches her younger brothers piano. But despite her age, she regularly makes time to practice and is motivated to improve her technique. “She never gave up, and she’ll go ‘oh it’s time for practice’ and she’ll just go and be on the piano for a long time,” Ed Payman said.

Sultona’s dedication to piano stems from her enjoying playing, and in times of boredom she will go sit at the piano and practice. Sultona also said she has a passion for art, and regularly uploads videos to both her YouTube channels, where she features her piano performances a lot with the paintings, sculptures and other art she creates. She not only has dreams of continuing piano and winning more competitions, but she also has aspirations of becoming a scientist.

Sultona plans on entering another competition next summer and wants to continue placing in any competition she enters. To see her performances and the art she creates, visit her YouTube channels at http://bit. ly/3ZDTEJu and http://bit.ly/3J8MqWS.

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Edna Hill Middle School student Sultona Payman won first place at the U.S. International Open Music Competition for her performance of “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum” by composer Claude Debussy.

Photo by Payman Family

i N B rief

County pursues grant for bike paths in Bay Point

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday authorized officials to pursue up to $486,915 in state funds to design better bike paths in the Bay Point waterfront community..

Supervisors unanimously instructed transportation planners to apply for a grant from the state Department of Transportation.

The county’s proposal is up against similar projects from across the state vying for a portion of $25 million available this fiscal year through the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program, said Robert Sarmiento, planner with the county’s Transportation Department.

The proposal would improve bike lanes alongside Port Chicago Highway from McAvoy Harbor to Willow Pass Road, and east on Willow Pass from Port Chicago to the boundary with the city of Pittsburg, according to the county.

The project could include construction of landscaping, planters or reflective posts to separate bike lanes from the adjacent roadway, Sarmiento said.

County administrators expect in about six months to learn whether the proposal qualifies for the grant.

The Delta Through a Lens: Photography Exhibit

Californians have many ideas about what the Delta means to them. The Delta Through a Lens exhibition Big Break Regional Shoreline Visitor Center in Oakley invites you to share your unique perspective of the Delta and the East Bay Regional Parks District.

Submissions will be accepted until March 10. The exhibit is open from March 17-April 2 at the Big Break Regional Shoreline Visitor Center in Oakley.

For details, visit https://www. ebparks.org or call 510-444-3050.

Good news and bad news from PG&E

PG&E has good news and bad news for its customers this winter.

The good news is that residential customers will be receiving their annual Climate Credit change in their bill earlier this year. The bad news is that they will need it later to pay for the higher cost of natural gas and for colder temperatures so far this winter, according to a Pacific Gas & Electric press release.

Residential customers will automatically receive the California Climate Credit earlier than usual this year - as soon as possible -- instead of usually in April under the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) approval. The Climate Credit is part of California’s efforts to fight climate change, PG&E said in a press release.

The bad news is that those customers will need that credit to help offset higher-than-normal natural gas and electricity bills, which have been increasing due to higher demand and tighter natural gas supplies, especially on the West Coast.

For natural gas residential customers, the credit will be $52.78, and for electric residential customers, the credit will be $38.39. Customers who receive both services will receive a total credit of $91.17.

Higher demand and tighter supplies in California, Oregon and Washington have driven up gas prices this winter, as customers use more natural gas for heating during colder temperatures. Power plants are also using more natural gas to meet electricity demand as customers, including those in East County, faced chilly nights and sunny days this week into next.

PG&E does not control the market prices it pays for gas and electricity nor does PG&E mark up the cost of the energy it purchases for its customers, the press release said. As of Jan. 25, PG&E projects that residential combined-use gas and electricity bills will be about 32% higher from November to March, compared to the same months last winter.

To help combat climate change, California requires power plants, natural gas providers and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution permits from auctions managed by the California

Tax & Financial Specialist Meet Your Local

Air Resources Board. The California Climate Credit is customers’ share of the payments from the state’s program. Customers do not need to do anything to receive the credit; it will automatically appear as an adjustment on a customer’s bill under the Adjustments Section on the Detailed Charges page.

To help lower your monthly bill, PG&E offers ways to reduce energy consumption:

• Turning down from 70 to 65 degrees, for example, saves about 10%.

• Lower your water heater temperature. By setting your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit you can reduce the amount of energy it takes to produce and maintain hot water.

• Keep areas around vents open. Furniture and carpet can block heating vents, which makes heating systems work harder and prevents rooms from heating quickly

• Make sure you’re on the right rate plan. Get a personalized Rate Plan Comparison to find the best rate plan for how your household uses energy.

• Budget Billing keeps bills predictable by leveling out monthly payments to offset high seasonal bills.

• Bill Forecast Alerts are notifications sent by email, text or phone notifying the customer if their monthly bill is expected to exceed a specific amount set by the customer.

• Flexible payment arrangements. Extend your bill due date or make a payment arrangement. Access your online account for details. Residential customers receive the Climate Credit twice a year, typically in April and October. To learn more about the Climate Credit, visit the CPUC’s California Climate Credit page.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net

Marlen C. Rosales, CPA: for all your accounting needs!

Are you a middle class individual or a closely-held business owner looking for a professional who specializes in accounting and financial statements, as well as payroll and tax preparation? Look no further, Marlen C. Rosales, CPA has over 39 years of experience, is a service-oriented, clientfocused business that will exceed your expectations!

“I diligently accomplish client projects as if they were my own,” said Marlen. “I also take great pride in the results and the way I serve my clients, working towards bringing about their peace of mind. I am driven and strive to excel and to achieve my goal of helping to make accounting and taxes less stressful and more worry-free.”

Marlen C. Rosales, CPA is a member of The Better Business Bureau. To schedule a free 15 minute introduction or a free, no obligation quote call 925-392-8047 or email marlen@ rosales-cpa.com. www.rosales-cpa.com

A huge

Delta Blues Festival at El Campanil raises $16,000 for music students

Kirk Fletcher and his band led off the 12th annual Delta Blues Festival Benefit before a packed house at the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch on Saturday night, March 4. Guy King also performed. The benefit concert raised $16,000 for grants and scholarships at Antioch schools and to help East County students to study music in college, according to Erin Green, director of marketing for the theater. “The

Delta Blues Festival Benefit Concert remains to be one of El Campanil Theatre’s most popular events presented by the El Campanil Preservation Foundation,” said Frank Giovanni, one of the foundation’s directors. “We are still 100% nonprofit, and producers and volunteers do not profit from this event.”

To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows

Liberty Lions Band Boosters would like to thank you for making our Crab Feed a success!

thank you to:

Joey & Suzanne Nardone of Brentwood Craft Beer & Cider for supporting and serving the event

Brentwood Community Center for the venue

Stockton Seafood Express for the delicious food

Tito’s Handmade Vodka & Campos Winery for contributions of cocktails and wine

Ducky’s Car Wash, Ducky’s Brentwood

Taste This Kitchen, Wild 5 Cakery, Crumbl Cookies, Brentwood Café, MJ’s Downtown, Menchie’s and Nothing Bundt Cakes for decadent desserts

Our fabulous band program kids for the excellent job serving food at this event.

Andrew Strawbridge for emceeing, our Board & Band Director, Lindsay Kellogg, for championing this program for our local youth, as well as our devoted parent volunteers

The many local and Bay Area businesses and community members that are making a difference supporting our local kids:

Oakland A’s

Vintage Home Loans

American Conservatory Theatre

SF Zoo

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

SF MOMA

The Tech Interactive

Jan Hagen

Ed Bubnis

Melissa Buell

Lynette McGinnis

Colleen Laneer

Susan Ferrara

Teresa D’Alfonsi

Betty Carter

Bess Stansell

We very much appreciate you!

Liberty Lions Band Boosters

Rancheria

The Trost Family

Photo by Chris Campos

Kirk Fletcher and his band led off the 12th annual Delta Blues Festival Benefit before a packed house at the El Campanil Theater in Antioch Saturday night, March 4.

MIKE’S ESTATE PLANNING MINUTE 20 2021 1

By Michael J. Amthor, Esq.

ESTATE PLANNING FOR MILLENNIALS – IS IT NECESSARY?

Most estate plan information and articles tend to be read by older (uh, ummm) mature people. Millennials (20-30 years old) tend to not think about estate planning, and this is a mistake. However, that trend is changing. A study found that of the Millennials who made an estate plan in 2020, 17% of them said that the COVID-19 pandemic was the primary reason.

In addition, 78% of pet owners appoint a pet guardian, 26% want to donate their organs and the charity most frequently named in an estate plan of a Millennial is St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Planned Parenthood and the ASPCA. Here are some tips for estate planning for Millennials (or their parents to share with their Millennial children):

1) Consult with an estate planning attorney. Most Millennials consult their phone and take a DIY approach to estate planning. That is a mistake. A knowledgeable estate planning attorney can provide invaluable advice tailored to each person’s situation. Online estate planning tools are not helpful and do not give sound advice regarding a Millennial’s unique situation.

2) Take stock of your assets. Millennials may not think they have assets that need protecting. However, if you have a car, bank account, social media account, a pet or other “stuff”, it needs to be protected. Make a complete list of all valuables and debts and how to access them.

3) Once you prepare an estate plan, tell someone. It’s not enough to name someone to be in charge of your money when you die or put someone in charge of health decisions for you. You need to discuss your decisions with those persons.

If you are in your 20s and 30s, you may think you are too young for an estate plan. But if you have stuff and loved ones you want to protect, you are never too young to create an estate plan. You need an estate plan now rather than later. Contact a local estate planning attorney such as myself who can answer questions and provide invaluable advice, regardless of your age. It is never too early.

If you have questions on this or any other estate planning topic, call me at (925) 516-4888. East County Family Law Group, 1181 Central Blvd., Ste A, Brentwood. www.eastcountyfamilylaw.com

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Oakley police promote two to lieutenant

From Staff Reports

OAKLEY Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard announced on Wednesday the promotion of two of its own to lieutenant. Both Sgt. Robert Roberts and Sgt. Logan Cartwright were promoted, effective on March 13.

Both new lieutenants will handle administrative duties of their divisions.

Roberts started his police career back in 1995 with the Contra Costa Sheriff’s office in the detention and patrol divisions and was promoted to sergeant. Roberts was also a police canine handler and managed the canine unit for the Sheriff’s Office. He also worked for the Oakley Police Department while under contract with the Sheriff’s Office and remained

with the department when they became a standalone department in 2016. During his time in Oakley, Roberts has worked in the patrol and investigations divisions for Oakley police.

Cartwright started in 2002, also with the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, along with starting in the detention and patrol divisions. The Oakley native said he has always wanted to work for his hometown and transferred to the Oakley police while it was still under contract with the Sheriff’s Office, and like Roberts, also stayed with Oakley when it became a standalone department in 2016.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2017 and is the resident traffic enforcement expert. Cartwright also worked patrol and investigation for the Oakley police.

ROBERTS CARTWRIGHT

Exhibits sought for county fair

The Contra Costa County Fair is accepting online applications for their exhibits until Friday, April 14.

Still exhibits can include a variety of arts and skills, ranging from photography, horticulture, fiber art and more. The event also has exhibits open for livestock with an adult and junior category with a variety of awards to win including pocket pets, sheep, best decorated and more. All

Plants from page 2A

spongeplant, Uruguay water primrose, and alligator weed.

Herbicides

Proposed Treatment Period: All Sites: March 1 – Nov. 30

Type of Herbicides: Glyphosate, 2,4D, Imazamox, or Diquat

Potential Treatment Areas: Initially in and/or around, but not limited to the following areas: San Joaquin River, Old River, Middle River, Fourteen Mile Slough, and Snodgrass Slough.

Mechanical Harvesting (If necessary)

Harvesting Dates: March – April and July – December

Mechanical Harvesting Sites:

Select areas of the Delta with high infestations or coverage of water hyacinth.

Submerse Aquatic Vegetation ControlBrazilian Waterweed, curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, coontail, ribbon weed, and fanwort.

Herbicides

Treatment Period: Starting March 1 through November 30, treatment period based upon DBW field survey data, water temperatures and fish surveys.

entries must be submitted online through the Contra Costa County Fair website. No paper entries will be accepted, according to their website.

The fair returns to the Contra Costa Fairgrounds in Antioch on Thursday, May 18 through Sunday, May 21, with the theme of “Once Upon a Fair.”

For more information and to enter, visit http://bit.ly/3Zww4y4.

Type of Herbicide: Fluridone, Endothall, or Diquat.

Potential Treatment Areas: In and/ or around the following areas (individual areas will be noticed prior to treatment application):

Antioch Area: Antioch City Marina, Lauritzen Yacht Harbor, and Sherman Lake Marina.

Mechanical Harvesting

This type of control method is not used for submersed aquatic vegetation. These plants spread by fragmentation. Cutting the plants back exacerbates the problem, as shreds of the plants float away and re-propagate.

Last year, DBW treated 1,636 acres of floating aquatic vegetation and 3,132.7 acres of submersed aquatic vegetation. No mechanical harvesting was conducted. A combination of herbicide, biological and mechanical control methods were used to help control invasive plants at high priority sites in the Delta.

Funding for DBW’s aquatic invasive plant control programs comes from the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, which receives revenues from boaters’ registration fees and gasoline taxes.

PROTECTING YOUR BENEFICIARIES FROM CREDITORS

by Martin C. Johnson, Attorney at Law, MBA,RMA®, EA

When establishing your Trust, you may want to protect your beneficiaries from their creditors.  For example, you may be concerned that after you die your beneficiary will assign their interest in the Trust to someone else; or a creditor may try to levy your beneficiaries’ interest in the Trust.

To protect your beneficiaries, you can establish three different types of Trusts:

1. Spendthrift Trust

2. Support Trust

3. Discretionary Trust.

Spendthrift Trust

California Probate Code Sections 1530001 provide that if a Trust provides that a beneficiary’s interest in income or principal is not subject to “voluntary or involuntary transfer,” the beneficiary’s interest in income or principal is not subject to enforcement of a money judgment until paid to the beneficiary.  This is commonly called a spendthrift or shutdown clause.

Most often, this spendthrift or shutdown provision is all you will need.  Yet, it is important to understand that once the beneficiary “receives” the money, a creditor can then attach it.  Furthermore, it’s important to understand that for public policy reasons, a creditor can levy the beneficiary’s interest in the Trust for child or spousal support, felony restitution or for liability for public support.

Support Trust

Another alternative for protecting assets from creditors is to limit distributions of

principal and income to only “education or support” of the beneficiary. This is called a “Support Trust.”  Support under the terms of the Trust must be limited to education and support of the beneficiary in accordance with their needs and lifestyle.

Discretionary Trust

The third alternative is a Discretionary Trust where the Trustee has “discretion” as they see fit to pay as much income and principal to the beneficiary or creditor. While many people think this is the best option, case law provides that the Trustee must act in “accordance with fiduciary principles” and must not act in bad faith or in disregard of the trust’s purpose.

In conclusion, protecting your beneficiaries’ interest in your trust from creditors is not easy.  If you have a beneficiary who has creditor problems, or one who may have creditor problems in the future, talk to your beneficiary and your attorney to make the decisions about how to protect the beneficiary’s assets.

If you have questions about estate planning, I see people for a free 30-minute consultation in Walnut Creek. This article provides only general legal information, and not specific legal advice. Information contained is not a substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney. 360 ESTATE PLANNING INC, phone (925)289-8837, 1600 S. Main St., Suite 100, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

© 2023 Martin Johnson

For print, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication. For online, post your events for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.

This Week’s Events

Saturday, March 11

Oakley Youth Employment Workshop and Job Fair

The Oakley Recreation Department is hosting a youth employment workshop and job fair at the Oakley Recreation Center at 1250 O’Hara Ave. from 10 a.m.-noon. The goal is to provide local youth with the opportunity to learn jobseeking skills and connect with employers. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3YrG22L

Mean Girls Musical

Heritage High School’s Rising Stars theatre troupe will have their final performance of their rendition of the Mean Girls Musical at the Heritage High School Theatre located at 101 American Avenue at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for students and $16 for adults. For more information and to purchase tickets visit http://bit. ly/3ZMIvp1

Saturday, March 11,

Sunday, March 12

ECTA presents: Into the Woods

The El Campanil Theatre Academy will be performing their rendition of Into the Woods at the El Campanil Theatre at 602 W. 2nd St. at 7 p.m. for the Saturday show and at 2 p.m. for the Sunday. Adult tickets are $20, senior tickets are $15 and youth tickets are $12. For more information and to buy tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3ygSW8N

Wednesday, March 15

Arts & Culture Visioning Session

The ad hoc City Council steering committee for Contra Costa County is hosting an information session at the Oakley Recreation Center at 1250 O’Hara Ave. at 5 p.m. For more information and to register for the event, visit https://bit.ly/40Qsxf9.

Thursday, March 16

Lions of the North: a Pre-St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

The El Campanil Theatre at 602 W. 2nd St. in Antioch is hosting a Pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebration at 2 p.m. featuring the Irish band Lions of the North. Tickets are $32 for adults, $29 for seniors, and $15 for youths. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3Y57rrw

Red Cross Blood Drive

The Byron Delta Lions Club is sponsoring a blood drive for the Red Cross at St. Anne Catholic Church at 2800 Camino Diablo in Byron from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call 1(800) 733-2767 or sign up at redcrossblood.org with ZIP code 94514.

Friday, March 17 through Sunday, April 2

Delta Through a Lens: Photography Exhibit

The East Bay Regional Park District is inviting East County residents to submit a photo that shares a unique perspective of the Delta and East Bay Regional Parks. Anyone can submit a photo of the nature and/or culture that is related to the Delta. The photo must be at least 1 megabyte and cropped to 8x10. Photos are to be emailed to BigBreakVisit@EBparks.org, with the subject as Delta Through a Lens-Photo Exhibit - 2023 with the photographers name, phone number, mailing address, the location where the photo was taken, a title and three to five sentences to describe how the photo reflects the photographers with East Bay Regional Park or the Delta region. The exhibit will be available to view at the Big Break Regional Shoreline Visitor Center located at 69 Big Break Road. For more information visit http://bit. ly/3JkxDJX

On the Horizon

Saturday, March 18

Sons of the American Legion Crab Dinner

The Sons of the American Legion is hosting their first crab dinner at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First St. The dinner includes all-you-can-eat pasta, crab, appetizer and dessert. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner starts at 6 p.m. The event will also feature a raffle. Tickets are $65. For more information, call Tim at 925-206-6738 or Scott at 925-250-1405.

Shave for the Brave Fundraiser

Rake Salon, at 240 Oak St., is hosting a fundraiser in support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and will be shaving heads for children’s cancer research from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information and to donate, visit http:// bit.ly/3kOzAEQ

Emmaus First Annual Bike & Car Show Fundraiser

Monkey Wrenches Inc. is sponsoring a bike and car show at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, located at 500 Fairview Ave. from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. All makes and models of cars are welcome, and the event will feature a raffle drawing, youth model car contest and DJ. Registration is from 8-10 a.m., the show will begin right after at 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. and awards will follow and end at 2:30 p.m. For more information and to pre-register, call 925-202-6460 or 925- 382-3521.

Sons of the American Legion | Squadron 202

First Annual Crab Dinner

Saturday, March 18th

Veterans Hall • 757 1st St, Brentwood

Doors Open at 5:00pm Dinner Starts at 6:00pm

Tickets only $65 Includes All You Can Eat Pasta & Crab, Appetizer & Dessert FOR TICKETS call Tim 925-206-6738 or Scott 925-250-1405

Monday, March 20

All God’s Children

Annual Golf Tournament

All God’s Children Christian School is hosting their annual golf tournament at the Discovery Bay Country Club. The tournament will feature a continental breakfast, a driving range and putting contest and a barbecue buffet dinner with awards will take place after the tournament at 3:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The tournament is a shotgun start at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Kaitlyn Lillard at kaitlynlillard@gmail.com or 925-642-5674, or visit http://bit.ly/3YCWrSx

Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26

Spring Craft Show and Yard Sale

The Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First St. is hosting a craft show and yard sale from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Craft vendors will be located indoors and yard sale participants will be in the courtyard. For more information and to become a vendor, email sandmcraftemporium@gmail.com

Saturday, April 1

Easter Spring Fling

Four Legs Brewing at 2010 Elkins Way is hosting an Easter Spring Fling from 1-5 p.m. and will feature Free Easter Bunny photos and free Easter baskets for the first 200 kids. The event will also feature 25 vendors, an egg hunt for adults, and a DJ. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3JiPf92

Trinkets & Treasures Flea Market

The Oakley Senior Center is hosting a Trinkets & Treasures Flea Market from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 215 Second St. Vendors will be showcasing new and used items, along with collectibles and antiques.

Ongoing Events

Friday Night Al-Anon Meeting

Al-Anon meetings, which offer a supportive place for friends and families of alcoholics, are held every Friday from 8 to 9:15 p.m. at the Brentwood United Methodist Church at 809 Second St. in Brentwood. There is no need to register. For details, call Trisha at 510-910-1389. Oakley Senior Center Food Distribution

The Oakley Senior Center at 215 2nd St. gives out free food every Thursday from 1-2:30 p.m. Residents are asked to bring their own grocery bags.

Nonprofit offers Health Care Career

Courses

The nonprofit Opportunity Junction is accepting applications for its Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at two locations including the Opportunity Junction Antioch office at 3102

Delta Fair Blvd. Classes began in September. The CNA program includes 12 weeks of training, life skills training, hands-on clinical experience, and job placement assistance. The first step in taking the course is to complete an application form online by visiting https://opportunityjunction. secure.force.com/apply/HCP

Delta Informal Gardeners Monthly Meetings

Delta Informal Gardeners encourages local residents to join them at their local meeting at the Brentwood Community United Methodist Church at 809 Second St. on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

East County Rotary Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Rotary Club meets weekly on Monday at noon at the Wedgewood Banquet Center at 100 Summerset Drive in Brentwood. For more information, visit https:// www.brentwoodrotary94513.com Oakley: The Oakley Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at Black Bear Diner, 3201 Main St. in Oakley. For more information, visit http://rotaryclubofoakley.com Antioch: The Antioch Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at noon at Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road in Antioch. For more information, visit http://www.antiochrotaryclub.com/. The Rotary Club of the Delta meets weekly on Wednesday at 7 a.m. at Denny’s, 4823 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. For more information, visit https://www.rotaryclubofthedelta.org/.

East County Lions Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Lions Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Straw Hat Pizza on Lone Tree Way. For more information, visit: https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/ Oakley: The Oakley Lions Club meets the fourth Wednesdays of every month at 7 p.m. at the Oakley Senior Center, for more information, visit https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/ Antioch: The Antioch Lions Club meets every second and fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Denny’s on Delta Fair Blvd. Discovery Bay: The Discovery Bay Lions Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club. For more information, visit:https:// discoverybaylions.com/who-we-are/meetings/ Byron: The Byron Delta Lions Club meets every first Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church for more information https://e-clubhouse. org/sites/byron_delta/

A sweet new business comes to Brentwood

StarBread Bakery opened its newest branch in Brentwood at 50 Sand Creek Road last week. A popular Filipino family-owned chain, StarBread was started in 1988 and now has 15 locations, including in Pittsburg. Sonia Freytes, a customer, said Thursday that the opening last week saw residents lined up around the corner waiting to buy their famed sweet “seniorita bread.”

Sons in Retirement seeks new members

Group gathers for activities, friendship

From Staff Reports

DISCOVERY BAY Are you looking for a purpose after retirement? The goal of Sons in Retirement (SIR) is to promote the well being of retired or semi-retired men by offering many activities and the potential to develop new friendships.

The monthly luncheon at the Discovery Bay Country Club, is normally held on the second Tuesday of the month, and it’s the place to learn about the organization, socialize, and investigate the many activities

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK

Proud to be one of Brentwood’s best burgers, Digger’s Diner is the place to go for a quality meal. Choose from a list of 15 burgers, made with only the freshest ground beef and produce. Whether you want a classic burger, mushroom swiss or a patty melt, the chefs have something for everyone – even turkey burgers for those watching their calorie intake.

2261 Balfour Road, Brentwood 925-240-8958

www.diggersdinerbrentwood.com

offered while sharing common interests with other members.

SIR supports no outside causes or interests and they prohibit the discussion of politics and religion or the selling of anything to any member. The only requirement for joining is to be sponsored by an existing member after having filled the membership application, which can be downloaded from the website at www.sir161.org.

The luncheons at the scenic golf club start at 11 a.m. for social activities, followed by lunch and a speaker. Typical luncheons bring out 95-100 members. Contact Luis Figueroa, membership chairman, at figueroa50@yahoo.com or 415997-5172 if you are interested in attending as a guest or if you have any questions.

Photo by Chris Campos

Classic Boat Works opens in Discovery Bay

ITH OUR SPRING FITNESS SALE

Spring and all its eternal optimism has arrived. It’s the ide al time to become more active and fit. At Diamond Hills Sports Club we offer a wide variety of fitness activities, friendly sports’ competition, and fun social gatherings so you can embrace the new season feeling and looking your best.

The Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, family and friends of Classic Boat Works celebrated the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of Classic Boat Works’ Discovery Bay location on Thursday, March 2, on Discovery Bay Boulevard at the old fire station. Their newly expanded shop is a boat repair and small boating accessory store. The Chamber also hosted their monthly mixer there.

Photo by Greg Robinson

BIRTHS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OBITUARIES

Milestones

Four area students earn academic honors

The following is a recent submission of local students achieving academic honors at their respective universities.

Brenden Bell, Naomi Cyphers and Zachary Ellington, of Brentwood, and Elisha Marie Thlang, of Antioch, were named to the Dean’s List at Biola University for the fall 2022 semester. Bell is majoring in Communications Sciences Disorders, Cyphers is majoring in Early Childhood Education and Ellington is majoring in Mathematics.

Students are named to the Dean’s List by achieving a grade-point average of 3.6 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credits and whose cumulative grade-point average is at least 3.2.

Rebecca Tse, of Brentwood, was named to the University of Mississippi’s Chancellor’s Honor Roll for the fall 2022 semester. Students are named to the Chancellor’s Honor Roll list by achieving a grade-point average of 3.75-4.00.

Emerick new director at Delta Gallery

Have you or someone you know reached a “milestone”? If so, we’d like to know about it! Email your information to editor@brentwoodpress.com.

OBITUARY

Kathy Leighton

Kathy Leighton (née Armstrong) passed peacefully on March 4, 2023 with her loving family by her side. Kathy was a seventh-generation resident of Byron, raised on the Armstrong family ranch where the iconic barn painted with the American flag, a landmark of the family homestead, still stands along Vasco Road. Thanks to the dedicated caretaking by her daughter, Chantelle, she was able to fulfill her wish of living in her home until the end of her life.

A self-appointed local historian, Kathy spent over 40 years compiling the written and oral histories of the East Contra Costa area and its people. She could often be found holding court in the “game room” at her Byron home (a space designed for entertaining), pouring bottomless cups of coffee and spinning yarns with enough vigor to entice her multi-generational listeners. Kathy also committed these histories to the page in numerous publications including her book titled Footprints in the Sand, the second edition still available through the East Contra Costa Historical Society.

Submitted photo

Kathy was a pillar of the community serving, over the years, on numerous boards and committees, including the Contra Costa County Central Committee, Byron Airport Commission, Byron Municipal Advisory Council, John Marsh Historic Trust, Contra Costa Historical Society and the East Contra Costa Historical Committee, where she was a founding chairperson. She was honored in 2015 as a “Graduate of Distinction” by her alma mater, Liberty Union High School, and in 2001 as the “California Legislature Woman of the Year”.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Barbara Armstrong. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bill Leighton; her brother,

David Armstrong (Beverly Armstrong) of Nebraska; sisters Becky Armstrong (Jackie Ragonton) of Antioch and Onita Pombo (Ralph Pombo, deceased) of Tracy; her sons Brandon Leighton (Abbe Leighton) and Barrett Leighton (Kelly Leighton) of Brentwood and her daughter, Chantelle Leighton (Sean Pellitier, deceased) of Byron; her grandchildren J.W.S Cody, Stephan, Ty, Dylan, Ryan, Ethan, Riley and Oliver and great-grandchildren Jack and Ariana-Marie. Kathy’s nurturing, encouragement and influence extended to a long list of family, friends and community members. She was a beloved sister-in-law, cousin, aunt, great-aunt and friend.

A celebration of Kathy’s life, in the form of a good old-fashioned Leighton barbecue will be held at noon on Sunday, May 21, 2023 (the day after the Liberty Union High School reunion 1906-1965) at the East Contra Costa Historical Society at 3890 Sellers Avenue in Brentwood, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations go to the East Contra Costa Historical Society, https://eastcontracostahistory.org/donate/ (https://eastcontracostahistory. org/donate/)

Kathy Emerick was recently installed as the new director of the Delta Gallery in Brentwood, with former director Robin Ashin handing off a ceremonial paint brush at the event.

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DA’s Office reaches plea deal in 2021 shooting death in Brentwood

From Staff Reports

Dennis Lindsay, 45, and his son Nathan Rampone-Lindsay, 21, have reached a plea agreement with the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office in the 2021 murder of Brentwood resident Justin David Silva.

a wooden side wall and entered Silva’s residence with their weapons drawn, with Rampone-Lindsay entering behind them.

Upon entry into Silva’s residence, Silva opened fire on the men, shooting Lindsay and Marmino. Rampone-Lindsay fired 30 rounds from the automatic pistol and struck Silva 20 times. Police said Silva died at the scene.

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On Aug. 24, 2021, Brentwood police responded to reports of shots fired on Brentwood Boulevard, near Sellers Avenue. Upon arrival, they found Silva dead from gunshot wounds. Dennis Lindsay and an additional defendant, Daniel Marmino, also had gunshot wounds to their legs and arms.

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Brentwood police determined that Silva was living and working in an outbuilding owned by a Lindsay family member. The living and employment relationship between Silva, 48, and the Lindsay family had become ‘acrimonious’, and Silva was served with an eviction notice requiring him to leave the property by Sept. 1, according to a press release.

Lindsay, Rampone-Lindsay and Marmino went to Silva’s residence armed with an automatic pistol with an extended magazine, a flare gun, bear spray and a knife. Lindsay and Marmino tore down

According to the agreement, Lindsay will serve 12 years and four months in state prison for killing Silva and for residential burglary. Rampone-Lindsay will serve the same term for manslaughter and preventing a witness from filing a police report. The plea agreement reflects enhancements that add to their prison terms. The defendants will be sentenced April 14 at 8:30 a.m. in Martinez, the press release stated.

Marmino, and a fourth defendant, Roger Lindsay, 74, were previously charged and entered pleas in 2022. Roger Lindsay pleaded to being an accessory to the crime, and Marmino entered a plea of assault with force likely to cause great bodily harm. Both men are scheduled to be sentenced on March 27 at 8:30 a.m. in Martinez.

For more information, email contacthalo@ yahoo.com or visit www.eccchalo.org

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Hometown SportS

Liberty tosses combined no-hitter in win

Lions Roberts, Baker beat Alameda 10-1

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

The last time that junior left-handed pitcher David Roberts threw a no-hitter, he was 12. Fast-forward nearly five years and Roberts found himself in a familiar scenario.

“It definitely feels good,” Roberts said after Liberty’s 10-1 win over Alameda at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg on Thursday.

Roberts was in command on the mound throughout the day, throwing 13 strikeouts through six innings with three walks and the lone unearned run. The lone blemish came in the fourth inning on a throwing error to first followed by a wild pitch that led to a run for the Hornets.

Right-hander Michael Baker took over in the seventh with the Lions up by nine and sat down Alameda in order to end the game and preserve the no-hitter.

“That was a good game by David and Michael at the end there,” Liberty head coach Andrew Lonsdale said.

The 13 strikeouts by Roberts is one shy of the career-high 14 he recorded against Encinal last season as a sophomore and just the third time since coming to Liberty that he recorded double-digit strikeouts.

“I just really tried to focus on my command today with all my pitches and I was glad to see my fastball is working, going past all the hitters,” Roberts said. “When it wasn’t, my secondary stuff was there, which felt great.”

“(Roberts) got a fastball you don’t see at the high school level too often,” Lonsdale said about Roberts’ velocity and location. “When he’s thrown a first strike consistently it’s usually a pretty successful day for him.”

Along with the strong outing on the mound by both pitchers, Liberty’s lineup continues its strong start to the season. The Lions reached double-digit runs for the second straight game Thursday with the last one coming in a 12-4 rout at James Logan last Friday.

Liberty has outscored opponents 27-7 in the first three games of the season.

“We got a lot of guys that have been on this team for three years in the lineup,” Lonsdale explained. “Our seniors know what we expect and how to hit at this level, so there’s not much that they see that’s going to really overwhelm them.”

The Lions opened the game strong, scoring four runs in the second inning sparked by an infield single toward second by senior Luke Hyland to open the inning. Cruz Van Slyke scored Zach Madrigal for the first run of the game on a double to left, then Josiah Wallace followed with a double to left of his own to give the Lions a 3-0 lead. Baker’s triple to center pushed the lead

to 4-0, scoring Wallace.

After the strong opening frame, Roberts handled the rest. He followed that four-run inning by striking out the side looking in the third.

Liberty went on to score two more in the bottom of the third inning to extend their early 4-0 lead off of a two out, two-RBI single by Van Slyke to make it 6-0 after three, and scored four more in the sixth off of Alameda reliever Quentin Moreland as Baker, Nate Bell, Colby Mingus and Hyland all drove in runs to extend the lead to 10-1 late.

Liberty (3-0) continues their non-conference schedule and finishes the rest of the non-conference schedule on the road.

Liberty High wrestlers excel at state meet

By Juan Cebreiros Correspondent

The Liberty High wrestling team returned home from the CIF state wrestling tournament with third- and eighth-place medals. Senior Sophie Yurkovich placed third, freshman David Calkins, Jr. placed eighth and junior Tanner Bartonico went 1-2 in event matches. Feb. 23-25.

“Sophie Yurkovich was a returning state placer from last year, David

Calkins, Jr. was a national champion in middle school and tanner Bartonico has been wrestling with me on the national circuit for a year and a half now,” Liberty High School’s wrestling head coach Alex Encarnacion said.

Liberty’s wrestlers had to go through the North Coast Section wrestling playoffs and must place in the top two to qualify for the state wrestling tournament. California has only one state tournament for high school wrestling with only 32 girls and 40 boys able to qualify for each weight class.

“You can always see how a kid is doing and if they are prepared for a long

postseason. A lot of the preparation comes from outside of the wrestling room,” Encarnacion said.

The three biggest things Encarnacion sees in wrestlers who are ready for playoff wrestling is if they are able to handle business off of the wrestling mat such as eating healthfully and staying on top of their school work.

Encarnacion said the big stage the state tournament brings can not only be intense but also nerve wracking no matter how much experience someone has.

“The ‘big stage’ is tough to explain unless you have wrestled at the tourna-

ment before, and nerves still get to people that have been there,” he said.

Encarnacion has been on the wrestling coaching staff since 2019, and has had a wrestler on his team place in the CIF tournament every year apart from the abbreviated 2020-21 season during the COVID-19 pandemic. He expects his success to continue for the following seasons after having Calkins, Jr. place in the CIF state tournament as just a freshman.

“I expect us to send more wrestlers to the state tournament next year, both boys and girls, and bring more medals back to Liberty High School. We have a fairly young team so most of our kids are coming back next year,” said Encarnacion. “I am very proud of these kids, they are all hard workers.”

Junior pitcher David Roberts fires a fastball during his six no-hit innings against Alameda last Thursday.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Yurkovich, Calkins, finish in third and eighth place

Professional fishing at the Delta next week

also be held at the marina and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series is headed to the the Delta on March 15-17 for the Toyota Series at the California Delta Presented by Psycho Tuna. The three-day tournament, hosted by the City of Oakley, is the second of three regular-season events in the Western Division.

The MLF Toyota Series offers the biggest payouts for the lowest entry fees of any national tournament trail. The Toyota Series is the only Western trail that offers advancement to the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship, where pros fish for $235,000, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and coanglers compete for a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat powered by a 115-horsepower (HP) Mercury.

Anglers will take off each day at 7 a.m. from Russo’s Marina at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island. Weigh-ins will

“The weird thing about that place is it is tough to predict a winning weight,” said Bass Pro Tour pro Brent Ehrler of Redlands. “If the fishing is good, and there is a strong prespawn bite, it could take 75 pounds over three days.

Or, if it’s tough and they’re not really biting, it could be around 60 pounds. I pre -

dict that someone will catch 23 to 25 pounds one day, then he’ll back it up with 20, then 16 on the final day and win the tournament. I think the winner is going to need at least 61 pounds in this one.”

In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500).

With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.

The 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the West -

ern Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or in the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST V. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard.

For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing. com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. To comment, visit www.thepress.net

From Staff Reports

Thousands of dollars on the line at tournament

“

Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

East County MTB cyclists place at first league race

East County Shred Composite MTB Team competed in the first NorCal League Race of the season in Modesto on Saturday, Feb. 18 and Sunday. Feb.19. The course was flat and fast.

Here are the results:

High school:

Aubrey McNabb: senior, Liberty33rd out of 55

Parker Simson: junior, Homeschool - 17th out of 83

Evan Van Hook: junior, Liberty50th out of 83

Elliot Delgado: sophomore, Heritage - 37th out of 46

Shay Williams: freshman, Heritage18th out of 66

Aiden Tremain: freshman, Liberty31st out of 66

Middle school:

Tristan Ware: 8th grade, Adams24th out of 59

Graceyn Williams: 7th grade, Bristow - 7th out of 15

Travis Simpson: 7th grade, Homeschool) - 18th out of 67

Jaxon Lulis: 6th grade, Bristow18th out of 34

To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows

By Todd W. Moeller, Moeller Estate Law

Last month, we addressed what happens to your property if you are married and one of you passes away without a Will or Living Trust. This month, we are addressing what happens with your property when you or your spouse passes away without a Will or a Living Trust and you have children.

The extent of each child’s share of your estate depends on the number of children you have. In order for children to inherit from you under the laws of intestacy in California, the children must be legally yours. The following addresses several, but not all scenarios:

Children you legally adopt receive an intestate share just like your biological children.

Foster children and stepchildren you do not legally adopt will not automatically obtain a share of your estate. However, a foster child or stepchild can inherit if he or she can prove that your relationship with the child began while the child was a minor (under the age of 18) and continued throughout your lifetime, and you would have adopted the child if it had been legally possible.

Children you place for adoption who are legally adopted by another family will not receive a share. However, if your spouse adopts your biological children, this will not affect the children’s intestate inheritance.

Children that you conceive, but are not born before you die, are also entitled to receive a share of your estate. A child conceived with your genetic material within two years of your death will also receive a share if you provided written permission for the genetic material to be used.

If you have questions concerning the above, your existing estate plan or setting up an estate plan, please contact Todd W. Moeller at (925) 301-8840 or www.Todd@ MoellerEstateLaw.com.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this advertisement is provided for general information only. Todd W. Moeller is licensed to practice law in the State of California only, and any information contained in this advertisement is based on general principles of California law. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship.

Submitted photo

Chromium-6 story lead-in ‘misleading hype’ Editor,

Good article except for the totally misleading lead-in: “Anyone looking for a sequel to the Oscar-nominated film ‘Erin Brockovich’ needed only to tune into the Feb. 28 meeting of the Brentwood City Council to watch the city’s presentation on chromium-6, a water contaminant that has been linked to cancer.”

Since that shows up in the email sent, as well as the first line read, it was totally click-bait and totally annoying.

I read the entire article to find out what cover-up was committed. Unless I totally missed something, it sounds like everything is on the up and up and no concerns.

So why is our paper using big-media misleading hype to get readers to tread the article?

Bad form!

Jan McCleery Brentwood

Publisher Greg Robinson

Controller Sandie McNulty

Editor Chris Campos

Interim Production Manager Eric Kinnaird

Ad Services Manager Connie O’Neill

Founder & Publisher Emeritus Jimmy Chamoures

LETTERS POLICY

The Press invites your comments. Letters must be no longer than 325 words and include name, address and phone number for confirmation.

The Press reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, potential libel and taste, or to not print letters we feel violate our standards of acceptance.

Opinions expressed in letters are not necessarily the opinions of The Press, whose opinions are contained in clearly marked editorials.

Send correspondence to The Press, 248 Oak St., Brentwood, California, 94513; or email editor@ brentwoodpress.com.

EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCH LOGS

Cop logs

A case of identity theft was reported on Business Center Drive. The reporting party was hacked on Snapchat and Cash App.

BRENTWOOD – Feb. 21, 12:51 p.m.

The following is a selection of recent law enforcement activity:

OAKLEY

Feb. 19, 3:06 a.m. A DUI misdemeanor was reported on Main Street/Carol Lane.

Feb. 19, 4:20 a.m. A civil problem was reported at the 600 block on Longmont Drive.

Feb. 19, 8:08 a.m. A reckless driver was reported at the 60 block on Safflower Court.

Feb. 19, 2:26 p.m. A civil disturbance was reported at the 4800 block on Claret Court.

Feb. 19, 2:35 p.m. A case of grand theft was reported at the 5100 block on Winchester Drive.

Feb. 19, 3:47 p.m. A welfare check was reported at the 4500 block on Waterford Way.

Feb. 19, 3:49 p.m. A case of battery was reported on Norcross Lane/Main Street.

Feb. 19, 7:24 p.m. A fight was reported at the 5600 block on Main Street.

Feb. 19, 7:24 p.m. A domestic disturbance was reported on Laurel Road/Main Street.

Feb. 19, 8:00 p.m. A civil standby was reported at the 600 block on Longmont Drive.

Feb. 19, 8:24 p.m. A fight was reported on Ibis Drive/Frank Hengel Way.

Feb. 19, 8:35 p.m. A shooting at an occupied dwelling was reported at the 4500 block on Main Street.

Feb. 19, 9:02 p.m. A patrol request was conducted at the 500 block on Gemstone Way.

Feb. 19, 10:00 p.m. A public nuisance was reported at the Raleys in Oakley.

Feb. 20, 12:34 p.m. A patrol request was conducted at Kota Dog Park in Oakley.

Feb. 20, 12:51 p.m. Suspicious circumstances were reported at Heartwood Drive/ Mellowood Drive.

Feb. 20, 5:20 p.m. A suspicious vehicle was reported at Iron House Elementary School.

Feb. 20, 6:21 p.m. A case of disturbing the peace was reported at the 10 block on Eleven Oak.

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Feb. 20, 6:22 p.m. A case of disturbing the peace was reported at the 2500 block on Main Street.

Feb. 20, 6:48 p.m. A patrol request was conducted at the 30 block on Chantilly Place.

Feb. 20, 7:12 p.m. A suspicious person was reported at the 300 block on Brownstone Road.

Feb. 20, 9:24 p.m. A suspicious vehicle was reported at the Chevron in Oakley.

Feb. 20, 11:55 p.m. A civil standby was reported at the 1200 block on Kay Lane.

Feb. 21, 8:50 a.m. A case of vandalism was reported at the 100 block on Francisco Villa Drive.

Feb. 21, 11:36 a.m. A civil disturbance was reported at the 700 block on Dimock Street.

Feb. 21, 1:55 p.m. A traffic hazard was reported on E. Cypress Road/Main Street.

Feb. 21, 2:38 p.m. A civil standby was reported at the 600 block on Longmont Drive.

Feb. 21, 2:52 p.m. A petty theft from a vehicle was reported at the 4600 block on Chelsea Drive.

Feb. 21, 3:04 p.m. A patrol request was conducted at Freedom High School.

Feb. 21, 3:05 p.m. A traffic hazard was reported on E. Cypress Road/Main Street.

Feb. 21, 3:09 p.m. A traffic hazard was reported on Neroly Road/Laurel Road.

Feb. 21, 3:12 p.m. An abandoned vehicle was reported at the 2100 block on Truman Lane.

Feb. 21, 3:26 p.m. A reckless driver was reported on W. Cypress Road/Alder Drive.

Feb. 21, 8:08 p.m. A civil standby was reported at the 600 block on Allagash Court.

Feb. 21, 8:23 p.m. A domestic disturbance was reported at the 20 block on Birch Court.

Feb. 21, 8:48 p.m. A patrol request was conducted at the 1100 block on Bear River Court.

Feb. 21, 11:12 p.m. Threats were reported at the 4300 block on Sequoia Drive.

Feb. 21, 11:56 p.m. An arrest warrant was served on Laurel Road/Main Street.

BRENTWOOD

Feb. 19, 12:22 a.m. A hit-and-run with no injuries was reported on Trent Place. A person hit the reporting party’s vehicle and left in a green Hyundai.

Feb. 19, 1:37 p.m. A hit-and-run with no injuries was reported on Second Street. The reporting party’s white Toyota Tundra was hit in their plot by a white Honda.

Feb. 20, 11:21 a.m. A case of grand theft was reported on Summer Circle. The reporting party was delivering appliances for a company, and while they were delivering, appliances and tools were taken from their truck.

Feb. 20, 11:39 p.m. A person was reported to be drunk in public on Sycamore Avenue.

Feb. 21, 1:37 a.m. Suspicious circumstances were reported on Shady Willow Lane. The reporting party caught what he called “intruders.” The vehicle drove at him and the reporting party shot at them.

Feb. 21, 9:55 a.m. A case of vandalism was reported on Sand Creek Road.

Feb. 21, 12:05 p.m. A petty theft was reported on Brentwood Boulevard. Someone with a crowbar and flashlight pried open a clothes and shoes donation bin and took two bags.

Feb. 21, 12:43 p.m. A verbal dispute was reported on Village Drive.

Feb. 21, 12:51 p.m. A case of identity theft was reported on Business Center Drive. The reporting party was hacked on Snapchat and Cash App.

Feb. 21, 5:34 p.m. A hit and run with no injuries was reported on Havasu Court.

Feb. 22, 7:34 a.m. A residential burglary was reported on Latour Avenue. The reporting party’s house was ransacked.

Feb. 22, 9:57 a.m. A case of identity theft was reported on Sundale Lane. The reporting party said someone used their information to change their phone number and opened credit cards. The reporting party’s Venmo account was drained.

Feb. 22, 10:27 a.m. A case of forgery/ fraud was reported on Middlefield Court. Check sent to a vendor was tampered with, the payee name and address was changed.

Feb. 22, 10:46 a.m. A case of forgery/ fraud was reported on Bismarck Lane.

Feb. 22, 12:40 p.m. An accident with unknown injuries was reported on Brentwood Boulevard.

Feb. 22, 1:22 p.m. A case of forgery/fraud was reported on Duffy Way. The reporting party stated his phone bill was in collections $1,462.01. Phone company won’t give him any information on the additional lines and the Apple watch added to his account.

Feb. 22, 1:36 p.m. An accident with no injuries was reported on Sand Creek Road/ Highway 4.

Feb. 22, 1:56 p.m. A residential burglary was reported on Barsac Court. The reporting party says they came home and their home was ransacked. Garage door was broken into and jewelry and cash were taken.

Feb. 22, 3:13 p.m. An accident with major injuries was reported on O’Hara Avenue/ Lone Tree Way.

Feb. 22, 4:29 p.m. A case of identity theft was reported on La Fonte Drive. A computer was hacked. Hackers convinced the reporting party’s husband to go to the bank, close all his accounts and pay them in bitcoin.

Feb. 22, 4:41 p.m. A petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. A person walked out with $700 worth of merchandise and threatened the reporting party with pepper spray.

Feb. 22, 5:19 p.m. A residential burglary was reported on Douglas Drive. The reporting party’s residence was broken into.

Feb. 22, 5:37 p.m. A petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. This incident led to an arrest.

Feb. 22, 5:49 p.m. A petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. A welder was taken from the bed of a gold Chevy 2500 truck.

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liminary development plans for 817 new single-family residential homes at the Summer Lake North Subdivision 9307 located east of Bethel Island Road and north of East Cypress Road. The project has been before the city’s Planning Department since 2009.

There are a total of 20 floor plans (five single-story and 15 two-story), each with three architectural types pre-selected from five architectural types used throughout the entire subdivision (Spanish, Tuscan, Farmhouse, Traditional, and Prairie). Livable area of the homes is between 1,927 and 3,479 square feet.

Planning Director Ken Strelo outlined in the staff report that the City Council approved the Summer Lake North Vesting Tentative Map on Oct. 25, 2011 subdividing 409 acres into 824 residential lots, a 70-acre man-made lake, open space, parks, a commercial area, and other associated improvements, including construction of 14,000 linear feet of new levee. Strelo also noted that

Academy from page 1A

the project is broken down into five “neighborhoods” grouped around 12 “villages.”

The Commission’s approval Tuesday night was strictly limited to its design aspects. The meeting was also the first appearance of Jimmy Ramirez who was recently appointed to the board by the City Council. Jeanne Krieg, the second appointee to the remaining open seat, replied via text message that she was absent from her first meeting due to a vacation trip planned long before her selection by the Council.

Ramirez asked one of the few questions submitted to Sanson by the commissioners noting the large impact the project would have on traffic and city transportation. “What does transit look like in the plans with up to 1,200 more cars coming onto East Cypress?” he asked. Strelo answered that Tri-Delta Transit had been involved in early planning of the project in locating bus stops along East Cypress Road.

Summer Lake North Subdivision is a part of the East Cypress Corridor Specific

times and understand the needs of the community and what society wants.”

The Citizen’s Academy mirrors the actual police academy that new recruits go through, with the lone difference being that the Citizen’s Academy goes through more of the how and why things are done the way they are instead of putting the people through the actual training and tests themselves. Laughridge says that the Citizen’s Academy is a “very, very small version” of it.

“I think (the Citizen’s Academy) is absolutely crucial,” Laughridge said. “The last couple of years, people have really questioned how much training law enforcement gets on a monthly and an annual basis. This is a means for us to show that we receive training very regularly, over 100 hours on average training a year.”

Amongst the several lessons like active shooter and first-aid training, and meeting officers along with those from the District Attorney’s Office, people who take part in the Citizen’s Academy will also get trained to use the use-offorce simulator.

That simulator, used by law enforcement agencies nationwide, places the officer in front of a screen where they’re

Bridge from page 1A

move the supports, two lanes of traffic will be open, according to Allum. However, there will still be temporary one-way traffic control. Dates and times have not been determined.

Caltrans began renovations on the 100-year-old bridge last October “to provide preventive maintenance in order to delay or minimize the bridge’s future rehabilitation needs and to make the moveable bridge in good operating condition,” according to their website. Caltrans cites the need to upgrade both the mechanical and electrical elements of the bridge to increase its reliability.

The work for the project was 40% complete as of early February, according to Allum. The renovations were originally expected to be completely done by April, but one element has been delayed until August. New traffic gates for the bridge are on backorder from the manufacturer, Allum said. They are scheduled to arrive for installation in August.

Drivers who would normally use the Old River Bridge as part of their commute

Plan. It is bordered on the west by Bethel Island Road, the south by East Cypress Road, the north by Sandmound Boulevard, and the east by rural and residential properties located in unincorporated Contra Costa County. Beyond East Cypress Road farther south is the Summer Lake South subdivision of 625 single-family residential homes, a canoe club, and community park.

City Manager Josh McMurray said Wednesday in an email, “The flood protection levee for the future development for the Summer Lake North project is currently being graded/constructed. In addition to the levee construction, project grading, drainage, and roadway infrastructure must be completed and constructed prior to the construction of any homes. Once those elements are completed, the developer may begin to submit for approvals of homes, which will include the payment of required fees.”

Following the Summer Lakes vote, the Planning Commission heard a report from Strelo on the city’s state - mandated housing

presented with a simulated situation, and they have to interact with that person on the screen. The result of the situation depends on how the user – the officer – tries to de-escalate the situation and how they interact with the person.

It also examines what happens if they don’t use the proper de-escalation techniques, which leads to a different result. Then it is critiqued by the instructors and the officers using it. The idea behind the simulation is to put the officers in a real-world situation without having to use real people.

“It’s hard when it comes to training,” Herbert said. “Putting someone in a situation where it’s real life, you can’t just go out and make people angry. This is an opportunity for them to interact with as close to real life as we can get, to be able to learn those de-escalations because you learn through repetitive motion, going through scenarios, and talking out with other people and getting different views. The last thing we want to do is have every scenario end in a use of force.”

“I think it’ll give them an opportunity to really understand how quickly something can change from being peaceful to being violent and how, in most incidents, the person that we’re dealing with are the ones that dictate which way the scenario goes.”

Herbert added that the program may be seeing up-

plan. The city must adopt a housing plan for the eight-year period 2023-2031 to accommodate the city’s regional housing need allocation of 1,058 housing units, composed of 279 very-low income units, 161 low-income units, 172 moderate-income units, and 446 above moderate-income units. The city prepared the 2023-2031 housing plan update in compliance with state law and has identified sites that can accommodate housing units meeting the city’s housing need allocation.

Strelo reported that “We’re getting very close” to meeting the state’s housing requirements. The city’s urban planner consultant, Heidi Gen Kuong, outlined the report’s details to the commission emphasizing that state housing officials were looking for more “accommodating the needs of the city’s lowincome residents,” particularly in the need for more multi-unit rentals in the downtown core. The commissioners voted unanimously to accept the housing plan update. A further review by the state remains to be submitted.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net

grades soon in the form of virtual reality. Instead of the officer facing a screen, they’ll be placed in a room with the VR equipment on and placed, virtually, in a situation, adding a new level to the training module.

“You can’t just train one way,” Herbert said. “There is no scenario out there that you can train 100% for because of the human factor and what that human that you’re dealing with is going through could determine which way that scenario goes.”

The Citizen’s Academy has been successful with local residents, and Herbert and Laughridge are certain that success will continue this year.

“The citizens there want to be there because they want to learn about what the police department does,” Herbert said. “After having the interactions, they walk away with a completely different vision of what we do and it gives them an idea of why we do certain things.”

“It’s a very popular program that’s now nationwide,” Laughridge said. “Transparency is a big word now, and this program is all about transparency. It’s letting our community, our participants know what we do on a day to day basis. So we want to share it. We want to share it all.”

To comment, visit www.thepress.net

Renovations on Old River Bridge in Discovery Bay have led to one-way traffic control since October 2022. It is expected to remain in effect until the end of March.

have to reroute through Stockton, according to Ashley Porter, the president of Discovery Bay’s board of directors. Despite the inconvenience, Porter says that, in her experience, residents have been patient regarding the construction and there has not been a noticeable number of complaints

associated with the traffic.

The closures have affected residents in different ways.

“I am the Senior HR Generalist for a private medical group in Brentwood and have employees commuting from the Stockton area. The construction has

impacted our employees’ commute time which negatively affects patient care,” Kara Escobedo said via email. “I have staff needing to change their schedules, resigning from their positions, and asking for additional commuting expenses. All of this has caused our patients, many with special needs, to have a disruption in services.”

Not all drivers have been as affected as severely by the closures as Escobedo and her staff.

“I’ve only been affected when going out of town,” Jerrod Williams wrote. “I feel like Caltrans does their promo with an open checkbook and no accountability.”

The renovations are estimated to cost $9,786,000, according to Allum. Funding was included in the Caltrans budget for the 2019/2020 fiscal year as part of the 2016 State Highway Operation and Protection Program under the Bridge Preservation Program.

More information about the Old River Bridge project can be found on the Caltrans website at https://bit.ly/41UsvDt To comment, visit www.thepress.net

Photo by Andy Rulloda

Home Of The

THE PRESS AUTO GUIDE

Fender Bender

What to do after a car accident

Low Inventory

Scarcity leads to the rising cost of cars

Trade-In

Improving your car’s resale value

What to do right after an auto accident

Car accidents occur every day. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than five million car accidents in the United States every year with 43% of car accidents resulting in injuries in 2020.

No one wants to get into an automobile accident, which can be stressful and even fatal. Even accidents that do not result in any major injuries can be traumatizing. Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath of an accident may make such instances less stressful.

Assess the situation

The insurance experts at GEICO advise individuals involved in an accident to first determine if anyon was hurt. If you are injured, stay put. If not, check on the condition of the other driver. At this point, do not admit any fault or reveal any policy limits.

Next, make a call to emergency services to request assistance from the police and an ambulance, if necessary.

Move your vehicle

If possible, pull the vehicle over to a safe, well-lit public location. This is especially important if you believe you were the victim of a staged accident, says the Insurance Information Institute.

Gather evidence

Have the police write up an accident report. You should take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, the other vehicle, if possible, and the scene of the accident, including any skid marks, debris and/or property damage. If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their names and contact information. You’ll need this information when filing an insurance claim.

Exchange information

Collect the names, phone numbers, addresses and email addresses of other drivers and vehicle occupants and exchange insurance information with all drivers involved. That includes the insurance company name, policy number and the name of the insured.

Notify a friend or family member

If the car will cause another road hazard, it is best to move it over to the side and use flashers to alert oncoming traffic. It is important that you don’t leave the scene, according to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

Even if the accident is not serious, you may want to call a friend or family member to provide emotional support. If you’ve been injured, a friend or family member can meet you at the hospital and/or arrange to have your vehicle towed or returned home while you get the care you need.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

Automotive accidents can be nerve-wracking. Knowing the steps to take immediately after one can alleviate some stress.

How to navigate buying a used or new car

Dearth of chips, supply chain problems affected car sales, prices

SEAN TONGSON

Antioch resident Ushean Fernando knew it was time to search for a new car. In November 2021, with his 2011 Toyota Sienna aging and accumulating a lot of miles, while he was increasingly frustrated and concerned with rising gas prices, Fernando soon ventured out to find a deal. Fernando desired a Toyota Hybrid Highlander, Honda Pilot, or a certified used car, but soon became frustrated for another reason.

“I was alarmed, but I didn’t buy at the time,” said Fernando, in reference to the rising prices of used cars. “Car prices skyrocketed. Then, it was jumping up $4,000, then $6,000, then $8,000; $52,000 became $56,000, and then I just gave up. Then people started to get the used cars. Why should I go for a used car when I could just buy a brand-

new car? A lot of people don’t want to bargain with a used car.”

Fernando is one of the many consumers coming to grips with the reality of increased car prices as a result

of a variety of different factors in today’s world. The prices of new cars have risen due to higher production costs, global supply chain problems, as well as a semiconductor (“chip”) shortage, which

stalled new auto production, according to statistics from financial services company J.P. Morgan and data analytics firm J.D. Power.

see Sales page 5B

Photo by Andrew Rulloda

Bill Brandt Ford in Brentwood is one of the oldest Ford dealerships in the county

Data from Auto Forecast Solutions says that when automakers scaled back on auto production in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, chip makers responded by switching gears and shifting shipment of chips to the consumer electronics industry. An estimated 18 million vehicles may be removed from production plans by the end of 2023 since the beginning of the chip shortage. As a result, the ensuing shortage of new cars increased demand for used cars, which, in turn, caused a surge in prices and a 30 percent increase above prepandemic levels as well.

Statistics show that U.S. consumers paid an average of $46,437 for a new vehicle in January 2023; a 4.2 percent increase from January 2022. This increase was on top of a jump of $8,500 from 2021, when the average price for a new vehicle was $37,876, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Eventually, Fernando said he bought a new Tesla, knowing he can get a better interest rate with a new car as opposed to a used car, in addition to saving on gas and having the luxury and comfort of having an electric car and being able to charge it at home.

“The only option for me was to buy a brand-new car,” said Fernando, adding that he has no regrets. “I already prepared my mind before I bought it. But each car is different in how you look at

it. Anything you buy, you should buy to help you in your life.”

Bill Brandt Ford has been in Brentwood for the past 50 years. According to Dealer Principal Rob Brandt, supply has increased with 100 new vehicles; a significantly higher number than just 15 new vehicles a year ago, and monthly new vehicle sales are up 10 percent. Brandt added that while business has been improving with new car sales increasing and being stronger than it was a year ago and even from six to eight months ago, it still pales in comparison before 2020.

“Prices have gone up,” said Brandt. “Prior to 2020, you could always get what you wanted. It’s better than what it was, but not like what it used to be. Supply improves, then goes backwards for three months. It’s the nature of the business.”

Mike Bushel, Internet Manager of Winter Honda in Pittsburg, says business is slower than it was a couple of years ago when they had plenty of inventory, but still remains decent. Bushel added that manufacturers have increased their prices on the new cars due to high rate of inflation caused by COVID-19 pandemic-related and ensuing supply chain problems.

Due to lack of inventory, new car retailers have also increased their dealer markup on the new cars as well.

“Yes, financing has become more

expensive due to the Federal Reserve increasing interest rates last year seven times and one time this year, so it adversely affected mortgage and auto loan interest rates significantly,” said Bushel. “People always need new or preowned vehicles, and we’re an established business doing service to the community for over 60 years in Pittsburg.”

Interest rates remain high with average interest rates increasing to 6.30 percent for a 60-month term on a new car and 6.27 percent for a 48-month term for a new car as of March 1, according to Bankrate.com. Interest rates for a 48-month loan on a used car and 36-month loan on a used car are 6.90 percent and 6.58 percent, respectively.

Due to more new cars being built and the production of more chips in 2023, prices are expected to decline by 10% for used cars and 2.5-5 percent for new cars, although there remains a degree of uncertainty of when or if prices will begin to decrease due to inflation.

“So far, we don’t have many new vehicles in stock and, thus, prices stay exorbitant,” added Bushel. “I don’t have any idea when we will have plenty of new cars from the Honda factory. This has been going on for two years in a row.”

Bushel advisies consumers to communicate with dealers. “That open channel of communications would allow the prospects to weed out bad dealers and select the professionals that they can trust to do business with,” he said.

Further information on vehicles for sale, vehicle ratings, pricing, and values can be found at https://www.jdpower. com or stop by Bill Brandt Ford at 8100 Brentwood Blvd. or call 925-634-3551.

Winter Honda is at 3850 Century Court, Pittsburg or call 925-232-0412.

Prices have gone up. Prior to 2020, you could always get what you wanted. It’s better than what it was, but not like what it used to be. Supply improves, then goes backwards for three months. It’s the nature of the business.

– Rob Brandt, principal at Bill Brandt Ford

What certain noises may indicate about your car

Though modern cars and trucks still employ some of the same principles as their forebears, the vehicles people drive today bear little resemblance to those that made waves in the early part of the 20th century.

Modern automobiles are technological marvels, which has made both driving and maintaining a vehicle much simpler. In regard to maintenance, built-in diagnostic systems can now alert drivers when something is wrong with their vehicles. Though that feature is undeniably useful, drivers can still benefit from learning to recognize issues by ear. Many problems that can affect a car or truck produce unusual sounds, and learning what certain noises may indicate can help drivers detect problems as soon as possible. ♦ Rattling sound in a wheel well: Most people have mistakenly placed clothing in a dryer without realizing they had spare change in their pockets. That mistake is immediately apparent once the dryer starts thanks to the unpleasant noise of coins bouncing off the interior of the machine. Drivers may hear a similar sound when behind the wheel and wonder what’s behind it. Such a sound is often indicative that there’s a loose lug nut inside the hubcap. This issue can arise when drivers don’t tighten the wheel properly after changing their own tire, or if mechanics make the same mistake when rotating or replacing tires during a routine maintenance session.

3 ways to keep your

car running longer

Learning to recognize the culprits behind various vehicle noises can help drivers nip problems in the bud before they compromise the automobile and the safety of the people inside it.

Aging cars may require a little more TLC than vehicles that are right off the dealership lot. But the following are three simple tips that can help drivers keep their cars running longer.

1. Become a more careful driver. A careful approach when behind the wheel is safer than aggressive driving and beneficial for your vehicle. When starting, avoid revving the engine, which needlessly wears it down. When out on the road, avoid rapid accelerations, which also contributes to needless wear and tear. Even excessive idling can harm the engine, so keep winter warm-ups to around 30 seconds to prevent damage to engine components.

Squeaking sound: The auto insurance experts at Geico note that rear-wheel or fourwheel drive vehicles may produce a rhythmic squeaking sound when an issue arises with the universal joint. JD Power notes that the universal joint, often referred to as a U-joint, is part of the system that enables the rotating crankshaft in the engine of a vehicle to transfer that rotating motion to the rear wheels. U-joints get a workout whenever vehicles are driven, so they require maintenance, and a squeaking sound is one indicator that the U-joint needs to be addressed immediately.

♦ Squealing sound: A high-pitched squealing sound is typically indicative of worn out brake pads. However, Cars.com notes that if such a sound is only present when a car is first driven in the morning, it could just be surface rust being scraped off the rotors. After a few initial applications of the brakes, that sound might disappear. If it doesn’t, the vehicle will likely need new brake pads.

♦ Scraping on the windshield during rain: The scraping sound on a windshield when the wipers are in use should not be taken lightly or be interpreted as a sign that the rain is only falling slightly. In fact, that sound indicates the wipers are worn out, which means they’re not effectively clearing the windshield. In addition, the wipers could be scratching the windshield each time they produce this sound, ultimately necessitating a costly windshield replacement. Wiper blades can be replaced in a matter of minutes, so address this issue promptly.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

2. Know when and how to fill up. Every driver has likely visited a filling station when an oil tanker is busily filling the tanks. That’s traditionally been considered a less than ideal time to fill up, as the theory is that filling the tanks stirs up sediment that could then find its way into consumers’ gas tanks, harming their vehicles. However, that’s often dependent on the station itself and how much its owners prioritize maintenance of the tank and filtration systems. Drivers who trust their local station owners can likely fill up when the tankers are present without worry. In addition, avoid topping off once the nozzle clicks when filling up. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that topping off is harmful to the planet and the vehicle, as gasoline needs room to expand. When you top off, the extra gas may damage the vapor collection system and cause the vehicle to run less efficiently.

3. Change oil more frequently as the vehicle ages. It’s true that modern vehicles no longer require oil changes for every 3,000 miles driven. However, as vehicles age, drivers and their vehicles’ engines may benefit from more frequent oil changes than the owner’s manual necessarily recommends. Oil changes remove dirt and metal particles from the engine, potentially contributing to a longer life expectancy. More frequent changes can be especially beneficial for vehicles that are routinely driven in stop-and-go traffic.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

How to improve the value of your trade-in

When the time comes to purchase a new vehicle, many drivers explore trading in their existing cars or trucks. Trade-ins can reduce the cost of buying new vehicles and save drivers the hassle of selling their vehicles on their own.

Motorists who think trading in is the best way to unload their current cars can take various steps to improve the trade-in value prior to visiting the dealership.

Know the trade-in market

Some trade-ins may be more valuable than others, even if the cars are relatively similar with regard to mileage. For example, pre-owned vehicle buyers typically prefer late- model vehicles as opposed to cars that are older. This is even more apparent now that many car buyers want smartphone-friendly vehicles that afford them access to the apps and GPS systems on their phones. Drivers who want to get maximum value for their trade-ins may benefit by trading in a year or so earlier

than they initially planned, as this will make their cars or trucks more attractive to prospective buyers, which should make it easier for dealerships to sell the vehicle.

Address any problems

Dealerships will offer to tend to any repairs trade-ins may need. But that will

come at a cost, which will be reflected in the trade-in value of the car. Vehicle owners should address any repairs before taking their vehicles to the dealership. Fix any doors that stick or minor scratches on the vehicle’s exterior, remembering to have the car detailed, washed and waxed. Investigate if any major problems, such as

engine troubles, are worth fixing on your own, or if you’re better off receiving less for your trade-in and letting the dealership address such problems.

Keep maintenance records

Maintenance records illustrating that the vehicle was taken care of can help owners get more for their trade-ins. Drivers who intend to trade the vehicle in to the same dealership where the vehicle was purchased should still keep their own maintenance records to eliminate potential problems as they negotiate the trade-in value of their vehicles.

Shop around

Drivers who are not satisfied with the trade-in value assigned by a specific dealership can shop around until they find better offers. Some dealerships may not offer much for a vehicle because they already have a similar car or truck sitting on their lot, while others may jump at the chance to make their pre-owned inventory more diverse. Exercise patience when shopping around to reduce any frustration that might develop during the negotiation process.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative