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Vol. 17, No. 3
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Community mourns young victims of fatal car accident by Tony Kukulich
Mourners braved the storm to participate in a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening commemorating the victims of a fatal car crash in Antioch. The accident on Friday, Jan. 11, took the lives of 13-yearold Jaia Lightner and 17-year-old Leana Rubin. Four others in the car suffered moderate to life-threatening injuries.
Staff Writer
Hundreds endured a cold, wind-driven rain as they gathered in a Walmart parking lot in Antioch Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil to remember the young victims of a fatal accident that occurred across the street the prior Friday, Jan. 11. The weather and large crowd made it difficult for many to hear or see anything, but still the mourners remained and struggled to keep their candles lit in the drenching rain. Jaia Lightner, 13, of Antioch, and Leana Rubin, 17, of Oakley were identified by the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office as the two fatalities in the single-vehicle accident. Four other teens suffered injuries ranging from moderate to life-threatening. Their identities have not been released, but a press release from the Antioch Police Department (APD) did state that two 17-year-old females, a 16-year-
old male and a 13-year-old female were also in the car at the time of the accident. Rubin, believed to have been the driver, attended Independence High School in the Liberty Union High School District. The following letter was is-
by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
The Discovery Bay P-6 Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) held its first quarterly meeting of the year last week, discussing crime rates and police activity over the past three months. There was also an update on the license plate reader (LPR) cameras that are coming to Discovery Bay and the Sheriff’s Marine Services new shallow water rescue boat. Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputy Lt. Matt Foley was on hand to break down the 1,500 calls for service the Sheriff’s Office received during the months of October, November and December. He offered the good news that crimes seem to have dropped with the temperatures. “I don’t see anything trending toward a crime spree,” said Foley. “Nothing that looks
sued by Independence Principal Guy Rognlien. “It is with great sadness that I write this letter to inform you of the tragic loss of an Independence High School student,” read the letter. “Our condolences and thoughts go out to the family and
“ We needed something that
can get in the shallow, weedinfested areas. This (boat) is specifically designed just for those kinds of rescues.
”
Lt. David Cook Marine Services Unit like continuing patterns of any type of crimes.” Discovery Bay Resident Deputy Sarah Ballard was present at the meeting and urged residents to lock their doors and close their windows and garages to limit crimes of opportunity.
SAVE NOW
friends of our student. During this time, as our school community processes through this tragic news and copes with grief, we will offer support services for all of our students and staff. see Accident page 22A
Foley also had an update on the LPR cameras the CAC voted to install in January 2018. At that time, the committee approved spending up to $350,000 from the P-6 reserve fund for 22 to 24 cameras to be installed at the entrances to Discovery Bay. Since then, the project has been delayed repeatedly by red tape. The Sheriff’s Office is in the process of meeting with the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) to obtain permits to place cameras on CalTans poles. Final locations for the cameras are still to be determined. At a previous meeting, Foley explained that the Sheriff’s Office, along with other local agencies, will monitor the data, which will be stored for one year then deleted. “There’s been movement on the license
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Making A Difference
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Police committee updates residents
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see Committee page 22A
Rx Disposal
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Rx drop boxes let residents safely dispose of medicine at CVS Pharmacies.
Chaplain Fr. Robert Rien offers support, comfort to fire-fighting community. Page 4A
Texas-Sized Tournament
Liberty girls’ soccer team travels to Ft. Worth to play in prestigious tournament. Page 14A Calendar.............................23A Classifieds..........................17A Cop Logs.............................21A Entertainment....................9A ODAT....................................11A Milestones...........................8A Pets......................................10A Sports..................................14A
Lawyers Wanted www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
Practicing, retired law professionals are needed for student mock trials program.