Community

Young Pilot’s Solo Flight on 16th Birthday Is a Dream Come True

Published

3 years ago

December 3, 2020

Kiki

Elijah J. Patterson Jones (standing) next to his flight instructor Quincey Carr after completion of his inaugural solo flight on his 16th birthday at the Hayward Executive Airport. Hayward CA. Photograph by Ronald Patterson, Sr.

Video of Elijah and Quincy’s Flight

Elijah J. Patterson Jones has been interested in aviation since childhood and his mother, Jonique Patterson, recognized his gift of aviation at an early age. She has been determined to make any sacrifices necessary to bring her Oakland-born child’s dream to to become a pilot come true.
They began traveling to different air shows and airport open houses. At a Hayward Executive Airport open house, they met Quincey Carr, a certified ground instructor, flight instructor and the chief pilot for the Hayward Bay Area Black Pilots Association.

At age 12, Patterson Jones began taking ground school instruction while learning to fly a Cessna 172 aided by books to see while using the instruments for navigation.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for a physical was done at age 15, at which time the Mt. Eden High School student took the FAA written exam and passed it.

Patterson-Jones and his instructor began flying a Cessna 152 to gain experience and accumulate flying hours.
On his 16th birthday, Patterson Jones flew his inaugural solo flight right on schedule at the Hayward Executive Airport.

The family was very excited. Having guided her son on his entire journey, Jonique Patterson said that Elijah will continue flying until his 17th birthday. The FAA requires you to be 17 to obtain a private pilot’s license. That is the next milestone they are working on.

And how does Elijah feel about this accomplishment? Elijah said he is very grateful to his family’s sacrifice to make this day come true.

Kiki

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

6 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

Oakland Post

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.