Dear Editor:

It seems no one would expect justice in Florida anymore and this is sending a wrong signal that Florida is becoming a Banana Republic.

I was appalled to hear the not guilty verdict of George Zimmerman when he had confessed getting out of his car to follow Trayvon Martin.He had a premonition that the boy was no good and at the end of the day, he took his life.

The case was already controversial from the onset as Zimmerman was not arrested or charged for several days. What kind of dysfunctional criminal justice system are we embracing in this country?

Ultimately, no amount of punishment will bring back Trayvon, but this is another hard slap on the face of the deceased boy’s parents.

This is the same Florida that found Casey Anthony not guilty with all the catalog of evidences against her. The family of Trayvon Martin has been let down by the criminal justice system, once again.

John Tanwani

Antioch

Tuck & Roll perform for the audience in Waldie Plaza.

As part of the Free Antioch Summer Concert series, Tuck & Roll, made up of local musicians and singers, performed for hundreds of residents in downtown Antioch on Saturday night, July 13, 2013.

Rose Vargas, Eva Rizo and Paul Davis dance to the sounds of Tuck & Roll.

The concerts, presented by the Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, are held every Saturday night from 6-8 p.m. in Waldie Plaza hrough August 31, on W. Second Street in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown District.

The next concert will feature another local favorite, Vocal Ease & the Boogie Men, next Saturday night, July 20.

Be sure to bring your own chair or blanket to sit on. Enjoy food from local, downtown restaurants Nuce Nuce Deli serving barbeque ribs and chicken in Waldie Plaza, New Beer Garden serving great burgers, as well as Bases Loaded and Riverview Lodge, before, during or after the show.

For more information about the concert series including the list of bands, click here.

Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, July 11, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) introduced the Smart Grid Advancement Act of 2013.  Congressman McNerney is the only renewable energy expert in Congress and sits on the U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce.  A recent Department of Energy report emphasized that investment in Smart Grid projects has resulted in almost $7 billion in total economic output, benefitting a wide variety of industrial sectors and creating 47,000 jobs.

“In order to better utilize our energy resources, we must become more efficient and transition to lower carbon energy systems.  Making necessary investments in the nation’s Smart Grid is one way to facilitate this transition,” said Rep. McNerney.   “If we take action now, Smart Grid will create family-wage jobs, produce real economic benefits, increase energy efficiency, and allow for renewable energy technologies to be more easily integrated into our system. “

The Smart Grid Advancement Act will move forward the development of a more efficient electrical grid.  The bill tasks states and utility entities with establishing goals for reducing electrical use during peak times through the use of smart grid technologies.  Smart grid refers to systems or technologies that help reduce electrical use during times of peak consumption, such as in the afternoon.

“Increasing the use of Smart Grid technologies will help reduce use when demand for power is at its highest.   That, in turn, will help save consumers money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rep. McNerney.

The Smart Grid Advancement Act will also improve the Energy Star Program – an initiative that gives consumers the tools to purchase energy efficient and cost-saving appliances.  Currently, the program labels commonly used appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators, with information about their energy efficiency.  The Smart Grid Advancement Act will better integrate smart grid features into the Energy Star Program.

On May 8^th of this year, Congressman McNerney spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives about the importance of investing in Smart Grid technologies.  Video of the floor speech is available here.  Full text of the speech is available here.

“There is much to do in terms of policy initiatives that deliver greater benefits from smart grid, demand response and energy efficiency”, said Dan Delurey, Executive Director of the Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition (DRSG).  “DRSG is pleased to see Congressman McNerney moving to do just that via the bill he is introducing today.  His focus on reducing peak demand is particularly important, as a significant amount of the nation’s electricity costs come from only a few days per year when electricity demand can skyrocket and reliability can be threatened due to temperature or other factors.  All consumers pay that extra cost one way or the other, so reducing peak demand is therefore an important strategy that this bill will get people focused on.”

The Smart Grid Advancement Act is cosponsored by Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Penn.).

Johnny Montanez

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Tuesday, June 9, 2013 at approximately 8:54 AM, the Antioch Police Department arrested Antioch residents Johnny and Carol Montanez during a traffic stop on Hwy 4 and Lone Tree Way in the city of Antioch. Johnny Montanez was arrested on multiple counts of sexual assault and Carol was arrested for child endangerment. The arrests came after an investigation into allegations of physical and sexual abuse by Johnny and Carol Montanez, both age 38, on multiple members of their own family.

Carol Montanez

The case was brought before the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday, July 11, and both suspects have been charged for their crimes. Johnny Montanez is currently being held in Contra Costa County on $6,000,000 bail and Carol Montanez is being held on $250,000 bail. The case is still being investigated by the Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau. No other information concerning this case will be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Lopez with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6937. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Garage Sale- 7/13/13 at 8 am to 2 pm. 

4101 Galenez Way, Antioch

Hello, we have a lot of items that are in great shape and we are trying to clean house. Our items range from clothes & shoes to kitchen and living room furniture. Please come by and check out our sale.

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

Yaoying Yang

Investigators were called in and ultimately seized approximately 300 marijuana plants from the home along with over 100 lbs. of processed marijuana which has a street value of approximately $300,000.

The case is still being investigated by the Antioch Police Department’s Special Operations Unit.

Jincheng Ye

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Mortimer with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6941.

You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

The suspect in the murder of 71-year-old Antioch resident Ronald Henry Rush on June 11, 2013 on Horseshoe Circle in Antioch, Ruslin Bazelyan, was located and taken into custody with the assistance of the U.S. Marshall’s Office on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 in the area of Vancouver, Washington. He was taken into custody without incident.

The investigation is ongoing and if you have any information, please contact your local police agency or the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6933. You may also text an anonymous tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.