Archive for January, 2014

Bicyclist dies after being struck by car in Antioch, Wednesday

Thursday, January 16th, 2014

By Sergeant Dimitri Barakos, Patrol Supervisor Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On January 15th at approximately 5:39 P.M., the Antioch Police Department received a report of a collision that occurred between a vehicle and a bicyclist at the listed location. Upon officers arrival they found the bicyclist, a 21-year-old Antioch resident, down in the street. Medical personnel arrived on scene to find the bicyclist suffered head and leg trauma. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Witnesses advised that the bicyclist was traveling north bound on Auto Center Drive and crossed the intersection of West 18th Street against the red signal. The other party, a 70-year-old Antioch resident, was traveling west bound on West 18th Street and had the green signal as they crossed Auto Center Drive. The names of the involved subjects are not being released at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

At approximately 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 16, 2014, the victim died of his injuries.

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

Antioch Native Daughters of the Golden West honors 75-year member

Thursday, January 16th, 2014

At their December meeting, the Antioch Parlor #223, of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, had the privilege of presenting member Betty Giannotti, who joined the Parlor in 1939, with her 75-year pin. She was presented the pin by Grand President of the Antioch Parlor, Jackie Wallace.

Betty has held every office in the Parlor except Financial Secretary and Treasurer and is currently Past President.

She was born in Madera and her family came to Antioch when she started Kindergarten. Betty graduated from Antioch High School in 1938. She worked for Attorneys Ham and Arnison, then for the Antiocch High School District for 38 years. She married Lorenzo Giannotti in 1940 and had a daughter, Carolyn and a son, Norman and has five grandchildren. Since she retired, Betty spends her summers in Lake Tahoe.

The members of Antioch Parlor are proud to have such an outstanding, faithful member. At this time, the Parlor has 32 members, with two over the age of 100 and nine members have received their 50-year pins. Antioch Parlor #223 was organized in Antioch in 1923 and has had two State Grand Presidents.

The Order of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, formed in 1886, is a fraternal and patriotic organization founded on the principles of Love of Home, Devotion to the Flag, Veneration of the Pioneers and Faith in the Existence of God. Love of California is evident in the Order’s unceasing efforts to promote the study of her romantic history and reverence for the memory of the sturdy Pioneer Fathers and Mothers, the founders of our great state. To become a member, one must have been born in the State of California. For more information, visit www.ndgw.org.

Antioch’s J.C. Penney store saved from closure list

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

JCPenney store frontBy Allen Payton

J.C. Penney announced, today, it will be closing 33 of its stores across the country, as part of a turnaround effort. Fortunately, for our community, the Antioch store, one of the newer locations in the chain, is not on the list.

Only one of the stores on the list is located in California, the Rancho Cucamonga store. For the complete list of the stores J.C. Penney will be closing, click here.

Antioch police discover large marijuana grow during suspicious house fire, Monday

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014
Marijuana grow 1

A large marijuana cultivation operation was discovered in Antioch on Monday.

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Monday, January 13, 2014 at approximately 9:08 PM, Contra Costa Firefighters (Confire) responded to a residence in the 4500 block of Hidden Glen Drive on a report of a house fire. They arrived to find an electrical box and inside wall of the home on fire, which they were able to quickly extinguish. No one was home at the residence; however, evidence of marijuana cultivation was found inside.

Antioch Police Department patrol officers responded to the location with Confire and were able to confirm a large scale marijuana cultivation operation.

Investigators were called in and ultimately seized approximately 960 marijuana plants from the home along with marijuana cultivation equipment. The case is still being investigated by the Antioch Police Department’s Special Operations Unit.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Koch with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6895. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Marijuana grow 2

Fire burns cabins on Kimball Island across river from Antioch today

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014
Helicopter drops water on Kimball Island fire

A helicopter drops water on the fire on Kimball Island across the San Joaquin river from Antioch’s waterfront, today. By Allen Payton

By Allen Payton

What Antioch residents and downtown business owners thought was an annual controlled burn on the islands across the river from Antioch’s historic Rivertown district, turned out to be an out of control fire that consumed acres of grass land and several structures, including cabins on Kimball Island, today.

According to other news reports, it started about 2:30 p.m. People parked along and lined Second Street in downtown Antioch to watch the effort by two helicopters to douse the flames that were leaping into the air. The darker smoke that occurred periodically was the result of one of the structures going up in flames.

Flames can be seen on Kimball Island, today. By Allen Payton

Flames can be seen on Kimball Island, today. By Allen Payton

The fire appeared under control by about 5:30 p.m. when a boat full of firefighters from the River Delta Fire District, based in Isleton, headed across the river to finish off the flames.

 

River Delta Firefighters prepare to leave Antioch's old boat launch to head across the river to douse the remaining flames. By Allen Payton

River Delta Firefighters prepare to leave Antioch’s old boat launch to head across the river to douse the remaining flames. By Allen Payton

For more information and photos, visit http://www.news10.net/news/article/268674/2/Grass-fire-forces-evacuations-of-Kimball-Island.

A helicopter attempts to douse the final flames on Kimball Island, during the fire, today. By Allen Payton

A helicopter attempts to douse the final flames on Kimball Island, during the fire, today. By Allen Payton

Antioch to hold 6th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration next Monday

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

The City of Antioch and the Antioch Unified School District, along with community partners and sponsors, will present the 6th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Celebration & Scholarship Awards in the Deer Valley High Theater, 4700 Lone Tree Way, on January 20th, 2014, at 1:00 PM.

Keynote Speaker, author Maggie Anderson has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, BET News and CBS Morning News, among many other national television and radio shows. She has become the leader of a ‘conscious consumerism’ movement that supports quality black business and mainstream companies with substantive supplier diversity.

The celebration began in 2009 with then Antioch City Council Member Reggie Moore’s desire to celebrate Dr. King’s historical contributions, along with creating a scholarship program for high school and middle school students.  The tradition continues under the leadership of Mayor Wade Harper and partnership with the Antioch Unified School District, along with the support of business and community leaders.

This event is sponsored by the City of Antioch, Antioch Unified School District, CCC Supervisor Federal Glover, Republic Services, Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades and the Arts & Cultural Foundation of the City of Antioch.  For more information contact Diane Gibson-Gray, (925) 325-9897 or email Diane@Art4Antioch.org.

For more information about Ms. Anderson, click here.

DeSaulnier announces he will run for Miller’s Congressional seat

Monday, January 13th, 2014
Mark DeSaulnier

Mark DeSaulnier

In response to the retirement announcement by Congressman George Miller, today, State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, a Democrat, who represents Antioch, announced that he will run this year for California’s 11th Congressional district seat, which Miller represents. The 11th district covers about 30% of Antioch.

I considered Rep. Miller one of California’s strongest champions for working people and the middle class,” said Senator DeSaulnier. “I’ve always greatly admired Rep. Miller’s tireless work ethic, his dedication to the residents of his district, along with his deep devotion and perseverance in fighting for the progressive values and issues that matter most to Californians.”

Senator DeSaulnier added, “Rep. Miller will be missed, but his legacy of working to create good jobs, increase access to healthcare, improve our schools, and help California flourish in a global economy, will live on forever.”

It’s truly been an honor working closely with Rep. Miller for over 20 years on a variety of critical issues. We’ve partnered together during my tenures as a local City Councilman, County Supervisor, member of the State Assembly, and recently in my current job as a member of the State Senate.”

I’m running for Congress to help bring an end to the brinkmanship and gridlock in Washington, so that we can move forward with President Obama’s agenda of creating more good paying jobs, growing our middle class, investing in our infrastructure, increasing access to healthcare, advancing the use of renewable and homegrown energy, enhancing our education systems, and making the United States a leader in innovation around the globe.”

I plan to hit the ground running hard in this campaign.  I am ready to run and ready to serve the people of the 11th District,” explained Senator DeSaulnier.

Currently, DeSaulnier represents California’s 7th Senate district, which covers 70% of California’s 11th Congressional district. He was elected in 2008 and reelected in 2012. Previously, DeSaulnier represented California’s old 11th State Assembly district from 2006-2008.

He got his start in Contra Costa politics by being appointed to the Concord Planning Commission in 1988, then elected to the City Council in 1991 where he served as Mayor in 1993. Then in 1994, DeSaulnier, then a Republican, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors by Governor Pete Wilson. He later switched to the Democrat Party before running for his third term in 2002.

In 2009, he ran for Congress in the special election for former Rep. Ellen Tauscher’s seat, but lost in the Democrat primary to former California Lt. Governor John Garamendi, who continues to serve in Congress, today and represented Antioch, until redistricting moved his district north to Solano County in 2012.

County Supervisor Candace Andersen, a top Republican who lives in the 11th Congressional District, said through her staff, she’s been getting calls all day, today, that she’s happy serving the people of the 2nd Supervisorial district and there’s much to be done, so she will not be seeking the Congressional seat. The ranking Republican in the district, District Attorney Mark Peterson, who is up for reelection in June, was unavailable for comment for this story.

If DeSaulnier is elected to the congressional seat, that will trigger a special election next year, for the remainder of his State Senate term, causing a further game of political dominoes or musical chairs. The most likely candidates will be Assembly Members Joan Buchanan, Susan Bonilla or Jim Frazier.

Filing to run for Congress will be open February 10th through March 7th. but, candidates can pick up In Lieu of Signature petitions now, through February 20th. For more information visit www.cocovote.us or call (925) 646-4166.

For more information about Senator DeSaulnier, visit his state website at http://sd07.senate.ca.gov/.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Long-serving Congressman George Miller announces his retirement

Monday, January 13th, 2014
Congressman George Miller.

Congressman George Miller.

RICHMOND, CA, Jan. 13th, 2014 – Congressman George Miller, a senior Democrat from California who represents part of Antioch, and has chaired three committees during the past 40 years and is a principal author of major laws affecting America’s education system, labor and health policy, and the protection of natural resources, announced today that he will not seek a 21st term in the House this fall.

This is a great institution and I cannot thank my family and my constituents enough for having given me the honor and privilege of representing my district in Congress these past 40 years, said Miller (D-CA-Contra Costa County).  I have tried to repay them for their confidence by working hard every day to make our country a better place. I’m proud of what I have been able to accomplish on behalf of children, working people and the environment, in my district and for our country, especially passage of national health care reform.  Now, I look forward to one last year in Congress fighting the good fight and then working in new venues on the issues that have inspired me. What a wonderful experience this has been.

Miller’s expansive congressional career has been marked by a tenacious pursuit of a quality education for children from all backgrounds and economic opportunity for the working poor and middle class. He built a successful record in Congress by using sophisticated legislative strategies, pointed investigations of powerful special interests, and impassioned advocacy.  He has been steadfast whether Democrats or Republicans were in the majority.

Elected in 1974 at age 29 as the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal were coming to a close, he collaborated on writing major laws over the years with other congressional leaders as divergent as the late Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy and Republican Speaker John Boehner. A longtime supporter and advisor to Democratic Leader and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he currently serves as the top Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee and is the fifth most senior member of the House of Representatives.

Miller’s full statement and additional background is below:

Miller’s expansive congressional career has been marked by a tenacious pursuit of a quality education for children from all backgrounds and economic opportunity for the working poor and middle class. He built a successful record in Congress by using sophisticated legislative strategies, pointed investigations of powerful special interests, and impassioned advocacy.  He has been steadfast whether Democrats or Republicans were in the majority.

Elected in 1974 at age 29 as the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal were coming to a close, he collaborated on writing major laws over the years with other congressional leaders as divergent as the late Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy and Republican Speaker John Boehner.  A longtime supporter and advisor to Democratic Leader and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he currently serves as the top Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee and is the fifth most senior member of the House of Representatives.

Miller, 68, has shown equal enthusiasm and energy in all aspects of his job, from dissecting the complexities of health care policy or school nutrition programs at congressional hearings, to joining a picket line outside Walmart in his district, to reading to and playing paddy cake with children at local Head Start centers. He has traveled home to his district in the East Bay of San Francisco from Washington nearly every weekend of his long career.

An aggressive and unapologetic investigator in defense of taxpayers and the health and safety of children and workers, Miller has successfully taken on asbestos executives, for-profit colleges, subsidized agribusiness, mining corporations, oil companies, boot camps for troubled youth, and Administration officials of both parties. He is well known for sticking with issues over the long haul and engaging directly with the people most affected by the policies under consideration, such as mineworker families, fishermen, teachers and children, garment workers, seniors, and experts from across the country in the fields of education, labor and the environment.  The Nation magazine recently named Miller the 2013 “Most Valuable Member of the House” for his work on the minimum wage, food stamps, garment worker safety, and fair trade policy.

He served as chair of the Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families (1983-1992), the Committee on Natural Resources (1992-1994), the Committee on Education and Labor (2007-2010), and was the long-time co-chair of Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, a leadership position he resigned from in January of 2013.  He has used each of these positions to advance his policy priorities and highlight inequities in the federal budget.

Miller issued the following statement:

“This is a great institution and I cannot thank my family and my constituents enough for having given me the honor and privilege of representing them in Congress these past 40 years. I have tried to repay them for their confidence by working hard every day to make our country a better place.

“I’m proud of what I have been able to accomplish on behalf of children, working people and the environment, in my district and for our country, especially passage of national health care reform.

“I have not won every fight that I have waged.  And there remain, of course, many critical challenges waiting to be addressed.  But I have no regrets about what I have accomplished and what I have tried to accomplish in the public interest.

“Now, I look forward to one last year in Congress fighting the good fight and then working in new venues on the issues that have inspired me, and I will not seek re-election this fall.  What a wonderful experience this has been.

“I came to Congress to help children of all backgrounds in America get a healthy start in life, have opportunity to get a good education, and eventually have the chance to work hard at a job with dignity. The first law that I authored expanded the WIC program that provides nutritional foods to pregnant women and newborns, and the most recent bills I’ve introduced would expand early childhood education and raise the minimum wage to lift families out of poverty.

“As a youth, I watched my father use his elected position to really help people, and I told myself, ‘That’s what I want to do when I grow up.’  Since I came to Congress 40 years ago, I’ve woken up every day asking myself the same question – ‘what is my opportunity to do some good today?’ And I think that I have lived up to the high standard I set for myself when I first sought this job, with the same degree of commitment and passion now as when I first started.

“I believe that we are in the midst of one of the most exciting and critical times for educational achievement, teacher empowerment and school reform. This includes the smart application and use of technology that offers a remarkable opportunity to address and reduce persistent problems in American education, like improving educational equity, strengthening teacher performance, and revolutionizing the teaching and learning environment in schools.

“This type of education reform and innovative thinking can change the lives of millions of American children, strengthen our communities, and revitalize our economy. Unfortunately, that’s not on this Congress’ agenda. But these reforms must happen, and I want to be part of them.

“Wealthy and powerful special interests have always had plenty of friends in Washington.  I came to Congress to stand up for the rest of us. And I have learned a great deal in the process.  Two lessons stand out among many: First, that enacting progressive public policy is good for our economy and our country. It helps to grow and strengthen the middle class, and that makes America a better place for everyone.  And, second, that making good public policy is very hard work.  The job is never done.  It requires a great sense of urgency to move forward on the big issues and enormous stamina to see them all the way through. The wins don’t come quickly, even when the need is dire, and the losses are hard to accept. And third, that elections matter.  Election results establish the basic parameters for what kind of legislation is possible in Congress.  After each election, it is clear whether we will have a greater or a lessor chance of forging bi-partisan alliances to move major legislation to help the country.

“I will leave Congress with a full heart and a crowded plate, because the challenges of our times demand our constant involvement.  We’ve made progress on many fronts but have a lot of work still to do.  I’ll miss my daily collaboration with Leader Pelosi and so many colleagues whom I respect and admire, and I will always be grateful for the remarkable staff that I have been blessed with over the years.  So much of what I have been able to accomplish is the result of a joint venture with my staff in California and Washington and so many talented and committed advocates outside of Congress.

“I look forward to continuing to work on the issues that have been at the core of my career and my passions, in particular education reform, economic fairness, and improving labor standards in the United States and abroad, such as in the worldwide garment industry.

“For the remainder of this year, I plan to push Congress ‘to do some good,’ including to:

  • Extend long-term unemployment insurance benefits to the 1.3 million Americans who unfairly had their coverage cut off on December 28th.

  • Raise the minimum wage to at least $10.10 per hour by 2016, index it to inflation, and include a raise for tipped workers.

  • Further implement the Affordable Care Act to extend health insurance to all Americans.

  • Find common ground to fix the No Child Left Behind Act.

  • Make college more affordable through the Higher Education Act.

  • Push for passage of the bi-partisan Miller-Harkin-Hanna bill to implement President Obama’s initiative to expand early childhood education services nationally.

  • Enact comprehensive immigration reform.

  • Encourage American companies to embrace international labor standards in their substandard factories in Bangladesh and other countries.

“That’s a tall agenda, I know, but it’s an agenda the American people strongly support and one that will help strengthen our country, reduce inequality, and create opportunities for all of our children for years to come.”