In order to give the gift of a permanent home to the shelter animals, Antioch Friends of Animal Services will be sponsoring the adoption fees of all cats and dogs in its “Home for the Holidays” promotion to alleviate overcrowding at Antioch Animal Services.

Starting Saturday, December 1st, people can adopt a pet at no charge, which represents a savings of $76 for cats and $96 for dogs — fees the shelter normally charges to cover the cost of spaying, neutering and vaccinating animals before they go home with their new owner.

The promotion runs through Dec 31st.

Adoptive families who are residents of Antioch must purchase a dog license, which costs $20 annually at the time of adoption. Antioch Animal Services gives a discount to seniors purchasing a license for their pets.

The shelter is located at 300 L St (adjacent to Antioch Police Department). Hours of Operation are T, W, TH & SAT 10am to 5pm and FRI 10am to 2pm. Available animals can be viewed online at: antioch.petfinder.com.

Dear Editor:

After attending a few board meetings, it has become more apparent that the parents who want charter schools simply want options for their students to learn. Unfortunately, some people may not realize that when you change something it takes time because there is no instant switch that automatically changes something.

The people in favor of charter schools don’t take the time to realize what the public schools have to offer. Plus, the reason so many charter schools probably fail is because they don’t take time to put together these programs like the public schools do.

While attending these meetings, I have noticed that these people who are in favor of the charter schools attend the meetings to get their public comment out there. While this is all fine and dandy, it did not seem to me that many of them stayed long enough to hear the options that AUSD is trying to put in place. Also, these options take time because, remember there is no instant switch to make these options happen. Just like with the academies at the high school level, they did not just roll out overnight. These academies took time to roll out at the high school level, like years to become the greatness that they are. Now, because of the successful implementation of these options, oh, I meant academies, there is starting to be more options at the middle school level for students to take classes that give them options to learn.

I know a lot of parents want their students to learn how to code or learn other skills, but those programs take time to develop and these programs also take time to implement. Also, what parents may not realize is that there is this thing called expanded learning and during LCAP meetings (which all parents who want to know what’s going on should be involved in) there was a large discussion on what should we offer our AUSD students for expanded learning. Coding, engineering related skills, and other computer skills were mentioned; but what was not mentioned was anything about charter schools. Parents that want to give their students a different learning opportunity should get involved in PTSA or LCAP, which help and support all students and takes in ideas on how to improve learning and the betterment of all students.

Also, after being lied to once and then your director not knowing what he was talking about I would be skeptical about wanting to send my child to this school.

Deanna Rundall

Antioch

Photos of Lawrence Phipps’ arrest and clothes by provided APD. Photo on right from Phipps’ Facebook page dated Aug. 4, 2012.

Photo of the suspect spray painting a vehicle in downtown Antioch. From APD Facebook page.

From APD Facebook page

We are pleased to report that the person responsible for the extensive vandalism to our downtown community has been arrested. This morning, officers responded to tips from several community members identifying Lawrence Phipps, 24 years out of Antioch.

A search of his residence revealed evidence connecting him to this crime. This is an excellent example of what can happen when the police and the community come together to work as a team. As a community, we refuse to stand for this type of criminal behavior.

In a press release on Tuesday, by Corporal Steve Aiello of the APD Field Services Bureau, he wrote,

“On Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 at approximately 9:21 a.m. officers followed up on tips from the community regarding the suspect in the vandalism to the downtown area. The tips led to the arrest of 24 year-old Lawrence Phipps of Antioch. A search of his residence revealed evidence connecting Phipps to the crime. Phipps was later transported to the county jail in Martinez on felony charges.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.”

On Phipps’ Facebook page, which hasn’t been posted on since Aug. 5, 2012, he refers to himself as L-gunna and states that he is from Pittsburg, lives in Antioch and is divorced.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Photo of possible downtown vandal. Provided by APD.

By Acting Lieutenant Powell Meads #3917, Antioch Police Field Services

On Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 at approximately 9:00 AM, the Antioch Police Department received an online complaint regarding vandalism in the downtown area and specifically at City Hall. Officers responded and located three city vehicles, a door at City Hall, and one local business that had been vandalized with spray paint. The vandalism had occurred sometime during the night and was discovered in the morning.

The following morning (Monday, 11/26), the Antioch Police Department received additional reports of vandalism in the downtown area. Officers responded and discovered black spray paint on numerous business fronts, mostly on W. 2nd Street and “G” Street in downtown Antioch. The vandalism consisted of spray-painted swastikas, vulgar words and phrases, as well as racial slurs. It does not appear at this time that any specific businesses were targeted by the responsible(s).

Officers began canvassing the area for evidence and located surveillance footage that captured the responsible.

Photo of the possible vandal. Provided by APD.

Two still photographs derived from the surveillance are attached below. The first photo is from 11/25/18 where the suspect was captured on surveillance vandalizing the city owned vehicles. The second photo is believed to be the same person and was captured on 11/26/18, although no actual criminal acts were recorded. This case is still actively under investigation with additional surveillance to be collected and reviewed.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Any further information will be provided by the Investigations Bureau.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

The Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees is accepting applications for appointment to the District’s Personnel Commission, Unexpired term 2/13/19-12/1/20.

Must be a registered voter, live in AUSD boundary, adherent to Merit System principles, qualified to hold CA public office, not employee of AUSD or any governing board.

Application & Packet: Click Here

Or stop by Personnel Commission

510 G Street, Antioch, CA 94509, (925) 779-7500 x55500

www.antiochschools.net

Due: 12/5/2018

A church building on W. 3rd Street was tagged with swastikas and profanity late Sunday night or early Monday morning, Nov. 25 or 26, 2018. Photo by Allen Payton

Photo of possible downtown vandal. From APD Facebook page.

Police have security camera footage of suspect

By Allen Payton

Over 20 buildings, including churches, city hall, businesses and a mural, were hit with black spray paint by vandals over the weekend. Some of the taggings included swastikas and profanity. According to Denise Skaggs from the City of Antioch’s Code Enforcement a total of 22 locations were tagged.

Pastor Eugene Jackson of Church of God Holy, which recently relocated to W. Third Street from their previous location on A Street, said “I was informed by text by one of our members that there were swastikas on the building.”

“When I saw them My heart sunk and I’m deeply saddened, because of the history of racism…against black churches in America,” he continued. “We contacted police and the news media. We want this racist hatred to be exposed… because it does exist in Antioch.

“We just held our second service, yesterday after we purchased the building and closed escrow last week,” Jackson stated. “This is someone who has a disdain for people of color. We are praying for this sick individual.”

Pastor Eugene Jackson speaks in front of his vandalized church on W. 3rd Street, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Photo by Allen Payton

When asked when it occurred, he responded, “I was informed at about 8 a.m. It probably happened early this morning between 1 and 3 A.M.”

“The police did mention that there were other buildings that have been vandalized. One had an ATM which has a camera on it. So, they’re hoping that will help them identify the individual,” Jackson added.

Another building on W. Second Street, which is the location of another church, that was vandalized with spray paint. But it appears that an attempt was made to clean it up.

An historic mural on W. 4th Street, commissioned by the Antioch City Council in the late 1990’s, was vandalized, as well. Photo by Allen Payton

In a post on their Facebook page, Monday morning, the Antioch Police wrote, “Over this past weekend, our downtown area was heavily damaged by vandals. Numerous businesses and vehicles were defaced with offensive words and symbols. This criminal behavior is not reflective of our community or our beliefs. As a police department, we are aggressively investigating these crimes. As members of this community, we are saddened and disappointed. Clean-up has already begun and we are now reaching out to our community to help us in identifying the responsible(s). If you have any information that will assist us in our investigation, please contact our Dispatch Center at (925) 778-2441.”

Then at 12:43 p.m. the Antioch Police wrote on their Facebook page, “We have an update on our earlier post regarding vandalisms in the downtown area of our City. Though the case is still being actively investigated, we have located surveillance footage of the suspect. If you recognize him, please contact Antioch Police Dispatch (925) 778-2441.” They also posted several photos of the suspect.

UPDATE 5:00 P.M., 11/26/18 – Good news thanks to the City crews! Most of the damage was cleaned up. According to former Antioch Councilwoman Elizabeth Rimbault, who was on the council when the murals were commissioned in the mid-1990’s, called city staff to inform them, the murals in downtown have been treated with anti-graffiti material.

In addition, Rimbault said she was looking to start a fundraiser for a summertime repair to the paint that came off and some of the peeling.