Dominique King and Louie Rocha are both running for the first time for the Antioch City Council in District 2.
Over $34K raised since last November, Rocha started his campaign in July
Most of King’s funds are from unions, most of Rocha’s are from within Antioch
By Allen D. Payton
In the fundraising battle for the Antioch City Council District 2 race on the November ballot, with one month remaining as of Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Dominique King has raised $34,574 compared to $22,912.13 for Louie Rocha. King started her campaign in Sept. 2023 and received her first reportable contribution last November while Rocha didn’t form his campaign committee until July and received his first reportable contribution on August 21st.
King’s Campaign Cash
King’s campaign cash contributions were $11,755 for the period plus, an additional $4,700 reported after Sept. 21st using a required Form 497, for a total of $16,455 raised this year. The total includes $777 in loans from herself. On the Schedule B – Part 1, Loans Received page of her Form 460 King lists herself as “Columnist, Clayton Pioneer Newspaper,” not as the owner of Lean In With The Kings, the business for which her three ballot designations apply as her primary profession and source of income, including the controversial term “Educator”, as previously reported. Add in the $5,342 that she raised last year, and it brings King’s total received to $34,574, placing her in first in the fundraising battle of all five council candidates, including the three in District 3. (See related article)
The Antioch Parks and Recreation Commission Chair’s largest contributions were $5,860 from the International Brotherhood of Boilermaker Iron Ship Builders Blacksmith Forgers and Helpers Local 549 which exceeded the state maximum contribution limits for council candidates in cities with no local campaign finance limits, and the state Fair Political Practices Commissions’ (FPPC’s) Rules by $360. As such, she will have to return that amount to be in compliance.
Like Addison Peterson in the District 3 race, King received $2,500 from Sander Straus of Lafayette, listed as retired, but according to InfluenceWatch.org, he is a “mathematician and financial investment consultant who is a major donor to Democratic Party candidates and…a major contributor to progressive-left immigration, social policy, and environmental organizations;” $1,500 from Operating Engineers 3 District 20 of Concord, $1,200 from Northern California Carpenters Regional Council Power in Sacramento, $1,000 each from Contra Costa United Working Families of Oakland and U.A. (Plumbers-Steamfitters-Refrigeration Union) Local 342 in Concord, and $500 each from Plumbing Industry Consumer Protection Fund in Martinez and Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund in New York, NY, which is the political arm of Moms Demand Action, of which King is a local member.
Of the $14,560 reportable contributions received by King’s campaign, only $100 was from within Antioch, $2,900 was from outside, $11,060 was from unions and $500 from a Political Action Committee (PAC). She also received a total of $1,418 in contributions of less than $100 each.
King spent $12,268.20 during the period for a total of 19,951.90 this year. With the $210.14 spent last year that brings her total to $20,162.04 spent on King’s campaign through Sept. 21st.
Her campaign’s largest expenditures include $3,325.00 to Eldridge Political Partners in San Jose for professional services, covering her Treasurer Jordan Eldridge and Assistant Treasurer Vincent Hernandez, $2,500 to Iconic Strategies Inc. of Hayward for consulting, $1,688 to Budget Watchdogs and Voter Newsletter of Torrance and $918 to CA Slates in Long Beach all for slate mailers, $900 to Political Data Inc. of Norwalk, $772.86 to AABCO Printing of Concord and $750 to Borja Plus of San Leandro for walk piece design.
King, Eldridge and Hernandez were all asked about the International Brotherhood of Boilermaker’s contributions exceeding the limits, if she will have to return the $360 or if there is an exception for unions that are not apparent in the FPPC’s rules. They were also asked, if the rules do apply to unions, were they aware the second contribution received on August 22nd exceeded the limits, did the campaign “return…the portion in excess within 72 hours of receipt” as required and if they weren’t aware, did they return the $360 “within 14 days of receipt” to be in compliance.
The return of funds is not accounted for on King’s Form 460 for the period, so, they were asked if the amount does exceed the limits, will they now return the excess amount and submit a Form 460 Amendment.
Following no response from the candidate and her treasurers, the questions were then sent to King’s campaign consultant Crystal Araujo who responded, “Our treasurer has received your message and is looking into it. However, given the time of the season we need your patience.” Less than 30 minutes later Eldridge responded, “The contribution has already been refunded. It will show as such on next report.”
King had an Ending Cash Balance of $9,514.86 for the period. But with the additional $4,700 received after Sept. 21st and the return of the $360 that left her campaign with $13,854.86 remaining to spend. See King’s Form 460 0701-092124, Form 497 100124 and Form 497 100924
Rocha’s Receipts
King’s opponent, former Antioch High School principal, Louie Rocha received $17,912.13 during the period including $1,868.13 in nonmonetary contributions. He also received $5,000 after Sept. 21st for a total of $22,912.13 received during the campaign.
His largest contributions included the aforementioned $5,000 from Jessica Fernandez of Antioch, a Registered Nurse with Sutter Hospital, $3,000 from his mother Antioch School Board Trustee Mary Rocha’s campaign committee, $2,500 from Republic Services – Awin Management, Inc. of Phoenix, AZ, Antioch’s garbage company; $2,000 from former Antioch High track and field coach Michael Hurd of Antioch, listed as retired, in-kind contributions of $1,200 from My Legacy Matters, Inc. of Vallejo for postcards and $532.95 from Netbrands Media Corporation Houston, TX for yard signs; $500 from former Antioch High Athletic Director Steve Sanchez of Oakley, listed as retired and Earlene Lanter of Antioch, listed as self-employed with Jim Lanter, State Farm Insurance in Antioch. Rocha received $250 from City Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock’s 2022 re-election campaign committee and $150 from the councilwoman, as well as $250 from Don Freitas, both listed as retired.
Of the $17,647 raised in reportable contributions of $100 or more, he received $12,048 from within Antioch and $5,599 from outside the city. He received $897 total in contributions of less than $100 each.
The first-time candidate’s campaign spent $16,813.86 during the filing period and his largest expenditures were for $4,800 to Mesa Outdoor Billboard for Hwy 4 sign advertising, $3,712.52 to JB Services in Martinez for literature, $2,439.13 to My Legacy Matters, Inc. of Vallejo for signs and literature and $1,300 to Election Digest and Senior Advocate in Torrance, CA for slate mailers,
Rocha’s campaign had an Ending Cash Balance of $1,098.27 for the period plus, the $5,000 received on Oct. 15th leaving him with $6,097.27 remaining to spend. See Rocha’s Form 460 0701-092124 and Form 497 101524
Next Reports Due Oct. 24th
According to the California Secretary of State, the next reporting period ends on Oct. 19th and the candidates’ campaign committees must submit another Form 460 by Oct. 24th. All the campaign finance reports for mayor and city council candidates can be found on the City of Antioch Public Portal for Campaign Finance Disclosure.
The two AK-47’s including one fully loaded (top) and the Glock found in the suspects’ vehicle early Wednesday morning, Oct. 16, 2024. Photos: APD
Found with two AK-47s, one fully loaded, and Glock with extended magazine
By Antioch Police Department
On October 15th, at approximately 11:00 PM, the Pittsburg Police Departmentissued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for suspects involved in an armed robbery, reported to be carrying a handgun and an AK-47 rifle.
Around 1:30 AM on October 16th, Antioch PD responded to a disturbance in the parking lot of 320 W 20th Street. Officers encountered a white Chrysler 300 and observed a suspected controlled substance in the vehicle. During the investigation, two individuals were detained, and officers discovered a fully loaded AK-47 rifle and a Glock handgun with an extended magazine. Another AK-47 rifle was found in a backpack.
Pittsburg PD arrived and confirmed the suspects as those involved in the robbery and recovered the stolen necklace from the robbery. Pittsburg PD took custody of the suspects, their vehicle, and the firearms.
Thanks to outstanding police work, three dangerous weapons were taken off the streets!
Kick off your family Halloween festivities at the 5th Annual Fall-O-Ween celebration at the Antioch Water Park! The event will last from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
This year, you can expect all of the Fall-O-Ween fun to be in collaboration with Youth Service Network’s Truck-O-Treat! Enjoy trunk or treating outside of the park, before entering the park to play games, join costume and pumpkin carving contests, get your face painted and so much more! There’s no better way to start spook season than this!
You will find a DJ, games, inflatable activities, pumpkin carving, costume contests, pumpkin patch, swimming in our Lap Pool, face painting, and so much more!
Our concessions will be offering seasonal specials you won’t want to miss!
By Lt D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On October 16th, at 4:10 pm, Antioch police officers responded to 2600 Fairmont Lane for a welfare check. Shortly after arrival, they discovered the bodies of a 39-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman in advanced stages of decomposition. Officers contacted the suspect, 46-year-old Mark Taylor, as he was attempting to leave the home. Taylor was later discovered to be the son of the dead woman and the half-brother of the male victim.
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit, took over the investigation. Investigators determined that Taylor murdered his mother and half-brother. Taylor was placed under arrest for two counts of murder and was booked at Contra Costa County Detention Facility in Martinez.
This crime is still under investigation and no further information will be released at this time. Additional inquiries, tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Adam Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by email aduffy@antiochca.gov.
UPDATE 1: According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe is white, his birthdate is March 10, 1978, and his middle name is Monroe. But no other additional information has yet been provided
Please check back later for any additional updates.
As mail-in ballots have now arrived at voters’ homes, I felt it was important to voice why I strongly support Fernando Sandoval for re-election as Board Trustee for the Contra Costa Community College District, Ward 5.
His area of the district includes the communities of Pittsburg, Antioch, Bay Point, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Byron, Clyde and Clayton and Brentwood where I lived for 43 years. I am also a professor of World Languages at Los Medanos College where I have been teaching for nearly 40 years which is the primary campus in Trustee Sandoval’s district along with the Brentwood campus. I personally know the challenges students face in striving to reach their educational goals, as well as the opportunities an education provides in advancing their futures.
I first met Fernando Sandoval in 2016 in the East County community. I was impressed with his commitment to cultural awareness, student success, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. I also appreciated his understanding of how the college campus, students’ families and the community at large need to work together to ensure that students achieve their goals.
In past years, the district has dealt with budgetary challenges, faculty contract disputes, district leadership turnover and the decrease in student enrollment numbers, to name a few. When Trustee Sandoval was elected in 2020, he brought a high level of visionary leadership, positive collaboration, commitment, integrity and a strong work ethic needed to help guide the District in a proactive pathway.
Fernando also brought over 25 years of professional expertise in the banking, finance and technology industries to cooperatively address the budget deficit issues facing the District, including with members of the Board of Trustees. Through most of his four-year tenure, his financial knowledge and leadership have been extremely valuable in helping to guide budgetary and policy decisions, particularly during the unprecedented impact of Covid-19.
Trustee Sandoval has been open to listening to faculty leadership and classified staff in understanding our key priorities so a supportive learning environment can be created for students. But just as importantly, he has been accessible to students to listen to their concerns and suggestions for improving issues and engaging students in the Board’s policy-making process. I have met many civic leaders and community residents who have said how refreshing it is to have a college board leader who is so visible and engaged in meeting and listening to their thoughts at neighborhood meetings and community events.
His commitment to ensuring the college district and the community is reflective in his solution- based decision-making and is why he was honored for his public service with the 2020 Cesar Chavez Award for Exemplary Community Service presented by Los Medanos College.
Trustee Fernando Sandoval “walks his talk!” He is totally committed to a “student for success” approach! These past four years he has shown to be a leader we can respect and count on! He brings strong leadership with an innovative vision for solutions for the students and residents of Contra Costa County.
I encourage my fellow voters to re-elect Fernando Sandoval as Board Trustee of the Contra Costa Community College District on November 5th!
According to Con Fire, “A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) may be possible in parts of Contra Costa County from 10/17 to 10/19 to help prevent wildfires. For details and resources on how to prepare visit PG&E Outage Center – PSPS 7-Day Forecast (pge.com)
PG&E provided the following details:
10/17: PSPS Watch – Shutoffs likely
Affected Areas:
Some parts of the following counties may be affected
Specific addresses, maps, and shutoff details are typically available 2 days before shutoff.
Counties under Watch: Due to high winds and dry conditions, a shutoff is likely
This forecast is based on weather conditions and fuel moisture content only. It does not include other criteria used to determine whether a PSPS may be necessary. This forecast only provides a broad overview for a potential PSPS event in the next 7 days. It is determined from an analysis of forecast weather, the potential for wind-related damage, and fuel moisture content in dead and live vegetation. It is not a fire danger forecast. The forecast is broken down by county. PSPS decisions are made at more granular levels. Only a portion of a county may experience a PSPS event. While a PSPS event may not be expected for an area, due to the interconnectivity of the grid any location within PG&E territory may be subject to PSPS event.
PG&E 7 Day Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) Potential: Wednesday October 16, 2024 Evening Update: The forecast remains on track for a weather system to enter the Great Basin resulting in breezy to locally gusty offshore winds tomorrow through Saturday afternoon. The PSPS 7-day forecast continues to highlight Watch status for counties that are expected to experience potential PSPS weather conditions tomorrow through Saturday. Note that entire counties will not be deenergized and this forecast is only intended to show counties that have a non-zero customer impact from a potential PSPS event. The exact areas in scope for PSPS will be available at the public outage map here, https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outage-tools/outage-map/, by selecting future PSPS outages.
Previous Discussion: A weather system is beginning to push into Northern California this morning and is bringing showers to portions of the North Coast, with those showers expected to continue to develop across portions of northern California through this afternoon, mainly across the Southern Cascades and northern Sierra Nevada. Behind today’s system, dry northerly winds will develop along the western side of the Sacramento Valley tomorrow before more widespread offshore flow develops tomorrow night through midday Saturday. The strongest winds are expected in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the western Sacramento Valley, elevated Bay Area terrain and elevated terrain in portions of the Central Coast.
Winds will decrease in strength but remain offshore through Sunday, before more settled weather returns early next week. Multiple Red Flag Warnings go into effect tomorrow night across the territory as well as High Risk indications from other federal agencies. The PSPS 7 day forecast is in Watch status for counties that are expected to experience potential PSPS weather conditions Thursday through Saturday. Note that entire counties will not be deenergized and this forecast is only intended to show counties that have a non-zero customer impact from a potential PSPS event. The exact areas in scope for PSPS will be available at the public outage map here, https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outage-tools/outage-map/, by selecting future PSPS outages.
Fuels: An abundant and fully cured grass crop is present at all elevations. Dead fuel moisture values are expected to remain very low due to recent hot temperatures. Live fuel moisture values have largely fallen to below normal levels over the course of this hot summer and are below critical values and near seasonal minimums.
The latest 4 Month Seasonal Outlook from Northern Operations Predictive Services is forecasting normal to above normal fire activity in October and normal fire activity November through January. Southern Operations Predictive Services is forecasting normal to above normal significant fire potential across the territory October through December and normal fire activity for January. There are 646 of 788 circuits in High Fire Risk Areas (HFRA) that are EPSS-enabled today, with 48 of these circuits having at least one EPSS Buffer device enabled. The remaining 142 circuits in HFRA will have devices postured in normal settings due to seasonable temperatures.
Additionally, zero EPSS Buffer-only circuits are enabled today. Please note: This forecast is published daily by an operational meteorologist from PG&E’s Meteorology and Analytics team. This forecast has been customized for PG&E utility operations and should not be used for any other purpose or by any other entity.
This forecast only provides a broad overview for a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event in the next 7 days as determined from an analysis of forecasted weather, the potential for wind-related damage, and fuel moisture content in dead and live vegetation. It is not a fire danger forecast. The forecast is broken down by county; however, PSPS decisions are made at more granular levels; thus, only a portion of a county may experience a PSPS event.
While a PSPS event may not be expected for an area, due to the interconnectivity of the grid any location within PG&E territory may be subject to PSPS event. Daily PG&E operational decisions should be based on the PG&E Utility Fire Potential Index (FPI), which presents detailed FPI rating forecasts from R1 to R5-Plus for each FPI Rating Area in the PG&E territory today (Day 0) through Day 2. To subscribe to the PG&E Utility FPI, click here
PLEASE NOTE: This forecast is published daily by an operational meteorologist from PG&E’s Meteorology and Analytics team. This forecast has been customized for PG&E utility operations. It should not be used for any other purpose or by any other entity.
Join us for our Howl-O-Ween Pawty at Antioch Animal Services, Thursday, Oct 31st 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Extended adoption hours! Fancy dress Pawrade at 4:00 p.m. – bring your leashed dogs!
The event will include music and treats (for furry and human kids), vendors, fun and games – animal related, a chance to talk to our staff, volunteers and rescue partners and shelter tours… is that a ghost or a husky?
Antioch Animal Services is located at 300 L Street next to the Police Facility. For more information visit Animal Services.
Antioch City Council District 3 candidate Don Freitas, center is leading opponents Antwon Webster (right) and Addison Peterson (left) in campaign fundraising to date.
Over $30K raised so far
By Allen D. Payton
With one month remaining in the battle for the bucks for the Antioch City Council District 3 race on the November ballot, as of Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Don Freitas has raised significantly more than his two opponents combined. The former mayor and councilman has raised $30,184.68 compared to $11,190.09 raised by second-time council candidate Antwon Webster and $10,209.83 by newcomer Addison Peterson.
Freitas’ Finances
During the reporting period, Freitas’ fundraising resulted in $22,172 plus, an additional $2,000 received since Sept. 21st using a required Form 497, for a total of $30,184.68 received during the campaign, including $1,012.68 in Nonmonetary Contributions.
Freitas’ largest contributions were $5,000 from SR Ventures LLC in Brentwood, owned by businessman and Antioch commercial property owner Sean McCauley, $2,500 each from Republic Services, Antioch’s garbage company, and GBN Partners, LLC of Danville, developers of the approved Promenade new home projects in the Sand Creek Area, $2,000 each from I.B.E.W. 302 Community Candidates PAC in Martinez and Michael Hurd of Antioch, listed as Principal, Commercial Real Estate Consulting, $1,100 from Linda Terranova of Antioch, listed as retired, $1,000 each from Melody Weintraub of Lafayette, listed as retired and Guy Bjerke of Concord, the City of Concord Director of Economic Development, a peculiar $900 contribution amount from County Assessor Gus Kramer of Martinez (who was obviously too cheap to make it a grand), $500 each from County Fair Board Member Richard Hobin of Antioch, attorney with Hobin & Hobin LLP also in Antioch, Arnold Linscheid of Danville, the CEO of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, Earlene Lanter of Antioch, listed as retired and Martin Fernandez of Antioch, also retired. Freitas also received $250 from City Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock’s 2022 re-election campaign committee and $150 from the councilwoman.
Freitas spent $10,899.10 for the period for a total of $13,016.30 spent through Sept. 21st. His campaign’s largest expenditure was for $5,057.30 to The Tucker Group of Antioch for consulting, $1,500 to Carla Marymee of Antioch for website design, $900 to Political Data Intelligence of Long Beach for campaign software, $859 to Election Digest of Torrance for a Voter Guide slate mailer to Democrats and $549 to the City of Antioch for filing fees.
The former mayor and councilman had an Ending Cash Balance of $15,168.38, plus, the $2,000 received after the filing period for a total of $17,168.38 remaining to be spent on his campaign.
Webster’s Wealth Works
In a distant second place in fundraising, Webster’s report shows he raised $7,779.09 during the period for a total of $12,690.09 for the campaign. Those amounts include loans from himself of $5,441.26 for the period and $8,792.26 total for the campaign.
His largest contributions were $2,500 from Quincy and Mitchell Hardin of Antioch, owners of Hi-Lite Janitorial, and the most unique contribution of the campaign, $465.83 from Nigerian American Public Affairs in Los Angeles.
Webster spent $5,352.27 during the period for a total of $8,752.07 for the campaign. His largest expenditures include $1,750 to The Wright Social Spot of Antioch for a comedy fundraising event, $1,250 to Precision Politics of Marina Del Rey, CA for literature, $758.65 to Vista Print of Waltham, MA for literature and $500.98 to Young’s Consulting LLC of Antioch for campaign consulting.
Webster had an Ending Cash Balance of $3,441.02 left to spend on his campaign.
Peterson’s Proceeds & Payments
Peterson’s finance reports show he’s received $5,765.32 during the period including another $1,500 in a nonmonetary contribution from his wife for campaign website design, for a total of $6,209.83 for the campaign. But his Form 460 shows he forgave $454.58 in loans from himself, reducing the total received for the period to a net $5,310.74. Also, the Calendar Year to Date column is missing the previous $1,500 nonmonetary contribution from his wife for campaign website design received in the previous reporting period ending on June 30th. So, the total amount received for the campaign should be $7,709.83, plus $2,500 after Sept. 21st for a total of $10,209.83 received for the campaign.
He was his campaign’s largest contributor with a total of $2,974.58 in contributions and loans for the period including the forgiven loan amount. Peterson received the $2,500 from Sander Straus of Lafayette, listed as retired, but according to InfluenceWatch.org, he is a “mathematician and financial investment consultant who is a major donor to Democratic Party candidates and…a major contributor to progressive-left immigration, social policy, and environmental organizations.”
Peterson spent $4,879.27 during the period of which $3,379.27 was in the form of cash payments for a total of $5,351.48 or $6,851.48 when including the additional $1,500 for website design. His largest expenditures were $813.27 to Signs on the Cheap in Austin, TX, $549 to the City of Antioch for filing fees and $541 to the Antioch Recreation Department for room rental for an event.
While most of the missing information in Peterson’s first Form 460 campaign finance report for the first six months of the year appeared on his latest report, his totals are off by $60. On Aug. 30th Peterson responded to questions about the report for the period of Jan. 1 through June 30, 2024, with, “I am reaching out to the Antioch City Clerk’s office to fix the issues with my 460 shortly.” However, as of Oct. 15th, he had not yet submitted an Amended 460 Report.
Peterson had an Ending Cash Balance of $858.35 for the period. Adding the $2,500 received after Sept. 21st, it left his campaign with $3,358.35 remaining to be spent.
Next Reports Due Oct. 24th
According to the California Secretary of State, the next reporting period ends on Oct. 19th and the candidates’ campaign committees must submit another Form 460 by Oct. 24th. All the campaign finance reports for mayor and city council candidates can be found on the City of Antioch Public Portal for Campaign Finance Disclosure.
