Holiday Food & Toy Giveaway in Antioch Nov. 22
Posted in: Children & Families, Community, Faith, Food, Holiday | Comments (0)
Reach Church is located at 11 Texas Street in Antioch.
Publisher @ November 7, 2026
40-year-old Antioch man convicted in DUI hit-and-run death of bicyclist
Posted in: District Attorney, News | Comments (0)
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
Martinez, California — On November 4, 2026, a Contra Costa County jury found 40-year-old Alexander Pedro Mayorga of Antioch guilty on all counts in a drunk-driving crash that killed bicyclist Linda Alize Wooldridge.
On the night of July 27, 2024, Ms. Wooldridge, 29, was riding her bicycle in a marked shared bike lane along Lone Tree Way in Antioch when she was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Mayorga, approximately 650 feet from the intersection of Lone Tree Way and Sagebrush Drive. Following the collision, Mayorga continued driving and subsequently crashed into two signal poles at the intersection, disabling his vehicle. Ms. Wooldridge died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision. (See related articles here, here and here)
Mayorga was convicted by a jury of:
• Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated [PC 191.5(a)]
• Driving under the influence causing injury [VC 23153(a)]
• Driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more causing injury [VC 23153(b)]
• Hit-and-run driving resulting in death [VC 20001(b)(2)]
The jury also found all special allegations true:
• Fleeing the scene of the crime [VC 20001(c)]
• Personal infliction of Great Bodily Injury [PC 969f]
• Personal infliction of Great Bodily Injury [PC 12022.7a]
• Blood Alcohol Content of .20 percent or more [VC 23556]
After the verdict, the trial on the alleged aggravating factors was heard by Judge Hanni Fakhoury without a jury. On November 5th, Judge Fakhoury found beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Wooldridge was a particularly vulnerable victim under California Rules of Court, rule 4.421(a)(3).
District Attorney Diana Becton said: “Drunk driving is a choice, and this verdict shows that choice has consequences. The victim’s family has suffered a loss that no verdict can undo, but they have seen the defendant held accountable. Our thoughts remain with her loved ones.”
Sentencing is scheduled for December 12th at 8:30 am at the A.F. Bray Courts Building in Martinez. Mayorga remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney MacKenzie Savage and marks the first trial and conviction for the District Attorney’s Impaired Motorist Prosecution and Crimes (IMPACT) Team, a specialized unit dedicated exclusively to prosecuting serious DUI fatality and injury cases. The team is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), provided through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. IMPACT prosecutors also partner with the statewide Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) Training Program to train prosecutors and investigators, and work with law enforcement agencies on best practices for handling DUI cases.
Case No. 04-24-01793 | The People of the State of California v. Alexander Pedro Mayorga
See filing document.
Publisher @ November 7, 2026
Multiple arrests for felony aggravated assault, domestic violence in Antioch
Posted in: News, Police & Crime | Comments (0)
One also for kidnapping
By Allen D. Payton
According to the Antioch Police Department’s CitizenRIMS Arrests list, five men were arrested this past week for either felony aggravated assault or felony domestic violence.
On Halloween night, Oct. 31, 2026, at 6:42 p.m. 39-year-old Christopher Alexander Mayorga was arrested in the 1100 block Of James Donlon Blvd. He is described as Hispanic six-foot, one-inch tall and 200 pounds, and was charged with false imprisonment and inflicting corporal injury on spouse/cohabitant/dating relationship – aggravated (F). Case Number: 26-10546.
According to localcrimenews.com Mayorga has a history of arrests dating back to 2013 including on Sept. 3rd for battery on a spouse, cohabitant, or former spouse – warrants or holds only, robbery, burglary and removing, destroying or damaging a wireless communication device to prevent summoning assistance or law enforcement.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, as of Nov. 4th at 7:41 p.m., he is out of custody with no charges filed.
On Thursday, Nov. 5 at 3:00 p.m. 45-year-old Kenneth Darron Hopes was arrested in the 3100 block of Lone Tree Way. He is described as Black or African American, six-foot tall, 250 pounds and was charged with assault with a deadly weapon not a firearm – aggravated (F) and second-degree burglary/breaking and entering (F). Case Number: 26-10356.
According to localcrimenews.com, Hopes has a history of arrests dating back to 2014, including three more times for domestic violence, plus, DUI. According to the Sheriff’s Office, on Friday, Nov. 6 at 9:21 a.m. he bonded out of custody.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, at 11:28 p.m., 65-year-old Mark Alexander Lynch was arrested in the 3100 block of Contra Loma Blvd. He is described as White, five-foot, eight-inches tall and 220 pounds, and was charged with assault with a deadly weapon not a firearm – aggravated (F). Case Number: 26-10753.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Lynch was born Jan. 21, 1961, is described as Hispanic and 180 pounds, is also described as White, and is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $30,000 bail.
On Friday, Nov. 6 at 11:00 p.m., 22-year-old Jesus Lopez Cabrera was arrested in the 2700 block of W. Tregallas Road. He’s described as Hispanic, five-foot, three-inches tall and 140 pounds and was charged with assault with a firearm on a person – aggravated (F) and threatening a crime with intent to terrorize (F). Case Number: 26-10774.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Lopez Cabrera was born July 4, 2004, and is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $55,000 bail.
Finally, this morning, Saturday, Nov. 7 at 10:00 a.m., 47-year-old Roy Jackson, III was arrested in the 2200 block of Sycamore Drive. He is described as Black or African American, six-foot, one-inch tall, 205 pounds and was charged with kidnapping (F), assault with a deadly weapon with force: possible great bodily injury (F) and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant/dating relationship – aggravated (F). Case Number: 26-10792.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Jackson was born April 13, 1979, and is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $100,000 bail.
Publisher @ November 7, 2026
44-year-old man shot in Antioch won’t cooperate with police
Posted in: News, Police & Crime | Comments (0)
By Lt. Franco Cesar, Antioch Police Department Field Services Division
On Friday, November 6, 2026, at about 2:13 p.m., Antioch Police Officers responded to the 2100 block of Manzanita Way following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a 44-year-old man inside a vehicle suffering from a single gunshot wound to his left foot. The victim was uncooperative with officers and declined to provide information about the shooting or the person responsible. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, and the man was transported to a local trauma center, where he is listed in stable condition.
The APD CitizenRIMS Crime Map shows the incident at that location is listed as both Assault with Firearm on a Person – Aggravated (F) and ADW which means Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Report Taken – Felony.
The incident occurred at 1:53 p.m., the call occurred at 2:13 p.m. and it was closed at 5:59 p.m., Case Number: 26-10760, Incident Number: 2611060118.
The Antioch Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6800. You may also submit anonymous tips directly to the department.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Publisher @ November 7, 2026
Over 184,000 estimated ballots left to count in Contra Costa
Posted in: City Council, Contra Costa County, News, Politics & Elections, School Board | Comments (0)
Could affect outcomes in close races
By Allen D. Payton
As of Thursday afternoon, Nov. 5, 2026, the Contra Costa Elections office announced there are 184,200 unprocessed ballots remaining to be counted in the county from Tuesday’s election.
Also, they announced the next results update is expected to be provided Friday afternoon, Nov. 6 at 4:00 p.m.
The remaining ballots could affect the outcome of several close races in the county including the Antioch City Council District 1 and Antioch School Board Area 5 Trustee races.
Currently challenger and former Councilwoman Joy Motts leads incumbent Tamisha Torres-Walker in the council race and incumbent Mary Rocha leads challenger Brandon Dawkins in the school board race. (See related article)
Following is the breakdown of the Estimated number of unprocessed ballots:
Ballots voted at a voting location – 200
Vote-by-mail ballots received on or before Election Day – 165,000
Vote-by-mail ballots received after Election Day – 12,000
Provisional ballots – 500
Conditional Voter Registration Provisional ballots – 4,000
Other (In Review, Damaged) – 2,000
Total – 184,200
Next Results Expected (date and time): Friday, 11/6/2026 – 4:00 PM.
As of Wednesday morning’s update at 12:12 AM, a total of 280,686 ballots had been counted, out of 733,037 registered voters in the county. The remaining ballots make up almost 40 percent of the total 464,886 estimated ballots cast. They don’t include ballots that can still arrive by next Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. that were mailed and postmarked this past Tuesday.
Publisher @ November 5, 2026
CA Rental Housing Association opposes Bay Area Air District’s gas appliance ban amid affordability concerns
Posted in: Bay Area, Delta & Environment, Finance, Government, Health, Housing, News | Comments (0)
Said at yesterday’s meeting amendments don’t go far enough to address costs of mandated appliance renovations
By Keegan Coleman, Director, Actum
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Rental Housing Association (CalRHA) issued a statement after the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Board of Directors yesterday voted to adopt amendments to Rule 9-6, the district’s ban on the sale and installation of new natural gas water heaters.
According to a post on the Air District’s X account Wednesday afternoon, “The Air District Board approved updates to the zero-NOx water heater rule that delay implementation to January 2028 and allow exemptions for low-income homeowners, properties with electrical limitations and space-constrained homes.” (See meeting agenda and presentation, watch video and see related article)
CalRHA was joined by hundreds of Bay Area residents including housing and property organizations, such as Better Housing Policies, Business and Housing Network, Santa Clara Association of Realtors, San Mateo County Association of Realtors, East Bay Rental Housing Association, Berkeley Property Owners Association, South County Business Alliance, Silicon Valley Business Alliance, and Small Property Owners of San Francisco Institute, in opposing the gas appliance ban and testifying at the Air District’s September, October and November board meetings. CalRHA will continue to advocate for policies that protect residents, small rental property owners and the renters who depend on them.
“Today’s vote to delay implementation by one year happened despite concerns from Board members over costs, impact to seniors and families on fixed incomes, and electric grid blackouts,” said Adam Pearce, President, CalRHA. “We are grateful to every member, affiliate and coalition partner who spoke out at the September, October, and November Board meetings, and took time away from their families and businesses to make their voices heard. But a delay and set of unworkable exemptions don’t fix the core problem. A hard sales ban tied to replacement cycles still puts the financial and logistical burden on housing providers.
Under the amended rule, a gas water heater that fails after the compliance date must be replaced with an electric model, which in many Bay Area buildings constructed before 1980 means new circuits, upgraded electrical panels and often new service lines from the street. Upgrading panels and service lines alone can cost from $11,500 to more than $120,000 per building, according to a 2023 California Public Utilities Commission report.
“We have asked the Air District for a new cost analysis that reflects what conversion really costs in older buildings,” added Pearce. “We have also asked for alternative financial incentives, so mom-and-pop housing providers already dealing with rent control, rising insurance premiums and thinning margins aren’t left to absorb those costs on their own. We share the goal of clean air, and we will keep working with the Air District to reach it without making housing more expensive or pushing small housing providers out of the industry.”
For a small property owner with a duplex or fourplex, compliance could cost six figures across the property and wipe out years of net operating income, and where rent control applies, capital improvement pass-throughs are slow, contested and often capped far below actual costs.
About the California Rental Housing Association
The California Rental Housing Association represents 14,000+ members totaling more than 805,000+ units, made up of small, medium, and large rental housing owners throughout the State of California. Our purpose is to advocate for the best interests of the rental housing industry and collectively address industry needs.
Publisher @ November 5, 2026
Bay Area Air District Board adopts water heater rule amendments, delays implementation to Jan. 2028
Posted in: Bay Area, Delta & Environment, Finance, Government, Health, News | Comments (0)
Amendments directly address affordability concerns and installation barriers while maintaining public health benefits
One of Contra Costa’s three representatives, Gioia votes in favor, Carlson, Adams absent
By Bay Area Air Quality Management District Communications
SAN FRANCISCO – The Bay Area Air District Board of Directors voted on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, to amend Rule 9-6, delaying the zero-NOx residential water heater requirement by one year and establishing exemptions for low-income property owners and for properties where electrical or space constraints make the transition especially difficult. The motion passed 14-1 with eight directors absent.
The amendments delay the compliance date from January 2027 to January 2028. The standard applies only when a property owner replaces an existing water heater. It does not require any household to remove a working appliance, and it does not apply to stoves, dryers or fireplaces.
“Water heaters are a significant source of air pollution in the Bay Area, and cleaner alternatives can help people live longer, healthier lives,” said Dr. Philip Fine, executive officer of the Air District. “With these practical amendments, the Board focuses the rule on the properties that can most easily make the switch and gives relief to households that cannot afford the change without financial assistance.”
“The Board raised real questions about cost and implementation in May. Staff did the work, and the rule we adopted today reflects what we heard,” said Air District Board Chair Lynda Hopkins. “This decision protects public health and respects what households can manage. I thank the residents, contractors and local governments who took part in this process.”
During the Board discussion, Contra Costa County District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, who is one of three representatives to the regional agency, along with District 4 Supervisor Ken Carlson and Pittsburg’s current Mayor Dionne Adams, said, “…when we started this rule, we said we’re going to check in and that’s what we’ve done. We’ve checked in a couple times. We’re actually delaying the rule so we can allow more time. That was a promise we made to the public and that’s what we’re doing.”
“If this was the previous version as last year I wouldn’t be voting for it,” he continued. “But I think it’s come to us in a way to make it possible to vote for it, continue to evaluate, get what changes that need to be made, and we’re moving this industry to making higher quality, cheaper heat-pump water heaters and…there’s going to be plenty of health benefits…and in time, we’re going to get a better piece of equipment.”
“I want to get us to the point where we help lower-income residents take advantage of the incentives, so they don’t have to be exempt. The exemption is voluntary,” Goia added before voting in favor of the motion to adopt.
Neither Adams nor Carlson attended the meeting. He was sick, according to his Supervisor’s Office staff.
———–
The Air District Board of Directors voted on November 4 to amend Rule 9-6, delaying the zero-NOx residential water heater requirement by one year and establishing exemptions for low-income property owners and for properties where electrical or space constraints make the transition especially difficult.
——-
The Air District published the draft amendments on July 14, 2026, a rule proposal package on October 2, 2026, and accepted public comment through the fall.
The amendments establish exemption categories:
• Low-income property owners, defined as those earning less than 80 percent of Area Median Income and including participants in programs such as Medi-Cal or CalFresh; or households paying more than 28 percent of their income toward their mortgage and property taxes.
• Space-constrained properties without enough room or ventilation to install a compliant unit.
• Properties with electrical limitations, such as panels below 100 amps, insufficient panel capacity or a need to run electrical lines more than 50 feet.
The adopted amendments also include allowances for temporary installations for emergency situations and a further delayed compliance date to January 1, 2033, for water heaters installed in multifamily buildings and deed restricted affordable housing as well as certain product categories such as hydronic units, specialized high heat uses, and large water heaters. Water heaters with capacity of 30 gallons or less and mobile home water heaters are not required to comply with the zero-NOx standard.
Rule 9-6 has been in place since 1992, limiting emissions of nitrogen oxides, or NOx, from natural gas-fired water heaters. The Air District amended the rule in 2023 to set a zero-NOx standard. NOx contributes to smog and fine particulate matter, and Air District analysis found that pollution from gas-fired water heaters and furnaces cause as many as 85 premature deaths and 15,000 asthma attacks in the Bay Area each year.
Property owners can find guidance on the compliance timeline, the exemption categories and available rebates on the Air District’s Building Appliances web page.
The Bay Area Air District is the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality in the nine-county Bay Area. Connect with the Air District via X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Publisher @ November 5, 2026
Promotion Alert: Cat’s finally the Top Dog at Antioch Animal Services
Posted in: Government, News, People, Pets & Animals | Comments (0)
Antioch’s first Certified Animal Control Officer is now Animal Services Manager
After almost 3 years as Acting Manager
By Antioch Police Department
Please join us in congratulating Catriona “Cat” Cottle on her promotion to Animal Services Manager!
Originally from Ireland, Cat began fostering for a local rescue in 2011 and volunteering at Antioch Animal Services in 2013. Then a legal assistant in San Francisco, she found herself drawn to the shelter and in October 2016, traded legal paperwork for paws, joining APD as an Animal Control Officer!
Since then, Cat has:
- Served as Volunteer & Foster Coordinator
- Been promoted to Shelter Supervisor in January 2023
- Led field response and daily shelter operations
- Served as Acting Animal Services Manager since December 2023
Through challenging times and considerable change, her commitment to Antioch’s animals and the people who love them has remained steadfast.
Antioch’s first Certified Animal Control Officer, Cat has trained incoming ACOs and Police trainees to handle animal-related calls with confidence and care. She has also pursued further education through the University of the Pacific’s Shelter Leadership and Operations program and the Citizens Leadership Institute.
Around PD, she’s known for her humor (have you seen the Animal Services social media posts) candid approach, honest nature and visits to Briefing, Records, and Dispatch with puppies and kittens. Some employees have discovered those morale visits come with an adoption pitch!
Outside work, Cat enjoys family time, especially with her grandchildren, hiking, spotting wildlife and lazy days at home with her partner.
Fun fact: After fostering hundreds of animals, Cat has only “foster failed” once: a black cat named Tequila who fell in love with her daughter and decided she was already home.
Congratulations, Cat! From shelter volunteer to Animal Services Manager, what a journey and what a next chapter!
Publisher @ November 5, 2026
