The Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CWS) is recognized as one of the nation’s most modern and effective all-hazard public warning systems. The CWS is a partnership of the Office of the Sheriff, the Health Services Department, other government agencies, industry, news media and the non-profit Community Awareness & Emergency Response (CAER) organization, all striving to deliver time-sensitive and potentially life-saving information to the people of Contra Costa County.
How will we notify you?
Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
The CWS is designed to provide specific information directly to the media through the Emergency Alert System. The EAS interrupts TV and radio broadcasts to deliver major local, regional, and national emergency alerts. Following the initial alert, TV and Radio stations provide ongoing status reports and information.
The CWS uses a federal system that sends text alerts to your smartphone during major emergencies, no registration needed! Check with your cell phone service provider to see if your cell phone can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts.
Voice, Text, and Email Alert Messages
The CWS is able to send compatible wireless devices voice, text, and email alerts in an emergency. Unlike with a WEA or EAS alert, you will need to register with the CWS to receive these additional messages.
Sirens
The CWS may use sirens to alert you to a possible industrial hazard in your area. Sirens are sounded to draw your attention away from your daily activities. When you hear a siren, the best first protective action is to Shelter, Shut and Listen.
Sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 11:00 am. For the remaining Wednesdays, a more quiet and low-volume “growl” test is performed at 11:00 am. For a siren location map click here.
NOAA Weather Radio
CWS uses the National Weather Service to provide emergency alerts and information for major non-weather related emergencies. Weather radios are an inexpensive and reliable way to receive these alerts. These devices can be battery powered to provide a means of receiving emergency alerts if your power is out. Learn more about NOAA Weather Radios here.
All photos: The Magic Pumpkin Patch unless otherwise noted
Enjoy tractor rides, jumpies, fresh-made food and, of course, pumpkins at The Magic Pumpkin Patch at the Contra Costa Event Park & Fairgrounds in Antioch, now, through Halloween, Saturday, October 31st.
Student and Adult Humanitarians to be Recognized at Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony
Deadline: Nov. 6
ByKristi Jourdan, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media
(Martinez, CA) – Contra Costa County seeks nominations for Humanitarians of the Year to be recognized during the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony.
The deadline to submit candidates for consideration is November 6, 2026.
The event will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19.
The Board of Supervisors will recognize two individuals, one adult and one student leader, whose dedication to others embodies the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the January event. Nominate a community member and/or student whose accomplishments and actions go above and beyond to positively impact Contra Costa County, its residents, and communities. Please nominate candidates who demonstrate leadership, commitment to the community, and personal integrity. To submit online nominations and learn more about the County’s celebration, visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony website.
On Monday, October 19, 2026, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to a ShotSpotter gunshot detection alert in the area of West 19th and C Streets.
Officers searched the area and located a crime scene in the 200 block of West 19th Street. During the investigation, officers learned that a 37-year-old man had been taken to an area hospital in a private vehicle for treatment of a gunshot wound. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“It was a ShotSpotter activation and the victim walked into Sutter Delta Medical Center and there are no suspects or leads at this time,” explained Lt. Bill Whitaker.
Antioch Police Department investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, observed suspicious activity in the area, or has surveillance footage that may assist with the investigation to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Antioch Police Department Investigations Unit at (925) 779-6926. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
To meet Nov. 30 deadline for 2027-28 Fiscal Year General Fund reductions
By Allen D. Payton
The Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting for a Budget Study Session on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. According to the meeting agenda, “The Board will review the District’s current fiscal status and discuss potential budget strategies.”
An overview entitled, “Fiscal Recovery & Financial Stability” will be provided by Rosa Ma Loza, the District’s Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations, which explains the purpose of the study session is to “Understand Where the revised General Fund budget is allocated; Prioritize What to protect and which unrestricted expenditures to evaluate first; and Direct Board to give staff a clear direction toward October 28 and November 18.”
After having made actual cuts of $10.28 million from the General Fund budget, the Board needs to make an additional $7.99 million in reductions previously reported as attained but as of Oct. 8, now updated as unattained.
Source: AUSD
Note: S&C refers to Standards and Contract dollars. According to the California Department of Education (CDE), in California school finance, “standard dollars” generally refer to the state’s per‑student Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and related budget standards, while “contract dollars” refer to the actual contractual amounts districts must spend or bid for services, often tied to specific agreements or procurement rules.
Standard Dollars — State Funding Standards
The CDE defines “standard” criteria in its Criteria and Standards for Fiscal Solvency for school district budgets. These are the benchmarks used to review and approve district budgets.
Contract Dollars — Procurement and Contractual Obligations
“Contract dollars” are the actual dollar amounts in contracts that districts must follow, often set by law or regulation.
Meetings with Parents, Community, District Leadership & Staff Oct. 26 & 27before Nov. 30 Deadline
The District must submit the detailed list of Board-approved budget reductions for 2027–28 to the Contra Costa County Office of Education by Nov. 30th. Prior to that the Board will hold meetings with parents and the community on October 26, in the morning and afternoon, and with District leadership and staff on October 27.
Meeting Details
The school board meeting will be held in the District Office Board Room at 510 G Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. It can be viewed livestream on the District’s website or the District’s YouTube channel.
The Antioch City Council gathers for a special meeting before adjourning to a two-hour closed session Monday afternoon, Oct. 19, 2026. Video screenshot
By Allen D. Payton
During a special Closed Session meeting on Monday afternoon, Oct. 19, 2026, the Antioch City Council discussed hiring an interim city manager to take the place of current, Acting City Manager Ana Cortez, who is also the City’s Human Resources Director, until a permanent city manager is hired. But after two hours they took no reportable action City Attorney Lori Asuncion reported out after she and the council members returned to the dais inside the Council Chambers. (See related article)
The one item on the meeting’s agenda read, Public Employee Appointment:Interim City Manager. However, as previously reported, during the Council’s special meeting on Oct. 7th, Asuncion reported out from that meeting’s Closed Session, “If and when an interim city manager is chosen and an agreement reached, the appointment and agreement will be brought to open session during a regular city council meeting for consideration.”
Before adjourning to the closed-door meeting on Monday, the mayor allowed public comments on the matter, which does not usually occur during special meetings but is if the comments are not general but specifically focused on the agendized matters. Yet, no member of the public spoke in person, via Zoom or call-in about the appointment.
During the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of Monday’s special meeting, District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker can once again be seen not saluting the U.S. flag. Video screenshot.
Report Out from Closed Session
After returning from Closed Session shortly after 4:00 p.m., City Attorney Asuncion said, “there’s nothing to report out.”
For now, the City will continue to operate with an acting city manager, acting director for the Community and Economic Development Department and no assistant city manager. However, the Council has begun the process to hire an economic development director after voting to re-establish that department, again.
Being held on $70,000 bail, has history of 42 arrests in multiple counties since 2016
By Allen D. Payton
On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 17, 2026, at 12:13 PM, Antioch Police responded to a report of arson at the 7-11 in the 2700 block Of Hillcrest Avenue at E. Tregallas Road. According to CitizenRIMS, 35-year-old Devin Howard Javaughn Taylor (born 3/9/1991) is listed as five-foot, nine-inches tall, 150 pounds, is Black of African American and was charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor for 451.5(a) PC: aggravated arson (F), 148(a)(1) PC: obstructing, resisting, etc. a public, peace officer or emergency medical technician – simple (M), and 290.012(a) PC: sex offender who failed to update their annual registration (F).
According to localcrimenews.com, he has been arrested 41 other times by multiple agencies since 2016, for crimes including sexual battery, indecent exposure, battery on a spouse / co-habitant / former spouse, cruelty to a child by inflicting injury, child endangerment, robbery, burglary, carjacking, battery on a peace officer, willfully harming a peace officer’s horse or dog with injury, DUI, petty theft, trespassing, vandalism and being a transient required to register as sex offender. His most recent arrest was on Sept. 30th this year by Antioch Police for attempting to remove a firearm from a peace officer and resisting an officer or attempting to deter or prevent a public officer from performing their duty.
Save the date for the East Bay Men’s Recovery Center’s Car Show + Trunk or Treat Oct. 31st, 10am- 4pm in Downtown Rivertown, Antioch!
Vehicles will be displayed on G Street from the river (bulb) to 4th Street and on W. 2nd Street from I (eye) Street to F Street.
We’re excited to spend time in our community, create a safe space for kids to get their candy, and raise money for our recovery program!
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Give us a call or send us a message at 1-800-418-6139 or info@ebmrc.net.
The East Bay Men’s Recovery Center works to give “men struggling with addiction a hand up, not a handout” offering a 12-month program at their location in Antioch. For more information about ebmrc.net.
