The Antioch City Council approved public financing for both the Joyfield at Lakeview Center and Buchanan Crossings apartments projects Tuesday night, April 14, 2026. Graphics source: City of Antioch
Opposes one, approves two others
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Antioch City Council on split votes opposed public financing for one affordable apartment complex but approved it for two others. The three projects are part of the 10 Commercial Infill Housing (CIH) Overlay District parcels the council rezoned in 2022 that will allow extremely-low, very-low and low-income apartment complexes throughout the city. (See related articles here and here)
After an impassioned effort by Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas, public financing for the Hillcrest Summit Apartments received a 2-2-1 vote with Mayor Ron Bernal and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha voting yes, Freitas and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson voting no, and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker voting to abstain. That’s in spite of the fact the latter two voted for the CIH Overlay District rezoning and Bernal complained about how the four-story apartment buildings would look.
The proposed and City staff-approved Hillcrest Summit Apartments Location Map shows the buildings planned to be built immediately adjacent to the gas station and convenience store with a 24-7 car wash. Source: City of Antioch
At one point, things became contentious as Freitas responded to the project proponent, who was speaking via call-in and defending the project saying they didn’t create the zoning and were only following it, saying, “Shame on you” for designing the layout of the apartments the way they did.
The District 1 Councilwoman later explained her vote saying she abstained because she didn’t like the fact that, as Freitas pointed out, the 165 apartments are planned to be built immediately adjacent to the 76 gas station and 7-Eleven that has a 24-7 carwash on the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and E. Tregallas Road. Freitas wants the project to be redesigned with the apartments located on the other side of the 4.9-acre parcel. But due to the rezoning vote in 2022, the City Council has no say and all of the CIH projects only require staff-level, administrative approval without any public input.
The other two affordable apartment complexes also received split votes but were approved 3-2 with Freitas and Wilson voting against the public financing for both. That’s in spite of Bernal raising concerns about traffic at the Lone Tree Way, Golf Course Road and Bluerock Drive intersection. In response to City staff’s argument that the traffic levels would be the same as when the parcel was previously zoned commercial, the mayor pointed out that traffic from residential development occurs at different times than traffic from commercial development.
The 195-unit Buchanan Crossings CIH project, a multifamily rental housing project on 5.4 acres located at 3210 Buchanan Road next to the Grocery Outlet is being built by the same developer as the 233-unit Lakeview Center CIH, multifamily rental housing project. That will be located on 5.3 acres next to the CVS store on the southwest side of the aforementioned intersection. Wilson said she had received significant opposition to the project from residents.
The financing would not have been from City funds, and the Hillcrest Summit Apartments project developer can still obtain them through another local agency, like the County, according to City Attorney Lori Asuncion. But the developer’s rep for the other two projects the council approved said, if they voted against the financing it would have killed both projects. That’s due to timing on the financing and because the dirt from the Lakeview Center Apartments project will be used as fill for the Buchanan Crossings Apartments project. Yet, a majority of council members approved the public financing for both.
Cleanups at Nick Rodriguez Community Center and Antioch Skatepark then plant a tree on Arbor Day; participate in the #KeepAntiochBeautiful Photo Raffle
By City of Antioch Recreation Department
From Earth Day to Arbor Day, let’s work together to build a stronger, cleaner, more beautiful Antioch! Starting Earth Day, join us as we begin our service to the community. Gather friends and family to brainstorm a beautification project for your home, neighborhood, classroom, or local business, and put it into action! Don’t forget to capture your efforts with a photo and send to the Antioch Recreation Department! On Arbor Day, join our Parks and Rec Department as we plant trees at a local park. Be part of the volunteers who will serve in downtown Rivertown at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center and at the Antioch Skatepark in Prewett Community Park before enjoying a volunteer lunch.
What Is Earth Day?
First held globally on April 22, 1970, Earth Day promotes worldwide demonstrations of support for environmental protection. Attention is drawn to the achievements made by the environmental protection movement and awareness is brought to methods of protecting the Earth’s natural resources. Celebrated by billions around the world, Keep Antioch Beautiful is just one of the ways our community celebrates Earth Day.
What Is Arbor Day?
First celebrated in the U.S. in 1872, Arbor Day encourages public attention to the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Planting, relocating, and even climbing trees are encouraged, along with learning more about the myriad of ways trees function in our environment and help us all to exist.
Join us for Arbor Day 2026 as we come together to plant trees and invest in a greener future.
Plant a tree. Grow our future! Friday, April 24, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
This Year’s Community Services
Trash Cleanup at Nick Rodriguez Community Center
Landscaping Projects at the Antioch Skatepark in Prewett Community Park
Plant Trees for Arbor Day at Prewett Community Park
Join the Social Media Photo Raffle
Note: Please bring work gloves.
#KeepAntiochBeautiful Photo Raffle
From Earth Day (April 22, 2026) to Arbor Day (April 24, 2026), show us how you and your family #KeepAntiochBeautiful. Post a picture of you, your family, friends, or coworkers performing an act of beautification for the city with the hashtag #KeepAntiochBeautiful and tag the Antioch Recreation Department (@antiochrec_ca) to be entered into our raffle. On Arbor Day, three lucky entries will be chosen to each win a prize dedicated to them and their efforts toward the beautification of our lovely city!
Sponsored in part by Antioch Rotary Club, Rotary Club of the Delta-Antioch and Celebrate Antioch Foundation.
By Antioch Police Department & Antioch Animal Services
This week marks National Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week also known as Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week and it’s the perfect time to pause and recognize the incredible people behind the work.
Antioch Animal Services is so much more than what you see at the front counter or on social media. It’s early mornings, late nights, tough calls, compassionate decisions, and showing up every single day for both the people and animals in our community.
Our Animal Control Officers are out in the field responding to calls, ensuring public safety, helping animals in need, and stepping into situations that require not only skill but patience, empathy, and heart.
Behind the scenes, our shelter staff are doing equally important work: caring for animals, supporting adopters, reuniting lost pets with their families, and keeping operations moving forward no matter the challenges.
If you see one of our team members this week whether in the field, at the shelter, or out in the community, take a moment to say thank you. It truly means more than you know.
According to the National Animal Care & Control Association’s website, the week is “our annual effort to celebrate and promote professionalism within the Animal Care and Control field on the national stage. As with other events designed to promote specific groups, professions, and other important causes, NACA is pleased to provide all the necessary encouragement for all localities who would like to show their appreciation to all their Animal Care and Control personnel. We encourage all Animal Care and Control agencies to have a special week of their own to show off their pride and receive recognition for the important services they provide to their communities.
“This week of appreciation is designed to give recognition to the hard-working men and women of Animal Care and Control who risk their lives and devote huge amounts of personal time and resources, while they serve the public like other public safety and law enforcement agencies empowered with the same duties.
“This is the week that these hard working and dedicated Animal Care and Control employees should be honored by having the whole community say, “Thank You”, for helping when no one else could, or would even know how to.
“The final day of the week culminates with a ‘cake and punch’ appreciation party held at a large reception area for all of the Animal Care and Control agency personnel, with special emphasis placed on all the officers and their individual special talents performed throughout the previous year.”
Antioch Animal Services is located at 300 L Street next to the Antioch Police Station on the corner of W. 2nd and L Streets in historic, downtown Rivertown. For more information or to volunteer visit Animal Services | Antioch, CA.
Will discuss staff contracts expired since last year, gas pipeline lawsuit
Make appointments to new General Plan Advisory Committee
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Antioch City Council will hold public hearings to consider approving conduit financing bonds for three of the 10 low-income apartment projects planned throughout the city. The council will also consider joining a joint powers authority for Green Stormwater Infrastructure, spending $500,000 for violence prevention services and $1.6 million for residential street resurfacing.
The council will also vote to appoint one member to the Antioch Police Oversight Commission for a partial-term vacancy and seven members and two alternates to the new General Plan Advisory Committee.
Before the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m., during a Closed Session meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m., the council members will meet with representatives of the various city staff bargaining units on their contracts that expired last year. The City’s representative will be City Finance Director Dawn Merchant in the capacity of Acting City Manager in place of City Manager Bessie Scott who is on vacation. (See related articles here and here)
Will Discuss Two Lawsuits
The council will also discuss two lawsuits including an ongoing dispute with the California Resources Pipeline Corporation which owns the gas pipeline that runs through the city. It’s listed as Contra Costa Superior Court Case No. MSN21-2354.
After following the lead of the Brentwood City Council, in September 2021, the Antioch City Council voted 2-3 against renewing the franchise agreement for the low-pressure, natural gas pipeline that runs beneath the two communities. That resulted in it being closed, the City foregoing the annual franchise fee of about $17,000 and the lawsuit. The 35-mile long, 12-inch pipe previously carried 1.8 million cubic feet of natural gas daily which is enough to supply about 9,000 homes. The intent by the council majority of Councilwoman Monica Wilson and Tamisha Torres-Walker, and then-Mayor Lamar Hernández-Thorpe, was to protect the community from an explosion similar to what occurred in San Bruno in 2011 and save the environment from greenhouse gas emissions. However, according to a company spokesman, “The pressures are 50% below the allowable pressures.” Furthermore, the result was an increase in emissions and a much dirtier product being used by the refineries, from which Antioch is downwind. (See related article)
The second lawsuit to be discussed is against the City, water park and school district, was brought by Jayson Robinson, a former student with a heart condition who almost drowned in 2019. It’s listed as Contra Costa Superior Court Case No.C20-02420. (See related article)
The site of the administratively approved Joyfield at Lakeview Center Apartments on Lone Tree Way near Golf Course Road behind the CVS store. Source: City of Antioch. Labels by the Herald
Public Financing for Extremely Low, Very Low & Low-Income Apartment Projects
Under agenda items, 6., 7. and 8., the Council will conduct public hearings on financing for three proposed extremely low, very low and low-income housing projects, part of the 10 properties the City Council rezoned to a Commercial Infill Housing (CIH) Overlay Districts in 2022. While, as a result, no Planning Commission or Council decisions with public input are required to approve the projects, the public does have the opportunity to provide input on the City assisting with financing.
According to the staff reports for each item, under the Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA), the Council is being asked to approve the issuance of one or more series of revenue bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) to provide for the financing or refinancing of the acquisition, construction, improvement and equipping of the projects.
Under agenda item 6., the bonds, not to exceed $50,000,000, will benefit Hillcrest Antioch LP for the 165-unit multi-family housing project on the 4.9-acre parcel known as Hillcrest Summit Apartments. It is planned for vacant land located behind the 76 Service Station and 7-Eleven bordered by Shaddick Drive, Harris Drive, E. Tregallas Road and Hillcrest Avenue.
Under item 7., the bonds, not to exceed $43,000,000, will benefit Standard Buchanan Venture LP for the 195-unit Buchanan Crossings CIH project, a multifamily rental housing project on 5.4 acres located at 3210 Buchanan Road next to the Grocery Outlet store.
Finally, under item 8., the bonds, not to exceed $50,000,000, will benefit Standard Lone Tree Venture LP, by Los Angeles-based Standard Communities, for the 233-unit Lakeview Center CIH, multifamily rental housing project. It will be located on 5.3 acres next to the CVS store on the southwest side of Lone Tree Way between Golf Course Road and James Donlon Blvd.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Projects JPA
Under Consent Calendar agenda item 5.L, the Council will consider joining the Contra Costa County Regional Alternative Compliance (RAC) Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to establish one or more community facilities districts (CFDs), for Off-Site Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Projects.
The RAC would be empowered to “accept applications from property owners, annex properties to the CFD, and levy special taxes to finance on-going maintenance costs.”
According to the City staff report, the RAC System is an innovative, regionally supported approach to fulfilling state-mandated stormwater treatment obligations. Developed through a partnership between the Contra Costa Clean Water Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, the RAC System provides an off-site, alternate compliance mechanism for the GSI that would normally be required on site. The RAC System creates a countywide marketplace that allows both public agencies and private developers to purchase ‘compliance units’ generated by certified Off-Site GSI projects constructed elsewhere in the county. These units represent an equivalent amount of stormwater treatment required for regulatory compliance.
$500,000 for Violence Prevention Services
Under the Consent Calendar items 5.M and 5.N, the Council will also consider approving two contracts totaling $500,000 from the City’s CalVIP-5 grant for violence prevention training over the period of April 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The first agreement is with Advance Peace to provide technical assistance and training evaluation services in the amount of $360,000. The second agreement is with Evident Change to provide evaluation services in the amount of $140,000.
According to the City staff reports by Public Safety & Community Resources Director Monserrat Cabral, “On March 10, 2026, the City Council approved acceptance of CalVIP-5 funding to support and expand the City’s violence intervention infrastructure.”
The Advance Peace website describes the organization as, “Transforming Public Safety Through Leadership Development, Healing-Centered Support, Violence Reduction Fellowships and Training” and “is dedicated to ending cyclical and retaliatory gun violence in American urban neighborhoods.”
According to Cabral’s report for item 5.M, “The City’s program model includes Neighborhood Change Agents delivering intensive street outreach, case management, and wraparound services; workforce development and stabilization supports; and structured, incentive-based interventions designed to drive sustained behavioral change. This model is grounded in nationally recognized best practices and is aligned with the Advance Peace Peacemaker Fellowship model—an evidence-informed strategy with demonstrated outcomes in reducing gun violence in high-impact communities.”
According to the organization’s website, “Evident Change, formerly the National Council on Crime & Delinquency and the Children’s Research Center, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that uses data and research to improve our social systems,” whose “work began in 1907” as “a volunteer organization made up of probation and parole workers who wanted to keep children out of the adult system.” Since then, they expanded their scope “to improving adult justice and public safety…the child welfare system” and “the adult protective services system.”
According to the Cabral’s report for item 5.N, “Evident Change has served as the City’s evaluation partner under CalVIP-4, providing critical support in program implementation tracking, participant outcome analysis, trend identification, and compliance with California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) reporting requirements. Through this work, Evident Change has developed extensive knowledge of the City’s program model, data systems, performance measures, and community context.”
Police Oversight Commission Appointment
Under item 9 the council will also appoint one member to the Antioch Police Oversight Commission for a partial-term vacancy with the term ending November 2026.
Three residents have applied for the position include Jim Thor, a former Digital Security Engineer; Manuel “Manny” Soliz, Jr., a Wealth Advisor with Thrivent and a former Antioch Mayor Pro Tem and Councilman; and Nicholas Cannon, retired from a 40-year career in law enforcement and security, and a former member and chairman of the Antioch Police and Crime Prevention Commission.
Appointments to New General Plan Committee
Under item 10, the council will appoint six members and two alternates to the new General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC). According to the City staff report, “The GPAC is an advisory body that provides a mechanism for the General Plan project team (City staff and consultants) to receive input regarding the effectiveness of the current General Plan, methods to address issues of concern to the City and the Antioch community, and an opportunity for the public to provide input on the update to the General Plan. A series of GPAC meetings is anticipated throughout the General Plan Update process to address potential land use, economic development, infrastructure, circulation, and other considerations to develop the Land Use Map and the goals and policies for each topic to be addressed in the General Plan Update.
The committee will consist of two City Council Members, two Planning Commission Members; five At-Large Members of the general public and two At-Large Alternate Members of the general public.
At the March 10, 2026, City Council Meeting the Council voted 4-0, with one Councilmember absent, to approve the appointments of Mayor Ron Bernal and Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas to the GPAC.
At the February 4, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting they voted 4-0, with two Commissioners absent, to forward their recommendation of Commissioners Kevin Riley and Cortney Jones to Mayor Bernal for consideration to serve on the GPAC. He is nominating Commissioner both to fill the two Planning Commissioner seats.
A total of 16 residents have applied for the At-Large Member appointments including James Becker, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce Chair and non-profit CEO; Gerald “J.R.” Wilson, Founder of Delta Veterans Group; Melissa Case, a local Realtor and regular council meeting attendee and public comments speaker; and Sean McCauley, a local commercial building and business owner.
The other 12 applicants include:
Alex Aorga, a retired IT Project Manager;
Sally Ann Bergquist, Vice President Managing Agent for Unlimited Resources, LLC dba Berggie Trucking & Movers and dba Jacobson Transfer & Piano Movers & Storage;
Desiree Coronado, a volunteer with Team Jesus Ministries;
Lemuel def Castillo, a Lead Civil Engineer for the Federal Aviation Administration;
Buffie Lafayette, Founder and Pastor of True Free Love Ministries who moved to Antioch last June;
Nicola “Nikki” Lopez, CEO of Caring Haven;
Edgar Alejandro Martinez, a Senior Practice Support Advisor for Hills Physicians Medical Group/UC Berkeley/CSU East Bay;
Redonha Means, an HR Business Partner for Kaiser Permanente;
Salvadore Morales, an Economic Development Planner for the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development;
Erika Raulston, a Community Navigator for GEO Reentry Services DRC (Day Reporting Centers);
Tom Tafolla, Corporate Advisor and Legal Affairs Officer of Abacus Semiconductor Corporation and former Professor of Business & Technology Administration; and
Veiongo Uesi, a Corporate Security Investigator Analyst for BMO and University of Pheonix.
Under agenda item 11, the Council will consider approving $1.6 million for the Antioch Cape Seal Project 2026. According to the City staff report, the project consists of the placement of a half-inch Polymer Modified Asphalt Rubber Chip Seal with an application of micro-surfacing on top to various residential streets. They include:
Source: City of Antioch
Staff recommends that the contract be awarded to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, American Pavement Systems, Inc. of Modesto, CA in the amount of $1,565,550.58, with a 5% contingency in the amount of $78,277.53 for a total contract amount of $1,643,828.11.
Funds to pay for the project include $1,000,000 from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA). The approval of this resolution will amend the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Capital Improvement Budget by adding $1,000,000 of RMRA funds for a total of $2,000,000 of RMRA funds. There is an additional $308,053 of Contra Costa County Measure J half-cent sales tax for transportation funds for a total budget of $2,308,053 for the project.
Meeting Details
The beginning of the Closed Session and the regular Council meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street, or can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.
For “emotional, mental, and psychological…injuries, disability, losses, and damages suffered”due to 2019 incident
By Allen D. Payton
During a special Closed Session meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Antioch City Council will discuss a lawsuit by a former Antioch Unified School District student with a heart disorder who almost drowned in a City pool for “emotional, mental, and psychological…injuries, disability, losses, and damages suffered.” The lawsuit was filed against the City, District and Antioch Water Park by “Jayson Robinson, a minor (at the time), by and through his Guardian Ad Litem, Philana Stearne.”
According to the lawsuit, after being transported by bus to the water park during a school sponsored activity, Robinson was allowed to go swimming even though Stearne had provided written notice that he could not swim and was not allowed to swim during the excursion. After an unknown amount of time Robinson was found at the bottom of the pool unconscious. He was extracted from the pool and found to be “pulseless and apneic”. Lifeguards performed four rounds of CPR to revive Robinson who was then airlifted and rushed to UCSF Children’s Hospital in Oakland.
According to the lawsuit documents, “From approximately 2012-2020, PLAINTIFF (Robinson) was a student at Jack London Elementary School…Dolores Williams was the principal… On or about May 28, 2018, PLAINTIFF was in the fifth-grade and assigned as a student in Shelly Travers class.
According to the First Amended Complaint for Damages demanding a jury trial filed Nov. 23, 2021, “PLAINTIFF is a fifth-grade student with Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome and a learning disability. PLAINTIFF is enrolled in special education instruction classes which entail his removal from class 10 times a week for help with academics and to be provided extra educational resources.”
The lawsuit also reads, “On May 28, 2019, PLAINTIFF attended school sponsored activity with his class to Antioch Water Park located at 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, CA 94531. While at the water park, PLAINTIFF was concurrently under the direct supervision of Defendants employed by Defendant ANTIOCH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, and employees of Defendant ANTIOCH WATER PARK. Students were transported via bus from the school to Antioch Water Park. PLAINTIFF’S Guardian Ad Litem, PHILANA STEARNE, provided written notice to Defendants that PLAINTIFF could not swim, and was not to be allowed to swim on the excursion. Defendants ignored the written notice of PLAINTIFF’S Guardian Ad Litem, PHILANA STEARNE, and through failed supervision, PLAINTIFF entered the pool. Due to lack of supervision, PLAINTIFF was found at the bottom of the pool unconscious after an unknown amount of time. PLAINTIFF was extracted from the pool and found to be pulseless and apneic. Lifeguards performed 4 rounds of CPR and PLAINTIFF finally awoke.Robinson was then airlifted and rushed to UCSF Children’s Hospital in Oakland.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a heart condition present at birth. That means it’s a congenital heart defect. People with WPW syndrome have an extra pathway for signals to travel between the heart’s upper and lower chambers. This causes a fast heartbeat. Changes in the heartbeat can make it harder for the heart to work as it should.
“WPW syndrome is fairly rare. Another name for it is preexcitation syndrome.
“The episodes of fast heartbeats seen in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome usually aren’t life-threatening. But serious heart problems can occur. Rarely, the syndrome may lead to sudden cardiac death in children and young adults.”
The lawsuit documents also read, “On or about November 5, 2019, PLAINTIFF presented to ANTIOCH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, by mailing to ANTIOCH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, a written claim for the injuries, disability, losses, and damages suffered and incurred by him by reason of the acts and omissions described” and that Robinson “was harmed and suffered extreme physical, emotional, psychological and economic damages.”
The lawsuit seeks the following relief:
“a. For damages for past and future medical, psychotherapy and related expenses according to proof at the time of trial;
b. For general damages for physical and mental pain and suffering, and severe and extreme emotional distress in a sum to be proven at the time of trial;
c. For damages for future lost wages and a loss of earning capacity according to proof at the time of trial;
d. For damages for past and future education costs according to proof at the time of trial;
e. For attorney’s fees;
f. Any appropriate statutory damages;
g. For prejudgment interest pursuant to statute;
h. For the costs of suit herein; and,
i. For such other and further relief as the Court deems proper.”
Meeting Details
The Council’s Closed Session meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. inside the Council Chambers located at 200 H Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. It will be followed by the regular meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. The beginning of the Closed Session and entire regular meeting can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.
Deadline: May 4thto register to show your creations
By Cheyenne Erickson, CEO, Contra Costa Fair & Event Park
Calling all crafters, bakers, photographers, plant lovers, sewers and more—this is your time to shine! Enter your creations and be part of the 2026 Contra Costa County Fair, May 14-17.
By UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County
The UC Master Gardener program in Contra Costa County’s 2026 Annual Great Tomato Plant Sale fundraiser in East County will take place April 18 in Antioch.
Every year, the Great Tomato Plant Sale brings gardeners something special. This year, we’re excited to introduce a fresh lineup of new delicious tomato varieties, along with peppers and other vegetables chosen for flavor, productivity, and garden performance.
You’ll get a preview of what’s new, from unique heirlooms to exciting modern varieties that deserve a place in your garden. You’ll also find helpful articles and growing tips designed to set you up for a successful vegetable season—from choosing the right tomato to protecting plants during hot summer days. A short guide explaining the disease-resistant codes is also included to help you understand what they mean and how they can benefit your garden.
Take a moment to explore and read ‘Here’s What’s New in 2026’, then follow the links to discover the full collection of plants and resources waiting for you at this year’s Great Tomato Plant Sale.
We are looking forward to seeing your smiling faces very soon. Please mark your calendars with the date below, as we’d hate for you to miss a single minute of the excitement. See you there!
Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Rivertown Demonstration Garden, Antioch (located in the Contra Costa Event Park & Fairgrounds, 1201 W 10th Street);
Please note:
Fruits & Vegetables
70+ varieties of tomatoes, plus peppers, eggplants, squash and more
All plants are $4.00
All sales are Visa, MasterCard, Cash or Check
Remember to bring boxes or containers to carry your new plants home!
For safety reasons, pets are not allowed inside the sales area.
Zahvon Hopson was arrested in San Diego on Friday, April 10, 2026. Photo: Antioch PD
By Acting Sgt. John Cox #5705, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
Wanted by Antioch Police for the February fatal shooting of a 20-year-old woman in Antioch, 21-year-old Zahvon Hopson was arrested on Friday, April 10, 2026, by San Diego Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit. Antioch Police Department would like to thank our partners at San Diego Police Department for their assistance in apprehending this dangerous individual.
The case is expected to be filed with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office later next week.
The Investigations Bureau will provide additional updates as they become available.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Shaffer at (925) 779-6944 or via email at cshaffer@antiochca.gov.
