Building on its commitment to safe and reliable natural gas transmission pipeline operations, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has announced the first in a series of hydrostatic pressure tests it will perform on a number of gas transmission pipeline segments throughout its system. The first pressure tests will take place in Mountain View and Antioch in May.

As described in PG&E’s March 15th filing with the California Public Utilities Commission, this work is part of the company’s effort to pressure test or replace this year approximately 150 miles of pipeline segments in high consequence areas that have characteristics similar to the pipeline involved in the tragic accident in San Bruno on September 9, 2010.

“Our number one responsibility is the safety and reliability of our natural gas transmission pipeline system for our customers,” said Kirk Johnson, vice president of gas engineering and operations for PG&E. “These tests will be conducted using safe and proven methods that are used throughout the nation. These tests will validate that the pipelines are operating safely.”

PG&E will hold open houses in both Antioch and Mountain View prior to the tests to answer any questions customers may have about the testing. Customers in these areas will begin receiving letters this week with details on the open houses and information on the testing.

Hydrostatic pressure testing involves filling a section of pipe with water, pressurizing it to a much higher level than the pipe will ever operate with natural gas, then monitoring the pipe for eight hours. Any pipe sections that do not meet acceptable standards during the test will be replaced with new pipe that has already passed a pressure test. Following a successful test, the section of pipe is emptied of water, dried thoroughly and placed back in service. PG&E will provide updates on progress as hydrostatic testing work proceeds. This process will validate the safe operating pressure of the pipeline.

• Click here for video of a hydrostatic pressure test.

Hydrostatic pressure tests require pipeline segments to be taken out of service for several days and take about two weeks to complete. PG&E will continue to provide gas to customers from an alternate source while work is in-progress and service will not be interrupted. Because PG&E safely empties the gas from the pipeline segments prior to hydrostatic testing, customers may smell gas in the area of the tests. PG&E encourages any resident who has questions or concerns about the smell of gas to call the company’s 24-hour customer service line at 1-800-743-5000 or call 911 immediately.

Customers may also see:

• Temporary traffic safety cones and/or detour signs
• PG&E and PG&E-contracted field personnel
• Testing equipment, such as above-ground pipes and valves
• Machinery and support equipment, such as excavators and water tanks

PG&E also plans to conduct several pipeline assessment tests throughout the Bay Area. This work may require crews to excavate around the pipe, x-ray welds, test the strength of the pipe, or use a robotic camera to inspect the inside of the pipe.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 15 million people in northern and central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/about.

A free, community kids Easter Egg Hunt will be held tomorrow, Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Williamson Ranch Park, located at the corner of Lone Tree Way and Hillcrest Avenue, across from Walmart in Antioch.

The hunt is for children ages 3 to 1o only and they must be accompanied by an adult.

To enter the drawing to win a giant Easter basket filled with goodies, bring two cans of food to donate

Presented by the Salvation Army of the Delta. For more information call 778-0808.

41st Anniversary of Earth Day  / 2nd Annual
“Keep Antioch Beautiful Day”

Citywide Clean Up!

April 23, 2011 | 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM

To celebrate Earth Day, this year, volunteers are need to help “Keep Antioch Beautiful”, tomorrow on Saturday, April 23.

You can meet up with your organization or other volunteers at a variety of locations, including: Almond Ridge Park, Antioch City Hall, Antioch High School, Bidwell Elementary, Belshaw Elementary, Carmen Dragon Elementary, Dallas Ranch Middle School, Diablo Vista Elementary, Hillcrest Park, Jack London Elementary, John Muir Elementary, Mission Elementary, Park Middle School, Red Caboose Restaurant.

This is your opportunity to join with family, friends and other community volunteers to make a difference in your hometown! Allied Waste has donated dumpsters, which will be located at various schools throughout the city. Each location will be the distribution point for you to receive instructions, pick-up clean-up supplies (gloves, plastic bags, etc.) To register, please complete the form below and visit this website often for the latest up-to-date information click here or call 779-6137.

SPONSORS: City of Antioch, Antioch Unified School District, Allied Waste, Honeywell, Walmart, Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, Genon, East Bay Regional Parks, Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash, Paintball Park, Paradise Skate, Dick Straub, Safeway, East County Military Families & Friends, Target, Staples, Fast Signs, Jim Lanter Antioch State Farm Insurance Agent, Antioch Coin & Jewelry Give Always to Others & Company (GATO), Delta Bowl, Central Self Storage of Antioch

Participating Organizations: AHS & DVHS Key Club, Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission, Antioch Rotary, Boys Scouts Troops of Antioch, Kiwanis of the Delta, East County Military Families & Friends, Rivertown Preservation Society, Rotary Club of the Delta, Take Back Antioch, Target Employees, UCBN

On 4/20/11 charges were filed by the Contra Costa County DA’s Office for the 12/20/10 murder of Arnold Muckleroy. The following is a list of those arrested and their charges. One suspect is still outstanding.

Brandon Washington (12/27/1991) – Arrested and charged with murder. He is currently being held at Martinez County Jail. He is an Antioch resident.

Alejandro Landeros (05/31/1992) – Arrested and charged with murder. He is currently being held at Martinez County Jail. He is an Antioch resident.

Victoria Moreno (01/18/1993) – Arrested and charged with being an accessory after the murder. She is an Antioch resident.

Still outstanding and wanted for murder is:

Michael Pulliam-Banks (03/16/1992) – He has a $2,170,000 warrant for his arrest. He is an Antioch resident, but we believe he may be hiding in San Francisco, Vallejo, Oakland, or Sacramento. Pulliam-Banks should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mellone at (925) 779-6930
_____________________________________________________________________

INCIDENT: Murder

DATE OF INCIDENT: December 20, 2010

LOCATION: Rockspring Way in Antioch

SUSPECT: PULLIAMBANKS, MICHAEL ELIJAH

aka: Michael Banks

Black Male, Black Hair, Brown Eyes, HT:6-02 WT:164

VICTIM: Male in his early 20’s

Pulliambanks has been identified as a suspect in this murder investigation. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for attempted murder. The bail has been set at $500,000. The victim in this case has since succumbed to his injuries; however the arrest warrant was issued prior to his being deceased. Detectives will be seeking an amendment to the warrant charging murder. The suspect in this case is known to frequent the greater bay and Sacramento areas.

Anyone who observes this suspect should call the local jurisdiction or the Antioch Police Department at (925)778-2441.

Banks should be considered armed and dangerous. The vehicle used during this murder has been recovered by the Antioch Police Department.

*************************************************************

On December 20th 2010 at approximately 1713 hrs, Antioch Police responded to a report of a man down in the street on Rockspring Way in Antioch. Upon their arrivals, police found a young male in his 20’s lying in the street that appeared to have a suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Life –saving measures were taken and he was transported to a local trauma center where he remains in very critical condition.

Police have determined the victim was driven to the location to meet some people who were in a 90’s era dark green Ford Escort with two doors, which was very dirty. The victim entered the vehicle which contained several black males. Almost immediately upon entering the vehicle, shots were heard and the victim was pushed out of the car, which fled the area.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Sgt. Steve Bias at (925)779-6929.

By Tami Barrera

The amazing volleyball feats of Deer Valley High School student Jason Agopian have paid off – he signed today to accept an offer to play for UC Irvine.

When Jason, who is the son of Antioch City Councilman Gary Agopian, started high school he joined the football team and was good at that sport as well. What father would not want their son to aggressively pursue a career in football when you have a well rounded athlete like Jason?

But as sophomore year hit, it became a deep-seeded thought in Jason’s mind to try his hand at volleyball. As Jason became more and more involved in the sport he began to notice that he had a passion for the game and approached his mom and dad, Robin and Gary, saying that he wanted to do volleyball only, not football.

Jason’s parents asked him to please sleep on this decision and come back to it again later. Jason did sleep on it and at the end of sophomore year he left football and focused on volleyball.

Just this year Jason was asked to try out for the Junior USA Volleyball Team. Unfortunately, he had to turn it down as he had broken his arm. This mishap did not hold him down, however, and with last year’s MVP award under his belt Jason had prestigious college recruiters looking at him.

Jason received offers from UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, BYU, Hawaii, Long Beach and many others. But Jason had his eye on UC Irvine because he not only respects the school, but believes in it as much as he believes in its coach John Speraw.

Gary Agopian said, “Although there were financial and personal sacrifices for our son to achieve his dream, it is all worth it in the end. To see your child succeed when given the chance is just awe-inspiring.” He added, “Parents need to support their children” in their dreams because you never know what they are capable of unless you give them a chance.

Jason plans to walk in the footsteps of the volleyball greats that have preceded him, including Matt Webber from Liberty who went on to play for Team USA and Evan Patek who hails from Foothill. Jason wants to do Antioch proud, and would love to be a part of the Olympics in his future. Good luck, Jason.

When Michael Pritchard started the sound effects of explosions and crashes that accompany video games he had the youthful audience’s full attention. When he started talking about bullying and intolerance, the comedian had them in the palm of his hands.

When a young man began talking about the difficulties of his life and how he began to act out as a reflection of those troubles, the gym full of youth was silent.

Between the bouts of laughter, Pritchard had a message that pierced the wall of teenage cool and indifference and touched the hearts of over 750 people in attendance at the 9th annual countywide Youth Summit at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg on April 16.

“He was the perfect choice for a keynote,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, who sponsors the event.

Pritchard kicked off the daylong event of workshops, booths and entertainment. After the comedian’s presentation, the youth were able to ask questions of the city, school and county officials. The topics ranged from more diversity in the teaching workforce to the ways law enforcement treated youth.

The 18 wide-ranging workshops covered topics from avoiding gangs, starting a business to being a good friend and how to find a job.

“Kids were able to see the Sheriff’s helicopter and some firefighting equipment up close,” said coordinator Paul Adler, a member of Glover’s staff.

“It says a lot about the summit that the youth – on a Saturday — got up early in time for the 9 a.m. start and stayed the whole day,” said Adler.

“This was the largest turnout we ever had,” said Glover. “Word of mouth among the youth and their use of social media is helping us get the word out.”

An hour-long documentary on the 2010 Gang Summit will air on Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 30 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on CCTV. The day-long summit was taped by Give Always To Others (GATO), an East County-based nonprofit headed by Carmen Ochoa, that also produces another television
show aired on local public TV and focuses on issues affecting East County.

“It was a great event,” said Glover. “There was some uncertainty what the summit would be about. Some thought we were glamorizing the gang lifestyle. Others thought it was only for gang members. This show will give the general pubic a chance to see what went on at the summit where we emphasized the alternate choices young people have besides gangs.

“Going against peer pressure is very difficult for young people. It was important that we showed that there were safe and legal ways to express yourself, prevent bullying, stay away from drugs and earn money through jobs.”

CCTV is Comcast channel 27, Astound channel 32 and AT&T U-verse channel 99.

Saving money while increasing efficiency and decreasing work‐related accidents are aspirations at most workplaces. A veteran wastewater operator at Delta Diablo Sanitation District in Antioch has been recognized for making this goal a reality with his TroughONator invention, which has won the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) “Gimmicks & Gadgets” State award.

Wastewater operators protect public health and the environment by effectively and safely processing domestic waste which is discharged from homes, businesses and industry. Because domestic waste contains large amounts of fats, oils and grease (FOG), it often leaves a messy residue and clogs machinery during the sedimentation stage of processing at treatment plants.

This requires specialized equipment for cleaning. If not done properly it can result in damage to the plant equipment as well as creating safety concerns for even the most experienced plant operators. According to the U.S. Department of Labor1, a wastewater operator’s work is physically demanding and often performed in locations that are difficult to access or clean.

They must pay close attention to safety procedures because of the presence of hazardous conditions, such as slippery walkways, dangerous gases, and malfunctioning equipment. As a result, wastewater operators have a higher‐than‐average occupational injury rate.

Leonard Pompa, a 25‐year employee at Delta Diablo Sanitation District, understands the dangers of FOG in his workplace. Certified in wastewater operation by the State of California at the highest level, Leonard has the experience and knowledge necessary to address this annoying and dangerous impediment by creating a gadget to help safely clean and unclog sedimentation systems.

He came up with a creative method to ensure grease scum stays in the settling basin and not on cleaning equipment, railings, walkways or operator’s clothing and body.

Gary Darling, General Manager, reports “Using 11 feet of pipe, hose and general plumbing equipment, Leonard has successfully reduced a messy and risky twoperson cleanup job which often required additional clean up of both the equipment and the operators – to an efficient oneperson task which is tolerable and safe.”

CWEA agreed and awarded Leonard this year’s State “Gimmicks an Gadgets” award. Delta Diablo Sanitation District’s Operations Supervisor, Joaquin Gonzalez, was also recognized by the CWEA with this year’s State “Supervisor of the Year” award.

You’re Invited To A Very Special Event – “Overcoming Adversity: Surviving and Thriving” with Congresswoman Jackie Speier. Sponsored by the Delta Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors, the event is from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday April 27 at 3428 Hillcrest Avenue, Suite 200, in Antioch.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear Jackie Speier speak right here in our community! The Congresswoman will talk about her personal story, Women in Leadership and Current Events, followed by a Q and A session.

Cost: FREE. Please RSVP to: Maria Bruno, mbruno@ft.newyorklife.com, or call 925.457.3211

Seating is Limited! Doors Close at 2:00 pm. No admittance after doors close.

For Partnership and Advertising opportunities contact: Kathaleen Baisch, 925.290.0037 Direct, 253.250.5803 Cell, kb411realestate@gmail.com