On December 16 at 7:56 a.m. Antioch officers were called to the Riverview Motel at 3120 E 18th Street for a 52-year-old Martinez woman needing medical assistance. When the officers arrived on scene they found the female deceased from what appeared to be blunt force injuries.

Also in the room with the female was her estranged boyfriend, who was interviewed by Antioch Detectives. The motel room was in disarray, and it appears as if a violent struggle ensued. Detectives are interviewing witnesses and more information will become available at a later time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Stenger at 779-6894.

On December 12th Antioch Officers responded to the report of a prowler at a residence in the southeast area of Antioch. The resident reported that someone had forced open her side garage door.

Approximately 15 minutes prior to hearing the garage door being kicked in, the resident reported two male suspects were ringing her door bell, but she didn’t answer the door. These suspects were undoubtedly the ones who forced open the garage door and were planning on burglarizing the home. Fortunately, they left before committing the crime.

The resident was able to provide detailed descriptions of the suspects as well as the vehicle they were driving and their direction of travel when they left the area. This information was crucial for the responding officers and it assisted them in locating the suspects.

The vehicle they were in had been reported stolen. The suspects tried to elude the officer, but crashed the car and then fled on foot into the neighborhood. Responding officers established a perimeter and conducted a yard-to-yard search for the suspects. They were successful in apprehending one of the suspects who had an extensive criminal history.

The suspects in this case would have been further deterred had the resident taken the following steps when the suspect’s first rang the door bell.

Some people who go door-to-door are motivated for legitimate reasons, but others are motivated to commit burglaries or thefts. Here are some measures that will help curb these types of crimes:

When someone knocks at your door, always acknowledge you are home. Talk through the door without opening it. If you don’t answer, and it happens to be a criminal, they may attempt to break into your home.

You are not obligated to open the door for anyone. Identification should always be verified before opening the door. A wide-angle door viewer is necessary if you cannot see the person at your door. A service representative should have an appointment and should not just “show up” at your door.

Do not rely on a door chain for security. Partially opening a door equipped with a door chain is not a safe practice. The door is not secured. A door chain cannot withstand physical force. To ensure your safety, follow these simple steps:

Talk to the person through the door. If you don’t know the person, don’t open the door.

Ask the person what they need. If it is a car problem, offer to call their road service for them. If it is an accident, call 911 for them. The idea is to keep them outside and you make the call for them.

Ask them to stand by while you place the call. If the person(s) stays, it is a good chance that they are legitimate; however, if they leave quickly, they are probably up to no good.

As with any suspicious circumstances, information about the suspect is a great benefit to the police who are responding to locate the suspect. Take a good look at their face, clothing, any distinguishing features, direction of travel, other persons with them, vehicle, etc.

If the person leaves quickly, consider it to be suspicious and report the activity by calling Police Dispatch. You can call 911 if it’s an emergency or the non-emergency number (925) 778-2441 if an emergency doesn’’t exist.

If you have concerns about the person knocking on your door and are thinking about calling the police, err on the side of caution and make the call. It is better to pass the information on. It may just be the very piece of information the police need to stop an individual whose only purpose is to victimize you or your neighbor.

Remember, being aware, being observant and getting involved, will make our community safer.

Antioch Charter Academy II received a $10,000 grant in November from the Hershey Foundation. Colleen Dow, an employee of Hershey, chose the school as the receipient of the grant. Wednesday, December 14, at an assembly, Colleen presented the check with balloons and chocolate kisses for all. Colleen is a parent of one of the middle school students, Lance Dow. Students, parents and staff will be discussing possible ways to use the grant money. Photos courtesy of Jeannie Dubitsky.

Golden Hills Community Church presents their annual Christmas musical by the Celebration Singers entitled “Hallelujah! Light Has Come.”

Performances are Saturdays, December 17 at 6 p.m. and 24th at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Admission is free.

The musical will be performed at the church’s Brentwood campus at 2401 Shady Willow Lane at Lone Tree Way.

For more information call 925-516-0653 or visit www.GoldenHills.org.

The Brentwood Children’s Ballet Theater is pleased to announce its seventh annual production of The Nutcracker.  The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday tradition that brings a young girl’s Christmas dream to life.  This beautiful production is geared towards children’s enjoyment but will also entertain the young at heart.

Performances will be Saturday and Sunday, December 17 & 18 at Noon and 4 p.m.  Ticket prices range from $12 to $20.

For tickets or more information please click here. For more information on Brentwood Children’s Ballet Theater, click here.

Missing Teens Description Nadya and Tamara (Toma) Nealey were last seen on 11/30/11 at Deer Valley High School in Antioch, CA where they are students. Toma has a serious health problem and is presumed without medication. Their cell phones were left at home. Both girls are fluent in English, Russian and Ukraine languages. Antioch Police Department considers them endangered missing children. If you have any information or suspect you have seen them please contact the Antioch California Police at 925-778-2441. They are the daughters of Mike and Garrie Lee Nealey. Their parents and siblings want them home safe and sound. Nadya and Toma if you see this please contact the police or mom and dad or anyone who you feel safe with. Let us know where you are. We love you. Please visit our Facebook page below: Find Nadya and Toma Nealey

This just in – posted on the Facebook page today, 12-19-11 – “Detective Stanton is on our case..his number is 925 779 6884.  I am asking everyone to contact him and ask him when will he make our daughter’s case a priority. Today marks 21 days they are missing. I can not get them on the news until a police officer gives the news the permission. So please help us out..”

By Walter Ruehlig

The Antioch 2012 Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks Planning Committee came to the City Council meeting on December 13th bearing both gifts and good news. The Committee presented the Mayor and Council members with t-shirts announcing “The Tradition Returns.”

Joy Motts and Martha Parsons, who have been beating the pavement tirelessly, also shared the good tidings that the Committee had received two corporate pledges and a foundation grant of a guaranteed minimum of five thousand dollars each, or fifteen thousand total, with a possible range of up to $25,000 coming from two of the sponsors.

The donors are in the midst of annual budgeting so won’t know the exact amount until March. We will temporarily keep their identity anonymous but traction for a full blown event now seems sure.

The Committee, which has been meeting monthly, is chaired by Louis Green, Allen Payton and Walter Ruehlig. Logistics is being handled by Tim Forrester and Wayne Harrison; corporate fund-raising by Joy Motts and Martha Parsons; citizen fund-raising by Jim and Earlene Lantier; Kids Zone activities by Jeff Warrenburg; food by Robin Agopian; note-taking by Carole Harrison; meeting venue by Connie Kumar of Ricks on Second; promotion by Al Mason and Kerry Motts.

The Committee has set a deadline of January 15th to raise, via corporate and foundation donations, half the 60K funding needed for a full-blown event and then kick-off a citizen donations campaign. More details will follow regarding needed community support.

T-shirt, Glo-sticks and youth-group run soft beverage sales the day of the event will generate additional money for future celebrations. The intention, though, is to be in the black before then. The fireworks bill runs 20K, barge 5K, police holiday coverage 16K, city set-up/clean-up 3K; with incidental costs of promotion, sound system, stages, etc.

The goal is to bring back this celebration, now privately funded, as Antioch’s preeminent, signature civic event. Plans are emerging for a classic car show, eating contest, ten food booths, multiple bands, kids zone, parade with Clydesdale horses, and a grand finale fireworks show.

Past events used to generate crowds of fifteen and twenty thousand. We hope to rebuild to, and then surpass, that figure and to put our city on the map as a premier family fun Fourth of July celebration.

If you have fundraising or event ideas to share, or perhaps an interest in joining the Steering Committee, contact Walter Ruehlig at (925) 756-7628 or walter.ruehlig @gmail.com.