By Acting Lieutenant Diane Aguinaga, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

 On March 31, 2012 at 1:36 am the Antioch Police Department received a 911 call from Cruisers Saloon, at 1611 A Street in Antioch, reporting that a shooting had just occurred. It appears that a group of males who had been kicked out of the bar earlier in the night, returned with baseball bats specifically with the intention of starting a fight. The fight started inside of the bar and then moved just outside of the front door to the bar. One of the males who had been kicked out earlier, pulled out a handgun and fired at least one shot inside the bar. A 38 year-old male inside the bar was hit and died at the scene. His identity is being withheld at this time pending notification to his next of kin.

This information is preliminary as the police are still actively investigating this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mike Mellone at (925) 779-6930.

Representatives of Western Dental and the Antioch Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon on the chain's new clinic.

Western Dental officially opened their new location at 4518 Lone Tree Way in the Deer Valley Plaza, at the corner of Deer Valley Road in Antioch, with a ribbon cutting with the Antioch Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 30, 2012.  The facility has 14 stations to treat dental patients. This is the second location for the chain of over 220 clinics in California, Arizona and Nevada offering general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and affordable orthodontics. Their other location is 2590 Sycamore Drive, off Auto Center Drive. They’re open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 925-526-8300 for dentistry, 925-529-8533 for orthodontics or visit www.westerndental.com for more information.

Due to a lack of ticket sales, the Meet the Press event, scheduled for Saturday night, March 31, 2012 at the El Campanil Theatre, was cancelled.  Organizer Charleen Earley is hoping to reschedule for another venue in the future.

By Lt. John VanderKlugt, Field Services Bureau Commander, Antioch Police Department

On Thursday, March 29, 2012 at approximately 2:40 pm the Antioch Police Department was dispatched to Deer Valley High School, located at 4700 Lone Tree Way, to investigate allegations that a female student had been sexually assaulted on campus. Preliminary information suggests that the alleged assault took place in one of the restrooms on campus. The investigation and interviews are on-going at this time. No clear suspect information has been developed.

On a 4-1 vote the Antioch School Board decided to not support the 2012 Clean Water Initiative at their meeting on Wednesday, March 28, 2012.  Trustees Diane Gibson-Gray, Gary Hack, Walter Ruehlig and Claire Smith voted no and Trustee Joy Motts gave the sole affirmative vote.

If passed will place a $12 per year assessment on property tax bills in Antioch. Cynthia Ruehlig, speaking as a citizen, gave public comment claiming that the entire county was being asked to pick up the burden for a few cities that suffer inadequate sewage release during heavy downpours.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 33rd installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from United Citizens for Better Neighborhoods (UCBN), community volunteers, and the Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program, Target Volunteers, Volunteers in Police Service, community volunteers and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We”, everyone who works and lives in the City of Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

The 33rd Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday April 7, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Volunteers should report to Hillcrest Park located at 1300 Larkspur Way.Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance. Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events will be scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

If you have a suggestion for a future cleanup area, please inform the assigned Volunteer in Police Services (VIP) or you can call (925) 779- 6878. If there is no answer please feel free to leave a message regarding your suggested cleanup area.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community!

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) are widening State Route 4 (SR-4) through Pittsburg and Antioch. As part of this construction work, the contractor for the Somersville Road project will close all lanes on westbound SR-4 between Loveridge and Somersville Roads for several hours on Thursday evening, March 29, 10:00 pm to 3:30 a.m.

In addition, eastbound SR-4 will be closed between Loveridge Road and Somersville Road Thursday evening, March 29 from 11:59 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The westbound 0n-ramp and both eastbound on-ramps will be closed at Loveridge Road during these freeway closures.

Detour signs will be in place to direct motorists to alternate routes. Please be alert and carefully follow all directional signs when encountering detours.

Motorists are advised to expect delays and allow extra time for their commute. Please drive with caution through the detour and leave a safe traveling distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. Caltrans and CCTA appreciate your patience as we work to improve the highways. For the most current information on all SR-4 corridor closures please visit our web site at: http://widensr4.org.

By Sergeant Steve Bias, Narcotic / Property Crimes, Antioch Police

Antioch Police investigators and SWAT, with assistance from investigators from the United States Postal Inspection Service,

Christopher Weise

served a search warrant at a residence in the 2700 block of Winding Lane in Antioch. The search warrant was for possession for sale of Anabolic Steroids (a controlled substance).

A large amount of steroids, manufacturing equipment and supplies used in the production of steroids were located in the residence, along with several firearms. Two men were arrested, Christopher Weise, 38 and Kyle Cicerello, 25, both of Antioch.

Weisehas a history of similar offenses and is currently on probation for steroid sales. He is also a convicted felon and is being booked on charges of a felon in possession of firearms, in addition to several narcotic charges related to the possession and manufacture of a controlled substance. In addition he had an outstanding felony warrant for a narcotic charge out

Kyle Cicero

of Stanislaus County.

Cicerello has no criminal history convictions and is being booked on narcotic charges related to the possession and manufacture of a controlled substance.

Both were sent to the Martinez Detention Facility