As part of the Highway 4 construction work, the contractor will be installing overhead sign structures. In order to ensure crew and public safety during this work, the contractor will close all lanes of eastbound Highway 4 between Loveridge Road and Somersville Road/Auto Center Drive on Saturday morning, August 17, from 2:00 am to 6:00 am.

The detour for this work will be as follows (see map, below):

o Eastbound motorists will be directed off the highway at Loveridge Road, right on Loveridge Road, left on East Leland Road, becomes Delta Fair Boulevard, left on Somersville Road, and right onto the eastbound Highway 4 on-ramp from Somersville Road/Auto Center Drive. For detour map, please see attachment.

The Highway 4 projects include improvements to the entire project corridor that will help revitalize eastern Contra Costa County. The projects expand Highway 4 from four to eight lanes between Loveridge Road and SR-160, and add a BART extension from Pittsburg to Antioch (eBART). The projects will also expand the highway from two to four lanes from Lone Tree Way to Sand Creek Road.

This will greatly improve transit accessibility for the region and help reduce traffic congestion and enhance the quality of life for the more than 250,000 residents of eastern Contra Costa County. The projects have been carefully staged to keep 130,000 vehicles per day moving as major construction and demolition work continue, and include over $1.3 billion in State, Federal, Regional Bridge Toll, and Contra Costa Measures C & J sales tax funds.

Caltrans and CCTA appreciate your patience as we work to improve the highways. For the most current information on all Highway 4 corridor closures please visit our website at: http://4eastcounty.org.

OAKLAND, CA – August 11, 2013 7:16 PM – The District’s latest attempt to reach a fair contract went unanswered tonight as the unions walked out of negotiations without responding to the current District proposal, despite the fact BART increased its wages and benefits offer by more than 70% since Thursday.  With union leadership continuing to insist on a substantial wage increase which would greatly impact future BART service, it remains unclear how to bridge the sizable gap.

Yet, according to other news sources, today, a San Francisco Superior Court judge on Sunday agreed to Governor Brown’s request for a 60-day cooling-off period in the discussions between BART management and it’s unions, averting a strike until at least October 10. That will give both sides the opportunity to continue their negotiations.

However, despite hard work throughout the weekend, with BART taking the lead on offering a resolution, the two sides remain far apart.  “There is simply not enough movement from our unions to indicate we can reach an agreement,” said Grace Crunican, General Manager at BART.  “We will wait for the mediators to set a new calendar to resume negotiations and do our best to resolve this before the cooling off period ends.”

In an effort to reach an agreement by Sunday night, BART increased its wage offer to 10% over four years and lowered its pension proposal on Saturday.  BART’s latest proposal represents a 73.1% increase from where the last offer stood.  BART’s previous offer would have cost the District $18.5 million for SEIU and ATU employees.  The current proposal would now cost BART $32.1 million for SEIU and ATU employees.  It will cost BART $49 million when extended to all BART employees.  The proposal consists of the following offer:

• Pay increase: Ten percent over a four-year contract (2.5%, 2.5%, 2.5% and 2.5%). This wage increase includes a swap for the pension contribution as outlined below, which means employees will be fully reimbursed for their pension contribution (or employees will not be impacted with out of pocket costs).

• Pension: Employees would begin to contribute 1% of base wages to their pension the first year, and 2%, 3% and 4% in subsequent years.

• Healthcare: BART will cap its health insurance payment at the lower cost of either the Kaiser or Blue Shield plus family plan. Any employee wishing to pick a more expensive plan must pay the difference. This offer will not increase health care costs for the overwhelming majority of BART employees, yet it still saves money for the District.

Dear Editor:

Recent news stories make it perfectly clear: it is not safe to conduct business in Antioch. Doesn’t matter who allowed all the rotten people into town – they’re here. So, now what?

I recommend: 1. Concealed Carry Permits for all qualifying residents. 2. Armed guards posted in front of all businesses.

According to city-data.com, there are 150 registered sex offenders in town. With all due respect to law enforcement, officers cannot be everywhere, all the time. Furthermore, continually raising taxes to hire more police will only serve to drive away law-abiding citizens. That is not what you want.

Until the City of Antioch allow its citizens permits to carry and posts guards at all businesses, I will shop elsewhere; I will encourage all my fellow Antioch residents to do the same.

Anne Ray

Antioch

Dear Editor:

This is written to the woman who caused the wreck in the Target parking lot on May 22^nd of this year. I don’t know your name because no one bothered to get it, the police did not come to make an accident report either – thank you Antioch – and you just drove away!

My husband died from this accident! I know you drive a White Dodge Ram lifted pickup. My husband had just left the Dress Barn where he had been doing me a favor, was getting ready to leave the parking lot, when you came around from another side, in his lane. He tried to get away from you as you were bearing down on him. He tried to get off his motorcycle (bike) and get out of the way. It was not a single person accident as the police were reporting; it is called a non-contact collision! The bike fell on his leg and crushed it. He told me you got out of your truck and stood there watching, while he laid there screaming. We have been married 37 years and it is the first time I ever heard him scream.

Yes, he called and left a horrifying message on our phone. I want you to know what the consequences of your actions were. Roy Adams was the father of 10 kids and grandfather of 23, great grandfather of 9. His greatest honor was to ride with the Patriot Guard and Warriors Watch, honoring our fallen and serving military families and heroes. He served this country for eight years, himself. He was a very safe rider and would never have fallen off his bike. He was healthy and never sick a day in his life, took no medications and had all his body parts except a gall bladder. He was a big strong man who loved his family beyond measure and did more service for people than anyone I ever saw! He was a God loving Christian, went to church every Sunday, paid his tithing and kept the commandments.

It took him a month to die, it was horrible and painful, taking his eyesight and his leg; causing two strokes the last one being massive because he was on blood thinners to prevent more blood clots caused by the severe fracture of his left leg. He begged me to help him get relief from the pain. My saddest regret is that I could not. We have always had each others’ back, but I could not help him, this time. The damage was too great.

I know you walked away and left him there to be taken to the hospital, I don’t think you even called 911. Another woman came out of the parking lot and did that. Now, I am left to deal with the aftermath. I have no accident report and so could not get a lawyer.

We just had to lose one of the most important persons in our lives, and believe me it has changed our lives forever. I just wanted you to know what your negligence caused.

Mrs. Rose Adams (now a widow), Knightsen

The City is seeking applicants to fill one (1) partial term Police Crime Prevention Commission position expiring June 2016.

The Police Crime Prevention Commission makes recommendations to the City Council relative to crime prevention and makes reports on programs, which might be initiated to help the Police Department and the citizens create a safer community. Commissioners are involved in public presentations, coordination of Neighborhood Watch groups and programs, and special community events. The commission consists of seven members who serve a four-year term. Applicants cannot be a full-time police officer.

The Police Crime Prevention Commission meets on the 3^rd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Police Department Community Room at 300 L Street..

To be considered for this volunteer position, a completed application must be received in the office of the City Clerk no later than

5:00 p.m., Thursday, August 15, 2013.

An application is available at www.ci.antioch.ca.us or at the City Clerk’s counter.

The City of Antioch is seeking applicants to fill three (3) full four-year term positions on the Planning Commission, which are expiring October, 2013.

The Planning Commission makes decisions and recommendations to the City Council on land use, zoning, and general plan issues. It consists of seven members who serve a four-year term. The commissioners also act as the City’s Design Review Board. Members of the Planning Commission are required to file an annual “Statement of Economic Interest.”

The Planning Commission meets on 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

To be considered for this volunteer position, a completed application with resume must be received in the office of the City Clerk no later than

5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Counter, online at www.ci.antioch.ca.us or by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (925) 779-7009.

Kevin Harvey

On Monday, August 5, 2013 at approximately 2:30 PM, the female victim was abducted at gunpoint by the suspect (later identified as 43-year-old Antioch resident Kevin Harvey) from the parking lot of the K-Mart department store at 3625 E. 18th Street in Antioch. The suspect then forced the victim to drive to various locations around the city of Antioch where she was sexually assaulted by him. The victim was ultimately able to escape from the suspect and run to a nearby residence where she summoned police. During the subsequent investigation, information was gathered pointing towards Kevin Harvey (a sex registrant) as the suspect.

The following day, on Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at 3:40 PM, Harvey was involved in a weapon (handgun) brandishing incident at the Somersville Towne Center in Antioch. Antioch Patrol Officers responded and were able to capture Harvey as he tried to flee from them on foot. The pistol that Harvey used in the earlier kidnapping and sexual assault case was located with Harvey, as well. Harvey was later positively identified as the kidnapping/sexual assault suspect and questioned in that incident.

Additional evidence was gathered, also linking Harvey to that case. Harvey is currently in custody at the Contra Costa County Detention Facility in Martinez on multiple felony charges. This case is currently being prepared for criminal filing with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Joannides with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6931. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Antioch residents will again celebrate National Night Out, this year, on Tuesday night, August 6 in over 30 neighborhoods to help fight crime throughout the city.

The event begins at 6 p.m. and lasts until dark.  So, join with your neighbors and learn how to keep your neighborhood safe.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the National Night Out. To learn more about the National Night Out, visit the National Association for Town Watch at www.natw.org.