By Sergeant Dimitri Barakos, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On November 8th, 2013 at 4:11 p.m., an anonymous caller stated that a female was being beaten by her boyfriend at a residence in Antioch. The caller stated that Rocco Moore, a 34-year old Concord resident, had threatened to shoot the female victim if the police were called. Officers arrived at the location in the 500 block of Bridle Way and set up a perimeter around the residence. Officers then entered the open garage door of the residence where they encountered Moore and Richard Jobe, a 28-year old man, in the garage. Moore reached for his waistband and hid behind a mattress in the cluttered garage. Jobe refused to obey officers’ commands. A dog that was in the garage came towards the officers and was shot and killed.

Moore reemerged from behind the mattress and complied. Jobe began fighting with the officers and was eventually subdued. Jobe and Moore were taken into custody. A loaded stolen firearm was located by the mattress Moore was hiding behind. Jobe was transported to a local hospital for treatment from injuries he sustained while fighting with the officers. Moore and Jobe were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility and charged with numerous crimes. The female victim told police that she was beaten by Moore and held against her will by him as well.

Any further inquiries into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line 925.779.6894. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant T. Schnitzius, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Friday, November 8, 2013 at 2:15 a.m., Antioch Police received a call of a collision in the area of 2nd Street Court. Upon arrival officers found that a vehicle had collided with a parked semi trailer. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Con-Fire responded, extricated the victim from the vehicle, and provided life saving measures. Their efforts were unsuccessful and the driver, a 31-year-old Antioch man, was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later. The accident is currently under investigation and it is unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is encouraged to contact Officer Rick Martin at (925) 779-6900 Ext. 83343.

By Lieutenant Tammany Brooks, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 2:49 p.m., officers responded to a subject assaulting patrons inside the library located at the Antioch Community Center, at Prewett Park. While officers were en route, witnesses reported the responsible subject fled in a blue van.

Officers arrived on scene and determined a 21-year old Antioch resident, identified as Kenneth Johnson, physically attacked two library employees for unknown reasons and without any provocation or prior warning. A citizen who was inside the library tried to intervene, but was also assaulted. Prior to leaving the scene, Johnson took money from the wallet of one of the victims.

Officers doing an area check located the van traveling northbound on Lone Tree Way. A traffic stop was conducted, and after a brief verbal confrontation, Johnson was taken into custody without incident. He was later transported to the Contra Costa County Detention Facility in Martinez for Felony Assault and Robbery.

The actual motive for the assaults is unknown at this time and still under investigation. None of the victims knew Johnson or had contact with him prior to this incident.

Both librarians were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. The third victim was treated on scene.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Friday, November 1, 2013 at approximately 6:01 PM, Antioch Police Department patrol officers responded to a residence on Ashford Court on a report of a marijuana grow. They arrived at the home and confirmed a large scale marijuana cultivation operation. Investigators were called in and ultimately seized approximately 442 marijuana plants from the home along with marijuana cultivation equipment. The case is still being investigated by the Antioch Police Department’s Special Operations Unit.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Mortimer with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6941. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

PITTSBURG: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Los Medanos College (LMC) a 5-year, NSF S-STEM grant of $625,611 to support the college’s efforts to establish an LMC STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Achievement) Scholars Program. This program will provide scholarships and support services for academically talented and low-income STEM students.

The LMC STEM Scholars Program will establish up to 116 scholarships, each between $3,000 and $5,000 annually, to approximately 50-65 individual full-time, academically talented and financially disadvantaged STEM students during years Two through Five of the grant. Year One of the grant will be dedicated to program start-up, such as development of resources, supplies, policies and procedures, and recruitment activities. In Years Two through Five, approximately 25 scholarships will be given awarded to students attending LMC. Additionally, in each of Years Three through Five, five scholarships will be awarded to STEM Scholars who transfer to four-year universities as STEM majors. The program will increase the numbers of traditionally underserved, low-income STEM students who obtain STEM degrees, transfer to four-year universities as STEM majors, and ultimately launch into successful STEM careers.

An LMC STEM student is defined as a student who is pursuing an Associate of Science degree or Bachelor of Science transfer path, majoring in one or more of the following calculus-based STEM programs: Biological Sciences, Computer Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences or Physical Sciences. While LMC’s existing MESA Program will provide the infrastructure for the STEM Scholars Program, awardees will retain a distinct identity as a community of learners, an identity fostered via the unique opportunities available to the STEM Scholars cohort.

The grant will help support some of LMC’s program objectives focusing on STEM major success, completion and transfer rates. These include:

1. Increase the proportion of Latino & African American STEM majors who meet their degree and transfer goals to more closely match the equivalent success rates of those ethnic populations across disciplines at LMC.
2. At least 75% of STEM Scholars will complete an Associate degree and/or transfer to a four-year university in a STEM field within three years.
3. Provide robust programmatic infrastructure to ensure increasing success rates within the STEM Scholars Cohort.
4. Expand and enrich learning and career placement opportunities by requiring STEM Scholars to participate in relationship-building activities with industry partners (career exploration, job shadowing, mentorships, internships, and research activities).

“Los Medanos College is gratified by NSF’s award to support the launch of our STEM Scholars Program”, explained LMC President Bob Kratochvil. “Each scholarship is intended to provide sufficient funds for students to attend school full-time without having to also work, enabling them to direct their talents and energy toward their educational goals.  We believe this grant will play a key role in meeting our program objectives related to completion and achievement rates for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math majors – all leading to student success and career opportunities for our STEM scholars.”

For more information about the STEM Scholars Program, visit www.losmedanos.edu/stem or contact Carol Hernandez at 925-439-2181 extension 3437.

Los Medanos College (LMC) is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District. LMC prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. It provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. LMC is located on 120 acres between Pittsburg and Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

By Barbara Zivica

Before Citizens for a Safe Antioch, whose principal officer was Mayor Wade Harper, start crowing about the successful passage of Measure C, the 7-year half cent sales tax measure, let me point out a few facts.

The ballot measure merely stated that, should the measure pass, revenues would go into the General Fund and could be used for ANY legal municipal purpose. It did NOT say passage would enable the hiring of 22 police officers or that a Yes vote would bring back sworn law enforcement officers to protect students in Antioch schools.

Yes, as an endorsement by the Contra Costa Times pointed out, voter approval would bring Antioch’s sales tax to 9%, matching cities such as Concord, Pittsburg and Richmond. True as stated, but left unsaid is that the majority of Contra Costa’s 42 cities have a 8.5% sales tax rate. Those with a 9% sales tax are Hercules, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo, El Cerrito and Moraga have a 9.5% sales tax rate.

The two most interesting post election facts to me are that the majority of money raised to promote Measure C came from outside the community and voter turnout was extremely low. According to the Elections Office, Antioch’s total number of registered voters is 33,864 but only 10,085, less than 1/3, bothered to vote one way or the other. (6,854 voted YES and 3,229 voted NO).

It may have been a win but it certainly wasn’t an endorsement for higher taxes by the people of Antioch.

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, October 30, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) introduced the Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act.  The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act provides tax credits for small businesses to hire people who were previously unemployed.  The bill also includes additional tax credits for small businesses located in high unemployment areas. 

“It is vital that we attract and retain small business owners in our community.  Small businesses are a leading job creator and provide stability to our local economy.  My bill will help these businesses to thrive and grow, especially in areas like the San Joaquin Valley that continue to be the hardest hit by the current economic climate,” said Congressman McNerney.

Small businesses serve as the backbone of our economy and are the leading American job growth engine.  They also play a vital role in hiring and training people in underserved communities all across the country.  There are many small businesses that want to grow and create jobs but find it challenging to accomplish those goals in the current lending climate. 

“In our community, far too many people remain out of work through no fault of their own.  We must do more to address high unemployment rates both in our region and across the country.  The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act will help to ensure that small businesses have the resources needed to succeed and expand,” said Congressman McNerney.  “I am committed to spurring economic growth in the Valley, and that starts with attracting new businesses as well as helping our current small businesses to thrive.”

Providing tax credits to these small businesses will help create job opportunities and grow the economy.

The specific provisions of the Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act are:  

·A tax credit of 7.5 percent of wages earned by an employee in 2014, and five percent in 2015, applicable to the first $75,000 of an employee’s salary

·A tax credit of 15 percent in 2014, and 10 percent in 2015, as above, in counties with an unemployment rate higher than the national rate

For a small business to be eligible to receive these credits, they must meet the following criteria: 

·Revenue of $20 million or less or no more than 100 full-time employees

New hires for which small businesses would receive these tax credits must:

·Be full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week

·Have been certified as eligible for unemployment compensation during the previous year

The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act received the support of:

“It appears that this legislation is a real attempt to attack from two directions.  It will help small businesses prosper and at the same time to assist qualified workers in getting back into the workforce.” – Doug Wilhoit, CEO, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce

“Thank you, Congressman McNerney, for introducing the Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act and for always fighting to support small businesses. Small businesses need tax relief and this legislation will give tax incentives to small businesses for hiring unemployed workers. I welcome its passage.”  – Paulett Amous-Gross, President, African American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin County

“The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act has come at the right time. Small businesses are the innovators of job growth and providing them with tax incentives to employ workers can make a difference in our region.  Thank you, Congressman McNerney, for introducing this legislation.” – Dennis Lee, President, Central Valley Asian-American Chamber of Commerce   

“The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act is important for small business owners.  We need all the tax savings possible and this bill will help small business owners create more jobs.” – Dr. Derron Lee, owner of Midtown Optometry in Stockton

“The introduction of the Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act by Congressman McNerney is good news for small businesses and their employees. Legislation that incentivizes small employers with 100 employees or fewer to grow their businesses and create jobs will help strengthen our economy and move us further down the path to recovery. What’s more, this bill encourages small employers to hire workers who were previously unemployed, which will lower our unemployment rate, put more money in the pockets of consumers and bolster small employers’ bottom lines.” –  John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority

The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act is cosponsored by Reps. Napolitano and McLeod.