For parents of children with Autism in the East Bay region, the process of finding a center-based therapy provider has been simplified. Trumpet Behavioral Health will open doors to a new Antioch Autism Center on Monday, November 9th.

WHO: Trumpet Behavioral Health (TBH) provides autism treatment for children and adults at its centers and in schools and family homes. The Lakewood, Colorado-based provider offers services throughout the Bay area as well as in 10 other states.

WHAT: Families, healthcare professionals, educators and the general public are invited to join Trumpet team members for this Open House where they can tour the new facility, take part in activities, enjoy light appetizers/beverages, and consult with Board Certified Behavior Analysts regarding services and assessment.

WHY: ABA therapy services and providers are an integral part of every community and offer a wide variety of benefits to families of a loved one with autism. Trumpet Behavioral Health believes that the best way to choose a provider is to meet them in person, and welcomes all who are interested in learning more about ABA therapy.

WHEN/WHERE: November 12th from 4 – 7 p.m., at Trumpet’s Antioch Autism Center, 4849 Lone Tree Way, Suite C, Antioch, CA 94531.

For more information on this new location please visit www.tbh.com/locations/antioch-ca-aba-therapy-for-autism/ or contact Andy Mullins at (303) 989-8171. Like them on Facebook at facebook.com/trumpetautismcare.

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Assemblyman Jim Frazier

The California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO) has selected California Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D-Oakley) and State Senator Richard Roth (D-Riverside) as the recipients of the Motomu Nakasako Legislator of the Year awards for 2015. CACVSO has also selected Speaker of the Assembly Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) to receive the Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.The awards will be presented at the organization’s annual Sacramento Training Conference in February 2016.

The Motomu Nakasako Award is named after “Mote” Nakasako, a Los Angeles County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) who was constantly involved in legislation to improve the lives of veterans at the local, state, and federal levels. He was a decorated member of the Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team, one of World War II’s most decorated units. Mr. Nakasako joined the Army and volunteered for combat duty from the Heart Mountain Internment Camp in Wyoming.

Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D-Oakley)

Assuming office in 2013, Assemblyman Frazier hit the ground running and quickly let it be known that he would support veterans. Frazier’s uncle died of complications from Agent Orange exposure resulting from his service in Vietnam.

After a two year effort, he pushed through the VETERAN designation on the California driver’s license bill, a longtime goal of the veterans community. AB 935, which will take effect on November 11, 2015, will require DMV to print the word “VETERAN” on the face of a driver’s license or identification card issued to a person who makes that request. Frazier authored three bills in a two year period to make this happen.

Assemblyman Frazier was the major sponsor and participant of the 25th Anniversary of the CA Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the State Capitol. He used his own funds to bring the “Wall That Heals” Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall to the State Capitol in 2014. In November of that year, he participated in the ceremony for the Wall of Remembrance for the Global War on Terror at the Capitol on Veterans Day.

According to Pete Conaty, Governmental Advocate for the CACVSO, “California’s veterans and the professionals who assist them are indeed fortunate to have such staunch champions in the Legislature as Speaker Atkins, Senator Roth, and Assemblyman Frazier”.

The California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO) was established in 1945 and they are responsible for assisting veterans in filing for federal benefits, claim development, claim filing advocacy, and case management services to our respective veteran’ populations. This vital segment of our population encompasses an ever increasing aging veterans’ population composed of WWII and Korean veterans and their survivors, as well as veterans from our most recent wars. County Veterans Service Offices are also responsible for screening veterans and their dependents (by means of the State Mandated Welfare Referral Program) that have applied for Cal WORKS, food stamps, Medi-Cal, and other public assistance benefits.

Frazier represents Antioch, other parts of East County and a portion of Solano County in the State Assembly.

By Nick Goodrich

The Antioch City Council voted Tuesday night to sell to the Antioch Historical Society the city’s 1927 Ford Model T fire engine, among other things, including an antique water apparatus and trailer for the engine, for a nominal fee.

The fire truck is exposed to city residents only several times each year, primarily in parades such as the 4th of July Parade. In their “Fire House Display Project”, however, the Historical Society plans to add an additional building to the Antioch Historical Museum to house and display the truck.

Former Antioch Mayor Donald Freitas, president of the Historical Society, was in attendance at the City Council meeting, along with former Mayor Jim Davis and several other members.

“We want to demonstrate the history of fire safety in Antioch,” said Freitas in speaking out in support of the project. “It’s about preservation, education, public safety information, and marketing.”

The Historical Society plans to increase the city’s exposure to the truck, especially to children on school field trips, by keeping it on display while still allowing for it’s use in parades and city events. Jim Davis had discussed the possibility of giving the truck to the Historical Society during his tenure as Mayor.

“This is a project that’s new and exciting, and it’s long overdue,” added Tom Monasco, another member of the Society who spoke in front of the City Council Tuesday.

In a unanimous vote, City Council agreed to sell the antique truck, water apparatus, and trailer to the Historical Society, provided the Society allows the city the right of first refusal in the event the equipment is sold again and that the Society finds suitable insurance for the truck. The Historical Society is set to begin fundraising for the Fire House Display Project soon, but Mayor Wade Harper suggested offering funds to bolster the Society’s fundraising efforts, stating that such a project would foster good will with the school district and provide great educational value for Antioch schoolchildren.

APD Chief Cantando 3rd Qtr Report 2015

Antioch Police Chief Allen Cantando also made an appearance before City Council on Tuesday night, presenting the Third Quarter Police Statistics Report for 2015. In his presentation, Cantando noted a 12.3 percent decrease in overall crime in the city of Antioch from last year’s third quarter report, as well as an increase in arrests. Chief Cantando also drew attention to the Antioch Police Department’s recent hiring surge; since November of 2013, the APD has hired 28 new sworn police officers, while undergoing 22 separations due to retirements, resignations, and terminations, creating a net staffing change of 6 personnel. The overwhelming sentiment from City Council was one of good will, praising Chief Cantando for his efforts and urging him to keep up the quality of the APD’s work.

New Encrypted Communication System

A main topic of Cantando’s presentation, however, was the APD’s planned removal of police scanner access to Antioch residents. The APD was scheduled to go live with their new EBRCS scanner system on Wednesday, October 28^th, and has elected to pursue the optional encryption feature for their system, which will prevent all but the Police Department from accessing police scanners.

On the APD’s social media pages, the announcement drew the ire of numerous residents, who spoke forcefully against the removal. During the council meeting, however, Cantando reaffirmed his decision, and was supported by Mayor Wade Harper and the City Council.

Cantando stated that access to police scanners through cell phone apps and other devices presents a significant crime risk, as criminals have proven in the past to use them to their advantage. He cited several examples, including cases in which criminals have used scanners to know when to commit crimes whenever police department resources have been devoted elsewhere.

“We’re doing it for officer safety reasons and public safety reasons,” said Cantando. “I’m optimistic we’re going to see a reduction in crime.”

The next Antioch City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall on West Second Street.

By Barbara Zivica

Did you see the Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition filed by Antioch residents Lamar Thorpe, LaTanya Harmon and Patrice L. Guillory of Antioch, published on October 24th and entitled “Antioch Coalition Against the Expansion of Gambling?”

Currently, the City only allows two card rooms to exist within the City at one time and requires persons who wish to operate a card room to obtain a license, based on an application, which the City Council may approve or reject. Only one card room, The 19th Hole, is currently operating in Antioch.

The initiative, which seeks to limit card rooms within the city, allowing only those card rooms that existed on September 1, 2015 to operate, would mandate that Council deny a license application if it finds the applicant has committed a felony, lacks good moral character, has submitted false information in support of the application, or the card room would be incompatible with surrounding land uses.

It would also change the regulations for licensed card rooms, including limiting the number of player-dealer games to half the card room’s tables, limit the number of players at a table to ten (except for poker tournaments) and require Antioch voter approval be obtained for any card room expansion or new card room (licenses granted to established businesses only) and prohibit card rooms from being located within 1,000 feet of another card room or of any school, hospital, medical clinic, alcohol or drug recovery center, mental/social care facility, park, library or place of worship.

Don’t be fooled by this initiative, which the aforementioned committee members are asking to be put on the ballot. It’s a back door ploy. The sponsor of the committee is the California Grand Casino in Pacheco, seeking to limit competition, and the committee treasurer is David Fried from Tiberon.

Anthony Torres

By Acting Sergeant Mortimer, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Tuesday, October 27, 2015, at 1:10 PM, Undercover Detectives observed Anthony Torres, a 46-year-old Antioch resident, driving a vehicle and knew he had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. Torres’ arrest warrant was for possession of controlled substances for sale.

Detectives attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Torres and he fled at a high rate of speed. The pursuit started near W. 9th Street and L Street and was ultimately terminated for safety. A short while later, Detectives found Torres and followed him to the K-Mart parking lot on E. 18th Street in Antioch. Torres exited his vehicle and attempted to get into an awaiting vehicle but was arrested by Detectives prior to entering the awaiting vehicle.

Torres was in possession of a loaded firearm and over a pound of methamphetamine. Investigators served search warrants related to this case in the 1900 Block of Phillips Lane in Antioch as well as the 800 Block of W. 6th Street in Antioch. Torres was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on 13 felony charges relating to evading police, firearms, and possession of narcotics for sale. He has a current bail of 2.19 million dollars.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Lowther with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6943. No further information will be released at this time.

Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6939. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Representatives from Antioch Chamber of Commerce and City Council join Church@Antioch Pastor Chris Williams (with scissors), his wife Emery, and members of the A Team from their church to cut the ribbon at their new offices on Saturday, September 26, 2015.

By Allen Payton

Business, city, church and community leaders of Antioch joined Pastor Chris Williams and his wife Emery, and church members for the ribbon cutting and reception to officially open the Church@Antioch’s new offices, at the Venture Commerce Center in Antioch, on Saturday, September 26.

Launched, earlier this year, the Church@Antioch holds its Sunday services at Black Diamond Middle School. Their new offices also provide rooms for small group Bible studies and meetings.

Before the ribbon was cut, Antioch Chamber CEO, Dr. Sean Wright shared some thoughts.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out to support Chris and the church, today,” he said. “Thank you for everything you’re doing for the community with work and worship.”

City Councilwoman Monica Wilson spoke on behalf of the city.

“Thank you for bringing your church to be part of our community and your community to be part of our community and promoting the positivity,” she stated. “Let us know what we can do for you and I wish you guys much success.”

Pastor Larry Adams of Golden Hills Community Church, which helped launch the Church@Antioch, was asked to speak.

“What we do together as Christians is serving the Kingdom,” he said. “We were thrilled to have a small part to help them get off the ground. And God’s the winner of this. Some day Black Diamond Middle School is not going to be able hold this church.”

“Wow,” Emery Williams exclaimed. “I just want to say I’m very thankful to God for each and everyone of you. Thankful for my husband and the vision God has given him. We are actually literally living a dream.”

Finally, Pastor Williams spoke to those gathered.

“Although we’re new as a church, to this city, I’ve lived in Antioch for 15 years,” he stated. “God kept me here to develop a burden and its through having a burden that vision is birthed.”

He then thanked members of his church.

“We could not do any of this without the A Team at the Church@Antioch,” Williams continued. “Thank you for being here. My wife and I are just honored of God for him using us.” For more information on the Church@Antioch, visit their website at www.churchatantioch.org.

Richard and Taylor Hobin in front of the law offices on A Street in Antioch.

By Connie Woods

Long time Antioch attorney, Richard Hobin was joined in his practic by his son, Taylor, last year.

Now known as Hobin & Hobin LLP, Attorneys at Law, the family owned business, is celebrating being in Antioch and serving Bay Area residents for over 38 years.

The father and son team are passionate about what they do, and have expertise in Real Estate Law, Business Law, Personal Injury Law, Wills, Trusts & Probate, Estate Planning, Trust Litigation, and Civil Litigation. As trial attorneys they have been a vital part of the Antioch community, helping local residents in their legal matters.

The Hobins perform a wide range of legal services in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, civil litigation, criminal, family, real estate, business, wills and probate, and corporate matters. These services have ranged from a felony vehicular manslaughter trial; wrongful death and personal injury settlements and verdicts; multi-million dollar business transactions; real estate and construction defect litigation; lease termination and equipment auction of a computer cyber- space station; etc.

The patriarch of the law firm and family, Richard, began his law career after, first attending Oregon State University, being a Naval officer and fighting in the Vietnam War, and traveling through Europe. He then attended the University of California, Hastings School of Law, and after graduating and becoming licensed, opened a law office in Antioch. Over the years, he initially worked solo, then partnered with 23 other lawyers and staff, and in 2007 returned to solo practice, with paralegals and a great staff, in which his son later joined.

Taylor, passed the bar and joined the firm, last year, resulting in the name change from Richard Hobin Law to Hobin & Hobin.

Taylor also attended the University of California’s Hastings School of Law. He grew up in Antioch, attending Holy Rosary Elementary School, De La Salle High School, and then the University of San Francisco on a golf scholarship. At Hastings, Taylor worked as an editor, on the Constitutional Law Quarterly and won awards in legal writing as well as in moot court. Some of his published articles include “Wireless Internet Searches: How the Fourth Amendment Applies to Police Searches of Information Accessed Over a Wireless Internet Connection,” and an article entitled “Criminal.” Taylor handles a wide range of legal services and is also getting a Master’s Degree in Taxation. He is married and they have a baby boy, as of earlier this year. In his spare time Taylor plays and competes in golf.

Richard has been married for 32 years to his wife Debbie, who founded the high achieving Antioch Charter Academy. Richard is very active in the community, and has served as president of both the Delta Kiwanis and Delta-Antioch Rotary Clubs. He has also coached youth baseball, basket and golf teams and was District Chairperson for the Boy Scouts. Richard has also served as president of the Holy Rosary School Board, Delta Memorial Hospital Foundation, Annual De La Salle Golf Committee, and president of United Lutheran Ministries and St. Andrews Lutheran Church.

Richard is member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, Consumer Attorneys of California, Alameda/Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, and the Contra Costa Bar Association and feels privileged to help people in crisis.

Both attorneys are great role models in our community.

If you are interested in their services, contact the Law Office of Hobin & Hobin at (925) 757-7585, or by email to richard@hobinlaw.com or taylor@hobinlaw.com. They are located at 1011 A Street in Antioch. For more information visit their website at www.hobinlaw.com.

By Allan Cantando, Chief of Police, Antioch Police Department

The City of Antioch has continued its trend of declining crime stats since the beginning of the calendar year. As we end the third quarter of 2015, both total violent crime and total property crime has experienced double digit decreases when compared to the same time period from the year prior. This is in large part due to our continued support from the community and strong partnerships with groups like our Crime Prevention Commission and Neighborhood Watch.

In addition to dropping crime rates, proactive enforcement across the city, including traffic enforcement, has continued in 2015 which has contributed to an increase in total arrests by 17% over last year. With the combination of declining crime and increased enforcement, the Antioch Police Department is enjoying one of its most productive years in the last decade.

For complete details of these and other police related statistics for 2015, the community is invited to hear a full report at the upcoming City Council Meeting on October 27th at the Antioch City Hall.

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to the businesses, community groups, and citizens of Antioch for their ardent support as we continue to proudly serve this city. Thank you.

The council meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. and can also be viewed on Comcast Channel 24 or via livestreaming on the city’s website, www.ci.antioch.ca.us.