Archive for October, 2015

Residents enjoy car shows, speed boat races and tall ship tours in downtown Antioch, over the weekend

Monday, October 19th, 2015
Delta Thunder speed boat races on the river, in Antioch, Saturday, October 17, 2015

Delta Thunder VI speed boat races on the river, in Antioch, Saturday, October 17, 2015

The Lady Washington docked near the former Humphrey's restaurant in Antioch, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015.

The Lady Washington docked near the former Humphrey’s restaurant in Antioch, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015.

By Allen Payton

There was much to do and see in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown and at the Historical Society Museum, during the weekend.

Car shows were held on Saturday, on both West Second Street, put on by the Midnighters NorCal car club, and at the museum, featuring cars from several car clubs in East County.

Spectators enjoyed the Delta Thunder VI speed boat races, put on by the Rivertown Jamboree, both Saturday and Sunday. Plus, the tall ship Lady Washington , docked behind the former Humphrey’s restaurant, featured both on-deck walking and river cruising tours.

Although delayed by high winds on Saturday, the speed boat races were under way about 4:00 p.m. and continued on Sunday morning and afternoon to the delight of the participants, spectators, sponsors and promoters.

The Lady Washington will be docked in Antioch through the 26th. For more information click here. See race videos on the Antioch Herald Facebook page by clicking here.

Midnighters NorCal car club car show on West 2nd Street, Saturday, October 17, 2015. Photo by Wayne Harrison

Midnighters NorCal car club car show on West 2nd Street, Saturday, October 17, 2015. Photo by Wayne Harrison

Skip Tuttle gives a demonstration in his flat bottom boat that can reach speeds of 100 MPH, on the Antioch waterfront, during the Delta Thunder VI speed boat races, Sunday, October 18, 2015

Skip Tuttle gives a demonstration in his flat bottom boat that can reach speeds of 100 MPH, on the Antioch waterfront, during the Delta Thunder VI speed boat races, Sunday, October 18, 2015

The Delta Thunder VI speed boat races were delayed until a tanker was turned around near the tall ship Lady Washington, on Sunday, October 18.

The Delta Thunder VI speed boat races were delayed until a tanker was turned around near the tall ship Lady Washington, on Sunday, October 18.

A multi-club Car Show was held at the Antioch Historical Museum on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

A multi-club Car Show was held at the Antioch Historical Museum on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Hot rods, classics, low riders and more were on display at the multi-club Car Show at the Antioch Historical Society Museum on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Hot rods, classics, low riders and more were on display at the multi-club Car Show at the Antioch Historical Society Museum on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

 

 

Antioch kids can win up to $500 in Prime Vintage Realty’s Rivertown Coloring Contest

Monday, October 19th, 2015

Rivertown Coloring Contest web

1st Prize $500! 2nd Prize $250, 3rd Prize $100, 6-Honorable Mention Prizes of $25 Each

Children up to age 18 may enter. To enter the Coloring Contest, color the map (link below) of Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown from the 1800’s. Drop off or mail your entry(ies) by 5 PM, Friday, Dec. 11 to our office in the old Antioch Lumber Company building at 340 West Second Street, Antioch or email to RodneyLal@yahoo.com. Contest winners will be announced in December on AntiochHerald.com and their entries put on display at our office, during the visit by Santa, and in the January issue of the Antioch Herald. Artists release the exclusive rights for use by Prime Vintage Realty. For more information call (925) 366-8077. Download a copy of the map, here: Rivertown Coloring Contest

Los Medanos College hosting East County College Night for those considering higher education in their future, Oct. 27th

Monday, October 19th, 2015

Los Medanos College (LMC) will host the 25th East County College Night, on Tuesday, October 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The event will be located at the college’s gymnasium at 2700 East Leland Road in Pittsburg. Parking is recommended in lots A and B, and parking permits are not required for participants.

The event is free and anyone who is considering going to 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities is encouraged to attend. Parents are welcome also.

Representatives from more than 50 colleges and universities in California and beyond will be available to answer questions about their colleges. Anyone considering attending college and/or transferring will benefit by attending this event.

For more information about College Night at Los Medanos College, visit www.losmedanos.edu/collegenight.

Attention Bay Area drivers: Transportation agencies seek your input on highway and street conditions at forum, Thursday

Monday, October 19th, 2015

OAKLAND, CALIF., – The California Transportation Commission (CTC) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) want to hear from Bay Area residents about how they view current highway and local roadway conditions, and about proposals to stabilize state funding for transportation system repairs and maintenance.

The two agencies are hosting a public forum at the Caltrans District 4 Auditorium at 111 Grand Avenue in Oakland on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to discuss and generate feedback on these issues. Topics to be covered at the forum include:

  • How does the current condition of the Bay Area’s transportation system affect economic growth and regional competitiveness?

  • What are the near-term and long-term transportation needs and priorities in the Bay Area and in California?

  • How can we stabilize and increase funding needed for repair and maintenance of highways, roads and local streets?

  • How do we pay for ongoing operation and maintenance costs for our transportation network?

  • What are some of the key transportation projects that are being planned in the Bay Area?

Numerous Bay Area and state business and transportation leaders are expected to speak at the forum, and the public is encouraged to attend this event. More information on the transportation forum is available here.

The CTC is responsible for programming and allocating funds for the construction of highway, passenger rail and transit improvements throughout California. MTC is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

Watchdog: Glazer should have better vetted Harper before hiring for Senate district staff

Monday, October 19th, 2015

Watchdog-LogoBy Barbara Zivica

Senator Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) recently announced new staff members: Antioch Mayor Wade Harper, who’s up for a vote in November, 2016, Lafayette School District Board Member Teresa Gerringer, Pittsburg City Councilman Ben Johnson, and Elizabeth Patten of Oakland a former intern in Glazer’s 2015 Senate campaign. She will act as Constituent Services Coordinator.

I voted for Steve Glazer because I admired his public call for an end to BART strikes, which caused havoc to commuters and was critical of the system’s unions and management. I also give him kudos for having a number of Republicans on his staff. I criticize him now only because I think he should have done a better vetting job before putting Mayor Harper on his staff.

Perhaps Glazer is unaware that Antioch residents tried to recall the controversial mayor who campaigned on zero tolerance for crime and hiring 22 more police officers, which along with the 103 previously authorized by Council would have brought the force to a total of 125. However, despite passage of Measure C, a half cent sales tax which he said the city would dedicate to acquiring more police, as well as code enforcement personnel, the police force today, according to City Manager Duran’s monthly report on October 1, consists of 87 full-time sworn employees, four of which are in various stages of the field training program, five whom have medical conditions preventing them from full duty, and several police trainees currently attending the 78th Police Academy.

Writer asks why wait until 2030 to implement renewable energy plan

Monday, October 19th, 2015

Dear Editor:

CCA. Before long, everyone will know what these letters mean — just like we do PG&E. Community CHOICE Aggregation or CCE, Community CHOICE Energy. Lousy name, but a very good thing. The emphasis is on the word CHOICE. It’s the choice that residents, businesses, and schools in California have of 50% or more renewable energy instead of PG&E’s 28%. In case you’re keeping track of the numbers, that’s the amount of renewable energy the new California law mandates . . . by 2030. But, why wait?

Two Bay Area counties already have a CCA: Marin and Sonoma. Also a few cities: Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo and Benicia. CCA is available without putting solar on the roof, or buying anything. CCA provides solar and wind energy through the cables that we already have. In Sonoma county, most of the renewable energy is geothermal -– from the geysers. The renewable energy from a CCA does not include nuclear nor fossil fuels like natural gas. Certainly not coal. And you can always choose PG&E instead.

This past week, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors unanimously declared their interest in CCA. Nearly every county’s joining the trend: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Yolo, Mendocino, Humboldt, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, Los Angeles and San Diego.

CCA’s mean thousands of green jobs and an environmentally sustainable revenue stream for the economy. Lousy name, but a very good thing.

Carol Weed

Walnut Creek

Antioch Police Department calls for service highlights and statistics, Oct. 8-15, 2015

Saturday, October 17th, 2015

From Antioch City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report, dated 10/16/15, as provided by Police Chief Allan Cantando:

– On 10/15/15 at midnight officers responded to Kaiser on the report of an assault victim. Officers contacted a 23 year old male who had numerous injuries including two lacerations to his head, with one requiring five staples to close the wound. Information from the victim is limited and no one else is providing any details. On 10/14/2015 at 1042 pm officers responded to the 911 call of numerous males in four separate cars fighting in the intersection of Deer Valley Road and Lone Tree Way. All parties were gone when officers arrived. This is believed to be the incident where the victim was injured.

– On 10/14/15 at 11: 30 am an officer conducted a traffic stop at Delta Fair Blvd. and Somersville Road for vehicle code violations. The driver, 29 year old Earl Prince, was found to have a parole violation warrant. Earl was arrested without incident and transported to County Jail.

– On 10/14/15 at 8:30 am 50 year old Monte Swindle was panhandling at A Street and Highway 4. He was arrested and sent to County Jail for likely to continue and violation of his probation.

– On 10/14/15 at 1 am an unknown driver was driving on West Tregallas Road when their vehicle jumped the curb and struck a fire hydrant. The driver and vehicle fled and were not located. The fire hydrant was sheared off at the base. Fire department personnel responded and turned the water to the hydrant off.

– On 10/13/15 at 11:30 pm officers were patrolling the area of Romi’s Market on E 18th Street when they noticed a disturbance in the parking lot and were flagged down by a female. The female stopped at Romi’s to purchase some food and 41 year old Omega Ford began accosting her and threatened to shoot her. When Ford was arrested for the threats he began threatening the victim again in front of the officers. Ford was sent to County Jail.

– On 10/13/15 at 10:30 pm, an officer made a traffic stop on Camby and Clearbrook Roads. Officers got consent to search the vehicle and located a methamphetamine pipe in the door. 31 year old Amanda Jackson advised she also had marijuana. By the time he finished his search, the officer located multiple bindles of suspected controlled substances. Jackson was taken into custody. The bindles turned out to be methamphetamine and had a combined weight of 5.3grams.

– On 10/13/15 Officer’s worked a proactive detail directed towards panhandlers. 8 total arrests were made 3 subjects were sent to County Jail for various warrants, 5 subjects were cite released for either warrants, trespassing and/or panhandling.

– On 10/13/15 at 5:10 pm officers responded to Peppertree Way on a report of an occupied suspicious vehicle. Officers arrived and contacted 27 year old Antonio Poole who was walking away from the vehicle and officers. Poole was found to have a no bail warrant for his arrest. Poole was arrested without incident and booked into County Jail.

– On 10/13/15 at 11:45 am 50 year old Monte Swindle was panhandling on the westbound Highway 4 off ramp at A St. Swindle was contacted and was found to be in possession of a meth pipe. Swindle was cited and released.

– On 10/12/15 at 9 pm an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on 37 year old William Thomas. Thomas had five warrants for his arrest, 25 grams of methamphetamine on his person, and false identification in his possession. Thomas was arrested without incident and sent to County Jail.

– On 10/12/15 at 5:15 pm dispatch advised of a call for service in the front lobby of the Antioch Police Department in which 38 year old Heidi Clift stated she was here to pay a fine. Heidi became upset with the response time and started screaming and pounding on the service windows. When the officer arrived at the PD, Heidi was gone. A while later, dispatch saw Heidi jumping over the back fence of the PD parking lot. Heidi ran through the parking lot and got into the driver’s seat of a patrol car. Officers responded to the parking lot and found Heidi inside the patrol car with the doors locked. They used a spare key to open the door and pull her out. She advised that she was trying to use the lights and siren to get our attention. We were unable to determine what kind of fine she was originally trying to pay. Heidi was arrested for trespass and vehicle tampering and sent to County Jail.

– On 10/12/15 at 4 pm Officer responded to the Bank of America on E 18th Street on a report of a man walking up to the ATM’s after customers leave. Officers arrived and noticed the man looking over the shoulder of a female customer as she was at the ATM. When the female left, the man walked over to the ATM, noticed the officer watching him and walked away. Officers contacted 36 year old Mahdee Mahmoud and learned he had a $920K warrant for his arrest. Mahmoud was placed in the

back of the patrol car and attempted to destroy some ATM receipts he had in his pocket. Another customer approached the officer and informed him that he was alerted by B of A that someone was attempting to withdraw money from his account via the ATM. The investigation revealed Mahmoud was that person. Mahmoud was arrested and booked into County Jail.

– On 10/12/15 at 6 am 32 year old Christopher Fraulino was bothering workers and customers at Starbucks on A Street. Fraulino was found to have a cite release warrant for his arrest. Fraulino was admonished regarding trespassing at Starbucks and was cite released on his warrant.

– On 10/12/15 at 3:30 am an unknown driver hit a city light pole with their vehicle causing their car to be disabled and the light pole to fall in the street. The driver fled on foot and was not located. PG&E responded for the pole.

– On 10/11/15 at 10:20 pm a 27 year old female was home alone and was inside of her bedroom when an unknown suspect entered her apartment on Delta fair Blvd. through an unlocked living room window. The suspect opened her bedroom door and turned on the light. She screamed and the suspect fled out the front door. She was not injured. She was only able to see that the suspect was a male, but did not know his race. There was nothing taken.

– On 10/11/15 at 5:30 pm the resident left his 12 year old son home alone on Bronco Court. As he returned home, he noticed that his house had been burglarized. The suspect kicked in a side garage door and made his way into the master bedroom where he stole jewelry and other items. The 12 year old son was in his bedroom wearing headphones and playing video games the whole time and never heard a thing. The suspect left his jacket behind, which was collected. The Officer swabbed the jacket for DNA. No One was harmed during this event.

– On 10/11/15 at 1:30 pm 38 year old Heidi Clift was caught stealing items by Raley’s store loss prevention officers on Lone Tree Way. As she was escorted back into the store she began throwing items off of the store shelves. Earlier in the day she was seen going into a patient’s room at Sutter Delta Medical Center and locked herself in the bathroom so she could take a shower. Raley’s did not want prosecution and Clift was released.

– On 10/11/14 at 4:00 am, officers responded to the 911 call via Spanish translator of an assault on Spanos Street. Officers located a 33 year old male victim at the above location suffering from a 1″ laceration to the head. We learned that Cero had been out drinking and was going to his brother’s apartment when he was assaulted and robbed of his wallet. There are no suspects or witnesses.

– On 10/11/15 at 3:30 am officers responded to the 911 call of a burglary in-progress on Knollpark Circle. The homeowner took his wife and children into an upstairs bedroom and locked them inside. He looked out the window and saw the family dog, that’s kept in the garage, running down the driveway. The suspect entered an unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway and took the garage remote. The suspect raised the garage door and entered the garage and the dog ran out. The suspect opened the side door, which leads to the rear yard, and the alarm was activated. The suspect fled the residence and was not located by arriving officers. The loss was the garage door opener and other miscellaneous items from the car. The family was not physically harmed. There are no witnesses or suspects.

– On 10/110/15 at 7:40 pm 32 year old Jeventino Roblero-Perez lost control of his vehicle and took out a city light pole at Somersville and Buchanan Road. Roblero-Perez was still in the driver seat when officers arrived and displayed objective symptoms of intoxication. He performed a series of field sobriety tests and was found to be intoxicated. Roblero-Perez was arrested and provided a breath sample at APD. His blood alcohol content was found to be .19. He was transported to County Jail.

– On 10/10/15 at 6:30 pm 22 year old Andre Morgan walked into Cruiser’s Bar on A Street and attempted to order a beer. The bartender recognized Morgan from causing problems in the past and had him thrown out of the bar. Morgan became upset and used a brick to vandalize a vehicle in the parking lot belonging to the bartender, causing several thousand dollars in damage. Morgan was located nearby and identified as the responsible. He was arrested and transported to County Jail.

– On 10/10/15 at 11:20 am 53 year old Ivory Nelson was contacted while panhandling at the off-ramp of highway 4 and A Street. Nelson had a warrant for his arrest and sent to County Jail.

– On 10/9/15 at 11:53 pm 40 year old Carl Grubb was contacted for having a warrant for his arrest near a walking path at Mira Vista Court in Antioch. When he saw officers he attempted to flee from officers on his bike. Unfortunately, he was quickly stopped by a hanging bungee cord on his bike and came to an abrupt stop. Grubb was searched incident to arrest and a fixed blade knife approximately 5 inches long was located in his right front pants pocket. Grubb also showed to be on felony probation. Grubb was transported to County Jail.

– On 10/9/15 at 11:45 pm dispatch received eleven (11) 911 calls of shots fired near Garrow Drive. Officers responded to the area and located six (6) 9mm spent shell casings in the westbound lane of Limewood Dr. No victims were located at the scene. No cars or homes were struck. All of the callers heard the shots but no

eyewitnesses were located. No arguments were heard in the area prior to the shooting and no vehicles were heard leaving the area.

– On 10/9/15 at 6:30 pm an Officer was patrolling the parking lot of the Executive inn on 18th Street when he observed 28 year old Carlos Montanez walking away from the parking lot towards room 116. Montanez quickly went inside the room and closed the door. The officer located a stolen Jeep in the parking lot where Montanez had been walking. Montanez came back outside and was found to have a felony warrant for his arrest. Officers reviewed surveillance video from the motel and were able to view Montanez drive up in the Jeep just prior to our arrival. As officers were contacting Montanez, 33 year old Lanetra Beard arrived and was pointed out as renting the room Montanez had come from. Beard tried to distance herself from the room and provided a false name. After sometime, we discovered her true identity and her outstanding warrants. She was found to be on searchable probation. 32 year old Jayson Threatt was contacted during the probation search of the room. He was detained and found to have several outstanding warrants including a $1,000,000 dollar felony warrant for carjacking and robbery. During the search of the room we located a large black duffle bag which contained a black 357 single shot pistol, ammunition and two bullet proof vests. Threatt is convicted felon. All three were sent to County Jail

– On 10/9/15 at 3 pm a witness called APD after he observed 24 year old Ramiro Gomez driving a vehicle with a handgun on his lap. The witness provided Gomez’s direction of travel and Gomez was located driving in the area of Mahogany Way. A high risk stop was conducted and Gomez was found to have a handgun and loaded magazine between the driver seat and driver door. Gomez also had his two year old son in his vehicle. The firearm was registered to Gomez who doesn’t have any felony convictions. Gomez claimed that he has been shot twice and was in possession of the handgun for protection. Gomez was issued a citation and released.

– On 10/9/15 at 12 pm Antioch Unified School District staff requested a welfare check on the six year old victim due to suspected neglect. During a welfare check on Manzanita Way, it was found that the living conditions at the residence were uninhabitable. The six year old victim and the three month old victim were placed on a hold and were released to the custody of Children and Family Services. 64 year old Peter Gogue Sr. and 23 year old Larritta Oliver were both cite released for child neglect. 35 year old Peter Gogue Jr. is a felon and was in possession of ammunition. Gogue Jr. was arrested and sent to County Jail.

– On 10/9/15 at 4:15 am an anonymous concerned citizen called 911 to report several subjects with flashlights looking through a van parked on Campbell Street. Officers arrived and the van was gone, along with the subjects. The van was located and 29

year old Brian Ellis was contacted. Ellis was found to have a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and sent to County Jail.

– On 10/8/15 at 10:20 pm an officer was conducting extra patrol at Slatten Ranch when he on viewed a Chevy Camaro involved in a “side show” in the parking lot behind Hobby Lobby. An enforcement stop was done and 19 year old Depak Sukhu was found to be the driver and only occupant. Sukhu was cited for the violation and his car was towed for 30-Days. Two 17 year old males were parked in a separate Ford Mustang recording a video of Sukhu. They were both cited for being a spectator at a “side show” and their parents were called to the scene to take custody of them.

– On 10/8/15 at 9:30 pm an anonymous concerned citizen called APD to report a suspicious male walking back and forth in the area carrying a bag and flashlight on Crescent Court. Officers arrived and contacted 36 year old Juan Vela and learned he was on county probation out of San Francisco with a search clause. A search of his person produced 1.1 grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe. He was arrested and cited in the field with a notice to appear.

On 10/8/15 at 9:30 pm officers conducted a pedestrian stop and asked 18 year old George Firestine if he had anything illegal on him. Firestine admitted he had “Oxy’s” in his pocket. During a consent search, they located a small plastic container with 9 pills in a plastic wrapper inside of it. The pills were labeled consistent with oxycodone. Under Miranda, Firestine admitted to stealing the pills from an unknown subject’s backpack at a local skate park earlier in the day. Firestine further admitted it was his intention to sell the pills for $20 each. Based on his admissions, Firestine was arrested.

– On 10/8/15 at 8 pm officers were dispatched to Sutter Delta Medical Center regarding an 18 year old male being admitted in the ER for being struck with a pistol. The victim stated he was parked with friends in his Lexus somewhere off of Dallas Ranch Road. They were approached by two males as they sat in the car. The males opened the door and one began striking the victim with a pistol for no apparent reason. The victim was less than forthcoming and believed the pistol was fake due to it breaking apart during the incident. The males fled on foot and did not take anything or speak during the entire incident. The victim did not desire prosecution and was later released with only minor injuries.

– On 10/8/15 at 12:53 pm 63 year old Gloria Escobido decided to urinate on a neighbor’s property in the 1300 block of West 4th Street. The victim witnessed the incident and it was recorded on his surveillance cameras. The victim signed a citizen’s arrest and Escobedo was cited at the scene.

Calls for Service & Arrest Data: Time Period: 10/08/15 00:00:00 – 10/14/15 23:59:59
Number of Calls for Service: 1,660
Number of Case Reports: 274
Number of Arrests: 101
Felony: 26
Misdemeanor: 73
Infraction: 2
Arrests with DUI charge: 3
The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

 

Highway 4 construction lane closures and traffic information, week of Oct. 17-23, 2015

Saturday, October 17th, 2015

FULL FREEWAY CLOSURES:

There are no full freeway closures planned for this week.

HIGHWAY LANE CLOSURES:

State Route 4:

There will be highway lane closures in the westbound direction of State Route 4 between Railroad Avenue and Loveridge Road on Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

There will be highway lane closures in the eastbound direction of State Route 4 between Bailey Road and Loveridge Road on Monday through Friday from 3:00 am to 12:00 pm.

State Route 160:

There are no highway lane closures of State Route 160 planned for this week.

RAMP CLOSURES:

State Route 4:

The State Route 4 westbound off ramp at Hillcrest Avenue will be closed on Friday evening from 11:00 pm to 4:00 am. (See map, below)

State Route 160:

There are no ramp closures of State Route 160 planned for this week.

LOCAL STREET CLOSURES:

There are no local street closures planned for this week.

For questions or comments please send e-mail to info@4eastcounty.org.

Hillcrest Ave Westbound Off-Ramp Closure detour