By Acting Lieutenant Tom Fuhrmann, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

On Thursday, November 19, 2015 at approximately 4:47 PM, the Antioch Police Department was dispatched to a residence in the 2300 block of Peppertree way for an unresponsive male after a disturbance at the location. The male, a 69-year-old Antioch resident, was transported to an area hospital where he is in critical condition. Investigators are interviewing all other involved parties and/or witnesses to determine what occurred at the residence to cause the man’s injuries. There are no outstanding persons of interest at this time.

No further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Vanderpool with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6988. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

The Syrian Refugee Bill, HR 4038, passed the House of Representatives on Thursday, increasing the requirements for screening refugees from that country. Both Congressmen representing Antioch, Reps. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) and Jerry McNerney (CA-9), voted against it. President Obama has promised to veto the bill, should it pass the Senate. However, according to CNN, “The vote was 289-137, with 47 Democrats joining 242 Republicans in favor of the bill, creating a majority that could override President Barack Obama’s promised veto.”

DeSaulnier issued the following statement in response to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and the legislation to change the existing U.S. refugee admission process:

“Ensuring the safety and security of our nation and its people is our top priority. As an American with French ancestry, two countries that were founded on the ideals of liberty, I am proud that historically we have been faithful to both.

I stand with the President to enhance our security and to reinforce our values. Today’s political maneuver would undermine these goals and immediately halt refugee admissions from Syria by making the vetting process unnecessarily duplicative and onerous. We currently have a process for admitting refugees that is extensive, selective, and demanding.

Specifically, vetting includes biometric and biographic checks, medical screenings, and interviews. Further, refugees’ applications are scrutinized with criteria specific to circumstances unique to the conflicts in their countries and the region. Multiple federal agencies work together with the United Nations on every U.S. application. With this screening, not a single one of the 2,174 Syrian refugees admitted to the United States since September 11, 2001 has been arrested or deported on terrorism-related grounds.

This bill would do nothing to keep the United States safe, and would hurt refugees who are fleeing the very terrorists we are trying to protect against. As we continue to strengthen our approach to potential threats, we must focus on efforts that do, in fact, provide greater security while standing by the ideals of freedom and compassion upon which our country was built.”

McNerney issued the following statement on his vote to oppose H.R. 4038:

“My highest priority as a member of Congress is the safety and security of the people in my district, and the protection of all Americans. The horror and tragedy of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris have echoed around the world, and serve as a stark reminder that we must do everything possible to keep our country safe. Any actions or policies that we advance in response to the brutality and hatred we’ve seen in Europe and the Middle East should bolster the security of our nation, and promote greater safety for our people. These efforts should reflect our American values, and our position as a leader in the international community.

“Currently, refugees considered for entry into the United States, no matter their country of origin, must undergo an extensive and robust screening process. These procedures include multiple layers of safeguards; screenings and background checks to ensure that an applicant meets all the requirements set forth by national security agencies, and does not pose a threat to the United States. Under the current system, those conditions must be met for an applicant to be admitted, in a process that typically takes 18 to 24 months. Our efforts should focus on continuing to improve upon and strengthen current protocols. Instead, H.R. 4038 puts roadblocks in place that would hinder the government’s ability to ensure proper implementation of the existing system that has kept Americans safe since its creation after 9/11.

“Although H.R. 4038 sounds tough, I am concerned that it will do the opposite of what its intended by bringing the current working system to a halt, thereby freezing refugees – many who are women and children – in a state of hopelessness, potentially creating more radicalized individuals and weakening our international coalition to fight ISIS. Moreover, H.R. 4038 legislates from a place of fear and does not reflect our core American values that make America the greatest nation in the world.

“For these reasons I opposed H.R. 4038. Only by standing together can we drive out the darkness, confront extremism, and hold a firm line against ISIS and all terrorism.”

CLAYTON, Calif., November 19, 2015 – For the 24th straight year, a number of representatives from Contra Costa County non-profit agencies were on hand Thursday at the annual Marsh Creek Detention Facility’s Toy Show to fulfill their kids’ Christmas wish lists. The representatives were able to choose from numerous newly handcrafted toys and bicycles refurbished by the facility’s inmates. These gifts are given to the children who are being served by these agencies during the upcoming holidays.

Along with the many displayed toys and bikes, the inmates decorated the Marsh Creek Detention Facility’s workshop to look like Santa’s own. Joining the non-profit-agency representatives were Contra Costa County’s Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata and Sheriff David Livingston, as well as numerous representatives from both agencies to celebrate this longtime agency partnership that benefits the community.

Both Superintendent Sakata and Sheriff Livingston gave their thoughts to the many attendees about the extremely successful partnership of the Contra Costa County Office of Education’s (CCCOE) accredited shop classes being taught in a Contra Costa County Jail. “We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful agency collaboration that brings such value to our county,” said Superintendent Sakata. “With this project, these adult students will certainly bring a brighter Holiday Season to many children throughout our community.”

A small group of Marsh Creek Detention Facility inmates have been working on this project since the workshop re-opened in early October. They have been extremely busy fixing up used bikes to look and ride like brand new, and crafting colorful and beautiful wooden toys, such as, ball and cup games, spinning carousels, cars, doll houses, baby cradles, toy tractors, train sets, and more. All of the toy makers and/or bike mechanics are students in the Contra Costa Adult School, an accredited school directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), located within the detention facility.
CCCOE’s woodshop teacher Paul Turner hit the ground running, directing this project, soon after being hired on September 28. “On October 7, we opened the doors to the woodshop and bike shop,” said Turner, “It was like going into someone’s garage,” he laughed. “We had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time, but luckily my small group of students had plenty of skills to produce more than 400 toys and refurbish 170 bikes by the time this event rolled around. I’m very proud of how hard they worked on this project.”

Non-profit organizations participating in this special event included: Bay Area Rescue Mission, Brighter Beginnings, Contra Costa County Independent Living Skills Program, El Cerrito Fire Department, Shelter Inc., The Salvation Army-Antioch Corps, Ujima Family Recovery Services/La Casa, and VESTIA.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

During the 2014-15 school year, approximately 2,343 adult inmates (throughout the three Contra Costa detention facilities) were enrolled in classes ranging from academic programs, including basic literacy and GED preparation, to vocational programs, including woodshop, construction, and state-of-the-art computer training. By the end of the school year, 17 student-inmates received their GED and 23 received a high school diploma, and 34 students passed the California High School Exit Exam. In addition, there were 207 students who demonstrated learning gains in reading or math, and 122 students earned a certificate of completion in computer applications. Another course directed by the CCCOE is the DEUCE Program (Deciding, Educating, Understanding, Counseling, and Evaluation).

These three-part classes (90 days) focus on substance abuse prevention. Last year, 708 students completed at least one of the three phases, and 146 students graduated from DEUCE. The Parenting Inside/Out class teaches vital parenting skills to women and men, with 57 certificates issued last school year. Last year, the CCCOE opened a new re-entry class at the West County Detention Facility. The re-entry class offers workforce readiness, career exploration, soft skills workshops, and a nine-week cognitive-behavior-change program called Transitions. Currently, 46 inmates are enrolled in the re-entry course.

These classes help to provide education and skills needed for successful transition back into the community.

Owner Lynn Kutsal with one of her long time customers, Antioch businessman Isaac Negrin, as he enjoys a salad at Nature’s Bounty Cafe, recently.

By Allen Payton

Lynn Kutsal can’t believe it’s been 10 years since she opened Nature’s Bounty Cafe in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown, as of last month.

They’ve been serving their customers, who have become their friends, delicious breakfast, lunch and baked goods each Monday through Friday, as well as offering their catering services throughout the week and on weekends.

“We have an amazing client base,” Kutsal stated. “I can never express our thanks, enough for everyone who has been so good to us.”

Known for their breakfast burritos and famous carrot cake cream cheese frosting cupcakes, their apple, walnut, chicken salad has been a favorite. But the Erin salad, named for a former employee, is now the favorite.

“It’s our everything, kitchen sink salad,” she said. “People just love it.”

Kutsal is planning to expand her catering side of the business, next year and they’re “working on some things for 2016 that are all really exciting,” she added. Those include new menus and on-line ordering for cafe customers, so they don’t have to call in.

They will also be revising their Dinner Club, rolling out Health & Fit dinners to take home, beginning the first of the year.

They also will be offering Thanksgiving Feast sides, including stuffing and all the trimmings. You just have to provide the turkey.

Located at 211 G Street, they’re open 9-2 Mon, 9-3 Tues-Fri, closed Sat. and Sun. You can see their menu online by searching Natures Bounty Cafe Menu. Stop by or call today, 777-0600 and be sure to “like” them on Facebook.