Tickets are still available, but going fast! Click, here.

For the first time, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce announced their annual award honorees before their annual gala dinner. The dinner will be held on Friday, March 11th and will honor the the 2015 Citizens of the Year for Lifetime Achievement and Most Impact, as well as Youth, Large and Small Businesses, and Nonprofit organization of the Year.

Jane Parsons

Jane Parsons, an Antioch institution who has served her community as a volunteer and an elected official for more than four decades, has been named Antioch’s 2015 Citizen of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, along with Ken Turnage II as 2015 Citizen of the Year, Most Impact.

Citizen of the Year Lifetime Achievement

Jane Parsons was first appointed as a City Treasurer in 1983 and went on to win five elections, retiring in 2004. Jane has volunteered for over forty years for many community efforts including Rivertown Jamboree, Holiday De Lites and the Lighted Boat Parade, Soroptimist International of Antioch, Delta Thunder Boat Parade, Delta 2000 and is a past Commodore of the Driftwood Yacht Club. Jane is the longest serving member of the Antioch Chamber’s Ambassadors, supporting mixers, ribbon cuttings and more. She is one of those rare individuals who serves quietly and always has a smile and wonderful attitude. Those who have worked with her over the years do so because she is so inspiring and she serves without regard to personal gain and always for a good cause, women, children and the entire community.

Ken Turnage II

Citizen of the Year Most Impact

Ken Turnage II grew up in Antioch watching Antioch’s greatest mentors and influential families shape the community. Today, Ken serves on Antioch’s Economic Development Commission, is a member of the Antioch Rotary Club, supports and participates in the many events and activities of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, and is a strong supporter Antioch Police Activities League (PAL) and the Leo Fontana Family Foundation. Through these organizations, along with many others, Ken’s efforts work towards creating and sustaining a sense of pride in Antioch.  Ken continuously offers his support and guidance to community events, however, the highlights of 2015 were using his extensive construction skills building Santa’s Sleigh for the Holiday De Lites parade and creating a pool top dance floor for the annual Rotarian Luau.

The other winners of the 2015 awards are:  Large Business of the Year, Sutter Health Medical Center; Small Business of the Year, M.A.L.U. Fitness; Nonprofit of the Year, Antioch Rotary Club.  The Youth of the Year winners will be announced at the event.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Gala will be held on Friday, March 11th, 6:00 PM at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road in Antioch. Tickets are on sale now at AntiochChamber.com, emailing JDossey@AntiochChamber.com or by calling (925) 757-1800.

By Barbara Zivica

Here we go again.  The City Council has once again decided on a ballot measure to make the City Treasurer an appointed position.  It will appear on the June ballot, in addition to the card room ballot measure.  Cost of placing the card room measure on the ballot is estimated to be $132,000 to $177,000, no additional cost to put the City Treasurer measure on the ballot at the same time.  The City is claiming, however, that by making the City Treasurer’s position an appointed position rather than an elected position the City would save $22,000.   Basically the savings would come from a future decision by Council to permit a finance director or existing staff member to take over the treasurer’s duties at the current salary.

State law requires a general law city, like Antioch, to have a city clerk and city treasurer.  The positions may be elected or appointed.  In 2012, 323 of California’s approximately 480 cities had an appointed city clerk, 307 had an appointed city treasurer.  Oakley and Brentwood both have appointed city clerks and city treasurers which, however, does not mean that Antioch should follow suit.

In case voters don’t remember, in June 2012 Council voted to place Measure L on the ballot.   If approved by a majority of voters, it would have made the offices of City Clerk and City Treasurer appointed rather than elected positions, allowing Council or the City Manager to make the appointment.  The results of the election:  29.15% YES votes, 70.85% NO votes.

When the question was asked “Shall the offices of city clerk and city treasurer be appointed”  the following basic argument was made against Measure L and still applies:  Keeping the positions elected means the voters hold the power, not Council who can fill the positions with their “rubber stamped” appointees.

Just look at Mayor Wade Harper’s recent request to remove Lamar Thorpe from the Antioch Economic Commission and Council Member Monica Wilson’s request to remove Thorpe as  one of her Standby Council Members.   Wilson recently admitted she signed the card room ballot petition filed by Thorpe, Patrice Guillary and LaTanya Harmon. That initiative, which will also be on the June ballot was sponsored by the California Grand Casino in Pacheco, in an attempt to eliminate competition. (Both Harper and Wilson are running for County Supervisor District 3 – Mary Piepho’s seat)

Prohibiting the public from voting on currently elected positions would only insulate City Council’s appointed cronies, preventing active, thinking, voting taxpayers the ability to publicly question their actions.  Folks, this is a Mayor and Council that can’t be trusted to appoint responsible people to city positions and are having to remove one of them, as a result.

I say it’s time for the public to start taking the reins back in our own hands.

Vote for Your Favorite Antioch Businesses  for Gold, Silver and Bronze awards and You’ll be Entered to Win Prizes from Local Businesses!

Our annual awards program is back to recognize those Antioch businesses, which the people like most.

The 2016 Antioch People’s Choice Awards will honor the best businesses as determined by your votes.

Be sure to see the official ballot on pages 13 and 14 of this issue, cut it out, write in your choices and mail or drop it off at our office at 101 H Street, Waldie Plaza, Suite 3 in downtown Antioch.

Ballots must be received by Friday, March 11 to be counted.

Winning businesses will be announced in our April issue and be given special decals for their business windows, and be able to use one of the logos, above in their advertising, throughout the year.

One ballot per person. Copies are accepted. Ballots will be entered into a drawing to win gift certificates from local businesses.

Download a copy of the ballot, here: 2016 People’s Choice ballot web

Members of the Antioch Police Crime Scene Investigation unit process the scene of the shooting of an 18-year-old male, another officer blocks Oakley Road from through traffic, Monday evening, February 22, 2016. photo by Allen Payton

By Acting Lieutenant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

At 3:50 hours, today, Monday, February 22, 2016, Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to the 3400 block of Oakley Road on the reports of shots being fired in the area and a subject down. Upon arrival officers located an 18-year-old male who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Antioch Police Detectives were called to the scene and are actively working the investigation as a homicide. If it is determined to be, it will be Antioch’s fourth homicide of the year.

The location of the crime scene was between Phillips Lane in Antioch and Highway 160. Police had Oakley Road blocked off between Phillips Lane and Neroly Road in Oakley.

No further information will be released at this time as we are in the early stages of the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Colley with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6922. You may also text a tip to 274637

(CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

As published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated February 19, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando. More serious or interesting crimes highlighted in bold.

Calls for Service and Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 02/11/16 00:00:00 – 02/17/16 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,736

Number of Case Reports: 260

Number of Arrests: 96

Felony: 38

Misdemeanor: 58

Arrests with DUI charge: 3

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• ·On 2/17/16 at 6:40 pm, an unknown adult male wearing a mask entered Clear Comm Wireless in the 2500 block of Sycamore Dr and brandished a firearm. The responsible demanded the money from the register and ordered the clerk and customer to give him their money and cell phones. The customer told the responsible he was not going to give up his money and wrestled the responsible for the gun. During the struggle for the gun, the magazine fell out and the responsible fled the store as the customer gave chase. The customer was unable to catch the responsible and returned to the store. A short time later the responsible returned to the store and demanded the money and cell phones a second time. This time the responsible shot the customer who chased him one time. The customer sustained a gunshot wound to the left hand and left thigh. The responsible left the store with several phones and an unknown amount of cash. The customer was transported to the hospital for his injuries which were not life threatening.
• ·On 2/17/16 at 5:33pm, officers were dispatched to W 11^th St and Diamond St on a report of subjects hanging out in a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, officers contacted 29 year old Vernon Smith. Smith was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a glass pipe. He was issued a citation was released from the scene.
• ·On 2/17/16 at 12:35 pm, officers attempted to contact 24 year old Raymond Cardoza on a bicycle and he fled. Ultimately, Cardoza got tired and was contacted by police. He lied about his name and was found to be in possession of burglary tools. He was arrested and booked into the county jail.
• ·On 2/16/16 at 11:42 pm, officers responded to Starlight Lane and Mahogany Way on a report of a vehicle rollover collision with people trapped. Officers arrived and located a vehicle on its roof and having collided into the backside of two apartments at 2201 Sycamore. The subjects in the vehicle fled prior to arrival and it was determined the vehicle was an unreported stolen out of Oakley. There are no suspect leads. The two tenants were displaced due to the extensive damage to the building. Red Cross was called and provided assistance to the tenants.
• ·On 2/16/16 at 10:54 pm, an anonymous caller reported that a drunk female had just left Lou’s bar and was last seen driving southbound on A St. Officers located the vehicle and conducted an enforcement stop in the area of 18^th St and A St. They contacted the driver, 55 year old Janet Wilson, who was found to be intoxicated. Wilson was subsequently arrested and booked into county jail for DUI.
• ·On 2/16/16 at 8:45 pm, officers made a traffic stop on 28 year old Daryk Robinson and during the contact located methamphetamine in his possession. He was taken into custody and site released.
• ·On 2/16/16 at 1:09 pm, an officer responded to 1015 Fitzuren Rd on a report of an argument and possible fight. There, the officer contacted 30 year old Zarina Wilson who was found to have a warrant for her arrest. She was taken into custody and transported to county jail.
• ·On 2/15/16 at 9:29 pm, officers responded to a home in the 4900 Waterford Way on a report of a family disturbance. Upon arrival they contacted 41 year old Daniel Bryant. A computer check on Bryant revealed he had a no bail warrant for his arrest. The warrant was confirmed and Bryant was arrested without incident and booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/15/16 at 8:48 pm, Rio Vista PD pursued a red Jeep driven by 21 year old Danny Walton into Antioch. Walton had a felony warrant for assault with a deadly weapon and a probation violation. Walton crashed into a parked car at E 13th St and Marie Ave, causing major damage to his vehicle. Walton was able to continue for a short distance further until his vehicle became disabled on Cavallo Rd near E 13^th St. Walton fled on foot and was not located. No APD units were involved in the pursuit. We assisted with a perimeter, extensive area check for Walton, and took the collision report.
• ·On 2/15/16 at 8:48 pm, as a follow up to Rio Vista PD’s pursuit, information was obtained that the responsible driver, 21 year old Danny Walton may have gone into 323 Nash Ave. Officer’s made contact with the homeowner, 33 year old Terrence Smith, who was less than cooperative. A records check on Smith revealed he had a warrant out for his arrest for a weapons violation. Smith was arrested without incident. The original suspect, Walton was not located. Smith was booked into county jail.
• ·On 2/15/16 at 3:56 pm, officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of Buchanan Rd for a complaint about homeless setting up a camp. Officers arrived on scene and contacted 38 year old Steven Davenport. Davenport had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. He was arrested without incident and booked at county jail.
• ·On 2/15/16 at 12:40 pm, officers were dispatch to 2301 Sycamore Dr regarding two subjects breaking into a vacant apartment. Officers arrived on scene and located 39 year old Julian Owens and 29 year old Vartisha Jones inside the apartment. They were arrested and cited for trespassing. Owens was sent to county jail on five outstanding bench warrants.
• ·On 2/15/16 at 12:27 am, officers responded to calls of shots fired in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way and contacted a victim who was sitting in his vehicle in the carport. There were two bullet holes in his vehicle and one in an unoccupied vehicle next to him. The victim denied seeing anything and no suspects were located. We located two .40 cal casings near the vehicles. There were no other victims and no other property damage.
• ·On 2/14/16 at 11:24 pm, 24 year old Luis Avila-Cervantes was stopped and contacted for traffic violations. Officers obtained consent to search his vehicle and found metal knuckles in the center console area. Avila-Cervantes was taken into custody without incident and sent to county jail.
• n 2/14/16 at 5:00 pm, officers were responding to a shots fired call in the area of West 11th and G St when they located a stolen vehicle occupied by 30 year old Justin Hernandez. Hernandez was taken into custody without incident and later sent to county jail. No victims, casings, or property damage was located regarding the shots call.
• ·On 2/14/16 at 2:46 pm, an officer was dispatched to West 8^th St for a suspicious subject call. The officer contacted 52 year old Mark Arroyo who was on parole. During a search of Arroyo, he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Arroyo was arrested and a parole hold was placed on him. He was booked into county jail without incident.
• ·On 2/14/16 at 2:43 am, officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Beechwood Ct for a report of two males breaking into a vehicle. Officers arrived on scene and no one was located. During an area search, an officer located 25 year old Johnny Ramos inside of a vehicle on Mahua Way. Ramos advised he was at his friend’s house and provided a false name to the officer. The officer contacted the homeowner who advised he did not know Ramos and advised Ramos should not have been in his car. Ramos was arrested and admitted to breaking into the car. He was booked at APD and released on a citation.
• ·On 2/14/16 at 2:43 am, an officer was clearing the cover for the above stop. He located 35 year old Ansu Bailey at Bamboo Way and Muirwood Way who matched the description from the original burglary call for service. He conducted a pedestrian stop and learned Bailey was on parole. He conducted a parole search and located several items belonging to another victim. The victim was contacted and it was learned she lived a few blocks away from the pedestrian stop. The victim did not know Bailey and he was not supposed to be in possession of her belongings. The victim went to her vehicle and discovered someone ransacked the interior of her vehicle stealing some of her belongings. Parole was contacted and placed a parole hold on Bailey and he was transported to county jail.
• ·On 2/13/16 at 1:29 am, officers were on foot patrol in the area of W. 9th Street, J Street, and the cottages nearby when they observed 23 year old Timothy Crabtree who they knew had a warrant. Crabtree was contacted with 25 year old Joseph Curiel and arrested without incident. Crabtree was sent to county jail.
• ·On 2/13/16 at 9:35 am, an officer was on routine patrol when he saw 52 year old Dale Saunders run a stop sign. The officer stopped Saunders and found him to be on probation. The vehicle was searched and the officer located 3.4 grams of methamphetamine inside of the vehicle. Saunders was issued a citation and released.
• ·On 2/13/16 at 3:39 am, APD received a call regarding a blue Honda parked in the Wal-Mart parking lot with a possible intoxicated male inside. Upon our arrival, we located 35 year old Cesar Briones parked in the middle of the parking lot asleep, ignition on, windshield wipers moving, car in drive, and foot on the brake. Officers observed there to be two empty wine bottles on the passenger seat along with two empty beer cans. Officers were able to place the vehicle into park prior to Briones waking and crashing. After a series of field sobriety tests, it was determined Briones was under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested. He was transported to county jail.
• ·On 2/12/16 at 10:21 pm, APD received a call for service regarding vehicles making quick stops at a house in the 4200 block of Merced Cir. The reporting party also indicated the address may be involved with the sales of narcotics. Two APD Corporals have prior knowledge of the owner of the home, 40 year old, Denice Marshall, and knew her to be on probation for the sales of narcotics. Officers from Swing shift and Graveyard partnered and conducted a probation search at the home for Marshall. Upon arrival, Marshall fled upstairs into the master bedroom closing the door. Officers were directly behind her and forced the door open as she was attempting to manipulate a dresser drawer. She was placed into handcuffs without further incident. During the probation search a total of 1/2 ounce of methamphetamine, 3.1 grams of heroin, 5.2 grams of cocaine, and hundreds of prescription pills for sale were located. There was also over $1,100.00 cash located and asset seized.
• ·On 2/12/16 at 9:00 pm, officers were dispatched to the area of 1000 Apollo Ct for a report of 7 to 8 subjects fighting. Upon APD arrival everyone was gone except a 38 year old male, 29 year old Arthur Castro, and a 33 year old male who were preparing to leave in a truck. An officer made contact with the three and Arthur was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. There was no other party to the altercation located. Arthur Castro was arrested for the narcotics and released on a signed promise to appear.
• ·On 2/12/16 at 2:19 pm, 33 year old Tawny Garrison attempted to leave JC Penney’s with $213 of stolen merchandise. Loss prevention officers attempted to detain Garrison and she violently struggled with them in an attempt to flee. She was taken to the ground and during the struggle bit one of the loss prevention officers on the arm. The other injured her left index finger during the struggle. Garrison claimed that one of the loss prevention officers placed her in a choke hold causing her not to be able to breathe. Due to the claim of being choked, Garrison was medically cleared on her way to county jail for attempted robbery.
• ·On 2/11/16 at 12:24 pm, an officer contacted a suspicious vehicle in front of Dollar General located at 20 West 10th St occupied by 25 year old Johnny Ramos. Ramos had a warrant for his arrest and he was transported to county jail.
• ·On 2/11/16 at 9:18 am, officers made contact on E. Madill St while investigating an unoccupied stolen vehicle parked in front of the residence. Several suspicious subjects were contacted and 38 year old Carlos Montanez was identified as the suspect associated with the vehicle. 20 year old Mitchell Moore was also contacted at the residence and arrested on outstanding warrants. Both were arrested and transported to county jail.
• ·On 2/11/16 at 5:18 am, officers were dispatched to the area of Wildhorse Dr and Folsom Dr for a report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival they made contact with 24 year old Cesar Acosta who was found to be in possession of a concealed knife and shaved keys. Acosta was arrested and sent to county jail.
• ·On 2/11/16 at 3:41 am, officers were dispatched to Goodwill at 2701 Verne Roberts Cir on a report of a video verified alarm. The alarm company advised a subscriber would be en-route to the location. Officers arrived on scene and contacted both 29 year old Joseph Dalessio and 38 year old Angela Pena. They were placed under citizens arrest by the subscriber for trespassing and petty theft. Dalessio was recently identified by APD for Brentwood as a responsible in a grand theft case based on a flier Brentwood PD distributed. Dalessio is on probation and he was sent to county jail. Pena was released on a signed promise to appear.
• ·On 2/10/16 at 12:18 pm, the victim arranged to sell 19 year old Darion Boswell four pairs of tennis shoes and they agreed to meet at Williamson Ranch Park at 5000 Lone Tree Way. The victim and his girlfriend met with Boswell at the park and Boswell robbed both at gunpoint. Boswell then forced the victims into their own vehicle at gunpoint and made them drive him several blocks away from the scene. The victim’s cell phone was pinged and it showed at Gas City/Shell on Lone Tree Way. Officers responded and were able to identify a suspect vehicle on video. An officer located the vehicle driving and made a traffic enforcement stop. Boswell was identified as the person who committed the robbery and was found to be in possession of a loaded Sig P220. Officers interviewed Boswell who admitted to committing numerous residential burglaries and armed robberies in Antioch. Investigations were notified and took over the investigation due to the number of crimes Boswell was admitting to. Boswell was later transported to county jail.

Endorsement shows growing strength for Nance Campaign in Contra Costa portion of 9th Congressional District

Police officer and 9th District Congressional Candidate Kathryn Nance announced that her campaign for Congress has been endorsed by the Republican Party of Contra Costa County. This latest endorsement, coupled with endorsements from the Contra Costa Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Antioch Police Officers Association, shows growing strength for Nance in the Contra Costa County portion of the 9th Congressional District, and area that incumbent Jerry McNerney has always counted on in past elections.

“Kathryn Nance is exactly the kind of candidate we need to take back the 9th Congressional District of California. Her 19 years as a Police Officer for the City of Stockton shows that she not only has the toughness to get things done in Congress, but a commitment to our community that has been lacking from our current representative”, said Rohit Joy, Chairman of the Republican Party of Contra Costa County. “Unlike Jerry McNerney, Kathryn Nance will give us a Representative who will protect our borders and work towards a sensible immigration policy that puts American workers first, will not shrink from the fight against Radical Islamic Terror, and won’t vote to spend our hard earned tax dollars on a disastrous train to nowhere. The Republican Party of Contra Costa County gives its enthusiastic endorsement to Kathryn Nance for the 9th Congressional District.”

“I’m honored that the Republican Party of Contra Costa County have placed their faith and trust in my campaign”, said Nance. “Every day our campaign continues to gain more and more momentum. The people of the 9th Congressional District know it’s time for a member of Congress they can count on.”

The 9th Congressional District encompasses the majority of San Joaquin County, as well as parts of Contra Costa and the City of Galt in Sacramento County.

Born and raised in the Stockton area, Kathryn Nance is a 19-year veteran of the Stockton Police Department, currently serving as a Sergeant with the Department’s AB109 Task Force and as President of the Stockton Police Officers Association.  She has previously served as a Field Training Officer and as a member of the Department’s Gang and Homicide units.  She is married to her husband of 10 years, James Nance, who also serves as an officer with the Stockton Police Department.  Together, they have a blended family of four children, ranging in ages of 16 to 24.  Kathryn is an avid outdoors enthusiast and enjoys activities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking and CrossFit.  Kathryn also serves as the Chairwoman of Stockton’s annual “Strides Against Cancer” relay.

To learn more about Kathryn Nance for Congress, visit us online at www.Nance2016.com, like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KathrynNanceForCongress and follow us on Twitter @Nance2016.