Antioch Mayor Wade Harper opened the annual Antioch Prayer Breakfast by leading the Pledge of Allegiance and with a prayer on Thursday, May 5.

By Allen Payton

About 300 people attended the annual Antioch Prayer Breakfast at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center, Thursday morning, to pray as part of the National Day of Prayer. This year’s theme was “Wake Up, America.”

Emery Williams of The Church @ Antioch sings America the Beautiful at the beginning of the annual Antioch Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 5.

The event, held on the first Thursday of May, each year, included prayers for our nation, state and local officials, military, businesses, as well as schools and students, led by various pastors and individuals.

Antioch Mayor Wade Harper opened the morning event with the Pledge of Allegiance and by  quoting from the Bible, Second Chronicles, chapter seven, verse 14: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

He said “Prayer is not a spectator sport. You have to join in,” then led the audience in an opening prayer.

Those in attendance were also treated to a capella renditions of America the Beautiful and God Bless America by Emery Williams of The Church @ Antioch, and sang along with her during the latter song.

Pastor Larry Navilhon or Cornerstone Christian Center offered a prayer for our nation and state. SMS John Steger, USAF, Retired then prayed for the military. He was followed by Shantell Owens of Dickey’s Barbeque Pit who prayed for businesses in our community. Tim Forrester of the Antioch Unified School District then offered a prayer for our students and schools, followed by Pastor Kent Valentine of Calvary Open Bible Church who prayers for our local community and families.

Each time a prayer was said for a different level of government or different segment of our community, those who serve or work in that area were asked to stand.

Led by event coordinator Mike Pollard, those gathered then stood and joined in reciting this year’s National Prayer, written by Dr. Tony Evans, this year’s Honorary Chairman, as follows:

Dear heavenly Father, we come to You today as a humble people desperate for Your supernatural intervention on behalf of our beloved nation.  First, we thank You for all the blessings You have bestowed on our land, blessings that have allowed us to bring so much good and benefit to not only our own citizens but also to the rest of the world. The very ideals upon which this country was founded were based on biblical truths, no matter how some try to rewrite history to deny that very fact today.

This is why our hearts are so broken over how You continue to be marginalized and dismissed by both our people and our institutions. We are also saddened by the fact that Your people have contributed greatly to the spiritual apathy that now engulfs us. Our satisfaction in remaining religious without being fully committed to living out the truths of Your Word has caused us to become co-conspirators with the forces of evil that are destroying us as a society.

It is for this reason that we personally and collectively repent of our carnality and recommit ourselves to becoming visible and verbal disciples of Jesus Christ. Enable us, by Your Spirit, to no longer be secret agent Christians but rather to publicly declare and live out Your truth in a spirit of love so that You feel welcome in our country once again.

Thank You for Your promise to hear our prayers when we call to You with hearts of repentance and obedience, which is how we are appealing to You today, Father. On behalf of Your church, we affirm afresh the priority You are to us that You would fill every dimension of our lives as we seek to bring You glory through the advancement of Your kingdom in our personal lives, our family lives, and in the lives of our churches and our government leaders. We confidently invite heaven’s intervention into all the affairs of our nation and we praise You in advance for Your answer.

In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.

For more information about the annual observance, visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org.

The scene at the intersection of Loveridge and E. Leland Roads in Pittsburg, where an Antioch Police Officer was shot, Wednesday night. photo by Jesus Cano 05-04-16

By Captain Tammany Brooks, Antioch Police Support Services Division

On May 4, 2016 at about 5:52 p.m., Antioch Police were notified of a carjacking that took place in Bay Point. In that case, a victim reported to Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputies that a Hispanic male armed with a shotgun had just stolen his black BMW and was last seen heading eastbound towards Pittsburg/Antioch.

At about 6:11 p.m., an Antioch officer spotted a black BMW being driven by a Hispanic male in the area of W. 10th Street and Verne Roberts Circle. The suspect vehicle fled from the officer and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended when the suspect and officer crashed into a street light, at the intersection of E. Leland Road and Loveridge Road.

According to sources, the officer was shot in the head by the suspect. The officer was then airlifted to John Muir medical center in Walnut Creek. Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando confirmed that the officer was indeed shot in the head and is expected to survive. The majority of the police units on the scene were from the Antioch Police Department.

As officers approached, the suspect began shooting and struck one officer. Officers returned fire. The suspect was not hit but surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect is not being identified at this time.

The officer was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries and subsequently released. The officer is not being identified at this time.

This case is being jointly investigated along with the Contra Costa County DA’s Office, the Contra Costa Crime Lab, and Pittsburg PD. No further information is being released at this time.

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.

On the scene reporter Jesus Cano contributed to this report.

Assault with a deadly weapon

By Lieutenant Don LaDue, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, March 4, 2016 at approximately 10:51 am, officers from the Antioch Police Department responded to a call of shots fired at the McDonald’s located at 2424 Mahogany Way. When officers arrived, they found a male victim in his 20’s with minor gunshot wounds. The victim was an employee who was near the window when the suspect, also in his 20’s, fired a weapon from the parking lot.

The male suspect fled the area driving an approximate 2000 model white Chevy pickup westbound on Mahogany Way. No other persons were injured and the victim did not require medical treatment. The shooter and vehicle are still outstanding.

The shooting is not believed to have been random and the victim does not appear to have been the intended target. Currently, officers are following up on possible leads and interviewing witnesses.

No other information will be released at this time. This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to contact the Antioch Police Dept. at (925) 778-2441 If you have information regarding this case you may text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

According to an ABC TV Channel 7 news report and an individual who contact the Herald, the Antioch Police are investigating a shooting at the McDonald’s on Mahogany Way in Antioch, today.

“According to authorities, the incident occurred at 11 a.m. on the 2000 block of Mahogany Way when a driver in the drive-through shot out three windows at the restaurant.

One person was treated. It was unclear if that person was transported to the hospital.
There was no word on if the suspect was caught by authorities,” the news report stated.

Check back later for details.

Rep. Mimi Walters

Kathryn Nance, current President of the Stockton Police Officers Association and a 19-year member of the Stockton Police Department, today received the endorsement of California Congresswoman Mimi Walters in her campaign for Congress against incumbent Congressman Jerry McNerney.

“California needs capable leaders with the knowledge and experience to get things done in Congress. That’s why I’m proud to endorse and support Kathryn Nance in California’s 9th Congressional District,” said Congresswoman Walters. “Her lifelong ties to her district, as well as her 19 years of experience with the Stockton Police Department, widely known as one of the toughest beats in the state, give her the experience to represent her district effectively as well as the backbone to stand up to D.C special interests. I need a partner in Congress who will work to get things done, and that’s why Kathryn Nance has my full support.”

Walters was elected to Congress in 2014 to represent California’s 45th Congressional District, and was subsequently elected by her colleagues as the Freshman Class Representative to the House Republican Conference leadership team.

The 9th Congressional District encompasses the majority of San Joaquin County, as well as a portion of Contra Costa, including most of Antioch and the City of Galt in Sacramento County.

“I am honored to have the support of Congresswoman Mimi Walters and looking forward to working with her in Congress,” said Nance.  “From agriculture to terrorism, Jerry McNerney has represented liberal, out of touch values for far too long.  I will be the common sense voice this District wants and needs.”

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 11 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 15 to 24.  Kathryn is an avid outdoors enthusiast and enjoys activities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking and CrossFit.  Kathryn also served as the Chairwoman of Stockton’s annual “Strides Against Cancer” relay.

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

Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-9) and Congressman Walter Jones (NC-3) launched the bipartisan Congressional Campaign Finance Reform Caucus to address the undue influence of money on our political process.

“I’m excited to launch the Campaign Finance Reform Caucus with my colleague, Congressman Jones,” said McNerney. “Since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, too much campaign spending comes from undisclosed and unregulated sources.  We need reform that brings transparency to the campaign finance system and restores the voice of the voters. Our democracy depends on it,” McNerney said.  “By bringing together members from both sides of the aisle, the Caucus can address these inequities and advocate for changes to the current system.”

The Center for Responsive Politics reports that total federal election spending in 2012 was more than $6.2 billion, doubling money spent on the 2000 campaign.  A joint report issued by the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute found that, adjusted for inflation, House candidates spend more than 300 percent as much getting elected as they did nearly 30 years ago – an average of $1.6 million dollars every two years.

“I am greatly troubled by the undue influence that fat-cat lobbyists and special interests have in Washington, DC.  Now, more than ever, secretive special interest money plays an enormous role in our electoral process and in governing.  Beginning in my days in the North Carolina General Assembly, I have long advocated for returning power to the people and getting big money out of politics. Launching this Campaign Finance Reform Caucus is another step in that direction,” said Congressman Jones.

At its inaugural meeting on Thursday, Reps. McNerney and Jones were joined by other Caucus members and were briefed by academic and legal scholars on the history of campaign finance policy and its effects on politics today.  The Caucus will hold regular meetings to educate members of Congress and staff about these policies and advocate for relevant policy proposals.

The Caucus is open to all members of Congress and will provide a forum to discuss and advance solutions to reform the way campaigns are financed in this country.

Rep. Jerry McNerney serves the constituents of California’s 9th Congressional District which includes portions of San Joaquin, Sacramento Counties and Contra Costa, including most of Antioch. For more information on Rep. McNerney’s work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.

The East County Senior Coalition invites all interested senior citizens to get on the bus and join them for the Senior Rally Day in Sacramento, on Wednesday, May 11

If interested, contact Mary Chapman at either (925) 978-1883 or info@elderlywish.org so they can fill an East County bus.

Watch the candidate forums for the various election campaigns in Contra Costa County on Contra Costa TV’s (CCTV) CountyNet channel or via their website at www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/142/Contra-Costa-Television-CCTV. CCTV is available to subscribers of AT&T U-verse on Channel 99 and to Comcast subscribers on Channel 27.

Wednesday, May 4

11:00 AM Election Preview 2016 Supervisorial District 5

12:00 PM Election Preview 2016 Supervisorial District 3

1:30 PM Election Preview 2016 State Senate 7

2:00 PM Election Preview 2016 US Rep. 11

Friday, May 6

2:00 PM Election Preview 2016 Supervisorial District 5

3:00 PM Election Preview 2016 Supervisorial District 3

5:00 PM Election Preview2016 US Rep. 11

Sunday, May 8

9:00 AM Election Preview 2016 Supervisorial District 3

11:00 AM Election Preview 2016 US Rep. 11

2:00 PM Election Preview 2016 Supervisorial District 5