By Allen Payton

According to a report by Police Chief Allan Cantando, which he will present to the City Council at their meeting tonight, total Part I crimes decreased by 114 from 1,180 during the first quarter of 2016 compared to 1,066 in the first quarter of 2015.

Violent crimes increased by one from 172 to 173 in Antioch when comparing the same two time periods. While homicides doubled from one to two, the largest increase in violent crimes was robbery which increased 43.9% from 57 to 82. However, the number of rapes dropped from 16 to 11 and aggravated assaults dropped from 98 to 78 during the same time periods.

Other Part I crimes dropped by 115 in the comparison. Those include a drop in burglaries by 81 from 273 to 192; an increase in theft of one from 453 to 454 and a drop in auto theft by 35, from 282 to 247 over the same time periods.

Total arrests increased by 13, which includes a decrease in adult arrests by nine, from 1,056 to 1,047, and an increase in juvenile arrests by 22 from 142 to 164 during the same time periods.

The Council meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, between West Second and Third Streets at H Street in downtown. They can also be viewed on Comcast Channel 24 or via live stream on the City’s website at http://www.ci.antioch.ca.us/CityGov/citycouncilmeetings.htm.

Team members include: Ramon Mayorga, Alfredo Cabero, Marqui Manzon, Jordan Canales, Vince Morris, Cameron Mucio, Jordan LaBier, De’Andre Ruffin, Little John Overstreet, Jake Perkey, Justin Nguyen, Josh Johns and Jacob Raith. Head Coach David Driskell (left) and Assistant Coach Nicole Cuellar (right). photo courtesy of Gina Kincaid Le Bier

Host Irvington High from Fremont in NCS playoff game, tonight

By Luke Johnson

For the first time in two decades, Antioch High School’s boys’ volleyball team brought home the Bay Valley Athletic League Championship after finishing undefeated (10-0) in inter-league competition, on top of a 25-6 overall record.

The Panthers’ crosstown rival Deer Valley dominated the BVAL the past decade by going unbeaten in league play the previous nine seasons without losing a single set the latter five seasons. But the departure of legendary coach Lou Panzella, who won three consecutive North Coast Section Titles, along with graduating multiple key players among that dynasty, caused contention for the BVAL crown to become wide open.

“I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t [think this was possible],” senior outside hitter Josh Johns said, who led the NCS in attack kills with five per set, more than double the amount of anyone in the BVAL. “I thought Deer Valley was going to win it all four years that I was in high school.”

Coach David Diskell was a junior in 1996, when Antioch last won BVAL, but said he did not play on the team due to an injury. Ironically, the coach of the Panthers back then was Panzella; the year before he transferred to the newly established high school on the other side of the city.

“Anytime you’re in the same category as a Lou Panzella-type coach, who in my eye is a legend, is an honor,” Diskell said. “To even be thought of as a such a great coach to bring a championship back to Antioch as he did is a huge compliment, and I never thought I’d be in the position to be talking about Lou Panzella and myself.”

Along with Johns, a pair of other fellow seniors propelled the team to prosperity. 6-foot-8 middle hitter Jake Perky led the BVAL in blocks with 67, and was third in attack kills with 203. Setter Jordan LaBier was also a leader in NCS with 8.5 assists per set.

Antioch High School was in a dry spell the past four school years (2011-15), and did not win one league championship. But the Panthers rallied for two this year in boys’ volleyball and football.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math

Andre Villedrouin

Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Detectives with the assistance of Antioch Police arrested a suspect wanted in connection with the homicide of Kimberly Hoglund, in East Richmond Heights in April.

43-year-old Andre Villedrouin of Richmond, who had a warrant for his arrest, was taken into custody Wednesday morning, May 4, 2016 on Hawthorne Avenue in Antioch.

He is currently being held in lieu of $1 million bail. Villedrouin was arraigned on Friday.

See original story, here.

From the California Highway Patrol-Contra Costa

Monday evening, at about 5:46 pm, we received a call of a traffic collision involving two vehicles on SR-4 eastbound, just west of Somersville Road. Upon emergency personnel arrival, the driver of a white BMW sedan collided into the back of a grey Acura sedan within the #2 lane.

Due to the force of the impact, the Acura was pushed all the way to the right shoulder where it came it rest. The female driver of the Acura was unconscious and unresponsive. Life-saving procedures were immediately rendered and she was quickly transported to Sutter Delta hospital in Antioch. Unfortunately she succumb to her injuries from the collision and was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the hospital at 6:48 pm. She was a 49-year-old female from Oakley.

The female driver of the white BMW sedan was transported to Kaiser hospital for moderate non-life-threatening injuries. A signal alert was issued but now all traffic lanes are open as of 7:40 pm.

This is an ongoing investigation. Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision and no arrests have been made. If anyone observed this incident or has any information regarding the events leading up to it, we ask that they please contact us at 925-646-4980.

Antioch’s newest grocery store, Delta Fresh Foods will hold its Grand Opening, this Thursday, May 12. Located in the former Fresh n Easy store, the new family market will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. every day.

The store offers smiling staff and cashiers, organic and natural produce and other food items, plus daily breakfast and lunch for eating there or taking out.

Stop by Thursday at 4036 Lone Tree Way at the corner of Golf Course Road in Antioch.

Store staff make last minute preparations for the Grand Opening on Thursday.

Dear Editor:

Doug Hardcastle is the best candidate for the job of Contra Costa County Supervisor. He is an all-around upstanding citizen and servant to his country and community. Doug served his country in the military; public office in his community, and owns a business in the county.

Doug is a proven leader and is not afraid to take on the tough issues. His combination of experience, knowledge and commitment to serve the people of Contra Costa is unsurpassed by any other candidate.

Doug Hardcastle has been the first candidate to take immediate action on the incumbent by speaking out against the 33% pay increase that she voted to give herself. This was one example of continued wasteful spending by the county. Fortunately, the incumbent backed out before the increase could be put in place.

We need to elect Doug Hardcastle June 7th, and provide new, strong, proven leadership on the Board of Supervisors. Please join me in voting for Doug Hardcastle on June 7th. To get involved in his campaign, please visit www.doughardcastle.com.

Sincerely,

Carma Dutra

Oakley