By Allen Payton

The final financial reports were due on Friday, June 2 for the candidates in races for Contra Costa County Supervisor. In District 3, Oakley Councilman Doug Hardcastle continues to maintain his lead in total contributions and total expenses. East Bay Regional Parks District Board Member Diane Burgis shows the most in monetary contributions. Brentwood Councilman Steve Barr is in second in that category. But, Burgis shows the second most spent during the campaign and the most in outstanding debts.

Below is the summary of the campaign finances based on the latest reporting (please see copies of their reports at the bottom of this story):

Doug Hardcastle

Monetary Contributions Received during the period: $1,300

Loans Received during the period: $1,000

Non-Monetary Contributions Received: $1,400

Total Contributions Received for the period: $3,700 (1st)

Monetary Contributions Received during the campaign: $27,308.16 (4^th)

Total Contributions during the campaign: $52,633.16 (1^st)

Payments Made during period: $2,511.13

Accrued Expenses (unpaid bills) for the period: $ -0-

Total Expenditures Made during the campaign: $52,155.00 (1^st)

Ending Cash Balance: $478.16

Outstanding Debts: $16,500 (2^nd) – all loans from himself

Hardcastle submitted two amended reports showing $700 in additional monetary contributions and a $750 in-kind contribution not previously reported.

 

Steve Barr

Monetary Contributions Received during the period: $2,567

Loans Received during the period: $ -0-

Non-Monetary Contributions Received: $ -0-

Total Contributions Received for the period: $2,567 (2^nd)

Monetary Contributions Received during the campaign: $30,352 (2^nd)

Total Contributions during the campaign: $40,752 (3^rd)

Expenditures Made during period: $ -0-

Total Expenditures Made during the campaign: $38,768 (3^rd)

Ending Cash Balance: $3,984

Outstanding Debts: $7,000 (3^rd) – $5,000 in loans from himself

Barr submitted an amended report showing a change from an in-kind contribution of $450 to an Accrued Expense.  His amended report obtained, today will be posted later, this evening.

 

Diane Burgis

Monetary Contributions Received during the period: $2,000

Loans Received during the period: $  -0-

Non-Monetary Contributions Received: $ -0-

Total Contributions Received for the period: $2,000 (4^th)

Monetary Contributions Received during the campaign: $31,655 (1^st)

Total Contributions during the campaign: $31,755 (3^rd)

Expenditures Made during period: $8,137.80

Accrued Expenses (unpaid bills) for the period: $23,370.06

Total Expenditures Made during the campaign: $50,043.18 (2^nd)

Ending Cash Balance: $5,082.43

Outstanding Debts: $23,470.06 (1^st) – $100 in a loan from herself

 

Monica Wilson

Monetary Contributions Received during period: $2,095

Loans Received during the period: $  -0-

Non-Monetary Contributions received: $ -0-

Total Contributions Received for the period: $2,095 (3rd)

Monetary Contributions Received during the campaign: $29,170.92 (3^rd)

Total Contributions for the campaign: $31,216.86 (4^th)

Expenditures Made during period: $5,254.59 paid down previous unpaid bills of $1,874.98

Accrued Expenses (unpaid bills) for the period: $ -0-

Total Expenditures Made during the campaign: $34,470.54 (4^th)

Ending Cash Balance of $3,175.32

Outstanding Debts: $1,250 (4^th)

 

Odessa Lefrancois

Monetary Contributions Received during period: $ -0-

Loans Received during the period: $  -0-

Non-Monetary Contributions received: $   -0-

Total Contributions Received for the period: $  -0-

Monetary Contributions Received during the campaign: $13,025.00 (5^th)

Total Contributions for the campaign: $13,025.00 (5^th)

Expenditures Made during period: $2,312.22

Accrued Expenses (unpaid bills) for the period: $ -0-

Total Expenditures Made during the campaign: $11,590.02 (5^th)

Ending Cash Balance of $1,434.98

Outstanding Debts: $ -0-

She will have to file an amended report, as hers once again, does not show the Year to Date Totals on the Summary page.

 

Wade Harper

Monetary Contributions Received during period: $ -0-

Non-Monetary Contributions received: $   -0-

Total Contributions Received for the period: $ ^-0-

Monetary Contributions Received during the campaign: $9,725.00 (6^th)

Total Contributions for the campaign: $9,725.00 (6^th)

Expenditures Made during period: $ -0-

Accrued Expenses (unpaid bills) for the period: $ -0-

Total Expenditures Made during the campaign: $8,950.54 (6^th)

Ending Cash Balance of $774.46

Outstanding Debts: $ -0-

Publisher’s Note: For full disclosure and as explained in the March issue of the Antioch Herald, I, the writer of this article, am the paid consultant for Doug Hardcastle’s campaign for County Supervisor.

Barr 460 0522-060216

Barr Amend 0424-052116

Burgis 460 0522-060216

Hardcastle 460 0522-060216

Hardcastle Amend 0101-042316

Hardcastle Amend 0424-052116

Harper 460 0522-060216

Lefrancios 460 0522-060316

Wilson 460 0522-060216

By Luke Johnson

Nearly 300 graduates assembled in Eells Stadium for Antioch High School’s Class of 2016 Commencement Ceremony, Friday night, June 3rdd. This marked the first graduating classes for three academies: Media Technology, Environmental Studies, and Leadership and Public Services.

It was also the Engineering Academy’s third graduating class. With all these separate academies, Principal Louie Rocha likes to describe it as “four schools within one large high school.”

The campus has gone through several changes over the past two years with a new football field, administrative building, library and modernized classrooms. Still to come on the construction timeline is a new cafeteria, aquatic center and media center.

In her speech, Associated Student Body President Julia Odom emphasized that this moment was bitter-sweet, because although she was receiving a diploma, it signified that there will be some activities she will never get to do again, such as getting ready for prom and attending sports games.

“I’ll probably miss being a student athlete most, because that’s like a real big part of who I am, and it’s helped build my character throughout the years,” Odom said after the ceremony.

AHS’s athletic department reached milestones that had not been seen in decades. Its football team went undefeated in the regular season for the first time since 1977, and its boys’ volleyball team won a league championship for the first time since 1996. Rocha said the school’s athletic and academic success this year was like combining the old Antioch High School with the new one.

By Luke Johnson

The largest high school in the Antioch Unified School District, Deer Valley High School, held its annual Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2016, honoring approximately 600 graduates in its newly resurfaced football stadium, Thursday evening, June 2nd. These diploma recipients have left a lasting impression according to Vice Principal Blair Wilkins.

“The Class of 2016, as a whole, are some of the most selfless students I have worked with in my 10 years in the AUSD,” Wilkins said. “In conversations I have had with students, they spoke about the legacy they wanted to leave so that the students behind them inherited a better school.”

Students and faculty alike feel that Deer Valley High School receives unfair and out of perspective negative criticism from the public on a regular basis. But this year, students decided to stand up for themselves and conducted a positive protest in October. They stood in front of the campus, waving signs that read, “Stop the Hate,” and “This is the real Deer Valley,” among several other messages.

Student speaker and Senior Class President Emma Hamilton said what she will remember most about her high school experience is the diversity to come out of Deer Valley.

“We have a huge variety of personalities,” Hamilton said. “We have people who achieve well in school, people who want to pursue a rap career and all of the above. It’s just amazing.”

By Allen Payton

It has been confirmed by Jeff Koertzen, Chair of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, that former President Bill Clinton will be in Antioch on Monday, June 6th to campaign for his wife Hillary in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Reports have been circulating since Thursday that campaign staff were at Nuce Nuce Deli in Waldie Plaza in Antioch’s downtown looking for a location for the event.

UPDATE: The event will be held at Marsh Elementary School, 2304 G Street, Antioch at 2:00 p.m. Doors open at 1:00 p.m.

Antioch Police highlights as published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated May 27, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service and Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 05/19/2016 00:00:00 – 05/25/16 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,755

Number of Case Reports: 320

Number of Arrests: 79

Felony: 36

Misdemeanor: 43

Arrests with DUI charge: 2

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

•On 5/26/16 at 5:09 am, an officer was patrolling the rear west alley of Lemontree Way when he spotted a subject sleeping in a truck that he had information was stolen. A stop was made and it was in fact the stolen truck. The driver was passed out in the driver’s seat. 18 year old Billy Clark was taken into custody without incident. A loaded rifle was found behind the driver seat. Clark originally gave a false name, but was identified through fingerprints and found to have a Robbery and Burglary warrant out of Florida. Clark was booked into county jail for the auto theft and weapon charges as well as the out of state warrant.

•On 5/26/16 at 2:05 am, CCC Fire responded to a fire in the 1400 block of St. Francis Dr. The resident’s garbage can was set on fire and a red gas can was left behind. The garbage can was destroyed, but no residences were damaged. CCC Arson Investigator responded and took over the investigation. It was learned that there is an ongoing neighborhood feud between several neighbors. A subject was seen on CCTV setting the fire but the video was not good enough to identify the responsible.

•On 5/25/16 at 3:00 pm, officers were called to a residence in the 2200 block of Lopez Dr. for a report of finding additional bullet casings from a shooting that occurred the night before. Both .45 and .40 caliber casings were located nearby. The only damage noted were bullet holes to a wooden fence at 2225 Lopez Dr. There were no additional witnesses and no reports of injuries.

•On 5/25/15 at 12:25 am, 27 year old John Appling was contacted during a suspicious vehicle stop at Gary Ave. and Cavallo Rd. A name check revealed he had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for his arrest for narcotics and vehicle code violations. He was arrested without incident and booked into county jail.

•On 5/24/16 at 10:57 pm, 26 year old Ramon Rocha was contacted during a suspicious vehicle check in the parking lot of the Executive Inn located at 515 E. 18^th St. A name check revealed he had an out of county felony warrant for narcotics sales. He was arrested without incident and transported to county jail.

•On 5/24/16 at 9:46 pm, A male adult in his mid 20’s wearing a grey hoodie and dark pants entered the business located at 2843 Lone Tree Way armed with a black handgun. He pointed the pistol at the clerk and demanded money from the register. The male suspect lunged over the counter and punched the clerk on the side of his head causing him to become dazed. The male suspect opened the cash register and took cash. The male suspect fled on foot west on Worrell Rd. The clerk was treated at the scene by ambulance for complaint of pain and the area check for the male suspect was unsuccessful.

•On 5/23/16/at 2:39 a.m., officers conducted a pedestrian stop on a subject at Nash Ave. and Marie Ave. while working a proactive detail. The male subject, 33 year old William Hollibaugh was found to have an out of county warrant. He was arrested and booked into county jail.

•On 5/23/16 at 3:36 am, officers were dispatched to the 2400 block of Pecan St. for a house fire with the resident trapped on the roof having difficulty breathing. An APD officer quickly arrived and located the resident sitting on the roof above the garage with the fire quickly spreading throughout the house, leaving her trapped on the roof. Two of residents were already out of the house and standing on the sidewalk. The officer maneuvered some garbage cans and guided the trapped resident off the roof to safety while standing on a car in the driveway. Occupants of a neighboring residence needed to be evacuated due to the close proximity of the homes. Numerous CCC FIRE engines responded and contained the fire to the one residence which was a complete loss. It was determined the fire originated from a grease fire caused by the resident cooking in the kitchen. No one was injured and the resident declined Red Cross assistance. The evacuated neighbors were contacted and allowed to return home.

•On 5/22/16 at 8:35 pm, an officer conducted a vehicle stop in the area of E. 18^th St. and Marie Ave. 45 year old Conrad Abenoja was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Abenoja consented to a search and the officer located methamphetamine and a glass pipe on Abenoja. Abenoja was issued a citation and released from the scene.

•On 5/22/16 at 6:32 pm, an officer was patrolling in the area of Horizon Ln. and Mahogany Way when the license plate reading patrol vehicle alerted him to an occupied stolen vehicle. The vehicle pulled into Horizon Ln and as the officer turned on his emergency lighting, the driver fled from the vehicle on foot. The officer detained two females who were passengers in the vehicle. The male driver was not located. The vehicle turned out to be an unreturned rental vehicle out of Alameda County. One of the passengers 30 year old Ashley Jones had a warrant from Alameda County for misdemeanor offenses. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded revolver and several stolen ID cards, as well as Social Security numbers, names and bank account information for other possible victims. Jones and 23 year old Malia Hoopai were booked at county jail.

•On 5/22/16 at 3:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to Lone Tree Way and Deer Valley Rd. on a report of a hit and run collision. Callers advised a BMW crashed into a light pole knocking it down. While enroute, officers were advised the responsible vehicle parked nearby at Burger King and 4 males exited the vehicle and fled the scene. Upon arrival, officers located a light pole knocked down blocking the south bound lanes of Deer Valley Rd. south of Lone Tree Way. An area check was conducted for the persons who fled the BMW but they were not located. The registered owner had an Antioch address and Officers responded getting no answer at the door. PG&E responded for exposed wires and the City’s Corp Yard responded for the downed pole. Officers are still conducting follow up.

•On 5/21/16 at 10:23 pm, officers responded to the 200 block of W. Madill St. to conduct a probation search and serve an arrest warrant for 36 year old Carlos Montez. While conducting a knock and announcement, Montez opened the front door and was arrested without incident. A probation search was conducted and a half ounce of methamphetamine was located along with packaging, scales, cell phone, and cash. Montez admitted to selling the methamphetamine during his interview. Montez was transported to county jail on felony drug charges.

•On 5/21/16 at 11:33 am, 42 year old Christina Palminos was caught by Costco loss prevention stealing several items from the store. Palminos did not have identification so officers were dispatched to make contact. During the investigation, it was learned that Palminos had 13 prior convictions for theft. She was arrested and sent to county jail.

•On 5/21/16 at 7:34 am, 42 year old Eric Perez was riding a motorcycle at a high rate of speed westbound on Delta Fair Blvd. Perez struck a vehicle that was pulling out of the apartment complex at 2201 San Jose Dr. Officers located 303 grams of methamphetamine on Perez when they arrived on scene. He was admitted into the hospital with an unknown discharge date. Detectives were contacted who decided to release Perez pending further investigation until such time as a discharge date has been determined.

•On 5/21/16 at 7:12 am, a major fire started at the apartments located at 3126 Lone Tree Way. Officers arrived on scene and assisted with evacuating the apartment complex and traffic control. A CCC Fire Inspector arrived on scene and took over the investigation. The front half of the apartment complex was destroyed and the gas lines in the back of the complex caught fire and exploded prior to the gas being shut off. 27 adults, 7 children and 13 animals were displaced due to the fire. We worked with Red Cross and arranged to have the water park used as a temporary shelter.

•On 5/20/16 at 10:23 pm, a resident called to report his neighbor, 44 year old Luis Flores, had just hit his car parked in front of his house. Flores then left and parked in his own driveway down the street. The damage was minimal, but when Flores was contacted, he was found to be extremely intoxicated. He stated he had just arrived home, but had no recollection of hitting anything. Flores was arrested and booked into county jail after consenting to a blood draw.

•On 5/20/16 at 5:21 pm, officers were dispatched to the area of AMTRAK for a report of a train vs. pedestrian. Officers contacted the engineer who advised a male had just crossed in front of the train. He was unsure if the train struck the person or not. He saw a metal object hit the front skirt of the train and suspected the train hit the person’s bicycle. Officers identified the person who crossed the tracks; however, he fled the area prior to police arrival. APD, CCC Fire, BNSF employees and the CCCSO helicopter checked the area for any victims, which met with negative results. BNSF police responded to the scene. No evidence of an accident was located. A report was taken for informational purposes only.

•On 5/20/16 at 10:04 am, dispatch received two calls from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office reporting that there were shots fired outside of the Social Services Building at 4545 Delta

Fair Blvd. A victim called dispatch a short time later and reported he was the intended target of the shooting and that his vehicle had been struck by at least one bullet. The victim is a known Norteno gang member who went to his probation appointment at 4549 Delta Fair Blvd. After his appointment, he pulled out of the parking lot onto eastbound Delta Fair Blvd. A male in his 20’s approached the victim’s vehicle and fired four rounds. The suspect fled eastbound on Delta Fair Blvd. and discarded his .22 caliber revolver into a sewer drain. The victim believed he was targeted because of his gang status. The .22 caliber revolver was recovered and was found to have four empty shell casings and five live rounds. The suspect was not located.

•On 5/19/16 at 10:17 pm, officers attempted to catch up to a dark colored Toyota or Honda in the area of West 6th St. and J St. The vehicle fled and could not be located before a stop could be attempted. During an area check, 36 year old Patrick Brown was seen parking a similar vehicle near the listed address and fleeing into the complex when he saw officers approaching. He was located inside an apartment with several other subjects. The car was found to be recently reported stolen. All subjects in the apartment were on either parole or probation. Brown was taken into custody without incident and found to have warrants and a set of shaved keys. 38 year old Francisco Gonzalez was contacted inside and found to have warrants for his arrest as well. Both were taken into custody without incident, the vehicle was returned to the owner, and the apartment was cleared out being no one actually lived there. Both subjects were booked into county jail.

•On 5/19/16 at 8:31 pm, and APD detective obtained a Ramey Warrant for 21 year old Michael Moore’s arrest regarding a residential burglary. Having spotted him recently in the area of West 9th St. and J St., officers checked the area for him. He was located in front of the listed address and arrested without incident. He was transported to APD and interviewed by the detective. Moore gave a full confession to the burglary. He was later booked into county jail.

•On 5/19/16 at 3:21 pm, County Hazmat was called to the Kaiser clinic at 3400 Delta Fair Blvd. for a report of a suspicious envelope which had an unknown white powder inside. A Kaiser employee opened the letter along with several others as part of her duties. When she did the white powder spilled out of the envelope and she informed her supervisor. The envelope itself had various scribbling and gibberish on all sides. Hazmat determined the powder not to be dangerous but was not able to tell the exact compound until it was tested further. They provided

officers with photos of the envelope for further investigation. The return address was an address out of Pittsburg. There were no specific names associated with the envelope or direct threats. The case is still under investigation. There were no reports of injuries as a result and at this point appears to be a hoax.

•On 5/19/16 at 8:53 am, a citizen walking the trail by the canal in the area of James Donlon Blvd. and Blythe Dr. called in a body floating in the water. We responded and confirmed the report. CCC Fire, CCC Water District, and East Bay Regional Parks PD responded to assist. The area was shut down and cordoned off while the body removed from the canal. The victim was identified by the Coroner’s Office as a recently reported missing adult.

Contra Costa County voters can receive and cast their ballots at seven Regional Early Voting sites throughout the county before Election Day.

Regional Early Voting sites are structured so that any registered Contra Costa voter can vote at any location. For example, a Concord resident who works at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon can vote at the site in either of those cities.

The Regional Early Voting sites will be open for voting on Saturday, June 4th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The sites are geographically balanced and are located in convenient and accessible locations.

·        Prewett Water Park Multi-Purpose Room, 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch

·        Bay Hills Community Church, 4100 Klose Way, Richmond

·        Lafayette Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette

·        San Ramon Community Center at Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon

·        Pittsburg City Hall, 65 Civic Ave., Pittsburg

·        The Salvation Army Church, 3950 Clayton Road, Concord

In addition to the Regional Voting Center sites, vote-by-mail voters can continue to drop off their ballots at “CoCo Vote-N-Go” drop-off boxes at all 19 city hall buildings and the County Administration building on 651 Pine Street, Martinez.

For more information on Regional Early Voting, visit www.cocovote.us.

By Allen Payton

At the annual State of the City lunch, hosted by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and attended by about 200 business owners and community leaders on Friday, May 27, 2016 Antioch Mayor Wade Harper shared information about the progress the city has made over the past year as well as the challenges we face.

Chamber CEO Dr. Sean Wright introduced the mayor by stating “There are many exciting things happening in Antioch and at the Chamber, as well.”

Harper then thanked the city staff and his fellow council members.

“They do a wonderful job,” he stated. “They’ve had to do more with less through the years.”

He presented a slide show covering various aspects of the city’s efforts.

The first slide stated: “Antioch has recently grown to be the second largest city in Contra Costa County, with a population of approximately 112,968 according to recent state of California estimates.

Antioch is the ‘Gateway to the Delta’ and the economic as well as geographic center of East County.

Antioch is Business and Family Friendly. We encourage businesses and families to come grow with us!”

“The city’s finances have improved,” Harper stated. “Crime has decreased. We want to keep that up.”
He also shared some downsides.

“Homelessness has become a bigger problem,” he said. “City staff is working with cross-departmental task forces. This is a real problem we’re working on.”

“We are balancing our efforts with quality of life enhancements,” Harper added. “Reducing crime has always been our top priority…reducing blight, increasing economic development.”

He spoke of the weekly reports by City Manager Steve Duran as examples of being “the most transparent.”

Harper then stated the city will be “ending the fiscal year slightly over budget by about $800,000.”

He then spoke about the reduction in crime between the first quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of this year, that Police Chief Allan Cantando reported at a recent council meeting.

“Police services take up about 71% of the General Fund budget,” Harper stated.

Then he spoke about the use of Measure C funds.

“All of the funds…used for police services and code enforcement,” he said. “There’s no fudging on the numbers. We put the honest numbers out there.”

He spoke of the addition of one Code Enforcement Officer and Manager, and the hiring of the Blight Abatement Crew.

“It’s like the Bay Bridge,” stated Harper. “We have to keep at it.”

He spoke of “enhancing quality of life” with parks and the new “All Abilities Playground for children and families at the Prewett community park,” the new playground structure at Contra Loma Park, family campfire, Jr. Giants which includes 600 youth, Jr. Warriors with 200 youth, recreational pre-school affecting 500 children and the kids fishing derby.

Then Harper spoke about the recent improvements to Highway 4 including the interchange with Highway 160, and the new BART station that is to be ready by spring, 2018.

“Every time I drive by I get excited because I can see it getting built,” he shared. “I can see progress.”

Then he spoke about economic development advancements.

“This is the part I get excited about,” Harper said.

He then read highlights from the list of new businesses and space that has been leased up in town.

Harper spoke of the WalMart expansion with the new grocery section, and the addition of Hurricane Grill & Wings, the new Taco Bell at 18th and A Streets, the remodeled Denny’s on Lone Tree, Pete’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in the former Sizzler location, and Southern Café in downtown, in the former Bases Loaded location.

“I try to get my fix regularly with Southern Café,” he joked.

He also spoke of the “nice, new, huge health club, City Sports, on Lone Tree” as well as the anticipated new restaurant “Plates in Rivertown,” Panda Express with a drive-through on Auto Center Drive, and Kangazoom soon to open in the former Golf n Games on 4^th Street.

Harper said the city has “fewer vacancies overall” then mentioned the addition of Limitless Kitchen & Bath leasing up 4,400 square feet of showroom and warehouse, Alegre Trucking leasing 9.5 acres on Wilbur, WalMart leased 39,000 square feet of warehouse space and a solar distributor leasing 99,000 square feet in Antioch.

He shared that “Rivertown currently has over 80 active businesses,” that “Somersville Town Center is under new management,” that “G St. Mercantile was voted the number one antique store” in Antioch, and that “Strategic Threat Management patrols downtown.”

Then the mayor showed some design concepts of a townhome project for the old lumber yard lot, as well as concepts for an expanded event center at Waldie Plaza, across from City Hall.

Harper then compared Antioch to a patient in the hospital.

“The patient is getting regular treatment and checkups,” he stated. “It is on the way to a very healthy recovery.”

“I give this council accolades and kudos for all the hard work,” Harper concluded. “The council is everywhere. The City of Antioch is in good hands.”

Wright followed Harper’s presentation with a motivational speech of his own.

“There are multiple reasons to live in Antioch,” he said. “Business is coming. We’re having 10 new members join the Chamber each month.”

“We’re Antioch and we have people who live this city,” Wright continued. “We are a vibrant, viable, wonderful community.”

“People are going to move here to play on the Delta,” he shared. “They’re going to move here in the next year in droves, because we have affordable housing, here. We’re a community on the rise.”

“Remember, Antioch is the place to be,” Wright concluded.