Steve Barr

Today, Thursday, July 14, 2016, the Contra Costa County District Attorneys’ Association announced their endorsement of Steve Barr for County Supervisor in District 3.

The District Attorneys’ Association represents more than 75 Deputy DA’s who serve our community as prosecutors in the District Attorney’s office.

Aron DeFerrari, the group’s president, said the decision came down to Steve’s direct and open style, as well as his financial skills.

“Steve is very honest and tells you exactly how it is,” said DeFerrari. “We don’t always agree on everything. But we think his direct and open style is going to make him a great partner as we work on a lot of tough public safety issues.”

“Having a small business owner who understands finances and has a track record of using public money responsibly, was also very attractive to us,” DeFerrari continued. “We don’t have unlimited resources and need leaders who can make sure our public safety officers and prosecutors have enough money to do their jobs effectively. Steve Barr has our full trust.”

Barr said the endorsement was great news.

“Their vote of confidence means a lot and the role of prosecutors play in the county is vital,” he said. “I really look forward to working with them throughout this campaign and beyond.”

Barr, who was the top vote getter in the primary, is currently in the runoff election that will be held November 8^th. As a Brentwood City Councilman he has made public safety a top priority, and his campaign already has the support of the Brentwood Police Officers’ Association.

Please visit www.SteveBarrForSupervisor.com for more information about the campaign and www.ContraCostaProsecutors.com for more information about the District Attorneys’ Assocation.

By Gary Arftsen, Board Member

On June 26th, the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, led by Captain Dustin M. Doyle, performed at El Campanil Theatre to deliver a heartfelt performance with the likes of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, “Yankee Doodle”, and many more. If you haven’t experienced the talent of the U.S. Air Force Band, please do yourself a huge favor, and look for their next return concert.

El Campanil Theatre is a nonprofit organization that depends solely on volunteers and contributions, so I must give two businesses a big thank you for giving without hesitation.  Brentwood Reprographics donated the programs for the event, detailing the history as well the background of their talented conductor, (who never stood still dancing to the direction of the band). Ken Turnage of K2GC Construction pleased the 45 band members by having lunch delivered.

It is imperative for the success of any nonprofit to have such valuable contributors to remain viable to the community. The Board of Directors of El Campanil would like to wholeheartedly express our gratitude for their willingness to assist us in making this event a wonderful day to a packed house.  The concert was free to all 600 people in attendance.

Brentwood Reprographics, Ken Turnage Construction along with the U.S Air Force Band are the true heroes of that day.

Dr. Rodrigo Martell, with scissors, prepares to cut the ribbon at his new office, with members of his family, as well as Antioch council members, and Chamber of Commerce leaders and members on Wednesday, May 18.

By Allen Payton

Antioch community and business leaders joined Dr. Rodrigo Martell and his family in officially opening his new dental office at 716 West 10th Street in Antioch on Wednesday, May 18.

Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock congratulated Dr. Martell on passing his license test, last year and thanked him for opening his office in Antioch.

Jack Monroe, of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce welcomed Dr. Martell to “downtown, the heart of Antioch,” he said. “We wish you years of success.”

Antioch High School Varsity football players from left to right, top to bottom: Guadie Campbell, Najee Harris, Omari Harris, Antoine Tanner, Iuni Mauga, Isaac Freytes and Isaiah Dunn. photos by Luke Johnson

By Luke Johnson

Antioch High School’s football team has become a national recruiting hotspot during this offseason as seven returning players have received college offers.

Senior running back Najee Harris has garnered the most attention as the world’s number one recruit according to Rivals and Scout.com. At 6-foot-2, and a lean 228 pounds, he has astonished scouts with his explosive athleticism. Last season, he set numerous school records including rushing for 2,744 yards and scoring 39 touchdowns. The five-star recruit has earned 32 scholarship offers from the top collegiate program, but has been verbally committed to the University of Alabama since April 2015.

The rest of roster with offers goes as followed: seniors cornerback Isaiah Dunn (5), cornerback/wide receiver Antoine Tanner (1), safey/wide receiver Issac Freytes (1), juniors linebacker/running back Omari Harris (4), tight end Iuni Mauga (1) and sophomore wide receiver Gaudie Campbell (2).

“I was relieved that my hard work is starting to pay off. My mom isn’t wasting her money for nothin’,” Tanner said about being offered by Kentucky Christian University.

Assistant head coach Brett Dudley said his relationship with college recruiters has changed drastically in the past two years. At one point, he could not get a college representative to click on a link in an email even if he paid them, but during May, he had 10 to 20 college coaches visiting him on campus each week. Earlier this year, the likes of Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly and Alabama’s Lane Kiffin stepped onto AHS grounds.

Dudley added that the best part about this quantitative amount of exposure is that all levels of college football are giving Antioch their attention. Not everyone on the team is like Najee Harris and built to play in the SEC, but this gives other players the opportunity to play at lower-level colleges and receive a free education.

Several of these offers are coming from the state of Utah with four produced by Brigham Young University (N. Harris, Dunn, Freytes and Campbell) and three by the University of Utah (Harris, Harris and Dunn). Three offers have came from Eastern Washington University (O. Harris, Mauga and Campbell) while two have came from the local, prestigious school of Cal-Berkeley (Harris and Harris).

Campbell and Mauga’s offers come under rare circumstances as they have yet to play at the varsity level. Dudley said recruiters are attracted to their potential, and “what they can become.” Both are 15 years old. Campbell is 6-foot-2 with a high vertical and a father whom is 6-foot-6, while Mauga is already 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds.

Players and coaches alike feel that these accolades have boosted the team’s confidence, but it has also put a target on their backs for opponents.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Election will be held in the City of Antioch on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, for the following officers:

CITY OF ANTIOCH

Mayor

Two (2) Council Members

City Clerk

City Treasurer

 A nominee must be a registered voter residing within the City. Nomination petitions may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, 200 “H” Street, Antioch, CA. The Nomination Filing Period begins Monday, July 18, 2016 and shall be filed with the City Clerk’s Office in person no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 12, 2016. The regular business hours for the City Clerk’s Office are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  However, the City Clerk’s Office will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016 at City Hall. Candidates are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with the City Clerk’s Office for obtaining and filing nomination papers by calling (925) 779-7009 or emailing Cityclerk@ci.antioch.ca.us. Please refer to the Fair Political Practices Commission website link for important information: www.fppc.ca.gov or call (866) 275-3772.

If an incumbent fails to file for election/reelection by 5 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2016, the filing period will be extended to Wednesday, August 17, 2016 for new filings.

Candidates may submit a candidate statement 250 words in length and will be responsible for the expense.

The City Clerk’s Office shall submit a certificate of facts to the City Council (1) if no one or only one candidate files for any office which is elected on a city wide basis, or (2) if the number of persons filing for offices elected at large does not exceed the number of seats to be filled.  The City Council shall adopt one of the courses of action outlined in Elections Code Section 10229.

Polls will be open Election Day between 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M.

Scott Eastman

By Sergeant Tom Furhman, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

Antioch Police Investigators presented the case of Scott Eastman, to the Office of the District Attorney on Tuesday, July 12, 2016. The Office of the District Attorney has filed murder charges as well as an enhancement for the use of a firearm against Scott Eastman in the June 25th shooting death of his father, Relis Eastman. Scott is being held on $2,000,000 bail.

No further information will be released at this time.

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.

From left: Officers Matthew Davis, Wilson Delacruz, Salvador Montanez and Quamaine Murphy with Chief Allan Cantando, center. photo courtesy of Antioch Police Department

Four more sworn officers were added to the Antioch Police force on Monday, July 11 during a ceremony at the Antioch Police Facility.

“Please help welcome these officers to our community,” said Chief Allan Cantando.