Officers Tom Smith, left and Scott Duggar are presented with the Medal of Valor by Chief Tammany Brooks, at the annual Antioch Police Awards Ceremony, May 25, 2017. Photo by Allen Payton

Robert Green is named Officer of the Year

By John Crowder

Two Antioch police officers received Medals of Valor on Thursday, May 25, at the annual Antioch Police Department Awards Ceremony.  The awards were given to Officer Tom Smith, who also received a Purple Heart, and Officer Scott Duggar, in recognition for their actions and the bravery they exhibited during a dramatic incident in which Officer Smith was wounded by a shotgun blast to the head.

Antioch Police Chief Tammany Brooks described the incident to a standing room only crowd in the Antioch City Council chambers.  Brooks related how Smith was following a man suspected of numerous offenses, including three other shootings, arson, and carjacking.  In an attempt to evade Officer Smith, the suspect crashed the vehicle he was driving.  Exiting the wrecked car, the suspect immediately began firing at Smith, still in his patrol car.

During the gun battle, Smith was hit in the head, but was still able to keep the suspect engaged and to radio for help.  Officer Duggar arrived on the scene and also engaged the suspect, finally rushing him and placing him under arrest.

Brooks noted the bravery exhibited by the two officers in the performance of their duties, and emphasized how they exemplified the character of Antioch’s sworn staff, who every day step forward to put their lives on the line, if need be, to protect the city’s citizens.

In addition, former Captain Robin Kelley was recognized by Brooks for her years of service as a new retiree.

Also during the ceremony, Brooks surprised Father Robert Rien, Antioch Police Chaplain and pastor of Antioch’s St. Ignatius Church, with an award recognizing his more than ten years of service to the department.  Brooks noted that Rien will soon be recognized as a Master Police Chaplain at the International Conference of Police Chaplains, coming up in July.  Rien will be the only police chaplain in Contra Costa County to have attained this rank.

Antioch Police Officer of the Year Robert Green with Chief Brooks. May 25, 2017

Other awards presented at the ceremony included:

Officer Robert Green, Officer of the Year

Samantha Peterson, Civilian Employee of the Year

Hannah McDevitt, Explorer of the Year

Officer Matthew Koch, Distinguished Service

Officers Jonathan Adams, Frederick Blumberg, Jacob Ewart, Randall Gragg, Kelly Inabnett, Mark Moraga, and Amel Sahnic, Meritorious Service Awards.

Anita Soares, Commendation

Also recognized were three former Crime Prevention Commissioners, Mike Gadams, Audrey Taylor, and Karen Williams.

By Lieutenant D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Division

On Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at approximately 8:13 PM, Antioch police officers responded to the 400 block of W. 19th Street on the report of a male bleeding. Once at the scene, officers located the victim, an adult Hispanic male who had an apparent stab wound to his torso. The victim was transported to a local area hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The case is currently under investigation.

This preliminary information is made available by the Investigations Division. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Rivertown-based photographer, Michael Pohl cleaning benches before the Rivertown Wine Walk in May. Photo by Ron Bernal.

By John Crowder

While it’s common to hear many people complain about government services being too slow or unresponsive, one local businessman, photographer and Rotary Club member, Michael Pohl, took a different approach when he observed a problem in downtown Antioch.  In the process, he established a solution with City staff that has resulted in what some are calling a model for citizen-government partnerships.

Pohl, who owns a full-service portrait photography business in the historic Rivertown District in downtown Antioch, was interested in photographing his clients near his office, where the classic architecture would serve as an ideal backdrop.  The problem he encountered was that the downtown benches were not being regularly maintained.

Pohl, and other members of the downtown business community, approached city staff about the benches and other issues.  “The city simply didn’t have enough resources to accomplish all that we wanted,” said Pohl.  “But, at one of our meetings, Ron Bernal (Antioch’s new City Manager) suggested a citizen response, with staff assistance.”

The idea appealed to Pohl, and he began taking steps to set it in motion.

“I bought the equipment that was needed, and learned from the Public Works Department how the benches needed to be maintained,” he said.  “Now, when I have some free time (it can take up to an hour to clean one of the benches, and almost as long to apply the finishing stain), I prepare a bench and, once everything’s ready, apply the stain necessary to keep them looking good.”

So far, Pohl has cleaned five of the downtown benches, and continues to work on the project that helps beautify the downtown area, and provides him with settings that allow him to do more with his photography business.

“The City has been great to work with,” said Pohl.  “Anything I’ve asked for, they’ve provided.”

Antioch’s Public Works Director, Mike Bechtholdt, is also keen on the relationship.

“We enjoy partnering with people like Michael because he brings passion and genuine enthusiasm to help make our city a better place to live and work,” he said.

To learn more about Michael Pohl and his photography business, go to www.michaelpohlphotography.com.

The Coroner’s Division of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is requesting the pub-lic’s assistance with two cases in Antioch.

By Jimmy Lee, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office

David Norman Wise

Seeking Next of Kin

On April 28, 2017, David Norman Wise was found deceased at the Amtrak train station in Antioch. Wise, a transient, died of natural causes. The Coroner’s Division has not been able to find any next of kin. Wise was 60 years old, 5’8” tall, and weighed about 200 pounds. He had brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information on next of kin or relatives is asked to contact the Coroner’s Division at (925) 313-2850.

John Doe’s clothing

John Doe Case

On May 2, 2017, the Coroner’s Division responded to a “train versus pedestrian” incident at the railroad tracks, east of the Amtrak Station, 100 I Street in Antioch. The man appeared to have walked into the path of an oncoming train. The man has not been identified. He is described as being Hispanic or South American, 25-35 years old, 5’ – 5’5” in height, 110-125 pounds, with dark brown curly hair, and brown colored eyes. He was wearing a blue short-sleeve jersey-style shirt with lime green de-signs, black jeans, a black belt, white socks, and black shoes. See photos.

Anyone with any information on the identity of this person is asked to contact the Coroner’s Division at (925) 313-2850.

Sacramento, CA – Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D – Discovery Bay) passed his remaining bills from the Assembly Floor leading up to today’s (Friday, June 2, 2017) House of Origin deadline. Eleven of his bills were brought up for a vote this week, passed and now head to the Senate. 

“These bills reflect the very best for my district. They protect farm land and open space, make our streets safer, improve recycling rates and deter illegal dumping, and encourage healthy relationships,” Frazier stated. “I’ve been working my tail off to make sure they pass and will continue to put in a tremendous effort as they move through the Senate.”

The Assemblyman took up the following bills:

AB 63 extends California provisional driver’s licenses to be required for all first time drivers under the age of 21. This measure will reduce the numbers of older teen deaths and accidents which, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the CDC, are the leading cause of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths for California children ages 1 to 19 years old. AB 63 passed on the Assembly Floor on a 47 to 21 vote.

AB 377 establishes a pilot program to maximize on unused funding to create a childcare subsidy plan for local families and child care providers in high-cost counties of Solano and San Diego. In Solano County, it’s estimated that over 100 more children would be eligible for child care at no additional cost. AB 377 passed on the Assembly Floor on a 77 to 0 vote.

AB 472 will facilitate waterfowl conservation and other environmental benefits on private lands in a voluntary, incentive-based manner and allow non-irrigated crop to remain on lands for the benefit of waterfowl. AB 472 passed on the Assembly Floor on a 76 to 0 vote.

AB 509 creates the Tire Recycling Incentive Program (TRIP) to meet state’s mandated tire recycling rate of 75% by 2020. Californians generate over 44 million waste passenger tires every single year but only recycles 37%, largely due to illegal dumping. AB 509 passed on the Assembly Floor on a 45 to 30 vote.

AB 521 lowers the cost for an elk tag for hunting from $450 to $100 for adults and $20 for apprenticeship tags for children. This brings the cost of an elk tag in California more in line with other states. AB 521 passed on the assembly floor on a 67 to 4 vote.

AB 643 requires schools to teach age-appropriate lessons about the early warning signs of domestic abuse and unhealthy relationships. AB 643 passed on the assembly floor on a 77 to 0 vote.

AB 718 allows private wetland owners to initiate the opportunity to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with their local Mosquito Vector District regarding mosquito pesticide abatement.  This measure will implement a more uniform approach between public and private land to mosquito abatement and associated costs. AB 718 passed on the assembly floor on a 76 to 0 vote.

AB 732 ensure that levees throughout the Delta are properly maintained, protecting farmland and communities. This will extend the sunset for a 75% – 25% funding formula that shares maintenance costs of Delta levees between the state and the local agency. AB 732 passed on the assembly floor on a 71 to 1 vote .

AB 1607 is an effort to create career and employment opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities. This bill seeks to build self-sufficiency through job discovery and readiness training. AB 1607 passed on the assembly floor on a 75 to 0 vote.

AB 1633 creates regulations for private establishment of highway exit signs with information for electric vehicle charging facilities. AB 1633 passed on the assembly floor on a 76 to 0 vote.

Clark Warren Gelhaus

May 18, 1932 – April 23, 2017

Celebration of Life, Sunday, June 4th at Solar Swim & Gym

Clark Warren Gelhaus was nearly 85 years old when he passed at Kaiser Hospital in Antioch on April 23 after suffering a severe hemorrhagic stroke.  He was surrounded by family as he passed, along with current and former employees who saw Clark as family.  Clark was a gentle, caring and passionate man, committed to community and touching all those who knew him.

Clark is survived by his wife Ingrid, daughter Marion Gelhaus-Shore with husband Randy, and grandson’s Brodie and Nik.  He was preceded in death by his parents, George Gelhaus and Dorothy (Randall) Gelhaus, siblings Joyce Shivel (Gelhaus), Clayton and Larry Gelhaus.

Clark was born on May 18, 1932 in Oakland, California and grew up in El Cerrito and Lafayette, graduating from Acalanes High School in 1950.  He graduated from San Jose State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1955.  The same year he graduated he acquired a pool in Antioch known to everyone as the “C” Street Pool, which is now known as Solar Swim and Gym.  In his nearly 70 years of teaching swimming, Clark has taught the grandchildren of people he once taught to swim.

Clark was the founder of the Delta Skimmers recreation swim team in Antioch, Delta Divers US Springboard Diving Team, Delta Dolphins Skin and Scuba Dive Club and helped to start the Holiday Run with Kiwanis.  Clark also served on the Antioch Waterfront Committee and was in the Naval Reserves from 1955-1958.

Clark was very hardworking and dedicated to his business that he ran with his wife Ingrid until his sudden death.  His greatest joy was teaching swimming and interacting with his gym members and working side by side with his wife of 53 years. Clark has touched the lives of thousands in his hometown of Antioch, the city that he loved.

The celebration of his life is planned for June 4^th at Solar Swim and Gym at 12 noon.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Kiwanis Club of the Delta, 3377 Dear Valley Rd #239, Antioch CA, 94531 for a scholarship fund set up in Clark’s name.  More information can be found at Facebook.com/solarswimgym

Press Release Received 12:38 AM, 6/1/17

By Sergeant John Fortner #3264 Investigations Division

On Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at approximately 5:46 PM, Antioch police officers responded to the 2100 block of Lemontree Way for the report of gunshots. Once at the scene, officers located evidence of a shooting. A Black male adult shooting victim fled from the scene in a vehicle and collided with several uninvolved occupied vehicles as he fled. The victim was contacted a short distance away on “L” Street near the Highway 4 overpass. The victim was transported to a local area hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

During the investigation, an Hispanic male adult suspect was identified and subsequently located at a residence in the 2100 block of Lemontree Way. Initially, the suspect refused to cooperate with police and exit the residence. After a short stand-off the suspect exited and was peacefully taken into custody.

Currently, the investigation is on-going.

This preliminary information is made available by the Investigations Division. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Stage Right Conservatory Theatre, Inc. presents “James and the Giant Peach” produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Co., Inc.   This incredible journey by Roald Dahl comes to life in this magical adventure that reveals the wickedness of some, the goodness of others, and the indecision encountered by many when they are faced with crises.

Directed by Kyle Achziger and Rio Teixeira, “James and the Giant Peach” runs for two weekends beginning Friday, June 2nd at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center Theatre, 213 F St. in Antioch.  Performance dates are June 2nd, 3rd, 9th & 10th at 7 p.m. and June 4th & 11th at 2 p.m.

Adults $10, Students and Seniors $8, Children (10 & under) $5.  Seniors pay only $5 at both matinees!  For more information call (925) 216-4613 or visit www.srctgrp.org.