By Pete Gumas, Pest Control Adviser #71055, Antioch

Fall Fertilization

Lawn fertilization in the Fall is key to recovering from summer heat stress and preparing turf for the winter. Two good  fertilizer applications in September and late October encourages root growth and food storage for winter. Lawns grow most actively between 60 and 80 degrees F and need the most amount of fertilizer. In a future article, I’ll review later how to measure out fertilizer ,apply it accurately, and figure out lawn square footage.

Mowing

Keep mower blades sharpened. Dull blades can cause frayed tips and cause a whitish look on top of turf blades. Grass blades heal slower. The lawn doesn’t look like it’s freshly cut and green.

Mow heights in Fall can lower down some with cooler weather. You can lower them through the winter and early spring. Suggested mow heights for Tall Fescue is 2 to 2.5”; while Kentucky Bluegrass-Ryegrass can be mowed at 2”.

Regular mowing, fertilizing, and watering keeps lawns actively growing. Turf can grow out of disease or other issues it may face. Limit mowing to 1/3 of the blade per mowing to avoid stress. Plus, using a recycling mower and mowing no more than 1/3 of the blade can help recut clippings in the mower chamber. For example, a lawn at 3”, can be cut at 2”, or a 4” tall lawn can be mowed at 2 and ¾”.

Irrigation

Fall is a great time to “skip a day” as our days get shorter and nights cooler. For instance, watering deep every two days in July-August should be watering every 4th day in late October. That’s 50% less in just two months. Here’s an example of “skipping a day”:

July-August: Water lawns every 2 days deep

September: Water every 3rd day deep

October: Water every 4th day deep

November: Water every 5th day deep or off from rain

December: Off! It’s raining now.

Run times will vary with the type of lawn sprinkler you have.

Re-seeding and Renovation

Fall’s a great time to reseed because the weather is cooler and ideal for seed germination. Summer heat is too hot in Antioch and East County to seed. Choose to overseed from late September to early November.

1. Rake up dead grass and loosen up soil. Mow the rest of the lawn short
2. Add in some compost to bare spots, mix into top 1 to 2” of soil with your rake
3. Level off soil with the flat or top part of your rake. Level off to soil height
4. Match up seed at a nursery or supplier. Usually it’s a Tall fescue or Blue/rye mix
5. Scatter seed out to cover most of bare soil
6. Topdress seed with ¼” organic compost to cover all seed
7. Begin irrigation and keep seed moist for 3 weeks. Water short 5-7 minute cycles 3 times per day. Begin watering at 8am, 12 noon, and 3pm to keep seed moist. If the seed dries out, the seed will die. That’s why watering new seed is very critical to success. Keep that seed wet!
8. Then, after seeds “pops up”, you can slowly reduce water times to 1 or 2 times per day as weather cools down in fall.
9. Your first mowing will be at about one month. Mow higher, 2.5 to 3” at first. This puts less stress on new seedlings. You can lower the mow height later in late November into December.

Dear Editor:

For those who may not know me, let me introduce myself. I’m Jareem Gunter, an Antioch parent and the leader of the East Bay Tech Academy middle school. (We call it Tech Antioch for short.) Antioch is my home. My mother worked at Live Oak High School in the Antioch Unified School District for over 20 years until she retired last year. I was part of the opening class at Deer Valley High School, my alma mater. Now, a father with two young children, I was excited for my family to buy a home and set up roots back in Antioch.

Efforts to open Tech Antioch have raised questions about the connection between our school and Clayton Valley Charter High School. Since these concerns were first raised in the spring, numerous steps were taken to ensure Tech Antioch is completely separate from Clayton Valley. Our board was formed and includes experienced leaders in the charter school sector and a local Antioch resident, Fernando Navarro. I was named the school leader. And, we entered into a legal agreement with Clayton Valley creating a clear separation while also establishing a plan to reimburse Clayton Valley for the original investment it made into the school.

To be clear: I have no ties to Clayton Valley. Our board has no ties to Clayton Valley, my ties are to Antioch and Antioch public schools.  All my life I have attend public school, and care deeply about public school education.

We as a community, need to be honest. We need to look at the outcomes of Antioch schools and ask ourselves: Is this good enough? Last year, nearly 69 percent of students didn’t meet state English standards and 81 percent failed to meet math standards. While 80 percent of our students graduate high school, only 35 percent of those students are prepared for college. That means about two out of every three graduates leave with a diploma but not the skills they need for success if they want to pursue a career that requires a college degree. What we’re doing is not working for most children.

We are leaving too many children behind. All our children deserve and can be successful if we provide them the right opportunities. As a charter school, we can bring new ideas to our community. Our world is continually changing. We need to invest in new methods and ideas within our educational offerings.

Tech Antioch can provide an opportunity for innovation in our community and help our public schools become better. In other communities–such as Denver, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Houston and San Diego–forward-thinking leaders have focused on what children need and incorporated charter schools into their solution.

We need to spend time focused on what children in our community need. They need the right opportunities, and that can include giving them another public school option through Tech Antioch.

As a community, our current approach is not working for too many children. Our traditional school options are allowing too many children to graduate without being prepared for life. We need to try something new. My vision for Tech Antioch is to be another option for those children. Parents need to have access to another public school choice for their children. Providing our families with more opportunities for their children will only improve our district.

I want to work with the district to give children a choice. And, I want to work with other school leaders. Let’s work together to redefine how we support our children. Together, we can raise the expectations for our children and ensure they are positioned to achieve whatever dreams they have.

We can only work together if we stop political posturing and start having actual conversations. I ask that you honestly consider what our children need and welcome a partnership with our school.

Jareem Gunter, Founder/Director, East Bay Tech Academy

DVHS Drum Major Marcanthony Ponce and AHS Drum Major Mariah Capote with their first place trophies. Photo by AUSD.

By Allen Payton

The Deer Valley High School and Antioch High School Marching Bands both took home first place trophies in their divisions for the parade competition at the 41st Annual Lodi Grape Bowl Classic Band Review on Saturday, Nov. 3. Hosted by Lodi and Tokay high schools, the review included Marching Band Parade Competition, Jazz Band Competition and Field Show Competitions for middle and high schools.

The event was held at Lawrence Elementary School, followed by a field show at the Lodi Grape Bowl, according to the Lodi Sentinel.

Susan Te contributed to this report.

New Antioch Police Officer Calvin Prieto takes his oath of office administered by Chief Tammany Brooks, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Photos by APD

By Chief Tammany Brooks

Please join us in welcoming our newest Police Officer, Calvin Prieto!

New Antioch Police Officer Calvin Prieto with Chief Brooks.

Calvin grew up in San Leandro and graduated from San Leandro High School in 2007. After High School, Calvin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. As a Marine, Calvin deployed several times including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Humanitarian aid services in Myanmar. Calvin was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in 2011.

After returning to the Bay Area in 2011, Calvin put himself through the Alameda County Sheriff’s Regional Training Center. Upon graduation, in February 2012, Calvin was hired by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and was assigned to custodial services as a deputy. He left ACSO in 2014 to work for the city of San Leandro as a Police Officer.

While working as a police officer, Calvin attended school part time and obtained his bachelors degree from the American Military University in Criminal Justice in 2014. He later returned to JFK University in June 2018, and obtained a masters degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. Calvin is excited to bring over his family to the Antioch Police Department and serve the community.

In his free time, Calvin enjoys spending time with family and friends and enjoys taking his family on road trips.

A fun fact about Calvin is that he has participated in the U.S. Police & Fire Olympics and has won two gold medals in the “prestigious” sport of Dodgeball. His pre-game routine includes watching the movie “Dodgeball,” and quoting Ben Stiller.

Asked how many officers are now on the force, Brooks responded, “We’re at 99 right now. I anticipate being at 100 by end of the year.” Previously he stated there are six recruits in the academy that he hopes to have on the force by early next year.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Mother of Antioch chiropractor Dr. Rick Harris, former long-time staffer for Antioch dentists Dr.  Lee Keller and Dr. Daniel Burk

Bonnie Jean Poche

June 17, 1940 – October 12, 2018

Bonnie was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, moved at an early age to Southern California and spent most of her adult life in Antioch, California. She lived a fulfilling life as a great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, sister, wife and friend. She loved to dance, entertain and socialize with her friends, coworkers and large family. Bonnie is survived by her husband of 25 years, Rich Poche, her four children, Robin, Rhondi, Robert and Rick, her brother, Harry, and sister, Sherry, along with numerous grandchildren, great grand-children, nieces and nephews. Please join us and share your stories of remembrance at a Celebration of Life on Friday, November 9, 2018, at the new Antioch Community Center located at 4703 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, CA from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

By Daniel Borsuk

To address rising costs of meeting strict environmental water quality regulations, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Election Day, Tuesday, unanimously approved a way to pay for a $5 million permit with the Regional Water Conservation District.

With scant discussion from supervisors and zero comments from the public, supervisors approved Contra Costa County Flood Control & Water Conservation District Division Manager Tim Jensen’s recommendation to pay for the five-year permit through service reductions.

Some jurisdictions, like San Diego and Santa Clara counties most notably have refused to pay rising storm water permit fees, Jensen said.

Jensen informed supervisors the county has about $3.2 million in funds set aside for the RWCD permit, but the there are no other funds available from the County’s General Fund to fill in a $1.2 million deficit for the certificate.

Jensen said his staff identified $510,000 of road funds and $75,000 of flood control funds that could be spent for program activities but, noted the road funds might be unavailable should state Proposition 6, the State Gas Tax measure wins in Tuesday’s election.  A Proposition 6 victory would deliver a financial blow to the county’s road fund. (NOTE: Prop. 6 failed)

The county flood control manager presented to supervisors a four-point service reduction plan that would help the county plug up the $1.2 million deficit to cover the RWCD permit.  The plan consists of:

• Street Sweeping – Transfer street sweeping to the Road Fund even though this might not materialize if Proposition 6, the state gas tax measure, won at Tuesday’s election.
• Inspections – Reduce inspections by 50 percent.
• Outreach – Reduce the Public Information and Participation Program by 50 percent.
• Calendar – Eliminate the annual calendar.

County Agricultural Crop Production Down 6 Percent

In other business, supervisors approved, on consent, the county’s 2017 Agricultural Crop Report that showed a 6% decline in gross value of agricultural crops.  During that year, agricultural crop gross value was $120,441,000, a decline of $7. 6 million from 2016, Humberto Izquierdo, Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner Sealer of Weights and Measures wrote in his report to the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.

Izquierdo’s report cited how high labor costs and an overall shortage of farm workers have been key factors behind the longstanding decline in the county’s asparagus industry.  Today there is only one asparagus grower in the county who sells strictly at the Certified Farmers’ Markets.  The total acreage in asparagus production has decreased to less than 50 acres.  “The loss of (a 25% tariff) protection, combined with rising labor costs, have resulted in an increase in imported asparagus from 10.8 percent of U.S. consumption in 1980 to 91.2 percent in 2015,” he wrote.

The county crop report also showed that 2017 sweet corn harvested was down to 37,500 tons compared to 44,300 tons in 2016.  That corn harvest produced $18.9 million in total value in 2017 compared to $23.3 million in 2016.  Tomato harvest was up in 2017, at 209,300 tons valued at $23.4 million in comparison to 169,000 tons at a value of $19.9 million in 2016.

Shelter in Place Recognized

Contra Costa County Shelter in Place Week received official recognition from the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. Supervisors passed a resolution recognizing the 17th anniversary of Shelter in Place Day that was held November 7 at Garin Elementary School in Brentwood with a drill. At the presentation Board Chair Karen Mitchoff presented the resolution to A. J. (Tony) Semenza, executive director of Community Awareness Emergency Response, and Michael Dossey, an accidental release prevention engineer with the Contra Costa Health Services Hazardous Materials Programs.

Adoption Awareness Month

Also, at the meeting, Supervisors recognized November as Adoption Awareness Month.  Board Chair Karen Mitchoff presented a resolution recognizing the good deeds of the county’s Children and Family Services to Sandra Wohala of Concord who recently adopted two girls.

In order to adopt the girls, Wohala said that she had to move out of her 550 square foot condominium and into a house with a backyard. This year Children and Family Services placed its first ever non-minor dependent adoption. Some 2,000 children in the county receive adoption assistance.

Antioch SWAT arrives on scene on Deerfield Drive where the standoff occurred, Monday night, Nov. 5, 2018. Photo by Allen Payton

By Sergeant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau, Violent Crimes Unit

On Monday, Nov. 5, 2018 at approximately 7:26 pm, a citizen called the Antioch Police Department to report that their neighbor (a 32-year-old male) threatened him with a firearm. When officers responded, they contacted the reporting party and learned about an on-going dispute between the two neighbors. During this day’s incident, the victim and his neighbor were standing outside attempting to mediate the issues when another family member brandished a black semi-automatic firearm in a threatening manner. The victim returned to his residence and called the police.

When officers arrived, they learned about the dispute and the brandishing that happened just moments prior. As officers approached the suspect’s residence, he called out to them from an open upstairs window. The officers identified themselves and their purpose for being there. The suspect told them he would be right down. Upon opening the front door, and without warning, the officers were immediately fired upon. One officer was struck in the head and retreated to a parked vehicle. The officer’s injuries were visibly consistent with being struck by gunfire, and other officers at the scene reported that an officer had been shot. The suspect retreated into the house and closed the door barricading himself. The victim officer began bleeding profusely and was quickly transported to a local area trauma center.

Shortly afterwards, police supervisors arrived at the scene and a call for emergency support and mutual aid was requested. With the assistance of responding allied agencies, the scene was quickly contained and cordoned off. Initially, a shelter-in-place was initiated for the immediate neighborhood while officers were attempting to establish contact with the occupants of the residence.

The response to the Officer Involved Critical Incident included the Contra Costa County Sherriff’s Office, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, the District Attorney’s Office, and numerous local allied agencies. The response provided valuable support to the Antioch Police Department’s SWAT Team, the Hostage Negotiation Team, the Investigations Bureau, and Command Staff.

During preliminary negotiations with family members, it was learned that the 32-year-old suspect was refusing to surrender peacefully. The barricaded suspect was home with his parents, and information developed that the suspect had a history of law enforcement contact in another city, which involved the possession and use of a black semi-automatic firearm that currently showed to be registered to him.

During the standoff, one family member exited the house. One other family member did not exit, and it was unknown if they were being held against their will. As the standoff continued, it was discovered that the injured officer sustained multiple non-life-threatening injuries consistent with being shot by a high-powered BB-type firearm. Once this information became known, Hostage Negotiation Team members continued to work with family members at the scene to build rapport with the suspect, which led to the peaceful surrender of the responsible and a successful resolution to the incident.

As the suspect was transported to the Antioch Police Department jail for booking, the Investigations Bureau took over the investigation with the assistance of senior inspectors from the District Attorney’s office. A search warrant was served at the location and two high-powered BB-type rifles were recovered along with a BB-type replica of a black full-sized semi-automatic pistol, BB ammunition, and live pistol ammunition.

At the conclusion of the investigation, this case will be referred to the District Attorney’s office for the felony charges of PC 245(c), Assault w/a Deadly Weapon Other than a Firearm on a Peace Officer; PC 422, Criminal Threats; and PC 417.8, Brandishing a Deadly Weapon at a Peace Officer.

The Antioch Police Department wishes to express sincere gratitude for the outpouring of support and assistance during this critical incident, from the beginning through to its peaceful resolution.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441 or Detective Gonzalez at 925-779-6923. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.