Archive for August, 2019

Milpitas police arrest Antioch woman in Bay Area, Sacramento sporting goods store thefts

Friday, August 30th, 2019

Suspect Kiaira Kellie Fluker. Photo by Milpitas PD.

Two other suspects still unknown, at large

By Detective Kevin Jackson #273, Milpitas Police Department

On August 2, 2019 at about 8:32 p.m. officers responded to a report of a theft at Big 5 Sporting Goods, located at 757 East Calaveras Boulevard, where three suspects stole $7,000 worth of merchandise. The suspects were last seen leaving the area in a grey 4-door Nissan Altima in an unknown direction.

Milpitas Police Detectives have been working this case diligently and obtained security camera footage of the suspects from Big 5 Sporting Goods, which helped identify Kiaira Kellie Fluker as one of the suspects. Fluker was identified as a suspect in other sporting goods store thefts in Daly City, Napa, Redwood City, Sacramento, Sunnyvale, and Walnut Creek. Detectives learned Fluker had a $50,000 Ramey arrest warrant for grand theft from the Sacramento Police Department.

On August 28, 2019, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Detectives from the Special Investigations Unit located and arrested Fluker at her residence, in Antioch, CA, and transported her back to Milpitas. Fluker was interviewed and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for commercial burglary, grand theft, organized retail theft, and the warrant. At this time, the other two suspects are still unknown and remain at large.

If you have any information regarding the incident at Big 5 Sporting Goods, please call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400. Additionally, the information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police Department Website at: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip

Embattled County Assessor Kramer to challenge Glover for Supervisor in next year’s elections

Thursday, August 29th, 2019

Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors District 5 Map.

Gus Kramer from the County Assessor’s webpage.

By Daniel Borsuk

Legally and politically embattled Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer is “seriously planning” to run for the District 5 seat of the Contra County Board of Supervisors, a seat held by 20-year veteran Federal Glover of Pittsburg, the Contra Costa Herald has learned.

District 5 includes portions of Antioch north of Highway 4.

Miffed earlier this month when the board of supervisors decided to not award him a 1.96 percent cost-of-living increase that would have raised  his annual salary from $208,013  to $212,086, based on findings of an average salary study Contra Costa County Administrator David Tawa had compiled of nine other counties of elected officials holding the offices of assessor, auditor-controller, clerk-recorder, and treasurer-tax collector. (See related article)

“I am planning to file for the district five seat,” said Kramer. “I will file in March.”

At the early August board of supervisors meeting, Twa instructed supervisors to not award the assessor a cost-of-living increase by stating, “Currently the Assessor is 1.96 percent below the Average of the nine Bay Area comparable counties. A salary adjustment for the Assessor will be considered at a later date, once other issues in the Department have been resolved.”

Federal Glover from his Facebook page.

Kramer was re-elected to another four-year term of office in last November’s election, so he says he has nothing to lose in running for a supervisorial seat, he told The Herald.

Without going into detail, Kramer did not address the ongoing legal challenges he faces chiefly the Superior Court proceedings on allegations of “willful or corrupt” misconduct in office involving county employees.

The county assessor, who resides in Martinez, but grew up and attended and graduated from former Pacifica High School in Bay Point, said he has no problem running against veteran supervisor Glover.

“I want to reveal what is really going on during those closed door sessions.  There are many unanswered questions about the legality of those closed sessions,” Kramer said.

In the meantime, Glover told the Herald he plans to run for a sixth four-year term.

“I plan to run for re-election in 2020,” Glover said. “I have worked hard for the constituents of District 5. I will run on my strong record.”

Glover would not comment on Kramer’s prospective candidacy.

“I don’t want to read anything into it at this time,” he said.

Antioch Council raises council members’ salaries 70% on split vote

Tuesday, August 27th, 2019

First increase in 14 years, will go into effect after next election

By Allen Payton

At their Tuesday, August 27, 2019 meeting the Antioch City Council voted 4-1 to increase salaries for council members by 70% from $941.20 to $1,600.04 per month, the maximum allowed by state law. The increase will go into effect on January 1, 2021 after the next election.

According to the staff report, “the salaries for the Antioch City Council Members were last increased in 2006” and “on September 12, 2006, the salary for a Council Member was set at $941.20 per month.”

“Applying the allowed five percent increase for fourteen years (on a simple, non-compounded basis) to the $941.20 amount effective January 1, 2007, state law would permit an increase to $1,600.04 per month effective January 1, 2021.”

Council member salaries in Concord, the largest city in the county, is currently $1,352 per month, according to City Attorney Thomas Smith.

It will become operative when the next council is seated. The council has to wait until the next election, according to state statute, he explained.

Council member salaries are based on city population.

No member of the public spoke on the item.

Council Member Lamar Thorpe made a motion to approve the increase.

“We spoke about this before so, I’m ready to move forward,” he said.

Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts seconded the motion.

“I appreciate the fact that it’s been 13 years since this council has had a raise. I’d like to see us fully staffed in the police department…in the 120’s, and we’re talking about the unhoused, tonight,” Council Member Lori Ogorchock stated. “I think the money can go somewhere else.”

“It will be a roll call vote, since it’s an ordinance,” City Clerk Arne Simonsen stated.

Council Member Lori Ogorchock was the only one to vote no and the motion to approve the pay raised passed 4-1.

Reps. DeSaulnier and McNerney to hold joint Town Hall in Antioch Thursday night

Tuesday, August 27th, 2019

Congressmen Mark DeSaulnier and Jerry McNerney who represent Antioch in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congressmen Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) and Jerry McNerney (CA-09) will host a joint town hall at on Thursday, August 29th at 6:30 p.m. in Antioch. The City of Antioch is split between the two representatives.

During the town hall, DeSaulnier and McNerney will provide an update on news of the day and will take questions.

Antioch Town Hall with Congressmen DeSaulnier & McNerney

Thursday, August 29

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Antioch Community Center

4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch

Doors Open at 6:00 p.m.

This event is open to the public, press, and photographers.

Please RSVP by visiting https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or calling 925-933-2660. To request ADA accommodations, translation services, or for more information contact Representative DeSaulnier’s office in either Walnut Creek or Richmond.

Delta Realtors foundation to hold 8th annual Delta Harvest Run fundraiser in Brentwood Sept 8

Monday, August 26th, 2019

By Patti Shaner 

Runners and volunteers are needed to participate in the 8th Annual Delta Harvest Run in Brentwood, Sunday, Sept. 8th.  All of the net proceeds go to the Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation. The DRCSF is a non-profit organization run by local Realtors and affiliates.  Since its establishment in 2005, the DRCSF has been offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors at each of the high schools from Pittsburg to Discovery Bay.  It is estimated that the Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in high school scholarships since its inception.  In addition to scholarships, the Foundation consistently donates money to local food banks, Community Chests, Homeless Shelters, Elderly Make A Wish, and other charitable organizations in East Contra Costa County.

The Delta Harvest Run offers a half marathon, 10K, 5k and a 1 Mile Family Fun Run. The DHR begins and ends at the beautiful City Park in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Oak and 2nd Streets.  The flat route meanders thru the tree lined city streets and on the peaceful and scenic Marsh Creek trail.  The run is facilitated by a professional race and timing company.  All participants will receive a finishers metal, a custom performance-shirt, a swag bag and snacks at the finish line.   New this year the runners will receive a token for a free beer, glass of Champaign, an ice cream or a coffee.   The DHR will also award age group metals as well as overall male and female trophies.

The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., with a prerace warm-up lead by a professional instructor prior to race time.  The awards ceremony will take place at The City Park immediately following the race.

For more information about the run or to registration as a runner or a volunteer go to the website at http://www.deltaharvestrun.com/.  You can also call the race director Patti Shaner at 925-584-1614.

Applications for scholarships will be available at each of the high school career centers by early December.  Interested seniors can also call Tonia at the Delta Associate of Realtors at (925) 757-8283 to receive an application.  The Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation is proud to support our community.

Motorcyclist dies in Highway 4 collision in Pittsburg Monday morning

Monday, August 26th, 2019

By CHP-Contra Costa

Monday morning, Aug. 26, 2019 at approximately 8:00 am, we responded to a collision on Highway 4 westbound, near Loveridge Road. Upon arrival, we located a motorcycle rider who had rear-ended a Toyota Camry and was ejected off of his motorcycle, as a result of that collision.

Unfortunately, following that collision, the rider was struck by a big rig and sustained fatal injuries. Both the driver of the big rig and the Toyota are cooperating with our investigation. Multiple lanes were closed until approximately 10:00 am, but the roadway is now fully open. Identification of the motorcycle rider will be made through the Contra Costa Coroner’s Office.

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Marine Patrol continues search for missing Delta boater

Sunday, August 25th, 2019

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Sunday morning at about 2:18 a.m., Delta Station Deputy Sheriffs responded to Indian Slough for a missing person detail. Two men were fishing on an inflatable raft at Indian Slough when the raft apparently had a malfunction. One of the men swam to shore, but the other person was unaccounted for.

A CHP helicopter, U.S. Coast Guard and Contra Costa Fire Protection District arrived on scene with boats and aerial support, however, the missing man was not located

Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit later arrived on scene and took over the investigation and search. Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441.

Rivertown: American Graffiti film at El Campanil Theatre followed by Hot August Cruise Night Saturday, Aug. 31

Sunday, August 25th, 2019