Training session to be held at the Antioch Police Department

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney

Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton is proud to join Antioch Councilmember Monica Wilson, the Antioch Police Department, the Contra Costa County Family Justice Center, Community Violence Solutions, the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force and the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Coalition in hosting East County’s third Human Trafficking “Day of Action” on September 19, 2019.

Inspired by California State Senate Bill 1193, the Day of Action intends to educate individuals on how to recognize signs of human trafficking and inform them on how they can help prevent it. Members of the business community are encouraged to participate by posting human trafficking awareness signs with resources for victims to reach out to. Our local businesses are the extra eyes of our community and can help significantly in combating the crime of human trafficking in Contra Costa County.

A training session will be presented from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Antioch Police Department, located at 300 L. Street in Antioch. From there, attendees will form teams and talk with local businesses about putting up posters with resource information for people who may be experiencing forced or coerced labor or commercial sex. The outreach will occur from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend and join with law enforcement, city leaders and community organizers to make a difference in our community.

Co-sponsors of the event include Brentwood City Councilmember Karen Rarey, Oakley City Councilmember Sue Higgins and Pittsburg City Councilmember Holland White.

If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in an activity and cannot leave, whether it is commercial sex or labor – call the national Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text “Be Free” or 233733.

Local resources include Community Violence Solutions and Contra Costa’s Family Justice Centers – with a new location at 3501 Lone Tree Way. Antioch, CA 94509.

By Antioch Police Department

Effective Thursday, September 19, 2019 both Wilbur Lane and Wymore Way will be closed to through traffic. Wilbur Lane will only have gated access to the warehouse complex and businesses from the Wilbur Lane side, and Wymore Way is to be closed permanently.

“It’s being done by the property owners to help prevent crime from occurring in the complex,” said Antioch Police Chief Tammany Brooks.

“Wilbur Lane and Wymore are both private streets,” added City Manager Ron Bernal.

This has long been a popular thoroughfare for persons getting from East 18th Street to Wilbur Avenue. Due to this closure, everyone is cautioned and should now use alternate routes between these two roadways. Alternate routes include A Street, Cavallo Road, Hillcrest Avenue, and Viera Avenue. The highlighted areas in green show alternate routes and the red show the closed roadways. Please see the map above.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

A “paw parade,” with fun family activities is the theme for Family Night in the Park on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at Markley Creek Park in Antioch. As part of the Rollin’ with Rec Pop-Up Recreation program, “pawp up” night includes everything dogs and pets. Bring your dog for the parade, stay for the fun family games and special presentations. The K-9 Unit of the Antioch Police Department will provide a special presentation and the City’s Animal Services Department will be on hand with a lot of resources for your pets. All the fun begins at 6:00pm. Markley Creek Park is located on Summit Way off of James Donlon Boulevard and Somersville Road. Bring your picnic dinner and enjoy the sunset, the views, and the laughter. For more information about summer programs and the Rollin’ with Rec van, call the Recreation Department at 925-776-3050.

The industrial buildings on Wilbur Avenue and Wilbur Lane in Antioch purchased by the Stockbridge Capital Group.

“For retailers to meet the increasing consumer demand for faster shipping times”

San Francisco-based Stockbridge Capital Group has purchased a 6,350,000-square-foot, Class A industrial property portfolio from Westcore Properties for an undisclosed sum. It includes the 665,775-square-foot, two-building Antioch Distribution Center, located at 2200-2300 Wilbur Avenue and 2110-2300 Wilbur Lane, with both buildings being fully leased.

The acquisition is part of a trend toward institutional ownership of properties that are pivotal for retailers to meet the increasing consumer demand for faster shipping times.

“It is no secret that e-commerce continues to enhance the attractiveness of high-quality and well-located warehouse and distribution properties,’’ said Nicole Stagnaro, Head of Opportunistic & Platform Transactions at Stockbridge. “We’re excited about this portfolio because the properties are located in markets with above-average population growth, a propensity toward e-commerce buying and selling, lower overall vacancy rates and higher overall rent growth.’’

Stockbridge Chief Financial Officer Kristin Renaudin also noted a novel feature of the deal: nearly all of the senior executives on the buyer’s side – representing investors, lenders, lawyers and property managers – are women. “It’s certainly the first time we’ve seen this,’’ Renaudin said. “You don’t often see multiple senior women involved in industrial deals, so this was particularly unusual, and a hopeful sign for women executives.’’

“We were pleased with the completion of this portfolio transaction to Stockbridge, which we strategically assembled over the past several years in primarily off-market transactions, at a notable gain for our shareholders,” said Westcore Properties’ chairman Marc Brutten.

With 26 assets across nine markets in five states, the portfolio is nearly 100% leased, despite many of the properties being vacant at the time of Westcore’s purchase. Westcore acquired all of the properties in the portfolio since September of 2016 and renovated nearly all of them. The buildings’ tenants are primarily big-box and last-mile users.

“This sale demonstrates our business strategy,” said Don Ankeny, president and CEO of Westcore Properties. “We’re careful to select value-add properties where we can make a difference and return a premier asset to a thriving industrial market.”

To see the entire list of properties included in the purchase, click here.

On September 11, 2017, Westcore Properties acquired the Antioch Distribution Center, for $32.4 million. Westcore purchased the manufacturing/distribution project from the Covington Group, based in Dallas, Texas. Covington Group was represented by Steve Hermann, Scott Bertrand and Brooks Pedder of Cushman & Wakefield in the transaction. Westcore Properties is a global, entrepreneurial commercial real estate investment firm with a specialized focus in Western United States commercial and industrial properties. Stockbridge is a private equity real estate investment management firm led by veteran industry professionals. The firm’s portfolio comprises assets across the investment risk spectrum, including core, value-added, and opportunistic strategies. Stockbridge and its affiliates have approximately $14.6 billion of assets under management (as of June 30, 2019) spanning all major real estate property types, and certain specialty property types, throughout the United States.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Antioch Schools Education Foundation hosts its 12th annual Mary Allan Fellows Awards, which honor top teachers in the Antioch Unified School District.

As usual, Allan (the awards’ namesake) said she and the committee were overjoyed with the many nominations of strong teachers and were delighted to visit each educator in his/her classroom.

This year seemed to be a year of particular “intention, commitment and (focus) on the individual needs of students,” said Allan, adding that she remains impressed by everyone’s passion and humbleness in the important roles each plays in a student’s life.

The Fellows winners are Jose Cumagun, Bruce Ellison and Kiel Olff, all from Deer Valley High; and Tim Mays and Rebecca Quinones, both from Antioch High.

Semifinalists are Shirley Bull, Turner Elementary; Mary Jane Grove, Jack London Elementary; Patt Middle; Vicki O’Connor, Dozier-Libbey Medical High; and Julie Verhoek, Sutter Elementary.

All will be spotlighted at the awards dinner at Lone Tree Golf and Event Center in Antioch. All educators and community are welcome to attend. This year’s speaker is Samy D’Amico, a former AUSD educator.

“Born in Argentina and coming to America as a second-grader, D’Amico is well aware of the struggle of being a non-English learner. Since then, he has embraced his background and its cultural richness, keeping it at the forefront when interacting with students,” said Allan.

For more info and to purchase the $70 tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mary-allan-fellows-award-2019-tickets-64152837865

Shawn DeForest #74 won his first DIRTcar Late Model Main Event of the season. Photo by Paul Gould

By Don Martin II

Shawn DeForest won the 20 lap DIRTcar Late Model Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway.  DeForest was driving the Dennis Souza car, and his previous best finish in Souza’s car was a second earlier this season.  Rick Coffey led a lap before spinning in Turn 4  This put DeForest in the lead, but he spun in Turn 4 for a lap six yellow flag.  Mike Hynes led the restart with Rod Oliver running close behind.  Kimo Oreta hit the Turn 3 wall for a lap 10 yellow flag.  DeForest was in thrd at that point, and he took the lead from Hynes on the restart.  Oliver gained second a lap later after Hynes hit the wall in Turn 1.  DeForest had Oliver running closely behind him the rest of the way, but he held on for the victory.  Coffey finished third ahead of Oreta and John Soares.

Point leader Tommy Fraser #12 won his eighth B Modified Main Event. Photo by Paul Gould

Tommy Fraser won the 20 lap B Modified Main Event.  This was the eighth win of the season for the current point leader.  After a complete restart for a spin in Turn 2, the race went non stop.  Top rookie Cameron Swank set the early pace ahead of Kevin Brown.  Reigning champion Trevor Clymens made a low pass in Turn 2 of the third lap to take second from Brown.  Swank had a scary moment a lap later when a slower car swerved into his path in Turn 4 as Fraser gained third.  The leaders came upon a spun car in Turn 4, and Clymens clipped the car and spun.  Everybody kept going without a yellow as Swank led Fraser.  A low pass in Turn 4 of the 12th lap gained Fraser the lead.  Fraser would pull away to a straightaway advantage in victory as Swank won a close battle with Brown for second.  Trevor Clymens and Tommy Clymens Jr completed the Top 5.

Bob Newberry #36 won his third Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. Photo by Paul Gould

Bob Newberry won the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event.  This was the third win of the season  for the two-time champion.  Shannon Newton did not race, but he had already clinched the championship.  Newberry raced underneath Rick Panfili in Turn 4 to grab the lead before the first lap was completed.  Panfili and Mackenzie Newton got together on the back stretch as they worked the fourth lap, resulting in Newton flipping.  She was not injured, and both drivers were out of the race.  Newberry led Keith Calvino through one more yellow flag.  On the 15th lap, Calvino flipped in Turn 2.  The race was called for time with Newberry winning ahead of Cameron Martin, Kyle Bakkie, Austin Stone and Marcus Smith.

Scott Dahlgren #21d wrapped up his Dwarf Car championship with a division leading sixth feature win. Photo by Paul Gould

Scott Dahlgren won the 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event.  This was the sixth win of the season for the new champion.  Dahlgren and teammate Devan Kammermann shared the front row, and Dahlgren charged into the lead at the start.  David Rosa settled into third as the first 15 laps went without a yellow flag.  Kammermann spun trying to lap a slower car on the front stretch for a lap 15 yellow flag.  Dahlgren continued to lead David Rosa and David Michael Rosa on the restart.  Dahlgren led the rest of the way to win by a comfortable margin.  David Michael Rosa made a low pass in Turn 4 on lap 18 to take second all the way to the checkered flag.  Mike Corsaro made a late pass for third as David Rosa and Kammermann completed the Top 5.

Point leader Chris Sorensen #00 collected his seventh Hobby Stock Main Event victory. Photo by Paul Gould

Chris Sorensen won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event.  Sorensen increased his point lead with his seventh win of the season as Breanna Troen spun late in her battle with Megan Ponciano.  Sorensen had a front row start and led Ponciano early on.  Troen struggled a bit in Turn 3 and spun on the opening lap without a yellow flag.  Ponciano and Jason Robles were having a side by side battle for second with Robles gaining the spot on lap six.  After the second yellow flag of the race on lap 10, Troen began her charge into the Top 5.  Sorensen continued to lead Robles, and Troen started challenging Ponciano for third on lap 15.  Troen spun in Turn 3, collecting Josh Leach for a lap 17 yellow flag.  Sorensen maintained command on the restart and brought it home to a satisfying win ahead on Robles, Ponciano, Ken Johns and Lori Brown.

Next week is the 17th Annual Chet Thomson Memorial Hardtop race.  The B Modifieds will be racing for $750 to win.  Also competing will be the A Modifieds, Limited Late Models and Hobby Stocks.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

All Star Series Antioch Speedway Unofficial Race Results:

Wingless Spec Sprints – Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Kyle Bakkie, Bob Newberry.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Bob Newberry, Cameron Martin, Kyle Bakkie, Austin Stone, Marcus Smith, Jeff Scotto, Peter Carlotta, Richard Otterstom, Dan Gonderman, Mackenzie Newton.

DIRTcar Late Models – Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Mike Hynes, Richard Papenhausen.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Shawn DeForest, Rod Oliver, Rick Coffey, Kimo Oreta, John Soares, Mike Hynes, Richard Papenhausen.

B Modifieds – Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Tommy Fraser, Trevor Clymens.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Tommy Fraser, Cameron Swank, Kevin Brown, Trevor Clymens, Tommy Clymens Jr, Frank Cefaliello, Tim Rolan.

Hobby Stocks – Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Jason Robles, Breanna Troen, Chris Sorensen.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Chris Sorensen, Jason Robles, Megan Ponciano, Ken Johns, Lori Brown, Will Buirch, Kimo Oreta, James Thomson, Jacob Mallett Jr, Breanna Troen.

Dwarf Cars – Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Mike Corsaro, David Rosa.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Scott Dahlgren, David Michael Rosa, Mike Corsaro, David Rosa, Devan Kammermann, Giovanni Bertoli, Mario Marques, Roberto Monroy, Travis Day, Dennis Gilcrease.