By Antioch Unified School District 

On Monday, two young heroes surfaced at Antioch High School.

As Dorismar Cervantes was about to exit the restroom in the 1100 hall, she saw that a fellow student looked ill and about to pass out. She was right.

The student, Daniela, was getting weaker despite her friends holding her up.

Dorismar quickly asked one of the friends to get help from nearby teacher Rebecca Quinones, who instructed her AP Spanish student Chris Garcia to assist while she called for help.
Since Chris is a trained lifeguard, he knew what to do. As he approached Daniela, he checked on several aspects, including that her airway was clear.

While waiting for paramedics to arrive, Dorismar and Chris kept vigil over the ill student, who was in and out of consciousness. They kept her in a safe, comfortable and proper position and checked her pulse several times as they knelt near her on the ground.

About 15 minutes later, the paramedics arrived and took over. It turns out the ill student is prone to fainting, especially when extremely stressed or anxious. She recovered by that night and was back at school on Wednesday.

While she doesn’t have official training, Dorismar received some basics from her mother and recently learned some first-aid skills at Los Medanos College.

Quite impressed by these fast-acting and caring students, Principal Louie Rocha and Vice Principal Jose Hernandez presented the dynamic duo with a certificate of appreciation and commemorative Panther Citizen pin. Teachers Edwin Matabuena and Shira Sweitzer suggested and applauded the idea.

“I was really impressed to hear about what you two did,” said Mr. Rocha. “It showed bravery and a willingness to step up. Some people might have just walked away. Thank you for taking care of our student.”

The two seniors reflected on the unusual school day they shared.

Chris said he felt “very proud being able to help and use my skills and knowledge. I felt responsible and calm handling this situation knowing I was able to help someone who is an every day student just like me going through their high school journey.” His family was naturally proud to hear that “I did an awesome deed for a fellow classmate.”

“I’m glad I was there to help her and make sure she didn’t get injured, and my family was happy I did something to help another person,” Dorismar said.

“My mom was glad I paid attention to her and at LMC – that’s why she wants me to become a nurse but I want to have kids and animals,” she added humbly.

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit, Investigations Bureau

On December 4, 2019 at 11:40 PM, APD dispatch received several calls about shots being fired in 2100 block of Peppertree Way and a male down on the sidewalk. Officers arrived on scene and found a 35-year-old male Oakland resident on the sidewalk suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. The male was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau responded and took over the investigation. Detectives are at the beginning stages of this investigation and there is/are no suspect(s) in custody at this time. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Brogdon at (925) 779-6895, or 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.

Unhappy with son’s haircut

By Lieutenant Powell Meads #3917, Antioch Police Field Services

On December 4, 2019 at approximately 3:45 PM, the Antioch Police Department began receiving calls reporting a vehicle collision at Delta Barber Shop at 1631 A Street. It was reported that a vehicle had struck a pedestrian and continued through the glass storefront. APD Officers arrived on scene and located the victim, 63-year-old Antioch resident Brian Martin, the owner. Martin was suffering from major injuries and was transported to a local area hospital for treatment.

After interviewing the victim and several witnesses on scene, officers were able to determine this was an intentional act. Based on the victim and witness accounts, this incident started as an argument over a haircut the victim provided to the responsible’s child.

According to a GoFundMe account set up by Heidi Martin, to help Brian, “the woman became agitated and began using vulgarity.  Brian asked her to leave.  She violently kicked at the glass door several times before exiting the shop and continuing her rant.  A few minutes later, Brian went outside to snap a picture of her license plate due to her behavior.”

As the argument continued, the responsible got into her vehicle and intentionally drove at the victim, hitting him and pushing him through the glass storefront. The responsible fled the scene with her son, in their vehicle, and have not been located.

The responsible in this case was positively identified as 28-year-old Ruby Delgadillo of Brentwood. The vehicle used in the assault was a 2006 Toyota Prius, blue, with California license plate 8LHB387.

Anyone with information on this case or on the whereabouts of Delgadillo 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.

On his Facebook page, Brian posted the following message Wednesday night, “From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU all for your kind words, prayers and well wishes.” Then earlier, today he posted, “Out of surgery and all went well.” Finally, Thursday evening, Heidi posted, “Please please let Brian rest. He feels obligated to respond out of politeness but he needs to rest and sleep. He is out of surgery and out of recovery and in really good spirits. But he’s only had 15 minutes of sleep and they really want him to rest. Thank you.”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

December 4, 2019 (Antioch): Delta Diablo is currently working to repair a sewer line that ruptured and caused an overflow of untreated wastewater (i.e., raw sewage) onto local streets in the vicinity of G Street and 7th Street in Antioch on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at approximately 2:24 pm. The sewer overflow damaged the roadway surface near G Street/7th Street and impacted a four-block area between G Street/J Street and 4th Street/8th Street.

Delta Diablo immediately responded to the line break by removing the ruptured 24-inch pressurized sewer force main from service within 25 minutes and diverting flows to a parallel line to continue conveying wastewater to the Delta Diablo Wastewater Treatment Plant.

No disruption of wastewater collection services to local residents occurred as a result of this sewer line break. Delta Diablo has notified appropriate regulatory agencies regarding this incident and is meeting all response actions required for sanitary sewer overflows.

Although the immediate action helped reduce the estimated overflow volume to approximately 40,000 gallons, local streets, one residence, and a few parked vehicles were impacted. City of Antioch staff teamed with Delta Diablo staff to contain the spill, clean local streets, and remove collected residual sewage for proper disposal. In addition, Delta Diablo arranged for a cleaning company to begin disinfecting and cleaning the affected local residence, which was completed yesterday evening.

An emergency contractor was on-site by 6:00 pm Tuesday to excavate the area near the sewer line break to investigate the damage and install steel plates over the impacted area to stabilize the roadway. Normal vehicular access and traffic flow was restored by 8:50 pm. Because of Wednesday’s rainy weather conditions, repair activities will begin in earnest Thursday morning and should be completed within the next week, depending on conditions at the site and the extent of sewer line to be replaced and/or rehabilitated.

Delta Diablo (visit www.deltadiablo.org) has requested that any impacted local residents requiring assistance call (925) 756-1900 to address any potential claims or concerns.

By Brentwood Police

Two thieves were arrested and a gun was taken off of the street this weekend, when officers responded to a business for a theft in-progress. Officers located Samantha Upchurch (37-year-old Antioch resident) and Brian Tolen (42-year-old Concord resident) after they had left Michaels with stolen items, walking in separate directions in the shopping center.

During the investigation, officers located a gun with a scratched off serial number, burglary tools, pepper spray and equipment used to retrieve credit card information. Officers also confirmed that Tolen was on parole for burglary. Fortunately, the gun was not used in the commission of this crime and no one was hurt.

Upchurch and Tolen were arrested without incident, transported to county jail and booked on numerous charges, including felon in possession of a firearm, grand theft, unlawful possession of pepper spray and possession of burglary tools.

Incumbent Supervisor Federal Glover, representing District 5 on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, officially filed for re-election on Monday with the County Registrar of Voters Office.

“I’m so proud of our accomplishments and excited to be applying for a final term to complete the good work we started,” said Glover.

He has been one of the County’s top transportation advocates, identifying funding to improve Highway 4, I-680, and bring BART to Pittsburg and Antioch.

“We’re in the beginning of negotiations on establishing possible ferry service to San Francisco from Hercules, Martinez, Bay Point and Antioch, and I want to see that through completion for the residents I represent,” Glover added.

Other accomplishments that make Glover proud: Bringing the County into a AAA financial rating due to sound budgeting decisions, establishing three Family Justice Centers to support victims of domestic violence, increasing prosecution of human traffickers who kidnap and victimize young women, strengthening the Industrial Safety Ordinance to reduce refinery accidents, and leading the fight to protect open space, our hillsides and maintaining the County’s Urban Limit Line to control growth.

Glover says that making PG&E accountable for upgrading its service, and working with cities to create alternative forms of energy to decrease the company’s issuance of power outages is another issue he is working on that requires more work.

“Supervisor Federal Glover was there for our firefighters and our residents during the massive fires we experienced the last couple of years. We wholeheartedly support Supervisor Glover’s re-election and look forward to working closely with him for another term,” said Firefighter Vince Wells, President of Contra Costa Firefighters Local 1230.

Glover is also endorsed by the Contra Costa Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Contra Costa Building and Construction Council, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Association, police associations, Congressional, Senate, Assembly and local city elected officials (see partial list of endorsements, below).

“We have a great campaign team and I will raise whatever donations necessary to run a top-notch campaign to the voters of District 5,” Glover added. “This will be my last term on the Board of Supervisors, and I’m excited to complete the projects important to my District.”

Glover’s district includes Martinez, Hercules, Pinole, Alhambra Valley, Briones, Antioch, Port Costa, Clyde, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Crockett, Mt. View, Pacheco, Reliez Valley, Rodeo, Tormey & Vine Hill.

Supervisor Federal Glover Endorsements (partial list)

Congressman Mike Thompson

Congressman Jerry McNerney

State Treasurer Fiona Ma

State Senator Bill Dodd

State Senator Steve Glazer

Assemblymember Tim Grayson

Assemblymember Jim Frazier

County Auditor Bob Campbell

County Tax Collector Rusty Watts

East Bay Regional Parks Director Colin Coffey

Antioch Mayor Sean Wright

Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts

Antioch Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock

Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson

Antioch Councilmember Lamar Thorpe

Hercules Vice Mayor Roland Esquivias

Hercules Councilwoman Chris Kelley

Hercules Former Mayor Myrna De Vera

Hercules Former Mayor Sherri McCoy

Martinez Mayor Rob Schroder

Martinez Councilwoman Lara Delaney

Martinez Councilmember Mark Ross

Pinole Mayor Pete Murray

Pinole Vice Mayor Roy Swearingen

Pinole Councilmember Vincent Salimi

Pinole Councilmember Anthony Tave

Pittsburg Mayor Juan Benales

Pittsburg Councilwoman Merl Craft

Pittsburg Councilmember Holland White

Pittsburg Councilwoman Shanell Scales-Preston

Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs Assn.

Contra Costa Professional Firefighters Local 1230

Contra Costa Deputy District Attorneys Assn.

Pittsburg Police Officers Association

Contra Costa Building & Constructions

Trades Council

IBEW

Boilermakers

Teamsters

Boys and girls are invited to write a personal letter to Santa this year. A special mailbox at the Antioch Community Center accepts letters for Santa directly! Parents and grandparents can bring letters to the Communtiy Center, 4703 Lone Tree Way until December 16, 2019. The Antioch Council of Teens helps Santa get his letters personally, and Santa will respond directly to each child.

All letters should include the child’s full name and the address where Santa can send his response. This year is the fourth year Santa has dropped off a mailbox in Antioch, which gives young children a unique holiday experience including happy smiles when they receive their very own letter in the mail.

For more information about this free community program call the Antioch Recreation Department, 925-776-3050.