Store employee taken to hospital for injuries

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

On Wednesday, June 24th, 2020, at around 9:58 PM, Antioch Patrol Officers and ConFire were dispatched to the Lucky’s grocery store located at 3190 Contra Loma Boulevard, for a male who was not breathing after getting into a physical confrontation with a store employee. It was determined that a 56-year-old store employee caught a 34-year-old male attempting to steal meat from behind the butcher shop area of the store.

The store employee confronted the 34-year-old male and according to the employee the male attacked him. During the physical confrontation the 34-year-old male stopped breathing for an unknown reason. ConFire attempted life saving measures on the 34-year-old male but, were unsuccessful and the male was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 56-year-old male was transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries sustained during the physical confrontation and is currently in stable condition.

According to news videographer Art Ray of Bay News Video, “shortly before 9:30 pm Antioch police responded to the Contra Loma lucky’s supermarket for a call of a non-breather after a choke hold. A store employee got into an altercation with a person that was allegedly attempting to steal meat. The employee was injured and transported to John Muir hospital. After trying to resuscitate. The suspect for almost an hour he was pronounced dead at the scene.” See video, here.

At this point of the investigation it is not clear whether the 34-year-old male died due to the physical confrontation or if he had a medical emergency that caused his death. The cause of death will hopefully be determined at the autopsy and through interviews. No further information will be released until a cause of death is established.

Anyone with information regarding this case can contact Detective Cox at 925-779-6866. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Crystal Sawyer-White, the district’s only African American board trustee votes no

By Allen Payton

During the Antioch School Board meeting on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, Superintendent Stephanie Anello presented a resolution she had been working on to reaffirm the district’s commitment to equity and social justice. However, both Board President Diane Gibson-Gray and Trustee Ellie Householder also submitted resolutions.

Yet, Householder said she wanted to adopt something during the meeting and not wait, since the board won’t be meeting in July. So, she forwent including any additions or changes she had submitted.

“Initially I requested this as an African-American because I’m concerned about what I’ve seen on the news and over the last decade,” said Trustee Crystal Sawyer-White. “I want to support Ellie and I support Black Lives Matter. I believe condemning violence and injustice should be added to this resolution.”

“I am with Trustee Householder and approve it as is, because I don’t want to take the time to find a draft we can all agree on,” said Board President Diane Gibson-Gray. She then made a motion to adopt the resolution submitted by Anello. It was seconded by Householder.

Without further discussion the motion was approved on a 4-1 vote with Sawyer-White opposing.

Following is the resolution adopted by the board:

WHEREAS, the Antioch Unified School District is deeply committed to tolerance, equity, and the success of all students, and

WHEREAS, we proudly serve a diverse and vibrant school community comprised of myriad ethnic, cultural, and racial backgrounds, and

WHEREAS, our mission is to realize the success of our diverse students by providing education opportunities and resources that help to eradicate years of insidious acts and policies that exclude, exploit, and harm diverse students and communities, and

WHEREAS, the Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) desires to provide a physically, socially, and emotionally safe school environment that allows all students equal access to the District’s academic and other educational support programs, services, and activities, and

WHEREAS, AUSD prohibits and condemns racial discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying of any student based on actual or perceived characteristics of race or ethnicity, color, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, age, religion, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, and

WHEREAS, recent and historical events throughout our nation remind us that hundreds of years of prejudices, injustices, and inequalities are embedded in our social structures and institutions, and

WHEREAS, decades of civil rights legislation and education have not obliterated racism and inequality in our nation, and

WHEREAS, we live in a nation that was founded on the premise that all are created equal and are born with inalienable rights which are embedded in our Declaration of Independence and protected in the United States Constitution, and

WHEREAS, systemic racism has a negative impact on the safety, heath, and well-being of all Americans while disproportionally and significantly negatively impacting African Americans, and

WHEREAS, the Antioch Unified School District is committed to taking concrete steps to achieve equal opportunity and success for all students and recognizes our responsibility to uphold the humanity of any group or individual that is the target of racial injustice and inequality, and

WHEREAS, addressing the needs of African American learners requires recognition of the inherent value of Black student, families, and staff.

THEREFORE, BE IT DECLARED that the Antioch Unified School District condemns all acts of racial injustice and hereby reaffirms our commitment to equity and social justice as guiding principles of District actions and policy-making; and

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER DECLARED that the Antioch Unified School District, through its Educational Services Department, will develop courses that foster cultural awareness and sensitivity; and

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER DECLARED that the Antioch Unified School District encourages all middle and high schools in the District to form Black Student Unions to advocate the needs of students while empowering, teaching, discussing and exploring the Black experience; and

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER DECLARED that the Antioch Unified School District, through its Educational Services Department, will develop resources for educators and families for distribution and posting on AUSD website that teacher about, celebrate, uphold, and affirm the lives of African Americans; and that support critical dialogue among students, staff, and community members about the impact of bias and racism in our schools, community, and nation; and these resources will be embedded in professional development as integral components of the Districts work with teachers in all subjects; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER DECLARED that the Antioch Unified School District will continue to train staff in the use of restorative justice and trauma informed practices in an effort to reduce the disparity of African American suspensions compared to other student groups; and

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER DECLARED that the Antioch Unified School District will continue to actively consult with parents, educators, and community groups to develop additional resources that focus on the well-being of African American students, families, and caregivers for the purpose of contributing to the ongoing need for healing; and

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER DECLARED that this resolution will be distributed to every school in the District.

 

By Allen Payton

During their Wednesday, June 24, 2020 meeting, the Antioch School Board voted unanimously to approve the district’s 2020-21 fiscal year budget of $247.7 million. However, many changes to the district’s budget are expected based on the final negotiations between the governor and legislature, and the governor’s line item vetoes in the state budget. The school board will consider revisions in early August. (See the entire 224-page budget, here)

“We have the opportunity to adopt our budget even if the state hasn’t adopted theirs… we are obligated to meet our obligation by June 30,” said Deputy Superintendent Jessica Romeo. “If there is a budget adopted after we adopt ours, we do a 45-day revision to our budget. There are significant revisions from the May Revise. We will do that at the first meeting in August.”

According to the staff report, “The California Legislature met its constitutional deadline of passing the state budget on or before June 15, and it is anticipated that a budget will be signed by the Governor on or before June 30, 2020.”

However, “the Governor and the Legislature are negotiating the differences between the two plans, and it is currently expected that an agreement will be reached before the end of June.”

“We will maintain our mandatory reserve of 3.7%, and actually 3.8%,” Romeo stated. “I’m

The District’s Budget is comprised of eleven separate funds, the General Fund is the primary fund of the District AUSD Budget. The other 10 funds are Adult Education, Cafeteria Special Reserve, Deferred Maintenance, Building Fund, Capital Facilities, Special Reserve for Capital Outlay, Capital Projects Fund for Blended Component Units, Bond Interest and Redemption, Retiree Benefit Fund and Foundation Private-Purpose Trust fund.

However, the General Fund, which pays for all district employee salaries and benefits, is more than 83% of the budget and is divided into two parts. The Unrestricted portion is 56.59% of the AUSD Total Budget, and the Restricted portion makes up 27.34%.

“We’re just going to anticipate that this is going to change drastically,” Trustee Ellie Householder said.

“Yes,” responded Romeo.

The budget was adopted on a motion by Trustee Mary Rocha and second by Trustee Gary Hack, passing on a 5-0 vote by the board.

“Thank you to staff. It’s not over, yet,” Board President Diane Gibson-Gray said.

By Allen Payton

During their board meeting on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 the Antioch School Trustees learned of the three possible reopening plans for district schools for the next school year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. AUSD Reopening Plan 2020.21

“Every day we get new information either from the health department,” said Superintendent Stephanie Anello. According to “the governor’s budget, we may have to open in order to receive funding. That’s the information that came out, yesterday.”

Associate Superintendent for Educational Services Christine Ibarra offered the staff report on reopening. “I’m really happy to share what we’ve created this far,” she said. “There is an expectation that we reopen schools fully…with enhanced safety measures.”

Ibarra offered three possible reopening plans in her presentation to the board including hybrid, full distance and full return plans.

Hybrid: If AUSD is able to reopen with social distancing requirements restricting the number of students that can be on campus at any given time, AUSD is prepared to start the year with a model for face to face instruction and distance learning with students on modified schedules.

Full Distance: If, due to state or county restrictions, or a collective decision is made not to reopen our schools for modified in person instruction, AUSD is prepared to open with a revised and fully developed model for distance learning. This option will also be available for parent choice if we open with a hybrid model.

Full Return: If Contra Costa County Department of Public Health provides guidelines to allow schools to fully reopen safely, AUSD is poised to adjust accordingly. Likewise, if the need for school closure arises,we will be prepared for distance learning.

The district is also “considering staggered arrival and departure time. But that might be an inconvenience for families that have students in different grade levels in the schools,” Ibarra said.

Further actions will be taken to obtain parent and community feedback, professional development for teachers, learning loss programming, and parent training and messaging.

 

It’s time to get the care you’ve been waiting for at Antioch’s Sutter Delta Medical Center

By Monique Binkley Smith, Sutter Health News Bureau Communications Manager

ANTIOCH, CALIF. — California is slowly reopening, but like so many unknowns with COVID-19, it’s unclear how long the return to routine will last.

“A surge in virus spread and infected patients could occur this fall or winter,” says Bill Isenberg, M.D. chief quality and safety officer for Sutter Health. “If this happens, and overlaps with the normal flu season, there could be a significant strain on healthcare services.”

With this in mind, medical experts agree that if you had an appointment postponed or canceled due to COVID-19, now is the time to reschedule it.

Pittsburg resident Norma Lester-Atwood is a mammographer, so she knows the importance of catching breast cancer early. Lester-Atwood is typically right on schedule for her own mammogram, but this spring, shelter-in-place orders delayed her mammogram by two months. As soon as she could, she had the screening procedure and she’s glad she did, because her mammogram and a subsequent biopsy revealed a Stage 0 (non-invasive) tumor in one of her breasts. After a lumpectomy to remove the tumor, Lester-Atwood feels she is well on her way to recovery.

“As a mammographer, I tell my patients that it’s important to come in for a mammogram because I’ve seen patients who developed fast-growing tumors between screenings,” says Lester-Atwood.

As Lester-Atwood’s experience shows, timing is everything when it comes to staying healthy. Getting cancer screenings at the recommended intervals can help spot early signs of tumor growth before it turns into advanced cancer.

“Some women don’t realize that mammograms are needed regardless of your family history, because most women with breast cancer have no family history or other identifiable risk factors,” says Octavio De La Rosa, manager of Medical Imaging Services at Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch, part of the Sutter Health not-for-profit integrated network of care.

Screening for colorectal, prostate and lung cancers are also vital. “Simply put, screening saves lives,” says De La Rosa. “Delayed screenings can postpone detection of cancer, which may translate into needing more intensive treatment and a more difficult path for patients.”

Taking Steps to Protect Patients and Staff

Sutter Delta’s imaging center, located inside Sutter Delta Medical Center at 3901 Lone Tree Way, has resumed screening mammogram services and is taking steps to protect patients:

• Mandatory Masking – Staff, patients and visitors must wear masks at all times.
• Isolation – Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is isolated from waiting areas, patient rooms, entrances and spaces the general population uses.
• Cleaning –Increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting in all spaces.
• Screening – Everyone is screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before entering.

Resources to Help with Health Insurance Disruption

Health insurance coverage can be disrupted by wage or job loss, but there are options available.

In California, the Every Woman Counts program covers mammograms and cervical cancer screening for women with no or limited insurance who meet other eligibility criteria. Call 1-800-511-2300.

Other options include extending employer-based coverage through COBRA and CalCOBRA, shopping for plans and applying for premium assistance through Covered California or Medi-Cal. Charity care and financial assistance may also be available.

By Allen Payton

In response to some concerns by county residents and questions to county Supervisor Candace Andersen and health services spokespeople, it was revealed this week that Contra Costa is accepting patients from hospitals as far away as Imperial County along the border with Mexico. That’s because our county has mutual aid agreements with that and other counties in the state.

In response to a resident’s question “is CCC getting patients from other counties that are overloaded (such as Imperial County, or other counties)?” Gayle Israel, Chief of Staff for Board of Supervisors Chair Candace Andersen, wrote in an email, “We have two patients in Contra Costa hospitals from Imperial County. Also have 15 Contra Costa residents in Alameda County Hospitals. Reporting shows hospitalizations by county where hospitalized, not by residency. So, we are +13 beyond what is reported on our hospitalized dashboard.”

Asked by the Herald why the patients from Imperial County are in Contra Costa, Will Harper, Communications Specialist for Contra Costa Health Services responded, “We took on these patients as part of a mutual aid agreement to provide relief to hospitals in Imperial County,”

Asked if there are patients transferred to hospitals in Contra Costa County from any other county in the state, he responded, “Yes. We have mutual aid agreements with counties and offer help when they become over capacity.”

In addition, the resident asked Supervisor Andersen, “how many of the hospitalizations are from the four active nursing home outbreaks, and how many of the deaths are from the nursing home outbreaks?”

Israel responded, “Ten of the 11 deaths since Friday were from congregate care facilities, nine from the same facility. Had a record number of cases over the weekend, but also hit target for first time for tests per day – higher amount of tests = higher cases. Health Officer says we have the data for # of hospitalizations from congregate care facilities, but he didn’t have at his fingertips. We are asking for that information – however, we have been told all along that those critically ill in skilled nursing facilities are not typically transferred to hospitals, so that number is likely low.”

As a result, communications staff for county health services were asked if a statistic can be included on the County Health Services’ Coronavirus Hospital Dashboard that shows in which other counties Contra Costa patients are located and which patients in Contra Costa hospitals are from other counties, Harper responded, “currently, there is not, though we are always working to expand the amount of data on our website and have added many dashboards over the past 1-2 months.”

Some county residents have expressed concern that people are crossing the border from Mexico, which for now is closed to non-essential travel, testing positive and filling up hospitals in California, and might be increasing the state’s Coronavirus statistics, resulting in a negative impact on decisions by government officials regarding reopening businesses, schools, sports and other activities. In addition, a video about what is happening in Riverside County, that COVID-19 patients are being flown in from Imperial County, raised questions about how the patients arrived in Contra Costa County.

The following additional questions were asked of county health services spokespeople.

People are wondering are those patients you referred to American citizens, or at least residents of Imperial County, or are they Mexican citizens or residents who have come across the border and entered the hospitals, there? Also, how did they arrive in Contra Costa? Do you know if they were flown, here to our county?

Please check back later for answers to the questions and any other updates to this report.

Police Officers Association President Aiello apologizes; Police Chief Brooks disappointed, investigating; Mayor condemns comment; Wednesday protest planned; first community forum on police reform next Tuesday

By Allen Payton

A series of comments on Facebook by leaders in the Antioch Police Department below a meme of a protester holding up her middle finger in the face of a line of police officers, of how they would respond to a protest has enraged some members of the public. The meme was posted by national radio talk show host, Larry Elder, on his Facebook page with the statement, “Maybe it’s the people, not the cops, that need ‘better training’” Antioch residents are calling for the resignation of the officer who wrote in response, “I firmly believe an open hand slap in the face is 100% justified in this incident.” He later added, “My comment, is when a police officer is standing there doing nothing and a person is antagonizing them, why is it OK?”

The comments were made by Corporal Steve Aiello, who is president of the Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA). In addition, more comments were made by Hans Ho, a former chairman of the Police Crime Prevention Commissions and current coordinator of the city’s Neighborhood Watch Program, and Lonnie Karste, a former consultant to the Antioch Police Department, on Ho’s Facebook page Monday night. The post has since been removed.

APOA President Aiello Apologizes

Aiello issued an apology for his comments in a Tuesday post on the APOA Facebook page writing, “To the Citizens of Antioch: As President of the Antioch Police Officers’ Association, let me clarify: There is NO instance where I would condone an Antioch police officer slapping a resident. The Facebook statement was taken out of context and I apologize to the community for having made it. Please be assured that your police officers are 100% committed to protecting the Antioch community and we are working 24/7 to serve you.”

Antioch Police Chief Brooks Disappointed, Investigating

I am extremely disappointed by the recent comments made on social media by Corporal Aiello. At face value they were insensitive and not in line with values of the Antioch Police Department. I have opened an investigation into this matter and, based on the findings, will hold him accountable for his actions.”

Karste Apologizes for Comment

In the same thread on Ho’s Facebook page, Ho responded to Aiello’s comment by writing, “we are supposed to be more understanding, remember?” Aiello responded, “Oh…yeah, I forgot.”

Karste then made a comment writing, “I think he was – I was thinking a closed fist punch!!”

Regarding Karste’s comment Chief Brooks responded, “Lonnie hasn’t been a consultant here for a couple years. I hadn’t seen it before now. Again, he’s not affiliated with the City any longer.”

When reached for comment, a contrite Karste said, “I apologize. I would never condone violence. Obviously, people have a right to their opinion. I support the police in a very difficult situation. But obviously my comment was very inappropriate.”

Residents React, Protest Planned

The comments have residents upset, including an Antioch school board member, who are now planning a protest for Wednesday afternoon.

A screenshot of Ho’s post was shared by Antioch resident Kevin Christopher McManimen with the comments “Head of Antioch Cops, in support of killer cop Mellone, advocating for police brutality. This is your Antiochs (sic) PRESIDENT OF POLICE ASSOCIATION!!!
#whereisthemayor #copsownmayor #wemarchonwednesday”.

Antioch School Board Trustee Ellie Householder, who has been organizing and promoting protests in Antioch recently, calling for defunding police, shared the screenshot of the comments on her personal Facebook page Monday night.

In comments below the screenshot she wrote, “And say whatever you want, but freedom of speech does not mean freedom from repercussions. Someone in his line of work should have to answer for comments like that” and “its (sic) kinda terrifying though tbh (to be honest) because this guy polices our streets.” Householder also wrote, “it still leads me to believe this man should NOT be in power anymore.”

In a comment on Tuesday night, she wrote in response to a KRON4 news report about Aiello’s comments, “’Will hold him accountable for his actions.’ What does that even mean though?

Steve Aiello is the same guy that got folx (sic) to flood public comments opposing the police reform ad hoc committee because there is ‘nothing wrong with the Antioch Police Department and it doesn’t need reforms because it can police itself’ SMH.” and “Join us tomorrow at 3PM for a demonstration demanding Aiello and the Killer Cop Mellone resign.”

That last part of Householder’s comments is a reference to Officer Michael Mellone who was a lateral transfer from the San Francisco Police Department last year, while under investigation for the shooting death, by him and another officer, of a homeless Hispanic man three-and-a-half years earlier. While he was cleared by the San Francisco District Attorney, who determined the shooting to be justifiable, had Mellone stayed with the SFPD he was facing a possible 10- or 45-day suspension, based on recommendations of Internal Affairs and a citizens oversight committee. In response to a call by Antioch Mayor Sean Wright for an investigation into the hiring of Mellone, Antioch Police Chief Brooks said on Wednesday, “the investigation is still in progress.”

Mayor Wright Condemns Aiello’s Comment

When reached for comment, Mayor Wright wrote, “I do not condone the comments made by Officer Aiello. It is never acceptable for a police officer to slap a citizen, not an Antioch police officer, not any police officer.”

In a post Wednesday afternoon, Councilman Lamar Thorpe wrote on his personal Facebook page, I’m blown away by these reckless comments made by the Antioch Police Union President. The Police Chief has launched an investigation into this matter.”

Police Reform Community Forums

This all is happening following two special meetings held by the Antioch City Council, last week, in which 864 public comments were submitted either for or against the formation of a proposed police reform ad hoc committee. The council chose instead to hold a series of public forums with the entire council and Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission members, with the first one to be held next Tuesday night, June 30.

Efforts to reach Aiello asking if he plans to resign as an officer and/or the APOA President, as well as Ho and Police Crime Prevention Commission Chair Sandra White were unsuccessful before publication time. Please check back for any updates to this report.