Arrested for felony child endangerment; on probation at the time

By Merced Police Department

MERCED- Marvin Victor Thomas, aged 34 of Antioch, was arrested Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 for felony child endangerment. The child will make a full recovery.

On Sunday, Merced Police officers responded to Mercy Medical Center for a two-year-old child that tested positive for fentanyl. The parents transported the child to the emergency room after he experienced life-threatening symptoms consistent with a fentanyl exposure.

Medical personnel administered treatments and the child’s condition improved throughout the morning hours.

The parents were cooperative with investigating officers. Detectives established the father, Marvin Thomas, brought fentanyl-laced marijuana products into the home and the child experienced an exposure.

Officers served a search warrant at a residence near the 2300 block of Gabriel Drive and removed the substance from the residence.

Child Protective Services was involved in the investigation.

Thomas was arrested for felony child endangerment and was booked into custody at the Merced County Jail.

Case Number: 22-73023

According not recentlybooked.com, Thomas was on probation which was revoked as a result of his arrest.

Merced Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Lupian at (209) 385-6905 or by email at lupianc@cityofmerced.org.

Other ways to contact us or report a crime include: For any emergency call or text 911; For non-emergency call 209-385-6912; Anonymous Tip Line (Non-Emergency) call 209-385-4725. Anonymous Tips online at http://www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org/index.html

Some crimes can be reported online through the Merced PD website https//www.cityofmerced.org/departments/police

By Antioch Police Department

We’re usually pretty good around here with introducing you all to our new employees. Well, K9 Perro seemed to take it personal that we skipped his first official day of work Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, and decided to show off on day 2!!

Earlier Monday afternoon, K9 Perro and his partner, Officer Marcotte, were assisting one of our other officerson a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle started to become increasingly nervous and uncooperative while officers asked about anything illegal being in the vehicle . Upon safely detaining the driver and his passenger, K9 Perro (who has been trained in firearms detection ) helped our officers locate a firearm and loaded magazines in the vehicle!

As you can see in the photos, that wasn’t all. In addition to the firearm located, a considerable amount of cash along with several pounds of suspected narcotics were also located in the vehicle!!!

Perro is our newest addition to the APD K-9 unit and is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands. He is trained for patrol duties as well as being cross-trained for firearms and article detection and if he’s doing this well on day 2, we can’t wait to see what the rest of his time with us brings!

As for the occupants of the vehicle stopped, they were both booked on numerous felony charges pertaining to narcotics and firearms violations and were sent to the county jail.

Especially during flu season; ConFire says respiratory virus calls are straining CCC EMS resources

By Contra Costa Health Services

To ensure continued timely response to true medical emergencies, Contra Costa Health (CCH) encourages residents to call 911 only if the need for care is truly an emergency.

Contra Costa County’s emergency medical system traditionally serves higher-than-usual numbers of patients this time of year, and this month healthcare providers and the agencies providing emergency ambulance service are especially impacted because of COVID, flu and other respiratory viruses.

According to Con Fire, “Respiratory virus calls are straining CCC EMS resources.”

Several hospitals in the community are reporting critically high level of patients occupying beds, with more than 1,200 inpatients reported throughout the county as of Friday. Hospital emergency departments are similarly impacted.

Calling 911 for your health emergency is recommended if it involves:

• Chest pain, difficulty breathing or a fast (120+ beats per minute) resting heartbeat
• Numbness or weakness in any part of the body, seizures, or difficulty speaking
• Fainting, unconsciousness, dizziness, sudden severe pain or headache, or confusion
• Sudden blindness or vision changes
• Heavy bleeding that will not stop with pressure, or broken bones
• Choking, drowning or near drowning
• Severe burns
• Poisoning or drug overdose
• Allergic reactions, especially if there is difficulty breathing
• Someone making a credible threat to harm themselves or someone else

There are other good reasons to call 911 as well. But to reduce strain on the county’s healthcare system, CCH asks anyone considering whether to seek emergency care if a 911 call is the best way to get the services they need, or if contacting an advice nurse or urgent care might be more appropriate.

When many people seek care through 911 at the same time, it reduces the number of emergency ambulances in circulation, ready to respond when someone in the county needs lifesaving care.

Based on a paramedic’s assessment of a patient’s condition and if the number of available emergency ambulances is very low, the paramedic may suggest a patient visit an urgent care on their own or call an advice nurse.

During the winter virus season, patients visiting emergency departments at hospitals in the county may also need to wait longer depending on circumstances at the time they arrive and the severity of their illness or injury.

 

Also celebrating all December birthdays

The Best New Year’s Eve 2023 Party Event of the Year in a Very Classy, Upscale INDOOR restaurant and entertainment venue.

Live Music, DJ, Full Course Dinner, Champagne Toast & Blessing for 2023 all included in the $75 cover.

Please Join Us in celebrating each other, Paul’s & Maggie’s and all December Birthdays.

DON’T MISS THIS!! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW BEFORE THEY ARE SOLD OUT!!!

HOSTED BY: Paul & Maggie Wright from The Wright Social Spot

MC: Mickel London

LIVE MUSIC: Michael Nelson & Samantha Alexis

DJ & SOUND: Dr. Carl

WHERE: 2370 Buchanan Road, Antioch (INDOORS)

DATE: Saturday, December 31st, 2022

TIME: 6:00 PM -1:00 AM

WHAT’S INCLUDED: Live Music Performances by Two Amazing Bay Area Singers 🎼🎵🎼♪

Dancing 💃🕺Full Course Dinner 🍽😋Beverages🍸 🍹 🍸 Champagne Toast

DINNER SERVICE: 7:30PM – 9:30PM (Choice of Chicken, NY Steak, Salmon, Shrimp) Additional Options, Available for Lobster -$125, Oxtails – $100, Lamb – $100, King Crab Legs – $125 – WrightCatering.net

RSVP BY: December 24, 2022, Pre-paid Reservations Required so get your tickets early.

PAYMENT OPTIONS: ZELLE, CASHAPP, VENMO, PAYPAL 415-971-8776 OR EVENTBRITE CREDIT/DEBIT (NO REFUNDS, NO EXCEPTIONS)

DOORS OPEN: 5:00 PM

PARKING: Lots of free parking (FIRST COME FIRST SERVE) THEME: Black & Gold

MORE INFORMATION: Call or Text Maggie or Paul (209) 896-7131 or (415) 971-8776

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/W0QgsYc2DEo WEB: WrightCatering.net

FB: @WrightSocialSpot

FB/IG: @RightsCatering

Please share this link with your friends and family.

DONT MISS THE BEST INDOOR NEW YEARS EVE EVENT IN THE EAST BAY!

By Allen D. Payton

Known as the Festival of Lights, the annual Jewish celebration of Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Jews regained control of Jerusalem after overthrowing King Antiochus IV Epiphenes of the Seleucid empire.

From History.com: “According to the Talmud, one of Judaism’s most central texts, Judah Maccabee and the other Jews who took part in the rededication of the Second Temple witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. Even though there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued flickering for eight nights, leaving them time to find a fresh supply.”

Also spelled Hannukah, the celebration begins at sunset on 25 Kislev and ends at sundown on 2 Tevet or 3 Tevet on the Hebrew or Jewish Calendar. It is being celebrated, this year from Sunday, Dec. 18 through Monday, Dec. 26.

Chabad of the Delta has erected several menorahs in East County, including in Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Discovery Bay. The center and first of eight lights of the Grand Menorah in Brentwood were lit by Rabbi Peretz Goldshmid during a Community Chanukah Festival Sunday evening, Dec. 18.

According to Goldschmid, “The name Antioch originates from Antiochus of the Chanukah story.”

Sunday’s grand menorah lighting by Chabad of the Delta was an amazing show of religious pride.

Hundreds of people turned out to the event which was held at City park. The atmosphere was festive, and the mood was joyous. Rabbi Goldshmid led a brief ceremony and lit the menorah as the crowd sang traditional songs.

The hot cocoa and apple cider were a great way to keep everyone warm, and Arron Smith’s original Chanukah wrap was a great way to get everyone in the spirit of the holiday. Most importantly, the menorah lighting was an amazing sight to behold and an incredible reminder of the joy and importance of coming together as a community.

In attendance at the event were Mayor Joel Bryant, City Manager Tim Ogden, Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer, and City Council Tony Oerlemans and Jovita Mendoza. It was wonderful to see the community come out in the cold to celebrate the holiday together.

The crowd was also treated to the talent of artist Andrew Swartz, who led a collaborative painting project that allowed young and old alike to participate. The masterpiece that was created will be showcased in the Delta Art Gallery at Streets of Brentwood.

the grand finale of fire and sword dancers, led by Aaron Zamarron. Wielding a flaming sword, Zamarron captivated the audience as he performed a spectacular routine set to traditional Chanuka music.

The story of Chanukah is a timeless one, filled with hope and courage in the face of persecution. To this day, the Festival of Lights is still celebrated by so many around the world and brings with it the same spirit of unity and joy. As we light the menorah, let us remember the power of faith and the strength of community. May we continue to find joy in the celebration of Chanukah, and may we always be blessed with good health and prosperity. Happy Chanukah!

To learn more about the history behind and meaning of Hanukkah/Chanukah click, here.

Mashie Goldschmid contributed to this report.

 

Police seek unknown suspects in car seen at the scene; city’s 9th homicide of the year

By Lieutenant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, at approximately 11:22 AM, the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center started receiving numerous 9-1-1 calls reporting multiple gunshots being fired at Williamson Ranch Park, located at 5000 Lone Tree Way.

As officers were responding to the scene, witnesses called to report a subject running from the park and entering the near-by Walmart. Additional officers immediately responded to the Walmart, and with the assistance of several citizens, were able to quickly locate and safely detain the subject. The subject was determined to be a juvenile and in possession of a loaded firearm.

When officers arrived at the park, they located one male juvenile victim near the parking lot suffering from several gunshot wounds. Evidence at the scene indicated the incident occurred outdoors in the east portion of the parking lot. Officers immediately began administering first aid and called for emergency fire department and AMR paramedics. The victim was transported to a local area hospital emergency room, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Prior to police arrival, a dark colored sedan was seen leaving the parking lot of the park at a high rate of speed. During the preliminary investigation, it appears the victim, and the subject detained at the Walmart, arrived together on-foot, and met with the occupants of a dark colored sedan in the parking lot. Shortly afterwards, multiple shots were fired from, and/or around, the dark colored sedan.

Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators, and detectives with the Violent Crimes and Special Operations Units, responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

Currently, detectives are interviewing witnesses and residents in the area and are working to identify any suspects or persons-of-interest. The investigation is still active, and evidence is being collected.

The death is the city’s ninth homicide of the year according to the City of Antioch 2022 Crime Statistics, which don’t show last month’s shooting death of a gas station convenience store clerk. According to Lt. John Fortner, the victim was from a community just outside of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441, or Detective Cox at (925) 779-6866. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Golden Hills Community Church is located at 2401 Shady Willow Lane in Brentwood.

Richmond suspect driving with suspended license for prior DUI

By CHP Contra Costa

Tuesday morning Dec. 13, 2022, at about 11:05am, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a wrong way driver traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Hwy 4 near Railroad Avenue. The wrong way vehicle (Dodge Durango) continued westbound in the eastbound lanes and collided head on into a Honda Accord traveling in the eastbound lanes of Hwy 4. Following the initial crash, the Honda was struck by a Toyota Highlander and was struck a third time by a three-axel tanker truck that were also traveling eastbound. All involved vehicles sustained major damage and came to rest within the eastbound lanes.

Following the crash, the driver of the Dodge fled the scene on foot but was apprehended by Pittsburg Police Department that came upon the scene shortly after.

The Honda was occupied by one adult driver and one adult passenger. The driver sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene and the passenger was transported to the hospital for major injuries. The Toyota was occupied by one adult driver and one infant passenger. Both occupants were transported to the hospital for complaint of pain injuries. The tanker truck was occupied by an adult driver who was uninjured.

According to a Mercury News report, the Contra Costa Coroner’s Office identified the victim as James Kuang age 50. Attempts to reach the Coroner’s Office to determine the victim’s city of residency were unsuccessful Friday.

CHP Contra Costa PIO Adam Lane said Friday that the wrong way driver is Michael Armstrong age 53 of Richmond was booked on charges of murder, DUI resulting in injury, driving the wrong way resulting in injury or death and driving with a suspended license for a prior DUI.

According to Contra Costa DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo, “the suspect was released from custody from the Martinez Detention Facility on Thursday by the U.S. Marshals because of a federal matter. So, CHP will not be bringing the case to the DA’s office for filing charges, today.”

At this time, it is believed drugs and/or alcohol impairment may have been a factor in this crash. This incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this crash, the wrong way vehicle prior to the crash, or the events leading up to the crash, please contact CHP Contra Costa in Martinez at (925) 646-4980. Thank you.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.