By Mashie Goldshmid, Program Director, Chabad of the Delta
With gratitude to G-d, we are excited to share that Chabad has just leased a new space to serve as the Jewish Center of East Contra Costa. The grand opening celebration will take place on Sunday, July 16 at 9:30 am, inviting families and friends to join in the festivities.
The grand opening event promises an exciting lineup of activities for attendees of all ages. Live music performances, engaging kids’ entertainment, and a delectable dairy buffet are among the highlights that will contribute to the festive atmosphere. The celebration embodies the spirit of growth and community, inviting everyone to participate and rejoice together.
The new Chabad Jewish Center symbolizes a space where the East Contra Costa Jewish community can thrive collectively, creating an environment that encourages unity and embraces Jewish traditions. To RSVP visit JewishDelta.com/GrandOpening
See photos from the celebration and parade winners
By Allen D. Payton
Hundreds of Antioch residents lined the streets of historic, downtown Rivertown to enjoy the annual Independence Day Parade on Tuesday afternoon, July 4, 2023. Beginning with Antioch Police motorcycle officers and the Delta Veterans Group, the parade ended with the Tamaborago Arrazador band and dancing horses. (See parade videos on the Antioch Herald Facebook here and here)
A crowd then gathered in Waldie Plaza to enjoy the sounds of Tony Lindsay, the longest-tenured lead singer of Santana, and band and Michael Jackson tribute band Foreverland. (See videos here, here, here and here)
Children also enjoyed the Kids Zone in the City Hall parking lot and folks enjoyed food from the Rivertown Dining District restaurants and the various food trucks and booths.
Thousands of people a gathered along the Promenade between G Street and Waldie Plaza, on the Compy Compomizzo Fishing Pier and at Monica’s Riverview restaurant (for a fee), as well as along the railroad right-of-way to watch the fireworks show over the river.
The fireworks barge arrived from Fulton Shipyard on the east end of Antioch’s waterfront to just across from the fishing pier and Monica’s the at the end of I and H Streets, as the pyrotechnics company staff prepared to launch the first shells of the show which began about 9:20 pm.
The fireworks show to end this year’s Antioch Independence Day Celebration and especially the finale pleased those who watched along the waterfront as they cheered, whistled and applauded. See videos of the fireworks finale, here.
Parade Winners
Most Creative: Delta Learning Center
Most Patriotic: Delta Veterans Group
Best Performance: Park Middle School Cheer
Best Vehicle – 1st: Councilmember Monica Wilson
Best Vehicle – 2nd: “Sassy” (1928 Pontiac)
Best Vehicle – 3rd: “Phatt Chance” (1950 Plymouth)
Video screenshots of second Antioch sideshow and fireworks at the Lone Tree Way and Bluerock Drive/Golf Course Road intersection early Wednesday morning, July 5, 2023. Source: ABC7 News Bay Area
Two males shot, one in the neck; woman arrested in separate shooting with cops in line of fire
By Sgt. Price Kendall, PIO, Antioch Police Department
At 11:21 PM, Tuesday, July 4, 2023, Antioch Police officers were dispatched to the area of 700 K Street on the report two males had been shot. One of the males was shot in the neck and life-flighted to John Muir Medical Center. Both persons are expected to survive.
There were also two large sideshows last night. The first one was at the intersection of Gentrytown Drive and Buchanan Road and first reported at 11:34 PM. Due to the shooting, officers were unable to make it to the first sideshow.
At approximately 11:45 PM, officers were dispatched to an assault with bear mace in the 700 Block of J Street. While officers were on scene and after they separated both parties, a shot was fired at the victim’s direction. Officers were also in the line of fire. After the shot, officers confronted the female, she complied and dropped the gun. She was subsequently arrested.
During the call on J Street it was learned the sideshow that had taken place on Gentrytown Drive had moved to the Lone Tree Way and Bluerock Drive/Golf Course Road intersection. The first call came at 12:40 AM. Officers were still on scene at both shootings. Officers were unable to respond to the sideshow until 1:40 AM. Upon arrival, the vehicles dispersed.
The debris from multiple, illegal fireworks, shot off during the sideshow, could be seen in the roadway Wednesday morning and was cleaned up by noon.
ABC7 News Bay Area reported “dozens of people around the intersection as cars do donuts, some people getting very close to those cars. People were also seen standing around a fire on the street. The flames were put out when firefighters arrived.”
According to Mayor Lamar Thorpe, police used drones to capture video of the second sideshow and cars will be impounded.
There were 40 calls for service, most with multiple callers for fireworks, with well over 100 actual calls into dispatch.
As of Wednesday morning, no arrests have been made regarding the first shooting.
The Fourth of July holiday is typically one of the busiest days of the year for Regional Parks. Some of our more popular parks and swim areas are expected to reach capacity early in the day. Visitors are encouraged to carpool and arrive early. Parking lots may become full, though there are many Regional Park options to consider.
When visiting a Regional Park on the Fourth of July, visitors should know and follow these important tips and rules.
NO Fireworks – Fireworks are not allowed in Regional Parks.
Stay Cool and Hydrated – Plan ahead and bring plenty of water.
Beat the Heat – With hot weather, visit in the morning and early evening when it is cooler. If you do venture out, wear a hat and loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.
Drink Responsibly – Drinking alcohol is only allowed at certain Regional Parks. Check www.ebparks.org/parks before you go.
Follow Water Safety Rules if Swimming – Free loaner life jackets are available at all East Ba Regional Park District swim facilities as an extra safeguard for anyone concerned about their swimming abilities or their children.
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Shane Golobic takes his spot on top of the Sprint Car Challenge podium with Justin Sanders pictured on the right and Chase Johnson on the left. Photo by Katrina Kniss.
Pittsburg’s Baugh wins Hobby Stock Main Event
By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media
Antioch, CA…July 1…Shane Golobic of Fremont won the 35 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the return of the Sprint Car Challenge Tour to the Speedway for the first time in several seasons. Among the many accomplishments for Golobic is a win in a World of Outlaws race at Antioch Speedway back in 2013.
Shane Golobic #17w drove the Matt Wood owned sprinter to victory in the Sprint Car Challenge race. Photo by Katrina Kniss.
Justin Sanders of Aromas set the early pace ahead of Penngrove’s Chase Johnson and Golobic. Following a yellow flag on Lap 5, Johnson put the moves on Sanders to take the lead. Golobic slipped past Sanders for second on the 10th lap with a yellow flag waving on Lap 15. Johnson continued to lead Golobic on the restart. Following a yellow flag on Lap 22, Golobic started pressuring Johnson for the lead on the restart. A yellow flag waved a lap later. This time around, however, Golobic managed to get a good restart and slipped past Johnson for the lead. Golobic led through one more yellow flag in the final 10 laps to bring home the victory. Johnson settled for second ahead of Sanders, series point leader Justyn Cox of Sacramento and Tanner Carrick of Lincoln.
Jared Baugh #07 picked up his first win of the season in the Hobby Stock division. Photo by Katrina Kniss.
Jared Baugh of Pittsburg won the 25 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. This was his first win of the year after Kenneth Robles had driven his car to a win a few weeks earlier.
Aidan Ponciano of Oakley set the early pace ahead of point leader Grayson Baca of Brentwood and Jewell Crandall of Antioch. A yellow flag waved for Trent Golden of Pittsburg in Turn 4 on Lap 8. The restart saw Ponciano leading with Baugh charging into second. Baugh began pressuring Ponciano before making a low pass in Turn 4 of the 15th lap to take the lead. The 17th lap saw both second place Ponciano and third place Baca head for the pits as a yellow flag flew moments later. Baugh led the restart as Kevin Brown of Oakley started challenging Crandall for second. Crandall maintained her spot, and Brown surrendered third to Ken Johns of Antioch on Lap 23. Baugh brought it home a happy winner with Crandall a career best second. Johns beat Brown back to the line for third as James Graessle of Antioch ended up fifth.
Racing continues next Saturday night with the Eighth Annual Hetrick Memorial race. Purse money was just announced with the IMCA Modifieds racing for $1,250 to win, the IMCA Sport Modifieds receiving $1,000 to win and the IMCA Stock Cars competing for $500 for the victory. With the Wingless Spec Sprints also on the card, this will be a show you won’t want to miss. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Antioch Speedway Race Results – Saturday, July 1, 2023
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Grayson Baca, Aidan Ponciano. Main Event (25 laps)-Jared Baugh, Jewell Crandall, Ken Johns, Kevin Brown, James Graessle, Aidan Ponciano, Grayson Baca, Jess Paladino, Colten Haney, Trent Golden.
Fan Appreciation Night August 5
Plan to join us for Fan Appreciation Night on August 5th, which is going to be just $5 admission for everybody. The night will include giveaways and all kinds of fun stuff. Hall of Fame racer Ron Brown instigated this, and it’s going to be a good night for the track.
Local tax base increases by almost $15 billion, to over $267 billion
Oakley, Antioch, Lafayette had greatest increases, San Pablo, San Ramon, Hercules had lowest
By Allen D. Payton
Just in time for Independence Day, when Americans celebrate our victory over the British in the battle against King George III and his onerous taxes, the “2023-2024 Assessor’s Close of Roll Affidavit” was signed by Assessor Gus S. Kramer and subscribed and sworn to the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, on June 30. The 2023-2024 Assessment Roll has been delivered to the County Auditor, as required by law.
The increase to the local tax base for 2023-2024 is over $14.96 billion. This represents a 5.94% increase in assessed value and brings the total net local assessment roll to more than $266.67 billion. The 2023-2024 assessment roll is the highest to date in Contra Costa County’s history.
Cities with the largest increases in assessed value include Antioch, Oakley and Lafayette with increases ranging up to 8.49%. San Pablo, San Ramon and Hercules saw the lowest assessed value increases ranging from 4.30% down to 3.86%. The assessment roll now consists of 379,442 parcels, an increase of 1,202 over the previous year.
“I would like to acknowledge and commend the employees of the Assessor’s Office for their continued dedication and hard work which resulted in the completion and delivery of the 2023-2024 assessment roll,” Kramer wrote in his letter.
The report shows the total Secured Value of property in the county, which includes all the real estate, is now over $267.6 billion. The Unsecured Value is the business equipment which includes computers, desks, chairs and machinery, Kramer explained. That total is now almost $7.8 billion.
“Local Exemptions (which total almost $8.7 billion) are what churches and non-profits enjoy, as well as all the homeowners’ exemptions. That’s a $7,000 deduction you have to apply for which saves you about $70 a year on your property taxes,” he shared. “That’s something I’m livid with the legislature for not increasing. In Idaho the homeowners’ exemption is 50%. Prior to Prop 13 in California, it was 25% but the legislature has never adjusted it. It should have been indexed or something.”
Asked about the difference between the charts in the report of $1 billion in the total Secured Value Kramer said. “It’s less than one-third of one percent, but we know what it is and we’re working it out. We had to get the report in by the July 1 due date.”
