For details visit Rhythm by the River Fall Festival – Celebrate Antioch Foundation.

By Michael Gabrielson, Board President, Antioch Chamber of Commerce

You’re invited to the Antioch Business Expo & Job Fair! This exciting event is happening at Antioch Community Center on Thursday, September 26th 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Over 50 businesses and organizations will be showcasing their services. There will be food & wine samples, giveaways and great raffle prizes!

Please come show your support for local businesses in our community.

The Antioch Community Center is located at Prewett Family Park, 4703 Lone Tree Way.

Will present City’s plan to SJJPA Board of Directors during Friday morning meeting in Martinez

SJJPA staff says “discussion…does not alter the SJJPA board decision” to decommission station

By Allen D. Payton

As previously reported, last year, the Board of Directors of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority which oversees the operation of the Amtrak line that runs to and through Antioch voted to decommission the station. Last week, Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe posted an announcement on his campaign website that he had found a “Path Forward to Keep Antioch Amtrak Station Open” following a September 9th meeting with the chair and member of the board. However, SJJPA spokesman David Lippari said the “discussion…does not alter the SJJPA board decision” last year to decommission the station.

The announcement reads, “After a great meeting with the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), I’m happy to announce that the Authority and Commission have assured me that we are now on a path to keeping the Antioch Amtrak station open.

Although I am optimistic, we must continue to support keeping the station open. I want to thank SJJPA Chair Pat Hume and SJRRC Chair Nancy Young for visiting the Antioch station yesterday and meeting with city staff and me regarding this important matter. 

My office and city staff will develop a plan that I will present to the SJJPA on September 20, 2024, and to the City Council in early October.”

Questions for Mayor, Acting City Manager and SJJPA Staff

Questions were sent to both the mayor and Acting City Manager Kwame Reed about the meeting and for details of the proposed plan asking. They were asked which city staff members were in the meeting and what assurances were given by Directors Hume and Young.

Neither the mayor nor Reed responded prior to publication time.

SJJPA staff were also asked to verify what the mayor shared and for the details of the assurances provided by the board members.

SJJPA Says No Change to Station Closure Plans

In response, Lipari, the SJJPA’s Director of Passenger Experience and Communications, provided the following “statement related to ongoing discussions with the city of Antioch: The SJJPA and the City of Antioch had a recent discussion regarding the future of the Antioch Station. The discussion, which included some members of the SJJPA board leadership and executive team, does not alter the SJJPA board decision but was focused on topics of safety at and around the station. An information item regarding the Antioch Station has been agendized for the SJJPA board meeting on September 20, 2024.”

The agenda item is number 5, listed as Information and entitled, “Antioch Station History and Update”, which will be provided by SJJPA Executive Director Stacey Mortensen.

That information was provided to the mayor and Reed in a further effort asking them to provide what assurances they were given about keeping the station open during last week’s meeting.

The joint powers authority Board of Directors meeting will be held this Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Contra Costa County Administration Building in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez. The public will have the opportunity to speak. See the complete meeting agenda packet. To watch the meeting via Zoom, please see instructions, here: SJJPA September 20, 2024 Board Meeting – San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority.

In July, the Antioch City Council voted to adopt a resolution and send a letter to the SJJPA Board opposing the station closure. Friday will be the first opportunity to hear from the board members following receipt of the Council’s letter and for them to hear from the public since their vote to decommission the station and to discuss the City’s proposal to keep it open.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

A Day of Music, Food and Fun presented by the City of Antioch and Celebrate Antioch Foundation.

By Shahad Wright, Recreation Services Manager, City of Antioch

Antioch, California — Get ready for an unforgettable day of music, food, and family fun at the Rhythms by the River Fall Festival! Set against the stunning backdrop of the river, this festival promises a day filled with entertainment and excitement for all ages. Whether you’re a music lover, a foodie, or just looking for a great way to spend the day with family and friends, this event has something for everyone.

Event Highlights:

• Live Music on Two Stages: Enjoy performances by incredible artists across two stages.
  • NRCC Stage:
    • Lando Davidson: 1:00 PM – 2:45 PM
    • Blind to Reason: 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM
  • Waldie Plaza Stage:
    • Maya Latin Roots: 1:00 PM – 2:45 PM
    • Baycoin Beats: 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM
    • The Purple Ones – Insatiable Tribute to Prince: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Beer and Wine Garden: Sip on local brews and wines while soaking in the live music.
• Cornhole Tournament: Test your skills and compete for prizes.
• BBQ Cookoff: Savor the flavors as top BBQ teams battle it out.
• Food Trucks & Vendors: Indulge in a variety of delicious eats and browse unique local goods.
• Kids’ Zone: A special area filled with games, activities, and entertainment just for the little ones.

Date: September 28, 2024

Time: 1pm-7pm
Location: Rivertown – 2nd street between I Street and E Street

This is a community event you won’t want to miss! So, mark your calendars and bring your family and friends for a day of fun at the Rhythms by the River Fall Festival.

For more information, please visit Summer Concert Series – City of Antioch, California (antiochca.gov) or Rhythm by the River Fall Festival – Celebrate Antioch Foundation.

Eight in past five days, seven in Sycamore Corridor including one homicide; one shooting during memorial for homicide victim

By Lt. Desmond Bittner, #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

The Antioch Police Department is asking for the community’s help in connection with a series of shootings that have plagued our city in the last week.

“This spate of violence will not be tolerated. We have rearranged staffing and assigned two officers to patrol the Sycamore Corridor for at least the next seven days,” said Interim Chief of Police Brian Addington. “This effort aims to reduce gun violence and provide a sense of safety to the community and local businesses.”

On September 2nd, 21-year-old Elijah Scales was shot and killed in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way. Since the homicide, Antioch PD has responded to nearly a dozen shootings that may be related. Eight of the shootings have occurred in the past five days. Details for each shooting are noted below:

• Tuesday, 9/3, 7:26 pm (2100 block of Peppertree Way) – Report 24-7865. Multiple firearms were used to fire at least 32 bullets. A 31-year-old man was shot in the leg.
• Wednesday, 9/4, 8:59 pm (2100 block of Peppertree Way) – Report 24-7898. 11 bullets were fired from multiple guns. The gunfire struck a nearby building.
• Saturday, 9/7, 9:31 pm (Sycamore Drive at Peppertree Way) – Report 24-7991. 29 bullets fired from multiple firearms. A 52-year-old woman was shot in the leg while in the parking lot of Sycamore Square.
• Thursday, 9/12, 8:21 pm (2100 block of Lemontree Way) – Reports 24-8193 and 24-8194. At least 26 bullets were fired. The gunfire struck two nearby homes. One resident was grazed by a stray bullet and suffered a minor injury to his neck that didn’t require medical attention.
• Thursday 9/12, 8:31 pm, (1000 block of Fitzuren Road) – Report 24-8195. At least three bullets were fired. The gunfire struck a nearby business.
• Thursday 9/12, 8:32 pm, (2900 block of Pear Street) – Report 24-8197. At least three bullets were fired.
• Sunday 9/15, 9:10 pm, (Sycamore Drive at Peppertree Way) – Report 24-8309. At least 13 bullets were fired. A nearby home and an unoccupied vehicle were struck by gunfire.
• Monday 9/16, 2:40 am (600 block of G Street) – Report 24-8316. Multiple firearms fired at least 12 bullets.
• Monday 9/16, 4:54 pm (Contra Costa County Fairgrounds) – Report 24-8353. Multiple firearms fired at least 30 bullets. A man was shot on the Fairground property. The man is currently in critical condition. The fairgrounds fall under Contra Costa County jurisdiction, so the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this matter.
• Monday 9/16, 7:46 pm, (L Street at William Reed) – Report 24-8356. Multiple firearms fired 50 or more bullets. Two nearby businesses were struck.
• Monday 9/16, 7:48 pm, (1800 block of Cavallo Road) – Report 24-8357. At least four bullets were fired. A 58-year-old man was shot while attending a memorial gathering at this location for Elijah Scales. The man is currently in critical condition at a local hospital.

The suspects in each shooting are currently unknown. Anyone with information can contact Investigations Sergeant Bill Whitaker at (925) 779-6876 or wwhitaker@antiochca.gov.

Presented by Celebrate Antioch Foundation

Join the Party at Antioch’s Historic Downtown Rivertown District with great, live music performed on two stages by Baycoin Beats, The Purple Ones, Lando Davidson and Blind to Reason. This is a Fun, Family friendly event with free entry and parking. There will be BBQ and other food vendors. Come join the fun and Get Your Groove On!

Brings total to 75 sworn out of 115 in the city budget; 15 more recruits in academies

By Allen D. Payton

During an oath of office ceremony on Monday, Sept. 9th, two new sworn officers and two new Community Service Officers were added to the force. Interim Antioch Police Chief Brian Addington welcomed new Officers Joseph Amiri and Alex Gutierrez and new CSO’s Luis Candelario and Brennan Taft.

In attendance were District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, Acting City Manager Kwame Reed, Acting Assistant City Manager Brad Helfenberger and City Attorney Thomas Loyd Smith along with other APD leaders and officers.

Addington shared prepared remarks and offered, “a special welcome to all the family and friends joining us today. We know the sacrifices you have made to get your loved one to this point, and I want you to know that they have not gone unnoticed.”

“We thank you and share in the pride you undoubtedly have today as you watch your loved one officially become an Antioch police officer,” the chief continued. “We also ask for your continued love and support because it doesn’t get easier – it gets harder from here as your loved one now serves on the front line of keeping Antioch safe.”

“It is a remarkable time to join the Antioch PD—during a period of rebuilding and fostering community trust. New officers and CSOs bring valuable experience and fresh perspectives, helping to bridge gaps between the department and the community while maintaining a steady, knowledgeable presence in law enforcement practices,” Addington stated.

“We currently have eight officers in the Field Training Program, and we have 13 recruits who are attending police academies,” he added.

Addington introduced each of the four by providing their brief following bios:

Officer Joseph Amiri – He was Deputy Sheriff for L.A. County Sheriff’s Office before joining us. Officer Amiri holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with honors from California State University, Bakersfield. He enjoys cooking steaks, making Italian food, and traveling to new countries in his free time. What motivated him to join the Antioch Police Department is that he spent many of his pivotal childhood years living in Antioch, so he is now honored to join the department. A fun fact about Officer Amiri is that he is bilingual. He speaks English and Dari.

(He is not related to former APD officer Morteza Amiri).

Officer Alex Gutierrez

He grew up in the City of Antioch and still currently lives here. He was a tribal Police Officer for about one and a half years. Then, he worked for the Galt Police Department for about two and a half years as a Community Service Officer and a Police Officer. Still, he has had a lifelong dream of being a Police Officer with the City of Antioch ever since I was a kid. Today, that dream has become a reality. He has a heart for serving people, and being in law enforcement is the perfect way to do that. A Fun Fact about Officer Gutierrez – he enjoys spending time with family and hiking with his wife and dog. He looks forward to serving the community I grew up in.

Community Services Officer Luis Candelario

He also grew up in Antioch and attended school in the Antioch Unified School District. He ran cross country in high school and graduated from Antioch High School. After high school, He attended CSU East Bay, earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

He enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, fishing, biking, and running.

He chose to pursue a career with the Antioch Police Department to serve the community where he was raised in a positive way.

A fun fact: Luis volunteers as a faith formation instructor at his parish.

Community Services Officer Brennan Taft

Brennan was born in Oakland and raised in El Sobrante. He graduated from Bay Hill High School in Oakland in 2009. He then attended Diablo Valley College and received an A.S. Degree in Administration of Justice. Brennan worked in various jobs, including Marin County Parks, Marin County Fire Department, and Private Security. His most recent job, before joining APD, was as a Patrol Security Guard.

Fun fact: Brennan likes gaming and muscle cars.

The chief then administered the Oath of Office which was followed by the badge pinning by family members and friends.

Lastly, Addington administered the IACP Law Enforcement Oath of Honor.

“The IACP Governing Body developed an Oath of Honor to punctuate the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect and ensuring the preservation of human life,” he shared.

What is the Oath of Honor

“This is a public affirmation of your commitment to adhere to this oath and demonstrate the highest ethical standards. Before you take the Oath of Honor, you must understand what it means. This oath is a solemn pledge that you sincerely intend to abide by the terms of the Oath of Honor. Do each of you understand that?” the chief asked. After each responded, “yes”, Addington instructed them to, “Raise your right hand and repeat the oath of Honor to affirm this.”

The ceremony concluded with the chief saying to the four new additions to the force, “This is your time to congratulate each other, take pictures, enjoy refreshments, and give your family and friends a tour of where you will work for the next 20-plus years.”

With the addition of the two new sworn officers, according to Addington, that brings the Antioch Police force to a total of 75 sworn out of 115 included in the budget approved by the council.