High rating reflects the expert medicine, seamless care and outstanding service provided to Kaiser’s 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
OAKLAND, CA — Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plan in California is rated among the best in the state for providing high-quality, seamless care, and outstanding service to its 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members.
This year, the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California received 4.5 out of 5 stars, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2025 Star Ratings. In addition, the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California is tied for the highest star rating in the state.
“These ratings demonstrate our commitment to providing high-quality care and exceptional service to all of our Northern California members, including our Medicare Advantage members,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Kaiser Permanente is routinely recognized as being among the nation’s best for improving the health and well-being of our members and patients.”
The Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California has been highly rated – with mostly 4.5 and 5 star ratings – for the past 15 years.
“Our clinicians work together across all specialties to ensure personalized, high-quality care for our patients,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “The CMS Star Ratings, along with our nation-leading NCQA ratings, demonstrate the commitment of our physicians and care teams to provide all of our patients with the exceptional and compassionate care they need to live long, healthy lives.”
Ratings reflect high-quality care and service
Every year, CMS publishes Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) ratings. The ratings offer consumers a way to compare the quality of Medicare plans.
To develop the ratings, CMS considers many areas of care and service. For example, it looks at how well health plans keep members healthy and manage their chronic conditions. CMS also considers patient experiences, customer service, patient access, and pharmacy services.
Kaiser Permanente provides care to more than 1.9 million Medicare members in 8 states and the District of Columbia.
Northern and Southern California are rated together as one contract with CMS. Kaiser Permanente’s Dual Eligible-Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) H-contract (H8794) began in California on January 1, 2024, and is too new to be measured for the 2025 Star Ratings. It will be eligible beginning with the 2026 Star Ratings if the contract has sufficient enrollees and measures rated.
Ongoing recognition for Kaiser Permanente’s health plans
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) also recently ranked Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s health plans as the highest rated in California – and among the highest in the nation – for providing expert, coordinated care, and exceptional service.
Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare and commercial health plans in Northern California each received 4.5 out of 5 stars, according to NCQA’s 2024 Health Plan Ratings. This was the ninth ratings period that Kaiser Permanente Northern California was the highest-rated plan in the region and among the highest in the country. Nationally, only 8% of the health plans are rated 4.5 stars or higher.
NCQA also ranked Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plans as best in the state for overall treatment, prevention, equity, and patient experience.
Enrolling in a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Health Plan
Medicare’s annual enrollment period for all 2025 Medicare health plans begins on October 15 and runs through December 7, 2024.
Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the CMS’ star ratings and Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plans by visiting kp.org/medicarestars.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
The abandoned carjacked SUV was located at a home on View Drive Wednesday morning, Nov. 13, 2024. Photo: Antioch PD
Following car and foot chase through city; residents’ calls help police apprehend suspect; victim escapes
By Lt. John Fortner Antioch Police Department Field Services Division
According to Sgt. Rob Green on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 10:36 a.m., “We had a carjacking on Lone Tree Way. APD officers located the stolen vehicle and chased it. The suspect dumped the vehicle in a driveway and fled onto the freeway where he tried to car jack several more vehicles. We were able to catch him, and one adult male is in custody.”
Later, the department issued the following information about the case:
Antioch police officers arrested an Antioch man in connection with a carjacking and pursuit this morning. At 8:48 a.m., the Antioch Police Dispatch Center began receiving multiple emergency calls reporting a vehicle crash near Lone Tree Way and Slatten Ranch Road. Callers reported seeing a man running from a black sedan that was disabled in the roadway into the Slatten Ranch Shopping Center. Shortly afterward, several callers reported that the same man carjacked a silver SUV in the parking lot near the Panda Express restaurant. The suspect began to drive away in the SUV with the owner, an Antioch female, still inside the vehicle. After driving a short distance, the victim was able to escape the vehicle near the Walmart shopping center.
Officers arrived on the scene and located the unoccupied black sedan and the victim of the carjacking. During the investigation, officers patrolling the area found the carjacked SUV, and a vehicle pursuit began. The pursuit was terminated because the suspect approached a school zone at a high rate of speed. The suspect then abandoned the vehicle in the 3100 block of View Drive and ran to the area of Alcala Street and West Tregallas Road where he attempted to enter several parked cars. Witnesses in the neighborhood called the police to report the suspicious activity. As officers converged on the area, the suspect fled on-foot northbound onto Highway 4, where he was safely taken into custody.
The Antioch Police Department would like to thank the residents who called to help the victim in this case and report the suspicious activity in their neighborhood. Your assistance is invaluable.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441 or the Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6925. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.
Owned by Antioch family and serving Indian and Pakistani Cuisine for 20 years
Photo by Mehran Restaurant
Welcome to Mehran Restaurant’s Banquet Facility, where we make your special events memorable with our all-inclusive services. Our banquet package offers everything you need for a seamless celebration, including:
Set-Up & Clean-Up: Let us handle the details so you can focus on enjoying your event.
Linen & Utensils: Beautifully arranged, with ivory tablecloths and Chiavari chairs, plus your choice of napkin color.
Food Service: Choose from our customizable menu Indian and Pakistani Cuisine. In addition, we also offer an American menu and would be open to discussing other options.
Projector & Screen: Perfect for slideshows and presentations to make your event even more special.
Cake Slicing & Serving
Facility Details
Small Hall: Up to 130 guests
Large Hall: Accommodates up to 200
Total Capacity – Up to 330 guests
Photos: Mehran Restaurant
In addition, Mehran Restaurant is a family-owned business and has been around for 20 years – a treasure located in Pittsburg serving Indian and Pakistani cuisine. We pride ourselves on our authentic flavors and love serving our community. We also do off-site catering to meet our customer’s needs.
Please call (415) 215-8695 for additional information and visit mehranrestaurant.com.
Former Antioch Police Officer Devon Wenger is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California. Herald file photo
Alleges prosecutorial misconduct, claims retaliation; says evidence used was unlawfully obtained, information withheld from defense; separate matter from and not involved in racist text scandal
Devon Wenger, who was not terminated but resigned, faces charges of attempted civil rights violations, illegal use of force, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids
“There’s a lot there that is political.” – Attorney Nicole Castronovo
Oakland, CA – A former Antioch Police officer who spoke out against sexually explicit group texts among department members is fighting back against a malicious prosecution which has made him the scandal’s scapegoat as punishment for blowing the whistle.
Former Officer Devon Christopher Wenger of the Antioch Police Department, who resigned from the force on June 5, 2023, and is embroiled in a high-profile case stemming from the department’s texting scandal, filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him which have been grossly exaggerated as retribution.
The motion to dismiss was filed Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, by Wenger’s attorney, Nicole Castronovo, and argues evidence used against Wenger was unlawfully obtained, undermining his right to a fair trial. Castronovo further alleges prosecutors improperly withheld key exculpatory information from the defense.
“The manner in which this investigation was conducted shows a blatant disregard for Wenger’s constitutional rights,” Castronovo said. “We have uncovered that evidence has been manipulated, critical facts have been omitted and exculpatory material has been ignored. This entire case is being levied against my client as a vicious act of retribution and is a gross misuse of the criminal justice system.”
Along with other Antioch officers, Wenger was arrested on Thursday, August 17, 2023, and prosecuted as a result of the investigations by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney. He was originally charged with 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids; 18 U.S.C. § 1519 Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations and 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 Conspiracy Against Rights, 242 Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. (See related articles here, here and here)
However, Castronovo said Wenger is facing only three charges, “conspiracy to commit civil rights violations based solely on the text messages and with illegal use of force, for using what’s called a 40,” which is a non-lethal weapon. “He did so at the command of his sergeant, and it was within policy. So, they charged him for something found to be within policy,” she added. Wenger is also facing the steroid charges in a separate case in which he’s represented by a different attorney.
Regarding his claim of having whistleblower status Castronovo said, “He was a whistleblower on all kinds of things. His lieutenant had an affair with Wenger’s girlfriend. There’s a lot there that is political. He didn’t send any of the racist text messages. He also blew the whistle on a sexting scandal.”
Recently filed court documents uncovered a prior FBI investigation into the Antioch Police Department during which evidence was mishandled and not appropriately sealed. That evidence, in an unrelated, State-level case, is now potentially being used by federal prosecutors against Wenger.
Key to Wenger’s claims of misconduct include a declaration highlighting the testimony of Larry Wallace, who served as a high-ranking law enforcement advisor under Vice President Kamala Harris during her tenure as California Attorney General. Wallace resigned after being sued for sexual harassment and now works as an investigator in the Contra Costa DA’s Office.
Federal prosecutors failed to mention Wallace was part of a joint operation with the FBIstarting in November 2021. The government also did not disclose the FBI’s simultaneous seizure of Wenger’s phone in the unrelated state-level investigation.
In a testimony given on October 25, 2024, Wallace admitted he illegally mishandled sensitive data and failed to seal private information during his involvement in the FBI investigation of the Antioch Police Department in 2021. The mishandling of that evidence resulted in the unauthorized use of Wenger’s personal communications and violated his legal right to privacy. It also violated the stringent rules of CalECPA (California Electronic Communications Privacy Act).
The chain of evidence log demonstrates that the FBI seized Wenger’s phone on March 28, 2022, well before federal warrants were signed authorizing the seizure of evidence in this current case and raise significant questions about the legality of the evidence and the government’s representations to the Court.
Federal prosecutors also misrepresented to the Court the number of search warrants in existence, referring to only two warrants in their moving papers (dated May and July of 2023), which postdate Wallace’s defective state warrants in the earlier FBI investigation.
These misrepresentations are critical, as the defense contends that the Independent Source Doctrine, invoked by the government to justify the evidence, cannot apply under such circumstances, where an investigation since its inception has been a joint task force between state and local agencies.
Castronovo also questions the independence of the investigation, arguing that federal prosecutors heavily relied on data from state-level investigations, which violated the Independent Source Doctrine.
“We are determined to see that justice prevails,” Castronovo emphasized. “Officer Wenger is entitled to a fair trial, free from unlawful manipulation and misconduct by those in power.”
APOA Attorney Submits Declaration About Wallace in Support of Wenger
Michael Rains, the attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association, whose firm has been representing more than a dozen officers caught up in the investigations, submitted a Declaration in Support of Wenger’s Motion to Dismiss “based upon prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective assistance of counsel, in the alternative defendant requests a change of venue.” In his declaration, the APOA attorney wrote of his cross-examination of Wallace in another case in which Rains was defending an Antioch Police Officer. He wrote, “According to California Penal Code Section 1546.1, also known as CalECPA, it is a legal requirement to seal any information obtained through the execution of a search warrant that is unrelated to the objective of the warrant. Any such sealed information should not be subject to further review, use, or disclosure except pursuant to a court order or to comply with discovery as required by Sections 1054.1 of the Penal Code.
“When I questioned Wallace at arbitration as to whether he had complied with the requirements of CalECPA he admitted that (1) he neither sealed the information nor (2) did he seek any further order from the court to use the information for any other purpose. From my involvement in discipline cases involving several Antioch officers, I know the text messages relied upon by the City of Antioch to terminate officers, did not result from a Court Order authorizing such use,” the APOA attorney’s declaration further states.
Rains also wrote, “Wallace admitted in his testimony that he ha last received training on search warrants in 2004, and never received any training concerning CalECPA, which became law in 2021, as it pertains to writing search warrants.”
“Wallace testified that in November 2021, he received an anonymous postcard from the Pittsburg Police Department as well as information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding steroid use amongst Antioch Police Officers and Pittsburg police officers and a joint investigation was launched by the FBI and the Contra Costa County DA’s office,” the declaration states. “It was communicated to Wallace that the Chief of Pittsburg Police Department gave the post card to Chief of Inspectors Arnold Threets, who then assigned the investigation to Wallace. ‘Almost simultaneously’, upon receipt of the postcard Wallace was visited by FBI Agent Thuy Zobach regarding issues in the wiretap room concerning Officer Timothy Manly Williams of the Antioch Police Department. Notably the postcard never mentioned Devon Wenger…by name.”
Asked if one of the 8 cell phones seized by Wallace was Wenger’s personal cell. Castronovo said it was. According to Rains’ declaration, the phones were seized by Wallace in 2022, after he prepared the state warrant on March 22nd that year. Wallace turned it over to the FBI on March 28th. But I have a receipt for property on April 11, 2022, that includes Wenger’s phone, which is when they gave it back to Wallace,” Castronovo shared. “So, they probably dumped it during those two weeks. But the FBI didn’t issue a warrant for it until the following year.”
The judge in the hearing for Castronovo’s motion to suppress the evidence from the phone, “chose to listen to the FBI. He’s a former Assistant U.S. Attorney,” she explained. “The federal prosecutors just called it moot and said they wouldn’t use the evidence, which was really fishy, to me.”
“What’s interesting in their moving papers they said there were only three search warrants,” which would have only covered three phones, Castronovo shared. “But in the FBI’s search warrant it shows there were eight,” for the eight phones.
Rains Also Exploring Legal Options, Damages to Officers for Wallace’s Release of Information
As previously reported, Mike Rains, attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association whose firm has been representing more than a dozen officers caught up in the investigations said, “I am exploring legal options including a possible lawsuit related to our grave concerns about the way in which this report was ordered released by the court to begin with, when I was supposed to be given the opportunity on behalf of the officers to seek a protective order.”
“Plus, the release by the DA’s Office when they told me, the judge told me to tell Chief Assistant DA Simon O’Connell to not release the report until I had the opportunity to be heard,” he continued. “We tried to set up dates with the defense attorneys on Monday, after the morning appearance I made. Then I received an email from O’Connell on Tuesday that the judge ordered the report released. I feel betrayed by both the judge and by the DA’s Office.”
“I’m exploring the damages done to the officers due to the actions by the DA’s Office,” Rains added.
DA’s Office Will Not Comment
Wallace and the Contra Costa DA’s Office were asked for comment regarding the claims about his testimony in Wenger’s case. The DA’s spokesman, Ted Asregadoo, responded, “We will not comment on an active federal prosecution in which the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office was involved or address the inaccuracies in the press release you shared. However, we want to clarify that Larry Wallace, an employee of our office, acted in compliance with a court order to release information to defense attorneys in a March 2021 murder case in the City of Antioch.”
Wenger’s Next Hearing Possibly Dec. 10
The next hearing for Wenger is tentatively scheduled for December 10, 2024, at the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, where these and other issues raised by the defense’s motion to dismiss will be addressed.
The Antioch City Council approved a variety of items during one of two lame-duck sessions on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica was absent due to a family medical emergency. Video screenshot.
Approve double-time for Antioch Police officers as part of Violence Reduction Initiative
New city manager withdraws request for second assistant city manager position
Agree to move forward proposed Sycamore Square police substation
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Antioch City Council agreed to spend $1.3 million on improvements to the police department and Animal Services. It was the second to last regular meeting for both Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, as well as District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica, who was absent due to a family medical emergency. The council also approved double-time pay for Antioch Police Officers who choose to work extra hours to supplement the currently depleted force, voted to accept the $6.8 million state grant to clear out homeless encampments, agreed to pursue leasing the lot on Sycamore Drive to develop something there in the long-term and a community garden in the meantime, as well as directed staff to pursue leasing space at the Sycamore Square shopping center for a possible police substation.
Before public comments and council discussion on the budget-related item, it was announced City Manager Bessie Scott, who was also absent, withdrew her request for a second assistant city manager position, and would be brought back at a later, more appropriate time, according to Economic Development Director Kwame Reed who was sitting in for her during the meeting.
Budget Savings and ARPA Funds Allocation
The $1.3 million were from item #10 on the agenda entitled, “Appropriating Expenditures for Encumbrances and Project Budgets Outstanding to the 2024/25 Fiscal Year Budget and Approving Other Amendments to the 2024/25 Fiscal Year Budget.”
For the use of the remaining one-time federal ARPA funds for COVID relief which have to be allocated or contracted for by Dec. 31st, the council, instead of using it to help local need meeting organizations in the amount of $25,000 each as suggested by Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe they instead moved them to the General Fund to pay for government services.
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker wanted instead to “Go through a grant making process then those organizations could apply,” she said. But Mayor Pro Tem and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock supported transferring the funds to the General Fund for future use by the next council.
The council than approved that on two motions which passed 4-0.
Approve Double-Time Pay for Antioch Police Personnel in Violence Reduction Initiative
After approving the Violence Reduction Initiative last month, allocating up to $500,000 for overtime pay and costs for the assistance of police and equipment from outside agencies, under item #11 the city council approved “a resolution authorizing the Chief of Police to pay double the standard hourly wage (“double-time”) to Antioch Police Department Sergeants, Corporals, Officers, Community Service Officers, and Dispatch personnel for working extra shifts in designated areas of the City to reduce violence.”
“I do think we need to approve that. But we can’t rely solely on outside officers,” said Interim Police Chief Brian Addington. “Nobody knows this area…better than our Antioch Police Officers.”
“These officers would be over and above the regular patrol officers,” he stated. “We don’t want our officers overworked and working fatigued. I’m not asking for any more money. You already allocated $500,000. I believe that will be sufficient. I believe it would benefit us all as a community we spend these funds up front…rather than after the fact. It is a short-term solution. We need a wholistic approach. We need to work with our faith-based organizations, our community-based organizations.”
Torres-Walker flipped her position from the previous vote on the initiative saying, “I do support this…knowing officers will be well-rested. Because I’ve been told by other chiefs that it would be difficult to provide their officers. I’m going to go ahead and support this.”
Following the motion by Ogorchock and seconded by Torres-Walker, it passed 4-0.
Accept $6.8 Million State Homeless Encampment Cleanout Grant
The council also adopted “a resolution accepting the Department of Housing and Community Development Division of Housing Policy Development (HCD) Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF)” Round 3 award in the amount of $6,812,686. The proposed project will clear out a homeless encampment located near the intersection of Sunset Drive and Devpar Court. As one of the City’s two large encampments, it has been prioritized for resolution due to the vulnerability of its 30-40 residents and the hazardous conditions present at the site.
“I understood the site was not selected,” Ogorchock stated and asked about the Economy Inn.
“When we first wrote the grant we were looking at a couple options and no one said they were interested except Economy Inn,” said Tasha Johnson, Director of the Public Safety and Community Resources Department.
The council approved the motion to accept the grant on a 4-0 vote.
Approve Rescinding City Attorney Oversight of City Clerk’s Office
Under agenda item #13, the council approved outgoing City Clerk Ellie Householder recommendation to rescind a previous resolution, “Approving the City Clerk’s Request for the City Attorney to Provide Managerial Oversight of the City Clerk’s Department in Cooperation with the City Clerk.”
“This resolution will transfer back the responsibility to the city manager,” said City Attorney Thomas L. Smith.
The motion to approve passed on a 4-0 vote.
Lease of Lot on Sycamore Drive
The council also considered, at Torres-Walker’s request, leasing the vacant property across from the Sycamore Square shopping center on the corner of Sycamore Road and L Street, or space in the center.
According to resident and former councilman Ralph Hernandez, the empty lot was formerly the location of a gas station. He questioned whether it was cleaned up and for the council to consider any environmental hazards.
Resident and affordable housing advocate Andrew Becker said, “That lot has an R-20 zoning designation. So that city has plans for housing on that property.”
“That lot definitely does need some funding put into it. Not City of Antioch General Fund. That property is in an Opportunity Zone. It’s in one of the lowest income areas of the city. You submit it to the state…you go to the front of the line,” he stated. “You land-lease this property. You create a viable development plan and you target those funds and I’m happy to help along the way.”
“Before we buy the property, we made sure it was clear,” said the lot owner named Mike. “There was a gas station there in 1974.”
Torres-Walker then said, “I connected Andrew to Mike. In order to do things like that you have to show interest as the City to move forward. Even Mike said, ‘we could lease this lot for a dollar.’ After 30 years this city would finally be willing to invest in their community.”
“There’s nothing to vote on tonight. We either have to put up or shut up and stop complaining,” she added.
“It’s not been closed since 1974,” Ogorchock pointed out.
“I didn’t say it’s been 30 years since it was a gas station. I’m saying it’s been 30 years of neglect,” Torres-Walker responded.
“I think this is something that could be a land-lease,” Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson stated. “I definitely want to hear more about this.”
Hernandez-Thorpe mentioned a “community garden there. The long-term plans are the long-term plans. In the meantime, a community garden is what she’s asking for.”
Lease of Space at Sycamore Square for Police Substation
Regarding a police substation inside a space at the Sycamore Square shopping center Torres-Walker explained, “A police substation is not a mini police station.”
“In fairness to Mike, he already reserved the space two years ago,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated. “This is not a new idea. The unfortunate circumstances of what happened made it difficult.”
Commissioner Leslie May said, “I think that would be a good idea as long as the Community Engagement Committee of the Police Oversight Committee could be in there working.”
Ralph Hernandez said, “I just don’t see it. The community already has security in the Contra Loma Estates, the cameras there and you still have the violence. It’s an illusion…that’s going to create some kind of security for the community. “How many police buildings are patrolling and keeping our city safe?” he asked. “You’re not going to get more safety by having a substation.”
“I like her idea, of having a community room with non-police,” he continued referring to Ms. May’s idea. “I know what’s going on there. You just don’t know the game, there.”
Another resident, who the mayor referred to as Ms. Smith said, “I was born and raised in Antioch on the old Sycamore, William Reed Drive. I’ve noticed since we have patrol officers sitting over there in Sycamore Square, I feel safe. It’s not an illusion.”
“The bullets started flying. A shell casing was found in a neighbor’s yard. Real estate agents were showing a house then the 50 shots,” she stated. “I’m all for the substation. When the police are there, it’s quiet. Sycamore has always been bad. It’s never been this bad.”
Increased policing is not the intent, here. It’s not going to solve the community’s problems. Increased presence,” Andrew Becker said. “It’s to provide a space to show that community they’re not forgotten. That the City is invested in them 24/7. Be more ambitious. Be more bold.”
He then suggested pursuing federal grant funds for electric vehicle charging stations at the shopping center to attract people to it.
“This is a step in a process of steps that have already been taken,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated.
“This is not giving up on community-based violence solutions,” Torres-Walker said. “Antioch’s never done that before. The approach has been police response, police response, police response. What I would like is for the city manager and the police chief to meet with the owner of Sycamore Square…what can we do in three months, what can we do in six months.” “We’re all agreeing with the direction? Is the direction clear?” Hernandez-Thorpe asked.
Property owner Mike said, “When the police show up it was better. I do everything that I’ve been asked. I’ve been trying to help the community. This is something beyond, out of my hands. If we can work together.”
“The security guards don’t feel safe. These are armed security guards,” Torres-Walker stated. “The HOA feels so safe…they move to…Brentwood. We need to do something.”
Council Communications
During the Council Communications portion of the meeting, Torres-Walker said she wanted to bring back to a future meeting a discussion of, “What is the mayor’s office and how do we get rid of it?” She also asked, “To change the name of the Mayor’s Apprenticeship Program to something more suitable for sustainability.”
“You do realize all that sounded like a dig towards me,” Hernandez-Thorpe said.
“It’s not a dig. I just want to have a discussion about it,” Torres-Walker responded with a laugh.
“The $20,000 for each council members’ districts. We need to have guidelines on them,” Ogorchock then requested.
The council then voted to adjourn the meeting at 11:23 p.m.
Also, postpones Amtrak Station improvements, Grand Jury report noncompliance letter response
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Antioch City Council could not get three votes to approve water rates for the coming year. With District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica absent due to a family medical emergency, the remaining four members split 2-1-1 on the motion to increase rates and continue the current tiered rate structure. The structure means those residential customers who use more water pay a higher per gallon rate, effectively subsidizing the rates for those who use less water each month. Following the vote, during one of his final meetings on the council, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe acted like Pontius Pilate and washed his hands of it saying, “If the new council wants to take this up, they can take it up.”
In addition, the council postponed both the discussion on the Amtrak Station improvements as well as responding to the Grand Jury report noncompliance letter.
During public comments on the item #8 on the agenda, in which the council considered accepting the Water Utility Cash Flow Evaluation and Rates Study from Pavletic Consulting LLC dated August 2024, approving the Water Rate Schedule effective January 1, 2025, and amending the Master Fee Schedule to include the updated water rates, the few residents who spoke opposed the proposed rate increases, as well as the current tiered rate structure. If adopted, every rate across the board would increase each year through 2029.
Proposed Antioch water rates. Source: City of Antioch
“I hope you’ll hear me. I hope you’ll do something. Please, help,” said a woman who is a retiree living in a condo on a pension.
“We have a free water supply. We get to draw off the San Joaquin River. No one charges us for that. But then it goes through your meters,” a man said. “In the past few months I’ve seen an excessive amount. To have anything more…where it keeps going up 35, 50 cents a year. I’m a retired individual…for about 12 or 15 years. So, I don’t see my wages going up. It ain’t cutting it for us. Why should we have to sit there and put ourselves out to the point that we’re going to have to be giving up our vehicles…and other parts of our life because you’re putting us out.”
District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock asked for an explanation of tiers and the pre-1914 water rights. Based on the questions people asked earlier. People think we’re pulling water out of the river. Can you just explain why it happens that way?”
Acting Public Works Director Scott Buenting said, “Antioch has pre-1914 rights to the river…among the best in the state. But there are other things like permits and agencies that restrict how much water you can get at one time. However, there is electricity to pump it out of the river, there are facilities…chemicals and staff. There is plenty of costs to get it treated and to the tap.
“Rates are based on costs for service. We don’t make money off of it. The formula that goes into this proposal is for the cost of service,” Hernandez-Thorpe explained.
“I believe it was in 2015…that the council wanted a tiered rate,” said the consultant. “There’s virtually no city enterprise or special district, you cannot find an entity without tiered rates anymore. Except for Fresno. They’re the largest city with a uniform rate.”
“You’re the lowest by far. The only people in the state, there might be a handful in the Central Valley pumping the groundwater. That’s being taken away from them,” he continued. “The budget dictates the rate study.”
“What would happen if we just went to one tier?” Ogorchock asked.
“Revenue neutral. What happens is the rate goes up for lower-end users, from say, zero to 11 units. Everyone above that, their bills would go down,” the consultant explained. “That’s the general shift you would see. The folks at the low end, especially senior citizens…a uniform rate their bill would go up. The uniform rate is higher than the Tier 1 rate.”
“I didn’t know we had senior rates,” Ogorchock stated.
“I’m not aware there are senior rates. The City isn’t subsidizing rates,” Buenting stated.
Asked by Ogorchock about fluoride in the water and “if it’s dangerous,” Buenting responded, “I can look into that.”
“I don’t like tiered rates but I don’t want the uniform rate, either,” the councilwoman stated. She then made a motion to approve the pr
“If we did a flat rate, unfortunately, it’s going to negatively impact you,” Wilson said. I’m going to definitely second this.”
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker said, “We could keep explaining…but it won’t keep people’s pockets from hurting.”
“The challenge with Antioch is…why they stay so low is because there are a lot of poor working people and seniors.
“I was not for this the last time so, I will not be for this tonight,” the mayor said.
The motion failed on a 2-1-1 vote.
“It does not pass,” City Clerk Ellie Householder stated. “With two yes and one abstention by Councilwoman Torres-Walker, one no by the mayor and Councilman Barbanica absent.”
“If the new council wants to take this up, they can take it up,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated. “As I said, I was against this from the start.”
To commemorate the racial integration of schools in 1960
“Racism is a grown up disease, let’s stop using our kids to spread it.” – Ruby Bridges
By Allen D. Payton
Students at Antioch’s Dallas Ranch Middle School will participate in the annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day this Thursday, Nov. 14 to commemorate the day in 1960 when the namesake walked into a racially integrated school. On Thursday, students and families are encouraged to walk to school to demonstrate a shared commitment to ending racism and celebrate the impact of courage, resilience and unity.
According to the Ruby Bridges Foundation website, “Six-year-old Ruby Bridges stepped into the history books in 1960 when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans becoming a national icon for the civil rights movement. Today her story continues to inspire the next generation of leaders to end racism together one step at a time.”
According to her Wikipedia page, Bridges was one of six black children to pass the test that determined whether they could go to the all-white school. “Two of the six decided to stay at their old school, Bridges went to Frantz by herself, and three children (Gail Etienne, Leona Tate and Tessie Prevost) were transferred to the all-white McDonogh No. 19 Elementary School. All four 6-year-old girls were escorted to school by federal marshals during the first day they attended the two schools. In the following days of that year, federal marshals continued to escort them.”
About the experience that day for the activist, civil rights icon, author and speaker, according to Bridges’ website, “Greeted by an angry mob and escorted by federal marshals, Ruby bravely crossed the threshold of this school and into history single-handedly initiating the desegregation of New Orleans’ public schools.
The Walk to School Day initiative, the foundation’s website continues, “started with a question from a group of AAA School Safety Patrollers from Martin Elementary in South San Francisco. Nearly 60 years later, as they were hearing Ruby’s story for the first time, and learning about her courage and bravery, they thought there should be a day to commemorate the movement she started. These students took their idea to the State Legislature and today the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day will be recognized by the state of California on November 14 each year. Like Ruby, they lead the way and set an example for all of us to follow.
“Today, Schools like Martin Elementary and Ruby Bridges Elementary in Alameda, California and Ruby Bridges Elementary in Woodinville, Washington continue to honor Ruby’s legacy in their own way. The latest initiative being The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. An annual day of dialogue to commemorate her historic steps. These students will continue the conversation and take part in their own forms of activism to bring an end to racism and all forms of bullying.”
Police investigate one of the two vehicles involved in the shootout crashed at a home on E. 18th Street next to the City’s Opportunity Village homeless hotel on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Photos by a resident who chose to remain anonymous.
In one of two focus areas of council’s Violence Reduction Initiative
UPDATE: Male and female victims; Rocketship Delta Prep school placed on lockdown
By Allen D. Payton
In response to a report by an Antioch resident who chose to not be identified and shared at 12:13 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, “I heard gunshots in the last hour, about 11:23” and “There are two or three cops at Romy’s (Liquors) and about 6 more” on E. 18th Street near Cavallo Road, the Herald requested details from the Antioch Police Department. “It’s just sad and it’s right by the school,” the resident later added. “Plus, there are homeless in tents next to the COC (Golden Hills Community Church Community Outreach Center) in the line of fire.”
According to Interim Chief Brian Addington at 12:31 p.m., “A shooting occurred near 18th Street and Cavallo Road. Two vehicles appear to have exchanged gunfire. At this time, we have not located anyone that was struck by gunfire. One vehicle crashed and the occupants fled the scene.”
Police respond to the crash scene on E. 18th Street near Cavallo Road on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.
The car crashed near the fence of a home on E. 18th Street located next door to the City’s Opportunity Village homeless hotel, formerly known as the Executive Inn.
Cavallo Road is one of two areas in the city the police are focusing on following the council’s approval of the Violence Reduction Initiative last month. The other area is the Sycamore Road corridor.
UPDATE: Lt. John Fortner of the Antioch Police Field Services Division provided additional details in the following press release issued at 4:26 p.m.:
“Antioch police officers are searching for the people involved in a vehicle-to-vehicle shooting. Today, at 11:24 a.m., the Antioch Police Dispatch Center began receiving multiple emergency calls reporting gunshots being fired and a vehicle crash near the Dutch Pride Gas and Food service station in the 500 block of East 18th Street. Callers reported seeing a man with a gun running away from a silver sedan that was left disabled in a parking lot.
Upon arrival, officers located an unoccupied silver sedan disabled in the parking lot of 511 East 18th Street. During the preliminary investigation, officers learned that the driver of the silver sedan headed from the gas station to travel eastbound on East 18th Street. Shortly afterward, someone in a dark-colored sedan, traveling westbound on East 18th Street, opened fire on the silver sedan as they passed on the roadway. The silver sedan swerved northbound and collided with cars in the parking lot. A man and woman exited the vehicle and ran in different directions. Witnesses reported that the man was carrying a gun as he ran northwest, jumping fences. After an extensive area check, neither occupant was found by police. The dark-colored suspect vehicle continued westbound on East 18th Street at a high rate of speed and was not located by police.
In an abundance of caution, it was requested that the nearby Rocketship Delta Prep school was placed on lockdown, until the scene was rendered safe. This investigation is in its preliminary stages and evidence and witness statements are being collected at this time.”
