On January 13, 2025, BART will make schedule changes to accommodate the launch of construction to replace BART’s aged train control system with a modern Communications Based Train Control System.

The schedule change is happening in coordination with the region’s other transit systems as part of a collective effort to synch schedules, reduce impacts, and improve transfers for transit riders in the Bay Area.

Minor Adjustments

Overall, some departure times will shift by a few minutes, and we encourage riders to check the schedule before January 13, 2025, to see if their trip is impacted. In the coming days, BART will post the new PDF timetables and will update the Trip Planner with the new schedule. 

Late Night Construction between Colma and Millbrae for New Train Control System 

Crews will be working on the track between Colma and Millbrae nightly after 9pm to upgrade our train control system. To reduce delays from this work, the Yellow Line will terminate at SFO instead of Millbrae to provide the resiliency our system needs to keep trains running on time and as optimally as possible in this section of track during the construction.  

Late Night Changes for Millbrae Riders

After 9pm, Millbrae station will be served by a train that will run every 15 minutes between Millbrae and SFO only and riders will have an easy cross platform transfer at SFO to board a Yellow Line train to finish their trip. 

At Millbrae, two of the four trains each hour will be timed with Caltrain’s 30-minute service schedule to provide a good transfer between Caltrain and BART. 

As previously noted, after Red Line service ends each night, Yellow Line trains will terminate at SFO instead of Millbrae. Once at SFO, riders heading to Millbrae will cross the platform to board the Millbrae train, it will be labeled as a Yellow Line train to Millbrae. 

However, after midnight, the final four Yellow Line trains to SFO station will proceed to Millbrae (riders will not need to transfer for Millbrae service), similar to the current schedule. The final train of the evening will bypass SFO, as it always does, and go straight to Millbrae. This is consistent with the current schedule.

These late evening changes will be displayed in the PDF timetable and in the Trip Planner to guide riders. And the official BART system map online, and posted at stations, will indicate a change in trains is necessary between 9pm-midnight.

This nightly service plan for Millbrae riders is expected to last several years as BART has prioritized this section of track to be the first area to bring on Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) in the BART system. The state-of-the-art CBTC system will transform BART service by enabling trains to run closer together and by updating aged equipment. A modernized train control system will enable BART to increase projected Transbay capacity to 30-trains per hour per direction in the core system area, from the current limitation of 24-trains per hour per direction. 

Transit Coordination – The Big Synch

Bay Area transit agencies are now syncing schedules in a whole new way with a focus on improving transfers between systems and making schedule changes at the same time. 

Most Bay Area transit agencies are rolling out new schedules in mid-January in coordination with each other and have now aligned the timing of schedule changes twice each year, once in summer (mid-August) and once in winter (mid-January). Since 2022, the number of transit agencies with full schedule change alignment (changing schedules at the same time August and January) has increased from 4 to 19, for a 375% increase.

Advancing schedule change alignment is a key priority for Bay Area transit general managers who meet on a weekly basis to make transit more rider-focused and efficient. 

By Allen D. Payton

Since 1978, Antioch resident Frank Ballesteros has been performing as the character of Ebenezer Scrooge in and directing “Humbug!”, an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella entitled, “A Christmas Carol”.

This year, the performances will be held at Friday, December 20 at 7 PM and Saturday, December 21 at 2PM and 7PM at El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. 2nd Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

Ballesteros has been teaching acting skills to children and adults and holding performances of various plays since 1968.

“I’ve always loved the classic movie ‘A Christmas Carol’, the 1954 version,” he said. “We used to watch it every year. Then George C. Scott played the part of Scrooge in the 1980’s adaptation.”

“Then I put in the Christian message. Instead of Scrooge accepting Christmas, in my show, Scrooge accepts Christ, which is the same as the message of Christmas,” Ballesteros shared. “No one has ever been offended in the 40 years, that it’s not the original story. Charles Dickens did that when he had Scrooge say, ‘I want to follow that star to Bethelehem’.”

Tickets are $15.00 per person and are available at Event Details – Frank Ballesteros: Humbug! – El Campanil Theatre

Releases 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report detailing successful efforts taken to deliver nation’s election mail securely, effectively

On average, ballots were delivered from voters to election officials within one day

CALIFORNIA — Today, the United States Postal Service released its 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report, outlining the agency’s steps to process more than 99.22 million ballots in the 2024 general election. The full report can be read here: 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report.

“In 2024, the Postal Service once again admirably performed our role of efficiently and effectively delivering the nation’s ballots,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “As we continue to transform the nation’s postal network to better meet the demands of the modern mailing and shipping customer, we stand ready to work with policymakers at all levels to make the nation’s effective vote by mail process even stronger.”

The Postal Service’s success in 2024 was the result of a deepened focus on operational precision and integrated communications, the engagement of the USPS Election and Government Mail Services team and execution of longstanding, proven operational processes and procedures, including extraordinary measures.

As in previous general elections, the Postal Service deployed extraordinary measures in the final weeks of the election season to swiftly move Ballot Mail entered close to or on Election Day and/or the state’s return deadline. Extraordinary measures began on Monday, Oct. 21, continued nationwide through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and extended through the last day in each state that boards of elections accepted completed mail-in ballots as timely.

In 2024, the Postal Service’s extraordinary measures included but were not limited to: extra deliveries and collections; special pick-ups; specialized sort plans at processing facilities to expedite delivery to boards of elections; and local handling and transportation of ballots.

Key 2024 Election Mail Performance Statistics

As part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, USPS is responsible for processing, transporting, and delivering the nation’s Election Mail safely, securely, and on time. During the General Election, USPS processed more than 99 million ballots. On average, Ballot Mail sent from voters to election officials were delivered within one day.

• 99.22 Million Ballots Processed in the 2024 General Election: During the general election period of September 1 – November 15, the Postal Service delivered at least 99.22 million ballots to or from voters.*
• 99.88 Percent of Ballots Delivered to Election Officials Within a Week: The agency successfully processed, transported and delivered 99.88 percent of ballots from voters to election officials within seven days, and 99.64 percent within five days.**
• 97.73 Percent of Ballots Delivered from Voters to Election Officials Within Three Days: The Postal Service successfully returned 97.73 percent of ballots from voters to local election officials in fewer than three days.
• 1 Day Average Delivery Time for Ballots from Voters to Election Officials: On average, the Postal Service delivered ballots from voters to election officials within one day.

 3.37 Billion Pieces of Political and Election Mail Delivered in 2024: The total mail volume surpassed 3 billion mailpieces for both Political and Election Mail tracked.

As an essential part of the nation’s disaster response network, readiness and preparation for natural disasters are standard procedure for the Postal Service. In September and October 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated portions of Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina just weeks before the election. However, through the deployment of extraordinary measures in the weeks before Election Day, voters in the impacted areas who chose to use the mail to vote received performance comparable with the rest of the nation.

Recommendations To Improve the Nation’s Vote by Mail System in Future Election Cycles

The Postal Service is both a national service and a world-class logistics organization. As such, consistent policies are needed nationwide to ensure that operations run smoothly, that the 640,000 USPS employees understand what is expected of them, and the millions of customers can have trust in the Postal Service’s ability to deliver for them. At the same time, when it comes to the delivery of Election Mail, there are 50 states and nearly 8,000 election jurisdictions that are far from uniform in their election laws and practices, and that often do not consider how the mail system works.

This can result in a mismatch of timeframes, deadlines, ballot return suggestions and the practical reality of using the mail. Many of these laws and practices were not established with the Postal Service’s operations in mind.

As USPS continues to transform the nation’s postal network to better meet the demands of the modern mailing and shipping customer, the organization stands ready to work with policymakers at all levels to continue educating them on how the mail works. While the Postal Service provides effective, efficient, and reliable service for all mail, including Election Mail, there are long-standing recommendations that policymakers should consider to help expedite the transport of mail-in ballots to and from voters including:

• Following and implementing USPS recommendations on mail piece preparation
• Applying visibility tools to Election and Ballot Mail
• Better understanding of Postal Operations
• Continuing voter education initiatives on state laws and reasonable mailing deadlines

*Total volume reflects volume that was identifiable as Ballot Mail by the Postal Service. 

**Performance data for outbound Ballot Mail (sent from local boards of elections to voters) includes only those ballots that were properly identified as ballots and consistent with our service performance measurement rules.

Performance data for inbound Ballot Mail (sent from voters to local boards of elections) includes both those ballots that were properly identified as ballots and consistent with our service performance measurement rules as well as the volume identified by a survey for which data is available from 10/21/2024 to 11/13/2024.

Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

By Sgt. Rob Green, Antioch Police Department  

On December 20, 2024, the Antioch Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6pm to 11pm at an undisclosed location.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sergeant Rob Green said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”

The Antioch Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

You are invited to join us for a Grand Chanukah Celebration on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 4:30pm!

Come celebrate the Festival of Lights with Chabad of the Delta and our surrounding communities as we light the grand Menorah in Brentwood City Park. A reception will follow inside the adjacent Brentwood Community Center.

Our local community leaders will participate in kindling the giant “Menorah of Freedom”. There will be fun activities for everyone including:

• Epic LED Light show
• Giant Menorah Lighting with Dignitaries
• Chanukah Donuts
• Latkes
• Chocolate Gelt
• Chanukah Crafts
• Festival Indoors, Lighting Outdoors
• Win Chanukah Gifts
• Security Presence
• Free Fidget Dreidel for the first 50 Children

For many of us, Chanukah prompts warm, loving memories from our childhood. We light the Menorah every night of the 8-night holiday. These lights offer warmth, joy, strength, inspiration and renews our sense of identity.

This year, Chanukah begins at sunset on Wednesday, Dec. 25th and ends at nightfall on Thursday, Jan. 2nd.

Rabbi Peretz Goldshmid, director of the Chabad of the Delta Jewish Center, describes Chanukah as “a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition. In ancient times our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem with the Menorah. Today, we rededicate ourselves to making this world a better and brighter place.”

As we celebrate in East Contra Costa, we join millions the world over, promoting the universal message that good will prevail over evil, freedom over oppression and light over darkness!

Make sure not to miss this opportunity to celebrate with your family and friends! Brentwood City Park is located at 790 2nd Street and the Brentwood Community Center is located at 35 Oak Street.

For more information, contact Chabad of the Delta at (925) 420-4999 or online at JewishDelta.com/Chanukah.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, CCC Sheriff’s Office

In 2025 the Office of the Sheriff will celebrate its 175th anniversary as a Sheriff’s Office. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff has come a long way since Nathaniel Jones became Sheriff in 1850. The agency now has nearly 1,200 sworn and professional employees who proudly provide a wide range public safety services to over 1.1 million residents in the county and multiple law enforcement agencies.

Contra Costa County has had 22 Sheriffs. Although the faces have changed, the mission of the Sheriff’s Office has not: making Contra Costa County a safe place for residents, families, communities, and businesses and to provide the highest level of service possible.

“In recognition of our proud history as a law enforcement agency, I am authorizing uniformed staff to wear a special commemorative shoulder patch to recognize our 175 years of service,” said Sheriff David Livingston. “Not only do we continue deeply held traditions of the Office, but we also honor our long line of service and pay tribute to the many members of the Office who came before us.”

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office offers a full range of law enforcement services to over 1,100,000 residents in the 715 square mile county. Besides patrolling the unincorporated areas, Deputy Sheriffs provide comprehensive police services to a number of contract cities and special districts. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office operates county detention facilities, provides security for the courts and runs the Office of Emergency Services. Log on www.cocosheriff.org for more information.

Both had criminal records

By Allen D. Payton

The Contra Costa Coroner’s Office has identified the two men who exchanged gunfire in the parking lot of Delta Bowl in Antioch on Saturday night, Dec. 7, 2024. Deputy Coroner Livingston said they were Antonio Drake, age 34, male out of Antioch and Deantray Reed, age 35, male out of Oakley.

As previously reported by Antioch Police, Investigators determined Reed approached the victim, Drake, while he was sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle preparing to leave. Gunfire was exchanged between the two males, and both were fatally wounded. Drake succumbed to his gunshot injury in the parking lot and Reed was transported by paramedics to a nearby hospital where he also succumbed to his gunshot injury.

At this time, the motive for the shooting is unknown, and no other suspects or involved individuals appear to be outstanding.

According to localcrimenews.com, Reed was arrested in June 2010 by Solano County Sheriff’s Deputies for assault with a firearm on a person, shooting at an inhabited dwelling/vehicle/etc. and failure to appear on a felony charge.

In addition, according to court records, he was convicted of second-degree robbery, assault with force likely to cause bodily injury, participation in a criminal street gang, and evading an officer for an incident in San Francisco in 2011.

According to localcrimenews.com, Drake was arrested in November 2013 for burglary, according to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. That arrest was made by Concord Police and his middle name was listed as Lorenzo. He was also arrested in February 2015 by Antioch Police for possession of marijuana/hashish for sale, revocation of probation, addict in possession of firearm and possession of ammunition and again, by Antioch Police in January 2017 for possession of a controlled substance for sale and revocation of probation.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Police Department

The Antioch Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding the driver behind a deadly hit-and-run accident. The crash happened at the Lone Tree way and Canada Valley Road intersection on October 12, 2024, at 8:24 p.m. The driver of the wanted vehicle struck and killed a 53-year-old female pedestrian who was in a crosswalk. (See related article)

Over the last two months, investigators have diligently followed up on all leads and are now asking for the community’s assistance. Investigators are currently looking for the vehicle in the above photograph.

If you have any information please contact Officer J. Egan at jegan@antiochca.gov or (925 204-1587.