Williamson Ranch Park | 4pm-8pm | Cost: FREE

Featuring performances by headliner Grammy-nominated Shanice and Golden State Warriors performance band Universal Soul

Celebrate freedom, culture and community right here at home! Join us for Antioch’s fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration on Thursday, June 19th at Williamson Ranch Park from 4-8 PM, featuring a special headlining performance by Shanice! Enjoy live music, local vendors, food, and powerful moments of history and heritage. From history booths to rides and games to domino and double dutch tournaments, there will be plenty to keep the entire family entertained! Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and blankets!

Shanice Wilson is a Grammy-nominated American singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, and dancer. She had the Billboard hit singles “I Love Your Smile” and “Silent Prayer” in 1991 and “Saving Forever for You” in 1993. In 1999, Shanice scored another hit song with “When I Close My Eyes“, which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She is recognized for her coloratura soprano voice and her ability to sing in the whistle register.[4]

 Shanice was age nine when she appeared in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial with jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald.[4] In 1984, she was part of the regular cast in the first thirteen episodes of the children’s program Kids Incorporated. Shanice competed on Star Search at age eleven and later signed with A&M Records.[5]

In addition to singing, Shanice is also an actress, first appearing in “Rock Enroll”, a season five episode of Family Matters.[12] In 2001, she made a guest appearance as a singer on her husband Flex’s TV show, One on One. That same year, she starred in the TV movie One Special Moment,[13] an adaptation of Brenda Jackson‘s 1998 novel of the same name.

In 1997, Shanice became the first Black performer to star in the role of Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway.[14] In 2011, she joined Niecy Nash and Frenchie Davis for the 21st Annual “Divas Simply Singing” HIV/AIDS charity event.[15] Shanice and her husband, Flex, also starred in the reality show Flex & Shanice, which premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network on November 1, 2014.

She is currently starring as Michelle Obama in the Broadway musical “44,” the Obama musical, and has her own lipstick line, called Smile by Shanice.   

She is currently performing all over the USA and the world and working on new music as well. 

Universal Soul

Universal Soul is one of the Golden State Warriors’ favorites (that plays during home games at Chase Center in San Francisco). The band’s name is inspired by their desire to provide music that resonates with all GSW audiences and fans everywhere.

The band consists of four dynamic musicians: Dante “Taz” Roberson, Eddie Minniefield, Michael “Tiny” Lindsay, and George Epps. Their substantial experience and versatility have allowed them to tour and share the stage with artists Eric Benet, Cameo, Gavin DeGraw, Anthony Hamilton, Joe, Kem, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Shawn Raiford, Tank, Too Short, and Tony! Toni! Tone! and many more. The band’s musical influences and style are infused with funk, jazz, pop, rock, and classic R&B. This unique fusion creates a “Universal” sound that is both nostalgic and fresh.

The band consists of four dynamic musicians: Dante “Taz” Roberson, Eddie Minniefield, Michael “Tiny” Lindsay, and George Epps. Their substantial experience and versatility have allowed them to tour and share the stage with artists Eric Benet, Cameo, Gavin DeGraw, Anthony Hamilton, Joe, Kem, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Shawn Raiford, Tank, Too Short, and Tony! Toni! Tone! and many more. The band’s musical influences and style are infused with funk, jazz, pop, rock, and classic R&B. This unique fusion creates a “Universal” sound that is both nostalgic and fresh.

Their high-energy performances and ability to connect with the crowd have made them a fan favorite at Chase Center. They have become an integral part of the overall game day experience for GSW fans, adding an extra level of excitement and entertainment to each home game. Universal Soul’s dedication to providing top-notch musical entertainment for GSW fans has solidified their reputation as one of the premier performance bands in the NBA. With their infectious energy and undeniable talent, Universal Soul continues to captivate audiences and enhance the overall game day experience for GSW fans.

Thank you to our sponsors: Republic Services, All Phase Brokers, Metz Entertainment Group, Ironworkers Family Health and Marathon Health.

Learn more about Antioch’s Juneteenth Celebration when you visit antiochca.gov/juneteenth.

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Lake Shasta is source of all water, Los Vaqueros Reservoir will not be expanded, CoCoTax members learn

By Allen D. Payton

During the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association Members and Leaders monthly luncheon in May, Contra Costa Water District Board President, Ernesto Avila provided an update on the district’s current work and plans. They include repairing 20 of the 48-mile canal at a cost of $1 billion, keeping water rates as low as possible and expanding service to keep up with growth.

The district includes the Central County cities and communities of Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Clayton, Pacheco, Clyde, Port Costa and portions of Walnut Creek, and in East County, the cities and communities of Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Bay Point, and portions of Brentwood.

Half of the district’s water is provided to treated water customers and the other half to raw water customers, Avila stated and then spoke about ensuring adequate “water supply during disasters such as fire and earthquake emergencies.”

“When PG&E outages occur all of our tanks go full,” he shared. “Water only stays sweet for six to seven days to meet the water quality requirements of the state.”

“Lake Shasta is where we get all of our water from through the Central Valley Project,” he continued. “It’s currently 94% full.”

The district owns Los Vaqueros Reservoir for storage, which is currently 93% full. But “we can’t just draw water whenever we want,” Avila stated. “All of our intakes are screened to protect fish.”

“We are out of our drought,” Avila added. However, “during the drought there were no constraints on water supply for development and growth.”

Canal Replacement Program

There have been “landslides on the west side of the canal and repairs can cost millions,” he stated and spoke of the district’s “Canal Replacement Program” which will cost “$1 billion”.

“Nobody likes to raise rates,” Avila continued. “We’ve replaced four miles, so far and have 16 miles to go. It will be a pipeline”

Asked what happens to the pipe during an earthquake he said, “If it’s an older pipe, it will probably crack. We’re looking at a very ductile pipe that can move easily.”

Asked if there will be solar panels over the canl

Click here to learn more about the Contra Costa Canal.

Water Supply

Avila then spoke about providing enough water to meet the demands of residential growth including “redevelopment of the Concord Naval Weapons station” where “15,000 homes” are projected to be built.

“Ten percent of the district’s water is provided through recycling,” he stated. “We want to bump that up to fifteen percent.”

Budget & Water Costs to Users

“Energy costs have been the greatest increases from 2020 to 2024, medical coverage is second greatest,” he shared. Those are followed by “pension and OPEB (other post employee benefit) liabilities.”

“The average customer spends about $3.00 per day for water,” Avila stated. “The cost is 1.3 cents per gallon per day.”

He compared that to EBMUD rates which are at 2.0 cents per gallon.

According to the slide show from his presentation, costs to the district for water production include the following:

INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE – Pipeline Renewal, Canal Replacement, Water Treatment Plant Upgrades;

PURCHASED WATER

WATER SUPPLY AND RESOURCE PROTECTION – Water Supply Planning, Watershed Management, Recreation;

SYSTEM OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE – Water Treatment, Water Delivery, Leak Inspection and Repair;

ADMINISTRATION – Human Resources, Safety, Accounting and Payroll;

CUSTOMER CARE – Customer Service, Billing, Water Efficiency Support, and Public Affairs; and

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT K-12 Water Education and Field Trips, and Internships.

The district has an AAA Bond Rating which keeps interest costs on bonds down, Avila shared.

He was then asked about “money going to DEI programs. I this something you should be doing anymore?” Avila responded, “there are three employees dedicated to it. There are 317 employees which is 30-40% of the budget We have one person in Human Resources dedicated to it. We have a $200 million per year budget. Not even one percent is dedicated to it.”

“It’s about trying to enhance the culture for our employees to work together better,” he added. “We review it every six months. Our Master Plan is on the website.”

Asked about “EPA clean water requirements getting tougher each year” Avila spoke about “unfunded mandates we have to comply with. We work with various associations and collaborate on a national level as regulations are mostly at the federal level.”

“Our biggest concern is the issue of diminishing return on conservation,” he explained. “During the drought, people in our area reduced use by 25 percent while Southern California only reduced 2-3 percent.”

According to the chart in Avila’s presentation total water use has actually decreased over the past 17 years even though the population has significantly increased.

No Los Vaqueros Capacity Increase Due to Too Much Cost and Regulation, Offline for Too Long

Asked about increasing capacity at Los Vaqueros, Avila said, “The district spent $10 million on raising the…reservoir, for a cost/benefit analysis funded by the state. It was over subscribed with more customer demand than supply, 250,000 versus 120,000 acre feet.”

“But with so many constraints on pumping water into the reservoir, demand dropped to 50,000 acre feet then to zero,” he continued. “The cost increase with inflation went from $800 million to $1.6 billion, mainly from more material and labor cost increases, plus, engineering costs.”

Finally, Avila shared, “Los Vaqueros Reservoir would have had to be offline for six to seven years. It just wasn’t viable. They knew that, going in. The issue was negotiating supply from EBMUD and others” who “couldn’t guarantee any water.”

He also spoke about future supply including the proposed offstream Sites Reservoir project west of Colusa in the Sacramento Valley.

“In California, for every one million acre-feet of storage, there is eight to nine acre-feet of surface storage,” Avila stated.

Finally, in response to a question, he said, “Water from a canal behind a house is not grandfathered in if the home is sold.”

See Avila’s complete presentation slide show.

CoCoTax June Luncheon

The next CoCoTax Members and Board Luncheon will be held on Friday June 27, 2025, at 11:45 AM at Denny’s Restaurant, 1313 Willow Pass Road in Concord, and will feature Oakland Mayor recall leader Seneca Scott as the speaker. Advance registration is available on the CoCoTax website where you can pay online, or bring cash or check on Friday and pay at the door: $25 for members, $30 for guests. www.cocotax.org/event-6189658/Registration

About CoCoTax

Founded in 1937, CoCoTax leads the way in providing fiscal oversight of local government.  We actively resist unwarranted taxes and fees, discriminatory regulations, ill-advised public expenditures and government secrecy, inefficiency and waste. For more information and membership visit www.cocotax.org.

About CCWD

The Contra Costa Water District delivers safe, clean water to approximately 520,000 people in central and eastern Contra Costa County in Northern California. Formed in 1936 to provide water for irrigation and industry, we are now one of the largest urban water districts in California and a leader in drinking-water treatment technology and source water protection. For more information visit www.ccwater.com.

Second event June 28

Rivertown Treasure Chest will host a Father’s Day Treats & Treasurers on Sunday, June 15 during the annual Rivertown Father’s Day Car Show.

Join us 10 AM to 2 PM for coffee and donuts, sales, raffle baskets and of course, RTC fun at 306 G Street in Antioch’s historic downtown.

RTC will host a second Treats & Treasures on Saturday, June 28th with sales, raffles and local pizza from 11 AM to 2 PM. Come join us and help us with our month’s sales to even surpass May!

See ALL of you in June as often as you want. Our vendors have the best customer service in town and are there to assist or just talk about the day! We couldn’t do this without all of you.

Please share to spread the word about June!

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U.S. Marshals assist; Raymond Leon Greene, IV held on $1.75 million bail; also arrested for domestic violence in February

Woman shot May 20th

By Antioch Police Department

On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Antioch Police detectives and officers working alongside the U.S. Marshals Service served a search warrant at an apartment complex in Antioch as part of an attempted homicide investigation from a recent shooting in the 3900 block of Delta Fair Blvd.

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at approximately 8:51 PM, Antioch police officers responded for a reported shooting. When officers arrived, they located a 31-year-old female victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Responding officers immediately provided first aid until relieved by paramedics. The victim was transported to an area hospital. (See related article)

30-year-old Raymond Leon Greene, IV (born 2/16/95) was arrested and taken into custody without incident. Investigators also recovered evidence from the residence.

The victim remains in critical condition at a local hospital.

According to localcrimenews.com, Green was also arrested by San Pablo Police on Feb. 18, 2025, for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. Acting Lt. Whitaker confirmed that information and said the suspect is in custody.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, 11-inch tall, 205-pound Green is Black, being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $1.75 million bond.

If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Det. Becerra at (925) 779-6937 or email abecerra@antiochca.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Police seek unknown suspect

By Lt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division

Officers with the Antioch Police Department investigated an early morning shooting that sent one person to the hospital. On June 4, 2025, at approximately 2:51 AM, Antioch police officers were alerted to a shooting via a ShotSpotter activation in the 30-block of East Lake Drive. As officers arrived on scene, a 31-year-old male victim arrived at a local hospital suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Investigating officers located the crime scene and canvassed the area for additional evidence and witnesses. The victim was admitted to an area hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

Based on the initial investigation, this appears to be an isolated incident. This is still an active investigation, and no further information will be released. The identity of the victim is not being released at this time.

Additional inquiries oor information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Ibanez at (925) 481-8398 or by emailing ribanez@antiochca.gov.

The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association (CoCoTax) invites you to attend a Board and Members Meeting Meeting at Denny’s Restaurant at 1313 Willow Pass Road, Concord, on Friday June 27, 2025, at 11:45 am. Please register in advance on the CoCoTax website where you can pay online or bring cash or check on Friday and pay at the door: $25 for members, $30 for guests.

MEET OUR SPEAKER: SENECA SCOTT

Seneca Scott moved to Oakland in 2012 to work as the East Bay Director for SEIU Local 1021, representing and negotiating improvements to wages and working conditions for thousands of workers in East Bay cities, most notably Oakland. He also co-founded community groups Bottoms Up Community Gardens and Oakhella.

In 2020, Seneca ran for City Council to bring a voice to his neighbors that he felt was being ignored.

His Neighbors Together movement has since exploded across the city, demanding accountability from its Mayor and City Council.

He later led the successful effort to recall Mayor Sheng Thao and started the YouTube channel Gotham Oakland. He also frequently posts on X about the failures of Oakland’s progressive leadership.

Seneca has worked as a Labor leader and community organizer for over 20 years. He earned his B.S. from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Oakland’s Crisis and Its Implications for Other Cities and Counties

Despite levying high taxes, Oakland suffers from high crime, business closures, blight, and uncontrolled homeless encampments. The City has also faced repeated fiscal crises in recent years.

As Seneca will discuss, the explanations for Oakland’s problems include public corruption and the dominance of a progressive ideology which sounds noble but does a disservice to most residents.

We’ll also learn what lessons Oakland’s troubles might hold for neighboring cities, and whether we in Contra Costa County have anything to worry about

June 27, 2025  11:45 AM – 1:10 PM

Denny’s, 1313 Willow Pass Road, Concord

Registration

• Member – $25.00
• Non-Member – $30.00

www.cocotax.org/event-6189658/Registration

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Celebrate Dad in style! Join us for the Rivertown Father’s Day Car Show Sunday, June 15th from 10AM–2PM in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown! Classic rides, food, beer & wine, music, and your vote for People’s Choice. Bring the family and cruise into summer with Celebrate Antioch Foundation.

Register your car for $25 today at celebrateantioch.org.