To celebrate signing of Declaration of Independence and nation’s 249th birthday

Parade winners announced, U.S. Senator makes appearance, SWAT’s presence explained

By Allen D. Payton

Hundreds of Antioch residents lined the streets of historic, downtown Rivertown on Independence Day, during the annual celebration Friday afternoon, to enjoy the July 4th Parade, Kids and Family Zone, food from local restaurants and  food trucks, live music by “Sade of the Bay”, the Ariel Marin Band, and The Purple Ones – Prince Tribute Band who ended their performance with a solid rendition of Purple Rain to the delight of the crowd in Waldie Plaza, as the fireworks show over the river began about 9:20 p.m.

During a break in the music, Mayor Ron Bernal thanked those who gathered for the celebration.

Thousands gathered on the Promenade and Uril E. “Compy” Compomizzo Fishing Pier along the Antioch waterfront to enjoy the show shot from the barge on the river. It floated too far east and had to be called to head back west just in time for the spectacular grand finale. (See video)

2025 Antioch Independence Day – July 4th Parade Winners

The three Antioch Independence Day – July 4th Parade Judges, Assistant City Manager Brad Helfenberger, former Antioch School Board Trustee Alonzo Terry, and Rivertown Treasure Chest co-owner and Downtown Antioch Association leader Debbie Blaisure, determined the following winners in each category:

MOST PATRIOTIC: DELTA VETERANS GROUP @deltaveteransgroup;

BEST PERFORMANCE: PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEER TEAM @parkmiddleantioch; and

BEST VEHICLE: BRUSH PROS @brushprosca.

“Three very deserving winners!” Blaisure said. “The crew did a great job working together,” Terry added.

In a post on the Antioch Recreation Department’s Instagram page City staff wrote, “Thank you so much to every single one of our parade participants!”

Senator Schiff Shows Up, SWAT’s Presence Seen

During the parade, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) participated, waving to the crowd while walking with a group holding signs with his name on them.

Some people speculated he was the reason for the Antioch Police Department SWAT Team’s presence along the parade route and throughout the celebration. However, according to Lt. Mike Mellone, that wasn’t the case.

“We had planned for a tactical presence at the parade well before we were made aware of Senator Schiff’s attendance. This decision was based on the elevated threat environment tied to ongoing world events, as well as adherence to best practices for securing large-scale public gatherings,” he shared.

“There were no specific or credible threats made in advance of the event. Our department worked closely with regional and federal partners to monitor for any potential risks and ensure the safety of all attendees,” Mellone added.

See more videos on the Antioch Herald Facebook page here, here, here and the grand finale here.

4:50 P.M. 7/5/25 UPDATE: 7 injured, 4 transported to local hospitals, 1 in critical condition, 2 others drove themselves, 1 refused medical transport

7/7/25 UPDATE: Man lost fingers, was burned, still in critical condition Sunday

By Acting Lt. Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau

On July 5, at approximately 12:18 a.m., the Antioch Police Department dispatch center received multiple calls reporting an explosion on the 2200 block of Spanos Street. When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered the aftermath of an explosion caused by fireworks.

Antioch PD officers, ConFire, and AMR provided medical aid and triaged the patients. Several victims had already left the scene before the first responders’ arrival and were treated at local hospitals. Antioch PD is working to find and speak with all individuals involved regarding this incident.

4:50 P.M. UPDATE: Whitaker later shared, “A total of seven were injured, four of them were transported from the scene, one refused medical transport. Two self-transported to local hospitals. As of 4:00 AM one man was in critical condition. An update on his condition is expected from detectives, shortly.”

This is an unfortunate accident, and our thoughts are with the family and all those affected during this difficult time. We ask for patience and privacy for the families as the investigation continues.

The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit responded to take over the investigation. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Shaffer at (925) 481-8604 or by email at cshaffer@antiochca.gov.

According to PulsePoint as of 10:57 PM July 4th Con Fire had responded to 14 fires in Antioch with one still active at the time Friday night.

7/7/25 UPDATE: According to Lt. Whitaker, the man lost fingers, was burned, and still in critical condition on Sunday. But no names of the victims have been released as it’s still an active investigation..

Please check back later for any updates.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Learn more about the Downtown Antioch Association and historic Rivertown.

Open 11 AM – 7 PM

Lists key accomplishments

The Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) proudly acknowledges the leadership and impact of Interim Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne, who concludes his service to the district today. Dr. Wayne’s tenure brought much-needed clarity, stability, and student-centered direction to a district undergoing significant transition.

Dr. Wayne assumed leadership in January 2025 during a period of instability and immediately established structures that strengthened governance, improved communication, and prioritized educational equity. As noted by Board President Antonio Hernandez, “Dr. Wayne stepped in with clarity, compassion, and purpose. He reestablished trust and direction among the Board and brought renewed focus to student outcomes and systemic improvement.” Dr. Wayne helped shift the culture in Antioch, setting a different tone from the beginning — one of accountability, collaboration, and focus on what matters most: students. His work has laid a strong foundation for continued progress.”

Key accomplishments during Dr. Wayne’s tenure include:

• Collaborating with the Board of Education to engage in governance workshops, improve district communication, and begin reestablishing a foundation of trust

• Strengthening efforts to improve literacy and support professional learning communities in schools

• Implementing clearer, more transparent budget and governance practices

• Advancing equity-focused initiatives including work tied to the NCUST audit and special education services

• Supporting the launch of a student board member policy for the first time in district history

Dr. Wayne also published a Leadership Transition Report that outlines progress made and identifies key opportunities for continued growth. Titled “A District with Promise, A Future with Purpose,” the report highlights strengths to celebrate, opportunities to embrace, and the importance of authentic collaboration moving forward.

Telephone 925.779.7600 Fax 925.779.7515

“It has been a true honor to serve the Antioch community,” Dr. Wayne shared. “This is a district filled with passionate educators, resilient students, and a community that cares deeply. I believe in the district’s potential and am confident in the foundation we have laid.”

As AUSD welcomes incoming Superintendent Dr. Darnise Williams on July 1, the district remains committed to building on the progress and positive momentum established under Dr. Wayne’s leadership. His final day in the position was Monday, June 30, 2025.

For more information or to request a copy of the Leadership Transition Report, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at (925) 779-7500.

Learn more at https://rivertowntreasurechest.com/ and www.facebook.com/RivertownTreasureChest.

By Patrick McCarran, Real Estate Broker

Are you tired of the instability of not having your own home and throwing your rent money down the drain?  Then the first step is making sure your credit is in order. Remember no credit is not good credit. The bank needs to see you can use credit but not abuse it. Although no one except the credit reporting agencies know exactly how the algorithm works these general tips are commonly acknowledged to help increase your credit score.

On-time payments improve your credit score tremendously. Set up the minimum payment with e-pay and choose the recurring option so it pays every month. Just remember to check your statements in case the minimum payment changes. Because you are setting this up at your bank you can change it or cancel anytime with the click of a mouse.

Keep your credit card balances under 40% of the limit. For example, if your limit is $5,000 then keep your balance amount to $2,000 to show that you are not pushing your limits, it is like the old saying they only give you money if you don’t need it. Also, it is good practice not to have your total unsecured credit balance over 50 percent of your annual salary. This applies even if you pay it off each month.

Use two credit cards. This is good and bad advice at the same time. If you have a credit card with a limit of $2,000, and you charge $1,500 on it, you’ve used 75 percent of your credit limit. Now if you split your amount into two, and spend $750 each, then the percentage of usage will be around 37 percent. So, it helps your FICO. Just don’t go on a credit card shopping spree.

Maintain a good mix of good and bad loans. Home and business loans are considered good loans. Personal loans and private label credit cards are considered bad loans. This is why investing in a home loan if you are a spendthrift is a better decision. You will have a good credit mix and build an asset.

It is a smart decision to pay your home loans over longer periods. Pay off your personal loans, credit cards and private loans first, as they tend to have a higher interest with no asset creation. Home loans, on the other hand but they build an asset. This is one of the underutilized logical tips to improve credit score. Pick a loan and set a goal and then focus on paying that one off (but don’t buy something to celebrate).

Many people tend to abandon their savings accounts without closing them. If you have less than your Minimum Average Balance it will start to affect your credit score. Also, when you finish paying a loan off, it’s imperative to get the loan closure certificate.

Check your credit reports regularly. Just go online and check your credit score at least once in a year, so that you can catch any mistakes and get it corrected. There have been cases when banks report you to FICO by mistake. Keep in mind that free reports are a consumer product and the credit score will vary depending on the type of credit you are applying for.

Monitor your co-signed joint accounts even if they are family. You need to monitor the statements closely to make sure everything is in order. There is no use complaining if you chose the wrong joint holder who was careless, and you don’t catch it.

If you know you will not be able to pay on time, call and negotiate with your bank. Banks may be willing to extend your loan period and reduce the EMI and the FICO will see you are proactive.

So, these are some of the tips to keep your credit score in check and get a better home loan. Feel free to contact me with any other questions or for more information.

Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker DRE# 01325072. He can be contact by phone or text at (925) 899-5536, pmccarran@yahoo.com or www. CallPatrick.com. An independently owned and operated office.  In association with Realty One Group Elite DRE# 0193160. Equal Housing Opportunity.