Invested $12.5 million in Park District, state and federal funds

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District

The East Bay Regional Park District is pleased to announce the completion of the Climate Change Impacts Wildland Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project at Anthony Chabot Regional Park. For the past three years, the Park District has been working to thin and remove hazardous trees and brush on 667 acres at Anthony Chabot to reduce fire intensity and help prevent catastrophic wildfires. (See related article)

This groundbreaking effort, the first of its kind in California, included large-scale eucalyptus removal and the use of a climate-friendly carbonizer to dispose of debris. The carbonizer produces low emissions and creates biochar, which has been used throughout the Park District to improve soil health and water retention.

In fall 2020, Park District staff noticed an increase in dead and dying trees compared with past years. The Park District began assessing die-off districtwide and found that it affected several parks. In some areas, half of the trees were either dead or showing signs they would die within a year. The condition was caused by extreme drought and climate change.

“Sudden tree die-off was an emergency for the Park District,” said Park District Assistant Fire Chief Khari Helae. “We immediately saw the need to ramp up fuels reduction to mitigate the threat of potential wildfires. We can’t prevent all ignitions, but we can lower the intensity of fires by reducing fire fuels.”

“The Anthony Chabot project tackled mostly dead and dying eucalyptus, a notoriously flammable and difficult-to-handle tree. Thinning and removing eucalyptus is essential to slowing wildfires and giving firefighters time to stop them before they become out of control. Dead standing trees burn hotter and faster and can cast embers long distances, igniting new, potentially dangerous fires,” Helae added.

The 667-acre project began in 2022 with a pilot project on 80 acres near the former shooting range in Anthony Chabot Regional Park, using the climate-friendly carbonizer for biomass removal. The pilot project assessed the feasibility of using a carbonizer to remove biomass. With additional permitting, the project expanded to 445 acres and then 667 acres.

Funding sources

The project was funded through a combination of federal and state funds. The project received $7.5 million in state funding secured by former state Sen. Nancy Skinner (now serving as California Energy Commissioner) and former state Sen. Bob Wieckowski, $1.5 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), $1 million in grant funding from the California Coastal Conservancy, and $2.5 million from the Park District.

“We thank our federal and state partners for their leadership, support, and funding for wildfire fuels reduction work in the East Bay,” said Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “Fuels reduction work helps reduce wildfire risks and is critical to protecting the community and natural resources.”

“The Park District has a deep understanding of the dangers and destruction wildfires can bring after experiencing the 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm, which claimed 25 lives and destroyed 3,469 homes,” Landreth added.

Ongoing Wildfire Protection Efforts

Hazardous fuels reduction efforts continue districtwide, with large projects planned or underway at Tilden, Claremont Canyon, and Anthony Chabot Regional Parks, as well as Leona Canyon Open Space Regional Preserve. A 16-person fuels crew works year-round on vegetation management projects, along with goat, sheep, and cattle grazing covering 86,800 acres annually. 

The Park District’s wildfire protection work includes prioritizing vegetation management, operating a professionally trained full-time and on-call department, and maintaining specialized wildland firefighting equipment, which includes two helicopters capable of dropping water on wildfires.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

By Jaden Baird, PIO, City of Antioch

ANTIOCH, CA — The City of Antioch is alerting residents to a door-to-door scam in which individuals are falsely claiming that the city’s tap water is unsafe in an attempt to sell high-cost water filtration systems.

In a recent report, a resident was approached by a person claiming to test water quality. The individual presented a false test result alleging the presence of “13 cancer-causing contaminants” and attempted to pressure the resident into purchasing a reverse osmosis system. When the resident declined to provide personal information, the individual became aggressive.

“These individuals are not associated with the City of Antioch, or our Water Department,” said Ivona Kagin, Laboratory Supervisor at the Water Treatment Plant. “Tap water is tightly regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We want to reassure residents that Antioch’s drinking water meets or exceeds all federal and state requirements. Details are published in our annual Consumer Confidence Report:  https://www.antiochca.gov/583/Water-Treatment. If your water becomes unsafe to drink, the City of Antich will notify you and provide information on how to protect yourself.”

Residents are urged to follow these safety guidelines:

• Do not allow unverified individuals into your home.
• Always ask for official identification.
• Look for a City of Antioch badge and marked city vehicle.
• Call the Water Department at (925) 779-7060 to confirm if someone is a city employee.
• Report aggressive or suspicious activity to the Antioch Police Department.

Kagin emphasized that legitimate city employees will never arrive unannounced. All official visits are scheduled in advance and conducted by trained staff with proper identification.

For more information about Antioch’s water quality or to verify any city-related service visit, please contact the Water Department directly or visit http://www.antiochca.gov/water.

During 2025 Rhythms by the River Fall Festival

Click for details about the Annual Rhythms by the River Fall Festival in Rivertown Oct. 4. For more information about the Downtown Antioch Assocation visit https://downtownantioch.com.

This year’s theme: “Ignite Passion for God”

The Spark Conference 2025, hosted by Bethesda Community Church, will be held Thursday, October 30 to Sunday, November 2. The exciting and spiritually impactful event will take place at 2400 Sycamore Drive, Suite 5 in Antioch.

Hosted by Bishop Dr. Johnson Ejomah and featuring Guest Speaker Prophet Kofi Yeboah of Canada, this life-transforming gathering is more than just an event; it is a God-ordained movement designed to ignite passion, purpose and power within the body of Christ. Through vibrant worship, dynamic teaching and Spirit-led impartation, we believe this conference will set hearts ablaze for the Lord and stir a deeper hunger for spiritual awakening in our region and beyond.

Our theme this year is: “Ignite Passion for God” (2 Timothy 1:6; Leviticus 6:12–13; Acts 2:3-4), calling on believers to never let the altar fire go out.

For more information about the Spark Conference or Bethesda Community Church call (925) 405-2124 or email bcc178@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/Bishopbcc.org.

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Free to the public, during Rhythms by the River Fall Festival

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Join us at the Nick Rodriguez Center Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown tomorrow for a morning of creativity on display.

With no cost for entry, you and your family are invited to stop by and enjoy the exhibit from 10:00am to 1:00pm. From live art demonstrations to hand crafted pieces, this event is a wonderful place to see Antioch’s artists across generations have their chance to shine!

Then stick around for the annual Rhythms by the River Fall Festival from 11:00am to 5:00pm. (Click here for details)

The Nick Rodriguz Community Center is located at 213 F Street. ake a look at the First Edition of the Antioch Arts & Rec Magazine when you visit antiochca.gov/arts-and-rec-exhibit.

23rd vehicle impounded

By CHP Contra Costa

As a result of Friday night’s joint enforcement operation in the City of Antioch, CHP Investigators have seized a vehicle belonging to one of the main participants involved in the illegal sideshow activity.

This action follows the disruption of two large-scale sideshows, involving more than 200 vehicles and 300 spectators. During the operation, 22 vehicles were initially impounded, and multiple arrests were made. (See related article)

This latest seizure reinforces our ongoing commitment to holding individuals accountable for reckless and dangerous driving behavior that puts the community at risk.

This enforcement effort was made possible through the coordinated work of the CHP’s Golden Gate Division Investigative Services Unit, Contra Costa CHP, Antioch Police Department, and CHP Office of Air Operations.

Sideshows are not just dangerous — they’re criminal. Vehicle seizures and arrests will continue for those involved.

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch will hold their annual Fall Boutique on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. This event is a fundraiser for community charities and the restoration of the Historic GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch building and is open to the public.

Handmade Crafters Artists & Vendors will offer Jewelry, Bags, Accessories, Scarves, Baby Items, Bowl Cozies, Tissue Holders, AVON, Small Christmas Trees, Handmade Bracelets, Shabby Chic, Colorstreet Nails & Lip Care, Tea Towels, Pillows, Aprons, Diamond Paintings, Alterations, Small Clocks, Printed Vases, Wreaths, Ornaments, Blankets, Quilts, Table Runners, Crochet Items, Key Chains, Magnets, Succulents, & unique gifts for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and all seasons

LOCATION: GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch at 509 “G” Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. Parking is available across the street in the school district parking lot. Please do not park in the church parking lot next door. 

For questions contact Chairpersons: Nancy Burkard (925) 759-3383 or Liese McCause (925) 752-6725.

Business Women giving back to the Community!

Founded in 1902, the Woman’s Club of Antioch was formed “To improve and beautify the town, to do any business which shall promote the educational industrial benevolent, social or political welfare of its members or the community at large.”

In 1904 the club was then admitted to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, known as the GFWC.  In 1905 with 40 members the club was incorporated, and our club was admitted to the California Federation of Women’s Clubs known as CFWC, then in 1924 admitted into the Mount Diablo District.  

For more information visit www.gfwcwomansclubofantioch.org.

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“Will cost taxpayers millions of dollars” more

Sacramento, CA – The California Office of the Secretary of State announced on Monday that a correction notice will be mailed to voter households in response to the discovery of a map labeling error in the official 2025 Voter Information Guide (VIG). 

On page 11 of the guide, a proposed congressional district contained in the map provided by the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) was inadvertently labeled as District 22 instead of District 27. A separate map provided by the LAO on page 15 included the correct identification of District 27. 

To ensure voters receive accurate information, a correction postcard will be mailed to all voter households who received the guide with the typo. The “https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/“ website has also been updated to reflect the corrected map. 

“Accuracy in voter information is essential to maintaining public trust in California’s elections.” said Weber.  “We are taking swift, transparent action to ensure voters receive correct information. This mislabeling does not affect proposed districts, ballots, or the election process; it is solely a labeling error. Every eligible Californian can have full confidence that their vote will be counted and their representation is secure.” 

According to a report by the L.A. Times, “There are 23 million registered voters in California, but it’s unclear if the postcards will be mailed to each registered voter or to households of registered voters. Even if the corrective notices are mailed to voter households rather than individual voters, the postage alone is likely to be millions of dollars, in addition to the cost of printing the postcards. The special election, which the legislature called for in August, was already expected to cost taxpayers $284 million.”

“When politicians force the Secretary of State to rush an election, mistakes are bound to happen,” said Amy Thoma, a spokesperson for one of the campaigns opposing the effort. “It’s unfortunate that this one will cost taxpayers millions of dollars.”

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.