This morning, Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Walnut Creek Police Detectives, in coordination with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, served a search warrant at a residence in the 1600 block of Lipton Street in Antioch as part of an ongoing investigation.
One individual was arrested on suspicion of possession of child pornography.
During the search, detectives discovered suspected illegal fireworks. The WCPD Bomb Squad was requested to respond for safe collection and assessment. Upon arrival, bomb technicians identified materials requiring further evaluation, prompting a response from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) team.
Antioch Police posted a warning on social media with the message, “Avoid the area of Lipton Street at Trembath Lane due to an active hazmat response. Earlier this morning, a neighboring agency investigating in the area located items of concern. Out of an abundance of caution, the bomb squad was notified, and they are currently on scene. At this time, we do not believe there is any threat to the public.”
Both the WCPD Bomb Squad and CFD Hazmat have since cleared the scene. There is no ongoing threat to public safety. No further details are being released at this time due to the active nature of the investigation.
Get 2 movie passes for each donation of $10 or more – Nov. 26-Dec. 23
BREA, CA 11/25/25 – Maya Cinemas, known for developing movie theatres in underserved communities with state-of-the-art presentation, first-class amenities and community involvement, is offering 2 free movies passes for every $10 donation to a local food bank. Beginning on November 26th and running through December 23rd, movie-goers can donate at any Maya Cinema and receive 2 free movie passes (valid 1/1/26 – 2/28/26) for every $10 they donate. Donations are made through the Maya Community Foundation and 100% of proceeds go directly to the food banks supported.
Donations can be made in-theatre at any of Maya’s six locations:
Bakersfield – 1000 California Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93304
Delano – 401 Woollomes Avenue, Delano, CA 93215
Fresno – 3090 East Campus Pointe Drive, Fresno, CA 93710
North Las Vegas – 2195 North Las Vegas Blvd., North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Salinas – 153 Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901
“We are thrilled to bring this fundraiser back again. This year, more than ever, our community food banks need funding support. Maya Cinemas is a proud part of the community and happy to have the resources to implement a program like this.” said Greg Heckmann, Director of Marketing at Maya Cinemas.
ABOUT MAYA CINEMAS
Maya Cinemas was chartered in 2000 with a mission to develop, build, own and operate modern, first-run, multi-plex movie theaters in underserved, family oriented, Latino-dominant communities. Maya Cinemas offers first-run Hollywood movies and unique content through its Canal Maya program in high-end theaters focused on quality of design, state-of-the-art film presentation technology, and providing first-rate entertainment with superior customer service. The Maya Community Foundation is dedicated to the development and enrichment of the lives of people in the community in which Maya Cinemas serve.
By Mairead Glowacki, Communications Director, Office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D, CA-10) announced that he will host a town hall in San Ramon to discuss improving transportation and education in the East Bay on Saturday, December 6th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT.
As a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Education and Workforce, Congressman DeSaulnier will provide updates on his work to improve quality of life in the East Bay by reducing commute times and supporting families, students, and public education. He will also take questions from constituents.
“Two of the issues that impact people’s lives most are transportation and education,” DeSaulnier said. “I’ll highlight my work as a senior member of @EdWorkforceDems and @TransportDems and how I’m working to reduce commutes, make transportation safer, and invest in quality public education to make life better for our whole community.”
Town Hall on Improving Transportation and Education in the East Bay
The event is open to the public and press. To RSVP or request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660. Please note that space is limited.
This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 253rd town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015. He represents portions of Antioch in the current 10th Congressional District.
Chief Joe Vigil (center) is joined by new Antioch Police officers and leaders sworn in on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. They include (L-R) Lt. Franco Cesar, Officer Adrian Rivera-Pelayo, Officer Bryan Diaz and Captain Shane Bower. Photo: APD
Plus, new Crime Analyst and CSO
Brings the total sworn officers on the force to 86
By Antioch Police Department
During an oath of office ceremony on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, the Antioch Police Department officially added two sworn officers, a captain and lieutenant, as well as a crime analyst and community services officer to the force. The ceremony was held in the Antioch Police Department’s Community Room.
Chief Joe Vigil administered the oaths of office. He previously introduced each of them to the public and City Council during their special meeting on Nov. 4, 2025. (See 32:40 mark of video)
Captain Shane Bower
Shane was born and raised in Concord, California and is a lifelong resident of Contra Costa County. He began his career in Law Enforcement in 1996 as a Police Reserve Officer for the City of Walnut Creek. By May 1997, Shane was a Deputy Sheriff for Contra Costa County where he worked Detention and Patrol. Shane lateralled to the Vallejo Police Department in 1999 where he worked Patrol, Crime Suppression, Traffic, Internal Affairs, and was the Professional Standards Division Commander. He held several ancillary duty positions including Field Training Officer, Rangemaster, Hostage Negotiator, and SWAT Commander.
Shane served 21 years in the United States Army Reserve working in Communications, Intelligence, Military Police, and Psychological Operations. He is a veteran of the Iraq War where he served as a Team Leader on a Tactical Psychological Operations Team. Shane also serves as the Chair of the Veterans Commission for the City of Martinez as well as a committee member honoring Veterans. He holds an A.A. degree in liberal arts and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Shane is excited about this opportunity to serve to citizens of Antioch and looks forward to building a strong relationship with the community.”
During the Nov. 4th Council meeting Bower said, “I want to take this opportunity to thank you for this opportunity to allow me to provide exceptional service to the citizens of this community.
Lieutenant Franco Cesar started his policing career with the Vallejo Police Department in 1996 as a Police Cadet. He was hired by the Fairfield Police Department in 2001 as a Police Officer, and he was promoted to Sergeant in 2011.
During his time as a Sergeant with the Fairfield Police Department, Lieutenant Cesar oversaw an exceptional range of critical units, including Patrol, Youth Services, Major Crimes, Family Violence, Peer Support, Special Operations Team, Gang Unit, SWAT Team, and Mobile Field Force Team. He also coordinated key programs such as the Active Shooter Response Program, Explorer Program, and Threat Liaison Program.
His exceptional service was recognized with two Officer of the Year Awards and the most recent honor of the Fairfield PD 2024 Manager of the Year Award. Additionally, he volunteered with the Fairfield Police Activities League (PAL) as an Executive Board Member and Treasurer before leaving the department.
Lieutenant Cesar holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Napa Valley College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from California Coast University. He also graduated from the Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI) in 2020.
Lieutenant Cesar enjoys taking his family on international trips. His unique travel ritual is exploring the local McDonald’s menu in every country he visits, specifically searching for the exclusive, special items that cater to the regional palate. It’s a fun and easy way for him to sample the unique flavors of a new destination.
During the Nov. 4th Council meeting, Cesar offered his appreciation for the new position and said, “I’m ready to work. I’ve been a worker all my life. I’ve got a great work ethic. I’m ready to help out the department and moving them forward to the future. Thank you to the chief for the opportunity.”
Adrian Rivera-Pelayo – Police Trainee
Adrian grew up in Brentwood and attended Liberty High School. Shortly after graduating High School, he joined the restaurant management sales industry. In his free time, he enjoys working on cars, exercising and spending time with his pets. Adrian moved out when he was 18 and became a homeowner at age 19.
Fun fact: Adrian loves playing video games.
Bryan Diaz – Police Trainee
Bryan was born in Martinez and was raised in the east bay. He attended Freedom High School and graduated in 2015. Shortly after, he joined the US Marine Corps and served for about eight years, two of the eight years he was overseas in Okinawa, Japan. He then served 4.5 years at the Marine Corps headquarters in Quantico, Virginia where he was promoted to Sergeant. While in the Marine Corps, he became a black belt in the martial arts program and later became a black belt instructor. Prior to joining APD, he worked as a program manager for the anesthesia department at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton.
Fun fact: Bryan is a single dad to his 5-year-old son and they both enjoy training in Martial Arts.
During the Nov. 4th Council meeting he said, “I just wanted to say thank you for this opportunity. I’m very excited to be part of the progression that the City is making and I will not let you down.”
Vigil also shared that the two new officers graduated from the Police Academy on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.
Amanda Young – Crime Analyst
Amanda was born and raised in Southern California and moved to the Bay Area in 2017. Before joining APD, she worked as a Dispatcher for the California Highway Patrol. During her free time, she likes to spend time with family, travel, go to comedy shows and listen to country music.
Fun fact: She doesn’t eat any fruit or vegetables.
America Estupinan Gaytan – Community Services Officer
America was born in Martinez and raised in Pittsburg. She graduated from Pittsburg High School in 2017, where her favorite subjects were Math and Physics. Shortly after, she attended CSU East Bay and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. In her free time, she enjoys building Legos, listening to music, and spending time with her family. She also loves traveling to Mexico and attending concerts. America is excited to join APD and begin this new chapter in her career.
Fun fact: America is the first in her family to make it through college and earn a Bachelor’s Degree.
According to Lt. Michael Mellone, that brings the total sworn officers on the force to 86. The City Council has included 105 sworn in this year’s budget.
Enjoy a free, family-friendly adventure in the East Bay Regional Parks
Includes Volunteer Planting Opportunity at Contra Loma and Hike at Black Diamond Mines in Antioch
By Jen Vanya, Public Information Specialist, Public Affairs, EBRPD
For more than a decade, the East Bay Regional Park District has encouraged the community to embrace Green Friday—the day after Thanksgiving—as an opportunity to get outside, enjoy fresh air, and reconnect with nature in the East Bay Regional Parks.
“Green Friday is a healthy and meaningful way to spend the day after Thanksgiving,” said Jessica Sloan, the Park District’s volunteer program supervisor. “It’s a chance to enjoy time with family and friends in the outdoors or give back by participating in one of our volunteer clean-up projects. However you choose to spend it, the day is all about celebrating and caring for our natural spaces.”
On Green Friday, November 28, all Park District entrance and park use fees are waived, including parking, boat launching, and fishing, as well as entrance to Ardenwood Historic Farm. Fees are still in effect for state fishing licenses, watercraft inspections, and concessionaires, such as the Tilden Merry-Go-Round.
Green Friday is part of the #OptOutside movement to promote health-focused alternatives to Black Friday shopping.
Green Friday activities in Regional Parks include:
Volunteer Planting Opportunity, 9 a.m. at Contra Loma in Antioch (registration requested)
Green Friday Hike, 9 a.m. at Black Diamond Mines in Antioch
Green Friday Hike Amongst the Trees, 9 a.m. at Reinhardt Redwood in Oakland
Green Friday Gratitude Hike, 10 a.m. at Sunol Wilderness in Sunol
Green Friday Hike, 10:30 a.m. at Coyote Hills in Fremont
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.
In addition to forfeiting game against Liberty High School; includes “antibullying training…community service hours” for “entire team”
“…privacy and confidentiality prevent us from providing specific details regarding the disciplinary measures taken…” – Principal Jimno
By Allen D. Payton
In a recent letter to parents and the community, Antioch High School Principal John Jimno said the varsity team members who participated in a bullying incident and the coaching staff responsible for oversight at the time have been disciplined.
The “appropriate discipline” is in response to the incident, in what some in the community have claimed involved a special needs student, and was in addition to Jimno forfeiting the team’s game against the Liberty High School Lions on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, as previously reported.
Jimno did not share his letter with the media and wouldn’t respond to questions asking for details about the discipline he meted out to both the players and coaching staff. But he did share a list of who and how the discipline was administered and said that the “list is not exhaustive.”
The letter reads:
Dear Antioch Community,
As you know, two weeks ago the Antioch High School leadership team, in coordination with the Antioch District Office, made the difficult decision to cancel the football game against Liberty High School. This decision was made following a video that depicted numerous students on the team engaging in behavior in violation of the District’s Code of Conduct. Since that time, we understand that many in our community have sought answers regarding the nature of the violation and whether disciplinary action was taken.
At the time of the cancellation, the investigation into the incident, and those responsible, was just beginning. However, the video itself made clear that misconduct occurred. We determined that allowing the team to play the game against Liberty High School would not reflect the values of Antioch High School and the District expect from the program and their athletes. Our priority was to make certain that those involved, and the team as a whole, recognized the gravity of the actions captured in the video and their impact.
While the investigation remains ongoing, we can provide a brief update on where the matter stands today. Through cooperation with members of the Antioch High School football team, we have identified many of the students involved. We have also identified a coach who potentially had supervisory responsibility at the time of the incident, and the District is reviewing this matter with utmost seriousness.
Although privacy and confidentiality prevent us from providing specific details regarding the disciplinary measures taken, we can confirm the following measures are in place:
Appropriate discipline has been implemented for the players found to have violated District policy.
Appropriate discipline has been implemented for any coaching staff found to be responsible for oversight at the time of the incident.
The entire football team participated in a restorative circle to understand the impact of this incident and this type of conduct.
The entire Antioch High School football team has participated in antibullying training. Those players identified to have been involved have participated in additional antibullying training.
Each member of the Antioch High School football team has begun and will complete community service hours.
This list is not exhaustive, but it reflects the seriousness with which Antioch High School and District leadership have addressed this situation. We also want to acknowledge the commendable leadership demonstrated by some members of the football team. These students recognized the inappropriateness of the incident, and despite difficulty of speaking up, came forward and took responsibility. Their honesty and transparency about the incident is commendable.
Bullying is and will never be tolerated at Antioch High School or with the District. If you know of anyone being bullied, or anyone engaging in bullying, please reach out to me directly. I will act immediately to ensure that no student endures such behavior in our school community.
Antioch High School must always remain a safe environment where students can enjoy their teenage years, build lasting friendships, and prepare for future success.
Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this situation.
The Antioch High varsity football Panthers played two more games after the forfeit, including on the following Saturday, Nov. 8, against Pittsburg High in the annual Big Little Game. The Pirates won by a score of 56-3. According to MaxPreps, the Panthers played again on Friday, Nov. 14 against Ukiah in the 2025 North Coast Section Football Championships Division 3 game but lost to the Wildcats 26-15. Antioch High ended the season with a record of 7-4 overall and 3-2 in the Bay Valley League for a third place finish behind Pittsburg and Liberty, and ahead of the Deer Valley High Wolverines, Heritage Patriots and Freedom Falcons.
By Acting Lt. Gary Lowther #4032, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau
On Friday, November 21, 2025, just after 7:15 p.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at the eastbound on-ramp to State Route 4 at Hillcrest Avenue. When officers arrived, they located a 63-year-old Antioch man lying in the roadway.
11/24/25 UPDATE: According to Sgt. Rob Green, the victim “was not in the crosswalk and riding an electric bicycle” when he was struck “on Hillcrest before the onramp to eastbound Hwy 4.”
Officers immediately provided medical aid until ConFire personnel arrived. The man was transported to a local hospital with major injuries and is currently listed in critical condition. The driver involved remained at the scene and cooperated with officers.
Investigators from the Antioch Police Department’s Traffic Unit responded and have assumed responsibility for the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441 or Traffic Collision Investigator Sergeant Green at (925) 779-6968, email rgreen@antiochca.gov.
Champion small businesses in Antioch’s historic downtown and #ShopSmall
Win prizes by playing Downtown Antioch Business Bingo!
Did you know there are over 36 million small businesses in America? Small businesses are vital to communities like in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. Shop Small on Saturday, November 29 and throughout the holiday season to support the job creators in our community.
Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 and officially cosponsored by the Small Business Administration since 2011. It is an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, now more than ever, small businesses need our support. Please join SBA, Downtown Antioch Association and the Rivertown merchants as they celebrate small business contributions to the community by shopping at a small business on Small Business Saturday.
This holiday season, don’t forget to #ShopSmall, Shop Local, Shop Rivertown and support local businesses on Small Business Saturday, November 29 and all year long!
