“Doc Hollywood” said “I give out hope not prescription dope”

Celebration of Life January 30th

Dr. Lance Lindale Miller, age 59, passed away on December 26, 2025, in Walnut Creek, California. He was born on July 3, 1966, in Walnut Creek.

Lance was the beloved husband of Treasure Miller and a devoted father to Alexis, Ashley, Haley and Presley Miller. He was also a loving father-in-law to Victor Galli. He is survived by his father, Jimmie Miller, and his brother, Jimmie Miller. He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Miller, and his brother, Brian Miller. He is also lovingly remembered by his cherished dogs, Kash and Cilla, who were a special part of his daily life and family.

Lance was a man full of life — kind, loving, generous, outgoing and faithful. He had a contagious joy and an unforgettable presence. He had a way of lighting up a room without even having to say a word, known for his bright smile, infectious energy and love for bold neon colors. He truly loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Family was everything to Lance. He deeply loved his wife and daughters, and cherished time spent together. Outside of family and work, he enjoyed golf, trips to Tahoe, the beach, vacations and cheering on his favorite teams, including the San Francisco 49ers and The U. He was a jokester, a gift-giver and a steady, uplifting presence to all who knew him.

Lance graduated from Antioch High School in 1984. He attended Los Medanos College and New College of California in San Francisco, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Life West College, graduating in 1991.

Dr. Miller practiced chiropractic care for 34 years and was the owner and lead chiropractor of Miller Chiropractic Injury Center in Antioch. Chiropractic care was never “just a job” to Lance — it was his calling. His slogan, “I give out hope, not prescription dope,” reflected his commitment to healing without reliance on medication. His personal motto was, “Live every day like it’s your last,” a belief he embodied fully in both his work and his life. He also believed deeply that he moved the bone, and God did the healing, approaching every patient interaction with humility, compassion and faith. He was committed to one-on-one patient care, always taking the time to listen, connect and make every patient feel seen, valued and cared for.

Lance had a deep love for his community and generously volunteered his time, especially in support of high school athletics. He devoted countless hours caring for student-athletes, providing treatment on the sidelines and supporting football, basketball and cheer programs. He found great purpose in helping young athletes stay healthy and active, and his presence and generosity made a lasting impact on the schools and families he served.

A man of Christian faith, Lance leaned on his faith throughout his life and especially during his illness. His unwavering trust in God provided strength and comfort and inspired those around him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 30, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at Fellowship Church, located at 4873 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, California. There will be no reception to follow.

In honor of Dr. Lance Miller, the family plans to eventually create a nonprofit under his legacy. This future organization will reflect his passion for chiropractic care, one-on-one patient connection and compassionate healing.

Dr. Miller’s legacy lives on through his family, his patients and the countless lives he touched through his healing hands, joyful spirit and faithful heart.

As Doc would say, “Elvis has left the building.”

Police seek public’s help to ID, locate suspect

By Lt. Franco Cesar #7264, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 10:46 p.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 600 block of Wilbur Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers located a 29-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. Officers immediately rendered medical aid until Contra Costa Fire Protection District personnel arrived on scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for injuries that have been determined to be non-life-threatening.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at tips@antiochca.gov.

At USA Northern California Regional III Varsity Spirit Competition

Annual fundraiser for Deer Valley High Cheer team which helps run event

By Allen D. Payton

For the first time in a long time, the Antioch High School Panthers Cheer team is hitting the mat and ready to battle it out!

Come support our Lady Panthers this Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Deer Valley High School at 4700 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. Performance time: 3:20 p.m.

Let’s show up and show out for these athletes!

They will be one of 119 teams from as far away as Reno and Clovis, with 143 performances during the USA Northern California Regional III Varsity Spirit Competition.

Get ready for incredible performances that showcase skill and teamwork in a series of non-stop routines. Bring your friends and family to share in the fun and make memories to last a lifetime!

Lead event organizer, Louise Green, runs the event along with her assistant coaches and the Deer Valley High Cheerleaders. United Spirit Association is hosting the event.

“It’s an annual fundraiser. We earn funds by running the snack bar, providing security, running judge score sheet and assisting the USA Spirit staff to run the event,” she shared. “This is my 30th year of doing this fundraiser.”

“It’s the last qualifying regional in the Northern California area for both CIF and nationals in Anaheim next to Disneyland. That’s why it’s so big,” Green stated.

“We started hosting this event because it pays for a few uniforms for girls who can’t afford them as well as squad expenses, such as training for stunt and traveling to competitions,” she explained. “The costs for a competitive cheer team are more expensive than any other sport. We don’t get any funds from the school or district.”

“We’re hoping this Saturday will be an awesome event,” Green added.

Doors Open to the school’s South Gym at 7:00 AM. The event lasts from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Parking in the back lot is encouraged.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.showclix.com/tickets/usa-northern-california-regional-iiio8igop4g25qu8w

Includes Senior Engagement Activities & Discussion; Skatepark Restoration Project; AUSD Poetry Contest

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

The past few years, Antioch residents have completed several restoration and beatification projects around our lovely city in celebration of MLK Jr. Day of Service.

From painting a vibrant mural inside of Mission Elementary school in 2024 to working on a myriad of landscaping and painting projects for Fremont Elementary School and Antioch Community Park in 2025, each year residents of all ages have come together, not only to commune, but also to be of service to each other.

Join us this year on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as we spend “a day on, not a day off,” encouraging all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

According to the National Park Service, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a tireless advocate for racial equality, working classes and the oppressed around the world. Commonly called Martin Luther King, Jr. Day or MLK Day, the third Monday of January is a federal holiday to honor his life and legacy. Explore places in national parks or your own community that preserve the legacy of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.

The holiday is also a day of service when thousands of volunteers participate in service projects across the country.

Let’s work together to build a stronger Antioch! Register to get involved today!

We will hold the following on Monday, January 19, 2026:

• Senior Engagement Activities & Discussion at the Antioch Community Center at Prewett Family Park, 4703 Lone Tree Way from 10-11 AM, includes Art Projects, Lunch Service and Senior-to-Senior Discussion;
• Antioch Skatepark Restoration Project at Prewett Family Park, Lone Tree Way from 9 AM-12 Noon, includes Graffiti Removal, Landscaping & Bench Restorations; and
• AUSD Poetry Contest at the Antioch High School’s Beede Auditorium, 700 W. 18th Street from 1-3 PM with the Theme: Keeping The Dream Alive In Our Community.

We want to highlight the Antioch Skatepark, one of our city’s hidden gems! Step one of our plans is to focus on restoring the park with a brand-new paint job and we need your help. We are looking for 40-50 volunteers who want to roll up their sleeves and contribute to making Antioch an even more beautiful place to be.

Want to register as a volunteer today? Visit antiochca.gov/mlk-day to sign up for free.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this announcement.

One in five emergency calls are for overdoses, exposing first responders to contamination and infection

New law spearheads nationwide effort to stop overdose deaths and crack down on trafficking

By Julie S. Kramer, Press Secretary, Office of Congressman Josh Harder

WASHINGTON – On Dec. 11, 2025, Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA-09) announced that his bipartisan bill to protect law enforcement from fentanyl exposure has been signed into law, unlocking $57 million every year through 2030 for overdose training for local law enforcement. Led with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), the Safer Response Act was included in a broader package of substance use prevention and recovery legislation that passed the Senate in September, alongside the rollout of a brand-new nationwide initiative to combat the fentanyl crisis.

Fentanyl in our community puts everyone at risk:

• Despite declines, fentanyl overdoses continue to be the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, killing nearly 50,000 people last year alone.
• This creates an escalating crisis for first responders, with up to one-in-five emergency medical service calls involving overdose response.
• First responders are at risk of accidental exposure, contamination, and infection when responding to overdose emergencies.

“Our brave first responders never hesitate to answer the call and step in to save lives every single day, and they shouldn’t have to worry about self-exposure while they’re working to reverse life-threatening fentanyl overdoses,” said Harder. “This bill is going to bring millions for better training and modern resources to Valley departments, which will mean fewer lives lost to the deadly fentanyl epidemic. I’m grateful that lawmakers from across the aisle joined together to send this to the President’s desk, and I’m committed to ensuring our community continues to benefit from common-sense laws like this.” 

How the Safer Response Act supports law enforcement:

• New technical assistance for local first responders to address overdoses.
• Additional training on how first responders and emergency medical services can protect themselves in the event of exposure.
• Outreach coordination teams to bridge gaps between public and private medical and emergency response partnerships.

Harder has made cracking down on the growing fentanyl crisis a top priority – he helped pass a bipartisan bill to put more fentanyl traffickers behind bars, and he is leading new legislation to close drug manufacturing loopholes that traffickers use to escape justice. Earlier this year, Harder met with more than 200 narcotics officers representing state associations across the country, including in California, as part of the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition’s (NNOAC) 2025 Delegate Conference. 

Congressman Harder represents the 9th Congressional District of California. Following the passage of Prop. 50 last November, the new district boundaries will include Pittsburg, Antioch and portions of Oakley and other areas in Eastern Contra Costa County. Harder is expected to run for re-election in the new district.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) of $323,500 to support a specialized prosecution team dedicated to alcohol and drug-impaired driving cases.

“We are grateful for this grant, which will allow us to focus specifically on holding individuals accountable for impaired driving and making the roads in our community safer for everyone,” District Attorney Diana Becton said. “Driving Under the Influence remains a significant danger on our roads. This funding strengthens our commitment to improving road safety and making sure justice is served effectively and efficiently.”

The specialized prosecution team will also partner with the statewide Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Program (TSRP) to train other prosecutors and investigators and collaborate with law enforcement agencies on best practices for handling and managing driving under the influence (DUI) cases.

“Through focused prosecution efforts and strong partnerships, we are working toward a future where all people will be safe on California roads,” OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said. “Together, we’re holding impaired drivers accountable and encouraging safe, responsible choices that help build a culture where safety comes first.”

This is the first year the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has received funding from the OTS for a specialized DUI prosecution program. The grant program runs through September 2026.

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

Say 23-year-old Ryan “Hardy should be considered armed and dangerous”

Share more details about girl still in stable but critical condition

By Lt. William Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

Today, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, Antioch Police Department detectives identified Ryan Hardy as the suspect in the shooting of an 11-year-old girl on January 5th through a combination of video surveillance, witness statements and forensic evidence.

Hardy should be considered armed and dangerous. Members of the public are advised not to confront him. Anyone who sees Hardy in public or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately. Hardy is also encouraged to peacefully surrender to the Antioch Police Department.

During the course of the investigation, detectives identified several individuals who assisted Hardy in evading law enforcement. Those individuals, as well as anyone who knowingly assists Hardy in the future, will be subject to arrest for accessory under Penal Code section 32.

As previously reported, on January 5, 2026, Antioch Police Department officers responded to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of the Delta View Apartment complex located at 3915 Delta Fair Boulevard.

While officers were responding, they learned that an 11-year-old girl had sustained a gunshot wound to the head while inside a vehicle in the apartment complex parking lot.

The girl was transported to Children’s Hospital Oakland, where she was listed in stable condition.

Asked for an update on her condition, Lt. Whitaker shared, “It’s the same. She’s in stable but critical condition. The bullet is lodged in her head and they’re trying to monitor to her to decide if they’re going to remove it or leave it.”

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or via email at jcox@antiochca.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Graduates from final class of 2025 including valedictorian

By Allen D. Payton

A post on the CHP – Contra Costa Facebook page on Dec. 23, 2025, reads, “Please join us in welcoming five new officers to the CHP Contra Costa Area! These officers are members of Cadet Training Class III-25 and are beginning the next chapter of their careers as they start Field Training, gaining valuable knowledge and hands-on experience from their Field Training Officers.

We’re proud to have you and look forward to watching you grow, serve, and protect the Contra Costa area.”

The five graduated in the year’s final class on Dec. 5, 2025.

According to Synthia Ramirez of the CHP Office of Media Relations, “While at the CHP Academy, cadets have the option of requesting a news release/article in their hometowns. Only two of the five new officers at the CHP Contra Costa Area office wanted a news release.” They include Officers Dylan Hoffman and Anthony Martin Manzo, and according to CHP Contra Costa PIO Dan Gilmore, the other three new officers are K. Wheeler, E. Rios and O. Karimi.

Officer Anthony Martin Manzo – Class Valedictorian

According to Jaime Coffee, CHP Director of Communications, Office of Media Relations, on Dec. 5, 2025, Anthony Manzo of Turlock, CA, successfully completed cadet training at the CHP Academy and is assigned to duty at the CHP’s Contra Costa Area Office.

Officer Manzo graduated from John H. Pitman High School in 2022 and then attended Modesto Junior College. Before attending the CHP Academy, he worked as a sales apprentice at America’s Tire in Turlock. As a new CHP officer, he is eager to contribute to keeping California’s roads safe for all travelers. During graduation, he was named class Valedictorian for his outstanding academic performance at the academy.

Officer Dylan Hoffman

Dylan Hoffman of Roseville, CA, has also successfully completed cadet training at the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy. He is assigned to duty at the CHP’s Contra Costa Area office.

Officer Hoffman graduated from Rocklin High School in 2022. Before attending the CHP Academy, he worked as a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician for Impact Air Solutions in Carmichael, Calif. He says he will miss the connections and stories shared with his classmates, as well as the motivation that came from early-morning physical training.

About the CHP Academy

At the CHP Academy, cadet training starts with nobility in policing, leadership, professionalism, ethics, and cultural diversity. Training also includes mental illness response and crisis intervention techniques. Cadet instruction covers patrol operations, crash investigation, first aid, and the arrest of suspected violators, including those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The cadets also receive training in traffic control, report writing, recovery of stolen vehicles, assisting the motoring public, issuing citations, emergency scene management, and knowledge of various codes, including the Vehicle Code, Penal Code, and Health and Safety Code.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service and Security.