By Matt J. Malone, PIO, Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa

The Contra Costa Superior Court is pleased to announce that Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Carole Bosch as the Court’s newest judge. She took her oath on March 20, 2026, and began presiding in Department 3 on March 23, 2026.

Since 2021, Judge Bosch, of Alameda County, has served as an administrative law judge with the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board since 2021, an independent administrative judicial agency charged with resolving disputed unemployment, disability, and employment tax determinations from the Employment Development Department. She was Vice President and Training Committee Co-Chair for the Administrative Law Judge Association. Simultaneously, she taught as an adjunct professor of legal writing and research at Golden Gate University.

Before serving as administrative law judge, Judge Bosch worked as a civil trial lawyer, including as a managing attorney at Hildebrand, McLeod and Nelson from 2017 to 2021, a partner at Paul & Hanley from 2007 to 2011, and an attorney at Kazan McClain Satterley & Greenwood from 2013 to 2016, in cases involving complex product liability litigation and catastrophic injury. Bosch also worked as a Partner at Minnard Bosch from 2016 to 2017 and at Farrise Law Firm from 2012 to 2013. Early in her legal career, she was an annual attorney with the California Supreme Court in 2007and worked as a Clerk at Hersh & Hersh from 2005 to 2007.

Judge Bosch is graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She also holds a master’s degree from the University of Birmingham in Great Britain. Judge Bosch fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Patricia Scanlon. Bosch is a Democrat.

The annual compensation for her position is $244,727.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By the Antioch Rivertown Jamboree Board of Directors

Dear Community Member:

On behalf of the Antioch Rivertown Jamboree Board of Directors, we invite you to support our community work—a mission that has benefited our neighbors since 1985. To continue these efforts, we are hosting our Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6435 at  815 Fulton Shipyard Road, Antioch.

Tickets are $70 per person (or $75 at the door if not sold out) and includes crab or tri-tip (by special request), clam chowder, salad, pasta, garlic bread and dessert. Drinks begin at 4pm and Dinner will be served 6pm-8pm. Click here: Rivertown Jamboree 2026 Crab Feed Ticket Registration

Donors Needed

We’re currently seeking donations for our auction and raffle. Donating by April 11th ensures we can feature your name/business name in our event program! We are particularly interested in securing some of these items:

● Electronics & Tech: A 65” Smart TV, Cricut “Joy” or “Silhouette” machine, sports binoculars, iPad, Apple AirPods, a Nintendo Switch.

● Experiences: Hotel stays, vacation packages, local outings, or event tickets.

● Themed Gift Baskets: A great way to feature your business, culture, or a hobby. Please list the basket’s contents and notate the estimated $ value of the whole basket. Food must be sealed and unexpired.

● Gift Cards/Certs: Please include a sheet with name of donor & the dollar amount

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit (Tax ID: 68-0159140). Please consult with your tax preparer and the IRS about how your contribution may be tax-deductible. Beyond that, you’ll have the satisfaction of supporting a local cause. To confirm a donation please email Sara at kmittens@gmail.com or if you don’t have email, call Betty at (510) 305-3770.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to partnering with you!

Struck car of lady who called police on him

By Antioch Police Department

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, near the Antioch Marina, a keen-eyed citizen noticed something was a little off about the driver of a nearby SUV. Moments later, that same driver crashed into her vehicle and took off like he had somewhere very important to be. Unfortunately for him, that destination ended up being jail.

The victim immediately called 9-1-1 and stayed on the line, giving our dispatchers live updates on the suspect’s location as he tried to make his not-so-great escape. Officers quickly caught up, stopped the driver, and confirmed what everyone already suspected, he was under the influence of alcohol.

The suspect, who was too intoxicated to perform field sobriety tests, was arrested for DUI and hit-and-run. A large bottle of tequila was found inside the vehicle.

Big thanks to the alert citizen who kept dispatch updated. Your quick actions helped officers safely locate the suspect and get an impaired driver off the road before anyone else was hurt.

Drive sober.

Hosted by Grace ‘n Grub

By Allen D. Payton

On Friday, March 27, 2026, Grace n’ Grub will host the Grand Opening of the Daily Bread Market which will include a variety of other food pop-ups. The event will be held at 2515 Somersville Road from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM. and will include a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal and other community leaders.

The market will continue each following Wednesday and Friday.

Grace n’ Grub is a youth-led food business founded by Diego Chavez Marquez when he was just 17 years old, and operated with his brothers Alfredo, 20, and German, 15, and a few of their closest friends, according to a Los Medanos College Experience report.

For more information about Grace n’ Grub visit them on Instagram.

By Antioch Police Department

Last week Officers Marcos Molina and Alejandro Loroño responded to a ShotSpotter activation for two rounds fired near the 400 block of Lawton Street. When they arrived, community members quickly pointed them toward a group near the train tracks.

Officers contacted several individuals in the area and, through their investigation, identified one individual with multiple outstanding warrants. He was safely detained, and officers located a loaded firearm concealed in his clothing. He was arrested for his warrants and weapon related violations and booked.

We are grateful for the community members who provided information and support during this incident. Your willingness to get involved helps us respond quickly and keep our neighborhoods safe. This is a great example of how teamwork between our officers and the community makes a difference every day.

A Minnesota native, he’s lived here for 85 years, is a World War II veteran and former Dow Chemical company employee

By Allen D. Payton

Born on March 25, 1922, Antioch resident Alexander Rocco “Sani” Fontana turned 104 on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Plans are in the works to celebrate with family and fellow residents and staff of the Tre Vista Senior Living community in Antioch where he lives.

Fontana shared that his real first name is “Alexander and they cut it to Alec.” His middle name is Rocco. “It was planned from my father’s side of the family,” he stated.

“Sani is a nickname inherited through my grandpa who was Santi. It got shortchanged from Santi to Sani,” Fontana added.

Asked about his family, Sani said, “My brother Leo was right behind me by 13 months. Leo, who also lived at Tre Vista, turned 100 in 2023 and passed away in August, that year.

They also had a younger sister named Lilly.

“We were very close. Lilly was two years younger than Leo,” Sani said.

He then shared about his life, family, and why and when they came to California and ended up in Antioch.

“We were born in Minnesota. I graduated from high school in 1940, and we moved out here in 1941,” Sani said. “Our parents waited for Leo to graduate and then made the move. Lilly was the baby. She died two or three years ago.”

“My stepfather had asthma real bad and this climate suited him. He had relatives out here, also,” Fontana continued. “So, the move was made through the family. We moved to Pittsburg for a short time. We built a house in Antioch on Alpha Way and 18th Street. That was the homestead. It’s still there.”

Asked if he was married, Sani said, “I was married for 54 years to Betty Machado, a local girl. She passed about two years ago. There are a lot of Machados in Oakley.”

They didn’t have any children.

Asked what he did for fun and if he was involved in the community like his brother, Fontana said, “I played softball a lot as an adult. Leo handled all the politics. I just stood by and watched.”

Sani then shared about his other family members in Antioch.

“Leo’s daughter, Andrea and Lilly’s daughter, Stephanie still live in the area,” he stated. “My nephew Randall, Leo’s son, passed away at a young age, in his 40’s.”

Asked if he had any other relatives Sani said, “Not that I know of. I am the last of the Mohicans”

Sani worked for Dow Chemical in Pittsburg.

“I put in a number of years there,” he stated. “I was a working man, go to work every day, spent time with family, our family was very close. All the holidays were held together, birthdays and everything.”

Asked about any travels Sani said, “We traveled within the U.S.” Being Italian he was asked if he had been to Italy. Sani said, “I flew over it, but I never landed in Italy.”

He then shared about his military service in the Air Force during World War II.

“I did 39 missions as a tail gunner in a B24 in Europe,” Fontana stated. “We were stationed in England. All of the targets we flew over were in Germany.”

“Leo served in the same branch as I was in, but he didn’t do any flying,” Sani continued. “He was a grounder for the 8th Air Force also in England.”

Asked if he was drafted or was able to choose which branch to serve in Fontana stated, “I chose Air Force. We trained in the United States in Tonopah, Nevada, then two weeks training in Ireland, then we did our missions.”

“We were nomads,” he added.

Asked how long he served in the military he responded, “The war ended and we were released.”

About his secret to growing old he said, “One day followed the other and you just go along with it. I didn’t do anything special.”

Asked what it’s like to be 104 he said simply, “Same as any other day.”

A birthday party will be planned at Tre Vista for some time in the near future.

Happy 104th Birthday, Sani Fontana!

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

Martinez, California – Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton and other District Attorneys in the State of California reached a settlement with Walgreen Co. for $6,000,000 for violations related to expired baby food, drugs, and overcharging customers.

The civil case and settlement centered on the company violating state law by charging their customers more than the lowest price posted or advertised price. The allegations that the company was in violation of these laws were based on inspections of scanners. Moreover, the civil lawsuit led to a resolution that Walgreens failed to comply with laws that prohibit the selling or offering to sell over-the-counter drugs, infant formula, and baby food products beyond the expiration date.

The court ordered Walgreen Co. to pay $5.4 million in civil penalties and $600,000 to reimburse state district attorney offices for the cost of investigations, attorneys’ fees, and other costs associated with enforcement. Contra Costa County will receive $612,000 of the civil settlement and $10,000 to cover the costs.

Walgreen Co. will also implement a three-year program to promote pricing accuracy and the removal of expired products from its store shelves. This program requires store managers to conduct monthly checks of all aisles and shelves of medication, baby food, and formula, and remove any expired items. Managers must also conduct weekly store walks and remove signage displaying inaccurate sales tag information and post signs informing customers of Walgreens’ Price Promise Guarantee. The Price Promise Guarantee means that if a customer notices a scanned price is higher than the advertised price, the customer will be charged the lower price.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “Customers should have confidence that companies that sell food and formula to infants and children are doing so by being scrupulous about the safety of the products in their stores. The same goes for medications that are sold beyond their expiration dates. The work of my office and those of other district attorney offices in the state shows that when we work together to enforce laws, we not only ensure compliance – we’re also restoring trust and safety in our communities.”

Case No. 1-13-CV-239110 | The People of the State of California v. Walgreen Co., an Illinois Corporation

In the historic Rivertown District

Click for the meeting agenda and for more information about the Downtown Antioch Association visit downtownantioch.com.