On September 29 3:35 p.m., Antioch police responded to a reported carjacking that had just occurred in the Walmart parking lot on Lone Tree Way.

Officers contacted a 19-year-old Antioch female who reported that just as she pulled into a parking stall in front of Walmart a man, later identified as David Karcher, 58, of Antioch, entered her vehicle through the front passenger door. Karcher had a knife and assaulted the victim with the knife while making threatening statements.

The victim received a minor injury as a result of the attack, but no medical attention was necessary. Karcher attempted to hold the victim in the vehicle in an attempt to kidnap her. After a brief struggle, the victim was able to break free and run away from the vehicle. Karcher then jumped into the driver’s seat and fled the area in the victim’s vehicle.

As it turned out the victim’s vehicle was equipped with a GPS tracking device. The victim’s father was contacted who was able to track the vehicle through a computer and provide real time updates to Antioch Dispatch. This information was relayed to officers where, with the assistance of Brentwood PD, they were able to locate the vehicle within about 15 minutes of the incident.

The suspect was stopped in the victim’s vehicle in the area of the Highway 4 Bypass and Sand Creek Road in Brentwood. Karcher was taken into custody by Antioch and Brentwood police officers without incident. Karcher was found to have an extensive criminal history and several outstanding felony warrants for his arrest. He is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility.

From BART:
During all weekends of October and November 2011, there may be some minor delays on the Pittsburg/Bay Point line due to track maintenance work, work in the Berkeley Hills Tunnel and construction/testing work at the Contra Costa County Crossover Project.

Our best estimate is that passengers travelling Northbound on the Pittsburg/Bay Point line will experience a 15-20 minute delay during the hours work is being performed. Passengers travelling Southbound may experience a 5 minute delay due to single-tracking. Work on these projects will be coordinated to minimize delays. We recommend that you adjust your travel plans accordingly to take into account these delays. Thank you for your patience during this important maintenance work. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Fundraiser Raffle and Give Back for Baby Matthew (Local 7 month old boy in kidney failure). Over 80 prizes with a total value of over $4000. UNO CHICAGO (Lone Tree Way Antioch) OCTOBER 11TH RAFFLE STARTS AT 6:30. Uno will donate up to 20% of your check ALL DAY dine in or take out!

Visit his web page at www.babymathewraffle.webs.com or contact Jennifer at jrowe0125@yahoo.com or (925) 207-0062. Get Information on Details of his condition, About the family, Information about raffle, Full list of donated prizes, Pictures of prizes, Date, time and location

Prizes include: Gift certificates to various restaurants Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Uno Chicago, Chipotle, and many more! Passes and packages for family entertainment Pump It Up, Delta Bowl, Paradise Skate, The Exploratorium, The Jungle & more! Music DVD’s of various genre Blues, Michael Jackson, Pop, Rock, Soft Rock, Beatles and more! Cosmetics from Mary Kay/ Avon Complimentary facials/ gift baskets. Spa Services Massage, gift surprise, gift certificates and more.

On October 25th, the Antioch City Council will hold a public hearing in regard to several important matters.

First, consideration is to change the city’s priority for infrastructure – streets and sidewalks – from medium to high priority in the 2010-2015 Contra Costa Consortium Consolidated Plan, a document submitted to HUD that details needs and priorities for funding with federal funds.

The City will also consider amending the 2011-1012 Action Plan to include funding code enforcement in lower income areas with Community Dedevelopment Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

Note: The State of California provides annual funding to local law enforcement agencies to supplement law enforcement services. Monies are received by counties and disseminated to local jurisdictions. For the 2011/2012 allocation Antioch will receive an estimated $100,000 that will fund a percentage of one community Police Officer position.

Additionally, Council will make recommendations on 1) finalizing priority needs for funding in fiscal year 2012-2014 and 2) acceptance of the fiscal year 2010-2011 consolidated annual performance and evaluation report (CAPER) detailing the use of community block grant and Antioch Development Agency funds. Note these items were moved from a proposed public hearing on September 27 to the above date.

The primary purpose of the CDBG program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities principally for persons of lower income. Funds are not given to individuals directly. The money funds nonprofit and public agencies to provide services and improvements.

It behooves Council to be wary of the agencies they grant money to. Just this week we learned about a elderly Pittsburg resident who unknowingly signed away control of her money and medical decisions to a caretaker referred to her by a small Antioch-based nonprofit called A-Maze-Ing.

St. Ignatius of Antioch Concert Series kicks off its new season on October 15th at 7:30 p.m. at 3351 Contra Loma Blvd.

Don Pearson the Director of Music, Organist and Artist in Residence, plays a concert in celebration of the second anniversary at the church of the Rodgers Trillium Masterpiece Pipe/Digital Organ. A reception follows in the parish hall. All are welcome. A free will offering is accepted. For information call (925) 778-0845.

Five-time GRAMMY® award nominee and Hawaii’’s top selling female vocalist shares her love for her home, her Hawaiian heritage, and her passion for music, inspired by her Tutu Jennie. Singing Jazz, traditional Hawaiian and contemporary, Hanai`ali`i is joined by her hula dancer and A-list Hawaiian Jazz musicians; Steve Jones (Bass), Jeff Peterson (guitar), Chino Montero (guitar), and Darryl Pellegrini (drums).

Hanai`ali`i will be performing on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 1pm in Downtown Antioch at the El Campanil Theatre. Tickets are available by calling (925) 757-9500 or by visiting www.elcampaniltheatre.com.

Hânaiali‘i is a classically trained vocalist which allows her to embrace many genres of music. Hanai`ali`i’s success as a recording artist speaks for itself and is evidenced by the multitude of awards and acknowledgements including five GRAMMY® nominations for Best Hawaiian Music Album.

Hanai`ali`i’s albums have also garnered 16 Nâ Hôkû Hanohano Awards (Hawai‘i’s equivalent to the GRAMMY®), including the prestigious Female Vocalist of the Year (4 times), Album of the Year (2 times), Hawaiian Album of the Year (3 times), Song of the Year, Group of the Year, most recently Contemporary Album of the Year and even Christmas Album of the Year.

The artists for whom Amy has opened are legendary and include Carlos Santana in Germany, Willie Nelson, Diana Krall, Joe Cocker, Wayne Newton, Arlo Guthrie, The Beach Boys, Ernie Watts, Boz Scaggs, Earth, Wind and Fire, Sergio Mendes and many more. Hânaiali‘i has toured extensively on the East and West Coasts of America, Germany, China, Tahiti and she often frequents Japan. Hanai`ali`i is officially Hawai‘i’s Music Ambassador as proclaimed by Hawai‘i’s former Governor Linda Lingle.

Halau Ka Waikahe Lani Malie, an Antioch based Hula institution under the direction of Kumu Hula Juni Kalahikiola Romuar, will be opening with Ke Kaniwai.

Cold Stone Creamery Antioch-Slatten Ranch and Cold Stone Creamery Brentwood-Balfour At Fairview will hold the world’s biggest ice cream social on Tuesday, September 27th from 5p.m.-8 p.m. Free 3 oz ice cream with one mix in with a donation to Make A Wish!

A Make A Wish child will be at Antioch Cold Stone with her family, her name is Kaitlyn. She is 9 years old and her wish is to go to Disney World. A Make A Wish family will be at Brentwood Cold Stone. Their son just passed away in August.