On Sunday at 12:30 a.m.  Antioch Police were called to Delta Bowl on the report of shots being fired in the parking lot. Officers arrived to find no gunshot victims, but evidence that a shootout had occurred.

They found more than 30 expended shell casings of different calibers, apparent human blood, and several cars that had bullet holes in them. No one at the bowling alley said they saw anything, but all said they heard the shootout.  The bowling alley was open at the time.

A short time later three adult males showed up separately at local hospitals, two with gunshot wounds and one with a head injury from being pistol whipped.  None of the victims’ injuries were considered life threatening, and all of the men were uncooperative with police.

Video surveillance of the shootout has been obtained by APD and is currently being examined by detectives. It appears the shooting is between two groups of males and isolated to the parking lot. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Desmond Bittner at (925) 779-6939.

A 19-year-old Antioch male was killed Saturday night after the driver of a vehicle traveling eastbound on James Donlon Boulevard lost control near Nightingale Drive and crashed into a retaining wall, causing the vehicle to flip on its side, according to police.

Two 16-year-old females and the 18-year-old driver were transported to the hospital for injuries – one of the females was in critical condition. The other 18-year-old male passenger was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Police, who have not released the names of the deceased male or those who were injured, are investigating the cause of the accident.

Mayor Jim Davis said via e-mail that his wife Susan, a police volunteer who was on the scene until 7 a.m. this morning, “called in a drunk driver who almost mowed her down while directing traffic. Resulting in his arrest.”

On March 8th, the City Council unanimously passed resolutions approving Letters of Understanding for the Antioch Police Sworn Management Association and the Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA).

As you probably know, both Antioch Police Sworn Management Association and APOA have a 3% at age 50 PERS retirement package vs. a 2.7% at age 55 for almost all other city employees (Pensions are calculated on wages earned during the final year of employment.)

Prior to the current economic woes and the growing unfunded heath and dental benefits for CalPERS state retirees, which as of June 30,2010, grew $8.1 billion from the $51.8 billion obligation identified in the prior year, Antioch employees paid zero toward their PERS retirement benefit. Which is why it was such an important factor in the city’s recent negotiations with all employee groups.

Employees in most units agreed to no raises in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 3% in 2013, in addition to a phase-in of employee share of payment for PERS. Here are some of the specifics of the deal Council cut with the Antioch Police Sworn Management Association and APOA.

The Antioch Police Sworn Management Association agreed to waive wages increases for November 2009, November 2010, March and November of 2011, March and November of 2012. Although waiving November 2013 wage increase, effective the first payroll periods after March 2013, March 2014 and March 2015 salaries are to be increased between 2-6%, the amount of salary increase to be based upon the existing four city survey of Concord, Pittsburg, Richmond and Walnut Creek, the city calculating the salary increase to bring members into second place.

The survey, however, will be limited to wage comparisons and won’t compare employee benefits, e.g. what employees pay into their health care coverage, retirement programs (such as PERS) or if they pay into Social Security. According to City Manager Jim Jakel, city employees are generally not paying into Social Security but do pay what he considers to be the Medicare portion.

The agreement also called for Police Managers to pay the full 9% employee share of PERS over a five-year phase in., extended their MOU to February 28, 2016 and included a Retire/Rehire Program, rather than upping the age of retirement to age 55!

APOA agreed to defer (not waive) the September 2009, September 2010, March 2011 and September 1, 2011 salary increases and begin paying 3% towards PERS as of July 1, 2011. Their concession agreement, however, ends on December 31, 2011, although their existing contract with the city runs till September 2013.

In addition, council granted them 2 extra holidays, meaning more officers will have to work overtime , allowing them to bump up their pensions when they retire. Increased overtime costs also mean less money for additional staffing.

Let’s hope the city has a tougher negotiator in their next round of contract talks with APOA . Frankly I think Council kicked the can down the road and should insist that APOA agree to a phase-in of the full employee share of PERS just as Antioch Police Managers did.

Shirasoni Japanese Restaurant is currently taking donations on behalf of the American Red Cross for Japan’s Tsunami victims. To encourage donations Shirasoni Japanese Restaurant with be Matching Donations Dollar for Dollar. If you would like to help support this cause, please come in and donate whatever you can spare. Every penny is appreciated!
Shirasoni Japanese Restaurant

 
By Federal D. Glover

Supervisor, District V

In the early hours of the disaster of the 8.9 earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsumani, and even now, days later, cell phone towers toppled and communications to the stricken areas were disabled. For many, the only means of communicating with the outside world was through the Internet using Facebook, Twitter and other servers. Relatives and friends were able to reunite and find out the fate of people they knew and the conditions they face.

I was relieved to hear on my cell phone the morning of March 11 that the tsumani would have minimal impact on Contra Costa County’s San Francisco Bay frontage. As a County supervisor I signed up to receive phone calls from the County’s emergency notification system on both my cell and home phones. There is some interesting video footage of the tsumani hitting the Point Richmond shoreline (see above).

The County’s emergency notification system automatically telephones landlines using a reverse 911 directory. Since more and more people are using cell phones as their primary means of communication, Contra Costa County cell phone users now can receive emergency alerts by signing up by linking to receive this free service at the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office website at www.cws.cccounty.us and follow the instructions. 

The Japan quake also reminds me to check on my emergency earthquake supply kit. In a dire emergency, such as a levee break or a massive quake on the Hayward Fault, you can expect to be on your own for the first two or three days so everyone needs to be prepared. Information on emergency preparedness is available on the Contra Costa Health Services website at www.cchealth.org/topics/emergencies.

Our prayers and thoughts go to the victims of the Japan quake and tsumani. Check the local newspapers,and television stations to learn how you can help.

Date: Saturday March 26, 2011

Time: 8:00pm

Location: El Campanil Theatre; 602 W. Second Street, Antioch. 

Adults: $25  Seniors: $22  Youth: $15

Tickets and Information: 925-757-9500 or www.elcampaniltheatre.com

Now in its 16th year, Late Nite Catechism has brought its nostalgic kick to every state in the U.S. as well as to Canada, the U.K., and Australia.

Late Nite Catechism is an uproariously funny play that takes the audience back to their youth. The irrepressible “Sister” teaches class to a roomful of “students” (the audience). Throughout the course of the class the benevolent instructor rewards her students for correct answers with glow-in-the-dark rosaries and other nifty prizes. Naughty students may well find themselves on stage sitting in a corner reflecting their actions.

Even the most reluctant “students” clamor to get into this Sister’s class!

Venue Website: www.elcampaniltheatre.com

Event Website: http://www.elcampaniltheatre.com/events/late_nite_catechism.htm

Contra Costa Times pet/wildlife columnist Gary Bogue will be the featured guest at the AAUW – American Association of University Women event on Thursday March 24 in St. George’s Episcopal Church Multipurpose room, 301 East 13th Street, Antioch. The event begins at 5:30pm with a wine social, followed at 6pm with dinner and 7pm with the program

You’re invited to spend an evening with the beloved columnist, naturalist and author of 4 books! Hear his stories and adventures while enjoying a delicious tri-tip dinner. Thank you for your support of AAUW – American Association of University Women, Delta Contra Costa Branch’s educational community projects and LMC scholarships

Dinner and program are $20. For tickets call Patty Chan, president, at 779-1079. .

http://www.ibabuzz.com/garybogue/about/