As visitation to East Bay Regional Parks increases in warmer months, encounters with coyotes become more common. Coyotes are native to California and are found in various wildland habitats, as well as in rural and urban areas. They hold cultural and ecological importance throughout the state.
Coyote parents are active and protective of den sites from spring through fall, when new pups are born. It is a normal reaction for them to run away when spotted, although some have become used to human presence and will continue their activities while being watched. Visitors are encouraged to keep coyote safety precautions in mind when visiting Regional Parks throughout the year.
Coyote Safety Tips
Avoid hiking alone so you have help in case of emergency.
Keep children and pets nearby; keep your dog(s) on a leash.
Be aware of your surroundings as you walk, jog, or ride.
Stay on trails.
Never attempt to feed a coyote.
What To Do If You See a Coyote
Keep an eye on the coyote and observe from afar. Do not approach or engage with the coyote; walk away calmly and leave the area quickly. Do not run. If you have small children, keep them close by. If you have a small dog, keep them on a leash.
What To Do If Approached By A Coyote
Rarely, a coyote may approach you. If a coyote moves within 50 feet and does not go away on its own, encourage the coyote to move away to help it retain a natural fear of humans.
Be as big and loud as possible; shout in a deep, loud, and aggressive voice.
Wave your arms.
Keep dogs and children nearby.
Maintain eye contact, which can make coyotes uncomfortable and timid.
If the coyote continues to approach, do not run or turn your back on the coyote but continue to exaggerate the above gestures while backing away slowly.
Help protect all wildlife and their environment. Never feed, approach, or pet wild animals. For emergencies, contact 911 or the East Bay Regional Park District Public Safety line (510) 881-1833, 24 hours a day.
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.
We are a unified school district serving more than 16,150 students in grades K -12. We have thirteen elementary schools, four middle schools, two comprehensive high schools, three specialized high schools, two alternative high schools and one K-8 school. We also offer a home schooling program, adult education courses and other unique programs to fit the needs of all students. Our school district employs approximately 1,100 certificated and nearly 900 classified employees.
Antioch Unified School District is centrally located in the East Bay and provides ready access to scenic mountains, waterfronts, wine country, historical sites and the Pacific Ocean. Antioch is known as the “Gateway to the Delta” and is one of California’s oldest cities, with a diverse community of approximately 100,000.
Live entertainment and the best seats for the fireworks show over the river
Come celebrate America’s Independence Day with us this Thursday, July 4th!! Monica’s Riverview will be open ALL DAY!!! Brunch and lunch menu ’til 5pm. Cuco’s Tacos on the river side from 4-9 pm!
Ariel Marin and band. Source: Ariel Marin Music
Entertainment starts at 2:30 pm Old School DJs 2:30-5:30 pm Ariel Marin Music with Full Motown Band 5:30-8:30 pm
Exclusive outdoor seating on the river to view the fireworks!!
Entry is $10 for adults $5 for kids, includes beverage ticket
Monica’s Riverview is located at 1 I (eye) Street on the pier in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. For menu and more information see www.visitmonica’s.com.
Will bring back for future votes: more street cameras, ordinance requiring native plant species for new developments, city owned property and resolution opposing Amtrak Station closure.
Ogorchock, Hernandez-Thorpe agree City needs to maintain historic murals
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting last Tuesday night, June 25, 2024, the Antioch City Council adopted the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for 2024-29 which includes $176.85 million for projects in multiple categories including roads, parks and trails, water, sewer system and city-owned buildings. They also agreed to move forward, for future council votes, additional street cameras and an ordinance requiring plants included in new developments and on city-owned property be at least 70% native species.
Finally, the council agreed to return with a resolution opposing the closure of the Antioch Amtrak station and sending a letter to the San Joaquins Joint Powers Authority which governs the service in and through the city. Plus, the mayor and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock agreed the City must maintain the historic murals it owns. District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker was absent for the meeting.
Source: City of Antioch Public Works Department
Council Approves 5-Year CIP Budget
The council heard from Acting Public Works Director Scott Buenting about the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program for 2024-29 with a budget covering $176.85 million for a variety of projects in various main categories. The CIP also shows $7.7 million in projects completed during the 2023-24 Fiscal Year which runs from July 1st to June 30th. The CIP also provides the list of $171.1 million of projects currently in progress of which $116.1 million is for the Brackish Water Desalination Plant. A total of $2.19 million for Community Facilities improvement projects was added to the list which includes $1 million for the police department’s Dispatch Communications Center Improvements and $550,000 for Antioch Water Park improvements.
The category to receive the greatest level of funding was $52.9 million for Roadway Improvements followed by $45.8 million for the City’s Water System, not including the desal plant for which $22.95 million was allocated. Community Facilities (City-owned buildings) were allocated $21.8 million followed by $18.85 million for Parks & Trails. The Wastewater & Storm Drain System will receive $10.25 million, and Traffic Signals were allocated $4.3 million.
Antioch 2024-29 CIP expenditures by Program Category. Source; City of Antioch Public Works Department
$20.629 Million for L Street Improvements
Under the Roadway Improvements category, the greatest amount of funding received by a project, $20,629,000, is for the L Street Improvements from Hwy 4 to the marina which includes widening from Sycamore Drive to W. 10th Street. With planned completion in 2028, the project will provide four lanes of traffic, as well as curbs, gutters and sidewalks on both sides of the street, and landscaping.
CIP Budget Sources of Funds
Sources of funding for the projects include $60 million from sewer and water Enterprise Fund and $41.2 million from Special Revenue Funds including Measure J, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation, state gas tax and federal ARPA funds approved during COVID. An additional $27.8 million is from Grant Funds, including federal and state program sources, $16.9 million from the State Revolving Loan program, almost $10 million from the City’s General Fund and $2.4 million from Capital Improvement Funds. Over 10 percent of the CIP budget, a total of about $18.6 million, is currently unfunded.
Council Moves Forward Two Proposed Items for Future Votes
The council also discussed matters proposed by two council members. With Torres-Walker absent, her proposed items were held over to the council meeting in late July including creating a new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer position and a Health and Safety Analyst position for the Human Resources Department.
“I would like to put this back on the agenda when she can speak on it in late July,” Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe stated. The others agreed.
Street Cameras
“It’s very important to have these cameras back in our community….capture vital information,” said Ogorchock about her proposed agenda item. “Currently we have 130 cameras. If we had another 130 that would cover all intersections coming in and going out of the city.”
“The cost would be $250 per camera to maintain,” she continued. “They will be huge in capturing drivers and spectators of sideshows.”
“Is there consensus to bring back the cameras for discussion?” the mayor asked.
“I support cameras coming back and the discussion,” Barbanica said.
“OK. That will be coming back,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated.
Taxpayer Protection Act Opposed, But No Vote As It Was Removed from Nov. Ballot
Ogorchock, who asked for this item to be on the agenda for discussion and a vote by the council to oppose it, said, “I have really good news about this. The California Supreme Court ruled the Taxpayer ‘Deception’ Act would be removed from the November ballot.”
However, the measure was actually entitled the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act and if passed would have required all new local taxes to be enacted via a two-thirds vote of the electorate. (See related article)
Ralph Hernandez said, “Unfortunately, you don’t have really any information there in the packet. At this time without a lot of the information…if you’re looking at tax increases, I’m against it. I think the public already suffered enough in this economy.”
“This was a ballot measure sponsored by the California Business Roundtable that would impact cities like us negatively,” the mayor explained. “The Supreme Court decided it can’t even be on the ballot.”
Policy on Use of Native Plant Species in New Developments
Ogorchock also asked for this item to be on the agenda for discussion. One speaker asked that the policy, “include private developments and city land and parks. There are a variety of nurseries that offer native plants. Native plants can be acquired at reasonable costs.”
“Direct staff that when native plants – more than 70% be native plants,” she continued. “Without that, birds in general can’t reproduce. They need lots and lots of caterpillars. Keystone species provide the habitat for caterpillars.”
Another speaker, Alexander Broom, said, “A mandate or an ordinance would be a huge step in the right direction for new developments and city property. There’s just so many benefits.”
Ogorchock said, “I do believe we need to start looking at adding this to the General Plan. This is something we can do within our city, not only with new developments but with City property. I’m for having a 70% policy of native species.
I definitely concur,” District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson said. “Invasive species of plants have been planted and wreaked havoc on our environment. I think this is a plus for our city to do. It can play a part in our Climate Action Plan.”
“I’m definitely in favor of it coming back, at least 70%,” Barbanica stated.
Asked if the requirement on new development can be done with developers, Acting Community Development Director Kevin Scudero said, “I can’t find a city in the state that has one.”
“I think it’s not that difficult to do it we just need to do it,” Ogorchock added.
“That will come back,” the mayor said in conclusion.
Agree to Bring Back Resolution Opposing Amtrak Station Closure
Before the council discussed the Antioch Amtrak Station closure Ogorchock, who had requested the item to be on the agenda, suggested Hernandez-Thorpe public comments on the matter first, which he did.
One resident, Tashena Garret said, “We are still fighting to save our train. We, again, are not giving up.”
Another resident, who the mayor referred to as Mr. Gums, said, “I’m in support of the Amtrak train station staying. I would like all the council members to show their support for the Amtrak station staying.” He wanted the council to issue a press release stating that.
“I did meet with ACCE and a couple other individuals regarding the Amtrak station,” Ogorchock stated. “And in order for them to have a really good conversation with Senator Glazer, Assemblyman Grayson, Supervisors Federal (Glover) and maybe Burgis, we would like to have a resolution regarding the need, why we need that station and how important it is to our community.”
“So, I think that when they have the resolution in hand and they go and meet with these elected officials then they have something from the City stating why it’s so important,” she reiterated.
“What we’re asking for is a resolution to come back saying we never agreed to this,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated.
“I don’t know if it needs to say, that we didn’t agree to it,” Ogorchock responded. “Basically, it needs to say who it impacts, how many people, ridership, people go to work, basically…actually I started a resolution.”
“You guys had a draft,” the mayor said to City staff members.
“Well, the attorney said you would give me one,” Ogorchock stated.
“Do you want it to come back late July?” Hernandez-Thorpe asked, referring to the next council meeting (as they won’t hold one the second Tuesday in July). “We could call a special meeting.”
He then mentioned that the July 19th Board of Directors meeting of the San Joaquins Joint Powers Authority, which oversees and operates the Amtrak line in and through Antioch, had been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 20th in Martinez, according to the organization’s website.
“Oh, but you want it for your advocacy efforts,” the mayor said to staff.
The council members then agreed to bring back a resolution for a vote opposing the closure of the Antioch Amtrak Station at their meeting on July 23rd.
“But I think it’s important that we include language we were never asked to weigh in, we were never asked our opinion,” Hernandez-Thorpe said, “Whoever made the decision, according to the San Joaquins, and you’ve all seen the video – I sent it to you – that this was the city manager, former city manager Ron Bernal who made this decision. He never told us about it. He never asked us to make a decision or weigh in. For the city manager to singularly make that decision on his own, I just think it was inappropriate and it needs to be noted.”
“So, everybody agree to that?” the mayor asked. “OK. So, consensus, there.
The City is supposed to be maintaining and repairing the murals approved by the Antioch City Council, including the one removed from the W. 4th Street building wall this past week, the Sesquicentennial mural on the building wall at 505 W. 2nd Street, the Veterans Memorial mural at the foot of L Street near the Antioch Marina and boat launch, Love Conquers All mural on Sunset Drive off A Street behind the Chevron Station and a the painted utility boxes throughout town. Photos by Allen D. Payton (top left & center, bottom left & 2nd from left). Photos by City of Antioch (bottom 3rd to the right and corner). Photo by Google Earth (top right)
Ogorchock, Hernandez-Thorpe Agree City Must Maintain Historic Murals
During Council Communications and future agenda items, Ogorchock spoke about the murals in the city following the removal of the historic, council-commissioned mural on W. 4th Street this past week. (See related articles here and here)
“The mural on 2nd Street, we do have an easement on that property, next to the Nick Rodriguez building,” she stated. “It does need some repairs. I don’t want to go through the same issues. We need to make sure because we have an agreement, that is a written agreement, that we would maintain these. So, we need to go back and do what we need to do on that mural because there’s parts of it…that is weathered.”
“Then we need to make sure, we have the one at the Marina,” Ogorchock continued. “So, we need to make sure that all the murals are being maintained and repaired along with the (utility) boxes that we have.”
“The ones we own, I think the issue is with the easements on a few of them,” said Hernandez-Thorpe. “If we could take that back and I had an understanding…it’s really hard. And we do have all that money we set aside for murals, and we need to use some of that for the ones we’ve said, historically that we’re going to maintain.”
“On that, we do need to make sure that the mural money that we put aside was for a new mural,” Ogorchock pointed out. “That Mayor Pro Tem Wilson has asked for, too.”
With no further discussion on the matter, the council then voted to adjourn the meeting.
Kelly Gonzales is the founder and owner of Pacific Senior Care Services LLC.
Started in owner’s former Antioch home, honored with awards each year
By Allen D. Payton
Having finished commercial aviation and tourism studies at Columbia College and working for an airline at an airport in Peru, Kelly Gonzales immigrated to the United States at age 19. Then after working in banking and financial services for 20 years, she wanted to pursue her passion and did that by forming Pacific Senior Care Services in 2014 using her skills to help place people into care homes.
Gonzales was particularly inspired by the care her retired Army colonel and veterinarian father needed and received in Lima, Peru after he suffered a stroke. But she couldn’t really help him living over 15 hours away by flight. Instead, Gonzales and her team have been able to fulfill the company’s slogan and mission of “Meeting Elder Needs With Love and Compassion” in Contra Costa County and the Bay Area.
“My father was the main reason I started the business,” she said.
Now her company is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in business. A former Antioch resident, Gonzales started the business in her home then opened the company’s main office in Walnut Creek.
“I thank the Lord for enabling me to fulfill my calling,” she shared. “I never thought in my life I would be doing this. Working with the right people we’ve been able to help many families in the community. It’s been a blessing. I have good people around me, our support staff, and contractors.” She thanked them and “all those who gave us leads through the years.”
“Families who we’ve helped call us later and let us know of others we can provide services to,” Gonzales stated.
The company’s short-term plans include, “opening an office in Sacramento, later this year, Lord willing, and relocate our other office from San Mateo to Redwood Shores to serve families on the peninsula,” she said.
Gonzales’ daughter, who is a Certified Medical Assistant and attended Diablo Valley College, and now in the process of earning her nursing designation, works with her making it a family-operated business.
“We are also forming a homecare agency with partners in the industry,” she continued. They plan to also offer that service in the Sacramento area and San Mateo County.
Gonzales’ and Pacific Senior Care Services were chosen to represent the National Long Term Care Planning Council to create a team in the Bay Area.
“The San Francisco Bay Elder Planning Council was created to help solve critical aging issues and planning for the final years by providing a free central source of information, with senior advisors and professionals within our network,” she shared. “Guiding family members seeking help for their loved ones is the main focus. Another purpose of our planning council is to encourage people to prepare for the future needs for aging services.”
Awards & Honors
Under Gonzales’ leadership Pacific Senior Care Services PSCS) has also been honored with several awards through the year, including being named one of the 2024 Best Full Service Senior Care Providers in California by Global Health & Pharma Magazine, Social Care Awards.
Last year the company was honored in the California Business Awards 2023 as a Leading Provider of Senior Care Services – Northern California by the New World Report and in 2017 and 2022 PSCS was honored for Excellence in Customer Service by City Beat News.
The company has been honored with other awards every year they’ve been in business.
Beat the heat this summer with our Family Movie Matinee at the Antioch Library! We will be showing popular new releases on Friday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. Come by and enjoy the air conditioning, some popcorn, and a great film.
Generously supported by the Friends of the Antioch Library.
Antioch Police officers investigate in the Corteva Wetlands where the body of Cleyber Cruz-Gamez was located on Monday morning, June 3, 2024. Photo courtesy of Ronn Carter, Emergency Spotlight
Police Chief says “No foul play” suspected in death of Cleyber Cruz-Gamez
Antioch Police investigated the matter and “Initial reports suggested the body was located at the old Babe Ruth fields on Auto Center Drive. However, authorities…confirmed that the body was found approximately 100 yards west of the Antioch Marina, near one of the main walking trails” inside the wetlands,” Carter wrote.
When asked by the Herald about the incident Interim Police Chief Brian Addington shared, “A man who had been staying on Corteva property was found deceased. No foul play. It’s a suspected drug overdose but pending toxicology.”
Contra Costa County Deputy Coroner Wong identified the man on Friday, June 28th, as Cleyber Cruz-Gamez, age 44, who was “presumed to be a transient in the Antioch area.” The office won’t share the results of toxicology tests, which “most likely has not been signed off by the doctor, yet,” Wong shared.
When asked if she knew Cruz-Gamez, local homeless advocate Nichole Gardner said, “Nobody downtown said anything about it, yet. That’s so sad.”
As Antioch searches for ways to rejuvenate its economy and community, it’s crucial to remember our rich heritage of leveraging local resources for growth and prosperity. Historically, from the coal mines to the steel mills, our city thrived by tapping into what was readily available. Today, we face a similar opportunity, not by following the trend of tech industry acquisitions, but by returning to our roots and using our natural assets—specifically, the abundant water of the Delta.
Creating hydroelectric power plants along the Delta can be Antioch’s modern-day coal mine. This initiative will not only provide sustainable energy but also generate a surge in job opportunities, echoing the industrial boom of our past. It’s a chance to align with global movements toward renewable resources while addressing local employment and energy needs.
Such a project would do more than just power our homes; it could stimulate local businesses, attract investments, and provide the city with a stable economic foundation. Furthermore, hydroelectric power is clean, reducing our environmental footprint and offering our community a leadership role in the sustainable practices that are increasingly valued worldwide.
We must also consider the broader implications of this shift. By focusing on sustainable energy, Antioch can set an example for cities across the nation that economic growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. This is not just about energy; it’s about cultivating a resilient community ready to face the challenges of the future with innovative solutions derived from our historical identity.
As we ponder Antioch’s path forward, let’s choose to harness the natural strength of the Delta. This approach not only respects our past but also paves the way for a future where Antioch stands as a beacon of sustainable innovation and economic independence.
Lawson is an educator and sci-fi author from Antioch who writes under the pen name Will Scifi.
