Author Archive

Once Upon a Water Park in Antioch June 27

Thursday, June 26th, 2025

Get ready to make a splash! Join us for a magical day filled with jump houses, games, face painting & more. Whether you’re enjoying the adventure or relaxing in the sun, this is one storybook event you won’t want to miss!

Time: 11 AM – 6 PM

Location: Antioch Water Park, 4701 Lone Tree Way

General Admission = ALL-DAY fun for all ages!

For tickets visit Antioch Water Park Admission.

Congressman DeSaulnier to host Town Hall in Antioch June 30

Thursday, June 26th, 2025

 Walnut Creek, CA – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D, CA-10) announced today that he will host an in-person town hall on Monday, June 30th at 6:30 p.m. Topics to be covered include Mark’s views on the Trump Administration’s actions and our constitutional rights and the situation in the Middle East.

 Town Hall

Monday, June 3o

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Antioch, CA

RSVP for Location

 The event is RSVP only and capacity is limited. To reserve your spot or request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660.

 This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 235th town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015.

Compete in the Antioch Water Park Box Boat Derby June 28

Wednesday, June 25th, 2025

Ahoy, Antioch!

Get ready to set sail at our Box Boat Derby on Saturday, June 28th! Grab your cardboard, duct tape and creativity because it’s time to build the ultimate boat and race it down the lap pool.

Whether you’re a DIY pro or just in it for the fun, this event is for everyone. So, gather your crew, get crafty, and let’s make a splash together!

All ages welcome.

AWARDS for the most creative, fastest, and best-dressed boats!

Check In Begins: 11:15am.

Race Start Time: 12:30pm

Location: Antioch Water Park – Lap Pool

We hope to see you for a day full of fun, laughter, and friendly competition!

More info can be found on our Events tab at antiochwaterpark.com.

All participants and spectators must have a valid general admission ticket for that day. Tickets are available by clicking here.

Antioch Community Meetings on Mosquito and Vector Control June 28

Wednesday, June 25th, 2025

Important health update for Antioch residents!

Invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been detected in our community—these pests can spread diseases like Zika, dengue, and yellow fever.

The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District invites Antioch residents to attend a community meeting at Harbour Park or Mountaire Park on Saturday, June 28th, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

District staff will be available to answer residents’ questions about the latest detection of invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are capable of transmitting the viruses that can cause Zika, dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya.

We look forward to talking to residents about what the District is doing to control this dangerous mosquito and how residents can help our public health agency.

  • Ask questions.
  • Get informed.
  • Learn how to protect your family.

Together, we can stop the spread and keep Antioch safe.

For more information visit Contra Costa Mosquito And Vector Control District.

Capital Readiness workshop for Antioch small businesses June 26

Wednesday, June 25th, 2025

Presented by Antioch Business Collaborative and Working Solutions

Calling all entrepreneurs in the City of Antioch!

If you are looking to finance your small business but don’t know where to start, join Working Solutions on Zoom this Thursday, June 26 at 4 PM for a free Capital Readiness workshop! Learn how to access funding with the right mindset and documents, and what makes a business approvable for a loan. Register at bit.ly/antioch-loan-ready.

Working Solutions is pleased to partner with the City of Antioch to deliver financial and technical assistance to Antioch entrepreneurs through the Antioch Business Collaborative. See below for funding opportunities, upcoming workshops, or to get started with one-on-one pre-loan support.

If you’re ready to get started and need loan application support, find us in person at the Antioch Community Center every Tuesday from 9 AM-12 PM. Learn more at workingsolutions.org/antioch.

Apply for one of three $20K City of Antioch economic development grants

Wednesday, June 25th, 2025

Seeking experienced firms; proposal deadline: July 16

The City of Antioch invites Antioch-based organizations to propose projects that advance economic development interests throughout the city. This request aims to award up to three grants of $20,000 each to the best projects. Proposals are due July 16!

The City of Antioch is seeking an experienced firm that can enter into a Contractor Agreement for economic development projects in Antioch, CA. The City is looking for organizations that have the ability to produce the advancement of economic development outcomes and will enter into a contractor agreement for a specific period of time.

The city boasts a variety of commercial corridors that serve as key hubs for business and economic activity. Antioch has designated areas like the Downtown Area also known as Rivertown as well as Western Antioch Commercial Focus Area, which includes regional commercial zones such as Somersville Towne Center and Delta Fair Shopping Center. Additionally, the Highway 4 Corridor plays a significant role in the local economy, with ongoing real estate developments and business expansions. The Commercial Infill Housing Overlay District has also introduced new zoning regulations, allowing for mixed-use developments in commercial areas like Lone Tree Way and Buchanan Crossings. These corridors provide retail, office, and industrial spaces, contributing to Antioch’s growing economy and community development.

Awardees should design and implement projects that result in tangible improvements to Antioch’s economic ecosystem. Projects funded under this RFP should aim to achieve at least two or more of the following outcomes:

  1. Increased Economic Activity – Boost foot traffic, sales, or commercial occupancy rates in key corridors.
  2. Business Retention or Expansion – Provide support or services that result in business stabilization, retention, or physical/operational growth.
  3. Entrepreneurial Development – Foster new business creation, especially among underserved populations or within underutilized areas.
  4. Commercial Corridor Revitalization – Visibly enhance underperforming areas (e.g., vacant storefront activations, façade improvements, pop-ups).
  5. Job Creation or Workforce Upskilling – Generate new employment opportunities or improve job readiness among residents.
  6. Community Engagement – Increase stakeholder participation, visibility of small businesses, or community pride in economic corridors.

The scope shall include but shall not be limited to:

  • Advances current economic development strategies. Examples of this may be to hold convenings of Antioch merchants or activation of an economically depressed location
  • Firm must demonstrate history of similar work in Antioch
  • Submit reports, invoices and documentation in a timely manner
  • Maintain an active business license
  • Proof of non-profit status
  • Follow terms of contract
  • Maintain communication with City and attend regular check ins
  • Show how the City of Antioch and its commercial areas will prosper with your company/firm

To evaluate the success of funded projects, grantees will be expected to measure and report on relevant key performance indicators such as increases in foot traffic, customer engagement, and retail sales; the number of businesses supported, retained, or expanded; the launch of new businesses or entrepreneur support efforts; the activation or improvement of underutilized commercial spaces; the creation or retention of jobs and workforce training outcomes; and/or levels of community participation, awareness, and satisfaction.

All grantees will be required to submit quarterly reports on progress made, as well as a final report at the conclusion of the grant term, which should include how the outcome was achieved and how the grant funds were expended. Reports will inform the City’s assessment of program impact and future funding considerations.

Read the program overview at www.antiochca.gov/fc/purchasing/bids/rfp-061625-sd.pdf and watch Bid Walkthrough video, here: www.antiochca.gov/fc/purchasing/bids/rfp-061625.mp4 and read the RFP, here:

www.antiochca.gov/fc/purchasing/bids/rfp-061625.pdf.

Sign-ups for Antioch July 4th Dunk Tank Fundraiser end June 27

Wednesday, June 25th, 2025

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Sign-ups for the July 4th Dunk Tank Fundraiser are open until Thursday, June 27 and there’s no better way to make a splash than raising money for a fantastic cause! Every dollar raised goes towards our RECREATION FEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

Not interested in sitting in the tank? You can still show support with a donation which gives you a chance to sink our sitter!

You’ll find the Dunk Tank located in the Kids Zone!

Come by to cheer on our throwers and volunteers as we raise money to provide recreational opportunities for our communities.

Tag someone you think should take the plunge!

For more info visit: https://antiochca.gov/fc/recreation/special-events/dunk-tank-2025.pdf.

Former Antioch cop sentenced to 7 years in prison for civil rights violation, falsification of records, wire fraud

Wednesday, June 25th, 2025
Former Antioch Police Officer Morteza Amiri was sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday, June 24, 2025. Photo: Antioch PD

Morteza Amiri guilty of using excessive force against an individual, college degree pay raise scheme

Part of Investigation into 10 Current, Former Antioch, Pittsburg Police Officers and Employees

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Former Antioch police officer Morteza Amiri was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison for violating the civil rights of an individual through excessive force, falsifying records related to that violation, and participating in a scheme to obtain pay raises from the Antioch Police Department for a university degree he paid someone else to obtain.  The sentence was handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, who presided over two trials that resulted in Amiri’s convictions for these crimes.  

In August 2024, following a four-day trial, a jury found Amiri, 34, guilty of one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the fraudulently-obtained degree scheme.  Thereafter, in March 2025, following eight-day trial, a jury found Amiri guilty of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of falsification of records in connection with a July 2019 arrest.  Amiri was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals on March 18, 2025, and has remained in federal custody since then.  (See related articles here and here)

“Amiri misused his police dog to inflict unnecessary and excessive force against a victim and cheated his way into a pay raise.  These crimes are appalling in themselves, but even more so that they were committed by a police officer. With this sentence, Amiri is now being held to account for his multiple betrayals of the public trust,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian.

“Amiri betrayed the public’s trust, abused his authority, and violated the civil rights of a person he was sworn to protect.  His actions undermine the integrity of law enforcement and erode public confidence.  Today’s sentence sends a clear message: no badge is a shield from accountability. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to protect the civil rights of all people and to hold those who abuse their power accountable under the law,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani.  

Amiri was previously employed as a police officer with the Antioch Police Department.  According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial in March 2025, Amiri, a K-9 handler, deployed his K-9 to bite even when it was not necessary.  On July 24, 2019, Amiri pulled over and stopped a bicyclist identified as A.A., who, according to Amiri, did not have his bicycle light on.  Amiri approached A.A., punched and took the victim to the ground, and then called for his K-9 to bite the victim.  As a result, A.A. sustained injuries.  At the time, Amiri was accompanied by a police officer with a neighboring agency as a ride-along, and that officer assisted with the deployment of the K-9.  Afterwards, Amiri shared pictures of the victim’s wounds with other Antioch police officers.  One officer responded, “Yeah buddy good boy,” referring to the K-9, and “Lol you bit [A.A.].”  In response to a question from another officer about what cut the dog’s face, Amiri responded, “that’s a piece of the suspect’s flesh lol.”  

Amiri later wrote to the officer who accompanied him on the ride-along, “you got to see [the K-9] in action lol,” and stated that detectives got the victim “a 45 day violation and we are gonna leave it at that so i don’t go to court for the bite. Easy,” referring to the victim going into custody for a parole/probation violation.  Amiri then falsified a police report of the incident, stating that one of the reasons he deployed his K-9 was because he was alone, when instead the ride-along police officer was with him at the time and had helped Amiri deploy the K-9.

Separately, the evidence presented at the trial in August 2024 showed that the City of Antioch and City of Pittsburg’s Police Departments offered reimbursements toward higher education tuition and expenses, along with pay raises and other financial incentives upon completion of a degree.  Instead of completing higher education coursework on their own, Amiri and his co-conspirators hired someone to complete entire courses on their behalf at an online university to secure a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  Amiri and his co-conspirators then represented they had taken those courses and earned the degrees from the university when requesting reimbursements and/or financial incentives from their police department employers.  They were in turn paid additional financial incentives, calculated as percentages of their salaries, while they remained employed by their police departments.

In addition to the prison term, Judge White also sentenced Amiri to three years of supervised release and ordered Amiri to pay restitution in the amount of $3,180 to victim A.A. and $10,526 to the City of Antioch.

The case is being prosecuted by the National Security & Special Prosecutions Section and the Oakland Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office.  This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Part of Investigation into 10 Current, Former Antioch, Pittsburg Police Officers and Employees

These charges against Amiri were brought as part of an investigation into the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments that resulted in multiple charges against 10 current and former officers and employees of these two police departments for various crimes ranging from the use of excessive force to fraud.  The status of these cases, all of which are before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, is below:

Case Name and NumberStatute(s)Defendant (Bold: multiple case numbers)Status
Fraud 23-cr-0026418 U.S.C. §§ 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; 1343 (Wire Fraud)Patrick BerhanSentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 24-cr-157 on 9/5/24
Morteza AmiriSentenced to 84 months custody, 3 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-269 on 6/24/25
Amanda Theodosy a/k/a NashSentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release 11/15/24
Samantha PetersonSentenced to time served, 3 years supervised release 4/24/24
Ernesto Mejia-OrozcoSentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 9/19/24
Brauli Jalapa RodriguezSentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 10/25/24
Obstruction 23-cr-0026718 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)Timothy Manly WilliamsPleaded guilty 11/28/23, status conference 8/19/25
Anabolic Steroid Distribution 23-cr-0026821 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids)Daniel HarrisPleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 8/19/25
21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids); 18 U.S.C.§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)Devon WengerConvicted at trial 4/30/25, sentencing pending
Civil Rights 23-cr-0026918 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)Morteza AmiriSentenced to 84 months custody, 3 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 6/24/25
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)Eric RomboughPleaded guilty 1/14/25, status conference 8/19/25
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)Devon WengerTrial 8/4/25
Anabolic Steroid Distribution 24-cr-0015721 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids)Patrick BerhanSentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 9/5/24
Bank Fraud 24-cr-0050218 U.S.C. § 1344(1), (2) (Bank fraud)Daniel HarrisPleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 8/19/25

Updated June 24, 2025