By Barbara Zivica

Did you see the Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition filed by Antioch residents Lamar Thorpe, LaTanya Harmon and Patrice L. Guillory of Antioch, published on October 24th and entitled “Antioch Coalition Against the Expansion of Gambling?”

Currently, the City only allows two card rooms to exist within the City at one time and requires persons who wish to operate a card room to obtain a license, based on an application, which the City Council may approve or reject. Only one card room, The 19th Hole, is currently operating in Antioch.

The initiative, which seeks to limit card rooms within the city, allowing only those card rooms that existed on September 1, 2015 to operate, would mandate that Council deny a license application if it finds the applicant has committed a felony, lacks good moral character, has submitted false information in support of the application, or the card room would be incompatible with surrounding land uses.

It would also change the regulations for licensed card rooms, including limiting the number of player-dealer games to half the card room’s tables, limit the number of players at a table to ten (except for poker tournaments) and require Antioch voter approval be obtained for any card room expansion or new card room (licenses granted to established businesses only) and prohibit card rooms from being located within 1,000 feet of another card room or of any school, hospital, medical clinic, alcohol or drug recovery center, mental/social care facility, park, library or place of worship.

Don’t be fooled by this initiative, which the aforementioned committee members are asking to be put on the ballot. It’s a back door ploy. The sponsor of the committee is the California Grand Casino in Pacheco, seeking to limit competition, and the committee treasurer is David Fried from Tiberon.

Anthony Torres

By Acting Sergeant Mortimer, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Tuesday, October 27, 2015, at 1:10 PM, Undercover Detectives observed Anthony Torres, a 46-year-old Antioch resident, driving a vehicle and knew he had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. Torres’ arrest warrant was for possession of controlled substances for sale.

Detectives attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Torres and he fled at a high rate of speed. The pursuit started near W. 9th Street and L Street and was ultimately terminated for safety. A short while later, Detectives found Torres and followed him to the K-Mart parking lot on E. 18th Street in Antioch. Torres exited his vehicle and attempted to get into an awaiting vehicle but was arrested by Detectives prior to entering the awaiting vehicle.

Torres was in possession of a loaded firearm and over a pound of methamphetamine. Investigators served search warrants related to this case in the 1900 Block of Phillips Lane in Antioch as well as the 800 Block of W. 6th Street in Antioch. Torres was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on 13 felony charges relating to evading police, firearms, and possession of narcotics for sale. He has a current bail of 2.19 million dollars.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Lowther with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6943. No further information will be released at this time.

Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6939. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Representatives from Antioch Chamber of Commerce and City Council join Church@Antioch Pastor Chris Williams (with scissors), his wife Emery, and members of the A Team from their church to cut the ribbon at their new offices on Saturday, September 26, 2015.

By Allen Payton

Business, city, church and community leaders of Antioch joined Pastor Chris Williams and his wife Emery, and church members for the ribbon cutting and reception to officially open the Church@Antioch’s new offices, at the Venture Commerce Center in Antioch, on Saturday, September 26.

Launched, earlier this year, the Church@Antioch holds its Sunday services at Black Diamond Middle School. Their new offices also provide rooms for small group Bible studies and meetings.

Before the ribbon was cut, Antioch Chamber CEO, Dr. Sean Wright shared some thoughts.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out to support Chris and the church, today,” he said. “Thank you for everything you’re doing for the community with work and worship.”

City Councilwoman Monica Wilson spoke on behalf of the city.

“Thank you for bringing your church to be part of our community and your community to be part of our community and promoting the positivity,” she stated. “Let us know what we can do for you and I wish you guys much success.”

Pastor Larry Adams of Golden Hills Community Church, which helped launch the Church@Antioch, was asked to speak.

“What we do together as Christians is serving the Kingdom,” he said. “We were thrilled to have a small part to help them get off the ground. And God’s the winner of this. Some day Black Diamond Middle School is not going to be able hold this church.”

“Wow,” Emery Williams exclaimed. “I just want to say I’m very thankful to God for each and everyone of you. Thankful for my husband and the vision God has given him. We are actually literally living a dream.”

Finally, Pastor Williams spoke to those gathered.

“Although we’re new as a church, to this city, I’ve lived in Antioch for 15 years,” he stated. “God kept me here to develop a burden and its through having a burden that vision is birthed.”

He then thanked members of his church.

“We could not do any of this without the A Team at the Church@Antioch,” Williams continued. “Thank you for being here. My wife and I are just honored of God for him using us.” For more information on the Church@Antioch, visit their website at www.churchatantioch.org.

Richard and Taylor Hobin in front of the law offices on A Street in Antioch.

By Connie Woods

Long time Antioch attorney, Richard Hobin was joined in his practic by his son, Taylor, last year.

Now known as Hobin & Hobin LLP, Attorneys at Law, the family owned business, is celebrating being in Antioch and serving Bay Area residents for over 38 years.

The father and son team are passionate about what they do, and have expertise in Real Estate Law, Business Law, Personal Injury Law, Wills, Trusts & Probate, Estate Planning, Trust Litigation, and Civil Litigation. As trial attorneys they have been a vital part of the Antioch community, helping local residents in their legal matters.

The Hobins perform a wide range of legal services in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, civil litigation, criminal, family, real estate, business, wills and probate, and corporate matters. These services have ranged from a felony vehicular manslaughter trial; wrongful death and personal injury settlements and verdicts; multi-million dollar business transactions; real estate and construction defect litigation; lease termination and equipment auction of a computer cyber- space station; etc.

The patriarch of the law firm and family, Richard, began his law career after, first attending Oregon State University, being a Naval officer and fighting in the Vietnam War, and traveling through Europe. He then attended the University of California, Hastings School of Law, and after graduating and becoming licensed, opened a law office in Antioch. Over the years, he initially worked solo, then partnered with 23 other lawyers and staff, and in 2007 returned to solo practice, with paralegals and a great staff, in which his son later joined.

Taylor, passed the bar and joined the firm, last year, resulting in the name change from Richard Hobin Law to Hobin & Hobin.

Taylor also attended the University of California’s Hastings School of Law. He grew up in Antioch, attending Holy Rosary Elementary School, De La Salle High School, and then the University of San Francisco on a golf scholarship. At Hastings, Taylor worked as an editor, on the Constitutional Law Quarterly and won awards in legal writing as well as in moot court. Some of his published articles include “Wireless Internet Searches: How the Fourth Amendment Applies to Police Searches of Information Accessed Over a Wireless Internet Connection,” and an article entitled “Criminal.” Taylor handles a wide range of legal services and is also getting a Master’s Degree in Taxation. He is married and they have a baby boy, as of earlier this year. In his spare time Taylor plays and competes in golf.

Richard has been married for 32 years to his wife Debbie, who founded the high achieving Antioch Charter Academy. Richard is very active in the community, and has served as president of both the Delta Kiwanis and Delta-Antioch Rotary Clubs. He has also coached youth baseball, basket and golf teams and was District Chairperson for the Boy Scouts. Richard has also served as president of the Holy Rosary School Board, Delta Memorial Hospital Foundation, Annual De La Salle Golf Committee, and president of United Lutheran Ministries and St. Andrews Lutheran Church.

Richard is member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, Consumer Attorneys of California, Alameda/Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, and the Contra Costa Bar Association and feels privileged to help people in crisis.

Both attorneys are great role models in our community.

If you are interested in their services, contact the Law Office of Hobin & Hobin at (925) 757-7585, or by email to richard@hobinlaw.com or taylor@hobinlaw.com. They are located at 1011 A Street in Antioch. For more information visit their website at www.hobinlaw.com.

By Allan Cantando, Chief of Police, Antioch Police Department

The City of Antioch has continued its trend of declining crime stats since the beginning of the calendar year. As we end the third quarter of 2015, both total violent crime and total property crime has experienced double digit decreases when compared to the same time period from the year prior. This is in large part due to our continued support from the community and strong partnerships with groups like our Crime Prevention Commission and Neighborhood Watch.

In addition to dropping crime rates, proactive enforcement across the city, including traffic enforcement, has continued in 2015 which has contributed to an increase in total arrests by 17% over last year. With the combination of declining crime and increased enforcement, the Antioch Police Department is enjoying one of its most productive years in the last decade.

For complete details of these and other police related statistics for 2015, the community is invited to hear a full report at the upcoming City Council Meeting on October 27th at the Antioch City Hall.

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to the businesses, community groups, and citizens of Antioch for their ardent support as we continue to proudly serve this city. Thank you.

The council meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. and can also be viewed on Comcast Channel 24 or via livestreaming on the city’s website, www.ci.antioch.ca.us.

Dear Editor:

Last Tuesday, (October 13) when the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pursue a study on Community Choice Energy (CCE), I was proud to state that my city – San Pablo — has already chosen to allow our residents and businesses to receive 50% or more renewable clean energy over dirty energy. It’s rewarding to know that I am lowering greenhouse gas emissions and also by me paying my utility bill it contributes to building the 10.5 MW Solar farm located in Richmond which is on a brownfield site and will be built by local union workers. It provides more local green jobs as well as clean air and health.

I hope the folks in Conta Costa will tell their leaders to support CCE so our supervisors can proceed without delay.

Lynette Robinson

San Pablo

Holy Rosary School second graders get a surprise photo with the St. Mary’s College Gaels men’s basketball team, during a recent visit to the college. photo courtesy of St. Mary’s College.

By Richard Kilwein

As the Saint Mary’s College men’s basketball team was taking its annual team photo yesterday, a group of 7-8 year old kids politely eased into a corner of McKeon Pavilion to watch. After a few minutes of standing in awe, they were invited to jump in for a memorable photo opportunity.

The 2nd graders from Holy Rosary School in Antioch were on a field trip to SMC as part of their annual college week, an effort to provide a glimpse into what college campus life is like. The students sent letters to their “dream” college and the school organized the trip.

No doubt, the Gaels made a few new fans.

Thanks to Vice Principal Cathy VanderKlugt for allowing the kids to participate.

The school is located in Moraga.

By Acting Lieutenant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 10:47 PM, two Antioch Police Officers in an Antioch Police car were working a stolen vehicle assignment with allied agencies. At this time they saw a Lexus traveling eastbound on E. 14th Street near Columbia Street in the city of Pittsburg. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and as the officers attempted to catch up to the Lexus, it continued eastbound in the 2700 block of the Pittsburg-Antioch Highway. Shortly after the Lexus passed through the intersection of Loveridge Road the vehicle went out of control, struck a telephone pole, rolled and came to rest on its roof. Two occupants were ejected from the vehicle and a third was able to free himself and crawl out.

Life saving measures were attempted on a 25-year-old female Pittsburg resident, but were unsuccessful and she was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. The two other occupants are both male and residents of Antioch (ages 26 and 21). They were both transported to an area hospital where they were admitted and expected to recover from their injuries. No other vehicles were involved in this collision. No arrests have been made as the case is still under investigation.

Due to a downed PG&E pole the road wass closed until approximately noon, Friday.

The case is still being investigated by the Antioch Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. No further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Vanderpool with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6988. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.