Los Medanos College’s (LMC) Appliance Service Technology Program has a new industry partner: LG Electronics. An innovative industry leader in the world of electronics, LG will be supporting training at LMC that will focus on their line of state-of-the-art household appliances.

LG will be providing some of their latest appliances for LMC students to work on in their training classes, along with curriculum materials, training aids, specialty tools and repair parts. Training experts will give technical training to LMC’s instructors. They will also provide training sessions for current LG techs in the field at the College, and LMC’s appliance service technology students will have the opportunity to participate.

On Thursday, October 8, Kyumoon Yu, President of LG Electronics Alabama Inc. (LGEAI) joined LMC President Bob Kratochvil as the two partners celebrated the new alliance at the College. The celebration included a ribbon-cutting and certificate presentation, and a classroom conversation between LG representatives, LMC appliance faculty, and current appliance service technology students.

Michael Kozlowski, Director, Field Service & Strategy; Jae Park, Senior Manager, Human Resources; and James Chalut, Senior Manager, Technical Information Services, accompanied LGEAI President Yu.

“We are honored that LG Electronics is committed to working with Los Medanos College on this venture,” said LMC President Bob Kratochvil. “Part of our mission as a community college involves preparing a quality workforce, and seeking partnerships that promote the well-being of our diverse and growing communities. This new alliance will prepare our students for careers in the region and beyond.”

Len Price, Chair and Faculty of the LMC program explained, “LG is one of the most supportive companies for service technicians in the field. Being able to work with this industry leader is an honor and a privilege for our college. Their product is up there amongst top-of-the-line products currently available. LG will be providing a wide variety of appliances for students to practice on including refrigerators, ranges and ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers, and clothing washers and dryers.”

“One of LMC’s goals is developing strong industry partners as the college prepares a strong workforce for today and tomorrow,” stated Natalie Hannum, Dean of Career Technical Education & Social Sciences. “With LG sales continuing to grow, more trained technicians are needed to service these appliances. We look forward to working with LG Electronics to train our students for successful careers servicing their appliances.”

LMC’s Appliance Service Technology Program is the only credit program of its kind at a public community college in California. Students and current field technicians come from far and wide to be trained at Los Medanos College on the latest home appliances. Alumni have gone on to successful careers working for major appliance manufacturers and appliance service companies, while others have their own repair businesses.

For more information about LMC’s Appliance Service Technology Program, visit www.losmedanos.edu/appliance or contact Len Price, Program Chair at lprice@losmedanos.edu, 925-473-7737.

COLOR RUN / Walk for Breast Cancer fundraiser

Friday, October 16, 2015 3:30 -4:30 p.m.

Dozier-Libbey Medical High School Parking Lot

• $10.00 entry fee students $20.00 entry fee adults

• Students must complete and return permission slip

• Make and wear your own tutu (optional)

• Put a memento of a loved one on our table of remembrance (are you walking for someone?)

• Decorate your own t-shirt (date TBA)

• Get splashed with color every few laps. The more color the better.

• All profits will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation

• Awareness alone isn’t a cure, women need to get regular mammograms

To participate, download the entry form, by clicking here: COLOR RUN Entry form

 

By Officer R. Solari, Antioch Police Traffic Division Community Policing Bureau

On Thursday, October 15, 2015, at 10:28 AM, the Antioch Police Department received calls of a two vehicle collision in the intersection of Davison Drive and Sunset Lane where one of the drivers was unresponsive. Upon arrival of medical personnel, a 33-year-old male resident of Antioch was found under the passenger side dashboard. He had sustained apparent head injuries in the collision and was transported to the regional trauma center for treatment. He was listed in serious condition.

Investigating officers determined that the victim was driving his vehicle south on Sunset Lane. He pulled out in front of oncoming traffic and collided with a Toyota Tacoma truck. The victim was unrestrained in the driver’s seat and was thrown under the passenger dashboard as a result of the collision. The driver of the truck sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Corporal Powell Meads, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On October 15th, 2015 at approximately 9:03 AM, Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Miller Street for an auto theft in progress reported by an alert neighbor.

Arriving officers were able to interrupt the vehicle theft and detained an adult male at the scene. The male was identified as Gary Worthington, a 36-year-old Antioch resident.

An adult female fled from officers in her own vehicle, leading them on a vehicle pursuit towards Highway 4. The female lost control of her vehicle on Hillcrest Avenue near Renwick Lane and collided with a light pole in the median. The female fled on foot from her vehicle but was quickly apprehended. She was identified as Nicole Wade, a 30-year-old Pittsburg resident.

Both subjects were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for charges including felony auto theft, evading, and probation violations.

By Nick Goodrich

On Tuesday night, following a public hearing, the Antioch City Council overturned the Planning Commission’s previous decision to approve a Use Permit for the Contra Costa Medical Career College to relocate to the AAA building on Auto Center Drive. The Council also approved allocating additional Measure C funds to the Antioch Police Department and Neighborhood Improvement Services for code enforcement.

On August 19th of this year, the Antioch Planning Commission, on a 6-1 vote, approved the permit for the college, but the decision was appealed less than a week later by Tom Nokes, the owner of the Antioch Auto Center car dealerships.

Speaking before the Council on Tuesday night, Nokes stated that he had been in negotiations for the property when he was informed it had been sold to the college. Neither party knew about the other’s intention to purchase the property. In his argument before City Council, Nokes cited the fact that the area was originally designed for retail, and reminded the Council of the city’s 2011 plan that called for the area to allow and encourage the sale of automobiles on Auto Center Drive.

The property where the AAA building is located is zoned for a business park, and while that does not prohibit the establishment of a college in the area, the city reaffirmed its original plan to keep Auto Center Drive focused on auto-related businesses. According to Antioch Community Development Director Forrest Ebbs, both the college and auto dealership require a Use Permit from the city to locate there.

Nokes cited his enormous sales tax contribution to the city in appealing the decision, as well as the amount of jobs his dealerships provide for the area. He plans to develop the AAA property and open another auto dealership that will extend to the two adjacent parcels, which he owns. Nokes estimates that upon completion, the new dealership will bring around one hundred additional jobs to Auto Center Drive. The establishment of the new dealership will bring even more in tax revenue to Antioch, as Nokes’ dealerships already rank number one in the city in terms of sales tax contributions.

Stacey Orozco, director and owner of the Contra Costa Medical Career College, also spoke before the Council at Tuesday night’s meeting. In negotiating for the AAA building, she cited the fact that 90 percent of her graduates go on to find higher-paying jobs in the area, with nearly one hundred and fifty students graduating last year alone. After speaking to residents and other business owners in the area, she claimed, “A lot of people around there seemed excited to get an influx of new business and students.”

Other properties she looked at, as possible relocation sites, either did not meet the number of required parking spots – one spot for every five students – or proved to be out of the college’s price range, Orozco said

In a 4-1 vote following the hearing, the City Council approved Nokes’ appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision, and formally denied a Use Permit to the college. Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock, Councilmembers Monica Wilson and Mary Rocha, and Mayor Wade Harper voted in favor of Nokes, citing the importance of Auto Center Drive to remain in the auto sales business, the city’s original plan for the area, and the generation of additional and much needed sales tax revenues the new dealership will bring.

Councilman Tony Tiscareno was the lone dissenter in the decision, stating the value of higher education, the creation of higher-paid workers to fill needed medical positions, and the fair outcome of a competitive bidding process as his reasons to support the college, which stated its desire to remain in Antioch provided they can find suitable accommodations. Ogorchock asked city staff to help the college find what it needs within Antioch’s city limits after the hearing was decided. City Manager Steve Duran agreed.

Approves Measure C funds for CSO’s, code enforcement

Following the hearing, a resolution to allocate over $1 million in Measure C revenues to the Antioch Police Department and Code Enforcement was brought before the Council. The Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution and approved all four of its considerations, which included: the addition of three full-time budgeted Community Service Officers; two additional General Laborer positions to the Code Enforcement Budget; the addition of an Associate Development Services/Engineering Technician position in Code Enforcement; and a contract for a six month vehicle abatement pilot program, which would call for two full-time employees to perform vehicles and parking violation citations.

Measure C was adopted by the City of Antioch in November, 2013, in an effort to reduce crime and gang-related activities by bolstering police staffing and improving the emergency response times of the APD, through a half-cent sales tax increase in the city.

The next Antioch City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in downtown. Meetings can be viewed live on Comcast Channel 24 or via livestreaming on the city’s website.

Peter Parla

January 20, 1959 – October 7, 2015

Peter Parla age 56, passed away suddenly in a car accident, Wednesday, October 7, 2015.

He was born on January 20, 1959 in Pittsburg, CA. to Frank and Petrina (Alaimo) Parla. He was a longtime resident of Pioneer, CA.

Pete married Dawn Oliver in Lake Tahoe, NV on December 28, 1989.

Pete graduated from Antioch High School. He was the produce manager at Pokerville Market in Plymouth, CA. He had a very kind heart, a friend to everyone and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Dawn Parla; children, Jeremiah Parla and fiancé Alicia Hammett, Nicole Parla-Penge and Fiancé Michael Colenzo, Peter Parla II and Petrina Parla; grandchildren, Hailee Hammett, Hunter Hammett, Bella Parla and Cienna Parla; sister, Roseanne (Danny) Carroll; brothers, Sam (Lynette) Parla, Frank Parla. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Peggy Parla.

A Celebration of Life will be held October 24, 2015 at the Mt. Zion Church, 13891 Cedar Pine Lane, Pine Grove, CA. 95665, 1:00 P.M. If you would like to help support the Parla Family, please do so using the following two methods. Thank you for any help you can provide.

1. Make all checks payable to “Memorial Fund for Pete Parla” and mail them to: Bank of Stockton Memorial Fund for Pete Parla, P.O. Box 100, Pine Grove, CA 95665

2. You can also give using Mt. Zion Church’s online portal here. Select the fund “Memorial Fund for Pete Parla”. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.

F.D. Purcell, Bay Area Sports Reporter

Antioch Herald

That is the quote on the Oakland Raiders’ second year player, Travis “TJ” Carrie’s Twitter page. Not many get the opportunity to play for their home team – selected in the 7th round, 219th overall in the 2014 draft – but this Antioch native is and he’s taking it all in stride. Carrie is accustomed to playing for a team that’s under the microscope having played at football powerhouse De La Salle. Carrie fell in love with the game watching his three older brothers and one younger brother.

It didn’t matter where the former ball boy played football: in the mud, concrete or street, as long as he played. That passion shows when he’s on the field breaking up plays on receivers or gunning for balls on special teams. It was that very foundation of family and passion that helped cultivate him to the solid young man he is on and off the field. And it shows on his social media pages which are flanked by motivating quotes, family, football and the love o his life fiance and college sweetheart Tyisha, who he’s set to marry next June.

Antioch Herald: What’s it like playing for the hometown team?

TJ Carrie: A tremendous blessing, tremendous opportunity that I was given and I’m having fun out there. I think that’s the biggest most exciting thing is being able to play in front of players you’ve watched and grown up with and there’s nothing better than having this opportunity.

AH: When you go into the season are there any goals you get for yourself?

TJ: Definitely. I always set goals and standards for myself. The #1 thing is to be a different player than I was last year. Growing and understanding that last year was a rookie season and coaches allow you to make a little more mistakes when you’re a rookie. Being able to come into a second season and take advantage of the opportunity and know that I have a tremendous amount of growth that I can excel to. That’s one of the biggest goals that I’ve had coming into this year.

AH: Since you’re from the area how do you deal with the ticket requests from family and friends? That comes out of your pocket.

TJ: I have a great family support system. That has definitely been something we had to talk about as a family. They are understanding and they understand the situation that I’m going to try to get everyone and we make the best of that opportunity but I break it up on a good system. I’m glad we’ve been able to get on the same page.

AH: What’s been that largest ticket request?

TJ: When I traveled to Cleveland last season it was about 35 with coaches and players I grew up with, aunts and uncles. It was probably one of the biggest ones I’ve had. It’s great to have them there at the game supporting me. It’s HUGE!

AH: Your family support is tremendous, talk about that.

TJ: My parents moved to Cleveland so they could be near me when I was in college and now I’m back out here (laugh). I have other family members here, but it’s a big homecoming when we play there, because my fiance is from there also.

AH: It’s crazy they’re gone but you have your fiance here, right?

TJ: Yes, and it’s crazy because before I was drafted were here visiting and she said, “Wouldn’t it be great to live here?” Now we’re here and planning to get married next June in Cleveland.

AH: I saw she did something great for your birthday?

TJ: (smiles) Yes we had a helicopter ride and we went to Napa. (You can view the photos on his Instagram page leon18_tj)

AH: Having attended De La Salle you know a thing or two about winning cultures. How do you apply that mindset on a professional level and do you set goals going into each season?

TJ: The biggest things those schools have given me are the traits I have today: dedication, working hard and discipline. All those things are lifestyle changes in itself and bringing them here is something that transforms you more into an athlete because this game is more mental than physical. High school and college experiences have shaped and carried me into this season.

AH: What would you be doing if you weren’t playing football?

TJ: I have my masters in coaching and education so coaching is definitely something I like to do. Something with kids, younger or high school and training them so they can be powerful, successful and helping them pave their future.

AH: What is your greatest Raiders memory thus far?

TJ: The moment it happened (getting drafted) and getting a call from then head coach Dennis Allen on draft day and thinking in my mind, “Wow, I’m going back home.” I’ve been away for so long but having this opportunity is a tremendous blessing to go back home and play the sport I love is really what’s the biggest memory for me and it still is today.

AH: Any final words to the Raider Nation?

TJ: Yes, I’m looking here to stay for the long-haul. You can depend on me and look for me to make some big things happen this year Raider Nation.

You can follow him on Twitter @tj_carrie and Instagram leon18_tj. Read more about him on his Wikipedia page here.

Dear Editor:

Antioch’s Mayor, Wade Harper, is a failure. Antioch is no safer since his election. Let’s take a look at the facts.

His claimed primary, election campaign platform was to improve Antioch’s public safety. He boasted “The City of Antioch will be a safer city on my watch” and “Stopping crime now starts with Police Lieutenant Wade Harper.” His campaign crowed “How about we elect a City Councilmember who has experience fighting crime – well beyond talking about it.”

He also promised “more police” and “less crime” in his overzealous support for a “yes” vote on the Measure C tax. What a farce that also has turned out to be. He was one of its main proponents for its passage. Same Police, same crime results since.

Antioch’s Police manpower hasn’t really been increased, even with Mayor Wade Harper at the helm, with the approximate same number (90 currently) of sworn Officers, as before. Antioch’s crime rate hasn’t really been reduced, it’s just been an illusionary misleading ‘dog and pony’ show when publicly discussed by him and others. Mayor Harper should’ve been put to a more successful recall effort. Unfortunately it failed due to technical problems by the proponents, from the start.

Where are the 20 plus “more” Officers that were promised? And where is the “less crime” he promised? Fooled you, didn’t he? Antioch’s documented crime rate is 46% more than California’s average crime rate, and 49% more than the National crime rate average, as last reported.

Antioch’s 2014 total police reported person crimes proves it’s increased by an additional 30% more since his election. And Antioch’s 2014 total police reported property crimes proves it’s doubled (by an additional 101% more) during his Council tenure.

Let’s face it, Antioch’s Mayor Wade Harper is a failure and needs to be replaced. We can do better without him. His boasting promises to our community have been hollow and full of self-promoting emptiness that has cost Antioch overall.

Ralph A. Hernandez

Antioch