In Antioch’s first church building in historic, downtown Rivertown!
For more information about The Light Ministries visit www.facebook.com/thelightministriespcg.
Part of national “Scouting for Food” project
By Jeremy Gamez
The Antioch Scouts Troop 153 will be out this Saturday, November 15, picking up food donations as part of the Scouting for Food project, one of the largest food drives in the nation. With today’s food insecurity for so many families, please help and donate.
If you didn’t get a door hanger and want to help, use our app, it’s easy to use. Simply click, here – https://pickup.antiochtroop153.org/
Pick up is November 15, 2025, between 9:00 and 11:00 AM. A scout or parent will pick up your donation. See the flier below for more information. Cash donations can be made using the QR code on the flier or visit https://goldengatescouting.org/scouting-for-food/.
According Scouting America, Scouting for Food began in St. Louis in 1985 as a council-wide service project. Starting in 1988, it became a national Scouting America program. Today, many councils across the country participate, collectively gathering hundreds of thousands of pounds of shelf-stable goods for food-disadvantaged residents of their local communities.
Scouting for Food takes place on two consecutive weekends. On the first weekend, Scouts distribute bags and/or door hangers to let their neighbors know about the drive. On the second, Scouts revisit those houses to pick up bags full of canned food, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, juice and other nonperishable items.
That’s the genesis of Scouting for Food, the annual food-collection drive run by local councils. It’s another reminder to our local communities that Scouts are here, doing good turns.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
By Allen D. Payton
During Antioch’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, Veterans of the Year honors were bestowed on Bob Franchetto and Rick Diaz. Having both served in the U.S. Army, Franchetto was honored as the 2025-26 Veteran of the Year for Lifetime Achievement and Diaz as the 2025-26 Veteran of the Year. They were each presented with plaques and jackets with their names and titles embroidered on, provided by Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill.
Community Awards for Veteran Supports were presented to Favalora Trucking in the Business category, GFWC Antioch Woman’s Club in the Club category and Snug as a Bug in the Non-Profit category, who presented each honoree with a hand-made quilt.
The day began with a Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Antioch Rivertown Veterans Lions Club followed by the ceremony, led by organizer J.R. Wilson, President of the Delta Veterans Group and held near the Antioch Veterans Memorial at the Marina. U.S. Army Veteran Bill Swenson offered the Opening Prayer.
The Deer Valley High School Junior ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) presented the Colors, Raising of the Flag was conducted by the Antioch Police Department Honor Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Rocko Jeremy of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The National Anthem was sung by Bella Rose of the DVHS Jr. ROTC and the Antioch High and Deer Valley High School Marching Bands performed the Armed Forces Medley.
Retired U.S. Army SFC Ronnie McGee was the keynote speaker, followed by Youth Speaker Armando Morales, Executive Officer of the Deer Valley High School Jr. ROTC.
Congressman Josh Harder (D-CA9) also spoke during the ceremony. He hopes to represent Antioch if re-elected next year in the newly redrawn congressional district approved by the recent passage of Prop. 50.
Other elected officials in attendance included Antioch Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha and District 5 Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston who both spoke, as well as District 3 Councilman Don Freitas, City Clerk Michael Mandy and Antioch School Board Vice President and Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha.
The ceremony was followed by the Veterans Day Parade on W. 2nd Street which paused in front of El Campanil Theatre at 11:11 a.m. as its historic bell rang 11 times in honor of Armistice Day, later renamed Veterans day, and the end of World War I at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
“El Campanil did great, again with the ringing of the bell,” Wilson said later.
The parade was followed by a lunch hosted by and at the Antioch Veterans of Foreign Wars John McMullen Post 6435.
INAUGURACIÓN DEL PARQUE CONTRA LOMA ESTATES
By Jaden Baird, PIO, City of Antioch
ANTIOCH, CA — The City of Antioch, in partnership with Rising Juntos, invites the community to celebrate the grand reopening of Contra Loma Estates Park on Saturday, November 15. The free, family-friendly event will take place from 12:00–2:00 PM at the corner of Mahogany Way and Manzanita Way, and will feature music, games, raffles, food, guided park tours, speeches and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
According to Parks and Recreation Department staff, “After years of community advocacy, Contra Loma Estates Park is finally re-designed by and for the community. Bring the whole family to celebrate!”
Después de años de esfuerzo de la comunidad, el Parque Contra Loma Estates finalmente se rediseñó por y para la comunidad. ¡Lleve a toda la familia a celebrar!
¡Habrá música, comida, juegos, tours y rifa!
Para más información: 510-368-4544
Located in the heart of North Antioch’s Sycamore neighborhood, Contra Loma Estates Park has long been a central focus for residents seeking safe, vibrant public space. The revitalization effort began in 2013, when Rising Juntos led a community needs assessment that identified the park as a top priority for improvement. In response, the Antioch City Council funded a community-designed playground in 2015 and new basketball courts in 2018.
Building on that foundation, the City of Antioch and Rising Juntos partnered to secure Proposition 68 funding to complete the community’s long-term vision for the park. Now, after more than a decade of advocacy, planning, and partnership, Contra Loma Estates Park is fully renovated and ready to serve as a hub for families, youth, and neighbors of all ages.
“This reopening represents the best of Antioch: community leadership, meaningful partnership, and shared investment in public space,” said City Manager Bessie Marie Scott. “Contra Loma Estates Park reflects a decade of commitment from residents, Rising Juntos, and our City team. We are proud to stand with the Sycamore community in celebrating a space that belongs to everyone.”
Rising Juntos Executive Director Rhea Elina Laughlin added, “This project is an example of what we can achieve when residents and city staff work together toward the community’s vision. We are thrilled to inaugurate this new park, designed by and for the neighborhood.”
Rocheall, a longtime Antioch resident and Rising Juntos member, shared, “I am so excited about the park re-opening. My son can’t wait to use the basketball courts and the renovated walking path. I am so happy that our neighborhood park has restrooms for families. This is a huge win for our community. Our children and future generations will now have a beautiful and safe park.”
For more information: 510-368-4544.
About Rising Juntos
The Mission of Rising Juntos is to build power for racial, economic and health justice for children and families in Contra Costa County. Led by a volunteer membership made up of resident leaders across Contra Costa County, their multicultural, intergenerational membership brings lived experience with systemic injustice and deep understanding of community needs. Rising Juntos members are the experts and driving force of their work. They have four Focus Areas: Housing and Economic Security, Healthy Parks and Communities, Equitable Representation, and Access Racial and Immigrant Justice.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this announcement.
Fundraising effort “exceeded the $100,000 goal”; also celebrated Society’s 50th Anniversary and 25th Anniversary of Museum
By Allen D. Payton
The Antioch Historical Society dedicated the refurbished 1871 First Congregational Church bell housed in the newly constructed Unity Bell Tower on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Joined by the mayor, council members and residents, Society members also celebrating the organization’s 50th anniversary and the 25-year anniversary of the Museum residing at the historic 1910 Riverview Union High School Building.
Through the “Ring it loud, Antioch! Ring it proud!” marketing campaign and successful fundraising initiatives, the museum raised more than $100,000, including over $85,000 in cash donations and the rest as in-kind contributions, to refurbish what is said to be one of the oldest artifacts from the settling of Antioch by early Americans.
The First Congregational Church traces its roots to June 12, 1865, and the bell brought early members of the church together as it rung loudly across the city.
The day included speeches by community leaders, the ringing of the bell by Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal, a free lunch and anniversary cake, free tours of the museum and the Sports Legends Hall of Fame, free souvenir bells, and music by the Deer Valley Jazz Band and DJ Jim Lanter.
Antioch District 3 City Councilman Don Freitas, a member of the event organizing team and former Historical Society President, served as the master of ceremonies. The Colors were presented and posted by the Delta Veterans Group, the National Anthem was performed by Jim “Mac” Martin, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by J.R. Wilson of the Delta Veterans Group and VFW Post, and the invocation was offered by retired pastor, Rev. Gene Davis.
Speeches
Bernal was the first to speak, saying, “I enjoy events like, this bringing our community together and remembering our history. It rang for church services, but also when babies were born, when people died and in emergencies. It served us for the whole community.”
He then spoke of “celebrating a symbol of what Antioch was in the 1870’s and what it can be today. We are all Antioch.”
Bernal then congratulated the Historical Society on their 50th Anniversary and the 25th Anniversary of the Museum.
“The point that this is a Unity Bell is important as we need unity in our community, nation and world, today,” he added.
“The past is actually closer than we think,” said Antioch Historical Society President, Shari Gayle, in the briefest of the speeches. “We celebrate our history, past, present and future. Thank you to all.”
“On behalf of the core team, thank God today finally came,” Freitas said.
Project Leader and former Historical Society President, Dwayne Eubanks shared his thanks and thoughts saying, “Some say the Society’s best days are behind it. That our stories are fading. That we can’t sustain this place. But standing here with you today, I see something else entirely – I see a future. Your presence, your generosity and your belief in this day prove that our legacy still matters.”
“Behind me stands the 1871 Meneely Foundry bell – a symbol of that legacy,” he continued. “When it first rang, Antioch has just 600 residents. Among those who heard its chime were Adelia Kimball, at 12 years old, our first teacher, Rev. William Wiggins Smith, Chairman of the City Council (and one of the community’s founders, first Mayor Roswell Butler Hard, and Thomas Gaines, the city’s first Black residents. They all heard the bell.”
He then thanked those involved in making the Unity Bell Tower possible, including the coordinators and those who contributed.
“You are the heartbeat of this Society. History lives here. So does hope. Viva Antioch. Viva Historical Society,” Eubanks concluded.
Supervisors Diane Burgis and Shanelle Scales-Preston spoke about the bell and Historical Society, as did Donna McGee, Site Director of Kaiser Permanente Hospital, a Diamond Sponsor of the project, and Jose Cordon, Antioch’s Poet Laureate who read a poem he wrote.
Tom Menasco, the project’s Marketing and Key Fundraising Advisor said, “We generated $97,300 plus in-kind contributions. We exceeded the $100,000 goal.”
He recognized the four major sponsors of $5-10,000, the City of Antioch, Kaiser Permanente Antioch, Wayne Swisher Cement Contractors, Wayne, Brian and Bret Swisher, Drill Tech Drilling & Shoring’s Bernadette Brooks, East Bay Community Foundation’s Sharon Beswick, and the Kiwanis Club of the Delta’s President Archie Smith and member, Kay Powers, who later presented a large, ceremonial check to the Historical Society.
Representatives of the First Congregational Church were introduced and given the opportunity to share a few words. Paul Fish, the last treasurer of the church, said, “It’s my honor to stand before you. The church was disbanded in 2021. We existed for 126 years in the city of Antioch. I can’t think of a more fitting name for this bell than the Unity Bell for the city of Antioch.”
Lisa Wilkening Kanazawa was last to speak saying, “My Great Great Grandmother Helene donated 50 silver dollars (which were melted into the metal used to make the bell). Fred and Helene Wilkening were founders of the church. I’m here on behalf of my father and my grandfather Stanley who would be proud of the Unity Bell focus.”
Organizers of the Unity Bell Tower effort then gathered near the bell as Mayor Bernal rang it for all to hear, concluding the ceremony. (See video)
The project has been generously supported by major sponsors including: the City of Antioch, Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Kiwanis Club of the Delta, Wayne E Swisher Cement Contractor, Drill Tech Drilling & Shoring, Inc., and the East Bay Community Foundation.
The museum received scores of individual donations from the community, local businesses, and non-profit organizations including: Delta Veterans Group and the Antioch Veterans Banner Program, St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Fontana Family Foundation, Antioch Rotary Club, and the Antioch High School Class of 1966.
Special thanks go to Evans & Son Masonry, Best West Roofing, Eddie’s Coats, Black Diamond Electric and Guepardo Landscaping.
The Antioch Historical Society Museum is located at 1500 W. 4th Street and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit http://antiochhistoricalmuseum.org/ or the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/antiochhistoricalmuseum/, call (925) 757-1326 or email AntiochHistoricalsociety@comcast.net.
Tickets available for “A Victorian Christmas”
For more information about the GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch visit www.gfwcwomansclubofantioch.org.
“We don’t want criminals building up in here.” – Former Antioch Police Oversight Commissioner Leslie May
“Staff has determined that the project complies with the General Plan. Therefore, we can’t deny the project.” – Mayor Pro Tem Rocha
“They know we can’t stop this development from happening. This project needs to move forward.” – Councilwoman Torres-Walker said before voting to abstain.
“If we don’t approve this, we will end up in litigation. I don’t see this as a battle I want to fight.” – Mayor Bernal
By Allen D. Payton
During a special meeting on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Antioch City Council split 3-1-1 to approve DeNova Homes’ 159-unit Wildflower Townhomes 2 project. District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson flip flopped from last week and voted “yes”, Freitas again voted “no”, and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker voted to abstain after being absent last week, which resulted in a 2-2 tie vote, and even though she admitted the project needed to “move forward”.
The motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha and seconded by Mayor Ron Bernal, after both implored their fellow councilmembers to recognize the City would face an unwinnable lawsuit by the developer and cost the General Fund, which is facing a deficit next year.
The project was approved for the four-parcel, 10.35 acre vacant property near the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue and Deer Valley Road and bordered by Wildflower Drive to the east and the road next to the KFC restaurant in the Hillcrest Crossroads shopping center which also serves the existing condo development.
During the meeting, the Council also received a Quarterly Report by Con Fire Chief Lewis Broschard, were introduced to new City staff, including new sworn police officers and new police department leaders, announced board and commission openings for resident to apply to serve on and unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing November as Homeless Awareness Month.
Wildflower Station Townhomes 2
Following a very brief report by City staff on the Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 project by Antioch Planning Manager Zoe Merideth, she asked for any council comments. But Bernal first opened up for public comments. The project is one of several new housing developments in Antioch by DeNova Homes, whose father and son leaders were indicted in April for bribery of a city councilman last year. (See related article).
As a result, some residents don’t think they should have any of their projects approved.
Public Comments
“It made my blood boil,” said resident and former Police Oversight Commissioner Leslie May. “I understand the council’s hands are tied. In the meantime, we have criminal activity by the developer. I don’t appreciate them bullying Antioch.”
“Watchu gonna do if Antioch doesn’t go for it?” she asked while looking for the developer’s representatives in the audience. But they were not in attendance.
“We don’t want criminals building up in here,” she continued. “We don’t know how many cups of money will be passed. I’m going to put them on blast, and you better come up here and be really humble.”
She threatened a class action lawsuit by residents, “To stop them from building here. Not even an outhouse,” May stated.
Resident Melissa Case said, “It’s sad that they aren’t here,” then asked about the Rancho Meadows project by DeNova Homes which is proposed to include six low-income homes in the northeast part of city, and is “now on hold.”
She then complained about the off-camera meetings the developer’s representatives had with city staff members in the hallway during breaks in last week’s meetings.
“Who really benefits from these cozy relationships?” she asked.
“My heart says to vote, ‘no’ on this. But my head recognizes the state requirements,” Case added.
Low-income housing advocate Andrew Becker was the last member of the public to speak and took Wilson to task for her inconsistency on the project.
“I guess frustration is really just the tip of the iceberg. When the City goes through a Housing Update process and you have less than 50 people show up, it says something,” he stated. “I was so disheartened to see…Councilmember Wilson to say she couldn’t support a project on a site that she helped rezone.”
“When you were part of the process for rezoning those properties…I was a part of those meetings,” Becker continued. “I said to you there’s a disparity in where those properties are located…and what the community really wants. And nobody had the time to respond to my phone calls.”
“The development should have been approved the first meeting because it’s an SB330, because the developer did exactly what you wanted him to do,” he added.
Council Discusses, Approves Project on Split 3-1-1 Vote
Torres-Walker was the first council member to discuss the project asking simply, “Do we have to?”
City Attorney Cole responded, “Yes.”
“I will just stay consistent with what I said last week,” said Rocha. He then read from the state’s Housing Accountability Act and said, “Staff has determined that the project complies with the General Plan. Therefore, we can’t deny the project.”
Torres-Walker then said, “I wasn’t here last week but watched. They know we can’t stop this development from happening.”
“Instead of getting a mixed-use development…we got something totally different,” she continued. “I think moving forward…that we can address some of these zoning issues so we can have housing…that supports economic development.”
“I will not be voting for or against this project because I’m not against development. I have other reasons I will be voting to abstain, tonight,” Torres-Walker stated but didn’t offer any.
“We needed to increase economic development,” Freitas said speaking about public meetings regarding the property held when he was mayor from 2000-08.
“There should not be a development in this particular area. This area was specifically…chosen to help Antioch with economic development,” he continued. But he was mistakenly speaking about DeNova’s Slatten Ranch Townhomes project which was approved last week on a 3-1 vote with Freitas voting against.
However, after the meeting he said, “I misspoke. But my comments are the same. Wildflower was supposed to be a mixed housing and business development project which was zoned accordingly.”
“I am so offended by SB330, and I am so offended by DeNova housing,” the councilman continued. “We raised legitimate issues. But because they have the law behind them…they can completely ignore us.”
“I’m voting ‘no’ on this,” Freitas stated, although recognizing the possibility of a lawsuit by the developer. “We need to have some kind of protest. The law is broken. The law is not helping our local economy.”
“This property is going to be ripped away from us for economic development,” he stated. “I haven’t changed my opinion. I will be voting ‘no’.”
“The original project that was presented to us had a mix of residential toward the back and some commercial…and it was close to a BART Station,” said Wilson. “To have that changed, is what frustrates me. I understand state law. It’s unfortunate that we have to deal with this project.”
Bernal then said, “The developer is the wrong place to focus our anger. We must comply…we got a letter from the Department of Housing and Community Development. If we don’t approve this, we will end up in litigation. I don’t see this as a battle I want to fight.”
“The end result is it pushes housing so we can provide the workforce that goes into San Francisco,” he stated.
“This is something that we’re going to have to address. Because we have other properties being rezoned residential,” Bernal added.
“Just to be fiscally responsible, we’re opening up ourselves to litigation that we will have to pay from the General Fund and we’re facing a deficit next year,” Rocha stated. “We’re opening ourselves up to litigation that we have no chance of being successful. I just don’t understand why we are going there if we do. I think it’s a bad decision for us. We are a General Law City and we are required to comply with the California Constitution and the laws.”
Torres-Walker then said, “I think it’s been clear what the liability will be, and this project needs to move forward.” But then she voted to abstain, neither voting for or against the project.
The motion passed on a 3-1-1 vote with Wilson switching her vote from last week when she voted “no”, Freitas again voting no and Torres-Walker abstaining. (See related articles here, here, here and here to learn more about both townhome projects and state housing law requiring cities to approve new development).
Closed Session
Before their regular meeting at 7:00 p.m., the Council held a special Closed Session meeting to discuss one lawsuit, a potential lawsuit and a potential real estate transaction.
At the beginning of the Regular Meeting, Interim City Attorney Cole said, “No reportable action was taken” on any of the three items.
Board and Commission Openings
Mayor Ron Bernal announced the following openings:
To be considered for the vacancy position(s) listed above, please fill out an application available online on the website at: https://bit.ly/COA-BC23. Printed applications are also available at Antioch City Hall, 200 H Street. Please email the completed application to: cityclerk@antiochca.gov, by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. You can also drop off the application (Attn: City Clerk), in the water billing drop-off box just outside of Antioch City Hall.
For more information about each board or commission click, here.
New Police Officers, Leaders Introduced
During the new City employee introductions, Chief Joe Vigil introduced two new Antioch Police Officers, Bryan Diaz and Adrian Riera-Pelayo who just graduated from the academy, and a new Captain.
“I just wanted to say thank you for this opportunity and to be part of the progression the City is making” Diaz said. “I will not let you down.” Adrian
Vigil also introduced new Captain Shane Bower who said, “I want to thank you for this opportunity to provide exceptional service to this community.”
“Your family is proud of you…and I’m excited about working with you in the city,” said District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker.
New Lt. Franco Cesar was also introduced and said, “Thank you City Manager, City Council and to the Chief. I’m ready to work. I’ve been a worker all my life. I’m ready to help out the department. Thank you to the Chief for the opportunity.”
All four will be sworn in during a ceremony on Monday, Nov. 24, Chief Vigil shared later.
With daughter and grandson
By Mary Chapman & Nora vonUbin, An Elderly Wish Foundation
When Joyce Turner from Antioch was told she had terminal cancer, she contacted An Elderly Wish Foundation. She wrote that her wish was to go with her daughter and grandson, to meet Steph Curry in San Francisco at the Oracle Arena. Joyce claims to be his #1 Fan because her every room in her house proves it. Joyce said, “seeing him in person would be an absolute dream come true!”
On Friday, October 17, 2025, An Elderly Wish Foundation “made her dream come true!” Joyce, her daughter, Julie and grandson, Marcos (age 11) were ushered into Oracle Arena, at a specific spot on the court to watch #30 practice. Joyce was thrilled the evening included having Steph sign her own 2015 Championship Jersey! Another thrill was to have her grandson stand with the entire Warriors Team for the anthem.
Our non-profit foundation loved granting this special wish for Joyce with assistance from Velma Wilson.
AEWF grants wishes to seniors, 50 years or older, who have been diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness and live in Contra Costa County. For more information visit www.elderlywish.org.
Grand Re-Opening of The Light Ministries’ Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry Nov. 15
Friday, November 14th, 2025Antioch Veterans of the Year honored during Veterans Day ceremony
Thursday, November 13th, 2025City of Antioch, Rising Juntos to celebrate Grand Reopening of Contra Loma Estates Park Nov. 15
Tuesday, November 11th, 2025Antioch Historical Society, community celebrate Unity Bell Tower dedication
Monday, November 10th, 2025GFWC Woman’s Club of Antioch to hold 68th Annual Christmas House Tour Dec. 13
Wednesday, November 5th, 2025An Elderly Wish Foundation grants Antioch woman’s wish to see Warriors’ Steph Curry in person
Tuesday, November 4th, 2025
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