Another stolen Kia found overturned at Antioch Skatepark Thursday

By Allen D. Payton

During a Pittsburg Police pursuit of a stolen Kia the driver crashed the vehicle at Somersville Towne Center in Antioch Friday Oct. 6, 2023. Antioch Police assisted Pittsburg PD with a foot pursuit of the suspect. The driver was taken into custody. According to mall security a female passenger who ran from the car was able to flee through the mall.

Another stolen Kia was discovered by Antioch Police overturned after being driven over ramps at the Antioch Skate Park in Prewett Family Park Thursday morning Oct. 5.

About six Kias and Hyundais stolen each day in Antioch. Eight were recovered in just the last three days and the drivers and passengers were all ages 13 to 16.

Marty Storti joins LMC from Saint Mary’s College

Los Medanos College (LMC) is pleased to announce Marty Storti as Athletics director, effective Oct. 2, 2023.

“Mr. Storti comes to us with a wealth of experience in intercollegiate athletics administration” Vice President of Student Services Tanisha Maxwell said. “We are confident he will help elevate our sports and help our student athletes achieve their highest potential.”

Storti, who joins LMC after a career of more than 20 years as a coach and athletic administrator at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, said he is eager to work with student athletes at the community college level.

“At Saint Mary’s, I designed the recruiting protocols for Club Athletics that included transfer students. We engaged and helped many community college athletes navigate the admissions and financial aid processes,” he said. “LMC, as a feeder school to UC Davis and Berkeley and other great universities, gives student athletes a unique opportunity with a unique set of support systems to help them win and graduate.”

Over the course of his tenure at Saint Mary’s College, Storti managed numerous areas within the athletic department, including human resources, strategic planning, and program assessment. In his role, Storti oversaw athletic camps, campus recreation, event management, facilities, sports medicine, and strength and conditioning. He also served as the sports supervisor for several teams, which included baseball, cross country, track, men’s golf, women’s rowing, men’s soccer, and softball. 

“LMC is an attractive opportunity, given its potential for growth in the athletics, from increasing the number of sponsored sports to increasing the number of student athletes. We will demonstrate how important student-athletes can be to the institution and the broader community,” he said. “Sports at LMC can be that light that guides more students toward higher education and long-term success.” 

As assistant vice president for Club Athletics, Storti spearheaded a departmental rebranding initiative for recruiting and revenue generation. Under his leadership, Storti introduced a student-athlete council and devised a comprehensive student leadership development program. His oversight resulted in a notable rise in student-athlete applications and enrollments. He led successful revenue-generating initiatives, which led to increases in facility rentals, camp revenue, ticket sales, and annual fundraising.  

Under his administrative leadership, several of Saint Mary’s teams achieved national success. Storti was the men’s soccer sport administrator when they participated in the 2011 NCAA tournament, where they reached the elite eight. He served as the lead administrator for men’s rugby, contributing to their historic achievements by securing USA Rugby D1A (highest level) National Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016 (7s), and 2017. 

Storti earned his master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Mary’s College.

About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

Charged with 1 felony, 2 misdemeanors for being drunk, on probation for DUI, carrying concealed, loaded stolen weapon

By Brentwood Police Department

Last week, Brentwood Officers responded to the 1600 block of Ceylon Drive for a party complaint. Our Dispatch received additional calls reporting there was a fight and someone had a gun.

When officers arrived, they saw several partygoers in the street, including an adult female who matched the description of the suspect with a gun.

The female, identified as 24-year-old Zyann Chablis Martin of Antioch, was found to be in possession of a loaded stolen gun. Martin who was heavily intoxicated at the time officers contacted her, was also on probation for DUI. According to unicourt.com her DUI occurred early last year.

Martin was placed under arrest and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. According to recentlybooked.com, Martin was charged with one felony and two misdemeanors: 25400(C)(2) PC – carrying a concealed stolen weapon (F), 496(A) PC – receiving/etc. known stolen property (M) and 647(F) PC – disorderly conduct alcohol (M). According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, as of Monday, October 2, 2023, she bonded out of custody.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Third candidate to announce for District 5 to replace Glover; touts major endorsements

On Thursday, September 21, Antioch City Councilman, business owner, retired police lieutenant Mike Barbanica announced his campaign for Contra Costa County Supervisor District 5. The campaign held its kick-off event later that evening at the Deputy Sheriff’s Association Hall in Martinez.

“We had a better turnout than expected,” Barbanica shared following the event. “We had well over 100. All the tables were full. It could not have been a more successful event. It was incredible.”

Barbanica is a 21-year veteran of the Pittsburg Police Department, where he retired in 2007 as a police lieutenant and earned the Bronze Medal of Valor Award for his service. Barbanica and his team were credited by the police chief with bringing about a 20% decrease in crime. Barbanica and his wife Kristine are the owners of Blue Line Property Group where they help local families access affordable housing. In 2020, Barbanica, a Democrat, was elected to the Antioch City Council and currently represents District 2.

“I am thrilled to announce my campaign for Supervisor for Contra Costa County District 5,” Barbanica said. “With over 20 years of experience protecting our community as a police officer and now an elected councilmember with a thriving small business that is taking on the housing crisis, I will proudly put my public service track record up against all-comers while I continue to fight for Contra Costa families. I will do what it takes to ensure Contra Costa County is a place where every family has an equal opportunity to thrive. I will use my experience as a long-time police officer and now councilmember to tackle the housing crisis, ensure we get serious about public safety, and build a stronger community for all who call Contra Costa County home.”

Barbanica is a real estate broker and owns Blue Line Property Management in Antioch handling both residential and commercial real estate sales, leasing and management.

Barbanica is running for Contra Costa County Supervisorial District 5, which spans the north shore of Contra Costa County, including the cities of Hercules, Martinez and Pittsburg, and portions of Antioch and the unincorporated communities of Alhambra Valley, Bay Point, Briones, Rodeo, Pacheco, Crockett, Tormey, Port Costa, Mt. View, Vine Hill, Reliez Valley, and Clyde. 

He enters the race with a growing list of influential and respected endorsers, including Mary Knox, Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney,  Sue Rainey, former Mayor of Walnut Creek, Mary Erbez, former Mayor of Pittsburg, Frank Aiello, former Mayor of Pittsburg, Angelica Lopez, Pittsburg City Councilmember, Tony Oerlemans, Brentwood City Councilmember, Sean Wright, former Mayor of Antioch, and Arne Simonsen, former Antioch City Clerk and City Councilmember, as well as the United Steelworkers Local 326.

So far, he will face Pittsburg Mayor Shanelle Preston and Pittsburg Councilman Jelani Killings in the primary election in March. Filing closes December 8.

More About Barbanica

Barbanica, a lifelong resident of Antioch, is the small business owner of Blue Line Property Group in Antioch. He has received numerous awards for his teaching and coaching of others, including the California and Hawaii Region “Outstanding Brokerage of the Year” and the region’s “Broker of the Year.” Barbanica also authored an international bestselling book. 

Before serving residents’ real estate needs, he began his career with the Pittsburg Police Department where he served 21 years and retired in 2007 as a police lieutenant. On the force, Barbanica ran a street level narcotic and crime unit for six years that was credited with reducing crime by 23% in Pittsburg.

In 2020, Barbanica was elected to represent District 2 on the Antioch City Council where he’s been cracking down on dilapidated properties, improving public safety, and getting small businesses the funds they need to succeed. 

Barbanica is also active in the Antioch community, is a member of the Elk’s Club, the local Knights of Columbus, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, the National Association of Realtors, the Pittsburg Italian American Club, and other service organizations. 

Barbanica is married to Kristine Barbanica, and together they have raised three children in the Antioch community and are grandparents to 4 grandchildren.

For more information on Barbanica for Contra Costa County Supervisor, please visit www.mikebarbanica.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Johns, Wagner, Davis, Land, Hannagan also winners

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…August 26…Caden Sarale of Stockton won the 30 lap BCRA Midgets Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. When long time car owner Doug Bock recently passed away, it was decided to make this a memorial race in his honor, and it was also the second leg of the Triple Crown Series for the group.

Sarale jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Danika Jo Parker of Oakdale and Ben Worth of Coalinga. On the fourth lap, the race came to a grinding halt when David Gasper of Santa Barbara flipped in Turn 4. Before the race even restarted, the USAC Midgets regular was able to rejoin the field at the back of the pack after quick repairs. Sarale continued to lead Parker on the restart, but Worth moved into second on Lap 6. 

The leaders caught heavy traffic by the 10th circuit, but the smooth driving Sarale held a straightaway advantage ahead of Worth at that point. Nikko Panella of Stockton slipped past Parker for second on Lap 17, but a yellow flag negated the pass. Sarale continued to lead Worth and Parker on the restart, but Panella moved into third by Lap 19. Moments later, Worth stalled in Turn 2 for a yellow flag as his race came to an end. 

Sarale led Panella and the resurgent Gasper on the restart. However, a red flag waved on Lap 21 after a scary incident with another car sent Blaine Craft of Elk Grove out the Turn 1 exit gate, over the K rail and into the fence. Fortunately, he was not injured. Sarale continued to lead Panella and Gasper on the restart. Gasper was pressuring Panella for second before making the move on Lap 27. However, nobody was stopping Sarale as he sped home to victory ahead of Gasper, Panella, Blake Bower of Brentwood and Bryant Bell of Oakley.

Ken Johns won the 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. This was his second win of the season as he maintains second in the championship standings.

Colten Haney of Brentwood set the early pace ahead of Kevin Brown of Oakley and Johns. Aidan Ponciano of Oakley briefly got by Johns for third, but Johns reclaimed the spot on Lap 3. Johns slipped past Brown for second on the sixth lap and made a Turn 4 pass on Lap 8 to take the lead from Haney. Hard charging Danny Wagner of Bay Point moved into fourth on Lap 6 after an opening lap spin and settled into third two laps later. 

Wagner overtook Haney for second in Turn 2 on Lap 9. Chris Long of Antioch moved into third on Lap 12 as Wagner was pressuring Johns for the lead. Wagner made a Turn 4 pass on Lap 17 to take over, only to see his pass negated by a yellow flag involving point leader Grayson Baca of Brentwood. 

Johns led the restart, but Wagner went low in Turn 1 on Lap 18 to again claim the lead. Wagner spun in Turn 1 with mechanical issues. Johns led the final restart and won ahead of Long, Ponciano, the resurgent Baca and Brown.

Reigning Delta Dwarf Car champion Danny Wagner of Bay Point won his third 20 lap Main Event of the season in thrilling fashion. The recently crowned South Bay Dwarf Car champion made a last lap pass on point leader Chance Russell of Antioch to steal the victory.

The Dwarf Cars had a non-stop affair with Russell charging out to the early lead ahead of Wagner. Russell and Wagner began to pull ahead as Sean Catucci of Brentwood settled into third. Antioch’s David Michael Rosa moved into fourth and enjoyed a good battle with Catucci before getting by. As the race hit the stretch run, Wagner began to put serious pressure on Russell. 

The leaders caught slower traffic on Lap 18 with Wagner making an outside pass in Turn 2 to briefly grab second. However, Russell went motoring ahead down the back straightaway. As the leaders hit the final turn, Wagner made his move on the inside and beat Russell back to line in a drag race for the thrilling victory. Rosa ended up third ahead of Catucci and Eric Weisler of Campbell.

Tom Davis of Los Molinos won the 20 Lap House of Juju West Coast Sport Compact Main Event. This was his eighth win of the season at the track and first on the tour.

Austin Sprague of Merced took the early lead ahead of Chris Corder of Modesto and Tony Quinonez of Corning. Davis got past Quinonez for third on the second lap and slipped past Corder for second on Lap 3. Davis put the moves on Sprague in Turn 2 on Lap 6 to grab the lead. Reigning champion Tom Brown of Santa Rosa gained third on Lap 8 and set his sights on Sprague. Brown finally got by on Lap 16 with a Turn 4 pass. However, Davis had a comfortable advantage by then as he went on to victory. Sprague settled for third ahead of Dan Myrick of Coalinga and Corder.

Matt Land of Elk Grove won the BCRA Lightning Sprint 20 lap Main Event with a late move around Series point leader Dakota Albright of Waterford. Albright broke the point lead wide open when rival Greg Dennett of Livermore scratched prior to the Main Event.

Albright took the early lead ahead of Land rookie Jason Schostag of Diamond Springs. On the 12th lap, Land spun in Turn 4 to fall back the third, but Schostag stalled at the Turn 1 exit gate for a yellow flag. On the restart, Land began to pressure Albright before making an inside pass on the front stretch on Lap 19 to take the lead. Land scored the thrilling victory ahead of Albright and Schostag.

Joel Hannagan of San Jose won the 15 lap Hardtop Main Event. This was the fifth win of the season for the point leader aboard the Doug Braudrick owned Junkyard Dog.

Brad Coello of Oakley took the early lead in the Tommy Thomson owned car, but Hannagan raced by on the inside down the front stretch a lap later to take over. Hannagan set a rapid pace and stretched his advantage to half a lap over Coelho by the time the race was over. Joe Shenefield of Modesto ended up third ahead of Ken Clifford of Antioch.

David Amsted and Jim DeJong brought their Vintage Midgets for some exhibition laps. The cars are a throwback to what represented the BCRA Midget class in the 1940s and 1950s.

The track takes a break for Labor Day weekend and returns on September 8th and 9th with the Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour. On September 15th and 16th, it will be Hall of Fame weekend with two nights of racing. For further information, go to http://www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results – August 26

BCRA Midgets 

FT-Ben Worth 14.298. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Ben Worth, Caden Sarale, Blake Bower. Main Event (30 laps)-Caden Sarale, David Gasper, Nikko Panella, Blake Bower, Bryant Bell, Danika Jo Parker, Michael Snider, Anthony Bruno, Marvin Mitchell, Floyd Alvis. 

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Aidan Ponciano, Chris Long. Main Event (20 laps)-Ken Johns, Chris Long, Aidan Ponciano, Grayson Baca, Kevin Brown, Breanna Troen, Charlie Bryant, Jess Paladino, Maddie Motts, John Keith. 

Hardtops

Heat Winner (6 laps)-Joel Hannagan. Main Event (15 laps)-Joel Hannagan, Brad Coello, Joe Shenefield, Ken Clifford, Bob Slaney DNS.

Delta Dwarf Cars

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Danny Wagner, David Michael Rosa. Main Event (20 laps)-Danny Wagner, Chance Russell, David Michael Rosa, Sean Catucci, Eric Weisler, Travis Day, Devan Kammermann, Mark Biscardi, David Rosa, Elie Russo.

BCRA Lightning Sprints 

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Greg Dennett. Main Event (20 laps)-Matt Land, Dakota Albright, Jason Schostag, Greg Dennett DNS, Chris Crowder DNS.

House of Juju West Coast Sport Compacts

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Tom Brown, Tom Davis. Main Event (20 laps)-Tom Davis, Tom Brown, Austin Sprague, Dan Myrick, Chris Corder, Tony Quinonez, Gene Glover, Kevin Thompson, Josh Applebaum, Rick Berry.

Delta Veterans Group to serve homeless and other military veterans, members of the public

By J.R. Wilson, Founder/ President, Delta Veterans Group

The next Stand Down on the Delta will be held in September 8-11, 2023, at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) located in Antioch, CA presented by Delta Veterans Group (DVG).

DVG was proud to bring the first homeless and at-risk of becoming homeless veteran “Stand Down on the Delta” of its kind to Contra Costa County in September 2015. Stand Down on the Delta was a four-day, three-night event in which veterans were provided full medical treatments, court and legal services, DMV, chaplain services, housing, addiction and mental health counseling, employment and a myriad of other community services. During the event, veterans were also provided with clothing, meals, showers, sleeping tents, live entertainment and a safe place to “stand down” for the duration.

We will do the same for our veterans, this year as well.

Volunteers are needed to help serve our military veterans because VETERANS SERVED THEIR COUNTRY AND VETERANS SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES!

Most services on Saturday, Sept. 9 will be open to the general public. You do not need to be a veteran to receive services that day.

Veterans and volunteers can register and obtain more information by visiting www.deltaveteransgroup.org.

Delta Veterans Group is comprised of both veteran and civilian volunteers who wish to serve veterans in their community. We strive to bring our veterans the four pillars of success – Housing, Employment, Health and Education – one which will not work without the other three. Through the four pillars of success as a veteran myself, I was able to find peace and balance in my life, and a chance to bring about positive changes for veterans in our community. Our goal is simple – to bring together all of the Veteran Service Organizations in our communities and champion support for our nation’s finest men and women veterans.

Delta Veterans Group 501(c)3 was founded in Contra Costa County in 2012 by Army veteran J.R. Wilson, DVG has now grown to provide services to surrounding Northern California areas including Alameda, Monterey, Napa, San Joaquin, San Francisco, and Solano counties.

Celebrates the power of movies to bring us together, with all movies, all formats, all showtimes, all day for no more than $4

Maya Cinemas is excited to partner with the Cinema Foundation to celebrate the second annual National Cinema Day this Sunday, August 27th.

Maya Cinemas will be participating in the one-day event, which celebrates the power of movies to bring us all together, and discounted admissions for all movies in all formats (including Premium Large Format screens) will be no more than $4. Maya Cinemas will also offer $4 Medium Popcorn, $4 Large Soda and a $4 Kid’s Tray.

To celebrate National Cinema Day on August 27th, dozens of movies in all formats at all participating theaters will be no more than $4, including new films opening this weekend like Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story, The Hill and Retribution, current box office hits like Barbie, Oppenheimer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and Sound of Freedom, recent family hits like Blippi’s Big Dino Adventure and Disney’s The Little Mermaid Sing-Along, to classic re-releases like Jurassic Park.

For more details, visit NationalCinemaDay.org or MayaCinemas.com. Join friends, families, and communities of moviegoers at a theater near you.

ABOUT MAYA CINEMAS

Maya Cinemas was chartered in 2000 with a mission to develop, build, own and operate modern, first-run, multi-plex movie theaters in underserved, family oriented, Latino-dominant communities.  Maya Cinemas offers first-run Hollywood movies and unique content through its Canal Maya program in high-end theaters focused on quality of design, state-of-the-art film presentation technology, and providing first-rate entertainment with superior customer service. The Maya Community Foundation is dedicated to the development and enrichment of the lives of people in the community in which Maya Cinemas serve.    

ABOUT THE CINEMA FOUNDATION

The Cinema Foundation is a donor-supported 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit – is dedicated to promoting the essential cinema exhibition industry by developing future diverse workforces and growing moviegoing communities through research, education and philanthropy.

Since March 2022, the Cinema Foundation’s mission is dedicated to shaping the future of the great collective experience of moviegoing and the cinema industry. It works to support and impact the health of the cinema sector both in the short term and for years to come and is continuously expanding its contributions to the magic of moviegoing. The Cinema Foundation builds on NATO’s mission and relationships and expands NATO’s impact in ways that help individual employees and companies as well as the industry as a whole. We are the Foundation of a great industry, thecinemafoundation.org.

Half marathon, 10K, 5k and 1-mile Family Fun Run fundraiser for Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation

By Patti Shaner

Runners and Volunteers are needed to participate in the 12th Annual Delta Harvest Run. 100% of the net proceeds goes to the Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation. The DRCSF is a non-profit organization run by local Realtors and affiliates.  Since its establishment in 2005, the DRCSF has been offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors at each of the high schools from Pittsburg to Discovery Bay.  It is estimated that the Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in high school scholarships since its inception.  In addition to scholarships, the Foundation consistently donates money to local food banks, Community Chests, Homeless Shelters, Elderly Make A Wish, and other charitable organizations in East Contra Costa County.   

The Delta Harvest Run offers a half marathon, 10K, 5k and a 1 Mile Family Fun Run. The DHR begins and ends at the beautiful City Park in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Oak and 2nd Streets. The flat route meanders thru the tree lined city streets and on the peaceful and scenic Marsh Creek trail. The run is facilitated by a professional race and timing company.  All participants will receive a finishers metal, a custom performance-shirt, a swag bag and snacks at the finish line. Back by popular demand the runners will receive a token for a free beer, an ice cream or a coffee. The DHR will also award age group metals as well as overall male and female trophies. 

The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., with a prerace warm-up lead by a professional instructor prior to race time.  The awards ceremony will take place at The City Park immediately following the race.    

For more information about the run or to registration as a runner or a volunteer go to the website at www.deltaharvestrun.com. You can also call the race director Patti Shaner at 925-584-1614.   

Applications for scholarships will be available at each of the high school career centers by early December. Interested seniors can also call Tonia at the Delta Associate of Realtors at (925) 757-8283 to receive an application. The Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation is proud to support our community.