During National Click It or Ticket campaign May 18–31

By Jaime Coffee, Director of Communications, CHP Office of Media Relations

SACRAMENTO— Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, bringing increased traffic on roads across California as families travel to destinations and gatherings.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is preparing for the holiday weekend by launching a Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) from Friday, May 22, at 6 p.m., through Monday, May 25, at 11:59 p.m. During this period, CHP officers will conduct targeted enforcement to identify reckless drivers and emphasize proper seat belt use for drivers and passengers.

While the national seatbelt usage rate remains above 90%, 2024 data shows that not wearing a seat belt continues to contribute to preventable deaths on California’s roads.

A seat belt can be the difference between walking away from a crash and never making it home.

From May 18–31, the California Highway Patrol will participate in the national Click It or Ticket campaign with increased seat belt enforcement. Officers will be stopping drivers and passengers who are not properly buckled up.

Too many lives are lost each year because someone chose not to wear a seat belt. In a crash, being ejected from a vehicle is often deadly, and airbags alone are not enough to protect you.

• Buckle up correctly every trip:
• Shoulder belt across your chest
• Lap belt low across your hips
• Never behind your back or under your arm

Learn more: www.nhtsa.gov/SeatBelts

“Wearing a seat belt remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to save lives. Crashes are unpredictable, and taking a moment to buckle up before every trip can mean the difference between life and death.” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee

CLICK IN. DRIVE SAFE

Whether traveling on highways or local streets, wearing a seat belt is essential to reaching your destination safely.

In a crash, seat belts can significantly reduce the risk of fatal injury by preventing vehicle occupants from being ejected. Preliminary data from 2024 and 2025 show that over 13,000 crashes statewide involved an unrestrained occupant, resulting in more than 1,300 fatalities, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.

During last year’s Memorial Day HEP, which covered the same 78-hour period from Friday, May 23, to Monday, May 27, 2025, CHP officers investigated 22 fatal crashes within its jurisdiction. Of the 21 vehicle occupants who died, nine were not wearing seat belts. During that period, CHP officers made more than 1,100 DUI arrests statewide.

The CHP’s Memorial Day HEP coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click it or Ticket” initiative. The campaign highlights the lifesaving importance of seat belts and urges the public to take responsibility for their safety by buckling up on every trip.

SMALL PASSENGERS, BIG RESPONSIBILITY

Properly securing a child in the appropriate car seat or booster seat is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect them during a crash.

California law sets requirements for child passenger safety based on age, weight, and height. Choosing and properly using the correct car seat is essential for protecting young passengers traveling in a car.

The CHP’s Child Passenger Safety Program is dedicated to helping protect California’s youngest passengers through education, outreach and hands-on assistance for parents and caregivers. To connect with a car seat technician or have your car seat inspected, contact your local CHP office. 

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Application Deadline: May 24

By Antioch Recreation Department

Join us for an evening of culture, community, music, food, and celebration at the City of Antioch’s Juneteenth Freedom Celebration!

Friday, June 19

4PM–8PM

Williamson Ranch Park (corner of Lone Tree Way and Hillcrest Avenue)

We’re looking for:

• Local Vendors
• Food Vendors
• Community Organizations

Celebrate freedom, culture, and community with live music, poets, dancers, games, rides, and family fun for all ages.

Apply today by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visit:

www.antiochca.gov/218/Juneteenth-Celebration

Applications close May 24

Space is limited. Don’t miss out!

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Honoring the brave men and women who gave everything for our freedom. Join us this Memorial Day as the Delta Veterans Group and the City of Antioch come together to remember, reflect and honor our fallen heroes.

According to MemorialDay2026.com, “Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring and mourning military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s a day of remembrance, reflection and gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice made by service members throughout American history.

“Memorial Day traces its roots to the years following the Civil War, when communities across America began decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. Originally called ‘Decoration Day,’ the observance was first widely celebrated on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

“After World War I, Memorial Day evolved from honoring just Civil War casualties to commemorating American military personnel who died in all wars. In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, officially declaring Memorial Day a federal holiday and moving its observance to the last Monday in May.”

Oak View Memorial Park Cemetery

2500 E. 18th Street, Antioch

8:00 AM – Pancake Breakfast

10:00 AM – Memorial Day Ceremony

Antioch Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6435

815 Fulton Shipyard Road, Antioch

12:00 PM – Lunch at Antioch VFW

Let us stand united in gratitude and remembrance.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

In an effort to Keep Antioch Beautiful and to celebrate Arbor Day we hosted an event to plant nearly 30 trees around Prewett Family Park and in the Antioch Community Center’s parking lot!

First celebrated in the U.S. in 1872, Arbor Day is a national holiday in which encourages public attention to the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Planting, relocating and even climbing trees are encouraged, along with learning more about the myriad of ways trees function in our environment and help us all to exist. Learn more about Arbor Day from the Farmer’s Almanac and Arbor Day Foundation.

Thank you to everyone involved:

• Students from Holy Rosary School
• Antioch Public Works
• Antioch Police Department
• Antioch Public Safety
• City Council Members Don Freitas and Monica Wilson

The strides our community makes to Keep Antioch Beautiful are ongoing!

And takes the involvement of our entire community.

If you are interested in any upcoming volunteer events, please visit our website: antiochca.gov/recreation

See more photos of the event on the City of Antioch Recreation Department Facebook page.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Plus, this year’s National Night Out and Sister City activities; but no mention of Holiday Delites Celebration

By Allen D. Payton

During their special meeting budget workshop on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Antioch City Council directed staff to keep funding for four community events and activities. They include this year’s Juneteenth celebration, the July 4th celebration on the nation’s 250th Independence Day and the National Night Out event. Also, the council protected funding for this year’s Sister City activities with Chichibu, Japan.

While reviewing a list of Deficit Reduction Proposals from city staff, Council postponed decisions for several of the items asking for more information from staff, first. Those are expected at a Budget Session before next Tuesday’s regular Council meeting.

“Since we’re hosting, this year, I’ll say ‘no’,” Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas said to the recommendation to “Pause Sister City Activities.” The other three council members and Mayor Ron Bernal agreed.

Following are the costs to the City’s General Fund budget for the four items:

• Juneteenth – $54,606, which includes vendors, supplies and police staffing;
• July 4th – $157,586, which includes fireworks, vendors, supplies and police staffing;
• National Night Out – $3,842 for police overtime; and
• Sister City activities – $15,000

City Finance Director Dawn Merchant asked the council members to confirm they were agreeing to only fund the three events, plus, Sister City activities, they each responded, “Yes.”

However, none of the council members or staff mentioned the annual Holiday Delites Celebration in December which wasn’t on the list for cutting. A question asking about funding for that event was sent to council members and staff.

UPDATE: Later, Bernal responded, “Forgot about that one. I’m sure we can add it when we do our next study session.”

Get ready for a fun-filled Mother’s Day weekend with live music, delicious dinner, dancing with great company at the Bay Area’s premier location for Soul, Style and Celebration!

Join us for The Wright Social Spot’s 6th Annual Mother’s Day Weekend Dinner Show with Live Music and Dancing, Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM.

Join us for a night of great music and delicious food at our cozy venue. Get ready to groove to live tunes and enjoy a scrumptious dinner with your loved ones.

Dinner served 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM followed by the Show and Dancing.

This in-person event will be held at The Wright Social Spot. So, mark your calendars, get your tickets and come on down for a fantastic time. Don’t miss out on this special occasion celebrating all mothers!

Tickets are $75 per person plus, fee and available at www. Eventbrite.com/e/1983484799429. Location provided upon purchase. For more information about The Wright Social Spot and Wright’s Catering visit their Facebook page or Instagram at TheRightSocialSpot.

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