To oversee process for Bay Area transit tax on Nov. ballot

By Metropolitan Transportation Commission

OAKLAND, CA – Updated Aug. 17, 2026 – The Public Transit Revenue Measure District (PTRMD) was established under Government Code Title 7.85, by Senate Bill 63 (2025), which also authorizes a regional transportation revenue measure to be placed on the November 2026 ballot, known as the Connect Bay Area Transit Initiative.

District Members

The Public Transit Revenue Measure District is comprised of the same individuals that govern the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).

The PTRMD on Jan. 16, 2026, received a notice of intent from the Connect Bay Area Transit Committee to place a citizen’s initiative on the November 2026 ballot. Senate Bill 63, authored by state senators Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Jesse Arreguín of Berkeley, authorized a qualified voter initiative to impose a retail transactions and use tax ordinance applicable to the entire district for a duration of 14 years, in an amount of 0.5% in each of the counties located within the district and 1% in the City and County of San Francisco, subject to voter approval at the November 3, 2026, statewide general election. 

On July 1, 2026, the District Elections Official issued a Certificate to Initiative Petition, certifying that proponents of the Connect Bay Area Transit Initiative submitted sufficient valid signatures for the measure to qualify for placement on the ballot.

The District at its July 24, 2026, meeting formally approved a resolution accepting the District Elections Official’s certification of the Connect Bay Area Transit initiative measure and requesting the Boards of Supervisors in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to call a special election on the measure and to consolidate this special election with the November 3, 2026, statewide general election. 

Impartial Analysis of Regional Transit Measure 

Legal counsel for the Public Transit Revenue Measure District has prepared an impartial analysis of the  Regional Transit Measure pursuant to subdivision (d) of Government Code 67740. This text will also be included in each county’s voter information guide per state law. 

Notices of Election Provided by Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters provided the following notices of election:

• Notice of General Election
• 大選通告
• AVISO DE ELECCIÓN GENERAL
• THÔNG BÁO TỔNG TUYỂN CỬ
• Paunawa Sa Pangkalahatang Halalan

Election-Related Deadlines 

Established election dates related to the measure can be found on the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters (ROV) website. Please reference the most recently published Public Transit Revenue Measure District (PTRMD) calendars, which may be accessed at the SantaClaraCounty.gov website.  If you are unable to access the link, please contact the Santa Clara County ROV directly for assistance.  

Staff Contact

Kimberly Ward, District Elections Official
Phone: 415-778-5367
Email: kward@bayareametro.gov

請求協助! | ¡Solicita ayuda! | Request assistance! 

您是否需要我們翻譯其中一份文件的內容? 您是否需要大字體或盲文印刷的書面資料? 您是否需要手語或您所說語言的口譯服務才能參與?  

如需協助，請致電 (415) 778-6757。若需使用 TDD 或為聽障人士，請致電 711，加州轉接服務，或 (800) 735-2929 (TTY) ，(800) 735-2922 (語音)，然後要求轉接至(415) 778-6700。請至少提前三個工作日提出申請，以便我們能為您提供適當的安排。 

¿Necesita que alguno de nuestros documentos sea traducido? ¿Necesita nuestras comunicaciones escritas en letra grande o en Braille? ¿Necesita un intérprete del lenguaje de señas o un intérprete que hable su idioma para poder participar?  

Para solicitar asistencia, por favor llamemos al (415) 778-6757. Para telecomunicaciones para personas sordas y discapacitadas, favor de llamar al 711, el Servicio de Retransmisión de California (CRS) para TTY/VCO/HCO a Voz o para Voz a TTY/VCO/HCO al (800) 855-3000 y pedir que lo conecten al (415) 778-6700. Necesitamos aviso de al menos tres días hábiles de anticipación para proporcionar la asistencia adecuada. 

Do you need one of our documents translated? Do you need written materials in large type or in Braille? Do you need a sign language interpreter or an interpreter who speaks your language in order to participate?  

To request accommodation, please call (415) 778-6757. For TDD or hearing impaired, call 711, California Relay Service, or (800) 735-2929 (TTY), (800) 735-2922 (voice) and ask to be relayed to (415) 778-6700. We require at least three working days’ notice to accommodate requests.

For more information visit Public Transit Revenue Measure District.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Walnut Creek PD Bomb Squad assists again

Police seek unknown suspect, warn residents against vigilante justice following social media posts of videos showing “resident yelling and using racial slurs”

By Lt. Michael Mellone, Antioch Police Department

On Monday, August 17, 2026, at 10:11 a.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to a residence in the Lake Alhambra area of Antioch after an incendiary device was reportedly thrown at the property. The device, preliminarily believed to be a large firework, exploded and caused minor property damage. No injuries were reported.

Officers secured the scene and collected evidence. The Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad responded to assist with the investigation. APD officers have interviewed several witnesses, are collecting and reviewing surveillance video from the surrounding area and are pursuing several investigative leads. At this time, no suspect has been identified.

The residence is associated with several incidents from July 2026. One of those incidents, which recently received significant attention on social media, was addressed through the courts and resulted in a restraining order. In a separate incident involving a different victim, the same suspect was arrested for an alleged civil rights violation and battery. That case was referred to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which subsequently filed misdemeanor charges alleging violation of civil rights and simple battery. The criminal case remains pending.

A post on the Antioch Police Department’s Facebook page Sunday afternoon, Aug. 16, also asked people not to pursue vigilante justice. It read, “We are aware of videos circulating on social media involving a local resident yelling and using racial slurs. The Antioch Police Department is actively investigating the incident.

“We understand that these videos may be upsetting to our community. We ask everyone to please allow our investigators to do their job and not take matters into your own hands or harass, threaten, or confront anyone involved.

“If you have information that may assist our investigation, please contact the Antioch Police Department.

“Thank you for helping us keep our community safe and respectful.”

According to the Antioch PD CitizenRIMS map, the incident, Number: 2608170070, is classified as felony vandalism of $400 or more and occurred in the 90 block of E. Lake Drive.

According to Lt. Bill Whitaker, an arrest was made at the house on July 27th of the man who was the subject of the videos in which he can be seen making racist comments. According to the APD CitizenRIMS map, the arrest occurred at 6:12 PM and was for a felony assault described as, “Threaten Crime With Intent To Terrorize,” 422(A) PC – against immediate family or any other person who regularly resides in the household, 422.6(A) PC – a person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall not, by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, oppress, or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of a right or privilege secured by the Constitution or laws of this state, and 242 PC – battery. Case Number: 26-7027 and Incident Number: 2607270189. However, the arrest is not included in the list on the APD CitizenRIMS website.

Whitaker also shared that the incident is unrelated to what occurred on July 30, 2026, when the Antioch Police Department served a search warrant at a residence in the 4000 block of South Royal Links Circle as part of an ongoing investigation involving possible homemade explosive devices.

Investigators are examining whether today’s incident is connected to the recent social media attention surrounding the July incidents. While APD recognizes the strong public reaction, retaliation and vigilante acts are not an acceptable substitute for the criminal justice process. The July matters were investigated by APD and are being addressed through the appropriate legal processes.

UPDATE 1: One video posted on the bayarea_tv Instagram account shared semi-anonymously (without a name, just an email address) with the Herald Monday night, shows a man in the yard of a house cussing at someone video recording him while yelling profanity and racist epithets, and flipping off using both hands.

The description posted with the video reads, “Racist Neighbor in Antioch, CA. A Black homeowner says she has faced repeated harassment from her next-door neighbor, including being called the N-word and subjected to other insults. She says the behavior has continued despite having restraining orders against the neighbor. Video of one of the encounters has since circulated online, bringing attention to what she describes as ongoing harassment. What should happen in a situation like this?” (The Herald will not post a link to the video, just a screenshot so as not to repeat the vile comments). Lt. Whitaker confirmed he is the man who was arrested on July 27th.

Members of the public who have information or evidence are encouraged to provide it to law enforcement rather than take matters into their own hands. Harassment, threats, trespassing, property damage, or acts of violence directed at any person or residence may constitute separate criminal offenses and will be investigated accordingly. Such actions can also place uninvolved neighbors, including children and pets, community members, and first responders at risk.

Anyone with information about today’s incident is asked to contact the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6926 and reference Case No. 26-7784. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Because today’s investigation remains active and the July criminal case is pending, APD is limiting the release of additional details that could compromise either matter. Additional information will be released when appropriate.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Able-bodied must now document 80 hours a month of work, job training or volunteering

By Tyler McCarthy, Outreach Associate and Eve Birge, CEO, White Pony Express

Until this June, if you were 55 to 64 and on CalFresh, you were exempt from the program’s strictest work rules. Not anymore.

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025, adults in that age range who are considered able-bodied and don’t have a child under 14 at home must now document 80 hours a month of work, job training or volunteering — or lose their food assistance after three months. California’s rules changed June 1.

Think about who that catches. Too young for Medicare. Too early for full Social Security without a permanent cut to the check. Often job-hunting in a market that stopped calling back the moment their resume showed 20 years of experience.

Learn about the new rules for other age groups, here.

Nationally, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) enrollment has dropped by four and a half million people since the law passed — about 11 percent. Fewer people getting help is not the same as fewer people needing it, and this is exactly the age group already reporting the most hardship. Food insecurity among adults 50 and older has been climbing for two decades, and it shows up later as worse health, poorer diets and a harder time managing chronic disease. Meanwhile, groceries cost around 30 percent more than they did before the pandemic. More than 4 in 10 older adults now say prices at the store have outrun their budget, according to AARP.

White Pony Express meets them where they already are. Nearly all its 144 partner agencies serve older adults; 18 serve seniors exclusively. Its drivers bring fresh produce, dairy and protein to senior housing and community centers, and set it out like a farmers’ market, not a handout, so people choose what they want and stay to visit, share recipes and build community.

The program coordinator at a food pantry in San Pablo explained it best: “We serve seniors who have a fixed income and use it to pay bills and rent. Food is something they have to find. They survive through this kind of service.”

Since 2013, White Pony Express (WPE) has done this at no cost to its nonprofit recipients and no cost to the people they feed. Help WPE reach more neighbors: volunteer or donate at whiteponyexpress.org.

White Pony Express is a food rescue nonprofit based in Concord, California.

Sources:

1. Until this June, if you were 55 to 64 and on CalFresh, you were exempt from the program’s strictest work rules. Not anymore.
   1. “OBBBA raises the age limit for ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) work requirements, from 55 to 64.” (Think Global Health, 2026)
2. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025, adults in that age range who are considered able-bodied and don’t have a child under 14 at home must now document 80 hours a month of work, job training or volunteering — or lose their food assistance after three months.
   1. “Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, more adults need to prove they work or volunteer for at least 80 hours a month to access food benefits. These work requirements now apply to veterans, homeless individuals, young adults aging out of foster care, parents with a child between 14 and 17, and people between 55 and 64.” (NPR, 2026)
   2. “People who have to meet the work or community engagement requirement must participate in qualifying activity for up to 20 hours per week, or 80 hours averaged monthly. Qualifying activities include:
3. Paid employment
4. Volunteer work or community service
5. Job training or work programs
6. Education
7. Workfare
8. Combination of any of the above.” (CDSS, 2026)

3. California’s rules changed June 1.
   1. “Starting June 1, 2026, the federal government’s rules on CalFresh work and community engagement requirements are changing in California. This means that some CalFresh recipients between the ages of 18-64 will have to meet work and community engagement requirements to keep their CalFresh benefits.” (CDSS, 2026)
4. Nationally, SNAP enrollment has dropped by four and a half million people since the law passed — about 11 percent.
   1. “We estimate that SNAP participation nationwide fell by more than 4.5 million people (11 percent) between the law’s July 2025 enactment and April 2026, based on the latest month of data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and data from the Georgia Department of Human Services provided in an open records request.” (CBPP, 2026)
5. Food insecurity among adults 50 and older has been climbing for two decades, and it shows up later as worse health, poorer diets and a harder time managing chronic disease.
   1. “Food insecurity among older adults has risen over the past two decades, contributing to poorer diet quality, declining physical health, heightened risk of cognitive impairment, and more challenging chronic disease management.” (Think Global Health, 2026)
6. Meanwhile, groceries cost around 30 percent more than they did before the pandemic.
   1. “The price of food purchased for home use rose 33% from 2019 through June 2026.” (AP News, 2026)
7. More than 4 in 10 older adults now say prices at the store have outrun their budget, according to AARP.
   1. “In a December 2025 AARP survey, more than 4 in 10 adults ages 50-plus said grocery prices now cost more than they can afford, compared with one-third of adults under 50.” (AARP, 2026).

By Trish Heaney, Marketing and Communications Manager, Steve Spraitzar, Public Relations, and Tyler McCarthy, Outreach Associate, White Pony Express

ANTIOCH, Calif. – White Pony Express (WPE) and Kaiser Permanente partnered to hold a Drive-Thru Giveaway Saturday on August 1, 2026, at Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center, distributing groceries and essential goods to 200 local families while marking a milestone of 32 million meals rescued and delivered to Contra Costa County residents since WPE’s founding.

Families were connected to the event through 20 Antioch-based nonprofit partners served by WPE. Each family received two bags of fresh groceries along with hygiene kits, toys, children’s books, and treats. In total, WPE distributed 5,075 pounds of groceries and more than 2,500 hygiene and beauty kits and children’s gifts.

“Extraordinary things are possible when we commit to the shared belief that every one of us belongs to one human family and when one person thrives, we all thrive,” said White Pony Express CEO Eve Birge. “This drive-thru is more than a giveaway — it’s a celebration of a community showing up for itself, with love at the center.”

Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal, who attended the event, pointed to White Pony Express’s outsized role in the city.

“I didn’t realize Antioch gets the most food from White Pony Express out of the whole county,” Bernal said. “This is a great way to address not just food insecurity but having quality food for people — because that’s really the missing element.”

Antioch Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker, a longtime WPE community partner, echoed that sentiment.

“White Pony Express has always showed up and showed out and made sure our families had what they needed,” Walker said. “You bring White Pony Express together with Kaiser Permanente, you get two organizations that are caring for people in very practical ways to make sure their families are healthy.”

Events like the August 1st giveaway come as food insecurity continues to climb across Contra Costa County driven by CalFresh cuts, rising grocery and housing costs, and stagnant wages.

White Pony Express was founded on the idea that hunger is not caused by a lack of food, but by a failure to connect existing surplus with the people who need it. Each day, WPE’s staff and 2,000+ volunteers rescue fresh food and essential goods from local grocers, farms, and businesses and deliver it within 24 hours to families across the county — a model that allows the organization to scale and respond quickly as hunger grows more widespread.

About White Pony Express

White Pony Express is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner on a simple, radical belief: hunger is not a scarcity problem, it’s a logistics problem. Our mission is to end hunger and poverty by delivering the abundance already all around us to our neighbors in need — with love. Every day, WPE’s staff and 2,000+ volunteers rescue fresh, healthy food and essential goods from local grocers, farms, and businesses, redistributing it within 24 hours to families across Contra Costa County. To date, we’ve recovered and delivered more than 38 million pounds of food through partnerships with 140+ nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations, guided by the mantra “all of us taking care of all of us”.

Top Takeaways

• Current regulations aim to ensure consistency across Head Start sites regardless of geographical location or other local factors.
• The proposed changes would cut over 100 pages of regulations down to about 10 pages.
• Federal officials say program quality would not be jeopardized; proposal’s critics say Head Start’s standards are what make it high quality.

By Betty Márquez Rosales, EdSource, republished with permission

On a recent Thursday morning, 12 preschoolers at Bright Starts Center in south Los Angeles moved between Spanish and English as they cleaned up after painting and playing with blocks. They stretched before outdoor play and reviewed how to stay safe on the slide, at the water station and while riding bikes.

A teacher and assistant stayed with the children throughout the morning. A third adult prepared meals in the kitchen — mini banana loaf with apple, homestyle cheese pizza with mixed veggies and apple chips with a colby jack cheese stick.

The routines at Bright Starts illustrate the holistic approach toward educating children while caring for them that has defined Head Start for more than six decades. Federal rules set standards for staffing, nutrition, physical activity and services for children who are learning English, among other areas, with the goal of providing low-income children and their families with education as well as behavioral screenings, parent engagement opportunities and other support.

Now, the Trump administration seeks to dramatically reduce those federal regulations with a shorter set of rules, and give states and local programs more authority over how Head Start operates.

The proposal’s critics say it would cut down present regulations, over 100 pages long, to about 10 pages, and fundamentally change Head Start as it’s known now. The changes, if approved, would eliminate regulatory requirements governing classroom ratios, group sizes and services for children who speak languages other than English. It would also require English-only instruction.

The changes could theoretically add, according to federal officials, over 200,000 slots for children nationwide while reducing administrative costs. Federal officials say the changes would reduce administrative burdens, give programs greater flexibility and could allow Head Start to serve more children. Critics say the proposed changes could lead to lower quality and considerable variation from program to program, even within states.

Federal officials disagree. Lizbeth Casco White, director of the federal Office of Head Start, said in announcing the proposed changes that they would not “create a patchwork of standards” or compromise quality.

“Head Start would still exist, but it would not be Head Start as we know it and love it today,” said Melanee Cottrill, executive director of Head Start California.

“One-size-fits-all mandates from Washington cannot fully account for the realities facing more than 1,600 local grantees serving vastly different communities across America,” Casco White said. Her remarks echoed statements from Alex Adams, who leads the federal Administration for Children and Families that controls billions in childcare and preschool funding.

The proposed changes are subject to a 60-day public comment period. Hundreds of comments have already been submitted, and the administration must review public feedback before deciding whether to finalize the changes.

Critics say Head Start would fundamentally change

Federal officials have said that lower administrative burden and greater flexibility for local programs are, in part, why the regulatory changes must be made.

Luis Bautista, executive director of the Head Start and Early Learning Division at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, said reducing some administrative requirements could allow programs to spend more resources on children and families — but only if they do not risk quality.

“I think all of us who are in the program will welcome the opportunity to reduce any unnecessary administrative burden, especially when those changes allow us to spend more time serving children and families,” Bautista said. “But flexibility should never come at the expense of quality or safety or equitable access. And some of these proposed changes are going to actually impact all of those things.”

The L.A. County education office is the state’s largest Head Start grantee — teaching thousands of babies, toddlers and young children — and works with the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, the nonprofit that oversees the Bright Starts Center.

While federal officials say the changes would give local programs flexibility, critics question how much discretion programs would have in practice if federal funding does not increase.

Head Start programs receive federal grants, and their budgets are tied to the number of children they are funded to serve, and the requirements attached to those grants. Cottrill, of Head Start California, said that could limit how much flexibility programs actually have.

“When we ask for that grant, we have to justify it. We can pay that many teachers because we’re required to. While the Office of Head Start is saying ‘you’ll have flexibility,’ they still have the ultimate say on those grants,” she said.

Cottrill said she fears that if the federal office requests local programs to serve more children without increased funding, the proposed changes could lead to reduced staffing or services to accommodate the additional enrollment.

“How do you do that? Well, you hire people who are less qualified. You give them more children. You cut services like toothbrushing and monitors on buses and all those wraparound things that make Head Start such a unique program that really creates positive results for those kids,” said Cottrill.

The Office of Head Start did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Casco White of the federal Office of Head Start has said federal regulations are not what solely drive early education services like Head Start.

“Federal regulations establish minimum requirements. They do not define the ceiling of excellence,” she said in announcing the proposed regulatory changes.

The proposed changes come after months of uncertainty for Head Start, including a federal budget proposal that called for eliminating funding altogether. After opposition from Head Start’s advocates, Congress ultimately restored funding to roughly its previous level. Some local Head Start programs temporarily shut down because furloughed federal staff were not able to process grants during last year’s historic federal shutdown.

The Trump administration has pursued other changes to the program as well. In May, federal officials proposed removing certain wage and benefits requirements for Head Start staff, saying the move would “restore needed flexibility and autonomy to local programs” while reducing paperwork.

Most recently, in June, right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation published a report outlining why Head Start should be deregulated “until officials end it.”

Back at Bright Starts, the children returned to their classroom after outdoor play, moving between Spanish and English as they settled into their next activity.

For now, the routines that shape their day remain in place — two adults in the classroom, time for physical activity, meals and snacks, and opportunities for children to learn English while maintaining their home language.

Whether those practices remain federal standards or are left to states and local programs to decide could depend on what happens next. If the changes are approved, legal challenges are likely, particularly in response to new requirements such as English-only instruction.

Bautista said the outcome should ultimately be measured by what happens to children in classrooms like Bright Starts.

“Will these changes improve outcomes for children?” he said. “I think we have to stay rooted in that.”

Betty Márquez Rosales is based in Los Angeles and covers juvenile justice, youth homelessness and other education topics.

Photo cutlines:

8. Bright Starts Center, a Head Start site in south Los Angeles, provides learning opportunities via play, meals and dual language instruction. Credit: Betty Márquez Rosales

9. A child enrolled in Head Start at Bright Starts Center cleans his workstation after finishing a painting.

7. Head Start programs are currently required to meet specific staff-to-child ratios.

4. Five 2-year-olds enrolled at Bright Starts Center in Los Angeles at the end of outdoor activity time.

Historic ministry rooted in evangelism, transformation and lived-out faith brings its vision to the Bay Area

ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA — August 2026 — Truth Bearer International Bay Area (TBI Bay Area) is celebrating the launch of its new church ministry in Antioch, California, under the leadership of Pastor Derrick Holloway.

Officially launched in July 2026, Truth Bearer International Bay Area welcomes individuals and families throughout Antioch, East Contra Costa County and the greater Bay Area to worship each Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Zimmerman Chapel, 2200 Country Hills Drive, Antioch.

With the message “A New Chapter. A New Church. A New You!,” TBI Bay Area is creating a place where people from all backgrounds can experience biblical teaching, spiritual growth, authentic worship and Christian community.

Truth Bearer International has a unique history.

The vision for the ministry was divinely inspired and initially entrusted to Bishop Leon Ralph in 1976. The vision was later passed to Chaplain Mardi Ralph Jackson, who carried it until its appointed time.

That vision ultimately connected with several men at San Quentin State Prison who heeded the call and anointing on their lives to preach the Gospel. Sharing Bishop Ralph’s vision for ministry, these men became part of the foundation through which Truth Bearer International was divinely formed.

From those beginnings, the ministry developed around a commitment to holiness, evangelism, multi-ethnicity and an interdenominational approach to Christian ministry.

Today, TBI Bay Area continues that legacy while addressing the real-life challenges facing individuals and families.

Led by Pastor Derrick Holloway, the Antioch ministry emphasizes straightforward, unfiltered biblical teaching and a faith that extends beyond Sunday morning. Messages frequently focus on real-life transformation, faithfulness over perfection, overcoming past struggles, restoration and developing a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

TBI’s approach is intentionally authentic — “no fluff,” raw and lived-out faith rather than polished performance.

The church particularly hopes to reach people who may have felt overlooked, judged, disconnected from traditional church environments or who are simply searching for a new beginning.

“Our desire is for people to know that they are welcome,” said Pastor Holloway. “It does not matter where you have been or what your past looks like. God can transform a life. We want to teach the truth of God’s Word, love people, help people grow and give them a place where their faith can become real in their everyday lives.”

TBI Bay Area’s message is reflected in its foundational scripture, John 14:6:

“I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

As the new congregation grows, Truth Bearer International Bay Area seeks to become an active part of the Antioch and greater Bay Area community, building relationships, serving others, sharing the Gospel and providing opportunities for individuals and families to grow spiritually.

Whether someone has been in church for decades, is returning to church after years away or has never attended church before, the invitation is simple:

All are welcome.

SUNDAY WORSHIP INFORMATION

Truth Bearer International Bay Area
Pastor Derrick Holloway

Every Sunday
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Zimmerman Chapel
2200 Country Hills Drive, Antioch

CONNECT WITH TBI BAY AREA

Phone: 510-750-0346, Email: TBIministrybayarea@gmail.com, Website: https://truthbearerinternational.org/ Facebook: Derrick Holloway TBI Bay Area Instagram: @tbiministrybayarea YouTube: Truth Bearer International Bay Area Church

About Truth Bearer International Bay Area

Truth Bearer International Bay Area is a Christian ministry based in Antioch, California, committed to holiness, evangelism, biblical truth, spiritual transformation and reaching people across cultural and denominational backgrounds. Rooted in a ministry vision first given in 1976, TBI continues a legacy that grew through prison ministry and men called to preach the Gospel. Under the leadership of Pastor Derrick Holloway, TBI Bay Area is dedicated to teaching God’s Word without compromise while creating a welcoming environment where people can worship, grow, heal, serve and experience life transformation through Jesus Christ.

Under new ownership and management; renovated 101-year-old building, kept same menu

“A labor of love. I did this for my grandchildren,” – co-owner, Joe Martinez

“This is an opportunity for Jamie and me to get one of the last historic places in Antioch,” – co-owner Ron Harrison

By Allen D. Payton

After closing in June 2025 and following the purchase late last year and renovations this year, the new owners and operators of Mac’s Old House will hold a Grand Opening of Antioch’s iconic restaurant Saturday, August 15 at 4:00 p.m. The new owners are Ron and Jamie Harrison and Joe and Desiree Martinez. Sheri Vallero, who also runs Mel’s Diner in Antioch, and daughter, Terriane Reed and son, Roger Born, are the operators.

Locally famous for their dine-in, family-style prime rib and pasta dinners, “The story of Mac’s stretches back to 1925 when Floyd ‘Mac’ McKinney built the house with his father. In 1956 he began to operate a bar out of a converted part of the home. He operated it for 17 years before selling it and retiring,” according to a report by onlyinyourstate.com. “The restaurant changed hands a few times after Mac, but (the previous) owner bought it in 1983.”

During a soft opening dinner for friends on Tuesday, Aug. 4, Ron and Joe shared their thoughts and excitement about the restaurant.

“Joe and I are friends, and I work with him a lot,” Ron Harrison said. “We started talking about it and said, ‘why don’t we buy it?’ To us it’s an historical place.”

Harrison’s other business partner, “Sean (McCauley) and I have so many places out here. This is an opportunity for Jamie and me to get one of the last historic places in Antioch,” he continued.

“We lease the restaurant to Sheri and required her to keep the same name and menu,” Harrison stated. “We added 15 feet to the back for a bigger kitchen. More parking stalls. Two new beautiful bathrooms.”

“We got all the smoke off the walls and added all new lighting picked out by Desiree,” he shared. “We kept the bar. We wrapped all the beams. We tried to keep it as original as possible. The building is 101 years old.”

“We worked with the City staff and leaned on them as much as possible,” Harrison added.

“This is my first venture together with Ron,” Martinez said. “I bought the property and brought Ron in. I knew I wanted this project. I met with (former owners) Gary and Sue Noe and worked things out.”

“Starting in November I’ve been working on this every day since. A labor of love. It turned out good,” he continued. “We did a complete restoration. I told Gary and Sue, my goal is to honor the legacy of Mac and the family and continue it.”

“I put my heart, soul and love into it,” Martinez shared. “My wife and I picked out all the finishes.”

“The plan is to keep it for the next 40 years, the next generation,” he stated. “Nobody else was going to do it with all the cost involved. I put in my sweat equity. Ron took care of all the City stuff and laid out the plumbing and kitchen. I did all the construction. I’m happy it’s done.”

“I did this for my grandchildren as a family trust,” Martinez added.

See a video by the Harrisons showing a tour of the restaurant and announcing the Grand Opening, here.

For now, the restaurant is open daily for dinner from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, Mac’s will open for lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. They now accept debit and credit cards for payment.

The restaurant is located at 3100 E. 18th Street in Antioch. For more information visit them on Facebook and Instagram.

By Carla Baker Marymee, Antioch Historical Society

The Antioch Historical Society presented a beautiful plaque to Antioch Police Chief Joe Vigil and Nahleen Cloninger to thank the Antioch Police Officers Association Community Engagement Team for their incredible support during a recent clean up at the Antioch Historical Museum! It was presented by Landscape Advisor Cesar Court.

Special appreciation to Nick Shipilov, who coordinated the effort and worked side-by-side with fellow officers Loren Bledsoe (ret.), Eric Nilsen, Rick Hoffman and his son, JJ Jeong, Arturo Becerra, Joshua Riosbass, and Brian Cruz-Guzman. These outstanding individuals recently donated their personal time to help care for our museum grounds.

We are deeply grateful for their generosity, hard work, and community spirit.

Our grounds and facilities require ongoing care. We’re asking for your help — even one day a month makes a difference. Special thanks to Cesar Court, our Landscape Advisor, who has been tirelessly maintaining the grounds with a small crew. If you’d like to assist, please contact Cesar at (925) 550-7821.

For more information about the Antioch Historical Society and Museum visit antiochhistoricalmuseum.org or www.facebook.com/antiochhistoricalmuseum.