Depicted them watering City’s Official Flower; part of public art program

Former mayor, councilwomen who approved it in 1994 upset

By Allen D. Payton

Following damage and theft of the girl depicted in the “Hey Daddy, Look!” statue for a second time, the City of Antioch has announced it has removed the dad public art piece from its location on Lone Tree Way near James Donlon Blvd. The statue depicted the two holding a pail and watering a replica of the City’s Official Flower, the Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose, an endangered species that grows along the waterfront in the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge off of Fulton Shipyard Road.

The art piece was approved by the city council in 1994 at a cost of $150,000 and it was first vandalized in 2021. According to the City, “Toward the end of September 2021, Frostad Atelier Foundry in Sacramento was tasked with restoring this landmark statue due to vandalism (severing) of the dad’s hand and a watering pail. The restoration took approximately seven…months.”

“The patina, a green or brown film on the sculpture’s surface produced by oxidation over a long period, has also been restored as part of the process. Additionally, the installation of new primrose flowers has also been completed!”

A post on the City of Antioch’s Facebook page on Monday, April 7, 2025, reads: We’re saddened to share that one of Antioch’s cherished public art pieces — the “Hey Daddy, Look!” sculpture located on Lone Tree Way near James Donlon Blvd.— has been vandalized.

“Originally restored in 2022 at a cost of over $38,000, the bronze statue has stood as a symbol of joy and connection in our community. Sadly, on March 12, the City was notified that the statue of the little girl was stolen. Out of concern for further vandalism, City staff have since removed the remaining ‘dad’ statue for safekeeping.

“The Antioch Police Department has been notified, and a report has been filed. If you have any information or saw anything suspicious in the area, please contact Antioch PD at (925) 778-2441.

We know many residents loved and appreciated this piece of art. Please know that we’re actively looking into options for what comes next.

Let’s continue to look out for one another and our public spaces.”

Former Mayor, Councilwomen Upset with Vandalism

When reached for comment former Mayor Joel Keller, and Councilwomen Cathryn Freitas, Liz Rimbault and Mary Rocha, who voted to approve the statue, shared their frustration with the theft.

“I was an advocate for having public art be part of every subdivision and I was disappointed when I read that people had stolen a piece of public art that residents had paid for,” Freitas stated. “Nothing’s a free lunch. It’s just a shame.”

“They took the little girl to melt her down as bronze,” Rimbault posited. “That’s like when they were vandalizing the Cannery Lady Statue in Rivertown by stealing the plaques which were made of bronze. So, we replaced them with marble. One of them was cutup into several pieces and sold to a recycler but later recovered by the police. It’s now at the Historical Society Museum with the Cannery Lady display.”

“That was when Helen Meagher and Faye Curtis were heading up that effort,” she shared. “It was an entire art program that went up Lone Tree Way and came back down Hillcrest Avenue.”

“They included several mosaics on the wall on Hillcrest which used to get vandalized and were removed,” Rimbault continued. “Also, the silver sculpture (entitled, ‘Delta Moon’) at the (southeast) corner of Hillcrest and Lone Tree, the old man in the wagon pulled by a horse (entitled, ‘I Knew It Was Coming’ at Hillcrest and Laurel Road, which depicts him pointing at all the new people moving to town), the horses on the hill at Wild Horse Road (and Hillcrest, entitled, ‘The Spirit Rider of the Seasons’) the bears (on Hillcrest at Terrace View Avenue entitled, ‘Mother and Cub’) and the fountain (at the corner of Hillcrest and Deer Valley Road entitled either, ‘Elements’ or ‘Two Rivers’). Although, I don’t think that one was part of that art program.”

The City’s Art in Public Places program also included the blue lighted water drop, entitled simply, “Drop” at the entrance to Prewett Family Park where the Antioch Water Park is located, and the sculpture at the corner of Dallas Ranch Road and Rockspring Way possibly entitled either, “Delta Breeze” or “Delta Winds”.

“It’s just the state of the world, currently. Everybody’s hurting, thieves are running amok, we don’t have the police department at full strength and people are getting away with anything,” Rimbault added.

“It’s just too bad as it was an important part of Antioch’s past and future,” Keller stated. “Why people have to steal things it’s too bad. It’s part of what makes a city special, especially that particular statue. It was an uplifting statue and whoever stole it took that away from the public.”

Later, when reached for comment, Rocha said about the statue of the girl being stolen, “Oh, no. She was the cutest thing in it. She represented the future.”

“I’m sad. I go by there all the time,” she added.

See more of Antioch’s Public Art on the City’s website, here.

Will also consider spending $225K more for Amtrak Station Upgrades, purchasing 2 armored rescue police vehicles, support for County’s African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub to locate in Antioch

Will first hold Budget Study Session on Public Works, Parks & Rec Departments

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Antioch City Council will finalize the design of the Bicycle Garden at Prewett Family Park, discuss spending $225,000 more for the Amtrak Station Upgrades and purchasing two armored rescue police vehicles at a cost of up to $531,800. They will also consider supporting the County’s proposed African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub to be located in Antioch.

Before their regular meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m., the council will hold a Closed Session at 4:00 p.m. for another discussion on the Public Employee Performance Evaluation of City Manager Bessie Scott. That will be followed by a Budget Study Session on the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments at 5:00 p.m.

The Budget Session and regular meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in historic, downtown Rivertown. It can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast local access cable Channel 24 of AT&T U-verse Channel 99.

See the complete meeting agenda packet.

By Jazmine Vega Zanders, MSW 

Three Antioch middle school-aged cheerleading squads went to JAMZ NorCal Challenge Cup Competition on Saturday, March 29th and all competed in the same division. All teams did a great job representing Antioch at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, CA.

Dallas Ranch Cheer powered by Vega Stars Elite took first place and went home with Champion Rings. Park Middle took second place, and Antioch Charter took 3rd.

Congratulations to all the cheerleaders!

Vega Zanders is the owner of Vega Stars Elite Performing Arts Center for Cheer and Dance in Antioch. For more information visit www.facebook.com/vegastarselite or https://linktr.ee/vegastarselite.

Restaurant and property put up for sale

By Allen D. Payton

A 69-year-old Antioch institution and icon, Mac’s Old House, will close in June as owner and president Gary Noe and general manager and head chef Rick Cook have decided to throw in the dish towel and chef’s hat.

Locally famous for their dine-in, family-style prime rib and pasta dinners, as well as their very affordable cocktails, “The story of Mac’s stretches back to 1925 when Floyd ‘Mac’ McKinney built this 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 today’s owner bought it in 1983.”

Noe and Cook, who have operated it on E. 18th Street, announced the closure in a post on Facebook Friday evening:

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of Mac’s Old House on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

We know this may come as a shock, but after 42 incredible years it’s time to hang up our hats. In 1983, Gary and Rick came together with a vision to create the Mac’s you know and love today. Gary purchased this old house with the dream of bringing Bertolas style to Antioch, and Rick, who spent over a decade at Bertolas in Oakland, joined him. We were welcomed with open arms and were a success from day one.

We have weathered recessions, a pandemic, and ever-changing times, and through it all, we have been fortunate to serve this community. We could not have done it without our loyal customers and our dedicated staff. This little house has served well over three million meals, and we are grateful for each and every one of you.

As difficult as this decision is, all good things must come to an end.  Rick and Gary have dedicated more than half their lives to Mac’s—along with many of our staff. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who has been part of our Mac’s family over the years. Their hard work and loyalty is what makes Mac’s Old House so special.

We hope this gives you time to visit and enjoy Mac’s a few more times before we say our farewell. Your stories and memories mean the world to us, and we look forward to celebrating with the community that helped make Mac’s an iconic and loved institution.

There is still hope for the future—Mac’s Old House and the property are for sale, meaning it’s possible that Mac’s could live on with new ownership and management. For inquiries, please contact Tatiana Guzman, Chromata Real Estate at 925-783-2480 or tatiana@chromataRE.com.

Thank you all for being the most important part of our story.

With gratitude,

The Mac’s Old House Family”

Their menu also includes Extra Cut Prime Rib, Ribeye Steak, fresh Salmon and Red Snapper, Calamari Steak, Grilled Chicken Breast and Ground Round. Mac’s dine-in meals include hot baked bread, Minestrone soup, salad, pasta and fresh sauteed vegetables. See all of their menu at www.macsoldhouse.com and go get some while you still can!

David Despain for Most Impact, Ray Yaker for Lifetime achievement and Jimmy Bean recognized

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

During the annual Gala on Friday, March 28, 2025, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce honored 2024/25 Antioch Veterans of the Year, David Despain for most impact and Ray Yaker for Lifetime achievement, and honored the late Jimmy Bean with a posthumous award recognizing him for years of service to the community. The event was held at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center.

2024/25 Antioch Veteran of the Year – David (Dave) Despain

I was born March 17, 1965, in Boulder, Colorado.I graduated from Niwot High School in Niwot Colorado in 1983 and enlisted in the Navy in July of 1983 as a Construction Mechanic in the Navy Sea Bees!

I attended Boot Camp in San Diego, then transferred to Port Hueneme for Construction Mechanic training and certification.

After completion of training my first set of orders were to Adak Alaska, where I spent 2 years working in Public Works supporting the snow equipment, aircraft refuelers and construction equipment to support the anti-submarine warfare efforts during the cold war.

After leaving Adak, I received orders to Navy Second Class Dive School in Coronado, Ca to eventually be assigned to UCT 2 (Underwater Construction Team 2) in Port Hueneme, CA.

After this assignment I transferred to NMCB 40 (Naval Mobile Construction Battalion) in Port Hueneme.  Where I was deployed to Yokosuka, Japan and then later to Rota Spain.

In 1987, I received orders to the Concord Naval Weapons Station, which brought me to Antioch.

Released from Active Duty in 1992, I began a career with Caltrans (Highway Department).

In late 1992, I enlisted into the navy Reserves and joined CHB-3 (Cargo Handling Battalion) in Alameda, California. While assigned to CHB-3 we were tasked with mobilizing, storing, supplying Mobile Navy Hospitals around the world.  This took me to several countries including, Turkey, Norway, Korea, and Guam.

I retired as a 1st Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy Seabees in August of 2006.

While in the reserves I joined the American Legion, Harding-Noia Post 161 in Antioch, CA. I worked with the American Legion in supporting youth programs by leading and sponsoring Cub Scout Pack 151 and Boy Scout Troop 151. In 2019 I became the Commander for Antioch’s American Legion Post 161 and am still serving as Commander.

2024/25 Antioch Lifetime Veteran of the Year – Ray Yaker

I was born in May of 1947 in Fresno Ca. to William & Martha Yaker, where I went to school and graduated from Roosevelt High in the spring of 1965. In January of ‘66 joined the Navy and later that year after completing a course at BT ‘A’ school was deployed on a West-Pac tour which included off the shore of Vietnam. In the middle of March of ‘67 while trying to assist the rescue of a downed pilot we received a direct hit from shore batteries which came seriously close to sending the entire ship and crew to Davy Jones Locker.

After that I applied to UDT (Navy Frogmen) and was sent back to San Diego and the infamous “Silver Strand” for training. Unfortunately, after five and a half weeks into the training I was in a bit of an accident that left me missing a couple of teeth and was unable to complete the course and transferred to a second ship where I finished my service in June of ’68. 

In March of ’69 I was married and later that year we had our first of two children. I worked in Fresno at various places till July of ’73 and relocated to Winters Ca and went to work for PG&E and played a little music on the side, till I became a truck driver in ’78 for 16yrs. It was during this time we met Paul and Winkie Scannell, who, were really the people responsible for us getting involved with helping others. At that time, it was the Make-A-Wish Foundation then later the American Legion.

I was already a member of the VFW but when joined the Legion I became a member of their Honor Guard and really got evolved with volunteering it was at that time we noticed that people allover were starting to recognizing Veterans and thanking us for our service to our country.

Over the years we have donated to as many service organizations as possible and have volunteered whenever we could. 

According to local veterans’ leader, J.R. Wilson, who assisted with the presentations, Mr. Yaker was unable to attend the dinner due to his wife being diagnosed with cancer and having her first chemo treatment that day. At Ray’s request, during the ceremony, J.R. spoke about the importance of cancer screening.

Posthumous Award Honoring Jimmy Bean

We are honored to present this Posthumous Award in memory of Jimmy, a devoted family man, community leader, and steadfast supporter of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce. Jimmy’s love and commitment to service and generosity left an incredible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A proud veteran, Jimmy served in the National Guard in North Carolina, demonstrating his dedication to his country. As a longtime member of the Lions Club, he played a pivotal role in organizing countless fundraisers, ensuring their success and impact on the community. His passion for service extended through his years as a business owner and Antioch Chamber member, where he was always willing to assist others in times of need.

Beyond his professional and community contributions, Jimmy was a man of many passions. He found joy in golf, photography, fine wine, and the music of Elvis Presley. His warmth, kindness, and generosity touched many lives, making him not only a respected leader but also a cherished friend. Jimmy’s legacy of service and compassion will forever be remembered. Though he is no longer with us, his impact will continue to inspire generations to come.

In loving memory of Jimmy—thank you for a life well-lived and a community well-served.

Bean passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 85. Read his obituary, here:

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Ribbon cutting, vendor samples, BMX Bike performances

By Allen D. Payton

According to management staff, after undergoing $13 million of improvements, the Antioch Walmart Supercenter will hold a Grand Re-Opening Friday, April 4, 2025.

A Ribbon Cutting will be held between 8:00 and 9:00 am. and during the ceremony the plan is to congratulate some of the original associates of the store.

Plus, sampling by vendors such as Monster, Coke, Pepsi and Frito-Lay as well as BMX Bike performances.

First approved by the City Council in 1998, the store opened in 2000. It was approved for expansion to include a grocery section by the City Council in 2012. Then following a lawsuit and a 2013 state Supreme Court decision the expansion was allowed to proceed.

The latest improvements include a new building on the west side of the store for customer pick-ups.

The store, #2697, is located at 4893 Lone Tree Way in the Williamson Ranch Plaza. For more information visit www.walmart.com/store/2697-antioch-ca.

Mina Aljanaby, RCF Connects receive awards

Teresa Glenn is the 2025 Chamber Board Chair

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

During the annual Gala on Friday, March 28, 2025, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce honored 2024 Youth of the Year Mina Aljanaby, a Dozier-Libbey Medical High School student, and Non-Profit of the Year RCF Connects. In addition, Teresa Glenn of TreVista Senior Living Antioch was installed as the Chambers new Board Chair for 2025. The event was held at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center.

Youth of the Year Award – Mina Aljanaby
Mina exemplifies excellence in academics, leadership, and service, making a profound impact on both peers and the community.

As a lead teacher CPR instructor for middle school students, Mina has demonstrated outstanding mentorship and a commitment to educating younger students in life-saving skills. She has also played a key role in organizing medical field days, ensuring that students gain exposure to the healthcare field.

Additionally, Mina helped organize and host bone marrow donation programs, showcasing an incredible dedication to health advocacy and service. Beyond academics, she has excelled in leadership, serving as the Vice President for two years, fostering a positive school environment.

Mina’s hard work has been recognized through the Barbara James Service Award and the Red Cross Merit County Award. Her dedication, initiative, and compassion make her a truly deserving recipient of this award.

During the ceremony, Mina was presented with a scholarship funded by the Antioch and Delta-Antioch Rotary Clubs.

Non-Profit of the Year – RCF Connects
RCF Connects has been an exceptional champion for positive change in the Antioch community, exemplifying its commitment to creating opportunities and addressing pressing community issues. Since 2018, RCF has partnered with local government, community leaders and organizations like the Robin Hood Foundation to raise $1.5 million in support of the Sycamore Drive neighborhood, helping to transform it through projects such as renewed community parks, college and career pathways, and pilot programs like guaranteed income.

The foundation has also made impact in homeownership accessibility by bringing a down payment assistance program to Antioch, raising $1.8 million to help low- to moderate -income first time homebuyers.

The Equity for Black Women and Girls initiative has empowered 24 local women entrepreneurs with a comprehensive business development program, helping to launch 21 new businesses in Antioch in just two years

As RCF continues to address critical needs like transportation gaps and the development of community economic strategies, their impact on Antioch residents’ lives is undeniable. Their efforts to connect people with resources and opportunities truly make them deserving of the Non-Profit of the Year Award.

New Chamber Board Chair
Teresa Glenn of TreVista Senior Living Antioch was installed as the 2025 Board Chair for the Antioch Chamber of Commerce. She moves up from the position of Ambassador Committee Chair and takes over from Michael Gabrielson of Willow Park Mercantile.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

APD Crisis team and SWAT members, Brentwood PD’s armored rescue vehicle assist

By Sgt. Kristian Palma #6286, Antioch Police Patrol Services Bureau

On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at approximately 5:05 PM, Antioch Police officers responded to Wightman Court for a call regarding shots being fired during a verbal disturbance in front of a residence.

While officers were responding, additional callers reported hearing several more shots.

Upon arrival, officers established containment around the involved residence. With the assistance of on duty Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) members, SWAT team members, and the Brentwood Police Department’s armored rescue vehicle, APD officers were able to safely remove the victim from the residence and resolve this highly volatile and tense situation.

After approximately one hour of de-escalation efforts, the suspect, 18-year-old Angel Jiminez of Antioch, surrendered to APD officers and was subsequently arrested without further incident. Through the investigation, it was determined that Jiminez used a replica firearm to shoot the victim with a metal ball bearing, causing an injury.

Antioch Police Captain Matt Koch later shared the suspect used either a “pellet or BB” gun.

This was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. The Antioch Police Department is pleased to have peacefully resolved the situation and restored a sense of normalcy to the affected community.

Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau. Tips can also be sent to tips@antiochca.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.