By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Safford, there were three shooting incidents in the city on Friday and Saturday. No one was injured.

There was a shooting on Friday, June 24 8:37pm. The victim was at home with her young children when she heard shots from the area of 7-11 on the corner of Buchanan Road and Gentrytown Drive. An upstairs window to their home was later discovered to be broken and officers located a bullet inside a closet to the home. The investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday, June 25 at 2:49am, Officers were dispatched to the area of Greystone Court for multiple calls of shots fired after a loud argument was heard. When officers arrived, they located several spent casings in the area. There were no victims, and the investigation is ongoing

Then again on Saturday, June 25, at 4:36pm Officers responded to shots fired in the area of Spanos Way for numerous reports of shots fired. Officers arrived on scene and located numerous spent casings. There were no witnesses, video or reported injuries and the investigation is ongoing.

Two other people including child sustain major injuries

By Allen D. Payton

Three people were killed, and two others were injured when an Amtrak train hit a car near Brentwood Sunday afternoon.

According to Con Fire PIO Steve Hill, at 1:00 P.M. in the 3000 block of Orwood Road located in unincorporated Brentwood, a single passenger vehicle was struck by a west bound train with 85 people aboard. Three people were pronounced dead on scene. Two other victims were air lifted due to major injuries. The scene was turned over to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and BNSF Railway.

“A third person was transported due to unrelated medical conditions,” East Contra Contra Fire Protection District PIO Steve Aubert added.

The Contra Costa Coroner’s Office released the identities of the victims. Mercedes Regalado aged 50 of Antioch, Maria Nieves, 27, and Julia Mondragon, 40, both of Dixon died when the Honda Civic they were in struck as it crossed the railroad tracks.

A report by CBS13 Sacramento included video of the scene showing the damaged car and according to that report, nobody on board the train was hurt.

According to CHP-Contra Costa PIO Lane Adams, “the collision is being investigated by BNSF railroad police.” An effort to reach BNSF Rail spokesman Juan Acosta for additional details on Monday was unsuccessful.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…June 25…The flat track motorcycles invaded Antioch Speedway for a special night of racing on the 3/8 mile clay oval track. Over a dozen different classifications of bikes took their turns on the speedway in heat race and Main Event competition. However, the focus was on the Pro Am division, which competed for a $1,000 prize.

There were eight competitors for the Pro Am class, and the Top 4 heat race finishers would earn the right to compete in the winner take all $500 Dash for Cash. After winning the 10-lap heat race, Tony Meiring proceeded to score the big victory in the four lap Trophy Dash.

Meiring had his eyes on the $1,000 prize in the 20 lap Main Event, and he led that race from the outset. Brandon Weller moved into second on Lap 2, and Chris McDougall battled his way into third. They would finish in that order with Meiring the happy winner.

The 12-lap Running Of The Bulls event didn’t have quite the first prize that was originally intended due to sponsorship pulling out at the last minute. However, the drivers on hand competed for $500 to win. After winning the 10-lap heat race, Blake Ash proceeded to win the 12-lap Main Event. Jonathan Schaefer was second ahead of William McDonnell.

The Schaefer name was at the head of the pack in the 85cc class, which brought nine riders to the show. Colton Schaefer won the 12-lap Main Event ahead of Rider Fitz-Hay and Jeff Katarzy. Schaefer and Chris Knox picked up their respective 10-lap heat race wins.

The 250 class saw Myles Henderson win their 12-lap Main Event ahead of James Arraiz and Christian Knox. Henderson also won the 10-lap heat race.

Donnie Darrah opened the evening with the Vintage A 10-lap heat race win and followed that up by holding off William McDonnell and Larry Greene to win the 12-lap Main Event.

The Peewee class for kids four- to six years old proved to be very popular, and Indy Tallent won the 12-lap feature ahead of C Elscholz and Ryder Meiring. Tallent also picked up the win in the 10-lap heat race.

The 100-150 4 Stroke win went to Dean Rabideau ahead of Ryder Fitz-Hay. Pedro Brown won the 12-lap Hooligan Main Event ahead of Dean Thompson and Victor Tallent.

The event ran smoothly from the start with only one crash stopping the action for fallen rider Joe Pereira. Pereira was shaken up in the incident on the back straightaway, but he was said to be doing well after a trip to the hospital.

This Saturday night is an off week for the speedway, but action resumes on July 9th with the Hetrick Memorial race. Extra money will be on the line for the event that will feature the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

 

Suspect has record of arrests over past three years

By Darryl Safford, Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer

While you were hopefully enjoying family time on a warm summer’s day, your officers were busy getting illegal firearms off the street, Sunday morning, June 26, 2022.

Both our Blue Day Shift and Blue Graveyard crews teamed up for a probation search of a known subject that was selling firearms out of his apartment. With great investigative work by Officer Milner, they were able to develop leads on their target that subsequently led to the recovery of a stolen Glock pistol, a second loaded Glock that was illegally possessed, a large quantity of Xanax pills, and about five pounds of marijuana.

William Ponce-Ramirez, a 21-year-old Hispanic male out of Antioch was arrested and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. According to localcrimenews.com, he was previously arrested in February 2019 by the Chico PD for possession of alcoholic beverage by a minor, in November 2020 by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department for WARRANT – Warrants Or Holds Only, 29800(A)1 – Addict in Possession of Firearm, 25850A – Carrying Loaded Firearm On Person Or In Vehicle While In Public Place, 25400(A)1 – Carry Concealed Weapon in Vehicle, 25850C6 – Carry Loaded Firearm When Not the Registered Owner and 27545 – Unlicensed Sale/Loan Trade Of Firearm. Ponce-Ramirez was also arrested, last July, again by the Sheriff’s Department for WARRANT – Warrants Or Holds Only.

The Antioch Police Department is dedicated to the reduction of gun violence in our community. With the assistance of our UAV, CNT, SWAT team, and Gang Unit the streets of our city are a little safer. Thank you to community for your ongoing and constant support. We appreciate you #safestreets #gunviolenceprevention.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Darryl Saffold, Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer

While conducting routine patrol in the area of A Street and Railroad Avenue, Officer Tom Smith conducted a traffic stop on a reported stolen vehicle. While talking to the occupants, Officer Smith noticed a rifle sitting near the feet of the front passenger. After detaining the occupants and making the scene safe, Officer Smith retrieved the rifle and determined that it was a realistic looking AR-15 BB gun.

No arrests were made.

We want to take this time to discuss how dangerous it can be for people to display an imitation firearm in public. Besides the fact that it is against the law (Penal Code section-12556), it is very difficult to distinguish that they are not real weapons.

There is certainly a time, place, and manner in which these novelties can be enjoyed and used safely. Though, having them present during the commission of a crime or being used to commit a crime, is not it.

Please remember to be kind to one another.

 

• San Francisco county’s citizens have lost the most weight over 10 years (they are 1% less obese).

• Imperial county’s citizens have gained the most.

• Infographic shows California’s biggest losers (of lbs).

At the end of NBC’s first ‘The Biggest Loser’ season, the winning contestant had lost 122 pound (37% of his body weight). A study of contestants’ weight loss over a 6-year period after the show found that they had kept off 30% if their original bodyweight. Unfortunately, when it comes to America’s obesity crisis, life does not imitate reality TV. Warnings about America’s obesity epidemic are nothing new…

Statistics show that a sharp increase in obesity rates began in the 1980s, yet public health campaigns since have, it seems, not resulted in reductions in people’s waistlines. That is, according to a comprehensive study by BarBend.com, the world’s leading strength training resource and news outlet, who identified obesity levels over the past 10 years in counties across The Golden State.

The analysis of data available by County Health Rankings compared each county’s rate of obesity in 2012 to newly releases figures in 2022. The study found that of California’s 58 counties, just one has trended towards decreased levels of obesity (and six have remained the same) – this includes the good people of Antioch (Contra Costa County), who have not gained weight over the past decade. The other 51 counties have in fact, got fatter.

A closer look at the data…

The top 5 California counties that have fared best over the past 10 years:

1) San Francisco: 1% less obese.

2) Contra Costa: flat.

3) Sacramento: flat.

4) Santa Clara: flat.

5) Shasta: flat.

The bottom 5 California counties that have fared worst over the past 10 years:

54) Fresno: 9% more obese.

55) Santa Cruz: 9% more obese.

56) Monterey: 10% more obese.

57) Tehama: 10% more obese.

58) Imperial: 11% more obese.

Infographic showing obesity levels among California’s biggest cities and towns

If there was a silver lining to have come out of the research, it was that when compared nationally, California’s trend towards obesity is not as pronounced as in other states. In fact, Californians (albeit a minority) emerged as the 5^th biggest losers (of lbs).

A look at the national figures…

The saying that ‘everything is bigger in Texas’ likely originated as a reference to the enormity of the state’s geographical area. However, it could also be applied to the state’s obesity levels. When analyzed nationally, four Texas counties occupy the bottom five for growth in obesity levels. These are:

3,139) Presidio (TX): 20% more obese than in 2012.

3,138) Pennington (SD): 19%

3,137) Hidaldo (TX): 18%

3,136) Starr (TX): 18%

3,135) Zavala (TX): 16%

Four out of the five biggest losers (those who have become less obese over the past decade) are in South Dakota (the only other being in Alaska):

1) Shannon (SD): 10% less obese than in 2012.

2) Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan (AK): 8%

3) Edmunds (SD): 5%

4) Hyde (SD): 5%

5) Roberts (SD): 5%

“The data clearly shows that, despite the warnings from public health officials, our lifestyles are becoming more sedentary and as a nation, we are becoming more obese,” says Max Whiteside of BarBend.com. “Obesity increases the risk of developing many diseases, and this is a crisis which is trending in the wrong direction.”

Parent advocates release new report highlighting need for stronger tenant protections in Antioch

Survey of 1,000 residents shows constant worries about landlords raising rents, displacement, and habitability concerns

Advocates and Antioch residents held a rally on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to demand safe and affordable housing and an immediate stop to exorbitant rent increases. Low-income tenants at Delta Pines Apartments and Casa Blanca Apartments, two government-subsidized affordable housing buildings, are facing potential displacement after their corporate landlord recently raised monthly rents by as much as $500.

Before the rally, participants gathered in the Lowe’s parking lot nearby then marched to the apartment complex while holding signs and chanting.

Residents of Delta Pines on Sycamore Drive and Case Blanca on Claudia Court off L Street, ,aren’t alone in facing sudden rent increases. A new survey of Antioch residents released today finds rent hikes and housing instability are widespread across the city. Seventy-nine percent of renters report feeling worried about rent increases, while 68 percent worried about being able to pay their current rent. Local parent advocates with the East County Regional Group (ECRG), sponsored by First 5 Contra Costa, led the community-based survey of more than 1,000 Antioch residents to understand their housing challenges and needs.

The rally was organized by ECRG, First 5 Contra Costa, and The Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE). Residents of Delta Pines, Casa Blanca, and community members with ECRG spoke at the rally about their first-hand experiences with unaffordable rents, fears of eviction, and landlord harassment. Speakers also shared data from the survey showing the need for tenant protections for Antioch families. Community members were joined by District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker. The event was in coordination with ACCE’s statewide day of action to highlight the abuses of corporate landlords.

“Housing insecurity is a threat to our basic humanity,” said Rocheall Pierre, an Antioch resident and an active member of ECRG who will speak at the rally. “Living in Antioch challenges every parent, no matter where they’re from or what their income is, to find a secure and dignified place to raise their family. I live in a corporate-owned building, and I’m paying $1,800 for a one-bedroom apartment for me and my son. After rent, there’s not enough left over to cover emergency expenses. I’ve had to get payday loans, which puts me further in debt. ​​Antioch’s housing system is broken, and it prioritizes landlords over local families.”

Report from Survey of 1,000 Antioch Residents

The new report “Antioch CHANGE: A Community Housing Assessment of Needs, Gaps and Equity in Antioch, California” is a partnership between ECRG, First 5 Contra Costa, Healthy & Active Before 5, and Urban Habitat. The survey responses were gathered in 2021, and the process was guided by residents’ leadership and community-based participatory research principles. Though the survey was available to complete online, 81 percent of responses were collected one-on-one by ECRG leaders using tablets and paper surveys. Survey promotion included social media, phone banking, door to door canvassing, and talking with residents at community events, vaccination sites, laundromats, grocery stores, parks, clinics, churches, and local service organizations.

Key findings in the report include:

• On average, respondents paid 63 percent of their monthly income on rent, leaving little for food, medicine, childcare, and other basic necessities.
• Fifty-one percent of renters reported worrying about eviction and 64 percent worried their deposits would not be returned when they moved.
• Low-income residents of color and families with young children are most housing insecure, reporting higher rent burden, fears of displacement, and habitability concerns. Among renters with young children, 83 percent worried about rent increases and 75 percent worried about being able to pay the rent at all.

“Everyone needs a safe, stable, healthy place to call home, and this is especially important for young children,” said Rhea Elina Laughlin, Community Engagement Program Officer at First 5 Contra Costa. “Young children’s early experiences are critical for their future learning and well-being. These egregious rent hikes and Antioch’s lack of affordable housing has only made worse the City’s deeply rooted racial and economic inequities and endangers the well-being of our children and the community as a whole. Local tenant protection policies are urgently needed.”

More than four in five renters and homeowners surveyed said they want the city of Antioch to take action to limit annual rent increases, prevent unjust evictions, create pathways to homeownership, and build more affordable housing. For Antioch residents—specifically low-income families of color struggling with unaffordable rents—housing instability is a daily concern. In addition to rent increases and threats of evictions, families face harassment from landlords and property managers. Without protections, families are forced to make the impossible choice of living in uninhabitable conditions or face homelessness.

Building on decades of resident organizing and advocacy for housing justice, the report includes policy recommendations for Antioch leaders. The policies called for in the report include:

• Establishing rent control,
• Requiring just cause for eviction, and
• Passing tenant anti-harassment ordinances.

Advocates at the action on the 22nd will demand that Antioch city leaders enact these policy recommendations. On June 14th the Concord City Council passed a new tenant anti-harassment policy. The policy puts in place new protections for renters facing abusive landlords who threaten, harass, and intimidate them. Landlords who violate the policy can be fined.

Community members at the rally will also speak out for the inclusion of strong tenant protections in the Housing Element of the city’s General Plan. The Housing Element, which is only updated once every eight years, outlines how the city will meet its housing goals and is an opportunity to address past inequities.

The full report “Antioch CHANGE: A Community Housing Assessment of Needs, Gaps and Equity in Antioch, California” will be available here.

About East County Regional Group:

East County Regional Group is a volunteer, parent advocacy group working to make East Contra Costa healthier, safer, and more equitable for young children and families. The ECRG is sponsored by First 5 Contra Costa’s Community Engagement and Advocacy Program.

About First 5 Contra Costa:

First 5 Contra Costa helps young children start school healthy, nurtured and ready to learn by investing in programs and activities focused on children during their first five years—the most important time in children’s development.

About The Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action: 

The Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action is a grassroots, member-led, statewide community organization working with more than 16,000 members across California. ACCE is dedicated to raising the voices of everyday Californians, neighborhood by neighborhood, to fight for the policies and programs we need to improve our communities and create a brighter future.

About Healthy & Active Before 5 (HAB45): 

Healthy & Active Before 5 (HAB45) is a Contra Costa collaborative advancing health equity through local policy and environmental changes to support the health and well-being of young children and their families. HAB45 provides the Regional Groups with technical assistance and data support.

About Urban Habitat:

Urban Habitat (UH) works to democratize power and advance equitable policies to create a just and connected Bay Area for low-income communities of color. Through strategic partnerships, UH supports increasing the power and capacity in low-income communities and communities of color.

 

Jason Lezak – the greatest relay swimmer of all time.

Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Jason Lezak will be in Antioch at Solar Swim & Gym on Friday, June 24 to conduct a swimming clinic.

Lezak will be teaching in-water, giving a motivational talk, answering questions, signing autographs, and     taking pictures with your children. The Olympic champion will be at the Solar Swim & Gym from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm, that day.

Don’t miss your chance to learn from the greatest relay swimmer of all time.

Participants will learn techniques on freestyle, backstroke, starts and turns through in-water and dry-land instruction. Plus, they will hear Jason’s incredible inspirational story of how he became a champion.

We encourage parents to be there to watch the water session as well as listen to the motivational talk and questions. Parents should have their cameras ready for the picture of their child wearing the gold medal as long as it is for     personal use.

Limited spots available on a first come, first served basis. Please register at www.solarswimgym.com/jason-lezak/ to reserve your spot. Solar Swim & Gym is located at 111 West 15th Street in Antioch. For more information call (925) 757-7412.

Learn more about Lezak on the USA Swimming website.