Funds new units across California

By Cameron Niven, Communications Director, Office of Congressman John Garamendi

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) issued the following statement after the Senate passage of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which includes his HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act—a bill to significantly increase the amount of federal funding available for affordable housing across the country:

“Hardworking Californians face a severe shortage of affordable housing options, and minimum wage workers must work an average of 88 hours per week to afford a modest one-bedroom rental at fair market rates. The HOME Act will help change that,” said Representative Garamendi.

“The Senate’s affordable housing legislation includes my HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which, for the first time since 1994, will bring this crucial program into the 21st century,” Garamendi continued. “It will provide states and local governments with the funding needed to construct and rehabilitate affordable rental housing, as well as expand homeownership opportunities for working families. I’d also like to thank Senator Masto for introducing this bill in the Senate and Representative Beatty for co-leading in the House.”

On February 9th, Garamendi voted in favor of the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644), which passed the House with strong bipartisan support. Then, on March 12, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The bipartisan bill combines elements of both the House and Senate-passed legislation. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes 18 sections drawn from both the House and Senate bills, including Garamendi’s HOME Act.

This comprehensive housing package will take important steps to boost the nation’s housing supply, improve affordability, and increase oversight and efficiency of federal regulators and housing programs.

HOME Background

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is the largest federal affordable housing block grant and is HUD’s flagship affordable housing production program.

Since 1990, HOME has helped state and local housing agencies support a wide variety of housing needs, from financing new construction and home repairs to funding down payment and rental assistance. It also provides additional funding to housing developments financed by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, helping the program serve more extremely low-income people, including seniors, veterans, those experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities.

Since 1992, the HOME program in California has:

• Invested $5.27 billion into housing across the state;
• Built or preserved 121,727 homes;
• Given rental assistance to 43,840 families;
• Supported 277,318 jobs; and
• Generated $19.2 billion in local income.

The program was last re-authorized in 1994 and needs critical updates to better address today’s housing crisis. Garamendi’s HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act would reauthorize the HOME program and make several much-needed improvements. Specifically, it would:

• Authorize $5 billion in HOME funding for fiscal year 2024 and boost the funding for the program by five percent annually through 2028. Garamendi’s legislation would address chronic underfunding of the affordable housing investment program, which received only $1.5 billion in 2023;
• Improve HOME’s ability to provide downpayment assistance to homebuyers and home repair assistance to homeowners;
• Enable HOME funds to support Community Land Trusts and other shared equity homeownership programs; and
• Increase access to HOME funds for nonprofits and provide state and local governments loan guarantee options that would allow them to leverage their future HOME funds for investments today.

Representative Garamendi has spent his entire career advocating for affordable housing, robust homeowner protections, and rental assistance programs. As California’s first-ever elected Insurance Commissioner, Garamendi successfully implemented Proposition 103, which reformed the homeowner insurance industry and lowered homeownership insurance rates.

In 2023, Garamendi and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) led members of California’s congressional delegation in sending a letter to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara urging him to use his power under state law to protect homeowners in the face of an insurance crisis. During his congressional tenure, Garamendi worked with Habitat for Humanity to establish a financing mechanism that utilized existing funding to build new veteran housing units.

Garamendi originally introduced the HOME Investment Partnership Reauthorization Act in 2020 and has continued to champion the legislation in Congress. He is also a cosponsor of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which would support the financing of more affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

The Office of Congressman John Garamendi has also worked with local partners to increase access and support the development of affordable housing projects throughout California’s 8th Congressional District including: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, East Bay Housing Organizations, Tiny Village Spirit, Eden Housing, Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition (MFAC), Hope Solutions, Interfaith Council of Contra Costa, Crankstart Foundation, and the California Association of Housing Authorities.

The bill is endorsed by: Hercules Vice Mayor Alexander Walker-Griffin, Hercules Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Richmond City Council Member Cesar Zapeda, National Council of State Housing Agencies, Institute of Real Estate Management, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, National Association of Realtors, Enterprise Community Partners, National Apartment Association, National Multifamily Housing Council, National NeighborWorks Association, National Community Development Association, National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations, National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, Council of State Community Development Agencies, National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Grounded Solutions Network, and Habitat for Humanity.

Garamendi represents California’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives which includes the northern and western portions of Contra Costa County and a majority of Solano County.

Police negotiate for nearly 3 hours with 40-year-old who threatened to kill a man; also arrested last month

By Lt. Michael Mellone, Antioch Police Department

ANTIOCH, CA – Antioch police took an armed barricaded suspect into custody Wednesday afternoon, April 8, 2026, following a nearly three-hour standoff at a home on Catanzaro Way.

At about 1:40 p.m., dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a man had pulled a knife and threatened to kill a man at a residence in the 5200 block of Catanzaro Way.

Responding officers identified the suspect as Derek Bradshaw, 40, of Antioch, who was armed with multiple throwing knives and had barricaded himself inside the home.

Crisis Negotiation Officers, along with the Angelo Quinto Community Response Team and Contra Costa County A3 Crisis Response, responded to the scene. Negotiators worked for several hours to convince Bradshaw to surrender peacefully.

During the standoff, Bradshaw climbed onto the roof of the residence and continued to refuse officers’ commands. Officers formed a tactical plan and were able to safely take him into custody.

Bradshaw was arrested on charges of felony criminal threats (Penal Code 422) and brandishing a deadly weapon (Penal Code 417(a)(1)). He will be booked into the Martinez Detention Facility

after receiving medical clearance at a local hospital.

No officers, bystanders or community members were injured during this incident.

The Antioch Police Department would like to thank personnel from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and American Medical Response for their assistance at the scene. We would also like to express our appreciation to area residents for their patience and assistance while officers worked to bring this incident to a safe resolution.

According to localcrimenews.com, Bradshaw is White and was arrested last month also by Antioch Police for battery on a person.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Seek public’s help locating him

By Lt. William Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau

Antioch Police Department detectives identified 21-year-old Zahvon Hopson as the suspect in the shooting of a 20-year-old female on February 19 through a combination of video surveillance, witness statements, and forensic evidence.

Hopson should be considered armed and dangerous. Members of the public are advised not to confront him. Anyone who sees Hopson in public or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately. Hopson is also encouraged to peacefully surrender to the Antioch Police Department.

As previously reported, Antioch police officers responded to a reported shooting in the 2200 block of Sycamore Drive on February 19, 2026, at 7:17 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers located a 20-year-old woman who was suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Officers immediately rendered medical aid; however, she died at the scene.

The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, including Crime Scene Investigators and detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit, responded to the scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation. The suspect is known to police.

During the course of the investigation, if detectives identify any individuals who assisted Hopson in evading law enforcement, or anyone who knowingly assists Hopson in the future, they will be subject to arrest for accessory under Penal Code section 32.

According to localcrimenews.com, Hopson was arrested on July 7, 2023, while a Richmond resident, for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. As an Antioch resident, he was also arrested on April 17, 2025, for resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer and intoxicated in public.

The Investigations Bureau will provide additional updates as they become available.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Shaffer at (925) 779-6944 or via email at cshaffer@antiochca.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Will discuss oversight of Special Education funding

“…we need to ensure everyone, including presenters, can attend.” – Trustee Dee Brown

By Allen D. Payton

Facing a $32 million deficit, the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a Budget Study Session during a special afternoon meeting on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

According to the agenda, “The purpose of the Budget Study Session is to strengthen Board–District oversight of Special Education funding by examining spending practices, ensuring alignment and compliance, discussing reductions, and identifying opportunities for improved monitoring, transparency, and accountability.”

However, there are no attachments to the agenda, including no staff presentation for the board members to study or discuss. They do have presentations from their Feb. 11th and March 11th meetings.

Questions for Board

Board President Jag Lathan and the other four members were asked why they are holding the Budget Study Session this Thursday at 4:00 p.m. when most residents they represent can’t attend and provide input especially when the District is facing a $32 million deficit and so many budget cuts are proposed.

They were also asked why not have it after the Closed Session at 5:30 p.m. and why have it on a Thursday instead of on a Wednesday night like when their regular meetings are held.

Lathan, who is also running for County Superintendent of Education, has an auto response from her official District email which reads, “Thank you for your message. Your experience and input are invaluable in helping us reach our goals. Due to the high volume of emails, I may not be able to respond to each one. However, I make every effort to read all messages and respond when possible.”

But neither she nor three of the other school board members responded on the record.

4/9/26 UPDATE: However, in a post on her official Facebook page and a message to the Herald, only Trustee Dee Brown responded. She wrote, “Hello AUSD community. There have been several messages asking why today’s meeting was scheduled for 4:00 pm.

When planning a meeting, we need to ensure everyone, including presenters, can attend. This day and time is best for everyone who will be a part of the meeting.

Understanding the time is not ideal, which is why those who would like to go back and watch the replay to take notes will have the opportunity to do so and can forward any questions over to us. I know this is probably not the best response for our community, but it is an honest response.”

Budget Shows $32M Deficit

As of the Budget Presentation on March 11, 2026, the “Estimated Budget Adjustment at Second Interim to Maintain Fiscal Balance is $32 M.”

A Budget Collaborative, consisting of principals, teachers, classified employees, parents and district staff leadership, will be meeting again on April 13th and 22nd.

The board will also hold an Online Budget Webinar on May 11th  from 6:00-7:00 p.m. For more information about the District’s 2026-27 Fiscal Year Budget visit Budget Information | Antioch Unified School District.

Closed Sesson Labor Negotiations

At 5:30 p.m., the Board will adjourn to Closed Session for labor negotiations with four employee organizations. They include the Antioch Education Association made up of the District’s teachers, California School Employees Association, Chapter 85, also known as Classified staff; Antioch Management Association and Senior Management.

The Agency Negotiator will be Associate Superintendent Dr. Camille Johnson for the first two employee organizations, Superintendent Dr. Darnise Williams for the third, and Williams and Legal Counsel Scott Holbrook for the fourth negotiation.

The meeting will be held in the District Office Board Room at 510 G Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. It can also be viewed live on the District’s YouTube channel.

See the meeting agenda.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

But just temporarily

By Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media

(Martinez, CA) – The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) has reinstated Fire Chief Lewis Broschard to serve as Fire Chief on an interim basis until a permanent appointment is made.

Chief Broschard retired in March after more than 18 years of distinguished service, marked by strong leadership and a deep commitment to public safety and the residents of Contra Costa County.

During his tenure, the District achieved significant advancements, including the annexation of the East Contra Costa and Rodeo-Hercules fire districts and a service contract with the City of Pinole. He also led the expansion of firefighting resources, staffing, facilities, and emergency services, while strengthening wildfire mitigation efforts and supporting the creation of more than 40 Firewise communities.

“Chief Broschard’s return ensures experienced leadership and continuity while the District conducts a search for its next permanent Fire Chief,” said Board Chair Diane Burgis, District 3 Supervisor.

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

The 2025 Antioch Large Corporate Business of the Year award goes to U.S. Bank, a company with a legacy of over 100 years and a longstanding commitment to supporting communities across the nation, including Antioch. Honored during the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gala, Friday night, March 27, 2026, Antioch Branch Manager Jesse Ingram, the Chamber’s Co-Chief Ambassador, accepted the award on behalf of the bank during the ceremony.

U.S. Bank has been a tremendous partner to the Antioch community, providing not only financial support but also dedicating the time and energy of its staff through volunteering and community engagement. Their contributions have touched countless lives, from generous donations to hands-on participation in local programs and initiatives that strengthen the social and economic fabric of the city.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Bank stepped forward to support the local community in numerous ways. They provided critical relief assistance for customers, launched premium payment programs for frontline employees, and expedited their community giving initiatives to respond to urgent needs. Additionally, the bank played a vital role in helping local small businesses access Paycheck Protection Program loans, assisting more than 108 small businesses in navigating the challenges of the pandemic and ensuring their continued operation.

U.S. Bank’s dedication to housing and financial stability has also made a lasting impact. In 2025, the bank partnered with RCF Connects to provide $1 million in down payment assistance grants to first-time homebuyers in Contra Costa County, helping 78 low-income families achieve the dream of homeownership. The majority of these families purchased homes in Antioch, directly contributing to the growth and vitality of the local community.

Beyond financial contributions, U.S. Bank’s staff have been active participants in the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s events, generously donating their time and funding the events. Their support reflects a true partnership with Antioch, demonstrating a corporate culture that prioritizes giving back and strengthening the communities in which they operate. U.S. Bank chooses Antioch as a focus of their philanthropy and for their continued commitment to improving lives through financial assistance, volunteerism, and community engagement.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

During the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gala, held Friday night, March 27, 2026, S.H.A.R.E. Community was honored as the 2025 Antioch Non-Profit of the Year. S.H.A.R.E. stands for Sharing Hope, Abundance, Resources and Encouragement.

S.H.A.R.E. Community is a remarkable nonprofit organization dedicated to serving unhoused neighbors in our community. Their programs provide mobile showers, hygiene kits, and laundry vouchers, offering individuals an opportunity to feel confident again and helping to restore a sense of dignity that is often lost during times of homelessness.

“We’re super excited to be chosen Non-Profit of the Year for 2025 by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce,” said, Executive Director Ricka Davis-Sheard who was presented with a commemorative plaque by Chamber Chair Jim Becker.

Founded in 2019 with a mission centered on sharing hope, resources, abundance, and encouragement, S.H.A.R.E.  Community has become a lifeline for many. They work in partnership with a wide range of local agencies, including hair salons, pet food providers, veteran support services, and mental health organizations, ensuring that the needs of their clients are met in a holistic and compassionate way.

SHARE Community has provided over 9,000 showers and distributed 18,000 hygiene kits to individuals experiencing homelessness. Many participants in the program have gone on to secure stable housing and have returned as volunteers, creating a full-circle transformation that exemplifies the organization’s profound impact.

Despite operating with a small budget and limited resources, SHARE Community continues to expand its services and outreach, fueled by the dedication of its volunteers and the support of the local community. Their tireless efforts not only address immediate needs but also inspire hope, foster resilience, and empower individuals to reclaim their confidence and independence.

S.H.A.R.E. Community is more than a nonprofit—they are a beacon of compassion, demonstrating that with care, creativity, and community support, meaningful change is possible for some of the most vulnerable members of society.

See video about S.H.A.R.E. Community’s work by Executive Director Davis-Sheard. For more information visit www.thesharecommunity.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

“We’re one of the very last brick and mortar travel agencies” – Tammy Larsen, owner

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

During the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gala, Friday night, March 27, 2026, Almost There Travel was recognized as the 2025 Antioch Small Business of the Year, an honor that reflects their dedication to exceptional service, personalized travel experiences and meaningful community impact.

This award is a testament to the passion and hard work of owner Tammy Larsen and her team, who go above and beyond to help clients explore the world with ease, creativity, and care. Their commitment to excellence has earned the trust and loyalty of their clients, making every journey not just a trip, but an unforgettable experience.

Beyond their success in the travel industry, Almost There Travel plays a vital role in the local community. They proudly offer annual Chamber Travel discount trips, making travel more accessible to community members. The owners are actively involved in the revitalization of downtown Antioch and are strong supporters of local events.

Their dedication extends even further through volunteering their time to help plan and coordinate community events, ensuring they are well-organized, engaging, and well-attended. Their generosity also includes providing travel discounts to support and give back to the community they serve.

Almost There Travel, located at 506 W. 2nd Street, truly embodies what it means to be a small business with a big impact, and this recognition is well deserved.

“Our passion is travel. We love to travel, ourselves. Please come visit us. We’re one of the very last brick and mortar travel agencies,” said Larsen. “So, come down to Rivertown. Just stop in. It doesn’t cost you anything. Thank you.”

See video of Tammy Larsen’s speech during the Gala Awards ceremony.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.