Video by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.

During National Police Week, we want to take a moment to honor our brothers and sisters in law enforcement. We thank you and your families. We have some of the best in the business at Antioch PD and want to take a moment to recognize their hard work and dedication.

We salute those we lost along the way from generations past and present. Together, we hold on to the memories and celebrate your legacy.

 

Out of 1,089 cases in the county 919 have recovered; death toll increases to 33; 75 on staff for contact tracing

As of this morning, Thursday, May 14, 2020 there were 1,089 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 in the county, but 919 have recovered according to a new statistic being provided on the county health services’ Coronavirus Dashboard. There was one more death as of Tuesday, bringing the total to 33.

Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano also issued orders extending the amount of time people must remain in isolation from 7 to 10 days after the onset of symptoms or a positive test for those without symptoms.

Dr. Farnitano said the change is being done based on new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about how long COVID-19 patients remain infectious.

“We’re learning more and more about the virus every day,” Dr. Farnitano said. “Based on our latest understanding, we want people with COVID to remain isolated a little bit longer in order to reduce the chance of infecting others.”

However, those who have been exposed but haven’t tested positive, yet are to quarantine for 14 days, according to Contra Costa Health Services spokesman Will Harper.

The updated isolation and quarantine orders also define the infectious period for asymptomatic people with the virus as beginning 48 hours prior to being tested for COVID-19. Public Health staff will identify close contacts during this 48-hour period.

The orders also expand the definition of close contacts to include individuals who were within six feet of a case for at least 15 minutes during the infectious period.

On April 3, the health officer issued a mass order for residents with COVID-19 and their close contacts to isolate and quarantine themselves. The mass orders were issued so public health staff wouldn’t have to individually serve isolation orders to those who tested positive as COVID-19 cases steadily grew.

The order also requires those who test positive to notify those they have recently had close contact with.

Contra Costa has increased the number of staff dedicated to disease or “contact tracing” investigation from pre-COVID number of 14 to 75 since the emergence of COVID-19 in the county. The state recently allocated $800,000 to the county to hire even more disease investigators.

The ability to do widespread contact tracing is one the County’s five indicators for reopening.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen Payton

On Monday, May 11, 2020 the faculty and staff of Antioch’s Dozier-Libbey Medical High School honored the graduating seniors holding signs and cheering them as they picked up their graduation caps and gowns.

Students also dropped off their textbooks and any books that were checked out from the school’s library.

A post on the DLMHS Facebook page on Tuesday reads, “Thank you to the Class of 2020! The staff enjoyed seeing you yesterday at the cap and gown pick up.” An online graduation ceremony for Dozier-Libbey will be held in early June. The district is planning on holding in-person graduation ceremonies some time in August.

“I do not believe it’s in the city’s best interest to open it up for cannabis operations.” – Antioch Police Chief Brooks

By Allen Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 the Antioch City Council approved amendments to the City’s cannabis business ordinance. But the council was divided on considering allowing them to locate in other parts of the city, right now.

Chief Tammany Brooks was asked to comment on the issue by City Attorney Thomas Smith.

“As the police chief, I would ask you to consider a very measured and thoughtful approach,” Brooks said. “I do not believe it’s in the city’s best interest to open it up for cannabis operations. It might lower the bar of some unscrupulous businesses to negatively impact the surrounding areas.”

“I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all approach,” he continued. “Those businesses that don’t have a store-front retail aspect to their business might be treated differently.”

“From what I’ve heard from different cannabis businesses, some of them have said quite frankly they’d like to be in areas that are safe for their parents to go to and not some back ally or industrial area,” said Kwame Reed, the City’s Director of Economic Development. “If there’s a consideration for them to go in an upscale shopping center that would be something to consider.”

“If you’d like to expand in some kind of measured fashion, we can form an ad hoc committee,” said Smith.

“Chief, I was hoping to get some feedback, I guess our hope, maybe my hope, having retail cannabis locations that were licensed, and regulated and watched over would diminish street sales,” said Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts. “Do you have any feedback on that? There’s a lot of people that believe cannabis can lead to more crime.”

“I’ll start by saying that the black market for marijuana is extremely strong,” Chief Brooks responded. “I’m speaking on behalf of my counterparts throughout the state.”

“I know price point, availability…we have not seen a reduction in illegal drug sales, due to the two dispensaries,” he continued. “Since they’ve opened, one of the dispensaries has had 25 calls for service, the other on W. 10th Street has had five calls for service. A lot of those calls have been from security personnel on site.”

Brooks also mentioned “a lot of traffic related complaints and disturbances, as well.”

The council then took up the matter.

“Items 1-3, by all means push forward. Item 4, I’m kind of a wait and see. That’s not a ‘no’ forever,” said Mayor Sean Wright. “We have unused space, correct?”

“We have entitled dispensaries that have not been opened,” said Community Development Director Forrest Ebbs. “Right now, I don’t see a rush to open up a wider district. That doesn’t say I won’t hear additional information about another area that we might open up and expand. But I don’t see an urgency in widening.”

“I think we need to look at opening up the overlay district,” said Councilman Lamar Thorpe. “The council is still in control of the process. Why did we do the overlay in northern Antioch which his home to some of the poorest.”

“I’m all for expanding the cannabis overlay,” he continued. “At some point we have to decide how many dispensaries are too many for our city.”

Reed spoke of a boutique-type cannabis business locating in an upscale shopping center.

“We’ve been very hard on these first four (cannabis businesses) that have come in,” said Councilwoman Monica Wilson. “I want to at least be open minded. I just don’t want to keep us so confined that we close ourself off to the market.”

“We just started these overlay districts, so I’m surprised we’re already talking about expanding it to the rest of the city,” said Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock. “What I’ve heard from the dispensary on 10th Street is that they don’t want more as that would affect their business. I don’t want to expand this.”

Motts responded, “I would not be opposed to what Councilwoman Wilson or what Attorney Smith said, about a sub-committee and a measured approach of other places in the community where they could locate. I wouldn’t be opposed to hearing back from the subcommittee. I wouldn’t support expanding it to the entire community.”

Thorpe then said, “What is before you, today is somewhat the recommendations of the ad hoc. The same people that painted doom and gloom keep painting that this is the wrong direction. The doom and gloom scenario that everyone painted did not happen. Continuing to move forward is kind of the appropriate…we are trying it. It hasn’t created the things that people said they aren’t going to do. It is them (the cannabis businesses) who are proactive in reaching out to the police. I’m pleased in the way the dispensaries are working, especially the one on Wilbur.”

“Everyone else is catching on and we need to maintain our competitive advantage,” he added.

Tabled Cannabis Business Tax

The council chose not to approve either a cannabis tax which would require a majority vote of the people. Both Ogorchock and Wright said the current operating agreements give the council more flexibility in dealing with the cannabis businesses in generating revenue for the city from them.

The meeting will be rebroadcast on Comcast local cable channel 24 on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. or can be viewed on the City’s website.

ALL COURT LOCATIONS WILL REOPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON MAY 26, 2020 AT 8:00 A.M.

• IF YOU ARE SICK, DO NOT COME TO THE COURT. NO ONE WHO IS SICK OR WHO IS EXHIBITING COVID-19 SYMPTOMS WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENTER ANY COURT FACILITY.
• YOU MUST WEAR A MASK OR FACE COVERING TO ENTER ANY COURT FACILITY AND AT ALL TIMES WHILE INSIDE.
• ANYONE ENTERING ANY COURT FACILITY WILL HAVE THEIR TEMPERATURE TAKEN. IF YOU HAVE A TEMPERATURE OF 100 DEGREES OR HIGHER, YOU WILL BE DENIED ENTRY FOR THAT DAY.
• PLEASE EXPECT LONG LINES AND LONG WAIT TIMES. THE COURT WILL FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS AND BUILDING ACCESS WILL BE LIMITED. PLEASE OBEY ALL SIGNS. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.
• CLERK’S OFFICES ARE OPEN 8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M., WITH PHONE HOURS FROM 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M., UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
• THE MARTINEZ COURT RECORDS OFFICE REMAINS CLOSED. SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING RECORDS ACCESS.
• PLEASE READ THE REMAINDER OF THIS RELEASE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIFIC OPERATIONS.

Entrances and Exits. All buildings will operate a single entry/exit point. Please follow all signs carefully. The Court Street entrance for the Wakefield Taylor building in Martinez will not be open; use the Main Street entrance only.

No Nonessential Parties. Due to social distancing limitations, individuals who are not essential to Court matters should not accompany parties to Court for any matter or case type.

Drop Box Filings. Drop boxes will still be available from 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. (one hour after clerk’s office closure). Because clerk’s offices will experience high demand and significant wait times, the Court encourages you to file items by drop box. Items placed in the drop box before 3:00 p.m. will be file-stamped that day. Drop box locations are:

• Civil: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.
• Criminal: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.
• Family: Main entrance of Family Law building in Martinez.
• Juvenile: Main entrance of the Walnut Creek Courthouse.
• Probate: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.
• Pittsburg and Richmond courthouses: These drop boxes are available only for filings in case types heard at those locations.

Jury Service. Jury service will resume. Be assured that we are working with the County Health Department to ensure your safety. Those summoned must follow the rules above for access to the Court, including wearing masks. To obey social distancing requirements, jurors will be called in two-hour blocks. See your jury summons for call-in information. No more than 50 jurors will be present in a jury assembly room at any time. If you are sick, exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or are a high-risk individual (e.g., over 60 years of age, immunocompromised, etc.), the Court will excuse you from service upon proof. Please call 925-608-1000 and follow the prompts for Jury Services.

Emergency Local Rules. All Emergency Local Rules remain in effect unless otherwise noted or as superseded by effect of the Court’s reopening. Rules are available at: http://www.cc-courts.org/local-rules/local-rules.aspx

Filing Holidays. The Court is open for filing as of May 26, 2020. Filing holidays under this Court’s Implementation Orders and/or Emergency Local Rules expire as of the Court’s reopening. Judicial Council Emergency Rules of Court and/or orders of the Chief Justice, available on the Court’s website, may further extend filing holidays in certain cases. Review these carefully.

Records. The Court Records office in Martinez remains closed. The Court will only accept records requests and requests for background checks via drop box or mail, subject to all legal confidentiality exceptions. Do not wait in line or come to a clerk’s window with a records request.

Request forms may be downloaded from the appropriate Court Records webpage:

• For Criminal matters and background checks: http://www.cc-courts.org/criminal/records.aspx. Submit by mail or use the Criminal drop box.
• For any other matters: http://www.cc-courts.org/civil/records.aspx. Submit by mail or use the drop box for the appropriate case type.

Specific Matters

• Restraining Orders. The Court continues to accept applications for domestic violence, civil harassment, and gun violence restraining orders. For civil restraining orders, please review the Civil Emergency Local Rules. For domestic violence restraining orders and emergency protective orders, please review the Family Emergency Local Rules.
• Traffic. The Court is in the process of rescheduling all traffic matters and you will receive a notice of new dates. Read your notice carefully: The location of your matter may differ from your original notice. All traffic matters have been granted a 120-day extension which also applies to payment deadlines as well as deadlines for traffic school and community service completion.
• Small Claims. The Court will reschedule all small claims matters and provide notice of new dates. Read your notice carefully: The location of your matter may differ from your original notice.
• Unlawful Detainer. The Judicial Council’s Emergency Rules of Court prohibit the Court from issuing a summons on any new unlawful detainer complaints, with limited exceptions for urgent public health and safety matters. For matters involving violence, threats of violence, and/or health and safety issues, parties should provide documents with the filing, such as a declaration under oath, relating facts supporting the urgency on those grounds.
• Civil Limited and Unlimited.

1. Hearings and filings will proceed under the Civil Emergency Local Rules. Hearings from May 18, 2020 through May 27, 2020, will go forward on fully-briefed matters. Briefs for hearings on May 28, 2020, or thereafter must be filed under normal statutory timeframes even if that requires a filing during the closure period. Review the Civil Emergency Local Rules for further information.
2. The CourtCall process in the Civil Emergency Local Rules will be used for all hearings until further notice. Do not come to Court for your hearings.
3. Review the Complex Emergency Local Rules for procedures for Complex cases.

• Probate. All matters should be submitted via drop box. The Probate File Examiner Office will not be open to accept ex parte submissions until further notice. Review the Probate Emergency Local Rules for information on hearings and use of remote technology. The Probate department will be providing additional guidance separately.
• Criminal Virtual and Emergency Courtrooms. These courtrooms will close as of May 26, 2020, except by written stipulation of the parties approved by the Presiding Judge.

But, she’s retiring so Runner Up Robert Vieira will represent the district and compete at the county level

By Allen Payton

During their online meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 the Antioch School Board honored the district’s 2020 Teacher of the Year Becky Barnett and Runner Up Robert Vieira. Barnett is a teacher at Dallas Ranch Middle School and Vieira teaches at Antioch Middle School.

In an effort to acknowledge and honor the contributions, commitment, and excellence of its most outstanding teachers, the Antioch Unified School District participates in the Teacher of the Year program sponsored by the Contra Costa County Office of Education and the California Department of Education. Individuals selected as the District’s Teacher of the Year and Runner Up are initially nominated by their peers. After the District Teacher of the Year is selected, his or her application is forwarded to the Contra Costa County Office of Education for consideration as the 2020 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year.

“Ms. Barnett’s passion for teaching…is second to none,” said Christine Ibarra, Associate Superintendent for K-12 Education Services. “I’m sending you a virtual hug and we’ll have a plaque for you in recognition.”

“Yeah, 39 and this is my last one and I’m going out with a bang,” said Barnett. “It’s bittersweet, really just to go out this way. I’ve been teaching 39 years and 38 in Antioch.”

“Wonderful, wonderful. On behalf of the board I’m very excited for you. Congratulations and best to you in your next chapter,” said Board President Diane Gibson-Gray.

“I will just say, when I started in this district 21 years ago, Becky, you were my idol,” said Superintendent Stephanie Anello. “You really are remarkable.”

Trustee Gary Hack said, “We shared a lot of jokes and good times. You’ve been a sweetheart from day one. You’ve done a lot of good work for kids over the years. Enjoy retirement.”

“Congratulations and I commend you for all your years of teaching,” said Crystal Sawyer-White.

“I can’t even tell you how honored I am to have you be our Teacher of the Year, not just for the site but for the district,” said DRMS Principal Bridget Spires. “You’ve helped so many students have success. I appreciate you, the staff appreciates you. We love you and wish you the best in retirement. But today is about congratulating you for your hard work.”

Mary Rocha said, “You’ve done a great job with the young people in giving them mentorship. You certainly are a person we admire.”

“I just want to thank you for your years of service,” said Trustee Ellie Householder.

In her bio on the district’s website, she wrote, “I have been teaching for 39 years, 17 of which have been here at Dallas Ranch.  I am currently teaching 6th grade students and all subject areas.  I have a cat, Felix.  I love teaching and really love being home with my critter.  Any questions, please email me or phone me at DRMS.”

Vieira was honored next.

“Mr. Vieira is a gamechanger for our site,” said Principal Lindsay Wisely.

“I’m extremely humbled,” Vieira said. “Thank you for those kind words. Coming over from a small district to a larger district has been a challenge. I’m just kind of blown away in this honor. So, thank you very much. I appreciate the respect and honor bestowed on me.”

“I came over from River Delta,” he said in a response to a question by Gibson-Gray. “I’ve been in Antioch…this will be the end of my fourth year.”

Each of the board members congratulated him.

“Let me just congratulate you for making the best decision in your life for coming to Antioch Unified School District,” said Anello. “I remember hearing about this new teacher at DRMS and all the wonderful things you’re doing. I’m still hearing about it. We’re so happy you’re here…and congratulations.”

“You build that trust and safety in the classroom,” he added.

“The next level is for the teacher of the year to be forwarded to the county,” said Ibarra. “Ms. Barnett, in her retirement has graciously decided to remain local. So, we will be forwarding Mr. Vieira to the county for consideration.” (See related article)

“It’s a great honor to be able to go on, so thank you,” Vieira added.

By Allen Payton

The Antioch High School Class of 2020 participated in the senior pick day event on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 with a drive-through in the school’s parking lot to turn in their books, and pick up their graduation caps and gowns.

Some 40 staffers, including Principal Louie Rocha were on hand to applaud and celebrate the seniors, according to Community Outreach Coordinator Trine Gallegos. Also, on hand were AUSD School Board Trustee Mary Rocha and Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts.

The staff had planned to distribute yard signs, as well. But, “the yard signs didn’t come in until, today,” Principal Rocha explained. “So, we will distribute them at a later date in the same way as we’re doing this.”

In addition, “the graduates will participate in a virtual graduation ceremony on June 5th,” he shared. An in-person graduation ceremony is scheduled for some time in August, according to school district officials. (See related article). See more videos at www.facebook.com/antiochheraldca.

 

By Allen Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 the Antioch City Council dealt with several other issues including approving a development agreement with the developer of a low-income housing project, adopting a Climate Action and Resilience Plan, and issuing a request for proposal to hire an organization to oversee the FEMA trailer housing program.

Approve Low-Income Apartments Development Agreement

In other action, the council unanimously approved a development agreement between the City of Antioch and AMCAL Antioch Fund, LP for the 349-unit low-income apartment complex off E. 18th Street previously approved the council. – Amcal apartments Development Agreement 05-12-20

Adopts Climate Action & Resilience Plan – Antioch Climate Action & Resilience Plan

CivicSpark Fellow Lorenzo Siemann provided an overplan of the Climate Action and Resilience Plan. He said, “the overarching goal of the CARP is to prepare Antioch for…flood, drought, earthquake.” – Antioch Climate Action & Resilience Plan presentation 05-12-20

Sea level rise is a major focus of the CARP.

“We’re talking about a 30-year projection,” said Julie Haas-Wajdowicz, the city’s Environmental Resources Coordinator.

According to the staff presentation, the local and regional effects of “Climate Change in the Bay Area and Antioch” include:

Local Effects

Increase in flood risk along northern Antioch water bodies

Higher energy and water consumption (especially in the summers)

Worsening air quality due to wildfire and hotter days Resilience Plan

Regional Effects

Disruption of transportation, housing, and employment infrastructure

Decline in consistency of agricultural yields

Increasing pressure on electrical grid

“This is about getting…state and federal money,” said Mayor Sean Wright.

“It’s a real great opportunity for us for equity and resilience work for our community recovering from future disasters,” Haas-Wajdowicz stated.

The council adopted the Climate Action and Resilience Plan on a vote of 5-0 vote.

Will Hire Organization to Oversee FEMA Trailer Housing Program

The council approved a Request For Proposal (RFP) to pursue contracting with a non-profit organization to oversee the RV Housing Opportunity Program (HOP to Housing) for placing homeless families in the five FEMA trailers given to Antioch by the state. – RV Housing Opportunity Program Consultant RFP

According to the staff report, “This will be a temporary housing program that will serve families with children in the City of Antioch who are attending Antioch Unified School District, and experiencing homelessness, particularly families who are currently unsheltered (living outside, in an encampment or in a vehicle). The City of Antioch is closely collaborating with the Health, Housing, and Homeless Services (H3) Division of the Contra Costa Health Services Department to support service delivery for the project.”

“The focus is how do we ensure that costs overall don’t overwhelm us,” said Councilman Lamar Thorpe. “To make sure we’re using money wisely and don’t overwhelm ourselves as a city to accommodate as many individuals as possible who are homeless.”

“The core of the RFP is to find a qualified non-profit…to work with these families to make the transition as expeditious as possible to permanent housing,” said Kate Bristol, Director of Consulting for Focus Strategies, the City’s consulting firm on homeless.

The contractor will provide 24-hour supervision and on-site security, where the trailers are located, which has yet to be decided.

“I’m excited about where this has come…to provide housing for families to move on to permanent housing,” said Mayor Wright.

“The focus of the task force has always been encampments…this is somewhat of a detour,” said Councilman Lamar Thorpe. “We will have to get back to encampments. That’s where the largest challenges and concerns from the community are coming from.”

“We had to do this, first as far as the homeless trailer program, but I look forward to getting back to what our original goals were for those in encampments,” Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts said.

The council then approved adopting the RFP on a 5-0 vote.

The meeting will be rebroadcast on Comcast local cable channel 24 on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. or can be viewed on the City’s website.