Secure up to $120,000 in down payment subsidies applied towards purchasing a home in Antioch.

3 parts, 3 nights; deadline to register is 5:00 pm Monday, March 3rd

By Walter Zhovreboff, Administrative Director, Bay Area Affordable Housing Alliance

The Bay Area Affordable Homeownership Alliance (BAAHA) and the City of Antioch are sponsoring a free virtual HUD approved homebuyer education workshop from 5:00pm to 7:30pm Tuesday March 4 through Thursday March 6, 2025.

Reservations are required for the free workshop. Attendants for this free workshop series will receive a Certificate of Completion from a HUD approved education provider.

Workshop Times
The City of Antioch is sponsoring a free HUD approved homebuyer education workshop. The three-part workshop will be presented from:
• Part I Tuesday March 4th from 5pm – 7:30 pm
• Part II Wednesday March 5th from 5pm – 7:30 pm
• Part III Thursday March 6th from 5pm – 7:30 pm
Households must attend all three sessions to secure the HUD approved education certificate.

The workshop is scheduled over three Zoom sessions delivered from 5:00pm to 7:30pm, commencing on Tuesday, March 4 through Thursday March 6, 2025. Attendees must attend all three sessions to obtain their HUD Homebuyer Education Certificate. Deadline to register is 5:00 pm Monday, March 3, 2025.

Workshop Topics
The homebuyer education workshop will be covering the following key topics.
• Understanding the importance of credit to purchase a home
• Preparing for homeownership
• Qualifying for a first mortgage
• Shopping for a home
• Managing money
• Information regarding the AHOP resources, including how to apply for the AHOP Down Payment Assistance Subsidy

A-1 CHS provides all homebuyer education workshop participants with a required individual free one on one homebuyer counseling session.

Workshop Sponsors and Presenters

The workshop is specifically directed towards households who are interested in applying for and participating in the AHOP resources, including securing up to $120,000 in down payment subsidies applied towards purchasing a home in Antioch.

This free workshop is sponsored by the City of Antioch. Approved homebuyer education providers usually charge a fee which can range up to $100 to participate in a HUD approved homebuyer workshops.

The workshop is being taught by A-1 Community Housing Services. A-1 CHS is a non-profit community partner that is assisting AHOP participants with their homebuyer education and counseling needs. Additional presenters at the workshop will include:
• Administrative Director of BAAHA
• Managing Director CA – CRA Residential Lending with First Citizens Bank

Workshop Registration
Households must register to attend the City of Antioch’s free HUD approved homebuyer education workshop. Reservations can be made at: https://www.myhomegateway.org/ahop-homebuyer-education-workshop.html.

Make your reservation by no later than 5:00PM Monday March 3, 2025.

Additional information on Antioch Home Ownership Program (AHOP) is available at https://www.myhomegateway.org/ahop.html.

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime cultural adventure! Join the Chichibu Sister City Program and experience the beauty, traditions, and warm hospitality of Chichibu, Japan. From breathtaking landscapes to rich history, this is your chance to build lifelong connections and unforgettable memories. Last year, delegates from Japan joined us here in Antioch, and this summer, it’s our turn to visit Japan! Apply today and be part of this amazing exchange!

Learn more information about the Antioch Chichibu Sister City Program when you visit their Facebook page Antioch-Chichibu Sister City Organization or email AntiochChichibuSCO@gmail.com.

By City of Antioch

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

The City of Antioch is launching the Chief of Police Recruitment Online Community Forum, and your voice matters!

Date: March 3, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Online via Zoom

We’re looking for your input on the qualities and qualifications you want to see in our next Antioch Police Chief. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of our police department!

Join the meeting by scanning the QR code on the post or clicking here: Zoom Link

Your participation makes a difference—let’s build a stronger, safer Antioch together!

Antioch police officers used de-escalation tactics to take him into custody

Held on $180,000 bail; arrested last year for vehicle theft, DUI

By Lt. Joe Njoroge #7052, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On February 23, just before 4:00 a.m., Antioch police responded to the 3000 Block of Ash Street on a call from a woman who reported that a man fired shots at her. The 30-year-old victim was unharmed and was able to flee the scene. Additional calls were received by Antioch Police Dispatch regarding gunshots heard in the same area. Upon further investigation, the victim informed officers that the man, 30-year-old Melvin Jewel Savoy, III, (born 5-5-1994), had gone back into the home, which was occupied by several individuals, including four children.

Officers arrived at the scene and located the victim nearby. A perimeter was established, and officers made announcements for Savoy to exit the residence. Initially, he refused to cooperate with officers’ requests and did not exit. Eventually Savoy exited the residence, however he did not comply with officers’ instructions. After several minutes of de-escalation efforts, Savoy was taken into custody without incident.

Officers checked on all occupants inside the home, including the children, and found they were unharmed during the incident.

Savoy was later transported to the Martinez Detention Facility, where he was booked on the following charges:
PC 245(a)(2) – Assault with a Firearm on a Person
PC 243(e )(1) – Domestic Battery
PC 148(a)(1) – Resist Arrest
PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm
PC 25850(a) – Possession of a Loaded Firearm in Public
PC 30305(a) – Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition

According to localcrimenews.com, he is Black and was also arrested last year on July 18 by Contra Costa CHP for petty theft, receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, vehicle theft and DUI, alcohol and drugs, as well as in 2014 by San Leandro PD for forgery of a credit card.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-feet, eleven-inch tall, 195 lb. Savoy is being held in the West County Detention Center on $180,000 bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

U.S. Marshals assist

27-year-old held on $3.14 million bail, has a history of arrests dating back to 2015.

By Acting Lt. Whitaker # 6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

As previously reported, on February 12th at approximately 10:24 p.m., Antioch police officers responded to the area of Hillcrest Avenue and Larkspur Drive for reports of shots fired in the area. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a victim who had been shot at least once. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victim who was transported to a local hospital. The 23-year-old victim later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. He was identified by Contra Costa Deputy Coroner Livingston and APD as Jacob Frank Hernandez.

On Thursday, February 20, the United States Marshal Service and Antioch Police Department executed a search warrant at an undisclosed address in Antioch. The suspect, 27-year-old Demundre Rashey Walton (born 04-10-1997), was arrested without incident for homicide. Evidence from the home was collected, as well as the vehicle used during the commission of the crime.

On 02-24-2025 The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office filed the case for charges:

1. PC187 (a) – Murder
2. PC29900 (a)(1) – Felon in possession of a firearm

This is still an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau.
Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Cox at (925) 481-8147
or by email jcox@antiochca.gov.

According to Walton’s Facebook page, he is married and lives in Antioch.

According to localcrimenews.com, Walton is Black and has a history of arrests dating back to 2015 by multiple agencies including Antioch, Concord and Berkeley PDs, and the Sheriff’s Departments of Alameda, San Francisco, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, for crimes such as: a variety of gun charges, robbery (six times), burglary and possession of burglar’s tools, child endangerment, resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer and conspiracy to commit a crime (four times).

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, eight-inch tall, 157 lb. suspect is being held in the Martinz Detention Facility on $3,140,000 bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Three awards to be presented during luncheon including “Visionary Leadership” Award to Contra Costa DA Diana Becton

By Jennifer Adams, Senior Executive Assistant, President’s Office, Los Medanos College

Los Medanos College will host its 2nd Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Three people will receive the 2025 Los Medanos College MLK Awards:
• “Visionary Leadership” Award – Diana Becton | District Attorney for Contra Costa County
• “Beloved Community” Award – Kolette Simonton | Director of Recreation for the City of Pittsburg
• “Emerging Leadership” Award – Annisha Geran | LMC Alumna, School Site Council Chairperson at MLK, Jr. Junior High School & School Site Council Vice Chairperson at Pittsburg High School
The awards will be presented during the luncheon that day.

The “Visionary Leadership” Award recognizes a member of the eastern Contra Costa County community who embodies Dr. King’s strengths as a transformational, servant leader. Dr. King inspired others to shape the future articulated in his vision. He focused on the well-being, growth, and empowerment of others and the community he served. Dr. King said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable … Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” This award recognizes local leaders who have demonstrated the courage to speak up when needed, to step up when no one else would, and to lift others whose efforts would serve the greater good.

The “Beloved Community” Award is inspired by the term popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and is presented to a local resident who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to service. As noted by The King Center, the “Beloved Community” is a global vision in which: all people can share in the wealth of the earth; poverty, hunger, and homelessness will not be tolerated; racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood; and love and trust will triumph over fear and hatred.” Recipients of this award demonstrate agape love, which Dr. King described as “understanding, redeeming goodwill for all” – a love “seeking to preserve and create community.”

The “Emerging Leadership” Award is given to an LMC student or alumna/us who exemplifies the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and, within the last year, has made a significant impact on the LMC campus or in the local community in the areas of advocacy and social justice. Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” – and these emerging leaders are already demonstrating that commitment to service.

RSVPs for the luncheon are no longer being accepted.

About LMC
Los Medanos College is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond.
• The Pittsburg Campus boasts 120 acres, a lake, advanced library, science, math and student union buildings.
• The Brentwood Center, which opened May 2022, is nestled on 17.5 acres along the rolling hills of the City of Brentwood.
• The college offers more than 90 transfer and career-technical programs of study to help students achieve a lifetime of higher earnings.
• Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution.
LMC is located at 2700 E. Leland Road in Pittsburg. The Brentwood Center is located at 1351 Pioneer Square.

By Antioch Police Department

Last week patrol officers responded to reports of a shooting on Cache Peak Drive in Antioch. During the investigation it was learned that an argument over a cell phone between a trigger-happy male and his ex-girlfriend resulted in shots fired at the female in the street. She was uninjured thankfully as the shooters aim was worse than his communication skills.

The male fled the scene and went into hiding. Investigators authored an arrest warrant for the male and search warrant for the residence. Later in the week the male was spotted in the area and after a brief foot pursuit he was placed under arrest. The residence was searched, and evidence was collected.

To the criminals in our city, can you hear us now? Good!

Lori Ogorchock, Mike Green are 2024 Citizens of the Year

By Allen D. Payton

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the annual awards for 2024.

• Citizen of the Year for Lifetime Achievement – Former Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock
• Citizen of the Year for Most Impact- Mike Green
• Small Business of the Year- Mike’s Pastry
• Large Corporate Business of the Year – Travis Credit Union
• Non-Profit of the Year – RCF Connects
• Student of the Year – Mina Aljanaby, Dozier-Libbey Medical High School student

More details on each winner will be provided by the Chamber later.

An additional Citizen of the Year for Lifetime Achievement will be posthumously to the late Jimmy Bean, a former business owner and community leader, who passed away in December. (See obituary, here)

All seven award winners will be honored at the Chamber’s Annual Gala at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center on Saturday, March 28. Tickets are $85 per person or $680 for a table of eight and are available on the Chamber’s website at www.AntiochChamber.com.