In second year of two-year contract

“It sounds hard, and it is – but JOY abounds here!” – Bessie Marie Scott

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch City Manager Bessie Scott is currently serving in the second year of her two-year contract since being hired for the position on a split, 3-2 City Council vote in August 2024 less than three months before the election. With a new mayor and two new council members some residents didn’t expect Scott to last more than another six months at the most. But, 18 months later she continues serving in the position and has shared information about the role of city manager and her experience.

On Scott’s LinkedIn profile she provides a description of her position:

“As City Manager for the City of Antioch since October 2024, I contribute to key municipal operations by leveraging expertise in financial understanding, policy implementation, economic and community development, and crafting effective policy implementing and business communications.My role involves fostering organizational efficiency, staff development, enhancing regional partnerships, and driving initiatives that align with the city’s priorities, Council goals, and community needs. It sounds hard, and it is – but JOY abounds here!”

Then earlier this month, Scott shared the following about the role of city manager and her experience in the position:

One of the most misunderstood jobs in local government is the City Manager!

People often assume the role is about authority.

It’s not.

It’s about responsibility.

Hi, I’m Bessie Scott, the first female City Manager in Antioch, California. I’m also a Black woman serving in a profession where leadership has historically looked very different.

Over time, I’ve learned there are a lot of misconceptions about what city managers A C T U A L L Y do.

Here are a few things people often get wrong about the role.

1. “City managers run the city however they want.”

In reality, city managers work at the direction of an elected city council. Our job is to implement policy, provide professional advice, and make sure city services are delivered effectively.

2. “It’s just a management job.”

Yes, we manage organizations — but we also navigate politics, community expectations, crises, labor negotiations, infrastructure planning, economic development, and public trust… often all at the same time.

3. “The work happens in council meetings.”

Council meetings are just the visible tip of the iceberg. The real work happens long before the meeting — in planning, listening, problem-solving, and coordinating across departments.

4. “City managers stay out of the public eye.”

In today’s environment, city managers are often front and center during community challenges, emergencies, and major civic decisions. As an Introvert, this is my LEAST favorite truth as I’m more of a Best Supporting Actress kinda girl!

5. “It’s a purely technical role.”

The technical skills matter. But the truth is that emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to bring people together are just as critical. Local government is where democracy becomes real for people. It’s the street someone drives on every day.

The park their kids play in.

The safety of their neighborhood.

The future of their community.

City managers sit at the intersection of all of it.

It’s challenging work. It’s often misunderstood work.

But it’s also some of the most meaningful work in public service.

I’m proud to serve alongside so many dedicated professionals in this field, including those connected through the International City/County Management Association, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, the League of California Cities, and the National League of Cities.

——-

The official description of Scott’s job and responsibilities is provided on the City Manager’s webpage:

The City of Antioch operates under the City Manager form of government.  Under the policy direction of the City Council the City Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City; assumes full responsibility for planning, administering, directing, overseeing, and evaluating the activities and operations of all City departments.

Responsibilities

• Implementing City Council policy
• Directing departments and the City’s administrative functions
• Providing day-to-day leadership in policy development and implementation
• Assuring an efficient and equitable delivery of City services
• Initiating and developing short and long-term special projects
• Overseeing the annual budget process
• Managing the City’s inter-governmental relations and public information functions
• Directing major economic development projects
• The City Manager’s contract

Scott’s contract is up for renewal in September. She serves at the pleasure of the city council and renewal requires three votes of the five members.

First Division Officer Ensign Emma Crandell watched completion of historic space mission

“It was crazy to see water fill our deck and the capsule slowly pull into our ship. I thought, ‘Wow! That’s the Integrity right there.”

By Allen D. Payton

Emma Crandell, a 2021 Deer Valley High School graduate, serves as a First Division Officer Ensign aboard the USS John P. Murtha, which was chosen as the recovery ship for the Orion spacecraft and its crew upon their return from the historic Artemis II mission on Friday, April 10, 2026, which she witnessed. Crandell is the daughter of Jeff and Marie Crandell of Antioch.

Before she graduated from high school, Crandell was presented with a $200,000 Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship. She was selected through a rigorous process from among thousands of students across the state and nation.

Then-Petty Officer Byung Jung, of the Antioch U.S. Navy Recruiting Station, said the scholarship would “pave the way for Emma to get commissioned as an Officer in the Navy.” (See related article)

Emma took her scholarship and attended then, graduated from the University of San Diego, Class of 2025 with a Political Science major. Out of the entire naval fleet, she chose to serve aboard the John P. Murtha as a First Division Officer with the rank of Ensign.

About the Recovery Mission

About the Artemis II recovery mission Crandell said, “Our ship was off the coast of San Diego and I was, actually on the bridge after being on-watch” which means she “was helping drive the ship, navigating it safely and served as the Conning Officer” as she had the ‘Conn’ “right before splashdown.”

“So, I could just observe it. I heard the sonic boom. We were up there with a lot of NASA contractors, most of the ship was top side and we just watched,” Crandell shared.

Asked about the recovering process she explained. “We had a team of small boats that went out with a team of Navy divers to medically assess the astronauts. When they were cleared, the helicopters flew in to do an air evacuation with assistance from the divers. It was a low and slow process. We were up until the wee hours of the morning.”

“We had to approach the capsule. There was a lengthier process to tow it into our well deck,” Crandell stated. “They rigged up the capsule to a piece of machinery that essentially pulled it into the dock.”

Asked if she witnessed that process, as well Crandell said, “I was on station the entire time as a safety observer.”

“It was crazy to see water fill our deck and the capsule slowly pull into our ship,” she stated. “I thought, ‘Wow! That’s the Integrity right there in our ship.’”

The Artemis program is the overarching name for multiple missions, Orion is the type of capsule, and the astronauts named this one, Integrity.

Asked why her ship was selected for the operation Crandell said, “Our main mission is to conduct amphibious warfare, so, we are built to extract amphibious vehicles and we’re a transport ship. I can’t speak specifically why the Murtha, but the back of our ship opens up to the ocean. We can ballast down to let the ocean in and extract the capsule. I don’t know why they chose us but I’m grateful that they did.”

“I’ve only been on board a few months. I’m pretty new to the ship,” she continued. “This was my first major mission, for sure.”

Her Basic Training was in ROTC during college. “I did intermittent summer trainings, but there wasn’t any boot camp,” she explained.

After college she remained in San Diego and went to work on the John P. Murtha which is stationed there.

Asked about her experience in the Navy, Crandell stated, “It’s been amazing so far. It’s opened up opportunities and I’ve got to do a lot of exciting things.”

Like meeting one of the four Artemis II astronauts.

“I got to meet Christina Koch briefly, the morning they were flying out,” Crandell stated. “After landing on the flight deck in the helicopters the astronauts stayed overnight on our ship.”

Asked why she wanted to join the Navy Crandell said, “It was a cool purpose behind it. A sense of leadership and ownership and getting to do cool stuff with amazing people.”

That’s her favorite thing about the Navy, “The people.”

Although she hasn’t been home since she joined the John P. Murtha, her parents visited her last week.

“I invited them to come down and see the Orion capsule while it was on the ship,” Crandell explained.

Her mother, Marie, said about Emma’s experience, “Definitely huge Forrest Gump moments for her. Her dad and I are still shaking our heads. We’re still trying to wrap our heads around all the cool stuff she did.”

Marie shared about a People Magazine article entitled, Little green alien spotted at Artemis II crew’s splashdown following high-stakes mission around the moon, which shows a photo of the bridge of the John P. Murtha and Emma standing right next to “an inflatable green alien peeking out and appearing to wave along with the crew.”

Asked about her favorite subject in high school Crandell said, “Mock Trial was the best.”

In 2020, as a student in Deer Valley High’s Law and Justice Academy and a member of the school’s Mock Trial Team that made it to the third round of the county competition, she won a prosecution witness award.

That helped lead her to now doing legal work in the Navy.

Asked about her daily activities and future plans Crandell said, “A normal day for me is doing some administrative paperwork for my division, doing some legal paperwork. I also work as one of the Command legal officers. I try to spend time with my sailors getting to know them better. Then working on my qualifications to be a Surface Warfare Officer. It means I’m qualified to essentially drive the ship.”

Asked if it means she’d have the ‘Conn’ in that position Crandell shared, “I could have the ‘Conn’ but I would have the ‘Deck’ which is a stronger position and takes longer to obtain.”

About the John P. Murtha

According to Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jomark Almazan,  the ship is named in honor of the late and long-serving Pennsylvania Congressman John P. Murtha and is a San Antonio Class Amphibious Transport Dock currently operated by the United States Navy. The USS John P. Murtha has been in active service for 10 years.

“It is a fitting tribute to Congressman Murtha, who dedicated his life to serving our nation, that the ship bearing his name will be integral to this historic moment in space exploration,” said Capt. Erik Kenny, commanding officer of John P. Murtha. “He was a champion for our military and a visionary. We are honored to carry on his legacy by supporting NASA and the Artemis II mission.”

A former Marine Corps officer, Murtha was the first Vietnam War veteran elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. (Source: Wikipedia)

The San Antonio class amphibious transport docks feature a large floodable well deck, advanced flight deck, and extensive command facilities. They can transport nearly 800 Marines along with vehicles, landing craft, and helicopters for effective ship-to-shore movement.

The Artemis II mission was the first crewed flight of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, sending four astronauts on an approximately 10-day journey that took them beyond the Moon. This mission marks humanity’s first crewed voyage to the vicinity of the Moon in over 50 years.

Upon completion of their mission, the Orion capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean west of San Diego, where John P. Murtha and its crew recovered the astronauts and the spacecraft.

The U.S. Navy’s amphibious transport dock has unique advantages, including a well deck, helicopter pad, onboard medical facilities, and communication capabilities needed to support the mission. The platform gave NASA the ability to recover the Orion space capsule and collect critical data to help ensure it’s ready to recover the astronauts and capsule during future Artemis missions.

MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 provided imagery support for NASA by tracking the Orion space capsule as it traveled through Earth’s atmosphere. After splashdown, HSC-23 helicopters recovered the astronauts once they emerged from the capsule and brought them to the ship for assessment and then transported them to shore.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 provided Navy divers to recover and transport the Orion space capsule from the ocean to the ship’s well deck. Navy divers are experts in mobile diving, salvage, towing and open water, small boat operations. In addition to the Navy divers, EODGRU-1 supported the recovery mission with a dive medical team which assessed and assisted the astronauts following their exit from the capsule.

Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission in a series of missions around and to the lunar surface where crew can build and test systems needed to prepare for the challenge of future missions to Mars. The mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, April 1, with four astronauts onboard, three from the U.S. and one from Canada.

For official imagery and video, please visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/Artemis.  

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.

“I’m an honorary doer. I think that’s a better title for me.”

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

During the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gala, Friday night, March 27, 2026, Joanne Bilbo, a lifelong resident of Antioch, was honored as the 2025 Citizen of the Year for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of her unparalleled dedication to her community. At 96 years young, Joanne’s life is a shining example of volunteerism, leadership and service.

She joined the Catholic Young Ladies at age 16 and has been a devoted, long-standing member of Most Holy Rosary Church. Affectionately known as the “Dessert Lady,” Joanne has spent decades delighting parishioners with her famous bundt cakes at church events, always serving with joy and generosity.

Her commitment extends beyond the church: she has been a dedicated board member of the Antioch Historical Society, earned the affectionate title of “Ticket Lady” for managing museum event tickets for countless community events, and was honored in 2023 as a Community Leader by the Sports Legends Hall of Fame Museum, where she served on the board for more than a decade.

Joanne’s impact on Antioch reaches into every corner of the community. She and her husband, Marshall Bilbo, married in 1960 and raised two children while owning and operating Ernie’s Liquors for many years. She has been a vital presence in the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Antioch, contributing her time, energy, and leadership to countless initiatives.

As a board member of Antioch Friends of the Arts, she oversaw the purchase and dedication of the Cannery Lady statue on W. First Street in historic, downtown Rivertown, celebrating Antioch’s rich history and culture. In 2003, she joined a philanthropic organization dedicated to raising scholarships for women, further extending her impact on future generations. Through her decades of volunteerism, her warm presence, and her unwavering commitment to community, faith, and service, Joanne Bilbo has become a beloved and inspiring figure in Antioch—truly deserving of the title Citizen of the Year.

See video of Joanne’s speech during the Gala in which she said, “I’m an honorary doer. I think that’s a better title for me.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

During the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gala, Friday night, March 27, 2026, Allison Norris, founder of the charitable organization Snug As A Bug, was honored as the 2025 Antioch Citizen of the Year for Most Impact for her extraordinary dedication to improving the lives of those in need.

Through her organization, Allison provides handmade quilts and bags to children, teens, adults, and veterans, offering warmth, comfort, and a tangible reminder that someone cares. Over the years, she has supported hundreds of individuals in Antioch and surrounding communities, creating meaningful connections and helping people navigate moments of hardship. In 2024 Allison tirelessly created quilts for veterans and contributed to the Antioch Stand Down on the Delta, an event supporting those who have served. Her outreach extends to local schools, hospitals, police departments and social service agencies, where she ensures that foster youth, families facing crisis and individuals experiencing trauma receive the physical comfort of a quilt and the emotional support that accompanies it.

Allison’s impact reaches far beyond the quilts she creates. She continuously volunteers her time at the Woman’s Club of Antioch, her church, and local schools, using these partnerships to bring other volunteers into the fold and create meaningful opportunities for community engagement. Through her dedication, she strengthens the social fabric of Antioch, demonstrating the power of compassion in action. Guided by her motto, “Building Community with Community,” Allison never seeks recognition for her work, choosing instead to focus on the real, lasting impact she makes every day. Her unwavering commitment, generosity and leadership have touched countless lives, inspiring others to give back, reinforcing a culture of care, resilience and community in every corner of Antioch.

See video of Allison’s speech during the Gala.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Office of the California Governor

Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday, March 27 2026, his appointment of two more Superior Court Judges in Contra Costa County, Hanni Fakhoury and Amanda Karl.

Hanni Fakhoury, of Contra Costa County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Contra Costa County Superior Court. Fakhoury has worked as a Partner of Moeel Lah Fakhoury since 2021, where he works in white collar and federal criminal defense as a trial attorney and mediator. He served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender at the Federal Public Defender for Northern District of California from 2015 to 2021. Fakhoury worked as a Staff Attorney and Senior Staff Attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation from 2011 to 2015. He worked as a Trial Attorney at the Federal Defenders of San Diego from 2007 to 2011.

According to his Linkedin profile, “Fakhoury is an accomplished litigator who represents individuals and companies in criminal prosecutions and government and regulatory investigations. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Northern California Super Lawyer. In addition to litigation, Hanni serves as a mediator in the Northern District of California’s ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) program and is a co-lecturer at UC Berkeley School of Law.

According to his bio on his law firm’s website, Fakhoury is a “Bay Area native” and “proudly serves the Northern District of California as a member of its Criminal Justice Act (CJA) trial panel, representing indigent criminal defendants. He was also selected by the Northern District bench to serve on the court’s Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility, Criminal Rules and Practice Committee, and CJA Administration Committee.”

“A sought-after teacher, Hanni…co-teaches a seminar on white collar crime. He has presented and lectured at over 100 legal conferences to wide audiences, including judges, attorneys and the public at large.”

Fakhoury received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charles S. Treat. Fakhoury is a Democrat.

Amanda Karl, of Alameda County, has also been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Contra Costa County Superior Court. Karl has worked as a Partner at Gibbs Mura since 2022, where she also worked as an Associate from 2016 to 2021. She served as a Law Clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California from 2015 to 2016 and at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2014 to 2015.

According to her profile on the Gibbs Mura website, Karl “represents consumers, employees and others who have been harmed by corporations. She has prosecuted a wide range of complex cases, including product defect, failure-to-warn, wage and hour, data breach, sexual assault, and securities cases, within a variety of industries. In 2024 she was honored as a Rising Star by Law360, a highly selective award that recognizes top attorneys under the age of 40.

Karl received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law as a member of the Order of the Coif, a national honorary scholastic society, which extends invitations to the top 10% of Berkeley Law’s graduating J.D. students by grade point average. . She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charles B. Burch.  Karl is a Democrat. 

The annual compensation for each of these positions is $244,727.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

A Minnesota native, he’s lived here for 85 years, is a World War II veteran and former Dow Chemical company employee

By Allen D. Payton

Born on March 25, 1922, Antioch resident Alexander Rocco “Sani” Fontana turned 104 on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Plans are in the works to celebrate with family and fellow residents and staff of the Tre Vista Senior Living community in Antioch where he lives.

Fontana shared that his real first name is “Alexander and they cut it to Alec.” His middle name is Rocco. “It was planned from my father’s side of the family,” he stated.

“Sani is a nickname inherited through my grandpa who was Santi. It got shortchanged from Santi to Sani,” Fontana added.

Asked about his family, Sani said, “My brother Leo was right behind me by 13 months. Leo, who also lived at Tre Vista, turned 100 in 2023 and passed away in August, that year.

They also had a younger sister named Lilly.

“We were very close. Lilly was two years younger than Leo,” Sani said.

He then shared about his life, family, and why and when they came to California and ended up in Antioch.

“We were born in Minnesota. I graduated from high school in 1940, and we moved out here in 1941,” Sani said. “Our parents waited for Leo to graduate and then made the move. Lilly was the baby. She died two or three years ago.”

“My stepfather had asthma real bad and this climate suited him. He had relatives out here, also,” Fontana continued. “So, the move was made through the family. We moved to Pittsburg for a short time. We built a house in Antioch on Alpha Way and 18th Street. That was the homestead. It’s still there.”

Asked if he was married, Sani said, “I was married for 54 years to Betty Machado, a local girl. She passed about two years ago. There are a lot of Machados in Oakley.”

They didn’t have any children.

Asked what he did for fun and if he was involved in the community like his brother, Fontana said, “I played softball a lot as an adult. Leo handled all the politics. I just stood by and watched.”

Sani then shared about his other family members in Antioch.

“Leo’s daughter, Andrea and Lilly’s daughter, Stephanie still live in the area,” he stated. “My nephew Randall, Leo’s son, passed away at a young age, in his 40’s.”

Asked if he had any other relatives Sani said, “Not that I know of. I am the last of the Mohicans”

Sani worked for Dow Chemical in Pittsburg.

“I put in a number of years there,” he stated. “I was a working man, go to work every day, spent time with family, our family was very close. All the holidays were held together, birthdays and everything.”

Asked about any travels Sani said, “We traveled within the U.S.” Being Italian he was asked if he had been to Italy. Sani said, “I flew over it, but I never landed in Italy.”

He then shared about his military service in the Air Force during World War II.

“I did 39 missions as a tail gunner in a B24 in Europe,” Fontana stated. “We were stationed in England. All of the targets we flew over were in Germany.”

“Leo served in the same branch as I was in, but he didn’t do any flying,” Sani continued. “He was a grounder for the 8th Air Force also in England.”

Asked if he was drafted or was able to choose which branch to serve in Fontana stated, “I chose Air Force. We trained in the United States in Tonopah, Nevada, then two weeks training in Ireland, then we did our missions.”

“We were nomads,” he added.

Asked how long he served in the military he responded, “The war ended and we were released.”

About his secret to growing old he said, “One day followed the other and you just go along with it. I didn’t do anything special.”

Asked what it’s like to be 104 he said simply, “Same as any other day.”

A birthday party will be planned at Tre Vista for some time in the near future.

Happy 104th Birthday, Sani Fontana!

Julian Bridges wants to represent Antioch

“Julian is going to be a world champion, now.” – Ruben Herrera

Deer Valley High Class of 2019 grad

By Allen D. Payton

After leaving to train in Las Vegas seven months ago, Antioch boxer Julian Bridges is back and has been making his mark going undefeated in the first nine matches of his professional career including five knockouts. The City Council honored Bridges during their meeting Tuesday night, March 24, 2026, with a proclamation recognizing his success. He was also honored by Assemblywoman Anamarie Avila Farias with a Certificate of Recognition.

Before he left last August, the day after his 24th birthday, Bridges trained at the Team Salguera Boxing Gym in the Cielo Supermarket Shopping Center at 1860 A Street in Antioch, where he has returned.

Last summer, he officially signed a contract with Capetillo Boxing Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Bridges continued his journey in professional boxing while proudly representing the city of Antioch. The gym, owned by renowned trainer Jorge Capetillo, is recognized for its elite training of world-class fighters, including Tyson Fury, Fernando Vargas, Jr., Emiliano Vargas, Brandon Moreno (UFC), and Canelo Alvarez, among others.

Pastor Ruben Herrera of Palabra De Dios Church in Antioch, with family connections to Capetillo Boxing Gym, has played a pivotal role in helping Bridges move closer to his dream of becoming a world champion.

“The community is excited to witness the rise of a future boxing champion representing Antioch, California,” Herrera said. “Julian is an impressive boxer and boasts an undefeated professional record.”

Return to Antioch

About Bridges’ return the pastor shared, “We were able to get out of that contract and bring him back home. His heart is here in Antioch and the Bay Area. He wants to be the face of Antioch.”

“He learned a lot in Las Vegas. Jorge Capetillo is an amazing coach and the gym was amazing,” Herrara continued. “Julian sparred with the best boxers in the world at that gym. He was able to go toe-to-toe with them. He’s probably the best boxer in the Bay Area. He’s ranked 47th in his weight class in the U.S. He feels stronger than ever. Julian is going to be a world champion, now.”

Started Boxing at Age 14

Bridges shared about his beginnings in the sport.

“I started when I was nine years old, first with kick boxing because I was getting bullied,” he said. “I switched over to boxing at 14 and I was trying to get a scholarship. Then I met coach Sergio who encouraged me to turn pro at 21 years old. He’s the one who believed in me before I believed in myself. I respect him. He’s like a second father figure to me.”

“Ever since then I had fights, locally in Sacramento, Redwood City and Nashville and in 2024 in Vegas as Canelo’s undercard during Cinco de Mayo weekend,” he stated.

“Sergio told me about Pastor Ruben. This is the guy who has connections,” Bridges explained. “My dad said let’s talk to him. So, we sat down and had a talk. He asked how serious and how committed I am to this. He said God directed him to help me out.” 

“We went to Vegas and met Jorge Capetillo, a trainer with a gym there,” Bridges continued. “I went there in August to train and he sent me a contract. Now, I’m signed with him.” 

A sendoff party was held on Thursday, August 21st, Bridges celebrated his 24th birthday on Saturday, then moved to Vegas on Sunday, the next day.

Wants to Represent Antioch

He says he wants “to represent the City of Antioch and will wear the city logo on his boxing shorts.”

During the council meeting, Mayor Ron Bernal said they’d get him a bigger City patch and Councilman Louie Rocha offered to get some items with the City of Antioch logo on them.

Born in San Jose, Bridges said he has lived in Antioch since he was eight years old and graduated from Deer Valley High School in 2019. 

His father and mother, John and Jessica Bridges, live in Antioch and Bridges has six siblings, three bothers and three sisters and he’s the second youngest.

His family supports him, he shared.

“At first my mom didn’t like me fighting. But now she’s all into boxing,” Bridges said with a laugh.

Mom Jessica said, “I’m a very proud mom. He’s come a long way. I’m excited about his new opportunities and I’m looking forward to seeing all the great things he’s going to do for the gym and the city of Antioch.” 

Boxing Record

The six-foot tall, 146-pound boxer said he “fights in the welterweight class.”

According to BoxRec.com, Bridges began his professional career with his debut fight on November 5, 2022, and his boxing matches also took him to Costa Mesa, CA and Tijuana, Mexico.

According to Tapology.com, his middle name is Delore and his first two knockouts occurred in Round 1, another was in Round 2 and the fourth happened in Round 3. Bridges’ four non-knockout fight victories were by unanimous decision. He fought twice in 2023, three times in 2024, once in 2025 and so far, twice in 2026.

City Council Honors Bridges

During their March 24th meeting the Antioch City Council voted unanimously to approve the following proclamation recognizing Bridges’ achievements in boxing.

MARCH 24, 2026

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch proudly recognizes the achievements and contributions of its residents who exemplify dedication, perseverance, and excellence; and

WHEREAS, Julian Bridges, a talented and disciplined boxer from Antioch, California, has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the sport of boxing and a relentless pursuit of excellence; and

WHEREAS, Julian Bridges has compiled an impressive boxing record of 9-0, 5KO’s Nine Wins, Zero Losses, five of those wins coming by Knock Out, reflecting his skill, preparation, and determination in the ring; and

WHEREAS, Julian Bridges has earned notable achievements and accolades, including earning the Professional Ranking of 47th within the entire Country, distinguishing himself as a high-performing athlete; and

WHEREAS, Julian Bridges trains with Coach Sergio Salguera, of the Team Salguera Boxing Gym, where he continues to refine his craft and represent Antioch with pride; and

WHEREAS, through his discipline, sportsmanship, and perseverance, Julian Bridges serves as a role model to youth in the Antioch community, demonstrating the value of hard work, focus, and resilience; and

WHEREAS, we recognize Julian Bridges for his outstanding accomplishments in boxing, his dedication to excellence, and his positive impact on the Antioch community; and

WHEREAS, Julian Bridges’ achievements bring recognition and pride to the City of Antioch and reflect the strength, determination, and spirit of its residents.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON BERNAL, Mayor of the City of Antioch,

On behalf of the City Council do hereby recognize and honor Julian Bridges and extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes to Julian Bridges for continued success in all future endeavors.

MARCH 24, 2026

RON BERNAL, Mayor

According to a Facebook post by JuicyFights on March 7, 2026, “Undefeated welterweight prospect Julian Bridges kicks off his 2026 campaign this Saturday against veteran William Davis at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. The 24‑year‑old Antioch native, now 8‑0 with 4 KOs, reunited with coach Sergio Salguera, saying the home environment has him feeling sharper than ever.”

“Bridges’ resume already boasts a first-round KO of unbeaten Allen ‘Chubby’ Medina and a UD win over unbeaten Jabin Chollet, building confidence and resilience. He’s focused on growth and plans to stay active throughout 2026 in the tough welterweight ranks.”

Bernal and Herrera attended the fight. “It was my first fight,” Bernal said during the council meeting.

That was Bridges’ ninth victory.

Next Fight in Stockton June 27th

The Antioch boxer announced during Tuesday’s council meeting that his next fight is scheduled for June 27th at the Stockton Civic Center and invited everyone to attend. “Bridges will be the main event,” Herrera added.