Presented by Frank Ballesteros’ Madd Hatter Theater Company
Frank Ballesteros and his Madd Hatter Theater Company presents Alice in Wonderland play in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. The show continues this Friday through Saturday, July 28-30 at “The Green”(Louise Green’s) outdoor black-box theatre, 608 4th Street.
Source: Louise Green & Frank Ballesteros
Tickets available at the door: Adults $12, Seniors $10, Students and children $8.
Doors open 6:30 p.m. and the play begins at 7:00 p.m.
A Coast Guard helicopter searches river for man along Antioch waterfront Friday afternoon, July 21, 2023. Photos by Allen D. Payton
By Allen D. Payton
07/22/23 UPDATE #2: According to Jimmy Lee, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Director of Public Affairs, “On Friday, July 21, 2023, at about 1:51 PM, deputy sheriffs from the Marine Patrol Unit were dispatched to assist the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the United States Coast Guard with searching for a missing boater who was apparently trying to push his 20-foot vessel to shore near the Fulton Shipyard on the San Joaquin River. The U.S. Coast Guard and Sheriff’s Office drone team were also involved in the search. The missing boater, who is not being identified at this time, was not located. The Marine Patrol Unit will continue the search today.”
07/22/23 UPDATE #1: According to Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist Schnabel, “We suspended the search after searching until around 7:30 pm. One man had fallen overboard from a recreational boat and the other man jumped in after him attempting to get him out of the water leaving the vessel unmanned. Neither had life jackets. One man was recovered by a Good Samaritan and taken to a local boat ramp.”
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A helicopter could be seen flying over the river and Waldie Plaza along the Antioch waterfront Friday afternoon. According to Con Fire PIO Steve Hill, “We responded in the noon hour to reports of a 55-year-old man in the water. In spite of searches by us, Sheriff’s Office Marine program and the Coast Guard we were unable to locate him. We are clearing at this hour, the Coast Guard remains on scene.”
As of 4:25 PM Coast Guard 11th District Public Affairs Specialist Hunter Schnabel said, “the search is ongoing for a male. We received a report from another male who was swimming with him after he got back to shore and called in a panic.”
A Coast Guard helicopter flies over Waldie Plaza in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown on Friday, July 21, 2023.
“We have Station Rio Vista and Air San Francisco’s MH65 Dolphins (helicopters) in the search,” he added.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
The City of Antioch’s 2023 Summer Concert Series continues with Helios performing in Waldie Plaza in historic, downtown Rivertown this Saturday evening, July 22
Helios is a Northern California band with highly talented musicians playing an exciting variety of Top 40, Classic Rock and Country hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and today. With a combined total of over 75 years of musical experience, Helios is one of the premier cover bands in the region and will be the perfect fit for your private or community event! www.heliosband.net.
Antioch Police crime scene investigators and detectives investigate the scene of a fatal shooting on W. First Street near I Street in Antioch Saturday morning, July 15, 2023. Photos by Allen D. Payton
Started with altercation during event at nearby restaurant; over 70 gunshots fired; police seek help identifying unknown suspect(s); deceased victim not yet identified
By Allen D. Payton
On Saturday morning, July 15, 2023, Antioch Police crime scene investigators and detectives investigated a fatal shooting on W. First Street near I Street in Antioch a little after 2:00 am Saturday. According to Acting Lt. James Colley, a Black male age 45 is deceased and two Black females in their late 20’s had superficial, non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
More than 60 bullet casings could be seen on the ground, Colley shared. Two cars had been shot up, including a white sedan sitting in the adjacent dirt lot Saturday morning which “is the victim’s vehicle” he stated. The other vehicle was an unrelated SUV, sitting on W. First Street Saturday morning, and had its windows shot out, was “caught in the crossfire”, Colley added.
The deceased victim’s white car that was shot up sits in the dirt lot at the corner of W. First and I Streets. An unrelated SUV caught in the crossfire had it’s windows shot out. Redacted by the Herald.
Asked if any of the victims had been in attendance at the event at Monica’s Riverview, he said, “we don’t know that at this time.”
Asked Monday afternoon for the identity of the deceased man, Deputy Sanchez of the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office, “we have not released his name because we don’t have ID nor next of kin, yet.”
Colley, of the APD Investigations Bureau, released the following information Monday afternoon:
“On July 15, shortly after 02:00 am, Antioch Police received several calls for service regarding a shooting near the 200 Block of I Street. Upon arrival to the scene, Antioch Police located one Black male adult who was shot several times. The male later died of his injuries at a local Bay Area hospital. The Antioch Police Investigations Bureau responded to the scene and took over the investigation. No further information will be released at this time.
More bullet casing markers from the over 70 gunshots could be seen in the dirt lot and on W. First Street during the on-scene investigation Saturday morning.
The Antioch Police Investigations Bureau responded to reports of a homicide on Saturday, July 15 shortly after 2:00 am at Monica’s Riverview, located in the downtown area of Antioch. Detectives learned Monica’s hosted an afterhours party (RnB and Chill), which per witnesses had several hundred people in attendance. During the event, several patrons began to exchange words, which led to a physical altercation outside of the restaurant. During the physical exchange, over 70 gunshots were fired, resulting in the death of a 45- year-old Black male adult. During the gunfire, two females were also hit, but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The deceased male was an Antioch resident.
The Investigations Bureau is still actively working this homicide and following up on potential suspect leads. Any witnesses with information are strongly encouraged to contact detectives for follow up.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.
Ahead of the heat wave this weekend, the Antioch Community Center and Nick Rodriguez Community Center are open from 12pm-8pm Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th as cooling centers when temperatures reach over 102 degrees.
The City of Antioch is committed to providing a safe, cool place for residents at the Antioch Community Center and the Nick Rodriguez Community Center. Residents without home air conditioning, or with health conditions made worse with extreme heat and poor air quality are encouraged to seek out the cooling centers.
During these periods of excessive heat drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
