Antioch Unified School District is hosting a Winter Clothing Drive. We are looking for new or gently used coats, hats, gloves, blankets, umbrellas, scarves and socks. The donation dates will be from November 2nd through November 20th.
Drop off locations are the Mission Elementary School, Carmen Dragon Elementary School, Belshaw Elementary School, and Deer Valley High School Front Offices. You can also drop them off at Prospects High School with the counselor, Wanema Cornell.
Finally, you are more than welcome to drop them off at the District Office with Barbara Aguilar located in Portable D in the back.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Barbar directly at 925-779-7500 ext. 53402 or email her at barbaraaguilar@antiochschools.net.
Each September, FEMA’s Ready Campaign celebrates National Preparedness Month. Since 2004, the campaign has taken the month to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared.
Source: FEMA
This year’s theme is, “Americans Stand Ready.”
The theme reflects the spirit of unity, resilience and resourcefulness that make our country strong. It’s a reminder that each of us can make a difference by taking proactive steps before a disaster strikes, and encouraging loved ones to do the same, Americans can contribute to the safety and security of the entire nation.
Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility, and disasters and emergencies can happen at any time, anywhere, and sometimes without warning.
For more than 20 years, FEMA’s Ready Campaign has sponsored and managed National Preparedness Month (NPM). National Preparedness Month is an annual September observance to encourage Americans to prepare for disasters and emergencies that could happen anywhere and at any time.
This year’s theme, Americans Stand Ready, echoes the can-do American spirit of resourcefulness and duty. The campaign focuses on. distinct ideas that capture how Americans take pride in their ability to protect themselves and their families and work together to recover from disasters:
Americans stand ready to uphold our patriotic duty: When individuals are prepared and self-reliant, we can bolster the work our brave first responders do to help people on their worst day.
Americans stand ready to protect our family and friends: We know best how to keep our loved ones safe when things go wrong.
Americans stand ready to help our communities: Taking a proactive approach to get your community ready contributes to the nation’s resilience.
Throughout the month of September, the Ready Campaign will share easy, affordable steps to take to stand ready, no matter what comes. Take a few simple steps this month to help keep you and your family ready:
Be in the know. Make sure you know where to get information when you need it most. Download the FEMA App to get emergency safety alerts and resources.
Make a plan to keep you and your family safe and prepared. The plan should include emergency contact information, emergency meeting places and medical information.
Build a kit with the essential items your family needs to stay safe and comfortable if something happens. (See FEMA’s Ready.gov Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit checklist)
Be there for your community. From volunteering in your community to learning skills like first aid and CPR, you can take steps to prepare for disasters and keep your family safe and make your neighborhood and community more resilient. Take a training course through FEMA’s Training and Education Program, the American Red Cross, or your local emergency management agency to build or gain skills to protect yourself, family, friends and community.
FEMA’s Ready Campaign educates and empowers Americans to take some simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies, including those from natural hazards and man-made disasters. Ready asks individuals to do three key things: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and appropriate responses. Everyone should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive several days if an emergency occurs.
The list of emergency supply kit items is only a starting point. It is important that individuals review this list and consider the unique needs of their family, including pets, for items to include. Individuals should also consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, vehicle or other places they spend time.
During the first regular meeting of 2026, Tuesday night, Jan. 13, the Antioch City Council will discuss three options for opening warming centers during severe cold spells, including relying on the County, partnering with faith-based and community organizations or a City-funded warming center.
The council will first hold a Closed Session on three matters, the recruitment of a new City Attorney, significant exposure to two potential lawsuits and conference with labor negotiators regarding contracts with various City employee groups.
In addition, during the regular meeting the Council will review the Council 90-Day Request List Items submitted through November; appoint a City representative to the Contra Costa County Library Commission through June 2029; consider approving the proposed 2026 City Council 6-Month Priorities to guide policy direction; discuss approving a waiver of “City-only” building permit fees, up to $50,000, for Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa (LFCC) for renovations to their property located at 408 O Street; and forming a General Plan Advisory Committee that could include Councilmembers, Planning Commissioners and representatives from the community.
Warming Centers
According to the City staff report for the item, #7 on the agenda, the Council will discuss three options for warming centers:
Option 1: Rely exclusively on Contra Costa County’s warming center program, acknowledging that no guaranteed warming center location currently exists in Antioch.
Option 2: Direct staff to pursue partnerships with faith-based or community organizations to explore shared staffing, resource-sharing, or cost-sharing models for warming center operations.
Option 3: Direct staff to further evaluate a City-funded warming center, recognizing the staffing, cost and operational challenges identified above. Nightly expenses would range from $3,500 to $4,500.
Contra Costa County opens warming centers during severe cold spells based on National Weather Service (NWS) criteria, which specify predicted temperatures at or below 32 degrees for three straight days. When County warming centers are activated, City staff coordinate with the County to support advance community notification.
While the County has confirmed it will activate centers during qualifying conditions there are currentlyno guaranteed or identified warming center locations in East Contra Costa County, including Antioch. As a result, Antioch residents may need to travel outside the immediate area to access County-operated warming centers when they are activated.
The Public Safety and Community Service Department (PSCR) has activated a hoteling-based emergency placement program. This Emergency Motel Voucher Program (EMVP) is a separate, non-congregate emergency response strategy designed to address life safety risks during severe weather events, particularly when congregate warming center options are unavailable, inaccessible, or not appropriate for certain individuals. EMVP does not replace warming centers, but instead provides a focused, referral-based option for high-vulnerability individuals during qualifying conditions.
In the absence of a County-operated warming center in Antioch, City staff has explored whether local churches or community organizations were independently operating public warming centers. None were found to operate public warming centers. However, one Antioch-based church has recently expressed willingness to activate a warming center if the City provided funding for staffing, supplies, and operations. Another option is for the City to work with local faith-based organizations to jointly explore partnership models, shared-resource approaches, or cost-sharing options, which might be more sustainable than a City-operated center.
Another option considered is for the City of Antioch to operate its own warming center based on activation criteria established by the Council, such as when temperatures fall below 40 degrees or other local thresholds. However, this option is not recommended due to staffing limits and high estimated costs. All responsibilities would be managed through overtime, with estimated nightly expenses ranging from $3,500 to $4,500.
Meeting Details
The Closed Session begins at 5:00 p.m. and the regular meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall located at 200 H Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. It can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website and the City’s YouTube Channel, on Comcast Cable Channel 24 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99.
ANTIOCH, CA — With multiple storm systems expected to bring periods of moderate to heavy rain to the Bay Area over the coming weeks, the City of Antioch urges residents and businesses to prepare now for possible roadway and neighborhood flooding, travel delays, and weather-related hazards. The National Weather Service indicates rain returning in waves, with a stronger system late weekend that could include gusty winds and isolated thunderstorms.
City Resources
Self-Serve Sandbag Station (Residents & Businesses): 1201 W. 4th Street (entrance on N Street). Nylon sandbags provided on site.
Report flooding/drainage issues: Public Works (925) 779-6950 (business hours). After hours: Antioch Police Department non-emergency (925) 778-2441 (dispatch to Public Works).
Keep storm drains clear: Remove leaves/debris from gutters; keep carts and vehicles away from drain inlets.
Stage sandbags to divert surface water from garages/entryways; secure outdoor items.
Drive safely: Never drive through flooded roads; slow down, increase following distance, use headlights in rain.
City Operations During Storms
Public Works crews proactively will be monitoring the storm and are ready to respond to calls for service throughout this anticipated storm event, including cleaning storm drains and culverts, removing downed branches/debris, and filling potholes as conditions allow. Residents are encouraged to report hazards using the numbers above.
Due to the excessive heat occurring throughout this week, with the temperature forecast of 102 degrees on Wednesday and 105 degrees on Thursday, the City of Antioch is providing cooling centers for your convenience. Residents without home air conditioning or with conditions made worse with extreme heat and poor air quality are encouraged to seek out the cooling centers.
Cooling centers will be held:
Wednesday and Thursday, July 10th and July 11th | 12pm-8pm
Swim facilities, shoreline regional parks remain open
By Jen Vaya, Public Information Specialist, East Bay Regional Park District
Parks previously closed by the East Bay Regional Park District will remain closed through Saturday and will reopen Sunday morning. Some hill and inland East Bay Regional Parks were closed on Tuesday, July 2, due to extreme fire conditions and excessive heat.
Park status is subject to change depending on conditions. Check www.ebparks.org before heading to a park.
The National Weather Service-Bay Area has extended its Red Flag through Saturday, July 6, with Level 2 restrictions in effect DISTRICT WIDE. A Red Flag Warning means that dry and windy conditions are expected, leading to extreme fire weather risks.
Level 2 Extreme Fire Danger Restrictions Include:
No smoking. Smoking is prohibited in all regional parks, trails, and shorelines. (Prohibited year-round)
NO fireworks. Fireworks are not permitted in any Regional Parks. (Prohibited year-round)
No open fires or barbecues of any type. Only gas-fueled stoves are allowed.
Drive only on designated roadways – no off-road driving. Do not drive or park on dry grass, as heat from a vehicle’s undercarriage can start a fire.
Secure all tow chains – dragging tow chains can spark fires.
Parks Closed and Reopening Sunday:
Park Closed and Reopening Sunday:
• Anthony Chabot • Bishop Ranch • Black Diamond Mines • Briones • Brushy Peak • Carquinez/Crockett Hills • Claremont Canyon • Contra Loma • Deer Valley
• Dry Creek • Diablo Foothills (trails closed) • Dublin Hills • Five Canyons • Garin • Huckleberry • Las Trampas
Anthony Chabot Campground will remain closed through Sunday, July 7. Please check www.ebparks.org/alerts-closures for the most updated information.
Swim facilities and Shoreline Regional Parks will remain open. Follow these safety tips:
Avoid the hottest part of the day. If you do visit, go in the morning or early evening when it is cooler.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Wear sunscreen and lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen the heat’s effects on your body.
Don’t forget your pets! Carry water for them.
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Due to high temperatures and extreme fire danger, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch will be closed Saturday, July 6. Dry and windy conditions are expected, which can lead to extreme fire weather risks.
When the park is open again, please still take precautions when hiking in the heat. Here are some safety tips:
• Avoid the hottest part of the day. If you do visit, go in the morning or early evening when it is cooler.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Wear sunscreen and lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen the heat’s effects on your body.
• Don’t forget your pets! Carry water for them.
• No smoking. Smoking is prohibited in all regional trails, parks, and shorelines.
• No open fires or barbecues of any type. Gas-fueled stoves are permitted.
• Stay on designated roads – no off-road driving. Heat from a vehicle’s undercarriage can start a fire.
• Secure all tow chains – dragging tow chains can spark fires.
Swim facilities, shoreline regional parks remain open
Some hills and inland East Bay Regional Parks closed due to extreme fire conditions and excessive heat
Weather Service extends Red Flag , Excessive Heat Warnings through Saturday, July 6
By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District
Parks closed Tuesday by the East Bay Regional Park District will remain closed during this week’s increased temperatures and extreme fire danger (subject to change). The National Weather Service extended a Red Flag Warning and Excessive Heat Warning through Saturday, July 6. The Park District will reassess conditions and provide additional information Friday evening.
A Red Flag Warning means that dry and windy conditions are expected, leading to extreme fire weather risks. The Park District closed the following parks/areas below on July 2.
Also, Anthony Chabot Campground will be closed through the weekend. Please check www.ebparks.org/alerts-closures for the most updated information.
Swim facilities and Shoreline Regional Parks will remain open. Follow these safety rules and tips:
Avoid the hottest part of the day. If you do visit, go in the morning or early evening when it is cooler.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Wear sunscreen and lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen the heat’s effects on your body.
Don’t forget your pets! Carry water for them.
No smoking. Smoking is prohibited in all regional trails, parks, and shorelines.
No open fires or barbecues of any type. Gas-fueled stoves are permitted.
Stay on designated roads – no off-road driving. Heat from a vehicle’s undercarriage can start a fire.
Secure all tow chains – dragging tow chains can spark fires.
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
