Ballots still arriving and can through the mail until next Tuesday
Next results update expected later today
By Allen D. Payton
According to county Elections Division personnel, after receiving Wednesday’s mail there were 170,000 unprocessed ballots remaining to be counted in the county. They are also receiving ballots dropped off in other counties and have seven days from the election to receive ballots postmarked by Nov. 8, which is through next Tuesday, Nov. 15
The latest figures on the Elections Division website as of 12:03 a.m. Wednesday morning, Nov. 9 show 229,444 ballots had been cast and counted by then. They don’t include all the vote-by-mail ballots submitted on Election Day including those dropped off at polling places, according to Elections Division staff.
The next update for results in all elections in the county is expected later today, Thursday, Nov. 10 before 5:00 p.m.
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Last seen in Antioch on January 26, 2022.
According to the Oakley Police Department and the Amador County Sheriff’s Office, on November 3, 2022, at approximately 3:00 p.m., the Amador County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip from a local resident of the Plymouth, California area who had discovered something suspicious that was thought to be human remains. Amador County Sheriff’s Office detectives and crime scene investigators responded to the scene and initiated a search of the area where they ultimately located the remains described in the tip. The remains were determined as those of missing Oakley woman Alexis Gabe. She went missing on January 26, 2022, was last seen in Antioch and is suspected of being murdered by her late ex-boyfriend, Marshall Curtis Jones of Antioch. He was later shot and killed by police in Washington state. (See related articles here and here)
Plymouth is located in the west end of Amador County. The tip was made through the Amador County Secret Witness Program. Amador County Sheriff’s detectives and crime scene investigators documented the evidence found and collected the remains.
Due to the time of day and diminishing daylight, it was determined it would be best to keep watch over the area and initiate a more thorough investigation this morning. Members of the Oakley Police Department and the Antioch Police Department responded to the Plymouth area early Friday morning to assist with the investigation with the assistance of cadaver dogs. More evidence was identified and collected from the scene.
The specific location is an area just off of Jackson Road in Plymouth. The area where Alexis’ remains were found has been searched further and no other remains have been located.
The collaborative investigation did confirm the partial remains were human. A forensic odontologist responded to the Amador County Sheriff’s Office facility to examine the remains. The forensic odontologist positively identified the remains as those of Alexis Gabe. All evidence collected by the Amador County Sheriff’s Office was turned over to Oakley Police Department detectives and Coroner jurisdiction has been turned over to the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office to determine manner and cause of death.
The Gabe family has been notified and they are requesting respect and privacy during this time of mourning.
According to the Oakley Police Department, the Gabe family has been notified and they are requesting respect and privacy during this time of mourning.
Jackson Road is an area we identified early on as an area where Jones travelled to in the hours and days after Alexis was reported as missing.
Due to the nature of the condition of Alexis’ remains, and the lack of her full body, we believe the remainder of her remains are scattered in various areas.
Due to the condition of Alexis’ remains we realize there may never be a full recovery of her. The City of Oakley has determined there will be no extensions of reward funds for any future remains that may be found.
A press conference will be scheduled for early next week and we will provide details for the date and time as soon as possible. Any questions regarding this case should be directed to the Antioch and Oakley Police Departments. The Amador County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend their condolences to the Gabe family in this difficult time.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreYou don’t have to be molto bene to join the “Wine and Cheese League”
By Anthony Kennerly, President, CCIBA
What kind of fun activities do you do in the wintertime? How about considering playing indoor bocce with friends, family and other residents of the east bay!
The Contra Costa Indoor Bocce Association, now in its 31st year offering indoor winter bocce league play, is offering a brand-new beginner league. We call it the Wine and Cheese League, meant to inspire thoughts of a relaxing, fun and social experience while learning how to play the game of bocce ball. This league is perfect for folks who have never played before and those who want non-competitive players. The Association Board Members will be providing instruction to the new players when the season begins to help guide players to further enjoy the game.
The Association is hosting an Open House for newcomers on November 6th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Indoor Bocce Courts located at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) in Antioch. We invite you to come by and try bocce ball and consider signing up for the new season. The Association will help form teams for individuals that sign up or you can put together a team of family and friends (6-10 players) and register. The registration fee is $175 per team formed and the deadline to sign up is November 12th.
Access to the bocce building uses the same side O Street entrance as Paradise Skate (follow the signs) at the Contra Costa Event Park. For more information email us at: contracostaindoorbocce@gmail.com.
Read MoreKilled Antioch grandmother, blinded Concord nurse
By CHP-Contra Costa
On Friday October 21, 2022, Mark Navone was sentenced in Contra Costa County Superior Court to a 22-year prison sentence after being found guilty of numerous charges relating to throwing objects at vehicles.
Navone, 38-years-old was arrested after a California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigation identified him as the suspect in multiple incidents of vehicles being struck by thrown objects, such as rocks and bricks, on Hwy 4, near Hwy 242. Navone’s malicious actions resulted in the death of a 63-year-old grandmother from Antioch as well as the blinding of a 37-year-old delivery nurse from Concord. Navone was arrested on April 2, 2021, by Contra Costa Area CHP officers on a wide range of felony charges.
We would like to thank Contra Costa Area CHP investigators, CHP Golden Gate Division Investigative Services Unit Detectives, the Concord Police Department, the Antioch Police Department, and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for their incredible work in building this case. We would also like to thank the public for the valuable information they provided that enabled us to put this case together and ultimately hold Navone responsible for his actions.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
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Postmaster General Louis DeJoy also installs 31 other Postmasters in California
LAFAYETTE, CA — Linda Shelton raised her right hand and took the official Oath of Office as the Postmaster of the Lafayette, CA Post Office on Monday, October 24, 2022, in a special ceremony. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy administered the Oath to Shelton alongside 31 other Postmasters throughout California.
Shelton, a proud 36 -year postal employee is passionate about building lasting relationships not only with her team but the community she serves.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to build that comradery and pass along my hard work and dedication to the Postal Service as the Postmaster for the city of Lafayette,” said Shelton.
As outlined in the USPS Delivering for America plan, the postal service is committed to modernizing and continually adapting to the evolving needs of all customers. As the Postmaster of the Lafayette Post Office Shelton is prepared to serve his community with that development in mind.
The History of the Postmaster Position
The title, “Postmaster” carries with it both a Noble Heritage and a Vital Responsibility.
Originally, the word Postmaster was referred as the one who provided post horses. According to the Oxford Dictionary, postmaster means “master of the posts, the officer who has charge or direction of the posts.”
William Penn established Pennsylvania’s first post office in 1683. However, the real beginnings of a postal system in the colonies dates from 1692 when Thomas Neale received a 21-year grant from the British Crown authorizing him to set up post roads in North America.
In 1707, the British Government bought the rights to the North American postal service, and, in 1710, consolidated the postal service into one establishment. The principal offices of the new British Postal Service were in London, England; Edinburgh Scotland; Dublin, Ireland, and New York.
In 1737, Benjamin Franklin was appointed Postmaster at Philadelphia. He laid out new post roads, helped expand mail service from Canada to New York and instituted overnight delivery between Philadelphia and New York City, a distance of 90 miles. In 1774, Franklin was dismissed from office because of his efforts on behalf of the patriots.
When the Continental Congress met in May 1775, they named Franklin as postmaster general for the 13 American colonies.
From 1775 until the early 1800s, Postmasters were appointed by the postmaster general. In 1836, postmasters were appointed by the president, but this of course changed whenever a new party was elected. It was not until August 1970, with the signing of the Postal Reorganization Act, which took effect in July 1971, that the patronage system was finally removed from the postal service once and for all. Postmasters began being appointed on merit alone. The act also permitted upward mobility for line employees, allowing them to be promoted to the position of Postmaster.
Along the way, there have been several famous individuals, who have served as postmasters. In 1833, Abraham Lincoln was appointed postmaster of New Salem, IL.
Other notable individuals who served as postmaster included abolitionist John Brown, businessman Conrad Hilton, novelist William Faulkner, and humorist Bill Nye.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
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It is over!
By Allen D. Payton
In the words of Howard Cosell after Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier during the Rumble in the Jungle boxing match, “It is over! It is over! It is over! It is over!” Last month, President Biden said the COVID-19 “pandemic is over” and on Oct. 17, Governor Newsom announced the COVID-19 State of Emergency in California would end on February 28, 2023. Then, as of Thursday, Oct. 21 the government-imposed restrictions from COVID-19 have completely ended in Contra Costa County.
Without fanfare or even a press release to the media, Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli issued an order, that day, “rescinding any and all active orders pertaining to COVID-19”.
The new order states, “Orders that (1) prohibited or otherwise restricted the activities of any person in Contra Costa County, either directly or indirectly, or (2) imposed any affirmative obligations on any person in the County, and (3) are or may be interpreted to be operative (collectively, the “Active Orders”), be rescinded.”
Following is Ortiz’ official order:
ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA
RESCINDING ANY AND ALL ACTIVE ORDERS PERTAINING TO COVID-19
ORDER NO. HO-COVID19-69
DATE OF ORDER: OCTOBER 21, 2022
Summary of the Order
Commencing on March 14, 2020, with the issuance of Order No. HO-COVID19-01, the Health Officer of Contra Costa County has issued 69 orders regarding the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. These orders (including one unnumbered order) will be referred to as the “COVID-19 Orders.” Among the COVID-19 Orders were orders that restricted the activities of individuals, compelled business owners and others to shut down or limit their operations, required the wearing of face coverings, and mandated the testing or vaccination of workers in specified settings. Based on current trends and the availability of vaccinations and treatments, it is no longer necessary to have any active Health Officer orders pertaining to COVID-19, and it is the intent of the Health Officer that any and all COVID-19 Orders that (1) prohibited or otherwise restricted the activities of any person in Contra Costa County, either directly or indirectly, or (2) imposed any affirmative obligations on any person in the County, and (3) are or may be interpreted to be operative (collectively, the “Active Orders”), be rescinded. This Order rescinds any and all Active Orders, effective immediately. This Order does not affect any of the COVID-19 Orders that were issued for the sole purpose of rescinding previous orders.
UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTIONS
101040 AND 120175, THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA
(“HEALTH OFFICER”) ORDERS:
- Rescission of Active Orders. Any and all Active Orders are hereby rescinded.
- Effective Date and Time. This Order takes effect immediately upon issuance.
- Copies; Contact Information. Copies of this Order shall promptly be: (1) made available at
the Office of the Director of Contra Costa Health Services, 1220 Morello Avenue, Suite 200, Martinez, CA 94553; (2) posted on the Contra Costa Health Services website (https://www.cchealth.org); and (3) provided to any member of the public requesting a copy of this Order. Questions or comments regarding this Order may be directed to Contra Costa
Health Services at (844) 729-8410.
IT IS SO ORDERED:
Ori Tzvieli, M.D.
Health Officer of the County of Contra Costa
Dated: October 21, 2022
Read MoreOnly health plan in state to receive honor
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Kaiser Permanente received the highest rating in the state for the “Summary Quality Rating” for 2023 by Covered California – the state’s marketplace for the Affordable Care Act. Kaiser Permanente Northern California combined with Kaiser Permanente Southern California earned five stars, which is the highest possible rating for the “Summary Quality Rating.”
“This recognition reminds us how important it is for people to have access to high-quality, affordable health care, especially after many have struggled through the global COVID-19 pandemic,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Our physicians, nurses and staff are committed to delivering exceptional, compassionate care to our members and patients who are trusting us with their health care.”
In addition to achieving a five-star “Summary Quality Rating” for overall quality, Kaiser Permanente received five stars for “Getting the Right Care,” a measure of care that is given compared with the national standards for care and treatments proven to help patients. Kaiser Permanente also received four stars for “Plan Services for Members,” which analyzes a health plan’s efficiency, affordability, and management.
“These ratings are yet another example of the collective excellence of our physicians and staff, and further demonstrate their unwavering commitment to consistently deliver the highest levels of care and service,” said Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Thanks to our clinical expertise and our integrated and coordinated approach to care delivery, we are having a positive and often life-changing impact on the health and well-being of our members and patients.”
This is the latest of several accolades and awards Kaiser Permanente Northern California has received. Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals have been rated among the best in the nation for maternity care and treatment of stroke and heart failure patients. Most recently, Kaiser Permanente is the only Medicare health plan in California to receive a five-star rating, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ 2023 Medicare Star Ratings.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve.
We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers.
Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org
Plan quality ratings and enrollee survey results are calculated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) using data provided by health plans in 2022. The ratings are being displayed for health plans for the 2023 plan year. Learn more about these ratings: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality-initiatives-patient-assessment-instruments/qualityinitiativesgeninfo/aca-mqi/aca-mqi-landing-page.
Read MoreMust serve Eastern Contra Costa County
The Youth of Promise Fund, a partnership between the Contra Costa County Probation Department and the Antioch Community Foundation, is now open to accept applications for micro-grants of up to $10,000 for non-profit organizations serving Eastern Contra Costa County youth and families and to support priority program/service areas described below for the period: October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023.
Priority Program/Service Areas Include:
- Academic success, mentoring, and tutoring;
- Leadership development
- Civic engagement/social justice;
- Prevention;
- Youth employment, internships, or work-ready skills training; and
Among others that support and promote strategies and best practices that effectively prevent or reduce juvenile crime and provide youth and their families with opportunities to achieve, grow, and thrive.
Application Process and Timeline
Non-profit (501c3) organizations serving justice-system involved youth and/or youth at risk of justice-system involvement in East Contra Costa are eligible to apply. (A pool of $85,000 has been allocated for this grant application cycle.)
Applications must be submitted to the Antioch Community Foundation via online or by email at grants@acfcommunityimpact.org. See the link below for the application.
Applications are due no later than 5:00pm Friday, October 28, 2022.
- No mailed or faxed documents will be accepted.
- Funding decisions will be finalized by the ACF Board by Monday, November 14, 2022, and notification to organizations of grant funding status will be made by Friday, November 18, 2022.
- Organizations that are awarded a grant must confirm acceptance and provide any revised documentation to the Antioch Community Foundation by 5:00 pm, Tuesday, November 29, 2022
- Grant awards will be mailed by Friday, December 2, 2022.
- To be considered for future funding, grantees must submit a grant report for 2022-23 by Friday, September 1, 2023, or within 2 months of completion of any one-time event for which the award is given.
For questions, please send your inquiry to grants@acfcommunityimpact.org or contact Keith Archuleta at 925-584-5944/ keith@emeraldhpc.com.
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Torres-Walker claims man shoved Thorpe aggressively, “attempted to punch” him; City’s PIO, Thorpe issue one-sided statement hour later; Antioch Police investigating; Chamber executive corrects reporting by Bay Area media
Allen D. Payton
Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe is accusing a man of punching him in the chest, Tuesday afternoon, following an event at which Thorpe spoke. The accused man, who chose to remain anonymous, says it was Thorpe who escalated the situation and he didn’t punch the mayor. That was later confirmed by District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker saying the man pushed Thorpe aggressively. Yet, about an hour later, the city’s contracted public information officer, Rolando Bonilla was already speaking with, and Thorpe had issued a statement about the incident, to Bay Area media, which only reported the mayor’s side of the story.
Thorpe was one of two speakers at the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s first State of Business luncheon at the Lone Tree Golf and Event Center, held earlier, beginning at 12:00 p.m. and ending at 1:45 p.m. (See related article)
The incident occurred sometime between 2:05 and 2:25 p.m. in the center’s north parking lot, according to the man who said he was at the golf course to distribute fliers for an upcoming community event. He said he later arrived at his doctor’s office in the nearby Bluerock Center at 2:28 p.m.
Thorpe issued the following statement about the alleged incident to KRON-4 News:
“I can confirm that the reports of my being punched at an event today are true. After giving a speech at a luncheon hosted by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, I was aggressively approached by an older white male in his late 50’s. When it became clear that he was seeking a confrontation, I asked him to leave. As I attempted to walk away, the man punched me in the chest and was attempting to punch me a second time, but was not able to land his blow, as bystanders intervened to help me. Although shaken up, I am doing well. Violence has absolutely no place in the public discourse and will never be tolerated. My hope is that this individual is arrested and prosecuted. I would like to thank the bystanders who intervened for putting their own safety at risk to help me. I will never forget their kindness and support. I will be at tonight’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Antioch City Council.”
The man admitted starting the verbal spat with Thorpe but, denies punching him and said the mayor approached him and got in his face.
“I said to him, ‘nice to see you coming out of hiding’,” referring to Thorpe missing the last council meeting and leaving the previous one early. “He said, ‘I wasn’t in hiding’. Then Lamar walked up to me, got in my face and I asked him to please get out of my personal space. He didn’t, so I put my hand on his chest. I didn’t punch him. If I shoved him, it wasn’t very hard,” the man stated. “Then he called me a bigot. I didn’t say anything about his race.”
He claimed the verbal altercation was a continuation of an incident during this year’s Antioch July 4th event while he and his wife were listening to one of the bands perform and Thorpe approached him shook his hand aggressively and asked about the recall signature gathering – which had failed two months before – and for which the man says he signed one of the petitions.
According to a report by eastcountytoday.net, “multiple witnesses have confirmed that no punches were thrown during the heated verbal exchange with one stating it could have been observed as a ‘hard push’ after the mayor got in the male’s face yelling at him. Another witness said no push even occurred but both men were in each other’s faces.”
Antioch Police Investigating
Asked for any details about the incident, Antioch Police Public Information Officer Darryl Saffold responded, “We aren’t releasing any details beyond all parties involved and all witnesses that were present are being interviewed or will be later interviewed. (The) investigation is active and ongoing.”
Asked for information once it’s available Saffold responded, “Not really anything to say. We will conduct the investigation and it will be sent to the DA’s office for review. It was an alleged misdemeanor not committed in the presence of an officer. We get statements and evidence and present it to the DA.”
No Cameras in Parking Lot
According to Lone Tree Golf Pro and General Manager Ron Parish, there are surveillance cameras inside the building, and the footage was reviewed. But there are no cameras in or pointing at the parking lot where the alleged incident occurred.
Chamber Says Accused Man Did Not Attend Event
Some Bay Area TV stations, including KRON-4, which published Bonilla’s comments and Thorpe’s statement about the incident at 3:21 p.m., and KTVU FOX-2 are claiming the incident occurred at the Chamber’s event and/or the accused man attended it. To clarify matters Antioch Chamber President and Executive Director Daniel Sohn stated, “This had nothing to do with the event. But it is overshadowing it. It was a nice event.”
“I and Ron Parish got pulled into a meeting by police officers. We were contacted by four witnesses,” Sohn explained.
“The Chamber is disappointed to learn about the incident that took place after the luncheon event,” he continued. “We don’t know what occurred, but one of the individuals involved did not attend the luncheon. The Chamber of Commerce does not condone any violence at all.”
“We will be cooperating with the police in their investigation,” Sohn added.
Questions for Thorpe, Bonilla, Torres-Walker
Thorpe was asked via email Tuesday night, “Did you approach him in the parking lot during a verbal dispute? If so, why didn’t you just walk away and de-escalate the situation as you want our police officers to do?”
He was also asked if the July 4th incident occur and for his version of it.
Finally, Thorpe was asked, “Other than Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, who were the other people with you and witnessed the alleged incident?”
Bonilla was asked if he had attended the Chamber event, if he was with Thorpe at the time of the alleged incident and if not, how could he confirm to the media that the incident occurred the way he claims.
He was then asked, “Are you the city’s or the mayor’s public information officer?”
Bonilla was also asked if he obtained the other side of the story and speak with the accused man before he confirmed Thorpe’s claims about the alleged incident.
In addition, Torres-Walker who the KRON-4 News report claims Bonilla said she “broke up the altercation”, was asked if she saw the man punch Thorpe in the chest.
She was also asked, “What exactly did you witness that occurred between the two men? What did you do or say to break up the altercation?”
In addition, Torres-Walker was asked if she recalled what time the alleged incident occurred, if she spoke with Bonilla following the alleged incident and what did she tell him.
Torres-Walker Confirms Thorpe Not Punched, Claims He Was Shoved Aggressively
At the end of Tuesday night’s council meeting Torres-Walker said, “My shoulder hurts, tonight. Today, I had to step in between Lamar Thorpe the mayor…the man. This man shoved him aggressively in the chest and attempted to punch him. Three women had to jump in the middle.”
She said the man was questioning Thorpe’s absence during the previous two council meetings, and that he was quoting a Herald article about it.
“The mayor said, ‘this conversation is over’ but it was not over,” Torres-Walker continued. “Even after three women broke it up, this man continued to aggressively pursue the mayor, the man, Lamar Thorpe.”
Thorpe was then emailed one more question in light of what Torres-Walker said asking if he still stands by his claim that the man punched him in the chest.
Neither Thorpe nor Bonilla responded by 9:15 AM Wednesday.
Wednesday morning Thorpe was emailed a few more questions asking about him calling the man a bigot. “Is that true? Did he say something about your race or skin color? If not, why would you call him that for asking you about ‘coming out of hiding’ after you had missed part or all of the past two council meetings?”
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
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