Any additional victims urged to contact police
By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police Department
The Walnut Creek Police Department is reaching out to the community and urging any additional victims of sexual assault to come forward after the recent arrest of a suspect.
On July 7, 2023, Walnut Creek Police Department Detectives arrested Brandon Alexander Delliquadri, a 35-year-old male from Walnut Creek, in connection with several sexual assaults believed to have occurred over the past few years. The arrest was the result of diligent investigations by WCPD Patrol Officers and Detectives, and resulted in the following charges being filed against Delliquadri:
PC 261(a)(2) – Forcible Rape (four felony counts)
PC 261(a)(4) – Rape of an Unconscious Victim (one felony count)
Case #: 23-11727
Due to the nature of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the case, we believe there may be other individuals who may have been sexually assaulted by the same suspect. We understand that it can be challenging for victims to come forward. If you or someone you know has information about one of these cases or has experienced any form of sexual assault, we urge you to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.
Read MoreReports of drive-by during celebration of life for Antioch teen shot, killed in attempted Brentwood robbery last month
By Pittsburg Police Department
At approximately 2:15 PM, Pittsburg Police officers responded to Highlands Ranch Park after receiving multiple 911 calls regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located evidence of a shooting as well as a 24-year-old male that had sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. First aid was rendered, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
A resident reported the shooting occurred during the celebration of life for the 17-year-old Antioch resident who was shot and killed while attempting to rob an Antioch resident in Brentwood on July 14, 2023. But those details have not yet been confirmed by police. (See related article)
Officers interviewed multiple witnesses on scene and are currently collecting and reviewing surveillance video from the area in order to identify those involved. The Pittsburg Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance and asks anyone with additional information to contact dispatch at (925) 646-2441. No further information is available at this time.
8/11/23 UPDATE: It was confirmed in a comment posted in the private Pittsburg Edition Rants and Raves Facebook page on on Friday, that the shooting was a drive-by and occurred during the celebration of life for the Antioch teen.
The comment reads, “We buried my 17-year-old cousin, yesterday at 11:00am, as we listened to the deep hideous sobs of his mother. We decided to celebrate the life and memory of (name withheld because he was a juvenile) at Highlands Ranch. Unfortunately, the family was victimized to a drive-by shooting.”
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreThe Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office investigated a possible murder-suicide at a residence in the 100 block of Larkwood Circle in Danville on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. At about 5:20 PM, Danville police officers responded to the residence for a welfare check. Officers entered the residence and found three bodies, an adult and two juveniles.
The fire department confirmed all three to be deceased. The adult is identified as 44-year-old Nemanja Isailovic of Danville.
According to his Linkedin page, Isailovic was a hardware and software engineer and worked since September 2016 as a Content Resource Engineer for IXL Learning in San Mateo. In 2010 he earned a doctorate in Computer Engineering from U.C. Berkeley.
There is no ongoing threat to the community. The Sheriff’s Office is still actively investigating this case.
Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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Breaking ground for the Sand Creek Road extension during the ceremony are Supervisor Diane Burgis, Brentwood City Councilmembers Jovita Mendoza and Susannah Meyer, Mayor Joel Bryant, and Councilmembers Pa’tanisha Pierson and Tony Oerlemans on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Photo: City of Brentwood
Will cross Sand Creek and connect Highway 4 to Heidorn Ranch and Deer Valley Roads in Antioch
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, a gathering of dignitaries and City of Brentwood staff marked the Sand Creek Road Extension Groundbreaking Ceremony. The long-anticipated extension is a significant milestone in enhancing Eastern Contra Costa County’s transportation infrastructure. While the City had hoped to extend an invitation to the public for the event, due to the project’s location, active construction, and concern for the safety of all participants, it was imperative to limit the total number of attendees.
With an estimated cost of $8.7M, this extension will expand Sand Creek Road at State Route 4 westward, connecting Sand Creek Road to Heidorn Ranch Road. This initiative projects to alleviate traffic congestion on adjacent streets, including Lone Tree Way, Balfour Road and Deer Valley Road. Furthermore, this extension will provide Brentwood residents and emergency personnel, an accelerated and safer route to Kaiser Permanente in Antioch.
It will “provide Brentwood residents with a direct connection to Kaiser hospital and the Innovation Center that includes the recently approved Costco to be located off of Lone Tree Plaza Drive,” Mayor Joel Bryant added.
The project will also include the bridge over the actual Sand Creek. It “was delayed a little bit. The contract was awarded back in April,” Interim Brentwood City Engineer Allen Baquilar shared.

The Sand Creek Road extension (encircled by plastic orange fencing) will include a bridge across Sand Creek (see upper left area with trees) and connect to the current segment near the Highway 4 southbound off- and on-ramps in Brentwood. Source: City of Brentwood video screenshot.
“As we move forward with this project, we must acknowledge the efforts from past City Council and staff, who have diligently paved the way. This road extension will serve as a conduit to a healthier future, providing safety and accessibility for residents traveling to our neighboring city,” emphasized City Manager Tim Ogden.
“With enthusiasm, we observe the commencement of this project. We recognize the community’s understanding and patience exhibited while we addressed challenges and setbacks that emerged during the project’s progression,” Assistant City Manager Darin Gale shared in a press release. “The project’s contractors, Goodfellow Sequoia Joint Venture, have demonstrated their capability to manage the project despite unexpected delays. As the work continues, we are confident in their ability to bring this project to completion, slated for late May 2024.”
“We’re excited to see this project underway and look forward to see it opened, soon,” Ogden added.
Funding source for the road project are from City of Brentwood Development Impact Fees and the Eastern Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority all provided by new housing and commercial development in the city and East County.

Sand Creek Road will be extended east past Heidorn Ranch Road along Antioch’s southeast city limits. Source: City of Brentwood video screenshot.
In an email on Thursday, August 10, Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis shared the following about the road extension:
“As East County continues to grow, our transportation and infrastructure needs are growing as well. One of the biggest local road improvements is the new Sand Creek Road extension in Brentwood.
The City of Brentwood’s staff and elected officials have been hard at work for years planning the extension, which will lead west from Highway 4 toward Dear Valley Road and connect with other extensions that are already completed.
I had the unique opportunity to speed up the project in February as Chair of the East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority (ECCRFFA), when I, along with the four mayors of Brentwood, Antioch, Oakley and Pittsburg, voted unanimously to prioritize funding this shovel-ready extension. I’m proud of our elected officials for working together as a region and putting taxpayer dollars toward a project that will have immediate impacts for public safety and economic development.”
Official Project Description: The project scope includes extension of Sand Creek Road from westerly of the existing terminus at State Route 4 to Heidorn Ranch Road approximately 2,300 linear feet. The improvements include constructing the central 56 feet of roadway (2 – 20-foot roadway and a 16-foot median), streetlights, wet and dry utilities, full-width bridge (4-lane arterial) across Sand Creek, and related work linking State Route 4 to Heidorn Ranch Road.
To learn more about the Sand Creek Road Extension Project, please visit Sand Creek Road Extension and see video of the groundbreaking ceremony on the City of Brentwood’s Facebook page.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreThe maps show that while urban centers are often characterized as the leading settings of gun violence, this data shows two-thirds of gun homicides occurred outside urban settings and California’s most populated cities.
By Antonia Ehlers, PR & Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Hope and Heal Fund in partnership with RomoGIS Enterprise today launched a groundbreaking statewide Geographical Information System (GIS) maps of gun homicides from 2014-2022. The California Gun Homicides 2014 – 2022 dashboard was collaboratively built to visualize available data of reported gun homicides and raise awareness about where gun-related homicides have occurred in California communities.
For the first time, Californians can view where gun violence happens in communities, filtered by county and showing street-level incidents. The maps reveal a compelling insight into the patterns of gun homicides in California. The maps show that approximately two-thirds of gun homicides over the past nine years occurred outside urban settings and California’s most populated cities. This finding underscores the urgent need to extend support beyond urban centers and address the rising rates of gun violence in rural, semi-rural, and suburban areas.
This research was made possible by grant funding from long-time gun violence prevention supporter Kaiser Permanente. With this support Hope and Heal Fund has also built a Northern California network of community leaders focused on gun violence data collection and mapping and to better understand when and where California gun-related deaths occur.
Cuco Rodriguez, Hope and Heal Fund’s Chief Strategist and Equity Officer led this initiative, sharing, “One important finding from the data is the need to separate and examine different types of gun homicides, particularly those related to intimate partner violence. Currently, general homicide data from law enforcement agencies often overlook the impact and frequency of intimate partner homicides, leading to misconceptions about the primary drivers of gun violence.”
Through further mapping and by analyzing disaggregated homicide data, we can better understand the unique challenges posed by intimate partner homicides and allocate appropriate resources to address this specific issue.
This effort initially set out to counter inaccurate assumptions regarding urban centers being drivers of gun homicides in California. With access to timely data, stakeholders should consider the implications of this information and data and how it can best be leveraged to develop opportunities that are strategic, focused, and surgical in reducing all forms of gun violence across the state.
“As a health care organization that is committed to improving health in our communities and addressing health equity, we are proud to support the work of the Hope and Heal fund to raise awareness and reduce gun-related homicides in California,” said Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente Northern California vice president for External and Community Affairs. “Far too often our clinical teams see the devastating effects of gun violence on individuals and families. Together with all health care organizations, we must do more to support evidence-based community interventions that prevent gun violence.”
To explore the GIS maps and gain insights into gun violence data, please visit our CA Gun Homicides GIS Mapping Report.
Hope and Heal Fund is the only state-based donor collaborative fund investing in a public health, racial equity, and community-based approach to decreasing firearm suicides and gun homicides, injuries, and trauma. Hope and Heal Fund partners with impacted communities on strategies to prevent and interrupt gun violence and heal from the trauma, harm, and generational iniquities exacerbated by the lethality and coercive effects of guns in homes and communities.
About RomoGIS Enterprises
RomoGIS Enterprises specializes in geospatial solutions, specifically GIS mapping and analysis. With its expertise in data visualization and interactive tools, RomoGIS empowers organizations to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions.
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Lea Sweet performed as Tina Turner at the 2023 East County Juneteenth Celebration. Sources: (Left) 3 Queens of Motown. (Right) Herald file photo
Lea Sweet part of 3 Queens of Motown Tribute Show
By Allen D. Payton
Considered to be one of the top Tina Turner Tribute artists in the country, Brentwood resident Lea Sweet will perform as a cast member of the popular 3 Queens of Motown Tribute Show during the Pittsburg Seafood Festival.
The 3 Queens of Motown also includes Samantha Alexes as Aretha Franklin and Stacy Carter as Diana Ross. Under the music direction of music director Nathan Owens and his exciting nine-piece band, they will perform Sunday, September 10th at 3:30 pm.
Sweet performed in tribute to Tina Turner in July at the completely sold-out Bill Picket Rodeo in Dublin. The rodeo is the largest, annual African American, family friendly event to take place in the Bay Area. The 3 Queens of Motown also performed last month at Vallejo’s Empress Theater.
To learn and see more about the 3 Queens of Motown Tribute Show visit their website at www.3QueensTributeShow.com.
Read MoreIn Martinez, Pacheco and Pleasant Hill, will continue until Oct. 31
By Kelly Kalfsbeek, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works
Contra Costa County Public Works will begin construction on the Grayson Creek Desilt Project on Monday, August 14, 2023, through Tuesday, October 31, 2023, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), weather permitting. Drivers should expect delays near Imhoff Drive and along Pacheco Boulevard and Contra Costa Boulevard between Highway 680 and Chilpancingo Parkway during construction.
The work consists of removing approximately 25,000 cubic yards of silt in the Grayson Creek Channel to restore creek flow capacity. Funding for this project is provided by Flood Control Zone 3B Funds. For more information visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/GraysonCreekDesilt
About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:
Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org.
For construction status contact Randolf Sanders at (925) 313-2111.
Read MoreDeCarlo, Quinonez and Zuger also win
By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media
Antioch, CA…August 5…TJ Smith of Fresno collected the victory in the 30 lap USAC Western States Midgets Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. It was the inaugural appearance for the group at the track, and it came on Fan Appreciation Night. Fans got to attend for just $5. The win for Smith earned him a $2,000 payday.
Smith and David Gasper of Santa Barbara shared the front row with Smith bolting into the immediate lead. Jake Andreotti of Castro Valley settled into third and was soon threatening Gasper for second. The leaders caught slower traffic by the sixth lap as they ran in close formation. Andreotti found an opening and slipped past Gasper for second on the ninth lap.
A yellow flag flew moments later. Smith continued to lead Andreotti and Gasper on the restart. The race had a red flag on Lap 14 as Caden Sarale flipped on the back straightaway. Smith resumed command on the restart ahead of Andreotti and Gasper, but Cade Lewis of Bakersfield bolted past Gasper for third on the 16th lap. Lewis didn’t put too much distance between himself and Andreotti, but he made the right moves when they counted and brought it home to victory. Lewis settled for third ahead of Ben Worth of Coalinga and Gasper.

Jarrett Soares #12 increased his Wingless Spec Sprint point lead with his second win. Photo by Katrina Kniss
Jarrett Soares of Gilroy made a thrilling late race pass on Bob Newberry of Brentwood to win his second 25 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. The win could be crucial in his bid to become the division champion as he put a little more distance between himself and James East of Oakley in the battle.
Two-time champion Newberry had the pole for the race and took the early lead ahead of Oakley’s Jacob Tuttle and Soares. Newberry had a bumpy moment exiting Turn 4 of the fourth lap as Tuttle motored by on the front stretch for the lead. However, Newberry got back around on the back stretch on Lap 6 to resume command. A yellow flag bunched the field on Lap 7 with Newberry continuing to lead Tuttle and Soares on the restart.
The battle between the lead trio remained close and hit traffic with five laps to go. Newberry was very protective of the inside line, but Soares got some momentum on the outside on the 24th lap and put it between Newberry and a slower car to take over. Soares brought it home to an impressive victory as Newberry settled for second ahead of Tuttle, Blake Bower of Brentwood and Brentwood’s Jeff Scotto.

Andrew Pearce #28g helped his IMCA Modified National Rookie of the Year effort with his fourth Antioch win. Photo by Katrina Kniss
Oakley’s Andrew Pearce won his fourth 25 lap IMCA Modified feature of the season. Pearce maintains second in the track point battle while leading the State championship race as well as the IMCA National rookie battle.
Pearce charged into the lead at the start, only to see a yellow flag wave after Jeff Browne and Terry DeCarlo Sr crashed on the front stretch. Browne went pitside as Pearce led point leader Troy Foulger and Ryan DeForest on the restart. Brown was sent back on the track and spun out the entry gate for the final yellow flag with three laps remaining. Pearce didn’t let that deter him as he led the restart and the final laps for the win, followed by Foulger, DeForest, DeCarlo and Browne.

Kenny Shrader #188 stayed in the IMCA Sport Modified title chase with his third win. Photo by Katrina Kniss
Kenny Shrader of Pacheco won his third 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event of the season. The win kept him within four points of track and State point leader Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley in the hotly contested championship chase. Shrader had earlier won the $200 prize in the four lap Trophy Dash after a thrilling battle with Antioch’s Todd Gomez.
Gomez set the early pace ahead of Joe Salvi of Modesto. A yellow flag waved after Mark Garner spun in Turn 2 to avoid another car on Lap 3. Gomez was involved in a tangle with Trevor Clymens of Brentwood at the opposite end of the track. This put Shrader in the lead on the restart ahead of reigning State champion Jacob Mallet Jr of Oakley and Ryan. Shrader drove a flawless race from that point on to score the win ahead of Mallet, Ryan, the resurgent Garner and Gomez.
Nick DeCarlo won the 25 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. The two-time reigning IMCA Modified champion has been struggling with motor issues this year, but he was unbeatable on this occasion.
DeCarlo had the pole position and took an immediate lead ahead of Fred Ryland of Brentwood and point leader Troy Foulger of Oakley. DeCarlo began to pull away in the rapidly run event as Ryland held off the advances of Foulger. Even slower traffic with three laps to go didn’t slow DeCarlo. He made all the right moves and scored the satisfying win ahead of Ryland, Foulger and Rio Vista duo Kenneth Robles and Jason Robles.
Tony Quinonez won the 20 lap Print Club Mini Stock Main Event. This was the first win of the season for the Corning driver, who was piloting the second car for Delbert Rios. Teammate Tom Davis of Los Molinos had won six in a row going into this night to maintain the point lead.
Davis had the pole and led a lap before an outside pass on the back stretch gained Quinonez the lead. Davis had issues and headed pitside on the third lap as Quinonez led David Carson of Antioch and Pittsburgh’s Don Abitz. The yellow flag waved for Billy Garner of Antioch on Lap 3. Abitz moved into second behind Quinonez on the restart, and the duo began to pull away from the pack. Abitz could keep pace with Quinonez, but he wasn’t quite able to gather the momentum to make a pass attempt. Garner passed Carson at the line to finish third as Davis was scored fifth.
Dan Zuger of San Jose won the 15 lap California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event. Zuger took the lead at the start ahead of DJ Saenz of Manteca. Tyler Tucker of Delhi spun in Turn 2 for the yellow flag. He retired at that point as Zuger led Saenz and Caydon Foster of Oakley on the restart. Foster retired, and Zuger would stretch his advantage over Saenz in victory. Foster was scored third ahead of Tucker.
The race on August 12th has been rescheduled as a practice day, meaning the next race will be on August 19th, featuring IMCA Modified, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars along with the Print Club Mini Stocks and Delta Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Antioch Speedway Race Results – August 5, 2023
USAC Western States Midgets
FT-Brody Fuson 13.882. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Colby Johnson, TJ Smith. Main Event (30 laps)-TJ Smith, Jake Andreotti, Cade Lewis, Ben Worth, David Gasper, CJ Sarna, Danika Jo Faccinto, Nikko Panella, Samuel May, Jerry Kobza.
Wingless Spec Sprints
FT-Jarrett Soares 14.184. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Bob Newberry, Jacob Tuttle. Main Event (25 laps)-Jarrett Soares, Bob Newberry, Jacob Tuttle, Blake Bower, Jeff Scotto, Colson Plourde, Dylan Newberry, James East, Anthony Bruno, Roy Fisher.
IMCA Modifieds
Heat Winner (8 laps)-Jeff Browne. Main Event (25 laps)-Andrew Pearce, Troy Foulger, Ryan DeForest, Terry DeCarlo Sr, Jeff Browne, Sean Wilson DNS.
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Tommy Fraser, Todd Gomez, Trevor Clymens. Main Event (20 laps)-Kenny Shrader, Jacob Mallet Jr, Jason Ryan Jr, Mark Garner, Todd Gomez, Chuck Golden, Trevor Clymens, Tommy Clymens Jr, Matt Pitts, Dylan Connolly.
IMCA Stock Cars
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Fred Ryland, Troy Foulger. Main Event (25 laps)-Nick DeCarlo, Fred Ryland, Troy Foulger, Kenneth Robles, Jason Robles, Scott Foster, Jared Baugh, Steve Stone, Dave Hill DNS.
Print Club Mini Stocks
Heat Winner (8 laps)-Tom Davis. Main Event (20 laps)-Tony Quinonz, Don Abitz, Billy Garner, David Carson, Tom Davis, Roberto Monroy DNS.
California Sharp Mini Models
Heat Winner (8 laps)-Dan Zuger. Main Event (15 laps)-Dan Zuger, DJ Saenz, Cayden Foster, Tyler Tucker.
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The construction site at the former ABC Rendezvous bar where a crew member died on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. Photo by Ronn Carter, Spotlight Antioch
Cause of death not yet determined, but not an accident
By Ronn Carter & Allen D. Payton
A man who died while working at construction site in Antioch last Wednesday, August 2, 2023 has been identified. According to Contra Costa County Deputy Coroner Gonzalez, the man was Saul Cisneros, age 55, (born January 31, 1968) of Pittsburg.
While contractors were transforming the former ABC Rendezvous bar located on Walter Way near Railroad Avenue into what appears to be a commercial storage facility, a crew member collapsed on the job. Antioch Police and Con Fire paramedics were dispatched at 2:39 p.m. for a medical emergency. Soon after their arrival the medical team announced the individual as a ‘1055’ coroner’s case. In response to the situation, all construction staff were released for the day as APD took charge and roped off the area.
As of 4:15 PM that day, Antioch Police Department spokesman Sgt. Price Kendall said an officer was on the scene still investigating. On Sunday, he said no more details will be released, that the Coroner’s Office has the investigation, now and they will determine the cause of death.
On Tuesday, August 8, Gonzalez said, “the cause of death has not been determined and is labeled as ‘pending.’ It was not an accident.”
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Take the 1-minute survey to share your input on the future of the Hwy 4 corridor.
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is developing the State Route 4 (SR-4) Corridor Vision Study in order to develop a long-term, comprehensive transportation plan for SR-4 that addresses congestion, safety, and other mobility concerns in Contra Costa County. SR-4 is the primary east-west highway in the northern portion of Contra Costa County, beginning in Hercules in the west and continuing into San Joaquin County in the east. This work is being done in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
With this new vision established, CCTA will be able to make forward-thinking investments along SR-4 and the surrounding local roads, railways, waterways, transit systems, and bike and pedestrian connections.
What is a Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan (CMCP)?
This study is a crucial step in CCTA’s efforts to fund transportation infrastructure investments by meeting Senate Bill (SB) 1 Congested Corridor Program requirements for a Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan (CMCP). A CMCP is developed with state, regional, and local partners and is consistent with the Regional Transportation Plan.
A CMCP aims to:
- Provide holistic guidance for transportation investments.
- Reduce congestion in highly traveled corridors.
- Provide more transportation choices for residents, commuters, and visitors while balancing the character of the local community.
- Create opportunities for neighborhood enhancement projects.
State Route 4 Corridor Vision Study Goals
For more information and to take the survey visit State Route 4 Corridor Vision Study – Contra Costa Transportation Authority (ccta.net).
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