Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Brentwood: Burglary in progress leads to arrests of three including Brentwood, Antioch teens

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Brentwood Police arrested three teens during a burglary in progress on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Photo: Brentwood PD

Two out of custody with no charges filed; Antioch teen’s father of same name has history of arrests from 2014 to 2023

By Brentwood Police

On Wednesday afternoon, July 19, 2023, Brentwood Police officers were called to a residence located at the 700 block of Allbrook Court for a burglary in progress. When officers arrived to the residence the suspects fled.

With the help of a citizen witness, officers were able to successfully locate the suspects, identified as 18-year-old Keoni Mikala Temple, Jr. of Antioch, 19-year-old Rashad Lewis of Brentwood, and a 16-year-old juvenile. All three were placed under arrest for burglary.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, as of Friday, July 21, both Temple and Lewis were out of custody with no charges filed.

According to localcrimenews.com, Temple’s father, Keoni Mikala Temple, Sr. has a history of arrests dating back to 2014 including three arrests in March of this year.

We want to thank the alert citizen who provided us the critical information needed to ensure all involved were arrested. We always appreciate when our citizens help us out. This is a friendly reminder to our community, if you see something, say something!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Annual Oakley Kids Fishing Derby on the Antioch Fishing Pier Aug. 12

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By City of Oakley Recreation Department

The annual Kids Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, August 12th. The Derby is for children up to age 15 and registration is FREE. This is a “catch and release” derby so children will be assisted to release the fish after they have been logged.

Registration and check-in is from 8 AM – 9 AM. The Derby runs from 9 AM – 11 AM, followed by complimentary snacks and awards.

The Derby will be held on the Antioch Fishing Pier in the Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline off Bridgehead Road in Oakley.

Register by clicking here. Click on Special Events then Kids Fishing Derby.

For more information, call Alicia O’Leary at (925) 625-7044 or email: oleary@ci.oakley.ca.us.

Brentwood: Pittsburg man arrested for drugs, Rodeo man, woman arrested for WinCo robbery

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Cash and drugs seized during traffic stop arrest on Sunday, July 16, 2023, and the recovered WinCo merchandise stolen on Monday, July 17, 2023. Photos: Brentwood PD

Rodeo man out on bail; robbery suspects out of jail with no charges filed

By Brentwood Police Department

Last week was a busy week for Brentwood PD, but rest assured we are working hard and committed to keeping our community safe.

During the weekend of July 15 and 16, a Brentwood officer was driving in the area of Second Street and Brentwood Blvd., when he saw a vehicle with expired registration. The officer pulled the vehicle over, and during the traffic stop he saw drugs inside the vehicle in plain view. All in all, marijuana, heroin, and ecstasy were ultimately recovered from inside the car.

The driver, 20-year-old Mario Miranda Ortiz of Pittsburg, was placed under arrest for being in possession of drugs for sale along with other drug related charges. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking on Monday, July 17. According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office he bonded out on Tuesday, July 18.

Arrests in Grocery Store Robbery

On Monday, July 17, officers were dispatched to WinCo Foods for a report of two suspects stealing. When loss prevention confronted the suspects, they fought the employee and fled in a vehicle with stolen property. Thankfully, the victim was ok, only sustaining minor injuries.

A Brentwood officer quickly located the suspect’s vehicle, and subsequently placed the two occupants, identified as 30-year-old Reginald Lee Jackson of Contra Costa County and 20-year-old Sammone Kiara Weaver of Rodeo under arrest for robbery (and other charges) and transported them to the Martinez Detention Facility. The property was recovered and returned to the store.

As of Wednesday, July 19 both Jackson and Weaver were out of custody and no charges had been filed.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Oakley to hold next Concert in the Park Friday, August 4

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By City of Oakley Recreation Department

For the month of August, our Friday Night Bites in partnership with Foodie Crew includes a concert featuring the band Project 4 Band who bring their blend of Pop, R&B, Rock, Latin, Smooth Jazz music to Oakley from 5PM to 9PM in Civic Center Plaza.

Bring your family, friends, and a picnic blanket or chairs and settle in for an unforgettable night of singing, dancing, and delicious food under the stars! No outside alcohol is permitted.

Concerts in the Park will continue Friday nights September 1 and October 6,

For more information about the concert, contact Alicia at (925) 625-7044 or email: oleary@ci.oakley.ca.us.

Oakley double: Tuttle triumphs, DQ hands Pearce win Saturday night at Antioch Speedway

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Jacob Tuttle drove the Ted Finkenbinder #3 Spec Sprint to his third win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…July 22…Jacob Tuttle of Oakley won the 25 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was his third win of the season aboard the Ted Finkenbinder owned entry as he tuned up for next week’s Hunt Series race. Finkenbinder Racing teammate Blake Bower of Brentwood, a multi-time WMR Midget champion, finished second.

A heat race win put Tuttle on the outside front row for the feature race. After a tangle in Turn 2, Tuttle led the restart ahead of Bob Newberry of Brentwood. Gilroy’s Jarrett Soares settled into third on the second lap. An inside pass on the back stretch of the third lap gained Soares second from Newberry. A yellow flag waved on Lap 5 for Antioch’s Shawn Arriaga in Turn 2. Soares got a good run on the restart lap and passed Tuttle on the inside down the back straightaway to claim the lead. A thrilling, side by side battle developed between Soares on the inside and Tuttle on the extreme outside.

A high pass in Turn 2 of the 10th lap put Tuttle back into the lead. DJ Johnson of Stockton was running third at that point. They ran that way until a yellow flag flew for a spin in Turn 4 on Lap 18. Tuttle continued to lead Soares and Johnson on the restart, but Bower began working the outside and got around Johnson on Lap 20. Bower then took his momentum and made an outside pass on the back stretch on Lap 23 for second. However, Tuttle prevailed ahead of Bower, Soares, Johnson and Newberry.

A post-race disqualification handed Andrew Pearce #28 his first Limited Late Model win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Andrew Pearce of Oakley picked up his first career 20 lap Xtreme Late Model victory aboard the Paul Guglielmoni owned car. Buddy Kniss of Oakley crossed the line in first, only to be disqualified in post-race tech for rear deck height.

Buddy’s father Chester Kniss of Antioch had drawn the pole in the pill draw before the Main Event, but he elected to go to the back, giving Buddy the pole position. The younger Kniss streaked into the lead ahead of Shawn DeForest of Livermore. However, Pearce slipped past DeForest on the back stretch on Lap 3 in a bit of close racing that saw DeForest get into the back wall. Anthony Slaney of Martinez settled into third. Kniiss set a rapid pace and put a little bit of distance between himself and Pearce by the time the checkered flag waved. The disqualification put Pearce in the winner’s position, followed by Slaney, reiging series champion Dan Brown Jr of Lincoln, Soares Memorial winner Matt Michelli of Live Oak and Chester Kniss of Antioch.

Point leader Joel Hannagan drove the Junkyard Dog #16 Hardtop to his fourth-straight win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Hardtop point leader Joel Hannagan of San Jose picked up his fourth-straight 15 lap Main Event win aboard the Doug Braudrick owned Junkyard Dog. Bob Slaney of Martinez jumped into the lead at the start, followed by Ronnie Ruiz of West Sacramento. Merced Sportsman point leader Rick Elliott took second on Lap 2 and made an outside pass on the back stretch of the fourth lap to take the lead from Slaney. An outside pass at the line moved Hannagan into second, and he quickly got around Elliott a lap later for the lead.

Brad Coello of Oakley was running third at that point, but he spun from that position for a yellow flag on Lap 7. Hannigan continued to lead the restart as Mike Gillard of Atwater made a low pass in Turn 4 to take second from Elliott. Elliott got back around Gillard in the same turn a lap later. The battle was between Ruiz and Coello for the fourth position over the remaining laps, but Hannagan won by a straightaway ahead of Elliott. Gillard settled for third, and Ruiz beat Coelho back to the line to finish fourth.

Devan Kammermann rebounded from a rough start to win the Delta Dwarf Car feature. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Devan Kammermann of Dublin maintained his championship hopes with his second-straight Delta Dwarf Car feature triumph. He charged into the lead at the start ahead of Gage Meyers of Placerville. A low pass in Turn 2 of the third lap put Meyers into the lead, and Kammermann got into the wall in Turn 4 for a yellow flag. His car was stuck on the wall, but he had no front end damage and would restart at the back of the pack.

Meyers continued to lead Antioch’s Chance Russell on the restart, but Russell went low in Turn 4 of the fifth lap to take the lead. Kammermann appeared in third on the seventh lap and was able to get around Meyers for second on Lap 13 before a yellow flag waved. Russell led Kammermann on the restart, but Kammermann went low in Turn 1 on the 15th lap to take the lead. Kammermann went from there to victory as Russell settled for second ahead of Myers, 2020 champion Travis Day of Concord and Joe LeDuc of Tracy.

Mike Learn #11 won his second Super Stock Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Mike Learn of Petaluma won the 20 lap Super Stock Main Event. The past Tri State champion had the pole after his heat race win and led from the start ahead of Joey Ridgeway of Brentwood. Ridgeway surrendered second to Ryan Cherezian of Knightsen on the fourth lap. As Learn pulled away, Cherezian had a battle with Ridgeway and Jim Freethy of Danville for second for the next several laps. However, nobody was going to challenge Learn as he prevailed ahead of Cherezian. Freethy made a Turn 2 pass on the final lap to claim third as Ridgeway settled for fourth ahead of Chad Hammer of Antioch.

Racing continues next Saturday night with the return of the Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint Series. The loaded program will also feature a Figure 8, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, WMR Midget and Print Club Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results for July 22, 2023

Wingless Spec Sprints 

FT Jarrett Soares 14.266. Heat Winners (8 laps)-DJ Johnson, Jacob Tuttle. Main Event (25 laps)-Jacob Tuttle, Blake Bower, Jarrett Soares, DJ Johnson, Bob Newberry, Heath Holdsclaw, Jeff Scotto, James East, Cameron Martin, Shawn Arriaga.

Extreme Late Models 

FT Anthony Slaney 15.408. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Anthony Slaney, Buddy Kniss. Main Event (20 laps)-Andrew Pearce, Anthony Slaney, Dan Brown Jr, Matt Michelli, Chester Kniss, Rod Oliver, Shawn DeForest, Wayne Trimble, Josh Combs, Ray Trimble.

Hardtops

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Joel Hannagan. Main Event (15 laps)-Joel Hannigan, Rick Elliott, Mike Gillard, Ronnie Ruiz, Brad Coelho, Don Slaney, Dave Reed, Joe Shenefield, Ken Clifford DNS.

Delta Dwarf Cars 

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Gage Meyers. Main Event (20 laps)-Devan Kammermann, Chance Russell, Gage Meyers, Travis Day, Joe LeDuc, Tyler Applebaum, Chris Durbin, Sean Catucci DQ.

Super Stocks 

FT Mike Learn 17.227. Heat Winner (8 laps)-Mike Learn. Main Event (20 laps)-Mike Learn, Ryan Cherezian, Jim Freethy, Joey Ridgeway, Chad Hammer.

UPDATE: Search continues for man missing after falling off boat in river near Antioch Friday

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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.”

———————-

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.

Back to School Bash August 5 at The Streets of Brentwood

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By The Streets of Brentwood

What’s the best way to get ready for the start of a new school year? A celebration at the Streets of Brentwood!
We’re hosting a Back to School Bash, Saturday, August 5 from 10 AM to 2 PM.
The event will have musical performances from local entertainers, face painting and activities for the kids, informational tables from community groups and schools, and much more!
We will also have our Free Gift with Purchase program during the event.  Shoppers can present original receipt(s) totaling $50 or more from any of our stores or restaurants and receive a FREE $10 The Streets of Brentwood Gift Card.  One per customer, per day.  Original receipts only.  While supplies last.  August 5th only.
Check back here as we add our list of entertainers and participating community groups.
The Streets of Brentwood is located at 2455 Sand Creek Road.

Bethel Island 2nd Annual Boats & Berries Music Festival July 22 & 23

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Parade, live music and dancing, boat show, pie eating contest, 5K and rubber duckie races, dog show, Kids Zone, food trucks, vendor booths and more!

Bethel Island presents their 2nd Annual Boats & Berries Music Festival this weekend, Saturday and Sunday July 22nd and 23rd.

The days starts off with opening ceremonies with our Military Color Guard and National Anthem sung by Zena Jean. Bethel Island will have a huge downtown parade that is filled with our locals’ decorated golf carts, our military, horses, dogs, Brentwood FFA, dancers, musicians and more!

OTHER FEATURED EVENTS THROUGHT THE WEEKEND

-Live Music with Mama Faxxy and The Gypsy Rebels, Freeway Rock Band and Zena Jean performs with the band Weekend at Jimmy’s! ♥️

INSIDE SCOUT HALL – Michael acoustic shows!

-Boat Show! -Catfish Races are back! -Manpowered Boat Race  – Rusty Porthole  -Berry Pie Eating Contest! -Rubber Duckie Races! -Karaoke -Line Dancing

– Fun and Educational Kids Zone! -Dog Show! -Local Businesses and Vendor Booths! -Adult Refreshments/Goodies Garden! -Food Trucks too!

SUNDAY – Bethel Breakfast after our 5K Race and Boat Race leaving from The Rusty Porthole!

$600 plus Sponsors:

Rusty Porthole, Delta Coves, Reliable Automotive & Diesel Repair, Plumbtree Plumbing & Rooter, Boyd Real Estate, Scheer Security Alarm Systems, Inc.

Other Sponsors

The San Joaquin Yacht Club, Rusty Porthole, Delta Coves, Knightsen Saloon, Bethel Harbor,, Bethel Market, Black Bear Diner, French Flea #7, Will and Kathy Burns CA Mechanical, Reliable Automotive & Diesel Repair, Boyd Real Estate, Vintage Soul Boutique, Hurst Solar Panel Cleaning, Delta Sports Bar & Gateway Market, Plumbtree Plumbing and Rooter, Scheer Security Alarm Systems, Inc, Lindsay Decker Realtor with RE/Max Gold, Friendly Fire Systems, Inc, Island Cuts, Timothy McDonald, Bob Gerber, Scott and Kim, Linda Nash, Anthony Banks, Straightline Painting, Good Scents Florist, Ted and Geri Alesna, Shannon & Kevin, Lori Castillo, Dorreen Oxford, Hal Hutchens, Ed Horn, Mark and Sue Stas.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Less than nine months in permanent position Antioch Police Chief Ford announces retirement

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“…with a heavy heart” his last day will be August 11th; while 35 officers on paid leave due to two investigations

Antioch Police Chief Dr. Steven A. Ford. Source: APD

By Allen D. Payton

With rumors beginning to circulate in the community Antioch Police Chief Steve Ford announced his retirement on Wednesday afternoon, July 19, 2023. His last day will be August 11th.

After less than nine months in his permanent position as the leader of the department, Ford wrote to his staff, “Dear members of the Antioch Police Department,

It is with a heavy heart that I forward this email to inform that I will be retiring as of August 11th. My time here has been both a tremendous opportunity and quite challenging. What is most meaningful to me are the relationships I have forged. I’m grateful for the way you embraced me and the changes we made.

I firmly believe with your help and determination this organization is poised to move forward in a very meaningful way and evolve where anyone would want to work.

It’s been my privilege to have worked with all of you.

Sincerely,

Steve”

——–

Screenshot of Chief Ford’s resignation email sent Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Although he had just started his tenure as interim police chief following a grand oath of office ceremony on April 27, 2022, Ford is named in a federal lawsuit regarding the Antioch officers’ racist text scandal which covered a time period ending that month. He is also scheduled to testify at a hearing this Friday, July 21, in a murder case involving four defendants whose attorneys claim officers violated their civil rights.

In addition, during their meeting on April 11, 2023, the council majority moved forward with an effort to directly hire the police chief instead of leaving it up to the city manager, as is done with all other department heads.

It will leave the City with an acting city manager, no assistant city manager, an acting public works director, currently no acting community development director as of Monday afternoon due to the departure of Forrest Ebbs last Friday, and no assistant city attorney. Unless the city council takes action to change who appoints the police chief, Acting City Manager Kwame Reed will be tasked with appointing an acting or interim chief. Captain Tony Morefield filled the position after former Chief Tammany Brooks left for a new job in Boise, Idaho in October 2021, until Ford came on board.

UPDATE 1: When reached for comment District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica said, “this took us all by surprise. I learned of it this evening. I’ve worked with the chief closely during the time he has been here. Now, that he has made his decision, what we need to do is regroup and talk about who to appoint as acting or interim chief. Kwame is going to need the support of the city council. We cannot be without a chief.”

UPDATE 2: Chief Ford Issues Statement to Community

The following press release was issued Wednesday night:

July 19, 2023 – Antioch, California

The Antioch Police Department announces the retirement of Chief Steven A. Ford effective August 11, 2023. The following is a statement from Chief Ford to the Antioch Community.

To the Antioch Community,

I am writing to inform you of my decision to retire from the Antioch Police Department as of August 11, 2023. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have served as your Chief. I have worked with some very talented and passionate people – it has been a great privilege to learn and grow from them.

I am proud of what we have accomplished and firmly believe the groundwork has been laid for organizational success. I know our work to align us with the tenants of Procedural Justice and Constitutional Policing will keep this Department headed in the right direction. I sincerely hope our engagement with the Community will continue and flourish.

I attribute our numerous accomplishments to support from the City Council, the tremendous Citizens of Antioch, and the talented members of this Police Department, who continue to embrace organizational changes with enthusiasm and dedication. Because of this, the Antioch Police Department has become more inclusive, equitable, and a better place to work.

Sincerely,

Steven A. Ford

Chief of Police

———-

Efforts to reach Ford for further comment and the other four council members for their responses were unsuccessful prior to publication Wednesday evening. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

 

Brentwood business among BBB 2023 Torch Awards for Ethics winners

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Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California is proud to announce the winners of the annual regional competition including Flow Pro Plumbing.

The BBB is proud to announce this year’s Torch Awards for Ethics Winners! The Torch Awards for Ethics competition was created to honor businesses that demonstrate their commitment to trust and marketplace ethics, and the award embodies BBB’s mission to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. The Torch Awards are presented to businesses that strive to go above and beyond in their dealings with customers, employees, vendors and the community.

For-profit, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) non-profit organizations of all sizes headquartered in the 13-county service area of BBB serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California were invited to apply. BBB received entries from across the area and from various industries.

We are proud to announce the winners of the regional 2023 Torch Awards for Ethics. They include:

BBB is also recognizing and commending the finalists. Though their entries were not selected for an award, finalists are still recognized for demonstrating strong ethical business practices and being leaders in the community. There were two finalists in Category 1: Adom Manor Care Home and Armed Force Pest Control, Inc., and three finalists in Category 2: Arrow Ai, Pacific Bay Estates, and SFO Representatives, Inc.

“Torch Awards winners demonstrate the highest ethical standards of trust toward customers, employees and the communities in which they do business,” said Lori Wilson, President and CEO of BBB serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California. “We are proud to present this prestigious award to these deserving businesses.”

Each business went through an application process to illustrate its commitment to ethics and community leadership. All applicants were encouraged to find examples of their organization’s practices that best exemplify each of the four criteria to be judged on: company, character, culture, and community services.

They were judged by an independent panel of judges consisting of community leaders and business owners in various industries.

Winners of the 2023 Torch Awards are now qualified to enter the 2023 International Torch Awards for Ethics. Presented annually since 1996, the International Torch Awards for Ethics honors companies who demonstrate best practices in leadership character and high standards of organizational ethics that benefits their customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and communities. To enter the International Torch Award for Ethics, a business must first be a winner of their local BBB award program.

Thank you to all the businesses that applied to this year’s competition, and congratulations to the winners and finalists!