News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California
By Lynda Green
The Be Exceptional Programs for special needs teens and adults will hold our annual Winter Ball this Friday, December 16, 2022, in Brentwood, this is a free event.
We are also seeking community support to provide snacks or drinks.
To register and more information can be found on our website at beexceptionalprograms.com or our Facebook page.
You are invited to join us for a grand Chanukah Celebration
Come celebrate the Festival of Lights with Chabad of the Delta and our surrounding communities as we light the Grand Menorah on Sunday, December 18 at 4:30 pm in Brentwood City Park.
Our local community leaders will participate in kindling the giant “Menorah of Freedom”. There will be fun activities for everyone including:
For many of us, Chanukah prompts warm, loving memories from our childhood. We light the Menorah every night of the 8-night holiday. These lights offer warmth, joy, strength, inspiration and renews our sense of identity.
Rabbi Peretz Goldshmid, director of the Chabad of the Delta Jewish Center, describes Chanukah as “a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition. In ancient times our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jersusalem with the Menorah. Today, we rededicate ourselves to making this world a better and brighter place.”
As we celebrate in East Contra Costa, we join millions the world over, promoting the universal message that good will prevail over evil, freedom over oppression and light over darkness!
Make sure not to miss this opportunity to celebrate with your family and friends! Outdoor event, please dress accordingly.
This is a FREE event. All donations are appreciated! Register by clicking here.
For more information, contact Chabad of the Delta at (925) 420-4999 or online at JewishDelta.com/Chanukah.
Isaac White-Carter. Booking photo by APD
By Public Information Officer Ashley Crandell, Support Services Division, Antioch Police Department
Isaac White-Carter caught on surveillance camera at Habit Burger Grill on Nov. 12, 2022.
On November 12, 2022, at approximately 5:25 pm, the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center began receiving calls of an assault that occurred at The Habit Burger Grill located at 2430 Mahogany Way in Antioch. Officers learned an employee was punched in the face multiple times after protecting an individual with an intellectual disability from being bullied. The victim lost her right eye because of the incident.
Our Investigations Bureau worked tirelessly to identify and locate the suspect over the last several weeks. Through that ongoing investigation, Isaac White-Carter, a 20-year-old resident of Hayward, was identified as the assailant. Antioch Police Department Special Operations Unit detectives worked in collaboration with the United States Marshalls Service (USMS) to locate Mr. White-Carter. USMS Agents with the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested White-Carter in Hayward, California, this morning and turned him over to Antioch Police detectives. He has been arrested for the felony charges of mayhem and aggravated assault causing great bodily injury. Detectives will be presenting their case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
We want to thank the Contra County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshalls Service, and members of the community who came forward to assist with this investigation.
During a press conference on Monday afternoon, Dec. 5, Detective John Cox shared that the victim will be helped by the Victims of Violent Crimes through the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. He also shared that White-Carter is known to Antioch Police and that he was arrested last year.
According to localcrimenews.com, White-Carter was arrested by Concord Police on August 31, 2021, for 243(A) – battery on a person and 422(A) – threats of violence. He was again arrested on March 14, this year for 243(E)(1) – battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse and
422 – threats of violence.
Surveillance video screenshot of incident at Habit Burger Gril on Nov. 12, 2022.
The members of the Antioch Police Department express their support and gratitude to the victim for helping a community member in need.
If anyone has further information pertaining to the case, please contact Detective John Cox at jcox@antiochca.gov. You can also text an anonymous tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword ANTIOCH.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton issued the following statement on the charging decision of Ronald Benjamin Jackson, III who was arrested for robbing an Antioch gas station convenience store and killing the clerk, James Williams while exchanging gunfire on Sunday morning, Nov. 26. (See related articles here and here)
“The family, friends, and loved ones of James Williams are understandably devastated by the shocking news of his death in a gun battle at the Chevron station in Antioch on November 26th — where he worked as a store clerk. Our sympathies and condolences go out to those closest to him.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office declined to file murder charges in this case solely on a legal and factual determination — and not an elective, optional, or discretionary one. It was based upon an established law that clearly states a person cannot pursue another to retrieve stolen property once the threat of bodily injury or harm to the victim has subsided.
The video evidence of the incident clearly shows Ronald Benjamin Jackson, III, and another suspect exiting the Chevron station convenience store after the robbery and running from the scene. Mr. Williams is also seen in the video footage leaving the Chevron station store with a firearm while running after the robbers. Mr. Williams then fired upon Mr. Jackson, hitting him in the leg while he was fleeing and causing him to fall to the ground. Mr. Williams continued to approach Mr. Jackson with his firearm pointing at him when Mr. Jackson fired shots at Williams hitting him twice. Once in the chest and in the leg.
In the eyes of the law, Mr. Williams’ actions ceased to be self-defense when Mr. Williams pursued Mr. Jackson and the other suspect with a firearm — and continued to pursue Mr. Jackson after he shot him.
The legal distinction is clear: when your property and life are being threatened, an individual is legally justified in using deadly force in self-defense. However, once the threat of harm has dissipated, the victim of a property crime cannot then use deadly force to reclaim stolen property.
However, the reality of Mr. Williams’ tragic death will be a substantial factor in the DA’s position in asking for greater penalties in the sentencing of the defendants.
Diana Becton, District Attorney of Contra Costa County”
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Fabulous Feet Dance Studio presents their Winter Ballet Performance of “Alice in Winter Wonderland” Sunday, Dec. 18 at Heritage High School in Brentwood. The ballet begins at 4:00 p.m.
Artistic Directors Kimberley Karbowski and Denise Williams.
Tickets are $20 each and available at Eventbrite.
For more information about the studio visit Fabulous Feet Dance Studio or their Facebook page.
Andy Narayan, BAC Community Bank Relationship Banker. Photo: BAC Community Bank
By Josef Britschgi, Marketing & Communication Administrator, BAC Community Bank
BAC Community Bank has announced the promotion of Andy Narayan to the position of Relationship Banker. In this new capacity, he will be responsible for managing a dedicated portfolio of designated customer relationships.
Narayan currently serves as Customer Service Manager at a different BAC Community Bank branch and will continue in that role as well.
Andy Narayan joined BAC Community Bank in 2020 and has managed both the Bank’s Country Club branch office in Brentwood and the Oakley branch. He also has more than 15 years of banking experience.
Over the past several years, Narayan has identified and responded to changing needs of customers, staff, and the local community. Such initiative has resulted in his being entrusted with a role of increasing responsibility and authority.
“BAC is very pleased to be giving Andy the opportunity to use his years of experience with our organization to better serve our customers,” said Eddie Lira, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Banking Officer. “We fully expect he will continue to provide our customers with the high-quality service they deserve while enabling us to achieve our goals for growth as a company.”
Chief Executive Officer Dana Bockstahler noted, “BAC Community Bank has a long-standing policy of promoting from within whenever possible. This way, our staff and customers both benefit from the knowledge and skills acquired over time while ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality service our reputation demands. We believe Andy will flourish in his new role.”
About BAC Community Bank
BAC Community Bank is California’s 10th oldest state-chartered bank. Established in 1965, BAC operates branch offices throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and eastern Contra Costa counties and is identified as “one of the strongest financial institutions in the nation” by BauerFinancial, Inc.
The bank is centrally headquartered in Stockton, California, and is continuously recognized for banking excellence through local awards and banking industry accolades.
BAC Community Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Employer. Member FDIC. More information is available online at www.bankbac.com.
YOU’RE INVITED
Join John Muir Land Trust at Family Harvest Farm for our Winter Festival on Saturday, December 10, 11 am – 3 pm.
Get outside and celebrate the holiday season with the whole family! Festivities include:
The event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!
UPDATE: At this time, all wreathmaking workshops are full.
*Please bring unwrapped gifts and gift certificates for children and youth in foster care ages 5-21 years old to the event or send to: Court Appointed Special Advocates of Contra Costa County, 2151 Salvio Street, Suite 295, Concord, CA 94520.
Located in Pittsburg, CA, Family Harvest Farm is a program of John Muir Land Trust that employs transition age foster youth as apprentices and leaders in the community. Through on-the-job training in organic farming, the farm provides a healthy, nurturing environment for program participants and affordable, high-quality food for the community.
To register click here.
Joy Motts (left) and Tamisha Torres-Walker are tied in the Antioch City Council District 1 race as of Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022.
By Allen D. Payton
As of Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at 3:12:59 PM, the Contra Costa Elections Division website shows incumbent Antioch District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker and challenger Joy Motts are tied with 1,462 votes each. While the website shows there are still 1,900 ballots remaining to be counted in the county, according to Assistant Registrar of Voters Helen Nolan, “now, there are 19 challenged votes in the Antioch City Council District 1 race.”
“They’re either unsigned or the signatures don’t match,” she explained. “Every single person who has a challenged ballot has received a letter in order to cure that signature, either to provide a signature or provide their signature that matches what we have on file.”
“The important thing to remember is what we have on file is most likely what is on their driver’s license,” Nolan added.
“What the campaigns can do, and I believe are doing, are get copies of the challenged voters list and contact those voters,” she stated. The list is available but “it either has to be for education purposes or for elections purposes.”
Of the 1,900 ballots remaining in the county, 217 are listed as Provisional, which are described as “CVR (Conditional Voter Registration) Ballots In Review” and 1,683 listed as Other, meaning “Challenged VBM (Vote By Mail) Ballots” in which there was “No Signature” or the “Signature Does Not Match” what the Elections Division has on file. The challenged ballots in the Antioch race are among both types of remaining ballots.
According to the California Secretary of State’s website, “A ‘CVR voter’ is a person who, on Election Day or the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding Election Day, does both of the following:
Voters with challenged ballots have until Wednesday, Nov. 30 to cure their ballot with the county Elections Division office.
Tie-Breaker Decided by Candidates
Asked what happens if there’s a tie vote Nolan said the election would be decided by “whatever tie breaker the candidates agree to. It could be a flip of a coin, roll of the dice or rock, paper, scissors.”
Top IMCA Modified racers Kellen Chadwick #83, Nick DeCarlo #17 and Bobby Motts Jr #u81 do battle. Photo by Katrina Kniss
By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media
The marathon season at Antioch Speedway comes to a close this Saturday night, Nov. 26. Over 40 events have been held at the Contra Costa Event Center (fairgrounds) track this year. Originally, this was to be a two-race weekend, but it’s been condensed down to one.
The IMCA sanctioned Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars will be on hand along with the Wingless Spec Sprints, Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks and Super Stocks. It’ll be the final opportunity to see racing here until next year.
The championship season for the IMCA Modifieds came down to a tie. In fact, IMCA did an official audit when they originally had Kellen Chadwick of Oakley leading by one point over Martinez’s Nick DeCarlo. It was determined that the tie the track had calculated between the two drivers was in fact the correct.
DeCarlo will win the championship based on the fact that he beat Chadwick, four wins to three wins. Bobby Motts Jr will end up third in the final run down ahead of this year’s top rookie, Brentwood’s Trevor Clymens and Terry DeCarlo Jr of Martinez.
Bill Bowers Memorial winner Kenny Shrader #188, Fred Ryland #7j, Kelly Campanile #2 and Tyler Browne #325 jockeying for position in IMCA Sport Modifieds. Photo by Katrina Kniss
The IMCA Sport Modified battle went down to the wire. Andrew Pearce of Oakley seemed good until mechanical issues at the third to last race while leading sent him to the pits. Brentwood’s Fred Ryland had four wins this season and beat Pearce by eight points for the championship. Pearce did end up winning three races this season for a strong second place outing, followed by IMCA State champion Jacob Mallet Jr of Oakley, Pacheco’s Kenny Shrader and Chuck Golden of Pittsburg.
Travis Dutra of Concord ended up winning the IMCA Stock Car championship by 20 markers ahead of Jason Robles of Rio Vista. This is the second-consecutive championship for Dutra, who finally got his first win in the season finale. He only missed the Top 5 one time in 12 starts. Jason Jennings of Pittsburg wrapped up third in the standings and top rookie honors, followed by Dave Hill of San Francisco and Antioch’s Dave Gonderman.
Misty Welborn kicked off the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock season with three wins in the first four races. The Castro Valley resident cruised to the championship, while Oakley’s Michaela Taylor beat Jared Baugh of Pittsburgh by just four points in the race for second. Top rookie Taylor DeCarlo of Martinez ended up fourth ahead of the much improved Jewell Crandall of Antioch.
Shannon Newton #2, Steve Maionchi #25 and James East #71 racing hard in Wingless Spec Sprints. Photo by Katrina Kniss
Shannon Newton of Elk Grove wasn’t planning on racing for points this year, but the four-time winner ended up winning his second Wingless Spec Sprint championship by 17 points ahead of Oakley’s James East. Steve Maionchi of Sonora ended up third ahead of MacKenzie Newton of Elk Grove and Tulare’s Zack Neeley.
In Super Stock competition, Jim Freethy of Danville picked up his third championship. He picked up four wins along the way, and his title was never in doubt. Brentwood’s Joey Ridgeway bested Jimmy Robbins of Concord by just eight points to end up second in the standings. 2020 champion Mike Walko of Knightsen and two-time title winner Mike Gustafson of Concord ended up fourth and fifth, respectively.
Mike Walko #13a, Larry Damitz Memorial winner Michael Burch #03 and Wayne Trimble #71 race for position in Super Stock competition. Photo by Katrina Kniss
At this point, it’s about the bragging rights and the purse money when these six divisions come to compete this Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The gates will open at 4:00 with the first race starting at 6:00.
Adult tickets are $20, Senior/Military $15, Kids (5-12) $15 and kids four and under free.
For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
By CHP – Contra Costa
Sunday morning Nov. 20, 2022, at about 2:10am, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a single vehicle crash on Sugar Barge Road in Bethel Island. Our preliminary investigation indicates a Toyota truck left the roadway and collided with a tree.
CHP and emergency personnel arrived on scene and the driver was pronounced deceased. According to the Contra Costa Coroner’s office the driver was Lilith Guentert, age 47 of Antioch.
This crash is still under investigation, if anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.