YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 21
READ NEWS YOU CAN TRUST AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
State of City address highlights accomplishments, outlines future by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Antioch officials and city staff rolled out the red carpet last week for members of the community during the annual State of the City luncheon at the Antioch Community Center. Hosted by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, the event’s tagline “Opportunity Lives Here,” offered a look at the city’s accomplishments, goals and vision for the coming year. Chief of Police Tammany Brooks, City Manager Ron Bernal and Mayor Sean Wright spoke at the sold-out event to an audience of local business owners, community members and residents.
Photo by Greg Robinson
County officials and local representatives attended the recent Antioch State of the City luncheon. From left: Antioch City Councilmembers Monica Wilson and Lori Ogorchock, Chief of Police Tammany Brooks, Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis, center, Antioch Mayor Sean Wright, Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts and City Manager Ron Bernal. Brooks led off his talk addressing the city’s reputation. “Why does Antioch have a
bad rap?” Brooks said. “Why does it have a bad reputation? Because, quite honestly, at
one point we earned it.” Now, however, said Brooks, violent crime in the city has decreased by 43.6 percent, and property crime dropped by 30 percent, from 2012 to 2018. “We are not that city of 2012,” he said. “I am not saying that Antioch does not have crime, but what I am saying is that our crime picture has been significantly reduced ... and we have changed what Antioch looks like, from a crime-prevention standpoint.” The police department now has the highest number of sworn officers in a decade, at 105, with plans to continue growing that number over the see City page 22A
Late-season rains threaten cherry crops by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
In late winter and early spring, expectations for an outstanding cherry season were high as the crop began to take shape, but recent cool, wet weather has local farmers scrambling to preserve the promise of high crop yields. The late-season rains present two problems: rain sitting on growing cherries can cause the skin to split, ruining the fruit, and it can cut short the already brief cherry season by dissuading customers from coming out. Muddy parking lots and orchards are less than ideal on U-pick farms, and many farms closed this past weekend or have delayed their opening until the fields begin to dry out. But despite the challenges and some crop loss, farmers remain optimistic about the remainder of the season. “I don’t think we’ve had a total left turn,” said Jessica Enos, marketing director for 5 Star Cherries. “Clearly there’s been rain. Clearly the farmers see Cherry page 22A
All About Your Pets
This week’s edition features tips and tricks for caring for our fabulous fur babies. Page 1B
Raising Up The Bus Barn
The Liberty Union High School District’s new bus barn is taking shape. Page 4A
PBA50 Rolls Into Town
Top professional senior bowlers vie for title this weekend at Harvest Park Bowl. Page 15A
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Glenn Stonebarger, A business partner in G&S Farms, checks on the efforts to pick cherries in a 13-acre orchard in Brentwood, on Saturday, May 18. Late-season rains prompted farmers to pick the cherry crop earlier than planned to minimize damage to the fruit.
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Calendar.............................23A Classifieds..........................18A Education.............................4A Entertainment....................9A Food.......................................8A Milestones.........................11A Opinion...............................12A Sports..................................14A
Marsh Creek Upgrades www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
County Works Department working on Marsh Creek Road improvements.