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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 12, No. 11
Staff Writer Antonio Hernandez just wants to help, and the Dozier-Libbey Medical High School senior does it a lot. So much, in fact, that The Antioch Chamber of Commerce selected him as one of the people who make the city shine. The annual gala, held at the Lone Tree Golf Course and Event Center, also included honors for Citizen of the Year Sean Wright; A Lifetime Achievement Award for Walter Ruehlig; Clay, Millias and Co., LLP, as Small Business of the Year; and Allied Waste as Large Business of the Year. Hernandez was named Antioch’s Youth of the Year for a multitude of reasons. He was elected student president of the 2,000-member California Health Occupation Students of America. Hernandez, who plans to become
a surgeon one day, goes around the state talking with students about future careers in health care. He also volunteers with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is a member of the Young Entrepreneurs at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. Hernandez is also the first person in his family to apply to a university. Hernandez doesn’t strive for the hardware – he just loves to help people. “It’s a great honor. I didn’t even know that people gave out awards to the youth for the things they do,” he said. “I didn’t go out and do the things I did because I wanted an award. I did them to help.” The Chamber of Commerce conferred on one of its own – former chairman and current CEO Sean Wright – the prestigious Citizen of the Year award. Owner of Wright Start Chiropractic in
March 16, 2012
Invaluable intersection
Chamber fêtes class of city by Justin Lafferty
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Got a hankering to hike our communal mountain? Head for the hub from which adventures radiate. Page 1B
Facts and feedback Photo by Justin Lafferty
Sean Wright shares a moment with several local dignitaries after earning the Citizen of the Year award. Antioch, Wright tackled the difficult job of guiding and rebuilding Antioch’s Chamber of Commerce through rough economic times. One of his first tasks was to pare the Chamber’s paid staff and cultivate a group of volunteers to sustain the organization’s work.
Wright was key in reshaping the Chamber’s mission and organizing events such as A Celebration of Antioch, in which city leaders shared with residents the things that make Antioch a great city.
An upcoming town hall forum will address growing concerns about crime. Page 3A
Slam-dunking the dream
see Chamber page 13A
Neighborhood Watch saves the day
Photo by Justin Lafferty
Julie Zmerzlikar, right, was honored by Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando on Saturday for her help in stopping an attempted thief.
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Last week, shortly after a young male suspect attempted to commit a residential burglary, the effectiveness of Antioch’s Neighborhood Watch Program proved its usefulness. The burglary suspect repeatedly rang a front door bell and then knocked on the door. When the resident didn’t answer the door, the suspect attempted to kick in the front door. The resident yelled at the suspect and the suspect fled on foot. An officer of the Antioch Police Department arrived in the area soon thereafter, located the suspect – and the chase was on. Neighborhood Watch Block Captain Julie Zmerzlikar witnessed the attempted burglary and followed the suspect in her vehicle. She temporarily
lost sight of the fleeing suspect, but relocated him as she came across the officer, who was then pursuing the suspect on foot. Since the suspect had a substantial lead on the officer, she pulled up alongside him and invited him into her car. The officer obliged and Zmerzlikar drove the officer up next to the fleeing suspect. The officer jumped out of the car and pounced on the surprised would-be burglar, who was arrested without incident. A Neighborhood Watch Program can put the “neighbor” back into a neighborhood by creating a sense of community, bringing citizens and law enforcement together see Saves page 13A
Highway headway Creek caregivers go to news/WebExtras! The next phase of the State Route 4 Widening Project keeps rolling along.
go to news/press releases Efforts to preserve Marsh Creek and environs are meeting with success.
An Antioch High alum steps onto the big stage this weekend as the NCAA Tournament tips off. Page 17A Arts ....................................... 6A Calendar ............................ 15B Classifieds ........................... 7B Cop Logs ............................ 14B East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 3B Food ...................................... 4B Milestones ........................14A Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................17A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Hizzoner huddle go to multimedia/videos Oakley business owners recently sat down to Breakfast with the Mayor.