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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 11, No. 41
Staff Writer
Recent shootings in Antioch maimed a 36-year-old man and killed a 24-year-old, and police are hunting down suspects in the two cases they say are not related. Last Friday at about 6:30 p.m., police responded to the report of a gunshot victim on the 2300 block of Dogwood Way, in the dangerous Sycamore Drive neighborhood. When officers arrived, they found Antioch resident Dimontai Glaspie, 24, in front of a house suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Glaspie was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to Acting Captain Leonard Orman, witnesses told police that a black man in his early 20s with short hair, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 170 pounds, was seen
fleeing the scene with another black man, between 18 and 22 years old, standing roughly 5-7 and weighing about 150. Officers are still trying to determine a motive and obtain leads. “We’re speaking to a lot of folks that were in and around the area and we’re working toward identifying suspects in this case,” Orman said. “We do not have any suspects to name at this time.” Orman said Tuesday that there’s no clear evidence the homicide is gang-related. Members of the community held a candlelight vigil on Saturday, mourning Glaspie’s death and calling for peace. Five shootings occurred in the Sycamore neighborhood last April, though none were fatal. Glaspie’s slaying marks the fifth homicide of the year in Antioch. In 2010, the city saw 13 homi-
October 14, 2011
Installed in the Hall
Police search for History walk shooting suspects by Justin Lafferty
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Their uniforms are out of style, but these athletes’ accomplishments are the stuff of immortality. Page 1B
Optimized by opportunists Press file photo
ntioch historian and Los Medanos College professor Charlie Bohakel, seen here pointing out an inaccuracy earlier this year in a downtown plaque, will lead a walking tour throughout the Antioch’s Rivertown district on Saturday. Walkers should meet at 10 a.m. at City Hall (corner of Third and H streets). As part of Take Back Antioch’s Walking Club, Bohakel will revive the rich history of the downtown area. The event is open to everyone.
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Opportunity Junction provides job training and placement – and confidence to break the cycle of poverty. Page 10A
Energy comes gift-rapped
see Police page 22A
City Council addresses key vacancies by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
Antioch’s longtime city clerk recently stepped down from her post, leaving a big opening in front of the City Council dais. Jolene Martin, who worked for the city for several years prior to her election as city clerk in 1996, resigned citing personal reasons. Mayor Jim Davis said Martin left on positive terms and will definitely be missed. “She did a good job over the years through trying times,” Davis said. “We’ve had a lot of political strife at times, but she’s been neutral and that’s the main thing. It has to be neutral. She can’t take a position with the
“ The goal should be perhaps to either be revenue-neutral or save money in doing this and achieve some sort of efficiency by doing that.
” City Councilman Gary Agopian council – she’s representing the city.” Now Antioch’s city leaders begin the process of replacing Martin, whose duties included overseeing the minutes at City Council meetings, preparing announcements for openings on commissions within the city and presiding over ceremonial functions. City clerk is an elected part-time position, and Martin’s term runs through November of
2012. The council chose at its Tuesday meeting to appoint someone to the position rather than hold a special election, which would cost the city roughly $285,000, according to City Attorney Lynn Tracy Nerland in a staff report. Since city clerk is an elected position, applicants must be registered Antioch voters, must submit a statement of qualifications of less than 400 words, a nomi-
Legal lift
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An agency’s new Antioch office provides low-cost legal immigration services.
nation paper signed by 20 to 30 registered voters, and a completed Statement of Economic Interests form before 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27. The City Council will hold a special meeting an hour prior to its Nov. 8 meeting to hear oral presentations from candidates not exceeding five minutes. City officials plan to select the new city clerk at that time. Councilmembers also discussed the possibility of combining the duties of the vacant city clerk and city treasurer positions. Nerland’s staff report noted that the clerk and treasurer duties are traditionally shared by city staff see Vacancies page 22A
The Panthers’ new fight song is the product of an uncle’s determination to turn his life around. Page 17A Business ............................. 12B Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 14B Cop Logs ............................15A East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 9B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty ................ 6B Milestones .......................... 8B Opinion ..............................14A Sports .................................17A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Blaze blocking
Recruit-O-Rama
Fire Prevention Week urges homeowners to take simple precautions.
Scouts made The Streets a fun hunting ground for new members.
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