YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 9, No. 48
Including Nearby Communities
www.thepress.net
rs
Na t
pe
ion
November 27, 2009
Cop oversight group considered Rattling
THIS WEEK
by Dave Roberts Staff Writer
Councilman Reggie Moore is strongly backing a request from a Hispanic advocacy organization to form a civilian oversight board to look into alleged police misconduct and help select a new police chief, but a majority of the City Council is reserving judgment. “There have been a large amount of community complaints about police misconduct. These include allegations of police brutality, racial profiling,” Angel Luevano, national vice president for the far west for the League of United Latin American Citizens, told the City Council on Nov. 10. “And consequently this has led to multiple lawsuits against the Antioch Police Department for violating the civil rights of community citizens. “Clearly there is a disconnect between law enforcement and the residents. And historically this widening gap produces egregious violations of social justice when the deprivation of justice occurs.
HYDE
MOORE
It drives people to desperation and civil unrest. This is bad for the community, bad for city government and even worse for law enforcement. These problems can be prevented by working together to form a community police relations board.” The City of Antioch is being sued by several African-American women who allege that Antioch police engaged in racial discrimination in their efforts to get the women removed from the Section 8 subsidized housing program. City officials have denied
the charges, saying that the police were responding to complaints from residents about problem neighbors and not targeting any group. The lawsuits are currently working their way through the courts. Luevano said that the oversight board could meet monthly to also discuss the Neighborhood Watch program, school security, new police policies and procedures and the selection of a new police chief. Police Chief Jim Hyde is retiring on Monday, Nov. 30. He
plans to undergo shoulder surgery, and has proposed to city officials that he be rehired in February after he’s recuperated. By participating in the city’s Retire and Rehire Program, he saves the cash-strapped city budget the cost of his salary for two months, thereby saving two police positions from being cut, he said via e-mail. The city has already laid off 10 community service officers this year. But there might be disagreement on whether Hyde should be rehired in February, given Luevano and Moore’s request that the oversight board be formed soon in order to provide input into that decision. Luevano’s request was supported by George Van Hasselt, president of the East County Democrats for Action, who also asked for the hiring of more African-American and Latino police officers. “I believe that these representatives really are the voice of tens of thousands of people in see Oversight page 18A
Twihards emerge under ‘New Moon’ by Samie Hartley Staff Writer While the new moon had come and gone, millions of adoring fans gathered in the glimmer of the waxing crescent last week to celebrate the highly-anticipated film release of “New Moon,” the second installment of the “Twilight” saga. The staff at Wild Orchids Salon in Antioch had been patiently counting down the days to Nov. 19 when at 11:59 p.m. they’d gather with dozens of other Twihards to be the first to see the new movie featuring the love story of mortal Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen. However, the team at Wild Orchids decided to take it a step further, dressing up for the midnight premiere, sporting vampire makeup and plastic fangs. Makeup artist Chris Bustos, a fellow “Twilight” fan, helped transform the dedicated fans by lightening their skin with white powder, using smoky eye shadow to create a sunken effect around
the eyes, and applying red gloss on the lips to complete the undead alter egos. “We bought our tickets in September,” Bustos said as he glammed stylist Amber Paschall. “We’re really excited. A lot of us have been rereading the books and watching the first movie to prepare for tonight. We’re all going out to dinner before the movie too, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.” While Bustos has been a fan of “Twilight” since the books first came out, Paschall is a newcomer who fell in love with the story after seeing the first movie. “I’m so excited,” Paschall said. “There’s just something about vampires that’s exciting. Sure, they’re a little creepy, but there’s a mystery surrounding them. And the love between Edward and Bella is so interesting because it’s a forbidden love.” The forbidden love between Bella and Edward has been enthralling readers since Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” first hit bookshelves in 2005. After the star-
the Gates
A grass-roots group of Delta residents opposed to the 2-Gates project is gaining moxie and momentum.
Page 3A
December diversions A spate of seasonal festivals, parades, films, plays, shopping gigs and charitable events will keep you hopping this holiday.
Page 14A
Persuasive in playoffs
In round one of the NCS postseason, Deer Valley dealt the Cougars of Newark Memorial a memorable defeat.
Page 1B
INSIDE Photo by Samie Hartley
Staff members of Wild Orchids Salon in Antioch get ready to sink their teeth into “New Moon,” the second installment of the “Twilight” saga. The group dressed up for the midnight premiere of the film, which debuted last week. crossed lovers fall for each other Bella grows closer to her childin the first book, “New Moon” hood friend Jacob, who turns out finds the couple’s undying devo- to be a werewolf, a sworn enemy tion tested as Edward leaves Bella of the “cold ones.” The love triangle has Twiin order to protect her from the risks associated with a vampire- hards taking sides around the human relationship – such as his world, but the staff at Wild brother thirsting for her blood. see Twihards page 18A With Edward out of the picture,
Calendar ..........................23B Classifieds ........................14B Entertainment ................11B Food .................................12B Health & Beauty ............... 8B Milestones .......................19A Opinion ...........................13A Sports ................................. 1B Talk About Town ..............5A WebExtras! ....................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A