U.S. health officials are closely monitoring the recent leap of avian flu from birds to cattle — and earlier this month, to a Texas dairy farmer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stresses the current public health risk is low — the virus isn’t known to spread among people or through the food supply, is rarely caught from exposure to infected animals, and where human infections have occurred, is often mild and manageable. But the leap of the H5N1 influenza strain, widespread among wild fowl and a regular threat to domestic poultry, into cattle was unexpected, and a worrisome devel ..read more

In California, rattlesnakes bite about 800 people in a typical year; approximately two are fatal in a year. The threat usually begins in April and will decrease by September. Rattlesnakes are not confined to rural areas. They have been found near urban areas, rivers, lakes and golf courses. Rattlesnakes do not always rattle before striking defensively. Related Articles Environment | Bird flu’s disturbing new turn into cattle — are California herds safe? Environment | Northern California dog owners warned by state wildlife officials to keep their canines away from raw fish Environment | Giv ..read more

OAKLAND — A former Antioch community services officer avoided jail time for involving herself in a college degree scam that got her $3,000 in ill-gotten city pay and reimbursements, but also led to a felony conviction and the loss of her livelihood. Before she was sentenced on Tuesday, Samantha Peterson stood up in court before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, and read an apology to everyone — the community she said she was once proud to serve, her former department and her family. “I have let you all down and I’m sorry,” Peterson said, her voice shaking at times. She added, “This was out of ..read more

Last Saturday, the smell of barbecue suffusing the air drew a long line of customers through the doors at Antioch’s new BBQ Dunn Right, which opened just three weeks ago. It was 4/20, and hungry customers helped the restaurant sell out of almost everything that day, says co-owner Jennifer Newberry-Dunn. At BBQ Dunn Right, a new barbecue restaurant in Antioch, visitors can select meat plates with up to four meats and two sides. Meat plate options include chicken, ribs, tri-tip, beef brisket or links. (Courtesy Denise Cantrell)  But even without the aid of the cannabis-forward date in fueli ..read more

Alexis Gabe disappeared more than two years ago, prompting a massive search, homicide investigation and outpouring of grief and assistance from her East Bay community that closely followed the controversial whodunit every step of the way. Gabe, a 23-year-old Oakley resident, seemingly vanished after showing up to the Antioch home of her ex-boyfriend, Marshall Curtis Jones III, at around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2022. Jones, 27, became the prime suspect almost instantly; his suspicious movements, Google searches and a handwritten note deepened those suspicions. Jones would die in a hail of police ..read more

Atmospheric river storms are like punches in a boxing match. A flurry of weak ones are OK. But it’s best to avoid the big knockout blows. That’s exactly what happened in California this winter. Scientists say that from Oct. 1 to April 1, the state actually received more atmospheric rivers, the famous moisture-laden meteorological events that are critical to the water supply, than it did last year — 44 this winter compared to 31 last winter. But the intensity made all the difference. Statewide, California had just 2 strong atmospheric rivers this winter, compared with 7 last year. Many of the b ..read more

The Antioch Unified school board president has called for Superintendent Stephanie Anello’s resignation, after several employees accused her of failing to discipline a supervisor whom they say bullied them. The action comes a day after NBC Bay Area News reporter Candace Nyguen broke a story about employees’ written complaints that Kenneth Turnage II — the district’s director of facilities, maintenance and operations — has intimidated, bullied and harassed employees for more than a year. Kim Atkinson, a district purchasing technician, said that shortly after Turnage became her supervisor in Jan ..read more

Plastic predicament Earth Day is Monday, April 22, and the theme for 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics.” Plastic has many benefits: It’s cheap, versatile, lightweight and durable. It also can provide environmental benefits: It plays a critical role in maintaining food quality and safety and reducing food waste. But at the same time, plastics are having a negative impact on our oceans and wildlife health. The first synthetic plastic — Bakelite — was produced in 1907. Rapid growth in global plastic production began in the 1950s. Since then, annual production of plastics increased nearly 200-fold to 3 ..read more

A man and woman who died in separate car crashes in Contra Costa County on Sunday have been identified by authorities. Related Articles Crashes and Disasters | 4 killed in crash identified as Livermore couple, 2 children Crashes and Disasters | Two-car crash results in fatality on Highway 4 Crashes and Disasters | Repeat drunk driver gets 15 to life for killing pregnant woman in California crash; baby survived Crashes and Disasters | One dead, two injured following accident In East Bay Crashes and Disasters | Charges filed in Concord crash that killed 9-year-old girl The first fatality ..read more

ANTIOCH — Interim Antioch Police Chief Brian Addington this week acknowledged current staffing is still about a third down from what is authorized, but said they are actively recruiting and some officers are returning from administrative leave. Addington, in comments to the Antioch Police Oversight Commission on Monday, said sworn police staffing is at 77 – not including officers on leave – of 115 budgeted positions. Of those, 39 are patrol officers, including two watch commanders. The number “does change daily,” he said, noting the department is preparing for a lieutenant to retire this ..read more