YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 13
READ MOBILE-FRIENDLY NEWS AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Drought over, officials advise conservation
Playing the Funk festival
March 29, 2019
The Press’ Auto Guide
by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
Last week, as snowpack in the Sierra Nevada measured more than 150 percent of its average, California was declared free of drought for the first time in more than seven years. As reported by United States Drought Monitor on March 19, “California emerged from drought conditions for the first week since Dec. 11, 2011, breaking its 376-week streak.” But California weather is nothing if not fickle, and boom-orbust weather cycles appear to be the new norm for the state. During a speech at the American Water Works Association conference in Sacramento on Tuesday, March 26, California Secretary for Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot, said that he expects wet winters will be wetter, and dry winters will be drier. Water managers across East County echoed that sentiment and stressed the importance of continued conservation. “Just because we’ve had a few wet winters doesn’t mean we abandon our water conservation efforts,” said Miki Tsubota, director of public works/city engineer for the City of Brentwood. “Likewise, a wet winter doesn’t mean our residents will see any drastic
Auto Guide offers plenty of news on upkeep, technology and safety. Page 1B
Unifying The Community Photo by Tony Kukulich
T
he Pittsburg California Theater hosted Funk Festival featuring EQ and 1st Avenue Revue in Pittsburg, Saturday, March 23. The band played a variety of classic and contemporary funk tunes that kept the crowd on their feet for much of the show. To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
see Drought page 18A
Freedom building construction facility by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Crews will soon begin building a construction technology facility on the Freedom High School campus. Once completed, students will be the ones picking up the tools to learn the tricks of the trade. The center — slated to break ground this summer and open in 2021 — will house the school’s future construction technology program, shaping students into budding construction professionals. “It will be a great opportunity for our students to get some of that hands-on training on our campus,” said Freedom Principal Kelly Manke, “and hopefully make direct connections to the community to
“ Just because we’ve had a few wet winters doesn’t mean we abandon our water conservation efforts.
”
Miki Tsubota, director of public works/city engineer for the City of Brentwood get jobs after high school.” The facility — situated behind a future 299-seat, indoor, performing arts center, located near the school’s current multipurpose room, on the grass near the softball field — will feature classrooms, a working yard where lumber and construction materials will be brought, and a working space. Officials are in the process of finalizing the program’s curriculum,
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but noted that it will prepare students to enter the workforce out of high school, or prep them for further career development through a partnership with Los Medanos College. Measure U, approved by voters in 2016, will cover the project’s cost, although the district is expected to seek a $1 million state grant to fund facility tools and supplies.
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“Career technical education (CTE) classes are a great option for students interested in vocational careers or an alternative path to the traditional four-year college degree, after high school,” said Oakley City Councilmember Kevin Romick, a former carpenter who’s on a committee considering the program’s different curricular focuses, along with Freedom High staff, business owners and LMC partners. The California Department of Education’s California School Dashboard, which in part tracks school and district performance levels, shows students are more college and career-ready if they complete a two-year CTE see Freedom page 18A
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Unified Prom gearing up for a parade, dancing, music and fun. Page 6A
Spiking Their Way To History
Heritage boys’ volleyball off to 16-1 start as they look toward second league title. Page 11A Auto Guide. .........................1B Calendar.............................17A Classifieds..........................13A Entertainment..................10A Health & Beauty...............19A Opinion................................. 9A Pets........................................ 8A Sports..................................11A
Open Mic Night
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Celebrate the written word at Brentwood’s Open Mic night.