YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 25
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District to explore fire funding
Tri Delta test drives new shuttle service
by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
An effort by the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) to secure additional funding took a step forward on Tuesday, June 18, when district officials were briefed on research related to residents’ attitudes on fire service and fire funding. Recently completed for the district by public affairs firm CliffordMoss and EMC Research, polling indicates the public’s perception of the district’s funding problems might be changing, as a slight majority of respondents support a benefit assessment. “I am cautiously optimistic,” said ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick. “It’s good to see that our community values the services that we provide. More importantly, I’m encouraged that there is growing awareness of the need for more resourc-
Be A Big Break Docent Photo by Tony Kukulich
T
ri Delta Transit launched its new Tri MyRide, an on-demand shuttle service operating in select neighborhoods in Antioch and Pittsburg during an event in Antioch, Monday, June 17, 2019. The six-month long pilot program allows riders to summon shuttle service to certain areas using an application on a smart phone. The cost of the service is $2 per trip. For more information, call 925-754-6622 or visit, www.trideltatransit.com. To view a video of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Summer Lake Elementary opening delayed Correspondent
Summer Lake in Oakley has been waiting a long time to have its own elementary school, and due to the extended rains this spring, it will have to wait a little longer. Originally scheduled to open next month for the 2019-20 school year, Summer Lake Elementary School will not be ready in time. The district came up with a plan to house Summer Lake’s students on the Iron House Elementary School campus until the new site is ready. That date is still undetermined. “There’s been a lot of missed days of work due to rain, and we had some construction constraints and some issues that took place as well,” said Oakley Union Elementary School District superintendent Greg Hetrick.
As the scheduled opening day drew near, the district realized the school would not be ready to keep students safe and offer the necessary educational opportunities available at Oakley’s other schools. Hetrick said the decision to delay the school’s opening was unfortunate but necessary, adding that SLE will remain its own entity on Iron House’s campus. “Summer Lake is going to be a school within a school at Iron House Elementary School,” Hetrick said. “That’s where the majority of the students have currently been attending, and so it’s going to be two schools on one campus with two principals, two office managers, with staff that’s assigned to the two different schools, but it’s all going to be taking place on the Iron House campus.” Once the SLE school site is ready, students and staff will leave Iron House and
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move into their new classrooms. Erin Roberts will be the school’s principal and said this temporary situation will be a chance to get to know her new students in an environment where they already feel comfortable. “The Iron House staff knows these kids really well and will help us understand what we can do to know the kids and give them what they need,” Roberts said. Meeting all her new students and their families will be one of Roberts’ top priorities as the school year begins. She said she prides herself on knowing her students, teachers and staff well and will embrace the challenge of getting to know her SLE students on the Iron House campus. Once SLE is ready to open, Roberts said there will be a big opening day to celebrate the new school. She looks forward to
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Henry The Canada Goose
Local Brentwood author pens first children’s book about love and acceptance. Page 5
see Funding page 22
by Dawnmarie Fehr
June 21, 2019
Service • Repair • Installation
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see Delayed page 22
County Openings www.thepress.net/news/webextras
A variety of citizen advisory seats are available in Contra Costa County.
Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley looking for volunteer docents. Page 5
Major League Hopeful
Former Freedom pitcher and farm team player working toward his dream of major leagues. Page 15 Calendar................................23 Classifieds.............................19 Cop Logs................................13 Education................................4 Entertainment.......................9 Food..........................................8 Milestones............................11 Opinion..................................14 Sports.....................................15
Parks Survey
www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
East Bay Regional Park District is conducting a survey and asking for public feedback.