YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 27
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Tunnels impact report disputed
A blast of patriotism
T
he sky above Antioch’s downtown exploded with color and booms Tuesday night during the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration. The pyrotechnic extravaganza punctuated a celebratory day, which included a parade, car show, live music and games. To view a slideshow of the fireworks display, visit thepress.net/ multimedia.
by Tony Kukulich Correspondents
A report issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) drew immediate criticism last week and triggered several lawsuits pertaining to the construction of the proposed Delta tunnels, also known as the California WaterFix. The report, called a biological opinion, attempted to quantify the potential impact that the construction of the Delta tunnels would have on 16 endangered spe-
Photo by Tony Kukulich
see Tunnels page 30A
A World War II hero honored by Aly Brown Staff Writer
District 11 Veteran of the Year, a 93-year-old World War II Marine named Enrico “Rico” Cinquini, was scheduled as of press time to attend Knightsen’s Diablo Valley Farm Center escorted by the Warriors Watch Riders for a reception in his honor on Thursday, July 6. The reception was planned by Assemblyman Jim Frazier after Cinquini was named Veteran of the Year at an event in Sacramento, which pulled a crowd of nearly 400 veterans from various eras. “There were a lot of vets from different wars, but when they asked for World War II veterans to stand, there were only about three of us who stood,”
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Enrico “Rico” Cinquini was named District 11 Veteran of the Year for his service in World War II, and the war stories he shares are like history come to life. Cinquini said, noting one of the men to be 102 years old. “We’re known as the old breed, and the old breed is dying out.” At first, Cinquini wasn’t sure
about arriving to his special evening flanked by the club of motorcyclists that offers to accompany veterans to various events. “I thought, that’s going over-
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board,” Cinquini said, modestly, but as one of the few remaining veterans from World War II, with a legacy of stories, his friends convinced him to take the offer. At only 18 years old, a young Cinquini decided to enlist in the Marines, telling his parents in Italian he wanted to serve his country. But his battle-hardened father, who had served in World War I, looked over his son and said, “È morto.” Meaning simply “he’s dead,” Cinquini’s mother broke into tears, but he was determined to return despite the coming hardships. While fighting in Peleliu, Cinquini was a runner to Col. Lewis “Chesty” Puller, who was a highly decorated legend of a Marine. see Hero page 30A
Changes Ahead www.thepress.net/news/webextras
The Concord Naval Weapons Station is undergoing a complete public renovation.
July 7, 2017
Farm, Ranch, Harvest Fresh
All you need to know about the area’s bounty of fresh, healthy and delicious foods. Page 1B
Station 94 Signs Off
East Contra Costa Fire Protection District offcially shutters Station 94. Page 6A
Teen Takes Bass Tourny
Liberty High sophomore wins big at Russo’s Marina and moves on to national competion. Page 23A Calendar.............................31A Classifieds..........................27A Cop Logs.............................29A Entertainment..................10A Food.....................................11A Health & Beauty...............14A Milestones.........................20A Opinion...............................22A Pets......................................15A Sports..................................23A
Tobacco Tax
www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
Law goes into effect raising taxes on tobacco products other than cigarettes.