Antioch Press 10.12.18

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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Vol. 18, No. 41

YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Abandoned vessels threat to Delta by Tony Kukulich

October 12, 2018

A Twisted Pig Tale

Staff Writer

If there’s a single story that serves as the poster child for the problem of abandoned and derelict commercial vessels in the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta, it’s that of the Spirit of Sacramento – an 87-foot paddle wheel boat that had seen better days when it last went up for auction in 2016. “It ended up in a marina in the Bay Area,” said Gary Madison with the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff marine patrol unit. “The former owner stopped paying the dock fees, and it was auctioned off to some guys that had no idea what they were doing. Somehow they ended up in Franks Tract, and we gave them citations for many violations. They started it up, and it proceeded to sink and leave a huge diesel slick.” When the Spirit of Sacramento capsized in September 2016 it was estimated to be carrying 600 gallons of diesel fuel that threatened to leak into prime Delta habit. The vessel that had been purchased at auction for $1,000 created an environmental hazard and cost the U.S. Coast Guard approximate-

The owner of the famed Delta pigs seeks legal aid in the fight to redeem his animals. Page 4

Community Supports Tia Photo by Tony Kukulich

Abandoned vessels like this one near Holland Tract Road are part of a state assembly bill aimed at removing dilapidated boats. ly $1.6 million and Contra Costa County $100,000 to remove. Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D - Discovery Bay) sponsored a bill that seeks a solution to the problem of abandoned commer-

cial vessels in the Delta, and it was recently signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. There are programs that fund the removsee Vessels page 30

Oakley tire fire sparks investigation by Tony Kukulich

Fire crews battled a two-alarm blaze Wednesday morning at Saeed Bro Tires on Main Street in Oakley. Officials are calling the fire suspicious.

Staff Writer

The origin of a two-alarm fire that tore through a commercial building on Main Street in Oakley just after 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, has been called suspicious by an East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) official. “This business, a tire business, had a bunch of tires stacked on the outside,” said ECCFPD Battalion Chief Ross Macumber. “That looks like the area of origin. As it’s burning, it extended into the main structure. We were able to keep it to about a quarter of the building.” Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) dispatch initially reported that a caller watching a video camera observed a tire fire outside Saeed Bro Tires on the 3900 block of Main Street. ECCFPD Engine 53 was dispatched and ConFire Engine 88 was quickly added. As additional calls came into the dispatch

Photo by Tony Kukulich

center, the incident drew a full commercial response and a second alarm was called. The fire moved swiftly through the old building that houses several businesses, and at times flames reached 30 feet or more into the air. Firefighters initially

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made entry into the building to begin an offensive fire attack but were called back out. “This building has elevated flooring.

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see Fire page 30

Spooky Weddings www.thepress.net/news/webextras

Clerk-Recorder offers the opportunity to be married by characters on Halloween.

Fundraisers continue for the Edna Hill student grievously injured last month. Page 6

Heritage Fore The Win

Heritage girls’ golf team takes BVAL league title for sixth consecutive year. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................25 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................13 Food........................................12 Milestones............................15 Opinion..................................20 Pets...........................................8 Sports.....................................21

Candidate Forum www.thepress.net/news/press_releases

Marsh Creek Democratic Club hosts candidate night on Oct. 21.


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