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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 11
High water Singing the blues levels restrict Delta access
March 17, 2017
Real Estate In East County
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services has restricted travel in large portions of the south Delta as a safety precaution in light of high water levels. “The purpose of the closures is to keep recreational boating away from emergency crews that could be dealing with flooding or levee breaks,” said Michael Cockrell, director of the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services. “The closures are also meant to reduce wave action against levees, the risk of injury or death if levee breaches occur and interference if emergency crews are needed.” Boaters leaving from Discovery Bay and headed east on Indian Slough to Old River are restricted from turning south on Old River or traveling down in the areas near Woodward Cut, Victoria Slough or Ski
Check out the latest trends, tips and growth projections in this week’s special edition. Page 1B
Panhandlers Facing Blocks Photo by Tony Kukulich
J
ohn “Blues” Boyd performs with his band at the Delta Blues Festival benefit concert at the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch, Saturday, March 4. The event was a fundraiser and precursor to the Delta Blues Festival, which will be held on Sept. 16, at Waldie Plaza in Antioch. For more information, visit www.deltabluesfestival.net.
see Access page 26A
Community meeting sees full house by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
Monday evening saw a packed house at Discovery Bay Elementary for a town hall meeting to stop Gov. Brown’s plan to build two massive tunnels under the Delta. Hosted by the Save the California Delta Alliance (STCDA), the meeting was attended by 450 Discovery Bay residents, with presentations from STCDA staff and local government representatives. Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis, Assemblyman Jim Frazier and Sen. Steve Glazer all spoke against the construction of tunnels that would funnel water out of the Delta to the Central Valley and Los Angeles. “We all have serious concerns about this massive project, and the governor is serious about the tunnels,” Glazer said. “It’s not going to be easy to stop, but it’s our job
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Michael Brodsky, attorney for Save the California Delta Alliance, speaks before a standing-room only crowd last week during a forum on the twin tunnels project. to make sure (the project) is properly vetted and that our Delta and drinking water are protected. We have to send a message to the pow-
ers that be that we are going to fight, fight, fight and stop these tunnels.” Glazer’s statements, along with those made by Burgis and Frazier,
were met with cheers and applause from the crowd. STCDA is a local, grassroots, volunteer-run organization, which began in 2009 to combat excessive water exports from the Delta. The organization works with local, state and federal agencies to protect the Delta and the farmers and communities along it. The purpose of this town hall meeting was to educate community members and gather local volunteers and financial support, so the group can continue its work over the coming year. “We have about $30,000 in fees and expenses coming up this year,” said STCDA legal counsel Michael Brodsky. “We need your money and your time to help us fight this battle.” Brodsky outlined the legal proceedings thus far and laid out see Meeting page 26A
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BART’s Warm Springs Extension will open for service on Saturday, March 25.
Antioch officials are dissuading panhandling and offering advice to the public. Page 5A
Heritage Falls In Semifinals
Patriots finish with strong effort, but James Logan wins with 5851 victory. Page 17A Calendar.............................27A Classifieds..........................22A Cop Logs.............................25A Education............................. 7A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Milestones.........................13A Pets........................................ 2A Sports..................................17A
Driverless Cars
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The California DMV releases proposed regulations for testing of driverless cars.