YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 20, No. 3
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Fire chief gets new contract
Girl Scouts to the rescue
by Kyle Szymanski
see Contract page 26
Local Artists Honored Photo by Tony Kukulich
A
fter vandals destroyed a Valentine’s Day display on the City of Brentwood’s popular Big Red Chair, Girl Scouts from Troop #33386 leaped into action and replaced the ruined wreath with a variety of handmade valentines and decorations. The vandalism so upset Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor that he filed a police report and continues to personally offer a $100 reward for information leading to the identification of the person or persons responsible. “The mayor is very upset, and I think we need to send a message that this will not be tolerated,” said Taylor.
Google technology lands on Adams campus by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Alex Dunn and Wais Siddiqi, eighth-grade students at Adams Middle School, give Google’s augmented reality program a try. Google was at the school beta testing a program designed to enhance the educational experience with students.
Adams Middle School eighth-graders were launched into the solar system this week without leaving the comfort of the school’s library. Google’s new Augmented Reality Expeditions programs touched down on the Brentwood campus, giving teachers the opportunity to supplement their traditional curriculum with cutting-edge technology. The specially designed equipment allows students to jump into the planetary system using handheld devices that place 3-D images of the solar system on a live image of the library. It allows students to walk around the images, zoom in on
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Bend It In Brentwood
Manchester United game ball makes its way to Brentwood and one local fan. Page 4
Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board recently approved a five-year contract with Fire Chief Brian Helmick. Helmick will earn $15,750 a month ($189,000 a year) for about the next year and a half and will be eligible for 5 percent raises each July, beginning 2019, contingent upon him receiving satisfactory performance reviews. If the raises are granted, Helmick will earn $229,746 a year at the height of the contract, beginning July 2022. He previously received $11,758.07 a month, plus benefits, since being named interim chief in March. He took over the permanent position in October. Former Chief
January 19, 2018
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details and step back to view the entire scene. “It’s very cool,” said eighthgrader Alex Dunn. “You can see the three planets and the moon like it’s in real life.” Adams is the first school in Brentwood and one of the first in the Bay Area to demo the equipment, which the tech giant is testing at elementary and middle schools to see how it can be used in educational settings to target visual learners and enhance learning environments. Google offered schools the opportunity to test the software, and Adams teacher Michelle Blasingame jumped at the opportunity. “I thought, ‘I’m sure everysee Google page 26
Seismic Zones
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The California Geological Survey has released the first seismic hazard zone maps.
Brentwood Theater Company artists recognized at Shellie Awards gala. Page 11
Tipping Off BVAL Season
Start of league play results in split wins for Freedom and Heritage basketball teams. Page 17 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................21 Cop Logs................................25 Entertainment.....................11 Health & Beauty....................7 Milestones............................13 Opinion..................................16 Pets.........................................10 Sports.....................................17
Ending Abuse
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Alliance to End Abuse, is helping with campaign focused on human trafficking.