YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 30
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Judge awards court costs to BUSD
see BUSD page 26A
Healthy, Fit And Beautiful
Rockin’ and rollin’
A U.S. district court judge has awarded the Brentwood Union School District (BUSD) nearly $600,000 in the case of a special-education suit filed against the district that was dismissed. The decision, handed down by Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton, was announced on July 13 and gives $578.854.20 to the BUSD for defense costs, including attorney fees, in the case of Garedakis vs. the Brentwood Union School District. The court found the lawsuit lacked factual and legal basis. The Garedakis suit was filed on Aug. 26, 2014, and involved 15 claims on behalf of students and parents, alleging physical or emotional abuse at the hands of special-education teacher Dina Holder. According to a press release by the BUSD, the judge dismissed the case on Feb. 24, 2017, and ordered the defendants to recover their costs. The monies will go into a joint powers authority (JPA) account, which is a risk pool made up of many school districts.
Check out this week’s special section to get moving toward health and fitness. Page 1B
Celebrating Love At Cap’s
Photo by Tony Kukulich
J
oey Kaelin, a Liberty High School student, performs with the Mike & Ikes at Pal-a-Palooza 2.0 in Brentwood, on Saturday, July 22. The event was presented by the Brentwood Police Activities League (PAL) and held at the Veterans Memorial Hall. Other bands featured were Shark in the Water and Get Out Stay Out. Funds raised will benefit the Brentwood PAL and the Brentwood Veterans of Foreign Wars. To view video of the band, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia.
Delta tunnels opponents set to file suit by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
The Save the California Delta Alliance (STCDA) has announced plans to block the California Department of Water Resources’ (CDWR) latest move to push forward with Gov. Jerry Brown’s twin-tunnels project. On July 21, a Notice of Determination, which certifies the environmental impact report (EIR), was released by the CDWR, signaling the department’s intent to proceed with the tunnels plan. According to Michael Brodsky, attorney for the STCDA, the group plans to file litigation in objection to the final EIR’s certification. “We have 30 days to file our suit challenging the EIR and 60 days to file our suit challenging the financing plan for the tunnels,” said
“ “It isn’t too late; we can and we will win this fight.
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Michael Brodsky STCDA attorney Brodsky. The tunnels project, also known as California WaterFix, proposes two tunnels, each 40 feet in diameter, be buried 150 feet below the Delta’s islands and sloughs. The tunnels would draw water from the Sacramento River near Hood (about 20 miles south of Sacramento) and deliver the water to canals near Tracy, which carry Delta water south to the central valley farms and Southern California cities. The WaterFix project claims the plan’s goal is to bolster re-
gional self-sufficiency in water supplies, reduce reliance on the Delta, recover native fish populations and bring reliability, restoration and resilience to California’s water supply. But opponents of the project feel differently. “These tunnels would deprive the Delta of its fresh water source and suspend the Delta in a chronic state of drought,” said STCDA member Frank Morgan. “Not only that, but construction of the tunnels would take 11 years or more, and with all the noise, vibration and blockage of waterways, we will lose a significant amount of our recreational business.” Carl Wenske, STCDA member and manager of Bullfrog Marina, agrees. “The tunnel construction route runs under
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July 28, 2017
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see Tunnels page 26A
Cool Cars
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
The Goodguys 31st West Coast Nationals will feature more than 3,000 hot rods.
Couple celebrates 54th anniversary where they held their wedding reception. Page 4A
It’s All In The Family
A trio of local brothers recently qualified in a number of track and field competitions. Page 17A Calendar.............................27A Classifieds..........................22A Cop Logs.............................25A Entertainment.................... 9A Food....................................... 8A Milestones.........................13A Opinion...............................16A Pets......................................15A Sports..................................17A
Road Closures
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Public works closes Canal Road and Alves Lane at the Contra Costa Canal bridge.