YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 34
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Heritage High principal moving on
The Great American eclipse
Cooking Up History
Staff Writer
Photo by Lauren Huffmaster
F
rom left, Knightsen Elementary School students Carlos Lopez, Melany Jimenez and Noah Pelton catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse on Monday. Principal Leanne Sarmento brought enough glasses for every student, as well as some parents and siblings.
see Principal page 34
Delta alliance group files lawsuit The Save the California Delta Alliance (STCDA) has filed a lawsuit against the state’s Department of Water Resources (DWR), claiming the agency has failed to provide a legally adequate and comprehensive environmental impact report (EIR) as it pertains to the controversial twin tunnels project. According to Michael Brodsky, attorney for the STCDA, the lawsuit goes beyond the standard claims usually made by project opponents in lawsuits under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA requires government agencies to disclose the environmental impacts of their projects and to adopt all feasible measures to lessen or eliminate said impacts.
“ This lawsuit against DWR is the first big step toward righting the ship and moving forward with solutions.
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Michael Brodsky, STCDA attorney In the complaint, the STCDA alleges that the landmark 2009 Delta Reform Act requires DWR to reduce reliance on the Delta as a source of exported water and replace exported Delta water with new local and regional supplies. “Obviously, building gigantic twin tunnels that can suck up almost half the flow of the Sacramento River does nothing to reduce reliance on the Delta,” said Brodsky.
Congressman John Garamendi has long been an opponent of the tunnel plan and supports the group’s movement. “… The driving force behind the Delta tunnels boondoggle has been ideology; not science,” said Garamendi. “There is no scientific or policy rationale for going forward with this project. The twin tunnels are an existential threat to the Delta.” The STCDA’s suit also highlights what the group believes
are the devastating impacts the project would have on the people who live and work in the Delta. The construction of three massive new intakes would impact the small town of Hood, which is inside the construction zone. Clarksburg, just across the river, would also be hit hard by construction impacts, according to Brodsky. “You can’t put up a sign that says, ‘The Delta is closed for construction for the next 11 years’ and expect our marinas to survive,” said Lauren Korth, STCDA field director, who grew up in the Delta at her family’s business, Korth’s Pirates’ Lair Marina. Brodsky hopes the suit will produce myriad results.
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Annual barbecue and fundraiser for East Contra Costa Historical Society gearing up. Page 9
Friday Night Lights
All six BVAL football teams hit the gridiron this week, kicking off the season. Page 23
see Lawsuit page 34
Calendar................................35 Classifieds.............................28 Cop Logs................................33 Entertainment.....................10 Food........................................11 Health & Beauty..................14 Milestones............................17 Opinion..................................22 Pets.........................................12 Sports.....................................23
Saving Seniors
Planned Growth
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Sweets For Book Worms
Local students are reaping the yummy benefits of a reading program at Menchies. Page 5
by Ruth Roberts Heritage High School Principal Larry Oshodi will leave his post in September for a position in the San Mateo Office of Education. “This is a bittersweet moment as I struggle with leaving such a wonderful school, yet I’m excited about supporting even more staff and students in that county,” said Oshodi in a press release issued this week. Oshodi has been at the helm of Heritage High for the past six years, working to create and develop a rigorous academic climate and an inclusive sense of community. Under his guidance,
August 25, 2017
Veterans group honored for work in preventing and combating senior abuse.
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Water district looking to secure funds for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir.