www.thepress.net | We’ve gone mobile!
Vol. 18, No. 40
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Water park still in the works by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Great Wolf Resorts Inc. has yet to announce if its next indoor water park resort will splash down in Brentwood, but city leaders are ready to jump into negotiations if it happens. The Brentwood City Council recently established an ad hoc committee to provide city staff guidance on the potential project. “(Great Wolf Resorts Inc.) is not going to come out and officially say we are it, and they are going to keep their options open, but it makes sense to have an ad hoc ready to go in the event that we could move quickly,” said Brentwood City Manager Gus Vina. Jessica Vandenhouten, Great Wolf Lodge communications
manager, declined to speak on the company’s plans, other than to say, “We are continually searching for opportunities to introduce our category-leading family resorts to new markets.” However, Vina said the company should make a decision in six weeks. It’s believed that Brentwood is competing with Gilroy, in Santa Clara County, for the Northern California location. If Brentwood were chosen, the 50-acre resort would likely go along Lone Tree Way and Sand Creek Road, right off Highway 4. “Great Wolf reps had their board meeting on Sept. 9, and they said they had a very good, positive meeting and they believe moving forward with exclusive
Reigning royalty
Staff Writer
East Contra Costa youth who dream of being a fire chief may get their chance sooner than they think. The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is hosting four station open houses over two weekends in October, which includes a random drawing that will allow one East County youngster to be the fire chief for a day. “I don’t want to tip my hand too much, because we have lots of fun things planned for them,” said ECCFPD Board Member Meghan Bell. “We are very, very excited for that.” Fire Chief Hugh Henderson did speculate the winner could possibly take part in
Popular Mail Carrier Retires Photo by Tony Kukulich
H
eritage High School’s Madie Brookens and Francesco Bianchi were crowned senior king and queen on Sept. 22 during the homecoming parade at The Streets of Brentwood. The festivities continued on Sept. 23, with the Patriots trouncing Berkeley High 56-20, for a homecoming win.
see Water Park page 26
“ It’s exciting to give a student who lives in
the district an opportunity to see how the fire district works for a day.
”
ECCFP Chief Hugh Henderson morning briefings, attend public events, inspect a station and ride along for whatever pops up during the day. Entrants must be between the ages of 5 and 13 and live within the fire district, which includes Oakley, Brentwood, Bethel Island, Discovery Bay, Byron, Knightsen, Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek. "It's exciting to give a student that lives in the district an opportunity to see how the fire district works for a day,” Hen-
derson said. Budding chiefs can sign up for the drawing by attending fire station open houses in Oakley, on Oct. 9; in Brentwood, on Oct. 15; or in Discovery Bay or Knightsen, on Oct. 16. Visitors will get a chance to tour the stations, try on firefighter gear, see the inside of a fire engine and create emergency home-exit plans. “It not your average school tour; we are really trying to bring more to the table,”
Bell said. The events coincide with fire prevention month and come during a time when district officials are ramping up their public education efforts. The ECCFPD’s four stations are responsible for protecting 105,000 residents over 249 square miles. The Knightsen station will close in June if additional revenue is not found. The district’s attempts to bring in more money – a parcel tax in 2012 and a proposed benefit assessment last year – both failed. The cities of Brentwood and Oakley, however, are putting utility-use taxes on the November ballot, which could up the number of stations to six. see Chief page 26
Homeless Services go to news/WebExtras!
✔Plan your weekend. ✔Join a class. ✔Register for sports.
Connect with The Press!
Scan QR code with your mobile device.
Letting The Dogs Out
Antioch High School’s crosscountry team works out with city shelter dogs. Page 5
Contest winner will be fire chief for a day by Kyle Szymanski
September 30, 2016
Find & Post Events for FREE! thepress.net/calendar
Project Homeless Connect helps county homeless become selfsufficient.
Brentwood letter carrier Kris Lue, said farewell to his longtime customers and route. Page 4
Homecoming Victory
Heritage High School takes down Berkeley in a 56-20 homecoming win. Page 17 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................22 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................12 Milestones............................13 Opinion..................................16 Pets...........................................8 Sports.....................................17
Fall celebrations go to news/press releases
East County Shared Ministry celebrates October with several events.