YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 42
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Former public works director to fill vacant council seat by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
For 17 years, Bailey Grewal worked for the city of Brentwood. Now he’ll be working for the city’s residents. Grewal, whose time with Brentwood included 10 years as director of public works before retiring in 2015, was selected Tuesday to fill the city council seat vacated by the resignation of Steve Barr. “It’s great that the council has shown confidence in me,” he said after being selected. “I am very thankful to the residents, to city staff, to the city council.” Expected to be sworn in during Brent-
wood’s Oct. 24 council meeting, Grewal will serve out Barr’s term through December 2018. Barr resigned in mid-September amid plans to move to far Northern California. Grewal beat out 10 other candidates for the position, including Janalyn Aubert, John Fink, Douglas Hartsough, Peter Jacoway, Joseph Krissoff, Mark Murray, Russell Pitkin, Mark Stoiber, Jamie Tobin and Joseph Trebino. Each was given 10 minutes to speak to the council prior to the final decision. Mayor Bob Taylor, Vice Mayor Joel Bryant and Councilmember Claudette Staton all gave the nod to Grewal, while Councilmember Karen Rarey voted for John Fink. see Council page 30
Taking The Stage
Heritage High School grad Ilianna Viramontes auditions for “The Voice.” Page 5
Halloween Happenings Photo courtesy of City of Brentwood
Former Brentwood Director of Public Works Bailey Grewal has been appointed by the city council to fill the seat left vacant with the resignation of Steve Barr.
ECCFPD offers mutual aid, support Staff Writers
see Support page 30
Heritage girls’ tennis team secures its legacy with fifth consecutive BVAL win. Page 21
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Firefighters from the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Engine 53 deployed to the North Bay to assist with firefighting efforts. Pictured are Brandon Earhart, Bill Scott, Tom LoCoco and Cole Smith. To view additional photos, see page 20. To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia. To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows.
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Goblins, ghosts and witches have plenty of haunts to visit this Halloween. Page 10
Five-Time Winners
by Kyle Szymanski and Tony Kukulich Amid the ash and rubble of Santa Rosa’s Fountaingrove area, which was ravaged by one of a deadly dozen North Bay wildfires, East Contra Costa firefighters found a glimmer of hope last Saturday. Sifting through the ruins of the Skelly family’s home for only seconds, fire engineer Bill Scott turned over Lisa Skelly’s engagement ring – damaged but intact. The discovery, one positive moment in a landscape of despair, was one of many emotional moments of the crew’s first days providing mutual aid up north. At least a dozen North Bay fires erupted last week, killing at least 41 and destroying about 6,000 homes. “Today is an overwhelming level of destruction,” said Captain Brandon Earhart of the crew’s Oct. 14 assignment to patrol the Fountaingrove area, looking for hot spots and aiding residents. “It is sobering, difficult to grasp. We’re in a neighbor-
October 20, 2017
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Cheer Sponsor
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Brentwood cheer squad receives donation from Pleasanton Harvest Festival.
Business...............................14 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................26 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................10 Food........................................11 Health & Beauty..................19 Milestones............................15 Pets.........................................18 Sports.....................................21
Be A Host
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Council for Educational Travel USA is looking for local host families.