Oakley Press 07.29.16

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 16, No. 31

Schools to teach LGBT curriculum

July 29, 2016

A New Hero Among Us

Welcome back

by Amy Schrader Correspondent

Public schools in Contra Costa County and the state are one step closer to adding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) curriculum into the classrooms. On July 14, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, announced that the State Board of Education voted to approve the history and social sciences framework for California Public Schools, which will update and upgrade history and social-science instruction in California. The framework adds information about civic learning; financial literacy; voter education; genocide; and the contributions of LGBT Americans and people with disabilities to the history of California and the U.S. “This is a big win for our students,” said Torlakson.

Former Brentwood resident Brandon Gruber honored by “People”magazine. Page 4

Harvesting A Healthy Life Photo by Tony Kukulich

D

elta Vista Middle School students Tana Corrado, Kyleigh Kahoalii, Jaylynn Joaquin, Hailey Richards and Katrina Paoli are all smiles on their first day back to school. The Oakley Union Elementary School District started classes on July 27, the remaining surrounding school districts begin on Aug. 1.

see LGBT page 30

Highway 4 cameras combat dangers by Corey Hunt Correspondent

A new surveillance program has local police officers stepping out of their traditional roles in a fight to keep commuters safe from dangers on the freeways. These expanded efforts are being made possible by more than a dozen state-of-the-art cameras and license plate readers, which came online earlier this month along a swathe of Highway 4 in Pittsburg. They are all operating under the control of that city’s police department, after state authorities backed the proposal and relinquished some of their jurisdiction. It is hoped that the cameras can locate evidence relating to fatalities and other gang-related incidents on the freeway in recent months. So far, they appear to be

“ It’s proving to be

very helpful. When a wanted vehicle is identified on the freeway … it’s sent to our computer screens within seconds.

Capt. Tom Raman Pittsburg police spokesman

paying dividends. While the results fall outside of the gang showdown and its trail of victims, police officials say they have already netted several arrests, recovered multiple stolen vehicles and obtained critical in-

formation, thanks to the license plate reading devices. “It’s proving to be very helpful,” said Capt. Ron Raman, a Pittsburg police spokesman. “When a wanted vehicle is identified on the freeway … it’s sent to our computer screens within seconds.” The reason for installing the cameras was two-pronged. Officers hope to deter those thinking of using Highway 4 as a theater for their illicit activities and apprehend those who actually go through with it. Although Pittsburg has had dozens of cameras operating on all key streets and intersections within its boundaries for years, the Highway 4 route that splits the community of nearly 70,000 previously did not have any, as freeways are normally managed by the California Department of

Transportation (CalTrans) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). However, those two agencies supported the city when Chief Brian Addington proposed erecting the cameras to city councilmembers in a staff report, just days after 28-year old Uriel Reynoso Moreno of Antioch was shot to death on April 19, near Highway 4’s westbound Loveridge Road exit, an incident that officials deemed gang-related. “When we brought up this notion of installing cameras, CHP and CalTrans played a very important role,” said Raman. “They helped us get the permit process done quickly and also assisted in closing off the freeway while our vendors put the cameras up.” see Cameras page 30

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Last chance to donate school supplies to military families approaches.

Healthy, organic and delicious food options are available right here in East County. Page 12

Off To The Little Leagues

Oakley umpire Roger Buhlis tapped for Little League World Series. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................25 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................19 Milestones..............................8 Opinion..................................20 Pets.........................................18 Sports.....................................21

AB 2654

go to news/press releases Sen. Bonilla’s AB 2654 was recently signed into law by the Governor Brown.


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