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RY 14 FEBRU A YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
February 10, 2017
Downtown Celebrating National projects on School Week the horizon T
Honoring The Dogs Of War
Vol. 17, No. 6
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The future of Oakley’s downtown is slowly taking shape, and more major projects are on the horizon. In the coming years, the city plans to welcome a two-story, mixed-use building comprised of retail and office space; widen Main Street; usher in a new Amtrak train platform; and accommodate expected private development. “The overall goal, as outlined in the downtown specific plan, is to help the downtown be walkable and business-friendly – creating an economically viable and vibrant area people and businesses want to be in,” said Bryan Montgomery, Oakley city manager. In the spring, the city will begin a series of improvements to the Main Street corridor, including widening Main Street; installing a traffic signal at Norcross Lane and Main Street; and adding sidewalks, safety medians and landscaping from Norcross Lane to Fifth Street. The improvements, slated to cost $3.2 million, are expected to wrap up by the end of the year. The bulk of the cost will be covered see Downtown page 30
he Oakley Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated National School Week on Jan. 25 and 26, with Little Wonders Preschool in Oakley. National School Week was an unprecedented opportunity to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for children. The chamber would like to recognize all schools and thank them for all they do for children of all ages. They would also like to thank Little Wonders Preschool for participating in this year’s National School Week and celebrating early childhood education and kindergarten readiness. These organizations have some true superheroes soaring in education.
Two middle school students are helping the unsung heroes of war – military dogs. Page 4
Ban Sparks Local Protest
Trump’s plan to stop travel from certain countries meets resistance at LMC. Page 6
Falcons Soar To Title Win
Photo courtesy of Oakley Chamber of Commerce
WaterFix project closer to reality “ The governor is just so obsessed … it’s his
by Corey Hunt Correspondent
Supporters of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to install two massive tunnels and reset waterpumping operations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are cautiously upbeat amid a political transition that has brought relations between the federal government and the state of California close to the breaking point. The uptick in optimism for the future of the California WaterFix project came last month when Sally Jewell, former secretary of
absolute highest priority right now.
”
Michael Brodsky, environmental lawyer the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), issued an executive order that accelerated key deadlines necessary for approval of the project – dashing the hopes of some activists who hoped the previous administration could shut it down before handing over the reigns. Specifically, the order speeds up
the research needed for the biological opinion (BO), conducted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and calls for the final results to be published in April. The BO is a key link in the long list of permitting, approvals and signatures needed to break ground on the roughly $15 billion project.
“Unfortunately, I would say none of this is surprising,” said Michael Brodsky, an environmental attorney who has represented the Save The California Delta Alliance (STCDA) in numerous legal battles. “The governor is just so obsessed – if that’s not too strong of a word –with this project that he’s putting pressure on everybody, everywhere … it’s his absolute highest priority right now, and there’s no doubt he wants to get it approved before he leaves office.” Brodsky went on to say that see WaterFix page 30
The Freedom Falcons edge out Pittsburg, locking up the team’s first-ever league title. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................25 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................15 Milestones............................12 Opinion..................................20 Pets.........................................19 Sports.....................................21
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