YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 7
READ FAMILY-FRIENDLY NEWS AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Tree care may fall on residents
Guide To Wedded Bliss
Freedom’s reign
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The City of Oakley is moving closer to cutting down tree maintenance disputes with an amended ordinance. The new regulations, which could be introduced as soon as the Feb. 26 council meeting, will require property owners to maintain their trees to avoid damage or interference to public rights of way and neighboring land. “Basically, property owners will now be responsible for their trees, from the roots all the way to the very top of the trees,” said City Attorney Derek Cole. “That includes the trunk, the branches, the canopy, the roots, and any manner in which a tree can interfere with public rights of way or neighboring properties.” see Tree page 18A
This week’s special edition highlights all the ways to make the Big Day one to remember. Page 1B
A Lesson On Inclusiveness Photo by Tony Kukulich
S
ophomore defender Hector Alcaraz, heads the ball during the varsity Freedom vs. Heritage soccer game on Feb. 7. Freedom’s last second 2-1 win over Heritage secured the Falcons’ second Bay Valley Athletic League title in three years. To read the full story, see page 11. To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
East County dog trainer, owner charged with cruelty to animals by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
The owner and a trainer of an East County dog training and boarding business have been charged by the Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney (DA) with eight felony counts of animal cruelty following the death of a dog left in their care. Garry Frank Reynolds, the 37-year-old owner of NorCal K9, and Devon Benjamin Ashby, a 30-year-old trainer employed by Reynolds, were charged in December 2018, after Antioch police removed seven dogs from an Antioch residence associated with Reynolds and Ashby. Scott
“ I have never hurt a dog. I’ve never done anything to hurt a client or a dog.
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Garry Frank Reynolds Alonso, public information officer for the DA, said that Antioch police were prompted to investigate the business after receiving written complaints from former clients. Detective Geis of the Antioch Police Department (APD) said that of the seven dogs the APD seized in June, one was returned to its owner and six were euthanized after it was determined that the dogs were so aggressive they could
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not be rehabilitated. A charge of animal cruelty indicates that the defendant allegedly caused unnecessary cruelty upon an animal, abused an animal and failed to provide the animal with proper food, drink or shelter from the weather. During an interview with The Press, Reynolds said that he was working in Southern California at the time that Antioch police seized
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the dogs and that the dogs were removed from the Ashby’s home. “I have never hurt a dog,” said Reynolds. “I’ve never done anything to hurt a client or a dog. The whole thing with the other dogs, it had nothing to do with me. One of my staff was doing that. They didn’t come to my house to seize dogs...I wasn’t at that house. I wasn’t living in that house.” The DA’s criminal complaint specifies May 3, 2018 as the date that the alleged abuse took place, though the seizure of the animals occurred several weeks later. Reynolds confirmed that one of the dogs identified in the DA’s see Dog page 18A
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Library hosts Drag Queen Storytime event at Brentwood Community Center. Page 5A
Liberty Falls in NCS Opener
It was a heartbreaking end to a strong season for Liberty boys’ basketball. Page 11A Calendar.............................17A Classifieds..........................14A Food.......................................9A Health & Beauty.................4A Milestones.........................19A Pets........................................8A Sports..................................11A
Humane Gesture www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
The Delta Humane Society is encouraging donations to their cause.