YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 13
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Construction technology center slated for Freedom
Playing that funky music
Staff Writer
see Technology page 18A
Unifying The Community Photo by Tony Kukulich
T
he Pittsburg California Theater hosted Funk Festival featuring EQ and 1st Avenue Revue in Pittsburg, Saturday, March 23. The band played a variety of classic and contemporary funk tunes that kept the crowd on their feet for much of the show. To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
Drought over, but officials urging continued water conservation by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
Last week, as snowpack in the Sierra Nevada measured more than 150 percent of its average, California was declared free of drought for the first time in more than seven years. As reported by United States Drought Monitor on March 19, “California emerged from drought conditions for the first week since Dec. 11, 2011, breaking its 376-week streak.” But California weather is nothing if not fickle, and boomor-bust weather cycles appear to be the new norm for the state. During a speech at the American
“ Just because we’ve had a few wet winters doesn’t mean we abandon our water conservation efforts.
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Miki Tsubota, director of public works/city engineer for the City of Brentwood Water Works Association conference in Sacramento on Tuesday, March 26, California Secretary for Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot, said that he expects wet winters will be wetter, and dry winters will be drier. Water managers across East County echoed that sentiment and stressed the importance of
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Auto Guide offers plenty of news on upkeep, technology and safety. Page 1B
by Kyle Szymanski Crews will soon begin building a construction technology facility on the Freedom High School campus. Once completed, students will be the ones picking up the tools to learn the tricks of the trade. The center — slated to break ground this summer and open in 2021 — will house the school’s future construction technology program, shaping students into budding construction professionals. “It will be a great opportunity for our students to get some of that hands-on training on our campus,” said Freedom Principal Kelly Manke, “and hopefully make direct connections to the community to get jobs after
March 29, 2019
continued conservation. “Just because we’ve had a few wet winters doesn’t mean we abandon our water conservation efforts,” said Miki Tsubota, director of public works/city engineer for the City of Brentwood. “Likewise, a wet winter doesn’t mean our residents will see any drastic changes to
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our water quality or supply. We know that drought conditions can arrive just as fast as they diminish. We have always, and will continue to encourage our residents to conserve water.” Dan Muelrath, general manager for Diablo Water District, which serves Oakley and portions of Bethel Island and Knightsen, said that as drought conditions ease, talk of conservation transitions to efficiency. He noted that water use per hookup in his district has dropped by more than 20 percent over the last 10 years — falling from 480 to 380 gallons per day, see Drought page 18A
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Unified Prom gearing up for a parade, dancing, music and fun. Page 6A
Spiking Their Way To History
Heritage boys’ volleyball off to 16-1 start as they look toward second league title. Page 11A Auto Guide. .........................1B Calendar.............................17A Classifieds..........................13A Entertainment..................10A Health & Beauty...............19A Opinion................................. 9A Pets........................................ 8A Sports..................................11A
Open Mic Night
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Celebrate the written word at Brentwood’s Open Mic night.