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Vol. 16, No. 32
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Downtown projects in the works
You get a line, I’ll get a pole
August 5, 2016
Dancing To The Music
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The City of Oakley has embarked on a series of projects in its continued effort to make downtown a friendly place for businesses and pedestrians. The improvements are slated for Main Street from Norcross Lane to Second Street, and are expected to include a signal at Norcross Lane, a new sidewalk, increased street lighting and landscaped medians. “This is a continuation of the pedestrianand business-friendly downtown that is more walkable and safe,” said Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery The effort follows the installation of a new storm drain line on Main Street, which began in mid-July and is expected to run until early September. The more noticeable improvements are expected to begin in the fall and last three to five months. Both projects are being done at night to minimize the impact on residents and merchants, Montgomery said. see Downtown page 30
From classic rock and pop, to country and blues, it’s all here for area music lovers. Page 6
Hunting For Stories
Photo courtesy of the City of Oakley
T
he City of Oakley is hosting the 13th-annual Kids Fishing Derby, on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Antioch and Oakley pier, off Bridgehead Road. The free derby is for children up to age 15. Preregistration is available at City Hall and at Dan’s Delta Outdoors, 1625 Main St., in Oakley. Children may also register the day of the event at the pier, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The derby runs from 9 to 11 a.m. Free bait will be available. Please bring your fishing pole, as only a few loaner poles will be available. For information, call 925-625-7044 or coelho@ci.oakley.ca.us.
Brentwood Library hosts first StoryWalk, inviting residents to stroll and read. Page 4
Chasing The Olympic Dream
District struggling despite new station by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
East Contra Costa Fire reopened its Knightsen station in July, but critical issues remain for the four-station district, Fire Chief Hugh Henderson told the fire board this week. “We are still averaging about eight hours a month that we have no resources, so we are no where from fixing this problem,” Henderson said. “We need to continue to focus on letting people know the situation that we are in.” Response times district wide improved by six seconds to
“ We are still averaging about eight hours
a month that we have no resources, so we are no where from fixing this problem.
”
Hugh Henderson, ECCFPD fire chief 8 minutes, 21 seconds with the fourth station in service in July, but many calls went unanswered due to all resources being tied up. Eight times during July, all resources were tied, totaling 11 hours, 38 minutes of time where no district engines were available to respond to calls. During that period, ambulances
handled medical calls, and mutual aide from Contra Costa Fire, Alameda County Fire, San Ramon Valley Fire and Federal Fire out of Concord were required to handle fire calls. The district’s vulnerability was especially apparent on July 2, 3 and 4, when the district handled 84 calls and were unable to
respond to 18 others. During that stretch, Henderson was required to respond solo to a reported vegetation fire in Discovery Bay, while all district crews were fighting a fouracre fire in Brentwood, on July 3. The call was a false alarm, but crews from three different fire departments, including Concord, Livermore and Danville, were the closest available units had additional help been required. Just minutes after that call, outside district engines from Bay Point, Concord and Livermore were required to assee District page 30
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Heritage tae kwon do fighter CJ Nickolas is pursuing a place in the 2020 Olympics. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................26 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................14 Milestones............................25 Opinion..................................20 Pets.........................................15 Sports.....................................21
Delta Diablo
go to news/press releases Delta Diablo expands residential recycled water fill station hours on Wednesdays.