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Vol. 16, No. 43
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Police department adding staff
Day Scaring up a good time Election Information
L
exy Stuth, 7, from Antioch, brought her Halloween spirit and costume to the eighthannual Harvest Festival held last weekend in Oakley. More than 600 children and their families attended the annual event in their colorful costumes. The event featured parades, pets, pies, performances and plenty of fun. Festivities kicked off with a performance by students from the Keep in Time Dance Academy and ended with a performance by the East County Performing Arts Center. Local animal-rescue groups were also on hand with information, giveaways and dogs ready for adoption.
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The City of Oakley is beefing up its police force. Drawing on savings from the switch from the sheriff’s department to its own force in May, the city plans to add a traffic officer, K-9 officer, problem-oriented policing (POP) officer and an investigative sergeant. The additions will increase the force to 33 members. “We need to add staff for some of the challenges we have,” said Oakley Police Chief Chris Thorsen. Oakley will save about $1.6 million in salary and benefits this fiscal year after breaking away from the sheriff’s department. “We are well-known as one of the safest cities in the state,” said Mayor Kevin Romick. “Over the last several years, we have been ranked in the top 50, and we need to continue that by adding more police officers and continuing to encourage the community to help in the policing of our neighborhoods.” These new officers, the first since 2008, will hit the streets by the first quarter of next year, at an annual
Photo by Tony Kukulich
see Police page 30A
Mobile clinic rolls onto school campuses by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
For the past several weeks, students at Liberty and Freedom high schools have had access to the Contra Costa Mobile Health Clinic – a recent addition to the Liberty Union High School District (LUHSD), but a longtime program in school districts throughout the county. The clinic is designed to provide students who are uninsured or low-income with services ranging from sports physicals and screenings to well-child exams, hearing and vision screenings, immunizations and treatment of minor infections and illnesses. How-
“ This is about providing care for students
who might not otherwise have access to health care.
”
LUHSD Superintendent Eric Volta ever, students with insurance coverage can also arrange to meet with healthcare professionals. The clinic currently serves more than 40 campuses throughout Contra Costa County. According to Kelly Manke, Freedom High School principal, response to the program has been positive. “The mobile health clinic
has been very well received by our students, faculty and the community,” said Manke. “We are so happy that our students are able to receive the care that they might not otherwise have been able to receive, including sports physicals and vaccinations. Our parent community has been very supportive with this new opportunity, and Contra Costa Health Services
Department and their support staff have been a wonderful addition to our site.” Manke added that the need for services has been so great the once-a-week clinic will be coming to campus twice a week on a temporary basis. According to Menke, there have been approximately 50 visits to the clinic in the past few weeks. “I believe there is an increased need for services because of the accessibility and the realization that the mobile health clinic is a safe place for students,” Manke said. “Most of the requests are for physicals and confidential services.” see Clinic page 30A
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The Press gives you the scoop on all the local candidate races and advisory measures. Page 1B
Trouble In River City
Local teens star in upcoming theater production of “The Music Man Jr.” Page 10A
Racing To The Finish Line
Discovery Bay resident and crew win Catalina Ski Race for second year in a row. Page 22A Business................................ 8A Calendar.............................31A Classifieds..........................26A Entertainment..................10A Health & Beauty...............14A Milestones.........................18A Opinion...............................20A Pets......................................12A Sports..................................22A
Cards For Troops
Recycle Mattresses
Rep. McNerney announces start of annual “Holiday Cards for Our Troops” program.
The Bye Bye Mattress program recycles mattresses for free, saving raw materials.
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October 21, 2016
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