YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 49
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City settles with Shea Homes over fire station
Welcoming Christmas
M
embers of the Oakley City Council and jolly old Saint Nick himself gathered for a photo op at the City of Oakley’s annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 2. The family-friendly event featured music, refreshments, arts and crafts and more. Pictured from left: Councilmembers Kevin Romick and Doug Hardcastle, Councilmember Claire Alaura and Mayor Sue Higgins, and Santa Claus.
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The City of Oakley recently finalized a settlement with Shea Homes over the builder’s alleged failure to construct a fire station. Shea Homes will give the city $3.7 million to build a fire station at the corner of East Cypress Road and Summer Lake Drive for use by the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD). The funds will also allow the district to purchase a new fire engine. “We are pleased that issues regarding the to-be-built fire station near the Summer Lakes subdivision have been
Standing up for the Delta
Assemblymember Jim Frazier hosted a town hall meeting to discuss the financial viability of the California WaterFix in Walnut Grove, on Thursday, Nov. 30. Seen here, constituents form a line to voice their concerns during the public comment portion of the meeting.
by Tony Kukulich Correspondent
Photo by Tony Kukulich
there and destroy life up here.” The proposed California WaterFix project would use three intakes to draw water from the Delta just south of Sacramento and then channel that water 30 miles to the south. The water would be conveyed through
two tunnels, each measuring 40 feet in diameter and buried 150 feet below ground. The price tag for the construction is estimated to be $17 billion, though many believe the final
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Joy To The Season
Ring in the holidays with friends, family, great food, shopping and more. Page 1B
Offering A Helping Hand
Photo courtesy of the City of Oakley
see Fire page 26
A recent town hall meeting on the controversial WaterFix project gave those whose lives and livelihoods are most dependent upon the Delta a chance to make their voices heard – and they did not hold back. Attended by more than 200 people, the meeting was held in the Jean Harvey Community Center in Walnut Grove and cohosted by Assemblymember Jim Frazier and California State Senator Bill Dodd, who are members of the Delta Caucus. After nearly two hours of presentations by politicians, economists and government agencies, the floor opened for public comment. Russell Ooms, a resident of nearby Locke, expressed a common sentiment during his allotted two minutes. “This project will not sustain life if it goes through,” Ooms said. “I don’t want 10 corporations in the south to kill life in our Delta in the north — to sustain life down
December 8, 2017
see Delta page 26A
Ag Training
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State Department of Food and Agriculture embarks on new food safety training.
Community members rally around local family struck by tragedy. Page 5A
One For The Record Books
Heritage boys’ basketball team wins McKinleyville tournament for fifth year in a row. Page 19A Calendar............................. 27A Classifieds.......................... 23A Cop Logs............................. 25A Entertainment.................. 10A Food..................................... 11A Health & Beauty............... 12A Opinion............................... 18A Pets...................................... 16A Sports.................................. 19A
Study Abroad
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Students have opportunity to study abroad with local exchange program.