www.thepress.net | Local news you can trust!
Vol. 16, No. 51
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
City council members sworn in by Heather Brewer
December 16, 2016
The New Face Of Farming
Staff Writer
At a special meeting this week, the Oakley City Council swore in a new member and two incumbents, and reorganized to select a new mayor and vice mayor. Kevin Romick, Doug Hardcastle and newcomer Claire Alaura took their oaths at the council chambers, in front of a packed house filled with family, friends and colleagues. The council also selected a new mayor and vice mayor and said goodbye to an outgoing member. Romick, who earned the nickname Mayor Everywhere while serving as mayor over the past year, expressed his gratitude for the continued opportunity to serve his community. “I’ve really enjoyed the past year,” he said. “Among many accomplishments, we have formed our own police department, exsee Council page 26
Winery project gets underway, possibly signaling a shift in area farming practices. Page 4
Little Letters For Santa
Photo by Heather Brewer
From right, Oakley City Council members Kevin Romick, Doug Hardcastle and Claire Alaura are sworn in during a special meeting this week. The council also said goodbye to an outgoing member and selected a new mayor and vice mayor.
Children brought their wish lists to The Press building for special delivery to Santa. Page 20
Former employee files suit against OUESD Season Over Plaintiff under criminal investigation by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
A former Oakley Union Elementary School District (OUESD) employee, who is suing the district for wrongful termination, sexual harassment and defamation of character, is under criminal investigation by the Oakley Police Department and the District Attorney’s office. Brentwood resident Jeanine Davis was the subject of two search warrants issued in May and November of this year, according to Lt. Eric Navarro of the Oakley Police Department. The first warrant was
“ There is an ongoing, criminal investigation, and as part of that investigation, we have search warrants.
”
Chris Thorsen, Oakley chief of police issued for a private internet provider address and the second, filed just a few weeks ago, is for a residence and specifies a search of electronic devices. “There is an ongoing, criminal investigation, and as part of that investigation, we have search warrants,” said Oakley Chief of Police Chris Thorsen. “But we cannot comment further at this time.” Davis, a former application analyst in the OUESD technology department, filed suit against the
district in Contra Costa Superior Court on Aug. 2, asking for damages and civil penalties against the district for wrongful termination. Davis also named former assistant and interim superintendent, Anne Allen, in the suit. According to the court documents, Davis was brought on with the district for a one-year probationary period beginning Feb. 2, 2015. In mid-2015, Davis claims her supervisor, Shane Hull, began making sexual advances toward her, ‘en-
gaged in unwanted touching’ and made her feel uncomfortable. Davis claims that when she learned a paid intern had been treated similarly by Hull, she decided to report his behavior to human resources. According to court records, on Jan. 7, Hull asked to meet with Davis privately and intimated that the situation would go away if she did not report him to human resources. On Jan. 8, according to the court documents, the intern was let go and Davis made a complaint to Michele Gaudinier, the human resources director at that time. Gaudinier resigned from the district in the spring of 2016. Hull, who resigned on Feb. 8, was hired as a technology expert by the neighboring Byron Union see OUESD page 26
Foster Farms Bowl go to news/WebExtras!
✔Plan your weekend. ✔Join a class. ✔Register for sports.
Connect with The Press!
Scan QR code with your mobile device.
Find & Post Events for FREE! thepress.net/calendar
The Foster Farms Bowl has selected the finalists in the ‘Oh Say, Can You Sing?’ contest.
For Falcons
Freedom High School’s historic football season ends with a 4940 loss to St. Mary’s. Page 16 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................22 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Opinion..................................20 Pets.........................................12 Sports.....................................16
Insurance Award go to news/press releases
Commissioner Dave Jones receives national consumer advocacy award.