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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 11
City explores Growing Trees pot laws
March 17, 2017
Real Estate In East County
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The City of Oakley has begun examining how it might regulate or prohibit certain activities tied to marijuana in light of the state’s passage of Proposition 64 in November, which legalized use of the drug and generally allows possession and transportation of certain amounts. Based on the input of the city council, it’s expected one or more ordinances will be brought fourth aimed at topics such as the regulation of indoor cultivation of marijuana, delivery of the drug to residences within city limits and reaffirming the city’s outdoor-cultivation ban to make it clear it applies to both medical and nonmedical marijuana. “We should try to control as much over the process as we can as a city,” said City Councilman Kevin Romick. Under the proposition, the city may ban outdoor grows, excluding greenhouses. It cannot ban indoor grows – classified as six plants per residence or in a backyard greenhouse – but may enact a lisee Pot page 26A
Check out the latest trends, tips and growth projections in this week’s special edition. Page 1B
Saying No To Panhandlers Photo courtesy of City of Oakley
O
akley Brownie Troop 30965 with Councilmember Claire Alaura, far right, Councilmember Doug Hardcastle, far left, Mayor Sue Higgins, front with girls, and Vice Mayor Randy Pope, back row in sunglasses, gathered at Crockett Park to plant several trees and learn about the importance of trees and tree care in honor of Arbor Day. Typically, National Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday in April, however, a number of states honor this day at other times. Brownies in attendance were front left; Madison Dunn, Isabelle Vosburg, Ashlie Parker and Natalie Azevedo.
High water levels restrict Delta access “ The purpose of the closures is to keep recre-
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services has restricted travel in large portions of the south Delta as a safety precaution in light of high water levels. “The purpose of the closures is to keep recreational boating away from emergency crews that could be dealing with flooding or levee breaks,” said Michael Cockrell, director of the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services. “The closures are also meant to reduce wave action against levees, the risk of injury or death if levee breaches occur and interference if emergency crews are needed.” Boaters leaving from Discovery Bay and headed east on Indian Slough to Old River are restricted
ational boating away from emergency crews that could be dealing with flooding or levee breaks.
”
Michael Cockrell, San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services from turning south on Old River or traveling down in the areas near Woodward Cut, Victoria Slough or Ski Beach. Traffic on Old River north of Victoria Slough and Woodward Cut to the San Joaquin River deepwater channel will be open to all boat traffic with a 5-mph, no-wake zone (speed limit) in place from two hours before posted high tide to two hours after posted high tide. These same speed restrictions
are in place for boaters on the north side of the Orwood Railroad Bridge at Old River, heading east on Railroad Slough (the south end of Bacon Island); north on Middle River past Bullfrog Marina and Bacon Island swing bridge; east on Empire Cut (the north end of Lower Jones Tract); north on Whiskey Slough, under the McDonald River Bridge; and past Tiki Lagoon Marina and Turner Cut Resort to the San Joaquin River.
Mildred Island has been designated as the recreational area for pleasure boaters while closures are in place. There is no estimated date when the restrictions will be lifted, although it could be a while, given the high water flows and large snowpack, according to Cockrell. Incident commanders and reclamation crews are evaluating the closures every three days, checking such things as water level and the presence of erosion, debris or wave washing. Discovery Bay resident Frank Morgan, owner of Captain Morgan’s Delta Adventures, said Discovery Bay residents are receptive to the closures now that the closures have been loosened by see Delta page 26A
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BART’s Warm Springs Extension will open for service on Saturday, March 25.
Antioch officials are dissuading panhandling and offering advice to the public. Page 5A
Heritage Falls In Semifinals
Patriots finish with strong effort, but James Logan wins with 5851 victory. Page 17A Calendar.............................27A Classifieds..........................22A Cop Logs.............................25A Education............................. 7A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Milestones.........................13A Pets........................................ 2A Sports..................................17A
Driverless Cars
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The California DMV releases proposed regulations for testing of driverless cars.