The Press 04.12.2024

‘If

you’re hesitating there for a second, you could be in trouble’

Council still seeks solutions for Vineyards Parkway pedestrian safety

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

The Brentwood City Council is continuing to explore ways to make Vineyards Parkway, a stretch of road near the Trilogy retirement community, safer for drivers and pedestrians. The road has a history of accidents, including one that resulted in the death of a Trilogy resident, publicly identified only as Terry, last year.

“We are deeply concerned regarding the recent tragedy at our community entrance,” Joe Young, president of the Vineyards at Marsh Creek Owners Association, told the council, referencing the death. “There are many things we’d like to work with you on. Here, we think the ultimate solution will require a stoplight at this location.”

The search for a long-term safety solution has been a recurring topic at council meetings, with the City Council having voted 5-0 during their Dec. 12 meeting to have staff looking into potential solutions. According to the agenda packet for the April 9 meeting, those potential solutions included obtaining and installing additional flashing beacons, increasing the duration for flashing beacons

The Brentwood City Council is continuing to work with city staff on a potential solution to make Vineyards Parkway safer for pedestrians.

and considering the installation of additional speed limit signs.

According to Director of Engineering Allen Baquilar, in the time since the December meeting, city staff has:

• Looked into whether or not stop signs can be added to the intersection of Solera

see Council page 22

Their goal: protect Delta natural habitat

Plans underway for project to restore wetlands in Knightsen

By Sean Tongson Correspondent

The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy has partnered with the East Bay Regional Park District to develop plans to restore wetlands aimed at protecting habitats while enhancing the environmental quality in the Delta.

Known as the Knightsen Wetland Restoration Project, the project entails restoring a 645-acre property in the western Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in between Delta Road and Sunset Road to a “mosaic” of wetland and upland habitats seeking to benefit state and federally threatened and endangered species in addition to providing support to other migratory birds and species native to the Delta.

The property was acquired in 2016 for conservation purposes with feasibility studies beginning prior to the land acquisition in 2012. Since then, assessment of the site, planning, and project design have been ongoing.

“The project will transform land that has been managed primarily as irrigated agriculture and pasture to habitat for state and federal threatened and endangered species,” said Executive Director of East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy Abigail Fateman. “Approximately $3 million will have been spent on planning, design, permitting, and pre-construction activities related to the restoration project.”

According to Fateman, the project intends to provide habitat for the western pond turtle, the giant garter snake, the tricolored blackbird, the Swainson’s hawk, the western burrowing owl, the golden

eagle, the vernal pool branchiopods, and the Northern California legless lizard. Habitats planned for restoration include (estimated):

• 265 acres of grassland

• 123 acres of freshwater Tidal Wetland

• 85 acres of Oak Savanna

• 65 acres of wetland to grassland transitional habitat

• 59 acres of seasonal wetland

• 20 acres of interior dune

• 17 acres of slough

According to the project website, other benefits to the project include:

• conservation of open space

• improvement of Delta water

see Delta page 22

Oakley moves to improve drinking water

City Council approves canal replacement agreement

By Hemananthani Sivanandam Correspondent

In a meeting on Tuesday night, April 9, the Oakley City Council approved the design and construction agreement with the Contra Costa Water District to put the canal underground on East Cypress Road at Jersey Island Road.

The water district has completed the majority of its canal replacement project except for segment 5A, located at East Cypress Road. This segment remains the final piece needed to culminate the project and connect Segment 4 and Segment 5.

According to the Water District’s website, the main section of the Contra Costa Canal, which is from Knightsen all the way to north Concord, is pivotal to delivering water to more than 500,000 people in central and eastern Contra Costa County. Since 2009, about 14,000 feet of unlined canal has been replaced with a buried pipeline. A buried pipeline will improve the quality of drinking water and climate resiliency,

see Water page 22

Photo by Andrew Rulloda

CHP recovers 414 stolen vehicles in East Bay

The California Highway Patrol has recovered 414 stolen vehicles, made 181 arrests, and seized more than 30 firearms linked to crimes in the East Bay as part of undercover sting operations and law enforcement surges over the past eight weeks, according to a press release.

Throughout continuous law enforcement operations, suspects have been arrested by the CHP for charges including possession of stolen property, auto theft, transportation of narcotics, DUI, and felony gun possession, as well as arrests for outstanding warrants.

The CHP continues undercover operations and uniformed patrol and coordinates with local law enforcement agencies. CHP’s initial surge was announced by the governor on Feb. 14.

The announcement of the re -

covered vehicles is part of Gov. Newsom’s ongoing effort to improve public safety in the East Bay, including through a temporary CHP surge operation and increased enforcement focused on combating auto theft, cargo theft, retail crime, violent crime, and high-visibility traffic enforcement.

Late last month, Newsom announced that the state is installing a network of 480 high-tech cameras in Oakland and on East Bay state highways and freeways to aid state and local law enforcement in identifying vehicles linked to crimes using real-time information and alerts.

But the announcement did not specify which East Bay state highways, including Highway 4 through the Delta, would be having the same cameras installed.

414 vehicles were recovered as part of Gov. Newsom’s ongoing effort to improve public safety in the East Bay.

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

The past comes alive at East County Historical Museum opening for season

By Sarah Capperauld Correspondent

Mayor Joel Bryant has said in his last two State of the City addresses that Brentwood’s future is based partly on its illustrious past. Last weekend, that past was on full display at East Contra Costa Historical Museum’s opening day this year.

“Our motto is ‘Bringing History to life,” said Mary Casey Black, one of the organizers of the event on April 6 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the museum that started with a pancake breakfast the Brentwood Lions and Rotary Clubs with all proceeds going to the Historical Society.

“We have been updating all the displays for months,” Casey Black said.

The house, built in 1878, was called “The Byer/Nail House” because of the family that lived there. It was built by Jonathan Fancher as a boarding house for the train that was supposed to run along Sellers Avenue, which later became the train running through Brentwood. The historical landmark was later turned into a fully functional house and then a museum. The museum stands as a community landmark not just for third graders to enjoy but also the adults who remember that fond experience.

Last weekend’s opening event included ice cream churning, butter churning, laundry, games, and even a petting zoo with 14 animals provided by the Oakley 4H club.

“My mother in-law is one of the docents, so they reached out to us to bring a petting zoo,” said Danielle Cannon, a second-year alumna of Oakley 4H.

The event also featured a quilters guild and raffle. Carl Freemer, one of the

representatives of the quilters guild, said, “I’m most excited about probably just the heritage and the history. I’ve been here (in the area) for 30-plus years, and have never been here until today.”

Attendees explored each part of the displays created by volunteers.

Jerry Black, a volunteer at the Byer/ Nail House, was excited about the opening of the museum. “On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, we have two classes a week unless we have something else planned,” he said.

Casey Black explained some of the history of the outdoor exhibits there. “We take them into the caboose, which was taken from the 1800s, and the children get so excited climbing up the ladder and sitting looking out wearing the conductors hat.”

Another exhibit included The Eden Plain School house originally in 1868 taken from the Fletchers and moved over to the Byer/Nail House property. In the walls during the renovation of the school house was an chalkboard with actual words on it, and it can be found at the museum where an estimated 1,600 students come through annually, docents said.

see Museum page 7

Families gather around the petting zoo and games outside on the East County Historical Museum’s lawn during the April 6 season opening.

Photo by Sarah Capperauld

Junior Women’s Academy doubles as county Sheriff’s Office recruiting camp

By Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent

As part of its efforts to recruit women, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office will host the third annual Junior Women’s Academy from June 11-13 in Clayton.

The academy is designed for young women ages 14-18 to discover career pathways in law enforcement. It includes activities to educate and allow young women to experience the day-to-day duties of women serving in law enforcement, organizers say.

Assistant Sheriff Melissa Klawuhn said her department is reaching out to young women in high schools around the county to attend the camp.

“We want to expose these young ladies to all the opportunities in law enforcement, not just from a recruiting standpoint, but to just expose them to law enforcement because some may not be familiar with law enforcement or may be fearful of law enforcement,” Klawuhn said. “We want to show them we are human just like them, and give them a more positive perspective of law enforcement.”

The camp, which is free for attendees, is sponsored by outside organizations like Bay Alarm and Mercedes-Benz of Walnut Creek who cover meals and offset

costs for items given to the girls. Officers also provide transportation for any girls who need it, designating pickup sites at convenient locations like local schools. Klawuhn said that helps many participants, since Marsh Creek Springs, where the camp is located, is too far for some families. Transportation is available upon request.

Over the three days, Klawuhn said the girls develop relationships and learn self-assurance.

“One of the best parts of the camp is watching the girls grow in their confidence,” she said. “The first day they are all a little shy, and by the end, they are in teams and making friends and every girl who participates goes over the six-foot

wall together.”

She added that showing the girls they can do something together brings out positive changes in just the three days they have.

Applications are due by May 20. For more information, or to apply, visit https://joincocosheriff.org/junior-womens-academy/.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting its annual Junior Women’s Academy June 11-13. The academy is designed for young women ages 14-18 to discover career pathways in law enforcement.

Photos courtesy of Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office

White Pony Express starts its Spring Into Action fundraising campaign

White Pony Express’“Spring into Action” campaign is underway, and all donations up to $100,000 will be matched. White Pony Express relies on individual donations to ensure they they can meet the increasing demand for fresh, healthy food among their neediest neighbors.

The fundraising effort lasts through May 15, Communications and marketing manager Trish Heaney said in a press release.

In addition to its fundraising campaign, White Pony Express is moving to new headquarters. The new home will allow the organization to expand its services and efficiency while providing a welcoming environment for the volunteers. The move will also increase their ability to store donated fresh food by 250%.

White Pony Express recovers and delivers surplus fresh food to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food choices. Neighbor helping neighbor is the cornerstone of their volunteer-powered model, and is the most effective safeguard against hunger and poverty.

White Pony Express’s Food Rescue Program operates seven days a week, recovering a daily average of 10,000 pounds of highquality, surplus, fresh food from more than 75 local food outlets. This food is redistributed within 24 hours to 98 nonprofit partners who feed the most vulnerable individuals, the press release stated.

Last year, the organization delivered two million pounds of food to 43 recipients, the press release stated.

Through this work, they not only give people the food for the meals they need, but also help to achieve health outcomes, the reduction of harmful greenhouse gasses, and learning capacity for students at 16 school sites.

For more information or to donate, visit www.whiteponyexpress.org or https://donorbox.org/whiteponyexpress.

Residents can now pay court infractions fines online

As part of the California courts’ continuing effort to expand access to justice, effective

April 10, the Court will begin using MyCitations, an online option for those struggling to pay fines resulting from infractions.

MyCitations allows Court users to look up citations online, and to request a reduction in the amount owed based on their financial situation, a payment plan, more time to pay, or community service. This new option expands that service and allows users to make these requests without having to come to Court offices.

A link to the MyCitations tool will be available on the Court’s Traffic webpage at https://www.cc-courts.org/traffic, and the program may be found directly at https://mycitations.courts.ca.gov.

County seeks applicants for Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council

The County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants to serve on its 20-member Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC). Regular meetings of the Council and other standing committees are held at least quarterly based on a schedule adopted by the Council; that schedule may be changed or augmented as needed, according to a press release from the county.

Members have the option to serve on one subcommittee (Effective Prevention and Integrated Community Services Subcommittee). The following position is vacant and will be held for a two-year term: One community-based organization representative who understands community needs, challenges, and strengths residing or working within the county.

The JJCC is a multi-agency advisory body that contributes to the development and implementation of a countywide juvenile justice plan. It is composed of several parts, including an assessment of existing law enforcement, probation, education, mental health, health, social services, drugs, alcohol, and youth services resources.

It also will develop information sharing systems to ensure county actions are coordinated and equipped to provide data and appropriate outcome measures. The body is composed of the following members:

• 12 Ex Officio members:

• Chief Probation Officer, Chairperson

• District Attorney’s Office representative

• Public Defender’s Office representative

• Sheriff’s Office representative

• Board of Supervisors’ representative

• Employment and Human Services Department representative

• Behavioral Health Services (Mental health) representative

• County Alcohol and Drugs Division representative

• Public Health representative

• Juvenile Justice Commission Chairperson

• City Police Department representative (rotating between Richmond, Antioch, Pittsburg, Concord)

• County Office of Education or School District representative

• 8 additional members appointed by the Board of Supervisors:

• 4 at-large members residing or working within the County

• 2 Community-Based Organization representatives

• 2 At-large youth, 14 to 25 years old residing or working within the County Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, May 17. All applicants who submit by the deadline will be invited to the public interview process conducted by the Public Protection Committee. This committee will then recommend a selection of applicants for the Board of Supervisors to appoint. Interviews with the Public Protection Committee are on June 3,

and interviews with the Board of Supervisors will occur on July 9.

Applications can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling 925- 655-2000 or visiting the County webpage at http://www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418/.

Completed applications should be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us or mailed to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Office at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553..

Suspect in death of Antioch man on March 27 arrested

Antioch Police detectives used technolology and cameras mounted in the city to identify Jacob Crooks, 29, as the suspect in the death of Frank James, 36, on March 27. Antioch detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Crooks, which was also sent to neighboring police agencies, a press release stated.

On April 8, the Walnut Creek police arrested Crooks during a traffic stop, then he was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility in connection with James’ murder. This case will be presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

On March 27 at 5:22 a.m., Antioch police responded to the 600 block of E.18th Street, at the request of ConFire for a male who was found dead with an apparent gunshot wound inside a parked vehicle.

From kitchen to table: Heritage High students cook up Culinary Showcase

By

Two dozen culinary arts students at Heritage High School made big preparations to impress school staff and board members by hosting a culinary showcase led by Culinary Arts instructor, Chef Yamil Abed. He has been teaching Culinary Arts at Heritage for four years.

“I’ve usually done one big project every year, and this is our big one this year. It gives our students a real life experience to know what it’s like to work in a high end, high caliber restaurant” Abed said.

The classroom was converted to look and feel like a real restaurant, tables arranged and set up to seat two or four guests, lined with quality table cloths, rolled napkins, and even the menus were printed on high-quality card stock. The front of the house had captains and run-

ners. “The Captains will explain the food, and menu, each captain has a runner and they will help them deliver the food,” said Phillip Babbitt, a Culinary One student. “The Captain will explain what the meal is and what is inside the meal specifically.”

The menu featured dishes that included chorizo, tuna, duck, beef, and marshmallow smores ice cream for dessert. The students wore all-black attire to fit the high-end theme, and presented knowledgeable food information to their guests.

In the back of the house, a team of advanced culinary students prepared and plated each dish. Students such as Seth Riley, a Culinary Four senior, has been in the program since he was a freshman. As one of Abed’s advanced students, Riley has received help from Abed in getting a real job as a line cook.

“For tonight’s program, I am Chef De Partie, so I’ll be working on creating

my own course and plating it,” Riley said. “I’ve been learning so much from Chef, I have him every single day for both my A and B days.”

Elijah Glang, a Heritage High graduate, was also part of the kitchen staff. He is now a Sous Chef at Bouchon Bistro in Napa. “This experience is good for everyone, and I’m looking forward to helping lead tonight’s team in the kitchen,” Glang said.

On dessert duty waiting for her orders to be called was Camille Courchesne, a senior who said she hopes to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a pastry chef. This experience, she said, is the best stepping stone to achieving her dreams.

As the evening went on, every student performed their role, from greeting each guest at the front door and checking reservations to serving dishes that were plated as if it could have only come from a Michelin-level restaurant.

“The attention to detail, and the effort the kids are putting into this is real,” Principal Casey Lewis said.

“The food is great and they even provided us with a mixologist.”

“This is the first kind of event that we are running tonight, and I hope to run it every year if tonight is successful with our intro and advanced students, and then have the intro level student teach the new students their experience,” said Abed.

Heritage High School has an advanced kitchen where any student who signs up for this culinary program will learn valuable job skills, school officials and students said.

“I would definitely take the class,” Riley said, “It is 100 percent worth it, it is a very fun class, even if you just want to learn basic cooking.”

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia

Andrew Rulloda Staff Writer

Left photo: A mix of beginner and advanced Culinary Arts students are ready for their showcase. Right photo: Chef Yamil Abed, center, Sous Chef Elijah Glang, left, Chef De Partie Seth Riley, right, prepare plates For Culinary Showcase.

Photos by Andrew Rulloda

Museum from page 3

For many years, the Byer/Nail house was set up by Casey Black to become a place to bring third-grade classes to learn their local history. Sharon Johnson, docent of the Byer/Nail House House, has been with the museum for many years. Her connection to the house made being a docent so appealing.

“I grew up with Lori Nail, who is granddaughter of James Nail, who was the last owner of the house,” she said. “She lived not too far from here. I came here as a child around the same age as the third graders.”

Her favorite part of her job? “The third-grade program,’” she said. “They get so excited to hear and see stuff and what it is now and then.”

Oliver Cannon, an Oakley 4H member, said he loved the event. “The event is awesome,” he said. “I absolutely love it. Plus all the animals. I brought. four chickens and one rabbit, and one chicken even laid an egg.”

For Brandi Somers, a Brentwood resident visiting with her family, the event was exciting. “Overall, it was really

“

We have been updating all the displays for months.

”

Mary Casey Black, Event Organizer

wonderful,” she said. “The kids enjoyed looking at all the historical things.” Her daughter had attended the house as a part of the third-grade program back in 2022 and it has since become a great experience for her family. I was really happy to see so many people coming to support the opening since It’s such a hidden gem.”

She also said the petting zoo was a great touch because it was fun. “The volunteers were really wonderful with explaining it to my kids. I can’t wait to come back in two weeks with my son,” Somers said.

The museum is open on Saturdays and the third Sunday of each month, April through October, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 3890 Sellers Ave, Brentwood. For details, visit https://eastcontracostahistory.org/. To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows

THE TRIALS AND TRAVAILS OF INTESTACY

By Todd W. Moeller, Moeller Estate Law

The reasons for not setting up an estate plan vary, from thinking you’re too young or still without children to being single or denying the fact that at some point, it will be too late to do anything. Many people believe that if their assets do not exceed a certain value, they needn’t worry about an estate plan. That is incorrect. Failing to create an estate plan, more often than not, produces turmoil when you die.

Passing away without a will or trust is referred to as dying intestate. It is so common that states have created statutes to address the issue of intestacy, California included. Trusts and wills address numerous issues such as who will care for minor children, how and when assets will be distributed, who will oversee the distribution of those assets, and how taxes will be paid. If you die without the proper estate planning documents in place, California law determines how and to whom your assets will be distributed.

If you die intestate, your estate will likely be required to go through probate. An individual, typically a family member, will petition the court for appointment as either executor, personal representative, or administrator, which provides

that person with legal authority to collect and distribute your assets. Because of the complexities involved in the probate process, that person will likely need to retain an attorney to offer guidance and assistance. A judge oversees the numerous steps involved in this “public” probate process. The judge will issue Letters of Administration or similar documents that give the executor power to determine and gather the assets of your estate. The California Probate Code also entitles the executor to take a fee as compensation for their services.

We invite you to contact our office for guidance regarding setting up an effective estate plan that avoids probate.

If you have questions concerning your estate plan or setting up an estate plan, contact Todd W. Moeller at (925) 301-8840 or Todd@ MoellerEstateLaw.com.

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LOCAL EVENTS & SERVICE CLUBS

This Week’s Events

Friday, April 12-Sunday, April 14

Ghostlight Theatre

Presents Festival 10

A festival of 10-minute plays is presented at 7 p.m. Shows on April 12 and 14 are at 7 p.m. each day, and shows on April 13-14 at 2 p.m. each day at Brentwood Community Center, 150 City Park Way. There’s something for everyone in these 20 shows -- drama, comedy, romance, sci-fi. Performances will be at the Brentwood Community Center on April 12th14th. You can purchase a single show ticket to see 10 plays, or a doubleheader option for just $10 more to see all 20 plays.Tickets are $22 -$ 32. For details and to order tickets, visit https://ghostlightte.org.

Saturday, April 13

DBYC Opening Day of Boating Season Parade

The Discovery Bay Yacht Club at 5871 Marina Road hosts its free annual boating season parade from noon-4 p.m. It starts just off Newport Lane at Kellogg Creek. To register your boat or for details, visit http://DBYC.com or call 925-634-1210.

Golden Hills Community Church Food distribution

The church at 2401 Shady Lane in Brentwood is offering food distribution to anyone on the following Saturdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m. while supplies last. There are no income requirements or qualifications. Also offered on these Saturdays: June 8, Aug. 10, Oct. 12 and Dec. 14. For details, call 925-234-8739.

Multicultural Faire in Brentwood

The Brentwood Youth Commission presents its second annual multicultural faire at City Park in Brentwood for live music, food trucks, live performances, booths and a fashion show that showcases the culture of local youth from 2-5 p.m. For details, email ospishock@ brentwoodca.gov.

Spring Rummage Sale

Looking to sell some items and support local veterans? This free event is from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First St. For details, contact the hall manager at brentwoodveteransbuilding@ gmail.com.

Grand Collaborations and Prosperous Voyage

For its final concert of the 2023-2024 season, the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, led by Geoffrey Gallegos, Music Director, joins forces with the San Ramon Valley Chorale, with director Bruce Koliha in a program titled Grand Collaboration and Prosperous Voyage. The program features choral masterworks by Schubert, Mozart and Beethoven, including his Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Op. 112. The orchestra will transport the audience to Scotland with Mendelssohn’s grand and picturesque Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 (“Scottish”) inspired by his many voyages and sojourns to the highland countryside. The program is from 2-3:30 p.m. at the El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. 2nd St., in Antioch. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors, $7 youth. For details, call 925-757-9500 or visit http://www.elcampaniltheatre.com

Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regional conference The Antioch Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be hosting their semi-annual conference April 13-14. The Antioch Stake includes congregations from Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg and Brentwood, and the public is invited. Bishop L. Todd Budge will be the visiting general authority for the conference. Bishop Budge is originally from Pittsburg and has worked in various capacities in Japan and the U.S.

To have your event appear in the newspaper, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication.

To have your event online, post your event for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.

Since his retirement in 2011, he has served in numerous church responsibilities including President of the Tokyo Japan Mission. In 2019, he was invited to serve in the Presiding Bishopric for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he manages humanitarian aid, welfare programs, and physical facilities. He also travels frequently to support various philanthropic organizations and to minister to individuals. All conference sessions will be at 2350 Jeffery Way in Brentwood. On Saturday there will be a youth meeting from 5-6:30 p.m.. Following this, an adult session will be held from 7-9 p.m. The Sunday morning general meeting will be from 10 a.m.-noon.

Sunday, April 14

Volunteers sought for Mount Diablo State Park Dig Days April 14, May 4

The Mount Diablo Trails Alliance seeks volunteers for its Dig Days scheduled for April 14 and May 4. The event is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and the focus of the March 24 effort will be the Upper Summit Trail above Green Ranch Road junction. On April 14, it will be above the Devil’s Elbow/North Peak Trail junction. On May 4, it will be on the Lower Summit Trail on the Upper Dan Cook SIngletrack near South Gate Road. Volunteers will help maintain and improve trails on the mountain using proven techniques with a focus on safety, preservation and equitable access. For details, visit mountdiablotrailsalliance.org/ dig-days.

Wednesday, April 17

Free Job Fair

A free community job fair is scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Shadow Lakes Golf & Event Center, 401 W. Country Club Drive, Brentwood. The fair is focused on connecting local job seekers with local employers. Register to attend at www.ImagineJobFairs.com. For more information, send an email to Info@ ImagineJobFair.com.

On the Horizon

Saturday, April 20

4th Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Immaculate Heart of Mary Court #2714 presents the 4th annual luncheon and Fashion Show from 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Day of event tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for 12 and under. Wear your favorite spring hat because there will be a prize for the best hat, plus basket raffles and more. For details, email Marina Khayat ihmcda2714@gmail.com.

Living Better After 50

A day of learning with worshops on Tai Chi, laughter yoga, safe driving, scams and fraud safety, preventing falls, mindfulness, aging care decisions, fitness and nutrition and brain health. Workshops are $5 and are from 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. at Black Diamond High School, 1131 Stoneman Ave., in Pittsburg. Light breakfast, lunch and a raffle are included. For details, call the Pittsburg Adult Education Center at 925-473-2400.

Tuesday, April 23

Oakley Senior Center Hard Rock Casino bus trip

Round-trip motorcoach transportation with water and snacks playing Bingo on the bus and have a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $47, which includes the driver’s tip. Veterans get a free coffee and doughnut. Make your reservations and pay in advance by April 22. Bus will leave the Oakley Senior Center, 215 Second St. at 8 a.m. and will be back by 5:30 p.m. after five hours at Hard Rock Casino to gamble and eat. For details, call Joyce or Allan at the Oakley Senior Center at 925-626-7223 or 925-265-3417.

Thursday, April 25

Club Fest

The Heritage High Green will host Club Fest with games and cultural performances from 5-8 p.m. Admission is free, but tickets for the games and food trucks (cash only) are for sale.

Saturday, April 27

National Drug Take Back Day

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for April 27 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop off unneeded prescription medications to one of these two locations: Brentwood at the Brentwood Police Department at 9100 Brentwood Blvd. Discovery Bay at the Sandy Cove Shopping Center at 14840 Highway 4 between CVS and Safeway.

Volunteers sought for Brentwood Community Day of Service

This inaugural event is scheduled for 8 a.m.-5 p.m. starting with a free pancake breakfast hosted by the Rotary Club of Brentwood at Veterans Park at 3841 Balfour Road, then the projects begin at 9:30 a.m. Volunteers are sought to help with projects such as a clothing and food drive, blood drive, farmworker outreach, East County Historical Society projects, writing letters to seniors and U.S. troops, planting and landscaping projects, family counseling services, cleanup and beautification, and meal delivery. For details, visit https://www. brentwoodca.gov/government/city-manager/ community-day-of-service or contact Amy Tilley and Julie Deck at BrentwoodCDOS@ gmail.com. To sign up to volunteer, visit https://www.brentwoodca.gov/government/ city-manager/community-day-of-service

Saturday, April 27

Third annual Texas Hold ‘em Tournament

Presented by the Antioch Band Backers, Antioch High football and flag football, dinner and drinks start at 5 p.m. with cards at 6 p.m. at Pac Pride, 4100 Wilbur Ave. suite 100, in Oakley. First prize is $500, second prize is $300, third prize is $150. Tickets are $75 per person, re-buys are $20 and add-ons $20. Dinner only is $20. Pay before April 16 and get 1,000 extra chips. This is a fundraiser for the Antioch High Marching Band and color guard, football and flag football programs. For details, email abba.president.antioch@gmail.com.

Sunday, April 28

Antioch Urban Arts Festival: uniting communities through art, music, and justice

The second Urban Arts Festival takes place in Antioch at the El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. 2nd St. Presented by California Lawyers for the Arts (CLA), the festival begins at 3 p.m. with a student talent showcase featuring emerging artists from the Antioch Unified School District who will compete for a $1,000 grand prize. Then at 7 p.m., The Comedy Party will present performances from Bay Area comedians Jay Rich, Joe Hill, and Kaseem Bentley. The Festival will also include a visual art showcase produced by Empowerment Avenue, highlighting works depicting involuntary servitude by currently incarcerated artists. The CLA will host an informational legal clinic. Tuesday, April 30

5th Annual East Bay Business Expo & Job Fair

More than 80 businesses will be at the free business expo and job fair from 4-7:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. Free food, raffles, give-aways, wine and beer tastings. For details, contact the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce at brentwoodchamber. com or call 925- 634-3344.

Saturday, May 4

Liberty High School Annual Car Show

The 11th annual show is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Independence High School, 929 Second St., Brentwood. Car registration is $30, and proceeds from this not-for-profit benefit the Liberty High School Auto Shop Program’s projects. But the

BUSINESS ON THE BAY

Schedule TBD

New Member

Ribbon Cutting and Mixer

Hosted by

DB Steakhouse

Tuesday April 23rd | 5:30 - 7:30pm

2477 Discovery Bay Blvd

Discovery Bay, CA

AFTER HOURS BUSINESS MIXER COMING EVENTS

Business Mixer - May 28th

Hosted by:

CB Pontoon Rental & Cruises

Discovery Bay Marina

Business Mixer - June 25th

Hosted by:

Patriots Jet Foundation

Byron Airport

Register for all events at:

www.discoverybaychamber.org

(925)240-4114

1555 Riverlake Rd

Discovery Bay, CA 94505

event is free to the public. Cars start lining up at 7 a.m. and drive in coming north on First Street downtown towards Pine Street. To register, visit https://linktr.ee/libertyautoclub?utm_ source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=eab5fe9061d4-445a-8d23-cac0c29fc4aa

Unified Prom’s Under-the-Sea theme Parade and Concert

The Unified Prom, parade and free concert are from 5-9 p.m. ats City Park, 710 Second St. in Brentwood. It starts with a parade downtown for the community, and everyone is invited to attend the parade and concert – and to dress in costume – and cheer the students as they are driven down First Street to City Park. After the parade, the students go into the community center for their prom while the public is invited to stay and listen to live music in the park. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Saturday, May 11

Rotary Club of Oakley gala

The Rotary Club and Mt.Diablo Resource Recovery host the club’s fifth annual gala at La Grande Estates, 1799 Carpenter Dr. in Oakley, at 5:30 p.m. There will be raffles, a silent auction, dessert auction, live auction and a door prize. Tickets are $65 and include dinner and dancing. For tickets, call Amy at 925-206-5394 or Brenda at 925-382-7057. All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the local community through service projects, scholarships and grants.

Saturday, May 18

EMPOWER - Embracing Your Body Image - A Teen Workshop

A free, live, interactive workshop from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. is designed to empower teens with body image resilience. Learn strategies to navigate cultural influences and foster a positive relationship with your body. This free event at Healthy Minds Counseling Center, 5065 Deer Valley Road, Suite 247 in Antioch, is hosted by Kira Monterrey, LCSW. All donations will go towards our scholarship fund to provide therapy for individuals in need. For more information, email Brittany Perales at brittany@ healthymindscenter.com or call 925-663-8158.

THE DAILY DOLLAR with Perry Chicaine

HOW TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE FROM FRAUD

As we navigate the digital age and increasingly complex financial landscapes, safeguarding against fraud becomes ever more important. Here are essential tips to help people protect themselves from scams and fraudulent schemes:

1. Stay informed: Stay updated on common scams targeting older adults, such as phishing emails, fraudulent phone calls, and identity theft. Knowledge is the first line of defense.

2. Be skeptical: Be cautious when receiving unsolicited communication, whether it’s via phone, email, or mail. Be wary of requests for personal information or offers that seem too good to be true.  When unsure, say no..

3. Verify identities: Before providing any sensitive information or making financial decisions, verify the legitimacy of the individual or organization contacting you. Legitimate entities will not pressure you to act immediately.

4. Protect personal information: Never share personal or financial information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, passwords or texted/emailed verification codes, with unfamiliar people online or by phone.

5. Secure online activity: Use long, strong,

unique passwords for online accounts and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Be cautious of public Wi-Fi networks and ensure that devices have up-to-date security software.

6. Monitor financial accounts: Regularly review bank statements, credit card bills, and other financial transactions for any unauthorized activity. Report any discrepancies or suspicious charges immediately.

7. Seek assistance: If you’re unsure about a financial decision or suspect fraudulent activity, ask a trusted family member, friend, or adviser to help you check it out.  If you need help managing any of these tips, contact a professional like a Daily Money Manager

For more on staying safe from fraud, and much more, attend the upcoming “Living Better After 50 Event” on April 20th. Call (925) 473-2400 for more info and to register.

Perry Chicaine is CEO of Golden Financial Care LLC, a local Daily Money Management firm that brings clarity and peace of mind to clients’ financial lives with account management, bill-paying, budgeting, fraud prevention and more.  Visit GoldenFinancialCare.com or call 925-418-1020 for a free consultation.

– Advertorial

Marijuana – the good, the bad and the ugly

cal registered nurse with 25 years of experience. Her columns are meant to explore medical topics from an educational perspective. This column on marijuana highlights a side effect of frequent usage as we approach 4/20.

Have you noticed that marijuana seems to be in many places – especially since it has been legalized?

Dispensaries are popping up left and right. You go outside your home and there is that distinct smell. Some use it for relaxation, pain management, to increase creativity and relief of anxiety. It is even used to increase appetite, this list goes on.

How are people ingesting it? Smoking and edibles are the most common ways. Marijuana seems like a harmless herb, especially since it has all these positive side effects. However, there is at least one unwanted phenomenon – Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).

What is Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome? It basically means severe nausea

and vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue and headaches caused by longterm marijuana usage. Why this happens is not fully understood by scientists but it is believed that there are marijuana receptors (cells) in the brain that get overstimulated by the active ingredient in marijuana called THC. THC attaches to these cells in the brain to give you desired side effects or in some cases the undesirable result.

According to Pub Med, as many as 2.75 million Americans will suffer with this phenomenon annually. You are more likely to develop CHS if you have been using marijuana longterm and using it 3-5 times per day, although it is possible to develop CHS with far less use.

How is this treated? You must quit ingesting marijuana. Treatment otherwise is drug rehab if you have trouble quitting, symptom management, which would include antinausea medication, anti-vomiting medications, and possibly hospitalization for intravenous rehydration because of dehydration. These ailments could last from weeks to months. But if you start ingesting anything that has THC again, your symptoms will return.

In conclusion, there seems to be many reported benefits of marijuana, but developing CHS wouldn’t be one of them. Be careful.

Nurse’s CorNer sheri Griffiths

Have you or someone you know reached a “milestone”? If so, we’d like to know about it! Email your information to editor@brentwoodpress.com.

Willy’s Bagels and Blends opens third location

OBITUARY

Willy’s Bagels opened its third location in Oakley last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony sponsored by the city and the Oakley Chamber of Commerce surrounded by family and friends. This location at 2701 Main St. is a new design with a drive-through and walk-up window only. There is no indoor seating. The city supported the remodeling with a grant of $32,200 from the Oakley Retail and Light Industrial Improvement Program grant. To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Bay Area revels in rare celestial sight – a partial solar eclipse

Around the Bay Area and throughout the country on April 8, crowds everywhere ‘ooohed’ and ‘ahhhed’ at a rare celestial sight – a partial, and in some places, total eclipse of the sun. In some areas nationwide, the area got as dark midday as it usually is at midnight. But for the Bay Area, it was only a partial eclipse because of the sun’s southwest-to-northeast path across the U.S. that started in Mexico. The eclipse began in the Bay Area around 10:15 a.m. and ended just after 11 a.m. as from the Bay Area’s angle the moon passed in between about a lower third of the sun’s face. According to the California Academy of Sciences, the total eclipse darkened a 115-mile-wide swath from Mexico up to eastern Canada, passing through the United States from South Texas all the way up through northwest Maine, although the continental 48 states were in the path of at least part of the eclipse. While total eclipses occur annually, it rarely happens in areas where people can experience it. The last total eclipse was in 2017, but occurred in an opposite direction com -

Family and friends stand with Willy’s Bagels owners at their new Oakley location.

HD B. “Bear” Leighton

July 31, 1969-March 20, 2024

HD B. “Bear” Leighton, resident of Brentwood, Calif., passed away March 20, 2024 in Omaha, Neb. at the age of 54. He was born July 31, 1969 in Antioch, Calif.

Bear is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy K. “Kathy” Leighton, and mother-in-law Shirley Barr, grandparents, Barbara and Oliver Armstrong, and Harry Leighton.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Kelly Leighton (Barr); children Ryan Leighton and Ethan Leighton; father Harry W. “Bill” Leighton; brother Brandon Leighton; sister Chantelle Leighton; and nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

Bear Leighton was known to all who knew him as a gentle giant, larger-than-life human. He was a protector of those he held dear. In his younger years, he set off to see the world. He’d traveled to over 52 countries before he passed.

He was a dedicated husband, father and son. He enjoyed reading and learning. Bear had a passion and skill for woodworking and loved working outdoors. Bear will be tremendously missed.

A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m. at the Wild Idol, 3918 Main St,, in Byron.

Presss photo

pared to Monday’s as its path of totality then traveled coast-to-coast heading southeast. The next total eclipse in the country is predicted to happen in 2045, and, according to nationaleclipse.com, is forecast to happen in the same direction as the one in 2017.

Photo by Zoe Sadler

SportS

Deer Valley football field renovations almost complete

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

Deer Valley High School head football coach Matthew Mills has waited a long time for the school to get any kind of improvements or facelifts.

He’s also adamant in apologizing to the messages he’s gotten from alumni regarding the upcoming new field.

“First off, I’m sorry to all the alumni whose messages I’ve been getting saying ‘oh wow, they finally did the field,’” he said semi-jokingly. “We were supposed to get it in 2011, 2012, 2013, I understand.”

At the end of next month, he and the Deer Valley community will finally get it when the football stadium’s renovations are complete and the Wolverines’ football program takes to their updated home for spring practice and the start of the team’s summer camp. The field is also expected to host Deer Valley’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024.

“It’s complete excitement,” Mills said. “Excitement, overjoy, and really a sense of relief. For a lot of our athletes, they get to relax and say ‘Okay, I know the surface we’re playing on is perfect. We don’t have to worry about the grading or potholes or dirt or anything like that. We can go out and compete as hard as we possibly can.

“Just thinking about it makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and gives me goosebumps and chills.”

Deer Valley is the last of the six Bay Valley Athletic League schools to renovate

their field, the school’s first field renovation since it opened in 1996. The renovations include a new FieldTurf field, replacing the old grass and dirt field that the teams were unable to compete on last year, along with an updated press box that will have upgraded WiFi access allowing the athletics program to stream its games, an upgraded sound system, a new scoreboard, a new drainage system, repainted stands, and a resurfaced track. Construction started on the new stadium late last year.

“It’s nostalgic,” Mills said. “I’m just thankful and honored, honored to be able to be here with our program, with our young men and women and be able to be a part of this. Like everything else in life, tim-

ing is just as important as the opportunity.”

The improvements were paid for as the Antioch Unified School District passed Measure B. According to the Antioch Unified School District, Measure B “authorized $195 million in bonds to finance various repairs and improvements in (AUSD) schools.” The projected cost of the bond to the taxpayers is $48 per $100,000 of assessed value. The bond will also enable other schools in the district like John Muir Elementary, Orchard Park Elementary, Park Middle School and Antioch Middle School to make necessary renovations to their respective campuses.

However, of all of the upgrades that Deer Valley is getting, the updated audio

system excites Mills the most.

“I remember being in the fourth, fifth grade playing with my friends in the backyard on a Friday night and being able to hear the game,” he explained. “Not just ‘touchdown Wolverines,’ but every single call. I think it’s a beautiful thing for our community to hear.

“Even if you can’t make it here on a Friday night, you can sit outside in your backyard, barbecue something, relax, and listen to a Deer Valley football game, every single play through and through and not have to worry about missing the festivities on a Friday night.”

The new stadium also creates something that Deer Valley and East Antioch might not have had before, Mills said.

“The biggest thing when you get a new field is the different possibilities for what we can do for our community with that,” he explained. “We get to go out and play games on Friday nights, but now we can also host summer camps for our youth, we can have alumni who have played in the NFL or major college football come back and host youth camps, we can do different events.

“It’s a great opportunity for our community to come together and really rally behind Deer Valley High School because there’s a lot of things happening here outside of the stadium as well that are really going to change people’s perception of Deer Valley.”

To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Patriots defeat host Lions to lead BVAL

By Juan Cebreiros Correspondent

Heritage’s boys volleyball team moved into sole possession of first place in the Bay Valley Athletic League with a 3-1 (16-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-19) victory over cross-town rival Liberty.

“It was huge,” Heritage head coach Janet Hannigan said of the win. “We made a lot of mistakes tonight, but we were able to make some good adjustments at the end, and I think that those adjustments really helped us seal the win.”

In each of the past three seasons, the Patriots have finished in second place in BVAL. However, with this win over Liberty, Heritage now controls their own destiny to their first BVAL title since the 2019 season.

The first time these two teams battled in early March during the East County Invitational, Liberty won 2-1. Hannigan said her team was not the same team from that first meeting to Tuesday night’s contest.

“Where we faltered last time, we didn’t cover very well, and tonight we covered well,” Hannigan said.

The thorn in the side of the Patriots all season long has been their inconsistent serving, and against Liberty, their ability to serve improved dramatically. Tuesday night, Heri-

Heritage’s Libero Dede Basa

celebrates after his team scores a point in their road victory against the Lions.

flat as they struggled to get in a groove.

As the match went on, though, Hannigan praised her team for its adjustments in every phase of the sport to win the series.

“I think our boys adjusted where they needed to,” Hannigan said. “Their defense was better. Our serving was better. Our passing wasn’t as good, but it got better as the match went on. There were some people that were hitting consistently and solid, and then other people that weren’t. But it was enough balance that I think it worked.”

Heritage will travel to Pleasanton this weekend for a tournament at Foothill High. Hannigan is hopeful the high level competition her team will see this weekend will allow them to carry the momentum from their 13-game win streak into the rest of the season and into North Coast Section playoffs.

tage committed just eight serving errors while adding seven aces, leaving Hannigan pleased with the performance. “I’ll take that, that was good,” she said.

However, the night did not start well for the Patriots. They got behind early in set 1 and couldn’t recover to salvage it. Hannigan said she felt her team opened the match

“I think it’s a good thing to come off this today and then kind of continue working this week and then go into that,” Hannigan said. “There will be some great teams there.”

Host school Foothill High is 16-5 and the top-ranked North Coast Section Division I team.

To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/ slideshows

Deer Valley head football coach Matthew Mills looks over the progress of the Wolverines’ football field as the stadium goes through its renovations.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Photo by Juan Cebreiros

Liberty softball survives late Antioch rally

Lions remain undefeated in BVAL with 8-5 victory

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

It hasn’t happened often during Liberty softball’s current win streak. But for the first time since the beginning of the season, the Lions looked tame, and, according to head softball coach Brandi Macias “unmotivated.”

“It was a big eye opener today,” Macias said.

Despite taking a seven-run lead after the first four innings in their home game against Antioch on Tuesday, the Panthers furiously rallied back for five runs of their own in the latter innings before Jewel Cooper’s late home run and a sharp finish by Kate Skinner in the circle sealed Liberty’s 8-5 win.

Despite winning their ninth in a row since starting the season 0-2, Macias was not pleased with the team’s lackluster performance on the field.

“The way I coach is to respect your opponent no matter who you’re playing,” Macias said. “The moment you look across the field and you feel like you’ve walked on the field and you’ve won, teams will bite you in the butt.”

Even with the unenergetic performance overall, Liberty’s talent showed up in the win.

Skinner went 6 1/3 innings in the circle, allowing one run on four hits with two walks with 13 strikeouts, the third time this season that she recorded double-digit strikeouts.

“Kate gave us our heart and soul,” Macias said. “She was missing some spots, and that’s where I had to call time and dial her back and that’s getting better each pitch, and she came back and did a better job.”

Offensively, Cooper’s home run in the bottom of the sixth inning helped seal the win for the Lions. She’s homered in three of the last four games and her six home runs on the season leads the BVAL over teammate Taylor Jennings, according to MaxPreps.

For just the second time this season, and for the second straight game, Liberty allowed a team to score four or more runs in an inning to come back in a game after the Lions posted big innings themselves. Antioch’s four-run fifth inning was one run shy of Freedom’s five-run third inning to claw back just six days earlier, the biggest inning allowed by Liberty so far this season.

“Today is an eye opener for us because I think there’s the essence of getting too comfortable,” Macias said. “Not confident, comfortable. I think they rolled into this game feeling very comfortable.”

“As a team, we need to realize that any team can beat us, and we are the team to beat right now. We are being hunted right now, and these girls need to use that as motivation.”

“I look forward to her getting in the box because she will give you every ounce of her (in each at-bat),” Macias said. “She’s determined to do something big every time she gets in there.”

Isabella Rice hit a two-run home run in the first inning, just her second home run of the season and her first since she homered at Castro Valley on March 20.

Liberty will look for their second league sweep of the season when they travel to Antioch on Thursday. To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows

Liberty’s Isabella Rice celebrates her two-run home run with her teammates during Tuesday’s game against Antioch.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Police investigating $5,000 in equipment stolen from Liberty High softball sheds

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

Brentwood police are investigating the theft of nearly $5,000 worth of equipment from Liberty High’s softball shed late last week.

The shed was found broken into with equipment missing early Thursday morning, several hours after Liberty’s game against Freedom, according to head softball coach Brandi Macias.

“To steal from the easiest victims, which is a school or school program that doesn’t have much, is very disheartening,” Macias said. “Criminals are going to do what they’re going to do and take advantage of the less fortunate. But to target a school is, in my opinion, the lowest of the low.”

Amongst the items that were stolen, according to Macias, were a net, team visors, a golf cart battery, two wireless scoreboard remotes, a speaker for the junior varsity program, an LED motion light for inside the shed, and various onfield equipment like balls.

Despite missing equipment, Liberty softball continued practice like normal on Monday as the team prepared for their two-game series this week against Antioch.

The coaching staff believes that the suspected thieves entered from the gates on the parking lot side where they cut the deadbolt lock on the chain on the gate. They then cut through two different gates to get access to the shed that’s behind right field of the softball field and used a crowbar to break the lock, along with cutting a few chain links to get into the shed as well.

“This is the first time this has ever happened (to the softball program),” Liberty junior varsity softball coach Troy Jacquez said. “I was shocked and a little disappointed that our stuff was broken into and stolen. The little bit that we have goes a long way for our program.”

Macias said that Liberty’s school resource officer has been notified of the

situation and that the Brentwood Police Department has been asked for extra patrol checks in the evening.

“We’re trying to build something special here,” Macias said. “Believe me, nothing is going to tarnish what we’re building, but to try to hurt these girls or the baseball program as well is just very frustrating.”

Shed break-ins have recently been a frequent occurrence for Liberty’s baseball program as well. However, only the softball shed was broken into this time. Liberty baseball coach Andrew Lonsdale added that baseball’s sheds and scoring booth has been broken into in the past, and at least “three or four times this year.”

“Last year we got our golf cart stolen,” he said after Tuesday’s win over Antioch. “They cut the locks, there’s no lights or anything out here, there’s no cameras. We’ve asked for things to be done and they haven’t.”

Lonsdale added that Brentwood police have been able to help them when this has happened in the past. When the baseball team’s speakers were stolen the first time, he said that police not only tracked down the speakers, but also found extra hats, practice shirts, and old jerseys that were reported stolen as well.

New locks were placed on the equipment sheds for the Liberty High School softball team after they discovered that both were broken into last Thursday morning.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Lawsuit delaying Brentwood Costco may be dismissed by judge on May 2

Development on a long-awaited Costco warehouse in Brentwood may finally get underway if a judge rules on May 2 to dismiss a lawsuit that’s holding the project up.

The proposed Costco warehouse, to be built south of Lone Tree Plaza Drive near the Antioch/ Brentwood border, was unanimously approved by both the Brentwood Planning Commission and the City Council last summer, but hit a roadblock in its construction after local developer West Coast Home Builders, LLC, filed a lawsuit alleging that the environmental impact study for the project was outdated, according to City Manager Tim Ogden.

The developer had originally filed an appeal to the City Council ahead of the July 25 meeting asking them to consider denying approval of the proposed Costco store based on the environmental impact study.

According to an email from Ogden ahead of the July 25 meeting, West Coast Home Builders contended that further environmental review was required. The developer alleged that the review was needed to, among other things, evaluate aesthetics, air quality, and wildfire hazards. A staff report drafted in response to the developer’s concerns “demonstrates that there are no site-specific or peculiar impacts associated with the project,” Ogden said at the time.

West Coast Home Builders’ initial appeal came in the eleventh hour, with a legal firm submitting a roughly 150-page document for consideration during the 7 p.m. meeting at 5:45 p.m. that day. The council ultimately chose to approve the develop -

ment of the Costco.

“This project has taken a very long time to get to this point,” Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer said at the time. “I would be happy to move forward with this.”

Earlier this year, Mayor Joel Bryant expressed optimism that Costco would be built sooner rather than later despite the lawsuit. During his Feb. 20 State of the City address, Bryant talked about the project enthusiastically as something that would aid

Brentwood in its growth.

City staff said that the revenue the city would earn from Costco’s sales tax was “highly confidential” but would be roughly seven figures annually.

Residents have largely expressed their own interest in having a local Costco. The closest one is cur on the far side of Antioch, past the Somersville Road exit on Highway 4. To comment, visit www.thepress.net

Artist rendering

Local police emphasize driver safety

April is Distracted Driving Awareness month nationally

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

Brentwood police will be on the lookout this month for drivers who are violating the state’s hands-free cell phone law, the department said in a social media post on Monday as April is Distracted Driving Awareness month.

The prevalence of technology has ensured that many things are competing for people’s attention at any given moment. That includes when people are driving, which has contributed to distracted driving.

According to a 2023 California Statewide Public Opinion survey, 74 percent of drivers surveyed said that texting while driving was their biggest safety concern. In 2021,140 people were reportedly killed in crashes caused by distracted driving in California, making up for just three percent of crash-related fatalities.

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 36,000 fatal crashes involving distracted drivers in 2020. However, handheld cellphone usage by most drivers has declined significantly across all age groups from 2012-21, although handheld cell phone usage amongst young drivers aged 16-24 increased from 2020 to 2021.

The NHTSA reports such usage declined from 5.9 percent in 2012 to 3.7 percent by 2021 among drivers ages 16 to 24. Among drivers aged 25-69, driver handheld cellphone usage dropped from 5.4 percent in 2012 to 2.5 percent by 2021.

“If you have an important phone call, text, or email, or are in a situation with other distractions, pull over to a safe parking spot to complete the task without putting yourself and others at risk,” Brentwood police said in their post. “Oth.

“

If you have an important phone call, text, or email, or are in a situation with other distractions, pull over to a safe parking spot to complete the task.

”

Brentwood Police Department

er distractions can be eating, grooming, reaching for something that fell on the floor, putting on or taking off clothing, talking with passengers, or children in the backseat.”

The NHTSA asks drivers to consider several strategies to avoid distractions while behind the wheel like turning off notifications from your apps. An app industry resource website, businessofapps. com, reports that the average smartphone user in the United States gets, on average, 46 push notifications each day, some as much as 80. The NHTSA suggests the following to stay safe:

• Turn off notifications while driving helps drivers resist the urge to check each notification that comes through.

• Set your phone on airplane mode while driving helps block all distractions like notifications and incoming messages.

• Stay focused on driving while at a red light, instead of using them as a chance to check text messages, emails, and other notifications.

– Metro Creative contributed to this story To comment, visit www.thepress.net

Drivers can take simple measures to reduce their vulnerability to distractions while behind the wheel.

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

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by

on

of

ANTHONY-CRAIG: MITCHELL JR. TRUST in the Commercial Chamber under the necessity to secure the rights, title (S), interest and value therefrom, in and of the Root of Title from inception, as well as property held in trust including but limiting to DNA, cDNA, cell lines, retna scans, fingerprints and all Debentures, Indentures, Accounts, and all the pledges represented by the same included but not limited to the pignus, hypotheca, hereditaments, res, the energy and all products derived therefrom nunc pro tunc, contracts, agreements, and signatures and/or endorsements, facsimiles, printed, typed or photocopied, of the owners name predicated on the ‘Strawman’, Ens Legis/Trust Estate described as the debtor and all property is accepted for

value and is Exempt from levy. Lien placed on debtor entities is for all outstanding property still owed but not yet returned to trust from entities such as municipalities, governments, and the like, not on trust entity itself. Trustee is not surety to any account by elicit reservation/indemnification. The following property is hereby registered and liened in the same: All certificates of Birth Document #14814525, SSN/UCC Contract Trust Account-Prepaid Account Number:457-77-2187; Exemption Identification Number:457772187, is herein liened and claimed at a sum certain $100,000,000.00, also registered Harris County Cause #1817970, and #2412822 Agreement No. ACMJ-01051983-SA, Hold Harmless & Indemnity Agreement No. ACMJ-01051983-HHIA, Copyright under item no: ACMJ-01051983-CLC Adjustment of the filing is in accord with both public policy and the national Uniform Commercial Code. Trustee/Secured Party, Anthony-Craig: Mitchell Jr., is living flesh and blood sojourning upon the soil of the land known as Texas, and not within Fictional boundaries, territories nor jurisdiction of any fictional entity including fictional Federal geometric plane(s). Trespass by any agent(s) foreign or domestic, by such in any scheme or artifice to defraud. Full reverence by ALL AGENTS and CORPORATIONS is ambiguously demanded and required. Culpa est immiscere se rel ad se non pertienti. All property currently held or outstanding belongs to the Trust administered by Trust/Secured Party, Title 46 USC 31343 and Article 1 and 5 of the International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages 1993, Held at the Palis Des Nations, Geneva, From April 19 to May 5, 1992, United Nations UN. This Maritime Lien is under safe harbor and sinking funds provisions through the prescription of Law necessity with Applicable Law, Cardinal Orders, Ordinal Orders, and Commercial Standards. All Rights Retained And Reserved. Direct any rebuttal to: Anthony-Craig: Mitchell Jr., c/o 3702 Woodvalley Dr., Houston, Texas, Without-U.S. [77025]

Antioch Press No. 06-1617

Publish Dates: March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, Anthony-Keshaun, of the family Harrison, a living-breathing man, Declare am alive, and over the age of 18 years old, fully competent to handle my own Trust Estate without the United States. I am a U.S. National (California Republic), not a 14th Amendment Citizen of the United States. I DO NOT WISH TO CONTRACT WITH ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, OR GOVERMENT AGENCIES. This is the collateral by

Trustee/Secured Party on behalf of the Trust/Estate; ANTHONY-KESHAUN: HARRISON TRUST in the Commercial Chamber under the necessity to secure the rights, title (S), interest and value therefrom, in and of the Root of Title from inception, as well as property held in trust including but limiting to DNA, cDNA, cell lines, retna scans, fingerprints and all Debentures, Indentures, Accounts, Writ of Possession, Warrants, Complaints, Citations, Bonds, Applications, Notes, Chattel Paper, and all the pledges represented by the same included but not limited to the pignus, hypotheca, hereditaments, res, the energy and all products derived therefrom nunc pro tunc, contracts, agreements, and signatures and/or endorsements, facsimiles, printed, typed or photocopied, of the owners name predicated on the ‘Strawman’, Ens Legis/Trust Estate described as the debtor and all property is accepted for value and is Exempt from levy. Lien placed on debtor entities is for all outstanding property still owed but not yet returned to trust from entities such as municipalities, governments, and the like, not on trust entity itself. Trustee is not surety to any account by elicit reservation/indemnification. The following property is hereby registered and liened in the same: All certificates of Birth Document #199434012284, SSN/UCC Contract Trust Account-Prepaid Account Number:626-74-4816; Exemption Identification Number:626744816, is herein liened and claimed at a sum certain $100,000,000.00, also registered: Placer County Cause# FSB19000938, $5,000,000.00 Private Surety Bond, Security Agreement No. AKH-08111994-SA, Hold Harmless & Indemnity Agreement No. AKH-08111994-HHIA, Copyright under item no: AKH-08111994-CLC Adjustment of the filing is in accord with both public policy and the national Uniform Commercial Code. Trustee/Secured Party, Anthony-Keshaun: Harrison, is living flesh and blood sojourning upon the soil of the land known as California, and not within Fictional boundaries, territories nor jurisdiction of any fictional entity including fictional Federal geometric plane(s). Trespass by any agent(s) foreign or domestic, by such in any scheme or artifice to defraud. Full reverence by ALL AGENTS and CORPORATIONS is ambiguously demanded and required. Culpa est immiscere se rel ad se non pertienti. All property currently held or outstanding belongs to the Trust administered by Trust/Secured Party, Title 46 USC 31343 and Article 1 and 5 of the International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages 1993, Held at the Palis Des Nations, Geneva, From April 19 to May 5, 1992, United Nations UN. This Maritime

Lien is under safe harbor and sinking funds provisions through the prescription of Law necessity with Applicable Law, Cardinal Orders, Ordinal Orders, and Commercial Standards. All rights Retained and Reserved Direct Any Rebuttal to: Anthony-Keshaun: Harrison Trust, c/o 480 Alta Rd., San Diego, California, Without-U.S. [92179] Antioch Press No. 06-1617 Publish Dates: March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, J.B., of the family Blacks, a living-breathing man, Declare am alive, and over the age of 18 years old, fully competent to handle my own Trust Estate without the United States. I am a U.S. National (Texas Republic), not a 14th Amendment Citizen of the United States. DO NOT WISH TO CONTRACT WITH ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, OR GOVERMENT AGENCIES. This is the collateral by Trustee/Secured Party on behalf of the Trust/Estate; J.B.: BLACK TRUST in the Commercial Chamber under the necessity to secure the rights, title (S), interest and value

Bonds, Applications, Notes, Chattel Paper, and all the pledges represented by the same included but not limited to the pignus, hypotheca, hereditaments, res, the energy and all products derived therefrom nunc pro tunc, contracts, agreements, and signatures and/or endorsements, facsimiles, printed, typed or photocopied, of the owners name predicated on the ‘Strawman’, Ens Legis/Trust Estate described as the debtor and all property is accepted for value and is Exempt from levy. Lien placed on debtor entities is for all outstanding property still owed but not yet returned to trust from entities such as municipalities, governments, and the like, not on trust entity itself. Trustee is not surety to any account by elicit reservation/indemnification. The following property is hereby registered and liened in the same: All certificates of Birth Document #100778-1968, SSN/UCC Contract Trust Account-Prepaid Account Number:465-41-1973; Exemption Identification Number:465411973, is herein liened and claimed at a sum certain $100,000,000.00, also registered: Parcel #134-885-001-0001, Located at: 5810 Stratton Woods Dr., Spring, Texas [77389], Harris County Cause#1629964, and #1723527, 2018 Chevy Corvette VIN#1G1YU3D62G5601357, 2015 Mercedes Benz G Wagon

VIN#WDCYC7DF9FX229594, Harris County Cause #1805055, $5,000,000.00 Private Surety Bond Recorded December, 2023, in Harris County, Security Agreement No. JBB-07231968-SA, Hold Harmless & Indemnity Agreement No. JBB-07231968HHIA, Copyright under item no: JBB07231968-CLC Adjustment of the filing is in accord with both public policy and the national Uniform Commercial Code. Trustee/Secured Party, J.B.: Black, is living flesh and blood sojourning upon the soil of the land known as Texas, and not within Fictional boundaries, territories nor jurisdiction of any fictional entity including fictional Federal geometric plane(s). Trespass by any agent(s) foreign or domestic, by such in any scheme or artifice to defraud. Full reverence by ALL AGENTS and CORPORATIONS is ambiguously demanded and required. Culpa est immiscere se rel ad se non pertienti. All property currently held or outstanding belongs to the Trust administered by Trust/Secured Party, Title 46 USC 31343 and Article 1 and 5 of the International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages 1993, Held at the Palis Des Nations, Geneva, From April 19 to May 5, 1992, United Nations UN. This Maritime Lien is under safe harbor and sinking funds provisions through the prescription of Law necessity with Applicable Law, Cardinal Orders, Ordinal Orders, and Commercial Standards. All rights Retained and Reserved Direct Any Rebuttal to: J.B.: Black Trust, c/o 5810 Stratton Woods Dr., Spring, Texas, Without-U.S. [77389] Antioch Press No. 06-1617

Publish Dates: March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, Jeremy-Ray, of the family Parks, a living-breathing man, Declare I am alive, and over the age of 18 years old, fully competent to handle my own Trust Estate without the United States. I am a U.S. National (Texas Republic), not a 14th Amendment Citizen of the United States. DO NOT WISH TO CONTRACT WITH ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, OR GOVERMENT AGENCIES. This is the collateral by Trustee/ Secured Party on behalf of the Trust/ Estate; JEREMY-RAY: PARKS TRUST in the Commercial Chamber under the necessity to secure the rights, title (S), interest and value therefrom, in and of the Root of Title from inception, as well as property held in trust including but limiting to DNA, cDNA, cell lines, retna scans, fingerprints and all Debentures, Indentures, Accounts, Writ of Possession, Warrants, Complaints, Citations, Bonds, Applications, Notes, Chattel Paper, and all the pledges represented by the same included but not limited to the

Only one president in U.S. history has lost, then won his way back into White House

Former

is the

to win the Republican

President

2024. If he succeeds, he will be on a rare path in American history.

Only one former President has lost a re-election bid, then won his way back to the White House – Grover Cleveland, the only President in American history to serve non-consecutive terms.

The rise, fall, and comeback of Cleveland is one of the most curious tales in U.S. political history. A former mayor of Buffalo and governor of New York, Cleveland’s first bid for the Presidency in 1884 was nearly derailed by a sex scandal.

Cleveland had apparently been involved with Maria Halpin, a 33-yearold widow who dated a variety of men at the same time. In September 1874, she bore an illegitimate son, claiming Cleveland was the father.

As reference historian William DeGregorio writes, “although Cleveland was unsure of the child’s paternity, he accepted responsibility rather than burden the other potential fathers, all of whom were married.”

Since Cleveland was a bachelor, “he had the least to lose from such an admission.”

The child became fodder in the 1884 Presidential race, as Cleveland’s

Republican opponents chanted “Ma, Ma, where’s my pa? Gone to the White House, ha, ha, ha!”

Rather than run from the issue, Cleveland freely admitted his indiscretion. Despite the buttoned-up Victorian era, his candor struck a chord with voters, who appreciated his honesty. Cleveland won a narrow victory over former Secretary of State James Blaine by 63,000 popular votes, with a 219182 decision in the Electoral College.

Like most chief executives of the time, Cleveland was a hands-off President. He was challenged in 1888 by former U.S. Sen. Benjamin Harrison of Indiana, in a remarkably civil campaign. One observer wrote admiringly that “I cannot recall another presidential contest…with greater dignity and decency than that between Cleveland and Harrison.”

Cleveland won the popular vote by just over 100,000 tallies, but Harrison prevailed 233-168 in the Electoral College.

The 1892 race pitted Harrison and Cleveland once again in what DeGregorio called “a rather lackluster campaign.” The tariff was the key issue, but both sides suspended campaigning after the death of first lady Caroline Harrison on Oct. 25, two weeks before the election.

This time, Cleveland won decisively by 390,000 votes, and rolled 277-145 in the Electoral College. He is one of only two Presidents to win the popular vote in three straight elections. The other is Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who won four consecutive times from 1932-44.

The 1892 Cleveland-Harrison race is also unusual in American politics, as rematches have occurred only a handful of times, and may happen again this year if the predictions of a Trump-Biden repeat hold true.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson faced off in 1796 and 1800, while John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson met in 1824 and 1828. Martin Van Buren and William Henry Harrison were the main candidates in 1836 and 1840.

Each of those matchups was a split, with the incumbent losing the second time. In two other cases, one candidate swept the meetings, as William McKinley defeated William Jennings Bryan in 1896 and 1900, while Dwight Eisenhower won over Adlai Stevenson in 1952 and 1956.

Three former Presidents have tried to win their way back on a thirdparty ticket. Van Buren ran on the FreeSoil ticket in 1848, collecting 10 percent

of the popular vote but no Electoral College votes. In 1856, Millard Fillmore did better for the American party, winning 22 percent of the popular vote and eight Electoral College votes.

In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt, who was denied the Republican nomination in favor of incumbent William Howard Taft, formed the Bull Moose party. Roosevelt ultimately finished second in a three-man race, losing to Woodrow Wilson, and collected 88 Electora Collegel votes with 27 percent of the popular tallies.

– Tom Emery

Tom Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville, Ill. He may be reached at 217710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com.

Why doesn’t Brentwood follow state housing rules? Editor:

Is this just a power struggle or is there a reason they don’t want to follow specific rules?

Sue Swackhamer Brentwood

I can certainly understand that the Brentwood City Council might be irritated that the State is telling them what to do regarding zoning for local housing. However, the article (Brentwood Press ‘’Your City Council is pissed’, March 29) makes me wonder what the City wants to do and how it conflicts with Assembly Bill 2011.

President Trump

odds-on favorite

nomination for

in

Council from page 1

Street and Vineyards Parkway. The study concluded that the intersection did not qualify for a four-way stop because it did not meet certain criteria.

• Conducted a speed survey to determine whether or not the posted speed limit of 35 mph could be reduced. The results of the speed survey determined that the speed limit should not be lowered based on guidelines established by the California Vehicle Code.

• Conducted a speed bump survey. The survey found that the stretch of road did not meet enough criteria – such as having a 25 mph speed limit and a higher volume of traffic – to warrant a speed bump.

• Researched adding in more flashing beacons at the intersection to increase visibility of pedestrian crossings. Due to its cost, the city has applied for grants to fund the installation. Baquilar characterized the city as optimistic that the grants would be awarded to the city but noted that if that were not the case, the city would look into alternate funding sources.

• The city has increased landscaping maintenance for the areas along Vineyards Parkway to improve visibility for drivers, allowing them to see pedestrians sooner.

Delta from page 1

We think the ultimate solution will require a stoplight at this location.

”

Trilogy resident Joe Young

• Researched whether or not to add signage to the stretch of road. Per the California Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, additional signage was not recommended.

Trilogy residents said they felt that more needs to be done for safety along the corridor.

“I really think this needs to be considered more fully,” Brentwood resident David Gilbert said of the measures the city had investigated. Gilbert said that the low number of reported incidents – six in two years – did not take into account the frequent number of times residents are almost hit. “I’ve heard from a number of residents there who have issues trying to make that crossing from Trilogy Parkway across Vineyards Parkway. And, believe me, if you’re hesitating there for a second, you could be in trouble.”

The City Council deliberated as well as with Traffic Engineer Steve Kersevan, but did not reach a solution, acknowledging that one would take time.

Ultimately, the council voted 5-0 in favor of the following:

ect, including:

• Painting the speed limit on the pavement on Vineyards Parkway at locations deemed appropriate by Kersevan.

• A “complete reassessment” of the stop sign warrant to determine if one could be installed after all. Councilmember Jovita Mendoza expressed concern that something may have been missed in the previous study, leading to the result that the intersection did not qualify for one.

• City staff was directed to continue to seek grant funding for the flashing beacons for the crosswalks.

• Landscaping is to be reduced by 24 inches in height “or greater where needed” at discretion of city staff to continue to improve visibility along the road.

“This is their home,” Mendoza said. “They’re the ones living up there and living with the ramifications, so I always like to get to a ‘yes’ for the residents if we can.” Other topics discussed included:

• A future agenda item request from Mendoza regarding a potential sales tax measure that had been proposed in

a report from staff, but councilmembers did not discuss what it would be used for. Council noted that they were not in favor of a sales tax measure, as did residents during public comments.

Councilmember Pa’tanisha Pierson suggested that the item not come back in the future because it has already been made clear that the council is not interested in pursuing it.

• A look at the council’s code of conduct. The council voted 5-0 to adopt changes, such as the policy surrounding usage of personal electronic devices during meetings.

• A special election authorizing the annexation of two new residential development projects into Community Facilities District 5. The vote was 100% in favor of the annexation, according to City Clerk Margaret Wimberly. Community Facilities Districts are “a funding mechanism for the increased public facilities and services provided by the City resulting from new development,” according to the agenda packet. Examples of facilities and services include joint use school sites and roadway maintenance. The annexation will provide $52,602 in additional revenue for the city once development occurs, according to the agenda packet. The full meeting can be watched at https://bit ly/4cVbL4D quality

• increased resilience to floods by managing water flows from storms.

“Funding for the planning and design of the project has had a range of sources, but funds have predominantly provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy,” said Fateman. “Congressman (Mark) DeSaulnier’s continued leadership to protect the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has once again resulted in federal funding for Contra Costa County.”

Site investigation and concept development took place from 2017 to 2021, project design is expected to be completed this winter and initial habitat management and project work starting as early as fall 2025. According to Fateman, the project work is expected to be completed in phases over multiple construction seasons. A variety of sources will pay for the proj-

Water from page 1 “

enhance public safety and security, as well as minimize water losses due to evaporation and infiltration into the soil.

Kevin Rohani, the City’s Public Works Director and City Engineer, said the project involves a close partnership with the Water District and has had great collaboration, resulting in the agreement.

“The Water District has agreed to reimburse the city $2.2 million, which is the cost for the underground pipe and the canal into the pipe under the roadway. This would then cover all utilities across the roadway.

“Again, this is an extremely complex project, but we will see the design of this project take place this year, and we will start the construction sometime early next year and go on into the following year,” Rohani said.

Mayor Anissa Williams asked if the road completion could happen without putting the canal underground, to which

• Proposition 1 (The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Act of 2014) – $3 million.

• Delta Conservancy (planning) – $1,435,000

• California Department of Fish and Wildlife (planning) – $240,000

• California Department of Fish and Wildlife (pre-implementation actions) – $1,390,000.

Another $9,701,999 has been confirmed for future construction-related activities from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife through Proposition 1, along with $150,000 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“I am glad to see this project continue to move forward,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis. “Wetland restoration projects in the Delta not only support species, but also make our communities safer from climate change and sea level rise.”

Rohani replied that the section of the canal had to be addressed.

He said the only section of the canal that has not been underground is at the East Cypress Road crossing.

“If you drive through the crossing to the right, you kind of see an open pool, to the left, another open pool. The pipes have been underground, to both north and south, and we now have to close the gap, install the pipes, and then put the roadway on top of it,” Rohani explained.

The various phases of the canal replacement project were completed with the development of the Cypress Grove and Emerson Ranch subdivisions. Segment 4 of the project, located north of the Delaney Ranch and Burroughs, was installed and came into service in November 2018. Construction was fully completed in 2019 after final grading, building an access road, site restoration, and hydroseeding were done.

For more information, including potential updates to the project, visit https://www contracosta ca gov/7624/KnightsenWetland-Restoration-Project

Segment 5B, which is from the south side of East Cypress Road to the Rock Slough was also recently installed and brought into service last November. Some remaining construction such as installation of fencing, air relief valves, and a lid for the access structure is expected to be completed this summer.

The proposed design and construction agreement aims to formalize the collaborative efforts between the City and the Water District, identifying the terms for the design and construction of Segment 5A. The approval of the agreement will also allow the City and the Water District to carry out the obligations outlined within the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation right of way.

According to the Water District’s website, once Segment 5A is constructed, then the City will be able to widen East Cypress Road from two to six lanes.

Earlier in the meeting, the City also approved a Letter of Support for Senate Bill

1034 proposed by Sen. Kelly Seyarto from the 32nd district.

The 1968 California Public Records Act mandates government agencies to disclose records upon request, barring exemptions. Agencies typically have 10 days after receiving a request to determine if responsive records can be disclosed and notify the requester accordingly. Although not required to produce records within this period, agencies must specify a reasonable timeframe for availability, even if provided on a rolling basis.

Under the current law, a 14-day extension is allowed under “unusual circumstances.”

Seyarto proposes the bill to expand “unusual circumstances” to include circumstances where the Governor declares a state of emergency. In such cases, agencies would be granted a 14-day extension for processing requests, except for records about the emergency itself.