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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 11, No. 47
Cities fight copper theft by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer All across East County, cities are keeping the checkbook open to repair facilities wrecked by copper wire theft. Antioch Director of Public Works Ron Bernal said that at the current rate, his city will spend roughly $150,000 this year fixing the damage done by copper wire thieves. In the first four months of this year, Antioch spent about $50,000 to repair damage to streetlights and another $10,000 in parks. Bernal noted that vandals have struck all areas of the town and that attacks come randomly. PG&E spokeswoman Tamar Sarkissian confirmed that of all East County towns, Antioch has absorbed the biggest blow.
In 2010, fewer than 10 utility poles throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties were damaged by copper thieves. So far in Antioch, the company has repaired roughly 300 utility poles. In that city, PG&E has paid roughly $210,000 to replace and repair the poles hit by vandals. “That’s out of the ordinary to see in one community in one stretch of time,” Sarkissian said. “We’ve worked really closely with Antioch police on this particular situation and we have seen the occurrences taper off.” In addition to the cost to cities, Sarkissian also noted the extreme danger associated with copper wire theft. She said PG&E has dealt with electrocutions, injuries and even deaths of copper thieves.
Signs of the times
November 25, 2011
Presents with presence
Unwrap our Holiday Gift Guide and discover ideas that’ll make this season memorable for your family and friends. Page 1B
Mark your calendars Looking to hook up with charitable activities or seasonal entertainment? Check out our lineup of holiday events. Page 5A Photo by Justin Lafferty
wo local Occupy protesters talk while picketing across the street from Bank of America on Somersville Road in Antioch. The MoveOn.org protest against big banks’ business practices was held last Saturday. For the story, see Page 4A.
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In it for the long haul
see Copper page 15A
Volunteers needed for charity events
Scared of Santa Santa had his hands full with reluctant visitors Charles LeVeque, Jr., 3, and Raya LeVeque, 1, following the Holiday Parade in Brentwood last weekend. If your youngsters are also a bit shy about meeting Santa, they could be a winner in the Scared of Santa Photo Contest on Photo by Michele Chatburn thepress.net Facebook page. Submit your nominations between Dec. 5 and 11, and tell your friends to vote between Dec. 12 and 18.
by Samie Hartley Staff Writer “Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something besides ourselves.” – Eric Sevareid, journalist The holiday season is upon East County, and members of the community are opening their hearts to offer support to local charity drives offering aid to those in need. Local
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A local credit union is making the holidays happier for those who need it most.
businesses, schools, churches and municipalities are collecting food, toys, blankets and coats to make sure everyone has a warm, happy holiday. As it’s been doing for more than 45 years, the Brentwood Regional Community Chest (BRCC) is collecting non-perishable food items and toys to bring the joys of the holidays to 500 families. Barrels have been placed throughout the community, and all of the see Charity page 8A
Local largesse
go to news/press releases California’s leading small-business association urges holiday shoppers to buy local.
Antioch and Deer Valley cross country runners went the distance at the NCS Championship Meet. Page 17A Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 11B Cop Logs ............................ 18B Entertainment ................... 9B Food ...................................... 8B Holiday Gift Guide............ 1B Milestones ........................ 17B Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................17A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Occupied
go to multimedia/videos Antioch’s exposure to the Occupy movement was untraumatic.