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Vol. 20, No. 14
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Love in the time of COVID-19 by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
Photo courtesy of Annette Alexis
Annette and Wilson Alexis of Antioch had planned a wedding for Friday, March 20, but the recent COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders changed their celebration.
Canceled plans have become a daily reality for many people as the country shelters in place to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). But canceled weddings are a little more difficult to reschedule, especially when the immediate future is still uncertain and time is running out before a fiancé visa expires. Annette and Wilson Alexis of Antioch had planned a wedding for Friday, March 20. Due to restrictions the state placed on social gatherings, the couple married quietly in their home, with only their closest family. “We were supposed to have a ceremony on March 20 at the clerk recorder’s in Martinez,” Annette said, adding the couple chose that date because it was the third anniversary of their first meeting. “We were
supposed to be able to have 24 guests, but they called us and said instead of 24 guests, it can only be one guest and they have to be our witness.” Alexis took the new limitations on social gatherings in stride, canceling her reception plans, which included over 100 people, and calling her pastor. “We asked our pastor if he would do it impromptu, and he said yes,” Annette explained. “We decorated the house, invited a few people over and had our wedding that day, and it was really good.” The canceled wedding plans were just one more bump in the long road Annette and Wilson had traveled to get to their wedding day. The couple met in 2017 through an extended family member. Annette lived in Antioch and Wilson, see Love page 22
Cities install changes amid shelter-in-place The cities of Oakley and Brentwood and the town of Discovery Bay have modified their daily operations amid the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order. OAKLEY City facilities, including city hall, the recreation center, parks, playgrounds and associated facilities are closed, but essential services, such as the police department, remain functioning. Closures and cancellations All city meetings, events, rentals, classes and programs are canceled through at least early April. Staff contacts Building, planning and code enforcement staff are accessible by email at their respective emails: building@ci.oakley.ca.us, planning@ci.oakley.ca.us and
“ Each employee has different tasks, and some are more conducive to working remotely and some aren’t.
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Byran Montgomery, Oakley city manager code-enforcement@ci.oakley. ca.us. Code enforcement personnel, however, are currently responding only to life, health and safety issues. Economic development The city’s economic development staff has posted a number of resources relevant to COVID-19 and businesses and employees, at https://www. ci.oakley.ca.us/departments/ economic-development/newsevents/. Recreation
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Oakley recreation staff has launched a website page (https:// www.ci.oakley.ca.us/recreationcenter/) dedicated to unique activities, fitness routines and virtual experiences to pass the time during the shelter-in-place order. Internal operations Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery declined to specify how many city employees are working remotely but all are being paid. “Each employee has different tasks, and some are more
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conducive to working remotely and some aren’t,” he said. “We are also providing online training opportunities and other work that can be done at home, though certainly we’re not able to do everything that we typically do.” For more information on city services during the shelterin-place order, visit https://www. ci.oakley.ca.us. BRENTWOOD Essential services, including law enforcement, water and wastewater treatment facilities, garbage removal and critical street, traffic and facility maintenance services are continuing without interruption, but some internal safeguards are in place. Closures
April 3, 2020
Going On A Bear Hunt
Brentwood residents big and small are connecting in unique ways during COVID-19. Page 5
U-Pick Season Still On Track
East County farmers say it’s business as usual despite the current shelter-in-place orders. Page 4
Gymnast Not Grounded
Olympic hopeful Ruben Padilla is home after his Utah training facility closed due to COVID-19. Page 16
see Changes page 22
Classifieds.............................19 Cop Logs................................15 Food ......................................12 Health & Beauty....................8 Milestones..............................6 Opinion..................................14 Pet of the Week...................10 Sports.....................................16
COVID Update
Courts Closed
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
John Muir Health releases details about COVID-19 testing.
www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
Contra Costa County continues court closures through April 30.