Local Nevvs You Can Trust! vvvvvv.thepress.net
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 14, No. 33
Memory of volunteer lives on by Corey Hunt Correspondent
The legacy of a Liberty High School and UC Berkeley graduate turned Peace Corps volunteer is receiving international attention as questions mount regarding the health practices that preceded his death while serving overseas. Nick Castle succumbed to what has been desc1ibed as a short but turbulent gastrointestinal illness in February of 2013, just seven months after he arrived in southern C hina to teach English in a rural community. He was 23 years old. His untimely death is now the subject of a New York Times investigation that is pushing the Peace Corps to answer questions about both alleged and acknowledged flaws in its healthcare system. As his story gains intemational atten-
tion, Castle's family hopes Nick's legacy will serve as an inspiration to others. "Nick was kind of a born diplomat. He liked helping people and was always civic-minded," said Castle's father, David, a sergeant with the Brentwood Police Department. "I in1agine he probably would have come back, studied for his master's degree and then gone on to work at the state department." His mother Sue remembers her son as a driven young man who flo wished when he a rrived at the UC Berkeley campus after spending his high school years volunteering around his hometown in Brentwood. "H e really made it a home for himself and would go ou t of his way to make people feel see Volunteer page 22A
BVAL football
preview blitz
Local high school t eams wi ll kick off preseason play later this month. Page 18
Networking knowhow
Libert y High graduate Nick Castl e died at 23 whi le serving in the Peace Corps in China in 2013 .
Oakley looks to tune up its economy
Delta Divas help their fellow women make connections to promote their businesses. Page SA
Dirt bike daredevil
by Corey Hunt Correspondent
Oakley's Economic D evelopment Manager D wayne Dalman presented the Oakley City Council with a battle plan for moving the city's trade and commerce engine forward during this week's council meeting. Not only did he discuss a strategy for the 2014-15 fiscal year, he also introduced a new incentive program to help build economic growth in the downtown sector. " Before we can address the needs of businesses, we have to have a relationship with them to understand what their needs are," explained Dalman as he detailed a five-step strategy to boost Oakley's econo my. First, Dalman recommends city officials examine incentives that could be used to make Oakley a m ore appealing destination for entrepreneurs - a necessity for any healthy economy. The second step
August 15,2014
Discovery Bay motocrosser turns heads at national compet it ion. Page 17A
Photo by Corey Hunt
Even on a warm day, Oakley Plaza in downtown Oakley is bustling w ith shoppers.
would be to highlight those incentives as well as other city achievements to prospective business owners and developers. While working on makin g the city a more desirable economic and commercial hub, the
Got news? Connect with The Press!
Got a tip, interesting photo or breaking news story for The Press? E-mail your information, name and contact number to editor@brentwoodpress.com,
Scan QR code with your mobile device.
orcall925-634-1441.
city must also focus on fostering relationships with existing businesses to help them flourish in step three of the plan. Finally, in steps four and five, the city would need to continue to facilitate fresh business opportu-
East Bay. Regional Pitrk
D1str ICt
CoNNECTING PARKS To PEoPLE
LOOK Inside for March-April
Activit~
Guide
nities in the community while focusing on ways to imp rove the look and feel of the city while staying true to its histo1ical small-town roots. see Economy page 22A
BVAL Football Preview ... 18 Calendar .. .......... ...... .... .... .. 158 Classifieds .... .......... ...... ..... 11 B Comics ... ... ..... ............ ..... .... 14A Cop Logs .. .......... ...... .......... 148 Entertainment ................... 9A Food .. .................. ...... ........ .. .. 8A Milestones ........ .. .... .... .... .. 1SA Senior Corner ............ ....... 14A Sports .. .. ... ..... ..... ...... ..... ..... 17A
Beatie mania
Camping safety
go to news/WebExtras! " In My Life: A Musica l Theatre Tribute to The Beatles" is coming ~i!!:!!l:t. to East County.
go to news/press releases The U.S. Forest Service offers helpful tips for those planning a camping trip.
D