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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 14, No. 34
August 22,2014
Sooners suspend Joe Mixon by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer Former Freedom High School football player Joe Mixon has been suspended by the University of Oklahoma football team for the upcoming season after he was charged with a misdemeanor co unt of acts resulting in gross injury, stemming from his alleged assault of a 20-year-old woman at a n Oklahoma restaurant last month, the U niversity of Oklahoma announced in a statement this week. "As the university has demonstrated in the past, we are committed to winning the right way," Vice President for Athletics Joe Castiglione a nd head coach Bob Stoops said in a joint sta tement. "As a n exa mple to others, OU sets the highest possible standards for its student
athletes, coaches and staff. " Mixon, who faces up to a year in prison if convicted, pleaded not guilty to the charge during his arraignment in C leveland County District Co urt on Monday. He was booked, but released on his own recogniza nce with an order to not have any contact with the victim in the case. "As we have maintained from the beginning, it is our belief that Joe reacted instinctively after being racially slurred and physically assaulted by a highly intoxicated young woman and her male friend," said Mixon's atto rney Kevin Finlay at the time the charges were announced last Friday. " We strongly disagree with the series of events as portrayed by Norma n PD. Justice knows no gender bias and we do not believe that Joe's actions were criminal in natu re. "
Catch of the day
MIXON According to the affidavit released by C leve la nd Cou nty District Attorney Greg Mashburn! last Friday, Norman, Oklahoma Police officers were dispatched to Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe on July 25 on reports of an assault. Officers contacted the victim, as well as several witnesses, who stated that during a
Correspondent
early 150children between the ages of 1 to 15, including this little fisherman, participated in the Oakley Kids Fishing Derby last weekend, catching a total of 252 fish from the Oakley-Antioch Pie r. Host ed by City of Oakley in partnership with Hook, Line & Sinker, the event a llowed kids to fish for free. Prizes w e re awa rded for the largest, smallest and most fish caught in select age categories. For a complete list of winner, visit www.thepress.net.
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see Mixon page 34
Oakley cou nci I to accept pay increase by Corey Hunt
Photo courtesy of the City of Oakley
verbal altercation, an unknown black male, later identified as Mixon by at least two witnesses, punched the victim in the face, knocking her unconscious. The victim was transported to the Norman Regional Hospital where she was found to h ave a fractured jaw, fractured cheekbone, fractured sinus a nd fractured orbit, which caused a hematoma on the left eye. Police later viewed a surveillance video of the incident, which showed Mixon and the vic tim in a verbal altercation both outside and then inside of the business, according to the affidavit. After being pushed, Mixon a llegedly lunged at the victim in an aggressive manner, leading with his head and wi th his right fist clenched by his side.
Answering the call to public service is abo ut to get more lucrative if you live in the City of Oakley. After waiving the last opportunity for a stipend raise back in 20 12, the Oakley City Council agreed last week to an ordinance proposal that would increase their monthly stipend by $2 1. 75, bringing the total al lowa nce to $456.75. While the ra ise is justified as California law permits 5-pe rce nt stipend adjustments every two years, the council sa id the primary aim of the ra ise is not to better their ow n lives, but to make a seat on the council mo re appealing to qualified lower-income candidates as
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every little b1t helps. "l think that this is more symbolic than anything else," said Mayor Randy Pope. "It's difficult voting for a raise for yourself, but I think there are people who are perhaps more financially-challenged than the five of u s sitting up here." Without a financial incentive, Pope worries others are missing out. " I'm actually very proud of the fact that no ne of us a re getting rich ofT of this," he added. William Galstan, Oakley's special co unsel on the matter, broke down the process behind the pay raise, seeking to assure the community that elected officials are held accountable before
Marijuana grow busted
An early morning fire led to the discovery of more than $500,000 in drugs. Page 3
This old house tells a story
The East Contra Cost a Historical Society plans to host its annual
barbecue in Septembe~ PageS
Presence m the pool
.:;;a~~~~~
Heritage boys water polo players are ready for another stellar BVAL season. Page 21
see Raise page 34
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Contra Costa Commission for Wome n to host Women in Leadership panel.
New ca mpaign to educate veterans about identity theft prevention.