May 9, 2021
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS | SERVING EAST COUNTY
Vol. 23, No. 19
Family escapes burning home by Tony Kukulich
Fire crews give supplemental oxygen to a dog rescued during a residential fire on Oakley Road in Antioch on May 3. The dog is expected to survive. Fire quickly spread from the porch to the interior of the home, before being knocked down. All occupants escaped without injury.
Staff Writer
ANTIOCH Residents of an Antioch home were displaced after fire damaged their residence on the 3300 block of Oakley Road Monday evening, May 3. Units from the Contra Costa County (ConFire) and East Contra Costa fire protection districts responded to the incident that was reported at 6:16 p.m. “When we arrived we found fire on the side of the house that was impinging on the house, getting inside the door,” said ConFire Battalion Chief Robert Lutzow. “Crews initiated an offensive fire attack and were able to stop the fire within the first couple of rooms of the house. There was smoke damage throughout the house, but the fire was contained to the first couple of rooms, the kitchen and living room I believe.” Lutzow said the cause of the
Photo by Melissa van Ruiten
fire is under investigation. Resident Jessica Farmer described what she experienced in the first few minutes of the fire. “The power went out and I heard glass shatter,” she said. “I opened the door and was scared because I had my two kids in the house also. I heard more glass starting to shatter. My boyfriend
ran out to see what it was and yelled that it was a fire. I just grabbed both of the kids and ran out. Fortunately my little puppy followed me, but my old man stayed behind. He was rescued a little later.” Firefighters did locate and rescue Farmer’s dog. Supplemental oxygen was used to help revive him,
and he was expected to recover. Lutzow noted that the home’s six residents secured housing with nearby family. There were no injuries to residents or firefighters. Melissa van Ruiten contributed to this story. To view a slideshow, visit www. thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
Oakley appoints interim manager by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
OAKLEY The Oakley City Council has appointed Community Director Joshua McMurray to serve as the city’s interim manager. The vote came at the April 27 city council meeting and was necessary after longtime city manager Bryan Montgomery announced that he was leaving the city earlier this month. Mayor Sue Higgins was part of the subcommittee that nominated McMurray to the interim city manager position. “I have full confidence in Josh leading the staff team as we embark in a recruiting effort,” said Higgins. “Over the years, he has proven himself time and time again, and I know this won’t be an exception.”
McMurray has been with Oakley for 13 years. He started out as an associate planner and worked his way up to director. He said that when the subcommittee approached him, his answer was an immediate yes. “It required a vote with the city council,” he said. “I appreciate their support in trusting me to continue the great work our city council has been directing us to do over the past few decades. There’s a lot of work to be done and I have a lot of experience here and integral knowledge of how the city operates, so giving me that opportunity to continue that work is such a blessing.” McMurray holds a master’s degree in public administration and has worked on a wide variety of projects during his time with Oakley. As director of com-
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Photo courtesy of City of Oakley
see City Manager page 22
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Community Development Director Joshua McMurray has been tapped by the city council to serve as the city’s interim manager. McMurray has been with the city for 13 years.
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Drought conditions continue by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
REGIONAL After two consecutive dry winters, California residents are once again being urged by government officials and water agencies across the state to prepare for drought conditions. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has stated that the first half of Water Year 2021 was the fourth driest on record. A water year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, and the start of the see Drought page 22
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