YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 20, No. 50
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WaterFix dealt a blow
The ABCs of Christmas
Sounds of the season
by Tony Kukulich
Check out great last-minute gift ideas and more in this week’s special edition. Page 1B
Staff Writer
In a stunning development, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) withdrew its Certificate of Consistency for the California WaterFix project all but ensuring that construction of the tunnels will not begin under the Brown administration. DWR notified the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) of its decision in a letter dated Dec. 7 and signed by DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “While DWR firmly believes the timing of filing the certification of consistency for WaterFix was appropriate based
Fire Called Suspicious Photo by Tony Kukulich
T
he Liberty High School marching band welcomed the holidays as one of many participants in last weekend’s downtown Christmas parade. Delayed a few weeks due to smoke from the Camp Fire in Butte County, residents came out in force to celebrate the season. To view a video and a slideshow of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
see WaterFix page 34A
Ribbon cut on interchange project by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The skies above the ceremonial completion of the Balfour Road Interchange Project this week were dark and dreary. But the long-awaited project’s successful end forecasts happy days ahead. “You know what I see out here? A rainbow and a lot of sunshine,” said Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor, just one of many government and project officials who turned out for the occasion. The $42 million venture added a bridge over Balfour Road along Highway 4 – replacing the former signalized Balfour Road and Highway 4 intersection – allowing eastbound and westbound traffic to cruise continuously toward Byron and Discovery Bay. The new Balfour Road to Highway 4 loop on-ramps and diagonal Highway 4 to Balfour Road off-ramps were also added. The move is expected to cut down on traffic backups and improve the safety of that stretch of road for the estimated 60,000
Playing For State Title
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor cuts the ceremonial ribbon Monday, Dec. 10, to celebrate the completion of the interchange project at Highway 4 and Balfour Road. Local dignitaries in attendance included members of the Brentwood City Council, County Supervisor Diane Burgis and Assemblymember Jim Frazier. vehicles that traverse the interchange daily. Measure J and East Contra Costa Regional Fees and Financing Authority funds paid for the project, which was completed in 19 months – on time and under budget – said Taylor.
A portion of the enterprise, including infrastructure needed to move eastbound Highway 4 drivers onto an elevated alignment over Balfour Road, opened in July.
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Officials are calling an early morning houseboat fire at Cruiser Haven suspicious. Page 5A
Liberty High football team takes CIF NorCal title and heads to first-ever title game. Page 25A
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December 14, 2018
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see Interchange page 34A
BART Raises
Calendar.............................35A Classifieds..........................30A Cop Logs.............................33A Education.............................5A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Milestones.........................22A Opinion...............................24A Pets......................................12A Sports..................................25A
Tax Help
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New BART police contract to boost officer retention and recruitment.
United Way needs volunteers to help staff Income Tax Assistance Program.