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Vol. 12, No.30
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Suspect arrested Wagon bones in local shooting by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Contra Costa County Sheriff’s deputies have made an arrest in connection with a weekend shooting in unincorporated Brentwood that left two teenage brothers injured. Brentwood resident Darnell Forell Williams, 18, was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of using a firearm during the commission of a crime Wednesday and booked at County Jail in Martinez. Police are still searching for two additional suspects who were reportedly in Williams’ company when the shooting occurred July 16 on Virginia Drive. According to reports, Williams and two other subjects were
turned away from an unsupervised teenage party at the residence on July 13. When they returned to the same house on July 16 for another party and were again turned away, one of the three suspects shot off three rounds, hitting one brother in the leg and the other in the lower back. The third bullet lodged in the front door. The brothers were airlifted to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. No word on their conditions has been released. Authorities have not determined if there is a link between the Brentwood incident and a similar shooting in Discovery Bay on July 18, when three individuals were injured following an altercation at a house party on Worthing Way. “At this point there doesn’t
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July 23, 2010
This Week Padlock on protection
Two local fire stations are now closed for business, making officials and residents warm around the collar. Page 5A
Densa stress Photo by Ger Erickson
s East County bakes under the midsummer sun, so do relics of the region’s agricultural roots. Set amid the golden grasses along the Miwok Trail at Round Valley Regional Preserve south of Brentwood are the skeletal remains of this farm cart sculpted by time’s dull chisel.
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see Shooting page 22A
It bears a Latin label, but the language Delta dwellers use to describe the pesky plant is unprintable. Page 15A
Blindsiding prohibited
Preservation effort off to strong start by Dave Roberts Staff Writer An effort to preserve open space and protect threatened species in East County has made significant progress, despite the fact that it relies heavily on fees from new development, a funding source that began to dry up just as the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy was launched three years ago. Since then, more than 6,300 acres of open space have been preserved in East County toward the goal of saving 30,000 acres in 30 years. In addition to enhancing the quality of life and recreational opportunities for local humans, the effort is designed to help preserve the habitat of 150 rare species, including the San Joaquin kit fox, California red-legged frog,
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Photo by Ger Erickson
Vernal pools harboring endangered fairy shrimp, such as here at Vasco Caves Regional Preserve, are among the natural treasures being preserved by the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy. Alameda whipsnake, western burrowing owl and vernal pool fairy shrimp. “I’m amazed, surprised and very pleased at how quickly this
has been implemented,” said Ted Radke, who represents East County on the East Bay Regional Park District Board after hearing a Conservancy update at the
A-maize-ing spray news/WebExtras!
A cropdusting chopper was caught in the act of de-bugging at tassle-top level.
board’s June meeting. “This is in absence of any development. Development is supposed to pay for half of it, but Jon has been so successful in getting grants. A remarkable achievement in a couple of years – 6,000 acres in a couple of years, wow.” Radke was referring to Conservancy Executive Director Jon Kopchik, about whom Conservancy Board Chairman Bruce Connelley said, “It took many years to put the Conservancy together. He was the backbone of this organization. If not for Jon I’m not sure it would have happened. Jon is the wizard behind the Conservancy.” The Conservancy is a joint effort by Clayton, the county and East County cities (with the see Preservation page 22A
Parking zone
go to news/press releases A new book chronicles our cutting-edge East Bay Regional Park District.
A Liberty alum is making an impact shielding quarterbacks and springing running backs on the university level. Page 1B
Plus: Back to School .................12A Business .............................12A Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 13B Cop Logs ............................17A Entertainment ................... 8B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty ................ 6B Opinion ..............................16A Outdoors ............................. 6A Sports ................................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Under the stars go to multimedia/videos
Catch the action of the Broadway hit that wowed East County audiences.