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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 9, No. 38
Charges filed against director by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has charged CSD Vice President Brian Dawson with two counts of misdemeanor spousal battery and child endangerment. Dawson was arrested on Aug. 27 on suspicion of spousal abuse at his home in Discovery Bay after officers responded to a call about a disturbance. Dawson’s wife sustained injuries in the incident but did not require hospitalization. He was released the next day on $20,000 bond. On Wednesday, Dawson said he was unaware that the charges had been filed: “I don’t
know anything, I haven’t been officially notified. All I can say is that my family and I are taking things one day at a time.” If found guilty, Dawson could face up to one year in county jail and a $1,000 fine for each misdemeanor count. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 31. Dawson, who said he has a history of bipolar disorder, has previously stated that he would not resign his seat on the town governing board despite calls from fellow directors to step down. State law dictates that a CSD board member is required to resign only if convicted of a see Charges page 15A
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September 23, 2011
Shoppers get snippy
Worthy cause
An effective way to cut household expenses is to whip out the scissors and practice the art of couponing. Page 1B Photo by Richard Wisdom
olfers tallied their marks on scoreboards Monday during the fifth annual Joey Graves Memorial Golf Tournament. Held at the Discovery Bay Country Club, the fundraiser featured a day of golf followed by a gala dinner for the more than 100 participants. Sponsored by the Some Gave All – the Joey Graves Foundation, the golf tournament is one of the foundation’s most popular fundraising events. Discovery Bay resident Kevin Graves created the nonprofit organization as a way to honor his son Joey, who was killed in Iraq in 2006.
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Wings earned A Liberty High graduate recently finished his U.S. Air Force undergraduate pilot training. Page 3A
Leading by example
Local heroes honored for bravery by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Sometimes the most ordinary days turn out to be the most extraordinary. Such was the case for Samantha Sunburst and Fredrick Reed, Oakley residents whose heroic actions turned a regular day into an unforgettable experience. Last May as Sunburst and Reed were walking along the stretch of road between Main Street and Rose Avenue in Oakley, the pair watched in horror as a driver lost control of her car, jumped the sidewalk and careened over the cement wall into the canal below. “I just looked at Samantha and said, ‘Did you see that?’” said Reed, who hadn’t met Sunburst prior to the accident. “She nodded and was already on the phone calling 911.”
Photo by Ruth Roberts
Fredrick Reed and Samantha Sunburst received commendations from the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District for rescuing three people from a car that had driven into a canal in Oakley. Reed and Sunburst, along with two other passersby – Jessica Visonhader and Christopher
Martin – jumped into the canal and got to work. “We were together as a team
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pulling everyone out of the car and dragging them up the hill,” said Reed. “I don’t think we really thought about it,” said Sunburst. “We just did it.” Inside the car – which was rapidly filling with water – was an elderly woman and her two school-age grandchildren. By the time Reed, Sunburst and the others got to the vehicle, the passengers were crying and screaming for help. “The kids were holding their heads up as high as they could trying to get enough air, and everyone was crying,” said Reed. “We just grabbed them one at a time and got them out of there.” Soon afterward, the East Contra Costa Fire Protection see Heroes page 15A
Harness hints
Olympians inspired local swimmers at a recent clinic. Video of the action can be viewed at www.thepress.net. Page 18A Calendar ............................ 15B Classifieds ......................... 11B Cop Logs ............................17A East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 8B Food ...................................... 7B Health & Beauty ................ 6B Milestones .......................... 5B Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................18A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Rousing Run
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Newly acquired property near Mt. Diablo will preserve a volcanic dome.
Child car-seat safety involves more than just strapping in and buckling up.
The inaugural Harvest Run raised heart rates, and funds for food banks.