YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 1
READ THE DAILY NEWS AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
County enhances Byron Highway
Biking For A Worthy Cause
Braving the elements
Bikes and Brews donates 35 bikes through three sold-out events. Page 9
by Kyle Szymanski
Ringing In The New Year
Staff Writer
Contra Costa County Public Works officials are gearing up to improve the safety and functionality of a 2,000-foot stretch of Byron Highway between Byer Road and Hoffman Lane. The project, scheduled to begin in 2020, will create a left-turn pocket from southbound Byron Highway onto Byer Road and install a two-way left-turn lane across from the Byron Union School District and Excelsior Middle School to assist see Byron page 22
Photo by Tony Kukulich
J
ack Sutton provided halftime entertainment when he demonstrated his abilities on a Jet Ski during the 39th annual Frozen Bun Run on Bethel Island, Tuesday, Jan. 1. Skiers, some wearing more than others, took a quick trip from the dock at the Rusty Porthole into the choppy waters of Franks Tract before returning to the dock. To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia/slideshows
A new year, new laws for 2019 by Aly Brown Staff Writer
Residents of East County and the world over celebrated the shift from 2018 to 2019 this week, and with the new year came some new laws. Below is a sampling of changes California citizens can expect.
In the workplace
A schedule set into motion the gradual increase of California’s minimum wage for employers with 26 or more employees. Effective Jan. 1 this year, minimum wage earners will now receive $12 per hour. By 2022, they will receive $15. A bill of interest to the agricultural core of East County will be Assembly Bill (AB) 1066,
“ These perpetrators should not be allowed
to endanger others or evade justice simply because they have a fat wallet at their disposal.
which will implement a schedule for farm laborers in regard to meals and overtime. Farm hands who work more than 12 hours in one day, for example, will receive no less than twice their regular rate of pay. Sexual misconduct and implementing measures to prevent harassment in the workplace were addressed with Senate Bill (SB) 1300. This bill makes it unlawful for employers to require
employees sign a nondisparagement agreement – preventing individuals the right to disclose information in regard to unlawful workplace activity, including but not limited to sexual harassment – as a condition of employment or a raise. SB 820 will eliminate confidentiality agreements in sexual harassment cases. “These perpetrators should not be allowed to en-
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danger others or evade justice simply because they have a fat wallet at their disposal,” California State Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) said. “SB 820 will not prevent people from mutually agreeing to settle, but it will simply prevent the perpetrator from requiring the victim to remain silent about the harassment as a condition of settlement.”
On guns
California has answered the call for stricter gun control, implementing bills such as SB 1100 that raises the legal age for an individual to purchase a firearm to 21 from 18. SB 2103 mandates applicants receive at least eight hours of training
Brentwood Senior Citizens Club toasts 2019 and a decade of community service. Page 4
Winning Gold At Jamboree
Heritage High School girls’ basketball team wins West Coast Jamboree Gold Division. Page 15
see Laws page 22
Calendar................................23 Classifieds.............................18 Cop Logs................................21 Entertainment.......................9 Food..........................................8 Milestones............................11 Opinion..................................13 Pets...........................................6 Sports.....................................15
FAIR Act
Rate Changes
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Congressman Jerry McNerney addresses partisan gerrymandering.
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Contra Costa Water District Board considers rate structure change.