YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 21
READ NEWS YOU CAN TRUST AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Algae is back in the bays
Otters ready for the season
May 24, 2019
All About Your Pets
by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
Blue-green algae, otherwise known as cyanobacteria, has once again reared its scummy head in the waters of Discovery Bay, and at least one state agency is working to learn more about it. On May 2, a group of Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) staff members took samples from Discovery Bay waters for a nutrientloading assessment study, according to an email from environmental scientist Christine Joab. “During the sampling, staff noted small clumps of visible cyanobacteria at three of the sampling locations,” Joab stated in her see Algae page 22A
This week’s edition features tips and tricks for caring for our fabulous fur babies. Page 1B
Raising Up The Bus Barn Photo by Dawnmarie Fehr
T
he boys of the Discovery Bay River Otter’s 7/8-age division shake their sillies out as they prepare to swim their 25-yard freestyle event on Saturday, May 18, in Ripon. The recreational swim team has been working hard in the Freedom High School pool for the past two months to prepare for their short season, which began this past weekend. The team did well against the much larger Ripon Seal Lions, with many top three placements. Next up, the River Otters will compete in Tracy against five other teams in the Mid Valley Swim League on June 1 and 2.
Late-season rains threaten cherry crops by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
In late winter and early spring, expectations for an outstanding cherry season were high as the crop began to take shape, but recent cool, wet weather has local farmers scrambling to preserve the promise of high crop yields. The late-season rains present two problems: rain sitting on growing cherries can cause the skin to split, ruining the fruit, and it can cut short the already brief cherry season by dissuading customers from coming out. Muddy parking lots and orchards are less than ideal on U-pick farms, and many farms closed this past weekend or have delayed their opening until the fields begin to dry out. But despite the challenges and some crop loss, farmers remain optimistic about the remainder of the season. “I don’t think we’ve had a total left turn,” said Jessica Enos, marketing director for 5 Star Cherries. “Clearly there’s been rain. Clearly the farmers see Cherry page 22A
PBA50 Rolls Into Town
Senior bowlers gather for tournament this weekend at Harvest Park Bowl. Page 15A
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Glenn Stonebarger, A business partner in G&S Farms, checks on the efforts to pick cherries in a 13-acre orchard in Brentwood, on Saturday, May 18. Lateseason rains prompted farmers to pick their cherry crops earlier than planned to minimize damage to the fruit.
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The Liberty Union High School District’s new bus barn is taking shape. Page 4A
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Calendar.............................23A Classifieds..........................18A Education.............................4A Entertainment....................9A Food.......................................8A Milestones.........................11A Opinion...............................12A Sports..................................14A
Marsh Creek Upgrades www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
County Works Department working on Marsh Creek Road improvements.