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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 14, No. 48
Future of fire service in limbo
Officially welcomed
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Just a month from the new year, East County officials have already determined one of their resolutions – shoring up the struggling East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD). Voters’ rejection of Brentwood’s Measure Z and Oakley’s Measure E last month means, absent any new revenue by June, the fire district will drop to three stations, with Knightsen Station 94 closing. “That is when the money moves out,” said Fire Board President Joel Bryant. “You can’t spend money you don’t have.” Officials say they don’t have a solution yet, but have indicated Brentwood, Oakley and Contra Costa County leaders will likely convene in the new year to discuss options. “I don’t know what those answers will be, but I think it is worth everyone sitting at the table and looking at options to keep
Celebrating All Abilities
D
ustin Maggetti and Jacquline Orr, the new owners of UnWined in Discovery Bay, got an official chamber of commerce welcome last week with local residents, chamber members and Assemblyman Jim Frazier.
Photo by Sonia Beasley
see Fire page 26
November 25, 2016
Schools participate in Special Education Ability Awareness Week. Page 5
Rising Star Returns Home
Former East County resident Carina Sherborne hosts a special holiday performance. Page 4
Park district purchases additional properties Falcons Beat The East Bay Regional Park District’s purchase of the 199-acre Coelho property in Byron is expected to protect habitat and seasonal drainages for specialstatus plants and animals. It may also allow future trail connections through the property’s Vasco Road undercrossing.
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) has purchased two new pieces of land near Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve and Vasco Hills Regional Preserve – the second such acquisition in as many months. In October, the district purchased a total of 76 acres near Deer Valley Regional Park, between Brentwood and Antioch. This most recent purchase includes land parcels, totaling 390 acres and encompassing a 191acre property on an unincorporated portion of Somersville Road, south of Antioch, at Black Diamond’s north entrance and 199 acres southwest of Byron, east of Vasco Hills Regional Preserve and north of Byron Vernal Pools Regional Preserve. The district will purchase the combined lands for 1.8 million. “This acquisition is the culmination of a 30year effort by the park district to secure the entry-
Graphic courtesy of the East Bay Regional Park District
see Park page 26
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Pittsburg
Freedom advances to the inaugural NCS Open Division final against De La Salle. Page 17 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................22 Cop Logs................................25 Education................................5 Entertainment.......................9 Food..........................................8 Health & Beauty..................14 Milestones............................10 Pets.........................................13 Sports.....................................17
Green PG&E
go to news/press releases PG&E encourages customers to think green during holiday shopping season.