YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 1
READ THE DAILY NEWS AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Licensing Frozen Bun Run limits access to tobacco
January 4, 2019
Biking For A Worthy Cause
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Bikes and Brews donates 35 bikes through three sold-out events. Page 9
The Oakley City Council will soon force tobacco retailers to obtain new city-issued licenses and adhere to other requirements aimed at snuffing out youth tobacco use. And city officials say further stipulations could be ignited if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fails to execute proposed plans to adopt strict regulations on electronic nicotine delivery systems such as e-cigarettes, cigars and other combustible products. “At least with these (city-approved regulations) we’ll get the ball rolling, but I am not going to let this discussion die,” said Oakley Mayor Claire Alaura, who spearheaded the new laws after the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors adopted similar regulations covering the county’s unincorpo-
Ringing In The New Year Photo by Tony Kukulich
B
en Methner of Sonoma participated in the 39th annual Frozen Bun Run on Bethel Island, Tuesday, Jan. 1. Ben’s first appearance in the event was last year, and he repeated his crowd-pleasing performance in 2019. To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
see Tobacco page 22
2019: A new year brings new laws 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, which will implement a schedule for farm
“ These perpetrators should not be allowed to endanger others or evade justice simply because they have a fat wallet at their disposal.
”
California State Senator Connie M. Leyva 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 ac-
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tivity, 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 endanger 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
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Brentwood Senior Citizens Club toasts 2019 and a decade of community service. Page 4
Winning Gold At Jamboree
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 and pass a live-fire shooting test to receive a concealed carry permit. Effective Jan. 1, under AB 3129, those convicted for domestic violence will never be allowed to possess a firearm. Another bill, SB 1200, will strengthen California’s Gun Violence Restraining Order to get firearms away from those threatening harm to themselves or others.
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.