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Vol. 12, No. 8
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Surprise for returning veteran by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer It’s not an easy thing, sneaking up on a sniper. But if you thought it couldn’t be done, you might have underestimated the power of a mother. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jon Adams, a Knighsten resident and Liberty High School grad, returned from his most recent deployment to Afghanistan last month. He was greeted at the airport and escorted home by the Warrior Watch Riders, just like dozens of other service members in recent years. The appreciative Adams figured the celebration ended as the last bike roared out of sight. He was wrong. On Sunday, as he enjoyed dinner with family and friends at a local restaurant, the roar returned, louder than before. Nearly three dozen motorcy-
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Staff Sgt. Jon Adams is congratulated by Lt. Col Bill Carter, who has just presented the Knightsen resident a Purple Heart for being wounded in Afghanistan. For a slide show of Adams’ welcome-home celebration, log on to www.thepress.net.
Fire meeting on Monday After two years of planning in dozens of community and board meetings, residents of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District get one more chance to help shape a tax measure expected to be placed before voters in June. One of the key aspects of a proposed $197-per-year parcel tax is whether it will include a sunset clause. As of now, it does not. A divided ECCFPD Board recently re-affirmed its belief that an automatic end to the levy would leave the district once again underfunded when the sunset date arrives. Other board members believe the tax, which is needed to correct a $2 million operating deficit, will not pass without the sunset. The final decision will be made at a special board meeting on Monday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Oakley City Council Chambers, 3231 Main St. The public is encouraged to attend.
The spirit of seniority
From fitness to facilities to self-defense, our Senior Living section celebrates the classiest of classes. Page 1B
War hero laid to rest A survivor of the World War II Bataan Death March died recently at the age of 93. Page 17B
A capacity for tenacity
The Falcons take their mat magic to the North Coast Section tournament. Page 17A
by Samie Hartley Staff Writer
The City of Oakley Parks Division has recently undergone reorganization. In addition to in-house adjustments, the most significant change will be the recruitment and hiring of a Parks Division manager, the first since 2008. “The vision for the Parks Division restructuring is intended to provide improved leadership and enhance operations,” said City Engineer and Public Works Director Jason Vogan. “We’re committed to ongoing improvements of service delivery.” see Parks page 15A
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see Veteran page 15A
February 24, 2012
New manager, projects coming to Oakley parks
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cles, emergency vehicles and police cruisers rolled in, horns and music blaring, to surprise Adams and whisk him away – in a limousine – to the Antioch VFW Hall. Waiting there were more than 100 grinning, flag-waving patriots, including Lt. Col. Bill Carter and Maj. Eric Sharyer. The two officers had a special reason for attending. Wounded by an improvised explosive device last year, Adams had subsequently returned home on emergency leave and missed the ceremony at which his Purple Heart medal was to be presented. “They just gave his medal to someone else and hoped they’d give it to him,” said mother Rose Adams. “It’s probably in the bottom of someone’s backpack right now.” That wasn’t good enough for
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Arts ....................................... 7A Business ............................... 6A Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 12B Cop Logs ............................ 18B Entertainment ................... 9B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty .............. 11B Milestones ........................ 17B Opinion ..............................16A Senior Living ...................... 1B Sports .................................17A Photo by Samie Hartley
Workers repair a diamond at Laurel Ball Fields in Oakley this week in preparation for spring and summer recreational sports leagues.
Vote for Friends go to news/WebExtras!
Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed is a national finalist in a grant competition.
Grand duty
go to news/press releases The county is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury service.
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Miles of smiles go to multimedia/videos
A baseball pro and Antioch native hit a home run with local fans.