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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 16, No. 49
Black Bear owners purchase building
Lighting up Christmas
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by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Black Bear Diner’s property and building are being sold, but they’re passing into familiar hands. Black Bear Diner owners Brenda and Jim D’Amico are slated to purchase the property and building where their popular Main Street establishment is housed for $2.1 million. The sale was required as part of the 2012 dissolution of the state’s redevelopment agency program (RDA) to balance the state budget. The D’Amicos couldn’t be reached for comment as of press time. “They are excited to actually own the building,” said Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery. The property and building were purchased and built by the Oakley Development Agency in 2007 for $2.3 million, but after the RDA folded in 2012, the property and building needed to be sold. The money will be divided among several entities, with Oakley slated to receive about $180,000.
oin the City of Oakley for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 3, starting at 4 p.m., at the Civic Center Plaza, 3231 Main St. There will be live entertainment, including the Oakley Elementary School District and the Freedom High School choirs. Free refreshments will be served, and there will be crafts for the children, along with holiday decorations throughout the park. Santa Claus will be the evening’s special guest and will visit with children and pose for family photos, so be sure to bring your camera to capture the moment. The 30-foot Christmas tree in front of City Hall will be illuminated at approximately 6 p.m.
The Jolliest Season Of All
Leaf through this week’s special edition for your guide to the best the holidays offer. Page 1B
A Picture Worth $200
Newly-elected Supervisor Burgis meets with Delta First Five and nets the program $200. Page 4A
Running For The Finish Line
Press file photo
see Bear page 22A
December 2, 2016
Food-borne illness claims three victims Event sponsors had no health permits by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
As authorities continue to investigate the source of what caused 19 people to become ill and three individuals to die following a Thanksgiving event in Antioch, officials at the Contra Costa County Environmental Health Department are saying the large, churchsponsored event should have had county health permits in place before opening its doors to the public. “They absolutely should have had per-
“ They absolutely should
have had permits, but, in these kinds of things the people have to come to us to get them.
” Dr. Marilyn Underwood, Contra Costa County Environmental Health Department
mits,” said Dr. Marilyn Underwood of the Contra Costa County Environmental Health Department. “But, in these kinds of things, the people have to come to us to get them; it
would have been up to them.” Christopher Cappetti, 43, Chooi Keng Cheah, 59, and Jane Evans, 69, died over Thanksgiving weekend, following a Thanksgiving dinner held at the American Legion Hall in Antioch, which was sponsored by Golden Hills Community Church, also in Antioch. According to the coroner’s report, the victims were residents at two separate assisted-living facilities in Antioch – Minerva’s Place and Minerva’s Place II. Autopsies on the victims showed that all three had similar intestinal abnormalities, meaning the cause of the illness most likely came from the same place. see Victims page 22A
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Fish and Wildlife Service works to develop conservation measures for golden eagles.
Heritage, Liberty and Freedom cross-country runners finish season at state meet. Page 15A Calendar.............................23A Classifieds..........................20A Education............................. 4A Health & Beauty................. 6A Milestones.........................11A Meet The Beat..................... 9A Opinion...............................14A Pets........................................ 8A Sports..................................15A
Women’s Commission go to news/press releases Contra Costa Women’s Commission welcomes newest members.