YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS | SERVING EAST COUNTY
Vol. 23, No. 11
Housing project denied
Treatment planned for algae
A peek at snowy peaks
by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents per day; a testing positivity rate less than or equal to 8%; and an equity metric less than or equal to 8%. The equity metric is the test positivity rate in economically challenged areas of a county where the pandemic has had a disproportionately large impact. Further, the county must meet these qualifications for two consecutive weeks. As of March 9, the county’s adjusted case rate is 7.9; the positivity rate is 2.9% and the equity metric is 4.7%. There are other options for the county to advance to the red
DISCOVERY BAY As temperatures warm up and the year creeps closer to summer, many Discovery Bay residents are looking toward the water and wondering what the next current will bring. Invasive weeds and toxic algae can sometimes temper the beautiful lifestyle many Delta residents love, but local agencies are working to keep the waters clear. Representatives from the Discovery Bay Community Foundation (DBCF) have partnered with the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) to mitigate invasive weeds – such as floating hyacinth and egeria densa – clogging some parts of the Delta. “We are blessed to have such a great working relationship with the Department of Boating and Waterways, and we’re extremely fortunate they are able to treat our bays every year, as they only have enough funds, manpower and product to treat 65% of the Delta every year,” said DBCF president Jim Mattison. “Much more funding is desperately needed, so they can treat and maintain the entire Delta every year.” Last year, weed abatement and spraying programs were delayed by shelter-in-place orders issued in March to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to policy changes and several new COVID-related rules, DBW began treatment in late May, rather than early March. By then, weeds had taken over some of the bays in Discovery Bay West, including Turtle Bay, where Darin Ganem has lived
see County page 22
see Algae page 22
Legals.....................................20 Milestones............................11
Opinion..................................12 Sports.....................................15
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
BRENTWOOD The Brentwood City Council has taken the first step toward denying the proposed Bridle Gate development, a project of up to 315 homes, west of the Sand Creek Road and State Route 4 interchange. The council’s unanimous decision on March 9 paves the way for city staff to formally return with an appropriate denial resolution at a future meeting. “This brings a lot to the table, but there is a balancing act that we have to do to make sure our community is benefited by it more than it is impacted by it,” said Brentwood Mayor Joel Bryant. The proposed 137-acre project site was to feature 252 single-family lots, 28.25 acres see Housing page 22
D
Photo by Tony Kukulich
amp and cold weather brought a light coating of snow to the peak of Mount Diablo as seen from Jersey Island Road in Oakley, March 10.
County remains in most restrictive tier “ With the increase in vaccine availability
by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
coming soon, we hope to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
REGIONAL Contra Costa and Sonoma counties remain the only two Bay Area counties that have not moved to the less restrictive red tier in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy after Solano and Alameda counties made the transition Tuesday, March 9. Exactly when Contra Costa County will qualify for the easing of certain COVID-19-related restrictions is not known. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday morning that Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) Director Ana Roth expected the county would move to the red tier by the
middle of next week. Roth’s comments were made during a presentation to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. But later in the day, the agency stepped back those comments due to changes made in the state’s criteria. “Initially this morning we did think we would move to the red
tier next week,” said Scott Alonso, CCHS spokesperson. “However, recent info from the state is requiring us to understand more what the state will do. The process is evolving and ever-changing.” To qualify for the red tier, the county must report: an adjusted case rate less than or equal to seven
Adopt-A-Pet............................6 Calendar................................23
Classifieds.............................19 Cop Logs................................13
Food..........................................9 Health & Beauty....................6
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