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City schools begin hybrid instruction
by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
Correspondent
BRENTWOOD Elementary and middle schools in Brentwood welcomed students back to campuses for hybrid learning instruction Tuesday, April 6. Brentwood Union School District (BUSD) superintendent Dr. Dana Eaton said the state’s constantly evolving guidelines made the journey back to campus long and he is glad to see students in person again. “Tuesday was the best day I’ve had in such a long time,” said Eaton. “There was so much joy on our campuses with the children returning. We all signed up to work with students and it’s those students that bring the joy to our campuses.” The return to campus in a hybrid schedule is only for the duration of the current 2020-21 school year. On April 7, the BUSD board directed the district to prepare for a full reopening for the 2021-22 school year, with health mitigations like – universal masking – expected. see Schools page 18A
Photo by Ken Boone
L
iberty running back Deovion Hill runs upfield during the Lions’ 2114 win over Freedom in the Bell Game. The Lions took the lead with two minutes left, and stopped Freedom on the Falcons ensuing drive to hang on for the win. The Lions have won four consecutive Bell Games. For a complete recap, see page 12 To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
Agencies urge fire season preparation “ It’s a good time to review your plan now
by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
REGIONAL As the days get longer and temperatures start to rise, there’s little doubt that another fire season is just around the corner. Officials with local fire service agencies are encouraging residents to prepare for the upcoming season before the alarm bells begin ringing. “With the mostly dry winter the district had this past year and the predicted intensity of the 2021 fire season, we are addressing the hazards earlier than ever,” said Steve Aubert, fire marshal with the East Contra Costa Fire
before the fire comes. I think we’re going to have an early fire season.
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Protection District (ECCFPD). Data compiled from ECCFPD operational reports reveals that the district – which covers 249 square miles of East County – responded to 90 vegetation fires over the course of 2020. In the first quarter of 2021, the district reacted to four vegetation fires compared to the seven wildland blazes that burned during the
first quarter of 2020. The bulk of those 90 fires (67%) occurred in the months of June, July and August. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reports that 95% of all wildland fires are started by humans, either intentionally or accidentally. That fact was driven home particularly clearly when agencies throughout
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the county were inundated with fires sparked by errant fireworks on the Fourth of July. ECCFPD alone responded to 22 fire calls in just 15 hours. The largest of those fires scorched 75 acres on Holland Tract, requiring multiple agencies and air resources to bring it under control. Still, the fire reignited the following day and burned an additional 40 acres. While the overwhelming majority of fires have their origins in human activities, the largest incident in the region in 2020 resulted from natural causes. A dry-lightning storm rolled across the state in the early-morning see Fire page 18A
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Cal Fire Operations Deputy Chief Mike Marcucci
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April 16, 2021
Board fills vacancies
Running to victory
by Dawnmarie Fehr
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OAKLEY The Oakley Union Elementary School District (OUESD) board has filled all its vacancies and can now work to move the district forward into a post-pandemic era. Two of the board seats were filled by appointments made by the interim board — members of the county’s board of education — in March, and the remaining three were filled on April 6. With all five members installed, the board can now focus on students returning to campus this week and create a plan for next school year. Sherry Seat was appointed to fill the Area 1 seat and will serve as clerk of the board; Lynell Fuller was appointed to the Area 2 and will serve as board president; Ann Corridon, Craig Pearson and Paul DiDonato were appointed to the remaining three seats, which are atlarge until November of next year. “I think it’s going well so far,” said Fuller. “I really appreciate the county stepping in and being the interim board members and providing support and guidance for me and the newly seated board members. I’m excited and overwhelmed, but overwhelmed in a good way.” Fuller was the first member to be appointed and was therefore privy to all interviews of candidates for the remaining four seats. She said she hoped the individuals who applied will continue to stay engaged, because they brought so many good ideas. “I was impressed, and I took notes,” she said. “I would love to reach out to them and get some