YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS | SERVING EAST COUNTY
Vol. 22, No. 36
Pension request approved
City eyes ban on drilling
Gathering the harvest
by Kyle Szymanski
by Tony Kukulich
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
REGIONAL A vote by the Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association (CCCERA) will result in an annual savings of approximately $1.3 million a year for the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD). The action by CCCERA has a secondary benefit of eliminating approximately $7 million of the district’s $15 million unfunded liability. CCCERA voted 9-0 Wednesday, Aug. 26, to approve ECCFPD’s request to be removed from Cost Pool No. 8, a pension pool the district shared with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire). ECCFPD asserted, and CCCERA agreed, that the allocation of pension liabilities between ConFire and ECCFPD was not equitable and see Pension page 22A
Photo by Tony Kukulich
T
rino Rivera nears the end of a 12-hour shift harvesting tomatoes in Byron, Thursday, Aug. 27. East County’s warm temperatures and smoke-filled skies have made the annual job more challenging, but Rivera and his crew persevered to process some of the area’s sweetest-tasting fruit. To view a video and a slideshow of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Beloved K-9 officer Koda retires “ It’s been wonderful working with Koda,
by Kyle Szymanski Staff writer
OAKLEY K-9 officer Koda spent the last eight years chasing down alleged criminals — the last three for the Oakley Police Department. But as he heads into his golden years, the only things he’ll be chasing now are his fetch toys. Koda officially retired in July and was given a rousing sendoff during a recent city council meeting. “Koda’s role in protect-
and we look forward to spending lots of time together as he enjoys his retirement.
|
”
Oakley Police Officer Joshua Del Prado ing our community cannot be overstated,” said Oakley Mayor Kevin Romick. “His presence, in many instances, helped to stabilize and defuse potentially violent situations.” The 10-year-old dog served as the city’s certified law enforce-
Adopt-A-Pet........................................8A Classifieds.........................................19A
www.thepress.net
ment dual-purpose patrol and narcotics dog since 2017. He was instrumental in the apprehension of a number of subjects who committed serious offenses and in locating hidden narcotics times. He’ll live out his retirement
Cop Logs............................................17A Education............................................7A
|
FAIRVIEW HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. Local News ~ On Demand
see K-9 page 22A
BRENTWOOD City leaders have raised the possibility of implementing a citywide oil and gas drilling moratorium. The move comes on the heels of concerns voiced by several residents over a proposed exploratory oil- and gas-drilling project outside the city’s jurisdiction in unincorporated Brentwood. “I asked for this (exploration), because there are similar issues going on in the county, so I wanted to know if we had an ordinance within the city in regard to oil and gas drilling,” said City Councilmember Claudette Staton, who first requested the city explore a moratorium. “I understand there is an issue outside the city, but I am talking about inside the city.” Currently, oil and gas drilling inside city limits requires Brentwood Planning Commission approval, which can be appealed to the city council. Assistant City Manager Terrence Grindall said he was unaware of any oil or gas wells operating in the city, and there are no proposed applications for such pending. But city leaders said they’d like city staff to investigate the city’s oil and gas drilling moratorium options and bring their results back for further consideration. “I am hard-pressed to think that a drill will go in anywhere see Ban page 22A
Milestones..........................................9A Sports.................................................12A
To advertise, call 634-1441
15% OFF ANY REPAIR Service • Repair • Installation
with Officer Joshua Del Prado, his partner since 2012, dating back to the duo’s time with the El Cerrito Police Department. The two joined the Oakley Police Department in 2017. Del Prado was unavailable for comment as of press time, but in a provided statement he said spending time with Koda has been a highlight of his law enforcement career. “It’s been wonderful working with Koda, and we look forward to spending lots of time
Entertainment.................................11A Legals.................................................20A
To subscribe, visit www.thepress.net/subscribe
SAVE NOW
Get The Press App!
September 4, 2020
Living Well At Fifty-Plus
Sports Practices Resume
Page 1B
Page 12A
Contractor’s Lic. #533790 C-20
925-625-4963 • www.fairviewair.com