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Vol. 14, No. 27
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Family files suit against county by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The parents of murdered 9-year-old Discovery Bay resident Jordon Almgren, have filed a lawsuit against Contra Costa County, alleging that the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff failed to remove the knife from the suspected killer during a visit to his home a day before it was used to commit the crime. A friend of the Almgren family, 19-yearold William Shultz, is said to have stabbed Jordon on an April morning in 2015, after spending the night at the family’s home the night before. He fled the scene, but showed up hours later at the Antioch Kaiser Medical Center to seek treatment for injuries thought to have been sustained while committing the crime. An alert on-duty nurse recognized him through social media postings and called the sheriff’s department, which took him into custody without incident. He is presently awaiting trial. The lawsuit, which seeks an unspecified
amount, claims that the Contra Costa Office of the Sheriff discovered a large Bears Grylls hunting knife in Shultz’s knapsack the day before the alleged attack, but did not remove it despite being called to the home by Shultz’s mother on reports that he was acting violently. He would later be voluntarily transported to the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center for a mental health review. County Counsel Sharon Anderson was unavailable for comment and other members of her office did not return requests for comment. “The deputies did not remove, secure or impound the hunting knife, nor did they turn it over to Katherine (Shultz’s mother) with instructions that she secure it from William,” said Attorney Michael Verna in court documents. Shultz was released from the facility afPress file photo ter a few hours and returned home, but retreated to the Almgren home later that night The family of slain Discovery Bay 9-year-old, after getting into another argument with Jordon Almgren, has filed a lawsuit against the county, alleging his death could have see Suit page 22A been prevented.
Aquatic weeds still plaguing residents by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
Discovery Bay residents are no strangers to the hassles created by invasive aquatic weed species, and just when it seems one weed is under control, another drifts into town. This year, two new species have floated into the bays of this boating community and are causing a whole new set of problems. “A lot of people think the aquatic weed problem is under control,” said Roger di Fate, who has lived on the water for 20 years. “It’s not. Two years ago, the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) came up with a solution for the water hyacinth, but now, two other floating weeds have emerged here, even more complicated than the hyacinth.” Di Fate spends several days each week on the water, and he
has seen firsthand how the aquatic weeds are wreaking havoc with docks and waterways. Unlike the water hyacinth and egeria densa, which are controlled by the DBW with an herbicide spray, the new sponge and Melrose vines have taken root in the rocks lining the Delta and are immune to the sprays. “The Melrose and sponge plants are growing and will continue to grow out (until) they are killed,” di Fate said. “(Until the DBW) recognizes the Melrose and sponge plants as a problem, nothing will happen. They didn’t think Discovery Bay was going to be effected as fast as it was, so they have no plan to fix this.” Gloria Sandoval, Deputy Director for Public Affairs of California State Parks said a solution is being worked on. “The (DBW) is aware of the problems with the vines,” Sandoval said. “We work with scientists
Local residents in their blinged out headwear catch the eye of the man himself. Page 5A
A Dickens Of A Production
Brentwood Theater Company gears up for production of “Oliver!” the musical play. Page 18A
A Harbaugh Homecoming
see Weeds page 22A
Calendar............................. 15B Classifieds............................ 9B Cop Logs............................. 14B Entertainment..................19A Food.....................................18A Health & Beauty...............23A Milestones.........................21A Opinion...............................16A Pets........................................ 6B Sports.................................... 1B
Blood Drive
Sports Challenge
Photo by Roger di Fate
Two new species of aquatic weeds have floated into the Discovery Bay community and are causing a whole new set of problems. all over the country and all over the world, and we are always looking at ways to control and eradicate invasive weed species.” Sandoval added that the
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Ladies In Hats For Trump
Former 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh hosts camp Antioch High School. Page 4A
DBW runs control programs, not eradication programs, and that the Melrose and sponge vines
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Nickelodeon gives Bay Area kids a chance to compete in football challenges.