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Vol. 8, No. 30
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Suspect arrested Wagon bones in local shooting by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Contra Costa County Sheriff’s deputies have made an arrest in connection with a weekend shooting in unincorporated Brentwood that left two teenage brothers injured. Brentwood resident Darnell Forell Williams, 18, was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of using a firearm during the commission of a crime Wednesday and booked at County Jail in Martinez. Police are still searching for two additional suspects who were reportedly in Williams’ company when the shooting occurred July 16 on Virginia Drive. According to reports, Williams and two other subjects were
turned away from an unsupervised teenage party at the residence on July 13. When they returned to the same house on July 16 for another party and were again turned away, one of the three suspects shot off three rounds, hitting one brother in the leg and the other in the lower back. The third bullet lodged in the front door. The brothers were airlifted to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. No word on their conditions has been released. Authorities have not determined if there is a link between the Brentwood incident and a similar shooting in Discovery Bay on July 18, when three individuals were injured following an altercation at a house party on Worthing Way. “At this point there doesn’t
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July 23, 2010
This Week Padlock on protection
Two local fire stations are now closed for business, making officials and residents warm around the collar. Page 5A
Libraries get a lift Photo by Ger Erickson
s East County bakes under the midsummer sun, so do relics of the region’s agricultural roots. Set amid the golden grasses along the Miwok Trail at Round Valley Regional Preserve south of Brentwood are the skeletal remains of this farm cart sculpted by time’s dull chisel.
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see Shooting page 22A
Three libraries are benefiting from a Discovery Bay teen’s Eagle vision and effort. Page 10A
Blindsiding prohibited
Delta weeds create tangle of trouble by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
It’s called egeria densa, a delicate-looking Brazilian waterweed commonly found in pet stores and home aquariums. Known for its fast-growing, robust properties, the attractive green weed with the exotic name has become an increasingly unpopular visitor to the aquatic backyards of Discovery Bay, leaving some residents fearing for their property values and recreational lifestyles, while prompting local officials to look to state governance for some help. “This is a volcano ready to erupt and we need to diffuse it,” said Jeff Conway, district manager of Reclamation District 800, the organization that operates and maintains the area’s levees. “This is the worst year I’ve seen in 13 or 14 years, and I don’t see it getting any better next
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Photo courtesy of Rec 800
Egeria densa is a growing concern for residents in Discovery Bay who are fighting the prolific weed for space in the Delta. year. We need to get it managed and under control.” Responding to the outpouring of community concern over the increasing prevalence of the egeria densa this year, Discovery Bay General Manager Rick Howard
said the CSD plans to send a letter to the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) on behalf of the town. “The CSD became involved as a result of resident complaints about the mass of aquatic weeds
A-maize-ing spray news/WebExtras!
A cropdusting chopper was caught in the act of de-bugging at tassle-top level.
that seem to have plagued a great number of bays and waterways in Discovery Bay this summer,” said Howard. “While the (CSD) board does not have direct authority over the subject, they are in a position to advise and provide input to other local agencies. Quality of life is an important issue for this board and their proactive approach to this issue is consistent with that principle.” Although the presence of the ergia densa is not new to Discovery Bay, this year’s perfect storm of temperature, water and sunlight has caused the prolific underwater weed to expand its reach, clogging area bays and waterways. And what was once a fairly manageable problem, handled by simply pulling the seaweed out by the roots, has taken on a life of its own. “It’s a huge problem that’s see Weeds page 22A
Parking zone
go to news/press releases A new book chronicles our cutting-edge East Bay Regional Park District.
A Liberty alum is making an impact shielding quarterbacks and springing running backs on the university level. Page 1B
Plus: Back to School .................12A Business .............................12A Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 13B Cop Logs ............................17A Entertainment ................... 8B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty ................ 6B Opinion ..............................16A Outdoors ............................. 6A Sports ................................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Under the stars go to multimedia/videos
Catch the action of the Broadway hit that wowed East County audiences.