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The Press 03.27.2026

Page 1


How local cities maintain their parks

Areas prepare parks for more visitors in nicer weather

As spring begins and more people flock to area parks to enjoy the nice weather, East County cities try to keep them safe and clean for the influx of visitors.

The park and recreation department of any given city is responsible for providing access and opportunities for residents to enjoy fresh air, nature, encourage exercise, and create an environment that is inviting for the entire family and community.

Antioch

In Antioch, the city’s Parks & Landscaping Division of the Antioch Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining city parks, trails, open spaces, medians, and right-of-ways. According to

the Public Works Department of Antioch, Antioch is home to more than 30 parks covering a total of 310 acres with an additional 600 acres of city-owned open space. It also has 11 mi of walking paths connecting communities to parks and schools.

While no new parks are scheduled to open this year, two parks are being renovated, according to Antioch Public Information Officer Jaden Baird.

“Jacobsen Park is currently under renovation construction and Marchetti Park is scheduled to begin renovation work in the next two months,” Baird said. “There is no process by which old parks are decommissioned due to lack of use or some other reason.”

Baird also said that the City repairs the amenities as needed, as older parks are not regularly refurbished with fresh paint with equipment being replaced when it reaches the end of its service life. Restrooms and drinking fountains at city parks are checked

see Parks page 11A

City Council also considers more light industrial along Bridgehead

The Oakley City Council received Police Chief Paul Beard’s annual report on his department at their March 24 meeting during which he said the department reorganized some of its personnel, closed a 2023 homicide case and noted an increase in average service time (from 4 minutes 19 seconds to 4 minutes 31 seconds) and an increase in reported sexual assaults and domestic violence incidents.

Oakley Police Department Annual Report

Most forms of crime decreased in number of occurrences in 2025, with the largest being a 41 percent decrease in vehicle thefts, from 122 to 72. However,

MMeteor sightings over the East Bay

any residents in the East Bay and beyond reported sightings of a meteor just after 8 p.m. on March 22, according to NASA. These sightings marked the third major cluster of sightings in the United States over the last week, with previous sightings in Texas and Pennsylvania. Ahead of the 8 p.m. sighting, local resident Sammy Singh caught a glimpse of another meteor at 6:06 a.m. while enjoying a morning hike at Contra Loma. More information about meteor sightings can be found at www.science.nasa.gov/solar-system/ meteors-meteorites

Sexual assaults up, vehicle thefts down in Oakley

Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard’s annual report on his department indicated that most forms of crime decreased in number of occurrences in 2025.

reported sexual assaults rose from eight to 13 incidents, while domestic violence rose from 108 to 114 incidents. Residential burglaries also increased from 10 to 15 incidents due to circumstances that

Beard was unable to speak on, as those cases were ongoing as of the meeting. In total, key crime statistics decreased by 9 percent, from 676 to 617 incidents, and traffic citations decreased by 19 percent to 1,641.

Beard attributed the increase in reported sexual assault and domestic violence incidents to two factors:

The fact that these crimes are typically committed behind closed doors rather than in public, with victims and witnesses unlikely to speak out due to trauma

The nature of Oakley as a growing community, which he said was more likely to create higher levels of closed-door crime.

To combat this, Beard said that the

see Oakley page 11A

Photo courtesy of Sammy Singh

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Harvest Time celebrates 50th anniversary

Nonprofit releases magazine, map of Brentwood farms

Jessica Enos, president of Harvest Time in Brentwood, married into a farming family. Her husband is a third-generation farmer, his father is still a part of the business, and her children are following in their footsteps. This year, Harvest Time is celebrating their 50th anniversary in Brentwood. It’s a long-standing organization that at its inception had about 10 members. It has since blossomed to 60 members this year.

“Harvest Time is a lot of things,” Enos said. “We market, educate and promote on behalf of our local farms. We are a little over 60 members. The farm members consist of farm stands, country stores, wineries and U-Picks. We are the U-Pick capital and we worked with a historian to figure that out. And we actually have the most amount of U-Picks within a small geographic area and we have one of the oldest U-Picks west of the Appalachian Mountains.”

Enos said the agriculture and farming have been so successful and grown in size over the last 50 years in this area is due to the support that the farmers give toward the community and vice-versa. Other cities

The agriculture and farming have been so successful and has grown in size over the last 50 years in this area, due to the support that the farmers give toward the community and vice-versa.

have lost their agriculture hub because of the lack of support from city officials and residents.

“We’re celebrating our 50 years, and 50 years ago a group of farmers got together and had the idea, ‘if somebody is going to come out here and U-pick, wouldn’t it be great if they visited more than one farm,” Enos said. “It was 10 members originally and they put together a trail map (from farm to farm) and that’s how Harvest Time was created.”

“The city of Brentwood has been a re-

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ally good partner for Harvest Time because together we’ve been able to continue to hold on to this agriculture identity that other cities have lost.”

Enos highlighted the youth being a major reason for continued success as well, and it has not been lost on many of the local youth that they can help further the thriving agriculture in Brentwood.

“We owe a lot to those 10 original farm stands,” Enos said. “They showed that this is a viable business and the community responded. The community continues to play

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a large role in why agriculture is able to stay. The farmers, in turn, support the community, they sit on school boards, they employ our youth and there is this really great relationship between the farmer and community that I think was realized very early on the need for each other.”

To celebrate 50 years, Harvest Time is promoting the importance of supporting local U-Picks and farms in Brentwood. From daily social media posts that educate on certain types of produce, to coloring pages that will be distributed at local restaurants to reach and inspire interest to a younger audience and finally, a new 50th anniversary magazine with features on local farms and an updated trail map.

“We’re trying to hit it on several different levels,” Enos said. “On our social media we’re doing 50 short videos talking about not only the produce that is grown here but the families behind it and the education. We’re actually doing a really cool thing with coloring pages that will be distributed to local restaurants for the kids, and on the back will be a list of all of our farms. We think this is a great way to have our kids involved.”

Enos said of the magazine: “We’ll have stories of our farming families, along with what they carry and some restaurants that will be in there. It will come out in about two to three weeks. They will be at all the farm stands, and they will be dropped at other places for people to pick them up.”

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia

Submitted photo

The dos and don’ts of finding a baby bird

April is when fledglings start nesting. As the month approaches, experts say it is often best to leave the bird alone if one is found on the ground as this is a common place for them to be.

A fledgling is a young, fully-feathered bird that has recently left its nest. Still learning to fly, it is common to see one on the ground with its parents nearby. They are most commonly seen in the summer, local experts say.

“It is estimated that up to 80% of baby birds brought to some wildlife centers are healthy fledglings that have been taken prematurely from their parents,” said The National Audubon Society, a national non-profit. “They spend several days to a week on the ground learning to fly and forage, which looks like “injury” or “abandonment” to humans.”

The organization noted a high volume of “kidnapping.” “Rehab facilities receive countless daily calls about grounded fledglings. One rehabilitation team reported taking in 3,000 fledglings in a single year, most of which were un -

and wildlife rehabilitation center, the first wildlife hospital established in the U.S. Flowers said fledglings will often jump out of the nest when they can only hop and flutter on the ground or from branch-to-branch. “This is a natural part of the process of learning to fly,” he added. “The parents continue to feed and watch over the fledglings.”

If a fledgling is found, Flowers advised to “keep cats and dogs indoors for the few days it takes the youngster to master flight” and to watch from a distance.

However, he said if a parent does not come to feed the fledgling for several hours, or it appears injured, it can be brought to the wildlife hospital.

Flowers said the parents come and go quickly. “You may not see them feeding the baby. Fledglings can often be identified as smaller versions of the parent with most of its feathers grown in.”

If they are still covered in soft, fluffy, non-rigid feathers rather than sleek, structured flight feathers, it almost always indicates the bird is a hatchling or nestling. Flowers said if this is the case, they are not a fledgling.

necessary kidnappings.”

While East County residents may think that the Medical Center for Birds in Oakley would be a local resource that can assist, staff there say that their focus is domestic birds rather than wild ones

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and encourage people to reach out to Lindsay Wildlife in Walnut Creek.

Peter Flowers, Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Manager at Lindsay Wildlife Experience, said “fledglings will always be seen out of the nest as it is a normal part of the growing process as they grow and learn to use their wings. This is true for all species of bird. It is important to remember, however, that not all species of birds live in trees. The California Towhee, for example, makes its nest on the ground, frequently under a bush so they are always on the ground.”

Lindsay Wildlife Experience at 1931 First Ave. in Walnut Creek is a museum

Not all birds nest at the same time. “Although fledglings nest from April through August, Hummingbirds can begin nesting as early as January. Most other species begin nesting in March with nestlings (young birds that are still dependent on their parents with few to no feathers) in March and April,” Flowers said.

Lindsay Wildlife Experience advises people to contact the hospital hotline voicemail at (925) 659-8156 or email hotline@lindsaywildlife.org for additional information and advice before bringing in an animal that may need medical attention.

Courtesy of Adobe Stock
Fledglings can often be identified as smaller versions of the parent with most of its feathers grown in.

Local doctors emphasizing colon cancer awareness this month; urge testing

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and medical professionals have designated this month to raise awareness and educate people on what is now the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance website.

About 1 out of 24 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer sometime in their life, according to colorectalcancer.org. Colorectal cancer is also the fourth-most common cancer in the United States amongst men and women combined, with 150,000 Americans diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year and an estimated 50,000 deaths annually. While statistics from colorectalcancer.org show an average age of 66 of receiving a colorectal cancer diagnosis, according to Sutter Health General Surgeon Dr. Christopher Solis, there has been an increase in colorectal cancer cases for people in their 40s and even in their 30s. Actor James Van Der Beek recently died

from colorectal cancer at age 48.

Signs and symptoms to watch for are “Blood in your stool, unintentional weight loss, if your stool becomes skinny and narrow like a pencil, and any family history of colon cancer,” Solis said. “Family history, personal history of polyps, and genetics as there are some genetic conditions that increase peoples’ risk.”

Solis said genetic conditions that increase colorectal cancer risks include Lynch syndrome (an inherited generic condition that raises the risk of certain cancers, especially colon and endometrial cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic website) familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), along with chronic diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Additionally, cases of colorectal cancer in young people have been on the rise with a 51 percent increase overall in young-onset colorectal cancer cases since 1994 and 10 percent of colorectal cancer cases appearing in people younger than 50, according to colorectalcancer.org. Varun Takyar, MD, a gastroenterologist at Sutter Health, stressed the importance of colon cancer screening, adding that it saves lives.

“A single screening colonoscopy can reduce your lifetime risk of colorectal cancer by about 60 to 70 percent, especially when precancerous polyps are detected and removed,” Takyar said. “Importantly, lack of symptoms does not mean you don’t have cancer. Colon cancer and polyps often develop silently, which is why screening is so critical.”

Takyar added that the most important step is to

April is the time to spring forward into learning something new! LMC’s Community Education Program offers courses that are interesting and life changing.  Here is the upcoming schedule:

4/2/26 Poetry Writing: Prose

4/15/26 Skyscrapers! An Architectural virtual Field Trip Around the World

4/30/26 Life Saving Skills: CPR*

5/6/26 Byron Hot Springs: The Most Fabulous Resort in the West

5/9/26 Bryon Hot Springs- Tour

(You must attend the lecture on 5/6/26 to attend)*

*See catalog for hours and cost for this course

All courses are offered in person from 1:00PM-3:00PM (unless otherwise indicated) at the Brentwood Center located at 1351 Pioneer Square, Brentwood, CA.  Most courses cost $25 per person unless otherwise indicated.  Scan the QR code or go to the website to see the full catalog and to register www.losmedanos.edu/communityed. For questions or more information, email nhannum631@losmedanos. edu or call 925-473-7397 • Climate Controlled Units

Colon from page 5A

simply get screened. He said the best test is the one that people will actually do, whether it’s a colonoscopy or a stoolbased test like Cologuard.

“In our East Contra Costa community, the most common pattern we see with new diagnoses is not failure of the test,” Takyar said. “It’s that many patients were never screened at all despite being eligible. If you are age 45 or older, or younger with risk factors, getting screened could truly save your life.”

Solis added that many people rely on their already-established networks of family, church, and friends to be a support group, but there are many national and local organizations and support groups for those to seek help and resources. Furthermore, a list of things

people can do to limit their risks of getting colorectal cancer include dietary recommendations such as avoiding a diet low in fiber, smoking, obesity, and living a sedentary lifestyle.

“Other than red meats, smoked meats or processed meats should be avoided,” Solis said. “Increase your fiber intake, limit alcohol consumption, get a good amount of exercise, start screenings for colon cancer at 45 or younger if you have a family history, and don’t smoke.”

For details, visit https://colorectalcancer.org/ For those interested in consultations with Takyar at Sutter Health, call 510-204-8120.

To view a video, visit www.thepress. net / multimedia

Photo by Adobe Stock

For print, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication. For online, post your events for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.

This Week’s Events

Saturday, March 28

East County Little League Crab Feed

Doors open at 5 p.m. for this 21-and-over fundraiser, with dinner at 6 at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St. Dinner includes crab, tri-tip, pasta, salad, and bread. Tickets are $95, which includes an open bar. Tables of 8 are $680. For more information or to get tickets, visit www.eastcountylittleleague.com.

Saturday-Sunday, March 28-29

Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble 10-Minute Play Festival

The Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble presents its 10-Minute Play Festival at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. Tickets are $13$22. Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble will present its biannual festival of 20 10-minute plays from 2-5 p.m, then from 7-10 p.m. For details and tickets, visit http://ghostlightte.org.

On the Horizon

Saturday, April 4

East Contra Costa Historical Museum Opening Day

From 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., at 3890 Sellers Ave., there will be a petting zoo, quilts, games, homemade ice cream, a fire engine, covered wagon, caboose, history displays, and a pancake breakfast hosted by Lions and Rotary Clubs of

Brentwood available for purchase. For details, visit http://www.eastcontracostahistory.org

Saturday, April 11

East Bay Anza 250 Symposium

The East Bay Anza 250 Symposium is a collaborative gathering that explores the expedition’s impact on the East Bay, honors Indigenous legacies, and fosters dialogue about how this history informs our present. Symposium registration $30 for the public or $20 for students and seniors. Lunch is included. To register, visit https://bit.ly/4szlhRO. The event will be from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., with a lunch break at noon in the Student Union of Los Medanos College’s Pittsburg campus at 2700 East Leland Road. An optional walk will take place along the trail that intersects with LMC at 8 a.m.

Friday, April 17

Heritage High School Improv Show

The Improv Team will make up the whole evening up on the spot—characters, song lyrics, situations, and whole scenes. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $5 per person, available at https://hhsrisingstars.seatyourself.biz - online sales only, no cash at the door.

Saturday, April 18

United Indian Association Blood Drive

The United Indian Association is hosting a blood drive at Veterans Park, 3841 Balfour Road in Brentwood, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m as part of Brentwood’s Community Day of

Service. Look for the blood mobile. Donors have a chance to win a $10,000 gift card. To schedule an appointment, go to Vitalant.org and enter blood drive code 100559801, or call 877-258-4825 and mention the same code. Photo ID required to donate. For eligibility questions, call 800-289-4923 or visit vitalant. org/eligibility.

Brentwood Community Day of Service

Community Day of Service is a coordinated, citywide effort that brings together local service groups, nonprofits, community organizations, and the City of Brentwood for one powerful morning of giving back. A number of volunteer opportunities are available to participate in, from park and neighborhood cleanups to planting projects to supporting local nonprofits. Kickoff for the event will take place at Veteran’s Park, 3841 Balfour Road at 8:30 a.m. Those interested in participating are asked to register in advance at https://bit.ly/3Q0JnH0

Saturday, April 25

Youth Commission’s Multicultural Fair

The Brentwood Youth Commission celebrates the city’s diverse cultures from noon- 3 p.m. at City Park right after the farmers market downtown. There will be performances, games, and a fashion show put on by local youth cultural groups. If you are a youth cultural or performance group looking to perform or host a booth, contact commissioner and event lead Rojan Habon at rhabon@brentwoodca.gov.

Tuesday, April 28

7th Annual East Bay Business Expo & Job Fair

The 2026 East Bay Business Expo & Job Fair from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. is free to all residents. It provides businesses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to network and reach out to the general public in a dynamic professional setting. Businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their business; meet new customers, clients, and hire potential employees. Vendors will NOT be allowed to sell their products at this event.

For more information, visit brentwoodchamber.com or call 925-634-3344.

Attention commercial venues! The Press is excited to announce we are now allowing commercial venues, bars and for-profit events to list your events in The Press’s weekly printed community calendar. For only $25 per week, it will include 55-60 words or a 380-390 character count with bigger font and will be hotlinked to your website on the e-Press. To place your event, let us know by Friday at noon for the following Friday’s publication at

or call 925-634-1441.

Oakley declares that innovation is for the birds

Dr. Brian Speer (second from right) received a Certificate of Recognition at the recent City Council meeting, for the Medical Center For Birds. The Medical Center is an East Bay Economic Development Alliance 2026 East Bay Innovation Awardee, according to a press release. The East Bay is a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. Often referred to as the “Academy Awards of the East Bay,” the East Bay Innovation Awards is the premier program of its kind that celebrates and honors the extraordinary companies, organizations and people that contribute to the East Bay’s legacy of innovation.

THANK YOU to our Donors

We

Barbetta June Pastor

Jan. 18, 1937 – March 8, 2026

Age 89, of Brentwood, Calif.

Survived by her brother, Richard McClelland; son, John (Rick) Pastor; daughter, Pam Clark; granddaughter, Ashley; grandson, John Nicholas Pastor; and great-granddaughter, C’Nya.

Diane Alexander

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EDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY

O pini O n

Letters to the editor

Think this on March 29 –‘How can I serve?’

Editor,

This Sunday, March 29, marks the national observance of Education and Sharing Day. This day was established to honor the life and legacy of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who dedicated his life to the idea that education is the bedrock of a moral society. As this day is recognized across the country and throughout Contra Costa County, it is an opportune moment for us in Brentwood to reflect on the true purpose of learning.

At its core, “Education and Sharing” reminds us that the primary goal of education is not just the acquisition of data or a career path, but the cultivation of a mensch or a decent, kind, and responsible human being.

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Have something to say? Post a comment or submit a letter to the editor at www.thepress.net/site/forms.

We often think of education as something that happens solely between four walls with a textbook. In reality, we are all perpetual students and teachers.

To mark this day, I would like to offer a simple suggestion for our community: Take a moment each morning for quiet contemplation. Consider the idea that you were created for a specific reason and that the Creator has a unique mission for you to better this world.

We carry a responsibility to those around us, our entire perspective shifts from “What can I get?” to “How can I serve?”

Let us use this March 29 to commit to a brighter future, a future where our character is our greatest curriculum.

Brentwood planners talk housing standards

-Published in the March 20 edition of The Press

“How about some low income assisted living for seniors.!

Many seniors from Brentwood are being pushed into homes in Antioch. $9-13k a month is unaffordable for most residents. All Brentwood cares about is money. They are not helping the seniors who built the community to age in place.”

– Carrie Nash via Facebook

“I’d love for the standards to be more strict for commercial

buildings. It would be so cool to keep a sense of farming and California character instead of modern boxes. The city hall building vs liberty high school is a great comparison of character vs basic.”

– @leisawaldron via Instagram

Brentwood to widen Lone Tree Way -Published in the March 20 edition of The Press

“2 to 3 years is unacceptable when other countries can do it in a matter of hours. Get all the equipment and personnel and impact our lives for a

LETTERS POLICY

The Press invites your comments. Letters must be no longer than 325 words and include name, address and phone number for confirmation.

The Press reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, potential libel and taste, or to not print letters we feel violate our standards of acceptance.

Opinions expressed in letters are not necessarily the opinions of The Press, whose opinions are contained in clearly marked editorials.

Email your opinion letter to editor@brentwoodpress.com.

short time. Geez, not that hard when you have to have all them degrees.”

- Doraj Llits via Facebook …

“Can they please actually pave the streets around town instead of using unsightly pavement filler? We pay a lot in taxes but always get the cheap stuff.”

– Shak Wall via Facebook

“It’s about time. We’ve lived next to the tracks by Rose Garden and I’ve never seen a train on those tracks.”

– I@steveldodgson via Instagram

REGIONAL & LOCAL

News iN Brief

Rotary Clubs fundraiser to help launch floating healthcare to remote islands on Lake Victoria

The Rotary Club of Antioch and the Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese (Uganda) and Buganda Amakula Northern California and Nevada, have launched a healthcare project — “Floating Clinic Ssese” — to deliver medical services to residents of Uganda’s remote Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria.

To help pay for it, a Rotary Clubs fundraising dinner will take place on Saturday, April 11 at 4 p.m. at the Antioch Community Center, 4703 Lone Tree Way, featuring traditional Ugandan food and cultural dances. Tickets are $100 per person and can be paid for via Venmo @ antiochrotary. RSVP to Milanka Schneiderman at (925) 550-8653.

The project, Floating Clinic Ssese, Rotary Foundation Global Grant #2462408, aims to improve access to healthcare for more than 100,000 island residents who face severe medical problems due to isolation and lack of medical facilities. The clinic will operate as a mobile health unit on Lake Victoria offering maternal and child health care, emergency response, vaccination, and disease prevention services.

This project is modeled after the successful RotaCare mobile clinic. RotaCare provides free primary care to uninsured residents in the Bay Area.

The total project budget is $446,489. As of early 2026, about $200,000 is still needed to fully launch the clinic. Rotary and its partners invite supporters, organizations, and philanthropists to contribute through direct donations to the Rotary Foundation Global Grant.

Go to my.rotary.org:

• Select “Global Grants” under ‘causes.’

• Enter Global Grant number 2462408 (Floating Clinic Ssese).

• Scroll down to complete your donation. You may sign in with a My Rotary account or proceed as a guest.

County sustainability panel seeks three new members

The Contra Costa County Sustainability Commission is looking for new members. This commission helps the county improve the health and safety of everyone who lives and works in the county.

Members provide advice on how to deliver programs that provide clean energy to homes and businesses, safe biking and walking routes, more trees and gardens, and readiness to extreme weather, according to a press release from Supervisor Diane Burgis’s office.

Applications are due by Sunday, April 12 at 5 p.m.

For more information and to apply, go to https://www.contracosta. ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/85173/ Sustainability-Commission-SolicitationNotice-March-2026-PDF-

County seeks members for its bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee

The Contra Costa Transit Authority (CCTA) is searching for cyclists to represent East County on the Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Members help shape the future of paths, trails, bike lanes, sidewalks, according to a press release from Supervisor Diane Burgis’s office. Ideal candidates:

• Are passionate about walking and biking

• Know East County’s paths, trails, and potholes better than their own backyard

• Have wisdom, experience, and perhaps a favorite multi-use trail snack

For more information, call (925) 6552918.

To apply for this position, send a letter of interest, which should include a description of your experience in bicycle and pedestrian-related matters, by April 10 to Robert Sarmiento, Transplan staff and liaison to the Transplan Committee, either via email at robert.sarmiento@dcd. cccounty.us or via fax at (925) 655-2750, to the attention of Robert Sarmiento.

Monument Impact

East County resource fair on April 4 in Antioch

The East County Resource Fair will be on April 4 from noon to 2 p.m. at the 40 Voice African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub, 1020 East Tregallas Road in Antioch.

Monument Impact is offering an opportunity for county residents to meet community partners who offer a range of services and resources for individuals and families in East and Central County.

Register at https://bit.ly/eec-resourcefair.

White Pony Express launches spring fundraiser to fight increase in hunger

White Pony Express (WPE) has begun its spring fundraising campaign, Growing Hope, Delivering Love, to expand its food rescue efforts in response to a dramatic surge in the needs of local residents.

While WPE successfully recovered 20% more food last year to help neighbors get enough to eat, the demand continues to outpace supply, the group said in a press release. With grocery prices nearly 30% higher than they were in 2020, local families are feeling the strain. As a result,

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WPE has grown significantly its waitlist, with more than 75 local nonprofits requesting weekly food deliveries.

WPE’s spring campaign presents an opportunity to provide access to good food to the hungry and low-income, said Eve Birge, CEO of White Pony Express. The nine-week campaign seeks to raise $350,000 to sustain WPE’s fleet and logistics network. To build early momentum, a generous partner has agreed to match the first $50,000 in donations dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of early gifts.

People are encouraged to help kick off the campaign by visiting the Growing Hope, Delivering Love landing page at (https://foodinmotion.whiteponyexpress. org/) to learn more about the campaign.

McNerney bill to close ‘Montana Tax

Loophole’

that costs California millions in tax revenue

State Sen. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, has announced new legislation –Senate Bill 1406 – that would close the socalled “Montana Loophole,” which costs California $20 million a year in lost tax revenue.

SB 1406 would strengthen state law by barring tax scams in which California residents create an out-of-state shell company to buy exotic luxury cars or recreational vehicles in Montana to avoid paying California sales taxes and vehicle license fees, McNerney’s office said in a press release.

The Montana Loophole was the subject of a recent sweeping criminal investigation in which 14 Californians allegedly engaged in an illegal tax evasion scheme to evade the reporting of over $20 million in luxury vehicle purchases and avoid paying $1.8 million in California taxes.

“The Montana Loophole is widening, with increasing numbers of tax evaders creating bogus shell companies so they can avoid paying sales taxes on Ferraris, Porsches and pricey RVs, costing California tens of millions in revenue,” said McNerney, chairman of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. “SB 1406 will close the Montana Loophole for good and restore much-needed state revenues to fill potholes and make other essential road repairs.”

Under California law, vehicles purchased in another state, such as Montana, must be shipped to that state and remain there for at least one year to legally avoid California use taxes. But California tax evaders circumvent that law with the help of Montana’s loose rules, which allow out-of-state owners to purchase and title vehicles in Montana on paper, even when they are primarily used in other states.

SB 1406 would close the Montana Loophole by expanding California’s definition of who is a resident under state use tax law to include a shell company when at least one member of the business is a California resident.

Newsom announces nearly $900 million for transportation systems of the future

The California Transportation Commission allocated nearly $900 million to modernize mass transit, expand freight capacity, and deploy next-generation transportation technology across the state.

The commission also approved the 2026 State Highway Operation and Protection Program, committing $17.9 billion over four years to safety upgrades, bridge and pavement repairs, and expanded access for pedestrians and cyclists, Newsom’s office said in a press release.

Newsom issues final warning to 15 jurisdictions about state housing laws

The state has issued a final warning to 15 cities and counties that remain noncompliant with state law that requires them to plan for housing needs for residents of all income levels. The next step will be a lawsuit.

They have 30 days to respond to the Notices of Violation before the Department of Housing and Community Development takes further action, including referral to the Attorney General, Gov. Newsom’s office said in a press release.

Under state housing laws, every town and county must adopt a housing plan that demonstrates how they intend to meet regional housing needs for residents at all income levels, and must submit that plan to HCD for review. With HCD’s guidance and technical assistance, coupled with enforcement, 92 percent of California towns have attained housing plan compliance.

The 15 towns and counties that received notice remain more than two years behind schedule and lack a path to compliance within 60 days, indicating noncompliance and a lack of intent to adhere to state housing law, the press release stated. If any of the cities and counties on track to complete the steps necessary for compliance fail to do so within the next 60 days, they, too, will receive a Notice of Violation and may face a lawsuit.

Parks from page 1A

daily by the city’s contractor.

Antioch residents can report issues via the online See the ‘Click Fix’ app or contact the Public Works Department front office by telephone (925) 779-6950, the city website Public Works Homepage, or by sending an email to publicworks@ antiochca.gov, Baird said.

Brentwood

According to the City of Brentwood’s website, the City of Brentwood has 242 developed acres of active parks in their park system, which is composed of nearly 100 parks and facilities, 19.2 miles of local and regional trails, and 63 miles of onstreet bike lanes. Additionally, Brentwood has six athletic fields with many of them offering picnic tables, grassy areas, trails, and barbecues. Park and Recreation Commission meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. The Sand Creek Sports Complex, which broke ground in July 2025, is anticipated to have its first phase complete this fall.

As of press time, Brentwood’s Parks and Recreation Department had not re-

Oakley

from page 1A

City parks go through routine maintenance in Brentwood, Oakley and Antioch, but residents can also report issues if needed.

plied to requests for comment about a maintenance schedule for their parks, but current park closures and a form to report issues can be found at https://bit. ly/41yBw61 or by downloading the free Brentwood Connect 24/7 app.

Oakley

Oakley’s Parks and Landscape Division maintains 102 acres of developed parkland, which includes 37 parks, 45 acres

police department is working closely with organizations that assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, such as the Family Justice Center (cocofamilyjustice.org, (925) 281-0970), the Contra Costa County Victim Witness Assistance Program (contracosta. ca.gov/972/victim-witness-assistance-program, (925) 957-8650), STAND! (standffov.com, 1-(888)-215-5555) and Community Violence Solutions (cvsolutions.org, 1-(800)-670-7273). As an example of the partnership between Oakley and these types of organizations, Beard explained that Community Violence Solutions made Detective Brandyn Gill their Champion Honoree for having “spent the most time and effort bringing resolve to domestic violence victims.”

The department’s concealed carry weapons permit program began in November of 2025 and has since issued 10 permits.

Police also wrapped up a “very long and intensive” homicide investigation that began in December of 2023 and made arrests in the recent shootings on Macadamia Lane, Norcross Lane, and Trenton Street. Beard additionally acknowledged that, while the number of pursuits has declined from 52 to 34 since 2023, an Oakley resident was killed during a police pursuit on Feb. 24, 2026, which he called “a situation that no police department, no police chief wants to be involved in.”

As far as reorganization, the department promoted two lieutenants in 2025: Lt. Kevin Morris and Lt. Dallas Collier, replacing retiring Lt. Logan Cartwright. Morris, the Operations Commander, is responsible for all field operations, while Collier, the Support Services Commander, handles administration, the vehicle fleet, and evidence.

Three new officers, two sworn and one trainee, have been or will be added to the department’s roster: Officer Alicia Martinez, Officer Julianna Calegari, and Officer Recruit Jorge Villasenor. More recruitment is planned to enable the department to expand their patrol teams from three officers and a sergeant to four officers and a sergeant.

of undeveloped parkland and open spaces, and 56 acres of landscaped street medians, planters, and streetscapes, with the majority of the maintenance and operations costs being funded through landscape and lighting assessment districts, according to the City of Oakley’s website.

Oakley Public Works Maintenance Manager Jesse Dela Cruz said park maintenance is scheduled as needed, with safety

5801 Bridgehead Road Work Session

The Oakley City Council also held a work session on a potential new light industrial project at 5801 Bridgehead Road.

The work session resulted in the council advising city staff to bring the project back as a regular agenda item for potential approval.

The proposed light industrial project would be built on a 4.3-acre site in northwestern Oakley, bounded by the Sandy Point mobile home park to the south, railroad tracks to the north, Highway 160 to the west, and Bridgehead Road to the east. The project site is zoned Commercial, but would be rezoned Light Industrial if the project is approved by the council in the future.

It is located near roads already busy with traffic and facilities such as the Oakley Logistical Center, which project applicant Dick Loewke said would make using the site for commercial businesses or housing untenable, in conjunction with its quarter-mile distance from Main Street.

The project site is used as a storage area for heavy equipment, but if rezoned to Light Industrial, uses could include auto repair, construction yards, warehousing, and light manufacturing without a conditional use permit.

If that happens, uses such as large recycling and marine industry could be possible. Light manufacturing includes the manufacturing of tools, machine parts, solar panels, optical equipment, furniture, and personal care items.

According to Loewke, the site could provide 260 jobs, paying $60,000 to $100,000 annually, in 65,000 square feet of buildings if the General Plan is amended to allow its rezoning to Light Industrial. While there are no planned

as the top priority. Similar to Antioch, restrooms are checked seven days a week, although checking drinking fountains can vary from one to seven days a week.

“The city’s older parks are refurbished as needed, while taking into consideration staff availability and funding,” Dela Cruz said. “Magnolia Park and Novarina Park will have their playground areas only renovated this year. Rosalina Park opened this year. Riverine Park is set to open this year.”

Dela Cruz added that three new parks –Trail Side Park, Dal Porto Park, and Enrico Cinquini – Park are all under construction.

Dela Cruz said residents can report any concerns using the Oakley On-Demand mobile app or through their website at www.oakleyca.gov/220/Report-an-Issue---Oakley-OnDemand.

For details, on the parks and recreation department, visit:

• Antioch: https://www.antiochca.gov/837/ Parks-Facilities

• Brentwood: https://www.brentwoodca. gov/government/parks-recreation

• Oakley: https://www.oakleyca.gov/264/ Parks-Landscape

tenants for the potential project, Loewke said that most potential tenants typically wait until after a project is approved to formally express interest in moving in.

Councilmember Anissa Williams expressed her concern that the light industrial project would cause an increase in already busy local traffic. Loewke responded that building commercial businesses on the site would cause worse traffic at all hours of the day, while building light industrial businesses would only cause increases in the mornings and evenings. Councilmember George Fuller recommended expanding the trailer park instead of building more light industrial in an area he said was distrustful of the city after the approval of the similar Bridgehead Industrial Project. But Loewke replied that the location was “awful” for housing due to noise, vibration, and distance from Main Street.

Councilmembers Williams, Shannon Shaw, Vice Mayor Aaron Meadows, and Mayor Hugh Henderson supported bringing back the 5801 Bridgehead Road project for approval due to its potential to bring in jobs, so long as the developer talked with residents of Sandy Point.

Shaw encouraged this step in all future projects, believing that it was “missed” during the approval process for Bridgehead Industrial.

In other council news:

Multiple residents of the Vintage Parkway neighborhood expressed their disapproval of the City Council’s approval of the Bridgehead Industrial Project across the street from their homes at the March 10 meeting. David Bonson praised Shaw for saying that she would fight to the death against data centers while Jasper Willowbrook angrily said that “y’all have decided that our health is a bargaining factor.” The subject was brought up after city staff acknowledged that they had failed to remove the words “data center” from the written findings on the project, with City Manager Joshua McMurray taking full responsibility.

Williams requested, as a future agenda item, that the city pursue a ban on artificial intelligence data centers, as well as a moratorium on their construction while the ban was in the process of being drafted and approved.. To comment, visit www.thepress.net

Press photo

From Brentwood to Pullman, Ryan McKendry takes his big-play talents to Washington State

Brentwood native and former Liberty and Los Medanos College wide receiver Ryan McKendry is no stranger to the big play.

At Liberty, especially in his 2023 senior season, McKendry recorded 52 receptions for 1,022 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 19.7 yards per catch, along with 102.2 receiving yards per game, according to MaxPreps. Two years later, he helped lead LMC to a 10-1 record and its first bowl game win as he totalled 44 receptions for 1,221 yards and 14 touchdowns. He led the state in receiving yards, touchdowns, and efficiency, averaging 27.8 yards per catch. That efficiency — gaining nearly a third of the field every time he touched the ball — made FBS recruiters take notice.

McKendry’s arrival at Washington State University this January was not the culmination of a traditional recruitment path – that would be too easy for the 6-foot-2 wideout. It’s the current chapter in a journey that features big plays battling formidable, personal obstacles. And, now at Washington State getting ready for the Cougars’ spring camp and spring game on April 25, McKendry wouldn’t have the journey any other way.

“The struggle made it worth it,” McKendry said. “Driving 30 minutes to [Los Medanos College] to practice every day... it made everything so worth it once the recruiting process picked up.”

McKendry’s talent and production have never been the issue. He battled two major injuries in his career, the first a shoulder injury in his junior season at Liberty that forced him to miss nine of the team’s 10 regular season games. However, when he returned, he gave a glimpse of his big-play poten-

High School in 2023.

tial, grabbing a combined 10 balls for 239 yards with a pair of touchdowns in the season finale against Heritage and in the team’s two playoff games, averaging 23.9 yards per catch. Before playing for a junior college in Southern California, he was close to committing to San Diego State before a coaching change with the Aztecs program derailed that.

Despite the challenges, McKendry never stopped betting on himself.

“I knew what I was capable of and it was just about replicating what I did in high school,” McKendry said. “I needed to show scouts and recruiters that I can take what I did in high

school and just replicate it.”

Through the recruitment, which included schools like Sacramento State and a few smaller FCS schools, McKendry chose Washington State, noting the program’s visibility and a “diehard” fan base symbolized by the “Ol’ Crimson” flag.

“One thing that stuck with me is that every single college game day, when they go to the big games or whatever, they have a long running streak of a Washington State flag being held up in the background,” he explained. “I think I made the right decision at the end of the day. I’ve been there for two and a half months and I’ve loved it. It’s been awesome.”

Along with living out of state for the first time, his transition to Pullman has also been an education in the modern collegiate landscape. In an era defined by the transfer portal and NIL [name, image, likeness], McKendry views his position through a business-like lens.

“You treat every rep like it’s your last because it could be,” McKendry said. “I mean, every scholarship now is a one-year deal. You’re not there for four years. You’re there for one year. If they want you back, that’s their decision. ... You have to impress, you have to show out.

“It’s a stressful game where it’s like, man, I need these reps because I need to show them what I can do,” he said. “It’s literally a business now.”

As he looks toward the spring game and the upcoming fall season, McKendry remains focused on the process of continuing to improve and prove himself. Yes, he does have dreams of making it to the NFL, and he’s now one step away from professional football. However, that’s not to say he’s not taking in the stops on the way there.

“Enjoy the journey because the journey is greater than the destination,” he said. “And I’m not even at the destination yet.”

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Local athletes use youth camps to kill Spring Break hiatus

For most students in the Liberty Union High School District, and the younger cohort in the Brentwood Unified School District, Spring Break is a two-week vanishing act –no classrooms, no commutes to campus, no homework (for most), and no alarm clocks.

While the rest of the campuses go quiet, the local baseball and softball diamonds remained loud through the last two weeks, but in different ways.

Baseball programs at Heritage, Freedom, and Liberty continue their non-league schedules, while softball programs from the three local high schools navigate a near threeweek gap in the schedule. The programs have one way to not just keep the players sharp, and at least keep them in the regular schoollife routine: the annual youth camp.

Over the last two weeks, Heritage baseball and Liberty softball transformed their varsity diamonds into classrooms for the next generation and welcomed Little Leaguers onto their diamonds. While the younger kids learn fundamentals and techniques, the older high school kids sharpen theirs, they said.

“It’s more about the routine than any-

thing else,” Heritage head baseball coach Kevin Brannan said during the Patriots’ camp last week. “It’s getting them out of bed — not hanging out until 11 a.m. or noon and then rolling into practice.”

Last Wednesday, Heritage’s junior varsity squad handled the morning shift before the entire program suited up for their games against Dublin in the afternoon.

“Personally, I think it’s very important,” said Heritage junior Jacob Hernandez. “A lot of kids sleep in. If you’re waking up early and getting here, it’s just like you’re going to school, almost.”

Liberty’s softball program is managing

Players at Liberty’s youth softball camp walk up to Jewel Cooper and Taylor Continente of Liberty during the Lady Lions’ camp Tuesday morning in Brentwood.

their break differently. They entered it with a perfect 6-0 record and a heavy dose of momentum. But after a forfeit from Antioch which would’ve seen Liberty return on March 31, the Lady Lions found themselves staring at a 20-day gap between games — the longest layoff since head coach Brandi Macias took over in 2023.

But if there’s any rust forming within Liberty’s roster, you wouldn’t know it from the 120 kids taking over the annual three-day youth camp. For Macias, the camp wasn’t just about outreach into Brentwood’s softball community; it was a reunion for those in the program.

“I can tell you they missed each other,” Macias said. “We’re on a daily grind and then we don’t see each other for a week. I think it was a great reset for them. They look forward to being out here, giving back and getting back on the dirt.”

The roster isn’t sweating the layoff either. They did, however, enjoy the reunion.

“This camp kind of brings us together,” Liberty junior Jewel Cooper said. “We haven’t seen each other in a week and we return to practice in a couple of days. I feel like we’;re going to get back together and just kind of roll into it like we always do.”

Fellow junior Taylor Jennings explained that the long gap shouldn’t affect the players.

“We’re definitely still hitting, still working out,” Jennings said. “I think during the break we’ve all just taken time to better ourselves.”

That confidence is echoed by senior shortstop Kelsie Skaggs, despite the Lions not having seen live action since a 4-0 shutout of San Ramon Valley on March 12.

“We’re all pretty high-level athletes,” Skaggs said. “We take the time ourselves to get our own work in. We’re confident in our abilities and how bonded we are. Even with 10 days off, we’re putting our work in. We’ll be just fine.”

Liberty’s Ryan McKendry runs off the line of scrimmage in the Lions’ football game at Freedom
Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Freedom baseball suffers third-straight

are being battle tested

The Freedom baseball team fell to Clayton Valley on Tuesday evening in a 3-0 loss, marking their third-straight loss with one more preseason game on Friday at El Cerrito.

The last three games have had different feels in how runs have been scored against the Falcons. Head coach Jonathan Lewis gave his group a B-plus against 9-2 Clayton Valley and a C-minus on Saturday’s 11-3 loss to Alameda. Though the Falcons errors are preventable runs of their own still need to be scored. And those mistakes came at inopportune times that made it visibly deflating for the Falcons’ dugout.

Two of the three runs for Clayton Valley came from home runs in the bottom of the third and bottom of the fifth. In that same inning, a deep ball to center field was dropped bringing in Clayton Valley’s third and final run.

“This game we came out with a better performance,” Lewis said. “Saturday was a good team (Alameda), and if you come out like that you’re going to get beat. This game, we came out a little better and Luis (Sepulveda) pitched his butt off. Another good game from him. We

gave up two home runs, we don’t get the bunt down and get the runner over and we could have got a run right there. But this performance was better; they just have to keep their heads up.”

“Those two plays were big, but ultimately we have to score to be in the game. We have to string some hits together and

move runners over,” Lewis added.

Though the Falcons are nearing the end of their preseason schedule with a .500 record at 5-5, they have all been against programs that are among some of the best in the local area. They are teams that Lewis said will have them tested for league games and beyond.

“The first 10 games have all been against quality teams,” Lewis said. “We aren’t looking for a soft entrance, so this will pay dividends later on in the season when they play tougher teams. And if they get into a playoff situation, they will be battle tested.”

Lewis said his job is to keep the team morale high when runs and wins are lacking. His confidence in his group is still high, understanding that in a losing stretch like the one they are grinding through, he will continue to instill that confidence but also keep searching for answers anywhere he can to get back in the win column.

“That’s the job of the coach — to keep their spirits up and ride them hard when you need to,” Lewis said. “They played a good game and I let them know that. And we have El Cerrito on Friday so we’ll look to bounce back.”

Lewis added: “(I’m) trying to put our best foot forward and looking for any way to improve what we’re doing and looking for that edge to beat some of these teams that will be touted later on in the season. All of these teams are ranked, so to come out .500, they should have their heads up high, which we’ll remind them of at practice.”

Freedom junior Luis Sepulveda pitches in the Falcons baseball game at Clayton Valley Charter Tuesday afternoon in Concord.
Photo by Mason Tovani/Special to The Press

Talking about wine without sounding like a snob

Wine has a reputation for coming with its own intimidating vocabulary, but it’s really just a way to describe what’s in your glass. Once you get a handle on a few key terms, it becomes much easier to talk about what you’re tasting.

It all starts with ‘aroma.’ When you swirl and take a sniff, what you’re picking up generally falls into three categories.

Primary aromas come directly from the grape and include fresh fruit, citrus, floral, or herbal notes.

A Sauvignon Blanc, for example, might smell like lime or cut grass, while a Cabernet Sauvignon leans toward blackberry. Secondary aromas develop during fermentation and winemaking, adding

elements like bread, cream or butter — often associated with certain styles of Chardonnay. Tertiary aromas come with age, either in the bottle or from oak,

Talking about wine doesn’t have to sound pretentious. These terms will help wine lovers sound knowledgeable without trying too hard.

can range from dry to medium-dry, medium-sweet, and sweet. A Chenin Blanc often lands in that medium-dry range, while Moscato is typically a great example of a sweet, fruit-forward wine.

‘Acidity’ gives wine its freshness and makes your mouth water, while tannins — most noticeable in reds like Cabernet Sauvignon — create a drying sensation similar to strong tea. Alcohol adds warmth and a sense of weight, and ‘body’ describes how light or full the wine feels on your palate.

bringing more complex notes like nuts, dried fruit, tobacco or leather.

On the palate, several components shape the overall experience. Sweetness

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The ‘finish’ refers to how long the flavors linger after you swallow; some wines fade quickly, while others stay with you. ‘Balance’ is the ultimate goal — when sweetness, acidity, tannin, and alcohol all work together in harmony.

You don’t need to memorize everything, but knowing these terms turns a simple glass of wine into something you can understand better — and appreciate.

Frank MaiUri

GARDEN PROFESSIONALS

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County ‘working cat’ program sees progress and adoptions

Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) has a program for cats that are unsuited for indoor life, act skittish or fearful of humans, and thrive in outdoor environments to provide rodent control. CCAS calls them ‘working cats’.

Public Information Officer Steve Burdo said the county’s criteria determine whether or not a cat becomes a working cat or a house cat depends on the temperament of the cat. “If it is friendly, it would be out on an adoption track. If feral, it would go into the ‘working cat’ program,” Burdo said.

The Working Cat Program aims to place under-socialized, feral, or semi-feral cats that cannot be adopted as companion animals.

CCAS discussed their goal and progress thus far. “The CCAS Working Cat Program seeks to find adoption placements for healthy adult cats that are not suitable for a traditional adoption because they have not been socialized to humans”, they said in a press release. “These cats provide a service to the community as pest/rodent control and deterrent. Previously deemed ‘unadoptable,’ now these cats can live out their lives outdoors. All they need is a safe sheltered space with regular access to food and water. CCAS has placed working cats successfully in barns, farms, parks, and other property where there are problems with rodents. These cats, for the most part, cannot be handled by humans. Their personalities range from semi-friendly to skittish. Some you will see, especially at meal times. Others will hide until the coast is clear. Our adopters, some who have outdoor cameras, report to us the successful “job” these cats do!”

If you are interested in adopting a working cat, complete the working cat application at https://bit ly/4uNkxdE No Paws Left Behind Kitty Rescue in Oakley is a non-profit cat rescue that serves the county.

The group focuses on reducing overpopulation through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), providing medical care, and finding permanent homes for cats in need.

Rodin Ryder, co-founder of No Paws Left Behind Kitty Rescue alongside Julie Cook, said knowing if working cats are really unable to be turned into house cats is case by case.

“They are cats that people never wanted to begin with,” Ryder said in response to the outcome of a cat that does not get adopted. “Their life in general has been poor quality. They’re not adoptable into a family like your everyday house cat that may be a lap cat. Their lives are tough. They’re not human friends.”

Ryder added that they do everything they can to prevent unsuccessful stories.

“You’ve got some cats that are out there that have been dumped and there are stray cats that have had people that are familiar with them and are able to be productive cats, and then you’ve got ones that are born from a feral to a feral and so on. That’s less of a successful story.”

The non-profit uses TNR frequently to help the population decrease rather than increase. “The TNR that we do takes the cats back to their colony because just like in an ant colony, everybody’s got their pecking order. So, we do everything we can to keep the cats in their colony,” Ryder said. “We have done TNR where the trap site is a very dangerous site and we try to relocate the cats.”

Ryder said they do what they call a “barning program,” or the rehoming of feral or unsocialized cats to rural and industrial locations for natural pest control.

“People want mousers and vermin control, so we work case-by-case with the cats, and find the people that have the proper arrangement for these cats. If someone had a grapevine orchard, we wouldn’t take a cat and just dump them in there.”

Ryder added that they want to make sure the cats get familiar with the property and their feeder.

“When we do relocate, like barn programs, we take two big dog kennels and we zip tie them together.” Ryder said the cats are put in the kennels for four or five weeks to get familiar with the smells, sounds, and the people.

“Then we open up the doors to the kennels and the cats can go out, but they know that that’s their safe place. So they can go back in if they need to, if they want to go back into their safe place, and then after a couple weeks of that, they’re pretty much roaming the property and doing their job.”

For more information from CCAS, visit https://bit ly/4rO3vcJ

To adopt, donate, or volunteer for No Paws Left Behind Kitty Rescue, visit www nopawsleftbehindkittyrescue

Courtesy of Contra Costa Animal Services

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