Re-Elect
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS
Vol. 24, No. 19
Former Oakley police chief fired in sex scandal
May 13, 2022
Oakley fire contained
Lowered Prope rty Tax for Homeowners es Paid for by Gus Kramer for Asse ssor 2022 FPPC ID#14426 77
Photo by Melissa van Ruiten
A
by Jake Menez
grass mowing operation is believed to be what sparked a vegetation fire along East Cypress Road, just west of Sandmound Boulevard in Oakley, Wednesday, May 11. The mid-morning blaze was reported as being a half-acre in size, but quickly grew to between 2 and 2.5 acres, due to light, flashy fuel and strong winds, according to East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Gil Guerrero. It took crews about 45 minutes to get the fire contained. Early on, additional units had been added to the call for structure protection for a home that was potentially threatened by the fire’s spread, but fire crews were able to get forward progress stopped before it caused any damage to structures in the area. Early stages of the investigation determined that the fire was caused by workers mowing in the field, according to officials. To view a video and a slideshow of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Staff Writer
OAKLEY The city of Oakley disclosed why former police chief Dean Capelletti was fired in November in a statement released on May 9. The statement included documents detailing the findings of an outside investigation. The city had previously stated that the matter had been civil rather than criminal,but could not go into greater detail due to confidentiality rules, according to Mayor Randy Pope at the Dec. 14 City Council meeting. However, a public records request filed by the see Terminated page 22
REGIONAL: East County school districts have stepped up efforts to support student, parent and teacher mental health amidst COVID-19 pandemic. After spending so much time in distance learning mode, teachers and families were eager to get back on campus last fall. However, the isolation induced by shut-downs has left invisible scars. “It goes far beyond learning loss,” said Knightsen Elementary
see Support page 22
see Vote page 22
on learning loss, but addressing the social emotional needs as well.
Business............................................... 24 Calendar................................................ 8
|
Classifieds........................................... 19 Cop Logs.............................................. 18
Milestones.......................................... 11 Opinion................................................ 10
SAVE NOW
$20 OFF Repairs $100-$200 $40 OFF Repairs $201-$400 $60 OFF Repairs $401+UP
Track stars shine
Contractor’s Lic. #533790 C-20
A special day for special kids Page 3
Page 14
D MEDAL OL RD
2021 AWA
THE PRESS Y OA K LE
G
D MEDAL OL RD
AWA
D
THE PRESS O RE NT WO
B
Local News ~ On Demand
Service • Repair • Installation
CLOCKED IN
To advertise, call 634-1441
FAIRVIEW HEATING & 2021 AIR CONDITIONING, INC. Get The Press App!
Pets....................................................... 16 Sports................................................... 14
|
To subscribe, visit www.thepress.net/subscribe
G
Serving East County
”
Knightsen Elementary School District Superintendent Harvey Yurkovich School District Superintendent Harvey Yurkovich. “We are focusing on learning loss, but addressing the social emotional needs as well. If a student is feeling isolated or depressed, or not part of the campus community, they
Staff Writer
aren’t ready to learn, so we are focusing on making sure those students are supported.” Yurkovich noted that children –
“ It goes far beyond learning loss. We are focusing
Correspondent
by Jake Menez BRENTWOOD The Brentwood City Council is setting guidelines for the Brentwood Police Department’s usage and acquisition of military gear. The ordinance had first been brought before the council at the April 26 council meeting in an effort to comply with state Assembly Bill No. 481 before being unanimously approved at the May 10 meeting. The bill, passed in September 2021, required police departments to begin the process of adopting a usage policy before May 1 when considering acquiring military gear as well as to continue use of gear already owned by the department. The Assembly bill also requires police departments that receive approval to use military equipment to host an annual “community engagement meeting” in order to address questions or concerns regarding the department’s policy and use of military gear. “We’ll set up an annual meeting explaining what we’ve used them for and any purchasing for the upcoming year,” Captain Tim Herbert said as part of a presentation during the April meeting. “It’ll be a smooth process. I don’t think there’ll be any hiccups.” Military equipment, as defined by the new Brentwood Police Policy 708, encompasses a broad range of gear that includes drones, battering rams, “Firearms and ammunition of .50
School districts increase support for students during COVID-19 by Dawnmarie Fehr
Brentwood Council OKs military gear use policy
925-625-4963 • www.fairviewair.com
with