Happy
MONDAY, SEPT. 1 from The Press
Vol. 27, No. 35
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS SOURCE | WWW.THEPRESS.NET
August 29, 2025
Delta tunnels a ‘threat’ to local way of life State, local water agencies clash over disputed project
While Gov. Newsom emphasizes the need for a tunnel system; local agencies and advocates have voiced concerns about the project’s impact.
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
A state project that would build a tunnel to divert water from the Delta to other regions of California is the “key” to modernizing the state’s water projects and providing water to millions of Californians, according to a recent study by the California Department of Water Resources. But local water agencies disagree, calling the project potentially damaging to the local ecosystem. The Delta Conveyance Project is a proposed 45-mile tunnel that would transport water from the North Delta to Central and Southern California, accord-
Photo courtesy of the Department of Water Resources
ing to the website for the project. The tunnel will “modernize water infrastructure in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta by making physical improvements to how we
capture and move water during wet years for use in dry years with a tunnel system.” The website explains that the project is intended to “ensure California’s largest
supply of clean and affordable water for 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland is protected from earthquakes and climate-driven weather extremes.” While an Aug. 20 press release by Gov. Newsom reaffirms the report by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) as proof of the need of the tunnel system, local agencies and advocates have voiced concerns about the project’s impact as well as its efficacy based on other projects proposed by Newsom. “It’s hard to take seriously anything Mr. Newsom says when you compare it to his high-speed rail debacle,” Captain Frank Morgan said of the tunnel. Morgan is the owner of a charter boat business that provides sightseeing tours of the Delta as well as a member of the advocacy group Delta Alliance. “Years behind see Tunnels page 18
Compromise keeps tobacco ordinance from going up in smoke Brentwood balances wants of retailers and residents By Jake Menez
“ We are not going to make everyone happy and so we’ll try our best. This is what we do on council.
Staff Writer
The Brentwood City Council voted 5-0 during their Aug. 26 meeting to adopt an ordinance that would require businesses selling tobacco products to obtain a license in order to do so while also banning the sale of tobacco products within 500 feet of a school. The ordinance, which has been discussed in various forms since early 2024, is expected to go into effect on Oct. 9. “I completely support the tobacco retail license in our city,” Councilmember Faye Ma-
loney said during the discussion. “But at the same time…I don’t want it to be punishing our businesses. So we, as a council, came to a lot of compromise last time to come to something that we all agreed on.” The last time tobacco regulations were discussed was during the council’s May 13 see Tobacco page 18
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The Brentwood City Council took a moment during their Aug. 26 meeting to thank Chief Tim Herbert ahead of his Sept. 5 retirement. Herbert served as Brentwood’s chief of police for three years, capping off a 34-year career in law enforcement, 23 in Brentwood. Members of the Brentwood police department gathered to celebrate Herbert as well. “One of the things I’ve heard as I’ve had the opportunity to meet many of your officers – not only do they have respect for you, but the one word I heard over and over again is that you are a father figure,” Interim City Manager Darin Gale told HerTo view a video of the bert. “They hold you in high esteem.” event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
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City Council honors departing police chief
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Vice Mayor Pa’tanisha Pierson
Photo by Greg Robinson
Liberty faces ‘the one unknown’
Summer Reading Program grows
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