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Indigenous Peoples Day Vol. 27, No. 41
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A new longterm water source Antioch to get desalination plant
Antioch mayor Ron Bernal spoke to guests at a ribboncutting event on Sept. 15 for the city’s new desalination plant.
By Sean Tongson Correspondent
After seven years of planning, permits and construction, Antioch’s new water desalination plant will provide East County’s largest city with enough drinking water for generations to come. It is the first desalination plant for the Delta and only the second desalination plant in the Bay Area, along with a plant located in Newark. “This plant will generate over 40 percent of Antioch’s water during certain months of the year, reducing vulnerability during dry years,” said Contra Costa County Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Toler. “It’s a real, local solution to a changing climate.” The facility will produce up
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to six million gallons per day of treated drinking water — an important boost to regional supply reliability amid rising salinity in the San Joaquin River, the state said in a press release. Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal
called the project “a transformational investment that not only provides a critical water supply to meet Antioch’ health and safety needs during severe drought, but improves drought supplies for our neighboring
members of the Contra Costa Water District and protects Antioch’s water rights and Delta diversions for decades to come.” see Water page 19
County families can claim their share of $44 million in CalKIDS scholarships More than 260,000 California second graders are starting this school year with their very first scholarship through CalKIDS, the state’s landmark program that helps families prepare for college and career training. Each eligible second grader is automatically awarded a minimum of $500 in their CalKIDS Scholarship Account. Foster youth and homeless students receive an additional $500–$1,000, for a CalKIDS Scholarship Account worth up to $1,500. Each year, a new group of students is added to the CalKIDS Program. Eligibility is determined by the California Department of Education using the Local Control Funding Formula, which identifies students Businesses............................................. 2 Calendar.............................................. 13
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Oakley duplex house approved Planners OK downtown site By Connor Robles Correspondent
The Oakley Planning Commission approved the construction of a duplex house downtown on a vacant lot 120 feet south of the intersection of Third Street and Main Street. The 1,750 square-foot duplex will contain two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and one kitchen in each of its units. To differentiate the two units, one will be painted brown with white trimming and the other white with brown trimming. The duplex will also have a parking space and a small yard or outdoor space. To accommodate these, the applicant requested and received a variance, or exception, to allow a side setback of 16 feet and eight inches between the property and its neighbors, larger than downtown Oakley’s maximum permitted side setback of 15 feet. This request was granted because the larger setback would serve a regulatory purpose, that of providing “compliant common open space and parking,” according to associate planner Evan Gorman’s presentation. The project will be built by Perpetual Homes, whose representative Kathy Anderson expressed concern in her presentation on the project about the see Duplex page 19
see Scholarships page 19
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Nearly half of all public school students from Contra Costa County are eligible for up to $1,500 in CalKIDS Scholarships, part of a $44 million investment already allocated to students in the region.
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based on income criteria or as English learners. California public school students enrolled in first grade on Fall Census Day are identified as eligible and are then awarded a CalKIDS Scholarship Account by the time they enter second grade. The account can be used to support their future college and career goals. “Expanding CalKIDS participation each year is an investment in California’s future,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma. “When families engage with a CalKIDS Account early, it can help foster higher aspirations and support long-term academic success.” Nearly half of all public school stu-
October 10, 2025
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Heritage football faces powerhouse
Free dogfriendly event returns
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