Covid-19 disease rate has tripled in recent weeks A3
The highs and lows of local sports in 2021 B1
friday | December 31, 2021 | $1.00
dailyrepublic.com | Well said. Well read.
2021 IN REVIEW
Tri-cities area witnesses more than a dozen homicides in 2021 Solano DA clears officers in pair of fatal police shootings Glen Faison
gfaison@dailyrepublic.net
FAIRFIELD — The tri-cities area of Fairfield, Suisun City and Vacaville saw 14 reported homicides in 2021 with another 20 in Vallejo and the killing of a 2-month-old boy in Rio Vista.
Fairfield The city experienced nine reported homicides in 2021, several of which remain open investigations. Gabriel Oseguera-Preciado, 22, who was associated with residences in both Fairfield and Vacaville, died after being shot at approximately 1:30 p.m. Feb. 12 on Grande Circle. Vanden High School student-athlete Daniel D. Hughes, 17, a junior at the school, was shot at approximately 4:30 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 4, on the 1000 block of Broadway Street. Police report he was riding in a vehicle when he was shot by another person in the vehicle. He was hospitalized in critical condition and died April 18. Police report there were three people in the vehicle at the time: Williams, another teen and an adult. James Sterling Shawn Williams, 18, of Fairfield, was identified as the adult and as the person suspected of having the gun when it was fired. The other teen was cooperating with investigators. Williams has pleaded not guilty and is out of jail on bail. He is scheduled to appear in court in Fairfield on Jan. 31 for a readiness conference and to set dates for a preliminary hearing. Police report that a 27-year-old Suisun City man was shot as he kicked open a door at approximately 8:30 a.m. July 6 at a home on Vintage
Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic photos
Matt Luckenbach is sworn in as Fairfield Fire Department Chief, Thursday.
New fire chief takes reins in Fairfield with change-of-command ceremony Todd R. Hansen
thansen@dailyrepublic.net
See Fatal, Page A9
Fairfield council, city manager sever ties midway through 4-year contract term Glen Faison
gfaison@dailyrepublic.net
FAIRFIELD — The City Council agreed to part ways in November with City Manager Stefan Chatwin on a split vote and with an agreement in place to pay Chatwin for eight months while partially muzzling Chatwin, city officials and current City Council members. Council members and Chatwin, either verbally, in writing or both, spoke of the mutual decision to end Chatwin’s tenure with the city. That’s in keeping with a provision of Chatwin’s separation CHATWIN agreement that prevents city officials – to include the City Council – and Chatwin from making disparaging comments related to his employment with the city. Chatwin, 54, was hired in late 2019. His first day on the job was Dec. 30, 2019. Chatwin’s contract, dated Nov. 14, 2019, was for four years with compensation of $255,000 per year and benefits costs of approximately $180,000. The severance clause of the contract calls for six months of salary and health insurance for termination without cause, for forced resignation or for nonrenewal of his employment agreement. A separate clause of Chatwin’s contract requires the city to provide 60 days of advance notice of the council’s intention to terminate the See Chatwin, Page A10 SUNDAY
Parade coming this weekend. Look for the insert in the DR.
Matt Luckenbach shakes hands with members of the public after being sworn in as Fairfield Fire Department Chief, Thursday.
FAIRFIELD — The city has a new fire chief for the first time in nearly nine years. “I could not be more proud than to transfer command to Matt Luckenbach,” outgoing Fairfield Fire Chief Tony Velasquez said during the change-of-command ceremony held Thursday at Station 37 on Kentucky Street. Luckenbach took the oath of office from Mayor Harry Price, becoming the fifth chief since 1995 when the department evolved from a public safety agency under the authority of the police chief. It had been a department many years prior to the switch to a public safety agency, but largely a volunteer operation. See Chief, Page A10
Frazier wraps up political career Matt Miller
mmiller@dailyrepublic.net
FAIRFIELD — Jim Frazier decided to keep a low profile in his final days as the District 11 representative in the California Assembly. He had dinner with supporters Wednesday night and spent time during the final days cleaning out his office. “I have nine years accumulated,” Frazier said. “It’s sad, but I keep reflecting on the fact that we went in with the intention of getting things done and I think I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to.” Frazier announced Dec. 1 his intention to leave office. Even with a new election ahead in 2022, he was ready to step down. He said it was the salary that spurned his interest to walk away.
He went through five elections during his time in the Assembly, and has culminated a career that began as a planning commissioner, city council member and mayor in Oakley. “It’s mostly the pay,” he said. “A lot of people don’t really know that there are no benefits and no retirement. It is hard to sustain. I have to fish or cut bait. I can’t tap my savings for another session. A lot of colleagues retire from other jobs with a pension and they do OK. This was my only source of income.” He previously was a contractor and went about his own business. The move into public service came by way of a family tragedy. On Dec. 16, 2000, both of his daughters were involved in a head-on
3VJHS .PYS 2UV^Z 9LHS ,Z[H[L Dr. David P. Simon,
MD, FACS. Eye Physician & Surgeon, Col. (Ret.), USAF Services include:
See Frazier, Page A9
INDEX Arts B4 | Classifieds B6 | Comics A7, B5 | Crossword A6, B4 Obituary A4 | Opinion B3 | Sports B1 | TV Daily A7, B5 WEATHER 51 | 33 Sunny. Five-day forecast on B10.
Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic file
Assemblyman Jim Frazier speaks at Lori Wilson’s campaign launch event in Suisun City, Dec. 22.
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