Issuu

Researchers remember red flags on OceanGate sub A6

Matos’ home run leads Giants over D-backs B6

SUNDAY | June 25, 2023 | $1.50

DAILYREPUBLIC.COM | Well said. Well read.

Prigozhin turns forces back in deal with Kremlin to drop charges Bloomberg News

Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic file (2014)

A fisherman fishes at the Spanish Flat Recreation Area, May 16, 2014.

Developer of 3 Berryessa resort areas pulls out

Daily Republic Staff DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — Sun Communities has announced it is no longer interested in redeveloping resort concession sites at Lake Berryessa, leaving Napa County scrambling for answers to the question, “What now?” “I am writing to inform you that after careful analysis and consideration, Sun has determined that it is no longer feasible to continue with development of the Lake Ber-

ryessa Concession sites which we have pursued under our (exclusive rights) agreement with the county,” states a letter from Bill Raffoul, with Sun Communities Inc., to Leigh Sears, concession manager for Napa County. “As we previously indicated, we have encountered significant obstacles relating to the failing utility infrastructure serving the project sites. Extensive investment would be required to upgrade and repair the existing infrastructure which far exceeds the initial estimates we

had based our proposal upon,” the letter states “Additionally, after conducting thorough evaluations, it has become evident the site conditions pose unique and substantial challenges that we estimate will result in extraordinary development costs again far exceeding our initial estimates. These conditions include environmental factors, site specific characteristics and restrictions, and factors that increase the See Lake, Page A9

Amateur radio operators practicing skills for emergency this weekend Susan Hiland

SHILAND@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

RIO VISTA — Don Preston has a deep love of amateur radio, which he has been doing since he was 11 years old, and at 78 that enthusiasm has not waned a bit. As the Vaca Valley Radio Club president he is excited to share his skills and knowledge with others. They hosted a ARRL’s “Field Day” this weekend, which offered an opportunity to practice emergency radio communications in a field setting, as defined by the “rules” of the event, according to a press release. The rules define the types of radios, power

output limits and ways that the radios are powered for the weekend. Hams will set up various types of radios and antennas, then attempt to make “contacts” using a variety of “modes.” The contacts will be with other hams and radio clubs across the country, around the world, and even with the International Space Station. The event is intended to practice communication techniques, test equipment and introduce the “hobby” to the public. Preston noted that this is something he hopes youths will pick up, because if something should happen and

Susan Hiland/Daily Republic

Tim Fryman, of the Vaca Valley Radio Club, came to participate in the 2023 ARRL Field Day at Brannan Island State Park Campground in Rio Vista, Saturday. to affect internet, cellphones and power, people still can communicate through ham radios. “If I lose power at my

house it doesn’t matter because I have backups,” he said. “If the valley loses power, at least See Radio, Page A9

SALE

Come See Our ur Savings From

10-30% OFF

June 30th July 17th

Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin halted his advance toward Moscow and sent his fighters back to their bases, defusing for the moment what had become the biggest threat to President Vladimir Putin’s grip on Russia in his 23-year rule. The Kremlin said it was dropping criminal mutiny charges against Prigozhin and his fighters as part of a deal to defuse the uprising, according to Tass. It also said the mercenary would go to Belarus, whose president helped broker the deal, but there was no immediate confirmation of that. “We were able to resolve the situation without further losses, without further increasing the level of tension,” Tass quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying. The events capped a day of escalating drama that saw Prigozhin take convoys of his fighters to within hours of the capital virtually unchal-

lenged, even after Putin accused the mercenary group of “treason” in a TV broadcast to the nation Saturday. By allowing him to pull back unpunished, Putin risks the appearance that he was forced to give in to the armed challenge of a man once known as the president’s chef for his Kremlin catering contracts. Prigozhin’s rebellion jolted a country trying to sustain a war in Ukraine that’s the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II and unfolded against the backdrop of a Ukrainian counteroffensive across some of the area where Wagner’s troops deployed for months in the war’s longest and bloodiest battle. The U.S. and Europe had been watching the events closely, with President Joe Biden getting regular briefings as officials sought to interpret the fast-moving events. “ E v e r y t h i n g indicates there’s de-escalation in Russia,” Polish See Kremlin, Page A9

Dixon Railroad Day a hit with kids and locomotive fans Susan Hiland

SHILAND@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

DIXON — Anyone curious about how Dixon became a town can trace its history through the railroads. The Downtown Dixon Business Association hosted a one-day Dixon Railroad Day event celebrating the connection the town has with the railroads. They brought in miniature railroad hobbyists who brought plenty of trains, which were set at several locations in downtown Dixon; at the Dixon History Museum, Pardi Plaza and Women’s Improvement Park. It is the first time the event has happened and plenty of people came out to see what it was all about. Jill Orr, president of the Downtown Dixon Business Association has been planning this day

WEATHER 73 | 54 Mostly sunny. Forecast on B12

since January. She came up with the idea after hearing more about the history of Dixon. “Our downtown is growing. It is filled with merchants and restaurants. We wanted something more to attract people to the downtown,” she said. She has a friend, Emily Twist, whose son is a huge train fan and part of Diablo Pacific Short Line, which is a large group of train hobbyist. Orr learned much about her town’s history from the group, things like the first train depot from 1868. At that time, more than 150 wagonloads of goods were coming through Dixon. They needed a train system to get the merchandise to other part of the country. “I wondered how I did not know this!” she said. See Dixon, Page A9

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? Call 427-6989.

3VJHS .PYS 2UV^Z 9LHS ,Z[H[L

Living • Dining D i •H Di Home Offi Of Office • Bedroom

Sandra Ritchey-Butler 12 Months FREE Financing*

• Simply Amish • Flexsteel • Stanton

395-A E. Monte Vista Ave. Vacaville • 707.449.6385 LaineysFurnitureForLiving.com

REALTOR® DRE# 01135124

707.592.6267 • sabutler14@gmail.com '2+%

2SHQ :HHNGD\V DP SP 6XLVXQ 6RFLDO +RXU 'DLO\ SP :HHNHQG %UXQFK DP SP 2SHQ XQWLO SP 700 Main Street • Suite 104 • Suisun 707.425.1700 • castirongrillandbar.com