Bethel Island News

A 50-acre wildland home threatened homes on Sandmound Boulevard in East Oakley near Bethel Island Photo courtesy of Jessica Descovich via Facebook Firefighters are battling a wildland fire that has forced at least two homes to be evacuated in east Oakley near Bethel Island.

After reading numerous articles and submissions in regard to the proposed fire tax , I am concerned how many people don't seem to be aware of what emergency medical services they have available to them in East Contra Costa.

County fire crews were stretched thin Tuesday afternoon, evening and on into early Wednesday morning with multiple fires across the county, including the loss of two dogs and the rescue of three others at a Clayton home and a firefighter suffering a burned hand in Antioch.

Antioch granted own mosquito district: Antioch will have its own, exclusive mosquito abatement district, and if Diablo Valley and Bethel Island want to do something about getting rid of the pests, they will have to go it on their own.

Bethel Island residents challenge folks to say what they want about them, but when someone is hurt or having trouble the town stands behind its own.

A Bethel Island home on Taylor Place was destroyed this afternoon in a two-alarm blaze that took two fire districts, 10 engines, a fireboat and a bulldozer to control.

ECCFPD Director Jim Frazier offersA Fire Chief Hugh HendersonA a check for $197, the annual cost of Measure S to an individual taxpayer, to show his support for the fire tax district voters will approve or reject on June 5. Henderson said the money would be used for the district's General Fund.

How firefighters in far East County respond to calls could change significantly if a proposed parcel tax fails in next month's election.

Predicting the future is a tough call, yet we all do it. We base our plans for making personal decisions on what we see in our crystal balls.

Hearing delayed on mosquito district: Formation of a mosquito abatement district to include only Antioch and leaving out Brentwood, Oakley, Bethel Island and Byron was blocked before the supervisors Monday when Cleveland Von Konsky and Charles Hall of Bethel Island asked for postponement of the hearing until May 14.

A man who allegedly shot at police in Contra Costa County following an attempted traffic stop has been found dead.

The suspect wanted in an overnight manhunt was found dead in his car Wednesday morning, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department.

The suspect's body was located in his car at 5 a.m. Wednesday, and his car was found parked on Bethel Island in the area of Piper and Sugar Barge roads.

The Contra Costa Sheriff's Office is searching for a man who shot at Oakley police after they chased him to Bethel Island for a traffic stop, authorities said.