Due to the coronavirus concerns, instead of the children’s show during the month of April, Main Street Arts in Martinez will have a “Small Wall” show featuring small paintings by the Main Street Arts gallery artists. (See related article)
“Confluence” featuring the wonderful artwork created by Patsy Taylor’s students, past and present, will be postponed to August. Thank you all, stay safe!
Read MoreBy San Pablo Police Department
Warrant Arrests – Sexual Offenses
Friday night, March 13, 2020 officers on the graveyard shift made a traffic stop. The driver and the passenger, a male and a female, both had warrants for their arrest. One for rape and one for pimping and pandering.
Upon search of the vehicle, officers found drugs, scales, paraphernalia and bags for packaging/sales.
The warrants did not originate from the San Pablo Police Department but other neighboring cities and outside of Contra Costa County.
Read MoreSuspect sought by police – described as a white male adult, between 25 and 27 years of age, between 5’09” and 5’10” tall, with a skinny build, with dark hair, a beard, or a Goatee type facial hair
By East Bay Regional Park District Police
On Thursday, March 12, 2020, at about 7:16 PM, a female jogger was assaulted on the Iron Horse Trail, near the intersection of Jones Road and Treat Blvd., in Walnut Creek, CA. The jogger was traveling south on the trail, on the Robert I. Schroder overcrossing at Treat Blvd., when she was inappropriately grabbed from behind by a male assailant, a crime of Sexual Battery (243.4 PC). The suspect continued to run southbound on the trail and is still outstanding. The victim sustained no other injuries.
East Bay Regional Park District Police officers, along with officers from BART PD, Walnut Creek PD, and deputies from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the area to assist with the investigation. The victim described the suspect as a white male adult, between 25 and 27 years of age, between 5’09” and 5’10” tall, with a skinny build, with dark hair, a beard, or a Goatee type facial hair and wearing all dark athletic type clothing.
The crime is the third incident of recent assaults on the Iron Horse Trail in the same area currently being investigated by the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department. The suspect’s description closely resembles the physical description of the suspect from two previous incidents.
The East Bay Regional Park District Police Department is carefully and diligently investigating all three of these incidents and believes they are related. Anyone who was on the Iron Horse Trail during this time or who may have cameras that may have captured the suspect’s photo is asked to contact our Dispatch Center at (510) 881-1833.
The Police Department is working with allied agencies to locate and arrest the suspect in these crimes. We ask the public to be aware of their surroundings while visiting the parks and to phone the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department any suspicious activity within the parks.
The East Bay Regional Park District Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the assault, was in the immediate area during the time of 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, or may have information regarding the identity of the suspect, to contact the East Bay Regional Park District Police Dispatch Center at (510) 881-1833 or the anonymous Tip Line at (510) 690-6521.
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The company’s enterprise-wide incident response team continues to activate protocols and actions as the situation changes to protect the health and safety of customers and employees; does not expect any disruption in gas or electric service throughout public health crisis
PG&E announced Friday, March 12, 2020 that due to the COVID-19 pandemic it has voluntarily implemented a moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment, effective immediately. This suspension will apply to both residential and commercial customers and will remain in effect until further notice.
To further support customers who may be impacted by the pandemic, PG&E will offer its most flexible pay plans to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19. PG&E will continue to monitor current events and identify opportunities to support our customers and communities.
In addition to the moratorium on service shut-offs, PG&E’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is focused on efforts to protect the health and safety of its customers, employees, contractors and the communities it serves. Actions the company has taken include providing guidance for employees who have direct customer contact to take social distancing precautionary measures, such as avoiding handshakes and wearing disposable nitrile gloves while in customers’ homes.
Customers who visit local offices to pay bills and are sick or experiencing symptoms are being asked to use other payment options such as online or by phone at 877-704-8470.
“We recognize that this is a rapidly changing situation and an uncertain time for many of our customers. Our most important responsibility is the health and safety of our customers and employees. We also want to provide some relief from the stress and financial challenges many are facing during this worldwide, public health crisis. We understand that many of our customers may experience a personal financial strain due to the slowdown in the economy related to the pandemic,” said Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President Laurie Giammona.
Internally, the company is taking advanced cleaning measures, communicating best practices frequently with employees, and is asking its leaders to let employees work remotely if their job allows, while avoiding critical business disruption. PG&E has activated an enterprise-wide incident response team and is vigilantly monitoring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization for updates related to the virus. The company is committed to continue addressing customer service needs and does not expect any disruption in gas or electric service due to the public health crisis.
Read MoreContra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department to Continue Delivering Services While Taking Steps to Help Prevent Spread of Coronavirus
By Tish Gallegos, Community/Media Relations, Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD)
Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) will close lobbies in seven buildings to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in its public spaces. Community members can still access the services and benefit programs the department provides, however EHSD is encouraging they do so in ways that limit exposure, such as through phone appointments or online applications. EHSD is restricting access to its public lobbies effective Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice, affecting programs such as CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal and General Assistance at the following locations:
Location | Services |
400 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill
|
CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and General Assistance applications. |
4545 Delta Fair Blvd., Antioch
|
CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and General Assistance applications; Welfare-to-Work; continuing CalWORKs eligibility assistance. |
3105 Willow Pass Rd., Bay Point
|
CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal applications |
151 Sand Creek Rd., Brentwood
|
CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal applications |
1305 MacDonald Ave., Richmond
|
CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and General Assistance applications; Welfare-to-Work; continuing CalWORKs eligibility assistance. |
1535 Fred Jackson Way, Richmond
|
CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal applications |
151 Linus Pauling, Hercules
|
CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal applications; Welfare-to-Work |
During the temporary closure, limited in-person access will be available to individuals who meet these criteria:
- No access to a telephone or computer
- Pre-scheduled in-person appointment
- Emergency EBT card or check pick-up
- Scheduled CalWORKs or General Assistance mental health assessment
- Homeless mail pick-up
Applications will be available outside the lobby areas for all benefit programs, and community members may complete, sign and return documents for processing using a secure drop box during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EHSD staff will continue working to deliver all services, but away from the public spaces. Community members can visit www.EHSD.org to apply for benefits, email their worker, report changes, upload documents, obtain more information, as well as view updates and resources related to COVID-19. They may also get assistance from lobby staff by calling (925) 957-5647 or (925) 957-5648 (Spanish).
EHSD is committed to continuing to support families and individuals in Contra Costa County. The closure is a cautionary measure based on guidance from Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS). EHSD is committed to ensuring the delivery of quality services while promoting the health and safety of all community members.
Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services
Employment & Human Services (EHSD) partners with the community to deliver quality services to ensure access to resources that support, protect, and empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. Based on the core values of delivering an exceptional customer experience, encouraging open communication, embracing change, practicing ethical behavior, and embracing diversity, EHSD envisions Contra Costa County will continue to be a thriving community where all individuals and families can be healthy, safe, secure and self-sufficient. More information about EHSD is available at www.ehsd.org.
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Violation of or failure to comply is a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment in the county jail, or both. 25 cases currently in the county.
By Allen Payton
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) has announced a mandatory order prohibiting public and private mass gatherings of 100 or more people. A new order from CCHS Health Officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano, posted at cchealth.org/coronavirus states, “Under the authority of Sections 101040 and 120175 of the California Health and Safety code, the Health Officer of the County of Contra Costa (“Health Officer”) orders effective as of 12:01 am on Sunday, March 15, 2020, and continuing through Tuesday, March 31, 2020, mass gatherings…defined as an event or convening that brings together 100 or more individuals at the same time in a single room or single confined or enclosed space, including but not limited to an auditorium, theater, stadium, arena, event center, meeting hall, conference center, cafeteria, or any confined indoor space of confined outdoor space.”
“Violation of or failure to comply with this is Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment in the County jail, or both. (California Health & Saf. Code, § 120295.),” the announcement also states. (See the complete order, here – HO-COVID19-01-Prohibiting-Mass-Gatherings-of-100-or-more )
Furthermore, in a Facebook Live video with Contra Costa Health Director Ana Roth (which can be viewed on YouTube), Dr. Ori Tsveieli, Contra Costa Deputy and Acting Health Officer said, “We are strongly urging what are called social distancing strategies. No gatherings of people, because the virus can spread when people gather together. So, we want to limit gatherings of people. Our strong urging is to cancel or postpone gatherings of 50 or more people coming together. People who are especially vulnerable, who are the elderly or people with chronic medical conditions, really try to stay away from gatherings of people, even as small as 10 people together can elevate your risks.”
“If you are sick do not go to work or school,” he also stated. “Work from home if you can.”
“This is a key time,” Dr. Tsveieli continued. “We are trying to flatten the curve. Which means slow the spread down so that our healthcare infrastructure in our community can handle it.”
According to Contra Costa Health Services, as of Friday, March 13, 2020 at 9:30 a.m., in Contra Costa County there are 25 cases of residents with coronavirus/COVID-19 with zero deaths.
A press conference scheduled for 1:00 p.m. today. Speakers will include Contra Costa Board of Supervisors Chair Candace Andersen and Contra Costa health officials. The health officer’s goal is to firmly establish the critical need to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by eliminating crowds.
For the latest update from Contra Costa Health Services, visit https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/.
Expect more information to be added to this report. Please check back later.
Read MoreFirst time CIF basketball championships were cancelled
The Campolindo Cougars of Moraga made it to the state championship game scheduled for tonight, Friday, March 13, 2020, by beating De Le Salle in the NorCal Division 1 championship game 54-49 Tuesday night. (See game video highlights here) But in response to concerns over the coronavirus, on Thursday morning the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) cancelled the 12 state championship games and one Northern California Open semifinal game. That includes the Division 1 game between the number 7 ranked Campolindo and the number 8 ranked Ribet Academy Fighting Frogs of Los Angeles.
Campolindo ended the season unbeaten in league at 12-0 and with an overall record of 26-6. Ribet finished with a 30-3 overall record and 7-1 in league.
In the CIF news release announcing the cancellations, it states:
“Effective Immediately – The California Interscholastic Federation (‘CIF’) has canceled all remaining CIF State Basketball Championship games. This includes regional finals scheduled for March 12, 2020, and the CIF State finals scheduled for March 13-14, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. This decision was made after careful deliberation and in the primary interest of protecting the health and safety of our member schools, fans, and most importantly, our student-athletes. While we understand this decision is disappointing, we strongly believe that the opportunity to compete in this event does not outweigh our obligation to place the health and safety of our member schools and school communities above all else.
We want to recognize the hard work and commitment our student-athletes have made to reach the State Basketball Championships. The impact of COVID-19 created many unexpected challenges during this year’s tournament season, and we want to thank everyone involved for their flexibility, patience, and commitment in providing our student-athletes a great experience despite this unique situation.
For those that have already purchased tickets for the March 13-14, 2020 games at Golden 1 Center, refunds will be made available at the original point of purchase. If tickets were purchased online via ticketmaster.com, refunds will be processed automatically.
Ron Nocetti
CIF Executive Director
According to Cal-Hi Sports, this was the first time the state basketball championships have been cancelled since the competition begin 1981.
“This is not the first time that the CIF has had to cancel a state championship event, but it’s the first time since World War II. The only CIF state finals in those days was the CIF state track meet and it was not held because of the war for 1942 through 1945. The worldwide flu epidemic in the late 1910s also caused the CIF not to conduct regional football championships in 1918 as well as the 1919 state championships in basketball. Those early years of the CIF state basketball championships began in 1916 and were halted in 1928.
There also was great disruption to the 2018 CIF state football championships due to an outside force, but it was due to the natural disaster in Northern California known as the Camp Fire and the immense amount of smoke it generated that stayed locked near the ground for several weeks. In that case, the CIF moved its state football finals back one week, but no championship games were cancelled.”
An attempt to reach Campolindo Coach Steven Dyer for comment was unsuccessful before publication. Please check back later for updates to this report.
Read MoreDirects Californians to follow public health directives including canceling large gatherings more than 250 people
Order removes waiting period for unemployment and disability insurance for Californians who lose work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak
Readies state to commandeer hotels & medical facilities to isolate & treat COVID-19 patients
Allows local and state legislative bodies to hold meetings via conference calls while still meeting state transparency requirements
SACRAMENTO (March 12, 2020) – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a new executive order further enhancing California’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor’s order:
- Waives the one-week waiting period for people who are unemployed and/or disabled as a result of COVID-19;
- Delays the deadline for state tax filing by 60 days for individuals and businesses unable to file on time based on compliance with public health requirements related to COVID-19 filings;
- Directs residents to follow public health directives and guidance, including to cancel large non-essential gatherings that do not meet state criteria;
- Readies the state to commandeer property for temporary residences and medical facilities for quarantining, isolating or treating individuals;
- Allows local or state legislative bodies to hold meetings via teleconference and to make meetings accessible electronically; and
- Allows local and state emergency administrators to act quickly to protect public health
- The full executive order can be found here.
- Last night, Governor Newsom and state public health officials announced that gatherings should be postponed or canceled across the state until at least the end of March. Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people, while smaller events can proceed only if the organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person. Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people, while also following social distancing guidelines.
- “Each of us has extraordinary power to slow the spread of this disease,” said Governor Newsom in announcing the state’s new policy last night. “Not holding that concert or community event can have cascading effects — saving dozens of lives and preserving critical health care resources that your family may need a month from now. The people in our lives who are most at risk – seniors and those with underlying health conditions — are depending on all of us to make the right choice.”
- State Efforts to Assist California Workers
- California will continue acting swiftly to help workers hurt by COVID-19. Affected workers can visit the Labor & Workforce Development Agency’s website to review what benefits are available to them. For instance,
- If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 you may qualify for Paid Family Leave (PFL).
- If you’re unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness, you may qualify for Disability Insurance. Those who have lost a job or have had their hours reduced for reasons related to COVID-19 may be able to partially recover their wages by filing an unemployment insurance claim.
- If a worker or a family member is sick or for preventative care when civil authorities recommend quarantine, workers may use accrued paid sick leave in accordance with the law.
- If workers are unable to do their usual job because they were exposed to and contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of their work, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. All information and resources can be found at Gov/Coronavirus2019
All Community Guidance Released from CDPH:
The California Department of Public Health has consolidated state guidance on how to prepare and protect Californians from COVID-19 in a single location. This includes guidance for:
- Health care facilities, including long-term care facilities
- Community care facilities, including assisted living facilities and child care
- Schools and institutions of higher education
- First responders, including paramedics and EMTs
- Employers, health care workers and workers in general industry
- Health care plans
- Home cleaning with COVID-19 positive individuals
- Gathering Guidance
- Guidance for Using Disinfectants at Schools and Child Cares
- Laboratories
- Health care facilities from Cal/OSHA
- Homelessness Providers
What to Do if You Think You’re Sick:
Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19, or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
Read MoreAll 26 Contra Costa County libraries will remain open for regularly scheduled hours
By Brooke Converse, Library Public Information Officer
Beginning tomorrow, March 13, the Contra Costa County Library will cancel all library programs and events, including community use of meeting rooms in County-owned facilities, through March 31. Additionally, we will be working with our partners to determine plans for city-operated community rooms. This comes in response to the recommendation by the County health department strongly urging the cancellation of any gathering that may include 50 or more people and in an abundance of caution for the cross-section of populations who visit the libraries.
All 26 community libraries will remain open for regularly scheduled hours.
“Our first priority is the safety of our patrons and staff,” said County Librarian Melinda Cervantes. “Canceling programs will allow the library to focus on core services which include keeping our facilities open, lending materials and making computers and the internet available.”
All programs including storytime, author events, Lego clubs, knitting circles, book clubs and all others will be canceled for the remainder of the month. The situation will be re-evaluated on a regular basis.
For the latest information about COVID-19 in Contra Costa County and tips on staying healthy, visit contracostahealth.org.
The Library offers a number of services online including access to eBooks and eAudiobooks with Overdrive/Libby, streaming movies through Kanopy and Video Storytime.
For library hours and more information about library services, please visit ccclib.org.
Read MoreMartinez, CA – As more cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are identified in California, the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) has provided additional guidance to its three colleges, two centers and District Office in an effort to protect students, faculty, employees and visitors. To date, there are no confirmed cases of the Coronavirus at any CCCCD location.
Consistent with guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health and Contra Costa Health Services, CCCCD confirmed that all colleges and centers will remain open, and instruction and operations will continue, with modifications, as listed below.
Effective immediately, and through April 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, CCCCD is taking action in the following areas:
Travel – CCCCD is curtailing all non-essential travel for students, faculty and employees.
Events – CCCCD locations will cancel or postpone gatherings of 50 or more people, especially events attended by older adults and people of all ages with compromised immune systems.
Employee Leave – CCCCD is encouraging students, faculty and employees to stay home if they are sick and adhere to any quarantine guidance provided by a physician in consultation with county health services.
Instruction – CCCCD, in consultation with the Academic Senate and United Faculty leadership, is reviewing remote instruction options for lecture-based classes targeted for March 16, 2020, with evaluations and adjustments made accordingly thereafter.
Student Services – Student Services will continue on-site at campuses, and CCCCD is reviewing technologies and tools to provide remote access as necessary.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to provide updates to our campus communities when any new relevant information warrants a change in our response to this issue,” said Eugene Huff, Interim Chancellor. Additionally, a centralized District Coronavirus web page is now available at www.4cd.edu/covid19 and will be updated regularly to reflect the latest public health guidance.”
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