Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national safety campaign begins Friday, runs through Labor Day
On Labor Day weekend many will be celebrating the end of the summer. Sadly, this holiday has also become a dangerous time on America’s roads, as many impaired drivers get behind the wheel after celebrating. For this reason, the Contra Costa County Avoid the 25 anti-DUI task force is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) to stop impaired drivers and help save lives. The high-visibility national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, runs August 19 – September 5, 2016.
The Avoid the 25 will deploy numerous anti-DUI saturation patrols throughout the county to stop and arrest impaired drivers during this end of summer 18-day crackdown. The Lafayette Police Department will host a DUI/Drivers license checkpoint in Lafayette on Thursday, September 1, 2016. Other operations in Contra Costa include a DUI warrant/probation sweep and a court-sting targeting suspended drivers who were ordered by a judge not to drive, but continue to get behind the wheel.
According to NHSTA, on average, over 10,000 people died each year (2010 to 2014) in drunk-driving crashes nationwide. During the 2014 Labor Day holiday weekend (6 p.m. August 29 – 5:59 a.m. September 2), 40 percent of the fatalities in traffic crashes involved drunk drivers, which was the highest percentage over the five years from 2010 to 2014. And nighttime proves to be the most dangerous time to be out on the roads: During the 2014 Labor Day holiday period, 83 percent of drunk-driving crash fatalities occurred between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.
Additionally, 40 percent of crash fatalities on Labor Day weekend in 2014 involved drunk drivers (with blood alcohol concentrations [BACs] of .08 or higher), amounting to 162 lives lost nationwide and 20 in California. And we’re not just talking about a little bit of alcohol, either. More than a quarter (28%) of the crash fatalities that occurred on Labor Day weekend involved drivers with BACs of .15 or higher—almost twice the illegal limit.
The Avoid the 25 reminds everyone:
- Plan a safe way home before the fun begins. Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
- Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby establishments that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver. The feature-packed app has social media tie-ins and even a tab to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.
- If you know someone who is about to drive or ride a motorcycle while impaired, take your friend’s keys and help your friend make other arrangements to get to where he or she is going safely
As the summer winds to an end, remember that there’s no excuse for impaired driving. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Funding for the Avoid the 25 program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Homeless outreach services in Contra Costa County begin again, in September
One day event in October seeks volunteers
Contra Costa will once again have homeless outreach services in the County. Daytime outreach will start in September and consist of two two-person teams, one dedicated to East County and the other to serve Central and West County. Evening outreach will likely begin by early December with one team, and may be enhanced to two teams. All teams will report to a single Coordinator to ensure seamless collaboration and transition between day and night. All teams will receive the same training, utilize the same protocols, and be based on the same model of service delivery.
This new outreach model was the winning design in the State ESG competition, held recently. Day teams and the Coordinator will be County-run, and the night services are presently being sought in the Coordinated Entry RFP which is due in early August. If no other viable candidates are found for evening outreach, the County will likely contract for that function, as well.
Project Homeless Connect will be held at the County Fairgrounds in Antioch on Thursday, October 13th, from 9 am to 3 pm. Homeless Connect is a one-day, one-stop event that provides on-site healthcare, social services and housing resources to persons experiencing homelessness. Community members who would like to learn more about volunteering can register here.
Supervisor Piepho seeks residents to serve on county commissions
Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho is seeking qualified, motivated candidates to serve on the following county advisory committees:
County Library Commission
2 seats
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian. They provide a community linkage to the County Library and establish a forum for the community to express its views regarding goals and operations of the County Library. The Commission assists the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian to provide library services based on assessed public needs and develops and recommends proposals to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian for the betterment of the County Library including, but not limited to, such efforts as insuring a stable and adequate funding level for the libraries in the County.
The Commission meets on the 4th Thursday of every other month at 7:00 p.m. located at 75 Santa Barbara in Pleasant Hill.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board
1 seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The board assesses family and community needs regarding treatment and prevention of alcohol and drug abuse problems and provides input and recommendations on prevention, intervention, and treatment services to the Contra Costa Health Services Department, the Board of Supervisors, and the communities they serve.
The Board meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 3:45 p.m. located at the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Division, 1220 Morello Avenue, Suite 200 in Martinez.
Emergency Medical Care Committee
2 seats
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The Emergency Medical Care Committee (EMCC) function is to review the operations of each of the following at least annually:
- Ambulance services operating within the county.
- Emergency medical care offered within the county,
- First aid practices in the county.
Regular meetings of the EMCC shall be held at least four (4) times per year or more often as deemed necessary. Meetings will convene at 4:00 p.m. on the Second Wednesday of March, June, September, and December unless otherwise directed by the EMCC or its Executive Committee. Location: Contra Costa County Schools Insurance Group, 550 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill, CA.
Family & Children’s Trust Commission
1 seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The Commission conducts a bi-annual needs assessment on family and children’s services in the County.
The Commission meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. located at the Employment and Human Services Dept., 40 Douglas Drive, in Martinez
Discovery Bay P-6 Citizen Advisory Committee
1 seat – Ravenswood Development
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
To make reports and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on extended police protection services which shall include, but not limited to, enforcement of the State Vehicle Code where authorized by law, crime prevention, and litter control.
The Committee meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. located at 1800 Willow Lake Road in Discovery Bay.
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Fire Advisory Commission
1 Alternate seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The Commission shall review and advise on annual operations and capital budgets; to review district expenditures; to review and advise on long-range capital improvement plans; pursuant to district ordinance to serve as the Appeals Board on weed abatement matters; to advise the Fire Chief on district service matters; to meet jointly with the Board of Supervisors and provide advice to the board as needed; to communicate with the other fire district advisory commissions on services and functional integration; to assist in the Fire Chief’s selection process as required; to serve as liaison between the Board of Supervisors and the community served by each district; to perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned and as directed by the Board of Supervisors.
The Commission meets on the 2nd Monday of February, April, June, August, October and December located at the Administration Building, 2010 Geary Road in Pleasant Hill.
Bethel Island Municipal Advisory Committee
1 seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The Council shall advise the Board of Supervisors on land use and planning matters affecting the community of Bethel Island and may represent the Bethel Island community before the Board of Supervisors, the East County Regional Planning Commission and the Zoning Administrator on such issues as land use, planning and zoning. The Council may also represent the Bethel Island Community before the Local Agency Formation Commission no proposed boundary changes affecting the community. The Council may advise the Board on services which may be provided to the Bethel Island Community by Contra Costa County or other local governmental agencies.
The Council meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. located at Scout Hall, 3190 Ranch Lane in Bethel Island.
Background
The Board of Supervisors receives valuable input and community participation from numerous citizen advisory boards on a range of issues. Boards usually meet monthly on a regular basis.
Candidates for these positions must live in District III or any specified boundary area for special districts. District III is comprised of the cities of Antioch, Brentwood, and Oakley, and the unincorporated communities of Bethel Island, Blackhawk, Byron, Diablo, Discovery Bay, and Knightsen.
For more information visit http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/753/Resident-Advisory-Councils.
Click here to download an application from the County’s website. Applications should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board’s office, 925.335.1900, located at 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553.
For more information, including on how to apply, you may contact Supervisor Piepho’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Lea Castleberry at 925.820.8683.
STAND! for Families Free of Violence awarded grant for work in Contra Costa County
Blue Shield of California Foundation recognizes STAND! for Families Free of Violence as a critical leader in California’s domestic violence field
Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF) announced on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 a grant of $15,000 to STAND! for Families Free of Violence (STAND!) to support its capacity to provide essential services and shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their families. These core operating funds offer the flexibility to respond to new demands and opportunities so that STAND! can continue to reach many of the most vulnerable Californians.
“Domestic violence can happen to anyone, and impacts everyone. Though we all have a role to play, it is organizations like STAND! that are there when women, children, men, and families need help the most,” said Peter Long, Ph.D., president and CEO of Blue Shield of California Foundation. “STAND! is making our communities safer and healthier every single day, and we remain committed to ensuring that they – and the entire field – have the resources and adaptability to support survivors and bring us closer to ending domestic violence in California.”
“We are really grateful that Blue Shield California Foundation has awarded us this grant. This will help strengthen our ability to save lives, rebuild families, and change the future for our clients. We are truly proud and happy to partner with BSCF in the movement to end domestic violence in California,” expressed Gloria Sandoval, CEO of STAND!
This unrestricted funding is part of a group of grants designed to strengthen and empower domestic violence service providers and enable them to adjust to unexpected changes and challenges. As California’s largest private funder of domestic violence prevention and services, the Foundation is proud to support STAND! through this grant.
About Blue Shield of California Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation is one of the state’s largest and most trusted philanthropic organizations. Our mission is to end domestic violence and improve health equity for low-income and underserved Californians. To learn more, visit www.blueshieldcafoundation.org.
About STAND! for Families Free of Violence
STAND! for Families Free of Violence is a catalyst for breaking the multi-generational cycle of violence, promoting safe and strong relationships, and rebuilding lives.” It is the oldest and the only agency in Contra Costa County that works to save lives, rebuild families, and change the future. To learn more, visit www.standffov.org.
Highway 4 cameras possible among $1.5 million in community benefits from Keller Canyon Landfill fund
After a rigorous review of 117 applications, Supervisor Federal Glover announced the recipients of the $1.5 million in grants from the Keller Canyon Landfill Mitigation Fund. The Board of Supervisors approved the expenditures on Tuesday morning, July 19, 2016 at their meeting in Martinez.
Among the Keller grants this year was $100,000 for electronic surveillance of Highway 4 from Bay Point to Antioch where gang-related shootings have occurred the past year. It will be shared with the law enforcement agencies that line that roadway segment.
In all, the grants for the fiscal year 2016-2017 were awarded to 82 recipients providing a wide range of activities from a Christmas party for Bay Point’s children to a full-time resident deputy to crossing guards for Bay Point schools.
“The allocation set aside for to monitor Highway 4 – possibly including cameras and license plate readers – will be used by law enforcement to keep our residents safe,” says Glover.
The amount of available funding varies from year to year because the Keller fund is based on the tonnage delivered to the Keller Canyon Landfill located in the hills off of Bailey Road south of Pittsburg and Bay Point.
The county supervisors created the mitigation fund when voters in the early1990s approved the location of a landfill site in the hills south of Bay Point and Pittsburg. Since the landfill was located in District 5, the district 5 supervisor was given the responsibility of administering the fund. The fund helps alleviate some of the landfill’s impacts to the neighboring community.
In 2011, at the recommendation of the Auditor, Supervisor Glover reformed the distribution of the funds by limiting its use to the impacted area and instituting a fully transparent system for determining who is granted the awards and to ensure that the money is used for what it is intended.
The grants will be awarded August 18 after the recipients sign their contracts with the county. The programs or events that will benefit from the grants include:
- Bay Point holiday celebrations
- Field trips from Bay Point teenagers
- Antioch Rivertown Jamboree and Delta Thunder Boat Race
- A full-time deputy as a school resource officer in Bay Point schools.
- Bay Point Spring Derby Memorial Day Parade and Festival
- World Music and Arts Festival for Bay Point and Pittsburg elementary school students
- RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic
- Ambrose Park Aquatic Center Project.
This year’s fund of $1,507,000 is based on the anticipated tonnage that will be delivered to the landfill for the fiscal year 2016-2017.
This is the second year in a row that the Keller fund has shown an increase, which might be an indication of an improving economy, said Glover.
“The grant awards are always difficult decisions because there are so many good services being provided by local agencies,” he added.
Richmond Citywide “Alive & Free” Ceasefire Night Walk, Friday, July 22
The Ceasefire Lifelines to Healing Community invites you to come out and help us spread the message that we want everyone in our community to be alive and free. Join us for this Citywide Walk to continue to share our love across the City of Richmond.
Let’s make this our best year ever as we walk to express our message: “Alive & Free.”
The East Bay Performing Arts Center will be walking with us to bring sounds of joy and hope, as we walk through our communities that have experienced pain because of the gun violence and crime. Come join us in an expression of love.
CEASEFIRE NIGHT WALK
Friday, July 22, 2016 at 7:00 pm
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
321 Alamo Ave., Richmond
COMING UP
Friday July 29th New Hope Missionary Baptist 321 Alamo Ave., Richmond
For more information contact Rev. Donnell “Rickey” Jones: 510-331-3605 or donnell@ccisco.org
Meals on Wheels, Senior Outreach Services seeks volunteers, hosts breakfast July 29
Health & Wellness Fair in Pittsburg today, to help men in East County
WHAT: The first East County Men’s Health & Wellness Fair will offer free screenings, health education, promote re-entry work and link men from the area and their families to medical services. Attendees will be able to get shingles and pneumonia immunizations, Tdap booster shots, glucose testing, blood pressure checks, rapid onsite testing for HIV and hepatitis C, health education on substance abuse and addiction, prostate awareness, benefits of cardiovascular exercises, CPR education and even haircuts. The men’s health fair is being held in conjunction with the 7th annual Juneteenth Celebration in Pittsburg.
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 18
WHERE: Pittsburg City Park, 17th & Railroad Avenue
WHO: The health fair is being sponsored by Contra Costa Health Services in partnership with Souljahs, the American Heart Association, Walgreens and 1st Nor Cal Credit Union. Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation, Los Medanos Community Healthcare District and Supervisor Federal Glover provided funding support for the event.
John Muir Health gives $10,000 to support high school “Safe and Sober Grad Night” celebrations in Contra Costa County
John Muir Health announced this week, the donation of $10,000 to local high schools across Contra Costa County. The funds will support programs and services related to the schools’ 2016 “Safe and Sober Grad Night” celebrations, which are held to honor the graduating senior class in a safe environment.
Twenty high schools each received a $500 check from John Muir Health to help finance graduation night festivities hosted by the schools, including professional entertainment such as hypnotists, magicians, karaoke, casino games and live DJs.
“Graduation is one of the most celebrated and yet potentially dangerous nights in a teenager’s life,” said Marci Jones, co-chair of the 2016 Grad Night celebration for Ygnacio Valley High School. “Our primary goal is to keep our graduating seniors in a safe and sober environment. Having John Muir Health’s support is a huge testament to our shared interest and concern with keeping our kids out of harm’s way.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of John Muir Health’s trauma center, which cares for critically injured patients in Contra Costa County and parts of Solano and Marin counties. In addition to treating critical injuries, John Muir Health actively works to prevent them. Trauma physicians, nurses and staff are participants in the Every 15 Minutes program to educate high school juniors and seniors about drinking and driving and the impact their decisions have on family, friends and other members of their community. John Muir Health also participates in Beyond Violence, an intervention program for trauma patients treated at the medical center between the ages of 14-25 who are victims of intentional injuries (e.g. gunshot, knife assault) and reside in West or East Contra Costa County. Support for Safe and Sober Grad Nights is another form of injury prevention.
“As a health care provider in the community with the county’s only trauma center, we’re well aware of the dangers involved with teens driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said Kacey Hansen, executive director of Trauma and Transfer Services at John Muir Health. “This is an important time in their lives and we appreciate the efforts by local high schools to provide an appropriate environment for them to celebrate. The last place we want to see members of the class of 2016 on their graduation night is in one of our hospitals.”
The high schools receiving donations included: Acalanes High School, Alhambra High School, Antioch High School, California High School, Campolindo High School, Clayton Valley Charter High School, College Park High School, Concord High School, Deer Valley High School, El Cerrito High School, Freedom High School, Heritage High School, Las Lomas High School, Liberty High School, Miramonte High School, Monte Vista High School, Northgate High School, Pittsburg High School, San Ramon Valley High School and Ygnacio Valley High School.
About John Muir Health
John Muir Health is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care organization east of San Francisco serving patients in Contra Costa, eastern Alameda and southern Solano Counties. It includes a network of more than 1,000 primary care and specialty physicians, nearly 6,000 employees, medical centers in Concord and Walnut Creek, including Contra Costa County’s only trauma center, and a Behavioral Health Center. John Muir Health also has partnerships with San Ramon Regional Medical Center, UCSF Medical Center and Stanford Children’s Health to expand its capabilities, increase access to services and better serve patients. The health system offers a full-range of medical services, including primary care, outpatient and imaging services, and is widely recognized as a leader in many specialties – neurosciences, orthopedic, cancer, cardiovascular, trauma, emergency, pediatrics and high-risk obstetrics care.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- Next Page »