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Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

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Governor allows local governments to extend renter protections through Sept. 30, marriage licenses via videoconferencing, more

July 1, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

SACRAMENTO — On Tuesday, June 30, 2020 California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order extending authorization for local governments to halt evictions for renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through September 30. Currently Contra Costa County’s urgency ordinance preventing evictions and rent increases expires on July 15.

The order also addresses a variety of issues in response to the pandemic, by extending provisions in earlier orders which allow adults to obtain marriage licenses via videoconferencing rather than in-person during the pandemic; waive eligibility re-determinations for Californians who participate in Medi-Cal, to ensure they maintain their health coverage; suspend face-to-face visits for eligibility for foster care; and permit In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program caseworkers to continue caring for older adults and individuals with disabilities through video-conferencing assessments.

The order also extends waivers temporarily broadening the capability of counties to enroll persons into the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, allowing for self-attestation of pregnancy and conditions of eligibility, and waiving in-person identification requirements.

In addition, the order extends provisions allowing for mail-in renewals of driver’s licenses and identification cards, to limit in-person transactions at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and extends timeframes related to the payment of real estate license application and renewal fees and continuing education requirements for licensees.

The text of the Governor’s executive order can be found here and a copy can be found here.

Filed Under: Business, Families, Health, News, State of California

More reopening expected this week in Contra Costa: business, social activities being considered

May 31, 2020 By Publisher 6 Comments

But no churches until June 15 and only outdoor events

By Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer & Anna Roth, Contra Costa County Health Director

May 30, 2020 – If we continue to make progress in our fight to contain COVID-19, Contra Costa County will be relaxing more restrictions on businesses and social activities in the coming days and weeks. Details will be announced on June 2. Below are some of the most significant changes being considered:   Effective Wednesday, June 3

Businesses

  • Office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged)
  • Services that don’t require close customer contact, such as housekeeping, car washes, pet grooming and plumbing
  • Outdoor museums, and open gallery spaces and other public spaces with modifications
  • Indoor retail stores, including shopping malls and swap meets

Activities

  • Childcare, including child and youth educational activities and camps for all children, not just essential and allowed workers
  • Small outdoor social gatherings with social distancing (household support bubbles and child extracurricular activities)

Effective Monday, June 15

These are higher risk activities and thus restrictions would be relaxed at a later date.

  • Limited-capacity religious services and cultural ceremonies up to 100 people. These would be limited to outdoor events only.
  • Protests up to 100 people; limited to outdoor events only

The state has a timeline for opening higher risk activities like swimming and salons, which can be found at covid19.ca.gov.

Filed Under: Business, Faith, Families, Health, News, Recreation

Drive-thru food distribution event by St. Vincent de Paul in Pittsburg Friday morning

May 20, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

In partnership with the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano

By Brit Hotaling, Communications and Development Associate, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County

St Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County (SVdP) will hold a major drive-thru food distribution event in partnership with the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano on Friday, May 22.

WHAT: St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County will hold a food distribution of 500 boxes of food and fresh produce to the Pittsburg community while observing social distancing. Food will be available on a drive-thru and walk-up basis. SVdP has ramped up their regular emergency food services in recent months in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The food distribution will take place at SVdP’s Family Resource Center in Pittsburg, with volunteers directing traffic and handing out food supplies.

WHO: St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County

WHEN: Friday, May 22, 2020 from 9 am – 10:30 am, or until supplies last

WHERE: 2210 Gladstone Drive, Pittsburg

WHY: Many neighbors right here in Pittsburg, who have never needed help before, are reaching out for help with food, rental assistance and other bills they are not be able to meet due to loss of income. SVdPCCC is open and serving neighbors-in-need. The SVdPCCC Family Resource Center in Pittsburg remains open to serve via our Free Dining Room (operated in partnership with Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa), Emergency Food Pantry, Daytime Homeless Shelter for Winter Nights clients, and referral to additional social services.

For additional information: Barb Hunt, b.hunt@svdp-cc.org, (925) 330-6732 or Steven Krank, 925-439-5060 ext 28, s.krank@svdp-cc.org

Filed Under: East County, Faith, Families, Food, News

Amid California shelter in place, White Pony Express continues to deliver rescued food to those in need

March 27, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Steven Spraitzar, Public Relations, White Pony Express

White Pony Express (WPE), the Pleasant Hill food rescue group, announces that its programs are continuing to operate under Contra Costa County’s stringent requirements to contain the spread of COVID-19.   Specifically, WPE wishes to let the public know that:

  • White Pony Express remains OPEN for business. It continues to rescue nutritious fresh food from supermarkets and restaurants and deliver it free to those in need in our communities.
  • WPE’s School Food Pantry Program is continuing to deliver food to free-lunch schools in the county. However, because the schools have closed, this food is now being taken to alternative distribution sites where the food is being made available to the school families.
  • Volunteers are urgently needed as some volunteers wish to self-isolate.
  • Those who wish to volunteer can sign up at https://www.whiteponyexpress.org/covid-19-response-volunteer
  • Financial donations are also needed so WPE can continue providing nutritious food to hungry people. If you’d like to contribute, you can do so by visiting WPE’s website at https://www.whiteponyexpress.org/donate-funds.
  • WPE will make limited deliveries of needed clothing for the foreseeable future.
  • No donations of clothing will be accepted while the shelter-in-place order is in effect.
  • WPE has implemented stringent health guidelines in place to protect its volunteers. These protocols (hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, gloves, social distancing, etc.) are now a part of all WPE’s food and clothing operations.

ABOUT WPE:  WPE is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Pleasant Hill, CA, which helps people move from the margins to the mainstream by providing free food and clothing in a loving and respectful manner.

Dr. Carol Weyland Conner founded WPE in September 2013 when she was troubled that in an area with such an abundance of food, many thousands were going hungry, while at the same time food retailers were throwing out huge quantities of healthy, fresh food. From this insight, the Food Rescue program was born. In a little over 6 years, WPE has rescued and delivered more than 10.5 million pounds of fresh, nutritious food, free of charge, that would otherwise go to waste. This is equivalent to 8,750,000 meals.

In 2014 the White Pony General Store was added to provide high quality clothing, toys, and books to the underserved in our communities—all free of charge. Since that time, the General Store has given away over 512,000 items to those in need.

For more on WPE, visit www.whiteponyexpress.org.

Filed Under: Families, Health, News

Concord woman to celebrate her 100th birthday with family Saturday

January 9, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Ruth Virginia Ferrell turns 100 on Jan. 12, 2020.

Ruth Virginia Ferrell will be celebrating her 100th birthday with family, this Saturday.

Born January 12, 1920 in Memphis, Tennessee, she came to California in 1948, and lives with her grandson and family in Concord.

Ruth is blessed with three children, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

She’s doing very well and is very spry for her age.

Filed Under: Central County, Concord, Families, People

Contra Costa County Fair opens Thursday runs through Sunday

May 15, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

For details and schedule visit www.ContraCostaFair.com or download the following:

  2019 CCCFair Schedule p1, 2019 CCCFair Sched p2 & Map, 2019 CCCFair Details

Filed Under: Animals & Pets, Arts & Entertainment, East County, Families, News

Labor union members to protest Monday at Martinez Walmart for being open on Thanksgiving

November 19, 2017 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Asking for “Freedom to Spend Time with our Families”

By Margaret Hanlon-Gradie

Forget Black Friday! The Contra Costa Central Labor Council with Making Change will stage a protest on Monday Nov. 20 to tell Walmart to observe the spirit of Thanksgiving and allow workers time to spend with their families.

Action will be held Monday, November 20th between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm at 1021 Arnold Drive in Martinez.

According to the Making Change website, their “vision for American workers – in grocery, retail, and in our communities – is respect and dignity at jobs that pay fairly and guarantee workers a voice.

Working together with Walmart Associates, local UFCW members, and leaders in communities across the country, the Making Change at Walmart campaign is challenging Walmart to share our vision for a new way forward—a way that lifts all of us up.”

According to their website, the Labor Council represents 80,000 working families standing together for good jobs, healthy communities, educational opportunity, and a brighter future for people in all industries and kinds of work.

Hanlon-Gradie is Executive Director of the Contra Costa Central Labor Council.

Filed Under: Business, Central County, Families, Labor & Unions

Lots to see and do at the Contra Costa County Fair, Thurs-Sun, May 18-21

May 13, 2017 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Agriculture, Animals & Pets, Arts & Entertainment, Families, Recreation

Love is in the air at County Clerk’s office

February 3, 2017 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Appointments now available for couples to get married on Valentine’s Day

The Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder Division is taking appointments for couples who wish to exchange wedding vows on Valentine’s Day.  Because of the popularity of this day, the division is also extending ceremony hours and accommodating additional appointments.

There are 47 appointment times available from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

“Valentine’s Day is the most popular day at our office for marriage ceremonies,” said Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder Joseph E. Canciamilla. “Additional appointments give more couples the opportunity to get married on what many consider is the most romantic day of the year.”

Interested couples are encouraged to make an appointment online at www.contracostacore.us  using our new appointment system.  Walk-in couples are welcome and will be accommodated based on availability of ceremony rooms.

One of two wedding rooms available at the County Clerk’s office.

A civil marriage ceremony is $60.  Couples can obtain a public marriage license for $86 or a confidential license for $90.  To save time, marriage license applications are available for completion online at  www.contracostacore.us prior to visiting the office and may also be purchased before the ceremony date.

The Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder Division features two beautifully appointed ceremony rooms adorned with handcrafted stained glass windows.  The largest ceremony room accommodates up to 24 guests. The smaller ceremony room seats 17 guests. Learn more at www.ccclerkrec.us/clerk/marriage/wedding-ceremonies.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Gutierrez, Clerk-Recorder Services Manager at (925) 335-7920.

 

Filed Under: Central County, Community, Families, News

West County families “Shop with a Cop” for Christmas

December 21, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Deserving children from the west Contra Costa County area were paired up with Deputy Sheriffs who took them out for some holiday fun and on a shopping spree for them and their families.

It was all part of the annual Shop with a Cop, which is a national program established to build positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the children of the community. It is also our way of recognizing deserving children.

Thank you to the YMCA in Rodeo and the many community partners that helped make this event a success.

To view the video of this year’s Shop with a Cop, click here.

Filed Under: Community, Families, Sheriff, West County

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