Contra Costa Herald

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

Contra Costa Education Board Trustee enters Assembly race

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Source: Avila Farias campaign.

By Allen D. Payton

On October 30, Contra Costa County Board of Education Trustee and former Martinez Councilwoman Anamarie Avila Farias announced on social media her campaign for State Assembly for the seat currently held by Tim Grayson, who is running for State Senate.

She wrote: “I’m incredibly honored to share that I’m running for California State Assembly District 15. My lifelong commitment to public service has been a true privilege, and now, upon reflecting on my journey during Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating another trip around the sun, I’m eager to give back even more.

I’m passionate about fighting for policies that uplift those who need it most, ensuring equal opportunity for all. Our community deserves strong leadership ready to tackle the biggest challenges our district has, and I’m ready to be that voice.

But I can’t do it alone.

I understand that the challenges you face are real, and they are urgent. I know that your dreams and aspirations for your families are just as important as anyone else’s. That’s why I’m asking you to join me to make sure I get to Sacramento, where I can fight for the changes our communities desperately need. I’m excited to announce that I’ve already gained the endorsement of the California Teachers Association, a testament to my commitment to education. CTA represents 300K teachers that stand with me! But to keep this momentum going, I need your support to make this vision a reality. Together, we can bring positive and necessary change to Assembly District 15.

Join me in this journey towards a brighter, more equitable future. Let’s work hand in hand to make our community even better. Every donation and every supporter brings us one step closer to our goals. Together, we can make a difference.

Donate today and let’s build a brighter tomorrow –> https://secure.actblue.com/…/avila-farias-for-state…

!Adelante con Anamarie!”

According to Avila Farias’ campaign website, “In 2012, she was the first Latina to be elected to the Martinez City Council, and in 2020 she was elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Education where she serves as one of only two Latinas elected to a state or county position in Contra Costa. She also chaired and served on the Martinez Planning Commission for nearly a decade and served on the Parks & Recreation and Marina Commission for 5-years.

In 2015, Anamarie was appointed by former Governor Brown to the Board of Directors of the California Housing Finance Agency” and re-appointed by Governor Newsom in 2021.

According to a Feb. 2021 press release by CalHFA, Avila Farias “has been Operations Director at Juvenile Hall Auxiliary of Contra Costa County since 2019. She held multiple positions at the Housing Authority of Contra Costa County from 1989 to 2018, including Housing Policy and Program Analyst and Central Waiting List Housing Manager. She was a City Councilmember for the City of Martinez from 2012 to 2016. Avila Farias was Program Manager of the Community Development Block Grant at the City of Concord from 2013 to 2014. She was Senior Management Analyst at Oakland Housing Authority in 2007. Avila Farias was Senior Community Development Specialist for the City and County of San Francisco at the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development from 1998 to 2007. She was Housing Program and Healthcare Policy Facilitator at the Contra Costa County Public Health Services Department from 1997 to 1998. Avila Farias earned a Master of Science degree in Information Systems Management from the University of San Francisco.”

In 2016, she ran unsuccessfully for District 5 County Supervisor against incumbent Federal Glover.

The married mother of two currently represents Area 3 on the county Board of Education which includes Bay Point, Clyde, Crockett, Hercules, Martinez, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, Pittsburg, Port Costa, Rodeo and parts of El Sobrante.

District 15 includes the cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, a portion of Walnut Creek and the unincorporated communities of Bay Point and Pacheco.

She will face Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson and former Supervisor Karen Mitchoff in the March primary election. Filing closes Dec. 13.

For more information about her background and campaign visit www.anamarie4assembly.com.

 

Kaiser Permanente Northern California rated highest in state for clinical and mental health care

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California’s Office of the Patient Advocate gives health plan 5 stars for “quality of medical care,” behavioral and mental health care, and other specialty areas

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s health plan received the highest rating in the state for providing patients with high-quality clinical care and behavioral and mental health care in the annual Health Care Quality Report Card from California’s Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA).

Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California and Southern California health plans are the only two in the state to receive OPA’s highest rating – 5 stars – for “quality of medical care.”

For the fifth year in a row, Kaiser Permanente Northern and Southern California health plans are the only plans in the state to achieve 5 stars for overall clinical effectiveness in behavioral and mental health care.

“Kaiser Permanente is consistently recognized as a leader in the state for providing our patients and members with exceptional clinical and specialty care, which positively impacts their overall well-being,” Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Our clinicians are dedicated to delivering the highest quality care to improve the health of our members, patients, and the communities we serve.”

Kaiser Permanente Northern California also received 5 stars in other specialty care areas including diabetes, cardiac, maternity, and pediatric care. The organization was also rated 5 stars for appropriateness of tests, treatments, and procedures and preventive screenings.

“Our physicians, nurses, and staff work diligently to help ensure that our patients receive the personalized, coordinated care they need to live longer and healthier lives,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “These ratings reflect our ongoing commitment to providing our patients and members with comprehensive high-quality care across many specialty areas, which is having a positive and often life-changing impact on their mental, physical, and emotional health.”

The 2023-24 report card provides California consumers with side-by-side comparisons of the 16 largest HMOs and PPOs in the state. It rates health plans on national standard-of-care measures that involve treatment and prevention of a range of conditions that have significant implications for personal health.

The results from OPA concur with the recent Covered California ratings, which recognized Kaiser Permanente as the only health plan in the state to receive a 5-star “Overall Quality Rating”.

Covered California — the state’s marketplace for the Affordable Care Act — also gave Kaiser Permanente 5 stars for  “Members’ Care Experience,”  which is based on patient surveys asking about their recent experiences when visiting the doctor and getting medical care; “Getting the Right Care,” a measure of care that is given, comparing with the national standards for care and treatments proven to help patients; and “Plan Services for Members,” which analyzes a health plan’s efficiency, affordability, and management.

In addition, Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s health plans were also  the highest rated in California — and among the highest in the nation — for overall treatment, prevention and equity, and patient experience by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2023 Health Plan Ratings.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org

 

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area celebrates 10-year anniversary of Batkid wish

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Batkid Miles Scott with Batman, Mayor Ed Lee, police chief and fire chief in 2013 and with family, today. Source: Make-A-Wish

Miles Scott, whose transformational wish was granted in 2013, thrives today at age 15.

Ten years ago, the world watched in awe as a then-five-year-old Miles Scott transformed into Batkid and saved the city of San Francisco, thanks to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area and the support and participation of many local partners and friends. Today, at age 15, Miles remains cancer free and enjoys teen life in his small town near the Oregon border.

After fighting his own heroic battle with leukemia since he was a year old, Miles visits his oncologist once a year, and has been in remission from leukemia for the past 10 years. Miles lives with his parents, Nick and Natalie; his younger brother Clayton (who was dressed as Robin on the day of his wish); and his youngest brother, Ben, who was born after his wish.

“To this day, Miles’ wish resonates in our collective consciousness as proof of the power of one child’s wish to transform an entire community and bring hope and joy that lasts a lifetime,” said Betsy Biern, CEO of Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area. “Additionally, Make-A-Wish saw a marked increase in referrals following this wish, meaning more children with critical illnesses received life-changing wishes thanks to Batkid. And that’s truly heroic!”

Having once suited up to save the city, Miles now suits up to play football at his high school, where he enjoys the comradery of his teammates and coaches. For his wish, he was driven around in the Batmobile, and he now drives a tractor when helping out on the family farm. Miles no longer fits in the Batkid costume, but his brother Ben wore it last Halloween.

When asked what he might want to say to his fans out there, Miles said: “I’m doing amazing. I would love to just say like ‘yeah, I’m fine.’” Reflecting on his battle with cancer and his wish experience, he said: “I feel normal, but every time I think about it, it’s like, ‘Wow, that actually happened.’”

In the past few years, Natalie has become a volunteer wish granter for Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area and helps grant wishes for children who need them in Siskiyou County. “For Miles’ wish, I feel like it was the ending of a chapter in our family, so that we could move on and continue,” said Natalie. “I just wanted to be able to help other kids and their families have some sort of positive ending to their story or to start their new beginning.”

Source: Make-A-Wish

About Miles’ Wish to be Batkid

On November 15, 2023, with the help of the late San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, the San Francisco Police and Fire Departments, the San Francisco Giants, and countless others, San Francisco transformed into Gotham for the day and thousands of people crowded the streets to cheer Miles on as he battled villains, thwarted crime, freed San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal and earned a key to the city. The San Francisco Chronicle produced a special edition of the newspaper that day, with a full front-page takeover dedicated to the wish and then-President Obama sent his very first Vine video message to Batkid with words of encouragement. The wish also inspired a full-length Warner Bros. documentary, Batkid Begins.

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1984, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area has granted more than 9,000 wishes in its territory from Monterey County to the Oregon border, contributing to the more than 360,000 wishes granted throughout the United States and its territories. With 58 chapters nationwide, Make-A-Wish is the most trusted nonprofit operating locally across 50 states. For more information and to get involved, visit wish.org/greaterbay.

 

 

Contra Costa Community College Board selects Mojdeh Mehdizadeh as permanent Chancellor

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Mojdeh Mehdizadeh is expected to be voted in as the new chancellor on December 13, 2023. Source: 4CD

By Timothy Leong, Director of Communications & Community Relations, 4CD

The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) Governing Board announces their selection of Mojdeh Mehdizadeh as the 10th permanent Chancellor, pending contract negotiations and approval.  The 4CD Governing Board will vote to approve Ms. Mehdizadeh’s contract at their Wednesday, December 13, 2023, meeting.

“On behalf of the Governing Board, we are delighted that Ms. Mehdizadeh will continue leading 4CD as permanent Chancellor,” said Governing Board President Fernando Sandoval. “Her commitment to our mission of transforming the lives of all our students is unwavering, and she ensures that students are at the forefront of every discussion and decision. Her 36 years of leadership at 4CD has helped us maintain our legacy of higher education excellence.”

Ms. Mehdizadeh has been serving as Interim Chancellor for the Contra Costa Community College District since February 2022. Prior to this leadership role, she served as the Executive Vice Chancellor of Education and Technology.

“It is truly an honor to be selected as the next permanent Chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District,” Mehdizadeh said. “I am grateful to the members of the Governing Board, our community, and employees for their trust in me to lead 4CD in transforming the lives of our students and the community. I will continue to focus on creating environments where every student feels a sense of belonging on our campuses, and that will allow us to contribute to their educational journey.”

Ms. Mehdizadeh holds an M.A. in Organizational and Intercultural Communications from California State University, East Bay, and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from San Francisco State University, after having completed her general education requirements at Diablo Valley College.

The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The 4CD serves 1.2 million residents, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. 4CD is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College with campuses in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon, and Los Medanos College with campuses in Pittsburg and Brentwood. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez. Each college is individually accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. For more information visit www.4cd.edu.

 

Contra Costa County Library introduces new early literacy outreach van 

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Source: CCC Library

“Rolling Reader” to visit underserved communities

By Brooke Converse, PIO, Contra Costa County Library

The Contra Costa County Library is introducing the Rolling Reader, the Library’s brand-new, all-electric, early literacy outreach van. The Rolling Reader will visit underserved communities across the county where library staff will present storytimes, hand out free books and crafts, and provide activities focused on early literacy, small motor skills, and STEM. 

The Contra Costa County Library has 26 branches across the county, yet many residents still are not able to easily access a library. Some may live too far from a branch, or don’t have access to reliable transportation, or have to work during library open hours. The Rolling Reader will allow the library to prioritize providing literacy services to children 0-5 years old in vulnerable communities impacted by poverty. Research shows that early and positive experiences with books set the stage for a child’s success in learning to read. Additionally, literacy skills are a strong predictor of health, employment status, and overall success in life. Providing storytimes and crafts for young children will encourage regular exposure to reading and books, thus improving the potential for life success for many children and families. 

“We recognized that to reach all our communities, we needed to get out of our buildings and take our services to the residents who need them most,” said County Librarian Alison McKee. “The goal of the Rolling Reader is to instill a lifelong habit of reading and love for libraries.” 

Funding for the outreach van was provided by the Bella Vista Foundation and MCE. Staffing for the outreach van is provided by Measure X. Measure X is a half-cent sales tax passed by voters in 2020. 

“Early childhood services are one of our County’s top priorities,” said Supervisor John Gioia, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “The new library outreach van and early literacy program will improve the lives of many children by making these opportunities easily accessible.”

The Rolling Reader will make its debut on Wednesday, November 15 at the Monument Crisis Center (rain or shine). The event will include a Spanish/English bilingual storytime, free books, crafts and activities for children, and an opportunity to see the Rolling Reader and the new van mascot, Roxy the fox. 

Visit ccclib.org to sign up for a library card and get connected to books and resources. For questions about Library services and programming or account information, contact the Library via online Chat, email ask@library.cccounty.us or text questions to (925) 290-7627. 

 

Candidate filing period for March 5, 2024 Primary Election begins today, Nov. 13

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By Contra Costa Elections On Monday, November 13th, the Candidate Filing Period for the March 5th 2024 Presidential Primary Election will begin and nomination papers will be available for candidates running for United States Senator, United States Representative in Congress, Member of the State Senate, Member of the State Assembly, County Board of Supervisors, Superior Court Judges and Mt. View Sanitary District. The nomination period runs through 5:00 pm Friday, December 8, 2023. If an incumbent doesn’t run for re-election, the filing period is extended five days until 5:00 pm Wednesday, December 13, 2023. A list of offices currently up for election can be found here: www.contracostavote.gov/wp-content/uploads/24Mar05_PositionsUpForElection.pdf Papers for offices that are up for election will be available at the Contra Costa Elections Office, 555 Escobar Street, Martinez. For further information on the primary election and key dates, go to www.contracostavote.gov. “The 2024 Presidential Election cycle is ramping up,” said Kristin Connelly, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters. “Our Candidate Services team is ready to help candidates get their papers filed. We look forward to working with any candidates who are planning to run for office.” Interested candidates can schedule an appointment through email at candidate.services@vote.cccounty.us or by calling 925-335-7800. Walk-ins are accepted, but subject to the availability of staff. Appointments are available on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Filing documents and information will be provided to interested constituents at their appointment. The process takes 20 minutes.

Avoid travel headaches: Check 511 during APEC 2023 Summit Nov. 13-19

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Photos: MTC

Two lanes of Bay Bridge will be closed.

Various ramps and ped/bike path closures scheduled along I-80 and U.S. 101 in San Francisco due to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2023 Summit

Information from MTC, CalTrans & CHP

People traveling to, from and within San Francisco next week can expect heavy congestion and traffic delays; transit reroutes, delays and crowding; and reduced or inconvenient pedestrian and bicycle access during the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 Summit taking place in the city from Monday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 19.

APEC is expected to draw more than 20,000 people, including heads of state and dignitaries from over 20 member economies, to downtown San Francisco. MTC encourages people to avoid traveling to San Francisco next week if possible. For those who must travel to or through the city, MTC encourages them to ride transit and to visit 511.org for critical travel alerts related to street closures and transportation delays.

In cooperation with the California Highway Patrol, and in coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, Caltrans is implementing enhanced safety measures throughout our highway systems in and around San Francisco during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 summit starting Wednesday, November 15. The U.S. Secret Service recently designated the APEC summit as a National Special Security Event, requiring heightened security measures in and around the city of San Francisco.

Closures: At the request of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, Caltrans will be implementing the following closures to ensure the safety and security of all attendees and residents:

San Francisco / Oakland Bay Bridge

Closures of #1 (left) lane on Eastbound I-80 and #5 (right) lane on Westbound I-80

o Tuesday, November 14 through Friday, November 17, 2023.

o 4 Day Closure, beginning 11/14 at 5:00 AM, ending 11/17 at 9:00 PM.

o Controlled access to Bay Bridge Ped/Bike Path.

o No impacts to transit bus services.

o Treasure Island on-/off-ramps, Fremont Street off-ramp remain open.

Closures of 4th Street off-ramp from Eastbound I-80 and 5th Street off-ramp from Westbound I-80

o Wednesday, November 15 through Friday, November 17, 2023.

o 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Daily).

Closure of NB U.S. 101 Dana Bowers Vista Point off-ramp

o Tuesday, November 14 through Saturday, November 18 (Five Day Closure).

o No access to Dana Bowers Vista Point for vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians.

o Golden Gate Bridge Pedestrian Path closed at north end of bridge; no pedestrian access from Marin County.

o Bicycle Path on west side of bridge to remain open between Marin County and San Francisco.

California Highway Patrol officers will be present to enforce these closures. We understand that these closures may cause temporary inconvenience, but they are essential to ensure the safety and security of this significant event and to promote immediacy and availability for emergency response. We encourage you to plan your travels, accordingly, allow extra time for your commute, and consider using alternative routes or public transportation during this period. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work to ensure the success of the APEC 2023 summit and the safety of our community.

Muni will reroute several transit lines from Nov. 13-19, and Muni Metro T-Third service will be suspended. For more details, visit SFMTA’s APEC information page. BART, Caltrain and the San Francisco Bay Ferry do not anticipate any major APEC-related impacts to their services.

For the Golden Gate Bridge, the Dana Bowers Vista Point off-ramp from northbound U.S. 101 will be closed from Nov. 14-18. There will be no access to the Vista Point for vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians. The Golden Gate Bridge Pedestrian Path will be closed at north end of bridge, and there will be no pedestrian access from Marin County.

Most APEC activities will take place in the South of Market and Nob Hill neighborhoods. Due to the scale of the gathering, APEC also may create travel impacts on travel in other areas. People should expect a range of street impacts in and around the United States Secret Service security zones (Vehicle Exclusion Zones)(link is external) established for the conference and conference-related events. Pedestrians will be banned from APEC security zones unless they live or work there; and bicycles, whether traditional or e-bikes, also will be barred.

For 24/7 traffic updates, please visit 511.org: https://twitter.com/511SFBay.  MTC operates 511 in partnership with Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and other transportation agencies.

For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans QuickMap: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Jury convicts Alamo attorney of embezzling $400,000 from fire victim clients

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By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

A jury in Martinez returned guilty verdicts on November 7th in a felony case involving an attorney, William James Reed, who embezzled $400,000 from his clients.

Reed, an 80-year-old attorney formerly of Alamo, was convicted of felony grand theft by embezzlement and a white-collar crime enhancement related to a settlement agreement with PG&E. The agreement included payments to victims of the 2006 Zamora Fire near Woodland, CA.

Following the fire, Reed authored a letter, purportedly from a fellow landowner impacted by the fire, stating that in a lawsuit against PG&E, attorney’s fees would be covered by PG&E. He invited fire victims to a Town Hall meeting in Zamora, where he assured them that, according to the law, PG&E would be responsible for attorney’s fees, not the clients.

Two families, including elderly victims with ranch properties damaged by the fire, agreed to have Reed represent them. Reed presented unclear and confusing lawyer-client relationship documents, including a contract implying clients would pay his hourly legal fees and costs at the rate of $625 an hour, and a cover letter stating PG&E would cover Reed’s attorney’s fees and costs. After obtaining the victims’ agreement on legal representation, Reed filed a lawsuit against PG&E on the victims’ behalf in 2008.

In 2013, a $200,000 settlement for each victim family was brokered by Reed with PG&E. Reed received the $400,000 settlement from an attorney representing PG&E — but Reed failed to inform his clients about the money. His clients discovered the settlement money was paid to Reed at an unrelated court hearing.

Afterward, when the victims asked Reed about their money, he presented them with a proposed settlement agreement. The agreement stated the clients would each give him $103,000 for attorney’s fees and costs, and in turn each client would receive $97,000. The victims refused to sign Reed’s proposed settlement agreement because it contradicted their initial agreement with him. Years of civil litigation ensued between Reed and the victims, with Reed using some of the settlement money to pay his lawyers to fight the victims.

In 2017, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office was alerted to possible criminal violations related to the victim’s settlement money. A Forensic Accountant at the District Attorney’s Office analyzed Reed’s bank account statements and determined that Reed had spent the entire $400,000 on himself. Thereafter, felony grand theft by embezzlement charges were filed against Reed.

The case went to trial on October 13, 2023. Deputy District Attorney Scott Prosser had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury that Reed was not entitled to the victim’s settlement money for attorney’s fees A key piece of evidence presented to the jury during the trial was the document stating that Reed’s fees would be paid by PG&E and not the victims.

The jury deliberated for a few hours and convicted Reed on two felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement and a white collar crime enhancement, establishing illegal possession of over $100,000. Reed faces imprisonment for three years and eight months and will be sentenced on January 10, 2024, by

Superior Court Judge Charles Treat.

Deputy District Attorney Prosser, after the verdict, stated, “It is unconscionable for an attorney to lead a client to believe they were not responsible for attorney’s fees, and then take 100 % of the client’s money from a settlement agreement. And we are very pleased with the outcome in our fight to seek justice for the

victims in this case.”.

Contra Costa Health recommends TB testing for workers, visitors to Pacheco casino

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Contra Costa Health (CCH) recommends that anyone who has spent time inside California Grand Casino in Pacheco since 2018 consider a tuberculosis (TB) test, after recent genetic testing revealed several related cases among staff and customers over the past five years.

Of the 11 confirmed TB cases, 10 are genetically linked and the majority are associated with staff or customers at the casino. The 11th case has not yet been genetically tested.

CCH has so far not identified a current or ongoing source of transmission at the casino. CCH is working closely with casino management to ensure prompt, appropriate testing, health advice and screening for all its staff.

“We are making this recommendation now because there is new evidence that TB may have spread among people who spent time at the casino from 2018 to 2023,” said Dr. Meera Sreenivasan, deputy health officer for Contra Costa County. “TB can live inside someone for years without showing signs of its presence. That is why it’s important to take a test, even if you do not feel sick. TB can cause serious illness, but it is treatable and curable with medicine, especially when caught early.”

To date, CCH has contacted more than 300 people who may have been exposed to active TB and is working with California Grand management to provide health education to staff and to encourage testing.

Symptoms of active TB can include a persistent or bloody cough, fever, unexpected weight loss, night sweats and fatigue.

TB bacteria can live inside a person for months or years without causing any symptoms, so even people with no symptoms should talk to their healthcare providers about getting a TB test if they believe they may have been exposed.

TB can spread when a person who has developed symptoms coughs or breathes out droplets containing the bacteria, particularly in an enclosed space over a long period of time, such as several hours.

The only way to know if someone was infected after a TB exposure is to test.

If you believe you may have been exposed to TB, talk to your healthcare provider or call CCH’s TB Client Services Program at 925-313-6740 if you are uninsured or need advice about next steps. Visit cchealth.org/tb for more information about TB.

 

County to fix the Dam Road Nov. 1-16

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San Pablo Dam Road Work Area Map. Source: CCC Public Works Dept.

San Pablo Dam Road Winter prep work begins Wednesday morning

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

October 27, 2023, El Sobrante & Orinda, CA – Contra Costa County Public Works Department will be performing work along San Pablo Dam Road starting on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, through Thursday, November 16, 2023, barring unforeseen circumstances.  Work will occur between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, weather permitting. Work will take place on San Pablo Dam Road, between Tri Lane in El Sobrante and Wildcat Canyon Road/Bear Creek Road in Orinda.  The work will consist of clearing slides and cleaning drainage ditches for winter storm preparation and safety.

Message boards will be posted to advise drivers before scheduled work begins. Traffic control, including lane and shoulder closures, will be used. Drivers should expect delays up to 15 minutes near the work area.

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at www.cccpublicworks.org

CONTACT: Michael Stevens, 925.313.7038