Awards from California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative

Nationally recognized for excellence, Sutter network hospitals ranked among the best by U.S. News & World Report; Sutter Delta rated High Performing in six procedures and conditions

Named Gold Plus Receiving Center by American Heart Association

By Sutter Health

In the United States, nearly one of three American babies enters the world through a surgical birth. For some mothers, cesarean deliveries (C-sections) can be the safest or only way to deliver a healthy newborn. However, some women undergo surgery for no medical reason, exposing both mother and baby to potentially avoidable complications.

As data shows C-section rates above national health goals, many hospitals in California have responded. One example is the Sutter Health system. Teams from its hospitals have implemented initiatives and best practices to reduce C-section rates among first-time moms with low-risk births.

Recently, nine Sutter hospitals earned recognition by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC). The CMQCC acknowledges hospitals for going above and beyond to provide high quality, safe care to California’s mothers, birthing people and newborns.

“Across our birthing centers, we promote evidence-based practices, and track and publicly report our C-section rates to continuously help drive improvements in maternity care,” said Dr. William Isenberg, Sutter Health chief medical & quality officer. “We’re proud of the work we’ve done to provide the best care possible for mothers and babies and are grateful to be honored for these efforts.”

Sutter Health hospitals recognized in the annual CMQCC Quality and Engagement Awards, include:

Superstar Award: Large Birth Volume Hospitals

This award recognizes hospitals that exhibit high levels of engagement with the CMQCC Maternal Data Center (MDC).

• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Quality & Sustainability Award: NTSV Cesarean Delivery Rate

Awarded to hospitals that met and maintained California’s target rate for the NTSV (Nulliparous, Term, Singleton, Vertex) Cesarean Birth measure for three consecutive years.

• Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
• Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center – Van Ness Campus
• Sutter Coast Hospital
• Sutter Davis Hospital
• Sutter Delta Medical Center
• Sutter’s Eden Medical Center
• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
• Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital

Quality & Sustainability Award: Quality Improvement Academy Collaborative Hospitals

Awarded to Q1 Academy-participating hospitals that met and maintained their target rate for their selected quality initiative.

• Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

Currently, nearly all California birthing hospitals are active CMQCC members and are using the MDC to track maternity care performance and identify perinatal quality improvement opportunities. The Sutter Health system NTSV C-section Rate for a rolling 12 months ending May 2024 was 23.5%, below the California target rate of 23.6% as defined by the World Health Organization’s Health People 2030 guidance.

In total, CMQCC recognized 116 hospitals for their accomplishments in 2023. To see a full list of this year’s award winners and detailed descriptions of each award, please visit the CMQCC Awards page.

Nationally Recognized for Excellence Sutter Network Hospitals Including Sutter Delta Medical Center Ranked Among the Best by U.S. News & World Report

Hospitals, physicians and care teams in the Sutter network have a long history of providing exceptional care to patients across Northern California. Our focus on quality care has earned multiple honors from U.S. News & World Report. Three Sutter network hospitals were named among the Best in California for 2023-2024. In total, U.S. News & World Report recognized 13 Sutter hospital campuses for their performance across services including stroke, hip fracture, heart attack, maternity and more.

To help patients decide where to receive care, U.S. News & World Report generates hospital rankings by evaluating data on nearly 5,000 hospitals. To be nationally ranked in a specialty, a hospital must excel in caring for the sickest, most medically complex patients. For the 2023-24 High Performing Hospital Awards, USNWR rated Sutter Delta Medical Center, a general medical and surgical facility, for High Performing in six adult procedures and conditions. They include treating Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Kidney Failure, Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Pneumonia.

See all the USNWR 2023-24 High Performing Hospital Awards for Sutter Health hospital campuses, here.

Sutter Delta Among 5 Sutter Health Hospital Campuses to Earn High Praise From American Heart Association for Cardiac Care

Five Sutter hospital campuses received awards from the American Heart Association for their outstanding performance in the treatment of patients presenting to the hospital with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) – a specific kind of heart attack that can be caused by coronary artery disease.

• Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center Davies campus – Gold Plus Receiving Center
• Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center Van Ness campus – Gold Plus Receiving Center
• Sutter Delta Medical Center – Gold Plus Receiving Center
• Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit campus – Silver Plus Receiving Center
• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento – Silver Receiving Center

Recognition as a STEMI Receiving Center is designed to showcase hospitals that provide 24/7 support for STEMI. These important facilities coordinate with a network of referring hospitals and emergency medical services to provide guideline-directed STEMI care. All five campuses were also named on the STEMI Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, which aims to ensure that patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date care when hospitalized due to heart attack.

See all 23 awards earned by Sutter Health hospital campuses from the American Heart Association, here.

2024 Sutter Honors & Awards

In addition, Sutter Health shared all 2024 honors and awards received by their 10 hospitals including:

Forbes | Named Sutter Health among America’s Best Employers for Diversity. The honor recognizes companies dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Healthgrades | Recognized 10 Sutter hospital campuses as America’s Best Hospitals for 2024, based on quality measures including clinical outcomes, patient safety and patient experience. Four Sutter hospitals placed among the Top 50 in America for overall clinical quality. Additional Healthgrades honors, include:

• Seven Sutter hospital campuses earned Outpatient Orthopedic achievements. The honor distinguishes these campuses as among the nation’s leading hospitals for outpatient orthopedic procedures.
• Five Sutter hospitals recognized for Patient Safety Excellence and two Sutter campuses earned Outstanding Patient Experience honors.

Reputation.com | For the second consecutive year, Sutter Health was named a Healthcare System Leader in Reputation’s 2024 Healthcare Reputation Report, based on online patient sentiment. Additionally, more than 100 providers and 29 Sutter care locations achieved a reputation score of 800 or higher.

Newsweek | Named Sutter Health among America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity. The magazine examined publicly available data, held interviews and conducted an anonymous survey of 220,000 employees at companies across the country.

Webby Award: Scout by Sutter Health, a digital wellness tool for teens and young adults, was named Best App and Software in Health, Wellness and Fitness at the 28th Annual Webby Awards.

Leapfrog Group | Ten Sutter hospitals received an “A” or “B” grade in The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2024 Safety Grades, for providing safe, exceptional patient care.  

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

10 students, four adults, including one teacher in town for 10 days of cultural exchange, tours

By Allen D. Payton

On Monday, July 22, a delegation of 14 people from Japan arrived in town as part of the Antioch-Chichibu Sister City Organization’s exchange program for a 10-day visit. They were given a warm welcome and greeted by applause from city staff and banners held by host family members at City Hall. The delegates are being treated to multiple events and tours in Antioch and San Francisco, ending with a Farewell Party and BBQ open to the public next Tuesday before flying home on Wednesday.

The delegates are staying with host families in Antioch and according to coordinator Jessica Davis, the organization’s vice president, “This year is extra fun for a few of our hosts and delegates because five of these Chichibu delegates are getting to stay with the family of the student that they hosted last summer.”

Established in 1967 to encourage friendship and cultural awareness between America and Japan, the volunteer run home stay exchange program alternates with delegations from Antioch visiting Japan in odd numbered years and the Chichibu delegation visiting Antioch in even numbered years. The relationship resulted in the naming of Chichibu Park in Antioch and Antioch Park in Chichubu.

The organization is part of the larger, Sister Cities International, “Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956,” as “a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit which serves as the national membership organization for individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United States. This network unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers in over 300 member communities with over 2,000 partnerships in more than 140 countries.”

This year’s delegation includes four adults and 10 students:

Chino Suzuki, Chichibu City Hall Staff Member

Mayumi Fukushima, English teacher

Hitoshi Sahara, Chichibu-Antioch Sister City Member

Miyuki Ono, Chichibu-Antioch Sister City Member

Students

Airi Ono, daughter of Miyuki, age 10

Yui Imaizumi, age 12

Fumihiro Koike, age 13

Naruhi Kato, age 14

Ayano Wada, age 14

Hinata Masuda, age 14

Michika Teshigawara, age 14

Hiromi Ohama, age 16

Shizuku Ono, age 15, and

Miho Kaizaki, age 15

Itinerary

After arriving at SFO on Monday, the delegation enjoyed lunch at Sizzler in Pinole, then a brief welcome ceremony in Antioch City Hall for photos and meeting their host families.

On Tuesday they had a tour of the Black Diamond Mines in Antioch, followed by lunch at Chichibu Park. The group then toured the Antioch Water Treatment plant where they got to see the new brackish water desalination plant, then a tour of Antioch High School and the Antioch Historical Society Museum.

They were officially recognized by the mayor and council during their meeting, and presented with the Proclamation approved that night. (See below)

Wednesday was Family Day, in which the host family and their guests were on their own. It ended with the official Welcome Dinner at Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill with the city council members. The delegates were each presented with gift bags filled with City of Antioch and other themed items. Thursday was another Family Day.

Today, Friday, July 26, 2024, the delegates enjoyed a tour of San Francisco with a trip down Lombard Street, visits to Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, lunch at Goodfella’s Pizza, a visit to Ghirardelli Square, a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands, and dinner at In-N-Out Burger.

Tomorrow, Saturday, the visitors from Chichibu will enjoy a pool party and potluck at the home of organization president, Antwon Webster followed by another Family Day on Sunday.

On Monday morning, the delegation will be given a Delta Tour by boat from the pier near Smith’s Landing.

The public is invited to visit with the Chichibu delegation during the Farewell Party at the Antioch Waterpark on Tuesday. General Admission opens at 11:00 am, a BBQ dinner by local master John Davis will be served at 5:00 pm and optional Water Aerobics will be held from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm to work off dinner.

The 14 Sister City delegates from Chichibu with their host families will then meet up Wednesday morning at City Hall before departing for the SFO Airport for the flight home that afternoon.

The organization is led by Webster, Davis, Jim Davis, Treasurer, Abe Rodriguez, Public Relations, Hillary Tam, Youth Representative, and Members-at-Large Phyllis Fox and Brad Helfenberger who is also the city’s Director of Parks and Recreation and current Acting Assistant City Manager.

To see more photos of this year’s visit and for more information see the organization’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/AntiochChichibu/ or email Jessica Davis at AntiochchichibuSCO@gmail.com.

Antioch City Council Proclamation

IN HONOR OF WELCOMING THE VISITING DELEGATION FROM

ANTIOCH’S SISTER CITY OF CHICHIBU, SAITAMA, JAPAN

WHEREAS, In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower initiated a new international Sister City program for the purposes of cultural and economic exchange by establishing relationships between cities of similar size and economic base;

WHEREAS, In the 1960s, Mayor Verne Roberts traveled with the League of California Cities to six countries, including Japan, to investigate the possibility of establishing a Sister City relationship; and at the same time, Chichibu City was seeking a sister city in California;

WHEREAS, The two cities were likely candidates to be each other’s sister city as each city had manufacturing plants, were situated near a river, had a mountain in the vicinity, and were at the edge of the economic sphere of a large metropolitan area;

WHEREAS, In 1967, the City Council adopted a resolution formally accepting Chichibu as Antioch’s Sister City, with annual exchanges occurring every year beginning in 1971 with Antioch visiting Chichibu on odd numbered years and Chichibu visiting Antioch on even numbered years;

and WHEREAS, The 2024 delegation from Chichibu consists of 14 individuals including 10 youth, a teacher, a Chichibu City official, and two additional chaperones who will be visiting Antioch and the Bay Area from July 22-July 31, 2024.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LAMAR A. HERNADEZ-THORPE, Mayor of the City of Antioch, do hereby welcome the 2024 delegation visiting from Chichibu, Japan. Antioch places great value on the friendship with our Sister City that we’ve enjoyed for the past 57 years and look forward to continuing this fellowship for many years to come.

JULY 23, 2024

____________________________

LAMAR A. HERNANDEZ-THORPE, Mayor

Victim was adult man in East County

One dead bird, five sentinel chickens test positive for virus, all in Oakley

By Contra Costa Health

A Contra Costa resident died this month from West Nile virus infection, underscoring the need for everyone in the county to take precautions against mosquito-borne illness.

The death of an adult man who lived in East County was reported to the county on July 16. It was the first West Nile virus-related death reported in Contra Costa since 2006.

“This is a tragedy, and we offer our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones for their loss.” said Dr. Meera Sreenivasan, deputy county health officer. “This death also reinforces how important it is to reduce risk of West Nile virus infection by reducing our exposure to mosquitos.”

Contra Costa Health’s (CCH) Communicable Disease Program is investigating the case and has not determined where the person became infected. To preserve medical privacy, CCH will not release further details about the case.

The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Contra District (District) has detected other recent evidence of the virus’s presence in East County. One dead bird and five sentinel chickens have tested positive for the virus in Contra Costa County, all located in Oakley. According to the Delaware Journal of Public Health, “Chickens serve as valuable sentinel animals since they are not effective amplifying hosts, and they develop a short and relatively low viremia compared to other bird species when infected by WNV.”

Certain birds can become infected with West Nile virus, and when a mosquito feeds on an infected bird, the mosquito can become infected. An infected mosquito can spread the virus to a human or other animal through a single bite. The infection can be dangerous to humans, with symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, or rash.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a Contra Costa County resident to West Nile virus,” said Paula Macedo, Ph.D., district general manager. “This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting ourselves from mosquito bites and supporting community efforts to control mosquito populations.”

West Nile virus activity is typically higher during the summer months. To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, the District recommends using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients:

• DEET
• Picaridin
• The repellent version of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
• IR3535

Always follow the instructions on the label when using insect repellent. Wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors where mosquitoes are present, often at dawn and dusk, can reduce exposed skin and reduce the risk of mosquito bites. And dumping out any amount of standing water in front and backyards and scrubbing the inside of each container to remove mosquito eggs can also help lower the risk of mosquitoes.

The District provides public health services to Contra Costa County residents including a mosquito service of inspection and control upon request. Request a District service by phone at 925-685-9301 or online at www.contracostamosquito.com. Click on “I Want to” at the top of the webpage, then select “Request Services” from the drop-down menu.

Contra Costa County residents can help the District identify areas of potential WNV risk by reporting dead birds to the California Dead Bird Call Center by phone at 1-877-968-2473 or online at westnile.ca.gov. Dead birds are often the first sign of West Nile virus in a particular area. By reporting dead birds, residents provide the District with critical information that allows District employees to set mosquito traps near the site of the dead bird to look for infected mosquitoes. If those mosquitos are found, the District will take timely action to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease for neighboring residents.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Recreation Department

In honor of the Opening Ceremonies of the 2024 Olympics in Paris France, join us this Friday for OLYMPIC NIGHT, the 4th and final night in our Water Park After Dark series!

Don’t miss your chance to compete in Olympics Games to win an Olympic medal and prizes! 

Enjoy a night swim until 8:45 pm and our tasty Specialty Menu Items with flavors from around the world!

JULY 26th 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Antioch Water Park inside Prewett Family Park at 4701 Lone Tree Way
Tickets: Day of $13. Purchase at antiochwaterpark.com. 

Following U.S. Supreme Court ruling

Encourages local governments to adopt similar policies

“We’re done. It’s time we move with urgency at the local level to clean up these sites. This executive order is about…getting the sense of urgency that’s required of local government to do their job.” – Gov. Newsom

What you need to know: Governor Newsom today issued an executive order directing state agencies to urgently address homeless encampments while respecting the dignity and safety of Californians experiencing homelessness. The Governor’s order, which follows the Supreme Court’s decision in Grants Pass, also urges local governments to use substantial funding provided by the state to take similar action.

SACRAMENTO, CA — Building on California’s ongoing work and unprecedented investments to address the decades-long issue of homelessness, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order today ordering state agencies and departments to adopt clear policies that urgently address homeless encampments while respecting the dignity and well-being of all Californians.

With the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass v Johnson, local governments now have the tools and authority to address dangerous encampments and help provide those residing in encampments with the resources they need.

“This executive order directs state agencies to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them — and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same. The state has been hard at work to address this crisis on our streets. There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.” said Newsom. “We’re done. It’s time we move with urgency at the local level to clean up these sites. This executive order is about…getting the sense of urgency that’s required of local government to do their job.”

The governor’s executive order directs state agencies and departments to adopt humane and dignified policies to urgently address encampments on state property, including by taking necessary and deliberate steps to notify and support the people inhabiting the encampment prior to removal.

Governor Newsom has made record-level investments to address the housing crisis, investing over $24 billion across multiple state agencies and departments, including billions of dollars in funding to assist local jurisdictions in providing services and wrap-around support to people living in encampments. In Fiscal Year 2022-2023, these investments helped lift more than 165,000 people out of homelessness and into interim or permanent housing. 

California blueprint

Governor Newsom’s order directs state agencies and departments to adopt policies and plans consistent with the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) existing encampment policy. Since July 2021, California has resolved more than 11,000 encampments, and has removed 248,275 cubic yards of debris from encampments along the state right of way in preparation for Clean California projects. Prioritizing encampments that pose a threat to the life, health, and safety of the community, Caltrans provides advance notice of clearance and works with local service providers to support those experiencing homelessness at the encampment, and stores personal property collected at the site for at least 60 days.

The order encourages local governments to emulate the state’s successful model to adopt local policies and to use all available resources, including those provided by the state’s historic investments in housing and intervention programs, to address encampments within their jurisdictions. 

Proposition 1 funding available for local governments

Governor Newsom also encourages local governments to apply for the newly available $3.3 billion in competitive grant funding from Proposition 1 to expand the behavioral health continuum and provide appropriate care to individuals experiencing mental health conditions and substance use disorders — with a particular focus on people who are most seriously ill, vulnerable, or homeless.

Proposition 1 includes two parts: a $6.4 billion Behavioral Health Bond for treatment settings and housing with services, and historic reform of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) to focus on people with the most serious illnesses, substance disorders, and housing needs. The state also recently released the Proposition 1 Behavioral Health Services Act: Housing Supports Primer (July 2024) for counties, which explains how to spend the projected $950 million annual BHSA revenue on housing interventions.

Unprecedented investments to support communities

Governor Newsom is tackling California’s homelessness crisis head-on. Since he took office, the state  has developed a Statewide Action Plan for Preventing and Ending Homelessness and the Governor has demanded unprecedented accountability from local governments to do their part to end the homelessness crisis through regionally coordinated action plans. The Governor has also pioneered nation-leading homeless and housing reforms and invested more than $24 billion to address this crisis with state and local support, including $4.85 billion for Homeless, Housing Assistance and Prevention Grants for local jurisdictions to prevent and reduce homelessness, $1 billion in Encampment Resolution Funding to assist local jurisdictions in providing services and supports to people living in encampments, and $3.3 billion for Homekey to rapidly expand housing for persons experiencing homelessness.

See Newsom’s announcement video on X.

A copy of today’s executive order can be found here and here:

EXECUTIVE ORDER N-1-24

WHEREAS California is experiencing a homelessness crisis decades in the making, with over 180,000 people estimated to have experienced homelessness on any given night in 2023, including 123,000 people who experienced unsheltered homelessness, living in tents, trailers, and vehicles across the state; and WHEREAS within the first year of my Administration I fast-tracked the development of shelter through Executive Order N-23-20, which directed departments to assess and facilitate the use of available state land and resources for short-term emergency homeless shelters; and WHEREAS since the beginning of my Administration, the State has made unprecedented investments to address the homelessness crisis head on, investing more than $24 billion across multiple state agencies and departments, including $4.85 billion in flexible funding to local jurisdictions to prevent and reduce homelessness through Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grants, $1 billion in Encampment Resolution Funding to assist local jurisdictions in providing services and supports to people living in encampments, and $3.3 billion to rapidly expand housing for persons experiencing homelessness through Homekey; and

WHEREAS the State has redoubled its commitment to holding local jurisdictions accountable to reduce homelessness, including by strengthening and enforcing requirements that local jurisdictions plan for their fair share of housing and by conditioning state homelessness funding on rigorous reporting and measurable performance metrics; and

WHEREAS it is imperative to act with urgency to address dangerous encampments, which subject unsheltered individuals living in them to extreme weather, fires, predatory and criminal activity, and widespread substance use, harming their health, safety, and well-being, and which also threaten the safety and viability of nearby businesses and neighborhoods and undermine the cleanliness and usability of parks, water supplies, and other public resources; and

WHEREAS while every jurisdiction must do more to address encampments, state and local agencies taking proactive steps to remove encampments have been stymied in those efforts by lawsuits and injunctions, leaving officials without the tools or guidance necessary to address the crisis on their streets; and

WHEREAS in September 2023, I called on the United States Supreme Court to grant review in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson to clarify that state and local officials can take reasonable actions to resolve encampments while respecting the humanity of all Californians; and

WHEREAS in June 2024 the Supreme Court overturned Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals precedent that restricted the government’s authority to enforce laws regulating encampments, recognizing that jurisdictions may tailor their enforcement practices to reflect policy-driven approaches to addressing homelessness; and

WHEREAS with the threat of these types of injunctions removed, there is no longer any barrier to local governments utilizing the substantial resources provided by the State, in tandem with federal and local resources, to address encampments with both urgency and humanity, or excuse for not doing so; and WHEREAS guidelines that prioritize offers of shelter and services as a first step to resolving any encampment best respect the dignity of every Californian and provide meaningful paths to ending homelessness; and

WHEREAS the California Interagency Council on Homelessness leads California’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness; and

WHEREAS the California Department of Transportation maintains a policy directive that prioritizes removal of encampments that pose threats to life, health, and safety, while partnering with local governments and nonprofit providers to facilitate offers of shelter and supportive services in advance of a removal; and WHEREAS the California Department of Transportation has, since July 2021, removed 11,188 encampments and 248,275 cubic yards of debris from these encampments along the state rights of way.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and statutes of the State of California, do hereby issue the following Order to become effective immediately:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1) Agencies and departments subject to my authority shall adopt policies, generally consistent with California Department of Transportation’s Maintenance Policy Directive 1001-R1, to address encampments on state property, including through partnerships with other state and local agencies, and shall prioritize efforts to address encampments consistent with such policy. Such policies shall include the following:

a. Whenever feasible, site assessment in advance of removal operations to determine whether an encampment poses an imminent threat to life, health, safety or infrastructure such that exigent circumstances require immediate removal of the encampment.

b. Where exigent circumstances exist, as much advance notice to vacate as reasonable under the circumstances.

c. Where no exigent circumstances exist, posting of a notice to vacate at the site at least 48 hours prior to initiating removal

 d. Contacting of service providers to request outreach services for persons experiencing homelessness at the encampment.

e. Collection, labeling, and storage for at least 60 days of personal property collected at the removal site that is not a health or safety hazard.

2) All departments and agencies not under my authority are requested to adopt policies consistent with the guidelines in Paragraph 1.

3) Local governments are encouraged to adopt policies consistent with this Order and to use all available resources and infrastructure, including resources provided by the State’s historic investments in housing and intervention programs where appropriate and available, to take action with the urgency this crisis demands to humanely remove encampments from public spaces, prioritizing those encampments that most threaten the life, health, and safety of those in and around them.

4) The California Interagency Council on Homelessness shall develop guidance and provide technical assistance consistent with this Order for local governments to follow in implementing their local homelessness programs.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this Order. This Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 25th day of July.

GAVIN NEWSOM

Governor of California

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Free for kids ages 7-17

Registration is now open for the free youth 4th Annual Kendall Smith Basketball Camp on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Improve your basketball skills this summer. Co-ed basketball camp for youth 7-17 years old athletes and non-athletes. Doors open at 8:30 am, the camp starts at 9:00 am and ends at 2:00 pm.

The event will be held in the gym at Smith’s alma mater, Deer Valley High School, 4700 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, where he played hoops before heading on to play for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys, then into the pros, where he’s played for international teams and the Warriors G League team in Santa Cruz. (Learn more about his career).

See a brief invitation video by Kendall.

Sponsored by Smith’s My Brothers Keeper 1K, to register visit Kendall Smith Basketball Camp. To be a sponsor, donate or volunteer email mybrotherskeepers925@gmail.com.

Smash and grab robbery occurred June 15th, APD just learned of it

By Antioch Police Department

Community, take a good look at these videos and help us find the man behind this jewelry smash and grab that happened at JCPenney in the Slatten Ranch shopping center off Slatten Ranch Road and Empire Avenue.

We were just made aware of this theft that happened on June 15th. Antioch police officers responded to an alarm call just after 10:00 p.m. from the JCPenney on Slatten Ranch Road. Officers reviewed the store surveillance video which shows the suspect approaching the glass jewelry cases, taking a hammer or tool, smashing the glass and taking off with nearly half-a-million dollars in jewelry.

The suspect was also seen on video walking into the store at 8:25 p.m. and hiding in the store for a few hours before committing the crime. If you have any information about the identity of the suspect, please contact Detective Cole Shaffer cshaffer@antiochca.gov or (925) 481-8604.

A nurse from Antioch has nurtured her 22-year-old son’s taekwondo ambitions since he was 3

Expected to compete for gold, CJ Nickolas, a former Heritage High student, was first trained by his father at Givans Taekwondo in Antioch

By Elizabeth Schainbaum, Manager, Regional Content, Corporation Communications, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Over the years, wound care nurse Denise Nickolas would talk with colleagues about her kids’ sports activities — just as others would talk about their own kids.

Most colleagues didn’t realize her kids were different. They didn’t know how seriously athletic they were after he won a medal in World Taekwondo Championship in May 2023 when her son, CJ, received publicity as he vied for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

CJ is competing in the Paris Olympics in taekwondo on August 9, 2024. The 22-year-old is ranked second in the world.

“She doesn’t go around telling just anyone how he ranked at tournaments,” said Daniella White, a colleague who has cheered Nickolas on through CJ’s injuries and other challenges. “If someone asks, she will humbly share how well he did. That’s not to say she wasn’t overly proud or excited for him, but she just continued to show humility in the process.”

Kaiser Permanente fan club

Nickolas is happy everyone knows now.

“Everyone is so excited, and they asked why I didn’t say anything,” said Nickolas, who was a gymnast in college and also achieved a taekwondo black belt during her son’s practices. “They’ve been so supportive and even started a Teams group to cheer us on and check the progress of his Olympic bid.”

Her boss, Darci Walker, is a big fan.

“I remember her sharing one of CJ’s competitions where he won first place, and he moved the entire crowd and audience by singing the national anthem. The whole stadium joined in and sang together,” Walker recalled. “This was a very proud moment that Denise shared with me. When I watched the video on her phone, it brought me to tears as well. We are all excited for CJ and their entire family.”

A ‘family-friendly’ organization

Nickolas has worked at Kaiser Permanente since 2001. Since then, as a single mom, she’s juggled full-time work with 2 kids who were competitive athletes.

Her older daughter, now 24, was an elite gymnast for a long time. She pivoted to diving, and that was the sport she did in college.

Her kids’ sports often required traveling to competitions. Nickolas said her managers and colleagues have been supportive and accommodating when she’s had to take time off, evenn last minute. 

“Kaiser Permanente is absolutely a family-friendly organization,” she said. “I was able to have the life I wanted with my kids because of Kaiser Permanente.”

To make it work, she would essentially work two part-time jobs and lived just 10 minutes from the hospital.

She would start the morning at the Antioch Medical Center and then take the kids to their practices. Later, she would work another shift with Home Health Department.

“I was exhausted, but it was worth it, totally worth it,” Nickolas said. “I’m so grateful.”

Walker said Nickolas also worked hard to make it work. She coordinated well with colleagues before she would travel so there were no bumps with patient care. When she returned, she was ready to get back into the swing of work.

Going for gold

Nickolas followed this routine for years. She realized in 2007 that CJ, who had been doing taekwondo for three years at that point, had a future in competitive sports.

At the age of three, he said he wanted to do martial arts. She hesitated because she was against combat sports at the time.

She pushed that feeling aside because she could see how eager he was to do it. She steered him to taekwondo because it was included in Ivy League sports programs and was an Olympic sport.

When he was about six, she noticed he was intense and focused. She checked in with the coach.

“’Am I just proud or is he really good?’” she recalled saying. “The coach said, ‘No, he’s really as good as you think he is.’”

That coach, until CJ turned 18, was his father, Ed Givans, who previously owned and trained his son at Givans Taekwondo in Antioch which he relocated to Las Vegas in 2018.

Many injuries later, including a broken toe that she said Kaiser Permanente did an excellent job of repairing, he’s now going for Olympic gold.

Nickolas will be there watching, with her Kaiser Permanente colleagues rooting for her son.

“I can’t believe this day has come,” she said. “He’s worked so hard, but it still feels so surreal.”

Watch CJ represent Team USA and compete on Friday, August 9th on the NBC channels.

Learn more about CJ’s experience and victories through the years, here, here and here.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.