Archive for the ‘Business’ Category

Shop Rivertown on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Black Friday Sale at Delta RC Nov. 24, 25 & 26

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023
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For more information visit www.deltarc.com.

Order your Christmas bouquet from Paula’s Family Florist, today

Tuesday, November 14th, 2023
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Driveway Sale at Rivertown Treasure Chest Saturday, Nov. 11

Sunday, November 5th, 2023
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For more information visit www.facebook.com/RivertownTreasureChest or https://rivertowntreasurechest.com.

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

Thursday, November 2nd, 2023
Source: California Grand Casino Facebook page.

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.

Travis Credit Union appoints Grady Bond as Chief Retail Officer

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023
Grady Bond

Vacaville, Calif. – Travis Credit Union (TCU), today announced the appointment of Grady Bond as its new Chief Retail Officer (CRO). In this position, Bond will assume responsibility for branch management, member experience, member relationship center, wealth management, digital services, deposits, and payment products. His strategic vision and deep industry knowledge will drive innovation and enhance the overall member experience at TCU. 

“Grady’s extensive background in retail channels and product innovation make him the perfect choice to lead our retail operations,” said Kevin Miller, TCU President and CEO. “His strategic insights will be instrumental in shaping the future of TCU, and we are confident that his leadership will enable us to continue providing exceptional financial services to our members.”

Bond joins TCU from Bank of the West, where he served as Executive Vice President, Head of Consumer, Business, & Wealth Deposit Product & Strategy. In addition, his distinguished career includes diverse roles at TD Bank, Chase, and Bank of America, where he honed his skills in branch management, product management, and consumer banking strategy.

“Joining Travis Credit Union and making a positive impact on our teams, members and communities is priority one at the moment,” said Bond. “I look forward to working with the talented team here to further enhance our member experience and drive innovation to meet our members’ needs.”

As the 12th largest credit union in California, Bond’s appointment as Chief Retail Officer underscores TCU’s commitment to the financial wellness of its members and communities.

About Travis Credit Union

Travis Credit Union, based in Vacaville, CA, has been recognized at the federal, state and local levels for its longstanding financial education and financial advocacy efforts. In 2022, TCU was once again selected as a Best-In-State Credit Union by Forbes. It has also earned the U.S. Air Force Distinguished Credit Union of the Year award in recent years. Founded in 1951 on Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA, TCU today serves 12 Northern California counties. It is the twelfth largest credit union in California, with 245,000 members and nearly $5 billion in assets. Learn more about our mission at traviscu.org.

Antioch Council approves two large warehouses on E. 18th Street for distribution, storage

Tuesday, October 24th, 2023
Rendering of E. 18th St West Warehouse Project with the proposed name of Antioch Gateway. Source: DECA Company.

Will also allow for light manufacturing

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, following public comments mostly by local union workers in support of the warehouse projects on E. 18th Street, the Antioch Council had a few questions and comments. The project is owned by the San Francisco-based DECA Companies.

“I didn’t want large truck traffic going westbound into the city,” District 3 Councilman Mike Barbanica said. (See related article)

“The conditions of approval require signage to direct trucks to go east to 160,” said the project developer’s representative.

“Are these regulatory signs or suggestion signs?” Barbanica asked.

Where the signs go, what the verbiage will be and the regulatory aspect will be determined in discussions with city staff, the project representative shared.

District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson’s only concern was regarding the landscaping, that it be drought tolerant.

“Everything post-colonialism is evasive in this country. A little-known fact, Goldilocks broke into a house, ate all they food, destroyed they property and refused to leave. Just wanted to point that out. I think it is important, as we look to the future to work locally. It’s important to a person’s quality of life,” said Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker said.

In response to comments by members of the public about being able to work locally instead of traveling to job sites on Highway 4 she said, “It’s probably one of the worst freeways in the East Bay according to my experience. Capitalism demands that people be poor so that other people could be rich. We can make sure that industry comes to the city to make those jobs a reality.”

District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock said, “I like these sites because of the local hire.”

Referring to the union workers who spoke in favor of the project, tonight she said, “it gives them back their quality of life by being at home.”

“Did we resolve the native plant thing?” Mayor Lamar Thorpe asked.

“We made a commitment we would improve our native plant species,” the developer’s spokesman said.

All five motions on the E. 18th Street East Warehouse Project passed on 5-0 votes.

The council also approved all five motions for the West Warehouse Project on 5-0 votes.

Antioch Council to consider pursuing sideshow, street racing ban and include spectators

Tuesday, October 24th, 2023
Hundreds of spectators watch a sideshow in the intersection of Lone Tree Way and Deer Valley Road before police arrived on Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. Photo by Allen D. Payton

Plus, two large warehouse projects on E. 18th Street, more street sweeping

By Allen D. Payton

During their regular meeting tonight, Tuesday, October 24, 2023, the Antioch City Council will consider developing an ordinance that will make it illegal to be a spectator of a sideshow or street race. They will also vote on two new, large warehouse projects on E. 18th Street totaling over 870,000 square feet of space for distribution and storage. The council will also consider increasing street sweeping in the city under item 9. (See agenda packet)

Review and Consideration of City Ordinance Prohibiting Reckless Driving Exhibitions (“Sideshows”) and Street Racing

Under item 7., the council will consider pursuing a sideshow and street racing organizer and by-stander ordinance. According to the city staff report, “the existing penalties for drivers in sideshows and street races are extensive.” However, “State law currently does not address by-standers (spectators) at these events. The proposed ordinance would hold spectators accountable and prohibit them from being within 200 feet of sideshow or speed racing events.”

Both Mayor Lamar Thorpe and District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica have called for the ban. Thorpe did so a few years ago. The council had also discussed it earlier this year. But it wasn’t until Barbanica’s recent push that the mayor placed the matter on tonight’s meeting agenda.

“I requested it about three months ago in writing after meeting with Joy Motts and everybody downtown,” the councilman said. “On Aug. 2nd, I sent an email to the mayor, (Acting City Manager) Kwame (Reed) and (City Attorney) Thomas (Smith), saying I’m requesting it to come back within 90 days and to please consider the Pittsburg policy. Lamar responded back, ‘we gave direction to do this awhile back. Chief Ford was working on it but got distracted by other matters’.”

“I don’t really care who gets credit. I just wanted the ordinance in place,” Barbanica added.

Rendering of one of two E. 18th Street Warehouse Projects by the DECA Company which will offer 259 truck trailer spaces for distribution and storage. Source: RGA

E. 18th Street Warehouse Projects

Before the council members discuss a sideshow ordinance, they will consider approving two large warehouses for distribution and storage on E. 18th Street. If approved, the two facilities will have room for 259 truck trailer spaces.

E. 18th St. East Warehouse Project Site map.

Under agenda item 5., for the East Warehouse Project, according to the city staff report, “The applicant, DECA Company, is requesting approval of the proposed development of a 431,797-square-foot (sf) light industrial building for warehousing, distribution, and storage, including approximately 20,000 square feet of office space. The proposed project includes a total of 542 vehicle parking spaces and 140 truck trailer spaces. The project improvements would include, but would not be limited to, landscaping, circulation improvements, and utility installation.”

E. 18th St. West Warehouse Project Site map.

Under agenda item 6., for the West Warehouse Project, according to the city staff report, the applicant is requesting approval for an additional “442,111-square-foot (sf) light industrial building for warehousing, distribution, and storage, including approximately 20,000 square feet of office space. The proposed project includes a total of 406 vehicle parking spaces and 119 trailer truck spaces.”

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 W. 3rd Street in historic, downtown Antioch. It can be viewed on Comcast Cable channel 24, AT&T U-verse channel 99 or via live stream on the city’s website.