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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is sounding the alarm on digital ghouls and cyber predators that could haunt the corners of our everyday digital lives. Recent data from the BBB Scam Tracker reveals concerning statistics, emphasizing the urgency for consumers to be vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves.

One of the most alarming threats is the rise of social media scams, where scammers exploit consumer trust, with a staggering 91% engagement rate and 53% resulting in financial loss. “Social media platforms are full of suspicious characters,” warns Lori Wilson, President and CEO of BBB serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California. “Be especially careful if you spot offers in your social media channels that look too good to be true – scammers often lure victims that way.”

Another menacing threat is the proliferation of hacked “smart” devices, exposing households to potential intrusions by cybercriminals. The “Internet of Things” has expanded to include an array of devices, ranging from cars to refrigerators, becoming potential security and privacy vulnerabilities. Intruders can exploit these devices, turning them into conduits for unauthorized access.

Phishing attacks also pose a danger, where individuals and organizations fall victim to disguised evildoers posing as trusted contacts, resulting in data breaches and financial losses. Additionally, the rapidly growing cryptocurrency markets have become a playground for tricksters, making it vital for consumers to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before considering any investments.

The BBB offers several essential cybersecurity tips to protect against these ominous threats:

• Be cautious with social media ads that seem too good to be true and research companies before making purchases.
• Safeguard smart devices by using anti-malware, encrypting WiFi, and regularly updating software.
• Verify the identity of online contacts to mitigate the risk of phishing attacks.
• Educate yourself about cryptocurrency and verify information before investing to avoid scams.

For more cybersecurity tips and resources, visit BBB.org/cybersecurity.

ABOUT BBB: Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization striving to advance marketplace trust. For over a century, BBB has been fostering an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other. BBB sets standards for ethical business behavior and monitors compliance. BBB helps consumers identify trustworthy businesses and those that aren’t and encourages its Accredited Businesses to uphold these standards.

Has history of arrests dating back to 2014

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

We had another successful Theft Suppression event at the Pleasant Hill Shopping Center on Contra Costa Blvd., Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 10, 2023, which resulted in the recovery of over $2,500 of stolen merchandise. This shopping center houses stores like Target, Ross, and HomeGoods, as well as Burlington.

During this planned operation, the following 11 people were arrested for grand theft, petty theft:

Lavaughna F. Manuel 30, Antioch

Jordan Pitts 22, Opelika, AL

Abel Isais Garcia 23, Novato

Davonte Coimin Michel 25, Windsor

Derald Morris 65, Pittsburg

Andrew John Lopez 36, Martinez

George Davis 47, Pittsburg

Cayla Coleman 22, Richmond

Ahjanae Woods 23, Concord

Valerie Sage 65, Concord

Dennis Scarcella 33, San Francisco

We will continue to work hard through the upcoming Holiday Season to combat the ongoing issues with Organized Retail Crime and Retail Theft.

Thank you again to our community partners for assisting us in making this another successful event.

According to localcrimenews.com, Manuel has a history of arrests dating to 2014 by multiple agencies including Antioch PD, Concord PD, Walnut Creek PD, and the Contra Costa County and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Departments for such crimes as grand theft, possession of marijuana for sale and assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm. According to a Sept. 5, 2018 eastcountytoday.net report, she was also arrested in Brentwood for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools and probation violations.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.