Paul Schorr Memorial

Awards for top 3 in each age group

By Allen D. Payton

Join local communities, friends and family take a step for health at the 49th Annual Holiday Run & Walk for Health – a memorial to Paul Schorr – at Contra Loma Regional Park, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.

Hosted by Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch and Rotary Club of the Delta (Antioch), this cherished community event that promotes fitness and well-being was founded 49 years ago by Tom Torlakson, former Antioch Councilman, County Supervisor, State Assemblyman, State Senator and California Superintendent of Public Instruction. The event honors the legacy of Paul Schorr, a dedicated race director who passionately supported local runners as well as local Kiwanis and Rotary members, who passed away on April 12, 2023.

Participants of all ages are encouraged to lace up their shoes and enjoy a day of fun camaraderie and holiday spirit. Come be a part of this time-honored tradition.

Race Schedule:

7:30 AM – Registration Opens

9:00 AM – 1 Mile
9:35 AM – 5K Run/Walk

10:15 AM – Kid’s Dash with Santa

The event is located at Contra Loma Regional Park – 1200 Frederickson Lane, Antioch. As you enter the park, you will stop at a parking booth. Tell them you are here for the Kiwanis/Rotary Run and they will tell you were to park. The race will take place in the parking lot of the swimming lagoon.

For more details and to register for the run, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Antioch/KiwanisHolidayRun.

Family raising funds for “proper service” of 59-year-old Frank Troia suffering from severe brain damage

By Allen D. Payton

The sister of Frank Troia, an Antioch homeless resident, who was injured in a fight with a younger homeless man earlier this month, has organized a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for his funeral as he is not expected to survive his injuries. The suspect, 34-year-old Brandon Rowlett, was arrested for attempted homicide. (See related article)

On the GoFundMe page Frank’s sister wrote, “My name is Mary Troia. My brother, Frank Troia, was a victim of assault on November 17, 2025. He was beaten with a weapon and has been hospitalized since. He has severe brain damage and has not regained consciousness. The doctors are giving our family time to come to terms with end of life.

Frank suffered from mental illness and was unhoused at the time of the assault. It occurred in Antioch, CA, and was covered by the Antioch Herald and the East Bay Times. Unfortunately, Frank has no assets and I am asking for any donations to cover any costs associated with proper services. Donations of any amount would be appreciated by my family. God bless you, and if unable to donate, please remember Frank in your prayers.”

Asked about her brother, Mary shared about him and their family, “Frank did attend Antioch High School. However, he did not graduate with his Class of 1984. He got a G.E.D. Frank is the youngest of four children, my brother, John Myers, the oldest, myself, then my sister Janet Troia and he followed her. Frank has a 36-year-old son, Frank, Jr.”

Asked if he was a Marine Corps veteran due to the flag on the wall behind him seen in a photo from Facebook, she replied, “He was not a vet our stepfather was. He is still in critical condition at this time.”

To help the Troia family, visit www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-frank-troias-final-journey.

Donations, 10% of specific sales support effort through Dec. 31

By Allie Packer

Chick-fil-A Antioch at Lone Tree Way has partnered with Tunnels of Joy to bring the spirit of the season to life—one car at a time. The restaurant transformed its drive-thru into a “Tunnel of Joy,” complete with Christmas lights, festive décor and live carolers. This special effort is to support six-year-old Angelo Venegas, a local child bravely battling brain cancer. Guests will find QR codes on signage and in carry-out bags, providing them an easy way to donate for Angelo through Dec. 31. Additionally, the restaurant will donate 10% of the sale of all Peppermint Chip Milkshake sales to support Angelo during the same time frame.  

“We’re honored to partner with Tunnels of Joy to help bring light, hope and joy to families battling health challenges during the holiday season,” said Evan Hawthorne, local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Antioch at Lone Tree Way. “We invite our community to join us in celebrating the season and supporting a cause that truly touches the hearts of so many people in our community. 

“Tunnels of Joy” is a Brentwood-based neighborhood group dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Tunnels of Joy creates holiday light displays, featuring a walking path illuminated by lights and festive decorations. 

According to a post on the Tunnels of Joy Facebook page, “The reason for The Tunnels of Joy Season…ways to donate:

1. Venmo Donations go directly to the family.  Just scan the QR Code.

2. Donation Boxes are located at Tunnels of Joy on La Costa Dr and Torrey Pines…you can also drop off letters to Angelo here.

3. Chick fil A on Lone Tree is donating a percentage of its Peppermint Shake sales to Angelo, now through Dec 31st.”

Chick-fil-A Antioch is located at 5705 Lone Tree Way in the Slatten Ranch Shopping Center, is open 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

El condado insta a los inmigrantes elegibles para Medi-Cal a inscribirse antes de finales de 2025

By Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media

(Martinez, CA) – Contra Costa County strongly encourages adult undocumented residents without health insurance to enroll in Medi-Cal this year while they are still eligible.

Starting Jan. 1, people ages 19 and older with what the state defines as unsatisfactory immigration status (UIS) – a category that includes undocumented residents and others who do not meet federal eligibility criteria – will no longer be able to enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal benefits, including seniors. The change in eligibility is the result of state budget cuts.

“We want undocumented members of our community to know they need to act quickly and sign up for Medi-Cal before it’s too late,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Candace Andersen. “Enrolling now will ensure they’re covered when the rules change.”

State residents with UIS status who are already enrolled in Medi-Cal before Jan. 1, 2026, will be able to keep and renew most of their benefits, though adults 19 and older will lose dental coverage beginning in July 2026.

“Under the new rules starting on January 1, 2026, it is very important for Medi-Cal recipients who meet the definition of UIS, to stay in contact with the county and check their mail for any notices or renewal forms. One good way to stay in touch is to create an account in BenefitsCal,” said Marla Stuart, Director of Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD). “Current UIS Medi-Cal recipients who do not complete a renewal on time will lose their Medi-Cal full coverage and will only be eligible for emergency services when they reapply.”

After the new rules take effect, immigration status will not affect Medi-Cal coverage for children under 19 and pregnant women and their infants. Adults 19 and older who are classified as UIS will still be able to receive Emergency Medi-Cal, which covers emergency medical treatment.

“Sign up today. Having Medi-Cal is one of the best investments you can make in your health,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, CEO of Contra Costa Health. “Whether it is through a primary provider, specialist, in urgent care or in the emergency room, having Medi-Cal it key to getting healthcare for you and your family.”

In Contra Costa, residents can call EHSD at (866) 663-3225 for information about enrolling in Medi-Cal or apply online at BenefitsCal.com.

For more information, read the Department of Health Care Services’ Medi-Cal Immigrant Eligibility FAQs.

En Español

(Martinez, CA) – El condado de Contra Costa recomienda encarecidamente a los residentes adultos indocumentados sin seguro médico que se inscriban en Medi-Cal este año mientras aún sean elegibles.

A partir del 1 de enero, las personas mayores de 19 años con lo que el estado define como estatus migratorio insatisfactorio (UIS), una categoría que incluye a los residentes indocumentados y otras personas que no cumplen con los criterios federales de elegibilidad, ya no podrán inscribirse en los beneficios completos de Medi-Cal, incluidas las personas mayores. El cambio en la elegibilidad es el resultado de los recortes presupuestarios estatales.

“Queremos que los miembros indocumentados de nuestra comunidad sepan que deben actuar rápidamente e inscribirse en Medi-Cal antes de que sea demasiado tarde”, dijo la presidenta de la Junta de Supervisores, Candace Andersen. “Inscribirse ahora asegurará que estén cubiertos cuando cambien las reglas”.

Los residentes del estado con estatus de UIS que ya estén inscritos en Medi-Cal antes del 1 de enero de 2026 podrán mantener y renovar la mayoría de sus beneficios, aunque los adultos mayores de 19 años perderán la cobertura dental a partir de julio de 2026.

“Según las nuevas reglas que comienzan el 1 de enero de 2026, es muy importante que los beneficiarios de Medi-Cal que cumplan con la definición de UIS, se mantengan en contacto con el condado y revisen su correo para ver si hay avisos o formularios de renovación. Una buena manera de mantenerse en contacto es crear una cuenta en BenefitsCal”, dijo Marla Stuart, directora del Departamento de Empleo y Servicios Humanos del Condado de Contra Costa (EHSD). “Los beneficiarios actuales de Medi-Cal del UIS que no completen una renovación a tiempo perderán su cobertura total de Medi-Cal y solo serán elegibles para los servicios de emergencia cuando vuelvan a presentar la solicitud”.

Después de que entren en vigor las nuevas reglas, el estado migratorio no afectará la cobertura de Medi-Cal para niños menores de 19 años y mujeres embarazadas y sus bebés. Los adultos de 19 años o más que estén clasificados como UIS aún podrán recibir Medi-Cal de emergencia, que cubre el tratamiento médico de urgencia.

“Inscríbase hoy. Tener Medi-Cal es una de las mejores inversiones que puede hacer en su salud”, dijo el Dr. Grant Colfax, director ejecutivo de Contra Costa Health. “Ya sea a través de un proveedor de atención primaria, un especialista, en atención urgente o en la sala de emergencias, tener Medi-Cal es clave para obtener atención médica para usted y su familia.”

En Contra Costa, los residentes pueden llamar a EHSD al (866) 663-3225 para obtener información sobre cómo inscribirse en Medi-Cal o presentar una solicitud en línea en BenefitsCal.com.

Para obtener más información, lea las preguntas frecuentes sobre la elegibilidad de inmigrantes de Medi-Cal del Departamento de Servicios de Atención Médica.

Sutter Delta Medical Center earns an “A” – the only hospital in Contra Costa County to do so

By Monique Binkley Smith, Manager, Media Relations, Sutter Health 

Fifteen Sutter hospitals earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit focused on patient safety. This recognition is awarded to hospitals for their exceptional performance in patient safety and quality of care.

“This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to patient safety and quality care,” said Dr. William Isenberg, chief medical and quality officer at Sutter Health. “Earning an ‘A’ grade is a testament to the dedication of our teams and their focus on delivering the safest possible care for our communities. This recognition reflects the trust our patients place in us and our shared commitment to creating safer, healthier neighborhoods across California.”

Hospitals that did not receive an “A” grade have established workplans to improve performance in the next evaluation cycle, drawing on best practices from Sutter hospitals that have consistently earned “A” grades.

Locally, Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch earned an “A” grade for safe patient care –the only hospital in Contra Costa County to do so.

“Earning an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group is a tremendous honor for Sutter Delta Medical Center — and even more meaningful because we are the only hospital in Contra Costa County to achieve this distinction for Fall 2025,” said Trevor Brand, CEO. “This recognition reflects the relentless dedication of our entire team to put patient safety at the heart of every decision and every interaction. Our community trusts us with their health, and we embrace that responsibility with a commitment to excellence today and a vision for even safer, higher-quality care tomorrow.”

Commitment to Safety

As a high-reliability organization, Sutter promotes a culture of safety in which everyone is empowered to speak up about potential safety concerns. Being high-reliability is more than a process — it’s a promise to make care safer and more consistent for every patient, every time. Efforts around this work include:

• The launch of Sutter Safe Care in 2018. The program kicked off Sutter’s journey to becoming a high-reliability organization, with comprehensive training of over 65,000 leaders, physicians, advanced practice clinicians and staff.
• Targeted training to onboard new leaders, employees and physicians, to ensure everyone adopts Sutter Safe Care’s high-reliability behaviors and key practices.
• A reliability coach program empowering frontline staff to support their peers with high-reliability behaviors. Currently, there are over 1,100 frontline reliability coaches across Sutter Health, and participation in the program continues to grow, year over year.

Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries. The program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To explore full grade details, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

Sutter hospital campuses earning an “A” grade include:

• Sutter Delta Medical Center (improved from “B” in Spring)
• Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center – Summit Campus
• Sutter Amador Hospital
• Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital
• Sutter’s CPMC – Mission Bernal Campus
• Sutter Davis Hospital
• Sutter’s Eden Medical Center
• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
• Sutter’s Memorial Hospital Los Banos
• Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
• Sutter’s Novato Community Hospital
• Sutter Roseville Medical Center
• Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
• Sutter Solano Medical Center
• Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

Sutter hospital campuses earning a “B” grade include:

• Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center – Alta Bates Campus
• Sutter’s CPMC – Van Ness Campus
• Sutter Coast Hospital
• Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center

Sutter hospital campuses earning a “C” grade include:

• Sutter’s CPMC – Davies Campus

Frontline healthcare workers overwhelmingly approve contract agreement securing progress on staffing, pay and working conditions

Sutter Health “pleased to have reached an agreement”

Averted strike at 8 facilities including Sutter Delta in Antioch

By Maria Leal, SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West

OAKLAND, CA – Frontline healthcare workers at eight Sutter Health facilities across Northern California have overwhelmingly approved a new contract agreement with Sutter executives, averting the strike workers had authorized. Approved by a margin of 98%, the new agreement addresses critical issues around staffing and working conditions by ensuring fair pay and benefits for frontline healthcare workers, allowing them to continue serving patients without disruption. 

“This new contract shows that when we stand united, we can win improvements that protect both healthcare workers and our patients,” said Dinora Garcia, a dietary clerk from Sutter Lakeside Hospital. “Reaching this contract agreement wasn’t easy, but we stood together to advocate for worker and patient safety, improved staffing levels, and fair wages and benefits that reflect the vital work we do daily.”

The contract agreement provides 14 percent across-the-board raises over the life of the contract for workers and protects healthcare and retirement benefits for these frontline healthcare workers. The agreement averted a strike at eight Sutter Health facilities in nine cities: Antioch, Oakland, Santa Rosa, Roseville, Berkeley, Lakeport, Vallejo, Castro Valley and San Francisco. (See related articles here and here)

SEIU-UHW represents various workers across Sutter Health, including nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, licensed vocational nurses, X-ray technicians, environmental and food services workers, among others.

Sutter Health Responds

A Sutter Health spokesperson stated, “We’re pleased to have reached an agreement that supports our frontline employees while maintaining our shared focus on patient care and safety. As Sutter Health continues to achieve high safety scores, expand access to care, add new services and bring more physicians to the communities we serve, we’ll continue investing in and supporting the teams who make that care possible.”

SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is a healthcare justice union of more than 120,000 healthcare workers, patients, and healthcare activists united to ensure affordable, accessible, high-quality care for all Californians provided by valued and respected healthcare workers. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org

Community partners joined forces in Antioch to deliver fresh groceries, essential goods and compassion to hundreds of local families

By Steve Spraitzar, Public Relations & Trish Heaney – Marketing & Communications Manager, White Pony Express

Antioch, Calif. — On Saturday, October 18, 2025, White Pony Express (WPE) and Kaiser Permanente came together at Kaiser’s Antioch Medical Center to celebrate a remarkable milestone—the rescue and delivery of 32 million pounds of fresh, nutritious food since WPE’s founding in 2013.

The joyful Drive-thru Giveaway welcomed hundreds of local residents who received bags brimming with healthy groceries, hygiene kits, toys, books, and sweet treats. In total, WPE distributed more than 5,000 pounds of fresh foodand 1,000 hygiene kits, along with See’s Candies and other gifts to brighten the day for every family who came through.

The celebration was more than a giveaway—it was a gathering of community spirit and compassion. Volunteers offered smiles and encouragement, and new connections were formed in the heart of Antioch, strengthening bonds across East Contra Costa County.

“At White Pony Express, we believe that when one neighbor is fed, we’re all nourished,” said Eve Birge, CEO of White Pony Express. “Together with Kaiser Permanente and our community partners, we celebrate this milestone not only in pounds of food shared, but in the love that flows from neighbor to neighbor. This event reminds us that compassion is our greatest resource—and when we share it freely, everyone benefits.”

Eve added, “Today, collaboration is needed more than ever. These partnerships enable us to maximize resources. Working together, we believe we can provide access to good food to everybody in our community. And we couldn’t do it without partnerships like this.”

Pam Galley, Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo Service Area, shared, “At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that food is medicine, and good nutrition helps prevent and treat chronic disease. Everyone deserves access to healthy food, and through community partnerships like this one with White Pony Express, we are helping to improve the health of the communities we serve.”

Together, White Pony Express and Kaiser Permanente demonstrated what’s possible when compassion meets action—when organizations unite to ensure every neighbor has access to the nourishment and care they deserve.

About White Pony Express

Founded in 2013 by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, White Pony Express is a volunteer-powered nonprofit based in Contra Costa County. Its mission is to eliminate hunger and poverty by delivering the abundance all around us to those in need—with love. WPE now rescues and redistributes approximately 14,000 pounds of fresh food daily to more than 100 partner agencies, supported by 1,200 dedicated volunteers who live the motto: “All of us taking care of all of us.”

Two Vitalant donors in November will win $10,000

Antioch Blood Drives Oct. 31, Nov. 14

By Kevin Adler, Communications Manager, Vitalant

Every two seconds, a patient in the U.S. needs blood but fewer donors give as end-of-year holiday activities start to fill calendars. That’s why nonprofit Vitalant is urging all eligible donors to give thanks for their good health and make an appointment to give blood this November. Just an hour time commitment helps ensure every patient’s blood need can be met all through the holidays.  

It takes donors of all blood types to keep the blood supply stable, especially type O and platelet donors. O-negative blood can help any patient. O-positive, the most common blood type, can help anyone with a positive blood type.

Blood Helps Even the Littlest of Patients

November is also National Prematurity Awareness Month. Premature infants commonly have anemia and need blood transfusions to help them thrive. The National Institutes of Health cites more than 80% of extremely preterm infants need at least one transfusion in their first month.

Vitalant is thanking donors in November with a chance to win one of two $10,000 prepaid gift cards in the Shopping Spree Giveaway.

Learn more and make an appointment to give by visiting vitalant.org, download the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

Upcoming Blood Drives in Contra Costa County

October 31, Friday – Antioch, Dozier-Libbey Medical High School, 10:00 AM – 1:45 PM

November 4, Tuesday – Walnut Creek, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM

November 11, Tuesday – Pleasant Hill, Stokley Properties, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

November 12, Wednesday – Martinez, Alhambra High School, 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

November 19, Wednesday – Antioch, Kaiser Sand Creek, 9:00 AM – 1:15 PM

November 22, Saturday – El Cerrito, Sycamore Christian Preschool, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

These are just a few of the nearly 100 community blood drives being held in November. Donors can also give at any of the six Vitalant donation centers in the area.

About Vitalant

Vitalant (Vye-TAL-ent) is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at vitalant.org.