🌱Bay Bridges Penalties Reduced + Contra Costa Quarantine Change

Good morning, Concord! Let's get you started this Friday with everything you need to know going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

A little morning rain; cloudy. High: 56 Low: 43.

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Here are the top five stories in Concord today:

1. The Bay Area Toll Authority announced a sharp reduction in the penalties associated with toll violation notices sent by the FasTrak® customer service center to customers with unpaid invoices for toll bridge crossings. Effective immediately — and retroactive to all violation notices since Jan. 1 of this year for outstanding tolls at the San Francisco-Oakland Bay, Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Richmond-San Rafael, Carquinez, Dumbarton and San Mateo-Hayward bridges — the penalty for first violation notices drops to $5 from the previous $25 and the penalty for second violation notices falls to $15 from the previous $70. Bridge customers who paid toll violation penalties earlier this year will receive a refund for the difference between the amount(s) they paid and the amount(s) due under the new policy. So, they charge you an extra dollar to go across, but give you a break if you don't pay it. I guess somebody did the ROI on that...? (Contra Costa Herald)
2. Starting January 6, 2022, Contra Costa County will align with state guidance that recommends shorter isolation and quarantine periods for people infected with or exposed to COVID-19. Under the new guidance, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, can end their isolation period after five days if they subsequently test negative and don’t have symptoms or their symptoms are improving. (Claycord.com)
3. Dhriti Avala, a senior at California High School in San Ramon, has been awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, given to honor the most outstanding volunteers and the impact they have made. Avala has amassed over 2000 volunteer hours at The Museum of the San Ramon Valley. During this time she has been a greeter at the entry to the museum welcoming visitors, handling fees, and admission. She has also trained and mentored many of the student volunteers that staff the museum on Sundays. Way to go Dhriti! (News 24/680)
4. Cal State East Bay will begin classes virtually for at least the first two weeks of the Spring 2022 semester, the university said in a press release. Buildings in the Hayward, Concord, and Oakland campuses will still be open starting Jan. 18 for student services, according to the release. The university plans to resume in-person instruction on Jan. 31. (KRON4)
5. A downed tree blocked Mt. Zion Drive in front of Mt. Diablo Elementary School in Clayton Thursday morning. One lane of Mt. Zion directly in front of the school was closed while crews work to remove the tree. Parents were asked to avoid the area for pickup Thursday afternoon. (Claycord.com)

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Today in Concord:

• Want Los Tacos in Your Belly? Come to Side Gate Brewery & Beer Garden in Concord and get you some! (4:00 PM)
• Tucan Jam will be jammin' at Clementines in San Ramon. (6:00 PM)
• Duo Gadjo will be bringing their jazz stylings to Roxx on Main in Martinez. (7:30 PM)
• The Unoriginals, an energetic cover band that brings the party will be at Dan's Irish Sports Bar in Walnut Creek. (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is presenting a free online program on Thursday January 20th at 11:30 on the history of the Hollywood of the East Bay – the Niles district of Fremont. Hear about the time from 1913 to 1920 when this area was a hot spot for producers of silent films. To attend this free online presentation please visit their website at museumsrv.org and go to the Events section or call 925 837-3750. (News 24/680)
• The West Contra Costa Unified School District announced it will keep all schools closed Friday and Monday due to staffing shortages and student illness. According to the District Dashboard, they have 90 staff cases, 563 student cases and 55 classroom closures. King Elementary School is closed through January 14 due to COVID.
• The Lesher Center’s General Manager and Center Rep’s Managing Director Scott Denison took his last bow on January 4th. Read his story here. (Walnut Creek Magazine)

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Events:

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• Women’s group therapy 50+ (January 10)
• Social Security Webinar (January 17)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Jeri Karges

About me: Jeri Karges has been living in and loving the Sacramento region for over 30 years. Her passion is finding new and unique ways to enjoy the city and surrounding areas. On weekends, you can find her pestering her friends to sample the restaurant that doesn't have silverware, or try their hand at throwing an axe. Jeri also enjoys writing about retirement planning at https://rockinretirement.subst...