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Community Corner

šŸŒ±Pittsburg Man Accused In Smash & Grab + De La Salle Solar Project

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Concord.

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Jeri Karges, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Morning, neighbors! Jeri Karges here with your Wednesday issue of the Concord Daily.

First, today's weather:

Breezy in the afternoon. High: 69 Low: 53.

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Here are the top five stories in Concord today:

  1. More than 8,000 nurses and healthcare workers went on strike Monday outside 18 Sutter Health facilities across Northern California, including in Antioch. Union representatives say Sutter Health has refused to address concerns about safe staffing and health and safety protections. The one-day strike was authorized by a nearly unanimous vote in March and advance notice was given to Sutter Health for the strike, according to the California Nurses Association and the Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union. The nurses are calling on management to invest in nursing staff and agree to a contract that provides safe staffing that allows nurses to provide safe and therapeutic care. The nurses and healthcare workers also want the hospitals to invest in personal protective equipment stockpiles and comply with California's PPE stockpile law. Sutter officials, however, said Sunday that the nurses' strike comes despite the resumption of negotiations that involve a federal mediator. (Patch)
  2. Five men have been charged with a series of smash and grab robberies, part of a crime wave that terrorized the Bay Area during the holidays. The men, armed with construction hammers, would invade stores en masse. Charged with felonies are Michael Earl, 18, of Oakland, Andrew Manuel Maravillalopez, 19, of Hayward, Noah G Tekle, 19, of San Leandro, Charles Evans, 18, of San Leandro, and Maurice James Sweet, 19, of Pittsburg. The investigation is still ongoing and further arrests are expected. (East County Today)
  3. De La Salle High School is working with Centrica Business Solutions to deliver a major solar energy project set to cut the school's electricity costs in half. Financed using a prepaid power purchase agreement, the array totals 420KW and is spread over the rooftops of seven buildings at the school. It is expected to save over $125,000 annually on power costs. Across the street from De La Salle, Carondelet High School completed its own solar project in 2020-21 and is realizing significant savings. Carondelet CFO Noah Galabow said, "The primary measure of success for the project has been the energy savings. It has generated more than we initially expected and, with that, we are seeing significant cost savings." (Pioneer Publishers)
  4. During a special meeting Tuesday night, April 19 the Antioch City Council considered a proposal to rename A Street to Thomas Gaines Blvd., after the city's first Black resident in the 1800s, instead of Rivertown Drive to help promote the historic downtown. Any decision will have to be brought back at a future council meeting for vote. (Antioch Herald)
  5. In response to California's efforts to increase grid reliability and lower energy costs, MCE has launched its latest energy efficiency program, Residential Efficiency Market. This $6 million program increases decarbonization and grid reliability by offering incentives to participants for reducing energy consumption. The Residential Efficiency Market increases energy efficiency and peak load shifting by offering payments for measured energy reductions throughout the year with extra incentives for periods of high demand during summer peak hours. The objective is to increase use of these energy efficiency technologies and clean energy. (concordchamber.com)

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Today in Concord:

  • It's Family Style Dinner day at Lone Tree Golf & Event Center in Antioch. Today's theme is BBQ! (5:00 PM)
  • Get the best food in town tonight at the Pleasant Hill Library as they play host to Food Truck Nights! (5:00 PM)
  • Enjoy two big days of Jazz at the Rossmoor Event Center! Today, day one includes THE BIG BAND OF ROSSMORE & COMMANDERS JAZZ ENSEMBLE. (6:00 PM)
  • Come feel like a rockstar singing Karaoke on a professional stage at Vinnie's Bar in Concord. (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Come and sample the excellent food and beverages offered by over 40 participating Bay Area restaurants and wineries. at the Contra Costa College: 13th Annual Food And Wine Event. The event takes place Sunday, April 24, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Contra Costa CollegeAqua Terra Grill and Fireside Hall. (Concord Patch)
  • Want something to do this weekend that I bet you've never done before? Check out Sheep Shearing Day Saturday, April 23 presented by the San Ramon Historic Foundation! Watch them sheer sheep and then visit the tractor museum and enjoy the music, food and crafts. In addition, you won't want to miss the sheep dog demonstrations! (sanramon.ca.gov)
  • It will be an eventful Spring and Summer in Concord! Save these event cards on your phone or print them out. (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow for another 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...

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