🌱 Patch AM: How a $730 million shortfall could reshape Martinez’s county hospital

Hi there, Martinez! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a $730 million shortfall could reshape Martinez's county hospital
• Martinez community mourns the passing of Patrick Owen Sullivan

Also on today's calendar: You're Invited! Open House and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a high of 91 and low of 63 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Friday: Clouds and sun; not as hot, temps: high: 83, low: 58.
• Saturday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 80 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Contra Costa Health Dept. Facing $730M Deficit (ccpulse.org) — Contra Costa Health officials warn that Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez and its clinics face the deepest impacts from a projected $730 million, five-year deficit. With federal and state cuts looming and Measure X's failure, leaders are weighing service expansions, reductions, and policy changes that could significantly affect emergency and primary care access for Martinez residents.
   

• Patrick Owen Sullivan (martinezgazette.com) — Martinez readers are remembering Patrick Owen Sullivan, who grew up in Concord, had parents who worked in Martinez, and later made Martinez one of several places he called home. The longtime technical writer, nature lover, and devoted family man died August 1 in Rocklin; a Celebration of Life is planned in Rocklin on October 16, with donations suggested to the Alport's Syndrome Foundation.
   

📸 Around Martinez

Subscribe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Martinez

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday August 29
• You're Invited! Open House →
  4966 Bayleaf Ct, Martinez
  1:00 pm
Saturday September 12
• Martini Shake Off →
  525 Henrietta St, Martinez
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday August 29
• Martinez Library Storytime
  Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
  10:00 am
• 2026 Bay Area Craft Beer Festival at the City of... →
  Waterfront Park, 245 N Court St, Martinez
  12:00 pm
• 2026 Bay Area Craft Beer Festival at the City of Martinez Sesquicentennial Festival →
  Waterfront Park, 245 N Court St, Martinez
  12:00 pm
• Wellness Walk
  John Muir National Park Meet at the visitor center back patio.
  12:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
• Teens: Make a Zine for Halloween
  Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
• Back to School Night
  Morello Park Elementary Martinez, CA 94553
  5:00 pm
• JSE- Back to School Night-see schedule below
  John Swett Elementary Martinez, CA 94553
  5:00 pm
Thursday September 10
• Soft Pretzel Making Workshop →
  Five Suns Brewing, 626 Main St, Martinez
  6:30 pm
Sunday September 13
• Contra Costa Vintage Market Lafayette CA September 2026 →
  Vintage Vida, 3581 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
  10:00 am
• Bike Family Fest 2026 →
  DVC Overflow Parking Lot, 440 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill
  10:00 am

📣 Martinez Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Martinez PatchAM possible:

• Jasmina Pique, Travel Agent
• Devine Records & Vintage — (925) 316-5953

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Possible Scam Alert!
  Yesterday afternoon I received a call from a number identified as Geico Insurance. Since they're not my carrier I assumed it was a solication and… (Nextdoor Alhambra-Berrellessa Wye)
• Hello everyone!
  Anyone know if there is a fire nearby? There so much smoke in our neighborhood and we want to know if we are safe! Any information is helpful. Thank… (Nextdoor Franklin Canyon)

• Jack In The Box posted a job opening for Restaurant Management in Martinez. Apply here.
• TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for assistant store manager- Concord / Martinez in Pleasant Hill. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Martinez here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pleasant Hill

• Huskies Host No. 3 Portland For All-PNW Clash (gohuskies.com)

Concord

• Concord Weighs Million-Dollar Security Deal At Base (patch.com)

Lafayette

• Lafayette Housing Project Could Receive Up to $25 Million in Financing Bay Area Telegraph (bayareatelegraph.com)

Ok Martinez! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook