Martinez council presses county health on outreach for the medical center's retrofit
The $173 million, multi-year project sits next to Alhambra High School on Alhambra Avenue.
At their Sept. 16 meeting, Martinez City Council members said Contra Costa Health had done too little community outreach on a multi-year seismic retrofit of Contra Costa Regional Medical Center on Alhambra Avenue, Martinez News and Views reports. The project costs $173 million, and it was days away from starting when the council heard about it.
After Medical Center CEO David Culberson presented the project, Councilmember Jay Howard asked why local officials and the public had not heard more about the possible effects of the work.
Alhambra High School sits next to the medical center, and council members also asked how the work had been communicated to the Martinez Unified School District.
Nakenya Allen discusses her second run for Martinez City Council District 1. On the Be Curious Contra Costa Podcast, Allen, who is again challenging incumbent Jay Howard, talked about the city's finances, economic development and public safety, ContraCosta.news reports.
Brentwood motorcyclist, 47, dies after a crash on Highway 4 in Concord. The rider collided with a car on westbound Highway 4 near Port Chicago Highway on Monday afternoon and was then struck by a truck, the CHP said.
Pumpkin Dunkin floats a pumpkin patch in a Martinez pool on Friday. Martinez — A pool party in Martinez with a floating pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating and costumes.
First Fridays fills downtown Martinez with art and music on Friday night. Downtown Martinez — First Fridays brings art, music and community to downtown Martinez's streets.
Bike the Bridges rolls out of Martinez for Special Olympics on Saturday. Martinez — A family-friendly bike ride across the Carquinez bridges to support Special Olympics Northern California.
A free vaccine and microchip clinic for dogs and cats comes to Martinez Sunday. Martinez — A free vaccine and microchip clinic for dogs and cats in Martinez, with long lines expected.
Off the Grid brings food vendors and live music to Pleasant Hill Thursday. Pleasant Hill — A weekly outdoor gathering in Pleasant Hill with rotating food vendors and live music, open to all ages and pets.
Concord's farmers' market fills Todos Santos Plaza on Tuesday. Todos Santos Plaza, Concord — The weekly farmers' market at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord, free to attend.
Birders meet at Waterbird Regional Preserve on Monday morning. Waterbird, Park Entrance — A Monday morning bird-watching walk at a park entrance near Waterbird Regional Preserve in Martinez.
Martinez CERT's free emergency training meets again tonight. Martinez Senior Center, Martinez — A free eight week disaster response training course for Martinez residents at the Senior Center.
Concord's council and treasurer candidates face the public tonight. Concord Council Chambers, Concord — A public forum where residents can hear from candidates for Concord City Council and Treasurer.
Contra Costa Council on Homelessness meeting. 1025 Escobar St., Martinez — A public meeting of Contra Costa County's Contra Costa Council on Homelessness.
Economic Opportunity Council meeting. 1470 Civic Court, Suite 200, Room 221, Concord — A public meeting of Contra Costa County's Economic Opportunity Council.
Board of Supervisors meeting. Administration Building 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez — Contra Costa County's five elected supervisors meet; anyone can speak during public comment.
Con Fire board meeting. Administration Building 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez — The Board of Supervisors meets as the board of the county's fire district, Con Fire.
The state found insufficient evidence to charge Martinez officers in a fatal 2023 shooting. Claycord ↗
The Martinez Library held its 85th birthday party with Fratello Marionettes on Sept. 26. Contra Costa County Library ↗
The Martinez Education Foundation held its Run for Education fundraiser on Sept. 27. City of Martinez ↗
A sesquicentennial full moon hike up Mt. Wanda set out Saturday evening. City of Martinez ↗
Pleasant Hill
Contra Costa County brought its annual Block Party to Pleasant Hill Library on Sept. 29. Contra Costa County Library ↗
Concord
Concord Pedal Fest celebrated bikes and pedal-powered fun on Sept. 27. Nextdoor ↗
Walnut Creek
The California Symphony opened its 40th season at the Lesher Center on Sept. 26 and 27. California Symphony ↗
County
John Muir Land Trust launched a campaign to save Johnson Ranch. Business Wire ↗
> activity ▌mon sep 21 – sun sep 27
260 calls, 4 arrests, 17 reports taken.
Martinez
this week
week before
Calls
260
274
Arrests
4
7
Reports taken
17
20
Citations
51
50
Traffic stops and tickets
114
109
Disturbances and nuisance
70
97
Parking and abandoned cars
42
38
Property crime
18
10
Crashes and hit-and-runs
7
11
Violent crime and threats
2
5
crash · Sun 2:54 AM · Alhambra Ave / Green St
Driver arrested for DUI after an early Sunday crash downtown. Police arrested Cameron Kelly Johnson, 28, on a DUI alcohol charge at the scene of the crash.
Caller posing as police pressured a victim into sending $1,000. The caller threatened to share photos of the victim, who sent $1,000 through the Felix app before calling police.
Catalytic converter stolen from a car parked at the Amtrak station. The owner parked there for a train to Sacramento on Sep 12 and found the converter gone on returning.
Martinez station is one of the few places in California where four Amtrak routes stop: the Capitol Corridor, the San Joaquins, the Coast Starlight and the California Zephyr.
A pair of beavers settled in Alhambra Creek in downtown Martinez in 2007. The city chose to keep them, and the annual Martinez Beaver Festival grew out of that decision.
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