In brief: Bill from Contra Costa’s Glazer to aid news organizations OK’d

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

California state Sen. Steve Glazer’s bill to help strengthen local newsrooms with $500 million in annual tax credits was approved June 27 on a required two-thirds vote. It now moves to the state Assembly.

The bill, SB 1327, was approved on a bipartisan 27-7 vote. A two-thirds vote was required because the bill assesses a Data Extraction Mitigation Fee on large Internet companies. It would distribute the money through tax credits to California news organizations.

“The passage today of my bill, SB 1327, is a step toward helping to revive news organizations across California,” said Glazer, D-Contra Costa County. “Independent journalism is the lifeblood of our democracy by keeping our citizens informed on the workings of their government.

“This measure will mitigate the damage caused by platforms who use our personal data and their subsequent advertising profits to gut our mainstream news channels. I will continue to work with all stakeholders in the weeks ahead to chart a path forward that restores and expands independent news organizations so critical to our democracy.”

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, who has her own legislation to help news organizations, AB 886, applauded the bill’s passage.

“I am encouraged to see SB 1327 move forward and grateful to my Senate colleagues for recognizing the importance of this issue,” Wicks said. “The advancement of Senator Glazer’s bill will allow us to continue working collaboratively toward a solution that protects and grows newsrooms across California.”

— state Sen. Steve Glazer’s office

OAKLEY

Area residents can get free recycled water through Oct. 31

The Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) is reopening its Residential Recycled Water Fill Station to the Oakley and Bethel Island communities in July. Customers can take advantage of free recycled water available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 31.

Since its closure in May 2023, the Oakley station has undergone several upgrades and improvements, including pressurizing and increasing the pipe size to 8 inches in diameter for better water flows, as well as adding signage and making the station more user-friendly.

These upgrades let the ISD (ironhousesanitarydistrict.com) continue offering high-quality recycled water for outdoor watering needs while preserving drinking water and saving its customers money.

“Ironhouse’s investment into improving our recycled water offering displays our continued commitment to safeguarding our natural resources and providing a more sustainable watering option for our community,” said Tyson Zimmerman, the ISD’s assistant general manager. “Using recycled water for irrigation and other tasks is an important step in preserving our potable water.”

The Recycled Water Fill Station opened in 2015 to provide Oakley and Bethel Island residents with free recycled water. Customers can dispense up to 300 gallons of water per visit for personal use including watering trees, gardens and vegetables, as well as lawn irrigation, washing cars, cleaning outdoor furniture and washing hard surfaces.

Before taking home recycled water, customers must complete a sign-up process that includes filling out a Resident Recycled Water Fill Station Agreement form and attending a brief 15-minute training. Also, customers outside the service area can pay a $35 annual fee to gain access to Ironhouse’s recycled water.

Ironhouse produces 2.6 million gallons of water daily, using a modern filtration and ultraviolet light process that uses zero chemicals. This high-quality treated water preserves the region’s water supply.

The Residential Recycled Water Fill station is near the ISD’s Oakley headquarters at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Ironhouse at isdoutreach@isd.us.com or 925-625-2279.

— ISD

CONCORD

Apply starting July 15 for new affordable housing units

The city of Concord is excited to announce preapplication and lottery information for Rick Judd Commons — 62 newly built affordable rental homes at 1315 Galindo St., including 10 units designed for residents with mobility impairments.

Rental preapplications will be available through the Resources for Community Development website (rcdhousing.org/rick-judd-commons) and the Doorway Housing Portal (housingbayarea.mtc.ca.gov) starting at 9 a.m. July 15 and will remain open through 5 p.m. July 29. The maximum yearly income restrictions based on housing sizes are: one-bedroom: $32,700 to $84,120; two-bedroom: $62,300 to $100,920; and three-bedroom: $77,850 to $96,550.

Forty-eight apartments will be available through application and lottery, while 13 apartments are set aside for formerly homeless households, and a single one-bedroom apartment will be available through the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (hudexchange.info/programs/hopwa) program. For more information online, visit bit.ly/4bjOwPH.

— city of Concord

PITTSBURG

Local author Stubb has new romance novel published

Brazilian American writer Silvia Stubblefield, of Pittsburg, has had a new book published — “California Wear” (a.co/d/0e1W2Rt6), a short contemporary romance novel available through most known book sellers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.) under her pen name, Sil Stubb.

Stubb has lived in Northern California since age 10, having previously lived in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro until when her family made moved to the Bay Area. “California Wear” is published by Dorrance Publishing Co. For more details online, visit bit.ly/3LaVZFP.

— Sil Stubb

BRENTWOOD

Costco construction can start soon, expected to open in 2025

In significant economic news for Brentwood, West Coast Home Builders, the only remaining plaintiff/petitioner in the lawsuit against the opening of a new Costco, has just filed a Request for Dismissal of the city of Brentwood and Costco.

This pivotal development means that construction could proceed this summer, with the new Costco expected to open early next year. This project has been eagerly anticipated by the community for a long time and is projected to bring substantial economic benefits to Brentwood.

Meanwhile, Limitless Axes & Ales was set to celebrate its recent grand opening in Brentwood. Located in the Streets of Brentwood shopping center, this new venue offers a fun and immersive experience for all.

Patrons can enjoy axe throwing, a full arcade area  and a variety of delicious bar bites, such as tacos, flatbreads and sliders. The venue will also offer a selection of signature cocktails, wine flights and a diverse range of draft beer options.

— city of Brentwood

EAST CONTRA COSTA

County library system seeks volunteer adult literacy tutors

The Contra Costa County Library system is looking for volunteer adult literacy tutors for its free, confidential literacy program, Project Second Chance (PSC), which offers free, one-on-one tutoring to adults who would like to improve their English reading and writing.

Many adults need help with reading so they can pass a GED or U.S. citizenship test or read to their kids. PSC is specifically interested in finding tutors who live in or can travel to East Contra Costa County.

The need is great in Pittsburg, Bay Point, Oakley, Antioch and Brentwood for in-person PSC tutors, all of whom are provided with training. PSC tutors must be at least 21, comfortable with their own English reading and writing and willing to meet with an adult learner for 90-minute sessions twice a week.

PSC tutors must also be able to commit to volunteering for at least six months. Those interested can call 925-691-3960 or email leslie.mladinich@library.cccounty.us about how to test-drive the role before committing to an Aug. 16 training in Antioch.

— Contra Costa County Library

WALNUT CREEK

City urges youth to apply for seats on various commissions

In 2022, the Youth Leadership Commission recommended a pilot program to add youth members to other city commissions to broaden youth representation in Walnut Creek.

This program, dubbed “A Seat at the Table,” aimed to expand youth participation in city government and resulted in youth members appointed to the Arts, Transportation and Park, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) commissions.

During the last next two years, Commissioners Skye Loumeau (Arts), Angie Yao (Transportation) and Karlina Meyer (PROS) represented their peers and provided a fresh perspective on the issues before their commissions.

The pilot program tested the viability of youth seats on city commissions and demonstrated the valuable contributions of youth in the community. Following the successful program, the City Council voted to make the seats permanent.

Now the city is actively recruiting youth for multiple opportunities to be involved and represent their peers on the Arts, Transportation, Youth Leadership and PROS commissions. Applications are open through 10 p.m. Aug. 18. For more details or to apply online, visit bit.ly/3VEVQR8.

— city of Walnut Creek

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