YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 15, No. 37
WWW.THEPRESS.NET | NEWS YOU CAN TRUST!
Center celebrates new home by Aly Brown
September 15, 2017
Great Homes And Gardens
Staff Writer
St. Anne’s Village has become the go-to place for caregivers who need an extra hand with family members suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, and now the center has opened a new facility to better accommodate the area’s growing need. St. Anne’s Village President Ray Neubauer started the respite care program Dec. 1, but it was officially moved into its own building Aug. 29 – a modular unit, located off Camino Diablo Road in Byron, with separate bathrooms and amenities for the program’s staff and seniors. Neubauer said the new facility brings about the opportunity to expand their hours and days, which will in turn benefit the community. “Between the continuous (senior) care, the preschool and the respite care, there will be many job opportunities available,” he said. Open to anyone in the community, the respite care is intended to provide much-needed relief for family members who provide care for a senior loved one. Whether it’s to run errands or spend a day at work without worry, St. Anne’s offers a stimulating atmosphere of supervised socialization for the elderly. As the director, Lisa Kimble said sometimes family members just want the peace of mind that their loved one isn’t home alone all day, not eating or at risk of a fall. “We provide meals and snacks throughout the day,” she said. “Our program is also unique in that we offer both an hourly and a day program.”
The Press’ special edition has all you need to make your home and garden beautiful. Page 3B
New DA In Town
Photo courtesy of St. Anne’s Village
A senior at St. Anne’s Village pets a rabbit as part of Bunnies in Baskets, an animaltherapy program for seniors living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. This flexible schedule allows families to participate only when care is needed. In addition, St. Anne’s Village also offers free dental and medical care to the seniors and
engages in intergenerational activities for the benefit of both the preschool children and
Supervisors choose a replacement for former District Attorney Mark Peterson. Page 5A
Tennis Star Breaks Slump
see Home page 30A
Fire district looking at funding options by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
As the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) continues to seek solutions to its funding woes, at least three communitysuggested options appear to be off the table – for now. The district’s legal team this week released an analysis that downplayed the feasibility of the district declaring a state of emergency or relying on property-tax revenue reallocation measures. “This is truly just an opportu-
“ Anyone who has an idea, a thought, a plan to bring more resources into this district in order to save lives … is greatly encouraged and appreciated.
”
Joel Bryant, ECCFPD board president nity to talk through the issues,” said Shayna van Hoften, legal counsel for the district. “These are issues that have been the subject of discussion.”
The ECCFPD, which comprised eight stations in 2008, is down to just three stations to serve nearly 115,000 residents over 249 square miles. The problem stems
Looking for something to do?
Look at the many local activities on Connect with The Press!
Scan QR code with your mobile device.
www.thepress.net /calendar
almost entirely from the district’s property-tax allocation being set with the approval of Proposition 13 in 1978 when volunteer departments were sufficient to cover all of East County. The grassroots organization East County Voters for Equal Protection (EVC) has publicly advocated that the district declare a local emergency under the California Emergency Services Act, which the group states was written into law as a tool for public servants who find see Funding page 30A
Parkinson Forum www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Parkinson Association of Northern California set to hold their annual conference.
Freedom High tennis phenom breaks school’s 20-year losing streak. Page 23A Business................................ 6A Calendar............................. 31A Classifieds.......................... 27A Cop Logs............................. 29A Entertainment.................. 10A Food..................................... 11A Health & Beauty............... 21A Milestones......................... 18A Pets...................................... 15A Sports.................................. 23A
Harvey Victims
www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
Kaiser Permanente donates $1 million to victims of Hurricane Harvey.