YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 7, No. 30
Including Surrounding Communities
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Partygoers’ gift to vets: $21K by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer
There were tears and smiles, hugs and handshakes, kudos and thanks, and it was all topped off by checks totaling $21,000. It was, in and of itself, a nice little party, but it paled in comparison to the partying that made it possible. The occasion was the distribution of proceeds from the What A Country Challenge, the brainchild of Discovery Bay’s Frank Morgan and his “Team.” What started as a plan to celebrate Morgan’s earning a master’s degree turned into an effort to raise money for local veterans. The team threw down the gauntlet, challenging others to party, pass the hat and contribute to the well-being of the men and women who protect Americans’ privilege to have such fun. The idea swept East County and beyond like wildfire: About
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July 24, 2009
THIS WEEK
Let her entertain you
A local vocalist is fully in tune with what it takes to pursue a career in music.
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Photo by Rick Lemyre
The recipients and benefactors from the What A Country Challenge gathered at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building Saturday to split up $21,000 donated in support of local veterans and vet organizations. 800 people attended Morgan’s by Red Barn Hot Rods; a red, played, sponsored by Bill Brandt party (which also sprawled across white and blue hot tub was cart- Ford; and a Vietnam-era Army six neighbors’ homes); another ed around far East County on a helicopter sat on the front lawn as bash was held at the Discovery “Freedom Tour” by Ed McClel- a decoration, courtesy of Harvest Bay Yacht Club; a Car and Mo- lend; jumpers from Bay Area Sky see Partygoers page 18A torcycle Show was sponsored Diving dropped in; three bands
Four times isn’t a charm Far East County’s proposed fourth high school is far from a done deal.
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in Report: Health care may face catastrophe Tops talent pool by Dave Roberts Staff Writer
East County’s health care system is in bad straits, like a patient who suffers a heart attack, falls out of the back of the ambulance on the way to the hospital, gets run over by several cars, and gets to the hospital only to be told to go home and take two aspirin. That’s the impression created by a recent report by East County health care providers on the state of access to care for the uninsured, a number that is increasing significantly as people lose their jobs in the ongoing recession. The report, “Impact of the Economy on Health Access in East Contra Costa County,” contains words such as “dire,” “disturbing,” “stress,” “depression,” “staggering” and “desperate.” “Health systems are facing potentially catastrophic consequences from the exploding demand and potential shrinking of resources,” states the report’s authors, comprised of leaders of Contra Costa Health Services, John Muir Health, Kaiser Permanente, La Clinica de la Raza, Planned Parenthood Shasta Diablo and Sutter Delta Medical Center. “The economy will continue to slow and the number of unemployed will continue to rise for at least a year. Rising unemployment
Photo by Dave Roberts
La Clinica, which operates a facility in Pittsburg that mostly serves East County’s Hispanic community, is planning to open a facility in far East County. means more and more people losing health coverage for themselves and their families. Despite (health care providers’) best efforts, current strategies for addressing the increased need are inadequate. Patients are sicker and more desperate.” According to County Administrator David Twa, unemployment in the county could
Sell stuff!
increase to 12 percent from the current 9.3. Just 20 months ago unemployment in the county was under 5 percent – at a time when health care providers were complaining about the difficulty in keeping up with the need. There are numerous examples of how the situation has worsened since then: • Medi-Cal applications in the county are up 76 percent in 2008 over 2007. • New patients in the county health system are up 30 percent over last year. The number of active primary-care patients in the county system has increased 50 percent in five years. • Contra Costa County’s budget deficit, projected over a 15-month period into next year at $56 million, is forcing the county health department to cut $19.5 million from its budget. • La Clinica has seen a 15-percent increase in patients and visits in the last six months compared to the previous year. • Planned Parenthood in Antioch saw a 16 percent increase in patients in March over the previous March, and in Pittsburg the patient load was up 11 percent. • Nearly 10 percent of patients hospitalized at Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch in 2008 were uninsured, compared to 6 percent in 2007. An increasing number of patients lacking see Health care page 18A
A Liberty grad and 18-time High School All-American will represent her country at an international swimming meet in Rome.
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INSIDE Art ......................................4A Calendar ..........................23B Classifieds ........................15B Cop Logs ..........................16A Entertainment ................10B Food .................................12B Health & Beauty ............... 8B Milestones ......................... 6B Opinion ...........................15A Sports ................................. 1B Talk About Town ..............5A WebExtras! ....................... 1B
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