Remote Surveillance Trailer in West Sacramento, CA

West Sacramento employees were shocked to learn of mass layoffs at Manna Beverages on Friday. The company has a beverage bottling plant on Stone Boulevard and a shipping and receiving center located on Massie Court.

The employee's union confirmed to CBS Sacramento that the company had alerted workers that they would be shutting down all operations in California.

Manna Beverages employs more than 400 people at its plant in West Sacramento and more than 400 at a plant in Anaheim, according to the union.

The local workers were told late Thursday night not to come to work on Friday morning.

"There is no transparency or anything. They just shut the doors," said Greg Ball, president of Nor-Cal Beverage Employees' Union.

Friday, the parking lot to the shipping center was blocked off with cones and caution tape, and a note on the front door of the business told employees not to report to work until further notice.

"We were totally shocked, totally stunned. Nobody was expecting any of this," said Ball.

Employees are now asking if this is legal.

CBS Sacramento could not find any record of the company making a WARN Act filing, which is the state law that requires 60 days notice before a mass layoff or plant closure.

West Sacramento's mayor and city leaders also confirmed to CBS Sacramento they got no WARN Act notification and were blindsided alongside these employees.

"I've been here 17 years. There's people that have been here up to 40 years, and then all of a sudden you get a phone call and told until you're terminated. I mean, it's pretty devastating," said Ball.

Employees sent CBS Sacramento a copy of a letter they received from Manna Beverages, dated Friday, October 3, and titled "Notice of termination."

The letter reads, in part, "It is with the deepest regret we must inform you that uncontrollable circumstances will force the company to cease all operations at all locations on October 7, 2025 - and terminate substantially all employees."

The letter cited the company's underperformance and failure to pay off debts.

Company leaders even said in the letter that they tried unsuccessfully to sell the company to potential buyers. The letter adds that "the company is out of time and money" and "these circumstances were not reasonably foreseeable."

Ball says the union received no notice that the company was having any financial issues.

"We were supposed to, should have been given 60-day notice and nothing, so everybody's kind of in limbo," said Ball.

The company bottles popular beverages at its West Sacramento plant, like Monster Energy drinks, Alani Nu, BODYARMOR drinks and Minute Maid juices.

In January 2024, the Kentucky-based Manna Beverages acquired family-owned Nor-Cal Beverage Company, which was founded in West Sacramento in 1937 and operated locally for more than eighty years.

"Well, they led us to believe that they had plenty of money. Everything was great, everything we had, they were going to make it better, and nothing. It basically, pretty much got worse," said Ball of the merger with Manna Beverages.

CBS Sacramento spoke by phone with Remy Spearman, who is vice president of people and culture for Manna Beverages.

Spearman neither confirmed nor denied the plant's closure and responded "no comment" to all questions, including when asked about potential WARN Act violations.

Our attempts to reach other company contacts for comment were unsuccessful.

Employees are already talking about possibly filing a lawsuit against the company. First, they want to know when they will get their final paychecks, as hundreds are now working to find a new job.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California American Water held a groundbreaking for its new headquarters facility at 700 Riverpoint Drive in West Sacramento. This milestone showcases the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional water and wastewater services throughout California and Hawaii, underscored by continuous investments in infrastructure and dedication to serving its communities.

“This new facility represents our long-term commitment to the Sacramento region and the City of West Sacramento,” said Kevin Tilden, President of California American Water, “It’s where we have our largest group of customers and employees, and where many of our key stakeholders are based, and where we’re planning our future together.”

The ceremony brought together California American Water employees, project partners, civic leaders, and community stakeholders to commemorate the start of construction on the state-of-the-art facility. Once completed, the new headquarters will serve as the central operational hub for both California American Water and Hawaii American Water, supporting the company’s mission to deliver safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services.

Featured speakers included California American Water President Kevin Tilden and Director of Engineering Lacy Carothers, alongside West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero and Buzz Oates CEO Larry Albaugh. Each offered remarks that underscored the project’s significance to the region and its future.

The 40,000 square-foot facility is expected to be completed in Fall of 2026.

About American Water American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About California American Water California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, provides safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 750,000 people.

Luis Morales took the mound for the Athletics on Monday night, looking to add another strong outing to his recent string of performances from when he was placed in the starting rotation last month. The Boston Red Sox put a wrench in those plans, when Trevor Story hit a solo home run in the first inning, and ignited the many Boston Red Sox fans in attendance.

The A's offense didn't seem to have any answers against AL CY Young contender Garrett Crochet, who had six strikeouts over the first four innings, and would finish with a final line of 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 hits, 0 BB and 10 K.

Mark Kotsay mentioned before the game how the A's were to become quickly familiar with this Red Sox team, as they face them in this three-game set at home in West Sacramento, then will travel to Boston and play them at Fenway Park Sep 16-18. They had a harsh introduction to Sox pitching, as they A's bats were only able to muster three hits in the 7-0 loss.

This is the first time the A's have been shut out since the Yankees did it to them, 3-0, on May 27.

Red Sox LF Nick Sogard, who turns 29 years-old on Tuesday, celebrated early in West Sacramento, CA. He added on with a RBI of his own, and he has been "Mr. Clutch" for the Sox since being recalled from Triple-A on September 3rd.

On Sunday against the Diamondbacks, he was the pinch-hit hero, hitting a tie-breaking two-run double as the Sox rallied to get manager Alex Cora his 600th win as Boston manager.

The Sox surge in the second half has been a combination of young stars coming together, and Sogard is the latest in that line. They have a hold on a Wild Card spot right now but still believe they have a chance to take the division against the Blue jays and their hated rivals, the New York Yankees. With the win, Boston is three back of Toronto atop the AL East.

All in the family

Sogard is the nephew of A's broadcaster and five-time All-Star second baseman Steve Sax, who played in MLB from 1981 to 1994, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His cousin is Eric Sogard, who had a 11-year career in MLB, including six seasons with the Oakland Athletics as part of the "Nerd Power" Era.

Nick also attended Jesuit High School in the Sacramento area, and then went on to Loyola Marymount University, where he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 12th round of the 2019 MLB Draft.

Under Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, the Sox acquired Sogard in 2021 from the Rays along with catcher Ronaldo Hernandez, in exchange for righty Chris Mazza and lefty Jeffrey Springs, who is now of course with the green and gold.

Jarren Duran's RBI in the 2nd inning with a single to left made it 2-0 Red Sox, and he also smoked a double in the 5th inning and promptly stole third base.

Alex Bregman added to the hit parade, with a single up the middle to drive in Duran, which prompted a mound meeting with Morales. He would soon exit the game, being replaced by reliever Brady Basso. The left-hander has been a nice boost for the bullpen, and on Monday he ended up with a final line of 2 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 4 K.

The A's will return to Sutter Health Park Tuesday night, as they send Jeffrey Springs to the mound against RHP Dustin May for the Red Sox. First pitch is at 7:05 PM.

Officials in West Sacramento and Yolo County are warning of another potential spread of COVID-19 and are urging residents to take precautions.

Yolo County Health and Human Services found high levels of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in Sacramento and West Sacramento while emergency department visits for fever and cough are increasing at levels that reflect a “broader summer COVID-19 wave” throughout California, according to a Yolo County news release.

Dr. Aimee Sisson, Yolo County’s health officer, recommends most people over 2 years old should wear masks around others to safeguard against the spread.

“California is experiencing a summer COVID wave,” Sisson said. “Based on current wastewater levels of the virus that causes COVID-19, I recommend that everybody in West Sacramento wear a mask when they are around others in indoor public spaces.

“I also recommend that people in the rest of Yolo County wear masks when they are around others indoors if they are 65 or older, have a weakened immune system, have an underlying medical condition that puts them at a greater risk of severe COVID-19, or spend time around people who fall into these categories.”

The increase of SARS-CoV-2 — the strain of the respiratory coronavirus known to cause COVID-19 — has led to California, Washington and Oregon partnering to institute their own COVID vaccine recommendations while saying U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is undermining scientific integrity and making mass firings at the Center for Disease Control.

A new strain of COVID, called “Stratus,” has been discovered to be spreading throughout the Western United States while students are returning to school from summer break.

In May, the CDC estimated the variant accounted for less than 3% of the infections in the U.S., but it grew to 74% of COVID cases during a four-week period that ended Saturday.

Those looking to make vaccination appointments can go to the California Department of Public Health’s website; retail pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, Ride Aid and Safeway; and health clinics like Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, UC Davis Health, Dignity Health and Mercy Medical Group.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

West Sacramento has become home to the nation's first hydrogen-powered zero-emission locomotive, a development that could transform freight movement in California and the country.

"This is huge. This is the first of its type, hydrogen fuel cell. Zero-emission, switcher locomotive," said Ken Beard III, president and CEO of Sierra Northern Railway. "No others exist in the United States."

The locomotive will replace aging diesel switchers statewide, potentially eliminating up to 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually, according to industry estimates. Sierra North said this is equivalent to removing nearly 20,000 cars from the road.

"The smoky particulate days with agriculture burning and also the diesel areas, this is a big stride forward where we can grow our economy but also maintain clean air," said Councilmember Eric Guerra.

It's no mystery that diesel and noise pollution have affected habitats nearby. The new hydrogen-powered locomotive means cleaner air and quieter operations in the Sacramento region.

"We're going to get three more trains built here in West Sacramento. So those trains being built is going to require more job opportunities. And we're looking to see how we can get our community in the pipeline to be that workforce of the future," said Martha Guerrero, mayor of West Sacramento.

The project received $4 million from the California Energy Commission (CEC) for designing the prototype. In 2023, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) awarded $19.5 million to expand the fleet with three more units, totaling roughly $23.5 million in investments.

Michael Faust, president and CEO of Railpower, explained that the locomotive does not require any expensive charging infrastructure like battery-operated vehicles.

"This doesn't require any expensive, wayside charging like you would see with a battery-operated vehicle," he said. "No charging infrastructure or anything of that nature in an operation exactly like its predecessors do in the diesel space, where it can literally stop and be refueled wherever it stops and continues operation."

The operational train is part of Sierra Northern Railway's plans to expand throughout California, particularly in the Sacramento area.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel