By DAVID SCHOLZ Martinez Tribune MARTINEZ, Calif. – After seeing the Virginia Hills Shopping Center space formerly occupied by Round Table Pizza sit vacant for several years, Cordoza Properties Inc. is now investing $400,000 to reconfigure the space in hopes smaller spaces will spark renewed interest from prospective tenants. The …

By DAVID SCHOLZ Martinez Tribune MARTINEZ, Calif. – One arrest and the seizure of multiple weapons was made after gunfire broke out at a Shell Avenue residence in unincorporated Martinez. The gunfire came moments before local law enforcement was preparing to serve a warrant at the home. An investigation followed …

JoJo (pictured) will swoop in with Mary Pickett June 28 to Martinez Library as part of its continuing Lunch at the Library summer program. Pickett is an investigator from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Investigation Unit, while JoJo provides emotional comfort to children and adults who are being interviewed …

The Martinez Bocce Federation consists of 235 teams within excess of 500 players participating across 32 different divisions. The courts are located at the Martinez Marina. MBF Standings current as of Saturday, June 11, 2016.

Martinez’s own Karlee Sparacino has been named a finalist for the annual Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Softball State Player of the Year. She joins eight other candidates in the most hotly-contested race in the competition’s history. Sparacino, an Oregon commit from Alhambra High School, hit .620 with seven homers and 40 …

By LAUREL PUREWAL Special to the Tribune The Martinez Community Swim Team (MCST) Otters kicked off the swim season Saturday, June 4, with the team’s New Swimmers Meet. This event allows all new members of the swim team to experience their first competitive swim meet in a relaxed and friendly …

MARTINEZ, Calif. – Alhambra High School held its annual Senior Awards Night Wednesday, June 1. The following awards and scholarships were earned by members of the AHS Class of 2016. Dante Abono: Antone Pellegrini Memorial Scholarship. Michael Aboussie: The Alhambra Way Scholarship, Alhambra Boys Basketball Scholarship, Alhambra Boys Tennis Scholarship. …

By DAVID SCHOLZ Martinez Tribune MARTINEZ, Calif. – The Martinez Library’s Lunch at the Library program continues next week with Mayor Rob Schroder and Police Chief Manjit Sappal scheduled to serve as special guest readers. The local lunch program is designed to combat hunger and fill the summer nutrition gap …

By TONI KELLY Special to the Tribune Universal Fastpitch 03 Nilson, sponsored by Universal Sports Academy in Martinez, took the championship win at the ASA Memorial Day Classic in Roseville on May 30. What a weekend these girls had. They played nine games total with great defensive playing, nine home …

By DAVID SCHOLZ Martinez Tribune MARTINEZ, Calif. – Animals weren’t the only beneficiaries from a recent visit of the Animal Rescue Foundation’s (ARF) mobile clinic to the Martinez VA – their owners also received a lift of spirit. Among former service personnel who took advantage of ARF’s hospitality was Army …