Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) is offering reduced cost adoptions of all animals between now and October 31st in an effort to alleviate crowded shelters. During this period, the adoption fee for all animals will be reduced to $50. Interested adopters can take advantage of this adoption promotion by visiting …

  Jane Baird Silva passed away October 10th surrounded by her family at the age of 95. She was born in St. Mary’s, Ohio to James Richard and Mabel Baird and was raised in Greenville, Ohio. Jane met Donald Silva, now deceased, while serving in the U.S. Marines (’43-’45) at …

BY TIFFANY YOUNG According to the latest statistics, there are more than 16 million individuals in the United States who have experienced clinical depression in the past year. They make up around 6.7 percent of the country’s total population, and this number is alarming. Experts are saying that this number …

Transportation officials in Contra Costa County held a groundbreaking ceremony this morning on a $127 million project that will add 11 miles of a southbound carpool express lane from Martinez to Walnut Creek, shortening drive times along Interstate Highway 680 by 10 to 15 minutes. When completed in 2021, the …

A former teacher at a Walnut Creek middle school pleaded guilty today to molesting multiple children under the age of 13, Contra Costa County prosecutors said. Michael Bartel, 34, of Martinez, entered the guilty plea to four counts of child molestation and Judge Patricia Scanlon sentenced him to 25 years …

BY DEBBRA J. MORRIS Sitting side by side with the hefty pumpkins used for decorating, are the smaller, smoother sugar pie or pie pumpkins. This heirloom variety is thought to have originated here in the eastern United States, and is a smaller cultivar of the Connecticut field pumpkin, one of …

BY ANTHONY SOSA In what looked to be a possible preview of the AL Wild Card game, the Oakland Athletics defeated the New York Yankees 6 -3, in a Labor Day matinee Monday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum in the first matchup of a three-game series between the two clubs. …

On July 23, 2018, the Martinez City Council unanimously placed Measure X – a local half-cent sales tax measure – on the November 6, 2018 ballot. If approved by voters, Measure X provides local funds for Martinez’s quality of life and essential services, including 911 response times and public safety, …

The fourth annual Sound Summit music festival is returning to the slopes of Mount Tamalpais for another festive and eclectic day of music high above San Francisco Bay on September 8th. Jazz legend and musical icon Herbie Hancock will be topping a bill that includes stellar rock vocalist Grace Potter, …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS The flavors of fall are now arriving at your local farmers’ market ! September is the best time of year to enjoy late summer’s produce, while discovering the bounty that early fall brings. Your farmers are bringing the last of the peaches and nectarines, summer squash, …