Our Town

Mike Cusack passed away on Tuesday December 18th, 2018. He was surrounded by his three loving daughters, two son-in-laws, his sister and his best friend of 55 years.  Mike was born in Modesto, to Mary and George Cusack on July 24th, 1949. He grew up in Pleasant Hill, graduated Pleasant Hill ...

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS At first glance, it is hard to tell the differences between tangerine and mandarin. Not only do they look alike, their taste is also similar and both grow on trees that also look similar. They both are part of the orange family; however, tangerines are a ...

BY CATHERINE STITES Releasing their first album in a decade, Facing New York took the stage to reunite with old fans and new at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco Friday night. The show was part release party for their new album “Dogtown,” and part reunion tour. The bands ...

All 18 public school districts in Contra Costa County (as well as Contra Costa County Office of Education programs) will be closed on Friday, November 16 due to worsening air quality conditions throughout the county. Contra Costa County K-12 school districts include: Acalanes Union High School District, Antioch Unified School ...

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors outlined some of their ideas for regulating commercial cannabis operations during their meeting in Martinez on Tuesday afternoon. During public comment, advocates and community members urged the board to help county residents achieve easier access to cannabis by helping to increase the number ...

Mrs. Thelma Joyce (Beisley) Tolerton, passed away from a brief illness with family by her side, at age 86 on October 22, 2018 in Thousand Oaks, California. She was born on February 23, 1932 in Oakland, to the late Thelma Ruth and William Fredrick Beisley. Known by her family and ...

BY DEBRA J MORRIS Related to kale, cabbage, and collard greens, mustard greens are the peppery leafy greens of the mustard plant and are used frequently in Chinese, Japanese, and Indian cooking. They are also used in traditional Southern dishes. Cooked, they taste a lot like spinach, but with more ...

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 MCAS ...

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 ...