Our Town

Jean Sonnikson Francis passed away on September 26, 2020 at her home in Martinez at the age 84. Jean was born in Healdsburg, CA to Emmet and Emma Sonnikson on April 8, 1936. She was raised in the Alexander Valley (just outside of Healdsburg) and was a farm girl who …

Contra Costa County has moved into the Red (Substantial) Tier under the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which allows schools to consider reopening after two weeks if certain conditions are met. If Contra Costa County remains in the Red Tier for 14 consecutive days, schools in the county have …

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is pleased to announce a partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to provide critical food support to individuals who experience food loss during natural disasters and Public Safety Power Shutoff events (PSPS). Under the agreement and new for 2020, PG&E will provide MOW …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Farmers and the farmers markets they attend have been quite resilient for the last six months, despite the restrictions that the coronavirus pandemic has forced upon them. But fall is here, winter is coming, and many farmers markets are beginning to close for the season. There …

The City of Martinez is excited to announce the purchase of the historic Bank of Martinez building (a.k.a. Union Bank building) located in downtown at 634 Ferry Street. The building has been purchased by the Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union (“Cooperative Center FCU”) and will serve as the Credit Union’s …

A new lawsuit filed on behalf of Concord-based developer Albert Seeno, III & Discovery Builders could delay the East Bay Regional Park District’s ability to move forward with implementation of its plans to provide public access at a new regional park at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. On July …

Mamie M. Hirasawa peacefully passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. She was born on February 2, 1926 in Sebastopol, California to the late Katsuki and Shina (Miyamoto) Horita. She along with her family were interned at Amache, Colorado during World War II. Some years after the war Mamie moved …

Launched on June 12, the City of Martinez Outdoor Downtown program gives merchants the opportunity to provide outdoor dining and shopping experiences for their customers, while facilitating the physical distancing of patrons to comply with the current County Health Order. By allowing businesses to use portions of City sidewalks, streets, …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS We never imagined that a COVID-19 pandemic would upend nearly every aspect of society and the local food supply chain. Thankfully, farmers markets were declared essential businesses early on, albeit smaller and with limited access and with extensive safety guidelines and restrictions. More than ever before, …

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that 30-year-old Martinez resident Joseph Osuna has been charged with three criminal counts, including two felonies, for his alleged action of the unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on Sunday, July 5. Osuna drove by a Black Lives …