Our Town

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

Dorothy Masayko, daughter of Pauline and Jacob Lorenz, passed away on August 5, 2018. Dorothy was born in Billings MT and attended the University of Montana. When the U.S. entered World War II, she volunteered for the Women’s Auxiliary Corps of the US Army. Near the end of the war …

Even though the Bay Area job market may feel red-hot, nearly 16,000 Contra Costa residents remain unemployed and are looking for work. To help these individuals find a job or start a new career, ten organizations have partnered with Contra Costa County and its Workforce Development Board (WDBCCC) to create …