News and Features
News: Stories covering Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill and surrounding areas.
Weekly Summaries/So This Happened: Our weekly roundup of news.
Pioneer Newspaper PDF archive: Read past issues of the monthly print paper in PDF format. We have issues going back to 2003.
News by City
- Concord: News from Concord, CA.
- Clayton: News from Clayton, CA.
- Pleasant Hill: News from Pleasant Hill, CA.
News by Category
Elections: Coverage of local candidates and voting in the 2024 election.
Obituaries: Obituaries for Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill and surrounding communities.
Sports: News and athlete profiles from local teams and alumni, sports organizations and more.
Crime: Police reports and news about criminal activity.
Performing Arts: Reviews and promotions for local theater productions and live music events.
From the Desk of: News and commentary from city, county and state officials.
Schools: News, features and accomplishments from the schools serving Concord, Clayton and Pleasant Hill.
Pioneer Columnists
Our columnists each bring you their personal reflections on a variety topics from restaurants to films to gardening to pet care, and more.
Recent Pioneer stories:
Contra Costa Fire will hold its annual open house in Concord Sat. Oct. 19
PhotoCONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 17, 2024) — Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Contra Costa Fire) will hold its ...
Ledo outlines her qualifications for state Assembly
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 17, 2024) — Hello, I’m Sonia Ledo, and I’m running for the California state Assembly ...
Letter to the Editor — Misinformation and Lies in my Mailbox
CLAYTON, CA (Oct. 16, 2024) — Dear Editor, When I picked up my mail today, I was appalled at what ...
Bette Boatmun inspired generations through leadership courage and friendship
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 16, 2024) — In remembrance of Bette Boatmun, Contra Costa’s Superwoman. I’m dedicating this month’s ...
Diversity Commission helps make Pleasant Hill a place for everyone
PLEASANT HILL, CA (Oct. 16, 2024) — The city of Pleasant Hill has changed over the years and continues to ...
Prop. 36 a smart way to address addiction, homelessness and theft
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 16, 2024) — California’s Prop. 36 is an intelligent, compassionate solution to the epidemic of ...
Workplace comedy and Halloween scares on local stages
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 15, 2024) — Lots of excitement at Endeavor Hall in Clayton as the Clayton Theatre ...
Concord PD receives $275,000 grant for traffic enforcement and education programs
CONCORD, CA (Oct. 15, 2024) — Concord Police Department has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety ...
Engage in agritourism to enjoy the fall farm experience
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 14, 2024) — Farmers markets are filling up with all things fall: pumpkins for jack o’ ...
October is Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 14, 2024) — The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has declared October as Creek ...
The Pioneer’s Fall 2024 calendar of events and activities, October 13 update
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Oct. 13, 2024) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole ...
So This Happened…Week of Oct. 7 through 13, 2024
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 13, 2024) — Concord police are looking for witnesses after a fatal hit-and-run Oct. 6 ...
New Food Security Collaborative in Contra Costa County receives $100K Impact grant
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 12, 2024) — In a major step toward addressing food insecurity in Contra Costa County, ...
Ok, so this ‘Joker’ is a musical, but what’s the point?
(Oct. 11, 2024) — In my review for “Joker,” I pointed out that it was a fine film but wondered ...
Join Visit Concord and Port Chicago Alliance for Fleet Fest this weekend
CONCORD, CA (Oct. 11, 2024) — Visit Concord is proud to announce its partnership with the National Park Service and ...
Evening of Promise fundraising gala to benefit Contra Costa youth in foster care, Nov. 9
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 11, 2024) — CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Contra Costa County warmly invites you ...
Letter to the Editor — Defending MDUSD Teacher
PLEASANT HILL, CA (Oct. 10, 2024) — I'm writing to express my concern over College Park High School Removal of ...
Concord Police arrest report for the week of Oct. 2 through 8, 2024
CONCORD, CA (Oct. 10, 2024) — The report below shows arrests made by the Concord Police Department from Oct. 2-8, ...
Does your vote matter? But will they let you vote?
(Oct. 9, 2024) — “I can’t vote for Trump again, but I don’t like Harris. I’m going to just stay ...
Look for a medley of melons at the farmers market
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 8, 2024) — At your local farmers market, you’ll discover a dazzling array of melons ...
Man killed at Concord gas station after being intentionally struck by vehicle; Suspect arrested
CONCORD, CA (Oct. 7, 2024) — Concord Police have reported the arrest of a suspect involved in a fatal hit-and-run ...
Identity thief convicted after bilking $20K from Pleasant Hill victim
PLEASANT HILL, CA (Oct. 7, 2024) — A 23-year-old Ukiah man pled guilty to felony identity theft, money laundering, and ...
Pleasant Hill’s fiscal outlook a priority in district council races
PLEASANT HILL, CA (Oct. 7, 2024) — The fiscal health of the community is on the minds of the candidates ...
Clayton Police Report for September 2024
CLAYTON, CA (Oct. 7, 2024) — This report details police activity for the Clayton Police Department during the month of ...
The Pioneer’s Fall 2024 calendar of events and activities, October 6 update
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Oct. 6, 2024) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole ...
So This Happened…Week of Sept. 30 through Oct. 6, 2024
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 6, 2024) — Olympic gold medalist and former College Park wrestler Amit Elor just climbed ...
Scorching weekend temps can’t stop Clayton’s Oktoberfest celebration
CLAYTON, CA (Oct. 6, 2024) — Clayton’s Oktoberfest celebration went on this weekend amid a hot spell in the Bay ...
Kiwanis Club of Concord’s Taste of Concord set for Oct. 13
CONCORD, CA (Oct. 4, 2024) — The Kiwanis Club of Concord will hold the 17th Annual Taste of Concord on ...
Skincare experts understand the emotional toll acne can cause
Acne can be a deeply distressing condition that affects self-esteem and social interactions at any age. It’s challenging for both ...
Concord Police arrest report for the week of Sept. 25 through Oct. 1, 2024
CONCORD, CA (Oct. 4, 2024) — The report below shows arrests made by the Concord Police Department from Sept. 25 ...