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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

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:

Join Concord’s City Council Candidates for a public forum tonight, Oct. 15

CONCORD, CA (Oct. 15, 2024) — The Concord Council Candidates Forum happens tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024), 6-8 p.m. at ...

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

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

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

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 arrests

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 ...
Concord Police arrests

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’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

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 arrests

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 ...
First Amit Elor U.S. Gold-Medal Wrestler Bobblehead Unveiled

First Amit Elor U.S. Gold-Medal Wrestler Bobblehead Unveiled

MCONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 4, 2024) — The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the first bobblehead ...

Sign up for the Pioneer’s Annual Woof-o-Ween Dog Costume Contest

As part of the Clayton Community Church and Clayton Business and Community Association’s Hay Day Halloween celebration, we’re rolling out ...
Will Claney, Tech Talk

It’s essential to protect phones and tables from scammers

(Oct. 2, 2024) — If you thought your Apple or Android phone or tablet was safe, think again. Mobile devices ...
Tim Grayson 15th

Bills would boost manufacturing, limit bank ‘junk fees’

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 1, 2024) – Every two years, the California Legislature convenes for a two-year legislative session ...

Pleasant Hill fetes first Hall of Fame class 44 years after high school closed

PLEASANT HILL, CA (Sept. 30, 2024) —Forty-four years after closing its doors, Pleasant Hill High School introduced its first athletic ...