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:
Festive songs, Santa and some magical snow bring holiday cheer to downtown Concord
CONCORD, CA (Dec. 7, 2024) — Last night's annual Tree Lighting and Mayor's Sing-Along pushed the holiday season into full ...
Clayton Police Report for November 2024
CLAYTON, CA (Dec. 6, 2024) — This report details police activity for the Clayton Police Department during the month of ...
Something lacking in ‘Gladiator 2,’ but ‘Heretic’ a thrilling ride
(Dec. 6, 2024) — Upon a recent rewatch of the extended edition of “Gladiator,” I realized how many Roman-era movies ...
Looking for an unforgettable way to ring in the New Year in Concord?
CONCORD, CA (Dec. 5, 2024) — Make it a Bluesy New Years. The West Coast Blues Society invites you to ...
Celebrate the light with ‘Upon a Midnight Clear’ holiday concert on Dec. 22
WALNUT CREEK, CA (Dec. 5, 2024) — The spirit of the holiday season comes alive with "Upon a Midnight Clear," ...
Concord Police arrest report for the week of Nov. 27 through Dec. 3, 2024
CONCORD, CA (Dec. 5, 2024) — The report below shows arrests made by the Concord Police Department from Nov. 27 ...
Soak up the holiday spirit with Concord’s Sip N’ Stroll this Friday, Dec. 6
CONCORD, CA (Dec. 4, 2024) — Join your friends and neighbors for a festive evening in Downtown Concord this Friday ...
Santa’s Jolly Landing returns to Buchanan Field in Concord Dec. 14
CONCORD, CA (Dec. 4, 2024) — Contra Costa County Public Works' Buchanan Field Airport will have a special visitor on ...
Don’t miss the Fratello Marionettes’ North Pole Review at Clayton and Concord Libraries
CLAYTON and CONCORD, CA (Dec. 3, 2024) — Celebrate the season with The Fratello Marionettes' The North Pole Review. This ...
The Pioneer’s Fall 2024 calendar of events and activities, December 2 update
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Dec. 2, 2024) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole ...
I yam what I yam – and that’s a sweet potato
CONCORD, CA (Dec. 2, 2024) — There’s no better place to find some delicious sweet potatoes than at your local ...
Make your home décor as comfortable as your favorite blue jeans
(Dec. 2, 2024) — A new design project can be intimidating. Not because of the demo. Not because of creating ...
Concord Police arrest report for the week of Nov. 20 through 26, 2024
CONCORD, CA (Dec. 2, 2024) — The report below shows arrests made by the Concord Police Department from Nov. 20-26, ...
Book review — The river flows swiftly through ‘Mighty Red’
(Nov. 27, 2024) — What fun to recommend the latest Louise Erdrich novel, “The Mighty Red.” And I say “fun” ...
Clayton Chief of Police Richard McEachin announces resignation
CLAYTON, CA (Nov. 27, 2024) — After two years of dedicated service, Chief of Police Richard McEachin has announced his ...
Tapestry women’s chorus and bell ringers to perform in Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill
PLEASANT HILL and WALNUT CREEK, CA (Nov. 26, 2024) — Tapestry, an East Bay musical institution for over 20 years, ...
Focusing on attributes of the Blue Zone lifestyle
(Nov. 26, 2024) — Ah, blue – the color of the sky, the ocean, the eyes of a Siamese cat ...
New canine support team helps firefighters handle growing demands
WALNUT CREEK, CA (Nov. 26, 2024) — The world of firefighters is increasingly demanding as they shoulder ever more responsibilities ...
Give the gift of peace through cemetery and funeral plans
LAFAYETTE, CA (Nov. 25, 2024) — As the holiday season approaches, we often reflect on how to make life easier ...
Maybe the holiday season is the right time to sell your home
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Nov. 25, 2024) — Many homeowners feel that the winter months are not the ideal time ...
Options aplenty for the all you can eat crowd in Concord
CONCORD, CA (Nov. 25, 2024) — When my children were growing up, we often frequented all you can eat restaurants ...
Concord Rent Registry Portal now live, owners must register by Jan. 19
CONCORD, CA (Nov. 25, 2024) — Do you own a rental unit in Concord that is a single-family residence, a ...
Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery wins post-collection contract with RecycleSmart
CONCORD, CA (Nov. 25, 2024) — In a competitive, months-long bidding process Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery (“MDRR”) prevailed as the ...
The Pioneer’s Fall 2024 calendar of events and activities, November 24 update
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Nov. 17, 2024) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole ...
So This Happened…Week of Nov. 18 through Nov. 24, 2024
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Nov. 24, 2024) — Steps toward solving housing crisis: A Mobile Resource Unit and hotel space ...
Light Up the Night brings holiday charm to Pleasant Hill
PLEASANT HILL, CA (Nov. 22, 2024) — There are a number of ways to tell the turning of the seasons ...
Mary Kay consultant brings holiday cheer to low-income nursing home seniors
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Nov. 22, 2024) — While many spend the holidays gathered with friends and family, former Concord ...
One-time grant will offer homes, services for Concord’s unhoused
CONCORD – When a mobile unit complete with social workers and showers opens its doors in a few weeks to ...
Concord Police arrest report for the week of Nov. 13 through 19, 2024
CONCORD, CA (Nov. 22, 2024) — The report below shows arrests made by the Concord Police Department from Nov. 13-19, ...
Vacation House Watch a police service that keeps giving during the holiday season
CONCORD, CLAYTON and PLEASANT HILL, CA (Nov. 21, 2024) — Who knows if the familiar festive line “Over the river ...