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News stories from all over Concord and Clayton.

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Our weekly roundup of stories.

 

 

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Local obituaries for the cities of Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill and surrounding communities.

 

 

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News and athlete profiles from Concord and Clayton athletic teams and alumni, local sports organizations and more.

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Reviews and announcements from local theaters.

 

 

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The people around town.

 

 

From the Desk of…

News and thoughts from city, county and state officials.

 

 

Schools

The latest news, features and accomplishments from the schools serving Concord and Clayton students.

 

Columns

The Pioneer columnists commentary on a variety of topics.

 

Recent Pioneer stories:

Former ConFire Battalion Chief admits to felony grand theft

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 18, 2024) — The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office secured a felony grand theft conviction ...
New Wave Nightingale

Passing on info about a sneaky bodily function

(Mar. 18, 2024) — March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers, so the saying goes. But this March, ...
Concord High grad Rebecca Barrett named Contra Costa Woman of the Year 

Concord High grad Rebecca Barrett named Contra Costa Woman of the Year 

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 18, 2024) — Rebecca Barrett, president of the Contra Costa County Community College District board, was ...
Contra Costa Con on Mar. 24 at Hilton Concord celebrates 10th anniversary of Star Wars Rebels

Contra Costa Con on Mar. 24 at Hilton Concord celebrates 10th anniversary of Star Wars Rebels

CONCORD, CA (Mar. 18, 2024) — Contra Costa Con Star Wars Celebration is commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the debut ...
The Pioneer's Spring 2024 calendar of events and activities, March 17 update

The Pioneer’s Spring 2024 calendar of events and activities, March 17 update

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Mar. 17, 2024) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole ...
So This Happened...Week of March 11 through 17, 2024

So This Happened…Week of March 11 through 17, 2024

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 17, 2024) — Bob Hoyer’s tenure as Clayton’s first mayor was characterized by visionary leadership ...
Own this home: 1975 Las Ramblas Drive, Concord

Own this home: 1975 Las Ramblas Drive, Concord

CONCORD, CA (Mar. 17, 2024) — Explore this cozy cul-de-sac retreat featuring 3 beds, 2 baths, and a seamless open ...
Concord thespians ready to take the stage at elite festival

Concord thespians ready to take the stage at elite festival

CONCORD, CA (Mar. 17, 2024) — It may not be the Hollywood Oscars or Broadway’s Tony Awards, but it’s close ...
Investing in tomorrow's water

Investing in tomorrow’s water — Contra Costa Water District’s ongoing efforts

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 17, 2024) — Throughout Clayton and Central Contra Costa County, the typical household uses 230 ...
Jim Diaz, Clayton Mayor

Clayton Council reviews strategic goals, celebrates Clayton’s 60th anniversary

CLAYTON, CA (Mar. 16, 2024) — We were saddened to hear of the passing of Robert “Bob” Hoyer, Clayton’s first ...
Concord Police arrests

Concord Police arrest report for the week of Mar. 6 through 12, 2024

CONCORD, CA (March 15, 2024) — The report below shows arrests made by the Concord Police Department from March 6 ...
Denisen Hartlove

What happened to Nex matters to us all

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 16, 2024) — As a former newspaper writer, I have no shame in admitting to ...

Concord council OKs new rules protecting tenants

CONCORD, CA (Mar. 15, 2024) — The City Council finalized a Residential Tenant Protection Program on March 5, after hashing ...
Concord’s new tenant protection program goes into effect Aug. 28

Property manager working to put Concord rent rules on November ballot

CONCORD, CA (Mar. 15, 2024) — Resident Jo Sciarroni is gathering signatures for a referendum on the city’s new rent ...
Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest height

Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest height

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 15, 2024) — Martinez Kite Man sends smiles soaring. Like most kids growing up in ...

Honor the soil through regenerative farming

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 15, 2024) — The soil nurtures a solution for the crisis of global warming – ...
Dominique King Lean in with Love

Take these steps to be heard

(Mar. 15, 2024) — Hey Dominique, I’m feeling really exhausted by witnessing the significant changes happening in my city. Electeds ...

Obituary — Robert W. Hoyer,
March 11, 1921 – Feb. 20, 2024

CLAYTON, CA (Mar. 15, 2024) — Robert W. Hoyer, a longtime resident of Clayton, passed away at his home on ...
Edi Birsan, Concord Mayor

Politics and civility don’t usually go hand in hand

CONCORD, CA (Mar. 14, 2024) — Politics is the most expensive form of entertainment that our tax dollars are forced ...
Watershed Day raises awareness of overlooked ecosystem

Watershed Day raises awareness of overlooked ecosystem

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 14, 2024) — The land that “sheds” water defines the concept of a watershed, and ...

Letter to the Editor — Concord Communities Alliance supports tenant protections

CONCORD, CA (Mar. 13, 2024) — Concord Communities Alliance (CCA) seeks to build a more just and equitable city for ...
Full closure of I-680 between I-580/I-680 connector coming March 15-18

Closure of I-680 between I-580/I-680 connector coming March 15-18

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 13, 2024) — Caltrans is scheduled to close southbound Interstate 680 in Pleasanton between the ...

Pleasant Hill moving forward with bicycle and pedestrian plan

PLEASANT HILL, CA (Mar. 13, 2024) — As we head into spring, more and more people are out and about ...
Clayton mourns Bob Hoyer, city’s patriarch and guiding force

Clayton mourns Bob Hoyer, city’s patriarch and guiding force

CLAYTON, CA (Mar. 13, 2024) — Clayton is grieving the loss of one of its most cherished figures, Robert "Bob" ...
Will Claney, Tech Talk

Peering through the looking glass into Windows 12

(Mar. 12, 2024) — In Peter Drucker’s book “Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” the expression “innovate or die” emphasizes the need for ...
A princess and a lord square off in ‘Nomen’

A princess and a lord square off in ‘Nomen’

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 12, 2024) — I’ve always been a bit in awe of Melynda Kiring, whether she ...

Concord’s new tenant protection ordinance suspended

CONCORD, CA (Mar. 11, 2024) — As required by state law, the implementation of Concord’s ordinance on rent stabilization and ...
High staff turnover a sign of Clayton’s decline

Editorial: High staff turnover a sign of Clayton’s decline

CLAYTON, CA (Mar. 11, 2024) — Clayton City Hall is in chaos. It’s time for the Contra Costa Grand Jury ...
The Pioneer's Winter 2024 calendar of events and activities, March 10 update

The Pioneer’s Winter 2024 calendar of events and activities, March 10 update

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Mar. 10, 2024) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole ...
So This Happened...Week of March 4 through 10, 2024

So This Happened…Week of March 4 through 10, 2024

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 10, 2024) — In resigning as Clayton’s city manager, Bret Prebula shared a letter expressing ...