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
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:
It’s so sweet finding cherries at Concord’s farmers market
CONCORD, CA (May 14, 2024) — We’re jumping for joy because farmers are telling us that California’s sweet cherries are ...
Two-story executive style home in Clayton’s coveted Oakhurst/Eagle Peak
CLAYTON, CA (May 14, 2024) — Introducing a two-story executive style home in Clayton's coveted Oakhurst/Eagle Peak. This property features ...
Join the Father’s Day Run for Rotary, June 16 at Concord’s Newhall Park
CONCORD, CA (May 14, 2024) — Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary Club will host the 2nd annual Father's Day Run for ...
Concord YouTuber found guilty of reckless driving, speeding, and fleeing Police
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 13, 2024) — On April 3, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office convicted a ...
To Sell or Not to Sell
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 13, 2024) — We love our homes. They are cozy, organized (or perfectly unorganized) just the ...
Officials investigating downtown Concord fire
CONCORD, CA (May 13, 2024) — Cleanup of a two-alarm blaze in a vacant downtown commercial building kept roads closed ...
The Pioneer’s Spring 2024 calendar of events and activities, May 12 update
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (May 5, 2024) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole ...
So This Happened…Week of May 6 through 12, 2024
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 12, 2024) — Four defendants pled no contest to charges in the 2021 murder of ...
‘Music means happiness’ at Mt. Diablo student music festival
CONCORD, CA (May 12, 2024) — Students from local schools in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District performed a year-end ...
Lisa Chow: A rich life that put others first
By David Scholz Her husband (and Pioneer correspondent) PLEASANT HILL, CA (May 12, 2024) — For 60 years, Lisa Chow ...
Concord seeks youth members for Parks Commission
CONCORD, CA (May 10, 2024) — Concord is conducting a recruitment to fill two youth member positions on the Parks, ...
The Firebird — A magical fairytale flies into the Lesher Center next week
WALNUT CREEK, CA (May 10, 2024) — Diablo Ballet closes its 30th, 2023 – 24 Season with the world premiere ...
East Bay Times gets it so wrong! CNWS is NOT $40 million in the hole
CONCORD, CA (May 9, 2024) — [Editor's note: On the front page of the May 6 issue of the East ...
Concord Police arrest report for the week of May 1 through 7, 2024
CONCORD, CA (May 9, 2024) — The report below shows arrests made by the Concord Police Department from May 1 ...
DA secures conviction in 2021 murder case at the center of Racial Justice Act Violations
Martinez, CONCORD, CA (May 8, 2024) — On May 6, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office reached a resolution in ...
Learn origami and help the Concord Ambassadors honor Asian American Heritage Month
CONCORD, CA (May 8, 2024) — Help the Concord Ambassadors and the Concord Library celebrate Asian American – Pacific Islander ...
As weather warms, watch out for rattlesnakes in East Bay parks
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 7, 2024) — In early spring, snakes emerge from winter hibernation and become more active ...
74 drivers, motorcyclists cited during Concord PD safety enforcement operation
CONCORD, CA (May 6, 2024) — Concord Police Department cited 74 drivers and motorcycle riders for various vehicle code violations ...
Coach revives golf at Mt. Diablo High after 46 years, inspiring first-time golfers
CONCORD, CA (May 6, 2024) — One of the best stories this school year is the Mt. Diablo High School ...
Diablo Women’s Chorale Presents ‘A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening’ May 18, 19
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 6, 2024) — Celebrate spring with the Diablo Women's Chorale’s (DWC) presentation of A Lovely ...
The Pioneer’s Spring 2024 calendar of events and activities, May 5 update
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (May 5, 2024) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole ...
So This Happened…Week of April 29 through May 5, 2024
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 5, 2024) — In early June, Concord’s Immigration Court judges will initiate a master calendar, ...
Clayton Police Report for April 2024
CLAYTON, CA (May 4, 2024) — This report details police activity for the Clayton Police Department during the month of ...
Mt. Diablo visitors should expect some trail closures during upcoming prescribed burns
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 4, 2024) — California State Parks with support from CalFire and local fire agencies, will ...
Concord Police arrest sexual assault suspect
CONCORD, CA (May 3, 2024) — On 04-29-2024, the Concord Police Department Special Victims Unit arrested 41-year-old Chi Ngoc Vu ...
Evaluate your needs before migrating to new computer
(May 3, 2024) — “My computer will last forever,” said no one, ever (except in jest). There comes a time ...
‘Curious’ artist moves beyond the brush as writer, musician
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 3, 2024) — It’s difficult to describe Jennifer Granat. She is an artist who likes ...
Slow ramp-up underway for relief through Concord Immigration Court
CONCORD, CA (May 2, 2024) — Seats sit empty now and hallways are eerily quiet on the 8th floor of ...
Sierras provide backdrop for compelling paranormal adventure
(May 2, 2024) — We think nothing of hindsight, but what of foresight? In “Sierra Blue,” Suzanne Morgan Williams has ...
Concord Police arrest report for the week of April 24 through 30, 2024
CONCORD, CA (May 1, 2024) — The report below shows arrests made by the Concord Police Department from April 24 ...