PLEASANT HILL, CA (August 28, 2025) —Endings are never easy — they are often filled with sadness and a sense of loss. That is certainly the case for the loss of The Pioneer, but it is also a moment for us to express gratitude for the years that it was here.

I am grateful to Tamara Steiner, editor and publisher of The Pioneer, for the years that she and her staff put into making sure that a local voice for journalism continued to be heard. Getting information out to the public is an important task, and I appreciated The Pioneer’s efforts over the years.

As a local government leader, I recognize how vital it is for the populace to be informed about what is happening within their cities and their community. The Pioneer took on that responsibility and served our communities well. Thank you for all you have done, and I wish you all the best in your next chapter.

It is my hope that another group will step in to fill the void and carry on the important work of keeping residents in the know.

While I wait for that next local voice, I will remind residents of Pleasant Hill that the city has channels available for the community to find out about our programs, projects and efforts. We deliver the Outlook newsletter every two months to every house in Pleasant Hill, and you can subscribe to the Bi-Weekly Update on the city’s website, www.phillca.gov. You can also find information on social media.

[broadstreet zone=”160420″]

I encourage our residents to use all the tools available to stay informed about their neighborhoods and to get involved in their communities. Attend City Council meetings, join a commission or take part in the annual Local Government Academy.

Once again, let me say thank you for the years of service from The Pioneer. Having the opportunity as mayor to reach out each month via this column has been a privilege. I hope the readers have enjoyed these monthly columns and, even more, I hope they left you a little better informed than when you started reading.

Wishing the best of luck to The Pioneer staff on the next steps of their journey. Safe travels.

Contact Mayor Noack at Snoack@phillca.gov.