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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:

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 ...
Jennifer Stojanovich

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 17 update

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 ...
Homeless tent along Iron Horse Trail

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 arrests

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 ...

Glazier secures funding to boost ADUs in Concord and Clayton

CONCORD and CLAYTON, CA (Nov. 21, 2024) — A $2.5 million pilot program could benefit Clayton and Concord residents who ...

Dishong’s ballet journey takes her from Fresno to the stage

CONCORD, CA (Nov. 21, 2024) — Zola Dishong’s introduction to ballet wasn’t love at first sight. Growing up in Fresno, ...

Help the unhoused in Contra Costa County at Thanksgiving and all year

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Nov. 20, 2024) — November marks not only Thanksgiving, but also Homelessness Awareness Month. As we ...

Hormone Havoc: Skincare Ingredients to Avoid

CONCORD, CA (Nov. 20, 2024) — Long before "clean beauty" entered the spotlight, Trio Skincare was setting the standard for ...
Buchanan Field’s new terminal marks growth for Concord airport

Buchanan Field’s new terminal marks growth for Concord airport

CONCORD, CA (Nov. 20, 2024) — A new multi-faceted facility serving as home for the Contra Costa County Airport Division’s ...
Edi Birsan, Concord Mayor

Birsan offers his wish list for city of Concord

CONCORD, CA (Nov. 19, 2024) — As this is my last column as mayor, I will go over things that ...

Library system launching pilot Sunday hours Dec. 1 in Concord

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Nov. 19, 2024) — The Contra Costa County Library is piloting a new program in December ...

Concord concert supports guitar lessons for local kids

CONCORD, CA (Nov. 19, 2024) — Pioneer music columnist Dave Hughes will emcee a special concert on Saturday, Nov. 30, ...

Local artists unite for a magical evening in ‘Christmas at the Biltmore’

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Nov. 19, 2024) — Ready for a Christmas feel-good evening? Join Clayton friends and artists  Nathalie ...
The Pioneer's Fall 2024 calendar of events and activities, November 17 update

The Pioneer’s Fall 2024 calendar of events and activities, November 17 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. 11 through Nov. 17, 2024

So This Happened…Week of Nov. 11 through Nov. 17, 2024

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Nov. 17, 2024) — Impersonating the police: According to the Martinez Police Department, several people have ...

Martinez Police warn of scammers impersonating officers

MARTINEZ, CA (Nov. 17, 2024) — Recently, several citizens have been contacted by person(s) claiming to represent law enforcement (even ...

Festive lights, music and great food kick off the holiday season

CONCORD, CLAYTON and PLEASANT HILL, CA (Nov. 17, 2024) — The whole community is brimming with holiday cheer this season, ...
Contra Costa offers free rides on all buses and paratransit for all of October

Concord recruiting Central County Transit Authority Advisory representative

CONCORD, CA (Nov. 16, 2024) — At its November 12, 2024, meeting, the Concord City Council announced a recruitment for ...
Contra Costa County's 2025 Poetry Out Loud Program open for registration

Contra Costa County’s 2025 Poetry Out Loud Program open for registration

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Nov. 16, 2024) — Educators are invited to register their students to participate in the 2025 ...

City of Concord to host annual Gift & Craft Fair on Dec. 7

CONCORD, CA (Nov. 16, 2024) — The City of Concord invites the community to attend its Annual Gift & Craft ...
Concord Library closes temporarily for asbestos removal work

Free resources for unhoused community available at Concord Library event

CONCORD, CA (Nov. 16, 2024) — In honor of Homelessness Awareness Month, the Concord Library is hosting the 2nd Annual ...
Jim Diaz, Clayton Mayor

Clayton takes steps toward adopting city flag

CLAYTON, CA (Nov. 15, 2024) — Here are some recent highlights for the city of Clayton: Oct. 1. The City ...