So this happened…
week of May 11 to 17

As the list of local events being canceled expands into October, a proposed soccer stadium in downtown Concord is also among the victims of the coronavirus.

Here’s a look at some of the top local stories the Pioneer covered for the week of May 11 through 17:

Short of the goal

Hall Sports Ventures says it is relinquishing its exclusive negotiating rights with the city of Concord to develop a downtown site for a soccer stadium, hotels, convention center, housing and retail. “With so many unknowns as to how and when people are going to feel comfortable sitting next to strangers at stadiums and concerts, we’re taking a ‘wait and see’ stance on these projects,” said president Joe Garaventa. Read the full story.

Maintaining community spirit

Virtual gatherings continue to help bring residents together as local events like 4th of July parades and Oktoberfests are canceled. “We will make the most out of this situation and move forward. It’s just the way we do things will be different,” said Kevin Cabral, CEO of the Concord Chamber of Commerce. Read the full story.

Staying the course

The governing board of Clayton Valley Charter High School has extended the contract of executive director Jim Scheible for two years. “The board appreciates and commends Jim for exceeding our expectations and always finding ways to serve students and improve the operational efficiency of our school,” said board chair Kristy Downs. Read the full story.

Reassessing city services

Finance officials in Concord and Clayton are crunching the numbers, and both City Councils will review the effects the economic shutdown is having on the city budgets in June. Concord city manager Valerie Barone expects “more significant cuts” for Fiscal Year 2020-’21. Things are more stable in Clayton, where sales tax isn’t as big a factor in the city budget. Read the full story.

Mountain meandering

If you want heavenly views, you’ve got to go up. And the Mitchell Rock and Eagle Peak trails on Mt. Diablo will put you on top of the world. Read the full story.

And there’s more: Here are some other noteworthy stories to check out:

• Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Concord High baseball player Ryan Murphy.
• U.S. Bank throws pizza party in Concord to thank East Bay volunteers.
• ARF stars Jaxon and John looking for forever homes.

Click to read Pioneer weekly highlights for May 3-9, 2020