So This Happened…Week of April 21-27, 2025
COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Apr. 27, 2025) — Jax is the latest K9 member of the Concord Police Department, working with Cpl. Paul VanDiver.
“Though we handle routine police calls, K9 Jax and I are always ready to assist in high-risk situations, such as missing persons, vehicle stops, burglaries or dangerous scenarios where a K9’s skills are vital,” VanDiver says.
“You must have a genuine desire to work with a dog, along with the right home environment to meet the specific housing needs of our K9 partners. They require constant care, feeding and training – both on and off duty,” he adds. Read the complete story.
The power of protests The Indivisible ReSisters Contra Costa are rallying locals against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. “Our membership has grown dramatically every week since mid-February,” says steering committee member Kathryn Durham Hammer says.
That group now includes Pam Campbell of Concord, who joined other members of her book club at an April 5 rally. “I was too young to protest for the civil rights movement and Vietnam, but this is a very scary time for women,” notes Campbell. “I want to do what I can, even if it’s just holding a sign.” Read the complete story.
Sports roundup: The Pioneer’s Jay Bedecarré takes stock of this season’s high school baseball teams, along with post-season competition for spring sports teams. For more local sports news, read the Athlete Spotlight on Sven Grant of Northgate High.
Slate of outdoor events: This weekend’s Clayton Art & Wine Festival kicks off a long list of activities heading straight into summer – from the Pleasant Hill Art, Wine & Music Festival, Bay Area KidFest and the Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival in May to a variety of concert series in local parks. For more information, check the latest update to the Pioneer calendar.
More local news
Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently:
In Concord: Hindu temple due to reopen with five color design, and the City Council adopts amendments to Residential Tenant Protection Program.
In Pleasant Hill: Residents gather for Earth Day celebration, and academy a good lesson on city government.
In the schools: Every 15 Minutes program brings sobering lesson to Clayton Valley Charter.
Personal finance: The benefits of a living trust in real estate.
From local non-profits: White Pony Express races to raise $350,000 after federal support slashed, and Futures Explored creating new center for artists in Concord.
Obituary: Katherine C. Carr, formerly of Clayton.
Health care: The reality of family caregiving.
From Concord PD: The latest arrest report.
Read past installments of “So This Happened…”: Click here.
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Bev Britton
Bev Britton graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota and moved to the Bay Area with her soon-to-be husband Jim in 1986. She was features editor at the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek before becoming managing editor of the Contra Costa Sun in Lafayette in 1995. She retired from newsrooms in 2001, but an ad for the Clayton Pioneer drew her back in. The family moved to Lake Wildwood in the Gold Country a few years ago - but working at the Pioneer keeps her in touch with her old neighborhoods in Concord and Clayton.