Editor’s Note: This will be the final installment of The Pioneer’s week in review as the newspaper winds down publication.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Aug. 25, 2025) — A recent geological survey revealed a new earthquake threat, with unexpected movement on the southern end of the Concord Fault.

“The Concord Fault is creeping along its entire length, not just the northern half, and the decadal average creep rate is roughly consistent along the length of the fault,” said Austin Elliott of the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Science Center.

The findings could lead the state to establish a new earthquake fault zone.

A blow to the performing arts: The new school year began without students at the Contra Costa School of Performing Arts in Walnut Creek. Officials cited declining enrollment at the charter school since the pandemic.

“Following COVID, the school was losing 50 or so students each year,” noted Lisa Kingsbury, director of community engagement.

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More local news

On the gridiron: De La Salle will play Lakeland of Florida in the Aug. 29 season opener in Concord. The pre-season national poll ranks DLS 29th and Lakeland 49th. In other sports news, check out the Pioneer’s Athlete Spotlight on Jackson Buechter of Clayton Valley.

Columnists bid farewell: Garden Girl Nicole Hackett, art writer Julia O’Reilly and the Beat of Diablo’s Dave Hughes share some thoughts with readers. “I’m endlessly grateful to have been given the opportunity to further platform our local music community over these last 45 months,” Hughes reflected. “I wish nothing but happiness and good health to editor Tamara Steiner in her retirement and hope that I’ve left you all with a somewhat more nuanced appreciation for our local music community.”

And finally: The latest from Concord PD.