So This Happened…Week of Dec. 4 through 10, 2023
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Dec. 10, 2023) — Jim Diaz is the new mayor of Clayton, after a split vote with Councilmember Peter Cloven voting no and Holly Tillman abstaining. The council then voted unanimously for Kim Trupiano as vice mayor. She said she would be “a uniter” who helps bring the community together.
In Pleasant Hill, Councilmember Matt Rinn succeeds Tim Flaherty as mayor, with Sue Noack becoming vice mayor. And in Concord, Edi Birsan is starting his second term as mayor since joining the council in 2012. Carlyn Obringer is the new vice mayor. In her final column as mayor, Laura Hoffmeister tells readers about various goals Concord achieved in 2023.
Expanding the fight against cancer: In 2024, John Muir Health will consolidate its cancer services at a $300 million, multi-faceted, 155,000 sq. ft. three-story facility in Walnut Creek. “There is nothing near us with a cancer center of this magnitude,” said Dr. Tiffany Svahn. “Now we have a higher level of cancer care, and it is right in our backyard.”
Honoring YV’s military heroes. Principal Jonathan Pike, who still serves in the military, led the ceremony as the Ygnacio Valley High School community dedicated two benches to six former students killed during the Vietnam War. “As we look for ways to honor and thank military veterans, we are tremendously proud,” said project organizer Heidi Shearer.
More stories
Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently:
From the police: Oakley man faces murder and firearm assault charges; Grand Jury indicts Pleasant Hill pilot on 84 counts after October incident; Concord’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign begins Dec. 13, plus Concord PD’s arrest report.
In Concord: Firefighters respond to CO2 leak at downtown restaurant; Naval Weapons Station developer ready for “robust” talks with residents; and city recruiting for representative on John Muir Community Health Fund Board.
For the holidays: Local stages alive with holiday classics; Santa makes a stop at Buchanan Field; Concord’s festive season of community and giving; TeleCare’s holiday cheer eases loneliness for seniors; tips for avoiding the blues this holiday season; and holiday dangers for your pets.
In sports: Athlete Spotlight on Dana Giacomino of College Park and Trey Caldwell runs to NCS cross country title with Jack Rattary second.
Letter to the Editor: Reader disagrees with assertions about LGBTQIA+ rights.
Box of Matches releases EP after heart-wrenching journey.
Spousal support essential with special needs child.
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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.