So This Happened…Week of Jan. 16 through 22, 2023
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Jan. 22, 2023) — Although many questions remain unanswered, the California Highway Patrol now believes that Damond Laznby Jr. was the victim of a hit and run before his death along Highway 4 on Jan. 7. According to the CHP’s Golden Gate Division, the vehicle is possibly a dark colored sedan.
Over in Pleasant Hill, police arrested a second suspect in a 2022 shooting at Pleasant Oaks Park, and the department released images of the suspect in a burglary at Rooted coffee shop.
Finding the local groove: Vinnie’s Bar & Grill in Concord is the spot if you’re looking for live music, open mic nights or even Thursday’s popular Latin Night. For other local entertainment, check out Sally Hogarty’s theater column for a variety of options – from the Pulitzer Prize winning “Clybourne Park” in Pittsburg to Plotline’s short plays and radio drama in Martinez. Other items to put on your calendar include the Diablo View Orchard Society’s show and the Camellia Tea at the Clayton Museum.
Chronicling Holbrook’s success: It’s been six years since the Mt. Diablo Unified School District reopened Holbrook as a language academy. “Our program brings our students flexibility of thinking, higher problem-solving skills and higher test scores while fostering a true global citizenship sense,” says Principal Silvia Orellana Barrera.
Local government updates: Pioneer political reporter Peggy Spear delves into what comes next for the Clayton City Council after November’s controversial election, as new Mayor Jeff Wan offers his own perspective in his column. Meanwhile, Concord Mayor Laura Hoffmeister writes about her priorities, as does new county Supervisor Ken Carlson. In a letter to the editor, Anne Granlund urges the Pleasant Hill City Council to fill Carlson’s vacancy by appointing the next top vote getter in November’s election.
More stories
Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently:
Putting together the pieces is all part of the game.
Dancing lions usher in the Lunar New Year at Pleasant Hill Library.
Modular ADUs can help ease state housing crisis.
Mountain lion cubs “spotted” playing at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.
San Jose firm acquires Zandonella Reporting Service.
Oakhurst golfers donate to First Tee, John Muir Foundation.
“Raindrops keep fallin’ on my head, they keep falling.”
Pioneer Sports Shorts, along with Athlete Spotlights on Isabella Scolini and Joey Kremin.
Obituary: Marilyn “Marnie” Malcolm.
Read past installments of “So This Happened…”: Click here.
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.