So This Happened…Week of July 31 through Aug. 6, 2023

So This Happened...Week of July 31 through Aug. 6, 2023
Clockwise from left: Summer construction projects moving full steam ahead. National Night Out brings cops and community together. Concord Pavilion renamed (again).

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Aug. 6, 2023) — Counting up the cone zones: Yup, it’s road construction season – as evidenced by the many projects around Concord as well as work starting on Marsh Creek Road’s bridges. Meanwhile, the city of Pleasant Hill is replacing unhealthy trees, along with repairing irrigation and installing pavers on Crescent Drive.

New musical drive: Next time you head over to the Concord Pavilion for a concert, you’ll notice its new moniker: the Toyota Pavilion. The name change is thanks to the Northern California Toyota Dealers Association, which represents 58 dealers. “With over 40 years of involvement in the Concord community, this partnership allows Toyota to connect with local fans during memorable live music experiences that matter so much to them,” notes Andy Peikon of Live Nation. Read the full story.

Fire insurance woes: With some insurance companies halting new policies in California, residents in high-risk areas are looking to the California FAIR Plan or secondary carriers. “We tried several different companies, and they all said they weren’t writing California policies,” said Morgan Territory property owner Lauren Fenner. “We weren’t surprised because it happened before, but we got very worried calling around.” Read the full story.

From the police: Residents and members of local police departments held multiple gatherings on Aug. 1 in celebration of National Night Out (Read NNO stories for Clayton, Concord, and Pleasant Hill). Meanwhile, Pleasant Hill police caught a felony-level shoplifter at Kohl’s. In Concord, police arrested two during a DUI patrol. For more news, see Concord PD’s most recent reports.

More news

Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently:

In sports: High school football has new look, with girls flag football.

City news: Concord completes successful budget cycle; Pleasant Hill promotes Bindernagel to city manager; and Concord small businesses can apply for new grants.

For your health: Understand the long-term effects of alcohol; learning to cope after dad’s suicide attempt; and are memory challenges signs of dementia or just normal aging?

Time for a feast: Canasta Kitchen’s Mexican specialties way more than just tacos. Plus, What’s cooking in Nana’s kitchen?

Stories you might have missed

Japanese American Summer Festival makes smash return to Concord.

Boy’s escape from war a story for the ages.

Glazer’s “Table Talk” delves into unique stories.

Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion project receives $10 million.

Contra Costa County assessor warns property owners of mail scam.

Concord’s Omanias: a legacy of excellence and hard work.

Help out our community by fostering a pet.

Bees love showy lantana.

Local Rotarian honored as ambassador.

Sustainable Contra Costa will hold awards gala and fundraiser.

Obituary: David James Skuba Sr.

Read past installments of “So This Happened…”: Click here.

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Bev Britton
Bev Britton
Copy Editor at The Concord Clayton Pioneer | Calendar@PioneerPublishers.com

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.

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