So This Happened…Week of May 13 through 19, 2024
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 19, 2024) — A family tradition: Former College Park wrestler Amit Elor is heading to the Paris Olympics, after sweeping the Olympic Trials at 68 kilograms (150 pounds). Her brother Orry was also a wrestler at the Pleasant Hill school, while her sister Ronny won an unofficial state championship before female wrestling was sanctioned. (Read the full story.)
No changes to Concord rent rules: The City Council voted 3-2 to keep single-family homes in the just cause eviction portion of the Residential Tenant Protection Program, which went into effect April 19 after a referendum petition failed. “It’s a lot of hypotheticals, and we just don’t know how it’s going to play out,” said Councilmember Laura Nakamura. “I think we need more data before we make any decisions about something that’s only been in effect for three weeks or so.” Meanwhile, the city is holding Q&A sessions and plans to send a letter to all residents, homeowners and landlords regarding the new regulations.
Teacher contract in the works: The Contra Costa County School Educators Association and the Contra Costa County Office of Education reached a tentative agreement during a fact-finding session. “This agreement increases the compensation for our hard-working certificated employees while ensuring that this agency remains fiscally sound,” said Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey. Before the settlement, teachers held a rally on May 16 and vowed to strike if necessary.
Caught on video: YouTuber Scott Kitfield of Concord was convicted on multiple counts for several instances of reckless driving on Contra Costa freeways, along with a police pursuit through a Concord neighborhood. “The California Highway Patrol will use every resource available to us to identify and arrest drivers who chose to endanger the wellbeing of the motoring public,” said Don Goodbrand, Golden Gate division chief for the California Highway Patrol. For more from Concord PD, see the latest arrest report.
More stories
Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently:
In sports: Northgate, De La Salle boys spear NCS spring titles, and De La Salle football team heading to England, plus Mt. Diablo High Jr. ROTC takes second at National Fitness Challenge.
Mark your calendars: Monkeys, Bluey and Dinos at 33rd Bay Area KidFest May 25-27; Clayton Pride Parade returns June 2; and Father’s Day Run for Rotary June 16.
Officials investigating downtown Concord fire.
At Guitars Not Guns, the message is simple – and heart-felt.
Interim city manager ready to lead Clayton staff.
Old Fry’s building to see new life with Urban Air Adventure.
It’s so sweet finding cherries at Concord’s farmers market.
Stop! The last place that Qtip should be is in your ear.
Upcoming 80’s Bingo Night to raise funds for local non-profit groups.
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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.