So This Happened…Week of May 6 through 12, 2024
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 12, 2024) — Four defendants pled no contest to charges in the 2021 murder of Arnold Marcel Hawkins and the attempted murder of Aaron Patterson. This case gained media attention after texts were discovered in which police officers used racial language regarding the suspects.
“Seeking justice for these serious offenses was complicated by violations to the Racial Justice Act,” noted District Attorney Diana Becton. “Hopefully, the outcome will help to heal the loss the victims and survivors experienced.” (Read the full story)
Setting the record straight: In a lengthy letter, Concord Mayor Edi Birsan addressed “misinformation” in a recent East Bay Times article about development of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station.
“Specifically, the article title in the printed version of the paper reads: Concord trying to dig out of a $40M hole at Navy Weapons Station. This is patently false,” Birsan wrote, “and apparently the editors of the paper figured this out as the online version of the article has a headline that is accurate: Concord: Expenses nearing $40 million for Naval Weapons Station Project.” (Read the full story)
Remembering a life well-lived: Pioneer correspondent David Scholz paid tribute to his wife, Lisa Chow, after she died April 22 during her second battle with cancer.
“For all the fulfillment that travel provided, Lisa’s passions were also close to the home front,” he said. “If the living room sofa was her haven for relaxation, recharging, reading and pondering what was next, the kitchen was among her creative domains.” (Read the full story)
More stories
Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently:
As weather warms, watch out for rattlesnakes in East Bay parks.
Coach revives golf at Mt. Diablo High after 46 years, inspiring first-time golfers.
‘Music means happiness’ at Mt. Diablo student music Festival
From Concord PD: Officers cite 74 drivers, motorcyclists during safety enforcement operation, plus the latest police report.
Learn origami and help Concord Ambassadors honor Asian American Heritage Month.
In entertainment: Magical fairytale flies into Lesher Center, while Diablo Women’s Chorale presents “A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening.”
Concord seeks youth members for Parks Commission.
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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.