Tragedies, milestones, and development shape 2024 across Clayton, Concord, and Pleasant Hill

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Dec. 29, 2024) — Long after the New Year’s Eve confetti was swept away, residents were in party mode for much of 2024.

Clayton led the way, marking its 60th birthday of incorporation, along with the Clayton Historical Society’s 50th and the Clayton Business and Community Association’s 40th. Other anniversaries of note included Concord’s 50th year of its Sister City relationship with Kitakami, Japan, and Diablo Valley College’s 75 years in Pleasant Hill.

But things weren’t always bright, with a killing in Pleasant Hill, a fatal plane crash on a Concord street and a stabbing in downtown Clayton. A fire at the historic Keller House in Concord forced the relocation of Monument Impact employees, while a blaze at Pittsburg Theatre Company’s warehouse affected most local theater troupes.

Here’s a look at these and other stories the Pioneer covered in 2024:

January

Town Center remix: As new businesses like Sip ’N Sweet, Odyssey VRLounge, JOR Fine Art Gallery and Skylar Bistro make their mark in downtown Clayton, a Latin restaurant is next up on the horizon. Kent Ipsen, owner of the always-popular Skipolini’s, recently purchased Flora Square and renamed it Rhine House after Clayton’s “other” founder, Jacob Rhine. He expects Ñ, Enye Latin Table to open this month or early 2225. “Each dish is a celebration of the region’s cultural tapestry, combining traditional ingredients with modern flair to create a symphony of taste that transports you to the heart of Latin American cuisine,” the website promises.

Measure X making a difference: Supervisor Ken Carlson provided an update on the countywide 20-year, half-cent sales tax, saying it “keeps Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed, funds community health centers and emergency response, supports crucial safety-net services, invest in early childhood services and protects vulnerable populations.”

Geological district on shaky ground: The Oakhurst Geological Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) is facing financial instability. Homeowners in the hills have been dealing with soil erosion, which could make the homes unstable, but those living in the flat neighborhoods oppose an increased assessment. In December 2023, the city discussed updating GHAD’s Plan of Control. They brought up the issue again in May, but according to Councilmember Peter Cloven, nothing moved forward. “Essentially, it was punted,” he told the Pioneer last month. “The citizens who live within that district are going to have to decide whether they want to increase funding for the district, which is woefully unfunded for the maintenance that is required.”

February

WWII hero: Pearl Harbor survivor Earl “Chuck” Kohler talked with the Pioneer as he turned 100 years old. The Clayton resident has been instrumental in the annual beacon lighting on Mt. Diablo to remember the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. He says keeping busy is the secret to longevity. “Do whatever you see that has to be done – even if it’s not your responsibility. You’ll be glad that you did.”

Fatal airplane crash: Berkeley resident Jacek Romanski, 75, died when his homebuilt Van’s Aircraft RV-6 single-engine plane crashed near the intersection of Diamond Boulevard and Concord Avenue. Reports say he often performed a risky touch and go maneuver. Calling him an experienced pilot, Peter Friedman of Pleasant Hill emphasized that the crash was “absolutely avoidable.”

Allegations against Concord PD: Four women filed a civil lawsuit against the Concord Police Department, citing a hostile work environment run by “misogynistic men who are unwilling to allow these four eminently qualified women to grow and thrive.” Jennifer Ortega, the city’s community relations manager, declined to comment further when contacted in November, noting that the case is still pending.

Fire at Keller House: Monument Impact had to shift staff to other offices in Concord and Antioch after a Feb. 4 blaze at Concord’s Keller House. It is believed a homeless person set the fire to keep warm beneath the porch. “We don’t have an estimated time to return,” communications manager Amie Lam told the Pioneer in November. “It’s been a really slow process. It could take another six months before we’re able to access half of the building. The only thing we’ve been able to access is some files.”

Going strong at 60: The town of Clayton is gearing up for the 60th anniversary of its 1964 incorporation. With Concord expanding eastward, many Clayton residents were worried their small enclave would get swallowed up. After a failed effort in 1960, a dedicated group of volunteers successfully got a measure on the ballot. It passed overwhelmingly with record voter turnout. The City Council hosted a party at the March 5 council meeting, with the festivities continuing in conjunction with the Fourth of July parade. On a sad note, the town also mourned the loss of Robert “Bob” Hoyer, a key figure in the incorporation movement.

March

Giving tenants a boost: The Concord City Council approved a Residential Tenant Protection Program with new rules for all landlords, including single-family homeowners. The Rent Stabilization Program affects multi-family rental complexes of two or more units built before Feb. 1, 1995. Councilmember Dominic Aliano said the council introduced the ordinance because a few landlords “have abused the rights and harassed people in our community.” Resident Jo Sciarroni failed in an attempt to gather signatures for a referendum on the ordinance. The council also revisited the single-family home component in May, voting 3-2 to leave the ordinance as is – and review the data in a year’s time.

Safer streets: The city of Pleasant Hill moved forward with its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. “The plan provides a consistent, long-term guide for the city in developing connected networks of multipurpose paths, bikeways, sidewalks and street crossings,” Mayor Matt Rinn said. “It represents a shift in the city’s transportation development strategy from an automobile-oriented focus to an emphasis upon ‘complete streets’ that balance the needs of multiple modes of travel within the city’s transportation network.”

Chaos in Clayton: Citing staff turnover and animosity at the City Council level, the Pioneer advocated for the Contra Costa Grand Jury to look at Clayton’s city governance. The editorial noted that “a tradition of reasonably civil disagreements” has “devolved into ugly anonymous hate mail and personal attacks.” After Kris Lofthus joined Clayton as city manager this fall, he told the Pioneer: “I come into this situation with my eyes open and wanting to work with the council.”

April

Moving forward with Brookfield: Concord approved a Term Sheet with Brookfield/ BCUS Acquisitions for development of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. The plan includes about 12,270 housing units, along with commercial space, greenways, a city park, a tournament sports complex, a veterans hall, library/community center, food bank, schools and a college campus district. “The redevelopment of the Naval Weapons Station is an extension of the city fabric. It’s not an island,” said Barry Long of Urban Design Associates.

Fending off food insecurity: Caitlin Sly, the new president/CEO of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, comes from a family of non-profit professionals. Her father Larry was executive director of the Food Bank for more than 40 years before retiring in 2020. “Giving back is in my blood, and I have always felt like if I was going to dedicate my career to something, it should be helping out those that are less fortunate,” Caitlin said.

May

Finding inspiration: Music columnist Dave Hughes was impressed after attending a class offered by Guitars Not Guns at the Concord library. “The kids were clearly excited to build on the knowledge and skills they had acquired over the prior month,” he reported about the program that provides guitars and lessons to foster children and at-risk youth as an alternative to violence. “When these kids learn how to play guitar, they’ll find they’re better at their schoolwork and they’re more disciplined,” said president/director Barbara Gorin.

Fostering community involvement: After a COVID-19 hiatus, Pleasant Hill reinstituted the Local Government Academy Program, which Mayor Matt Rinn called “a great way to get to know your city government and how it works.” He pointed to September’s Community Service Day as another opportunity for residents to get involved.

June

Arrests in deadly stabbing: After months of investigation, police arrested three people in the Feb. 10 death of Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District custodial worker Santiago Jacobo. Pablo Gutierrez-Morales was charged with murder, including a special enhancement with a deadly weapon. Vanessa Vera-Aguilara and Jazmin Ruiz face felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon. They all worked with Jacobo at the Watermark assisted living facility in San Ramon. The primary suspect is being held in the Martinez Detention Center while he awaits an April 2025 trial. The two female suspects posted bond.

Tough times for local theater community: A fire destroyed the Pittsburg Theatre Company (PTC) warehouse and much of the contents – including materials used by other local theater troupes. “Our loss is everyone’s, too,” said PTC’s Dianna Schepers. In an effort to move forward, PTC put on a cabaret benefit show dubbed “The Phoenix Project” in July. “We are not going away,” Schepers said. “The show must go on.”

July

Gussying up the greens: More than two dozen murals replaced the gray walls dividing the bays at the Skylinks driving range at Buchanan Fields Golf Course. “If it just makes them smile and reminds them of something good, then that’s what I hope it brings,” says Sydney Bader, whose artwork features the East Bay hills and a graceful heron.

Ashbury plan moves forward: The Concord City Council approved construction of a 183-unit, multi-family rental project on Ashbury Drive. The development includes demolition of the Church of the Nazarene’s vacant chapel and gymnasium. However, as of late November, no demolition or construction has occurred on the site, according to Concord housing manager Sophia Huckabay.

Violence at Clayton deli: John Canesa was recovering after being stabbed outside of Canesa’s Brooklyn Heros in downtown Clayton. Police arrested 45-year-old Peter Kerns, who Priscilla Canesa said “was very aggressive and antagonistic toward my daughter Gianna, who was taking orders from the front window.” According to Clayton Police Chief Richard McEachin, Kerns was found guilty assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. He was sentenced to 285 days in jail and two years formal probation.

August

Seventy-five years of higher ed: Diablo Valley College (DVC) has been a staple of Contra Costa County since 1949, moving to the current Pleasant Hill site in 1952. “Since that time, DVC has continued to grow and adapt with the times,” said Mayor Matt Rinn, pointing to such things as the introduction of Women’s Studies and the 2006 opening of a second campus in San Ramon. “We are fortunate to have DVC here in Pleasant Hill. It has left a lasting mark on many.”

Sister City going strong at 50: Concord is gearing up for an October visit from residents of the Japanese city of Kitakami. “Every five years, we arrange for formal delegations, and this year we will be graced with their arrival,” said Mayor Edi Birsan. “Our relations are further strengthened by the fact that several Concordians have moved to Kitakami to teach English and spread the rather special way we pronounce Concord, so as not to be confused with those other sites on the East Coast.”

The end of Cal Shakes: In her August column, Sally Hogarty was enthusiastic that more than 700 donors came forward to help the California Shakespeare Theater open its 50th anniversary production of “As You Like It” in September. “Executive artistic director Clive Worsley started a GoFundMe campaign and a little over a week later, the shortfall was covered,” Hogarty wrote. However, Cal Shakes announced in October that the organization “hit an insurmountable financial impasse” and suspended operations. However, the company’s scene shop is going strong out of warehouse space in Concord.

September

Forty years of community service: At this year’s Oktoberfest, the Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) will mark 40 years of raising money for the small town. “It’s always been geared toward bringing together the city government, the businesses and members of the community – the residents,” says former president Gloria Utley. In a fitting tribute to the CBCA, crowds came out in droves despite blazing temps on Oct. 5 and 6.

Getting Creative in Concord: Local artists and musicians will take over Todos Santos Plaza next month for the third Art & Music Jam in the Park, hosted by Creative Concord. Among the performers will be Oakland’s Jesse Ray, aka Skinny Hendrixx. “Concord has been like a second home to us,” he said. “The music scene here is quite remarkable for a city of its size, which I attribute to strong leadership as much as the artists themselves.”

Passing of an icon: The lyric “They don’t write ’em like that anymore” rings even more true after the death of rocker Greg Kihn, a former Clayton resident. Songwriter Robert Berry called him a gentle soul. “Stardom yes, but he would talk to everybody like they were an old friend,” said Berry. “His death has left a huge hole in my heart.”

October

Promoting all voices: Pleasant Hill established the Diversity Commission in 2021 in response to the city’s growth – including residents from diverse backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. Since its creation, the commission has reached out to the community through campaigns like the Everybody Belongs Pledge, the Juneteenth Celebration and United Against Hate Week. “As our city continues to grow and change, I look forward to seeing and supporting even more work to continue fostering and reinforcing an atmosphere of inclusion and belonging here in Pleasant Hill,” said Mayor Matt Rinn.

Making history for a half-century: Dick Ellis spoke at a Nov. 7 event in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Clayton Historical Society. In her Pioneer column, Debbie Eistetter shared her own history with the organization. “My enthusiasm for the history of Clayton came about when I was in our museum research room one afternoon, casually thumbing through one of our many binders. Except for folks researching their family roots, I thought, how many people are going to open even one of these binders? Yet I found they contained so many interesting stories about the Miwok, miners, farmers, merchants and their families.”

November

Airport taking off: A long-awaited 18,000 sq. ft. building is breathing new life into Buchanan Fields. It houses passenger processing for JSX, plus administrative offices for the county Airport Division. Supervisor Ken Carlson called the improvements “symbolic of our commitment” to the airport.

Helping the homeless: When the Concord City Council adopted a $5 million Homeless Strategic Plan at the beginning of 2024, goals included a mobile resource center and interim small motel housing.

As the year draws to a close, the city was able to check those boxes with the opening of a mobile unit at a local church as well as offering a dozen rooms at an old motel to the city’s unhoused. GROW Concord received $1.7 million for the Mobile Resource Unit. “This grant will enable us to go to locations near where the unhoused are with social workers, medical providers, veterans services, showers and other items that will help people make the next step,” said Kelly Fossan-McKinley. It’s a hopeful step that might make 2025 a little easier on those most in need.

Happy New Year from the Pioneer newspaper.