Join Jefferson Memorial Cemetery & Funeral Home on Monday for our annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Pleasant Hills The annual program is free and open to the public We will hold flower bouquet sales starting Friday May 26 (while supplies last) at the Cemetery Administration building You can reach us 24/7/365 at Copyright © 2025 Jefferson Memorial Cemetery Get San José Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox A shuttered golf course in East San Jose is ready for a future mixed-use housing project following city leaders’ recent adoption of development guidelines for the area Terrascape Ventures Managing Principal Mark Lazzarini told San José Spotlight plans are still being reworked and he did not return a request for the preliminary plans Developers have been eyeing the roughly 114-acre unincorporated site for nearly 4,000 residences and about 785,000 square feet of commercial space according to a previous filing with the city but plans could change under the guiding principles Those include rules around residential and commercial use sustainability and community programs — and are based on feedback gathered at community meetings City leaders said residents prefer not to see large retail office or hotel buildings in the area — rather they want more small businesses such as restaurants “The city council’s innovative approach to gathering community input in the early stages of the development process through the guiding principles vision is an excellent example of how all the stakeholders can collaborate,” District 5 United representative Juan Estrada told San José Spotlight “The guiding principles adopted by the city council and developed from community input which presumably included the guiding principles we recommended form a strong benchmark to guide the future development of the Pleasant Hills Golf Course.” The golf course closed in 2004 and is unincorporated county land barring development from the area until an obscure policy change in 2018 allowed for housing to be built on such sites policy and advocacy director for Green Foothills said she is concerned not enough green space will be saved for the benefit of not just future residents but the whole community who will congregate at the potential mixed-use development East San Jose has less green space compared to other parts of the city “Right now the area is not open to the public but it is providing the benefits that urban green space provides in terms of climate resilience,” Kaufman told San José Spotlight “The community is going to lose those benefits when the area develops — so it’s going to be really important to make sure that there’s still significant amount of publicly available green space.” District 8 Councilmember Domingo Candelas highlighted the engagement process and said he personally went door-to-door to let neighbors within a 2,500-foot radius of the former golf course know about the guiding principles “I’m excited to keep this conversation going and by no means is this the end of the process we still have a long way to go,” Candelas said at the meeting Contact Vicente Vera at [email protected] or follow @VicenteJVera on X Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" @Vincent you should write a story on the entire history of this site the struggles the previous owner had with the city So team Chavez was completely full throttle about closing Reid Hillview She recruited a lot of people to say the airport needs to be turned into housing Yet the same people (Juan Estrada) are against that fate happening to Pleasant Hills The irony is the two sites are similar in acreage and less than a mile apart from each other “It’s near transit” or “It won’t add to traffic” were said about RHV but somehow these thing are going to magically happen a mile down the road Also if Green Foothills is working on the development that should say something about their dedication to preserving open space in San Jose “We love Animals” yet PETA run shelters have the highest volume of euthanasia Green Foothills is starting to feel like the largest euthanizer of open space You must be logged in to post a comment San José Spotlight is an award-winning nonprofit newsroom dedicated to fearless journalism that disrupts the status quo holds power to account and paves the way for change We’re changing the face of local journalism by building a community-supported newsroom that ignites civic engagement educates residents and strengthens our democracy 408.206.5327 [email protected] Submit a News Tip Subscribe to our newsletters San José Spotlight is a project of the San José News Bureau a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128 ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Riley Smith scored a game-high 16 points Thursday night to lift Pleasant Hill past Creswell in the OSAA 3A boys basketball state quarterfinals Thursday night at Marshfield High School in Coos Bay Gavin Inglish had 14 points for the second seed Billies while Logan Melvin added 13 and Jacob Neely had nine Luke Bailey led Creswell with 11 points while Tyler Whitson added 10 and Darien Dewey had eight Pleasant Hill (25-3) advances to the state semifinals for the first time since the 2018-19 season The Billies will face third seed Valley Catholic (20-7) at 6 p.m Creswell (17-10) plays 6 seed Cascade Christian in a fourth-place semifinal at 10:45 a.m Central Linn girls falls to Western Christian in 2A quarterfinalsCentral Linn lost a close matchup to defending champion Western Christian in a 2A girls quarterfinal Peyton Gaskey led the sixth-seeded Cobras with 14 points Addie Wolff had 12 and Raegan Day added 10 Kylie Sommer scored a game-high 15 points for the third-seeded Pioneers Runon Muroya had nine points and Kinsey Wark added eight Central Linn (19-7) led 23-22 at halftime and 32-29 after three quarters The Pioneers (24-3) went on a 4-0 run twice to take a 38-33 lead with 3:33 left in the game The Cobras play 7 seed Knappa in a fourth-place semifinal at 10:45 a.m Edith Noriega is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at ENoriega@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Noriega_Edith Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my beloved father The son of James Harrington Ramsey and Virginia Appell Ramsey He retired as a rehab counselor for the state of Pennsylvania proudly served as a Marine and Vietnam Veteran Survived by his daughter Michelle Jacque Ramsey Smith Smith his sister Antoinette “Toni” Ramsey Bittner He has joined his heavenly family which preceded him and could make anyone feel welcome in his presence Family and friends received on Sunday and Monday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the George Irvin Green Funeral Home A Funeral Service will be held at Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church on Tuesday Please leave your memories and condolences at www.georgeigreenfuneralhome.com Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors PLEASANT HILL I read a resolution passed in 2017 confirming our city’s commitment to be a welcoming and inclusive city With all the turmoil happening in our nation this seemed an appropriate time to reaffirm our dedication to this principle the council charged our Civic Action Commission with finding more ways to bring inclusivity into our activities This resulted in the formation of the Diversity Subcommittee which later transitioned into a stand-alone Diversity Commission Both groups have done an incredible job reaching out to many marginalized groups in our community They started Community Conversations that continue to discuss the issues facing many of these groups and to give everyone a better understanding of their challenges The results have included a broader variety of music at our Concerts in the Park additional cultures featured in our Light Up the Night and new celebrations such as Juneteenth and the Menorah Lighting We have had a tremendous number of people apply for positions on our various city commissions This is indicative of everyone’s willingness to participate in making this city the best it can be The Diversity Commission’s webpage provides a list of how we all can contribute to a culture of belonging: As a community member and mayor of our great city I ask you to keep these suggestions at the forefront of your minds We all want to maintain the great small town feel we have grown to love Following the ideals the commission has set will help us keep Pleasant Hill a place where everyone belongs Contact Mayor Noack at Snoack@phillca.gov Luke Jackson loved playing basketball from the time he was little His dad played the sport in college and even described his grandpa "I grew up playing all day every day at the park in Creswell rain or shine," Jackson recalled A fan of the early '90s Portland Trail Blazers Jackson never had thoughts of playing in the NBA because of the "statistics of people not making it." However he still managed to find success that eventually helped him get there So when the opportunity arose to connect with his basketball roots the former NBA and Oregon legend didn't think twice is in his first year as head coach of the Pleasant Hill High School boys basketball team while spending time as the Oregon men's basketball radio analyst alongside play-by-play broadcaster Joey McMurry at Ducks home games "It made sense to have a former NBA player with head coaching experience and a guy who really works well with kids," Pleasant Hill athletic director Kyle McClain told The Register-Guard "There's times where it makes sense to have a coach who was a great player and vice versa experience and has the passion for the sport." After leading Creswell to a state title his senior year in 2000 where he finished as the second all-time leading scorer in program history with 1,970 points in his four seasons Jackson already knew his potential as a freshman He remembers walking into coach Ernie Kent's office with a message: "I feel like I earned some minutes I think I'm going to be a big part of the future of this team." 10 assists) that season at Washington and again in 2002 against Florida A&M (14-11-10) Ron Lee recorded the first in Oregon program history in 1972 and Will Richardson followed with another in 2022 but he learned the importance lesson on work ethic from his father "I got a tool belt for my eighth-grade graduation and I spent a lot of time in the summers bucking hay and working for my dad," Jackson said "Even though I didn't like all those chores as a 14-year-old and I think that translated into being competitive Sometimes that's just wired into somebody." Even while playing college Jackson never thought about playing in the NBA His dream of playing close to home and being an Oregon fan had already come true Opportunity came knocking when he was selected as the 10th overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers He also had stints with the Los Angeles Clippers Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat as well as in the D-League (now G-League) and overseas until he retired in 2011 Jackson dealt with many injuries during professional career He said he gave everything he had to the game as a player to the point where his body completely broke down he still wanted to be involved with the sport and felt like coaching would be a natural transition "I've been able to take things that I love from Hall of Fame coaches like Pat Riley," Jackson said coaches like Mike Dunleavy with the Clippers and got to brush shoulders and be around Doc Rivers It's just a really unique experience to see how so many different guys motivated their teams and how they treated guys in certain situations "I think one of the reasons why I've been able to be successful as a coach is to be able to draw on my own playing experience Jackson coached from 2013-17 at Northwest Christian University which changed its name to Bushnell in 2020 He notably coached eventual Oregon State alum Kylor Kelley Kelley made his NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks last week It was December 2019 when McMurry brought Jackson as a guest analyst during an Oregon men's basketball preseason game at Michigan McMurry was hoping to move forward with a permanent analyst before the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on it "He makes the broadcast better," McMurry said "He's very good at picking his spots of when to jump in But he's descriptive and that's the real art of it and then also making it so that the general fan can understand what's going on very knowledgeable basketball fan can pick up what he's talking about." Jackson's preparations before every home game is thorough researching the opponent extensively to provide insight to fans that are not able to watch or are traveling He's also talked with people who are blind that have enjoyed listening He tries to listen to every broadcast afterward to see where he can improve so it takes a long time to hone that craft "And I would say working with Joey Mac makes it really easy because he's so talented." Jackson didn't intend on becoming the head coach at Pleasant Hill after previously serving as a volunteer coach with the program during the 2023-24 season But after Darwin Terry stepped down as head coach to spend more time with his family Jackson was already involved in coaching his two sons who are in fifth and eighth grades in Pleasant Hill and community support for him to take over continued to grow With his first year of running the program almost near complete he's trying to give his basketball players the best experience and providing fun along the way while also teaching them hard work "There's something so special about high school basketball that brings out a lot of great memories as a youngster for me," Jackson said "And to be able to give that to other kids and their families is a really fun thing And hopefully try to win a state championship along the way." Pleasant Hill (18-3 overall) has surpassed its expectations this season with its star players – senior guard Gavin Inglish and junior guard Landen Melvin – leading the way plus an extended roster that is bound to push the limits further ranked second in the latest 3A coaches poll and 6-0 in the Mountain Valley Conference went through a tough early season schedule loaded with strong teams Pleasant Hill lost to 2A defending champion Western Christian and defeated current 3A No The slate has also included matchups with 4A No The Billies are on the path for a state tournament berth and they're led by a coach who has their attention done that and seen a lot of basketball and learned a lot of things it makes it really easy to trust him and buy into everything he says The Historic Pleasant Hill Neighborhood is seeking public input for the new name of the park which stretches from 1st Avenue behind the Booker T It’s been called Linear Park since it was created several years ago by the Georgia Department of Transportation “Renaming the park is an important task because it helps increase communal ownership leading to improved public health and safety in the area We really want to make the park more family friendly and accessible for all,” says Community Planner The park has already been used for community activities like Festivals in the Hills and vendor fairs it is set to undergo a major renovation project following a neighborhood-led design process that could add new trees The improvements to the park are part of a state-funded effort from the Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionately Impacted Communities This national effort funds investments in neighborhood features (including parks and healthy food access) which work to improve physical and mental health outcomes We began this process with rich community engagement with more than 125 residents sharing their ideas for how they would like to use the park With five sessions of community feedback with Interface Studio at both the park and the Booker T the group was able to draft a design that encompassed: the neighborhood is hoping to activate it even further and active sites like pavilions and staging it can make the park both more a safe and desirable place to be Parks provide safe spaces for the physical and mental health of all people by increasing social interaction and boosting environmental health by improving air quality and mitigating urban heat The goal of the project in Macon-Bibb County is to develop a framework for the commercial and job creation strategy for Walnut Street including engagement of residents and property owners to define anti-displacement strategies this work will help supplement other projects in Pleasant Hill This project to improve Linear Park is a direct result of the Pleasant Hill Strategic Plan; a resident-driven plan which has engaged over 400 residents and community members to identify several strategic priorities for neighborhood improvement including enhancing neighborhood infrastructure and preserving the history and culture of the area This strategic plan is also connected to broader initiatives to enhance government collaboration and accountability through: combined with the resources and organizations at the Booker T and physical improvements to the park itself we will create a community-centric park that will help us continue reconnecting our historic neighborhood,” says Khabir “We hope to increase how residents use this space and really look forward to seeing it as part of a larger effort to increase walkability and safety throughout the entire neighborhood.” Customer Service Sign up for email updates from Macon-Bibb County to get information on announcements 2024) — A long dormant property adjacent to the Pleasant Hill downtown corridor is getting new life as the second Crumbs eatery Co-owner Amy Sidhom identified a possible late December opening for the restaurant that is taking over the former home of the Original Pancake House which closed in 2018 after an eight-year-run dishwashers) and front of the house (servers “We’re excited to be part of Pleasant Hill’s community and contribute to its growth,” said Sidhom “I’m thrilled that a vacant space in our city is being transformed into a fantastic new restaurant,” said Mayor Matt Rinn its mission is to serve good quality food and sensible portions at reasonable prices In addition to comfort classic American favorites “Crumbs is going to be a wonderful addition to our downtown giving residents and workers another delicious breakfast and lunch option I can’t wait for their doors to open,” Rinn said The latest Crumbs follows the success of the first location in Danville with a downtown that’s always buzzing with energy – much like Danville,” said Sidhom “We love the strong sense of community here and saw an opportunity to bring Crumbs’ signature breakfast brunch and mimosas to a neighborhood that values great food and great company as much as we do,” she added David Scholz is back in journalism as a freelance writer and photographer after nearly two decades in education he worked as a full-time journalist since 1988 for rural community and small daily newspapers in Central Ohio and Northern Nevada and later in California with The Business Journal in Fresno and dailies in the Bay Area including The Oakland Tribune and The San Francisco Chronicle More recently Scholz also worked in an editing and page layout role with the Rossmoor News and federal government websites often end in .gov Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address Before sharing sensitive or personal information make sure you're on an official state website and signal upgrades on SR 2040 Section A23 (Lebanon Church Road/Curry Hollow Road) from the intersection of Ceco Drive to the intersection of 2040 (Broughton Road) & Curry Road & Horning Road for an approximate length of 2.21 miles Baldwin boroughs and South Park Township in Allegheny County There will be widening at Glenburn Drive and Pleasant Hills Boulevard to construct new Eastbound/Westbound left turn lanes into both intersections from SR 2040 Similar widening will take place between the SR 51 cloverleaf interchange and Bliss Drive Widening at this location is for new left-turn lanes from SR 2040 into Green Drive and Bliss Drive Additional widening will take place at Keeport Drive and Keenan Drive for a new left-turn lane into Keeport Drive from SR 2040 Other construction work includes resurfacing installation of stormwater management facilities Right-of-Way acquisition will consist of small strip takes on the frontage of parcels along the corridor in the widening sections Traffic through the construction project is anticipated to utilize a combination of short-term flagging operations and one-lane long term setups PennDOT District 11 held a public meeting in 2021 to discuss the Lebanon Church Road Improvement Project Click the button below to view a PDF of the presentation The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested If you need translation or interpretation services or have concerns that require individual attention please contact the PennDOT Project Manager listed above Pursuant to the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of or participation in a PennDOT program or activity 2025) — A repair project on Oak Park Boulevard is set to begin next week The City has hired JD Partners Concrete to perform needed concrete repairs on the Oak Park Boulevard/680 Overpass between January 7 – January 10 The project will consist of repairs to concrete surface damage to ensure the ongoing safety and integrity of the bridge structure Traffic control measures will be in place during the work Traffic delays or temporary lane closures may occur Motorists and pedestrians are urged to remain alert and exercise caution when passing through the work zone A new addiction treatment center in Pleasant Hill hopes to partner with community agencies and create a stronger support system for central Iowans coping with substance abuse One of the few medical detox facilities in the Des Moines metro seeks to help fill the resource gap and work with law enforcement officials mobile crisis response teams and other health care workers the center's senior development and community relations coordinator The center's launch comes as Polk County opens its sobering center to help those with alcoholism The sobering center only allows for brief stays and those interested in receiving more care and expanded programming can turn to ThriveNow "We'll be one of their resources," he said A former site of an assisted living community ThriveNow was renovated into a recovery center for adult men and women with 12 medical detox beds It also offers residential treatment program stays for 28 days He added that the center accepts Medicaid and private or commercial insurance "We want to be inclusive of all different types of people," added Brandon George chief strategy officer of Ascension Recovery Services We have to be able to serve everybody in the community The Iowa Department of Public Health has reported an increase in drug and alcohol use in the state particularly with nicotine and binge drinking Substance-related deaths reached record highs in 2021 Iowa ranked 35th in the country in illicit drug use and 48th in overdose deaths To learn more about ThriveNow Recovery Center, visit thrivenowrc.com/about-us/ (This story was updated to correct a misspelling.) F. Amanda Tugade covers social justice issues for the Des Moines Register. Email her at ftugade@dmreg.com or follow her on Twitter@writefelissa the Ravens released eight-time All-Pro K Justin Tucker — proving… Gershkovich has lived in Moscow for the past six years as a… The Artemis 2 megarocket set to launch NASA’s next astronauts to the… the alleged victim has spoken out about her… Apple has improved transfer speeds when switching from Android to iOS The… A new Material 3 Expressive redesign is coming for Android Google has… The Washington Commanders had five picks in the 2025 NFL draft A senior Hamas official has said there is “no point” in further… The Peruvian government has imposed a night-time curfew in Pataz province scores of revelers gather in the city of Kawasaki,… the Ravens released eight-time All-Pro K Justin Tucker — proving what Steelers fans already knew: that Chris Boswell… If we told you there are 115 acres of vacant land in the heart of San Jose where the only visitors for 20 years have been cows and goats grazing Well, it’s true. The long-closed Pleasant Hills Golf Course in East San Jose is empty This huge parcel represents an unparalleled opportunity for housing Locals Mark Lazzarini and Tony Arreola own Pleasant Hills. They’ve been participating in San Jose’s yearlong community engagement process and recent community workshops have been thoughtful and creative We’re part of a coalition of not-for-profit organizations working in Silicon Valley San Jose’s high cost of housing drives people to cram into homes leave our community forever or become homeless on our streets More housing that’s affordable for everyone enables us to raise our families here and achieve the California Dream Our community has another immense need: open space and parkland There’s an outdated misconception that development and green space conflict Pleasant Hills is ideal for multi-story buildings: it’s large enough to set taller buildings farther from neighboring single-family homes Pleasant Hills could focus medium-to-high density on its interior and a public “greenbelt” on its exterior for neighbors’ relaxation and recreation our priorities for this development are simple: especially affordable housing for those most in need surviving on lower incomes because it creates vibrant neighborhoods with residents near desirable amenities is essential to cut down on traffic and pollution and make streets safer To replace lost open space and plan for the repercussions of climate change as California gets hotter this development needs significant amounts of on-site parkland native plants and green stormwater infrastructure An inclusive community engagement process considerate of our entire valley because a process accessible only to the closest neighbors or frequent participants leaves out underrepresented communities and those who would most benefit from this development Our organizations work in communities across the Bay Area we hear similar fears: “We need affordable housing this is exactly the place for a major development even when they know they can — and we must — do more the developer and the community have to be bolder now — having 115 acres of open land is extremely rare Our global warming and housing crises can only be improved if Pleasant Hills becomes special Alex Shoor is co-founder and executive director of Catalyze Silicon Valley Maritza Maldonado is founder and executive director of Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment Jordan Grimes is state and regional resilience manager of Greenbelt Alliance David Lewis is executive director of Save the Bay Look at the “bright” [sic] side: We see some BS coming if Reid-Hillview is wrongly shut down to satisfy long-standing development lust for it so a reply: We see (or anticipate) the same BS coming if Reid-Hillview is wrongly shut down The proponents here should just say they want massive new housing what ordinarily is missing from other large and TOD sites Maximal land area is taken for housing in new projects Setbacks and spacing between apartment blocks reach or approach zero There are no “towers in the park” (and high-rise is particularly expensive makes no sense for lower-income units) or even true-to-form Missing Middle housing with requisite setbacks and spacing between homes low-rise no taller than neighbors; new buildings often are eyesores I just want to make a few comments from my experience with housing especially this area that has not enough green space or a diverse population that can bring much needed changes please make sure there is market rate housing that can bring much needed tax dollars for the schools Try to make this an area where tech people will want to live the community should be asked what kind of green space is needed and if the city and county can improve the green space they have now Don’t allow the city and county to dump all the affordable housing and supportive housing in this area This type of housing pays no property taxes for 50 years some do not have to pay park fees that will be badly needed They are also are exempt from making infrastructure improvements like needed traffic calming measures or road improvements I live downtown and have numerous affordable housing supportive housing and residential care homes in the area My neighborhood has only one small pocket park that is currently being taken over by the unhoused even though families who live in these affordable housing have no where to play or exercise city manager regarding why are the unhoused allowed to park huge RV’s that take up apartment street parking and never ticketed or allowed to bring in bags of trash and junk next to the park and nothing is done When we were signaled out for affordable housing our County Supervisor Chavez and Planning assured us it would bring good change to our neighborhood with needed retail and less crime My point is make sure there is a balance of housing make sure land for open space is designated by Planning and make sure a new school is built or existing schools are improved in the process Ask if there can be teacher housing since there is so much land available Make sure everything is in writing and the needs of the community are met and our city council approves it so there can be a record of all that is needed other than housing plans you were warned that they would come for golf courses It’s even easier with an abandoned course typical arguments and statements often wrong are used by typical interests to sell this to the gullible as much as or more than with the California Forever project Golf courses have been sought elsewhere and it’s no surprise here though the oft-incorrect quasi-propagandistic sales pitch is insulting San Jose has a unique opportunity in the development of the old golf course Its proximity to the city-owned Cunningham Park and (sometime) soon-to-open VTA light-rail track should motivate a seamless integration between them to encourage public transportation use Requiring the developer to build an overpass or tunnel to link the area with the southern path of Cunningham Park at White Road seems easy enough multiuse path between the park and the Eastridge Mall connects the park and the new area to transit and retail at the mall encourages non-motorized traffic in and around the mall and enhances the outdoor spaces in otherwise underused locations Ultimately this short trail section can extend to whatever Reid Hillview Airport becomes in the next decade You must be logged in to post a comment 408.206.5327 [email protected] Thinking of your family and praying for your peace and comfort during this most painful time I am so sorry for your loss and praying that you will be surrounded by the memories that you shared in you many years together My heart hurts for you and everyone in your close and extended family.No one can understand what was his reason for leaving this earth and his family Hope someday peace can comfort you and your loved ones Your love for him will carry you through this tough time May He bless those family members left to grieve your passing © 2025 Hamilton's Funeral and After Life Services TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need Another Atria’s restaurant is closing The Pleasant Hills location will become a Juniper Grill in October Atria’s Facebook post said it’s a new chapter ahead The restaurant will remain operating until the transition to Juniper Grill The last day for Atria’s will be Sept “We truly appreciate your loyalty to Atria’s during the many parties and family gatherings we have celebrated together,” the post said The plan is to re-open at Juniper Grill on Oct It’s located in Bill Green’s Shopping Center the parent company of Atria’s and Juniper Grill said the demographics in that area are changing and guests are looking for more wine and spirit offerings and updated menu items The Pleasant Hills’ Atria’s has been a top-performing restaurant which is why they decided to transition it and not sell it “Guests who 20 years ago were 10 years old are now 30 and looking for something different,” McDonnell said “We’re excited for this new chapter.” Other Juniper Grill locations are in Peters Township — the first Cranberry and a restaurant in North Carolina He said they also plan to continue to expand Juniper Grill outside of Western Pennsylvania Juniper Grill “is an affordable quality dining experience specializing in American Cuisine with a fresh Cali vibe,” according to its website brisket and chicken as well as tacos and several side dishes The Atria’s in O’Hara was sold in 2023 and is now Tepache Mexican Kitchen & Bar McDonnell said at this time the Peters and Murrysville Atria’s will not have major changes Lebanon location will be re-branded to 1930 by Atria’s The establishment will also have upgrades to its wine and spirits menu such as more bourbon options as well as food selections you have to continue to do things to stay relevant,” McDonnell said We’ve found that Juniper Grill is attractive to everyone We will see how things go but you have to keep refreshing.” JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com Stay up-to-date on important news from TribLIVE 1-800-909-8742 © 2025 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved About Us Advertise Career Opportunities Contact Advertising Contact Circulation Contact Newsroom Contact Us Feedback Request Correction Resource Center Scholarship Opportunities Send Letter to the Editor Send News Tip Subscribe Subscriber Services Blog eFeatures Email Newsletters eTrib Facebook Home Delivery Instagram LinkedIn Marketing Minute Store Locations TribLIVE App - App Store TribLIVE App - Google Play X (formerly Twitter) Arts & Entertainment Best of the Best Business Directory Circulars Contests Coronavirus Lifestyles Local News YaJagOff Obituaries Opinion Our Publications Photos Real Estate Sports Video Weather Cookie Settings Privacy Policy Terms of Service He was semi-retired after 36 years as a public relations consultant for the David L He had a passion for aviation and World War II history He was an avid plane modeler in his younger years and was a member of the International Plastic Modelers Society for many years Pleasant Hill joined other cities in the metro in moving Beggars' Night from Wednesday to Thursday due to forecasted rain and storm threats Beggars' Night for Pleasant Hill residents instead will be held from 6-8 p.m The city of Des Moines and most other metro communities also announced plans Tuesday morning to move Beggars' Night to Thursday Pleasant Hill initially said it would not change its trick-or-treating saying its date was set by a city council resolution and that there was not enough time to hold a special meeting to change it "Pleasant Hill received an official notice from Polk County Emergency Management Agency, Iowa at approximately 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 of potential severe weather," a social media post sent Tuesday evening said "This formal notice provides the City of Pleasant Hill the ability to issue an Emergency Proclamation to change the date for this year's Beggars Night in the best interest of the community." Wednesday as the highest likely time for "damaging wind gusts The city said in a Facebook post Tuesday morning that the trick-or-treating date is set by a city council resolution Since open meetings laws require the city to give the public 24-hour notice before a council meeting the city said it was too close to the date to call a meeting to make a change "The change legally needed to follow this process since the date had previously been set permanently through a resolution passed in 2013," the post Tuesday evening said More: Here's when Beggars' Night festivities take place around the Des Moines metro: Showers and thunderstorms are expected to start Wednesday afternoon with heavy rainfall possible and highs near 75 degrees with temperatures dropping to 45 degrees and winds shifting to the north-northeast at 10-14 mph What is the forecast for Halloween in Pleasant Hill?It will be much cooler Thursday for Halloween with a high of 53 degrees and wind gusts as high as 28 mph during the day and a low of 34 degrees with clear skies at night Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth 2024) — The fiscal health of the community is on the minds of the candidates for two seats on the Pleasant Hill City Council during the city’s first by-district elections in November Two candidates each are vying for the District 1 and 5 spots The vacant seat in District 2 was settled in August when the council decided to make an appointment and save the city’s coffers $15,500 for an election involving Andrei Obolenskiy who previously ran unsuccessfully for the council The funding director’s priority is public safety with an emphasis on redefining safety holistically and integrating strategies to save lives improve quality of life and rebuild livelihoods he also wants to ensure streets are safe for both drivers and pedestrians Addressing a looming severe fiscal crisis in Pleasant Hill that could lead to bankruptcy as early as 2029 is another priority for Lewis who wants to focus on fiscal stability and sustainability while protecting services residents deserve And we have to accomplish these goals without making cuts because cuts will most impact public safety,” said Lewis building our tax base and making prudent financial decisions we can maintain our services for the long run and work toward a more sustainable future.” The senior financial analyst has called Pleasant Hill home for 12 years raising her children in Pleasant Hill schools and being involved in local projects which included establishing the first Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) event in the community to enhance cultural awareness and strengthen community bonds Addressing a significant budgetary deficit boosting tourism to generate additional revenue and obtaining affordable housing through reevaluating zoning regulations and repurposing available land or buildings are main issues La noted must be addressed in Pleasant Hill “This dual approach – leveraging both our existing resources and expanding our tourism efforts – will be instrumental in addressing our budgetary deficit and fostering long-term financial stability for Pleasant Hill,” La said and you’ll have a representative who will advocate for you with a deep understanding of public sector operations and a strong commitment to building a thriving equitable community for everyone,” she said The estate planning attorney has lived in Pleasant Hill for the past eight years and previously from 1997 to 2002 He brings a well-rounded set of experience Budget sustainability and community development are two main issues he sees as priorities for Pleasant Hill Ensuring that the city’s financial health remains stable through diversifying revenue streams a focus on responsible investments in infrastructure and finding ways to make public spending more efficient are goals Greenwood says will maintain long-term fiscal stability Szakats cites skills nurtured in education and a willingness to set priorities and adapt She has also served on four community boards The top two issues Szakats identified facing Pleasant Hill are expanding the tax base and increasing housing options She specifically pointed to two large blocks of retail space downtown that have stood vacant for many months and are impacting city revenue through the loss of sales tax “It’s important that the City Council work closely with the agent the economic development team at the city and the chamber to fill this space This is especially important given that we have a projected increase in pension liability for retiring city employees in the upcoming years,” Szakats said she noted that prices have gone up 110% in the last 10 years “I would like to promote smart redevelopment of underutilized areas near transportation for workforce housing for early career teachers police officers and working-class citizens,” she said Stemming petty theft and shoplifting is one priority Obolenskiy voiced as he looks to begin his four-year term on the council “There has to be some change there,” said Obolenskiy who manages two small businesses and owns Main Street Automotive in Walnut Creek Bridging the divide that I-680 creates in separating residents of Pleasant Hill is another objective for Obolenskiy He noted work to identify two Iron Horse Trail spots that will enable pedestrians and bicyclists to safely transverse that barrier “We have the plan in place; we just need to find the money,” he said is thrilled to unveil its newest location in Pleasant Hills PA marking another milestone in the brand's expansion The grand opening at 601 Clairton Blvd showcases a $5 million investment in a 45,000-square-foot designed to cater to a wide range of fitness enthusiasts Fusing fitness with entertainment to make serious exercise fun the new Crunch Fitness facility offers top-quality cardio and strength training equipment a functional training area with multiple indoor turfs one of the largest growing Crunch franchisees "We are excited to bring the Crunch brand to Pleasant Hills," said owner Brian Hibbard from the first-time gym-goer to the seasoned athlete Add in our high-energy environment and affordable memberships and we have options to meet everyone's goals and budget!" Crunch Fitness Pleasant Hills is offering special membership deals and promotions Interested individuals can visit the gym's website at CrunchPleasantHills.com or stop by the location to learn more Crunch Fitness was also able to provide jobs to over 70 team members and is one of the newest employers and is serving as a boost for Pleasant Hill's local economy and is attracting more activity and businesses to the area The franchise is continuously growing & in the process of hiring even more employees For additional information, please contact Hiba Abduljawad at [email protected] Founded in 2016 by Brian Hibbard, Fitness Ventures, LLC is one of the fastest growing franchisees within the Crunch Fitness system The Company currently operates over 47 locations across twenty five different states With a unique operating and development strategy Fitness Ventures LLC operates some of the highest volume Crunch locations in the system and boasts industry leading financial returns. one of the fastest-growing Crunch Fitness franchisees marking a major milestone in its continued.. one of the fastest growing Crunch Fitness franchisees is gearing up to pay tribute to the heroic first responders who selflessly.. Fitness/Wellness Health Care & Hospitals Corporate Expansion Do not sell or share my personal information: PLEASANT HILL 2024) — There are a number of ways to tell the turning of the seasons here in California We know we are heading into the holiday season because the morning air has more of a chill and we have replaced the Halloween decorations with more colorful and festive décor another telltale sign that the holiday season is upon us is the annual Light Up the Night Holiday Festival family-oriented event has been a highlight in Pleasant Hill for years we are pleased to offer a great evening full of music Bring the family down to take a ride on the Holiday Express Train will have performances by local dance groups Ballet Folklorico and the Studio A Dancers magician Brian Scott and storyteller Kirk Waller Enjoy free hot chocolate and other goodies while visiting the many booths lining the street Hosted by the city’s commissions and local service organizations the booths will give kids the opportunity to do crafts play games or even write a letter to Santa don’t forget to join me and Santa in the plaza near Jack’s at 5:30 p.m as we bring the magic of the season to life during the annual lighting of the Christmas tree Santa will stay to chat and pose for pictures We plan to conclude this year’s Holiday Festival by really lighting up the night with a performance by the Sacred Fire Dancers they will take over Crescent Drive to put on an amazing show Help us get the holiday season off to an amazing start by joining us on Nov Let me finish by saying that in this season of thanks friends and the wonderful residents of Pleasant Hill Contact Matt Rinn at Mrinn@plesanthillca.org This website is unavailable in your location It appears you are attempting to access this website from a country outside of the United States therefore access cannot be granted at this time Atria’s Facebook post said it’s a new chapter ahead “We truly appreciate your loyalty to Atria’s during the many parties and family gatherings we have celebrated together,” the post said It’s located in Bill Green’s Shopping Center the parent company of Atria’s and Juniper Grill The Pleasant Hills’ Atria’s has been a top-performing restaurant “Guests who 20 years ago were 10 years old are now 30 and looking for something different,” McDonnell said Other Juniper Grill locations are in Peters Township — the first Juniper Grill “is an affordable quality dining experience specializing in American Cuisine with a fresh Cali vibe,” according to its website The Atria’s in O’Hara was sold in 2023 and is now Tepache Mexican Kitchen & Bar McDonnell said at this time the Peters and Murrysville Atria’s will not have major changes Lebanon location will be re-branded to 1930 by Atria’s you have to continue to do things to stay relevant,” McDonnell said We’ve found that Juniper Grill is attractive to everyone We will see how things go but you have to keep refreshing.” JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com New drone video released by the city of Pleasant Hill shows how police and other rescuers captured a rogue water buffalo that had escaped from its owner Now called PHill Water buffaloes can be aggressive and an officer trying to prevent the young bull from endangering people wounded it with a shotgun blast Police and rescuers finally found it Tuesday evening in a pond in a sand quarry on the east side of Des Moines they are seen in the video the following morning tranquilizing it with a dart and bundling it into a livestock trailer to be transported to the Iowa State University Large Animal Hospital in Ames where its severely infected wound is being treated Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register part of the West Jefferson Hills School District has been redesignated as a PA Don Eichhorn Schools: “School to Watch.” The “Schools to Watch” program was developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education (PAMLE) Pleasant Hills Middle School is one of only 38 active “Schools to Watch” in Pennsylvania Pleasant Hills Middle School was first designated as a “School to Watch” school nine years ago Schools are recognized for three-year periods and must re-apply to continue in the program Designated schools are celebrated for their academic excellence and organizational structures and processes schools must demonstrate progress on specific goals a state team visited Pleasant Hills Middle School to observe classrooms; interview administrators The site visit followed the submission of a written application from a team of middle school teachers and administrators “Receiving the ‘Schools to Watch’ designation once again is a proud moment for all of us at Pleasant Hills Middle School,” said Dan Como “This redesignation is proof of our team’s tireless efforts to provide a high quality educational experience that puts students first.” Pennsylvania State Schools to Watch Director Bruce Vosburgh noted the middle school’s programs and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic “Pleasant Hills Middle School would not have earned this honor if it weren’t for the school’s administration and staff and their relentless pursuit of academic excellence and quality instruction,” said Dr superintendent of the West Jefferson Hills School District “This recognition highlights the school’s successes and the commitment to continuously improve.” “Schools to Watch” began as a national program to identify middle-grades schools across the country that were meeting or exceeding 37 researched based criteria developed by the National Forum the “Schools to Watch” initiative requires schools to not only identify strengths but demonstrate progress on specific goals As an active “School to Watch,” Pleasant Hills Middle School will now collaborate with educators from across the country to highlight its academic programs but stable condition and a man arrested in connection with a stabbing in Pleasant Hills Allegheny County Police said officers were dispatched around 7 a.m Friday for a reported stabbing along the 200 block of Hillock Lane First responders found a woman suffering from multiple stab wounds A 78-year-old man was taken into custody at the scene Police said detectives are working with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office to determine charges Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 833-ALL-TIPS Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com 2024) — Long after the New Year’s Eve confetti was swept away residents were in party mode for much of 2024 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 and Diablo Valley College’s 75 years 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: Town Center remix: As new businesses like Sip ’N Sweet JOR Fine Art Gallery and Skylar Bistro make their mark in downtown Clayton a Latin restaurant is next up on the horizon recently purchased Flora Square and renamed it Rhine House after Clayton’s “other” founder 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 saying it “keeps Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed funds community health centers and emergency response 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 but those living in the flat neighborhoods oppose an increased assessment the city discussed updating GHAD’s Plan of Control but according to Councilmember Peter Cloven 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.” 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 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 Fatal airplane crash: Berkeley resident Jacek Romanski 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 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 declined to comment further when contacted in November Fire at Keller House: Monument Impact had to shift staff to other offices in Concord and Antioch after a Feb 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 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 many Clayton residents were worried their small enclave would get swallowed up 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 the town also mourned the loss of Robert “Bob” Hoyer a key figure in the incorporation movement Giving tenants a boost: The Concord City Council approved a Residential Tenant Protection Program with new rules for all landlords The Rent Stabilization Program affects multi-family rental complexes of two or more units built before Feb 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 long-term guide for the city in developing connected networks of multipurpose paths 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.” 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 “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 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 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 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 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 Arrests in deadly stabbing: After months of investigation 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 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 PTC put on a cabaret benefit show dubbed “The Phoenix Project” in 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 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 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 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 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 Sister City going strong at 50: Concord is gearing up for an October visit from residents of the Japanese city of Kitakami 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 Cal Shakes announced in October that the organization “hit an insurmountable financial impasse” and suspended operations the company’s scene shop is going strong out of warehouse space in Concord 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 crowds came out in droves despite blazing temps on Oct 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 Among the performers will be Oakland’s Jesse Ray “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 Songwriter Robert Berry called him a gentle soul but he would talk to everybody like they were an old friend,” said Berry “His death has left a huge hole in my heart.” Promoting all voices: Pleasant Hill established the Diversity Commission in 2021 in response to the city’s growth – including residents from diverse backgrounds the commission has reached out to the community through campaigns like the Everybody Belongs Pledge the Juneteenth Celebration and United Against Hate Week 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 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 how many people are going to open even one of these binders Yet I found they contained so many interesting stories about the Miwok Airport taking off: A long-awaited 18,000 sq building is breathing new life into Buchanan Fields 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 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 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 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 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