This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

🌱 Antioch First New Year Baby + Walnut Creek Bomb Squad Deployed

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Concord.

Jeri Karges's profile picture
Jeri Karges, Neighbor
|

Morning, neighbors! It's me again, Jeri Karges, your host of the Concord Daily.

First, today's weather:

A couple of afternoon showers. High: 54 Low: 51.

Rent this space:

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Concord? We'd love to start showcasing trusted businesses who can solve problems for our amazing local readers. Learn more about how it works.

Here are the top five stories today in Concord:

  1. Alongside state State Route 24 in Contra Costa County lie an abundance of dead and dying Monterey pine trees, their deaths mostly caused by years of drought and invasive bark beetle populations. In response, Caltrans has worked alongside the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and Moraga-Orinda Fire District since Dec. 14 to clear out trees between Lafayette's First Street and the Orinda exit. The goal of the $150,000 project is to remove over 100 hazardous trees before the summer fire season. (Concord Patch)
  2. Welcome first new little person of 2022! The first baby born in the Bay Area in 2022 appears to be a girl who entered the world in the seconds after the stroke of midnight in Antioch. She was born at 12:01 a.m. at Kaiser Permanente's Antioch Medical Center, according to a Kaiser spokesperson. (Claycord.com)
  3. Pleasant Hill police and the Walnut Creek Bomb Squad were in the 1700 block of Contra Costa Boulevard early Sunday. Pleasant Hill police later said their graveyard shift officers stopped and arrested two subjects who were found to have a homemade destructive device (of unknown type) in their car at the Chevron, 1705 Contra Costa Boulevard. The gas pumps were shut down and the business was closed during the incident, police said. Due to the "volatile nature" of the device, the Walnut Creek PD Bomb Squad responded to the scene to render the device safe. Mark Nieve, 27, from Antioch was arrested and was charged with possession of destructive devices or explosives. (News 24/680)
  4. Former Livermore Mayor, World War II veteran and veterinarian Dr. John Shirley died Dec. 22 at the age of 97. Shirley served on the Livermore City Council from 1958 to 1966, including two years as the council-chosen mayor from 1962-1964. In July 2019, Dr. Shirley was honored at a dedication ceremony for the new Dr. John Shirley City Council Chamber. Livermore flags were flown at half-staff from Dec. 24 to 26 in honor of Shirley. (Pleasanton Weekly - subscription may be needed)

Today's Concord Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Concord:

  • Come take a tour of the Galindo Home and Gardens! No reservation required. (1:00 PM)
  • Paint a Zen Heron at the Beach at Painting with a Twist in Pleasant Hill. (5:00 PM)
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home is playing at the Solano Drive-in in Concord. (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • The Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is offering free COVID-19 vaccination clinics for anyone age 5 and up and giving the kids passes to the museum in return for being vaccinated.
  • Accomplish your New Year resolution in January! The next STAND! For Families Free of Violence volunteer training is right around the corner. Become a volunteer by going to https://buff.ly/2MgUtFh" (Facebook)
  • On December 30, 2005, Congressman Higgins recognized National Write to Congress Day, deciding that the day would be annually observed on January 3, to encourage the general public to contact their representatives through email, letter, or phone calls. The U.S. Congress receives an estimated 86.9 million messages every year. Find your local congressional representative here and tell them what's on your mind!

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

Job listings:

Loving the Concord Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

You're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Jeri Karges

About me: Jeri Karges has been living in and loving the Sacramento region for over 30 years. Her passion is finding new and unique ways to enjoy the city and surrounding areas. On weekends, you can find her pestering her friends to sample the restaurant that doesn't have silverware, or try their hand at throwing an axe. Jeri also enjoys writing about retirement planning at https://rockinretirement.subst...

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Concord