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Community Corner

🌱County Connection Buses Free In October + Library Upgrades Funded

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

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Jeri Karges, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Hey, friends. It's Jeri Karges, your host of the Concord Daily — here to explain all the most important things happening in town. Including news about...

  • The Sunvalley Mall was evacuated Wednesday due to a man who said he had a gun.
  • An FBI agent from Lafayette has been convicted of taking bribes of at least $150,000.
  • Listen up, puppies! Take your owners over to Danville for their first-ever Howl-O-Ween for doggies!

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and very warm. High: 89 Low: 57.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Concord! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories in Concord today:

  1. "With gas prices surging again, Concord riders may be pleased to know that all County Connection buses are operating free of charge through the month of October. The bus service is offering free rides to all passengers of buses and paratransit traveling any route. It is using federal stimulus money in an effort to help essential workers save money and to increase ridership. ... If ridership increases, the bus service will be able to increase its service frequency." (Concord Patch)
  2. In a statement released late Wednesday night, Concord police said that a 2:45 p.m. the police department received a call from security at the Sunvalley Mall about a man on the upper level near JCPenney who was acting strangely and had a small duffel bag. The man said he had a gun, though no weapon was seen. Officers evacuated the mall. Around 4:45 p.m., the man was taken into custody without incident and the mall was reopened a short time later. (Concord Patch)
  3. A former FBI special agent, Babak Broumand, 56, from Lafayette was convicted on Tuesday of taking bribes in the amount of at least $150,000. Broumand was a special agent assigned to the San Francisco FBI office from 1999 until 2018, when search warrants were issued for his home and business. In return for the bribes, Broumand conducted searches of law enforcement databases to assist an organized crime-linked lawyer. Broumond faces up to 45 years in prison. (Claycord.com)
  4. From the Contra Costa County Public Librarian: "I am very pleased to announce that the Library was recently awarded more than $3 million in grant funds to address much needed deferred maintenance projects at two county-owned library buildings. The Antioch and Pinole Libraries were awarded $2,576,800 from the California State Library's Building Forward Library Infrastructure Program.... The Pinole Library was also awarded $511,360 from the BAAQMD's Clear Air Centers Program to replace their HVAC system." (Concord Patch)
  5. Dredge miner Shannon Poe of Concord has been accused of polluting the South Fork of the Clearwater River in northern Idaho. A $150,000 fine has been levied against Poe. The fine is one of the biggest Clean Water Act penalties ever levied in Idaho. (Pioneer Publishers)

Patch deal of the day:

Wine lover alert. We found this amazing deal from Splash Wines — an 18-bottle curated selection of reds and whites for fall — for just $69.99. Shipping isn't cheap at $39.95, but that still comes out to just over $6 per bottle. Splash Wines has a money-back guarantee if you don't like the wine and 4.6 out of 5 rating on TrustPilot. So: recommended.

(The Patch Deals team scours the web for deals we think our subscribers will like. We may earn a commission on products purchased. All promotions are as of publication and could change.)

Today in Concord:

  • "Walnut Creek Bead & Design Show is back at the Plaza Hotel, Concord. Featuring over 150 exhibits presented by independent artisans, beadmakers and tradespeople, as well as interactive, hands-on workshops." (10:00 AM)
  • "Join the Pleasant Hill Library for a little reading and a lot of dancing at their Friday Dance Party! Best suited for children ages 2-5 with a caregiver. All ages and abilities welcome." (11:00 AM)
  • Friday Night Bites feature local bands and food trucks at the Civic Center Plaza in Oakley. (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • This year's Taco Trail Passport includes Concord Hotels! Visit Concord has created a Stay and Play package just for the Concord Taco Trail. If you book before October 15th, Visit Concord will include, as a part of your stay, a gift card for one of the participating taco trail taquerias! (Visit Concord via Instagram)
  • Hear from candidates Debora Allen and Ken Carlson running for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors District IV seat. Register here:https://conta.cc/3CxqAKl (Greater Concord CA Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
  • Join the Town of Danville for its first-ever Howl-o-Ween celebration at Hap Magee Ranch Park on Saturday, October 29. This event, for dogs and their owners, will feature a costume contest, a pet parade and a photo opportunity. Judges will review costumes for the silliest, most original, best owner/dog duo and best impersonation. Treat bags will be provided for all the registered dogs.


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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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...

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Concord Daily? Contact me at Concord-Ca@Patch.com

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