🌱 Patch AM: How a Martinez search warrant led to a countywide burglary arrest

Hi Martinez! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Martinez search warrant led to a countywide burglary arrest
• When could driverless Waymo rides actually reach Martinez streets?
• Martinez court hands down sentence in Antioch front-yard killing

Also on today's calendar: Pacheco's Artisan Fair and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 60 degrees.
• Friday: Clouds giving way to sun, temps: high: 84, low: 59.
• Saturday: Sunshine, with a high of 87 and low of 59 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

• Serial Burglary Suspect Arrested In Pursuit Across Contra Costa (patch.com) — Martinez residents should know a 34-year-old local man was arrested after a multi-agency search tied to burglaries, including one involving a Martinez home. Detectives served a warrant on Alhambra Way, recovered stolen property in a Martinez residence, and booked the suspect into the Martinez Detention Facility on multiple felony allegations, with bail set at $220,000.
   

• Waymo Just Took a Crucial Step Toward Self-Driving Cars in the 925 Bay Area Telegraph (bayareatelegraph.com) — Martinez is now officially on Waymo's map, with state regulators approving paid driverless ride-hailing across much of Contra Costa County, including our city. Robotaxis won't appear overnight, but residents may soon see mapping cars on local streets as the company gradually prepares Martinez and neighboring 925 communities for future autonomous trips.
   

• Vallejo man gets 10 years for killing East Contra Costa rapper in Antioch front yard (mercurynews.com) — From the courthouse in Martinez, a Vallejo man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a 2025 Antioch front-yard killing that a jury deemed voluntary manslaughter. The case involved an East Contra Costa rapper known locally as $mooth and turned on arguments over self-defense and a severe beating inside the home before the shooting.
   

📸 Around Martinez

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Martinez

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday August 22
• Pacheco's Artisan Fair →
  Pacheco Community Center, 5800 Pacheco Blvd, Pacheco
  9:00 am
Sunday August 23
• ECK Light and Sound Service →
  5200 Case Ave, Pleasanton
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday August 21
• Native Plant Parley
  John Muir National Park Meet on the grounds of the historic orchard.
  1:00 pm
Saturday August 22
• Martinez Library Storytime
  Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
  10:00 am
Tuesday August 25
• Martinez Library Book Club
  Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
  6:00 pm
Wednesday August 26
• County Planning Commission Meeting →
  Contra Costa County Hybrid MeetingThe Zoning Administrator m
• ABCD's of Medicare
  Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
  11:00 am
Thursday August 27
• Computer Docent Help at Martinez Library
  Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
  10:00 am
Saturday August 29
• 2026 Bay Area Craft Beer Festival at the City of... →
  Waterfront Park, 245 N Court St, Martinez
  12:00 pm
• 2026 Bay Area Craft Beer Festival at the City of Martinez Sesquicentennial Festival →
  Waterfront Park, 245 N Court St, Martinez
  12:00 pm

📣 Martinez Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 20
• Computer Help
  Contra Costa County Public Library 1750 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
  10:00 am
• Computer Docent Help at Martinez Library
  Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
  10:00 am
• Back to School Night
  M. H. Stanley Middle Lafayette, CA 94549
  6:00 pm
• Board Installation Dinner and Business Person of the Year Award
  Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Back Forty Texas BBQ
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Martinez PatchAM possible:

• Jasmina Pique, Travel Agent
• Devine Records & Vintage — (925) 316-5953

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I had a great experience with ACME Auto Repair.
  They did the job other shops wouldn't (put the spring onto the strut of my wife's Subaru Forester XT), promptly, and for a very reasonable fee. They… (Nextdoor Reliez Valley North)
• Saw this beautiful black and white guy roaming around the last few days.
  He's very friendly and eager for a pet but has cuts all over his feet and a rather larger one near his ear. Does anyone know anything about him? I… (Nextdoor Virginia Hills)

• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Pleasant Hill. Apply here.
• Muir Home Health posted a job opening for Intake Coordinator - In Office in Concord. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Martinez here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pleasant Hill

• Editorial: El Campanil is Wake Up Call Antioch Needed (contracosta.news)
• Huskies Begin Title Defense On Thursday Against No. 18 San Diego (gohuskies.com)

Concord

• ML Ops Engineer - TekGlobal - Concord, CA, US (dice.com)
• A Familiar Creamery is Coming to the Willows in Concord Bay Area Telegraph (bayareatelegraph.com)

Walnut Creek

• Restaurant Fire Forces Evacuation, Draws Major ConfFire Response (patch.com)

Ok Martinez! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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