Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Want to watch your Martinez ballots being counted this election?

And on the Martinez Patch calendar - 5th Annual Spooktacular Halloween & Oddities Market

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Saturday October 10th Patch AM
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Good day Martinez! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Want to watch your Martinez ballots being counted this election?
  • How dangerous are Martinez's refineries, and what officials plan to do

Also on today's calendar: 5th Annual Spooktacular Halloween & Oddities Market and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Sunny, brisk and cool, with a high of 69 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 75, low: 49.
  • Monday: Partly sunny, showers around, with a high of 76 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Contra Costa County tests ballot-counting machines ahead of election (ktvu.com) — Contra Costa County just ran a major accuracy test of its ballot-counting machines inside the Martinez elections office, and residents can watch both testing and Election Day counting in person. Officials say the 25,000 test ballots were tallied correctly, and they're inviting Martinez voters to observe, learn about security measures, and even double-check their own ballot markings before dropping them off.
   

• Northern California Community Wants Stronger Oversight of Dangerous Refineries Nearby (insideclimatenews.org) — Martinez residents packed a local school auditorium demanding tougher oversight of the Marathon Martinez Renewables and Martinez Refining Co. plants after years of violations, flaring, and alarming incidents. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier and union leaders discussed safety failures, ongoing worker lockouts, and new public tools like a refinery incident dashboard aimed at protecting neighborhoods and holding operators accountable.
   

📸 Around Martinez

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Martinez

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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!

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:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We took "Tiny Tiny" to the Humane Society southwest WA to keep her safe
    First took her to vet to see if chipped, unfortunately not They will hold her for 3 days Then we might have to claim her as ours. Prettiest little… (Nextdoor Martinez)
  • Hello any recommendations for AC repair?
    I noticed one line is frozen on the outside unit, and the vents are cold but not blowing cold air. Thank you, (Nextdoor Pacheco Blvd)
  • Wendy's posted a job opening for Crew Member in Martinez. Apply here.
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Kitchen Designer in Concord. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Martinez here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pleasant Hill

  • Oct 10: Pleasant Hill Harvest Festival Takes Over Downtown (contracosta.news)
  • Leslie's bankruptcy forces closure of dozens of stores nationwide (newsbreak.com)

Concord

  • Concord Voter Guide 2026: What's On The Ballot, Voting, & More (patch.com)

Danville

  • Danville Voter Guide 2026: What's On The Ballot, Voting & More (patch.com)
  • Meet The Danville Candidate: Robert Storer (patch.com)
  • Meet The Danville Candidate: Pratima Sonavne (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: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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