Walnut Creek, CA
News Feed
Events
Local Businesses
Classifieds
Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Walnut Creek Police Chief Swears In New Officers

Spotted on the Walnut Creek calendar: Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Yard Sale

Wednesday April 15th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good day Walnut Creek! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

Subscribe

In today's newsletter:

  • Two seasoned officers bolster Walnut Creek police amid staffing challenges
  • Walnut Creek to host remembrance gathering for Suzanne Ruth Phalen Totten
  • How a Walnut Creek AAU program helped launch a rising recruiter’s career

Also on today's calendar: Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Yard Sale and 11 more events.

Today's riddle: Why are banana jokes so funny 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 67 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Thursday: Sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 72, low: 49.
  • Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Walnut Creek Police Chief Swears In New Officers (patch.com) — Walnut Creek residents will see two experienced officers, Jordan Alvarenga and Mike Wilson, newly sworn into the city’s police department as part of a push to fill vacancies. The city has been working to stabilize staffing by speeding up hiring and approving both controlled vacancy levels and a police salary increase through 2026–2027, aiming to keep patrol operations strong.    

2. Suzanne Ruth Phalen Totten (gulfcoastmedia.com) — Walnut Creek will later host a remembrance gathering for longtime resident Suzanne (Sue) Ruth Phalen Totten, who recently died at 79. She grew up partly in Walnut Creek before building a life centered on family, music, books, and close friendships in several states. Details on the local gathering will be announced at a later time.    

3. San Diego Basketball Support Staff Update (hoopdirt.com) — A key member of San Diego’s new men’s basketball support staff, recruiting coordinator Josh Calbert, previously spent six seasons coaching the West Coast Elite NorCal AAU program based in Walnut Creek. His time developing top high school talent here, including future NBA players, is highlighted as a major reason the Toreros value his West Coast recruiting connections.    

4. East Contra Costa teen on teen murder case was quietly settled in juvenile court (eastbaytimes.com) — From a Walnut Creek–datelined report, residents are learning that a 2021 Antioch teen-on-teen murder case was resolved quietly in juvenile court, with both defendants sentenced until at most age 25. The case, tied to East Contra Costa gang rivalries, remains technically active as one defendant seeks expanded privileges like religious services and community meetings.    

5. DA Charges Driver Accused of Killing Toddler In Mission Bay With Vehicular Manslaughter (sfist.com) — A Walnut Creek resident has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after a February collision in San Francisco’s Mission Bay that killed a two-year-old and injured her mother in a crosswalk. San Francisco has since added a protected bikeway at the intersection, and officials are considering further safety upgrades while the investigation continues.    


📸 Around Walnut Creek

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 Walnut Creek

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Featured events

Want to see your event featured? Click here!


Other local events

📣 Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek PatchAM possible:

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

  • Our conures flew off out of our balcony at greenwood condo.
    If any neighbors have seen them around , please let us know , send me a message. Their names are Chico and Tina (Nextdoor Greenwood)
  • Bad boy is our newest dumped cat.
    My new mommy wants to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sending us food as she uses 200 cans of Cat Food a month and eight bags of dry food… (Nextdoor Rancho San Miguel)
  • Savers | Value Village posted a job opening for Merchandise Processing Associate in Walnut Creek. Apply here.
  • Acalanes Union High School District posted a job opening for French Teacher-Adult Education in Lafayette. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Walnut Creek here.

Ok Walnut Creek! 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: They have A peal (Thank you Michael C. 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.


Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

More from Walnut Creek, CA
News | 3h
News | 9h
News | 1d
See more on Patch >

Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Walnut Creek, CA Patch

Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.

©2026 Patch Media. All Rights Reserved

Do Not Sell My Personal Information