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

🌱 Patch AM: Double Homicides, Break-Ins, Cold Cases: The Contra Costa County DA Annual Report

And on the Walnut Creek Patch calendar - Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Yard Sale

Thursday April 16th 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:

  • How Contra Costa’s latest crime stats affect Walnut Creek residents
  • How two new officers fit into Walnut Creek’s police staffing plan
  • Walnut Creek accountant sentenced in massive California solar investment fraud

Also on today's calendar: Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Yard Sale and 12 more events.

Today's riddle: What can go UP the chimney DOWN; but can't come down the chimney UP? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 73 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 74, low: 46.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 77 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Double Homicides, Break-Ins, Cold Cases: The Contra Costa County DA Annual Report (patch.com) — Contra Costa County’s district attorney is touting high conviction rates, expanded diversion programs, and new DNA-driven cold case breakthroughs that matter for Walnut Creek residents who rely on countywide prosecution. The annual report highlights tougher approaches to homicides, DUIs, and retail theft, while also expanding restorative justice options and opening a new East County office to improve access to services.    

• Walnut Creek Police Chief Swears In New Officers (patch.com) — Walnut Creek’s police force just added two experienced officers as the city continues working to fill vacancies in its 85 authorized sworn positions. Recent retirements and departures led officials to speed up hiring, while the City Council approved keeping some positions vacant and raising police salaries through 2027 to balance safety needs with budget limits.    

• Final defendant in California's biggest Ponzi scheme sentenced to prison (eastbaytimes.com) — A Walnut Creek resident who served as DC Solar’s accountant has been sentenced to more than five years in state prison for his role in what prosecutors call California’s largest Ponzi scheme. The case involved hundreds of millions in fraudulent solar-generator investments and has led to prison terms and massive restitution orders for several East Bay co-defendants.    


📸 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

  • Update: Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
    She didn’t let me get near her, but I did notice she had a little bowtie collar with no tag. Unfortunately, she eventually climbed onto the fence and… (Nextdoor Pleasant Hill Elementary)
  • Does anyone know this cat?
    It's on the Iron Horse Trail near Trader Joe's, following my son. I want to ensure it gets home safely. (Nextdoor Paddock Hills)
  • Accenture posted a job opening for SAP Product Costing Manager - CMT (High Tech) in Walnut Creek. Apply here.
  • Walnut Creek School District posted a job opening for Resource Teacher 2026-27 - Walnut Creek School District - Northern California in Walnut Creek. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Walnut Creek here.

🗞 Nearby News

San Miguel

  • Long-awaited underpass opens at deadly Hwy. 101 crossing in SLO County (sanluisobispo.com)
  • Students at Lillian Larsen in San Miguel receive free books (ksby.com)
  • 5 Places to Get Crafty in San Francisco (7x7.com)

Pleasant Hill

Lafayette

  • Viral bagel store opening in Lafayette (ktvu.com)
  • A Big Road Project Starts in Lafayette This Week. Here's When to Expect Delays. Bay Area Telegraph (bayareatelegraph.com)

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: UMBRELLA (Thank you JEANNE 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.


Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

More from Walnut Creek, CA
News | 1d
News | 22m
News | 6h
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