After decades of service to the public, Contra Costa County fire chief to retire A fire exploration program at 14 sparked a lifelong career for Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Fire Chief Lewis Broschard. Decades later, he is stepping down from years of service to t…

After decades of service to the public, Contra Costa County fire chief to retire www.mercurynews.com/2026/03/06/a...

In the wake of scandals, Antioch Police Department completes policy reforms demanded by DOJ A year after signing an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to increase oversight measures, the Antioch Police Department has completed an overhaul of its policies.

In the wake of scandals, Antioch Police Department completes policy reforms demanded by DOJ www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/03/03/a...

‘Please don’t do that’: Brentwood releases footage of officers shoving woman into patrol car, where she passed out before death The death of Yolanda Ramirez, not disclosed by police until after the media found out, has led to public controversy and dueling autopsy reports.

‘Please don’t do that’: Brentwood releases footage of officers shoving woman into patrol car, where she passed out before death www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/02/27/p...

School officials were raising alarms about safety at Antioch’s Deer Valley High. Then a boy was killed on campus

Authorities say the campus death later fueled a cycle of retaliation between warring gangs.

Transit agencies and riders face uncertain future if tax measure fails in November

“If they close BART, it’s an attack on the lower class,” one Dublin mother said.

Layoffs in troubled Antioch school district could affect hundreds

The layoffs, which would affect about 300 full-time positions, are expected to reduce the district’s expenses by about $38 million for the 2026-27 school year.

Antioch council appoints new city attorney ANTIOCH — The Antioch City Council appointed Lori Asuncion as its permanent city attorney after the city had been represented by an interim legal counsel for more than a year. After a unanimous vot…

Antioch council appoints new city attorney www.mercurynews.com/2026/02/12/a...

Antioch close to filling police oversight positions ANTIOCH  — In an effort to meet requirements in a deal between the city and U.S. Department of Justice, two members of the Antioch Police Oversight Commission were added Tuesday to the oversight bo…

Antioch close to filling police oversight positions www.mercurynews.com/2026/02/11/a...

Building entrepreneurs and revitalizing East Bay downtown districts Describing himself as a blue-collar entrepreneur, Sean McCauley said he has a passion for service-related industries, calling them “recession-proof.”

Building entrepreneurs and revitalizing East Bay downtown districts www.mercurynews.com/2026/02/06/b...

Sycamore Square police substation to open soon in Antioch The long awaited police substation at the Sycamore Square shopping center will be officiated in February in hopes to increase police visibility in the area.

Sycamore Square police substation to open soon in Antioch trib.al/7CZZ8ic

Independent autopsy points to homicide as cause of death in Brentwood police custody case The report found that 72-year-old Yolanda Ramirez suffered from blunt force trauma to the head and torso.

Independent autopsy points to homicide as cause of death in Brentwood police custody case www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/02/01/i...

Antioch school board trustees to receive pay hike ANTIOCH – After decades of a $400 monthly stipend, Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees members voted Wednesday to give themselves a raise of $2,000 a month. The move is in accordance …

Antioch school board trustees to receive pay hike trib.al/SPE9DlV

Plans for a temporary shelter for the unhoused in Antioch falls through City officials look to alternative measures to keep homeless residents warm during cold nights.

Plans for a temporary shelter for the unhoused in Antioch falls through www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/28/p...

Chick-fil-A to open Thursday at Walnut Creek shopping center WALNUT CREEK — Chick-fil-A, a fast-food chain that ruffled some feathers locally, will officially open its doors to the public Thursday in Walnut Creek despite concerns over traffic and community s…

Chick-fil-A to open Thursday at Walnut Creek shopping center trib.al/dqJJH8O

Carjacking suspect dead, San Jose officer wounded in shooting The incident happened Wednesday afternoon near West Julian Street and Notre Dame Avenue.

Carjacking suspect dead, San Jose officer wounded in shooting trib.al/mHHETbe

After secret investigation, Oakley cuts off councilman’s City Hall access Oakley imposed sweeping restrictions on a city councilman after an investigation found he mistreated the city manager, but withheld key records underlying the decision.

Worked with @nategartrell.bsky.social on this piece. We still have questions unanswered.

www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/01/19/a...

Gotta steal ’em all: Alameda man charged with stealing 4,000 Pokemon cards from 73-year-old woman The victim is a 73-year-old woman who faked using the restroom to catch him in the act, police say.

Gotta steal ’em all: Alameda man charged with stealing 4,000 Pokemon cards from 73-year-old woman trib.al/5kmIscH

Brentwood city attorney to take on new role in a different East Bay city Brentwood City Attorney to move to the City of Pleasanton

Brentwood city attorney to take on new role in a different East Bay city www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/09/b...

Brentwood to release camera footage of Yolanda Ramirez arrest BRENTWOOD – The family of Yolanda Ramirez, who went unconscious in the back of a police car and died days later at a hospital, will be able to view camera footage of her 2025 arrest. The Brentwood …

Brentwood to release camera footage of Yolanda Ramirez arrest trib.al/Y34SCtI

Family of Yolanda Ramirez files lawsuit against city, officers for wrongful death The lawsuit, filed Jan. 1 on behalf of her husband, Rudolf Ramirez, and their three children, claims excessive force was used against Yolanda Ramirez during her arrest Sept. 26, 2025.

Family of Yolanda Ramirez files lawsuit against city, officers for wrongful death trib.al/7fHCQMb

East Bay steel plant property is bought for more than $200 million A unit of United States Steel Corp. has bought the Pittsburg property where a steel mill had operated for decades.

East Bay steel plant property is bought for more than $200 million trib.al/yClICTG

12 long-lived Bay Area restaurants we said goodbye to in 2025 The establishments we pay tribute to here had been landmarks for years, even generations.

12 long-lived Bay Area restaurants we said goodbye to in 2025

Mac’s Old House in Antioch to reopen in 2026 ANTIOCH — When Mac’s Old House came on the market in June, Joe Martinez knew he had to do something to preserve the legacy of the beloved old-fashioned Italian restaurant that had been a staple in …

Mac’s Old House in Antioch to reopen in 2026 trib.al/USwMVJn

Contra Costa DA’s office looking into death of Yolanda Ramirez after arrest by police BRENTWOOD – While the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office continues an independent investigation into the arrest of 72-year-old Yolanda Ramirez, who reportedly went unconscious in the ba…

Contra Costa DA’s office looking into death of Yolanda Ramirez after arrest by police trib.al/X39O8fY

12 long-lived Bay Area restaurants we said goodbye to in 2025 The establishments we pay tribute to here had been landmarks for years, even generations.

www.mercurynews.com/2025/12/10/l...

Donation saves part of Mount Diablo from future development BRENTWOOD – In another step toward protecting Mount Diablo, 5 acres are now secured from future development following a donation by the Nunn family. Known as the Nunn-Paulsen inholding, the land wa…

Donation saves part of Mount Diablo from future development trib.al/YP5iaFu

Bay Area weather: No rain is forecast through Christmas — Is it time to worry about drought? Wet November conditions have given way to weeks of sunny, dry weather

Bay Area weather: No rain is forecast through Christmas — Is it time to worry about drought? trib.al/VtdK4ln

Cal State East Bay receives $50 million donation from MacKenzie Scott HAYWARD – California State University East Bay received a surprise this holiday season from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott: “a record-breaking” $50 million gift. The largest singl…

Cal State East Bay receives $50 million donation from MacKenzie Scott www.mercurynews.com/2025/12/05/c...

Pittsburg school district partners with Cal State University East Bay for guaranteed admission the pathway to college just became easier for qualified high school students in Pittsburg, with the guaranteed admissions program from Cal State University East Bay, in partnership with the Pittsbu…

Pittsburg school district partners with Cal State University East Bay for guaranteed admission trib.al/w47KBtg

Share the Spirit: Hijas del Campo uplifts farmworkers in east Contra Costa County Mayra Jimenez Almaras was 8 when she came to the U.S. from Mexico with her parents and two siblings. At 11, she was working long hours under the scorching sun in the Brentwood fields, picking green…

Share the Spirit: Hijas del Campo uplifts farmworkers in east Contra Costa County trib.al/e7s6vs1