NEWS24-680 – Page 317 – News24-680.com

Not Exactly “Bullitt,” But Stolen Excavator Attracts Lots Of Police Attention Wednesday

Motorists on Willow Pass Road in Concord were treated to an unusual sight a little after 2 p.m. Wednesday as a man at the controls of a stolen construction excavator whizzed by at 8 mph – police in hot pursuit. Officers pursued the backhoe through the city for approximately 20 minutes, closing various roadways to…

Despite Arrests, Phone Fraud Continues To Spike With Americans Proving To Be Easy Pickings

It appears we are a wealthy and gullible nation. And those bent on exploiting our gullibility in order to get sizable chunks of that wealth are still doing a land-office business despite our rising rancor and some global law enforcement. Having been around a little and come up in the analog world we have seen…

Police Car Fire On Westbound Highway 24 In Orinda Tuesday; Freeway Briefly Closed As Ammunition Cooks Off

Police are descending on Highway 24 east of St. Stephens in Orinda Tuesday after a police car driven by a CHP repair technician caught fire and burned, cooking off ammunition inside the vehicle and catching the adjacent hillside on fire. Traffic was diverted onto St. Stephens offramp. The technician made it out of the vehicle…

Man Assaulted At Pleasant Hill BART Later Found Dead; Suspect In Custody

In a dark twist to an incident first reported here Wednesday, a 51-year-old Pittsburg man who suffered minor injuries during an assault at Pleasant Hill BART was found dead two days later – apparently from infection stemming from an injury suffered in the fight. County Coroner’s deputies identified the victim as Gerald Bisbee, 51. The…

BART Police Arrest Murder Suspect At Pleasant Hill BART Station Monday

BART police said they have arrested suspected murderer John Lee Cowell, 27, wanted in connection with the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson and wounding of her sister at MacArthur Station Sunday night. Cowell was reportedly taken into custody at Pleasant Hill BART after patrons provided police with information as to his whereabouts. He was reportedly on…

Men Who Allegedly Fled From Orinda PD Officer Saturday Identified

UPDATE: Alleged driver Danny Lockett Jr. was charged Wednesday with manslaughter and felony evading peace officers in connection with this case. He was additionally charged with having prior convictions for assault, burglary and gun possession. ORIGINAL POST: Two men in the Nissan Altima that allegedly fled from an Orinda police officer and crashed on Highway 24…

DigiBites: Let’s Make Some Ice Cream – And Gratin! (We Vote For The Peaches!)

The best of the summer stone fruits (peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, cherries – the fruits with a “pit”), are beginning to come to market, and we in the 24/680 live near some of the BEST producers in the state in Brentwood. Remember: nectarines are on the “dirty dozen” list; the group of produce with the…

Police Capture Three Suspected Armed Robbers After Chase From Walnut Creek Into Lafayette Sunday

Police from Walnut Creek and Lafayette descended on a carload of individuals suspected of an armed robbery at the Tice Valley CVS store in Walnut Creek Sunday, chasing the car into Lafayette and arresting three people who fled from the vehicle. At least two people were arrested in the 900 block of Reliez Station Road…

The Sunday Mumble

Here we are, our Merry Band, in the grip of Summer and a cresting news cycle. Saturday was a day of new records following a week of new records here at NEWS24/680 with record reader visitation (we thought everyone was out of town), a record number of News Flashes going out to record numbers of…

Best Honking Ever!

Today’s rally in Walnut Creek, protesting the many crimes and impeachable offenses of The Orange One and his enablers, was so encouraging for everyone who loves democracy. Great signs, boundless camaraderie, and best of all, audible support from more drivers than I’ve ever heard before. As angel Clarence would say, “Every time a car honks,…