Fish & Game Commission Vote Gives Protected Status To State’s Big Cats
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2026) — In Defense of Animals welcomes a vote today by the California Fish and Game Commission to protect imperiled mountain lions across much of the state under the state Endangered Species Act (CESA). “This is an epic win for California’s iconic big cats,” said Katie Nolan, Wild Animals campaigner for…
All The Right Words: Miramonte’s Scheiner Wins County Poetry Out Loud Competition
ARTSCCC (Arts Contra Costa County) is excited to announce Serena Scheiner (grade 11) from Miramonte High School as our Poetry Out Loud Contra Costa County Champion! On February 7th, we held the Contra Costa County Poetry Out Loud competition at the Pinole Valley High School Theatre in Pinole. Patrick Paul Porpayas (grade 12) from Mt.…
Anti-Trafficking Operation: 20 Survivors Identified, 11 Arrested, 3 Charged
From the Office of the District Attorney Martinez, California – The Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force wrapped a major statewide effort to contact survivors of human trafficking, apprehend their exploiters, and file charges against the exploiters’ offenses. In conjunction with National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January, the Task Force collaborated with 21 local,…
Local Libraries Receive Funding From Carnegie Corporation
The Contra Costa County Library is pleased to announce that three of its historic branches—Antioch, Concord, and Walnut Creek—have been selected to receive $10,000 each from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. This gift, totaling $30,000 for the county, is part of a nationwide initiative commemorating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the…
Antioch PD Identify Suspect In Jan. 5 Shooting Of 11-Year-Old Girl
Today, Antioch Police Department detectives identified Ryan Hardy as the suspect in the shooting of an 11-year-old girl on January 5th through a combination of video surveillance, witness statements, and forensic evidence. Hardy should be considered armed and dangerous. Members of the public are advised not to confront him if seen. Anyone who sees Hardy…
Measles Case Confirmed In Contra Costa County
An Advisory From Contra Costa Health: Contra Costa Health (CCH) is notifying the public of a confirmed case of measles in the county, identified on Dec. 24, 2025. The individual was contagious in public between Dec. 17 and Dec. 24, and people may have been exposed at the locations listed below. Locations of potential measles…
San Ramon Picks A New Police Chief
From the City of San Ramon: The City of San Ramon is pleased to announce the selection of Becky Chestnut as the City’s next Chief of Police, effective Monday, December 15. Chestnut brings more than two decades of experience in law enforcement, most recently as a Captain with the San Ramon Police Department since 2023.…
Sheriff Investigating Release Of Homicide Suspect From County Jail
Sheriff’s investigators are looking into the release of a man wanted for a murder in Washington state and jailed in Martinez Oct. 18 following a pursuit by officers from the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments. The Office of the Sheriff reported Monday it is actively investigating the release of 20-year-old Isaiah Jamon Andrews of Kent,…
Plucky Native Makes Ridgetop Return To East County After 68 Years
A new population of the caper-fruited tropidocarpum (Tropidocarpum capparideum) has been discovered in Vasco Hills Regional Preserve on protected land acquired by the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) in partnership with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy (Conservancy). The plant had been undocumented for 68 years until a few individuals were observed on…
Contra Costa Seeks Applicants For Hazardous Materials Commission Seats
From Contra Costa Health: The Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission is seeking applicants for one environmental justice representative seat and one environmental justice representative alternate seat. The commission is a voluntary body appointed by the Board of Supervisors and makes policy recommendations to the board and county staff on issues concerning hazardous materials and…