General News
Martinez Police Blotter for Oct. 16-31
On October 16th at 3:36 am, Officer Espinoza responded to an alarm at Martinez Animal Hospital. Upon arrival he noticed a broken window and unsecured door; no one was inside. The owner responded and determined there was no loss. Case #19-2795. At 3:39 pm, Officer Weems and Corporal Schnabel were dispatched to a residence in […]
County to consider cannabis retail stores on Pacheco Boulevard
MARTINEZ, Calif. – Contra Costa County Board Supervisors will consider six cannabis store proposals located on north Pacheco Boulevard, just outside the city limits, at the Dec. 10 board meeting. The City of Martinez has just approved the only two cannabis retail operations allowed in the city, Firefly, and Embarc. More retail cannabis stores just […]
Sheriff’s Office investigating apparent murder-suicide in unincorporated Martinez
On Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at about 10:43 AM, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs assisted Martinez Police Department regarding an investigation of a missing person. The investigation led them to the 2400 block of Monterey Avenue in the Mt. View area of unincorporated Martinez. Deputy Sheriffs and Martinez Police Officers entered a residence and found a deceased […]
New elementary school takes shape
MARTINEZ, Calif. – Years in the making, plans for the new John Muir Elementary (JME) school are visibly coming to fruition 205 Vista Way, and from the back on Holly View Drive. With framing in place, eager students are asking Julie Webb, JME office manager, “When will it be done?” The architects came to the […]
Supervisor Federal Glover files for re-election
Incumbent Supervisor Federal Glover, representing District 5 on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, officially filed for re-election yesterday. “I’m so proud of our accomplishments and excited to be applying for a final term to complete the good work we started,” said Glover. Glover has been one of the County’s top transportation advocates, identifying […]
Community Focus
Park It by Ned Mackay: Whitney Dotson Celebration
Retiring regional park district director Whitney Dotson will be honored during a celebration from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, rain or shine, at Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline in Richmond. The event also celebrates the district’s efforts to protect public access to shoreline at Miller/Knox. Director Dotson has served on the park district board […]
At Home with Jeff: What are you up to?
By JEFF ROUBAL Martinez News-Gazette Columnist “What are you up to?” my wife inquired as I headed out the front door after breakfast. “I am going to put the garbage cans away,” I replied. My wife often asks what I am up to. She sometimes complains that I disappear for hours then return without explanation. […]
Goal reached: Almond Ranch is saved
$4 Million is raised by John Muir Land Trust for purchase of 281 acres in Martinez, CA John Muir Land Trust (JMLT, jmlt.org) announces that it has raised the $4 million needed to acquire Almond Ranch and permanently preserve these 281 acres as public open space. Donations large and small from individuals across the region […]
The giant pumpkin snowman
MARTINEZ, Calif. – “I think I am the inventor of the Giant Pumpkin Snowman,” Jordan stated. “The way it happened is the real story.” Holiday decorations at his home near the corner of Arreba Street and Berrellesa Avenue have been a tradition since he, his wife Miranda and son Dylan moved in seven years ago. […]
Park It by Ned MacKay: Holiday season in the regional parks
By NED MACKAY East Bay Regional Parks District There are always lots of holiday season programs in the East Bay Regional Parks, especially at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, where Victorian-era Christmas celebrations are recreated. First on the calendar is a Christmas Evening Open House at the park’s historic Patterson mansion. It’s from 5:30 to […]
History
Martinez Historical Society cookbook includes family favorites
Mary Goodmann said, “We started this endeavor in the spring of 2018 when we realized that foods we grew up eating and memory’s associated with them were being lost. We tried to capture everything from an all day affair of making ravioli to a quick meal put together by a single working mother with two […]
Underground Echoes: Meet the cemeterians
By JOSEPH & JUDIE PALMER Special to the Gazette Our column this week is different, however fear not, new biographies are in the works. The huge interest in genealogy has inspired nationwide cemetery restoration to become a large growing movement. Today as we have chosen to focus on conversations with three remarkable individuals. They are […]
Underground Echoes: Where is Velda Dunn?
By JOSEPH & JUDIE PALMER Special to the Gazette Velda Lillian Dunn-Acker, 20, gave birth to her only son Donald Jay Acker, February 27, 1934 in Los Angeles but died during the delivery. Her siblings retrieved her body for burial in Martinez and broke off all contact with her husband and son. This past July, […]
Underground Echoes: Bricks and sticks
By JOSEPH & JUDIE PALMER Special to the Gazette MARTINEZ, Calif. – City of Martinez’s Annual Spring Cemetery Cleanup. Due to the numerous winter storms, there was quite the renaissance of those pesky annoying plants we all call “weeds” and the accumulation of numerous fallen branches. Although much was accomplished, more still needs to be […]
Underground Echoes: In our outdoor museum, past lives matter
By JOSEPH & JUDIE PALMER Special to the Gazette There is something very serene and introspective about working in the Alhambra Pioneer Cemetery, both as the oldest known cemetery in Contra Costa County and as a wonderful outdoor museum. For one thing, the residents are very quiet. The other reasons include the beautiful views of […]
Sports
Alhambra Boy’s Basketball Beat North Hills Christian 73-18
Photos by Mark Fierner (Martinez News-Gazette)
Alhambra Boy’s Basketball vs College Park.12/3/19 Photo Gallery
Photos by Mark Fierner (Martinez News-Gazette) College beat Alhambra 55-37
Cal Golden Bears Beat Stanford In The Big Game 24-20
Photos by Guri Dhaliwal (Martinez News-Gazette)
San Francisco vs Green Bay Packers ( Photo Gallery )
Photos by Gerome Wright (Martinez News-Gazette) The San Francisco 49ers beat the Green bay Packers 37-8. Last Sunday night.
Opinion
Column 1: Say what?!
By BILL SHARKEY III Martinez News-Gazette Columnist SAY WHAT?! Now we are somewhere back to square one with the Traditions at the Meadow development (old Pine Meadow Golf Course) on Vine Hill Way with a suit against the City of Martinez over a delay in grading for the sewer and drainage system for the 65-homes […]
Column 1: We’re going to pot???
By BILL SHARKEY III Martinez News-Gazette Columnist WE’RE GOING TO POT??? Sounds like the decision has been made to sell ‘weed’ on Alhambra Avenue to make it convenient for purchasers. The decision by the City Council (4-0 with the Mayor recusing himself due to conflicts) has met with great concern (and surprise!) by the Martinez […]
Letter to the Editor: City Council didn’t think about children
As a kid that grew up in Los Angeles, I have seen the story that played out at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Let’s sell drugs just outside the high school because the district can’t do anything. We will carry guns to make sure we protect our product and cash. In addition, we will imply favors […]
Letter to the Editor: How can the Gazette be saved?
Dear Editor, I do not want to see this newspaper go away. It reflects so much of our town’s personality. The pages contain expressions of conflict as well as lovely, heart-filling articles of people going about their daily lives, today and from the past. The paper draws it’s readers into their society. It informs and […]
Column 1: Historic tragedy
By BILL SHARKEY III Martinez News-Gazette Columnist HISTORIC TRAGEDY is unfolding in our community. It will become apparent after the Sunday, December 29 final edition of this 161-year-old newspaper is printed and delivered. A record of 161 years of continuous publication, longest in California, according to researchers at the Bancroft Library at U. C. Berkeley […]
Arts & Entertainment
Harry Potter is a must-see production
By CHARLIE JARETT Martinez News-Gazette Columnist Today, I am indeed fortunate to be able to share with you the incredible West Coast official world premiere opening of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, her eighth story, written and envisioned as a theatrical production by Jack Thorne, and subsequently directed by John Tiffany, as […]
Two great shows this week; one for the kids, and one for the grown-ups
By CHARLIE JARRETT Martinez News-Gazette Columnist Two great shows this week; one primarily for children or the young at heart the California theater in Pittsburgh, and the other entirely for adults located at the Strand theater on Market St. in San Francisco, directly across the street from Civic Center Bart station. In Pittsburg, universal hope […]
Dia de los Muertos event held in downtown Martinez
Main Street was full of costumed artists and their creations, at the Nov. 2 celebration. Dressed as a Mexican revolutionary a Dia de los Muertos event coordinator for the Martinez Arts Association, Lorena Castillo (left) stands next to her artistically designed alter with Pat Mitchell Rasich, another alter artist.
Curtain call for Danville theater; road trip to Oregon
By CHARLIE JARRETT Martinez News-Gazette Columnist This week’s reviews are unique indeed in that you only have to drive 9.7 miles to the first show reviewed (in Danville) or 300 miles and spend one or two nights in Ashland, Oregon to see them. You might ask, why is this guy suggesting that we travel to […]
National Park Service hosts free campfire program
“My fire was in all its glory about midnight…I had nothing to do but look and listen and join the trees in their hymns and prayers.” – John Muir, Travels in Alaska Join the National Park Service for a free campfire program on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at John Muir National Historic Site (NHS) in […]
