Community Focus
Veterans Commission plans November ceremonies
MARTINEZ, Calif. – Taking the lead of the federal government, which will be observing Veterans Day Nov. 12, the Martinez Veterans Commission has agreed to have local ceremonies on that date. A hundred years ago, the Treaty of Versailles, signed June 28, 1919 in France, ended World War I, or “The Great War” as it […]
Message from the Chief of Police, Sept. 2018
By MANJIT SAPPAL Martinez Chief of Police MARTINEZ, Calif. – This month our community celebrated another successful National Night Out and every year the event gets better and better! We saw an incredible turn out at various locations and it was a great opportunity for the community to come together and support one another. National […]
DeSaulnier announces app coding contest for area high school students
MARTINEZ, Calif. – High school students who live in U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s district, California 11, may compete in the fourth annual Congressional App Challenge, a coding competition. DeSaulnier is host of his district competition, which is open to high school students who either live or attend school in this district. To enter, students will […]
Adopt a pet, Sept. 16, 2018
These animals are available from Contra Costa County Animal Services. Joe, No. A0924227, is one of the most unusual looking dogs in the Martinez Shelter. He has a Pittie-type doggie face and a Basset hound body, and staff there say he has a sweet personality. Joe leans in to give kisses and seeks out petting. […]
Park It by Ned MacKay: Coastal Cleanup
Every year at this time, there’s a call for volunteers to help remove trash and recyclables from shoreline parks, lakes and along creeks throughout California. Coastal Cleanup 2018 is from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 15. East Bay Regional Park District will participate at nine regional parklands. Volunteers should bring a refillable water […]
Hometown Herbalist: Back to school
By ANNA MARIE BEAUCHEMIN Pencils, backpacks, papers, and likely a whole lot of energy – the return to school is a notoriously wacky time of year. Young kids are bubbling with excitement about the year ahead, while simultaneously mourning the loss of abundant free time and late morning wakeups. All this can combine to create […]
Mutt Strutt Thursday at Susana Park
MARTINEZ, Calif. – This is no simple dog walk – the Martinez Recreation Division’s annual Mutt Strutt will be Thursday at Susana Park. Besides strutting around the park, the dogs will be judged in such categories as best name, best tail, best trick, best costume and the dog that looks the most like its owner. […]
Adopt a pet: Sept. 9, 2018
Nala, No. A897889, has been in the Martinez shelter for nearly 10 months, and employees there say they can’t figure out why it has taken her so long to find a permanent home. Described as a fun dog who is eager to please and is quick to learn new skills, Nala is one of the […]
Officers, others remember Sgt. Starzyk’s sacrifice
MARTINEZ, Calif. – Between the solemn sound of a bagpipe to the somber notes of “Taps,” Martinez Police Sgt. Paul Starzyk was praised Thursday by Martinez Police Chief Manjit Sappal and remembered by former chief, Tom Simonetti, who recalled Starzyk’s humor and dedication. “He made a difference,” Sappal said. “He gave his own life.” Ten […]
At Home With Vivian: Just a Routine
Labor Day has come and gone. The kids are back in school. Summer (even though the autumnal equinox isn’t until September 23) is over. Summers are fun and exciting, but there’s something about getting back to a predictable routine that’s comforting, especially to kids. Kids thrive on routine. I know. I was one of those […]
