Man who broke pregnant girlfriend’s spine, ribs in Menlo Park DV case sentenced
(KRON) — A man who picked up his pregnant girlfriend during an argument at her mother’s Menlo Park home and slammed her to the ground, fracturing her spine and ribs, was sentenced to eight years in state prison, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office announced. Michael Anthony Calkins, 34, of Fair Oaks, was...
After Nearly a Century, Concord’s Classic Hot Dog Spot Has Closed Forever
CONCORD — One of Concord’s most old-school, no-frills food institutions is gone. Kasper’s Hot Dogs, the tiny cash-only stand on Clayton Road known for snappy hot dogs buried in chili and onions, has permanently closed. The Concord location was one of the last two Kasper’s restaurants still operating in the Bay Area,...
Oakland students walk out of class to support climate bill
In Oakland, dozens of students walked out of class on Friday to support a state climate bill — the “Make Polluters Pay Superfund Act," which includes SB 684 in the Senate and AB 1243 in the Assembly. Students held walkouts across the state, including at Berkeley High School.
Beloved by decades of mayors, a Taraval Street icon reopens after 2 years
Dominic Di Grande of The Gold Mirror (opens in new tab), the old-school Italian spot on Taraval Street, had a problem on his hands. Ahead of the 56-year-old restaurant’s grand reopening on Saturday, he and his brother Roberto were given strict instructions by just about everyone they know: Don’t touch the menu....
Ongoing ICE Activity: A Community on Alert
In recent days, there has been an increasing concern regarding the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in certain areas. Some individuals have reportedly refrained from leaving their homes since Wednesday due to the uncertainty of the situation. Despite reports that a significant ICE...
Walnut Creek residential burglary duo arrested, charged
Community assistance leads to identification of Concord man and Oakland woman with history of arrests. On Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, a residential burglary occurred in the area of Citrus Avene and Perada Drive. We requested the community’s help in identifying the two suspects involved in the burglary. Thanks to...
Car reportedly flew onto city streets in fatal Highway 101 crash
The California Highway Patrol suspects the driver was under the influence of alcohol when he crashed on a Highway 101 off-ramp.
Kasper’s, the hot dog that ‘started it all’ in Oakland, is no more
An East Bay institution that’s slung tasty meat tubes for almost a century is no more. Kasper’s Hot Dogs shut down both of its remaining locations in mid-October, one in Concord and the other on Oakland’s MacArthur Boulevard. Started in 1929 in Oakland by Kasper Koojoolian, the brand has now gone from roughly a dozen...
Unusual Substance Abuse Surge in Jack London Square: A Community Alert
In recent months, the Jack London Square (JLS) area has experienced an unusual surge in erratic behavior among its residents. Local brewery owner reports that three separate individuals exhibited abnormal behavior, raising concerns about a possible influx of a potent new drug in the community. The situation has...
Quick response leads to 4 arrests at Concord shopping center
Juveniles suspected of stealing $3,400 in merchandise; Pleasant Hill PD assists. On Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, officers responded to a report of four subjects running toward the exit after stealing merchandise from a local store. When officers arrived, the suspects fled in different directions—but our officers quickly...
