Martinez News

Crowds of people walk down Main street during the Martinez Peddlers Faire in Martinez, Calif., on Saturday May 18, 2013.

The following are shortened versions of recent East Bay restaurant reviews that garnered * * 1 2 or more stars.

Voters' rejection in November of a Contra Costa Fire District parcel tax -- it would have cost a typical property owner $75 per year -- was widely seen as a two-part ultimatum to those in charge: 1) Learn to live within your budget, and 2) find a less costly way to deliver emergency services.

Authorities said Nyjeah Jenkins, 22, was the man found near a fence on the edge of the property at the Hudson Townhouse Manor apartments just before 8 a.m. Friday.

A brush fire in the San Francisco Bay Area has been contained after coming close to homes, and authorities are investigating whether it was set intentionally.

A Concord woman was arrested Sunday evening on suspicion of arson after police say she used a lighter to set fire to a hillside that in turn sparked a four-acre burn.

Phil Garrett and Brooks Pedder of Colliers International in Fairfield recently represented the owner in the sale of approximately 86,960 square feet of industrial space at 2700 Maxwell Way in Fairfield.

A federal judge on Friday threw out a civil lawsuit lodged by a Contra Costa deputy district attorney who claims he was maliciously prosecuted on rape charges.

Like most mornings, Judy Jensen kissed and hugged her husband Wednesday before her hourlong walk -- but this time she came back inside for one more embrace, a friend said Thursday.

A probation search of a home in Martinez led officers to a woman who is now behind bars on suspicion of burglarizing a Pleasant Hill home, police said.

Twilight Music presents California-based, world music quartet Fishtank Ensemble at Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery, 139 Main St., on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The dynamic, virtuosic and fiery band plays a high-energy mix of Romanian, Gypsy jazz, flamenco, Balkan, Turkish, Greek and tango-influenced music.

In a seemingly quixotic quest, an East Bay businessman who is a dual Iranian and U.S. citizen has thrown his hat into the ring to be Iran's next president.

Enterprising spirits of 14 small business entrepreneurs were honored at the 13th annual Contra Costa Small Business Award Luncheon where event host Contra Costa Council marked 2013 as a year when retro trades and high-tech industries came together.

Q I know you've written about the construction that's beginning again on Interstate 580 in Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton, but there seems to be much more going on than just the addition of a westbound carpool lane.

The Architectural Review Commission is regularly set to meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 16, in the small community room of City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane.

If one Contra Costa County home gardener fights "peach curl" with enviro-safe fungicide once a year, a tree is saved.

In Northern California this is the time of year for plump juicy cherries. California grows sweet cherries, rather than tart, and they are great for making jams and pies with less sugar.

The Martinez Unified School District plans to explore ways to reduce the use of potentially harmful pesticides on school grounds.

For those seeking work in Lafayette, Moraga or Orinda - or those who are looking for a new job, or even a second job - here's a list of local job openings.

For those seeking work in Martinez - or those who are looking for a new job, or even a second job - here's a list of local job openings.