🌱 Patch AM: How will Martinez’s 150th birthday reshape parks, waterfront, and neighborhoods?

Good day Martinez! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How will Martinez’s 150th birthday reshape parks, waterfront, and neighborhoods?
• Why this Concord murder case is now unfolding in Martinez courtrooms
• How a Hercules family assault ended at Martinez’s county jail

Also on today's calendar: Local History: The Anza Expedition 250th Anniversary plus CCCHS celebrates 75 yrs. and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: After dinner, my parents asked if I could clear the table. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 58 and low of 39 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 56, low: 35.
• Saturday: Periods of sun, with a high of 59 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• City of Martinez kicks off Sesquicentennial Celebration: 'Past, Present, Future, Together' (contracostaherald.com) — Martinez is launching a yearlong Sesquicentennial celebration in 2026, highlighted by district community sessions starting January 15, a special April 1 City Council meeting, and an August 29 festival. Residents can also weigh in on major initiatives like the Park System Master Plan, waterfront revitalization, and new public art and tree-planting projects that will shape the city’s future.
   

• Concord man charged with murdering parents on New Year's Eve (contracostaherald.com) — A high‑profile double‑murder case from Concord is now centered in Martinez, where the suspect is being held at the Martinez Detention Facility on $4 million bail and appearing in local Superior Court departments. Prosecutors say the 61‑year‑old man faces two murder counts with firearm enhancements and potential sentences of 25 years to life on each count.
   

• Hercules man arrested in New Year's Day attack on elderly mother, police say (cbsnews.com) — An alleged New Year’s Day assault in Hercules has indirect ties to Martinez, as the arrested son was ultimately booked into the Martinez Detention Facility after his elderly mother was hospitalized with head injuries. Police say he was detained after briefly barricading himself in a vehicle and trying to flee on foot.
   

📸 Around Martinez

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Martinez

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 24

• Local History: The Anza Expedition 250th Anniversary plus CCCHS celebrates 75 yrs.
  Concord Museum and Event Center, 1928 Clayton Rd, Concord, CA, 94519,
  11:30 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday January 10

• Alhambra Girls Basketball New Year's Shootout
  Alhambra High School , 150 E St , Martinez
  9:00 am
• Martinez Library Storytime
  Martinez Library , 740 Court Street , Martinez
  10:00 am
• Read to a Dog
  Martinez Library , 740 Court Street , Martinez
  12:00 pm

Monday January 12

• The Acorns Winter - Monday
  91 Arreba St , Martinez
  5:30 pm

Tuesday January 13

• Clutter-Free in 2026: How to Let Go and Get Organized
  Martinez Library , 740 Court Street , Martinez
  6:00 pm

Thursday January 15

• Computer Docent Help at Martinez Library
  Martinez Library , 740 Court Street , Martinez
  10:00 am

Saturday January 17

• Martinez Library Storytime
  Martinez Library , 740 Court Street , Martinez
  10:00 am
• How to Read Korean
  Martinez Library , 740 Court Street , Martinez
  3:00 pm

📣 Martinez Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday January 8

• Computer Docent Help at Martinez Library
  Martinez Library , 740 Court Street , Martinez
  10:00 am
• Storytime Junction
  Lafayette Library and Learning Center , 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd , Lafayette
  10:30 am
• Sewing Studio Basics
  Contra Costa County Public Library , 1750 Oak Park Boulevard , Pleasant Hill
  3:00 pm
• 3D Printing Studio
  Lafayette Library and Learning Center , 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd , Lafayette
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Martinez PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Kaya is still missing.
  Reddish Shepherd/Malinois mix. About 70 pounds. Greying muzzle. She has been missing since Christmas. I am hopeful that now the sun is out, she will… (Nextdoor Virginia Hills)
• "Avoid the area" for police investigation in Antioch, California.
  11:48AM on Jan 6: Antioch Police Department advises to avoid E 6th Street and A Street due to an active police investigation. (Nextdoor )

• Walmart posted a job opening for Home Team Supervisor in Martinez. Apply here.
• Securitas Inc. posted a job opening for Security Officer with TWIC Card Hiring Bonus in Martinez. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Martinez here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pleasant Hill

• Prevent a Winter Blood Shortage: Give Blood or Platelets Now (contracosta.news)

Benicia

• Valero Winds Down Benicia Refinery, Shifting Bay Area Fuel Supply To Imports (patch.com)

Concord

Ok Martinez! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I needed a running start, but I made it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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