Pleasanton, CA|News|
Donlon Elementary School Gets New Principal
Former Walnut Grove Vice Principal Kristina Brown replaces Janet Gates.

I am excited to start as Patch's permanent Tri-Valley editor and dig deep into the communities of Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore. I previously worked as a field editor for Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, and Northridge-Chatsworth. I took a brief detour to report for the Beverly Hills Courier, then rejoined Patch as a roving editor and California general assignment editor. Before then I was the Associate Editor of the Jewish Journal, a biweekly paper covering the Jewish community north of Boston. I grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts, a small, seaside town north of Boston, and graduated from Bard College in New York, and then got my masters in teaching from New York University. I'm excited to get to know the Tri-Valley. Feel free to send any story ideas to michael.wittner@patch.com.
Former Walnut Grove Vice Principal Kristina Brown replaces Janet Gates.

If convicted, Daryl "Dirty Dick" Smith could face life in prison for 15 counts of sexual abuse.
Police arrested a man accused of stealing multiple bikes from an apartment complex on Diablo Road.
Tyler Moxley snapped a photo of this deer in lush grass - and it saw him too.
Walmart Pharmacies will hold a back-to-school wellness day this Saturday. See the full list of screenings and immunizations available.
Walmart Pharmacies will hold a back-to-school wellness day this Saturday. See the full list of screenings and immunizations available.
SPARC's performance at the Village Theatre brings a talented crew and a fresh reinterpretation of the Bard's play.
Bethany Zummo didn't let an amputated leg stop her from winning two Gold Medals, and trying for a third.
The District 57 champions will compete with teams from all over the world this week at Max Baer Park in Livermore.
Kavya Vijayabaskar won the Gold designation for spending over 100 hours volunteering with Kids Against Hunger.
Nine 23-foot banners at City Center designed by San Ramon artist and LLNL employee James Wickboldt honor the groundbreaking discovery.
The Fremont indoor play zone signed a lease for 8700 square feet at Blackhawk Plaza.
Residents around Sunol Regional Wilderness were allowed to return home Monday night. The Creek Fire continues to burn 744 acres.
Janet Coppedge hit it big on a Scratchers ticket at the A&A Gas and Food Mart on Amador Valley Boulevard.
The May event was postponed due to heavy rain.
Dublin Commons is a proposed retail, housing, research facilities, and a large town park located at Dublin Plaza Shopping Center.
The party will feature games, prizes, music, swimming, and more.
Two incredible meteor showers will peak Tuesday and Wednesday.
Patch and T-Mobile are highlighting star students who are contributing to their communities.
Evacuation orders remain in the place for the 744-acre fire.