Local Government

Table titled "Contra Costa Health Five-Year Outlook" showing budget projections from fiscal year 2027 through 2031, with a cumulative $730 million deficit and the county's fund balance turning negative by fiscal year 2031.

Local Government

Contra Costa Health warns of $730 million shortfall through 2031

Contra Costa Health projects a $730 million deficit through 2031 as federal and state Medi-Cal cuts threaten coverage for up to 93,000 residents; the Board of Supervisors hears a full report Tuesday that includes four scenarios for the county hospital's future.

August 25, 2026 · 3 min read

Aerial map of the project site at 2615 N. Main St. in Walnut Creek, with the parcel outlined in teal near the intersection of North Main Street and a side street, showing surrounding auto shops, apartment buildings and parking lots.

Local Government

Nine-lane shooting range advances to Walnut Creek planners

Walnut Creek's Design Review Commission reviewed Elite Armory's proposed nine-lane indoor shooting range at 2615 N. Main St. on Aug. 19 and forwarded advisory comments to the Planning Commission, which will decide on the conditional use permit at a future hearing.

August 20, 2026 · 3 min read

A white and blue BART train stopped at an outdoor station platform.

Local Government

Walnut Creek voters face new Bay Area transit tax

Senate Bill 63 created a special taxing district governed by the MTC board, and after a signature campaign cleared 300,000 names, the Connect Bay Area half-cent transit tax is headed to the Nov. 3 ballot in Contra Costa County and four other Bay Area jurisdictions.

August 20, 2026 · 3 min read

Gray public EV charging station with two ports mounted on a post outdoors.

Local Government

Walnut Creek EV chargers could cost up to $1 per kWh

Walnut Creek staff will ask the City Council on Aug. 18 to begin the process of charging EV drivers $0.16 to $1.00 per kilowatt-hour at 40 public charging ports in downtown garages and at Shadelands, ending nine years of free charging as part of a $5.6 million fleet electrification plan.

August 18, 2026 · 3 min read

Green destination sign on a sidewalk pointing toward Walnut Creek and Downtown.

Local Government

Walnut Creek finds $210K for downtown sidewalk fixes

Walnut Creek proposes spending $210,000 in newly identified federal CDBG funds on ADA sidewalk improvements downtown, with a public comment period open through Sept. 15 and a council vote that same evening.

August 18, 2026 · 2 min read

A Waymo autonomous vehicle driving in San Francisco, California

Local Government

CPUC clears Waymo to operate in Walnut Creek

The California Public Utilities Commission approved Waymo's driverless ride-hailing service across Contra Costa County on Aug. 14, putting Walnut Creek in the company's authorized territory, though no launch date has been set for local service.

August 18, 2026 · 2 min read

An electric articulated bus connected to an overhead charging arch at a transit station.

Local Government

Walnut Creek council to vote on citywide fee overhaul

The Walnut Creek City Council meets Tuesday, Aug. 18, for a public hearing on the FY27 Master Fee Schedule, an appeal of a denied short-term rental permit at 635 Mandarin Lane, and a first look at the city's draft Electric Vehicle Strategic Plan.

August 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Orange poppies and pink wildflowers on a grassy hillside with rolling tree-covered ridges behind.

Local Government

Senate votes 33-0 to protect Walnut Creek's Diablo Range

The California Senate voted unanimously on Aug. 13 to designate the Diablo Range a state conservation priority under ACR 107, a milestone driven by Walnut Creek nonprofit Save Mount Diablo and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan that advances the state's 30x30 climate initiative.

August 17, 2026 · 3 min read

People seated around a conference table with American and California flags in background.

Local Government

Walnut Creek adopts 5-year plan for federal housing funds

Walnut Creek's share of federal housing grants — including CDBG, HOME and ESG funds — will be guided by a new five-year Consolidated Plan now in effect through 2030, covering affordable housing, homeless services and home rehabilitation.

August 13, 2026 · 2 min read

Two-lane road narrowed by white concrete K-rail barriers and orange construction barricades, with a white SUV stopped ahead.

Local Government

Norris Canyon Road closure drags on past four years

Contra Costa County's $3.74 million soldier pile wall repair on Norris Canyon Road won't begin construction until summer 2027, extending a single-lane closure that has bottlenecked traffic near Walnut Creek since the 2023 winter storms.

August 12, 2026 · 2 min read

An Antioch-bound BART train at an elevated station platform under blue sky.

Local Government

New BART schedule saves Walnut Creek riders 17 minutes

BART's permanent "Big Sync" schedule restructuring takes effect Monday, Aug. 10, shifting Yellow Line departure times at Walnut Creek and cutting transfer waits at MacArthur and Pittsburg stations.

August 6, 2026 · 2 min read

Local Government

EBMUD's Gómez runs on Walnut Creek plant upgrade

EBMUD Board President Luz Gómez launched her Ward 2 reelection campaign on Aug. 5, highlighting her support for the Walnut Creek Water Treatment Plant Pretreatment Project and the district's $5.6 billion capital program as rates rise for local households.

August 5, 2026 · 2 min read

Walnut Creek Record

Walnut Creek Record

Walnut Creek Record