Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a Martinez church became the city’s newest emergency resiliency hub
Also, don't miss This Is Hallo-Wine: Inspired by Nightmare Before Christmas on the Martinez Patch calendar

Coffee in hand, Martinez? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a Martinez church became the city's newest emergency resiliency hub
- Martinez angler lands big payday with second place at Don Pedro
- Why are East Bay cities, including Martinez, closing pickleball courts?
Also on today's calendar: This Is Hallo-Wine: Inspired by Nightmare Before Christmas and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Riddle: David's parents have three sons: Snap, Crackle, and what's the name of the third son? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Partly sunny and comfortable, with a high of 78 and low of 56 degrees.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 74, low: 53.
- Monday: Sunny and warmer, with a high of 84 and low of 54 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. 'California Cool Climate' church to bless solar panels (sanjosesun.com) — Grace Episcopal Church in Martinez is blessing 21 new solar panels this Sunday, part of a project that will also make the church the city's third emergency resiliency center. With a new battery backup, the church aims to offer Wi‑Fi, heating, cooling, and a safe place for residents during future emergencies while cutting reliance on fossil fuels.
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2. Hayden Lee Hunts Down First Pro Win at BAM Don Pedro (anglerschannel.com) — Martinez angler Luke Beaty snagged a strong second-place finish at the BAM Pro‑Am West tournament on Lake Don Pedro, weighing nearly 50 pounds of bass over three days. His deep‑water dropshot strategy and electronics helped him track finicky fish, earning a $5,000 payday and putting Martinez on the leaderboard at this season‑ending event.
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3. Brentwood to close Creekside Park pickleball courts following complaints (eastbaytimes.com) — Brentwood is shutting down its Creekside Park pickleball courts after persistent noise complaints, moving play temporarily to Sunset Park and planning a new six-court facility on Elkins Way. For Martinez residents, the story echoes March's decision by the Martinez City Council to permanently close eight Hidden Valley pickleball courts over similar neighborhood concerns, highlighting a regional struggle to balance recreation with peace and quiet.
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4. United States: HSI Arrests Previously-Deported Illegal Alien Who Attacked an ICE Officer with Vehicle (thestkittsnevisobserver.com) — Federal officials say a man previously deported three times was arrested in Martinez after allegedly using his vehicle to injure an ICE officer here in late August. The officer suffered non‑life‑threatening injuries but now needs assistance to walk, and Homeland Security leaders are emphasizing they will aggressively pursue anyone who attacks law enforcement in local communities.
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5. DA Absolves Officers Despite Autopsy Citing Blunt Force Trauma in Custody Death (davisvanguard.org) — Contra Costa County prosecutors in Martinez have cleared two officers in the in‑custody death of 72‑year‑old Yolanda Bustos Ramirez, concluding she died from a stroke and medical issues despite a second autopsy citing blunt force trauma and asphyxiation. The case, involving an arrest in Brentwood and treatment at local hospitals, raises ongoing questions about police restraint and medical care in custody.
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📸 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 ★
- This Is Hallo-Wine: Inspired by Nightmare Before Christmas →
Four Fools Winery, 13 Pacific Ave, Rodeo
1:00 pm - You're Invited! Preview Open House →
20 Alhambra Hills Dr, Martinez
1:00 pm - Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Seismic & Modernization Project: Community Info Session →
7:00 pm - Friends Fest 2026 →
VFW Hall, 930 Ward St, Martinez
2:00 pm - Pleasant Hill Harvest Festival →
Downtown Pleasant Hill, 105 Crescent Dr, Pleasant Hill
11:00 am
Saturday September 26
Tuesday September 29
Sunday October 4
Saturday October 10
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Walnut Creek Oktoberfest: Prost to a Weekend of Brews, Brats & Bavarian Fun! 🥨🍻 →
1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
12:00 pm - Food on the Patio at Five Suns Brewery, Martinez →
Five Sons Brewing, Martinez - Fun @ Slow Hand BBQ - Martinez →
Slow Hand BBQ - Martinez, Martinez - 24th Annual MRC-MEF Run for Education →
Martinez CA - MRC-MEF Run for Education →
Martinez CA
8:30 am - Blessing of the animals and solar panels →
Grace Episcopal Church, 130 Muir Station Rd, Martinez
12:00 pm - Blessing of the Animals →
First Congregational Church of Martinez, 1229 Court St, Martinez
10:00 am
Saturday September 26
Sunday September 27
Sunday October 4
📣 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!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Martinez PatchAM possible:
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
- This is my sweet baby girl Kiki.
She hasn't come home all day long and it's usually very good about checking in during the day. She's very friendly and loving. Please if you see her… (Nextdoor Mountain View)
- Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa posted a job opening for Court Reporter - Per Diem in Martinez. Apply here.
- Advantage Solutions posted a job opening for Part Time Sr. Shift Supervisor in Costco in Concord. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Martinez here.
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: David (Thank you Thomas F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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