Few surprises in Contra Costa County elections
Election night in Contra Costa County was a good night for incumbents, and on most of the State measures and candidates, Contra Costa was in line with a strong democratic…
Sora O'Doherty
Covers Civic
Latest Articles
Longtime public safety figure retires, looks to future involvement in wildfire safety
Dennis Rein, who has been with the Moraga-Orinda Fire District since 2013, is stepping down to spend more time with his 7-month-old granddaughter and to find new ways to promote…
MOFD has its first all-female paramedic/EMT team call out
Paramedic Frances (Frankie) Borden, left, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Alicia Babson, right, were the Moraga-Orinda Fire District’s first all-female ambulance crew for…
MOFD fills one board vacancy; two contested spots go to general election
The Moraga-Orinda Fire District held a special public board meeting on Oct. 8 to select a replacement on the board for John Jex, who recently retired. After interviewing three…
Trunk & Treat event returns to Orinda, Oct. 22
The Orinda Library Parking Garage and Plaza will be spookily transformed for the third annual Orinda Parks and Recreation “Trunk & Treat” event on Thursday, Oct. 22, with car…
Ballot measures aim to avert closure of Orinda BART, reduction in high school programs
Both the Acalanes Union High School District and the Public Transit Revenue Measure District are trying again to convince voters to pass measures providing more funds to County…
Candidates vie for OUSD and Board of Education seats
Voters in Orinda on Nov. 3 will select from four candidates to fill three seats on the Orinda Union School District governing board. Incumbent Eve Phillips decided not to run…
Bea Arthur documentary screens at Orinda Theatre in October
The Orinda Theatre will be presenting two screenings of the new documentary on the life of actress Bea Arthur next month. The documentary film, entitled, “Bea Arthur—I’ve…
Lamorinda Idols rock the Orinda Theatre at final awards ceremony
The 2026 Lamorinda Idols final competition was held on Aug. 16 at the Orinda Theatre. Winners were announced in solo and group performances. The performers had spent months in…
Lamorinda CERT’s Duncan Seibert is honored, new personnel announced
Lamorinda CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) announced at its June meeting that longtime Program Manager Duncan Seibert, who has served in that position for 16 years, has…
Orinda Car Show turns focus on Porsche through the decades
The 22nd annual Orinda Classic Car Show will be held on Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Orinda Classic Car Center at 61 Orinda Way in Orinda Village. Admission is…
Orinda recognizes wildfire threat, takes steps to mitigate
Recently Orinda has continued its efforts to try to improve wildfire safety in the city by renewing its contract with Ladris – a disaster evacuation modeling platform for…
Orinda bids goodbye to Sheri Smith, welcomes new City Clerk
Sheri Smith, who came to Orinda as Sheri Spediacci in September 2016, is retiring after 10 years of service as City Clerk. City Manager Linda Smith has announced the appointment…
Moraga Candidates Night on Oct. 6
Moraga Citizens Network, a nonprofit organization in Moraga dedicated to encouraging civic, recreational, and community engagements, will be hosting a Moraga Candidates Night on…
Candidates and Measures for November election finalized
With the closure of filing for the November General Election, the candidates and measures that will be on the ballot are coming into focus. The races specific to Lamorinda include…
OPD officer steps into newly created position for community benefit
The position of “Day Officer” has been filled by Chanel Taliaferro, who started working for the Orinda Police Department two years ago. The new position was created by Orinda…
OIS student Aiden Meng recognized for spelling bee performance
Aiden Meng, a seventh-grade student at Orinda Intermediate School, was celebrated at the Orinda City Council meeting on July 21 for his accomplishment of tying for sixth place at…
Orinda enjoys a grand National Night Out in the park
Orinda kicked National Night Out up a notch this year. In the week preceding the annual event, the Orinda Police Department decided to build some interest in the competition with…
Lafayette Reservoir tower lowered as part of earthquake retrofit work
After years of planning and objections from Lafayette residents at public meetings, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has begun the retrofitting of the tower in the…
Hours of talking, but no new action on senior housing development's preschool impact
With work scheduled to begin this summer, The Orinda Pre-School (TOPS) has been raising concerns about the construction of the Vista Verde senior housing development. …
Nomination period opens for local office elections
This month residents will have the opportunity to put themselves forward for positions on local town and city councils, elementary school boards, the Acalanes Union High School…
Orinda to help businesses spruce up exteriors
Last month the Orinda City Council voted to provide money to local businesses to help them update their façades. The program will provide up to $10,000 for projects costing under…
Orinda celebrates USA’s 250th anniversary with parade and festivities
On a moderate, sunny morning, The Orinda Association, with the help of many sponsors, threw a giant Fourth of July party to mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of…
MOFD Demonstration Garden work begins
Work has begun on a demonstration garden at Moraga-Orinda Fire District Station 42 on Moraga Road across from the Rheem Shopping Center. Upon completion, the garden, a joint…