Week in Review: Fire Station Cuts, Connecticut Shooting, Football Champs

The holidays can be a stressful time of year, with all the worrying about the little things like gifts and food and family plans. But this week the hustle and bustle was overshadowed by a national tragedy that reverbated here at home.

Read up on local reaction to the Connecticut shooting, as well as other news from Concord Patch last week:

SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING

• Lone Gunman Goes on Killing Spree at Elementary School in Connecticut: A total of 26 children and members of staff were killed in a school shooting Friday morning in Newtown, Conn, shocking the nation.
• BLOG: How Teachers React to the Newtown School Shooting
• BLOG: Why I'm Not Picking Up My Kids Early From School Today

BUSINESS

• Hidden Gem: Gator Bob's Holiday Sale: This bargain warehouse on Salvio Street is a labyrinth of cardboard boxes filled with stocking stuffers, gifts, decorations and more for as little as 10 cents.
• How Can Concord Improve in 2013? From modernizing Park 'n Shop to building more community sports facilities, the ideas are rolling for how to make Concord a better place to live.
• Poll: Should the Dome Theater Be Demolished? The CinéArts movie theater in Pleasant Hill has been around for almost 50 years. But the owners are thinking of tearing it down and building a modern shopping center.
• Sprouts & Shutters: Kids Gaming Store Opens in Mall: Find out what's opening, closing and changing around town, including the new GameStop Kids in the mall.

GOVERNMENT

• Clayton Fire Station to be De-Staffed: Station 11 will close its regular operations in January and instead be manned six hours a day by Crystal Ranch staff. 
• City Considers Ban on Outdoor Medical Marijuana Plants: A discussion about regulating the cultivation of medical marijuana plants outdoors in Concord took place during Tuesday's council meeting. How do you think growers should be dealt with, if at all?
• Edi Birsan Moves from Public Critic to City Leader: Having missed just two council meetings in the past four years, Birsan gives up the podium and public comments for a place on the council.

SPORTS

• Football Championship: De La Salle High Wins Fourth Straight State Title: The Spartans withstood a second half challenge from Centennial High to win the state Division I championship.

SCHOOLS

• Mt. Diablo School Superintendent Delivers Message To Parents: Superintendent Steven Lawrence offered his condolences and assurances after the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.

POLICE AND SAFETY

• Retired Police Dog 'Alk' Dies: The 11-year-old K-9 spent six years with the Concord Police Department before being retired and adopted by his handler in June, 2011. Alk died of cancer Thursday.
• : The driver of the SUV that hit and killed skateboarder Scott Hickerson says the collision was an accident. Does Monument Boulevard need increased traffic safety measures?

CRIME AND FIRE

• : Another week in Clayton with no traffic accidents, but a couple of DUIs and an arrest for petty theft.
• : This report from the Concord Police Department tallies the 69 arrests in the past week — down from 56 the week before. Last week the number of DUI arrests more than tripled from 5 to 16.
• Concord Police Burglary Report: Break-Ins at Businesses: There were 11 burglaries in Concord from Dec. 6 to Dec. 12 — down from 19 the week before. Most of the burglaries were businesses, including Lowe's and the Sunvalley mall.
• Fight Over Drugs Caused Murder at Homeless Camp: A missing syringe of methamphetamine led to a fight between the two transient men, according to court officials.
• Driver Identified in Skateboarder Fatality: Police have released the name of the 21-year-old driver who struck and killed Scott Hickerson, also 21, on Dec. 7. The cause of the collision is under investigation and no arrests have been made.

ARTS

• VIDEO: Fans Wait Hours in the Cold for 'The Hobbit': Dozens of fans braved 40 degree weather to catch the midnight showing of the new film by director Peter Jackson.

COMMUNITY

• 12-12-12 Was A Popular Day To Get Married: Oh, it's also the beginning of the end of the world, according to the Mayans.
• Appreciating the Cheap and Cheerful Potato: Potatoes are versatile and comforting in winter recipes. Here's a few to try. Add your own in the comments.

SEASONAL

• Give Concord for Christmas: Support your city by shopping at small businesses and gifting memberships to local organizations. Here are some suggestions for showing Concord some love this holiday season.

BLOGS

• Concord On Tap: Experience Concord's Modern-Day Speakeasy
• Guest Blogger David Fisher Writes About the Holiday Blues

Also, there is $100,000 up for grab's for Concord schools in Patch's 'Deck the House' competition. If your home is lit-up for the holidays, simply share a picture to enter.

MOST POPULAR ARTICLES ON CONCORD PATCH

• Lone Gunman Goes on Killing Spree at Elementary School in Connecticut
• Driver Identified in Skateboarder Fatality
• Candlelight Vigil to be Held for Scott Hickerson

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