Week In Review: Fire Stations, Otters and Beavers

Martinez fire station may be closed

Contra Costa County supervisors at their Tuesday meeting will consider a plan to close four stations, including the one on Shell Avenue in Martinez.

Contra Costa Fire District Chief Daryl Louder said the closures are necessary because of the failure of a fire district parcel tax on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The other three stations are in Clayton, Walnut Creek and Lafayette.

Louder said the closures will save the district $3 million a year.

Rain doesn't dampen holiday events

More than 50 people turned out for Martinez's annual holiday tree lighting on Friday evening despite the stormy weather.

The rain did force organizers to cancel the light parade and ice skating rink as well as move the Snow Park indoors.

Still, dozens of family members showed up to enjoy the indoor festivities.

Otters spotted in Martinez lake

A Patch reader saw two otters in the pond at Hidden Lakes Park this week and dutifully snapped photos of them.

Jason Parks said he has thought in the past that he has seen the aquatic mammals in the lake, but he got a good look at them on his most recent visit.

River otters, he said, are more common than people might think in this region's streams and creeks.

Beavers come out for Beaver Moon celebration

A dozen nature lovers attended an informal Beaver Moon celebration on the bridge near Martinez's Amtrak station on Wednesday evening.

The event was organized by the community group, Worth A Dam.

And, wouldn't you know it, two of the four beavers who live in Alhambra Creek came out at sunset, delighting those in attendance.

Breast cancer a concern in the region

A statewide breast cancer mapping project this week identified Contra Costa County as an area of concern.

The study said breast cancer rates in the county were higher than most other regions of the state.

Concord had the highest rate in the county, followed by Walnut Creek.