from The Press
Vol. 25, No. 48
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS SOURCE | WWW.THEPRESS.NET
December 1, 2023
Hometown Holiday back after ‘long hiatus’ Knightsen to host parade for town’s 125th anniversary
Knightsen’s Hometown Holiday Festival returns on Dec. 2 as part of the town’s 125th anniversary. Organizers plan for it to be more than a parade to celebrate.
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
The Knightsen Hometown Holiday Festival will return on Dec. 2 after what organizers have called “a long hiatus.” The parade is part of the town’s 125th anniversary celebration. “Knightsen is one of the last remaining small towns in all of Contra Costa County with less than 1,500 residents,” event
Press photo
manager Erin Mathias said via email. “This event is to showcase what is special about our little town and to give neighbors the opportunity to be together
to share their holiday cheer and soak in the spirit of the holidays in a way only a small town can. The wonderful volunteers who are a part of this year’s parade
committee are hopeful that our town shows up on Dec. 2 to enjoy the day together shopping, eating and doing all things festive to start the Christmas sea-
13 theft-related arrests made over Thanksgiving weekend By Jake Menez Staff Writer
With theft on the rise during the holiday season, Brentwood and Oakley police have released tips to help residents avoid becoming victims of these crimes. “This past weekend, the Oakley Police Department made 12 arrests, many for theft-related offenses,” Oakley Police wrote on social media on Nov. 28. “We are currently in the full swing of the holiday sea-
Photo by Melissa van Ruiten
he City of Brentwood held its annual tree lighting on Saturday, Nov. 25. With countdown help from Santa, Mrs. Claus, Mayor Joel Bryant, and city council members, the city’s 24-foot Christmas tree was illuminated before a soft “snow” began to fall. For more photos from the parade and tree lighting, see page 10. To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
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Brentwood, Oakley give tips to reduce holiday season theft
Merry and bright
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son with a lovely day of community.” While previous iterations of the holiday celebration were limited to a parade, Mathias characterized the 2023 version of the free event as “more of a festival.” In addition to the parade at 4 p.m., festivities will kick off at 2:30 p.m. with the Holiday Gift Market vendor fair and food trucks. Following the parade, there will also be a tree lighting and caroling, as well as an opportunity to drink hot chocolate with Santa Claus, according to Mathias. These after-parade festivities are in collaboration with Knightsen 4H and the Garden
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son, which is a time of family gatherings, refocusing on catching up with friends, and spending time with those we may have missed. This is also a peak time for package thievery due to all of the online shopping and home deliveries of packages.” Brentwood police made one theft-related arrest of their own over the Thanksgiving weekend – Nov. 23-26 – according to Community Engagement Officer Lindzie Laughridge. “Every year during the holiday season, we anticipate the potential for an increase in theft-related crimes. Therefore, many officers will conduct extra patrols and enforcement around our businesses,” Laughridge said. “I’m sure you have seen them parked see Theft page 19A
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